Sniper sighed, putting his head in his hands. He knew Scout was upset with him, and he would be too if he were the boy.

The reason Sniper was avoiding the young Bostonian was because of feelings, if it could sound any sissier.

Sniper lately had been thinking about Scout, more and more, and realized that they were headed towards more than a friendship. Sniper felt more than just a friendship to Scout. He felt something more (Love, if ya hadn't guessed it).

He'd wanted to tell Scout how he felt, but he was afraid of how he'd react. So, naturally, he'd avoided the younger boy.

Scout then noticed Sniper avoiding him, and threw a fit.

Well, at least Sniper now knew that Scout had... feelings... towards him.

Well, it wasn't too late to go after him...

No, Sniper told himself. I don't need him, it's best if we aren't friends.

He sat there for a minute longer, and then stood up. He was going to go after Scout.

Opening the camper door, he stepped down onto the dirt. He knew the way to the RED base, and it would take Scout quite a long time to get back on his crutches.

He began to head towards the enemy team's base, ducking behind crates and boxes so as not to be spotted.

After he ducked behind another crate, Scout came into view. He had collapsed onto the dirt, crutches lying ignored in the dirt a few feet away. His face was buried in his arms, and he was curled up into a ball, shaking with sobs.

Sniper approached him slowly. "Scout?" He asked quietly.

"Go away!" Scout sobbed, turning away.

"Oi'm sorry, mate..."

"Yeah, right. Screw you and your lame-ass apologies."

"Scout..."

"No."

"Can Oi just talk to you for one minute, please?"

"No."

"Please, Scout. It's important..."

"No. Dude, I don't want to talk to you. Go away and leave me alone."

"Scout!" Sniper sighed exasperatedly.

"NO. Do you not know what 'no' means? IT MEANS LEAVE ME THE HECK ALONE."

Sniper sat down next to the small boy. "Scout, please, just listen to me for foive minutes, then you can do whatever you want. I don't care if you kill me or if you hate me for the rest of your loife or whatever, just... hear me out, please..."

"Fine..." Scout mumbled, turning to face the Australian. "What is it?"

"Scout... you were right, Oi have been avoiding you, and Oi'm sorry. Oi-Oi've been avoiding you because of my feelings..."

"Say what now?" Scout asked, looking at his friend.

"Scout... Oi really loike you..."

"Y-you like me?"

"As more than a friend..."

"Like... more than a best friend?"

"Scout... Oi think Oi love you..."

"..."

"..."

"Snipes?"

"Hmmm...?"

"I- I think I love you too..." Scout whispered, leaning close to the Australian.

Their kiss was soft and gentle, and when they pulled away, Scout had stopped crying.

"Oi- Oi didn't realize you felt the same way..." Scout mumbled.

"I didn't either..." Sniper whispered back.

Scout buried his face in the Australian's shirt.

Sniper smiled, wrapping his arms protectively around the younger boy.