"He was a good dog"
"sure was"
"Just wish we hadn't had to keep him a secret.."
"they wouldn't have understood mate."
Feeling those sad eyes turned on him, Sniper put his hat back on his head and looked to his right, his brown eyes connecting with a pair of blues that were the same shade as the shirt he wore. Even after all that had happened they still had that feel about him, that youthful shine that couldn't be found in his own hard gaze, with that hint of tired from squinting and gazing through his scope all day.
"I'm gonna miss him"
"me too."
It was cool outside, the heat of the day had started to fade with the light. The little mound in the desert ground breaking the flatness in the earth around them. They had decided to have the burial behind the red base, no one but Sniper ever came back here since he was the only one that didn't sleep in the bunks. After the fight of the day was over, BLU Scout had snuck away and ran over, taking advantage of everybody on each team holed up in the mess hall to dig the hole.
When the first of the tears fell, the older man had to look away, he couldn't stand to see the kid cry.
"He was a trooper, to make it all the way here on his own."
"Yeah, would've loved to see how he lasted in the outback."
"I wonder what made him sick.."
"knowing our slop it was the soldier's cooking."
Someone called his name and Sniper bit his lip, he didn't want to walk away, didn't want to have to break from this moment right when the scout would break down and need him the most. There came the sound of two people calling his name, and the feel of a taped hand giving him a little shove, then a sniff.
"Go on.. I won't be missed.. I'll hide in the closet until you come back."
Giving the younger man a small thankful smile, the australian bent down to give his lover a small kiss, something to reassure him that it was going to be ok even though it was such a sad time in their lives. Turning away, he let his long legs carry him towards the bodies that would be connected to the calling voices of his teammates. Returning his sunglasses and mask of professional calm to his face Sniper couldn't help but look to the future, barely hearing the sounds of his team's scout and engineer as they prattled on. No all he could think about was HIS scout, and the end of this war, and how they had planned to return to his hometown in Australia afterward. By god if they ever made it that far then Sniper would give the kid a reason to smile again, and if it took every penny he had then so be it, but no matter what.. the kid would have the dog of his dreams, some cute little puppy they could raise together. Something they wouldn't have to hide in his truck and keep a secret, feed scraps of horrible food and keep it quiet so no one would here it.. a dog that had a beautiful coat of fur and a damn good name to go with it.. they'd have a dog that wouldn't get sick two months after being found and die of an unknown illness, leading to today's funeral.
"Look this is interesting 'n all but I'm not feeling so good, gonna go lay down."
Leaving them with no other explanation then that, Sniper turned and headed back, holding back the urge to run all the way to his camper. He wasn't feeling good, and wouldn't until he was back 'home' with his arms around the upset kid, wrapped up in a good cry and cuddle session on his fold out bed.