Final Fantasy X-2: Bold As Love
"She's pretty."
Paine gave Nooj a look and then looked back to the screen, where Leblanc waved in front of her new airship. Paine figured Rikku and Yuna were already on the docks where Leblanc's ship was parked. It wasn't that Paine thought that Leblanc didn't deserve whatever practical joke Rikku had cooked up—her rivalry with Leblanc would never end—but Paine didn't feel like it. "Oh? Which one?"
Nooj rolled his eyes at her and Paine grinned up at him. He tapped his cane on the pave stones and turned away from the screen when the camera panned away from the new airship. "Never thought the Syndicate would beat us."
Paine nudged him. "Oh, so you're jealous they get to show off first. Buddy said odds were, they'd burn the engine out in three months."
"Optimistic."
The square was crowded—new airships were big deals these days. Paine shuffled closer to Nooj when someone bumped her. "It doesn't matter. Airships don't find spheres, sphere hunters do. Leblanc's no hunter." Nooj's face told her that he didn't quite believe it, but then again, Leblanc had sent him an invitation to join the Syndicate. On scented paper, even, so Paine could guess where Nooj's reluctance came from.
Paine had never told him about the statue in the Chateau, but some things were better left unsaid.
"Gippal says it'll be soon, just needs a new coat of paint." Nooj's hand brushed the bare skin of waist. "What are you going to name her?"
It was unexpected, so all Paine could do was stare at him for a moment. When she finally understood, she shook her head. "You're the captain, I'm just—"
He kissed her before she could finish, his palm spread across her back as people jostled them, pressing them closer. Someone whistled, but she couldn't care. His mouth was soft and sure and his hands firm. She touched him, the skin of his neck warm from the sun, and kissed him back.
When he pulled away and moved, his lips brushed her cheek, and the skin below her ear. His cheek was afternoon-rough, and Paine shivered.
"I'm your captain," Nooj said, voice hushed, and she felt him smile. "And I say you get to name our ship." His eyes were amused when he pulled away, but he didn't let go of her. "Problem with that, pilot?"
Paine licked her bottom lip, and watched his throat jump. "No, sir," she said, and pulled him back to her.