Days and weeks quickly passed, and Wally and Artemis grew closer. They continued alternating dates with Wally's friends and nights with hers, occasionally breaking for nights between the two of them. The solo dates were always casual - takeout, Wally catching her up on Game of Thrones, marathoning shows on Netflix until they finally fell asleep on the couch or their bed. Despite the growing relationship neither really brought up their definition. Could they officially use the term "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"? Were they exclusive? Wally just sort of assumed, but was weary to push things too far.

Not that he wouldn't mind things going further, but all in all he was very content, especially when he woke up to blonde hair in his mouth and half the covers missing. She might not have sounded great on paper, but he never did sleep as well by himself. He wasn't even upset with how much he loved when she complained about his snoring or when she would push him out of bed at night.

But he would crawl back into bed and place a soft kiss on her forehead like he did every other time.

This week they were at Wally's apartment enjoying their customary subs and Netflix. It had taken awhile, but Wally had finally managed to talk Artemis into watching Buffy, another strong-willed blonde he knew she would love. He just hadn't expected her to love it as much as she did. They breezed through the episodes and argued over Spike and Angel, but both agreed yes, Giles was the best character.

Yes, things were going nicely as they continued watching. Sort of watching. Wally found Artemis pressed beneath him as her hand worked tangles in his hair. Smooth lips pressed into his neck as his slowly worked towards her ears, now hidden behind masses of golden hair. Things never really progressed past making out like teenagers on the couch, and again, Wally would have loved to go further. It was just that something always got in the way.

Like tonight.

"My phone's ringing," her soft voice mumbled into his shoulder.

"It's fine." He placed a soft kiss just behind her ear causing her to shiver and exhale quickly. "Get it later."

"That's my mom's ring." Her voice was carried by small pants that shifted her tone upwards. He loved how throaty her voice normally was, but the lightness of this was different, and nice.

And sexy.

"We haven't talked in a month." She had stopped running her fingers through his hair, now slowing drawing lines on his back. His head fell forward in frustration falling in the crook of her neck. Sighing, he relented and allowed her to scramble towards her phone.

"Ma? Mom? Hey, what's up?" She tucked her hair back up into a ponytail, and Wally continued frowning. There went any chance of continuing their fun. His attention was brought back to Artemis as she stood up to pace phone in hand.

"I've had work and school. I've been busy...Yeah, I met a guy-...Mom!" She turned to look back at him, but her eyes fell just short of his own. Her lips quirked in to a smile. "Annoying," she replied, continuing her conversation.

"I don't know...Well, maybe over the break we can...Yes, he is...No! Mom, no, we're just eating dinner!" She rolled her eyes and switched her phone from the right to the left. "I'm sorry Jade told you first...How about I call you tomorrow?...I love you, too. 'Night, mom."

"Ma? Mom? Hey, what's up?" Her hair was a knotted mess. It happened a lot when they were watching Netflix. She was just happy her hair was shorter now. Her mom was talking a mile a minute. Why hasn't she called? Who's this boy she's been seeing? Oh yes, and how was school?

"I've had work and school. I've been busy."

"And enough time to meet boys, but not call your mother?" You gotta hand it to Paula Nguyen. She always got straight to the point.

"Yeah, I met a guy-"

"But boy's aren't everything! You still have school and your future before you need to start getting serious."

"Mom!" She couldn't believe this. Of all the women in the world, her mother should know how careful Artemis is with guys. What was the saying? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree?

Her mother was silent for a moment before continuing. "So what is he like?"

Artemis turned back towards Wally who was now sitting up on the couch. Her eyes started for his when something caught her eye. Just visible above the collar of his shirt sat a small red mark, nothing too suspicious, but scandalous nonetheless. She smiled at her work.

"Annoying."

"Hmm. When will I meet this annoying boyfriend? Are you coming up here soon?"

"I don't know." They had been dancing around labeling each other for weeks. It was exhausting in its own way. She would love to see her mom again, but for Wally to meet her? That was too much. Too much too soon. "Well, maybe over the break we can."

"He's there, isn't he?" Ugh, she would.

"Yes, he is."

Another pause. "You were in bed, weren't you?"

"No! Mom, no, we're just eating dinner!" Artemis felt her eyes roll on their own accord. She wasn't surprised. Her mother never skipped an opportunity to be an over protective mother.

"Well, I wouldn't know. I had to find out about him from your sister!"

"I'm sorry Jade told you first. How about I call you tomorrow?"

"Fine. I want to know all about him. I love you, you know that?"

"I love you, too. 'Night, mom." She turned back to an all but forgotten Wally now lying down on the couch. His hands were supporting his neck as he watched her fondly. "What?"

"Does mother approve of me?"

"Mother doesn't know you," she replied as she crawled back onto the couch. She cuddled against him, but was far enough away to still evaluate his features. There was always a softness in his eyes when they were alone, but it was probably just the angle.

"I'll have you know that I often frighten mothers and concern fathers when it comes to their daughters." He smirked and pulled her closer to plant a slobbery kiss on her cheek. Artemis could never decide how she felt about those kisses. They were pretty gross, but utterly Wally.

"Oh really?"

"I have been known to give off a bad boy vibe, if you will." He attempted to go in for a kiss, but Artemis couldn't help but laugh. The thought of Wally being even a bit of a jerk to his girlfriend was hilarious to her. He just didn't have it in him! "What?"

"I hate to break it to you, kid," she laughed, "but you are hardly a villain."

"I am plenty bad, than you very much!" He was doing that thing again where he pretended to be seriously offended. Another one of his dumb Wally quirks.

"Oh really."

"Yeah really!" She raised her eyebrows in challenge. This should be good.

Wally is hardly a patient guy. He was always buzzing with anticipation over something, but he would also tell you first hand that good things come to those who wait.

And this was oh so very good.

They stumbled into his room with lips on lips and cheeks and necks and just about any other place they could reach. It wasn't until she tripped over one of his shoes that Wally remember just how messy his room was. Picking her up, he walked over to the bed and dropped her, careful as not to hurt her, but then again...he had been a little distracted by the teeth on his earlobe.

Almost as soon as she hit the mattress she lunged for his shirt attempting to remove it from his long torso. Her eyes flashed as she let out some sort of predatory growl and moved to touch his chest. Wally moved to stop her and reached for her own shirt and pulled it over her head.

"Only fair," he breathed and went in for another kiss. Before he reached her she had already switched their positions and was heading for the door.

"Um...The bed's over here..."

"I know. I'm just getting the lights." It was just then that Wally noticed she was covering herself in the absence of her bra. When she had removed it he wasn't exactly sure. Probably before they started watching tv. He took a step closer to her.

"But then I can't see you."

She flipped the switch. "It's better with them off."

"Better or easier?" She didn't respond, but he had a feeling it was the latter. Based on everything he had learned it only made sense that she was a lights off kind of girl. His eyes gradually adjusted to the dark, but he was able to make out her figure. Her arms still covered her chest as she stood against the wall. He couldn't see her face, but Wally was certain she was looking down.

"I get that in the dark, it's easier to pretend you're somewhere else or with someone else, but.." He paused. The issue wasn't him, and it wasn't her. It was all the other guys. "How about we turn the hall light on, so you don't kill yourself on the way back to bed? Plus I would also like to be able to see you, and..." He laughed. "what I'm doing."

She didn't respond, not with words at least. Seconds later he felt two hand wrap around his waist and a soft pair of lips kiss the center of his chest. Slowly she started walking away, mumbling curses when she tripped.

He fell asleep first, but Artemis couldn't blame him. Most guys did. Most guys also rolled over and started snoring almost immediately. Wally was different. He had stayed awake for a while, but they didn't talk. They just held each other.

It was nice. It was probably how it was supposed to be done. Sweetly. She turned her head to look at him. Her hair was caught in his, strands on his eyelashes. It was a miracle he could breath at night with all that hair in his face.

She turned slightly to kiss his nose before turning onto her other side.

"Goodnight, Wall-man. Sweet dreams," she yawned. Wally stirred and threw his arm around her torso.

"Night." She gripped his hand and brought it to her lips.

Yeah, he was a good one.

"...Love...you," he mumbled. She tensed.

What?

Ha..Hahaha...Hahahahahahahaha! Soooo I was a bit late, but I think this was worth it, am I right?

Many thanks to all the wonderful comments, particularly the guest who wrote "Yes keep up the glorious spitfire *cough* hot sex" and made me laugh in the middle of the library. You win. I wish I could thank you all personally, and maybe one day I will.

Have a wonderful Passover if you celebrate that, and if you don't, that's also cool. I love yo faces as well as your reviews.

~mags