The Second Date Wouldn't Measure Up

[Riley Forrester]

"An impressive tree." Riley said, smirking a little as she teased. Seriously, the tree sounded far more impressive than Zoe was giving it credit for. And apparently it was both a perfect spot for a picnic and a place Zoe had gone to in her darker times. Somehow that made the place seem much more important, and made Riley smile a little, reaching her still slightly numb hand down to squeeze Zoe's just for a moment before looking ahead as the tree came into view.

To say Riley was speechless would be like saying the sun was hot. The tree was absolutely beautiful, and Riley couldn't help but gaze up at it in wonder. "Whoa..." it was said softly, almost reverently as Riley just... Looked at the thing. "No wonder you liked to come here..." She said before glanced back at Zoe with wide eyes and a smile. "It's.... Beautiful! And even that can't do it justice. Seriously."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe flushed a bit as she heard the teasing for what it was. Well, at least she'd sort of earned that, and Riley was probably just teasing her to get her to relax about the whole dating thing. The idea just made Zoe all the more comfortable, and for some reason she just had this idea of their sitting together under the tree, wrapped up in each other's arms, maybe kissing a little here and there but mostly just enjoying one another's company in this almost perfect spot again.


Which was just incredibly lame and so, as Riley put it, "cheesy" that Zoe definitely wasn't going to say that was what she really, really wanted to have happen.

"Oh yes, it really is," Zoe said, looking up at it and smiling. "When I first found it, there was actually this young man with wings," she pointed at some of the mid-level branches. "He'd been fluttering from branch to branch up there, and he hadn't noticed me. I, um, took his picture and all, but I was much shyer then," which just had Zoe flushing yet again, because that would probably be hard for her date to even believe, given her current state.

[Riley Forrester]

This place just made Riley's heart swell. It was like stepping into some fairy tale land or something. She vaguely heard Zoe talking about a boy she had found there, whom she had taken pictures of when she was even more shy than she was now. Whoa. More shy? Riley wondered, smirking slightly at Zoe before she looked around again. Seriously. It was just so pretty and made Riley all giddy. "Jeez Zoe!" Riley exclaimed with a laugh before she suddenly hefted the girl up and spun her-- numb hand be damned.. "This place is amazing!"

Riley gave her a hug before setting Zoe back down, realizing how sudden her action had been. "uh, sorry about that. Couldn't help myself again." She apologized with a light blush as she looked away. Then she noticed the basket she had set down. "Oh! We should set up, right?" She realized, looking at Zoe as she headed towards the basket

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The exclamation actually had Zoe jumping, staring at Riley, not sure what was going on. Then, before she realized what was happening, her feet left the air and she found herself spinning about. The whole experience just happened so fast that Zoe couldn't even really process it. One moment, ground; the next, air. Almost as soon she was being set back down, and she stared, blinking at Riley. "no, it's fine!" she said, "really."

And now Riley was looking away, blushing, and that made Zoe giggle slightly. "I... like it?" she managed as Riley was looking away. Zoe started to reach up, ready to pull the girl in for another quick kiss. Her hand had barely started when Riley mentioned the food.

"Right!" Zoe said, flushing again as she pulled the hand back, trying to pretend like she was just gesturing, "the food! It's, um, not as good as last time," she walked over with Riley, heading toward the basket, "it's just, um, right there," she pointed. "Oh, there's, ah, a blanket inside too. I, um, borrowed it from a friend," Zoe paused and fidgeted before trying to kneel down and get the blanket and food ready.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley still felt a bit embarrassed about her action. She really couldn't resist it. Has my brain mentioned how adorable Zoe is yet today? No? Well then; she's adorable. She thought as she went over to the basket. Although, right before that, Zoe had made some sort of gesture. Kind of like a reaching gesture. Had she been trying to kiss me? And I just blew her off. Shit! Riley realized. However, Riley listened to Zoe as she explained the basket.

Riley unpacked it as Zoe spoke, easily setting everything up with Zoe's help. She turned her head to smile at Zoe at the mention of the food. "It's fine, Zoe!" She assured the girl, laying out the blanket and food. "And I love the blanket actually. It's a lot better than the one I brought. Softer." Riley commented, laying her hand on it with a grin. Then she blinked. "Oh! Um..." Riley scratched the back of her head before moving forward and placing a quick kiss to Zoe's lips before pulling away.

"I, uh... I noticed you tried doing that after I set you down. I think. Sorry." She apologized with a slight blush, rubbing the back of her neck as she averted her eyes again. Shit, what if I was wrong? Fuuuuuuuuuck

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Fine, right, Zoe tried telling herself that, taking several deep breaths while they got the blanket and food around. she had to let out a slightly nervous laugh as Riley insisted that it was a softer blanket. "I don't think that it's really all that--" Zoe began, looking up at Riley. As she did, she found the other girl moving toward her, stopping the words with a quick peck on the lips.

Zoe's eyes went wide for a moment, wondering if Riley had somehow developed mind-reading powers or-- "What? oh, I, well," Zoe chewed her cheek, looking away for a moment, "I just---it's getting harder to um, well, you're just so attractive and---" Zoe shifted. "I mean, I don't---I swear I'm not, like, I'm not going to--" she gestured again, as if that could somehow pull some words out. "I don't---I don't want you to think I'm going to, um, jump you or anything. I just... I really--I think you're---and I--"

Zoe took a deep breath before bending down, grabbing the blanket and trying to unfold it. She looked up, fidgeted, and then worked at spreading it out, figuring that not talking and gathering thoughts would be worth while.

[Riley Forrester]

Oh whoa. That just short-circuited the girl. Holy shit. It's.... fucking adorable. Riley realized, a smile slowly growing on her face as she watched Zoe try stumbling through her words. Riley blushed a little about the attractive part, and chuckled a little at the other parts where Zoe assured her she wasn't about to jump Riley. Then the shy girl went silent, trying to spread out the blanket. Riley felt her heart melt a bit and she scooted forward, gently taking Zoe's hands in her own, ignoring the numbness, as she pulled the girl into another kiss, this one longer and more firm.

Numbness be thrice damned. Riley thought as she pulled back from the kiss and grinned at Zoe. "You are just so damn adorable. Seriously." She stated.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Despite her nerves, Zoe found herself melting as the other girl pulled her in for another kiss. Zoe kissed back, moving her lips with the practice, even knowing she was spreading the numbness to the other girl. She couldn't help it, just as she'd barely been able to help it earlier, when she'd tried to go in. This just felt so right, warming her right down to her toes, which curled inside her shoes.

They pulled back and Zoe grinned as much at Riley as she did at her. "Well, you're incredible," Zoe countered, before moving to rub her hand along Riley's arm. "I... I have to be careful about... about touching and stuff. I, um, well, like I said, I... sort of..." Zoe trailed off, not sure if she'd mentioned Devyn or she should or what. You weren't supposed to bring up exes on a date, right?

"I wrote you a poem!" Zoe said, turning back to Riley. "I, well, it came to mind during our last date, and I had your picture, though it, um, I don't know if it meshes as well? It's in my bag," she was already starting to dig around, her excitement and nerves making her as jittery as ever.

[Riley Forrester]

She melted into the kiss. Oh thank god. Riley thought, glad. She was a little sad to pull away, even though her lips were pretty numb now. Zoe did seem to know what she was doing. Riley herself was used to kissing. Though she wasn't the greatest in the world in her own opinion, and would admit that quickly. Still, she hoped she had kept up with Zoe considering. But then Zoe's next replied had Riley blushing anew. "Thanks." She said, smiling.

The touch made Riley shiver a little despite herself. Whoa now. Calm thine tits, Riles. Her brain scolded as Riley listened to Zoe talk. She already knew about the touching thing. And from how careful Zoe was, Riley had a feeling it could get really badly. So Riley just chuckled and squeezed Zoe's hand. "I kinda figured the touching bit." She teased. But then Zoe had moved on.

Riley had to blink. A poem? About her? And just after their first date? The fact made RiIey smile warmly as she let go and let Zoe rummage through her things. "Wow. Thanks Zoe." She said honestly, curious and excited to see

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yes, Zoe could definitely lose herself in kissing Riley (later, she told herself, if they somehow managed to come out of the second date still wanting to spend time with each other, well, and, ah, wanting each other). That last bit actually made Zoe wonder about whether or not she was sexy, still wholly convinced that she landed much more firmly in the "cute" category and not certain if the two could overlap. She'd have to rely on her friends again.

But for now: the date, Riley. And Zoe felt the squeeze and the teasing about touching. "Well, it's, um, I actually didn't touch anyone for, um, the year I got my power? Almost? I have lots of gloves," she was explaining as she dug around for the poem. "And, ah, I sort of, um, write poems about a lot of people, but I, ah, really tried with this?"

Zoe then found it, pulling it out from the bag. She carefully removed it from a slim folder she'd put it in before extending it.

There was Riley, standing and looking out at the sinking sunset, the orange-purple rays bathing her lean form in the colors. She seemed to be almost wistful, as if she were looking at something in the distance that mattered or drawing some sort of secret inspiration. Written in a neat, delicate hand, words filling some of the empty space and seeming to narrate, was the poem:

Songbird with the big heart,
sister so far apart,
draws with music, pulls you in.
throws away money for wings.
loves at first sight.
looks out to the distance to take flight.
throws away money for wings.
Matching voice joins the song.
Rising together, drawing someone in.
voices wrap together, voices sing.
love at first sight.
looks out to the distance to take flight
throws away money for wings.
Drawn in, wants you to be ready
ready for the love at first sight
ready to throw away everything for wings.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley blinked at the gloves back. Holy hell. An entire year? Riley wondered. Then a joke came to her head and she just had to say it. "So... You were like a pre-Elsa Elsa?" Riley joked. But then she face palmed and flopped onto her back. "Oh god. Ignore that." Riley said rubbing her face. "Cause I'm not downplaying what happened I swear! My foot is just in my mouth sometimes and I speak without kind of thinking on occasion and I'm really sorry." Riley said in a rush. Oh great. She probably didn't even understand you. You dolt! Riley thought.

But then she heard a rustle and saw something extended towards her. Taking it, Riley observed the picture, blinking. Wait, that's me? She wondered before her eyes fell on the written part. Then her heart skipped a beat and she was caught like a fish on a hook. This was her. This was what Zoe saw? What she had thought of Riley? Slowly, the pinky girl sat back up, rereading the lines over and over before finally looking at Zoe. "I..." What could she say? How could Zoe possibly think this way about her? That was only the second time they had met! And yet...

Slowly, a smile erupted onto RIley's face and she drew the other girl in for a tight hug. "Thank you." She breathed, her voice a little shaky. Am I crying? Riley thought, seeing some water in her eyes so she just squeezed them shut and squeezed Zoe affectionately. Maybe it was just the fact that Zoe had made this specifically for her, and it struck the artist within Riley; communicating the effort in it. "It's beautiful." She assured the other girl

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"That's it exactly!" Zoe said, almost too excited. "People didn't get that, but that's precisely--" she flushed, and likely would've continued. She could remember all too well her almost over-identification with the Disney character (at least that's who Zoe was hoping Riley was mentioning, as opposed to the Bellefonte who happened to have the same name). She stopped herself though, mostly because the photograph had been retrieved.

"It's just... from what you sai--" Zoe said, before letting out a little yelp as she felt arms circle around her body. She could feel Riley shaking and she reached her own arms back, hugging the girl. "It's just... who you are," Zoe insisted. "Or, well, it's what I saw, as the date went on, and what I've, um, seen since and thought about. Like, you've got this big heart and you're just, not letting things get to you, but you still care about people, about... me," Zoe gave Riley another squeeze. She was very nearly tempted to ask if they could officially be girlfriends, but she was almost positive that was moving things too quickly.

"You're the beautiful one; I just got lucky enough to show it."

[Riley Forrester]

God, Riley was shaking too. The things you do to me Zoe... She thought with a rueful grin as Zoe went on. About how it's what she saw in the girl. What she thought about. And again with the big heart! Right now that 'big heart' felt ready to burst it was swelling so much. Jeez. Was all Riley could think. And then came that bit about caring, and Riley couldn't help but laugh. "Of course I care." She managed to say, smiling. But it was the last part that really got to her.

....Wow.... "What?" Riley asked, pulling back just a bit to look Zoe in the eyes. Don't get distracted. "Zoe, seriously? Look at you!" Riley said with a laugh, placing a kiss on the girl's forehead. "You wanna talk about lucky? Zoe, I met you in the most random of situations. If I hadn't gone to that auction.... I have no idea what would've happened." She admitted freely, grinning slightly. "But seriously. I'm the lucky one. You're the cute, little, clever, sweet poet and photographer that I'm seriously tempted to cuddle every living moment I'm with you. Seriously." She emphasized. "Numbness be damned."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Another little laugh, and Zoe flushed as she heard the insistence about caring. Then a mention, just looking at her, and a kiss upon the forehead, one that Zoe knew had to result in tingling lips yet again. They had met almost totally at random, which just had Zoe laughing. Then more compliments, all talking about how Zoe was cute and clever, and apparently cuddly as well.

Zoe reached up, again threading her arms around her date. "Maybe we're both lucky?" she asked, looking up, meeting Riley's gaze again, her own eyes once more brimming with affection. She shifted to angle her arms so that she could still more or less hold Riley before moving up to kiss her again, once more running her lips lightly. It wasn't tentative, it was more that Zoe understood her power. She slid her affection into the kiss, her want, not just the physical, but the emotional. Zoe didn't know what would've happened if Riley hadn't been at that auction. But she had, and they were here, and Zoe was happier than she'd been in a long, long time.

[Riley Forrester]

And maybe they were. Honestly, Riley wasn't too sure. Yet as Zoe wrapped her arms around Riley and kissed her yet again, seeming to pour everything she had into it, Riley realized she didn't care. The here and now was what mattered. So Riley returned with just as much passion, emotionally as well. Which wasn't hard to do, considering what she just read and how she still felt about it all. It made all the seeping numbness irrelevant. For now, she was just content to kiss Zoe forever.

Yet humans needed air, so eventually the two had to part. Riley was definitely blushing now, but she could only smile at Zoe. "Um... So can we eat and then... cuddle? Cause I've been dying to honestly." She confessed, chuckling slightly. Wow, what a way to ask.