Strawb

You and Demo’s relationship was… complicated.

It always consisted of bouncing insults back and forth over the battlefield while trying to get your shot in. You already had to deal with insults from the other team but the friendly fire? New low. You are going to have some of the worst eyebrow wrinkles in the world if this carried on, two lines etched in between your brows.

Not only did this come from the battlefield but carried on into the base and consequently this after work party. You stood there in a decently nice outfit, basic shirt and jeans, the only ones you had that didn't have soot stains or bullet holes.

You held a drink in your hand, slowly nursing it just to get you a little tipsy. Just enough alcohol to give you that nice humming behind your eyes. Enough to make some bad decisions feel a little more reasonable.

Slowly sipping, the familiar sound of heavy boots started to come your way. Familiar, you didn't even need to turn to know exactly who it was.

“Careful with that drink, Ye already look unfortunate sober”

Your eyes roll and you pivot around. You look up leaning your hand against the table, a lazy smile curving slowly into your face.

“Oh? And you look much better?”

He smirked back, waving a bottle around in his hand and spilling some on the ground.

“Aye, that's the tragedy. I still look better then ye”

You furrow your brows, a practiced dance. You bump his arm with your fist and cross them in front of you.

“Ye tryin to start a fight?”

“Nah, I don’t wanna end up like the people who tried raising you. ”

Demo’s grin stayed for just a moment.

Then it disappeared.

He gripped the bottle in his hand harder as his expression changed slowly.

“...What did ye say?”

He steps forward slowly entering your personal space. A chill runs down your spine as you look up.

“I don’t think I heard ye properly… Say it again.”

You lean there, smile still on your face, your drunk confidence is still running through your body, but your brain is slowly starting to put it together. He purses his lips slightly and looks down.

“Right.”

He shakes his hands slightly and it finally clicks. Your body moved before your brain and you made a dash for the exit. Shit shit shit. You shouldn’t have taken it that far.

“Get back here.”

He runs quickly on your tail as everyone starts to realise what happened but did nothing. They all stood there, there was no stopping him once he had started.

You run around the back of the base, chest tightening and legs moving faster than they ever have before. You hear the door slam as he's hot on your heel.

“I told ya to get back here. You wanted a fight, ye got it!”

He throws his bottle and it smashes next to your head, spilling spirit all over you. You carry on running, faster and faster and run back around into the base. Everyone is still sipping their drinks unbothered by the chase. You run up the stairs to the rooms and quickly look for a place to hide. You hear the distant yelling booming from downstairs making your heart beat faster. You cant just stop him and apologise, you fucked up and you fucked up BAD.

You have a moment to breathe before you look down the stairs and see him looking side to side. He’s gripping his sword, his hands almost blue. Fuck.

“Come here and fight me!”

He turns his head and his eyes meet yours.

“Now I got ye.”

You look around and see a broom leaning against a wall and grab it quickly to block the blow he sends your way. He’s slashing and swinging his sword with full force with a blood curdling look on his face.

“Shit. I’m sorry! I am i promise”

You block and dodge his blows like your life depends on it. Your both side-stepping in the hallway blocking blows left and right. He’s on the full offence.

“Oh ye sorry now? Shouldn’t have said it!”

You sigh and keep blocking his blows and he's starting to physically tire out. He grits his teeth and furrows his brow more as he slams his sword down but catches it half way on the hallway wall.

“I promise I am! Just listen!”

You dodge and take a swing as his legs knock him down onto his back. You stand over him pinning the sword back, not giving him the space to swing as your chest heaves.

“I didn’t realise it would hurt that much okay? Now…”

You breathe and wipe sweat from your forehead.

“I didn’t mean it. Like you never mean your insults…”

He stopped. Slowly letting his breath back. Then his expression became unreadable. His whole body paused, still on the ground and trying to get his breath back. The cogs began turning in his head before his mouth opened.

“...Aye”

He gave you a glance up and down with the corner of his mouth slowly curving up

“Ye still fight like a coward though”

Thank fuck.