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Pyro comes bouncing into the Med Bay, as she always did when something excited her and, everyone knew, any little news made her excited. Medic was busy sharpening his scalpels and organizing his workbench after an intense day, and didn't pay him much attention. Medic abhorred interruptions in his work. Medic worked too much.
And Pyro realized that. She cared about that. She liked to see all her friends well and happy, and lately she had been aware of how little Medic allowed herself to rest, and had been occupying her thoughts with Medic's well-being above all others. Pyro still didn't know why he, of all the mercenaries, was occupying his thoughts lately.
It was a pleasant fall evening, not too cold, but cool enough for a roaring fire, roasting marshmallows, and lively conversation around the fire. A rare moment of tranquility and camaraderie, laughter and jokes with each other, to rest body and mind from the bloody work of the day. How could Pyro not be excited?
Everyone was there, except Medic.
And Pyro was the only one who noticed. (Actually, Spy also noticed, because Spy always notices and records everything, but unlike Pyro, Spy won't go out of his comfort zone to do something about it. After all, disturbing Medic during his work is something that doesn't usually go unpunished).
And so we head back to Med Bay. A pleasant autumn evening, cool but not too cold, perfect for sharpening scalpels, perfect for focusing on work, especially when the base is quiet because everyone is outside. No noise, no questions, no need to intervene in fights, no interruptions... a perfect night! And then... Ach!... Medic rolled his eyes.
- Ja, what happened, Pyro?
- Mmph mmp-mhp! (Doctor, do you want to bake a sweet treat?) And she shows a skewer with a huge marshmallow, which she had kept hidden behind his back until then.
- HERRGOTT!! Not now, Pyro, I'm in the middle of something important here. Und nein!, this time you won't be able to drag me out of here, like last time.
Pyro tilts his head, a little disappointed... "Mmmph-hmmmm..." But then, he gets an idea. She knows exactly what to do.
- Mmph... Mmph mmp-mhpmm? (Doctor, do you remember when you last roasted marshmallows?)
Medic didn't want to lose concentration, but... something made him stop. The memory of childhood nights, the bonfire lit in the little square near the house, calling the neighborhood kids to have fun, the glow of the fire illuminating the faces of their parents, serene, happy, alive... yes, still alive... talking to the neighbors, in a kinder, happier time, before there was war, before there was any mention of war, before they needed to run away, run away, run away, before that old pain set in, deep, insurmountable, visceral, like an infection that won't give in to anyone antibiotic. Pain that he buried under piles and piles of work. Pain that he hid behind all that violence, all that brutality, and yes, also, behind all his genius. Pain he kept in a secret compartment. The tightness in your chest, the longing going deep, crushing your heart, the tears wanting to appear in the corners of your eyes. No! NEIN! He didn't have time for that, he had to...
- Mmph-mmp! (Doctor, please!) Pyro brought him back, she had this effect on him, the effect of making him remember an innocent time, a time when things were simpler... more human... And he was flooded by the same sensations, the same amazement, the longing for a Germany that no longer existed, that could no longer exist for him, the longing for a time that will never return.
Pyro held his face, forcing him to look at her, and she saw Ludwig's eyes, cast in mute perplexity, very, very open, unable to focus on anything in front of him. Medic tried to dodge. That pain... so hidden... But... Pyro... could it be? Yes, yes, that's it, Pyro knew.
And Pyro cared. "But why? Why would she, of all the mercenaries, care?" Medic wondered. There was more than friendship in Pyro's eyes. There was support, compassion, and... there was love... Furthermore, Medic realized that Pyro understood his pain, in a very deep and personal way. Did... her too? Could it be that, as they say, no experience is individual?
- Mmph... Mmph... mmh-mh-mmph (Doctor... Fritz... your friends are here. We are here. Now).
Ludwig sighs deeply. And he understood. Yes, he understood. And he allowed himself.
- Ach... Ordnung. Listen, Kleiner Phönix. I'll consider a five-minute break, now? To... how do you say?... bake sweets... Sehr gut.
That's what he said. But deep down, Ludwig knew it would be much more than five minutes. Much more than toasting marshmallows. It would be a good time between friends. And he allowed himself. He allowed himself to be carried by Pyro's hands, amidst excited screams and jumps, he allowed himself to be received by the others with cheers and applause and laughter, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the conversation. It allowed Pyro's joyful, innocent love and teammates' camaraderie to heal the old wound a little more. He could be a very good Doctor, and he was, but he still didn't know how to heal a heart.