001. looking

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Rinoa hummed cheerfully as she looked at herself in the mirror with glee. This black night dress was really comfy! It was a little short, only reaching up to her mid thigh but she thought she looked good in it. It'd been a while since she wore something like this.

She caught Squall's gaze looking at her from the mirror and grinned as she immediately turned around. He quickly averted his eyes down to his laptop and Rinoa could see his cheeks turning a small pink shade of red.

"Squall, how many times do I have to say it's okay to look?" she asked him, her hands on her hips whilst she walked towards him.

He didn't answer, more like he didn't want to. His eyes were solely focused on the screen and Rinoa only giggled behind her hand. She climbed up on the bed with him and closed the lid of his laptop before setting it to the side. She wrapped her arms his neck and left a chaste kiss on his lips. "You're so silly! I'm your girlfriend, remember? Besides, I like having your eyes on me like that!"

Squall gave her a hesitant unsure look, his words fumbling. "...I know."

She giggled again, rubbing their noses together and then gave him another smoldering kiss. "Do you like the dress?"

He swept his eyes down and then up, but Rinoa caught them lingering on her chest for a second before he locked their gazes again. "You... look nice."

Rinoa hummed teasingly. "I thought you would, thank you. The only time you've ever seen me in a short dress like this was the white one back from our dance!"

A small smile crept up Squall's lips. "Yeah... that was short."

She laughed and lightly hit his arm, blushing a little herself. "I'm glad you're at least loosening up since you're such a rock, Squall!"

He rolled his eyes with a grunt, his unspoken alternative for 'whatever'. "Out of all the things you could've compared me to, you chose a rock...?"

"Well, duh!" Rinoa said, "Do you realise how much effort it took me to get you out of your shell? You were such a meanie!"

Squall said nothing but Rinoa felt his arms tightening around her waist. She smiled and pressed their foreheads together. "You're lucky that I fell in love with you because you're the most handsomest, down to earth man I've ever met. Even when you're a big meanie most of the time."

"I'm still trying..." he trailed off nervously, his lips thinning uncomfortably, "To open up more. I'm not good at it yet."

"And that's okay, Squall!" Rinoa combed the back of his head, "I'd rather you take your time more than anything," she peppered kisses over his cheeks, "I love you sooo much!"

She bit back her snort when he was trying to hinder his blush but the warmth in his eyes when he looked at her wasn't mistaken. It never was. It was always enough for her. Squall may have not been good with words, but she was fine with it. She loved his awkwardness when it came to their relationship. And in general too! He was just so cute about it!

Rinoa blushed again when remembering he could hear her thoughts because of their bond. She never felt the need to close them out from Squall since everything she felt for him was real. She sent him a shy look, relaxing when a slight grin reached his lips.

"Hm, I'm so glad we're on this vacation together," she rested her head on his shoulder and muffled out a laugh, "I hope you're okay with me wearing a two piece bikini tomorrow though!"

Squall stiffened. "...Will you really?" he asked, a groan escaping his throat.

"That's right, Commander," she teased and poked his nose, "But don't worry, I reserved a spot for us to be alone on the beach so I don't have to see you get arrested for murder!"

"It'd be worth it though," Squall muttered lowly, his already dark thoughts thinking of the consequences.

Rinoa didn't hear him and yawned, rolling off of him as she laid her head against the pillow when she felt her eyes weakening against her upcoming sleep. "Squall?" she murmured.

"Hm?"

"I love you..."

Squall smiled as he watched Rinoa fall into a deep slumber. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and soothingly rubbed her scalp; something he knew that always helped her sleep well at night. He shifted his head onto his pillow and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as he gradually fell asleep himself.