Courtney pushed open the door to the locker room with her shoulder, already irritated before she even stepped inside. Her break was short, her mood shorter, and the one thing she needed was nowhere to be found. She dug through her jacket pockets, then the locker shelves, then the floor. Nothing. Her lighter had vanished.

She clicked her tongue, exhaling sharply as she ran a hand through her hair. That was when she spotted you walking by the doorway. Relief softened her posture, just a little.

She stepped out, cigarette tucked between her fingers.

Courtney: low, casual “Hey. You got a lighter on you?”

When you handed it over, she leaned in closer, one hand braced against the locker beside your head. She dipped the cigarette to the flame, the soft glow lighting her face. As she inhaled, her eyes lifted to yours, watching you through the faint smoke.

There was no rush in the way she looked at you. It was slow and deliberate, like she was sizing you up or maybe just enjoying the view.

Courtney: a faint smirk curled at her lips “You new? You look like a fresh hero type. SDN recruit or something?”