((Thank you to @tf2kiwi for allowing me to use one of her amazing pictures as inspiration for this short story! Everyone should really check out her work; it’s fab, and she’s a great artist! I hope that you all enjoy.))
The sun was low over the horizon as the Engineer finished making changes to his last sentry. The battle had been over long ago, but it was his job to perform regular maintenance on his machines, changing them to night vision at dusk, then back again at dawn. True, it was highly unlikely for the BLU to attack while the RED slept, but it was nice to have the extra precaution if such a situation did arise.
Now that the Texan had wrapped up his work, he straightened up and looked at the sunset. The colours swept over the sky, as though someone had painted many shades of yellow, orange and red on a large canvas of black and blue. It was gorgeous, and pushing his hat up with his thumb he took a moment to appreciate it.
A few minutes passed as the sun sank below the flat plain that stretched out for miles, and now he stood under a midnight sky, a few stars already beginning to show themselves. With the dark, a breath of wind whispered in his ear, bringing a chill down his spine. There was something about this place, this war ground full of fake death, that was eerily beautiful at night.
Bending down to pack away his tools, he shut the cherry-red box with a satisfying ‘thunk’ before closing his right hand around the handle. He went to pick up the toolbox, only to be stopped by gloved arms wrapping around his waist. He didn’t panic, but instead smiled and turned his head. It was the Pyro who was currently giving him a hug; standing properly, he let out a small chuckle.
“Yah couldn’t have waited in the warm for me, huh?” He loved the little firebug, and the sweet gestures they showed him on a regular basis. Yesterday, they had helped him sort out his entire workshop, and the day before they had protected his sentries from that pesky BLU Spy. He didn’t know why they spent so much time around a boring old man like him, especially when they could play with Scout instead, but he appreciated it and showed this by treating them with only sweetness and kind words.
Speaking of, the Pyro gently nuzzled into the Engineer’s cheek, making a soft noise. It sounded like they said 'Mwah’, as if giving him a kiss. He could feel a light blush cover his cheeks, followed by a grin.
“Is that supposed to be a kiss?” He asked, answered only by the firebug picking him up and spinning him around, giggling happily. Their strength always surprised him, but then again they did wield a pretty hefty flamethrower all of the time.
As soon as they put him down, he promptly fell on his rump as he tried to regain his balance. Laughter bubbled out of his lips as he shook his head. The Pyro quickly sat beside him, their own glee shown by the rasping noises leaving their filter. He found it endearing, rather than terrifying, when they spoke or showed any signs of human emotion; he knew that they were just like a child under that mask, which was probably one of the reasons why the firebug treated him like a doting child idolising their father.
Wrapping his arm around their shoulders, he pulled them closer to his chest so that he was now cuddling them. The pair both lay back, the stars twinkling above them as they enjoyed the silence between them. The moment was perfect, completed by the Pyro mumbling something quiet.
“I love yah too lil buddy.”