The Second Date Wouldn't Measure Up

[Riley Forrester]

Once again, Zoe's smile made Riley's own grow. How does she do that? Riley wondered, but ultimately decided she didn't really care as she followed Zoe back to the blanket happily. There was the bit about Riley looking good rolling straight out of bed, which the girl seriously doubted and even laughed at the idea of. But then there was the next bit. At first, Riley didn't register it for a second or two.

But then it hit.

Instantly a blush suffused Riley's cheeks and managed to reach her ears, lighting up her skin with heat. And this with Riley not being a serious blusher. Whoa. Heavy hit, Zoe. Battleship down. Her brain managed to say. Riley seriously doubted Zoe had realized just what she had implied when she said it initially, and judging by Zoe's face when she offered the cake, she just realized it. Just that fact made Riley start to laugh, so completely stricken speechless by Zoe's words. Eventually she calmed though, and met Zoe's eyes with a deep inhale and a slight smile. '...I suppose so." Riley said, accepting the slice of cake.

Yes, she perfectly understood what her own words implied in response to Zoe's. But... that's what she meant to do. And now she simply hide her expression behind eating her piece of cake-- which made her smile despite herself, the flavor wonderful and making her make that sound of approval when eating something tasty.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

It turned out that your heart really could skip a beat, and that your brain could temporarily fizzle out for a few seconds, and that you could lose track of your thoughts, let alone the thread of a conversation. For Riley had met Riley's eyes and offered her flirtation back with something that sounded almost like a promise, and it certainly had a good deal of potential behind it. Zoe found herself swallowing hard, before fumbling for the cake.

Because as so often happened, she'd used up all her courage and pluck with those few words, and now was struggling to figure out how the whole language thing even worked. Zoe felt her camera bob against her chest a few times and she fumbled with getting that off. Touching it helped: she knew the camera, she knew what to do with it. She could take deep, even breaths and settle it in, before taking the cake.

"This is one of my favorites," she said, before getting out forks, handing one over to Riley, before taking the other to work on her own. "I really don't like being weighed down by all the food, sometimes it almost makes me feel sick," Zoe shrugged and started working at her cake. "I'm not a vegetarian though," she took a bite and looked over at Riley, smiling slightly. "Just in case you were wondering, but, um, you did see me eat fish at our first date so... um, right," Zoe looked down, flushing and nibbling at her cake again. Oh yes, totally calm and recovered from the earlier exchange. Obviously.

[Riley Forrester]

Dear god. My heart could beat a train right now. Riley thought, it was hammering so hard and fast. Jesus, Zoe. She thought again as she ate her cake. Although it seemed like she wasn't the only one affected, judging from Zoe's expression and that hard swallow before she scrambled for cake as well. Although it took Zoe a bit more effort to get it. She seemed so frazzled from their exchange that a part of Riley felt bad. But the majority of her felt very, very warm.

Riley accepted the fork gratefully, and listened to Zoe as she ate. Apparently it was one of Zoe's favorites, so she filed that away for later on other future dates. Because Riley was definitely going to want another date after this one. Once again, Zoe mentioned how she didn't eat much, and that she wasn't a vegetarian. Then she recalled the fish from the first date and trailed off a bit after that. She's still shaken a bit from our... um... That. Riley realized as a small smile grew on her face. "I get it." Riley assured the girl with a warm smile even as a good amount of her blush was still on her face.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe let out another laugh, before looking up at Riley, some more of that adoration in those expressive brown eyes of hers. "You know, just because I said I like it when you get me doesn't mean you have to keep saying it after everything," she said. This didn't dim her from smiling as she picked at her cake, taking a few beats and chewing them. She ended up dissecting the cake that way, seeming to only want to take a few little handfuls of the stuff at a time, often forgetting that she even had a fork.

She looked over at Riley again, then back toward the tree, mostly because looking made Zoe want to move closer and do... other things. "Um, so," she said, playing with some more cake, "I, um, do I need to... to cover up more around you?" she looked over at Riley. "Because I don't want my power to bother you, but at the same time, I really enjoy our cuddling with each other. I mean," she reached down to the blanket, "you can probably wrap me in this, and maybe let my hair down?" She reached up to her updo. "That should work this time, and I guess we could get creative but..." she met Riley's eyes, "I---it's terrifying, when it, what it does, and, I've already done that to two girls I really cared about and--- I don't want you to be the third, I guess." And more cake playing, as Zoe seemed to wonder if this wasn't something she'd already talked about again, if she wasn't just running circles around the same three conversations.

[Riley Forrester]

Zoe laughed, and of course Riley just had to grin, happy to hear it. And the adoration in Zoe's eyes was definitely reflected within Riley's for the other girl. Zoe's comment had Riley laughing though. "Sorry about that. Sort of." She said playfully, eating her cake. MAN this is good. Riley thought, making another approving noise. But then her eyes opened as Zoe began speaking, grabbing Riley's attention.

There was a lot of hesitation and Zoe's words seemed carefully calculated. There was a question of if Zoe needed to cover up more around Riley, which initially made the girl blink in surprise as Zoe went on. Explaining how she didn't want her power to bother Riley, and really enjoyed cuddling with the punky girl. She explained how they could use the blanket this time and let down Zoe's hair-- which definitely sent a jolt of excitement through Riley. I reaaaally wanna see her hair down. She realized before focusing on Zoe again. Zoe expressed her fear for hurting Riley, about not wanting her to be a third girl injured before Zoe returned to playing with her food.

A smile grew on Riley's face as she shook her head. "You don't need to change anything for me, Zoe. I'll find a way around it, I promise. I can be pretty creative when I want to be." She said a little playfully, but meaning it. "And I don't want to worry you, so I promise I'll be careful." She added more seriously and softly. But then there came the next bit that had Riley biting her bottom lip. Say it. You'll regret it if you don't. Her brain pointed out. "And I'm fine cuddling now but... um..." She paused and inhaled before looking Zoe in the eyes. "Could I... take down your hair? Please?"

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Didn't need to change? That was yet another little comment that Zoe was fairly certain that Riley didn't know the depth of, yet it still warmed her. Riley had continued, insisting that she could get creative. Zoe was tempted to say more, but she did hear Riley insisting that she'd be careful. "That's good. I really--I know you say I don't--"

She paused at the next question, staring for a few moments. "Um, if you want?" Zoe offered. "It was more or less down for our date, and, um, it's not that long?" Zoe reached up to play with the top of it. "I, uh, I cut it off when I got my powers, and, um, it's just starting to grow back..." Zoe trailed off, lowering her hand and sighing. "Which yes, means I didn't get my ability until I turned eighteen. I'm quite the late bloomer," Zoe flashed a smile, then nodded. "Right, hair."

She adjusted, scooting closer to Riley, getting within arm's reach then. She tilted her head for a moment, seeming uncertain as to whether she should be doing that or turning around or what.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley felt herself flush a little at the look Zoe gave her and that pause. She didn't know why, but there was just something about Zoe's hair that made Riley really just want to... To touch it. There was no real rhyme or reason to it. I don't have a hair fetish, do I? I'm pretty sure I don't. Riley thought as she listened to Zoe. It was just starting to grow back since Zoe cut it, and apparently she was a pretty late bloomer. There was a flashed smile that helped put Riley at ease, yet her blush remained.

"I manifested when i was 16." She informed the girl as Zoe came forward. "And sorry about... How weird I'm being on this." She apologized with a little chuckle at herself for her ridiculousness as she set her cake down and stood again to see Zoe before her. Riley really had no idea what was with her on this. "You probably think I'm such a nut for this." She commented as her hands came up to let down Zoe's hair with deft fingers. While it might've not been intimate to Zoe, it was to Riley. The only person she had ever helped with their hair was Lily's. God, her hair's so soft. Riley couldn't help but notice as she let it loose with nary a snag or painful tug. Once it was down, Riley couldn't help herself in fluffing and fixing it a little, ignoring the tingles in her finger when she accidentally scratched Zoe's scalp, before standing back to observe what she had done.

Her breath caught in her throat for some reason and she blushed anew. She couldn't help but stare. Zoe just looked so.... Beautiful. Yet Riley realized she was staring and chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. This is so weird but I just...." Riley trailed off, biting her bottom lip before she moved without thinking and placed a light kiss on Zoe's forehead. But then she almost immediately stopped and held up her hands. "Ah! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know I promised to be careful but I just couldn't resist cause you look so...." Riley trailed off, covering her face with her hands before she groaned and flopped backwards onto the ground, lying on her back.

Her arms flopped open and she stared up at the sky as she chuckled. "I am so weird and cheesy." She acknowledged before looking at Zoe and offered a crooked smile. "Sorry." She said, genuinely meaning it.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Sixteen was fairly late too, which made Zoe wonder if she'd found another late bloomer. Certainly she'd heard about it before, and she had run into one or two who certainly qualified, but it was odd to think that Riley of all people would be among that number. Of course, leave it to Riley to act as though this were all just a matter of course, like of course some people manifested early and making a big deal out of it was just silly.

Zoe was already about to insist that she didn't think Riley a nut, no, not at all, when she did realize that Riley was talking about the hair. So Zoe just shut her mouth and flushed as she felt the girl working her fingers down, letting the soft curls fall about her shoulders. Zoe had to let out a slight giggle as Riley fluffed.

"I take it you like it?" she asked, reaching a hand up. She was now certainly glad that she'd gone through with the decision to grow it out instead of leaving it short, even if it did feel odd from time to time. She saw Riley blushing and then felt the kiss. Naturally that made her blush and chew her cheek. "Well, kisses are, um,, okay," Zoe said, flushing as she did. More than okay, really. And then Riley was flopping back.

Zoe moved over to her, smiling down for a moment. "I"m going to end up buying you a thesaurus," the poet said, before leaning down to take Riley's lips in hers for another brief contact. Kissing her just felt too good, but Zoe knew enough to pull off, smiling down at Riley before reaching up to try and tuck some hair behind an ear. "You should've let me keep it up: I'm not going to be able to resist playing with it now."

[Riley Forrester]

"Mhmm." Riley had agreed absentmindedly before she had stole her kiss and flopped onto her back. Soon Zoe cam into view over her, claiming she would buy the punky girl a thesaurus. Riley laughed at that, but it was soon cut off by a kiss from Zoe, one that Riley easily melted into and reciprocated before Zoe pulled away. While Riley knew why the girl did it, it was still hard not to pull Zoe back in to continue. Why is she so kissable? Seriously. Riley thought with a grin after their kiss.

The next remark only served to strengthen her grin, and she reached up to twirl one piece of Zoe's hair in her finger. "Hey, then we're in the same boat. I might end up doing it too." She teased before, getting to her knees and moving everything off the blanket. Once it was clear, she picked it up and got to her feet, humming a tune as she quickly embraced Zoe with it from behind. Then, whooping, Riley flopped backwards again while hugging the now wrapped up Zoe, hitting the grass with an "Oof!' and laughter.

"There we go." She said, grinning widely at the girl.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Every time her lips touched this girl, Zoe just melted. It did occur to her how dangerous that was. Too long of a liplock, too many kisses, too many touches, and Riley would be in serious danger, especially out here. Zoe did have her antidote on hand, but she didn't want to use it if she didn't have to. She also definitely didn't want to have to explain to Dr. Campbell that she'd used up her antidote because she and her latest paramour had gotten a little too into kissing.

Zoe's hair certainly wasn't off limits, however, and Riley certainly seemed to be enjoying that. Zoe shifted to let Riley get back up, watching as she hummed, finding herself getting slightly mesmerized, as so often happened when it came to music, doubly so with Riley involved. Before Zoe could even realize what was happening, Riley had charged her, and soon they were giggling and wrapped up in one another in the grass. Zoe could almost feel the leaves and bits getting tangled, but she just smiled up.

"I have a feeling I'm going to say this quite a bit, but I am so glad you bought me, Riley Forrester," Zoe said, eyes dancing a little before she reached up, pulling in for another kiss on the lips, feeling her heart flutter with just that contact.

[Riley Forrester]

Can I just stay this way for a few hours? Maybe days? Please? Riley questioned internally as she cuddled with the girl, not minding the blanket so long as she could just hold Zoe tight. And then the giggling came and Riley couldn't help but grin widely as she gazed down at the girl, one hand idly playing with the girl's hair. "Seriously, you have wonderful hair. It's so soft." She commented.

But then Zoe was shifting, which made Riley look at her curiously. At first she thought the girl was uncomfortable, but then Zoe spoke and Riley was blushing yet again. But before she could even think to get a word out, Zoe was kissing her again, and Riley automatically returned the kiss with a smile and a passion. She could kiss Zoe forever, honestly. But this time it was Riley who pulled away first, grinning at the girl curled up on top of her, all wrapped up in a blanket. "You're not the only one." She said meaning every word. "But hey, aren't you the one warning me about not kissing as much?" She teased, chuckling as she smoothed out the girl's hair

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The compliment on her hair had Zoe again flushing, her eyes shifting away while she squirmed. It just further cemented her belief that she'd done good in growing it out, that it really was part of her and part of her physical portrayal of herself. That and she didn't want to hide behind her power, not any more.

Which was why she paused as Riley pulled away, teasing and smoothing hair. "I am," she admitted, smiling at the girl. "But, well," Zoe moved to brush aside her hair again, "I...I don't want to hide behind my power, and, well, I like you, and kissing you is just..." Zoe opened her eyes for a moment, "wow," she smiled, looking down for a moment, blushing as she gathered a bit more strength. "Plus, you can still talk, so clearly we, um, don't have to worry quite yet," she shifted again, feeling the blanket, but moving against Riley now. She curled slightly, shifting through the blanket. "You feel far too nice," she said, adjusting yet again, moving to smile at the other girl. "You're making me think and feel all sorts of silly, fluttery things," Zoe took another deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment, reveling in the sensations.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley smiled in return as Zoe did, but she listened when Zoe started to speak. Although she couldn't resist reaching her hand up to help brush Zoe's hair away for the girl. However, the girl's remark on how kissing the punky girl felt just made the girl blush even more. "I can easily say the same thing about you." She said softly, smiling even as she blushed pretty badly. Then there was the part about not worrying just yet that made Riley laugh.

Then Zoe started shifting, which made Riley smile a little as she held the girl. Her comment about Riley feeling far to nice had the girl blushing up to her ears again, but she could only gaze down at Zoe as she admitted she was thinking of silly, fluttery things Oh Zoe... Riley thought with a pure, affectionate smile. She snuggled against the girl happily, relaxing against the grass. "It's revenge for you making me feel like that." She teased, shutting her eyes with a happy smile. "Thank god you thought of the blanket. This is great." She said, loving the fact that they were finally cuddling

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

So Zoe was kissable. The thought warmed Zoe more than she cared to admit. There had been a veritable slew of adjectives (adorable the most primary among them) thrown upon her tonight, but kissable had just been applied. Plus, what girl didn't want to hear that? Especially from someone like Riley.

And now they were thinking of fluttery things together. Zoe licked her lips for a moment, watching as Riley looked to her. They'd snuggled against one another, and Zoe felt strange, like she'd been wrapped in a cocoon or something. She had to let out a slight giggle at Riley's compliment. "Well," she said, shifting to look into Riley's eyes, "I have had quite a bit of experience at this sort of thing," she smiled. "This isn't even the silliest thing I've had to do. I told you about the gloves, but for a while, before I got here, I used to wrap myself up in newspapers. Head to toe," she rolled her eyes up and then bobbed them down, before smiling again. She leaned against Riley again, shifting slightly.

"So, um, you... you're thinking fluttery, silly things too?" she asked, shifting. "Um, do I, well, do I get to know what?" Zoe couldn't help but hide her curiosity, an almost desperate desire to hear what she felt come from Riley's lips.

[Riley Forrester]

At the giggle, Riley opened one eye to gaze down at Zoe, who was staring into her eyes. God those eyes of hers..... Oi... Riley thought before forcing herself to listen. At the mention of her doing something sillier, Riley blinked before laughing at her story about the newspaper. "Seriously?" She said, grinning as she toyed with Zoe's hair. "I'm glad you opted for the blanket then. It's much easier to snuggle with you." She said as Zoe shifted again.

But then there was the question that made Riley blush anew and gulp. What am I thinking of? Her brain repeated as Riley gazed down at Zoe. She laid her head back in the grass, biting her bottom lip, before responding. "Well.... It's mostly of kissing you again. Many times. For a long while each time. And, um... just staying like this. Maybe for a few days. Or forever. I could do either, to be honest." She confessed with a soft chuckle, twirling and threading some of Zoe's hair between her fingers. "You?"