Rooftop Silence
The next day, the rooftop was quiet.
Kira sat cross-legged near the edge, a bandage under his left eye. His usually loud energy was dimmed — like a storm had passed and left silence behind.
Keon joined him without a word. Dropped two cans of soda on the ground between them.
They drank quietly.
"You didn't have to help me," Kira said finally.
"I didn't do it for you," Keon replied. "I just don't like watching people get kicked around."
Kira chuckled. "Still. Thanks."
---
The Father Reveal
Keon glanced at him. "So what's the deal? Those guys work for someone your dad owes?"
Kira shook his head. "Other way around. My dad paid them off once — to cover my 'mistake.' He said if it ever happened again, I'd be on my own. Or worse — he'd deal with me himself."
Keon's eyes narrowed. "He hit you?"
Kira didn't answer.
Just took a long sip of soda.
Then: "He says everything I do reflects on him. One wrong move, and it's shame on the entire bloodline."
Keon stared ahead, jaw tight.
"My uncle says something similar. Just with more bullets."
They both laughed — bitter, short.
"Guess we're just a pair of disappointments," Kira muttered.
Keon looked over. "No. Just people stuck in broken places."
---
An Uneasy Truce
Kira leaned back, eyes closed.
"You know," he said, "I thought you were the cold, brooding type. But you're kind of soft."
"Say that again and I'll drop you off this roof."
Kira smirked. "See? That's the softest threat I've ever heard."
Keon rolled his eyes — but didn't walk away.
There wasn't peace between them.
But there was something better:
Understanding.
---