A/N: So, this would be the second installment og my 100 themes series. The pairing in question this time is REDDemoman/BLUSoldier, a pairing that I find is very under-loved but is totally one of my OTP's. Scottish accents are...not..remotely...close to easy. So, um, if anyone could give me any tips on that I would very much appreciate it. This one is basically a bunch of no-plot themes that are strung together... The Spy and Sniper mentioned in the fic may or may not be the ones from the last fic, that's all up to you, dear reader.
Theflyingeagle: thank you so much for the review, it really made my day. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series as much as you enjoyed the first one!
This chapter counts in at 4,825 words
Enjoy!
100 Themes: Variation #1
1. Introduction
The first time they were introduced outside of combat they were surprisingly pleasant with each other.
Soldier saw no need to attack an unarmed man and Demo saw no reason to be enemies outside of the battlefield.
2. Love
Their love of guns moved them from a strange pleasantness to a fragile relationship on and off the battlefield.
It wasn't long until Soldier was 'accidentally' missing potshots and Demo was too 'drunk' to remember to detonate his sticky traps.
3. Light
They often met by the light of dusk, talking and drinking but surprisingly quiet.
No one needed to know, this was a beacon of sanity in a war that was driving them both slowly more insane with everyday.
4. Dark
Something about the was Demo's dark skin glinted in the moonlight struck Soldier the way little else could.
He didn't know the occasional hint of dark blue eyes beneath his helmet did the same to Demo.
5. Seeking Solace
Demo often drank to cover things up, but sometimes he just needed someone to be nearby. And having Soldier there, a hand on his shoulder as the tears threatened was all Demo needed.
6. Breakaway
It was nice to breakaway from the war occasionally, to just be two men, and to enjoy each others company. They could see how alike they were when they didn't have to worry about colours.
7. Heaven
Demo watched from across the battlefield with a shit-eating grin on his face as Soldier launched himself up towards heaven.
He couldn't blame the American for trying.
8. Innocence
Demo tried not to laugh as Soldier played-surprisingly innocently-with the raccoon.
Soldier caught the suppressed laughter and threw the-again surprising-vicious raccoon at Demo's face.
9. Drive
"Just drive."
Demo gaped as Soldier got in the car. It had been a week since they'd been forced to fight, having betrayed each other. "Ye sonova-"
"Just drive, I'll explain everything. Please."
Soldier never said please so Demo slowly started the car.
10. Breathe Again
They were more than four counties over before Soldier let out a deep breath, as if he'd been holding it the entire time. "Find a secluded place to park an' then we'll talk."
"Ye better not be messin' wit me lad."
"'m not."
11. Memory.
"Do ya remember callin' me a civilian?"
"Wha? Ah's never call ye that."
"S'what I thought. Do you remember about what time you got told I accepted the offer?"
"'bout eight in the mornin'."
"They didn't tell me you'd accepted until nineteen hundred hours."
12. Insanity
Demo didn't ask where Soldier had got his information, especially the stuff about the Administrator playing both sides, as the man unloaded the evidence on him. The man may have been a bit insane, but he was smart and resourceful, more so than people gave him credit for.
13. Misfortune
"Ah'm gonna pound those little bloody pieces of shat..."
"We can't." Soldier shook his head, reaching over to gently rub the knuckles of Demo's clenched fist. "Think about it, we're in no position to fight back, we'd be dead."
"Ah thought ye liked war?"
"Not when people I care about would die permanently."
14. Smile
Demo woke up in the morning, head against the driver's head rest and cramped into the seat. He watched as Soldier awoke, eyelids cracking open as he slumped against the dashboard.
Soldier gave him a weak smile and on impulse Demo reached over to kiss it.
15. Silence
The weeks of silence were deafening and Demo still wasn't sure how Soldier had gotten back to Tuefort after jumping up and sprinting out of the car directly after that first kiss.
16. Questioning
The kiss had forced Soldier to question his beliefs. Was it wrong to be gay? Or would America, as the freest country there was, give him the freedom to be gay. Was being against gays an oppressive Nazi-commie thing to do and he should simply accept everyone the way they were?
Did he dare even try to pursue anything outside friendship with the RED Demo? Did he dare try anything different from what he'd always thought he was?
17. Blood
"Teams'll be cumin' up on us any minute now?"
"Ya."
"Ye want to give it a go?"
"Wish we didn't have to."
The BLU team couldn't comprehend why he was staring at the RED Demoman's blood on his hands when they arrived.
18. Rainbow
It wasn't surprising to see Soldier with his face a rainbow of colours, bruised and battered.
But the way he was wringing his hands nervously wasn't in his nature at all.
19. Gray
There was a whole world of gray accompanying the three little words that had tread cautiously from Soldier's mouth.
Demo was willing to explore the gray area that came with 'I like you'.
20. Fortitude
Soldier was immensely proud of his strength, mental, physical and otherwise.
But it was taking more than he was used to to keep from crossing the so small barrier to the RED base.
21. Vacation
It was almost like the beginning of a Spring Break movie when Soldier sidled into the passengers side. "Hit it."
Demo chuckled and pressed his foot into the gas.
22. Mother Nature
Over their week long furlough, Mother Nature gave them plenty of time to explore each other and their boundaries. Neither of them got past the boxers but it was fine. Soldier wasn't sure how he would've handled jumping directly into his new orientation, no matter how convincing Demo's dark chest was.
23. Cat
Demo vowed never to try and steal Soldier's attention from his pet raccoon again.
The thing was a vicious as a wildcat.
24. No Time
The Administrator counted down as Soldier stole a breathless kiss and the rocket jumped away, leaving Demo to count the second and minutes till they'd get another chance.
25. Trouble Lurking
They looked like trouble coming out of the bar and Demo turned his one eye on the group of teenage riffraff.
Soldier giggled in the most manly way possible all the way to their hotel room.
26. Tears
It was enough to keep the tears at bay every time Demo reminded himself that when he killed Soldier, it wasn't permanent.
27. Foreign
The chocolate skin, Scottish accent and Afro were rather foreign to Soldier. And so utterly handsome and intriguing.
28. Sorrow
Soldier was accustomed to sorrow. He didn't let a tear escape or his expression seem dejected in anyway when Demo missed two of their meetings in a row.
29. Happiness
Demo was expecting anger when he cornered Soldier on the battlefield, explaining in a mess of English and Celtic how sorry he was and how his teams Soldier had been aggressive lately about patrols and check-ins and lights out.
Soldier only waited until he could piece it all together before nodding, clapping Demo on the shoulder and mentioning how happy he was to see him.
30. Under the Rain
To kiss in the rain, Soldier's helmet cast away in the mud was possibly one of the most amazing things Demo had ever experienced.
31. Flowers
Flowers were definitely to girly for either of them. Demo was legitimately surprised to get a bouquet from Soldier on valentines.
It made sense that the bouquet would be made out of dud grenades, rockets and old bullet casings.
32. Night
Nights never stretched on long enough when they were together. Before dawn they would part, knowing full well if they other asked they couldn't deny another five minutes but also knowing the couldn't afford another minute, let alone five.
33. Expectations
Demo's mother had expectations. Not about gender or appearance or nationality.
About jobs.
Shooting rockets at things seemed to satiate her.
34. Stars
The stars were always beautiful but it was easier to sneak out on starless, moonless nights and find each other by touch and whispers alone.
35. Hold My Hand
Demo gripped hard on Soldier's hand as he bled out, Respawn slowly taking him. "Gotta be more careful lad."
"I've got Respawn." Soldier coughed blood.
"Aye, but one day there wannae be Respawn."
"I'm sure you'll be there to hold my hand when that day comes too."
36. Precious Treasure
It didn't matter that neither of them were much for pet names. They knew their affection for each other and stated such in as manly a way as possible. And that was all either of them cared about.
37. Eyes
Sleepy blue eyes looked up at him and even drowsy there was a steely passion in them that made Demo kiss Soldier hard.
38. Abandoned
Soldier had been abandoned many times. His family, the army, navy, marines, Merasmus...
But now he had Demo and some nights Demo saw that fear in him. Even without the stories Demo could tell that if he left, there would be nothing left on earth for Soldier to stick around for,
39. Dreams
It was easier to dream peacefully with one of Demo's arms flung across his chest. Having someone there seemed to ward off the nightmares and allow him to sleep soundly.
40. Rated
Usually things stayed pg rated between them but sometimes one or the other or both of them needed to work off some adrenaline. They were rough about it, constantly stealing dominance from each other.
41. Teamwork
They both had a far overdeveloped sense of adventure, which often led to tight spots and the two of them learned quickly how to work together in combat.
They wouldn't have had their dates any other way.
A couple that fought together stayed together.
42. Standing Still
There were moments when Demo knew he was being overly sappy. He had a handsome man to hold who he'd sacrifice everything for.
Soldier would blush and look down, standing absolutely still, unused to such delicate emotions.
43. Dying
Something about dying was easier when you knew you had Respawn to catch you.
It didn't mean Soldier enjoyed shooting Demo anymore when it came down to it though.
44. Two Roads
They knew every time they met they had two possible roads to take. Run or stay.
Soldier curled into Demo as they lay together, knowing he'd follow the man he was falling in love with no matter which road he chose.
45. Illusion
They'd fixed up the small outbuilding on the outskirts of the Tuefort battlefield, as they had done at every battlefield. It provided a good illusion of comfort and home for their nights together.
46. Family
Soldier hadn't known his family long before he'd been left alone and Demo had been left along long before he'd known his family.
It was painful to talk about and their conversations about family came in spurts and pieces.
47. Creation
The creation of a nest and the revelation that Lt. Bites was female didn't make her any less vicious.
Demo kept his arms around Soldier's waist, head on the mans shoulder and eye on the raccoon as Soldier cooed over it.
48. Childhood
If motherhood had calmed Lt. Bites and Demo could be seen warming up to her and the kits, Soldier didn't say a word.
49. Stripes
"Don't have much wildlife in Scotland?"
"Nay, no' anymore. Used ta be. Found out how little Ah knew when Ah came ta America and foun' out a skunk was not a cat."
50. Breaking the Rules
It went against almost every rule Mann Co. had laid out for them but something so sweet and needed wasn't something they were about to give up because of an old harpy.
51. Sport
"Now, in American football, when ya kick the ball ya gotta get it over the-"
"Solly, jus' lemme kick."
"I hafta explain the rules an-"
Wham!
"Well, I'll be..."
"We call soccer football in Scotland. Ah can kick a bloody ball."
52. Deep in Thought
Soldier usually stated what was on his mind, so Demo was concerned when the man was quiet one night, barely responding to the thick finger exploring his broad chest.
53. Keeping a Secret
"Can you promise me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to say?"
"Aye lad." Demo cut in quickly before he had to promise not to empty his bladder and met Soldier's dead serious eyes.
"Not even tell your Mother."
"Alrigh', alrigh'. What is it?"
"Our...Sniper and Spy are a couple." Soldier slumped on to the bed Demo lifted an eyebrow.
"How long?"
"Long. Don;t tell anyone." Soldier sighed. "S'not what I wanta talk to you about though."
"What's on ye mind luv?" Demo sat next to him, wrapping an arm around his waist.
"Whenever they think they're alone or no one's looking...they get all romantic an' all that...s'it...s'it bad we're not like that?" Soldier's blue eyes bored into Demo.
"Nay, nay one way ta go 'bout a relationship."
54. Tower
They kept watch on the towers for Snipers as s heavy kiss turned into something more and neither of them had the desire to return to the battle.
55. Waiting
It was always a game to see who could get to the outbuilding first and be waiting. It didn't mean they were ever lax in their routines of throwing off suspicions though.
56. Danger Ahead
There was something tangy about Soldier's kisses, something dangerous, strong and passionate.
57. Sacrifice
There were little things they did in battle, taking a bullet rather than dodging, small sacrifices, that allowed the others team to win.
Both noticed, neither commented.
58. Kick in the Head
It was more of a nudge than a kick, the caress of a sticky bomb launcher against his cheek and Soldier grinned as Respawn claimed him. "See ya soon cyclops."
59. No Way Out
Neither of them were big fans of dead ends but Soldier did like the primal pleasure of having Demo shove him up against a wall with no way to escape.
60. Rejection
It was hard sometimes for Demo to go out in public on subtle dates with Soldier. They couldn't touch each other, kiss, or even act like more than friends, even though they both often deserved a night out.
Women tended to throw themselves at Soldier and he pretended to be oblivious.
Demo only knew he pretended because Soldier had admitted that he knew no other way to reject them. He'd never tried and when he was younger he'd never been given the chance to even have them, let alone reject them.
61. Fairy Tale
It was always a treat to see the occasional naivety in Soldier. Demo knew it was because sometimes his mind couldn't handle everything and coped by acting naive but it was a precious thing on a battlefield.
62. Magic
Soldier could never hate Merasmus. Demo could, it was thanks to Merasmus he was missing an eye and Merasmus had been one in a long string to whittle away at Soldier's heart and mind.
But Soldier knew how he could be and he knew not everyone could handle him and he couldn't hate Merasmus for that. He just thought himself lucky to have Demo.
63. Do Not Disturb
A hanger on the door meant do not disturb, the unspoken rule of the BLU team.
Whether they thought him alone or with someone it was exhilarating to have snuck Demo into the BLU base, enjoying their time together and listening as Spy got increasingly frantic about his missing watch.
64. Multitasking
It was wonderfully strange and yet so wrong how they could kiss and caress while bruising and forcing each other to bleed out on the ground.
Frankly Soldier hated this type of multitasking.
65. Horror
There were plenty of times they came upon each others horrific, mutilated bodies in combat. As often as not one of them came out of Respawn with the faintest sensation of a kiss on whatever body part the other could find.
66. Traps
They were both a little paranoid, constantly double checking what they were about to say when speaking to their team mates.
It lead Engie to believe Soldier had someone, even if he didn't know who and Soldier didn't wanted to talk about it.
But his offered counsel if Soldier needed it was very much appreciated, even if he could never take Engie up on the offer.
67. Playing the Melody
Scottish folk songs had a special something in Celtic they didn't have in English. When Soldier asked what the song meant Demo offered to sing it in English. Soldier refused, telling him he could explain it later.
68. Hero
Demo didn't pay much attention to superheroes but when the RED Scout had struck up a one-sided conversation about Captain America his interest peeked.
He was reminded of Soldier and had to leave the room before he burst into laughter.
69. Annoyance
They both annoyed each other and they took it out on each other during battles.
Soldier felt this was possibly the best way for it to happen. He'd seen his Sniper and Spy get in too many rows and throw things and stalk off in opposite directions.
By the time he and Demo met up after taking out their grievances in battle they were ready to make up and just wanted to spend some time together again.
70. 67%
Before they'd gotten together, during their rivalry, they'd actively sought each other out for kills. Over 70% of their deaths and kills were sue to each other. Now they sought each other out but the number was down to 67%. They kept it there, to afraid to go any further down in case they drew attention to themselves.
71. Obsession
Soldier was quietly obsessed by what they'd do after the war. He never mentioned it but secretly hoped Demo would offer for them to live together.
72. Mischief Managed
"Whaddye doin' there laddie?"
Soldier looked up from what he was doing as Demo leaned against his car. For once the the base was empty and they were free to talk. "I owe our Scout an intense level of embarrassment."
"Is it really werth it lad?"
"Yes."
"Do ye need help?"
"...Yes."
"Ah'm comin'."
73. I Can't
"Ah cannae run from this Solly."
"Huh?"
"If we run, we'll be tracked down an' Ah cannae risk tha'. Risk ye."
"I know, I thought about that too."
74. Are You Challenging Me?
Demo growled softly as he shoved Soldier down on his back.
Soldier's eyes glinted up at him, steely. "Are you challenging me?"
"Ma'be."
Demo suddenly found himself flat on his back on the bed.
75. Mirror
Soldier chuckled as he stood in front of Demo, trying to mirror each others movements. "Tryin' to throw me off?"
Demo grinned as his hand reached out and Soldier's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ye'll see."
Demo caught his target and Soldier's eyes widened and then closed, his own movements still mirroring Demo's.
76. Broken Pieces
"Solly, how broken are ye? Ye know ainnae gunna tell a soul."
Soldier hesitated before speaking, letting a story filter from his lips.
77. Test
Often it was a test not to tell the old harpy to stuff it, grab Soldier into the most passionate kiss he could and run off.
Demo could...could never do it of course. He had both their lives to think about, his mum.
And it was kind of fun sneaking around like two lovesick teenagers.
78. Drink
"Beer. Guinness."
Soldier his a smirk behind his beer. "Thoughtcha weren't comin' into town."
"Cannae resist."
"My team's around here ya know."
"Ah'll be discreet."
"I've got a better idea."
"Oh?"
"Start a brawl, sneak out, drive away and go at it like rabbits."
"Wanna throw the first punch?"
"Sure, ready?"
"Lemme finish me beer first."
Soldier paused, waited until Demo had drained his beer. "Ready?"
"Aye."
"COME 'ER AN' FIGHT LIKE A MAN YOU SCOT SON OF A BITCH!"
79. Starvation
"Oy, Tavish, ye ever feed this man?"
"Aye Mum, he gets fed same as me."
"He eats like he's been starved."
"You can call me Jane Mrs. DeGroot."
"Jane? I thought ye were a man?"
"I am, my Mother wanted a girl."
"Tavish, are ye laughin' at ye mans name?"
"N-nay Mum."
"He laughs every time."
Whack!
"Ow! Mum!"
80. Words
Soldier chose his words carefully as he spoke. "Demo, I need to tell you something."
"Aye luv?"
"I-we-the words I used when we first started all this? ...they...they weren't the right ones.' He sucked in a deep breath. "I love you, in the most manly way you can love anyone, I love you."
"Ah luv ye too Jane."
81. Pen and Paper
"You know, thanks to Merasmus I'm a lawyer and priest in New Mexico." Soldier drawled sleepily into Demo's chest.
"Aye, an'." Demo ruffled his buzz cut hair fondly.
"I can get papers."
"Are ye sayin' ye want to make this all official?" Demo cocked an eyebrow and Soldier shrugged a little.
"Maybe, when it's all over."
82. Can You Heal Me?
Demo hesitated as he came across his lover, grenade launcher in hand.
The BLU Sniper sighed in resignation, keeping weight off his injured leg as he and Soldier held each other up. Soldier was griping his side, blood dripping though his fingers.
Demo lowered his launcher slowly. "Go on, get outta here an' fin' ye Medic. Then Ah'll kill ye two wit sume honor."
He turned and strode away, having noticed and deciphered the tapping of Soldier's fingers on his injured side. He now had a meeting spot and time different from their usual that for that night.
83. Heal
"Our medigun broke today." Soldier rested his hand on Demo's as they drove away.
"Ye hafta go through Respawn then anyways?"
"Na, broke after he was done healin' me and halfway through healin' Sniper." Soldier sighed. "He'll be fine but thanks. If you hadn't let us go I might've ended up in the infirmary tonight."
"Ah hate killin' ye Solly, gotta let ye go sumetimes."
84. Out Cold
They had a rich history of messing with each other when one was out cold from a night of heavy drinking.
Their teams thought there were spikes in their rivalry. In reality, it was just deranged payback by a pissed off, hung over lover.
85. Spiral
Demo found Soldier one night, curled up on the bed and shaking.
"Solly?" He wrapped his arms around the man. "Jane, what's wrong?"
"Merasmus..." Soldier choked on the words. "Used a spell...brought back memories."
Demo clutched him tightly. Only the memories bottled up inside could truly send Soldier spiraling out of control.
86. Seeing Red
Demo saw red and Merasmus didn't see him till the Scot was on him, whispering a warning with his swings.
"Leave. Him. Alone. Ye left him an' now ye hafta stay away."
87. Food
The other got care packages quite a bit, save for Spy, Medic and Pyro.
Soldier of course didn't usually get one either.
When he did it reinforced Engie's belief about a lover and confused the others.
Soldier opened it in his own confusion, saw the Scottish cookies and knew exactly who's mum it had come from.
88. Pain
Pain was no issue to Soldier and he enjoyed it from Demo.
He'd never thought much of it until one day he realized it was a good thing he always left his collar flipped up even before they'd started seeing each other.
He certainly didn't need his team mates eyeing the love bites on his neck after a weekend long ceasefire.
89. Through the Fire
Soldier would've walked through the fires of hell if Demo asked him.
Demo could never do anything of the like because he knew Soldier would and he didn't want to lose the man.
90. Triangle
"Mmm...she's cute an' she's tryin' hard I'll giver that."
"What're ye talkin' 'bout ye dunce?"
"Like you didn't notice. Go on, I don't mind."
"Ah though' we were a thing an' now ye want me ta get it on wit a girl?!"
"We aren't a thing in public an'I'd kinda like to watch."
"Yer a bloody useless idiot."
"Come on, of ya go. Ya, that's what I thought."
"I hate ye."
"You wish."
91. Drowning
There'd been a castle overrun with raccoon's, a shoddy apartment, the barracks, a box under a bridge he'd nearly drown in and a hidden building on the outskirts of a battlefield.
Soldier told himself it was okay to double check that the windows and doors of Demo's house were locked before he went to bed.
92. All That I Have
Demo was quiet when he saw the one box of Soldier's belongings. "Ye know, if ye need anything."
Soldier shrugged. "I've got you. 's all I need out of everything I have."
Demo snorted. "Stop bein' so bloody romantic, makes me feel guilty."
"Would it be better if I said I can requisition whatever I need from Mann Co.?"
"Aye, thank ye."
93. Give up
"Do you think this war's worth it? If we all stopped fighting would anyone care?"
"Ye want ta give up sumetimes don'tcha?"
"Somedays, I just...don't need the war the way I used to.
94. Last Hope
Demo was Soldier's last hope and it was a mantra. A mantra that he still had Demo so he had a reason to live.
Demo could never truly fathom just how close to the edge Soldier had been before they met.
95. Advertisement
"Yer like an Uncle Sam advertisement." Demo chuckled as Soldier got dressed in everything but his helmet.
"I do my best." Soldier said it in a gravelly, somber tone and Demo couldn't hold back his laughter.
96. In the Storm
The base was a flurry of questions and confusion and Soldier snuck out amid the storm, meeting Demo halfway to their hideout.
"Ye...did ye get the same news we did?"
"Ya. A ceasefire. A permanent one."
97. Safety First
"Solly, ye really oughta get sume new boots..."
"Meh, 's gonna be a ceasefire soon anyways."
"Solly, still got two...three more week a battles. Gunna be rocket jumpin' fer those."
"It's fine."
"They ainnae safe Jane."
98. Puzzle
They met after the ceasefire became official and Soldier's face was a puzzle to read.
"Ya alrigh' luv?"
Soldier kissed Demo's lips and pulled away with a soft smile. "Ya, 'm fine."
99. Solitude
"We're alone, and together, and we never have to leave each other." Soldier nuzzled Demo's neck. "'s gonna be nice to be with you without having a time limit."
"'s nice ta have solitude witout sneakin'." Demo pressed a kiss into Soldier's hair.
100. Relaxation
"Ye know what relaxin' means?" Demo raised an eyebrow from where he leaned against the door frame, watching Soldier do push ups in the yard.
"Gotta...keep...in...shape..." Soldier grunted as he switched to the other arm.
Demo grinned and set down his coffee cup, cracking his knuckles. "Ye up fer a little flirtin'?"
Soldier paused and his eyes glinted. "I dare you."
Demo launched himself forward, tackling Soldier to the ground.