Goodness. Isn't that a delightful look on her.

Mmmmmm.

And, for when they inevitably get tired (tragic - some way to not get tired kissing is right after 'no sleep' on Ruby's to do list), Ruby has yet more food for dinner, and enough supplies for a campsite.

Isn't she forward-thinking. What a good girl.

Wiggle.

The food is yet more of an attempt to spoil Ellie utterly rotten, this time with bonus cuddles.

Still, Ruby seems more than a bit pensive.

"Something on your mind?"

"Dunno. I might be over thinking things? I do that, sometimes."

"Would it help to talk it through?"

"I think so?" Snuggle.

Snuggles.

"With me?"

"Yeah. You project sensibleness. And some of it involves you, too, kinda?"

"Okay. What is it?"

"So... I really like you, and want something more than a one night stand. Like, wherever this goes, but - potentially quite a lot. And the whole thing with you being dommy was surprisingly extremely hot. But, like, all of my relationship problems have been at least partially because people got a very mistaken idea of how much they owned me or could tell me what to do. But I'm not actually sure the answer is 'zero' for you, which is what it's been for everyone else?"

"And I'm - really used to being the dominant one and the sadistic one. But I also like the fantasy of having someone else - have me about as thoroughly as they can? And I don't think I'd actually object to the tables being turned entirely on me? But I dunno if I'd like the reality at all. And I also dunno if you'd ever want to go past - kind of like just saying stuff like 'I should bring rope' to actually tying me up?"

Ellie hums.

"I think- I would want to go further, if you were okay with that. But I don't think I'd be very happy in the other role. And you're- very nice, you're smart and pretty and strong and clever. So even if we can't figure out a way to make the other stuff work, I'd still want to be with you. I do want to have you, but losing you would be worse than not.

"Which... I think adds up to 'let's try', but you have to tell me if it's not working."

Happy snuggle. "That's a good answer. We can figure out safe words or something if we're getting risky, I can practice this ' communicating like an adult' thing..."

"I'm okay - trying out going further, I'm pretty sure."

"I like you so much."

" - Also, uh, while we're communicating like adults - I'm kind of a slut? I definitely don't want to be submissive or anything at anyone else, but, like, how much do you want me to try to reign in flirting with strangers, or having one night stands, or finding pretty girls to share with you..."

"I'm not a very... sharing person. Um. I would like it if we had something that was- just us."

Nuzzle.

"I - think I'd like that too. Even - something other than - just saying 'Oh I only sub for my girlfriend' - "

"Mm. We can figure something out, then."

She presses her cheek into Ellie's shoulder, humming thoughtfully.

"...You know, I valiantly resisted the urge to get you this cute cat collar I saw while shopping for your gifts... But I think I'd be up for wearing something like that for you."

"...That would be really hot."

Giggle. "Then I guess I need to teach you how to resize objects. Since a normal cat collar would hardly fit me, after all."

"I guess not." She pets Ruby's hair.

Mmmmmm hair pats.

She makes good girlfriend choices. This is definitely an objective fact. One hundred percent. (Past girlfriends who were not Ellie clearly don't count in this metric.)