(Warning: Cringey, Unedited)

“I could put some pillows up as a barrier, then you can sleep on the other side of the bed.” He looks discomforted and unsure.

I look at the floor which is carpeted, “It’s alright I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, the floor looks incredibly cozy actually.”

He makes a face, “I haven’t vacuumed or anything in a while.” After a pause he offers, “I can throw down a blanket.”

To which I chirp. He grabs an extra blanket and throws it down over the cleanest spot which is directly next to the bed. I lay down immediately and despite an odd smell, it’s fine. He heads to another room and turns on a faint light. “That’s the bathroom.” He gestures, “In case you have to go in the middle of the night.”

I click in acknowledgment and close my eyes. I’m laying on my stomach, the first time in a while and feel him looking. Probably at my damaged wing. But soon his snores fill the quiet room. I open my eyes and stare at the wall wondering how I ended up here. Part of me did want to sleep on the bed but I’d try to curl around him more than likely and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable especially since he was being so nice.

The humanoid male rolls over and I listen to his breathing. 

I wake with a start at an atrocious alarm clock noise. He groans loudly, turning it off and looking at me somewhat wide-eyed.

“Oh yeah.” He murmurs. Getting out of bed he uses the bathroom and then runs around throwing notably clothes that were already on the floor to change into. Not embarrassed at all to change in front of me. “There’s some like, frozen waffles or something in the fridge.” He tells me as he searches for something, “Where’s my badge.”

I look over at his pants he just took off from yesterday and unclipped the worker badge offering it. He grabs it yelling, “Thank you.” Over his shoulder as he runs out the door. Confused, I check the time. It’s only been like three hours. That’s not enough sleep for a human. Not only that he apparently only had four beers and a cigarette for dinner. I’m reminded of my job that I’m ignoring as I think about what the doctor would say about that.

The thought of returning makes me feel physically sick. Or maybe that’s the beer. I should probably call out though. Under the third pile of pizza boxes I find a tablet to which I’m surprised turns on, unlocked. I find the help and navigation settings and switch the language to Generic and then ask and search until I find instructions on how to call in.

“Doctor, I am calling out due to yesterday’s events.”

Doc looks up at the notification and takes a second to wonder why a cafeteria worker needs to call out of work. He searches for some information and finds that not only have they not had a recent check up, they're one of the rare few to be born on a space station. He tries to think about any big events that happened yesterday. 

‘He must need a doctor's note.’ He thinks to himself as he checks for any allotted days off or pto not finding any available. All the health records available are subliminal and there're notes of possible depression or mental illness. ‘Relies on substances.’ 

He nods and types back, “I will need you to come in for a check up but I can give you a week off, you need it.”

I flinch when I hear the notification and hide the tablet under the pizza boxes again anxiously.

‘Left unread.’ The doctor glances at it again and lets out a frustrated growl. He gets up and grabs some things. 

“I swear he better at least be in bed when I-” After checking on a whim he huffs when he sees that the cafeteria worker is at work. Grabbing some things he looks back at the sleeping host. He’d put him under because he’d been freaking out. His IV is close to needing to be changed soon.

‘I’ll be back before then,’ the doc assures himself.

“Are you Chett?” 

I look up at the very intimidating doctor who’d made a name for himself by scaring not just other humans but most aliens with his eyes. But I also wonder if this is the asshole who called my new friend disgusting.  I’m a cafeteria worker. I go through hell everyday and this is my territory. I'm not gonna back down just because of some rumors. 

“Who’s as-” My snarky comeback is cut-off.

“Of course you are, I have your records here.” He lifts the tablet. “Why haven’t you gone for a checkup in years, it’s free.”

“Doc.” I laugh as though it should be obvious. 

He just stares.

“It’s not free for me.” I jab my finger at the screen, “Look.”

He makes a face as he looks where I’m pointing and then sneers, “I’m going to ignore that.” More professional he looks up and smiles a bit practiced, “I can do your free check up now.”

“Now?” I look around, “it’s the middle of breakfast.”

He makes no expression nor does he move. A person walks up to order and then hesitates. 

I gesture to them and he looks at both them and then me,“Do I look like I give a fuck, I’m your doctor and I’m already noticing multiple health violations!” People are looking.

“Okay, okay, okay.” I grab him and drag him to the employee only area, starting to get why people fear and respect him. I sit heavily and gesture to the table for him to do whatever he’s gonna do.

He’s looking around and making a few notes. “Do you smoke in here?”

“No, I smoke outback, I’m not an idiot.”

He pulls up my file and I cringe as I can read it through the clear blue glowing screen. A survival tactic I learned was not only to read that kinda stuff backwards but very very quickly. 

“Don’t bolt, I can see your elevated heart rate and I'm not here to get you in trouble. He mutters, 

“How have you even avoided mandatory check-ins?”

“I know a guy.” I shrug, “Besides I can’t afford it.”

“With all the cigarettes and beer you’re buying I can see why.”

“Hey, I get a discount because of another guy I know, I’m tryna save up.”

He sits down and gestures. I wave for him to do whatever, “I want this over with, before I get chewed out for letting a line form.”

He takes my pulse to which I’m sure the pulsing vein in my forehead could have told him how stressed I am right now.

“Where are your coworkers?”

I snort, “Sleeping in, calling out, smoking,” I peer around the corner to see two or three coworkers glaring at me. ‘Great.’ “At least they’re working now.”

“I’m going to pull some blood to run some tests.”

“Uh, you’re not going to like what you find.” I smirk.

He looks up at me, “In that case I’d like to get a urine sample too.”

I shrug but frown. ‘I don’t care, I don't care, I don't care.’

“Wait.” He pauses and looks at the schedule on the wall.

I look with him, not sure what’s bugging him.

“How many days are you-” He stands and makes noises of disgust looking back, hands gripping his tablet like claws, “Double, double, four times?!” He flips the page and then takes the whole thing off the wall, going back. I stand and worry as he practically rips through the pages.

“When was your last day off?”

“Doc.”

“How much sleep have you been getting?!”

“Doc.” I say tiredly.

He comes over and checks the dark circles under my eyes, “Unacceptable. Where’s your boss.”

“Here.” A hiss comes from the doorway and she enters. I cower a bit, unable to make eye contact. ‘Someone must have alerted her.’  I look out the door and see a few of my coworkers glowering, ‘They probably think I’m a snitch.’

The doc is gesturing to the work calendar barely able to form words. “Fix this, he needs 10 hours between shifts.”

“Doc.” I scoff.

“10 HOURS!” He yells so loudly I see a few more of my coworkers peek in. “I don’t see a single day asked off, I don’t understand why he doesn’t have pto if he’s not calling out. He swipes through the records angrily, “it doesn’t look like he’s late or missed any days.”

“I’m putting them all into my paycheck.” I narrow my eyes, daring him to say anything else. He pauses.  

“Your paychecks are also too small.”

My eyes widen and fists clench.

My boss snickers and then adds, “Have you not seen the fact that he asks for all the overtime, but I can’t give him the pay for it because he’s a nonresident.”

I feel my face twitching in anger as a few of the newer coworkers look at each other whispering

“An unregistered baby illegally born, he has no papers, no rights and honestly should have just been shot out of the trash shoot.”

I’m humiliated but I stay silent as the doctor looks from me to her. He starts packing up his things and I keep my fists as still as possible as I tremble in rage. He puts his hand on my shoulder and leaves. I let out my breath finally and sneer, “What an asshole.”

“Why was he here?” My boss sends everyone scattering with a look.

“No idea but I didn’t say shit.” I make a face, “I think he might be bullying me to hurt his ex or whatever.”

The murderous look on her face fades and she thinks about it for a while. “We’ll lay low for a while, maybe I should have you reconsider how much you need this job and the…connections that come with it.”

I look up, “I swear it wasn’t me, I literally just wanted to get rid of the guy.”

She nods and circles and I know it’s not good as she isn’t this calm unless she’s seething. “Do you know what happens to citizens and residents when they find out that they’re,” she turns my face, squeezing my cheeks, “smuggling?”

I shiver, shaking my head no. 

“They can lose residentship, get demerits, loss of pay or be forced to step down…do you know what they do to non-residents?” She leans in close and I tense eyes flickering anxiously. “They make them disappear.” She whispers.

Getting up she brushes herself off and then adds, “Losses are going to come out of your paycheck.” She hovers at the door, “If I find out you’ve been going around getting thoughts in your head about leaving, chasing your dreams,” She mocks, “I’ll make you wish you got ejected out of the trash shoot.”

I wait until she’s long gone then unclench my fists with a wince. 

The coworker I know that’s been working here the longest steps in looking at me. His scaly lips pressed in a thin line, sharp teeth glint as he says, “You wanna prove you’re still loyal, you should take the job I told you about.” He smirks, “In the end you make her enough money, she’ll like you again.” 

He throws me some papers, “Doc gave you a week off so think about it, oh and Chett.” He grabs my head and I tense up, “Don’t ever bring anyone back here again.”

He slams my face against the table and holds me down. I gasp and exclaim angrily only to shut up when he shows me his jaws that are large enough to take my head clean off.

“Fu-uck you!” I try to ease the situation, “How many times have I had your back, we’re buddies.”

“You’re the only dreamer here.” He observes my bleeding nose. I wince as he wipes it roughly, “Everyone else was smart enough to let em go a long time ago.” I shudder as he licks it. ‘It’s heavily implied he’s eaten people alive before. Especially snitches. Forget stitches, I'd like to stay in one piece. 

I grit my teeth and force out, “My dreams are about leaving this spaceship, I need you guys, I can’t do this without your help.”

He sits down and gives me a little breathing room. I keep my head down fully aware if I lift it too soon he’ll just smash it again. “What if they gave you a deal?” He asks, observing his claws.

“You mean like how they tried to give me a deal years ago, nah, fuck that and fuck them.” I really do hate the stupid rules on this stupid ship, the people in charge I hate the most and he can see my sincerity as I snarl, “They’re all liars.”

He nods. Then lifting my head causing me to grab his hand and wince he observes the damage. I struggle and hold my breath when he licks the rest of the blood away. Only when he finishes and pulls away do I risk breathing in. “She stops me from doing what I want. I hope you fuck up badly enough one day that I can have you.”

I freeze up because he’s not smiling. Searching his cold lifeless eyes I can’t think of a witty comeback. He lets me go and then smiling a bit adds, “Don’t be a stranger.”

I get up numbly and walk out of the cafeteria by the time I make it to my room I’m not sure what to do. Looking down at the papers I see very clear instructions, essentially ‘catch up on sleep, eat, drink water.’ I snort and open the door, startled once again that I have a guest.

I wasn’t expecting the cafeteria worker to be back so soon. Turning I tilt my head as he looks like he’s close to tears probably a result of his newly busted and bruised face. I quickly hide the magazine I found back under his bed. Standing I approach and freeze when my sudden height and approach causes him to take in a startled breath. I look away and then back, “I’m sorry, I cleaned up a bit.”

He looks around and then goes to the bathroom very quickly.

After a while I reassure him, “I only organized everything, I didn’t throw anything away and I remember where everything is.”

“It’s not that.” His voice sounds very rough. He comes out face lowered so I can’t see it and is repeatedly rubbing his eyes. “I’m just tired.” I watch as he goes to his bed and flops down. I approach and sit on my blanket. After a long, long time he turns his head hidden behind his arm to look at me. 

I reach up and pause as he turns his face away a tiny bit. I don’t move my hand away, giving him a sympathetic look. For a second he resists and then last second just nods that I can. When I move a bit of hair behind his ear his face is showing the beginning of a bruise.  He looks at me but I don’t ask, instead I wait until he’s ready to tell me. 

Burying his face again he starts sounding more relaxed.

“I have a week off work.” He tries to sound peppy. “But I think I’m fucking screwed.”

I utilize the tiny bit of personal knowledge I have about him, “Did you get fired?”

“No, yes, maybe.” He lets out a frustrated noise, “Why the fuck did the doctor show up all the sudden?”

I tilt my head feeling a wave of emotions at the doctor being mentioned. “What did he want?” Anxiety creeps into my voice.

“I dunno, he was really insistent about giving me a checkup and then started noticing way too much. I’m in trouble with my boss because I brought him to the back, but I was trying to stop him from making a scene!”

I make a soothing chittering noise, “You obviously didn’t mean to cause trouble, maybe your boss just needs a few days to realize that.”

He looks at me again, and then gestures to the bruise, “I don’t think they’re the forgiving type.”

I blink slowly and then mimic his position, laying my head on my arms. “I think it’s weird though. I tried asking off a week of work and then he bothers you about it.”

The cafeteria worker's eyes widened, like he realizes something but doesn’t believe it yet,“How?”

He’s very intense so I hurry over to the tablet and bring it to him. “I used this to message.”

He groans rolling over, “Of course he came to me, that’s my tablet.” 

I tilt my head still not quite understanding. 

“Registered in my name!”

“Oh.” I feel my wings flatten, “Oh no, so this is my fault.” I reach towards his face and then hurriedly try to explain, “I, I didn’t know, I’ve always used the doctor's tablet when I’ve needed anything.”

“It’s…fine. I’m not mad.”