TEAM FORTRESS SYSTEM OVERRIDE
Cherries, Rain, and the Bottom of the Ninth
The morning sun hit the RED base with its usual desert ferocity, but for Jeremy, it felt like a spotlight on the best day of his life. He was halfway through a bowl of sugary cereal when his phone chimed. A message from Miss Pauling: *Administrator approved a 48-hour furlough for the team. Enjoy the downtime.*
Scout practically choked on a marshmallow. He scrambled to his feet, sprinting toward the tech lab before he’d even swallowed. He found Ethan—Renan, he reminded himself—leaning over a motherboard, his pink hair tied back in a messy knot.
"Hey! Hey, Pinky! You get the message?" Scout barked, leaning over the desk and invading Ethan’s personal space with zero hesitation. "Pauling sent the 'we ain't gonna die today' text?"
Ethan looked up, a slow, lazy smile spreading across his face. "I did. Does this mean you’re finally going to take me to that neon-lit grease trap you promised, or are you going to chicken out?"
"Chicken out? Please! I’m the Scout! I don't know the meaning of the word!" Scout puffed his chest out. "I’ll pick you up at eight. Sharp. And don't worry about the ride—I’m gonna show up in style."
"I look forward to it, Jeremy," Ethan chuckled, his yellowish eyes shimmering with amusement.
Scout’s first mission was the car. He spent the next three hours relentlessly pestering the Spy. He sent forty-two text messages, left three voicemails, and eventually just stood outside the smoking lounge until the Frenchman cracked.
"Take the keys, you insufferable brat!" Spy hissed, tossing a silver fob at Scout’s head. "If there is so much as a single scratch on the leather, I will skin you and make a suit out of your hide. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, Spook! You’re the best!" Scout yelled, already halfway down the hall.
The afternoon was a frantic blur. Scout realized his wardrobe consisted entirely of blood-stained tracksuits and "I Heart Boston" t-shirts. He dragged Anthony and Kay to the mall, his anxiety manifesting as a mile-a-minute monologue.
"So, who is she?" Anthony asked, leaning against a clothing rack. "This hot girl you’re finally taking out? Is she a model? A spy?"
"She’s... uh... she’s Brazilian," Scout said, frantically flipping through button-downs. "Met her at work. She’s real tall. Tough. Could probably kill you with a look."
Kay, who had been watching Scout’s frantic energy with a knowing smirk, leaned in. "Does she happen to have pink hair, Jeremy?"
Scout froze, his hand hovering over a blue polo. He slowly turned his head, putting a finger to his lips. "SHHHHHHH! Not a word, Kay! Zip it!"
After three hours of trial and error, he found it: a slim-fit navy blazer, a crisp white shirt, and dark denim. It was "Spy-lite," but it worked.
Back at the base, Scout spent an hour in front of the mirror. He splashed on way too much cologne, combed his hair until it shone, and practiced his lines. "Hey, babe. You look like a million bucks. Let’s go spend it." He shook his head. "No, too cheesy. How about... 'Ready to have the best night of your life?' Yeah. That’s the one."
Suddenly, the weight of it hit him. He looked at his reflection and felt a cold knot in his stomach. *I’m going on a date. With a guy. A guy who wears dresses and hacks satellites.* He thought about the Soldier’s reaction, or his mother back in Boston. He picked up his phone, his thumb hovering over the 'Cancel' button.
"It’s just a date," he whispered to himself, his heart hammering. "Two friends. Hanging out. Nothing serious. Just... two guys having burgers." The panic subsided, leaving a dull, nervous hum.
Spy met him at the garage, leaning against a sleek, black Italian sports car. He handed over the keys with a look that wasn't mocking for once. It was almost... proud. "Don't be a fool, Jeremy. Just be yourself. The rest will follow."
"Thanks, Spy," Scout said, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. For a second, it felt like he had a dad who actually gave a damn.
The drive to Ethan’s house was a revelation. He’d expected a high-tech bunker, but instead, he pulled up to a beautiful, sprawling estate with a manicured lawn and automatic gates that hissed open like a welcome. He parked the car, smoothed his hair one last time, and knocked.
The door opened, and Scout’s brain stalled.
Ethan stood there, looking like a dream. He was wearing a white sundress patterned with tiny red cherries, a soft red cardigan draped over his shoulders, and white leg warmers that met black Mary Jane shoes. His hair was adorned with little cherry clips, and his lips were slick with a sweet-smelling gloss.
"Damn," Scout breathed, his jaw practically hitting the porch. "You look... beautiful."
"Ah, thanks," Ethan said, a faint blush dusting his dark cheeks. "You look like you actually tried for once. I’m impressed."
A low, rhythmic *thump-thump* echoed from the hallway. A Borzoi—a dog that looked like a very long, very elegant noodle—sauntered out. It sniffed Scout’s shoes with a long, judgmental snout, its eyes half-lidded.
"Socket, be nice," Ethan murmured. The dog looked at Scout, then at Ethan, and sat down with a huff.
"You can go, Socket. He’s not going to do anything bad to Daddy," Ethan said, patting the dog’s head. The Borzoi gave Scout one last "I’m watching you" look before retreating into the house.
"Take care of the house, okay?" Ethan called out, closing the door behind them.
The diner was a neon-soaked time capsule. They sat in a red vinyl booth, the jukebox playing a low, crooning tune.
"This place is cute," Ethan said, looking around at the chrome fixtures. "It really feels like we stepped back in time."
"Yeah, it’s... it’s real vintage," Scout agreed. He leaned forward, trying to channel the "mysterious" vibe Spy had suggested. "You know, Ethan... you’re like a high-speed connection in a dial-up world. I’d love to... uh... upload my hardware into your... mainframe?"
Ethan stared at him, blinking slowly. "...What?"
Scout’s face turned scarlet. "I—I mean! You’re fast! Like me! Just... forget I said anything. I’m a moron."
Ethan burst into a bright, melodic laugh. "Jeremy, you are a disaster. But you’re a cute one."
They ordered the 'Couple’s Special'—a massive tray of burgers, fries, wings, and a single giant milkshake with two straws.
"You know," Ethan said, dipping a fry into the shake, "these burgers are okay, but back in Rio? They’re a work of art. Stuffed with everything—corn, potato sticks, eggs. It’s a meal that requires a permit."
"No way, man," Scout argued, mouth full of beef. "A burger is a burger. It’s a universal constant."
"One day I’ll make one for you," Ethan said, his voice dropping into a soft, intimate register. "And you’ll see the difference."
The moment was shattered by a sharp, nasal voice that Scout recognized instantly.
"Oh, for fuck’s sake," Scout groaned, slumping in his seat.
Kate was standing by the entrance, draped over a new guy who looked like he spent all his time at the gym and none of it reading. She spotted them and marched over, her face twisted in a sneer.
"Oh, so it’s true," she laughed, leaning on their table. "You really did get with this faggot, Jeremy. I thought Anthony was joking, but look at you. Having a little tea party with a freak."
Ethan didn't even look up from his milkshake. "Kate, honey. We’ve discussed this. Your voice sounds like a seagull choking on a plastic bag. Please, fuck off before I decide to delete your credit score. Again."
"You think you’re so tough?" Kate’s boyfriend stepped forward, puffing his chest out at Ethan. "Talking to a lady like that?"
Ethan tilted his head, his yellowish eyes cold and predatory. "I don't see a lady. I see a nuisance. And you? You look like you struggle with basic addition. Move along."
Scout felt the anger boil over. He stood up, but he didn't yell. He didn't brag. He leaned in close to the boyfriend, his voice dropping into a low, terrifying growl that even made Ethan blink.
"Listen to me, you meathead," Scout hissed. "If you or this bitch say one more word to him, I’m gonna show you exactly why they call me the Scout. I’ll be in and out of your life before you feel your jaw break. Get out. Now."
The pair scrambled away, Kate’s face pale with shock. Scout sat back down, his hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline.
"Damn," Ethan said, looking at Scout with genuine surprise. "I’ve never seen you like that before. That was... actually pretty sexy."
Scout looked up, his bravado returning. "You wanna know what’s sexy? Watch me finish this milkshake."
They flirted their way through the rest of the meal, the tension between them thickening like the humid air outside. When they left the diner, the sky had opened up. A heavy, warm summer rain was drenching the pavement.
They ran for the car, laughing as they got soaked. Scout caught Ethan near a brick wall in the alley, his hands finding Ethan’s waist. The white dress was clinging to Ethan’s curves, the cherry patterns darkened by the water. They were both panting, their faces inches apart.
"Damn, it’s raining pretty hard," Ethan whispered, his eyes locked on Scout’s mouth. "You don't want to stay at my place for a while? We can watch a movie until it stops."
"Yeah," Scout breathed. "I’d like that."
Ethan’s house felt different in the dark. They dried off, Scout borrowing a pair of Ethan’s silk pajamas that were a bit too big, and huddled on the sofa to watch a horror movie. Scout talked the entire time, pointing out the clichés, while Ethan just sat there, his head on Scout’s shoulder, watching Jeremy’s mouth move with a look of pure adoration.
Scout let his hand slide down, resting it on Ethan’s thigh. He felt the warmth of the skin through the thin fabric. He suddenly panicked, pulling back. "Sorry. I don't know if I’m going too far."
Ethan didn't say a word. He reached up, cupped Scout’s face, and pulled him into a deep, bruising kiss. It tasted like cherry gloss and rain.
The move to the bedroom was a blur of tangled limbs and discarded silk. When they hit the sheets, Scout tried to take the lead, pinning Ethan down. "Alright, Pinky. I’m the top here, okay? I’m the one who runs the show."
Ethan laughed, a low, sultry sound as he easily flipped Scout onto his back, pinning his wrists above his head. "Jeremy, you can run as much as you want, but in this room? You’re entirely mine. There’s no escaping."
Scout swallowed hard, his face flushing. "It’s... it’s my first time. Doing this. With a guy."
Ethan’s expression softened. He leaned down, kissing Scout’s neck. "I’ll be gentle, *bonitinho*. I promise."
Ethan started slow, his lips exploring the line of Scout’s throat, his hands roaming over Scout’s lean, muscular frame. He had total control, his movements calculated and deliberate. When he finally entered, Scout let out a sharp, choked gasp, his fingers digging into Ethan’s shoulders.
"Ethan... oh god, Ethan," Scout moaned, his head tossing back against the pillows.
"That’s it," Ethan whispered, his voice a dark caress. "Say my name."
As Ethan increased the pace, Scout’s bravado crumbled entirely. He was arching his back, his legs wrapped tight around Ethan’s waist, whimpering and begging like a "little bitch," just as Ethan had teased. Ethan was loving every second of it, his yellowish eyes glowing in the dark as he bit down on Scout’s shoulder, leaving a deep, dark mark that would last for days.
They reached the peak together, a chaotic explosion of sensation that left them both gasping for air, tangled in sweat-soaked sheets.
Hours later, Scout lay in the dark, his head on Ethan’s chest. He felt exhausted, sore, and incredibly light. "That was... that was the best thing ever," he muttered.
Ethan stroked his hair, his fingers gentle. "I’m glad you liked it, speedy."
A familiar *ping* came from Scout’s phone on the nightstand. A message from Miss Pauling: *New mission tomorrow at 0600. Don't be late. We need the Hacker’s eyes on the grid.*
Scout groaned, burying his face in Ethan’s neck. "Are you kidding me? I just got comfortable!"
Ethan shifted, his hand sliding down Scout’s back in a way that made the younger man shiver. "Well... we still have time for a second round before the sun comes up."
Scout looked up, a wide, hungry grin spreading across his face. "Please. Now."