Work Text:
They'd been hiking all morning, Bloodhound's legs burned from the exertion. Snow had slid into their boots, soaking their socks while a backpack carrying a set of skis weighed down on them. Meanwhile Octane seemed to have no such reservations or difficulties, his metal legs and stim helping him bound through the snow. He was the one who'd convinced them of this crazy idea, told them to skip the scheduled match and that someone else would take their place.
Currently, they were climbing one of Talos' tallest peaks. Octavio had asked Bloodhound to be his guide, threatening to come on his own and possibly fall into a lava fissure. Even though they were somewhat resistant to the idea, in truth Bloodhound found themself not minding the day away from the arena. It wasn't often they spent quality time with the other Legends or go on excursions for fun. Most of all, they were impressed to see Octane so focused and quiet as they pushed through the summit. The man was actually taking in his surroundings, seemingly mesmerized at the glory of the rising sun. It made Bloodhound smile, only adding to their satisfaction of joining in on this quest for adrenaline.
It would take them the better part of the day to get down from the mountain and at least until night fall before they reached Bloodhound's village. To which, they had their own idea of how that particular endeavor.
"Watch your footing." Bloodhound called from behind. "This ledge is unstable and may fall under our weight."
Octavio gave them a thumbs up from over his shoulder his breath was visible, billowing over his shoulder. With his own backpack and goggles, the young man pressed forward, for as rushed as he seemed, he was ever precise with his feet. They were close to the summit, Bloodhound could feel it, the air was growing thinner and their respirator was beginning to whine.
The hunter kept focused on their final press to the top of the mountain, steady breaths, sure footing, and tight grasp on their poles. They were so focused that they nearly bumped into Octane's back. Pausing a few short feet back, they watched as the young man pulled off his goggles.
"Is this really it?" He asked, glancing down at the clouds lazily drifting by.
The sun reflecting off the snow was blinding, making him rub at his eyes. Besides that, they could tell he was smiling with the way the bridge of his nose was scrunched and crinkled.
"It is." Bloodhound hummed, crossing their arms, a moment of triumph washing over them.
Octane moved to reach into his pockets. "I've gotta take pictures to show the others — Che's going to be sooo jealous."
Usually, they were not one to judge another's actions, but in the moment, they reached out and grasped the mans wrist.
He gave them a bewildered look for a moment. "What the—"
"Throughout my years, I have learned that some things are best savored in memory. Allow this to be one for yourself." Bloodhound decided to impart some of their wisdom to him, asking him to stay in the present rather than the future, knowing themselves that they had wasted too much time in the past.
The man paused, his arm going stiff before he jerked it away and out of his pocket, leaving the phone behind. Clearly he was chewing on the inside of his cheek at the thought, even if he didn't quite get their perspective, he still respected the hell out of Bloodhound. So he'd listen and hear them out for a bit at least. Bloodhound removed their backpack, beginning to pull the skis from their tightly wound bundle.
Stamping their feet to pack down the snow they began to set their feet into the bindings. "I will guide our way down."
"Not unless we race to the bottom. Hate to tell you this BH, but the moment I get those skis on my feet I'm not stopping." Octavio remarked as he quickly began to free his own skis, snapping his prosthetics into the custom binds.
Bloodhound let out a sigh, tacking on a quiet laugh at the end. "If that is what you wish."
"Damn right it is!" Octavio was still grinning ear to ear. "Now come on — these slopes wont wait for ever."
"I don't believe that is how—"
"Woo!" Octane had already all but thrown himself down the hill.
Bloodhound opened and closed their mouth like a fish, but quickly set off after him. They knew better than to be entirely shocked at his actions, after all, the man didn't like to stay still for long.
Together they began to carve through the snow, leaving scores up and down the mountain side. Bloodhound was careful with their placement while Octavio took chances, bounding off ledges with a delighted cry. The man would sometime pause however, knocking down unstable pieces of snow, sending an avalanche thundering down the face of the mountain. He'd stare down at the mass tumbling away from where he stood with delight.
"Ah, BH, this has to be the most fun I've had in ages." Octavio had mused when they were forced to pause to wait for one such avalanche to clear, and also to eat.
Bloodhound snorted in good humor. "I am not inclined to believe you. You are always up to something new before the rest of us know it."
Octane barked out a laugh. "Heh, yeah, I guess that's true." He rubbed the back of his neck. "But really, this is awesome! Pa and I used to come to Talos to ski and snowboard for holidays, in those big stuffy chalets. You know them right? I'd get so bored waiting for him and whatever wife he had at the time to catch up or go out, I had no choice but to find ways to drive them crazy, but nothing could ever compare to this! Ha ha!"
Crossing their arms, Bloodhound nodded along to his words, very little could compare to the pristine and untouched wilderness.
They stood side by each of a moment longer, just barely brushing together, Octavio gesturing down the hill with a sandwich tucked in his hand. At the base, Artur was certainly waiting, Bloodhound could almost swear they could see the ravens inky form soaring around. Taking a moment to drink in their silent companionship, they quickly kicked off once more, sinking back into the snow.
Bloodhounds legs shook as they continued to coast down the hill, the light of the day finally beginning to die out. It wouldn't be long before they were consumed by darkness. They had only a few hundred meters until they reached the trailhead, but nonetheless, Bloodhound called ahead.
"Octavio, hætta!"
The speedster seemingly jumped at the sound of their voice and skidded to a halt. "What's up?"
He pulled his goggles over his head, squinting in their direction as they slowly shuffled forward.
Reaching into one of their pockets, Bloodhound passed the man a head lamp. "Here. Do not turn it on unless you need to, understood?"
"Uh yeah, alright?" Octane furrowed his brows together in confusion.
"We are almost to the bottom, but humor me. This is something the children of my village partake in, I wish to share it with you." Bloodhound spoke as they took the lead, kicking ahead of the man.
They would continue to coast back down the trail, the moon rising in full above them, illuminating their way. From the darkness, Prowler's would snap and howl, to which Bloodhound would pause, allowing them both to listen to the sounds of the wildlife. Octavio did not speak, perhaps out of fear, but more likely, awe. As they continued the trek back to the village, Bloodhound would speak of the constellations and the stars, spurring Octane to ask them a wealth of questions. Tales from the old worlds flowed freely between them, lessons from Bloodhound's youth finally finding some use at last.
As they neared the village, seeing the twinkle of torch light in the distance, Octane came to a stop. "Hey Bloodhound."
Glancing over their shoulder, Bloodhound adjusted the polls in their grip. "Yes, Octavio?"
"Thank you for today." The man said as he kicked off his skis.
Reaching up to remove their respirator, a toothy smile greeted him, much to the young mans shock.
"And thank you for inviting me."