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'You want me to pull over Van?'

Yes.

'I like dessert before dinner.

A blush painted Vanessa's caramel cheeks. She had never made out in a parked car before and opened her mouth with mounting excitement, intending to tell Jarias that she would like to, when the the other woman's stomach announced itself. Vanessa hesitated and then smiled, pushing that particular little fantasy out of mind.

She removed her hand from Jarias's thigh. Reaching, instead, for the steering wheel, Vanessa grazed the back of Jarias's hand with the pads of her fingers.

"That's okay." There was a twinkle in her eye. She plucked Jarias's fingers from the steering wheel one at a time, and then lifted her hand away- brought the knuckles to her lips for a kiss. "I can wait."

Vanessa did not really want to. She had missed Jarias, since they'd said goodbye. Her skin still tingled with the memories of the kisses that they'd shared in the bar-- memories of the way that Jarias had made her feel, in and out of that silly Wonder Woman costume from Halloween. But-- Jarias had already left work for her. Asking her to put off food too was terribly selfish, and an unhappiness that Vanessa could not bear.

"SO," she said, making an effort to keep the husky quality out of her voice. Vanessa twined their fingers together, tucked both of their hands between her own thighs. Held on. Squeezed gently with her knees. "Where are we going?"

Vanessa wasn't sure what startled her more. The fact that she was meeting a member of Jarias's family, after picking her up from the bar. Or the fact that Jarias's Aunt was called Meteor. She tugged nervously on the hem of her crop top, suddenly more aware of the little jewel that glistened in her navel, and tried to make it longer. After a heartbeat she supposed that a woman working at a diner like this so late at night might not give two shits about the piercings Vanessa may or may not have had, but a lifetime of experience with aunts and grandmothers had impressed upon Vanessa the value of familial opinion.

She grinned big, tucked a curl behind her ear, and stood up to give Aunt Meteor's hand a firm shake across the table.

"It's so nice to meet you! My name's Vanessa, I--

What she wanted to say was that she liked Jarias very much. That kissing her made it feel like there was a hot air balloon expanding in Vanessa's chest, growing, growing, growing until she had no choice but to voice her approval with a moan or else she would just explode. But she couldn't say those things to somebody's aunt, for heaven's sake.

Van, where is your head?

Flushing slightly, Vanessa returned to her seat beside Jarias. The smile on her face was genuine, if a little lopsided.

"We came from the bar," she said. "Jarias said this place has the best burgers in town."

You like my girl then.

Yes. A lot. It surprised Vanessa everyday when she could think of little else besides the feel of Jarias's kiss, or Jarias's laughter. It was only supposed to be one night. But then, Jarias had given her clothes to wear. Asked her to stay for breakfast. Made her heart sing with kisses in the living room on a blanket that looked like cloud. It had been a very long time since Vanessa had had so many reasons to smile.

"I'll have a shake too. Chocolate, please-

Vanessa's order trailed into a soft laugh at Meteor's appraisal.

'You got some meat on you, different then those skinny brats she brings over.'

Was different good or bad? Vanessa didn't know. She continued to smile, but the flush in her cheeks darkened. How many other women had Jarias brought to meet her aunt? It was an intimidating thought. An insecurity train that Vanessa struggled to keep derailed. She had wondered, back when Jarias invited her up to the VIP room, and then concluded that it didn't matter-- it was enough, for Vanessa, to get to share these smiles with someone who enjoyed kissing her.

She will give you a run about. She upset you, you can come to me and I'll set her straight.'

"Thanks," Vanessa laughed, still trying to make her crop top longer. She inclined her head in Jarias's direction. Twinkled at her. "She treats me pretty good."

'I don't think you're a mistake either. Otherwise I wouldn't be this damn happy.'

Vanessa's heart had always been too big for her, and still it was swollen by the things that Jarias said, thump thump thumping inside like a caged thing trying to escape. It was a strange feeling. Sweet and painful, somehow. Together. Jarias made her smile so much that her face ached.

"You make me happy too."

I am brave enough for this.

Vanessa dipped her spoon into their milkshake, and then brought it to her lips. The white of the whip cream constrasted with the darkness of her mouth. Without taking a bite at all she felt impossibly full, and wondered at herself. She knew that it was not possible to be sustained on joy alone, or the pleasure of another person's company, but being with Jarias made Vanessa feel as though she could be. Maybe.

"Mistakes?" She cocked her head to the side, regarded Jarias warmly. Such a mysterious, loaded word. Vanessa had made several of her own. She wondered if anyone had ever broken Jarias's heart before, and felt a sudden, inexplicable rage over the idea that somebody might have hurt her.

Twinkling playfully, Vanessa scooped up a bit of whipped cream with her finger, and then swiped at the side of Jarias's face with it. It was the beginning of a game, and she laughed softly when she leaned closer. Fingers curled in the fabric of Jarias's tee. The curls of her hair hung everywhere. Vanessa made a contented sound, and then reclaimed the whipped cream with a series of chaste kisses.

"What kind of mistakes?" she murmured when she was done, wanting to know, but not wanting to upset Jarias by asking her to talk about something unhappy.