Sledger: The Sledgening

Chapter 8: The Mess Hall

Mortar could rarely hide how desperately he wanted to get rid of the man. Of course, he was pissed about having one of his insecurities being confirmed by the new guy but… a part of him tells him he overreacted. Sledger did at least try to apologize, which is a step above all the other jerks at Tower Defense,

"We're going to the cafeteria."

He says the words plainly, already knowing Sledger will follow behind,

"What if the gladiator guy is there..?"

Sledger is quiet with his words, not trying to set off Mortar any further. Mortar rolls his eyes, without turning to face Sledger he responds,

"That asshole's probably too busy chasing after Slasher. He's persistent so you probably won't see him for another few hours,"

Mortar really was starting to feel bad, but he can't take back his actions and he was never one to apologize.

–lol–

T

he two eventually made it to the cafeteria. Sledger tried to lay low, not wanting to get into anymore confrontations. He's had enough for the day.

"Uh, how's about you sit over there? Don't worry, I'll come back,"

Mortar pointed at a table near a back corner. Medic wouldn't mind if he took a break from babysitting him, riiight? Sledger gives him a look before sighing and leaving the man's side.

Once he's seated at the table Sledger just hopelessly watches Mortar leave. He understood why Mortar decided to drop him, his words were probably a little more personal than he wished for them to be. Hell, he didn't even mean to say them, let alone think them,

"Just run away if you hear Glad, alright? I'm mad at you.. but I don't want you hurt.

Especially by an asshole like him."

Mortar gives Sledger a look before sighing. He didn't want to leave the man to fend for himself, but insecurity was eating at him,

"Alright.."

Sledger gaze can't even meet the explosive experts eyes.

With that exchange Mortar leaves Sledger to sit by himself. Sledger looks around the room, loud chatter fills the room, but some of the people he had caught the eyes of last time are gone. Considering this is a military base it's more than likely they've gone to train.

Sledger could feel his lungs swell with air each time he took a breath in. Despite the fact that there were less people here than earlier… it just felt wrong to sit in the same room as them now. The man's trying to not panic, keep his cool around his co-workers. It's rarely working, but he hasn't thrown up yet so it's good enough-

Sledger's thoughts are cut off when a loud cling sounds in front of him. Quickly, his gaze jolts to the direction of the sound, his eyes wide and fearful. He sees a metal food tray and his eyes slowly move upwards to see who had dropped it there so harshly,

"You're in my bro's spot."

A young man stands on the opposite side of the table, a nasty scowl on his face. Sledger opens his mouth to speak but is quickly cut off by the stranger,

"You wanna know what I do to tough guy's that think they can just disrespect my brother like that?"

The man cracks his knuckles, and Sledger can help but whimper in fear. This is his second conflict in his new workplace and he just joined a few minutes ago.

Suddenly, a hand grabs onto the stranger's shoulder,

"C'mon, Scout, don't go scaring the new guy,"

This man looks older than 'Scout' by a few years. He has a more relaxed expression on his face, not nearly as energetic as the young Scout,