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[bg_rinoa_hearti]

Who: Rinoa, North, Squall
What: Playing with Angelo
Where: Outside the Garden
When: Wednesday, around lunchtime
Open, incomplete

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[bg_north_anthon]

Trekking across the grass, North was unprepared for the ball of dog and girl that nearly bowled him over. Sidestepping as gracefully as possible, he probably would've continued walking had he not recognized the girl as Rinoa. The dog he'd seen her with sometimes, couldn't recall the name.

When they came to a stop, dog happily panting, and Rinoa a tangle of limbs and wild hair, he couldn't hold back a faint smile. They were obviously having fun and the mood was very nearly contagious. Though he'd no intention of getting on the ground and rolling around to get there.

"Might want to watch where you're going. You might take out the wrong person."

[bg_rinoa_hearti]

Rinoa wouldn't have known someone else was anywhere near her, so wrapped up was she in wrestling with her dog, but Angelo had tensed. He'd also completely disengaged from her, and though onlookers would only see a slightly curious dog, tail suspended as if he hadn't decided whether or not to wag

[bg_squall_leonh]

Squall strode across the lawn, looking for Rinoa. He spotted her after a few moments. But then he noticed that she was with more than just Angelo. the protective side of him kicked in immediately, and he stopped a few feet behind her, watching the boy with a wary eye. If he was trying to bother Rinoa, he'd better think twice.

[bg_rinoa_hearti]

Once again, Angelo beat Rinoa when it came to sensing new arrivals. He swiveled on the spot, and his tail began wagging madly. Curious, Rinoa leaned back until she could see the grass in place of her skyline, and nearly fell over when she saw Squall.

Dropping her hands from where they'd been clasped upon her knees, she shouted, "Squall!" and scrambled up. Without thinking twice, she launched herself at him, threw her arms around his neck, and tackled him into an expressive hug.

Her face was laughing when she turned it up to his. "So you finally show! I was beginning to think you were avoiding me or something."

Frowning, she asked, "Why'd you stop back here? Sometimes you're so weird, Squall.."

[bg_squall_leonh]

He was a little taken aback by the hug, but recovered quickly, returning it. He was slowly but surely getting used to Rinoa's affection. He liked her attention, and it felt surprisingly natural considering how new this all was to him. But the old Squall still was there needing reminded that this was normal, that he was finally getting it right for the first time.

"Sorry" he replied simply . Arms still draped across her shoulders, his gaze drifted back to the stranger with her. He ignored her comment, instead offering the boy a brief but challenging stare.

It wasnt a confrontation, but a warning. Squall was extremely protective of Rinoa, especially now that he had seen the way some students treated her. He had perfected his 'hurt her and I break your face' vibe.

He let go of Rinoa, leaning forward to pat Angelo on the head. "Hey Angelo."

[bg_north_anthon]

Ignoring Squall's obvious displeasure, North nodded to Rinoa. "It was nice almost getting ran over by you. See you around."

Leaving them to be alone together, he continued across the lawn, hoping there were no other tumbleweeds of dog and girl along the way.

[bg_rinoa_hearti]

Angelo licked Squall's palm happily, apparently unaware of the brief, stormy look that passed over his owner's face. She couldn't put her finger on exactly why, but she something struck her as off.

When the boy from earlier addressed her, she smiled, but it was distracted. No one except those who knew her well could have noticed the difference, though. "Yeah, see you!"

It wasn't until he was out of earshot that she realized she still didn't know his name. Snapping her fingers, she muttered, "That guy's like... I don't know."

Abandoning thoughts of him for now, she glanced at Squall and considered him. They might've been dating for at least six months, but there were times she felt like they were just meeting for the first time still. It was weird. She hardly saw him, and when she did, he said more to her dog than he did her

[bg_squall_leonh]

Squall watched the boy leave. He didn't show it, but he was a little surprised that he had been scared off so easily. Maybe he hadn't meant Rinoa any harm

[bg_rinoa_hearti]

Trying to push dark thoughts to the back of her mind, as they would get her nowhere and Squall had proven time and again he was usually thinking the exact opposite of what she thought he was thinking, she crouched down and began to rub between Angelo's shoulders. She wasn't giving her boyfriend enough credit, she knew. He was a SeeD; he was busy; and plus, she had loads more free time than he did

[bg_squall_leonh]

Squall sat next to her, thinking about what she said for awhile. After a moment, he shook his head. "I don't want it to be like that," he told her. "It's not...it's not like SeeD comes first and you just get whatever time is left," he attempted to explain. SeeD business was important, but if Rinoa needed him she would come first any day. He had made that choice all ready - when he refused to let Esthar keep Rinoa, he wasn't thinking about his SeeD status

[bg_rinoa_hearti]

A warm glow began to spread in her chest, and Rinoa smiled, leaning into Squall. Silently, she turned her hand inward, fingers seeking his as she clasped his hand loosely. It was moments like these, sitting in the grass in the sunshine holding hands with her boyfriend, that made her feel one hundred percent just like any other person.

Maybe that was why she fit with Squall so well. He let her be just her. She didn't feel that rush of giddy excitement like she'd had with Seifer... well, not now. She had at first, but now, it was more of a quiet warmth. It was better, she decided, as she turned her face in to his shoulder and breathed deeply.

They hadn't said the "L" word yet. It was almost like they were afraid to take it one more step, make it that official. But Rinoa thought she was getting close. Even if the very idea of telling someone that she loved them sent panic tickling down her spine, if she was going to take the plunge with anyone, well