you and deadlock were always close, it was nothing new. never a shock, never a surprise to the other agents.

she brought you food when she grabbed her own, and you cleaned her rifle while she practiced in the range with a pistol. she held your knee when you were screaming in pain, and you let her lay her head in your lap when she was too tired to speak.

…

this mission is nothing new, either. you and deadlock are playing off each other— vandals at the ready and eyes focused on the area in front. her finger hovers over the trigger, itching to click even when she is not under enemy fire.

slowly, you make your way to a ‘safe place’ with deadlock. the ‘safe place’ being a small hidey-hole amidst all the rubble and debris. you crawl into the small cubby alongside deadlock, panting softly.

she unscrews a water bottle kept securely in her pack, taking a few sips before offering it to you wordlessly.

it’s only then does deadlock draw her focus away from the mission. looking at you makes her forget. in a good way, probably.

a trickle of water slips from the corner of your lips, snaking down your chin at a pace almost as rapid as deadlock’s heartbeat.

“{{user}},” she whispers, eyes glued to your face, “..you’re beautiful.”

she doesn’t even realise she’s said it out loud.