weldedtomyspine | El Paso, Texas, Tuesday Night

He let her, then reached out to gently take her hand, just holding it in place for a moment, enjoying the feel of her skin under his fingers.

"Yeah. Come on."

Except he didn't step away from her to head toward the bar.

Fine. She chuckled and tiptoed the last of the way to kiss him as if that had been his request, then.

Well, he wasn't complaining about that at all. His hand held onto hers, and his free arm wrapped around behind her to pull her close and kiss her back with a happy little hum in the back of his throat.

Mmmm.

But while it was Valentine's and witnessing public displays of affection was pretty much inescapable today, they did have to behave in the restaurant foyer. As the slight cough from the elderly man behind them reminded her. Momoko sank back from Jaime with a soft sigh that was only reluctant the kiss had to end.

"Totally your fault," she whispered to Jaime after they apologized and stepped aside for the man and his party, not looking at all ashamed. "Now you owe me a drink."

He was flushed, but more from the way his heart was pounding than embarrassment.

"Oh, I do, do I?" He was still holding her hand, and raises it to his lips. "I suppose I can spring for that. You know, since I ruined everything for you tonight."

It was a joke, but a small quick flash of concern did cross her face at the reminder of money.

She firmly put that aside, however. She had enough to pay for it in her account, if they really needed. Even after buying the tickets for the 'romantic hot air balloon ride' that she was going to surprise him with later. She hadn't done a job for Oracle in a while, but she had been careful at Christmas. (Shopping in Glacia was so cheap!!!)

"Oh? Then in that case, I am totally adding dessert to the bill." She set the back of her free hand to her forehead in exaggerated display. "Emotional trauma!"

Jaime snorted.

"Actually, I'd already budgeted for two desserts." He shot her laughing grin. "I mean, I kind of know how you think."

"You mean how I eat?" She laughed and turned the hand he held so she was holding his in return. "Come on, let's sit so we can stare into each other's eyes and wish we were at home."

That made him laugh. But it was also an awesome idea.

He could get lost in her eyes.

In fact, he was looking forward to it.

"We'll make everyone jealous," she added, tugging him towards the darker area of the restaurant, which did turn out to be a small bar area. It was warm and dark and cozy and quieter than she'd expected. Once they were seated: "do you mind if I have something with alcohol? I promise to make it only one." She waved for a waiter.

Jaime chuckled. "Have whatever you want."

He grinned, squeezing the hand he still hadn't let go of. "I've got what I want, already."

"Nope. You'll complain all night that you're thirsty. But that is totally a good line." She squeezed his fingers and ordered the fruitiest sugary pink valentines-y drink on the menu for herself and a beer for him. "How did you find this place? I don't remember seeing it."

"Would you believe Google?" Jaime asked with a grin.

"I mean, I never noticed it before, either, but apparently the people who come here really like it."

"You trusted such an important decision as my Valentine's gift up to Google?" She gasped. As if she hadn't spent hours trying to figure out what to get for him on Google. She set her chin in her free palm and leaned on the table. "But it does seem like a nice place. It's been a while since we've eaten somewhere this nice."

Besides, well, you know, the royal Keep at Glacia.

"Thank you."

"Oh, yeah. This is the only thing I got you for Valentine's Day this year, so I hope it's really good."

Yeah. Sure it was.

"I'd have been happy just curling up with you and a plate of fresh cookies and watching a movie and you know it," she chided softly, moving slightly to let the waiter set down their drinks. "As long as you're with me, that's the present I want."

"Now who's got a good line?" Jaime asked, leaning over for a quick kiss before he took a sip of his beer.

"I don't need lines; it's the truth." She made a small face at him, then let go of his hand to reach for her purse. "But that reminds me... here! Your present!"

She found and handed over... Nope, not a batch of homeade chocolates this year. A very cute and to-the-point card. But inside he would find an email confirmation of purchase! "Open it! open it!"

"Don't want me to save it for later?" Jaime's voice was sing-song teasing as he waved the card back and forth, but after a second he opened it up.

"You'd forget about it!" She rested both elbows on the table and pouted as he took his time opening it. She wanted to see what kind of face he'd make! She thought the idea was amazing, flying as themselves and not as Blue Beetle and Blossom. "I'd find it in a book somewhere months from now used as a bookmark."

"And then you'd know I was putting it to good use!"

Duh!

"Or that you were done with that book."

"Jaaaaaiiiiiimeeeeee!" She jiggled the table a little. "Ooooopen it!"

"Fine, fine," he laughed. "Just don't spill my beer."

So he did, which caused him to pause, eyes going wide.

"Whoa. Seriously?"

She leaned in closer. "Is that 'seriously' as in good or 'seriously' as in too much?" It had been a bit pricey, but she'd wanted something different!

And, well, flying.

Jaime looked back up at her, grinning. "What, you don't get enough flying already?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

His expression made it clear that he thought it sounded pretty fun.

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