Late Nights

After the meeting with Carol, SF made his way back toward his quarters. He wasn’t in the mood to see his unit—not now. He craved silence. Peace. A moment alone to breathe.

That plan shattered the second he spotted Fallow sitting outside his room, a half-empty bottle of liquor dangling loosely from her hand.

She didn’t notice him at first, taking another swig. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of him standing there.

“Oh, hey SFyy…” she slurred, words blurring together. “How’s it goin’?”

SF crossed his arms. “Maybe cut back on the drinks a little?”

Fallow squinted up at him, swaying. “Hey, if you’d been here earlier, I wouldn’t had to drink it all by myself.”

She extended the bottle toward him in a lazy offering. SF sighed, rolled his eyes, and took it—downing the last few drops.

“Satisfied now?” he muttered.

Fallow wasn’t listening. She was already fumbling with another bottle, struggling to pry it open.

“Not even close.”

SF stepped over her legs and swiped his key card, the door sliding open with a soft beep.

“Hey! Don’t just leave!”

She tried to stand, barely managing to pull herself upright before nearly tipping over.

“I’m actually mad at you, you know.”

SF paused in the doorway, eyes closing briefly before he turned back to face her. “Well… I’m sorry, then.”

The slap came without warning.

His head snapped to the side as her palm struck his cheek.

“You idiot!” Her voice cracked as she shoved at his chest, fists landing weakly. “You don’t even know why I’m mad!”

SF didn’t move. He let the blows land— it was not like they hurt, but making her stop would be a waste of time.

“I should kill you, you stupid—”

She hit his chest again, harder this time pushing him. SF took a step back as did she, her knuckles tightly by her sides.

“I’m sorry for whatever happened,” Sf said quietly. “Okay?”

She tried to kick him, but her balance betrayed her. She stumbled forward straight into Sf.

SF placed his hands on her shoulders holding her steady.

“You’re a mess,” he muttered.

Before she could protest further, he turned her around—his hands on her shoulders as he led her into his room. She squirmed, protesting weakly.

“Hey—let me go!”

Ignoring her, he led her inside and set her gently on the edge of the bed.

“Stay here.”

He stepped back out, grabbed the abandoned bottle from the floor, and shut the door behind him.

When he returned a few minutes later, Fallow was sprawled back on the bed, legs still hanging off the edge.

SF sighed and sat beside her, holding out a bottle of water.

“You still alive?” he asked dryly.

A muffled groan answered him. “Nnnnooo…”

“Alright,” he said, standing. “Guess I’ll finish the drink myself.”

Her eyes snapped open. “A drink, you say?”

He handed her the bottle.

She took a gulp—then scowled. “Wait. This is water.”

SF smirked. “Yeah. Thought you might need some.”

She jabbed him in the side. “Jerk. Tricking a lady isn’t very nice.”

“Neither is hitting someone,” he replied. “But you didn’t seem too concerned about that.”

“Well, you deserved it.”

She turned away, staring at the wall.

SF raised an eyebrow. “You know, instead of inspecting my walls, you could tell me what I did wrong this time.”

“Oh, lay off the sarcasm.”

Without warning, she side tackled him, knocking him slightly sideways as she kept leaning against him.

SF huffed. “You mind?”

“Fine,” she muttered. “But tell me—what exactly makes me so deserving of punishment?”

She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze dropped to the water bottle, fingers tightening around it.

“You aren’t,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t be mad. But I still am.”

SF said nothing.

After a moment, she spoke again.

“I’ve lost so many.”

His breath caught. “You mean… Fallo Units?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Yeah. First the lookout point fiasco. And now this rebel attack.”

Her voice broke. She curled inward, arms wrapped tightly around herself.

SF stayed where he was.

Of all people… why did she come to me?

Slowly, he placed a hand on her back—not sure what else to do.

She let out a shaky breath, then suddenly laughed. “Pff—ha—” Her laughter tangled with tears. “You really suck at showing emotions, you know that?”

SF froze, then pulled his hand back, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry… I guess.”

She lifted her head, a weak smile breaking through the tears as she wiped them off with her sleeve. “It’s fine. As long as I get one more real drink.”

He exhaled. “Fine. Just one.”

He grabbed the bottle from the table and poured up a tiny bit into a glass.

SF sighed as he walked up and handed her the glass.

“Hey,” she said.

He looked down at her.

“Loosen up a little, would you?”

Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him toward her as she flopped back onto the bed.

SF stumbled forward, barely catching himself—hands braced on either side of her to keep from falling on top of her.

He scoffed as he saw the liquid spilled on the bed. “That was a dumb idea.”

She grinned up at him. “Yeah. But it was funny.”

He straightened immediately. “I disagree.”

Stretching, he stepped away from the bed. “I think I’m going to sleep soon.”

Fallow sat up. “I’ll head back to the Fallo Units’ hall. That’s enough for tonight.”

SF gave her a skeptical look. “You sure you should be walking around like this?”

She smirked. “Oh? Are you worried about me? Is this actual caring from the great SF?” She pressed a hand to her chest dramatically.

He sighed and stepped toward her.

“This must be a once-in-a—”

Before she could finish, he gently but firmly pushed her back onto the bed.

“Just go to sleep already.”

Without another word, he turned and dropped into the chair by the table.

Fallow smirked as she crawled higher onto the mattress, sliding under the covers until it covered everything up to her eyes. “Won’t you join me?”

“Not a chance,” SF muttered, resting his head against the table.

Idiot. Drinking this much and then coming to me…

And of course I get worried.

You don’t handle grief well. You didn’t even know Less or Corp—but it still hit you.

That’s what makes you…

SF frowned, shaking his head slightly, and turned away as sleep finally claimed him.