The Second Date Wouldn't Measure Up

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe flushed a bit as Riley insisted that she was getting used to her date, getting used to her. There was just a warm feeling spreading throughout her, mixing with her desire to latch on, especially to Riley, who she just knew was someone special, someone she connected with. But she had to be careful; she could practically hear all her friends and supporters insisting that she actually think herself through.

Such thoughts became quite distant in the face of the cute little fox. Zoe giggled as it licked Riley's cheek, the gesture and the tease making her remember her camera. She nodded and brought it up, quickly centering and adjusting and taking the quick photo.

"Is it horrible that I want to pose him?" Zoe asked, flushing slightly. She chewed her cheek, considering the fox for a moment. She adjusted, walking a step to the side, brought the camera up, and took another quick photo. This time though, she held it, seeming to wait, anticipating the creature to move. Sometimes photography was about patience, after all.

[Riley Forrester]

There was a flush on Zoe's part too, which made Riley feel a little less awkward about her sudden cheesy romantic moment. But it still made her shift a little. Until the lick from her little baby fox had Zoe giggling, which made her smile again. At Zoe's comment on wanting to pose the little critter, Riley shook her head, grinning. "I understand what you mean completely." Riley assured her, gazing at the little girl in her arms.

Who seemed to be growing more curious about her carrier, for the little critter squirmed a bit. At first, Riley thought it was trying to get out of her arms. But then, it's little paws got free.... and planted themselves on Riley's cheeks. Oh. My. God. It's so adorable.! Riley thought as a grin grew on her face, followed by laughter as the little thing licked her nose. "Ah! Quit it!" She laughed. "Zoe, I'm being killed by adorableness! Help!"

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yet again, Riley seemed to be on the same page as Zoe. that made her smile, feeling warm all the way down to her toes. She really wanted to just lean over and kiss the other girl, or possibly to insist that they be girlfriends. That usual reminder came back, along with the mention that Zoe didn't have to have a girlfriend right now. Just because she happened to find someone she thought was just wonderful, warts and all...

By all things cute and adorable, the fox was actually being more adorable than Zoe would've planned. She let out a little squeal as it put its paws up, then brought her own camera up. The device whirred as she very nearly caught the initial position. She certainly caught the creature just with legs raised, then a handful of it licking the nose.

"Got it!" Zoe said, nearly doing a dance. "So if you're, um, going to die of its adorableness, you should probably set it down," Zoe almost wanted to point out that if adorableness was something Riley wanted to avoid, she might want to try dating someone else, but that felt far too egotistical to actually say.

[Riley Forrester]

Zoe smiled at what Riley had said, which made the girl glad. However, she was soon caught up with the little fluff ball of cuteness in her arms. It really was adorable, and made Riley's heart swell even as she futilely-- and half-heartedly, let's be honest here-- tried to move her head to avoid the little kisses it was giving her. It was so tiny and cute and soft she just wanted to squeeze it and bury her face in it's fur. Eventually she gave in and buried her face into the little fluff ball's fur for a moment before pulling back and kissing it on the nose. Which of course made it sneeze and made Riley coo with how cute it was. Seriously. I'm going to die from this. And I already have Zoe killing me. Riley thought.

Apparently Zoe got the picture she wanted, and the happiness was apparent in her voice. Riley smiled as she put the little pup down and gently scooted it back into it's hole. "You're right. Besides," Riley said, standing again before looking over at Zoe with a smirk. "You're adorableness already kills me enough." She said with an impressive wiggle of her eyebrows. But then she couldn't help herself and ended up snickering and eventually laughing. "Oh god, I'm sorry. That was so... terribly cheesy." She said between laughs. "But I do mean it." She assures the girl once she's calmed down, heading over and smiling.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe watched the fox go scurrying back into the whole, and she again felt that worry surging up. Would it be okay? Should they report it to someone? Zoe already figured that she'd try to check on him or--- Riley was talking again. Zoe looked and focused just as the mention of adorableness came back. That had Zoe flushed, and she lowered her eyes for a moment.

Yes, cheesy, and there was laughing and snickering now which just made Zoe fidget for a moment, chewing her cheek. "Is that--" she started, pausing first. She almost wanted to ask if that was all Riley thought about her, that she was just adorable. Riley thought baby foxes were adorable so... was Zoe in the same category as the fox? Zoe looked away, finding her gaze pulled up to the tree again.

She frowned, peering up for a moment, certain she'd seen something up there too, but she looked back to Riley. "I--' she tried again, before stopping. She just really wanted to hear Riley say she was something other than adorable or cute right now, but she definitely didn't want to go fishing, as that would sound pathetic or rude. "Cake, dessert!" she said, turning back. "We didn't eat dessert, right?" There, that should distract. Zoe was already heading back that way, walking with determination.

[Riley Forrester]

Zoe flushed again and looked down at Riley's praise, which wasn't anything too new. But as Riley got closer, the girl seemed to want to say something. She started to, but then paused, and Riley felt her smile fade as concern grew within her for her date. Is she worried about the fox again? Riley wondered. But then Zoe glanced up with a slight frown and met Riley's eyes. There seemed to be some sort of searching there; some kind of question. Zoe started again and Riley waited patiently for her to ask whatever was on her mind, but she stopped again and abruptly turned, mentioning the desert.

"Zoe, wait." Riley said softly, hurrying after the girl. She almost grabbed her hand, but thought better of it, remembering what Zoe had said earlier and how she seemed about Riley carelessly touching her So she refrained. For then. "Zoe, what were you going to ask?" She inquired instead.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe heard the comment to wait, and she turned, putting a smile on her face (which still wasn't hard; She was on a great date with an amazing woman after all). She could almost see Riley reaching for her hand and she fought between the urge to pull them both behind her back and to offer it up for Riley to take should the other girl really want.

Zoe instead held, listening, watching Riley's face carefully, trying to read it. "oh, it was, um, nothing," Zoe said, gesturing with a hand. She very quickly realized that this wasn't going to work here: it never really did. She chewed her cheek, eyes flitting for a moment as she tried to think of something else to ask.

"Um, do you think the fox will be okay?" she asked, nodding toward it. "I was thinking of checking up on them later, see if their mother showed up or something," there, that should suffice, especially as it was not only true, but also redirected the conversation to something else "adorable."

[Riley Forrester]

There was a smile, but even though it was warm Zoe's eyes gave her away. There was something wrong, and Riley really wanted to know what. Is it the fox? Did I say something? She wondered as Zoe assured her it was nothing. Which Riley did not buy at all. Although Zoe seemed to realize that, for she chewed her cheek and looked around before saying she was worried about the fox.

"Oh." Riley said, blinking and glancing back at where they found the fox. "I think it'll be ok. We could definitely check up on it later if you're so worried." Riley assured the girl, looking back and smiling. But then it faded a little. Riley didn't think Zoe would've gotten this worried over the fox. Instinctively, she ran her fingers through her hair, averting her eyes.

"Do you think it was a mistake then?" Riley asked, glancing at Zoe. "Picking up the fox. I didn't know it was gonna worry you so much. Otherwise I would've just left it alone." She said, blushing just a tad in embarrassment as she averted her eyes. "Sorry. Didn't mean to make you... you know. Worried and all." Great job Riles. Her brain lovingly spat

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled back, feeling guilty as Riley looked so concerned over the fox. She saw the fidgeting with the hair, which painfully reminded her of Devyn, and how Devyn always pulled her hair whenever she got worked up, and how Zoe always had a knack for doing that to Devyn and making things worse, and how she'd gotten things so messed up with Devyn that Devyn had gone and slept with Vera and everything had just fallen apart and Zoe was pretty sure that Riley had kept talking while she'd been thinking and working up into this near panic, talking about the fox and picking it up and bothering her and...

"Everyone calls me that!" Zoe blurted, unable to quite stop it. "Everyone keeps saying I'm adorable and---and---" she gestured, "and you said the fox was adorable, so I was worried you think of me like the fox when I'm so attracted to you that it almost hurts to look at you sometimes and it's getting me thinking far too ahead of where we should be so I was all confused and hurt because I didn't want to just be adorable for you when you're not just sexy to me but also wonderful and smart and I realize that I'm not, I'm just---" Zoe gestured, realizing that she'd, yet again, gone "full Mary Poppins" on another date, and she flushed to her ears, not even entirely certain what all had tumbled out. She just knew that she definitely didn't want to make any of the same mistakes, not this time, not with how good everything was being.

[Riley Forrester]

There was a flash of guilt, which made Riley feel worse for making Zoe feel that way.

But nothing could've prepared her for the sudden outburst.

Riley looked back at Zoe, surprised at her outburst, but nonetheless attentive as the girl went on. Talking about being called adorable. About her fear of being compared to a fox. About how she liked Riley so much it hurt. How confused she was and how Riley was sexy and smart and all these things while Zoe feared she was only adorable to Riley. Never would the punky girl have thought one word could cause so much frustration. Oh... Oh no. Oh no Zoe please. She thought, slowly walking up to Zoe to give her some time to steam off. Then, hesitantly, Riley reached out her hands to take Zoe by the shoulders. "Sorry, just.... Just this last time I'm gonna ignore the numb thing." She promised with a small smile before bringing Zoe in for a warm hug.

"Oh Zoe..." Riley breathed, leaning her head against the other girl's. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were thinking that." She apologized first, ignoring the creeping numbness. "You're not just adorable to me, I promise. You're so much more than that. Zoe, most of the words I use to describe you aren't even real-- I just combine the best adjectives I can find and hope they can try to match the person I'm describing. Zoe, you really are just the most wonderful, unique, sweet, smart, sexy--even if you don't believe it--, quirky, humble, affable, sunny, bubbly, and down-right enjoyable person I've had the pleasure of meeting. And that's just naming some adjectives off the top of my head! How the hell could a fox even dream to compare to you? How could anything? Or anyone? Because-- despite the risk of me getting even cornier than I already am-- you are unlike anyone I have ever met before. You're special to me. And I really don't want to lose you."

At the end of it, Riley had to take a few seconds to collect herself. Her little speech had taken a bit out of her. I think I'm shaking a little. Riley recognizes as she pulled her head back and looked at Zoe with a smile and a blush. But then Riley seemed a little nervous as she averted her eyes. "And now I was just... I was just wondering if...." She trailed off and sighed, biting her bottom lip. Come on Riley. Her brain actually encouraged. Inhaling, Riley looked at Zoe again, hesitating for a bit. "....Can I... kiss you?"

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Now definitely struck Zoe as being the perfect time to take off running. The whole word vomit thing just horrified and embarrassed her in general, and she'd gone and done it on the second date. What had she been thinking? Well, actually, she knew precisely what she'd been thinking. That was the problem here: she kept thinking too much. Zoe was fighting off tears now, only to find herself suddenly wrapped in another hug.

Zoe blinked, feeling the arms wrapped around her, heading the apology. Word vomit followed, word vomit of the most amazing kind, sliding over Zoe and wrapping her up tight and making her realize just how amazing this person was who'd somehow come to like her... and perhaps a little more just how amazing she was. Because again, Zoe could hear the echoes of everyone else insisting that she was worthwhile, that she was worth it, that she was someone. To hear it from someone like Riley now, someone she found so compelling, so.... so attractive. Though Zoe did have to laugh a little at the mention of the fox.

Then came Riley actually asking Zoe to kiss her, and Zoe looked up, smiling. She leaned forward, putting her arms up around Riley to kiss again. Not too deep, not too passionate, but yet another gesture of affection. She pulled away, putting her head against the other girl for just a few moments, knowing even that would spread the numbness. "You have to admit," Zoe said, looking up and meeting Riley's eyes, "it was a painfully adorable fox."

[Riley Forrester]

It was word vomit of the absolutely most cheesiest kind, yet Riley had meant every word. And to see tears in Zoe's eyes right before she hugged her only made the punky girl want to hug her and wrap her up and keep her safe even more. The things this girl does to me. Riley thought with a small smile. It's... fucking wonderful. She decided, her brain agreeing with her for once. And the fact that she had managed to get a laugh from the other girl only had her brain agreeing even more. Zoe really was special to Riley. Seriously.

Although Riley had been admittedly nervous when she asked for a kiss. Zoe could've said no. It was in her every right to do so. When Zoe didn't answer, Riley was afraid she was going to just pull away. But then there were arms around her and lips against hers that had Riley responding in an instant. It wasn't a passionate kiss to lose themselves in. It was one born of pure affection, and Riley responded in kind, smiling so warmly when Zoe placed her head against Riley's for a little. Numbness be damned.

But then the little fox comment had Riley laughing and picking Zoe up again, spinning her in a hug before setting her down and planting one final kiss on the girl's nose with a lopsided grin. "Hey, it might've been adorable-- but you're absolutely beautiful, and I think that definitely wins." She teased, yet certainly meant every word.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled as Riley used another adjective. She knew it was silly, but just that little alteration made her feel so much better, like Riley had listened, like she got it, like she cared. Though in all honesty, it was almost more that second than anything else. "I... I love that you... that you get me," she said, looking up. "I mean, this is only the second date, so I probably shouldn't---but it's just..." Zoe pulled away, but gave Riley's hand a slight squeeze, adding a quick, "my power," under her breath before explaining: "My, um, I don't.. I'm not sure everyone understands me? Or at least, um, the people who... who mattered to me," her exes, in other words. Zoe took another breath, turning and looking toward the food again.

"We really should get to that dessert," she said, before looking back at Riley and smiling. "And you need to do some poses and modeling for me. I won't be satisfied until I have enough to do an entire art show just on you." Zoe smiled as she said that, lowering her eyes yet again, unable to help but be bashful even as she flirted.

[Riley Forrester]

The warmth and gladness in Zoe's eyes as the punky girl used another adjective made Riley's own expression brighten. She seriously thought her cheeks would go numb eventually from how much she was smiling, but Riley didn't care. And then-- Dear lord, my heart Zoe-- there was the gladness in how Riley got her. That she understood the sexy, wondrous british gal in front of her right now-- even as it seemed like Zoe understood exactly how to make Riley's heart melt over and over. And even though she felt a tad disappointed when Zoe pulled away, she got it and gave her hand a squeeze as she nodded, signaling her understanding as their hands parted.

There was the bit about others not getting her, but Riley nodded faintly and smiled. "I want to understand you. So much." She confessed with a slightly sheepish smile and a faint blush as she rubbed the back of her neck. Annnnnd the cheesiness is right back. Glad you ruined such a touching moment, Riles. Her brain stated, but Riley ignored it.

But then Zoe was talking and Riley listened, loping over to the picnic blanket before glancing at Zoe. Her last remark had Riley simultaneously blushing and grinning. She just flirted. Holy hell. YES! Riley thought triumphantly as she spoke. "Well at least I can rest easy since you're the one taking them. That means they'll have to be good no matter how little I know what I'm doing." Riley stated with a wink thrown right back at the girl for her flirt

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled in response to hearing Riley want to understand her more. At least she did have that effect on people; nearly everyone she met came away wanting to understand her and quite possibly to be better or something. Zoe didn't quite understand it, and she was fairly certain that they were really just that sort of people before she ever got involved. So instead she just moved back to the picnic basket, wanting to try and use the food as something to distract from those mounting desires to touch.

"I'm fairly certain that you'd look good just rolling out of bed," Zoe replied, "but I suppose that's something I might find out later," Zoe almost shrugged, before bending down to start rummaging through the basket. She had just grabbed the cake when she realized precisely what she'd suggested, and, in her way, offered with that comment. She quickly drew the dessert out: Angel food cake.

"Cake?" Zoe said, smiling nervously as she held out Riley's piece for her.