Work Text:
You took a seat next to Sniper, humming in content when you set your plate down. Heavy had made dinner and damn, he could cook. “Nice job out there today,” you started, nudging Sniper’s shoulder with your own, “only missed half your shots.” He looked down at you, watching as you gave him a cheeky grin before he grinned as well, showing off his canines. “Ah, still did better than you didn’t I?” He teased back, elbowing you in the arm with a short laugh. “Oh hush up,” came your laughing reply as he shook his head, still smiling at you.
The rest of the mercs filed into the room within time, each getting their own plate of food before sitting at the table. Idle chatter and the gentle clinking of silverware against plates filled the room as everyone took their seats, creating a warm atmosphere in the dining room.
“C’mon Engie, I’m dying to know!” Scout begged in a hushed tone as he sat down beside Engineer, his plate clattering to the table as he set it down. The man looked up at Scout before shaking his head slightly with a half smile, “calm down ya rascal, I’m working’ on it.” Scout groaned, dropping his head to the table with a dull thud, making Engineer laugh heartily at his antics before patting his back. “Just hold your horses son, I’ve got an idea.”
Engie cleared his throat to catch the attention of everyone at the table. It took a few tries, but eventually everyone was looking at Engineer and he smiled before adjusting his goggles and speaking up, “alrighty everyone, after dinner I’m gonna do the laundry, so anyone who needs things washed should get it after dinner.” Most of the mercs nodded, a few noting articles of clothing they need washed before returning to the meal at hand as the chatter returned.
“That includes you two,” Engie added, pointing at you and Sniper with his fork. You weren’t paying much attention to the conversation, instead you were happily eating a potato chunk with a soft hum. Sniper nudged you with his elbow, drawing your attention back to him and Engineer. “C’mon Slim, take off the glove, it needs to be washed,” Engie said as he pulled off his own glove before setting it on his lap and pointing at you, “yours too.” You and Sniper glanced at each other, giving one another a look of confusion. Noting your combined reluctance and confusion, Engie spoke up again, his drawl snapping both your and Sniper’s attention back to him, “you’re not gonna eat dinner with it on, are y’all?” “‘S never been a problem in the past, why now?” Sniper asked, suspicion flooding his mind as he grabbed his fork, glancing at the Texan.
“It’s been a while since anyone one has seen it off either of ya, I reckon they’re pretty dirty,” Engineer said with a soft laugh, “especially with these recent battles. You’ve been in some nasty spots.” You watched as Sniper stared at Engineer, studying him under his orange aviators. Neither made a move, Engineer still smiling while Sniper held a neutral gaze. After neither of them moved for a few moments, Sniper sighed heavily before giving in.
“Fine fine fine,” Sniper grumbled softly to himself, sticking two fingers under his glove at the inside of his wrist before reluctantly pulling it off and setting it on the table beside his plate. The second the glove came off, Scout threw his head back and began laughing his ass off, pointing at Sniper’s hand, “oh my god! Your tan line sucks!” It earned a few laughs from Demo and Spy as well, each trying to cover or stifle their laughter in their own way. You had to hold back a laugh, knowing yours is just as bad if you were to remove your own glove.
Wearing a glove for work was originally a great idea. It really was! Until the New Mexican sun came along and gave you both the worst tan lines possible. Now neither of you could take off your gloves in front of the team without risking ridicule.
Like right now.
Scout’s laughter continued as Engie chuckled softly. Sniper quickly closed his hand into a tight fist as a silent warning, giving Scout a sharp glare over the rims of his aviators which seemed to shut him up. But it hadn’t. Scout was actually taking a closer look before pointing again at Sniper’s now closed hand with a gasp, “you’re MARRIED?” The Bostonian practically shrieked, silencing the whole room and drawing the rest of everyone else’s attention to Sniper.
The entire room fell silent as everyone stared at the golden band as it reflected the artificial lights from above. The metal was lightly dented and nicked from his daily activities, revealing it had been worn for quite some time. After silently gawking at the ring, everyone looked up towards Sniper, trying to meet his gaze. Feeling the prying eyes of eight mercenaries on him was something he wasn’t used to and it sure as hell was not pleasant. Feeling as if he were a tiny myna bird surrounded by eight birds of prey, Sniper hunched in on himself slightly while sinking down in the chair.
Engineer was the first to speak up, breaking the silence that was threatening to squash Sniper. “Well I’ll be damned! Congrats on getting hitched stringbean!” He exclaimed with a loud and wheezy laugh. The others erupted into congratulations as Heavy clapped Sniper on the back with a wide smile, “we are happy for you Sniper!” Sniper grunted softly at the sudden impact, eyes widened in surprise behind his aviators. He looked at you with pleading eyes, needing a save or an out from you.
But that never came.
“Aw Snipes! You’re married?” You teased, elbowing the poor man in the ribs, “they must be quite a catch!” He scoffed lightly at you, rolling his eyes but you could see the smile he was fighting to hold back. His smile quickly faded as he was now bombarded by questions from the others. Picking up his drink, he decided to try and evade the questions by taking a nice long sip. That was his mistake.
“Who are you married to?” Demo asked with a wide grin, leaning forwards on his elbows as he spoke, “do ya have some lass back in Australia? Or a secret lad around town?” He continued, wiggling his eyebrows at Sniper in a suggestive manner, nearly causing the poor Aussie to choke on his drink.
“Oho! You will never guess who the bushman is actually married to!” Spy began, wearing a smug grin as he lifted a lighter to his lips and lit his cigarette. His grin only grew as he felt Sniper’s eyes on him with the deadliest glare the gunman could muster. If looks could kill, Spy would’ve been sent to respawn in mere seconds. Every merc at the table immediately looked to Spy with expectant looks, each desiring the information he held.
“Well c’mon Spy! Don’t leave us hanging” Scout exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table, rattling every dish and cup on the surface. “Yeah! Tell us lad! Who is it?” Demoman shouted in agreement, holding us his glass as if he were about to start a toast. “Well you see,“ Spy started as he took a long drag from his cigarette, “it’s actually quite obvious.” Everyone looked on expectantly, nodding eagerly for Spy to continue. The man blew out a cloud of smoke, staring right at Sniper as he began to speak, “he’s married to-“
“Spook!” Sniper exclaimed, cutting the frenchman’s words off before he could finish his sentence, “don’t you dare.” Everyone looked back at Sniper with varying degrees of surprise.
“Are you not going to tell us?” Medic asked, glancing over his glasses at Sniper before looking back at his plate, choosing what to eat next. “Ya weren’t supposed to find out anything about this,” Sniper muttered, pulling the brim of his hat further over his eyes before holding his face in his hands. Not only was he trying to hide his eyes from the team, you knew he was blushing like mad under his hat.
Which was your cue to start teasing him again.
“If you think about it Snipes, we are a team,” you started, earning a warning look from the gunman as you continued, “I think we deserve to know who it is.” Before anyone could speak up to agree with you, Sniper was quick to grab your left hand, pulling off your glove before you could protest. “Aw hey! C’mon mate!” You exclaimed as your glove joined his on the table. Not only did you have a horrible tan line from the lines of the glove as well, but you had a matching wedding band on your ring finger. “We’re married!” Sniper half shouted to the team, holding up his hand beside yours, showing off the matching simple gold bands you both wore. “Yup! We’re married,” you repeated with a soft chuckle, wiggling your fingers slightly to show off your ring.
Everyone stared at you both, eyes flicking from your rings to your faces. Seconds creeped by as a heavy silence fell over the room. One again, you and Sniper shared a glance, now wondering if it was a good idea to reveal your marriage.
The room immediately exploded into positive chaos. Voices shouted over one another as the mercs all fought one another to be the first to congratulate the two of you. “CONGRATS YOU TWO!” Scout hollered with a giddy laugh, throwing his arms up in celebration as Pyro excitedly mumbled at you and Sniper, holding their hands up towards the two of you in a heart shape. You laughed at the sight, positively overwhelmed with joy at the reactions of the team. “We need to CELEBRATE!” Soldier shouted as he saluted the two of you as he smiled brightly.
“How long have you been married?” Heavy asked simply, smiling warmly at you and Sniper as he spoke. “We’ve been married for five years,” Sniper said with a hearty laugh, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and pulling you close. You leaned back into his embrace with a grin as you added, “almost six years now!” Demo immediately held up a bottle, “that jus’ means we have six years of celebration ta catch up for the two of ya!” Everyone else held up their drinks in agreement, cheering heartily.
Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea for the team to know.