Zoe and Russell sat in the ferris wheel, looking down on downtown. The lights lit up the streets as colorful buildings surrounded the park. The Spring Festival was in session, and the theme was a carnival. That gave Blythe a chance to make cute, festive outfits for the pets. Zoe glanced back at Russell, who wore a white dress shirt and red overalls, pants and a bowtie as well as a white and red hat. He looked like quite the charmer.
Zoe watched as his green eyes lit up at the lights below. The canine sat back down, ruffling her red and white patterned dress. She continued to stare at the hedgehog; he stood on his tiptoes and pointed to every part of the city. Zoe found herself smiling softly as the hedgehog yammered on and on. Though she'd never admit it out loud, she could listen to him drone on for hours. The sound of his excited voice and the ambience of the ferris wheel lights… It seemed too perfect.
The spaniel began to think over. All these years of falling for dogs of all kinds, and finally her heart is settling on him. Something about his assertiveness, compassion, levelhead, and… those eyes. Those green, earthy eyes made her swoon at a moment's notice.
Zoe had never felt like this… Her former dates and crushes seem like merely puppy love compared to now. Her thoughts stopped like the ferris wheel suddenly did. The ride creaked as they came to a stop… 40 feet in the air.
"Did we just stop?" Russell looked at the spaniel for confirmation.
The purple dog got up to peak over the edge of the passenger-cars. Zoe's eyes widened at the view and carts below them staying still- save for the flickering lights and lively people. "Well… Apparently, but I'm sure it won't be long until they fix it." Zoe sat back down to avoid the freezing wind.
Russell nodded in agreement before continuing to survey their view. "Blythe will find us soon." He explained.
Zoe's teeth chattered as wind blew through the holes of the mesh, metal car. Well, this isn't very romantic. Zoe huffed through shaking teeth. At least they finally get some alone time, and this gives her time to stall her confession.
The nervous spaniel shivered again. "Russell, Darling. They'll get us down eventually."
"I know, but they take forever, and I don't want either of us to die from this wind."
"Then maybe you could come here and keep me warm?" Zoe said with gritted teeth.
The hedgehog finally looked back at her to find her shaking. Something in his head clicked, and he began to stammer. "Wait, you're cold! Zoe, why didn't you tell me?"
"I was so distracted I didn't really notice it till now." Zoe admitted, "The view was quite handsome."
Russell chuckled, "Downtown is pretty."
Zoe scoffed lightheartedly as that was not what she meant. Her thoughts suddenly faded as Russell sat beside her and rested a paw on her side. The dog sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Russell laughed, "Don't get too comfortable."
Zoe giggled, "It's not my fault you're so soft, Darling."
"If you exclude my quills, then sure."
"On the contrary," Zoe sighed with her eyes closed, "I think your quills are one of your best features."
Russell smiled in disbelief, "You really think so?"
"They make you, you. I love them."
"You love them?" His eyes brightened.
Zoe nuzzled into his neck tiredly as the warmth engulfed her, "I love them so much… Just like your eyes and your brain and you…"
Russell felt his fur heat up, guilt washed over as he remembered that Zoe ate tons of carnival food today, and he knows she says the strangest things when she has candy. The hedgehog suddenly felt this bubbly feeling… as if he was embarrassed and ashamed to think that Zoe would ever like him. His quills stood up on end. She's just tired and saying things. She doesn't mean it romantically. Or mean it at all.
"Zoe, are you sure you're not on a sugar crash?"
"No, Darling, just speaking from the heart." Zoe grinned.
Russell began to shuffle away at her naivety, "No, Zoe. You had a ton of sweets today, they're probably just catching up with you."
Zoe stood up at the heat loss. "Are you saying that sugar is making me feel this way?"
"Sugar makes people do and say things all the time, Zoe. I bet tomorrow you'll realize what you said and you'll want to forget this ever happened." The hedgehog said matter-of-factly.
"That's not going to happen! Russell, a few funnel cakes aren't the reason I'm in love with you!"
"This is exactly what I'm talking about! You would never want me when you don't have sugar."
"But, Russell-"
"No, I don't want to hear it."
"No, let me talk!" Zoe grumbled angrily, "Why do you think I wanted to come up here with you? I was planning to tell you today! I spent weeks trying to find the best way to tell you, and when Blythe mentioned the festival, I knew I had to convince her to take us! The whole time we've been here, I worried that this wouldn't go to plan, and now my worst nightmare is happening!
What do I have to do to convince you that I actually like you? Admit that I've been watching you the whole time we've been up here instead of the park view? Admit that I stare into your gorgeous eyes whenever I get the chance? Tell you that I love it when you talk for hours on end, and you can never bore me? Admit that for the past few months you were the only thing in my head?" The spaniel carefully watched the hedgehog's wide-eyed expression. "Russell, I'm in love, and it's not the sugar talking."
Russell's fur felt fridged. She actually… The Ferris Wheel began to move once again as the hedgehog tried to gather his thoughts. Russell, I'm in love. I'm in love. She loves him. The Zoe Trent liked him. And, oh boy, were her feelings reciprocated.
He realized their cart was close to the bottom. Thinking fast, he pulled the dog into a hug before trying his best to kiss her. Pulling away, he heard the operator open the door.
"I love you too."