Okay look—Crosshair thinking you hate him???? He believes you hate him so much and it absolutely pains him to be in the same room as you. But the other Batchers constantly say you two are perfect because your personalities are exactly the same. The same cold, critical look in your eyes and the same affinity for sarcasm. Except that you do it better.
I like to imagine the incident that makes you “hate” him is a complete accident. The first thing I thought of was him walking in on you changing or scaring you, which of course leads to you punching him. A woman with a killer right hook? It’s frightening. And sexy. But more frightening than anything. And the incident is never brought up again. But he still thinks you hate him. Even when you’re cordial to him, greet him, wish him good morning, etc., there’s a glint in your eyes. Paired with your usual crossed-arms and sarcasm, he can’t tell if you’re actually being nice or it’s supposed to be passive aggressive.
Crosshair cannot stand it. The constant passive aggressive comments and killer combat skills are terrifying, and, for the first time in his life, Crosshair is not willing to run head first into danger. Out of all of the battles he’s fought in, none of them are as scary as facing you.
He cannot come out and tell you how he feels—he’ll likely face that right hook again. But he likes you… no he loves you. His heart always starts to speed up when you’re around, and it’s most certainly either fear or love; he cannot even tell those feelings apart anymore. But he knows it’s love when he isn’t around you and you start to invade his every thought.
He doesn’t know it, but you don’t hate him.
UH HUH SYDNEY this is it. This is where it’s at. I don’t want mean Crosshair I want apprehensive Crosshair. Calculating Crosshair. Smitten Crosshair.
Listen, yes, he is very cold and caustic but contrary to popular believe, I don’t think Crosshair actively seeks out trouble. I don’t. His quarrels with others is usually from being either implicitly or explicitly provoked (yes, even his opposition to Rex; while inexcusable, I firmly believe it came from a place of distrust to this Captain he didn’t know, who was suddenly overriding Cody whilst the Commander was vulnerable. To Crosshair, it could’ve looked like a cheap power-grab. He’s not opposed to authority - we know from the series that he craves structure and adheres to a chain of command - but he is when it’s unfamiliar. The end.)
My point is, I just can’t see Crosshair going out of his way to prey on Reader/new member of TBB. Is there initial distrust? Of course. Does he watch them like a hawk? You know it. He’s gathering intel from a distance, without ever explicitly intervening. That’s part of his role as a sniper, if you think about it. And that’s what makes his disposition, as a sharpshooter. His presence is everything (or lack thereof). Being not unlike a shadow. Silent. Observant. Patient. He’s trying to figure out what makes her tick. It’s strategic. Crosshair’s never apt to run headfirst into something - especially not a woman with whom there is a baseline attraction. He’s not about to override his so carefully crafted persona just to deliberately spite this new member. But that’s just my opinion.
So anywho yeah, yeah all it took was one (1) misunderstanding and he’s in it deep. Totally convinced she hates his guts. But madly in love with her.
