Chapter Text
— What I mean is, if this idiot wasn’t this fast, we’d probably lose half our matches against the Red — Soldier said as he waited for the others in the game to make their moves and with that, the blackjack they had been playing for the last two hours could continue. — I know he is a bastard, and a little shit, and a rat, and a dumbass, but its not like we aren't used to it and we cant see talent when someone has it, even if the someone is a fucking idiot —
— Thank you for the compliments Ross, same goes for you — Scout said, asking for another card. — Y’all gotta accept it, I make your jobs way easier, not even one of you idiots has the balls it takes to be the first in the line of fire, get to the points in time and be the main target of the Red team while outsmarting them, only someone like me is able to pull that off — He said, leaning back on his chair, his tone bordering on annoyance at the same time he bragged about himself.
From the five men around Scout playing at the table, four of them groaned after hearing Scout talking, except Medic. The doctor, having his face covered by his mask and loyal to his style of zero to ten words per day, raised an eyebrow, staring directly at Scout in front of him. Something Scout noticed and just smiled, not only because he forgot about him but also to tease Medic a little.
The conversation some of the Blu team members were in was about who was the most valuable mercenary among the nine. It eventually led to Soldier and Demoman arguing that Scout helped them the most, and most of the victories were because he made a movement at the last moment… Stupid or not, but a movement.
Sniper was the one against the idea, claiming that Scout died too much and if it weren’t by him or Engineer, he would never get to the front alive, hell, maybe he would never get to see it in the first place. Engineer wasn't too interested in the conversation in the first place, just being the dealer of the game cards, and Medic well, not only he didn't talk too much but neither was interested in the dumb conversation…
Was, because with what Scout said and the way he smiled at him, now he was all in. He mildly kicked Sniper next to him to get his attention, and once Virgil turned his head to him he pointed out himself, as if saying “You are forgetting about me”. Sniper smirked and nodded to the Medic, threw his hand of 19 points to the table and looked to Scout still smiling.
— Y’know Greg, you forgot about someone as fast and great as you, maybe even better than you, no offense — Virgil crossed his arms, retiring from the game, he was about to start another game but instead of cards, with some ego.
Soldier and Demoman looked from the corner of his eyes one to another, and then Scout that looked at his cards while Medic stared straight into the runner's soul. Enough to make them chuckle and join Sniper’s game.
— Well, now that changes the overview, not only he runs, he attacks and heals, I think we found the most useful one — Demoman said, as he waited to Scout reaction or response, but looking at him and was just acting nonchalantly to whatever they said, so he knew where he was going to punch next to get that expected reaction… — And in my opinion, also the fastest one —
Scout turned his head to Demoman as fast as he runs, with a raised eyebrow that was then frowned. That was exactly what the other three were looking for, a reaction to play with their two team runners, both already pissed, by different motives but sharing the same feeling: a broken ego and desire to compete and demonstrate.
— What are you saying? Man, I'm the Scout for a reason, Ead is the Medic for a reason. I recognize ability when I see it, and I know that without him many of us wouldn't be here playing, but to call him faster than me? You’re joking — Scout responded to Demoman instead of looking at Medic. He wasn't annoyed about the others saying Doc was better than him, he was annoyed that they said Medic was faster than him, and nobody will ever beat him on that.
— I wouldn't say that, when you’re up there with a scope, you see everything, Eadwulf gets to flank way easier than you, that needs some work with the legs — Sniper teased and leaned onto the table in direction to Scout, looking at Soldier and Demoman smiling mockingly at Scout.
Engineer, who some minutes ago lost the plot of the discussion, judging the way they were talking and looking at each other made him return to the table, especifically… To Medic. The doctor was staring directly at Scout, he hadn't moved at all since the exchange of words between the others started, waiting till Scout had the courage to look at him.
Then, he looked at Scout, who was trying his hardest to defend his speed against Soldier, Demoman and Sniper, going way more aggressive with Sniper and vice versa while the other two just laughed or threw one or another comment to keep the fire going.
The whole thing was weird, yes it was, but was way more worrying knowing exactly how this would end. It wasn't the first fight about stupid things between them, it wasn't going to be the last one also, but it definitely was about to be the first one where Medic was involved; who would heal them after it in that case?
Engineer knew he had to do something, whatever to stop this nonsense and prevent the fight for today, not only he was tired from the battles and from these guys but also, it was a stupid fight that could be solved… In a practical way, so with that, they could solve the dumb doubt of who is actually faster than the other.
— Why don't you two just race and see who is actually the fastest? — Fred finally spoke after being silent during the whole argument, in the exact moment to prevent Sniper and Scout getting started into the physical fight. — I mean, is the easiest way, just pick a place and if they agree, we prove it… We can do several types of competitions even, what do you think boys? —
The mercenaries froze in place, the four arguing drove their attention to Engineer except Medic, who was still staring at Scout. They all thought about it for some seconds, Sniper being the first one to agree on the idea and with that, Soldier and Demoman followed, now trying to make Scout and Medic convinced about it.
— Im ‘k with that, it would be fun and also we finally find who is the best one here, good with it?, do- — Scout couldn't finish his sentence before being surprised with that devilish and plain stare the Medic had whenever he got mad with them.
He felt fear slowly climbing his back, something telling him that the blue eyes piercing his soul had been there even before the discussion started.
He swallowed and turned his whole body and attention to Engineer, in an attempt to ignore Medic. — I-I think Ead agrees, so umm, where should we do this race? Now that you all insist —
— You gotta do it somewhere with open space, you two always crash against walls or people, what about near Flagrun? We captured it since last week, it's ours by now — Engineer suggested to both the Scout and Medic, who now were looking at him with a mixed look of revenge and tiredness. — It has nice flats nearby, I reckon… You could try measuring times, race with armor and weapons and race without them — Fred was starting to get involved, not only giving the ideas but on the inside, wanting to be the one refereeing this competition.
— I'm in — Medic said, as he stood up from the table and took his medkit which was hanging from the chair and threw the strap across his shoulder. — Virgil, you tell me date and time — and those being the only words he would say that day, Eadwulf went out of sight into the base, probably to the medbay where he spent most of his time.
— Tell doc that I see him tomorrow during the ceasefire hours near Flagrun, lets see who gets there first — Scout told Sniper principally, but making everyone know when and where this running time was taking place. — Gotta go, Im fucking done for today, see’ya tomorrow guys — Greg got up and started heading to the locker rooms to get ready to sleep, it was 10:29 pm and tomorrow he will have to show why he is who he is.
— As easy as that, we get the two team’s rats about to run for their lives, see y’all tomorrow boys, and get ready just in case we need to clean a mess — Engineer started to pick up the cards over the table to make the deck again and leave it for later.
— This is going to be so much fun — Demoman said chuckling, while he also got up from the table and headed to the halls followed by Soldier and Sniper.
— We are about to see two grown ass men fucking fucked in the head to kill people every day as mercenaries… About to race, as if they were kids — Soldier joined again with the mocks, making their other teammates laugh as they all went to their dorms.
— It's so ridiculous and funny, we should bet on this. I will tell Peter if he wants to lose something, I'm going all for doc — Sniper added as he laughed, leaving his friends in the hall and going inside the dorm room.
Just like the others, they shared the room with three mercs, and meanwhile Medic wasn't there, he had all the time to make Spy risk something to him. — Heya Peter, good evening, gotta ask you something —
— What is it now? — Spy looked from his bed to the figure of Virgil getting into the room and that was getting closer to him, whatever it was, it wasn't something good nor that will help them; it was going to be something really stupid.
— Do you want to lose a bet? —