A Few Days
Summary: Echo has a tough mission and finds himself flying to Pabu in search of comfort and reassurance from people he has missed. Fluff and snuggles follow.
I said I would write it and it took some time but I finally did it 🥰
Fic based off of this artwork by @foxwithadarkside
tagging @saturn-sends-hugs @floundrickthewayfarer @phantom-of-the-501st @writingmonet @renton6echo because I think you might like this one <3
It wasn’t often Tech had to fix his legs and his scomp at the same time but the recent mission he’d returned from had beaten him to his end. Echo didn’t always get to come back to Pabu but something in him ached to see the rest of his family again, even if it was just for a few days. He hadn’t warned any of them other than a quick message to Tech moments before he exited hyperspace. His voice would’ve cracked if he heard their voices without being able to be there with them, and he’d rather not give them more reasons to worry. Tech had met him, greeting him with a big smile and a strong hand on his shoulder. The relief he felt just by seeing Tech’s face was enough to lighten some of the load he was carrying.
The rest of the batch hadn’t heard he was on Pabu yet, all of them off doing their own things somewhere on the island. He could wait a few hours to see them, he’d waited long enough already, but that ache stung a little more as he chatted with Tech on the way to the house the batch had made their own. It was cooler than he expected, or maybe it was just his adrenaline wearing off, when he took his prosthetics off to let Tech take a look. He’d looked younger as he brushed grime off of the metal, eyes widening with thought, already falling into a long explanation about what exactly he was going to do to make them work better.
Not that long ago Tech left him to get some tools, grab Hunter and Wrecker, and track down the rest of their little crew. Which left Echo alone to settle into one of the bedrooms off of the hallway.
It was a nice house, although a bit too cool for him as the night began to set in. Echo stayed there as often as he could, some of his stuff - a few sweaters and t-shirts - even strewn about as if someone had been wearing his clothes while he was gone. He didn’t mind, almost preferred it. It made the distinct scent of home settle in his bones as he picked a red sweater up off of the ground next to the bed. It was a gift from Wrecker back when he first joined. One of Wrecker’s old sweaters that he’d given to Echo so he felt more ‘at home.’ The gesture was nice, even if that thing reached his knees, and it had easily become one of Echo’s favorite pieces of clothing. The cool air was chilling him to the bone now, goosebumps popping up over his skin. He felt the soft fabric between his fingers. It was often stored away for sleeping, or when they traveled anywhere more frigid, but that feeling pulsed in him again and he suddenly had to get it on.
He peeled off his shirt and let it fall to the floor below then slid the sweater over his head and breathed a deep sigh of relief. The sweater warmed him a bit more, settling him as he thought of the next few days. A few days to recharge, a few days to sleep and eat and talk with the batch. A few days.
The patter of footsteps took his attention, head turning just enough that he could attempt to see who was stomping up the front steps. A set of two, one much smaller than the other, grew in tandem with their voices as the front door to the home opened.
“You just don’t want to admit that I’m right!” Omega said, indignant as ever. Echo leaned forward now to try and get the hallway into view but all he could see was the door frame.
“Or maybe you should learn to listen to your elders.” Crosshair snarked. No doubt they’d been at that for awhile. Crosshair had a way of getting under just about everyone’s skin.
“Technically, I’m older-”
“Technically- you sound like Tech.”
“So what if I-”
“Are you two going to argue the whole time I’m here?” Echo asked, grinning as the argument went quiet. A second passed then there was a loud commotion as those peaceful footsteps turned into running - and probably shoving - as they rushed down the hallway to investigate the voice. The two of them nearly fell through the doorway, almost trampling over each other to win some silent race to get to their destination first.
Omega caught sight of Echo, her eyes widening as she saw him, gasping. “Echo!” Omega exclaimed, shoving past Crosshair and running over to him with her arms outstretched. His own smile must’ve matched hers as he scooped her off of the ground, groaning as he lifted her up onto his lap with one arm, hugging her as tightly as he could.
His eyes stung but he couldn’t stop smiling, holding her tight as she pressed her face into his neck. It had been so long. Maybe he’d left too long between visits. He’d been so caught up that he hadn’t realized how badly he missed them until he needed to see them immediately.
Omega pulled back from him, beaming. “Nobody told me you were coming home!”
“I didn’t know until I was almost here.” Echo answered honestly. She slid off of his lap to stand in front of him, his hand still resting on her arm. “I needed a good break. You could show me what trouble you’ve been up to.”
“Oh it’s plenty of trouble.” Crosshair stood not too far away, arms folded over his chest while he pretended not to be pleased to see him.
Echo grinned up at the man, dressed now in light, loose fabrics, and chewing on a toothpick. Some things never change. “I’m sure she gets it all from you.”
Crosshair huffed in amusement. “I wouldn’t be pointing fingers if I were you. You’re at least half of the blame.”
“Half?!” Echo shook his head at the accusation, already pulling Omega back into a hug that she eagerly returned. “Don’t listen to him, I’m sure you’re an angel. And you get it all from me, right?”
She laughed as she turned her head to narrow her eyes at Crosshair. “Every bit.” As if on command the two of them stuck their tongues out at each other and Echo had to roll his eyes. Children. “Sorry about-” She tugged on the red sleeve, eyes glancing up at him. “We… we missed you.” Ah. He’d figured as much.
“That’s alright, sweetheart.” Echo assured her, readjusting so he could rest his cheek on the top of her head. Crosshair had inched closer but was still a bit too far away for Echo to greet, smiles growing as their eyes met. She pulled away before plopping down next to him, leaning heavily onto his side as he tossed his arm around her shoulders. It had definitely been too long.
“Ya cold or something?” Crosshair asked with a nod towards the sweater.
“All that adrenaline is wearing off.” Echo sighed as he leaned back against the wall. “You know how it is.” Crosshair hummed, something twinkling behind his eyes that only spelled trouble.
“Well if you’re cold,” Crosshair strolled forward and it set Echo on edge, watching his movements for ‘danger’ as Omega tucked herself closer to Echo’s side. With what must’ve been a coordinated attack Omega laid on his arm to hold him hostage while Crosshair jumped onto the bed next to them. Echo startled and instinctively tried to protect himself despite having nowhere to go. Hopeless is what it was. Crosshair had his cold fingers up the hem of the sweater well before Echo had any control of the situation, drawing a yelp out of him as those icy hands chilled his already cool skin.
Son of a bitch!
Leave it to Crosshair to wait until he wasn't in danger of getting whacked by his scomp to pull something like this. Echo shivered as the two of them laughed. Betrayed. He’d been betrayed by his own family. Those frigid digits retreated, self satisfied smirk on Crosshair’s face as if he’d just won some competition.
“Hello, Crosshair. Great to see you again.” Echo groaned as he leaned his head back against the wall.
“It’s been too long. I haven’t gotten to bother you in ages.” Crosshair plopped his chin into his hand, those mischievous eyes twinkling like they always did. The other arm remained tucked around his middle.
“We’ll have some time to make up for it.” Echo grumbled, even as a smile wormed its way into his words. He sighed, looking between the two of them as they watched him. He’d really missed them. That stinging was in his eyes again so he leaned his head back to avoid watching them, avoiding getting too emotional to cover it up. “I was comfortable, you made me cold again.” Crosshair hummed then a silence followed and Echo grew suspicious again, now wary of the position he’d found himself in.
“Don’t struggle.” The joy in Crosshair’s voice was enough of a hint.
Echo’s eyes shot down to them as Omega’s grip on his arm tightened, her face pushing into his side. “What’re you- no!” It was too late. Crosshair had gripped the hem of his sweater and was shoving his whole head under it. There wasn’t much room to wiggle but Echo did his best, trying to avoid whatever evil intentions Crosshair had.
“I said don’t struggle.” Crosshair scolded as he flopped sideways onto the bed and shifted around, head shoving into Echo’s ribs. Turns out ‘evil intentions’ meant snuggles.
“You’re so weird.” Echo complained, not amused by Omega’s muffled giggles at their bickering. Crosshair eventually settled down on his back, half shoved into the sweater and resting half way on Echo’s lap and stomach. The sweater was big enough to accommodate them both at least, stretching to cover most of them. Content that he wasn’t going to get any more icicles shoved onto his bare skin Echo settled down, allowing the other two to snuggle closer to him in the rapidly dimming light.
“Warmer?” Crosshair asked. Echo huffed but didn’t deny it, feeling more than hearing Crosshair’s chuckle. “Big baby.” Echo’s jaw dropped in offense.
“I’m not the-” He sighed, directing his next question at Omega who was doing her best to look innocent. “Is he just as annoying when I’m gone?”
“Worse.” She admitted. That certainly wasn’t shocking. She lowered her voice as if it would cut Crosshair out of their conversation. “He won’t admit it but he misses you.” There was a tsk from under the fluffy mound.
“Aw.” Echo teased.
“Traitor.” The fluffy sweater mound shuffled to get a little more comfortable. A few fingers prodded at the sensitive skin on his side to make him squirm, a reluctant laugh escaping before Crosshair gave up and settled down again. “How long are you staying?” The question was quiet, mumbled, and Echo had to swallow the lump in his throat before he answered.
“Few days. Enough time to get on my feet again.” They fell silent. Something sad coiled in his gut. Missing them had been the hardest part. Each time leaving grew more difficult. Seeing them all start to grow older, become different people as time paved its way forward. Holos didn’t do it justice. After a moment Omega rubbed her cheek on the fabric of his sweater.
“At least we get you for a little while.” She whispered, yawning into her fist before snuggling even closer. Echo tightened his arm around her. A little while. At least, after everything, he still had them. At least he still had Rex. At least he still had his family.
Echo stared at the motionless little lump under his sweater, smiling to himself as he leaned down towards it. “I missed you, too.” He whispered to where he guessed Crosshair’s head was. He got nothing but a hum and the feeling of Crosshair’s body tightening into a smaller ball, cuddling closer as if to wrap himself around Echo’s middle. He let the quiet of the night settle in around them then, even if he wanted to keep them talking. They’d have some time to catch up before he went.
After all, he had a few days.
