"Got my stuff, Suzumi. Kids are in bed too. Are you taking Safety today?"
A familiar ritual. Shops were closing up this time of evening. Suzumi gave a small shake of her head and smiled as she strapped on her boots. She tucked a pistol into her jacket instead and handed me my Beretta as I got my coat on. Just the quiet option for tonight. Her wing fluttered with delight as we stepped out into the cool evening for our weekly night walk, though she softly insisted it should be called a patrol.
We passed by that old red house, the convenience store that seemed to have the same clerk to this day, and the empty lot where an apartment complex stood; now a small farmers' market by day. Her hand remained clasped in mine and every so often she gently brushed her shoulder or wing against me. Sights and sounds familiar and not. The quiet stayed until we neared the old vending machines.
"It'll be nice to take the kids out to the amusement park tomorrow, you can show them your favorite rides." I said into the night air.
"Mm. If they're still around, Se-" She was interrupted by a loud thud and some rowdy voices. I hung back as she quickly darted forward, keeping out of sight as she crouched behind a low wall. She retrieved a classic little number from her jacket and tossed it past the wall. The voices stopped abruptly as the flashbang made its entrance by bouncing against the vending machine with a clatter. She cupped her hands and called out, "Last warning." There was the sound of scuffling feet, and it was over. She walked around the wall and collected the empty casing without any ceremony. I made my way over to her and dusted the dirt from her jacket. Her face lit up with a smile as we looked at each other before I pecked her on her cheek, making her wing flutter as she leaned into me.
The walk continued, and we passed by a familiar old playground. She tugged my sleeve. I nodded and she led me to a bench underneath a tree. She sat close enough that our knees touched and we brushed against each other, her wing softly fluttering against my head as she laid a hand on mine.
Above us, the stars and constellations looked down on us as the city slept, like we had all the time in the world.