"There's something so satisfying about grass stains. Feels like you've done somethin', even if all you've done is make an idiot of yourself," Triss sighed happily, looking down at the aforementioned marks all over her arms and legs as she dangled her feet in the water.
"Doesn't hurt to have a view like this, either, does it?" Reno chuckled and kicked off his shoes to join the girl seated in the open doorway of the company chopper he "borrowed".
"Yeah," she grinned as the redhead pulled her into his arms. "Real colors are always nice."
"Y'know, I don't usually do third dates," Reno said after a while.
"I know," the brunette giggled, "ya freak. I'll betcha you gave Rude an aneurysm."
"Yeah, well," the Turk smirked, "I'm glad I did this time."
"Really?" Triss rested her head on his shoulder and smiled gently, "I am too."
A comfortable silence reigned.
For a few seconds.
"Not to ruin the moment or anythin', but I gotta awkward question to ask ya."
"Okay."
"How do you know that SOLDIER, 'Zacky'? You two seemed pretty friendly."
The raven-haired girl tilted her head to look up at him, "It's been weeks since you overheard him asking me out. Is it really still bothering you?"
"Yeah."
She sighed and chuckled softly, "Zack and I have been friends for a while now, little over a year. He was one of my brother's buddies and just took a shine to me. We started talkin' one night after everyone else had passed out and I somehow became the little sister he never got to torture growing up. He spends more time with me than he does with my brother now."
"Well, if you're his 'little sister', then why was he askin' ya out?"
"Because you hadn't, you jealous idiot! You can't blame him for your alcoholic amnesia!"
"Sure I can! That's what makes me an alcoholic!"
Triss laughed loudly. "Who cares? He was just asking so I wouldn't have to go alone. I went with you, anyway."
"Yeah, ya did! 'Cause Turks are better than SOLDIERS!"
"Oh, no," she scooted away. "I'm not getting into that debate."
"Why?" the redhead asked accusingly. "You think SOLDIERS are better?"
"I have no opinion on the matter! I think you're all just big chunks of code that have me working overtime to deal with!"
Reno chuckled and pulled her back to him. "Heh, that's my girl."
Triss smiled.
My girl.