The sun shone brightly upon the desolate Gulch. A solitary boulder lay in the field, spray painted teal words adorned the side of it...faded from time and weather. Against the rock leaned Private Tucker, deeply immersed in his book. Although only wearing his lower body armor and a white tank top, sweat still glistened on the overheated private.

This rose-bush, by a strange chance, has been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of stern old wilderness, so long after the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it,-or whether, as there is fair authority for believing, it had sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Ann Hutchinson, as she entered the prison door,-we shall not take—

He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes in frustration. His brain was focused on the book, but his mind was on something else. He signed and read over the last paragraph again, wondering why the passage on a rose-bush interested him so much. He snapped the book shut and set it down, unable to concentrate on book he had started.

'Stop thinking about it, it's not your problem.' He thought suddenly, shutting his eyes against the sun.

'It is your problem, that's why you can't stop thinking...'

'But it wasn't my choice! I couldn't help but be involved.'

He groaned to himself as his angel and devil battle raged on. He was also too preoccupied to notice anything that took place around him and his rock.

'But it seemed fine at first.' His angel suggested, arguing rather noisily in his head.

'But it was a guy! Not only that, but a fucking red!' The devil retorted.

'…Literally.'

'What..?' The devil questioned.

'He was literally a fucking red.' The Tucker's angelic companion noted. He shook his head, knowing that if his subconscious wouldn't stop fighting he would go crazy.

'That's not the point! The point is it was a red male!'

'There's nothing wrong with that...I think.'

A shadow came from behind the oblivious soldier as he fought with himself. The instant shade cooled down the blue, but did not bring him out of his phase.

'...am...I...?'

Tucker opened his eyes and squinted in the light, only for them to be covered again by strong, armored hands.

"Guess who." A voice whispered gruffly from behind the surprised teal Spartan. Tucker sighed and pulled away.

"What do you want, Caboose?" He asked without turning to face his teammate.

"Caboose!" Came the incredulous response. Tucker slowly turned to face the newcomer, and did not find Caboose. Instead, Grif stood before him, leaning on the other side of the rock.

"What do you want?" Tucker asked nervously. He could feel his face heat up, and hoped the summer weather would hide it. Grif shrugged and removed his helmet, tossing it to the side.

"I thought we should talk."

"We have nothing to talk about..." Tucker said, more stiffly then he would of pleased. Grif frowned and chewed on his bottom lip.

"Whatcha reading?" He asked spontaneously, trying to lighten the mood with small talk. Tucker glanced at the red, then to his book.

"Scarlet Letter." He mumbled.

"Wow, tough read...how-"

"Look, I can't talk to you. I'm a blue and you're a red. We. Can't. Talk...Why are you even talking to me!" Tucker suddenly burst out, standing to face the startled red.

"I...I thought you..." Grif stuttered, continuing to chew at his lip as his face grew steadily red.

"Go away! Just get outta here before I sick Caboose on you." Tucker muttered, plopping down next to his rock and picking up his book. Grif clenched his teeth and stormed off, grumbling obscenities under his breath.

"You forgot something!" Tucker yelled at Grif's retreating back, grabbing the orange helmet at throwing it at the soldier.

"SHIT!" Grif cried in pain as it contacted with his head, "You Cockbiting Fucktard!"

Within minutes, Grif was out of sight...and out of mind. At least that's what Tucker hoped. He headed back to base himself, the night closing in on him quickly. Without even acknowledging his teammates, he rushed down the hall and into his room, locking it as soon as it slammed shut. As soon as he unlatched the rest of his armor, he was in bed...shutting his eyes and his brain from the world. Within minutes, Lavernius Tucker was sound asleep, safe in his own room and bed.

Tucker felt a sudden sting at his neck and awoke to the darkness. Although blind in the night, he could sense another man's presence. He realized then that the other being was currently occupied with nibbling at his bare neck. Tucker moaned quietly at the sensation and reached into the midnight for the comfort of the other individual, his hand meeting bare skin. He dragged his fingers down the chest he had come in contact with, feeling the cold sweat building up on his brow.

"...Lavernius...?" A gentle and familiar voice called to him. Tucker quickly responded to the call with deep kiss. He could feel the other man seize up at the movement and deepened the kiss. Tucker pulled back and breathed in the deathly quiet air.

"Yes, Dex?" He asked his companion.

"I'm so glad we aren't alone..." He trailed off, moving closer to his source of heat and running his hand through Tucker's hair. Tucker nodded and started to kiss along Grif's jawbone, nipping playfully as he went along. Grif pulled his hands from Tucker's hair and moved them down the blue's shuddering back, where they rested comfortably around his waist.

"I alone can love you...I alone can tempt you..." Grif sung quietly into the other's ear.

Tucker gasped for air as he sat up in bed, his arms flailing around for any sign of support. He gasped heavily and found a wall to lean against, and an empty bed. He glanced about the room, the only light from the moon outside the window. He sat for a moment, taking everything in.

'...I am! I'm...gay...' He thought, panicking slightly. He took deep breathes and wiped the sweat from his eyes. Moments later he found himself out of bed and out the door. He had to find Grif, if it killed him or not...