This is going to probably be mostly a fluffy, romance piece between Chris and Piers. Not really sure yet. I don't exactly think things out ahead of time. Also, forgive any typos or weird wording. I am rushing this slightly to be done in time to go to work.

Insert standard disclaimer of non-ownership here.

Insert standard warning about themes (i.e. homosexuality, violence, language, etc.) here.


Unexpected Touch

Chapter 1

Chris Redfield did not like to be touched.

While the captain was warm and friendly to his soldiers, and so very loving to those he considered friends, he always made sure to stay out of reach. The only exceptions to this embargo of physical contact were his long-time partner, Jill Valentine, and his baby sister, Claire. Even Chris' old friend Barry Burton had found the brunet side-stepping out of reach when the older man would make any move to give Chris his signature hearty pat on the back.

Piers had seen the man deftly avoid even the most innocent and friendly contact with such skill and subtlety that the offending person often didn't realize that their touch had been essentially rejected. It was probably why people continued trying to touch the captain, whether by handshakes, hands on shoulders, or whatever other seemingly friendly gesture, the sniper mused. But Piers had noticed. He noticed a lot about his captain.

Right now, Piers was noticing that his captain was very guarded. Something about the situation had the man tense and wary.

The sniper's eyes moved from soldier to soldier, though his focus remained on the two men speaking in the lobby of the hotel where he and the rest of Alpha Team were currently lounging.

The lobby wasn't particularly small. The front of the building was made of wall-to-wall windows extending up to the roof, giving the lobby an open and airy feeling. Piers supposed it was for aesthetic reasons, but he hated knowing that it gave full view of every occupant in the room to any dingus outside with a rifle. Particularly when the occupants of this lobby were some of the best soldiers the BSAA had to offer.

There were two small discernible groups of men sitting and standing around as the two men spoke. One spoke in more quiet tones. While Piers could easily hear the man, if any of the others in the lobby had been speaking, the noise would have covered the man's voice. The other spoke spoke in an overly loud, overly confident volume that was entirely unnecessary for the quiet in the room.

Piers returned his eyes to the two men speaking.

The men were two of the most respected and dangerous men in the BSAA. They were Chris Redfield, captain of Alpha Team, and David Bohan, Captain of Charlie Team. Chris was was leaning against one of the padded sofas while Bohan was standing a few feet away. Their teams were lounging idly by, watching as the two captains spoke about missions both past and upcoming. Piers stifled a small smirk as he noticed that the two teams were staying very much within their groups, not intermingling with each other in the slightest.

Like territorial dogs, he thought. Piers shook his head at the thought, chuckling at the thought.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his captain glance at Piers before returning his focus to the loud man in front of him.

Piers had to resist rolling his eyes at the display of Charlie Team's captain. Even Captain Bohan's body language was loud. The man threw his arms out with every gesture, gave loud guffaws, and his every expression was childish in its complete over-exaggeration. For yet another time in his career with the BSAA, Piers found himself grateful for his captain. He didn't think he would have been able to handle listening to Bohan all day, every day like Charlie Team had to. He was thankful for his captain's cool, quiet demeanor. His captain didn't need to be loud to command the complete attention of everyone in the room.

Of course, he had heard that his captain wasn't always the calm and reserved man that Piers had come to known. Apparently, Chris Redfield had a wild temper. While Piers was glad to never have been on the receiving end of that legendary temper, he had to admit he kind of wanted to see it. He wanted to see his captain riled up. Angry. Full of energy and fervor. Passionate.

Piers shook his head again to dislodge the thought before his mind could run with it too far.

"I'm sorry, I'm confused. Are you wanting to fight me?" his captain incredulous voice drifted to his ears.

That piqued the sniper's interest. Piers dragged his focus back to the two captains.

Charlie Team was an SOU out of the Western European Division of the BSAA. Despite both teams having reputations for what the teams lovingly described as complete bad-assery, they were mobilized out of two different areas and had never met before today. Deciding that the two teams could learn from each-other's skill set, Charlie Team was sent by HQ to join Alpha at their base for a one-week training meet-and-greet.

Clearly, though, if the invitation to fight was any indication, that plan to train and learn from each other was already quickly spiraling into a dick measuring contest.

"Shit, you make it sound like I want to take this outside. I meant a fucking sparring session. It's not every day I get the chance to fight The Great Chris Redfield," the last part was practically sneered. The sniper felt his body tense up at the tone.

Piers watched as his captain took a slow breath before responding.

"I'm not sure how productive that would be. It wouldn't set a good example to our men to see us knocking each other around. Charlie or Alpha, we are still one team," Chris replied coolly, crossing his arms over his chest and maintaining eye-contact with Bohan.

"Really? Well, we are both experienced fighters. I think they could learn a lot from watching us."

Chris looked unmoved by Bohan's rationalization.

And he shouldn't be, thought Piers. The man clearly just wanted to pick a fight so he could say he beat 'The Great Chris Redfield.'

"Oh, come on. Aren't you supposed to be some kind of superhero? You're not scared to fight someone on even ground, are you? Afraid I'll make you look bad?"

Piers clenched his teeth, eyes narrowed, as Bohan released a mocking, braying laugh. Without thinking, Piers was moving from his spot by a decorative pillar and walking up to Bohan, mouth already opening to impart some choice words about respect. He didn't get far when Chris deftly stood to his full height and stepped between Piers and Bohan, blocking the other captain's view of the angry approach of Alpha's sniper.

With a sigh and casting a quick calming look over his shoulder at the sniper behind him, Chris replied, "No. But you're right. We should be using this time constructively. I'm sure some hand-to-hand combat drills would be useful for all of us. If your men want to go get their training clothes, we will meet you at the gym here on base. They have an area there for martial arts and boxing."

Captain Bohan gave a victorious - and obnoxious, Piers thought - smirk.

"You heard Captain Redfield, men. Go get your shit!"

The men of Charlie Team, seemingly used to their captain's insulting speech patterns, immediately headed out of the lobby and deeper into the hotel. Captain Bohan gave Alpha's leader a quick smirk before following the rest of his team, leaving Alpha Team alone in the lobby.

Looking around at the other members of Alpha Team, Piers saw that no one looked particularly impressed by Bohan's antics or the way he had interacted with their captain.

"Captain," Piers recognized Ben's serious voice, "I'm not sure that anyone is really in the right frame of mind to do some melee drills right now."

Before he could stop himself, Piers piped up, voice dripping with sarcasm, "What? You don't think this pissing contest is gonna help make us better soldiers? Surely you jest!"

"Piers," his captain's soft, commanding voice stopped him from adding to his statement. The sniper turned from Ben to look at his Captain standing in front of him.

"Look, I get it," the brunet continued. "Bohan's a bit much. But we are going to be good hosts and play nice. So let's make this as much of a learning experience as we can." The captain's eyes quickly scanned all of the soldier's face before landing on Piers. "Okay?"

Piers was certain that the last part was aimed almost exclusively at himself.

There were three quiet "yes, sirs" and then the sounds of his teammates making their way out of the lobby and out to the parking lot where their vehicle was parked. Piers looked over to his captain, who was still standing in front of him, silently waiting for his response.

"Piers?"

The sniper sighed. "So, you're going to let that idiot fight you and call it 'playing nice'? Am I understanding this correctly?"

It was his captain's turn to sigh. "I don't like it any more than you do. Believe it or not, I don't relish that thought of someone trying to hit me. Especially not a dick like Bohan." Piers smiled at the small insult his captain dropped. The man would never talk so unprofessionally around any of the others. Just Piers.

Chris continued, "But I also know if we don't humor him, he will use it an ammunition to trash Alpha. So let's put on our game faces."

Piers responded with an unhappy but obedient "Yes, sir."

Chris hesitated just a moment before placing a hand on the sniper's shoulder, adding with a small conspiratorial smile, "And let's mop the floor with them, Lieutenant."

Laughing, Piers shook his head, placing his hand over his captain's where it rested on his shoulder, and responded with a more enthusiastic "Yes, sir!"

His captain gave Piers a large, warm smile before turning and heading for the exit. "Let's get to it, then."

Piers trotted after his captain, grinning happily.

Chris Redfield did not like to be touched. But, on occasion, he didn't seem to mind when his sniper took the liberty.


I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. I work 10 hour days, 6 days a week, so I honestly don't know when I'll get the time to do so.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Any criticisms, good or bad, are always appreciated.