Chapter 7
Sonny returns to the apartment late after training. Ellie is stretched out on the couch, watching the final episode of a romance series, her legs tucked under her.
She glances up when she hears the door. "You’re back just in time," Ellie says. "The show’s ending. Clean up and come sit."
Sonny pauses, then nods. He showers quickly and joins her on the couch, sitting stiffly at first.
His attention drifts to the screen. Ellie watches him from the corner of her eye. "You trained all day again, didn’t you. That’s probably not smart before a big match tomorrow."
Sonny keeps watching. "You’re not wrong but it won’t matter."
On screen, the two characters embrace. Sonny leans forward slightly, eyes fixed. He says quietly."Human embrace seems nice."
Ellie blinks. "You mean a hug."
Sonny seems interested. "That’s what it’s called."
Ellie stares at him. "You have never heard of a hug? Nobody’s ever given you one?"
"No."
The characters on screen kiss. Sonny asks again. "And that. What is that called."
Ellie blushes. "That’s a kiss. Usually couples do that when they’re dating." She blurts out before thinking. "Your parents never hugged you?"
Sonny’s answers with his typical blank and sad look. "My parents died when I was born. The people who raised me were not… kind." Ellie doesn’t know what to say. Sonny delivered that bit of news as if it was nothing.
The episode ends and the screen fades to credits. Sonny stands and heads to the kitchen.
Ellie swallows and sheepishly offers. "If you win tomorrow, I’ll give you a hug. As a reward."
Sonny pauses. "That sounds nice."
The TV switches to the news. A reporter previews, “Tonight we will be discussing the Bronze Corps testing of a new power supplement that greatly enhances each type of power long term but comes with some harsh side effects.” Ellie shuts it off the TV.
The next morning, Sonny cooks breakfast.
Ellie watches him nervously. "Are you nervous."
"No."
She laughs. "Stop pretending to be cool."
They walk to the arena together.
"You are fighting someone with wind magic. What is your plan?" Ellie asks.
"I will keep it short." Sonny states.
The arena roars as Sonny enters. His opponent, ranked 63, sneers. "How did someone like you even get here?" The opponent rhetorically asks.
The match begins. Wind blades fill the arena and are directed toward Sonny. He slips through them and closes the distance. One palm strike to the foe’s midsection lands. The opponent collapses. Nine seconds and the match ends.
The crowd goes quiet. Medics rush in. Sonny turns and exits the stadium to silence. Dean watches, amused. "I wish he’d make it entertaining."
Afterward, Ellie and Jess rush to Sonny.
"That was insane," Jess says. "How did you move like that?"
"Ether," Sonny replies. "It enhances my body’s strength and speed and heightens my awareness."
Jess looks skeptical. "I don’t think that is how ether works."
Sonny shrugs. "Maybe one day you’ll understand."
Ellie smiles despite herself."You did great."
Sonny nods once. "I need to continue to train."
As he leaves, Jess leans toward Ellie. "He’s like an emotionless riddle in human form. Is he always like that?"
"Pretty much."
Jess jokes with Ellie. “I don’t get what you see in him that makes you like him.” Ellie hits Jess and says she doesn’t have a crush on Sonny.
