Chapter Text
It was a free night in December for the mercs. Last week, the men spent their free day playing cards that had clearly seen better days, but today they were free to do anything they pleased. Scout and Pyro were off in the kitchen creating an ever-growing mess of holiday cookies, Sniper was out exploring in his camper, Medic was playing chess with Heavy, Engineer was in his workshop, and Spy was... well, we have no idea where he is.
Soldier and Demo, on the other hand, were sitting at a small round table where they continued their game of cards from the previous week. In the background, light Christmas music could be heard while Soldier continued to yell and shout lies that claimed the Scotsman had been cheating; but that simply wasn’t true. Jane's pride prevented him from acknowledging the fact that he was getting steamrolled by a drunk in a game of cards.
The aggressive American slams his fist on the table and immediately jumps to his feet. "BLASPHEMY!" He exclaims with a firm protest, now shaking his fist in the air. "I saw that hidden card up your sleeve, cyclops. You are not fooling me this time!“
"I ain’t even wearing sleeves!” Demo stated for the 10th time. “No need to be sore loser now. Just because ya ain't as lucky doesn’t mean you can go accusin' me of dirty tricks." Demo chuckles heartily and takes a swig of his beloved scrumpy while Soldier frowns, lowering back down into his chair. “Now give it here, laddie,” Demo’s hand beckons to the other man to give him his winnings.
Soldier reluctantly dug into his pockets and shifted around his fingertips. After much grumbling and silent cursing, he hovered his hand over Demo's. With a sad quiver, his hand opened slowly, and exactly 6 marbles spilled out into Demo’s with ‘clacks’ and ‘clinks.’ Some of said marbles had these fascinating swirls in them, those of which always caught Soldier's eye. He had taken quite a liking to those, especially the red ones.
As corny as it may seem, in the months since they started playing cards, these marbles had become more than just a means of winnings; they were a symbol of prestige and power. Whoever had more declared themselves king of cards, and Demo had gotten comfortable wearing that metaphorical crown for far too long, in Soldier’s opinion. That throne needed to be reclaimed.
Demoman was ready to continue their game, shuffling the deck of cards once more. “Another round?”
Soldier slumped his head under his helmet. “I’m all out.” He was disappointed, defeated, and fresh out of those glass beauties.
Tavish pondered to himself for a moment before offering a solution. He was willing to wager back half of Soldier's marbles, but at a price. He really wanted to go on with their game, but it wasn’t as thrilling when you’re playing for nothing. There had to be something to look forward to when he claims his victory once more.
“Tell ya what, boyo. I’ll give ya half of these marbles back, so long as you go through with a dare. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider playin’ ya in another round.” Demo toyed about with the stack of cards, tapping them on the table as he did so. Soldier was hesitant, a little unsure about the idea of a dare his friend would conjure up. “Unless, o’course, you’re nothin’ but a groveling peasant at the foot of me throne.” The Scott's brows furled, fangs peering out from behind his scrumpy coated lips.
Oh, its on.
Soldier raised his head, revealing confident eyes behind his helmet. What the hell was he thinking? He always had an unwavering commitment to win each challenge thrown at him. He couldn’t bear to be defeated, even at the hands of his best friend. He had to admit, Demo always gave him quite the run for his money. “Anything for those damn marbles, you plaid loving hippie! Next time around, I will annihilate you in that match! I will be king!”
Tavish racked his brain for a witty dare; something that would make for good humor. Anything that was worth the half of marbles he was willing to return. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and replied, "Gimme a moment," to the eager Soldier.
Call him dramatic, but Jane began to sweat. Images of him with his arms up, spinning around in happiness as the swirly red marbles drifted from the sky like snow had filled his mind. He wanted them—no—he needed them. "Hurry up!" He exclaimed loudly while throwing his fist on the wooden table again.
The air was thick with anticipation; Soldier swore he could already feel those glistening glass spheres twirling and dancing around his fingers. He was ready to play the next round and take his rightful place on that metaphorical throne.
“Simmer down now! This is a tough one…” As he was still in the middle of his decision making, the shortest of the mercs had come in to get a quick cup of coffee to keep him awake so he can resume tinkering in his workshop.
“Woo wee! It’s chilly in here, fellas.“ Engineer was wearing his comfy turtleneck he absolutely adored under his overalls, rubbing the sleeves of it with his hands in attempt to warm up a little.
“The cold does not phase me on this fine day, toymaker. I am ablaze with proud American fury to kick this hippie’s ass back to Scotland; those marbles will be mine!”
Engineer didn't understand a word he was saying, but he shook his head amusedly and proceeded toward the counter.
That mischievous grin slowly crept its way back up onto Demoman’s face; he could’ve passed as a spitting image of the Grinch had his skin been painted green. He knew just what the dare would be, it was perfect. He nodded to Soldier to get his attention, leaning over the table to whisper something into his ear. As they exchanged whispers, Dell was fixing up that cup of coffee.
“What? Why would I do that?” Soldier muttered lowly to keep out of earshot from Engineer.
“Do ya want yer marbles or what? I’m itching for another rematch, and you ain’t gettin’ these back until you fulfill the dare, ye peasant.” Demo presented Soldier’s half. “And like I said, it’s just a joke, mate. Somethin’ to poke fun at after all is done.”
"But I-" Soldier’s objection trailed to silence as Demo offered all of the marbles, including his own; he knew he’d win them all back in a heartbeat anyways. A look of temptation set upon Soldier’s face as he eyed up the drunkard. No. He couldn’t turn this one down. He simply couldn’t.
Soldier clenched his jaw as he watched Engie pouring the steaming liquid into the mug. It was now or never—he would soon be returning to his workshop. He stood, pushing the chair out and nervously headed over to his victim.
“I’ve gotta hand it to you, private, you are a valuable asset to this team, and you’re doing a damn fine job. Keep up the good work.”
“My oh my. Well thanks, mister. I do appreciate a good compliment.” The Texan was smiling now, appreciating the sincerity from his fellow American and trying to ignore the small scare he had when the latter patted him so firmly on the back that he nearly spilled the contents of his cup.
Demo smacked a palm to his forehead. When Soldier looked back at him, he took the opportunity to signal Jane to keep going. Obviously, they all appreciate the Engineer, therefore that compliment was nothing for the dare.
Jane nervously scratched beneath his helmet, “um,”
“Hmm?” Engineer glanced up again, waiting to acknowledge whatever else it was he had to say.
“I like you, Engie,” he hesitated, “I find you very attractive.”
The only thing that was heard in that bitter chilly air was the Christmas jazz from a distance. Three men had been present in that room, but not a single sound was uttered after Jane had blurted out those unexpected words. Dell looked shocked, a little lost over the sudden “confession,” especially since it had been done in front of another teammate.
Oh. This isn’t funny. Not at all. This is awkward.
“Uhh…” Soldier shifted as he tapped his fingers together, giving an uncomfortable toothy grin.
“Ahem,” Engineer cleared his throat in attempt to break some of the tension. “Well uh, I’m flattered, Solly.” was all he could muster. In an effort to avoid making eye contact with the two, he pulled his goggles back down over his eyes as his face began to flush.
Soldier was hit by a wave of instant remorse and discomfort. He wanted to tell him it was just a joke, just a dare from the drunkard, but he wouldn’t know if that would break the rules for said dare. Bah. It doesn’t matter, he thought; this would all blow over in a couple hours anyways. Soldier and Demo can soon return to their card game, and all of this goofy nonsense can be in the past.
Not knowing what else to say, Dell rubbed his thumb over the cup he held a few times, “S’pose I should be headin’ out…” And so he swiftly exited the room.
Jane, his body stiff, whirled around to face Tavish. “That was humiliating. Give me my damn marbles.”
Demo’s lips were pursed, but they soon flailed open in a fit of hysterical laughing. “Did ya see his face? The lad looked dumbstruck!”
An odd sensation was brewing in Soldier. It wasn't the most pleasant experience to be put on spot and have to say something like that to another man. It seemed that Engineer’s embarrassed expression was now etched into his mind, making him groan as he soaked up the shame that had washed over him. He extended his hands, and true to his promise, Tavish placed all of the marbles into them.
“Hello there, little soldiers.” Jane brought them close to his face and eyed them up contently. He shimmied them around before putting them carefully onto the table, promising himself he wasn’t going to lose. Not this time. Move over, you skirt-twirling drunk. That throne is awaiting to be warmed by a new rear.
Soldier had been slowly and sorrowfully shuffling back to his quarters with his head hung low after hours of being defeated. He had a single red marble left to his name, which Demo had graciously allowed him to keep after winning match after match. He pulled it out of his pocket, holding it with two fingers in front of his eyes. “It’s just you and me now.”
The man wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, so obviously an accident was bound to happen. Lo and behold, he bumped into someone, nearly losing his one and only marble. Rolled up blueprints litter the floor as Soldier readjusts his helmet, noticing the papers along with Engie that he knocked down right onto his behind. Stowing his marble away he lowered himself to his hands and knees to apologize and gather the scattered mess.
“It ain’t a worry. Yer always so distracted, Solly.” Dell made light of the situation by joking with him, trying to keep the mood as normal as possible.
“Well, I can’t help but be distracted by such a cute little thing.” Said soldier, referring to the marble in his pocket.
Wait—
Jane paused for a second before glancing up at the other, and sure enough, Engie's face had gradually returned to it’s previous shade of pink similar to a few hours earlier.
Woops.
He fumbled frantically for his pocket. “I uh, meant my marble.” Soldier presented it innocently.
“Ah. It does look real cute.” Engineer gave an amused exhale through his nose, putting the awkwardness aside as Jane gently placed it into his hand. “Where’d ya get it from?”
“Demo has a huge collection of marbles! We use them as currency.” Soldier’s eyes gleamed with interest, he seemed so enthusiastic to talk about them.
"Really?" The Texan held onto it, admiring the shape and texture before passing it back. "Maybe next time I can see your share?" His tone was friendly, returning the mutual interest the Soldier displayed.
“That’s the only one I have right now,” Soldier sulked, “I lost all the other ones to our card games.”
“Oh Soldier, ain’t that a shame. Y’know, this brings me back to my childhood. I used to have a small baggie of ‘em at my home that I used to play with on the weekends.” He chuckled as he recalled his memories while both men comfortably sat on the ground together. “My daddy would scold me for leavin’ em around. He’d step on ‘em barefoot and start hollerin’.”
Jane leaned in with curiosity; what a fascinating little story. “What happened to them? Do you still have them?”
"No. They were my daddy’s originally, and he threw ‘em out when I moved away, 'least that's what ma told me anyway." He paused before sighing happily, "Ain't it funny how these little marbles can make for such a great conversation though?"
Dell was right, and he was relieved to be able to have a nice talk with Soldier despite the totally weird situation from earlier. Jane couldn't help but appreciate it too.
“Do you miss them?”
"Ah… every once in a while.” Engineer glanced at the red sphere in the other’s hand, "Sometimes a good game of marbles is your only escape from a world that never seems to let ya relax."
Soldier sighed silently, chewing his lip in a moment of uncertainty. "Here," he extended his hand, leading Dell to raise a brow. “You keep this one. Seems marbles mean more to you than they mean to me.”
"Ain’t that your only one left? I can’t take that from you."
He gently placed it into Dell’s hand and closed his fingers around it.
Engineer took a couple of moments to look down at the marble soldier had given to him. To some, it was just a toy you'd find in a child's drawer, but to him, every marble led to a memory, and every memory was a pleasant one. A memory of him and his father playing together, even the funny ones of his father clutching his foot in pain from stepping on them.
Dell raised his head to Soldier, a smile of pure joy on his face. "Ya sure ‘bout this?"
Soldier nodded. "Keep it safe for me, private."