Fortunately, the trip back to the dorm was not far, and Ko was a light load. After his early mumbling, mostly indistinct anyway, he quickly passed out, making the trek quiet, and almost peaceful in its own way. When they arrived, he did stir briefly for the water Kal got him, and like a barely-animate puppet cooperated with undressing for bed, but didn’t otherwise interact. When he hit the mattress, he was out near instantly.

And in his own bed, Kaleth was happy to join him soon after.

It had been a long night, not all around predictable but, in the end—not a bad one, Kaleth thought.