The question, while simple enough, was becoming annoying and tiresome to the poor, unfortunate recipient. Calculating, intelligent, blue-green eyes glanced to their left, staring at their brown-haired companion.
“Simply observing….”
“You’ve been saying that for two months now, I’m starting to get the feeling you're doing more than observing….”
“I seem to remember you admitting to the same thing Chief.”
“Not for two months….”
“Really? I’m sure Dove would say otherwise.”
“And I’m sure that you're just being creepy…. Just go talk to them. It’d be better than staring at her from a dark corner.”
“I’d prefer to stay in the corner, logically it poses as the best position in the room to observe them as their workstation is right next to Cam’s.”
“She’s gonna see you eventually….”
“Yes, and with you talking my ear off, the chances of me being seen goes up.”
“I could always have Kelly–
“Chief…. Please.”
The Master Chief raised his hands in surrender, “Fine, I’ll leave you to it.”
“Appreciated, Chief.”
~~~~~
(Y/N) 113, Senior Weapons engineer and one of the best scouts the Spartan II’s had to offer…. Besides Fred, that is. You were known for your keen intelligence and ability to work well under high pressure, a trait you inherited from your brother Kurt. From the time you were a child, you had an interest in technology but more so the weapons side of technology, so it came as no surprise when you began volunteering for armor testing and eventually found yourself as a weapon engineer as well as an active duty Spartan.
“Caaaammmm, my buddy, old pal.” You began, shooting awkward finger guns in greeting as you slid up beside the mechanic, “Can I use one of your wrenches? Someone took all of mine.”
“Probably that fluffy fucker…..” Cam grumbled as he glanced up at you, raising an eyebrow in thought, a smirk growing on his smudged face, “What’s in it for me?”
You thought for a moment, pursing your lips in thought, “Uhhh, I can take a look at your camo module? Maybe I can upgrade it.”
Cam gave a toothy smile as he handed you the wrench you needed, “Marq already beat you to it, but I suppose I can let you borrow this for now.”
“You're the beeeesstttt, thank you!!” You sang, running off to finish the upgrade you’d been installing on one of the S-99s. Happily skipping back to your station, you found yourself glancing across the repair bay to see a familiar figure looming by a shadowed corner. Catching the eye of the Chief, you offered a wave before your eyes trailed to the corner, feeling a pair of eyes staring at you.
~~~~~~
“Come on, I know you can do better than that. You keep relying on just your armor’s strength like that, and I’ll be cleaning you off the mats……. And I don’t think Chief Mendez would like me very much after that.”
“Very funny Fred…. If I wasn’t still recovering, they’d be cleaning YOU off the mat, and you know it.”
“I know a lot of things, but losing isn’t one of them (Y/N)..... Go again?”
That training match felt like several lifetimes ago now. You were both so young, only teenagers at the time. John had been called into an emergency briefing when he was supposed to meet with Fred for training, which lead to you walking more or less into the gym and finding him there. The augmentations had presented their own set of difficulties for everyone, but you had very nearly been let go from the program due to temporary paralysis, leaving you wheelchair-bound for almost two months after the initial procedure and therapies. That was the first time Fred had seen you mobile since before the surgery….. Before this war started.
~~~~~
“Psst…”
Fred barely registered the soft noise coming from outside his door as he slept. Today had been long and tiring for the poor Spartan, and he just wanted to sleep.
*knock knock*
Fred groaned internally as he forced himself up from his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and making his way to his door.
‘This had better be good….’ His thoughts grumbled as the door slid open to reveal–
“Oh my god, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were already sleeping.”
Fred looked down at you through bleary eyes to see you standing there with a mug in one hand and a plate in the other,
“I snagged this from the kitchen before the others could devour it. Figured you could use it after what Chief Mendez put you through today.”
On said plate was a steaming slice of apple pie that looked perfect from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filled Fred’s nose as he carefully took it from your hands with a polite nod. His brain too tired to even come up with a decent thank you
“Sleep well, Fred. You deserve it.” You stated with a kind smile before disappearing down the hall.
That’s all he could remember, was just fleeting, minuscule interactions with you, but each one was burned into his memory, leaving its distinct mark.
~~~~~
“You come into MY house, and it’s not even to see your beloved brother…. You're a cruel man Fred.” Cam dramatized, flopping over the hood of the warthog dramatically, “What a world, what a horrible world.”
“What’s horrible now?”
Fred turned his head, giving a warm smile as Marq walked over, tapping away on his tablet, sighing as he looked down at Cam draped over the warthog.
“What are you doing down there?”
“He’s pouting.” Fred chuckled, patting Cam’s shoulder,
“I am NOT…. I’m lamenting the loss of my brotherly love. You're not even here to see me.”
“Your such a drama llama.” Marq shook his head, reaching down to ruffle Cam’s hair. “Your gonna get grease all over your new jumpsuit if you keep laying there.”
“Leave me to wallow in my agonyyyyy.”
Fred shook his head, chuckling at his brother's antics before turning towards Marq, “Is (Y/N) in today?”
“Of course… where else would I be?”
Fred, and Marq turned at the sound of your voice to see you walking in with a smile, raising your eyebrow in curiosity as you observed the lump that was currently Cam….. god why did he feel so nervous??
“You alright there, Cam?”
“He’s just pouting. He’s fine,” Marq assured with a broad smile, nudging Cam with his foot,
“And what brings the finest scout in the Spartan core to my humble abode this morning?” You asked once you’d reached your desk, taking a moment to observe the nervous man in front of you. It was…. Rather cute. Fred had always been one of the most level-headed, calm, logical Spartans from the time he was a child. So to see him acting so… Strange called for an inquiry.
Fred cleared his throat nervously, trying his best to avoid blushing from something as small as a compliment, taking a step closer to you while pulling something from the pocket of his hoodie. It was well wrapped, but you knew what it was just from the shape.
“Thanks for the pie….” He said quietly, a small, warm smile on his face as he brushed past you, leaving you shell-shocked as you stared down at the pastry in your hand, it was…. Baklava… your favorite treat that no one aboard the ship knew how to make….
“Thanks for the pie….”
You felt your face grow warm as you stared down at the pastry, frowning as Cam and Marq snickered from over in their corner,
“Don’t even think about it….”
I present my first Fred x reader fic! I know I've been pretty MIA the last few weeks, but it's just been a rough time. Busy with work and not enough energy or brainpower to write... *Sulks in cloud of doom* Anyway! I hope you enjoy everyone!
As always, beloved Cam belongs to @starchaser-the-prophet, and Marq belongs to me ^^.
