Way of DRAFT

Chapter One

I don't really know how to navigate Wattpad, so here's the original work (mine dudes) on AO3. It has the context, notes, and bonus mini-chapters starting from, I think, chapter three. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57219571/chapters/145542736 . Now, let's get to reading.

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The Grey team waltzed down the hall together, all eighteen shooting glances at the former enemy team. Some were wiping blood off their faces, off their green and black uniforms... some were stalking their counterpart. Nobody really felt safe, although they had every reason to now. The two Engineers stayed silent as they lead the long walk, being the ones who called the alliance. They'd sat through Red and Blu trying to tag-team them, so why not play at their game? Some chatter from the group erupted every now and then. Some would glare at each other, until one eventually decided to start questioning the other.

Avery was... tired. Everyone on Green (when it existed, anyways) was stressed for the past few days. No respawns, and eighteen people hunting their poor team of nine. They were scavenging for supplies together. Maybe some food or spare, clean water bottles if they were lucky. They had run into Black. Doing the same thing. And what a coincidence, both of their medics had found the same pile of sentry parts. Avery still felt like he was standing there, staring the other medic in the eye. Ready to pounce on the scraps and run. It was quiet for a moment, until the other threw a punch and ran back to the Black team. A scuffle started, and of course the Engineers of all people sorted it out.

His head was starting to get heavy, weighing down on his shoulders. His fern coat was torn from the knee down, and his boots were beyond painful to wear. He had managed to get his jaw to stop hurting, having had it almost broken in by the other healer. Ave didn't know why the man hit so hard; all he needed was to distract Avery. And now, he'd have to share a team with him. Psh. Let's just hope that the Engineers keep both actual teams separate. They seem eager to take the mantle.

They continue their trudge through the dry lands, going through the kind of mucky, kind of not river bed. They step over patches of dead grass, and pass under trees. They go by crashed vans and leaning sheds.

They snaked through the rubble of the desert, and after a while of walking they'd arrived at the agreed upon hideout- the Yellow Team's Auditorium. Avery took in his surroundings, with a strange numbness. The sun was setting, rolling over the auburn hills and spilling through the mesh in the top of the walls. There wasn't any beauty in it anymore. Everyone was sick and tired with an itch to finally lay down, whether that be in front of these strangers or not. It'd be their most secure rest since being relocated, however many months ago.

The door creaked open, and the black-uniformed Heavy immediately tried the light switch. It took a few seconds, but the yellowed lights flickered on. Everyone spread out, planting themselves to the ground or looking out the window. The damp smell filled into Avery's nose, and chatter around him finally started up. Being able to finally see everyone at once gave solace to him.

After a while, all the talking only got louder. Most people were socialising, and some were... reluctant. The sun was long down. Ave was distracting himself from all the obnoxious interaction. He was sitting behind the long curtains, squishing bugs as they'd appear and trying to peel bark off of sticks. He sat there for a while, solitary in his own bubble. Peaceful.

"Hello" came an unfamiliar voice from behind him. Avery jumped up, shaken by the random appearance.

"What-Huh?" He instinctively reached for his Übersaw. His hands remained empty though, he'd lost that sad blade a few weeks ago. He looked at the new appearance. It was the other medic, hands by his side, and one black glove missing. Ruffled hair and bags under his eyes.

"I'm sorry about earlier. That punch didn't hurt too much, did it?" He asked rigidly. "Oh, that hurt." Avery murmured, just loud enough that the stranger could hear him. "But I get to mooch off of the scraps now anyways, since I'll probably spend all of tomorrow trying to put together a sentry or two." The man laughed at the comment, obviously trying to be friendly. The fighting was over. A moment passed between the two, filled by other's buzzing. Then, he reached a hand out. "The name's-"

"Folks! Folks! Attention, please!" yelled the Green Engineer. "Right on time", thought Avery. The man looked behind his shoulder at the Engineer, then quickly finished his sentence. "The name's Arlo. Doctor Arlo Sallow". Avery was hesitant, but he shook Arlo's hand as fast as he dared. "Avery Lynn", he nodded and briskly shuffled off to listen to the announcement. Arlo looked on in bemusement (and utter confusion), and followed soon after.

Avery stood amongst the hushed crowd, purposely not letting the loose energy in. The teams were only here to help each other out. And he was only listening for anything important. He watched as both of the Engineers called for quiet, waving their arms over the group. As it got quiet, one called at the top of his voice "If we're going to work together, we need to know what we're doing. Me and Linney over here" at this, the black Engineer waved his hand drowsily at his new Engie-friend "think we should all just call it quits. We can finally sleep, we're finally safe. We're going to put people in groups come mornin', and we'll send all ya boys off for errands. But for now, loosen up, make friends, and get all the sleep you can get. See ya men tomorrow, and please keep in mind some people over here are gonna' try and sleep." The hard hat walks off, scouting out a nice stretch of dirty hardwood to pass out on.

... That was quick.

* * * * * * * * *

Avery woke up in a cold sweat. He wiped his forehead, his arm catching his paced breath. He sits up in the dark room, as his eyes adjust to the darkness. Poor Ave scrambles up, delirious thinking about fleeing, before he comes to his senses. It's alright. He sits back down.

"Hm? Who's awake?"

Avery froze, lazily squinting through the dark. Shit.

"Don't worry... Go back to bed. Oh-uh, and sorry for waking you."

"Avery?" Great. It's the bugger from earlier.

"Arlo?"

"Yeah. And just saying, I haven't fallen asleep yet." I can't say I'm surprised.