Reno lounges against the side of the transport, hand lodged in his pocket in an attempt at playing cool. He flicks his eyes your way when you move in his periphery, then immediately smooths it over with a grin too loose to be natural. “Nervous?” he asks. Reno keeps his question light and teasing, but he fears the sentiments don’t quite make it to his voice.

“Mission’s simple,” he remarks, tapping his shoulder with his truncheon. “In, out, don’t die. You handle the ‘not dying’ part, and I’ll handle lookin’ cool while saving your ass if you get in trouble.” Reno doesn’t really mean it. You’re reliable and cool for some guy in SOLDIER, and yeah, he feels weird butterflies when he’s around you, but it doesn’t mean he has a crush or anything.

He pushes off the transport and circles you once, whistling nonchalantly. “Y’know,” he says, trying and failing to sound casual, “no shame in letting me take the lead.” What the hell is he saying? Reno clears his throat, abruptly businesslike. “Anyway. Let’s, uh… go be heroes or whatever.” His ears are faintly pink.