Flick.

Flick.

Flick.

The flame licked hungrily at the air with each flick of the lighter. The red plastic was a striking contrast against the sleeve of his black hoodie as it pooled around his pale hand.

Flick.

Her voice broke the monotony. "You don't smoke."

His head didn't turn.

Flick.

"How observant of you," he mocked.

Flick.

"Why do you have a lighter?"

Flick.

His voice was soft and dangerous.

"What if I like to play with fire?"

She licked her lips nervously. "What do you mean," she whispered.

His hand stilled around the lighter. "It gives me a sense of control." His gaze was looking far beyond the smog-ridden skyline. Far, far away. Or deep, deep inside himself.

"You've never seen my arms, have you?" he asked suddenly. Lightning fast, he'd pocketed the lighter in the pocket of his skinny black jeans and was tugging at his hoodie before she could protest.

"Don't try to distract me, I want ans- oh."

She had an answer- of sorts. She walked closer to him and trailed a hand down his arm.

"What?" she breathed.

Angry circles marred both arms. Up and down the arms, angry circles. Old burns. New ones. White scars. Red scars. Infected scars.

"Oh my god," she breathed.

He wasn't looking at the tragic story spelled out on his skin. He was still looking out well beyond the balcony, at the outline of a desperate city fading to dark.

"My mom smokes," he began.

She didn't know if she really wanted to know this story.

"It started when I was little."

Wind ruffled his soft black hair like a caress.

"I'm sure I was annoying. Babies are awful, I know. It's probably my fault."

She stared in horror, too shocked to contradict him.

"She probably just wanted me to stop. She probably just wants me to stop. . . " He trailed off.

She kissed a burn on his bicep. Then one on the inside of his elbow. Her lips brushed several more on his forearm. She pressed a kiss to a large burn on his wrist. She cupped his hand in hers and planted a kiss in the palm, then folded his fingers closed around it.

". . . existing," he finished.