a buddy of mine said that he saw jack morrison take his shirt off in the shower

[mylawn]

Who: Angela Ziegler, Soldier: 76, special guest Solid Snake, extra special guests Reinhardt and Reaper and Mei
When: Early February
Where: The Ingress entrance to Eosoros and then some other places maybe
What: Basically the part of Undercover Boss where the boss stops being undercover, except with fewer monetary gifts
Warnings: Blood, medical business, an angry old man

[76 arrives on Thisavrou very, very angry.

He’s usually angry, but generally speaking, he manages to keep said anger to a low simmer if only to function on a day-to-day basis. Arriving on this new planet after the ordeal at the Midway Hub, finding that all he can really do is sit and wait for his number to be called means that anger gets the better of him, even as he attempts to settle in (but 'settling in' is for other people). 76 takes one of the security gigs on Eosoros in a bid to do something productive, and that's sort of when things come to a head.

He’s angry, and he screws up.

It’s not really his fault, he thinks. It’s easy to blame the client (too reckless, an idiot, doesn’t listen to him, gets them both in a bad situation), but probably 76 could have handled this better. He should have bailed when things started to go south or ditched the client entirely or not taken the job in the first place—the money for a security detail wasn’t worth any of that, but he’s still boiling over with ire about the whole situation and that’s enough to make him do very stupid things, like throwing himself down in order to save both their asses when the client proves too incompetent to make it through the stupid torture gauntlet.

Hindsight, however, is twenty-twenty, and he’s not exactly coherent as he drags them both back through the Ingress and is immediately sidelined for medical attention. 76, too angry to care about decorum or not making a scene, immediately makes a scene. Someone is trying to hold him down, if only to keep him from getting blood everywhere before a medic arrives. The Savrii, however, are hard-pressed to subdue an enhanced human like him, especially when he’s in absolutely no mood to listen to reason.

Under duress, 76 becomes all but feral, hissing and spitting and doing everything in his power to get out and away, even if that means ignoring the fact that he's wounded and throwing all his self preservation out the window (said like he had any to begin with). It’s only the nature of his injury that keeps him from making an effective escape, though that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to try.]

Comments

[cadeuces]

Of course you did.

[ With a little sigh, exasperated, but not ill-content. There is plenty she could say about Overwatch agents banding together as a force to be reckoned with, that they wouldn't go down easily, that knowing the truth will allow them to fight properly— but they're words he won't want to hear just yet and she'll keep mum.

And Jack please... Snake camped with them for like a month. Angela fed him regularly. They shared a campfire. Of course they're friendly! (And then some, but, you know.) He offers a sympathetic glance as if she's trying to explain away any guilt or negative feelings, but there's a difference between that and stating fact. Which is what she does instead; empathy or no, there were just some things one had to accept about any situation as the cornerstones.

The chagrin that crosses her expression is brief enough as he admits to overhearing most of their conversation and still poking at an attempt to argue she won't acknowledge, but he's turning his attention to David and introducing himself by name. His real name, this time, giving up the ghost. And even offering a hand to shake, which leaves her relaxing (deflating) just a fraction. Provided David doesn't get any ideas about being stubborn here and now, but she doesn't think he will; thus far he's trusted her and taken her lead, and she relaxes further when he takes Jack's hand to shake.

Yet the self-deprecating joke gets a little more than a huff out of her in the form of a soft laugh, shaking her head. This is something she's had to take in stride, with him. This new form of humor poking fun at himself. ]

Now, I think I shouldn't be the only one drinking coffee. And you can both stand to have dinner.

[ Give her something to do, it seems to say, as she slides off her stool and touches the back of David's arm just to indicate she's passing by him. Remove herself from behind him so he didn't feel the need to protect her, and then they can both settle where they please. ]

I don't think we need to clarify much else. Jack will be here for a few more days to recover from his injuries from Eosoros, and— [ Getting her espresso maker going, here, to remove one cup before adding another pod and a new mug if they're amenable. ] —we'll see where to go from there, with the other agents. I know Snake won't be speaking of anything here to others. You both have more in common than you likely know.

[ Namely, that they're both good men with a penchant for denying that fact, and that they hold others in high esteem. Fight for good causes, sacrifice for what they know is right, and surely that paves the road to other facts she's unaware of. So, she's holding out a fresh cup of coffee to whoever reaches for it first, and will await a reply on food. ]

[mylawn]

Sorry.

[He sounds a little contrite for eavesdropping, but not enough to say much more than that. The conversation is moving onward in good time anyway, and perhaps Jack is even a little relieved that they're talking about something else--even if that something else is his rapidly-deteriorating charade. That's the more pressing matter, though he certainly doesn't blame Angela for needing someone to talk to about it.

So, now what?]

Tell the others, I guess.

[Jack doesn't seem terribly enthralled by the prospect, but this is a band-aid that needs to be ripped off. He should tell the others before they hear it from someone else. This is, however, easier said that done, and he already knows he'll be dragging his feet on it.

So he's glad that Angela pulls the conversation in yet another direction, even if he images this might be an awkward meal.]

You don't have to trouble yourself, Ange.

[soldiergenes]

[ There's definitely a few things that Jack and Snake share in common. Both experienced soldiers, both who at one point or another had made attempts to fake their own deaths, both armed with an arsenal of self-deprecating humor. That, and Angela seems to approve of both of them, despite their own opinions about themselves. It's more than enough to go on, now that the truth is laid bare.

When Angela moves away to get coffee and finish preparing a meal, Snake allows himself to settle back onto one of the stools. Apparently he's staying for dinner now, which will give them a chance to talk things over, tying off any other loose ends. Jack got injured on Eosoros, apparently, which doesn't surprise Snake given what he and Angela went through there. He doesn't say anything about keeping his mouth shut, figuring it's a given that he isn't going to go around telling Jack's people before he gets to them. Angela's the one he's closest to, anyway.

Since Jack doesn't reach out for the offered mug, Snake takes it, sampling a sip before he sets it down on the counter. He raises an eyebrow at Jack's protest and that little nickname, shifting on the stool to face him and shake his head. ]

If you've known her for as long as she said, then you should know she's not gonna listen. [ They're getting fed whether they want it or not. Good thing she's a decent cook. ]

[cadeuces]

I won't rush you.

[ The fact that he sounds even a little rueful about it is enough for her to be set at ease. It wasn't anger or annoyance, so she knows it's all right. That their discussion hadn't rubbed him the wrong way. That he understands her seeking out another ear not his own, and can see she's chosen someone far removed from the others to confide in. It would have to be enough, and he'll surely pick up the undertones of her words offered, that it's all right for him to take his time but that they deserve to know. She won't rush him but that still insinuates she's at his back, ready to nudge him if need be.

The topic change is accepted readily and David takes the offered mug, tipping her head in silent question for Jack if he wanted a cup as well to wake up and warm him. If so, she'll go ahead and make another to offer him, but if not, she'll simply pour herself a fresh cup before setting about pulling porcelain containers from the fridge and dishing up three plates. Dainty portions for herself, twice that for David, and almost twice again that for Jack. Super soldier metabolisms and such, with an emphasis on the vegetables to make up for lost time. Asparagus (or the closest alien equivalent) steamed with garlic and a bit of olive(-ish) oil beside the bread dumplings covered in gravy, and framed in veal(?) sausage. They're making do just fine here, even on an alien planet. Most foods they would be familiar with seemed to be transplanted or recreated here, or near enough.

Hearing such a familiar turn of her name still plucks at her, tugging at that little twinge in her chest that makes itself known nearly every time she wakes to find him still there, that it wasn't just an extended dream— every time her fingertips pass over his shoulders as she walks by or she hears his voice no longer hindered by the mask, something she's still getting used to. And realizing too late that she hadn't had the chance to ever really speak of her relationship with her commanders or many of her fellow agents, if the quirk of his brow was any indication once Jack's speaking up.

But David answers before she can as he settles at the island counter once more, and she doesn't bother to hide her smile, crinkling the corners of her eyes and flashing teeth as she busies herself reheating the dishes to dole out. ]

See? I've made excellent friends here, Jack, and they already know me so well. It's no trouble at all to see some hot food in either of you. [ Perhaps a bit of discussion is in order to ease the tension, let Jack find himself somewhere to sit and learn a little more about her friendship with the near-stranger in her kitchen. ] I met Snake only a few days after we'd arrived— we ran into each other at the gym and saw each other nearly every day since. We've all had our adventures here, no?

He also helped me with Eiger; with his training and just... owning a dog. He's been a dear friend to me. And he's had my back whenever something has gone awry.

[ Certainly something to be thankful for, and hopefully shed a little more light on their dynamic. That he's a trusted companion of hers, and that they've fought together. That she has a measure of his skill and professionalism without divulging anything terribly personal one way or another. There are few enough she can say that for here, even amongst her fellow agents. The food doesn't take terribly long and soon enough she's setting a steaming plate before David, settling her own down beside it, and offering Jack his. Even if he chose to sit at the dining table, he'd nearly be within arm's reach of the stools and they won't be sitting far apart, with her seat turning to face them both equally. If he's at the bar as well, she'll place herself between them. ]

[mylawn]

[Of course Jack knows that there's no arguing with Angela--it's the principle of the thing. He'll object because that's what he always does, and some things aren't going to change, even with all these years and new experiences between them. Perhaps she'll even find it comforting, that Jack continues to insist she doesn't need to go above and beyond to make him more comfortable.

But she will anyway, and there's a sort of nice familiarity in it, something he can't quite describe, much less to Snake, who he's only known in a professional capacity.

So he listens to what Angela has to say about him, taking it all in and slotting puzzle pieces together. When she recounts the stories of their meeting, it makes sense why they seem to have gravitated towards each other. When you've spent most of your life in a military organization, it's hard to tear yourself away. He's not entirely certain about Snake's background, but anyone who goes by a call sign has to have some kind of experience in that department.

What matters the most is that Angela has someone at her back, especially in his absence.]

I should thank you.

[To Snake, of course.

Jack has been eating Angela's cooking for the better part of a week, the extra vegetables not exactly going unnoticed. The drastic difference in portion size, however, doesn't even get a second glance--just something unspoken between them. Angela knows what he needs and it doesn't occur to Jack that any of this might come off as odd.]

For looking after her.

[He offers Angela the slightest hint of a smile through a forkful of food.]

Not that you need it.

[soldiergenes]

[ It's difficult to sit there and listen to Angela talk about him like this. It's not like she's saying anything that isn't true, and she's even taking care to leave out the more personal details about him. Still, Snake isn't used to someone speaking so fondly of him, especially when he's only a few feet away. He's had to stand at attention while some superior officer rattles off his accomplishments in combat and his mission success rate, but this is different.

Then Jack goes so far as to thank him. That's even less expected, and Snake straightens in his stool and then shakes his head, waving him off. His guess is that Jack feels at least some guilt that he'd kept his distance from Angela for so many months, but it's not as if Snake considered it a chore to spend time with her. ] It was really more the other way around. [ Angela had been looking after him, that is. The massages, gluing that gash in his head shut, but even the littler things—the electronic cigarettes, the way she'd check in on him.

Honestly, she's too good for him. Snake suspects that's a sentiment Jack here could agree with.

And here come the plates of steaming food, as if to prove that point. Snake digs in, enjoying the luxury of a warm, home-cooked meal before he takes a look at Jack's portion. It's impossible not to notice, and while he could just let it slide, Snake figures that he may as well learn a little more about Angela's commander. ]

Healthy appetite you've got there. [ He makes the statement as casual as he can, in between bites of his own food. ]

[cadeuces]

[ It is a comfort to her, that he continues to butt heads with her and challenges her, manners present in the polite objection, the attempted denial of her hospitality only to be overridden. Yet much the same should be true in her continued opposition in the face of that, that she'll continue to insist it isn't a bother and take care of him in the simplest of ways without making a fuss about it. It's second nature to her by now, minding others, and she's most at ease when doing so. Commander or no, he's her friend and she'll ensure he's eating well and getting the chance to rest and that he's comfortable around her.

That familiarity is her affection, at the very least, and it's never swayed.

Jack listens to her every word offered, pieces together what he's given to form an abstraction to figure out on his own, put his own thoughts and opinions into, his assumptions perfectly correct and visible in their rapport. There's an ease between them that speaks not only of friendship but of camaraderie, the way she trusts herself at his side and relaxes immediately, shares her expressions openly. It's also in the sly little nudge of her arm to David's at his vague discomfort beside her as she speaks of him, but the gratitude Jack offers him surprises her just as much.

It's only visible in the slight twitch of her brow and the way she looks between them, the slight exasperation in the curl of her lips and a huff of breath entirely fond to offset it. Further still when David turns it back on her and she just shakes her head. A silent enough what am I to do with you for both of them. Then Jack amends it with his own reassurance in her capabilities and her smile only widens further. ]

Well, sometimes there's only so much one can do alone. I think we all know that.

[ They've all been subjected to their own shortcomings without backup, haven't they? But the incline of her head is humble, deferring to Jack with her respect and her gratitude for his words all the same.

Then David remarks on the amount of food she'd served Jack and she tries not to laugh with a mouthful of food, leaving that to Jack to explain before she'd try to jump in. Let him reveal what he wishes, but the mirth in her eyes is plenty amused at being called out. ]

[mylawn]

[Jack's eyes flick from Snake to Angela and back again, like he's processing the exchanges of expressions and gestures in conjunction with the commentary, slowly realizing that it's his portion size that's in question. Angela's stifled laugh is what seals it, and Jack looks down at his own plate, almost offended that he's being judged.]

I need it.

[He offers that as a simple explanation, even if it doesn't really explain anything at all. To his credit, he seems to revise after a moment, realizing that it probably sounds very strange and he might be able to clear things up a little better.]

Accelerated healing factor. Burns calories.

[He's healing right now, which means he needs to make sure that he's taking in more than he expends. Jack punctuates that through a mouthful of food--he doesn't eat this much on a daily basis, but when he's exerting himself or recovering from an injury, his enhanced body needs the extra fuel to pull itself back together.

But if Angela thinks he doesn't know that she's not-so-subtly trying to get some real nutrition in him, well. She'd be wrong.]

[soldiergenes]

[ It's something that even Snake can pick up on, the ease between how Jack and Angela interact that betrays how long they've known each other. Even with years passing by back home (along with months here) before they were truly reunited, they've fallen back on old habits. Snake can't help but want to know more about their lives, seeing them interact like this.

Angela's nudge at his side and her comment about people being worse off alone all seems rather pointed, but she isn't wrong. Snake has been alone before, really and truly alone, and it hadn't been a good part of his life. The support of another person makes a big difference, even if it isn't always the easiest thing to accept.

It's odd to see expressions play out on Jack's face after only ever knowing him as the man with the mask, and Snake smirks wryly. He hadn't meant anything bad by the comment.

The explanation makes sense in some weird sort of way. Even regular people without the enhancements that Jack has need extra nutrition when they're healing. For someone like him, it must be two-fold. ]

Guess there's another side to every coin. [ Jack heals faster, but it's at a price. ] Well, with Angela taking care of you, you'll be back in working order in no time. [ If Angela's going to talk about him while he's sitting right there, that means it's within his right to do the same to her. ]