Mikey arrived at Luce's pod still slick with sweat from the Bubble Ball game. The artificial sun had dipped, the floodlights above powered down, leaving Level 127 washed in the glow of lanterns strung along the streets. The hum of the market outside was softer now, settling into its nighttime rhythm. Inside, Luce was at the sink, sleeves rolled, her hands working through the last of the dishes. She glanced over her shoulder when he entered, her voice calm but heavy with weariness.
"Oh… you're back."
Mikey peeled off his heavy jacket and hung it on the crooked metal hanger by the door.
"Yeah, sure am."
He trudged to the couch—his couch, his bed—and dropped onto it with a sigh that emptied his lungs. His whole body slumped into the cushions. Luce looked back at him, her mind already spinning. Bobo's words haunted her—the test, the rigged fate, the unspoken threat. She didn't know if she should tell him, warn him, or just let him have this last night unburdened. She chose distraction.
"So… where were you?"
Mikey rubbed his face, the smile already forming.
"Oh, I was hanging out with Angelica and her friends."
"Marlene and Elliot's daughter?"
"Yeah." His grin widened as he nodded to himself. "We played Bubble Ball. Had a great time. Weirdest game I've ever seen, but fun as hell. Pretty sure I'm already the best Bubble Ball player in history." He chuckled, proud of himself.
Luce's chest tightened. She turned back to the dishes so he couldn't see her expression. He was too young, too full of light, for what awaited him tomorrow. Her voice cracked despite her best effort.
"That's really sweet, you know? All the things you're doing for her. Your parents would be proud."
Mikey glanced up at her, quiet for a brief moment. "…I hope they would."
The silence hung until the last dish was placed to dry. He unlaced his boots, she shut off the sink.
"You know," Mikey said as he stretched out on the couch, "I'm really starting to like it here. I get why my parents did. Why you all do. There's just… something about this place. It feels like home."
Luce exhaled slowly, hiding her trembling hands in a towel. She set it down and turned, eyes glassy, but she wiped them before he could notice.
"I'm glad. Your test is tomorrow. How do you feel?"
Mikey rested his head on his folded hands, staring at the ceiling, his lips curved in a crooked grin.
"Good, I think... Ryo's taught me a lot these past months. I learned a lot from Ryo these past few months. Especially today, that Tobi guy is good. My body feels like I got hit by a truck, but other than that, I'm ready… nothing I can't handle."
Luce flinched at his choice of words—nothing I can't handle. She prayed he was right.
"You'll be fine."
It was a lie and she hated herself for saying it.
A lull fell over them again. Eventually, Luce laid down on her own bed, eyes tracing the same ceiling. For a while, neither spoke, until Mikey broke the silence—like he always did.
"So… what's the deal with Tobi and Amelia? Not that I care, but… I'm curious."
Luce chuckled into her pillow.
"Jealous?"
"What? Hell no." Mikey scoffed, badly. "Just trying to understand team dynamics, that's all…"
"Don't get your panties in a twist. They grew up together here in the Silo Core, they're like siblings. They argue and bicker but care about each other, brother and sister. They both have no living family, never really did so they just had each other. Don't worry, she's all yours—if you ever get over the beef between you two that is."
Mikey tilted his head toward her, glaring upside down.
"Shut up. I don't want her…" he muttered, cheeks hot.
He sinks into his thoughts for a moment, about the test tomorrow, about everything he has gone through so far. His fathers death in their penthouse back in the capital, meeting Bobo, going to the slums and meeting Luce, sneaking out to follow them, going to Jöten, breaking Ryouske out, finding out that Nadia was Amelia, her slapping him, breaking them out of Jöten, seeing Director Mako on the dock, his terrifying strength as well as his god complex, going to the Silo, all of it. It hits him like a truck, so much in so little time—and somehow, he cherished it all, even the pain. Tilting his head back to peek at Luce, he sees her eyes. They are watery and she's obviously in thought. After noticing it a eyebrow raises immediately:
"You okay? You're acting different tonight."
Luce sniffled, forcing a weak laugh.
"Oh, nothing. Just… thinking."
"Bullshit." Mikey sat up halfway. "What happened? Did Bobo do something? I swear I'll smack that old giant right across the—"
"No, no." She cut him off, chuckling softly. "Just thinking about your test tomorrow…"
"What about it?"
Her throat tightened. She hovered on the edge of truth but stepped back from it. "…Just be careful. Stay calm. Remember what Ryo and the others taught you and if anything seems unfair… or out of control… call for one of us. We'll be watching."
Mikey blinked at her, thrown by the weight in her words. Still, he nodded.
"Okay... I will, thanks."
He reached for the lamp, twisting the knob—until her voice stopped him.
"Mikey…"
"Yeah?"
Her voice dropped, almost a whisper.
"Whatever happens… thank you. Thank you for coming into our lives, for joining our family. We've got your back, always."
He froze, staring at the lamp's glow. Confusion, curiosity, gratitude—all tangled. But exhaustion won out, Angelica and her friends had drained him. Tomorrow is a big day for him so he decided not to press and hit the hay.
"…Yeah, thanks. Night, Luce."
"Goodnight, kid."
Mikey turned off the light and sleep claimed him quickly. Luce lay awake, eyes fixed on the dark ceiling. Worry coiled in her chest a she prayed he was ready—because she'd grown to care for him far too much to lose him tomorrow and she knows the others have too.