I've now managed to build up a buffer of eighteen chapters :) Some bits need tweaking and M's going to check them over for me but 95% of the work's been done on them!
Spy avoided Sniper as much as he could. Their next meeting was midweek, meaning there wouldn't be much time to recover. Still, this was likely their last time. Spy brought the last of his chocolates to share, but hesitated to bring any alcohol. As nice as that would be, this had to end and Spy would already be hungover tomorrow, thanks to the venom.
The death hadn't bothered him so much, once it was over. But Sniper's expression stayed with him; the horror, the guilt. He showed every bit of it on his face. Sniper felt strongly about him.
Spy wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Truthfully, they knew almost nothing about each other. They had spent some enjoyable time together, but that was it. Once it was over, would Sniper always wear that expression when he killed his enemy?
Spy pushed it out of his mind. He went to Sniper's camper, ready to stop worrying, stop thinking, and give in to that peace he found with the RED.
Sniper opened the door before the Spy could even knock. He was back to being able to sense the Spy's presence, though that ability had returned even slower than last time. On top of that, though he was hungry, there wasn't yet the hint of desperation there had been by this point before. After his temporary blip, he was getting better. Sniper had no idea what it would be like trying to go back to tiny sips of blood mixed into coffee after finally getting to sink his teeth into the real thing.
'Uh, hi,' he said, unsure of where they currently stood.
"Bonsoir," Spy stepped in as Sniper made room for him in the narrow entryway. Sniper looked nervous, his face tight. "You're alright?" he asked.
It was strange how familiar and comforting this little camper was becoming. Spy loosened his tie, settling on the bed. It was nice to not have to wear his full uniform.
'Yeah, 'course I am. It's just —ah, it's nothing.' He'd tell the Spy later. Or maybe tomorrow morning, if the Spy stuck around again. Oddly, Sniper found himself hoping he would.
'Do you want a lager? It's proper European stuff, you know, kind of weak but with a real smooth, light taste, you know, the refreshing kind.'
He hadn't been able to get hold of wine and had been fretting about it the last couple of days. Spies could be so fussy but he was sure the Spy would like it if he just gave it a go.
Spy was surprised by the offer and found he couldn't refuse. A lager would be refreshing, even though it wasn't what he usually drank.
"Thank you, it's been awhile since I had one," he said. The weight of his usual paranoia seemed so much lighter here with Sniper. Ugh, he was not looking forward to missing this.
Usually Sniper would just drink straight from the bottle. That didn't seem like a very spy-ish thing to do so he went to find a couple of clean glasses. He was pretty sure though that the Spy would make even drinking straight from a bottle of lager look sophisticated and seductive.
Sniper found the glasses and popped the tops off the lagers with a bottle opener, resisting the urge to try and show off by using his kukri. Or his teeth.
'Here you go,' he said, handing the Spy a full glass. 'It's good, I promise.'
But what if the Spy didn't like it?
Spy was surprised again as Sniper went for glasses. He seemed more the type to drink from the bottle, and mostly, so was Spy. He despised washing dishes, so he often made do without to save himself the work.
Spy took a sip. It was alright, good for what it was, even though he preferred wine. He licked his lips.
Sniper took a sip himself, pretending he wasn't watching the Spy. The pleasant but just slightly bitter taste of the lager was welcome. It wasn't alcoholic enough to give him a proper buzz but it should be enough to help him loosen up. For both of them to loosen up.
He tried to think of something to say but the only two subject that came to mind was what happened the other day and the fact he wouldn't be needing the Spy again. But he didn't want to talk about either of those things.
They ended up making meaningless but pleasant small talk as they drank. Spy recounted an only slightly exaggerated story about Scout putting Bonk! in the BLU Demo's hip flask before the last match, which explained a lot, and Sniper talked about the rare bird he'd spotted a couple of days back.
It wasn't long though, before the alcohol and pleasant small talk came to an end. Sniper's story trailed off as he realised how boring it probably sounded to Spy.
Spy wouldn't allow for there to be time for things to become stilted and uncertain between them. He placed his glass down and reached out, giving Sniper time to pull away. He grabbed the tall man by his belt and tugged him down to the bed to sit next to him.
"I was hoping to get a kiss before you bite me, this time," Spy admitted, leaning against Sniper amiably.
'Oh,' said Sniper, tingling heat running down his arms and spine. The way the Spy had just hooked him by the belt and pulled him down like that- Christ. That was really something. He hastily put the glass down on the side and turned back to the Spy.
Spy waited a moment to see if Sniper would lean in, then put a hand on the back of his neck. The kiss was delicate at first, and Spy was pleased to only taste lager on the Sniper's lips.
Though Sniper had grown up thinking kissing was only interesting to girls, he had to admit that he'd certainly been hoping to do it again. Especially since the Spy seemed so damn good at it. Sniper let him lead, enjoying the almost teasing softness of the kiss, but after a little while he couldn't resist giving the Spy's lower lip a small nip.
Spy nibbled back, running the tip of his tongue over Sniper's lips. His fingers tugged gently at his hair and slowly but surely, he insinuated himself into Sniper's lap.
Sniper parted his lips, allowing Spy to deepen the kiss. Spy seemed more interested in pulling at his hair and getting into his lap though, neither of which Sniper minded at all. It was nice to feel wanted. More than nice, really.
Sniper broke the kiss and trailed his lips down to the Spy's neck, fingers reaching under the bottom of the Spy's mask questioningly.
Spy nodded, tilting his head a little so Sniper could get his fingers under the balaclava. He'd already seen his face, there was no point in hiding now. While Sniper was busy with that, Spy slid his hands under Sniper's shirt, enjoying the lean muscle. Most of Sniper's muscle was in his long, wiry arms, but his abdomen was strong from holding still with his heavy gun. There was a familiar greenish bruise where his rifle kicked him, and Spy brushed the back of his fingers over it.
Sniper hummed in appreciation at the Spy's roaming hands, though he wished they were gloveless. Hadn't the Spy taken them off last time? Hopefully he would again tonight.
"Take off your shirt," Spy murmured, pulling it up and running his hands admiringly over Sniper's lean body.
Sniper nodded, pulling away to unbutton his shirt and let the Spy push it off. He'd never expected someone to actually want to see him with his top off. He was lean and scarred and just so far from the Australian ideal that he'd always felt self-conscious about it back in his home country. The Spy didn't seem to disapprove though, so Sniper had no qualms about stripping in front of him.
Spy's fingers traced the scars across Sniper's skin, carefully avoiding the ones on his back.
'You smell good, did I ever tell you that?' Sniper asked. He hadn't ever meant to bring that up, but here it was. 'First time I ever came across you in battle, I knew I had to have you. Every time you came close to me, even for a backstab, I just wanted you closer.' Sniper wasn't sure if what he was trying to say and what was actually coming out of his mouth was remotely the same thing.
Spy had never imagined Sniper would be bold enough to say anything like that. It was overwhelming, how much he wanted it, wanted to hear those things.
'I want to bite you,' Sniper said, his voice husky.
Spy nodded when Sniper spoke, too fast, too eager.
Even though Sniper hadn't had much to drink, he felt light-headed as though he'd downed a whole bottle of something much stronger. He couldn't believe that that cunning, aloof enemy he saw on the battlefield was here in his van, all control of the situation willingly surrendered.
Sniper couldn't resist it anymore, he sank his top fangs in cleanly. He tried his best to release roughly the same amount of venom as last time as Spy had certainly seemed to have enjoyed that particular encounter.
Pulling his fangs free, he tightened his grip with both his hands briefly before opening his mouth wider and sinking both sets of fangs into the Spy's neck.
Spy sucked in air as Sniper broke the skin. That was always the worst part, the sharp pain took him out of the wonderful glow for a moment. It hurt, briefly, then the venom took over. He was glad glad Sniper was holding him, otherwise he may have slid off the bed.
Sniper pulled away all too soon. It could have been a minute, or ten, or an hour, or an entire day and it would still have been too soon.
After that though, they moved onto something else equally enjoyable.
Things were just getting really interesting when Sniper unexpectedly froze.
Spy made a disgruntled, questioning noise. He'd been enjoying himself and didn't see any reason to stop.
Sniper didn't say anything, head cocked to one side. Listening.
He listened.
And listened.
And a fist hammered on the door.
Spy was off the bed in a second, silent and bristling with nervous energy. He had a knife in his hand within a few seconds, his cloaking device next. He looked to Sniper with wide eyes, not sure what to do beyond hide. Unless Sniper had planned this. Unless... fuck! Spy was panting, standing completely naked in Sniper's camper, face flushed, chest rapidly rising and falling. If Sniper had planned this, he'd fallen right into the trap.
Sniper sat up in alarm, staring back at the Spy with equally large eyes.
'Yo, Snipes! Snnippppes. Snipperrr. Come on man, you there? Lights on. Sniiiiiper?'
Well fuck. If there was one thing worse than a Scout, it was a drunk Scout.
'What?' Sniper barked, voice rough.
'You should...should be there man, it's Solly's birthday. You can't just...' He hiccuped. 'You just can't...not be there. And Spy wants to play snap with you. Not with anyone else. Just with you.' He sounded unreasonably upset about that, but then again, he was probably completely hammered.
Sniper ran a hand of his face in irritation, leaving his hair ticking up at odd angles.
'It's late, Scout. Time for bed.'
'Awwww, but Sniiiiper.'
'Bed.' Sniper said again with force, like the Scout was a badly behaved dog he was sending out.
Miraculously it worked, the Scout stumbling drunkenly away again, cursing about Sniper under his breath.
Spy couldn't help a burst of helpless laughter once Scout was far enough away not to hear. He wasn't sure what was most ridiculous about this situation, but he was glad the tension faded as Scout left.
Sniper was sitting on the bed in complete frustration, his hair sticking up every which way. Spy was standing, slightly crouched, and rather cold, in the middle of the van. Sniper apparently played snap with his team instead of poker, which only added to the bizarre situation.
But Sniper clearly hadn't planned this. He'd looked as horrified as Spy. and quite grumpy to be interrupted. The mood had been killed, but Spy was alright with that for the moment, going to sit on the edge of the bed, still laughing.
Sniper bowed forward, head in hands and groaned. The groan turned into reluctant, relieved laughter that bubbled up and made his shoulders shake.
'Oh Christ, I thought that was us done for sure! Oh man. Oh shit.' He was breathless but still couldn't stop laughing. 'That door's not locked, all it would have taken was for him to turn the handle and... Christ. Can you imagine his face? Poor kid would have been scarred for life!'
Better to think about that rather than what would have happened to the two of them. Sniper felt relieved and annoyed and wound-up and buzzed and embarrassed all at the same time.
"Mon dieu," Spy gasped. He stood, legs still shaky, and locked the door. Sitting next to Sniper, he couldn't help laughing.
"You play snap?"
Sniper shrugged. 'We ran out of other card games to play a long time ago. You're looking at snap champion right here,' he said, pointing a thumb towards himself, 'Our Spy's been after my crown for a while though.'
Spy laughed. He leaned against Sniper again, grinning.
He'd convinced himself this would be the last time, but after sharing that scare, after laughing together like this, Spy felt as if there was nothing that would make him give this up. And he was almost positive Sniper felt the same.
And it didn't take much to convince him to continue from where they'd left off.
'You want an orange?' Sniper asked afterwards, while they laid in a sprawl of limbs and tangled sheets. It seemed like the right thing to do.
Spy nodded lazily and said, "Though cigarettes are the traditional go-to at this point. Brought chocolates by the way." He pointed to his jacket. The little box in the breast pocket would be easy to find if Sniper could reach it.
Sniper dragged himself out of bed, motivated by chocolate. He filled up a glass of water for Spy first and left it next to the bed. Then he grabbed a couple of oranges and fished in the jacket for the chocolates. His fingers brushed against a closed butterfly knife. It reminded him who he was dealing with. He felt the weight of the wicked little weapon that had been used to kill him again and again and looked down at the blue jacket in his hands.
Sniper turned his head to face the Spy. The Spy's eyes were closed as he lay on his back completely naked, hair tousled, skin flushed.
How on earth could this be the same man who killed him every day? Then again, Sniper was secretly a vampire. He wasn't what anybody on either team thought he was. Only the Spy knew this side of him, as only he knew about this side of the Spy.
'Found 'em,' Sniper said, pulling out the small box of chocolates.
Spy opened his eyes and sat up to eat the orange. Sniper was still flushed, but he had a somewhat serious look about him now. Whatever it was he was thinking, it looked like it had brought him down a little.
Spy sipped his water and grabbed a chocolate from the box. He groaned around it. He wondered if Sniper was considering the end of this.
"You get your supplies this week," Spy said softly.
Sniper jolted. He'd settled back into being so deep into thought he'd almost forgotten the Spy was there.
'Yes,' he admitted. He didn't have the words to explain how desperately he wished that wasn't the case. Even though he needed those supplies. Even though he'd always known this was just temporary.
Instead Sniper popped one of the chocolates into his mouth. It tasted delicious but he barely noticed.
Spy slid closer to him, winding an arm around his waist, his cheek against Sniper's chest.
"That will make it easier," he said, coolly, as though it was assumed they would continue. "Then I can come on weekends instead of every four days." He hoped he sounded as confident as he was pretending to be.
Sniper blinked. Then a huge grin spread across his face. He tried to stifle it before the Spy saw but found himself struggling to.
'Yeah, that sounds like a sensible idea,' he said, as though there'd never been any doubt that this...whatever this was, would keep on going.
He ate another chocolate and this time couldn't fail to notice how sweet it tasted.
Spy chuckled, feeling a little thrill of happiness himself. Sniper seemed pleased with his idea. It was easy to fall asleep now, warm and safe in Sniper's arms.
Sniper pulled the covers over them, careful to throw aside the top couple of sheets. It was wonderful to be able to fall asleep without all of them, Spy's blood warming him from the inside and Spy's body warming him from the outside.
