JJ’s existential remark cemented his kinship with Aksel. A sardonic smirk gently pulled at his lip. His new friend wasn’t wrong. Still, it didn’t hurt to try and belong somewhere—however fleeting. At the very least, it was always nice to be seen. Aksel was always willing to give people the opportunity to stay.

	[i]Some storms were easier to face with someone beside you.[/i]

	Any mirth drained from both of their faces as Tony returned, as if on cue, as the sky was becoming a darker hue than usual. Aksel was [i]not[/i] looking forward to having to deal with [i]him[/i]. He knew he wouldn’t be able to dodge the man forever, but that would never stop him from trying.

	Fortunately, Aksel had positioned himself to [i]not[/i] be among the first to incur his wrath. No, that honor fell to [i]Prince and Co.[/i], as the irate overseer approached.

	JJ had clocked it too, and seemed like he was going to make a remark to try and maintain the positive atmosphere in spite of the return of [i]The Man[/i]—as he had put it. Just as Tony reached out for Prince’s spliff, there was a massive crashing crunch as an absurdly large piece of hail demolished a nearby vehicle.

    [color=#257ca3][i]"That's my car!"[/i][/color] Tony exclaimed. [color=#257ca3]“I just got it back!"[/color]

	Prince became reflexively defensive, clearly as baffled as anyone else.

	[i]Another huge chunk of ice fell.[/i]

	Henry looked to the oncoming storm.

	[color=#dbdd3c]"What the hell is that?"[/color] 

	Aksel followed his gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed still. The sky had gone from sullen… to [i]wrathful.[/i] The clouds above the city were churning and roiling, as if with a purpose—[i]and it felt personal[/i]. As if Odin himself were riding to claim their lives.

	Another hail-boulder fell, shattering the dumpster like it owed the sky money. Aksel barely flinched. Watching—looking from person to person—his jaw tight, heart racing. Fight or flight kicked in, but his body hadn’t chosen a side.

	JJ was cussing up his own storm, leaning on humor to survive the absurdity of the situation. Aksel admired that, but remained focused on the task at hand until Tony began shouting for everyone to run for it.

    [color=#DC143C]"Maybe we're not on our own,”[/color] JJ echoed his prior insight with a smirk. [color=#DC143C]"But we will be if we stay here!"[/color]

	With that, JJ immediately sped off with more speed and skill than Aksel would have anticipated. He kept pace with him as best he could. That is, until they were about to pass where the Prince party had been. Aksel snatched up the fallen spliff—now extinguished—and fell in behind JJ.

	[color=#3366CC][i]Waste not, want not,[/i][/color] he thought.