[ EU ] Christmas at Watchpoint : Gibraltar

Reaper shivered in the cold. It does n't naturally snow in the south of Spain, but Mei had rigged her blizzard maker to the top of the sensor array to give Tracer the white Christmas that she's always wanted; Australia does n't get much snow in December either. 
 
 Through the window, he watched the Overwatch agents decorating a tree. Winston stood on his tippy toes to place a glittering star at the very top while Tracer bolted around him in circles, wrapping both the tree and the gorilla in a string of lights. Mei was frosting the tips of branches with glittering icicles that captured the multicolored lights. Torbjorn, unable to reach very high, was content to decorate just a few of the bottom branches. Across the room Soldier 76 and Mercy reclined on the plush couch; tufts of steam wafted out of the mugs in their hands. Reaper had never really been one to celebrate holidays like this, but they all seemed so cozy. It made Reaper angry. 
 
 Their mouths were moving, but from this distance Reaper was unable to hear what they were saying. Six Overwatch agents, all together? And even better: completely defenseless. From his high vantage, there had been neither a turrent nor weapon in sight. Taking them out would be almost *too* easy. He closed his eyes, feeling the chilly wind cutting through his robes, and teleported to right under the windowsill. From here, he could peek in and overhear their conversations. 
 
 `` I think that's fine,'' Mercy said. Of all Overwatch agents, *she* was the one he hated most. She'd undone all of his work in bringing his old foes back to life. `` The tree looks *wunderbar*, my friends.'' 
 
 Tracer teleported away from the tree and re-appeared in mid air right over the couch, coming down for a crash landing on the empty spot between the two of them. Tea spilled all over Soldier 76's lap, causing him to jump up wincing. There was scalding tea all of his pants. Mercy shot him a pitiful look and moved toward her staff, but he waved her off. `` I've got it.'' He popped down one of his healing grenades and sat back down. 
 
 `` Sorry!'' Tracer apologized. She teleported over to the kitchen, grabbed a towel, and then jumped back and tossed it into his lap. 
 
 `` It's fine,'' Soldier 76 grumbled. 
 
 `` That gives me an idea!'' Winston jumped away from the tree and over to his desk. `` I could build a machine that take...'' 
 
 `` Oh, give it a rest!'' Torbjorn shouted. `` Whatever it is, *I* could build it better!'' 
 
 `` All right!'' Soldier 76 interrupted. He was still wiping tea from his pants. `` You boys are *both* great builders, OK? No need to have this discussion *again*. Now, we're all up a bit too late. And you know that Santa does n't come unless you're sleeping. So let's all hit the hay!'' 
 
 `` Awww!'' Tracer complained. `` Already?'' 76 nodded. `` How about just *one* present?'' 
 
 Mercy smirked and traded looks with 76. `` All right,'' she answered. `` *One*!'' 
 
 Tracer teleported over to the tree, but Torbjorn rushed over behind her. `` Oh, open mine!'' he shouted. He dove into the pile of presents and emerged with a box that looked like it was made out of spare turret parts. `` You'll love it!'' 
 
 She nodded, took the box, and ripped it open. `` Ohh!'' she held up the yellow-and-black chest patch. `` Armor.'' Even Reaper, generally oblivious to social cues, could clearly tell how fake the smile was. `` Just like last year.'' 
 
 Torbjorn grinned, beaming with pride. `` I know! Is n't it great? I knew you'd want more!'' 
 
 All of them went around and picked a different box to open. Torbjorn got a LEGO replica of his own little turret, which he immediately began putting together. Winston received a whole box of peanut butter, sent by D.Va from over in Hollywood. Mei got a brand-new lime-green parka. From Tracer, Soldier 76 received a garish tie with images of kangaroos and kiwi birds on it, and he pretended to like it. And Mercy recieved a nice, warm, hand-knit scarf from Mei, so large it could have been used as a blanket. 
 
 `` All right,'' 76 declared. `` *Now* it's bedtime.'' They all shuffled upstairs, except for Mei. She went into the kitchen to retrieve a plate of cookies and a glass of milk so cold that little crystals of frost crept up the side. She placed it on a table and then followed her comrades upstairs. Now the coast was clear. 
 
 Reaper drew his shotguns and teleported up to the very top of the chimney. It was even higher than the sensor array where Mei's blizzard machine was installed, and from up here the weather was warm and sunny. Then he entered wraith form, slipping down the chimney in a cloud of dark smoke. His boots clicked on the metal floor as he entered Watchpoint Gibraltar. His hood brushed against six socks that were hung on the mantlepiece: the stockings. And from his utlity belt, he removed his implements. 
 
 A plush Ganymede toy for Tracer; she'd always liked Bastion's little yellow companion. A banana for Winston, to go with his peanut butter. A new visor for 76; Reaper had cracked his old one in their last encounter. A sensor upgrade for Torbjorn's turret, which had been a little sluggish recently. A popsicle making kit for Mei. And last but not leat, a nice golden necklace for Mercy that would go well with her golden halo. It had been expensive, but Reaper did n't really have anyone else in his life to spend money on. And besides: it was Christmas. A time for enemies to put their differences aside, right? 
 
 Each present, marked'From Santa,' was placed carefully in their respective stockings. Reaper moved toward the chimney to make his escape, but paused for just a second. That plate of cookies that Mei set out smelled *wonderful*. He picked one up and lifted his mask ever so slightly to take a bit. Chocolate chip; his favorite. Then he took a big swig of milk. A contented sigh managed to escape his lips, and he set the glass back down. 
 
 `` Merry Christmas,'' he growled softly before entering Wraith form again and slipping back up the chimney. 
 
 
 

