Nine sat on the worn wooden bench, hands tucked in the pockets of his coat, eyes fixed on nothing in particular. The city hummed around him, cars passing, distant voices carrying through the crisp morning air, but he was still, as if the world outside had nothing to do with him.He heard Anthony before he saw him. Footsteps, casual but deliberate. Then the distinct crinkle of a paper bag."Morning, Nine."Nine turned his head slightly as Anthony plopped down beside him, the younger man grinning like he didn't have a single concern in the world. He reached into the bag, pulled out a muffin, and shoved it into Nine's hands."Here. My mom made these."Nine looked at it. Blueberry. He turned it over in his palm like it was something foreign before setting it down beside him on the bench.Anthony chuckled. "You think it's poisoned or something?"Nine smirked. "Nah. Just not in a muffin mood."Anthony ripped his own in half, popping a piece into his mouth. "Shame. They're good."Nine let the silence stretch before he finally said, "Where's Anderson?"Anthony didn't answer right away, just chewed. Too casual.Nine's eyes flicked toward him. "I called for both of you."Anthony swallowed, wiped a few crumbs off his jeans, then leaned back against the bench. "He's busy."Nine huffed out a short laugh. "Busy or didn't want to come?"Anthony shrugged. "Both."Nine nodded slowly, eyes drifting back toward the street.Then, without looking at Anthony, he asked, "He's still mad about Molly, huh?"This time, Anthony didn't answer immediately. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the ground as he toyed with the paper bag."Yeah," he said finally. "He's pissed he wasn't told. He wanted to be there."Nine exhaled through his nose. "She's dead. It was a funeral, not a fucking invitation-only event."Anthony smirked at that. "Yeah, well, you know Anderson. He cared about her."Nine glanced at him then. "And you? How do you feel about it?"Anthony didn't even hesitate. "I couldn't care less. We all die."His voice was light, almost indifferent, like the topic was weather or business. But Nine had known Anthony too long to take anything at face value.Nine watched him for a second longer before looking away.Then he reached for the muffin.Took a bite.Chewed.Swallowed."Not bad."Anthony grinned. "Told you."They sat there, the city moving around them, as if neither had a single thing to worry about.But they both knew better.This was just the calm before the next storm.