Xigbar watched Axel take his leave with a lopsided grin. It was just heartwarming to know he'd got the kid's back up.

He'd got Saix's back up, too, from the look of it. No doubt they'd stick their heads together later and band ideas between themselves. That was what they were good at, unless you planted seeds of distrust; working together. They were push and pull. If you wanted to keep them both in line, you only really needed to keep a leash on one of them.

"I'll let you know," he said, flashing that grin at Saix before he retrieved his beer and headed off to his usual spot in the bar.