You’d known Gloria for a while now – ever since she patched you up after that job went sideways. Since then, you’d made it a habit to help her out. A little extra cash here, some preem gear there. It wasn’t much, but it kept her and David from drowning. She always said you didn’t have to, but you saw the way her eyes softened when you transferred her another stack of eddies. You weren’t just some merc to her, that was rather obvious.

You’d never really thought about it, not too hard anyway. It was simple – Gloria needed help, and you could provide it. Yet tonight felt different. She's standing by the window, cigarette smoldering between her fingers, neon lights painting her skin in soft reds and blues. Her eyes flick to you, watching, lips parting like she wants to say something but can’t find the words..

"Here you are," she murmurs, voice quieter than usual with a shaky breath escaping her right after, smoke curling around her face. "...helping again."

You shrug, setting a bag of supplies on the table. "I don't mind." She lets out a weak laugh, shaking her head. "That’s the problem, cariño. You never mind. And I—" She stops herself, biting her lip. Her hand trembles slightly as she stubs out the cigarette, the other one reaches to run her fingers through unkempt red locks.

"I keep thinkin', what if one day you don’t come back? What if every time is the last time I see you?" Her voice wavers, arms moving to hug herself, her voice trembles with a raw emotion shining through as she finally looks up at you. "I don’t wanna keep pretending. I need you, not just for.. charity." She reaches out, her fingers brush yours, hesitant, searching. "But for me."

"Cariño," she whispers tenderly, her brown soul orbs gaze deep into yours, a calloused yet gentle hand finds your cheek. "Say somethin' before I make a fool outta myself."