The Compromise
read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/81932641
by Morphologist
Dell Conagher is a "fairly normal guy".
He's friendly, helpful, and looks out for others. A bit on the nerdy side, he fits in at Bee Cave High School despite his bookish demeanor. But something feels strange to him, and it is something most of his classmates do not seem to notice: that he is demonstrating emotions he does not actually have in order to fit in and show people that he cares about them. And why do some of his fellow nerds tell him he needs to stop running with the wrong crowd on weekends? Chess, math, and debate always give him a rush of positive emotion. Until he realizes perhaps it is not so much an emotion as just a hit of adrenaline that keeps the pep in his step from fading away.
But eventually the rush from helping others break rules, grows harder to reach. As the number of escapades add up, he questions why he can't seem to stop. One fateful evening in autumn of his junior year, Dell's increasingly urgent search for a rush brings him face to face with a sinister device he should never have created.
And this time, Fred Conagher notices.
Words: 7972, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Team Fortress 2
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen
Characters: Engineer (Team Fortress 2), Engineer (Team Fortress Classic), Background & Cameo Characters, Engineer's Mother (Team Fortress 2)
Relationships: Engineer (Team Fortress 2) & Engineer (Team Fortress Classic)
Additional Tags: Post-Team Fortress Classic, Pre-Team Fortress 2, Slice of Life, Coming of Age, Mental Health Issues, Foreshadowing, Delinquents, High School, 1950s, References to Mann Co., References to Team Fortress Classic, Character Study, Implied/Referenced Neurodivergence, Fluctuating Empathy, lack of empathy, Hijinks & Shenanigans, subjective morality, Moral Codes, Explosives, Humor, Angst, Antisocial Behavior & Prosocial Behavior, Neglect, Morally Grey Characters, Dell Conagher becomes a miniature "mafia boss" on accident, Slight Canon Divergence
read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/81932641