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It had been 7 years since the Team Fortress project had abruptly ended, during that time Herbert Ludwig, who miraculously kept a medical license, was able to settle down in a small town as a Walk-in Clinic nurse. Sure it was a mundane job, especially compared to his work as a mercenary, but he was able to live with it.
He was able to keep a close companionship to Misha, the team's Heavy, but hadn’t interacted with any of his other co-workers these years, whether that be because of them being hard to reach or, they never reached out to him.
Scout, or currently going by his given name now, Jeremy, hadn’t tried to contact him at all during the last almost decade. To be honest Herbert was a tad hurt by this, given the times he and Jeremy had shared during their employment as mercenaries. But if Jeremy didn’t want to contact him, Herbert would leave him alone with his life as well.
Herbert was just returning back to his apartment, stopping by his mail box before ascending the stairs. There were the usual bills and junk mail, but a red envelope had caught his eyes. Reading the front, there was a name he thought he’d never see again, Jeremy Willis.
Herbert didn’t bother returning to his apartment to read the note, he wanted to know what was in it as soon as he could. Ripping apart the envelope, he was greeted with a Smissmas card, it was a photo of Jeremy and presumably his kids all gathered around near the fireplace in Santa hats.
Herbert hadn’t seen Jeremy’s face in years so when he looked at his face, he immediately felt the warm feeling of nostalgia in his heart. Jeremy still had the same face, although now a few wrinkles from aging adorned it, he still looked remarkably the same. That stupid grin with obnoxious buck teeth poking out, a light splatter of freckles underneath his eyes, and his eyes closed in joy. The seemingly only thing that changed was now he boasted a mullet type hair-cut on his head, a big difference in length compared to his previous cowlick hairstyle.
He then took a look at his kids, which he had a remarkable amount of during their time apart, they all had shared Jeremy’s boundless amounts of joy it seemed, all of them happy to be in the photo and with big grins. Herbert smiled warmly at the sight of such a happy family, although a little forlorn that he wasn’t able to be a part of it.
Turning the card over revealed a personalized message for Herbert, an invitation to a Christmas get-together with all his past teammates.
Hey Herb! I know it’s been awhile since we last spoke, and I apologize for not being able to contact you these past few years. I’ve been preoccupied trying to take care of my little guys while being the only parent in the house. I’ve been working on this Smissmas party for a while now and I tried inviting all the guys to come, I do hope they will, you were the first person I sent this card to. I've missed you a lot and would love it if you were able to come.
- Signed, Jeremy Willis.
Jeremy had even put a drawing of a small heart next to his name. Herbert’s heart had swelled with joy from reading the words, Jeremy had even remembered the nickname that he gave Herbert while they were together at The Fortress.
He misses me..
Of course after reading the card he immediately checked for the sender's address on the front, Boston, of course. He quickly ascended the building’s staircase so he could write down the address and start packing for the trip.
After having packed everything he needed, he looked at the baboon he required from the fight with the first iteration of Team Fortress mercenaries, he had named it Winston. He didn’t have any friends that knew he kept a baboon in his apartment, much less the landlord himself, so he couldn’t ask for anyone to take care of him and his doves.
“Oh well, I’m sure the others would be happy to see you alive and well anyways!” He chuckled while also packing the pet care he needed for his animals. He added some small scarves he knitted for them as well for protection from the cold.
Having everything ready to go, he packed his suitcase, Archimedes and Winston, all into his van. It may be late, but he was a ways away from Boston, so he wanted to start his drive as soon as possible so he could be there on time.
Making sure Winston was in his seatbelt, and Archimedes was in his cage, he got in and started the long cross country drive to Boston.
After driving a long ways away, and trying to keep sane while Winston and Archimedes became stir-crazy, he finally arrived at the address the envelope mentioned, seeing a bunch of cars in the street parked, and Sniper’s iconic camper-van, he knew he was in the right place.
After collecting his nervous energy at the prospect of seeing Jeremy after all these years, he went to unbuckle Winston and take Archimedes out of his cage. They both followed along beside him as he slowly arrived at the front door.
Herbert apprehensively raised his fist to start knocking at the door, after waiting a bit he heard some commotion and that beautiful Boston accent he had grown to miss after all these years.
“Tanya, get off my leg ya’ little rascal! Go play wit’ your brothers!” Herbert heard the voice grunting out and stepping ever closer to the front door.
Then the door swung open to reveal the man he’s desperately missed all these years, Jeremy.
“Aye Doc’! I’m so glad ya’ could make it! All the others are already inside, it’s great ta’ be able to see you again!” Jeremy spread his arms out to hug Herbert.
He immediately reciprocated the action.
“Ah.. Schatz.. I’ve missed you so very much.” Herbert began to hold on tighter, his eyes closed in comfort. Jeremy had looked at him with a calm gaze and began to hug tighter as well.
After a few seconds, Jeremy had looked down and saw Herbert’s two furry companions.
“Woah Herb! Ya’ actually kept that baboon?! That’s so cute! Even Archimedes is here!” Jeremy let go of his hold on Herbert and kneeled down to greet the small animals.
“Oh, yes, I suppose I never got the chance to tell you of Winston’s existence.. I was going to experiment on him originally, but I grew quite fond of his almost child-like companionship.”
“Winston! What an adorable lil’ guy!” Jeremy smiled with that familiar buck toothed grin at the baboon.
“And ‘dey even got scarves! Didya knit them yourself Herb?” He looked back up at the other man to question him.
“Ja, I always had a fondness for knitting crafts but never had time to do so during our employment, I picked it up after we left The Fortress.”
Scout then bounded back up to Herbert’s height again, opening the door wider and standing aside so Herbert and his companions could enter the abode.
Having stepped aside, he noticed everyone had started the party already.
“Want me ta’ hang up your coat, Herb?” Jeremy had already started taking it off anyhow.
“Thank you, Jeremy.”
He looked up and saw his old friend Misha coming up to greet him.
“Doktor! It has been long time!” He chuckled out with a big grin.
“It certainly has Misha, I see you have brought your family along as well!” He looked behind the big Russian man, and at his mother and sisters.
Everyone was gathered around the living room and kitchen respectively, sharing drinks and conversing.
“You brought little Winston and Archimedes!” He commented while watching as Archimedes and Winston had started to enter the unfamiliar home carefully.
“Ja, I had nobody to take care of them so I brought them with me, I’m sure everyone would be happy to see them.” He chuckled as he cooed to Archimedes to perch on his shoulder.
He walked further into the home, greeting all his teammates and catching up with how their lives had been. Introducing both Winston and Archimedes to Jane’s and Jeremy’s children, letting them dress up Winston in children’s clothing while he went along with all of it. It was an adorable display, Jeremy even participating himself, putting on his old dog tags around the baboon’s neck.
It was one of the happiest times he has had since leaving The Fortress, sure he wasn’t miserable or anything, but he had grown to miss his teammates tomfoolery.
“Alright guys! Time ta’ start Smissmas Eve dinner!” Jeremy had announced, lifting himself from the ground and leading everyone back to the table.
“I don’t have enough chairs stashed in here, so some of ya’ will have to stand, I apologize.”
Herbert had begun to notice that Jeremy had started speaking much more maturely since they had last seen each other, it was weird to hear him sound so humble and grown after spending their whole time together knowing how brash and reckless he was.
After everyone had found their respectful places around the table, Jeremy had pulled up a chair to sit next to Herbert. After giving up his initial shock Herbert turned and offered a small smile at Jeremy.
The dinner was messy and chaotic, with everyone trying to grab everything all at once and continuing to talk around the food in their mouths, Jeremy especially, trying to pipe into everything that everyone was saying.
After the dinner, they all reconveined in the living room once again, some with leftovers on paper plates and solo cups full of beer.
Herbert wanted to talk with Jeremy alone for a while so he pulled him over to a silent part of the room, where the living room and kitchen met in a doorway.
“Jeremy.. I’ve missed you so-” Herbert had begun to say before he was abruptly interrupted by Jeremy’s voice.
“Hey Herb.. Wouldja look at ‘dat, didja mean ta’ pull me out under tha’ mistletoe on purpose..?” He giggled suggestively while waggling his eyebrows.
Low and behold, when Herbert looked above their heads, he noticed the offending fauna hanging over them. He started feeling a blush creeping on his face and quickly went to defend himself from Jeremy’s comment.
“I-I promise, it was very much accidental..” He started to say with his arms raised in defense.
In a quick flash, he could feel Jeremy raising his arm to start pushing against Herbert into a corner.
Then Jeremy said something unbelievable.
“Kiss me like tha’ old times, I know ya’ve been wanting to..” Jeremy’s eyes had started to lower in challenge.
Herbert could only stare with wide eyes in shock at the sudden advance Jeremy made on him. He started up a nervous sweat and recovered from his shock after a second.
So forward..
Then the longer Herbert stared at Jeremy’s face, full of confidence, he could only reminisce on what had changed on Jeremy’s face and mannerisms.
He’s quite a bit different now.. More confident and self assured, his old nervous self nowhere to be seen in that suggestive glint in his eyes and grin on his face.
However..
I can still see that boundless joy in his grin and overconfidence in his advances.
I do wonder what has changed and what has continued to stay the same..
After coming back from his thoughts, he could only start to lower his hands in an attempt to cover the laugh starting to bubble from out of him.
“Pffttt..! Ahah ha!” He couldn’t control the giggles erupting from his mouth, hand covering his grin.
Jeremy stood there in shock, now having his own nervous sweat, starting to think he read things wrong. Then after his shock, he became angry at the laughter Herbert had continued to let out, thinking he was being made fun of in his advances on the older man.
“What’s so fuckin’ funny, ya’ asshole!” Jeremy had started to defend himself and retreated back into a ramrod stance.
Herbert raised his hand to Jeremy’s face, cradling it in his hand. Jeremy looked down at the appendage that was starting to hold him.
“You have wrinkles, Häschen..”
“Yeah well, not alla’ us are experimentin’ to keep ourselves from aging, Doc..”
The both of them then started to move their faces closer to one another, Jeremy reaching up a hand to rest on Herbert’s shoulder to pull himself up to his face. Herbert’s hand still cradling his face and pulling it even closer. Both their eyes then started close, relaxing into the old feeling of them meeting each other's embrace. Their lips connected, Herbert’s soft with chap stick and Jeremy’s a little rough with missing areas of skin on his lips, having still continued his old habit of biting on them. The feeling was familiar and welcomed, both of them having missed it dearly. Unfortunately they were pulled to a stop because of a certain french accent.
“Merde. If you two lovebirds want to continue.. Whatever this is.. Can you move out of my sight at least.” He still hadn’t gotten over the fact the two were involved, even after all these years.
The two broke off from one another, embarrassed about having forgotten they were still having a party with the others. Jeremy then turned to point an accusing finger at the Frenchman.
“Spy, ya’ dick! Sorry you’re too ancient to experience somethin’ like dis’, but, can you not bother with us?!” He started throwing expletives and harsh words at the older man who interrupted them.
“Jeremy, it’s a party, please stop..!” Herbert had come up behind him to start pulling him away from the other man before Jeremy would start out right throwing swings at the man. Jeremy, after having gotten out all of his rage, turned back to Herbert.
“Sorry Herb, he’s jus’ pissing me off..” Jeremy had turned back to Herbert and grabbed onto him to leave one last cheek kiss. Then swiveling his head back to the Frenchman and sticking out his tongue in a childish display of anger.
I suppose not much has really changed after all.
“Eugh! I’m returning back to the others.. You two can continue, whatever it was you were doing..” The Frenchman then turned away so he could start walking back to where the others had situated themselves.
“I apologize for the suddenness of the kiss Jeremy, I just didn’t realize how much I’ve missed you..”
“Naw, it’s okay Doc! I’m tha’ one who asked for it in the beginning anyways.. I’ve also missed ya’ too, Herb..”
After having gotten their long held-back feelings out, they started to return back to their friends, Spy giving them a snide side eye when they returned.
They all sat down in a circle, Tanya bringing out the family’s copy of Monopoly from out of a closet. Jeremy grabbing it from her and placing it on the floor.
“Wanna play wit’ us Herb?”
“Ja, I would love to.”
He really did miss these times he shared with everyone, most of all, he missed Jeremy.