#juby week 2023

[thatsthewaythechrissycrumbles]

No Scrub

JJ Maybank x OC (Ruby Routledge)

Warnings: swearing, fighting, overreaction, slight innuendo?

WC: 0.7k

So... a Halloween party for the Pogues is basically an every day party, except they put on costumes and eat a shit ton of candy. And maybe do karaoke.

John B, JJ, and Pope are matching skeletons. Ruby, Sage, and Kie are fairies.

So when Ruby, John B, JJ, Pope, and Kie were watching Sage sing That's What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction? Highlight of their year. Better than fucking Christmas.

"Okay, okay," Sage huffs, completely out of breath. "Who's next?"

"You are, baby," John B chuckles, offering Sage her beer. "You put yourself down for all night."

Sage raises her eyebrows, chugging the beer. "Fuck, seriously? Well, I don't wanna go anymore."

"Too bad, Sage," Ruby chimes in, her legs laying over JJ's lap. "Come on, we all know you love singing. Just one more!"

Sage waves her off, "Fine, fine. But this one's gotta be fucking good."

JJ and Ruby tapered off into their own conversation, lost in their own little world. John B nudged Pope, grinning. "10 bucks says she picks a song from 1990."

"Destiny's Child, for sure," Kie chimed in.

"Okay, okay," Sage said, shaking out her hands. "No Scrub, TLC."

"Oh my God," Ruby grinned, "I fucking love this song! Can I duet?"

"Hell yes!" Sage said, handing Ruby the other microphone. "Bless you, Pope, for sharing your karaoke machine with us."

"Gift of the year, my good sir," JJ raised his beer mockingly, putting on an accent.

"It's my moms!" Pope defended weakly, sipping at his beer again.

The opening notes of No Scrub started playing and the two girls danced around, absolutely care free as they sang.

"Oh my God," Ruby huffed, flopping down on the couch beside JJ again. "That song is literally my life. Innit, J?" She nudged her boyfriend playfully, reciting a few lines, "Hanging out the passenger side of his best friend's ride, trying to holler at me--"

JJ got up from the couch in a huff, his cheerful demeanor gone and replaced with an upset, angry vibe.

"JJ!" Ruby yelled, confused. "What the hell?" She got off the couch, rushing after JJ and grabbing his arm. "JJ, what--"

JJ whirled, anger written across his features. "What do you mean, 'what'? You're just gonna act like it's about someone who won't give any love to a poor guy? Fucking Christ, Ruby, even you aren't that dumb!"

Ruby flinched. "Hey, that's not fair. I didn't even think--"

"Yeah, no shit," JJ responded, pulling his arm away from her and shoving the door open.

"JJ, that's not fair!" Ruby yelled, tears shining in her eyes. "You can't just--"

"Oh, I can't? Ruby Routledge, everyone, who's tryin' to tell me what I can and can't do? Get off your high horse."

"I'm not on a goddamn high horse, JJ! What the fuck is up with you?!" Ruby yelled, the pair now standing in the yard and having a full-on screaming match right in front of the open living room window. "Why are you reacting so poorly to this song?"

"It's about a rich bitch, Ruby!" JJ yelled, getting in her face. "A rich bitch who won't give any love to a guy who lives with his mom, who doesn't have money, and doesn't have a goddamn car! And I don't have any of those things, so why the hell would you give me love? I'm just a fucking scrub!"

Ruby let out an incredulous laugh. "JJ! Come on! I meant--"

"It doesn't matter what you meant," JJ says as it starts to rain. "It matters what you said. And you said, and I quote, 'this song is literally my life.'" He wipes his face, black and white makeup smudging with the water.

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, JJ, okay? I'm really sorry," Ruby said, taking a small step forward. "I just meant that it's funny, okay? That I have this gorgeous scrub all to myself, JJ, because I wouldn't have it any other way. Come back inside, okay? Please, for me? You can pick a terrible song about women and say it's about me."

JJ made a face, "Sure. Fine."

"I really am sorry, JJ," Ruby said, pushing JJ's hair back and leaning up to kiss his makeup-ruined face. "I love you..."

"Okay, okay," JJ said wish a small laugh, pushing Ruby away so he could properly kiss her lips, I love you, too. And I'm sorry I overreacted."

"It's okay. Hey, what song are you gonna pick?"

"Lights Down Low," JJ smirked, "By Bei Maejor."

"JJ!"