For a second, the wind filled the silence.
Then Bishop let out a surprised laugh.
Tamsin’s grin widened. “That’s awful.”
“I know,” I admitted.
Tamsin laughed openly, the sound bright enough to make my chest ache. “You win points for doctor humor.”
I smiled, took the bottle back, and took a big swig. Bishop reached for it next, took a small sip, and handed it off again.
Tamsin pointed at him. “Your turn, Bishop.”
He hesitated, and for a moment the old world flickered across his face, the polished boy at a gala, trained to be careful. Then he exhaled and gave in.
“All right,” he said. “But I want it on record that I am not naturally funny.”
“You’re funny,” Nox replied. “You just don’t know it.”
Bishop’s gaze slid to him. “I’m not taking feedback from you.”
Tamsin smirked. “Just tell the joke.”
Bishop leaned on the railing, looking out at the sea as if that made it easier. “This one’s from my father’s circles,” he said, and there was a quiet bitterness under the words that made me pay attention.
He continued anyway, voice even despite the inner conflict.
“Why did the politician cross the road?”
Nox groaned. “Oh, no.”
“To avoid making a decision,” Bishop said calmly.
A beat passed.
Then Tamsin laughed out loud. “That’s… painfully accurate.”
Nox snorted. “That’s not a joke. That’s a policy platform.”
Bishop’s mouth curved faintly. “I did say it was a political one.”
“I hate that it made me laugh,” Tamsin said, shaking her head.
“I’ll take that as success,” Bishop replied, entirely serious.
Tamsin turned to Nox with bright eyes. “All right, assassin. Your turn.”
Nox turned toward her, looking vaguely offended by the title even though he clearly enjoyed it.
“Come on! Your turn,” she grinned, her eyes locking on Nox. “Go.”
He stared at her for a long moment, as if deciding whether he’d give her a safe joke or one that would make her laugh despite herself.
Then he sighed dramatically. “Fine.”
He took the bottle, drank a little more than either Bishop or I had, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“All right,” he said at last, his mouth curving up in amusement. “I tried to go on a date once. Back in London.”
