I'm sorry for the late update. The exams have taken most of my time.

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Protecting Lives

All the training they had gone through was for nothing. At least that's what Derek had thought. When the mission's day was there, they were informed they were going to be undercover with new identities. Of course, Sandman didn't look surprised, and neither did Truck. Maybe both of them were hiding that fact since undercover missions were new to both Frost and Grinch.

Grinch didn't like it, but he couldn't say a word, neither did Frost. It was impossible to decline it now, after getting ready for almost a week and so, and that training certainly didn't go to waste.

They'd go undercover, steal the information they need and get the hell out of there before anyone would notice. But of course, these were Makarov's allies. If they didn't have protection, that'd be the most suspicious thing that could happen.

All four wore their fancy suits which were supposed to show them as 'business men', or 'Rich enough for gambling', like Captain Johnson had said. Frost wore his own hesitantly, and he begun doubting he'd ever look good in this. He never wore a suit before, and as he looked slowly over the mirror, he heard a snort coming from his right, where Grinch was fighting down his laughter and casting glances his way.

"What's so funny?" asked Frost, glaring at him with a huff. Dammit, he knew he looked wrong, but he didn't know it would be enough to make someone laugh… now he was self-conscious about this. "Nothing, it's just… you look like a wrestler forced to wear a pink dress~" and with that, he snorted again. Truck laughing in the background.

He almost, almost rearranged Grinch's facial features with his fists when he heard Sandman call him, and as he turned, the man had a straight face (much to his relief) and he slowly started undoing the tie around Frost collar shirt. Once that was over, he pulled the suit's jacket off which left the black vest, then undid the first three bottoms until Frost's chest was visible, then rolled up the sleeves until they reached his elbows.

"A necklace and a watch would work too." Sandman said once he was done, turning back to the mirror to fix what needs to be fixed about his suit. Derek couldn't stop staring for a while, his eyes wandering over Sandman's form in that suit… and he had to admit he looked so god damn sexy with it on. His Captain would of looked amazing as a business man if he wasn't a soldier. Finally coming back to reality, he turned to see himself in the mirror, a smile forming slowly as his eyes studied himself. Well, he looked good now. Sandman surely knew what to do.

He felt eyes on him, and as he turned, he saw Grinch's face that had an odd expression casted his way. He simply raised his brow, questioning the strange stare he was getting, but his friend didn't reply; only looked back to his mirror to put on his sunglasses. Damn, it seems the man will never let those go as if they were a part of his body.

Once they reached the bird that would take them to Berlin, where the Banker's henchman would possibly be, they climbed into it. All silent and focused. Frost wasn't sure what Sandman was thinking about, he couldn't even read Truck's thoughts, but Grinch… The man was too obvious. He was nervous, shifting in his seat and shaking a little. For a first mission undercover, it shouldn't be so scary. But maybe the man was afraid they'd get compromised inside the enemy resident. It would end up as bad as it could be imagined.

~/~

The casinos in Berlin were, mildly impressive. They were a little larger than those Frost had seen in America, and the people in it looked so damn rich they were sweating gold. It was both disgusting and shocking, but mostly disgusting. And from the look at them, they didn't seem to care about the war at all. Hell, even the ladies there didn't seem to care about anything.

They were sent to their rooms, Truck and Grinch sharing one, as usual. And Sandman and Frost sharing one. Once Frost walked into the suite, he flopped down on the couch, staring at the decorated ceiling with a thoughtful look. Now, how the fuck are they going to find those information? Better yet, who has them?! He was too lost in his thinking to feel Sandman approach him, and only realized that when the couch sank down a little at the extra weight. As he glanced at Sandman, he saw him pouring some kind of alcohol. He wasn't so sure what kind it was, but it didn't matter. He hardly drinks anyway.

"Don't waste your time thinking. We'll be staying here for a while… at least until we get what we came here for." His commander said, and offered him a drink which he accepted hesitantly. He wasn't much of a drinker, and he knew what three glasses of alcohol could do to him. He cant even trust himself around someone when he's drunk. Last time he was, it was back in high school's graduation party, where he ended up straddling one of his friends' laps… Fuck, just remembering made him blush.

"I wont… I'm just wondering where we should start." With that statement, he sipped from his glass, cringing at the strong taste and lowering the glass slowly. Wow, he could get drunk easily with this. He heard a chuckle come from the man next to him, and it sounded so genuine that it was hard not to smile when he heard it. "Haven't you drunk strong alcohol before?" Finally came the question once the laugh subdued, but the smile was still there… and it looked so nice to Frost, he was unable to look away.

The sergeant hesitated, his drink completely forgotten about as he tried to think of a decent answer. "Actually, no. The last time I drank I was too young. Too young to even drink." And ever since, he swore he'll never touch alcohol again. And now, he was drinking it. Sipping it is the right word. "It makes me unaware of the shit I do." Sandman smiled again, and as Frost met his commander's eyes, he started hesitating again. It was good to be away from the Military, even if he was in a mission, it was still better to see Sandman without all that gear or that plain white shirt that he wore daily. Even if it showed a lot of Sandman's body to him, he still liked the change.

His superior took a deep breath, his eyes casting down to stare at the drink in his hand. "But it can still allow you to forget things you don't want to remember." Those words sounded… off. And the older male still haven't looked up at him. So, he drank himself to the point of forgetting before? But what was it for? …Did he loose someone? All those questions started forming in his brain, and he hated how much of a coward he was to ask any of that.

He did, however, pull himself up from his lying position, crossing one leg and let the other dangle over the couch, then leaned closer toward Sandman. A hand grasping his firm shoulder gently. "Hey, there are better ways to forget. Alcohol can make you forget, yes, but it has side effects. And one of them is dying…" As he said that, the other started looking up, looking at him. His expression unreadable, but he could guess what he was feeling now. They were so close… so close Frost could finally do what he wanted, needed to do all this time, but as Sandman's eyes looked behind him, his chance was missed.

"Uhm.. uh.. Truck said he needs to speak with you-… Am I interrupting something?" That voice! Frost slowly turned, his eyes falling on a too-awkward-confused Grinch standing by the door with a look on his face that was more funny than anything, but Frost was in no mood to say a thing. "Sure." Said Sandman, standing up and leaving Derek where he was without looking back. Once he was out of the door, Grinch looked back at Frost with the same look he gave him earlier when they were dressing, but it wasn't a confused look, he could guess that far. Was Grinch… angry? "You too."

Groaning, the sergeant stood up and put down his drink, following after Sandman and trying to ignore the hard stare Grinch was giving him. What the fuck was wrong with him? He stood before Truck, who was talking rather quickly and quietly with Sandman. "I located the data base, where the banker's henchman is staying. He has been in contact with Makarov 8 hours ago." Fuck, how can Truck come up with all that just a few minutes after their arrival? He'll never know. He was just glad someone as good as Truck was in their team.

"Alright, let's get inside somewhere and discuss our plan. There could be bugs around."

Through all that, Grinch never took his eyes off Frost.

~/~

The plan was simple. Truck and Grinch goes downstairs where the casino was, start a fight and distract as much people as possible for the longest of time. It'll draw the banker's men out and try to separate between them since they were the only guards on duty that night. As for Frost and Sandman, they'll be the ones going to the top floor to get the information and leave. Hopefully, that henchman won't be there.

They were being quiet as they walked down the halls. No one was around but two guards who were sleeping with an open TV in one of the small rooms that led to the main one. From the description they got from Truck, the room was large, full of all kinds of software, and all sorts of tracking devices. The main computer was easy to use, but takes time to download all the files they'll need.

The lights were dim, which helped me further into this, as if the mission was going in their favor. As they kept walking, a few voices echoed in the hall and were too damn close to hide from them. Quickly, Sandman dragged him into an open, dark room, nothing visible in it as they waited for the group of 4-5 men to pass by them before they start walking again. They weren't armed, but they were muscled enough to take them down easily. He'd prefer avoiding them.

Resuming their way, they watched out for anyone who might have caught glimpses of them, or followed, or simply watched them from a distance, and once they were sure no one was doing any of that, they walked into the main room, and closed the door behind them. The sight was nothing but stunning. The large, dunno-how-many-feet wide screen displayed so many locations on the world's map. So many dots and shining arrows. One of the dots he recognized as the Delta force base… there were keyboards scattered all across the room, and little screens here and there. Cameras in each hall, each bar and each corner of the casino are shown on the wall to their left, and finally, a single laptop in the middle of this all.

Sandmen walked toward it, pulled a small USB from his pocket and begin typing so quickly it startled Frost. "Keep an eye on the door." Was his superior's order. He walked back to the closed door, opened it just a tiny bit and pressed his back against the wall, his eyes focused. He prayed they wouldn't be finding out about them, that no one would come here and decides to check if the room was clear or not. "Downloading…" It was his captain again, and he heard impatient tapping on the table the laptop was on, and he could guess Sandman was in a hurry for it to download whatever information they had, then make a mass deletion.

This mission could be a whole new level for them, and if they were lucky enough, they'll get promoted and more missions will come. Frost loved being in business. Footsteps on the hall caught his attention, a few voices echoing again, but this time, they were speaking English… "I tell you, I saw two fuckers walking!" said one of them, a larger voice replying. "I doubt anyone could come here. There are guards everywhere!"

"But they were sleeping; of course they didn't see two men walking here."

"Who do you think they'll be, anyway?"

"I don't know, spies maybe?"

"That's impossible. If there were any spies, we would have found out already."

They were so close now, and there was no place to hide in this damned room. He looked over at Sandman, walked a few steps toward him then grabbed him roughly and turned him around. His lips slapping against his commander's.

Sandman tensed, he could feel his form stiffen, but as the door opened, he felt a hand wrap around his waist as quick as possible… And the kiss deepened. "Maybe they're undercover-…"

"Maybe you're full of shit." The larger voice said his last statement before he fell quiet, and Frost knew they're in trouble now. He was kissing his commander, superior, captain, whatever he is in front of enemies. They're fucking dead. But Frost wouldn't let this pass so easily. He broke the kiss without a second thought, turned toward the two, dumbfounded guards and glared so intensely that the look on their faces changed. "What is wrong with you people!? Every time we go somewhere to spend a little, just a little time alone, someone has to come in and interrupt!" He practically yelled at them, his voice full of anger as he continued. "Fuck this vacation! This is the last time we're renting in this place. Ever."

He turned to Sandman, took his hand and dragged him out of that room, right past the two. "Oh, and next time you want to walk into something so private, make sure to knock." And with that, he left the two shocked Russians behind and went down the hall they walked in.

None of them said a single word until they reached their shared suite, and it was Frost who broke the silence. "…The USB." Staring at Sandman as he said that, his commander pulled the said device out of his pocket, and then returned it back once Frost saw it. "How did-…" Derek started, but simply fell silent. He didn't even know how to ask. "During your scolding up there, I took it without any of them noticing. Gotta admit, you're a good liar."

Fuck, just remembering that made him blush madly. He turned away from Sandman and sat down on the couch, his drink was still there, untouched, and that moment, he considered drinking it. Not long after, Sandman sat down as well, his arm wrapping around Frost's shoulder and bringing him closer. His lips touching the side of the younger's face. "You haven't finished what you started."

Frost could curse himself until he dies at that moment, but it would never cease the deep red that spread across his cheeks. Just how close he pressed against Sandman's body, how he felt the hot breath against his face, and how he heard the deep voice speak in a tone he never imagined he'll ever hear. "I didn't… have a choice?"

He slowly turned his head, just enough to meet his commander's eyes, his hand touching Sandman's cheek, "You have now." Was the last thing his captain said, and their lips met again.

The kiss wasn't soft, wasn't anywhere near gentle. It was as rough as two men fighting for dominance, lips pressed firmly on one another and hands quickly exploring bodies that longed to be touched. The kiss lasted for a while before Frost broke it, sucking in deep breaths to fill his lungs. Sandman took advantage of this, like he always does, and pushed his tongue past Frost's lips. The younger moaned, pressing further into his commander and fighting back the tongue invading his mouth, even as he knew he'd be easily turned into submission. After all, this was Sandman he's kissing…

He tasted the same as the drink they had earlier, and the heat in his body radiating to his own, making the temperature in the room unbearable. Derek started undoing his superior's clothes in a hurried manner as the older male leaned further over him until his back pressed against the couch beneath. The kiss was broken again, but this time, a knock on the door was the cause. Both of them pushed each other off, staring at the door in horror as it was knocked again. Frost, who didn't look so messed, stood up and decided he'll open the door while Sandman fixed his suit. He wiped his mouth and took a deep breath, then opened the door. It was Grinch.

"Hey dude, they're gonna kick us out. Did you get the info?" The southern male asked, peaking in to see Sandman standing up calmly with the USB in his hand. "Yes, we're leaving." Said his captain, and Frost slowly looked back at Grinch who was furrowing his brows in a very, very suspicious way, staring at both of them silently. "…Okay, I'll tell Truck." He left after saying that.

Closing the door, Frost turned to Sandman, taking a deep breath and rubbing the side of his neck. "…I wasn't kidding about the interruption." What he said made his commander smile for some reason, but he didn't say anything in turn.

~/~

The ride back to their base was quiet. And once they were at the base's rooftop, Johnson was the first to meet them, take the information and tell them how much he was proud of them. Right after he was gone, everyone hurried to their rooms to either change or nap or get ready for dinner. Frost was the one planning to nap, but just as he collapsed down the bed, he heard the door of his room open and close. "Alright, Frost. You can start explaining now."

He turned his head the slightest bit to get a good look on Grinch, who had an angry look on his face. "…Explain what?" His question only angered his friend further, and the sight of him confused him so much, he propped himself up on his elbows, eyes narrowed as he saw Grinch moving forward. "Explain what's between you and Sandman!"

That… caught him off guard; he pushed himself up and stared at Grinch calmly, not yet showing he knew anything. "I don't know what you're talking about…" What he said couldn't be worst to Grinch as the man held him by the collar and pushed him up, pinning him against the wall beside his bed. Frost didn't fight back, after all this time with his friend; he knew pushing him off would only cause more trouble. "Don't pretend you don't know! I've noticed the shit between you for months now!"

Denying it longer would be pointless… If Grinch knew then he cant lie anymore. "…Fine, let go of me first." Slowly, but carefully, Grinch let him go, taking a single step back, but still glared daggers into him. "Look, its no big deal. We just… have a thing for each other, okay?" the expression on Grinch's face changed, but Frost could not read it. "Nothing serious happened, trust me. But I just… like Sandman, and that wont change. Ever."

"Are you kidding me? Frost, what's gotten into you!? That's your Captain, and if anyone else knows, you'll be in deep trouble, man! They'll kick you out!" Grinch's words made so much sense to him, and now he knew why the man was so angry about the whole ordeal.

He just hoped no one will find out… "Then.. Then don't tell anyone. Please." He pleaded, Grinch's expression softening at that, but he still had that stern look in his eyes. "I wont, but you better keep each others back guarded. You don't know if the Captains would notice or not." His stance finally eased, and he looked down at the ground for a while before facing Frost again. "Look, I'm sorry about that. I just hate the fact my teammates hide shit from me. Its like, they don't trust me enough."

"Grinch, I do trust you, but it's not that. I mean, I wasn't even sure what's between us until… until today." Frost sighed, slumping against the wall once he was sure Grinch wont attack again. He was right. He never thought Sandman had that kind of emotions until they kissed. And even then, he was a little hesitant. But now… he felt guilty for even thinking about it that way. "Do you think we should tell Truck?" Grinch asked after a moment of silence, Frost pursing his lips. "Nah, let him find out on his own. The same way you did."

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I tried. I really did. But I just recently finished my exams and the urge to write isn't completely back yet. So excuse the hideous kissing scene and whatever else.