Time Away From Home

Happy Birthday...

Three weeks of nothing... but here was something interesting... Spy called over the radio, "Sniper, we should go back." But Sniper whispered, "Hold on..." and focused in with his Binoculars. Where was it? Where was it? There. A Gray Gravel Co truck driving on a mountain road. Mick quickly sketched what the area looked like, then he flipped through his notebook to his overhead map. Based on his best geographic guess... The road that the truck was on was heading south, however because of the mountainous terrain, the road had to backtrack quite a bit before swooping around to where the mine was. It would take around a day or two for it to get there. Mick grinned, then Spy said quietly over the radio, "Sniper, what do you see?" I see the end of a very long mission. Sniper packed up his things and said giddily, "I'll tell ya in a second. Lemme get down first." and he started climbing down his tree. He got down to the ground and got in his Landrover where Spy was already sitting in the passenger seat. He wiped his sticky, sappy hands on his jeans and got on the road as Spy asked, "What did you find?" Sniper beamed at him, "I saw a Gray Gravel Co truck headin' this way! They must've hit something!" Spy quirked a brow at him, "You're rather excited. I do not think I have ever seen you smile so big.", "Well enjoy it, because the next few days are gonna be a doozy." They made it back to camp and Mick hopped out of his Landrover, going straight to Engie. Engie smiled at him and said, "You're just in time! We got-", "I saw a Gray Gravel truck headed this way!" Engie's eyes widened, "What?! Where? How far?", "About a day away," Mick beamed, showing Engie his map, "I saw em' here, which means with where they gotta go, they outta be here by tomorrow!" Engie blinked, then he ran a hand over his head, "So soon?!", "So soon?! This is great! This means they got something-", "Happy birthday, Snipes!" Scout cheered, giving Sniper a pat on the back. Sniper ignored him as Engie said, "I thought we'd have more time.", "More time for what? More time with me sittin' up in a bloody tree to watch robots dig?", "I thought we'd have time to get in there and grab it." Sniper huffed, "With what? We gonna dig through rock with our hands?" Scout tried, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you-" while Engie sighed, "I have a- a thing. I just needed the opportunity to use it." Mick scowled at him, "A thing?!", "Happy birthday dear Sniiiipes-" Spy pulled Scout away as Sniper growled, "You wanna tell me what the plan is here? Cuz as far as I was concerned, the plan was to let them dig up the Australium, then we go in and nab it from 'em. Are you tellin' me you could have dug that shit up this whole time?!" Engie flushed, "Well- no, I- it ain't done with it yet!", "Oh, so you wanna let Grey get his hands on our shit just cuz your toy ain't done?!", "Sniper-!", "You get your shit together tonight. Else I'm gonna raid that cave myself..." Sniper turned and stormed off, the rest of the mercs clustered together as they listened to the argument. Scout tried again, "Happy birthday, Snipes." and Sniper waved a hand, "Thanks..." as he walked away. He got in his camper and slammed the door behind him, but it didn't bring him any satisfaction. Still, he was agitated. If Engineer made him stay in this Godforsaken forest any longer than he had to, he was gonna lose it. Realistically, he was already losing it- He'd been losing it for weeks now- but then he finally found his ticket home only for Engie to not know what the fuck he was doing! Mick paced in the small space, too elevated to do much else- until there was a knock on the door. Sniper controlled his emotions, taking a breath before cracking the door open to answer, "Yes?" Demo, who was on the other side, greeted, "Ey Sniper, can I come in?" Sniper took in another sharp breath, but then he nodded tightly, opening the door for him. Demoman gave him a nod before hopping in and sitting at the booth. He placed a wrapped something on the table and Sniper joined him, pointing it out, "What's that?", "It's your birthday present." Demo mused, sliding it over to him. Sniper flushed, ducking his head, "Thanks... I'm sorry for just stormin' out like that." Demo flicked a hand at him, "Don worry about it, Sniper. I've been there a time or two myself." Sniper smiled, then opened up his gift. Inside the newspaper wrapping was a picture of all nine mercenaries together, and a muffin. Demo pointed at the muffin, "That's the last one, so you'd better eat it before Soldier does." Mick chuckled, then he took a bite. It was macadamia nut and cinnamon. Those were two of his favorite things. Demo asked, "You like it?" and Sniper nodded, leaning over and pulling him into a side hug, "That's wonderful. Thank you, Demo." Demo returned the hug, then he said, "The others have gifts for you too, including Miss Pauling... though that might be more of a loan than a gift..." Sniper looked down at his muffin for a moment, considering that. If the others were nice enough to celebrate his birthday for him, it'd do him well to join them. He quickly finished up his muffin and stood up saying, "Alright then... I've made a stink enough as it is, I don't wanna damper anyone else's night." He took a step, but Demo stopped him, "Sniper, it's your birthday. If you want some time to yourself right now, take it. Just know we'll be out here waitin' for ya. We'll be partyin' our arses off, but we'll be waitin' none the less." Sniper smiled at that and then he really thought about it. Was he really ready to go back out there and see everyone? If he was honest with himself... not really... Demoman just pat his shoulder, "Have a rest, compose yourself, then come out and join us." and with that, he left. Sniper watched the door shut behind him and he didn't follow. And he thought that perhaps he wouldn't for a good while. He changed out of his sappy, tree-goop covered clothes and continued to pace. Well, less pace and more just walk back and forth- unless that was pacing? Perhaps a different word was better. Maybe 'Meandering'. Sniper nodded at that. He meandered back and forth in his camper as he thought. Those guys out there were trying to do a nice thing for him, and while he appreciated the gesture, all he really wanted was to go home. All he really wanted was Caroline. He faltered in his meandering as he remembered his dreams from a few weeks ago. He hadn't dreamed of her lately, but those last couple were more than enough for him. He couldn't usually remember his dreams, but those ones were burned into his memory. He kept going back to them in his mind... Caroline, the warmth, the field of wheat- which seemed a little clique to him, but whatever. He just missed her, and that had been the closest he'd been able to get to her since he'd been gone. He sighed, starting up his meander again. There was another knock on the door and Sniper opened it to Engie. Engie stopped fidgeting with his metal hand as he stammered, "Sniper- uh, hey. How are you... um-", "Hey Engie... Sorry for blowin' up at you." Engie shook his head, "No, no. I get it. I haven't exactly been... um..." Sniper opened the door for him and gestured inside, "Do you wanna sit?" Engie considered the offer, then he hesitantly stepped in, moving over to the booth and sitting down cautiously. Sniper sat across from him and Engie laid his hands on the table, trying to piece together whatever he was trying to say, "I... uh, I know I haven't been the best at this 'bein' in charge' thing... but I've been tryin' my best..." Mick nodded, listening quietly. Engie sighed, "In reality, I don't know what I'm doin'... I'm tryin' to get us outta here as quick as I can, but... but I feel like I'm drownin'...", "Engineer." Sniper stated and Engie looked up, "The intel I got today is not necessarily definitive. But I suggest we at least bring a team out tomorrow just in case." Engie nodded, "Would you lead that team?" Sniper shook his head, "Spy is a much better candidate for that. I'm not a forward asset. I'll keep an eye on them, though." Engie nodded, then he got an idea, "I could wrap y'all in my wire mesh to hide y'all from the robots! Course, I'd need to work out how to generate energy into that... and make it not electrocute y'all...", "Is there anything I can do to help?" Sniper asked and Engie asked, "Do you know when the truck will be getting here?" Sniper pulled out his map and traced the road, "I know tomorrow definitely, but specifically? It could be six in the mornin', it could be two in the afternoon, it really depends on how fast their driving and how bad the traffic gets. And that's assuming they don't stop for the night.", "Hm..." Engie mused, looking at his map, "I'll send out the team tomorrow morning and if they ain't there, we'll take shifts. In the meantime, I'm gonna get workin' on that non-lethal mesh.", "Sounds like a plan." Sniper mused, standing up. They walked to the door, but then Engie said, "You should get some rest for tomorrow. I'll tell the boys to get ready and we can celebrate your birthday another day." Sniper grinned, "You can celebrate my birthday by gettin' me home." Engie grinned back, "I'll see what I can do." and then he left. And then Sniper was alone... It was almost a relief. Oh, who was he kidding? He'd be dreading his birthday the whole month. Now he got to spend some time to himself and he couldn't have been happier. He stripped down and got up in his loft, laying on his mattress and closing his eyes. Tomorrow, this would be over. Tomorrow. Probably. He hoped- Oh God, he hoped so. As he was falling asleep, he kept getting inklings of feelings. He was excited, but he was also nervous. He wanted this to be over, but he was scared... He didn't like feeling nervous or scared, out here. Not alone. If he were back home, it would be different. Caroline had this propensity for bringing out his soft side, and it was nice being vulnerable with her, even if it was hard. Then he groaned because he was thinking about Caroline again. He couldn't be doing that. He needed to focus. They'd be out of here as soon as tomorrow if he got this right. That's what he had to do. That's what he had to focus on. That's... that...tha- He was more tired than he thought... He dozed off and as he did, he hoped he wouldn't dream about Caroline again... but he knew he would... Warm... it's warm... Mick is in the clearing and now he's waiting. No-! No, no, no- he can't be here! He can't think about her! I need to focus! Focus! He wills himself back into the forest, but he's still Mick. No! Focus! Focus! Focus-! "It's pretty dark over here." Mick's eyes shoot open and he looks up. Caroline was looking at the dark forest around them. Mick stammered, "W-wh-what are you doing here?! You're not supposed to be here!", "I know." She said, sitting beside him, "But I missed you." Mick begged, "You're gonna get swallowed up again! You're gonna get hurt!" Caroline just laughed and placed her head on his shoulder, "I know how to take care of myself, Micky. Have some faith in me, would ya?", "But-bu-" She was so warm. He wanted that warmth wrapped around him. He wanted to bury himself in her warmth. He wanted to be buried in her warmth. She giggled, but they were still in the forest. The cold, damp, forest- and Mick was gonna keep it that way. Caroline sighed against him and asked, "When are you coming home, Micky?" He turned to answer her, but he couldn't. For one, he didn't know, and for another- he was lost in her eyes. Her gorgeous, hazel, leaf-colored eyes. She met his gaze happily, blinking contentedly at him as he just kept staring in her eyes. He wanted to be with her so bad... but, "I can't be with you right now." He murmured, more to himself than her. Caroline tilted her head at him with a funny smile, "Micky, baby... You're not here with me right now." A tear fell down his face and Caroline caressed his cheek with her warm, warm hand... Then he pressed his mouth to her warm, warm lips. Then he was pressed against her warm, warm body. Then he was thrusting into her warm, warm- feelings. There were a lot of feelings. He was warm. Soaked in warm. And she was soft, and loud. He liked that. He liked her. He loved her. He missed her... He missed her a lot. She arched her back under him and he held her there. He needed to feel her against him. She cried out under him and he felt it in the breeze. They were under the setting sun, now. They were in the clearing now. Maybe they'd cleared it themselves. Talk about 'rolling in the hay'. Caroline laughed and the world twinkled. He wanted to hear that everyday. She cried out again and he smiled more. He wanted to hear that everyday too. He was getting close. She looked up at him dizzily and he stared into her eyes. Her eyes. He wanted to drown in her eyes. He was drowning in her eyes... Good... That hazel surrounded him and he started to sink... He sank down and down and down and the pressure was enormous. It was almost too much. Almost... too... Mick woke up. His nerves were fraid and he had one hell of a stiffy. "Hell." He mumbled, running his hands over his face as he wondered what to do. He could leave it be, but fuck it hurt! He could probably just rub it out quick and get it done with... So that's what he decided. He pulled down his boxers, and took his dick in his hand, starting to rub it firmly. He was so stiff it didn't take long for him to finish... But that almost made it worse. "Gah... fuck...!" Mick groaned, because now he was thinking of Caroline again... He laid there and breathed, considering what he wanted to do- Wanted?! What he wanted was to bury his face between Caroline's legs and not get up for a week. What he wanted was to hear all those lovely noises she made when he fucked her. What he wanted was to have her chest pressed up against his as they cuddled. Was that gonna happen? No... But maybe soon. He closed his eyes and it was Caroline behind his eyelids. He briefly thought of stopping this train of thought... But fuck it, he might as well. So he let himself think about her, and think of her he did... Ooh, she had a nice body. He never commented on it, because he knew women got sensitive about that kind of stuff, but he really liked her little belly. It was so soft, and many times he'd been tempted to just squish her, or lay his head down on her stomach... But he didn't. He knew that was a sensitive spot for her... Luckily, the rest of her was also very soft. Her boobs especially. And her thighs. Also her butt- she had a nice butt... A really nice butt... He let out a sigh as he started to rub again. He loved to caress her butt when she wasn't expecting it, or press himself against her because it always made her laugh. And then she'd get really horny... He grinned at that. In the last few months they'd been dating, they'd tried quite a few positions. Missionary was a top contender, because they both liked being chest to chest, but Caroline was also a fan of the sixty-nine. She liked getting him off while he was between her legs, but Mick was not as much of a fan of it. He didn't like how he always got off first in that position... Now he hadn't done this with her yet, but one of his favorite positions was just to have the girl sit on his face. And fuck did he want Caroline to sit on his face... He pulled his pillow from under his head and put it over his face, imagining that it was her. It didn't have the pressure or the warmth, but the effect was enough for now. He moaned, imagining her right there- and then he remembered he had something. He quickly reached down and opened one of his cabinets, pulling out Caroline's panties, and he snickered evilly as he put them on his face before resuming where he'd been before and- Ooh, fuck... It may have been several weeks, but they still smelled like her. His hips bucked and he huffed. He wanted to savor the moment, but he also wanted to cum- like really bad. A whine came up from his throat as he kept going. Caroline. Caroline. Caroline. He was almost home. He was almost home. Almost- He gripped onto the pillow and imagined it was her thigh. "Ngh-mm..." Almost home. Almost home... Almost home- He took in a deep breath and that little bit of her was intoxicating. It was like a drug, almost. Almost. Almost- "Ah- f-fuckin'- bloody hell..." He came again, his jizz covering his hand and dripping down to his stomach. He took a moment to just breathe because... Fuck, that was amazing. "Huh... Happy birthday to me, I guess..." He chuckled to himself... He imagined where Caroline was at that point- Probably asleep, it was really late for her afterall- but he imagined before that. He wondered if she had celebrated for him... She'd been pretty upset about him being gone for his birthday... He wondered if she was sad, but then he frowned at that. Maybe she'd been really busy and she actually forgot. No, knowing her she would have been counting down the days. Either in anticipation, or dread. He didn't like thinking about that, but now that he was, he couldn't stop thinking about how lonely she must be. The whole debacle with her dad and her aunt only happened about a month-and-a-half ago and she was still recovering from the whole ordeal. She was recovering fantastically, much better than he would have in those circumstances, but there were still those nights where she just needed a cuddle and a cry. And then a good fuck, but for those times that was always on her initiative. Dread filled his gut because, what about now? What was she doing now that she didn't have him to support her? he mentally kicked himself because Caroline was strong, much stronger than he gave her credit for. She was probably sad and a bit lonely, but she could handle herself. She didn't need him... Not like he was needing her... He sighed and sat up, getting down from the loft and cleaning himself off. He felt a little embarrassed from having just done that, but what could he do about it now? It was already done, and at least his boner was gone. He got back up into the loft and pulled the blankets over him to sleep. Tomorrow he'd get this mission done and then they'd be coming home. Tomorrow, this would all be over. Tomorrow... He'd be coming back to her soon... soon... Sniper was walking through the field of wheat, but there was no clearing. He called, "Caroline?" But he couldn't find her. The sun was a bit more baking than warm this time, but he continued on, "Caroline? Darlin'?", "Sniper." He turned around and Miss Pauling was giving him a nasty look. He waved her off, "I ain't here for you-" and he started walking away, but then she said ominously, "Don't you want to see her again?" He stopped. He turned back around but it wasn't Miss Pauling standing there anymore, instead it was the Administrator. Sniper demanded, "What did you do?!" But the Administrator didn't flinch. She just said, "I need my Sniper to be focused. I need you distraction-less. If that's not something you can handle on your own, then I will handle it for you." Sniper bowed up, "What did you do?!" But then she wasn't there anymore. He looked around, but he couldn't find her... It was getting hot... it seemed as if the sun was trying to him bake off- him and all this dry wheat... The wheat suddenly caught on fire and it spread fast, moving through the field at horrifying speeds. He cursed and covered his mouth, trying to run through the fields of fire. He needed to find Caroline, that's all he needed to do. If she was safe, then that was all that mattered. He jumped through the walls of flame and smoke, horrendous smells of burnt wheat and death lingering in his nose, but he couldn't find her. "Caroline?! Caroline?!!" He got to the clearing, but no one was there. He coughed and looked around, but there was nowhere else to go. He stumbled and fell, then all he could do was lay down in the crushed hay. "Caroline..." He choked out, the flames licking at his back now. She wasn't here. Wherever she was, he knew she wasn't here. "Good..." he murmured, feeling his flesh turn to ash, "Good..." he breathed for the last time as he was burned up in the flames... He woke up, but not woke up because now he was the flames. "Hm?" He felt the spread of the fire across the entire field and he pulled it- his fire- off the wheat. It was all basically ashes now, but then little flowers started popping up from the scorched earth as he looked around. Grass and shrubs and life grew up from the ground, and so did Caroline, but she wasn't all Caroline. She was the ground. She was life and beauty. He approached her, being mindful of his flames as she observed a little butterfly that had stopped to drink from one of her flowers. He sat down next to her and watched with her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and hummed, "You're warm." and he smiled as he put an arm around her, pressing a kiss to her temple, "I'll be home soon, love.", "I know." She said, so matter-of-factly, and the butterfly fluttered away. "See you later, alligator."... Mick opened his eyes and he blinked... That was a weird one... There was a knock on his door and he heard Dell say, "Sniper, I think I got it!" He got down from the loft and opened the door, asking, "What've you got?" and Engie held up a net of wire mesh with a clever smile, "I think I got it."