Chapter Text
A very, very heated situation is what Engie witnessed when entering the kitchen. Just before he got to even say anything, Scout quickly jumped out of his seat and run past him. The other person who was still in there was Soldier. It was obvious that the two were arguing just now, as he was visibly pretty angry and only half-heartedly trying to hide that.
Sighing, Engineer made his way to the counter and leaned on it.
"Soldier?"
"..."
"What was that all about?"
And again - silence. Which was kind of concerning, since their usual fights always ended in, well, actual fights (or at least a little usage of power).
This time, though, Soldier was refusing to even complain about the kid's behaviour.
Engineer took off his hardhat and goggles, putting them next to him on the counter. Wiping his brow in thought, he decided that maybe he needed to take it slow... or at least reason the Soldier to not leave the situation as is.
"So... pardner. Ah know you two don't git along much, but you better remember that fighting next to someone who holds a grudge against you might be... a tad bit reckless."
Hearing that, Soldier turned his head in Engie's direction. His next words were oddly quiet; as if he was afraid of saying too much, only he was never afraid of anything.
"...are you saying that he will turn on me?"
"He will not turn on you, but he might."
The Texan moved closer and sat on a chair, which was previously occupied by Scout.
"Think about it - do you really want to make an enemy out of someone who you know might be a threat, or it's better to drown your pride and sincerely apologize?"
The older merc lowered his head, looking into the space before him. Engineer had to be honest - it wasn't often that he got to see his crazy co-worker be this baffled about such a thing. It did show that he was more human than all of them might think. Maybe there was more to this battered, almost psychopathic Veteran, always shouting and doing ridiculous things when no one is looking.
Rubbing the back of his neck and looking to the side, Engie suggested:
"Look, Ah ain't saying you must go and fix the mess between you two right this moment, but Ah can try to talk to the kid, if--"
"...no."
"What?"
Nearly knocking over his chair, Soldier stood up, kind of startling the Engineer with the sudden motion.
"ENGINEER. DO NOT TALK TO THE SCOUT. I HAVE SAID SOMETHING I DID NOT MEAN, SO I AM OBLIGED TO APOLOGIZE BY MYSELF."
He tilted his helmet a bit backwards and looked Engie in the eye, big goofy grin on his face.
"... and THANKS FOR ADVICE, ENGIE. I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE SMART, BUT I DIDN'T THINK THAT YOU CARED ABOUT THAT LOUD-MOUTHED ROOKIE! I am leaving the kitchen now, goodbye Engineer."
He saluted the Texan and stormed out the room, leaving somewhat baffled merc alone with his thoughts.
That certainly wasn't the reaction Engie expected. Did he really seem like a cold-blooded person? He knew he was somewhat reserved, preferring to work on the battlefield alone, but...
A sound of decloaking.
"Hm. Interesting."
Of course. He was here, too.
"How long have ya been stalking them?" Engineer's tone was a bit annoyed, but really - he was just tired.
Spy walked out of the shadows, steps light and delicate as if he was a cat. Always sharp dressed, even on free days like today, it was like his whole presence was made to mock everyone around.
Flicking his cigarette with his fingers, he rounded the table and stopped near the Texan.
"Enough to hear what exactly made Scout run out like a wounded rabbit."
"So you mean..."
"Non. It might seem that I could 'ave stopped their little... escarmouche?"
"Skirmish."
"Yes, that. But if you heard it yourself, you would understand that, unfortunately, the problem at hand can be solved only by those involved initially, no... "third wheels". And yet, I must say I am a little impressed. Because even considering the current situation, you still some'ow succeeded in talking our mutual familiar out of feeling guilty to feeling guilty and actually doing something for redemption."
The Spy could go on and on, talk about the same subject but use different words to describe it for at least 10 more minutes, Engie suspected that. And he might have pretended to actually listen to what he was saying, but not this time. So, Engineer interrupted the rogue, gesturing his right hand up in a stopping motion.
"Look uh... Ah'd love to sit here and listen to ya "gab"," he motioned with his fingers, "some more, but Ah really have to go do mah darn job. Can't have Pyro be alone in mah workshop for too long, you know the reason."
He got up from the chair and put his gear back on. The Spy might have made a face at being interrupted, only he didn't see it while adjusting his goggles.
The assassin straightened his suit jacket, his tone falsely annoyed; some could've taken him seriously, but the Texan wasn't buying it.
"Fine. I'll just get to the point, then."
"Sigh. Alright. What's yer point?"
"You do know that instead of... praising you, I could 'ave just assumed that Soldier thinks of you that high because you're his "fellow american", and that all of you are actually just a hivemind of uncultured animals, obeying those who you assume are stronger. And yet... I 'ave said that you impressed me, labourer. You are free to consider this a compliment, just don't go bragging about it," he did make a face at that.