Old thread autosaged! For a clean start, and some grammar fixes/edits throughout, I’m re-posting everything thus far for ease of reading. New chapter will be at the end of the dump and we’ll be right back on track. Enjoy! For anyone new: WARNING - NAMED CHARACTERS. This story is about a BLU Spy altered into a tentaspy, who ends up taking interest in a RED Engineer. I like exploring his watery nature; I focus a lot on gills and his animal instincts conflicting with him. It’s weighty on plot, and has a supporting cast. If you want an out of context fix of loving Tenta/Engie porn I’d recommend my fic “Fimbriae†on this board. ... [ Part 1 ] They told horror stories about Respawn. It was supposed to be a new technology to save lives...but just months after its installation already the men stationed at The Well felt like guinea pigs with a Russian roulette gun pointed at their temples. Some people got sick from Respawn, the shakes, night terrors, seizures. At the same time, some remained unaffected; fresh as daisies when the machine spit them out. It seemed quite ‘choosy’. The worst, of course, was that sometimes it did the very opposite of what it was designed to do – it could kill you. People had been fried by Respawn if they went through too many times in a week, or the power levels dipped too low, or your respawn was after hours, any number of factors... The Respawn machine was indeed a fickle mistress. That was why the mercenaries actually gave two shits about calling for a medic. The medigun could heal you up in a jiffy, giving you one less pull of the trigger with that respawn roulette gun. But it’s hard to call for a medic when you are tossed into the water. “AGGnnn!†The BLU team’s only Spy was thrown into the canal, tossed by a blast from a soldier’s rocket launcher. He’d have survived if he could have made it to the tunnels, but the same RED solider followed after him to finish the job. â€Bon voyage Crouton!†The American chuckled as the rocket fired. The Spy didn’t have time to dodge, even if it all seemed to happen in slow motion. He was always so careful, so sneaky; in his 4 months of service the worst he’d ever got was spy check burns, which thankfully respawn or the mediguns fixed. But he’d never been gibbed in the water, and it was so close to ceasefire... His mid section was blown clear apart, guts and blood spilling into the water. In a foolish reflex, he had put his hands down to try and block the attack. Those were blown off nicely too. Since his head was mostly unharmed, he had a few moments to watch the world go dark as he bled out, and to see his mangled body. His finely tailored suit was like confetti among intestine streamers as the Spy drifted in the waterway. The ceasefire bell rang just as the BLU Spy sank to the bottom, dead at last. The Respawn machines automatically lowered their power levels after ceasefire, sensing no more bodies in the pick up system. The Spy was left waterlogged for a good half hour, forgotten. His team did not wonder where he was at dinner; the Spy was frequently out of sight, off on his own. That was what Spies did. So it was not thought of again. ... The Frenchman’s balaclava was partially blown off, making his short, dark, and slightly curly hair a tangle for some young fish to pick through. There were lots of aquatic creatures in the canals, for the irrigation-like waterways at Well eventually led out to rivers and aquifers, hence the base’s namesake. Any small river fish, crawdad, and frog that could squeeze through the grates made it in, and would feed on the bits of blood and flesh that Respawn did not pick up. The system often left behind ‘extraneous’ appendages that it could just reconstruct - blown off legs, fingers, toes; all good scavenging for the freshwater wildlife. The fish would grow and become too big to make it back through the grates, making the canals like little ecosystems of their own. The fish scattered like a fluff of disturbed feathers as the Spy’s body zapped out of existence, finally recovered by respawn. ... The BLU team, who was sitting down to dinner, startled as they heard a *KZZATTCChhh*. The lights flickered, and then the power went out entirely. “Wot the bloody ‘ell...?†The marksman snorted to the darkness. There was a silence before the Scout burst out laughing. “Shuddap!†The Soldier barked, aggravated and hungry, not liking being unable to see his dinner. “Did we blow a fuse or somethin’?†The BLU Engineer scrunched up his nose. Soon the rest of the team was poking him to go fix it, because that was his job right? The Engineer grumbled it was BLU industries job to make sure their equipment was working, the lazy bastards. He went over to the breaker box, and indeed found the Respawn circuit tripped. It had shorted out the rest of the base. He grunted in annoyance, but was then pleased as he could easily fix the issue and be a ‘hero’ to the rest of the waiting team. A quick flick over of the breaker switches, and the team gave an amused cheer from the kitchen. Anything different was welcomed to the monotony of the work week, they’d be stationed at Well a long time with no transfer. The breaker box was in the locker room just outside Respawn. A wispy cloud of amino acid-laced smoke spewed out of the Respawn room as the missing member of their team finally materialized. The BLU Engineer drew closer; confused as to why someone was re-spawning after ceasefire... He gawked as the smoke cleared; unsure if what he was seeing was real. ... ... ... [ Part 2 ] When he awoke, the Spy found himself strapped down, and being prodded over by Team Fortress Industries BLU crewmembers. The company got wind of the ‘malfunction’ right away, and stepped in to ‘correct’ the problem. They had no idea how Respawn could cause someone’s genetic make up to alter so completely, and so neatly. They sent the Spy though multiple respawns, with various settings and injected drugs, trying to make the system restore his original pattern. However, the system believed the combined animal and human DNA to BE his original signature. The scientists were a bit baffled. How did the foreign DNA get in there to begin with? Of course there was no original backup on hand... it would cost too much to store such high-memory data with redundancy. “Je vous en prie....please....no more...†The Spy was mumbling to deaf ears, not fully aware of his surroundings (or much of anything) because of the drugs. Why did he feel so dry? Why was breathing so hard? He groaned at the lights overhead and the straps holding him down. “I don’t think we can fix it...†“What about his contract...?†“Cover it up, no one will know. He’s a Spy, his identity is already shadowed… like he doesn’t exist. They’ll find a replacement in a few weeks.†“What do we do with him then - ?†“Dispose of him.†They wiped his data from the system, and prepared lethal injection doses, unaware from the viewing deck wide eyes were looking down upon them. It was a middle aged German man, the doctor technician in charge of keeping the complex bio patterns for the BLU’s respawn machines in check. BLU had been trying for years to auto regulate the patterns, but computers had not yet caught up to how to recognize minute nuances. They still required a human element to periodically weed out the different from the ‘okay to be different’ pieces, otherwise the computer would respawn the men as they were at their last original pattern scan – including hormone levels, stomach contents, hair growth, and most important – memory. It was the reason respawn was not perfect; it still had a human behind the wheel to keep those elements in check. He had taken over for the previous technician who had left....that man had developed the whole system. No doubt he was relaxing on a beach somewhere, paid handsomely by BLU for his inventions. While equally brilliant, the scientist in charge now felt his own genius was completely ignored. He was nothing more than a caretaker, a baby sitter. He felt everyone on the behind the scenes team looked at him as such. So he decided to work on something of his own, something that would make BLU single him out for as HIS work- his invention. He kept it a secret from everyone. That day he finally put his computations into the respawn system. Watching on the Administration cameras, he saw the Spy blown conveniently into the water before the ceasefire bell. No one would miss him for 30 minutes; his body would be hidden. Surreptitiously, he quickly got to work. He needed the extra time to mix his altered patterns with that on file for the Spy... Now here he was, staring down at his work, it was successful in that the Spy was ALIVE, and not a pile of protein goo. The real question was - was he the perfected hunting and infiltration machine he had intended to create? Surely BLU should recognize his genius – bioengineered soldiers, fit for any terrain. Sea, land, and air could be conquered, without the need of added technology! This was only the start... The German brashly came into the room, smug and blinded by his own ego. He revealed the altered Spy was his doing, and explained how he did it. The half aware Spy just barely heard what he was saying, but he could not process it at that moment. The other technicians stared at him, not sure whether to be shocked, scared, or impressed. However the reception he received was not as glorious as he had envisioned. The administration head of BLU were not pleased. They wanted people who answered to them, not sneaking about and doing things behind their backs. They could not have insubordination. Half animal soldiers? Such nonsense. The German was hauled away, cursing and screaming. He was to be dealt with appropriately. As for his experiment? He pleaded with BLU to let him study it, to not destroy it. It was proof of his success! Proof of his genius! They could do so much with his discoveries! As he was handcuffed and the door to the respawn room closed, all he saw was that lethal injection needle coming up to the altered Spy. ... ... ... [ Part 3 ] They could dissect him – see exactly the damage the Respawn doctor had done. The Spy did not even have time to think about why he couldn’t quite feel his legs, or what that mass of writhing was from his hips down. He was just aware enough of that ominous needing coming for him. It would mean his final death. Instinct kicked in. The other DNA in him said ‘ESCAPE’. The doctors all screamed as tentacles ferociously struck out, tearing through leather restraints and knocking over metal tools. Guards came in the room, momentarily shocked at the speed and strength long enough for one of the doctors to be violently ripped apart like a piñata. Bullets flew, purple blood splattered against the walls. An inhuman snarl, a flash of claws and fangs was all they saw before the gunmen were bloodily dispatched. With a damaged cloaking device, the injured Spy was tailed by more TFI guards right into the war game compound. A few of his old team caught sight of what was going on. They watched as their former Spy was riddled with bullets, and kicked into the sewers like garbage. While they wanted to understand what had happened, dirty looks and reminders of where their paycheck was coming from quickly stopped questions from the mercenaries. The altered Spy was dead, the German doctor imprisoned, it was done with. … However, they had miscalculated the altered Spy’s ability to heal. He survived…barely. The BLU Medic wondered where some of his med kits disappeared off to, but it was not worth worrying about for too long. The men often took medkits to treat minor wounds themselves. The former BLU Spy tended to his wounds with a distant demeanor, like running on autopilot. His body dragged him to a dark, sheltered corner of the pipe-ways in the canal, where it felt safe. He was instantly asleep - exhausted, stressed and confused. It was only after he was out of danger, and had a full night’s sleep at the bottom of the canal, that he could wake up and really realize what’d become of him and where he was. [/i]‘Tut Alor…..][/i] He gawked at himself, and tried to push it away like he could escape from his own body. HIS body, that writhing mass was part of HIM. He tore off his tattered pinstripe suit to inspect himself fully, to touch and confirm it was real. So much of him was changed... He thought he was still wearing his thin leather gloves, but he could not be because they surely wouldn’t have fit over the webbing that now stretched between his fingers. His hands were the same color as the dark aged leather. The color tapered off just before his elbows into a mass of spots. Scraggly frills ran down the once damaged skin there on his arms, and down his backbone. He was loosely spotted elsewhere, all along his sides too, where they ended by what appeared to be gills. They had to be considering he was underwater and breathing comfortably. He took a deep breath, the thick, coolness of the water not causing him to gag. He felt and watched as the water pushed out the slits there in his flesh. He spent a few moments letting that sink in, exploring that feeling, but it wasn’t hard to ignore the largest change which demanded his full attention... ...the tentacles. Where his legs used to be, was a massive, curling pile of tentacles; flexible and muscular, like a kraken, with fleshy suckers from base to tip. Their texture shifted from softly bumpy to smooth, and they could stretch their shape just as easily. They kind of were doing their own thing, gripping to the sides of the pipe and seeking the edge of it where it led to the open water, anchoring him and exploring the environment with probing suckers. When he thought of them, or even just one, suddenly they flowed under his conscious control. But as his mind wandered so did the appendages. He distantly watched the tip of one curling over his hand; like he was watching someone else. Were these things really...him? Part of his body? It had to be him though, he felt his hand as clearly as touching any part of himself, the tentacles were sensitive as fingers. Looking to the ones around the pipe he could feel its roughness, even...taste its grittiness? ‘…what’s that?' His head jerked over; a tentacle exploring out into the open water gave him some interesting feedback, something the more primitive part of his brain liked. He darted out, letting the impulsive drive him. Thinking would make him have to come to terms with his current situation. His brain could not handle any more stress right now, but his damaged body knew it needed to heal, and to do that it needed energy, it needed food. A nicely-sized catfish was what he sensed. It was quickly caught with a single tentacle, reeled in, and torn apart, fangs sinking into the sweet flesh. It was a female too, full of eggs. It was delicious to the starving altered Spy as he devoured every last bit. Was it alright to eat the raw meat? Rip and crunch through the bones with his teeth? Running on auto pilot - he did not think about those things too deeply. The Spy sank to the bottom, coiling up on himself like a sated snake. Each finger was licked clean for every morsel of the prey. He then suddenly scraped his finger on his teeth, flinching. His teeth were certainly much sharper than they had been before. The Spy lay there nursing the small wound, an inhuman ‘churrr’ escaping his throat. What had become of him? He tried to recall the past few days in any kind of coherent manner. He recalled the solider killing him, and Respawn must have picked him up for he was here now…he remembered a BLU doctor who was not their team’s Medic looking him over, and multiple other people in BLU issue uniforms. He remembered feeling sick, hungry, achy, and dizzy. There was yelling, and talking. He tried hard but it was all a blur. He also recalled killing people. A good number of people. The memory was a haze of movement and blood. It was part of his job description to kill people. He liked the rush and the danger, stalking and outwitting his mark, the satisfaction of that fatal backstab, and defending himself if his cover was blown. It was like a game sometimes, like hide and go seek; only you die. He was always professional, cool, collected. But self defense and assignment was one thing. The fact he felt he’d been out of control, couldn’t remember exactly what he did - that greatly disturbed him. That he had killed without deliberation, like some wild animal. The Spy thought himself an intelligent person, secretive, well traveled, smart, attractive…and a skilled assassin. But not a monster... In recent years he was thinking about retiring from the ‘spy business’ (he had the right connections he could change his identity and ‘disappear’ to do so...) He had wants of companionship. To think - a ‘lonely spy’. There were plenty of flings and nights out, but he could never have a steady lover as a spy; it’d be too dangerous for both of them. He had enough money saved he could have done it after his tour with BLU. Find someone, get an apartment in the city, and settle in together. Enjoy cups of tea and coffee at corner café’s in Paris, eat expensive pastries, make love on silk bed sheets. Someone to be there for him every morning, and into older age. Why did this suddenly cross his mind? Maybe because as he looked at himself…he realized he’d never have any of that now. Dominique crawled back into that pipe, where it felt safe. He’d never felt depressed or lost like this, not even when he was captured by the enemy and interrogated, not even when he spent days sitting alone on stake out. He was overwhelmed and exhausted. His tentacles pulled his clothes back to him; they made a passable pillow as he curled up into a silently weeping ball. [ Part 4 ] The Spy huffed as he growled at his Cloak and Dagger and Disguise Kit. Both had been damaged in the attack. He did not have the mechanical ability to fix them, despite trying. The charge on the invisibility watch did not hold through movement, but it still worked while stationary. It could still be helpful. His disguise kit glitched randomly; it was unreliable to the point of uselessness. Being a man of espionage who survived without such technology for over a decade, Dominique figured he’d get by. Getting by, however, consisted of becoming accustomed to his new existence. That first day, after he got over what he’d become and how he almost died by his own team’s hands, he started slowly exploring his new ‘home’. His idle exploration was also good means to get used to his changed body. Simple swimming seemed to come naturally, instincts no doubt, because when he thought ‘swim’ that mess of tentacles would react in an appropriate manner, falling together in unison. Though he’d always been a good swimmer, so the water wasn’t foreign to him. When he skirted along the bottom, he ‘walked’ more then swimming, pushing off strongly from any stable surface to propel him smoothly along. His tentacles poked into every nook and cranny, taking in the texture of the concrete walls, and the rocks and metal littering the bottom. So many things he could stop to look at because his lungs weren’t burning with a held breath. When he paused, or came up on a wall, his parachute-like mantle flared to grasp, with suckers seeking purchase all on their own, grasping and wanting to explore everything they could reach. This made him somewhat distressed, because it made him feel like he was out of control of his body. He didn’t like that idea of being out of control of anything, especially his own actions. How could he sneak about with wandering limbs? He couldn’t think of them all at every moment. Reasoning, the Spy compared himself to a child learning to walk. A baby couldn’t walk before they could crawl, surely this was no different? It was like there was another voice inside him, urges he’d never felt before. Whatever was altered about him physically, felt like it infiltrated into more then just his appearance. This troubled him for some time, because not only did it feel like his tentacles had a mind of their own, it was like his own brain had another mind of its own. He decided the best way not to let this outside voice take over was to continue to stay active and intelligently exploring. Investigating the canals around the shipping base was fascinating; it was a side of the bases he never got to see. The waterways were a lot more extensive than he imagined - with plenty of hollows to hide in. He liked dark, enclosed and hidden…at least a feeling inside him told him such. He could see in the dark, squish into a hole and hide, then have the upper hand. He also had to explore himself. He knew his anatomy had changed, but the exact technicalities of how he was still breathing and functioning as a living creature were unknown to him. He craned his neck, trying to get a full look at his naked body. All the damaged skin from when he was killed before that respawn was changed. Scraggly frills on his arms and back were under his control to perk or lower, like a fish. Despite it being impossible for anyone to be around at the bottom of the canal, he glanced about and made sure he had privacy before poking about his lower half. He ‘lifted up his skirt’, wincing and feeling ill at first seeing all those large suckers on his tentacles where they trailed up towards his torso like spokes of an umbrella. Dominique panicked for a moment, now that he was (mostly) calm, rested, and fed, he could think of secondary things. Finding himself plenty flexible to curl around like looking between his legs, he felt over his lower anatomy. Where was his manhood? All he could figure out by sight was his ‘ass’ - or what was left of it. A pucker at the crux of those suckers, not in the same position or form as it was before. From what he recalled of animal anatomy, that is where a ‘beak’ would be on octopuses, as it was their mouth, like on starfish or sea urchins. It was funny how all that stuff he learned way back in school was suddenly very helpful. But indeed, that was not where he ate from, it was still the end of his digestive track like it always was. Except missing one very important male attribute. The Spy slumped against the curve of the large pipe he was laying in. Was he to suffer yet more indignity? He was quite honest with himself in that like most other men in their middle-aged prime he had sexual needs; from self gratification to rolling in the sheets with a partner...he couldn’t imagine living without it. Now what could he do? Would he ever feel the same again? Could he still achieve any kind of sexual pleasure? He writhed in frustration for some time, stewing over thoughts. The Spy flitted to the surface to distract himself with other important matters. He considered now what he would do about [/i]land[/i]. He didn’t have legs any more. Could he even GO on land anymore? He recalled vaguely when he escaped from those guards; he was running on autopilot during the ordeal. RUNNING, yes he recalled traversing land somehow. Not swiftly, but still... His aggravation only grew as he discovered he not only looked quite aquatic - he WAS quite aquatic. With the cool and safe blanket of night, he fumbled through trying to make his tentacles work in a manner for ‘walking’. They didn’t respond as nicely as when he thought ‘swim’. Thinking about walking like he remembered walking just produced a lot of painful and tangled limbs. He growled in frustration as his face smacked into the dusty ground for the tenth time. As he did this, staying out of the water 5 minutes, 10 minutes...20 minutes...his throat began to feel dry – and his breaths slowly became shallow and labored as if he had asthma. It was like his throat was closing up, like not enough oxygen was getting to his body with each breath. He slipped back into the water. After a quick soak, breathing water through his system, he could breathe air just fine. The coordination exercises continued, and he just made sure to keep things damp with regular dunks into the canal. It was to be assumed his lungs needed to be kept moist to work - that was the logical conclusion. When he breathed underwater, he inhaled water like he would air, but it was exhaled out through the gill slits on his sides. He could feel the cold water passing through him; it was a very natural feeling motion. In fact, it was quite pleasant, pleasurable even. He wished he could see how his inner anatomy had changed...though that made him think of the word dissection. ... Not to be caught suffocating on land, the crafty Spy had an idea. He stole a liquor flask from the RED Demoman the next chance he had, when his gibbed body was thrown into the canal. He was the worst Demoman he’d ever seen! Stepped on his own stickybombs. He didn’t need to be drinking any more than he was. The tentaspy cleaned out the metal flask and kept it in his tattered suit’s breast pocket, filled with fresh water. He could now sneak about for longer periods of time on land. Though his tentacles required moisture after a while too…they’d grow chapped and leathery like lips in the winter, and eventually would be painful to walk on and hard to move with strength. Where they got coated with dusty earth it was only aggravated. He lay out at night by the canal, sipping water from the flask, and testing the limits of dryness for his tentacles. But it was breathing that was most important; he found the limbs could hold moisture far longer then his breathing required. Looking like a drunkard with a habit, Dominique would periodically take inhaling sips from the flask as he snuck around at night. The flask gave him a lot of freedom from his ‘watery prison’, to think how such a simple thing could be so liberating. Despite the uplift, the Spy was still incredibly frustrated. It had been a fortnight since his new existence...and he was really itching for relief from that kind of tingle only orgasm could provide. It wasn’t just your usual need, sure men got horny, but this felt raw and beyond him like many things that clawed at his mind now. It was this animalistic, alien heat inside him, and it didn’t help he had no idea how to satisfy it. He hit a trigger one evening. As he explored behind RED base, he caught a wiff of something like a good meal being cooked; only there was no smell of food. It was the smell of arousal. Not the odor, but the hormones, the very elements that made it inveigle your senses on a primal level. He peeked into the window there, cracked to the outside as it was a cool, mild evening. There inside was the RED team’s Medic and Heavy, quite intertwined and muffling their cries so as to not have teammates hear through the wall. A twinge of humor rose in the Spy, thinking about how he’d backstabbed both of them in tandem multiple times, one after the other. Now he was seeing them in such a different light, not ruthless and intimidating on the field, but naked and sweaty, groaning in need. Though that didn’t change the fact he was there invisible; watching...just...watching. Like some dirty voyeur. Only his expression on his cloaked face was one of longing and jealousy. HE wanted that... When he couldn’t watch anymore he sank to the dew damp grass, tentacles coiling up to conserve moisture, but also in aroused confusion. Mon dieu, he could still smell them, like some fine perfume. It was intoxicating! He growled softly, a shaky hand removing his water flask from his tattered pin stripe suit. Half of the water spilled down his face and chest as he tried to inhale a deep breath of it. Dominique made it back to the canal edge closest to the barracks. He smoothly slid in and sunk to the bottom. The cool water washing through his system helped to douse the passion in his ‘groin’. Maybe...maybe being this ramped up he could achieve some kind of release. Maybe he could – His train of thought scattered as a shot of pleasure ran through him. He writhed against the canal bottom, back arched to it. A hand instinctively felt downwards, discovering a firm but prehensile appendage – and it wasn’t one of his tentacles. Seemed he wasn’t missing something after all. It was incredible! Release him hard and fast as he quickly discovered how amazing it felt to wrap his soft suckers all along his erect length, pulsing and squeezing. He writhed in relief, a flurry of low churrrs and growls welling up in his throat. The appendage, which indeed felt and resembled a penis, had engorged to over three feet long. It must have been hiding up inside him, in some kind of sheathed slit... “Ahhh...ahhhh...†He gasped, gills flaring wide, body limp with pleasure. If nothing else, at least this was one thing he had regained control of. [ Part 5 ] Another thing Dominique really wanted…was a new suit. His pinstriped jacket was torn and bullet hole riddled. He did not like looking so...shabby. He was a spy, not a hobo. And he did not want to be nude all the time, it was highly unprofessional. But most of all, keeping some semblance of humanity, of dignity, was something he was trying to cling to with all his might. His team replacement that eventually came made for easy pickings. When he was comfortable enough with his ‘walking’ skills, he went for it. While the battle raged on outside during the day, the tentaspy slinked into the base, and snagged a fresh suit from the new BLU Spy’s closet with a curling tentacle. Dominique took a look at the replacement Spy’s bed… ...that was his bed. Only a month ago, he would sleep there, dry and warm. Dominique scowled, choking back emotion. He’d been getting a little more emotional then he was before - maybe it was hormone fluctuations, or the fact he was basically assumed dead and it didn’t matter anymore what outwards appearance he put on. The pillow and blanket were snatched as well, they were his after all. BLU would replace them. The pack of cigarettes on the dresser was left behind. He had kicked the habit in his physical ordeal the past month. During his attempts at walking up on dry land he had tried lighting up, stress smoking to ease his nerves – but as he exhaled he got a stinging pain in his gills and such a coughing fit it discouraged all thoughts of smoking again. He reluctantly, and quickly, had to quit cold turkey. With his gills connected to his lungs, exhaling made some air go out through them too. The delicate fimbriae seized like pouring salt in a wound. He would miss those swirling little smoke rings he used to blow; nothing could compare to the ease on his nerves that nicotine provided...but he’d have find other things to fill the void; try to learn other ways to satisfy himself. It was yet something else he had to give up. ... Before heading back to the canal, the tentaspy swooshed into the kitchen like a low moving, tentacled panther. He used the spray wand from the sink to rewet his needy tentacles. He gave a happy, churrring groan of relief. He felt a webbed hand over them, slimy and smooth as they should be... He was so occupied he almost did not hear the Engineer stumbling in from Respawn. “Merde!†Domi hissed to himself as he darted to the first out of the way place he could think of – the top of the fridge and cabinets. There was plenty of space between them and the ceiling to wedge himself. Being still, his faulty Cloak and Dagger worked to make him completely invisible. It was Dexter…that was the Engineer’s name. He used to be his teammate. He’d joke with him about sappers whenever they crossed paths in the showers. The man liked to pleasure himself while reading car magazines. He hated the smell of citrus, liked to play solitaire, always wore suntan lotion. These little things he liked to observe of people, when they didn’t know he was there. If he knew he was alive, would he, or any of his team, still treat him like a teammate? Or would they shoot on sight, and finish the job BLU thought they accomplished? “Well that’s a hell of thing….is the sink leakin’ again’?†The engineer finally noticed the wet floor. He had come in to grab a drink of water before heading back outside. He checked the sink pipes but all was in order. The Engineer shrugged, it wasn’t a huge deal. Domi sighed in relief as he left. Better not risk it…he wasn’t in Respawn anymore. [ Part 6 ] Months turned into years. Soon three had passed. The crews shuffled. Contracts were fulfilled, people left, transferred, or were killed by faulty Respawn, and new people came over that time. Only a handful of members were left that would recognize Dominique if they saw him. While he was good at hiding, there were times he was briefly seen. The results only backed up his fears. Rumors of a ‘tentacle monster in the canals’ became amusing bonfire tales for the teams. But no one really believed anything the drunk Demo, crazy Soldier, poor English speaking Heavy, or eccentric Medic said anyway. The former spy kept up his love of observation. He’d become quite the voyeur, even more than he was before. It passed the time, kept him a part of things he had to leave behind. Now that he was ‘outside the system’ it was a whole new feeling. He’d hide in corners as long as his drying tentacles could stand. Thankfully, he could sip from his flask without making his faulty cloak flicker. Dominique took notes on stolen journal paper, and would read them in a hidden, dry alcove deep in the drainage pipes. It was decorated with bits of things he’d take from the bases...anything to feel more human (Anything to remind himself he was human, to not let himself slip into an instinct driven routine). He only used the alcove to spend time and store things; sleeping was done underwater, always. His pillow was kept dry inside in a sealed plastic bag, it sat next to rounds for his revolver, and little things like magazines and empty pop bottles. He’d stack damp cards till they fell over, and then play solitaire with them. He’d try to make up new tricks flipping his balisong blade, draw into the concrete moss covered floor with his claws – all while slumped on his stomach with his tentacles draped into the water. He tried to avoid spinning his revolver barrel idly; he might become tempted to use it. ... The altered Spy didn’t notice at first how much he ate, but it was actually quite a lot...it was like his metabolism was high, or that he needed more energy to keep running all those tentacles. He also had taken notice of how his blood was slightly bluish. It made his skin ‘paler’, not the warm glow of human skin, more like that of a half drowned person with the red-blue mixed hue. Dominique grew disenchanted with fish out of boredom, and he could only steal so much food before people took notice. He tried catching game outside the bases during the cool nights, or when it rained, venturing past the fence where the trains would come in. The trains were starting to come less frequently anyway. Jackrabbits and wild foul made for interesting prey, and quite tasty ones at that. That was indeed a nice distraction, though one day he tried something else as his taste buds and energy-needy body grew hungry for variety. The first time he plucked a body from the waters where it’d been blown he was disgusted at himself for feeling the urge to eat it, but found the taste…pleasant. He took to killing members he didn’t like, picking off RED’s and BLU’s alike, this lasted for only a few days, and the Spy was sure to kill swiftly and cleanly before he was really seen. …he went back to fish and jackrabbits soon after. If he let himself slip too far; he feared he really would become that monster. ... The fifth year crept by. Dominique had somehow avoided being discovered by the BLU scientists who wanted him as a science experiment. And, as of lately, they seemed to not be around much behind the scenes. It was like they were letting the mercenaries have more freedom in their spare time. Or they got the equipment working to their satisfaction, because Respawn was not frying as many people as it used to. It was a rare occurrence compared to when the Spy first came. Or perhaps they just didn’t care. Either way, the territory war went on. They still cared about that. The trains kept coming with supplies, and Dominique would watch them like a perched, invisible vulture up in the station rafters. He would ride one out if he could, but there is no way he’d survive to civilization, or anywhere with water. There was nothing but half-deserted farmland and grassland as far as the eye could see. The closest, large river he could see was too far to walk to unless it was raining, if his tentacles could even carry him that far on the rough ground. He tired quickly supporting his weight on land if going more than a short distance. ... It did not rain much, but Dominique loved it when it did. Then he could stay out as long as he wanted, lungs and tentacles kept fully wet. It let him wander outside the fences to explore and hunt at his leisure. The tentaspy had a venom he could inject into his prey, he had found this out in his first year, and now was a master of it. It was far more desirable than squeezing his prey to death in his tentacles, for the mouth feel of the muscles staying intact. He found it amazing how he could eat all this raw food without getting sick; he had no doubt his body chemistry had changed for that. It reminded him of sushi, that clean, mild taste of fresh meat. It was wonderful how delicious plain, raw meat could taste... A quick bite of his fangs, and jackrabbit stopped struggling within seconds. It was easy work for his claws and sharp teeth to skin and cut up the creature. He sometimes used his balisong to get a more precise cut, or just to feel more refined, feel more human even though no one was watching. Picking flesh off the jackrabbit’s leg like it was a buffalo wing, Dominique lazed his tentacles over the nest he’d made in a high corner of the BLU base, which resembled a factory on the outside. A large, broken pipe made for a lovely high perch to watch people. He’d dragged fabric and grasses up there over the years, and with some jugs of water he could stay up there for hours even when it was not raining, as the padded scoop held water like a wading puddle to keep his tentacles moist. With the bases rainy and the factory buildings lit up for the evening, it was actually rather beautiful. It reminded him of Paris...be it a run down, industrial, rusty Paris (with a healthy dose of imagination). With all the little runner lights through the fog of the rain, he tried to picture the factory tower by RED Base as the Eiffel tower. Maybe if he squinted. The lit building and warehouse windows were like the city lights. Trying to toss the rabbit bones into a rusty bucket on the next catwalk down, Dominique sighed and stared again at that distant river like he had many times before. He thought while idly flicking his balisong open and closed in a twirling motion. CLICK, chink...CLICK, chink....Click click CHINK.... Maybe he really should try to make it to the ocean...maybe he could get to the Mediterranean, or the coast outside Europe. “That’s where you could go, back where you came from, yes?†He thought, “But that is very far...would you make it out there? How would you find your way?†He’d traveled the world; he was not in need of sightseeing. It’d be no different than where he was right now. Even more dangerous as the open sea was unknown and vast. Even if he could find his way back to Europe, he’d still be just as limited by his aquatic nature and faulty disguise kit, and he’d still be an invisible tentaspy spying on people. He couldn’t sit in his favorite corner café, he couldn’t woo anyone, and he couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine on a hotel balcony. Besides, would Paris be...if he was alone? ... ... ... ((( Author’s note on some science about Domi’s blood and gills: Dominique is half blue blooded because of having elements of the copper-bonded blood octopuses have alongside the iron-bonded blood of mammals. Octopus blood is a poor carrier of oxygen, which helps explain the animal's sometimes apparent laziness. But Dominique is a fairly active, half mammal. To cope, he has to take in more to have the energy to pump that blood at the high blood pressure level he needs, as he lacks the three hearts that octopus possesses to keep up THEIR blood pressure up. Domi’s blood though is good enough to carry the oxygen he needs as long as he has enough energy calories wise to support his body. Dominique is also VERY efficient at oxygen exchange with his gills, he can take out much more oxygen with each breath then your average fish, as water to begin with has less dissolved oxygen in it then air. This is another reason why his lungs fail him on land. To begin with, he has decreased lung capacity as some alveoli in his lungs are missing to make room for clear water flow to the passages connected to his gills. Also to be able to be submerged in water for long period and not be damaged, his alveoli are amphibious. But also like a frogs skin, they can dry out and shrivel. When air is exchanged through the lung sacks, it slowly dries them out (this happens quicker in dry daytime air) and decreases their oxygen exchange efficiency. But since Domi needs a lot of oxygen to support the muscular tentacles, he requires more than your usual human. With already decreased lung capacity and alveoli that lose effectiveness to begin with, this is why he begins to suffocate so fast without water input. If he was human with iron-blood and no oxygen-hungry tentacles, he could last far longer on land breathing wise with the same lung set. )))
[ Part 7 ] Then one day, one of the two current RED Engineers accidentally walked in front of his own sentry as it was firing at a BLU. Respawn fried him. A new RED engineer came. Dominique observed him as he did every new team member, starting a ‘file’ on the individual. The Engineer’s name was Lance; He was American, and southern – this one was from Austin Texas specifically. Short, 5’ 4â€, stocky build, velvet fuzzed head with dirty blonde hair. Because of the heat during the day, he didn’t always wear the team colored RED shirt, so you could see his light scruff of chest and armpit fuzz poked out from under his not-so-formfitting reddish brown overalls. This engineer was a little bit aloof, not unfriendly, just...he seemed to avoid the larger classes and keep to his workshop when the day’s fighting was over, though he also spotted the man getting to know his teammates over a few bottles of beer to grease the social gears. Very laid back but not cocky, even if he liked to joke he was ‘the better man’ whenever he got the best of a BLU. Of course he was a genius of machinery. Though, this engineer seemed more artist than mechanic when compared to other engineers…he spent long hours drawing detailed blueprints, and crafting a design that was sleek and beautiful, not just functional. A form to follow function, and a function to the atheistic beauty of the form. For a man like the Spy, who was accustomed to the art of the Louvre and the romantic nature of his homeland, it stirred interest and a sense of sophistication he admired. The Tentaspy continued his observations into another week. To his amusement many of the fancy designs of the Engineer did not work; or would be too weak overall to withstand heavy combat (he used bulkier designs during the day’s fighting, a lot of the special designs were done on the side, though his sleeker designs often built quicker). The man was entertaining in his artistic frustration, but the Engineer kept at it. The notes went down in Dominique’s journal files. Everyone had secrets, and he wanted them all. New team members held his attention for a while, distracted him from his boredom and loneliness. Then it’d be back to the same routine... But there was something about the new Engineer’s eager creativity that kept the tentaspy’s attention. Dominique found himself watching the man a little more closely than usual. [ Part 8] Weeks later, Dominique sat coiled in a damp corner watching the RED Engineers work one evening. To Dominique’s fortune the ‘artistic’ Engineer liked to smelt metals at RED’s outside furnace, heating them up to hand pound and shape. It was not far from the canal, and near some drainage pipes and shrubs. It was so close because to quick-cool the pieces the canal made an easy dipping pot. To the tentaspy it was merely extremely convenient for HIM. The dirty blond engineer didn’t know what it was, but sometimes he swore he was being watched since arriving at the RED base. “Hey pardner, do...those spahs ever...well spah on their own teammates?†Lance asked of a fellow engineer, who had come by to shape some metal as well. “I wouldn’t put it past them,†The older man replied, glancing up only briefly from his work. Domi furrowed his brow, tentacles curling. Not like they could reach him where he was....but he never liked it when his mark got the ‘hebbie jeebies’. CLANG, CLINK, CLANG The tentaspy watched the laborers do what they did best. The shirtless Engineer held his piece of metal up to a schematic blueprint, making sure it was sized and shaped properly. It seemed to be plans for a dispenser, but this one had a sleeker look than the usual. The current RED team actually had 3 engineers; it was easy to tell them apart as Lance was typically hatless, while the other two liked to wear Stetsons, one in black, the other in white. The one in white had come about 2 weeks after Lance, most likely an over-hire misfile when their second Engineer was killed, as the team didn’t really need three engineers. His name was Roscoe, the youngest of the three engies at about 35 years old, perhaps 4 years younger than Lance. The oldest, the one Lance was speaking to at that moment by the furnace, was there long before them, a veteran of the RED team and no doubt due for a transfer soon. His name was William, he was known for being fairly serious, though a few beers always loosened him up. “Well, it sure is nice having unlimited materials, but the selection is a bit restricted,†Lance muttered to himself as he fixed a curled piece of RED metal to another for an outside panel of his dispenser. “We’re given what is required to build what we need for the team,†William replied. “I wonder how that BLU metal welds...†Lance kept talking to himself. Dominique chuckled softly as he idly played with his water flask, turning it over in his webbed hands. What did the laborer mean by that? How would BLU’s metal be any different building dispensers and sentries? When he was dried enough for it to be uncomfortable, the tentaspy snuck around in the shadows behind the engineers, his faulty cloak flickering, but the noise of them banging metal made them plenty distracted not to notice. He slipped into the canal silently, last of his tentacles disappearing like thick noodles sliding into soup. Looking up, he saw and heard the hiss of hot metal hitting the water’s surface, as one of the engineers quick cooled a piece of metal. He was still thinking about the engineer’s muttering as he hunted for dinner. To his observations - BLU was more industrial than RED, with BLU base being all concrete and metal, while RED being ‘homely’ with wood and brick on the outside. Maybe BLU did manufacture a very different kind of metal, though he swore BLU’s sentries looked the same as RED’s. The ‘puzzle’ gnawed at him a bit for a day or two, and while listening to the battle rage on topside muffled through the water, he considered making use of that scrap metal left behind from the day’s territorial war. After the end of day bell rang, when the BLU Engineer wasn’t looking, the tentaspy crept up behind him and snagged some of his sentry’s remains in his tentacles. With the metal securely in his suckers, Dominique swam through the tunnels and brought his gatherings to the RED side of the field, hiding them in a corner so he could think. Now there was no way he could just HAND them over...and leaving some BLU metal there like a present with no wherewithal would be more than suspicious, so he had to make this look orderly. He had to make this look credulous. He had to be sneaky and cunning about this – he had to be...a Spy. A pleased grin curled across his face – it was like he had a mission again...be it this was silly and self-imposed – but still. It was something with purpose. In his scheming, Dominique formulated a plan. He had noticed the new RED Engineer seemed friendly with their team’s Heavy. Not amazingly buddy buddy, but enough that, combined with that the Heavy was often on the BLU side of the field being offensive with their Medic, and was strong enough to carry it, made it believable that he could/would gather sentry metal scrap to bring back. This, and the Russian was also friends with William, as both had been on the team together for some time. It could be assumed he might have told the Russian about what Lance said in off hand conversation, especially over a beer. Forging handwriting styles was actually one of his forte’s. Dominique gave a pleased chuckle as he had not lost his touch, and he produced a believable note from the Heavy to Lance as he sat there on top of the scrap in a shadowed corner by the canal, tentacles curling about it like a kraken protecting treasure. He’d take this and leave it on the pile of scrap outside the RED Engineer’s workshop and – But then as he thought about it more, he realized, he needed to have some security that Lance would not mention it to William or the REAL Heavy...and leaving a discreet note did not seem like the Russian’s style. He’d want to hand it over personally to get praises from his team mate...he was a big man and never subtle. Dominique crumpled up the note and coiled his tentacles more around the pile of waiting scrap. For the Russian to hand it over...to hand it over in person.... For his plan to work, he’d need a working disguise kit. Because of the fear of being put out into a vulnerable situation and being captured if discovered, Dominique never bothered to attempt it in the past 5 years. But now...with every member on each team who had known him while he worked for BLU dead or transferred, no one was left that would recognize him in the least. Also, the teams seemed to be working quite autonomously of their companies, with no BLU or RED behind the scenes workers living there like they were when the Spy was working for BLU. The respawn systems were stabilized – everything was working with (relative) smoothness with no need for a ‘babysitter’. So now was the perfect time for the altered Spy to take some risks - and he finally had motivation to do so. Once that idea got into his head of SPEAKING to people again, disguising and impersonating members like old times, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. Disguise kit in webbed hand, Dominique used those note forging skills again, to impersonate the RED Spy... [ Part 9] Lance came into the workshop after the day’s battle and clicked on the bulb to his workbench. He put down his wrench and hesitated to put down his toolbox as he noticed something on his desk. It was a disguise kit – the kind the team Spy would use during battle to impersonate others. He recognized it right away – but god damn, it was in bad shape. He picked it up and noticed a note sticking out of it. Lance could practically hear the RED Spy’s snarky accent in his head as he read it, Dear Laborer, My disguise kit has become a bit waterlogged using the canals to infiltrate BLU, and is malfunctioning. You seem to have an eye for small details – fix this before tomorrow’s battle, would you? Slide it under my door for me when you are done. Merci, Spy “Merci indeed,†The engineer grumbled to himself, “Couldn’t even come in person, lazy, anti-social spah just leaving stuff lying ‘round.†He sighed. But after the initial annoyance, the Engineer got to taking apart the damaged kit...and was soon engrossed and intrigued by the delicate technology that made it tick. He’d never taken apart one of the Spy kits before, though he’d seen their Spy in action using it on the field. It was fascinating! It was a lot like a watch in the intricacy of its mechanics, a lot crammed into the small space of the cigarette case like device. He was curious now to get a hold of one of the cloaking watches too....he wondered what THOSE looked like if this was so interesting! ‘Damn this thing really IS water damaged...’ Lance mused as he blew away solder smoke before it clogged up his nostrils, ‘he must use the drainage and canal systems to get to BLU all the time.’ The engineer re-soldered all the connections on its circuit board, re-adjusted its kinetic powered quartz charging system, and installed new seals so water could not get in again. He was very intricate in small details, almost more artist than mechanic at that moment – fixing the small, complicated tech of the disguise kit was no problem for him. It looked almost good as new when he was done with it. A job well done, Lance fell asleep at his desk as it was far beyond when he normally stayed up, the repaired kit under him. Keeping tabs on his gear...was the real owner. Dominique had been coming in periodically (to and fro from the canals through the cover of night), peeking in the back window, slinking up to the rafters, faulty cloak flickering, but the engineer was deep in work with his back to him, there was little risk of being seen. The tentaspy panicked a little when he saw the engineer asleep. “No no no he must slide it under his door while he is asleep! If he does so in the morning the RED Spy might be awake and see it, and I won’t be able to snag it!†Domi thought. He looked around for something he could pick up and throw to make noise to wake him. But just as he was about to do so, the door creaked open. It was Roscoe, the youngest and newest engineer - coming in with some things to put at his work bench. It was obvious he had been working outside, hence why Lance had been alone all evening in the shop. He noticed his fellow engineer asleep at his workbench. “Lance?†He piped up lowly, coming over to shake his shoulder. “NNggg?†The hatless engineer lifted his head as he woke up from a deep sleep. “Heh, this is no place to snooze pardner, gunna git a stiff neck like that, ya hear?†He chuckled. “I...ahh yea...†Lance yawned, not fully awake. “Workin’ hard on something?†Roscoe questioned. “Jes fixin’ the Spah’s disguise kit,†He hopped to his feet, and stretched his stout little body, the kit in hand. “Keepin us busy, are they? The variety is nice at least,†Roscoe picked up his wrench; he liked to keep that with him in his living quarters. “Yea,†The older man replied as they both left the shop, turning of the lights. Suddenly he remembered that the Spy needed this before morning. “I’m gonna git to mah real bed,†He gave a small wave and a smile to his comrade, who gave a quick ‘goodnight’ in return as he disappeared into his room. The older Engineer made a beeline for the Spy’s room. Soon as Domi saw them leave the shop, and the direction Lance went, he made for the same place on the outside of the building. The kit just made it under the crack at the bottom of the door. “Better not STEP on it when he gits up,†Lance muttered to himself, chuckling with another yawn, heading right for bed. On the other side of the door...the window was opening silently...the RED Spy sleeping in his bed just under the window frame, making only small sounds of snoring. His blankets were akimbo, showing he had fallen asleep on his back, in his slightly dirty button up and vest, his tie loosened and not straight. Dominique pressed himself in halfway, avoiding being directly over the Spy. His tentacles would reach all the way to kit by the door...if he could just balance himself to make the stretch, and concentrate enough so as one wouldn’t wander to poke at the sleeping Spy. He furrowed his brow, balaclava scrunching. He gripped onto the wall with suckers, and to the window frame with his claws. An outstretched tentacle snaked down, the tiniest of sucker tips catching on the disguise kit’s casing. It was reeled in, the gripped more securely by a coil of tentacle as it was in reach. In his quiet flexibility maneuver, he had just slightly leaned into the RED Spy’s space, and a drip of water trailed off his pinstriped suit fell right onto the unmasked man’s cheek. The tentaspy froze as the other man stirred, blue eyes snapping open. He was muttering something in French as he felt over the wet spot on his slightly stubbly cheek. He must have not been fully awake, as while his eyes opened he didn’t seem to really take in anything going on. Dominique WAS cloaked, but in that he was in a strained position, his faulty cloak was flickering as a slight confusion of shape. The RED Spy’s eyes closed, and he rolled to his side, sleep crashing over him again. Dominique breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. Though while he was mentally celebrating and concentrating on taking his disguise kit out of his tentacle’s grasp, an un-managed tentacle was casually snaking down the RED Spy’s shirt. That DID wake the man. “AAaagGnnnn!†The RED Spy flailed, the unknown sensation making him startle reflexively like someone feeling a crawling down their neck and thinking it’s a spider in their shirt. The suckers latched onto him the harder he pulled to get it out. They had a hold on something interesting, they wanted more of it. Dominique hissed, falling off balance as he was suddenly yanked on, and completely caught off guard by being grasped, from making physical contact with someone else. What was at first a reflex action, soon became a real moment of fear and confusion as the RED Spy saw the flicking mass of shape around him. He recognized that cloak flicker, but he did not understand the shapes he was seeing. Like a cat, he reached for his balisong on the nightstand, only to find his wrist grabbed by a striking, firm appendage. However, he only needed one hand to open the knife. With a fast flick he whirled the blade open, and flailed his arm to stab anything he could hit. An inhuman snarl rang out as the RED Spy stabbed into something soft. The shock of pain made Domi’s unruly suckers detach, and recoil from the Spy’s clothes. He fell out backwards from the window, falling to the dusty ground with a THUD. The RED Spy jumped to his feet, glancing around the room frantically and brandishing his knife, clothes and hair even more askew then they were before. He looked almost comical, especially with his plain red briefs the only thing adorning his lower half. The Frenchman cautiously looked out the open window, and saw nothing there. It was eerily quiet, not a sound of foot steps or struggling. He knew he hit something...he put a finger to the windowsill...seeing wetness there in the moonlight. A mixture of slime-like substance and water, and on his balisong was a dark, blue-purple colored blood. What WAS that thing that attacked him? ... Dominique had quickly broke for the canal. Soon as he was out of earshot he stopped holding his breath and wheezed against the tightness and pain in his chest. His side was bleeding profusely. The RED Spy had stabbed him right in the gills. He could taste iron and copper in his throat as he dangled half of himself into the water. He wasn’t sure if it was better to rest his gills and sit out there breathing blood-gurgled air, or go in the water and breathe smoothly, but with one damaged gill. He groaned and grit his teeth, holding his side as the pain was making it hard to think straight. His gills were a sensitive organ, richly supplied with blood, and always mucous membrane-like damp like lips or eyes. He took off his damaged suit and shirt, so he could directly apply pressure to the wound. Dominique knew he could heal fast; having survived being shot up by the BLU guards proved that...but it didn’t make it hurt any less. And fast wasn’t fast enough as he sat there sputtering. He decided the cold of the water would help more, so he slipped in fully, sinking to the bottom. It was like breathing with asthma for a while as his blood clotted and his damaged gill pumped irregularly. The cool water did soothe the pain though, and he sighed with relief through stammered breaths. Dominique slumped over, able to relax as the bleeding stopped, but he was light headed from the loss of blood. His tentacles coiled with slowly decreasing agitation. While he had been partially seen, he had succeeded – he had a working disguise kit. If he was lucky the RED Spy would keep his anti-social mouth shut, or if he told anyone, they’d just laugh and say he had dreamed it in a drunken hangover. Dominque used his removed clothing as a pillow for his head, curling into a safe feeling pipe to rest and heal for the night. [ Part 10 ] While his injured gill was still achy and sore, Dominique felt well enough to drag himself out onto dry land to test his repaired gear. The excitement alone was enough to over take the minor discomfort. It was like Christmas morning. In a deserted area of the shipping train yard, just beyond the fence and gates, the tentaspy took out the disguise kit; it looked almost good as new. His claws slid over the casing, feeling the tight seals and admiring its restoration. The detailed engineer did quite a good job with it, as expected. While the favor had not been done ‘for him’, he still felt grateful to the engineer. He snapped it open and chose a disguise from the interface, the most obvious choice for a test run. An encompassing puff of smoke briefly shimmered over the tentaspy, and shortly to an observer he would have looked just like any normal Spy. No webbed hands, no sharp teeth, normal skin sheen, and most importantly - legs. Standing up on his tentacles high as he could, around his original height, he turned and looked at himself in a shiny metal piece of sheeting like it was a mirror. He had to keep his appendages curled in towards and around himself, to stay within the cloak. He felt over the pinstriped pants, his ass, the curve of his thighs, craning to look and see his backside in the mirror. He could even ‘walk’; the illusion complete. It was quite a thrill...to see himself with legs. He’d not seen such a thing in half a decade. It was both wonderful and bittersweet. In fleeting fantasy, it was like everything as it used to be, as it should be. But harsh reality told him it was nothing but smoke and mirrors. As comfortable and habitual he’d become with his new self...and the many wonders of his underwater world, the back of his mind never stopped missing being human. If he had the choice, he’d give anything to be the way he was. Dominique sat down on a crate, stretching his ‘legs’ as he poked though his disguise kit’s memory banks to make sure everything was still there and worked properly. The data patterns for long since dead or gone team members still existed, like ghosts of the past. He glanced over the data for Boleslav, the current RED Heavy. He would be next...but the tentaspy had to wait until evening... ... Meanwhile in RED Base at breakfast, the RED Spy was not looking as cocky as usual. In a typical morning, he just sauntered in, lighting a cigarette as he grabbed some toast and eggs, and strode right out. But today, the man looked poorly rested and suspicious, glancing about like he expected something to jump out and surprise him. “Didn’t get enough beauty rest, Sheila?†The Sniper snickered under his breath as he was getting rations for himself, just barely glancing up. He too would only be seen briefly before he disappeared back to his nest for the day’s fighting. The Spy was already displeased, and quickly drew his balisong and brandished it at the Australian, “If you are going to insult me, do eet to my FACE, or my knife will ‘ave something to say to your BACK.†Lance stopped mid bite of his bacon and eggs on toast, eyes widening behind his goggles at the sudden tenseness between the Spy and Sniper. Sure spies and snipers didn’t mix, and the men could get rough sometimes, but he’d never seen team mates threaten each other like that, and never when he was so physically close to the argument. “Woah woah bloody hell, calm yer arse down Frog!†The Sniper threw his hands up to go with an accompanying gesture of ‘get that the hell away from me.’ “Tch, niais...†The Spy flicked his blade closed, and adjusted his suit, muttering under his breath. He put some jam on toast and sat at the table to eat, all eyes starring at him. He NEVER sat at the table. The cluster of three engineers was like a black-eyed staring beehive, intrigued. The large Russian sat between them and the Frenchman, like some human iron curtain, making the Engineers feel a little safer from the half-deranged-looking Spy. “You look a mighty’bit spooked there pardner’,†Roscoe piped up, a bit naively as he was newer and did not know the Spy’s habits as well. “Spook the spook,†The Sniper chucked brazenly, making his leave for his nest with a final scowl at the Spy. “Da, Something has happened?†Boleslav chimed in, looking both tactically suspicious and mildly concerned. Lance wondered this as well...his team mates basically asking his questions for him as he sat evaluating the situation before opening his mouth. What happened to the Spy? He saw or heard nothing when he dropped off his kit, maybe he just drank too much and didn’t sleep good. The Engineer was also thinking how it’d be polite to get some kind of thanks or recognition for his work he did, without prompting. Even if it was in his “job description†to fix things, manners were always obliged with personal favors. Also to make some friends outside his enclave of Engineer’s would be nice, having allies was always a good thing, especially amongst a crew of questionable mercenaries. The RED Spy wanted to mention what happened, but how crazy would he sound, to mention of a ‘monster’ attacking him in bed? He DID go to sleep a bit tipsy last night, hit the cheap wine bottle a little harder than usual (that crap they sent on supply trains could BARELY be called wine...). But he could not have dreamed it, that blood on his knife was real...those marks on his chest were real. Lance was going to ask about the disguise kit, when the Spy gave a point to all of them, “Something is up around ‘ere,†He narrowed his eyes, “Keep watch on yourselves at night.†After the cryptic warning, he left. “What was that all about?†William whispered huskily, looking to the side with a ‘what in tarnation’ expression. “I don’t know,†Lance narrowed his eyes in thought; “I was up late last night fixin’ his disguise kit and some thanks I get,†he sighed in a grumble. “Oh yea?†“And when I slid it under his door to return it I didn’t see or hear nothin’ unusual.†“He was jes drunk and is hung over,†The older Engineer replied, “Ignore him, backstabbers are all th’ same.†... The hot day dragged a bit for the men, but for no one more than Dominique. He hunted crayfish in the thin layer of rocks and sticks on the bottom of the Well canals, listening to the booms of rockets exploding overhead. He just wanted the day over, then he could enact his plan. ‘Patience...’ he smirked to himself, picking the claws off a crayfish and nibbling them like hard shelled pretzel nuggets. If only he had been there as the RED team ate breakfast – his cover was almost blown, if Lance had asked about the disguise kit, suspicions might have been raised all through the base before he infiltrated it. Evening came - the scrap was hidden in the respawn room, and Dominique waited inside for when the one Engineer would be walking by. The showers were close to the workshop in relation to their position along the hallway, and were also connected to the respawn room. It would make for a convenient waiting spot. Cloaked in a dim corner of the showers, he waited for the smells and sounds of the Texans walking by. The dampness allowed him to stay inside and lurk; but especially with his injured gill he was feeling weaker than usual, he couldn’t handle much drying out. He was a still and patient hunter, only today his prey was not for eating. Dominique found himself apprehensive, and more excited by the anticipation of his ‘scheme’ then he first thought. He stayed out of the affairs of the teams for his own safety...but now, finally he was bored and bold enough to take some risks, and had a drive to do so as well. The former BLU spy wanted so badly to be a part of things again, do ANYTHING that mattered or created change. Besides, he owed the little engineer now...this was only fair, yes? His tentacles curled with expectancy... After waiting a bit, the RED Medic suddenly came in to shower. Being the day ended some time ago and all who cared to bathe had done so and gone to dinner, Domi hissed softly at the unexpected intrusion. What he didn’t know was the Medic had been tending to some bullets lodged in a Scout’s torso, and was held up in the infirmary. He silently watched the German do his ablutions. He was always quite fastidious, understandably. The tentaspy had done this before...watched the men in the showers. He’d almost become grabby multiple times, but always held back. Their exposed flesh wet and slick with soap...body hair matted down with the flow of the water. This medic had a good bit of chest hair...dark with flecks of gray like the hair on his head... It was then he smelled the scent of his mark, coming up the hallway. ‘Merde,’ he hissed to himself. He kept an eye on the German, waiting for him to turn his back... “Mmm?†The doctor turned his head, hearing a noise in the locker room. He peeked around the corner, curious as he heard no one else there before. “Boleslav! I didn’t even hear you come in,†He chuckled, seeing the large Russian there, nearly bumping into him as he rounded the corner. The Heavy inched back, he was fully clothed, and holding a pile of scrap metal. Dominique didn’t want the medic to touch him and feel through his disguise. “Da! Doktor, I didn’t know you were in showers either,†The ‘Russian’ chuckled, smiling. The Spy knew all the long time team mates well from his voyeuristic activities... the Medic and Heavy were close...he could play this part. The Medic tried to advance, a sudden dark lust in his eyes and a grin on his lips, “You vhere vhroking hard today too, vhy not join me?†“Nyet, I can not, I don’t want to get this metal wet, it will rust!†He deeply laughed, smiling back, “Eet is for Engineer, so he can build bigger guns to crush leetle baby BLU team.†“How wunderful! You picked zhat up from the BLU side, ja?†He gave a look over the metal, being very unabashed of his nudity which was right up in Dominique’s face. He tried not to glance about too much, tentacles coiling on themselves in knots. He could SMELL the hormones as they wafted off the German, that masculine sex drive welling up in him the second he started conversing with what he thought was his bed partner. “Da, and I saw him coming up hallway, so I wanted to get it to him tonight.†He hefted up the pile of metal, which in reality was being half supported by some tentacles, which were stronger than his own arms, “Come see me when you are done?†The tentaspy was beginning to curse himself for not ‘warming up’ with some simple espionage and interactions before jumping right into the RED base. He was proud he was holding it together this coolly, his training was so deeply engrained...but at the same time, it was making his heart beat so fast to be interacting with people again, and the first one just HAD to be the Medic cooing over his Russian lover. The hormones were intense, he knew how he was sensitive to them...and despite knowing it was still surprising him. “Alright alright, I see you are eager,†The German shooed him, “But have no doubt, I’ll be seeing you soon.†His wide, toothy grin was both mischievously playful as it was fearsome. Dominique knew what the Heavy would do; he’d want to give a goodbye kiss...especially to rush out on the doctor. He kept his cool, gave a kiss to the man’s forehead, and then quickly made his leave. The Medic was none the wiser, though he did feel the kiss was wetter than usual... Thankfully Lance had taken his time, and was just going into the workshop when ‘The Heavy’ ran up. “Engineer!†The Russian bellowed, stopping up a little too close for comfort to the Texan. “Woah there big fella!†Lance backed up, “What’s the hurry?†He eyed that pile of metal in the man’s grasp, smoothing over his velvet short hair with a hand. He wouldn’t wonder for long - “These for you,†The Heavy thrust the pile at him. The Engineer was taken a little off guard and nearly fell over from the sudden weight, but he adjusted and soon was grasping it, in a similar fashion he’d hold his toolbox-housed builds. “Fer me?†He looked a little shocked, but soon he was grinning, “Hey, this is BLU Metal! How’d you get this?†“Leetle birdie told me you need stronger metal to make weapons to kill BLU’s. So I take from battlefield where I crush BLU Engineer’s sentry.†He shrugged, looking casual. Behind the cloak, the tentaspy knotted his tentacles on each other, the urge to reach out and touch was stronger than he anticipated...and the encounter with the Medic did NOT help. “This is mighty fine! I can’t believe you did that...†Lance smirked thinking ‘William you devil...’, “Thank ye kindly! I think I’ll be able to make GREAT guns with this for mah designs!†“Don’t tell other Engineer, will think I told on him. No need for anymore thanks, just make good weapons to get baby BLU team.†The Heavy held up his big hands. “A Texas gentleman never tells when asked to keep a secret, consider it done pardner,†The small man nodded, furrowing his brow over his welding goggles. “Is good, Удачи,†The Russian gave a comrade hand wave gesture, and walked off. The tentaspy made right for the back door, sneaking out and cloaking, the disguise fading away in the safety of invisibility. As the stress of the moment was over, his trained concentration for infiltration receded...and he could truly revel in his success. Like endorphins straight to the brain, that rush of interaction, infiltration, making eye contact and the other fully believing you were someone else...it was wonderful. The tentaspy shivered with excitement as he rolled in the canal waters, tentacles fanning out and stretching. Keeping himself so compressed in the disguise, and not being able to touch, it was so hard on him physically. He writhed smirking smugly to himself. He’d keep a closer eye on that Engineer now, to see what he made...made with what he gave him. There was change happening because of him. Not to mention Lance’s file was full of holes, it needed much fleshing out. [ Part 11 ] It was to the RED Engineer’s delight the BLU metal allowed him to make thinner, sleeker designs like he had down on blueprint paper. While he still used the typical beefed up sentries and dispensers on the field to protect his team and RED’s property, off hours he tinkered with some fancy welding work. “Well ain’t that a hell of a thing,†Roscoe circled Lance’s latest endeavor, a level 1 sentry that seemed light on its stabilizers. “This one might actually hold up to battle, AND be fast to deploy!†“Might take it out tomorrow, I rekon,†Lance grinned back, wiping some grease off his hands, “It’s not necessary for war machines to be beautiful, but well, I guess I’m a bit of an artist trapped in an engineer’s body,†He chuckled. “Engineering IS an art, Lance.†The other RED said with resolve. “True, true...jes this isn’t the sleekest of battlefields...no need for pomp ‘n’ circumstance. And here I am still designing things that belong on some grand battlefield.†He paused in thought for a moment, “I guess I wish some of mah designs couldn’t seen something grand, like the World War, all those lovely guns and planes, I remember lookin at some’a them in the museum.†He pet a hand idly over the rivets on his work. “I don’t think any of ya’ll designs are going to end up in any museums outta this place,†William broke Lance’s little fantasy, and their conversation, just barely glancing up from something he was sanding in his corner of the shop. “Company is too secretive, to begin with.†Lance was struck silent for a moment as he kind of realized his daydreams were being shot down openly and he hadn’t even obtusely revealed them, “Tch, well, with the money I’m getting from this job, I’ll be able to start mah own company. We’ll make the prettiest damn weapons you ever did see,†He gave a bit of a mocking tone, chuckling and getting up to give an appropriate gesture. But it wasn’t a joke. He wanted to be his own boss, produce his own designs. Sleek, beautiful weapons, perhaps reminiscent of a more romantic era, but none the less deadly. And with his own workshop, he could make other things too, useful inventions that could be in everyday homes. And who knows, maybe something of his would end up in a museum one day... “Mmm humm you would,†William gave a face and went back to his work. As the Engineer’s talked, they were being watched from a rafter corner...where the tentaspy was scribbling down this new information into his notes file. He smiled softly, it was both bittersweet and encouraging to hear other’s dreams and wants...for while his own dreams were diverted like a river with a bolder thrown into it, he took a strange pride to think how these men he cataloged might go on to achieve theirs. Roscoe and William left to grab dinner...Lance stayed behind for a few extra minutes, putting some finishing touches on that special sentry, sparks reflecting in his goggles as he did small spot welds. The tentaspy pet a finger over his slightly damp notepad, the locking plastic bag that kept it dry underwater crinkling against the back. It was so amazing to see what he did meant something to the Engineer’s labors. He wondered what the new machine would look like in combat. Lance left to go to dinner. Dominique slinked to the canal to rewet his drying body, but he found himself drawn back to the base after not too long. He had files to flesh out after all; Lance and Roscoe were both still relatively new members. But of course Dominique seemed to be spending all his time on the dirty blond... It was a cool night after a hot day. The engineer opened his room window to the soft breeze, locking himself in his small living quarters to prepare for bed. He was not alone, as a watchful party was just outside the window, privy as the stout Texan unclipped his overalls. They were a bit charred and dirty from the day’s work – the garment fell to the curve of the man’s ass, needing a little help to slough completely down to be kicked off. The engineer groaned slightly as he stretched, flopping to the bed so he could kick off his work boots. Welding goggles removed, revealing hazel eyes hiding underneath. Soon he was completely naked, exposed to the fresh breeze from that window; it felt so good to his skin. Lance leaned over and pulled out his personal suitcase from under the bed. He glanced at the door, then pulled off a hidden compartment panel in the lid when he seemed satisfied things were safe. The tentaspy watched, almost entranced at the sudden secrecy, pen falling silent on his paper. Out was pulled a pile of slightly dog-eared magazines. The engineer leafed through them, Dominique could catch some of the titles as the covers flashed by, “ONE: The Homosexual viewpoint, January issue 1965.†– “The Male figure review – 1968†, “MANège, 1965†...which appeared to have Swedish or Danish writing on the cover. While Dominique had seen plenty of homosexual fooling around on the bases, and some interesting developments between many different parties (Especially past Heavies and Medics, for some reason...), this was the first time he saw someone with gay literature. Such kinds of magazines had not been around long to begin with, perhaps just starting the past decade; Dominique recalled seeing some in boutiques while he was in London, though he never felt a strong urge to read any. He was interested in ‘people’, so bodies of all kinds came with that as well...though being sexually with one’s own gender was always more risqué – and considered a sin by many. It was not something you wanted to flaunt about, it was not accepted in the open, understandably. You kept it to yourself. For the Engineer to have such magazines, especially one that looked more intellectual and not just nudie mags, meant he was serious about it, that he was most likely ONLY interested in men, and had known for some time. Known, and gotten good at hiding it. Dominique didn’t think he looked it, he didn’t act in a fashion that would make one think he was ‘that way’. This was how he wanted it, no doubt. Dominique recalled how the Engineer he was teammates with liked to masturbate while looking at car magazines...well here was his replacement 6 years hence, doing the same to eloquent looking men in gay European circulars. Taking mental notes now, the tentaspy perched on the windowsill as his suckers clutched up against the wooden siding boards, getting drawn in as the Texan fell to his back, arching softly against the mattress with a hand down his boxers. He gasped softly, quietly, like he didn’t want anyone to hear. “AGGnnnn...†He groaned in a hushed whisper, rolling his hips and tweaking over his right nipple, like he was pretending someone was there with him pleasuring him, “Y...yea...geezus fuck...†As the Engineer was pleasuring himself, Dominique soon found he was doing the same. It wasn’t the first time he’d spied on team members and done this...he longed for that physical connection - besides being a sensual blooded, middle aged man, he also felt an extra twinge of need when his animal instilled hormones kicked in. It surprised the tentaspy how strongly his urges kicked in watching, hearing, smelling the stout little Texan. It set his insides ablaze with arousal. He was so close, it’d be easy for a tentacle to reach out and touch him...snake around that thick erection and slick over him, slime mixing with precum... Thankfully the Engineer didn’t hear Domi’s small animalistic cry of desperation as he squeezed his suckers around the length of his engorged erection, he was too busy groaning to himself as he twitched with the release of his own orgasm. “Nnnngg...ahhh....†He gasped to himself, falling limp and ignoring the cum on his chest hair. Lance perked his ears up as he heard a noise outside, like a thunk of something soft falling to the ground. Could have been a possum...or any other wild creature, but with the heebie jeebies he was getting recently like someone was watching him, he didn’t take chances. He closed the blinds on his window and shut it to a locked slit, it would block some of the cool air but it was worth the privacy as he slept. Out of sight, Dominique was gasping to dry sounding lungs as he copiously came, the smell and sounds of the little engineer still ringing in his nostrils and ears. He writhed on the ground, a jumble of slimy tentacles and pinstripes, tensed hands gripping at the cold grass. Goodness, that was excellent. He had not had an orgasm quite like that in a long time. He shakily got out his water flask and downed all he had left in it. It took him a little time before he had energy to move again – but soon the tentaspy was back in the canal, curled up in his den, plotting a few more things through his mind before he fell asleep...
[ Part 12 ] “Isn’t it a bit hot out to be doin’ that tonight?†The oldest engineer glanced at Lance as he was trotting out the door with a large toolbox. “I want to get this done; you know how it is when you are inspired, yea?†Lance flashed his goggles at him with a tilt of the head, with an appropriate smirk of knowledgeable mischief. William gave a ‘you’re crazy’ head shake, going back to his own work, though he couldn’t help but admire the younger man’s enthusiasm. Lance worked alone outside, heating up that BLU metal to a hot red, then bending it into the right shape before it cooled. He had a protective smock, and thick gloves on both hands, to shield from sparks off the hot metal. As William had warned, it was indeed a hot evening, and the Engineer was sweating under the brunt of it. He just wanted to get the idea realized; heat wouldn’t stop him from working when he was inspired. He was concentrating so hard he did not even hear the de-cloaking of a Spy... “Laborer,†A French accent spoke, making the industrious engineer glance up. “Spah?†Lance blinked behind his dark goggles, giving a curious look to their team spy there leaning against a thin tree in all his RED pinstriped swagger. The Engineer seemed a bit annoyed to be disturbed while working, or perhaps it was that he was still bitter of the lack of thanks for his careful fixing of the Spy’s disguise kit, “Fancy you actually givin’ audience in person, yea?†He said in a loaded fashion, but his tone was not snide, merely dismissive. He gave a few strong hits to the metal in front of him before it completely cooled. The Spy chuckled, “Eet iz possible, oui.†The lithe man strolled closer, all the way around to the other side of the Engineer, giving the Texan a ‘being circled by a shark’ vibe, “I came in person to thank you for fixing my disguise kit. Eet iz much appreciated.†He said it like he KNEW that is what the Texan was waiting for. He took out the kit for a moment for emphasis, twirling it in his fingers, “Good as new.†The engineer, besides a look of disbelief, seemed to light up, his work actually being recognized, who doesn’t like that? He was proud of his skills; he gave a prideful smile and straightened up, “Much obliged, good to see you have some kind’a manners.†“Do you really theenk so low of me, monsieur?†He gave that feigned voice only a Spy can do with the proper level of mild snarky. “Ze BLU Spy ruins your machines, but I would never do zhat, don’t hate all us Spies, oui?†The Spy was being awfully friendly, thought Lance. It was suspicious. What kind of interest would a man like him have with a stout, grease-monkey Texan, other than to manipulate into another favor? Lance was nobodies fool. The engineer gave a sideways eye as the RED Spy casually pulled a cigarette from his kit. He put it to his thin, wide mouth, but stopped when he went to light it, “You don’t smoke, correct?†he asked, the fag hanging from his moist inner lip as he talked, “Your colleague does but I ‘ave not seen you doing so ever.†As he referred to William. “Did when I was younger, but not any more,†Lance replied simply, making a face like he’d appreciate it if the man DIDN’T smoke right in his vicinity, especially when he was working. The Spy left the un-lit cig, “Well, I’ll be the gentleman I am and respect your workspace while I am ‘ere,†He took it from his mouth, dangling it in his fingers in habit and gesturing with it. “You practically chain smoke those things,†The Engineer chuckled like he couldn’t believe the man could go without his fix for five minutes, as he putting the piece of metal back into the furnace; “Now Spah, while I don’t dislike yer company, you must be here for a reason, and I don’t like you pussyfootin’ ‘round the subject, so what else kin’ I do for ya?†While he was internally flattered Spy would think he was favorable company, he knew that couldn’t be the case for a backstabber like him. And he didn’t like being buttered up into doing something. The Spy looked hurt, being him it was a feigned sort of sarcastic ‘hurt’, “Monsieur! Might eet be possible I just wanted to say thank you...?†He leaned in to look closer as the hot metal piece was taken from the furnace, glowing orange and white, “Also, I’m curious about this...theeng.†He gestured to the dispenser taking shape off to the side, “I saw your new sentry on ze field ze other day. Smaller, lighter, faster to deploy. You ought to push ze front lines weeth such a theeng. Very impressive.†He went to take a drag off his cigarette, but grumbled when he remembered he’d not lit it to be polite. At least this is mostly how the RED Spy would act, thought Domi - Who was falling nicely into the role. It was funny to be pretending to be a nicotine addict again, he used to chain smoke just as much as the current RED Spy...but having gills stopped that habit dead in its tracks. While he was playing the guise of the RED Spy, he was speaking from his own mind when it came to what he was saying. It was him, in the body of the RED. He was using him like a second skin. “Jes a new dispenser model. Should be lighter to carry.†Lance smirked back, unbelieving the Spy even took interest in his original alterations, or sentries in general beyond sapping and destroying them, “To go with my sentry.†Dominique wanted to snake his tentacles all over that fancy dispenser, feel it inside and out, explore its curves and rivets. He bit his lip, realizing soon after that was more so what he wanted to do to its creator. He consciously coiled a tentacle around all his over ones, like tying them down with a noose. They were nestled in nicely against himself, keeping within the disguise cloak. He was drying quickly in the heat, though with the sun set, the air was cooling steadily. The arid heat was most a problem as he felt his chest going dry...needy for moisture, the feeling creeping up his throat. He was making use of the fact the real RED Spy was in his room drinking wine and fapping in the mirror with a disguise of the RED Sniper on himself. Best to make use of his time... “Well I theenk eet is very inspired,†The RED Spy sauntered over, leaning in a teasing manner onto the end of the big metal workbench, very much in the man’s personal space, “I’ve destroyed many a BLU machine, and this eez nothing like anything I’ve seen.†The Engineer looked a little worried. Or was it intimidated surprise? He gave a shove to the Spy’s shoulder with his wrench, “Yer in mah way Spah, you’re going to get hot metal in your mouth keeping your mug there.†The Spy chuckled in amusement, giving the Texan his space, then looking like he remembered something, “Ah! Well, eef you are so eager to do something else for me...I DO ‘ave something you could look at...†It had dawned on Domi his Cloak and Dagger needed fixing too. He shouldn’t pass up this opportunity. The RED Spy unhooked a watch from his wrist, giving it to the Engineer, who held out a thickly gloved hand. The Spy pet his finger tips over the leather-protected palm, lingering as he gave the equipment, “Eet needs a tune up, the cloak has been on ze fritz, S'il vous plait?†The Texan felt a rush of heat, and it wasn’t just the sweat from the heavy protection gear he was wearing. He put the spy watch in a pocket, “It...it shouldn’t be a problem,†“Merci, much appreciated.†The RED Spy grinned back, pulling away, not before closing the larger fingers of the Texan around the spy gear with another purposeful touch. In reality, Domi was pulling away so hastily as some tentacles were creeping their suckers up the edge of the table and inches from latching onto Lance. He was having far too much fun with himself...getting to flirt with the little Engineer, TOUCHING another living being with suave appeal. He felt like his old self again in a fleeting moment. He mustn’t lose himself in the moment...blow his cover... “Cough cough!†“Spah?†Lance looked over as the man was leaving, hearing the dry cough. The taller man waved a hand dismissively, “Ze dust is just irritating my already needy lungs,†He hoarsely said, flicking his lighter open, “I weel be back for my gear tomorrow evening Laborer,†Being it was Friday night they’d have off tomorrow. The Spy, even without a cloaking device, seemed to vanish all the same. Once he was alone the Engineer stood a little dumfounded for a moment. He replayed over in his mind the Spy’s behavior...certainly he couldn’t deny it felt like that Frenchie was flirting with him. He was a mixture of suspicious and....aroused. What if he WAS flirting with him? What if he WAS actually interested? What if – Lance paled and nearly dropped his wrench. That Spy could get into anything and go anywhere...what if he’d seen his...secret belongings? OF course, that would explain how he was playing things up with him, using him for favors because he knew he’d fall for his flirting and could blackmail him if he refused. Lance did NOT want just any people knowing...especially a team of mercenaries he was stuck with for a year long contract. Lord knows a bunch like that wouldn’t exactly be approving of a ‘pansy’ in their mix... Lance did not think low of himself for his desires; he just knew the harsh reality of what society thought of them. Laying low meant being safe, and accepted. He didn’t dwell on it too much, that was how things were, and when he got off this job he could go back and find like kind, lord knows he missed it like how much of the men probably missed havin’ ladies around. They were all in the same boat really. When he fixed that cloaking device and returned it...he thought about if he should confront the Spy about it, or play dumb. Maybe he knew nothing and WAS just being the eccentric flirt he was. He’d just stay quiet about it all to the Spy, just be ‘normal’, normal as one was in a place like this. [ Part 13 ] “Nnngggg,†The RED-clad Frenchman gave a groan as he got some water from the tap in the kitchen. Thank God it was the weekend, it didn’t matter how hung over he was. He looked a little disheveled with only a single sleeve garter on, a crooked tie, and a half burnt down cigarette dangling from his lips. “Don’t make me bring up that beauty rest thing again,†The Sniper said as he stole all the coffee from the pot, pouring it into his white mug. He made sure his kukuri was at the ready, considering how the Spy acted LAST time. The Spy flashed the Australian a wild ‘fuck you’ look, made even more apparent by the dark circles around his eyes, “Careful, I might get bored of stabbing ze BLU Sniper and go after you instead.†He was pissed off enough he had not been sleeping well since...that incident. He’d hoped the wine and self gratification would have helped, but it only did so much. He felt like he was going crazy. “I’m sure that’ll go over real jolly with RED, Jes make sure you’re doin your job mate,†The man gave a point to him like he was a fucking mess and didn’t look like he was in any shape to do the kind of espionage they excepted of him. The Spy quieted down, softening a bit like he approved of the Sniper showing some kind of concern for his state of being. “I can take care of myself,†He turned his hooked nose up, “Eet’s you all I am concerned for, ignorant of what eez going on around ‘ere,†He rubbed a hand over those hidden hickey marks on his torso...they were just about gone. “And what might that be?†Suddenly there was a Texan accent in the mix, as the shorter American was there in a towel like he just came from the showers. He’d overheard the talk from the hall and came in to investigate. He felt a jolt when the RED Spy looked at him, the worry from last night about blackmail coming his way creating a tension inside him. But his eyes were locked confidently to his comrades with no sign of apprehension outwardly. “I weel inform you all when I get more intel,†The Spy glanced between the two men, which with their height difference was quite an acrobatic eye move. “I intend to keep this team on top of theengs.†He’d find that thing that attacked him. He’d find it and prove it if it killed him. The Frenchman took up his glass of water and moved his cig to his fingers, “One theeng I do know eez there eez a supply train coming today. Keep an eye out for eet, I theenk we are getting a transfer, or perhaps an extra team member altogether.†He made to leave, brushing past the Engineer on his way out. “See ya later Spah,†The Texan stated in goodbye, while he meant it in a manner of ‘I’ll have your watch ready later,’ the Spy merely gave a tired smirk and a nod like it was just a normal goodbye, not catching the tone. “Spy givin’ a shit?†Sniper muttered sipping his coffee and making his own leave back for his nest, “Now there’s somethin’ to be suspicious ‘bout.†“It’s his job to aid this team whether he likes it or not,†Lance smirked, “But really he ain’t such a bad fella.†... ‘I hope.’ “Since when did Engie’s make friends with spahs?†The Sniper sipped his coffee. ... Wanting to stay on the Spy’s good side (and wishful thinking that he’d appreciate this second favor as a friendly gesture) Lance got to working on the damaged Cloak and Dagger watch. The Spy didn’t seem so terrible if you could believe anything he did as somewhat genuine, and not just done for manipulation. Lance had only been there a few months, and while he’d not expected to make ‘friends’ among a bunch of mercenaries, having people you could get along with was always nice. At least he was friendly with the other Engineer, Roscoe, and the Heavy, Boleslav. The watch was even more intricate than the Disguise kit. Being the tech was packed into an even smaller space. The technology the team provided for the spies was highly advanced, Lance had never heard of anything like it before. He took mental notes on things to add to his own designs by looking at the small devices. While again being water damaged and an old model, the watch wasn’t in such terrible shape as the Disguise kit. The engineer got it done and then spent the rest of the evening at his workbench doodling up some small designs of his own based off the cloaking watch. ... Dominique had been so distracted with the Engineer he’d not heard the same intel as the real RED Spy, that he was again using the skin of as he waltzed into the RED base. He suddenly heard the horn of the approaching train in the distance, ‘A Supply train! I’ve never missed one before...how did I not hear of it?’ He fussed to himself, angry with his incompetence. He always liked to be fully informed... ‘Well, while it’s nice to be on top of shipments...doesn’t getting to talk to that RED engineer top your priorities list today?’ he told himself. He DID feel naked without his cloaking watch. He wanted it back as soon as possible. ... “Peek-a-boo.†A low voice calmly rasped into the Engineer’s ear from behind. “GEEZUS!†The shorter man startled, nearly falling off his stool and dropping his drafting pencil. After a hearty laugh (and a few snorts), the RED Spy smiled at the miffed looking Engineer, “Oh...eet was too good to resist, you were so deep in thought.†The fine leather glove pet over the drawings there on the drafting table, “New designs?†“Y...yea.†The man adjusted his goggles, then put them up to his forehead, “I’m gonna start calling you ‘spook’ like Snipes does at this rate.†“Oh Mon ami,†The Spy shook his head, still petting over the designs...slowly and purposefully. After eyeing the Spy’s hands silently, the Texan spoke up “Your watch is done; I assume that’s what yer here for.†He picked the small device out of his front overall pocket. The Spy’s face lit up, and he took his belongings back thankfully, “Merci beaucoup,†He affixed the watch back on his wrist, “You do such lovely work, like un artiste, truly.†Lance grinned with satisfaction, but man the Spy saying those things in that lovely accent, rolling off his tongue and being so complimentary. Before he could reply the Spy disappeared in a shimmer of air. “Spah?†He blinked, reaching out and feeling nothing, “Tch, running off just like that?†He grumbled and looked about. “Non, just testing your repairs,†The smooth voice replied, right behind him. The Engineer whirled around, arm bumping into the invisible man making him shimmer for a moment then disappear again. “Damn spook!†He laughed; reaching out again like it was a game. “You forget I’m used to spy checkin’!†“But I’m no enemy,†The French accent crooned, invisible hands touching to the stout man’s cheeks, sliding to his shoulders and firmly making him turn around on his stool. The Texan calmed down like an obedient dog, a bit frozen as he felt those long ,thin fingers caressing...a bit more than friendly...against his neck and then down to his collar bones. ‘Oh god what are you doing?’ Dominique hissed inside his head. He couldn’t stop...he just wanted to touch, just a little...He’d need to be careful, if the Engineer paid too much attention he might feel his webbing or claws. All Lance could do was lean back his head to the progressively more intimate, invisible fingers, parted mouth shuddering out increasingly husky breaths. When he felt cool fingers dance over his nipples, he whispered out, “...you won’t tell the men...will you?†“Tell them what monsieur?†The Spy muttered back, like he had no idea what he was talking about, a coy tone, like he knew exactly what he was doing, and had no intention to make it public. The Engineer uttered a low moan, god he was good with his hands...it didn’t help he couldn’t see what he was doing, just an occasional shimmer where the cloak faulted under a firmer touch. Seemingly by ‘magic’, an overall clasp was removed, giving the Spy better access to that broad, fuzzed chest. It was taking lot of willpower to keep his tentacles off the Engineer’s flesh. They were creeping up the stool like an unstoppable force, inches, then just centimeters away from the man’s legs, the nimble tips coiling hard around the stool legs to halt their progress. He couldn’t keep this up much longer... Domi furrowed up his brow, arms wrapping around Lance’s neck and shoulders, and buried his face into his neck to take a deep inhale of his scent. He could SMELL his arousal like a cologne. The tentaspy muttered a low growled purr, a sound full of longing. Like an alarm bell waking up the men from a dream, the supply train whistled loudly as it came into the base’s platform. Both men jerked up, the Spy especially, jumping back, and tentacles doing the same (not a moment too soon). “Dammit the train, scared me half to death, I even knew it was comin’ today...†Lance laughed a little, the shock wearing off him as he looked around for the Spy, “Spah...?†He said tentatively. “I must be off petit,†The voice said from thin air, Lance indeed caught the roll of a French pet name, “Thank you again... à plus.†And he was gone. Lance was left a bit in a daze. He fixed his overalls, and smoothed over his velveteen hair. “D...damn Spahs,†He muttered loosely, but his skin was still tingling. God, he wanted do try that again, and not be interrupted... As much as he liked this development, he just couldn’t be at ease in his mind. He was still worried he’d tell the team. Then everyone would know he was a faggot, and then would come the dirty looks, the slurs, the unfriendly bumps in the hall, the feeling of not being ‘one of the guys’. “Tch,†He huffed and rolled up his plans, “Jes keep yer head, everythin’ will be okay,†He muttered to himself as he ran off to help unload the train. ‘You’re not a kid anymore, don’t act like a damn coward.’ ... It seemed every encounter with the Engineer ended in masturbation. Heated, writhing, gut tingling release. But it relaxed him and relieved the tension...momentarily. So next time he could try again, to get a little closer. Dominique didn’t trust his body, next time he might be all over the man. He had to be patient. Patience was a Spy’s virtue... [Part 14] The RED Spy....was becoming a nuisance. He had started poking his nose about the fences, stalking suspiciously past the canals, looking at everyone with suspicion, when he barely even knew what he was LOOKING for. Apparently he hadn’t thought Domi had just been a dream...as the tentaspy had hoped with the chance encounter. He was haunted by the event. It made it hard for Dominique to sneak into RED after hours, especially if he was acting so different from RED Spy himself. And to disguise as someone else, the Spy might take notice on such high alert. At least he had fully working equipment now, his confidence was high and he was able to move about with the most amazing stealth and ease, a fearsome thing to anyone who might be considered an enemy. With how the RED Spy was poking about he might have to worry about HAVING such an enemy... But to Lance, all he knew was that RED Spy was following him around closer and closer, like a terrible tease. If the man wanted him, why didn’t he just TAKE him? Man like him must be used to doing that, getting anyone he wanted. Was he just teasing him out of spite, did he want something else? Or was he actually...courting him? The engineer turned around one afternoon in the locker rooms, what used to be a empty bench, suddenly there was a half naked RED Spy lounging there. “GEEZUS!†Lance gasped, dropping his overalls that he was TRYING to put on. “OH, ‘ello Petit,†The Spy crooned like nothing was unusual. “Spah, y...ya don’t have’ta sneak up on me to git my attention.†Lance gave him a face as he put on his clothes properly. “But you love eet,†The Spy leaned his head on his hand. “Do I?†Lance chuckled, biting his lip as he closed his locker. “I would believe so,†The Spy had a Cheshire grin as he cloaked and vanished in a shimmer of air. “I see the cloaking device is working jes’ fine!†“Oui, indeed.†The disembodied voice of the Spy replied coyly, “I’ll see you later, mon cher...†‘See me later?’ Lance narrowed his eyes in thought, ’oh now he’s just making me paranoid...’ Domi took the opportunity to re-moisten himself, and prep mentally for what he was going to try to do...but as he was finishing up making use of the RED showers, and waiting to listen for when Lance would retire to his room for the night, the sounds of Italian leather shoes came down the hallway floors. It was the real RED Spy. The tentaspy saw as he cloaked and crept into the hallway, ‘Merde!’ he hissed to himself. Thankfully Lance narrowly missed seeing him; he was in the workshop. Most likely cleaning up his blueprints before bed. ‘No, you WON’T be messing things up!’ Domi narrowed his eyes, invisible and watching; he’d waited and mentally prepped for this for too long. Something primal and impulsive snapped in him. COMPETITION. The voice hissed. HE’LL TRY TO STEAL YOUR MATE. The Spy didn’t even know what hit him. Dominique was a silent killer, dropping onto the RED from above like a spider. Tentacles quick as lightening wrapped and restrained him, muffling his voice like a gag, while Domi pulled the RED’s head to the side to expose his neck. The Spy struggled like a fly caught in web, eyes going wide as he recognized for a split second what had him. A swift bite, that was all it took, and a strong dose of paralyzing venom stopped the struggling. “Hello?†Lance glanced out into the hall. But it was empty. “Lance?†Roscoe looked over; William barely looked up from his desk. “Thought I heard something...†... “Fais de beaux rêves,†Domi had a predatory smile as he gave the half naked, unconscious Spy a kiss on the forehead and laid him down in his room. “I promise I’ll return these...†Domi adjusted the red suit on his torso, and made sure the balaclava was straight before he left. ... Later, Lance was ready to turn in for the night, and thought he was alone in his room as he was undressing. He was getting a little wiser to the RED Spy’s ‘feel’ now, especially after what he said earlier. He felt prickles up his spine, and looked around. “Spah, I know yer there.†He smirked. A cloak shimmered into view, the RED Spy was there leaning on his dresser. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were courtin’ me,†The Texan gave a sideways glance as he removed the grease-stained overalls. Spy knew his secret and seemed of like kind; best to try and go with it...see where this went. The Spy sure was pushing hard enough. It was all in, or fold, Lance thought. ‘I never was too good at Texas Hold 'Em anyway,’ He thought. The RED Spy’s face softened a little, surprising the Engineer, “I did not want to ...rush you, petit.†“Rush me?†The engineer took a seat on the side of his bed, “You kin’ ‘rush me’ some more if you really want...†He gave a look that was less than innocent. That was more than an open invitation to Dominique. Like a striking predator, he came in for the kill, only his prey wasn't running scared. "Ahh!" Lance moaned in surprise at how the Spy came in like a force of nature. The taller man had leaned over him on the side of the bed, a hand beside him and the other grasping behind his head. But as soon as the initial shock was over, he was kissing right back to those skilled lips, their mouths opening wide and their motions firm and needy. Only when they let up for a breather did Domi really have a chance to allow that to sink in, “Magnifique,†He rolled off that talented French tongue in a low groan, “Très magnifique,†He echoed with a grin, nuzzling into Lance’s face and neck. “Geezus, you’re some kisser,†Lance propped himself up on his elbows as the Spy nibbled his neck. For more support he grasped around the Spy’s red suit, ‘He smells like cigarettes and cheap wine,’ Lance thought, smelling his clothes, but it was strange because he didn’t taste any hint of what one would attest to a smoker’s mouth or a drinker’s lips...he tasted musky and damp. Whatever it was, he wanted more of it. As per Domi’s training to himself, he was wrapping his tentacles around themselves in tight coils, making two ‘legs’ of sorts that he was using to support his weight over the Engineer. This also helped them hide in the cloak even this close and touching the bed. However, it wouldn’t stop the other from feeling their texture or suckers if he touched them with bare skin. “Now, let me do all ze work, oui?†The RED Spy pushed Lance’s back to the bed. Even with all his mental preparation, Domi knew his tentacles would wander, this could end badly. If he could at least keep them OFF Lance, he could get away with it. But any deviation from the cloak, they would flicker and be highly noticeable. Well, he’d planned something to get around that... He put on a little show, unbuttoning his coat, his vest, loosening his tie...the engineer tried not to stare too slack jawed, but goodness, he had a way about him - so sophisticated, such...a gentleman. How he used his hands, the way the pinstriped jacket was shrugged from his shoulders. Everything came off with care except his pants and mask that seemed to perfectly hug the man’s hooked nose and sharp cheekbones. God there was something about that mask... “MRMPH!†Lance’s staring gaze was smacked with the man’s vest and shirt. When his vision was cleared, the Spy was right there, with his un-done tie. “Ze show is over Mon Cheri,†The Frenchman smiled mischievously. Lance glanced down at the Spy’s lithe body, but not moments after the tie was being put around his head like a blindfold. “Hey!†The Texan yelped, but it was a playful tone. He reached out and grabbed the spy at the hips...dangerously close to his tentacled half for Domi...and just under his gills. ‘Too close!’ Domi hissed to himself. He took the Engineer’s hands and kissed them in a tender but dominant way, “I thought I told you to let me do ze work...?†“Not fair you kin’ touch and I can’t,†Lance tilted his head. He was a little nervous being made vulnerable to the Spy...but that also made it kind of exciting. ‘He’s on your team, he won’t HURT you...’ “Oui, eet’s not...but...please indulge me for now. Eet will be fun,†He made it like a game. Lance just assumed he was being kinky. So the engineer laid back, arms above his head, and put himself at the Spy’s mercy. [Part 15] It was just too perfect. The engineer laid out before him, hands above his head, like a delicious meal waiting to be devoured. “Mmmm,†Dominique hummed; petting a hand over Lance’s remaining clothes article (his boxers) as he danced his thin lips over his chest. As amazing as this was...and as much as he was enjoying it, it was hard to fully appreciate the moment. He was spending so much time focusing on his tentacles, keeping them coiled; keeping them away from Lance, and at the same time he was concentrating on maintaining his cool. He wanted his touch to be as pleasurable and luxurious as it always was, he didn’t want Lance to get a shell of his former glory. He wanted him to feel good, to feel how much he had been longing for him... “Ahhh!†The Engineer writhed, grinding his hips under the RED Spy’s talented fingers and mouth. The man’s touch was cool and smooth. He rolled out husky moans, breathing reduced to shuddering. “So ‘ard so quickly,†Domi crooned in the RED Spy’s voice, though it was all his tone, all his words and manner of saying it...the RED was just a façade. “You seem t’ have that effect on me,†He laughed lightly back. Lance didn’t think that blindfold would do much for him, but damn he was rather enjoying it now. He was a visual person, but focusing only on the touch, and not knowing WHERE it was coming or going, made it tingle that much more. Domi pushed down the boxers, just enough to let his erection free. It was a good reflection of its owner, stocky, which made the uncut cock seem shorter than it was. Like a cat to cream, he licked down the stout man’s lightly fuzzed chest, and right onto his cock, taking it in a hand. He tried to keep his fingers together to hide the feeling of his webbing. “Geezus fuck!†Lance bucked, gripping the bed sheets as he threw his head back. He REALLY wished he could see now, that amazing image in his mind of the Spy sucking him off...his imagination ran away with him as he was orally pleasured, trying to picture every lick and hot breath visually. If only he could really see, there was a confused cloak shimmering all around, the free tentacles not acting as ‘legs’ gripping to every surface in the room, Domi was constantly glancing and checking. He also was very cautious of his teeth, making sure to curl his lips over them, the inner lips of his mouth strong enough to not be damaged by their sharpness. He used his tongue over the Engineer’s penis head, a further cushioning and protecting from his pointed fangs. Not only that, his throat was going dry. He took one last lick of the head of Lance’s thick erection, then discreetly grabbed for his water flask. Lance heard it...the sound of the metal lid being unscrewed, and the liquid sloshing inside. Because he didn’t feel any sting of alcohol on his penis when the moist mouth returned, he assumed it was just water...? ‘Well lord knows my mouth could sometimes get a little dry during this kind of thing,’ Lance thought back to the last time he was doing this, it’d been years sadly. Domi gave a guttural groan into the Engineer’s spongy corona, which hid the pained churrrr in his throat. A sound of want for MORE....he wanted so badly to let loose. He gripped his hands into the man’s legs and then around the sides to cup under his ass, which pressed his chest through Lance’s legs like a wedge, widening their spread. Domi nuzzled and moaned and licked at every inch of his blonde-fuzzed thighs he could get to. ‘more...more contact...mon dieu...please...’. His gills fluttered at the air with his deeper breaths, and unseen tentacle tips curled like toes. He sucked harder, and used his hands like a musician over an instrument, ‘oh you are making some sweet music for me indeed...’ Dominique thought, using the tip of his tongue in quick little flicks at Lance’s cock head in time with his hand motions. This elicited even louder groaning, which was suddenly muffled by the Spy’s mouth over his. He’d jumped up, pressing their chests together. Lance could taste his own salty flavor on the man’s lips; his hands flew up and gripped around Spy’s shoulder blades and head as he mouthed back wetly. The Spy’s tongue delved around in his mouth, like a violating force – but Lance welcomed the heated, unbridled condition. He didn’t even protest as his boxers were removed, leaving him fully exposed. Domi was using his dominant position further, blocking Lance from squirming his tongue into his mouth, he didn’t want risk any major teeth contact. Dominique was getting a little sloppy as they got this frenzied. He felt himself slipping, getting lost in the pleasure...god it was so good...he’d been so long without, even just this was pure ecstasy. Lance brushed past the frills on his arms and back, they went unnoticed in the passion of the moment. The tentacles supporting his weight as he ‘stood’ at the bed-side leaned over the Engineer bumped into his legs as Domi straddled over him. They were passed off as his pants covered legs as the drying backs were becoming softly leathery. ‘He’s blindfolded...he won’t know...’ Domi kept telling himself. It was then he got even bolder. His erect penis had made itself known some time ago, Domi was keeping it busy around the large suckers of his under mantle, and was basically pleasuring himself. He swallowed, then slowly, consciously now, snaked it out, and brought it up between his ‘legs’ (which was now just a horrible twisted mess of tentacles). He tried not to think about how fake this all was; what an indulgent and deceptive fantasy he was playing. He tried to praise his cleverness and control thus far. His webbed hand easily enveloped both of them, their two cocks pressing together. He took a deep breath, calming himself and slowing things down a little. The Spy proceeded to jerk both of them off, bucking his ‘hips’ with the other in purposeful, firm motions. When Lance felt that heat and pulsing, he knew what the Spy was up to, “Spah, fuck, that feels amazin’...†He groaned, back arching, wishing he could see the man’s erection for himself. Their pace quickened before too long, gasps becoming deeper and motions more frenzied. As pleasure overtook them both they flew off the handle, moaning and writhing, sloppily kissing, nipping at necks, foreheads pressing into one another, anywhere they could reach. Lance convulsed and came first, hard and sudden. Domi let his body relax just long enough not far after...his cries a bit animalistic as he hit a searing high that was accompanied by his own release. He collapsed on top of the Texan, breathing hoarsely, his whole body limp. Lance was breathing hard too, a husky laugh escaped his throat - he was thinking ‘geezus was that you that came so much? I can feel it dripping down my side...’ Domi stayed like that as long as he dared, exhausted and sated, their two bodies dappled with sweat and the engineer acting as his mattress. With both hands on the engineer’s jaw, Dominique gave some parting, passionate kisses to the shorter man, before he smoothly slipped backwards. His body needed water; he could feel his tentacles becoming harder to move, weak and slow. After too long he’d become too dry to be able to walk on his limbs. Lance got a feeling of dread as he felt the other man suddenly slipping away; he ripped the tie from his eyes. The Spy was gone. “Spah?†He called out, sitting up. “I’m sorry Mon Cheri I must be going...I would love to cuddle more, but next time, oui?†He tried to keep his voice up beat, but really it was killing him. As much as he was proud of himself for both his control and cleverness, it wouldn’t be long now before the real RED Spy ruined things, and Lance would find out...things couldn’t stay like this forever. “Why do you hav’ta go? I won’t tell anybody...’ell I was worried you’d tell about me...†Lance almost pleaded, feeling a bit abandoned. “No one will know, and I trust you...I trust you.†The voice said as a hand grabbed the tie from Lance’s grasp, flickering for just a moment before it vanished within the cloak as well. Lance didn’t stop the Spy as he watched his door open and shut ‘on its own’. He sighed, not liking that the man didn’t stay, that didn’t sit right with him...but the spy must’ve had his reasons. Maybe he was too damn trusting. But when the Spy said that, that he trusted HIM, his tone was like he had something worth entrusting, as if he had something to lose. His hand slicked over his sticky chest, and it brought a satisfied smile to his lips, ‘Great now I need *another* shower before bed...’
[ Part 16 ] “Mein gott, vhat vas this again?†“Bobcat.†The RED Spy replied distantly, his eyes a little bloodshot. “Zhere are bobcats around here?†The new medic, the transfer who had come on the supply train, looked over with feigned worry like he thought the Spy was overreacting. Spy turned his head slowly to look at the German, his face full of malcontent. He gave the medic such a dirty, under slept, wild eyed look that it physically made the other shy away. “Vhell you seem to be alright...†The Medic took a few more sample swabs and then warmed up his medigun, which for infirmary use was mounted to a ceiling harness to keep it charged. “We should check zhese for rabies, just in case,†He handed the samples to the new medic, who had taken to being an assistant for now, though the man looked anything but greenhorn, he was just as old if not older than the current RED Medic. “I’ll take care of it,†The other German replied calmly, giving their patient a funny look as he walked over to the storage cabinet, “Are you sure you did not get drunk and fall on a rake?†The Spy pulled his already open collar wider and showed off the deeply bruised bite and scratch marks there, “DOES ZHIS LOOK LIKE A RAKE TO YOU?†“Calm yourself Herr,†The Medic planted the Spy back down onto the examination gurney, “You’ll be ready for zie field today, no problem.†He clicked on his medigun and turned it to the tired Spy, the warm vapors reconstructing his skin and mending his wounds. The Spy would have told them what it REALLY was, but he still didn’t fully know it himself. He’d never gotten a clear look at what had attacked him...all he knew was...it has tentacles. And who would believe talk of a ‘monster’ ? “It certainly doesn’t look like a bobcat bite,†The new medic mumbled, eyes narrowing with a sideways glance. ... As the men ran out onto the field for another day of territorial dispute, Dominique watched from one of his high perches on RED base. The fabric-padded, water filled scoop inside the curve of a rusted water tower made for a good place to watch the action out of harm’s way in the cooler mornings. Flicking his balisong as displacement activity, he indeed noticed the new RED Medic, though it was strange they had not transferred out the old one, ‘No doubt he complained, didn’t want to leave the Heavy,’ he thought, knowing the two were close. They would most likely transfer out both of them and send in a new Heavy within a fortnight. That, or RED was keeping a larger team on hand. While that would usually be the highlight of his month, taking notes on the new member was the least on Domi’s mind right then. He was thinking about the RED engineer, more specifically, how he could somehow reveal reality to him. It wasn’t just about feeling useful, interacting, or the sex anymore, he was falling for the man. Lance deserved to know the truth. He felt horrible inside he had to deceive the Texan, but he hadn’t known what else to do. Pretending to be something you’re not came so easily, it’s something he’d been doing his whole life. But this time his whole deceit was so he could get to know him, so maybe when the engineer found out what he really was, then he wouldn’t just instantly see him as a nothing more than a monster. Maybe it would ease things…at least that is what the spy hoped for. “Soon...there will be a slip. One wrong comment from Lance to the real RED Spy, one misplaced gesture or look,†He thought, using a tentacle to dump a stowed jug of water into his puddle of a ‘pool’, “Questions would be asked. The RED Spy, he is no idiot...he would put two and two together...†... “He must theenk I’m an idiot.†The RED Spy inhaled furiously on his fag, “Theenks he can move about and do weeth me as ‘e pleases, who or whatever ‘e iz…†He stalked about cloaked, wary like a paranoid man that at any moment something would leap out at him from the ether. His original resolve to get to the bottom of it was renewed. … Lance was acting as a defender inside the RED base, looking for any BLU scouts who might happen by. A lithe looking sentry sat nestled by his feet, keeping vigilant watch. Its casing was sleekly painted RED, chips in its surface revealed the BLU metal underneath. But it didn’t matter where some of its metals originated, it was defending RED now. The RED heavy came up to warm himself by Lance’s dispenser, “Woah, are we getting hammered out there big fella?†The engineer asked. He hoped the man would take notice of his sentry, made using the metal he’d retrieved for him. “Da, other team’s Demoman being ‘specially clever today.†The Russian winced as his surface wounds were healed. “Where’s doc?†He knew those two were almost inseparable. Also the doc’s pinpointed medigun would do a better job of healing the large man then his mechanical dispenser. “Helping Solider. New Doktor with Pyro sneaking in from side.†“Best’a luck out there Boleslav,†Lance flashed his goggles at him as the large man ran back out to find his medic. Just as Lance was turning around, he nearly jumped. Their Spy was sitting there hunched over on his dispenser, smoking in a disgruntled fashion and sighing with relief at the warm healing vapors. “GEEZUS Spah, I told’ya you don’t hav’ta sneak up on me to git mah attention.†He chuckled, giving a friendly smile and inching up. “Mmmm?†The RED glanced at him tiredly, “You need to be more attentive, next time eet will be ze BLU Spy.†He flicked open his knife and made a playfully dangerous ‘kill’ gesture to emphasize his point. “Ahh, of’ course,†Lance laughed again, nervously this time. He checked to make sure they were alone before petting a hand out over the Spy’s knee, “Seems RED to me.†There was no flicker of cloak at the touch. The Spy gave a funny look to the touch, like it was a little much for a spy check, “Good theenking,†He huddled his knees together, slightly away from the engineer. “You alright? You look like you didn’t sleep well,†Lance observed, also noting his sour mood. “You ‘ave no idea.†The Spy let his last inhale seep slowly from his nostrils. “Heh, I figured after last night you’d be all worn out and sleeping like the dead,†He said in a quiet voice, grinning widely like a cat who got the crème. The Spy stared blankly in thought, alarm bells going off in his head. Far as he knew, last night he was walking towards his room...and then he was attacked, and all was black till morning when he woke up in bed, with everything but his pants folded and sitting on his nightstand. No one else saw the state he was in or his injuries except the medics. “Ohhh...?†The Spy finally said, giving a forced smile he was hoping wouldn’t seem fake to the engineer, “Heh well, doing that kind of thing can be tiring, oui?†He fished. “Well, ‘specially after those things you did with your mouth and hands, Nnnnn,†Lance bit his lip, he couldn’t help but smile ear to ear, it really was too wonderful. He checked around again to make sure no one was there. Everything was quiet on the home front, nothing but the hum of his dispenser and the beeps of his sentry. If it wasn’t for the Spy’s extensive experience and training, he’d have given the engineer the most aghast, confused face know to man. After hearing those words and seeing how the man was acting, he could only assume that the Engineer believed they’d had sexual relations. It was the logical conclusion. And who else could impersonate him but another Spy? And he was RED team’s only Spy. Meanwhile, Dominique had returned to the canals as the sun rose, he only had so much fresh water he could use at a time where he’d stowed it in his lookout nests. He swam by the front of RED base, along the straight running, concrete lined canals. Passing under one of the foot bridges, he heard the heavy fire of the Heavy’s machine gun, followed by German and Russian tinged laughter. Not long after the body of the RED Demoman came splashing into the water. Domi retreated deeper and away to avoid any stray fire, though the smell of blood still filled his nostrils through the water. He swam down, almost to the bottom, and into a large inlet pipe that led up into RED base as a well opening. He pushed up on the wooden cover with a tentacle as he came to the pipe’s end, peeking out cautiously. The coast was clear. In fact…he heard the beeping of a sentry just out of view around the corner. He smelled the air, clearing water from his sinuses. It was Lance. ...And the RED Spy, he knew that brand of menthols anywhere. The RED Spy took a few stalling pulls of his cigarette, smirking and laughing in his throat to buy him time to think. “OH Monsieur, you flatter me,†He played along with Lance, hoping to learn more. “Next time, no blindfold.†The engineer held up a finger in a joking accusatory fashion, “Though I admit that was interestin’.†‘Could that be why my tie was all wrinkled...?’the Spy thought, “Petit, I thought you might like eet, heh heh,†He gave a pet to the Engineer’s cheek, almost a ‘oh you’re cute’ pinch. Inside he was rather disgusted with his display, really, while he didn’t have an issue with men sleeping with men, why would another Spy want to go to so much trouble with THIS man of all people? What could the BLU Spy, assuming it WAS the BLU Spy, have to gain? Perhaps he wanted to gain access to their shop? Steal intel on their builds? Lance DID build some unique...things. But couldn’t he steal such information without sleeping with the man? More importantly, what did that thing that attacked him have to do with the BLU Spy? Was it some kind of ‘guard dog’ for BLU? As he thought he took out his disguise kit to see which BLU he’d load up, and to get a new cigarette. Best to get out of there before the engineer wanted a kiss or something. His head was buzzing with new questions now that he was getting some answers. He needed time to think and plan his next move. “Any problems again with th’ disguise kit?†Lance asked. “Huh?†The Spy blinked again, “AH non, eet’s working perfectly mon Ami, merci.†He smiled, thinking ‘again’? “I like checkin’ in on my handiwork,†Lance beamed. “AH… ‘ow long ago was eet that you fixed eet up again? †He assumed based on the engineer’s words, though he never recalled having any of the engineers work on his equipment. Apparently someone wasdoing a LOT of things in his body... “Almost a month ago now.†“Time flies,†The Spy flicked the case closed, putting the fresh cig in his teeth. “I’ll be sure to ask again eef I need anozzer tune up,†He said coolly. “Anytime…†Lance said a little sadly, seeing the Spy was getting ready to head back out. “Take care of yourself Mon Cheri,†The RED Spy laid it on thick, and tried to imagine the Engineer was someone else as he whispered the words brushing his lips against the other man’s ear. Watching the exchange…was a fuming tentaspy. There was no rational look, or humanity, in his eyes. His increasingly raspy breathing devolving into low growls. As the RED Spy cloaked and made way for the BLU sidelines, he had no inkling of the predator stalking behind him. Cloaked and silent, Domi snuck low past Lance and out the front steel door, creeping up onto shipping crates like a rolling fog to loom over his mark. Hormones and animal instinct clouded over his judgment like a storm. Had he been thinking rationally, he’d have been distraught that his cover was blown, that the RED Spy knew something was up, and he should have been planning how to deal with it… But in watching the RED Spy flirt with the RED engineer, HIS engineer…these little jealous voices welled up in him. It wasn’t intelligent jealousy, this was purely territorial, and it was strongly voicing, HE’S TRYING TO TAKE WHAT IS YOURS. HE’S TRYING TO STEAL YOUR MATE. Convinced the Spy really was trying to take his place, fall for real into the role he’d created using the other’s body, the tentaspy drew closer. His teeth were bared, his pupils were dilated, and his claws were extended. The RED didn’t even know what hit him when the tentaspy pounced onto him from above, bowling him over and right into the canal. There was a few moments of silent disorientation as the Spy struggled in the water, trying to find which way was up, he hadn’t gotten a full breath before being plunged in. He was about to break the surface when a tentacle whipped out and snagged him backwards, a flurry of bubbles and water-muffled cries trailing after him. After what felt like being tumbled by an ocean wave, he was mercifully pushed above the surface just as his lungs were burning. Gasping and coughing, he was yanked under again, a loud cry of ‘HELP’ being cut off before he could finish the syllable, and was greeted by a sharp toothed snarl, uncloaking painfully clear in front of him in the water. The Spy struggled, fighting both to get to the surface and to get to any of his weapons. He wasn’t much of a match for the strength of the suckered limbs all around him, but Domi also wasn’t thinking clearly, he was not as coordinated with restraining the man. As soon as he was allowed another breath, he cried for help again, before his mouth was covered by a wrapping tentacle. He was pressed up against the side of the canal, then up over the edge so his back hit the ground, the tentaspy over him like a lion with its prey. TOYING with its prey. Not far away, looking out the open top windows of the factory-like RED building was the Sniper. He glanced towards what he swore was a very panicked cry for help, just heard over a lull in the gunfire that had all shifted towards the BLU side of the field (The two docs pushing back the front lines with Solider and Heavy after the BLU Demoman was dealt with). Zooming in with his scope, he saw something that made him question if he was dreaming. Coiled around their Spy was…well it looked like a BLU Spy, if a BLU spy was mashed together with a sea monster. “Wot in bloody ‘ell…†He murmured, throat going dry. It took him a moment to concentrate again, because he remembered what the Spy had been going on and on about recently, being spooked and paranoid for weeks. Was this what he was talking about? Well, the Sniper believed him now. He turned his laser sight on to try and line up a shot to protect Spy. After an intimidating snarl, the tentaspy warned in a hiss, “You stay away from Lance…!†The RED Spy couldn’t answer, there was a tentacle clasped over his mouth. He winced and twitched in the tight grasp, pretty sure that pain in his ankle and chest was something being broken. “ ‘e’s mine, you got zhat!?†The monster loosened his grip just enough in his distraction as he thought of his words. The RED Spy didn’t waste any time, calling loudly again for help as he managed to get a hold of his Ambassador. Domi whipped him over as the gun was fired, moving with ferocious speed and litheness, making sure he was kept silent THIS time with a bite to his neck. The gun was knocked away, the bleeding bullet wound near the base of a tentacle not being nearly enough to slow him down. “Let him go!†A shaky voice came from behind the tentaspy and his captive. The neck was released before the bite could be made fatal. “SHIT damn Engineer in the way of moi shot,†The Sniper growled, moving to realign it. “Lance…?†Domi said distantly, like he didn’t quite realize what was going on. There was his Engineer, pistol aimed firmly with both hands. Lance didn’t quite believe what he was seeing any more than the Sniper did, but what he did know when he came running to the cries for help, was that it looked like a BLU, and it had his lover in its grasp. “W…whatever you are, back off or I’ll shoot! Ya hear me?†He said firmly. The Texan was a little afraid to open fire unless he had to, that thing looked dangerous; he didn’t know what it could do. Words failed Domi as he began to understand the situation; he looked down, the RED Spy in his grasp, breathing ragged and bloody with claw marks, and Lance…LANCE there pointing a gun at him. He didn’t even notice the RED laser sight trailing over his head. Domi moved closer to the Engineer, “Petit eet’s not what eet-†He snarled in pain as Lance shot him in the shoulder, and jerked away with coiling tentacles, just in time for a second, larger caliber bullet to hit him in the chest. The cry was louder this time, and the RED Spy was released as the wounded creature slipped backwards into the canal, sinking out of sight. “Missed,†The Sniper grumbled. When Domi was hit just a second before the Sniper took HIS shot, it made him jerk out of line of a headshot. Still, he hit the thing, and it vanished into the water. “Spah! Spah, you alright?†Lance pocketed his weapon and came running to his team mate who meant a lot more to him then being just of the same employer. He helped the man up, the Frenchman couldn’t put weight on one of his ankles and he went back to sitting in a cry of pain and anger. “Doc!†Lance called for a medic, and put his arms protectively around the Spy, “I’m sure of’em will be along shortly, hang in there babe.†Lance smiled and kept a suspicious eye to the canal, and pet over the Spy’s chest looking at his injuries, but it was quite obvious from his touch he was treating the Spy like a lover. “I’m not your ‘babe’,†The Spy finally spat, pushing away Lance’s touch. He wasn’t THAT disgusted with the man, but in his frustration, pain and ordeal he didn’t want THIS on top of it all. Besides, there was no way him playing along now would give him any edge to find out more from the engineer since that thing attacked him...it was obvious BLU knew HE knew something was up. “Now now calm down -†Lance just thought he was being understandably unreasonable with his ordeal. “I’m not your babe and I’m not your ‘Cheri’!…someone ‘as been using my skin, impersonating me to get closer to YOU.†The RED Spy voiced, “I can only assume eet iz ze BLU Spy. And zhat…zhat THEENG iz working weeth ‘im!†He groaned holding his chest, definitely broken ribs. “W….what?†Lance finally said, his face and tone disbelieving but also heartbreaking as a heavy feeling sunk down into the pit of his stomach. “I’m sorry, I am not ze RED Spy you know.†He said a bit more solemnly, moaning soon after hoping the medic would get there shortly. Backup arrived in the form of Doc and Boleslav. Lance was distant as he watched their medic look over Spy, medigun his main injuries, then instruct Boleslav to pick him up and take him to the infirmary, his bones would need manual resetting. Not another word was said between the engineer and the spy that day. [ Part 17 ] The look on his face. It was not unexpected, but it didn’t make it any easier. After he got over the initial shock of being shot, Domi poked his eyes above the water to see what was transpiring. He caught a glimpse of the RED Spy being carried off by Boleslav, with a very distant engineer following after. There was no doubt in Domi’s mind the Spy had told him ‘the truth’. Just then, the pain from his injuries finally REALLY hit him; he sank to the bottom, briefly blacking out. His body jolted him awake a few minutes later. If he didn’t seek out help, he’d soon bleed to death. Two nursing tentacles coiled around his torso, half to squeeze against the pain, but also they were acting like a tourniquet. He limped to his dry goods den, where a stolen med kit was waiting for this kind of emergency. It was amazing luck the Sniper’s botched shot didn’t hit his heart. Without quick action from a medic, he’d have been dead, even with his heightened ability to deal with injury. As his tentacles dragged him along, he could feel water slipping through the bullet hole in his chest as he breathed out his gills. The Sniper bullet had gone clear through him. In a dry air pocket hidden underneath the shipyard building drainage sewers Domi pulled aside his damaged vest to inspect the wounds. He used his claws like tweezers and felt inside the shoulder wound. The smaller pistol shot was still in there. “Aggnnn!†He clenched his teeth and gripped his tentacles firmly to the railing that rimmed the ledge. His vision whited out from the pain momentarily. When he could focus his eyes again, he saw the bullet there in his claw tips. It was tossed aside, and he winced as he shakily uncapped the short, thick, med kit syringe. It was pre-filled, the liquid inside softly glowing blue against his flesh in the dim lighting. There was another cry as he stabbed it in next to the larger of the bullet wounds. He threw the empty syringe against the wall not far from where he tossed the bullet. But the syringe was far more breakable, and it shattered to the concrete floor, the sound echoing off the walls. The sound was overshadowed by Domi’s growl of pained frustration, which muffled as he slipped limply back into the water. His breathing stabilized as the hole in his chest sealed over, flesh regenerating, pain slowly fading... His uninjured tentacles curled at the damaged one where the Spy’s ambassador had shot him at point blank range, like an animal nursing a wound. It would take more time for the med kit’s effect to reach there. Domi stared up at the dark water above him, his back to the canal floor. The physical pain was predominated by an even greater pain in his chest. He’d been living such a lie those past few weeks...such a self-deceiving, hopeful lie. He couldn’t have just been happy to interact with the teams with his fixed gear, he couldn’t just flirt or chat...he had to go and get so involved. He had to begin to fall in love. And not only that, but he’d hurt the one he cared about, and revealed himself to RED. And he’d been nothing more than some wild animal, snarling and baring teeth as he attacked RED Spy like he was competition for a mate. The way Lance had looked at him...that was how he was viewed. Monster. The tentaspy turned over, curling up on himself. You can try to cover it up with all the frills you want, but that’s what you are at the end of the day. A Monster. ... ... ... Deceived. Tricked. Lied to. Used. These were the main thoughts running through Lance’s head as he sat alone in bed, looking a little lost and vulnerable. How could he have been so STUPID. How could he have let the BLU spy trick him like that, play his heart strings like a violin to get to his team. It was all according to some plan...he was just a cog in his deception machine. The BLU was probably smirking the whole time he was blindfolded while they... What frustrated the engineer the most was how real it felt. How the man touched him, every soft gesture, how he talked, his tone of voice; if Lance couldn’t tell the difference between real love and deception how could he even trust HIMSELF? How could he trust his own judgment on how ANYONE treated him? Was he really so gullible, so blind? At least he could relax tomorrow. Since it was the weekend, he wouldn’t have to interact with anyone. He could just sleep forever, sleep it all off... ... There was a somber, grumpy faced balaclava peeking out from the RED infirmary bed sheets. “Come, you must eat.†The Medic poked some dinner in the Frenchman’s face. His newer comrade stood over him, watching carefully. His wounds had been healed, but his cracked/dislocated bones had required surgery to reset, and it took a little time for them to settle before they could seal them with the medigun. For observation, the Spy had slept in the infirmary. The medics finally grew tired of coaxing their patient like a child. The food was left on a table in front of the Spy and the man was left alone. The RED Spy’s mind was a strange mixture of anger and regret. First and foremost, he was angry for being so easily played...being a pawn of that conniving BLU Spy bastard. It made him feel outclassed and out maneuvered. It ate away at his pride like acid. ‘No one plays me like that— no one...and gets away with it.’ his mind stewed. The regret came from the causality of this deception, their engineer. The RED Spy was ruthless, but like any gentleman, he understood and respected love. That look in the Texan’s eyes. It was unmistakable, and heartbreaking. How dare the BLU do such a thing. The Spy sat up and put the plate in his lap. He poked at the baked potatoes and beans. Did the medics REALLY wonder why he was so reluctant to eat it? But he WAS hungry, no denying that, and enough butter and salt could mask the blandness of the driest baked potato. Not long after he started eating, did the door to the infirmary crack open slowly. The stealthy Frenchman was so quiet, that Lance didn’t even notice the RED Spy until his fork chinked against the metal plate. The Engineer jumped, almost dropping the aspirin he’d come to get for his headache. There was an awkward silence, both making eye contact from across the room. The RED Spy looked so less proud and powerful than usual; just a white undershirt, balaclava, and boxers. He looked so... human. There were wide bandages around his ankle and torso. Lance didn’t look much better though, un-showered, lazy clothes, like he’d been in bed all day. As far as he knew, the Spy sitting there wasn’t interested in him, but seeing his face still arose some feelings. “I was jes gettin’ an aspirin,†Lance finally said, closing the medicine cabinet; the silence was terribly heavy. He got a paper cup from the infirmary sink and filled it with water. “Oui,†The Spy replied simply, taking another bite but not looking away as Lance took the pill. Lance began to leave, but he had questions that had been gnawing at him; he couldn’t keep them to himself. He turned just as he was at the door and came back over with resolve, “W...when did you know? When did ‘ya find out about the BLU’s tryin’ to infiltrate us usin’ you?†It was said in a half angry half bittersweet manner of ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ “That theeng you saw, that...monster BLU must ‘ave created – he attacked me in bed about a month ago. Then in ze hallway last week, then ze other day as you saw. I did not find out zhey were using MY face until yesterday. I would ‘ave informed you after I used ze information to my advantage,†he said professionally, but his voice was tired. The plate was put aside. “Ahh.†The Engineer crossed his arms, looking like it didn’t make him feel that much better. He was thinking though, back to when the RED Spy first left him that note asking to fix his disguise kit...that must have been the BLU too then. “Mon Ami, you must’eent let eet get to you, ze BLU’s are ruthless. We will strike back accordingly.†The Spy reached for his cigarette case and flicked it open. There was something else clawing at Lance’s mind. Spy obviously knew, knew he’d been involved with ‘him’. How could he bring up such a thing? Shit, best just to do it, “Spah, might I ask you...not to explain the details of this to th’ men?†He gave a pained sigh, “Please...I’ll do any favor ya’ ask.†He seemed uncomfortable in saying this, like he might regret it. The lighter was lowered as Spy’s mouth curled up, and he finally laughed, but not too hard as he couldn’t with his healing ribs. “Ze Docteur.†“Wha?†Lance was taken aback, had the Spy lost it? “Ze Docteur and ze Russian, I’m surprised you ‘ave not ‘eard them through ze walls.†He chuckled, “And Ze Sniper would not admit eet, but also ‘e’s been known to enjoy male company as well. While I’m not sure how much of all this iz of ‘convenience’ for everyone, you are not ze only one ‘guilty’ of playing around weeth other men.†The Frenchman took as deep a drag as he could and then continued, “You can know from ME, I ‘ave no problem weeth whoever you choose to fuck weeth, or love. And I’d appreciate eet eef you kept THAT information from ze men, as well.†The engineer felt the best he had in 24 hours hearing that from Spy. It took a weight off his worries. “Spah, you- you kin trust me. No doubt about that. Thank you.†He smiled with a thankful look. “Excellent.†The Spy returned the grin, his cig loosely in his bare hand. He groaned soon after, leaning over, “I can’t wait for ze medic to set zhese bones tonight...†“You’ll be good as new.†Lance wanted so badly to comfort him...but he had to keep telling himself, this wasn’t ‘his’ RED Spy, nor was that Spy ever real. He swallowed and sighed, wanting to leave because he wasn’t sure how much better this was making him feel being around Spy right now. “Well, take it easy, alright?†He gave a wave and made his leave. On his way out the door he brushed past their Sniper, who gave him a knowing glance. But he said nothing; he merely passed by the engineer and into the infirmary. Sitting back on his bed, the engineer thought now about that...creature that had attacked their Spy. Heartbreak and BLU infiltrating them was one thing, but that thing was beyond anything he’d ever seen. BLU must have been playing with the very laws of nature. It was both fascinating and horrifying: to think how that creature had been made, or bred, or god knows what. Now that he was in the calm of his room, Lance could think back to the encounter. It was a little of a blur, everything happened so fast. But looking back now, the creature had tried to talk to him; he had said his name, like he knew him well...and he looked so confused. When the BLU came at him, Lance of course had felt scared, all those...tentacles twisting like something out of a science fiction movie. All he could think of was to keep it AWAY, and wanting to protect who he thought was a budding lover injured on the ground behind. He fired his gun and the BLU vanished into the canal. “Water damage...†Lance whispered out loud in thought, “The disguise kit and Cloak and Dagger I repaired were water damaged....†There was a sinking feeling in his stomach as he had the thought - was the BLU Spy really involved at all – - or had the entire deception for BLU been carried out by that creature? [ Part 18 ] While Dominique felt lethargic and depressed enough to sleep for days, he needed to eat. By morning, his stomach was growling relentlessly. He would not have enough energy to hunt if he didn’t eat soon, and with the bases on high alert he couldn’t risk stealing food. Half-heartedly, the tentaspy stationed himself at the bottom of the canal near the fences where fish liked to gather and pick at plant matter and algae. Letting his tentacles do the work, exploring and tasting their environment looking for anything edible, he let his thoughts wander. He wondered if Lance was alright. Considering his faded BLU uniform, they probably thought BLU was sending him in to infiltrate, to get to Lance somehow. With these assumptions, the engineer must think he had just been used and played with...knowing by now it wasn’t the RED Spy who flirted and had sex with him. If they reasoned that far, he pondered if Lance felt ill to think it was him who was there kissing and sucking him off - a tentacled monstrosity who had been masquerading to as a normal spy. After such a first impression being seen there attacking his teammate. How could Domi go and try to talk to the engineer? ‘I’m sorry I attacked your teammate. I didn’t mean to do it. I’d never snap and attack YOU like some rabid dog. I don’t actually work for BLU anymore. They don’t even know I still exist. By the way, I think the world of you.’ Domi thought sarcastically, carving lines abstractly into a nearby log with his claws. His industrious tentacles finally brought a fish back in their suckered grasp. He took his frustration out on the prey, ripping at the flesh with his teeth and claws, and crunching right through the smaller bones. God it was so good though, he hadn’t realized how starving he was after just a day; his healing body was part of the increased need. He hissed with dilated pupils at a large catfish trying to get in on the cloud of fish parts. It soon turned tail seeing how large a predator Domi really was. It wasn’t fast enough to escape the reach of his lightning fast tentacles. Having a full belly perked his mood, and he lay on the riverbank outside the fence clearing his head of the haze of prey drive. While everything was a mess, he couldn’t wallow in self pity forever; he’d done plenty of that in the past at his worst moments. “Look at how much you’ve accomplished thus far, you aren’t as restricted as you thought, you have better control then you thought. You can’t stop now.†He thought to himself. ... He waited through into the weekly battle, gathering composure and making sure he was healed thoroughly from the effects of the med kit. He watched Lance with a heavy heart, building a dispenser in the central building. Domi could tell he was depressed too. He wasn’t as chipper as usual, and his smiles seemed forced. He let his builds unwrap themselves with a distant look, not really checking them until they were done. Domi wanted to jump down there and tell him everything. But he had to wait, Patience... It was during a quiet evening. Dominique cautiously hung around RED base, keeping an eye and nose out for traces of the RED Spy, or anyone for that matter seeking him out. He caught the scent of something desirable. Domi crept out of the canal, cloaked and low to the ground. He suckered his way up onto a shipping container, chest against its surface, stalking like a cat. It was Lance, out back by the smelting area where he could usually be found. Only instead of working, he was just sitting there, back to where Domi was spying from. He was in casual wear, slumped over with his head on a hand, sighing like he was deep in thought. Domi licked past his sharp teeth as his brow furrowed up. ‘Now...now you can talk to him...’ he thought, looking around for other signs of life. It was clear; he could hear the distant sounds of the teams inside chatting and laughing it up at dinner. To ease the situation, he flicked open his disguise kit, bringing his old data pattern over himself. At least then it wouldn’t be such a visual shock right off the bat. He was used to danger, and this was not only risky, but this made his heart beat with trepidation of a different manner. ... The engineer’s mulling was broken by the sound of soft shuffling, like footsteps. He whirled around with caution, and laid eyes on a BLU clad figure. Domi paused, a few yards away, reading Lance’s face. The engineer was just staring back, like he was frozen. Was it with fear? “Mon Cheri...†Domi whispered, “Please don’t be afraid. I’m not here to ‘urt you, I’d never ‘urt you.†He tried his best to sound reassuring. As he talked he moved slowly forward, hands out in front in a manner that showed they were empty of any weapons, but also it showed his mild nervousness. “What’a you doin’ here?†Lance replied quickly, face contorting in fear and confused anger. Where were those tentacles? “You best keep right where ya’are.†“Let me speak,†He reached up, un-tucking his balaclava and slipping the tight mask off. He hoped showing his face would emphasize his non-association with BLU and that he trusted the other. His cloak flickered about his face, only for a moment, the hologram adjusted very quickly. Revealing his face made the Engineer fall silent again, eyes widening. But he didn’t budge, or reply. “I don’t work for BLU, as much as I wear this uniform... Eet ‘as nothing to do weeth my loyalties.†Domi took a few steps closer as he spoke. “Like I buy that,†Lance muttered, whipping out a gun from behind the pile of scrap he’d been sitting on. Something about his posture made Domi pause, but the weapon in his hand was what made him stop in his tracks. It looked like a miniature syringe gun. Before he could think about it, the weapon had fired, and three syringes were sunk into his chest. Besides the shock of the confusion, Domi suddenly felt so heavy...limbs going slack and flicking out his disguise kit as he crumpled to the ground. He struggled to move, terror coming over him as he realized quite obviously – - that wasn’t Lance.
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[Part 19] The fear showed in Dominique’s eyes as he looked up at the figure walking towards him. Whatever he was drugged with, it was making everything feel like it weighed a thousand pounds. His body could still respond to muscle twitches, but they weren’t coordinated, they had no strength behind them. Sounds slowly began to echo as the minutes wore on, like he was falling into a long tunnel. “Oh dear, I’ve made quite a mess.†A French voice said though Lance’s body, which rippled into the taller figure of the RED Spy. He shrugged off the red button up he had on over his suit, tossing it onto a worktable. “The Sniper told me to use one of my target’s shirts to mask my scent, saying a creature like yourself might ‘ave a good nose. I was skeptical, but I trust ‘is judgment when eet comes to ‘unting animals.†The Spy said with smugness, taking out a cigarette and savoring it’s taste as he lit up, like he’d been missing them while lying in wait. Before any other pleasantries, the RED Spy resolutely came right up to the half paralyzed tentaspy, his Ambassador drawn just in case the chemicals he ‘borrowed’ from the Medics didn’t work as expected, and gave the creature a swift kick in the gut. “AHHgggnnnn!†Domi cried out in a far more animal then human manner, attempting to curl up against the assault. It was like a nightmare, no matter how hard you fight to move, you can’t, like your body is stuck in molasses. “THAT’s for stealing my face, and THAT’S,†He gave another blow, “For breaking my ankles and stealing my clothes, THIS iz for all ze sleep I lost, and THIS,†He gave an especially firm kick, “Iz for ‘urting my teammate.†The last one landed square into Domi’s side, which was managed because Domi had tried to curl up so much he was almost face down to the ground.. This elicited the biggest cry of all, teeth flashing, and causing him to writhe all the way around onto his back. ‘Fuck. FUCK!†Domi hissed to himself, trying to wrap protective tentacles around his torso. His GILLS, he could hear something snap, the bone supports in them, like little ribs. Searing pain shot up his whole torso. It was like getting kicked in the nuts but ten times worse. His breathing fluttered into shallow gasps, and blood started to drip down his sides under his suit. “Mon dieu, you are quite un monstre, oui?†The Spy sneered, looking over his form with morbid fascination, “Now, are you going to tell me what BLU has planned, or will I be sending you through a painful respawn?†He pointed his large gun at Domi’s head threateningly. Domi, delirious in pained confusion, wasn’t responding but simply staring back with contempt. His breathing was stuttered, it sounded pathetic to the RED Spy, who was mad with power at that moment. All his frustrations, all his sleepless nights, to find out his face was being used in a plot. “I – I don’t work for BLU...I...I t-told you that.†The tentaspy rasped. “Did you work alone? Or weeth ze BLU Spy?†“Alone!†Domi struck back in a forced manner, like it was painful to talk “I...I’m not w-weeth a-anyone or anytheeng.†“I was theenking eet was just you, but I could not believe eet at first. I didn’t think that your...form could fit into a cloaking device. But seeing you just now proved me wrong. That...and I didn’t know if you’d be capable of impersonating me so convincingly.†The RED Spy exhaled cigarette smoke. Domi tried so hard to get a tentacle around the other’s ankles, knock him over, anything...but it wasn’t hard for the RED Spy to keep his distance and kick away any stray tentacles. Dominique groaned in frustration. “What iz BLU planning?†The RED Spy repeated, not buying Domi’s stories. His voice sounded like he was talking out of a badly tuned radio station. “I...I d-don’t....work for BLU anymore.†He replied with a worn out tone, voice hoarse. Water...god he felt his breathing getting dry so much faster than usual with how he was heaving against the injuries in his chest. With the world starting to spin all he wanted to do was slip back to the canal. “Then what did you want weeth my teammate?†The RED Spy drilled, voice frustrated, and the gun pressing now into the other’s exposed forehead. “T-to get to....know him.†He choked back, cheek against the dusty ground, “Please...†Domi gasped, his tone not pleading, more so tired and desperate to be understood. The RED pushed the gun harder into the enemy’s skull, his face was so strange...was he really telling the truth? If he wasn’t here working for BLU then why was he here and how had he become some kind of science experiment wearing a Spy’s uniform? It enraged and confused the Spy, he wanted ANSWERS... Dominique closed his eyes partially, like he was ready to accept death. He’d cheated it long enough...if he was to die here, like this, would it really be so unwarranted? What future could he have, what hope could he have to be happy? He’d faced death so many times in his life that the overall fear of it was numb to him, but lying there feeling so helpless at the hands of an enemy, and thoughts of what could have been in a perfect world, were what stung the most. These thoughts ran though his drug-clouded mind, everything was lulling him into a distant buzz, the RED Spy’s questions getting increasingly out of focus. The tentaspy heard the click of a gun cocking, but it was quickly drowned out by the yelling that came from around the side of the building. Running up was almost half the team. The Spy saw Sniper in with the bunch, looking right at him. ‘He must have been spying on me...’ The Spy thought. Though it was obvious, he’d been worried if he had attracted the BLU monster, watching his back from afar with his scope. That’s what Spy got for discussing his plans with the Australian. For those who hadn’t yet laid eyes yet on the BLU monstrosity, they gasped and stared like watching something interesting at the zoo. All had heard by now through gossip what their teammates had seen. Hearing about and seeing with your own eyes were two different things though. And there was Dominique, fully exposed with no cloaking device activated, tentacles splayed all over the ground. Everyone buzzed to one another, the voices blurring together. Domi looked up hazily, a twitchy, pathetic pile of slowly suffocating tentaspy. Between the drugs and the constricted breaths, he was gradually passing out. He fought to stay awake, to keep aware. Last time...last time he was like this it was when he woke up after that fateful Respawn. He’d tried everything to remember those hours-or had it been days? He didn’t even know. All he knew is he didn’t want that again. He found a face in the haze. Lance. Lance was there with the others, staring...Was he scared? Confused? Angry? Domi tried to lift his head, the eye contact keeping him lucid as they locked gaze for some time. He found himself physically unable to form words because of the drugs overtaking him, but he tried to speak instead through his expression. “You know him?†Roscoe spoke up, seeing the look they were giving one another. Lance looked like he wasn’t sure for a moment, but he swallowed and broke the gaze, looking to the side like it hurt to say, “No...I don’t know ‘im. I don’t know him at all.†Domi felt his head drop to the ground, the haze overtaking him as he felt everything crash around him like a wave. He was able to make out a medic leaning over him with interest, the other talking loudly to the Spy, something about ‘taking drugs without permission’... A German accent barked, there was arguing. Then foot steps...metallic noises of wheels. The tentaspy’s head fell slack as he was lifted, body limp. Even so, weak tentacles tried to coil and grip around the many hands picking him up. He felt cold metal, some tightness, and movement. Then everything went black. [ Part 20 ] “UUggnnnn,†“Oh gute, you’re alive,†A distant German accent echoed, matching to a blurry face. Everything ached, that was what Dominique could first realize. Infirmary lights blinded him for a moment as he blinked his eyes open, even though they weren’t that bright. He inhaled a breath, becoming conscious now of his breathing. His throat was sore. He choked for a moment, there was something in there. A...tube? He gagged slightly; it WAS a tube...up his nose actually, leading down into just inside his trachea. It was then he became aware of a damp trickle; it was rationing out a steady flow of water down his throat, just enough to keep his lungs damp. “Thankfully I could rig zhat up foah you, your lungs don’t vhork as vhell as expected...†The voice was annoyed at the words, but he couldn’t help but chuckle after almost everything he was saying, like he could barely contain himself. Domi glanced towards the voice, seeing a RED Medic there checking over an IV drip that disappeared where he couldn’t see. He winced as suddenly as he was grabbed and a small flashlight was shone into his eyes. His pupils constricted and he hissed in surprise. It was over quickly as it happened, his jaw being released. “Your eyes don’t keep moisture perfectly either ovah long term periods, such a disappointment...†The medic unscrewed a small bottle and Domi flinched again as drops of wet smacked him in the face, and ran into his eyes. However, after he could see much clearer. Dominique could make it out now; the man was the new medic, not ‘doc’ as everyone so affectionately called the long-standing Medic. He’d not had much chance to learn about the man yet; he’d arrived less then a fortnight ago. He looked perhaps older then the other medic, maybe 50 years old. His temples were definitely grayed, the rest of his short hair still medium brown. The tentaspy glanced around more, checking his surroundings, smelling the room, and craning his neck. It was dark out, and there was no one else in the room. He couldn’t move much, he was strapped down quite tightly - restraints around wrists, torso, arms, and waist. He was stark naked too. Straps were over his tentacles too, restricting them, but such a thing shouldn’t be able to hold him. He went to move them, to try and free one, it should be easy. But he felt a pang of horror as he couldn’t move them. They were moving...lazily, some coiling around the gurney legs, each other, and the straps, but he had no control over them. In fact he could barely feel them, if at all. Like he was paralyzed from the waist down. “What did you do to me?!†Domi finally spoke, the horror of the realization making him suddenly lucid enough to form a sentence. “Ahhh really coming around now, ja?†The medic came up, putting out a bare hand and sighing happily as he pet over the half dried tentacles. A delicate tip curled around his fingers, suckers curiously examining. They were acting out as they would do if Domi was ignoring them, on pure nerve and muscle impulse alone. The German picked up a water bottle with his free hand and spritzed over the limbs, which jerked at the sensation, some trying to coil closer to the direction it came from. Domi could feel the movement, the wet...but it was so distant. Domi winced. Was he paralyzed? This wasn’t permanent was it? He could still control his human half alright. He snarled a little, tugging at the restraints, a feeling of vulnerability washing over him as he was more and more awake. “Calm down Mein Krake,†The Medic crooned, coming in threateningly close. There was no fear in his eyes, in fact he seemed completely unfazed by Dominique, “It is only temporary. I’d never vhant to permanently damage mein own handiwork.†What was with this man? Something about him now, besides everything else, was terribly creeping out the former Spy. He looked at him now, closely. His face was not familiar...but Dominique was starting to feel a clawing sensation of déjà vu, perhaps it was his voice. “Oh I’ll admit, it vas something, to see your face again. I vhorked so hard to get back here, disappeared off zie face of zie map to escape BLU, identity change, false records, a little facial surgery. I didn’t even know if you vhere still alive. I had no idea how I could even find you if you vhere, then zie incident last week...I knew. “And ZHEN you fall right into my lap, I didn’t even have to search for you! Such good luck...†The medic chuckled deeply, whispering most of the words in uncomfortably close like he was worried others might hear. Domi wanted nothing more then to shy as far away as possible from the man, which was impossible, but he went as far as the restraints allowed him. “What are you saying?†Domi gulped, his words a little awkward with the water tube where it was. “Of course you don’t remember me! You never got to see my face. They wheeled you off quite quickly, upon hearing you vheren’t just an ‘accident’. Pity BLU couldn’t see the genius and application of my vhork...†Dominique’s eyes widened and his jaw hung slack. No, it couldn’t be. “OH don’t give me zhat look...that you survived and for zhis long only proves my genius even more.†He grinned widely petting a hand over the tentaspy’s chest and down to his fluttering gills. “You...you were ze one...who did this?†Domi was too shocked to even be angry at that moment. He shuddered at the touch, still trying in vain to shy away. The man nodded, lifting his fingers to gesture with, “Mmm humm, ja! I’ll admit you have some flaws, but nothing too major...I’d say you turned out quite well considering you’re a prototype. Self sufficient are you? Can eat raw meat with no repercussions, see in zie dark, smell better then a dog, subdue an enemy with one bite?†He was describing and asking at the same time. “O...oui?†Domi answered weakly, indeed all those things were true. He didn’t even quite know how to react, he felt like he was dreaming. He couldn’t even grasp the situation, and the German was very domineering, surreally so casual in the twisted things he was saying. “ ‘ow? Why...?†“Don’t vhorry your head at zhis moment Mein Krake.†He cut Domi off, “It’s late and I do have to work tomorrow.†The medic waved a hand, talking nonchalantly like none of it was a big deal, “I told RED’s senior medic I studied invertebrate biology in school, which made him feel I was qualified enough to handle and look ovah you. I’ll be even more free to study you once he is gone...as he is due to be transferred out with Boleslav to another base on zie next supply train.†The man seemed to like to hear his own voice, that or he was so giddy with his success he could barely stop himself. As he talked he rigged up the infirmary hose to an IV stand with some duct tape, also locking the handle so it sprayed out water in a slow, fine spray that was almost a mist. He angled it so it was right over the tentaspy. The water dripped down over his exposed body, trickling off the gurney and eventually into the infirmary’s floor drain, that was more used to seeing blood washed down it. Dominique’s tentacles gained some more activity as they felt rejuvenated. A few curled out trying to reach the IV stand, the direction they felt the water coming from. But it was just out of reach considering how he was strapped down. Satisfied, the medic nodded, “Zhat should do for zie night, I’m already vhorking out better accommodations vith zie engineers. So crafty zhey are!†He chuckled, “Oh, and do try to get some sleep, you haff a busy day tomorrow.†He turned to leave with no more pleasantries. The lights went out, and Domi heard the infirmary door click shut. He lay there staring at the ceiling for a long time in the darkness, everything sinking in. His mind raced, but no coherent thoughts came to the forefront. His only company was the sounds around him in the otherwise deathly silent and empty room. The humm of the respirator machine rigged up with water, his raspy breathing, the spray of the infirmary hose, and the sound of dripping water into the floor drain. Then there was the soft movement of wet tentacles as they tried to settle into a comfortable position...usually so comforting, but it only made the former BLU spy’s stomach sink more at that moment. God that silence was horrible. ... “Jesus, was that from the infirmary?†Roscoe lifted his welding visor. The oldest of the three busy engineers looked up from the blueprints he was editing, “Sounds like that creature they hauled in makin’ a fuss...they should’a just killed the thing and sent it back to BLU in the arms of Respawn. Who knows if they’ll come after him.†William grumbled. Lance swallowed, glancing up only briefly from where he was cutting a large sheet of plexiglass. If only his team mates knew what had transpired between him and ‘that creature’. Mercifully, Spy kept his mouth shut, and no one else knew any of the details around the BLU’s infiltration beyond that he’d been impersonating their Spy, attacked him out on the field, and that Lance had shot him. Even in all his anger towards that BLU...that cry that echoed from the infirmary made Lance feel trepidation. It was such a sorrowful noise, yet so bloodcurdling because of its half human, half animal nature. This WAS a war, and while Lance liked building tools for combat, he wasn’t used to the idea of a prisoner of war being kept right down the hall, strapped down like a science experiment. That just made him squirm. “The Medic and Doc already went to bed...†Roscoe still seemed spooked. “Like I said, fussin’ like a dog in a crate.†William scribbled on the blueprints for a jury-rigged tank, not looking up. “WE ought to be in bed,†Roscoe shot William a look back from under his Stetson. “Jes a little more, then we can git this done by tomorrow night after work.†The oldest replied, “I’ll feel a lot safer when that thing is properly caged.†“Agreed.†Lance finally spoke. “I think you are most spooked by that thing in there,†Roscoe told Lance, “You’ve been so quiet ever since you shot it and saved Spah.†“Yea Lance, you were th’ one who pretty much discovered it.†William noted, “Probably saved all our bacon.†Lance couldn’t help but smile at the admiration from his senior engineer, “I guess I am a little spooked, but nothin’ we can’t handle. Thanks you two,†He felt safe around them, and he agreed with Will when he said he’d feel safer with the BLU properly caged. Still... the looks that thing gave to him, what he’d said. They were haunting Lance. But it couldn’t be; those spies were really good at faking you. It was just trying to make him feel bad, like a hurt wildcat, and then when you get close it’ll swipe at you for your efforts. The industrious trio of engineers worked for a bit longer, getting as much done as possible before bed. [ Part 21 ] Dominique didn’t know if it was the drugs or the sheer mental exhaustion, but he finally passed out into a merciful but restless sleep. He was awoken the next morning by a distant shuffling of medics, strapping on their gear for the day’s battle. He could hear talking, echoing like vertigo inducing waves. He was vaguely aware of a medic checking him over to make sure he was stable. It was him... Domi wanted to cry out, to scream in anger at the man responsible for derailing his life, but Domi didn’t have time to wake up enough to gather the energy to do so, because there was a sharp needle prick, and all was darkness again. When he was next aware, Domi felt a pressure being let off his head. “I put you on an IV drip to keep you out, no need to have you thrashing about in here all day while ve fought off ze BLU’s.†A German voice stated as the words came into focus. Although Domi’s mind was weak and disoriented, his instincts were not. They felt restraints being let off, so they struck with strong immediacy. ESCAPE. The tentaspy shot up off the table with a flashing of teeth and erect frills, making him look especially menacing as he snarled. He didn’t get far though; a strap caught his chest at a certain point - which resulted in a sound similar to a dog’s choke chain being tugged. Domi was still tightly restrained with leather straps at his wrists and a belt wrapped around his torso like a leash, resulting in only being allowed into a sitting up position. His hands were tight to the table at his sides, allowed little range of movement, or chance to fight back. While his upper half was tense, his tentacles were completly disconnected from his actions, calmly lazing about as if nothing had changed. He thrashed a little longer, testing the strength of the binding, eyes wild and teeth bared. The Medic was at a safe distance, watching with interest. Domi finally settled into a hunched over posture, arm and back frills gradually sinking. A low growl rumbled from him like an idling car engine. Lucidness ebbed back into his eyes, the feral look vanishing. But the anger did not, and that gaze was fixed right on the medic standing there. He then noticed the other doctor was there too, watching with horrified fascination. It was not Domi’s intention to look menacing towards HIM, but it wasn’t hard in his current state, with curls of damp hair falling over his forehead as he hoarsely breathed around the respirator tube. “Mein Gott,†Doc echoed, staring, “Sure you aren’t taking pointers from zie Snipah for animals? You seem to be good around him.†“You flatter me Herr,†The Medic told his superior officer, ‘Mmm it vas quite impressive to come out of sedation so quickly, and in his current state.’ he thought to himself. “Vhell at least I’ll be leaving zhis place in good hands. I’m overdue for a transfer, as you know. And so is Boleslav.†the other replied. No doubt that the Medic had not told the current doctor his past. Domi could tell it all right then - a former BLU now working at RED. Treason, betrayer, possible double agent... But he was only a monster, and an active BLU to their knowledge, why would they believe anything he said? Domi sighed in frustration as he just sat there, listening to the others continue to chatter like he wasn’t in the room. “Leave me alone vith him for zie moment, would you? And save me some dinner, ja?†the Medic said, smiling at his comrade. The Doc left, and all that crossed Domi’s mind was ‘My God, don’t leave me alone with him...’ That grin the Medic gave his comrade was about as reassuring as a crocodile to the tentaspy. It felt like his sinking heart plunked right into his stomach, which growled quite unhappily in the silence. “You MUST be hungry;†The medic had heard it. He reached up and shut off the water spray from the hose as he talked, “Based on how I engineered you, your body must burn up a lot of fuel with all those muscular tentacles - even though you’ve been at rest since your capture.†A myriad of questions ran through Domi’s mind as the insufferable medic prattled on like a science text book, regarding Domi with no more grace of humanity then a child would a fish in a bowl. How could you have done this to me? How did you do this? What will you do with me now? Can you change me back? What will you do with me? He finally settled on something to say as the medic busied about in the infirmary cabinets, “My name is Dominique.†“Hummm?†The medic barely glanced back from his supply rummaging. “I said...my name is Dominique.†“Ja, I knew that actually; I had it from your file. I knew all zie team’s names. I used to look down upon you all like a bird on a wire through zie closed circuit cameras.†“Then USE eet.†Domi gave him a stern look. “You don’t like zie nickname I gave you?†The medic smirked, fitting a mesh over a cup with a rubber band as he walked back over. Domi didn’t need to reply, his face said it all. “I now go by Dr. Eppelheim,†He said smugly, “Pity it seems the tech crews like mine are gone now, zie base seems so automated...respawn stabilized for zie most part. Vhell all the better for me, no worry of being discovered, ja?†The medic wasn’t caring for pleasantries, he had work to do. He’d waited 6 years for this, to finally study the results of his experiment. “Now I’d like a sample of your venom. Unless you give it to me, zhere vill be no food for you today.†Domi gave a low growl. But it was weak.... It was obvious the state he was in, despite his best efforts to look strong. Even his tentacles moving on their own were sluggish, many barely moving at all, just curled into spirals or suckered stationary around the gurney legs like ribbons on a may pole. “Just image it’s zie RED Spy, you attacked him, ja? Vhat set you off with him anyway?†It was more of a statement then a question. The medic hovered the cup closer, cautious but knowing he had the upper hand, “Bite through zie mesh. Zie cup will catch it all.†Dominique recalled seeing a photo like this once; this was how they milked venom from snakes. The prospect of food was very welcoming... But giving into anything this man asked of him made his stomach churn in a different fashion. Should he refuse and hold out longer? Keep his dignity? To what end? His stomach groaned again and he sighed. Best to keep up his strength. Then if he could get loose, he could escape or fight back. The tentaspy hissed and curled his lips back, garnering up venom from his glands, which caused a feeling of pressure running up the sides of his neck. He tried to think of someone as he struck down onto the offered cup, but it wasn’t the RED Spy. Translucent liquid lined the bottom of the cup, running from the channels down the backsides of Domi’s fangs where they acted like mini hypodermic needles. It was far more then you’d expect of a snake, close to a tablespoon of fluid. He jerked back when the deed was done. A thick drool reflexively started at the whole act, only this time there was no prey to eat, so he found himself licking his lips and teeth. Eppelheim stared with morbid fascination, grinning widely when he had the precious sample, “I bet this will match vhat we got off zie Spy that one night too, I could tell by zie bite... It vas from a human sized mouth.†He began splitting it up into separate sample tubes for further examination of its chemical make up. Domi slumped back down to the table, which was about as uncomfortable as something could be. He tried to remain stoic. Things could be so much worse...and that anticipation of what was to come was the most horrible. He didn’t give the Medic the pleasure of any more responses as his tentacles were poked over, testing reflexes, measuring sucker strength, size, and colorations. He stopped watching the scene, staring to the wall instead, tuning everything out. His eyes stung as they started to feel dry as the hour ticked past. He was suddenly jerked to attention at a sharp pain that dully ached into his being. He looked down, his tentacles were twitching with displeasure, one of the tips had been severed - a good 20 inches cut clean off. Thankfully the epidural-like IV feed cut off almost as many signals getting to his brain as it did them reaching down. Seeing it though, sent phantom pains of what he knew he should be feeling into his psyche. “These should grow back... Let’s see how many days zhis one takes, mmmm?†The medic took the still writhing tentacle piece and went to put it in to the refrigerator. “Va te faire foutre!†Domi practically spat, growls welling up in his throat. “Such language,†The medic sarcastically pouted as he made a specimen jar label, catching the French insult. “I thought you said you were going to feed me?!†Domi snapped back, not realizing until after he’d said it how animalistic that sounded. He WAS hungry... So much so it was knotting at his insides. That combined with his current state wasn’t doing much to keep him level headed. “Now zhat you mention it, I never DID eat dinner,†The medic noted. He left...leaving Domi alone with his thoughts. How he missed feeling whole - was Domi’s first thought. How long would this disconnected state last? As much as he used to wish to be rid of the things, the tentacles were a part of him, and he’d come to be rather attached to them (in the realization there was no going back). He relied on them, and they’d been his only ‘company’ through the years. Because they acted half of their own accord when not given orders, it was like he had someone else there with him; comforting, inquisitive, tender. Never had he missed the cool, weightless embrace of the canals more then he did right then, especially as his tentacles slowly dried with the water spray turned off the past hour. He just wanted to fill his lungs with water, feel it coursing through him, sleep in his den in that padded concrete pipe in a coiled bed of tentacles. It was a sad, simple existence, but it was his. It was something he’d learned to take pleasure in, to accept as his new reality. It helped him forget all he’d lost. He glanced down at the severed tentacle...and how tacky the slime on them was becoming. The medic must have wanted the hose off so he could work on the limbs without them being too slippery. At least his limbs drying out wouldn’t kill him (Though he’d never been past a certain point of dryness...). Had they been in his control he couldn’t walk on them in this state, nor move them with any strength. His mind kept wandering. And what else was at the forefront of his mind but the situation that put him in such a mess. Why had he put so much faith so quickly in the engineer? Well, between his passions for building and using weapons of destruction, he was a kindhearted picture of a southern gentleman. Domi looked at him and saw ‘understanding’. A man outcast in his own right as a homosexual hiding amongst a very masculine field, he must feel isolated. There was a feeling of safety that made Domi want to put faith in Lance, like he could have a chance at something meaningful. Such reasoning only backed up his already eager physical attraction to him, so he took risks and acted foolishly...then his animal instincts kicked in and betrayed him. Domi could see on his face when they had locked eyes, Lance knew he was the one behind the mask of the RED Spy. And yet his words, and his look, said it all. He didn’t trust him. Didn’t believe anything he did was real. It was understandable... But it still hurt. Even if Lance would give him audience to explain things, would he believe him then either? Or forgive him? Most importantly, could he see past, or accept, his physical condition? Was he so disturbing that he’d never want to talk to him at all? Was he seen as nothing more then an animal? Eventually the creak of metal signaled the infirmary doors being opened. “Easy Mein Krake,†The German cooed, walking over. He weakly sat up into a hunched posture. ‘I dare you to say that with me UNTIED,’ he thought snidely, but with an audible growl. Domi eyed what the medic had in his hands, a plate of what looked like leftovers from dinner. Cut up bits of chicken covered in BBQ sauce, peas and beans. Typical fare for the mercenaries, filling but cheap food. It was put within reach... did he expect him to eat it off the plate like a dog? He swallowed though, he needed that food. It had been almost 48 hours since he last ate. “Come now, zhis is for you being good, remember?†Eppelheim grinned. The hesitation didn’t last long. Domi tried, as dignified as he could, to lick and bite the meal off the plate. But what was a noble effort soon turned into a ravenous attempt to eat as much as he could as fast as he could. The plate was quickly cleared, and the tentaspy was licking meat and bean juice from his lips in a calmed daze. “Such a good boy,†The medic put it aside. “I’m not your DOG.†Dominique struck back, the daze disappearing. The Medic didn’t seem insulted or remotely threatened, and the fact all his retorts didn’t faze the doctor just made Domi even more frustrated and angry. “You could be a little more grateful, you should see vhat zie engineers are working on, just for you.†He moved his hand down to the safety of Domi’s paralyzed tentacles, which were tacky with slime. ‘Oh god don’t TOUCH me,’ Domi thought with a wince as Eppelheim curled his finger into some weak suckers. He wanted so badly to snap the man’s wrist in half...if only... To Dominique’s relief the hose was turned back on, and the medic was sure to soak every inch of him initially. He was told a less then comforting ‘goodnight’...with a promise of ‘more work to be done tomorrow.’ Sleep, he wanted a good nights’ sleep so badly. But all he could do was run visions of dissections through his head and stare at the ceiling for the longest time. [ Part 22 ] As the RED team gathered for the day’s fighting, many were chatting about the captive in the infirmary. Eppelheim listened out of the corner of his ear. Doc was keeping out of it; as much as he was also fascinated by the strange creature, he’d much rather NOT have a BLU in the base at all. And he picked his cohort’s brain about him as they went along. Perhaps he could sit in when the other medic did a more thorough examination...as long as he was humane about it. Through it all the RED Spy seemed strangely quiet. He got his coffee and breakfast, turning to leave and eat elsewhere. “Herr Spy.†The Frenchman was stopped by a thick vinyl gloved hand on his shoulder. “Docteur?†The Spy glanced at the medic. ‘Oh here it comes...’ he thought, knowing exactly what the topic would be. “They say it vas you who lured zie BLU creature in, ja? How exactly did you do it?†“Since when did a spy reveal his secrets?†He said cryptically, like he didn’t have much desire to talk to the man. He’d heard some of the noises coming from the infirmary, and he’d seen how he had the BLU strapped down. As much animosity as he had towards him for stealing his face, those things were haunting, and it made him fear the new medic a little. “Did you have some reason to be mad at him? Considering you stole some of my tranquilizer sedatives to take him down...†“OH heh,†He laughed innocently, “Sorry about that docteur. And oui, do you recall when I came into the infirmary with that bite? Also when I came in weeth all ze scratches and broken ribs?†The medic smirked. “I did correlate those two in my mind...so it vas him?†“Oui. And yes, I theenk that is plenty motive enough.†The Spy wanted to appease the medic with little information as possible. He didn’t want to betray his promise to the engineer, so that meant keeping all else about his interactions with the tentacled spy secret. “I’d suppose so...†Though the medic still wondered why his creature would attack the Spy. If he’d been hiding all these years, he must have not revealed himself much if ever. To have so brashly bitten and gone after the Spy on two separate occasions, he must have had a good reason to... “Are you healing alright? No further side effects?†“All seems well, merci. You two are very skilled,†The Spy sipped his coffee, “Now eef you’d excuse me Docteur, I would like to eat my breakfast before ze battle.†He hurried off. ‘He’s hiding something...’ the medic thought, though he wasn’t sure what. He’d keep an ear out. ... “Why did you ‘ave to go and drag the whole team over?†The RED Spy huffed as he sat on a wooden crate up in the Sniper’s roost, which was on the top floor of the RED’s factory building. “Now ze Medic has that theeng tied up in ze infirmary and is grilling me for details I do not want to give. Eet’s annoying.†“You didn’t know how well that tranquilizer would work! He could’ve turned on you any minute, dragged you roight off into the water, maybe to BLU. Sure seemed like he was tryin’ to take you when I saw him attakin’ you before that. A wounded animal is the most dangerous kind, you know.†The Australian struck back, his own breakfast in his lap. It had begun to be a common thing for them to eat breakfast together, away from the hubbub of the team. Soon as the RED Spy knew where his little hideaway was he started sneaking up there for the quiet privacy, and the company. One would wonder why the two would want to spend time together from how they acted around one another - chiding, threatening, and bickering. Well, they do say opposites attract. “I was only being cautious,†The sniper added in a mumble, pulling his hat down a bit. “You’d miss me too much eef BLU caught me, is that eet?†The Spy pet a pointed shoe toe up under the Australian’s loose pants cuff, an impish smirk on his lips. “Bloody spook.†Sniper grabbed his ankle with a strong hand, plate put to the side. It seemed like he just meant to throw him off, but he teased right back, pushing the Spy’s pant leg up and giving his sock garters a good snap. The Spy shook loose, flinching. “Well at least for ze first time in weeks I had a full night’s sleep. That is ze one advantage to knowing the BLU’s science experiment is strapped down.†“You ought to have slept up here mate, I’d have watched over you,†The Sniper said in a low drawl. “Derik, pleaseee. Much as I respect your...stories of conquests of big animals and don’t doubt that ability, your bed is a little...well...†He glanced at the sheet-less mattress on the floor of the loft room, a thin dingy blanket strewn across it. “Wot? Fine enough for shaggin’ but not for sleepin’ over, that it?†“I’ll bring you a SHEET at least, ‘ow about that, non?†He couldn’t help but snort in a laugh. “Shut ya gob, Raimund. Bloody snoot, that wot you are. Picky ass poofer.†His grumbling was stopped short as the Spy came and straddled his lap, putting a gloved hand to his chin. “I’ll bring a fresh sheet set tonight, oui?†.... ... “Not done yet?†Eppelheim leaned against the doorframe of the workshop, looking rather sharp with his vest and dress shirt. He cleaned up well after the daily battles and surgeries. He didn’t look impatient at least—that would have annoyed the engineers. They were working like busy bees for the third afternoon on the tank-like structure designed to hold their special BLU prisoner. “Murphy’s Law,†William gestured with a rolled up blueprint, “We only got so much time and energy after the day’s battle.†“Ahh right, right.†The medic ventured closer, looking the build over. “Dankeschön, by zie way, this is much appreciated.†“It’s taking so long because William is implementin’ some new technology he was working on,†Lance flicked up his welding mask to talk, “It’s really quite amazing.†He gave a nod to his team mate. William looked quite pleased, like he knew how genius it was, but he also stayed humble at the same time. “I’ve been developin’ an energy field of sorts using magnets and alternating current, something to protect builds while they construct or for manual adjustments on the fly. It drains a lot of energy so you can’t get too much outta it on the field at a time, but for the purpose on this tank it could be maintained easily with a constant, low energy flow from a wall plug in.†He tapped the rolled up blueprints on a series of covered transformers on the side of the tank. “It will prevent ‘im from poking any of those limbs of his through the wire mesh on top or breakin’ this plexiglass. ‘Cause strong as it is, I don’t trust it to hold that devil.†“Wunderbar!†The medic exclaimed, severely impressed. They could have used someone like William back when Respawn was new. “This is really too vonderful.†“We like a challenge.†Lance smirked, seeing the others nod in agreement. “We live fer this kind of stuff,†Roscoe agreed, “Folk like us.†“Keep at it. You will be done by tomorrow then?†“Should be done tonight I reckon,†William agreed, “But you might not be able to move him in ‘till morning— depends on your schedule.†“Vielen Dank!†The Medic thanked them, “Ja, just tell me soon as you are ready,†and then left them to their work so he could get to HIS work. [ Part 23 ] Dominique was brought out of his sedation, the infirmary cleared for the evening, all bullets and shrapnel removed, and the tables cleaned. He was met with a plate of food, kept out of reach. “I have more questions for you.†The eager medic smiled as he let the man’s restraints off just enough like the other day. Domi groaned dryly, sitting up in a haze. He gave a croak of a response, glancing at the food, and leaned forward, limply hanging by his restraints like wasn’t quite awake yet. He fell back to the table, looking disinterested, pale, and weak. His breathing was dryer than ever. “Hummm.†Eppelheim fussed, hearing this. “Even with zie respirator giving you a steady trickle of fresh water you still seem a little dry in your throat...I can’t up zie flow and still have you able to speak, but...†He took the hose from its mount, turning off the valve. He unscrewed the nozzle, and then turned it back on, this time it was like a plain garden hose with a thick flow of water. He put it right over the half conscious tentaspy’s face and parted lips. Domi jerked against his restraints at the feeling, opening his mouth wide. A glorious coolness filled him, fresh oxygen rushing to his system as water gushed past his gills, a far more efficient method of oxygen exchange for the tentaspy. His eyes rolled back in relief as he reveled in the feeling. When the water was turned off, he gasped far more smoothly as the water drained from his lungs, switching over to air breathing. He moaned softly after every deep breath, reeling. “That’s definitely something I need to find zie problem with,†The medic put the spray nozzle back on, “So it can be fixed in zie future.†He mumbled as he took the plate of food again, “Zhat feel better?†“O...oui,†Domi answered, sitting up and swaying a bit. The medic grilled him with questions, like if he could change his tentacle skin color at all (‘a little at times, but not like an octopus, no.’), how efficient his gills felt (‘quite good’), how well he could see underwater (‘perfectly fine’), how sensitive his tentacles were to taste feedback (‘focusing on it, indeed receptive almost as much as a tongue’)... Domi answered everything—not enthusiastically, but that food was a good lure—and he was feeling in a better mood after that jolt of water. God that felt wonderful. Would he get to be in water again soon? He wanted it back more then anything...it was this primal need welling up from inside him, overtaking most of his thought. Just being kept moist wasn’t enough. He was finally given the meal; some sense came back to his mind instead of just running on autopilot. “Everything going all right?†A voice came from the door, accompanied by a small knock. “Doctor! Ahh yes, everything is fine.†Eppelheim grinned. However, inside he was not smiling. He wanted privacy so he could work unmediated... Dominique listened with a heavy heart as the two talked. Eppelheim explained to Doc about how he wanted to do a dissection while he still had him strapped down and half sedated. The other agreed, but said he wanted to stay and observe, also to make sure proper precautions were used; he said he’d been worried with some things he’d heard coming from the infirmary. Wait, dissection? “Don’t I get a say in this!?†Domi blurted out, voice shaky. God he hated how pathetic he sounded. “You’re lucky to be alive,†The medic snapped back, though of course in reality he’d never want him killed. “Surely, besides study are we not to interrogate the enemy for information? Being a Spy he must know a lot!†Eppelheim reasoned to his comrade. “If you overload him, then he von’t be useful for anything when he’s catatonic. I trust your expertise, but your overzealous eagerness vhorries me.†The doctor waved a finger. “And enemy or not, I’ll have no outright torture going on in MY infirmary by way of medical carelessness.†Much as Eppelheim didn’t like it, it WAS still HIS infirmary; the older doctor was his senior there in rank. “And don’t you get any ideas.†The doctor glanced at Dominique, who was giving him the most pleading face possible while keeping his dignity. “You are a BLU. I’m not saying this because I feel sorry for you. You are not some innocent caged animal; I’ve seen vhat you did to our Spy. My oath is to this team, and you are a threat to their health and safety. I intend to learn vhat we can to have knowledge to protect that.†Eppelheim couldn’t contest THAT, so he agreed. Dominique hung his head; in his position he couldn’t make the Doc believe otherwise, he was a BLU, shown to have indeed hurt the RED Spy. He was ‘the enemy’. ... Preparations were made. Dominique’s heart beat rapidly as he glanced around from his restrained position on the table. The doctor had said he wanted this to be ‘humane’, thank god. Who knew what would have become of him had he been alone with the other medic. Would he be awake? Put under? Would he...see what they were doing to him? The doctor brought over a large rig attached to the ceiling. The medigun he usually used during the day was attached to it. He positioned it carefully, adjusting some dials on the side. Eppelheim watched vigilantly; he was still a little new to the mediguns—using them that is. He saw plenty of them on the cameras while working behind the scenes. The device was switched on, the red vapor beam reaching out toward the strapped down tentaspy. “I had to calibrate it to be able to latch onto someone not in zie RED’s respawn system,†The medic told his comrade, “How it’s set is more like a ‘mist’ then a beam anyway.†He cleared the air bubbles from a prepared syringe and jabbed it under Domi’s chest skin subcutaneously. The captive winced and twitched, but as the thick flush of the medication spread, it combined with the medigun’s warm glow, creating a feedback reaction in his cells. Dominique could still feel, but nothing ‘hurt.’ “Ah ah, vhait,†The medic stopped his superior from placing a mask with nitrous over the captive’s face, intending to knock him out, “I need him awake for this part, before we crack him open.†Dominique violently wrenched at the restraints hearing that, he knew it was a futile reaction, but it was like an irrepressible reflex to get away. His tentacles, if only...he squeezed his eyes shut trying with all his might to make them respond. It was no use... “Shhhh, shhh, this shouldn’t hurt vhith how we’ve set you up,†Eppelheim crooned, reaching a clean, bare hand down and picking up the top gill slit closest to him. Domi could just barely see what he was doing, but he could FEEL it... His mouth gaped with unpleasant gurgles as his gill slits were painfully stretched wide. It...yes it didn’t hurt...he was right about that. But it was an unpleasant alien feeling that disturbed him to his core. The stretching intensified as the medic wedged his fingers into the top slit, further, further, until his knuckles hit the flap of the gill slit under it. A trickle of blood dripped down from the damp fimbriae, damaged by the intrusion. “Nnnggg!†Domi clenched his teeth, fists doing the same. “Vhen we open him up we should be able to see a connection right to his lungs, I can feel zie valve here; it feels almost like a large, tricuspid heart valve. Here,†The medic pointed to his comrade, having him douse the hose over his face again like before. With his hand blocking the valve, all the water flowed out of the opposite side gill slits. “Tell me, vhat does that feel like?†The medic asked with curiosity. “I...I would assume eet would ‘urt a lot more w-without that medigun running...†Domi sputtered as the water was removed. “I wonder how his lungs look to compensate for that,†The doctor added, not worried that it could actually be painful with his medigun rigged up as it was, “Come let’s get started,†The mask returned, a hand holding it over him was all Dominique could see as everything went into a fuzzy blur. ... In his delirium Dominique thanked the Doc for his mercy, if it wasn’t for him, who knows if Eppelheim would have used anesthesia at all. ‘Thank you thank you,’ he mouthed, not even aware he was trying to speak out loud. There was the whine of an electric sternum saw. He could vaguely feel a pressure in his chest, a movement and tickling like the caress of fingertips. He heard pleased laughter, voices, discussing and taking photographs. That warmth from the medigun felt so good...keeping a pulse in his veins and blood regenerating in his body, even as it flowed off the table when his heart was removed. Room had to be made to see elsewhere... When the mask was removed, it could have been minutes or hours, Dominique lost all sense of time. He blinked as the nitrous went out of his system as fresh air entered his damp lungs. “You’re a successful creature indeed,†Eppelheim pet his head briefly, meanwhile the other doctor was tending to his medigun. Dominique was able to catch a glimpse of his exposed organs before the medigun was ramped up to full power. It was like some out of body nightmare, because it didn’t hurt, but he knew it should. He screeched in horror, even as his chest closed up and his ribs snapped back together. The doctors left to let their patient rest, and to clean up and get dinner, the doctor scolding the other medic for bringing him out of sedation a little too soon. Dominique breathed deeply, chest heaving. That chest had been open just minutes before. Miracle of mediguns or not, that was something he never wanted to see. ‘Mon dieu mon dieu mon dieu...’ he squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to picture everything they had been doing, trying not to piece it together in his mind. He struggled again, tiring quickly, eyes shut with exhaustion and vertigo. He tried to imagine something pleasant. Floating on his back in the river on a clear night, watching the stars. You could see so many out there in the desert, even with light from the bases. The night was cool and damp. His tentacles splayed out in the water, some anchoring him to the riverbank, others down to the bottom where unwitting young fry pecked at his skin like a massaging tickle. Too small to be eaten anyway... Dominique heard the infirmary door open again. That sound made him flinch, ‘He’s coming back...no no noo...please...no more!’ His mind instantly raced in anticipation. But there was no German tone - in fact no talking at all...but there was a familiar, favorable smell that included burnt steel. Domi turned his head to confirm the presence he sensed there. There was Lance, silent and just a foot away at the side of the exam gurney.
[ Part 24 ] There was tension in the air you could almost taste. The engineer and the spy locked eyes as they glanced about each other. Dominique’s urge to speak grew more and more as the seconds stretched into minutes. ‘He’s HERE...say something!’ he thought. But in his current condition, he felt about ready to pass out with the added stress. It was a horrible dual feeling. His heart leapt to see the engineer there of his own accord, it was a ray of hope he needed so desperately, but at the same time he wished he wasn’t there—not now. He was a frazzled, poorly slept, inadequately fed monster strapped to a table with such indignity. How could he make any kind of redeeming proclamation in such a state? Lance looked like he wanted to speak, but finally he motioned to leave, having said nothing. “Cheri, wait!†Domi cried out quickly, desperately. The engineer stopped and turned, coming back to the side of the gurney. “Now...now why would you say that? Think you can really keep that charade up?†He sounded accusing, but shaky, like he didn’t want to be mad. Domi did his best to speak clearly and calmly, but it wasn’t easy with his throat closing up with emotion on top of the respirator tube wedged back there. “S'il vous plait, let me explain. Firstly...eet may be ‘ard to believe, but I’m not employed by BLU. At least not anymore. I ‘ave no bad intentions for your team, I’m not ‘ere on a mission.†“But yer uniform - †“I was weeth BLU, oui - over six years ago. Back then Respawn was a new technology, I think they were experimenting weeth eet. One day...I woke up from Respawn like this.†His eyes were attempted calm, but they were bloodshot, tired, pleading. “They tried to dispose of me. But I escaped, and ‘ave survived ‘ere at ze base ever since...keeping under ze radar. They think I am dead.†The engineer listened...the story sounded plausible. He wanted to believe it. That BLU was experimenting with Respawn could be true. He knew he was scanned and had blood samples taken upon coming there to RED. They of course never told him the details of how Respawn worked, but it sure had something to do with bio-patterns, DNA, the like. Maybe they toyed with it, doing things against nature, messing with the patterns. “So everythin’ you said...you pretendin’ to be our spah?†“He was the most convenient to impersonate. Similar body type, someone I could act like myself and eet would not seem out of place. That’s why I ‘ad you fix my disguise kit and cloaking watch, you theenk I could really go up to you, anyone, like this? And eef I was weeth BLU why would I put on a trick to ‘ave you fix my gear?†“I - I don’t know.†Lance remained skeptical, but he listened to everything, and the Spy sounded sincere. His tone and how he was looking at him. “What happened right after you fixed ze disguise kit?†the tentaspy asked. Lance thought...remembering around the same time Boleslav gave him that metal and he was able to make that new build with it. “Your ‘eavy gave you some metal, didn’t he?†Domi said it before Lance could. “Y...yea.†The engineer felt a chill of realization. “That wasn’t Boleslav.†Domi tried to smile. “All this began weeth me just wanting to DO something...I’ve been so idle and bored and alone for so long. When I over’eard you talking about wanting to get your hands on some BLU metal I decided to take action. Eet was just a leetle thing, but once I had a taste of being back in ze action I kept going. And you...YOU were what made me want to. Everything I said, that I did was sincere...I promise...†“How kin I believe anything you say?†Really how could he? What proof did the Spy have? ‘Maybe he really is a BLU renegade, working alone. Imagine for a minute everything he said is the truth. And he did all this, just to get closer to you. He risked himself, because he loves you...’ Dominique felt desperate, exhausted...how else could he prove himself? He had nothing but his word. He didn’t even have actions at that moment, strapped helplessly to a table, half paralyzed, every muscle aching. His body trembled with frustration as he writhed against the restraints. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry I lied to you and deceived you...Je suis vraiment désolé... désolé...†Domi cursed himself for how pathetic he sounded, especially as tears squeezed from his eyes, but he felt like he had nothing left. Nothing was right and everything had gone wrong. It didn’t matter. “I just wanted to get closer to you...I just wanted to be closer...†He was practically delirious as he rasped the words. Domi could just make out of the corner of his eye something coming near. He shied away out of confusion and reflex in anticipation of harm. But then he watched silently as the engineer softly stroked the back of his fingers over his cheek. Dominique melted into that touch, closing his eyes and shuddering out a breath with a look of disbelieving joy. He wasn’t even sure if it was real or he was hallucinating. But he needed it so badly. ‘His face,’ Lance thought, expression cracking a bit as he too choked up. Such a reaction he received, surely this all could not be fake... He’d made the decision to trust in what the Spy said, at least for now. The engineer would remain cautious, but open. In that moment, he felt a wash of happiness seeing the other’s expression. He really did have a nice smile, different from their Spy of course. And while he’d come to fall in love with that face, now having talked to this spy even just this briefly, he heard the ‘RED Spy’ in him, he saw the man he’d come to fall for. This face... could come to grow on him, as well. “Petit,†Domi purred, nuzzling into the touch like he could fall asleep right there. “Je t'aime tellement...†An actual purr welled up in his throat. Lance recognized it; he’d heard that before in the ‘RED Spy’. He figured it was just talented voice box work, but now seeing him like this, it was fitting and obvious how he made such sounds. Of course it raced past Lance’s mind, ‘what are you doing, LOOK at him.’ But if the Spy’s dedicated, sincere feelings (not to mention dashing good looks...) were desirable enough to Lance to make him feel so strongly, then his physical nature was something he could at least begin to deal with at a later point in time. He couldn’t deny he’d very much liked the affections ever since day one when ‘the RED Spy’ started courting him. The whole situation was already very atypical; the engineer decided he’d roll with things as they came. “Don’t even know yer name,†He chuckled, “You spah’s never give that kind of thing out.†“Dominique,†the tentaspy looked up at him, “My name is Dominique, mon chéri.†“It...it’s a pleasure to meet you Dominique.†The engineer pet over his damp hair this time, “I think you already know my name.†“Ze pleasure is all mine,†Domi whispered, his demeanor so calm now. He leaned back into that gentle hand as it went back to his face. “The doc might be back any minute; we’re installing that tank he requested tonight. I hope...that it’ll be better for ya. I’ll admit, it looks mighty terrible what they been doing to you in here,†He swallowed, “Even if you were th’ enemy or not.†The engineer finally removed his hand, he felt bad to leave the man in such a state, and he couldn’t deny it felt mighty nice. Domi went far as he could to follow the touch. ‘Please don’t go,’ he was thinking, but Lance was right, there was no way they could catch him looking sympathetic. He watched the RED Engineer make his leave, giving him one last glance before he closed the infirmary door. A chance, he was being given a chance...
We're all caught up - and here is the new chapter. It's a little short but much is to come in the next one. ... [ Part 25] The RED Engineer made his exit; no one saw his exchange with the Spy, though Eppelheim did see that Dominique looked unexpectedly calmer when he returned from his late dinner. It was finally ready, the Engineers’ construct. While some might have seen the build as a lot of manpower spent just to hold an enemy prisoner, the engineers really did not mind. There was plenty of scrap about, it wasn’t wasting any materials, and they loved challenges. The trio had come to be a little ‘hive’ of sorts, working well together despite their differences. Boleslav helped the engineers wheel in the half-filled tank (some water had already been put in it to test the filter). For being made from spare parts in just three days it was rather impressive. It was rectangular, and tall as average eye-level height, around 5’ 5â€. It stretched seven feet long, and four feet deep away from the wall. Most of the front face was made from a two pieces of heavy Plexiglas sandwiched together. The rest was welded metal scraps, with a hinged ‘lid’ that was a thick wire mesh. The lid was generously heaped, so it’d be possible for the captive to poke his head up and look around above the tank edge, or answer to questions. The whole thing had an attached water filter unit, and the mechanism of William’s design for a ‘force field’. The hose was turned on full blast to allow it to fill. As it did, everyone clustered around the BLU prisoner; both medics, the Heavy, and the engineers. Domi felt cornered and scrutinized...but he was helpless, it wasn’t something he had control over anyway. His bloodshot eyes darted between them, trying not to look at Lance too much. He didn’t want anyone to know there was any kind of connection there; it would put Lance at risk. From how it seemed, the RED Spy had not told the details to anyone, he wanted to keep it that way. “We shall have a decent window of time before he regains control vhenn I stop the IV drip.†Eppelheim told Boleslav, who looked down at Domi, “Don’t try anything funny, if know what good for you leetle man.†Roscoe cocked his shotgun for good measure, emphasizing the statement from the Heavy. Lance had his pistol at the ready in a pocket holster, but he wasn’t worried to use it...far as he understood, the Spy was no threat to him. Meanwhile, William was tending to the machinery on the tank rig, eager to see the energy field at work. Despite his spirit being strengthened after what transpired with Lance, Domi was weak and his tentacles were half dry, he would not be able to put up much of a fight even if he wanted to. When that IV drip keeping him paralyzed was let off, he wouldn’t have the ability to do anything with coordination for a time anyhow, which walking definitely required. There was no point to fight back if he couldn’t escape. Dominique was neutrally still as they pulled the respirator tube from his nose. He crinkled his face up; it was a relief to get it out but god that felt weird. He could sense warmth in his lower back, a tingle growing like pins and needles as feeling ebbed back to his nerves. They must have removed the IV as well. The RED Heavy dwarfed the naked Spy, looming as he waited for the medics to un-strap him. He leaned over, scooping up Domi in his arms. Even though the tentacles were pure muscle, the Heavy didn’t seem to struggle with his bulk. Overall the Spy was a lithe man to begin with, and was slim in the Russian’s big arms. Tentacles weakly coiled to grip his muscles - Boleslav didn’t seem perturbed by this. Weird as it felt, he kept a stoic face. Domi thought how it was typical of a heavy, to never show weakness to the enemy. Domi behaved, clawed hands curled in and a subtle, low ‘churrr’ in his throat, like a wary animal, but one that was subdued and weak showing his submissiveness. He even resisted baring his fangs, though the urge to show defense against the large Russian was strong inside him. The doctor slid a stepstool over for his Heavy, and Domi was lowered over the edge of the tank, which was 2/3 full at that point. He could hear that gush of water from the hose, smell it under him, and taste it just barely with a few dangling tentacles. There was a small look of warning from Boleslav, and then he dropped the tentaspy into the water with a sploosh. Pressure rushed past his ears, sound becoming muffled with that familiar, comforting thickness of the water like a blanket wrapping around him. All air left his lungs, replaced with the crispness of the water like a cool Autumn morning. After the rush of bubbles subsided, he could hear the subdued voices of the RED’s around him, reverberating through the tank’s sides. He took deep breaths, arching his back as the tingling in his tentacles intensified. He couldn’t quite control them yet, but the pins and needles sensation was becoming painful. Domi clenched his teeth and writhed, trying to ease the pain. It ITCHED, but it wasn’t an itch he could scratch. Even with the sting of feeling returning, god he felt wonderful. Over three days out of water. Never had he slept outside of the water, or been away from the canals for more then a few hours, and that was usually when it was raining… There was a clang as the lid was shut and latched. William switched on the field, which hugged around the outside contours of the mesh lid, and right in-between the two layers of Plexiglas like a sandwich. It was faintly RED, but the color faded after the initial warm up to a low shimmer. “Woah,†Roscoe inched closer, in awe of how the creature looked in the freedom of the water. Lance came up alongside him, just inches from the tank’s glass. Over top of the engineers leaned the two medics. Lance was feeling similarly to his fellow Engineer, how different the Spy looked. Fascinating and surreal as those tentacles came to life in the water. However, he was heavily distracted by the weight of secrets in the back of his mind, all the things the others around didn’t know about what transpired between himself and the tentaspy. Dominique glanced at the faces there on the other side of the glass. His own expression strained. He twisted in the water as the two medics looked in, turning his back to them. He didn’t want them looking at him, he didn’t want them anywhere NEAR him. He tried to cover the glass with his suckers...they obeyed his command sluggishly, and didn’t quite obscure the view as intended. “NNngggg,†a muffled growl echoed off the metal walls. Domi gripped and pet over his tentacles, trying to massage feeling back into them. Blood rushing, nerves firing, aching...touch and taste from his complex limbs flooding back into his brain. “He alright?†Lance asked the medics, carefully neutral. “We had him on that numbing IV drip for three days; feeling coming back to nerves can be painful for a short time.†Doc replied. “It vas highly necessary, he could have easily wriggled or ripped out of any restraints we have.†The newer doctor added. He couldn’t wait to see him in his full glory by the next day...tentacles in complete control. And he was his, all his, like a goldfish in a bowl. “Well, everythin’ seems fine with the filter, and the energy field,†William stated, tipping his Stetson up and coming over from making adjustments, “Safe to turn in for the night, he ain’t going anywhere.†He took a moment to admire their handiwork in action. “Excellent, dankeschön Herr,†Eppelheim grinned widely. The hose was removed, the tank full...all was an eerie calm as the lights were turned off and everyone left. Dominique was left alone as usual, but now he was tossing and turning, writhing at the burning in his veins. He was numbed into an exhausted sleep, for the first time in days; he finally had dreams to accompany him through the night.
I really love this story. I wish I could give you some advice to help you along the way, but to be honest I don't find many flaws at all. I just felt the need to tell you that I greatly enjoy this story and that I hope for an update every single day. Thank you for writing this.
Can't wait too see where this is going! Also glad to see that RED Spy got some lovin'.
I'm always happy for an update.
They're supposed to let the water filter first! I guess Engineers don't know much about maintaining an aquarium.
Yes! An update! Can't wait to see more of this! ... Captcha is beginning to scare me. 'octopus xiente'? Octopus? Really, Captcha? Really?
Oh, happy day! I've been checking every day (again) for an update, so this pleases me greatly. I appreciate that Dominique had the presence of mind to make sure not to look at Lance for too long, and I also liked the treatment of him regaining feeling to his tentacles; that was a nice attention to detail. It was also nice to see Lance keeping up appearances but able to express a little concern for Domi's welfare. I just adore them. I'm so excited for this to continue. Thank you so much for the update - you're the best!
I just want Lithe to know that even if the thread hasn't been touched in weeks, there is still love for it!
>>15 Awww :) Usual story of super busy/tired/work etc, also I was away at Youmacon (http://tf2chan.net/cosplay/res/2246.html) for 5 days last week, hung out with some awesome TF2 peeps and cosplayers. Next chapter is being proofed as we speak and should be up today or tomorrow, in the meantime have some super useful ref imagery from the game for how “The Well†is seen in this fic (You must copy/paste and remove the space in tu m blr for the link to work: ) Waterways and pipes: http://tentaspydominique.tum blr.com/post/12779763609/the-waterways-of-the-well Artists rendition of the side of RED base and smelting area: http://tentaspydominique.tum blr.com/post/12792891639/quick-photoshop-job-that-shows-a-chunk-of It's basically Capture Point Well with 20% Teufort. It has the outside rivers/trees/more dirt of Teufort, and the service sewers of Doublecross/Teufort. The inside of The Well where the mercs see would not include all the large areas with the missiles, where the final points are. These areas would be 'behind the scenes' where the respawn machines and tech computer rooms hide. Add some bunkers and infirmary of course, Well is a large building plenty of room for all that. It's fun to imagine the bases all expanded and lived in, I love the environments in the game.
Chapter as promised! Proofed by Jeffian. ... [ Part 26] Awake before dawn...it was like being reborn. Everything was so clear – his head wasn’t pounding anymore, body no longer restrained and the aching dulled. The good nights rest under the water had slept away the feeling coming back to his nerves and rejuvenated his body. His limbs were his again, an extension of his body as much as his hands had always been. Domi pet his fingers over the rows of suckers, he could taste himself, he could taste the metal of the tank, he could feel the texture of the welding and rivets. He took a deep breath, exhaling the water with a sigh and a wide flaring of gills. He reveled in all those feelings. The spy checked over the rest of himself...it was so wonderful to be able to MOVE. As small as his area of space was in the tank, it wasn’t horrible compared to what he’d been through, he was just happy to be in water again. His tentacles were already exploring every corner and surface, but there was nothing there except metal, no prey or anything to poke into except the fine grates over the humming filter’s intake and output vents – too small to get through. Hands wandered down to feel over his broad chest...he was intact, though that image of it cracked open was still raw in his mind. Not a single mark could be seen - mediguns were truly amazing. Domi then examined the severed tentacle; it was the first time he got to inspect it since the doctor had taken it. It had sealed over and indeed, was starting to grow back like a turgid bud on a tree. It didn’t really hurt any more, but it felt like he was down a finger, like there was a big piece missing. He hoped it would grow back like the doctor said it would. He recalled them doing so before, but in small accidents he’d only lost a few inches of tentacle, never over two feet. Nudity was not strange to him, but he felt so exposed at that moment. Being locked in a display tank, naked without any pleasantries, it only reinforced how they all looked at him like an animal. The spy wanted his clothes returned. He wanted his dignity and humanity back. As he was deep in thought with his back was to the plexiglass - he heard a light ‘tonk tonk’ on it. His frills shot up as a first reaction, before he whirled around, thinking it had to be the Medic. Already? So early in the morning? He trembled despite himself and shrank to the back of the tank instantly. The stout engineer was there leaned over looking in. No Medic...just him. “Lance?†The tentaspy mouthed, relaxing. He came up and put his hands to the glass, a careful smile curling on his lips. “Can you hear me?†Lance spoke softly near the glass, not wanting to attract any attention. He’d heard the medic say he’d be up at 9 am, and he knew the docs kept a strict schedule, so Lance got himself up before dawn. It was the weekend, so he expected the medic to be in there doing whatever it was to ‘examine’ their prisoner all day. He wanted to talk to the spy more, in a good state, before the doc could do god-knows-what to him. His curiosity had been piqued the other day. Just talking, what could be the harm? Not to mention the altered Spy was visually fascinating, and Lance wasn’t disappointed watching through the glass. Seeing Dominique’s body back under his control was a sight to see. He had said a BLU doctor did it, but it still was quite unbelievable. Domi nodded, he could indeed hear the Engineer. It was muffled though the glass but he had excellent underwater hearing for vibrations. Lance looked like he rolled out of bed, with a simple white shirt and loose, dark red pajama pants that were a little too long for his shorter legs. A tingle of happiness welled up inside the spy. He had come of his own accord, had the engineer really forgiven him? At least it seemed he wanted talk. It was nice to be there alone with him and not be strapped to a table or in a disguise. There was no lying, everything out in the open. Domi pushed off the bottom with his tentacles and broke the surface, poking his head up into the humped mesh lid. The engineer straightened up, but he still was not as tall as the tank was. He huffed and pushed the stool over, stepping up on it indignantly so they could be at eye level. “What about ze Medic?†Dominique had to whisper, first thing. “Doc said he’d be up at 9, when he says that he means it.†The engineer glanced about, just to be sure. All was quiet and dark; the only light coming from a small standing lamp. Sunlight was just beginning to be ambient outside. Domi relaxed, sighing with relief. Curious tentacles went to poke out of the mesh, which was about 1.5†in spacing. “No!†Lance yelped, but it was too late. Domi snapped back as he collided with the magnetic field, crying out in surprise and pain. It repelled him backwards like magnets colliding of the same polarity, and created an unpleasant sensation similar to a burn or a shock. He shrank away from the mesh, eying it with caution. The stung tentacles recoiled under the water, the pain throbbing up to his brain. They seemed extra sensitive at the moment. “Geezus I’m sorry, I guess you hadn’t seen the field yet.†Lance sighed, “It’s a new device William’s been developing. It prevents matter from going through it using magnetism.†“I’m fine, eet’s okay.†Domi stated flatly, inching closer again. He could feel a tingle like hairs standing up (if he still had body hair other then his head) as he inspected the field. It was faintly visible actually, now that he looked. It had a soft red sheen, like electric glitter catching the air. Lance could see how much better the Spy looked. His eyes and voice were clear and calm; his breathing relaxed. His skin was less pale and sickly. Such a difference to how he looked the other night. “How’s everthin’...? I mean it’s not huge or nothin’...but how’s our handiwork?†Lance patted the side of the tank. “A far cry better then being on a table, merci,†Domi managed a small grin, “Ze water breathes fine, but of course, I’d much razzer not be locked up, no matter ze size.†“I understand,†The engineer nodded, licking his lips in thought. God so much to ask, so much to say. He was spending a lot of time just observing. “You look so much better though, physically I mean.†“Ahh oui...I feel whole again. Eet feels so good.†The spy sighed happily. “I don’t think anyone would be comfortable with bein’ temporarily paralyzed...no matter what they had from the waist down.†“Indeed,†the spy nodded, indignantly looking at the metal between them. So close and yet so far. “That and being out of water so long.†He gave a more amorous look to Lance now, “Eet’s nice to see you alone like this.†He was trying to stay neutral, but emotion was hitting him hard under the surface, but keeping his cool under pressure was natural to him – and it was easy now that he wasn’t in such physical distress. For Domi, all his amorous feelings were still very intact. He wished they could pick up right where they left off. Since the night they made love (albeit restrained and physically deceptive) he replayed it in his mind over and over, and imagined them doing so much more. The spy wanted to be the charmer he knew he was, and had been for the engineer when he was using a disguise. He knew the engineer must not look at him the same way, and the apprehension showed a little despite his best efforts to try and pretend he wasn’t a monster in a tank. He was just trying to forget all that, talk normally. “I wish I could touch you.†Domi added forwardly, placing hands to the tank’s inner side. Lance chuckled to that, biting his lip. He was so conflicted, for he couldn’t deny, he still had feelings. Dominique’s inhuman features gave him pause, but he wasn’t repulsed. The biggest thing was the tentacles, the rest he could get past without much effort. Sure, the sharp teeth and claws were intimidating, and he saw what he could do with them when he attacked the RED Spy like a prey-driven lion...but the man acted gentle and kind as a kitten around him. Seeing the circumstances, deceiving him and using their RED Spy’s idenity was something he could forgive – and he was ready to trust he wasn’t a BLU anymore like he said. But he wasn’t quite ready to trust that much and open the lid to talk face to face. If the spy ran off, Lance would look like he was a traitor when it was traced back to him. He was wary of deception - spies were spies after all. “William did too good a job, yea.†Lance said, then asked hypothetically, “If I let the field down, would those...tentacles be trying to escape? Do you make’em move like that all the time?†Domi laughed lightly, easing the tension, “Non, they move on their own all ze time. I can control them quite delicately, eef I theenk about eet. But oui, they like to ‘have minds of their own.’ Rest assured they’d never ‘urt you, doing such.†Lance listened, fascinated, “I...don’t mean t’ pry, but of course I am mighty curious.†“Mon Cheri, you can ask me anytheeng you like.†Domi splashed a hand up from the water to gesture, “I’m just pleased you still want to talk to me at all.†He was so open and receptive, eager to answer anything Lance wanted to ask to put him more at ease. “There’s just so much to say...†“I’m not shy, Mon Ami.†Lance smirked, he couldn’t deny he loved his voice, even more then the RED Spy’s. His voice was a little lower, and perhaps less nasal. Not to mention that accent, how he rolled every word off his tongue English or French. “Ah alright, well...one thing I was wonderin’ about, when they had you on that respirator device - what I mean is, can you breathe air at all?†“Oui, I can indeed,†Domi pressed his suckers up to the glass as he shifted his posture to lean onto a small shelf that ran along two sides of the tank – the lid was high enough that he could splay his elbows onto it. “But my lungs get ‘dry’, then I feel like I can’t get enough oxygen, like ‘aving asthma. Do you remember when you saw me sipping from that flask I carried on my person before?†“Yea...I could tell by when I kissed you, it wasn’t alcohol in it.†Domi smiled to the memory, “Oui, just water. I was inhaling eet, not drinking eet.†“Crazy,†Lance pet a hand over his velveteen-fuzzed scalp, “That lets you stay out long as you like then, huh?†“Well, I still can’t sleep above water...in fact the days ‘ere were the first time I’d slept on dry land since being altered, eet was only thanks to that horridly uncomfortable ‘respirator’ tube.†He sighed, a sad noise coming from his throat. “I’m meant to stay wet. I’m tied to the water as much as a frog, eef not more so.†The engineer cracked up suddenly, and the spy stared at him. “What?†He frowned in a confused fashion. “Frog – you know...that’s slang for ‘Frenchman.’ †Lance stifled his laughs not wanting to make noise. Had it been anyone else he would have been offended, but he knew it wasn’t like that. “A...ah! Oh!†Domi chuckled through his nose, the other’s laughing contagious. When you are tired and stressed everything is funnier. The engineer rubbed his eye and was calm again, “I’m sorry it’s not funny...†“NON! Eet was, I can not believe I did not catch that.†They both quieted down. “I wish you could ‘ave known me before...†Domi said in a low tone, not wanting to waste this time they had. “So I’m guessing this isn’t reversible?†He sounded hopeful. Domi gave a defeated shrug, then idly looked at his claws, “I’m not in Respawn anymore, far as I know my old data is gone. I don’t know how I could be changed back to ‘ow I was without Respawn and my old patterns.†He leaned his face into his hands, but soon his eyes were back to the Engineer. “Jesus,†Lance sighed, feeling bad for the Spy. To be a science experiment against your will, betrayed by your own company. “Not something you like to think about, I suppose.†“Non...not really.†The other sighed sadly, “But eet’s been 6 years so I’ve come to terms with eet, that iz all I can do.†“Ya know,†Lance tried to lighten the tone, and bring up things not having to do with his physical appearance for a minute, “I was mighty flattered when you started comin’ on to me. I....didn’t want anyone knowin’ I fancy men, it was part of why I was playing so ‘hard to get’. But really, I had no idea what a man like yourself wanted with a gear-jockey like me.†“You should give yourself more credit, Cheri.†The spy crooned, the distractive talk working. The engineer beamed, but was obviously humble to being given so much credit. He continued, “I know you said you liked my builds, is that all? Do you really like machinery or was it just the design aspect? You don’t seem like the kind to git your hands dirty...besides the obvious I mean.†Lance gave a backstab gesture to show his point. “Basically I feel like we come from two different worlds.†“Heh! Well, I may not look eet...but I am a bit of a buff for engines AND fine design.†Domi pet a hand over his lips in thought, compiling memories in his mind – “Because of my profession, always moving around and not leaving paper trails...I never owned a car in my adult professional life, but I’d rent cars, or was loaned them from an employer for a big job. Because of this, I got to drive many different models. All were sleek, beautifully designed machines. Ze purr those engines made was very lovely, because you can be assured I only drove ze best. I even got into working on some because I wanted to know more about ze engines, fixing up older models, learning like an apprentice at a few auto body garages on my travels.†The spy tried to draw its curves in the air as he continued, webbed fingers undulating, “One of my favorites to drive was ze Jaguar E-type, a long nosed car that seated two, leather seats, 6 cylinder, 3.8 liter. First gear lacked a synchromesh but really, you’re usually stopped when shifting into first anyway, oui?†He chuckled, throwing up his hands. Lance stared, jaw dropping. He was a CAR AFICIONADO? “I...uhh...yea,†Lance agreed with his last statement, still a bit in shock. “What’s weeth that look?†Domi leaned in close as he could. “I am just surprised is all! Pleasantly surprised. I actually got a ‘prechiation of cars too, I did some work more on ‘em when I was younger - now I’m all branched out as it were, but of course I still love to take apart any engine.†“Surprised someone like me could be into cars beyond ze leather interior?†Lance grinned wide, eye corners crinkling mischievously, “Jes means I won’t have to go easy on ya with explaining my devices, eh?†“Well I’m no Engineer, but oui, I am no idiot on ze matter.†The Texan wanted to lean in and nip and nuzzle at him right then and there, hearing him talk about engines and machinery like that, it made him all the more attractive. He stopped close to the mesh, twisting up his prominent lower jaw in annoyance. It was so hard to feel close to him, in every aspect, keeping the mesh there. Lance looked the spy in the eyes, like he was searching for any traces of deception. Assuming it was the truth when Domi said he wasn’t a BLU anymore, hadn’t been using him, put himself out into the open to get closer to HIM... ‘I trust you.’ Domi had told him, when he slipped away after the evening they got so physically close. The spy had put his faith in him, now it was his turn to do the same. The engineer didn’t say anything, but he gave Domi a look, and reached over and preformed the necessary switch sequence to power down the field. A low humm wrrred down and was silent. Domi watched as Lance went and got the key for the lid from the medic’s desk, “If you promise me you will not run off, I can have us talk face to face.†“I am no fool Mon Ami, they would suspect you eef I escaped like this. For your sake, I’ll stay put.†The spy answered, almost professionally, but then his voice softened, “I can endure anything ze Medic can do, eef eet means ‘aving you closer.†That answer and how he said it, made Lance feel confident. Still, his heart raced as he slowly unlocked the lid and pushed it up, hydraulic hinges making it pop up like a car trunk.
I'll just be here. Waiting in joyful anticipation.
Thank you for continuing the story, despite the fact that you are super busy! I am sure I speak for just about all of us when I say the wait is always worth it, no matter how long!
Aw. Character Development. I feel happy.
I don't even know how to communicate how giddy I am about this long awaited update, though I can't help but think a sour turn could take place next chapter. Very eagerly awaiting.
I could almost cry with how happy this made me. Lance and Domi's romance is just beautiful, and I hope so many good things for them. I feel like there's a little foreshadowing of bad times ahead regarding their secret meeting, which makes me a little nervous, but I know it'll all be worth it. This is my favorite story.
Welp. I will just go ahead and wait for the next update. This was just. Fantastic. I cannot wait. You are wonderful, Lithe.
I have spent the last 2 days (mostly sleepless evenings/nights) reading this fic. Was a slow starter but now it's gotten real good, good enough for me to comment. Please continue, I await to see how this romance blossoms between Lance & Dominique.
>>16. Great Tentaspy!!! I'd seen a pic of your Tentaspy before, but I didn't realize it was you. Did you base it on Dominique?
>>22 With things as they are you know it won't be smooth sailing, but at least they know each others feelings are genuine, that's a great start. >>24 Reading frenzy! Yea it IS a slow start but I like details, dual sword. Glad to have you on board! Comments/suggestions always welcome. >>25 I did indeed actually! You can tell by the dark circles under the eyes and the webbed hands with the fade/frills. I even had a flask: http://images.cosplay.com/big/31/3107070.jpg New chapter - Beta by Kuhzka..I really had fun with this part. [ Part 27 ] Two tentacles were entwined in the mesh lid, inspecting to make sure it really was safe, when the top popped open. They hung on, but let go as it fully extended - coiling back down and seeking purchase on the edges of the tank opening. It was unbelievably relieving to be face to face – Lance still looked so cautious. He couldn’t blame him though, not one bit. Lance eyed those special limbs with trepidation. “Do I frighten you?†The spy had to ask, much as it pained him. His voice was calm though. “I’d be lyin’ if I said I was fully at ease...but...no, I don’t believe you frighten me.†The Texan said truthfully, “It’s jes...so far out from anythin’ I know how to deal with.†“I am still a man, despite appearances,†the tentaspy said, “But...I indeed was worried you – anyone...would find me utterly repulsive. That even eef I could get close to someone, they couldn’t stand to ‘ave me touch them.†He sighed, looking over a curling tentacle there on the tank rim. The urge to touch the engineer was so strong, but he firmly anchored the appendages to the tank as a distraction. “Spah, if I found you repulsive, I’d not be here like this.†Lance was looking more and more relaxed, seeing it was safe having the lid open and them face to face. “Mon cheri, let me ease your nerves,†The spy crooned, leaning out beyond the confines of the tank slowly, carefully. The engineer didn’t recoil; he stood still, stiff as the tentaspy nuzzled into his rounded jaw. The other felt cool and damp on the surface, but surprisingly warm at the same time. The Texan groaned in a sigh, ohhh he felt nice. He reciprocated by leaning into the touch, and put up a strong hand to the other’s shoulder. Lance rested against the side of the tank, body shifting closer. His touch moved carefully up to Domi’s neck, and then to his wet hair. A vibration hummed through his ears – that deep purring sound was back. “Iz this alright?†The spy talked into the other’s skin, feeling over the texture of the Texan’s stubble with his smoother, angular face. “Yer jes fine,†the engineer whispered, relaxing more and more. Everything felt so good. It was quiet for a moment, but then a tingle shot through him as he felt wet, slow kisses to his collarbone. He bit his lip and strengthened his grip on the other’s hair. As receptive as the engineer was being, he could tell he was hesitant. ‘Just be patient Dominique,’ he told himself, ‘And if he doesn’t want to be closer to you than this, you’ll just have to accept that...it might be asking too much for him to accept the touch of your tentacles.’ But the engineer seemed to be quite amiable, groaning and leaning into the spy’s exploring mouth. Domi chuckled in his throat, easing the tension with some humor. “I wish that E-type ‘ad a backseat...then I could imagine you laid down across eet.†The reply was a surprisingly erotic moan, like that was actually rather sexy. ‘Humm...’ Domi smirked, kissing higher on Lance’s neck, ‘He sees machines as art, you know that...’. It was a little corny, but maybe all that mechanics talk really got to him. Creative thoughts quickly came to him - He whispered right into Lance’s ear, low and husky, talking about how he’d hug him closer than wind did on the aerodynamics profile of a Ferrari 250 GTO, or how they’d mesh better then the reciprocating motion of a Corvette Sting Ray’s engine. He then started throwing in French in-between, saying far naughtier things in his native tongue. It was like pure sex nibbling at his ear, and Lance groaned to show his arousal. Mechanics AND French? Was he dreaming? Spy had such a fucking sexy voice, low and commanding. His free hand gripped the side of the tank, smoothing over to Domi’s side. His groin pressed into the side of the glass, pressure building there. The warmth radiating in him was stalled by a squishy, slimy sensation that wrapped around his free hand. He reflexively pulled away from the tank edge. The tentacle that was eagerly exploring his forearm held firm, following with. Lance was not sure what to do, his first instinct was he wanted it OFF him, but he also remembered Domi saying the tentacles would never hurt him. It didn’t make the sensation any less alien. Domi pulled back to see what was going on, “Desole` ...†He apologized, and gave a look to the tentacle like he was scolding it, but he was really concentrating enough to consciously unstick it from something he very much wanted to touch. “No harm done,†The engineer drawled, watching the tentacle release and hover by the tank side, suckers pulling it along as it explored down the rim. “Jes surprised me. Feels all...hard to describe really.†He had a dual feeling. They fascinated him, but also frightened him; however, they were a part of the spy, like his legs were to him. They weren’t some animal without sentience behind them. Would he be so scared of another man’s legs? (Well, other men didn’t have slimy grabby suckers...) Lance reached out and tentatively stroked over the top of the tentacle. It contracted and arched into the touch, skin changing texture to something slightly bumpier. The limbs were soft but muscular. The tentaspy groaned in a sigh. “How much kin you feel through them?†Lance asked, full of curiosity. The arousal was sidelined, but kept bubbling in him like a low boil. “As much as arms and ‘ands, I can even taste, as well.†Domi replied, rolling the tentacle over to expose the suckers, which reached out for Lance’s fingers. They latched on and massaged along the digits. “Taste? Like a tongue?†The engineer was surprised to hear this. The feeling of the suckers tickled and his hand twitched against their motion. He then actively gripped back, cupping his hand around the limb with his thick thumb and forefinger. The limb curled right back. “Not as much as eating, but concentrating on one, I can taste a good amount, mostly with ze suckers,†he stated, like he wasn’t too ‘proud’ of such an aspect. But then the spy spoke more favorably, “Eet does feel nice to touch you, finally.†It had taken all his self control not to before that point. “Keeping them off you has been...not easy at times.†“I just didn’t think I was so irresistible.†Lance chuckled back. “It’s a whole ‘nother kind of touching, yea? Even so far, I’ve seen you bein’ awful cuddly.†He teased him, but he did not dislike this about him one bit. The Spy’s confidence and experienced air is something he found very attractive. But then after what he said, he imagined - cuddling with Domi, if they did so... FULL bodied, what that would entail. It would involve tentacles of course – eight of them. Suckers all over him, he would he be wrapped up like a fish in the grasp of an octopus. He tried to imagine what that could possibly feel like. As he let the tentacle coil up his arm now, the feeling was becoming less strange as he got used to it. But that was just one hand. “I admit...I’m a physical person.†The spy leaned on the tank edge, so he could plant a kiss to his lover’s cheek. “But so far you seem to be as well.†As they talked, a few more tentacles snaked up over the side of the tank. Lance eyed them. “I’d hope any hot-blooded Texan would be a physical man,†The other drawled, “Forgive me for makin’ the assumption, I always pictured you intellectual European types being so too.†“Hon hon! You mean faire la bise, oui? Ze stereotype us French get from ze ‘kiss kiss’ greetings or goodbyes.†He ducked under the water for a wet breath, then came up and demonstrated, giving a brushing kiss, but mostly to the air, to each side of the Texan’s face. “Ahh yea, that! That’s part of it.†“Understandable, but such a custom is not used as intensely as outsiders think, but eet is indeed commonplace.†“Seems like such a romantic place, full of sophistication, France and all. I’ve always wanted to visit.†The Spy lit up, like he was remembering fondly. “Oh there iz nothing more I’d want to do then to give you a grand tour. I’ve been so many places... I can’t lie, Europe can be a lovely place. Though from pictures I’ve seen America can be too, I just ‘ave not seen more than New York City, and zhis middle of nowhere base.†He sighed. “Just...well now...†He gave a look to the tentacle working its way up Lance’s arm. “Going back or giving anyone a tour would be nigh impossible.†“Oh Spah.†The Texan sighed, realizing how the topic might not have been a good idea. They only had so much time before 9 am rolled around, about an hour to go now...he didn’t want to leave the man sad. “I bet there is some way you could.†Lance replied, and it was his turn to lean in, “It’s mighty terrible seeing your face fall like that, though I’ll admit I would love to hear about what you’ve seen and done.†“I’ll tell you sometime, oui. Anything you like,†the Spy said, still sounding somber. But his tone changed as his favored Engineer pet his free hand behind his neck, and gave him a slow, strong kiss. Domi groaned into his touch, squeezing the other hand where the tentacle was coiled. It was hard to describe how lovely it was to feel connected like that, touching with his hands up around the Texan’s back, and then with a tentacle to his flesh. It was kind of overwhelming, and a rattling sound came out of him as they continued kissing. Tentacles curled up against his conscious control, he was just too distracted to stop them, and his brain was singling ‘embrace’ as his arms were doing, the tentacles followed. Lance jerked for a moment when the cool, wet, heavy strength of four tentacles wrapped around his torso. As they warmed against his body, he relaxed again, not missing a beat in their lip wrestling. He groaned, half confused and half aroused. It was so strange, the sensation...he couldn’t even place or compare it to anything he knew. Suckers gently gripped at his shirt, only able to get good purchase where they met flesh around his shoulders. Thankfully he wasn’t that ticklish, even so, where they ghosted his armpit hair it made him twitch. Feedback poured into the spy’s brain; contact, so much contact. He should have removed the limbs once he realized it...but he didn’t want to, he pulled the engineer close as he could, their hips both mashed into the tank’s wall. Lance seemed alright, he could tell if he was in distress, yes? And it wasn’t long after, Dominique could smell a wafting of arousal; yes he was enjoying this, he smelled so good. “Geezus.†The Texan gasped as they came up for air. He watched Domi’s head loll back for a moment, soon after snapping forward inhaling with an animalistic growl and cuddling him closer. He allowed the other to lick down his chin, all the way around. Lance tilted his head back so the spy could suck on his neck and throat. He grinded his groin into the front of the tank, his throbbing erection making his hips twitch. He needed it now, there was no turning back. “Domi,†he gasped, shortening his name down, “Fuck...dammit...†“You smell so good.†The other growled, ghosting his sharp teeth against his shoulder. The tentaspy reeled, biting his own lip to snap some reality back into his brain. Blood dripped off the broken flesh, iron and copper hitting his tongue as he licked and mouthed against Lance again. Better his own blood then Lance’s...“T...tell me, tell me if I go too far...†He was grinding his hips against the tank side, shuddering as he was drunk with pleasure. “O...okay,†Lance said vaguely, “Jes touch me please, you’re driving me crazy.†Domi reached down an arm, but it was highly awkward to try and get to the engineer’s groin in the position they were in and angling over the tank side. He abandoned that quickly, reaching hands up under his tank top instead... ...and probing a tentacle down the waistband of his pajama pants. Lance yelped with surprise, twitching more uncontrollably. He held around the damp tentaspy’s body, like he was hanging on for dear life, feet on tip toe on the stool as he was lifted up by the other’s strength. At first his legs clamped together at the intrusion, but as that soft tentacle tip bristled through his pubic hair, and then down his shaft...he loosened a bit, and away from the tank side. The tentacle had full access, in that he had no underwear on under those red PJ’s. The appendage coiled around him like a snake, massaging in waves as it worked its way to his cock’s head, where the nimble tip burrowed into his foreskin and pulled it back the rest of the way. “Ahhh!†He gripped his hands harder around the spy. “God dammit that’s weird...†“I concur...†Domi gasped back. He knew he had delicate control of his limbs, but it was the strangest thing to be there petting his hands over the other’s nipples while he had touch feedback from the third source where he was jerking him off. He could taste his pre-cum, it made Domi pause in a crossing of nerves and smack his tongue against his teeth with mouth agape, searching for the flavor. He just was too lost in what he was doing to have asked before he did it. The aware part of his mind reasoned Lance would speak up if something was wrong. He’d told him to after all... “You want me to stop?†“Don’t stop...!†Lance pleaded, almost cutting him off. It was weird and making him twitch, but it was melting into a GOOD weird. The heat in him was helping immensely. He spread his legs a little wider and then felt the thicker, trailing part of the probing tentacle cup around his balls, giving pulsing squeezes. A second tentacle pulled down the pants, just enough to catch under his ass and expose his wanting erection. Domi wanted to SEE this...just to confirm what he was doing. This was new to him as it was to Lance (as much as he’d fantasized doing so in his mind). It also allowed extra freedom of movement. Lance leaned over, head dipped, into Domi’s embrace. This let his cock have more room away from the glass as his ass was jutted backwards. He bucked his hips, tip toes digging into the stool. The tentacle stayed with him, squeezing his length and using his precum and its own slimy like coating as a lubricant. “Dammit dammit...†Lance gasped, fingers gripping his lover tight. “Oui, oui....that’s eet...†Domi crooned, face buried in the engineer’s scalp. Lance didn’t know it, but he was nursing his own erection too at that moment, moving with him. A growl rumbled out of his throat. The pace quickened and it crashed Lance over the edge. His toes and fingers curled just like the tentacles, legs locking and hips bucking as he came. His semen dripped down the tank glass as he fell limp. It took a few extra moments for Domi to then concentrate on his own orgasm, but it wasn’t hard to convulse himself into a frenzy and cry out with pleasure. It was during the crescendo of the other’s orgasm so it blended in. Lance could feel Dominique’s hard breathing and heart beating fast – so he could imagine he hit a high as well...he was too blown to think about it until Domi slid out of his grasp to wet his lungs. “Nnnnnn,†The Texan was limp, leaning his head on his arms. He heard how the other’s breathing was smooth when he came up again. “I’m guessing you enjoyed that?†“You seemed to,†The spy replied, nuzzling in a kiss, “Oui, you make ze most lovely groans.†“You doing all th’ work again...can’t I do somethin’ for you?†“I am quite pleased right now, don’t worry...but I’ll take you up on that offer next time.†He looked very pleased to hear the other wanted to do anything to him – but then his stomach growled quite loudly. The medic had barely been feeding him, and now after all that exertion... “Geezus, the medic feedin’ you?†Lance heard that easily, “Hey, I know, want me to sneak you somethin’ to eat?†“That actually that sounds like a very good idea.†Domi agreed with a thankful grimace, “Do we ‘ave time?†The clock on the wall read 8:25, they indeed had time. “It’ll jes take a sec,†Lance jumped down and pulled his pants up. He motioned to close the tank’s lid, “Jes in case someone comes in,†He said, locking it and putting the field back on. Domi nodded, looking at him through the thick wire with affection, then through the plexiglass watching the short Texan sneak out. There were leftovers from the other night in the fridge – cooked chicken and baked potatoes. The chicken was dry but some BBQ sauce fixed that. Lance turned around from his butt sticking out of the open fridge, and his nose hit right into a RED pinstriped vest.
Oh Lithe-Fider, you saved my night. Some asshat bumped Muscle Management, and for once I dared to hope it was an update. I saw this thread had been bumped too, and thank god it really is a new chapter, and with romantic porn no less! My soul feels soothed now. Thank you.
I literally gasped out loud when I read the words "RED pinstriped vest". This entire part was so romantic and sexy and then THAT. Jesus, trying to kill me or what? No, but seriously. This was an amazing chapter. I just love that it remained weird to Lance, but he's clearly so into Domi that he looks past it and goes with it. That kind of transcendent love means more to me than anything. The fact that it was also very, very sexy and romantic is just a bonus. So much love for this part. But yeah, totally biting my nails over what's going to happen next. How long was the RED Spy there? How much did he see? Inquiring minds... Please let them be not too bad off.
Dun dun duuuunnnn! >>28 I definitely agree; it was a shock to the system, but a good one at that. I am not sure if it was implied or not, but I almost groaned out loud when they didn't clean up after their...exertions on the tank. Can't have anyone seeing that, unless well, someone already has. Yeah.
Oooh cliff hanger. Man, excellent update, Lithe. I was so excited to see this had been updated! Ahh, you never cease to amaze me. Wonderful chapter. Can't wait for more!
Fabulous! Simply fabulous! I love everything about this, your writing is fantastic, and the story has me intrigued to no end~ can't wait for an update, you gave such a great cliffhanger! Yours,insanity.
this is so good... I confess I had never cried before with fanfiction until this. Specifically the end of chapter 16. I can't wait to see what happens next. Thanks a lot for sharing
I'm leaving on a 3 day trip but will be bringing a laptop so there shall be time to get lots of writing done on the 6 hour drive. >>29 Ahhh yea I forgot to add in Lance cleaning that up...cause he would while he was locking the tank back up (as he said 'in case someone walks in') Jizz on the glass might be a little...ahem, suspicious. But yes, assume he cleaned that up too. >>28 Oh indeed! Lance isn't disgusted just..."what-do?". He's very open to try out things now that he is more confident Domi's feelings ARE sincere and he is not a BLU Spy playing him on business. He likes Domi, and still finds himself hot'n'bothered by him, so he's willing to look past Domi's altered body and at least give it a try. Don't know unless you try, that's how he looks at building things and it translates into everything he does. And yea I'm a cliff-hanger masochist, sorry to startle you all, heh heh. I can't give spoilers unfortunately, you'll just have to wait!
This is one of the he's fanfictions I've ever read, if not THE best. With a radical author who updates and actually replies to anon and user comments alike. When I first picked up the story, I was all "nice little read" and then I saw how frequently you updated and all I could think was "JACKPOT." Also, at part 27, I ended up getting so into the story that I was looking at my clock like "it's 9:18 RUN LANCE, RUN!"
>>34 This is a VERY populair fanfic on the chan, and I would really appreciate it if you used the sage option. It might SEEM like this story updates every day, but that is because this is a re-upload because the last thread started auto-saging. You just made me believe there was a new chapter out, but there wasn't, only your comment. Next time when you post on a fanfic that hasn't been updated in a while, put the word " sage " into your email field, okay ? Thank you.
I wouldn't try and test it myself, but does putting 'Sage' also work, or does the capitalisation freak it out? Also, I agree with Insecuriosity; but how could we get this message out to all the anonymouses visiting the site? Maybe a sign in the chan home screen? Just a helpful suggestion...
I will be guinea pig here. This thread is already at top of the list, so here. I sage with a capital for once. There IS the moderators note, but I think it's become too big. Not every new person is willing to read through an entire thread just to know how to "sage". Maybe the sage should be added to the rules. I do think I should stop talking about this as it's getting off topic. I don't think I properly reviewed this story yet, so here. I really do love this fanfic and it's characters. Dark themes are present, but not in a mentally crippling way as I have experienced before in some of the fanfics on the chan. I don't think there is much I can say that hasn't been said before so I cut it off here. Great work.
"He grinded his groin into the front of the tank, his throbbing erection making his hips twitch. He needed it now, there was no turning back. " Grinded > Ground Domi is my favorite tentaspy and I hope you never stop writing.
All of my love, Lithe. I just- I honestly can't put all of my love for this story and the relationship you have been building into words, so... All of my love. All of it.
Yes it's a real update(!). Holidays kicked my ass - now back to our regularly scheduled tentaspy drama! [ Part 28] “Good morning laborer,†The RED Spy didn’t budge as he was bumped into, like he’d been waiting there behind the engineer. His tone was savvy but playful. “Up early?†“Spah...!†He tried not to look guilty of being up to anything, but it was hard when the other had that smug, knowing look. Despite them being on good terms and the Spy agreeing to keep his secret (when it came to being a fag), he still did not feel like he was fully trust worthy, “...I was hungry is all, that a crime?†The Texan put the plate down so he could get a glass of orange juice. “Non...of course not. Working up an appetite, mmm?†He leaned over smelling at the shorter man’s neck, where the experienced Frenchman saw marks easily identifiable as ‘love nibbles’. He could smell the sex on him too. The Texan bristled and pushed off the Spy, “What ya mean by that?†“I was walking by and ‘eard noises in ze infirmary...muffled and careful but I know such sounds.†The Spy got out a cig and lit it as he talked, “Fraternizing weeth ze enemy...tsk tsk.†‘Shit’, Lance thought. The jig was up now. His reply was firm, “Listen. That strange spah, he’s not with BLU anymore, he isn’t trying to infiltrate anythin’. He’s rouge, and wants nothin’ to do with the territory war.†“So you really ARE continuing ze little romance?†The Spy feigned a gasp, “Not to mention...†He made a wiggly hand/body gesture as if to indicate ‘tentacles’, “ ’ave you looked at ‘im recently? He’s not just a BLU, he’s a BLU experiment. And yes he told me that as well, all about not being a BLU anymore, this and that, but eet doesn’t make sense to me.†“Well if you took two seconds to listen to ‘im you’d hear BLU fucked him over pretty good.†Lance struck back, “They think he’s dead, they tried to kill him after what they did, to cover it up I bet. He impersonated you so he could get closer to me.†“Again I reinstate - BLU...SPY...†The Frenchman gestured with his cigarette. “Would ya shut up?†Lance practically growled, giving a ‘back off’ push to the other RED this time, “He’s...he’s all by himself, ya hear?†“I WANT to believe eet Mon Ami, but my experience just reads otherwise, I’m sorry.†The Spy blew some smoke into the air, “I don’t say these theengs to spite you.†“He’s locked up because of you, you know.†The engineer said low, brushing away the smoke. “You, that’s how I reeled him in.†He paused, “Weeth you.†“What?†“I disguised as you and borrowed one of your shirts to mask my scent – it was like a cat to cat nip. Quite clever really – after I saw ‘ow much he was after you.†“You sonava- !!†Lance lunged at him and grabbed his collar – the Spy stumbled into the kitchen table, backside pressing into its edge and knocking over a chair. The Spy threw him off after he got his footing, looking defensive. He’d forgotten how strong the stocky little Texan was. “If eet is true ‘e is rouge, then I apologize, I’m just calling eet as I see eet. At least we are even now; I got my retaliation back for what he did to me.†The spy took a stressed drag on his cig, “He attacked me twice, you know.†“I know...you told me.†Lance sighed, picking up the food, “I’d appreciate if...you kept this quiet too. Me ‘n’ him.†“I don’t fully trust ze new medic, so really eet shouldn’t be a problem. Also while ze BLU is locked up in ze infirmary, he’s no threat to security either. But for this ‘rouge BLU experiment’ to ‘ave my trust, I’ll need some concrete evidence.†“He’s staying put fer my sake, not just running off when I open the lid, that good fer starters?†The engineer huffed. “Not really,†The Spy looked skeptical, fixing his vest from the earlier assault. The engineer walked off with a scowl, not wanting to deal with this any longer, not to mention he was short on time. The Spy followed silently, but with no attempt to hide his presence. By the time they got to the infirmary the Texan turned, “What?†He snapped. “I’m going to keep an eye on you. For...your safety, oui?†The RED Spy raised his eyebrows. Lance gave him the fishy eye, but his tone sounded open - so he let the spy follow in. Dominique’s tentacles covered the glass like they were just as eager and happy to see the engineer returning as their smiling master was. He felt his stomach turn over in anticipation of food. However, his body froze when he saw the RED Spy come in behind Lance. “Sorry ‘bout the tag-along,†Lance gave a gesture to the Spy, “He’s incorrigible.†“Mon Dieu...†The Spy whispered, taking in the sight of the tentaspy through the Plexiglas. Fear welled up in him, but he told himself the BLU was securely in caged in that tank, energy field and all. Was...until the Engineer shut off the field and put the key in the lid’s lock. Domi came up right away and leaned on the tank edge, eyeing the intruder. The RED Spy was not quite mentally prepared, as Lance had gotten it open so swiftly...he took a step back, keeping distance, at least what he thought was a safe distance. The tentacled Spy had both anger and apology towards his RED counterpart, evening out to a general dislike - but not hatred. Dominique had got what was coming to him. Being captured by RED wasn’t part of the enemy Spy’s plan as far as he knew, and he couldn’t hate the other for his retribution, and what he thought was protecting RED from BLU infiltration. However, his instincts and tentacles felt differently, especially as the other Spy’s scent filled Domi’s nostrils. A spark of uncontrollable emotion rose in his gut, causing him to bristle like the time he attacked him by the canal - COMPETITION ENEMY THREAT Tentacles reached out to grasp, faster then the RED Spy ever expected. The spy stumbled back just barely missing their reach, falling on his ass as he scrambled out of the way, - “Sacrebleu!†The tentaspy growled in a low hiss, like a warning, eyes dilated in an inhuman fashion as the tentacles recoiled after reaching their maximum strech – and what they wanted was out of reach. He hunched over the edge of the tank as he grasped it, like he was moving to crawl out. Lance backed away, not quite sure what was happening, as he’d seen no aggressive move from his comrade. But Domi had been through a lot, the stress would wear on any man, especially someone in the former BLU’s position. The engineer put his hands out in a halting gesture, “Dominique! He ain’t even armed, calm down.†Dominique seemed to defuse as he heard Lance’s familiar voice. The engineer was reminded of a time he talked down a scared dog, and he had a similar tone as he moved closer, trying not to show apprehension. He held the plate of food out too; food placated everyone, animal or human. “It’s okay, no one here is going to hurt ya.†“Not an enemy indeed,†The RED Spy grumbled to himself as he got up, dusting off like he was attempting to retain dignity. He eyed those tentacles carefully; they were back in the tank, gripping up the sides. The tentaspy lowered his head, face turning to normal as the Texan came up on the stepstool. He nestled closer to Lance like he was trying to calm down, taking deep breaths. But it was also a possessive gesture, as if saying ‘This is MINE’ to the other in the room. “I’m sorry,†Domi whispered, leaning into Lance’s shoulder, distracting himself with his lover’s smell and cutting off his visuals. He raised his voice then, addressing the other, “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.†“Like ‘ell you weren’t.†The RED Spy sneered, “That look in your eyes... eet was like when you dragged me into the canal like a wild animal.†He sighed in relief as nicotine sated his nerves. Domi could not refute that...he WAS like some wild animal then, and at times. He opened his eyes again, the smell of food now overtaking him. “Merci...†He whispered to the engineer, taking the plate gently. At least he could eat like a person as compared to the medic’s offerings, Lance having brought utensils. “What do you want? An apology?†Domi addressed the RED Spy, stabbing his fork into a chunk of chicken. “Non.†“Then why are you ‘ere?†He took a bite of the food. As when the medic fed him, he was reminded how HUNGRY he was...he wolfed it down, albeit far more neatly as he had utensils, controlling himself as much as possible. “Reconnaissance,†The RED Spy took a careful step closer. He didn’t want to LOOK afraid. God...it was surreal. Those tentacles, him in the tank...how could such a thing existent? “Everything I’ve ever told you is ze truth.†Domi stated, licking off the fork. “Fellas, lets be civil about this - †“Oh yes, civil is ze half-animal man’s middle name.†Dominique narrowed his eyes at the RED Spy and curled up some tentacles threateningly. Though now he was in full control, it was a teasing, warning gesture. Lance groaned, “You two want to penis fence and git it over with?†Dominique broke his concentration and snapped his head over to the engineer like he couldn’t believe that came from his mouth. The moment was further loosened by the RED Spy bursting out laughing, snorting and all. “AHH ohh! Hahaaa!†He bit his lip, and doubled over. “Do you even ’AVE one?†Dominique frowned and a growl came from him, “Want to find OUT?†The tentaspy said as he handed the plate to a tentacle like ‘hold this,’ and he moved to crawl out of the tank again. “Keep your...appendages right where they are!†The RED Spy yelped uncharacteristically, jumping backwards. The ‘monster’ retreated, chuckling at the reaction he incurred. It was then Lance looked at the clock on the wall, “Doc and the new Medic will be back in here soon, we don’t wanna cut this close.†He said with urgency. Dominique seemed to sober considerably, like reality crashed back down on him. “I’ll be back late tonight again’...alright?†The engineer sighed, “Or if the doctors aren’t in here at some point – they can’t be in here all day even if it’s th’ weekend.†“Oui...†The former BLU sighed, tentacles curling up into a ball in the water. One strayed, suckering a tip around the Texan’s hand that was holding onto the tank edge for support. Lance didn’t hesitate, best not to waste time. He pet his free hand behind the spy’s wet hair, giving a firm goodbye kiss – he looked like he could use the encouragement. They lingered, drawing it out. “I mean, I bet you Spies are trained for this kinda stuff,†Lance said like him being worried wasn’t belittling the other’s tenacity. “I’ll be fine,†Dominique whispered. “Don’t mind me,†The RED spy took a sarcastic drag on his cigarette with lowered eyelids. The engineer looked up at his taller teammate with joking disdain as he stepped down from the tank, plucking the plate from the tentacle that had been holding it. He locked it up securely like nothing had happened. Dominique watched them leave, a pain hitting his chest as the infirmary was once again quiet and dark except or some light coming in from the covered windows. He wasn’t looking forward to the coming hours.
Haven't finished the chapter but it appears you have "rogue" mixed up with "rouge" and, especially with the Spies being French, I got VERY confused as to what they were trying to say.
I whooped with joy seeing that there was an update (even though I'm in a library)
This fic updated, my night is now awesome.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. There are a few errors though, mostly misspellings and grammatical things. I'm assuming when you write "rouge spy" you mean "rogue spy"? Other than that, man this is awesome.
Lithe! You updated! I swear I should have my webcam turned on recording me whenever I see an unexpected update. I'm always so gleeful when you update. Captcha, y u Greek letters?
Oh man wonderful update! It was very playful and fun, I very much enjoyed it. Keep it up, Lithe!
Yes! Finally an update! I couldn't wait for this, this fic is so well written and has such a good plot... Dominique, the OTT (Original True Tentaspy)!
I know this just updated but I can't wait for the next update! This is one of my favorite fics, and while I liked parts of the original, I like every part of the rewrite!
Op I love you. That's all I just really love you. Tentaspy get's no real love outside of tentacle fetish and joke kind of stuff. This is the first seriouse story that is also very very well written. I can't wait for an update.
Thanks for the comments and help everyone <3 I fixed those mentioned errors in the main file. Next part will be sooner then this was to the last as it's like a second half of this part pretty much - but I broke it up to get more out to you sooner as I'm really busy atm. Beta on this chapter done by The Warsager! [ Part 29 ] Lance tried to distract himself with work. Sparks ricocheted off his welding mask as he connected metal the sheeting of a sentry together. He couldn’t deny that all he wanted to do was peek into that infirmary, where he knew the docs were poking and prodding their captive. It made his chest ache knowing he couldn’t do anything... “Lance - †A voice broke his concentration, causing him to scorch the gloved hand holding the metal component in place. “Jeezus William,†he flicked up his mask and shook his hand to cool the glove. “Didn’t mess ya up did I?†The older engineer came closer, tone apologetic, but not being too showy about it, “You just seem mighty distracted. Somethin’ on your mind?†“Jes, thinkin’ about that new build is all, your energy barrier,†he lied. “It’s fascinating, you gonna use that on the field?†“I just gotta create something to control it, perhaps a remote of some kind.†the other replied, petting a hand over his chin. “I checked on the holding tank in the infirmary this mornin’, it’s holding stability jes fine.†“Oh?†Lance perked up, curious for more information. “Yea, the docs wanted me to oversee deactivating the field so they could take the BLU outta there for questioning.†“You think an experiment would really have any good intel?†It put a sour taste in Lance’s mouth calling the former BLU Spy an ‘experiment’ – but it sounded like something someone might call him if they didn’t know any better. “He’s a BLU Spy, he must know somethin’.†William went over to his work bench and got a pack of cigarettes out of the drawer. “So...how did they get him out? Had to tranquilize him?†Lance questioned, though he knew what they MUST do. “Yea, tranq dart...fella hisses like a snake and a lion combined. Then did that thing they did to him when they first brought him in, paralyzed him from the waist down so they could put him on a gurney - no other way I imagine.†Lance swallowed, putting down his torch and removing his welding mask. “You’ve been workin’ hard, want to come out back for a drink with me ‘n Roscoe?†William offered him a cigarette while he was at it, “I know you don’t really smoke, but not even occasionally?†William did not seem chipper about the situation in the infirmary but it disturbed Lance how unfazed he seemed to be by it. William had always seemed very deadpan and calculated, as accustomed to death as any of them were, but perhaps more desensitized to it then most. And it scared Lance sometimes. “I’ll come out back,†Lance waved a ‘no thank you’ to the cigarette as he followed alongside his comrade. He wanted to hear more about what was going on in the infirmary. But at the same time he wasn’t sure if he should. Roscoe greeted them he was already there with some beer bottles and an opener. Lance took one and sat on a raised crate. The trio of engineers talked about the tank build a bit even after completing a work they always thought about ways it could be improved or applies to future works. Roscoe seemed interested about the field generator much as Lance – maybe more so at that moment, the dirty blond engineer seemed a little quiet. “Looks like rain.†The oldest Texan mentioned as he looked to the sky as they leaned against the wooden slats of the of the RED base’s wall. The air was getting humid – and foreboding clouds loomed in the distance of the flat landscape. “We could use some rain around ‘ere.†Roscoe nodded, shaking his beer bottle to check how much was left. “Fer us this ain’t too far from home, we’re used to this kinda weather and surroundings,†Lance piped up, “I wonder what our team mates who come from far away think a’ it.†“Mercenaries don’t get homesick,†William stamped out his cigarette. ... It was dark, and rain was just beginning to drizzle and hit the roof of the base. It looked like it could rain all night – maybe even be worse by daybreak. It made the air cool and humid, a strange way for the air to feel there. The dripping of rain helped mask the sound of the engineer’s footsteps. It was late, almost midnight. He’d planned to check in at the crack of dawn like before, but he couldn’t wait. Not knowing what was going on was killing him. Just a quick hello, then he could come back at day break. Sneaking not quite as expertly as a spy the lone RED Engineer crept into the dim and empty infirmary. They had a surgery chair out, set upright...so it was turned into an interrogation chair. Lance imagined what they had been using it for. However, while its padded surface was still glossy and wet, the Spy himself was no longer there. He was back in the secure tank. Lance crept up, his eyes adjusting to the low light. He could see Domi was curled up on the bottom, his back to the glass, arms wrapped around himself but avoiding his gills. He squatted down and looked him over; he must not realize yet he was there. Poor fella looked hunched and in pain, he thought, or perhaps just sadness? A hand was placed to the plexiglass, and still there was no response. “Dominique?†The Texan finally whispered, knowing the other could hear through the water. The figure in the tank jerked as if he were awoken from a desperate sleep, that or he was so on edge that any sound set him off. There was a pause and he turned his head around. He didn’t light up as animated as before, but it was obvious that the engineer’s presence was a sight for sore eyes. Tentacles shifted under the spy, pulling him up to the surface so he could speak. “Mon Cheri,†Domi said hoarsely, looking through the mesh at the engineer. Lance stood up on the stool they were keeping by the tank, “Jeezus your voice,†He noticed right away. The man sounded like he’d been shouting all day or maybe gasping....or screaming. Domi swallowed thickly, head leaning on his folded arms on that little shelf running around the tank’s inner rim. “Eet...might be better eef you come back tomorrow morning...like before.†He rasped, his words understandable but clearly pained. “What they do to you?†The engineer realized after he said it that maybe asking questions to make him talk wasn’t a good idea. The spy ducked his head under the water briefly, then was back up again, tapping a hand to his throat and chest, face crinkling up like he was sorry. A hand gestured against as close as he dared to the force field electrified mesh, claws curling inwards. “So ya think you might be less hoarse by tomorrow, that what you tryin’ to say?†Lance questioned, worried. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning...like before, yea?†The other nodded, giving a weak smile. “I won’t make ya talk then...you...sure you’re alright?†The spy gave a shallow sigh and nodded; yes, he was alright enough. He bet Domi would hate to be belittled with worry, like it might make him feel* weak. But the Texan WAS worried...and it had nothing to do with weakness. He wanted to scoop up the man right then and there, comfort him and take him away from this place. It hurt to see him like this. He was just getting to know the man behind the mask and he already felt so strongly toward him. Why did he have to meet someone like this, in a place like this where he never would have suspected to find someone who cared for him and he back? Was he doing the right thing? ‘Don’t lie to yourself boy, you love him’, the Texan scolded himself in his mind. ‘And look at how he looks at you; you’re everything to him. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted in a man? Someone strong, educated, attractive, and loyal to you? Someone who you could put your trust in?’ Lance sank down to sit on the stool, peering into the dim water. Domi followed him, putting his hands to the glass, a longing face staring right back. He put his own hands up to meet the spy’s, sighing and cursing at himself for looking like a tangled mess of emotion. He leaned his head against the tank. “It’ll be okay...alright?†the Texan spoke into the glass, eyes to the floor, “I don’t know how...but...it’ll be okay.†... ... The engineer left, and Domi collapsed limp to the bottom. He’d done his best to look strong for him, but his whole body felt drained and sore. To see the other’s worried expression energized him but at the same time he felt bad that he was putting Lance through all this. He never thought he could be captured as he’d always been so careful. Domi managed to get to sleep in hopes that his voice would be back by dawn with a night of cool water flowing through him. He was glad to have his dreams back; sleeping above water on the table the nights were just dark and long. Though sometimes his dreams were bittersweet. He did not mind the flashbacks to when he was a boy, or when his parents were killed by the Cosa Nostra, or even when he was a very young man just starting as a negotiator in the Unione Corse. They were in the past and done with, were as they always were. They were just paintings on a wall of a museum; they stirred emotions but in the end they were just something to reflect on. It was when he dreamed of him as his current age, at the BLU and RED bases that he tossed and turned. This was his reality, his prison, where his life had been taken from him. He was reminded of what he lost, and how he’d come to live. Sometimes he was a third person view, watching himself, like how someone would watch a wild animal in a cage. Naked, crawling on hands and ‘knees’ up onto a riverbank to stalk prey, with dripping fangs and rattling voice. That was him. Why was it he only took such shame in it when looking in from the outside? Was this how others, how Lance, saw him too? His dreams taunted him. He dreamt he was a normal BLU Spy again, and taunted the RED Engineer, sapping his sentry and laughing as he flicked his cigarette into his dispenser. But he couldn’t kill him. He pressed him up into that warm dispenser, pushing a knee into the other’s groin, stroking a hand down his side and stealing a kiss. The Texan grabbed his ass, kissed back. He begged and asked for it, he wanted him, there was no hesitation. Then as these things always make sense in dreams, it was another day and there was soft jazz music playing on a record player. He had a freshly washed suit on, the Engineer actually wearing a simple red button down. There was a bright moon out and the air was dry and warm. Domi reveled in the feeling of that dry, warm suit. He smirked and was then grabbed up by the shorter Texan – dancing. Dancing was so easy on two legs. A tapping awoke him.
Hnnnnnnnnnnngh.
Such a cruel cliffhanger. I would actually love to see this entire story reposted on fanfiction.net. It's just so brilliant. One of my favourite stories ever, for sure. Continue! Continue!!
I agree with the post above me. I'd love to have this on fanfiction only to have it forever and ever. Again can't wait for the next chapter.
My gosh, this is the best fic I've ever read with tentaspy, or with spy, or TF2 fanfic in general! This HAS to go on fanfiction.net, or stay on internet forever! IT IS TOO GOOD!
best fic HAS to go on fanfiction.net I laughed. It was an ugly kind of laugh, though. In any case, I’m sure Lithe will post her fic to the online archives of her choice if and when she pleases. Also, since I assume you’re new here, I’ll give you a bit of friendly advice: Type sage into the e-mail field when commenting on older threads to avoid bumping them. Bumping an old thread without providing new content is considered bad manners and might get you banned from the board. And Lithe, we’re all waiting anxiously for the next part. Your fic IS the best. Please keep up the good work!
54 I HOPE YOU DIE IN A FIRE. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW.
I agree with 55. I don't care about where this is archived. Fanficition is just one of the archives out there. As long as this is some how perminatly on the internet forever. Also 54 you jerk I thought the story updated.
I'm crying. I thought this was finally updated.
Oh god. Please sage in the future. We all love this fic, but no one likes to see their favorite fic on the front page, only to find out that it is not updated.
Oh someone did not sage, whoops! Next chapter has been done for a week just waiting for proofing / beta to be done, so expect an update tomorrow night if all goes well. Been busy! In the meantime (and making this message worth the bump - ) suffice with these (warning fluffy) fanservice pics I took with Drillbot at Katsucon Feb 18. Anyone who recalls the pre-rewrite fic will know the significance of the bridge: http://lithefider.tumblr.com/post/17980233254/you-shall-now-be-killed-with-cuteness-of-me-and (Click the thumbs to make them larger) To answer questions - For secondary posting places - the fic was being mirrored on Y! galley but that is down too for now, so I'll make a whole separate side tumblr blog to post chapters for it or something, not a big deal. I CAN'T post it on FF.net cause of the sex, they technically don't allow NC-17 writing, only up to 'R' now. Also thanks so much for the comments I love hearing from readers, be it praise, constructive crit or anything. Thanks! :)
As promised! Beta by Warsager. [ Part 30 ] Dominique was greeted through the plexiglass by a strong-jawed Texan - out and about before the crack of dawn and smiling hopefully in regards to the aquatic captive feeling better then the night before. Domi shook off his dream, stretching and yawning out a breath of water. Reality, yes, unfortunately this was the real world. Tired, hungry, naked and still a monster trapped by RED. At least the part of a smiling lover being there was real. He smiled back, coming up close to the glass. The engineer tapped his own throat asking ‘How do you feel?’ in gesture. Domi swallowed and felt at his neck. It WAS less sore, thank goodness. His face reflected the feeling, nodding. Lance jumped up on the stool and Domi heard a key in the lock as the humming of the force field shut off. He was up and above the water in a shot –letting air into his lungs to allow him to speak. There was the sound of his throat clearing- “Good morning, Cher,†he tested. Still a little hoarse, but it did not hurt to talk any more. “You sound better!†The Texan drawled with relief, also sounding impressed, “Got over what happened so fast.†“Mostly better...oui. Just a leetle sore.†He smiled weakly, clearing his throat again. Domi was no fool – “You must wonder what ‘appened...†He stated, leaning out on the edge of the tank. Lance now could see bruising on his torso. He was not surprised at the forward answer, seemed like the spy’s style. It took him a moment to formulate a reply, “Course I do, I jes, didn’t wanna make you say something you didn’t wanna repeat.†the engineer said, petting the other’s arm. The touch was leaned into and met with an approving sigh, so Lance put his head on Domi’s shoulder, hugging both large hands up to his lover’s neck. That helped to calm the spy’s nerves immensely. Lance deserved to know and the tentaspy had no major reservation to repeat it beyond feeling shame at his situation. So he began talking, explaining the day before like someone talking about a day at the office, like a detached professional. “Eet was actually most ‘typical’ yesterday; I was treated like a captive wanted for intelligence. Of course I ‘ave none to tell, but they questioned me, tortured me...and I thank your docteur; he ‘eld ze other back. But of course, besides interrogation, ze medic wanted to perform more tests on my limits. “So they denied me water to see how long I’d last. I was left in ze chair, restrained. Of course, I started suffocating. I really did not know ‘ow long I would last before I passed out, I’d never tested myself that far. I was gasping and ‘olding onto consciousness far longer then even I expected – I was getting just enough oxygen to stay alive for a time, but eet was not pleasant. Eet felt...like how people with asthma sound, or like someone weeth a knee to your chest and a tightening grip around your throat. “Ze Medic brazenly released my binds...and even disconnected ze paralysis IV as eet was ze end of ze night. He taunted me as I struggled to move, and fell out of ze chair. My tentacles were paralyzed of course, as the IV medicine takes a while to wear off. I was free... but couldn’t do anything. “After that eet’s a little fuzzy... but I woke up in ze tank. They must ‘ave put me in after I blacked out and revived me weeth ze medigun, as long as I still had a flicker of life ze medigun would work.†Domi ducked under the water to wet his throat, coming back with a sigh. “Geezus,†Lance said as the other finished. He didn’t quite know what to say; he had no control over what had happened nor could anything he say make it better. He felt helpless. And that made him angry. “Bastards...I’m sorry.†He growled in a sigh, leaning on the tank edge where Domi had been before. “Don’t look sad. ’aving you ‘ere makes eet better.†The former BLU smirked, giving a slow, purring kiss to his Texan love’s stubbly cheek. “I ‘ave good news though. Well...good and bad.†“Anythin’ sounds good if you give me an intro like that,†Lance groaned into the touch. The spy chuckled then explained, “Good news; ze medics will only be in ‘ere briefly today – because your ‘Doc’ must transfer all ze team’s personale files to Eppelheim’s care. Teach him all of ze protocol. This is because I overheard that ze supply train is coming tomorrow. “But your Doc is leaving sooner then expected. That ze bad part.†“Shit! So soon?†Lance rubbed a hand over his velveteen hair. That was BAD. Who knew what the new medic would do with the old doc gone? He thought they had at least another week. “Oui...I am looking forward to ze day of rest though.†A day of rest before anything worse could happen. In his pause, Domi stopped to listen. That sound outside was familiar. He smelled at the air. “Domi?†Lance asked. “Eet’s raining!†He answered, quite sure now. “Ah it is, started last night.†Lance replied, seeing the spy light up and wondering for a moment why he seemed so delighted by this. Wait, how stupid of him to have to think about it. “Ahh of course you’d like the rain! Must let you stay on land longer, yea?†The tentaspy nodded, “Especially for my lungs. I always love eet when eet rains.†It was sad that on one of the rare occasions it rained around those parts he was stuck in the RED infirmary in a cage. He slumped and growled in frustration. His grumpy face was too much and the engineer couldn’t help a groaning chuckle as he pet over his arm. He decided to try and distract him with questions that were now gnawing at him. “So when you go out on land, is it hard for you? I assume you can walk decently enough as when you were disguised. I couldn’t tell the difference. Most I ever saw of you ‘walking’ was when I caught you attacking Spah and ...†He grinned nervously, remembering that he had shot Dominique and forgot that fact until he began mentioning the event. Domi remembered the incident, especially the bullet, digging it out at least. “I hold no ‘ard feelings for that, Cheri. Please theenk nothing of eet.†He pointed to his shoulder where there was no mark as he’d healed it up in short time with a medkit he had stolen. “And oui, I can walk on land decently enough. I don’t like to walk fully upright for long periods; the higher I stand on my tentacles the ‘arder eet is. But I ‘ave learned a decent way of getting around.†He glanced over the side of the tank like he was considering the distance. “I still feel a lil guilty fer shooting you, but thanks.†The engineer replied, stepping off the stool after seeing that Domi was leaning very far out, “You thinking of coming out? The sun isn’t even fully risen yet and you said th’ docs will be gone most of the day, ya got time.†“I ‘ate to waste a rainy day. Ze cameras won’t see any of this anyway long as we keep to ze back.†He pointed as he ‘straddled’ the lip of the tank, tentacles seeking the floor like someone carefully toeing into a hot bathtub. Lance looked where Domi was pointing. Indeed there was one of the many security cameras, he actually had never noticed the one in the infirmary before. He suddenly got a pang of dread; what if they’d seen him helping what looked like a BLU?! “You said they won’t see? You mean that camera is not on?†He swallowed. “Calm yourself,†Domi gestured, then used his hands to hold onto the tank lip as he turned backwards. “Far as I know, all ze cameras in ze bases are non-operational. Only ze ones on ze field work. I guess they stopped caring what ze men did after hours as long as the job was getting done. That or they got tired of watching all the gay sex.†He smirked, as HE knew everything that had been going on at the bases for the past 6 years. “Far as I know you men assume they all work.†Domi suckered down the side of the tank; the powerful grip of his many suckers, especially the largest ones on the smooth glass, easily supported his weight. Stretched out it was easy to glimpse his injured tentacle, severed by Eppelheim. It was re-growing, but still had over 2 feet to go. The floor came up under him, his body sinking down into the mass of tentacles as he settled. As soon as all his tentacles were off the glass he brought them up under himself and rolled into a ‘standing’ position, getting to eyelevel with Lance. At that height it was easy to balance but when taller it could be more tiring. Lance watched. God the way he moved was so strange. Strange, but fascinating; so many limbs everywhere, moving smoothly and rolling with pure muscle. He couldn’t help but take notice of one seeking along the floor, reaching towards his position like it could sense him. It touched his foot and twitched like a blind man having found what he’d been looking for, then coiled around his ankle with assured confidence like it was pleased. Lance didn’t stop it, but he kept an eye on it. Domi had not taken notice of the stray tentacle acting on its own; he was more concerned with making sure his tentacles were supporting his weight correctly. They’d been paralyzed most of the day before and he’d had to deal with that terrible burn of their nerves reconnecting through the night. The fact he was tired and undernourished wasn’t helping either. He wobbled a bit, his many limbs adjusting as he stumbled. “Ya got that?†The engineer put his hands up, but Domi caught himself. “Ah oui,†Domi did put a damp hand to his shoulder for some support though. “I feel naked weethout my gear...†‘and clothes’ he thought, as he rubbed his wrist where a cloaking watch usually was. There was a small tan line showing that it was indeed a usual fixture. “but I think they got yer clothes over here actually,†Lance put up a hand, going to the medic’s desk. The stray tentacle had to release him as he ran off. Indeed, there was Domi’s folded clothes, and gear, on a table by the recovery beds. They were handed to their owner, who got to putting them on. He’d replaced this current set about a year ago, his clothes wore out fast being constantly wet and dragged over concrete, dirt, grass and the occasional self inflicted claw rips. He would always steal from the current BLU spy if he needed clothes. Even so, this pair was starting to look worn; there was a rip in the shoulder where he’d been shot, scuffs on the edges of the vest, dulled colors from silt and dirt. It made him sigh inwardly with shame and disgust. While he tried to keep looking nice as much as possible for his own pride, he let it go further then he’d have liked had he expected to be seen as his true self so closely... It still felt good to be mildly presentable again, and Domi straightened his posture with approval as he was buttoning his vest. Lance couldn’t deny it was nice to see him back in his clothes. Attractive as his torso was, he loved a man in a vest and tie. It wasn’t his own usual style, but he liked it on others. It was sophisticated and sexy. Also he could guess how much being well dressed meant to spies. To be stripped of that and treated like an animal in a cage was especially demeaning. Lance indeed noticed how his clothes were stained and worn, but he could imagine how hard a life he must lead. It didn’t bother him none. He was usually covered in oil and grease himself, Domi looked downright wedding formal compared to him on a workday. “You look great,†Lance came in close to tighten up his tie for him, tentacles made way for the close figure like scattering fish, then slowly went back to settle in around him. “Merci...†He sighed, ‘Great by bushman standards maybe...’. All the same, he pet his hands up and kissed at the other’s forehead. A contented purr rolled out of his chest. Lance embraced him back, kissing his cheeks and near his mouth. The spy helped him out and full on kissed him without hesitation. As they explored one another, Domi’s tentacles were not left out as they coiled loosely about the engineer, some snaking up his legs. To Lance, the feeling was still alien; soft, wet, pulsing and strange. But more and more he was coming to associate it with the touch of a lover, and then it didn’t seem so unfamiliar. “Look at you purrin’ like a Plymouth Barracuda,†The engineer chuckled. “I got to drive an imported one of those in England.†Domi whispered back not missing a beat. “A Formula 'S' V8?†Lance said between mouthing at the Frenchman’s neck. “Commando 273 engine, definitely felt like more then the posted 235 hp...†“Nngggg,†The other started nipping lightly at his cool flesh. “Cher...you’ll...†He gasped and moaned, biting his lip. By the second gasp his sore throat seized as it recalled the dry, breathless horror of the previous day, and he began coughing. Not quite at 100% again. “Merde!†Domi hissed, inhaling hoarsely like someone with an asthma attack. He fumbled over to the infirmary sink and slumped right onto it, turning on the faucet full blast. He inhaled water thickly from the tap – it gushed from his suit’s sides, causing a wicking of wet to appear. Turning off the faucet, he remained there as he caught his breath. Lance couldn’t help but feel guilty even though it had not really been his fault. He put a caressing hand to his lover’s back as he quieted down, “Better git ya out in the rain, yea?†“Oh Cher...†He hunched up tighter over the sink, tentacles doing similarly in coils, “I’d give anything...to be the whole man you deserve...†He whispered. “Babe?†He only heard mumbling as the spy’s face was right in the basin. “Just clearing my throat,†Domi took a deep breath as he used his hands to help push himself back up. He leaned into his engineer, who helped him stabilize. “Alright – let’s venture out quickly before we run out of time,†He said as he clicked his cloaking watch on. There was a shimmer of the air and the spy was gone as he came off of Lance. Long as he didn’t make contact with anyone he’d remain fully invisible. “Better safe than sorry, yea.†The engineer nodded, carefully opening the infirmary’s door so they could go and creep out the base’s back entrance. “Okay,†The spy whispered, signaling from the hall he was through the door. As they got out back, thankfully with no surprises, the sky was light with dawn but things were overcast and hazy. It was drizzling, warm, thick and slow. Domi’s form was revealed by the drops hitting him, but if he stood still and low in the shadow of the building a passerby would have missed him. They crept behind some shipping crates. No one else was up yet, as expected of a Sunday. Taking more careful looks around, Lance gestured that the coast was clear. Domi flickered into view, the rain hitting him painted him back into existence. Lance patted down his own clothes, surrendering to the fact he’d be soaked by the time their outing was done. It was warm weather at least. “Mmmm,†Domi hummed, turning his face up into the rain, parting his mouth and slicking his curly hair back. His tentacles relished the soft earth, the damp grass. He took in the fresh air and sky again. Breathing was so pleasant with the air humid like this. “Ya look so content,†Lance said, hands coming to the other’s waist. “I ‘ave two of my favorite theengs....rain, and you.†Lance mentally melted under the blatant compliment, giving the spy’s hips a playful push like he was too much. The effect seemed to ripple down through his limbs, which adjusted constantly keeping his balance and position. Webbed hands repositioned the Texan’s larger ones, one to the small of his back, the other taken up in palm. The arrangement was mirrored; a positioning perfect for ballroom dancing. Dominique swayed his shorter lover, limbs falling together and they swung around gently to the sound of dripping water against wood and metal. It wasn’t quite the same but this… …this was like a dream. “Now if only we had some music,†The engineer said, leaning his head onto the other’s shoulder. ... “Derik!†A French accent hissed. “Shut yer gob, I’m concentrating,†The bushman replied, his gun in pieces on a table in front of him as he cleaned the trigger mechanism. “You must be ze only man who counts gun cleaning as post-coitus activity,†The half-dressed RED Spy grumbled as he came over from the window he’d been perched at and grabbed the wrist of the Australian. He was thrown off, “If ya make me slip up I swear t’god - †“You can punish me later, shhhh,†He pulled the lanky man over to the opposite window that faced the back of the building. The Sniper had clear views all around from his nest up high in RED base. “Look.†There down below, just visible behind some shipping crates, was the forms of their stout engineer and their tentacled BLU captive - slow dancing together. “He’s escaped?!†He held onto his hat. “Sort of,†The Spy smirked, “Seems zhey are getting more adventurous.†“You don’t look too worried, or surprised.†The Sniper eyed him. “We’ve come to...an understanding I theenk. Besides, he’s way down there,†He aimed his Ambassador, peering down the long barrel at the figures below “And I’m way up ‘ere.†“Are they...doing wot it looks loike?†The sniper squinted as he grabbed a spare scope from his supply bag and took a second look. Indeed, clear through the high mag scope he could see them making out. “Holy Dooly.†The RED Spy lowered his gun. “Indeed, Mon Cher, they are doing exactly what they look like.†He gave the Australian an ass squeeze en route to the Sniper’s bed. The sniper stifled a surprised noise, but chuckled low. The spy was a bloody troll but he must like something about it or they’d not be spending so much time together. The sniper watched while his comrade brought back his record player, “Now wot’re you up to?†“They can’t dance weethout music. Doesn’t seem proper.†... Suddenly the tentaspy and engineer stopped. Over the sound of the rain they could distinctly hear...music. Soft jazz to be specific. ( http://youtu.be/-RN3uFAT2sk ) “Are you ‘earing that too?†Domi whispered, cowering closer to the shipping crate like he felt they were being watched. Lance looked all around, ears trying to hear the direction of the sound. He glanced up, and there waving in the open top window of the base was their spy and Sniper – a record player perched on the windowsill. The engineer relaxed; the red Spy already knew all about what was going on and had not made any move to say anything. What was with that expression, he didn’t know whether the Spy was mocking them or encouraging them. Lance motioned to Domi, and pointed up high. “Yer ‘friend’ is providing the music.†Domi carefully peeked in the direction Lance was looking. His face fell into a sarcastic stare at the smirking face up there in the window. But the smooth sound of soft jazz was something he could never stay tense overhearing. Why not take advantage of this, teasing as it might be. He scooped his engineer, still looking up at his ‘rival’, and smirked back as they began dancing again, this time with proper accompaniment. “Least he has a good taste in music,†Domi said, “Jazz is my favorite.†“Lucky guess on his part,†Lance pushed up into the other, “I like some jazz too.†“The soul of jazz came from your country after all,†Domi dipped him shallowly, tentacles supporting behind the Texan. “Not from MY part’a the country,†The Texan laughed, getting into it, and not caring about his wet clothes clinging to his body as he was dipped as ‘gracefully’ as a rotund short Texan could be, “Don’t mean I don’t appreciate it.†He lowered his voice as the Spy’s face was so close to his. “Of course,†Domi shushed, kissing him with slow, wanting lips. His body was so warm, god he tasted so good... The song drifting over the rain was just the right speed, sensual and slow but not without a melodic trumpet carrying the tune steadily like a poem. Dominique never thought he’d have this again, a willing lover to hold, to kiss affectionately. Someone he could be himself around, in every respect. Someone who made his body come alive. He could really scarcely believe it. Was he still dreaming? Water dripped off his hooked nose as he withdrew to nuzzle and kiss at any part of the engineer he could reach. The shorter man groaned and held tighter around his vest. Tentacles helped pull him back to upright, stocky body right into Domi’s broad chest. Lance was thinking how he never realized how sensual jazz could be instead of just background music for detective movies. In the hands of someone who really knew it’s soul, and dancing with a lover, it was turning him on terribly – not that the talented lips of the Frenchman couldn’t do that on their own. The longer he spent with the strange Spy, the less he thought about his unusual anatomy and the less it worried him. The only thing left chewing at the back of his mind was the little jest their RED Spy brought up about if Domi had ‘male equipment’ as it were. Lance couldn’t deny, he was attracted to men for many reasons, a certain male part being a big one. Would it be a deal breaker? To be honest, he didn’t think so, but it was a bridge he’d have to cross when he got to it. That wasn’t at the forefront of his mind though as he stroked his hands along the Spy’s smooth vest backing and they ground and swayed their bodies against one another. ... “Oh now we’re peeping toms too, as well as traitors, ‘ND enablers.†“Derik, pleasseee.†The spy waved a hand, “We’re peeping toms by profession. Don’t tell me you’ve never caught someone doing anything naughty through that scope of yours and not stopped to watch.†The sniper couldn’t refute that. He grunted and looked back to the soaked couple down there, quite absorbed in each other. “I’m keepin’ my eye on botha them.†“I’ve got eet covered. First sign that monster BLU is lying that ‘e isn’t connected to BLU anymore, I’m taking care of theengs myself.†“What if he’s really tellin’ the truth and isn’t a BLU anymore?†“Still got to keep an eye on ‘im,†Raimund flicked away his spent cigarette into the rain, “There is more than one way to stab a man’s ‘eart.†... The rain scene was inspired to be written by this song: http://lithefider.tumblr.com/post/8953984230/sash-feat-stunt-raindrops-encore-une-fois
Your writing has gotten a lot better with the aid of betas. However, one major criticism I have throughout the fic is that you have a problem with telling instead of showing. Dialogue is useful, but, Domi spouting off about how he was tortured just doesn't seem natural. Most people who were tortured, especially to such an extent, would not be keen on talking about it. A flashback would have, perhaps, been more appropriate. Also, putting links in the middle of a fic is kind of a no-no. Put links in the author's notes at the beginning, so they don't throw off the story, itself. My biggest disappointment has to be (and, I predicted this would happen) that Lance seems to have completely forgiven Dominique for raping him (and, before this argument starts again, yes, it was rape). I could see a real, reasonable person being put off by Domi's mistreatment and releasing him, yes - but, not falling in love. In fact, it seems like realistic characterization has been bent over backwards to ensure that, no matter what, Domi and Lance find ~true love~. It still feels like a schoolgirl romance to me, as well, where Lance really doesn't act like a man. Having him obsess over manly things like muscle cars does not mean he -acts- like a man. Even gay men are still men, and very few of them act like Lance does, let alone in the 60s. I know it sounds harsh, but, my honest opinion is that you maybe should have shot for porn without plot, because the porn gets the most attention to detail. I am now bracing myself for the white knighters.
I have to say it feels very unnatural that Domi is doing squat about Eppelheim. Even if he wasn't insane and the one who transformed Domi, he's still an ex-BLU employed by RED through trickery and a danger to the other members of RED. Including Lance. I must also agree that it was disappointing to learn about Domi's torture through a summarization instead of a flashback or something. And he was also pretty chatty for someone who was under so much psychological strain all day. You have way too much telling going on, and not enough showing. I don't know, it just seems Domi should be trying to reach out to other RED members, warn Lance so they can do something about Eppelheim, and earn RED's trust. Lance also seems not that concerned about Domi being captive, not trying to sway other RED members that he's not an enemy. He told Spy, but only because he caught Lance making out with Domi. Lastly, stemming from the 'telling' is you do too much head-hopping. You write what both Lance and Domi are thinking in the same chapter/section of chapter. One needs to stick to a single POV, otherwise this exacerbates the too much "telling" in a story. I do like the way you describe things, I can clearly see scenes in my head. You just need to channel that into more active language, rather than passive. I hope you don't find this discouraging, because I would love to read more and see you improve.
eh I think it was a fair critique and put into words a few things that were bugging me too. Er I don't want this to be all 'okay everyone pile on LF now!' but I wanna add my 2 cents because I do like your work. I think Domi and Lance are cute, I love the couple, but the story definitely has that feeling of wanting a sweet, happy romance along with angst (two great tastes that taste great together, but very hard to pull off), but the two parts aren't quite... mixing, you know? What is the purpose of the torture scenes at this point and all if it really isn't doing much, in the scheme of things, to get in the way of Domi and Lance's relationship? It just felt like an aside that made Domi a bit hoarse. There's been no feeling of real danger or obstacle. It feels like a better angle might be to focus entirely on the angst and struggle rather than mixing in the happy romance at this point. Internal struggles like maybe Lance trying to figure out 'hey do i REALLY love this monster guy who sort of raped me', along with Domi's struggle to maintain his humanity, the struggle to escape somehow... and THEN (maybe) we get more of the happy fluffy romance as 'reward'? It's just the story has become 'okay they love each other, cool, when can they conveniently escape and live happily ever after' and that's kinda... eh.
I loved the dancing scene. I have a huge soft spot for dancing and I love jazz's atmospheric qualities. I'd say something to help you write but I'm not very good at that so I'll leave my post as a compliment and a sign of support.
I really love this fic, especially the re-write, but I think I'm with Bad Medicine on this latest segment. The part with the RED Spy and Sniper tittering and providing music seemed a little schmaltzy and out of character for everyone involved. I think the scene would have benefited greatly without their inclusion. I don't want this to sound super negative, though! I love every time this fic is updated, I just feel that this particular segment isn't up to par with the high quality that the other updates have been.
I can see all your worries about ‘this are too easy’ when you say it that way (you all made valid points, looking in from the outside from your comments I can see that now). But what you don’t seem to see is this is the eye of the hurricane. I thought I’d made that apparent with the allusions in the chapter to this chapter being ‘like a dream’ and ‘too good to be true’ in how the characters were thinking, also there is the foreshadowing of RED Spy’s last statement, Domi’s thoughts of ‘a time to rest before worse things’, and the knowledge of Eppleheim having full reign of the infirmary in 24 hours. As a story device, I wanted Domi and Lance to have a little more bonding time, something to show their connection beyond just physical attraction, to show how well they can click, to make it even remotely realistic later for Lance to even be seen considering staying by Domi’s side when their bond is REALLY tested. (Also to the Anon bringing up about "Internal struggles like maybe Lance trying to figure out 'hey do i REALLY love this monster guy who sort of raped me', along with Domi's struggle to maintain his humanity" Oh yes that is coming too - I have plans. You are very right! ) Because let me tell you, they are NOT on easy street, they are fooling themselves to the wall of the hurricane about to slam into their backsides. In regards to them acting too ‘girly’ still, I can see that especially with the tone of this chapter (points again to above to explain part of it). I thought I’d improved on that since LAST time, but if I’m slipping again I’ll try and I’ll keep watch on that for future chapters and my beta readers will too. I’m not a man; don’t pretend to think like one, even as a lesbian, beyond being frank and sexually forward – so advice on how I can ‘improve the man thinking nature’ of my boys would be great. :’D My skype is lithefider and I’d be happy to discuss in-depth as you want, I’d rather not clutter up this thread too much if things really gotta be elaborated on. “The part with the RED Spy and Sniper tittering and providing music seemed a little schmaltzy and out of character for everyone involved.†I saw that as RED Spy and sniper being perfectly IN character for them, being teasing trolls they are, and meddling peeping toms as a Spy and a Sniper. Also this was meant as a sign of their growing support for possible future allies (as stated by a comment about ‘why doesn’t Domi try to turn some RED’s to his cause’ – this part of the chapter was meant to allude to that). In regards to “Domi not doing anything a bout Eppleheimâ€, trust me he will. But this chapter and the last was about him and the engineer, with all the plot-needed torture to come I didn’t wan to desensitize the reader / slow things down with a (plotwise) unimportant torture session so I used it as a drama device for the reader to see in from Lance’s perspective on the outside not knowing exactly what happened at first. In regards to that, with Domi “so easily talking about it†– I apologize I did not better explain WHY it was so easy for him to talk like that. I mentioned in his dream sequence last chapter: “He did not mind the flashbacks to when he was a boy, or when his parents were killed by the Cosa Nostra, or even when he was a very young man just starting as a negotiator in the Unione Corse. They were in the past and done with, were as they always were. They were just paintings on a wall of a museum; they stirred emotions but in the end they were just something to reflect on.†If I was to add something (and will now to the main story file) it would be to elaborate on his mentioned previous job experience – he was a negotiator for the French Mafia starting before he was 18 (he was adopted by the Mafia pretty much), and often relayed information as an intelligence scout. He was desensitized to talking about violence from a young age about things he’d seen or experienced. To talk about it for him, was easy on that level of his past experience, talking about it made it like it was something he SAW, so he could put himself out of the equation, for him to just flatly relay it back was better then for him to flash it back through is memory vividly. On a character level, Domi wanted Lance to know, to really know what he is going through, and he didn’t want to sugar cote it because he knew Lance could handle it, because they are mercenaries (Domi way more so then Lance even.) I hope that clears up a few things and I’ll keep watch on everything brought up (especially more ‘showing and not telling’ and ‘keeping a level of how men act’) – taking into consideration what I can do to make the fic better characterization/plot, but also keeping the tongue in cheek writing style and my vision for the fic ( ‘can’t please everyone’ has to apply at some point, sorry guys.). Thanks!
Small note: You should have had Domi just say, "That or they got tired of watching all the sex.†instead of "gay sex" because you get that 'but there are no women on the b- OHHHH.' reaction from the reader.
Agreeing with 68 here. Spy saying "watching all the gay sex" sounds a bit... out of character, to me. On a side note, i absolutely love you. So much. (heh, im #69)
>>68 PPffttt YES lol, how did I miss that? Editing it in the original right now (cause just saying it the other way is indeed more effective).
I love it when an author acknowledges critique. You're awesome, Lithe. Please continue with this amazin' story.
>>71 Acknowledging critique is worthless. It's actually putting it to use that counts.
Long-time lurker, long-time reader, very-rarely-found poster here. Greetings. I see that the epicness has been continued. I agree that the characters (Lance especially) has been acting rather girly, but given your explanation of the eye of the hurricane and whatnot, I can understand how he would be reasonably relaxed and calm, which mixed with budding romance can be mistaken for girliness. I am very, very eagerly awaiting your next update! Captcha: tentacle eedblems Ooh... psychic captcha.
God, I love this fanfic... I'm just rolling in an ocean of emotions over here. Can't wait to see it update.
I’m not dead (Nor have I forgotten about Domi and Lance)! And I want to apologize for the nearly 5 month long wait to continue. I’ve been VERY busy, and role-playing, and sewing, and traveling. Also okay, I had a little writers block, but talked with a friend a month ago who gave me some good ideas on where to connect the things I want to in the plot. So here is a new chapter and a promise I’ll actually finish this fic. :) Also I’d check out the tentaspy tag on my blog for some really great new cosplay photos, re-blogged art, and other fun wtfery: http://lithefider.tumblr.com/tagged/tentaspy [ Part 31 ] Dawn had broken, which was signal to get inside before everyone was out and about. They eventually retreated to the infirmary to clean up like there was never a wet tentaspy on the floor. The two mercenaries were left understandably aroused from their outing...but were conflicted to do anything about it at risk of being caught ‘with their pants down’ if the medics decided to come in unexpectedly. Not to mention the physical barrier of unknowns that still stood between them if they got further then they already had – it wouldn’t make things fast or smooth. They both thought this but did not say it openly. They were walking on eggshells with their meetings, and they knew it. “Shit,†Lance cursed suddenly, watching Dominique undress so he could go back into the tank. His clothes were WET, that isn’t how they were before. If they folded them and put them back where they’d been earlier they’d still be wet, and if someone noticed... “What?†Dominique jerked his head up, hearing the urgency in his voice. “I was planning on using a towel to sop up all the water you trailed everywhere but what about yer clothes?†“Merde,†Domi understood now, as he wrung out his button-up into the sink. His fully exposed frills twitched with annoyance. He groaned and leaned over the basin, feeling like a disgrace to spies everywhere for letting his want to see the sky and walk around with another man like a clothed human being cloud his thinking. “I could pop’em in the dryer real fast,†The engineer offered. “You can’t tumble dry a VEST of this quality,†Domi grumbled, holding it out anyway, “At least you shouldn’t...†“Maybe on low?†The Texan had figured you couldn’t do that to fancy dry clean only clothing but what other choice did they have? He backed it up with a sarcastically hopeful smirk. Dominique was growing weary of life reminding him at every turn how pathetic his existence had become. He wanted so badly for something to go right, he just didn’t know yet how that would occur. At any moment they could be caught, Lance could be fired or worse...and Domi was putting his money on worse. (And if let go, how in the world would he find him?) He wanted what was best for the engineer, he loved him...but he was also selfish enough to be unable to admit that might be not being with him. Domi looked so frustrated, thought the engineer. Understandable, but he wished there was something he could do. Sadly, his practical problem solving couldn’t fix everything. Lance shifted as tentacles eagerly coiled up his legs while Domi went back to wringing his clothes out. It seemed every time he was within range nowadays, they’d seek out contact with him like he was a familiar friend. Lance leaned over and picked one up. It reacted instantly, twitching and seeking anchor around his arm as it was pulled into mid air. Even with Domi distracted they acted with minds of their own, and that fascinated the engineer. Dominique continued to be shocked at how the engineer was warming up to his touch. It had been gradual, but steady. He turned, putting down his damp shirt and smiling as he consciously pet the appendage up to the Texan’s collarbones and neck. He could taste his sweat even on his damp skin washed by the rain. His taste re-sparked arousal in him, everything about the stocky man switched on his senses. He wanted more of him in his grasp. Hell, he wanted all of him, entire naked body covered in every sucker... The engineer pulled the spy over so he could kiss him. It was merely a continuation of what they’d paused from doing dancing in the rain. “Mmmmm,†The spy groaned into the other, wrapping arms and tentacles around him, “Cher, I’ve just been trying to calm down,†“I know much as you how every minute I spend with you in here is a risk...†Lance said seriously, “And I know it’s gettin’ early...jes...geezus everythin’ we’ve been doing has been teasing for more.†The engineer’s voice was low, “And I’m not afraid to go further. I NEED to go further...†The tentaspy inhaled then exhaled with a rattling sound, full of lust and confliction at the other’s statement spoken into his lips. Why...why must life mock him? Oh god he wanted him, and Lance consented that he wanted more. Much as he knew the Germans weren’t supposed to be in until later... the stress of knowing they were vulnerable would mean it would be hard to enjoy something that should be sensual and slow. He wanted it to be a good experience, pleasurable and intimate. The last thing he wanted was to fly off the handle like he did on the RED Spy, and hurt Lance. “Cher, I want you more then you know,†Domi groaned back, tentacles squeezing at his legs, “But eet ‘as to wait...eet simply is not safe...†“Aw I know yer right...†The Texan groaned...but something else was gnawin art his mind. “Besides that...is it cause ...ya can’t? Physically I mean, do you have the ‘equipment’? I hate to bring it up, but I’ve been wonderin’...†He nudged his face into the Spy’s damp neck, god he felt so good. Oh there was THAT too. Thankfully, Domi found himself able to chuckle at the question, nuzzling confidently, “As you put eet, I DO ‘ave ‘the equipment’, oui. Not the usual sort, but I am still a man physically by that standard.†“Either you got a penis or ya don’t!†Lance struck back in a joking tone. But as he heard it, Domi was telling him yes he did still have male parts somewhere, not that they were obvious as Lance had not seen them as of yet. This made him even more aroused wondering what he meant by ‘not the usual sort’. The spy had to laugh at that too, “Fine, yes, I do then.†He confirmed, taking a deep breath of the Engineer’s scent. “But we really can’t do this right now...†His arousal was getting stronger, they really needed to stop...but while Domi knew that, the rational thoughts telling him what he should do were being drowned out by a rising voice, the one he’d learned to usually recognize and control, in everything except these matters. “Yer makin’ me all curious, but yer right...†Lance growled back, disappointed just as much. They had to get him back in the tank and wait for a safer time – or even plan for some kind of escape that wouldn’t make it look like any RED’s helped the captive. He slowed and let off the spy, leaning away. But he was reeled back in with a low growl as the tentacles coiled tightly. “Domi,†Lance tried to push him off playfully, “Come’on now I gotta go dry yer clothes.†There was no response except another purring growl, his whole body arching into the Texan. Lance felt licking at his neck – thick and eager, but it made him pause, it was without finesse, it didn’t seem like his usual actions. He pushed away and tried to get a look at his face. When he finally did it was what he feared – that look, the same one he saw the day he shot him when he was attacking their RED Spy. A total lack of contemplative humanity; like an animal. “Domi!†The engineer said loud as he dared but still not wanting to attract any possible attention outside. He stumbled backwards as the tentaspy pushed him onto an infirmary bed, forcing him into a sitting position. Had he...gone into some kind of trance? The RED Spy ended up with crushed bones when that happened before, what should he do? His mind raced as he thought of how to defend himself while not hurting his love OR getting himself in danger. He felt like he was dealing with a loose wild tiger as the tentaspy crawled up to him, looking more animal then human. Dominique was nuzzling all over him like Lance was made of catnip, face snarling past the bulge in the engineer’s pants. His breath grew raspy as he was breathing deeper but without sipping any water like he’d normally do. Lance yelped as tentacles tore down his clothes, squishing thickly into the space between the fabric and his flesh. He didn’t want it, not like THIS... “Dominique!†He kept using his name hoping it would help snap him out of it. He pushed on him again and was more firm this time, “Stop it! Yer not yourself!†He wasn’t above hitting the other man but he was worried that might just provoke ‘the animal’. There was another low rattling hiss and with inhuman speed Lance found is head pushed back and a mouth on his throat – the feeling of sharp fangs hovering on his skin but not piercing. A warning – a show of dominance. Lance swallowed thickly – causing the teeth to scratch at his moving throat. Now he felt like he was dealing with a rattlesnake. He never liked those when they surprised him in the bushes back home. He whimpered and tried scooting backwards onto the bed, but his feet were knocked out from under him by wrapping tentacles spreading his legs. There was a whisp of smoke and a gun pressed to the back of Dominique’s head as it materialized out of thin air. “Good theeng I AM keeping an eye on you.†Raimund said around his cigarette, “Let go of my teammate, IMMEDIETLY.†Dominique had only to shift his tentacles, which were too fast for the RED Spy, knocking him off his feet. HIM - HE IS BACK... BACK TO STEAL YOUR MATE. The tentaspy pounced on top of the RED and snarled loudly. His lips curled back displaying his dripping fangs. He struck at him with a snapping of teeth. Raimund cried out in surprise – merde, he was FAST. Luckily he had fast reflexes too – and being fueled by primal fear sure helped. He instantly fired his Ambassador into the body part it was pressed against, the attacker’s shoulder. That gun was like a cannon, and caused a nasty wound at point black range – the tentaspy recoiled immediately and reeled in pain, his arm limp. Lance flinched, gasping and stumbling further backwards on the bed as blood splattered onto him. “Geezus Spah!†The RED dusted himself off shakily as he was able to stand back up, watching Domi retreat. He stamped out his cig where it’d been knocked on the floor in the altercation, and instantly lit a new one. More nicotine was just what his nerves needed. He soon was steady handed again and watching the writhing monster on the floor, his gun trained on him again just in case. “Maybe that’ll snap some sense into ‘im.†Indeed, it did...Domi felt reality washing back, the pain breaking through the haze of arousal like a slap to the face. He balled up, tentacles sticky and his breath short. He looked around, disoriented. Eyes fell on The RED Spy, then Lance, who was eyeing him with shock and worry. “Aggnnn!†Dominique groaned, holding his arm as it gushed around his webbing holding the wound together, the pain really hitting him. The wound was not fatal...but he was still losing a lot of blood despite his natural clotting abilities. He stared at the floor as he waited for the world to stop spinning. A medkit syringe was thrown in his lap. He looked up and saw Lance there next to the RED Spy – he must have got it from the cabinet. It was picked up slowly; he was unable to look Lance in the eye. How could he? He knew what he’d done; he could see it, like a memory through someone else’s eyes. He’d had no control, lost it again...he just needed more time to acclimate to the intensity of physical closeness like he’d had time with hunting and fighting – but would the engineer stick with him through it? “Ya better use that, yer losin’ a lot of blood...†Lance said, sounding still a bit in shock though he was obviously worried for Domi’s safety. He was feeling at his scraped neck and some minor sucker bruises on his legs, but the real damage was not physical. Domi was at the end of his rope, this was too much. He assumed Lance was scared of him, standing over there with the RED Spy as protection like he was some loose animal. Yes that was what he was, wasn’t he? Dangerous and unpredictable. He shakily picked up the syringe and injected it into his upper arm. There was a shifting of flesh as the bone crackled and skin stitched together. The bleeding was contained and he let his arm go, though he was still covered in his own blood. Domi just stared at his coiling tentacles. ‘Keep it together Domi’ he told himself. ‘Least you stopped before you did something you’d really regret...don’t fall apart now after you’ve been through so much. You’re better then that.’ “I’m sorry,†Domi chocked out, voice raspier then ever. Even though he felt like sorry wasn’t enough that is all he could say. He felt another weight hit him on his mass of tentacles. His water flask. He glanced up briefly; it was Lance that had thrown it. The RED Spy still had his gun trained to him like he expected him to pounce any second. The flask was shakily upturned. Domi gasped with relief as coolness seeped through him. Now that he was feeling able to speak clearly, “Si vous pliat...I didn’t mean to...†The water had helped his voice but his throat still felt closed up. “...forgive me...†He didn’t feel like he deserved to ask that though. “I’d forgive you but it didn’t seem like YOU back there...†Lance said, hesitating before continuing, “I’ve seen that look in your eyes before. What IS that? You jes seem to lose control, doesn’t seem like a spah. And I think I got a right to know everythin’ I’m getting’ myself into.†“Ah, you do Mon Cher. Of course,†Domi flicked his eyes about the floor, holding the flask in his lap with both hands. He mustered the right words to reply with while the RED Spy muttered, “Least no one heard ze gunshot - †The infirmary doors barged open, “What was noise?!†and there stood Boleslav. Everyone froze like they weren’t quite sure what to do. But they were pretty sure whatever it was this looked like, it wasn’t anything good. The heavy stopped too, letting the infirmary doors swing to a standstill behind him. “Trying to escape, tiny BLU?†He assumed, coming up like a freight train and looming over the tentaspy while cracking his knuckles, “I not scared of you.†Domi instinctively hissed with a flashing of teeth, tentacles coiling up in tensed humps to make him look bigger. But he made no move to fight back. Maybe...maybe this was the opportunity he was hoping for – but at the same time, Boleslav was leaving tomorrow morning on the train with the older medic, transferred for a new Heavy. Even if he could show him he wasn’t a threat what good would it do him? And there was no way he’d try anything risky that would make him look bad to BLU, with the pending transfer, as no doubt he’d have a pay bonus and a vacation period coming up...and what evidence did they have Eppelheim was a former BLU except for Domi’s word? The word of a former enemy Spy? “I don’t mean you any ‘arm.†Domi stated calm as he could, looking the Heavy in the eyes. “Da, like I believe that.†He glanced at his comrades for support, but that were looking unsure. It was the engineer to jump in front of him. “Boleslav, wait! Listen, he ain’t a BLU anymore. They tried to kill ‘im, he hates what they did to him- †Lance started, attempting to reason. The Heavy pushed the engineer aside thinking he was crazy, “Hit yourself on head too hard, Engineer?†He roughly picked up Dominique, who wriggled but did not put up a fight. He was thrown back in the tank with a splash of water and a wet slapping of tentacles. The lid was slammed down and locked. Dominique was unhurt but sank to the bottom, grumbling to himself, albeit his body sighed with relief, it was nice to be submerged again. He looked out through the glass to see Lance, dwarfed by the large Russian, pushing a finger into his chest and continuing to try and reason with him. He saw the RED Spy groan and roll his eyes, but turn like someone was dragging him by the ankles, to back up his statements. The Russian seemed to stop and listen a little more. Dominique came to the surface, head looking through the barred mesh of the cage. The Heavy glanced around, their eyes meeting silently. He turned back around and looked at the engineer, who had his brow furrowed adamantly. His expression softened a little, like some gears turning in his head, like he understood at least one thing, something he could relate to. “Alright, I listen. Tell me about new doctor.â€
Oh my god. OH MY GOD. An update. Thank you, Lithe-Fider. Thank you so very, very much.
I love everything about this story, and I'm so excited you're going to continue and finish it. Domi and Lance are adorable! You've done a great job addressing their issues, and your writing is wonderful. Also, can I just say how glad I am that more people are being told about Eppelheim? Really happy to hear about that. Can't wait for the next part. Thanks for updating this story!
Wowee. Honestly, I had no interest in tentacle porn before, and I can't say I do now, but I love Domi and Lance. I read this entire fic from past to presentin one shot- I've been reading since about 8:30 pm and it's 1:51 am now. Obviously there are grammar and spelling errors I could nitpick over for ages, but honestly who goves a shit, your story is incredible. Please, sir, may I have some more?
Also, random question, but I saw you mentioned you're a lesbian. Why on earth do you write porn about gay men?? It strikes me as funny. Don't stop, though.
Awe T^T I can't wait for more I can hardly tell when this dung thing updates(STOP THAT)
I'm so mad. Please, ryuicefox, sage next time.
My hopes....were crushed. Thank you, ryuicefox. thank YOU.
>>79 Heh, well I'm not the only one! You'd be surprised. I myself appreciate/find attractive the idea of certian kinds of (cartoon) men. They are fun to play with character wise, and mash together, but I don't wanna me involved physically, in theory or irl. Small update because the next chapter is already in progress and this one seemed like a good chapter break point. Sorry this took so long. I'd check back for an update every 3 weeks from this point out, I'm really busy irl, and was not in the best spirits for writing for a bit(blah blah real life blah blah). But do know I want to finish this thing, for me and for all you who read and give feedback and comments <3 Also wow, getting new readers this far into the game, welcome! Anyway onward with the drama: [ Part 32 ] It was thankful the men there were heavy sleepers, or that muffled gunshot in the infirmary might have gotten more attention. The Russian had heard it by proxy of being in the closest room to the infirmary – the RED Doctor’s quarters – and having been awake reading to himself, a typical morning activity. The other man in his bed was still fast asleep – not as early a riser, and far heavier a sleeper. Lance explained the terrible things the new doctor had been doing, things that any man with an ounce of conscience should be disgusted by. The Heavy slowly softened, face melting into signs of sympathy...because it was obvious - he could see how much the engineer cared for the freak BLU spy. He also could understand the possible reality of how their captive be a rouge BLU based on what he was being told. The simple truth alone that BLU had done nothing to negotiate his return or attempt rescue was a red flag. But it was what Dominique was about to make known that would be something all in the room would hear for the first time. “There’s more.†Domi spoke up from behind the tank lid’s bars, in a tone that made everyone stop to listen. He knew this was going to sound far fetched, but they had to know the truth whether they believed him or not. “Eppelheim, he’s ze one you should look out for, if eet is BLU’s you worry about. Eppelheim used to work for BLU. He’s gone through a lot of trouble to change ‘is appearance and identity to get back ‘ere. He must have friends in ‘igh places, to weedle ‘is way back alive.†He stared at the others through the mesh, checking their reactions. The RED Spy looked highly skeptical, “And why would he go to such trouble?†He tapped the ash from his cigarette, “Wouldn’t a spy be better for such infiltration?†Domi continued, “Eet’s because he wanted to see if I was still alive – he wants to finish what he started.†“Domi, are you sayin’ - †Lance was already making assumptions in his mind, based on what Domi was revealing, but he couldn’t believe it... “Doctor Eppelheim, is ze man who did this to me six years ago.†The RED Spy burst out in a low snorting laugh with disbelief, “You sure I did not shoot you in ze head?! You really theenk RED’s intelligence is so poor as well?†“Eet’s ze truth! And based on what I know of ze professional level of this territory war, and the upkeep of the facilities, oui, it could be that poor. That, and/or ze doctuer’s connections are THAT good. Someone must want this research, someone weeth money. Someone who might rival RED and BLU in terms of power.†Domi replied quickly, “I assure you eet is true, he told me ‘imself. And I remember, I remember ‘is voice, from six years ago. Not only zhat, but he ‘as quite a passion to dissect every inch of me and perfect eet...for FURTHER application. He intends to duplicate ze procedure.†The RED Spy shook his head again. Lance broke in, “He intends to make more...? Fer what, ocean warfare?†“Oui...infiltration, intelligence, you name eet. I never said ze man was SANE.†He growled. “Ze practical applications are realistic...I suppose.†“If he kin...alter people like that, made ya, can’t he change people back too?†Lance said, swallowing soon afterward, worrying if that sounded bad in the sense like he was eager to change Domi’s appearance, like he didn’t like him how he was now. Sure he’d love to have him a normal man, who wouldn’t? Domi he knew would be happier...but it didn’t mean he couldn’t love him as he was now. The tentaspy got the tension from the question, but he was....assuming, he didn’t mean it like that, “There is no way, far as I know,†His voice was soft. Heavy broke in like he wanted to get back to business of the problem at hand, “I no like new doktor from the moment I met him.†His face was conflicted, “I believe you. I will do what I can to help, but I can not relay the information directly to RED. Not if only source is – “ He waved a large hand to the caged spy, “His word mean nothing, to RED. And for new Docktor to get here, I am sure his background is sound. Would only jeopardize my own position...†The Russian glanced sadly at Lance, who he liked as a friend and hated to feel like he was letting down, but this was about his future and one he’d worked hard for. He’d been through a lot in his life, he needed this. “Me and Doktor’s contract is almost up, I can not do that. I can not risk being tied up in RED tape...literally.†The conversation was short after that, no use arguing loyalties or being mad at Boleslav for not putting his and his lover’s future safety on the line for anything, especially some experimental spy, and definitely not for a team of strangers. They were mercenaries, not some girlscout troop. That was the cold hard truth. And how it looked, even if he was a former BLU, Eppelheim seemed to serve no threat to the team as a whole; he was only interested in his former research, Domi. He did make it clear to Lance though, as he left to get up the Doc, that he’d meant it when he said ‘he’d do what he could’. He did not elaborate, but Lance was assuming it meant relay the information at least to him... .... After that, things were cleaned up to the way they were – and mercifully, the RED Spy helped Lance quickly dry Domi’s clothes. He knew how to deal with such things; from personal experience of course. After that, he broke open a new pack of cigarettes, and got to thinking if he could dig up any REAL intelligence on their new doctor, or perhaps about what these connections WERE that were so powerful, maybe even more so then his current employer... Raimund didn’t like NOT knowing things. ... The engineer had just enough time to say goodbye to Domi, face to face, before they left the infirmary the last time that morning. The spy simply looked and sounded...tired, like soon he might have nothing left if things kept on like this. Hopes lifted then crushed, the morning so optimistic, then this. And on the physical end, being confined, tortured, and fed so poorly. Lance hadn’t seen much of those tentacles yet, but he could see them losing a little color from the time he first saw them, like the life was draining out of him. “I’m so....so sorry, Cher,†Domi whispered softly, it coming out like something gnawing at him and he couldn’t not bring it up. He was thinking of how he’d lost it and attacked Lance. Their conversation had been cut off, the moment never given resolution. “You really are not ‘urt, are you?†His tone was of ‘how can you ever forgive me?’ His tentacles limply suckered to the glass below him, showing his mood, and like they were scared to get near the other man. “I swear, eet is so far...from what I want. What ‘appened back there, you are right eet wasn’t like me. Eet’s like I-†“Domi, stop beatin’ yourself up about it right now, alright? I’m okay...†The engineer cut him off, he couldn’t take it anymore, he didn’t want their last few minutes together today to be like this, “We’ll talk later, when we have more time.†His eyebrows furrowed upward and he smiled, reaching out to pet at his lover’s jawline, “I don’t ever recall ducking out of a fight I believed in, I ain’t ready to start now.†He could see how much Domi was hurting with self-doubt, and he himself was having logic based reservations. But the engineer was a loyal man, and could tell good people. This...this was something worth fighting for. It wasn’t a logic based problem, not one you could throw numbers and figures onto like everything else. He’d give Domi another chance. All he was going through, it was unfair to let this be a deal breaker so early on. Domi sighed with nothing but gratefulness and love for the man before him. He held his hand over the larger one at his jaw, “I promise you, when we are out of all zhis, you will be ze most pampered man in all ze world.†He smiled through his emotion, while the statement was one of half-jest, he was obviously very serious about every word. They kissed, the moment drawn out. “Je t'aime,†He whispered into the other’s lips as they drew apart. ... Eppelheim would not know anything was amiss when he and the Doc went into the infirmary for the final arrangements of records and what have you were being made. It was even unknown to him...that the old Medic was internally glaring daggering through his glasses, searing with hatred that he’d be leaving his infirmary to a man like this. He had a duality about it - he was fascinated about what the other doctor had accomplished in the likes of the altered Spy, but how he was going about it was not a way he approved of. He knew his surgical medicine, sure...but he was a conniving, backhanded spook, cold and detached from the human element of experimental medicine. He’d have been better off applying for the Spy’s position in his eyes. ‘Don’t underestimate me,’ He thought, ‘Your subdued smirk doesn’t fool me.’
my soul is CRUSH- oh look an update!
Yesssssss..... I thoroughly enjoyed this installment, even though Medic's instant belief of Eppelheim's wrongdoings jars me just a little bit. I'm happy that Boleslav came on their side, and I am really pleased with the fact you don't let the couple stay. A bit of realism in between the fantasy never hurts! Go you!
I... yes. Just yes. I thought this was abandoned, really, but then... updates! Amazing, actual updates! And I... I am happy. Oh, and happy Thanksgiving, all.
asdfghjkl!! I wish there was more!!
Lithefider is currently working on other projects right now, but I am sure she will be back eventually. In the mean time, Kris, it is polite to put the word "sage" into the email box when commenting on a fic that hasn't updated in a while so that you do not necro-bump a thread and get everyone excited that it updated. (The quotes are not needed for sage-ing) Thanks.
I just finished reading this in three hours. I really do hope you continue soon! I find it difficult to find quality, plot considered, non-rape Tentaspy fics. I loved it, but you're making it very hard for me to focus entirely on Domi and Lance what with Raimund and Derik being adorable in the corner over there. (Hah!)
I saw this starting to put up on AO3 and then this link popped up on my dash and just omg. I just started getting interested in the idea of tentaspy and this is absolutely amazing! I am loving the characters as well; Domi and Lance are so cute and Raimund and Derik are too farkin' adrobs ><
Let me tell you a story of a small word called "sage". Sage had his own nice, comfortable place on TF2-chan. It was in the e-mail box. Once upon a time there were people who hated sage and didn't want to take him home before posting their comments. It caused chaos, frustration and anger among the people on TF2-chan. When sage wasn't home the comments bumped threads, pushed other threads down and let foolish people think there'd been real updates to their favorite fictions. Everyone were sad. The end.
OH NO people forgot to sage! I feel bad when that happens, but they this time it's actually the author! First of all I am so surprised people are still discovering this fic, wow, super flattered and happy, seriously! (Also HAha sorry (not sorry) Saphira about Raimund and Derik, they kind of developed alongside things ;). ) My fic writing was distracted this year by a new fandom in my life but I have not forgotten about my favorite killer mercenaries and water monsters. IsTheMedia is correct, I am putting this fic up on AO3 with lots of fleshed out areas, and later major fixes. Some alterations are from crit I got here and realized 'wow I really could have written that part better plot wise' but also from generally getting better at writing this past year. Now that the holidays clusterfuck is over I'll have more time to work on it. As you might suspect it will be continued to completion once I catch up reposting on AO3 - so don't look here for updates anymore (but mods please leave this thread here so people can see where the fic went). I also am combining some of the smaller chapters together (so it may say up to 'Part 5' right now in the chapter list on AO3, but it's more I'm up to Part 10.) You don't have to be logged into an AO3 account to read or comment, so if you wanna drop me feedback please do! http://archiveofourown.org/works/985849/chapters/1942949 Also going to plug another good TF2 fic by a friend of mine that you might remember, "The Nucleus Incident" http://thenucleusincident.tumblr.com/ , she too is going through and fixing things and re-posting to completion. Happy New Year TF2 fandom!