Chapter Text
“What do you think we should do now?”
The Demoman didn’t move, his chin resting on folded arms and upper half lying on Soldier’s chest.
Soldier moved his gaze from the clouds he had been watching to the man lying on top of him, pretending to consider the question carefully.
“I have a good idea of what we can do,” he replied, letting his mouth turn into a slight grin.
Demo burst into a raucous laugh, putting his hand to his face. “It’s six o’ clock man! Don’t you think it’s a little early tae be puttin’ your ankles above your head?”
“Negatory! It is never to early to enjoy sexual intercourse.” Despite attempting to appear genuine, Soldier couldn’t help but let his grin widen, always glad to make Demo laugh. Usually it wasn’t on purpose, but it made him feel satisfied all the same.
Demo rolled off Soldier onto the grass still laughing. He pressed himself into Soldier’s side, enjoying the warm sunlight and the peace this weekend had brought them. It wasn’t often RED and BLU gave extended furloughs, but when they did the two enemies-by-daylight always managed to sneak off together. The camping trip had been Demo’s idea, saying he wanted to get away from Viaduct and get out to some proper trees and hills. Of course the fact that they were away from prying eyes and risk of discovery by either of their employers was also a consideration.
“We should take a walk,” Demo said after his laughter had died and he had returned to considering their evening plans.
“A walk?”
“Aye, a hike around the lake. Stretch our legs. Try to enjoy a bit o’ nature while we still have daylight.”
Soldier snorted. “Nature? Man does not need nature to feel whole and true! Two hundred years ago man feared nature! And without Paul Revere to invent the six-story building, we would still need to fear it! Pray to God that we have bullets, fire, and entrenching tools so that true Americans are able to fend off the unseelie hoards of the wilderness. You should think about that before you go prancing off into the unknow.” He tried to keep his expression serious throughout the duration of his rant.
Demo got to his feet, laughing again. “Is that so? When then I suppose I’ll take that hike by meself. Though,” he added pointedly “If you do want a bit ‘o company later I might be a bit more inclined t’wards people who bother tae spend some quality time with me.”
Soldier paused, pretending to consider carefully again. “Well…if you do intend to venture out on this foolhardy mission, I believe there is nothing I can do to stop you. And because you are not American I suppose you do have to fear nature.” He got to his feet smiling at Demo. “And since you need to fear nature it is my duty as a true American to protect you from the jaws of the forest and its vicious fauna. Go on! I will take the rear guard as we make our around this reservoir of Mother Nature’s deadly power.”
“Aye?” Demo chuckled. “Well then I’m glad I have you here tae protect me.” They walked away from the lake, bare feet padding on the grass that eventually turned into the hard dirt of the campsite.
It was a sparse site; it held only a cook fire and a tent they had pitched last night before becoming to tired to do anything else. After breakfast the next morning they had spent the whole day fishing, at least until they had run out of grenades. After that they tried using shotgun shells, but it just wasn’t the same. That had turned into an argument about whether a shotgun or a sticky launcher was a better secondary weapon, which had turned into a round of fisticuffs, which had turned into them rolling around trying to beat the crap out of each other, which eventually led to them just lying in the grass with Demo breathing heavy and Soldier watching the clouds.
Seemingly fine at being roped into a hike, Soldier watched Demo put his boots back on. The trees and hills may have reminded Demo of home, but they didn’t do anything for the Soldier. What really made this trip special wasn’t the great outdoors: it was the company. Sure the he wore a red shirt instead of a blue, and sure he was Scottish, and sure he didn’t understand a shotgun could kick the crap out of any weapon that required hiding behind corners like a chicken liver…but he was so extraordinary in every other way. He had a laugh that could make anyone smile. He never talked down to Soldier, or told him he was crazy. In fact, most of the time when Soldier had an idea, he not only went along with it but he would find some way to make it better. He never complained about the raccoons or the severed heads, and he always had a compliment for anyone who didn’t think they were worth something.
“So, you coming ‘rear guard’?” Demo interjected. “Or just you just going tae stare at me until that helmet falls o’er your eyes?’
Soldier hadn’t realized he’d been staring. He turned away and muttered a hurried “coming,” before lacing up his own boots. He slung his shotgun over his shoulder and crammed a handful of shells into his ammo pouch. He also remembered to douse the fire and grab a couple of water bottles for the hike.
By the time he was ready Demo was already at the foot of the trail, telling him “’Mother Nature’s deadly power’ is goin’ tae freeze me toes off before you ever get o’er here.”
“We should be going counter-clockwise around the lake,” Soldier responded.
“And why would we do that?”
“It is natural for humans to walk counter-clockwise. I read that in a book!”
Demo scoffed. “And you believe that?”
“Affirmative!” Soldier didn’t really care which way they went, and he doubted Demo did either. It was just a simple sort of argument that let them fall into their comfortable bickering. “In fact, you are denying your humanity by leading us around this lake the wrong way.”
Demo shook his head and carried on down the trail. Soldier followed him, but only because if he went the other way he wouldn’t get to be the rear guard anymore.