#solidslab

It dances in front of his eyes, twirling and swirling with the night breeze before it vanishes. Whites and greys that darkened in the darkness until they are no more. He watches a couple lines, absentmindedly flipping the lighter on his other hand, then his eyes are drawn to the tablet atop the railing. On the corner furthest from him, he sees the glow of the moonlight. 

“Thought you quit,” a voice cuts through the silence, preventing him from falling swiftly into his thoughts. He drops his head with a scoffed out laugh, turning his head slightly to see his new companion. 

Jimmy leans on the wall beside the door, arms crossed with his left leg kicked on top of his right, something neutral in his face. 

Nonchalantness aside, his eyes land on the tightly tied boots and dirty jacket. 

He turns to face the city this time, “It’s my cheat day.”

“Something happened,” Jimmy states, firmly. 

“Something always happens,” he replies before taking another drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke out. Vibrant than the clouds, and closer than the smoke on the ground level. “You’re back. Early, may I add.”

“Quick delivery.”

“Ah, always so efficient, that bunch of yours.”

He taps the cigarette, watching the sparks of embers die out in the little dish. And after an exaggerated exhale, he brings it back to his lips, eyeing Jimmy’s casualness as he unlocks the table. 

The space between them lights up, Jimmy covered in cyan lights. His eyes gloss over lines quickly, frown deepening. 

And with the same carelessness, he reaches over and turns the tablet off, sliding it back between them. 

“Confidential,” he says against the cigarette, lips twisted into a teasing smirk. 

Jimmy opens and closes his mouth, then sighs. His shoulders drop as he crosses his arms over the railing, leaning against them with vulnerable defeat. He groans into his elbow, frowning then forcibly relaxing. He uncrosses his left arm, hand held between them. 

“Thought you didn’t smoke,” he taunts, still placing the cigarette in his fingers carefully. They touch with familiarity, uncomplicatedly. 

With a frown, Jimmy brings the cigarette to his lips, hovering before he speaks, “Cheat day.”

Etho lets out a single chuckle, and they watch the city without further words.

_____

i... look, there is at least 3 more of these. i will bring variety in time, i think.... inside you, there's two wolves. one that lies, and one that forgets to show up idk