Cynical Secrets - Solider 76 X Reader

Chapter One

Your overworked muscles trembled with each aching step you took. You wanted to collapse onto the ground, but his booming voice ripped any thoughts of surrender to shreds. The aggressive, abusive shouts burned your ears, making the current blazing agony seem bearable compared to the verbal barrage that would result from failing. The rain decided to change its course, carrying cruel liquid needles with it. They belted across your face, leaving your cheeks numb and tender. Your lungs struggled with each new breath, unable to keep up with your workout.

He didn't actually expect you to be able to complete this course?

Did he?

Of course he did.

Hell, Winston probably couldn't make it!

Your mind drifts, a defense mechanism to get your brain off the pain.

Winston. You were shocked when Winston contacted you for the first time in months informing you of his bold decision to recall Overwatch. The group of heroes were left in shambles after the death of Jack Morrison and had been disbanded for around 5 years, the agents separating and carrying on with their lives. But with crime climbing to an all time high and rising tensions between omnic and humans, Winston made a risky and highly illegal choice to regather the agents.

You think back to your family and past in an attempt to ignore the cries your muscles made to stop, the distraction the only thing keeping your legs from collapsing from under you.

You thought back to your mother. She was a scientist on the moon caring and testing on Winston and the other gorillas before they went rogue. She was brutally killed that day with Winston as a witness. You never asked Winston about the details of her death even though it jabbed at your heart; you couldn't do that to him. You couldn't bring him back to that day.

Nevertheless, Winston never hesitated to praise how outstanding mother's intellect and smile was. He claims you have her eyes and it warms your heart, but you never want to admit that you don't remember your mother much at all. Looking at photos of her she seems a stranger to you, her smiling eyes unable to recollect in your familiar mind.

You still remember first meeting the Winston- the small curious gorilla your Mum introduced you to over a video call. You were young at the time, a few teeth already beginning to painfully push their way through your squishy pink gums, but you remember it clearly. You sat upon your father's lap, your fingers mimicking your father's as you both waved at the wide eyed gorilla. He stared back at you with big honey eyes, his lips pulling back over his sharp ape teeth in a smile.

You could understand why he was so hesitant when you begged him to become an Overwatch agent. You knew the risks, how illegal it was and how death could even be a possible outcome. But you wanted to work alongside memorable people and make history. You wanted to help people.

The remaining agents were reluctant, hell, majority were down right against it. You didn't have any military background what so ever. Not only that, you were young and inexperienced, but that didn't stump Winston. He had high hopes in you, claiming to see something special in you. You dreaded the idea that maybe he thinks you would become like your mother- but you knew you weren't nearly as remarkable as she was. You never will be.

Eventually, Winston's persuasive charm prevailed and the agents gave in to his repetitive pestering, welcoming you with rather open arms. The first month with Overwatch was so exciting, meeting new people and personalities and everyone you'd seen on tv with a few new faces.

The lack of a military background meant you had to be trained within Overwatch. It wasn't anything too intensive, or at least that's what Winston said, but you were more than happy to comply. He taught you the basics of how to shoot and reload a gun with the help of a ruggedly handsome cowboy. You weren't a bad shot at all and the praise from the Southern man made your cheeks pink. But then the actual physical training kicked in, and you got stuck under him.