#jonas root

Aurora "Hmm. Cloud knows about plants and dad knows about math and physics. What do you know about?"

Jonas "Ah, sorry I didn't bring my résumé. I know about literature."

Aurora "Aha. Fiction or non-fiction?"

Jonas "Fiction, mostly. I'm an author."

Aurora "I didn't know you write books. I read fiction too, um, just not very often. Can I read your books?"

Jonas "You're a little younger than my target audience."

Aurora "That's okay. I don't read children's books."

Cloud "Right, uh, let's see about that at some point! When we don't have another matter at hand."

Aurora "My opinion is that Jonas can move here, but only if he does chores like we do. Um. Could Hanna move here, too?"

Julian "Hanna, uh-"

Cloud "Judith's android."

Julian "The prototype. I see."

Jonas "Yeah, I'll clean and whatever but Hanna stays with Judi. How about I invite her to visit sometime?"

Julian "I don't recall my opinion's been asked."

Jonas "Ah-"

Cloud "That's on me! Uh. I think my statement was that you'd probably need time to get used to the idea."

Julian "You assumed. Based on...?"

Cloud "C'mon, Julian. It took years for you to allow me to sleep in the same bed with you. And even then only because it was the most practical solution!"

Julian "—Yes, I need space. But at the time, I wasn't comfortable that you and Jonas would've, uh..."

Cloud "Used the same bed. I get it."

Julian "That isn't an issue anymore."

Cloud "Which I'm very happy about! Still, Jonas works from home. Would you be fine with him being here most of the time...?"

Cloud "—Shit. I didn't mean to talk past you. Sorry."

Jonas "...Whatever."

Julian "I, uh, don't believe the difference would be significant. There's been more disturbance since Aurora was born. Yet I've been able to work... that's all I ask."

Jonas "Yeah, so. How about you? Do you prefer me to stay elsewhere?"

Cloud "Of course not! I'd love to live with you both. But, uh..."

Jonas "Speak your mind."

Cloud *sigh* "I guess I've enjoyed that there's another place, as a getaway. I care about Aurora but it was a big change for me, you know?"

Jonas "Yeah."

Cloud "But, hell, we don't have any privacy in Judith's house, either. It's been childish of me to cling to that."

Julian "We could make arrangements. This building is easy to modify. If we expand the second floor-"

Cloud "A new room...? Not a bad idea, actually."

Julian "But I want to hear Aurora's opinion, first"

Jonas "There you are. Am I disturbing?"

Cloud "Not at all! I was planning to clean the water collector."

Cloud "It tends to get clogged if I slack with it – but frankly, I'd rather do about anything else."

Jonas "Figures. What's the water for, anyway?"

Cloud "We track pollutants and nutrients from rain, to better understand local ecosystem interactions. Erm. Routine tasks, really."

Jonas "Mmm. And the tent?"

Cloud "Used to be an equipment storage but has turned into a graveyard of broken stuff. Dammit. I should clean that one, too."

Jonas "Ah. No space for two of us, then?"

Cloud "Well, we are good at fitting in tight spaces... but there might be sharp metal and such, so maybe not."

Jonas "Yeah, scratches aren't my thing."

Cloud "We could stroll around and seek a less hazardous spot, if you want."

Jonas "Weren't you planning to clean something?"

Cloud "Well done! I could've won, though. This might be the only sport I'm good at."

Jonas "Yeah, well. That was enough bowling for me."

Cloud "Is it just me or is it very quiet in here? Maybe since we're the only customers."

Jonas "This town is lively as ever, eh? There's the jukebox-"

Cloud "And a karaoke!"

Jonas "No fucking chance."

Cloud "-you're the DJ, though."

Jonas "A former one and I never played sappy golden hits at the club. I was good at that job, you know."

Cloud "Fine, I'll choose, but I accept no complaints."

Cloud "So, may I have a dance?"

Jonas "I still don't dance."

Cloud "And I happen to still know that's a lie. Besides, there's no one around to see us."

Aurora "Hello. Did you come because it's dad's birthday?"

Jonas "Yeah, for that too."

Aurora "Dad and Cloud are still upstairs, but I think they'll come down soon. They don't usually sleep this long."

Jonas "Ah... they must be exhausted. So, how's the school? Still too easy?"

Aurora "Yes—um, except for gymnastics. But I learned to do a headstand! I can show-"

Aurora "Good morning. I'm leaving for school."

Jonas "Yeah. Have a good day."

Cloud "What a wonderful scent."

Jonas "There's something to talk about."

Cloud "So the fresh coffee is a bribe? I'll take it!"

Jonas "Care to sit with us for a moment, Fa—mmh, Julian? This considers you, too."

Jonas "-don't you pay Hanna for doing that?"

Judith "She's busy outdoors."

Jonas "Yeah, well. I'm busy with my work, too."

Judith "You finished with the yard?"

Hanna "Finished? Raking the leaves, collecting them into piles, to make the grass clean? The grass would like the leaves more. To get nutrients! But – finishing needs defining, there are still leaves in trees. Many of them will fall on the grass. But the grass is momentarily about 78% leaf-free – that's usually considered clean!"

Judith "Good. Could you wake up Casper?"

Hanna "Wakey, wakey, rise and shine! The morning's here, it's breakfast time!"

Casper "Uhh... wuh?"

Hanna "It's a rhyme. It rhymes! I just found it. Rhymes are good for children – catchy and easy to remember. Also, help language development? Needs confirming."

Hanna "But oh – this rhyme lies! There's no breakfast. Judith Root didn't mention making breakfast. Do you need breakfast?"

Casper *yawn* "Not hungry."

Hanna "The info is right here. Breakfast is needed! For concentration, memory-"

Cloud "-please don't tempt me. I washed my hair only yesterday, and you know it takes an eternity to dry."

Jonas "As you prefer."

Cloud "So, what do you think Judith will say...?"

Jonas "She might try to change my mind, but whatever. Casper is old enough to do without two adults and an android looking after him."

Cloud "I guess, mmh, she'd try to change your mind just because it's me you're moving together with, huh?"

Jonas "Eh. It's always been my taste in men she doesn't trust, not you."

Cloud "Hasn't felt that way!"

Jonas "Yeah, well. None of her fucking business, in any case."

Jonas "...Nervous?"

Cloud "Oof. That easy to tell?"

Jonas "Mmh. It stings a bit that you don't seem very happy."

Cloud "Shit, sorry. I am happy! Just—bleh. Wait a sec, I've got soap in my mouth."

Cloud "...When I moved here I didn't see it as a romantic advancement since it was mostly because Becs and Ruby were moving, too."

Jonas "You still think so?"

Cloud "No, obviously it was about me and Julian as well. But I needed that story! Otherwise, I would've had to admit I wasn't so against attaching strings after all."

Jonas "Ah... I thought we're a little past that."

Cloud "We are. I love you both and I want nothing as much as to spend the rest of my life with you. Just, I know it's long overdue but relationship stuff still makes me uncertain? Like, I'm head-deep in something that feels nice, but I'm never quite sure how to swim in it."

Jonas "Is it floaties you need?"

Cloud "Luckily, I have two of those already. Uh. The bottom line is, I'll get over it. I promise."