Something about his flat felt cold and empty, knowing he hadn’t been there in so long. Sam flicked his lights on while Cooper wore some training clothes she’d fetched for him, considering all they had for him were his bloody, torn up clothes from the battle. To peel his signature silver jacket off his back, the medics had to slice it open, doing a real number on it, but Sam had already gotten to work on mending it, knowing how important it was to him. Fuck, he was a fool for letting Regis dictate his life for him, especially considering he hadn’t answered his calls since waking up. Knowing Regis, he was trying to hustle someone for a comeback fight, getting a fat upfront payment. There was always money to be made off of Cooper, at least for Regis.

“Bet the press has been hounding for word on me, huh?” he asked, sinking into his couch and looking for anything to talk about to cut through the awkward silence.

“It’s died down a lot, actually,” she said.

“That’s weird.”

“Coop, look... things aren’t exactly great, I’m not sure how to break this to you, but many people took your loss pretty hard.”

“Of course they did, but they’ll be ready for the comeback.”

“You heard the doctor when he discharged you, didn’t you? We were in the same room, right?” She sat next to him and placed her hand on his knee. “You remember what he said, right?”

“I, yeah, but what does he know?” The words rang hollow to him at the time, that he would need to rehab for months before even considering fighting again, if he ever did again. “That’s just doctor nonsense.”

“They fused your neck in four places. Regen tanks can do a lot, but without you taking the rehab seriously, it could be the end of your career, Cooper. We need to talk about the future.”

“I’m done worrying about the future, alright?” The words hung heavy in the air, Cooper realizing he’d shouted them when it was too late.

“Yeah, well, I’m here for you right now. I’m just trying to take care of you. I’m trying to take care of our future.”

“What future is there for someone like me, huh? I’m a fighter. I fight. That’s what I do.” He tapped his temple and tried to ring his uncle again, impatient to see what the next play was.

“Are you calling Regis again?” she asked.

“What does it matter?”

“Because he’s an asshole, Cooper.”

“He’s the only family I have left!” He jumped up to his feet, the euphoria from the tank leaving him unsteady and almost toppling over onto the couch before he caught himself.

“Then what am I to you?” she asked.

“We really gonna do this right now?” With each ring, he grew more and more irritated. “Where the fuck is Regis?”

“I want you to realize who was there when you woke up, Coop, Who was there and who wasn’t.”

“He’s probably getting my next fight set up is all.”

“He’s moved on, Cooper. You know what he told me?”

“No, of course I fucking don’t,” he said, pacing around the room.

“He told me they all said you were washed. Maybe you were good for a rematch with Skidz to cash in one last time, but the demand wasn’t there.”

“The demand?” He paused. “What are you talking about? I’m the only human to ever make a dent in that league. I’m the goddamned pride of the Solar System!”

“You were!” Her voice echoed off the walls. “You were, Cooper. Then you lost. You knew this wasn’t a gentle sport.”

“I don’t need gentle!” He protested.

“Apparently you do. You lost, Coop. What happens to a hero when he gets rag dolled in front of the galaxy? What happens when his best shot wasn’t good enough?”

“That’s rubbish. Absolute fucking rubbish. I damaged his pincer, fucked up his arms, and cracked him across the bloody skull!” Images flashed from the fight, anxiety flooding through his veins when he pictured the frothing, angry and bloody face of Kriger hefting him up high and slamming him down. Cooper tried to catch himself before he fell, but there was nothing to catch himself on, the ground coming at him faster than he could react.

Her hands were cradling his head in her lap, the room coming back into focus. Tears welled up in his eyes and after months of life in the regen tank, the dawning that even in such a short amount of time, life had passed him by and when you weren’t winning, you were nothing. Sam shushed him, attempting to soothe him, letting the tears fall.

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice smooth and familiar. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“I... I can’t do this,” he admitted.

“Just… I’m here, Coop. We’ll deal with this together.”

“What about Regis?” he asked.

“Fuck Regis. I’m here, Cooper. Where’s your uncle? Huh?”

“I know,” he muttered. “I know.”

Almost on command, his communicator chimed, a call from his uncle coming through. He had half a mind to ignore it, but answered it anyway.

“Uncle?” he asked. Sam glared up at him and grimaced, motioning for him to end the call. “Boyo, glad you’re finally among the living,” the familiar voice boasted. “Not gonna lie, things aren’t looking great, but I got us a fight.”

“No shit?” Something inside him stirred, a mixture of excitement and fear of the unknown. “I’m supposed to be rehabbing for a while.”

“That’s doctor shit,” he said. “You be ready in two weeks, champ?”

“I, uhh...” Cooper looked up at Sam, still head in her lap, unable to hide his anxiety. Her face was that of concern, Cooper sitting up to not be locking eyes with her, unable to explain it. “I’m in.”

“In for what?” she asked.

“Regis got me a fight. Rematch with Skidz.”

“Oh.” The disappointment was palpable. “Do you at least have time to rehab?”

“A month. We’re gonna do this,” he said.

“You asshole,” she said.