Free days were hard to come by in the mercenary business. But a free day came like a miracle to the RED team. Rogue normally spent her free time pouring over her books, making plans, baking with Pyro, or gathering intel. And when she made plans, she spent the afternoon with Engineer. They had an odd way of doing things. Rogue would sit in his workshop and read while the man would work on his inventions. There would be an occasional chat, a "have you read this yet?" or "Hand me that wrench please," then a "Goodbye, Engie." "Bye, Darlin'." This time, when Rogue took her rightful place in the chair next to him, things went a little differently.

Rogue watched him work over the top of her book. Luckily, he was fully focused on his invention, so her piercing stare remained unnoticed. Engineer was dressed casually, not at all what she'd normally seen during battles. He wore dirty coveralls with the top part tied at the waist, and a plain white t-shirt with grease stains. He kept his signature hat and gloves on. But what drew Rogue's attention were his goggles. Engineer seemed to always have them on, no matter what. He was always working, but he had to take them off eventually. She narrowed her eyes slightly, curious.

Perhaps he has a bad eye like Demo and is shy about it, she thought. It was a possibility. Engie didn't like to talk about his robotic hand, either, but Rogue knew the basics about that little accident. Her gaze shifted from his hand back to the goggles. She hated not knowing things. He could have had normal eyes, or they could have been horribly scarred or mutated. Maybe they were mechanical. Rogue wrinkled her nose at the idea of Engie with robotic chameleon eyes. She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize Engineer staring back at her until he waved a hand in her face.

"You alrigh' there, space cadet?" he drawled. Rogue blinked at his hand and shook her head, trying to ignore the blush of embarrassment spreading over her cheeks.

"Fine! Sorry, just...got lost in thought there." She shrugged, lifting her book to cover her face. "Carry on with your tinkering."

Engie pushed his hardhat back to scratch his head. Rogue stared at her book until she heard him working again and slowly lowered it. She made an indignant squeak when she found Engineer staring back at her.

"Y'know, you been starin' at me kinda funny, Darlin'. Somethin' wrong?" Engie looked down at his hands, then his machines. Rogue watched him curiously.

"I always watch everyone," she sighed. "You should know that."

"But I mean ya been lookin' at me different," he huffed. "Just starin' at me with that look on your face."

Rogue pursed her lips at the hurt look on his face.

"Engineer," she put her book down and scooted her chair closer to his. It was his turn to watch her like a hawk. "This is not about your hand, I promise."

He relaxed a bit, but still stared at her with what she guessed as a questioning gaze. Her cheeks heated up again.

"I was watching because...well...I've never seen you without your goggles on,"

Rogue waited for the stinging retort of it being a stupid statement, but Engie simply chuckled his small chuckle and scratched his stubble.

"S'that all?" he grinned. Rogue nodded. "Well, if that's all. Shucks, I thought you were thinkin' bad of me there, like I done ya somethin' wrong."

With a swift motion, Engie removed his hat and pulled his goggles off of his head. His skin around his eyes was lighter colored than the rest of his body from being in the sun all day. Rogue concentrated on his actual eyes, though. They were a pretty baby blue. Not at all robotic like she'd expected. She casually raised her hand and gently poked in between his eyes. He snorted at her childish action.

"Naw, they're real." he smiled. Rogue ignored the comment and rubbed her thumb over the dark circles that decorated his under eye.

"Interesting..." she breathed, getting a bit closer, causing Engie's ears to start turning pink. "I was expecting some kind of robotic optical devices, but once again, you surprise me."

Rogue pulled away, turning back to her book. Engie pulled his goggles back on with pursed lips. She flipped back to her page, he went back to his tinkering and the two sat in silence for a couple minutes.

"You have lovely eyes," she spoke quietly. Engie tapped his wrench against his chin, glad for his goggles so she wouldn't catch him watching her movements. She didn't look up from her book this time. Smiling softly, Engie straightened his eyewear a bit.

"Thanks, Darlin'."