#and crosshair's surprised expression :((

[stars-n-spice]

How I'm going to be for the rest of the year.

[marvel-starwarsfangirl]

Crosshair's character in TBB honestly makes a lot of sense when looking back at CW. He and his brothers have such an implicit trust in each other (something we saw in "Into the Breach"). With the exception of Cody, Crosshair says "we don't usually work with regs." The Batch is literally Cross' ride or die and it's not surprising he expresses a sense of superiority in S1 of TBB. He literally spends all his time with his brothers who show off just as much as he does. And when Rex says to leave Cody in Kix's care, Crosshair voices his concern. From the very beginning, loyalty is something he highly values.

Every single time Crosshair opens his mouth and makes a rude comment, Wrecker always comes in to defend him. I can imagine Crosshair just getting so comfortable with making comments because he knows that his brothers will defend him. When he falls from the pipe on Skako Minor, Wrecker doesn't hesitate to jump after him. Cross also trusts Wrecker to not let him fall when they jump on to the Keeradaks.

Crosshair is also very quiet and observational. He's the first to notice danger and the one to hang back to be the lookout. The amount of faith his brothers have in his abilities probably means so much to him.

Now, imagine you're Crosshair in TBB S1. Your squad, who've been your ride or die since day 1, leaves you behind and you don't know why. That implicit trust that was once there is gone. That loyalty you once thought you had didn't matter apparently. But you still want them to come back because of how tight knit your bond used to be. Not defending his choices, but I bet that's what was going on inside his head.

[nahoney22]

Hi ! It's me requesting again (I hope you don't mind 😅)

Can I request Crosshair x fem!reader who's really inexperienced (she has never been in any relationship before Crosshair) and when she's ready for her time, she's a little nervous because since she has no experience she feels like she'll ruin it for him but he keeps reassuring her that she's doing really well (NSFW if you don't mind)

Between Us***

Crosshair X F!Reader

word count: 2.7k

When the time comes to take the next step with your boyfriend, the weight of being a virgin weighs heavily on your shoulders but luckily for you, Crosshair is there to guide you through it all.

warnings: NSFW, 18+ only. Smut, explicit sexual content and language. Virgin and inexperienced female reader. First time, P in V sex, cunnilingus, kissing, neck kissing, comfort, dirty talk, praises, soft Crosshair, soft smut, fluff, aftercare, established relationship.

authors note: sorry for the wait! Please enjoy @coraex 🩵

NSFW under the cut!

His lips descended onto yours in a feverish passion, his hand held onto your waist as the back of your legs hit the bed and sent you tumbling back. As he leaned over you, a smirk graced his lips at the sound of your surprised gasp.

With a fluid motion, he slid his arm under your back, effortlessly repositioning you on the bed, your head finding comfort on the feather-pillow. "I can't believe we're finally alone," he murmured huskily, his lips moving to explore your neck while you tried to hide any hint of nervousness.

Despite the heat of the moment, you couldn't shake the nagging fear of not being able to meet his expectations. It wasn't about who he was - you trusted him completely. But doubts crept in about whether you could give him what he desired.

Your breath hitched and your body tensed, prompting Crosshair to pause and search your eyes with concern. "Do you not like that?" he asked, his smirk fading as he sensed your unease.

You blinked up at him, struggling to find your voice. Of course you liked it; how could you not? But the overwhelming anxiety threatened to overwhelm you. Crosshair's expression softened as he crawled off you, settling by your side as you sat up, running a hand through your hair.

"Sorry, I'm sorry... I am enjoying it," you stammered, feeling the weight of your own insecurities. Crosshair listened patiently, but when he saw your distress mounting, he pulled you close, offering comfort and support.

"What's wrong? I thought this is what you wanted?” he said, gesturing to the luxurious surroundings that had been carefully prepared for the occasion. What he had envisioned as a magical night together was clouded by your fear of disappointing him.

You turn to him, a hint of frustration in your voice. "No, Cross, I do want this. I want it more than anything. It's just..." Your nerves threaten to overwhelm you, but as he gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind your ear and clasps your slightly trembling hand in his, you find the courage to be honest. "I've never done anything like this before."

"Sex?" he asks directly.

"Yes, or even foreplay... I'm sorry I didn't tell you," you admit with a sigh.

He shakes his head, brushing off your apology. "You didn't have to tell me. It's none of my business." Bringing your hand to his lips, he kisses across your knuckles tenderly. "We don't have to do anything if you don't want to."

Your heart sinks a little. "But I do want to do something," you assert, meeting his gaze with determination. "I just don't know how to."

Crosshair pauses, still holding your hand to his lips as he considers. "You don't need to do anything if you don't want to," he murmurs in a low rumble, repeating his previous comment. "I could take the lead. I'll show you what your body is capable of."

Excitement wells up within you, grateful that he isn't deterred by your lack of experience. "I'd like that."

"Good," he affirms, pressing a final kiss to your knuckles before rising from the bed. Your eyes follow him as he moves to the foot of the bed, directly in front of you. "I want you to relax. Lay back."

You watch as he slowly removes his belt from his civvies, your anticipation growing at the thought of Crosshair undressing for you. The belt hits the floor with a clang before he begins unbuttoning his black dress shirt.

Your skin tingles with heat, your body reacting instinctively to the sight of him. "You like watching me get undressed, princess?" he teases, noticing your flushed expression.

"I do," you admit, biting your lip as he continues to reveal his lean physique. One button at a time, his shirt slips from his shoulders and falls to the floor.

He then kneels on the bed, moving towards you with gentle intent. With your silent permission, his hands slide to the waistband of your pants, slowly pulling them down as you lift your hips to assist him. You can't help but smile as he neatly folds your clothes and sets them aside.

His hands then rest on your bare knees, his touch both delicate and confident as he trails his fingers over your skin before spreading your thighs.

The cool air kisses your skin, even through the thin barrier of your silk panties, eliciting a shiver of anticipation. You've never felt this vulnerable before, but the thought exhilarates you, hoping it does the same for the man before you.

"Oh, baby girl," he murmurs, lowering himself between your legs, his head resting against your thighs. "You have such a pretty pussy."

Your breath catches in delight at his words, your cheeks burning with excitement. "Do you really like it?"

He chuckles, his eyes smoldering with desire as he plants kisses on the sensitive skin of your inner thighs. "How can I not? It belongs to you," he purrs, his warm breath a stark contrast to the previous cold air.

Your lazy grin transforms into one of anticipation as his hands explore your skin, leaving a trail of tingling sensations in their wake, his fingers teasingly brushing over the fabric of your panties.

When his touch finally makes contact, you exhale sharply, pleasure coursing through you at the sensation. "Sensitive, are we? Don't worry," he reassures, his thumb gently caressing the silk over where your clit would be, "I'll be gentle."

"Crosshair..." you whimper, your body responding eagerly to his touch.

"Do you like that?" he asks softly, his fingers detecting the growing dampness through the fabric. "I can feel that your panties are getting wet for me... shall we take them off?"

You lick your lips, nodding eagerly, your anticipation palpable. His movements are careful as he slides your panties down your leg, the fabric hooking around your foot before landing on the floor. Your gaze remains fixed on Crosshair, watching with awe as he swallows hard at the sight of your bare sex before him. "Perfect," he murmurs, and you observe in fascination as he licks his fingers, coating them with saliva before delicately stroking up and down between your folds.

The sensation was unlike anything you had ever experienced before. Your entire body trembled with pleasure, and Crosshair slowed his movements, gazing up at you from between your legs as he lay on his stomach. "Are you okay?" he inquired softly.

"Yeah," you breathed, watching his fingers as they continued their mesmerising dance, "just getting used to this feeling."

"And do you like this feeling when I play with your pussy?" he queried, his eyes locked on yours.

You nodded in response, unable to form words as waves of pleasure washed over you.

He maintained his movements, skillfully teasing your sensitive clit, eliciting occasional arches of your back and a chuckle from Crosshair. But now, it was time for the next step. "I'd love to eat you out," he began, licking his lips in anticipation, "would you like to try that?"

You had certainly thought about it before, even entertained the idea of having Crosshair between your legs or even sitting on his face, but now that the opportunity was here, you couldn't resist. "Yes," you replied eagerly.

"Come on, darling," he leaned in closer, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine, "tell me. Use your words."

You swallowed nervously, summoning the courage to attempt your first foray into dirty talk. "Please lick my pussy, Crosshair. It's all yours."

Something sparked in his eyes at your words. Gripping your thighs firmly to hold them apart, he wasted no time, his tongue tracing a long, slow swipe up your dripping slit.

Crosshair's expert ministrations sent shockwaves of pleasure coursing through your body. His tongue danced skillfully over your swollen folds, alternating between gentle flicks and firm strokes, each movement sending you higher and higher towards ecstasy.

As he delved deeper, exploring every inch of your trembling flesh with a hunger that matched your own, you surrendered yourself completely to the overwhelming pleasure, lost in the blissful haze of his touch. "Oh, Crosshair," you moaned, your voice laced with desire, "that feels so good."

He hummed in response, the vibrations sending shivers down your spine. "You taste amazing," he murmured, his words sending a rush of heat straight to your core. With each flick of his tongue, each gentle suckle on your clit, he brought you closer and closer to the edge.

You gripped the sheets tightly, your breath coming in ragged gasps as the pleasure built to an unbearable crescendo. Your tire started to curl and there was a heat in your core that you only imagined to be hitting a climax, your first climax. "I'm... I'm gonna come," you gasped, your body trembling with anticipation.

Crosshair didn't falter, his movements only growing more intense as he expertly brought you to the brink. And then, with one final, well-placed flick of his tongue, he sent you hurtling over the edge, your entire body convulsing with ecstasy as wave after wave of pleasure washed over you.

He groans into your cunt, lapping up the last remnants of your high before pulling back, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he wipes his mouth. "Was that good for you, princess?" he asks, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

You can only nod, still lost in the haze of pleasure, unable to form coherent words.

Crosshair releases your legs and kneels in front of you, his cock straining against his pants as he gazes down at you. "Do you want to carry on?"

Your eyes flutter open, taking in the sight of the man before you, treating you with a tenderness you hadn't seen before. But then your gaze trails down his body, lingering on the bulge in his pants, and a wave of desire washes over you. "Definitely."

Your eagerness brings a wicked grin to his lips, and you watch in a daze as he undoes the button of his pants, freeing his throbbing cock. Your eyes widen at the sight, your mouth watering in anticipation. "Cross... you're so big."

He chuckles darkly, his hand wrapping around his shaft as he pumps it between your legs. "And it's all for you, kitten."

"I'm nervous," you admit in a whisper, the size of him feeling almost intimidating.

"I understand," he murmurs, leaning over you and enveloping you between his body and the bed. "I'll be gentle if you still want to go on."

You lean up, capturing his lips in a kiss, moaning softly as you taste yourself on his tongue. "I don't want this to stop," you whisper against his lips, your hands moving to your top and pulling it over your head, revealing your naked body to him. "I just don't want you to be..."

"Don't say unsatisfied," he interrupts, his eyes roaming over your exposed form, a hunger burning in his gaze. "Fuck, you're gorgeous."

"Are you ready for this?" he whispers against your lips, and as you give a subtle nod, a low moan escaping your lips, Crosshair positions himself between your legs. His hands trace patterns on your skin as he eases into you slowly, inch by inch. Your breath catches in your throat as you feel the delicious stretch and fullness. At first, there's a burn, uncomfortable yet thrilling, but as he rests within you, praising you and allowing you to adjust, the burn transforms into pleasure.

"Stars, you feel amazing," you gasp, your body instinctively arching towards him, hungry for more.

He places one hand on the pillow beside your head, the other gripping your hip firmly, holding you in place as he begins to move. His thrusts are slow, deliberate, and caring. Each movement sends shockwaves of pleasure coursing through you, your pussy clenching around him in ecstasy.

Crosshair, who you always thought of as rough and dirty, reveals a gentle side with you. His eyes never leave your face, searching for any signs of discomfort as he expertly rolls his hips. As you lay back, embracing his cock, your gaze shifts upwards, a small smirk playing on your lips as a mirror replaces the typical ceiling, allowing you to hungrily admire his toned back and arse as he rocks into you.

Your nails dig into his back, your moans growing louder with each thrust as he drives you towards the brink of ecstasy. You whimper his name, your body writhing beneath his as he claims you completely.

"You're doing so, so well. You can moan louder, it's just me and you," Crosshair praises, his words igniting a fire within you that burns hotter with each passing moment. "You feel so fucking good, princess," he growls, his voice low and gravelly with desire. “Tell me if I hurt you.”

Your pussy throbs with pleasure, every ridge and vein of his cock sending you closer to madness. "F-Faster, please," you groan as he presses his forehead to yours.

"Of course," he complies, holding you close. His hands roam over your body, caressing your breasts as he drives into you with increasing urgency. You sob into the crook of his neck, the pleasure overwhelming yet somehow not enough as you feel his cock swelling inside you, signaling his impending release.

"Do you like this, huh? Do you like my cock filling you up?" he demands softly, his thrusts becoming more intense.

"Yes! Oh fuck yes, Cross," you cry, teeth sinking into his neck, earning a gasp from him as he pounds into you.

"Good girl," he moans, his hips stuttering as he nears his climax. "I love you so much. You've done so well." He sits up, one hand remaining on your hip while the other moves between your legs, frantically rubbing at your clit as he watches him seethe in and out of you with each careful thrust.

"Fuck! You're going to make me cum again," you gasp, feeling yourself on the edge.

"That's the idea, princess," he grins lazily, his eyes moving up your body and fixating on your bouncing breasts. "I'm... I'm going to cum soon too. All over your lovely tits."

As Crosshair pumps into you with a few more fervent thrusts, his movements become more urgent, more desperate, driving you both towards the edge of ecstasy. The intensity of his circling motions on your clit sends shivers down your spine, igniting every nerve ending in your body. With each stroke of his cock, your pussy clenches around him, urging him on, signaling your impending release.

His loving words wash over you like a warm embrace, filling you with a sense of adoration and belonging. The stars begin to blur your vision as pleasure clouds your senses, and your heavy breathing mixes with soft whimpering of his name fills the air.

As Crosshair holds back his own climax, he sighs in anticipation as he feels you reach your peak. With a final, powerful thrust, you release all over his cock, your body trembling with the force of your orgasm. He swiftly pulls out, a primal need driving him as he leans over you, his hand frantically pumping on his cock.

"Oh fuck, oh fuck yes! That's it…" he gasps, his voice thick with desire, as a stream of hot, white, silky cum paints your breasts, coating you in his delicious seed.

You watch him in awe, your body still quivering from the aftershocks of pleasure, until he collapses beside you. For a moment, you feel emotional. This trivial moment in your life finally feels complete with someone you love and who loves you.

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?" Crosshair must’ve noticed your expression, his concern evident in his voice as he notices the slight glisten in your eyes.

You shake your head, a soft smile playing on your lips. "Not at all. That was very special to me. Thank you," you whisper, your heart overflowing with love and gratitude.

"It was special to me too. I've... I've never felt like this with anyone before," he confesses, his voice filled with sincerity as he takes your hand and kisses your fingers softly, sealing the moment with tenderness and affection.

You both lay with each other for a while, your bodies beginning to ache with the aftermath, but you don't refuse Crosshair's continued gentleness as he scoops you up into his arms and draws you a bath. After cleaning up and slipping into your nightwear, the two of you curl back up into bed.

"Crosshair?" you whisper into his chest after a few minutes.

"Yeah?" he asks, stroking his fingers through your hair.

"Can we do this again tomorrow?"

Masterlist

More Crosshair Works

My Ko-Fi if you feel like buying me a cup of tea ☕️ 😊

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[jetii]

Promises Made (pt. 2/3)

Part One | Part Three

Pairing: Crosshair x fem!Reader / Crosshair x Jedi!Reader

Words: 7,387 / 23,314

Tags/Warnings: 18+ only! angst, hurt/comfort, themes of grief/death/mourning, that comes into play a lot in this part, reader is genuinely unfair to Cross here sorry, protective!Crosshair, everyone is bad at feelings, smut in part 3

Summary: Crosshair is back, and you're the only one who still can't seem to forgive him. When you finally have the lead you've been seeking since the extinction of the Jedi, you seize the opportunity to escape the constant turmoil his presence causes you. Of course, Crosshair has other plans.

A/N: Thank you again to everyone for your kind words and support on all my fics, it really means a lot to me! I loved writing the drama in this part, and it was hard to stop, so hopefully it doesn’t drag on too much. Enjoy!

Previous Work | Next Work | Masterlist

The moment you enter the cockpit, Crosshair stiffens, staring out of the viewport with wide eyes. The smoggy grey atmosphere of Bracca, pocked with smears of red rust and the glimmer of steel, stares back.

You can practically feel the tension radiating off of him, and you know he’s remembering what happened the last time the two of you were here.

You can see the conflict in his eyes, the way he clenches his jaw and curls his lip. You know he doesn't want to be here, doesn't want to set foot on this planet ever again, and you’re surprised at how guilty you feel. You thought a part of you would relish the pain he was feeling, would be glad to see him squirm.

But you aren’t.

"Are you alright?" you ask. You hadn't meant to, hadn't even realized you were thinking it until the words slip past your lips.

He looks at you, startled, as though he didn't think you'd notice.

"I'm fine," he snarls, and the bite in his words catches you off guard. You recoil, turning back to the control panel.

"We're landing in twenty," you mutter, and that's the end of the conversation.

The rest of the flight is silent, and it's not until the Marauder is descending into the atmosphere that he speaks again.

"What's the plan?" Crosshair asks, standing behind the copilot's chair. You can hear the creak of the leather as he grips the backrest, can feel his eyes on the top of your head.

"There is no plan," you say. You look back up at him, and there's a furrow between his brows. "We're not here for a job."

He blinks, clearly confused. "What?"

"We're landing, and we're meeting my contact." You turn back to the control panel, watching the ship descend through the viewport. “She’ll give us the coordinates, we’ll get what I came for, and then we’ll leave.”

“That easy, huh?” Crosshair scoffs.

“Were you expecting something more thrilling? A daring chase? A firefight?” you tease. He rolls his eyes. “I told you it was just an exchange. There won't be any trouble."

The Marauder touches down, the landing ramp dropping a moment later. You stand, stretching.

"Besides," you say, grabbing your bag, "you've had your fair share of trouble for one lifetime."

He watches you closely as you sling the bag over your shoulder, and when you look up, you catch him staring. You don't understand the intensity in his eyes, or the way his expression seems to shift, the frustration replaced with something softer. He averts his gaze, crossing his arms.

"If you say so," he grumbles, but there's a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

You smirk. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"I don't need protecting."

"Of course you don't, dear." You pat his shoulder as you pass, and he scowls.

He's still glaring when you glance over your shoulder, and you have to hold back a laugh. You don't miss the way the corners of his lips twitch upward as he follows behind, and for a moment, the tension lifts.

It's raining when you exit the ship, and the cold droplets soak through your jacket almost immediately. Crosshair tugs on his helmet as you step out of cover, and you ignore your flash of jealousy as you pull your hood up over your head.

You don't waste time, hurrying toward the abandoned building you're meeting your contact in. Puddles splash under your feet, soaking through your boots, and your clothes cling to your skin. Your hood is doing little to protect you, the water dripping from the edges and onto your face, and you try to focus on anything other than the chill that's settling into your bones.

Crosshair stays a few steps behind, keeping pace. He looms behind you like a shadow. His presence is both comforting and unnerving, and you find yourself constantly checking over your shoulder.

"I hate this place," Crosshair grumbles. The modulator on his helmet makes him sound even more irritated. "Stay close to me."

You turn to see his head on a swivel, his posture stiff, and his hand on the blaster at his side. You can’t help but scoff, and his head snaps towards you.

"What?” he growls.

"Nothing,” you mutter back. “Just nice to know some things haven’t changed.”

“Are you going to be like this the entire time?”

You can hear the annoyance in his tone, the barely concealed frustration, and it makes you smile.

"Probably," you reply, turning down a side street.

Crosshair makes an irritated noise. It only encourages you, putting a spring in your step in an otherwise miserable situation. Maybe it's a good thing he came after all. You can practically hear him grinding his teeth, and it's hard to contain your amusement.

"I don't get it," he mutters.

"Get what?"

"This. You." He gestures vaguely, the hand not on his weapon flapping in your direction. "You're being..."

"Nice?" you suggest, glancing over your shoulder.

"Fucking obnoxious."

You laugh, the sound echoing through the empty alley. Crosshair groans, and you can see his shoulders droop in exasperation. "That's my default setting. You should know that."

"Yeah, well," he says, his voice low and rough, "I forgot."

The admission hangs in the air, and you feel a rush of... something. It's not quite guilt, or sadness, but it's not happy, either. It's an uneasy combination, and you shove the feeling down.

"Maybe I've missed this," you tease. You slow your pace, falling into step beside him. "Maybe I've missed the sound of your voice."

"You're a liar," he replies, but you can hear the humor in his tone.

"What are you talking about?" You feign innocence, but there's a playful lilt to your voice that gives you away. "I'm an honest person."

"An honest pain in the ass."

You snicker. "Maybe I've missed having someone to bother."

"You've never had trouble finding a victim," he quips, and you nudge his arm with your elbow. He pushes back, and it's almost a joke, almost a friendly gesture, and for a moment, you forget why you're even here.

"True," you concede. "But nobody else puts up with me like you do."

His helmet tilts down, and you can feel his gaze on you. You look at him, and it's impossible to see his face, but you swear there's a hint of a smile.

"Yeah," he says, and the word is almost fond. "Lucky me."

"Shut up."

You bump his arm again, and he chuckles, the sound barely audible through the filter on his helmet. It's a tender moment, a brief glimpse of the old Crosshair, the one who would banter and bicker with you for hours, and the sound of his voice pulls you back to a different time. You miss it, more than you thought possible.

"We're here," you say, interrupting the moment. You push the door open, and it swings inward, revealing a stairwell. You glance back at him, motioning him forward. He falls into step behind you, all trace of amusement gone.

"Let's get this over with," he says.

You descend into the building, the stairs creaking beneath your feet. You can see feel the tension rolling off Crosshair in waves, and he reaches over his shoulder to draw his rifle.

"Calm down, would you?" you say, and he bristles.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"You said it yourself," he mutters, scanning the shadows. "I've had my fair share of trouble for a lifetime."

"That's not what I—"

You're interrupted when you reach the bottom of the stairs, and a tan Abednedo steps from the shadows, a blaster pointed in your direction. She lowers the weapon when she sees you, and a small smile crosses her lips.

“Master Jedi. Pleasure to see you again," the Abednedo drawls, holstering her blaster.

"Saaba," you nod. You nudge Crosshair hard with your elbow, and he grunts before slowly lowering his rifle. You can see his fingers flex, as if he's not sure he should put it away, and you hope he listens.

Saaba gives him a once over, the tendrils that frame her mouth twitching. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Crosshair. Cross, this is my friend, Saaba," you explain.

"A pleasure," Crosshair says, his tone dry.

"I'll admit, I'm surprised to see you've brought company." She squints, her large goggles emphasizing how she sizes him up. “And a trooper, no less. I thought they were your enemies now."

Crosshair tenses, and you can feel his anger flare. You reach for him, touching his wrist. He looks at you, and even with his helmet on, you can tell he's glaring. You shake your head, and he sighs, relaxing a little under your touch. 

You hadn't told her about Crosshair, or about the rest of the Batch. It hadn't seemed important, and you weren't sure how she'd react to knowing the man standing beside you had more than once tried to kill you.

"Things change," you say, your tone light. "He's one of the good guys now."

"Well," Saaba hums, "that's a relief. I'd hate to have to kill a friend of yours."

Crosshair shifts his weight, and he takes a step closer. "You could try."

"Easy," you say, giving his arm a squeeze before dropping your hand.

Saaba laughs. "Oh, I like this one."

"Me too," you agree, and you can't help but grin. Crosshair's helmet swivels towards you, and you can imagine the bewildered look on his face. You shrug.

"Anyway," you say, ignoring the way he's staring at you. "Let's get down to business."

"Of course." Saaba smiles. She reaches into her bag, pulling out a small data disk. "The coordinates you need. As promised."

"Thank you."

You reach for the data, but she doesn't let go, pulling you closer.

"Don't get caught." Her voice is low, and her expression is serious.

"You know me."

"Which is exactly why I'm telling you not to get caught," she says. “I told the Guild I was stripping the place for copper, and I need to report back soon, or they’ll send their own crew. But I can’t guarantee they won’t go poking around on their own.”

"Understood."

She lets go, and you step back, putting the disk in your bag. You grab a pouch, holding it out to her. "For your trouble."

She shakes her head, pushing the credits away. “I owed you one.”

You blink. “Are you sure?”

"Just don't let me regret it," she warns, but her tone is soft. You always liked Saaba, even if she could be a bit of a handful. But she was reliable, and she didn't ask questions.

"Never."

You turn, heading towards the stairs, and Crosshair follows. You don't look back, and Saaba doesn't stop you. Once you're back outside, the door swinging shut behind you, you let out a sigh.

"Well, that was easy," Crosshair drawls.

"Don't jinx it," you grumble. You shiver, tugging your soaked jacket tighter around yourself. The rain hasn't stopped, and you're beginning to realize you didn't think the weather through.

There's a rumble of thunder, and Crosshair looks up.

Great, you think, just great.

"You should have brought a coat."

"Shut up."

He laughs, a real, genuine laugh, and the sound warms you. You can't remember the last time you'd heard him laugh like that. It makes you smile, even if he is laughing at your expense.

"It's not over yet," you continue, ignoring the way your stomach flutters. "We still have to find what we're looking for, and get off planet."

"I thought you said it was going to be simple," he teases, his tone smug. It's so strange, to hear his voice sound like that again, and it feels... good.

You huff.

"It should be." You glance around the alley, noting how the rain had driven the locals inside. "It's just the retrieval that might be difficult."

He hums, and the two of you walk in silence. The rain hasn't let up, and by the time you reach the Marauder, your hair is plastered to your face. You push it aside, wringing out the water.

"Now, let's see where we're going," you say, climbing the landing ramp.

You settle in the pilot's seat, Crosshair leaning against the doorframe, and you pull the data disk from your bag. You slide the disk into the control panel, waiting as the computer loads the coordinates.

You frown, leaning forward.

“The coordinates are a few clicks south of here," you say, zooming in. “But we can’t take the Marauder there, the terrain is too rough. We'll have to go on foot.”

"On foot?" Crosshair repeats. "Through the scrapyards?"

You nod. He sighs.

"Great."

"You can stay here if you’re scared."

"I'm not scared."

"Well," you say, grabbing your bag and heading towards the exit, "I'm glad to hear it."

Crosshair grumbles, and when he passes you, he knocks his shoulder into yours. You laugh, shoving him back.

"Come on, you big baby. It's not so bad," you tease, closing the ramp behind the two of you.

He scoffs, and the sound is distorted by the rain and his helmet. 

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

As soon as the Marauder disappears from view, the rain goes from bad to worse. The cold droplets sting your face as you trudge through the mud, and the wind whips at your clothing.

The scrapyard is a dangerous place. Thousands of broken starships litter the area, stacked on top of each other in tall piles. Some of them are old, rusted from years of exposure, while others are relatively new, their hulls dented from the harsh winds. Even though you’re cold and miserable, you’re grateful for Saaba's work. If you’d gone searching yourself, it would’ve taken you years to find what you were looking for.

As you climb over a particularly large piece of debris, you glance at Crosshair. The rain is pouring, and it's put both of you in a sour mood, your prior banter forgotten.

You can feel his eyes on you as he walks behind you, and it makes you nervous.

"I'm not gonna fall," you snap, reaching the top.

"Didn't say you were."

"Then stop looking at me like I'm about to."

"What am I supposed to look at?" he asks, his tone sharp.

You glance around. There's nothing but rain and rust, and the looming shadows of the ships stacked around you. It's an eerie sight, the remains of war and violence, and you feel a chill run down your spine.

"Anything else," you grumble. You slide down the other side, and he's quick to follow.

"How much farther is this thing?"

"I don't know. Not far," you say, but the truth is, you have no idea.

"You're a terrible liar."

"Shut up, Cross."

You push your hair from your face for the thousandth time, and you can’t decide if the rain or the wind is the worst. Both make your clothing cling to your skin, and you're pretty sure you're never going to feel warm again.

"Real mature," he mutters, and you can practically feel the eyeroll. “Are you going to tell me what we’re looking for, or am I going to have to guess?”

“Guessing could be fun,” you tease, trying to distract yourself. But his patience is wearing thin, and you know it as well as you know that yours is fraying too.

"I’m not in the mood for games," he growls back. 

The taught threads of your sanity finally snap, and you stop in your tracks, your patience evaporating like the mist. Crosshair slams into you, and you stumble, barely managing to keep your footing.

"Would you watch where you're going?" he hisses, and you whirl around.

“You didn’t have to come, you know.”

The venom in your voice catches you both off guard. He falls onto his back foot, taking a step away from you. You don't let it stop you. Your anger rises, the floodgates open, and your emotions come pouring out.

“Why are you here, Crosshair?”

The question comes out harsher than you intended, and Crosshair recoils, his head jerking backwards. You can't see his face, but the tension in his frame is clear. You're not sure why you're asking, not sure if you even want an answer, but the words spill from your lips regardless.

He doesn't say anything.

You cross your arms, waiting. The wind howls, the rain hammering down around you, and his silence drags on. He stands there, the rain pinging off his armor, his shoulders hunched.

Finally, he speaks, and the words are strained. 

“I told you. It’s my job to keep an eye on you."

You scoff. "Is that really all?"

"Yes," he says, taking a step closer. "Why else would I be here? Do you think I enjoy freezing my ass off, traipsing around in the mud?"

"No," you reply flatly. "But I don't believe you, either."

Crosshair sighs, and his helmet tilts skyward. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"Something true, for once," you say, stepping into his space. "Because if protecting me is your job, you're fucking awful at it."

He flinches, and the movement is so slight you almost miss it. You regret the words the moment they leave your mouth, but you can't help but double down. You've been holding it back, all this anger and hurt, and the dam breaks.

“I’ve been hurt dozens of times since you left, at least once by your hand." Your voice rises, and he's motionless, his entire body stiff.

Your hands shake, and you clench them into fists, the ache in your knuckles a welcome distraction. He's still staring at the ground, and your temper flares. Something within you snaps.

"You left, and you didn’t come back. And now, what, you show up here, with some bullshit excuse, and act like nothing ever happened?"

"I can't—"

"I don't care," you cut him off, and your voice is cold. "I don't care what you have to say. You had your chance. You should've stayed away."

Crosshair recoils as though he's been slapped, and for a moment, he doesn't move.

You're frozen, too, the weight of the words hanging in the air. You hadn't meant to say it, hadn't meant to say any of it, but you were tired.

Tired of his excuses, of his lies, and his refusal to acknowledge what had happened.

You were tired of hurting.

And in that moment, you didn't care if he knew it.

You can't see his face, but you don't need to. You can feel the tension rolling off him in waves, can feel his rage, and it mirrors your own.

You stand there, staring at each other, your anger a palpable thing, and a part of you is relieved. It's the first real emotion he's shown, the first real indication he's been anything other than indifferent, and you're glad. You wanted a reaction, and you got one.

The thought is quickly quashed when he speaks.

"Maybe I should've," he growls. The pain in his voice underneath the anger takes you by surprise. "Then I wouldn't have to deal with your fucking mess."

His words sting, more than they should, and you hate yourself for it. He's always been good at that, cutting deep with his words, and it's something you'd hoped would change.

You should've known better.

"Well, then," you begin, and your voice is quiet, a contrast to the anger simmering below the surface. "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you."

You turn, and he grabs your arm, stopping you.

"Don't—"

"Don't what?" you ask, whirling around. You yank your arm from his grasp, and his hand drops.

He doesn't reply. You don't move, the rain pelting the ground around you, and the wind whipping at your clothing. Crosshair doesn't say anything, doesn't try to explain himself, and you can't stop the anger from boiling over again.

"Don't go? Don't leave? Why shouldn't I? Why do you care? It's not like you cared about me when—"

"You don't know what you're talking about," he interrupts sharply.

"No!" you shout. Lightning cracks in the distance, the flash illuminating the metal around you. "You're the one who doesn't know."

"You think I don't know what happened?" His tone is hard, his words clipped. "You think I haven't had to live with that? With knowing what I did to you?"

"Don't you dare." You jab a finger into his chest, and he takes a step back. His shoulders tense, and you can tell he's furious, but you can't stop.

"You don't get to act like that's some big burden you've been carrying around."

"I have!"

"So have I!"

Crosshair is silent, and you can tell he's taken aback by your admission. He shifts, his weight moving from foot to foot, and his hands clench and unclench at his sides. He doesn't say anything, his attention shifting from the ground, to the sky, and back again.

The wind blows, and you shiver. You tug your jacket tighter around yourself as the adrenaline starts to wear off. You don't speak, waiting for him to respond.

"I'm trying," he says after a beat, his tone sharp. "I'm trying, and I don't know what else you want from me."

"Not hard enough," you spit back.

"How the hell am I supposed to—"

"You're not," you interrupt. "Not anymore."

He goes still, his entire body rigid. For a moment, the rain is the only sound, battering against the scrap metal and his helmet. His fists clench, and he shakes his head. He lets out a long, slow breath, and the mist from his vocoder obscures your vision.

"I never thought you would forgive me." His voice is low, barely audible over the howling wind. "I just hoped you wouldn't hate me forever."

Your lips part, but no sound comes out. There's a lump in your throat, and you can't swallow. Your chest aches, and your fingers tingle, and it takes everything in you to remain upright.

"I don't hate you," you say, and your voice is a whisper. "But I wish I did."

The words are painful to admit, and you're not sure what's worse: saying them out loud, or knowing they're true.

His hand lifts, as though he's going to touch your face, and the movement is so gentle, so careful, that it makes you ache. Then, his hand drops, and his fingers curl into a fist, and he lets out a frustrated huff. 

You can see his hand shake, a reminder that the Empire took something from him, too, and you feel a sudden surge of guilt. But you can’t bring yourself to apologize, can't force the words past your lips, and so you just stand there, watching him. 

The silence stretches on, and you can feel the cold steep into your bones, and you’re tired of waiting for Crosshair, so you turn and start to walk away.

You barely take a step when he speaks, and his voice is pained.

“I’m sorry,” he says, barely audible in the wind.

You stop, your feet sinking into the mud, and your breath catches. The apology is so unexpected, so raw, you feel it in your chest.

You want to look at him, but you can't.

You're afraid that if you do, he'll see right through you, and you'll have to acknowledge that despite your best efforts, your anger has faded, replaced by something else.

So you don't look at him. Instead, you stare at the ground, at the way the mud oozes around your boots.

"I'm sorry," he repeats, and his voice cracks. "I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I didn't— I don't expect you to forgive me, but I'm sorry."

He takes a deep breath, and you can hear it, the way his lungs stutter. It catches on something inside of you, and your eyes burn.

"I don't want you to hate me," he says. The words are so soft, so quiet, that you almost miss them. "And I know I deserve it. But don't. Please."

"You should've thought about that before you shot me."

He's quiet, the only sound the rain and the wind, and it's obvious the words hit him hard. A part of you regrets it, regrets being so cruel, but another part, a darker part, wants to hurt him. Wants him to feel the pain you've felt since the day he left.

"I know," he says, and there's a note of resignation in his tone. "And I will regret it every day for the rest of my life."

You turn, and his helmet is pointed at the ground.

“I thought I was doing the right thing, that it was the only thing I could do. But I was wrong, and I made a mistake, and I have to live with that." His voice is low, his words heavy, and the sincerity in his voice catches you off guard. "If I could take it back, I would. In a heartbeat."

You blink, the tears burning the back of your eyes, and you fight the urge to turn away. You swallow hard, the pressure behind your eyes so intense that it hurts, before you ask, "Why are you telling me this?"

He lifts his head to meet your gaze. "Because you deserve to know."

"And what do you deserve?"

"Nothing."

It's immediate, so assured and without hesitation that you nearly stumble back.

"I deserve nothing," he continues, and his tone is so self-loathing, so full of hatred, that it makes your chest tighten. 

Your mouth opens, but the words don’t come, and you can't think. You want to scream, want to shout, want to hit him, to comfort him, to apologize, and it's too much, and you don't know what to do.

His words hang between you, the gravity of the situation dawning on you.

He really believes it.

He truly thinks that he deserves nothing.

That he deserves no forgiveness, no mercy, no sympathy, no second chance.

And as much as you want to be angry, as much as you want to hate him, it hurts to see him like this. To see him so resigned, so accepting, that he's willing to take whatever punishment you deem fit.

Your anger fades, and you can feel the fight draining out of you. You let out a long sigh, and the tension in your frame eases. "Cross—"

"Don't." He raises a hand, cutting you off. "Just...don't."

Your mouth closes. The rain batters the metal around you, the wind whips your hair around your face, and it's impossible to keep the tears from spilling over. They mix with the rain, and you wipe them away.

He lowers his hand. "Come on. Let's keep moving."

Crosshair pushes past you, his shoulder bumping yours. He starts to walk, his strides long and purposeful, and the space where his armor touched your arm tingles.

You hesitate before you follow him, and the rest of the walk is spent in silence. Your boots sink into the mud, and the rain beats against your hood. By the time you reach the coordinates, you're shivering, and the rain has started to sleet.

Your feet slip on the icy ground, and you stumble. Crosshair catches your arm, steadying you. You look up, meeting his gaze through the visor of his helmet, and your heart twists in your chest.

"Thanks," you mumble, pulling away.

He says nothing, turning his attention back to the ruins. The star destroyer is huge, the metal hull jutting up from the mud. The bridge has long since broken away, but the main section remains intact. You make your way to the hull, searching for an entrance.

You can feel him watching you, and you wonder if he's thinking about what you said, if he regrets his words, and your stomach twists.

You shouldn't care, not after everything he's done, but the thought of him thinking he deserves nothing, nothing at all, makes you feel sick. You know he does, and it hurts, because there's a part of you that still cares about him.

A part of you that's always cared.

And no matter how many times he's hurt you, that won't change.

You've wanted nothing more than to put the past behind you, to forget the hurt and the pain and the loss. And here is Crosshair, finally willing to talk, to apologize, and all you've done is push him away.

And despite how angry you are, how hurt, you're tired of fighting. You're tired of running from the past, and tired of letting it define who you are.

You take a deep breath, and then another. It's not too late, you tell yourself.

"Here."

You find a service hatch, and you pull it open, slipping inside. The metal groans as your feet hit the ground, and you narrowly avoid a gap in the floor. The interior of the ship is dark, and the only light comes from the holes in the ceiling. Crosshair follows you, and his rifle scans the room.

"It's clear," he says, lowering the weapon.

"Good," you say, wiping the sleet from your jacket.

You start down the hallway, searching the rooms as you go. The ship is in disarray, the furniture overturned and the walls peppered with blaster fire.

There’s a scorched line carved into a wall, and you wince at the sight, your feet slowing to a stop to examine it. You don't have to touch it to know what happened here, and your eyes burn.

You turn, startled to find Crosshair directly behind you. He stares down at you, his posture stiff. "What is it?"

"I..." You're not sure how to respond. He must sense your hesitation, because his head tilts, and you can feel his eyes on you.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice surprisingly soft.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not," he says, and his words take you by surprise.

You cross your arms, looking away. The hallway is dark, and the silence between you stretches on. You're not sure what you expected, but you didn't think he'd call you out. "Cross..."

"No," he repeats, stepping closer. "Don't. Talk to me."

You open your mouth, then close it.

"Talk to me," he says again, more firmly.

Shaking your head, you turn and start walking. He trails behind, the metal creaking beneath his boots, and the sound echoes around the corridor. The hallway splits, and you go right. The lights flicker, the wiring exposed, and the darkness seems to seep in from the edges of your vision.

"It's the burn marks," Crosshair says, after a moment, his voice low.

You stop.

"In the walls," he adds, when you don't respond. "That's why you stopped, isn't it?"

You turn, and he's standing there, his helmet tilted, his posture rigid. He says your name quietly. “What are we really here for?”

You sigh. There isn’t any fight left in you, not now, and you can’t bring yourself to lie. 

“My Master’s body.”

Crosshair inhales sharply, and his shoulders tense. He doesn’t move, and the silence is stifling.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would it have changed anything?"

He pauses, considering. "Maybe," he says, his voice low, "but I still would've helped you."

Your fingers twitch at your side. It's a struggle, but you keep your emotions in check. You're not sure if he's being honest, if he's telling the truth, and the uncertainty makes your stomach twist, tangling with the grief that threatens to swallow you whole.

"I couldn't..." You trail off, your throat tight.

You don't have the energy to lie, and your eyes burn. You want to say it, want to tell him how much it hurts, but the words are lodged in your throat. You're afraid, afraid that once you start, you won't be able to stop, and the fear keeps the truth from spilling out.

The moment stretches on, and his fingers brush your shoulder. It's a simple touch, one that's barely there, and it's so unexpected that it takes you by surprise.

He squeezes gently, and the contact is grounding, comforting, and it feels so good that it makes your chest ache.

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice is thick with emotion.

You turn, and his helmet is tilted downwards. You know he's looking at you, his eyes boring into you with a heaviness you can't decipher.

"I need to find him," you whisper. You hate how vulnerable you sound. His hand tightens on your shoulder, and you swallow. "I need to..."

"We'll find him," he says, and his tone leaves no room for argument.

"Thank you," you manage. The words sound strange coming from your mouth.

He nods, releasing your shoulder. You miss his touch, and you have the urge to reach for him, to take his hand, but you push it down.

"We'll find him," he repeats.

You nod, and the two of you continue down the corridor. The hallway opens up into a larger room, and you glance around, looking for a clue, a sign, anything. But the sleet has left the space dark, blocking the light from the windows.

"There's nothing here," you say, defeated.

"There has to be," Crosshair insists.

You turn to look at him, and his helmet is pointed in your direction. He's staring at you, the intensity of his gaze causing your skin to prickle.

"There's nothing," you repeat.

"We'll keep looking."

"There's nothing, Cross."

"We'll keep looking," he repeats, and the steel in his voice is enough to make you waver.

You shake your head, frustrated, but before you can speak, the ground lurches beneath your feet.

"What the—"

Crosshair's arm wraps around your waist, and he yanks you forward, his grip on your jacket so tight you're sure it's going to rip. The ship groans, and the ground lurches again, and this time, you can hear the sound of metal scraping against metal.

"Shit," you mutter, gripping his shoulders. "The ground, it's—"

"I know."

You look down, and the ground beneath you is shifting. You can see the cracks spreading, and the ship starts to tilt, and you realize the ground isn't the only thing that's changing.

"We need to move," you say.

Crosshair doesn't need to be told twice, and the two of you start toward the hallway. You're not fast enough, though, and the ground shifts violently, the force of the impact sending you flying.

You scream, and Crosshair curses. He lunges, wrapping an arm around your waist, and your body slams into his.

The two of you hit the ground hard, and the impact knocks the wind from your lungs. You roll, and your stomach drops as the ground disappears beneath you. Crosshair grunts, and his hand digs into your hip, holding onto you tightly. The ship tips, and you slide down the slick metal floor, heading straight for the gaping chasm.

You let out a panicked cry, and the world goes sideways as Crosshair grabs onto a railing. You can see the bottom of the ship, hundreds of feet below, and you have a fleeting moment of panic.

Your command of the Force is still shaky, and there's a good chance that the two of you will plummet to your deaths if you try to slow your descent. Your heart is in your throat, but then Crosshair pulls, his grip strong, and he hauls you over the edge. 

Your boots scrape against the ground as he pulls you upwards, and you feel your feet catch on the edge. You gasp, relieved, your fingers digging into his shoulders.

He pulls the two of you onto the platform, and his arms wrap around you, crushing you against his chest.

"Are you hurt?" he pants, his chest heaving.

You shake your head, and you can feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins. You squeeze your eyes shut, clinging to him, and you realize he's trembling.

"I've got you," he says. "It's okay, I've got you."

Crosshair doesn't let go, and his breathing is ragged. Your hands curl around his shoulders, and you lean into him, the contact calming. You can feel his heartbeat, and the rhythm is quick, erratic. You stay like that for a long moment, neither of you moving.

You're not sure who moves first, but his arms relax, and you shift, pulling away. He releases you, his hands sliding to your waist. He's still shaking, and his helmet is tilted downward, his gaze focused on you.

"Are you okay?" you ask, and your voice is a little too high.

He nods. "I'm fine."

Your lips press into a thin line, and he must notice your disbelief, because he lets out a shaky laugh. "I will be," he amends.

You nod, and you can't seem to look away. He's still gripping your waist, and his gloves are slick with rain. You can feel his fingers digging into your skin, and despite the chill, the contact is grounding.

"You saved me," you say, your voice barely a whisper.

"Yeah."

You're not sure what to say. There's a part of you that wants to thank him, a part of you that wants to pull him close and wrap your arms around him and bury your face in his chest. It's a strange feeling, one that you haven't felt in a long time, and you struggle to push it down.

Instead, you say the only thing you can think of. "Thanks."

He shrugs, as though it's no big deal. "It's my job."

"No, it's not."

"Yes," Crosshair starts, his tone firm. You blink, and he's leaning down, his helmet inches from your face. Your heart pounds in your chest, and your fingers curl into his shoulders. His grip tightens on your waist, and you can feel his breath through his vocoder. "It is."

"I—"

"We can argue about this, or we can keep going."

"Right." You nod, pulling away. His grip lingers, and then his hands fall, and you feel cold without them. "I mean, you're right."

You can hear him exhale, and he pushes himself up, holding a hand out to you. 

"I usually am," he says as he hauls you to your feet, and there's a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Asshole," you mutter, pushing past him.

"Brat," he says, following close behind.

You climb through a hole in the floor, and you're surprised to find the hallway intact. You walk cautiously, your senses alert, and your steps are slow. The hallway ends at a door, and the panel is cracked, but the lock still works.

The door slides open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. A window looks out onto the snow, and there's a bed, and a chair, and a desk. You look around, and a lump forms in your throat. The bed is made, the covers neatly tucked. A holoprojector sits on the desk, and a stack of books is piled in the corner.

"This was his quarters," you say.

Crosshair doesn't answer, and the quiet is unnerving. You cross the room, your heart hammering in your chest. You stand beside the bed, and your hands curl into fists. You can feel his presence behind you, but he doesn't speak.

"What do we do now?" you ask, your voice sounding far away to your ears.

"Look for clues," he says. "Anything that could point us to where his body is."

You nod, and the two of you search the room. You're not sure what to expect, and you're not even sure what you're looking for. You pick up a datapad on the bed, but the device is blank.

Crosshair is rummaging through the desk drawers, and you walk over to him. He's looking at an open drawer, head tilted. You peer around him, and your breath catches in your throat.

There's a few pieces of flimsi, and a stylus, and a data card. But what makes your heart skip a beat is the stone. It's small, no bigger than your palm, and the surface is smooth, black with a white streak bisecting it.

"I can't believe he kept it," you say, and your voice cracks.

"Kept what?" Crosshair asks, and you can hear the confusion in his voice.

"The stone. I gave it to him when I was a Padawan."

"Why?"

"I don't know," you admit. "I was always giving him gifts. I used to think they were the only way he'd know I cared about him."

Crosshair looks down at you, and his voice is softer than you've ever heard it. "I'm sure he knew."

"You think so?" you ask, and your eyes burn.

"Yeah."

You nod, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill down your cheeks.

"It's just..." Your voice trails off, and you clear your throat, trying to dislodge the lump that's formed.

"It's okay," he says, his hand resting on your shoulder.

"No, it's not. He's dead, Cross, and I wasn't here. I was supposed to be here, but I wasn't."

"That's not your fault," he says, and his other hand lifts, resting on your opposite shoulder.

"I know, but..."

"You couldn't have done anything."

"But I—"

"Stop." His voice is firm, and his grip on your shoulders tightens.

"Cross..."

"Shut up and listen," he says, and his tone leaves no room for argument. "You did the best you could. You were fighting a war, you were doing what was right."

You nod, but the guilt is overwhelming. You force yourself to look up at him. His hands are still on your shoulders, and his helmet is tilted down, his gaze on you.

"It wasn't your fault," he repeats.

His thumbs press gently against the hollow of your collarbones, and his touch is soothing. You take a shaky breath, and his grip loosens, one hand sliding from your shoulder to your face. His thumb brushes across your cheek, catching a tear. You inhale sharply, and his fingers cup your jaw, and you lean into his touch.

"Thank you," you manage, your voice breaking.

"It's going to be okay," he says. "I promise."

"Cross—"

"I mean it," he says. Crosshair grabs your hand, and you let him manipulate your fingers until only your littlest one remains facing up. He curls his around yours, squeezing gently.

"Promise?"

He nods. "Promise."

Your lips twitch up, and he squeezes your finger again, his grip firm. His other hand cups the back of your head, his fingers threading through your hair, and he pulls you against his chest, holding you tight. You wrap your arms around his torso, burying your face in his chest plate.

You stay like that for a moment, closing your eyes as his fingers run through your hair. You sigh, leaning into him, and you can hear his breathing through his vocoder. His hands are warm, and he's solid, and he smells like leather, and blaster oil, and rain.

"We should keep looking," you say, but you don't want him to let go.

Crosshair hesitates, then nods, his grip on your hair loosening. His hand slides from the back of your head to your jaw, and he tilts your chin up, staring down at you.

"Okay?"

You nod, and his thumb strokes the apple of your cheek. His touch is so soft, and you can feel his gaze on you. He lingers, and you wonder if he's going to say something, but he doesn't. Instead, his fingers tighten on your face, and he leans down.

His forehead presses against yours, and his hands fall away. He exhales, and his breath fans across your lips before he pulls away.

The absence of his touch leaves you cold, and your chest aches, the space between your ribs feeling too tight. You blink, and Crosshair is gone, already walking across the room.

He starts rummaging through the closet, and you shake yourself, clearing your throat. You turn to the desk, and you pick up the stone. Your thumb runs over the surface, feeling its imperfections. 

Suddenly, you gasp. A memory flashes through your mind, one that doesn't belong to you.

"What is it?" Crosshair asks, instantly alert.

"I know where he is."

Taglist: @covert1ntrovert @bruh-myguy-what @huntersnikeheadband @thebadbatchfan @absolfan @winchesters-girl @sukithebean @spicy-clones @arctrooper69 @qvnthesia

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Imagine chasing after Buggy when he attempts to flee…

“I’d love to make things right but it’s time to exit stage left.” The clown called out as he bolted almost immediately.

Your eyes widened and glanced at your friends.

“Fucking clowns.” Zoro grumbled not at all surprised by the betrayal.

Sanji caught your look and offered a small smile. “Can’t teach an old clown new tricks, right?”

Suddenly a new swarm of Alrong Pirates entered the fray and the boys readied their stance to defeat the enemy.

You frowned. No, he promised and you’d be damned if you let that Flashy Fool get away. Turning on your heel, you rushed after the blue hair and striped bandana currently trying to comically dodge as many attackers as he could.

Cutting down the few pirates in your way, you eventually called out for Buggy to stop which, to your surprise, he did. Despite bouncing on either foot impatiently.

“Listen, I’d love to stay and chat but this is a shitshow I’d rather not be part of.”

Crossing the empty ground, you stopped a few paces away from the clown. “You promised that you’d help us when we got your body back.”

“I’m a pirate? Pirates lie.”

You stepped forward and narrowed the space. “No, you promised me.”

Buggy’s expression fell as he pondered how to respond. Unfortunately, the small silent moment with the pirate captain proved to be more distracting when one of Arlong’s fishmen caught you by surprised and slashed at your arm with his spear made of sharpened scales.

Crying out angrily you engaged in combat, forgetting about Buggy for a minute. The pirate was strong so he was certainly more than a match.

But the Arlong Pirates didn’t play fair as the fish pirate quickly grabbed your wounded arm and dug his sharp finger into the injury. Blinded by the pain in your arm, you felt your feet being kicked from underneath until you fell back and hit the ground.

Raising your blade to deflect the pirate’s own, you strained and struggled to keep him at bay. Suddenly the pressure was lifted and you saw a blur of red, white and blue slamming into your attacker.

You rolled over and caught your breath for a few minutes. With a small groan, you sat up on your knees and raised your head to see the outline of Buggy using one of his Chop-Chop finishing moves, kicking the pirate to the far side of the East Blue.

You were watching the pirate disappear into the sky when you quickly realised that there was someone kneeling in front of you.

Now focusing your attention on the clown, you watched him tear off a piece of striped fabric and wrap it around your arm. Honestly, you were unsure if you should thank him, say something clever, or simply note that in the moment, he wasn’t throwing off a menacing energy.

“Don’t say I never did anything for you.” Buggy said quietly, his eyes catching yours.

Did they normally twinkle under the light? Was he… leaning in?

Before anything else could have transpired his eyes darted behind you to where Zoro and Sanji came stumbling into view. With no desire to be in their crosshairs, the clown took his chance and bolted out of sight again.

~ More imagines here ~

A/n: It’s been such a while since I’ve absolutely adored a gorgeous flashy villain. 🤡

[zoeykallus]

Hello there!

I have a request for you :) The reader (female) is learning how to fight hand-to-hand and each of the Bad Batch member lands on top of her and they realize they have feelings for each other.

Aloha!

Hmm, okay, I think I know what you mean. Let me make this fluffy, with a bit of suggestive and maybe some fun. The outcome of the scenario may depend on the batcher/character.

*Cracks knuckles*

This might be fun...

The Bad Batch x Fem!Reader HCs - The Sparring Partner

Warnings: Fluff/Slightly Suggestive in Parts/Fun/Idiots in Love

____________

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

____________

Hunter

He cocks an eyebrow at you as he looks down at you. You look up at him with a deep sigh. Actually, you're not surprised that he won another one of your training bouts before it really started. Still, you're a little annoyed with yourself. "That wasn't so bad," he says with a small grin. "Bite me," you grumble back. Hunter grins at you in amusement and laughs softly, "How long have you been trying to outdo me now? Face it, when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, I'll always be a little better" You grit your teeth and glare at him. Quickly and skillfully, you hook your feet into the backs of his knees while he is bent over you and pull his legs away. With a surprised exclamation, a priceless look of confusion on his face, Hunter loses his balance and lands on his back. He doesn't have time to collect himself, the confusion lasts long enough for you to pick yourself up and throw yourself at him. "Gotcha!" you exclaim triumphantly. You have a big grin on your face, while Hunter still blinks in surprise. But a small smile slowly creeps onto his lips. His bandana has half slipped and covers half of his right eye, his hair is a mess. Somehow he looks adorable, cute and helpless.

Of course, you know he's not helpless, but for the moment at least it seems that way. "Well, if I have to lose, it's not such a bad situation to end up in" You look at him questioningly. "What?" His smile widens a little as he says, "Well, I'm lying on my back with a beautiful woman above me, I could get used to that" Heat creeps into your ears and cheeks, you realize how close you are right now, not for the first time, but his words give the situation a whole new feel. You blink several times to collect yourself and finally say, "Whatever, I win" Hunter laughs softly, and you feel the vibration of his laughter close to your body. "Okay, you win"

Echo

It happens pretty quickly. He disarms you so quickly and twists your arm behind your back that you almost lose your bearings at first. He has you pressed against the wall and asks amusedly, "Not bad, am I right? And that with just one hand" You moan softly, and he automatically loosens his grip a little. "Oh, did I hurt you?" he suddenly asks worriedly. You take the moment to twist out of his grip, but he immediately has you pinned against the wall again, but this time face to face. Echo smirks. "Nice try," he says smugly, "You know full well I'm always worried about hurting you in training fights" You roll your eyes, but smile at him nonetheless. "Okay, you're faster and more skilled than I thought, it was a mistake to underestimate you," you admit. "And yet you keep doing it," he says, laughing softly.

You laugh too and say, "Maybe I just like it when you get that close to me" Echo's smile freezes and a surprised, slightly confused expression creeps onto his face. Finally, he laughs softly again, a little nervously this time. "Of course," he says, rolling his eyes. However, your gazes are suddenly fixed on each other, you look into each other's eyes and can no longer look away. "Well?" you say quietly. "Yeah," he also says quietly, absently, caught in your gaze as if in a trance. Suddenly, a voice from the background says, "Now kiss her and make it official" Echo lets go of you, startled, and you both fidget a little nervously. Crosshair stands leaning against the door, arms crossed in front of his chest, a cheeky smirk on his lips. "We've been practicing," Echo says grumpily. Crosshair snorts with a giggle, "Sure. You're experts at staring into each other's eyes now. Good job"

Wrecker

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Wrecker looks at you doubtfully, his eyebrows raised in concern. He doesn't think a training match with him is a particularly good idea. You nod with a determined smile, you want to stay in shape, learn, and with Wrecker you simply get along the best of the boys, so your first impulse was to ask him. "Of course. Why not?" Wrecker cocks a brow at you and says, "Because I'm much bigger and stronger, for one thing. How are you going to take me down in hand-to-hand combat? Even if I'm careful, I could still hurt you. That's already happened to me with my brothers a few times" He looks really worried and anything but enthusiastic about the idea. But you look at him with your best puppy dog eyes until he gives in with a sigh. "Okay, okay, stop looking at me like that," he finally says, shaking his head, "this can't be good, but if you insist"

And he's right, you struggle, try all the tricks you know so far, but you just can't get the giant down. He just stands there, now and then, almost cautiously fending off one of your attacks, but basically he doesn't do much. Finally, completely out of breath and frustrated, you give up. "Okay," you say, gasping for air, "you win" Wrecker raises his eyebrows and says, "I didn't do anything" You shrug your shoulders. "Well, you still won" He smirks and says, "It was kind of fun anyway. Just watching you struggle" You roll your eyes and say, "Glad I could amuse you" "Oh, um, I didn't mean to make fun of you," he says hurriedly and follows you into the changing room without thinking. You pack your bag and go to get your things to go and have a shower, when you turn around you are shocked to see that he is standing right behind you.

"Wrecker!" "What? What have I done now?" You laugh and say, "Wasn't it enough for you that I embarrassed myself? Do you want to see me naked now too?" Wrecker frowns, looks around, then opens his eyes in shock. "Oh." You giggle. He smirks shyly, but then says, "Maybe another time" You feel your cheeks glow and say, "Yes, maybe another time"

Tech

Tech pushes his goggles up the bridge of his nose with a deft finger and looks at you scrutinizingly. "Are you ready for training?" You smile. "Yes. Are you?" Tech raises his eyebrows. "Of course." You've never seen him in training clothes before. It's civilian clothes, sportswear, tracksuit bottoms and shirt, actually quite simple, but because you've almost only seen him in his armor, the outfit on him today seems somehow exotic. You look at him for a moment, and he looks at you questioningly. He looks down at himself and asks, "Is something wrong?" You blink, startled. "Um, no, it's fine, I was just lost in thought for a moment" Tech frowns and says matter-of-factly with a slightly reprimanding undertone, "Please concentrate, otherwise you'll hurt yourself during training" You roll your eyes, but smile at him as you reply, "Don't worry, I'll take care"

You start slowly, discuss a few things before you try them out. Tech is more agile and faster than you thought. Gradually the training intensifies, you improvise and try to throw each other off balance. You think you've almost made it, but Tech surprises you again, he goes down in a twist, pulls your legs away and is on top of you in the next moment. His hands have pinned your arms to the training mat, to the left and right of your head. At first, you are far too surprised to really understand the situation. As you look up into his face, you see a satisfied smile. "It looks like I've won this argument," he says triumphantly. Your eyes become narrow, critical slits. You hook your legs around his body so he can't stand up, one around his midsection, the other around his thighs, just below his butt. "What's that?" he asks in surprise, and you see his ears turn red. "Leg braces. I'm not going to let you win that easily. You may have thrown me to the ground, but you're now trapped on that very ground with me" Tech blinks several times in quick succession, you can see it working behind his forehead. He probably knows enough tricks with which he could free himself, but at the moment his mind doesn't seem to be working as usual.

He clears his throat awkwardly and says, "This... um position we find ourselves in has something strangely intimate about it. Your leg brace might not be advisable in a fight with a real enemy. Do you do that in training with my brothers?" Now you realize why his ears are red. You grin at him. "That almost sounds as if the thought awakens something like jealousy in you." "What? No, of course not, it's just training, it's not important," he says, widening his eyes. "Is that so? Well to answer your question, I've never used this leg brace before, you're the first" Strangely, Tech seems to relax a little at this statement. A blush creeps up his neck as you state, "You're not even trying to get free" Again, he clears his throat awkwardly and says as matter-of-factly as possible, "Well, it's more comfortable than expected"

Crosshair

You've been trying to persuade him to spar for a while now, but Crosshair either doesn't have the time or doesn't want to. But finally, after a few weeks, you finally managed to persuade him. Crosshair acts like he's doing you a favor by training with you, but he knows that you'll both benefit from it. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, but you'll soon find out. You haven't even started yet, you're still tightening your bandages on your hands when he sweeps your legs away, and you land hard on your back on the training mat. You need a second or two to collect yourself. As you raise yourself up on your elbows to look at him, you glare at him angrily. "We haven't even started yet" "First lesson," he says dryly, "Always be alert." In the background, Hunter grumbles, "Crosshair, would you play fair for a change?"

The Sniper turns briefly to the Sergeant and says, "Fair's boring, besides, I want our kitten to learn something" Lying down, you kick him in the back of the knee, grab his arm as he tries to catch his balance, pull him to the ground and roll over him. Sitting on top of him, you give him a cheeky grin. "Always be alert," you coo sarcastically. Hunter hums quietly to himself in the background, "There are a lot of hormones in the room all of a sudden" Crosshair grins up at you, his hands unabashedly grabbing your buns as he says in his smoky voice, "I have a feeling this is going to be anything but boring, kitten," Hunter grumbles, "Yeah, I'm outa here"

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@allsystemsblue

@palliateclaw

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@extrahotpixels

@hated-by-me

@hunterxcrosshair

@malicemercy

@bebopsworld

@echos-girlfriend

@cpnt616

@dangraccoon

@jediknightjana

@pb-jellybeans

@antishadow2021

@sleepycreativewriter

@projectdreamwalker

@1vlouds

@clonelovr

[cc--2224]

older hunter x reader pregnant in pabu

Next Steps

Pairing: Hunter x F! Reader

Summary: Following the events on Mount Tantiss, Hunter and the rest of the Bad Batch are finally able to relax and enjoy the time they have, you and Hunter decide that means planning next steps together.

Warnings: All fluff, slight anxiety mentions, obviously pregnancy mentions as that was the request, maybe slight S3 Finale spoilers?

Word Count: 1.3k

Notes: Thank you so much for sending a request, anon!! I really hope you enjoy it!! As a reminder, my requests are going to be open for a bit so send me some if you'd like! :)

Taglist: None, let me know if you'd like to be added

Masterlist

Ever since they had landed on Pabu for the last time, they had all finally begun to relax, to plant roots, to get to know the villagers. Even Crosshair had seemed more open to socializing with the locals, to learning their trades.

Hunter had always had trepidations about getting too comfortable. 

Back when you had first met, a few years ago now, he expressed that he wanted to get adjusted, to finally sit down and relax but he always felt as if he was looking over his shoulder.

When the island had been attacked by the Empire, you understood what he meant. But everyone was still determined to keep each other, and their mercenary friends, safe.

Part of you feared that when they left to go get Omega back that it was the last time you would ever see them, whether that meant that they wouldn't put Pabu in danger and kept themselves away, or worse. You didn't want that, not only because you liked having them around, liked hearing their stories, sharing meals, but because you knew that you had developed feelings for Hunter in the short time you knew each other. 

You couldn't recall a time where you were more worried for someone's safety than you were after they had left Pabu to find Omega.

You wanted to protect him, to make him feel safe on the island, but you also knew that with everything they had experienced, that was easier said than done.

It only became more difficult once you began to fear you'd lose him for good.

So when they finally returned, you decided to throw caution to the wind. You didn't want anymore missed opportunities, he had to know how you felt about him.

You waited for them to leave the Imperial shuttle, and as soon as he emerged on the gangplank, you ran to him, wrapping your arms around him and crashing your lips into his.

He was rightfully surprised, but after the initial shock wore off, you felt his arms on your back, pulling you into him and feeling like they were going to crush you. He kissed back with desperation and relief washing over him.

When you finally broke apart, you held his face in your hands while his hands stayed firmly on your waist. You felt your eyes water, and you saw the same in him. 

"I'm home." He finally said. "And I'm never leaving you again."

It had been years since then, and true to his word, he never left you. He eventually moved his belongings into your house, and the two of you settled into the next stages of your domestic life together. You got to watch as your lives seemed to fall into place. The island changed around you, improvements, infrastructure, villagers’ families growing. Hunter began growing out his beard, no longer concerned about hating the feeling of facial hair against the helmet that he rarely ever put on. 

Things became simple, time slowed, your lives could finally begin.

You still remembered the conversation you had one afternoon, sitting on the front porch with him, watching Omega play with Lyana, Batcher, and the other three clone children. 

"Do you want one of our own?" He had asked, looking at you earnestly.

You raised an eyebrow, "Want one what?"

"A kid."

You smiled at him and glanced over to the kids playing.

"We have Omega," you reminded him and he chuckled.

"I know, and she'll always be our kid, but she's growing up. Won't be long until she starts living her own life." He looked down at his lap and you reached over to hold his hand, you knew how much the thought of Omega leaving upset him.

"I don't think she'd mind having a little brother or sister." He said when he looked back at you.

"No, I don't either." You drew him close and kissed him on his lips, showing him your agreement to his idea. 

— — —

"Hunter? Are you home?" You called out from the entryway to your house. You were met with silence and shrugged.

Must have gone out.

You had gone to the doctor that morning on Hunter's insistence. He had been hovering around you for a few weeks, as if he had been waiting for a shoe to drop. He didn't know what it was about you that was different, something in your scent, or a change in your pulse, something that he could sense but couldn't pinpoint the source.

You knew better than to argue with his keen senses, but you couldn't help but get a little annoyed with his overprotection.

The doctor had confirmed that you were pregnant, only a few weeks along, and you nearly cried at the news. You couldn't wait to tell Hunter, even if you knew he'd tell you he knew you should have gone to the doctor earlier. 

You decided to wait for him at home. You put on some tea and grabbed your datapad before sitting on the couch.

He finally walked through the door with some produce from the market, smiling at you when he saw you. He walked past you, but not before kissing the top of your head, and left the groceries in the kitchen.

"I went to the doctor's this morning." You did your best to keep your tone level, ambiguous.

It worked, seeing as how his cheerful demeanor had vanished completely when he poked his head out.

"...And?"

You stood up and looked at him. "Hunter, I–" your voice wavered, partially due to excitement, but partially due to nerves.

"I'm pregnant." 

His eyes widened as he looked into yours, then down to your stomach, then back up to your face. "You– What?"

Tears started forming in the corners of your eyes. "We're going to have a baby!"

He crossed the room before you could even register that he had moved. His arms circled your waist and you felt yourself being lifted off the ground and spun.

When he placed you back down, he pulled you to him and kissed you. Tears began rolling down your face as you laughed into the kiss. 

He looked at you and swept his thumbs across your cheeks, wiping away the tears even though his own nearly betrayed him.

You didn't hear the door open, but you heard Omega's voice ring out behind you.

"Is everything okay?"

You both looked at her, you smiled and nodded before opening your arm for her to join your hug. 

She did without hesitation.

"Omega," Hunter began. "Remember how I asked if you'd be alright if there was another kid running around?"

She looked at him and nodded, but then her eyes widened in realization and she looked at you, then Hunter, and then back to you.

"You're not–"

"I am." More tears fell as she wrapped her arms around you. 

"Congratulations!" Her smile widened as she looked at both of you. "I have to go tell Crosshair and Wrecker! They owe me ten credits each!"

She ran out the door before you could stop her and you looked at Hunter and shook your head.

"The whole island will know before long." You sighed.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Are you ready?" You asked him cautiously.

He looked at you, thinking for a moment. "Honestly, I don't know. I mean, it's been a while since we've settled in here, but sometimes it still feels like the peace isn't going to last. I know that's just my own anxieties, but it's hard to shake the feeling, you know?"

You nodded and looked down. He put his arm around your shoulder and kissed your temple.

"But, we have each other through this. I won't let anything happen to you, or our kid. So I think I am. It helps knowing how much support they'll have when they get here. And how wonderful of a mother they're going to have." 

You leaned into his chest. "And father." 

You felt a laugh rumble from him. This was the next step for both of you, and it was a scary step to take, but despite Hunter's worries, you knew you were both ready to face this together. 

[stellarbit]

Sniper's Revelation

1k words. Warning: We've all wanted to slap him, admit it.

Crosshair pushes you to the edge and it earns him a slap.

Had to get it out of my head. Enjoyyy

  You didn’t know Crosshair could laugh like that. Eyes closed, bent over, and gripping his stomach. It might’ve been beautiful if he wasn’t laughing at you.

While finishing a rendezvous, the Batch offered you the time to use the refresher with privacy. That is, they told you to stay at the ship as backup and you took some liberties. It didn’t take you long. The longest part was waiting for the water to heat and after that you were in and out in a few minutes.

An arm’s reach away, your clothes were slung over a nearby gun rack. The fabric caught for a moment but luckily came free with a good tug. The last thing you wanted was to be caught naked in the breezeway untangling some clothes.

Still dancing into your clothes, you stopped halfway to the cockpit and doubled back to a sliver of mirror. Twisting around you angled each leg side to side until you spotted what you thought you saw. Just as you feared, when you snagged your clothes free you tore some of them too.

You were barely inspecting the damage to your pants when something else caught your attention. Across the room, there sat Crosshair, arms crossed and feet propped up, his gaze fixed somewhere in the mirror. Following his line of sight, you noticed it landed on the rip in the fabric across the backside of your pants. The fabric snagged near the hip and tore across, exposing plenty of skin.

Crosshair's eyes remained fixed on the mirror with a smarmy as he chewed on a toothpick. You suppressed a snarl, waiting until he finally dragged his gaze up your body to lock eyes with you. His arrogant demeanor, knowing that you caught him staring and reveling in it, made your lip curl.

"Looks like you're a little out of uniform," he remarked, nodding towards the mirror.

"Looks like you're slacking," you retorted, biting back.

With a swift motion, Crosshair uncrossed his legs and sat up. He shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "Had enough of the regs," he replied, cocking his head to one side. "Looks like you were the slacker."

Crosshair’s jabs only made you bristle more. You cut right to the chase. “I catch you every time you’re staring.” You ground out. He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward.

“No, you don’t.” And there it was, that shit eating, ‘do it’ look that scrambles your composure.

You stomped your way over to him, his indifference infuriating you. As he flicked his toothpick away, you stood over him, unimpressed by his attempt to meet your challenge with half-hearted defiance.

"One more word, toothpick," you warned. His cocky expression set your resolve in stone. "And I'll knock your eyes into the next galaxy."

Something flickered in his eyes before his mouth twisted into a half-formed retort. Before he could finish, your hand lashed out, striking him across the face and snapping his head to the side. The room fell into an uneasy silence as Crosshair brought his hand to his face, rubbing his jaw. Surprising even yourself, you had finally done it.

Crosshair slowly looked back at you, his breath shallow, controlled and a look on him you’d not seen yet.

Your hand was still in position when he jumped to his feet and grabbed it before you could step back.

“Cross?” You asked hesitantly, using his short name in hopes to soothe his anger. His stare made you feel like prey.

Crosshair’s feet shifted, catching your eye for an instant. With a half step he brought his body within a hands distance of you. His usual steeley tone had remnants of surprise and a muscle in his jaw feathered.

Your eyes were searching his face for any hint of what was going on when, in a low voice, he said, “Do it again.”

Instinctively you tried pull back but Crosshair’s grip on your hand anchored you in place. His grip loosened as he pulled your hand between you to the other side of your body, his knuckles grazing your chest along the way.

He swallowed and repeated, “ I said. Do that again.” Slowly it dawn on you what he was implying. He’d never been slapped before and, judging by his reaction, he very much liked it. 

In disbelief, you looked between your hand hanging in his and his face. There’s no way. Sliding your hand out of his grasp, you pulled it back coyly. “Crosshair you can’t be -”

"Hit me," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. That was an order.

When his expression didn't change, you nodded, firmed up your grip, and slapped him again. This time with far less force, testing the waters, but still managing to push his head to the side.

Crosshair took a long, shaky breath, and you could've sworn a shudder ran through him. Those intense sniper eyes locked with yours, holding you in place. He angled his head back and loosed his breath.

He snickered, looking almost impressed, “And here I thought Jedi were opposed to violence.” 

“And I never realized you get hurt so much on missions because you like it.”

He almost got something snarky in when the Marauder’s door released and the landing steps began to extend.

You stepped back to take in the full view: his annoyed and incredulous expression, the red mark appearing on the side of his face, his body still a little stiff. You were almost proud. As a gaggle of voices and footsteps came up the steps, you brushed him off and turned around.

Until you heard a rip and felt more cool air hitting your ass. Your hands shot to the tear in your pants and whipped your head around. Crosshair suddenly coughed, which evolved into a chuckle. He folded into his stomach, bent over and holding his waist, clearly trying to contain himself. He was still snickering when he straightened up and shifted his weight onto one foot. 

With one hand holding the opposite elbow, he held up the missing piece of fabric between two fingers and then placed a new toothpick in his mouth. Passing you, he shoved the fabric into your hand. “Your move.” He mumbled as he walked by.

“Arrogant bastard,” You snapped under his breath.

Continuing to guard the hole in your pants you turned with him.

Echo’s eyebrows shot up upon seeing the red mark on Crosshair’s cheek. “What happened to you?”

“I got bit by a bug.” He hissed in his brother’s face.

Tech shot you an exhausted look, “I said do not rise to his every remark.”

Teeth clenched, you were seething. You were going to kill that sniper one day.

[fanfoolishness]

morning caf

For the @summer-of-bad-batch week 3 prompt, "Forget I asked." It's an early morning on Pabu, and Crosshair hasn't slept well. Neither has Wrecker. When Crosshair goes to check on him, he doesn't expect the question Wrecker asks:

"What was it like?  When your chip… when it activated?”

(Crosshair and Wrecker finally talk about their chips. Angst, family feels, ~2400 words.)

---

Crosshair yawned, taking a long drink of caf as he watched the sun begin to edge over the horizon.  He stood out on the patio, letting the morning wash over him.  He’d slept poorly last night, tossing and turning despite Batcher’s solid weight against him on the bed.  He wasn’t sure why.  Nothing had happened out of the ordinary yesterday --

Except the transmission from Echo.  His mouth quirked.

Maybe he’d go meditate.  It had been hard starting up again after the destruction of Tantiss -- after his hand -- but he could tell it was helping, bit by bit.  It was harder to see the progress now, no tremor fading to help delineate his improvement, but he could feel it in the fact that the sleepless nights were fewer than they used to be, in the way that phantom pain from his hand didn’t feel as sharp as it used to, in the way his chest felt lighter than it had in a long time.

But today he felt disquieted.

There was a noise behind him in the kitchen, a rummaging he could hear through the open window.  He turned around, surprised to see Wrecker pouring himself some caf.  Wrecker never got up this early in the morning except for missions -- well, they weren’t missions now so much as they were jobs or help for other islanders.  His curiosity piqued, Crosshair went back inside.

“You’re up early,” said Crosshair, the door closing behind him.  He took another drink of his own caf, watching as Wrecker loaded up his with cream and sugar.  “Got somewhere to be?”  He frowned, realizing how exhausted Wrecker looked, purplish shadows under his eyes, his face drawn.

“No, nowhere to be,” Wrecker said.  He shrugged.  “Just… couldn’t sleep.”  His hand, hovering over his mug in the midst of adding sugar, curled reflexively into a fist.  

“You don’t look so good,” Crosshair said, finishing his caf and reaching out with his left hand for the pot.  He was getting better at using his left hand, though a lifetime of memory meant he still got it wrong sometimes.  He used his stump to brace against his mug, holding it steady as he poured in more caf.  

Wrecker smiled wanly.  He looked like he was holding back tears.

Kriff.  Crosshair glanced around, but it was just the two of them -- no Hunter, no Omega, not even Batcher.  This was on him, no one else.  

“What’s wrong, Wrecker?” he asked slowly.

“Just… Echo’s update,” said Wrecker.  He stirred his cup of caf, and took a drink, grimacing.  Still probably wasn’t sweet enough for him.  “Sad stuff.”

“Yeah.”

They were both quiet for a moment.  That was one update from Echo Crosshair was glad Omega had missed, off playing with Lyana.  

“We had word of a clone trooper held captive in a transfer facility.  He was originally slated for Tantiss but didn’t make the last transport.  He’s been alone for months.  We broke in, but --- solitary must have got to him.”

“What happened?” Hunter had asked, but Crosshair had already guessed.  

“He’d killed himself.  Left a note, too, asking his Jedi for forgiveness.  Master Plo Koon.  I guess he never got over following the Order.”

They’d bowed their heads, a moment of silence for another fallen brother, and with shame Crosshair remembered a boy in Jedi robes, his figure brown against the snow.

“Echo’s tough,” said Crosshair carefully.  “But that’d get to anyone.”

Wrecker tried to smile at him, but it was like his mouth wasn’t working right.  His expression just came off worried.  Guilty.

“Cross,” he said, looking away and busying himself with his caf.  He picked it up, took a gulp, choked when it was still hot. 

“Wrecker.”  He waited, knowing Wrecker was working himself up to ask something.

He still couldn’t look Crosshair in the eyes, and when he spoke, his words were halting.  “What was it like?  When your chip… when it activated?”

Crosshair took a step back, his heart rate jumping, his breath catching in his throat.  He hadn’t been expecting that.  He crossed his arms over his chest, looking away.  “It doesn’t matter.  It was a long time ago.”  His voice came out sharper than he meant it.

Wrecker paused, swallowing, then waved a hand.  “Never mind.  Forget I asked.”  Crosshair risked a glance back at him, at the dejected set of his broad shoulders, at the guilty look in his eyes.  Why was it bothering him so much?  What did Wrecker have to feel guilty about?

Crosshair reached for his caf and took a drink, hoping it would steady him.  Instead he remembered he’d forgotten to add cream and sugar, and he wrinkled his nose at its bitter acidity.  An awkward silence filled the kitchen as Wrecker wordlessly padded back toward the hallway and the bedroom.

“Wrecker, wait.”  Wrecker paused, looking back at him, and Crosshair forced himself to continue.  “Come on.  Let’s go sit outside.”

“I’m no good at meditating, if that’s what you mean.  Omega tried showing me once and I fell asleep just watching her.  It’s so boring,” Wrecker muttered.

“No, you don’t have to meditate,” he said, smiling faintly.  “Let’s just… we can talk.”

A few moments later Wrecker had found a comfortable seat on the outdoor sofa beneath the canopy.  Crosshair sat at the other end, still nursing his caf, now with the requisite cream and sugar added.  The sunrise was well underway now, golds and amber-reds spilling across the sea.  

Crosshair stared out at the water.  If they were doing this, he didn’t think he’d be able to look at his brother.  “Why do you want to know about the chip?”  The last word was bitter in his mouth.  If it hadn’t been for that… so many terrible things wouldn’t have happened.  If he’d just been defective enough, he’d have been safe.  They’d never have left him.  He had gone round and round on it, during empty nights in their old quarters on Kamino, empty nights in his bunk on Coruscant, empty nights in his cell on Tantiss. 

He didn’t want to think about it again, but Wrecker was asking.  And for some reason it seemed like he needed to know.

Crosshair sighed.  If it would help Wrecker…

“Had nightmares,” Wrecker said softly.  “About Bracca.  Couldn’t sleep.”

Crosshair winced.  He’d nearly killed his brothers there; they’d nearly killed him.  He rubbed his right temple reflexively, his stump grazing over the pitted flesh and tight scarring that still remained.  “I don’t like thinking about Bracca.”

“Yeah, but Crosshair…”  He took a deep, shuddering breath.  “Mine activated, too.”

Crosshair choked down a gulp of caf, horror filling him.  He risked a look at his brother.  Wrecker  had tears in his eyes.  

“What?” he said sharply.  “On Bracca?”

“Yeah,” Wrecker said, staring down at his large, calloused hands.  “That’s why we went there.  Rex told us about them, and there was an old medbay in that cruiser.  That’s how we got ours out.  But before we did -- it was too late for mine.”  He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders rising and falling too quickly.

Crosshair reached out cautiously, resting his left hand on Wrecker’s shoulder.  He seemed to settle, his breaths getting slower, easier, though he kept his face hidden.  

“I didn’t know,” Crosshair breathed.  “I thought it was only me.  That I was the only one who wasn’t strong enough.”  He watched a long stream of seabirds fly, one by one, in a neat orderly line over the spreading waves.  Their dark silhouettes blurred and slid until he blinked away the water in his eyes.

“Nothing to do with being strong,” Wrecker said, voice muffled.  “I couldn’t stop it.  It was bigger than me.  Like it shoved out everything that was me, and made me different.  Made me try to hurt them.”

“It was… softer, at first.  For me.”  He let go of Wrecker’s shoulder, folding his arms over his chest, curling inward slightly.  “Like a detuned comm.  Made me go after that kid on Kaller.  It told me to finish the mission.  To be a good soldier.  And I wanted to, more than anything.  But -- I -- I wanted to follow Hunter, too.  I didn’t know what was happening.”  

“Never could figure it,” Wrecker said.  “Why you didn’t try to kill us right away.  When -- mine -- I came out swinging.  Tried to kill all of ‘em.  Even -- even Omega --”  He couldn’t speak, and for a moment Crosshair’s mind threw out visions of Wrecker, huge fists swinging, looming overhead, a cold, sick determination on his face.  It felt wrong even thinking about his brother like that.  

“But you didn’t,” said Crosshair.  He didn’t say, You don’t want to know what I’ve done.  He thought back to memories he’d kept hidden, shame he couldn’t bear to revisit.  But here in the morning light, with birds singing in the flowers and the waves down below, those things seemed far away.  Like maybe they’d finally lost some of their power.  

He thought about what Wrecker had said.  “I don’t know why it was different for me,” said Crosshair.  “But when they took me, Nala Se was there.  She did -- something.  Some kind of procedure.  An experiment.”  He closed his eyes, remembering the headaches crawling through his skull, the pressing insistence of the Order growing louder and louder, swallowing all sense of loyalty to his brothers.  “Made it stronger.  That’s when -- I started trying to fight you.”

“We shoulda never let them take you,” Wrecker said gruffly.  “We shoulda known it wasn’t you.”

“None of us knew,” Crosshair said.  “And I couldn’t tell you.  You did what you had to, for Omega.”

They were quiet for a moment.  A little saltbrush sparrow perched on their fence, singing its bright song, its plumage of bronze and cream and umber glowing in the golden hour light.  Crosshair tilted his head as he watched it, some of the sick feeling in his gut fading as he did so.

“Cross,” said Wrecker.  “I know it doesn’t really matter now.  But when did…”

Crosshair sighed.  Remembered Hunter’s gritted teeth, his own defensiveness, the snarled Does it matter?

It mattered.  But he couldn’t see that, back then.  He’d been too afraid of telling them the truth, too hurt that his brothers hadn’t tried to come back for him, too angry at them, himself, what he’d done, the chip, the Empire, all of it.

Was he still angry now?  After everything?

He let out a long breath.  “After Bracca,” said Crosshair.  He tapped the scar at his temple, giving Wrecker a rueful smile.  “Got damaged by that engine blast.  That was you, wasn’t it?”

“Guilty,” said Wrecker sheepishly.  “But it was gonna fry us!”

“Oh, I know,” said Crosshair, chuckling slightly.  “Figured as much.  Tech could’ve rigged up something decent, but I knew it was you.  It was too good.”

“Stop it, you’re makin’ me blush.  Uh -- sorry about your head, though.”

Crosshair shrugged.  “It did something to the chip.  I guess it was breaking down.  Frying my brain with it.”  It was all a haze, but afterwards, he’d put together pieces; he’d been having seizures on the way back from Bracca, his chip misfiring drastically.  “I told Nala Se to take it out.  That I would be loyal without it.”  His face twisted as if he’d bitten down on something bitter.  I made so many mistakes.

“Nala Se listened to you?” Wrecker said, clearly impressed.

“I think she only did it because I was a ninety-nine,” Crosshair said.  “You know how she treated us, her little pet project.  I’d heard she decommissioned regs for less.  Guess we’ll never know now.”  

He hadn’t been sure what to think when he’d heard from Echo and Omega that Hemlock’s research had been destroyed, and presumably Nala Se with it.  The most he’d settled on was that after everything, she’d stood up to the Empire when it counted.

Like he had, he supposed.

Wrecker scooted closer to him, raising one arm and settling it over his shoulders.  Crosshair leaned back, resting his head on Wrecker’s arm.

“Thanks,” Wrecker said, turning to him with a shy smile.  “The others -- they don’t know what it was like.  Guess hearing about that trooper messed me up a little.  Thinking about what could've happened.”

“I… I didn’t sleep so well either.”

“Thought so.”  Wrecker yawned, covering his mouth with his free hand.  “Maybe I should try to get back to sleep.”

Crosshair glanced at him.  “Oh yeah?  I’ve got an idea.”

Crosshair’s idea worked perfectly.  He hadn’t been meditating on the patio floor for five minutes when he heard Wrecker’s snores starting up on the sofa behind him.

He looked back over his shoulder.  Wrecker had already stretched out on the sofa, his large feet dangling over the side, a peaceful, calm look on his face.  

Fair enough.  Meditation wasn’t for everyone, he guessed.

He adjusted his position.  Breathed in.  Breathed out.  He’d been so skeptical when Omega had first shown him… and so impressed when she’d insisted he try anyway.  He smiled, thinking of the way she’d taken his hand so carefully.  She’d been determined to help him. 

He’d never understand why she loved him, but he’d never doubt it, either.

He kept breathing in.  Breathing out.

The sun had begun to swing higher, the golden hour light shifting into the harsher light of mid-morning before he unfolded his long legs and got to his feet.  Wrecker was still fast asleep, gently snoring, the sound mingling with the chattering call of the sparrows in the flowers.  

Crosshair walked over to the wall of the home, where they had a small patio shade.  They’d lowered it to enjoy the stars, last time they’d all sat out here together.  He raised the shade to its full extent until it left Wrecker completely shaded, protected from the sun.  The light and heat weren’t too fierce yet, but as Crosshair now knew from experience, sunburn on a shaved head was awful.

He gathered up their forgotten mugs of caf and headed inside, taking care to be quiet.  Wrecker could use the sleep.

Hunter was sitting at the kitchen table, having breakfast with Omega.  They both looked up at him as he came inside, Omega beaming, Hunter giving him a small, easy smile.

“Morning!” Omega said brightly.  “How are you today, Crosshair?”

He considered.  Hunter gave him a curious look, as if sensing something had changed.  

Maybe something had.

Crosshair smiled back, reaching into his pocket for a toothpick.  He settled it between his lips.  “I’m all right,” he said, and he was surprised to realize that he meant it.

[gravehags]

random bad batch headcanons (part 1 of ?)

Crosshair

Hands down the best listener of the group and is the only one who has maintained the patience to listen to Tech info dump over the years. He'll never tell him (he's sure he already knows) but Crosshair loves listening to his brother yap about anything

Can sleep anywhere in any situation in any position. Frequently caught passed tf out with his mouth open snoring on the floor of the Marauder after a mission. Don't you dare make fun of him for it though, he hears everything

Animals naturally gravitate towards him even (and especially) when he disregards them but he's secretly fond of tookas - the more cantankerous the better. Wrecker is loudly jealous of his brother's ability to casually befriend any domesticated beast they encounter

To no one's surprise, was always the first of his squad to throw hands with regs when they were cadets (and into adulthood). You so much as glance at one of his brother's funny and he's already launched himself at you with a snarl on his lips. Consequently the Kaminoans who ran the infirmary grew strangely fond of this surly, skinny grey haired kid.

Makes jokes out of bad situations because although he may never say it, he can't stand to see his brothers sad or upset. Yes, the jokes will generally be dark and dry but he never fails to get an amused snort from Tech or an exasperated eye-roll from Hunter.

Tech

Has never really expressed the sentiment out loud but he desperately wishes he could have the opportunity to study at a university and confer with likeminded people about the things he's passionate about

Is always the one in the group to carry extra rations because he knows Wrecker will inevitably ask for them

Is far more tenderhearted than people give him credit for and has a ridiculous amount of photos and vids of his brothers on his datapad from their travels all over the galaxy. The rest of his squad only knows about a third of them

One night when the boys were out celebrating a successful mission, Crosshair issued a challenge to see how many numbers each member of the squad could get in 79s. They all did impressively well but Tech blew their count out of the water and eventually had to end the night early to fend off a group of amorous admirers while his brothers looked on shocked but deeply impressed

Wears his goggles not for sight but for migraine prevention, hence their yellow tint. Nala Se was quick to notice his sensitivity to screens despite always wanting to be glued to one and gave him his first pair

Hunter

Because of his heightened senses he gets sensory overload super easily. When Tech made him his first pair of noise cancelling headphones in their cadet years he almost cried in relief. In adulthood he still uses them to decompress after missions

Gets ruthlessly made fun of by his squad for his meticulous haircare routine - it's the only thing he's vain about. One time during a particularly brutal argument between he and Crosshair, Cross threatened to take Hunter's vibroblade and chop it all off. Hunter didn't sleep for days afterwards even after he broke Crosshair's nose. Again.

He'll deny it until the end but when he got his face tattoo he whined about how much it hurt the whole time. In more private moments of teasing his brothers will bring it up much to his eternal embarrassment

He's the most likely to fall victim to pranks, usually laid out by Wrecker and Crosshair. Even with his heightened senses he can never manage to pull one over on his brothers but they get the best of him constantly

Wrecker

Always stuns the bartender when they go out by ordering the sweetest, most colorful drink on the menu with the biggest grin and then proceeding to get absolutely wasted after only two of them. Many a night at 79s has ended with Hunter and Crosshair half-carrying him out of the bar.

The only commendation ceremony the batch ever attended was one Senator Amidala was presiding over. All of them were stunned to silence by her presence and they didn't even think to tease Wrecker for how red he turned when she pinned the medal to his chest. He gushed about her for a solid month after that.

All the batch drink their respect women juice but none more than Wrecker, who regularly gets kicked out of bars for starting fights with regs or other patrons after hearing them say something unsavory to or about a woman. The bartender at 79s always acts like they're pissed off about the broken glasses and tables but the next time the batch rolls in, their first drinks are always on the house

Is deeply invested in the galactic music scene and keeps up with all the popular artists from the core. Will torture his brothers with his...interesting renditions of the latest hits during extended flight times in between missions

The whole batch pitched in to get Lula for Wrecker after a particularly tearful farewell with a tooka he befriended on a mission. She's become so important to all of them that no matter who is feeling down or sick or injured, Lula will sleep tucked away with them.

Echo

Humor-wise gets along best with Crosshair - they really appreciate each other's dry sarcasm and are content to roast each other nonstop with no hard feelings

And speaking of Crosshair, Echo proudly bears the honor of being the only reg he likes and respects

He dealt with a lot of guilt when he first joined the batch over leaving Rex and the 501st behind. It kept him pretty quiet around the others until they presented him with a surprise - freshly painted armor to match theirs. They all diligently pretended that they didn't see the tears in his eyes.

Will always salute 99 whenever they all go out, which the others heartily agree with. He's proud the spirit of the clone lives on in this band of strange soldiers

The boys took Echo out to get his first tattoo (a handprint on his pectoral, naturally) and were deeply impressed by his ability to adeptly flirt with the beautiful Twi'lek artist. When Hunter asked where he learned it, Echo just smiled and told them about his brother Fives.

[umbramoons]

TECH MOMENTS PT. 1

Clone Wars S7 E1: The Bad Batch

Please ignore the terrible quality, I did my best.

- Coming in hot like there’s no tomorrow.

- Tech has the best armor by far; his helmet is ADORABLE. Also, his armor has a lot more gaps than the rest of his squad. If that is to make it more maneuverable, ARE HIS GYMNASTIC SHENANIGANS A COMMON OCCURRENCE?! ❤

- That little head tilt when he sees the group he’ll be working with. ❤

- Kix: “These guys are clones? They don’t look like clones to me.” I don’t know if Tech overheard, but his eyes scrunched up as if he smiled, and he took off his helmet, like, “You think they look weird? Check this out.” HE HAD THE MOST MISCHIEVOUS LITTLE SMIRK ON HIS FACE, AND I LOVED IT. ❤

- You can tell he’s nervous to meet these new people. He’s just grinning so awkwardly, like, “Yep, this is great. I’m so happy to meet you all... I’m overselling it, aren’t I?”

- His little smile when Cody says to get going.

- He takes the slightest step forward when Jesse acts like he’s about to charge Crosshair. But Hunter gets there first, of course.

- He’s the first one that Wrecker helps out of the crash.

- He also moves to stop Rex when he says he’ll get Cody out of the wreckage. Literally, he’s doing everything Hunter is about to do, Hunter is just a lot more direct and always beats him to it. So it’s safe to say that at this point, if something happened to Hunter, Tech would take over.

- Apparently, Tech likes to crouch as an idle position. He does it here while they’re waiting for Wrecker to get Cody out, and he’s also doing that in the one group photo of the Batch. (CX-2 does it at one point, too, and I hate it. They played us so bad.)

- He's right next to Kix when he's examining Cody. Makes sense since he's the team's unofficial medic, so he would be concerned.

- When Hunter says, "That's not our style," he gets a borderline malicious smirk. He's like "Yeeess it's been too long since I've blasted a droid."

- His ready position with his dual blasters. ❤

- Calling out the needed calculations and working perfectly with his team.

- They make camp, and Tech is just staring up at the stars. ❤

- His face falls a little bit when Crosshair challenges Rex. He's like, "Cross, what are you doing?"

-  “Uh, guys, come on.” He could be a leader, he’s just not commanding enough.

- His little huff and head shake like he can’t believe his brothers got in a fight on the first day. ❤

- Taking down droids like a boss.

- "You got it, Cap." ❤

- “Hmm. This is a delicate operation.” Wrecker kicks the door, and Tech looks like he lost a life.

- "We're in." ❤

- Dang, his eyes are so pretty. ❤

- Something about the way he jerks back when he first hears the audio of Echo. And then the look he gives Rex when he asks what it is.

- He perks up SO much when Crosshair pulls up and is the first to run for him.

- Actually caring about what Rex was looking for and asking what the CT number meant. When Rex explains and says, “He’s alive,” Tech’s expression changes from confusion to something closer to a mix of surprise and sympathy.

[oceansssblue]

100 CELEBRATION — PROMPT 15. ARRANGED MARRIAGE / FAKE DATING

CROSSHAIR/F READER 💖

WARNINGS: past friendship breakup, fluff fluff fluff.

Note: I originally had a different idea planed for Crosshair with this prompt (a proper arranged marriage oneshot), but it was becoming extremely long so I decided to park that one out for the future and came up with this little idea instead. I hope you like it! We ony have two more prompts left (servant!rex & demon!echo); for which I've planned a longer story, so I might just acept requests to give you all a little something while I write that. I'll let you know when I decide that. Xx, Blue.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

As soon as the words come out of your mouth, you know it's a big, ugly mistake. The eyes of your ex-best friend and sister widens; the surprise and incredulity so raw and visible in their expresions it hurts. Yes, your luck in love has been sparse; but it shouldn't be that much of a shock to hear things are working out for you for once.

"What? Since when?"

At least your sister is on the good side of surprised. On the confused but genuine one. The girl you used to consider like a second sister, however, –Mara–, almost sneers at the –admitedly, very false– news.

"More importantly" she waves of your sisters questions impertinently and asks "With who?"

You blurt out the first name that comes to your mind.

"Crosshair".

That's the second, big, ugly mistake. You don't even know if you could consider him a friend. He's no stranger –you've seen each other fair enough in both the market and Cid's Salon–; but words are few and far between the two of you. You know more about him by his brother's and Omega's stories than by the man himself. He's incredibly reserved.

Ana seems to recognise the name.

"Isn't he one of Wrecker's brothers?"

You nod in silence under Mara's watchful eyes. Your sister Ana has a stand of sweets in the market; Wrecker is a regular there.

The Batch is a curious bunch. They're hard to forget.

"Well" Mara all but looks you up and down and you have to clench your teeth to not hiss a few ill-intended words at her. "I'm glad you're having fun even if it's with a worthless fling".

"Mara..." Ana intervenes, calling her out with a frown on her face.

Your sister is the sweet, quiet type of girl; but she's protective as well. She's probably suspicious of this, of not having heard of it from you before; but she'll stay quiet for your sake until she has the oportunity to interrogate you in private. She knows you and Mara have history.

Mara shrugs and grins; and your smile is just as fake. She has developed an uncanny ability to make your blood boil.

"I wouldn't call an engamement that" you casually reply, if only just to shut her mouth and swipe her smile off of her face.

Mara's satisfied expression drastically shiftes. Oh, it tastes so sweet... It almost makes you forget that everything you've said is a sequence of lies. Almost.

"Look at you... It's been ages since you had something remotely serious" Mara comments in an humiliating chirp. "He must be special. Why don't you bring him along next friday? We're having a small get together at home with a few old friends. I'd love to meet him".

Panick fires up in your veins; and some must be reflected on your face, because Mara smiles wide like a lothcat.

Anger burns through you; once again remembering all the pain this woman has put you through.

You arrange a small, relaxed expresion for her.

"I'll try to convince him" you accept, swallowing down all the anxiousness and doubts. "I guess you'll send me the details?"

At first, Mara looks surprised; but she quickly falls back to her irritatingly sweet condescendance, smiling politely.

"Of course. I still have your com number. I'll let you know".

Mara nods at your sister; then bristly turns around without bothering on sending a goodbye to you as well.

You watch her retreating form with a mix of relief and wariness. Ana bumps her shoulder with yours.

"Hey" she calls you, quietly worried. "You okay?"

You sigh, tension melting away from your shoulders momentarily.

"Yeah" you glance back at her. "I just have to find the way to convince Crosshair to act as my soon-to-be husband. Should be easy, right?"

Ana chuckles at your sarcasm, inmediately catching up on your lie.

"You digged that hole down yourself" she reminds you, good-heartedly. "It would have been easier if you've thought of Wrecker or Hunter. Or even Tech".

You sigh tiredly. Crosshair agreeing to act as if he were in love with you?

"Yeah, right".

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Cross!" Wrecker's voice echoes in the cockpit of the Marauder. "Gun-girl is here to see you!"

You try not to wince at the volume –nor the pet name–; waiting patiently and praying the man won't interpret the visit as an invasion of his privacy. This ship is their home, after all. And like you pointed out before, he's very private.

Slow, carefull footsetps anounce his presence. Seconds later, a fully armoured Crosshair –minus the helmet– is staring at you with a mix of calculated wariness and confusion. He's probably wondering what the hell are you doing here.

"Hello, Crosshair" you greet him nervously. "Can I talk to you for a bit?"

He continues to stare at you in that way of his you find both nerve-wracking and intriguing; then glances at his smiling brother, and gestures you to come in.

You take a deep, centering breath and step up on the ramp of the Marauder, firmly walking towards the cockpit. You've been inside the ship only once before; when you delivered some supplies for the guys' weapon stock. Crosshair follows you; Wrecker stays outside. The Marauder is otherwise empty; which means that at least only a maximum of two persons will hear how stupid you are.

"So?" Crosshair asks, sprawling down on the pilot chair and prompting you to take the other one.

You bite your lip anxiously before you start.

"So... I need your help" he arches an eyebrow –how can that look so elegant?– and you start to explain yourself. "I... May have told someone I despise I was engaged to you, and she might have invited us to her house next Friday. I was wondering if you'd... agree to play the part?"

It sounds even more ridiculous out loud; as if you were pulling a silly prank. Crosshair's neutral reaction doesn't help either. Far from showing surprise or irritation, he stays painfully normal.

He tilts his head; long fingers taking a toothpick of his pack and placing it between his lips. A sort of endearing habit of his.

"Sounds like unnecesary trouble for me" he points out, not necessarily cold but brutally honest.

You search your brain for an answer that could please him. Perhaps if you give him something in return for this favor...

"I have a new sniper scope model arriving soon. I'll let you try it out first. I'll give you a discount too".

The offer seems to catch his attention; for he hums thoughtfully while never taking his eyes off of you.

"And who is this person you despise?" He asks –dare you say– curiously.

Your answer is acompanied by a long tired sigh.

"An old friend. She tried to humiliate me pointing out my lack of love life and I... Had to swipe her smile off of her face".

You're ashamed of admiting it to him. He always looks so controlled... You know this whole thing is inmature and futile. You don't want him to see you like a kid.

"What happened between the two of you?"

You're surprised by the ammount of personal questions Crosshair is asking. You would have thought he would have inmediately shut down your idea; or perhaps agreed but without wanting to get into the emotions and story behind it. Perhaps you don't know him as well as you thought.

"She gave me some very good memories back when we were younger" you admit. "But I then realized she's the kind of person who wants to see you doing good; but never better than herself. She tried to sabotage me when that ocasionally happened. Stole a boyfriend, a job, or two".

You hadn't intended to go that deep; but you mean every single word, and your vulnerability is exposed to Crosshair for the first time ever. For all he's a private person, you are too. You'd hate for others to consider you weak.

Crosshair observes you for what feels like an eternity, taking the information in. You force yourself not to hide from his perceptive eyes.

"Mm" he finally hums, thoughtful. "There's something I still don't understand. Why was I the first name that came to your mind?"

You blink back at him, stunned, cheeks blushing upon the implication of the question. You hadn't really thought about it either. You had somehow always paid more attention to Crosshair than the rest of your clients; but you had never realised it might mean you were simply into him. Are you?

"Well" you take a bit too long to answer, trying to sound casual and firm. "You are, as far as I know, single, and no-one really knows you in Ord Mantell. It seemed the most logical option".

Crosshair looks skeptical, but he lets you get away with it.

"Right..." he drawls, searching for something in your still warm face. Then, to your surprise, he smirks and says "I'll check your stand for that new scope on thursday. You can update me on our love story then".

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

At first you were dissapointed, then irritated, and now worried. Crosshair had agreed to meet you outside of Mara's house at eight; but no matter how long you waited for him, he hadn't appeared. You had had no other option than to knock on Mara's door on your own; and her grin upon seing you arriving alone had been another level of irritating. You had set up an excuse for him, trying not to make your hurt visible. After a few minutes of interiorising it, you had grown angry; Crosshair could have just refused to help you instead of backing off at last minute without a warning. Halfway through the dinner, though, you had received a message on your coms; and all those negative emotions had switched to genuine worry.

An hour later, in the quietness of the kitchen, you carefully read the text again.

"Mission off-world, things got out of hand. Just arrived. I'll be there shortly –Crosshair."

You're aware that the Batch often work as bounty hunters for Cid; and how the boys sometimes help with small missions for the Rebellion. You've never asked into it –you understand how dangerous the fact that you know they're on the run from the Empire and helping the Rebellion already is–; but you know it's usually dangerous, specially the second sort. You wonder just how out of hand things got. Did someone got hurt? Did he?

You're a nervous wreck throughout the rest of the night; and Mara and his friends –pretty polite and nice for a bitch like her, you have to say– can't help but notice and finally question it.

"Sweetheart, is everything okay?" One of the girls ask, genuine concern on her eyes.

You force a small smile on your face.

"Yeah. Just... Crosshair commed me telling me he had some trouble on his way back to Ord Mantell, so I'm just a bit worried" you tell them, all but Mara's face showing various degrees of sincere understanding. "I'll be fine once he gets here".

"If he manages to arrive at all, that is" Mara halfway sneers, then plasters a big smile on her caked face. "Shall we move outside for a drink?"

Your mind is so focused on Crosshair that you don't even feel the need to assesinate her this time.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

When you're well onto your third glass of wine, you feel a hand carefully grazing the skin of your spine. Lips brush across the crown of your hair; the combination bringing pleasant goosebumps to your body. Far from tensing at the unexpected contact, you melt upon hearing his voice.

"Hello, darling" his low tone is a sin. Then, he turns to look at the rest. "Forgive me for arriving this late".

You hear a chorus of acceptance from Mara's friends; but you turn towards him and your attention is solely fixed on Crosshair. You frown at the scratches on one side of his face; an angry red against his skin. Your fingers involuntarily travel upwards to his cheek, carefully tracing the contour of them.

"You're hurt" you whisper, ignorant to how Mara is quietly observing the interaction between the two of you.

Crosshair hums and takes your hand in his, squeezing softly while he takes a seat besides you at the table. He doesn't let you go; and you don't make the effort either.

"I'm okay" he assures you, voice calm. "Did I miss something interesting?"

To your luck –because you're suddenly enthraced by him, by the way the moonlight makes his grey hair look almost white and his dark brown eyes lighten up– someone answers for you.

"Just a lot of embarassing stories about our youth" there's a general laugh, and Crosshair conjures a tiny tiny smile.

Your heart swoons upon noticing it.

His gaze turns back to you. You're painfully aware of how he's still craddling your hand in his; of how gentle he is.

It's a whole new side of him you didn't even know it existed. You feel honoured to experience it.

"You'll have to tell me yours later" he tells you, and you force yourself to come back to the present with a chuckle.

"No thanks. I'd like to remain engaged tomorrow morning" you joke, and everyone laughs.

Even Mara seems reluctantly enchanted with Crosshair at the end of the night.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Well, that went surprisingly well" you comment once you've parked your speedcar next to the Marauder, having offered Crosshair a drive back. "You're a great actor, by the way".

Crosshair shrugs, body now turned towards you while you both remain sitting in the privacy of your car.

"It's not like it was a difficult task" he answers, eyes flickering over your face before slowly adding. "You know what I thought we'd had to do, and we haven't yet done?"

He gives you a few seconds to process his words, his intentions; before one of his hands slowly take hold on your chin and tugs you forwards to join your lips together in a surprisingly soft, unhurried kiss. Warmth bursts inside of you, heart speeding inside of your chest; surrendering to the kiss with a pleased sigh. When you part from each other, you see an unusual vulnerability in Crosshair's face.

"Well, it would have been impossible not to sell it, with a kiss like that" you try to rest tension to the scene.

Crosshair's following words shake up your world; make you look at things with a different perspective.

"It's easy to sell something when not all of it is built upon lies".

The meaning behind it swirls in your mind. He's admiting there's something between the two of you besides the mess you've put both of you through. His half-conceiled confession leaves you too shocked to react; and you can only stare at him while he gets out of your car.

"Night, gun-girl" he smirks through your window, and then casually walks away towards the Marauder.

Perhaps you'll see him tomorrow in the market, and perhaps you'll go on an actual first date with your fake soon-to-be husband.

You drive back home with thoughts of Crosshair swimming in your head. You're sure you'll dream of that kiss tonight as well.

THE END.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Back to my main masterlist here:

Back to 100celeb list here:

[nahoney22]

Hi ! Congrats on reaching 4000 followers, I'm so proud of you and you totally deserve it ! ❤️

Can I request a Crosshair x fem!reader one-shot with the prompt "every time i see you, i fall in love all over again" with Crosshair saying this to the reader after seeing her do something silly/cute (and they've been married for a few years already) ? I just feel like it'll be so cute 🥰

4000 Prompt List Celebration

Crosshair X Fem!Reader

word count: 1.2k

prompt

• “Every time I see you, I fall in love all over again.”

Warnings: Fluffy goodness, married couple, female reader, kisses, reader is a terrible cook, baking chaos, pet names, soft crosshair.

Authors note: so sorry for the wait my darling! @coraex , hopefully this is fluffy enough for you! Enjoy 💜

Life on Pabu was a paradise. The weather was always idyllic, the beach pristine, and your husband, well, he was nothing short of perfect. Yet, amidst this perfection, there lingered one imperfection: your baking skills, or rather, lack thereof. However, fate bestowed upon you an opportunity to fix this flaw while your husband ventured off on a supply run for the people.

And so with meticulous precision, you measured each ingredient, ensuring nothing fell short of perfection. You had even ventured to local vendors and handpicked the finest ingredients to craft a savoury delicacy introduced to you by Phee so naturally, you had to make it. Or give it a go, at least.

As the oven worked its magic, you stepped onto the balcony to your home, allowing the warm breeze to tousle your hair and the sun to caress your skin. Your gaze wandered to the sky, where the familiar silhouette of the Havoc Marauder emerged.

Remaining on the balcony, you observed as the men and the lone girl disembarked the ship. Crosshair, as always, locked eyes with your shared home, a smirk adorning his features. With a wave and a beckoning gesture, you invited him to join you inside.

As soon as the door hisses open, you eagerly dash across the threshold and leap into his arms. The man staggers momentarily before finding his footing, wrapping one of his long arms around you. "Missed me, pretty lady?"

"As always," you grin, leaning back to plant a kiss on his lips. "Even if it has only been a few hours."

"At least I got a hug this time," he chuckles, placing your feet back on the ground and bestowing a sweet kiss on your forehead.

Stepping back, you let Crosshair settle his belongings and smile fondly at him. "Well, last time, you went 'what? No hug for me?'" You recall, earning a playful eye roll as he places his helmet on a table next to a framed holophoto of your wedding day. Every time you look at it, nothing but fond and loving memories fill your mind.

"Very well," he declares, launching himself onto the couch, kicking his feet up on an ottoman. He pats the spot beside him, and you gratefully accept, snuggling into his side. "So, what are you trying to bake this time, then?"

"How did you know I was baking something?" you inquire, a hint of surprise in your voice, as you glance towards the kitchen where you were certain you had hidden any sign of evidence of you baking.

Then, he leans forward and as you think he’s about to steal a kiss, a mischievous glint dances in his eyes. His thumb playfully swipes across your cheek and nose, leaving behind traces of flour and sugar on his finger that he holds up that makes your face flush with embarrassment. "Ah," you chuckle, realising the source of the sensation.

He chuckles too, but his amusement is tinged with concern as he sniffs the air with a subtle frown. "How long have you been cooking for?"

Glancing at the chronometer on the wall, then back at him, you reply, "About two hours now. Should be ready in the next hour or so." Your grin conveys eagerness, but his expression remains neutral, a hint of skepticism lurking in his eyes.

“Babe, I think it’s already done.”

Again, you blink at him, momentarily taken aback. "Huh?"

“I smell burning.”

Just as he finishes his sentence, the shrill sound of the smoke alarm fills the air, and you wince at the piercing noise. Cursing above the noise, you rush towards the kitchen, your heart pounding with a mix of frustration and urgency.

“Gloves! GLOVES!” Crosshair's urgent voice rings out, but you're focused on the task at hand and it falls on deaf ears. Ignoring his plea, you yank open the oven door, confronting the billowing clouds of black smoke that engulf the kitchen. Fetching your hand inside the burning oven, you grab a hold of the tray of the baked goods, yanking it out with a small yelp.

Crosshair springs into action, swift and decisive. In a matter of seconds, he's by your side, checking on you with a mixture of concern and determination etched on his features. But after you insist you’re fine, he shifts his focus to the task at hand, pushing open the window to let the smoke out and silencing the alarm with a practiced hand.

“Come here, run your hand under the tap quickly,” he instructs, his voice gentle yet firm as he guides you towards the sink. Switching the water on, he ensures the temperature is just right before gently urging your hand underneath the cool stream.

“Crosshair, I’m fine. Honestly,” you assure him which was not even a lie because you were. It was pretty much a miracle you somehow didn’t burn yourself but as for the savoury treats… burnt to a crisp.

Crosshair moves away from you and inspects the smoking tray, blinking at the almost incinerated food. “Well, maybe they taste better than they look.”

“Oh, stow it,” you retort at his sarcastic comment, though you know he means it playfully. Disappointment paints your features as you glance at the charred remnants of your baking attempt. “Why can’t I cook anything?!”

“You can. Just, badly.”

“If you’re trying to hurt my feelings, you’re succeeding,” you pout, flinging water droplets from your hand at him before switching the tap off and folding your arms over your chest in annoyance.

Crosshair comes back your way and drapes an arm over your shoulder, using his hand to tilt your chin up to look at him. “Don’t worry about it. You can try again?”

“What’s the point? I’ll probably burn our home down.”

“That’s true.”

You playfully slap his hand away and begin to tidy up your mess, Crosshair helping you along the way by washing up the tray before you move back to the sofa and faceplant onto it with a heavy sigh. The soft cushions provide some comfort as you let out a frustrated groan.

You hear the running water switch off, a small clang of him putting the washing away, and then faint steps towards you.

“I don’t know how you do it,” he starts, quickly earning a loud and unwilling-to-listen whine before you ask what about.

“That every time I see you, I fall in love all over again.”

You roll onto your back and stare up at him with narrowed eyes. “Why are you being soft?”

He laughs, warm and soft before he scoots you into his lap, taking a seat and peppering kisses over your cheek. “You know I don’t like it when you call me that.”

“I don’t care,” you giggle as you let him gush over you, “you are.” You grin at him with bright eyes. “But why did you say that?”

“It’s true,” he shrugs casually. “You may try and burn our home down all the time, but I love you all the same for it.”

You playfully squint at his jokey insult, but instead of trying to be smart and think of a retort, you kiss your husband and tell him exactly how you feel too, cherishing these moments of love and laughter.

“Let’s go out for dinner. It’s on me.” Now that’s an opportunity you won’t pass up on.

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[photogirl894]

Hello! Don't know if you're still taking requests, but would I be able to request 8 and 33 from the physical affection prompt list with Crosshair? I can totally see him using that to spend time with his SO!! 😁

Hey anon! I know it's been forever since you sent this in, so I really hope you see it! Sorry it took a long time!

"Close to You"

8. Play fighting/wrestling

33. Playful shove

Pairing: Crosshair x fem reader

***

It was a nice day on the planet, Naboo, and you and the Bad Batch were taking some downtime there for a little bit until you received your next mission. As you were about to get off the ship, Crosshair arm-checked you in the doorway and pushed past you. You cast a perplexed look at him, but he simply looked back over his shoulder and smirked at you as he went down the ramp.

He'd been doing that a lot lately, giving you light shoves as he'd walk by you and you couldn't quite understand why, but then he'd grin at you after doing so. His peculiar behavior peaked your curiosity. You'd seen him and his brothers push each other around often, but he never grinned at them like he did with you. At one point, you went to Hunter to see if he had any explanation behind Crosshair's behavior. All he had to say was that Crosshair was more physical with people he likes or feels comfortable around, hence why he shoved his brothers around all the time. It was just how he was; how he expressed himself. When you asked why Crosshair grinned at you the way he did, Hunter didn't really have much an answer other than, "Maybe he just likes you a little more."

If that were true...you wouldn't mind it at all.

You had found your gaze drifting towards Crosshair a lot more recently. Something about his stoic, quiet personality intrigued you and you really wanted to try and get him out of his shell a little more. You wanted to know him more; you wanted to see a side of him that even his brothers didn't know. That and you found him particularly handsome. Something about the sharp curvature of his cheek bones, the way his lips pressed together with a toothpick between them, the way the light hit his brown eyes...you were well and truly smitten with the sniper.

He tended to like to stay up a little later than the rest of the squad, so you decided to try something out once everyone else had retired for the night.

Soon, night came and you spotted Crosshair sitting outside by a space heater. His armor had been removed and he was just in his blacks, just like you were in yours. You carefully made your way down the ramp of the ship, but he heard you coming and stood up upon seeing you.

"Everything all right?" he asked you.

"Yeah, I'm fine," you responded as you walked up to him. Then you playfully shoved him in the arm and said, "Just checking on you and making sure you're okay."

He looked a bit taken aback at your gesture before saying, "I'm...fine."

Motioning to his arm where you'd hit him, you stated, "Hunter says that's how you show people you like them. I thought doing it back would do the same thing."

"Yes, but...it's different with you," he admitted.

"What do you mean?" you asked.

He flashed a grin at you; a softer, more sincere one that you had never seen from him before that made him almost glow even more in the light of the space heater. "For me...it's just another way to be close to you," he told you.

Surprised, you blurted out, "Then why didn't you just say something before?"

He smirked again and replied, "This was more fun," as he then nudged you again in the arm with his shoulder.

You figured two could play at that game. With your mouth agape at his gesture, you decided to gently shove him back. That only made him grin even more as he gave another push, a little harder than before. When you went to retaliate, however, he caught your hands in his, holding them in place and wrestling against them.

"Hey, no fair!" you cried.

You pulled your hands free, but as you turned to try and move away, he pulled you back, grabbing you around the waist with his arms and pulling your back against his chest as he lifted you just a little off the ground and walked backward slowly.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked tauntingly in your ear.

"You know, if you just wanted to be close to me, all you had to do was say--aah!"

Suddenly, you found yourself falling as Crosshair seemed to trip over something as he walked backwards and you both tumbled to the ground with a thud. You heard Crosshair groan from not only the impact of the ground, but also of you landing on top of him before rolling off.

"Are you okay?" you inquired, crawling over to him.

"Never...better," he groaned as he sat up. However, just as he got all the way up, he was suddenly pushed back down onto his back, but not because you had shoved him...because you had leapt onto him and were hugging him around his neck. His arms stiffened at his sides at the sudden, unexpected closeness he was receiving from you, not to mention with you being on top of him.

"If you wanted to be close to me...I would've obliged right away," you said softly to him. "I care a lot about you, Crosshair. I hope this is what you want."

His arms gradually enclosed themselves around you, embracing you closely, and you could feel his body relax underneath you. Then he responded, "Not quite."

When you pulled back to question him further, his hand was immediately on your cheek for a brief moment before it slid to the back of your head and he pulled you down to him, lifting his head a little to meet you partway as he joined his lips softly with yours. There was a delightful shiver that ran down your spine at how sweetly he kissed you and you couldn't help but smile into the kiss as you deepened it.

After a moment, he pulled back, a new light in his eyes upon realizing you had kissed him back and were smiling adoringly down at him. "Now, I've gotten what I wanted," he then spoke, a content grin on his face. "This was everything I'd hoped for...and more."

Pleased with his reply, you bent over, kissed him once more and then laid your head down on his chest, cuddling up to him. His arms held you safely against him, right where he wanted you to be.

Photogirl894's Physical Affection Prompts

Photogirl894's 1,000 Followers fics

[feroluce]

“-and that's why I ain't allowed in Pier Point no more!” Boothill throws his head back and cackles, somehow completely comfortable on the bare floor of the archives. He's the very picture of ease, his arms behind his head, his legs bent and crossed.

Dan Heng barely looks up from his notebook, not much surprises him anymore after the first few tales of lawless exploits. “So they really have that many laws and restrictions there.” 

“And prob’ly a few more now that I've been through there! Heck, ya think they named any after me? I'm hopin’ so.” There's so much smug cockiness seeping through his voice Dan Heng could bottle it.

Silence settles in, stretches out. Dan Heng doodles pensive circles in the corner of his page.

He shouldn't ask. It's a private matter. It's none of his business. He of all people should know-

Something pokes his shoe, and when he looks up, Boothill has stretched one arm up to tap metallic fingertips against his foot. “Ain't like ya to hesitate.” With his head tipped back on the tiles and gazing at him upside down, Boothill's hair is out of his face and spooling out all over the floor, offering a rare view of his right side. His right eye is sealed over with a pitch-black patch, stark against his skin. Dan Heng wonders what he looks like behind it. “C'mon, then, out with it. Spill the beans, brother, just say it.”

“What does ‘Boothill’ mean?”

The man blinks at him, the crosshair in his cybernetic left eye flickering. Dan Heng shifts, smooths out his long coat. “I tried to look it up once. It's not in any database as a name...other than your wanted posters.” There's a thread beginning to fray near the hem, he should sew it up. “I couldn't find it anywhere.” 

He nearly takes it back, but- “Heh, ya that curious about me, darlin’?”

Dan Heng quickly levels his face into the most impassive, nonplussed expression he can muster, but Boothill has already turned away, head pillowed on his arms and face once again turned to the ceiling.

“But nah, ya wouldn't. Hah, like they'd allow any record of the language, fudgeheads.” One arm sweeps around blindly until it finds the edge of Boothill's hat, sets it back where it belongs on his head. Dan Heng shuffles around, scoots a little closer, but the brim is pulled too low to see his eyes anymore.

“It's ‘cause it's not a name. It's a noun.” All that's visible of his face is a sharp grin, pulled too tight at the edges.

“It's my people's word for a grave.”

Dan Heng's pencil stops.

“It's the kinda grave fer someone who died with their boots on. If ya catch my drift there.” Boothill's foot starts to bounce. “There was a war, and it got reeeeeal intense, yup. Folks started droppin’ like flies, ‘n’ there was bodies faster'n what we could bury ‘em.” A cooling fan kicks on somewhere. Dan Heng is pretty sure it's not any of the Express equipment.

“We lost some real good people there, real good. Mighty shame.” His hidden Vidyadhara ears detect a quiet metallic click, a whir, pressurized gas. Boothill's next words waft steam from his angry circuits into the air. “When I left, I decided to leave my name there, too. Didn't feel right otherwise. The life I lead now is a whole ‘nother existence.” And then Boothill turns his head, raises his hat, and Dan Heng suddenly feels pinned dead center, caught in that crosshair.

“Ya know what I mean, don'tcha?”

Dan Heng swallows.

Does Boothill know? Who he is and who came before him? There had been that moment in the Penacony Grand Theater, after he activated the Jade Abacus… Dan Heng had tried to shoo him out, keep him from seeing anything, but Boothill has the astounding ability to turn up exactly wherever people are trying to keep him away from.

If he did see, does he actually understand it? Does he know what a High Elder is? Does he know about the sedition of Imbibitor Lunae, the transmutation arcanum, everything Dan Feng had done and Dan Heng was punished for?

He doesn't want to explain it all. Not now. Possibly not ever, truth be told.

And it's not the same as Boothill leaving behind his old identity when whatever event happened that caused him to leave home. Not really. But…

But so far, Boothill has slid so easily into Dan Heng’s routine. His presence never feels like an intrusion. He's already figured out what he can push and when to back down. And even Dan Heng finds himself able to roll with whatever punches Boothill throws with baffling ease. They share too much in their methods and ideologies, and sometimes Dan Heng knows what Boothill will do seemingly before even Boothill himself knows.

“...Tell me about Talia and the Nailscrap Town.” Boothill must know he's avoiding the topic. He must. But the man just throws his head back and cackles, melting easily back into what they had been doing before, as he speaks fondly of a planet that Dan Heng has never visited.

Not today. But.

Dan Heng inches just a little closer, just enough to nudge his foot against a metal leg. Boothill doesn't pull away.

Maybe someday.

[zoeykallus]

The batcher’s reaction to fem!reader saying “ YOU’RE NAKED?” when I’m reality, they’re just wearing their blacks.😭

Being used to seeing in their armor 99.99% of the time caught her by surprised.

😁

Sounds like fun...

The Bad Batch x Fem!Reader Shorts - Under The Armor

Pre Relationship/Fluff/Humor/Slightly Suggestive/Crosshair (Mentioned Nudity)

_______________

Hunter

He comes out of the shower, wearing fresh Blacks, but his armor is still in his bunk. Earlier you were in the cockpit, but right now you're standing at your own bunk making your bed when you notice him enter the room. Hunter's bunk is not far from yours. Your gaze lifts from your bunk to look in his direction. He looks at you in confusion, as you widen your eyes and hastily stare back at your bunk with hot ears. "You're naked," you say quietly, startled and nervous at the same time. "Huh?" Hunter hastily looks down at himself; for a second you've rattled him. He's beginning to think he forgot his Blacks' pants or didn't pull them up properly. But everything fits as it should. "I'm not," he finally says, frowning. "But as good as. I don't think I've ever seen you without the armor. The Blacks don't leave too much to the imagination, after all. Hunter looks down at himself again, clears his throat, and says, "Well, they're tight-fitting, there's a reason for that." You dare a quick glance from the side, eyeing him quickly and looking away again, feeling your cheeks grow warm. A smile spreads across his face. "Come on, I'm fully clothed, feel free to look at me". You ask teasingly, "So you want me to look at you?"

He pauses. "Uh... well, I just mean that there's no reason for you to deliberately avert your gaze." You don't really know what to say, but Crosshair more or less saves you by calling for Hunter. "Hurry up, Hunter, we have to leave soon". Hunter grabs his chest plate, slips into it, grabs his remaining armor pieces and runs. Crosshair stands at the end of the hallway waiting for him. You can't help yourself, your gaze automatically follows Hunter, eyeing his taut buttocks that are clearly visible under the Blacks. Until you realize that Crosshair is looking at you. Hastily, you avert your gaze when you see his raised brows. Then you hear it from a distance as the two men walk away together, "Hey Chief, the rookie totally checked out your ass." "She did?" asks Hunter in surprise, sounding eager. "Definitely," Crosshair replies. You nervously quickly gather your gear as your pulse races. "Damn," you grumble under your breath.

Echo

He is cleaning his equipment and has taken it off and spread it on the table when you come into the room. When Echo hears the sound of the door, he looks up and in your direction. He smiles at you, but his expression quickly turns puzzled as you make a small startled noise, averting your eyes and shielding them with the flat of your hands. "Sorry," you say as you hurry past him, "I shouldn't have just barged in like that." Echo who doesn't understand at all what's going on says, "This is a common room of our squad, you don't have to knock here" he says slowly. You sigh in annoyance and ask, "If this is a common room, why are you getting undressed in here?".

"Well, usually only my brothers are around here, no women. Besides, I'm still clothed. I've only taken off my armor," he says, explaining, still confused. You quickly grab the jacket you left here and just want to get and move back towards the door when he suddenly grabs your arm. Again you make a small startled noise. "That's just my armor I took off, I'm not naked. Besides, I thought you've seen a lot of clones in this state." You yank your arm free and your eyes meet. Your gaze bores into his, burning. His eyes widen and the look he stares at you with is suddenly that of a cornered prey animal. "What did you just imply?" you growl at him.

Echo blinks. "That there are clones running around in their Blacks all over the barracks here. You're bound to have seen one," he says, blinking uncertainly. Now you blink yourself. "Um, no, not really. I've definitely seen tracksuits and such, but not underwear." Echo laughs softly. "That's not underwear" You frown, "Oh no? You do wear that under your armor, don't you?" "Well yeah, but-" "Do you have anything else on underneath, under the Blacks?" Echo pauses. "Uh... no." You say with your ears and cheeks getting hot, "Well then it's underwear". Echo swallows and says, "Well, I guess in that sense it's underwear" "Very tight-fitting underwear" you add. Echo suddenly has some color in his face for the first time in a long time.

Wrecker

He has just taken a fresh shower and put on his blacks. But since he doesn't have to leave for the time being, he has left the armor off. Wrecker knocks on your cabin door, the boys want to order food, and he wants to ask you what you want. When you open the door and open your eyes in shock, though, he pauses. "What's wrong?" he asks, puzzled. "You're naked." Wrecker looks down at himself, startled. He's dreamed of accidentally walking around naked before, and he's unsettled for a moment. But he sees he is wearing his blacks. He laughs heartily and says, "You almost had me". You blink, averting your gaze, and say, "I don't think I've ever seen you without your armor on." He frowns. "Oh. You really feel that's nudity? Girl, I'm not naked" "But as good as" He laughs again, "Not even close, my whole body is covered except my head" With heated cheeks, you look back up into his face, trying not to stare at his muscular body in the tight Blacks. "It is, unfamiliar" "Do I look that bad?" he asks uncertainly. You smile nervously, "No, I didn't mean it like that". He grins at you. "Then maybe you can get used to it".

The words come out of your mouth before you can stop them, "I'd love to." He raises his brows in amusement. "Are you flirting with me?" You laugh nervously and say, "Not on purpose." He laughs softly, "Too bad. Maybe some other time?" You shyly clear your throat and nod, "Sure." "Alright" He says with a smirk and finally asks, "What do you want to eat? We were going to order something"

Tech

He is once again absorbed in his datapad when you come into the room. Tech has made himself more comfortable, the squad doesn't have to go out for the next two days. He wears only his Blacks, and the rest of his armor is in his bunk. He has heard your footsteps and looks up briefly to greet you, with his small, barely noticeable, shy smile. Tech actually wants to turn back to his datapad, but something about your expression makes him look up again, perplexed. You stare at him, your eyes automatically wandering along his lean, tall body. "Is something wrong?" he asks, snapping you out of your stupor. You hastily avert your gaze and mutter, "You're almost naked." Tech tilts his head slightly to the side, questioningly. "Hardly. My body is almost entirely covered with clothes, only my head is unclothed, you can't really call that naked, not even almost naked."

You don't know what to do with your hands and hug yourself nervously. "Well, it's tight-fitting clothes, without your armor. It may not be naked, but it's still pretty revealing compared to the outfit I'm used to." Tech lowers the datapad. ""Revealing? I don't think so." You shrug and say, "It's just unfamiliar, I can see your body clearly outlined under the fabric" Tech blinks. "And that repels you?" Startled, you look back up at him. "What, no! That... I meant it differently... I," the words slip out of your mouth and you fall silent. Tech looks down at himself, a little unsettled, then looks at you questioningly. "Would you rather I put on my gear or Civil clothes?" "No... I mean yes... I mean... you can wear whatever you want.... I was just surprised." Tech shows his shy smile again, then asks, "Could it be that you're nervous because you're attracted to me physically or in some other way, and you don't know how to handle it? Your mouth pops open, your eyes get big, and you get hot and cold. Did he just see right through you?

"Uh... I", you are at a loss for words and in a panic you improvise, "Oh, did you hear that, the sergeant called me". Tech looks after you with interest as you move away. Finally, he smiles again and says softly, pleased, "She likes me".

Crosshair

You jump up, startled, as he enters the room and after a brief stare, you hastily avert your eyes. He stops, looks at you and raises his eyebrows. "What's the matter with you? Scared kitten" "You are naked!" you say, as if that must be obvious to him. A few seconds of silence pass, then he says, "No I'm not, but I'd be happy to show you the difference, so this doesn't happen to you again" You stare at him, startled, as he first takes off the top of his Blacks and is already about to take off the bottom. "What are you doing?" you ask, unable to stop staring. He finally stands naked in front of you and says, "Showing you the difference." Your mouth drops open, and you don't know what to say. Crosshair stands there, naked lean, steeled. With all your strength, you try not to stare at his crotch. "See the difference now?" he asks teasingly. "Uh, yeah, definitely," you say, and swallow. "Good."

Hunter comes in and sighs in annoyance, "Crosshair, get dressed again. You already have two warnings for improper behavior in the barracks." Crosshair leisurely puts his clothes back on and says, "I just wanted to point something out?" Hunter rolls his eyes. "Don't do that, you'll get yourself in trouble. We have a woman on the team now, you need to knock it off." Crosshair smirks and says, "She could have looked the other way, but she was enjoying the sight" With heated cheeks, you hastily turn away. " You don't have to turn around now, kitten, now I'm dressed again".

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