El Paso, Texas, Tuesday Night

[weldedtomyspine]

"Have I mentioned how much I like that dress?" Jaime asked with a grin as he held the door open for Momoko. Because he did. Not that he didn't like Momoko in lots of things, but some dresses just... really worked for her.

"Also, I hope this place is good. I mean, the reviews say it is, but I haven't been here before."

He took a moment to exchange a few words with the hostess about their reservation.

"But if they aren't the best Italian place you've been to this year, don't blame me, okay?"

Comments

[weldedtomyspine]

Yeah. She did. Which he knew meant he wasn't fooling her with that "movie night" nonsense.

He just flashed her a grin. "And, hey, this place seems pretty good so far, right?"

[heromaniac]

The look she was still giving him totally said she knew, yeah.

Though after a second longer, her face cleared and she beamed at him. "It does. I love how romantic it is. It feels like it's just us."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Yeah? Do you really think I'm romantic?" Because, yeah, he tried, but he wasn't always sure it came across romantic instead of... cute that he tried?

[heromaniac]

"You?" That had her attention and her heart melted. She reached for his hand.

"You," she repeated, squeezing his hand tightly. "Yeah. You're romantic. Maybe more than me."

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime blinked, unable to stop himself from grinning.

"Seriously? I mean, romance is kinda your thing, isn't it?"

[heromaniac]

"Mmm. But that makes it better. Yours comes from consulting your heart not your knowledge."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Heeey, are you saying I don't know how to be romantic?"

[heromaniac]

She hadn't been, but if he was going to claim it?

"I'm not saaaaaaaaying it, but I may be remembering a certain few attempts..." That had been all the more romantic because he had tried and made that face and she had just melted despite everything.

[weldedtomyspine]

"Oh? You want me to stop trying, then?"

[heromaniac]

She squeezed his hand again. "Now that I definitely never said. I love it when you do things because you think they will make me smile."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Well, that's because your smile is so beautiful." So, you know, her fault.

[heromaniac]

"That's not what you said when I beat you at Metal Fighter." She leaned back, letting go of his hand to let the approaching waiter set down their starters. "Oooh food!"

[weldedtomyspine]

"I don't remember that ever happening," Jaime shot back, grinning as he sat back himself and let the waiter set their plates down in front of them.

[heromaniac]

"Claiming amnesia again?" She pointed a forkful of panzanella at him, "I happen to know you have an awesome memory, especially when it comes to important things."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Oh, I do, do I? Like what?"

[heromaniac]

She chewed a moment, eyes fluttering happily at the fresh flavours of the salad. "Mmm. This is so good. Can we make this kind of salad at home?"

"Uhm." Oh yeah. teasing. "Like anything to do with me! I said important stuff. You remembered today! And my birthday. And Moshi's vet appointment."

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime looked down at the salad. "We could try," he admitted. "I mean, I've never made anything like this before, but I bet we can find a recipe online."

And maybe even follow it.

[heromaniac]

That would be one way to do it, sure!

"Let's look it up later." But more importantly: "You did remember them on your own, right?"

[weldedtomyspine]

That got a confused blink, then a laugh. "Khaji'Da doesn't really do dates, exactly." Though there were lots of complaints about the stupid ways humans divided time.

[heromaniac]

"Good. Now..." She rubbed at his lower lip with a forked bit of tomato. "Remember the day I won the Metal Fighter high score... Come on..."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Mmm, is there anything particular you're hoping I'll remember?" Jaime asked with a grin before leaning forward and snagging the tomato.

[heromaniac]

"That I defeated you horribly and won high score," she tapped his nose with the empty fork. "And you said my smile was evil." or her taunting laugh was, rather.


She blinked, suddenly remembering, herself, and sat back up straight. "Wait. I still haven't gotten my prize for that."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Oh, yeah? Did you have something in mind?"

Jaime grinned. "I mean, not that I remember you ever beating me or anything," he added quickly. "But, you know, hypothetically."

[heromaniac]

"It has to be something worthy," she chuckled and dug into her salad again. "Any suggestions? What were you going to ask for, if you'd won?"

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime followed suit, chewing in silence for a few seconds before answering. "Oh, so now you're ready to admit that I was the winner after all, hmm?"