It was a big night, even if Vanessa was the only one who knew why. She was the sole bearer of the night’s very important agenda, which would explain why everyone in the world around her seemed to be going about their days like they were not freaking out. Vanessa spent most of the day freaking out enough for the population of New York. If the city was suddenly invaded, she had probably created a surplus of “freak out” that could be used and everyone else could carry on with their humdrum days.

The reason it was a big night was because Vanessa was committing to sharing her biggest secret with Gina. Things in their relationship were going beyond well; if she was not so scared of jinxing them, she might have gone so far as to say things were perfect. They clicked together, they were supportive of one another, and they were working more time into their schedules to spend with one another. And the sex; oh my god, the sex was otherworldly.

Somehow, the sarcastic, attitude-heavy woman had lucked into finding a partner who was the perfect package. Gina was sweet, gorgeous, loving, and sincere. They both wanted things to work, and Vanessa was reaching the point where, in spite of the paranoia and fear she carried from past relationship, she could genuinely see them becoming something long-term. It was thrilling and terrifying, but it also meant she had to make the hard choice before it became too late. Gina deserved total honesty from her, and while she would hate to admit she had been withholding that, she hoped Gina’s capacity for understanding and forgiveness would be enough to accommodate one large lie.

Before she dropped such big news, Vanessa wanted to treat Gina to a truly special night. Whether the motivation was to remind Gina of how well things were going or to have one last good night together if things did not go how she hoped, the plan was the same. Vanessa arranged for a Friday night reservation at one of the best sushi restaurants in New York City. She pulled at her connections and promised favors to her CEO so she could confirm a quiet table away from the other patrons.

Vanessa arrived at the restaurant first because she was so nervous about the night going well, she could not stop herself from arriving almost half an hour early. She was still wearing her off white coat, but beneath it she had picked out a maroon dress and matching heels, knowing Gina liked the color on her. Their table opened up a few minutes early, so Vanessa was led to the back of the restaurant. The hostess knew to anticipate a grey-skinned woman with wings, (and was ambiguously threatened to treat her kindly like any other patron,) so once Gina arrived, she would be led to their table.

Until then, Vanessa could only tap her feet and sip her water nervously, trying not to smudge her dark lipstick. She would focus on the little things so she did not obsess about how Gina might react to the news of her telepathic girlfriend.

The gargoyle harbored her own anxious feelings about the night, for entirely different reasons. You'd have to be blind to not think that there was chemistry between the gargoyle and Vanessa Bookman. Gina had slept over a handful of times, hung-out with her and Booker, and... there was something there, definitely no denying that.

Of course, ever considerate of the brunette's feelings (she was, after all, the ex-girlfriend of one of Gina's best friends), the gargoyle did not voice her interest. Typically she was very outspoken about this kind of thing, but this time... this time, she held back. Nessa was funny... smart... more worldly, probably... but maybe she wasn't looking for someone else? Maybe she just needed someone to help her find herself... or something...

Whatever the case, the gargoyle was being abnormally practical.

And then, Nessa invited her to sushi. Bold move, inviting a Californian to sushi on the east coast. It was like offering them an avocado. Just not the same on this side of the states. But Gina accepted, if for no other reason than to spend time with Nessa. The sushi might be good, too. The gargoyle arrived early-ish, artlessly unfolding herself out of the Uber that'd brought her. On the bright side of things, she didn't wear shoes, so getting out of a car in heels was slightly easier. The dress, however, posed a challenge. How did celebrities manage that?

Gina wore a little pink number with black earrings and bracelet, a slim back belt at the waist, a black clutch, and a black shrug. She hoped it wasn't too much... but it felt like a date. And if it wasn't? Well, it was better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. The gargoyle saw herself in... and apparently, the hostess had been expecting her. Nessa was already there-- right this way.

Obediently, the gargoyle followed, taloned fingers wrapping around the slender strap of her clutch. Her eyes swept over tables filled with unfamiliar faces, all a blur, not what she was here for. Most of them were absorbed in their food, though some couldn't help but steal a sidelong glance as she past-- there. Nessa was nursing a water, seeming lost in thought.

The gargoyle's face brightened when the familiar brunette looked over, waving excitedly. Finally, a friendly face. It felt like coming home.

"Heeeey!" the gargoyle greeted, maybe slightly-too-loud, "This is a swanky place. Glad I didn't wear my torn jeans and painting-shirt."

She gave Nessa a winsome grin, opening her arms for a hug. The gargoyle also offered a kiss upon Nessa's cheek-- Gina would attest that the brunette had very kissable cheeks.

"How's life?"

Vanessa liked Gina. Honestly, she was way past the point where saying she liked Gina did it justice. It was becoming clear exactly how she felt about Gina: she was necessary. Girlfriends were usually enjoyable additions to a life that could function if they left. When Vanessa thought about her life without Gina, the notion seemed empty. Giving that part of her life up would be a painful kind of loss; the kind to avoid at all costs.

That was why Vanessa was so worried about how the night would go with Gina. She wanted to believe the best, but there was a totally real and totally valid possibility Gina would run when she realized her girlfriend was peeking into her thoughts every time she looked into those amber-flecked eyes. The potential to ruin everything was terrifying, but she balanced it out by remembering the kind of girlfriend she wanted to be to Gina. Staying in a relationship held together by a lie was not what she deserved.

Looking up from her water, Vanessa’s train of thought was sidelined when she saw a vision in pink, black, and grey approaching the table. Getting to her feet, Vanessa met her girlfriend for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. While Gina knew how to dial in the passion and intimacy, Vanessa loved how she could still be so innocently affectionate. Gina was the whole package.

The observation of the restaurant’s classiness was well-founded, but Vanessa shrugged it off. She did not want to flaunt the money she had. She did not consider herself rich; Gio was rich and she was doing well for herself. The only reason to spring for something so opulent was to treat her girlfriend for the night. ”Well, I had to spring for the best so New York sushi could have a chance against your incredibly biased West Coast palate,” she teased, returning to her seat.

Settling in, Gina was starting off the typical catch-up period at the start of the date. Vanessa reflected on how life had been, but for the past forty-eight hours, everything seemed to be a blur beyond her thoughts and plans for their evening together. ”Um, life has been life, mostly. Pretty unspectacular with the exception of missing you last night,” she admitted, owning a small degree of clinginess. ”I know it’s midterm time, but I’m totally getting whiney about this empty bed travesty I’m dealing with. It’s pathetic, I know. I’m that pathetic girlfriend now,” she said melodramatically. ”Heaven knows how you deal with me.”

Her tone was light, but there was truth to her words. Spending the night without Gina was starting to feel like a wasted night. It was another sign that Vanessa was in way over her head with the gorgeous gargoyle.

The gargoyle wouldn't call herself a sushi connoisseur-- there were only two places that served sushi near her childhood home in Mendocino, about twenty minutes up the road in Fort Bragg, and they could be lumped in the category of "casual dining". Only once had she gone to a higher-end jazz club/sushi restaurant in the Bay Area, but she was about eight years old at the time, and scarcely remembered it.

Gina stuck her tongue out at the slight against the West Coast, and quipped, "As long as I avoid the rolls with 'avocado', I'll be fine."

The avocado here was depressing, that was a fact. The gargoyle grinned as she shrugged the shawl off of her shoulders and draped it over the back of the chair. Gina carefully took the seat across from Nessa, tail tucked away from the aisle, wings to either side of the chair. Once that was all settled, she scooted her chair in, casually leaning into the table to listen as Nessa recounted the goings-on in the past week. A smile flickered over Gina's features as the older brunette confessed missing her-- alot.

Through her mind flickered snapshots of her own time away from Nessa, which included an all-nighter (which was not such a big deal, for someone who was predisposed to be nocturnal, though the the day after had been Hell). This stemmed from the shortcomings of one flaky group-member, who had neglected to do their part of the group-project. It was thus left to the rest of the group to pick-up the slack. Tonight, the gargole's hair was mostly down, spare the top layer of hair that'd been wrangled into a clip, so Gina idly twirled the curl.

"I've missed you too, babe," Gina echoed truthfully, "I've been such a slave to that project, though. I don't think I would have been very good company-" a half-hearted, fanged grin accompanied that remark, "-remember that slacker-kid I told you about? Guess who, the night before the project was due, didn't have his part of the presentation done? So the other group-mates and I had to pick-up the slack..."

A sigh, "We totally rocked it, of course, but like-- I was such a zombie that day. I probably would've just, like, slept on your couch-"

This was pretty close to the truth. As Gina smiled at Nessa, her gaze lingering in her girlfriends, another snapshot flickered through her mind, of the gargoyle flopping onto the couch at Honeycomb, her face pressed onto the throw-pillow. "Just for a minute!" The time was 4:15. A minute later, it was approaching 11:00.

"-for hours."

Bringing Gina to have East Coast sushi was one thing, but Vanessa had heard Gina rant enough not to push the issue on avocados. It was understandable that some things were going to have a special place for a girl who left her original hometown. The West Coast had their own specialties, which was fine; Vanessa doubted she could even eat a pizza in California without being judgmental.

It was easy to be vulnerable with Gina. Admitting she was missing her girlfriend so much after a short absence could easily come across as clingy, but Gina never made her feel like she was a burden. Everything was easy when it came to Gina, with the notable exception of sharing the biggest secret of Vanessa’s life. There was her beautiful girlfriend, right in front of her, and the telepath had no idea how to broach the topic.

The pressing thoughts could wait, as Gina vented about her group project at school. Vanessa listened attentively, nodding and resting a hand on Gina’s near the middle of the table. Without her own college experience, Vanessa was always intrigued by the life Gina led and showed genuine interest toward every story and project and class she was told about.

The grey girl worked her butt off to succeed at school, and it sounded like this time, she pushed herself to the limit and burnt herself out. It was necessary to make up for her slacker’s laziness, but Vanessa’s brow still knit with momentary concern. ”Little punk riding on your coattails,” she agreed in a grumble.

From the way Gina spoke of her nap, Vanessa could tell she needed the time to recharge. It was valid, but she did not want Gina thinking she could not retreat to lick her wounds at the apartment. ”First of all, like I would ever let you sleep on the couch. Next time, give me a call; I could have played with your hair as you slept and all that cute junk.” Her smile was genuine with just a hint of playful; any and all excuses to see Gina were valid, even if she would be asleep.

”So… the semester’s going well then? Your new, needy girlfriend isn’t being too much of a distraction?” Vanessa made no secret of her desire to fill all her free time with Gina, but there was still a worry in the back of her mind that she was going to make life difficult for her overachieving girlfriend.

Gina smiled at Nessa as she summarized the situation so aptly. Yes, that kid really had taken full advantage of how industrious his other groupmates had been. A little pout touched her features when Nessa spoke of little affections that had fallen by the wayside following Gina’s decision. She could have had her hair played with. That would have been so nice.

“But couch naps are inevitable,” Gina complained playfully. It was true—she would often splay out on the couch on her stomach or on her side, head on the arm rest, often without covers. She liked napping on the couch because couches were shallow, so her wings didn’t bend at odd angles when she slept on her side. That, and naps often snuck up on her with a vengeance. She’d lay down for “just a moment” and it’d turn into a nap for hours, “But I will—definitely—take you up on the playing with my hair.”

A waitress drifted by the table, poured a glass of water unbidden, which received a faint word of thanks from the gargoyle. She was mid-sip when Nessa spoke again.

>> ”So… the semester’s going well then? Your new, needy girlfriend isn’t being too much of a distraction?”

The gargoyle shook her head, covering her mouth as she swallowed her most recent swig of water.

“Babe,” Gina sighed, when she’d finally finished her first sip of water, “I’d hardly call you a distraction. More like…” her brain rifled for the best way to say it, “A quiet moment in my noisy life.” The opposite of a distraction! A good thing! A great thing. The gargoyle nodded, pleased with her description. A taloned hand glanced the menu without cracking it open.

“Honestly though, I think… I think everything’s going well?” Gina clarified, “The semester is hectic, but everyone says the difficulty ramps-up junior year… and I don’t feel like I’m struggling per se… I think it’s good!”

As good as midterms could be, that is.

“How’s the channel?” Gina said in return. It wasn’t exactly something that was relevant to her interests—she didn’t play video games, and didn’t understand a lot of it—but since Nessa was actively involved in The Pow Block Party, the gargoyle had been dabbling. She wanted to be up-to-date on things that were an integral part of Nessa’s personal (and professional) life. She wanted to be… well-versed, for lack of a better way to put it.

Vanessa was a fan of her bed. She spent the money to get a comfortable mattress for a reason, so when she felt the need to nap, she tried to drag her body to the bed. Occasionally, if she was too exhausted or too drunk, she might not be able to get up from the couch, but the last of her energy would be spent trying to make it happen. Still, if Gina liked curling up on the couch, Vanessa would sit on the couch with her until she woke up. ”Fine, you can couch nap at my place, but only if I also get to be your pillow. My lap doesn’t want to give the couch all the comfort responsibility.”

The last thing Vanessa wanted to be was clingy, but Gina did not make it easy. Why was she spending any time not with her girlfriend when her girlfriend was basically the best thing ever? Knowing she was the “quiet amidst Gina’s noisy life” was reassuring. Sharing time together was not just therapeutic for Vanessa, which made their partnership feel valid.

Even without her own college experience, Vanessa could tell that classes could be a huge point of stress. Some days Gina seemed fine, and others it sounded like a midterm gained form and sentience and personally kicked her ass. ”Until the semester calms down, you know I’ve got you with any study breaks, snack breaks, or… stress relief breaks you need.” Her tone more than implied Vanessa’s suggested method of stress relief.

Vanessa’s question was turned back around on her, so she took a sip of her water and considered things back at the studio. ”Busy, but not overwhelming. Gian is taking a vacation for the next two weeks so we’ve been really packing in recording sessions with him. Can’t exactly complain about playing video games for hours a day.” Vanessa’s job had its own stresses, but she was not going to pretend she was not living the dream.

”I’ve been working with our merch team to pick out some designs for shirts and tops. A few funny ones and some aesthetic ones. Oh, and I still need to set up a meeting with most of the cast and crew so I can tell them… a thing.” For a moment, Vanessa forgot that the “thing” she needed to bring up with her team was the same “thing” she was telling Gina that night.

Maybe best to change the topic, because it still felt too soon to bring up her big news. ”I mean, we’ll be pretty active for the next month or so, but we usually have plenty of downtime and vacation time in December. Which reminds me; I don’t usually plan much for the holidays. Did you have any big plans in mind?” Vanessa had one family member she cared about, and they usually found some time to do a gift exchange, but Gina actually liked her family. Vanessa was unsure if she had some big family plans or if they would be staying on their respective coasts.

The gargoyle smiled at the offer, looking at Nessa through her lashes.

"I guess that'd be alright," she said, as if it was some big accomodation that the gargoyle was making. The whole arrangement sounded like a winning compromise to Gina. Sleeping at Nessa's house, using her lap as a pillow, with fingers running through her hair? Sold! No contest! Why did she even go home anyways?

She sipped the ice-water casually as Nessa explained that she would happily provide any form of break that her petite girlfriend required.

Gina's eyes glittered in response, in understanding.

"Even in the wee hours of the night?" the gargoyle asked, only partially for the sake of absurdity. Though she was integrated into a diurnal society, she was mostly nocturnal. This rang particularly true on the weekends, and thus made the question a somewhat valid one.

Gina listened as the older brunette spoke of all the happenings in her place of business, about coworkers on holiday and recordiing sessions and merchandise. It all seemed like another world to Gina, but that just made it all the more interesting. To think that her girlfriend was internet-famous. She was wholly oblivious to any implications that "a thing" might hold. Gina assumed Nessa meant a video game "thing" that didn't warrant explaining. She similarly did not suspect the sudden conversational change of direction. Gina, likewise, lacked a mental pop-up blocker and changed topics on a dime.

The gargoyle brightened at the mention of "holidays".

Though Halloween had its perks, Christmas was hands-down Gina's favorite holiday. It felt so magical, especially in a big city like New York, and you got to see family and by gifts for loved ones and then there was snow and- and-

She just really liked Christmas, okay?

"Sleep?" the gargoyle said brightly. She grinned at that, before clarifying, "I'm not really sure yet... probably staying put? Mom's going to try and fly out, I think, but I don't know if that's happening on Christmas-proper." Pamela had four children to divide her time between, after all, and a shop to watch. Even if Jameson (the middle brother) could watch the shop, Max and Dante weren't exactly nearby, and...

"I don't exactly make things easy, being all the way out on the East Coast."

She sighed, cracking open the menu that lay before her. It had been left untouched and, honestly, if the gargoyle didn't start making choices, she wouldn't be prepared for when the waiter or waitress returned. Before she even began to read, however, an idea surfaced in Gina's mind.

"We should do something!"

Gina was joking about Vanessa “attending to her needs” in the middle of the night, but there was some truth in her eyes. Vanessa was aware that her girlfriend was naturally inclined to be nocturnal, so being part of a daytime society was never particularly effortless for her. Fortunately, of all the diurnal girlfriends she could have, (diurnal being a vocabulary word Vanessa was definitely stealing away from Gina’s thoughts,) the gamer was an alright fit. ”I mean, you know on any given night I’m up until the wee hours playing games anyway,” she pointed out with a wink. She could welcome an interruption to her late-night gaming or even her sleep if it meant kissing, cuddling, and potentially sex.

The mention of “the thing” went unnoticed, which was unsurprising since much of what Vanessa said about her job went over her girlfriend’s pretty head. Being taloned, Gina never got into video games like many women in their age group, though she was doing a great job of being supportive at all times.

It was hard to find an opening, but Vanessa knew she needed one. They had to have the serious conversation because Vanessa was feeling guilty with every thought she was picking up unbeknownst to her girlfriend. If she felt like she knew she felt toward Gina, she could not keep betraying her trust, even if it was cute to hear the way Gina’s mind raced about Christmas.

As excited as Gina was about the holidays, it also seemed like a reminder of how scattered her family was. Gina actually liked her family, which was a nice change of pace, but it was a shame that the entirety of a country stood between her and her mother. ”Well, whenever your mom comes around, I would really like to meet her. If that’s okay with you.” Vanessa rarely found herself at the step where “meeting the parents” was a thing, so she was unsure if their relationship was at that point. She hoped it was, because Gina spoke of her mother like a saint walking the earth.

Meeting Gina’s mother would be nice, but Gina’s mind had another idea bubbling up that sounded absolutely wonderful before she even voiced it. Spending the holidays with Gina would feel special. It was the kind of thing people shared when what they had was real, and Vanessa wanted to believe her and Gina were real. Unfortunately, she had to test that first.

Taking a deep breath, Vanessa tried to choose her words very carefully. ”That sounds amazing, Gina. I’d really like that. But… first, before we can make any big plans, I really think we need to talk.” She tried not to sound ominous, but the phrase “we need to talk” was almost inherently ominous thanks to pop culture and the history of dating in general.

”There’s something I’ve been really needing to tell you. I should have told you before now, but I’m used to keeping this to myself. I really hope—”

“Hi! are you ready to order?”

Vanessa was unsure what kind of look she gave the waitress that returned to their table, but it prompted the thought, “I’ve made a huge mistake,” which was a bad sign. The waitress nervously asked, “Maybe you need more time?”

Sighing and feeling bad for probably glaring at a woman just doing her job, Vanessa shook her head. ”No, sorry, I think we’re ready,” she said, checking with Gina for confirmation. ”I’d love a seaweed salad to start, followed with a Philadelphia roll and a Dragon Roll.” Vanessa watched as Gina ordered, mentally cursing such an inopportunely timed interruption.

Gina bobbled her head vigorously as Nessa mentioned wanting to meet her Mom.

"I think the feeling's mutual," the curly-headed gargoyle assured her girlfriend, "I've told her so much about you, after all." Nessa being the first committed relationship that'd reached Pamela's ears in about, oh, easily a few years, of course Pamela would be excited. With how Gina gushed every now and again, who wouldn't be? Besides, it was a mom's job to give new S.O.'s the third degree.

Gina had delved into the menu when Nessa spoke-up.

>> ”That sounds amazing, Gina. I’d really like that. But… first, before we can make any big plans, I really think we need to talk.”

Gina was by no means a suspicious personality, but the phrase "we need to talk" got her attention. It was as though Nessa held a string connected to the gargoyle's chin, and those four words pulled her chin, and her eyes, from the menu. So serious. Gina gave an inquiring smile, her eyebrows arching.

"Hm?"

>> ”There’s something I’ve been really needing to tell you. I should have told you before now, but I’m used to keeping this to myself. I really hope—”

Gina's smile flattened into a confused line, her lips rolling together. The gears were obviously turning. Was it anti-mutant parents? That sometimes happened, and come to think of it, Gina had never heard say of Nessa's parents. Or maybe she was secretly Jehovah's Witness, but then why would she ask about holiday plans? Unless she was just being supportive. The gargoyle swore up and down to herself that she'd never force Nessa to do Christmas things, but... gosh, it just sounded so romantic, didn't it?

"Hi! Are you ready to order?"

Gina's attention snapped to the waitress, and the poor gargoyle gave a small, distressed, "Ah! Take my order second!" She'd been so busy talking she hadn't chosen any rolls. Nessa ordered like a pro, which meant the gargoyle floundered a bit before declaring, "May please get... a small Miso soup... a Spider Roll... and-- oo! The Honey Dew, please?" She was going to get something else, but that roll had mango in it. She hadn't seen a mango roll before!

"Anything else?"

The gargoyle shook her head, smiling towards Nessa. The waitress assured the women that their order would be right out, and Gina returned her attention to Nessa, her mind still entertaining what the big secret could have possibly been.

"So~" the gargoyle prodded, sliding her hands over the tabletop.

Knowing Gina’s mother was already aware of her was heartwarming. If Gina did not see their relationship as something serious, Vanessa was sure she would have held off on telling her mother about them. It was another thing to add to the pressure she was feeling as she prepared to out herself and potentially change everything.

There was a lot going on behind Gina’s eyes, and try as she might, Vanessa could not stop herself from peeking. Was it her parents? Sure, her parents were somewhat anti-mutant, but Vanessa could not care less about her parent’s opinion. Beyond telling Gina about the way they reacted to her being trans, Vanessa kept quiet about them.

Other ideas flashed by, including the potential of Vanessa not celebrating holidays, which Gina would have reluctantly been supportive of, but their conversation was interrupted. They both politely offered their sushi orders and Vanessa’s anxiety faltered for a moment as she appreciated their orders: she had a roll topped with eel and salty flavors, while Gina picked the sweetest roll on the menu. Salty and sweet; such a perfect metaphor of their dynamic wrapped in rice.

Once they were alone again, Gina returned them to where they left off, offering her hands over the table. Vanessa had to place her own on top, because if things went really bad, it could be her last opportunity to hold Gina’s hands. ”Right. So.”

Vanessa took a steadying breath. There was no point in stalling. ”You’re really important to me. Like, I don’t like picturing my life without you because you make it better. And I want to be open and honest with you, always. I’ve been failing at that.” Thinking about the months she spent concealing part of herself to Gina always caused the feelings of guilt to creep back up.

”This is a big deal, so I get if you freak out, but please just… stay. Talk. Argue. Just don’t go.” If things were going to go south, Vanessa wanted the change to talk or fight things out. It would kill her to watch Gina leave without giving her a chance to fight for them. ”I have only told two people this before, but… I’m a mutant.”

Her voice was quiet so curious ears did not listen in too closely. They were out of the way, but it was not like they had a private room and Vanessa was not done. ”Not just a mutant. I’m… a telepath. A mind reader.” Through a combination of restraint and fear, Nessa looked down at the table so she was not looking Gina in the eye. She felt raw and naked, like she shed the armor she was hiding behind, leaving her defenseless. So many thoughts could be running through Gina’s mind, and Vanessa was going to give her privacy to work things out on her own.

It was more of a reflex, sliding her hands over the table for Nessa to hold. Gina tended to take hold of a person's hands when she was about to drop some truths, and simply wanted to... return the favor? Nessa accepted the proferred hands, which had to mean that this was very imporant. As Nessa started to spill the beans, the first expression that crossed Gina's face was a smile.

A confession?

"Aw, babe," the gargoyle said, delighted.

Then, an inkling of doubt crept into her faces. Her smile faltered, a brow arched. She'd been failing at being honest? About... what? The confusion only deepened as Nessa pressed-on. What?

This thought was echoed allowed, though with a note of, Oh sh**, what did you do, "What?"

They'd already ordered, so-- it'd have to be really bad to make Gina leave. Food was at stake. And she was also dressed-up, and she certainly didn't dress-up for nothing. The gargoyle hung on her girlfriend's words, intent, subconsciously her hands lightly squeezed Nessa's. Go on.

>> ”I have only told two people this before, but… I’m a mutant.”

Oh. The tension in Gina's expression slackened. She hadn't been aware that she was clenching her jaw. Another mutant. Well... that was kinda cool. Gina had thought she was dating some human-girl, which was fine, but dating a mutant-girl was cool, too, she supposed. Gina wasn't about dating people just because of an X-gene, or lack thereof. She wanted to say something, but Nessa still... seemed to have more to say.

>> ”Not just a mutant. I’m… a telepath. A mind reader.”

The gargoyle had to wonder if she'd ever thought anything weird or incriminating around Nessa. Not that she did anything incriminating. A small twitch had arisen in Gina's tail, right at the tip. Even though Nessa was coming-out as a mutant to another mutant, it was still a tricky thing... it was different for people who didn't always wear their mutation on the outside. More difficult.

Gina sighed, and was weirdly quiet. Not out of anger but, truly, out of a loss for words. She didn't want to say anything reductive. You didn't think your mutant girlfriend could handle the news of your mutation? That was too cold. And, as the gargoyle had already realized, not that easy.

"I'm glad you told me, now," Gina assured Nessa, squeezing her hands, "I'm still kinda, like, processing it... but I think, maybe, I'm one of the best people to have to... y'know, come out to. So to speak."

The gargoyle smiled. Miss Mutant Poster Child, Gina was. Making adapative fashion for mutants everywhere, 100% visibly mutated all the time. If there was anyone to fit an "openminded and accepting" category, she'd be it.

"So, you like, hear my thoughts," the gargoyle reiterated, her tone frank, peering at the crown of her girlfriend's head, "Like... all the time?"

Even with serious matters, she couldn't let the conversation get too down.

"I hope I haven't thought anything hella weird."

A grin. She was trying to draw Nessa back out. And the best way Gina could think to do this was to not make that big of a deal about the psychic-thing.

"I mean, I can't of thought anything too, too weird, 'cuz you're still here, right? So I've done pretty well at keeping the cuckoo-craziness under wraps, I think."

Gina sipped a drink from her glass of water.

Vanessa had no clue what to expect. She could see Gina’s expression softening when she realized her girlfriend was a mutant, (though she made an extra effort to avoid Gina’s eyes.) Being a mutant was not going to be the kind of thing Gina cared about, even if she had an issue with Vanessa keeping her identity a secret. The real telling moment would be the reaction her girlfriend had to the realization that Vanessa had access to her thoughts more or less whenever she wanted them.

It was something small, but Vanessa could have sworn she saw Gina’s tail flick at the news. After dating a gargoyle for so many months, she realized how expressive her tail could be; sometimes it was an easier way to read Gina than looking her in the eyes. The twitch was followed by a sigh and Vanessa had to fight the urge to raise her gaze to Gina’s eyes. Life had made her too curious and not used to being out of the know.

With a squeeze of Vanessa’s hand, Gina dispelled the majority of the telepath’s greatest fears. No one was better at putting Vanessa at ease and no one had the kind of sway over Vanessa’s emotions that Gina had discovered. She was processing the news, but she was trying to be supportive. Their eyes met, not because Vanessa was probing for thoughts, but because she genuinely loved Gina and her eyes were a safe place.

Gina’s thoughts were focused on how she was a good person for Vanessa to “come out to,” and she was right. Gina knew the mutant struggle. More than that, she was also the most open-minded, understanding person Vanessa knew. She was still going to have questions, of course, and Vanessa owed her any and all answers she could provide. ”No, your thoughts haven’t been weird. No weirder than anyone else’s thoughts, at least,” she added with a nervous smile. It was still so odd talking about her powers to anyone.

If she really wanted to say those three big words to Gina, Vanessa had to be fully transparent. ”I’m not always reading thoughts. That sounds terrible, honestly.” How overwhelming would it be to pick up on everyone’s thoughts in a nearby area? Maddening enough to make someone a recluse, she was sure. ”I only have access to someone’s thoughts if I’m making direct eye contact with them.”

And with that, every time Vanessa and Gina met eyes, Gina would know what she was getting herself into. Vanessa hoped desperately that the information would not cause her to shy away. They still had their eyes together, so Vanessa tried to be playful, adding, ”So, like, say you thought of something right now like, I don’t know… my body in the shower, I’d totally know.” There was one universal truth about thoughts: being told not to think about something made it almost impossible not to immediately have it cross someone’s mind.

Joking aside, the admission was still something they had to treat seriously. ”I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner… I promise I have tried not to pry or use my powers to be some kind of paranoid girlfriend. I just… wanted to pretend no one would ever have to know. But…” Vanessa placed her second hand on Gina’s and squeezed tightly. ”I’m glad you know. I want you to know everything about me. I want to be honest with you. But if having a mind-reading girlfriend would be a little much for you, I understand, too.” Vanessa did not want to make it sound like Gina did not have an out if their relationship was going to make her uncomfortable. She selfishly hoped that would not be the case.

Gina exhaled sharply. "Not weirder than anyone else's" wasn't much consolation, in a place like New York City... there were some weird people in the city. A teasing, pink tongue was stuck-out at Nessa, "Thanks, I think."

Her tone was every ounce of drollness appropriate for a "not weirder than anyone else's" thoughts remark. Gina drank-in the details her girlfriend provided, a quiet listener. Her glimmering brown eyes lingered unflinchingly on Nessa's expression, on her girlfriend's eyes.

>> ”I only have access to someone’s thoughts if I’m making direct eye contact with them. So, like, say you thought of something right now like, I don’t know… my body in the shower, I’d totally know.”

Until she said that, that is. Gina's smile broke into a smirk, and her eyes cut sideways.

"You're shameless."

It didn't take a psychic to know where her mind had wandered. Gina's pointed avoidance of locking eyes with Nessa and the small, sh**-eating grin were telling enough.

>> ”I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner… I promise I have tried not to pry or use my powers to be some kind of paranoid girlfriend. I just… wanted to pretend no one would ever have to know."

Gina's gaze slowly returned to Nessa, but the smirk lingered on her features. The gargoyle nodded.

"I am really glad you told me," Gina acknowledged, "I'm sure it wasn't easy."

>> "But… I’m glad you know. I want you to know everything about me. I want to be honest with you. But if having a mind-reading girlfriend would be a little much for you, I understand, too.”

Gina's expression settled into something more patient and understanding, and less cheeky. She couldn't know everything, could she? Everyone had certain things they held close to their chest. But it was nice to hear that Nessa wanted to be open and honest. Gina's gaze lingered on Nessa, on her face, towards her eyes specifically-- so if she wanted to listen, that was an option.

"I feel like... it'd only be an issue if I was keeping secrets... or something like that?" Gina explained, touching her index finger to her lips. From a practical standpoint, keeping secrets would be practically impossible with a telepathic girlfriend.

"If anything, this gives me license to psychically tease you," Gina declared, "Ms. 'Don't-Think-of-Me-Showering'."

Gina did her one better-- she thought of them showering, and the look in her eyes was something mischievous and laughing.

It felt weird going into the details of her power. It was something so personal to her, but Gina made things easier by being her. She was an understanding friend and the best listener Vanessa knew. Vanessa confided so much in her girlfriend, so why should her mutation be any different? It was a huge weight off Vanessa’s shoulders and one she had been carrying for a long time. Too long, maybe.

Gina’s eyes darted away from Vanessa’s gaze, but she caught a flash of her own wet, soapy body in Gina’s mind. It was interesting to see herself the way her girlfriend saw her; she felt more beautiful in her eyes. Everything felt better with Gina and now she could be her truest self with the woman she loved.

It was very true that secrets would be difficult to keep from Vanessa. If Gina had no reason to think about them, that would be one thing, but knowing Vanessa was a telepath would make that impossible. Every time she met Vanessa’s eyes, she would remember the power and wonder about the secret she was trying to keep and bam; it would be there.

Except Gina was not a secret keeper. Most of the thoughts Vanessa saw were obvious or vocalized, like she had no reason to keep her thoughts to herself. She even took the opportunity of having a psychic girlfriend as an excuse to be playful and tease with thoughts of a shower rendezvous that was deliciously reminiscent of the last time they shared a shower.

The waitress took the perfect time to bring out Vanessa’s salad and Gina’s soup. Vanessa’s cheeks burned brightly at the timely intrusion, as her thoughts were now also preoccupied by forms in water and steam. She offered a quick thanks and took a bunch of seaweed with her chopsticks.

When they were finally alone, Vanessa chewed and swallowed her bite of salad so she could chuckle. ”This is so crazy. I can’t believe I just told you. I still can’t believe I’ve told anybody.” She sighed, counting on her fingers as she spoke. ”I’ve told you. I told Booker. I told Winnie. Oh, and a private investigator figured it out on her own.” Charlie was too clever for her own good, which she supposed came with being immortal. ”That’s it. Four people in the world know this huge thing about me.”