John sighed deeply as he waited in the rain for his newly found ally to return, he hadn't noticed during the fight but his clothing and hair had become completely soaked in the rain, and waiting out here for that woman to return certainly wasn't helping. I guess it's kind of like a shower, in a weird way, John mused. The boy opposite of John occasionally moved an inch or two, but otherwise appeared to be completely out. John ruffled in his pocket and withdrew a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, he wasn't much into smoking but he admitted that the occasional smoke was worth the small pleasure it gave him. The small flame at the end of the cigarette illuminated John's mouth, Almost like one of those old noire movies. John chuckled, wondering if his childhood self would see him as cool.
Another few minutes passed as John began wondering if the woman was going to return, his cigarette had grown shorter signifying the passage of time if his bored exterior hadn't shown it well enough. John threw his cigarette to the ground, extinguishing it with a stomp.
"Sorry about that luv, it took a bit longer than I thought to find someone to help!" chimed a familiar voice. John looked over at the entrance to the courtyard to find the woman with her hair matted down much like his, but a cheery smile contrasting against the drab environment.
"Not a problem" spoke John, Not that I enjoy sitting in the rain, "Our friend over there hasn't moved much since you left."
"Thank you so much for watching him, I'd hate to have run off while I was gone. We never got properly introduced earlier, I'm Tracer although my real name, Lena, isn't quite as neat." Replied the woman.
"I'm John, if I'm not mistaken you were a part of all that Overwatch business a few years back right? A pilot who got the power to manipulate time with the help of that thing on your chest." I hope it's not a sore spot to talk about that accident.
"That's right! Although I'd like to think that Overwatch is still going, makes the world seem a little brighter"
"Well regardless, thanks for giving me a hand there, I guess the criminals are getting a little more serious lately, wasn't expecting them to be wearing anything bulletproof."
"Of course luv, I didn't know there were any other heroes here in London or else I would've helped you from the start!"
A hero? "I'm just a guy who tries to do the right thing when it matters, I don't think I'm a hero" John nervously chuckled.
"That makes you a hero in my book!" Tracer's infectious optimism got to John as he began to smile, she began to walk towards the incapacitated leader. "I'll take care of this one, but I'll see you around!"
"Uh yeah, maybe, I'll catch you later." John nervously replied, not expecting the welcoming tone to be how his night finished. He holstered his rifle to his back, attached by magnetic clips woven into his jacket and began his walk home. She'll see me around? John thought, confused by what Tracer meant by this. Shutting the door to his flat as he walked towards the bedroom, dropping his rifle and jacket on his couch as he walked back to his bed. I guess I'll be doing this again tomorrow then.
John awoke to an uneventful day, particularly boring when compared to the previous night, nothing went out of the usual, he got his morning coffee and proceeded back to his flat. On the way, back he saw a woman who looked almost exactly like Tracer, although it was difficult to get a clear picture on what she looked like in the rain, but something about her seemed familiar. The woman seemed to notice John's interest and gave a two-fingered mock-salute to him before walking off in the opposite direction. I think I'm just going crazy, John rationalized to himself before continuing back home.
Alone again in his loft, John thought over the events of last night. She did call me a hero, right? I mean I think I'm a far cry from any of the famous names of Overwatch, but I'm not quite the brooding vigilante that someone like Soldier 76 is, even though our sense of style is a little too close for comfort. I'd change weapons to avoid being lumped together with that psychopath, but I've gotten too attached to that old thing. John glanced over to the pulse rifle that he left on his counter after last night. I'm just doing the right thing, I don't think that makes me a hero, but I guess she looks at it differently. John sighed as he took another sip of his coffee. A knock at his door shook John back to his senses, I wasn't expecting anyone today, who could it be? As John neared the door he heard a quiet hum from the other side, whoever it was didn't seem hostile, or they were completely psychotic. John opened the door to find the woman whom he had seen earlier on his walk back home, wearing her same large green jacket and scarf, while also holding a cup of coffee.
"Oh, uh hello ma'am. Can I help you?"
"Yeah I was looking for this gentleman who I bumped into last night, he seemed alright in a fight if lacking a bit of suave confidence."
"Oh sorry, I think you're looking for somebody else, I'm without a doubt the most confident man in this building." And technically, the only one. John and the woman both chuckled. "So, Tracer, right? What do you need?"
"I know this is going to sound a bit crazy luv, but I actually need a place to crash for a few nights while the blow-back from my last mission fades off. Coppers can be pretty determined after one of those, but they usually give up within a couple of days. I don't really know anyone in the area, and I may have snuck a look at where you live last night, so I was wondering if- "
Oh, god I'm not prepared to have guests at all, I don't think I've lived with anyone else ever since I was stationed with Overwatch, let alone sharing a one bedroom flat with a girl I just met. "You're right, that does sound a bit crazy, uh, come inside and I'll think about it, wouldn't want to leave you just standing in the hallway."
"Thanks luv, I promise I won't be too much of a bother!" Tracer chimed back.
Tracer entered his modest flat, craning her neck to look at everything kept inside. "Well I'm glad to see your taste in furniture isn't too far out there, modern can look nice I guess, very chic luv."
"Thanks, I've had a bit of time to change out everything I wanted to."
Okay so let's think this out, the cops are likely looking for her and not me, so I wouldn't have to stay confined to my flat, not that I leave very often anyway. She might want to help me if I go out again tonight, so having the backup couldn't hurt, but what are our living arrangements going to be? Should I sleep on the couch and let her have the bed, or vice-versa? John thought as Tracer freely walked around the flat, examining everything in sight.
"What's the absolute maximum amount of time you would be staying Tracer?" John asked.
"Oh call me Lena luv, we're not on the job after all! I promise it won't be any more than three days, if it goes past that I'll find somewhere else to stay! It'll be like a sleepover!" She replied.
Three days? I think I can manage that, nothing big should come up at night, and if it does I'm sure she'd be more than happy to lend a hand. "Alright Tra-"John caught himself, "Lena, you can stay here for three days."
"Oh thank you so much luv, I promise you won't regret it, we'll have so much fun!" Lena chimed back, giving John a hug as a sign of appreciation. John blushed, not being used to such open affection, but returned the hug as to not be rude. "Just get whatever you need, clothes or toiletries or whatever and bring them back later today, I don't think my clothes would fit you very well."
"Alright, I'll see you later today, thanks again luv!" Lena waved as she walked off down the hallway.
John noticed that Lena had left he coffee cup on his table, picking it up he noticed that the name John was written in pen on the side. Did she get this for me? Maybe a gift to butter me up? John took a swig of the still warm coffee; it was slightly sweet and had a hint of milk in it. I don't think she knew what I like, but it looks like we have similar tastes in coffee. John sighed as he put the cup back down, he knew that it was going to be a long three days, even longer if they had three nights like the last.
