ON MY BLOCK{ IMAGINES/ PREFERENCES}

| WANT BUT CANT HAVE · RUBY|

Y/n Pov :

The late afternoon sun painted streaks of amber and gold across the sky, bathing Ruby's backyard in a warm glow. Laughter echoed from the picnic table where Jamal was in the middle of another one of his over-the-top rants, this time directed at Cesar.

"I'm just saying," Jamal grinned, waving his hands dramatically, "you join Oscar's gang, and it's only a matter of time before you're rocking a bald head like him. It's a rite of passage!"

The group erupted into laughter, Cesar rolling his eyes but unable to hide his smile.

You laughed too, but it was faint, your mind somewhere else. Not far, though—your eyes couldn't help but stray to Ruby and Jasmine sitting at the edge of the table. They weren't saying much, just exchanging glances and soft smiles, but it was enough. Enough to make your stomach twist and your heart ache in that all-too-familiar way.

Jasmine leaned in, her voice too low for anyone else to hear, and Ruby chuckled, his eyes lingering on her longer than they ever lingered on you. You swallowed hard and forced your gaze away, pretending to listen to Jamal's banter.

But you couldn't ignore it.

The way his hand brushed against hers when he gestured.
The way their eyes locked like they shared some unspoken joke.
The way Jasmine's laugh seemed to light up his entire face.

It felt like a punch to the gut.

You'd been here before, of course—watching Ruby from the sidelines, wishing you could be the one he looked at like that. The memory of your rejection still stung, even though you had tucked it away neatly in the corner of your heart. He hadn't been cruel when he said no. Ruby never was.

But a rejection is still a rejection.

"Yo, Y/N," Monse called, snapping you out of your thoughts. "You good?"

You blinked, realizing you hadn't laughed at Jamal's latest joke. "Yeah," you said quickly, plastering on a smile. "Just tired. Long day."

Monse shrugged and went back to teasing Cesar, but Ruby's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer. You didn't meet his eyes.

Then Jasmine cleared her throat, and the entire group quieted. "So, uh, we have an announcement," she said, her cheeks flushed pink.

Your heart sank.

Ruby shifted closer to her, his hand brushing hers again—but this time, he didn't pull away. "We're dating," he said simply, his voice tinged with pride.

The world tilted, just for a second.

Everyone broke into congratulations and good-natured teasing, but the noise felt distant, like you were underwater. Your hands clenched under the table, your nails digging into your palms as you forced yourself to smile.

"That's awesome," you managed, your voice steadier than you expected. You looked directly at Jasmine, avoiding Ruby's gaze. "I'm really happy for you guys."

She beamed. "Thanks, Y/N. Honestly, I wanted to tell you first—you're like the best person to talk to about this kind of stuff. Ruby's amazing, isn't he?"

Your smile wavered, but only for a second. "Yeah," you said softly. "He is."

Ruby noticed. Of course he did.

He watched you carefully as Jasmine continued to gush about their relationship, her words washing over you like static. You nodded in all the right places, murmuring little agreements, but your chest felt hollow.

Ruby's hand rested on Jasmine's shoulder, grounding her excitement, but his eyes flicked to you every now and then. You could feel it—the way he was watching, like he was trying to read the thoughts you were so desperately trying to hide.

You looked away, focusing on the fading sunset instead.

This was your moment of acceptance. You couldn't have him. Not the way you wanted. And maybe, just maybe, you never really did.

As much as it hurt, you knew you had to let go.

"Y/N, you good?" Jasmine's voice broke through your thoughts, her concern genuine.

You turned back to her and smiled, this time a little softer, a little more real. "Yeah," you said. "I'm good."

Ruby's gaze lingered a second longer before he finally looked away, tightening his hold on Jasmine.

And just like that, the moment passed.

You knew the ache wouldn't disappear overnight. But for now, sitting there surrounded by your friends, the laughter filling the space, you allowed yourself to breathe. Because some things aren't meant to be, and that's okay.

You'd survive. You always did.

Hope you all enjoy this imagine and there is more to come. Much love, Ren!