The concept of passing time was still largely new to Junkrat. Hadn't always had the luxury of wasting it, needed every spare minute to gather what you could – food, water, scrap to sell, junk for weapons, even to just prepare for what might be out there or put some distance between anyone planning on killing you.
And sure, there had been nights when hunger twisted like a knife in his gut or the cold bit too deep and he knew he couldn't sleep, could only tell jokes to himself as he huddled up and wait out the dawn... or when the fierce midday sun beat down at its peak and there was no choice but to lie in whatever shade was available, sickly and sweltering but unable to move for fear of making it worse... it wasn't the same. The sudden emptiness where 'things that needed to be done' should have been felt wrong.
It hadn't been so bad when he'd first left, him and Roadhog had run from one one adventure to the next, laying carnage to all within their path. It had seemed to Junkrat that that sparkling world went on forever. There was always something new to see, to steal, to experience, to destroy... and when there wasn't they'd move on to the next place, never a dull moment, never a pause.
Life at Overwatch headquarters was different. When not required for active duty there was a lot of time to fill, and that led to – as the others like to put it – him making a nuisance of himself. Not like he meant to, really, he just... didn't like the quiet, the stillness, the lack of happening. It went against his very nature.
Some members had come to begrudgingly accept it. Some even smiled when he wandered in, wicked grin on his face and a greatly exaggerated story already spilling from his lips. Others did not. Funnily enough Symmetra was not one of them.
Everyone had expected them to hate each other with a passion, and they'd hit it off with a rough start it was true, but they'd developed what he could only describe as an odd sort of truce. Too different to be close but they understood enough of each others quirks that they could manage something. And sure, he had the hunch she filtered out most of what he said once he got rambling because she always wore her headset when he was about, but she didn't ignore him, didn't excuse herself when he appeared.
It made the workshop one of his favorite places to frequent. Even if she wasn't around Torbjorn often was and despite being prickly at times he was still a good sort by Junkrat's reckoning. Swapped stories, let him look over his turret designs, lent him tools when he mislaid his own.
After Lucio and Hana had gone there separate ways, and Junkrat had spared a few minutes to track down Tracer and continue his campaign of trying to pester a pulse bomb out of her (and be denied, of course), he'd made his way to the workshop.
Symmetra was sitting at her usual bench on the carefully ordered side of the room that had become hers, a space he wasn't allowed to intrude. He offered a 'G'day' in her direction as he made a b-line for Torbjorn's absent table.
Any other plans he'd had were scattered. There was a pile of new materials laid out by a half constructed turret and his fingers itched to get all over them. The old scavenger instinct, still at large. Before he knew it he was picking up piece after piece, turning them this way and that as he examined them, tried to work out their purpose, their value. The bits he was done with were tossed unceremoniously back into the pile.
Symmetra's voice was calm in the background. "I would be careful not to mislay any components. Torbjorn would likely not appreciate it."
Junkrat flapped a hand as if to wave away her concern. "Eh, it's all good Sheila, just takin' a looksie. Not seen this stuff before. He's makin' something new, right?"
"I believe he is attempting to upgrade his design further."
"Can't see what needs improvin' meself," he said, dropping a strangely shaped metal screw and glancing over at her. "'cept maybe addin' more explosives."
She was perfectly poised, eyes on her work as she drew. "There is always room for further improvement."
Same as ever. He made a noise. Not quite agreement, not quite disagreement, more like the verbal incarnation of a shrug. Symmetra was a stickler for finer details, loved everything to be just so, always fussing. Junkrat lived off the philosophy of 'good enough'. If it worked, it worked. He'd never really understood why she spent hours each day drawing up new blueprints and making changes so small he couldn't even recognize them. His attention span wouldn't last a fraction of that. Any time he asked her about it, teased her for wasting the day, she always gave the same plain response.
He changed topic. There was always something for Junkrat to chat about. In fact, once he felt secure enough to start there was very little that could stop him. He painted faces on a stack of bomb casings to keep his hands occupied while he talked - rambling about one thing or another, telling jokes he couldn't remember the end of, complaining about things that had no relevance. Symmetra would nod every so often, or offer a short response. It was quite like talking to Hog in that way. Just odd little sounds to assure him that he wasn't ignored, to fill the silence when he trailed off. It was good enough.
Eventually though his mind drifted back to the problem of earlier that day. His thick brows knit into a frown as he stared at the half-finished face he'd been painting. Hesitantly he looked up at Symmetra. She was watching him, alerted by his sudden quiet.
"You, uh... ya trust everyone here, right?" he asked, not entirely sure where he was going with this.
"Of course. We are all on the same team, working for a greater purpose."
"Sure..." And she was right, he knew that, had never been given reason to doubt. The only enemy was his own instincts, how quickly they allowed suspicion to brew when folk didn't do what he expected. He pushed them aside. "So... ya know anythin' about video games?"
Her expression was bemused. He gave a sudden, shrill laugh at the sight of it, dropping his paint brush as he tried to stifle the sound with a hand, sides shaking. Why it was so funny he didn't know but something about the confusion on a face that was usually so composed set him off. Only got a look like that if you caught her off guard. Once he had himself back under control he spilt the story.
"It's just... well, don't know a bloody thing 'bout 'em meself and I figured it might help, if ya did that is, just so I ain't goin' in blind. Give a bloke a few tips and tricks. Be doin' me a right favour."
She tipped her head to the side slightly, weighing his question. When she spoke it was slow and thoughtful. "I am not one for 'gaming' so there is little insight I can offer. However, while I am not always best at reading people's intentions, I doubt they would have invited you based on experience. It is a social activity for some, meant to enforce bonding. Approach it as such and I am sure it will go well."
"Ah, it's easy for you to say, ya didn't rope yourself up into this mess. Just don't like walkin' into something without knowin' what to expect, ya get me?" he said, scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck. "It's like... holy dooley, don't know how to put it into words but there's somethin' not right 'bout it."
"You made the decision to join Overwatch before seeing the facility and meeting the agents," she pointed out. "Is that not the same?"
"Yeah, nah... maybe. Doesn't change much. Just wondered if ya had some intel, give me a leg up... well, just one."
She ignored his chuckle and fixed him with a stare. "Jamison. It will be fine." After a moments pause she added, "If you intend to go I would make a note of it. Your memory can be fickle and they may take offense if you do not make an appearance."
"Gotcha." He finger-gunned at her, grinning. Her expression was exasperated, but also faintly amused he thought – it was often hard to tell with Symmetra, her responses were carefully measured and ordered, just like everything around her.
"And you should shower."
He wrinkled his nose. "Again? Already?" How people could willingly waste so much water he'd never understand.
"Yes."
He huffed, and made no promise either way. It was one of several reasons he was not permitted on her side of the workroom. Symmetra tolerated him better than many but only if he accepted her boundaries. But Junkrat understood territory, knew that if someone put a claim on a place you stayed clear unless you wanted a fight. Picked that up from a young age. And maybe he hadn't always listened, but there was no need to break unspoken rules now, no desperate struggle to survive.
He occupied the rest of the day drifting from one task to the next. Blowing up training bots, raiding the monkey's supply of peanut butter, doing maintenance on his arm and leg, joining in a game of cards with the cowboy – leaving shortly after when the archer kept asking questions about his treasure. There was always one distraction or another, and so long as he kept moving the stillness couldn't catch up to him.
In the end he found himself back with Roadhog, recounting what he could remember of the day while the mountain of a man tried to focus on his book. It looked tiny in his massive hands, it was enough to make Junkrat snicker, losing track of what he had been saying entirely. Roadhog's sigh was deep and long suffering.
"Do you ever shut up?"
"What? Just makin' conversation, mate... or tryin' to. Ya don't half make it hard at times."
Roadhog gave an irritable grunt. Junkrat ignored him, flipping onto his back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. If Hog wanted peace he should have known better than to stay out in the open in the main lounge. Nothing but a locked door would keep Junkrat at bay... and sometimes not even that. He pulled out one of his bombs and began to toss it lazily. "Think it'll be long till the next mission?"
"Dunno."
"Yeah? Well I hope it ain't. Got some new mines I've been meanin' to test, real kick to 'em. Picture this," he said, setting the bomb of the floor and lifting his arms up, forming a neat square with his fingers. "There we are, outnumbered seven to one... to two... to... ah it don't matter, point is there's a bloody lot of 'em. Anyways, there they all are, comin' right at us across the bridge and then... boom!"
Junkrat splayed his fingers. "Off they go, blown sky high..." He giggled to himself. "Or, well, off the bridge at any rate. Concussive blast. What ya think?"
Roadhog grunted again.
"I know, right? Genius." He grinned at him but his bodyguard was focussed on his book still and Junkrat's expression fell to a pout. Then he smiled again. "Tell ya what, I can show ya now if your keen for it, sneak peak before the big firework show."
"No explosives indoors," Roadhog warned. Junkrat scoffed, and Roadhog looked up at him. He didn't doubt for a second that his eyes were narrowed behind the glass lenses of his mask.
"I know that ya drongo," Junkrat said, waving away his concern, "soldier seventy-whatzit's tellin' me every day. Nah, meant on the trainin' range. No rules about that."
"It's getting late."
"What's the matter grandpa, need a nap?" he taunted.
"You're supposed to be somewhere."
Now Junkrat's brows drew together in a moment of confusion. Was he? He never really had to be anywhere, unless something needed to be blown up, and those times seemed painfully few and far between. Maybe the doc wanted to catch up with him? She kept calling him back every week or so, going on about potential lingering effects of radiation and what-not.
Roadhog was studying him, waiting to see if he could work it out for himself. And Junkrat wanted to. Hated moments when something slipped his mind like smoke through his fingers. It was fine when he didn't notice, when it didn't matter, but when folk just expected him to know shit and there was a gaping hole in his memory instead... it felt like losing his footing. An odd, lurching moment of imbalance.
He narrowed his eyes to pinpoints, and when he didn't speak Roadhog prompted him.
"Satya told me you were having a games night. Asked me to remind you."
"Who the heck is Satya?"
"Symmetra."
"...right." He scratched at his chin, trying to snatch back snippets from the day. He'd had a conversation with her, couldn't remember what about. She didn't seem like the type for games though so it had to be someone else... then it hit him and he sat up sharply, clicking his fingers. "Oh! Mech girl and the short one! It was them, ay?"
Roadhog's grunt confirmed it. Junkrat beamed, pleased with himself. After a little more thought he even recalled where to meet. Something kept him lingering though, a reluctance to move he couldn't put his finger on. Roadhog was having none of it. Maybe he just wanted a chance to finish his book but once he was sure Junkrat knew where to go he all but booted him out the room.
Junkrat clunked his way through the corridors, muttering to himself as he went.
Roadhog was right. This had been his idea. His choice to agree. Wasn't much point in backing out now, he wasn't a coward or nothing... just had his doubts. They kept hounding at him: the way they had been waiting, like an ambush, and then inviting him onto their territory, alone, like a lure, a trap... ah bloody hell, he was so used to watching out for shit like that it was impossible to ignore. He squared his shoulders and powered through, refusing to turn back. When he reached the door he didn't pause. Knocking sharply with his prosthetic called out, "Oi, it's me. I'm here."
Junkrat hung awkwardly in the corridor, his peg leg tapping at the ground while he listened. Felt like an age before the door was pulled open.
Lucio blinked, then immediately broke into a smile. "Oh hey man, you made it! Hana and I weren't sure if... well, doesn't matter, you're here now."
He felt oddly defensive. "Said I would be, didn't I?"
"Yeah, it's just... ah forget it. Come on in." He ushered him in enthusiastically. Junkrat's step was cautious, eyes darting about the room as he quickly assessed its contents.
They had agreed to group up in Hana's room on the grounds that she had the best gaming set up. It had the same basic layout of all the rooms in the base from what he could see, but the walls were covered with colorful posters. Several screens stretched across the desk amidst a sea of cables and snack wrappers. Hana herself was lying on her front on the bright pink bed spread, legs kicked up behind her and bottle of fizzy drink in her hand. She gave him a wave. "Hiya."
"Hey," he returned.
Lucio closed the door behind him. Junkrat's twitch was barely perceptible.
"So," Lucio said as he wandered back to his beanbag, "make yourself at home. We've got chips, we've got dips. Haven't started any games yet, we were talking over what to play just when you showed up."
"We'll start you off on console seeing as your a noob," Hana said.
"Hana!"
Junkrat didn't know what noob was but he guessed it was an insult going off Lucio's reaction. She didn't seem to mean anything by it though, and whatever it was he'd almost certainly been called worse. She wasn't paying attention to him now anyway, leaning precariously off the bed to reach one of the glowing boxes under her desk and punch at a few buttons. The screens lit up and she grabbed something and lobbed it in his direction. "Here."
He caught it reflectively. A plastic device of some kind, with a pair of control sticks and an array of strange buttons over its surface. She passed one to Lucio too and kept one for herself. Junkrat studied the device curiously, glancing at the other two to see how they held them, trying to mimic the way they let it settle in their hands, the way their fingers curled around the triggers.
"Take a seat dude," Lucio prompted, "relax."
Hana stretched a leg off the bed and nudged the swivel chair by the desk with her foot.
Junkrat supposed that was acceptable. He'd be able to leap out of it quickly if he had to, much better than another beanbag. "Ta."
He sat down.
"We'll try this one first," Hana was saying, navigating quickly through a menu screen, "it's a standard hoard mode."
"Standard. Right," Junkrat muttered, trying to focus on the images on the screen when his eyes kept wanting to flick elsewhere. This all seemed to be going too quickly.
"It's pretty simple," Lucio said reassuringly, "you just have to survive waves of enemies, kill as many of them as possible while staying alive. We're all working together so we'll help you out, just yell out if you're getting overwhelmed."
The screen was flashing again, some kind of intro with low background music. Then suddenly the picture changed. It split into quarters, one dark and the other three looking out at the ruins of a city.
"You're bottom screen," Hana said while he continued to stare. The pictures on the top two quarters had already started to shift.
"What do I do?" he asked.
"Follow me," she said.
Junkrat glanced over at her but she wasn't moving. He looked back at the screen again, frowning. There was movement on his one now, a figure jumping up and down infront of wherever the camera was. He looked up at the top screens, observed how their view shifted. Ah, he thought he got it now. The figure was being controlled by Hana.
A second figure joined the jumping one.
"Come on man, we've only got a minute to set up before they start pouring in," Lucio said.
"Yeah, this way, hurry up," Hana said, and the figures turned, running a short distance before turning around again.
Junkrat looked down at the controller in his hand. "How?"
There was a pause. Then Hana burst out laughing.
Junkrat hunched his shoulders defensively, glaring at her and trying to ignore the frustrated anger beginning to bubble inside. "Well what the fuck did ya expect? Told ya I ain't never played crap."
"My bad," she said, still shaking from laughter. Lucio was trying to hide his own smirk. This had been a mistake, a damn stupid mistake.
His teeth ground together.
"Should have started you off with some tutorials," Hana said apologetically. "It's fine. Here, see this stick here? You move that one to move. Try it."
Still glaring he nudged the stick with his thumb. The view on the bottom screen moved. Curious now Junkrat shifted it again, this way and that, observing how the picture changed, following his movements. Like magic.
"See? Easy. Now try the other one. That's your view, it changes the way you're looking."
He followed her commands, a hesitant smile creeping on to his lips as he spun the camera in slow circles. Strange that such a small level of control could be so gratifying.
"You're a natural. Almost ready for jumping I think."
"Might want to start a new game first," Lucio said, "we'll be overrun in a few seconds."
"Don't worry, I can carry the both of you losers."
"Hana."
"Oh fine." She dragged them back to the menu. When she booted up a new game she quickly had Junkrat running around, jumping obstacles and firing or switching weapons under her guidance. He picked it up quickly. Surprisingly quickly if their reaction was anything to go by, but he'd always been a fast learner, it was a good survival trait to have. His aim was still shit but that was nothing new. They let him play characters that didn't need great accuracy.
Slowly the tension he had initially felt began to ease. His posture relaxed. His grin came more naturally, his laugh bursting out sporadically as enemies fell. Before he knew it he was talking, joining in the excited conversation as they narrated the battle, recounted their epic plays, talked strategy. And then talked about other things. The problems with the base, complaints about other members, offhand chatter that meant nothing. He barely even noticed the shift. Didn't dare comment on it when he did.
It was the early hours of the morning when they finally called it a night.
"Best be on me way then," Junkrat said reluctantly, getting up and giving a quick stretch, working out the stiffness in his muscles.
"Crap you're tall," he heard Lucio murmur.
He squinted down at him. "Ain't everyone tall to ya?"
Hana giggled.
"Alright, maybe, but I mean you're seriously tall, man. Just never noticed before. You don't stand up straight a lot."
"Can't mate, not with me bum leg. Best this way anyhow, gotta give others a chance." He relaxed back into his usual slouch, limping off towards the door. "Cheers for the games."
"You had fun though, right?" Hana called after him, causing him to turn.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, guess so. Weren't half bad."
"Wanna do it again some time then?"
He stood still, considering them. "Sure," he said eventually.
Hana beamed. "I'll make a gamer out of you yet."
He wasn't sure if that was true, but as he made his way back to his own room he supposed it didn't really matter. Fact was the night had closed a little of the distance between them. That was all that he cared about, that and the smile that still lingered on his lips.
((Ended up longer because I wanted to throw in some interaction with different characters. I still like the idea that Junkrat and Symmetra sort of get along and everyone else is totally confused as to why they don't hate each other...))
