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It was in the middle of a match that he noticed it. Wraith’s shoes were untied. Come to think of it, he doesn’t think he’s ever even seen those shoes on her before. They’re regular black leather combat boots with her phase gear sensors haphazardly strapped onto them.
And the laces were undone.
The more he thought about it, the more it started to annoy him. Why hadn’t she tied them? She could trip on them and cost them the match like that. And she didn’t even seem to notice it.
Finally, he’s had enough. The moment they’re inside the ring and the area looks clear, he calls her over to a stack of boxes he’s standing near. “Wraith, come here for a sec.”
She looks at him puzzled, but does so when she’s sure there aren’t any other squads nearby. “Did you need anything?”
“Yeah, your shoes are untied, and it’s driving me nuts.” He pats one of the smaller crates. “Hop up here and let me tie them.”
Wraith looks a little offended and immediately goes on the defensive. “I can do it myself.” She tells him, but doesn’t make a move to actually do it. The skirmisher just looks down at her shoes confused, and then turns her head away to the left, so as to not look at him.
The trickster stands there expectantly, waiting for her to do something. After a minute, he sighs and shakes his head. “Come on. I won’t make fun of you, I promise.”
She still doesn’t look at him, but does set her Sentinel aside and hops onto the crate he indicated before.
He sets his own gun down and kneels in front of her to start tightening the laces. “Tell me if it’s too tight.” Once he finishes with one boot, he looks up at her to see her still turned away, with a far away look in her eyes. “Hey, why don’t you try the other one yourself. I’ll walk you through it.”
Wraith inspects the boot that’s already been done up and then the one that’s still untied.
Mirage decides to save her the trouble of asking and starts to instruct her. “Okay, start at the bottom and pull the laces tight as you work your way up.”
She does as he says and tries to mimic everything the way the other side is done. Once she gets to the top, she pulls the ends tight.
“Good, now tie them in a knot.” He continues encouragingly. He takes the laces from her and shows the next part. “Then you make 2 loops and tie them together the same way, then pull tight. You try.” He hands them back and lets her do it.
The skirmisher makes loops like he did and finishes making the bow.
He gives her a bright smile. “And there you go, all done.”
Shooter, move.
Wraith suddenly jumps off the crate and pushes Mirage to the ground just as a bullet whizzes over their heads.
Anything else he might’ve wanted to say will have to be saved for a later date.
°~♡~°
A few weeks later, the two are sitting on Elliott’s couch, unwinding after the day’s match. Renee was sitting between his legs with her back to him as he braided her hair. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it herself, she could do a basic braid if given a few minutes, they both just found the activity relaxing.
The trickster was halfway done with one of the French braids when he suddenly asks. “So, what was with the new boots?”
The skirmisher tenses up, but doesn’t turn her head.
His hands keep working as he waits for her to reply. He doesn’t rush her; he knows how hard words can be.
“My regular boots didn’t get repaired in time and those were the only other suitable ones.”
“Yeah, I gathered that much.” He doesn’t say it out loud, but the question is implied.
She sighs as she fidgets with her hands in her lap. “You know how I don’t remember my past besides what the files say? I guess this is the same.”
He signals for a hair tie, but stays quiet and lets her talk.
“I only have shoes with velcro or zippers or buckles. I don’t even know where I got those boots. Probably from some sponsor.”
“Oh.” Elliott’s eyes widen a little. “So, you’re having to relearn the basics again.”
“Something like that.” Renee thinks for a moment before continuing. “It’s like I remember some things on instinct, but others are completely wiped. And apparently tying shoes is one of them.”
He hums in thought as he brushes out the other side of her hair and starts braiding it.
There’s a moment of silence between them before Renee breaks it. “No jokes or annoying remarks on it?” She asks, half jokingly.
“No.” He answers and goes back to the task at hand. “You know, you can always ask me for help. I promise not to make fun of you.” Elliott tells her, his voice full of sincerity.
Renee is a little takes aback, but she knows he means every word. “I know. Thank you.”
He gives a soft smile even though her back is turned to him. “Of course. What are teammates for.”
They spend the rest of the evening unwinding in comfortable silence, until Renee goes back to her own room for the night. Before she leaves, she gives him a tight hug. “Really, Elliott. Thank you.”
The trickster is surprised by the sudden contact, but hugs her back quickly. “Hey, it’s no problem at all.”
The skirmisher smirks as she looks up at him. “Maybe next time you can teach me how to cook.”
He furrows his brows. “I am not letting you burn down my kitchen.”
She just laughs at his incredulous look. “Good night, Elliott.”
“I’m dead serious, Renee!” He calls after her as she walks down the hall to her room.