"We could've taken the car," I said.
Rune glanced at me, already a few steps ahead on the boardwalk. "We could have."
"Walking makes you more visible."
"I know." He turned to face me, walking backward with trained precision. "That's why I suggested it."
He smiled, not the stage version, gentle and genuine, as he turned back around.
Day off, Chief Kang had announced that morning. Violet Frequency gave a brilliant show the night before.
Rune asked at breakfast if I wanted to see the beach. I grudgingly said yes.
He stopped where the boardwalk ended and kicked off his sneakers, stuffing his socks inside.
I kept my boots on.
"You're not taking yours off?"
"Not planning on it."
"You can't walk on sand in combat boots, Griffin."
"They're tactical footwear."
"That's what people call combat boots when they don't want to admit they're wearing combat boots." Rune picked up his shoes. "Come on."
He started toward the water, barefoot, moving with unconscious grace. I followed. The sand shifted under my weight. I'd trained for urban terrain, not this.
We walked parallel to the waterline.
"You're still scanning," Rune said.
"Force of habit."
"Does it ever turn off?"
"No."
"Even on rest days?"
"Rest days are worst. That's when people get comfortable, and they end up hurt."
Rune tilted his head to the right. "When was the last time you actually rested?"
"I'm fine," I said.
"You're not, but you're here, anyway." He stopped walking. "You said yes. Thank you. I know it makes your threat assessment brain scream."
"It's not screaming."
"Then it's whispering loudly." He laughed softly.
I almost smiled.
"You know what I think?" he said. "I think you haven't been teased in a very long time."
My eyes opened a little wider.
