Wooo this story is on a roll! The next chapter already? I have no life! But yeah, the chapter after this one is already half written! So expect it soon!

Once Reno had recovered from the shock of losing Vincent's 'love' and had gotten enough pity from the laughing tanned girl next to him, he plopped down at the bar. After a few moments of silence, he sighed heavily, his leg bouncing sporadically. He would glance from his watch to Valena, to a random spot on the wall and then to his watch again with yet another sigh.

Finally fed up with his apparent boredom, Valena growled lightly and grabbed his wrists, dragging him off of the barstool and across the bar to the exit. He tossed her a confused look which she answered with a smirk and a firm tug out the door.

Once they were outside, Valena let go of his wrists, choosing instead to walk beside him as she led them to a park she had noticed on their way through Midgar. Thankfully the rain had stopped, leaving everything with a crystalline glow.

Valena glanced up at Reno, taken back by how angelic the setting sun made him appear. He was nothing like what she had heard. The agency kept close tabs on the Turks for "business" reasons and Reno's reputation preceded him. He wasn't the rude and temperamental man she had expected. But what was more, she felt like she had always known him. One of those instant connections some people experience. His little quirks were all too familiar and his smile was like finding a childhood keepsake, joyful and reminiscent. But even though his personality was a complete opposite than the rumors, there was still some questions she wanted answered. Unlike the personality profile in the agency's Blackbook, these rumors had come from a more notable source. Only one concerned her, however.

"Hey Reno..?" Valena began, her voice full of an emotion that never reached her vacant eyes. "I have heard a few things about you..." She trailed off as she scuffed her feet through the gravel pathway, her hands digging into her pockets.

"Good or bad?" He joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Cause if it was about me, I'm sure it was amazing."

"Well, I heard you slept with a woman named Scarlet... and that she wasn't very-" She paused, searching for the right word. "Reputable."

Reno's face was a mask of embarrassment. He swallowed thickly as his eyes darted over the ground. Only three people knew about Scarlet: Reno, Tseng and Elena. "Who told you?" He asked quietly. His eyes shot to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of Valena.

"That's not important..." She said, mimicking his soft tones. Her eyes were bouncing from stone to stone in the path as they walked in an attempt to busy herself during Reno's silence.

"I was drunk." He finally said, knowing the second the words left his mouth how pathetic they sounded. Valena must have had the same thought as the roll of her eyes was punctuated with a scoff.

Reno took three quick steps and moved in front of her, bringing them to a stop. He took her hands into his own. He stooped lower, trying to fit into her range of vision until she finally smirked and looked up to meet his eyes.

He gave her hands a light squeeze. "It meant nothing to me, I promise you that." His face took on a humorous, stern look and he dropped her hands. "I nearly went full coyote on her when I woke up." He said before making gnawing actions at his arm. She giggled a bit before sobering.

"Really?" She asked, looking back down at her feet.

He gently gathered her hands into his once again. "Really." She laced her fingers tightly into his and led him over to sit under a nearby tree. As the cold water seeped into her pants, she had the brief flashback of Yuki sitting on a freshly painted bench, and the ensuing chaos afterwards. She smiled at the memory.

Reno poked her cheek, bringing her back to the present. He sat with his back against the trunk of the tree, his legs splayed out straight. Valena was nestled in between them comfortably, one of Reno's arms pulled into her lap.

"Something tells me we once knew each other somehow." She confessed while absentmindedly tracing a scar on his had with her middle finger. She never felt him tense a bit. "Like a past life or something."

He relaxed. "Yeah...a past life..." He muttered, moving his head slightly to the side as she laid her head back on his shoulder. He wrapped his free arm around her, trailing his fingers up and down her arm. With a soft sigh, he placed his chin on the top of her head.

Wrapped in the warmth of Reno's arms, Valena felt herself start to drift off to sleep. "You know..." She said quietly, as to not disturb the gentle aura around them. "I could really let myself fall in love with you."

"Really?" His question was more of a statement, not wanting the burgundy haired girl to pick up on his eagerness.

"Yeah." She answered dreamily, shifting so she could watch his face. "It's like I can trust you with my life, even though I just met you."

He shifted his weight as well, letting him look into her eyes. "I've fallen for you, Valena." He confessed. "Nothing will hurt you now that I'm around." He slowly closed the distance between them. The kiss was brief but enjoyable. I had been hoping to find you for a long time... He thought to himself.

When Valena's eyes slid open, the golden pools seemed to swim with a plethora of emotions, but only one Reno focused on.

"I love you, Reno." She said, chewing her top lip slightly. She smiled with relief when his grip tightened on her in a semi-hug.

"I love you, too Valena." Since the moment I saw you.

Yeah, this one was a little shorter than the others, but I hope you enjoyed it. And before you flame me about how fast Valena and Reno happened, relax and know it will all be okay in the end.

Love you all!

Read, Review, Be Merry!