"Psst! Tree!" Ruby hissed. Tree grumbled and rolled over in his bed, pulling on a blanket that wasn't there. Ruby spotted it on the floor.

She crossed her arms, pouting, and devising the best plan to wake Tree up.

She opted for pushing him off.

"Ah!" Tree grunted. Ruby held back a snicker. "For trunk's sake.." Tree spotted the gem standing over him. "Ruby! What- What are you doing here!? And how!?" he whisper-shouted. Couldn't risk waking the others up.

Ruby grinned, jerking her thumb towards the open window. Tree groaned. Of all the nights he wanted fresh air in his bedroom, Ruby decided to come and wake him up at ungodly hours. It wasn't even the first time, either.

He rose from the ground, wincing from the throbbing in his head. "So? What is it this time?"

"I'm hungry."

Tree narrowed his eyes. "Of all the things- You're hungry? Why not wake one of your own team members? Or better yet- get a snack from your team's kitchen? I'm sure you have plenty of those."

Ruby shrugged. "Meh. Didn't feel like it."

"Didn't-!?" Tree nearly shouted. He took a calming breath. "..did you just want to spend time with me?" Ruby eagerly nodded.

"That, and I'm also hungry."

Tree couldn't bring himself to resist. "Alright, fine." He felt around his nightstand for his phone, and shielded his eyes before the display could blind him. "I'll find a nice cafe place for us, and you can get your fill there."

"Yay!" Ruby squealed, and squeezed Tree. Tree's leaves turned a dark green- his own way of blushing- but he didn't push Ruby away. It was something he got used to, having a close bond with her.

Then again, he never saw her hug anyone else this way, either.

"By the way," Ruby chirped, "it's kinda chilly outside. Can I ride in your leaves?"

~☆~

Tree stood in front of the cafe, his passenger in tow. It was what could be considered an average place- a medium sized building with a fair upkeep, and two front windows revealing the inside. Fairy lights were strung on the walls and between the rafters, and the walls were of earthy tones with cream and pink accents.

"Admiring the pretty lights or something?" Ruby teased. "Come on, let's go in! Tally-ho! Onward! Hi-yah!"

Tree smiled and sighed, and opened the door to enter. Soft modern folk music swirled around his ears, and a few patrons conversated at booths and tables. A mural of the ocean shore spanned one of the walls.

A sweet sort of scent filled the air as Tree stepped inside. With Ruby still on his head, Tree moved towards the counter, ignoring the curious glances of other people. He had to admit though, they must've been a bit of a strange sight.

"Wow!" Ruby exclaimed. "I'll have three mini sandwiches, one.." Tree opted to zone out of the conversation. Ruby wold most definitely self-indulge, but he was sure his wallet could handle it. He took another look around the cafe, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere. Quiet, but not too quiet. He picked a good place.

Just another venue to add to his list. Tree had to admit, it was mostly because of Ruby he knew the good places in town. Movie theaters, ice rinks, restaurants, grocery stores...it was a new type of place every time. This cafe would be a nice setting for team meetings.

"And what would you like, sir?"

Tree flinched, but gathered his wits quickly. "Water, please."

"Bor-ing," Ruby commented. Tree shook his head and paid at the counter, took a number, and found a table to sit at.

"Off," he commanded. Ruby slid off and bounced into the seat, as did Tree.

"You wanna play I Spy while we wait?" Ruby suggested, smiling. Tree shrugged and nodded. He didn't have any other ideas. "Okay! I spy, with my little eye, something green!"

How predictable. "Is it me?"

"What! Lucky guess," she pouted. "Your turn!"

The pair took turns pointing out different items in the cafe to each other, from the glaringly obvious to the minisculely obscure. A certain round of I Spy prompted a story from Ruby, which she told in impressive detail.

"-and just like that! Smash! Everything started exploding!" she mimicked an explosion with her hands, "pwoosh! Fireworks everywhere! It was amazing! But yeah, that's why Lightning and Snowball aren't allowed at the carnival anymore."

Tree nodded intently, sipping on his water. "I'm surprised none of you went to jail, or at the very least, to court."

Ruby shrugged. "Who knows?" She picked the crumbs off of her plate and ate them.

"Miss, your assorted chocolates?"

Ruby squeaked. "Thank you!" She smacked her lips and popped a chocolate in her mouth the moment the tray was set down. Tree eyed the chocolates after tipping their waiter, trying to swallow his own sweet-loving urges.

Unfortunately, his face was all too readable.

"Want one?" Ruby smirked, holding a cherry-shaped chocolate out to Tree. "You know you want it~!" He shook his head.

"No thanks. And if I wanted chocolate, I would've bought some myse-hrrf!" Tree grunted, the cherry chocolate now in his mouth. Ruby giggled.

It wasn't like he could spit it back out. The sweet, milky taste was too good to resist, anyway. Tree bit into the chocolate, and a thick cherry-flavored syrup oozed into his mouth. He felt himself melt with its sweetness, wondering how he'd muster the self-control to not over-indulge himself again.

Ruby pushed the plate closer to Tree. All the chocolatey sweets were devoured with a rather undignified manner, but neither of them cared. Tree leaned back, wiping his fingers and mouth of chocolate stains with a napkin.

"Ruby, that's disgusting," Tree commented, watching Ruby lick her fingers.

"Says the one who was just stuffing his face full of chocolates."

"It wasn't-" Tree let go of his useless retort. "Look, if you want to ride me on the way back, you have to properly clean your fingers."

Ruby snatched a napkin from its holder and swiped over her fingers. Tree rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway. All part of her charm. Ruby hopped on Tree, holding on to his topmost branches, and out they went.

"Well, I'd say that was a great experience!" Ruby chirped. "It's nice to know you're not always super uptight."

"What are you talking about? I thought you already knew that," Tree replied.

"Eh." Ruby hung down in front of Tree's face. "Anyways, thanks! I really like spending time with you."

Tree smiled. "Yes, you've told me that already. You're pretty great, yourself."

"Awww!" Ruby cooed, ruffling Tree's leaves. "Showing your soft side, huh?"

"Stop that!" Tree laughed. Ruby's arms returned to dangling in the air.

"So, wanna hang out again tomorrow?"

"Mm," Tree nodded, "sure. Now get back on before you fall off."