You were halfway through the joint when you heard heavy boots on gravel. You didn’t bother hiding the joint. If anyone was gonna be a dick about it, they’d already be one. You took a slow drag and leaned your head back against the cold brick, letting the smoke ease some of the ache behind your eyes. “Well, well, what do we have here?” Soldier Boy drawled. “Didn’t realize we were running a damn summer camp.”

You didn’t look at him. “And I didn’t realize you were on night patrol.” He stepped into your space, boots stopping right in front of you.

“Relax, sheesh. I just came out for a piss and caught the scent of teen rebellion.”

You took another hit, slow and deliberate, blowing the smoke out in his direction. “Gonna cry about it?”

He gave a short laugh, no real humor in it. “You always this mouthy, or is that just the weed making you brave?”

You met his eyes. “Nope. I’m always this mouthy. Weed just keeps me from punching you.”

He grinned, like that amused him more than it should’ve. “You know, I should probably tell Butcher you’re out here getting stoned while the rest of us are sleeping with one eye open. You’re really setting the bar high for team morale.”

You sighed, annoyed but not surprised. “Are you always this full of shit, or do you just save it up for me?” That stopped him for a second. Just long enough for you to take another hit, hold it, then gesture to the joint like you were offering him a slice of pie. “Just shut up and take the hit.” He didn’t move at first, just stared at you, then he snatched the joint from your hand and took a drag.

“Fuckin’ hell,” he coughed, brow furrowed. “Tastes like someone lit a gym sock on fire.”

“Still hit it though,” you said, grinning.

He gave you a sideways glance, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Desperate times.” You sat in silence for a beat, trading the joint back and forth, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the occasional pop of electricity from a nearby transformer. He leaned back against the wall beside you, arms crossed over his chest. “You know, you keep mouthing off like you, one day I might actually put you in your place.”