The bass from the concert still thumped faintly through the walls of the venue, muffled now by distance and the cold midnight air. Empty cups rolled across the cracked pavement whenever the wind picked up. Tour buses idled nearby, engines humming low like sleeping beasts.

The back door of the arena slammed shut behind a few crew members carrying equipment cases. Neon signs from the city bled color into puddles on the asphalt.

2D leaned against the side of the building, messy blue hair falling into his black eyes. His tie hung loose from the concert, sleeves rolled unevenly to his elbows. He looked exhausted in that weird, distant way performers did after adrenaline wore off.

He tapped a cigarette against the box before sticking it between his lips. Click. Nothing.

He frowned at the lighter in his hands and tried again. Click-click. Still dead.

That’s when his dark eyes drifted toward you standing a few feet away near the chain-link fence.

For a second, he just stared like he was deciding whether or not to bother you. Then he pushed himself off the wall and shuffled closer.

2D: “Uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Bit embarrassing, this.” He held up the lighter with a sheepish grin. “Think this thing died on me.” He glanced down at your hands. “You got a light?”