Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Ordem Paranormal (Web Series)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Antônio "Balu" Pontevedra & Johnny Tabasco, Arnaldo Fritz & Antônio "Balu" Pontevedra & Johnny Tabasco
Characters: Johnny Tabasco, Antônio "Balu" Pontevedra, Arnaldo Fritz
Additional Tags: Smoking, silliness, Pre-Canon, Post-Mission, 2/3 characters are in masks and the 3rd is the PoV, but like... arnaldo is obvious even to them, Pranks and Practical Jokes
Summary:
They were worse people, back then. That doesn't mean that they never relaxed.
Or
One Veríssimo offers another a cigarette.
Full text also below
Johnny leans on the balcony railing, watch the smouldering ashes below. Technically he is up here to snipe any fleeing occultists, but it has been a good fifteen minutes since the fire burnt out and he's pretty sure everyone was dead before they lit it, anyway. His mask dangles from his fingers, swinging a little as he watches a one of the other Veríssimos pick over the rubble.
He's not sure where the others are, but eh. Nobody was dying when he split from the group, ans the occultists were already dead. He can take a break up here, sip on his water bottle and try to purge the smell of burnt flesh from his soul.
And, sure, it means his gun isn't ready to fire but, again, the last flames were fifteen minutes ago. Nobody's going to have survived - his watch is just a formality at this point.
Footsteps on the stairs behind him.
Johnny shifts only slightly, keeping a relaxed position as he runs through his position. If he sacrifices his mask he can draw and fire the pistol faster than would be expected, probably fast enough to catch anyone being cautious. The footsteps aren't fast, but they aren't smothered either; whoever it is is feeling pretty at ease.
He sips a little more water, and keeps an eye on the door.
Another few steps, and the door opens.
Another Veríssino.
Johnny recognises this one, but could not tell you what missions they have previously shared - only that they have. He turns his attention fully back to the ashes below, waiting for his companion to speak.
The other Veríssimo sighs, groans, and props an axe in the corner of the balcony. Johnny watches from the corner of his eye as the man stretches, shoulders popping as he does so, before joining the viewing of the ashes.
"We done?" Johnny asks, once it becomes apparent that he is not about to be spoken to.
"Captain's checking the perimeter, so should be soon."
"Fantastic."
Johnny tries not to sound sarcastic as they settle into an awkward silence again.
Give it a minute or two more...
The silence continues, and Johnny is just glad that his boots are good enough quality for nobody to see his toes bouncing gently.
Once a good amount of time has passed, he puts down his bottle and reaches into his pocket. He searches a little, before finding the cheap cigarette packet he keeps there. Expertly flicking the lid open, he extends his arm, offering the contents to his companion.
The Veríssimo takes one entirely white stick, angling it as though expecting a light.
It takes a second, and then "oh you fucking didn't, you /asshole/."
Johnny bursts out laughing.
"It'd be funnier if I could see your face."
"No."
"It is edible. Just sugar and dye, no shady shit - got 'em from the store last week."
"/Veríssimo/." The other Veríssimo growls.
"Fine."
Johnny is starting to think he knows which Veríssimo this is, and honestly he's a little surprised he hasn't been slapped for this one. Still, he's had his fun; he pulls out his packet of actual cigarettes, and a lighter.
The Veríssimo lets him light one, then lights another for Johnny. Johnny's mask is by now on the floor of the little balcony, but the Veríssimo carefully pulls up his hood and angles himself so that Johnny can see nothing.
The candy cigarette gets dropped down to the floor below.
"You're a right asshole, you know?" The Veríssimo says.
Johnny shrugs, takes a drag of his cigarette, "I've been called a lot worse."
There isn't really a lot to say, so they don't. What would they even talk about? This mission? The last one? They'll have to go through it for the debrief, and Johnny doesn't want to do it twice.
Honestly, the candy cigarettes are probably more personality than Johnny is 'supposed' to have.
They stay there in slightly frosty silence, neither willing to back down and abandon their smoke break. The ashes keep smouldering, and still nobody runs. Picking over the rubble seems to have become dressing wounds; they will be leaving soon.
Yet still the pair of Veríssimos continue their smoke break.
After a little while, there are feet on the stairs again. The other Veríssimo hides himself further into his hood, while Johnny swings around to greet whomever face on.
He is met, of course, by their captain.
And in a sudden, ingenious spark of insanity, Johnny reaches into his pocket and pulls the candy cigarettes back out.
"Would you like one, sir?"
The other Veríssimo has twisted slightly to watch.
The captain - Johnny is pretty sure it is Senhor Fritz, prays to God and Mary both that he is correct - takes one.
Examines it.
And then lifts his mask - just enough to access his mouth - and bites the candy stick in half.
The other Veríssimo snorts, chokes on his cigarette, and takes a moment to recover. Johnny has no idea if the coughing was to hide the laughter or genuine choking, but is envious of a man whose first instinct is not to immediately fuck up.
Senhor Fritz chews it, pops the other half in his mouth, and considers Johnny's carefully not terrified expression.
Glances to the other Veríssimo.
Looks back.
"Well," Senhor Fritz - Captain Veríssimo - says. "I'm glad to see you boys getting along. Finish your smokes, and then head back down; we're just doing a final pass before leaving."
"Yes, captain!" Johnny and the other Veríssimo manage to say, in perfect sync.
And then they stand, frozen, as Senhor Fritz smiles, fixes his mask, and heads downstairs.
