Just Off The Key || Lizrei

Chapter 8: Touch, Sight, Taste like Fire

Rei was startled by a knock on her door Saturday afternoon. She patted her hair down and smoothed her hands over her dark jeans, which she had chosen because she refused to allow Siri to trick her into dressing for warmer weather, and pulled her bedroom door open.

Liz stood there, already in her coat, biting her lip and holding up some flowers. Some of the most colorful flowers Rei had ever seen. Really, it was like a jungle. A tropical wonderland in Liz's hand.

"Hi." Liz said. "I got you these. Um, Barnes ate a few so...I don't know, I hope he's okay."

Of course he did.

Rei smiled and took the flowers. "They're gorgeous Liz."

"You're gorgeous." Liz blurted, then shook her hair around and flushed. "I mean you look gorgeous."

"Thank you, big bear." Rei said with a small smile. She tapped one of the buttons on Liz's coat. "You look lovely as well; you must have brushed your hair."

Liz caught the glint in her eye and shoved her lightly in the shoulder. Rei laughed. She really couldn't talk, seeing as she'd spent four hours getting ready herself.

"Shall we?" Liz asked hesitantly, holding her arm out for Rei to grab. Rei nodded happily and took hold, and they deposited the flowers in a vase in the kitchen before heading outside. Liz was wearing a mysterious backpack and Rei found herself dying of curiosity. What was in there? Weapons? Animals? Because those were the items most likely to be brought along for a date.

Liz refused to tell her where they were going, no matter how much Rei whined and pouted. Rei was surprised. People usually found it impossible to say no to her. Liz seemed to be doing just fine, dragging her along the streets of Manhattan.

Suddenly Liz stopped. She turned to face Rei nervously. "I forgot to ask, are you okay with taking the subway? I mean, I could pay for a cab, but that's-"

Rei cut her off with a nod, and then raised her eyebrows. "Why would I be averse to taking the subway? It's a classic element of New York life, Liz." Rei had taken the subway many times before. She finally stopped getting lost on it a few months ago.

Liz shrugged and kept walking. "I kind of hate it. There are just so many people." Rei watched her as they walked. "But, it'll get us there, and the destination is the, um, important part."

Rei grinned. "Absolutely! Now, this destination you speak of..." she looked up at the blonde expectantly. Liz rolled her eyes and Rei squeezed her arm tighter.

They took the subway to Brooklyn, and by the time they got off, Rei was a pure ball of childish anticipation. She was bouncing on her feet and hanging off Liz's arm, while Liz just strode along quietly with a small smile on her face, fiddling with the mitten on her free hand.

Rei froze when she Realized where they were headed. Liz was jerked back by her arm and looked down at her worriedly.

"Are you okay?"

"You're taking me to Coney Island." Rei stated, looking into wide, hazel eyes.

Liz's expression relaxed a little. "Yeah." she warily. "Um, is that-is there something wrong with that?"

Rei shook her head hurriedly and squeezed Liz's arm tighter. "No! No, of course not. It's like-it's a classic New York date. It's perfect."

Rei was awed; she had never been on a date that didn't involve dinner or a movie. Or both. Or both plus vomiting, crying, and screaming. Liz was carefully studying her reaction, so she made sure her face conveyed just how okay she was with Liz's plan.