#for the captain of the uss huntech

[bitterfishiesstuff]

SergeantGoggles here. You know what I came for. 😏

🎲 + Huntech

Aye aye cap'in!

39. A tentative kiss (spoilers for season 3, not canon compliant)

Hunter had hoped it wasn't Tech under that helmet. Every fiber of his being prayed as he saw little things that were similar, but not quite right. He should have know he was seeing things. A grieving mind graphing at straws to make connection where there were none.

From one there was suddenly five. Echo, Wrecker, and the regs all fighting chances of Tech. Glimpses of a sick hope that maybe- maybe Tech was one of CX's. Shadows that all had a dull glimmer of something.

A glimmer of nothing.

Each a reg. At first Hunter was disappointed, but quickly he felt sickened by his own greed. Tech didn't deserve that. No one deserved what they went through, but especially Tech. His Ace, his second in command... His husband.

Their war was over now. Omega was safe, as were the boys and the other kids Omega had found on Tantis. She'd even gone with Echo to drop the last of the little commanders off. Something Hunter hasn't wanted, but Crosshair had pointed out she was going with Echo. Either absolutely nothing would happen because he was a stickler for regulations,unless it didn't suit him of course, or they'd obliterate whatever stopped them with their combine bantha shit crazy.

He was right of course. Omega was almost home and she had commed to tell them she had found a suprise. Of course she did. Hunter just hoped it wasn't another hound. Batcher had taken to Crosshair, and it ate like Wrecker.

He wasn't sure he could handle another mouth to feed, especially if it took to Crosshair. The man spoiled Batcher rotten when he could.

He felt the thrum of the engines before anyone. The electro magnetic pulse hitting the atmosphere sent a shiver down his spine. It was a familar feeling, one that meant safety. Family had returned home again.

He feared the day it wouldn't return and they'd said their last good bye to Echo, or the other regs that came around with him.

Today wasn't that day though. The sun shown brightly as Echos ship landed on the small pad. Not Omega driving, she'd have swooped in like Tech and sent leaves flying off the old tree in the public square. Hunter waited in front of the ramp. Not to close, but it didn't matter. Omega would run out to him and Echo would follow in a bit.

The ramp hissed and he smiled, waiting for whatever treasure or curse she'd dragged home this time.

But no one came out. He frowned and took a step forward. What had she found that it was taking longer to greet him? Suddenly he had flash backs to the baby rancor, but no. Echo would *not* have let one of those on board.

Omega's foot steps slowly carried out of the ship, along with the sound of gears and wheels. Truly curious he stepped closer to try and hear her voice.

"I think you should tell him first Omega. I do not wish to startle him-"

He knew that voice. He KNEW that voice like the beat of his own heart, the curve of his vibroblade, the pulse of the havoc.

Hunter ran. He didn't care who was watching or the fact he scared a couple walking near by. He flew up the ramp almost running into a sheepish Omega and-

Tech.

The specialist looked up at him. To most he'd look slightly off balance, but not to Hunter. Concern was foremost, as was worry. There was nervousness, which Hunter could understand. Tech had one eye replaced with a machine, as was an arm. Both legs seemed intact, but he was in a mobility chair.

It didn't matter. Tech was alive and staring at him like he was the ghost.

"Hunter..."

Two steps and Hunter falls to his knees infront of him.

"Tech. Tech I-"

His Ace raise an eyebrow and holds out a hand to him. "That will hurt in a rotation."

Hunter laughs, eyes watering as his other half takes his shaking hand and gives him the stable ground he'd been searching for ever since Tech executed plan 99.

"I'll live." Hunter winces as the words slip out. Tech almost didn't. Tech hadn't. There was no way, but here he was.

Time crawled as Tech bent over stiffly, stopping only a hair breath short of parted lips. They both froze, uncertain if the other would close the gap. Tech pulls back a fraction and Hunter moves forward, still not daring to complete the kiss. As if kissing him would wash him away.

They meet for an instant, both moving as if they'll be stung. Tech reunits them. Kissing Hunter timidly, before parting again.

"We both will."