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No. 12907
Aww, thanks for the comments, guys. Sorry it took me so long to update, I was flying back to my home. Let me know what you think of the update, all comments are welcome!
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The floor to the camper creaked and Spy took everything in as fast as he could. The canned food, the single photo Sniper had was of his parents, the rest were postcards—a collection of the places he’d traveled. No mementos from a friend or lover.
Sniper was a man who was used to being alone.
Spy turned and Sniper was leaning against the door, his arms crossed in front of his chest. The pose was trying to be casual, but Spy could see the tightness in Sniper’s jaw that betrayed that casual stance. He wondered what Sniper could see in his posture, if he could tell that under Spy’s glove his knuckles were white.
“How long have you been,†Spy refused to let the fact that his throat was bone-dry stop from finishing his sentence, “the way you are?â€
Sniper shrugged, but he still didn’t move away from the door.
“Whole life, I reckon. It’s not something that the folks exactly want to talk about around the dinner table.†Sniper rubbed his nose. “It’s voluntary, before you ask. No need to wait for full moons.â€
Sniper smiled and Spy found himself slowly returning it. Spy swallowed and it felt like his heart was a roll of thunder hidden in his chest.
“What’s it like?†Spy refrained from taking out another cigarette because he couldn’t trust his hands to be still enough to light it. “When you’re the Wolf… what’s it like?â€
At first, Sniper’s expression went blank and Spy wondered if he’d gone too far before Sniper grinned crookedly.
“Funny… I’ve never had to put it into words before.†He ducked his head down and Spy was shocked to see that the man’s cheeks were red. “No one’s ever asked me that before. Um… how to put this…†There was a brief pause, and Spy couldn’t remember a time the world had been so quiet. “It’s simpler when I’m in that form. My sense of smell is better, and I’m faster. I can protect people better. I can smell them… what they’re feeling.†Sniper’s eyes slipped shut. “It feels like… when you take your clothes off after a long day.â€
It shouldn’t have been such a shock to see Sniper so… open. It made Spy’s skin hum and remember what it was like to be under the man’s body, letting Sniper’s calloused fingers drag down his skin. Spy bit his tongue to get a hold of himself, the pain bringing him back to the situation at hand.
“May I… may I see it?†Sniper opened his eyes. Spy forced the words out, not letting his nerves get the best of him. “If I see it happening, it wouldn’t be such a shock the next time I see it on the field.â€
Sniper pushed himself off of the door.
“It’s me. Not ‘it,’ me.â€
“Fine.†Spy didn’t care that the air felt thinner. “The next time I see you on the field it won’t be so jarring.†Spy shrugged and prayed it looked genuine. “We’ll do better in this war if we work well together.â€
Sniper smiled, his lips pressed tightly together.
“My sense of smell is still better than most.†He rubbed his nose. “You’re scared.â€
The Australian’s smile faded, and Spy sighed.
“I don’t want to be scared anymore… that’s why I want to see you.â€
Spy hoped that Sniper wouldn’t kick him out. If the other man asked Spy to leave, he would. He’d leave and they would never speak to each other again. Spy told himself he needed to get over his fear, but a traitorous part of Spy knew that he wanted to speak to Sniper again more than anything. Sniper’s fingers hit Spy’s chest.
“Stay right where you are.†Sniper stepped back, toward where his cramped bed was, and slid off his vest as he began to unbutton his shirt. He let the shirt fall to the ground before he slid off his belt and kicked off his boots. Spy’s heartbeat kicked it up a notch as Sniper slid off his jeans and briefs in one go. “It gets pretty cramped.â€
Sniper closed his eyes and crouched down on the floor. At first, nothing happened, and Spy’s dry lips parted to ask if something was wrong—and then it started. Sniper’s muscles bulged and his bones cracked and snapped in a way that made Spy’s stomach twist. Sniper let out a choked cry, one that Spy was sure he’d swallowed many times before. His nails grew longer, and when his jaws snapped his face was far from human.
In a matter of seconds, Sniper went from being a human to taking the form of a beast. Hot breath blew over Spy’s shoes and shocking blue eyes peered at him. Spy couldn’t move, and the Wolf, no, Sniper didn’t move either. Then his tail wagged and the Wolf’s jaws hung open, his red tongue lolling gently in the air. Sniper barked, and Spy started to laugh.
“Did you just bark at me?†Sniper barked again and Spy smiled. “Do you bark at all your friends or am I just special?â€
When the Wolf rolled his eyes, Spy knew that his friend was fully conscious and aware of his actions. Spy took off his gloves and tucked them into his pocket. Sniper took a step forward, and Spy extended his hand. Sniper’s cold nose nudged at his fingers and Spy let his hand smooth over the fur on Sniper’s head. It’s prickly or coarse. In fact, Spy couldn’t remember ever feeling something so soft before.
Spy let himself slide down to his knees, Sniper’s nose nuzzling his neck and shoulder as Spy’s fingers carded through that soft, black hair. Sniper nuzzled Spy’s cheek before licking him, making Spy laugh. He kept petting Sniper until his shoulders weren’t wound so tightly and his heartbeat was at a comfortable, easy-going pace.
With Sniper’s head in his lap, Spy scratching behind his ears so that Sniper’s long tail wagged—he felt happy.
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The following week was a strange one. The war didn’t change much, the violence was just as brutal, and the days were impossibly long. The battles went on and at the end of the day Spy only had enough energy to drag himself to the showers before bed. He barely saw Sniper; he mostly felt his bullets fly past him to clear the path once Spy came back with the enemy’s intelligence.
Spy’s knee popped and he paused, stopping to rub it. He heard the sand crunch under boots and he smiled when a wine bottle waved itself in front of him.
“Picked this up for ya.†Spy took the bottle and something swelled in his chest when he saw the brand. It was French, his favorite make. “Took a lot of calls, but I thought you’d—â€
It didn’t take long for Spy to check that they were alone outside before he pulled Sniper into a kiss.
He felt Sniper’s face drop with surprise before quickly smiling and drawing Spy in closer. They hadn’t so much as touched since Sniper’s canine head had been in Spy’s lap. Spy could tell that Sniper had wanted to touch him, to pull him aside to see where they stood.
Spy let the man dangle, smiling at him during team meetings but never going further than a friendly nod or pat on the shoulder.
Weathered but gentle fingertips pushed Spy back, and once his back brushed against the side of the fort, Spy pulled away. He licked his lower lip and he shivered when Sniper followed the movement with his eyes. The other man looked… hungry.
“Find material that’s strong enough to hold you down.†Sniper perked up, completely focused on Spy. “I have a feeling that, for you, rope breaks easily.â€
Sniper flashed Spy a crooked smile.
“You want to tie me up? I didn’t know you were into that, spook.â€
Spy shrugged, his heart pounding against his ribcage.
“I like to think I’m open-minded.†Spy pushed Sniper away, his arm shaking. “And, for once, I’d like to be the one in control. Every time I get too close to you I can’t think straight—â€
Sniper groaned and his cheeks turned bright red. Spy felt his lips twitching up into a smile as Sniper dragged his hands down his face.
“Ah, it’s my bloody fault, it’s the pheromones. I didn’t mean to—â€
Spy rolled his eyes.
“Don’t apologize now. Save it for later.†Sniper’s eyes widened and Spy fought not to lose himself in how blue they were. “Get the binds, take off your clothes, and find a way to tie yourself to your bed. I don’t care how you do it, I’m sure you’ll find a way. Wait for me. I’ll be there in a bit.â€
Spy winked, and turned and left Sniper with his mouth hanging open. He went inside dodged Scout and Pyro chasing each other around the kitchen. He slipped past the Soldier and Demo’s poker game and walked past the Infirmary where the door cracked open to reveal Heavy petting Medic’s birds.
Spy went to the shower and turned on all the showerheads. He took his time when it came to cleaning himself. He let the water clear his head, and he dragged his soapy fingers over his face, neck, and chest.
He felt as though he were, what was the expression… turning over a new leaf. He was conquering his fear. He was taking control. Spy closed his eyes. If he was stuck in the desert he might as well have some fun. He turned off the water and dried himself off.
Smoke filled his lungs as he walked through the now quiet base. He took his time; there wasn’t any need to rush. He listened to the men go to the showers. He was silent as he stepped across the sand, to the quiet, lit up camper. He gripped the handle and his eyebrows shot up when it gave under his hand.
The Australian had left the door open.
Spy opened the door and stepped inside. He closed the door behind him, toeing off his boots and leaving them in the pile of clothes already on the floor. The shoddy curtains that drew off the bed from the rest of the camper were drawn. Spy smiled and let his fingers run over the material before he yanked it back.
It was better than he’d hoped. Sniper’s ankles were free, but thick metal cords bound his wrists, the kind that Spy had seen in Engineer’s workshop. Sniper’s cheeks were flushed and his glasses slid down his nose as he lifted his head up to see Spy. There were no bedposts, but Spy quickly figured out that Sniper had looped the metal under the mattress. He smiled and ran his gloved fingers along the inside of Sniper’s bare ankle.
“Stealing from the Engineer… he’ll be cross.â€
Sniper smiled and let his head hit the pillow.
“He won’t miss ‘em.â€
They shared amused grins before Spy squeezed Sniper’s big toe.
“So… you were saying something about pheromones.†Spy relished Sniper’s scarlet face and the way he twitched because he was unable to move away from Spy’s scrutiny. “Tell me more.â€
TBC
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