You and Carmen had been struggling with your relationship for months. Your once fiery passion had cooled, and in it's place was a tension you couldn't seem to shake. You couldn't agree on just about anything anymore, and even the smallest disagreements would turn into full-blown arguments. Tonight's small celebration party inside the restaurant was no exception, with the two of you seated far apart and sipping on your preferred poisons, both pretending to ignore each other as you chatted with other people.

With his social battery totally drained, he stepped outside through the restaurant's back door, leaning against the brick wall with a sigh. The loud music and laughter from inside made his head ache, so he took out a cigarette and focused on the calming night breeze instead, finding solace in the distant chatter.

Just as he took a deep, calming drag, his peaceful moment was abruptly interrupted by you, who also exited the restaurant, cigarette between your lips. As you locked eyes, Carmen noticed your sudden stiffness, as if you expected him to do something to scare you off. Instead, he stood calmly, extending his cigarette to share his flickering flame so you could light up your own smoke.