#summer of bad batch 2024

[laughhardrunfastbekindsblog]

All Together, Always

Summer of Bad Batch | Week 4 | Prompt: Cadets

Rating: G

"Do you think anyone will sit with us this time?" CT-9903 whispered as he and his squad approached the mess hall.

"Are you kidding?" CT-9904 scoffed - one would never have thought it possible for a child as young as he to have already developed so much cynicism. "We'll be lucky if no one tries to break Two's glasses again."

CT-9903 hung his head in disappointment. "Aw, I thought... I thought being old enough to go to the cafeteria would mean making more friends."

"There's very little evidence that will ever be the case," CT-9902 piped up. "Extrapolating the pattern noted since our entire cohort has started going to the mess hall for meals suggests we will likely never be warmly welcomed by the other cadets."

"Uh... What's expalotate mean?" CT-9903 asked in confusion.

"Extrapolate. To extend a conclusion drawn from..."

"Who cares," CT-9904 interrupted, "you know he likes using big words. And there's the point. We're too different. We're defectives. They'll never accept us."

"Doesn't matter. We have each other." CT-9901 spoke up now, and he was so confident the others took heart. "Oh-Three, you're in front today. Oh-Two and Oh-Four, take middle. I'll bring up the rear."

They quickly got into formation and continued walking forward toward the mess hall doors, though CT-9903 stopped and looked back at his brothers with some trepidation before stepping through the threshold.

"All together?" he asked.

"Always," they replied.

@summer-of-bad-batch

[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.

[gun-roswell]

Chapters: 3/14 Fandom: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Cartoon), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types, Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Clone Force 99 | Bad Batch & Other Star Wars Characters (Star Wars) Characters: CT-9904 | Crosshair, CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo, CT-9901 | Hunter, CT-9902 | Tech, CT-9903 | Wrecker, Omega (Star Wars: The Bad Batch), Batcher the Lurca Hound (Star Wars), Pabu Island Residents (Star Wars: The Bad Batch), Clone Trooper Characters (Star Wars), Clone Trooper Howzer (Star Wars) Additional Tags: Summer of Bad Batch 2024, summerofbadbatch2024, Fan Events and Prompts, Pabu Island (Star Wars), family and friends, Fun under the Sun, Snippets and Scenes, Ficlets, family time and bonding, Fun and Fluff, Humour, Light Angst, Fights and Squabbles, Family Dynamics Series: Part 1 of A Summer of Bad Batch 2024

Summary: One story, many parts: Each chapter containing individual ficlets in the life and times of the Bad Batch and their friends and one warm summer spent on the peaceful island of Pabu.

Tales as per inspired by the corresponding weekly prompts (see below).

Part of Summer of Bad Batch 2024 collection and series

@summer-of-bad-batch​

[summer-of-bad-batch]

The Summer of Bad Batch 2024: Post Credits Ao3 Collection

The 2024 prompt challenge might be over, but the prompts are still inspiring creativity! That's what this collection is for...collecting the fills that come after 🥰

This collection will remain open forever, and if you fill any of the Summer of Bad Batch 2024 prompts, I hope that you will add them to this collection so that others can enjoy your fills for years to come!

**below is a "how-to" guide for adding to the collection!**

STEP ONE: Post a New Work OR Edit an existing work.

STEP TWO: Under the Associations category, you’ll see “Post to Collections / Challenges”

STEP THREE: Type summerofbadbatch2024postcredits (no spaces)

STEP FOUR: This is where it gets tricky...the collection may or may not auto populate. If it doesn't, that's okay. Just leave summerofbadbatch2024postcredits in there as is, and save the post (you can even save it as a draft and see if it worked!) It should add it to the collection even if it didn't auto populate 🤓

[jedi-princess-kestis]

Plan 24

Summery: Rex and the gang show up to Pabu with Senator Riyo Chuchi to give some supplies and support to the clones who were rescued from Tantiss, as well as a little R&R for themselves. But Tiha, the resident Jedi and the Bad Batch are ready to turn this visit into a war zone. But this isn't your typical battle... Oh no.... This is a water fight.

Characters: Rex, Gregor, Echo, Howzer, Senator Riyo Chuchi, Tiha (my OC), Mox, Deke, Stak, Taps (clone OC), Omega and the Bad Batch.

Word Count: 5.8k (don't look at me like that)

Warnings: maybe a few swear words, but mostly fluff and fun.

Prompts: Water Guns and "It's not what you think". This is for the "Summer of the Bad Batch" prompt challenge week 1! @summer-of-bad-batch

A/N: apparently I have no self control and don't understand the meaning of "short oneshot". I told myself no new OCs, keep it short and sweet and use a story you already have going..... I don't listen 🤣. I blame @kybercrystals94 for hosting this amazing prompt challenge and for being my cheerleader and hyping me us as I wrote this. I hope you enjoy! (Also if anyone would like to find out more about Tiha Wenn, my Jedi OC *she maybe returning😏* please hit me up, I have pictures of her and all kinds of info on her if you are interested!)

Meet the OC

Echo, Rex, Howzer and Gregor were bringing Senator Riyo Chuchi to Pabu to meet with Shep and bring some supplies for the clones that had chosen to stay and leave the fight behind for some much needed R&R. It was also a chance for a little R&R for themselves too. Echo and Gregor landed the ship at the top of the village on the landing pad, letting the ramp slide down as they followed the Senator down the steps they were greeted by Mox, Deke and Taps, a Clone who had been saved from Tantiss.

"Troopers." Rex said with a nod of his head, before glancing around looking for a specific bunch of clones. "Where is Omega and the boys at?" He asked after not finding them anywhere near the landing pad.

"We are here to take the Senator to safety at Shep's house." Mox spoke up as he stepped forward. Riyo glanced at Rex and Echo before looking back at the young clones.

"Safety?" She questioned.

"From what?" Gregor spoke up as well as he glanced around the seemingly quiet island. That's when Taps stepped forward, a bag that had been slung over his shoulder hitting the ground. Different types and sizes of blasters tumbled out of the bag. Howzer picked up one of these blasters and looked it over. After feeling the odd weight of it he glanced up at Taps with a raised eyebrow.

"These blasters have water in them." He deadpanned as he tossed the weapon over to Echo. "What's going on here?" Mox just smiled as he took Riyo's hand and pulled her away from the clones a bit. Just as he was about to speak up, Tiha walked up to the group, hands open in a welcoming gesture. She had been the Jedi the Batch had helped during a mission, and had since then become a member of the group.

"It's so good to see you again Echo." She said with a quick hug and a pat on the back. He smiled as he placed his real hand onto her back, giving her a small squeeze. "Men, it's good to see you all well. You too, Senator."

"Good to see you too, General. So what's going on here? What's with the blasters filled with water?" Echo pointed to the bag on the ground. Tiha gave him a grin that held nothing but mischief, her eyes sparking. She bent down and picked up a blaster and gave it a small shake, letting the sound of the water inside slush around.

"This Gentleman is why the Senator needs to be taken to safety. Which Mox, Deke and I will be making sure of. As for you, Stak and Taps will be setting you up at your base of operations. Plan strategically, Omega doesn't always play fair."

Rex stepped forward and waved a hand at the water guns. "And what exactly are we supposed to do with them?"

Tiha and Riyo both smiled, the Senator catching onto what was going on. "Why Captain, I would think you would know a clear sign of war was." The Senator spoke up.

"She's right. The team with the last man standing is the winner. Wet kit or shirt, you're dead. Have fun!" Tiha said with a wave of her hand as Mox, Deke and herself walked down the stone pathway with Riyo in tow. The Jedi and the Senator walked side by side, chuckling at the still confused looks on their faces.

"How much of a chance do you think they got?" Riyo asked softly as they made their way down the stone stairs that lead to Shep's house. Tiha chuckled and shook her head, casting a glance towards "The Nest" that sat high above Shep's house. That was Crosshair and Omega's favorite place to watch the island below, being able to see everything and everyone from there. A flash of metal caught her eye and she knew at least one of them was already parched up there.

"Honestly, Rex and the boys don't stand a chance."

••••••••

Omega was up in The Nest with Crosshair, watching the world below them. Crosshair used his scope from his firepuncher on his water sniper, watching Rex and his men move about the landing pad, real blasters left in their ship, water guns now strapped to their hips and backs. He gained as they used the landing pad as their base, but only Howzer remained behind, Echo, Rex and Gregor wandered down the stone path into the high parts of the village. Omega watched as well through her own scope, one he had made her, that was strapped to her own snipper like water gun.

"Havoc 1, come in." Omega said into her comm as she leaned back against the wood siding of The Nest.

"Go for Havoc 1."

"The King and his guards are on the move."

Hunter's deep chuckle came across the comm, the code names making him laugh. "What's your plan Mega?"

"Bad Batch, plan 24." Omega said over the group comm, letting Wrecker in on the conversation. He lets out a whoop, before the comms went silent. Crosshair gave her a side smirk, before moving to her place in The Nest. She moved closer to the pole that was attached to the side, grabbing hold before giving him a two finger salute and sliding down the pole to the ground below. Once her feet hit the ground she made her way through the narrow pathway that led to Shep's back porch. Keeping low, snipper strapped to her back and water pistol now in hand, she made her way through the back gate.

"I see the games have begun." The voice made Omega jump out of her skin as she spun around to find the owner of the voice. There, sitting at the long table was Tiha and Riyo, drinks in hand as they watched the young teenager. Placing a hand over her heart she took a deep breath before smiling.

"First off you scared me. And second off yes, the plan has been set." She nodded towards her water gun and then back to Tiha. "Not too late to join the fight, General."

Tiha and Riyo both smiled and shook their heads before Riyo took a sip of her drink. She had changed into a soft pair of pants, a tight fitting shirt and her hair was now pulled into a high ponytail. Tiha was closely matched, only her top was a crop top. Her short green hair pushed back off her face.

"You go have fun Mega." Tiha said with a wave of her hand as the teenager gave a nod and moved back into her stealth approach. Omega moved with grace as she kept low, moving behind the rock walls and trees that lined the homes and pathways. This was a game that played often, this was something she had learned to excel at. She looked towards her north, seeing the long winding path and the high buildings that were on its one side. With a small flash of light, she saw Hunter's signal that someone was close by. She quickly made her way under the tall bushes, pushing herself into the reed grasses to hide herself. She made herself as small as possible, her breathing slowed down so she wouldn't be heard. Coming around the corner was Echo, water gun in hand as he slowly made his way down the path, his eyes looking every which way to find a target. A smile twitched at his lips, the thrill of this unknown game making him feel young again. His ARC Trooper training kicked in as he studied the land before him.

He saw a flash of something to his left, his eyes darted there, but his blaster stayed forward so it didn't give him away. He took a step forward, watching out of the corner of his eye towards the roof of one of the tall buildings. What he had learned as soon as he inspected the water guns was that they had been modified to have the same reach that a normal blaster would. They would shoot the water at a faster velocity then a plain plastic water gun, being able to reach targets farther away. Keeping his eye on the target he saw a flash of red on the roof.

Hunter.

With a grin Echo grabbed hold of a low hanging overhang and leaped up into the roof of a shed. He bent low, keeping his water gun ready and waiting. With slow precise steps he crapped across the roof, before jumping onto the next, his footsteps light and soft as he moved, hardly a sound coming from his boot falls. Echo inched forward, raising his blaster higher, ready to strike the second Hunter appeared.

Just a few more steps…..

"Gotcha!" He yelled as he leaped forward spraying a stream of water at…..

A strip of red cloth tied to a pole.

"What the kriff?" He had been played. He glanced around, trying to find any sign of movement when it finally clicked. Plan 24. With a groan he pulled out his comm and called to his team, letting them know what that the Batch were playing at. "I guess they forgot I know all the plans, and plan 24 is all about stealth, deception and cornering the targets. Be on guard." He told the team before jumping into the next roof, trying to find Hunter and the others.

••••••

Omega made her way farther down into Pabu, keeping to the shadows, keeping her feet light as she moved. She was following Rex as he moved with ease, keeping himself hidden from the others. He stayed off the path, keeping his back to the stone walls to protect himself. He just never looked up at the roofs, to the small nooks that helped hide his sister. Rex moved down the stone steps, taking the first steps to Lower Pabu, just as Omega wanted. The closer they got them towards the beach and the cove, the better. She looked further down into the village and saw Wrecker running towards the square. Good, he was setting up the next trap in plan 24.

Keeping to the shrubs and trees she moved softly as she followed Rex who had also gotten a glimpse of Wrecker down below. Knowing he'd take the bait, and that Echo had no doubtedly warned the others of plan 24. But Plan 24 for a Water Battle was different then the plan 24 he had grown to know. And that was working in their advantage. Watching as Rex leaped over the stone wall, going after Wrecker, she looked up towards The Nest and saw a flash of light.

"Kirff." She swore lightly before leaping over a small stone wall that had crumbled years ago and made her way up a thick tree. No more than a minute later, Gregor came around the corner. Holding her breath and pushing herself tighter to the tree truck, letting the leaves hide her, she waited until he passed below. She watched as he made his way down the path, not following Rex but keeping to the same path he had once been taking, heading to lower Pabu. Once Gregor disappeared down the stairs to the lower city, Omega came down from the tree.

"Sitrep, go." She said into her comms once her feet hit the ground.

"The King is staying on target, one of his guards is not far behind. The ARC is circling back towards The Nest." Crosshair's raspy cold voice filled her earpiece.

"I got eyes on the guard of the castle." Hunter's smoky tone spoke up after Crosshair.

"Wrecker watch your back. The King is not far behind." Crosshair came back across the comms, his eyes trained to the village below.

"I got 'em. Hang in there Wrecker." Omega said before breaking into a run down the stone stairs, leaping into the reed grass and making her way towards the markets, where Wrecker was currently trying to stay hidden from Rex. Gregor had disappeared into the market, keeping a low profile as Rex kept after Wrecker. Omega kept up with Rex, following him at a safe enough distance but too far to properly fire a clean shot of water to mark him out. So she rounded a corner, taking a different path but a faster one to where Wrecker was heading, to try and cut off Rex before he got to her teammate. She pressed her back to the stone wall of a shop, watching the small walkway between buildings for Rex to emerge. Water blaster at the ready she took a slow, can't breath like Crosshair has shown her to do, leveled out the blaster and….

"Gotcha!" Gregor's slightly higher pitched tone made her jump out of her skin, going into a tuck and roll just as a spray of water soaked the wall where she had just been. "Get back here Omega!" He laughed as he fired again at her, only for Omega to dive for the ground to avoid the spray of water. She screeched in delight as she took off running, trying to avoid the rapid fire of Gregor's water gun. His laughter also filled the air, as he made after her down the Stony path deeper into the marker square. Darting in between market stalls, Omega kept ahead of Gregor as she pushed herself faster. She could still hear his footfalls as they ran, but she kept herself small enough and well enough hidden between the carts and crates that he couldn't get a clean shot. As she neared a small alleyway, she tripped over something on the ground, the water pistol going flying from her hand. As she hit the ground she rolled to the side, pulling her water sniper off her back and raised it as Gregor ran up. But before either one could take a shot at each other, a hearty downpour of water covered Gregor from head to toe in water. His squeal of horror from the cold water soaking him through made Omega laugh as she sat up right. There on the roof was Hunter, a huge, now empty, bucket of water in hand as he smirked down at the soaking commando.

"Better luck next time, old boy." Hunter chuckled with a two finger salute before casting a look down to his sister. "Better get running, Rex isn't far off." And with that he disappeared over the rise of the next roof. Omega chuckled as Gregor tossed her a dirty but playful look and shook out his hair, sending droplets flying.

"Head up to Shep's house and get some food from Tiha." She said as she picked up her water pistol, making sure it still worked before starting down the alleyways once more.

••••••

Tiha and Riyo laughed as they watched through their binocs from the balcony at the water war below. "They sure are taking this seriously aren't they?" Riyo asked as she sat back into her seat, waiting for Gregor to show up after he had been tagged out. Tiha laughed, sitting back down and nodded her head.

"I've been with the Batch for some time now. They don't like to lose. But then again, name a Clone that does."

Riyo pointed a knowing finger at the Jedi and chuckled before looking out over the island. It was peaceful here, despite the siblings raining water chaos onto the island at the moment. It was just what was needed. Gregor soon emerged, still dropping water from his tasseled hair and his shirt was damp, but a smile graced his face as he plopped down onto an empty chair, letting the sun dry him off.

"They play dirty and I want to see the rule book." He huffed with a chuckle as he took a sip of the fruity juice Shep was known for making. Tiha laughed and leaned back into her chair, her green hair shining in the sunlight.

"Ahhh, see had I wrote it, I would let you see it. But unfortunately that's Omega's department."

"Come now, General." Gregor spoke after a sip of juice, "you don't lead these battle plans?"

Tiha ran a hand through her hair, a coy smile bright on her lips as she shrugged her shoulders at him. "It's not what you think, Gregor. I may have led men into battle during the war, but with the Bad Batch, let's be honest…. Omega calls all the shots here. This is her idea, so I let her take the lead." Before Gregor or Riyo could speak up, heavy footfalls caught their attention. The three looked towards the gate to the balcony, watching as Wrecker came walking through, his pale green shirt soaked through.

"What happened to you?"

Wrecker groaned and rang out some of his shirt before sitting down. "Rex found me." He answered Gregor as he grabbed the pitcher of juice and poured himself a cup of it. Tiha and Riyo glanced at each other before chuckling, knowing things were ramping up in the city down below.

••••••••

Crosshair watched as Howzer left their ship, making his way quickly down the stony path to aid Rex and Echo now that Gregor was out of the game. He smirked as he moved his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other, grabbing his water sniper and sliding it onto his back before sliding down the pole like Omega had done earlier. Once his boots hit the ground he pulled the water rifle off his back and took off after the captain. He found a stone wall that was only a small jump to a roof of one of the houses and he leaped over it, landing on the roof with a soft thud, and took off running. He kept his eye on Howzer, while keeping low as he worked his way forward, leaping from roof to roof, keeping pace with the man below him who was unaware of the sniper above him. Crosshair moved swiftly, years of training still kicking in as the thrill of the game hummed in his blood. Once he reached the market square he stopped on the roof of a long and tall building, laying down letting his breath even out as he looked for the others through his scope. He found Hunter still sticking to the rooftops as well, Omega was in the shadows keeping low in the market. Rex and Echo had met up and were keeping close as they looked for their opponents. Howzer was still making down the path, keeping low to the stone walls as he moved forward.

Using his tongue to flip the toothpick to the other side of his lips, he raised his rifle and found Howzer in his scope. Calm, even breathing took over his body, his mind sharp but relaxed as he took aim for the soldier in teal. Just as he was about to take aim at Howzers head, he ducked blow cover and before Crosshair register it, a blast of water shot right past his head, a few drops landing on his ear as he rolled to the side, slipping down the roof he had been on and landing like a lothcat on his feet. With a growl he clenched his rifle close to his body as he slipped around the side of the market building. He kept his back passed to the cool stone wall, keeping as quiet as possible as he moved. Once Crosshair hit the edge of the building he slowly peaked around the corner, trying to find the clone that shot water at him.

Another blast of water shot past his head, making him duck back behind the corner he had been peeking out from. "Kirff!" He hissed as he raised his rifle and shot a blast of water towards the stone wall near the steps that led into the market square. Blasts of water filled the space between them, Howzer and Crosshair trying to best the other. The soldiers did their best to stay hidden, while firing water rounds at the other on almost blinded shots. This went on round after round until Crosshair saw movement out of the corner of his eye. There, on the roofs leaping from ledge to ledge was Hunter. With a smirk he made sure his water levels were full, and darted out from his hiding spot to try and get a better view point on the other side of the market. A blast of water landed only an inch from where his foot landed as he ran, so he fired a shot back and slipped behind a market cart. Hunter dropped down behind him, his breath fast and his eyes with a wild and excited look to them.

"Omega is still after Rex and Echo. I figured I'd come help you." He said between pants of breath. Crosshair nodded, watching as Howzer lifted his head up to try and find them.

"Stick to the plan, I'll loop around the back and box him in." Hunter rasped as he also checked his water levels. Crosshair gave him a knowing look, and pointed towards the grove of Tookna citrus trees behind the market square.

"You'll have a better time going through there and around. He can't get a clear shot on you with how tight those branches are." They nodded and Hunter took off, Crosshair giving him cover fire as he made his way towards the trees. Keeping an eye on the clone Captain, he noticed that Howzer stopped firing and was trying to move farther down the stone path, closer to his current hiding spot. His toothpick had long gotten too wet and soft to keep chewing on, so he flicked it from his lips, letting the wood drop onto the ground.

"Ready when you are." Hunter's smoke filled tone whispered into his ear comm. Raising his rifle, Crosshair leaped from his spot, firing rapid shots at Howzers who was answering with his own fire. The Clone in teal darted out from his hiding spot, water blasters in both hands and he made shot after shot at the sniper. Both clones skipped and darted around the water fire, that is until Crosshair went to go into a slide and ended up slipping on the water they had been firing. He swung his rifle out, catching the leg of Howzer knocking him down as well. Both went down with thuds and groans.

Hunter leaped out from the Tookna trees, firing onto Howzer with a strong spray of water soaking his hair. The Sergeant laughed as Howzer coughed and spit up water, glaring at the troopers. But before Hunter and Crosshair could celebrate another target taken out, a downpour of water spilled down Crosshair's back, soaking his shirt. He growled from the cold water and saw Hunter dive rolling away, firing a few shots at their attacker.

"Run you idiot!" Crosshair yelled as he pushed himself up into his feet, watching Rex take after Hunter down the stone road. Echo stepped forward and gave the Clone Captain and Sniper a two finger salute, a wicked grin on his face.

"It's been fun boys, but duty calls." He called over his shoulder with a laugh as he chased after Rex and Hunter who had disappeared down the path towards the cove. Crosshair picked up his water rifle and glanced at Howzers out of the corner of his eye. He saw the Captain give him a look and Crosshair aggressively plopped a toothpick between his lips with a growl.

"Not a word out of you."

••••••••••

Tiha and Riyo watched as two more clones walked through the gate, adding to their seemingly growing watch party. "Welcome boys. Grab a drink and watch the fun!" Tiha giggled as Crosshair threw her a look before jumping up into the roof of Shep's house, leaning back against the warmed thatch to let himself dry off. Howzer took a glass of juice from Gregor, taking a sip of the sweet drink.

"I swear no one here plays far." He grumbled as he plopped down next to Wrecker, who clinked his glass to the Captain's.

"Nah, it's just Omega likes to change the rules as we go. Says it keeps it more lively." Wrecker barked with a laugh, he loved the chaos. The Jedi and the Senator just shook their heads with a smile, crapping their binocs and looked out over the island. They saw Rex and Echo on the move heading to the lower levels of Pabu, but Hunter and Omega were nowhere to be found. Tiha kept looking for her missing squad members, but didn't see them on the path or the rooftops. That could only mean they were sticking to the Tookna trees, so that the thick green leaves kept them hidden on their way down after Rex and Echo. Tiha put her binocs down and walked over to the roof that Crosshair was currently sunbathing on. With a small jump she landed softly on the roof beside him and bumped his shoulder with hers.

"I see you didn't last long this round." She teased. Her green hair fluttered in the soft sea breeze, her emerald eyes catching the sunlight. Crosshair opened one eye to look at her before moving the toothpick around in his mouth. He took the hand that has been resting on his chest and laid it in her lap, taking her hand. Tiha smiles softly at the gesture, running her thumb over the skin on the back of his hand.

"True, but next time I will win." His deep tone filled her ears like music as he rolled his head to the side to look up at her. Tiha gave him a mischievous grin before leaning down and kissing his nose, making it scrench up slightly.

"Not if I'm playing you won't."

••••••

The stakes were higher now. It was 2 even on each side. The plan had been working so far, but Rex and Echo were starting to wise up to the game. That meant tweaking the plan to still work in their advantage. Hunter moved like a ghost threw the Tookna citrus trees, leaping silently from branch to branch the salt sea air drifting up from the shore to cool the slight sweat that had formed at his neck. His senses worked in overtime, listening to the three different pairs of footfalls that moved along the path and the grove. He titled his head slightly, picking up on Omega's heartbeat not too far down the grove of trees from him. Titling his head to the other side, he reached out farther and heard the slight whirl and clank of Echo's legs as they moved, the study and strong footfalls of Rex. Both moved beyond the wall of the stone path, keeping to the sea reeds that lined the edges of Lower Pabu. With a smirk he moved farther into the grove of trees until the beach came into view. The plan was if they could get them to the cove, there was a small pool of water that showed up after low tide. It was the perfect trap to get the last two troopers to get completely soaked. He heard Omega move away from the grove of trees, having reached the beach and she began to take off running. He watched her from the grove's end, making sure she made it far enough ahead before Rex and Echo saw her. He heard a gleeful laugh as they made chase on the younger sister, and he waited until they passed before jumping from the tree and taking off after them. Hunter's legs pumped through the sand, his hair flying behind him as he felt the sun warm his skin. Omega led the group farther into the cove, ducking between two huge boulders that only had a big enough gap for her to fit through. Rex and Echo stopped short trying to figure out where she went when Echo saw Hunter approaching.

"Shit, go Rex!" He yelled as he dropped and rolled to the side, moving around the side of one of the large boulders. The pool of water was close by, Hunter knew Omega and he just had to push Rex and Echo back far enough to fall into it and they won. He went after Rex, who went around the other side of the boulder that took a longer path around to the pool that was hidden in the cove that Omega had already disappeared into. Pushing the Captain farther down the coast line, following the natural rock wall that blocked off most of the cove from view until you hit the part that opened up the ocean. During low tide a path made of boulders was available to walk across. During high tide the only way in was the small opening Omega had gone through, or climbing down from the cliffs below. Since it was low tide Hunter chased Rex towards the Cove opening, in hopes of pinning him down inside.

He could pick up the hum and click of Echo's mechanics from behind, but he didn't care at this point. He just needed to push Rex into the Cove and Omega would help take them out. The mouth of the cove came into sight and Hunter smiled triumphantly as the target moved into place. The war was over for this batch of clones, but they still found ways to use their training, to make their blood rush through their veins, to feel alive with adrenaline. The thrill of the chase.

Leaping from stone to stone Rex, Hunter and Echo raced into the cove, water blasting from their guns as they tried to best one another. Once they reach the island inside of the Cove, the small pool of water in its center they threw men came to a standstill, guns raised at each other and wild looks to their eyes. Hunter felt a smirk pull at his lips as he saw Omega crouched up on top of the cliff side ready for him to back Echo up enough for her to spray with water. He raised his guns a bit higher, making Echo and Rex both flinch.

"Seems we have a problem here boys." He finally spoke up, looking each one in the eyes before glancing back at Omega. Rex followed his gaze, seeing the blonde haired teen at the ready.

"What's the play here?"

"Care to surrender, Hunter?" Echo taunted as he tightened his grip on his water gun. He raised an eyebrow at Hunter when he saw a wicked grin spread across his lips. The Sergeant gave a dark chuckle, tossing his head to the side slightly to remove the hair that had blown into his eyes. With one final glance up to his child, he locked eyes with Echo and spoke one word.

"Negative."

Water blasted through the air as Omega shot at Echo's feet, making him jump to the side. Willing to sacrifice himself so their team could win, Hunter leaped forward, grabbing Rex around the waist and pushing him backwards with all his strength. Both men went flying down into the sand, Hunter forcing them into a roll as they both fired arounds of water at each other. With a final shove both went tumbling into the pool, going under the water before resurfacing coughing and spitting up the salty sea water that filled their noses and mouths. Echo was so busy watching the others that he didn't pay attention to Omega jumping from her perch and blasted him right in the back of the neck with a long stream of cold water. The ARC Trooper gasped from the cold wetness dripping down under his shirt as Omega kept firing on him. He threw his water gun down, raising his hands in the air as he laughed.

"Okay, okay! You win!" He exclaimed with laughter as he turned around to face the young girl. With a final blast of water to his face, Omega stopped firing the water gun, her laughter mixing with his as he wiped the water off his now dripping face. Rex and Hunter both laughed along as they climbed out of the pool, their clothes soaked through. Hunter's bandana has come off in the fall, his hair now loose and messy in his face as he shook it out, letting the water drops spray over Omega.

"Hunter!" Her giddy cries filled the air as she jumped back from her brother. The four of them all picked up their weapons and started the long walk back up to Shep's house to find the others. They talked and laughed along the way, the soldiers seeming more relaxed and at ease then they had ever been or felt before. It felt good to let loose and laugh, to be kids in their own way for once in their lives. Once they reached the top of Pabu and walked through the gates to Shep's balcony, Omega went running over to Crosshair who was sitting with Tiha on the hammock.

"We won Crosshair!" Her voice breathy from the long walk. He smiled up at her before ruffling her hair, making her giggle. Hunter, Rex and Echo each grabbed a glass of juice and found seats amongst their brothers and the Senator, letting the warm afternoon sun finish drying off their clothes as they sat and chatted.

"I still say I want to see a rule book." Gregor joked as he gave Omega a playful look. The teen stuck her tongue out at the Captain and the group laughed.

"You're just mad you lost to a kid." She jabbed back. This made a few of the boys howl with laughed, others tried to hide it behind their glasses. Gregor shot her a look before his own chuckle mixed with the others. Tiha and Riyo smiled at each other from their seats, happy to see the group of clones so relaxed and happy. It filled their hearts with joy to see them letting go for a moment, leaving the war behind for just a second to just be a family with little care in the galaxy.

"I think if we had known the rules we would have won." Howzer spoke up.

"Yeah, don't think next time you're going to win." Rex added with a lopsided smirk on his lips. "We won't be so easy to beat."

Tiha glanced at Crosshair, giving his hand a squeeze. He gave her a questioning look, watching as she got up from the hammock and walked over to Riyo. The two women gave each other a look, before Tiha gave a coy smile to the group.

"What are you two up to?" Crosshair questioned as he sat up straighter, knowing the look that was in his lover's eyes. As the others turned to look at the two women, Tiha waved her hand towards the open door of Shep's house. Two water blasters floated through the air, landing in the Jedi and Senator's hands.

"Care for round two gang?"

Tagging: @lila-rose @mp0625 @cellythefloshie @dystopicjumpsuit @cyarbika @sunshinesdaydream @the-little-moment @freesia-writes

[archivistofnerddom]

Okay, so Pommel Horse Steve is Tech. That Turkish shooting silver medalist is Crosshair.

Who from the 2024 Summer Olympics would be the rest of the Batch? (I nominate Ilona Maher as Wrecker — absolute sweetheart who can and will truck people to achieve a goal.)

THIS CAME ACROSS MY FEED AND I'M LIKE OHMYGOD YALL!!! ITS TECH!! DUDE'S EVEN A *UCKING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR!!

[foxwithadarkside]

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[gloomwitchwrites]

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[kybercrystals94]

Eyes Wide Open

Read on Ao3 here!

Summer of Bad Batch 2024 | Week 2 | Prompt: Comfort Zone

Rated: G | Words: 2109

Summary:

“Did you know,” Crosshair says, conversationally, “that Hunter sleeps with his eyes open?”

A prank does not go as planned.

“Did you know,” Crosshair says, conversationally, “that Hunter sleeps with his eyes open?”

Echo huffs, “That’s impossible.”

“It’s part of his enhancement,” Crosshair says.

The sniper is lounging against the wall with the port Echo is scomped into, idly gnawing on a toothpick with his helmet tucked under his arm, rifle hanging uselessly in his other hand. Echo casts him a vexed glance. “Shouldn’t you be covering my six?

“I am.”

“With your helmet on? And your weapon ready?” 

“It’s an abandoned outpost,” Crosshair scoffs. “There’s nothing here.” 

“Well, then, can you at least stop distracting me? I’m trying to concentrate.” 

Crosshair snorts. “I’m giving you vital information about our squad’s dynamics.” 

“Sure you are,” Echo grumbles. 

“If you don’t believe me, ask Tech. He’ll tell you.” 

“Or maybe I’ll ask Wrecker.” 

“Sure.” 

Echo twists to look up at Crosshair. “You’re being serious? Hunter sleeps with his eyes open?” 

“It’s unsettling, but it’s true,” Crosshair says, shrugging. “But whatever you do, don’t tell Hunter you know. He’s very self conscious about it.” 

Echo narrows his eyes, watching for any twitch of a tell in Crosshair’s features. Crosshair stares back, unflinching, which means nothing. Of the Batch, he seems to be the most apt at lying. Turning back to his task, Echo says, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” 

“Fine by me,” Crosshair says with a shrug. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

“Echo told me something interesting,” Crosshair says, trailing after Hunter as they leave their meeting with command. 

Hunter isn’t paying attention, reading over their new mission parameters before Tech gets ahold of them. “Yeah?” he asks, absently. 

“He said he sleeps with his eyes open.” 

“Uh, huh.” 

“That’s it? Did you even hear what I said?” 

The ire in Crosshair’s tone makes Hunter look back at him. “What?”

Crosshair sighs. “I said, Echo told me something interesting.”

Hunter quirks an eyebrow. “Okay?”

“He said that he sleeps with his eyes open.” 

Hunter laughs. “What does that mean?” 

“It means he literally sleeps with his eyes open. Something to do with his cybernetics.” 

“He’s pulling your leg, Cross.” 

“I’ve seen it.” 

Now Hunter stops, turning to look at Crosshair dubiously. “You’ve seen Echo sleep with his eyes open.” 

“Several times.”  

Hunter considers this a moment, then regards Crosshair with a disconcerted expression. “You know, it’s kinda creepy that you watch Echo while he sleeps.” 

“I don’t watch him sleep,” Crosshair sputters. 

“That’s kind of what you just said.” 

Crosshair rolls his eyes and walks away, missing Hunter’s grin of triumph. It isn’t hard to annoy the sniper…but embarrassing him was a special kind of achievement. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Echo almost asks Tech about Hunter, then he almost asks Wrecker. The issue is that if he caves to the surmounting curiosity, and it turns out this is some sort of prank…everyone will know he fell for it and he’ll look like a gullible dolt. Then again, Crosshair had seemed genuine. It would be a weird thing to lie about. What would he gain from it? (Besides the obvious prize of making Echo appear idiotic.) In the end, Echo decides that he’ll just have to verify the intel for himself, do some recon. How hard can it be to catch Hunter asleep and just…investigate.

Apparently, absolutely kriffing impossible. 

For whatever reason (further piquing Echo’s interest), Hunter always sleeps with his back to the room. To investigate would mean to lean precariously over the hyper sensitive clone. Like that’s gonna happen with Echo’s prosthetics and cybernetics whirring and screaming his location at all times. 

A standard week later, Echo still doesn’t know if Hunter sleeps with his eyes open, but he is almost positive the man has eyes in the back of his head. 

A rare stint on Kamino finds Echo sitting at the table, facing Hunter’s bunk, waiting and hoping that the clone tucked inside turns over in his sleep and finally puts this rumor to rest…so to speak. 

Abruptly, Hunter rolls over and pins Echo with a bleary glare. “What are you doing?” he growls, voice rough with sleep. 

Echo stammers, holding up a dark data pad as frail evidence. “Reading?” An internal smack to the forehead as he wonders why he posed his answer as a question.  

“You’ve been watching me sleep. Why?” 

“I’m not,” Echo protests. 

“You are,” Hunter insists. 

Echo squirms under the scrutiny, face aflame with embarrassment. “Just something Crosshair said…I was trying to figure out if it was true.” 

Hunter rolls his eyes. ��Did he tell you I sleep with my eyes open?” 

Echo gapes. This can go one of two very different ways. Either Hunter admits that it’s true, or he tells Echo that he’s an idiot for believing a syllable out of the sniper’s mouth. Echo is not mentally prepared for either scenario. 

“Well, it’s not true,” Hunter deadpans. “Although, Cross told me that you told him that you sleep with your eyes open because of something to do with your cybernetics.”

Echo frowns. “Did you believe him?”

Hunter grins, flopping over onto his back and covering his eyes with the crook of one arm. “No, because I’m not an idiot.” 

“He said it had to do with your enhancement,” Echo defends himself, but that just makes Hunter laugh.  

“And you just believed him?” Hunter asks, still chuckling. 

Echo doesn’t want to dignify the obviously rhetorical question with a response, so he awakens his data pad with an irritable tap, and begins to sort through meaningless tabs hoping that Hunter will just drop it, and that he won’t tell Crosshair about any of it. 

“Ah, don’t feel bad, Echo,” Hunter says, still hiding half his face under his arm. “Cross messing with you means he likes you. You’re officially part of the squad. Getting harrassed by Crosshair is practically a right of passage.”

“Does it ever stop?” Echo mutters. 

Of course Hunter hears him. “No, but you get used to it.” 

Echo swears under his breath. “Goody.” 

A few minutes pass and Echo thinks that Hunter has fallen back asleep; however, the sergeant lifts his arm. “I have an idea to get him back…if you’re interested.”

Oh, Echo is very interested.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

“You were right about Echo,” Hunter says, walking alongside Crosshair. 

Crosshair is pushing a cart of supplies from the armory. This is usually a task completed by Wrecker and Crosshair; however, Hunter had volunteered to go when Wrecker was occupied helping Tech with inventory counts…a task Hunter usually did with Tech. 

“What are you talking about?” Crosshair asks. 

Hunter glances around and lowers his voice. “About him sleeping with his eyes open.” 

Crosshair carefully keeps his expression from twitching into a look of surprise. “Of course I was right. Why would I lie about something like that?” 

“To make me a kriffing creeper like you,” Hunter says, bumping his shoulder into Crosshair. 

Crosshair rolls his eyes, remembering how this conversation went a few weeks ago. “I don’t watch him sleep!” 

“Fine, you don’t…but you were right! I couldn’t believe it. I asked Tech about it, and he said it is one of the side effects of his internal cybernetics. Sometimes Echo forgets to close his eyes if he falls asleep too fast.” 

That actually kind of made sense. Crosshair smirks. “You’re telling me this like I didn’t already know.” 

“I’m just saying, I’m sorry for doubting you,” Hunter says humbly. “It’s actually a good thing you told me. When I talked to Tech, he said that it is important that we close Echo’s eyes for him if he falls asleep with them open. They dry out and are painful once he wakes up.” 

Crosshair hums. He isn’t sure what he thinks of that. Maybe Echo should learn to fall asleep slower if drying his eyes out is that huge of a problem. 

Hunter claps Crosshair’s shoulder soundly. “Thank you for looking out for our squadmate. I know it’s been an adjustment incorporating Echo into the squad, but when we all put in the effort, it will be an even more seamless transition.” 

“Sure,” Crosshair mutters, feeling uncomfortable under the glowing praise. Hunter isn’t usually so flowery, and Echo’s adapting to the dynamics of Clone Force 99 hasn’t been that difficult. A few missteps here and there, but overall, the reg seemed able to keep up. 

Crosshair shrugs off the awkwardness of the situation and hopes he is never the one who sees that Echo has fallen asleep with his eyes open.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

He isn’t so lucky. 

A standard week later, a mission forces them to travel twelve hours in hyperspace. Once the mission parameters have been established, the Batch disperse to do their own tasks. Echo announces that he is exhausted and is going to take a nap. He tells his new brothers that he does not want to be disturbed unless it is a matter of life or death. Then, he stretches out on the lower bunk, turns his back to the room, and is softly snoring a few minutes later. 

Crosshair is doing what he usually does on a long space journey: taking apart his entire rifle and putting it back together after polishing each individual piece. He is nearly done putting the rifle back together when Echo rolls over with a loud sigh. Crosshair glances up and freezes mid attaching one rifle piece to another. 

Echo is staring at him, unblinking. Well. Not at him, more like, through him. It’s terrifying. 

Crosshair glances at the cockpit where Tech, Hunter and Wrecker are. If he could get one of them to come back here, maybe they’d see Echo’s predicament and handle it themselves, Crosshair could claim not to have noticed. 

Another option is to wake Echo up. Crosshair isn’t scared of Echo, not even intimidated; however, putting an ARC on the warpath for disturbing his sleep seems like an unwise decision if Crosshair doesn’t want to face retaliation. 

The third option, the option Crosshair is loath to even consider, is to get up and close Echo’s eyes himself. Knowing there is no one around to hear him, Crosshair breathes out a whine, dropping his head back against the wall and sagging his shoulders. He really, really does not want to do this. 

Echo continues to stare. 

Unseeing. Unblinking. 

Just staring, staring right through Crosshair. 

With another hissed sound of disdain, Crosshair puts aside his rifle pieces and stands up. How does one even close someone’s eyes? You just prise their eyelids down? Won’t that wake them up? These questions plague Crosshair’s mind as he creeps forward, trying not to make eye contact with the sleeping ARC. It’s just so weird…

He stands in front of the bunk, sighs again, and kneels down, crouched on his heels. He reaches up slowly, hating every painful second of this. 

A hand catches his wrist and a voice says, low and cryptic, “Gotcha.” 

Crosshair does not scream. He will die on that hill. But the way his heart leaps into his throat and lodges there makes him fall backwards, landing hard on his tailbone. 

Echo is laughing hysterically, dropping Crosshair’s wrist as he sits up. A combination of the laughter and whatever thing made the unholy, panicked squawk draw the attention of the three persons in the cockpit. 

Hunter is grinning wide enough that Crosshair knows for an absolute fact that the idiot was in on the whole thing. 

“What were you doing, Cross?” Echo asks between gasps of laughter. 

Crosshair pushes himself to his feet and stands stiffly, arms crossed, wishing he had a toothpick to break between his teeth. “You know exactly what I was doing. It was a set up.” 

“What happened?” Wrecker asks, looking wounded at being left out of whatever Echo and Hunter found hilarious. 

“Echo fell asleep with his eyes open,” Hunter says, chuckling. 

Tech adjusts his goggles. “That is a condition known as nocturnal lagophthalmos. I was not aware Echo had it. Fascinating.” 

“He doesn’t have it,” Crosshair grouses. “Hunter lied to me.” 

Hunter looks shocked. “You’re the one who told me Echo had that.” 

“And you’re the one who told me that Hunter did,” Echo puts in, wiping tears from his eyes. 

Wrecker frowns. “Wait? So Hunter sleeps with his eyes open too?” 

“Neither of them do,” Crosshair growls. 

“Crosshair tried to trick Echo and I, so we got him back,” Hunter says, looking far too proud of himself. 

“So it was you that screamed like a prepubescent cadet?” Tech asks Crosshair with a grin. 

“I did not scream,” Crosshair says firmly. 

“Well, it wasn’t me,” Echo says. 

Wrecker is laughing now. “Wait, wait, tell me the whole story.”

Echo happily starts from the beginning. 

END

✨Let me know if you'd like to be added to my tag list!✨

Tag List: @followthepurrgil @amorfista @mooncommlink @arctrooper69 @nagyanna424 @proteatook @ezras-left-thumb @maeashryver

[erin8411]

That One Annoying Sibling

@summer-of-bad-batch

Main Prompt: "Stop touching me!" // "I’m not touching you!" (Week 13)

Alt. Prompt: Lula (Week 8)

Crosshair: Stop touching me, Wrecker!

Wrecker: I‘m not touching you, Lula is!

In TBB S1E1 Wrecker whacked Lula several times in Crosshair‘s face and I‘m sure it wasn’t for the first time. So here is cadet Wrecker, grating Crosshair by touching him with stuffie Lula. The latter tells his older brother to stop -- not a chance! And technically, it’s only Lula who touches Cross.

It‘s been such a long time since I’ve last drawn something. And when I looked at Summer of Bad Batch prompts, I was internally debating, if I should try it.

Me: Hey, look at all those entries! So many awesome ideas. Why not draw something too? It looks fun.

Also me: Maybe later. I‘m not feeling up to it.

And it only took me the whole summer and early September to finally grab my pencil and become active for a turn. Played with a filter afterwards so that the colors appear more washed out like on one of those old instant photos.

It’s simple and I like it. And it feels good to draw something without pressuring myself to make an outstanding creation. Self-pressure often kills that little motivation I have.

(Funny fact, this is the first time I created some fanart for TBB series.)

Inspiration

I got inspired by @locitapurplepink's

and the last two seconds from High Ground Animation‘s "CLONES - The Clone Wars Fan Animation Compilation". That eye-roll is so good.

(Seriously, when I first watched the clip, I didn’t realized it was fan-made. I thought, I can‘t remember that particular cutout, where in the TCW series is it?)

Aaand that wraps it up. Thank you for dropping by.

[laughhardrunfastbekindsblog]

The Jar

Summer of Bad Batch | Week 5 | Prompts: "You're a bad liar" and "Need a hand?"

Summary: After being rescued from Skako Minor and joining Clone Force 99, Echo is still getting used to his modifications.

POV: Echo

Rating: PG

(Word Count: 784)

Read on Ao3

Echo stared at the vacuum-sealed jar of rations with narrowed eyes.

I WILL figure out a way to open you myself, he silently vowed to the small metal container sitting innocuously before him.

Usually the squad had boxes of rations - those were easy to open with one hand - but they had learned the hard way on this assignment that some of the wildlife here on Yrzac were also capable of breaking into the ration boxes, and therefore the sealed jars of food were necessary.

Echo hadn't wanted to admit he didn't know how he'd be able to manage opening the container, just like he'd refused to admit he was still having difficulty negotiating the rocky terrain and climbing with his prosthetic legs, just like he hadn't said a word about the fact the cybernetic implants that had been bored through his skull into his brain were still giving him excruciating headaches despite the med droids' assurances that the pain would dissipate eventually. He'd only been with Clone Force 99 for two weeks. He was NOT going to be a burden, be dead weight, ask for help with simple tasks like getting his own food. He would admit to nothing.

So he had taken the rations jar Wrecker had handed him in the morning, then had claimed he wasn't hungry and he'd eat later. And when Tech had taken watch as the others settled to sleep in the stone ruins where they'd set up camp for the night, Echo had snuck around the corner of one of the crumbling walls and stared at the sealed container, considering his dilemma.

He had tried bracing the jar between his knees to break the seal and unscrew the lid, but the metal jar against metal prosthetics proved too slippery. Same with wedging the jar under his right arm. Using his teeth would do nothing. For a wild moment, he considered throwing the jar against the ground - to release his frustration as much as to see if denting the jar would help - but no, that would be too loud...

"Need a hand?" a soft low voice sounded over his head.

Echo didn't jump, but he had to confess he was slightly startled as he turned to look up at Hunter.

"What?" he stammered. "What, no, I'm fine, I..."

Hunter crossed his arms and blinked at him, the light of the moons falling full on his face and clearly showing he was unimpressed by Echo's protests. "No, you're NOT fine; but if you say it again, I might actually leave you here to struggle with that kriffing impossible jar."

Echo sighed in defeat. "I want to be able to do it myself."

"And you will, just not tonight," Hunter said, holding his hand out for the container. Echo handed it over and Hunter, gripping it tightly in both hands and straining to open it, added, "You've had to adjust to a lot in the past few days, Echo. And you're doing great - better, I think, than anyone else would be able to do. It might take some time to figure out how to do things like open a jar with one hand, but you'll get there. You're an ARC trooper, after all." The lid unsealed with a quiet schhh-lok and Hunter finished unscrewing it before handing the open jar back to Echo. "In the meantime, maybe let your brothers help you every once in a while?"

"Thanks," Echo murmured as he took the jar, hesitating slightly before adding, "And, you know, not just for this," indicating the rations.

Hunter nodded, turning away and taking a few steps back to the campsite before stopping and looking back over his shoulder.

"Oh, and maybe let Tech take a look at your prosthetics? You looked like a newborn shaak trying to find its feet when we were running up that rocky hill today. Tech wouldn't stop going on and on with me about calibration and leverage and friction coefficients or... something, and I'm pretty sure he was referring to your legs."

Smiling ruefully, Echo nodded - of course the squad had noticed his difficulty, he had been foolish to try to hide it from them; but he appreciated that they hadn't mentioned anything to him at the time, for that would have been mortifying. "Yes, sir," he replied; and with this promise, Hunter left him to eat in peace.

He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until he took his first bite of biscuit... He had never been a big eater, but now he finished his day's rations in record time and leaned back against the wall with a contented sigh.

And with his hunger satiated, he suddenly noticed his headache wasn't quite so bad.

@summer-of-bad-batch

[fanfoolishness]

Radio Silence

Echo tries to send a message to a familiar channel. Angst. Written for @summer-of-bad-batch's prompt, radio silence, 483 words.

---

His mind was not his own. It chattered in binary and communications, lines of code rushing through like soldiers in endless corridors. They fed numbers into him and numbers came out, even as something else screamed in the distance, memories of flesh and blood and battle. Algorithms made tatters of his memories, using them for -- for what? He didn’t know, couldn’t remember, couldn’t see.

But one day there was an interruption, a gap, a chance, and he flung a number of his own out into the void, wondering if anyone would hear his transmission.

Captain Rex heard, and for the first time in long empty months, Echo remembered who he was, and that he was not alone.

-

“There. Comms are ready to go,” said Echo.

“You have attuned your device to our private channels?” Tech asked. “Excellent. You should be able to raise any of us should we become separated.”

Echo flinched. Separated. Not something he wanted to be, ever again. “I’ll keep in touch,” he said.

-

“Tech. Come in, Tech.”

Echo closed his eyes, letting out a long breath.

“Tech, if there’s any chance -- Please pick up.”

The ship was silent, close, oppressive.

“Tech. Pick up the damn comm!”

His eyes burned. He bit his lip, rubbing his face with the back of his hand, fingers clenched tight around his comm. 

He knew there’d be only the void at the other end. Knew it down deep, the same way he’d known Fives was gone just by the look on Rex’s face. But maybe he was wrong. Maybe he just didn’t have all the facts. Maybe there was still a chance. He’d had a second chance, why not Tech --

“You can’t be gone,” he said hoarsely. “It doesn’t make any damn sense.” The words tumbled out of him, even though he’d seen how close it’d been for the others, even though he knew how high the mountains of Eriadu rose. It made a terrible sense, but he couldn’t bear to believe it. Couldn’t believe that Tech was --

He held his breath. Was that a sound? A crackle? A voice?

He stared at the comlink. It was still and silent in his hand. 

Cold. Inert. A link to nowhere.

Echo switched the comlink away from Tech’s channel, fingers shaking as he did so. He dropped it onto the console and watched it roll, making no effort to stop it. What was the point? He slumped back in his seat, broken.

They’d lost Tech and Crosshair both. No intel. No win. Just this gaping agony in his chest, trying to claw its way out, sickening rage and loss and guilt forming a tangled maw. Echo sat with it, trying to swallow it down with every ragged breath.

But he couldn’t forget this, no matter how much he tried. The silence in the Marauder only grew, and Echo listened to the quiet in the aching dark.

[gun-roswell]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Cartoon), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types, Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: CT-9904 | Crosshair, Batcher the Lurca Hound (Star Wars) Additional Tags: Summer of Bad Batch 2024, summerofbadbatch2024, Fluff and Fun, Family, Pets, Crosshair just can't catch a break!, Inspired by Fanart Series: Part 4 of A Summer of Bad Batch 2024, Part 11 of Tales from Pabu Summary:

Once again Crosshair has to share his bed. 
This time, it’s with a large size Lurca Hound called Batcher.

SOBB prompts “Hugs“

Inspired by fan art of @m1ru_hito

Part of the Tales from Pabu / Summer of Bad Batch series

@summer-of-bad-batch​

[ezras-left-thumb]

Ahh, thank you for the tag!! I love doing these and your post genuinely made me smile and kick my feet🥰 let’s get into it.

1. Been into the show since it first came out! I remember waiting for the weekly episodes to come out whilst doing my homework.

2. Tech absolutely. I don’t know, he just really appeals to me?? Always has been always will be my fav <3

3. I hope no one comes at me for this but I honestly didn’t like Wrecker at first. Idk why, but i love him now!

4. That’s tough but I’d have to say… Phee or Rex.

5. Oh God. Probably Tech or Omega or Echo lol. For various reasons for each of them

6. I’m a sucker for villains so I’d have to say Hemlock, (kinda?) he’s just a character who’s so inherently evil. Hate him as a person but he’s a wonderful character.

7. Crosshair absolutely. He’s be like “Oh, you did something bad? I’ve got body bags and a solid alibi.”

8. Omega and Wrecker!! They’d make sure everyone has the appropriate amount of pillows and popcorn.

9. I can't exactly think of anything right now, not to toot my own horn or anything but I'm pretty observant.

10. Um I have a ton of headcanons in a google doc but it's far too long to put on here so I'd have to say (not weird but) when they got back to Pabu Omega took to collecting seashells to make necklaces for everyone once a year. (There's a tree with seashell jewelry on it next to Tech's goggles.)

11. Every inch of this show is worshipped by us fans, but a favourite of mine from S2 is "I may process moments and thoughts differently, but that does not mean I feel any less." -Tech

12. Eriadu. It's ridiculous how this scene stuck with me since it aired, but his death actually made me cry.

13. Writing and posting about my fic (which I need to start doing more!!) And just doing anything I can because it has a special place in my heart where all my fandoms live <3

14. Wrecker, definitely, and Hunter I think. He'd be screaming his lungs out and then come off it and grumble, "This never happened" before he goes away to vomit.

15. Hunter and Echo give oldest, Wrecker and Tech are the middle children although Tech does sorta give youngest, (somewhere in the middle) and Crosshair and Omega are the youngest IMO.

16. S2 EP4, Tech's racer episode. Or Reunion (S1 EP8) Or Ruins of War (S2 EP2) or the S3 finale.

17. Again, people are gonna come for me but probably The Outpost. Idk, it just didn't have what I wanted, personally. Or any of the ep's without the Batch as a focus. Call me needy/selfish, but...

18. Coming home from school and plonking my bag down, getting in pyjamas and grabbing my laptop to crawl into bed and watch the newest episode. Also buying my Tech action figure. He's pretty cool.

19. Mean Girls, 100%

20. Everything. The little debates over stuff, sharing headcanons and art, and everyone participates in some way or another. Fanfictions, art, animation, music, incorrect quotes, tiktoks, it's all beautiful.

BAD BATCH 20 QUESTIONS

Get to know your fellow Bad Batch fandom community! Answer the following 20 questions! (Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for this Ask Game!)

Answer the questions and tag whoever you'd like to see their answers too 🥰

When/How did you get into the show?

Who is your favorite character from the show and why?

Was there a member of the Bad Batch you didn't like at first? If so, why? Has your view changed?

Who is your favorite non-Batch character?

Which character from the show do you most relate to?

Who is your favorite villain/antagonist from the show?

If you needed a Bad Batcher to help you commit a crime, who would it be?

Which Bad Batcher would be in charge (or take charge) of movie night?

What's something you didn't notice the first time watching the Bad Batch? (Or...what's something you didn't notice until someone else in the fandom pointed it out)

What is one strange head canon you have about any of the Bad Catchers that you haven't seen anywhere else?

What is a character quote/moment that is under appreciated from the show?

What scene/moment from the show lives in your head rent free?

What's your favorite way to participate in the Bad Batch Fandom?

Which Bad Batcher would scream the loudest on a rollercoaster?

Based on vibes alone, what is the "birth order" of the Batch? (Oldest, middle, youngest)

What's your favorite episode from the show and why?

What's your least favorite episode from the show and why?

Do you have any fun memories associated with the show?

What family movie would the Cadet Batch watch on repeat?

What is your favorite thing about being part of the Bad Batch fandom?

BONUS QUESTION

Did you commit voter fraud during prompt voting for @summer-of-bad-batch? 😂 (I have a google sheet that I'll share screenshots of at the end of the challenge with PROOF of the insanity of Summer of Bad Batch voter fraud...peak insanity, peak hilarity, loved every moment of it!)

No Pressure Tags: (all the Summer of Bad Batch community...I'd tag y'all, but that tag list would get insanely long...you know who you are 😘)

[jedi-princess-kestis]

Sunsets and You

Pairing: Crosshair/ Tiha Wenn (F!OC)

Summery: On a quiet and calm summer evening, Crosshair and Tiha share a soft moment together at their home in Pabu when Tiha has Crosshair braid her hair.

Word Count: 2.1K

Warnings: soft Crosshair, fluff. Mega fluff.

A/N: here it is, another installment for the @summer-of-bad-batch prompt challenge! And look at me, I used TWO prompts! For this story I used "Can you braid my hair?" And "comfort zone" to make this story and I actually kept it short this time 😅. I hope you all enjoy! (And Tiha is back!)

@kybercrystals94 @mp0625 @cellythefloshie @lila-rose @sunshinesdaydream @dystopicjumpsuit @gothicgirl100

It had been a few years since they had settled onto Pabu, putting the war and the Empire behind them. The years had tanned their skin more, softened their hardened soldier training, pushing them outside of their comfort zones to pursue families, hobbies and new adventures the island world has to offer. War hardened soldiers bred for pain and endurance now fished and laid about the island's sands, letting their worries for once slip away with the tides.

Tiha sat on the little balcony that hung over cliffs that overlooked The Cove, watching the sun start to set on their home casting a warm glow in its wake. It took some time, but Wrecker had built strong little houses that sat along the cliffs, away from most of the hustle and bustle of the villages. Each family had their own little cottage house, each with a yard, a view of The Cove and something most important to the Clones and the Jedi… privacy. Tiha found comfort in the silence, with only the ocean below and the sea breeze in the citrus trees the only sound to fill the airy home. Years of living in the Temple, then Venator ships for the years of the War with people always about, with noise always floating on the air, the silence was a welcomed change she still to this day thanked the Maker for.

Leaning her elbows onto the stone balcony railing she leaned forward, letting the salt air fill her nose and softly caress her face. Closing her eyes she found peace, feeling the Force dance and dip around her, as though it too was happy to have the silence. As Tiha let the warm glow of the Force fill her mind and wrap around her body, she felt a presence coming from behind. A smile pulled at her lips as the Force seemed to leap and bound with joy as the presence grew closer, enjoying the added energy in the air.

Two strong arms wrapped around her middle, tugging her close to the lean body that enveloped her. A chin rested itself onto her shoulder, pulling her smile wider on her lips. Soft puffs of air tickled her neck, before soft tender kisses were placed just below her ear. Leaning into the touch, placing her hands on the strong arms that wrapped around her, Tiha opened her eyes and tilted her head back so she could see the brown eyes of her lover.

"Hello, Cyar'ika." Crosshair's raspy voice filled her ears as he kissed her cheek. He smiled down at her, enjoying the feel of her warm skin of her sides under his hands. Tiha had always favored light fabrics due to her humanoid species coming from a very hot planet, and since moving to Pabu, she wore crop tops and light pants or shorts most days. Crosshair has also started wearing lighter and looser fitting shirts and pants more often, his shirt usually unbuttoned a good portion of the way, letting his tan chest catch the sunlight. Over time he has gotten used to his prosthetic hand, and didn't feel the need to wear a glove over the metal anymore. The cool metal now laid against the skin of her side but she paid it no mind.

"Hello Dear. How was your day?" Tiha asked as she leaned her head back against his chest, letting the soft rise and fall with each of his breaths soothe her. He hummed against her hair, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head before resting his chin there, his arms now shifting up so they crossed over her chest, pulling her tight to him.

"It was good. Took Omega, and the twins out fishing with me while Wrecker and Hunter worked on the new boat." He answered her as they watched the sunset. Wrecker had married not long after they settled down, taking an island girl as his wife. A year later they had twin boys, Rift and Tawny who were now a few years old. Hunter was currently dating a young woman that had found refuge on the island from the Empire two years ago. They had recently moved in together and Tiha knew marriage would soon be in the works for the two. She hummed a happy sound as she felt his lips kiss her hair once more. They're lives hadn't been easy ones. They had endured so much over the years, so many losses and battles that seemed to age them faster than anything else. Scars still marred their skin and their minds but the years had slowly dulled the nightmares. Now they had all the time in the galaxy to find peace.

The wind picked up slightly, making the trees rustle around them. Tiha felt it tug at her hair, the warm salty air making her feel peaceful in that moment. Crosshair ran a hand over her green hair, careful to skip over the point of her ear as his fingers combed through the locks. "Your hair has gotten much longer." His thick voice broke the silence as he let the green locks fall from his fingertips to her shoulder once more.

"Should I cut it?" She hummed in response, turning around some in his arms so she could better see his face. Over the years he had let his silver locks grow out on the top, letting them fall slightly to the side, covering his scar a little. A slight 5 o'clock shadow made his already set jawbone even more pronounced. His honey eyes looked down at her, his flash hand still wrapped around her waist, his thumb skimming over the smooth tanned skin.

"Do you like it longer?"

"It's the longest I've ever had it."

A smile cracked across his lips as he gave her a knowing look. "That didn't answer my question, Darling." He tipped her chin up with the knuckle of his metal hand as he looked her in the eyes.

With a sigh she smiled up at him softly. "Yes, I do like it. I'm learning how to manage it this long."

A larger smile now took over his lips, before he bent down and kissed her softly in a tender but quick kiss. Pulling away he kept their faces close, his warm breath still on her lips. "Then keep it." He purred before kissing her softly again, his hand still under her chin. Upon breaking the kiss Tiha grabbed his metal hand in her flesh one and looked it over carefully before looking up at him.

"Can you braid my hair?"

Crosshair's face was blank, save for the slightly confused look in his eyes. No one has ever asked him to braid their hair before. Omega always just kept her in a ponytail or bun and Hunter had forbidden anyone to ever touch his hair even as cadets. He had no experience with it.

"I mean…. I've never actually done it before. I'm not sure how good I'd be at it."

Tiha gave a soft laugh, leaning forward so her chin rested on the warm smooth skin of his chest that peaked out from the opening of his shirt. "It's like braiding rope together. I'm used to braid some of the Padawans' hair at the Temple but never actually did it on myself. My hair was never long enough." She pulled back, taking his hand in hers and led him over to the table and chairs on the balcony. "I know it's kinda out of your comfort zone but I'd like it if you tried." She plopped herself down onto one of the chairs and glanced up at her partner. She saw the unsureness in his eyes but also the look of determination.

Finally he broke the silence, "Okay, but don't cry to me if your hair turns into a knotted mess." He joked as he started to run his fingers through her waves of electric green hair. She chuckled and let her body relax in her seat, enjoying the feeling of his long fingers combing her hair.

"If that happens then we just cut it. It will grow back again." His huff of a laugh was her only answer. They fell into a comfortable silence as the breeze made the sea reeds and citrus trees move softly, their leafs and rods making a soft hum around them. The sun continued to set, the warm orange and red glow that fell over the balcony held onto the last rays of warmth from the day. Crosshair finished combing her hair with his hands, before breaking it into three thick strands down her back. His long fingers begin to weave her hair into a thick braid down her back, his work slow as he made sure each pass was tight and even with the rest of the braid. Tiha smiled as he lightly hummed to himself as he continued to braid her hair. She reached out with the Force, feeling his strong and yet calming aura fill her senses. It brought her peace to feel him so at ease, to feel happy in their home. A light tap on her shoulder broke her train of thought, so she turned in her chair slightly to see him.

"I can feel you, doing that Force thing." He smirked down at her. When they first met and she would reach out to feel the members of the squad, her Force signature lighting poking at theirs so she knew they were safe and well, it had unnerved him. He had hated it at first, but over time, especially when they were so far apart from each other, that connection they had soon became a comfort to both troubled and broken souls.

Tiha hummed, reaching up to squeeze his hand before he went back to the braid to finish it off. "It's a force of habit. I like feeling your warm aura. Even if you are next to me."

"I didn't say I minded. It's what got me through some of those hard times, feeling you in my mind… feeling like you were close to me. It's just been a little while since you've done it." Crosshair told her as he tied off the braid, running his hand over it one more time to make sure it was tight and even. Bending down he placed a kiss to the crown of her head, letting his lips linger there for a moment before pulling back. Tiha smiled up at him, the warm glow of the setting sun making him look younger, his eyes alight like embers on a fire. Time hadn't been kind to them, the war and the Order had taken its toll, left its scars, and haunted their dreams for years after. But one thing always stayed certain… the love that they had always endured through the bad and the good. It made them a home, forged them in the fires to be better and stronger people. Their love, the promise they made to each other brought them to a place where they could finally have what they always wanted: Peace.

"Where did you go, my love?" His warm, raspy voice pulled Tiha from her thoughts. A smile tugged at his lips, he was now moving to sit beside her on the wide chair. His arm looped around her shoulders, his hand smoothing her braid over her one shoulder with his hand. The tips of her ears poked out of the green hair, which felt different as her hair almost always covered them.

"Just thanking the Marker that through it all, we found our peace. Even apart we kept our promises and found our way back." Tiha turned her head to look at him, the fairy lights that hung on the balcony and above it on the roof of the house now shined as the sun finally set beyond the water, the last little light of day slipping into darkness. The soft glow of the lights bathed them in their light, giving the balcony a romantic glow. Crosshair reached up with his metal hand and gently took her chin with it, pulling her closer till his lips touched hers in a soft, tender kiss that made her heart flutter. Pulling back his warm honey eyes shined, his nose bumping her lightly before kissing the tip of hers, making her smile. She looked up, running her hand over the stubble of his cheek, his head leaning into her touch.

"Thank you for braiding my hair."

His eyes crinkled as he smiled, turning his head to kiss her palm. "Anything for you, My Love."

With a smile she kissed him quickly on the lips, rubbing her nose to his in a tender embrace. "I love you."

"I know."

[resistantecho]

Summer of Bad Batch 2024 WEEK 5: "Need a hand?"

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