Chapter Text
Hunter wastes no time in marching his ass right back to the Marauder as fast as he can possibly walk. Had he handled that badly? He thinks he'd done okay, but the look of pure confusion on the Captain's face makes him doubt…
No, it's fine. He's done this before, with Crosshair, and the prickly sniper had taken it well - even (albeit awkwardly) telling Hunter how to come across less…judging. Apparently his face was too judgemental the first time. He sighs as he walks up the ramp of the ship, rubbing the back of his neck as Tech's analytical gaze locks on him in seconds.
"How is Echo?" The engineer asks as Hunter sits down across from him. The sergeant shrugs.
"I don't know, the Captain didn't have any information. Apparently he was hovering, but he seems to be in good hands."
Tech nods, seemingly placated by the lacklustre answer, and goes back to tinkering with whatever he's wiring. The soft buzzing of the electricity fills Hunter's ears, familiar and soothing. But that conversation with Rex still pings around his brain like a pinball.
"Where's Cross?" He asks Tech eventually. Tech - predictably - doesn't look up.
"Cockpit."
Hunter nods and makes his way to the front of the ship. Sure enough, the silver-haired sniper is sitting in the co-pilot's chair, a toothpick between his teeth. 'Where does he even get those?' Hunter thinks to himself as he sits in the chair across from him, earning a short glance.
Hunter clears his throat uncomfortably. "So…um…I may…need your advice on something."
Crosshair raises an eyebrow, but doesn't reply. Hunter continues.
"Y'know that conversation we had a week after we left Kamino? About how you're bi and how I love and support you - and I still do! That won't change, I just-"
"Spit it out, Hunter." Crosshair interrupts impatiently. The sergeant sighs.
"I tried to have the same conversation with Rex."
Immediately, the sniper sits up, staring at Hunter - who winces. "And…?"
"Oh my Force, it was the most awkward and painful experience of my life." Hunter breathes out in a rush, burying his face in his hands and laying back in the pilot's chair in sheer cringe. "He just stared at me and I panicked and started rambling about being an ally and how 'my closest brothers are like that-'"
"Like…that." Crosshair repeats slowly, eyes wide in what Hunter hopes isn't horror as he nods in agonised confirmation. To his own horror, Crosshair laughs. "Holy shit. That's…that's actually worse than what you did with me. Why'd he even come up to you with that anyway?"
"He…didn't actually."
The sniper stops laughing abruptly, now just fully staring at the tracker. "What."
"I went up to him." Hunter clarifies, wincing away from the wide-eyed look Crosshair is levelling his way. "Told him that he might wanna be….more…subtle…." He trains off, finally realising how it sounds. "Oh shit."
"Oh shit indeed."
The two stare at each other - one in disbelief and one in horrified realisation.
"Hey, Sarge, Cody's here!" Comes Wrecker's disastrously timed call from the main cabin. Crosshair snorts, which Hunter slowly turns in the direction of the ramp. Fuck. Desperately, he looks to his brother for help, but the sniper just regards him with a look of sheer smugness.
Now, Hunter has never been a cowardly man. He's quite the opposite, actually. But the thought of facing Cody (or Force forbid Rex again) after that conversation makes him want to curl up under his bunk and hide. Unfortunately, he can't, instead nodding respectfully to the Commander. "What can I do for you, Commander? How are you feeling?"
"Fine. Can I talk to you?"
Hunter's blood runs cold, but he nods anyway, distrusting of his voice.
"Great." Without another word, Cody starts toward the barracks. What other choice does Hunter have than to follow? He monitors every breath from the Commander, lapsing into silence. Cody's breathing is steady, slightly raspy from - Hunter assumes - the internal injuries from getting crushed under a gunship.
"Um, sir? This isn't about what I said to Captain Rex, is it?"
Cody whips around in a second, his steely gaze fixed intently on Hunter's face and the sergeant instantly regrets even opening his mouth.
"It wasn't but now it is."
Fuck.
Cody turns sharply, marching toward the 501st barracks. Briefly, Hunter considers running and starting up the ship, but dismisses it. Cody would hunt him down in seconds - injury or no injury. Hopefully no one is in there.
Hunter should really stop hoping for things.
As the door to the 501st barracks opens, about 50 heads turn to stare at the Marshal Commander and Hunter. Cody keeps his head high, Hunter…tries. But the ARC trooper with the Republic cog tattooed on his head is giving him the dirtiest look he's ever gotten in his life. The room is dead silent, even to Hunter.
"Have any of you seen Captain Rex?" Cody asks the silent room. The regs glance at each other, but stay quiet. Until the ARC trooper speaks up.
"He's in the med-bay with Echo."
"Still?" Cody sighs, muttering to himself. "Of course he is. Thank you, Lieutenant." He adds before turning and leaving.
Hunter follows, dreading the conversation that will follow.