MHA #1, Aka Reno _And_ Rikku-Land, Friday Evening

[the_merriest]

Reno had assured her that she didn't need to clean for Rude, that Rude was used to his messes, but Rikku liked cleaning. She hadn't seen Rude in ages! This was going to be fun!

The place was decidedly cozier than Rude would probably be expecting. What with all the cheery decor and the orange fluffy bathmat. There weren't even any empty beer bottles or porno mags on the coffee table.

Just an Al Bhed girl, puttering around while Reno ran out for more supplies. Which she hoped didn't mean more beer and pornos. But, well. It was Reno.

(This will be the site of an unholy sort of Turks Reunion, featuring several versions of some of the people involved, no less. But the very first thread is for Tseng alone, please, even though it's Rude she's expecting.)

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[the_merriest]

"I heard," she said gently. "Because --"

It was none of her business. She was going to cram it, therefore.

When had that ever worked.

"Because he left," she said, finally. "I think he needed to. Even more than how badly he needs your approval."

Which, considering Reno's devotion to the Turks, was saying something.

[turk_mailman]

It really was. And Tseng was well aware of that, on a level that he attempted, and failed, to ignore on a regular basis.

"I've been informed in no uncertain terms that remaining in Edge is..." He frowned. "... Not the wisest path that the Turks could be following, at present."

By more than just Reno, now. When two thirds of your subordinates informed you that they were out of there, that probably meant that it was time to pay attention. Grudgingly.

[the_merriest]

"I really don't think it is," she said, mulling something over. She bit her lip, then lowered her voice. "Can I show you something?"

[turk_mailman]

"I don't see why not," Tseng replied, raising an eyebrow slightly. He had time to kill, after all. And, as much as he hated it, any insight that Rikku could hand him that pertained to the inner workings of Reno's... unique mind, would be far more insight than he seemed to have at the best of times, lately.

[the_merriest]

He was probably not expecting to be led into the kitchen, but that's where Rikku disappeared to, gesturing that he should follow.

The kitchen was brisk, and clean. There were food bowls for the three pets in the corner; that was a bit messy, because, well, pets.

For her part, Rikku swung open the fridge and held the door, inviting him wordlessly to look inside.

[turk_mailman]

She was asking him to look into... the refrigerator. Which on its own seemed like either a very random request, or else an invitation to fend off any one of a hundred things that might be skulking about inside.

And so imagine his (well-veiled) surprise when he looked into the fridge and saw... A fridge. Clean, stocked with more food than Reno's usual stock of ketchup and mustard to go with whatever takeout was collecting mold, and with only two bottles of beer, both unopened, sitting on the door.

He raised his eyebrow slightly.

"How long did you say you were living with him?"

[the_merriest]

"A week," she said, glad that he understood the significance. "This isn't all me."

Okay, some of it was, and they'd talked about it, too, but there was more here than her cleaning up the fridge.

It was Reno, living instead of just surviving.

[turk_mailman]

Tseng was frowning, now, though it wasn't an unpleasant expression, it was merely a thoughtful one. It was accompanied in short order by a small nod.

"I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to ascertain just what he's been doing with himself, since he returned to the island."

[the_merriest]

Rikku was nodding. "He's been teaching," she said. "He's been adopting new Rookies to pull under his wing. And he's been stubborn about not calling you. I tried."

She and Tseng had a colorful history, to put it mildly, but that wasn't important. What was important was that he mattered to Reno. That was why Tseng had taken her out for ice cream, two years ago. They both were central to Reno's life, and so it would be better for them to get along.

[turk_mailman]

"I imagine he's been waiting for a call from me, first, on principle."

And so here he was. It wasn't a phone call, but it had the added bonus that Reno wouldn't be able to hang up on him. And also, there appeared to be an unexpected referee here, as well.

Likely, this was for the best.

[the_merriest]

"He'll be glad you're here," Rikku said. More nodding. "He won't say it, and he'll act like you should leave, but he will."

In light of which, it seemed only prudent to add, "And if he's acting too much like a jerkface then I'll tell him to cram it."