Chapter Text
"Tech! Get the door!"
Tech groaned, shifting as he pulled himself out from under Echo's car. He was closest to the front door, he knew that, but he wasn't a bellboy.
Still, he stood, wiping the grime off of his shirt and cleaning his face with a towel before pushing the door open, passing by a mirror as he made his way to the front door.
His hair had finally grown back out in the last two months, now better resembling what it had before it was brutally shaved. His scar had also faded from the jagged, ugly stretch of skin to something softer.
He was finally beginning to recognise himself in his reflection, looking at it longer and longer each day.
He caught his own eye in the mirror and smiled, before he kept walking.
He stepped around Omega's abandoned shoes and bag, noting that Wrecker was definitely going to trip on them on his way in once he came home. That was Hunter's problem, not Tech's.
He got to the door and tugged it open. "Hello–" He started, then paused.
"Phee?"
She smiled, waving excitedly. "Hey there, Brown Eyes."
Tech's eyes were wide for a moment. "What're you–" He asked, trying to remember if there was something important on today. Nothing he could think of.
Phee laughed a bit at his confused face. "Don't worry, nothing important is going on, I just wanted to see you."
Ah. Tech lit up a little. "Thank you," He said with a small smile. Phee nodded, then glanced around before leaning in.
"Gregor and Wolffe wouldn't let me leave without these for you," She said, pushing a package into his hands. "They went searching for it once the news report came out, they said they couldn't wait to see you again."
Tech took the package, gently holding it as he looked up. "Thank you-" He said, then stood back. "Would you- like to come inside?" He offered, face already heating up.
Phee blinked, then grinned. "Sure thing." She said, stepping inside. She looked around, and Tech was acutely aware of the state of the place, now.
"Sorry," He tried, pushing the mess out of her way with his foot. "I should've cleaned before I asked–"
"It's not a problem," Phee laughed. "Remember the state of our place when you first moved in?"
Tech laughed. "I do." He nodded. Phee snorted, slipping her hand into his free one as he led her towards the kitchen.
"Hunter?" Tech called into the kitchen. "This is Phee, she's a friend from school."
Hunter looked over his shoulder from the cooker, giving them a once-over before he watched Phee wearily. Tech squeezed her hand while he did.
"Hey, Phee," Hunter greeted eventually. "I'm Hunter. Tech's oldest brother."
"Nice to meet you," Phee waved, then looked closer. "You have a face tattoo."
Hunter glanced over. "Yep," He answered, stirring the food in pan. "That I do."
Phee raised a brow, and Tech heard the front door opening. He also heard the tell-tale sounds of Wrecker cursing as he tripped over Omega's shoes. He snorted to himself, tuning back into the conversation.
"Im just saying," Phee shrugged. "Its not exactly subtle."
"Who said I was going for subtle?" Hunter argued, eyes narrowed. Phee shrugged, then turned as two new people ran into the room. Wrecker and Omega were laughing, running through the once deafeningly silent house.
"Hey, Tech!" Omega greeted as she ran by. "Hey, stranger!"
Wrecker skid to a stop, looking down at Phee and Tech. "Who's that?" He asked, gesturing while he looked to Tech.
"Phee," She answered, sticking out her other hand. "I'm a friend." She gave Tech a small look. He snorted and looked away.
Wrecker stared between the two and slowly stuck out his own hand. "Wrecker." He greeted. He opened his mouth to keep speaking, when a head of blonde hair appeared in front of him.
"I'm Omega!"
Phee smiled down at Omega while she waved. "Hi there," She said, head tilted. "I didn't know your sister was this cute, Brown Eyes."
Tech shrugged. "I'm sure I mentioned it." He waved her off as Omega laughed. "Are you staying for dinner?" She asked.
Phee blinked. "I dunno," She glanced to Tech. "Am I?"
Tech looked to Hunter. "You're more than welcome to." Tech spoke up. "We can eat in the kitchen while the others–"
"There's room on the table for everyone." Hunter interrupted. "Phee can eat there with everyone else."
Tech's face flushed, but Phee just laughed. "Then it's settled," She said. "I'm staying for dinner!"
Omega cheered. Tech carefully put the package away, promising to open it later, with less company.
Phee followed Tech through his animated tour of their house. Their hands were connected the whole time.
At Hunter's call for dinner, Tech led Phee to his usual seat. She was sat down first, and he sat beside her.
Across from them, Echo took up spot and gave Phee a look of surprise. "Who's this?" He asked while Omega sat up beside him.
"That's Phee!" She told him. "Tech's friend!"
"That I am," Phee waved with a shrug. "Who're you?"
"Echo," He responded, around the chaos of Wrecker setting down food. "Lovely to meet you."
Once everyone had settled down, Crosshair joined. His eyes narrowed at Phee, before he cautiously sat down beside her.
"I'm Phee," She said for what felt like the millionth time. "I'm guessing you're Crosshair?"
He nodded slightly. "Cool." She looked to Tech, who shrugged.
They ate. Talked, mostly, Wrecker asked a few questions about college, Phee was willing to answer. Tech's face warmed at the sheer amount of 'night time activities' Phee was dragging him to once he was back in school full-time.
"With the amount of people-time you'll have, you'll need another two month break." Phee joked. Tech laughed, nearly joking on his food.
Hunter raised a brow, and shared a look with Crosshair across the table. Phee continued talking with Echo and Wrecker.
Tech was on dishes, and Phee graciously offered to help. At first, he refused, but Phee pulled up her sleeves and threatened to- lovingly- drown him in the dish water.
That's how Hunter found himself watching the two of them laugh and joke, pressed together over the sink as they cleaned.
He tapped his foot, watching her bump their hips together as she spoke lowly to him. His response was another laugh, followed by small whispers Hunter couldn't make out.
Crosshair joined him. "You're gonna get more worry-lines." He commented. Hunter drew up.
"Am not." He argued, still watching the couple at the sink.
Crosshair sighed. "What'd you think of Phee?" He asked. Hunter shrugged minutely.
"Yeah, figured." Crosshair sighed. "I didn't like her either."
"Didn't?" Hunter tore his eyes away to look at Crosshair. He shrugged, picking at one of the loose hairs on his shirt.
Hunter and his shedding, Crosshair grouched.
"Yeah, Tech told me all about her." He admitted. "Said she was the prettiest person he'd ever met, couldn't believe she was his roommate, one time he dropped his towel in front of her immediately after the shower—"
"Ugh- gross!" Hunter cut in, covering his face. "Stop, I get it. I get the picture."
"He really likes her."
Hunter uncovered his face and watched them with a sigh. "I know."
"So stop glaring at her like you don't," Crosshair flicked Hunter's ear. "He'll be fine, he's got us in case she breaks his heart."
Hunter winced, but sighed, nodding. "I know." He repeated.
"Good." Crosshair folded his arms, and then called across the room, "Hey! Pretty sure it doesn't take a half hour to wash and dry seven plates!"
Tech turned, face crimson. "He's showing me the fine arts of dish washing." Phee shot back without turning around. "It's a very delicate process!"
Crosshair bit back his sigh, because of course his younger brother would think dishwashing was the way to have a woman swoon.
Though, looking closer, it almost looked like it was working.
"Hunter?" Omega called from the living room. "Wrecker won't let me be player one!"
"You lost the race!" Wrecker's voice rang out, indignant. "That's not my fault!"
"She's ten years old, Wrecker!" Echo's sharp voice joined the chorus.
Crosshair laughed. "You better go get that." He pat Hunter's arm.
Hunter sighed, slinking off to give out. Crosshair waited by the door for a minute longer. "Join us in the sitting room when you're done making out over dishes." He called, leaving before Tech could yell at him.
He heard Tech's yelp of disapproval, anyway. He found himself sitting beside Echo, listening to Wrecker try expkain why he wouldn't let his younger sister be player one as Hunter stood over them.
He laughed, leaning back and closing his eyes as the house finally filled with noise again. He missed this.