Chapter Text

Brigitte scratched her stomach, and walked into the base’s living quarters. She tried to ignore the cold, despite only wearing a short and a tank-top. In her hands she was carrying two empty mugs, which she was going to fill with a late-night drink for her and Hana. She was about to start grumbling about someone leaving the light on, when she noticed the two figures, one large and one small, sitting at one of the tables.

“Ah, Brigitte! Excellent, come here, if you please. Sit down, sit down!” Reinhardt’s booming voice greeted her. His large arm waved her over, and his ever present smile convinced her to sit down.

“Hey, Rein. And hello, Ana.”

The grey-haired sniper smiled gently and nodded a greeting back, before taking a sip from her teacup. Reinhardt was drinking from the same set, but in his massive hands, it seemed like a tiny toy.

“Brigitte, it’s good to see you… We-” He swallowed as he saw Ana’s sudden sharp look from over the lid of her cup. “I mean, I am concerned about you, dear. I’ve noticed you stay up later and later every day! Do you have any trouble sleeping? Ana here makes a wonderful tea that can help with that, you know.”

Brigitte looked at the empty mugs guiltily. To tell the truth, she was about to fill them with coffee. Hana had suggested to stream a co-op game, claiming that her fans loved seeing Brigitte as well.

“Oh, umm… Well, to be honest…”

“It is that Song girl, isn’t it?” Reinhardt asked abruptly, pointing angrily at the mugs Brigitte had carried in. They both had Hana’s trademark bunny symbol emblazoned on them.

“Has she been keeping you up? Bah! I told Jack she was too young to join. She does not know that every soldier needs his sleep!”

“Oh, no no no! I mean, yes, but she… she doesn’t pester me, or anything. I mean… I kinda…” Brigitte stammered, trying to find the correct words to explain the situation. She could feel her face starting to grow red. “I mean… Yes, I’ve been staying up late, and yes, I’ve been staying up with Hana, but it’s not… She’s not making me stay up. I mean, she is, but it’s not against my will! I-I like staying up with her!”

“Hrmpf,” Reinhardt grumbled angrily, “Still, it is not healthy, my dear. Your father would stay awake all the time as well, and you can see how that turned out…”

Brigitte raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Well…” Reinhardt glanced over to Ana, and made sure he was in her blind spot. He raised his hand, parallel to the floor, at shoulder height.

“You know…” He said quietly, as he lowered his hand dramatically.

Brigitte burst out laughing, but stopped immediately as she saw Ana’s icy stare at the large man.

“Wilhelm, dear,” she said, “I am positive you did not just call our old friend short, just because he forsook his sleep to repair your armor all the time, no?”

Her voice was as kind and pleasant as ever, but her stare could pierce Reinhardt’s armor with ease.

“O-Of course not, dear… I just meant that… I mean… Sleep is important! Brigitte is still young, she should not waste her health by staying up without reason!”

“I am 23 years old, Reinhardt! And for the record, you made me to stay up late far more often than Hana did, when I was fixing your armor!”

“I know, but…”

“Wilhelm, dear,” Ana interrupted with a voice strong enough to bend steel, “Could you be kind and go boil some more water? I would like to make us another cup of tea before we go to bed.”

Reinhardt looked confused at Ana’s still half-full cup.

“But - “

“Thank you, dear.” Her voice made it clear that there was no arguing. Reinhardt waved his large hands in surrender, and shuffled off towards the kitchen, muttering something about women in quiet German.

Ana sat quietly for a few moments, gently sipping from her cup. Loud clanging came from the kitchen as Reinhardt attempted to find a kettle to boil water in. Brigitte looked up at Ana, and only now noticed the large smirk she had hidden behind the delicate piece of porcelain.

“Is she good to you?” Ana asked suddenly.

Brigitte opened her mouth, ready to deny whatever allegations Ana was making. But the razor sharp look in Ana’s remaining eye made her close her mouth and rethink.

“I… yes.” She finally blurted out, looking down guiltily.

“I see,” Ana took another sip, “Are you good to her?”

Brigitte shrugged, and nodded. “I… I think so… Or, I hope so. I mean, we have a lot of fun.”

Ana smiled as she placed her now empty cup down.

“Ah, that’s how kids call it these days,” she said with a typical grandmother smile, “‘fun’.”

Brigitte felt the blood rush into her face. She started stammering a denial, when Ana fixed another piercing gaze that shut her up immediately.

“Now, I suggest you go back to Hana’s room, before my darling returns to pester you more about sleep,” Ana said. Her voice sounded kindly, but it was clear that it was not a suggestion. “Oh, but please do take his advice about this horrible bean-juice. If you must have a late-night drink, please come see me for some proper tea, dear. Now, off you go!”

Brigitte didn’t hesitate, and quickly slid out of her chair. She rushed out, but not quick enough to avoid Ana’s parting remark.

“And have fun, dear!”