(The Bad Batch) Hunter x Reader: Timing
Word Count: 2,844
Warnings: Mentions of O66, some angst, kissy kissy.
You lowered your head, pulling the hood of your cloak farther down over your face in hopes to keep you from being recognizable by any untrustworthy characters. By the looks of it, that meant everyone in this parlor.
It was a risky move going there in the first place. Incredibly dangerous. Some might deem it unwise, but it was all you had.
Ever since that day…that horrible day… you’d been keeping an extremely low profile. You traveled from place to place, having to choose the shadiest modes of transport to avoid the chain code system. Being on the Empire’s most wanted list meant that you had to take every precaution.
You glanced around the crowded parlor, getting a feel for the room. The majority of customers were gathered around one of the dejarik boards. Things were getting rowdy as one individual was just about to defeat his opponent. No one would pay you any mind.
Good. You could locate the one known as Cid without drawing attention to yourself.
She was a known jedi informant, and now a possible way to reach some old friends.
Thanks to Rex’s description, you were able to find her very quickly. She was seated at the bar, quietly sipping her drink and watching the game. You exhaled slowly to gather yourself before walking over and taking the seat next to her.
You ordered a drink casually, knowing that if you jumped right into a slew of questions that she’d be much less likely to give you an answer. Finally, when your drink was set down in front of you, you took a sip and turned to the cantina owner.
“Good evening,” you greeted.
Her yellow eyes regarded you with skepticism that you were speaking to her, but she remained curt. “‘Evening.”
“I am looking for some friends of mine. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction.”
She lifted a scaly brow, scowling.
“Could you tell me where I might find a group?” You paused, searching for the right words. There was a good chance that they wouldn’t go by their Republic designation. “It’s a very particular group. I’ve been told they do odd jobs for you.”
Cid leaned back, her expression calculating. “I might know of a group. Depends on who’s asking.”
“I’m an ally.”
She huffed. “Sure you are.”
Cid didn’t say anything more, but the message had gotten across. You could only hope that you’d reach them. If you couldn’t, then you’d have to contact Rex again… You remained at the counter, watching as Cid slipped away.
The anticipation of seeing them, seeing him again, was almost too much to bear. Your mind flooded with memories as you waited. Memories of the first time you’d met the intriguing squad. Memories of the first time you’d locked eyes with him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant.” you greeted, blocking a stream of laser blasts. “Though I wish it was under better circumstances.”
His voice emerged smoky and mysterious through the modulator of his helmet as he took out a nearby droid with his viroblade. “Pleasure’s all mine, General.”
Later on, after the initial wave of droids, he removed his helmet to speak with you face-to-face. You were well aware of how the Bad Batch differed from other troops, but it was still surprising to see their appearances.
“Your squad is most impressive,” you said, trying very hard to push down the immediate feelings of attraction that began to blossom as you admired his tattooed features. “And you arrived in just the nick of time.”
He gave a small chuckle, his brow lifting. “It’s what we do.”
“Yeah!” The one known as Wrecker jumped into the conversation, giving a hearty laugh. “Those droids never stand a chance against us!”
Tech was typing away on a set of buttons on his armor. “They are falling back. By my calculations, they will regroup shortly for a final attack.”
“We’d better get ready then,” Crosshair smirked, placing a toothpick between his teeth.
“Any orders?” Hunter asked. It was apparent that the squad was very accustomed to working independently, but he made a point to recognize your authority as a jedi general.
“None except that we retake this base,” you replied, making Wrecker practically jump.
“I like her!”
You found yourself smiling against the rim of your glass right before taking a sip. That battle marked the beginning of your time with the Bad Batch. You had the rank of general, but you’d never assumed command of a legion. The Council would send you on independent missions as they saw fit, and after the success of that one, you were granted permission to assist the squad on a series of assignments.
You came to see the Bad Batch as family. Aside from the particularly risky missions, it was the happiest period of your life.
And that’s where it got messy.
You recalled so vividly the bonds you’d formed with the brothers. The hours working on the ship with Tech. The many different ways to blow up a droid that Wrecker taught you. The time you’d spent getting to know Crosshair and read him, though you still found him puzzling at times. The talks you had with Hunter.
Things got extremely messy when taking into account the feelings you harbored for the sergeant in secret, though such attachments to him, or anyone for that matter, were forbidden. What was worse…he felt the same for you, and he knew about your attachment to him. You could feel it every time his mind was near. With both of you being so sensitive to your surroundings, it was bound to happen. It was an unspoken thing between you. Though you ached for more, you decided that being near him was enough.
Then, there was the night that everything seemed to implode.
Another successful mission.
You gazed out at the beautiful star streaks across the dash as the Marauder traveled at lightspeed. All was quiet aboard the ship. Save for Tech’s busy mind, everyone seemed to be settling down for some much-needed rest.
Oh. There was one more mind that hadn’t been lulled by the sound of the engine. Footsteps made their way up toward the front of the ship where you stood.
“Hey. Sarge.” The very informal greeting was a result of much time spent with the Batch. The lot of you had forsaken by-the-book speech.
His eyes did not flash in amusement like they normally would. His brows furrowed seriously as he leaned against the wall, and your voice took on a more concerned tone. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah,” he replied, though he didn’t look any less troubled. “Just…a few things on my mind.”
“Anything you’d like to share? Maybe talking about it will help,” you offered helpfully. “I’m no Yoda, but I’d like to think that learning under him has earned me some wisdom.” You chuckled, giving him a playful nudge.
“It’s-” he hesitated, gaze meeting yours meaningfully. “I don’t think you want me to talk about this.”
You tilted your head in confusion. “Why not?”
“Because it’s about…us. This. Whatever this is.”
You caught on to where his mind was, feeling your heart flutter and stomach drop at the same time. Your lips parted with a tiny “oh” sound escaping from them. He was right. This was definitely something you didn’t want to talk about. You couldn’t offer him a commitment. Your code wouldn’t allow that. But you didn’t want to lose him. This conversation could very well change everything.
“Hunter… Before you continue, I just want to say that I…I…”
“I know,” he said, stepping forward. It was a small step, but it put him in your space entirely. Suddenly his handsome face was all you could see, and that musky scent of his was the only thing you could smell. His gloved hand reached out gently to brush your fingers.
He knew what you felt for him… because that’s what he felt for you.
“And I’m not asking for anything. Or hoping. I just…have to tell you at least once that I do too.”
His lips ghosted over yours. The warmth of his breath fanned your face, drawing you in while that feeling of comfort and security that you felt with him washed over you. Your fingers entwined with his gloved ones, and you allowed yourself a single moment. Hunter pressed his lips to your own briefly, testing the waters. You leaned in before he could pull away, capturing him in another kiss, which he deepened.
It was only a single moment, absolutely forbidden and beautiful.
The kiss ended all too soon, with Hunter whispering a low “good night” before heading for his rack to get a few hours of sleep. You remained in the cockpit, caught up in the thrill of what happened, yet completely torn.
You felt tears well up in your eyes as you recalled what happened next. It was right after returning from that mission that the Council had decided to reassign you to assist another jedi in an entirely different system.
That was the end of your time with the Batch during the Clone Wars. You couldn’t protest the Council’s decision without betraying some sort of attachment. Even if the Council didn’t pick up on anything romantic, they still wouldn’t be so keen on your preference of the squad over where duty called you. The Council’s decision had come so quickly that part of you feared that somehow they knew.
So you carried out orders without so much as a hesitation. You didn’t reach out to Hunter, fearful that he would also be at risk somehow. Time passed. The war came to an end.
You’d barely escaped the former chancellor’s horrid order. And after so many months on your own, wondering where your squad was in all this mess, assuming the worst, you ran into Rex, and he informed you of his discovery of them, the removal of their chips, and their whereabouts.
It was only a matter of a few rotations before you found yourself at Cid’s Parlor.
There was no telling how your arrival would be received. Would they be angry? Hurt? Would they be glad to see you? You imagined that the others would be glad, at least.
The moment had arrived. The first one you saw was Wrecker, towering over everyone else in the cantina as he made his way out from the back. He spotted you right away, and a huge grin spread across his face.
“Hey! It’s ________!”
He emerged from the crowd with Hunter just in front of him, followed by Tech. Another trooper walked out after him that you didn’t recognize and also a young girl.
“Ah, _________” Tech said in recognition. “I am pleased to see you alive and well, considering the events concluding the war.”
“You have no idea how glad I am to see all of you,” you replied warmly. “It’s like coming home.” You mustered the courage to meet Hunter’s eyes, hoping you’d find a similar welcome. His gaze was piercing, like a single lamp in the dark- comforting, safe, filling you with relief.
It was true. That seedy parlor, where you’d never been before, that was full of strangers already felt like home.
Even so, Hunter suggested the lot of you take the reunion back to the Marauder to avoid drawing any attention to you. Your mind was buzzing the entire time with questions; both about the new faces you saw amongst your squad as well as the one face that you didn’t see. Where was Crosshair?
Tech updated you on the sharpshooter’s absence in a brief, but thorough explanation. You were saddened to hear of these events, but the group seemed somewhat hopeful that their brother didn’t appear entirely lost.
The other trooper, who you presumed to be a newer member of the squad, looked rather curious.
“Echo, this is ________, a friend. She served with us on several missions during the war,” Hunter introduced.
“Served?” Echo repeated. “Then that would make you a…”
“A jedi,” you uttered quietly. “Yes.”
He stood up straight and saluted with his scomp arm. “It’s an honor. My name is Echo. I joined the squad after a rescue mission on Skako.”
“And this is Omega,” Hunter gestured toward the girl. “Our newest member.”
“Hello!” she gave a cheerful wave. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh really?”
“Yep!” Wrecker butted in, wrapping you up in a big hug. “You’re our favorite jedi, after all!” He set you down and gave you a playful nudge with his elbow, which almost sent you stumbling. “We missed you! Especially Hunter here.”
The comment piqued your interest. Hunter gave Wrecker one of his signature looks, silently telling him to drop it. Tech observed the interaction, noting it while adjusting his goggles. Echo’s gaze darted back and forth between you and Hunter, understanding flashing in them. Omega looked confused, but didn’t voice it.
You nearly collapsed into ruins from embarrassment.
Wrecker suddenly scratched his head. “ Uhhh, that reminds me. Tech, d’you remember the other day? I said I wanted to show you the thing.”
“I do not recall-”
“The thing. It’s, uh, in Cid’s. But we have to go see it. Now.”
Echo seemed to catch on to some inside cue because he quickly got Tech’s attention and nodded his head in the direction of the exit ramp.
“Ah. Indeed.”
“You too, Omega!” Wrecker added, ushering the girl outside. You clasped a hand over your mouth to hide your humor while the group departed. You could hear Omega’s little voice asking, “what’s going on?” before they were out of earshot.
Hunter gave a long and heavy sigh, shaking his head, before his eyes met yours again.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” he said. “They’re all trouble.”
“Yeah,” you chuckled.
An awkward silence fell over the both of you. It wasn’t like you expected things to fall back into place, to pick up right where you’d left off. But with how the others acted, you expected Hunter to say something.
After all that time…There he was. Safe and sound. Standing just a few feet in front of you.
“Hunter, I-”
“Look-”
Both of you fell silent again, and Hunter took the initiative to speak first. His voice was low, a bit shaky. “I’m glad you’re alright. You don’t know how worried I was- we all were.”
“I was worried about all of you,” you replied. “I saw what the chips did to troopers. It’s terrible. I was so relieved to find Rex, and when he told me that he’d been in contact with you… I can’t even say how I felt. I’ve missed you so much!” Your voice broke, and Hunter stepped forward, wrapping his arms around you.
The low rumble of his voice was soothing against your ear as he held you tighter. “I missed you too.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out to you after I was reassigned. After what happened that night after our last mission…”
“It’s alright. Neither did I. I guess…neither of us were in a place to do anything about it then. We had our obligations.”
Had obligations. Past tense.
“But just know that I’ve thought about you every day since then,” he said. “Nothing’s changed.”
“Oh, Hunter,” you cried. “Me too.”
His breath hitched in his throat, and he pulled away slightly. “You know, if this weren’t to happen, there’s a place for you here. With the squad. That’s undeniable.”
You met his eyes, too happy to care about the tears on your face. His gaze seemed to soften at the sight of them, and he reached up to brush them away.
“I didn’t think it was,” you chuckled tearfully. “I do want to be with the squad, and I want to be with you.”
A soft smile graced his features, the kind of smile you’d only seen a few times. One of them was when he first and last kissed you. Hunter leaned in, brushing his nose against yours, before closing the short distance entirely.
His arms enveloped you, pulling you tighter against his frame while he kissed you with simmering passion. You grasped his broad shoulders to ground yourself, and yet it only sent you higher.
Your eyes followed the contours of his face while you paused the dance of your lips to catch your breath, tracing the slope of his nose, the curve of his mouth, and the edge of his jawline. Amidst the haze of his close proximity, you’d never seen him so clearly.
You were glowing, luminous. So utterly content, and yet, your lips tingled with the desire to be kissed again.
Heavy footsteps on the ramp jolted you from the moment. Before you and Hunter could separate to save face, Wrecker poked his head inside the Marauder, grinning.
“I knew it! All it took was fifteen minutes.”
“Actually,” Tech’s voice spoke up a little farther down matter-of-factly. You could imagine him holding up his index finger pointedly. “It was approximately twenty.”