I must apologize for the title! It was my doing at 4am-ish and I was very very sleep deprived! What is lulzy alliteration then is just facepalm-worthy now.

But at least it was good at pulling a fast one on everyone's initial ideas! I'm glad you guys liked it! Noisy did a great job at editing it to flow better than a simple back and forth pov like we initially had, something I do NOT have the patience to do.

I'm with Knubs on the title - it was totally hilarious at the time. No. Seriously. It was freaking hilarious. And still way better than anything else we came up with. Well, whatcha gonna do at 4am? Also typos and weird spaces... some of them are totally killing me. I'm so sorry everyone!

Yeah, well. We've already written some more but that's even more of a mess than this was to edit so bear with me - I'll get there in the end!

And thank you all you wonderful people for loving our respective Scout and Engineer - this was my first time as Scout so this totally means the world to me!

Pfft, whatever, I like the title. And everything else of course

MOAR! Hah, this is gonna make for the world's most awkward morning after. Poor Engie didn't really get any fun either, so you've gotta rectify that as well.

>>11
THIS. Engie was not only helpful but he showed some admirable selfrespect! And this had better be rewarded with fantastic lovins for him!

Really though, I definitely enjoyed this story, and Im interested to see how and if Scout is going to come upon any changes.

Here we go. Part two! Awkward morning after go!

-------- 

The Engineer didn't sleep nearly as much as he would've liked – he was too busy frettin'. If he'd made a terrible decision doing what he did, if he'd made a terrible decision not letting the Scout go through with his offer; hell, he was just brain scrambled. And that was really saying something.

By the time morning came, though, he'd gotten a few hours in, and since he'd showered the night before he dressed and went straight for breakfast. It was Soldier's time to cook, so he had to make sure he got there early enough to get his pick of the litter. There were always a few pieces of bacon that weren't burnt, after all.

However, much to his chagrin, the Sniper and Soldier seemed to have taken all the edible food already by the time he got to the mess, so he just piled his plate with anything that wasn't pitch black and got himself a cup of coffee before sitting down next to the hot-blooded American. He gave some polite chit-chat, just the formalities for morning, and then quieted down when Soldier started up another one of his rousing war-tales. At least it was a distraction from his mind... and the taste of the food.

Not that this solace lasted long, if it could have really been called that at all. Someone cleared their throat. The Engineer glanced over as the Scout entered the room, appearing disgruntled but lacking any of the sluggish motions that would've indicated a hangover despite last night's very drunken events – of course, he wasn't exactly rocketing around himself, either. Engineer watched while the Scout fixed his plate, but he was back to minding his own business by the time he sat back down.

Idly, he poked his rubbery eggs, offering Soldier a polite smile and asking him a random question about one of the boys he supposedly fought with. It kept the man happy, and if a Soldier was going to be loud, he'd best be happy about it. The other option was much worse.

After ten long minutes of pushing the food around his plate and trying to eat around the burnt bits (of which there were many), Scout stole a glance over at the Engineer... which the other man completely missed. Frustrated, he stabbed a fork into a bit of black bacon and watched it crumble beneath the utensil.

“... Ya look loike shit, mate,” the Sniper muttered as he nursed his cup of coffee; and frankly, for the team's worst morning person, that was saying something.

Engineer glanced over again when he heard the comment, but he kept his head ducked down and continued shoveling forkfuls of barely edible grub into his mouth.

“Yeah, well. Ya can just shove off,” Scout got up with an exaggerated sigh, his chair scraping noisily on the hardwood floor, “I'm takin' this to my room. See you losers later.” And with that, picked up his plate and left, not even bothering to push his chair back in. If Soldier had shouted something about ants, he didn't hear it. Or perhaps wasn't listening.

“Think sum'one pissed in 'is cereal,” the Australian commented, which was quickly rebottled when the Spy casually strolled into the room.

“Are you sure eet waz not you?”

This, naturally, sparked a heated argument of flinging insults. The Engineer sighed, finishing his coffee and then excusing himself to dump his dishes into the sink and head out into the hall.

“Hey, uh...”

Engineer started with surprise; he hadn't expected to see the Scout. He thought he'd gone storming off to his room for... whatever reason. Now here he was standing uncomfortably in front of him, stuffing a burnt rasher of bacon into his mouth and chewing it so violently it didn't look much like eating at all.

“Hey,” he replied back just as hesitantly, scuffing his foot back against the ground and idly gnawing the inside of a cheek. “How uh... how's the hangover treatin' ya?”

Curiously, Scout was actually turning quite pink.

The boy cleared his throat,”Oh, uh... ya know... Ain't nothin' really. Took some aspirin like you said.” he mumbled, picking at a slice of toast, stripping the crusts off.

“S'good...” The Engineer nodded and gave an easy smile, offering a light chuckle. “Wasn't sure how bad it was gonna be after ya went throwin' up 'n everything last n–...” Ahem. Well never mind that comment. He cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his head, glancing back toward the mess room before gesturing down the hall. “If yer on yer way t'yer room, I won't keep ya.”

“Nah, uh. I was just wonderin', ya know. Maybe you wanted some company or somethin'.” he bit into the toast, chewing on the blackened bread and speaking around it, “Cus, it's not like I got anythin' else to do anyway, and I don't really wanna be around all a' those guys right now.”

“Uh...” He thought about that, good and hard, sparing quick glances at Scout's face. It didn't appear that the boy was insinuating anything with that, but... then again, that's exactly the same way the night before had started out. It was feeling a little close for comfort. “You... err, ya sure that's a good idea, son?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” It was obvious the boy was struggling to keep his face neutral-- and Engineer had no idea about the implications of that-- but before he could question it, the Scout had lowered his voice and was speaking again, “If you're talkin' about your, uh... 'inclination' then it's cool. I ain't really got no problem with it, I guess. I mean, if that's what ya sayin'.”

“Mah inclination?” Engineer frowned, his arms folding across his chest. He shouldn't have said anything – it always went back to the damn insults; no matter how nicely they were packaged. “I'm not the one the one I'm talkin' about here.”

“Uh, wait... I mean...” Scout rubbed a hand across his forehead before continuing, “Geez. Do ya think we could, I dunno, talk in private at least, yeah?”

Ah, damnit.

“...Fine. S'a good idea,” he replied quickly, looking toward the mess again before he sighed and thrust his hands in his pockets, taking the lead down the hallway.

Meanwhile Scout was hurrying behind him, still stuffing that last bite of toast into his mouth and clearing another bit of bacon off the plate before setting it down somewhere for someone else, Engineer noted with distaste, to either clean up or end up steppin' on.

The Scout's room was closest, so it would have to do. Engineer tugged the door open before stepping aside so the boy could enter first, while he had a quick scan back and forth down the hall. Last thing they needed was someone butting in.

Scout wandered past the Engineer, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and moving to make himself comfortable on his bed while his legs hung off the side. “Uh... Mind like... lockin' that behind you?”

“Sure.” The Southerner closed the door, locked it, then double checked by attempting to turn the knob. Best to be absolutely sure, after all. But once that was out of the way, he pulled a chair out from under the desk that was littered in magazines and soda cans, dropping down into a sit and... ah, just shifting. Patiently.

“... So, uh. Some, you know, strange stuff happened last night.” The boy's hands fidgeted beside him, curling and uncurling in those dirty looking sheets, while he looked anywhere but directly at the Engineer.

“I reckon it did...” Engineer replied, keeping his eyes on the boy – who seemed to be darting about for anything to grab his attention. He knew that flighty look; he'd had it just the night before. “I s'pose beer'll do that to a fella, eh?”

Scout let out a short laugh, although his forehead was shiny with sweat and his hands were presumably as well, “Yeah, well... I just... uh, wanted to say. I mean. I think it was probably like, some kinda accident, right?”

“I wasn't drunk, son, so I can't in good conscience say my actions were an accident. Wrong, maybe, but they were my choices and I mae 'em. But... yeah, yer right. You were drunk, so you ain't at fault.”

If that's how he wanted to look at it, what choice did he have to support it?

Scout swallowed hard and wiped his brow, “...But I was thinkin'. Well. I mean. I ain't... y'know,” he gestured a bit too emphatically at that, “I ain't like you or nothin, sure... but I figure, well, I mean, I was jus' thinkin'... in this kinda 'environment', it ain't so bad. Maybe. I'm not. Just so you know, I'm not. But it'd be okay, uh... if you wanted to... Ya know, continue.”

Well... taken aback wasn't nearly a strong enough phrase for what he was feeling right now. He assumed he was brought in here so that Scout could say his peace; admit that it was stupid, again boast his heterosexuality (which he seemed to do anyway), and if he was lucky, maybe even apologize instead of twist things around to blame it on him.

But nope... Nope. That wasn't what he was given at all. Goodnight Irene, he was gonna lose five years off his life with all these damn twists 'n surprises.

“T'continue? How the hell d'you mean? Yer sober now, y'know...”

“... So remember, uh, when I told ya about this thing, right? It's like... where ya ain't a homo or nothin', but if ya ain't got no women around sometimes ya like, let a man beat ya off. And it ain't queer. It's just ya know... just what ya do.”

“Words 've wisdom from yer brother, yeah, I recall,” the Engineer muttered, idly twitching a brow and crossing one leg over the other to let his boot fidget in the air. A passive way to look less agitated – whatever worked. “S'real smart of 'im, I must say...”

“And I could do it to you, too!” The Scout added quickly, “... I mean, if ya wanted me to or whatever.”

The Engineer squinted suspiciously. Before, there was a safety net of booze and inebriation to blame it on. But now, here the boy was, offering the same thing again yet completely sober – well, as far as he knew, anyway. What was he getting at? He wasn't getting anything out of it this way, unless he wanted him to go grabbin' at his crotch again.

“Don't tell me ya got another problem that needs dealin' with already.”

“N-nah!” Scout held his hands up defensively, seeming to squirm under Engineer's gaze, “Nothin' like that. I just... it's jus' better than doin' it myself. And I don't uh, I guess it'd be okay if you... ya know... you took yer...” his fingers contorted in an awkward gesture, “If ya benefitted too, I mean.”

Engineer crooked a brow. Of course... it was getting harder to understand exactly what he meant. Not that he wasn't gettin' the gist.

“I'm a grown damn man, boy,” Engineer said with a bit of impatience, mimicking a few of his weird gestures ad then throwing his hands up. “I can't follow ya when ya keep beatin' around the bush. Just say it, son!”

The Scout seemed reluctant. He squirmed a bit longer before speaking again. “I mean, we could touch each other and stuff. And that would be okay with me. Cus I mean, it's a bit borin' sometimes ya know? An' uh... uh, your hands were like, they were okay.”

He suddenly had a pretty good idea of why the boy wanted the door locked, and he glanced toward it before clearing his throat and pushing himself onto his feet. “ 'n what about yer little comments?” he added with another skeptic's glance, leaving his position idling between the kid's bed and the way out.

“I promise not to say nothin' no more!" Scout's voice jumped up an octave in what seemed, to him, like desperation. “Even if I ain't... uh, approvin' or anything', I can't go to anyone else. Engie, c'mon. Ya gotta help me out here.”

...

Why was he considerin' this. Damnit, why? Maybe he'd have to blame it on those damn puppy-dog eyes or the way he was practically begging. Or, the more practical reason; he still had the sounds of the Scout whimpering from the night before in the back of his mind, fresh and just waiting to be relived. Whatever it was, part of him hated it. Though, he might as well secure himself something first.

“... I'll agree t'it son, if'n you don't mind startin' first.”

Hesitation was an understatement. “Uh... me? ...Ya mean, me touchin' you?”

From the sudden look of what Engineer assumed was disgust on the boy's face, he was about to call the whole thing quits when Scout cleared his throat and quickly knelt up. “Oh, uh. Well. Yeah. Okay. Whatever. No big deal, right?”

The Engineer was wary, but... with careful steps, he moved over and sat down next to Scout on the bed. He just kept his hands on his knees, nigh imposing or impatient in his posture, though he'd admit his chest was gettin' tight all over again. He then watched as a careful hand made its way into his lap, lingering against his thigh for a moment before moving up to his chest.

Awkward fingers pulled the straps open on Engineer's overalls, carefully peeling them down off his shoulders and letting them sag there before they resumed their touching. Engineer swallowed hard and tried not to watch those hands – well, the important part was that he tried, even if he didn't succeed. Scout's palms slid over the broad expanse of his chest, thumbing the buttons on his shirt, pausing briefly to dip against his clavicle.

He leaned back on his hands, unsure if helping him out was the thing to do. Might be best not to spook him; kid was like a jittery calf, he was. “If, ah... if'n it's easier on ya.. can jus' open the zipper 'n do it that way,” he offered idly, gesturing down toward the crotch of his overalls with his chin and a knowing glance.

Of course, the kid just getting a feel for him all around was nice too. He had no problems with that at all... save for the fact he was a bit, ehm, softer around the waist than he would have liked.

“Yeah, uh... okay.” Scout mumbled, still running his hands across the other man's pecs, brushing briefly over the line of his shoulders before traveling down.

Engineer stiffened significantly – and not just outwardly either, but he kept his composure, watching Scout's hand disappear into his pants once that zipper was pulled down. He licked his lips and then set his hand against the boy's back, not to urge him on or even to assure him... just to do it. For his own benefit, really.

And Scout let out a soft, shaky breath, allowing himself to lean against the Engineer, his cheek pressed into the older man's shoulder as he grasped him through his underwear. His fingers ran along the bulge for a moment, briefly hesitating, but then coaxing Engineer's thick length from his underwear and wrapped a tentative fist around it.

“Oh... f-fuck...” Scout stiffened.

The Engineer licked along the edge of his teeth, his eyes dropped down and locked onto the sight of that young hand wrapping around his cock. Heat flooded over his face as he felt himself twitching, and his own palm grazed slowly down Scout's back, kneading an easy circle into the small of his spine.

He tried not to breathe too loudly; to not get too into it just yet. But that was… really difficult. And Scout's breathing seemed to be getting quicker too, his eyes staring down, not in disgust but a kind of fascination.

“Atta boy...”

Scout's hand slid up his length once, thumb rolling over the mushroomed head of his cock, collected the slight dribble of pre-come that was leaking out. “Like this?” he breathed out, moving his hand up and down again.

“Yeah...” the Engineer replied just as breathlessly, and his glance flicked over just enough to see the creamy expanse of the boy's neck. His teeth grit as he hissed in a breath, but – well, there were some things he had to hold back.

With a shift, he slipped the rough palm of his hand up underneath that fairly tight shirt, soaking in the warmth practically radiating off of his skin. The boy responded with a strained sound, as if holding himself back from enjoying himself – curious enough that he would be, considering.

Scout hunched over, moving closer to the hot length in his hand, jerking it slowly, “G-gross...” But Scout's hand never faltered even for a moment, now moving a little faster and he seemed to be – Lord help him – licking his lips as he stared down the barrel of that pointed gun.

Engineer took a deep breath, holding it almost painfully in his throat to keep from groaning. Where Scout lacked in skill, he made up for in eagerness – it also didn't hurt that he hadn't had another's hand on his cock in... hell, since before he joined up. But that light flash of pink; the Scout licking his lips, it didn't go unnoticed and he found his cock twitching again, his fingers curling a bit to drag his nails down a few bumps in the boy's spine.

“Y'can get a lil' closer if ya want...”

Scout hissed a strained breath through the gaps in his teeth, “...Y-yeah... Okay. If ya want me too...”

And then moved closer, close enough that he could reach his tongue out and lick the pre-come gathering on that ruddy head, close enough that his breath was hot against the already warm skin in his hand. He sunk his teeth into his lower lip, eyes sliding half-shut. The Texan's brows twitched as those nimble little fingers tensed and he felt a damn might strong urge to buck into Scout's hand. But he didn't, seeing as how that face was so close to him. He could feel every exhale, and his gloved hand slid unconsciously to the boy's head, giving the most... subtle push he could muster.

“I – uh, I'm not – I don't want to, uh – I'm just – I don't have any tissues so, uh – ya know it's just – ” And then Scout sank down onto the older man's cock. He let out a quiet rasp of neediness when his lips enveloped the head and gave it a tender suck, tongue flitting across the weeping slit there.

“M-motherfuck...” Engineer's knees jerked and he tipped his head back, not bothering to hold back the groans anymore. Goddamn – and this kid was straight? There was no damn way... Scout was swallowing his length down without the slightest whisper of trepidation.

Engineer slid his hand back and forth over the boy's back, but then let it dip lower to run over the seat of his pants, giving his tight little backside a firm squeeze.

Scout groaned around that cock as those hands broached his rear and he arched back into them. “U... Ugh. F... freakin' gross...” Scout's fingers slipped down the spit slicked shaft to press against the base, fingers curling into the thicket of hair there.

The Engineer didn't even let the boy's words register, which was probably for the best, and his hand curved a bit lower to slip between the Scout's legs, rubbing and rolling his fingertips against the crotch of those sports pants. Scout moaned in appreciation, knees pushing him back. Finding the fabric damp and the hidden length underneath hard had Engineer's temperature rising higher, and he muttered a soft curse under his breath before his hand pushed the kid's head down even more.

“Yer... d-doin' real good...”

Only when the boy's lips were almost brushing against the fingers he was still gripping him with did he let up, taking his slow and steady time moving his tight mouth along the Engineer's cock.

“Nh-hngh...” Engineer's jaw wasn't even working and he gasped and moaned as if he'd been starved of this – and that was practically true; he just hadn't noticed until now. He'd been doing just fine, then Scout had to come along with his twisted ol' views and his annoying persistence and his... his fuckin' talented mouth.

His stomach flexed and, ahh... shit, he just couldn't take it anymore. Without much gentle finesse, he grabbed the back of Scout's neck and lifted him up, reluctant to draw his cock out of the boy's mouth, but at the same time much more interested in throwing him back onto the bed so that he could clamor on top of him and start yanking impatiently at his britches. The way he saw it – why bother askin'? He'd bet his pay check that they both wanted the damn things off just as bad.

Scout let out a yelp of protest but soon quietened under the weight of the Engineer pressing down on him. Soon, he was shucking off his pants and underwear, hissing in irritation when they got caught around his ankles, tangled up in his socks and shoes.

Engineer tucked the hanging straps of his overalls into the flap so they wouldn't swing out and pop him or Scout in the face, and then his attention was back on the younger man who was squirming beneath him. He freed one of the boy's legs with a few helpful tugs before he settled himself between his knees. Course, that wasn't quite enough, and he grabbed the front of Scout's shirt before yanking it up. It didn't need to be off, he just wanted it the hell out of his way when he leaned down and sealed his lips around a pert, pink nipple and got straight to sucking and biting.

“O-oh my God.” Scout breathed out, fingers moving to cradle the back of Engineer's skull, drawing him tight against his body. “Y-yeah. You freakin' – ugh, fuck, oh, mhm. Yeah.” He moaned again, a leg moving up to wrap around the Engineer's waist, digging his heel into the base of the older man's spine.

Engineer tore his lips away with an audible smack, licking over them when that sweet taste lingered on. That weight against his middle was more than welcome, knowing that the boy's leg was bare, and he slipped a hand down to grasp Scout's slender and neglected cock, giving him a few swift strokes. Best to just get right to it after all.

His own length was chilled from saliva cooling in the open air, and with some quick thinking he slipped his other arm underneath Scout's waist, picking his hips up to bring them closer. This way he was able to catch both of their erections in his hand, squeezing the hot lengths of flesh together and growling with want from the damn satisfying sensations it created.

“Nhn, yeah...”

Under him, Scout was panting and moaning, his palms sweaty on Engineer's skin as his nails dug into his shoulders, seeming to struggle to hold on while his hips bucked wildly. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my – ah! – freakin' God.”

If these little instances kept poppin' up, Engineer had a feeling that he'd be getting into much better shape one way or another. He did his best to regulate his panting, not just for his own sake but so he could hear every rasping noise coming out of the Scout as the kid writhed against him. His own breath was hitting hot and thick against Scout's neck, and he crooked in to drag his tongue from that red collar up to the boy's ear, muffling a weary groan against his skin and fisting their cocks together all the more quickly for it. It felt so good; his hips gave a strong thrust and the friction from rubbing against Scout's twitching erection was a hundred times better than his damn hand could ever be.

Scout's body was shaking, and then tensing up, and then he was gasping and groaning and trembling again. Lord have mercy, this kid had more energy than a jackrabbit. He was having a hard time just keeping up with his speedy squirms, but when he felt him stiffening, heard his breath hitching – well, he was almost thankful he was hitting his peak.

Engineer's thighs tensed and his back ached, everything melted into a wash of white, static shocks rocketing up his spine and down his groin. That arm tucked under the boy's body squeezed him close and he groaned into a clothed shoulder, thrusting a few more times while his fingers caught the thick release that suddenly spurted free from Scout's body– and it was quickly joined by his own, but by then his hand was useless and the thick hot ropes were splashing on the bedding and clothing and shit, what a mess.

He was already going on low fuel, but when the numbing jitters of his orgasm finally started to fade, he almost damn well forgot where he was for a minute. Of course it obviously came rushin' back to him and he sighed, unwrapping his hand from their spent, softening shafts and slumping down to prop himself up on both elbows. Meanwhile Scout's hips still twitched every so often, soft grunts escaping his lips, which were now pressing sloppy kisses up the Engineer's neck, still overcome with that post orgasmic haze.

Engineer just panted quietly, watching Scout warily out of the corner of his eye, just in case. Not that he could complain about the pair of lips of his neck; but once the kid reached stubble he might have to deal with more knee jerk reactions.

And he did.

“W-…woah! Fuck, hey! Do ya fuckin' mind?” Engineer was suddenly shoved back hard, the Scout having found some minute amount of energy to accomplish that much. The boy dragged the back of his hand across his mouth as if he had somehow been forced to kiss on him; as if it was Engineer's fault. “I mean, I'm all down with like, the comin' and stuff but do ya mind keepin' the queer stuff to a minimum here? Geeze.”

Engineer sat back with a grunt, a sour expression on his face as he patted himself down for a work rag from his pocket to clean himself up with. For the time being he just grit his jaw, leaving the foul language dancing behind his teeth at bay. He was still dizzy over the whole thing, and definitely too old to be putting up with this kind of shit... why was he putting it up with it again? This was turnin' out to be one helluva vicious cycle.

Scout scooted backwards, not even having the decency to appear embarrassed for his contradictory actions. He set about fumbling with his pants, attempting to work up them around his legs again but his hands appeared to be shaking still, so he was met with only half-success, his belt buckle being near impossible to fasten.

“Yeah, that's better. Freakin' gotta learn not ta step over the line. I'm okay with all a' that other stuff but I mean, woah. Slow down, will ya. I don't wanna be yer frickin' boyfriend or nothin'.”

After tucking himself back into his overalls and connecting the straps again, Engineer slumped forward with his elbows on his knees and his feet on the floor, rubbing a hand over his face and trying to remember everything he'd been bred to know about patience and tolerance and all that nonsense while he caught his breath.

“It'd be... real smart'a ya t'just... not talk few a while.”

“Don't know why ya got ya panties in such a twist, anyway. I'm jus' sayin' it how it is.” Scout scratched at the drying jizz on his stomach, screwing his face up in disgust. “...Ew.”

Don't punch 'im, Dell. Don't punch 'im... Engineer's hand idly fisted before he shook it out and got to his feet, stuffing the sullied rag into his pocket. He'd have to change anyway, couldn't go around all day with stained clothing – well, not with those kind of stains, anyway. “Yanno… it might be best fer you not t'come to me with these problems anymore.”

“Geez, Engie. Ya don't gotta be such an ass about it. I told ya, I don't care if ya likin' this more than I am.” Half of his words were muffled by the action of him dragging his shirt off over his head. Scout tossed it into the corner where other clothes were piled up – presumably there was a hamper under there somewhere – and then lay back with a quiet huff, “I told ya, it's cool and I won't tell no one, neither.”

“Yanno what I think, boy?”

He told himself not to do it, but he found himself turning to stare the Scout down anyway, his hands flexed at his sides as the Scout sat up again and directed a infuriatingly dumb gaze at him. “I think yer likin' it just a little too much for yer tastes, 'n so you get yer fuckin' britches in a knot 'n take it out on me. Well I ain't gotta put up with that shit jus' cause yer scared 'a bein' one'a those horrible homos ya hate so much. It shouldn't be my problem t'listen to you contradict yerself every dag'one second!”

Heat rose to the Scout's face, ears burning hotter and hotter with each word coming out of Engineer's mouth. He seemed outright dumbfounded. “…I… uh...”

Even those short stutters were too much, and the Engineer snapped right on him without another second. “I told you t'keep your mouth shut!”

How in the hell Scout could follow every order and suggestion when his pants were at his ankles but none any other time was beyond the Engineer's thinking capabilities. Hell, everything about how the kid worked was beyond him – he didn't understand a lick of it and that in itself was infuriating.

“I just want some damn ol' respect, it ain't hard to give and it ain't hard to get. But I swear, boy, you keep talkin' to me an' about me the way you been doin' and I'll tan your damn skinny hide till yer black 'n blue.”

Scout swallowed down his next words, lips pressed tight together, just staring at him, apparently to damn dumbstruck to do much else. And Engineer just stood there, puffed up and still breathing pretty heavily (though now for different reasons) – and despite himself, the look on the kid's face wasn't make him feel better, like he thought it would. He just wasn't cut for this Soldier-like approach to things, even if he had finally lost his temper and even if it was called-for, in his opinion.

Finally the boy relented, letting out a soft, small sound and sinking back against the mattress. A look of weary resignation eased onto Engineer's face and he finally sighed, shaking his head and rubbing over the side of his neck while looking elsewhere.

“Look. Jus'... I hope ya fun with yer lil' experiment 'r... whatever you wanna call it. But I can't do it no more.”

Scout's teeth cut into his lower lip and he stared at the Engineer for a while, his expression now fixed somewhere between disbelief and annoyance. He swallowed hard before he attempted to speak again, and even then he took his time, hopefully thinking his words through, “... Uh. Yeah. Okay... Whatever.”

'Okay?' … he was surprised by that. Then again, should he be? Again, he'd probably just been expecting too much.

Engineer cleared his throat and looked himself over, picking up one of his boots that had somehow fallen off and sliding it back on before he eyed the door and... eventually headed over to it. “Well, alright 'en.”

He had to stay firm on this, not look back and get caught up in those damn puppy dog eyes anymore. Firm. He unlocked the door and idled a moment with the knob, once again not listening to himself and glancing back.

But Scout didn't even seem upset, or angry or... heck, anything; just passively fussing with his shoes, certainly not gazing at him desperately or hopefully as he had been only a while ago. Hell. He wasn't even looking at him.

Maybe that was that, then. Engineer felt words bubbling in his throat but, damnit, how could he go talking about wanting respect if he kept trying to mend things? He had to go respectin' himself first and foremost – no damn sex, no matter how good it was, was really worth all that bullshit that came attached. Hell, he'd just go into town with the boys next time they had a weekend off and buy better company. Such a thing had always been uninteresting to him, but now... shit, what if he was stuck wantin' more of this? Wasn't like he could just turn around and change his entire position on things with Scout. Then what would that be showin' him? What kind of example would that be?

Ugh... he shook his head and slid out of the room, careful not to leave the door open too wide in case anyone was out in the hall.

'n thankfully, they weren't.

Oh my god. I love this so much. Keep it up you guys, you're amazing!

<i>Thank you<i> for making this both so very hot and so very believable. If you keep this up I can easily live with the title.

SCOUT WHY SO FRUSTRATING?! It's totally believable though, and I love it! Thanks for the update!

I like this fanfiction quite a lot. I bless the day I was bored enough to click on a story called Hardheaded Hardhat Hardon!

Is it wrong that the title for this pulled me in rather than pushed me away?

I can't wait to read more of this. I think I came a tad.

I have so much to live up to. You guys are amazing. Amazing sex scenes and amazing themes. D:

...I can't even find words to express my feelings.
Brain fried, melted on the floor, kill me now I can die happy.
Even my heart can't complain about the crack in it from that ending.

I hope there's gonna more, though. Like, really hope. This is too perfect.

Thank you guys~ Seriously. You're so amazing. Like I can't even cope~

Also UGH I am sorry once again for that title. But seriously, at 4am, you don't understand how funny it was.

Also yesssssssssss, there are at least two more finished scenes that I have to get around to editing. This time from Scout's POV! How exciting! More frustration ensues! Also, someone makes a special guest appearance!

This is brilliant! It's very much how I like to see my Scout in slash fics, full of energy AND denial. It's borderline frustrating to see his reactions, but I think that is very important in staying true to his character. Can't wait for the next update!

Oh Scout, are your feet wet? And can you see the pyramids? 'Cause you are knee-deep in DE-NILE!

More of this please!

I need to bump this, I'm in love with this Engineer and Scout. Give us an update! Please, of course.

I just..I..it..did..we really need to bump it..? I thought there was an update..

Captcha: Scientific Headless ...........whut

>>24

son, do you know the chances that if you bump an old thread that it'll get updated?!

i've seen it happen twice.

and i've been on the 'chan for 3 years

it hurts more people to bump an old fic then to risk the tiny chance of an update.

SAGE FOR THE WILL OF THE GODS!!!

captcha: tenthol ROBBIN'S...
wasn't that a mediocre resturaunt?`

Don't fret! There is an update a comin'. It's just 20+ pages or something ridiculous. So it's taking for-ever to write out.

This post has been deleted.

Here we go. Finally! Part three! Sorry this took so long but as you can see, this part is… really damn long. So long I hit the damn post cap. Posting it now in three parts.

-------- 

The Engineer was still fuming.

How he let himself get into something like this was just... beyond him.

Well, alright – he knew he wasn't the strongest man against temptation. Possibly because, hell, he could admit it; not too many folks were interested in a short, polite Southern boy with too many PHDs and not enough muscle. So when someone did gussy up to vie for his attention, the brain in his head wasn't the one doing all the thinking – but just look where it got him! Scout needed a stern talking to, or a dunk in some cold reality… Or a wrench to the head. Whichever might make him see how… how… unpractical and frustrating he was actin'!

But he'd said his peace, sort of, and he was feeling a mite better. Maybe the whole ordeal was over with. He had little worry that the kid would suddenly out him over the breakfast table or anything; that'd put the noose around both their necks. So he was just… gonna let that be that. Move on 'n try not to think about it.

And, Lord Almighty, he was gonna try.

The cease fire ended without much else of interest; the Engineer submersed himself in his work and he had no idea what the Scout was doing – and that was because he didn't care one way or the other, not 'cause he was… actually thinkin' about it from time to time. Nope.

He had himself a good night's sleep, woke up bright and early to beat the ear-blasting bugle horn of a wake-up call from the Soldier, and his fresh perspective was off on the right foot. Breakfast was grabbed so quickly that he was in and out of the mess room within five minutes. And when the battle came that afternoon, he stuck to his kids. It damn near tuckered him out, but he made sure that every sentry and teleporter and dispenser was always in upgraded, working order. The only personal combat he had to deal with – and, in truth, he didn't care much for it if he had the option – were the few instances a damn Spy got close enough to try sappin' his sentries. He got the better of them a few times, but just as often felt a sharp sting in his back and smelled a bitter whiff of smoke before waking up in the Respawn and having to start up all over again.

It took hours, it seemed, waiting for whichever side to nab the Intelligence, but eventually the battle ended.

And they lost.

Try as he might, the Engineer couldn't find it in him to beat himself up over the loss; he was still just so damn impressed with his own personal efficiency on the field. 'Course, that didn't deter the Soldier from shouting in his face about being a lazy ass toymaker until he was red in the face. But he'd been berated worse. This was nothing.



The Scout, however, did not get off so easily.

Thus far, he had endured at least forty-five minutes of non-stop shouting about him being 'useless', 'effeminate' and 'something that his own mother would be ashamed to squeeze out'… Not that Scout was really listening. Nah. The Soldier was always screaming about a whole lot about stuff that didn't matter. Why would Scout start paying attention now?

Of course, maybe the criticism wasn't totally undeserved; in the day's battle he'd double jumped into an oncoming rocket, run around a corner to skid right into the BLU Heavy's gunfire, dropped the intelligence – twice, bashed in his own kneecaps instead of the Medic's stupid head, and then been pistol whipped straight into Respawn by the other team's wussy Scout.

And that had only been in the first hour of battle. To say he was having an off-day would be kind of an understatement. The Soldier tearing into him wasn't helping, though (and hey, that rocket wasn't even his fault! That could've happened to anyone).

But it wasn't just today either. He'd been making these kinds of rookie mistakes all week. The problem was that he just couldn't figure out why. His poor performance certainly didn't have anything to do with the Engineer, that was for sure. He hadn't even thought about overalls once since that last little debacle in his room! … Or twice. Or three times. Or maybe twice in a row at night in his bed.

So when the Soldier had finally finished chewing him out, the Scout had dragged his sorry self to the mess to get whatever scraps the others had left for dinner. But in the end he'd found himself so utterly uninterested in the idea of food that he just wandered to the base's small recreation space instead.

Maybe he could just pass out on one of those dumpy couches there and never wake up.

Except he hadn't even been able to do that. Unfortunately for the Scout, the space appeared to be already occupied by someone he definitely did not want to even think about right now. Of all the rotten luck!

The Engineer was slumped onto one of the sofas, feet propped up on one of the wobbly-ass, cracked and scorched coffee tables with his hardhat over his face.

Scout hung there awkwardly for a moment, unsure if he should just turn around or sit down like he hadn't even noticed the other man. But the Engineer was already starting to sit up; he'd probably heard him.

He nudged the headgear up with a hand and paused. They hadn't so much as even passed each other in the halls since their last meeting; the closest they'd been was standing together in the Respawn before the battles. And even then, there wasn't a shred of eye contact.

“Oh, hey son,” Engineer cleared his throat and slipped off his hat entirely, holding it in his lap, “Some fight t'day, huh? We sure, uh... got out rear-ends handed t'us.”

Tsh, yeah. Some worse than others. “Ah, yeah. Guess so...” Scout tongued his lower lip and lingered there moment longer before he moved.

He eased himself down onto the sofa opposite the Engineer, stretching out, stiff and sore all over from the day's rough activity. He couldn't even find the energy to lie; yeah, he would've gotten the intelligence for sure but he was pretty sure the other team was cheating. Geez. What was wrong with him? Had he gone freakin' bonkers or something? And over what? Nothing. Fuckin' nothing.

Frustrated, Scout ran a palm over his forehead, pulling off his cap and turning it over in his hands idly. “But y'know, it's cool. We'll get 'em tomorrow.” He wanted to say something else. Something to end the weird stasis between them, but what the hell could he even say?

Engineer didn't look like he knew either; he could see him idly thumbing the inside of his hardhat and working his jaw like he was considering what to say. “Reckon so,” he finally added, giving a light nod and then eyeing his knees.

And Scout wanted to say something – anything – because it was getting just way too awkward for him to cope with, but just as he was wetting his lips, there was a loud booming echo of a voice, which could only come from one person.

“Engineer!” The Heavy lumbered in through the doorway with a purely exasperated look on his face, which seemed to pique the Texan's attention.

“Is Sasha, I do not what is wrong–“ and then Scout suddenly couldn't keep up, not just because he didn't give a shit, but because the bastard was talking in Russian, punctuating those foreign, thick syllables with panicked gestures.

“Whoa now, partner… Come again?”

The large man paused and shook his head, as if reminding himself to swap languages. “Is problem. I trigger, da?" His wide forefinger crooked in gesture. "But hear 'tink tink tink tink'.” The Heavy's voice tried to lift up an octave as he imitated the offending noise, and Scout might've laughed if he wasn't so annoyed. “The aim, she is good, but I cannot find what is making noise! I take her apart, find no problem. I clean her, and nyet, still nothing!”

Geez, as if that was really what he needed right now. That fat fuckin' oaf wandering in here with all his stupid problems. And all over that stupid gun of his, too. Waaah, my girlfriend is broken. Jesus Christ, go cry some more fatty. Take ya problems to someone who actually cares…

Scout rolled over into the sofa, nose pressed into the cushions as he pretended not to hear the commotion. He let out a grunt of annoyance but for the most part remained quiet. Hell, he was more irritated than he should have been in this situation, but he wasn't going to let it get to him. He just hated bein' interrupted, that was all.

The little sound was apparently noticed, because the Russian paused in his bitching- probably to look around for that noise, too.

“Oh. Did not know leetul Scout was here,” Scout heard him mutter in a far more hushed tone, as if he believed the boy to be asleep.

Dumbass.

“I'll have a look at 'er, Heavy. M'sure we can figure out what the trouble is...” the Texan replied, and as the Scout peeked over with a turn of his head, he saw the man getting to his feet and putting his hardhat back on.

Wait – what the fuck. Where did they think they were going? Alone? Together? Were they fucking serious? The Engineer wasn't just gonna wander off who knows where in the middle of their damn conversation with that stupid, lumbering, numbskull fucking –

Wait! They were leaving! Scout scrambled to his feet, fingers gripping the arm of the couch as he hoisted himself up. His cheeks were red and heated, half from dozing, half from something he totally did not want to think about right now.

His irritation piqued when he saw that the Engineer had one of his hands on Heavy's back. “Hey! Fuckin' – what do you think – I was... ya know!”

Both men stopped at the sudden spurting comments. Or half comments. Or, what was he saying? Even the Scout wasn't really sure himself. Why was he so mad, anyway? Not because of that stupid hand, that was for sure. The Engineer was the first to glance back, more surprise on his face than curiosity.

“Did not mean to wake you from leetul nap,” the Heavy called over, his chest bouncing with a jovial chuckle before he clapped his large hand onto the Engineer's shoulder so hard that it made the man stumble forward. That Russian was just made of momentum. “Come, we hurry to training room!”

The Engineer nodded, distracted, maybe, still watching where Scout was, in turning, watching them. Him. ...And Scout had to fight down a weird fluttering in his chest that made him feel both nauseous and anxious.

“Uh... well, that's where we'll be,” Engineer muttered, thumbing down the hall and giving a nod before he started following the heavy all over again.

Damnit. Why wasn't the Engineer listening to him? Not that he was making any sense with his tongue knotted up like a pre-pubescent girl's when she was talking to a boy she had a crush on. Geez. As if that wasn't the absolute worst association he could make just then. It certainly didn't help the red of his cheeks any either, still hot and getting hotter.

Scout let out an snort, running his knuckles over his buzzcut while fisting his hat in the other hand, “Y'aint seriously goin' by yerself with this chucklehead over here, are ya? It's probably like, some kinda Commie trick. Y'know. To get you alone and then –” Scout slammed a fist into his palm “– blammo! Y'get me?”

“Now you know that's silly, son,” the Engineer sighed, an exasperated look crossing his face. The Heavy, however, looked a little less pleased, and that was never a good thing. Not that something being a “good thing” or not had ever stopped the Scout before.

“Why can I not ask for Engineer's help?” he asked, his tone sharp and accusatory; suspicious. “How can this be trick? I am not Spy, we are Team!”

The Texan simply nursed his lip between his teeth, slowly, looking as if he were anticipating something. Or dreading it.

“Yeah, and that's exactly what some pinko Commie like you would say!” Meanwhile Scout was just getting angrier, clenching his cap in both hands now, doing his best not to crush his headset in that trembling grip, “Ya probably are some kinda spy! I mean come on! What kinda lame fuckin... fuckin' excuse is that anyway, fatso? Your fuckin', your fuckin' gun! Hah! Yeah, right!”

Woah. What the fuck was he even saying? Scout wasn't looking at Engineer anymore, not willing to face that dumb look he knew he'd be wearing. As if he could read him like some kind of open book. Like everything about him was totally obvious to everyone but himself. God, he just wanted to punch him right between the eyes. Both him and the fat bastard looming next to him.

The Engineer glanced over through his goggles at the Heavy, who was growing stiffer by the second. And when he noticed that jaw starting to set, he cleared his throat and gave the large man a pat on the arm to get his attention, drawing the thick dark lenses down so that they could hang around his neck.

“Why'ont you go on to the Training Room, Heavy. I'll meet ya there in jus' a minute t'have a look at yer gun.”

Heavy frowned hard, shifting his focus from the Engineer to the Scout and back again before he gave a low grunt and continued out of the lounge and down the hall. The grumbles under his breath that Scout could only barely pick up were, fortunately, in Russian.

Engineer just stood there, waiting until the sounds of stomping footfalls faded into silence before he allowed the stern frown that was threatening to pull at his mouth to finally do so. “What's with you, boy?”

Scout jumped back, as if he hadn't expected the Engineer to still be there, too focused on not running after the Heavy to beat the shit out of him (or get the shit beaten out of him, which was far more likely). He was shaking, furious mostly, but a hint of uncertainty was also there. There were creeping sensations at the back of his mind, which was already working a mile a minute, and he just couldn't, fucking, stop thinking about that stupid hand on the Heavy's back. And that stupid, dumb as hell smile he had given him. And the fucking stupid, stupid, stupid hand on his arm just a moment ago.

But that wasn't the problem because that would imply too many things he was more than willing to ignore.

“I was...” he started and then stopped, taking a gulp of air, trying to calm himself the hell down and stop feeling so conflicted, “I was jus' tryin' to protect you. I mean, I got my eye on him, ya know. He's probably... y'know... like that, and I thought, well, if he knew 'bout you, he'd probably try and take advantage of ya, get ya alone so he could, y'know, touch ya and stuff, so I was just tryin' to protect ya.”

There was a beat of silence. Then two. Then three.

“--Jesus Christ. Would ya stop freakin' lookin' at me like that? You're welcome.”

The Engineer lifted a single brow, though it was nearly lost behind the rim of his hardhat. Either way, he was looking mighty unimpressed. “You. Were tryin' to protect me. From Heavy.” The Scout suddenly wished the Engineer was wearing his goggles again; it would have hidden the sight of his eyes rolling. “I don't get you, boy. I've worked on everybody's weapons at least once, ain't no problem in that! His askin' me fer help don't mean a damn thing, other'n he respects me enough t'trust me with his possessions. You know how that partner is with his guns.” His frown was growing sterner now, “I don't need you lookin' out fer me.”

“Just freakin', would you wait a second here? Geez,” Scout snorted as if Engineer were the one being totally delusional. He crossed his arms across his chest with a huff, “I mean, if you wanna go off and be all, y'know, whatever the hell you faggots do, I mean, cool... but I was just, in case you didn't wanna, I mean, I know ya sayin' you don't need it or nothin', but I mean, don't come cryin' t'me when he turns on ya is all I'm sayin'.”

Scout's anger was quickly fading, replaced by a paler comparison of his usual cocky arrogance. He wrung his wrists, almost looking sheepish, gaze turned down and brows knitting together.

“Jus'...” The Engineer took a step toward the Scout as if to start off again but... then all of the tension flooded out of his shoulders and, for a moment at least, he just looked tired.

“I 'ppreicate the concern,” he muttered in a low voice, “but m'fine. Gonna go help out my teammate now.” The older man glanced quickly toward the Scout, then turned on a heel and headed off toward the Training Room.

Scout lingered there a moment, face hot with embarrassment. Geez. Was talking to the Engineer always this difficult? He couldn't really remember. Had they even talked that much before the... uh... that time? Damnit, he should've left it that way. Then none of this would've happened. Not that any of this was even his fault. Engineer had just gone soft. Was probably gonna frickin' cry or somethin'. Figures. All a' those were the same, weren't they? Soft and emotional.

…So why was he following him? His sneakers were squeaking quietly behind the Engineer's steps; he'd been avoiding him for days but now he was running after him like some stupid girl.

“Wait, uh...” He'd started to mutter but then stopped, sinking his teeth into his lower lip. Talking was what got him into this whole damn mess in the first place.

But the Engineer didn't look back, although Scout was certain he'd heard him. He just kept walking, swinging the door to the Training Room open and vanishing inside with a smile of greeting and a clap of his hands, which the Scout could painfully witness as the door was still swinging shut.

“Sorry 'bout that! Now let's have a looksee at yer little lady there, Heavy!”

What was he doing? The Engineer was already gone but here Scout was, just standing like a dillweed in the hallway. He should go get a freakin' clue, seriously. This was embarrassing.

…Or maybe he should just bust on in there. Course that would probably make things worse. Did he really want Engie to be angrier than he already was? Geez. He really was an idiot. What the hell could they even be doing in there anyway? Uh. Fixing Heavy's stupid gun probably. Fuck. What an idiot.

Scout slammed a hand to his temple, slumping in defeat and resting against the door. He should go. This was getting really ridiculous. No. It already was ridiculous. This was just getting plain fucking dumb. Scout made to move and then reconsidered. Well. It probably wouldn't hurt to be sure. Right? Fuck. Whatever.

It was too late to back down anyway because he was already pushing on the weight of the door, and he was in.




“Ah think it's in the... nnnh, the ammo drum spindle. S'why ya can't get to it that way with yer wire bristle 'n-aaah, that's heaven.”

“Looks like I find problem place, too.”

Sasha had been carefully dismantled on a black tarp in the middle of the training room floor just behind the safety cages and the Engineer was settled down on his knees over it. Which was fine, except for the fact that his shoulders were being slowly jostled by the Heavy's huge paws.

The Russian was chuckling with lighthearted amusement as the Engineer slumped forward over the polished weapon's metal organs, his entire body limp as a bowl of noodles, save for his hands which were coated in cleaning grease and tiny spare parts.

Scout's brain hadn't the chance to catch up with his body; before he had even recognized what was going on he sprinted over to the large, Russian man who was kneading at the Engineer's shoulders with those big, sweaty mitts, and then crunched one well-aimed fist into the offender's ugly mug.

“You fuckin' dirty fuckin' faggot pinko – what the hell d'ya think yer – with ya fuckin' hands all over him ya freakin' fatso, Commie pig! Get the fuck – seriously fuckin' – get offa him!”

“!!!”

Surprise snapped both men to their feet, though on Heavy's end of things it was more of a stumble. He paused to touch a thumb to his mouth, eyeing the small splotch of blood rubbed off that was bubbling from a new split lip. In a snap reaction he roared with rage and went after the boy, swinging a giant arm at him in a misguided punch before his second lunge had the Scout hefted up into the air, giant hands grabbing fistfuls of his shirt.

Engineer just stared dumbfounded at the scene for a few moments before he shook himself out of his stupor and jumped over, trying to pry the two grappling men apart. Though with the Russian's strength and size, and with Scout kicking about like that, it was damn near impossible. Not that the Scout didn't want the fucking help!!

“Both'a you! Cut this out right now!!”

“Scout is crazy! Thinks he can hurt me with teeny baby fists?! HAH!! I WILL KRUSH HIM!”

“I'm gonna freakin' kill ya, ya fuckin' wuss! I'll freakin' kill ya!!”

Although this seemed kind of unlikely given his current position in the Heavy's tight grip; no matter how much he fought and kicked and squirmed and shouted, he couldn't move a damn inch. Up here, his fists were of no use, his flailing limbs struggled to even swing out, never mind trying to actually connect them with anything.

“Think ya can just fuckin'!! – with ya fuckin' dirty hands!! I'm gonna beat ya freakin' head in!”

“I WILL KEEL YOU FIRST!!”

“Now jus' stoppit!!” The Engineer shouted, his voice cracking from the aggression in it.

The Heavy growled and looked down toward the Engineer, his grip still tight on Scout's shirt, who was still struggling relentlessly.

“Put 'im down RIGHT NOW, otherwise I'm leavin' ya t'deal with Sasha yourself! Ya hear me?! Put 'im down!”

A flicker of consideration contorted the Russian's expressive face, and with a grumbling sigh, he did put the Scout down. By dropping him.

Scout let out a pained grunt as he hit the floor suddenly. Fuckin' hell, that hurt... still, he wasn't the one with the fat lip! Hah! Slowly, and a little wobbly, Scout staggered to his feet, wiping his mouth on his hand. No blood, so that was a plus. Still, he felt pretty rattled from all that shaking.

“Da. But Scout start it.”

“I know 'e did,” the Engineer mumbled, propping his hands on his hips and stepping between the two of them to eye the boy in that… fuckin' motherly, irritating way of his. “ 'n he ain't had no right to. But 'e's done now. Ain't that right Scout.”

“Yeah, whatever...” he muttered. He wanted to fight; wanted to beat his stupid brains in... but in saying that, he didn't really want to go mono 'a mono with those meaty fists. “I ain't takin' back what I said though. Freakin' –” thankfully, the rest of his words dropped down to a grumble, none of them being very nice.

The Engineer sighed, seemingly relieved. Yeah. Scout bet he was all cut up inside that Heavy had tried to hurt 'im. He was probably fuckin' gutted. Except instead of looking over at him and making sure he was okay, he glanced toward the Heavy who was again, frowning at his thumb after it touched his lip. He stepped back over to reach up and pat one of those broad shoulders.

“Y'alright there?”

“Da,” Heavy replied, his small eyes cutting toward the Scout with a sudden sneer. “Cannot even feel it.”

Finally, the Texan cleared his throat and placed his hands together as he eyed the mumbling Scout. Come on. Pay him some Goddamn attention over here. He'd only taken on the Heavy and come out on top over here.

“Now, I know you're too old fer this son, but why don't you jus' go to yer room 'n cool down...” He said after what felt like minutes of just… staring, not exactly glaring but not lookin' entirely pleased either and certainly not looking like he was gonna pat him on the shoulder and ask him if he was okay, “Gonna be best fer everybody.”

“Are you fuckin' serious?” Scout shouted out suddenly, finding that suggestion more offensive than the Heavy pretending (yeah, pretending) he hadn't hurt him real bad.

“What am I, a freakin' kid?” He furiously kicked the tarp spread across the ground, not hard enough to knock anything about (although he wanted to, he really fuckin' wanted to). His temper was rising again and so was the urge to ram an elbow between the Heavy's beady eyes.

“Can't we just freakin' talk or something?”

“We can talk after I've finished up here 'n you've had time to get over whatever it is that crawled up yer hindquarters,” the Engineer spat back, and he nodded momentarily at the Russian before taking Scout by the shoulders and practically pushing him all the way back to the door.

“Y'can't just go around actin' like a brat 'nless you wanna get treated like one. Now git t'yer room 'n read a comic book 'r something.”

“Fucks sake, y'can't just...” Scout tried to protest but there was no use arguing with an Engineer who had their mind made up. He snorted, and then threw off the Engineer's hands, “Yeah, okay. I can see myself out. Jesus, I get it.”

Once he was out the Scout continued walking, not looking back, not wanting to see them laughing at him – which he could fucking hear the Heavy doing. He couldn't hear the Engineer, but shit, he didn't need to. Scout made sure to kick the nearest doorframe when he did, leaving a filthy sole print on the wood grain.

“Go enjoy ya fuckin' gay fest, ya bunch 'a queers. See if I give a fuck.”

The Engineer sighed as he watched the door swing shut, just standing there and feeling utterly ridiculous and embarrassed over the whole thing – until he heard the Russian moving about the tarp again.

“Strange leetle man,” Heavy mused in his thick accent, sitting back down among the pieces of his beloved. “We can finish this now? Please?”

“Yeah, m'sorry 'bout that, partner,” Engineer was quick to reply, hurrying over and kneeling down next to the tools. “We'll get yer girl back together in no time.”

'n then, then he'd have a few choice words for that damn Scout.

At the very least, the Engineer was able to distract himself with his work; even with what had just happened, he never did any job half-assed and he worked with careful diligence in continuing his inspection of the minigun. The barrels were checked, the mechanisms in the trigger were brushed over for any signs of wear and tear, but it was that closed off, metal piece attached to the ammunition chamber of the rotating spinner that gave a slight rattle when he shook it. The Heavy had straightened instantly upon hearing it, telling him that yes, that was the sound! He'd have to find the bolt inside with a long-necked screwdriver, but once he did he got to work removing the metal casing of the spindle and cleaning the inside. The loose particle just seemed to be some calcified buildup, but he gave the entire piece a good once over before they began to carefully put the minigun back together.

When that was completed, the Heavy hefted the weapon off of the ground, and both men grinned in victory as Sasha growled to life and the barrels gave a perfect spin.

The Russian was cheerful as ever in expressing his thanks, and the Engineer almost had the stuffing squeezed out of him when he was hugged right off the ground – but he was more than happy to have helped. Felt good to be needed. 'n appreciated; respected. He then left the Training Room, frowning as he eyed the right side of the hall. He had to pass the Scout's room either way, the problem was whether or not he wanted to talk.

...damnit.

When he reached that door he swung it open and snapped his fingers to get the boy's attention, wherever he was inside. “You, c'mon with me,” he ordered, and then kept on down the hall. His workshop was his next destination.

Engineer heard the Scout stumbling about after him a few moments later, but he kept his pace, taking wide strides-- for his height, anyway-- wanting to just get to his as soon as possible. At least he felt more comfortable there. And it was private. They had a lot of shit to sort through – 'moving on' wasn't as good of a plan as he'd initially hoped.

Once inside the workshop, he stepped around the room to switch on the lights, not once giving his attention to the Scout until every other detail was in order first. And then he leaned against his workbench, folded his arms and stared the Bostonian down.

“Now y'can talk.”

The Scout was positively squirming with apprehension, and now, under the scrutiny of the Engineer's gaze, was a proverbial deer in the headlights.

“Uh...” He started and then stopped. The boy's hands were shaking and he was curling them and uncurling them by his sides, thumbing the cloth strips bound across his palms. “Uh... Well,” he swallowed hard and tried again, “So, uh, is he your type or what?”

“–Mah what?”

Engineer's stern expression quickly dissolved. His type? He thought back to all of that shouting in the Training Room, and unfortunately just too many pieces were starting to come together.

He felt that all too familiar frustration bubbling up in his chest, but he just took a slow, deep breath and repressed it.

“Son, there's somethin' wrong with yer wiring. Why on Earth would you go thinkin' something like that?”

Scout suddenly looked sheepish, his fingers digging in his belt loops and avoiding looking at the Engineer as if his own words embarrassed him, “Well, I dunno … cus ya were talkin' to him or whatever. And cus ya were all,” he paused, and then shrugged – attempting to look nonchalant but just coming off as sullen, “touching each other and stuff. And cus ya wanted me to leave, I guess. And cus ya wanted him around so bad, or somethin'. Geez, I dunno.”

“... so I ain't allowed to touch anyone I don't find attractive, s'at it? Can't lay a finger on 'em. Or work with 'em, fer that matter. Yanno, workin' with machines and weapons – which is what I do here, the reason they call me the Engineer in the first place!” He felt his pulse beginning to throb in his temple, and once again he paused – breathed in – and sighed it out.

“The hell d'you care fer, anyway...”

“No, I just thought –“ Scout frowned, frustrated and impatient, “I just thought, I mean – I don't care – I just wondered if he was your type or whatever. I mean, I dunno. Well, I do. I know you're the Engineer or whatever, I just... I mean, he had his hands all freakin' ovah you, man. It was just freakin' gross. Not that I care, if that's what you're into. Some big, gross, fuckin', fat Commie pig.”

“Now you jus' watch yer mouth, boy. Heavy ain't done nothin' wrong an' I won't have you insultin' him fer no reason.” The Engineer didn't budge an inch, not moving away or getting any closer to the Scout, but his shoulders were squaring, feeling more tense by the second. “My back was hurtin' from the damn fightin' today, and ya came in while he was workin' a knot out in my shoulder. Wasn't nothin' sly goin' on.”

Hell, it'd been one of the nicest things he'd gotten to enjoy in a long time, and there wasn't a damn thing sexual about it. He'd been helping Heavy take the huge minigun apart and when his tired grunts and huffs from slouching over became too much for his teammate to tolerate, the man had settled behind him and just took to rubbing his shoulders. He'd chided him for not taking care of himself properly; just like the Engineer's machines needed to be tended to, they also had to take care of their own bodies, the man had reasoned. And while the Engineer at first declined the offer with a bashful chuckle, it only took one squeeze from those giant hands to make him forget all about objecting. It was a kind gesture, and having Scout twist it all up was just infuriating.

“Yeah, whatever," the Scout was continuing, his posture tight and surly. "Looked pretty sly to me.” He shuffled where he stood, frown deepening, “Well, next time I walk in on ya gettin' all felt up, I'm just gonna leave ya there. Last time I risk my neck t'fuckin' help ya.”

“T'help me? You get a case'a the green-eyed monster 'n embarrass me in front'a one'a my teammates 'n you think that helped me?”

This time the Engineer did step closer, shaking his head while his hands absently fisted over and over again at his sides. “This ain't about me one bit, son. I don't know what yer playin' at 'r if ya really are this messed up, but I ain't the one with the problem.”

“No! It ain't like that at all!” Scout protested, though a tinge of red washed over his cheeks and he was suddenly unable to look Engineer in the eye. “You think I'm freakin' jealous? Is that it? Hah. What a fuckin' joke.Who in their right freakin' mind would be jealous ovah you?”

Scout hadn't moved at first, but now he was fidgeting like a damn rabbit, looking like he was fighting the desire to run.

The Engineer frowned, his upper lip nearly snarling away from his teeth in distaste. This was beyond frustrating. It was beyond old. And it sure as hell wasn't a routine he fancied himself having to get used to.

But fine, Scout wanted to go ahead and deny it? That was alright with him; but he sure as hell wasn't about to make it easy on him.

Nah, he'd get a little underhanded.

“Issat right... Then what if ol' Heavy is my type.”

Now. There were a number of things that made Scout behave the way he did, he figured. Most were obvious, if not a little contradictory, at least from an outside perspective. He was repressed, that was sure as a bull was mean. And of course, he was just naturally impatient and impulsive and rash, which wrote attempts to reason with him just out of the equation entirely. And yet there was a pattern to it. For all his impetuous nature, Scout was predictably Scout.

However, no manner of spontaneity could have ever explained what he did next.

Scout moved forward suddenly, red-faced in both fury and possibly shame, and then for a split second the Engineer though he was going to hit him. That was, until the Scout closed the gap between them, hands fisting the older man's collar as he recklessly pressed his mouth against the Engineer's.

The Engineer's eyes widened and he just stood there as if he'd been struck dumb. No, it wasn't what he'd been expecting. Not at all. Memories of the Scout jumping away from him like he had the damn plague, and now – those lips were warm and eager, but as much as he felt his body starting to relax, he just...

He couldn't. What the hell was goin' on?

He braced his hands onto the Scout's chest and shoved him back at an arm's length, taking a deep breath and, despite how badly he wanted to glare at the boy, his expression was just... exasperated.

“Scout, no.” He growled, his shoulders heaving with soft pants. He hated that this all felt so out of control. He hated that the Scout was so much taller, making him feel small. He hated that he had to argue with his body to keep from kissing him again – he just hated all of it.

“Please, son. You gotta talk t'me. I can't keep up.”

“I... I don't freakin' know, all right?” Scout exhaled, his breath shaky, his eyes still closed but his body stiff with tension, “Jus' that ever since you and I fuckin'... just... and I can't stop thinkin' about it. I just can't freakin' deal wit' it anymore. I just don't fuckin'... I don't know frickin' anything, all right?”

The Texan watched the Scout's face carefully, taking note of everything. The way the corners of his mouth twitched as he struggled for words, the way his thin eyebrows knit together...

“Ya like what I can do for ya,” he mused aloud in a rather somber tone, nodding along with the suggestion because – hell, all signs pointed to it. Scout hated what he was doing to get off, that much was obvious, but that didn't mean the temptation couldn't still be there.

Scout let out a heavy sigh, some of that tension unwinding from his shoulders, “Yeah. Basically, I guess...

“I mean, I just kind 'a want ya to, you know. I don't wanna be hung up on all 'a this but I freakin' kind of... like it. Sort of, uh, maybe. I uh –” he looked like he wanted to defend himself against the implications, but stopped short.

Well. That was a start.

Engineer nodded slowly, taking that admittance as a sign that, maybe, they could finally start making some leeway with this. He knew that the subject couldn't be dropped now – he couldn't bear it. It was all or nothin', everything was gonna be bared and dealt with. 'n that was that.

“Look, Scout...” He cleared his throat for a moment to collect his thoughts, and his hands left the boy's chest after he realized he'd been holding them there. He took his hardhat off and rubbed over the top of his head, his expression worn and tired but nevertheless determined.

“If yer straight as an arrow 'n just, yanno, dealin' with bein' out here... that's one thing. 'n that's fine. But... if yer not, 'n yer just... scared. Well, that's somethin' else entirely.”

“I'm not!” Scout retorted as soon as the suggestion he was merely 'scared' was voiced. His eyes snapped up to the Engineer's as if daring him to object. Except his resolve seemed to soften, the Engineer's weariness maybe rubbing off on him, “Well... I mean... I dunno. I never, y'know, done this b'fore.”

“It's fine bein' unsure, alright? Plenny'a curious boys in the world. But... I gotta be honest with ya. I jus'... wish I had what ya need, but I ain't too sure I do. I don't think I'm suited fer helpin' you through... whatever it is yer goin' through. If'n you ever wanna talk about it, I'm happy t'lend an ear, but... doin' what we been doin', it don't feel right. Not if it's just fer experiments' sake. That ain't fair t'either one've us.”

Engineer glanced down at his feet as he spoke, turning his hardhat over in his hands as if he were suddenly fascinated with it. “... s'that make any sense t'ya?”

“So if I tell ya that I'm some kinda queer – not that I am or nothin' – you'll let me keep on, then?” Scout seemed to mull this over a minute, chewing his lower lip in consideration, “And if I'm just 'makin' do' or whatever the hell ya called it, with bein' here, then... then that's okay too? Is that what ya sayin'? … but not if I'm – not that I seriously am, far out would ya settle down – 'trying it out'? Cus that's … not okay? Is that what ya tellin' me?”

“I just need t'know what yer doin', boy. Yer intentions. I ain't one'a those people who can jus' go on with somethin' if they don't understand it,” Engineer muttered, his jaw idly working as he swallowed and just tossed his hardhat over to his small bed against the wall. He was feelin' like a fool just playing with the damn thing like that. “I need t'understand things. I gotta know how it works. So I gotta know how this is gonna work.”

“Yeah, well... I guess... I don't really want to stop or nothin'.” Scout muttered, shuffling uncomfortably, eyes darting around the room, “I mean, I don't know what that makes me – not some kinda cockfag or whatever ya were hopin' fer – but I mean, thinkin' about ya and stuff... Uh. I don't actually want to stop. I mean, for frickin' real, this time.”

The Engineer watched Scout just about as closely as he could without actually grabbing the boy's face to inspect from inches away as if he were some sentry part. It was still like trying to read a foreign language, though. So hard to interpret. Ignore the parts that pissed him off. And that… well, it put him on edge. But he was listening, to every word the Scout said. He wasn't sure if it was hope that was making his gut turn in knots, or dread. Or maybe just the unknown – either way, he'd bear through it. They were almost there.

“... you sure?”

Finally, the Scout looked up.

And maybe the boy was difficult to read – the way he was jitterin' about, rubbing his palms together and wringing his wrists, scuffing his feet against the floor, looking somewhere between impatient and just damn confused - but if anything, he was earnest; those clear blue eyes not betraying what he was feeling, not trying to hide it. Not that it meant he understood it, but hell, he was trying at least.

Again, the Texan hated his size – it would've just made things so much easier if he could've been the one looking down at the Scout, to flash him a reassuring smile and pat him on the head or... somethin' cliché like that. But that wasn't the case, and as he often did (yet never mentioned), the man found himself shifting his weight on his feet, trying to stand in a way that would boost the height he did have to its fullest potential. Still didn't amount to much, though.

Damn.

So... to compensate, he decided to just grab the front of Scout's shirt and tug him down. There; instant eye level. That'd do.

“Jus' one thing,” he muttered, staring hard at each other boy's eyes. “Respect me. Stop insultin' my ways and my intelligence, y'hear me?”

“Yeah, yeah, okay. I got it. Whatever. Geez.”

And the kid was nodding, sure, but Engineer was staring too much at the kid's eyes not to see where they were directed, and it most certainly wasn't at him. He wasn't blind, just a little... obtuse when it came to emotional guessin' games. But he was catching on now. Real quick. And Scout was batting off his request, he doubted he'd even heard him but – shit, he could be wrong. He hoped he was wrong.

… alright, that was hopin' for too much. He knew that. But as long as he didn't have to be reminded how 'gross' he was for bein' a 'faggot', he could tolerate this. He could. Should he be tolerating it? He had no fuckin' clue. Probably not.

He was second-guessing himself.

Fuck it. He settled the battle in his mind by just yanking the Scout closer to diminish the distance and capture his smart little mouth.

“Nhn!” Scout jolted, but didn't break that contact, instead letting himself be kissed. And then suddenly the boy's fingers were moving up, fisting the collar of Engineer's shirt as he dragged him closer.

Now this was a far cry from having to endure the Scout's knee-jerk reactions; he remembered how the boy's lips had been on his neck one minute, driving him damn near euphoria, and then he was being shoved away as if he'd been the one doing it.

But this felt different – it felt mutual and wanted and not just needed for a quick fix. He liked that. Engineer dropped his hands from Scout's shirt, and his arms twisted about his thin waist instead to bring them closer together. His gut pressed into the very top of those lean hips and he found himself distracted by the kid's taste. There was a sweet... almost sour kinda flavor lingering there. Maybe it was those sodas he liked so much. Either way, wasn't half bad.

Scout parted his lips, a warm tongue now delving into the Engineer's mouth, which the older man was only too happy to oblige, while the boy's fingers sliced up and down his collar. The Engineer groaned in response – he didn't know how much experience the Scout had with kissing (he doubted it was as much as he boasted, either way), but he seemed to be doing a damn fine job. He let that agile tongue roam wherever it wanted and he just hummed with approval, drawing on the muscle and enjoying his taste.

Eventually he drew himself back, not just to breathe but to look around his workshop. The nearest thing wasn't his bed – no, it was a worktable littered in papers. That'd do. With his arms still tangled around Scout's waist, he gave him a firm push backwards and backed him up against the edge of that table, pinning him there.

“Hnh!” Scout grunted, finding himself pinned and he laughed, breathlessly, “Jesus, Engie. Ya love'ta play rough, don't ya?”

Scout's arms shifted to grip the table, holding himself back up against it while he rocked his hips forward, grinding the stiffening length in the front of his trousers up against the Engineer. A chuckle passed Engineer's lips as he glanced down, dragging one of his smaller toolboxes over with his foot so that he could stand up on it to gain the height that he lacked. Good; practical problem solved.

“S'prised?” He smirked.

Scout grinned back at him, tongue licking over his front teeth, “Yeah, I guess not.” And then Engineer's hands were groping about the boy's waist until they'd grabbed fistfuls of that red shirt and yanked it up 'n off.

Scout squirmed out of his shirt, tipping in once it was up and over his head to capture the Engineer's lips in another heated kiss. Engineer couldn't help but muffle a satisfied sound into the Scout's mouth, taking his turn to push his tongue past those lips and taste every part of him. His wide hands settled on the boy's sides, slowly dragging down and feeling each rib and then the narrow, slight curve of his long waist.

They were like night 'n day – the Scout was all long and taught wiry muscle, while he was practically sporting love handles in that same spot. He could feel that smooth, hairless jaw brushing against his own rough and stubbled one as he kissed him at new angles, and those hands on him, now frantically catching the straps of the his overalls and trying to pull them down, seemed so eager and blind while his own tried so damn hard to be slow and sure.

But the Scout wasn't the slow and sure type, never had been, and he panted and gasped and writhed under the deliberate pace of the Engineer's hands scraping down his skin. “F-fuck, just... fuckin' I can't...”

The Engineer's hands were roaming along the belt of Scout's pants when he heard that stuttering, and his eyes darted up again to carefully watch his face.

“Y'alright...?”

He wasn't sure if the kid was changing his mind already, or if he was just impatient. Again. The latter was seeming more likely the more he thought it over, but if he didn't check to make sure, he'd potentially be left kickin' himself over it.

“I need it. I need it freakin' bad.” If the answer didn't make Scout's intention obvious enough, the way he rasped it out certainly did.

And if that breathless timbre wasn't enough, his fingers grasping Engineer by the wrist, dragging his hand down and forcing it to cup his stiff length through the front of his pants provided further evidence of his painful arousal. Scout exhaled shakily, hips jutting forward again, “Come on, just... freakin'... please...”

“Seems yer always needin' it 'bad',” Engineer muttered, his attention focused on his own hand as it squeezed slowly over the bulge in the Scout's pants. Mmn, yes siree, he wasn't lyin'. Maybe when the kid had unintentionally boasted his libido there was some truth in it.

“Yeah, well... Call me fuckin' deprived as shit.” Scout exhaled through his teeth, nails digging into the edge of the work table he was pressed up against.

“Guess I shouldn't keep ya waiting', then.” Engineer's fingertips traced down the slender shape of Scout's shaft before he went about hastily unfastening the belt and handling the button and zipper. There, much better. He gently fished out Scout's stiff erection, giving it a stroke between his first two fingers and thumb, which earned a quiet hiss from the Scout, before he paused to give that blushing face some attention. “What d'you want me t'do with you, boy.”

“U... Uh, well.” He swallowed hard, and a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features before it was replaced with a cocky grin, although his blush was darker, “I'm thinkin'. Maybe. Ya could give me some kinda, like, I don't know, blow job?”

“…Reckon I could show ya how it's supposed to be done.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of the man's lips and he smoothed both palms down the Scout's thighs until he caught the back of his knees and hefted him up onto the table. He then eased those thin limbs further apart and stepped down from his toolbox, once again sliding it across the floor with his foot, now out of the way.

Scout rocked his hips impatiently, “Yeah, whatever, y'know. I ain't no f– er, I mean, I ain't never done that before. And won't neither.”

Engineer was chuckling to himself, well prepared to just brush off whatever was going to come out of the Scout's mouth – but then when it actually did and it was that, well... he couldn't help but stop and just stare at the kid incredulously.

“Never done it? ...you been hit on the head recently, son?” he asked with a brow arched in disbelief. “Ya don't black out once yer outta yer britches 'r nothin', do ya?”

“N-nah. I just don't know what you're talkin' about or nothin'. Er...” He squirmed uncomfortably under that scrutiny, “Listen. It was nothin' like that if I'm gettin' at what ya thinkin' about. That was just a, uh, thing... that happened. That wasn't like, my mouth on ya, er,” followed by an awkward hand gesture, “whatever. And it wasn't like, I mean, it wasn't like I wanted to or nothin'. It was more like, I didn't have... I mean, it would've gone everywhere if I didn't you know uh, catch it, and I uh... fell. And then I figured, ya know, I'm like here or whatever so I may as well – the point bein' , I didn't actually you know, do it.”

“Oh, issat right? Well I'll be...”

Engineer scratched over his head with a grunt, feigning acceptance of that subpar, ridiculous excuse. Were he not a little busy with the current situation between Scout's legs, he probably would have had a good laugh over it. But he'd just save that for another time.

“Now that's a real shame, boy. Lemme tell ya...” he sighed and shook his head, idly clicking his tongue in dismay. “See, if that's how it was, then I reckon I don't really owe ya nothin' at all. Course, if that ain't the case, then a lil' touch'a honestly 'll have to be rewarded real good.”

“Listen. Listen.” The Scout squirmed, speaking suddenly, pushing his hips up as if reminding the Engineer that he 'needed it real bad'. Scout ran his hands up his thighs, letting out a soft impatient breath, “I don't think ya quite understand the peh-dic-ah-ment I'm in ovah here. Listen. All right. Listen. Maybe. I mean maybe – I'd be willin' to learn or whatever. Or I could like, trip or whatever and maybe, maybe I might end up, I mean, well... doin' that. I mean, think of it as a kinda future investment or somethin' if it helps.”

The boy straightened up slightly, “But there's no freakin' way I'm sayin' I did it – cus I freakin' did not. Not even for a second. And don't ya fuckin' dare stop now cus I'm frickin' dying as it is.”

Engineer's brows gave a slight twitch and he braced both hands onto the table, leaning forward to get as good and close to Scout's face as he wanted. “Don't pay to be stubborn, son. M'sure you'll learn that one'a these days...” He glanced down at that hard little problem area for a moment – but then with a casual shrug, he smiled and stepped back, hands thrusting themselves into his deep pockets.

“Cause I was gonna blow that dumb look right off yer stupid face.”

And the look that did cross the Scout's face in that moment was pure, vengeful beauty.

“Wait! W-wait. Jesus Christ. Fuckin' wait a second,” the boy spluttered out almost immediately. “Maybe... Maybe I did … I mean, for a second or somethin'... cus... cus I felt like it or whatever. Yeah. Maybe I sucked on your cock. Okay. So maybe I did that. And not that I'm some kinda queer or nothin', but maybe, jus' maybe, I was thinkin' or somethin', man, I hope I can get him to, y'know, fuckin' come in my mouth, cus maybe... maybe it was kind of freakin' turning me on.”

Now, the Engineer did his best to look unfazed as the boy lit up with those stuttering protests, but by the end of it he was grinning, given just what he wanted. Scout had one dirty little mouth on him, and when he used it the right way, boy was it effective.

“Well! I s'pose if ya put it that way...” He took a step closer, his hands sliding free to slip beneath the boy's knees and yank, drawing his hips toward the edge of the work table. “I ought'a apologize fer not fillin' yer mouth when I had the chance. Won't make that mistake again, don't you worry.”

The boy was now bucking his hips impatiently (heck, everything he did was impatient), his hands curling against that wooden surface. “Y-yeah, well, don't ya... ya fuckin' forget it, hardhat.” Scout sucked in a few short breaths before continuing, “Maybe we can repeat the experience after... yanno, ya show me how.”

“Mebbe so... if yer good,” Engineer rumbled; his hands taking a moment to tug Scout's pants off entirely, having to knock his shoes off as well.

He wanted as much room to work with as possible, so once those thin, muscular legs were bared to him, he hitched one up against his own shoulder, giving the strong thigh a kneading squeeze of encouragement.

“Jus' relax now, 'n watch real careful-like. Hear me?” He was already wetting his lips.

“Y-yeah, all right...” Scout trailed off with a moan as Engineer wrapped calloused digits around the base of his cock to heft the solid weight up. “F-ff....”

Engineer was already leaning in close, and a warm exhale was blown against the skin before he just barely flicked his tongue over the lip of that rosy head. His chin then pitched up to brush the rough drag of days-old stubble across the same spot. This earned a quiet whine from Scout, who was staring down at him like he was witnessing something amazing.

The calloused pad of Engineer's thumb slowly stroked up and down along the underside of the boy's cock, tracing the throbbing vein that gave such a satisfying pulsation against his touch. He considered giving a proper lecture; teaching was one thing he never minded when the students were captive enough, and this was definitely a set of skills (not that he could boast of being better than the next person – but he knew a few things here 'n there) he wanted to pass on, for his own potential benefit. It'd be easy to feign complete mastery when practically anything felt good, after all.

“First rule'a knowin' if yer doin' a good job is the pulse. Gonna feel it right here,” Engineer muttered under his breath, his thumb pressing into that vein just a bit harder for a moment and above him Scout choked out a whimper. “More it's thumpin', better yer doin'.”

Engineer smirked up at the Scout, then he squeezed all of his digits around that base and, after wetting his lips again, they closed around the warm tip of that cock, tightening up right on contact and then dragging lower to draw more of him in.

“Y... Yeah... All right. Ya got... Jesus... Ya got anythin' else, overalls?” For all his tough attitude, Scout was whimpering and squirming under his mouth.

To that question, the Engineer just let out a deep, rolling hum. He could practically feel the sound vibrating through his lips and into that stiff cock himself, and he peered up toward Scout's face to watch those features contort while his tongue flattened out along the underside of his shaft, slowly washing across the warm skin back and forth. Scout's was panting now, breath coming out as short, staggered gasps through those red, bitten lips while the leg hooked over the Engineer's shoulder tensed, heel digging into his back in what was probably an attempt to drag him closer.

“I... Oh... God... Please, can you jus' fuckin' please, come on man, oh g-geez, can you just...”

Engineer shifted to get more comfortable, his shorter legs spreading a little so that he could ease further down and one elbow propped itself on the table for support. He once again grunted in response to the Scout's words and his eyes slipped closed, wantonly focusing on what his mouth was doing.

And he liked it, boy, did he like it. There was just somethin' about having your mouth tend to somethin' so strong and muscular, yet still end up with its owner whimpering and shivering by the time you were done. If ya handled things right, a'course. It was just like a machine; he knew where all the buttons were, he just had to test them all out and discover what did what.

His tongue swirled up to pass back over the head of the boy's cock, and when it picked up that bitter musky taste that had been beading there, he shuddered and one of his hands went down to the crotch of his overalls, rubbing eagerly at the bulge hiding underneath the slack in fabric. He didn't want or need to take his time anymore, and he began to bob his head, just taking in one inch at a time until those shallow movements evolved into deeper ones – he just kept sucking on the kid's shaft, hard and unrelenting on the way up while he loosened enough to re-close and adjust his lips on the way back down. The sounds were wet and impolite, a mess of saliva was already dribbling down his chin, but he couldn't care less.

Scout keened beneath him, throwing his head back and his body forward. The taught bow his spine made was beautiful. “Oh, please, Engie, Engie, Engie, please.” A hand moved up to rake his short nails over the skin of his chest, and the Scout's voice hitched when he caught one of those dusky nipples in a pinch, “E-Engie, come on, fuck, yeah, oh God, that feels fuckin', feels fuckin', don't stop, G-God, gonna, oh, I'm fuckin' gonna...”

Scout's words were frantic, mirrored only by the movements of his hips which were rocking jerkily against the Engineer's mouth, punctuated by soft gasps and hisses of pleasure. Engineer was only spurred on by that; by every comment, every sound that came out of the younger man's throat. He loosened his own and ducked down with a bit of effort, and when he felt that tip hitting just past the hard ridges on the roof of his mouth, he thought for a second that he might gag – but he steadied himself, taking a slow breath through his nose and then swallowed to tighten every muscle, to squeeze that hot shaft and milk the pleasure right out of it.

And suddenly Scout was shouting and hunching forward and Engineer could feel Scout's cock tightening against his tongue, those twitches seeming to spasm through him harder and quicker than before. He felt the boy's nails digging into his scalp, and then thick liquid heat spurted onto his tongue, feeling his senses with hot musk.

“Oh my fuckin' – Engie! Fuck! Oh my God, Engie, Engie, Engie, Engie!”

The last words were no more than a series of choked gasps, repeated like a mantra as the boy's entire body shook with orgasm then trembled as it faded. The taste and the heady scent on his tongue was near overpowering and the Engineer groaned deep in his throat, continuing to tongue that weeping slit for a few moments while the Scout rode out his climax.

“--Kiss me. Fuckin' jus', fuckin', please, kiss, need it f-fuck.” Scout panted, hands scrambled now at the Engineer's broad shoulders, trying to pull himself up.

But only after that uncontrollable tensing and shuddering began to fade did the Engineer draw back, his lips separating from that spent length with a wet pop and he gasped for a nice, proper breath. No time for rest, though; instead his hands eagerly grabbed the boy's hips and drug him closer to the edge of the table, his stout frame leaning over it so that he could reach Scout's mouth and all but collide his own against it. He still had the boy's taste on him, and he made sure to aggressively fit his tongue in past the boy's lips to let him have a sample.

Scout hungrily drank it up, his own tongue sliding over the Engineer's, licking up his own seed in the older man's mouth and swallowing it down. Engineer couldn't help but squeeze himself between his legs as that tongue played with his own – when he wanted it, the kid showed some damn fine talent. Scout's thigh moved to dig in against the Engineer's side, while his arms wound around his neck and drew him in, kissing him harder, deeper.

Engineer was reluctant that the contact ended as soon as it did when the Scout pulled back, his face pink with exertion and eyelids heavy with a haze that seemed to linger on. However, Engineer was equally grateful for the opportunity to catch his breath again; his head was swimming in heat, and he could feel his lips tingling, red and swollen from all of the work.

“Atta boy... liked that, didn't ya...”

“Mhm.” Scout mumbled, grinning breathlessly and touching his lips somewhat gingerly, “Yeah, mhm, it was... pretty frickin' all right.”

Scout let out a long, wavering breath and allowed his eyes to close. His arms loosened around the Engineer's neck, now moved to drape languidly over his shoulders. A lazy smirk of his own crossed over the Engineer's face and he chuckled, licking his lips and pressing another kiss to the boy's hot, blushed cheek before he settled onto one of his elbows again for leverage. He waited for his pulse to slow down and reached up, unhooking that leg from where it was still wrapped up over him but had slipped down a ways from his shoulder. Scout was damn flexible, he'd give him that much.

“Hope ya learned a lil' somethin'...”

Scout continued to grin as he slumped backwards, bonelessly. His lips twisted further as he tried to contain a rather cocky smirk, “Yeah... Yeah, ya can probably say that. But I dunno, Engie. Ya think it's time for a 'pop quiz', if ya get what I'm sayin'?”

“If yer up for it, son,” Engineer drawled under his breath, his tongue swiping over the back of his teeth before he straightened up and took a step back.

Gah, he felt old sometimes. He sat a hand against the small of his spine and arched until the satisfying pop he was looking for was heard, which had him sighing instantly with a little slouch of relief. Scout, however, was already scrambling to his knees there on the floor. The younger man's hands moved to run up the sides of clothed legs, and his cheek pressed against the Engineer's wide hip.

And then he hesitated.

“Hey, uh, maybe you should, sit down or somethin'. I mean, pretty sure I'm about to blow ya freakin' mind. See? I can use those double-freakin' meanin's too. Sometimes I amaze myself, y'know.”

Just the Scout's touch running over his body was enough to get him shivering, but he could also feel the boy's breath soaking into the fabric of his overalls – and that suggestion came at the perfect time, because his damn knees felt like they were starting to give out.

“Good idea there, Slick,” the Engineer muttered with a sheepish grin.

He passed his hand over the top of the younger man's head before crossing the workshop to slouch down on the edge of his bed. Much more comfortable than taking turns on that hard work table. Scout followed him there, redundantly dusting off his knees before dropping back down onto them in front of the older man. His fingers reached out, running up and down his calves now, still trapped beneath the coarse fabric, before sliding up along his thighs and tentatively moving in between them.

Then Scout eased in, setting his mouth against that strained stretch of fabric at the seam of the man's lap, just using his warmth and his breath to tease the length caught there.

Engineer swallowed and shifted on the small bed, hooking a few fingers beneath the collar of his shirt to tug at it. Damn, it was startin' to feel like a sauna... His hands moved down his chest, unhooking his overall straps so that he could pull the front down, but did little else for the moment; he was too busy staring at the top of Scout's head as it nuzzled into his groin.

“Filthy sunavabitch, ain't ya,” he growled under his breath, passing a hand over the shortly cropped hair and then squeezing the back of his thin neck.

Every puffed exhale was like a warm, moist heat right through to his cock, and it was making the fact that he was still clothed outright tormenting. Scout raked his teeth over the zipper now, letting out a soft groan before he shifted back just enough for his hand to move up and trace the hidden shaft. His tongue then moved, following his fingertips as they teasingly traced up the length that was trapped against the crease of hip and thigh.

“Mhm, yeah, you want your freakin' prick in my mouth, don't ya? Jesus Christ, would ya look at you?” Scout inhaled sharply, tongue flicking out to lick across a growing damp streak at the front of those overalls. “Y'jus' want it so bad.”

“Hmph, 'n you're jus' rarin' for it, huh,” Engineer replied back, his hips rocking forward on the mattress.

It was getting to be far beyond teasing, though, and he pitched his weight up so that he could stuff his thumbs underneath the sides of his overalls and begin to shimmy the damn things down.

“I gotta get some... nnh, damn easier clothes to take off...” he huffed, finally sitting back down once the restricting garments were much more comfortably at his knees, allowing his thick, red erection to spring free in the cooler air.

“Fff... fuck. Would ya look at that fuckin' thing?” Scout licked his lips, hand winding around the base of the Engineer's shaft and giving it a gentle squeeze, “Fuckin' wants it so bad... Jus' so fuckin' bad, huh? Bet I could make ya fuckin' beg it wants it so bad.”

He didn't think he'd ever feel this way, but he'd never been more grateful that a mother was so unable to teach her son some damn manners. That mouth of his was driving him crazy.

And then finally, finally that mouth moved in, though only close enough to breathe against his shaft, to feel the weight against his cheek as his hand started to slide up and down. His other hand moved to cradle the Engineer's balls, kneading them gently.

“Mm... s'right, son. Jus' like 'at,” Engineer groaned under his breath, his head tipping back with a tightly-controlled yearning.

He could hold out'n wait for it; impatience was one thing, but he also knew never to rush a damn good thing when you had it. He'd sit back and enjoy it, even if that meant biting clear through his lip and shivering like he'd been dumped at Coldfront naked as the day he was born. His stomach tightened; heat was already coiling right in his gut and he didn't know if he'd last nearly as long as Scout did... but then again, shit, weren't no contest.

Suddenly the hand on his cock was replaced by a mouth, lips closing over the head and sucking hungrily at his slit, tongue dragging across it and gathering up pre-come. Engineer's eyes snapped open and he made sure to get a good look down south before his vision started crossing. Just seeing the Scout's snarky lips wrapped around his cock sent sparks right up his spine, and at that moment he probably would have forgiven him for every stupid thing he'd ever said.

His knees spread themselves out a bit more – as far as they would go while his clothes were still bunched between his legs, anyway – and he leaned back on a palm, the other set of fingers scratching lines up the back of the boy's head over and over.

“Ahh, damnit, Scout... ngh.”

Scout was moaning now, those hot, pink lips tightening up around the Engineer's thick girth as his head began to bob, pausing with each pass upwards to give his cock head a tight suck while his tongue scraped a circle around its ridge, and then back down again, nose brushing against the Engineer's pelvis.

The Engineer's head tipped back again and he groaned in a hot puff of breath, his thighs tensing with every shudder that racked through his broad frame. He wasn't exactly a difficult man to please – he could appreciate any attempt, unskilled or not, but with this... hell, it didn't even matter. Scout could sway even the pickiest tastes, he just knew it. The fact fact the boy had swallowed him entirely was already downright admirable, in that... behind closed doors kinda way, and he keened and arched, muttering deep praises under his breath.

“Yessir... k-keep it up, boy. Take it all down...”

Scout choked slightly when that cock slid in a little too far with a sudden buck up, but he seemed undeterred, taking that thick wedge in his throat and forcing himself not to pull back. The boy's fingers dug into the flesh of the Engineer's hips, and when they bucked again he seemed to take it easier, the tip of his tongue moving up to drill eagerly against the weeping slit.

Engineer's hand twisted into a fist in Scout's hair, catching what short strands it could before he lost control of his better senses and thrust his hips up to mindlessly fuck himself into the boy's mouth. When he kept hitting the back of his throat, a groaned pulled from his own each time those warm and wet muscles contracted around him. But he couldn't even hold onto that very long, and when he felt his resolve faltering, he hissed a breath in through his teeth and jerked Scout's head back, pulling himself free and taking his shaft in hand with quick, rapid jerks.

“A-ahm gonna... k-keep yer mouth open...”

The Engineer's fist loosened so that he could just palm the top of Scout's head, keeping him tipped back enough to get a good look at the boy's flushed, panting face. The sight was enough to elicit a fiery burn of lust in his gut and it only took a few more hasty jerks on his cock before everything seemed to unhinge and uncoil and he was coming. Engineer captured a strained groan between his teeth and watched as his seed splashed across the Scout's cheeks, lips and tongue, and as soon as he'd squeezed every last bit out of himself he sighed heavily, slumping back with a light bounce from the mattress. “Lord Almighty...”

Dizzily, the Scout opened his eyes. He swallowed what was in his mouth. Then he licked his ruddy lips, lapping up what that had splattered across that too, and then, unthinkingly he touched his wet cheeks, gathering up Engineer's release against his fingertips before licking that up as well, tongue sliding over his digits before sinking them into his mouth to suck on.

When he was finished his hand dropped down beside him heavily, and his gaze dropped too, mumbling quietly, “G-Geez... F... Frickin' gross...”

The Engineer was dizzy as he watched, but he'd be damned if he could tear his eyes away from the sight. It took a bit of effort to get himself upright again, but once he did he carefully brushed the rough pads of his fingertips over the Scout's cheek, the touch following to the back of his head and then down his neck, where he gave a gentle tug and began moving aside to get the boy up on his bed.

“C'mon, easy now...”

“Y-yeah...” Scout choked out, using the back of his palm to wipe his sweaty forehead, “I'm okay. J-Jesus.”

Scout climbed up beside the other man, stretching out with a soft groan. Engineer watched him for a moment, and then with a shift, he pulled off his own shirt, using it to carefully clean up the rest of the boy's face. He quickly spit on the material first to make sure he didn't smear an even sticker mess on Scout's skin, but he made sure that part wasn't seen. He could only imagine the griping and being compared to the kid's damn mother again. After that was done, he bundled up the shirt and tossed it aside before flopping back, taking a deep breath and expelling it in an even deeper sigh.

After a moment of laying there together, just breathing, the Scout sat up, grunting with the labour of the movement.

“So, uh...” Scout's voice was quieter than usual, more tired too (although that was perhaps understandable), “I should go or somethin'.”

Engineer had folded an arm beneath his head and had quirked a brow as Scout moved to sit up, “You got somewhere t'be...?” he asked, though he definitely knew otherwise. His stomach twisted a bit, and he worried if it was all about to start right on over again.

Scout licked his teeth, the anxiety practically rolling off him, “Um, nah... not really... Just figured I'd leave or whatever...” He then moved over to the edge of the bed with a quiet grunt, sliding his legs over the side and letting the soles of his feet touch the floor.

Well, he wasn't gonna give him the chance. Engineer smirked a bit, and then with a grunt he sat back up as well, hooked his arm around the boy's neck, and pulled him back down.

“Nope.” He chuckled and gave the boy's back a fond pat, getting comfortable all over again. “Think you oughta jus' relax fer a while...”

Scout let out a quiet yelp, “H-hey,” he squirmed away but didn't make to leave again, “Yo, c'mon. I ain't into... ya know. Jesus Christ. Fine. I'll stay if ya gonna cry about it.”

“Yeah, yeah, why'on't you just give that mouth a rest already.” he murmured, muffling a yawn against the back of his hand before he tucked it beneath his head again and stretched out.

“Well, I guess so long as ya don't try to cuddle me or nothin' we ain't gonna have a problem...” Scout huffed, folding his arms against his cheek and lay on his side, body sinking against the mattress.

“Noted. I'll keep 'at in mind.” The Engineer rolled a shoulder until it gave a satisfying pop and he just glanced to one side to watch Scout for a bit, mulling some things over in his head.

Even if he wasn't entirely thrilled with it, he hadn't left, 'n maybe that was a sign of progress.

Or maybe he was just hopin' for too much.

Oh lawdy.

Also, huzzah for development!

Squirming with pleasure, right now. HRNG. Everything is just... perfect. Don't ever stop!

I'm dead.

I'm dead and in heaven.

This is like, REALLY GOOD. I'm beyond impressed that it's a roleplay collab, because you can usually tell in the way it's presented with back and forth. Kudos to the editing!

I enjoyed the story taking on the Scout's point of view when it did. The pacing is so fast and frantic, you really feel like you're in his hyperactive, paranoid head. I would have liked to have seen more of the scene with Engineer and Heavy working on Sasha, but knowing that it was a roleplay and that it was Scout's POV at the time easily excuses that.

Really great themes here, as has been mentioned before. I hope to see more Heavy and possibly more of the other characters in future updates? The interactions are great! /hintpleasehint?

As a final note, Scout's dirty mouth put me in my bunk for a while. I can see why the Engineer sticks with it. Great job so far to both of you!

i have observed an impressive update

and i already want more

huehuehue

Definitely worth the wait. Oh man.
That was HOT.

Holy motherloving crap, Noisy. Your details. Your characterizations. My kinks (every damn one). I have no words.

This is the best thing ever.

“Cause I was gonna blow that dumb look right off yer stupid face.”
That's where I lost it. Bravo!!

I would also like the applaud the editing.

I usually have a really hard time reading RPs because it's always "A does this. B does this. A does this in response. B replies with this and also adds this," etc. etc. etc., switching POV every paragraph, and I'm very aware that I'm reading an RP.

But this doesn't read like that at all. This reads like a perfectly sexy fic that I never want to end ever.

Aw man, Engie. Step AWAY from the "straight" boys. You know why we should, and Scout it a perfect example of why we don't. This is so realistic it makes my stomach hurt.

This is just... beautiful. Never give up your RP-ing <3

Oh wow.

Engie. Scout. Fluff.

I love you forever, man.

I feel that 'Mouth' would have made a really good name for this story.

It's good, by the way. Keep up the good work!

Guh. Crying in joy. Well, on the inside. And maybe on the outside, too. Thank youuu everyoneeee...

35 Thank you so much! Yeah, this collab has produced much blood, sweat and tears (well, okay, none of those things really) from myself firstly, but also Knubs (who is amazing) to get it to read coherently.

Also thank you again! Even though I play Scout, my God, it is hard to write long stretches of anything from his POV mostly because of that pacing! So thank you! Yeah, I was sad I had to cut out quite a bit of the Heavy and Engie bit, but don't worry, there are plenty of other characters coming up as well (kudos to Knubs for being so talented).

38 Thank youuu! But you guys, don't forget! This is a super sweet collab.

41 Oh God. This comment makes my stomach hurt it's so good. Sometimes I worry that Scout comes off as way too paranoid or something, so it's good to be assured that it's realistic! Hopefully it'll get better for Engineer (and Scout!) as we progress!

44 Hahah, oh man, that is true. Then again, any name but the one we chose probably would have been better. At the time we didn't really think that hard about it because I don't think we really intended to continue posting here? Geez, I am laughing but, this is gonna be like some running gag that with every update someone has to mention the title.

>>44

Yeah man, "Mouth" would make a really good title. The one we came up with was really just for laughs and then it was posted with it and-- yeah. I've decided not to do any important thinking when tired.

Thanks for all the comments, guys! The story is getting really fun, so we hope you'll enjoy the future updates!

i actually prefer the current title

its very catchy

Hnnng. Why is Engie/Scout so damn amazing?

Also, you have the character's down pat. Just...great work...Imma take care of something...

I was a little disappointed that Heavy and Engie weren't getting it on, not going to lie about that.

But this being the first really enjoyable Engie/Scout I've seen in a while made that irrelevant. More please!

I love this story. You have the character's down and it's well written.

Look at the date of the post above yours. Now back to yours. Now look at the date of the last update. Now back to yours. Sadly, those dates are about a month apart.

In the email field (look to your upper right) there's a box. If you type in the word sage, it won't bump things up to the top of the list and subsequently cause bitch-fits from readers having their hopes crushed.

that was AMAZING!!! Keep it up :D!

...I love you..
awww god this is too good..I just want to print off all these words, blend them, an take a bath in em.

*rolls* Mmmmm :3 please..keep it up.. >;3

(There is so much wrong with this. Goodbye.)

I totally fell for the fake update post-bumping comment thing. This story is so catchy, and Scout is so full of lustful denial that I can't avert my eyes... Hope you continue soon! Greetings from Argentina.

Goddamit, you have no idea how in love I am with this gem of a fic you've written here.
I mean, it's Engie/Scout so it's kinda a given that I'd love it, but still! This is a pretty impressive fic, especially since it's an RP.
I just have to gush about the second to last chapter in particular, not just because of the porn, but what they talked about.
It's fascinating seeing these two argue. They're pretty much opposites both in physique and mentality: they clash, they lose tempers, and get on each others nerves. Both are having the hardest time understanding each other and themselves, and it's painfully frustrating when they keep misunderstanding each other. But dammit all, they're still trying, and that's admirable, the way they're trying to figure out where they stand. It just makes what happens afterward all the more perfect and hopeful that somehow things will work out all right for them in the end. (whenever that is)

I really really hope you guys haven't given up on this and will update this soon. I want to see just how this new development changes things for the pair.

It's been a while now... do you plan to continue it? It is one of the most amazing TF2 fics I've read so far. Hope you're doing well and that you haven't abandoned this.

This is by far my favourite fanfiction. I absolutely adore Engineer/Scout, whyyyy is it so rare...
I re-read this fic for the 6th time now, it's still amazing, I really, really hope it will be continued.