Commander's Dorm

SF made his way through the sterile halls, passing by Unit Two’s room without a glance. Instead, he turned down a narrower hallway, stopping at a much smaller door—his own quarters, designated for the commander of Unit Two. Each elite unit had one of these rooms, though SF rarely used his.

Inside, the space was simple. A table and chairs occupied the first section, while further in, a double bed sat in the dimly lit corner. Pushed against one wall was a pile of trashed training equipment—slashed punching bags, broken gear. Signs of past frustration. SF walked over to his bed and collapsed onto it, staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind restless.

Meanwhile, in Unit Two’s common area, the group had gathered around a table, playing a round of poker.

“So, anyone got news on SF yet?” Billy stretched, yawning as he sat up from his nap.

“No, not yet,” Henry muttered, focused on his cards as he raised his bet.

Billy frowned. “Wait, why are you playing without me?”

“Because you always cheat,” Rey said in a flat monotone, not even looking up from her cards.

Billy scoffed. “Hey, I don’t always cheat! Just because I win—”

“If you always won, you wouldn’t need to cheat, Billy Boo.” Pulse smirked as she claimed the pot, collecting the scattered chips.

Henry sighed, setting his cards down in defeat. “Well, that was a waste of money.”

The room fell into a lull, the game losing its appeal as unease lingered in the air.

“Soo… Henry, could you get us out on a walk again?” Billy asked hopefully.

Henry rolled his eyes. “Last time, we only got out because of SF. And it seems like he got in trouble for it, so no, I won’t ask him again when he gets back.”

Billy slumped dramatically. “Ugh, fine.”

“SF is already back,” Rey stated suddenly, still shuffling the deck.

Billy sat up straight. “Wait, what?”

“He’s in the commander’s dorm. I saw him a few hour’s ago. I heard a noise outside, decided to take a look, and saw him enter the room before I quit peeking.”

A pause. The team exchanged glances, uncertainty creeping into their expressions.

Henry was the first to break the silence. “I assume you mean you used your abilities? Unless you have some secret door key we don’t know about.”

Rey simply nodded.

Billy exhaled. “Ah, that makes sense.”

Penny, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. “It’s too bad we can’t visit him without someone opening that door. They most likely gave him the serum.”

While Unit Two debated their next move, a sharp knock echoed through SF’s quarters. He exhaled, staring at the ceiling for a moment before reluctantly rolling off his bed and dragging himself to the door.

As soon as he cracked it open—

“Catch.”

A can shot through the air toward him. His reflexes, dulled from exhaustion, failed him. The can hit his chest, bounced off, and fumbled into his grasp. He blinked at it before shifting his gaze to the culprit.

Fallow stood in the doorway, a smug grin on her face, holding an entire case of identical drinks.

“How do you get this bad at catching in just thirty-five hours?” Her tone was brutally mocking.

SF smirked despite himself. “You counted the hours, Fallow? How cute.”

Without another word, he turned and walked inside, gesturing for her to follow. He set the can down on the table before sinking into a chair.

Fallow took the seat across from him, her sharp gaze scanning his face. “So, are you still normal SF or not?”

SF exhaled, leaning back. “I wouldn’t know. You tell me.”

She studied him—his blank expression, the cold detachment in his eyes.

“Nope. You are so not the okay SF.”

SF arched a brow. “You should watch your words, Fallo… Commander.” His tone held a dangerous edge.

Fallow smirked, unfazed. “Well, likewise… Sear.”

A tense silence settled between them. Then, unexpectedly, Fallow let out a short laugh, shaking her head.

“You know, even in your current state, you’re still kind of fun.”

SF rolled his eyes and picked up the can, inspecting it. “Is this alcohol?” He glanced back at her.

Fallow’s smirk widened. “I thought you might need some after whatever you went through to end up in this room.” She gestured vaguely around.

SF sighed. “Well… maybe you’re right.”

He popped the tab open—only for foam to explode out, spilling across the table. His gaze flicked up to Fallow, unimpressed.

“Did you shake this?”

Fallow took a slow sip of her own drink, eyes twinkling with amusement. “I would never.”

They drank in silence for a while, the tension easing ever so slightly. Fallow finished first, setting her empty can down with a soft thud. Sf followed soon after.

“You know, you need to let loose sometimes.” She grabbed another can from the case and placed it in front of him. “You can’t be serious all the time.”

SF stared at the can for a moment before cracking it open. “I might think about it.”

Fallow smiled slightly at that. The conversation drifted to lighter topics as they continued drinking. Eventually, Fallow leaned forward, resting her head in her hand.

“You know, maybe you need a real name, SF.”

SF frowned. “What do you mean? I have one, don’t I?”

“Well, yeah, but ‘SF’ doesn’t sound like a name. Even ‘Sear’ sounds better than that.”

His expression darkened. “Don’t mention that name, thank you very much., and also the name Fallow ain’t that great either”

Fallow leaned forward her upper body almost laying on the table.

“Oh, come on. And what’s wrong with ‘Fallow’?”

SF barely hesitated. “You’re not a farmer, right?”

“you’re not science fiction, right?” Fallow instantly shot back

SF leaned forward as well locking eyes with Fallow.

“well id rather be called SF instead of S2, Sear or other names Carol choose for me”

Fallow held the eye contact for a short while before she sat up straight and picked up a new pair of drinks “you really do hate that women don’t you” She said as she handed him a new drink. “a part of me do yes but there is also some part of me that want her affection and appreciation, i don’t fully understand why but its just how it is”. SF grabbed the new drink from Fallow that now leaned back in her Chair “that sounds really messed up you know” Fallow closed her eyes , SF that was still laying leaned onto the table responded in a wisher “yeah i know”

The night stretched on. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and both of them drifted into sleep at the table, empty cans scattered between them.

The next morning, a loud knock on SF’s door jolted them awake. SF groaned, rubbing his face. His hair was a mess, and his clothes were still stained from the spilled drinks. Fallow looked just as bad, slumped in her chair, blinking groggily.

“Who the hell would even be knocking?” she muttered, still half-asleep.

SF sighed. “I don’t know, but we should probably check it out.”

He pushed himself up and opened the door—only to be met by two overseers, with all of Unit Two standing behind them.

“S2-SF, you have been called for a mission. You and F51-Fallow failed to respond. We are here to collect you.”

SF straightened, rubbing the back of his neck. “I see. Well, I’ll be ready soo—”

Fallow suddenly stumbled forward, barely staying upright as she grabbed onto SF’s shoulder for support. “Sorry, seems like my legs are weak from yesterday.”

Billy raised an eyebrow. “OooO.”

“Shut up, Billy.” Henry smacked him on the head.

One of the overseers barely looked amused. “You’re both ordered to attend the briefing in ten minutes. Be there.”

With that, they turned and left, the rest of Unit Two trailing after them.

Fallow, still leaning on SF, looked up at him blearily. “Was that awkward?”

SF exhaled. “No, I wouldn’t say that.”

Then, without warning, he let go.

Fallow yelped as she lost balance, but before she could hit the ground, SF caught her by the waist.

“Stand on your own legs, please.”

She scowled, still half-dazed. “Sure, sure…”