Side blog to house my Bad Batch + Clones addiction. Extra softie for Hunter and Crosshair ā¤ļø Cloneshipping friendly š«¶ (Rex x Hunter & Tech x Echo are my OTPs) Main AO3 account: Sotkrah
So excited to share my gift for @sxpaiscia for the @badbatch-holiday-exchange ! ššā¤ļø
This was my first-ever event, and I had a blast with the Crosshair / Mayday prompt! Hope you enjoy it, @sxpaiscia ! ā¤ļø
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
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Crosshair had been so absorbed in Omegaās winning streak he was too late to notice the sharp tang of tabac and stale propulsion until it engulfed him.
āThat one yours?ā A deeply modulated voice scratched. Crosshair tightened his grip around his cup. The hand tremble was enough of a failure. Getting distracted from monitoring the perimeter? Pathetic.
He kept his gaze forward, his silence steely. Omega threw down a set of cards, causing the cramped tavern to cheer.
āSheās got quite the talent, you must be proud,ā the stranger commented. The clone shifted, ever so slightly to his peripheral vision. Blue, lanky fingers. A large brimmed hat. The smell made sense now. Heād caught it in Kamino corridors so long ago now.
āWhatās it to you, bounty hunter?ā Crosshair growled. He wanted to return the sentiment of surprise. He wouldnāt be out-sleuthed so easily. He could hear a smile coax from his adversary.
āIām just a man, admiring the show.ā
Crosshair kept trained on Omega. Theyād lingered here long enough, surely she had enough credits for those maker-forsaken shuttle tickets. He wouldāve made a motion to leave, but he didnāt want to be read by the bounty hunter.
When several Imperials entered, he had to hold back from cursing. Omega kept her confidence, her eyes flashing to him, indicating she had it under control. He didnāt want to trust her, yet here they were, free from Tantiss. The Imperial Captain demanded their āmuttā be gotten rid of. Upon Omegaās signal, Crosshair lent his faith one more time as he escorted Batcher outside. He expected the bounty hunter to follow, but he was left alone to count snowflakes scuttling under the streetlights. He watched them, each speck a second he tallied of how much time he was leaving Omega unsupervised. At three hundred, heād go back in.
His stomach began to curdle at two-hundred and eighty-six. He clicked at Batcher who had been nuzzling at a snowmound. The kid was wrong ā weāll need a shootout to get out of this kriffing mess.
Three hundred.
He rummaged a clutter of metal junk disposed outside the bar, seeking any sort of makeshift weapon to ensure their safetyā¦
The doors hissed opened, the Imperials exiting, muttering about the game. Crosshair went to dash in as they passed but the door opened again, revealing Omega and a tall silhouette behind her.
āCrosshair!ā She exclaimed. He flinched at her ignorant excitement. āI won!ā
But Crosshair wasnāt looking at her ā he glared at the blue duros behind her, red eyes creased in a grin.
āWhat did you do?ā Crosshair demanded, words as frigid as the night air.
āI told you ā I won! And many credits at that!ā
āWhat did you do?ā
The duroās mouth spread like a nexu. āYou heard the little lady ā she won, and big time at that.ā
āI did! And this man offered to pay my fees.ā
āFees?ā Crosshairās eyebrows deepened.
āGamblingās illegal here,ā the bounty hunter answered. āI made sure the Captain was compensated his full ten thousand credits so that your girl here could keep all her winnings.ā
Crosshair looked to Omega, who beamed with the serendipity she believed in. āHe also said he could get us off planet, no charge.ā
Crosshair dragged his gaze back up to the duros. āOh did he?ā
The bounty hunter popped out a toothpick, planting it smugly between pointed teeth before answering, āYou heard her right.ā
āWhat do we owe you now? Our cold, dead bodies?ā Crosshairās fingers dug into his palms. He wanted nothing more than to swipe that sickly greed off that blue face. He was starting to believe violence was the only way off this shit-stained planet. Omega stepped forward, gripping the bag of her earnings to her chest.
āAll I have to do is win him a game off-planet.ā
āOnly?ā Crosshair nearly choked. Countless dire situations played out simultaneously in his mind. More muscles clenched. This bounty hunter had taken advantage of Omegaās naivete, her good nature, her ā
āRelax,ā the duros reached out, blue fingers poised toward him. āLike she said, one win, and weāre considered even.ā
Crosshair looked between the two ā two faces bought and sold on a plan heād been left out of. It was a trap so obvious, he might as well start shouting they were Empire captive runaways to the Imperial-littered street.
āNot a chance,ā Crosshair attempted to cut ties, but the bounty hunter had anticipated it.
āWould be a shame to lose such talent to the authorities, after all, gambling is illegal,ā the blackmail maneuver slid like a skiff over oil. āPort has been running hot these days. If you want out from Imperial noses, Iām your best bet.ā
Omegaās eyes were larger than twin suns.
āCrosshair, please. No one gets hurt this way.ā
Crosshair snarled, suppressing every intention he had of slugging the duros and blasting out the entire town for their freedom. He moved close to the stranger, his cold breath curling against blue skin.
āOne. Game.ā
Strong fingers unclenched his, sliding into a forced handshake.
āOne win.ā
All of Crosshairās sass and tactical prowess disappeared when the adrenaline ran out. He hadnāt rested properly since Tantiss ā their escape, flight and crashland to the planet had all been one motion, one hellish blur. The bounty hunterās ship had cells, but the duros kept up his feigned hospitality by letting them have free reign. He knew they were too exhausted to do anything. Like domesticated tookas, they immediately sought out a quiet space.
Crosshair fell into a restless sleep. His recurring nightmares from Tantiss had followed him ā endless visions of the probe droid, the straps that squeezed him for air and left him with welts. Emerieās emotionless eyes witnessing his torture, saying the unsaid: he was worthless to save. And then there was Hunter, dressed as Hemlock. You turned on us, Cross. You betrayed your brothers. You deserve to be dissected now.
He always woke with damp eyes.
His trembling hand rubbed away at the shame. Hunter must be buried in his well-deserved guilt ā the bitter consolation eased the weight on his ribs. The best remedy to his pity consisted of two things ā toothpicks and insults. Relapse consumed him.
He was angry at the Batch for ignoring his warnings, for their obviously stupid blunders that led to Omegaās imprisonment. Heād make sure to return her safely, even if it only meant wounding Hunterās pride more than his own. He stalked the ship, seeking any weapons, but, as expected, everything had been prisoner-proofed.
āRise and shine,ā that raspy, modulated voice said, causing him to flinch.
āHow am I not dead yet,ā Crosshair sneered, slowly turning to see the bounty hunter, clad in a long duster, leaning against the metallic doorway.
āTypically, you would be,ā the duros crossed his arms. āBut Iām feeling generous. You should feel lucky.ā
āIām overwhelmed,ā Crosshairās tone had airlocked any semblance of emotion. āTo whom I owe the pleasure?ā
The bounty hunter drew a finger over the brim of his hat.
āCad Bane, at your service.ā
The name sounded vaguely familiar, but his head felt too light and scrambled to properly recall. Symptoms of the malnourishment.
āWhatās with this rouse of niceness, Bane?ā
āWhoās saying itās a rouse?ā
Crosshair huffed. āYou need the kid to win, not her deadbeat chauffeur.ā
āYouāre observant ā that the way you got a crosshair over your eye?ā A sharp-toothed grin followed. Crosshair clenched his jaw, scowl remaining.
The duros kicked off from the doorway, slowly walking towards him. āBut seems the sniper is more rusty than he realizes,ā Bane suddenly gripped his right hand, voice dropping to a raspy whisper. āWe donāt want to spoil the girlās gift with distress now, do we? We canāt have our winner crying over daddy, we need her winning ā Iām sure you agree.ā
Crosshair narrowed his eyes, ripping his hand free. He was under the shadow of Baneās large-brimmed hat. Fresh cigarra acrid in his nose.
āIām not stupid ā ā
āI never said you were.ā
āThis isnāt just one game.ā
Cad Bane only responded by slotting a toothpick between a spreading grin, the other end pricked at Crosshairās lips. He wanted nothing more than to snap at it, feel the familiar rigid wood along his teeth. His jaw ached at the phantom memory, his tongue wet.
āYou might like it,ā Bane purred. Crosshair realized he had been staring down at the toothpick. His eyes now flicked to those unblinking pools of crimson.
āLike what?ā
āA life of freedom, CT-9904.ā
A chill as frigid as Barton IV shot up his spine. The Empire, Rampart, Tantissā¦the baggage of his call number betrayed him, his stony expression wavered. Baneās eyes tilted with the pleasure of catching him off guard. Upon reflex, Crosshair bit at the toothpick, his anger easily snapping it in half before he forcefully spat it at the bounty hunterās boots.
āKeep me out of your mouth.ā
Crosshair missed his armor, like he missed his steady hand. Another innate part of himself, lost. All he was now was a doll of pity, dressed up in prison rags, waiting not to be played with, but to gather dust.
Even though he had free reign on the ship, he knew Bane was always watching ā his gauntlet of gadgets ready to subdue any unwarranted curiosity. The planet they were travelling to must be on the other side of the galaxy, or perhaps Crosshairās sense of time was becoming faulty as well. The walls felt tighter, the bed stiffer, and the durasteel floors colder. Omega had delusional prospects and Batcher to stay upbeat. Bane even let her ride in the cockpit with him at times. Crosshair was left to simmer in his misery, and thatās when his mind retreated to the one last comfort he had.
Mayday.
Just the thought of him sparked flint, creating a flame of warmth inside his hollowed chest. He huddled closely to the memories. Soft brown eyes. A hearty laugh. Unwavering bravery and patience. Did they kill you or take you? The familiar question, rising like smoke. He tried to not inhale too deeply, and instead focused back on that face. What words of comfort would Mayday give now if he were here? No matter the scenario he played out, there was always one certainty: everything would be better with him around.
They were nearing their destination, Crosshair could sense it. The high speed hum of the engines had lowered an octave. Bane was spending more time in the cockpit. Crosshair sought out Omega, confronting her about the future.
āYou know this isnāt freedom for us,ā he said, arms crossed.
Omega didnāt look up from where she crouched giving belly rubs to Batcher. āIt was our deal to get off the planet. After my win, Bane ā ā
āHeās a bounty hunter.ā
Omega glanced at him but said nothing. Crosshair pressed on.
āIf we really were free, then why wonāt he let us call Hunter?ā
His cloud of doubt shadowed Omegaās sunshine into a frown.
āWhat do we do then, Crosshair?ā
āOnce we land ā Plan 62.ā
Omega straightened, giving him a firm nod. They kept their interactions sparse after that, as to not incite suspicion from Bane. During a quick meal, Crosshair asked her if she had seen a list of clone captures on Tantiss.
āNot many, I was just focused on getting you out,ā her blue eyes went overcast with the weight of the memory. āThere were so many we left behindā¦ā
āMhhm,ā Crosshair vocalized, his chest tight.
āI know youā¦stayed in the Empire for a while,ā Omega started, her voice tip-toeing towards the subject.
āWhat of it?ā The sneer followed his side-eye.
āDid you make new friends? Any troopers that might beā¦on Tantiss?ā
Crosshair reflexively huffed, rolling his eyes to hide his fear.
āI was taken to Tantiss because of my ties with Clone Force Ninety-Nine.ā
āTheyāre taking regs to Tantiss too,ā Omega pointed out.
Crosshair studied the floor. The durasteel lay dull, just as he wished his feelings were. He didnāt want to care about Mayday ā the constant worry about whether he was still alive or not had been agonizing, and would surely compromise him in some way in the future if left unchecked.
Omega took a deep breath. āI want to help Echo rescue our brothers.ā
Crosshair raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
āFrom Tantiss?ā
āYes,ā determination filled her steady gaze. āWe escaped once, Iām sure we can again.ā
A scoff escaped him. How he longed for a toothpick.
āGood luck with that,ā his tone was dry, but his chest ached. If I could just see him one more time⦠He would never admit how much he wanted Omega to succeed.
The planet looked expensive. Between the adrenaline sprints and stealthy sabotage, he caught glimpses of gold-crusted architecture and shimmering skylines. Bane had been betting big on Omega.
āNo funny business,ā the duros had warned when they first left the ship. Crosshair had only grinned, a stolen toothpick already in hand. Betraying Cad Bane would come in the form of Plan 62, and Crosshair knew Hunter would strangle him for having Omega participate in it.
The stealth mission was a reprieve from the mental swamps he had been drowning in. The balmy air breathed new life into his weakened lungs. He tasted freedom. His skin was quickly sticky from the sweat that broke out as he had focused through several diversions, deceptions, and distress signals. The plan was elaborate, and since they were down several members, he had to play several roles. Time to haul ass, he growled to himself after he sent the final message of coordinates to the Batch. Every second he spent away put Omega at risk, because it was seconds spent away from Bane.
He had to give her credit - the girl had toughened up since her whiny days on Kamino. She was dedicated to her part, chin raised as she sat the shortest at the high-stakes table. It was almost flawless.
The Marauder punctured the glass dome ceiling, and the casino floor erupted into screams and gunfire. He wouldnāt admit that it was his fault the rescue had turned out so dramatic, but one small mistake led to a few stolen items, which led to the only exit being up.
Omega dodged a few stun shots from Bane, then threw her briefcase of credits at him before leaping to the shipās rope.
āOne game!ā She called, giving him a wave as she ascended.
Bane howled, pointing his blaster at her, but it flew across the room before his finger found the trigger. He staggered around, spotting Crosshair across the room, a stolen rifle smoking.
āI said no ā ā Bane shouted against the screaming engines and glass-cackling wind.
āFunny business!ā Crosshair cut in, his long strides closing the gap to the dangling rope.
The Marauder hoisted him upward, the rope burning slightly on his palms. The once-marvelous casino now a mess of crushed glass and smoke beneath them. Crosshair exhaled, sharp and breathless. He liked that Cad Bane watched him escape, knowing that Crosshair had betrayed him first. Hilarious business, indeed.
There was an explosion of relief when the Batch reunited with Omega. However, the hugs and smiles quickly dissipated into discomfort as soon as they looked towards their wayward brother.
āPlan 62, really?ā The accusation from Hunter was the closest thing heād receive to a warm reception back.
āYouāre welcome,ā Crosshair sneered, already feeling claustrophobic. Omega began to defend him, but he was already at the back of the ship, desperate for distance. Every smell, vibration, and surface held a memory. A panic began to throttle his neck as the shock of the mission faded and reality settled around him.
After everything, he was back with the Batch, and they clearly didnāt trust him.
They left him alone, for a while. Omega brought him food. Batcher came to sniff at his boots. Wrecker was the first to approach.
āI donāt know if itāll still fit, butā¦here,ā he held out a large, rectangular crate. Crosshair stared for a while, before opening the latches one at a time.
His old armor. It sat, so unchanged ā unlike himself. An identity he didnāt think heād see again.
āIt never felt right to get rid of it. Andā¦I figured you probably wanted some armor. Some new blacks too for you,ā Wrecker said, scratching the back of his bald head.
Crosshair was at a loss for words. He was left alone after that.
He didnāt ask for anything ā no requests, or updates to where they were going. He easily faded into rest, his weak body needing the hibernation. His thoughts drifted back to Mayday, to their last interaction on Barton IV.
āTheyāll punish you for this. You shouldāve just let him kill me,ā Mayday had stuttered, his indignation was the last bit of his energy. The troopers were closing in, guns pointed, when his vision began to blur. He remembered muttering, āenough clones have died on this planet,ā before the darkness had taken him, returning him into Hemlockās clutches. The memory was a deep groove, every detail engrained as he had sought it out every day, multiple times a day. If Mayday had been on Tantiss that entire timeā¦if he still wasā¦Crosshairās fingers dug into his arms as the waves of guilt and grief battered him. The pain nearly consumed him but a pair of light, familiar steps snapped him back on guard.
He didnāt look up as he growled, ācome to throw me out the airlock?ā
Hunter sighed. āI considered it, but weāre all needed on Teth.ā
āWhy?ā
āCaptain Rex and Echo insisted.ā
Crosshair scoffed at the names. āFor what?ā
āTheir operation has been trying to get more intel on Tantiss for months. You and Omega are the only ones whoāve been there and made it out alive.ā
āI was a prisoner, I donāt have much to share. You should know that.ā
A soft groan of annoyance escaped Hunter. Crosshair felt the familiar glee of getting under his Sergeantās skin.
āLook, I donāt know exactly why you did what you did to earn a ride to Tantiss. Echo mentioned that one of Rexās rescues spoke highly of you ā ā
Crosshair looked up, eyes snapping to meet Hunterās. His breath caught from the rush of hope. It couldnāt be.
āWho?ā
Hunter was confused by the sudden vigor of Crosshairās interest.
āIā¦um, I donāt remember the name but Echo had ā ā
Crosshair jolted upwards, joints protesting.
āWhere is Echo?ā
āHeās ā ā
āIs he on the ship?ā Crosshair began to move forward but Hunter stopped him with firm palms.
āWhatās gotten into you, Cross?ā
āI need to ā ā
āSettle down, Echo isnāt here, heās on Teth, waiting for us.ā
Crosshairās heart was racing, mouth going dry. His eyes darted past Hunter, trying to assess his options ā whatever way yielded the fastest results. As if reading his mind, Hunter started more gently. āWeāre nearing Teth. Youāll see Echo soon.ā
āItās not ā ā the snark had returned as the initial panic subsided. He glared down at his brother. āHow soon?ā
āNot longā¦Iāll have to ask Tech the exact time if you really want to knowā¦ā
āI do.ā
Hunter stared, brows pulled together.
āYou going to tell me more aboutā¦this?ā Hunterās gaze swept over him, like every inch of him no longer made sense.
Crosshair narrowed his eyes, arms slowly folding in on themselves.
āNo.ā
Hunter was visibly dissatisfied but didnāt press further. The hyperspace around them felt too big, the engines too slow. Crosshair needed to be on Teth, now.
Crosshair had already broken four toothpicks by the time they landed. His stomach was nearly in his throat as they descended into the atmosphere. His impatience drew him to the entrance of the cockpit, but a low-horizon sunset blinded their view. He garnered a few cursory glances from the Batch, but the unspoken tension between him and his brothers fortified the silence.
As he walked away he caught Hunter grumbling to Wrecker, āI wonder what clone has gotten Crosshair so eager.ā
He shoved a fifth toothpick to stave off the flush he felt threatening his cheeks. They were conspiring about him, trying to piece together the bits of info Echo had mentioned with any official āsourcesā Tech had found. Thankfully, his insubordination was not easily procurable for the public. If Mayday was truly aliveā¦Crosshair didnāt want to explain any of it to his brothers. He knew theyād be relentless with their teasings. Perhaps he shouldāve stayed on Tantiss.
When the shuttle ramp hissed open, he wished they were wearing their helmets. He gripped it tightly at his side tight to hide the trembling, and to distract the urge of pushing past Hunter to find him.
āThey donāt look happy to see us,ā Wrecker noted as the clones moved forward. The air was thin and cold from the high altitude. Crosshairās head had already felt light, but now it felt ready to ascend to the sky. When was the last time he had breathed?
Pleasantries were bypassed as a clone with shaved sides and familiar scarring immediately stormed towards them, overtaking Captain Rexās lead. His eyes bore into Crosshair, already screaming with a rage that he could taste. It was a fury he had encountered on every mission for the Empire.
The clone coiling up for a punch was Captain Howzer.
āYou!ā He shouted, finger unwavering like a trained blaster. āI have unfinished business with you.ā
āEasy, Howzer,ā Rex started but the prickly clone was just getting started.
āSurprised to see me? Most of my squad from Ryloth is dead because of you.ā
Hunter attempted to intervene. āCrosshair was just ā ā
āFollowing orders? Because that makes it any better? Donāt think Iām not upset at you either, Hunter, nor the rest of your squad for taking back this snake. You shouldāve heard how he talked about you on Ryloth, how eager he was to lure you in like tookas to a slaughter for his precious Empire.ā
āYou too were serving the Emp ā ā Crosshair began but it only made Howzer shout louder.
āI freed them ā we are nothing alike!ā
āAnd what did you do to your Jedi?ā Crosshair struck back. Tech and Hunter were crowding forward, trying to protect Crosshair from being torn from his limbs while Rex pushed back Howzer who kept bucking forward. The captainās veins were visible like goosebumps ā anger raised to the surface.
āYou can go straight to ā ā
āEnough!ā a voice shouted from the back of Rexās crew. White armor parted the electrified crowd like a calming current.
āWeāre all on the same side now, whether you like it or not, Howzer.ā
Crosshairās knees nearly buckled. He kept blinking, expecting the phantom before him to dissipate, just as it had during those terrible nights on Tantiss. It couldnāt be.
Mayday ā alive.
Howzer, whose wrath had unfurled like an untempered hound, finally broke eye contact with Crosshair. His chest heaved as he looked at Mayday.
āYou keep insisting we can trust him, but I donāt see how.ā
āDo you trust me?ā That voice ā confidence in a slow tempo. He disarmed Howzer just as he had the pressure mine under Crosshair on Barton IV ā with grace and patience. Howzer threw one more glare at Crosshair, an unsaid threat of unfinished business, before retreating. Mayday, Rex, and Hunter all silently acknowledged each other before the belated welcomes unfolded.
All of Crosshairās senses turned to static. His skin felt numb. His mouth was dry and the air felt lifeless. He couldnāt hear what his brothers were saying. It was as if he were standing in a long, dark tunnel and at the end of it was Maydayās face ā creased and smiling, beard soft and weathered.
āItās good to see you,ā Maydayās voice came from far away.
Crosshair didnāt know what to say, he tried to search for words but every thought was blurry.
āMmhmm,ā his throat contracted.
āYou know each other?ā Omega excitedly looked between the two.
Maydayās hand moved ā it fell to his side. Crosshair realized the clone had been holding it out for him but heād been too stunned to notice. The neglect scuffed Maydayās tone.
āWe um,ā Mayday coughed, āyes, we know each other from a previous mission.ā
āWhat mission?ā Omega pressed, even Batcher was wagging her tail, being swept up in the anticipation of a new story. Crosshair was still in shock, his silence deafening. Discomfort had found its way into Maydayās demeanor.
āJust a supply run.ā
Every memory of that day flashed behind Crosshairās eyes. The lined up helmets. The winged beast. The avalanche. Two bodies huddled close, hypothermia pressing in on themā¦
Omega opened her mouth to ask more but Rex signaled to the group of clones to head inside. As the crowd moved, the Batch surrounded Crosshair and Maydayā¦was gone.
Panic swelled in Crosshairās seemingly waterlogged system. This wasnāt how he had imagined it ā countless scenarios he had played on the off chance they would have found each other again, only for reality to be a non-verbal acknowledgement and a withdrawn Mayday. What the hell is wrong with me? This wasnāt how it was supposed to go.
āWhat was that about?ā Wreckerās large pauldron nudged him.
āNothing,ā he hissed.
āCrosshair seemed to have made acquaintances while serving the Empire,ā Tech said, typing away at his data pad.
āWho was that?ā Hunter asked.
āNobody im ā ā Crosshair began, but Tech was ready.
āCC-1325, referred to as āMaydayā, who served as the commander of the ā ā
āWhatās it to you?ā Crosshair cut in.
āHeās a reg!ā Wrecker said, loud enough that Rexās group looked wearily behind at them. āAnd you hate regs!ā
Echo, between the group glanced back. āSounds like the Empire softened him up.ā
Crosshair rolled his eyes. āFuck off, Echo.ā
āEcho, was that the clone you said liked Crosshair? The one who said you could trust him?ā Omega asked, skipping forward to hold the cloneās scomp. Echo smiled, knowing his answer would irk Crosshair to the ends of the planet.
āOh yes, heās the reg that said he owed his life to Crosshair, if you can believe it. Kept insisting that we could trust him, and that he was worth saving.ā
The entire Batch looked at Crosshair, who had no choice but to shove his helmet on to stop them from reading him. None of them could suppress their grins, or wiggling their eyebrows at each other. Crosshair wanted to blast them all into orbit.
Rexās ābaseā was a moody thrown-together medley of equipment and stations. Curious clones peered at them from behind holo desks and data pads as they walked by. Crosshair hadnāt expected so many rescues. He had thought most defected clones were either killed or on Tantiss. After the brief tour, he peeled off from the group, finding a quiet alcove to brood. The confrontation with Howzer had been bad enough, Mayday had been the final straw. He needed to lick his wounds.
Feeble hands held his shaven head, heavy from the disarray. What had he expected? All sins forgiven? Attitudes that had conveniently moved on? I was a good soldier⦠Regret was the only thing the Empire had rewarded him with. His brothers would make sure to never let him forget.
His fingers fell into the familiar indents on the right side of his head. Gloves traced the edges, pushed at the centers ā reassuring movements that had become habit on Tantiss. Heād always wondered why that engine blast didnāt kill him on Bracca. It was starting to feel like every clone here wished it had.
A large blue nose sniffed aggressively nearby.
āNot now, Batcher,ā Crosshair growled, attempting to push the hound but she was only encouraged by his moving limbs, nuzzling into his side.
āThere you are!ā Omega, like a shadow drew close, crouching beside him.
āLeave me alone,ā he said, turning to the wall.
āYou should join the others.ā
āThey donāt want me.ā
āTheyāreā¦learning to trust you again, and hiding away like this isnāt helping.ā
Crosshair chewed at his cheek. She was right. He wished in all the nine hells that she wasnāt, but he knew his shaky reputation was already cementing into something bad. Tilting slightly, he caught Omega shaking her head ā probably warding off a worried Hunter.
Crosshair rolled his eyes, his shoulders pulling in tighter. āIf information on Tantiss is what they want, I can write up a report.ā
āThey want to talk.ā
āNo they donāt.ā Howzerās furious expression kept replaying in his mind.
āYou should talk to Mayday.ā
His breath caught.
āWhy?ā
āI thinkā¦after what you both went through, that it would help ā ā
Crosshair rolled over, eyebrows pinched.
āWhat do you know about what we went through?ā
Omegaās eyes batted, cheeks reddening. A pit erupted in his stomach. āWhat did you do?ā
āI didnāt ā ā she blurted but then quickly recentered herself. āWe may have talked to Maydayā¦a little bit.ā
Crosshair groaned, fingers massaging at his temples.
āI think itās sweet, how you almost died in each otherās arms,ā she added with a smile.
āWe werenāt in each otherās arms, we had just survived an avalanche and ā ā
āMaydayās only alive because of you,ā Omega cut in. āHeās a good man, everyone likes him, especially Hunter.ā
āFor fucks sake,ā Crosshair was sitting up now, beyond mortified imagining just how this exchange had gone between the Batch and Mayday. āWhere is he?ā
āIn the cafeteria, but Iāll make sure no one else is there so you two can have some privacy.ā
Crosshair rolled his eyes, āWe donāt need privacy.ā
Her lips quirked to one side. āAnd you say Wrecker is the bad liar.ā
Mayday didnāt look up from where he sat alone in the dimly lit room. Crosshairās right hand was twitching to the beat of his pounding heart. A broad back faced him, making it harder to know what exactly he was walking into. Light on his long feet, he hovered out of sight.
Crosshair had no plan of what to say, so he stated the only thing that came to his static mind. āI hear you talked with Clone Force Ninety-Nine.ā
āYour squad? Yeah, I did.ā
Crosshair flinched at the inflection of squad ā he shouldāve known better that the commander disliked formalities. He didnāt believe in CT numbers.
āWe only just recently reunited,ā Crosshair defended. There was still too much tension and history between his brothers to comfortably call them his squad again.
āQuite a stunt you pulled, by the sound of it.ā
āNot my best work, but we survived.ā
The conversation went stale. Iām only making things worse. Crosshair chewed on his lips and began to back away. How foolish heād thought that he was in any state to converse with ā
āStay, sit,ā the command was soft. A high pitch scuff sounded from his boot abruptly stopping. Crosshair kept a steely expression as he sat on the bench across from Mayday, attempting to treat this like a summons to Rampartās office.
No eye contact.
The silence between them was already uncomfortable; each passing second building a storm charged enough that any sound would be lightning. Crosshairās mind was a deluge ā starting a conversation felt like striking a lighter in a downpour, his thoughts too soaked to catch.
Mayday broke the stillness like lightning. āWhy come back?ā
You. The truth hit him like a squall. I wanted you to be alive. I wanted us to be free. I wanted us to be⦠He closed his eyes to hide it away, to put it all away.
āIā¦ā nothing else came out.
āI get itās complicated. I got that much out of talking with your squad. But weāre still brothers. We canāt let the Empire take that from us.ā
Mayday spoke with a commanderās conviction. It had a way of unraveling Crosshair. His eyes dragged upward until he met Maydayās, where a familiar warmth enveloped him.
āIā¦ā Crosshair tried again, but his throat clenched. Mayday held his gaze, unblinking, with a certainty that spoke volumes of unspoken reassurances, and in that moment, all at once, Crosshair felt a tug at his heart ā he was home. āIā¦thought I knew what I was getting into with the Empire. Iāveā¦done things. Iāve made mistakes. Iām not sure theyāll forgive me.ā
āDo you forgive yourself?ā
Crosshair looked away, shame burning at his cheeks. Kamino. Ryloth. Desix. Countless missions and recurring betrayals. A hand pushed forward on the table, attempting to ward away the dark spirals that began to devour him.
āWe were all trying to be good soldiers. The Empire doesnāt let you forgive. Out here ā freedom? Itās the only way we can move forward, and hope for a better day.ā
A lurch of emotion tightened his throat and stung his eyes. Hope.
āIā¦ā he couldnāt hold back any longer. āI had hopedā¦for so long, on Tantiss that you hadā¦ā Sweat erupted under his armor as the words tumbled out.
āThat I had survived?ā
Their eyes met again. Crosshair nodded ever so slightly, his spine gone rigid.
A small smile crept across Maydayās face. āI did as well. I was certain they wouldnāt let you live afterā¦what you did. When Echo made the connection that you were still alive, I couldnāt believe it.ā
āYou werenāt on Tantiss?ā
Mayday shook his head. āNo, I was detained separately for a while, but I was on my way, along with Howzer.ā Mayday noticed Crosshairās twinge at the name and continued. āI know you two haveā¦history. But it seems like that was before our time on Barton IV. I have to believe that what I saw was the realā¦ā
āThe real me?ā
āYes.ā
Crosshair drew in a breath, arms crossing against his pounding chest.
āNot sure I entirely know the real me.ā
āYou donāt have to, at least, not immediately. Youāve got a chance here to figure it out,ā Mayday looked over across the way where other clones milled about the data stations. āThese other clones? They donāt understand what we went through. Your squad is still baffled you turned, but Iām not.ā
āWhat makes you so certain?ā
Mayday let out a long sigh, hands turning over as he said, āI just know.ā
Crosshairās shoulders dropped a little, the kindness turning all of his insides soft. Mayday had a way of knocking down his walls, retiring his guard with a tenderness he was never granted elsewhere.
āIām sorry aboutā¦your squad,ā the sympathy delivered in a whisper.
Mayday studied the table. When his eyes returned, they were glossy.
āThank you. I hope someday to return and properly pay my respects.ā
āIf you donāt want to make the trip aloneā¦ā Crosshair started but stopped himself, panicked that he was overstepping. But Mayday was only smiling. The hand on the table closed the distance, and reached for his forearm.
āI never got to thank you for saving me, back at the outpost.ā
Crosshair swallowed, eyes wide.
Maydayās voice, still weathered with age, felt like velvet. āYou protected me, even if I was ādead weightā,ā they both chuckled at the reference, āand here, I can protect you. I trust you in ways they arenāt ready to. Weāre facing a different storm out here, one of uncertainty and hardship.ā
āSounds familiar,ā Crosshair managed to say, the warmth of Maydayās hand traveled to his face, undoing every invisible clasp of the mask he had been wearing.
Mayday gave him a squeeze. āIf I can survive an avalanche with you, I think I can survive anything.ā
For the first time in a long time, Crosshair broke into a genuine smile. It was all Mayday needed to know.
Life on base was a cadence Crosshair never thought heād have ā three consistent meals, sunlight breaks with Batcher, and moments of rest. He became Maydayās shadow, pulled in by the only gravity that trusted him. Hunter was the first to notice.
āWhy are you not bunking with us?ā The shorter clone asked while they were both out catching some high altitude air. The forests of Teth stretched endlessly to the horizon.
āWreckerās snoring,ā Crosshair easily lied.
āDidnāt bother you back on Kamino.ā
āLike I had a choice,ā Crosshair sneered, leaning his elbows against the stony ledge that ran along the balcony.
āI get that you shared a dangerous mission with Mayday, but why are you following him around like a lost akk dog?ā
āMaybe because he trusts me.ā
āAnd you think we donāt?ā
Crosshair shot Hunter a critical look.
āLook, Omega seems to trust you, and thatās enough for us. So what else about this Mayday that makes him so special?ā
āJealous now, Hunter?ā
The sergeant looked away, curly hair blowing in the breeze.
āNot jealous, just curious. Never thought you as one to get close to a reg.ā
Crosshair sighed. He could toy with Hunter all day, but perhaps a sprinkle of honesty would stop him from riding his ass. āMaydayāsā¦different. He sees me for who I am.ā
Hunter was peering at him curiously now.
āI never heard anyone talk about you so positively, thatās for sure.ā
āWhat do you think of him?ā Crosshair asked, trying to keep his tone flat.
āHeās a good man. Easy-going, honest. Heās been dealt harder things than most clones had to face during and after the war. I see why heās a commander.ā
Crosshair didnāt know why the praise buzzed his chest. He already admired everything about Mayday, but hearing others voice their respect only intensified the feelings.
Hunter gave a sideways glance to Crosshair. āI see why heās good for you.ā
Crosshair rolled his eyes, flicking his toothpick over the cliff. It was true that heād been sharing a room with the commander. Not a bunk, but just the space. He hadnāt felt ready to be around the Batch like nothing had happened.
Howzer had been quick to interrogate Crosshair. He had insisted to question him alone, but it hadnāt taken long for their interaction to deteriorate into a shouting match, resulting in Captain Rex rushing in to play referee.
One night, Crosshair was plagued by Tantiss nightmares again. Relentless, vivid torture that had been so gruesome he had woken up to his own screams. Mayday had rushed to his side, his large frame another blanket to quiet the tremors.
āYouāre safe now,ā he kept repeating, soft hair against Crosshairās clammy skin.
āIām sorry I ā ā
āShh, no apologizing,ā Mayday had whispered. āThey tried to break you, but Iām here now. I wonāt let them.ā
Maydayās weight and warmth grounded him. The next night, as they got ready for bed, Crosshair lingered beside the commanderās bunk. The clone noticed the quiet solicitation.
āWant to share?ā
āMay I?ā Crosshair didnāt mean to stammer. āItās justā¦the nightmares, theyā¦ā
āSay no more.ā
Thatās when it started ā the need for touch. Crosshair found himself seeking out Maydayās hand, holding it whenever they were in close proximity. It felt so normal, felt so right. The first time they joined a strategy meeting, hands clasped, Wrecker couldnāt stop smiling. The other clones quickly picked up on their dynamic. Crosshair clocked dozens of glances, smiles, and whispers alike.
One early morning, during a routine run alongside the eastern ridge, the Batch finally addressed the rancor in the room.
āHave you kissed him yet?ā Wrecker teased from the back. Crosshair was so distracted by the question he missed a protruding root and tripped into the dirt. The group stopped, gathering around the accident.
āWrecker! Wrong time!ā Hunter snapped as Tech helped up his fallen brother.
āWhat? I know everyone was thinkin it!ā
āWhatever relationships or romantic gestures Crosshair decides to do is of his own business,ā Tech defended.
āAw, not you too. I thought we were a squad that could share our feelings and stuff,ā Wrecker whined.
āWe are!ā Omega pipped. āI think itās cute that Crosshair has a boyfriend.ā
āHe is not my boyfriend!ā Crosshair choked.
Tech adjusted his glasses. āHe is not?ā
āHeās just a bed warmer, right?ā Echo teased.
āNot that,ā Crosshair brushed the dirt off his clothing.
āThen what are you?ā Wrecker asked, the other clones matching his expectant expression.
āHeāsā¦ā Crosshair struggled finding a benign enough label to get them to abandon the subject entirely. āHeāsā¦a good friend.ā
āWith benefits?ā Echo added with a smirk.
āWhat kind of benefits?ā Omega asked, looking between the two, eyes wide with confusion.
Hunter interjected before anyone could make more suggestive comments. āHow about we keep running, and we stop talking about Mayday and Crosshair?ā
āFor once, I agree with you,ā Crosshair said, shooting Echo a glare. As they started back up their exercise, Tech jogged next to Crosshair, data pad out.
āSo, just to ensure my logs are correct, you are not in a sexual relationship with Mayday?ā
āFucking hells Tech, why are you needing to log that? Whatās it to you?ā Crosshair hissed.
āNow that we are part of Captain Rexās operation, in the event that any sabotage were to occur, I am tracking actions, relationships, and motives across all clones on the base.ā
āSounds like someone is bored,ā Crosshair retorted.
Crosshair may have dodged Wreckerās question, but it had burrowed inside of him. Have you kissed Mayday yet? Their bodies had grown used to cuddling at night, nothing more. The nightmares had eased. He wasnāt sure if he wanted more. All he knew was that for the first time in a long time, perhaps in all time, he felt safe. Kamino had been destroyed, but he was home. Barton IV had entwined their fates. We both survived for a reason.
The next day, Mayday and Crosshair paired up to help load the Remora for Captain Rexās rendezvous with Senator Chuchi. He would be taking a team of clones to serve as security for a critical meeting with a former Separatist politician.
āNot going?ā Crosshair asked, grabbing two rifles.
āNo, not sure Iām ready to go off-planet yet. Besides, who would watch over you?ā Maydayās eyes twinkled from the jest.
āI donāt need watching over,ā Crosshair scoffed.
āWhat do you need?ā
Crosshair kept silent as he pondered, heaving a few crates into the cargo bay. He hadnāt given much thought to the future, his focus only given to the day at hand.
āNot sure,ā he eventually mumbled, as Mayday helped secure the crates to the wall.
Heading back down the ramp, Mayday paused, staring at the sunset that began to bleed vibrantly.
āWhat I want is to eventually see the galaxy, and actually see it,ā Mayday reflected.
Crosshair looked at the sunset but all he could see was Mayday ā picturing him shooting across the galaxy exploring planets and systems, gathering stories instead of kills.
āAnd what do you need?ā Crosshair blurted.
Mayday smiled, the light bathing him in gold.
āAlready got it.ā
Crosshairās cheeks flushed as every word escaped him. He edged next to Mayday, the clones watching the crimson skyline.
āWould you come with me?ā Mayday asked, voice gentle.
Crosshair didnāt hesitate. āYes.ā
āIād like that,ā Mayday said, before his lips lightly kissed Crosshairās cheek. A flame engulfed him, desire and certainty searing his heart.
No matter what happened, from here on out, Crosshair would make certain heād never be without Mayday again.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Cartoon)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: CT-9901 | Hunter/CT-7567 | Rex, Crosshair & CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo & Hunter & Omega & Tech & Wrecker (Star Wars: The Bad Batch), CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo & CT-7567 | Rex
Characters: CT-9901 | Hunter, CT-7567 | Rex, CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo, CT-9902 | Tech, CT-9903 | Wrecker, Phee Genoa, CT-9904 | Crosshair, Omega (Star Wars: The Bad Batch)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Christmas Eve, Christmas Tree, Fluff
Summary:
The Batch are all roomies and try to select a tree for Christmas. On Christmas Eve. While Hunter struggles to manage the chaos, he grows to appreciate the calm presence of their Christmas guest Rex.
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Itās done! It was very fun to write. @badbatch-holiday-exchange @badbatcher-9901 this is for you! I hope you enjoy.
@kimbureh I LOVE THIS OMG THANK YOU!! š„¹ā¤ļøš You had me cackling and kicking my feet the entire read. Sooo funny and perfect. You brought my prompt to life in such a fun way! You made my holiday all the more brighter, thank you!!