Chapter Text
Quinn checked their phone. 12:55
They had gotten to the cafe early, so it makes sense that Tori hadn’t shown up yet. They were fine. Asking Tori out in the first place wasn’t an impulsive decision at all.
Quinn spent all morning debating on what to wear. It was a first date, so it should look nice, but this was with Tori. The last thing she would care about was how Quinn presented to feel comfortable.
They opened the camera on their phone to check their appearance, flinching when they saw pink. After registering that it was just their hair in their favored side-shave, they properly looked themself over. They had settled on an old band t-shirt and their favorite leather jacket, ripped jeans and combat boots. It was one of Quinn’s more basic outfits, but it was comfortable, and that’s what mattered.
“Quinn!”
They whipped around to find where Tori had called for them, smiling softly when they saw her.
She looked adorable. High tops with several doodles on them, a red sundress, and white cardigan. Her hair was tied back into a loose braid, gently slung over one shoulder.
What really caught Quinn’s attention was Tori’s makeup. Most of it was some simple foundation and eyeliner, but she had drawn a yellow star under one eye, and a pink swirl under the other.
“Hi,” Quinn whispered, getting up to approach Tori. “You look pretty.”
Tori blushed. “Thanks. You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.”
Quinn smiled and extended a hand. “Shall we?”
Tori took the offer, and the pair made their way inside. Drinks and pastries were ordered, with Tori suggesting they sit outside together.
After a few minutes of silence, Quinn let out a mix between a sigh and a laugh.
“Can you tell I’ve never done this before?” They asked.
Tori giggled. “If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t either.”
“What do normal people even do on dates?”
“From what I know? Mostly talk,” Tori’s smile grew a bit more coy, “and kiss if they’re lucky.”
Quinn shook their head, attempting to fight the blush that took over their face. “And you say you’ve never done this before…”
Tori shrugged, “Maybe I’m just more confident around you. I…” her cheeks turned pink as she trailed off. “I think that’s part of the reason I fell for you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. You’re just so… sure of your actions. Every comeback with Jax, every quip at Caine, every time you defended and stood by me, it looked like there was no hesitation behind it.” She brushed her hand against Quinn’s. “I really admired that about you, and it gave me some strength to try it myself. I think… I think that’s what kept me going.”
Quinn shook their head. “Tori, you didn’t need me to keep going.”
“Huh?”
“You were in the circus longer than me. You were stuck in a gimmicky body, tormented by Jax on the daily, all while being unable to escape a digital hellscape. After Ragatha told me about the abstractions, my first thought was ‘how hasn’t that ribbon lost her mind yet?’”
“I think I stopped questioning why after the first few days,” Tori responded.
“I think it’s because you have a lot more strength than you realize.”
Tori locked eyes with Quinn. “You can’t possibly mean that.”
“I do.”
Tori scoffed. “Quinn, I’m a weeb nobody. I fully thought it was some higher power fucking with me.”
“Weeb nobodies don’t walk out of their room the morning after getting eaten by piranhas ready to face the day.”
Tori went quiet at that, eyes drifting to her drink. Quinn reached out and took her hand, lightly squeezing it.
“I sat outside your room that night,” they admitted.
“You did?”
“Yeah. I was terrified you would abstract. I was so relieved when I heard you get up.”
“That’s… really sweet.”
“Well, you’re worth it.”
Tori squeezed Quinn’s hand as a thank you, not wanting to risk breaking the moment with the wrong words. The pair finished their meal in comfortable silence, hands still connected all the while.
After their time at the cafe had finished, Quinn suggested they take a walk around the park nearby, which is how the two found themselves sitting on the grass.
“This kind of reminds me of what we did after adventures in the circus,” Tori whispered. “Sitting outside and enjoying the sun.”
“Oh yeah,” Quinn chuckled. “That was like, the least shitty part of every day.”
“At least the sun knew when it was a good moment to scream at us.”
“Speaking of the circus,” Quinn began. “Why the makeup? I didn’t think you would want any relation to that mask ever again.”
“It reminded me of you.” Tori admitted with a smile. “After all, you got me the mask in the first place. While it didn’t end up the way we hoped, it was still thoughtful of you.”
“I was just trying to be a good friend.”
“A friend, huh?”
“Look, I didn’t know if you felt the same!”
“Oh, so you’re not denying it.”
“Shut up!” They gently shoved Tori’s shoulder, causing the girl to laugh harder.
“For being so nonchalant all the time, you really aren’t subtle about your feelings.”
“Around you, at least,” Quinn mumbled, reaching out to brush Tori’s hair out of her eyes. They let their hand linger for a moment longer, and Tori leaned into it, bringing her own hand up to hold it there.
Their eyes met, and Quinn felt their heartbeat quicken. They had had flings before, sure. The occasional make out or hookup at a party, but none of them made Quinn feel anything special.
But staring at Tori right now? In the real world? That made them feel like they were walking on air.
“I’m so fucking scared right now,” They whispered, not breaking eye contact.
“Why’s that?” Tori replied, taking Quinn’s hand in both of hers.
“I’m terrified Caine is just going to pop in and prove this is all an adventure.”
Tori was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking through her response. When she locked eyes with Quinn again, there were nerves hidden behind the confidence.
“Would kissing you prove this is real?”
Quinn’s eyes widened. They took a breath to steady themselves before smiling. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
Tori scooted closer, gently holding Quinn’s face in one hand. “You’re sure?”
Quinn nodded. “I’m sure.”
With that confirmation, Tori closed the gap.
The kiss lasted a few moments before the two parted, keeping their foreheads pressed together. Quinn eventually snickered, and the pair broke into unbridled laughter. The bartender wrapped their arms around Tori, bringing her to the ground with them as they laid back on the grass.
“Why are you laughing?” Tori eventually sputtered out between giggles.
“Because I had no idea you would be that smooth!” Quinn responded, holding the woman tighter.
Tori buried her face in Quinn’s jacket to hide the blush that took over. “I stole the line from some manga or fic I read a while ago.”
“Of course you did, you loveable dork.”
“Like I said,” Tori peeked up from her hiding spot, “I’m a little bit more confident around you.”
Quinn’s laughter tapered off into a smile, and they ran a hand through Tori’s hair. “Guess this is all real, huh?”
“I hope so.”
“Do you mind if I double check?”
Tori laughed and sat up, peering down at Quinn. “I wouldn’t be complaining.”