“Are you smoking in secret again?”

Your voice echoed off the damp walls of the corridor. Kudo did not turn around immediately.

The lighter’s flame intermittently flashed across the cigarette’s ember, illuminating his weathered skin and etching contrasting shadows across the scar bisecting his cheek. Moisture and heavy metals tainted the sewers’ humid air, but there was no denying the foul reek of stale water slowly trickling beneath your feet.

When the leader wasn’t with the others, arguing about strategy, snapping at someone for a mistake, checking guns, he was usually up to something.

Reaching headquarters involved wading through a stretch of flooded passageway where the water level was always up to your ankles, and of course, nobody ever noticed that side corridor to the left, camouflaged behind the quivering reflections on the floor. It was there that Kudo liked to retire when he wanted to be alone.

It wasn’t welcoming and it definitely wasn’t safe. But it was all you had.

You let out a quiet scoff and stepped closer, your boots splashing dark water against the walls.

Kudo finally turned his head just enough to glance at you from the corner of his eye. He took a slow drag from the cigarette, then exhaled through his nose, shaking his head faintly.

“You’re so annoying”

he muttered.

and he offered a small smile, not mocking just tired, more exhausted than amused.