Tseng accepted the bottle with grace, taking a healthy drink. (Even the beer was different here, less alcoholic, more woody.) He returned it after a moment to Reno's grasp - and if it put his arm in contact against the red-head's, it was a quiet invitation to lean without any statement of implied weakness. "You've never been afraid of hard work - contrary to the persona you keep - as long as you felt the outcome worthwhile. I would propose that your relationship with Rude is more than worthwhile."

Relationship - not partnership - and Tseng never chose words without thought.