#hunter is omega's Dad

[leapingbadger]

Gone. Again.

Summary: Taking place during the events of Season 3, Episode 11: Point of No Return; Hunter tires to catch up with Omega and Crosshair and wrestles with their precarious situation.

Hunter’s heart pounded in his chest; his limbs heavy as he pulled himself out of the water. His armor weighed him down and while the water hadn’t penetrated his helmet, the clothes underneath his armor were soaked through.

None of this mattered though. He had failed to commandeer the ship and now they were back to square one and running out of time. He dragged himself to the beach, taking his helmet off and finally catching his breath.

Before he could even think, all his senses tingled at once and he had his blaster in his hand and raised, aimed at a rock a few meters in front of him. He sighed as he instantly recognized the heavy beathing and four-legged patter of Batcher.

He smiled as she trotted over to him, letting him scratch her head happily. The site of Omega’s lurca hound had a calming effect before bringing him crashing back to reality.

Wrecker was injured and down. Omega and Crosshair were hiding, and the imperials were checking houses one by one. He stood up, grabbed his helmet and ran for the path to upper Pabu, Batcher at his heels.

He couldn’t just sprint outright, no matter how much he wanted to. He didn’t know what was lurking around the corners of the winding path. He heard cries and whimpers from locals, as they fought to keep the imperial troops out of their homes. He wanted to stop. To help, but there wasn’t time.

He cursed himself for waiting so long to leave. It had only been a day since Ventress’ warning, but it might as well have been a week. They should have left last night, or this morning. The pull of this place, this home, was dangerous and their sentimental attachment to it had led them to being trapped here.

His feet crunched heavily as he moved through lower Pabu. He paused behind a wall as he heard imperial troops searching another house. He had a clear line of site of the trooper stationed in the doorway. The homeowner, a man Hunter had seen multiple times at the marketplace and traded the occasional pleasantry with, noticed him and shook his head. The man jerked his head, indicating for Hunter to keep moving and Hunter’s heart swelled for this place and these people. He was responsible for bringing this despair and destruction to them and he wasn’t sure, if he survived the night, if he would even be able to repay them.

Hunter and Batcher were halfway up the island when he froze. He felt batcher pause and noticed her cock her head to the side, out of the corner of his eye. She had heard it too.

He flung himself over the side of the wall, there was a ship somewhere, he heard it. It was smaller than the Venator stationed above. A shuttle. The repetitive whir of the engines told him it was hovering, waiting.

Omega.

He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did, and his stomach dropped. He ran to the sound of the ship. Batcher barking happily as she tried to keep up with him. Sweat prickled at his hairline and ice filled his lungs, despite the warm sea breeze, as he pushed his body as hard as it would go to catch up to the noise.

The engines roared to life, and he pushed himself harder, his feet flying under him. He threw himself around a corner, colliding with a stormtrooper and shooting him so fast Hunter was around the next bend before he heard the body hit the ground.

He was so close; he could hear the engine so clearly now. The thrusters grew louder.

“No, no, no” Hunter said to himself, as he charged around another bend.

The black triangular ship was speeding towards clouds above. The red lights on the back of the ship casting a sinister scowl in the sky.

“NO, NO, NO!” Hunter shouted out loud this time. His heart was hammering so hard against his chest he could barely breathe.

There was only one reason a ship would be leaving. They had what they came for. They had Omega. Again.

He stumbled around the final corner to find Crosshair, head cocked up to the sky, looking at the space where the ship had disappeared.

Stormtroopers lay scattered around his feet and further up the path. His firepuncher rifle was hanging languidly in his hands.

Hunter was doubled over, trying to take in guttural breaths. He took off his helmet, his chest heaving, desperate to find equilibrium that wouldn’t come.

“Where is she?” Hunter croaked to his brother, his voice strained and tight. He frantically looked up and down the path, hoping she’d pop up from behind a wall or neighbors garden, smiling and reassuring him that she was alright. But she wasn’t there. He couldn’t hear the familiar dance of her heartbeat or smell the sweet floral scent that followed her around.

Crosshair was frozen, staring at the blank space in the sky.

“Crosshair,” Hunter shouted insistently, the panic evident now.

He knew the answer. He knew. But he needed to hear it from his brother.

Hunter started to feel his throat close, and he threatened to choke on a sob that had been lingering since the moment he heard the ship. He desperately tried to keep it at bay, as he looked to his brother for some comfort, some evidence that he was wrong.

Crosshair finally looked away from the sky, his helmeted face staring at Hunter. He gently shook his head.

She was gone.

Hunter’s hands shook as he cradled his head. He had lost her. Again. And they still had no way of finding her. The sob that had threatened to overwhelm him came out as an animalistic scream. He heard it echo across the island. His body shook with grief, from all the grief it had ever held.

Crosshair moved towards him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” He said, “I… I missed…I…”

Hunter fought the impulse to throttle Crosshair, to grab him by the neck and throw him to the ground. To unleash every ounce of pain he could onto his brother. Complicit in Hunter’s failure to protect Omega.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and noticed his brother’s slumped shoulders, low hanging head and right hand shaking more violently than he had ever seen it.

He took a deep breath. Wiped away the stray tears that had managed to fall and used every ounce of self-control to pull himself back from the brink. “We need to move.” He said, his voice steady and firm. “Let’s get to Wrecker. Then make a plan. Follow me.”

He moved quickly, listening intently for the sound of his brother and Batcher behind him while simultaneously keeping his sense attuned to what was ahead.

The troopers had started to work their way back to the crest of the island. The stray ones who were unfortunate enough to encounter Hunter and Crosshair on their way to upper Pabu were dispatched remorselessly.

When they arrived at Shep’s house Wrecker was sitting up, taking delicate sips from a canteen held by Lyana. Hunter let Crosshair break the news. He stood in the back of the room and watched every wave of emotion cross Wrecker’s face at once.

Wrecker looked to Hunter, his eyes impossibly wide, imploring him for a solution to a problem they hadn’t been unable to solve last time. They still didn’t know where Tantiss was.

“We’ll find her.” Hunter said, his voice confident despite the churning doubts he had inside. “We’ll find her.”

[bittybug-sunflower-blog]

Every 6 people group has one of these

The over protective dad -

*some kid steals omega’s toy*

Hunter: *runs up pushed child down and takes toy back*

The alcoholic mom who has to tolerate the other 5 -

Bartender: sir this is your seventh drink.

*wrecker and tech arguing*

Echo: keep it coming

The hungry one -

Wrecker: when do we eat

*five minutes after eating

Wrecker: when do I get a snack

The emo/goth one -

Crosshair, self explanatory

The one who knows stuff that people don’t need or want to know-

Tech: Did you know that some pig rectums are actually edible.

Echo: we needed to know this why?

The I always get kidnapped one-

Omega: *stands still immediately get kidnapped*

[ashyybees-art]

How each of the batch will hold Omega, Pt.1: Hunter

“You’re causing trouble again, aren’t you?”

Hunter was actually the hardest to decide, and then I thought about how he held Omega after pulling her out of the water on Kamino. He’ll just scoop her up into his arms, still allowing for close cuddles.~

[tragedy-for-sale]

Bye, Bye, Baby

It feels like you're becoming part of my past...

─── ❖ ── ✦ ── ❖ ───

He should've known better. He should've been better. The Marauder had never before been this quiet, never before only had only three people in it. Hunter sat in his chair, facing away from Tech's chair, he hated seeing Echo in it. Hunter wiped his eyes, he remembered how often he used to cry, he slipped so easily into his tears. His quiet sobs came back like a bad habit. His head hung low, he undid his bandana and he cried.

Echo dared not to cry, he wouldn't stop and he needed to be put together for Hunter. He didn't cry because Hunter was and he didn't want Hunter to pull himself together, he wanted to let Hunter feel all he needed to. Wrecker stood on the other side of the door, unable to come in. He wanted to scream and break something. He wanted to-

Wrecker froze as he saw Hunter walk down Havoc towards Omega's room. He climbed the steps and sat down, grabbing Omega's pillow. Hunter let out a cry, "I'm sorry," hugging the pillow, "I'm sorry." Hunter missed her, he failed her and now he had to miss her. He'd missed up so much lately. This morning they were only missing one, now they missing three. Hunter hugged her pillow tighter, "I miss you so much..." He looked at her room and he instantly wanted better for her, he wanted Pabu for her. He wanted starlight and kyber for his little girl.

"I can't fight anymore, Wrecker," He spoke slow. Wrecker's head shot up, "I can't do this anymore-" Hunter didn't wipe his eyes, Wrecker was blurry, but it was for the best he couldn't see Wrecker's defeated face, "I don't- I just want my family-" He let out a whimper and Wrecker rushed to his brother and scooped him up in a hug.

"I know," Wrecker sighed, rubbing Hunter's back. As a leader, he'd failed. He was never supposed to lose Omega, if he had been a better leader, if he had been a better father-

"How are we going to find her? Wrecker, how are we going to find her? I have no idea what to do-" He sobbed, "I can't do this, I don't have any ideas, I don't, I don't-" Hunter shook his head and let out a violent sob, one that, on instinct, made Wrecker hug Hunter tighter. A violent sob that beckoned Echo to join their hug.

Echo wasn't good at a whole lot, but he thought he was a pretty good brother. He thought he handled losing brothers pretty well. But Hunter, Hunter had never lost anyone in his family, ever. They were so lucky like that. Echo hugged his brothers tightly, losing a brother for the first time was the hardest, and it only got harder. So Echo did what he knew he could do, hold his brother and never let go.

Hunter missed his little girl, "She must be so scared and she's gonna try her best to escape and they're gonna hurt her-" Hunter broke from the hug, "They're gonna hurt her and I'm not gonna be there to protect her!" He yelled, jumping to his feet. He felt so useless! "They're gonna hurt her and I can't do anything!" He smacked the side of his head as he tried to think. "They're gonna make her cry-" He whimpered

Wrecker let out a sniffle, unable to speak. He was so good with Tech and Crosshair, but he'd always failed Hunter. And he'd continue to. "What are we going to do?!" Hunter went to the computer, like a fool he wanted a miracle. He had to keep fighting, he had to get to Omega, he had to protect her, he had to be there for her. He had to. There was nothing else Hunter wanted more in his life than to be Omega's father, and he was failing. He was failing at the one choice he chose to make.

Hunter fell to his knees, he hadn't felt this useless in years. He hadn't been this lost in years. He hadn't failed this badly in years. He was always better than this, smarter, more put together. He failed Tech, he failed Crosshair, he failed Omega and he failed himself. Hunter held his head and tried desperately to be better. But he failed. Doubt set in and Hunter realized all he'd ever do is fail and that's all he was meant to do. He had already been a great brother, that moment passed.

He had tried so hard to create a life for his family. Late at night, talking finances with Tech, schooling for Omega with Echo, possible homes with Wrecker. Crosshair rescue plans with Omega. He had talked to everyone about creating a new life for all of them, and now, no one was here.

He stared at the floor and the puddle of tears he'd created. He could feel Echo and Wrecker watching him and he wanted to pull himself together, but his homeland was gone, he had nothing to defend. He had no family to protect. He lost his little brothers and Omega. He lost Omega- "No-" He whispered, "Please, no.." He needed her to be okay. He needed her to come back home. Tech was never coming home, Crosshair would never forgive him, Wrecker and Echo would never see him more than the mess he was right now. They'd lost everything. Today, they lost. Never before had he ever had to say goodbye, but recently,

He never had the chance to

─── ❖ ── ✦ ── ❖ ───

[timetodiverge]

Excuse me sir, that's my Emotional Support vicious lurca hound

....soooo Batcher is fully Crosshair's puppy now, yes???

-spending the morning at the beach with him instead of Omega -sitting next to him at the table -staying near him while everyone was yelling -squaring off against the wyrm ("YEAH YOU BETTER RUN!!"), then going right to Crosshair to check in, then STAYING THERE while Crosshair has his moment with Hunter

[riyo-soka]

Asajj Ventress trouncing the main characters in a fight, straight up lying to people, and deciding to get the fuck out of there so the plot couldn’t catch her is so Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) of her and I couldn’t be happier

[magicandmundane]

Happy Father’s Day to them specifically ❤️

[131-vr]

Its Omega care day.

[ct99r2d2]

this means EVERYTHING to me

[leapingbadger]

Decisions - Chapter 5 - Goodnight for Now

And here we are, the final chapter. Omega has made her choice; her brothers struggle to adapt to it.

If you missed any chapters you can catch up on AO3!

It was the third time this week Omega had unpacked and repacked her bag. The ship had been primed and ready to go multiple times too. She had visited the cave on walks with Batcher, silently walking the path she knew she would take in the night, but somehow failed to follow.

But tonight was finally the night, it had to be.

Dinner in their cozy home was warm and comforting. She drank in the scents that surrounded her, took pictures with her eyes of the art hanging crooked on the walls, Wrecker’s clothes thrown over the back of the sofa and Hunter’s vibroblade sitting on random surfaces as he unconsciously carried it from room to room.  

Her brothers sat, relaxed and happy, in the common room, laughing about nothing in particular. Omega wanted to stay here forever, to talk to them about everything and nothing but knew she couldn’t. She had done that for the last few nights, wanting to spend as much time with them as possible, so much so that it made it impossible for her to leave.

She put her hand up in front of her mouth as she yawned, “I think I’m going to call it a night,” she said.

“This early?” Wrecker asked looking at the chronometer in the corner of the room.

“Do you feel all right?” Hunter asked, leaning forward in his seat to get a better look at her.

“I’m fine,” she said, avoiding Crosshair’s piercing gaze.

She crossed over to wrecker, throwing her arms around his neck. “Goodnight, Wrecker.” she said, her small hand cupping his large cheek. He looked around at his brothers, confused.

“Goodnight, Crosshair,” she said, hugging him too and waiting for the two repetitive taps on her back to tell her that was enough.

Hunter stood up as she made her way around to him, “Are you sure everything’s okay?” he asked, as she buried her face in his shoulder.

“I’m fine, just tired. Goodnight, Hunter.” She said.

The goodnights were goodbyes really. She hoped they knew that once tomorrow morning came, and she was gone. She didn’t say anything different than she had any other night but there was a finality in it. She just hoped her brothers didn’t notice.

She felt their eyes on her as she walked into her room and closed the door. The bright yellow walls of her bedroom were still covered in childish drawing and paintings Crosshair had given her for various birthdays. Lula was already on the ship, as were Tech’s goggles. She opened her bag one final time, checking for all the essentials but not really knowing what she’d need.

She laid on her bed, listening to the sound of the moon-yos and feeling the warm breeze as it swept through the window. Her chest felt tight with sadness, but her stomach bubbled with excitement. This was what she was meant to do, she knew that, felt It in every fiber of her being. And she wasn’t leaving forever, she would come home and visit her brothers when she could. She promised herself that.

This was her next big adventure, out in the galaxy on her own, taking everything they had taught her with her. She knew they would be upset that she was gone but knew they would be proud as well.

***

Hunter stood frozen on the spot where he had watched Omega disappear through her bedroom door.

“So, that’s it then.” Crosshair said sadly with a sigh.

“I guess so,” Wrecker said, head hanging low. “Do we tell her we know?”

Hunter shook his head, “No, it’ll just make it harder for her. We have to let her do it her way. Even if we don’t like it.”

“So, you’re suddenly okay with this?” Crosshair hissed at Hunter, his lips twisted in on themselves, highlighting his sharp cheekbones.

“Of course not. But she’s been trying all week. It was inevitable.”

The brothers sat in silence, the air in the room heavy and oppressive.

“What will we do without her?” Wrecker asked quickly, gently wiping away a tear that trickled down her cheek.

“She’s not gone for good Wrecker,” Crosshair said impatiently, “she’ll come back. Right?” he asked, looking directly at Hunter for reassurance.

“Of course,” he said with a smile.

“I think I’ll go to bed,” Wrecker said, heaving himself out of a chair.

“It’ll be okay, Wreck.” Hunter said to his retreating back.

Wrecker waved but didn’t turn around, again wiping a tear from his face.

“You’re really not going to try to stop her?” Crosshair asked as he turned his attention back to Hunter.

Hunter shook his head. “It’s not fair. She’s made her choice. We just have to figure out a way to live with it.”

Crosshair huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“You go if you want. Not to stop her but give her a proper goodbye.”

Hunter could see his brother thinking for a minute, his eyes darting as he worked out all the possible outcomes., “I wouldn’t know what to say. I’d probably just make it worse. You should go.” He said, finally.

“And do what? Tell her not to go? I can’t do that.” Hunter said, exasperated.

“Well, then tell her off for sneaking out. That definitely sounds like something you’d do.” Crosshair said, trying his best to smile.

“Crosshair,”

“I mean it, Hunter. You have to go. Not to stop her, just…just so she knows we’re always here.”

“She knows that already, Cross. If it’s that important to you, then you should be the one…”

“I can’t watch her fly away in a ship again, Hunter. It’s…it’s too hard…”

Hunter noticed his brother’s prosthetic hand tremble slightly and realized he was reliving the night she was taken back to Tantiss, when he thought he’d lost her forever.

“Okay Cross. It’s okay. I’ll go.” He said, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder and watching and the tremor finally ceased.

***

The moon was bright and full as Hunter made his way out of the house. Crosshair had soon retired to bed, his soft snores melding with Wrecker’s booming ones no doubt giving Omega the impression that all of her brothers were asleep.

Batcher had stirred as he opened the door, quietly padding over to nuzzle his leg.

“Ready for a walk?” he asked, patting his thigh.

Her bright pink tongue fell out of her mouth, her blue tail wagging happily as she trotted after him. The wind was cool as they made their way down to the beach. Hunter wished he’d brought something warmer to wear.

The cave was wet and dark, the faint plink plonk of water dripping a constant soundtrack. Hunter could tell from the hum of the ship that it had been primed for a quick exit.

He wandered around the hull, making sure everything was in place, and she was flight ready before Omega arrived. He didn’t need to; Omega knew the ship inside and out, but it made him feel better doing it anyway.

When he was finally out of jobs to do, he sat down on a cool rock facing the bright moon and tranquil horizon. Feeling anything but tranquil inside.

Thoughts ricocheted through his mind; the first time he met angelic Omega in the hallways of Kamino. Kamino falling around their ears, pulling her water-soaked body from the ocean. Watching her play ball on Saleucami.  Her scream of “Hunter, I need you” over the comm before they found her. Watching a shuttle carrying her unconscious body disappearing into space. Watching as Hemlock dragged her down a rain-soaked platform…

Hunter shook his head to try and knock the thoughts out. They had lived through some terrifying moments, but he had been able to share so many more happy ones. If this was when he and Omega had to part, at least for a little bit, he would focus on her playing in the waters of Pabu with Wrecker, her flying lesson with Tech, target practice with Crosshair, and teaching her to spin a knife between her fingers after the others had fallen asleep.

He would focus on the joy she had brought into his life and the lives of his brothers. The light that emanated from her very presence. It would take some time to get used to her light being at a greatest distance, but he would adapt. They all would.

He heard the distance crunching footfalls as Omega made her way down the path and waited for her feet hit the edge of the cave. He listened, as she made her way over to a large light and clicked it on. A gentle sigh escaping her lips as she saw him.

“Thought you could just sneak off?” he asked into the night, a smile on his lips.

[cloud-bees]

Omega: Can I have ice cream? Crosshair: What did Hunter say? Omega: No... Crosshair: Then why are you asking me? Omega: Because Hunter's not the boss of you. Crosshair, internally: this is a trap this is a trap this is a trap

[immagods]

This hug is everything to me

[miss-musings]

Crosshair looks at Omega and sees Hunter:

Kind, brave and a true leader.

Hunter looks at Omega and sees Crosshair:

Insightful, determined and loyal.

Wrecker looks at Omega and sees Echo:

Chaos Unleashed™️

[cloned-eyes]

beach days

[cloudystarsky]

"I risked everything to send you that message. You let Omega be taken to Tantiss."

"She went through what she did because you failed."

"You're angry because she escaped with my help, not yours."

ohhhh Cross is so gonna get yelled at.

[codywaan]

"Is there anything so undoing as a daughter?"