MOARRRR.

Soldier woke up with Scout’s head in his lap, a phenomenon that left even the loud-mouth military man speechless. His hat askew, the young man breathed in and out against the inside of Soldier’s thigh. Sheer befuddlement at this situation gripped Soldier, and he tried not to move. However, a muscle in his leg suddenly twitched, and Scout responded by shifting.

This shifting, however, left them in an even stranger position, and Soldier was suddenly aware of hot, deep breaths through the fabric of his slacks.

Soldier let out a breath he’d been holding. Scout, in his slumber, smiled sleepily and nuzzled his face deeper.

“Sweet Lady Liberty...”

---------

Engineer cracked open his eyes, squinting up against the just-rising sun. He was blissfully unaware of the fact that, five minutes before he woke up, Scout’s (also blissfully unaware) face had been nestled between Soldier’s thighs.

Now the young man lay on the ground, groaning about his back and half-heartedly smacking Soldier’s ankles. The military man, moments earlier, had stood up suddenly, dislodging Scout and causing him to wake up and fall with an ‘oomph!’ to the ground.

“Goddamn, brotha’, why you gotta be so fuckin’ weird?” Scout slurred, his speech hazy since he was still half-asleep.

Soldier only responded with a gruff “Negatory,” and declared that they should get moving.

------------

Feet blistered and stomachs in knots, the three Americans walked. Well, Engineer walked. Soldier marched, and Scout clung to Engineer’s back as he was carried piggy-back, his feet idly swinging and pushed up close against Engineer’s thighs.

If Soldier was tired, he didn’t show it. He remained stoic, his helmeted head forward, tipped low over his face. Engineer idly wondered if he ever got a tan line running across the middle of his face from that helmet.

When Scout wasn’t yapping, he was blowing in Engineer’s ear. This was alternatively annoying and worrying. After each breath, Engineer could only hope that Scout didn’t notice him shivering.

“Hold it!” Soldier suddenly barked, thrusting his shovel in front of them. They stopped, and Scout slid down from Engineer’s back. The sudden rush of Scout’s chest rubbing against his back, and the removal of warmth caused Engineer to stand up rod-straight, feeling almost as if the wind had been knocked right out of him.

Soldier eyed the horizon suspiciously, craning his neck from side to side.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?” Scout asked, stretching his legs, being careful not to put too much weight on his sprained ankle. “We’re-“

“Shut it, son,” Soldier said, warningly, shaking his shovel in Scout’s face. “…all is not quiet on the western front.”

“Dude, what the fuck does that even mean?” Scout said, rolling his eyes and pushing the shovel away.

Engineer sighed and stood up straight, wanting nothing more than to have his back popped. For a twitchy little thing, carrying Scout and trying to ignore the breaths at his neck was like trying to heave a bag of cement onto the bed of a pickup truck.

Soldier regarded both of them for a moment, hardly believing how sloppy his comrades had become. Take a man out of the battlefield for a day, he turns into a nancy. Constant vigilance was what won wars.

“…REDs.” Soldier let the word hang in the air.

Engineer tensed up.

“Where?”

Soldier continued eyeing the horizon. Just ahead of them was Teufort, alright. It just so happened to be their luck that they’d stumbled upon territory that belonged to the REDs.

Scout held out his hands in disbelief. “You gotta be kiddin’ me! We come all this way, I nearly lose a leg, I’m starvin’, and now you’re tellin’ me we’re on the wrong side of the base? You’re jokin’, man!”

“Calm yerself down, mister!” Engineer said, resisting the urge to grab Scout by the back of his collar. “Yer hollerin’s just gonna alert them!”

“Yeah, I’d like to see ‘em try! Sprained ankle or not, I’ll bash their heads in!”

Just like him to be a cocky little bastard, even in the face of danger. That was a quality that Engineer silently admired. However, outwardly, Engineer was looking at him with a look of disapproval.

Soldier, however, clapped Scout on the back. ”Good thinking, son! Let them know we’re not scared! Let the cowards come out and face us!”

Engineer’s jaw nearly dropped. Had the sun finally baked away (what was left of) Soldier’s mind?

It was ten minutes before Soldier’s suspicions were confirmed. Specks of red in the distance turned out to be more than just sandstone; they were a red shirt and a red jacket, their owners with their backs turned.

If the REDs were to turn around, they would be spotted in no time. Engineer wanted to run the opposite direction, maybe lay low behind a boulder until the REDs moved. However, Scout just dug his heels into Engineer’s thighs when he started backing up cautiously, mumbling low, “Don’t be a coward, ya queer. There’s jus’ two, we can take ‘em.”

The two REDs were sitting down, talking, their backs still to the BLUs. As they got closer, Engineer saw that, ironically, the RED men were a Soldier and a Scout. Probably surveying the area for pesky BLUs; but what a twist it was that they hadn’t even noticed the BLUs approaching.

Scout slid down from Engineer’s back , the corners of his mouth upturning in a cruel grin. They had no idea. From this distance, Scout could plant a bullet in the back of his counterpart’s head before he could notice he was being shot at.
They’d hear the rocket coming, they could dodge that. They’d have a much harder time dodging a bullet that was nearly as spritely as the man who fired it.

Scout reached around and pulled out his Scattergun, and lifted a finger to his mouth, motioning for Engineer to be quiet.

Still grinning, he loaded up his last six bullets, and pulled the trigger.

…and missed.

--------

“Hey hey hey!” The RED Scout shrieked, standing up and whipping around. Engineer had to do a double take at seeing a Scout move so fast again; he hadn’t seen a Scout move like that in days now. He half expected the man to move with a limp.

“MAGGOT BLUS!” The RED Soldier roared, lifting his rocket launcher up onto his shoulder. “I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED NOTHING LESS THAN A SNEAK ATTACK FROM COWARDS LIKE YOU!”

Until that moment, Soldier had been silent; stopping his marching to walk forward with a stillness that Engineer hadn’t thought was possible. But the offending Soldier’s words riled something in him, and he shouldered his Direct Hit in a matter of seconds.

“COWARDS LIKE US?” Soldier fumed, what was visible of his face turning a violent red.

“Oooh, now you done it!” Scout taunted, waving his Scattergun in the air. “You just unleashed a force’a’nature, pally,”

The RED Soldier sneered. “I WILL RAIN DOWN AN UNHOLY FIRESTORM OF PAIN UPON YOU, MAG-“

Boom.

The end of Soldier’s Direct Hit smoked slightly, and what was once a RED Soldier was now a pile of limbs. Soldier grinned, satisfied, and turned his eyes to the RED Scout, whose stare looked like it could burn a hole through a man. Even with Respawn, the death of a team mate still took a toll; not to mention it hurt like hell to see a friend gibbed like that.

“You think I’m gonna let you get away with that?” The RED growled, pulling out his Scattergun.

“Now, boy…” Engineer began, voice low with caution. “There’s three of us, and only one of you.”

The RED sneered and waved his bat in the air at them. “I’d like to see ya try. I’m the real Scout here.”

Scout, eyebrows furrowed, limped forward and brandished his own bat.

“Oh yeah, Chucklenuts? I’ve been walkin’ around this God-forsaken desert the past two days, and I bet I could still beat your face in!”

“Now, now, boys, I’m sure we could settle this like-”

Engineer’s words of reason were interrupted by the RED suddenly charging forward, bat in the air, and swinging it at Scout.

Despite his ankle, Scout was still able to dodge the swing, barreling forward and around the enemy Scout.

Coming up behind him, Scout threw Engineer a worrying grin, cocking his own bat back. When his bat hit its chosen mark (the RED’s shin), the RED let out a shriek. He jerked around fiercely and brought his Scattergun up, striking Scout in the face. Engineer could see him turn his head and cough out blood, but that didn’t deter him in the slightest. He wiped his mouth across his other, still bandaged hand and smirked.

Tilting his bat back, he brought it forward and hit it into the RED’s ankle. The RED howled in pain, and Scout began choking out a scathing laugh.

“Ahaha! Take that, ya sorrysob! ‘Ey, Engie, did ya see th-“ Scout’s bragging was suddenly interrupted as his counterpart took his own Scattergun and fired three shots at Scout’s head. Scout ducked, but not quite fast enough.

“Ayyyyyeeee!” Scout let out a gut-wrenching shriek, clutching his shoulder, “H-He shot me! He shot me!”

Soldier, watching from a few feet away, was suddenly struck by two extreme feelings; the first was to throw Scout over his shoulder and run like hell, the second was to claw his way down this bastard RED’s throat and tear out his very soul.
Soldier’s gaze turned murderous, and Scout was just glad not to be on the receiving line of it this time.

The RED Scout was doubled over, laughing at his counterpart. He didn’t even notice Soldier coming up behind him until the shovel was lodged in his skull.

Engineer averted his eyes. Hand to hand combat wasn’t something he often did; the feel of skin giving way to his wrench just didn’t appeal to him. It seemed so cruel. He instead preferred to stand behind a sentry. He felt better knowing that it wasn’t his hand that ended a life, but instead the aim of a well calculated machine.

Scout, however, watched with rapt fascination as Soldier brought his shovel down again, striking the RED’s head with a firm thwack, accompanied by a loud squelching noise. Soldier’s eyes were wide and wild, a streak of blood strewn across his cheek.

“NOT SO FUNNY NOW, IS IT, SHORTSTOP?!”

Soldier’s shoulders heaved as he breathed in deep, exhilaration racing through his blood.

Soldier raised his head, looking up past his helmet’s rim darkly. Scout could only just see a glimpse of his eyes, but it took a lot of nerve not to look away. He nearly winced.

“No RED touches one of my men and walks away alive.”

With a nod and a grunt, Soldier hoisted his shovel across his shoulder and wiped his bloodied cheek on his sleeve.

“Well…” Engineer said, letting out a long whistle. “That jackrabbit ain’t gonna be runnin’ anytime soon.” Engineer’s heart clenched just a little as he looked down at what used to be a Scout. The resemblance to their own Scout was startling. Just the same except for his shirt color.

Engineer surprised himself with just how much the thought of seeing their Scout with his head dented in made his blood boil.

After saying a silent prayer for the unfortunate RED, he turned to inspect Scout’s shoulder. It turned out that Scout might have exaggerated his wounds a bit; the bullet hadn’t actually entered his shoulder, it had only grazed it. However, that didn’t stop the boy from wailing like a banshee and declaring that his shoulder was broken.

While Soldier wiped the blood from his hands on his slacks, Engineer was busying himself with cleaning the boy up, pressing his handkerchief to Scout’s spouting wound. In addition to the bullet, Scout had a gash across his forehead and a busted lip.

“C’mere, you. I’m not havin’ ya travel with a cut bleedin’ like that,” Engineer said stubbornly, pushing Scout down onto a nearby rock. Observing the glaring Scout, Engineer resisted the urge to lick his finger and rub at a spot of dirt on Scout’s cheek. Pulling a tattered rag from his pocket, he ran it across Scout’s forehead, dabbing at the cut and wiping away some blood that was beginning to dry in Scout’s eyebrow.

“I’m fuckin’ dyin’, man, why me? It’s like I’m the fuckin’ REDs’ punchin’ bag,” Scout grumbled, his words slightly gargled as he spoke through the blood.

“Hush up, boy, you’re just lucky it wasn’t you on the receiving end of Solly’s shovel,” Engineer warned.

Scout glowered, but Engineer ignored him, instead choosing to trail his thumb across Scout’s lower lip, wiping away a trail of fresh blood.

Scout’s eyebrows shot up, but he remained silent, even when Engineer brought his rag up and, a bit gentler this time, massaged the kid’s temple. Scout kept his eyes trained on Engineer’s.

Engineer brought up his other hand and adjusted Scout’s hat, setting it straight on his head. Smiling a little, he mumbled, “Good as new,” and looked at Scout, suddenly noticing that the kid had his eyes trained on him.

A bit stunned, Engineer couldn’t help but stare back. The corner of Scout’s mouth upturned in a smirk.

“Like what ya see, hardhat? You keep starin’ like that and I’ll-“

“WHEN YOU LADIES ARE FINISHED TENDING TO YOUR PAPERCUTS, MAYBE WE CAN GET MOVING!” Soldier shouted, coming up behind the two of them and rapping Engineer on the helmet with this shovel.

Engineer nearly jumped three feet in the air. “Now, dagnabbit, Solly! You can’t just sneak up behind me like that, not when there might be more REDs around!”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I offend your delicate sensibilities? GET OVER IT AND GET MOVING, PRIVATE!”

---------

They walked on, covered in sweat and the blood of REDs. They had swiped some bottled waters from the enemy Scout’s bag, and they were walking with a little more spring in their steps.

Well, Engineer and Soldier were walking. Scout was perched on Soldier’s back this time, slumped against man’s shoulders. Soldier had muttered something about ‘responsibility’ and heaved the boy across his shoulder. Scout’s fists hammered on Soldier’s back for a while, before Soldier consented to carrying the boy piggy-back.

Engineer couldn’t resist chuckling a little at the sight of Scout, asleep, with his face nuzzled in the back of Soldier’s neck. When the boy wasn’t yammering about ‘batting a thousand’, he was kind of endearing.

To avoid any more encounters with REDs, they had opted to widen their berth between them and the RED side of the base. It had meant a couple extra miles, but with Scout asleep, the journey had been quieter, and, consequently, faster. Night was steadily approaching, the sun sinking low.

Engineer could see a hint of blue; rusted steel walls and fortified fences.

One more night out under the stars, and then they should be home.

Sitting down, Engineer suddenly became acutely aware of how hungry he was. He hadn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours, and it felt like his stomach was trying to digest itself.

Soldier crouched low and slid Scout from his back, gentle enough so as not to wake the kid. Engineer was impressed; it was rare to see a softer side of Soldier, but hell, this escapade was bringing out all kinds of different sides to his team mates.

Scout mumbled sleepily to himself before wrapping his arms around his knees and curling himself into a ball.

Soldier stood back up straight and begin undoing the buttons on his jacket, starting at his collar and working his way down.

Engineer kept his eyes averted, for the most part, hardly daring to risk getting caught gawking.

Soldier shrugged out his jacket, and as he did, let out a grunt. Folding the garment, he leaned down and lifted up Scout’s head, sliding the cloth under the kid’s head, almost like a make-shift pillow. Engineer smiled to himself and glanced back down at the fire he was working at, pretending he hadn’t seen. Soldier didn’t like being seen during his weaker moments.

Soldier groaned, reaching his arms up over his head and stretching. Engineer glanced upwards, his eyes hovering over Soldier’s flexing shoulders, and ignored the burning feeling that suddenly fell over his face. His eyes flitted downwards, paying no attention to the strip of skin exposed as Soldier stretched, until they came to rest on the man’s side.

“Oh! Wh-what in tarnation...?” Engineer’s eyes widened, and he dropped the stick he was stroking the fire with.

“What happened?” Engineer stood up quickly, and rushed over to inspect Soldier’s side. A spot of red bloomed on Soldier’s white undershirt. A quick glance at Soldier’s jacket revealed a splotch of blood that Engineer had failed to notice; Scout’s flailing legs had covered it up for the majority of the journey.

“Flesh wound,” Soldier grumbled, batting away Engineer’s hand. “Nothing to concern yourself with.”

Soldier’s voice was low, warning. Engineer looked over at Scout, who was still deep in blood-inspired slumber. To avoid waking the kid, he lowered his voice.

“But what happened? Solly, have you been walking all day like this? Why didn’t ya tell me?” Engineer frowned. It looked like it might be more serious than Soldier was letting on.

“I’m fine.” Soldier shifted uncomfortably.

“Better let me have a look-see,” Engineer said, reaching for the edge of Soldier’s undershirt. Soldier grumbled, but allowed it. After pulling up the shirt and ignoring the sight of Soldier’s jutting hipbone, Engineer’s noticed the purple bruise spreading across Soldier’s side, and the jagged cut in the middle of the wound.

“Shrapnel,” Soldier muttered, wincing as Engineer lightly ran his fingers across the bruise.

“Whoo-ee…Medic’s gonna have his work cut out fer him when we get back.” His hand still resting on Soldier’s side, Engineer let his eyes follow the line of his hip. “Yes…he will.”

Engineer shook his head and blinked. “Have his work cut out for him, that is.”

Engineer quickly pulled his hand back, his cheeks burning. He was just glad the sun was down so that Soldier couldn’t see how red his face had just become.

“You faggots gonna keep touchin’ each other like that all night?” A cocky voice sounded, and Engineer craned his neck around to see Scout smirking like the smug son of a bitch he was.

-----

I apologize for the long wait for this update, and I apologize even more for the (quasi) cliffhanger. But just wanted to let you know that things are about to get real interesting in here...

Let me just pick my jaw up and glue it back on.
That, my friend, was my favorite chapter yet, by far! Amazing work, as always. Can't wait to see what happens next.

I love you

Ok I absolutely love this. But the cliffhanger is just too much, need to see the next update nao...

I've said it many times and I'll say it again: I can't wait for the next update. I love seeing all the improvements you make!

Support: I gives it.

Trying to contain this shrieking giggle inside at the discovery of an update.

Oh Scout!
I know I tend to focus on Scout a lot in my reviews, but it's probably because he practically waltzes right into trouble, smiling cockily and oblivious to any and all impending doom.
And when he does get hurt for his stupidity, he ends up being such a baby about it.
But this! This is worth the biggest facepalm yet and my only response is to say Oh Scout!
and not even in an endearing way either but more of a "You fool! What have you done?!" way.
Jesus, how has that rabbit not died yet?
(I kid, he's my fav character, but that still doesn't exempt him from the stupid situations he gets himself into. Ay yi yi... )

Anyways, Solly was pure awesome this chap, especially him going into murderous rage when Scout gets injured. I also loved the moments when he lets out his softer side, very sweet for a crazy guy.
And I find myself enjoying Engie being a mother hen way too much.
This whole story is just killing me with sheer glee, it's like I'm being spoiled with everything I ever wanted in a fic, and that darn cliffhanger does NOT help matters!
I demand updates quickly! Quickly I say!

god, i just cum in my pants THINKING about what's going to happen next!!!!!

I know emoticons are against the rules but lets just pretend I typed a thousand smiley faces. FINALLY AN UPDATE! I am so happy but now back to the depression of waiting and wondering what's going to happen...

I always love possessive Soldier. And stringing everything along as innocently as possible for as long as possible. Doesn't mean I'm not excited to see the porn when it happens though. I'm eagerly anticipating that moment, in fact!

I'm so glad this was the first tf2 slash fic I decided to read. Eagerly awaiting moar.

YO STEVE. WHY YOU SO FUCKING AMAZING WITH WORDS OVER THERE?

No, but seriously, well done. Veryyy well done.

Okay.

moar

This is so well done! I can't wait for the next part.

>>59
AUGH

-see the thread updated
-clicks on it, excited
-realizes it's just someone commenting for more
-HOPES AND DREAMS RUINED



//trollface

what where's the update
this is upsetting

I hope you update soon!

:D

>>63

D:

Ugh.
Well since this has been bumped anyway I might as well comment now.

I am thoroughly enjoying this story, it's is written wonderfully and all three characters are well in character.

Curse the ones who bump and have nothing constructive to say.
Steve, you are doing a wonderful job and I eagerly await more.

Oh hai Mr.Update.

Oh there isn't an update?

WHY?

Steve I know you're busy being sexy and stuff over in Kansas but seriously-- START WRITING NOW.

This post has been deleted.

Please continue! I love the story!

Oh wow! this is amazing the character personalities are spot on, looking foward to the update!

Your Solly.

Your.
SOLLY.

Never stop writing these.

This post has been deleted.

DAMMIT!! I thought there was an update >:O

God dammit MovesLikeJagger. Stop with the emoticons.

Captcha: fword eparlial

What's the big deal wit emoticons, for curiosity's sake?

Apparently their childish.

And crap, I thought there was an update. *sigh*

Your neighborhood modster here, reminding you guys that the rules are are clearly stated on the frontpage: http://tf2chan.net/news.php?p=rules

>>75
*actions* are discouraged as well. We ask that you try not to use them excessively either, so just keep that in mind. A *sigh* isn't anything of much concern, but if you start getting into *glomps* or *squees* we're gonna have problems (and this is directed to everyone in general, not SniperTheMedic specifically. You're fine.)

I guess while I'm here I'll add this, bumping fics isn't exactly breaking any rules, but it would be very courteous to your fellow channers to put the word "sage" in the E-mail field at the upper right before adding a comment. There are about 30 comments here from the last update, and most of them are contribute nothing other than the desire for an update. If you continue to post comments such as "moar" or "bump" or the like, it will be considered as spam, which IS a bannable offense. Whining about these people bumping the threads is also a no-no. Pretty much the point is, if someone has already made a comment expressing the desire for an update or asking for the courtesy of a sage, then you don't need to comment unless you're adding something else to the conversation.

Authors have lives and are probably juggling multiple projects at a time. Steve will update when they feel like it. This isn't their job and continuing to post inane comments won't make them work faster. So just chill. Relax. Good things come to those who wait.

Sorry about that, It won't happen again.

And I know that they have lives. I'm not trying to rush, but it sure looks like I am. My apologies.

Just started reading this and saw the last post was about a month ago! Is the writer still around? It's a great read.

>>78

Hey, this is the writer. Don't worry, I'm still around! Just that funny little thing called 'life' has a way of...well...getting in the way, haha.

I haven't abandoned this story, just give me a couple days. I'd also like to thank all of my readers for being so gracious and patient!

I'll wait until the end of time. Aha, well maybe exaggerating, but I will wait patiently.

Life is pretty annoying, huh?

Another supporter of this fic chiming in. I'm not even one for Scout -- ever -- but in my eyes in this story he acts as a foil for Engineer and Soldier to show their softer sides. The dynamic is fantastically played out and I am fully enjoying it. Looking forward to the update.

P.S. jesus christ will the rest of you stop thinking about sex for fifteen goddamn seconds holy balls this is not PWP stop treating it like it is

This is so fantastic and I really hope this gets continued soon, bro! :>

>>82

Good sir, read the earlier posts and see how many times this was bumped and the people's reactions to said bumps.

>>82 My hopes and dreams were just bashed but it was needed. Please, Steve, soon.

Easy, guys. OP will surely deliver in due time.

I think I would probably face a lynching if I didn't sage.

This fic is really, REALLY great. The buildup is very nice, and I would love to see more. I hope the author hasn't forgotten about this story....

This post has been deleted.

oh wow can you please ban the absolute shit out of whoever that is I mean jesus

sage goes in the email field AND underagebannn

>>87

I hate you.

I hate you with all of my heart.

Didn't Kilo make a thread for you to please read, in which it says to put sage in the email field to keep threads past the first page from being bumped?

People have absolutely no idea how to listen...

AND THEN IMMEDIATELY TWO MORE IDIOTS DONT SAGE
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE

hurr hurr

(IT ONLY TAKES ME A SECOND TO BAN EVERY ONE OF YOU.)

Since it is clear to me that this thread has been derailed beyond the point of no return, this shit is getting locked.

Steve, you are welcome to start a new thread should you ever return to this story. But I have declared this thread DEAD and none of you maggots can bring it back.