Justified behaviour
Tech x trans masc reader (platonic)
A/n: hello Bad batch community, I am back in the fanfic-ing again. It’s been a while! I don’t think Bad Batch will ever get old for me. I mean, I’m hoping to get a semicolon tattoo with Tech’s helmet soon, lol. Tbb has totally been with me through thick and thin, even in such a short amount of time, and this oneshot is definitely reminiscent of that. Enjoy!!!
TW(?): small mental health themes and coming out, nothing explicit at all
It was a night like any other on the Marauder. Wrecker and Omega were drawing out some dejarik strategies for fun, Omega sighing as Wrecker wasn’t getting what she was showing him, for the third time.
“Here. If you move this piece, that gets rid of that one,” she drew arrows and circles, “which gives you a huge step up.”
“Oh. Well you shoulda just said that!”
Omega rolled her eyes.
Echo and Hunter were chatting idly by the navicomputer, Crosshair adding in a few words every now and then, cleaning his firepuncher.
Tech and you were sitting in the cockpit, doing your own things or discussing new topics as usual. Tech was working on a new panel cover to replace on the the pilot controls, as it had been worn over the years and needed replacing.
“How have you been?” You started some light conversation.
Tech looked up for a moment. “I am well, thank you. How about you?”
“Ok, I guess.” You replied, in a tone more honest than you were hoping.
“Are you sure? Your tone suggests otherwise.”
“Mostly just surviving, If I’m being honest.”
Tech takes in the information. “It sounds like we should plan something again. Is there any planets you would be particularly interested in exploring in any amount? Maybe we could take Omega. She would enjoy the adventure.”
“Actually that sounds like a great idea right now.” You said, smiling slightly at the thought.
“Yes. As someone who sometimes struggles mentally, any small amount of distraction or connection would be beneficial.”
Tech was one of the only people who knew about how you really felt sometimes, and was the first person you told. He was a smart person, who you knew wouldn’t just say to “suck it up” or compare their problems to yours. One thing you wished you could tell him was why. But you weren’t sure how the rest of the squad would react, if word got out.
“Is something the matter?”
“Hmm?”
“You were disassociating. I asked you if you have ever heard of “tip yip”. A recent finding of mine.”
“Tip yip…yeah actually. I remember seeing that in a market once. It’s some sort of roasted poultry, right?”
“Correct. Generally roasted.”
“Seems like these recipes are making you hungry for something other than rations. Oh, what about the—um—Mantell Mix? Did you ever find out what it was made of?”
“Yes, actually.” Tech flipped his helmet visor up and took it off. “It’s derived from a local tree nut farm that sells the underdeveloped cones of a native tree species. Then they’re roasted and coated in a coloured, hard candy coating.”
“Hmm. Well, good to know Omega and Wrecker aren’t eating something possibly toxic in large amounts.”
“Yes. It would raise some concern if it was.” Tech smirked in his extremely subtle way at your remark. “How is that project you were working on going?”
“Well, actually. Thank you for recommending that I try doing it. Understanding that coding language helps a lot in reading errors in diagnostic reports.”
“Indeed. Because I wrote the program into my datapad, as long as you use that language, diagnostic reports on any ship or other piece of hardware are much more efficient to use.”
“Do you use the same idea for your linguistics thing? OH! That also means it’s a lot harder for anyone to get hold of your information and intel, since it’s all encrypted in your own language.”
“Precisely.”
You gave a him an interested nod, and returned to what you were looking at on your own datapad.
“Would you like to speak about—other things?” He asked at quieter volume. He jerked his head very slightly towards the rest of the ship. “I can make an excuse.”
You thought for a moment. Tech was the only one who really knew what you actually felt. Of course, the batch was already full of unconventional clones. They weren’t nearly as stoic about emotions and mental health as a vast majority of the galaxy’s men. You had been bottling up a lot recently, and talking to Tech would likely ease the burden, even just for a moment.
“Sure, actually. That would be nice.”
“I’ll quickly install this panel, then maybe we could head to fuel up and stop by a scrapyard?”
“Works for me.”
Tech gave another nod, removing some of the tools from his belt and attaching the new panel. Meanwhile you assembled your gear for the outing.
———————
The fuel stop wouldn’t be long, since they had to be back at Ord Mantell in the next two of its mornings. Galactic zone changes were also hard to keep track of if no one was paying attention, which can happen when one of the brothers falls asleep.
Tech told his brothers what needed to be done, and that he was “missing a button” (that was usually always stocked) for the front panel.
At the scrap yard, you searched for a secluded place to sit, and threw a scrapped button over to Tech on the move. He placed it in one of his many pouches, the same one that contained the adapters that came in very useful on missions for Cid.
You both settled into a small cave-like structure within a stack of speeder bike salvage. Tech settled in and removed his helmet. The shade from the sun on Jakku, where they had stopped, was pleasant. The dry, cool air reminded you of the Marauder’s comfort.
“Im going to guess the usual mechanisms you use are not bringing you much serenity as you would like.” Tech said, observing the land speeder’s chassis about them.
You took the opportunity of depleted expectations to lay back into the warm sand below where you sat.
“I guess not. To be fair, though, I’m not actually doing them. I can never remember in a moment.”
“Hmm.” Tech hummed in contemplation. “That is unfortunate.”
“Hey, look, I’m sorry I only talk to you. Of all people. I mean—like, I mean this in the nicest way possible—and I guess you’ve told me you agree—but-“
“Emotions are not my strong suit.”
“Yeah. That, and…I just wish you didn’t have to deal with me in the first place.”
“You’re so called ‘dealing with you’ is still important.”
“I know, but…I won’t get better. I’ve been a waste of time to everyone that’s tried.”
“Why do you say that? I, nor you find it a waste of time. In fact, you have thanked me even for just listening. You have also said—“
“That it helps, I know, but I feel like there’s something out there that would help fix me.”
“That, I cannot give you my assistance with.”
“I know. And it isn’t your fault, I just…”
Tech waits patiently for you to formulate words.
“I guess you and the rest of the batch would just—really not appreciate—you wouldn’t like the real me.”
“The ‘real you’ implies there is something we do not know.” Tech quirks an eyebrow, his expression much more curious now.
You have officially left yourself for a loss of words at your own misfortune. Suddenly everything is heavy and burning. What have you just done?
Tech places a delicate, unsure hand on your shoulder. He says you name questioningly.
“I used to be someone else.”
“What do you mean?”
“I…Tech, I didn’t mean to let it slip, I just…”
“Yes. Anything.”
“I’m trans. I didn’t tell anyone after the day I moved out. I thought I wouldn’t tell anyone else, since no one ever learned to understand it in the first place.”
“I was expecting something like being a member of the Separatists, but that is fine.” Tech says in the most unceremoniously factual way.
“W-what?”
“It is alright. Me and my brothers would never discriminate. I was not aware that your secret was causing you harm. I am sorry you felt you needed to keep it.”
“…wow, okay.”
“Do you wish to head back?”
You turn your head for a moment, toward the walls of scrap.
“It is alright if you do not want to. But Hunter is going to be suspicious.”
You sniff slightly, trying desperately to smother your uneven breaths. You regain control of your emotions, and nod.
On the commute back to the Marauder, you suddenly spooked Tech with a very heartfelt, but swift hug, before continuing in to the ship.
—————————————————————————
Ty for reading!!!
