Work Text:
Ruth remembers the first time she met her.
She had been at one of Wilford’s parties, the one’s he hosted on his train, loud, bright and glittering.
The crowd had grown silent as usual in preparation for Wilfords entrance. She glared up at the balcony, taking a sip of whatever the peachy cocktail they were serving was. The doors at the top of the stairs flew open, revealing the man of the hour in an emerald green suit, she locked eyes with him, waving her hand for him to come down.
“Ruth!” He laughed once he finally got to her.
“Mr. Wilford I need to speak to you abou-“
Before She could finish, Wilford stopped her, waving for someone behind her to come over.
“Melanie come here, come here”
Ruth turned around her breath hitching mid sip, as she fought the urge to cough looking at the woman Wilford was beckoning over.
She was taller than Ruth, not by much, looked a little younger, had long dark hair swept over her shoulders and piercing green eyes that Ruth couldn’t help losing herself in for a moment. This Melanie woman also happened to be sporting a rather eye catching dark cherry slip that brought out her eyes and oh god Ruth hoped the brunette wouldn’t catch her gaze wandering, or god forbid, Mr.Wilford.
“Ruth, this is Melanie Cavill, our brilliant head engineer! Melanie, this is Ruth Wardell our most dedicated member of Hospitality!” The man beside her smiled.
“Pleasure to meet you Ms. Cavill.” She smiled, offering her hand out, having it awkwardly shook by spindly fingers.
“Likewise.” The brunette gave a small smile, pearly teeth glimmering in the dim lighting.
“I will leave you two girls to get to know each other.” Wilford smiled, before turning to Melanie and saying “Find me when you’re done sugar.”
Melanie responded with a nod and a tight smile in lieu of a verbal reply, tensing at the pet name.
As he walked away Ruth saw Melanie’s smile slowly fade away, her face settling in a more or less grimace, before looking back at her.
“So Ms. Wardell, how are you enjoying the party.” She drawled, vaguely gesturing around the room.
“Between you and me..” Ruth started, leaning in, “It’s a bit loud for my taste.”
Melanie nodded, before her eyes lit up.
“I have an idea.” She smirked, before grabbing Ruth’s wrist and giving it a gentle tug, as if askinb for permission.
Ruth nodded and they were off, dodging rich old couples and waiters untill they reached the bar.
Ruth’s eyes widened as Melanie plucked a bottle of champagne from the counter when the bartender wasn’t looking.
“Let’s go!” She giggled, darting off in the otger direction, Ruth following close behind till finally, they reached a door.
“Ok, no one knows about this so you can’t tell.” Melanie whispered dramatically and suddenly Ruth realised that she was already on the better side of tipsy.
She drew her right hand up to her mouth and made a zipping gesture.
“Good.” Melanie laughed before pushing open the door to reveal one of the most beautiful rooms she had every seen, the walls were plexiglass and harbored fish on the other side.
“This is my getaway.” She hummed contentedly.
-.-.-.-.-.-
They were playing secret or drink, Ruth let out a loud laugh as Melanie tried to tell another secret.
“Ok..” she started “I really want to kiss you right now.”
The smile disapeared quickly replaced by panic as Melanie leaned closer. Panic that was quickly replaced with hunger as their lips finally met.
She felt Melanie wrap her arms around her neck and a soft whimper escape from her mouth into Ruth’s.
The blonde pulled away for air, her shoulders still being held by a blushing Melanie.
“You wanna do that again?”
Secret or Drink was always a good idea.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Ruth remembers that now, six years later as she watched from a crack in the door of the aquarium, Melanie slumped on the floor. Sipping vodka from the bottle, alone.