TF2 Sniper x Reader: Memory of Snow (Editing)

Chapter Five

"You never really talked about yourself much, what's the catch?"

The rumble of the camper, noise of raindrops, and the rhythmic wiping of the windshield against the window filled the deafening silence. The ribbon of a road stretched on for miles and the merciless storm showed no hint of weakening.

It was your task to get some spare metal and parts for Engineer, and food and other basic needs for the team as a whole. Ms Pauling forbade getting deliveries from external sources as it would give away the HQ's location. Hence, the whole team relied on itself.

"It's just that... I'd rather not remember it. Remember my parents?"

Oh.

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

Sniper's Australian parents were not biologically his. In fact, he was the lost son of two New Zealanders who did not quite care for him, sadly. But the team and his Australian parents can be considered his family. Does that not count?

Digging into one's personal matters was really not your favourite thing to do so you had decided to let the subject go. However, much to your surprise, Sniper continued pursuing the subject by bringing up another one of his stories.

In his beginning years of high school, he got into a class with this girl in particular who was amiably studious, but she was still rebellious in her own way: starting intelligent arguments with the teachers. These arguments were fierce, quite similar in the same fashion of how lawyers fight, with facts.

One that Sniper could remember was their third grade Science teacher claiming that dolphins were fish. Seriously? Everyone knew that dolphins are mammals. The class kept silent about it but she stood up boldly from her desk and said, "Sir, I believe that is incorrect." The trust in the teachers from their own students would always drop significantly after she won these disputes.

Some teachers were irritated of her, of course, but the rest, plus the students and himself, admired her for standing up for what she believed in and not backing down without a fight. He thought that she could be a lawyer some day. Seldom did she lose one but the teachers marked her down for disrespect. Other than behavioural issues, her record was a cut above all others. However, she told him herself, that the small 'smudge' on her report book did not bother her as much as her parents did.

"'Is quite provocative towards the teachers', are you serious? I thought you were better than this," Her parents would say. But she shrugged and said, "Yeah, I guess so."

He spent almost every day with her, minus the days she was absent or "busy", during breaks and after school. Since she barely had any friends, Sniper was always with her for partnering and group projects. All of them were just kids and, in turn, both of them were the butt of all gossip. Nonetheless, they both looked back at it without care.

Unfortunately, she had to return back to her home country for her own reasons, which she had not disclosed. On the last day he saw her face, she did the unexpected: confess her feelings for him. Before he could even answer, she sprinted away from him, either out of fear of rejection or it was a cruel joke. It was one of those harrowing goodbyes. With his best friend, making it worse than it already was.

"When she was gone, I couldn't take it but I tried to push away the emptiness because I knew that I would've the memory of 'er my whole life..."

There was a pause. Checking over him, you could have sworn you saw a single tear roll down his cheek.

"...I can't remember 'er face at all. 'ell, not even 'er name. It was so long ago that I threw away my yearbook."

The tears had to be blinked away. You could form images of the heartbreak of young Sniper who was unwilling to part with his love struck friend. So easily in fact, it reminded you of—

"Hey (Y/N). (Y/N)!"

Ugh. The pillowcase was soaked with tears. You could feel a sort of sourness in your blocked nose so you pinched it. Your eyes traveled up to the face of your waker who was simply a dark silhouette against the night-sky blue backdrop of the ceiling. The sun still has not come out yet. 

"Ya okay? You're cryin' like a lil' ankle-biter," based on his accent, you could easily identify Sniper, followed by a soft chuckle. When a rough, calloused hand rubbed your tear-stained cheek, you swiped his hand away, no more than a murmur, "It's fine."

The rumors already spiralled around in the place, let's not worsen it.

"Nothing. Nightmares and all."

Your voice cracked around the edges, like brittle dried clay. 

"You... you want ta talk 'bout it? If it makes ya feel better, that is," He crouched to your eye-level. He did not have his glasses nor his akubra. His eyes were so sincere. 

"It's alright, Snipes. I understand your concern but I'd probably forget about it in a few minutes like all dreams," You gave your best smile to show your statement true. Thankfully, that was enough for him to leave without ruffling up your hair and grinning, "Now that's the (Y/N) I know, I'd wake up to that smile every day!" 

He could still make you laugh in your blue moments. 

Your memory of the dream melted quicker than that ice cream Engie gave to Pyro (Seriously, he RADIATES heat, somehow). Once he left, you found yourself missing his presence. But enough about that.

You glanced at your window. The sky showed signs of dawn, so you got up to wash yourself. For all you know, Stacy might take up the whole morning occupying the female showers.