After finishing the kebab, Jonathan leaned back slightly, licking his lips.
From across the room, Powder squinted at him.
"What do you do for fun, Jonathan?" she asked.
She picked up a small drawing of her and Vi, holding it up proudly. "I draw. See?"
Vi smiled at the sketch.
"And I, uh…" Powder looked around the room, scanning for something. "I also made a nail bomb. I can't seem to find it though—"
Jonathan picked up a gadget sitting next to him. "You mean this?"
He turned it over in his hands, examining the wires and casing.
"You must be the brains of the group."
Powder beamed at the compliment, puffing her chest slightly. "I mean… yeah. I guess I am the smartest—"
"Second smartest," Mylo cut in, not looking up. "Behindme, of course."
Vi and Claggor both groaned.
"Here we go," Claggor muttered.
Powder looked like she was about to launch into an argument. She opened her mouth—
"I haven't forgotten your question," Jonathan said smoothly.
"You still want to know what I do for fun?"
Powder immediately stopped mid-sentence and nodded. Vi tilted her head, curious.
"I'm also interested," Vi added. "You're kind of a mystery."
"Yeah, me too," Powder echoed, looking up at him. "Do you draw? Create? Or—"
"Fight or steal for fun?!" Mylo cut in with way too much energy.
"Do you steal from the rich and give to the poor?" Claggor asked.
Everyone turned to look at Claggor.
"What?" Vi said, raising an eyebrow.
Claggor chuckled nervously. "I read it in a book once."
Jonathan chuckled too and took a breath.
"I don't draw for fun."
Powder's expression dropped slightly—she'd been hoping to relate.
Jonathan noticed.
"I could draw," he added gently, glancing her way. "Just… not for fun."
He shifted slightly.
"I can make small gadgets, but it's nothing like yours or Ekko's. Honestly, mine are more… anatomical than mechanical."
Powder tilted her head. "Anatomical?"
"Don't worry about it," Vi said quickly, giving him a sharp look. "You're not allowed to say things that need big explanations."
Jonathan raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning beneath the scold.
Then he looked at Mylo, then Vi.
"As for fighting—it's not fun. I don't enjoy it. But I don't hate it either. I'm just… good at it."
A pause.
"Because I have to be. Not because I want to be."
Jonathan turned to Mylo.
"As for stealing… uh, raise your hand if you've never stolen."
.
.
.
No one raised their hand.
Then, slowly, Mylo lifted his.
Claggor didn't even look—he just reached over and slapped it down.
"Who do you think you're fooling," he muttered.
Powder burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking.
Jonathan grinned.
"Yeah, I steal."
Then he glanced at Claggor.
"And yeah—I give to the poor."
Mylo, Claggor, and Powder's eyes lit up like kids hearing about a folk hero.
Vi tilted her head, unconvinced. "Seriously?"
Jonathan held up a finger.
"And by 'poor,' I mean—myself."
All at once, the magic broke.
"Lame," Mylo said with a smirk.
Claggor snorted. "Still tracks."
Powder giggled again. "You're not a hero, but you're kinda funny."
Jonathan nodded. "Yeah, I try to understand people's emotions."
"Wait," Vi said, "but you still haven't said what you do for fun. And if it's making people laugh, you're doing pretty good."
Everyone turned to look at him, genuinely curious now.
Jonathan leaned back a little, eyes drifting upward.
"What I do for fun, huh…"
He repeated it again, softer this time:
"…what do I do for fun?"
They all waited.
He stared at the ceiling for a long moment—silent, thoughtful—before finally looking down at them.
"Nothing," he said simply. "The answer's nothing. I don't have any hobbies I find fun."
Powder's smile faded. "But… how? You have to have something you enjoy."
Her tone wasn't judgmental—just confused. Like she couldn't imagine living like that.
Jonathan gave her a small, tired smile.
"I guess I just… didn't get around to learning how."
"All I have are small moments in my life that bring me temporary happiness."
Claggor tilted his head. "Not even books?"
Jonathan shook his head slowly. "Books are fine. But they don't… stay with me."
"I don't really get it," Mylo admitted. "But that's deep, man."
Vi leaned forward a little. "So what kind of moments make you happy?"
Jonathan looked at her for a moment, then smiled gently.
"The ones I spend with you."
Vi blinked—caught off guard, a hint of color rising in her cheeks.
"Hey! What about me? Do I make you happy?" Powder piped up, leaning in.
Jonathan chuckled. "Yes. You too."
Powder grinned, satisfied, and sat back.
"All of you make me happy," Jonathan added, his tone soft. "Some more than others."
He gave a quick glance at Vi.
Vi raised an eyebrow, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
"So how about a story?" Jonathan said, leaning forward. "Y'know—reset the mood."
Powder's eyes lit up. "The mood's already good, but a story will make it even better!"
Claggor nodded, settling in. "Yeah, I'm down."
Mylo rubbed his stomach. "A story after eating? How can I say no to that?"
Vi crossed her arms, but there was a playful curiosity in her voice.
"I'm not usually into stories… but if you're the one telling it, I'll listen."
Jonathan licked his lips theatrically. "Alright then… gather 'round for the tale of HanselandGretel."
————————————
Meanwhile, outside theLast Drop…
Ekko was making his way through the undercity streets, a spring in his step and a smile on his face.
He pushed open the door, slipping past the rowdy patrons and weaving through clusters of laughing drunks.
Reaching the counter, he spotted Vander cleaning a mug.
Vander glanced up and smirked.
"Sorry, kid—no alcohol for minors."
Ekko blinked, confused. "Huh? I didn't even ask for alcohol."
Vander chuckled. "I'm just messing with you."
Ekko laughed awkwardly. "Oh. Right…"
Then he leaned on the counter and looked up.
"Hey, is Vi and Powder here?"
Vander nodded, jerking his thumb toward the stairs.
"Downstairs. They've got company."
Ekko tilted his head. "Company?"
Vander gave a small shrug. "You'll see."
"Yeah… I guess I will," Ekko muttered, heading toward the back.
He made his way downstairs, boots thudding lightly on the steps.
When he reached the door, he hesitated just a moment before pushing it open.
———————————-
"…and so, all their worries came to an end—and they lived happily together," Jonathan finished, a rare, soft smile on his face.
He looked around at the room.
Powder and Mylo sat slack-jawed, eyes wide.
"You said it'd reset the mood," Mylo muttered, blinking. "That was—man, that was kinda creepy."
"Yeah," Powder added. "That was scary… but it had snacks in it, so… still good."
Claggor looked at them, puzzled. "I thought it was just a good story."
Vi leaned back, arms crossed but relaxed. "At least it had a happy ending."
Just then—the door creaked open.
All heads turned.
Ekko stood in the doorway, blinking as the group stared back at him.
"…Did I miss something?" he asked.
Jonathan leaned back in his seat, still smiling. "Ah, Ekko. You made it."
He sat up straighter. "I was just about to start another story—'TheNamelessMonster.'"
Immediately, Mylo and Powder groaned in unison.
"No more stories," Mylo said, shaking his head. "We're full on nightmare fuel."
Powder nodded quickly. "Yeah, I liked the last one… but I don't want to sleep with the lights on."
Ekko chuckled softly. "I actually would've liked to hear one."
Then he shook his head, expression shifting.
"But that's not why I'm here."
Vi raised an eyebrow, sensing the change. "Something on your mind?"
Ekko nodded, serious now. "Yeah. Something good."
He walked over to Vi, leaned close, and whispered, "It's a topside job. A rich dude I followed—stacked with valuables you could sell."
Powder leaned in, overhearing with wide eyes. "Ooooh."
Jonathan, hearing the whisper nearby, let out a quiet groan.
Here we go, he thought.
Canon's starting.
————————
I think I like strawberry milk more than chocolate milk.