—- Flashback for posterity.
" ask her out" he called out from the ground while I climbed up the training wall.
" who?" I replied with gritted teeth.
" YOU KNOW" he yelled up. I looked around, I could see the halo the sunlight made on her hair as she finished her run in the distance. Hardly broke a sweat. She was alone as usual, her morning runs were just her, she wasn't required to do all the physical things the rest of the soldiers were but she tried.
I could see her plunk down by the shady tree as she dug through her notebooks and wrote something down. The sun caught her eye so she looked away—- and into my direction. I tried to look away so I wasn't caught staring but it was too late. I nearly lost my handhold and the safety rope wasn't kicking in. I fell...Right onto my back.
" well that's one way to get her attention. Didn't think you'd take it but—"
" shut up!" I said to him while groaning at the pain of it all. Humiliation and my back is pretty damn sore too.
" oh come on, she can get her hands all over you now, Besides- there's not much to her— probably snap her in half at the first—" he paused when Ana smacked him.
" Come on Jack" Ana said as she helped me up. I could see Angela pausing a few yards away.
I waved and she did a questioning look.
" I'm fine!" I called out.
" coward" Reyes said with a chuckle.
Angela tilted her head and then nodded once it registered before turning back to go get her things.
" he's just shy" Ana said.
" yeah well, take any longer and I'll—"
" you wouldn't!" Ana said to Reyes as she smacked his arm again.
" I would. I mean personally she's boring but I got a thing for sadists, and that woman probably loves inflicting pain" Reyes said with a fake shudder.
" oh please, have you seen her administer medication? She is the daintiest little thing " Ana replied with an eye roll.
" I'm telling you, she has some sort of kink hidden under all that boringness, so someone has to find out. I know a number of dudes and women that have her number currently. So it's only a matter of time" Reyes said.
" Shut up, but it's not like she becomes some tarnished woman if she dates someone here" I said.
" tarnished? What is this the 1950's? but you—- liiiiiike her" Reyes said with emphasis.
Ana was letting out a laugh and I just shrugged and gathered up my things.
" I'm just saying, if she wants to date someone she can" I said, waving my arms around.
" who's to say she isn't?" Ana said.
" oh, she isn't—- she's a robot. Work, work, lecture, work, work... drink, work, nap for five minutes, work" Reyes laughed.
But then he suddenly stopped and stared at me.
" come to think of it, that's all you do too! Minus the drinking, which we can fix, drinks tonight?"
" yeah" I replied.
" meet you at ten then" he said as I walked away.
/ later that evening.
" hey doctor! We are headed out to the bar! You coming?" Reyes shouted as we started to head out with our group.
Angela looked up from her desk, she was nearby for now while her office was being built.
" It will be fun" Ana said as she tried to sway her into coming.
" oh come on, she's a doctor she doesn't have fun. Fun is getting new gauze!" Reyes jokes and Angela rolled her eyes.
" I did get new gauze this morning, so I think that's enough excitement for the day then" she replied with a cheeky smile.
Fuck Reyes loves that shit, maybe they are better suited, wait?! What am I thinking?!
" I figured, well if you think your rigid ass needs a break, come out with us" Reyes said, returning the grin.
The way her lashes brushed her cheek when she let out a small laugh.
" can I have a minute to finish with this" she asked.
" Yeah, but I'm not waiting for you" Reyes said.
" that's fine just—" she started but someone else piped up that they would wait for her.
" no, you can't—- you promised me that you'd buy the first round" Ana said and then she looked at me with big eyes indicating that I should stick around.
" I'll wait, I forgot to put my—- ammo away" I said, stumbling over an excuse. Reyes almost chuckled but Ana smacked his ribs.
" Alright it's settled" Reyes said as they turned to leave. I walked awkwardly back to my desk and opened and closed drawers like I was doing something.
" You could just tell me where you are headed, I can walk myself" Angela said softly as she put away a few things.
" oh I don't mind, I —"
" forgot to put away your ammo—- where is it exactly? " she asked.
" I uh. I must have been confused, it's just this— "
" you are stumbling over your words, did you hurt yourself when you fell? I figured Ana had you covered but if there's any sign of head injury you shouldn't be going out" Angela said as she slowly got up and flashed a light in my eyes.
" follow it" she said as she moved it around.
" I'm fine really, I just—- I wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out" I replied.
Her small ungloved hand touched my cheek lightly as she tilted my head back to look at my eyes. I've seen her do this before, I know she doesn't usually touch faces. It felt so soft, and lingered for a moment before uttering.
The unspoken tension, I swear there's tension, I gulped while trying to avoid eye contact. Her hand slowly moved down my cheek.
" if you say so" she murmured while pocketing the little light and slipping off her lab coat. A slight flush on her cheeks as my own burned.
"If you are going to be a minute, I'd like to change. I've been working with patients all day, and I don't like bringing that out with me" she said.
" you mean me?" I said with a fake offended tone.
" ha! I just ran one test on you, I've hardly touched you today" she said with an almost mischievous grin.
" well—- I'll be here" I said awkwardly. I fucking help lead people into battle and I can't flirt. What the hell?!
" thank you" she replied as she walked off, her heels tapping the floor.
I fumbled with things on my desk and looked over at hers. It's always in a state of chaotic disarray, like she has a billion thoughts going at once. She has almost nothing personal on it, no photos, nothing.
I heard her returning and moved away from my desk and stood up to meet her. I saw a slight teeter in the way she was moving now, if I'm not mistaken.
" Sorry, I always take a shot before going out, must be an anxiety thing" she mumbled " if you want one you can come back—"
" I'm okay, that's fine" I said as we walked down the hall and outside together. I'm kicking myself over that and now I should have said she looks nice, she looks beautiful. Her hair was fluffy and glowing, she was wearing a light dress that brushed my leg when we walked. But her boots were always on, no matter what.
I loved hearing the tapping closer to me, I felt like holding her arm in mine as we walked down the roughly paved sidewalk towards the little hole in the wall bar.
Reyes was outside smoking and smiled as we approached.
" You just wanted to look better than us, I see" he said to Angela as he threw an arm around her and tossed the cigarette to the street. I stomped it out for him while he led her inside.
He glared back at me as if I made some sort of mistake already. Which I had.
Reyes took Angela over to the bar and they chatted for a few minutes before he returned to me.
" well, she's something else" he said as he stood next to me.
" I know" I replied.
" Well, if it doesn't work out for you tonight, it will for me" he said jokingly. But I still didn't like it.
" I'm kidding man. I know you called dibs" he adds.
" You can't just call dibs on a woman" Ana said after groaning.
" I should know!" Reinhardt shouted loudly.
I saw Angela sitting at the bar with some colleagues. Reyes dragged me to the pool table for some distraction followed by darts.
" you want me to stab you in the leg with this!?" Reyes asked with a laugh before downing the rest of his beer.
" I'm fine" I replied, glancing over at her, her cheeks were slightly flushed pink as she spoke with a few others.
" man, I swear. I'll stab you right in the dick with this, that'll work I swear" Reyes said.
" oh come on now" Ana grunted as she took the dart from him.
" I'm just so sick of him pining away for her. Just do something about it! Open your mouth. Say words! Watch and learn!" He said as he turned to a long black haired woman and began to chat with her.
Ana sighed and patted my shoulder.
" don't worry, maybe it will happen, maybe it won't. But standing here is accomplishing nothing" she said with another pat on my shoulder.
I finished my beer and offered to get Reyes another but he was already waving goodbye at our group and leaving with the woman.
He's never been good at sticking by my side when women are around.
I tossed my bottle into recycling, and went up to grab a shot to warm me for the walk back. Angela leaned back at the time I leaned around her to get the bartender's attention. Her hair tickled my nose, the sugary vanilla scent was so close I just—- my hand steadied her back as she let out a melodic giggle.
" I'm sorry" I mumbled.
" wozu?" She replied as she tilted her head back to look up at me. The back of her head is nearly resting on my chest. I could feel my heart pounding louder and louder.
" what?" I said again and a little louder as her eyes lit up, matching the smile that grew on her face.
" sorry, what for?" She replied, turning her body in the stool to face me, her knee bumping my thigh. The way she looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, that looked almost floaty. She has a half smile of inebriated curiosity.
" I didn't mean to bump into you, I was trying to get a drink" I said.
" I've got you" she replied, handing me her beer.
" no— I" I started.
" I don't want it! I have this one, but some people keep buying rounds and I'm stuck in a loop! "
" alright" I replied as I took it.
" My germs are on it, so be warned" she said pointing to the light press of lipgloss on the rim.
" as long as you didn't poison it" I replied and she shook her head, her bangs waving over her eyes. The little melodic giggle in response to my dorky comment.
The weird part of me wanted to press my lips to where she drank, but I didn't, carefully avoiding it.
" I see why you didn't finish this" I replied.
" yeah it's French" she replied and I must have grimaced.
" hey doctor! I'm having some pain" someone shouted.
Angela quirked a brow but then rolled her eyes when she saw where and who said it.
" people use that a lot?" I asked.
" you have no idea" she answered with a light laugh, her legs still bumping lightly against mine. And she's made no attempt to move away even though the slightest movement to the left would keep them out of my way... which I don't want her to do.
I got bumped into her by some bickering nearby, her holding onto me to keep me from falling ( I wouldn't). I almost immediately backed up when her hands softened their grip of stability into a mode affectionate hold. But I moved out of her grip. Am I this terrified of her?
The people remaining started getting rowdier and that's the cue for us agents to get out, better to let authorities deal with it than us.
I hung back a bit to make sure Angela was coming along, she had lingered a moment longer to get a shot. As she stepped outside she nearly jumped when she saw me.
" did I scare you?" I asked apologetically.
" no, I'm relieved actually, thank you" she said as she walked next to me, Ana was walking in front of us with Reinhardt. They hardly noticed us walking behind them, Angela didn't say much and I didn't have much to offer. I keep thinking of how to act more openly on my crush. Reyes was so aggressive. He'd probably invite her in for a drink or something.
I tried to find the words but she was fidgeting with her phone as she walked.
" working on something?" I questioned.
" Usually, this is just monitoring my steps, I was counting with it" she said taking a larger stride then another before resuming normal pace.
" what for?"
" I don't know. Something to do" she's nearly bumped into me. She's very drunk, I want to tell her something but I can't find the words.
And by the time I do, she's already back at her room after saying the briefest chirpiest " goodnight" to me. I think she even bowed.
I hovered outside the room I shared with Reyes, dreading if he brought someone back and I'd have to hang out in the lobby until whatever was done.
I just want my own room again. I love having him as a roommate when on base. But here, it's more of a headquarters. So some guests can be allowed. I knocked on the door twice and Reyes opened it half naked, lipstick smeared down the side of him.
" couch?" I asked.
" naw she's gone" Reyes replied.
He looked outside the door and frowned.
" really?! I figured this would finally be you kicking me out for some action" Reyes said with frustration.
" she's different"
" yeah, she's a fucking weirdo! So stop overthinking it! You are being a wimp" he said as he yanked me into the room.
" I don't know how to talk to her"
" you talk to her all the time. ALL THE TIME! It's time to stop talking, and start fucking. The tension is there, just— go knock on her door or you will be sleeping on the couch because I will knock"
" knock it off" I said as I headed for the bathroom.
" I already did but I'm willing to have another round" he said as he walked towards the door, I tried to stop him but he just grinned and gave me another chance to go. When I refused he left.
The pit in my stomach felt solid as he was gone for a while. That's that. So I just carry on with my night. Washing up and brushing my teeth and hopping into bed. Sighing in utter frustration at the ceiling.
The door opened when he returned about an hour later.
I pretended to be asleep.
And he shook my bed and laughed for a moment. I wanted to punch him. I don't care if she fucked him, I'm just so pissed he'd do this to me.
" I got some one on one medical attention from the doctor" he teased while I just grunted and rolled over.
I don't need this. I know he loves to joke around normally. I dish it back, but not about this. Not about her.
" Oh you aren't any fun" he sighed.
" really?! You expect me to be happy about this?! " I snapped.
I noticed a clean set of stitches running down his side. I guess it wasn't lipstick earlier...
" calm down boy scout. She didn't jump me" Reyes said.
" whatever man" I growled.
" look! You have to make your move. I've been watching you pine over her for months—- longer! This is getting so annoying! Just get laid! Your tension is pissing me off" he growled back before going to his own bed.
" so you didn't"
" no, I didn't. But I did get to see her in some really short nightie, I think she was expecting you. She looked so disappointed opening that door, so disappointed she just noticed a cut that needed stitches. Unfortunately she did that dressed."
" Reyes?"
" yeah?"
" you are an asshole" I groaned.
" and you are a jackass" he replied.
—-
" you two wouldn't be together if it wasn't for me" He grunted.
" I would have figured it out eventually" Angela said.
He let out another laugh before rolling his eye.
" I do owe you something but not much, it's just a beer" I said.
" oh don't get all sentimental on me" He chortled.
" I'm not, I'm doing something for the person you were" I said.
" you know what I did to her right?" He asked as I got closer to him, Angela types on her computer.
" That wasn't you" I replied.
He kept grumbling, like he was grasping at straws. Angela looked over at me and I sighed and shook my head.
I pushed my chair out from my desk and walked over to him, standing and looking him in the eye.
" I want to punch you, I've wanted you dead for years, what you did to her and me... I know it wasn't completely you. I know you treated her like shit, but I'm sorry if you felt left behind when I accepted the commander position. I'm sorry that all of this happened to you. But I cannot figure out why you would go to Talon and that decision was all you. For that you deserve to pay in some way. But not like this" I said and he slowly clapped mockingly.
" feel better Boy Scout? " he asked.
" for the first time in a long time? I do" I replied and meant it.
The door was being opened and Reyes looked at me, and I swear there was a minor flash of guilt before he was getting escorted out.
" I sure as hell don't" he replied as the door closed behind him.
He's scared. There went the feeling of okay. I looked over at Angela who twitched her nose in a sniffling way, I saw her blinking at the screen trying to hold back some tears.
She still has to see him tomorrow early morning. We are actually staying here tonight I think. I know it was considered to have Fareeha watch him overnight because this is going to be rough.
" you okay?" I asked her.
" I'm managing " she replied as the keys clattered under her shaky hands.
I slumped back into my seat, we didn't talk the rest of the afternoon. I don't have anything to say and I know she's working through it in her own way, which makes me suspicious but at the same time I trust her.
" hungry?" I asked her and she shook her head in a no, I nodded in agreement.
Flashback/
Torbjorn was with us as well, just out doing some canvassing for new recruits. The fact that she came along was extremely unusual. Reyes kept telling me this was my last chance to try and make a move. Because 'at this point it's pathetic'.
We had a suite and her room was adjoining. I knocked on her door but it just fell open, she wasn't there but Reyes nearly rushed by me.
" Look, we can gather intel and see what the hell she's up too" he said as he went over to her bag.
" Come on man, we are leaving everything how it is" I said as I pulled on his arm.
" alright alright, want to go to the bar before the lecture? It's probably where her drunk ass is hanging out anyways" he said pointing to the half finished vodka bottle near her bed, barely covered by a sheet.
" I'm good" I said as I closed the door behind us.
" You are coming and that's final" Reyes said, pulling me along. I'm tired and grumpy and guilty.
But eventually I agreed, we sat near the back, tossing darts into the wall.
" Remember when we did this without you constantly worried about her? Remember how much simpler overwatch was before her?" Reyes said with a slight slur in his words.
" why are you so upset with her?"
" because you won't make a damn move. You are so frustrated it's wearing me down. You want a woman? There's a billion? You want a man!? There's also a billion. Don't let her have this much control over you and your behavior. It's pointless" he said.
" I can't help it at this point—"
" you just fucking talk to her. Or something. It's not going anywhere! And it's clearly distracting you from what you need to accomplish! Goals Jack! You had goals"
" I still do! You probably think about her more than I do" I said.
" alright no more A words—- in a few days we are headed out. And you need your head clear. So let's focus on that" he said.
We talked about the lecture, and then headed over to it. She wasn't there, unsurprisingly.
Reyes and I worked incredibly well to inspire people into overwatch. It's still growing, and Reyes speaks so proudly about it.
His words reached further and deeper than I could right now. Reminding me to keep myself focused like he was. Driven, like he was.
As we headed to the car I mentioned how much I enjoyed his speech and he looked at me and started laughing.
" I said your speech, you idiot" he laughed and then I started to laugh.
" are you serious?"
" yeah, you gave it like months ago, I keep copies around— like we are supposed to. Our dumbass scripts" he said with a waving gesture.
" Well you sold it better than I could, " I said as he laughed.
" Yeah, that's why we make a good team. You've got my back and I've got yours... but yeah, your speeches are something else just like— her!" He said as he smacked my shoulder, rushing off to chase another woman down. But they already knew each other from what I could tell. He waved at me to head back.
I woke up to him asking for the room, so I slept on the couch, only to be woken up when the door opened slowly in the middle of the night.
" Angela?" I whispered.
" yeah, sorry. Did I wake you up?" She said softly.
" no, Reyes has uh. Company" I said.
" ah, well. If you want my bed you can have it, I have a couch in there as well. Because chances are—- they'll keep you up?" She said.
A loud clamoring happened and I felt Angela so close to me, I could feel her body heat, smell the bit of alcohol on her and that sugar scent.
My hand brushed against hers accidentally but her hand replied by touching mine, her pinky holding them together for a moment. She was so soft, I just wanted to pull her down here with me but another sound makes her jump.
" they really are loud" I said scratching my head with my free hand.
" yeah... offer still stands" she said as she tapped my hand before walking off. It was so dark, I couldn't see her expression, this was rather bold of her—
I couldn't bring myself to do it. I could see the door of her room slightly ajar, the light from her bathroom shining a light into the room as she went through her routine. I could hear a bit of drunk stumbling. And I wanted to go and help her but the coward in me is frozen in place.
I saw her emerge from the bathroom with an old band tshirt—- almost the same— no it's the same one I have. It's hard to tell if she's wearing anything under it. But she lets out a soft sigh and comes back to the door.
" I'll leave this open in case, couch is still free" she says before turning out the light, when she does that I can see the tiniest portion of her beautiful ass.
Fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuuuck. You fucking moron, just get up, just get up and go in there—- the glow of her phone, I can hear clearly scully and mulder arguing as she has a rerun playing softly.
I guess she can't sleep without noise—
All I hear is a combo of Torbjorn snoring up a storm. Reyes and I think Krysta? I know I've met her before. He had a huge thing for her and anytime he sees her, he's happier.
I don't know why they aren't working it out to be together but he won't discuss it. At all.
So I just tried to isolate the sound of the episode coming from her room. Picturing her curled up with her phone, and picturing me being able to hold her, kiss her—-
Reyes' door pops open a little while later, and she's storming out, he's pissed and looks at me. While I try to feign sleeping. He noticed the door of Angela's room slightly ajar with the soft light.
" fucking coward. Both of us then" he said as he stumbled to the fridge.
" need to talk?" I asked.
" nothing to talk about. Unless you want to talk about how you are a coward" he growls.
The door slams and the light in Angela's room went out, presumably from it going into sleep mode. Meaning she's hopefully asleep to not hear it.
But the daintiest footsteps and her closing the door. It was so gentle but direct.
" ah, best friends striking out together" Reyes said as he punched my shoulder.
" that's us" I replied with a sigh.
" eh, each day you get closer and closer to telling her that you like her— until then? Speeches, I won't be able to sleep anyways" he said as I moved my legs for him to sit.
"how did Krysta get out here?" I asked.
" family in town...worked out, actually it didn't "
" I still can't believe you said my speech and I didn't notice" I stated while shaking my head while trying to change the conversation.
" Yeah well, once you get on your ' gotta save the universe tirade' you get all star spangled thrilled and get overly hyped, so it's no surprise your internal patriotism spikes" he replied with a laugh.
" Star spangled thrilled?!" I said with a laugh.
" yeah, should be your new call sign"
" I'm surprised you didn't pitch it earlier"
" I was saving it for when you finally go full freedom fest"
" and what would that be?"
" Hell I don't know, loading your pulse rockets with fire works while wearing some sort of spangled ensemble"
" not a bad idea, besides the outfit" I chuckled.
" what?! I make the best Halloween costumes, I'm sure we can come up with a halfway decent Boy Scout uniform for you"
" speeches—- we are working on speeches Reyes. Not costumes"
" yeah yeah—-" he grumbled before rummaging for a few beers, plopping them on the table; opening then guzzling one while I frantically moved the folders of speeches. I popped open the folder and began to read.
" not all of this works you know?" I said, glancing over his recent written one.
" yeah, why did I use yours? My opening? Fine! The meat? Not so great" he said pointing to the circled bits I highlighted.
" but it's your words, so it matters—- just try to be a bit nicer when phrasing your reasoning for joining" I said.
" honor, valor—- blah blah -"
" alright, just use mine, just—- try to put a spin on it if you can"
" didn't get this far by copying your work"
" I know" I replied.
A/N: I apologize if these old flashbacks seem out of place, i just feel i never fully went over or into their friendship. I feel that has been a big error in my writing. So i apologize.
Thank you to all of my readers, including: Kirabeta, Trokxy, TheMdogs,robot584, dragontear365, ayumiiishinozakiii, CyborgNinja777,jfm76, Chaosdynasty,and L0rdOfThEMemes