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The Texan rarely felt hot. Growing up in a desert state is something that tends to null most people's heat sensitivity. He knew how to act and how much his body could take. So when the Administrator declared a grace period to save the mercs from the heatwave, Engineer rejoiced over the news of a paid holiday.
Over at the RED base, most mercs tried to make the most of (and survive) the high temperatures. Heavy and Medic, used to the cold European weather, took refuge at the medbay which kept a certain degree of coolness from the virtue of being underground.
The younger mercs had filled a kiddie pool and taken turns splashing around in it. Scout didn't really understand why his friend needed to splash around, as it kept its fire suit on, but since the pool was its, he let the matter slide.
Over at the rec room, the elusive Sniper and Spy had formed a temporary symbiotic relationship to entertain each other playing cards. Neither of them trusted the other, but since the marksman couldn't stay in his RV, and the French's smoking room didn't have air conditioning, they had convinced themselves the best way to make sure the other wouldn't play any tricks on them was to keep an eye on them. They definitely weren't having fun.
Finally, the explosive duo Soldier and Demo, attempted to mitigate the hot weather by cracking a cold one.
Engineer hadn't decided what to do yet, since most of his teammates seemed to have partnered up and he didn't want to hang out like a third wheel. So he chose a place with some cover and sat on his robotic hammock while taking sips of some cold refreshing beer.
The heat was becoming insufferable, temperatures reaching 113⁰ Fahrenheit (45⁰ Celsius). The more he thought about it the more tempted he was to take off his shirt. Should he just do it? He hadn’t been allowed to ever since he was so young he couldn’t remember, and he knew surely that no one would mind, but still. The possibility of any of his co-workers recognizing the scars on his chest made him shiver.
"ENGINEER!" a loud voice shouted, startling him out of his thoughts.
"Soldier! You scared the living death out of me!"
"I apologize! Demoman and I have run out of supplies!"
"Oh?"
"Affirmative!"
They both stared at each other, the Engineer trying to decipher what the patriot wanted.
"Anything I can…?”
"May we join you for some drinks?"
He laughed
"Sure thing Soldier."
Soldier left to invite Demoman while the southerner watched. Demo howled and punched Soldier in his arm to then push him while saying his goodbyes.
He then approached him again with a certain blush on his cheeks. Engineer couldn't help being fond of his compatriot. While he had a loud mouth, he never could stay too mad at him. Especially when he came excited to talk about guns. He'd be the world's worst Texan if he didn't appreciate some good weapon talk.
"Demo?"
"He has deserted the mission. Says he's already had enough."
That was weird. Usually whenever they drank, Demoman didn't hold back.
"Then it's me and you, pardner."
"YEAH!" he shouted, even louder than usual.
Soldier stayed next to him drinking his beer with a wide grin and without saying a thing. He would be lying if he didn't admit it creeped him out at least a tiny bit. But with this heat, he really couldn't care. It was so hot that he could feel his clothes sticking to his body and his body to the chair. He grunted out of frustration.
"Do you have any problem, private?" Soldier spoke for the first time since they sat together.
"Ah, don't worry. This heat comes right up from hell, you know that?"
Soldier gave a booming laugh that surprised him, even scaring him for a second. But in the end, he couldn't help but join in. It was too contagious.
"I thought I was the only one melting from the heat."
"God, I wish."
Before he could react, Soldier had taken off his shirt, giving a sigh. Engineer couldn't help but stare.
"Admiring the view?"
"What! No, I apologize, Soldier. It's not like that."
Aided with the light buzz alcohol had given him, and while it partially was like that , he now took off his shirt and pointed to his scars.
"You…"
"Yes?"
"You are like me…" Soldier then said in the softest voice Engineer had ever heard from him.
Engie nodded.
"Yeah, I guess so, pardner."
"I had never met anyone like me..."
"I'm glad you know, Soldier."
"Engineer," Soldier said nervously.
"Yes?"
"Engineer… there's something I need to tell you."
"I'm all ears, son." he replied before taking another sip.
"Engineer, would you be mad at me if I said I like you?"
That certainly wasn't what he expected when Soldier joined him for a drink. No, that was a pleasant surprise.
Realizing he had gotten lost in his thoughts, he downed the rest of his beer in one gulp and after returning an inquisitive look at each other, he grabbed Soldier, pulling him in for a kiss.
"Nah."
Soldier, still smiling and dumbfounded by the kiss, shook his head.
"Engineer!"
"Haha!”
He then proceeded to pick his jacket back, searching the pockets thoroughly.
"Aha!"
In his hands, one of the medals he made and gave away constantly for day to day acts of heroism. It read.
”Self made Man''.
And that was enough to make a grown man cry.