Summary: You decide to stay in bed to deal with the pain you're experiencing. The Batch notices and sends Tech to check on you.
Warnings: Reader kind of described as AFAB as fic deals with period pain. But other than that, pure fluff! It can 100% be platonic.
Word Count: 918
Notes: Does the Bad Batch understand anatomy? Probably. Was it more fun to make them panic? Absolutely. I mostly wrote this for me as I took the day off work for this exact reason 😂 no real proofreading.
Taglist: None, let me know if you'd like to be added!
Masterlist
The Marauder's cockpit seemed weirdly empty without you, and everyone noticed your absence. You hadn't been with Clone Force 99 for very long, but when you spend all your time with the same people for four months, they start to worry when you're not being as social as you normally would.
"Where is she?" Hunter finally asked, looking at the empty seat you normally occupied.
Wrecker shrugged, "I tried calling her this morning for breakfast but she didn't leave her room."
"Is it not obvious?" Tech asked, eyes not leaving his datapad. "She exhibits this behaviour roughly around the same time each month."
He thought he was giving everyone the answer, but their confused faces told him that he wasn't.
"She is mostly likely menstruating."
"In Common, Tech." Wrecker said.
Crosshair rolled his eyes, "She's on her period. It's not the end of the world."
Eyes turned back to Tech for an explanation, and he sighed.
"Do none of you pay attention to the anatomy manuals? People who are biologically female go through this process nearly every month. Their body prepares itself for an egg to be fertilized, but when it is not, it begins to shed the excess in the form of blood and uterine lining. Typically resulting in side effects such as; mood swings, pelvic cramps, lower back pain, and headaches to name a few."
Wrecker looked shocked, "And they do this every month? That sounds painful."
Tech shrugged, "I couldn't say, from my understanding, each person reacts differently."
"Shouldn't we check on her? Make sure she's okay?" Hunter asked.
"She does it every month with or without us, I don't see how now is any different." Crosshair pointed out.
"Yeah but, we're her friends, we should help if we can."
Wrecker looked back to Tech, "You know the most about it, you go see if she's okay."
Expectant looks all pointed in Tech's direction and he shook his head. "Fine, I suppose I could inquire after her."
Truthfully, Tech was also concerned for you, even though he had a vague understanding of what was going on. He found your presence soothing, and the Marauder seemed more cheerful with you around. And it was his nature to want to solve any problems that arose, so he wanted the chance to do that now.
He got up from his seat and walked toward the refresher to look for a hot compress and some painkillers so that he might actually be of assistance before cautiously walking toward your room.
He knocked quietly.
"...Yeah?" You croaked from inside the room.
"It's Tech, may I come in?"
You didn't answer immediately but then after a few seconds you spoke, "Door's unlocked."
He pressed the button to open the door before stepping in and letting it close behind him. He frowned slightly when he was you curled up on your bunk with your arms around your stomach.
"I take it I was correct then, you are menstruating."
"Yeah." You replied a little too harshly. "Did you need something?"
"It appears your absence went quite noticed this morning and the others are worried about you."
"So they sent you to check on me?"
He adjusted his goggles, "Well, even though I had suspected what the issue was, I suppose I was also worried."
You didn't say anything, but you moved slowly, creating room for him to sit down on your bunk, he sat on the edge.
"I have brought you a compress and painkillers, if you are interested. I have heard they help to alleviate any cramping and pain associated with it." He handed both to you.
You smiled at his gesture and took the painkillers first. "Thank you," you swallowed two of them down with water from the canteen beside your bunk, then you took the heat compress and hugged it to your stomach.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" He asked, looking down at you.
You looked at him then looked at your pillow and shook your head.
"Very well, I will check up on you later then." He announced before standing up and walking toward the door.
"Wait.." You called out. He turned to look at you. "Can you stay.. with me?"
His expression went from surprised to a gentle smile, and he nodded. "Of course."
He walked back over to your bunk and returned to his seat on the edge.
"Can we- er... Can you hold me?" You asked, so quietly that he thought he might have misheard you.
"You'd like me to hold you?" He repeated.
His need for clarification caused blood to rise to your face in embarrassment.
"If-if that's okay, actually, nevermind I-"
But before you could finish your rambling, Tech crawled into the bunk next to you, holding you so your back was firm against his chest.
You sighed into him and closed your eyes as he began drawing idle shapes on the skin of your shoulder.
"Thank you, Tech." You repeated.
"You are welcome, but your gratitude is unwarranted. We are your friends, we want to help you. Anytime you need us, you do not need to be afraid to ask for help, no matter what ails you.”
You smiled once more. With the heat both from the compress and Tech pressed against you and the painkillers beginning to kick in, you felt yourself finally begin to drift off to sleep. Despite his protests, you were truly grateful to have friends who cared about you, no matter what was going on.
This isn’t really a request but I was on tik tok and there was one where a dad was taking off his babies helmet (like the ones that reshape their head) and now I’m just picturing tech designing his kids helmet to look like a bad batch helmet and I love your tech with baby fics so I thought you might also find this cute
This one-shot does not contain spoilers for season three. Please do not discuss spoilers in the comments.
We all know that the boys would be the best fathers, and Tech would always try to do his best by his kids. And I know that you said this wasn't a request but it's so cute I had to write it.
Cute (Tech x Reader + Baby)
Warnings: None, just fluff. And babies.
It had been years since any kind of fighting or missions by the time you had your first child, so it made you pause when you came downstairs one morning to find Tech's helmet sitting on your kitchen table.
"Tech?" You called out.
Tech threw open the front door, arms laden with bottles of different shades of paint, "Yes, darling?"
"Where's the baby?" You asked.
Tech turned his back to you, and your baby cooed happily, reaching his hands out for you. He looked absolutely ridiculous in the head-shaping helmet that the doctors were having him wear, but he was still your little baby.
"Hello my handsome boy," You took him from the baby backpack, kissing as much of his face as you could, "Did you and your buir have an adventure this morning?"
"He was fussing earlier, and I wanted to allow you to rest as much as you could," Tech explained, dumping his paints on the table with his helmet. He began comparing various shades to the colors on his helmet.
"Thank you," You almost swooned at his admission, "What are you working on this morning?" Usually, Tech was out in his shed at this point, working with a dozen or so spare parts rather than paint.
His datapad rang with the alarm tone that meant you could remove the baby helmet for a few minutes.
"Aha! Just in time!" Tech tickled the baby under his chin before releasing the strap that held the helmet in place, setting it on the table next to his own helmet.
"Oh!" You said in realization. Tech produced a stylus out of one of his many pockets and began to trace shapes in the styrofoam helmet, echoing the shapes and patterns on his own.
"Yes, I thought it looked rather plain. My brothers and I always made our own helmets look unique, so why not do the same for him," He nodded to the baby and selected one of the larger brushes to paint the base coat.
You snorted, "You know, it's not as unique if you're just making it look like your own."
"So we should let him decide? I fear if we were to allow that he would simply eat the paint." Your son cackled out a laugh, as if that were the funniest idea anyone had ever shared.
"Well, you are his father, so he might as well look just like you, but we should try and let him give it his own touch."
Tech shrugged, and selected another brush. "Very well."
You prepared a bottle for baby's breakfast, and started some coffee for yourself and your husband.
"Are you going to put those little lightning bolts on the earmuffs? Those were cute."
Tech spluttered, "They are not earmuffs, they are- wait, did you say cute?"
You giggled, and your son shared your enthusiasm.
"You know, I think they were what made me fall for you in the first place."
Tech's cheeks flushed as he tried to hide behind his helmet. "W-well, I sanded them off after our last escape from Kamino, but...I suppose I could repaint them...if they are cute..."
"Cuu!" Your baby boy squealed. He dropped his bottle to clap his hands.
"Tech!" You screamed, though he was right there with you, "He said cute!"
"I'm not sure that counts, darling-"
"It does! It totally does! Tech, he just said his first word!" By now you were jumping up and down and dancing around the kitchen. You leaned over the table to place a big kiss on Tech's cheek, accidentally knocking over his tray of paint in the process.
"Oops," You froze as the paint splattered all over Tech's lap. Your baby laughed again.
Tech shrugged, "Is this your way of saying you want to help me paint the helmet, darling?"
You burst into laughter again, and Tech stood up, pulling you and the baby in for a hug.
"Tech! You're getting paint all over me!" You laughed.
"That is your own fault, darling," He grinned, kissing your face and holding you closer.
"Cuu! Cuu!" Your baby cooed, grabbing at his father with sticky fingers.
Tech sighed, "Yes, ad'ika, I believe this is what you would call 'Cute'."
Authors Note: this is for the anon who sent in this very sweet prompt. I've tried to keep it fluffy but, you know, Crosshair is always gonna linger closer to smut than fluff. All of these will be small headcanon ideas, with small snippets of prose & dialogue. Hope you enjoy!
Tech
How long does it take for it to happen?
Well, this is Tech we are talking about. It takes him a ridiculously long time to even realise you are interested in him. It takes him even longer to realise that you like him like that. When he realises it, he would consult his brothers about it at the first opportune moment.
You'd always tried to show Tech that you truly cared for him. You'd be overly attentive when he visited the medical wing, even if it was just for something as simple as a check-up. The first time you'd treated him, you'd been careful with his injuries, taking your time, talking with him, giggling at his silly comments. His brother's had noticed your gentle touches and twittery giggles at his comments long before Tech did. They just left it alone. Tech would figure it out eventually, right?
Well eventually was a long time coming. It was easily over thirty rotations of your attentive behaviour, of you trying to get to know him, to show him you shared interests. Of you trying to get him interested in you. What you didn't realise is that he had always been interested in you on some level. He just didn't realise what level that was. One evening, the clones were all in there shared quarters, relaxing after another successful mission. Tech had arrived later than the others as he came to say hello to you first.
When he arrived at their quarters, he simply sat for a moment, pondering over his desire to speak to you first. Suddenly he queried why you acted differently with him than you did with the others. Hunter sighed, stopping his expert ministrations with his knife in hand, looked his brother in the eye and tells him, "because she likes you." When Tech frowned deeper, somehow more confused. Surely she liked all you? "She has a crush on you, Tech." Tech stopped fiddling with his comm device to look up at Hunter for a moment. "Perhaps I should discuss this with her," he decided as he stood, speedily exiting the room.
Crosshair, had been lying on his bed, listening to the whole thing. He lolled his head towards Hunter, twirling the toothpick in his mouth from the right to the left side and and muttered, "that poor girl is going to need the Force on her side now."
Who Instigates the first kiss?
Tech. This is definitely going to be Tech. Most girls would probably fear starting something with him unless they were 100% sure he felt the same. As he isn't particularly great with affection, that may prove difficult. But our sweet boy also doesn't have a great filter for his words and sometimes his actions. So I have no doubt that he would be the first to make a move, clumsy thought it may be.
Tech had sought you out after Hunter's revelation or confirmation. He found at your station and the lab was eerily quiet. The perfect opportunity, he had realised. So he simply squeezed your arm gently. to get his attention. You smiled and turned the moment you realised it was him and he smashed his lips to yours with reckless abandon. It was sloppy and fast and not what you thought it would be. But your heart soared regardless.
When he moved away, he explained, "Hunter said that you may have a crush on me. He is rarely wrong on such matters. Perhaps this time he was?" As he searched your face for signs of disgust. There were none. He seemed a little perplexed by the flush on your cheeks. He decided it best that perhaps he leave that moment.
Gentle or Hot Heavy first kiss?
Our sweet boy is always going to be gentle, cautious. Savouring it, even. He had perhaps been a little overzealous to reach out and kiss you like that, it was felt oddly forced. Even for him. But when you finally decide to reciprocate, the main is definitely going to want to savour the experience slowly.
As he went to leave, you quickly grabbed him by the hand and pulled him back. “I didn’t think you even noticed me. I’m sorry, it took my mind a minute. You sort of appeared out of nowhere,” as he opened his mouth to protest, you placed your fingers over his lips, moving closer to him, “how about we try that one again?” You leaned in, holding your hands in the folds of his armour so that he couldn’t retreat. When he felt softness of your lips, the warmth of cheeks and body against his, Tech finally closes his eyes and simply enjoys the sensation. All too quickly for his liking, you pull away. He adjusts his goggles and asks, “would you be partial to doing that again?” That earns a little giggle from you. Of course you wanted to do that again. And again. And again.
Crosshair
How long does it take for it to happen?
On sheer stubbornness of two people trying not to admit to their feelings (or as @littlebluebatbratt and I like to call it, playing a game of emotional chicken™), it's going to take some time. I feel like Crosshair would pair well with someone who could withstand the game as well as he could. So this could go on for a long time. I like to think the right girl would make him drop his pride and give in to her and his feelings.
“You should just cave,” he whispered, as he came up behind you. His breath was hot on your neck. You jumped out of your skin at the sudden contact. His approach had been so silent. You couldn’t help but lean back, flush into his body. He was simply so warm. Your mouth hung open at the contact, a huff of wind escaping you as you rest your head back against his shoulder. Then in a sudden realisation of what you were doing, you lurched away from him. As you began to walk away, you turned to face him, walking backwards and say, “if you want it, you know exactly how to come and get it” A smirk plastered on your lips as you sauntered away from him.
Who Instigates the first kiss?
Honestly, this would depend on the woman. As I mentioned above, I think, for Crosshair to truly fall for someone, she would also have to be a stubborn, pain in the ass with just a tad too much physical confidence. They would try desperately to get him to cave first, as much as they wanted to themselves. Eventually, the man would not be able to stop himself. One day, the endless flirting would turn into something more.
“You’re maddening, you know that?” He would say with a groan, he muffled behind his hand, as you softly rubbed your leg up and down his as you sat opposite each other in the mess hall.
“I know,” you said, popping a small bite of food into your mouth, with a smug grin. Suddenly, you would remove your leg and he immediately misses the contact. You move to leave the hall, knowing exactly what you were doing, but you could feel his shadow following you out. Perhaps it was finally time?
Pulling you into the nearest alcove, by your elbow with just enough force, he would simply stare into your eyes, desperate for you. You could see it. You could feel it. He couldn’t bring himself to say it, but he knew in that moment, as you stared at him with those big innocent eyes, that he had lost. He had fully lost himself in you.
Gentle/Hot Heavy first kiss?
It’s Crosshair. It’s hot and heavy. Of course. Particularly if they’ve been playing this game for a long time. All of this pent-up frustration would be unleashed into one extremely searing, deep, long kiss.
You would wrap your hands around his neck, the moment you realised he’d caved. You’d pull him in as close as you could, onlookers be damned. He’d have your body pinned against the wall, one knee between your thighs holding you in place as he leans in to kiss you. You place two fingers over his lips, looking deep into his eyes.
“I’m gonna need you to say it first,” you said with a smirk. He sighs looking away from you. Deciding it was time, he looked deep into your eyes, his own were hooded with a deep lust.
“Fine,” he grumbled, not breaking eye contact, “you win. I want you. I want you more than I want to win this.” That was all you needed. So, you yanked his head towards you and your lips met in a sudden and heated dance. It was everything you had been waiting for. His tongue quickly delves into your mouth exploring everything he had been imagining for months. His hands would wind their way into your hair, lifting your lips closer to his. His knee pushing further up into you, until you’re almost rutting on him.
Wrecker
How long does it take for it to happen?
Wrecker is extremely vocal and does not necessarily think a lot of things through. That being said, he’s also our super soft gentle giant. He would probably spend more time trying to kiss than actually successfully doing it. I think he’d be one of the fastest to go in for a first kiss with someone, particularly if they paid him lots of attention. Which obviously, all of us would.
“I just wanna kiss ‘em,” Wrecker moaned to his brothers, his head in his hands at the bar, “but every time I get close, I back out.” He all but slammed his head on the bar. “I’m a coward.”
“You’re not a coward, Wrecker,” Hunter said dumbly, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder, “you’re just worried that she won’t return it. But she will.”
Wrecker lifted his head toward Hunter, “how could you possibly know tha’?” It was almost a whine as Wrecker spoke.
“Because she’s not blind,” Hunter said, holding back a chuckle, “she’s spoken to me about it. She wants to know what’s holding you back.” Wrecker sat upright all of sudden.
“You mean, she knows?” Wrecker felt positively sick with the nerves. “Well, no what am I supposed to do.” This time, Tech was the one to respond as he looked up from the schematics in his hand, “well, you could just try actually kissing her.” Tech’s head immediately dropped back down to continue reading. He made it sound so simple.
Who Instigates the first kiss?
Wrecker wants to. Boy, does he want to. He wants to whisk you into his arms and kiss you so soundly that you never want to leave his side. But he’s just a bundle of nerves and insecurities under all that muscle. Knowing that you know he’s been trying, only made it worse. In the end, it would all be on you.
“Hi Wrecker,” you said, hopping off the counter of the store you worked at, “how are you?” Wrecker scratched at his neck, almost immediately, mumbling out something about being fine.
“Wrecker,” you said as a plea, when you realised that he couldn’t look at you, “you don’t need to be afraid, Wrecker. Whatever it is you want, you can just tell me.” You placed your hand softly on his cheek, encouraging him to look at you. You knew what it was that was bothering him. It bothered you that he thought you'd even consider rejecting him. His eyes finally pierced into yours, fear covering all of his features.
“I – uh – I been trying to kiss you for a while now,” Wrecker stumbled over his words as he rushed to get them out, “but – uh – didn’t know if you’d want tha’.”
“Of course, I want that, you silly man.” His eyebrows shot up high as you smiled at him softly. And yet, he still couldn’t do it.
Gentle/Hot Heavy first kiss?
It’s going to be gentle, as gentle as he can make it. You wouldn’t want to push him too far, too fast. Hot and heavy could wait. You just needed to get him over the first hurdle that seemed to be plaguing him so fully. You’d gone from friendly banter, maybe some gentle flirtation and some outright cheesy phrases on his part and regressed back to the awkwardness of when you first met.
You hopped back onto the counter, making yourself more level with him. The store was empty, now was your chance. You reached your hand out for him to take and he did so very willingly, you pulled him in between your legs. Cupping his chin, you forced him to look at your smile. “Wrecker,” you whispered so softly, “I want you to do it.” He seemed to debate things in his mind, as best he could. He bit at his lip, wanting to reach in but he still hesitated.
With a small, barely audible sigh, you placed a hand on his gentle and brought his face into yours. The moment he felt your lips on his, his heart soared, and his arms cradled you naturally. You were much smaller than him, so you became enveloped in him. You kiss became firmer, occasionally pulling your lips away to tilt your head a different way. You found his lips followed you whenever you moved. If you leaned back, he leaned forward. If you tilted one way, he tilted the other and held you tighter. Truthfully, it was perfect.
Echo
How long does it take for it to happen?
I think that post-Skako Minor, Echo’s mind will forever have self-doubt and his duty at the forefront. We see both when he is described as more machine than man, percentage wise. So, I think the build-up to the kiss would simply take a long time because he does let himself believe you’d want to.
“You know you’re wrong about her, right?” Rex said to his brother as they sat together post-mission. Everything had been successful. “She likes you.”
“She doesn’t like me,” Echo retorted, taking a sip of the steaming drink in his hands. He couldn’t help but let his eyes fall across the room towards where you were chatting with Gregor animatedly. Both laughing. He couldn’t help but smile at the idea of you liking him at all. God, he loved the way you laughed. The way you made his brothers feel happy whenever you were around.
“Oh, she definitely does,” Rex spoke with a smirk as he watched his brother falling in love from a distance, "and I think you like her too." Echo's head whipped back around to look at Rex, a crimson blush on his cheeks. He took another sip of his drink.
Who Instigates the first kiss?
I fear that it would have to be you. You are the only one that can convince him that you want him in a romantic way. Sure, Rex could try and convince him. As could any of his clone brothers, but they would never convince him enough for him to dare making a move. There were many, many others you could choose. So why would you choose him? Well, you'd have to convince him that your heart had chosen him long ago.
Rex had casually mentioned to you that Echo was leaving to find the Bad Batch, knowing full well what you would do. Honestly, he was a little fed up with the mutual pining.
“Echo,” you called out as you watched him walk away from Riyo Chuchi, it looks like you were catching him just in time. You knew there was nothing you could do or say to make sure he'd keep out of harms way. You now needed their help to save others. So this was your last chance to pluck up the courage you'd cowered away from for so long,“you weren’t planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you?”
“I – uh – no, well, yes…perhaps?” Each of the words stumbled from his mouth as if chasing one another, pain masking over his features. You placed your hands on hips at that.
“Well how am I supposed to wish you luck if you keep running away before I have a chance?” You questioned him, allowing a flirtatious grin to creep onto your features. He blushed at that, you had such an effect on him, all from two very simple words. Good luck?
“L-luck?” He repeated back. As you stepped closer to him, he tried to steady himself, tried to remain steadfast and strong in your presence. You reached your hands up to his broad shoulders, running them across the coolness of the armour covering his broad shoulder.
“Yes, and luck that is truly good should be sealed with a kiss,” you said as you watched him through your lashes.
Gentle/Hot Heavy first kiss?
This would definitely be dependent on the circumstances, I’d say it would be a little bit of both. Particularly if it plays out as it does above. Or if it's any sort of goodbye or a hello after a long time. It'll definitely end up hot and heavy if he isn’t certain of his return. If he isn’t certain of your safety. He is going kiss you as if it is both the first and last time, he will ever kiss you.
With your hands on his shoulders, you’d reached up on toes and placed your lips to his softly. Your lips had ghosted over his so gently that he was convinced it had been a dream. And yet, it lasted just long enough for his eyes to flutter closed.
When they reopened, you stood there looking at him doe-eyed, expectantly and with a big grin on your face. With a soft, playful growl, he reached around your waist with one arm and span you around, you giggle all the while. Once he placed you back down, he reconnects his lips with yours with a sense of urgency and fire that shocked you. But you loved it. You loved the way he instantly delves deeper into your mouth. The way he moans into you. The way he kisses you like it was the last chance he would ever have to do so.
Hunter
How long does it take for it to happen?
I feel like the affection would develop quickly. Particularly if it were on Pabu. He feels safe and knows Omega is safe. It’s a community. Everyone is simply getting on with their lives. So, kissing you became one of the forefront thoughts in his mind. When Echo had arrived for support, everything goes a bit awry and his internal timeline for kissing you is made far more urgent.
“She’s something special, Echo,” Hunter said, staring at you with a smile. You were playing around with Wrecker and Omega in the distance. He could hear the melody of your laughter as he leaned into the wall watching you. “If we don’t come back from this, it’s going to hurt her.”
“We don’t have a choice, Hunter,” Echo reminded him, placing a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder, “she’ll understand.”
“Will she?” Hunter grumbled, entirely unconvinced. But he knew if he were to die on this mission, then he wanted to know what it was like to kiss you before he went. He had settled on that.
Who Instigates the first kiss?
Hunter. He'd already come close to kissing you more than once but he didn't want to rush it and it’s not that you don’t want but you knew he was withdrawn, stoic and more often than not, very serious. You were patient. You could do this on his timeline. So, when he was ready, he’d kiss you. You were certain of that. He often searched your eyes with a hand on your cheek and each time you prepared yourself for the kiss. But the kiss never came. At least, not until Echo had shown up and they were dragged back into the war they’d fled from.
“Hey,” he whispered as he approached you from behind. You were looking out over the balcony into the night sky, simply lost in thought. You knew he was leaving again.
“Hey yourself,” you murmured quietly, without facing him. You felt his presence at your side, though you could not feel his warmth. There was a safe distance between you. His hip dug into the wall as he simply watched you and waited. Waited until you could bear to look at him. He would wait. After a moment, you simply stated, “you are going again.”
“Yes.”
“I may never see you again.” You affirmed, knuckles whitening from your tight grasp on the wall in front of you. You still couldn’t look him at him.
“Yes.”
“But, if you can come back,” this time you turned to look at him, searching the depths of his eyes, “will you?” He reached his close fist to brush against your cheek softly, letting his hand settled at the hair tucked behind your ear. With a smile, he reached in close and whispered, “yes.” Your lips parted with a prickly shudder down your spine as his free hand traced the curve of your spine.
Gentle/Hot Heavy first kiss?
I think the first time would be gentle but sensuous. He would anticipate your needs and would want the depth of his feelings to be felt as he melded his lips with yours. He wanted to convince you of your future. That there could be a future, even though he could never be certain of that.
As he pulled back from his whisper, he did as he often did and placed his hand firmly on your cheek. You knew he wouldn’t pull away this time. This was the last chance either of you would have until they returned. If they returned.
“Don’t kiss me,” you murmured, “if the only reason is that you aren’t sure you’re going to return to me.” Tears began to prick at your eyes as you looked at him.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he said, raising his other hand, to your other cheek, “because I have to know what kissing you feels like, in case I never return.” He leaned in and brought his lips to yours in a searing kiss, full of longing and passion. You couldn’t help but moan as his strong hands pulled you in as close as he could have you. Your hands wove into his hair, pulling softly at the silky strands. He pulls back, but only to tilt his head from one side to the other before delving in to kiss you again. It seemed to last both an eternity and no more than a fleeting moment.
“If I don’t come back,” he whispered as he pulls away, “just know that you have made me a happy man.” He dropped his forehead to yours, allowing his eyes to close with the affection that coursed between you.
summary — a mission unlocks memories in your brain you’d rather forget. tech helps, in his own way.
warnings — gn!reader, angst, fluff, mentions of childhood trauma, hunter’s a prick
note — i heard this sound on tiktok and it unlocked a memory i did NOT want unlocked lol so enjoy this self indulgent piece
𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐀 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐘. it’s funny how something as small as a child crying causes someone to fold in on themselves. you almost were shot because of it, and you definitely got an earful back on the marauder.
“what were you thinking? just standing there? you could’ve been killed!” hunter’s voice penetrated your clouded thoughts, scolding you for a poor job. he had a point; you were almost killed.
“but i wasn’t, hunter, so what’s the big deal?” you challenge, crossing your arms over your chest. what was next, was he going to question how you worked with the team? was he going to exclude you from future missions? you almost dared him.
“the big deal? y/n you nearly cost us the mission and you could have been killed,” he paused, taking a minute to think. though, given his next words, he should have taken more time to think, “i think you should sit out on the next mission,” his voice was still raised, breaths spilling from his mouth like he ran a marathon.
yet there it was.
exclusion.
“fine, it’s your call, you’re the sergeant,” your words were not short of being venomous, making hunter realize instantly what he just told you. you were a valuable asset to the batch, a sounding board, and he just told you to sit out.
there wasn’t a lot of places for you to go, so you sat in the co-pilot’s chair. you brought a knee up to your chest, resting your chin on it. the silence was comforting, but your mind still swam. hunter’s words, their words, the child crying…
“for the record, i don’t think you should sit out next mission,” tech was the first to speak, the softness and quietness of his voice illustrating just how unused to that he was. his words only earned a scoff from you.
“it was the child crying, no?” he guessed. tech noticed the shift in your demeanor when the child started crying to her mother, wondering why everyone left. you grew stiff, your eyes unfocused, and of course, you were nearly shot.
“what gave me away?” you asked him, still refusing to meet eyes with him. despite tech not being well-versed in comfort, he still knew how to read people. he could read them very well. interpreting those emotions was a different skill.
“the fact you were nearly shot, mainly,” he stated as-a-matter-of-factly, “but also the way your demeanor changed. your shoulders tightened, your eyes widened. not to mention your voice changed,” he went on to describe just how much your body changed. you didn’t think he paid that much attention to you.
“i didn’t think it was that obvious,” you shrugged, taking your chin off of your knee. you slid your eyes over to meet his, the softness of them underneath his goggles provided an odd place of comfort for you. he didn’t judge you, he was merely stating facts.
“it was,” he felt heat rise to his cheeks, a feeling he logically knew was because of his attraction to you. emotionally, he wouldn’t acknowledge it.
“at least to me,” tech added softly, attempting to make the situation better than what it was. your eyes widened again, unsure of how to feel about this. ever since you started working with the bad batch, talking about emotional experiences was hard with tech. so you didn’t. hearing him acknowledge your feelings and talk about his own shocked you. it shouldn’t have.
“when i was a kid, i was bullied a lot,” you started, pulling down the wall you’ve built up over the years, “their form of bullying was excluding me from things. i was invited to parties, but never talked to. i was never played with, and kids made fun of me for the stuff i liked,” you continued. you’ve never spoken to any of them about this. it was too sensitive. the fear of rejection and judgement was too strong.
silence followed, filling the space between you. tech didn’t know what to say, but he knew that this was sensitive information. he knew that it was hard for you to talk about, and so he didn’t want to say anything to potentially make things worse.
“hearing that little girl cry, asking her mother where everyone went, it just…i don’t know. it was under different circumstances but still,” you were failing to understand why the moment froze you. hunter was right, you could have been killed.
“it was a different circumstance, but,” tech started, his words coming out slowly as he processed them, “your fight or flight kicked in. it’s human nature whenever we come in contact with something that’s upset us or, dare i say, traumatized us,” his eyes searched yours, trying to read the expression on your face. tech knew what it was like to be ostracized for the things you’re good at. he was a defective clone, he knew almost exactly what you felt.
“when…when i was a cadet, still on kamino, i wasn’t treated very kindly by the regs simply for being different. the words they said, even some of the things they did, it was not kind of them,” tech’s words marinated in your mind for a moment. you found yourself completely facing him, engrossed in the man in front of you. you finally found someone to relate to, that knew what it was like to be excluded and bullied. for once, you could breathe.
“you didn’t deserve that,”
“neither did you,” he agreed, his warm, brown eyes cradling yours. he came to the same realization you did. he wasn’t as alone as he thought he was. as much as he wished neither of you went through what you did, it brought you two together, and he was grateful for that.
“we do need to work on your fight, flight, or freeze response,” he lightened the mood. you smiled and laid back in your chair.
“i know i know,” you smiled. you didn’t catch it, but tech smiled too.
here’s some tech! this was kind of self indulgent so i apologize for that, i still hope you enjoy though!
Hello!!!!! I love your works❤🩷💖, specifically the ones about Tech. Could I request a TechxFem!reader fluff and smutty fic thats NSFW with the prompt: "..." "..." "do you want to kiss?" "Yeah."
Prompt List Celebration 3000 Followers
Tech X F!Reader
word count: 1.5k
NSFW
Prompt: “…” “…” “Do you want to kiss?” “Yeah.”
warnings: NSFW, 18+ only. Strong suggestive themes, female reader wearing a dress, mutual pining, friends to lovers, kisses. Borderline public displays of affection.
authors note: as always, sorry for the wait anon. 😚
Pabu truly was one of the most beautiful places you had ever visited. And all thanks to Phee, you were certainly not shy about calling this place ‘home’.
The atmosphere was jubilant as you all ventured to a bar with a breathtaking view of the ocean for a drink, and by chance, you found yourself sliding into a booth next to Tech.
Hunter and Wrecker had gone to fetch drinks, while Omega had dashed off to have fun with her newfound friend and other youngsters in the area. As for you, you reveled in the soothing music and pleasant company.
“How are you enjoying it here?" Tech turned to you, and the fluttering feeling in the pit of your stomach was unavoidable. His gaze upon you was tender yet filled with intrigue, and a faint smile danced upon the corner of his lips.
Truthfully it was hard to pinpoint the exact moment these emotions had emerged, but they had taken hold fast. Very fast. He had always been attentive to you, and as the sun bathed him in a radiant glow, you couldn't help but melt in front of him.
"I love it," you replied eventually, hoping he hadn't noticed you gawking at him, "it's what Omega needs. What we all need."
Tech hummed in response, glancing around. "Indeed, it is a delightful environment for us to seek refuge in."
You rolled your eyes playfully and nudged him. "Come on, let loose tonight. Don't think like a soldier."
Once again, he directed his gaze towards you and adjusted his goggles. "I am unsure of what you mean."
"Loosen up," you stated, your eyes gleaming with tenderness and mischievousness. "Just relax."
"But I am a soldier, and our group has faced arduous times. It is only rational to remain vigilant," he responded logically. A tinge of guilt washed over you for expecting him to act as if everything were perfect.
"I understand," you nodded. "But let's celebrate tonight. It's good to momentarily forget about our troubles." Your gaze swept across the bar and landed on some dancers. "Why don't you go dance?"
Tech's eyes widened at your suggestion, shaking his head. "Dancing is not my strong suit. Moreover, I prefer not to make a fool of myself," he admitted with a chuckle. "Why don't you go and dance?"
"I'd rather stay and chat with you. I enjoy your company," you replied with confidence, observing Tech's surprised expression.
"Truly?" he questioned.
You tilted your head, offering a warm smile. "Of course, Tech. I... I always enjoy our conversations."
You could almost see his thoughts racing behind his eyes, deliberating on what to say or not to say. "I appreciate that sentiment, and I must admit that I also enjoy every interaction we share," he replied slowly, ensuring that his words flowed smoothly, as your captivating gaze had entranced him.
A mischievous grin spreads across your face as a blush creeps up your neck in response to his considerate words. "Is that so?" you tease, turning to face him more directly, your leg playfully nudging against his own.
Momentarily startled by the sudden contact, he freezes, but you remain oblivious. "I was contemplating how pleasant the weather is and how different it is for me to see you in a dress," he confesses, his eyes subtly traversing your form, thoroughly enjoying the sight before him.
Glancing down at the dress you're wearing, you let out a soft hum. "Yeah, it's a bit of a difference from our usual attire, but I wanted a change. The fabric feels good too," you reply nonchalantly, lifting your gaze to meet his eyes as you notice his quick flicker of gaze from your chest back to your eyes. Your heart rate quickens slightly, wondering if he had admired you like that before without your awareness. Yet, you decide not to overthink it. "I see you're sporting a new shirt too."
Once again, he adjusts his goggles and swallows hard, summoning a modicum of courage. "Would it be inappropriate for me to ask if I could feel the fabric?" he inquires, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Your eyes widen, a curious expression taking hold. "Only because it's rare to come across new materials," he adds hastily, though you're not entirely convinced. Nevertheless, you see no harm in indulging his request.
"Sure, go ahead," you reply, accompanied by a gentle giggle. You watch as Tech raises his hand toward you, half expecting him to touch the small strap on your shoulder. However, to your surprise, a small gasp of astonishment is stifled as his hand lands on your waist, gently exploring the fabric between his fingertips.
Noticing him inhale sharply, you find yourself controlling your own breathing as he murmurs, "You're right, this material feels exquisite against the skin. Perfect for this climate..." His words trail off, but his hand remains in place.
You can only hum in agreement, afraid that any spoken word might shatter the spell and cause him to withdraw his touch.
Amidst the fading sounds of music, chatter, and clinking glasses, your gaze remains fixed on him as his hand slowly trails down from your waist to your thigh, where the dress rides up slightly.
"You look beautiful," he utters under his breath, and for a moment, you're not certain if you heard him correctly. But as he finally meets your gaze, his eyes intense and resolute, any doubts dissipate.
"Thank you," you whisper, your eyes locked on his.
"I sincerely hope you don't mind me touching you like this," he asks, his thumb brushing softly against your bare thigh, sending a shiver through your core.
Shaking your head, words failing you momentarily, you manage to exhale shakily, "Not at all... you could even..."
"Even what, my dear?" The endearing term sends warmth tingling through your skin, granting you the courage to continue.
"You could even come closer, if you'd like."
He smirks, an alluring expression that exudes charm. Smoothly, he nestles closer to you, practically hip to hip, his hand still resting on your leg. "Is this proximity to your liking?" he speaks in a low tone, as if the entire bar and its patrons have disappeared from both of your minds.
"Perfect," you respond, matching his smirk and slowly placing a hand on his chest, your fingertips gently tracing the fabric of his shirt. "I must say, your shirt is made of rather nice material as well."
His fingers flex against your thigh, a deep sigh escaping his lips as your hand moves to his arm, gliding up and down his well-defined skin.
The tension between you is palpable, your faces closer to each other than ever before. It feels as if time has slowed down, and you thrive in the closeness. You yearn to inhale deeply, taking in his intoxicating scent, but the skin-on-skin contact consumes your attention entirely.
Silence hangs in the air, charged with anticipation.
“…”
“…”
"Do you want to kiss?" he asks, his words so soft that they could have been a dream. Yet, his gaze shifts from your lips to your eyes and back to your lips, filled with a star-struck wonder.
"Yeah," you reply, your voice equally hushed.
His free hand comes to the side of your neck, pulling you in close as his lips meet yours in a passionate dance. The whole galaxy around you fades away as you surrender to the firmness of his touch, moving in perfect harmony. Ignoring any possible onlookers, you revel in the intensity of the moment. A table conveniently shields the view of your legs, concealing the fact that the moan escaping your lips is a result of Tech's teasing hand sliding up under your dress.
"I don't think the others will return with our drinks anytime soon," you whisper against his lips, earning a mere chuckle.
"Then I suppose we should find a more secluded spot to further explore this endeavor?" he suggests and against all expectations he performs a bold and uncharacteristic action on his part. He trails his tongue along your lower lip, leaving you yearning for more, practically begging him to do it again.
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” You grin and watch as he stands, taking your hand and dragging you out the bar to a serene and beautiful area where he was 100% certain nobody would find you both.
Once alone, you’re pushed up against a wall that was shrouded with colorful flowers, overlooking the ocean, the sun setting on you both as Tech’s hands travel under your dress, cupping your aching, warm sex as he assaults your neck with glorious kisses. “I can not begin to tell you how much I have wanted to do this. To touch you,” he sighs, licking a stripe against your neck before dominating your lips, “to have you.”
“Then don't tell me,” you moan, head tilting back as his lips move to your exposed collarbones and chest, melting as his hand begins to rub against your damp panties, “just show me.”
This is an 18+ fic, anyone who is under the age of 18 please do not read this!
Summary: You and Tech were peacefully traveling through hyperspace on a small mission when all of a sudden something happens to the ship. Tech had to crawl into a small space to get to where he needed to fix the ship. Something scandalous probably ensues afterward.
Author's Notes: This was purely inspired by an old sailor story my dad and his navy buddies always talked about. They were all on the same nuclear submarine back in the day. There was a time when the nuclear reactor that was on the sub was malfunctioning and they were going to lose power to the ship. My father had to crawl into this little hole full of wires to fix the malfunction so they could all still have power. Very much a do-or-die moment, but the kicker was he couldn't fit with the safety gear so he had to crawl in there in just his underwear.
Also, I want to thank everyone who reads this and likes this. This is the first time I have ever publicly shown any of my writing. I hope you guys like it and if you have any ideas or suggestions you want to share please let me know! I plan to eventually post this on ao3 as well once I make an account. I have always been a reader and have written for my own personal pleasure. I really hope you like this.
Edit: Link to fic on AO3
Warnings: 18+, NSFW, grinding, mild biting, unprotected sex (please wrap it before you tap it boys and girls and everything else), creampie, after care is important y'all
Word Count: 2.6k
You are jerked awake from the feeling of the Havoc Marauder being yanked out of hyperspace and the alarms instantly blaring throughout the small modified attack shuttle. Tech was out of his bunk in a flash before you even had a chance to lift your head from your bunk. He was in the cockpit in seconds and his voice could barely be heard over the blaring sound of the alarm. You pulled yourself out of the bunk quickly making your way to the cockpit.
"Take over the controls and keep the ship steady." Tech hollered, he was pulling a panel off of the inner walls of the cockpit. You threw yourself into the pilot's seat, grabbing the steering wheel and holding the ship steady. You also reached over, turning the alarms off so you could think clearly as you flew the ship through the dark black vacuum of space. Behind you, you heard Tech grumbling and grunting as he reached into the open panel pulling out some wires.
"Tech, what's going on?" Your voice was full of worry as you noticed that they were in the middle of nowhere.
"The wires to the hyperdrive must have short-circuited and fried the system. I'm going to need to get into the wall to fix it." Tech explained. You then heard the sounds of plastoid armor dropping to the ground and the sound of the leather from his belts followed quickly after. You glanced over the back of the red seat spotting Tech pulling his shirt off of his body, and you felt your face flush a little.
"Tech? What are you doing?" You quickly yanked your eyes back over to the dash of the ship.
"I need to crawl into the wall to do the repair and I cannot fit with my armor and clothes," Tech said simply. Your hands gripped the wheel tighter, "Tech, that's dangerous."
"If I do not do this, we will be floating in space with no power soon." He argued. You made a small sign knowing that once Tech sets his mind on something, you know there's no changing it. You peeked over the chair again to see the last of Tech's bare leg disappear into the wall. A few minutes later, the ship started to fly more smoothly and you heard Tech remerge from the open panel in the wall. He appeared next to you, shooing you out of the pilot's seat to get the ship back on track and back into hyperspace.
"We should be fine until we land back on Ord Mantell." Tech signed, getting up to retrieve his things, but you stopped him.
"Wait. You're bleeding." You reached out, grabbing his arm. He made no protest as you led him into the main hull of the ship grabbing the medical supplies.
"It's just a small cut. I will be fine." Tech objected vocally, but made no move to move away from you.
"Yes, but who knows what else is in these walls? I don't want to risk any kind of infection." You argued, sitting him down in one of the chairs and opening the medkit. You started to clean the small cut on his bicep. It took you little time to put a bandage on it and fix up the other small one on his back. Once you were done, you gave him a quick, light kiss on his cheek.
"All done soldier." You smiled lightly at him and put the medkit away. Tech looked over at you, a very small flush on his cheeks in the dark lighting on his cheeks. He might have finally caught up to the fact that he is sitting next to you in just his underwear.
"How much longer till we are back at Ord Mantell?" You asked lightly, moving to sit in the other chair in the main hull of the small fighter ship.
"Oh, probably only for another hour or two," Tech answered after a second like you had pulled him out of his thoughts. You raised your eyebrow at him, "You alright?"
Tech sat still in his chair, his sharp brown eyes staring you down. The only movement he made was his left hand reaching up to adjust the goggles on his face. He took in a deep breath, "Come over here."
You gave him a surprised look. This tends to be out of the ordinary for him. The two of you had been doing a small dance around each other for months now, trying to see if the other liked each other more than friends. It was obvious to everyone else around them and they never failed to tell you that. Tech has never been forward like this.
Your curiosity gets the better of you. You stand up walking the short distance from your chair over to where he sat. When you were close enough, he reached out and pulled you into his lap, making you squeak in surprise. His hands lightly rested on your hips, leaving you plenty of space to move away if you wish.
He gazed at you through his goggles, "Would you allow me… To make love to you."
You blinked once or twice, your brain processing his words for a second. Being this close to him, you could see the small blush on his cheeks. You made a small smile, nodding your head, "Please."
Tech took the opportunity and leaned forward, kissing you on the lips. You made a small hum, moving your head to accommodate his goggles. This isn't the first time you've kissed him. There was a drunken night between the two of you where there was a small bruise on your cheek from accidentally hitting his goggles. This was the first time the two of you kissed without the hindrance of something else in your systems.
You wrapped your arms around his bare shoulders, lightly pressing yourself up against him as he ran his tongue over your bottom lip. You gave him easy access, making a small moan at the feeling of your tongues sliding against each other. That seemed to push Tech forward, he pushed his hands under your shirt, pulling it up over your head. The clothing dropped to the floor followed quickly with your bra. Tech's hands started to wander, mapping out your torso, taking a moment to grope your breasts. His thumbs ran over your nipples, playing with them until they were hard.
You decide to take the initiative, moving away from his lips and starting to kiss down his jaw and neck. You paused at the sensitive skin right at the base of his giving that spot more attention. He granted you with a whimper that sounded amazing from him. You instantly wanted to hear that again and again, so you started to slowly grind your hips down against his lap. Through your pants, you were able to feel he was already hard as he rocked his hips up against yours.
"Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" You teased him lightly, leaning back some to get a good look at the man flushed in front of him. His goggles were knocked out of place and his blush had increased dramatically, it spread to his shoulders and chest.
You got a snort and a small crooked smile from Tech. Moving his hands down to your ass, using them a moment to guide your hips on top of him. Both of you shuttering at the pleasure you got from each other.
"You might be a little surprised when it doesn't shoot blaster bolts." Tech teased, his hands moving away from your clothed ass to the underside of your thighs. He promoted a laugh from you from his words, not expecting him to say something like that.
While he had you distracted with your laughter, he shifted under you, pulling you into his arms and standing up. He held you with some surprising strength that only a clone could have. You instantly wrapped your arms around his shoulders, holding onto him out of the small worry that he might drop you. He walked the two of you over to the bunks, laying you down on the bottom one.
"This spot is probably better for now." Tech hummed as he crawled over you, "Eventually I want you in the pilot's chair. If this ever happens again."
"You've thought about this with me?" You asked, pulling him close to you again, his chest pressing flush to yours. The warmth from his body was already starting to become an addiction.
"Yes." He hissed out, leaning down, pulling you into another kiss. You made a small groan from the kiss once again, your legs instinctively wrapping around his hips so he could grind down against you.
He moved away from your kiss, slowly moving down your body, kissing and sucking on your neck and chest pulling all kinds of sounds from him. Eventually, he got to your hips, his long fingers dipping under the waistband of your pants. He paused for a moment looking up at you to silently ask you again for permission. You nodded your head and your pants and underwear were quick to be pulled from your body.
"Marvelous." Tech breathed looking down at you completely bare for him. You were flushed just as much as him feeling a little subconscious now that you had his complete attention. His hands moved down your sides to your hips and then between your thighs. His hand moved between your legs, being quick to find your clit, rubbing it in small circles. Your back arched off the bunk a little as you let out a deep moan from the pleasure it brought you.
"Oh my god, Tech." You gasped as you felt him slide one of his fingers in you, meeting barely any resistance from how wet you were. His breathing was uneven as he watched you squirm under his touch.
He was quick to add in another finger to make sure you would be able to take him. You were so worked up that his menstruations had you already close to your peak. Tech let out a heavy moan at the sight, pulling away, "You are absolutely gorgeous."
"Tech." You shuttered at his compliments. He smiled down at you, shifting himself as he pulled the last bit of clothing that was still on his body off. You gasped at the sight of him in his naked glory in front of you. He looked divine.
"As much as I would love to see you cum from just my hands, I would prefer to see you cum on my cock." Tech's voice was deep and breathy, sending shivers up your spine. He grabbed your thighs to shift the two of you in a good position between your legs. He ended up pulling one of your legs on his shoulder.
"W-Wait." You gasped suddenly freezing, "Protection."
Tech paused looking down at you confused for a moment, "You mean condoms? I doubt they're hardly necessary. Clones are sterile and we were designed to not be able to contract illnesses easily. Plus we were tested regularly. I'm clean. Are you?"
"Yeah." You breathed still looking up at him, a little concerned. He leaned down kissing you softly on the lips, moving your leg so you didn't have to stretch it too far, "Then there should be nothing to be concerned about."
The two of you kissed a bit more and you slowly moved away again to ask him a question, "Are you sure? You're not lying to me are you?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Tech gave you a confused look and you looked away from him off into the distance, biting your lip.
"If you don't want to do this, you can just tell me." Tech's voice was laced with concern now. You jerked your eyes back to the man on top of you, "What? No, I do! Sorry."
Tech stayed where he was. His thumbs lightly stroked your skin, "Would you feel better if I were to find some form of protection?"
You thought about it for a second, a little concerned you ruined the mood. But as you glanced down, you saw he was still hard, flushed red, and leaking precum out of the tip. You found yourself shaking your head no.
"I need to hear you say it." Tech's voice was soft as he leaned down again giving you a small kiss on your cheek.
"Tech, I want you to fuck me." You breathed, your hands reaching up to wrap around his shoulders. Tech's breath hitched, his exhale another whimper.
"As you wish, my dear." That was all the motivation he needed, moving the two of them again between your legs. He slowly slid his dick into you making you gasp at the stretch. He started to set a steady pace, the both of you pulling moans from each other. You ran your nails up his back, probably leaving small little lines. He leaned down kissing your neck more leaving small bites that will probably leave a mark.
Eventually, he angled his hips right, hitting a spot in you that practically made you scream. The both of you panting and moaning, a small sheen of sweat on both of your skins. He hit the spot a few more times and before you could warn him, you felt yourself cuming around his cock. His name is like a prayer on your lips.
"Oh fuck." Tech gasped his hips rocking into you as you felt your walls squeeze around him. He made a few more weak thrusts and then he was cumming inside you. You moaned at the feeling of his warm, white seed filling you. The both of you held onto each other tightly, panting hard as you came down from the high of the orgasm.
"That was…" you breathed as Tech shifted himself so he could lean up and kiss you on the lips. He smiled softly against your lips, "Yeah."
The two of you stayed like that for a moment, softly kissing each other as he got soft in you. Eventually, he pulled away both of you groaning at the feeling of him pulling out of you.
"I will be right back," Tech informed, moving off the small bunk the two of you were on. He went into the small fresher on the ship, eventually coming back with a small damp towel. You had moved to your side but moved again as he settled himself between your legs again. He gently ran the cloth over you, efficiently cleaning you up. Once he was done he lightly tapped your thigh, making the sound of a slap, but not being painful at all.
"Okay. Go use the fresher and then come back here." Tech instructed, his voice is softer than it normally is. Honestly, it sounds very similar to the sound of him waking up and still feeling tired. You nod, moving out of the bunk as he laid down on it in your place. You went to the fresher doing your business and returned like he had asked you to. He was still in the bunk, naked, but with a blanket laying over his hips. He had his tablet in his hands. He put it aside when he saw you, motioning for you to join him.
"Didn't think you would be the type to be a cuddler after sex." You teased him lightly as you laid back down on the small bunk, Tech wrapped his arms around your waist pulling you into a spooning position. He made a small huff kissing your shoulder as you wrapped the blanket around the two of you.
inspired by: a conversation with @captainsbestgal
pairing: tech x fem!reader
series summary: you don’t want to live in a galaxy where the love of your life, tech, does not exist. but, you can’t abandon your already grieving family. you devote all of your energy to helping hunter and wrecker save omega from the empire and, perhaps, save the wayward crosshair along the way. but the longer you look for the youngest member of the bad batch, the more you suspect that your lost love is not as lost as you once believed.
chapter summary: the aftermath of plan 99.
word count: 7,223
series warnings?: spoilers for “plan 99”, plan 99, canon-typical violence, hurt tech, canon divergent, fix it fic, angst, grief/mourning, torture, hurt/comfort, emotional hurt/comfort, relationship discussions, mutual pining, clone troopers speak mando’a, depression, suicide ideation, memory loss, brainwashing, jealousy, not proofread
chapter warnings?: mention of tech’s death, grief, mourning, suicide ideation, not proofread
“When have we ever followed orders?”
You cradled Omega in your arms as the Marauder traveled through hyperspace. You weren’t sure if you should still be holding her. She’d been gravely injured, and you have enough first aid training to know that it’s safer to let a person be stabilized than to constantly be adjusting them. But holding onto her, your pseudo-daughter, was the only thing grounding you in this moment. And, perhaps a bit delusional at the moment, you told yourself that, when traveling through hyperspace, maybe it was safer to hold onto her than to let her little body be whipped around the ship—not that her brothers would do that. Not now. Not after everything that’s happened.
“When have we ever followed orders?”
A tear slipped down your cheek. You raised one hand, quick to wipe it away, before returning to holding Omega. You couldn’t cry. Not now. If you cried…That meant it was real. And it couldn’t be real. He couldn’t have…No. He was fine. He was okay. He piloting the ship, he was making last-second calculations to ensure a safe landing. He was…He was not with you. Not now. Not ever. Even if he had beat the odds, used that brilliant mind of his to calculate just the right way to fall…You all left him. You weren’t sure anyone could survive in the wilderness below, even someone as brilliant as him.
“When have we ever followed orders?”
Hunter walked up to you. His face was void of his emotion, save for his eyes. Hunter could play the stoic leader all he liked, but his eyes would always tell a different story. The man was barely holding it together. You could hardly blame him. Losing Tech…No one had seen that coming. No one saw him making the sacrifice play. He was supposed to be on the ship with you. How did he expect you to move on when he meant everything to you? When there was still so much left unsaid?
“When have we ever followed orders?”
Hunter sat down beside you. Omega’s head rested in your lap. He reached down, stroking her blonde curls. He needed this, too. Everything that all of you did was to ensure that Omega would live, that she might one day get to see a peaceful galaxy. Or, when that was too large a task, at least that she would live a peaceful life. That she wouldn’t become a soldier in an unwinnable war. But what was the point in that when all she’d experienced since joining you and her brothers was unspeakable loss? No kid deserved that, especially not one as kind and innocent as her.
“We’ll be landing soon,” Hunter said.
You swallowed, trying to choke down any sob that threatened to escape. “Are you sure this is a good idea? When we were…When we were on Safa Toma, Millegi told us that Cid can’t be trusted.”
Hunter kept his gaze focused on Omega. You weren’t sure, but you thought that he kept his head downturned so that you wouldn’t see any tears that were close to falling. “I don’t see how we have any choice. She needs proper medical treatment. AZI is the only one I trust to make sure…”
To make sure she didn’t die. He couldn’t finish the sentence, but you could feel the weight of it. It nearly suffocated you. You couldn’t lose anymore of your family. The galaxy could not be so cruel as to take another from you. You wouldn’t let it.
“I just worry that Cid will do something. We cut off all communication with her. We may have once been in her good graces, but I don’t know what will happen if she sees us again.”
“I know. But, she has a soft spot for the kid,” Hunter said. His hand fell from Omega’s hair, stroking her cheek. Though still unconscious, she let out a whine. You weren’t sure if it was one of pain, or if she recognized that her father figure was present. “I can only hope that that will grant us some favor.”
“If it doesn’t?”
Hunter’s jaw clenched. He lifted his head, finally looking at you. His eyes were glassy, but hard. With a sort of ferocity you only ever heard from him on the battlefield, he said, “I won’t let anyone take her from us.”
The Marauder jerked slightly as it entered Ord Mantell’s atmosphere. While Echo was more than a capable pilot, he lacked some of the finesse that Tech possessed. Or perhaps you were hyperaware now of every move, every jump, every jerk. It felt like your senses were on fire. Like you had to perceive everything so that you didn’t have to picture his face.
Within minutes of entering the atmosphere, the Marauder landed. Hunter stood, then held out his arms to carry Omega. It was a kind gesture, and maybe he wanted to carry her because he also needed to be grounded. But you knew that if you let go of her, for even a second, you would collapse and never want to get up again. So, you shook your head, adjusting your grip on the young girl, so that you were cradling her in your arms as you stood. It was an effort, you had to admit. You were strong, but that did not compare to the strength of a genetically enhanced clone trooper. But the pain, the burn of your muscles, was one of the only things reminding you were alive, that Omega was alive.
Echo and Wrecker were already waiting outside the ship when you and Hunter emerged. Echo looked much like you and Hunter—stoic, but barely holding it together. Wrecker, on the other hand…The poor guy must have spent the entire journey crying. Tear tracks stained his face, his eyes all red and puffy. Even the tip of his nose was a bright red. When he saw you carrying Omega, he immediately reached out. And, oh, he needed this much more than you. You let him take Omega from your arms, a sob escaping his lips as he held her.
“I’m going to stick with the ship,” Echo said. “Make sure everything’s in working order for when we leave.”
You shared a glance with Hunter. You wanted to say, We might be here a while. Or, you should probably be checked out by AZI, too. We all need help right now. Perhaps even, Please don’t leave us now. But, everyone grieves in their own way. If this was Echo saying he needed to grieve alone, who were you to deny him that?
Hunter said, “Keep your comm on and close by. We might need a quick getaway.”
Echo nodded, then turned back to the ship. You watched as his shoulders sagged as he walked back up. You and Echo were never the closest on the team, but you knew enough of his life before the Batch that losing a member of the team hit him hard. Perhaps when Omega was healed, when you all left this Maker-forsaken planet, you would talk to him. Maybe convince him to stick around a little while longer before rejoining Rex. You couldn’t make him stay forever, but you all were his family. This was not the time to be splitting up for an undetermined length of time.
Hunter squeezed your shoulder, letting you know it was time to go to Cid’s. You let out a shuddering breath, kept your gaze focused on your feet, as you walked the streets to the oh-so-familiar parlor. The entire walk, you tried working on keeping a straight face. You knew you couldn’t hide what happened from Cid—she was far too perceptive to not notice you all were down a man—but you didn’t dare show weakness in front of her. You were already certain a betrayal was on the horizon. You refused to give her anymore ammunition to hurt you with.
The parlor was empty when you arrived, save for Bolo and Ketch. Ketch’s eyes widened when he saw the four of you. You could only imagine how much of Cid’s wrath they had experienced when you all never returned. Bolo’s eyes flicked toward the bar, and you followed his gaze. Cid was wiping down the counter. It seemed like she hadn’t noticed you all yet, but you knew Cid well enough to know she was waiting for one of you to make the first move.
“Is AZI around?” you asked as you approached the bar.
Cid’s eyes flicked up, a snarky remark on the tip of her tongue. But then she saw Omega in Wrecker’s arms, the pained look on his face. Instead of her usual sarcasm, she asked, “What happened to Tiny?”
You looked at Hunter. You weren’t sure how much he wanted to reveal to the Trandoshan. If it was up to you, you would give her nothing. But he was calling the shots, and he might think it better to give something so that she would be more inclined to let the med droid tend to Omega.
“Mission gone wrong,” was all he offered. “She needs to see AZI now.”
Cid nodded her head toward her office. “He’s in the back doing inventory. Do what you need to do. But when the kid’s taken care of, we need to have a talk about best communication practices.”
You narrowed your eyes at her, a snarky remark of your own on the tip of your tongue, but you held back. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, and all that. If Cid’s concern for Omega was the only thing keeping her from throwing you out, or worse, throwing you to the Empire, you could hold your tongue. For, at least, long enough to let AZI tend to Omega’s wounds.
You started for the back, Wrecker and Hunter following close behind. But you didn’t make it far before Cid stopped you all again.
“Wait. One of youse is missing.” When you looked back at her, Cid’s eyes were flitting between the three of you. “Is Goggles on the ship or something?”
You decided to borrow Hunter’s words, and only offered her, “Mission gone wrong.”
Oh, what an understatement that was. But she didn’t deserve to be privy to the details. She didn’t have the right to know of the pain that stabbed at you, that bit and clawed at your heart, reminding you that you were alive instead of him. She was not a friend. She was hardly an acquaintance. If you couldn’t even talk to your own family about the ache you felt, why should she get to know?
True to her word, though, AZI was flitting around the back, taking stock of the various liquors that Cid ordered for the parlor. He lifted his head when he heard you all approach. You might have been imagining things—and you surely were, because droids don’t express emotions in the same way as sentient beings—but the med droid almost looked happy to see you. Part of you had felt bad for leaving him behind with Cid. He had been Omega’s friend after all. But, Hunter wasn’t keen on returning to Ord Mantell back then. Not after the incident at the ipsium mines. You could hardly blame him, so you didn’t push. Now, you wish you had. If you had come back for AZI all those rotations ago, he would have already been on the ship or at least on the sanctuary that was Pabu. There would have been no need to come back here and endanger your family’s lives any further.
“Oh! I was wondering when you were coming back!” AZI chirped, coming around the many boxes. “Cid had not been very happy when you all didn’t return. But I knew you would come back! And I was right! I knew that if you left, you wouldn’t leave me behind.”
“We need your help,” Hunter said, ignoring the droid’s words. He had previously been standing in front of Wrecker, shielding the droid’s view of the injured Omega. Now, he stepped out of the way. “Omega got hurt, and it’s gonna take more than a few bacta patches to fix her up.”
AZI stared. You could almost sense the hurt he could be feeling. Whether it was at the knowledge that you all weren’t there for him or that his friend was knocking on death’s door, you couldn’t be sure. “I see. I shall get started then.”
You reached out, your fingers grazing the droid. If he could have blinked at you in confusion, you were sure he would have. “Thank you. And…I’m sorry.”
“No need for apologies or gratitude. This is what I’m here for.”
You weren’t sure how long you watched AZI tend to Omega. It felt like days—long, agonizing days as he flitted around her—though you doubted it was any longer than a few hours. You had lost track of time. Between watching him fix up Omega and occasionally tending to you, Hunter, and Wrecker when he needed time for the medicine to work its magic on her, it all kind of felt like a dream. Or, really, a nightmare. The crushing weight of this reality was starting to settle on your chest. You didn’t like this. You didn’t like it at all.
At some point, Hunter brought you some breads and a glass of water. “Eat,” he said, ordering you like you were a soldier. You and him both knew that you would ignore him if he asked. “He wouldn’t want you to starve.”
You let out a quiet huff of a laugh, if you could even call it that. “He would talk about the benefits of a well-balanced diet, go on about how the food here was hardly sustenance, but that fed is best.”
Hunter wiped away a tear that rolled down your cheek. You’d hardly noticed it. How long had you been crying? You’d been so sure that you were holding it together still. “We’ll get through this.” He nodded his head at the door, gesturing to where Wrecker had disappeared after AZI put his neck in a brace. Wrecker had been placing a huge amount of space between you and him. The guilt must have been hurting him, too—even if he had nothing to feel guilty for. “Wrecker and I were talking about staying on Pabu full time, after Omega is fixed up.”
“What about Crosshair?”
Hunter’s jaw clenched. “I can’t trust that his message wasn’t a trap. I’m not going to lose any more of my family on the chance that he’s switched sides. He’s given no indication that he wanted to join us before.”
“It’s not a trap. I know it’s not.” Perhaps it was a low blow, being so close to the incident, but you couldn’t stop yourself from saying, “Tech knew it wasn’t a trap.”
Hunter swallowed, hard. You watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed. Then— “Tech…died so his family could be safe. I’m honoring his wishes.”
“Crosshair is part of this family. His message, it was a sign that he still cared. That despite everything, he still cares.”
Hunter started to argue, but his mouth snapped shut when Omega groaned. He shot you a look—this wasn’t over. But the conversation would have to be tabled for another day.
You squeezed his shoulder. “We can go to Pabu if that’s what Omega wants. Whatever she chooses, I’ll respect.”
“Hunter?” Omega managed to say. She said your name as she realized you sat beside him.
Hunter immediately leaned over her, stroking her hair. You reached out, taking one of her hands, giving it a squeeze. Hunter offered her a small smile, and said, “Hiya, kid.”
“You gave us a right scare there,” you said.
Omega let out a groan and started to sit up. “W-What happened?”
You and Hunter shared a glance. You could hardly put into words the ordeal you all just experienced. You weren’t sure you could explain it to her without crying, but you also didn’t want Hunter to shoulder that responsibility. He already carried too much weight on his shoulders.
But before you could say anything, AZI entered the room. He chirped, “Hello, Omega. I am relieved you are awake.” He did a quick scan of her, the light blue light illuminating her face. “You each sustained multiple injuries. However, you all will make a full recovery with proper treatment and rest.”
Omega sat up, a hand clutching her head. Hunter reached around, helping her so that she didn’t make things too hard for herself. You gave her hand another squeeze. At this point, it was probably more for your comfort than hers. She was alive. She would be okay. That’s all that mattered right now. If you could focus on that, everything would be okay. Eventually.
At the sound of Omega’s voice, Wrecker came into the room. He wouldn’t look at you, even when you tried to meet his gaze. You understood why—the guilt he must feel would be tremendous. He was the brawn on the operation. He was the muscles. It’s his job to make sure that no one in his family has to take the brunt of any injuries. In his eyes, he failed. In his eyes, he’s the reason your heart is broken. In his eyes, he’s the reason Tech died.
You hadn’t been sure how to comfort him, so you let him go off on his own for a while. You weren’t quite sure how to comfort yourself. So, you let him sit in his misery and you in yours. Now, though, you wish you’d done something. It hurt, him not being able to look at you, even if he thought he was trying to spare you the pain.
“You’re—You’re okay,” Wrecker said. He stumbled forward, kneeling in front of Omega, letting out a breath. He was the perfect picture of held-back panic. He held Omega in a quick hug, careful not to press on any of her injuries. “Don’t scare us like that again.”
Hunter offered her a drink. “How do you feel?”
“I don’t know,” she mumbled. Her face twisted, contorted into sadness. You’d almost hoped she hadn’t remembered. She doesn’t deserve this kind of pain. She shouldn’t have to know this kind of loss. “The last thing that I remember, we were in the railcar when…”
She gasped, her eyes going wide. Her eyes darted toward you, searching for an answer to the unsaid question. But you couldn’t meet her gaze. If you did, you would cry. And if you cried, you would confirm her worst fears.
She looked to Hunter. “Where’s Tech?”
Hunter looked away, looked at you. You gave a nod. She had to know. “Omega, Tech didn’t make it.”
You dropped Omega’s hand, letting your hand come to rest on Hunter’s shoulder. You gave it a squeeze. You’d meant what you said, that he shouldn’t have to shoulder all this responsibility. You felt bad for making him say it, but you suppose she would only believe the news from him.
“We have to go back!” Omega said. “What if he’s hurt? He—He needs us! Tell him, Wrecker! We can’t just leave him!”
You looked at Wrecker, seeing his eyes squeeze shut. Oh, that must have killed him. That must have confirmed every dark thought that swirled in his gentle mind. Was it too soon to force everyone into a group hug?
“Omega,” you said, reaching out, stopping her from jumping out of the bed. “You saw him. He calculated the odds right before he did it. He knew his chances, and he’s seldom wrong.”
“NO!” Omega smacked your hand away. “Tech’s not gone! You know he’s not! He—He can’t be!”
Her face screwed up as the tears began to fall. Hunter took your place, wrapping his arms around her. She sobbed into his chest. Your heart clenched at the sight. She was alive, but she was hurting. And you weren’t sure what to do about that. Nothing that you said would help her. Nothing you said would bring him back.
You rose to your feet, glancing between the members of your family. “I-I need to go,” you mumbled, stumbling out of the room.
You didn’t make it very far, nearly collapsing into a seat at the bar. Your shoulders trembled as you tried to keep your sobs at bay. Until that moment, it hadn’t quite hit you that he was gone. You knew he was. You were there when he fell. You saw the calmness in his eyes, his acceptance of his fate. You could feel the unspoken words on the tip of his tongue as he said his final words. You felt the tremble of the railcar, the panic in your chest as the line snapped, as he plummeted…Going, going, gone.
You’d lived through all of that, but a naïve sort of part of you had hoped. Had prayed to the Maker, to the Force, to whatever cosmic being there was that controlled Tech’s fate that he had made it. But at that altitude? With a railcar plummeting with him? Even if he survived the fall, the railcar landing on him would surely do him in. Tech had accepted his death, but you couldn’t.
How could you? He had meant everything to you. He was the air you breathed, the reason you stayed with the Batch for so long. When the war ended, you had no reason to stay. Your contract with the Republic ended the moment that battles stopped. But he…He gave you one look, one unspoken plea, and you stayed.
What was the point now?
You lifted your head as Wrecker collapsed into a seat next to you. He stared at the bar. Knowing that he wouldn’t make any move, you grabbed his hand, gave it a squeeze. “It’s not your fault,” you whispered. “There was nothing you could have done to change what happened.”
Maybe the words were partly said for your own peace of mind, but it brought neither you nor Wrecker any belief. “He was gonna ask ya out when we got back to Pabu,” he mumbled. “He knew you liked looking at tha stars, so he planned a midnight picnic. Was gonna tell you every fact he knew about every star, planet, comet in tha sky.”
“…Oh.” You weren’t sure what else to say. What could you say? How could express the remorse of never getting to experience a future you so badly craved?
“He wanted to come back to ya. He was supposed to come back to ya. And I’m the reason he didn’t. You should hate me.”
“I could never hate you, Wrecker,” you said. You squeezed his hand. “I meant what I said. His fate was sealed when he went out with me to make repairs.”
“I saved you. I should have saved him, too. I could have saved him.”
Your bottom lip trembled. “He made you get me first. He made his choice. Wrecker, he knew his fate. You…You did everything he wanted you too. Okay? So don’t, don’t feel bad about what happened.”
The sound of two glasses hitting the bar pulled you from your conversation with Wrecker. When you looked up, Cid was sliding you and him a couple of drinks. Your stomach twisted. You didn’t like the look in her eyes. There was something she wasn’t telling you. “Here,” she said. “These are on the house.”
You pushed the glass in front of you away. “Nothing ever comes for free with you, Cid.”
Wrecker pushed his glass, too. “It won’t help.”
Cid was silent for a beat. “I’m sorry about Goggles. I always liked him.”
“Yeah. Me too,” Wrecker said.
You watched Cid. She had her arms crossed over her chest, one of her clawed fingers tapping anxiously. You sat a little straighter, sniffed back a couple of your tears. No matter what grief you were experiencing, you needed to keep your mind sharp. You had walked right back into the lion’s den. You needn’t give Cid any opportunity to betray you.
Wrecker noticed, too. “What’s with you?” he grunted.
Cid wagged one finger at him. “You know, I tried to look out for you kids. But you got too much heat on you. And you brought it here, to my place of business! I had to make the best of a bad situation.”
You watched the rage contort on Wrecker’s face. Oh, you don’t know if you had ever seen him so mad before. You almost expected him to reach across the bar and kill Cid with his bare hands. Instead, he growled, “What did you do?”
“Sorry, Muscles. Sorry, Killer.”
The doors to the parlor slid open. You were immediately on your feet, shoved behind Wrecker as a group of commando clones entered the parlor, their blasters raised. One shot at Wrecker, and he charged, more stun bolts firing at him. One hit you, and you went down easily, not able to put the same kind of fight as Wrecker. As you fell, you prayed to the Maker that Hunter got away—or at least that he convinced Omega to leave you all behind if he wanted to play hero.
The commando clones had you and Wrecker kneeling with your hands bounds behind two of them, maybe another half dozen behind you, all of their blasters raised at the door, waiting for Hunter. Hemlock stood beside you, watching you curiously as you avoided his gaze. He knew something. He knew something about Tech. Your eyes fell to the case he was holding, wondering what its contents were. Was it Tech’s head? His helmet? Some other cruel piece of his life, of his memory to taunt the fact that you all lost?
Hunter emerged from the back, his blaster raised. You let out a breath. At least Omega wasn’t with him. At least she might have escaped. He wouldn’t have come out unless he was sure she was long gone.
“That’s not very strategic, Hunter,” Hemlock said. “You don’t need to use your enhanced senses to know you’re outnumbered.”
Hemlock turned to Cid, raising the case. “The Empire thanks you for your assistance,” he said, passing the case to the Trandoshan.
Oh. It was just credits. Maybe Hemlock wasn’t so cruel to taunt you all with Tech’s death using whatever part of him they uncovered.
Cid and Hunter shared a look, before Hemlock said, “Our business is done. Leave.”
Cid’s head dropped. She turned, walking past you and Wrecker. She paused for a second, looking like she wanted to tell you something. Maybe an apology. You weren’t sure. All you knew was, whatever she had to say died in her throat as you reared your head back, spitting at her. Childish, sure. Gross, definitely. But Cid didn’t deserve your respect. Not now. Not after she sold you all out.
Hemlock turned his attention back to Hunter. “Please, consider your next move very carefully. I would hate for this to end poorly for all of you. Here is how this is going to go. You will lower your blaster and hand over Omega. And I will allow you to keep breathing.”
“Omega’s not going anywhere with you,” Hunter growled.
“Oh. Well, who knew clones are so paternal? Fascinating,” Hemlock said. He paused for a moment. “I was saddened to learn of your friend’s demise. What was his name? Oh, yes, Tech.”
You let out a growl. He didn’t deserve to say Tech’s name. What right did he have to talk about Tech?
Hemlock glanced back at you, his eyebrows raised. As he took in your expression, he turned more fully. He reached out, a finger running down your cheek. You fought the urge to bite him. That wouldn’t end well. “Ah, yes, the girlfriend, right?” he mused. Not technically. You and Tech never made anything official. “From what I gathered, the two of you were rather…intimate. I didn’t know clones could do that, either. Though, I suppose his form of intimacy is far different than a…normal human, wouldn’t you say?”
“Don’t you dare talk about him,” you spat. “You have no right.”
“So protective,” he said. Chuckling to himself, he turned back to Hunter. Beside you, Wrecker growled, only to be hit with a blaster by one of the clones holding you all captive. One of the commando clones handed him something. You couldn’t quite see what it was. “I’m afraid this was all I could salvage. Consider it a gift.”
He tossed the object at Hunter’s feet, and you could finally see what it was. A sob caught in your throat. No. No. No, no, no. If that was all they managed to recover, then that meant…Another sob escaped you before your could stop it.
“To lose one of your own, it must weigh heavily on you as their leader.” Hemlock glanced back at the clones. Several of them pressed their weapons into Wrecker. One of them reached out, grabbing you by the hair, yanked your head back. He pressed his blaster into your temple. You wondered how eager he was to shoot. At least if you died, then you could be with Tech. “And if you don’t lower the blaster now, you will lose more.”
Wrecker shook his head. You couldn’t do the same, not with the way you were being held, so you did your best to convey your message in your eyes. Don’t lower your blaster. We’ll be fine.
Still, Hunter slowly lowered the blaster and set it on the floor. He picked up Tech’s goggles, the glassiness in his eyes clear.
“Wise decision,” Hemlock said. He motioned to the clones, and two of them stepped forward to bind Hunter’s wrists. They pushed him to where you and Wrecker were kneeling on the ground.
Another clone came from the back and reported, “Sir, the girl is not in the office.”
“She’s long gone,” Hunter said. “Like I said, Omega’s not going anywhere with you.”
“Hmm. We’ll see.”
Oh, how could Hunter have been so right and so wrong all at the same time? Omega was, indeed, long gone, but she’d been taken by Hemlock. Despite your family’s best efforts, no one could stop Hemlock. Part of you wished that Omega had listened to Hunter, that she escaped and left you all behind. But the other part of you understood. She’s lost too much. If she lost you, Wrecker, and Hunter to the Empire…You weren’t sure how she would survive that kind of heartache. But now, the three of you and Echo floated through space, with no idea on where to go. Your mission had been a failure—you didn’t have the first clue where Hemlock’s base of operations was. Everything that you all fought—everything that you all lost—was for nothing.
Eventually, Hunter told Echo to fly you all back to Pabu. Returning there and clearing all of your minds before making the next move was important. Everyone’s emotions were still high. Even if you all could come to a decision, could fall upon some useful information, there was no guarantee that a rescue operation would be successful. While Omega was in more danger the longer she was in Hemlock’s control, it would do her no good if all of you were captured trying to save her.
You spent the journey laying in Tech’s bunk. Your face pressed into his pillow, bundled up in his covers, trying to commit his scent to memory. His bunk always smelled clean. Crosshair, back in the days of the Republic, once told you that Tech had been incredibly messy before you were assigned to the team. But the moment Tech met you, he went out of his way to keep his area as clean as could be. Back then, you thought Tech was just trying to be kind, to make you feel welcome. Now, you realized he was trying to impress you.
Tears burned at your eyes at the memory. You tried blinking them away, focusing on the scribbles on the wall of Tech’s bunk. Most of them were about ship repairs that he would be doing with you, or upgrades to weapons. But there was one in the corner, near his pillow, that caught your eye.
In his messy scrawl, he had written out a series of steps to win a woman’s heart. Most of them were checked off, save for three. Step 7. Take her on a date—make sure it’s something she would enjoy. Step 8. Kiss her—refer to holofilms for best approach. Step 9. Ask her to be yours—let it be her choice.
You let out a choked laugh, running your fingers over the words. Wrecker was right. Tech had been planning to ask you out. Oh, he had planned everything out. You wondered how long he had this plan. What you would give to have him back for just a moment, to ask him every question you ever wanted to ask, to listen to his voice, to be with him, to tell him you love him, too.
When the Marauder landed, you reluctantly left the comfort of Tech’s bunk, joining the boys. As you walked out of the ship, you saw Phee waiting. She wore a bright smile on her face, her eyes twinkling. Considering your abrupt departure, you had no doubt that she had a million questions she wanted to ask about the mission.
“Didn’t think you guys would be back from your secret mission so soon,” she teased. “Did you get what you were looking for?”
You looked at her, and shook your heard. It was one thing to tell Cid that the mission was a failure—she didn’t really care about your family. But to tell Phee? Who had gone out of her way to bring you guys to a place to a call home? Who showed time and time again that she cared, even if she had a funny way of going about it? It hurt.
Her smile didn’t waiver. She understand yet. “Ah, well, that’s okay. I’m sure you guys’ll get ‘em next time! Say, what’s the long face’s for? The mission wasn’t that bad was it?”
Hunter squeezed your shoulder. You reached up, squeezed his hand back. Behind you, you could hear Wrecker shuffle his feet and the quiet whhrr of Echo’s scomp as he fiddled with it. No one offered an explanation.
“Geez, you guys look rough. Must’ve been real bad out there.” Phee glanced between the four of you, her smile falling. “Say, where’s Brown Eyes? Where’s the kid?”
You opened your mouth but no words came out. You looked back at Wrecker, Hunter, and Echo, but none of them seemed keen to answer. Phee seemed to know, though. You all wouldn’t be so put out, so mournful looking, if something bad hadn’t happened. When you looked back at her, she had stepped closer to you, a hand coming to rest on your shoulder.
“I don’t know what happened, but I’m sorry,” she said.
Your lip quivered. Kriff. You couldn’t take this. None of this was supposed to happen. You all were supposed to find out where Crosshair was, you were supposed to rescue him. Everyone was supposed to be reunited. You all were supposed to come back to Pabu and live as normal a life as you could manage. You weren’t supposed to lose Tech. Omega wasn’t supposed to be captured.
Shrugging off Phee’s hand, you ran off. No one bothered to follow you, to call after you. For that, you were grateful. You didn’t want to be around anyone right. Not for a while.
You settled on the docks. It was nearly dusk when the Marauder landed, so most of the fishermen had docked their boats and returned to their families with whatever they managed to catch. It was the perfect place for you. Almost no one around to bother you. You were as alone as you felt.
Sitting on the edge of the dock, you let your legs hang over. You leaned all the way back so that you stared at the sky. The beautiful reds and oranges soon faded into a black abyss. The stars started to peak out, winking down at you. Once upon a time, you would have killed for the opportunity to watch the stars like this. There was seldom free time like this in the last few years. The stars once brought you comfort, providing you a map for your way back home. But it was different now.
The stars no longer brought you comfort. What was the point in the stars guiding you home if he wasn’t there to go with you?
Your eyes fluttered shut. For the first time since the incident, you let yourself cry. Sure, tears had escaped before, when you didn’t want them to. But you had been holding them at bay this entire time, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. Now, there was nothing to do. There was nothing you could do. Nothing, except mourn. A sob wracks your chest. You cover your face with your hands, letting everything you’d been holding in out.
You cried, and you cried, and you cried. Until there were no tears left. Until you uncovered your face, staring back at the stars, sniffling.
A steady clunk! of a set of boots alerted you to a guest. You had a one-in-four shot of guessing who’d come to comfort you, but you didn’t care enough to see who it was. Did it matter? None of those four people were the one you wanted. And none of those four people was the kid you were supposed to protect.
You saw Hunter’s face as he finally reached you, sitting down beside you. He said nothing. Hunter was never really the comforting type. He’d gotten better since Omega joined the team, learning to navigate his emotions so that he could be a better parent. But this wasn’t the sort of thing he’d been prepared for. None of you were prepared for this.
“I asked Shep to set you aside some dinner if you decide you’re hungry,” he said. “He said you can come into his house anytime you decide you’re hungry and take it. It has a note on it for you, in his fridge.”
“Thank you,” you said.
A silence passes over you. There’s so much to say. There’s so much you want to say. So much you aren’t sure how to say. How do you navigate this sort of sudden loss? What was the right way to grieve? What was the right way to comfort? A thousand possibilities flooded your mind. None of them felt right. Finally, you settled on an apology.
“I’m sorry for running off,” you said. “If I worried you, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intent.”
Hunter shrugged. “I knew where you were. I figured you just…needed time.”
“No amount of time can bring him back.” You sat up, looking out at the dark sea. If you jumped in now, you might sink fast enough under the weight of your armor that, by the time Hunter dove in after you, it would be too late. Even with his enhanced senses, the water would drown it all out. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save Omega.”
“You’re sounding like Wrecker now,” he said. He had heard your conversation with him back at Cid’s. Usually, he kept quiet about conversations he overheard. But things were different now. No one knew how to navigate this sort of hurt. “They got us while we were down. I don’t know if there was anything we could do to save her.”
You rested your hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “We’ll get her back.”
“We will,” he affirmed. He reached for something that you couldn’t quite see. When he brought his hands back into your view, you gasped. “I, uh, came to give you these.”
“Hunter, no—”
“I talked with Wrecker and Echo. We all agreed that he would have wanted you to have them. Anything of his, it’s yours. But these especially.”
As he pressed the goggles into your hands, a tear rolled down your cheek. Oh, this was too much. How could you look at these goggles and not want to jump off the dock? How could you look at the cracked lenses and not picture his eyes squeezing shut as he hit the ground? How could you not imagine the way he looked at you, in the split second before he made his choice? How could you not see of how he looked before, when you all were leaving for the mission, the fire in his eyes as he searched for a way to rescue his brother? How could you not dream of the soft look in his eyes the night before, when you rested your head on his shoulder and told him how you wished the two of you could have a peaceful life? You ran your thumb over the light that used shone red, indicating his constant filming of his surroundings. It was off now. Part of you wondered why, but you dismissed the thought. It was probably broken in the fall.
“What do we do now?” you ask. You look up at Hunter to see him already looking at you. His eyes were glassy still. You wondered if he had allowed himself the privacy to cry yet, or if he was still playing the part of the stoic leader. “Echo’s probably going to return to Rex soon. Wrecker’s in no position to fight. Kark, neither of us are either. We don’t have the first clue where to look. We don’t have—”
Hunter squeezed your shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. I don’t know how, but…We’ve faced horrible odds before.”
“We had a hundred percent success rate back then.”
“I don’t know what we’ll do,” he said, “but if we stick together, we’ll figure it out. I know we will.”
You wanted to push back, to argue, to feel something other than this grief, but you didn’t want to hurt Hunter in the process. So you let it go. Instead, you asked, “Could you tell me about? What he was like before I joined the team?”
Hunter let out a chuckle. “When we were cadets, Tech was a complete menace. Worse than the rest of us, if you could believe it. Always challenged the Kaminoans at every turn.”
You laughed, the picture forming in your mind. You leaned back against as Hunter talked, and soon he did, too, telling you everything about what little Tech had been like. For a moment, you forgot all that you’d just endured. For a moment, you felt at peace. But then you felt the weight of Tech’s goggles in your hands, and you were thrown back into the reality you were faced it.
Tech was gone—you were sure of it. But he died to make sure his family would live. You weren’t going to let him die in vain. No matter what it took, no matter what you had to do, you would get Omega and Crosshair back.
Left alone with the brainiest of the Batch after another successful mission, you find out that there's one subject he's not an expert in.
Pairing: Tech x f!reader
Word count: 4.7k
A/N: Happy Tech Tuesday lovelies. It's my first time writing in this fandom, so of course, it had to be centred around my favourite nerd. That being said, please be gentle!
“Wait, you’ve never kissed someone?” You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Surely he had to be lying?
“It is somewhat difficult when you are fighting a war and then running from the Empire.” Tech’s clipped response was muffled ever so slightly by his position, leaning into an access panel of the Marauder’s hull.
You’d taken heavy fire when escaping Mimban with Cid’s latest asset – a rather ugly vase that was worth quite a lot of credits. You couldn’t understand the fuss. You'd landed on a small planet, in a beautiful clearing. Hunter, Omega, and Echo had headed into a nearby town for supplies, while Wrecker had excused himself for a nap, claiming that he hadn’t slept well in days. It was a bald-faced lie. You could hear the man's snores from your makeshift bed at the other end of the ship each night - how Hunter hadn’t suffocated him with a pillow yet was beyond you.
With nothing to do, you’d offered to help Tech with the repairs, but your favourite Batcher had insisted he could do it himself, after politely thanking you for the offer. It was how you’d come to find yourself perched on a nearby crate, legs swinging, trying to make some sort of conversation with the man who remained as quiet as possible around you. An oddity considering that he was never quiet around the others.
He wasn’t scared of you. No one was. It was what made you so good at your job. While the boys preferred brute strength and blasters, you could charm your way in and out of any situation. It was why Cid often sent you with them. Some situations called for more diplomacy than detonations.
“Surely you had downtime?” You pressed, not buying into Tech’s answer.
Sensing you wouldn’t drop the subject, he indulged you. “Indeed. On Kamino. Where the only beings were my brothers, Kaminoans, or Jedi.”
It made sense, though you couldn’t stop your nose scrunching as you held back a snicker. “Longnecks and the Force not your type?”
“I do not have a type.” Tech declared, using his hydrospanner to tighten a rattling bolt.
Frowning, you stopped kicking your legs through the air, heels thunking into the crate. “Everyone has a type.” You countered.
Pausing in his work Tech leaned backwards, head poking out from around the metal panel. It should’ve been a crime for you to look so sweet in your confusion, but he would rather swap bunks with Wrecker for several cycles before admitting it. “Then what is yours, and how did you come to that conclusion?” He turned the tide of questions around, reaching up with his free hand to push his goggles back up his nose. Your answer would be an interesting insight. Though he had to tamper down his small well of excitement that maybe, just maybe, he would match some of your preferences.
It was irrational of him to think for a moment that you would be remotely interested in him. He spent more time with inanimate objects – fixing, building, and reading – than he did with other beings. You were his opposite, always the life of the party, bright smiles and laughter, lost in conversation with friends and strangers alike. The extrovert to his introvert.
Recently he’d started to avoid you, calculating that by placing distance between you both he would eventually lose interest and his mind would stop wandering to you at the most inopportune moments. No matter how hard he tried to steer clear of you though, somehow you always gravitated back to him.
‘You.’ Your mind screamed, and for once you were grateful to think before speaking. “Tall, considerate, funny, soft.” You rattled off the first things that came to mind, careful not to study him too closely and give the game away.
Disappointment was not a new emotion to the clone and masking it was a well-learned reflex. “Wrecker, then.”
Frown deepening, you shook your head. How the heck had he come to that conclusion? “No, he’s not my type.” As much as you adored the loudest brother, and admittedly he was a good-looking man, he certainly wasn’t for you.
“But you just described him.” It was Tech’s turn to frown, lips pressed together.
“I generalised.” You weren’t about to smack him with the finer details. He didn’t need to know that you swooned whenever he let you board the ship before him, hand splayed over your lower back as a reminder that he was armed and would keep you safe, or the way his nimble fingers fixed fiddly wires and electronics with practised ease, making you wonder what else those talented digits could do.
Figuring that it would take further research to understand your type, he pressed on with his second question. “And you concluded this how?”
Shrugging, you shifted your hands, let them hold your weight as you leaned backwards on the crate, kicking your feet again. “Trial and error.” There had been a lot of errors. The bad boys had been fun until you’d wanted to take them home to meet your mother and realised just how much they didn’t care about you, the corporate highflyers had bored you after a few weeks, and the rich boys had treated you like a disposable toy. You’d even dabbled with the Jedi, wondering if things could get a little freaky with the Force, but their mantra of not forming attachments had made them no better than any of the others.
Your expression gave away more than your words, eyes glazed over a little, lost in memories. It gave Tech a moment to simply watch, to further commit the angles of your face, the curve of your lips and nose, and the soft ripples of your hair in the light breeze to memory. The weight of the hydrospanner in his hand was an unwelcome reminder of the job he still had to complete. So, he left you to your thoughts, disappearing back behind the panel to continue working.
The silence stretched for a little while longer, allowing Tech to think. A dangerous thought popped into his head. “Would it be achievable to pinpoint my type through trial and error?”
Snapped back to reality you snorted in amusement, gaze shifting to find Tech half-buried in the hull. “Have you ever done anything by trial and error?”
“No. I do not make errors.” His response was quick, heavy with certainty.
Fondness had the corners of your lips curving upwards. He was so sure of himself. And you loved it. “Sometimes errors are more fun.”
“And sometimes they get you killed.” He responded without thought.
With a groan you fell backwards, stretching out across the top of the crate. “Way to make it heavy, Tech.”
Knowing he had to catch up from his earlier stalling, he kept working as he answered. “I apologise, it was not my intention. I was merely stating a fact.”
Silence enveloped you both again, and from your spot laying on the crate you could watch the clouds swim across the vast expanse of blue sky, the occasional creature swooping into view before disappearing into the endless abyss.
Clearing his throat to grab your attention, Tech kept his focus on his work as he spoke. “Would you assist me in this trial-and-error method, then?”
You broke out in a grin, no doubt looking like a fool. “Helping you find your type? Sure.” You made no motion to move, Tech's muffled voice and the odd tinkering noises giving away the fact he was still working. “What do you like about me?”
The clatter of metal and a low curse had you sitting up quickly, already halfway over to Tech by the time he reached down to pick up his tool, which had slipped from his grasp at your question and clattered down the side of the ship to meet the grassy ground. Concern in your eyes, you watched as he stood back upright – or as upright as he could be given his awful posture. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. The screw was unexpectedly slippery.” He lied, amazed at himself for coming up with an excuse so quickly. “What does your question have to do with our objective?” He quizzed, returning to his work as he heard you lean back against his ship.
“I flit in and out of your lives at probably the same rate as a girlfriend or hook up would, so you’ve spent enough time around me that you’ll have made up your mind on things you like and don’t like. That’s a decent baseline.” You shrugged, grateful for the access panel which blocked you from Tech’s line of sight.
He didn’t know where to begin. For a man who thought logically at a million klicks a second it was exceedingly difficult to organise his answer. “You’re pleasing to look at, which is a good place to start.” He tested the water, slotting the hydrospanner back onto his belt after he’d finished loosening the final screw.
“Thank you. I think?” You frowned, giving your head a quick shake before you pushed off the hull, hopping neatly back up onto the crate. He hadn’t called you pretty, or beautiful, but you’d take it.
“You are welcome.” Tech hummed in satisfaction as he was able to finally access the wires that connected to the rear gun. “You are also capable, able to defend yourself, good with Omega and, though you are not on the same level as myself, you are intelligent.” Never had he been more grateful to be buried in his work, the furious blush on his cheeks hidden from view. “Is that sufficient?”
You had to bite the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from smiling. It was nice to be complimented, and the warmth that blossomed inside your chest at the fact it was coming from Tech made you feel like a teenager swooning over her first crush all over again. “Sure. What about things you don’t like?”
Appraising the wires, Tech scowled. Whoever had last tried to repair them, likely Echo if his memory served him well, had done an awful job at soldering them together. “You are too nice to people who do not deserve kindness.” It was the only flaw he could think of. “They are rude to you, and yet you are not rude back.”
“I’m being the bigger person.” You shrugged, flopping back on the crate to watch the sky once more. The clouds had thinned a little with the light breeze, their wispy ends all that remained in your line of sight.
He would have to redo the soldering. There was no way around it. Fishing around in his toolbelt he pulled out his soldering pen. “But I see how their rudeness hurts you. If they understood that, then perhaps they would be more careful about the things that they say.”
“People will be mean. How we choose to respond to that is up to us. I don’t want to add any more nastiness to the galaxy.” You admitted, head lolling to the side so you could glimpse a sliver of him while he worked. His legs and the curve of his lower back, along with his ass, were perfectly on show as he ducked into the access point. The Kaminoans had been having a marvellous day when they’d created him. “Back to the point, though.” You cleared your throat, and your mind, forcing yourself to look back up at the sky and not ogle the poor man. “Now we have a baseline you need to build on it. We can go into town tomorrow before we leave. I’ll be your wingwoman.” It pained you to say it, but you were committed to the cause.
With the wires unsoldered, Tech quickly calculated the best way to re-solder them, preserving as much of them as possible. “I do not wish to spend time with others. You are here.” He spoke, eyes widening as he caught himself. His brain had been so busy with the electrics that his filter had left the clearing.
“Aw, nice to know you enjoy spending time together.” You teased, your smile returning at the sound of Tech working away. The ensuing silence between you was peaceful. You couldn’t even remember how the conversation had switched to Tech’s inexperience – you were sure you’d been teasing him about something else. The way he’d get flustered when verbally out-manoeuvred was the sweetest thing you’d ever seen.
While you couldn’t calculate risks as quickly or efficiently as he could, a little gamble was never a bad thing. One more trial couldn’t hurt, right? “Tech…”
“Yes, cyar’ika?”
The world slowed as you blinked. You had no idea what Tech had said, but the way he’d purred the word had sent a jolt of heat through you. Grateful his gaze was elsewhere you sat up, surreptitiously squeezing your thighs together, wondering what else he could say in that strange language. “As part of trial and error, you have to conduct experiments.” You remembered the reason you’d called out his name, hoping he hadn’t noticed the slightly longer than usual pause.
Your small silence had unnerved the clone, and for a moment he wondered whether he'd pushed his luck too far with the endearment, but Tech didn’t let it stop him from continuing his work. His brothers would be back from town soon and would expect the repairs to be finished. “That is logical.” He conceded to your statement, curious as to where you were going with it.
“Could you come here, please?” You tried to mask the uncertainty in your voice. There was still time to back out. No. No, you couldn’t. This could be your only chance to test the water.
Pausing in his work, Tech leaned forward. Catching a glimpse of you in the crack between the open access panel and the hull of his ship, he watched as a myriad of emotions flitted across your features. He couldn’t pinpoint them all, but they certainly piqued his curiosity. Forcing himself to slowly return his tool to his belt, he stepped back, sliding his dirty gloves off to hang them over the panel. You were wearing that stupid white shirt again, with the ruches that dared his eyes to stray towards your chest if he wasn’t careful. He couldn’t decide whether to shoot or thank the person who’d made it. Closing the distance between you, he paused less than an arm’s length away. “What are you thinking would be a suitable experiment?
In for a credit, in for a trugut. With a deep breath, you parted your legs, reaching out with your right hand to grab the edge of Tech’s chest armour, hauling him in to stand between your knees. Catching him off guard was the only way to shift him. When he planted himself down, he was an immovable force. Tech faltered as he came to a stop, closer to you than he’d ever been before, and you hid your smile at the way his dark eyes widened in surprise behind the yellow lenses of his goggles. “I have a hypothesis.” You stated, tipping your head back a little to look at him. Up close, you could enjoy the finer details of his face. He had a small smattering of light freckles on his left temple, and a faded scar ran parallel to his jawline on the right side. You had to sit on your hands to stop yourself from reaching out to trace it. It always caught you off guard – how such a soft and smart man could take down armies with two blasters and some taps on a screen.
Tech’s throat felt drier than Tatooine, and he was sure he could hear his heartbeat thundering in his ears. He could feel your knees resting lightly against the outside edge of his thighs, his tool belt caught between you, and it was almost too much. But not enough, either. Hands flexing at his sides, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from you and the gentle smile you were giving him. “G-go on.” He stammered, silently cursing himself as he lifted a hand to push his goggles back up.
The stammer was new. And cute. You tried your best to hide your pleasant surprise, swallowing thickly. There was something about watching a composed man, especially one whose IQ far outweighed your own, turn into a stuttery mess in your vicinity that did it for you. “Well, I don’t think I should tell you what it is. I wouldn’t want to inadvertently skew the data with bias.” You shrugged. You’d grown up being taught that a pretty smile and a bat of your eyelashes would get you close to people and intel, but here you were embracing science and using words you’d never thought would make it into your vocabulary. What had this man done to you?
“Then how do I know what you are testing for?” Tech frowned. Blind experiments were not uncommon, but if handled incorrectly he could also impact the data. He could, inadvertently, favour an analysis that supported your existing belief, thus leading to confirmation bias.
That was your queue. Having sufficiently stumped your nerd you leaned forward, closing the gap as you looped your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. If he’d never kissed a woman, then you hypothesised that he’d probably never been hugged by one either. It wasn’t like he’d grown up with a mother cuddling him every time he’d scraped his knees, and the female Jedi's and Kaminoans were certainly not touchy-feely.
His plastoid armour didn’t offer a comfortable embrace, but with your face close to his neck and your eyes closed you could, fleetingly, enjoy his scent. Comforting – homey, even – with the tang of engine oil and the sweet undertone of the candy you knew he kept stashed in a secret compartment in the cockpit, away from Wrecker and Omega’s sticky fingers.
Tech panicked. What was he meant to do? He knew how to hug someone but actually doing it? He’d never understood the need. What could be gained from smushing one’s body against another’s? This was Wrecker’s thing, not his.
“No good?”
The sound of your voice and the way you slowly pulled back from his rigid form spurred him into action. Brain kicking in he took a small step forward, fully closing the gap between you so he could slide his arms around you, his hands meeting at your lower back as he tucked your head against his neck. He was forced to stoop a little, even with the crate raising you, but it wasn’t unpleasant – far from it. He could feel every breath you took, the warmth from your body permeating your shirt to meet his hands, and with your head tucked against his throat, he could smell the freshness of the shampoo you refused to deviate from, regardless of how many credits were in your pockets. “It is different.” He commented quietly, heart hammering as he felt you turn your head, burrowing in to press your cold nose to his collarbone. You could probably feel his erratic pulse, but at least you wouldn’t be able to feel the warmth blossoming in his chest as he came to terms with having you wrapped up in his arms.
You’d half expected him to pull away, shaking his head and declaring, with a finger in the air, that hugs were not for him. He’d proved you wrong. Again. A quiet hum slipped from your lips as the pads of his fingers tentatively moved, finding your bare skin, exposed as your shirt had ridden up when you’d reached for him.
“I think I understand now why embraces are enjoyed.” Tech mused, experimentally rubbing his fingers in small circles on your lower back, noting how you melted more into his touch, another delightful hum leaving you.
Not putting much thought into it you started scritching at the base of Tech’s skull, fingers running through his short hair. His murmur of appreciation reverberated through you, and you involuntarily clenched at the deep noise. Thank the Maker he didn’t have Hunter’s heightened senses.
“It certainly boosts serotonin levels.” Tech kept his voice low, afraid that speaking up would break the bubble you’d found yourselves in. He hadn’t thought of head scratches as being pleasant, nor the base of his skull as an erogenous zone. Though he hadn’t been privy to your hypothesis, he could confidently deduce what you’d been testing for. And he was pleased with the outcome.
“Thanks for the participation.” You broke the silence and the moment, not wanting to make it awkward by dragging it out too long. Sliding your hands from around his neck, you let your palms rest against the smoothness of his cuirass, pushing yourself back a little so you could look up at the clone, missing the feeling of his fingers on your bare skin as his hands returned to your waist.
Hiding his excitement, Tech offered you a small smile. “Anything for science. Though we will need to conduct this experiment again at some point, to ensure the outcome is repeatable and therefore accurate.”
A comfortable silence settled between you, neither daring to make a move to pull back. Why would you? You finally had Tech in your arms, the very man you’d secretly – except for Cid and her sleuthing – been yearning for. Every time he opened his mouth and spouted out some fact or trivial knowledge you couldn’t help but listen, enraptured. The way he handled the Marauder with practised ease thrilled you, and when he twirled his tools between his nimble fingers as he was mentally working through a problem? Oomph.
Lost in thought himself, Tech was certain the hug he’d just experienced was different than the ones his siblings received. He’d seen you with Omega before, the child scrambling close and sniffling against your shoulder when she had a nightmare. Hunter was less inclined towards hugs, the physical contact a little too much for his senses. There was Echo, who usually got a quick shoulder squeeze and some kind words, and then Wrecker would pick you up and squish you to him with no regard for your rib cage. The one Tech just experienced had been soft, your smile less guarded and warmer, and you had held on to one another for much longer…
The pieces clicked. Solving problems had, after all, always been his forte. He forced down his glee. It was his turn to run an experiment. “Maybe, given you are an excellent research partner, we should come up with a suitable trial for the first error we encountered.” Perhaps pushing you away had not been the best solution. What would happen if he pulled you closer instead? An interesting theory to test.
“The error being…?” You snapped out of your daze, eyes finding his behind his goggles.
“That I have not had my first kiss,” Tech stated plainly, hyper-focussed on your features for any sign of discomfort.
“Oh yeah. That.” You nodded, lips parting to a soft pout.
“It is something I should perhaps rectify, and you have proven yourself as capable of solving problems and reaching conclusions.” Tech steamrolled on, hiding his excitement by talking at pace.
“I mean, I-I can help. I offered to be your wingwoman tomorrow, remember?” Your heart felt like it was shattering into a pool of tiny pieces, the jagged edges tearing at your soul. But if it was what Tech wanted and it would make him happy, then you would gladly walk across those sharp pieces until your feet could no longer carry you.
With a small click of his tongue, Tech shook his head. “You are the candidate I am most comfortable with. And given you are the more experienced in this matter you should lead, so that I may learn.”
“You want your first kiss to be with me?” You squeaked, not quite believing what you were hearing.
Realising how forward he'd been, Tech changed gears. "Only if you're willing, mesh'la. I am not offended if you would rather not."
Nervous butterflies took up residence in your stomach, making you feel light-headed. Of course you wanted to. you just hadn't expected it to be like this. You'd shared kisses with others before, but this one would mean far more than the others ever had. Pulling a hand from his chest you reached up slowly, giving him a chance to back out, but the clone remained perfectly still, eyes focussed on yours as you cupped his cheek, stroking your thumb across his cheekbone. Your fingertips caught the edge of his goggles, not enough to disturb them, but enough to pique your curiosity. You would pry them off him at some point, get a look at his handsome face without them.
Gently you brought his face towards yours, stretching up a little to meet him halfway. Eyes falling shut at the last second you pressed a feather-light kiss to his lips, barely containing your gasp as his hands on your waist tightened at the contact. He took advantage of your surprise, shoving aside your soft approach to slot his lips firmly against your own - the insistent nature you’d come to associate with the man between your thighs. Your light-headedness had the reins and for a split second you thought you’d pass out, but one of Tech’s hands left your waist to slide over your cheek, mirroring your action, and his touch grounded you, anchoring you in the experience.
Tech couldn’t believe his luck. His first kiss was with you. Finally, after cycles of observing your likes and dislikes, adjusting his ship to make you more comfortable, and pining from afar, much to his brother’s amusement, had led him to this moment. He’d seen plenty of kisses shared between couples on the holonet and in towns they stopped at to resupply, he knew the mechanics, but the feel? Maker. The way you melted into him as his lips moved against yours gave him a power trip he wasn’t sure he was allowed, but there was no way he was giving it up. He could feel you, taste you, your entire being enveloped his senses.
Pulling back enough so he could see your beautiful face, Tech could feel the heat in his cheeks as he blushed. “I may not be your type but I-”
Silencing Tech was no easy feat, but the fierce kiss you pressed to his lips mid-sentence did the trick. “Maker, for someone so smart you can be so dense.” You shook your head. “It was you. I was describing you.” You confirmed, holding Tech’s face in your hands. The surprise painted on his features encouraged you to keep going. “Your posture needs some work, but you still tower over me. You protect me whenever we’re on a mission. You make me laugh even when you’re not trying. I know you’re capable of such gentleness, too.” You rattled off, not giving Tech a moment to interrupt and try to counteract you. “I know you saved some credits to purchase more blankets as I’m always cold, and you spent your downtime fixing a music player for me. Do you think I spend my nights curled up in the cockpit because I love the view of hyperspace? No, dummy. I love that you put on the music you know I like, how you tell me everything about anything whenever I ask, and that you tuck the blankets around me when you think I’ve fallen asleep. I love watching you work and – damn it. I just. I like you. I really like you. I know it’s ridicul-”
It was Tech’s turn to cut you off with a kiss mid-sentence, hands sliding to your waist so he could hold you firmly – a reminder that you were real. That this was real. “It's not. Not at all.” He reassured you, his gaze scanning your face for any signs of distress or discomfort. Lifting a hand to tuck an errant strand of your hair behind your ear, the smile he broke into was magnificent. He couldn't believe his luck. "In case it wasn't obvious, I return your feelings. Though I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now, this is unexplored territory for me. Could you lead once more?” He asked once he was confident that you were okay.
You laughed, shaking your head fondly. Fingers finding Tech’s chin, you pulled him back towards you, lips hovering over his. “Yeah, I can do that.” You whispered, before closing the gap to steal another sweet kiss.
