TF2: Hairy Little Problem 25

Chapter 25: Simplification

It wasn’t until the pain of hunger woke her that Handler realized neither of them had set an alarm clock. As she rubbed her eyes Handler noticed three things, she was in Sniper’s van, she was in his arms and that both of them were nude under a sheet…

Handler closed her eyes as the passionate event of hours before came to her mind, it had been beautiful and more then she had ever dreamed. Sniper had been gentle and patient with her as if he could sense he was the first man Handler had voluntarily given herself to. He had whispered sweet words in her ear of reassurance and subtle questions about how he could better pleasure her. It had been painful in more ways than one as Sniper had been in bestial form, unable to keep his shape entirely human in such a heated moment but Handler hadn’t minded and she regretted nothing.

Slowly she turned over and looked at Sniper’s face, he seemed so peaceful with the only sign of his recent torment being his shaved head. Gently she stroked his scalp, it felt like a peach and she giggled as she touched one of his large, pointed and flexible ears only for it to twitch like a dog’s. Sniper’s eyes moved under their lids and he slowly opened his yellow eyes giving a sleepy smile at her.

“G’day sheila.” said Sniper.

“Good…afternoon?” asked Handler and Sniper looked at his wrist to find his wristwatch was still on.

“It’s a quarter past one.” said Sniper with a nod.

“Sniper…”began Handler.

“Yeh?” asked Sniper.

“That…love was one of the best experiences of my life. Thank you.” said Handler, blushing as she spoke.

“Reckon, it was aces…Love ya.” said Sniper.

“I love you too Tesoro.” said Handler only to give a slight sigh as Sniper looked at her with confusion.

“My mother had a strong Italian background, she would call my father Tesoro, it means treasure as well as darling and love…I figured I should give you a nickname since you call me sheila.” said Handler.

“I appreciate it but don’t use it as often as I call ya sheila because sheila just means woman…” said Sniper as he glanced away.

Handler put a hand to his face so he looked back at her.

“Then how about amante? It simply means man and lover.” said Handler.

“Okay.” said Sniper with a smile.

“We should probably get dressed and get some food before it just becomes ammo for tonight.” said Handler.

“Yeh.” said Sniper as Handler got up and slide out from under the sheet.

Sniper watched her as she retrieved her undergarments only to blush as she glanced at him. With that he too got up and began to get dressed. By the time he was done Handler had already made a pot of coffee and handed Sniper his signature mug which he took with a smile. They stood next to each other, Handler leaning against Sniper, as they enjoyed their much-needed caffeine as Sniper’s form returned to normal. When they finshed Sniper rinsed out their mugs and turned off the coffee maker as Handler got dressed for the snowy conditions outside. She waited for Sniper and they left the van together to enter the mess hall.

Hound rushed Handler and began to lick her as the rest of the team approached the couple, focusing on Sniper as they began to welcome him back and apologize.

Pyro clapped his hands and jumped from foot to foot as he mumbled only to give Sniper a massive hug, nearly tackling the Aussie to the ground.

“Be careful with my amante.” teased Handler which caught Spy’s attention who simply shook his head as he knew Handler had forgotten something important in the heat of the moment she had clearly had with Sniper…

Pyro let go of Sniper when Engineer put a hand on the suited man’s shoulder.

“My turn partner.” said Engineer before he took Sniper’s hand in his, pulled him close, and patted his shoulder before releasing him.

“Sniper if  it wasn’t for Engie I wouldn’t have been able to get the proof to get these guys off their butts. He gave me a tape recorder.” explained Handler.

“Thanks mate, ya are a dinkum cobber.” said Sniper with a tip of his hat.

“Thanks partner.” said Engineer.

“So lad, ye must be itchin for a drink, want some scrumpy?” asked Demoman only for Medic to glare at him.

“Sniper is not ready for alcohol, he needs more time to recover.” stated Medic.

“Really? Not from what I heard from dat van this mornin’ “piped in Scout only for Soldier to slap him in the back of the head.

“You do not talk about a man’s private affairs! He bravely withstood more then you ever could maggot!” scolded Soldier before he approached Sniper and shook his hand with putting his other hand on Sniper’s shoulder.

“I’m proud of you son, you did us good by not cooperating with that RED scum.” said Soldier, he had been informed of Sniper’s injuries and knew that no man would be harmed in such a way if he did cooperate.

“Thanks mate.” said Sniper.

Soldier then turned his attention to Handler who was stroking Hound’s head.

“You did good soldier, you risked your life to get intel to save our POW and showed more valor then any man here with your perseverance.” said Soldier as he reached into his coat and took out a gold medal, which was really a homemade item of blue ribbon and scrap metal painted gold.

“You earned this, wear it with pride.” said Soldier and Handler smiled as she accepted the token, pinned it to her coat as the rest of the team cheered, and gave words of praise.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing card games, talking, eating and just relaxing until six when Medic ushered Sniper out, claiming he had to do a follow up to make sure there were no complications and the K-9 unit followed them to Medic’s infirmary. From there Medic fetched his bag and supplies for the cold night ahead yet he seemed cheery as he led them out a back door. Sniper and Handler gathered their supplies from Sniper’s van with Hound trailing behind.

Sniper took the lead as the group hiked deeper into the woods surrounding Coldfront until they arrived at the cave from the month before. It was around eight and Handler noticed a problem.

“Medic how are we going to keep you and Hound safe ?” asked Handler as she realized she hadn’t set up any more tree stands since the month before having been too occupied…

“Don’t vorry, I have a zeory ,  I zink Sniper loses control to his bestially urges due to ze pain of transformation. His mind can’t handle ze stress and zus made ze wolf to deal vith ze trauma and shock of becoming a werwolf. So if I simply inject him with a numbing agent to dull ze pain he should maintain control.” said Medic as he rummaged through his bag and pulled out a syringe filled with a strange liquid.

“Doc it’s half an hour till dark.” said Sniper as Medic approached him.

“I must do drei injections, before, during and after if it is to be effective.” explained Medic and Sniper sighed before unbuttoning his coat and then jacket, removing them so Medic could roll up his sleeve.

Sniper didn’t look as Medic pierced his flesh, it was too similar to when the RED Medic was working on him but instead of immense pain he felt a numbness spread up his arm. Handler helped him sit down as the numbing agent was clearly a sedative as well…

By the time it was time for Sniper to undress he could barely feel anything and fumbled with his clothing. Handler helped him undress and covered his bare body with a thick comforter as she embraced Sniper to keep him warm.

Sniper gave a shudder as he felt like his guts were being kneaded but he didn’t vomit as  the injection was also a strong antiemetic. He felt pressure and stretching as his features began to shift and as Sniper spit out his teeth he began to look over his changing form. Normally the agony was all Sniper was aware of but now he could actually see his body go through this unnatural change. It was strange but mesmerizing to see his flesh warp under his skin and Sniper actually smiled as he felt power coursing through his veins, it was intoxicating…

As Sniper heard his back crack he began to feel pain as his bones began to change and he let out a whimper which turned into a cry as Medic injected him with another syringe. Once again the pain subsided into a strange pressure, unpleasant but not painful though the cracking of his bones made Sniper flinch as he expected pain but none came.

As the final changes began Sniper could feel the wolf encroaching on his mind and he closed his eyes as he mentally reached for the wolf. The wolf hesitated and sent a wave of what felt like suspicion but Sniper again extended his reach. He knew the wolf was part of him and without the horribly agonizing transformation, it didn’t seem that scary, maybe he could use the wolf’s instincts to enjoy this form…

The wolf reached back and Sniper shuddered as his mind seemed to change as his body finshed, not drastically to the point he didn’t know who or what he was but it became simpler, more laidback. As Sniper opened his eyes he inhaled and wagged his tail as he looked at his teammates, he felt no shame being like this in front of them, what was the point? He couldn’t stop the change and was it really so bad without the pain?

Sniper's thoughts were interrupted as he noticed Hound, who was snarling savagely at him…
Sniper raised his head and his tail as he walked straight legged over to Hound who’s growling intensified before Sniper made a sudden movement and grabbed Hound by the throat. Tackling the dog to the ground Sniper tightened his firm grip but did not break skin and after a few moments, Hound stopped growling and curled his tail to his belly as his ears went back in submission. Satisfied that he had proven himself superior Sniper let go of Hound and went to the shocked Medic and Handler with his head and tail high as Hound got up to follow him.

Sniper narrowed his eyes at Medic and growled when he was mere feet away from the doctor.

“Vhat does he vant?” asked Medic.

“I think he’s trying to get you to submit like Hound.” said Handler.

“Vhy vould he vant me to…?” began Medic.

“To establish order in his pack…I would submit if I were you.” said Handler as Sniper’s growling grew louder.

“Very vell.” said Medic as he lowered himself to his knees and Sniper went up to him, firmly but carefully grabbing his throat.

Medic clenched his teeth as everything within him screamed that he fight back but if he was to observe Sniper he needed the Aussie’s trust. After what seemed like an eternity, Sniper let go and turned to Handler. Sniper’s posture became more relaxed and he nuzzled her face,  being neither dominant nor submissive, he was accepting her as his equal which was not lost on Handler or Medic.  Handler smiled and kissed his muzzle before Sniper withdrew into the nearby bushes with Hound in tow.

Medic stood up to follow but was stopped by Handler.

“They are going to go hunt, we would just get in the way.” said Handler.

“How do you know zat?” asked Medic.

“When you are raised around, train and depend on canines you have to know how they communicate. Sniper wasn’t displaying dominance when he left but he was alert as was Hound and they were silent…” explained Handler.

She then looked around the clearing and began to gather Sniper’s clothes. Medic took the hint and moved their supplies into the cave. After putting Sniper’s dirty clothes in his bag and setting out a fresh outfit expect for his hat, glasses, vest, boots and belt, Handler fetched some firewood she had stored away last time. As she got the fire started Medic was busy writing notes only to stop as he noticed Handler looking at him.

“Vhat?” asked Medic.

“I want you to stop trying to test Sniper to make a serum to infect the rest of the team.” said Handler.

“I vould nev-“

“Don’t give me that bullshit! The only reason you are here is because you blackmailed us! Sniper has been through enough at the hands of the REDs…Could you imagine how hard this is going to be to hide when he retires and not just from RED but the federal government and society? Each person in this war is going to have a life after this…You may have helped tonight but you aren’t always going to be around to ease his pain or anyone else’s pain if you go through with your plans…Just abandon the idea.” said Handler.

Medic tucked his notebook back in his coat pocket and stood up so he was looking down at Handler.

"I do not zink you understand ze advantages ze serum could bring. Vith just a few adjustments in both ze serum and ze numbing agent I vould make zis "curse" as you call it a blessing! Ze applications are limitless from medicine to military and perhaps in time for entertainment...You can not tell me zat vith all your years training and vorking vith hunds zat you have not vondered vat it vould be like...I can give you zat if you just allow me to continue mien research, zough it is not like you have much choice."said Medic.

Handler narrowed her eyes as Medic spoke to her like a child and twisted her childhood fantasies of wanting to see what it would be like to be a canine. However a cold smirk came across her face as she stood up and walked over to Medic, stopping just a foot away.

"Medic it doesn't matter what wild fantasies I may have had, they died the moment I saw Sniper painfully twisted into an animal. Anyone would be frightened by such a sight yet do you know what is more horrifying? The thought that someone would be so insane as to willingly spread such a curse...The team feels guilty about letting Sniper suffer in RED's hands and about half of the team already knows about his curse...Your leverage against Sniper and I has not only weakened but it's backfired. If Sniper and I explained everything...Who do you think they will side with? The suffering teammate or the insane doctor who not only exploited that suffering but is willing to inflect it on them as well?" said Handler.

Medic stood there, contemplating her words. It had not occurred to him that Handler and Sniper would be willing to take such a risk but Sniper's capture and torture by RED did give them an opening to exploit. He had planned to infect all or at least a majority of the team, telling them half-truths to get them to agree so by the time they realized the full extent of the condition they would be dependent on him for the numbing agent. However if Handler went through with her plan and warned them... He couldn't take that risk, especially after the incident with Spy just a little under a year ago...

“Very vell, I vill stop my efforts to create a serum for use on ze team.” agreed Medic though he would still try to refine what he had so far…

“Thank you I-“ began Handler only to stop as Sniper entered the cave with three dead rabbits in his jaws while Hound returned with one.

The two set the rabbits in front of Handler and Sniper sat down to watch Handler. Sniper had wanted to eat the rabbits but he knew raw meat wasn’t safe and  he knew his teammates would be hungry. Sniper also wanted to see how Handler would react and he was pleased as she expertly gutted and skinned the rabbits. Medic started the fire and made a spit to cook the rabbits on. Soon the group was feasting on cooked rabbit flesh  though Medic was a bit hesitant to eat such crude food but a glare from Sniper got him eating.  

At around eleven the group went to sleep with Hound and Sniper cuddling against Handler with Medic laying against Hound for warmth. The night went peacefully with Sniper’s wolven mind dreaming of running in the woods instead of dwelling on his human fears of being recaptured…

The alarm clock that Handler had brought went off at 4:30 and Handler woke up and began to pack up as Medic slowly woke up and went into his bag, fetching some cold cut sandwiches he had made on thick rolls, handing one to Handler.

“Thanks.” said Handler before biting into it.

“Ihr Willkommen.” said Medic.

Sniper looked at them and wagged his tail as Medic placed a sandwich in front of him and then Hound. The two canines ate their food quickly and by the time Handler had extinguished the fire everyone was ready to go. Handler smiled as Medic took care of Sniper’s bag, the older man was rather strong as he had to carry the heavy medi-pack and medi-gun day after day.

About halfway back to the base they were forced to stop as Sniper collapsed to his side and reverted to human form as the sun rose in the sky. Handler helped him get dressed and Medic gave his teammate some hot pouches that activated when rubbed between Sniper’s hands. Medic instructed Sniper on where to place them before handing the Aussie his bag. The rest of the trip back was uneventful and they made it back to base with ample time to hide their bags and get ready for the day’s battle.