Besides keeping a watchful eye on Mick and shoo him off whenever the sniper was on ground level and nearing any type of dummy to practice with his kukri on, or the track around the base where he used to run, Dennis actually focused on his own training. The hours passed faster than they usually did, thankfully enough, and perhaps it was because the kid was lighter at mind and more at peace than he generally was. Either way, he was still happy once training was done and they were all allowed to get cleaned up and take the day off.
Mick didn't need it, but Dennis had to take a shower before he was ready for the day. Since others had the same idea Mick simply had to wait outside, since it would look pretty weird with him just standing there gawking as the kid got cleaned up. Afterwards, they really had no plans of what to do, so the Scout - surprisingly enough - figured they might as well try and be productive.
"I need to move some of my stuff, clothes and shit from my room, better get it done...and we have to get rid of those freaking sheets, man."
Although the night that caused the sheets to be soiled beyond recognition was one to be remembered with fondness, Dennis couldn't help but cringe. Even if the sex was good, he wasn't a fan of the damn jizz-stains.
As they entered the Scout's room, although the Spy was dead and there was no chance he'd be back to haunt them, Dennis still felt discomfort entering the room. In his mind the only way to get rid of that lingering stench of the frenchman, was to drench te room in gasoline and lit it on fire, only to let it put itself out. Then go through the process again, followed by some serious scrubbing and cleaning, before renovating from the ground and up. Only then would the room imaybe/i be inhabitable again.
Moving clothes and items from his room to the van - only the essentials, otherwise there would be no space for the two of them in the small van, intended for one man only - didn't take long, and soon the two were back at their little nest wondering what to do. They still had a good few hours before it was time to hit the hay, but neither one really felt like leaving the comfort of their 'home'. So, the couple settled with just some good old fashioned bonding by spending time together. They chatted a bit, relaxed in the old but comfortable couch. Somewhere in their discussion Dennis found it immensely funny to tease his partner, and once he playfully pulled the aussies hat down over his eyes, he'd started an all out war.
While they were acting childish, it was honestly very enjoyable to be able to let loose, and who the fuck saw them anyway? it was just them two, fooling around like two kids on the playground, rough-housing with one-another as they landed themselves on the bed in a playful wrestling match. By then Dennis wasn't too worried about Mick's wound, it wasn't like they were all out fighting anyway and, quite frankly, Dennis wasn't able to do much to hurt the aussie even if he was trying to. There was a significant difference in strength, height and all around weight. Not that it would keep the kid from getting cocky and trying to flaunt his superiority, of course.
Straddling Mick's abdomen as the older lay on his back, Dennis got his hands firmly on the australian's shoulders and stared down at him with a selfassured grin.
"Hah! See I toldya my guns are awesome, I'd like to see you try get out of this one Snipe-"
Just like that he was shamefully flipped over and with a slight "Oof" the youngster felt his back hit the bed, and the large aussie on top of him blocking the light of the lamp with his size. His amber eyes weren't exactly forgiving either, they looked just as confident as always and Dennis could swear the sharpshooter was taking pleasure in putting the kid in his place. Reluctantly the youngster quietly admitted his defeat, after awkwardly wiggling and trying his best to push the australian off, and back down onto he bed, but to no avail.
"Alright- Alright fine! You win, now get off, jesus." The blonde scolded with a chuckle. They lay down on the bed, facing one-another and obviously lying pretty damn close since the bed was small as shit, and for a moment nothing really needed to be said. Instead they shared friendly and yet affectionate and admiring glances, looks that told so much more than words really could. After a few moments though, the uncharacteristically happy Scout broke the silence.
"Guess its...really over now, huh? I mean the Spy...finally I don't have to worry you're a fake all the damn time."
Propping himself up on one elbow, the youngster looked down at the bushman and let his eyes casually wander over his scarred face. With a crafty smirk the teen leaned down.
"But I should prolly make sure you're you anyway. Let's see you prove it."
Giving out a playful snicker, Dennis closed his eyes as he joined lips with his partner in a rather calm and soft kiss. Now, there really felt like there was any hurry, no pressure and no need to rush. They had all the time in the world to enjoy each other, and there was no threat, hauntingly keeping them aware of all the things that could happen or go wrong. For once, things felt great, and they were probably as perfect as they could be, in a place like teufort.
The two men had enjoyed their playful banter for the better part of the evening. Hours had been spent consisting purely of sly jabs, playful remarks and wrestling, the majority of which the bushman had won.
Mick couldn't help but grin as he was met with his partners soft lips, the two men laid there interlocked in the delicate kiss before breaking away to admire one another. "You realise how amazing you are, kid?" The older man ran his hand through his hair, "how you ended up with a guy like me...Well I just dunno."
For a while the two laid quietly, the storm Mick had seen coming hours before had finally arrived and was now hammering the metal roofing of the van with what sounded like fists made of rain. The sniper welcomed the sound, it was like white noise to him, helped to fill the silence when the silence got too deafening. "I love weather like this..." Mick stared out of the window opposite his bed, idly stroking small circles down his partners back as he spoke. "I've heard so many people complaining about the rain. Some say it brings bad luck...Makes people miserable, but not me, nah I love the rain." The sniper briefly looked at his Scout, seeing the puzzled expression on his face, "When you live where I lived, kid, trust me...Rain is somewhat of an oddity..."
A few hours had passed and the two men were now laying comfortably in bed, the last rays of light had long since sunk over the horizon and it was getting on towards bed time. Mick allowed his eyes to fall closed as he listened to the rain drumming on the vans walls, it wasn't long however before his own thoughts began to interrupt his peace and quiet. Tomorrow he would have to wake up, walk onto the battlefield and kill a member of his own team. No big deal. He had done this a fair few times before with other deserters. He enjoyed it. There was no room for cowardice in Teufort. What played on the Snipers mind was how he was going to get out of his van without disturbing the kid, he'd just have to make some shit up. It wouldn't be that hard convincing a half asleep teenager.
The two men laid in the complete darkness, the rain was now beginning to lull the two men asleep. It wasn't long before Mick began to feel himself slipping into his own little dream land and before doing so he planted a small kiss on his partners forehead, "time for sleep I think. Tomorrow we meet our new Soldier. Lets hope he's a little less up his arse than the last poor sod, eh? G'night, kiddo." No sooner had the two wished each other a pleasant nights sleep the van was quickly filled with the sounds of light snoring. Who knew that play fighting could tire you out so much? The bushman probably had burned more calories playing with the Scout than he had done actually training.
6:30AM and the Snipers eyes instantly snapped open, it was time. The sun was up, or at least he assumed it was, what little light there was was being covered by a vast blanket of grey cloud. The rain hadn't let up what so ever throughout the night and was still battering at the walls of the camper van. An execution in the rain. iHow fitting/i.
Mick wasted no time in wriggling out from under the Scouts tiny frame, it thankfully didn't take too much effort to slide away from the youngster who as always slept on top of the older man. As quietly as he could, the sniper quickly dressed himself and grabbed his weapons, hopefully he would be back in the van before Dennis really woke up properly. Or at least on his way back.
Just as the Australian opened the door to exit the camper he was stopped by the tiny voice of his partner who was now aware he wasn't in bed.
Mick stepped back into the van and was quick to hush Dennis back down into relaxation, "shh, i'm just off out briefly. Getting a spot of hunting done before it gets too light. Get back to sleep, i'll be back soon enough."
With a reassuring smile and a soft kiss the younger man soon appeared to be ready to go back to sleep and the hunter was ready to go.
It didn't take long for the Sniper to climb up into his tower and set up his rifle. His body buzzed with electrified anticipation as he waited patiently for the escapee Engineer to make his break for freedom. It wasn't long after before the Texan came into view, it was obvious that the man had been studying the fences, he had chosen which one was in his opinion the weakest and was now proceeding to rig it with various wires, no doubt some sort of explosive. Breathing slowly, the bushman lit up a cigarette and observed his target closely for a few minutes, waiting until the american had finished rigging the fencing to blow before lining up his scope to take the shot. It had been a long time since he had done this, the last time he had performed a self team execution was a short while before Dennis arrived in Teufort, he would take his time with this prey.
The Engineer was now in his sights and was ready to attempt his escape. Mick took a final drag of his cigarette before docking it against the wooden panel of his tower and flicking it over the side. It was time.
The snipers breathing became shallow, his body appeared to freeze as if encased in ice, he steadied his rifle, the red dot of his scope reflecting off of the base of the Texans spine. iYou're mine./i
Within an instant the Engineer was on the floor, gasping and screaming in a flurry of both agony and pure terror, he had been caught. How? By who?
The Sniper exhaled and dropped his weapon down by his side, savouring the echoes of his escapees cries down below. Mick took his time climbing down the ladder and embraced the feeling of the rain pouring down on him. He had not felt this way in a long time and he wasn't about to let the techno-freaks life slip away so quickly.
"Morning!" The Australians voice was dangerously cheery as he walked towards the now crippled Engineer, even now the man was desperately dragging his body across the floor. Mick sighed and walked in front of the man, blocking his path before kneeling down to look at him properly.
The americans eyes widened in pure horror when he realised who owned the bullet now lodged in his spine. "S-sniper...? Why?"
Never had a question been asked with so many mixed emotions, the bushman idly rubbed the prickly stubble on his face, his amber eyes drilling into the Engies as he replied.
"Don't take it personally, mate. It's the misses..." he pointed behind him to a surveillance camera mounted to the wall, "she doesn't take kindly to deserters. Bad for business. Bad for team morale...Y'know what I mean?"
Mick grinned murderously as he stood up, kicking the Engineer over onto his back and then stood over him. The rain had completely soaked him to the bone, there wasn't a part of him that was dry but he embraced the rain warmly.
A few moments passed before the Australian unclipped his kukri from his belt and dangled it dangerously above the Texans head. "End of the line, mate. Anything to say before we end this?" The snipers voice was calming and quiet, he waited patiently for the dying man to say his final words, the Engineer said nothing, he just stared up at his killer, his own team mate, a man who not 24 hours prior had been talking to him at breakfast as if everything would be ok. Now this man was going to kill him. He was going to die. Mick sighed, stretching slightly as he did so, "guess you've got nothin' to say, eh? Well then...See ya 'round."
Without waiting for the injured man to respond the snipers grip on his Kukri gave way, the enormous blade fell through the air and pierced the yanks cheekbone and continued to be pulled down by gravity until it wedged itself into the floor on the other side of the mans head. It was done. The aussie stood in silence for a few seconds, admiring his work before stepping on the dead mans throat, using his body as an anchor to help pull his knife out of the corpses head. It was done.
Mick turned around, the body would be dealt with by out of base staff. A twisted smirk tugged at the Snipers lips as he left the scene. The morning had been good, he wasn't ashamed to say he had enjoyed every moment of the Engineers execution. It wasn't until Mick refocused his attention and looked up, however, that he spotted something beyond terrifying.
Over on the far corner of the battlefield was Dennis.
How long had he been there? How long had he watched this? Had he heard anything? The snipers eyes widened in shock as he was greeted with the sudden realisation that he had murdered a member of his team for wanting to leave Teufort, a goal that Dennis had been trying to accomplish for some time now. How the fuck was he supposed to explain this? Mick really wished he knew.
The hours slowly rolled on by, but neither of the two really noticed. They were far too busy concentrating on each other and just enjoying the peace they got t experience, which was so extremely rare. Strangely enough there was a fond, almost loving smile on the youngster's freckled face, making him look a lot more gentle and a lot less like a vicious mercenary than ususal. Feeling Mick's calloused hand run through his hair, and hearing those sweet words that, had anyone else said it to a loved one in Dennis' presence, the kid would've hurled and told them to go get a room or something. But now, the words gave him nothing but peace and comfort. It was a wonder to him, too, how the two f them had ended up together, and most o all how Mick could think he was amazing in any kind of way.
Now, Dennis wasn't one for admitting his flaws, at least not verbally, and he never let other peopleknow of his insecurities and worries. But Mick was different. For once, the blonde felt he could be honest about how he felt. Well, t least a bit. He'd never admit just how much of a waste of space he considered himself to be, but he'd let Mick know it baffled him that he was even loved by ianybody/i.
"Could say the same thing for you, Snipes.."
All in all it was a wonderful evening, and as night came around they were tired both from training and from all the childish playing and messing around they'd been doing, as well as perfectly at peace with the world. There wasn't a single worry on the kid's mind, he felt safe and comfortable and happy for once in a lifetime. It really couldn't get much better.
Being as relaxed and content as he was, it didn't take long for the scout to fall asleep huddled up against his partner, head resting on Mick's chest as usual to allowthe kid to fall asleep to the soothing sound of his heartbeats. If every day could be like this, well..Dennis could see why some people enjoyed life. He and Mick had just never got a fair chance was all, but it would all change, soon.
It was early morning. The comfortable, soft, breathing warmth underneath him was gone, and left a cold silent void where the snoring australian should be. It took a little while for Dennis to wake up properly from his sleep, even as the sniper had slipped out of bed, but soon the youngsters discomfort of not having Mick there woke him up. He was groggy, and it was way too early to be up, so it was with blurry sight and squinting eyes - that, when he blinked, didn't quite keep up with each other, giving the blonde that super-tired-and-kinda-drunk look as one eye would close before the other - that Dennis lift his head from the pillow and directed his attention to his fully dressed partner who was on his way out the door.
It made the half asleep teen both wonder and feel a slight pang of panic. Was Mick leaving? Why, he wasn't leaving for good was he? Had they done something that he regretted or hd Dennis said something? Well, Dennis said a lot of thing that the average person wouldn't put up with, but he didn't think he'd said or done anything drastic to where Mick would want to walk out on him.
Mick was quickly by Dennis' side, stroking his forehead and hair assuringly and speaking in that heavenly soft, low voice. With a tired groan the youngster quit fighting it and let his eyes fall shut as his muscles relaxed into the mattress again.
"Mmkay, jus' don' be too long...take a coat 't's rainin.." Pretty much half-slurring into his pillow the scout was soon on his way to falling fast asleep again, his mind already re-entering dreamland.
An hour passed, and Dennis' sleep wasn't peaceful or calm and comforting like it had been all night. He felt like something was wrong, something was up. With an irritated groan he woke up, drawn out of his sleep by the odd knot in his stomach. What was this, his intuition? Hell it had never been of any use to him before, why did it kick in now? He could just feel it, something justi wasn't right./i
The tired teen sat up. Mick still wasn't there. The rain was sounding loud and clear, hitting the van's roof and sides. Jesus would it ever stop? Dennis hated these storms, there was nothing to do when they came, and they usually didn't light up for a good day or two. He supposed it was good for the earth, or whatever, though it really didn't matter how much rain came falling down, nothing would grow on that battered battlefield anyway.
As he began to come to, Dennis scratched his head and creased his brows. He could remember, almost as if it had been a dream, Mick waking him up as he left. What had he said he was gonna go do? iHunting?/i Now that was odd. Wasn't much to kill around except humans, and if Mick had left the base to go ut into the bush and hunt animals he surely needed his van. How else would he drag the amount of meat needed to feed the team back to he base? Sure he was a strong man but not that strong!
Something was up, none of this felt right.
"Where've you gone...you really are a terrible fucking liar, only time I fall for it is when I'm freaking asleep...sneaky bastard."
Dennis muttered to himself. He got up, and got dressed. Since there were no raincoats or other necessities, he'd have to do with only his track jacket, that undoubtedly would get drenched in the rain. Come to think of it, Mick had gone out an hour before...he must be drenched too, if he truly was out there hunting. He'd get sick! That was just what they needed, a sniper with a cold, getting his gross snot all over the damn place and sneezing and coughing.
"Idiot." Dennis snorted as he pulled the hood of the jacket up, to protect his golden locks best he could as he stepped out into the rain. What he didn't do for love.
It was dark, even though it was morning and thesun was up. But the dark clouds blocked any and all rays ofsnlight out, making the whole base look depressing and gloomy. How Mick could enjoy the weather, Dennis' wasn't sure. To the kid it was just depressing, and reminded him of the stormy night he got his scar. He preferred not to be reminded.
Suddenly there was a sharp sound in the distance, and yet so close. It was the sound of a rifle no doubt. Mick? Was he up in his tower training? But he'd done so all day yesterday, his aim was flawless! Shortly after something else cut through the deafening sound of the rain; a drained out but agonizing cry, a scream of pure terror and pain. What the hell was going on?
Dennis felt his muscles tense and the hair at the back of hisneck stand up. iWhat/i was igoing bon/b/i?
It was hard to localize there exactly the sound came from through the rain and wind, but the youngster took on a look of both determination and bewilderment as he began jogging in the direction he thought the scream had come from. His own base, was there and attack going on? But there was no alarm, no more shots, nothing that usually would happen when the enemy attacked at odd hours. Running up a small hill the drenched Scout - who by then had forgotten about the cold and the rain, and was solely focused on unraveling this mystery of who was crying out in pain and iwhy/i - came to a halt. There was a worry in him that something had happened to Mick, that it had been his scream. But it hadn't sounded like Mick, it had sounded more...more scared, a different voice and a different tone. But it could just be the rain drowning it out, Dennis had to be sure.
There, over in the distance through the blur from the rain, and the morning mist creating a haunting scenery, was a man. Two men, in fact, and as Dennis fixed his eyes on the dark figures he could make out the colors of their clothes even though the angry rain, that just seemed to be getting worse. They were RED. Both of them.
It didn't take long before the youngster figured out who was on the ground, and who was standing over him. As the taller stood to his full length, stepping over the smaller one on the ground who was still trembling in pain, it dawned on Dennis. It was Mick. iWhat the hell was e doing!?/i
Dennis saw the kukri, but just as his eyes widened and his mouth opened to call out for his partner to stop, a jolt shooting through his body pushing the kid foward, Mick let to and the large knife fell heavy. It penetrated the engineers head, pierced his face and put a horriffic end to his suffering. At least in a sense, the young buck had got his way, but not the way he'd wanted it.
The scout felt ice-cold and he was more confused than he ever had been before. What had gotten into Mick? He knew the punishment for killing your own was death and probably torture too! Not that the australian had ever run the risk of killing his own anyway, not even the Soldier when he'd given Dennis a beating. Sure, Mick had fought the bull, but not killed him. He damn well could have, if he set his mind to it, but because of the consequences he had probably held back. So why in all the seven regions of hell had he snapped now, and on the harmless engie of all people?
Dennis started running. It took only a second before he was right up in Mick's face, eyes wide and showing a range of emotions.
"Man are you CRAZY?! What the hell are you doin'!?" He blurted out, staring up at his partner who looked quite shocked to see him.
"Do you know what kinda trouble you're in? Why the he'll did you go and kill engie for!? He's a total imp I get it, you hate cowards but FUCKS SAKE MICK, the Admin's gonna be on your ass, she'll probably have you hanged from the top of your goddamn lookout tower, do you even iknow/i what-"
Before Dennis could finish his furious and panicked rant, there was a second of white noise cutting through the rain interrupting the conversation, before the hag's well-known voice was heard.
i"Well done."/i
Dennis stared. His face showing mixed emotions of puzzlement as he tried to understand. Well done? iWell done/i!?
Suddenly the kid's eyes widened as he looked up at the tall australian, his face going pale and his brows going through the roof in surprise and shock. It had been a ideal/i, the Admin had iwanted/i the engineer dead.
Dennis had heard whispers of it before, that those who tried to escape would be offed by some mysterious shadow in the night that nobody had been able to identify so far, and the body would be disposed of and never found. It really was like people just disappeared without a trace, only to be replaced like nothing a few days later.
"Explain this." Dennis' voice was stern, but wavered. He clenched his jaw, his eyes drilling into Mick with unforgiving coldness. He wanted to be told it was a mistake, that it wasn't what it seemed. He wanted Mick to tell him he'd been out hunting and bumped int othe engineer, and that the two had had a fit and Mick just snapped, accidentally killing him. But it had been no accident. It was'nt an accident, dropping a goddamn kukri down someone's head like that.
While the young engineer's lifeless body was still being emptied of blood, the rain making the thick liquid thin and spreading it across the usually dry dusty ground, Dennis could feel something building up inside him. A fury, an a feeling of denial and refusal to accept that Mick could be the traitor his team had spoke about. The man with no morale, who could stab his comrades in the back so long as he was payed for it. Honeslty Dennis had always thought itwas the spy, he seemed like the right man to kill without conscience. It couldn't be Mick. It icouldn't/i.
Micks face remained expressionless as his partner ran up to him, begging for an explanation. It became apparent that the kid just thought that the older man had completely flown off the handle and decided to kill one of his own team mates in cold blood. The worry in the Scouts voice was apparent, he feared for the bushmans life, it was a well known fact that any team member who has murdered one of their own, for bany/b reason is to be put to death and strung up along the walls as an example. However the concern in Dennis' voice soon changed when the withered tone of the Administrator echoed in from around them, praising Mick for his actions.
For a moment the Sniper was silent, his scarred face completely void of any guilt or real emotion as he stared into the Scouts mortified eyes. Eventually when he did speak up his voice was no less emotionless as his face. He couldn't afford to be seen bending submissively to the Scouts pressures. He knew the old hag was watching them, entertained by the younger mans response no doubt. "There is nothing to explain." Mick stood to one side, allowing Dennis to get a good view of the bloodied remains of their ex Engineer. "iThis/i is what happens to those who try to escape."
There was a moment of mortified silence from the Scout as his partner continued, "As i said to the techno-freak over there, theres no place for cowardice in these walls. Our Administrator doesn't take kindly to deserters."
By this point the rain was coming down so heavily that the corpse of the Engineer just a few meters away could barely be seen through the downpour.
The two men were at a stand still, neither one of them was moving, Mick knew the kid wouldn't just let this go. Since the two had gotten close all Dennis really spoke about was getting out of this place, leaving the confines of Teufort and seeing the world, being ifree/i. It wasn't just a dream to the kid, it was a goal, something to strive for and something that had just been crushed right in front of his face.
Mick sighed in tired frustration as his partner began to spiral into a confused fury, the snipers voice was cold as steel "listen, the toll for leaving this place before your contract ends is a heavy one. iEveryone/i knows this. If ishe/i gets word that someone is planning to escape she gets rid of them and ii'm/i the one who gets rid of them for her." There was a moment of silence before the older man continued speaking, "don't ask me to apologise for something i'm not sorry for, Dennis. The man had it coming."
Mick wasn't lying to the kid, he wasn't sorry about what he had done to the Engineer. He was their resident executioner of sorts. Trusted employee of the gnarly old crow that was the Administrator. He was praised for his abilities, given confirmation of his skills as an assassin. No, he wasn't sorry for what he had done to the Engineer. What he iwas/i sorry for, however, was crushing his partners dreams of getting out of here right before his eyes. He knew how much Dennis' wanted to get out, hell Mick told him that he wanted to show him the fucking iworld/i for god sakes. Now he just came across as a liar. A traitor. A cold blooded murderer. Someone who couldn't be trusted.
"I ain't talking about this any more, Scout. I'm sorry you had to see it but whats done is do-" before Mick could finish the younger mercenary erupted, a flood of raw confusion, rage and betrayal spewing out of his mouth, every body movement, every word, the kid was dripping in a primal rage that the older man hadn't seen in his partner for a long time. Knowing that the cameras were still on the two, the Administrators hundreds of mechanical eyes focussed on them, Mick shoved his way past the Scout, hiding his own guilt of hurting the kid by smirking chillingly.
"You look like you're ready to knock the shit out of me. You can itry/i...Heh, you should've stayed in the van, ikid/i."
Dennis could only stare, and feel how more and more pieces of him were crushed and mauled to dust every second Mick spoke, confirming the youngster's fear. He got exactly the answer he did not want, and the demeanor which the Sniper laid out the whole truth for him didn't exactly make it easier on the kid, either.
So it was Mick. The sly, backstabbing bastard who could be a man's best friend one day and torture him to death the next, even for Dennis that was cold. There was no motive, no reason, and yet there was a lust-like satisfaction the bushman seemed to be taking in his special little job. Was he proud? Handpicked by the admin to be her puppet, was it something to be iproud/i of? Something to value? Did it make him feel big and bad and important? He was none of the things, and the teen felt every feeling of admiration, affection, appreciation and even love for the bushman, shatter and die a violent death. This wasn't the man he admired, this was a clueless brute, muscle for the twisted queen of all evil who ran the damned place.
There was an inferno brewing inside Dennis, a storm so vicious it was a wonder his small body could contain it. He was shaking with anger and frustration, and ihurt/i. Never had anything hurt him so bad. The feeling was the worst of them all, to be betrayed by the one person on this earth who he had opened himself up to, and actually trusted.
All those times Dennis had expressed his want to leave Teufort, all those make-believe stories Mick had told about how they'd go see the world and live the good life on the road, moving from wherever they wished in that van, all ithat/i, and Mick had known all along that none of it could ever become truth. He'd know that they could never leave. All along, he'd known that when the time came and Dennis did make an attempt to leave, Mick would have to be the one to take his life. Had the Sniper been fine with that thought, all these months? Had he accepted the fact that he would have to murder the bostonian not if, but when he finally attempted to leave the base? What did all those sweet words, tender kisses and worthless 'I love you's mean now. Nothing. It had all been to fool the kid, Dennis had been manipulated and fooled just like every single one of his teammembers. Nobody would suspect Mick, because he made people like him, or at least not dislike him. He seemed like one who valued respect and honor, but the young Scout was seeing his real colors now, and he wasn't liking it one bit.
"Goddamn bastard! You-you fucking iliar!/i"
In a fit of rage Dennis lunged for the much taller man, with a roar so vicious it sounded inhuman. He couldn't contain it, the burning blinding rage, the personal hurt and the betrayal he felt. He'd never trusted anyone, never let anyone in close, built walls thall and thick up around himself to nobody could ever hurt him. And he'd made a mistake. One small crack in the structure had lent Mick an opportunity to slip through, and he'd groomed the kid into lowering his guard, only to beat him down with this now. This must be how his mother feels, Dennis thought. To constantly be screwed over, used and manipulated, made to believe someone iActually cared/i. And then, once they were done, they had no consideration for anyone but themselves and just left. Only difference between Dennis and his mother, as that Dennis wasn't going to just cry himself to sleep over it. No, he would fight back and give Mick hell. Pure hell.
The already hurt knuckle throbbed with pain as it made impact with Mick's face, though despite the hard hit the australian seemed unphased. It, of course, only angered Dennis more. Mick's snarky comments, and the fact he dared turn his back to the kid only infuriated the scout even more. He was seeing red, and breathing fire.
"Damn straight I'm gonna knock the shit out of you! iHey!/i Don't walk off, what are ya, scared? I'm italking/i to you!"
There was so much the kid wanted to say, to scream ad yell and beat into the australian, but even he knew they couldn't express their personal relationship in front of the cameras. Although, Dennis was this close to simply not caring. Mick had taken everything from him anyway, honestly the kid didn't even care if he died. He had nowhere to go if he did escape, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try. He was going to face Mick head on and challenge the australian to do his so-called duty. Maybe he would be able to, maybe he could put a bullet in Dennis' brain no problem. Maybe the only sense of remorse he'd have, would be a moment of hesitation before he ended the kid's life.
Dennis ran after the sniper, before he could get too far. With a well-placed fist right where Mick's stab wound was, the youngster managed to pass by him and block his path.
"Where are you going? We might as well settle this right now, you're gonna have to kill me anyway to just get it out of the way then! Come on! iCome on/i I iDARE/i ya!"
Grabbing Mick's hand with the kukri and placing the sharp cold blade at his own neck, Dennis stood with his arms out as if he was welcoming the sniper to make his move.
"You're better off just getting it over with Mick, it'll save you time, 'cus I'm iNOT/i gonna stay in this hellhole. If I have to go through you to get out you can be sure I'm going to! I aint afraid ofib you/b/i"
With eyes cold as eyes, and yet if one looked deep enough the hurt, the disappointment, he way this all had completely crushed the kid, shone through the mask of anger and hatred. For some reason the kid was still alive, even after straight up challenging the aussie to kill him. Well so long as he had a voice, Dennis would use it.
"You know it's real funny, you hate cowards, but you know what snipes? You're biggest coward of all. HE was more of a man than you! And you know what else?"
Taking a step closer as his eyes narrowed, Dennis stared right up at the man he thought he knew, but now saw as nothing else but an enemy. With a hiss, silent enough to not be heard by the admin through the hard rain, but loud enough to reach Mick's eardrums, the youngster had his final say. Probably the last thing he would ever say to the man in front of him.
"I regret everything we ever did and I. Hate. You."
Giving the larger a rough shove, Dennis turned around and darted off as fast as he could. He didn't know what to make of all that he was feeling, he could barely make out what exactly it was he was feeling. He felt like he was in a nightmare ,everything was suddenly so wrong. Everything he'd hoped for, every goal he'd had for them, crushed. His world was crumbling around him and he felt like an rat in a maze.
Hate was a strong word. There was still love for the Mick he'd known, of course. The Mick that showed care and affection, who would make sure to keep Dennis safe and valued the simple joys in life, like just spending time together or watching the sunset could bring him joy and content. This bloodthirsty inconsiderate beast with a thirst for blood was not him, it wasn't the Mick Dennis knew. The Mick Dennis knew had been a fake all along, it was a made up persona that the filthy bushman had used to get close to the kid, probably just to have his fun with the oblivious teen and tell him exactly what he wanted to hear to get on Dennis' good side. He'd probably picked up on the youngsters apparent father-issues and taken the role as a fatherly figure, only to abuse the fact that the teen was love-starved and sneak his way into his pants. He was no better than that filthy spy had been. He was no better than anybody else in the damn world.
Micks jaw clenched shut as the Scouts fist made impact with his injured side, the remaining stitches bursting away from his skin. It took the majority of will power that the sniper still had in his body to not yell in pain. The bushmans eyes widened as his partner pressed the Kukri against his throat, egging the older man on to finish it there and then. Of course he could't, he could inever/i hurt Dennis. Not intentionally at least. Mick's eyes twitched as the Scout shouted out that he wouldn't be staying here any longer, of course the old hag will have heard, every camera on the outside of the base was facing them, recording every word every action. It wouldn't be long before the administrator wanted the bostonians head for conspiring to leave the base prior contract termination. This was something that the hunter could never do in a million years.
iI. Hate. You./i
Mick didn't show it at the time, but the words that Dennis spat out at him were nothing short of venomous bullets. The sniper watched as the one person he cared most about ran away. His previous buzz from slaughtering the Engineer had evaporated form his body, there was no pride, no happiness. Just hurt and the fear he had lost the most important aspect of his life. The weight of the hunters guilt physically dragged the rest of his body down with the gravity as he fell to his knees into the soaking mud. It wasn't before long that the bushman was laying completely on his back in the waterlogged ground, staring up at the grey sky. Right now, physical pain was far beyond the least of his worries, his face ached dully from where Dennis had punched him, he'd earned a handsome split lip from it. His stab wound was bleeding into the muddy soil from the second hit.
He'd worked so hard to break the kids barriers, worked so hard to make it known that if ianyone/i could be trusted in this place it was him. What the fuck was all that good for any more? Nothing. The order from the administrator coupled with the previous intense bloodlust the bushman had exhibited had driven away the one good thing that he had in this place. How would he even be able to look at the kid anymore? How would they work together? Would Dennis even give him the time he needed to properly explain himself, away from the prying eyes of the admin? Most likely not. Jesus he had just ruined ieverything./i
On top of the fact that his partner now despised him, he had to find a way of convincing the boss to not kill Dennis for planning desertion. Mick had inever/i said no to the Administrators wishes. What she said was law, both to him and everyone else in the base. If he was told to execute Dennis, and he iwould/i be told, then how would he explain that he icouldn't?/i. It was something that needed extremely delicate consideration but not something that the older man could even bare to think about right now. His mind was blank.