8 times Sniper interacted with his team and 1 time he didn't Chapter 1, a team fortress 2 fanfic

A/N: I was and still am into TF2 fics, specially anything Sniper related and sadly a lot of them have been deleted. So, here's some of my favourite handcanons of Snipes mixed into one fic and I hope you all enjoy!

1. 'Sniper playing music from his van for Scout's workout'

Being a professional sniper wasn't easy, there were rules, procedures and instincts that had to be trained into you from the moment you picked up the gun. Now, Sniper wasn't one to brag or show off, but he prides himself on his ability to predict his teammates activities; to watch them from afar and keep track of whose where.

He'd never mention it, but he does this to avoid them.

Particularly Soldier, who's been trying to rope him into 'bonding' activities with the rest of the team.

Gross.

And don't even get him started on Medic's check-ups.

That's a nightmare all on its own. He's been going strong for a few years now.

Point is, it's become a habit – watching his teammates that is – he would never actively engage with their arguments or even stay long enough for any of them to recognise his presence. He didn't seek anyone out and no one dared to seek him out, he was just known as the quiet gunman who kept to himself. Even when he was first introduced to the team, they knew early on not to engage with him, he never responded back with more than a nod or a simple shrug.

Scout was unfortunately more stubborn.

"Yo Snipes!"

"Sniper!"

"See that hit?"

"What's in your van?"

"Hey Snipes, something on your mind?"

"Do ya know how to talk?"

Sniper is almost 100% certain that there's some secret bet going on behind his back, probably about trying to get him to talk.

Just to clarify, he's not mute. Far from it actually, but he is very spiteful. If they've made a bet about him trying to talk then he's not going to. He's been doing great so far without words.

They can all jump off a cliff for all he cares.

Point is, Scout has been trying to get him to talk, more so than usual. Maybe the bet has higher stakes now? Who knows. All Sniper can do is continue to avoid Scout and the others, while maintaining his own schedule.

Wake up.

Clean van.

Steal food before the others arrive.

Back into van.

Clean and check over his weapons.

Nap.

And repeat.

It may be simple, but it kept him sane during some trying times and long battles. However, one day Sniper decided to break away from his little schedule.

Looking back, he now blames that particular day for everything that happened after.

It started simple, he had woken up earlier than usual due to some bizarre dream that's been bothering him from time to time. At this point he would maybe do some light stretches or make some coffee to properly wake up, instead he chooses to walk around for a bit. He could swear that something was just tugging at him, pulling on his body to follow an invisible path. Exiting his van, he headed straight for the base; his anxiety was buzzing in the back of his mind trying to warn him of the potential of running into the others.

But his curiosity won over, he needed to figure what was pulling on him.

A slight crunch under his boot shook him out of his thoughts, lifting his boot he froze at the sight.

Scout's earbuds.

Shit.

And judging by the sound of the crunch, he may have just broken them.

In fairness, those things were held together by duct tape and prayers that boy was notorious for not looking after other's property let alone his own. Crouching down Sniper gently lifted the ruined earbuds and pocketed them into his vest, already feeling bad.

Really, he could've just returned to his van and pretend it never happened, but he had some honour, he also felt really bad.

There were few things Scout treasured and that was his dog tags and earbuds.

And Sniper just broke them.

He could not in good conscious just not return them to Scout, he had sealed his fate and committed a terrible crime.

Destroying someone else's property.

Sighing to himself, Sniper got back up and continued on his trek towards the base but now had guilt weighing down in him the size of an elephant. The journey itself felt longer than usual, probably because he kept stopping to plan out his apology.

How did one even apologise?

He didn't mean to do it on purpose.

What if Scout tried to fight him? What if it becomes a battle to the death?

Sniper had never felt so overwhelmed before, there were too many possibilities and unknowns in this hypothetical interaction that he didn't even realise he was already in the team's kitchen.

Sometimes he really hated himself.

Curse him and his autopilot.

To his complete and utter fear there across the kitchen was the one and only Scout. He appeared to be tearing the living room apart with pillows being thrown across the floor and the couch overturned, clearly Scout was looking for something.

And Sniper knew immediately what it was, seeing as how he had in his vest pocket.

Moving slowly Sniper walked towards the younger man. Scout was grumbling to himself too engrossed in his search to notice Sniper's presence, it wasn't until Sniper's shadow covered him did, he look up.

He screamed; Sniper jumped back equally startled.

The pair stared at each other in stunned silence. Scout clutched his chest and started swearing, his Bostonian accent slipping through, mentioning something about Sniper needing a bell. Throughout it all, Sniper stayed silent waiting for the kid to calm down somewhat.

Only when Scout asked what he was doing trying to scare him did the man reach for his vest pocket. He lifted out the buds and carefully showed them to Scout, the younger grabbed them from his hand and inspected them quietly.

Too quietly.

Sniper had never seen his face look so blank, hell he hadn't even known Scout could be this quiet.

He felt really really bad now.

The buzzing hadn't stopped and watching Scout only made it worse, he had to say something.

It was when Scout sighed that he broke.

Cause fuck he didn't know the kid could sound so sad.

"I'm sorry mate."

His voice was the only sound in the room, slightly gravelled due to the lack use but clear none the less. Scout's head snapped up towards him, evidently caught off guard by the sudden sound of the infamous silent sniper.

The silence stretched between them; it seemed that Scout himself was at a loss of words almost in shock. Luckily for him once Sniper got started, he couldn't stop.

Words tumbled out of his mouth falling one after the other like a chain effect, baring his soul to the younger and apologising profusely. He talked about how he had noticed Scout would put his earbuds inside a little box that resided on the top shelf within his locker, he talked about how he noticed Scout would repair his earbuds in the kitchen always refusing Engie's assistance, he talked about how he noticed Scout would wear the buds while he was running around the compound or the way he fidgeted with the items whenever he was tense. Clearly, they hold sentimental value, and he felt really bad when he realised what he stepped on and Scout-

Scout had shot up from his position on the ground to crush the taller man into a hug, arms wrapped tight around the Sniper's waist. The man froze arms dangling uselessly as his brain tried to process his unexpected word vomit to Scout now hugging him. Eventually, Scout realised him with a sort of awed look in his eyes and a light grin, a sight that brought familiarity to Sniper and eased his nerves.

The younger than explained to him the story of the earbuds, they weren't necessary a gift but having grown up with so many siblings resulted in lots of hand-me-downs. Scout often got stuff last, but he'd make the most of it, especially the earbuds. They were the last few items he had left that reminded him of his family, he likes to think that he'll return home one day and given them to his younger siblings.

It's fine that they're broken Snipes, it just adds more character y'know? 'Sides I knew I shoulda given them to Engie to fix up anyway.

Sniper frowned at that.

He still felt guilty.

Scout only grinned in response.

"Thanks Snipes, see you round later?"

Sniper only nodded back, earning a laugh out of the teen. The two parted ways with Scout presumably heading to Engie's workshop and Sniper going back up to his van.

The next morning Sniper had an idea, a way to ease the guilt of ruining something so precious to the Scout no matter what he claimed of it being fine.

He may not have any earbuds to give him, but he did have a functioning radio.

Now, Sniper wasn't one to brag or show off, but he prides himself on his ability to predict his teammates activities; to watch them from afar and keep track of whose where. And this time he knew exactly where Scout was, in fact he could hear him doing his weekly run around the base.

Scout always passes his van.

And right now, Scout was heading straight towards him.

With a secret grin to himself, Sniper turned on his van and cranked his radio to the max volume it could produce.

Sniper wouldn't be good at his job if he didn't know what type of music Scout liked, it really wasn't that hard to figure out.

Leaning out the driver window, Sniper watched as Scout got closer almost speeding up even faster towards the sharpshooter. The teen had the biggest grin the man had ever seen, yelling about how fucking cool he was and how'd you know this was his favourite song?

Sniper merely gestured for him to finish his workout and Scout could do nothing but laugh as he started running with more enthusiasm.

Sniper had set up some chairs and a cooler outside his van filled with beer and some non-alcoholic beverages for the younger all the while still having loud music blasting out of his vehicle.

Scout returned after his workout run and the pair relaxed together against the morning sun, both with a new sense of comradery towards the other.

It soon became part of Sniper's little schedule.