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Noir smirks faintly into the smoke.

“What? Maybe the traffic cone has emotional significance.”

“It did,” I say seriously. “After the shit me and that cone did, we really bonded.”

Dagger drags a hand down his face.

“You’re both a fucking nightmare.”

“Aww, but you kinda love it. After all, it was your idea to hold me hostage here, wasn’t it?” I point out sweetly.

“Would you just go shower before Mina gets here.”

I grin immediately.

“There’s the bossy attitude again.”

Dagger rolls his eyes while I grab the duffle bag off the counter.

Noir watches me from the balcony doorway, cigarette between his fingers, completely unhelpful as usual.

“Don’t encourage her,” Dagger mutters toward him.

“I haven’t said anything.”

“Your stupid face is encouraging her.”

“Mm, more like pretty,” I say seriously while backing toward the hallway. “But you’re right, his face does make me want to do really bad things.”

Noir smirks faintly into the smoke.

Dagger visibly regrets speaking to either of us this morning.

Honestly?

Fair.

I sling the duffle bag higher over my shoulder, still grinning to myself, when Noir suddenly pushes off the balcony doorway.

“I gotta run out for a bit.”

That kills the mood fast.

Dagger’s head turns immediately.

“Where?”

Noir takes another slow drag from his cigarette, eyes flicking toward him with lazy amusement.

“Aw,” he says softly. “You worried about me?”

Dagger’s expression flattens.

“Answer the question.”

“I’ll be quick.”

“That wasn’t the question.”