Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

New city, new job, new place. 

"Everything it's alright, I can do this", Zoey told herself as she placed the suitcases in the hall of her new flat, "this place is ok, you're gonna like it and get used to all the cupboards being so high", she continued reassuring herself.

Zoey was not a tall girl being just 5' 2", she was used to not being able to reach the top self, but this apartment had some really high cupboards and she could only reach the first self without having to step onto a chair, which could be an inconvenient, but she'll leave that problem for future Zoey, she had so much in her plate already. 

She needed to unpack the suitcases before sleep as tomorrow was her first day at the new work.

She walked around the house, absorbing all the details she could. The open kitchen, the not so large but not so small dinning table in the living room, the apparently comfy black sofa, the big shower with red walls, and finally, what it was gonna be her room, a big space with only a king bed in the middle, white walls and white cellar, two big built-in wardrobes with a light wood coloured finished, and two nightstands.

It felt a little bit too empty.

But she'll decorate it, all in due time.

She placed all her stuff where she deemed would be better: the clothes in the wardrobes obviously, but the food some in the cupboard others directly on the counter, not bothering to get onto a chair, and some other stuff laying on the coffee table in the living room.

With that done she prepared herself to go to bed, wanting to do it fast because she was tired but end up taking a lot of time because of that same reason.

Once in the bed, her head couldn't stop shut. 

You'll be all alone tomorrow at work. And at home. And you'll be alone all week. All month. You won't make any real friends or connect with anyone.

Her head started mulling over it.

You're too much and will scare everyone and anyone off your side. 

You'll be alone forever.

Zoey blinked once. Twice. Trying to get those thoughts out of her mind. Trying and failing.

She sat straight and took her phone out, she wasn't gonna get much sleep anyways, so she started looking for something in the app store.

She pressed on an app, downloading it, waiting for it to be 100% download, watching as the percentage grew slowly, moving her toes up and down as if it would help with the wait.

It finished and she didn't wait for her phone to ask if she wanted to open the new app, she enter and started a new profile.

Name: Zoey

Age: 23

Sleep habits: I'm a morning person

Sexual orientation: Bisexual

About me:

 

 

 

 

She stared at the blank space, not knowing what to write, not sure how much of her she wanted to share nor how much would be enough, so she went to the next step, uploading some pictures of her. 

She tried to find the more adorable cute but hot photos she had, and posted a couple of them.

One looking at the camara smiling as the sun was shining over a lake at her side, one with a thick anorak in the middle of the snow that made her look like the most adorable winter creature, another close off with a hoodie emerging from inside a leather jacket, and one of her dressed up as a tiger, with some little black whiskers drawing on her face and a headband with two black ears sticking up.

Omg, I'm so cute as a tiger Zoey thought, but I would definitely be cutter as a turtle, I'll have to dressed up some day.

She look at the profile, adding some silly stuff in the about me, and deciding it was good enough. This will help her solve all the things her head was worrying about. Or at least that's what she was trying to convince herself as she reclined back into the bed.

She published it.

Chapter Text

Zoey arrived early to work. 

It was her first day and she didn't want to cause a wrong impression.

She didn't have her uniform yet so she wore some grey cargo pants, a loose t-shirt semi tucked in, a yellow bucket hat and a turtle stamped cardigan.

That cardigan always made her feel more confident, like she could dominate the world, so she was thankful she left the clothes ready yesterday's afternoon as she woke up too nervous to think about anything but the new job.

She was so distracted she took so long having breakfast that she hadn't quite finished when the alarm she set to let her know it was time to go rang.

She picked the half banana left, to eat it on the way, and the backpack that was ready at the door, putting on her shoes before leaving.

Zoey couldn't believe she was going to work at an aquarium. She was so happy, screaming internally.

She was going to work with all type of marine animals like puffer fishes, dolphins and of course, turtles. Zoey had dreamed about working with turtles all her life.

And here she was, looking at the front door of the big and impressive aquarium, ready to start anew.

Zoey had study marine biology and even had a scuba diving certificate, so scoring this job, her dream job, had not been difficult.

Well, besides all the hard years studying, of course.

But all those years, all those midterms and finals periods stressing and studying so much she forgot to eat more than once, all the times she had to cheer herself to continue, to not give up, all that have been more than worth it to get here.

No matter how scared she was to enter the new building where so many things could go wrong, like maybe a shark tank breaking above her head, or slipping with some spilled water on the floor and breaking an arm, or bumping into a tank crystalline glass...

No.

She can't let her thoughts go that way.

It was gonna be okay. She was going to nailed it and maybe even meet new nice people, who knows.

And if not, she could always go to the turtles to just watch them and relax.

Zoey opened the door and stepped in.

She was ready.

Chapter Text

Zoey stepped out of the aquarium. Her backpack dangling on one shoulder, a paper bag secured in the other hand, containing the new uniform her boss gave her, consisting of a polo with the aquarium's logo and some khaki pants. Honestly, they could've chosen some prettier pants, Zoey thought. But she was happy nothing the less, because ugly or not they were hers, her own aquarium uniform!

She paused in the middle of the plaza in front of the aquarium and turned around admiring it all.

It hadn't been a bad day at work at all in the end. They show her all the installations and expositions. Too many for Zoey to remember where each one was, but thankfully they gave her a map, which she might had already seen and kinda study, or try unsuccessfully, while looking up the aquarium online, but she planned to memorize it for good now.

They also gave her some scuba diving gear for when she'll need.

Zoey looked down to the bag full of equipment, full of a new opportunity, and smiled. A real, big smile reaching her eyes.

But suddenly a loneliness feeling overcome her.

She had connect with no one at work. Sue didn't know anyone here and she had to go home now, spend the rest of the day alone with her thoughts.

Zoey shook her head, dismissing the he thoughts intruding her, and took her phone out, opening the new app, staring at the screen a bit before starting to touch it.

She look over some profile swiping one way or another. She stopped at a profile of a red  haired girl, more like red pinkish than passion red.

The girl's first photo was her in front of a mirror smiling but serious at the same time, one hand holding the phone for the photo, the other hanging by the thumb from the pocket, her hair half-up in two high pigtails.

The next photo was a selfie, smiling more, some hair failing over her shoulder, wearing a strapless t-shirt and a thin necklace.

Zoey looked at the description:

Name: Mira

Age: 24

Sleep habits: Night person

Sexual orientation: Bisexual

Zodiac sign: Scorpio

But there was no about me section.

She looked through the rest of the photos and finally decided to swipe right.

Her phone vibrated in her hand. It was a match.

So Zoey opened the chat and type something, just to start the Convo.

Hiii, how are you?

She looked at the message, deeming it good enough, short and trivial, good enough to start, right?

So she sent it and continue looking through the app, while waiting for a reply.

The next person to show up was a boy, dark hair parted down the middle, a confident smile, almost like too confident.

She looked a bit at the other photos, curiously. 

He was looking right at the camara in a shelfie in one, and he was with a little greyish cat in another. 

"Aw, so cute little kitten" she said, but decided to swipe left because he has a really smug face, too smug almost as in an arrogant way.

And then, the next person popped up.

A cute girl, purple pinkish braided hair, long sleeves turtleneck shirt, sit down at a table at an outdoor café, holding a coffee in one hand, a book in the other.

Zoey squinted to try to look at the title of the book.

"Mmmm, interesting" she commented to then look at the description:

Name: Rumi

Age: 24

Sexual orientation: Bisexual

Zodiac sign: Gemini

About me: Polite by default, quietly curious by choice. I like mornings when I have to, late nights when I can. Happiest with coffee in hand, a good story to get lost in, and someone who notice the little things. 

Zoey kept looking through the photos: 

A shot from a quiet coastal trip, she's walking along the seashore at sunset, wearing jeans and sneakers, hair braided back.

A very aesthetic bookshelf corner with plants and framed photos.

A mirror selfie in what looks to be her work outfit, with the faintest look of I just wanna go home in her eyes. 

Zoey swiped right.

Nothing happened. No match.

Zoey shrugged and pin the phone down. That was enough for today.

And with that, she just went home to rest.

Chapter Text

Zoey's phone vibrated against the kitchen counter.

She got up from the sofa, where she was just watching her favourite show ever, to check up what was the notification about.

She had a new message from the dating app, so of course she open it as fast as she could.

Hiii, I'm good and you?

Okay. Good. Short but good. She, Mira, talked her back. Not much but it was something to start with.

Good.

Happy about my new job, watching a good show now.

Random question: what are your three favourite movies?

Zoey wrote. Good enough to break the ice.

The answer came back shortly after.

Oh, new job? Congrats

1. Everything everywhere all at once 

2. The old guard 

3. World war Z

Did I pass the exam?

Omg, memory unblocked, I completely forgot about World war Z existence, but I liked it, it's really good.

Hahahahahahahaha yeah, you passed, they are very good answers, in fact, one of those is also my fave.

My favourites are:

Cheaper by the dozen

Spiderman into the spider verse

Everything everywhere all at once 

Haha yes, WWZ is good. I like horror movies pretty much. Specially werewolf, vampires and witches.

Except possessions, I don't like horror movies about that.

Oh, I see. Have you seen the final destination movies? 

They are a bit (a lot) gore, and good. But thank to them now I'm afraid to go after a trunk carrying logs hahaha.

I like comedy and fantasy and science fiction. But I like comedy better. 

I didn't know cheaper by the dozen. And I just looked it up and look good.

You haven't heard about it????

It's a bit old, but really good. I used to watch it as a kid a lot. Is one of my oldest favourite movies.

And, what do you do for a living?

I'm a stunt double ✌🏻 

And you? What's your new job?

I, as of today, work at an aquarium!

I love turtles and marine animals!! ❤️ ❤️ 

Yes, there's some aquatic animals really cool.

Zoey looked at the conversation. She liked Mira's vibes. She liked the way the chat flowed, like it's something natural, something that doesn't need a push to keep going. So she decided to do a bold move because why not? 

So she asked her out on a date:

Hey, would you like to maybe go out tomorrow afternoon, that's if your free ofc.

Yeah, sounds good. We can celebrate you got your new job 😉.

Zoey blinked, looking at the chat. She was a bit astonish she so easily? Like, the conve had been so smooth. And the other girl, the other pretty girl, Mira, had accepted to go out tomorrow.

Go out as in a date, right? Zoey wasn't the only one that thought it was a date, right? 

They talked a little more, about where and when to meet. And what to do. And no, Zoey wasn't the only one that thought it was a date because wow, Mira was some straightforward person. 

And Zoey liked that. She has always liked people that were straightforward. That help to not have misunderstandings. And Zoey misunderstood a lot of things, so yeah, she liked that in Mira, this could totally go okay.

They said their goodbyes for the day.

Zoey turn off her phone, placed it on the nightstand, and smiled.

Tomorrow, after work, she has a date. With a cute girl nothing the less. Things were gonna be okay.

Chapter Text

Next day at work something unexpected came up, so Zoey had to text Mira to meet up a bit after the hour they had agreed on.

Okay, no worries

Mira answered, like it was no biggie. Cool.

So when Zoey came out of work, changed into something nice, some black cargo pants, a tight tshirt showing some of her belly, and a light jacket just in case, and then went to where she was meeting Mira.

There she was, standing at on one side of a small square, wondering how should she wait, as there's still like seven minutes left until Mira arrived. She looked at a ledge at her left, at eye level. Pretty high but good to sit on. 

Zoey climbed into the ledge as well as she could without falling and sat there, taking her phone out to look through a social media app to wait for Mira to arrive.

When Mira arrived Zoey put down her phone and greeted her looking down. 

Mira was tall, taller than Zoey if they'd stand up one beside the other, but Zoey being sitting on the ledge was taller. 

"Hi there beauty"

Mira greeted back. Zoey felt a little warm going up her cheeks as she was thinking a way to go down the ledge that was gracious, which was no easy. She placed her hands at each side of her, leaning closer to the edge, planing on just lowering herself through her arm force. Not a great plan, but the one that looked better.

But then Mira got closer and wrapped her arms around Zoey's waist, picking up her weight and helping her getting down. It was a very natural action even without them communicating on what to do, just as if it was something they usually did.

"Thanks" Zoey said once in the ground, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, looking at Mira's eyes.

"No problem" Mira answered with a smile.

"What do you want to do?" Zoey asked, realizing she had nothing planned.

"I was thinking on inviting you to eat something, maybe your favourite dish, as to celebrate your new job" Mira suggested, voice calm and sure.

Zoey blinked a couple times before answering, not expecting the plan to sounded like it was a tradition, "well, my favourite dish is fries, or just any form of cooking potatoes. But preferably not fast food fries, they are too greasy" a smile tugging at her face but rapidly banishing, "but being this late and not the weekend I don't think many places will be open selling food"

"It's okay, we can walk a bit around looking for some place and if not, we'll figure it out" 

Zoey nodded and they started walking.

Without success. 

They walked into a couple open places, no one offering fries or potatoes or food, just drinks. They went through a lot streets which Zoey won't probably remember half of. They walked for a while more, and after asking in another place they decided to give up on the fries.

"It's okay, I don't mind not having fries" Zoey reassured Mira.

"I guess we can have fries other day. But I still want to invite you to eat whatever" Mira said, thinking what to do, "I think I know where to go"

So they crossed the square, walked down a street and started climbing some stairs. Zoey slipped and as a reflex she extended her hand to grab Mira's.

Mira said nothing nor looked down, she just give Zoey's hand a reassuring squish, as in saying I got you, as they continue walking.

Shortly after they arrived at a 24/7 convenience store.

"I sometimes come here when I need something urgent I forgot to buy, it's not far from my place" Mira said as they entered.

Zoey took note in her head, as it was a useful place to know.

"I guess the closer thing to fries were gonna find is a bag of chips, so let's check them out" Mira guided the lead with a smile, hands still tugged together.

They stopped in front of a huge self full of different chips' flavours.

"Choose whatever you want, anything, not only chips" Mira said with a wink.

Zoey's mind froze but at the same time was racing, in part because of the wink, but mostly because there were so many flavours to pick from she didn't know what to choose.

It took her a couple minutes to finally decided on sour cream and onion flavour alongside a blue lollipop, one of those that turned your tongue blue whilst Mira picked up a bag of barbecue flavoured chips and some gummy worms, fairly fast, waiting the rest of the time peacefully for Zoey to decide.

They took the food and looked for a bench to sit down and talk.

Zoey sat down at the left side of the bench and Mira just besides at her right, barely one feet apart.

"Tell me about you, where did you born and grow, what are your hobbies, what do you like to eat, besides potatoes of course" Mira said with a playful smile.

Zoey started talking about all the topics she asked and more, feeling like letting go all of her, all her life story was not a big deal. And Mira listen carefully while eating the chips, like it was the best movie she had seen in a while, no matter the time.

"...so yeah, that's how I ended up here, in a new city, no friends no acquaintances." Zoey finished, tired after all the talking, but feeling relaxed and listened to, "and what about you?"

Zoey smiled looking at Mira as she closed her gummy worms bag, scooting closer and started unravel her life story. Her eyes on Zoey's.

Zoey opened her chips as she heard Mira's past, learning she left her parents due to them not getting along, but she found her place here. 

As Mira was finishing Zoey put away what was left of her lollipop, looking the girl by her side, her mind lost in her stories.

"So now I'm a stunt double, a really good one if you ask me"

Zoey laughed at her cute self-esteem, "I should watch something you appear in" 

Mira's eyes fell on her mouth. Zoey blushing at the act. Mira's mouth opened to talk.

"You're tongue it's really blue, that lollipop did work. I haven't seen someone eat one of those since I was a kid, wasn't sure if it was gonna work still, huh"

Zoey stuck out her tongue and tried to look at it, unsuccessfully, but earning a laugh from Mira, "do you think it'll turn other stuff I lick blue?" Zoey thought out loud.

"Well, we can see" Mira answered with a flirtatious smile. 

They looked each other, closing the space between them slowly but steady.

Their lips pressed together, moving slowly at first, speeding up and deepening fast. Their bodies getting closer. Zoey's hands in the back in Mira's nape, and Mira's at Zoey's sides, both drawing each other near.

Zoey parted briefly, looking at Mira's fierce eyes, feeling warm, but wanting more. She couldn't get closer to her, so she decided to sit in Mira's lap. 

A sigh escaped Mira's mouth, her eyes opened a little wider, but a smile crept across her face. And then she pressed her lips against Zoey's, harder and firmer, her hands still at Zoey's sides.

The kiss was deep and passionate. Their hands tracing the other's body, the hair, the neck, the back of the shirt, they didn't stopped there. 

They got lost into each other. 

They broke apart to breath. Forehead against forehead, eyes closed, smiling. 

They stayed a bit like that before starting to talk again.

"That was..." Zoey started.

"...really good" Mira finished, "I have to go now, but would you like to meet another day? We can watch one of the movies I appear in?" 

Zoey blinked, assimilating all the information of what just happened, then nodded.

Mira walked Zoey's to her place, hand in hand. 

They stopped at the entrance to say their goodbyes. 

"It's been a good day" Zoey said smiling "I'd love to meet up again" 

"Yes, it was, and I'd like that" Mira said as she took Zoey's hand in one of hers, she pulled out a pen with the other hand, and started to write something on her hand, "if you want we can talk by phone, better than the dating app's chat" 

 Zoey nodded, "okay...she you"

She was turning around when she felt a tug on her hand making her face the other girl, who got closer and closer to Zoey, until their lips pressed.

It was brief but unexpected by Zoey, whose lips took two seconds to react.

Mira stepped back, with a smirk, "you thought I was gonna go without a kiss goodbye?" She wink at Zoey's red face, release her hand and left.

After a minute staring at the empty space in front of her, recounting in her head all that had happened today, she finally entered home.

As Zoey approached her bed, her phone received a notification.

A new match.

Chapter Text

"Huh" Zoey said while getting into bed, looking at her phone, wondering who this might be since she hadn't open the app all day.

You have a new match. The message read.

She clicked and watched as the app opened, arriving on a profile or a purple haired girl. 

Rumi, 24

Ohh, this girl, she remembered when she swiped right and nothing happened. But it happened now, so cool. Cool cool cool cool.

Zoey opened the chat to start a conversation, the reply coming almost instantly but it did not feel like in an eager way.

The conversation started normal, with greetings and asking some questions about each other.

And what's your favourite colour?

Blue! Yours?

Purple.

Like your hair? Is that why it is purple?

Hahahaha well, not actually, I didn't realize it matched my favourite colour, I never thought of it like that, funny.

Well, I think it suits you.

Thanks. 😊 

And what do a beautiful girl like you do for a living?

Smooth, Zoey thought as she sent the text.

I work in the marketing department in a company.

Oh, sounds serious. Do you like it?

Meh, it's not what I wanted, but it pays well. And you?

I work at an aquarium!!! I started recently, but I love it so much ahhh

That sounds so cool. What do you like better about it?

Zoey stopped to think, there were so many things she liked so far. The place was huge and had some really good exhibits, the floor was smooth and pretty with drawings of shells and algae, there were comfy bench in front of the bigger tanks, the cheerful kids that came to admire the fishes and aquatic mammals, the cafeteria which had the better onion rings Zoey had try in a while.

So many things, she didn't know which one was her favourite.

Not the uniform, that for sure. Nor the people that sometimes asked questions that left Zoey perplexed like: "at what depth do dolphins become sharks" or "could I pick up a string ray to hug it" or like the woman who asked if she could be baptized in the otter exhibit (although that last one made Zoey smiled, thinking it would be a cool idea too).

Zoey tapped something into her phone and clicked send.

Turtles, definitely the turtles

In reality, she didn't know why she thought it so much, it was so obvious the turtles are her favourite part of the job.

She continued looked at the char before adding 

What do you like better about yours?

I don't think I like anything about my job so much to answer that.

Oh.

That's...not cool.

So then, what do you like?

Uh....I don't know, no one asked me that ever before. I guess I like mythology? And waffles and iced lattes. I like to go out and try new cute cafes around the city. I also enjoy taking photos.

Oh, that text was too long, sorry. I don't usually write paragraphs so long.

No no, it's ok, no worries. I like how you got carried away talking about what you like.

You know what? How about tomorrow you and me go to try a cute cafe? There's this really small one near my job that I've seen and thought of going someday. Would you like to go with me?

Oh, sure, when?

How about tomorrow after my shift? If everything goes well I'll be finished before it closes.

Alright then, sent me the direction and I'll go pick you up tomorrow after work.

Zoey sent her the Google maps' link for her aquarium and the hour her shift finished. 

They kept talking about random things until Zoey fall asleep, the phone unlocked in her hand, a fútiles smile in her face.

Chapter Text

The aquarium’s glass doors slid open with a low hum, spilling out the faint scent of saltwater and damp stone into the warm late afternoon air.

Rumi waited just outside, leaning against the side railing, scrolling idly through her phone. Her free hand twisted the hem of her sleeve, a nervous habit she always pretended didn’t exist.

She checked the time again. Four minutes left till due time still.

She locked her phone and tucked it away just as Zoey stepped out. Her hair was slightly damp at the ends, her cheeks flushed from the humid aquarium air. When she spotted Rumi, she broke into the kind of bright, genuine smile that made Rumi blink a couple times, a little pink spreading through her cheeks.

“Hey,” Zoey said, walking up. “Did you wait long?”

“No,” Rumi said quickly, shaking her head. “I just got here.” A lie, but a polite one.

Zoey adjusted the strap of her bag and grinned. “Perfect timing then.”

They fell into step together, heading toward the cafe near the aquarium Zoey talked about. It was a little tucked-away place with sunlit windows and mismatched chairs.

Inside, soft jazz hummed through the speakers and the smell of coffee draped over everything like a warm blanket. They slide into a corner booth, and Zoey spotted Rumi's purse.

"Is that a camera purse?" Zoey asked cheerfully.

“Mm,” Rumi nodded tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I had some time before coming here and was trying new settings, and then I thought… maybe if the lighting’s good in here.” She said it casually, but there was a little glimmer there, like she was testing if Zoey minded being photographed.

Zoey leaned back, pretending to think. “You’re gonna make me pose, aren’t you?”

Rumi tilted her head, lips curling into the faintest smile. “Only if you want me to”, she said fast.

 Zoey smiled with her eyes closed, leaning closer. “I want to”

Rumi blinked, surprised, but she didn’t look away. For a moment, their knees almost brushed under the table, neither of them moved.

The afternoon went gently after that. Zoey talked about her job at the aquarium, telling animated stories about mischievous otters and clumsy penguins. Rumi listened intently, chin propped on her hand, the corner of her lips twitching every so often when Zoey’s enthusiasm slipped into dramatic reenactments.

“You really like it there,” Rumi observed when Zoey paused for a sip of her iced latte.

Zoey nodded instantly. “I do. It’s…peaceful. Messy, chaotic, loud...but peaceful in its own way”

Rumi traced the rim of her cup with her finger, her gaze dropping briefly. “I envy that.”

Zoey tilted her head. “What, penguins?”

That earned her another soft laugh, quieter this time, as if Rumi couldn’t help it. “No,” she said, finally meeting her eyes. “Liking what you do.”

Something unspoken hung between them after that, delicate but not uncomfortable. Zoey wanted to ask more, but she could tell Rumi wasn’t ready to talk about that topic, so instead, she changed the subject, leaning forward with a grin.

“Okay, then, mystery girl,” Zoey teased lightly. “If you didn’t have to work, and you could jut do anything, what would it be?”

Rumi thought during a couple second, the sunlight spilling through the window projecting soft patterns in her blouse. “I think...photography,” she said finally. “I’d travel. Capture things no one else notices"

Zoey smiled at that, eyes crinkling slightly. "Figures. You’ve got that vibe, quiet, artsy, mysterious"

Rumi blinked slowly, her expression unreadable for a second before she smirked, just barely. “And you have the vibe of someone who talks too much.”

Zoey clutched her chest dramatically. “Rude. I’ll have you know I’m delightful company”

“You are,” Rumi said softly, before continuing, "and besides, I like it when you talk."

They kept talking between sips of iced lattes: mythology, random childhood stories, and, somehow, the ethics of naming aquarium penguins after celebrities. Zoey gestures wildly as she spoke, and Rumi hided her laugh behind her straw, shaking her head.

“You’re enjoying this way too much,” Rumi said softly.

Zoey leaned forward, mock-offended. “Excuse me, I take my penguin naming rights very seriously”

Rumi’s laugh finally slipped out, light and warm, and Zoey beamed at that.

By the time they left the café, the sun was dipping lower, painting the streets in honey-colored light. Neither of them suggested ending the afternoon. Instead, they wandered aimlessly through a park nearby, falling into easy conversation.

Every so often, Rumi paused to take photos. Photos of the fading sky, of shadows curling across trees, of Zoey when she wasn’t looking.

Zoey caught her once, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Are you secretly building a blackmail folder on me?”

Rumi lowered the camera just enough to smirk faintly. “Maybe...."

The banter felt effortless now, like they’d stepped into a rhythm neither had expected but both quietly wanted to hold onto.

Rumi snapped photos here and there, quiet and deliberate, until Zoey grabbed the camera mid-step.

“Hey!” Rumi gasped, mock-scandalized.

Zoey grinned, raising the camera toward Rumi. “Your turn”

Rumi froze instantly. “No.”

“Yes,” Zoey insisted. “It’s only fair”

Reluctantly, Rumi lowered her gaze, cheeks dusting pink, and let Zoey take a few shots. When Zoey lowered the camera, she looked at Rumi for a beat longer than necessary.

“You’re really bad at pretending you don’t know you’re photogenic,” Zoey murmured.

Rumi blinked at her, then let out a soft, incredulous laugh, touching her cheek as if to hide the heat there. “You’re annoying.”

“And yet,” Zoey says, walking backward a few steps with a grin, “you’re still here”

The sky darkened to deep indigo, city lights flickering to life around them. They found themselves sitting on a bench overlooking the river, shoulders close enough that their arms almost touch, watching the reflections ripple.

It was quiet for a moment, the kind of quiet that feels full.

Zoey finally spoke, voice low. “I don’t want this to end yet.”

Rumi glanced at her, hesitant, then softened. “Me neither”

And so it didn’t.

They staid until the sun set, until the sounds of the city blurred into something gentle, until the only thing grounding Zoey was the weight of Rumi’s shoulder brushing lightly against hers, accidental, maybe. Or maybe not.

Chapter Text

The city felt softer at night.

The air had cooled, carrying the faint hum of passing cars and the distant chatter of people talking in the park. The river glimmered under the streetlights, little ripples catching and fracturing the gold reflections.

Zoey and Rumi stayed on the bench until the breeze grew just a little colder, their shoulders close, neither quite daring to move away. Rumi’s gaze kept drifting toward the lights across the water, but every so often, her eyes flicked sideways, toward Zoey.

It was Zoey who finally broke the silence, looking at her watch with a reluctant sigh. “I should probably head back soon”

Rumi nodded, though there was the tiniest downturn in her lips, quickly hidden. “I’ll walk with you”

“You don’t have to”

“I want to,” Rumi said simply, standing and brushing her skirt.

Zoey smiled, soft and unguarded, before rising to join her.

They walked side by side through the quiet streets, the kind of comfortable silence that needed no filling. The warm glow from shop windows spilled onto the pavement, mixing with the occasional cool wash of shadows. Every so often, Zoey pointed out little things. A cat perched lazily on a windowsill, an old neon sign buzzing faintly, a couple laughing loudly outside a tiny restaurant.

Rumi didn’t say much, but she listened, a smile tugging on her face when Zoey’s enthusiasm slipped out without effort, without restraint.

“You really like noticing things,” Rumi said after a while, her voice barely above the murmur of the city.

Zoey laughed softly. “Guess I do. My mind is always analyzing everything, every little thing I guess”

Rumi nodded in acknowledgment, the looking up, scanning the constellations barely visible beyond the city lights. “I like that”

Zoey blinked at her, caught off guard, her heart skipping just enough to make her miss a step. “You...like that?”

Rumi’s lips twitched. “Mhm. Makes you see the world from another, better perspective”

By the time they reached Zoey’s building, the night was quieter still, the streets around them almost empty. The soft pools of yellow light from the streetlamps stretched across the sidewalk, and the faint scent of rain hung in the air though the sky remained clear.

They stopped near the entrance, neither moving immediately.

“So…” Zoey said, rocking slightly on her heels, hands tucked into the pocket of her hoodie. “Thanks for walking me back”

Rumi nodded, clutching the edge of her sleeves. “No problem”

Zoey hesitated, then tilted her head just enough to catch Rumi’s gaze. “I had fun tonight, I was very comfortable”

Rumi’s lips curved faintly, almost shyly. “Me too”

For a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other. The kind of look that carries a lot of meaning, unspoken words building between them.

Rumi’s hand brushed against Zoey’s lightly, accidentally, but neither of them pulled away.

Zoey took a breath and her voice came out quieter than she meant it to. “I think this is when you’re supposed to kiss me”

Rumi blinked, startled but not pulling back, her cheeks tinting faint pink, her lips turning into a smile. “Is it?”

Zoey nodded, her lips curling into the faintest grin. “Yeah, I'm pretty sure”

And somehow, that was all it took.

They leaned in at the same time, perfectly in sync, as though the moment had been waiting for them all night, all along. The world felt still, just the soft brush of Zoey’s hand against Rumi’s sleeve, the faint scent of coffee still clinging to her, the quiet hum of the city muted beneath the pounding of their hearts.

Their lips met softly, tentative at first, and then melting into something warmer, as if they’d done this a thousand times before.

When they finally parted, Zoey rested her forehead against Rumi’s, laughing softly under her breath.

“That…” she whispered, her voice slightly breathless, “that was really, really nice”

Rumi blinked slowly, trying and failing to hide the tiny smile playing at her lips. “Yeah,” she murmured, her voice quiet and certain. “It was”

Zoey hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip before speaking again. “Can I…kiss you again?”

Rumi’s eyes opened, but her gaze stayed steady on Zoey’s. “You want to?”

Zoey grinned softly, nodding, like it was obvious. “Yes, a lot”

This time, Rumi didn’t hesitate. She leaned in first, and Zoey met her halfway, and the second kiss was slower, not tentative but sure, like they were already learning each other’s rhythm.

And when they finally pulled apart again, Zoey was smiling so widely it made Rumi’s chest warm in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

Neither of them said anything after that. They didn’t need to.

The city carried on around them, but here, on this quiet stretch of sidewalk beneath a flickering streetlamp, the night felt theirs.

Chapter Text

Zoey blinked, looking at her darkened ceiling. 

She was feeling so much things she doesn't know what she's feeling.

She had a great time with Mira. She felt so much like living a wild dream, not because they did wild things, well maybe some, but because it all was so unplanned and still it went so smoothly. She felt as if it couldn't go better even if she had planned it. She felt her stomach warm and excited just by hearing Mira. She hadn't had a date like that ever, she never felt someone took care of her like that. And no one kissed her like that, oh my. She definitely wasn't expecting that from her first date in a dating app.

And she had a great time with Rumi too. She felt so...at ease, so good like she didn't need to try to be, she just was happy, like it had been like that for years, even though they hadn't known each other before. She felt like she could've lived in that moment, in that afternoon, in that evening, forever. She felt so like her true self just sitting beside Rumi. She also hadn't had a date like that ever, she never felt so in sync with someone. And their kiss? She didn't even have to think about doing anything, it was just like her lips knew what to do, and oh my. 

And all that confused her. So, so much. What all of this meant.

Did she like Mira? Did she like Rumi? 

Or, could she like both? Is that something possible? 

Maybe she just liked them both as friends. A lot. Like, really good friends. Friends that had kissed each other. Very passionate and deep kisses.

Maybe she was just confused because of all the novelty. Maybe she should keep meeting with Mira and Rumi, and the confusion would eventually resolve itself. 

Yeah, that was the best plan to follow.

Rumi was looking at herself in the mirror of her bathroom. She was not scared anymore. Not scared about the whole dating deal anymore.

She wasn't sure about trying the dating app before, she was feeling insecure and fearful, afraid she would not match with anyone, no one in all the huge city she called home, or even worse, match with someone who would be faking just to scam her.

But it wasn't.

It was this warm beautiful girl. Zoey.

"Zoey" saying her name out loud felt right. Like it belonged on her lips.

She surely wasn't expecting to meet someone that made her feel like she mattered, the true she, not the one she had to pretend to be at work, not the one she had to pose as in the company's fancy event. Herself. The one she hadn't feel as in so long, ever since...

No, she was in a too good of a mood to think about...that.

She was finding herself mesmerized by that beautiful day she had with Zoey. 

But, would have Zoey felt the same? Or was this a one side thing. Should she talk to her again, or perhaps just wait. But she wanted to talk to her again, meet again.

She reached to pick up her camera to look at the photos she had take during the day. The resting trees, the calming deep blue sky, the outline of the city across a park in the sunset. And then there was Zoey, smiling like nothing ever matter. Smiling like trying to pause time. 

And then, there it was, the photo Zoey took of her. She hadn't had her photo taken in so long she almost didn't remember why she didn't like them. Almost.

But this photo, she didn't dislike this photo so much. She look happy. Genuinely happy.

She walked to the living room contemplating the photos, a smile tugging at her lips. 

Her mobile vibrated against the wood of her coffee table 

She left the camera at the table, pick up the phone and sat down at the couch. 

A notification appeared on her lock screen. She had a new match.

She had a new match?

She unlock the phone and check who it was.

She looked through all the profile "Oh..."

Mira was perplexed.

She had been thinking about her last date all day. It was not something she usually did.

She’d had a lot of dates before. She liked meeting new people, stepping into their worlds for a night, tasting their energy, their habits, their quirks, and then leaving it behind. She liked the novelty, the spark of curiosity, the way each encounter felt like a new adventure. But always, her relationships stayed on the surface. Flirtation, fun, sometimes sex, sometimes not. Nothing heavy. Nothing that lingered once the door closed.

But Zoey did.

The sound of her laugh, the cheerful wonder she carried when talking about turtles she loved, the way she looked at Mira like she wasn’t just another pretty distraction. Mira wasn’t used to that. She wasn’t used to being...seen.

It shocked her.

The easy thing would be to place Zoey in the same category as everyone else, a good night, a good kiss, a warmth that would fade by morning. That was how it always worked, and Mira was fine with that. She liked it that way. Simple. Clean. Free.

And yet, when she tried to push Zoey into that mental drawer, the edges didn’t fit.

The memory of their kiss tugged at her in quiet moments, soft and wild at the same time, grounding instead of fleeting. It was supposed to be unplanned, careless, but it hadn’t felt that way. It had felt...steady. Intentional.

Mira lay back on her bed, one arm draped over her eyes, and let out a low groan.

“What the hell are you doing to me, Zoey,” she muttered.

Because she didn’t know what this was. Only that it was different, and that difference terrified her as much as it thrilled her.

And that she wanted more. 

But at the same time, she was scared. 

Mira was scared.

Because if she let Zoey in, really in, then Zoey could hurt her. And Mira knew what that kind of hurt felt like. She’d built her life on keeping things light, superfluous, simple, so no one had that kind of power over her. But Zoey...Zoey was different. Zoey seemed like she could slip past those walls, the walls she had sworn never to let anyone past again. And that terrified her.

Chapter Text

So the next day Zoey did what she thought was the best next step in her plan to understand her feelings.

She open app her chat with Mira and stare at it, hoping the right words would come to her. But there were so many words in her mind she didn't know which ones where the right ones.

Would you, perhaps, like to go have dinner with me? Maybe, like, in a date? 

She wrote to rapidly deleted it.

Not the right words.

Hi there, cutie. What about going to have dinner you and me? 

No, not that either. Deleted.

The first attempt was better, but not perfect.

Hiii Mira. Would you like to have dinner with me? Saturday night, at this new Mexican place. It's a date.

Yes, that was better.

Sent.

So she opened Rumi's chat to write something, so similar, but not exactly the same.

Hiii Rumi. Would you like to have dinner with me? Sunday night, at this new Mexican place. It's a date.

Good.

Was she gonna regret eating two days in a row Mexican? Maybe. But probably not, because she had a cast-iron stomach. She was gonna be tired as heck Monday at work? For sure.

But she wanted to do the exact same plan with both so she could contrast both experiences and feelings and arrive to a logical conclusion.

Yeah, this was a plan with no gaps. No potential shortcomings or missing elements in the strategy.

Probably.

It was good enough.

She had to think what to wear. Should she wear the same thing both days, so this scientific experiment could be the more objective possible? 

Did she has the same shirt duplicate? Or the same pants? Or at least similar?

Maybe she could wear the same pants and two similar shirts with the same jacket. That could do it.

She got this. She could do it. Two dates with two different people. Two people whom she might have a crush on. At the same time. Or maybe not. Maybe they were just friends.

Or maybe they were crushes, but she didn't wanted for them to be.

Because liking two persons at the same time was something complex, something complicated, something she didn't know if she was up to.

But once again, she maybe didn't like them both like that, right? She was not sure. Or she didn't want to be sure.

She just needed to spend more time with them and analyze everything.

So after this weekend she'll now for sure. And so she will be able to plan what to do next. 

Everything was okay. Everything was gonna be okay.

Mira looked at her phone's screen, grinning, thinking about the text she just received.

She liked Zoey being so assertive. It's a date, she wrote.

It's a date.

She didn't know why that struck her so hard, they've already been on a date, a pretty good one.

But being asked on a second date was something she did not expect, it wasn't something she was used to. She was always the one to ask for second dates if they ever happened.

She liked it. 

And she was afraid that she did. 

But after a lot of thinking about everything, and a lot of thinking about Zoey, she decided that it was okay to be afraid.

Because nothing worth something will ever be easy.

So she was gonna try. Even if she was afraid of it going wrong. Because it could also go well. And that was life. Trying to get things right, even if sometimes you fail.

But the award, the possibility of having some relationship with Zoey, was worth the try.

Because she would regret more not trying than failing.

She answered the text with a simply and direct Yeah.

Rumi received the text and rapidly confirm Zoey she was up to it.

She was excited, she was going to have another date with Zoey. 

But she was also nervous. Because it was not the only date she had this weekend.

She matched with this boy, Jinu, and she agreed on going in a date with him on Saturday.

She wasn't sure about why she said yes. He looked like a good person, someone who cared, talking with him she felt understood. 

So she gave him a chance.

But now she was also going on another date with Zoey. Sweet and lovely Zoey. 

What the hell Rumi. This can't be right, right? Well, she wasn't in a relationship with Zoey, they've been just in a date so far, and they didn't commit to exclusivity nor to nothing.

And she was really feeling connected to both, at the same time, which was a bit crazy for her to comprehend. 

But she didn't need to figure it out everything right now. That's something she learned the hard way. 

Not everything needed to have an immediate answer.

And it was okay.

She'll find out what all means in due time.

Chapter Text

Tonight was the first date night of this weekend for Zoey.

Saturday's night. Mira's date.

Zoey was nervous. She tried the black cargo pants with the blue shirt in a million different ways:

Shirt tuck in, shirt out, shirt just tuck in from behind, falling freely in the back. Pants a little bit down, pants in their place. And all the combinations, repeatedly, until she decided to go with the pants a little bit down, and the shirt not tucked in.

She decided to wear the hair as she usually does, nothing fancy, as she wanted to wear the same hairstyle tomorrow, on Rumi's date.

She glanced at herself one last time in the mirror, twisting her head slightly to check the side profile, smoothing her grey hoodie over her shoulders. Everything felt…fine. Comfortable. Natural. Just right for a date night that should be fun, without pressure.

Zoey grabbed her bag, stuffed in her phone and wallet, and took a deep breath. Okay, Saturday night. Mira. Don’t overthink it.

The walk to the restaurant felt unusually long, her sneakers padding softly against the pavement as her mind raced over every possible scenario. Would Mira be her usual teasing, flirty self? Would she be left a gay mess over some snarky comments Mira wouldn't think a second longer about? Would she trip on their way to the table and knock out the entirety of it's contents? Zoey shakes her head at the thought. She was not gonna fall tonight. Right? She shouldn't. She won't.

When she finally arrived, she wait a couple minutes leaning against the wall just outside the entrance, hands in her pants' pocket.

As Mira arrived, she straighted and started walking towards her. The faint smirk on Mira's face made Zoey’s chest warm immediately.

“Have you been here long?” Mira drawled as Zoey approached, voice casual but tinged with amusement.

Zoey grinned nervously, tugging lightly at her jumper. “Not much. Took me forever to figure out these pants and this shirt, but I always plan with extra time just in case.”

Mira raised an eyebrow. “That so? You look fine. Relax, cargo queen”

Zoey laughed, cheeks warming. “Cargo queen, huh? I’ll take it”

They stepped inside together, the restaurant warmly lit with flickering candles on each table and the rich smell of spices welcoming them. The hostess guided them to a table near the back, a little quieter, where the atmosphere felt private enough for the kind of conversation Zoey wasn’t sure she was ready for, but would like to have at the same time.

Mira pulled out the chair for Zoey, who sat down with a soft smile, and then slid into her own seat. 

Zoey was happy to be here, with Mira. And also was happy she didn't fall and knocked the table down. A win is a win.

“So, what would you like to order?” Zoey asked, looking at Mira after looking at the menu placed on the table.

“Uhh...I don't really know. I haven't tried Mexican food before” Mira answered scanning all the menu with a blank stare.

Zoey blinked once and then again.

“You...” she blinked yet again, “you've never tried Mexican food? Are you kidding me?!” Zoey exclaimed a little bit louder than she'd like, wincing a bit as her voice reached her ears.

“Um, no? My parents didn't liked spicy food and wouldn't let me try it when I lived with them, and after I left, I guess I didn't even think about it” Mira explained, as it was not a big deal.

Which it was for Zoey, “no way Mira! You have to try everything then!”

Zoey ordered a burrito, a quesadilla, three different tacos, a plate of nachos, a mojito and a margarita, all to share between the two of them.

Zoey was pleased with their order.

“Huh, by the way, do you tolerate spicy?” Zoey asked Mira after realizing more than half of the things she ordered were spicy. She hoped Mira did, for her own good.

“Oh yes, totally” Mira answered nodding confidently.

“Cool”, Zoey started feeling nervous, the day was going well, “cool cool cool cool”

The food arrived soon after, looking delicious, making Zoey’s stomach growl. She watched Mira carefully, curious to see her reaction to everything.

Mira picked up the burrito first, taking a careful bite. Her eyes widened just slightly, then she smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile. “Wow,” she said between bites, “this is…really good. Like, amazing”

Zoey felt her chest flutter. Yes, she likes it. Yes, she’s happy.

Next, Mira tried the quesadilla, nodding to herself, and then the tacos. Her fingers fumbled slightly as she held one taco up, and when she took a bite, her eyebrows shot up. “Oh wow, these are insane too. I mean…really good.”

Zoey couldn’t stop grinning. Every little reaction Mira had , the small gasp, the slight lean forward, the way she licked her fingers without thinking, was recorded in Zoey’s mind.

And then it happened. Zoey, too enthusiastic with a bite of nachos loaded with salsa, flinched as a small splatter landed on her grey hoodie. She froze, eyes wide.

“Oh no no no” she whispered, grabbing the hem and trying to clean it.

Mira leaned over slightly, tilting her head, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. “Here”, she said, sliding her own jacket across the table. “I’m running hot anyway, I'm not using it”

Zoey blinked at her for a second, then smiled softly, taking the jacket. The touch of Mira’s fingers as she handed it over sent an unexpected shiver up her arm. She shrugged into it, feeling oddly comforted and aware of Mira’s presence.

They ate the rest of the meal slowly, savoring bites, talking and laughing between mouthfuls. Zoey’s eyes kept finding Mira, analyzing her, the way she chewed thoughtfully, the tilt of her head when she laughed.

After paying, they left the restaurant into the cool evening air. They walked side by side, the city lights casting a warm glow around them.

Mira slid her hand occasionally brushed it against Zoey’s as they walked. Every brush made Zoey’s heart flutter. Every glance Mira gave her felt deliberate yet casual. She couldn’t stop paying attention, to the tilt of Mira’s smile, the rhythm of her laughter, the way her hair caught the streetlight.

When they reached Zoey’s building, she felt a little pang of disappointment. She didn’t want the night to end. Mira, sensing it, looked at her with a small, knowing smile.

“I can walk you up,” Mira offered casually, her words made Zoey’s chest tighten.

Zoey nodded, and they climbed the steps together. At the door, they lingered, neither moving immediately. Zoey’s hand brushed against Mira’s slightly, accidental but electric.

“Thanks for tonight,” Zoey whispered, not breaking eye contact. “I had a really good time.”

Mira’s lips curved softly. “Me too,” she said, voice low and deliberate. “Really good”

Zoey could feel it, the way Mira held herself back slightly, restrained yet intentional.

Walking back to her car, Mira replayed every moment of the night in her head. She’d felt the warmth of Zoey’s hand brush against hers, the way she laughed at the little jokes, the sparkle in her eyes when she noticed Mira enjoying something.

It scared her.

Mira wasn’t used to this. She liked meeting people, having fun, keeping things light. Casual flings, easy connections, no heavy expectations. That had been her life for years, free, untethered, safe.

But Zoey was different.

Her heart had this strange, unfamiliar weight — the kind that made her want to go slow, to savor every moment, to not ruin it by moving too fast. She didn’t want to be the kind of woman who left a trail of broken hearts. She wanted this to matter. She wanted it to be something more than fun, something that could last.

Mira exhaled slowly, shaking her head. Don’t rush it. Just let it grow. Let her in carefully. But don’t push, don’t hurt her.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was willing to try.

Chapter Text

Rumi looked at the park entrance as she adjusted the strap of her little lavender bag.  The perfume of popcorn from the adjacent vendors blended with the subtle scent of fall foliage.  She hadn't felt this nervous in a long time, well not that long, since Zoey's date actually. But here she was, waiting for a person she had met on a dating app.

A few moments later, Jinu walked casually approaching her with a friendly smile.  

"Hey, Rumi," he began in a soothing, friendly tone.  "Sorry if I kept you waiting."

Rumi shook her head quickly, cheeks warming.

”No, not at all. I just got here” she played with the hem of her shirt, a small habit she did when nervous.

He laughed softly, a sound that made her stomach flutter.

“Good. Nice.” He smiled.

They started to walk slowly down the main path, the park full with families, and a few street performers. Rumi's hand rested lightly in her pockets. She didn't know what to expect from Jinu or this so called date, though there was something inherently safe in his presence, a calmness she found oddly comforting.

“So, I was thinking,” Jinu began, tilting his head slightly, “we could grab some popcorn or candyfloss. I feel like a park date isn’t complete without at least one of those funny snacks”

Rumi’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Candyfloss, huh? I haven’t had that in ages”

They stopped at a seller, the pastel pink candyfloss spinning on a stick. Jinu picked two and handed her one, his fingers brushing hers briefly. Rumi felt a spark, subtle but it was there. 

“Here,” he said. “Don’t eat it too fast or it’ll melt all over you.”

Rumi laughed softly, careful to keep her hands steady. “I’ll try my best,” she replied, but she found herself observing him more than the cotton candy. The way his eyes softened when he looked at her, the way he tilted his head slightly when listening to her. It felt intentional, yet natural.

As they walked, Jinu asked about her day, her work, little information about her life. He listened attentively, offering small laughs or nods. Rumi noticed she was starting to relax, leaning into the conversation more freely than she expected.

At a small fountain, Jinu stopped and offered her a seat on the edge besides him. “Sometimes it’s nice to just pause and observe” he said.

“I like talking to someone you can just relax and just be with, you know?”

Rumi hesitated. Just be. That words lingered in her mind. She liked that he felt safe, at ease, but she, on the other hand, couldn’t quite untangle her own feelings. Did she like him as a friend? As something more? Her mind kept circling back to Zoey, to that effortless, magnetic pull she felt with her.

Jinu noticed her silence. “You’re quiet,” he said gently. “Everything okay?”

She smiled faintly. “Yeah, just...thinking. I have a lot in my mind”

They shared a laugh when a crazy fast pigeon swooped too close to the fountain, startling them both. Jinu’s quick, instinctive reaction to shield her slightly made Rumi’s heart skip. Why does this feel different? What does it mean? She wondered, ruminating the questions in her mind without a clear answer.

As the sun began to set, casting long golden shadows across the park, they walked toward the exit, finishing the candyfloss and laughing over small, silly observations about the park. Rumi realized she had had a good time, but when she tried to define how she felt about Jinu, to understand, she came up with nothing. She liked him, she knew that, but in what way? That she did not know.

At the gate, they stopped. Neither leaned in, neither pulled away. Just a quiet moment, the kind that feels heavy with potential yet completely unspoken.

“Thanks for tonight,” Rumi said softly.

“Of course,” Jinu replied, voice warm. “I had a really good time too.”

She smiled, hesitating for a second before stepping back. “I think I should head back home.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “But let’s do this again sometime, if you want.”

Rumi nodded, feeling a strange mix of certainty and uncertainty. “Yeah...I’d like that.”

As she walked away, the park fading behind her, she couldn’t name the feeling entirely. Liking him. Enjoying him. Trusting him. Yet somehow, all of it was tangled up with something she didn’t fully understand, something that didn’t have a word yet, not in her heart.

But that was okay.

Chapter Text

Tonight was the second date night of the weekend for Zoey.

Sunday's night. Rumi's date.

Zoey was as nervous as the day before. 

She was wearing the same cargo pants and some similar blue shirts, fashioning them in the same style as last night, topped with a new, clean, grey hoodie.

Her hair was up the same way too, a simple way but hers.

She picked up all her stuff and stood in front of the door before going out, taking a big breath in. 

Okay, Sunday night. Rumi. You got this.

She re did the same walk to the restaurant as yesterday. It felt as long as well. But she was thinking about what she wanted to do tonight. She wanted to try to do exactly the same? Because she did want to be able to obtain an observation about this two dates and hopefully help her easy her mind and heart about her feelings. But Mira and Rumi were two people so different, she didn't know if she could ever compare them. 

She arrived a few minutes early, leaning against the wall outside, hands in her pockets, rehearsing casual greetings in her head and going over all yesterday's date, imagine how would it be today with Rumi.

When Rumi arrived she was so lost in her thoughts she didn't hear her, so when Rumi approached her, placing her head some inches away from Zoey's, she jumped to the side, surprised.

Rumi laughed, eyes closed covering her mouth with her hand, trying to muffled the giggles.

"Sorry pookie, didn't mean to startle you" she apologized.

Zoey straighted herself and smoothed her hoodie, “no worries, I was just too lost in my mind to notice some pretty girl coming”

What did that came from and how was have been so smooth Zoey did not know, but she rolled happily with it. 

Rumi’s lips twitched into the faintest grin, her cheeks dusting with a little pink, “thanks?”

They stepped inside together. The familiar smell of spices and candlelight greeted them. Zoey felt like a dejavu for an instant, then she saw Rumi tugging at the hem of her hoodie and the feeling fled. 

Rumi was wearing a hoodie and a denim jacket, she was probably wearing too many layers for this time, but she was cute in a cozy way.

They lead them to the same, quiet table near the back, and Zoey sat immediately, her heart pondering in her chest. She looked as Rumi sat as the same time in front of her, looking around at the restaurant decorations.

“I love the place you choose, Zoey” she said sincerely.

“Thank you, I often come here, I love Mexican food” she answered offhandedly.

Zoey took a deep breath. “So…um, what do you want to order?” She tried to sound casual.

Rumi tilted her head, studying the menu like she cared deeply about every word. “Honestly…you pick,” she said after a beat, “I want to try a little of everything” 

“Wait, don't tell me you haven't ever tried Mexican food neither?” Zoey paused, looking up from the menu.

“Neither?” Rumi recalled the last word, a little confused, “but yes, I had, but it was so while ago I'd like to re try everything” she finished happily.

Zoey smiled widely. “A little of everything the it is!”

She ordered a burrito, a quesadilla, a couple tacos, nachos, and a couple drinks. She acted like she was reading the menu, but she didn't need to, she knew it by heart, so her eyes kept darting to Rumi, analyzing how she reacted.

When the food arrived, chaos ensued almost immediately. Zoey reached for nachos and bumped the salsa bowl; a small splatter landed on her hoodie, again. She froze, face burning.

“Oh no no no,” she whispered, trying to dab at it, “not again!” but dabbing at it only made it worse.

Before she could do much else, Rumi leaned over, watching her with that adorable, determined focus that made Zoey’s knees weak. “Here, take my hoodie,” Rumi said, voice calm. “I already have the jacket anyway” she continued as she took of the jacket and hoodie to offer the lastest to Zoey.

Zoey blinked, hands brushing Rumi’s for a second, and a little spark traveled up her arm. “Thank you” she murmured, cheeks turning warm.

After they both settled back, they dug in, and the so did the chaos. Rumi took a bite of one of the taco and her face light up like a Christmas tree. Eyes wide open. The taco fell from her hands into the plate bellow when she started to fan her face with them.

“Rumi? Are you okay?” Zoey asked placing down the burrito, concerned.

“Too spicy...” Rumi whispered so low Zoey almost didn't hear it, “...help”

Zoey panicked as she processed what was happening.

“Oh my gosh, I didn't asked you if you tolerated spicy. Obviously no. Omg, omg, omg I'm so sorry” she waved a hand calling for a waitress, “could you please bring us a glass of, wait no, a jar of milk, pretty pretty please?” Zoey said rapidly. 

The waitress, seeing the scene, understood the hurriedness and brought the milk fast.

“Here Rumi, drink this, it'll help” Zoey said while offering a full glass of milk that Rumi drowned in seconds, going back to something more like her normal self soon.

The rest of the meal went out smoothly, nice conversation, laughing sometimes, little hand brushing here and there when reaching for a napping or a  drink.

After paying, they stepped out into the cool evening air. Just after they exist the building Zoey tripped, and Rumi reached for her hand instinctively, tugging and helping her steady. And Zoey's heart was beating a thousand times per minute, if it was because of the trip or the grip, she didn't know.

They walked together the rest of the way, close, shoulders bumping occasionally.

Rumi accompanied Zoey's to her place, pausing at the door. 

“I...had a great time” Rumi started, “thanks for tonight” she tilted her head, closing her eyes and a thing smile spreading in her face.

“Yeah, me too. Really” Zoey assured her, also smiling.

They stayed still a couple seconds, looking at each other.

And before Zoey turned and go, Rumi leaned in and hug her. Her arms covering her full, Zoey's face in Rumi's crotch of the neck. It took her by surprise, but she hugged her back almost immediately, like it was second nature to her.

As Zoey walked into her apartment, her mind was racing. The night had been everything she didn’t plan: messy, chaotic, soft, warm, full of small, perfect touches that made her chest flutter. And yet, she couldn’t understand her feelings.

She liked Mira. She liked Rumi. And tonight and yesterday's night, only have proven her what looks like she liked both? She liked them in different, complimenting ways. She felt things she didn't quite name just yet.

She collapsed onto her bed, hugging her pillow and staring to the ceiling. Her chest burned, her heart raced, and she buried her face in the soft fabric of her pillow.

Two dates, two different experiences yet so similar. Two people who made her feel entirely different yet equally alive.

She didn’t have answers yet. But she didn’t need now. That's something she learned with time. You can't always know what your feeling. And you don't need to, even tho if you really, really want to know. 

Some times you need to let it unravel at its own. And try to enjoy while exploring it, feeling it, living it. Let the chaotic, messy and confusing feelings take over.

Her pillow muffled a soft happy scream, a small whimper, and a sigh. Zoey had no clue what tomorrow would bring, but tonight had been good, too much.

And maybe that was enough.

Chapter Text

Zoey woke up before the alarm went off. She turned her head to look at the clock in her nightstand.

“Ughhh” she sighed, covering her face with her pillow when she realized there was still half an hour until she had to get up, but she was not going back to sleep. She was not gonna be able to.

For the same reason it took her forever to fall asleep last night. Too many things in her head. 

So she did the best second thing she could. Scream into her pillow in frustration and nervousness. 

After that she stretched in the bed as best as she could and got up. It was too early, but that meant she could have a nice, extra long breakfast. Which was like a little treat sometimes.

After a trip to the bathroom, she arrived to the kitchen and stood in the middle of it, thinking what she should have for breakfast.

The same as always? Or maybe something special? 

She thought about it for a while even tho she already knew she was going to go with the usual.

She took a cup from the cabinet and milk from the fridge. She picked a ripe banana, a handful of walnuts and some 95% black chocolate. 

She hadn't always liked black chocolate, but ever since the last year or so she did. She started eating 80% black chocolate but getting that percentage higher, little by little, and now she loved her morning 95% black chocolate. 

She poured milk into the cup and add a pinch of cinnamon. Oh, Zoey did love her cinnamon.

She got to be a fan of cinnamon, lately eating it by spoons, or so she wished. She learned soon into her cinnamon obsession that having more than one or two teaspoonful a day could be toxic for the liver. So she had a lot of things with a pinch of canela instead of full spoons.

She sat down with all her weathered food she called breakfast and played some show on the TV to kill all the thoughts that hadn't stopped ever since she opened her eyes.

She ate her breakfast slowly, enjoying every single piece, focusing in the tastes. The show played on the TV, showing a chase that evolved into a fight that got caught of her attention, her focus leaving the banana she was peeling, eating more in autopilot.

She finished her breakfast before the episode ended so she picked up the cup and all the stuff from the table and started to clean up while her sight was still stuck on the television.

The episode ended and she turned down the screen to go get dressed. She put on her uniform and fixed her hair enough to not call it a mess, and went on to finish the rest of her morning routine.

And even when she took her time with everything, she left for her work five minutes before the time she usually did.

And thank goodness she did, because as soon as she arrived she was assault with a million different problems that had happened over the weekend.

So she was overwhelmed just five minutes into her shift. Fantastic.

The good part? That she didn't have time to overthink anything not work related. That's why she liked busy days better. She was always trying to have something to do. Because she might felt tired or stressed, but she was not overthinking and with a mess in her head all day.

That said, one thing is a busy day and another was a crazy day, like this one. She had to do and fix more things that anyone could humanly possible do, and she hadn't been so long there to know how to prioritize them. So of course, Zoey's day at work went out fast, but stressful as hell.

When her shift was over she hadn't handle everything but she tried her best and left a couple things for the next shift, hopping that she had chosen alright and all the animals would be okay tomorrow when she'll arrive again.

But she definitely couldn't do anything more. She was tired, exhausted. And confused.

She just wanted to go home and rest. Sleep until the next day. 

But of course, it couldn't end there. 

As she was nearing her building, she realized she didn't have her keys.

“Fuck!” she shouted into the air, “I should forget them in my locket” 

So she turned around, tired and angry, with the world, with herself.

Thankfully she got there and picked the keys with no more problems, and head back home, again.

As she was nearing her building, again, she received a notification. 

A new message.

Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to go for a walk tomorrow after work? Maybe have dinner?

Zoey started at the phone. She was not expecting Mira to ask her out so soon. 

Going for a walk and have dinner sounded good tho.

But on a Tuesday? Was that strange? Zoey didn't know, after all she was fairly new to all this adult life.

But they say you miss all the shots you don't shoot, or something like that. So, why no?

Hell yeah, let's meet tomorrow

She wrote. She didn't send it but immediately erase to write:

Yeahhh, let's do that tomorrow :)