Hi!! I loved your techxreader stuff so I hope I can make a request. I know you’re busy but if you’re inspired to write one day, maybe you can have a go. Tech and reader first time making out? Or getting horrible menstrual cramps in the middle of the night, you don’t want to wake tech but he wakes anyway and takes care of you? Thank you! 🙏❤️
(The Bad Batch) Tech x Reader: Taken Care Of
(Author’s Note: Thank you for the request! I assume you are okay with either/or prompt, so I just went with the second one! I hope you enjoy!
Happy Belated Tech Tuesday
Word Count: 647)
It was a well-known fact that Tech didn't sleep like the others did.
Well, of course he slept.
Just nowhere near as much as he should.
This happened to be one of the evenings that he did manage to fall asleep at a decent hour. It had been a very long, long couple of days. The pilot had been working on the Marauder nonstop over the course of the Batch's most recent assignment given to them by Cid. There were just so many emergency repairs needed because of all the messy situations the crew landed themselves in.
Finally, you and the squad had completed the objective and were traveling through hyperspace. The ship had grown quiet as each Batcher drifted off to a much-needed sleep. Everyone was resting, as a matter of fact, to the low and steady hum of the ship. Everyone except you.
You held back another whimper as you braced yourself on the sink of the refresher. It was those awful cramps keeping you up. Normally, you would have avoided bothering anyone and gotten something to ease the pain, but Tech had recently reorganized things. Unfortunately, you weren’t entirely sure where he stashed the pain meds. And with him fast asleep for the first time in two days, you really, really didn’t want to wake him.
Part of you figured the cramps would subside and that you’d be able to go back to sleep after that. Your hopes were dashed as the pangs grew more frequent and more painful, lingering for a greater length of time. It was getting ridiculous, and you weren’t sure how much more you could take.
Occasional whimpers turned into a steady flow of tears as you endured miserably. It was hard to tell how much time had passed. The pain made the night go so slowly.
There was a knock at the refresher door.
“_______?”
“Tech? Did I wake you up?” you asked, panicked. “I thought I was quiet enough.”
“No, I happened to be up.” There was a brief pause. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just...uh... It’s that time of the month, and-” you winced “-I’m dealing with cramps. Like, bad ones.”
It was quiet on the other end of the door before you heard a muffled “be right back” as he walked away. You sniffled, clutching your bloated tummy with one hand as another cramp tensed in your lower abdomen. Your aching body took heart in the relief that was brought on by simply hearing Tech’s voice, though guilt gnawed at you that he was no longer resting.
Moments later, there was another knock, this one gentler. “May I enter?”
“Sure.”
Tech slipped into the refresher with you, a glass of water in one hand. “I’m regretful that you aren’t feeling well this evening, dear. But I will do what I can to help.”
“I didn’t want to bother you,” you mumbled, sniffling. “You need to sleep, Tech.”
“And I shall, after you are taken care of. You are no bother to me, ________. As I said before, I happened to be up anyway.”
His words helped put you at ease a little, though not completely. Tech waited patiently as you took the pain meds and washed it down with a gulp of water.
A sharp cramp made you jump, and Tech gently wound his arm around your form as you set the empty glass of water down on the sink. “It won’t be long now. The pills should take effect shortly.”
Suddenly, you felt tired.
You weren’t sure if it was the promise of relief, the soothing voice that delivered the news, or the warmth that enveloped you as you pressed against Tech’s side... But your eyelids grew heavy while a big yawn escaped you.
There were still pangs of pain, but they eventually dulled until you didn’t feel them anymore as Tech held you in his arms.
The Bad Batch lands on the tropical resort planet of Spira. A contact of theirs is helping you all out by letting you lay low in a private beach house on one of the islands. You and Tech have been secretly dating for a little while, and you hope to make the most of the romantic setting.
Word count:1,946
Warnings: Kissing
“I think I’ll check out the caves with Tech.”
As nonchalant as you tried to be, there were still a few knowing looks exchanged among the squad. You maintained a straight face nonetheless, even as Wrecker elbowed the Tech in the side with a teasing chuckle. Tech shook off the rough contact with his brother, adjusting his goggles.
“That is fine,” he replied.
“If you need anything, or run into trouble,” Hunter said, “comm us.”
You nodded appreciatively. “We’ll be sure to do that. Thanks.”
Tech headed for the door. It swished open, and he stepped aside so that you could exit first. As soon as you were outside and with the door shut behind the both of you, you found yourself meeting Tech’s gaze. His brown eyes glinted with amusement.
“I don’t suppose you think they’re onto us?” His tone held a twinge of playful sarcasm.
You shook your head, playing along. “Nah, they don’t have a clue. So, which way are these caves?” Tech’s mouth fell open in a quiet “ah” as he glanced at his holopad before tucking it back under his arm.
“They would be that way.” He started in that direction, motioning for you to follow. The two of you waited until you were a good half-mile down the beach before joining hands. Tech entwined his fingers with yours, palm pressing against yours. A warm wind whipped through the air, rustling palm trees and ruffling your clothes while waves crashed on the shore. By now, the sky had faded from the bright orange and pinks to a shade of dark blue, decorated with stars.
You were able to see the beginnings of a silver glow over the treeline.
“I think it’s a full moon tonight-”
“If I recall correctly, it is a full moon this evening-”
Both of you looked at each other, smiling. It wasn’t the first time the two of you echoed a similar thought at the same time, but each instance made you feel a little giddy. With Tech, it felt like you were on the same page. The same wavelength. Operating on the same frequency.
You couldn’t resist pausing to kiss his cheek. “Oh Tech, I’m so happy we’re here.”
His eyes seemed to light up while his hold on your hand tightened a little as he pulled you back in. His gaze bore directly into yours in a way that made your knees quake. It wasn’t like this on the ship. Usually, you could only spare brief glances or make eye contact from across the cockpit before one or both of you were summoned for a task. This time, you were away from prying eyes. You had his full attention. He had yours. And there would be no interruptions.
He leaned closer so that your noses touched, slowly wrapping his arms around you. “May I just say that you look very beautiful in the moonlight?”
“Yeah?” You smiled. Your eyes slid shut from the bliss of the moment. “It’s not such a bad look for you either.”
His voice lowered to just a murmur above the waves in the background. You felt his exhale brush against your lips. “Then why are your eyes closed, love?”
“Because I want you to kiss me…”
“Well then, who am I to keep you waiting?”
In the next instant, his lips met yours. They were firm and prompt, urging you to respond, and you came to life under his touch. Heart thrumming. Electricity flashing through your veins like lightning. You only pulled away briefly to catch a breath before your lips eagerly latched on to his again. One of your hands came up to rest on the back of his neck and draw him in. The other went around his torso to grasp at the fabric of his shirt. Eventually, you both pulled away to bask in each other’s company, keeping close enough to exchange another kiss or two as your breathing slowed.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a while now,” you murmured.
“That would make two of us.”
You continued on your way still holding hands and conversing about the island. Tech gave you the rundown of what he’d read about Spira both historically and culturally.
“I’ve got to ask,” you said. “There aren’t any dangerous creatures around here, are there?”
Tech didn’t miss a beat.
“Actually, the islands of Spira have a relatively safe tropical environment. That is part of what makes the planet such a popular vacation spot. There are a few species to look out for such as the Galub slug and the camray eel,” he conceded, “but we won’t have to be concerned with those.”
“Why is that?”
“Galub slugs are sea parasites that attach themselves to larger marine animals. They often mistake larger boats for targets, so we are not at risk. Camray eels are marine predators that dwell in deeper waters because of their size.”
“That’s good to know. The last thing I need is to get pulled under in the dark.”
“There’s no need to worry about that, my dear. We are more likely to slip and catch ourselves on a jagged rock than encounter either of those in the caves. It’s much too shallow.”
“Oh,” you mumbled. “How reassuring.”
Pitch black shapes loomed just ahead, appearing to rise from the water as you grew closer. White light of the full moon that rose higher in the sky glimmered over the sea and the craggy surface of the rock formations. As impressive as sea caves sounded to you when Tech had mentioned them earlier, nothing could’ve prepared you for just how beautiful they were when you laid eyes on them.
“Wow!” you gasped. “It’s so pretty!”
“It is quite fascinating,” Tech agreed with a nod. “Let’s get a closer look.”
You found yourself wading just a few feet into the water to get a better look at one of the nearest caves. It was a big, gaping opening in which nothing could be seen. You trudged through the water to reach out and let your hand fall on the rough rock.
“Sea caves are also known as littoral caves,” Tech launched a short spew of information, and you listened in fascination. “They are formed by erosion which is caused by waves, often along weak spots in the rock.”
You turned to face him, giving his hand a prompting squeeze. “Tell me more.”
“Well,” Tech continued, lifting your hand so that it rested palm-up in his own. With his other pointer finger, he began to trace a curved line across your hand. “Over time with continuous erosion occurring, a cave can become open at both ends to create an arch.” He tapped the right side of your palm once before doing the same to the left. “If the arch becomes weak enough, it will collapse and leave behind a sea stack. It’s a piece of rock that is no longer connected to the rest of the formation by the arch or bridge.” Tech turned to point at one lone island of rock that stood several feet away from the main cave. “That is a perfect example.”
You nodded. Your heart fluttered at his display of knowledge. You had to admit that there were days when he came across as a little cocky and a know-it-all trying to impress you with his smarts…but then there were times like this, where it would just come out naturally in his day-to-day interactions with you, and it was very attractive. “That’s very interesting.”
Tech adjusted his goggles, smiling rather sweetly. “I should think so. The others might not care for the details, but in my personal opinion, the details to things such as these adds to their beauty and overall splendor.”
Both of you turned to face the formation once more.
“I can see why you’d feel that way,” you said. “Knowing what it took for these caves to form…it can give people more appreciation for them.”
“Precisely.”
As the night went on, you both poked around the caves for a while. The time together was full of smiles and more facts and notions being exchanged as well as kisses. The moon had climbed so high in the evening sky that you and Tech felt it was time to start heading back to the bungalow.
The walk home felt so much shorter. You were nearly there when Tech halted, gently pulled his hand from yours. You watched curiously as he knelt down.
“Ah, just as I thought,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Sea glass.” He returned to your side and opened his hand to reveal three pieces of foggy sea glass in colors of blue, green, and pink. What would have been pointed, sharp edges had been worn down by the ocean to be smooth and rounded. “Here.” Tech tilted his hand so that the pieces would fall into yours. They were still cold and wet from the water.
“The ocean is amazing,” you murmured in delight. “It took something as useless as broken glass and made it beautiful.”
Tech smiled, but for once didn’t have a response.
You found that incredibly suspicious. He almost always had a response to everything. “What?”
He shook his head in amusement. “How you romanticize things. It is rather endearing.”
“What, it’s true,” you chuckled. “It doesn’t get much worse than broken glass. That’s the last thing anyone wants. And now, it’s a prized find.”
“Indeed, it’s quite a transformation.”
“Oh, now you’re making fun of me!”
“Never, my dear.”
He gently took hold of both of your wrists to keep you from slipping away, as you intended in your playful revolt. You shuddered under his touch, his controlled demonstration of strength. Meanwhile, Tech gazed into your eyes with brows raised. “You see things differently than I do, and it’s very refreshing.”
He kissed you with a loving tenderness that gradually built up until you found your fingers grasping his hair to pull him closer. He had released your wrists to rest his hands on your waist, fingers digging into the fabric of your tunic there. You felt like you might collapse like one of those sea arches.
It was like a dream.
You could see the moon and the stars behind your eyelids as he kissed you. You never fretted over the stolen moments the two of you shared when the others were preoccupied on the Marauder. It never occurred to you to complain because those moments, no matter how short, were utterly precious to you.
But this, this was something else.
The fire was reduced to warm embers as you exchanged slower, softer kisses. Tech brushed your cheek with his fingers, pressing one last kiss to your forehead.
The bungalow was just ahead. No one else was awake when you unlocked the front door. If it weren’t for the crickets and the creaking of the floorboards as you walked, the place would be utterly silent.
Clouds had begun to move in across the night sky outside, covering parts of the moon. The yawn that escaped you was further proof of how late it was. As much as you wanted to stay up all night and spend the time with Tech, you were utterly exhausted from the beach day out in the sun.
Tech, for once, seemed tired enough too. No doubt he’d find at least a few minutes to tinker, but you got a strong feeling that he’d be passing out shortly after.
“I’ll see you in the morning?” You yawned.
“Bright and early.” He kissed your hand.
You opened the door to see Omega fast asleep on her bunk. You glanced back at Tech, smiling sweetly. “Goodnight.”
OG Request: Can you do bad batch x pregnant reader...like how each one would react to a pregnant so?
Warnings: mentions of marriage and pregnancy
Hunter: When he first finds out that his wife is pregnant, his eyes go wide as he absorbs the information. Do not worry because this man is extremely happy. He’d wrap an arm around you and brush his nose against yours lovingly at the realization you were both parents..
During the pregnancy, he gets very protective. It’s not so much of him facing down other males, but more along the lines of him warning you about every little potentially dangerous situation. Sometimes it’s sweet, and other times it gets annoying. The two of you might end up bickering over what’s “safe enough” for you or not.
Despite this, he’s very attentive to your needs. He can be pretty patient when it comes to mood swings and will go get you whatever snacks you’re craving.
Tech: Little did you know that he started noticing the signs before you did and was the one to hand you a pregnancy test. You might even scoff at the sight of the test, but decide to indulge him anyway since he seemed rather insistent. Several minutes later, you emerge from the refresher looking pleasantly shocked. His suspicions are confirmed, but he is still very excited. He wraps his arms around you and lifts you off the ground in a spin. During the pregnancy, he is affectionate. If he can, he’ll hold your hand while analyzing and working on his datapad. He’ll stop and give you hugs whenever he has a minute to spare. He could be affectionate before, but during pregnancy it’s dialed up to eleven. He likes to be prepared and educated, so he spends a lot of time reading up on pregnancy/baby articles and talks about his finds a lot.
Echo: He is unbelievably happy when he finds out, eyes wide and mouth falling open in a gaping smile. He might ask you a few times if it’s really true because he’s just in happy disbelief. He’s so proud and would be excited to make the announcement. During the pregnancy, be ready for his protectiveness and affection to dial up. He’d be very particular about making sure you’re comfortable and not exerting yourself. Not to mention, he’s making sure you know over and over again how beautiful you are during the pregnancy and how much he loves you. He’s patient through any insecurities that may surface and pretty reassuring, though on occasion his nitpicking over safety may get old sometimes. Echo will for sure get you anything you crave and is very understanding when it comes to things like mood swings.
Wrecker: When you first tell him, even if it’s in a serious tone, he still might think you’re joking and chuckle. Even if the two of you were looking to start a family, the reality of it wouldn’t hit him for a while. When he finally realizes it’s true, he is ecstatic. There’s a certain awe in his gaze as he looks at you, and you can bet he’d be grinning ear-to-ear. During the pregnancy, he is a little more tender and careful with you. He is pretty attentive. He likes to eat a lot, so he is your snack buddy. He’s down to snack whenever you are, and most likely will be down to have whatever you’re craving with you- absolutely no judgement. Honestly, he just likes to see you happy, and whether that be food, cuddles, or whatever, he will do his best to get it for you.
Crosshair: When he first finds out, he is frozen in place with shock. His expression can be rather difficult to read as he processes the news, and his lack of enthusiasm may be unnerving for a bit. He might show disbelief at first, but once it finally sets in, he starts to show cautious excitement. His hesitance is the norm when it comes to most good things in his life- part of him is scared to become super invested right away in case it doesn’t last. The beginnings of your relationship were like this to a degree, him keeping an emotional distance at first until he got past some of his insecurities and realized you were in it for the long haul. When it finally clicks, he’s very happy. You see it in the little smiles he gives you when he sees your growing tummy, and the way he gives you adoring kisses when no one is looking. Crosshair is quite protective anyway, but he gets especially so during the pregnancy. He’s always hovering close by, keeping watch over you and the little one.
(Author’s Note: HAPPY BELATED TECH TUESDAY. I meant to get this published yesterday, but I didn’t have the time! I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, so thank you for your love and support!
This one goes out to all you babes out there. I love y’all).
The sun was disappearing behind a horizon that couldn’t be seen from where you were in the forest, its brilliant golden rays fading into whispers of copper that shone on the falling leaves all around. The lack of warm sun left behind a crisp cold that settled on your cheeks. Soft wind whistled through the trees, rustling leaves and sending a shiver down your spine.
You clutched the shawl tighter around your form. The only sounds to be heard other than the wind’s tune was the crunch of leaves beneath your shoes as well as your companion’s. You sighed experimentally, noting the little fog of breath that rose into the air.
“Shouldn’t be much farther,” your companion informed. You glanced over to see him swiping through the datapad in his gloved hand. Like you, Tech was dressed in a more primitive garb to fit into the civilization that the two of you were hoping to come across. He wore a white shirt and dark pants with a long gray coat buttoned up over it. Every now and then, he’d pass through a glimmer of the fading sunlight. Little clouds of warmth left his lips with each breath he huffed out from the effort of the pace. It was a struggle to keep at such a pace and not trip over shrubbery.
“It really is beautiful here,” you said, taking your eyes off him to glance around once more. He looked up at your statement. He tucked the datapad away as he met your gaze briefly.
“It is,” he agreed. The corner of his lips turned up in a smile. “This planet is renowned for the beauty of its harvest season. As a matter of fact, the festival is perfect timing for us to retrieve the fruit. It will be full of tourists, and a couple more will certainly go unnoticed.”
“Good to know.” You nodded. Suddenly, your ears picked up on the faintest sound in the distance. “Is that…?”
“Music,” Tech replied. “We are indeed almost there.” He fished out his datapad again to review a few more notes. “Remember to stay close. The festival is a hotspot for couples, so we need to act…like a couple.”
You didn’t miss the pause, and you could have sworn his eyes flickered your way in a nervous gesture. Tech was rarely nervous. Only when it came to non-official interactions with you did he show signs of anything less than confidence at all. It was endearing and uplifting at times...because you’d had a terrible crush on him since first boarding the Havoc Marauder.
Hunter normally stayed out of his brothers’ love lives, so you weren’t sure what possessed him to smirk briefly at you before pairing you and Tech up for the mission to retrieve the ultra-rare fruit for one of Cid’s very wealthy clients. He insisted that a couple attending the romantic festival would draw much less attention. Of course he was right, but you could have easily teamed up with Wrecker, Crosshair, Echo, or Hunter himself for that. Not to mention that smirk of his was a clear sign that he’d been up to something.
It nearly made you giddy at how eager Tech was to accept the assignment. He stated that he was intrigued about the culture, and yet, you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it.
“Right, like a couple,” you repeated, hiding a smile. “Got it.”
As you continued on, your footsteps were gradually drowned out by the festival music. A path began within the forest and led past the edge and into the open where the event was taking place. Tech tucked the datapad away and looped his arm through yours with care, as if you’d either break or withdraw angrily. He peered at you through his goggles in search of confirmation that the contact was welcome. You rested your other gloved hand over his with a smile.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Ready.”
And the two of you stepped out into the open. There was so much joyous energy surrounding the festival. People from all over were smiling and laughing. Most were in pairs, holding hands or walking with arms linked together like you and Tech were. A band with musicians playing stringed instruments were perched on a wooden stage at the center of the event. There were several stands and tents where individuals were selling food and other goods.
Cid had briefed the entire squad on the mission. There would be an underground auction taking place in one of the tents at the festival. The job was to make the transaction and ensure safe delivery to the tavern so it could be handed over to the client. Apparently, the fruit was so rare that there was a good chance it would be stolen straight after purchase. It seemed like a lot of trouble for a fruit, but apparently, it was a delicacy...
Tech led you over to one of the stands, ordering a hot drink for himself and inquiring as to whether you’d like one as well. With a warm drink in your chilly hands, the evening took off. You sipped at your beverage, glancing at Tech as he observed the festival before him while he finished his drink.
You leaned over to ask in Tech’s ear, “so where is this fruit?”
“We must proceed with caution. The auction will take place shortly. For now, we should blend in.”
“And how do we do that?”
Tech glanced down at your linked arms. “Well, this is a start.” Then, he adjusted his goggles and looked toward the front of the stage where several couples were dancing. “How about a dance?”
“A dance? I must admit, I’m surprised. I didn’t think you danced.”
He nodded. “I figured it would be a useful skill for undercover endeavors such as this,” he replied, leading you to the floor. “Not to mention many females find it impressive.”
“Oh?” you smiled. “You were trying to impress some females?”
Tech paused, steady gaze meeting your own amused one. Both of you had tossed your empty cups into the trash bins. “When I was younger, yes. Now, it’s just one.” The amusement all but vanished from your face at his words as he pulled you close for the dance, taking your hand in his and resting the other on your waist. Your other hand perched itself on his broad shoulder. Tech watched your reaction, lips pursed. “Apologies, was my statement too forward?”
“N-no….” you glanced down shyly. “Just unexpected.”
As the sun finally set, the dance floor was set aglow by many hanging lanterns throughout the festival. It was like a dream. Soft light, dancing, the glow of two moons in the sky above… Tech gazing at you like you were the only thing he saw. The music had slowed for the last couple of songs, and neither you nor Tech spoke for a little while. You both connected through conversation many times… Hours and hours of conversation and spending time on a small ship bonded you, and this moment only added to it. You felt like you’d known him a long time. There was trust, friendship, and there was no denying the attraction you felt in that moment. And he’d just admitted it too.
“When’s the auction,” you asked. You didn’t want to ruin the mood, but you wanted to know when the dream would have to end.
“After the last song,” he replied.
“Which is playing right now.” You noticed then how all the couples were holding each other, even the ones who weren’t dancing. Observant as ever, Tech seemed to pick up on your curiosity.
“This festival is known for its element of romance. There’s a tradition...after the last song, the couples share a kiss for good luck. It’s also a time for new couples to make their feelings known.”
Your heart was fluttering in your chest. “Is that so? I suppose we need to participate then for the sake of the mission.” You leaned in slightly. “But if it weren’t for the mission, would we be participating anyway?”
Tech smiled and leaned in toward your ear. “I wouldn’t mind. Would you?”
“Not at all,” you said, pressing your lips to his jaw. Tech paused the dance for a moment, pleasantly stunned at the gesture. He glanced down at you with big brown eyes focused on yours. There was a glint in them as the music stopped and lanterns dimmed momentarily all around. It was starting. Couples around you kissed, but you didn’t notice. Tech had captured your lips, the tender gesture growing increasingly more heated as he tightened his hold around your waist. His lips were warm, a beautiful contrast from the cold air. You caught the taste of the hot drink you’d both had earlier. It was sweet, warm, and absolutely pleasant.
You’d been waiting ages for that moment, and it was finally there. You kissed him back, releasing a quiet sigh of relief and happiness. Tech’s hand came up to stroke your cheek as you both pulled away from the kiss.
“So, was this part of your master plan in being paired up with me for this mission?” you joked.
“I will admit I knew of the romantic nature of the festival beforehand and hoped it would suffice as a date,” he told you. “My feelings for you have grown significantly in the time we’ve known each other, but I was never entirely certain of your response. I would have understood if you did not want to…”
You chuckled, giving him another kiss. “I’m glad we did this. I’ve had feelings for you for some time now, Tech.”
A smile spread across his face. “That is...good to hear.”
As the crowd of couples around you disbanded, you and Tech lingered for a moment. The lull in the conversation was accompanied by affectionate gazes at each other. His hand found yours again and squeezed lightly, and you grinned.
“The auction should be starting right about now,” he stated, giving you an apologetic glance as he launched back into mission mode. “Shall we?”
(Author’s Note: Confession time...Soooo yeahhh, this one’s a little self-indulgent. The reader here experiences insecurities related to acne because, well, I do on occasion. It’s always the hormones around that “time of the month” that make my skin break out, and every time I feel so down about it in addition to the acne scars I already have.
Anywayyy, so I hope that whoever struggles with something can enjoy this and understand that there are so many people out there that are in the same boat. We live in a society where we promote certain ideals, and sometimes it can be hard to get past these expectations and accept that we all have flaws. And sometimes it can be scary to let ourselves be loved.
Love you guys, and I hope you’re having a good day!!!
Word Count: 717
Warnings: Acne, insecurity, anxiety).
You gazed at your reflection in silent frustration.
Today was just one of those days. It was one of those days when you looked in the mirror and disliked what you saw. Several new blemishes had appeared overnight, it seemed. Even though you took steps to keep from breaking out, sometimes it was simply hormones that upset the balance.
It was hard as a teenager, but you always looked forward to the days when things would even out as an adult, and it wouldn’t be so bad. And it did get better, though it didn’t go away completely like you’d hoped. The older you got, the easier it was to accept it and not let the insecurities get the best of you.
But there were still those days. Like this one.
A knock on the refresher door made you jump. “_________, love, is everything alright?”
You released a quiet sigh at the sound of Tech’s muffled voice. You hadn’t wanted to draw too much attention to yourself. You were trying to be discreet when you ducked to avoid Tech’s gaze throughout the day, quickly covering it up by looking busy. Of course he would pick up on it. Of course he’d want to know what was wrong.
“It’s nothing,” you told him through the door. “Just...a bad day.”
“Would it make you feel better to talk about it?”
You weren’t entirely sure how to answer it. As much as you didn’t want him to get a good look at you in your current state, part of you felt even worse about keeping it to yourself. You didn’t want to seem pathetic or insecure, but then again, this was Tech. He’d rather you be open about things, and he’d probably make you feel better.
“Yeah,” you said finally.
“Alright. May I come in?”
“Yeah.” You stepped aside to make room so he could join you in the refresher. The door swished open, and Tech shuffled in beside you, gently resting his hands on your shoulders. You tried not to duck away from his curious gaze again.
“Now,” he spoke up. “Would you tell me what’s wrong?”
You hesitated, turning your eyes back to the mirror. “It’s my skin. It got worse than usual, and I guess I am just feeling a little insecure today.”
Tech listened as you told him quite openly and honestly what the issue was. Only after you finished did he voice a reply. “It happens to everyone from time to time. Why, I find myself with a few breakouts after being on long missions in my armor without having a chance to shower.”
“You still look hot, though,” you mumbled.
“And you don’t think I feel similarly about you?” he countered.
Your lips pressed into a firm line, brows furrowing. “I don’t see how you could. I don’t feel very pretty right now.”
He followed your eyes to the reflection. In the mirror, you saw him peer at you over your shoulder from behind. “Blemishes are a natural occurrence. If I’m being honest, darling, I hardly notice them. Even so, they will go away almost as quickly as they show up. But my feelings for you won’t.”
Your vision grew blurry with tears that began to well up in your eyes. A tiny whimper left your lips as you turned away from the mirror to face Tech fully, and he opened his arms invitingly. He enveloped you in a warm embrace as you buried your face in the shoulder of his blacks.
“You’re beautiful, darling. Absolutely beautiful.” He pulled away slightly to look at your face with tender eyes as you sniffled. With a gentle motion, he wiped the remaining tears from your cheeks. You instantly smiled from the gesture. “There’s that lovely smile.” He kissed your cheek before doing so to the other, and then his lips met yours in a warm kiss that kicked the doubts straight out of your head.
“Thank you, Tech.”
He hummed in acknowledgement, running a hand up and down your back soothingly. “Of course.” You remained there in his arms for some time. Your insecurity felt like a distant memory at the moment. Sure, there would be other days… It wasn’t something that would disappear overnight. But Tech would be there to put you at ease.
Edit: Forgot to include that this was set during episode 2.
Warning: spoilers if you haven’t seen the second episode yet
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
You emerged from the room, stretching contentedly while breathing in the fresh farm air. It was a strange combination of scents. Every now and then, you’d get whiffs of the farm animals, but there were also sweet-smelling plants growing on the property. Not to mention the faintly dusty yet warming smell of the old wood boards that made up the house.
Sun rays washed the planks with golden light, and you could see flecks of dust floating in the air. Suu was cleaning up after the kids’ lunch while Tech and Echo reviewed data in a more shadowy part of the room to view their screens better. Wrecker stood by one of the windows, adjusting his sun hat.
It was a nice pause from all the events that had recently transpired.
You smiled. “Nice poncho, Wrecker.”
“Thanks,” he grinned back, resting his hands on hips and puffing out his chest humorously. “I think it suits me.” Then, he seemed to notice your change of clothes. “Heyyy, _________, you look great too.”
At Wrecker’s response, you saw Tech look up from his holopad out of the corner of your eye.
“Thank you,” you said. “I do enjoy kicking butt and taking names, but it’s also nice to be in civies again.” You glanced around. “Where’s Hunter?”
“He went with Cut into town to book a transport,” Tech interjected.
“Oh, okay.” You put your hands on your hips, gaze wandering back to Suu. “Is there anything I can do? You and Cut have been such kind hosts.”
“We help anyone we can,” she replied with a smile, pausing to think. “But if you insist, I could use some help picking vegetables for our last meal here.”
“Sure, whatever you need.”
She opened a large cabinet and handed you a basket before grabbing one for herself. You still had the strangest feeling of eyes on you, and you glanced around to see Tech staring for a moment. Echo was shaking his head with an amused smile on his face while Wrecker nudged his brother.
“Uh, Tech?” Wrecker laughed. “You’re kind of staring.”
“No, no.” Tech shook his head, finally tearing his eyes away from you and back to the device in hand. He began tapping on the screen rapidly. “I was merely thinking.”
“Thinking about ________ in her cute farmer civie clothes,” Wrecker joked, giving Echo a nudge this time and causing him to chuckle. You covered your mouth to hide the bashful laugh that threatened to escape and hurried after Suu as she walked out the back door into the garden.
The two of you began to walk down the dirt path, and Suu stopped to show you what to look for in these kinds of vegetables to know when they’re ready to be picked.
“We don’t want the deep green ones. They’re not ready,” she explained. “See this one? It’s more of a yellow-green. That means it’s good to be picked.”
“And what do you make with these?”
“All sorts of things.” Suu told you as she put the vegetable in her basket. “I’m bringing some with us when we leave. It has a bit of a peppery flavor, so it is especially good in stew or casseroles. I also like to dry some out to use during the off-season.”
“Wow, that’s neat.” You eyed a large, yellow-green one and looked to her for a nod of approval before plucking it from the stalk.
“So,” she paused, raising a brow. “What was that about back there? With Tech?”
You shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“It looks like he likes you. I’ve never seen him take his eyes off a screen for more than a minute at a time.”
You tried to reign in your hope as you dismissed her observation with the casual wave of your hand. “He just...stares sometimes.”
“So he does it a lot?”
“That’s not what I…” You placed a few more ripe veggies in your basket. You recalled a few times you’d caught Tech with his eyes on you. Usually he was focused on missions, but on occasion when the squad wasn’t in imminent danger, you’d look over to see him already gazing in your direction. He’d quickly turn his attention back to something else, and you’d try to not think too much into it. “Yeah, I guess he does now that I think about it.”
“And,” Suu dropped another vegetable in her basket. “How do you feel?”
“Me?” your gaze fell away from her curious eyes shyly. “I think Tech is a valuable member of the team, and he’s very smart and kind.”
She shook her head, smiling. “But how do you feel about him?”
Where to begin?
Even though his “incredible mind” was his genetics, it was his hunger for knowledge and his desire to use it for good that you admired. He may not gush about it, but the love he had for his family was evident in his actions. He always strived to be helpful with information and tried to do what was best for the group. Not to mention the big-brother role he had taken on with the squad’s recent addition of Omega warmed your heart.
These were just a few things you loved about him.
Meanwhile, Suu read into your silence, and her smile grew wider. “I see. Well, don’t wait too long to tell each other. When Cut and I realized how we felt, that was it.”
“You both make a great couple and team.”
“Teamwork is the only way to make it work,” she said, setting her full basket onto the dirt path to rest. Her gaze wandered to your basket which was almost too much to carry. “I think we have more than enough. Let’s head back to the house and chop a few up for dinner.”
You were several feet away from the house when Tech emerged, adjusting his goggles with Wrecker following behind grinning. The two saw you lugging your basket along and pausing to rest for a moment.
“Let me help you with that,” Tech said as he walked over. You gratefully let him take the basket with relative ease.
“Thank you,” you replied.
Wrecker approached and kindly took Suu’s basket from her arms, and she offered thanks as he carried it the rest of the way into the house. Tech walked beside you the remainder of the short trip, only leaving your side to set the basket down on the counter. You tucked your hands into the pockets of your civie pants and inwardly debated.
“Hey Tech, I-”
“_________, I-” He had just turned around and came face-to-face with you at the same time. Both of you clamped your mouths shut, waiting for the other to continue. “Please, go ahead.”
“Um, well, I…I wanted to talk to you.”
“Funny,” he said. “I wanted to talk to you too.”
“Oh.” You felt your heartbeat pick up. “Okay then, we-”
“We’re back,” Cut called as he walked through the front door. Hunter followed behind. “We couldn’t get a transport. Something about chain codes.”
“Tech, can you find out what this is all about?” Hunter asked. Tech gave a nod and quickly took out a holopad. He paused to give you an apologetic glance, but you smiled and nodded in understanding. There were other matters to attend to. The conversation would have to wait. You watched Tech take a seat at the table in the chair by Suu, and Cut and Hunter took their seats. You joined Echo off to the side, folding your arms as you listened in.
“Hmm, it appears all public transport is now restricted without chain codes,” Tech informed the group.
“Which Cut can’t sign up for,” Suu pointed out. “He’ll be arrested when they realize he’s a deserter.”
Your gaze wandered back to Tech as the conversation continued, wondering when you’d have another opportunity to talk alone.
“I guess I’ll go to the lake with Tech,” you said. Tech glanced up from the holopad at the sound of his name. You suddenly felt bashful as Omega nudged you. “Unless you mind the company?”
“No, not at all,” he replied. The corners of his lips turned up in a small smile. “As a matter of fact, I’d like the company very much.”
“Well then,” Omega said with a satisfied look. “You two have fun. I’m going to catch up with Hunter. Bye!” She waved and hurried away before you could even shoot her a warning glance. Tech was at your side, holopad tucked under his arm, and watching her go.
“She seems excited.”
“Yeah, it’s her first time camping and all,” you said. “The galaxy seemed enormous when I started traveling with you guys. I can’t imagine how big it must seem to her.”
He nodded. “Indeed.”
“So, the lake is that way?” You gestured before pulling your shoes on and tried to remember how the area looked from the ship. Tech confirmed your guess with a hum and started walking in that direction. Your eyes followed him, still getting adjusted to the sight of him in civies. You were used to seeing him in armor or his blacks, though you had to admit that the gray cargo shorts and blue button-down t-shirt suited him. A few buttons were left undone to show a white shirt underneath It really was a good look for him.
The walk to the lake was pleasant. You and Tech maneuvered the forest plants together, and on occasion he’d hold a branch aside for you to pass by. There wasn’t a rush, but the pace was a little quicker since Tech had a task to do. Both of you talked about some of the things you saw on the way. He identified quite a few plants and animals.
“Ah, careful,” he warned, resting a hand on your shoulder to keep you from taking another step. “Poison.” You followed his gaze to a lone green plant with purple leaf tips. “Let’s go around.”
“Thanks,” you said gratefully. He was the first to step around the plant and then wait for you to follow. “How much farther?”
“The lake is just ahead.”
You emerged from the woods, face met with the warm sun right away. The grass in front of you sloped down toward the sparkling lake that rippled with blurry reflections of the blue sky above. “Wow, it’s so beautiful,” you sighed.
Tech smiled. “It is, isn’t it?”
As the two of you neared the water, you could hear the tiny waves lapping at the sandy shore. It was a rhythmic sound, and so inviting. Still, you remained on the sand while Tech detached a few devices from his holopad and put them together. Then, he took out a small test tube from his pocket and knelt down at the water’s edge to take a sample.
“How long will it take to find out if the water’s okay?” you asked, kneeling down beside him.
“Not long. A good two or three minutes,” he replied, swirling the sample around.
“Oh, nice.”
Neither of you spoke for a minute. Tech’s attention remained focused on the sample that he had hooked up to his holopad devices, and your eyes wandered to his hands which were occupied with the task. You marveled at every line and crease of those hands that could fix just about anything.
“See something you like?”
Your eyes snapped back up to his profile. “W-what?”
He adjusted his goggles and met your mortified gaze. “You seem intrigued with the device. Did you want to know how it worked?”
Of course he hadn’t meant it that way. Tech could be so oblivious, after all. Strangely enough, it made him all the more endearing to you. You wondered how many ladies have tried to hit on the trooper only to leave in disappointment when he didn’t catch on.
You chuckled out loud at the thought.
“Just thinking. I hope the water is alright to swim in. I was looking forward to that.”
His brows rose as he gladly announced, “you’ll be happy about these results then. The water is in no way harmful to us.”
“Really?” You immediately reached out a hand to scoop some of the lake water up and let it splash out between your fingers. “That’s great!” You stood to your feet, pulling your shirt off to reveal the swimsuit underneath. “Are you coming?”
His lips pressed together as you discarded your shorts and kicked off your shoes. “I’m not wearing my swimsuit.”
“Oh,” you paused. “Want me to wait for you?”
“No, thank you.” He adjusted his goggles again. “You go ahead.”
You gave a shrug and waded into the water, halting ankle-deep to admire the feeling of warm sun on your face and cool water on your feet before going in farther. By the time you were waist-deep, you turned around to see Tech kicking off his own shoes. He glanced up to meet your curious gaze, smiling hesitantly before unbuttoning the rest of his overshirt and folding it up to set it beside his shoes.
“Changed your mind?” you called.
“You could say that.” He waded in until he was only a few feet away. “Swimsuit or not, I refuse to let you have all the fun.”
“Wrecker would be proud.” You grinned. “Just wait until he finds out we were the first ones in the water.” You relaxed your arms, letting the water ripple over them as you tipped your head back.
“Oh yes, I’m sure we’ll never hear the end of it.” He sighed. “Perhaps it’ll be our little secret.”
“Perhaps it will. Then again, perhaps not!” You splashed a little water in his direction and scurried away.
Tech swiped the back of his hand across his lenses and shook his head. The tiny smirk on his face as his eyes locked with yours through the smeared droplets on his goggles made your heart skip a beat.
“You shouldn’t have done that, _________.”
You shrieked as he moved toward you, surprisingly quick, and tried to outrun him in the water. It wasn’t long until he caught up to you and scooped a handful of water in your direction, making you gasp. “Oh, it’s on!” You splashed again and swam away again. It was an effective strategy, to strike and retreat. Plus, it was admittedly fun to have Tech chase after you.
The water fight came to an end when Tech could barely see through his goggles. He took them off for a quick cleaning, though his damp shirt didn’t completely wipe the drops away.
You watched him put them back on. They weren’t perfect, but at least he could see better after the cleaning. You held his gaze until movement in the water beside you made you jump. Your hand gripped Tech’s arm as you pressed yourself closer to him, eyes wide.
His other hand came up to rest over yours, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Something brushed up against my leg. It startled me.”
“I’d say it was most likely a fish.”
“As long as it isn’t some weird creature,” you mumbled back, squinting at the water. One of the downsides of the lake was the inability to see very far into it. Tech’s hand moved from yours as his arm went around your form in a comforting gesture, and you were suddenly aware of how close you were. Suddenly aware of how your side was pressed into his, with one of your hands gripping the soaked shirt he wore. Suddenly aware of how soft his gaze was, even if it was only a fish that startled you.
The warmth in your chest flared up and consumed your train of thought. It consumed your ability to think clearly, or else you might not have leaned in a few inches to capture his lips in a kiss. They were warm and still wet with lake water, molding blissfully against yours. Tech remained still as you explored those lips for a moment. You started to feel the subtle pressure of him returning the kiss ever-so-gently, uncertain, as if he were testing the waters. You paused, and he seemed to gain some confidence as he took the lead a little. Both of you pulled apart, you burying your face in his shoulder while he wrapped both arms around you.
Neither of you spoke. Only the musical sound of the lake’s tiny waves turning in the breeze filled the air. The cool wind nipped your damp skin, and you hung onto Tech a little tighter as a shiver ran down your spine.
“Maybe we should dry off,” he spoke quietly.
“Yeah, maybe.” You pulled back to smile at him. His eyes fell to your mouth in consideration for a moment before he stopped the quiver of your lips with another soft kiss. “Hm, I could get used to that.”
“Believe me, so could I.” Tech took your hand and began leading you to the shore. That was when you realized you hadn’t brought towels. He unfolded his shirt and placed it over your shoulders. “The others will be back soon.”
“Yeah, everyone’s probably hungry by now,” you agreed. “We need to get a fire going.” his fingers laced through yours as the two of you headed back up the slope of grass towards the woods. There hadn’t been a rush on the way down to the lake, and there certainly wouldn’t be one on the way back. Not with Tech’s hand in yours, the smiles and chuckles you exchanged, and the way the sun shone through the canopy of trees above, creating golden rays that touched the forest floor.
