aw, hell . .

I'm also going to be starting back up with my seasonal job this week so I'll be both working and schooling full-time. It's a pretty exhausting job, but physical labor and having a set schedule usually helps boost my mentality/motivation, so we'll see if that'll help my activity here or not. But I'll also still be finishing up the semester too and working will give me a more limited timeframe for schoolwork so🤷‍♂️ If I'm unable to be active during the next couple months or so, my guess is that I'll likely be getting back to this by mid to the end of december with the end of the semester.

Creep in a T-Shirt - Portugal. The Man

The RED’s brow wrinkled as his face twisted into a persisting grimace—perhaps a bit agitated to be approached by the BLU Sniper. The man was always too quiet for Mick’s comfort—funnily enough, something he had initially respected, but now found just a touch unnerving. He was aware of the hypocrisy there, but it was frustrating not being able to quite tell what the hell was going on in his counterpart’s head. But, perhaps, that might’ve been a mutual feeling.

And just because it was a ceasefire didn’t mean he was going to keep his guard down, especially while the other man made his way over. Out of the corner of his eye, Mick spotted what the BLU was holding and his jaw visibly clenched. A small length of silence lingered between the two before he finally broke it.

Having a moment of respite like this was nice this. The quiet, the comfort, and—as Dell joined him—the company.

Sniper leant forward, grasping one of the mugs before he leant back with it balanced on his thigh. He could feel the warmth seeping from the ceramic there, as well as another source to his side as the Engineer leant against him. Dell’s words had a smile, slow, spread over his lips. He was more than happy to be something for his partner to lean on, and Mick always cherished any and all contact from him.

The man nodded before smiling brightly, his crow’s feet crinkled their talons as he chuckled. “ I am very excited. It has been very long since someone visited. Is there a preferred time you’d like to stop by? As joyous and as sudden as my invitation is, I do think I need to clean up the home a bit before you come…” That was lie, he did not think the man would accept his offer and so he found himself a bit flustered. 

Jeremy was usually the only one to visit him. He didn’t mind since Augesten and the Scout’s mother were close. It was even more flustering for Augesten because Mick was very introverted man. Though he considered the Sniper a very good friend and reliable coworker, he always worried him, but Augesten was not going to fuss over a grown man like he was his mother. At least not out in the open. 

It was certainly odd to see someone other than his own mother genuinely excited for his company, but it wasn’t like Mick was going to complain about it. It’d simply been a while since he was last an invited guest, and considering the abruptness of this all, the question sent his way had his brain sputtering to process a proper answer. Had he any plans? Nothing outside his usual routine, he supposed—but what would be an appropriate time?

“Well, uh,” Sniper finally began, having wished to break the silence before it lasted for another beat too long, “...’round dinner time, I s’pose.”

Paint It Gold - Fake Shark Real Zombie

There seemed a somber air about him, more quiet than usual as he smoked. Usually, whenever he got like this, he kept himself isolated, hidden, whilst he brood. Alone with his thoughts and reflecting on things, that lingering existentialism in the very back of his mind drew itself to the forefront.

It had hit him plenty of times before, and would undoubtedly come again; the only difference with this time, however, was that another had found him in the midst of it. Mick didn’t move when Dell approached, simply bringing the crooked joint back up to his lips as he took another long hit. A quiet beat, before he let the smoke billow out with a long exhale.

Clasping his hands together the medic cooed. “ Oh how splendid, I’ve just picked fresh potatoes from the garden yesterday, you should come today.” Augesten adjusted his glasses before nodding. “ It will be such a nice get together. OH! If you wouldn’t mind Herr Mundy, could you sample my latest brew? It’s spiced but has a smooth apple after taste.” 

“I think you’ll really like it along with the hearty taste of freshly home made soup!”

"Oh, today?" Certainly a surprise to hear such plans so soon, but Mick supposed a little break in his usual routine wouldn't be so bad. Besides, the Medic seemed affable enough to him thus far. Charitable, even. Although, it was because of this an inkling of suspicion developed within him. Maybe the other man was using this as an opportunity to get something out of him—a favor, perhaps? Or maybe he's just simply being nice, Mick irritably reasoned against his own internalized doubts.

The man narrowed. “ I will worry if I see fit Mr. Mundy.” He pushed up his glasses with the butt of his palm, a habit of his from his time in the war. “ Plus, food is a way of bonding and expending stress. To break bed with fellow man should be a nice change for you!” He pointed towards the sky.

Augesten smiles, displaying his oddly huge teeth and gums. “I’ll be sure to put a bit more thought into the soup, let it thicken.” Tapping his index finger to his hand he let out a small chuckle. “I suppose it doesn’t matter much to you though. You usually just eat the hunt without doing much to it, correct?” A slit tilt of his head and a youthful look of curiosity. “ I do think I remember a parasite or two.”

Sniper had been so caught up in the other man's chipper tone and offer, the words of critique nearly went right over his head. That was, until the very end.

That had to have been the most polite way someone has ever roasted him.

Mick bit back the indignant sound that tried sputtering past his lips. Taking a step back, he looked away as he cleared his throat before swiping a thumb beneath his nose with a sniff. "...Was just a mild bug was all." He muttered quick. A lie—or perhaps denial. Either way, not a topic Sniper was particularly fond of being met with again; something about pride and professionalism there.

From here x

“ Well simply because you don’t respond to any formal invitation..I also thought you’d be delighted to eat an actual meal, Mr. Mundy.” Augesten folded his arms over the other. “ Your getting rather slim and that could be troublesome in the future, Would it not?” 

Mick's mild annoyance with said repeated question changed near instantly. It was obvious Medic's response had caught the man slightly off guard.

"...Oh. I thought it was a joke."