(Bad Batch) Wrecker x Reader: The Gift
Word Count: 1,178
Warnings: Fluff, pining
Author's note: This one goes out to the Wrecker girlies!!! And anyone else who could use some Wrecker content.
You clutched the folded-up cloth tighter in your hand, waiting at the bottom of the steps for a certain Bad Batcher to come walking by after dinner. As you waited, you were granted the soothing pleasure of watching the sky turn all sorts of vibrant shades as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The air was still warm: the evening chill hadn’t begun to set yet. You leaned over the stone wall to peer down at how the ocean shone with reflections of the sky.
With the return of Crosshair, and the whole squad safe and sound- not to mention happy- Pabu was starting to feel like home to you. The peaceful days that passed were precious to you. You treasured each moment you spent with the squad, and it shed a new light on a particular someone.
Afternoons were spent sitting side-by-side on the docks with him, fishing in the sun. You both helped out with different projects around the community, and when you did take breaks, you took them together. Sometimes the two of you would dig into a picnic basket that you’d packed for lunch, or take a dip in the crystal waters, or just sit in the sand talking and joking around.
You found yourself hardly anywhere but at his side, and him at yours. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. Wrecker always had a warmth about him that you liked. You always thought he was handsome, and you couldn’t deny that you felt your face heat up and heart pound anytime he was near… But there was hardly time to explore that. The squad had been on the run for so long, and you were always worried about the dynamic that these feelings would bring to the team.
This time on Pabu gave you the chance to simply be with him. To exist together. To find out more about not only him, but yourself. It was all new to you. Life was simple there, happy, and for a short while you could forget about the insanity that had taken over the rest of the Galaxy. You could forget about the danger that the squad was truly in.
The familiar gaits of your squad were coming down the steps. You turned around, keeping the folded item behind your back. Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker and Omega were making their descent, all with smiles on their faces after a filling dinner. Hunter paused in front of you first, giving you a curious look.
“You good?” he asked. To be fair, you had left dinner early. You’d mustered up the courage to grab the gift from your quarters and wait for the opportunity to give it to its intended recipient.
“Yeah, thank you.”
Crosshair chewed on a toothpick, passing by you with a simple nod in your direction. It was brief but sincere. Omega was at his heels with Wrecker beside her, and the two of them beamed when they saw you.
“Hey, ______,” she greeted.
“Hey! Missed you at dinner!” Wrecker said. He gave you a nudge. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah…Actually, could I have a moment with you?”
“You can have as many as you’d like!” he chuckled. Omega already knew about the gift, since you’d given her one not too long ago. She gave you a knowing look, waving at you both kindly, as she continued on her way to catch up with Hunter and Crosshair.
“What’s up?” Wrecker asked
You hesitated, suddenly feeling shy as you had his full attention. “I got you something. I don’t know, it might be a little silly…but, here.” You held out the item, embarrassment and excitement wrestling inside you. Wrecker unfolded and held it up to get a better look.
“Aww, it’s Lula!” he exclaimed, turning the shirt around. “How-? Where’d you get this?”
“There’s a shop on the lower levels that prints designs on T-shirts,” you explained happily. “Omega and I drew one up for you. She had one made that was similar.”
Wrecker grinned at you. “It’s the best shirt ever!” He moved forward to wrap his arms around you, giving you a tight squeeze that made you laugh. “Thank you!” You wrapped your arms around his neck and hugged him back, so relieved that he liked the present. It felt like he might never let you go, but then the embrace did come to an end. You felt his cheek brush against yours briefly as he carefully put you back down. “So, uh, what’s the occasion?”
He looked a little nervous, like perhaps he had forgotten an important day.
“It’s just because,” you said. “I appreciate your friendship. You’re so fun, and thoughtful, and I really like our talks.”
His eyes softened as he listened to your words, regarding you with a tenderness that you saw in him often. Wrecker gave a quiet chuckle. “I like spending time with you too,” he said. It appeared as if he wanted to say more, but no words came. He simply gazed back at you in this way, and you found yourself unsure of what to say next.
“Uh, anyway…” You ran a hand over the stone railing beside you idly. “I have some errands to run before dark. I’ll see you around.”
“Need any help?”
You shook your head, smiling in appreciation of his offer. “It’s alright, nothing major. Thank you though, Wreck.”
“Sure, sure.” He rubbed the back of his neck and watched you take the next stairway towards the market.
Wrecker looked back down at the shirt after you left, running his thumbs over the soft material. He couldn’t wait to wear it the next time the two of you hung out. He headed back to where his squad had gone, finding just Hunter and Crosshair seated in a common area with a bonfire going. Omega appeared to have already gone to bed for the night.
Crosshair was the first to notice what was in Wrecker’s hand. “What’s that? A gift?” There was no mistaking the subtle teasing in his tone.
“Uh, yeah.” Wrecker took a seat. “She got one for Omega too.”
“That doesn’t negate the fact,” Hunter said with the hint of a smile.
Wrecker looked at him. “What fact?”
“The fact that the girl is crazy for you,” Crosshair replied with the roll of his eyes, irritated that his brother was obviously feigning obliviousness. He wasn’t about to let his sibling off that easily. “And you are for her. So, what’s the hold up?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wrecker grumbled, folding his arms in a stubborn sort of gesture. “There’s no hold up.”
Hunter and Crosshair exchanged looks, both raising a brow, but said no more on the matter. Wrecker leaned back to watch the bonfire while these things went through his mind.
Of course he felt that way about you. Of course he’d wanted to bring it up for ages, but it never seemed to be quite the right time, so he just carried on as usual.
Maybe it was time to change that.