Here we go again!


For just under two weeks, there was no BLU Spy at Double Cross, and Sniper flourished.

Unexpectedly down a man, the BLU team floundered, their lack of teamwork showing through more than ever. Sniper stepped in to take advantage of their disorder. Without a BLU Spy to target him, without having to glance over his shoulder every two minutes, Sniper could finally prove his worth.

The BLU Sniper should have targeted him but seemed oddly lenient on him for the two weeks. Sniper had no idea why, but tried not to question it too much.

Just as he tried not to think about recent events too much. The BLU Spy's departure may have lifted a weight from his shoulders, but the damage was done. It would take Sniper a long time to recover mentally from what he'd been through, from what he now knew. Michelle's betrayal clung to him as close as his own shadow and followed him down into dark dreams. But the truth was better than the unknown and Sniper knew that one day he would shake her off. One day. But not today.

Today nervous energy ate at Sniper, making him fidget.

'Ants in your pants?' Demoman joked, trying to lighten the mood as they waited for the match to begin.

Sniper grunted, distracted. RED Spy had reported to the team last night that the new BLU Spy had arrived. No one knew how he'd found out, and he wasn't telling. Even if he had, Sniper would never have heard the explanation. Anxiety had clenched a fist around his chest, a sensation so sharp and unexpected it had taken Sniper's breath away.

BLU Spy.

BLU Spy.

Not the BLU Spy, he had to keep reminding himself.

But still, BLU Spy.


And now he was waiting in respawn, and the new BLU Spy was out there. Out there in his own respawn room, waiting just like him.

Another flutter of fear passed through Sniper's chest. He hated this. Hated how much power one person had over him, even after he'd left. Sniper had thought about that a lot over the last couple of weeks. He'd dwelt on the things the Spy had put him through, on how deluded and twisted the man had been. On how his influence lingered, even now. And it had made Sniper angry.

Sniper's hands clenched into fists.

Never again.

Never again, he swore to himself.

The BLU Spy had played with him, used him. Dictated their every interaction. He'd had complete control of nearly every situation. And then he'd waltzed away, leaving Sniper to pick up the pieces.

Never again.

Sniper gripped his rifle, jaw clenched. His kukri hung in its sheath on his hip, the blade newly sharpened to a razor-edge. He had no other weapon on him. The SMG he'd occasionally used now lay at the bottom of a nearby river. If anyone noticed it was missing, they said nothing.

Never again.

It was time to take control of his own life. It was time to take control of the situation.

This new BLU Spy had better beware, because Sniper was never going to allow anyone to hurt him like that again.

This time he was in control. This time he'd do the hurting.


It's been just over six months since I finished Foe Yay. Six. Wow. Still not finished editing the AO3 version of it though (leaving the FF version as it is because it's much more fiddly to update.)

A lot of things have happened since I finished Foe Yay. A lot of them haven't been great!

I'm still struggling with chronic pain. I've got tablets now that help but they don't beat it entirely and typing is still the worst thing.

Had to quit my job due to pain. Had a couple of nice weeks after that. Then really badly dislocated my knee. Last three months have pretty much gone down the drain trying to recover from that. It was out for six hours and left me with some ligament damage and possibly some bruising to the bone. Still waiting on the MRI results. Even after all this time it's still swollen and painful!

Term's tip of the day: do not dislocate your knee!

As the chapters (and waits in between them) got pretty long for Foe Yay, I'm aiming for something a bit tighter and more focused this time. Less playing around with random scenarios that interest me, and more just getting on with the plot.

I'll hopefully see you all again soon!