hi! I don't know if you take requests, but if you do may I request a Tech x f!Jedi reader where they sort of acknowledged their feelings for one another during the era of the clone wars, but never really acted upon them. then after order 66 happens, they somehow reunite and ofc Tech is super happy to see her again, then on pabu his brother have to convince him to act and kiss her since neither of them know when or if they will see one another again, and he does?
thanks!
(Bad Batch) Tech x Reader: Ghost
Author's Note: Consider this a late Tech Tuesday! Enjoy!
Word Count: 3,108
Warnings: Fluff, some angst, kiss
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
Tech tilted his head to steal a sideways glance at Hunter through his goggles, brows furrowing over his narrowed eyes as his mind considered a million and one possibilities.
"One might say I have," he answered cryptically, not wasting any more time before pursuing the figure.
It was evident that Hunter was puzzled by the reply, but he knew better than to ignore that look in his squadmate's eyes. He reached out with his senses in hopes of noticing anything in particular.
But even he has difficulty finding something in a bustling square when he hasn't the slightest clue of what that something is.
Tech was determined to track down his target. It was only a fleeting glimpse... But he was sure he'd seen it. His brown eyes scanned the crowd of faces as he shouldered his way through in the most polite way he could in such a hurry. A chorus of, "excuse me"s and "pardon"s left his lips. He even had to utter a full apology after stepping on a bystander's foot.
Then, he saw it again.
This time, he wouldn't lose sight of it. His eyes remained locked on it- on her.
It was her, he realized.
She had joined a small crowd in the main square to observe the festival performers.
She wore dark clothes- very different from her robes.
But of course, Tech thought. She was in hiding. Obviously, she would have to protect her identity after Order 66 occurred.
Tech looked over his shoulder to see Hunter with widened eyes. He'd finally seen you too. They both locked gazes and nodded, mutually deciding to approach with caution.
For once in his life, Tech wasn't entirely sure how to proceed. The last thing he wanted was to startle you. After all, it wouldn't be unheard of for your instincts to kick in, especially towards clones.
By the time he reached you, he was even less sure.
Hunter took the liberty of greeting you simply and in a light-hearted way in hopes that you'd be put at ease.
"Fancy meeting you here," he rumbled.
Tech's eyes flickered back to you, watching as you turned around. The way your face lit up at the realization of who it was warmed Tech's heart. Your smile grew wide, and your eyes began to glisten with tears that welled up.
He waited, even as you threw your arms around Hunter in a gleeful embrace, to see if any fear or uneasiness registered in your expression. Your body language toward the squad leader showed no indication of anything other than relief and familiarity.
You pulled back from Hunter, sharing a meaningful look with your friend, before turning to Tech.
"Oh, Tech." you practically launched yourself into his arms, and he took a second to process the action before tightening the embrace. "Do you know how much I've missed you?" you whispered into his neck.
His heart fluttered at the feeling of your lips against his skin as you uttered the most sorrowed question in a barely-audible voice.
She's here, his inner voice kept saying. She's here. She's here in my arms. Nothing is going to harm her. I will never allow it.
Tech squeezed tighter, swearing to himself that he'd never let you go again. It was duty that had separated you during the Clone Wars. But now that the Republic had fallen, this duty no longer existed.
The embrace was long, but not nearly long enough. You pulled away, wiping the wetness from your cheeks with a sleeve, sniffling.
"I knew it," you said shakily, your voice breaking off into a laugh. "I sensed you when I landed. After the Order, part of me hoped beyond hope... But I wasn't sure I'd find you either way."
"Small Galaxy, I s'pose," Hunter joked. "Still, how'd you know we weren't going to..."
"Blast me to smithereens?" you finished with a grimace. "Well, this planet doesn't seem to be occupied by the Empire. I figured if you were here, you weren't likely to be under the influence of chips."
"Still," Tech spoke up again, meeting your gaze. "We could have in theory been doing recon work for the Empire. Hunting undercover. "
"I guess that was a chance I was willing to take," you said, your own gaze unwavering as it bore into his soul. A flood gate of memories opened up as he looked own into your eyes.
Suddenly, he saw you on the battlefield, standing right at his side with your lightsaber in hand, deflecting blasts. He saw you in the cockpit of the Marauder, your features shadowed beautifully by the light of stars streaking past in hyperspace. He saw you seated on a crate, the sleeve of your robe rolled up to reveal a wound that he tended to with a bacta patch. He felt you press against him as the two of you made your way through a dark cave back-to-back.
He saw your downcast expression as you waved the squad farewell after being transferred to another system to aid a fellow Jedi in the War effort.
"Hey! Look who it is!" The booming voice of Wrecker sounded over the commotion of the festival. You looked over to see him approaching with a small girl on his shoulders, and Crosshair in tow. Another soldier was following not too far behind.
"Wrecker! Crosshair!" you greeted. "Am I glad to see you!"
Wrecker set the girl down to hug you properly, and Crosshair begrudgingly accepted an embrace from you. The girl was watching you curiously. The other soldier also seemed intrigued by your familiarity with the squad.
Finally, Hunter continued with introductions. "Omega, meet ______, an ally and good friend of the squad."
He didn't dare use the word "jedi" in a crowd, not even in a place as safe as Pabu.
You hadn't expected to see her face light up in realization, as if she knew all about you.
"And this is Omega," Hunter continued. "It's...a long story. In short, she's-"
"Our sister!" Wrecker finished.
You couldn't help the awed smile as you greeted her properly. "Wow, it's wonderful to meet you, Omega."
She was beaming up at you as she stepped forward to shake your hand. "You too. I've heard a lot about you."
"Oh yeah?" you shot Wrecker a humorously suspicious look. "All good things, I hope."
"Mostly," he guffawed.
"This here is Echo," Hunter said, motioning to the other soldier. He seemed to know who you were already because he saluted with his scomp arm. Touched by the gesture, you saluted back. "He joined the squad shortly before the War ended."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ma'am," he said.
"Likewise," you replied.
Tech had been unusually silent the entire time, and you found yourself glancing his way, hoping to get a read on what might be going on inside that mind of his. His gaze was already locked on you, and his lips were pursed, a sign that he did have loads to say. The sight nearly made you laugh.
Same ol' Tech.
The group naturally made its way out of the crowd, heading for the beach so that you could all talk openly and get caught up. Each of the squad took turns recounting in their own words some of the adventures that took place after Order 66. They were beyond curious to know the events that transpired in your escape and evasion of the Empire in the following months.
For the first time in a long time, you felt like you were home.
. . . . . . . . . . .
"You can't stay, can you?"
The question wasn't wholly unexpected. Hunter's heightened senses allowed him to see more than what was around him. Sometimes he saw into you just a little too well.
You let out a sigh, looking out over the perfect view of the island from your spot on the porch. It was almost painful to confirm Hunter's suspicion when you were gazing at blue water shining in the sun, waiting for the rest of the squad to return to the neighborhood after their work was done for the day.
After over a month on Pabu, you couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
But the fact of the matter was, there was some unfinished business to take care of.
"I need to go away for a while," you admitted.
"Are you sure?" Hunter asked, brows raised. "You're safe here."
"I know." You closed your eyes, breathing the salty air into your lungs peacefully. "But there are others who aren't. I can sense it. They're lost and confused, and...afraid. They need me."
He nodded gravely. As always, he respected your judgment. He honored your sense of duty to others, despite his concern. If there was anyone who understood, it was him.
"I'll be back," you told him. "In a little while. I will return to you all."
"We'll be waiting."
. . . . . . . . . . .
Breaking the news to the others wasn't something you'd ever want to do again. Omega and Wrecker were downcast. Crosshair voiced his disapproval in his own way, flicking a toothpick onto the ground. Echo wasn't happy to see you go, but he seemed to understand. Duty to his brothers would soon to call him away also as it had before, or so he'd told you.
What you hadn't expected was Tech to fall silent. His expression didn't exactly betray frustration or displeasure, but you'd always known him to express emotion differently. After all, as you'd come to find out from the others, your departure from the squad during the Clone Wars had affected him more than he'd let on to you.
Just when you thought that maybe Tech's feelings didn't go as far as you once thought, he broke the silence.
"Leaving the safe haven of Pabu is most unwise."
The entire squad froze at Tech's version of an outburst. It wasn't a shout. It was controlled, but each word was laced with a tinge of bitterness- something you'd rarely ever heard.
At that, suddenly the others felt the need to excuse themselves, for one reason or another. Wrecker out of the blue remembered that he and Omega needed to go see Shep about...something. Echo was adamant about joining them. Hunter excused himself to finish a household chore. And Crosshair just up and walked away without a word.
When just you and Tech remained, you responded to his statement calmly.
"I know, it's a risk. But it's one I have to take. I'd hoped you would understand."
"Forgive me," he said curtly, turning his face away, putting his chiseled profile in full view. "I do understand."
Your heart broke at the sight. "Tech..."
He faced you again, an unreadable expression crossing his features. "I understand perfectly."
Before you could say anything more, he walked away.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Tech paused tinkered adamantly with the device in his hands.
He felt like an adolescent. Like some young cadet.
When Crosshair had gone his own way, seemingly lost to the squad, Tech found a way to rationalize it. When Echo departed from the squad for a time, Tech processed the shift in his own way.
Adapting was the name of the game. Tech always felt that finding a way to adapt to changing scenarios would mean a higher probability of survival for himself and the squad as a whole. Rather than wasting time trying to change things according to his own wishes, or longing for things to be different, he found the rate of success would increase immensely if he simply, "rolled with the punches."
So, why did he act contrary to that belief just now? Why didn't he simply shake your hand without so much as a nod and let you continue on your way?
Perhaps it was the environment. The peaceful planet of Pabu, where the squad lived out its days safe and sound- having long since abandoned the life of soldiers and mercenaries- brought about a softer, gentler existence. Survival was no longer something that the squad struggled with.
The lack of a need to adapt perhaps left room for Tech's true emotions to shine through- a luxury previously unheard of in his mind.
"Let me guess," Crosshair's coiled voice interrupted his train of thought. "You didn't tell her how you feel...again."
Ah, fantastic. This was just what Tech needed at the moment. A dose of his brother's difficult and unyielding character.
He adjusted his goggles, resuming his tinkering as if he was unbothered. "I fail to see how that is relevant."
"You know, if you tell her, she might stay."
Tech paused. "I do not see why she would. She had made it quite clear that her mind is made up."
"Is it now?" Crosshair leaned against the doorway of Tech's quarters, crossing his arms. "And how do you know she won't change it?"
Tech didn't reply. Perhaps his brother would give up and leave.
"She deserves to know."
...But of course not.
"What makes you say that?" Tech looked up.
"Because it's the sort of thing people do." Crosshair placed a toothpick between his teeth. "When they care about someone, they tell them. They never know when they'll get the chance to...or if."
That one sent Tech's mind reeling.
Regret. As much as he tried to distance himself from it, as it was another hindrance to adapting to the situation at hand...he knew it would be something that he'd be faced with if he left things the way he had...
But telling you how he felt? Tech wondered how he could even begin to do so. He was eloquent in matters of machinery. Science. Technology. Those were languages he spoke fluently.
Telling you that he cared for you?
Loved you?
That was a foreign concept entirely.
. . . . . . . . . . .
The time of your departure had come all too soon. The squad was gathered around your ship on a rainy afternoon to see you off.
You'd be back soon, you kept reiterating to each of them. Tech watched as you hugged Hunter, and the leader wished you well. Wrecker picked you up and spun you around. Omega, who'd come to admire you so, wrapped her arms around you in a heartfelt hug. Crosshair once more allowed an embrace, bringing his hand up to awkwardly pat your back. Echo, in his fashion, saluted you before you laughed and embraced him also.
Tell her how you feel. Tell her how you feel. Tech kept telling himself that over and over again. It didn't seem to make his next move any easier. Even with the hours and hours of thought he put into it, the task of telling you that he cared for you still seemed monumental. Impossible even.
But his brother's words rang true.
He had to let you know. Somehow.
You were standing in front of him, concern etched on your face. It was evident that his last interaction with you left you unsure as to what his behavior would be. Tech hated that he'd caused that uncertainty.
He opened his mouth, but for once in his entire existence, nothing came out. There was no spew of information. No explanation rolling effortlessly off his lips. Not even a peep.
You were waiting patiently for him to get his bearings- though your uneasiness seemed to increase.
His brain shorted out, and then suddenly everything became crystal clear. If he couldn't begin to tell you how he felt, perhaps it would be best if he didn't tell you.
Tech's resolve cemented, and he closed the distance between you with a single step. Your eyes widened as he stepped into your space, and your hand came up to rest on his chest. When it registered that there was no force behind it, that you were not trying to push him away, Tech placed a hand on each of your shoulders and leaned in.
Your expression melted before his very eyes. With no further thought to your surroundings, you leaned in the rest of the way.
Your thoughts were racing as Tech's lips pressed warmly against your own.
The determined look in his eyes had made your heart flutter. The way he'd so decidedly stepped into your space, how his hands held you in such a way that you doubted anything could move you from that spot... It was captivating.
You recalled the time when thoughts of kissing Tech were the sort of thing that used to keep you up at night.
During the War, your familial affection for the squad would have been questionable in the eyes of the Council, if they'd known. But your attachment to Tech in particular would have been considered dangerous. Absolutely forbidden.
But love is a force of its own.
You were certain of that more than ever, with Tech tilting his head to deepen the kiss, his arms sliding around your form to hold you tighter as the rain pelted you both from above.
What began as a fervid gesture rendered something softer, sweeter in the end. His lips brushed yours tenderly one last time, feather-light, as if savoring the moment, before pulling away.
You tugged him back before he got too far, holding him in an embrace as you buried your face in his chest.
"Stay."
There was no edge to his tone with the request. It broke your heart all the same to hear it.
"I can't," you whispered.
"Perhaps I can accompany you, then." There was a waver in his exhale from the chill of the rain.
"There's no need. Besides, I'll be back faster than you can say, 'Marauder.'"
"I highly doubt that you will return that quickly."
You chuckled, reaching up to wipe some of the drops from his goggles. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"This. I needed it."
The two of you parted, and Wrecker whistled jokingly. Crosshair gave Tech a nod of approval, and Echo was shaking his head in amusement. Hunter merely looked at you with a raised brow, and suddenly your shoes became very fascinating to you.
"I'll see you all soon."
"Keep us updated, will ya?" Hunter asked, giving you a nudge.
"Absolutely. Bye, everyone!" you gave one last salute before boarding your ship. As you engaged the take-off, Tech received a variety of shoulder-pats and nudges of sympathy from the squad.
And when your ship disappeared on the horizon, he found himself glued to the spot for several minutes.
"Don't worry," Hunter assured him. "She's strong. Skilled too."
"I am aware," Tech acknowledged. Another moment of silence passed. "Her engine sounded strange. Perhaps I should comm her."
Hunter chuckled, clapping his hand on Tech's shoulder. "Knock yourself out. I'm sure she'd be glad to hear from you."
