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[akathisia]

Only because Betty sucks at these kinds of sweeping romantic gestures, or at least when it comes to taking into account that real life isn't like in the movies. Bodies can't be lifted up all that easily, there's gravity and force and mass and— you know what, she really doesn't care. Screw science, Betty's holding her in her arms and she couldn't care any less about what it should be like.

This is perfect.

She leans in and tips her head to the side, still smiling even as she presses her lips to Betty's. One hand carefully moves so that her arm wraps around her shoulders, then the other, trying to help as much as she can in keeping her weight steady, even if Betty's the one doing most of the heavy lifting right now. Not that Ruth is particularly heavy, but still. She's mostly focused on the kissing.

[catalysmic]

Wow rude! Maybe scratch sweeping romantic gestures, then. And she knows her way around a push-up! She's not completely hopeless here, although she's admittedly never spun in place while embracing a weight or a dumbbell or a human, and maybe this is not a thing that is going to happen. There's some sort of weight distribution issue... anyway.

They can try this kissing thing, and then compare it to other kissing things later, like if they just stand on some steps, or something and it'll be great. Because on steps, Betty would have her arms free, but on steps, she wouldn't have Ruth's arms hooked around her and the fullness of her weight pressing them into the earth, and there are just a lot of variations they're going to need to try. After this.

"Well?," when they're up for air again, "Results? And if you were thinking about our yields again I'm going to drop you."

[akathisia]

Whatever Betty was aiming for here, Ruth thinks the outcome is rather nice anyway, even if different from originally planned. She doesn't mind. She certainly wasn't planning on being in Betty's arms when they started to walk through the park, so anything she gets now —hugs, kisses, smiles— she considers a bonus, a wonderful surprise.

She lets her lips linger, lets herself linger just because she can. She doesn't want to pull away, not ever, almost like every kiss she breaks she's afraid some spell will be broken, or that every time she opens her eyes again she's going to be in her bedroom, dipped in pitch darkness, and this will have been nothing but a dream.

But Betty's still there when she pulls away, and even her smile has an airy quality to it, almost breathless. "Not enough data. I need to," she trails off a little, sighs against Betty's lips and cheek. "We'll have to keep testing. Too many... variables. We need more results if we want this to be a credible study."

[catalysmic]

You know what you should do if it all turns out to be a dream? Go to Betty's dorm, knock on the door, and when she answers it, kiss her. That's Betty's plan, anyway, or it would be if this was something she was worried about.

Brennan Ruth Banner, was that a line? Did you just use a line on her? A really nerdy line? "That's what I've been saying. We have to try everything." Betty turns her face she can sort of kiss the corner of Ruth's mouth before she lowers her carefully back down the very few inches between her feet and the ground. "In triplicate. A broad preliminary study in-" slow down please, "you know, stuff. Kissing stuff."

[akathisia]

Right, she could do that. If only she didn't lose her nerve on her way there like she has a number of times before, even when it comes to something as seemingly simple as confessing her feelings. Except there's nothing simple about that, at least not to her.

She hums and nods slowly, tips her head a little so she can kiss Betty back. They probably should stop at some point, but they've literally just started kissing and she doesn't really want it to be over anytime soon. "I think so too. We should try a lot of that kissing stuff." And other stuff, but, you know. They've got time for that. For everything.

[catalysmic]

They're too far back in history to quote Disney songs here, alas. "I'm glad the first one didn't put you off them forever." Sometimes kissing is really gross! And slimy. And fails to meet expectations.

She's going to crack up again, but she doesn't want Ruth to think she's laughing at her, only at the both of them. That's better, right?

"Is it weird now if I still stay over tonight?"

[akathisia]

"Are you kidding? It only makes me want more of them." Honestly, they could be all gross and slimy but they could never fail to meet expectations, not while she's kissing Betty. Her own daydreaming and imagination can't possibly compare to reality, even with failed attempts at twirling and teeth bumping against teeth and lips not fitting quite right.

Because everything else fits right. It fits perfectly like pieces of a puzzle, like an equation finally making sense.

She looks a little thoughtful at Betty's question, managing to pull off a truly concerned expression. Brow furrowed, a hand covering her own mouth as she hums gravely.

"Wow. You're right. Now that we're dating, you'll definitely have to sleep out on the balcony. Otherwise it'll just be too weird."

[catalysmic]

Betty, who should have expected that, rolls her eyes so hard spots of colour flash at the edges of her vision and gives up on holding in her laughter.

"Okay, okay, smartass, so you're not bothered at all. You know I just want to make sure my girlfriend, whose virgin lips I ravished tonight," she would have kissed her anyway, she just could have planned it better, "knows what her options are. I do have a place of my own." Even if she is never there anymore.

[akathisia]

She has to laugh at that. She's not even embarrassed that Betty uses the word 'virgin' (well okay, maybe a little bit embarrassed), it's just too amusing the way she puts it.

"I assure you your girlfriend's lips may have been virgin until just now," not anymore, mind, "but I'm not all that innocent. And do you really have a place of your own still? I can't even remember the last time you were there." She drops the teasing tone, smiling at Betty. "It's fine. Having you over is one of the things I'll be happiest about, now that we're dating."

Before it was always a source of endless frustration. Sure, she liked Betty's company and friendship for what it was, but still.

[catalysmic]

She's resolved not to advance them any more bases tonight, it would be irresponsible before Ruth has had more time to herself, but even as she thinks it, she's pretty sure she's just lying to herself because whatever Ruth feels ready for, she is more than ready for too.

Betty's lip twitch in an aborted smile. "In that case, I can wait another night to collect Janet's congratulations. And her 'I told you so.' She's been after me to just kiss you since November."

[akathisia]

Ruth is definitely not thinking of advancing any more bases right now, not because she has any idea of how a real loving relationship is supposed to go or if there's some sort of schedule or stages they need to go through, but simply because this was her first kiss and they literally just kissed— they literally just talked about being girlfriends for the first time. It's probably too soon for anything more than that.

Not that she doesn't want to, mind. And she's very aware that she wants to too, so it's not even about her being completely clueless this time around.

She smiles a bit, pressing her lips thinly, her head tilting just so. "She was right. You should've kissed me in November."

[catalysmic]

Sometimes things move quickly, and sometimes they don't move at all; it's more that Betty needs the reminder that for once, she doesn't necessarily know what's best. The girlfriends thing, the first kiss thing, she's on some shaky ground here. Ruth isn't really like anyone else she knows. She can't predict Ruth the way she can other people, not in this, so hurtling forward may not be optimal.

"I couldn't risk it," gravely, leaning in, not altogether serious. In November, Betty had still been coming to terms with the idea that Ruth liked her. Sure that she did, then positive she didn't. She'd thought maybe she could get over it, but then hadn't even tried. "I had to be sure I was completely irresistible before trying. But then it turned out you were."

[akathisia]

Back in November Ruth was in exactly the same spot as now— well, 'now' up until the point Betty kissed her. Very aware of how she felt about Betty, very (un)sure that those feelings were returned. She's always been clueless when it comes to these things, far more than Betty for that matter, and she could've used a clue back then, really. Even if she gets why Betty would be scared to try.

This time there's no joke shot back, no witty remark. Ruth smiles and her eyes close, and she ducks her head, hiding it in her hands. "God," she giggles almost, feeling ridiculously fluttery right now. "When did you get this smooth? Shut up, it's unfair."

[catalysmic]

These children. Well, these young adults.

"What? Hey, what, no, come back." Betty tugs at her wrists, not trying very hard to pull Ruth's hand away. "It's completely fair, and I've obviously always been this smooth. Do you want to," um, "do you want to go continue being embarrassments somewhere else?"

She kisses the back of Ruth's cheek, or maybe the back of her hand by proxy, and reconsiders. "Except the lab. Vetoing the whole bio building, actually. Or the math wings. Other than those."

[akathisia]

"No! You were definitely not this smooth. Very pretty, very distracting, and very 'when you smile at me it makes me want to kiss you', but never this smooth." Look, honesty's the base for any solid relationship, right? They're already on the right track here.

She drops her hands a little, fingertips still covering her curved lips, then nods. "Alright. That would be nice." And better than standing out here for the rest of the night. "My place, then?"

[catalysmic]

"Hypothesis: I'm feeling a little inspired right now." By finally kissing the girl she's been flirting with and dating for months? Yes. She's having great luck with just going with the flow tonight, evidenced.

Fine, then she can just kiss her fingertips. Betty can't quite hide how happy she is about this, about everything. "Let's go." Tug, tug. "We can at least disturb everyone on the bus."

[akathisia]

"You do seem to be very inspired tonight." No complaints, far from it actually. Betty could stand to go with the flow more often, in fact Ruth hopes it rubs off on her a little too.

It's really sweet how happy Betty looks, and it probably makes Ruth look even more like an idiot, with a big dork smile on her face. She starts walking along the path, hand still in Betty's, for now not worrying about people seeing them together like this. Not that she cares either way, but she knows some will stare. "It would be great if we managed not to get kicked out of the bus. Just saying."

[catalysmic]

"Okay, we can be discreet instead of disturbing. But we're not going to get kicked out. Bus drivers think we're cute." Maybe? Betty clarifies, "Since we haven't been kicked out yet, I think we're probably safe."

[akathisia]

"That's because we are cute," she shoots back with a smile, giddily swaying their clasped hands while they walk. "I'll trust you on this. If we are kicked out you'll just have to carry me the rest of the way, I guess."

[catalysmic]

"Oh, so spinning you around is too much, but a piggyback ride is fine."

[akathisia]

Ruth raises a finger rather pointedly. Totally seriously, of course. "Not a piggyback ride. It's princess carry or nothing."

[catalysmic]

"I think your assessment of my capabilities may be a little too generous, there."

Joke or not, if the situation comes up, she's game to try and do you really want to risk that, Ruth?

[akathisia]

"Too bad. If you can't princess carry me we'll have to break up, just saying."

But don't, really, she's just kidding. She would very likely be mortified if Betty picked her up like that, at least in public.

[catalysmic]

So... attempts in private are fair game? Heavy emphasis on 'attempts' because there is no chance she could pull that off and every chance she would try multiple times. "Wow, who knew you were such a stickler. Am I at least allowed a dry run?"

The bus pulls up and they aren't even doing anything remotely embarrassing except giving the empty bus stop cavities.

[akathisia]

Sure, Betty can make herself look as ridiculous as she wants to, trying to pick her up in private. Just don't fall over and end it with a trip to the hospital, that would be really bad.

"I guess. I can be a little generous, at least." She lets go of Betty's hand so they can climb into the bus and pay for their tickets, making her way to the empty seats near the end of the bus. It's pretty empty anyway, but still.