~+RED Sniper X Reader+~

Sniper X Reader Ch.3 [Soldier's Salute]

Okay, apparently this didn't upload Monday?? I was pretty sure it did, I even got the 'congrats you published something you procrastinating sunova' screen, so I'm not sure what went wrong. Either way, enjoy this late chapter~!

"So, where's the new recruit?!" A very loud, boisterous, yet stern voice called from outside of Sniper's camper. Sniper hopped out of the large vehicle and slammed the creaky door behind him, walking on the gray stone floor over to the loud man in the dark corner. He seemed to be leaning against a table, drinking coffee, but it was hard to tell from the inky blackness enclosing his frame. Only a subtle amount of sunlight reached into the garage from the outside desert landscape, melting the floor with warm, golden rays. The sun was leaning away from high noon, starting its descent behind the base you were now in.

Funny thing is, the base that you had driven into was an odd base- very obvious, too. Sniper had pulled into a small space between sandy crags that was covered only by a tarp that had an old, faded photo of a few cacti. Small, red turrets you could only assume were serving as guards sat behind the tarp, waiting to shoot at an enemy. At least they had some security measure here. You had also seen plenty of security cameras- probably to catch the enemy if they snuck up? You weren't sure why they were there.
Pulling into the garage, the nervous butterflies had hit you hard in the chest, a sharp pain emitting from your rib cage- you didn't like it one bit. Were you... Panicking?! That was the one job requirement that you needed to have- keeping your cool in any situation! Heart beating, pulse pounding, you had gripped the seatbelt nervously, and Sniper had noticed your uneasiness. He didn't mention it though, but you could tell he felt bad. He left you to your thoughts in the vehicle momentarily.
Thankfully, after taking a few deep breaths, you listened in on Sniper's conversation, currently happening, calming your nerves.

"-so you better not be hahsh mate, alroight?" Sniper sounded tired.

"I've always been a gentleman around ladies. Women love me! They only scream when I take my shirt off. It is because I am taking off my American badges from the world war." He grinned, pulled out a little American flag, and waved it quickly back and forth, swishing and flaunting the red white and blue of his proud nation. He halted, though, looking from the flag back to sniper. "Wait..." locking eyes with Sniper, the man continued, "She is American, right Bilbo Baggins?!" The man with the croaky voice demanded to hear an answer from Sniper, but he simply chuckled.

"It's Sniper to you, mate." You could practically feel the heat from the burn as the mystery man recoiled in spite of his pride. But, one thing had bothered you about the situation. Well, two, actually- the first being that the man wasn't even visible in the light, unnerving you. Who was he? Why is he so nationalistic to Americans- he does know Sniper's not American, right?
The second thing bothering you was  the fact that Sniper felt you weren't a strong enough mercenary to train like the rest of them, and needed special treatment- just because you were a woman. He was asking the man to go easy on you! Was everyone else like this?

"You did not answer my question!" The man in the corner shouted, but Sniper was already walking back to the camper. He opened your door for you, and held out a hand to help you down. He smiled as you locked eyes, and with a huff, you hopped out of the camper without acknowledging him. Sniper frowned.

"You don't need to make them go easy on me. I can fight." You whispered as you plopped his signature akubra back on his head. The whispered words made Sniper feel some regret. He only wanted to protect you from all the crap Soldier pulls- why couldn't you see that? But, then again, you had only been there for not ten minutes, so you probably didn't know the hell the men endured from him daily. But... Then again- why? Why did he want to protect you?
Sashaying your way towards the man in the darkness, you stood about three feet away from him, and stopped to put your hands on your hips.