Disclaimer : I do not own FFVII, Crisis Core, Advent Children, or any of the characters that you recognise. As much as I love these guys, they belong to those other guys.

Chapter 26 : Is This A Date?

Tifa's eyes fluttered open. She hadn't even remembered falling asleep, but the events leading up to her impromptu nap quickly came back to her. She sat bolt upright in bed, realising a blanket had been placed over her naked body. She looked around for her redheaded companion but found she was alone in the room and it was now almost dark outside. Did he leave without saying goodbye? He wouldn't. Would he? She found herself thinking of the last kiss he'd given her. It made her toes curl just to think of how it had felt. She may be been the one in control during sex, but afterwards he had kissed her with a tenderness that almost made her heart ache. She rubbed at her eyes and got out of bed, wrapping the blanket around herself as she padded quietly over to her backpack. Rummaging around in the front pocket, she found her PHS and flipped it open. Oh my god, it's after 6pm! I had to be out of the room by now! Tifa's thoughts of Reno were pushed reluctantly to the side as she scrambled to get dressed, grumbling at the knowing-slash-jealous look the little blonde receptionist would probably give her. She was mostly dressed and was just pulling her socks on, now in complete darkness, when she heard a key in the door. Oh god, is someone coming in to clean up already? Tifa frowned as the door opened slowly and silently, and a head popped in. The glowing aquamarine eyes found her almost right away and Tifa couldn't stop the stupid smile that spread across her face.

He didn't leave without saying goodbye.

Tifa blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting as Reno flicked the light on while stepping in and closing the door behind him. His ever-present grin had a certain softness to it as he looked at her.

"Glad to see yer awake sleepyhead."

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I just gotta finish getting dressed and I'll be out of here."

"No need." Reno shook his head, raising a hand to stop her in her haste. She looked up at him quizzically. "I figure you were probably pretty tired from the... overexertion you've experienced in the past few days so I extended your stay 'til tomorrow mornin'." Reno explained, his eyebrows wiggling slightly at the word 'overexertion'. Tifa's mouth fell open in shock.

"Reno, you didn't have to..."

"Naw, I know. But I did. Also called Rude and let him know I wouldn't be back til tomorrow mornin'. He's crashin' at my place for a few days anyway so he don't mind." Reno shrugged slightly as he walked over to the bed and practically flung himself down on it on his back arms spread to the side. Tifa couldn't stop smiling. Not only had he come back to say goodbye, he'd made it so they had another night in each other's company.

"I really appreciate it. But... I gotta phone the bar and let Barret know."

"Already done. He knows you're runnin' late and he's gettin' in touch with that pilot buddy of yours to pick ya up tomorrow so you're not home any later than ya should have been." Reno drawled as he yawned widely before he sat up, propped back against his hands as his legs dangled off the edge of the bed. Tifa couldn't believe her ears.

"So let me get this straight. you've paid for an extra night in the hotel?"

"Yup."

"And you've phoned Barret to let him know."

"Uh huh."

"And you've arranged it so that Cid is picking me up so I don't have to travel home by chocobo and boat?"

"Sure."

"AND you've ditched your partner to spend another night with me."

"Four for four." Reno grinned "I also called work and told them I'd be late in so I can actually have a lie in tomorrow. Not that it really matters, the trees don't give a fuck what time I turn up." Reno snorted as he picked some fluff on the leg of his jeans. Tifa was staring at him in disbelief.

"...Why?"

"Because trees aren't sentient beings, Lockhart. They also don't wear watches."

"No, that's not what I meant, you idiot!"

"Hey, who ya callin' an idiot? You're the one who asked why the trees wouldn't mind when I show up." Reno grinned over at her. He was just winding her up for fun now. Tifa rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh.

"Reno."

"Yes, Tifa?"

"Why did you do all that for me?" She asked carefully, making sure he couldn't misconstrue what she actually wanted to know. Reno shrugged nonchalantly.

"I wanted to take you to dinner."

"You..." Tifa just stared at him, blinking. He leaned forward on his knees and stared back at her, refusing to blink. "You did all that... so you could take me to dinner?"

"Well, I gotta say thanks for all the sex somehow."

"Reno!" Tifa narrowed her eyes at him as he burst out laughing.

"I'm kiddin'! You just seemed beat and I figured it's kinda my fault. Considerin' ya got lost on a snowboard when you were well rested, think how far off course you could end up when half asleep on chocoboback." Reno grinned slightly. Tifa couldn't help but think his cheeky answers were actually a cover up for him being concerned that she actually might end up falling asleep on her chocobo and end up lost. The ride between Icicle Inn and Bone Village, which now housed a very small harbour, wasn't particularly perilous but it wouldn't exactly have been fun in the dark. A small smile crept across Tifa's lips as the redhead went back to picking at his tshirt, obviously a bit uncomfortable that she'd questioned his motives further. Tifa stood up and strode over to him, causing the redhead to look up at her. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

Thank you, Reno." She smiled at him. Reno's cheeks started to gradually match his hair as he looked away, mumbling slightly.

"Yeah, yeah. Just didn't want ta get annoyin' phone calls from your saviour buddies askin' what happened to ya." Reno huffed. Tifa chose not to point out that until he'd phoned Barret, none of her friends even knew she'd ran into Reno. She figured he already knew this fact but was just trying to save face. She laughed lightly and headed back over to put her boots and jacket on before she grabbed her wallet from her backpack and tucked it into her pocket before Reno noticed.

"Well, c'mon then. I'm starving!" She laughed lightly as the redhead got up to his feet, his cheeks back to their usual pale tone. He pulled on his jacket and followed her out the door, his hands jammed into his pocket.

They headed out of the hotel (not without Tifa flashing another overly friendly smile and a wave at the blonde receptionist who now looked downright hateful towards Tifa) and made their way to the local bar to grab food. Tifa picked the table in the corner in front of the large metal stove, rubbing her arms for warmth after the short but cold walk between cabins. Reno tossed his jacket over the back of his chair before he headed up to the bar. He leant across the bar to catch the attention of the gruff looking barman. She saw him talking to the barman and holding up two fingers before turning to call across to her.

"Tifa! Burgers okay?" He asked, aiming a thumb back over his shoulder towards the barman who was currently fixing up some drinks that he had obviously asked for. She nodded and Reno turned back to the barman, holding up two fingers again. She wondered what else he had ordered for them as the barman set up a tray and placed six drinks in varying glass sizes. She briefly heard the word 'tab' and the barman's grey mustache twitched into what she assumed was a smile and the redhead returned to the table with the tray. He set it down and slid into the seat next to her, grinning as he picked up one of the small shot glasses full of a clear liquid. Tifa frowned a little.

"What the hell is that?"

"Tequila." He answered gleefully as he knocked the glass back and picked up the second one. She was thankful that he hadn't handed it to her. Once he'd drank the second one, he picked up one of the two beers and took a sip.

"Reno, it's a Sunday night."

"No, it's your LAST night of bein' on holiday. So we might as well have some fun."

"I don't think I've gotten over the last round of 'fun' you put me through." Tifa told him with a slight groan. Reno stuck his tongue out at her and pushed the other beer towards her. She hesitated for a moment before she picked it up and took a drink. It was actually really refreshing. "Is there a reason you've decided we're drinking on a Sunday?"

"Not Sunday. Last day of holiday. And yeah, I gotta either drink enough to forget the fact that I done you a very uncharacteristic favour tonight, or get you drunk enough that you don't bring it up either." He teased, his blue-green eyes twinkling slightly. Tifa couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it really such a bad thing?"

"Feels like somethin' a lovesick teenager would do."

"Lovesick?"

"See, there ya go already. Drink this too." Reno pushed a thin tall glass at her, one of a pair. She picked it up with a large grin on her face, playing along since he was obviously unhappy that he was the one on the receiving end of the teasing for a change. She raised the glass to her nose and sniffed before she took a small sip.

"Really, Reno? Long Island Iced Tea? Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"Most definitely." Reno grinned at her as he picked up his own glass and took a very long drink. "Last time I got ya drunk, I got to see ya half naked."

"You've seen me completely naked now though." She raised an eyebrow at him as she took another sip. Despite being a notoriously strong cocktail, it was actually rather delicious. His grin turned mischievous and his eyes practically lit up.

"Exactly. So imagine what might happen this time!"

AN : Oh, Reno. You just can't handle being a little sweetie pie without having to throw in some distraction techniques!

We're nearly done, people! How sad it's going to be :( I never thought this little fic would get much attention but I have lovely followers and reviewers and you guys make my day! *mwah*