33 Dont Joke About Death (1/2)

Ruby and Ash ended up going to a famous restaurant on the Strip for dinner. She said he didn't have to come with her but he argued that seeing a real human restaurant would be less boring than hanging out in the hotel room.

She couldn't dissuade him so they ended up ordering two different entrees for appearance's sake. She figured she could bring the leftovers back with her for later.

She was able to get away with trying two desserts as well. Maybe having someone who didn't eat come to dinner with her wasn't such a bad idea after all. Ash didn't seem offended by it either, merely curious.

”I ate way too much,” Ruby moaned on their way out of the restaurant, clutching her stomach. ”But it was fantastic so I can die happy.”

Alarm flashed through her companion's eyes and he suddenly clutched her arm. ”You're going to die?”

She blinked at him stupidly. ”…it's an expression humans use. Don't take it seriously. I'm fine.”

”Don't joke about death,” he said sharply. ”It isn't funny.”

The expression that said he was out for blood was back and the grip on her arm grew painfully tight. For the first time, Ruby experienced a shiver of fear due to the vampire. There had never been a reason to be scared of him before.

He was inconsistent and changeable as the wind but ultimately harmless. It was hard to think of him as frightening when he had a puppy mode.

What she said really must have set him off. She could only think of one reason he wouldn't like someone being flippant about death. He had lost somebody. Recently. Perhaps that was related to the reason he left his coven behind.

”I'm sorry,” Ruby said lamely. ”I didn't mean to offend you. I won't joke about death anymore. Could you let go of my arm?”

Ash's hand released her immediately and she rubbed the sore spot. Great. Now she had a red handprint there.

He blew out a frustrated breath. ”I am sorry as well. It was not my intention to injure you. Please let me know what I can do to properly atone for my blunder.”

Did he only go into formal mode when he was stressed or what? Ruby was beginning to notice a pattern with him. She supposed it must be strange adjusting to the language trends all the time. Goodness knows she had heard a variety of strange slang over the years. It changed far too often!

”Uh…no need for that. But if you walk behind me to act as a wing buffer I'd appreciate it. They always get bumped when I'm in crowds,” she admitted.