After the two of you eventually separated, you excused yourself to the bathroom to clean your face. You left Engie looking around your room. Despite not really needing to, you closed the bathroom door. You turned to the mirror, placing your hands on either side of the small sink. In your reflection, you saw slightly-red eyes and pink-ish cheeks. Not as bad as it could have been, at least you didn't make a dumb mistake by bawling. You're already a child, no need to be a toddler... At least I'm okay. I can confide in Engie and Demo...it'll be okay... Maybe it's my fault. I did start the fight.
You realized you should probably do what you came here to do, so you ran the water and splashed your face. You continued by deciding to just clean your face as it is, so you grabbed the soap and started scrubbing. No, I should give myself some credit. He did provoke me and it...well it just spiraled in a terrible direction. Still...if you think about it, no one could have cared about me. I don't think my psyche could have handled that. You started to rinse your face off, but the splash of the water drove soap into your eye.
"Shit!" You hissed, you snatched the towel to help your eye.
"Everythin' alright in there?" You heard Engie call along with your bed shifting slightly.
"Uh-yeah! I just got some soap in my eye. That's all!" You tried to laugh, but it was really burning.
"Would ya like any help?" You heard his muffled voice ask through the door.
"N-no! I got it." I think...why isn't this letting up? You scrubbed harder and tried to use more water, but this wasn't helping. Remembering something your mom taught you, you placed your head under the faucet and let the water run under your eye. Engie knocked on the door just when the burning sensation went away. In response, you quickly dried your eye, which now looks red and swollen. "It's open, Engie!" He tentatively cracked open the door and peeked his head in.
"Darlin'! You're eye...," he swung open the door but took a hesitant step forward as if uncertain of what to do.
"Is it that bad? It was really hard to get the soap out of it." You grimaced when he nodded. "The initial burn is gone, but it still feels...tingly? I don't know, it kind of feels fuzzy almost. It's weird."
"Well, do ya reckon we should get...you know... the Doc to check it out?" The corner of his mouth angled down a bit, not looking sure of his proposal. Still, despite his concern, the thought of having to face him again scared you. I already fucked up this morning and lunch...not to mention all the shit before that. God I know I don't want to, ...but I think I have to for the sake of my eye. It would be on me if I let any stupid fear keep me from making sure my sight is okay. I have to do this. Just then, the vision in your eye became blurry. Probably just another effect from the soap getting in my eye...hopefully. You stopped yourself from trembling at let out a shaky sigh.
"We should." Engie nodded and opened the door for you. You quickly put the towel down and followed.
The vision in your hurt eye was blurred to the point where looking through it was like looking through a fog. Thankfully, it didn't really hurt as much as you thought it was. Engie followed you out to the hallway. You turned your head to try to look for him. "Do we know where he is?" Can I do this?
"Mah best guess would in the Medbay by now, but Ah'll look for him real quick in the livin' area." With that, Engie walked down to the hall. You saw him stand at the edge of it, looked around, and then walked back shaking his head. You nodded in understanding and waited for him to catch back up to you before walking down there.
As you neared the wide doors, it steadily became harder and harder to keep yourself composed. You were ashamed of your irrational fear now, because you had something important to do! Why does it feel as if I'd rather lose an eye than just not talk to him? Afraid of what Engie would think of you shaking like a stupid baby, you stopped short in front of the doors and shook yourself in an effort to get your usual self back here. The better one to be honest... Despite what you wanted to do, you knocked on the doors and was upset at how timid they sounded. You heard a groan from the other side.
"Who iz it?" You heard Medic call, sounding annoyed already. You tensed up to stop a shiver.
"It's, uh, Strategist and Engineer," you answered him. Silence hung in the air and you crossed your arms in a way to hold yourself.
"Vhat do jou two vant?" Medic finally spoke up and you let out a sigh of relief. Engie placed a comforting hand on your shoulder.
"We came because my vision's blurry after I got soap in my eye...heh." You could swear you heard a light scoff.
"Did jou get all zhe soap out?" His tone was becoming a bit more exasperated.
"I-I think so, but I'm not sure." Thank God this isn't going poorly. Medic sighed. It can get worse.
"Fine, I'll take a look, but Engineer stays outside. I don't need zhe both of jou in here." You looked up at Engie. He nodded.
"I'll be right outside if ya need me, okay Darlin'?" Engie whispered, rubbing your shoulder. It helped you relax a bit and you nodded. You took a deep breath and stepped into the Medbay.
As the door slowed to a stop behind you, you found Medic sitting at his desk. You walked up to it and his eyebrow raised slightly, most likely when he saw your eye. He put down the paper he was working on. His glasses were perched on the bridge of his nose. You saw him mouth something, but you couldn't make it out.
"Alright, let me see it." He stood up from his desk and walked over to you. Archimedes flew down from the ceiling and perched on you shoulder. Medic glanced at him and then mumble something: "...stupid bird.......her?" You didn't really know what to make of it, but you didn't want to ask either. Medic was acting as if his mind were somewhere else. He placed a hand on your chin to tilt it up and presumably get a better angle. He took a small light out from his pocket and turned it on. "Please look to jour left." You did so and he shined a light into your eye. It made you want to tear up. "Jou said soap got into jour eye? Vas it zhe hand soap in zhe bathroom?" How do you know what my soap is? I don't think you've ever been in my room. "Vell?"
"Yes, it was...but how did you know what soap that was?" You saw the doctor quickly roll his eyes.
"Ve all haff zhe same soap. Vell, except for Spy at least. I see him smuggle expensive looking hand soap into his room." The comment made you laugh briefly, imagining him slinking around with soap. Medic's eyebrows flashed up quickly in response, but if you had blinked, you would have missed it. "Look to jour right please." You did as he said. Don't mess anything up! ...Should I apologize for earlier? No...that last thing I want is for him to get aggravated while he's doing this.
"Does it, erhm, look okay?" You asked him, not sure if you should have. Medic's eyebrows furrowed as if deciding something.
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"Vell, from vhat I know, it doesn't look like zhere's anymore soap left. Zhe discomfort and blurriness should go down in about an hour, but just to be sure, run jour eye under vater one more time."
"Alright, thank you." Medic switched off the light and put his hands down by his side. Archimedes cooed and you smiled. It was as if a switch went off in Medic's brain, because at Archimedes' coo, his stern expression returned. It caught you off guard, and you fought the urge to basically shrivel up. I thought it was going so well, too!
"Leave my Medbay. I haff important vork to do." Medic stated and you nearly jumped at the tone of his voice. Trying not to quiver and without thinking, you let Archimedes move to your finger and placed him on Medic. Medic raised an eyebrow. Fuck. "Do not make me repeat-" You were gone. The word "sorry" was caught in your throat. Why do I always do this?
You sped to your room, barely catching Engie reach a hand out to you from the corner of your eye. You kept yourself from crying, and for the first time you were successful. There was no point to anymore. Gotta grow up sometime, right? Only a child would cry from this. You quickly went into your bathroom, leaving the bedroom door open, and rinsed you eye for the last time. It was weird. It happened all so fast, and now you felt unbothered. Or empty. You stared at yourself in the mirror. Why do I make something out of nothing? Why do I make a fool of myself in front of him...maybe I just need some self-respect. I don't know. I feel...like a rag doll. Empty, but not caring? Like I'm still scared of Medic in a way, but I know I can't last like this? Ugh, what is this feeling? I just want to be an adult to not be so scared of this person, but I'm also acting as if I don't really care. I'm affected, but not? This is really we-
"Strategist?" Engie called from the hallway.
"I'm in here!" You called back and heard him laugh.
"Well Ah know that! Why'd ya run off so fast?" He walked to the door of your bathroom.
"Oh!" Just lie to not worry him. You can handle your own problems. "Medic said to quickly wash my eye out again to be sure I got everything." He nodded while you dried off.
"But why did Ah hear-?"
"Heya Strats! I know about what happen'd earlier, but I got a genius idea to take your mind off of it! It's perfect, really. I'll also get-ta win back my title as Smash Bros Champion!" Scout jogged into the room, roughly pushing past Engie.
"Wha-Hey! Scout, where in the sam hill did you come up with that?" Engie stumbled back to correct his footing. "Do ya really think she-"
"I know! It's amazing!"
"That's not-"
"Stop, save ya breath I know I knock it out of ya." You had to stifle a laugh, and Scout winked at you, not even noticing your eye.
"That's also not-"
"Anyways! I've been racking my brain all day ta come up with a fun thing to do! Den, I realized we both love video games! Pure genius, right?" He laughed and you felt yourself let out a small giggle. "Let's go!" Scout's enthusiasm spread to you, and you had a new respect for him. He spent time to make me feel better.
"Now wait just a minute!" Engie raised his voice to cut through the excitement. He cast a glance at you with a corner of his mouth turned down. It was clear to you that he wanted to say something, but instead he just sighed and held his hand up to gesture to you. "It's up to Strategist what she wants to do, Scout."
"Of course! So Strats, what do ya say?" Scout could practically be squealing with excitement, his hand outreached to you. You laughed.
"Um, sure." You shook your head and took his hand. Scout immediately pulled you out of your room and zoomed to the couch. You almost tripped over yourself. With a glance back, Engie shut your bedroom door and was making his way to the living room. On the assorted couches and chairs sat Demo with a beer in his hand, Sniper sharpening his machete, and Pyro messing with a lighter. Good to know. Scout left you to start the game up and you sat down on the couch next to Demo. Sniper stopped and looked up, and then mumbled to himself while getting back to his sharpening. Pyro waved and giggled.
"Hey lass!" Demo greeted you a bit too loudly. You could tell he was having a good time. Hopefully I have that soon. He nudged your shoulder and rested his hand on it. You laughed. Scout opted to hand you a controller and sit on the other side of you just when Engie walked in. You tried not to stare at him, but you noticed him looking around a bit accompanying a small frown when he saw who was sitting next to you. You then decided to turn your attention to the screen. Engie sat down in the chair closest to you, but it was still fairly far away. Scout laughed as he started a game.
"Are ya ready to be beaten to a pulp?" Scout smirked at you and you returned it.
"I think it's you who needs to get ready for me," you laughed.
After you both picked your characters, you chose Duck Hunt and Scout chose R.O.B., you both started playing. Maybe it was your mental state, but Scout seemed to magically get better. Guess I'll be making him happy today. You honestly didn't think you were going to win. Yep, the poor duck and dog duo just got flung off a building and Scout was beating you. Did it bother you? On a competitive level, yes, however it was just a game...that you didn't know how you were even losing! Dang it! You threw something at R.O.B. to make him fall, but he didn't fall!
"Hah! Looks like I'm getting my title back, toots," Scout gloated and you inwardly scowled. Why are you scowling like a child?
"We'll see toots," you fired back at him, but it only made him laugh harder. The round was almost up and Scout was in the lead. Come on! You could distinctly hear boots clacking down the hallway towards you. Who is that? You were distracted and Scout won the round.
"Whoo! Round one in da bag! Suck it!" Scout was celebrating, but despite your frustration, you could hear the footsteps nearing the living area.
"Oh! Tough luck lass, but you'll get 'im next time," Demo motivated you before taking a swig. Sniper absentmindedly agreed, nodding his head while studying his work. Pyro seemed more distraught over the characters disappearing off the screen. He let out a mildly, panicked mumbled. Engie concerned you...he was completely silent while seemingly staring off in your general direction into space. I wonder what he's caught up with. "What happen'd your eye?"
"Oh, um, I got soap in it," you answered a bit sheepishly. Demo burst out laughing. The footsteps reached behind the couch, but even then, you had the feeling that you didn't want to turn around.
"Demo, ve need to talk about jour little decision jou made earlier," Medic murmured to your friend beside you. That's why.
"Right now?" You heard Demo complain, his grip on your shoulder tightening slightly. "It was just gettin' good!"
"Jes, right now. Ve don't haff to go far." You heard footsteps. You watched Demo get up and walk past the T.V. to get to Medic.
"Watch it!" Scout cried out and Demo waved him off. Man, Scout's going crazy over this. You weren't paying attention to the game anymore. You heard more footsteps. You character suffered a large blow and Scout cheered. You assumed they weren't far away from the couch.
"Why did jou go and train vith her without me?" You heard Medic's urgent, hushed voice.
"What do ya mean? You left the poor lass ta cry! What else was I goin' ta do?" Demo retorted in a similar hushed tone. No one else seemed to notice them. Or they're just hiding it. Medic scowled.
"Jou didn't haff to do anyzhing, but jou al least shouldn't haff trained her vithout me! Jour vorking vith bombs!" Medic was getting pretty heated, sounding a bit desperate. Demo barked out a laugh.
"You forget how smart the lass is when she isn't bein' provoked by you! She can handle herself well, and I think ya know that."
"Jou're missing zhe point! Jou took her away before I-"
"No, I don't think I am! Now why don't-cha get off her back. Of course, unless I have-ta help ya with that?"
"Iz that a threat?" You heard Medic's voice raise.
"I'll let you be the judge of that. Now, if you'll excuse me Doc." You heard Demo walk back and plop himself back down in his spot, agitated. He draped his arm across your shoulders in a protective way.
"Hah! I won again!" Scout cheered.
"Ah! Well ya have-ta hand it to 'im!" Demo laughed. You heard frustrated footsteps march back down the hall. What did Medic mean by that? Before he what?
"Oh, uh, yeah. Nice job Scout, and thanks by the way," you snapped back to reality.
"Of course Strats! I'm glad you're feelin' better," Scout sounded proud of yourself and you couldn't help but smile. I'm actually feeling pretty confused. "Guess I have da title now!"
"Heh, yep. You earned it."
"You bet I did! Anyways, when's dinner? I'm hungry!" He got up and stretched. He then took you controller and put up the game.
"If Pahro helps we could get it done pretty quickly," Engie offered, speaking up for the first time in a long time. Pyro giggled and nodded furiously.
"Thanks Engie," you thanked him, but he only nodded in response before disappearing into the kitchen with Pyro.
"Well, Oi'm going ta my room if anyone needs me," Sniper announced before getting up and leaving as well.
"Ditto. Glad you're feelin' better Strats," Scout walked away with his arms crossed behind his head like he was relaxing. It was only you and Demo now.
"So...," you started, "...Am I allowed to know what happened with you and Medic? He seemed...you know."
"Lass, don't worry about it. He's just bein' a baby about us trainin' without 'im!" Demo barked out a laugh. You hesitantly smiled. But why? He was trying to say something. "Listen, don't worry about 'im. He shouldn't be botherin' ya anymore." Because you threatened him...I guess he just doesn't want me to be worried?
"Alright, I trust you." Demo beamed. Together, you both sat and waited for dinner to be ready in silence. You would much rather think about everything later. Plus, on the bright side your vision was coming back.