Good.

She tries for words. You're mine.

Wriggle.

I am!!!

Having you makes me- happier than I've ever been.

Gosh.

She's - flattered and proud and happy, and she's Ellie's, and she wants Ellie to have all the happiness, wants to find everything good and beautiful in the world so she can gift it to Ellie -

I think I love you. Which isn't something I ever expected to say, but you're not like anyone I thought I'd ever meet.

Well she just made Ruby's year.

Hugs!

Thanks. I love you a lot. I don't - need you to be intense and open like I am, but... It's really good, being loved.

And she wants Ellie to be intense like she is, but not in a pressure-y way, but in a way she really yearns for, but also in a way that feels kind of scary but it's the good kind of scary because you know it changes everything and everything needs to be changed - but she's really sure she doesn't need returned intensity in order to love Ellie, or be Ellie's, or be happy.

Pride/satisfaction/possessiveness.

There is a depth to the feeling, but it lurks.

She wiggles, and presses her face into Ellie's fur. Her cheeks are burning - she loves this - Ellie's emotions are so good -

She's starting to feel a bit incoherently happy just from this.

Purrrr.

Hooray for feedback loops.

Ellie's going to be the one to call a halt to this because Ruby is going nowhere except maybe cloud nine.

Maybe just little longer. This is very validating.

Ruby is very happy to provide validation!

She does actually eventually start getting tired, though, in an emotional exhaustion sort of way, dampening her emotions. She's still trying to float in them, though, but seems to be having some trouble.

Ellie tries to pull back.

Ruby murmurs a bit but doesn't try to follow her.

"A successful experiment, I think."

"Yeah. Is - really good. Clearly should practice a lot so I can not get overwhelmed."

"Yes. That is a good idea."

Heeee.

She flops on Ellie. "I'm sleepy."

"We should get you to a bed, then."

Mmmmm. "Carry me to bed?"

"All right." Ellie stands and stretches.

She drapes herself over Ellie's back, humming happily.

Off they go back home.

Ellie carries her all the way to bed before dumping her off unceremoniously.