𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠… 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒.

written by lexie

he doesn't do birthdays. okay, he doesn't do his own birthday. and he makes a point to tell everyone he doesn't do them so they don't expect anything from him on theirs. of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't get them anything. he got mcree a belt buckle for this last birthday, and the ninja some sort of delicate fan. he takes pride in knowing his teammates. his family. he loves the look of shock and awe on their face every year when he gets them something. he's not all bad, you know.

jack knows, though. he knows he does this, and he expects something from him. and he's never run into this problem before-- being around someone so often and so much that he's starting to run out of things to give him. there's a small bit of panic inside him as he holds the box full of roses close to him. the website said they were supposed to last and smell for years. it feels stupid. like it's not enough. even though he's planned a fancy dinner for the night as well, put on his formal uniform because it's the nicest thing he owns. he's trying his damndest to make jack feel special today.

she's on the floor. he says her name, but it barely registers with even him. he's quick to fall to his knees next to her, pulling her into his lap, trying to shake her away. what had she done? what did she do to herself?

he must have said it out loud, because she's answering him. for him? he didn't want this. he didn't want her dead. if she was dead, how was she going to fix him? how was she going to help relieve his pain? who was he going to sit with when he had no one else? what a fool she was.

he lets her kiss him, but he doesn't react at first. he's in shock, he can't stand it. he's angry. angry with her. angry with overwatch. with jack. if he hadn't made him fire her, they wouldn't be here. if he hadn't been so keen to follow whatever was good for publicity, they wouldn't be here. if he would have just listened to him, if he would have just let him work. they wouldn't be here. he wouldn't be holding moira in his arms as she fades away.

he's had enough of people dying in his arms, honestly.

he doesn't really think about it as it happens. his emotions are all but enveloping him at this point. the smoke emanating from his body get greater, like he's having a hard time staying in reality. he is. but it helps for what he does next-- he kisses her. only his mouth isn't moving. he's breathing into her. long, loud breaths. cold breaths. a lighter colored smoke comes from his mouth, going directly into moira's. he's trying. it hurts. god does it hurt, but he needs her around. needs her near him.

"i'm not asking, mcree. i'm telling." he snaps his vest on, lifting his head to look the other in the eye. it was more than obvious on day one that jesse mccree was not a soldier. he doesn't listen to orders, talks back to his superiors. it's annoying. but alas, gabriel wouldn't have it any other way.

@chronal-anomaly said "Aw, you're not a very convincing liar, are you?"

from a meme i dont wanna link LOL

see, this is why he prefers to work with his own agents vs. the overwatch agents. at least when the cowboy says something offhand he has no qualms with hitting him in the back of the head for it. but with oxton? it just feels wrong. like it's not his kid to punish. that, and she's incredibly small. he'd probably hurt her real bad if he flicked her nose too hard. so, he just lets out a sigh at the comment.

@amadaans said ❛ i need your help… and you need mine. ❜ / from moira!

from ask meme im too lazy to link

gabriel has never liked to admit when he needs help. he's spent his whole life clawing his way to the top, despite the aches and pains. despite the horrors in his head. he never once asked for help for himself, be it from physicians or his friends. the closest he has come is asking jack if he could take a weeks leave. just to sit. ruminate. but now here he is, sitting with moira and asking her if she could help him. but there's a catch. there's always a catch.