Chapter Text
Next morning. 6:30 am. Mann Co. Badwater. BLU Engineer room.
An alarm clock rings out. The engineer jumped out of His bed and stumbled onto the floor, falling onto his face. He really needs to get a better alarm clock.
He really doesn't want to get up today. It has been another terrible night. He slowly trudges to the communal bathroom.
During his morning shower he kept on thinking back to that terrible nightmare. Even when he tries thinking about other things, those flashes of pain are still fresh in his mind. It almost feels like it's trying to toy with him. He grumbles in annoyance at that thought.
Once he was done with his shower, he went over to the sinks. He subconsciously rubs shaving cream onto his face, not really paying attention to the Mirror. he uses his razor to shave his face clean like any other day. When done he rinses himself off with some water and Glances at the mirror.
He had to look again.
Something looked wrong.
His reflection is red-headed. He grips at the sink and leans forward a bit, feeling the top of his head. it could just be the lighting. It could just be his eyes playing tricks on him.
When he made eye contact, his eyes were not his. The pupil and iris were expanded. Even with his eyes widened in horror, the whites in them were barely noticeable.
This is not good.
He throws the hand towel over his head and runs to his room. Slamming and locking the door behind him.
“Just a- ah trick of the light. That's it. It ain't nothin’. Everythin’ is perfectly fine.” He tries to reason through heaving breaths.
He dresses into his work uniform. Once his boots were strapped, he almost slapped his goggles and headgear on.Picking up a cheaply made mirror from his toolbox, he did a once over on his face.
He looked perfectly fine. Nothing is wrong. There is definitely not an unreasonable problem that he can't fix. Everything is great.
He checks the time, it's almost 7:00. He better get going. Absolutely nothing is wrong.
He bumps into someone in the hall on his way to the kitchen. He felt hands grip onto each of his shoulders.
Engineer started hyperventilating. Something is very wrong, Soldier knows, and now he is going to get beaten to death.
“WHERE ARE YOU HIDING MERASMUS! Tell me where he is Engineer!” He shouted in a gruff voice, shaking Engineer by the shoulders.
Engineer can’t stop trembling.
He is struggling to get out of Soldiers grasp. “ I ain’t hiding anyone, Soldier!” He tries to reason with the overly patriotic lunatic. “He shouldn’t even be here for another month!”
He can feel cold sweat pouring down his neck. He wanted nothing more than to get away.
“If you see that dress wearing hippie, tell me.” Soldier spoke a little softer, looking past the engineer in a distracted daze. He releases his iron tight grip.
Engineer almost trips over his own feet while running from Soldier. His head is pounding hard enough to shake his knees. He only stopped when he was outside of the base. He sank to his knees, curling up into a tight ball.
Everything is fine. Great even. Absolutely nothing is wrong. Everything will go splendidly today.
It has been years since he broke down like this. He really needs a drink.
,,,
Engineer was sitting next to his pick up truck, swirling a bottle of cheap beer. His fingers mindlessly strum at his guitar. Anything to keep his hands busy.
“Ah, That is where you are.” A chipper German accent catches Engineers attention. “We still need to do that procedure check up, Ja?”
Engineer takes a swig of his alcohol, not showing any sign of knowing the medic is there. The mad scientist rests a hand on his shoulder. Engineer flinches at the touch.
Medic furrowed his brows slightly. “Are you feeling alright?”
Engineer shrugs off the medics grip. “Ahm doing just fine doc. Whatcha need a check up for?”
Medic’s smile stretched across his face. “To see if your prescription is working of course.” Medic smiles even wider. “And to see if you really are going mad. Hoo Ho!” He laughs.
The Texan shakes his head. “They sure are workin. Ahm getting my sleep and doing better.”
Medic’s smile falters. “And your state of mind, Herr Engineer? You usually dont fumble with your instruments, ja?”
Engineer catches his guitar when it starts slipping out of his grasp. “Still having rough nights, yah know how it is. I am getting my sleep though. That is what I needed.” Engineer repositions himself to play a better tune.
The doctor found the talk satisfactory enough to leave the engineer alone for now. Engineer slumps a bit more when the German was out of sight.
It is getting late. Engineer goes back to his room. He didn't dare to look at his pocket sized mirror. Once settled, he gave a silent prayer that tonight wouldn't be as bad as last night.
,,,
There was nothing.
That's just that. It doesn't feel like a trick, or a calm before a storm.
It is just this dull gray color everywhere.
It is a pleasant thing compared to everything else.
Something still felt wrong though. It is uncanny how sudden it all stopped.
Time in his dreams is much slower now without the distracting pain and trauma.
It is just empty.