#potential death

Something solid pushed him back, knocking him to his rear, a split second before the sound of gunfire erupted. There was no pain, nothing hit him. He looked up to see… Spy standing in front of him, shielding him. Scout flinched instinctively clutching onto him as more gunfire sounded.

It seemed to go on for forever but it was only a few seconds before silence returned. Or near silence, even with earplugs specifically designed to protect one’s ears from the sound of gun shots, Scout’s ears were still ringing. But when he looked up he saw all his attackers were dead, shot cleanly through the head.

Shaking, he straightened. “Gosh, Spy that was awesome, ya saved…” He cut off as Spy stumbled and collapsed backwards. Scout caught him, flinching as fresh pain shot through his arm. He lost his footing and was sent back onto his rear, Spy half in his lap, leaning back into him.

Scout opened his mouth to ask if he was okay but then he looked down and saw Spy’s chest. There were multiple bullet wounds marring his once pristine suit. “Dad!”

“You know?” Spy said, lifting a hand to Scout’s arm. His voice was weak, barely perceptible even up close like this.

“I uh… yes.” He hadn’t known but had strongly suspected, it had just slipped out of him by accident. But now he knew. “We got more important things to worry about right now though.”

Spy mumbled something in French, cutting off as he went limp. He was still breathing though, Scout could feel it against his chest due to how heavily Spy sagged back into him. So, wasn’t dead yet, there was still time to save him.

“O-okay, okay, gotta call the doc, he’ll patch ya up no probs, does it all the time.” With a shaking hand, Scout reached up to fumble with his headset. He’d used it earlier to try to call for help but the signal wasn’t good so far away from the base and he hadn’t been able to get through. Hopefully he’d have better luck this time.

“Mayday, mayday,” he said loud and clear as he could manage when his dad was dying in his arms at this very moment.

Static answered and… “Kid, that you?” It was indistinct and staticky but still unmistakable as Engi’s voice; Scout had gotten through.

“Yes, help, please help, I…”

“What’s your location?”

Scout told him, being precise as he could. “Bring Medic please, Spy’s been shot… a lot.” To save him no less.

“On it, we’ll be there in a jiffy.” The line went dead, leaving Scout nothing to do but pray they made it in time. Spy was still breathing but it was weaker than before and was ragged.

“C’mon Dad, hold on just a bit longer.” Scout rocked back and forth slightly, holding Spy close as if that could somehow save him. “Doc’s coming so it’ll be fine. He can save like anyone, right? So you’ll be fine.” Scout was rambling but couldn’t make himself stop. “Ya can’t die for reals that’d be… fucked up. ‘Specially with how you saved me and all.”

Every so often Scout stopped speaking and rocking to listen and feel for Spy’s breathing. It continued to grow weaker. He couldn’t die though, not like this. But no matter how hard he willed it, Spy kept inching closer to death with every passing second.

It started raining, starting as a drizzle before growing heavy. It was freezing, making Scout shiver and shake as the ground turned to mud around him. He wasn’t sure if Spy was still breathing, it didn’t seem like he was.

“Over here.”

Scout snapped his head up to see Heavy standing in the mouth of the alley way. Seconds later Medic was there too.

“Doc ya gotta save him,” Scout said with chattering teeth as he continued to clutch Spy’s body. Was it cold because of the rain or… was Medic too late? “Don’t let him die, please.”

Medic had already rushed over and crouched down beside them. “Give him to me.” It was harder than it should’ve been for Scout to loosen his grip to let Medic pull Spy away. “Heavy, take care of Scout.”

“Come,” Heavy said as he picked Scout up. Scout let out a small whimper of protest but lacked the strength to resist fully and thus let Heavy carry him a short distance away. Was it to keep him from the truth though or because Medic needed space to work?

Heavy placed him on box and set to taking care of Scout’s injuries, at Medic’s insistence they all knew basic first aid. The bullet wound would need proper attention later but it wasn’t life threatening so it could wait. “Trust Doctor.”

Scout nodded. If anyone could save Spy it was Medic, he did seemingly impossible medical stuff all the time. Scout couldn’t do anything more.

When he was all bandaged up, Scout tried to move closer but Heavy blocked him. “No,” he said.

Scout groaned, still shivering and shaking uncontrollably. “I need to know if he’s… going to make it.”

“No,” Heavy said again. “Give Doctor room to work, don’t need you distracting him.” Was he being honest in his reasons for keeping Scout away or was it hopeless and he didn’t want to tell him that yet? Heavy’s ever stoic expression made it impossible to tell.

“Fine.” Scout settled back down with a sigh. He couldn’t get past Heavy in this state no matter how hard he tried and even in peak condition Heavy was bigger and stronger than him so it would’ve been very difficult anyway. He could do nothing but wait and hope for the best.

“Time to go back to the car,” Medic said a short time later. “Scout’s up front with you Heavy, I’ll be in the back with Spy.”

Wordlessly, Heavy picked Scout up again. Despite the indignity of it, Scout didn’t protest, he was too exhausted and cold. It was a huge relief to be placed in the passenger side seat, it was warm and dry, he couldn’t wait to change out of these wet and bloodstained clothes. How much of that blood was his and how much of it was Spy’s though? It was impossible to know. Just like it was impossible to know if Spy was going to make it or not, especially when Medic and Heavy were keeping Scout as far away from his as possible. That couldn’t mean good things, could it?