Stained (Red vs Blue)

Take-off

I sighed, resting my arms on the railing just outside the door to the hangar, looking over the entire room, watching the marines as they oved to and fro across the floor. I heard the door slide open behind me, and someone or another walk through the entrance. I only caught a glance at the figure. Just one of the marines, not a fellow Freelancer. I don't even know why I keep expecting it. Most spend their times in the training room, like I should be right now.

But, no. I'm just sitting here, wandering through the maze of my own thoughts. Maybe I'm a bit lost. Wouldn't be the first time, would it? I jumped when I felt someone clap my shoulder from behind me. I snapped toward them, slapping their hand away. I relaxed when I realized who it was. "Jesus, Oregon, don't scare me like that again," I said, exhaling quietly. I turned away, my eyes drifting back over the hangar.

He walked up beside me, resting his forearms on the same railing I was. "Worried?" He asked, glancing at me with the corner of his eye, a calm atmosphere around him. Even that hasn't changed, in all these years that I've known the man. He's never completely lost that atmosphere. I'm glad about that.

"No, no. Not really. I..." I trailed off, trying to find the right words. "I don't know how to explain it," I eventual finished with a sigh.

"Anxious?"

"Kinda. I guess that describes it better, in a way," I replied with a sigh, looking over at him. Was it really that obvious? Most of the time, I don't have this feeling. Well, it's not nearly this strong. I feel like something is going to happen.

"Come on, Nev," Oregon said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It won't help to just sit here and think about it. Let's walk," He said, motioning with his head towards the door behind us. I couldn't hide a smile. I guess that's better than standing there and thinking. And thinking. And thinking.

I followed him out the door, walking beside him. "You need to stop distancing yourself from the group, little midget," He paused, smiling as he ruffled my hair. I swatted his hand away, quickly running a hand through my hair to make it sit back down again. "You get lost in that head of yours. Over-think things," He finished with a light chuckle, nudging me with his elbow.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'm with you idiots for most of the day. I need a little alone time," I replied with a smirk, looking up at him as we walked. He looked down at me, arching his brow.

"What does that make you? The master-" I hit him before he could finish his sentence, pushing him away.

I knew what he was going to say, though. "That's Iowa's job. Though, sometimes, I think both of you would make the cut," I said, throwing him a wink. I avoided his punch, a smile trying to make its way up.. He shook his head from side to side, looking back down the hallway.

"Looks like I win," I said with a chuckle, casting my gaze back down the hall.

"Oh, just you wait. That victory won't last long," Oregon replied, using my shoulder as an armrest, almost exactly like Iowa would. We passed by the command center just as Montana was exiting the room. She took one glance at Oregon, then back to me, narrowing her eyes. She turned sharply on her heel, walking the complete other way.

I felt my own shoulders sag, wishing she would just let whatever's been on her mind drop. I'd prefer to have a whole team, and not one broken like it is. Oregon looked down at me, smiling lightly. "Hey, don't let her bother you. She's just been in a pissy mood lately," He said, clapping me on the shoulder.

I shrugged, glancing back at her retreating figure as she rounded the corner, leaving my field of vision. "Lately?" I sighed.

He smiled lightly, glancing back to look at the retreated blue form. "Hey, don't let it bother you. Just remember, you're more of a man than she is," he grinned.