#lee!engineer

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Matches on Coldfront were always a pain in the ass, especially when one normally lived in the desert, especially especially when the rounds kept ending in stalemates, rendering the match a few hours too long. Not only that, but it ended in a loss, even after all the RED team's efforts.

Once they returned to the base the tension could be cut with a knife. The mercenaries exchanged a few grunts and even fewer sentences at most before parting ways, which did not stop them from flipping the BLU team off, either mentally or out loud to their respective boyfriend.

“This darn son of a bitch,” Engineer muttered under his breath as he stomped away, his legs carrying his slouched body heavily, a second pair of feet following close behind.

He toyed for a second or two with an idea of going to the workshop to construct some sort of BLU Spy catching device but… one memory of endlessly trying to save his sentry only to get himself and his buildings killed over and over, and he was already in the kitchen instead. He grabbed the first Red Shed he saw and opened it with the gunslinger, the cap landing in the middle of the floor with a clink.

Once he set off to find a good enough seat the same pair of steps followed his.

“Pyro, I really ain’t in the mood.”

However, all the same, when he threw himself carelessly onto the armchair in Spy’s smoking room, the gunslinger landing perhaps even more carelessly on the floor, Pyro was still there.

“Firebug, I’m serious,” Engie underlined between gulps before his hard hat and goggles joined the mechanical arm on the floor. “‘Fraid I’m not the best company right now. Least let me drink some beers and I might be tolerable,” He finished with a bitter smile.

Pyro stared at him, unmoving, before pointing at him.

“Mmm?”

“Yeah, guess you can stay if ya want, just don’t expect much.”

Pyro nodded before-

“Wait-...” Engie furrowed his brows when Pyro chose his lap as his seat. “Pyro…” His voice softened when his partner bopped him on the nose with the end of the mask and snuggled up to him. He sighed. “I know you did yer best keeping that pesky Spy away. They all just got a good day or something.”

Pyro nodded eagerly and mimicked a head snapping motion before lying his head back on Engie’s chest who wrapped his free arm around the warm body of his boyfriend, as far as he could. 

For the next twenty minutes or so the two were quiet, save for the gulps and splashing of liquid. Eventually, the empty bottle landed on the floor.

Pyro tilted his head and gave a hesitant thumbs up.

“Yeah, feelin’ a bit better, I suppose.” Engie patted Pyro’s back. “Just a bit. Could use another beer though. Get up, snugglebug.” He tried to stand up, but Pyro did not move even one bit. “Uh, Pyro?”

“Mmh!” Pyro shook his once and straightened himself, all his weight landing on the other’s legs.

“What?” Engie raised a brow and tried to get up again. “It’s just something to cheer me up.”

However, Pyro just folded his arms and shook his head again.

“Alright, alright, what do you wanna do then?” Engineer regretted his question when Pyro let out a happy sound and wiggled his glowed fingers. “W-Wait…” He pushed himself against the backrest as much as he could. “Now, now, there’s no need for that.” He tried to lift his legs, but all the action resulted in was Pyro slightly bouncing on them before letting out an evil chuckle. Ah crap. Dang it. Engie was already smiling. “P-Pyro-!” 

“Mpphp mmmph!” Was all the warning Engineer got before Pyro wormed his hands into his armpits, scratching right in the center of the pits.

“Ghahahaha-!” Before Engie could even properly burst into laughter a wheeze sneaked its way out of his mouth. “Py-haahahhahah-Pyro!”

He managed to hit his boyfriend with his stump before instincts took over and his arms were pinned to his sides, effectively trapping the tickling hands, but nowhere near enough to stop the wiggling fingers. Pyro laughed evilly and adjusted his position, once again lying comfortably on top of the other. 

“Gahahahahad!” Engineer threw his head back. “Stahahahahap it! You’re- gh-!” His back arched when he felt Pyro pinching the skin of his armpits lightly. “Thahahahahat’s enough!” 

Pyro tilted his head and attempted to get his hands out from under the pinned arms, the action causing Engineer to scream.

“GAHAHAHA! NONONO!” He spasmed, only pinning Pyro’s hands more. 

The mischievous tickler tried to get his hands free once again but only managed to do so with one of them, and only barely. The other hand, however, despite all the movement, was stuck. Well then, there was only one solution… aside from continuing the tickling, that is. Pyro raised his free arm high above his head and pointed at it with a tilt of his head.

“Bwahahahaha!” Engie opened one of his eyes just enough to catch the sight of the raised limb. “Nohohohoho, I cahahahahan’t-!” He wheezed but tried to will himself to move his arm.

Oh, but how could he? This was dangerous, way too dangerous. Sure, keeping his arm in place trapped Pyro’s tickling fingers, but raising it? Giving Pyro even more free access to the sensitive pit? He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Still, once he could feel wetness in his eyes, he took a leap of faith and in one jerky move raised his arm just enough to make space and prayed.

Naturally… Pyro grabbed the raised wrist with his free hand, the other one still teasing the sensitive skin of Engie’s even more vulnerable now armpit.

“PYRO!” Engie tugged wildly at his wrist, his other arm trying its best to push Pyro away, but the stump wasn’t exactly doing much. “NAHAhahahahah!” 

He tried his dandest to gain his mental footing back. As hard as it was to do while being bombarded with nerve-teasing sensations, Pyro’s delighted giggles and muffled teases, he eventually came up with a plan. Unfortunately, that was only the first step. The next one - putting it into fruition, was much harder. He wiggled as much as possible towards the side of the armchair, giggled madly, and leaned down, reaching with his stump.

The gunslinger was right there…

Maybe if he aimed the stump right…

Almost… almost…

“Mmph!”

“YYAHA!” Engie squealed at his loudest yet when he felt now two sets of fingers crawling under his overalls and attacking his stomach. The assault wasn’t even all that fast but considering the spot… “NAHAHAHAHA! PYYYHYHYRO!” Instead of reaching anything, Engie's body fell onto the armrest.

His protests fell on deaf ears, the wiggling motions on his tummy kept attacking every nerve in the middle of it. Pyro? The happiest he could be, rocking from side to side rhythmically, humming a muffled tune that his ticklee could barely hear through his laughter. 

Eventually, Pyro changed his strategy. Just when Engie’s face was at its reddest, he stopped.

“Pyro…” Engie wheezed. He tried to sit up properly, but his muscles didn’t allow that. “Hah… haha… Y-you finished…?” He covered his tummy weakly with his hand.

Pyro just shook his head.

“Wait-!”

Pyro used one finger to trace juuuuust around Engie’s belly button.

“Kkkhhheeh! Heh! Pyrooo…” Engie almost whined.

“Mhm hmh!”

Pyro continued his tracing keeping Engie’s steady stream of giggles from disappearing, before starting to poke inside the little indentation.

“Ggh! Hah! Mmm- ahah!” Engie jumped with each poke, trying to suck in his stomach, to no avail. “P- hah! Pyrohoho! I’m happy, I’m hah happy haha! I prohohomise!”

That did it. Pyro halted and raised his hands in a placating gesture, still chuckling in amusement.

“God, firefly…” Engie rubbed his eyes slowly. “Ya’re evil, pure… evil.” 

“Ghehe!”

“Yeah, yeah…” Next, he rubbed his hot cheeks. 

Pyro raised the corners of Engie’s lips with his index fingers.

“Yeah… yeah… feelin’ better,” Engineer admitted quietly. “You’re still terrible,” He added with a smile and a kiss to Pyro’s masked cheek was.

The arsonist clapped and stood up.

“Hey now, where ya goin’?” Engie leaned forward and grabbed Pyro's wrist, pulling the other to lie back against him, causing Pyro to wriggle happily.

After a while, Pyro pointed at the mess on the floor.

“Hm?” Engie opened one eye lazily before closing it again. “Yeah, yeah, I’m sure Spy won’t mind. ‘Sides, we don’t gotta tell him anything, right?”

Pyro nodded and poked at Engie’s side, just one more time.

“Docteur.”

“Nein.”

“You are being the most dramatic right now.” The smoke from Spy's cigarette was curling around him lazily as he stood with folded arms, his eyes stuck on the miserable display beneath.

“Look who's talking,” Medic snapped, but his muffled voice didn't help his case as the man pushed his face against the pillow.

“Hmph. My point still stands. Besides, it does not change the fact that you could be doing it on your own bed.”

Medic simply shrugged. However, while Spy was quietly debating whether he should throw his boyfriend off his rightfully owned bed the man rolled onto his side, and with the most unmatching grumpy expression reached out his hands towards Spy, imitating grabbing.

“Non.”

Spy's objection didn’t mean much and suddenly, in a few smooth moves, Medic was on his legs. As soon as his arms wrapped around Spy's waist he fell back, taking the other down with him.

“Ugh,” Spy grunted when he realized Medic's arms didn’t let go. Not only that, but his cigarette dared to slip out from between his teeth and find its new place on the floor. “Is that really necessary?” 

“Ja. I'm still cold.” Medic pushed his face against Spy's chest.

“More than in one way it seems…” Spy sighed but wrapped his arms around the other. 

Next, he planted a small kiss on Medic's forehead, and he could feel the tension dissipating from the other's wound-up muscles, however slowly.

As much as he tried to force his mind to halt thinking about it, Spy knew exactly what to do to make his doctor feel better …himself too, as a bonus, especially considering the damned cigarette was still absent from his mouth.

“Docteur,” He tried one last time.

However, the so-called docteur only wrapped all his limbs around Spy tightly while his eyes remained stubbornly closed.

“Very well.”

Spy shifted in Medic's hold before putting his, for now, flat palms against each of Medic's sides. And oh, he couldn't help but smirk when he felt the other already jumping slightly under the touch, a small wobbly smile visible on his face now as well.

Spy bent his fingers, cupping Medic's form.

“O-oh, so that's how we're playing?” Medic bit his lower lip.

“Quoi? I am merely returning your hold.” Spy's fingers began gently tapping against the clothed skin.

“Pfff-. As if I would believe that,” Medic managed to let out through gritted teeth, but the lack of any other signs of protest didn't elude his boyfriend.

“Well, I suppose that doesn't really matter, does it now?”

Medic opened his mouth but whatever words were about to be spoken came out in the form of sweet giggles once Spy really started wiggling his fingers against the coatless sides.

“Ohhhohohoh!”

“Ticklish, are we?” Spy teased.

“Y-Yes!”

“You are addicted, docteur.”

“Perhahahaps!” Medic started kicking his legs. “Thehehen induhuhulge me!” He snickered once a squeeze lit up all the nerve endings near his hips.

“Just this once.” Sure, it was a lie, too obvious for Spy’s usual tastes, but he supposed the teasing part made up for it. “You are making yourself vulnerable way too easily for a supposed cold-hearted killer.”

And that? That only caused Medic to push himself away. Not enough to unwrap his arms from around Spy, but enough to make space between them, leaving his torso unprotected.

“Tch, freak.”

Spy dug his fingers deeply between Medic’s ribs and once the man threw his head back with an overwhelming squeal, he quickly straddled Medic’s waist, his hands landing on each side of the doctor’s head.

“Oho?” Medic grinned at him while his chest was heaving with quickened breaths.

“My, what a mess you already are.” Spy leaned down and cupped Medic’s reddened cheek. “It’s almost cute.”

“Oh? And what are you going to do about this, Herr Spy?” Medic leaned away from Spy’s hand playfully.

“Nothing that you don’t already expect and yet still won’t try to stop.”

Spy pushed his hands under Medic’s clothes, scratching at his sensitive tummy.

“GAHAHAHA!” Medic’s back arched again. “OHOHOHO! SPAHAHAY!”

“Still just as ticklish as ever I see. Hah, pathetic.”

No amount of teasing or wiggling fingers was enough for Medic to put his remaining strength into at least attempting to push Spy’s hands away. No. Instead, he managed to turn onto his back and moved his arms above his head, his fingers curling into fists but that was about it.

“AHAHAH! S-SAHAHAYS YOU!” He cackled.

“And what is that supposed to mean? Tch tch tch, how rude.” Spy’s lips puckered up while he shook his head mockingly. “You’re the one pinned under me.” He raised his hands, making sure Medic could see them, and wiggled his fingers. 

Medic jumped when the digits rapidly descended, but instead of resuming their tickling they started unbuttoning his vest before lifting his shirt, the vulnerable skin presented in its whole glory.

“Ah…” Medic’s sucked in his stomach.

“Now, let us proceed.” 

Spy shifted lower on Medic’s legs, leaned down until his masked face was practically touching the still sucking in tummy and… blew a small, almost elegant raspberry.

“GAHAH!”

Another raspberry, another short but intense burst of laughter. Every few seconds the raspberries were being planted quicker and quicker, the pace only steadying once Spy’s face turned red from the lack of breath.

Medic? Well, his reactions were anything but steady. 

He laughed.

Pfffff!

He snickered.

Pff! Pffffffft!

He even snorted.

“Pfff! Pffff! …Pffffft…!

“SPAHAHA… HAHAY!” One of his fists hit Spy’s back a few times before he regained control and managed to put the unruly arm back in its rightful place - above his head, next to the other shaky limb. “GOHOHOHOTT IM HIMMEL!”

“Still so dramatic.” Spy smirked before returning to delivering the life-altering raspberries.

It wasn’t all, however. No. This time he moved his hands up and with the raspberries still doing their job his nails began scraping against the outstretched armpits.

“KH-! YAHAHAHA!” Violent shiver took over Medic’s body. His arms remained raised though his fingers were more than a little restless.

“I do… have to say,” Spy managed to say before catching a deeper breath, “your self-control is admirable… even if foolish.” 

Pfffffffffffft!

Self-control or not, screeches of laughter or not, the tickling continued until all energy was gone. Not Medic’s energy. Spy’s.

He straightened himself on top of his boyfriend and leaned back, trying to regain his breath. Sure, Medic was doing the same, still looking like a mess, but only a physical one. Mentally the man was glowing.

“Now that’s… what I… needed…” He whispered as loud as he could on wheezing breaths. “Oh, Spy… how nice… of you… Ja, my energy is… regained… Oh Gott…”

“You are a… psychopath if this… makes you more energized,” Spy sighed. 

Medic’s lips formed an “o” and… oh… oh no, he blinked quickly and eyed Spy with those way too glimmering pupils. 

“Well, danke.” He smiled mischeviously. Not the playful mischievous. The evil mischievous. “Truly a compliment to remember. However, I think I should do something to live up to this, ah, title.” He leaned on his elbows.

“Non.” Spy’s eyes widened. 

“And it’s only polite to return such a nice gesture.”

“Docteur, non.”

“Too late!”

With far more strength than someone who endured the tickle torment of this caliber should have left Medic grabbed Spy’s hips and one quick roll around later their positions were switched.

Medic wiggled his fingers.

“Tickle, tickle, Herr Spy.” 

“Ah, merde.”

“Ayeanwhyitsof’kingcold,” Demoman mumbled under his breath as he practically hung off of Heavy even as the latter held him tightly against his frame.

“Demo still feeling cold?” Heavy patted his back gently while his other hand combed through the other’s messy hair.

“A bit.” Demo’s muffled reply came with a sigh as he pushed his face against Heavy’s chest. “I’ll tell ye one thing, lad, no amount of desert sun can warm me up now.”

“Hm, that is not true.” Heavy smiled good-naturedly. “Just need time.”

“...Aye, maybe.”

The clock ticked as the two continued snuggling on the couch with Demo stretching out every now and then on top of his beloved giant but. In fact, the atmosphere was so undisturbed Heavy’s eyelids began unconsciously dropping, the world turning more and more blurry until his boyfriend arched his back and spoke up, this time in a clearer voice.

“Alright, alright, I’m good now.”

Heavy opened one eye and looked at the other.

“Ye’re plenty warm, Misha. Thanks.”

“Mhmm, you’re welcome.” Heavy shifted lazily. “Good to know.” He went quiet after that, but Demo kept looking at him expectantly. “What?”

“Well, I was waitin’ for ye to tell me how I can return yer gesture.”

“No need.” Heavy raised his flat palm. “Heavy is resistant to cold.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Demo chuckled and made himself more comfortable, now resting his chin on folded arms and eyeing Heavy’s face. “But I can do something else for ya. C’mon, I saw you being just as pissed as everyone else.”

“I was upset, yes,” Heavy admitted. “But it’s over now. Fight is fight and tomorrow is another day.”

“Ain’t that the truth… But still! C’mon, you never ask for anything and yer my sweetheart now, like it or not.” Demo formed a heart with his fingers. “So, what ya want? Food? Drinks? A second pillow?” He moved farther up his boyfriend’s body with each suggestion until their noses were touching, Demo smiling right in front of the blue eyes.

“I said before.” Heavy blinked. “Nothing.”

“Awww, c’mon!” Demo fell limp. “Yer more stubborn than Medic when he obsesses over some bloody medical thing and thinks about it whole night.”

“Thank you.”

“Ain’t a compliment right now!”

Heavy chuckled, killing Demo’s spirit completely. …At least for a minute, because when he returned to the cuddling and his hand began absent-mindedly tracing Misha’s torso eventually getting to the stomach, Heavy grunted and moved under the other’s weight. Just a bit. But oh, just enough to awaken the latter’s curiosity.

Demo traced one finger in a straight line, except now all his focus was on whatever reaction it would awaken.

Heavy took a breath through his teeth.

A slow circle around the belly button.

Heavy very obviously sucked in his stomach.

A scratch on his lower belly-

Immediately, a big hand wrapped around Demo’s wrist, lifting it away from his body.

“Stop it.”

“Why?” Demo barely managed to stop a smirk from stretching on his face. “Doesn’t hurt, right?”

“Nyet.”

“Then why stop?”

“Because.”

“Lad, that ain’t an answer.”

“It is.”

Demo rolled his eyes playfully but let the other go. Well, at least when it came to the verbal stuff because his mind was already busy planning. Even though Heavy didn’t say anything more, Demo could practically see his mind’s eye following his every move, especially his hands. But heck, as smart and skilled as his boyfriend was, there was one thing, one disadvantage he had that Demo could exploit. 

His slowness.

After one more breath his hands shot to the hem of Heavy’s T-shirt and lifted it, allowing Demo’s head to sneak its way under it.

“Uh-.” Heavy’s eyes flew open but his immediate effort to sit up proved fruitless. 

“Gotcha, lad!” The lump under Heavy’s shirt moved along with the words. “Since ya didn’t give me any ideas on how to repay you, I thought of one meself. So now, relax.”

Heavy did not relax. His hands started pushing at where he could feel Demo’s shoulders and admittedly, he was succeeding until-

Pfft!

“GH-!”

Pffffft!

“GAHAHAHAHA! N-No!”

“Awww, ticklish?” Demo cooed. “Not so tough now, are ya?”

“I- kh!” Heavy could feel fingers moving up and down his sides while Demo’s chin remained resting on his bare stomach. “NN-Nahahahahaha!”

Demo cooed again, pure unadulterated joy dancing in his voice, “Now that’s adorable. Tickle tickle tickle!”

“D-Dehehehemoman!”

“Heh, sayin’ my whole name won’t help ya,” Demo teased. He moved up under Heavy’s shirt, allowing his fingers to skitter across his ribs. “Just accept it, lad, yer ticklish and that’s adorable, sweetheart,” He emphasized the last word.

And sure, the petname didn’t stop Heavy from squirming or grabbing at his boyfriend, but hey, it was still worth it. Demo’s expression softened, almost regretting that Heavy wasn’t able to see the adoration in his eye. But then again, he reckoned, being able to make Heavy laugh like never before was even better.

He stopped his fingers, instead putting his lips to use by planting quick, small kisses all around Heavy’s tummy, accompanying each one with an exaggerated “mwah!”. And oh, what sweet sounds followed…

“Ahahaha! Hah! Ghhh- ahahah! Demo!” Heavy’s legs kicked with each smooch. “Stop it!”

“Awww, why?” Demo asked between the kisses. “Ye seem so happy! Coochie coochie coo!” He sang sung while scribbling his nails down the sides of the sensitive stomach. 

“AHAHAHA! NO!!

And dang if Demo didn’t melt yet again. There was almost nothing he wanted to do more than get out from under the T-shirt to kiss Heavy’s stupid, gorgeous face but the thought that would most likely inevitably lead to the end of the tickle.

…

He reasoned he could survive a while more. Kissing the face? Good. Discovering and playing with his big, tough guy’s tickle spots? Even better. And damn that tummy was one hell of a ticklish spot. How did he not discover that sooner? It was right there! Well, he could beat himself about that later.

“Love yer laugh, big guy,” Demo sighed contentedly, now nuzzling the beautiful patch of skin, his beard scratching it simultaneously. “So pretty…”

“Ah-ahahaha! It’s not fahahahair!” Heavy protested through laughter.

“I know, right? Laughter so pretty I’m almost jealous. But hey, as long as I get to hear it every now and then I reckon I might just survive.”

The decrease of the strength of the tickles was directly followed by the decrease in Heavy’s reaction, but also the increase in the cuteness of his laughter. Still recognizable as the wild, manic-like laughter he usually sported on the battlefield, but also undeniably possessing a new, more joyous spark. 

Demo couldn’t see himself stopping it anytime soon… but apparently Heavy very much could.

“Gh!” He grunted in the middle of his chuckles while launching his upper body forward, causing his boyfriend to let out a surprised “ah!” and finally managed to pull Demo out from under his shirt, holding him by his arms.

“Awww.” Demo tried to set his trapped limbs free but despite being able to straight-up feel less strength in Heavy’s grip it was still more than enough to be unbreakable. “End already?” He pouted.

“Demoman… is a menace…” Heavy huffed out his oh so flushed face and caught a breath.

“Happy to be one.” Demo grinned. Wait… “Wait a sec… Ye could have just stopped this anytime ya wanted, aye?”

Heavy paused, looked away and let Demo’s arms go.

“Heeey,” The tone of Demoman’s voice softened, “not makin’ fun here, aye? Did ya… enjoy it?”

“...Yes.”

“An’ that’s why ya didn’t stop it?”

“...Da.”

“Alright, now that’s just bloody adorable. Yer adorable, Misha.” 

With that Demo practically threw himself at the other, enough to bounce before wrapping his arms around his neck, finally fulfilling his desire of covering that dang perfect face with kisses.

“I am?” Heavy blinked, turning his head slowly, following the tokens of love.

“‘Course you are!” Demo squished the other’s cheeks. “But I’m still just a lilllll mad that you didn’t tell me about all that before.” 

“Huh…” Heavy glanced at the ceiling before his expression turned mischievous, the redness lingering on his cheeks not even taking that much away from it. “Alright. But it’s only right I take revenge some time.”

“Oh?” Demo’s eye metaphorically lit up with interest. “Well then, yer lucky I’m always up fer a tickle fight.”

“This cannot happen again, not when I’m there! Loss in a battle is already unacceptable but a loss this big? More than unacceptable! It is disastrous! We have to devise a plan, a strategy like never before! Naturally, I will think of it but you, you cupcake, need to make sure to put it to use just like the rest of the less lovely maggots! Not to mention…”

Sniper didn’t really hear the rest of it. He wasn’t too pleased when his eyelids started drooping but he wasn’t exactly trying to stop it either aside from sipping his coffee while his questionably determined other half continued ranting. Continued. And continued…

Sniper yawned. Alright, there was only so long Soldier could live with his fury without causing irreparable damage.

“...BLU Spy will get the most of it, I will make sure of it personally but don’t even get me started on their Heavy-.”

“Solly, mate,” Sniper cut in. “I get it. Today sucked but maybe save that energy for tomorrow. Am sure you’ll be dominating those buggers left and right if you do.”

“I…” Soldier opened his lips but closed it quickly. “Hmm…”

Sniper could practically see the clogs turning in his head.

“But if ya use too much of it now it won’t happen.”

“Hmmm…” Soldier rubbed his chin and eventually grabbed onto Sniper’s shoulders, shaking him way too intensely for the marksman’s comfort. “Yes, I approve of this strategy! My plan is sure to work!”

“Kheh, sure thing.” Sniper chuckled and gently took each of Soldier’s hands off his shoulders. “Now, how ‘bout you just relax and join me in drinking coffee? In silence,” He added quickly. And then, even quicker, he planted a kiss on Soldier’s cheek when he saw his mouth opening.

“Right… right…” Soldier coughed once into his fist before standing up. “Coffee making starts now!” He announced to the walls before marching off to prepare a true warrior’s caffeinated drink. Or something along those lines.

Sniper took a breath and leaned his elbows on the table. Admittedly, he just needed this day to be over, but not before finishing this dang mug of coffee. If he, and all of them, were lucky, the night wouldn’t be an extension of the chill of the day’s battle area.

“Here!” Soldier suddenly put his own mug full of hot liquid down, making the other jump. “A true soldier’s rations."

“Sounds good, mate.”

To be fair, Soldier kept his promise of staying quiet. In fact… he kept it so well once Sniper run out of coffee, he turned to look at him and- Soldier was practically shaking. 

“Uh…”

He leaned to look into Soldier’s mug, but it was practically full. That could only mean two things. Either at some point Medic put something weird in Soldier that was causing this or…

“You’re still all wound-up, huh?”

“Nggh affirmative!” Soldier punched the table, spilling some of the contents of the mug.

“Right…” Sniper scratched his nape. “Well, ya can always do somethin’ else with all that energy.”

“Something else?” Soldier blinked behind his helmet. 

“Or we can just go to bed soon.”

“No!” Soldier declared before taking a gigantic gulp of his drink. “Something needs to be done with all this destructive force.”

Sniper breathed in through his teeth once his boyfriend began looking around the kitchen. Seriously, he was not planning to be the one to tell Miss Pauling they needed another table, again… let alone be the one forced to fix the thing. However, all those thoughts were thrown to his mental garbage bin once Soldier’s eyes landed on him and suddenly, he didn’t feel so safe sitting between him and the wall, especially once the other freaking grinned.

“Mate, I ain’t in the mood to be a personal punching bag,” Sniper warned, shifting as close to the wall as possible.

“Aw, don’t worry, Sniper.” Soldier’s tone absolutely did not lessen Sniper’s worries. “I need to save all my beating-up energy for tomorrow. But I can still do something else.” 

Sniper tried to flatten his back against the wall more when Soldier raised his hands, his fingers, oh no, already wiggling, but there was no space left. 

Ah shit.

He glanced down at the space under the table. Maybe if he ducked quickly, he could-

“Khhahah!” He cackled when Soldier dug his fingers into his ribs, teasing the bones and spaces between them. “Nahahat what I meheheant!”

“Too bad. It’s what I meant though and you are ticklish,” Soldier justified with a way too satisfied smirk as if it was a completely plausible explanation. “It’s a weakness in the flesh, ready to be exploited.”

“You are blohohohoody ridiculohohohous!” Sniper attempted to push Soldier’s arms away, but his own lanky limbs weren’t exactly a match for the older mercenary’s muscles, not to mention the sheer determination practically oozing from him. “GHEH!” Sniper squealed loudly once Soldier’s hands moved up, now scratching deep in his pits.

“Am I too violent for you, cupcake?” Soldier teased. “It’s just tickling. A real soldier should have no problem withstanding it!”

Sniper really couldn’t tell if even taking a try at replying was worth it at this point, but even if it was, his own laughter stopped it from happening. All he could do while his armpits were being poked and prodded at, aside from still looking for a way out, was curse at the way his genes betrayed him by making him this ticklish. Which okay, it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever if he could at least hide his reactions, but…

“NAHAHAHA!” He tried to curl up when one of Soldier’s hands moved from tickling his armpit to under his shirt to perform the same action on his stomach.

…Even worse, Sniper could feel the familiar if rare warmth in his head, like his mind was on fire. Not the kind of fire Pyro used to kill BLU team and not so occasionally other people. No, this was the kind of fire you wanted in a fireplace you’d sit close to during a cold evening.

“Hah, red!” Soldier quickly pointed at Sniper’s cheeks. “Loyalty to your team, I respect that, maggot,” He declared in a way too solemn tone. “Even if you’re so ticklish.” 

The manner in which he whispered the last word was going to drive Sniper insane in the best worst way possible.

And then… and then!

“Ah-... khhheheh!” Sniper couldn’t stop his hands from flying to cover his face when he felt fingers scribbling on the sides of his neck. “Hehehehe, s-stop thahat!” There was way less protest in his voice than before.

It took Sniper a few seconds of giggling before realizing Soldier didn’t provide him with a teasy reply, or any at all for that matter. He couldn’t be sure, but he swore the tickling’s speed slowed along with the prolonging silence. 

Eventually, he hesitantly uncovered his eyes. 

“W-Whahahat?” He snickered seeing Soldier with a raised chin, the movement uncovering his eyes and with them his bewildered expression.

“You…” Soldier’s breath caught in his throat but that did not stop his fingers from working. No. If anything they accelerated back, causing Sniper’s body to tremble. “You are the most adorable person I have ever seen.”

Sniper couldn’t be sure if he heard that right. Those words? Those words have possibly never before left Soldier’s mouth before. Sniper couldn’t tell if he was more embarrassed, flustered? Or shocked. Whichever emotion it was he had no time to properly think about it.

“Ghahaha, okay, okahahahay! But ya can stohohohohop now!”

But Soldier just shook his head decidedly. “Absolutely not. I need to harvest more of that unusual laughter and reactions from you. It’s your own fault for being so damn not-mercenary-like adorable.”

“Sohohoholdier!” Sniper pressed his chin against his neck as much as possible but then raised it once Soldier’s fingers attacked more before easing back down. God, he was going to go crazy. And, even worse, maybe he was going to enjoy it.

“Hah!” Soldier chuckled triumphally. “You’re all bark but no bite, huh? If you were a real rough and tough mercenary you would be able to free yourself no problem. Come on, maggot, either do that or I will be forced to continue.”

And, bloody hell, Sniper couldn’t decide anymore if he wasn’t trying to free himself because he was too weak to do that or because he didn’t really want it to stop.

For some reason Scout couldn’t stop thinking about the moment they all stepped inside the base, even now when an hour has passed… No, screw it, he knew the reason damn well. It was the way they all paired off. Some of them didn’t even need a verbal invitation, they just knew they could follow. When Scout had been roaming the hallways aimlessly, he just knew too. He could hear chuckles and laughter, distant but undeniable. The atmosphere was practically soaked with tooth-rotting affection. 

It didn’t use to be like that. The pairs didn’t always exist but with time something changed. With that time, they apparently realized just how… lovable a person could be despite being a mercenary with their own weird, even annoying habits. It used to be beyond Scout. Sniper and Soldier being together? That shouldn’t have happened, shouldn’t have worked. But then again, he could say that about any of the romantic relationships that have developed in the team. Now they somehow made sense. Now Scout too could see how lovable each of them could be. Each of them had their pros that were more than enough to outweigh their faults. They had them. They had someone who chose them here. Who was happy to make them happy.

He?

Scout turned around on his bed, but the sleep still refused to take him.