If you’re still taking prompts, how about 10 with borderlands? The pre-sequel crew?
Sorry this took me so long to get to! Also, wow, sorry- this totally got away from me and didn't go at all how I planned it in my head. I hope it's okay! (and, in typical me fashion, it's not proofread)
#10- "Is there anything I can do"
Athena was surprised when they actually started fighting like a real team.
It was clear they were all used to working alone, but it didn’t take long before survival instinct kicked in and they learned each other’s patterns to work together against their enemies. Athena often found herself lingering by Nisha, shielding her so she was free to fire away on enemies.
Timothy was still learning how to fight, but Wilhelm kept him covered. Jack had made a good call giving him those digi-Jacks, as they bought Timothy time to line up another shot when his aim was off.
Even now, they took their usual formation. Timothy had swiped his digi-Jacks into being, and Wilhelm lingered close to him. Athena and Nisha stood away from the boys, taking out the left flank of enemies, Aurelia nearby. Claptrap was…being Claptrap. Athena chose to ignore whatever he was doing.
“Left, Wilhelm! No, not my left, your left!”
“We’re facing the same fucking way!”
“We weren’t when I said that!”
Athena rolled her eyes as she heard Timothy’s and Wilhelm’s bickering. Nisha snickered as Wilhelm “accidentally” hit Timothy and knocked the kid on his ass.
“He’s going to get Timothy killed doing that,” Athena said.
“A shame. The little peasant’s desperation for money is amusing,” Aurelia said.
“It really is. You should’ve seen what he did when she waved a handful of money in his face yesterday,” Nisha informed Athena.
“I can’t leave any of you alone with him,” Athena grumbled.
“And you can’t leave him alone with Claptrap. He put Claptrap in the middle of a set of stairs the other day to try and get rid of him,” Nisha said.
“Is that why Claptrap went missing for a few hours?” Athena said.
“Apparently a Scav finally kicked him down the stairs and he found his way back to us,” Nisha said.
Athena was going to charge Jack extra. He hadn’t listed “babysitting adults” as part of the job description.
She shook it off and refocused on the battle around them. This was the danger of working as a team; getting too attached. She would have to go back to fighting alone soon enough. Maybe there was something fun about joking around during a fight, but she couldn’t let it become her norm.
She had a mission. A mission she would complete alone.
They finished off the last of the enemies trying to kill them. Athena took stock of the team, sighing as she saw Timothy and Wilhelm arguing over a health kit.
“Who needs it more?” she said, stomping over to them.
“Me, because he shoved me into a gunshot,” Timothy said.
“He’s so overdramatic.” Wilhelm grabbed Timothy’s arm and showed where the bullet had grazed it. “I need it for the headache he gives me.”
Athena snatched it and stuck it in Timothy’s arm. Timothy flicked his middle finger up at Wilhelm; Athena smacked him in the back of the head for no doubt securing himself another injury.
“Let’s get back to Concordia,” Nisha said. “I need a drink.”
“Oh Timothy, darling, I could use someone to hold my drinks at the bar,” Aurelia said, waving money at him.
Athena caught her wrist and pushed it down. “Knock it off. You just like making him look like a bitch in front of Moxxi.”
“Well, I have to get my amusement somewhere on this trash heap,” Aurelia said.
“Are you trying to be a team leader or a team mother?” Nisha asked as they started back for their vehicles.
“Neither,” Athena said firmly. “Just trying to keep things functioning so we don’t all die bickering.”
“Some might call that a team leader. Or a team mother,” Nisha said.
Athena glared at her. Nisha smirked and moved ahead to get in the driver’s seat of their vehicle.
They drove back to Concordia and headed for the bar. Athena was relieved the moment she had a drink in her hands.
“Where’s Claptrap?” she said as she looked around, eyes shooting to Timothy.
He held his hands up innocently. “Wasn’t me this time.”
“I hit a pothole. He didn’t make it,” Wilhelm said.
“Wilhelm,” Athena said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“He’ll be back. We’ve never been lucky enough to get rid of him,” Wilhelm said.
Timothy nudged him with his elbow. “Worth the continued effort. It’ll stick one of these days.”
He and Wilhelm began to discuss various, outrageous ideas for getting rid of Claptrap. Athena left them to it, because at this point, she knew there was no stopping them. Instead, she joined Nisha for a game of darts while Aurelia bet with anyone stupid enough to actually bet with her on the outcome.
After a few games, Athena observed the team. Aurelia was paying Timothy to count her newly earned money for her, and Wilhelm was stepping in as Nisha’s next opponent. They were drinking, but not heavily. They would be fine if she stepped out for a minute.
So she did just that, stepping out of the bar to get fresh air. Or, well, as fresh as you could get on Concordia.
“Athena?”
Janey brightened and hurried over to her. Athena clutched her drink tighter.
“I didn’t know you guys were back!” she said.
“Oh, yea, we’re in for the night,” Athena said. She cleared her throat nervously.
“That’s great! I’m sure you need the rest. Hey, I always see you up earlier than them. Let’s grab breakfast tomorrow before you head out again. My treat,” Janey said.
“Oh, um, I-”
“Great! I’ll meet you tomorrow,” Janey said. She scowled a little. “I’d stick around, but I’ve got some work to be doing.” Then the smile came back to her face, making Athena’s heart stutter a little. “Tomorrow will be a nice break for me, too. I’m looking forward to it.”
And she was off before Athena could get a word in about it.
Athena slumped back against the wall. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, trying to steady her heartbeat.
It was becoming too…too routine. The playful battles with the team, the nights drinking and blowing off steam after a long day, the way she craved Janey’s smile. It was becoming her norm. It was dangerous. She wasn’t meant for a team or a relationship; she was meant to be alone.
She was aiming her gun before her mind even processed that she’d sensed someone approaching. She opened her eyes and met Timothy’s annoyed look.
“Gun,” he said.
It was currently pointed at his chest. Athena holstered it.
“You okay?” he asked, leaning against the wall next to her, careful not to get too close. He knew she didn’t like it when he did.
Because he’s learned about her, just like the others had. Just like she’d learned about them.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired.”
He hesitated, because he’d also learned she didn’t like it when any of them pried. “Is there anything I can do?”
“What?”
He gestured helplessly. “You just seem…off. It’s not like you. Is there anything I can do? To, I dunno, make it better?” He realized he was being too openly sincere and caught himself. “Because, ah, because you’re the only other semi-normal person on this team. Please don’t join those homicidal lunatics and leave me as the last sane person standing.”
“You’re fighting creatures on the moon, Timothy. You’re not sane.”
“Fair. But saner than them. I’m at least not enjoying it.”
She nearly smiled at that. He caught it and took it as a victory.
“Come on, Athena. Let me buy you a drink,” he said. “Aurelia just paid me to be her bitch again, so I actually can buy you a drink.”
“I guess I need another. Sorry I slipped on your name. I know you’re not supposed to use it,” she said, pushing off the wall.
He shrugged. “I’m not, but it’s not my fault if other people do. Come on. And make me look good in front of Moxxi, okay? Aurelia keeps making me look bad.”
When Athena had taken this job, she’d expected reluctant but necessary cooperation. She’d expected bloodthirsty bounty hunters, or glory-chasing bastards with big egos.
But here stood someone who came to check if she was okay and try to cheer her up. And waiting inside the bar for them was a team she…well, she found some enjoyment being on.
She knew it wouldn’t last. But she followed Timothy inside, and thought of Janey, and had the courage to hope that maybe she wouldn’t have to be alone after all.
Athena rewrites the nursery rhymes and stories that Springs write for children. (To actually make them child friendly.)
But as Athena isn't the best for that, she usually sends the stories to others who have heard these kind stories and lived an relatively normal childhood.
This often leads to Gaige and others reading their stories and editing them. They consider themselves Athena's editor while Springs considers Athena her editor. (So, they're editor's of a editor.)
