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The Engineer was making his way to Spy’s quarters. Frankly, the mechanic had never once been called there before. In fact, he wasn’t even sure that anyone besides Spy himself had set foot inside that room.
To say that he was nervous was quite an understatement. Even still, he had a pretty good idea what this conversation might be about.
He approached the door and raised his hand to knock. Before he could even could, a voice inside called for him.
“Come in.”
The southerner paused for a moment before he pushed through the door. It was heavier than he expected it to be. Thick and sturdy, very expensive feeling. Strange but fancy, and intimidating to him.
Once inside, the door immediately clicked shut behind him. Engineer quickly glanced around, wanting to take a good survey of his surroundings since he’d never been inside the room before. It was darker than the rest of the base, lit only by a small lamp and the faint glow of a cigarette. But the place was…nice. Real nice. It looked like the inside of one of those fancy hotels. One of those that you would have to drop an arm and a leg to actually afford. There was a polished dark wood dresser resting against the wall. Thick and soft carpets covered the floor, the kind that probably cost more than his entire workshop.
“Well I’ll be…” Engineer scratched the back of his neck.
Across the room sat a large, expensive looking chair, its back turned towards him. A thin trail of cigarette smoke curled into the air above it. That was where the Spy quietly sat. His mask was nowhere in sight, which explained why his chair was turned away.
“Ya wanted ta speak wit’ me?” Engineer asked, removing his hat politely.
Spy nodded once without turning back. “I need to ask you for some advice.”
“Me?” He rubbed the back of his head. “Oh boy…”
He shifted his weight awkwardly. “Uh…we talkin’ the quick kinda advice or the long kind? ‘Cause if this gonna take a while, I’d appreciate sittin’ down somewhere.”
Spy lifted his hand and gestured to the bed beside him.
“Oh Lord…” The mechanic murmured as he walked over to sit down.
The mattress dipped slightly under his weight. He ran his hand over the blanket. Soft. Real soft.
Engie frowned slightly. Now why in the hell does he got a bed spread that feels like it costs more than a goddamn pickup truck?
Beside him, he heard the soft click of metal. Spy opened his custom, silver cigarette case and held it back slightly over the chair.
“Cigarette?”
Engineer hesitated for a moment. “...Ah hell.” He reached over and took one. “Do me a favor, don’t go an’ tell no one I’m doin’ this. I tol’ Medic I quit.”
Spy shrugged and passed back the lighter without turning around. The mechanic lit it, taking a quick puff while passing the lighter back. He immediately coughed.
“Good lord.”
Spy said absolutely nothing. He did crack a small smirk at the reaction before returning to his normal blank face.
“Alright…so, what exactly d’ya need advice with?” He waved the smoke away from his face, resting the hand with the cigarette against his lap.
The other was quiet for a moment. Then the cigarette was shifted slightly between his fingers. “It concerns the Scout.”
“Ah.” Engineer sighed. “Yeah…figured as much.” He leaned back on the bed, moving the cigarette to his lips again.
Silence settled over the room for a few seconds. Then Spy finally spoke again.
“Tell me Engineer.” The cigarette paused halfway to his lips. Even though no one would even see, his expression was visibly upset. His voice would never show as much. “How would one go about telling a young man something…rather significant about his past?”
The southerner squinted slightly. “Well, that depends.”
“On what?”
“On what the thing is.”
Spy inhaled slowly, tapping his free hand against his desk. “...Hypothetically,” he began cautiously, “if a man were to discover he had fathered a child many years ago…”
Engineer sat up immediately. “You’re kiddin’.”
The Frenchman continued as if he hadn’t even spoken. “And if that child had grown into a…rather loud, irritating mercenary…”
“Oh my lord.” Engie shifted slightly on the bed, placing his head in his free hand.
“And said child just so happened to work on the same team as that man…”
The mechanic looked back up in utter disbelief. “...Spy.”
“Hmm?” The man in the chair inhaled quietly from his cigarette.
“Are ya seriously tellin’ me right now that Scout’s your kid?”
There was an incredibly long and uncomfortable pause. Engie stood up from the bed and moved closer to the chair, resting his hand on top. Spy took two more careful puffs of his cigarette before finally responding.
“Oui. I suppose I am.”
The mechanic quickly paced through the room, then returned to the back of the chair rubbing the back of his head.
“Damn, didn’t think I’d get to hear ya admit it.”
Spy’s expression turned sour as he fidgeted around with the cigarette. “...Pardon?”
“Yeah. Well about that.” Engineer shrugged, leaning his full weight against the chair. “Most of us already figured.”
“Quoi? (What?)?” Spy practically choked on the smoke while speaking.
“Oh, c’mon now.” The mechanic began casually pacing once more, taking a deep draw of his cigarette. “Y’all got the same attitude, same temper, similar accent actually.” He was counting on his fingers. The Frenchman turned slightly in his chair to see, and if the southerner squinted real hard, he could probably make out the shock on his face in the darkness. Engie paused, using his hands to mimic size.
“Tall, lean build, same posture, y’all also both cross ya arms an’ pout the same when you’re pissy.” He chuckled at that. Any time he could throw a jab at Spy he would. He walked a little closer, the other returning to his mysterious position.
“Hell, yer faces are kinda the same too. Strong jaw, sharp nose.”
“Are you flirting or helping me?”
Engineer fake gagged at that remark. “Can’t believe ya just asked me that. Imma pretend ya didn’t.” He sighed and again assumed his position leaning against the chair. He took another puff of the cigarette, then chuckled once again.
“Shoot, I think Medic mentioned it once too.”
Spy stiffened. “You are joking…Medic?”
“Yeah. Yeah, somethin’ about noticin’ y’all share a last name.”
Spy groaned loudly, placing his head in his free hand.
“Plus, always noticed ya gone when Scout talkin’ ‘bout his ma.”
The Frenchman lowered the cigarette to rest in the ashtray beside him. “You mean to tell me right now that the entire team knows.”
“Sure, mostly.” Engie chuckled, but Spy said nothing. “Hell, even Demo noticed when he’s sober. Though, funny thin’ is…” He pointed towards the door. “Scout the only one who ain’t figured it out yet.”
Spy closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “...Mon dieu…(My God)”
“Look.” The mechanic took one last deep draw from his cigarette before he stubbed it out. “You’re his father.”
There was a small pause where Engie half expected Spy to say something. Nothing, just a hard swallow from him.
“I believe he deserves to know.”
Spy remained silent, causing the other to cross his arms in annoyance. “And you’re sittin’ in here smokin’ expensive cigarettes in your fancy ass room instead of tellin’ your son the truth.”
“You are remarkably blunt, Engineer.”
“Well someone’s gotta be.” He turned to face the chair, even though Spy only saw from the corner of his eye. His voice grew louder and colder. “That boy might be loud, annoying, dumber than a box of rocks, whatever ya wanna call it. But he ain’t stupid ‘bout people, and he got big feelings too.”
Still, Spy said nothing.
Engineer sighed loudly, making it clear he was frustrated. “He’s gonna find out eventually.” He pushed the chair lightly causing a small jump from the other. “And when he does find out, either he’s gonna be mad ya didn’t tell ‘im…”
“...or hurt.”
Spy’s hands trembled lightly, and his grip on the armrests of his chair tightened.
“And you’re sittin’ here bein’ too much of a rich prick to care.” Engie scoffed, but noticed his colleague’s change of demeanor.
“But ya do care for him, don’cha?” He placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder, speaking in a calmer tone.
A very long silence followed.
“Oui…” Spy whispered.
Engie nodded. “Well then ya gotta tell ‘im.”
Spy lowered his head slightly. The mechanic kept a soft but reassuring grip on his friend’s shoulder. He expected him to speak, but nothing. Several moments of silence passed. Then Engineer noticed a quiet breath from Spy. He blinked in disbelief.
“...Are you-”
“Non. (No)” Spy replied coldly, quickly wiping his face. “No.”
“Spy…”
The Frenchman let out a loud, frustrated sigh. “How humiliating…”
Engineer placed his other hand on Spy’s shoulder, rubbing both. “Hey now…”
Spy shook his head and shooed the other away. Engie respected this and backed off.
“I have faced armies with greater composure than this.”
Engineer let out a light-hearted chuckle. “Yeah, well I suppose fatherhood’s a bit scarier than bullets.”
“Perhaps…” The Frenchman gave a tired sigh.
“Well, I think this is where I leave ya to it. I don’t wanna be an intrusion.”
Engineer walked towards the door, but paused before leaving.
“Oh, Spy?”
“...Oui?”
The mechanic looked back at him, for the first time catching a full glimpse of the mystery man’s face. Spy and the boy look exactly the same. He smiled slightly.
“When ya tell him, please don’t start with ‘hypothetically’. Just tell the kid.”
“Noted…” Spy let out an exhausted laugh.
Engineer tipped his hat and stepped into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind him.
Inside the darkness of his room, Spy sat alone with his feelings. Before long, he lit yet another cigarette.
“...Mon dieu.”