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"Eyes forward and focused, CT-25-2145. Now."
Hunter startled at the sharp bark of the Kaminoan chaperone, his voice making Hunter suddenly aware of the fact he had wandered from the group of commandos. Embarrassment flushed through Hunter as he jerked away from the bright flower that's smell had drawn him away from the group, then hurried back into line.
The commando in front of Hunter glared at him, and Hunter was not unaware of the elbow that slammed against his back from behind him. Hunter scowled but ignored the commandos, his hands curling into fists at his side as he swore to himself to never again allow himself to be distracted. His mission - his role - was to protect his brothers, he could never allow himself to become distracted. Not if he wished to do right by his brothers.
No matter the strange smells, no matter what tilting cries of birds he heard, Hunter could never lose focus. And he would not, for he had been made for war, not for sightseeing-
"We are coming up on Naboo, Hunter," Tech's voice broke through the cockpit, jolting Hunter from his memories and focusing his attention on his youngest brother.
Tech was piloting their brand new shuttle, the Havoc Marauder - Wrecker and Crosshair had fought over the name until Tech had suggested a blend of their suggestions that everyone agreed upon -, his expression one of pure focus and determination, even as Tech's eyes snapped to Hunter briefly. Tech had grown from the shy, young boy Hunter had first met in the two years that Hunter had known Tech - grown physically, mentally and emotionally.
Tech's voice was starting to mature as he quickly outgrew his older clothes, though Tech was still small. Tech barely stood at Hunter's shoulders, his frame lanky and muscular even as he grew in height. Crosshair loved resting his arm on Tech's head, the sniper's smile infectious as Tech stared without amusement at Crosshair.
And it was not just Tech's stature that was small, but his posture. Tech had always held himself in a small manner that kept his back slouched, shoulders hunched inwards, and eyes downcast. Hunter knew his brother's mannerisms came from his abusive upbringing and shy nature, as well as he knew how to coax Tech into a small trace of confidence.
"Good job, Tech," Hunter replied as he shot his brother a quick smile, then leaned back in the copilot's seat. He felt Tech's spine stiffen and smelled Tech's surprised elation at Hunter's compliment, then smiled.
Hunter and his brothers had been given, to their complete and utter surprise, a leave from Kamino. It had come out of the blue, unannounced, and mere weeks after Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair had been sent on their first mission. Hunter hadn't expected to be called into Kleal Selri's office, to be told that he and his brothers were being given leave for their "valiant efforts" in routing enemies to the Republic in their first mission ever - but they were.
Tech had been left behind on Kamino for that mission, and Hunter had never been more relieved to have not had Tech around. His nightmares of having to use his vibroblade to stab one of their targets in the throat to protect Crosshair from being tortured were still fresh in his memories, and Hunter was glad that Tech did not have to suffer through the same as Hunter had. His little brother already had enough of his own worries and Tech had never been aggressive. Hunter knew that Tech was not a killer, and preferred a pacifist lifestyle over the very nature clones had been created for.
Not like Crosshair had become.
Crosshair had gunned down every man who stood in their way, and Hunter had never been able to stop looking at Crosshair with a worry he did not like. This was Crosshair - brave, strong, stern Crosshair - and yet it wasn't.
The lack of hesitation to kill frightened Hunter, and the tension he'd felt from Crosshair had not ceased since their mission. Hunter hoped that their leave on Naboo would allow Crosshair a chance to breathe, and would allow all of them to breathe.
It wasn't a mission, but a chance to relax, and Hunter hoped that he could take this leave for what it was intended. Hunter needed a distraction from his thoughts and nightmares, and he hoped a break on Naboo with just his brothers would be all he'd need to chase away the plague of nightmares. Without his nightmares, Hunter could be his brothers' sergeant and leader once more. Not the anxious, distracted, worried Hunter who had made an error in a battle simulation that almost made them fail.
A groan escaped from Hunter as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose, fighting the pounding in his head that had not ceased since that trial mission in the Outer Rim. His shoulders ached as much as Hunter's heart burned with the burden of responsibility, and it was weighing on Hunter in such a way that he could not help but feel like he was breaking apart.
"H-Hunter? Are you unwell?"
Tech's soft whisper, and the distinct thrum of his brother's anxious heartbeat jerked Hunter away from thoughts of his nightmares, his gaze turning quickly to see Tech watching him curiously. Tech's head was tilted in that characteristic owlish way that always indicated confusion or curiosity, his eyes narrowed slightly as Tech looked over Hunter and then blinked.
"Are you unwell?" Tech repeated quietly, a tremor in his voice that sounded distinctly worried as Tech continued to stare past Hunter.
Hunter returned a reassuring smile to Tech as he straightened in his seat and stretched his arms over his head, anything that would radiate ease to Tech, who Hunter knew read body language to understand his brothers' emotions. Tech never seemed to understand tone - least of all humorous tones - in a way that Hunter did, and his way of understanding his brothers was through body movement. Hunter normally made an effort to exhibit his emotions however best Tech could understand, but his brother's propensity to read body language also proved difficult to lie to Tech.
"I'm just tired, Tech," Hunter lied with a yawn and another stretch of his arms, the corner of his vision focused on Tech to see how his brother reacted.
Tech's gaze shifted over Hunter, his brow furrowed with concentration, before Tech perked up and smiled. "Have you slept the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep lately?"
"Yes," Hunter chuckled, always amused and endeared by Tech's formal manner of speech, a genuine smile cracking across his mouth as Tech continued to stare at him, "I have slept enough, Tech. I am merely tired from our training sims, that's all."
Tech's expression did not change for a few moments, except for when his gaze snapped to the Havoc Marauder's controls, then he nodded. "Understood."
With that, Tech turned back to the shuttle's viewport and focused on piloting through hyperspace once more. Hunter watched Tech for a moment, then rubbed at his eyes and slumped in his seat. His eyes had almost shut for the last few moments of sleep, when he heard Tech shift in the pilot's seat and felt his brother's gaze fall upon Hunter once again.
"Yes?" Hunter muttered as he heard Tech's heart rate spike noticeably as he stared at Hunter.
Tech didn't answer, except with a loud hiss of worried air, then ducked his head and scuffed his feet against the durasteel floors of their shuttle. "I have never been off Kamino before. What is it like to see a new planet? To hear and see the fauna? And the flora! I have only seen live plants once before in my life; I cannot imagine what an entire forest truly looks and smells-"
Tech cut himself off abruptly, cheeks reddening before he let out a quiet apology and hunched in his shoulders. Hunter stared at his little brother, hurt twisting through his already unsettled stomach as Tech stared at the shuttle's yoke. Tech's embarrassment soured the air, the sound of his racing heart so loud Hunter's ears started to ache, and the unmistakable flush of Tech's cheeks broke Hunter's heart.
His little brother was always cutting himself off mid sentence since Crosshair had yelled at Tech to shut up, days after their trial mission. Hunter hadn't reacted, hadn't told Crosshair off for his behavior, and Tech had clearly suffered for Hunter's silence. Tech had taken Crosshair's words to heart, and Tech always reddened or hurried out an apology whenever he thought he'd been talking too much.
Hunter could not allow Tech to feel like he was bothering Hunter by talking, not when Tech was in such an obvious state of unrest. Slowly, so that he did not startle Tech, Hunter stood up and approached Tech, then leaned on the headrest of the pilot's seat.
"I've mainly been out on training exercises when I go off Kamino," Hunter admitted with a casual shrug, "and there's never been a chance for me to see if there is anything that exciting on the planets I have been to."
"I see," Tech replied quietly, the easing of his heart rate making Hunter smile slightly. But his little brother was still upset with himself, and Hunter could not allow Tech to feel miserable when they had been given such a rare opportunity.
Hunter reached down and, very briefly, tapped Tech on the shoulder to draw his brother's attention. Tech stiffened at the touch, almost jolting in place even as Tech turned his head and looked up at Hunter.
"Tech, you do not need to cut yourself off when talking to me," Hunter explained quietly as Tech's gaze narrowed upon him, "I'm not bothered by hearing you talk."
Hunter's statement seemed to make Tech flustered, for he immediately turned away from Hunter, shoulders stiff and posture rigid, and muttered a quiet, "Crosshair is," before Tech looked out the viewport again.
Hunter retracted his hand from Tech's shoulder, then shot a glare down to the hold of the Havoc Marauder, where Crosshair was glaring stiffly at Wrecker. Wrecker had brought Lula and was trying to make Crosshair hold her by shoving the stuffed tooka Tech had made, almost two years ago, into the sniper's arms.
Crosshair wrestled Lula from Wrecker then threw her across the hold, his scowl bitter and dark as Crosshair sneered at Wrecker's shocked gasp and crossed his arms over his chest. Wrecker glared at their brother then, with a purposefully hard punch to Crosshair's shoulder that made Crosshair hit the floor of the hold, stomped over to where Lula had been thrown.
Hunter knew that he, Wrecker and Crosshair had all changed since they had been tasked to kill the group of insurgents, but seeing Crosshair turn so openly belligerent - even to Tech -, made Hunter's blood boil. He shot a glare at Crosshair, who noticed it this time and stiffened with a frustrated snort, then turned back to Tech, who was faking a smile as he pulled the shuttle out of hyperspace.
"Do not listen to Crosshair's comments, Tech," Hunter urged as Naboo grew larger in the viewport, "you know he does not mean them. I should have told him off when he snapped at you, and I apologize for not doing so sooner."
Tech's shrug was nonchalant as he maneuvered the Havoc Marauder to the agreed upon coordinates - part of Naboo's Lake Country where there were no settlements or any sentient life close enough to put Hunter's brothers in harm's way -, but the swift beating of his heart was anything but nonchalant. Tech adored Crosshair and looked up to Crosshair as the fiercely protective and dangerous sniper who had opened his heart to their youngest brother, and Hunter knew that any form of rejection from Crosshair hurt Tech worse than rejection from Wrecker or Hunter could.
Not that Hunter would ever consciously reject his nervous brother, not when it had taken Tech so long to break out of his shell enough to be willing to talk with all of them as much as he did Crosshair. Not when Crosshair's rejection to Tech a year ago had made their youngest brother almost break emotionally, and not when Hunter could not face seeing Tech in such a listless, depressive state again. Hunter's job was to support his brothers anyway he could, even if it meant picking sides and supporting Tech over Crosshair or Wrecker.
"We shall be making landfall briefly," Tech reminded Hunter, "you should prepare for landing."
Hunter shot Tech a long look before he nodded and moved back to the copilot's seat, though Hunter could not help the feeling of sorrow he felt for Tech. His little brother was always so quick to please and always tried to support his brothers anyway Tech knew how, but that seemed to blind Tech to his own need for comfort.
Tech always became quiet and withdrawn whenever he was reprimanded by Kaminoans or their trainers, and he reeked of anxiety whenever one of his brothers so much as raised their voices to Tech. Having Crosshair snap at Tech - to tell their youngest brother to "shut up" - had hurt Tech, and had made the smaller clone retreat back into his shell, where Hunter knew Tech thought he was safest. Prying Tech out of his defensive shell was almost impossible, especially with Crosshair's snappiness the source of Tech's overwhelming anxiety. Hunter had to try, for Tech's sake and his brothers', for they needed their little brother sound of mind to be at full strength.
As Tech began the landing sequence, Hunter let out a quiet plea to whatever Force gods were listening, and hoped that their short leave would help Tech and the rest of his brothers. None of them had ever had a break before, never had been away from Kamino without Kaminoans or their trainers watching them, and none of them had ever had a moment to relax. Not on Kamino, not with the Kaminoans, trainers and bitter regs who always sought to punish or abuse Hunter and his brothers.
This leave was their only chance for a break, and Hunter already knew he could not enjoy their leave like he wished to. He had to worry about his brothers and their safety, so how could he relax when he had them to worry about constantly?
Tech's heart had not stopped racing since he had pulled the Havoc Marauder out of hyperspace, and it had only quickened to a breath stealing thrum when he had initiated the landing sequence. He knew how to land as if it was second nature, but this time felt different. This was no test nor simulation, but Tech's first solo flight with his brothers.
He had to land perfectly so that his brothers could see how much care and thought Tech put into protecting his brothers. His pilot's wings were there solely so that Tech could provide even more aid to his brothers, and he could not face the unnerving thought of losing his brothers' trust in his piloting abilities.
The Havoc Marauder eased down to the grassy plains, its landing gear letting out a low hiss of hydraulics as the ship settled in place. Tech checked the systems carefully, ensuring every single part of his ship was properly shut off, then turned to Hunter and waited for his brother's orders.
Tech was fully aware that their flight to Naboo was an unusual opportunity for a break - and his first time leaving Kamino - but Tech didn't dare move without Hunter's commands. Hunter had been off-world multiple times, he knew what to do on foreign planets, and Tech was more than relieved to follow the advice of his older brothers.
Hunter rubbed at his forehead and sighed as he stood up from the copilot's seat, the smile he sent to Tech brief and fleeting but noticeable enough to make Tech smile back in turn. A short flick of Hunter's right hand was all the permission Tech needed to move, and he did quickly. Tech scrambled to his feet as Hunter walked towards the docking ramp, each step Tech took quick and hurried as he followed directly behind Hunter. Wrecker assaulted Crosshair with Lula as their oldest brother scurried past the sniper, who was still seated in one of the crash seats with his scowl more pronounced than normal, Wrecker's actions earning a growl from Crosshair.
The sniper moved slowly out of his crash seat as Wrecker waited at the top of the ramp for Hunter to descend, Crosshair's long strides stopping him next to Tech before Crosshair suddenly jabbed Wrecker in the side. Wrecker glared down at Crosshair, albeit half-heartedly, his wounded expression played up as Wrecker turned away from Crosshair and let out a loud sniff.
"Oh, brother," Crosshair said with an exaggerated roll of his eyes, though there was a faint smile dusting his lips even as Wrecker shoved Crosshair back.
Hunter stopped in the middle of the ramp then turned to face his brothers, a mild and slightly frustrated scowl carved across his mouth as he shook his head slowly. Wrecker let out a sheepish apology as Crosshair crossed his arms over his chest and turned his nose away from Hunter, their responses forcing a loud snort from Hunter that seemed amused in nature.
"Wrecker, grab our gear, we will set up camp five clicks north of the Marauder. Crosshair, grab the rations, we'll need 'em," Hunter ordered sternly, before he turned back and headed down the rest of the docking ramp. "I'll scout ahead, you three take your time and I will meet up with you."
"On it, Sarge!" Wrecker shouted as he whirled around and hurried to the supply cabinet at the stern of the Havoc Marauder, the sound of Wrecker thrashing through Tech's carefully organized shelves making him wince.
Crosshair gave a mild salute to Hunter's back as he turned and headed to the tiny, makeshift galley near where Wrecker was still rooting through the supply cabinet. Tech winced when he heard a loud snap, and then Wrecker's rapid, whispered "oh no" came from the supply cabinet, then shook his head and sighed.
"Please be careful, Wrecker?" Tech attempted to suggest, only for Wrecker to let out another gasp as a loud crack sounded through the Marauder.
Tech rolled his eyes and, deciding it was not worth his time to see what Wrecker had broken, Tech stepped down the docking ramp after Hunter. But he had not taken more than his first few steps when Tech froze and stared.
Grassy plains stretched on for miles, the grass undulating with the gentle breeze that felt so unlike the heavy storm currents Tech had to endure on Kamino. He had never seen such a beautiful, lush shade of green, nor had Tech ever seen grass before.
Tech scrambled down the docking ramp, stopping when his boots sunk into the soft grass and stumbled back onto the docking ramp. He'd never felt such an odd sensation, as if his boots were sucking into the ground ever so slightly, and it was strange.
Tech hesitated on the docking ramp for another second then, one foot at a time, stepped onto the grass at the edge of the ramp cautiously. Again, his boots sunk into the grass, though it was almost unnoticeable this time, and Tech could not help himself but to crouch down and run a hand over the grass.
The blades of grass swished under Tech's touch, the softness of the grass blades unlike that which he'd read. Tech had read up on plants of a variety of planets since the moment he'd been able to, but he had never had the opportunity to actually know what the many plants he'd read up on felt like. How curious that grass felt this soft, when Tech had not imagined this to be the texture of-
"What are you doing?"
Wrecker's curious voice jolted Tech out of his thoughts with a shocked cry, his feet scrambling underneath him as Tech straightened and whirled to see Wrecker staring at him with a bewildered expression. Wrecker's arms were laden with their four canvas duffle bags, all of which were packed with standard camping gear and supplies, his head tilted as Wrecker's eyes shifted between the grass and Tech.
Tech blinked at Wrecker as his heart, which had quickened at Wrecker's question, slowed and allowed him the chance to breathe. Wrecker was still staring at Tech, with one eyebrow raised, and it seemed like Wrecker was not going to move anywhere until Tech answered him.
Straightening himself into a more relaxed posture, Tech shrugged and explained, "I have never been off-world before, as I previously mentioned to Hunter. I have never had the opportunities to see nature aside from what we had on Kamino, or that which I could view through the holonet or simulations. Thus, I have never felt grass under my boots, or even felt the texture of grass before-"
"But why?" Wrecker interrupted, his expression morphing into a quizzical frown as he stared at Tech. "It's just grass. It's not that exciting."
Tech stared at Wrecker, confused by his brother's dismissal of Tech's interest and Wrecker's bored response to grass - to nature, and science and the biological makeup of the soil Naboo's grassy plains grew on! The entirety of Naboo's core could take years to explore, every tunnel and flooded cave teeming with-
"Uh… that's cool, I guess? But we aren't here to explore, Tech, and we have to find a camping spot." Wrecker's hand brushed against Tech's back, shoving him forwards gently as Crosshair leapt down from the docking ramp and shot them both strange looks.
Tech sighed as Wrecker gave him another push forwards, then slumped his shoulders and fell in line behind Wrecker and Crosshair. A simple push of his scanner, which he had connected to the Havoc Marauder the moment he'd received ownership of the shuttle, closed the docking ramp, sealing it from intruders and fauna alike. One last check of the Havoc Marauder's security systems reassured Tech enough for him to look after Wrecker and Crosshair, in time to realize both had moved considerably ahead of him.
Tech stored his scanner quickly and ran after his brothers, catching up to them just as Crosshair looked back for Tech. Crosshair's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he looked over Tech with a slight twitch of worry in his normal scowl, then the sniper turned away and continued on. Wrecker seemed unaware of Tech lagging behind, nor did Wrecker seem aware of anything that he walked past.
Neither of Tech's brothers seemed aware of the wind ruffling their hair, but Tech was fully aware of everything the warm breeze brought. Kamino's breeze always carried the sharp tang of salt, or was sharp with the electricity of coming lightning storms - Tech could only describe Kamino's air as unfriendly. But Naboo's breeze carried a softness to it that Tech reveled in, for he could smell so much more than just rain or storms.
There was the smell he now knew to be grass, sweet and faint, and he could even smell the familiar mist of water, though it was almost too faint to be recognizable. Tech slowed as a swarm of scents he did not understand hit him, washing over him with a powerful gust of wind. Tech reached towards Crosshair to ask him what he thought the smell was, but hesitated when he remembered his brother's reprimand about staying quiet. Tech retreated, pulling his arm back to his side as he trudged behind Wrecker.
Tech followed his brothers slowly, his gaze unable to not wander about Naboo's Lake Country as they continued on their slow path north. Hunter appeared from up the trail, jogging to meet Tech and his brothers with a relaxed smile, but Tech hardly noticed. Not when his attention had been grabbed by a field of purple that spread out beyond the range of his, admittedly, short vision.
He slowed to a stop and stared, head tilted quizzically as Tech diverted from the path his brothers were taking, and hurried to where the grassy plains shimmered with a beautiful lavender hue. A field of plants, with deep, divided leaves of a sharp, emerald color and long purple flowers that tapered into a sharp cone - Tech knew these flowers to be called Queen's Lupine - covered the grassy hill. Tech kneeled down near the lupine and stared at the flowers as he slowly pulled out his datapad and used it to record descriptions on the field of lupine.
He buried his nose into his notes as he recorded the smell of the lupine, the soft, delicate flowers and the pliable rigidity of the leaves, and the distinct variant of purple hues each lupine plant had. Tech didn't notice Hunter calling for him as he worked, nor did he ever notice when his three older brothers rushed to his side. Only when Hunter bent down in Tech's field of vision - practically kneeling in front of Tech, since his goggles blocked Tech's peripheral vision - and waved at him, did Tech realize his brothers were gathered around him.
Hunter let out a notable exhale when Tech looked up from his datapad, his worried expression easing slightly as he smiled at Tech then peered down at his datapad. "What are you cataloguing, Tech?"
Tech perked up at Hunter's question, a tiny jolt of excitement coursing through him at Hunter's interest. Usually Crosshair was the one who made a point of asking for Tech's wealth of knowledge, so whenever Hunter or Wrecker asked, Tech's heart would race with what he knew to be an excited surge of shock.
Hunter was showing interest in Tech's information! Hunter!
Tech's excitement made his words fly out of his mouth as he showed Hunter his notes, explaining each tiny notation as he shyly looked for the shift in Hunter's expression. He waited for Hunter to roll his eyes or sigh, waited for Hunter to remind Tech that he needed to shut up, but Hunter only tilted his head and listened to Tech speak.
Encouraged by Hunter's interest, Tech continued to explain every tiny detail on Queen's Lupine until he noticed that Hunter had stood up and was giving Tech the "follow" signal. Tech looked around himself and realized that Wrecker and Crosshair were gone, then quickly leapt to his feet.
Embarrassed, Tech stashed his datapad into his utility belt and hurried after Hunter, who paused and waited for Tech to catch up. As Tech matched Hunter's even pace at a steady trot with his shorter legs, he shot his brother a nervous look then ducked his head and whispered a quiet apology for wandering.
Hunter staggered for a moment, almost tripping over himself, as he turned to Tech and stared at him with clear bewilderment in his gaze. "No need to apologize, Tech. I understand that you are excited to be off Kamino, we were just worried about you. You vanished and didn't tell us where you were going, but I could feel the pulse of your datapad and followed it to you."
Tech blinked as understanding washed over him. He had failed to inform his brothers of his diversion from their path, and had slipped away quietly. It was natural and expected for his three brothers to worry if Tech had not informed them of his departure. He had thought nothing of his brothers' worry over him before he'd run off, and Tech knew he had to be aware of his brothers' constant concern over him.
With a self-conscious scratching of his neck, Tech reached towards Hunter as his older brother continued onwards, then shyly tapped Hunter's shoulder. Hunter let out a low hum as he turned towards Tech and, curiously, tilted his head as he continued to walk.
"Yes, little brother?"
"I will ensure to tell you prior to wandering off from now on," Tech reassured Hunter with a smile, only for Hunter to shake his head and let out a low chuckle.
Tech felt Hunter ruffle his hair briefly with a low laugh, before Hunter nudged Tech in the back with his elbow and gestured to Tech's left. Tech turned in the direction Hunter was pointing, unaware of the way Tech instinctively shifted beside Hunter and used his brother's body to protect him, and peered out around his brother. Far in the distance, almost a blur to Tech even with his goggles, were a herd of quadrupedal animals that Tech could not define from the distance.
Curious, Tech rifled through his pockets until he felt the string connected to the electrobinoculars he had packed, then pulled the electrobinoculars from his hip pocket. Tech heard Hunter chuckle as Tech peered through the electrobinoculars at the large herd of creatures, his brother's amusement odd and unexplained, though Tech ignored it as he watched the herd of quadrupedal creatures graze
A herd of guarlara - large, muscular equidae with an elongated muzzle, perked ears and curved horns - were grazing quietly, though the herd stallion was watching Tech and Hunter suspiciously. Tech watched the guarlara, noting how the steel roan stallion pawed his hooves and threw his large head as he observed Tech and Hunter carefully.
"Those are guarlara," Tech explained as he lowered his electrobinoculars and peered up at Hunter, "a species of equidae that has been used by the Naboo monarchy as methods of ceremonial transports from the earliest known dating of Naboo government. I had read of wild herds roaming the grasslands of Naboo, though there are few documentations of the origins of a herd in the Lake Country."
Hunter bombarded Tech with follow up questions on the guarlara as they walked, the unending questions nearly making Tech bounce on his feet. Time passed in a pleasurably slow crawl as Hunter would divert from their path and purposefully point out a plant, insect, or creature to Tech, his gaze always soft whenever Tech would scurry to Hunter's side and recite every fact he knew of whatever Hunter pointed out.
And, with every question Tech answered, the tension in Hunter's shoulders that had existed over the last few weeks started to fade. The heat of midday came upon Tech as he detailed the long history of Naboo, his eyes always searching for when Hunter would disapprove of his incessant chatter, but it never came. Not when Tech followed a bee as it traveled from one flower to the next, nor did Hunter stop Tech when he spotted a small creek and stared at the fish for an enormous hour.
Hunter had, to Tech's surprise, attempted to catch one of the trouts with his bare hands - which led to Hunter falling into the creek. Tech had dove in the creek after Hunter, only to realize his normally stoic and serious brother was laughing. Curiously, Tech tilted his head and watched Hunter, surprised by the deep rumble that was Hunter's laugh.
"Are you alright?" Tech asked as Hunter failed to move out of the creek, his brother's laugh powerful enough that it shook Hunter's shoulders.
Hunter rubbed at his eyes - which were tearing up? - with the back of his left hand as he nodded, his legs splayed out in the creek so that his armor was drenched with water. Even Hunter's hair was wet, from Hunter belly flopping into the creek as the fish darted from his shadow, and Hunter didn't seem to mind.
How… curious.
"I'm good," Hunter choked out through his rumbling laughs, "just guess that I will never be a natural fisherman, will I?"
"I… guess?" Tech agreed, though he could not understand the humor in the situation, even as he extended his hand to Hunter.
Hunter's weight bore down on Tech's legs as he heaved his soaking brother to his feet. Tech felt Hunter shake his head slightly as Hunter balanced in the pebbly creek bed, his brother's damp hair flinging water droplets against Tech's face. Tech rubbed at the lens of his goggles as Hunter finished shaking what water he could from his armor, a mist of water trailing each limb Hunter shook about.
Then, gently, Tech felt Hunter's right hand press into his shoulder, the jerk of Hunter's head all the command Tech needed to move. Hunter followed Tech out of the creek, leaving loud squealching noises with each shift of his boots. The sound coming from Hunter, of all of Tech's brothers, made a small laugh bubble out from his lungs. Surprised, Tech covered his mouth, then flushed. Hunter would not take being laughed at by Tech well, least of all when Tech knew how uncomfortable walking in wet boots could be.
So it was with a worried fear that Tech looked towards Hunter, only to see that Hunter's eyes were warm and his lips raised in a soft smile. "I have never had such fun before today," Hunter admitted as his boots continued to make the most obscene noises possible, "and it's because of you, Tech."
"What?" Tech blinked dumbfoundedly at Hunter, his right hand shifting to point at himself as he scanned Hunter's eyes for any lie. There was none. Hunter hadn't lied once today. "Me?"
"Yes. The first time I went off-world," Hunter said beside Tech quietly as they trudged up a steep embankment, "I became foolishly distracted by an odd-smelling flower, and was promptly beaten for allowing myself to become distracted. After that, I only saw nature to be a factor of smells that meant nothing to me. We are trained as soldiers, not to have fun or to explore.
"I never was curious like you, yet… I have never felt so relaxed. You've shared your knowledge with me, yes, but it's your enthusiasm for Naboo that has made me see this as more than just a mission. You've made me see life where I could not before, little brother."
A flush crept into Tech's cheeks as he ducked his head and nervously threaded his fingers together. Hunter was complimenting Tech. Hunter was enjoying Tech's info-dumping, and even claimed to have learned something personal from Tech's excited need to explore the first planet he'd ever stepped foot on. Tech often felt as if his endless knowledge was useless to his brothers, or that Crosshair only ever wanted to listen to make Tech happy, but Hunter was admitting to the exact opposite. Hunter wanted to hear Tech talk, and that was enough to make Tech step with an excited bounce.
Hunter led Tech until they reached a small, wooded clearing that sat astride a quiet stream, shaded by dogwoods. Around a small pile of stones and broken tree limbs were their sleeping rolls - Crosshair's dark gray sleeping roll was pushed as far from Tech's as he possibly could get -, pillows and supplies. Wrecker was busy breaking down branches at one edge of the clearing, while Crosshair was nowhere to be seen. Tech checked his best friend's sleeping roll for the Firepuncher that was as much Crosshair as his brother's fierce attitude, then raised his eyebrows with open surprise when his eyes caught the sharp glint of Crosshair's rifle laid beside his brother's sleeping roll.
Crosshair never went anywhere without his rifle, not even on Kamino, and the absence of the rifle on Crosshair's person made Tech worriedly look around the campsite. A light brush of a hand on Tech's left shoulder focused Tech's worry onto Hunter, who turned his head to the right, then gestured into the trees. Tech turned in the direction Hunter directed him to look, then released a gust of breath as Crosshair emerged from a row of dogwoods - without his armor.
The sniper's gaze shifted towards Tech and Hunter, though Tech noticed how long Crosshair's gaze paused on Tech. Hunter squeezed Tech's shoulder before he stepped towards Crosshair, who continued to stare at Tech until Hunter caught the sniper's shoulder and pulled him away. At the edge of the clearing, Wrecker had just finished breaking down the thick branches and was approaching the small ring of rocks with his arms loaded down by the pile of branches.
Wrecker dropped the branches at the edge of the pit, then approached Tech, who was still watching Crosshair and Hunter as his older brothers left into the trees. "What did you see out there, little buddy?"
Tech looked up at Wrecker, ready to answer, when a faint flutter of wings made Tech jerk his gaze away from Wrecker and to the topmost branches of the dogwood above him. A flash of bright blue exploded from the trees with a sharp shriek, though the creature - an avian, Tech surmised, by the location and speed of the creature in the crown of the dogwood - was gone too quickly for Tech to identify.
The suddenness of the avian's departure made Tech peer closer at the crown of the dogwood, his eyes narrowing behind his goggles as-
There it was.
Hidden in the foliage and bark of the tree was a nest. An avian nest. Too high for Tech to reach, let alone to get a good view from the ground level. And another quick scan of the dogwood provided Tech with little confidence on climbing the tree - he very well could, for Tech was quite physically capable no matter his intellectual interests, but he did not desire testing the integrity of the tree.
So, with a light huff, Tech settled on observing the tree, until he heard Wrecker shift on his feet beside him. Wrecker was tall - already seven feet tall - and strong enough to pick up Tech, as well as hold the small technician for an indeterminate amount of time. And, as it stood, Wrecker liked picking Tech up.
Tech set his jaw as he turned towards Wrecker, tapped his brother's shoulder, then whispered, "Up?"
Wrecker's eyes lit up the second he registered Tech's question, his smile as broad as the Naboo grasslands. Tech braced himself as Wrecker's arms shifted around Tech, then he was hoisted off his feet. The sensation of weightlessness twisted Tech's stomach briefly, though only long enough for Wrecker to place Tech onto his brother's shoulders.
Tech shifted his legs until Wrecker wrapped his arms around Tech's legs, holding him firmly and carefully. Wrecker's grip remained as Tech directed Wrecker to the branch where he'd seen the nest, his datapad rested against Wrecker's head as Tech logged information on his find. The nest was sturdily built, interlaced with guarlara hair, reeds for waterproofing the nest, as well as twigs and branches. And, inside the nest, were two eggs, patterned with brown flecks that made the eggs almost impossible to see through the down of feathers, dried leaves and discarded fur.
Wrecker shifted Tech closer to the nest at the silent tap of Tech's boot to his chest, the movement bringing Tech close enough that he could almost touch the eggs if he wanted to. His curiosity demanded Tech touch the eggs, for he had never held an avian's egg in his hands before, but his sense of right won out. Not wishing to disturb the nest further, Tech used his datapad to take a few pictures of the eggs, then showed the datapad to Wrecker.
Warmth radiated from Wrecker's gaze as he shifted his eyes from the picture of the nest up to Tech, still perched on top of his brother's shoulders, then Wrecker actually chuckled. Tech had not heard his oldest brother laugh in weeks, not since his brothers had vanished, then come back cold and bitter. Hearing Wrecker's voice lighten made Tech's lips shift into a smile, and one that was aided further by Wrecker suddenly swiping Tech off his shoulders. Tech floundered in Wrecker's arms until he felt his oldest brother hook his left arm around Tech's torso, push Tech into his side, then another laugh rumbled out from Wrecker's chest.
Tech scowled slightly as he hung in his brother's grasp, but this hold was just as familiar as when Wrecker would lift Tech onto his shoulders. Though Tech saw Wrecker most often hold Crosshair in this manner - Wrecker liked to tease them that he was carrying them around as nuna-ball players would, always to Crosshair's chagrin -, and had seen Wrecker hoist many practice droids in the same manner. Though Tech's legs and arms were free to dangle and left Tech with that uncomfortable feeling of being unsupported by the ground, Tech did not mind being held in this position.
Not when Wrecker was so clearly enjoying himself as he strutted around their campsite with Tech tucked under his arm, his beaming smile all Tech needed to stay locked within his brother's hold. Even when Crosshair and Hunter arrived back into the camp with excited tales of a large swimming area and waterfall they could jump from, Wrecker did not let Tech go.
So Tech was carried the entire way upriver by Wrecker, a fact that even amused Tech as he imagined the feed that would come from his recorder that was attached to goggles. Half the time, Wrecker would suddenly ruffle Tech's hair with his right hand - always disturbing Tech's goggles purposefully - or jostle Tech, leaving the inevitable recording a blurry mess of jumbled images. But Tech did not mind, not when his brother's mood was finally improving. He would do anything, or give up any part of himself, for his brothers.
When the four brothers arrived at the waterfall, Wrecker finally released Tech, allowing Tech the chance to step to the edge of the plunge pool and gawk at the beauty of the waterfall. The edge of the plunge pool hissed away into a stream, with the right hand side of the waterfall's rocky edge climbed up a steep side of the Lake Country's diverse land. A stream of water rushed over a flat outcropping of rock to the left of the steep cliff, the mist of the waterfall covering much of the plunge pool from Tech's vision.
"Race you to the top, Cross!" Wrecker roared before Tech heard his oldest brother sprint away, a furious shout from Crosshair all that preceded the thunder of Crosshair's nimble steps as he chased Wrecker.
Tech rolled his eyes as he sat down near the edge of the plunge pool, his eyes scanning the geology of the waterfall before he heard Hunter stop beside him. Hunter's hand brushed Tech's shoulder gently, drawing Tech's gaze up to where Hunter was watching him closely, his brown eyes concerned and weary.
"You don't need to swim, but I will be here the whole time for you if you need me."
Hunter's words warmed Tech's cheeks as he returned a quick nod, then stared a hole into his datapad. His brothers had found out about Tech's fear of water - caused by days and days of waterboarding that had been used to train Tech to resist methods of torture - by accident, when their commando training forced Tech to submerge himself into a pool and he couldn't. Hunter had spent days taking Tech to the pool late at night, using his senses and his seemingly endless patience with Tech to help Tech face his fear.
After the weeks of training with Hunter, Tech did not immediately freeze when he was submerged in water, but it was still a highly unpleasant sensation for Tech to face. The offer from Hunter was one Tech could always trust and, to thank Hunter, Tech reached up to where Hunter's hand still remained on his shoulder, then squeezed his brother's hand gently.
"Thank you, Hunter," Tech whispered, "your support and understanding is always appreciated-"
The sudden feeling of Hunter's arms around Tech's torso froze Tech mid-speech, his datapad falling to the ground as Hunter leaned into Tech and placed a brief, yet firm kiss to the side of Tech's temple. "It's your support I appreciate, little one," Hunter breathed as he slowly released Tech from his hug, "and that will never change. I promise."
"I believe you, Hunter," Tech assured as he met his brother's brown eyes for a long second that made Tech's skin crawl.
And he did. His family had proven they cared about Tech and would always care about him, no matter the struggles Tech went through. He had to trust them.
He would trust them.
Hunter's hand ran through Tech's hair before his older brother removed his blacks until all he wore were his undergarments, then bounded into the plunge pool with an excited shout. Tech watched as Hunter dove underwater for periods of time, emerging once with a fish before the fish smacked Hunter in the face with its tail, then slipped from his grasp. The sight made Tech snort back a laugh, though he could not restrain his laugh when Wrecker and Crosshair reached the top of the waterfall and Wrecker threw Crosshair into the plunge pool.
Crosshair burst up from the water with a slew of profanities and threats towards Wrecker's life that Wrecker responded to only by sticking his tongue out at the sniper. Crosshair snarled something at Wrecker, then dove into the plunge pool's deep water before he emerged and flung a rock at Wrecker. The rock struck Wrecker in the chest and, to Tech's shock, he saw Wrecker stagger and fall into the plunge pool.
Tech scrambled to his feet as Wrecker did not emerge from the water, until he suddenly saw Crosshair vanish under the water and heard Hunter's deep, rumbling laugh break over the stretch of grasslands. Moments later, Crosshair burst out of the water, then hurriedly swam up to scramble to shore, his glare fierce as Wrecker broke the surface of the water with raucous laughs. Crosshair returned Wrecker's laugh with a threat, then stormed over and sat down beside Tech.
Tech stiffened slightly when Crosshair sat down beside him, his gaze shifting towards his best friend as he attempted to read Crosshair's body language. Crosshair's shoulders were stiff, yet his fierce glare held humor as well as his smile told of his best friend's true feelings. The sniper often growled when he was happy, and always glared when he was embarrassed - and he was practically radiating embarrassment.
Carefully, nervously, Tech reached out towards Crosshair with his left hand, then wrapped his fingers in between Crosshair's right hand. The touch drew Crosshair's gaze to Tech immediately and, for the first time since Crosshair had told Tech to shut up, Tech saw his best friend's golden brown eyes soften.
"Tech," Crosshair breathed as a wisp of a smile twitched at his mouth, "I- Should I throw Wrecker in the pool?"
The cut in Crosshair's question did not go unnoticed by Tech, though he knew not to push. Crosshair would address his feelings towards Tech eventually - and hopefully help the anxiety and hurt in Tech's heart at Crosshair's cold snarl that had forced Tech into his shell all over again -, when he was ready.
Tech just hoped that would be soon. But Crosshair had asked Tech for his opinion, which meant that soon could possibly be closer than Tech expected.
"You could try. I would recommend sweeping his leg, behind his knees. Perhaps Hunter will assist you," Tech whispered as he shot a conspiratorial glance towards where Wrecker and Hunter were splashing each other and play fighting in the depths of the plunge pool, "you know Hunter has wanted revenge for Wrecker throwing him at simulation droids last month. I would recommend tricking Wrecker before attempting to unbalance him into the pool-"
Tech plotted out a detailed plan to Crosshair, aware of the way his voice was making Crosshair's smile return in full force. Crosshair hadn't smiled since he, Wrecker and Hunter had left Kamino, but he was finally smiling.
Crosshair was smiling.
Crosshair watched the fire crackle, observing how the wood glowed with the soul of the flames, charring it black as the heat and flames worked to burn away the fuel. He had never sat around a campfire, as Tech described it, before, and the burning embers fascinated Crosshair. He could see so much detail in the flames, could smell the choking smoke and sweet scent of burning wood, and it was… different.
He actually liked it.
Then, with his characteristic shyness, Crosshair felt Tech's fingers lightly brush his shoulder. Crosshair peered down at Tech, noting the way the light thrown from the fire made his brother's eyes glow with feverish passion, then nodded for Tech to continue.
Tech's smile was infectious as he pointed up to the night sky, and let out a curious sound. "What do you see when you look at the stars, Cross?"
Crosshair blinked at Tech's odd question and gawked down at Tech. His brother blinked back at Crosshair, expression almost deadly serious in how Tech's jaw was set and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. When Tech's mouth turned into a frown, Crosshair realized that Tech was looking for an answer to his strange question.
But what kind of answer was Tech looking for? Crosshair wasn't a dreamer or a scientist like Tech, he had little interest in the chemical makeup of planets or space, and thus Crosshair did not see what his best friend did. Where Tech saw their trip as an opportunity to explore nature for the first time, visiting Naboo was merely an enforced leave to Crosshair. Unlike Tech, Crosshair did not view the world through a curious lens.
He didn't allow himself to be distracted by Morning Starflowers or small bugs, nor would Crosshair ever dare being caught dead sitting on Wrecker's shoulders to attempt to peer into a bird's nest. Crosshair had been off-world during commando training a few times over the years yet, for as much as Crosshair enjoyed being away from Kamino, he had only ever seen planet visits as missions or training.
But, as Tech looked up at him with those wide, goggled eyes, Crosshair allowed himself to breathe and relent with a small shrug. Why not entertain Tech, when he had never seen his brother so happy and excited before today?
Crosshair looked up at the stars, noting each bright burning ball of gas and planet that blanketed the sky then let out a low hum. "All I see are the stars, Tech, nothing else."
Tech didn't respond at first, though Crosshair was entirely aware of the way Tech's eyes flicked over his face, as if Tech was attempting to read his brother's expression in the firelight. Then, with a quietness that seemed to only ever come about when Tech spoke of his past with his former handler, he looked towards the fire and sighed.
"I see worlds we have yet to explore, peoples' homes and birthplaces. The stars hold infinite knowledge that is waiting to be discovered - to be spread to others around the galaxy - for knowledge should be shared. Everyone deserves to understand the joys of nature, and the lessons we can learn from nature." Tech's tone was cool and calm, so collected and mature it almost made Crosshair forget that his brother was merely fifteen years old.
Made Crosshair almost forget that Tech had never been off-world before, had never had the chance to leave the place where he had been decanted and abused by his handler and bullies alike, and that Tech saw everything with hope in his heart. How Tech could think with such excitement or hope, Crosshair could not understand, not with what his handler had done to Tech for his first four standard years of his life.
She had twisted Tech with her bladed, degrading comments and her purposeful diggings at Tech's natural anxieties and fears. It was her fault Tech always blamed himself for mishaps in training, her fault that Tech thought so little of himself, and her fault that his brother was always so close to retreating back into his shell and hiding from his brothers.
Yet Tech had somehow forged through every pointed comment, and every round and day of torture and emotion "therapy" - Crosshair ground his teeth when he remembered Tech calmly detailing being shocked by Sullo Pria's vibrostaff each time a monitor displayed a flicker of emotion from him when he was five -, she had made and had not come out a bitter, resentful person. If Crosshair had been trained by Sullo Pria, he would have become the cold, heartless monster that Crosshair was afraid lay inside him. Crosshair didn't have Tech's unwavering spirit, nor his brother's honest, open heart, and somehow Tech's soul had survived under his handler's monstrous treatment.
If any of Crosshair's brothers should have been unaware of the stars and the bugs and flowers and nature, by all rights it should have been Tech. Soft, sensitive Tech who flinched at raised voices and ducked his head whenever the tiniest of reprimands was sent his way. His small, shy brother who allowed his bullies to beat on him because Tech claimed fighting back would only further incense them into hurting him; and the honest, kind Tech who had forgiven Crosshair for every single one of his mistakes.
But Tech was the one with hope, the one who smiled at new discoveries and eagerly wished to share his knowledge with his brothers. Tech, for never stepping a foot off Kamino, knew more about the galaxy than Crosshair, Hunter or Wrecker did, and the realization sank into Crosshair slowly.
Crosshair had always seen Tech as intelligent beyond his years, but he had never realized how wise Tech was. Where Crosshair saw balls of gas and rocky planets, his scientific brother had seen the homes of families and avenues for knowledge to be shared. Tech didn't hate the galaxy like Crosshair did… no, Tech saw hope and excitement in everything that Crosshair had always dismissed or ignored.
"The stars are what we are fighting for, Crosshair," Tech breathed, his words drawing Crosshair's gaze down to where Tech was watching him closely. Tech noticed Crosshair's shift in attention slowly, his eyes moving to meet Crosshair's briefly before Tech looked up from the flames of the campfire and trailed his gaze up the plume of smoke to stare once more at the stars.
"Just as we have sworn to always fight for each other, we must fight for the families that this coming war shall endanger. Just as we have been given no choice in our own lives, those that do not fight in the war will have been given no choice in the ravaging of their homes either."
Tech's statement gave Crosshair pause, his fingers threading through the fabric of his pants slowly as Crosshair shifted his gaze away from Tech and to the campfire. The flames crackled and spat, devouring the logs slowly as Crosshair's thoughts picked apart everything Tech had suggested.
Before Crosshair had been assigned to Experimental Unit 99, he had been trained as a solo sniper, someone without a team. He'd been handed off between handlers and trainers so many times that Crosshair had become bitter and resentful, and that anger had pushed him to defy the Kaminoans at every turn.
Crosshair had been created as a weapon, and valued solely for his enhanced and magnified vision by the Kaminoans. He had no purpose but to fight a war for entities he frankly despised, be they Kaminoans, Jedi or the Republic, and that resentment had turned to everything associated with the Republic. Crosshair had blamed the galaxy for his creation just as much as he did the Kaminoans, but the galaxy wasn't the one seeking this war that he'd been created for. Just as Crosshair had his family, and sought only to fight for them, he could not deny the logic and wisdom of Tech's statement on the innocent families that lived throughout the entire galaxy.
They had never played a hand in the coming war, nor did the families on Naboo or any other planet have a part in the creation and torture of Crosshair and his brothers. Crosshair had always believed that the entire galaxy could be gathered in the same hateful, loathsome grouping as the Kaminoans, Jedi and the Republic, but maybe Tech was right? Maybe Crosshair could fight for his family, and the families of the planets that would be threatened by the war.
For Crosshair knew the hurt and agony of nearly losing a family member, and he did not wish that on anyone. Not when family was all that had mattered to Crosshair since he'd joined Experimental Unit 99, and he did not want to see the war tear apart innocent families. No one deserved losing their loved ones to a war they did not want to be a part of, and fighting to prevent that, at least, was a goal Crosshair could find agreeable.
Crosshair would never fight for the Republic or the Jedi, but he would fight to protect his family - and the families of the galaxy. He had to stand up for his family, to right all wrongs Crosshair had committed, and to protect them to the end of his life. His brothers were all that mattered to Crosshair, and all that kept him grounded and able to look forward to each new day.
"Tech?" Crosshair released a sigh as he shifted to look at his brother, who was still staring at the night sky, a small jolt an obvious tell of Tech's shock as Tech turned to look at him with curious eyes.
"I'm sorry for telling you to shut up before," Crosshair reached out and gently touched his brother's shoulder, noting the glaring fact Tech did not flinch at his brief touch, a gesture that was purposeful in its attempt to convey how apologetic Crosshair was for his prior rudeness, "I regretted what I said the moment it slipped from my mouth - once I realized what I'd told you to do. I would never mean to snap at you, not on purpose, Tech."
Tech looked at Crosshair for a long moment without blinking then, with a shrug of his small shoulders, Tech turned away from Crosshair. "While I do not understand what transpired when the three of you left Kamino, I can theorize that which happened changed each of you. I am not prying into a matter that clearly does not concern me, and I understand your comment came from anger or stress. I am not mad at you, Crosshair, but I will accept your apology, if only because you believe it is needed."
Crosshair watched Tech's demeanor shift slightly as he spoke, noting the way Tech hunched in his shoulders and avoided looking at Crosshair - a clear indication that his best friend was upset with the topic of their conversation. Tech had always displayed a deep set nervousness towards confrontations, and Crosshair had not been unaware of the way Tech would always flinch or how quiet he had become once Crosshair had lost control and snapped at Tech. Crosshair had messed up and had hurt Tech… but Tech refused to say that out loud.
Tech would avoid any form of conflict with his brothers, and Crosshair knew full well how Tech used his info-dumping to soothe his anxiety. Crosshair could only imagine how lonely Tech had been while he, Hunter and Wrecker had been on their assignment for two weeks, and Tech's excitement at their return had been infectious - and all Crosshair had given his relieved brother in return was a snappish command to be quiet. All Tech's words had meant were his worry and anxiety over his brothers, and Crosshair had turned that against Tech.
It wasn't much of a surprise to Crosshair that Tech was hurting because of Crosshair, nor that Tech refused to vocally acknowledge Crosshair's mistake. He knew Tech too well and, with a shake of his head, Crosshair gave Tech the lightest nudge in the side before Crosshair gestured to a random star in the sky.
"What's the name of that star?"
Tech blinked once before his eyes sparked in the glow of the fire, a shimmering excitement blazing through Tech as he looked up into the stars. "That is Aussir, though that formation is actually a stellar nursery. The formation was named after an ancient Force-wielder who-"
Crosshair listened intently as Tech explained the cosmos, pointing out constellations and their spiritual and cultural connection to Naboo, Tech's excitement making his words clip over each other. Every few seconds, Tech would shoot Crosshair an anxious look, only for Crosshair to encourage his brother on by pointing to a new star and asking about the significance of the star to Naboo. Each time, Tech's expression lightened and, eventually, after hours and hours of stargazing - as Tech called it - Crosshair noticed that Tech had stopped looking at him worriedly.
His brother had, obviously, expected Crosshair to snap at him to shut up again as he rambled and rambled, but Crosshair knew he could never repeat the same mistake twice. Crosshair had made many mistakes over his seven years, but none had ever hurt as much as those mistakes he'd made about his brothers. Listening to Tech ramble about the stars and Naboo eased Crosshair's mind, even stifling the nightmares of gunning down the Separatists insurgents and the monster that lurked inside Crosshair - ready to strike at a moment's notice - and that sense of ease erased all sense of time.
When Crosshair felt Tech slump against his side - the faintest of snores escaping from Tech - the sniper smiled softly and wrapped an arm around his little brother. Tech burrowed closer to Crosshair in his sleep, the pull of his mouth relaxed and his breathing even and easy. Movement in the periphery of Crosshair's vision snapped him rigid, his instincts warning him of an approaching person, though he did not dare move in case he woke Tech.
"It's Hunter," Hunter's voice hissed through the shadows, moments before Hunter crouched down beside Crosshair and shot a small smile in Tech's direction. Hunter's gaze shifted towards Crosshair, his face bare of his usual face paint after their swim in the river, then Hunter's smile retreated into a light frown as he shook his head.
"He really opened my eyes up to the world today," Hunter admitted quietly as he reached over Crosshair and ruffled Tech's short, light brown hair briefly. Tech let out a low hum at Hunter's touch, his nose scrunching as their youngest brother burrowed closer to Crosshair's side. Hunter's mouth twisted as he pulled his hand away from Tech, then laid it on Crosshair's left shoulder.
Crosshair met Hunter's gaze, noting the deep worry that had washed over Hunter's face as Hunter's eyes shifted towards Tech once more. Crosshair looked down at his younger brother, still curled against his side and snoring quietly, then let out a low sigh. "How long will his innocence last, Hunter? Today was the first time Tech was ever off-world, and you saw how excited he was over the prospect… When the war comes… will we still have our Tech?"
Hunter didn't answer but for a worried, strained furrowing of his brow and a pointed glare towards the still burning fire. Hunter ground the heels of his boots into the soft grass underneath him, then shook his head and lowered his shoulders in defeat. "We lost our innocence years ago, Crosshair, but I am going to make every effort to protect him from becoming what we are. It is the least we can do for him, after everything he's done for us."
Crosshair looked away from Hunter, fingers knotted against the shirt of Tech's pajamas, then nodded his agreement. He did not like to imagine what the war they all knew was inching closer and closer towards them would do to his brothers, and hated the idea of the pacifist Tech having to kill as Crosshair, Hunter and Wrecker had.
Droids were different, and even Tech had acknowledged his understanding of fighting the droids in training… But Crosshair knew that they weren't always going to be sent after droids. The mission to the Outer Rim had taught him that, when he and his brothers had raised their guns to sentient beings. They hadn't been trained to kill sentient beings, but Crosshair had not hesitated. He had only seen his brothers in danger, and nothing else.
How would Tech respond if he was tasked to kill a sentient being like Crosshair had? Would Tech even be able to comprehend what his order meant? And could his little brother actually pull the trigger as Crosshair had?
Tech had no interest in fighting, not like Crosshair, Wrecker or Hunter, and he had made his disinterest in war abundantly clear. Crosshair couldn't imagine Tech willingly ending the life of any sentient being, nor did Crosshair want to imagine how doing so would impact Tech. The Tech who became excited at flowers and bird nests and bugs could never kill a sentient being and, as much as Crosshair hated to think of the idea, he doubted that the soft, innocent and excitable Tech would ever survive the war.
Anger blazed through Crosshair's veins as he thought of the war and his brother, the emotion storming through him until he felt Hunter wrap his arm around his shoulder and felt his sergeant bury his face against Crosshair's shoulder. Crosshair looked towards Hunter then released a relenting sigh, Hunter's message clear even without his words.
Together, they would protect Tech, no matter what had to be done to keep their innocent, shy little brother happy and sound. He was their glue, after all, and Crosshair could not lose his best friend. He would rather give up his eyesight than ever lose Tech, and that… The immediate willingness to remove the one aspect of Crosshair that he believed he was valued upon? To give that up for Tech?
A light, breathy snort escaped from Crosshair as he finally accepted what he'd known since Tech had joined Experimental Unit 99. Tech was Crosshair's weakness, the one who had opened Crosshair up to revealing his emotions and allowed Crosshair to become vulnerable, and it was for Tech that Crosshair would do anything.
If he lost Tech, Crosshair did not know how he would function. How he would breathe without his youngest brother's smile and inherent kindness. How Crosshair could ever face himself if he lost his brother and he could do nothing to save Tech.
Crosshair needed Tech more than he could ever admit out loud, and that inability to explain to Tech how much Crosshair's brother meant to him, meant that Crosshair had to put effort into every waking moment of his life to protect Tech. For, without their innocent, sweet brother, Crosshair knew that he, Hunter and Wrecker would not be able to survive.
A smile brushed across Wrecker's mouth as he watched his three younger brothers, the quiet sound of their breathing as soothing as the crackling of the dying fire. He could barely see Tech, so squished was he between Crosshair and Hunter, but Wrecker knew his youngest brother was safe. Hunter and Crosshair would always protect Tech, and their youngest brother was finally safe.
Safe from his former handler, safe from the threat of decommissioning as he matured and grew, and safe from killing.
Safe from the nightmares that had sealed their way into Wrecker's mind and left him as restless as he had been before Tech had made Lula for him. No matter how much Wrecker tried to seek comfort from Lula since the mission to the Outer Rim, the stuffed tooka had been unsuccessful in siphoning Wrecker's nightmares away. Yet, for all the failings of the tooka his little brother had made him, seeing his brothers at peace and enjoying the other's company was enough to calm the raging storm of conflict within Wrecker.
He watched his brothers and tended to the fire, always keenly aware of their surroundings as the night progressed. At one point, a grunt from Crosshair snapped Wrecker to his feet, only for his worry to soothe when he saw that Crosshair had pulled Tech closer to his chest as he slept. Hunter, suddenly devoid of his brothers' warmth, groaned in his sleep then shifted closer to Tech and buried his face against Tech's shoulder.
Wrecker's brothers were safe. They were happy and had reconciled with each other. Crosshair had even smiled, and Wrecker could not recall the last time he'd seen such happiness in Hunter's gaze than today. His brothers were happier than any of them had been in years, and it was all because of Tech.
Because of Tech's curiosity and excitement - because of their brilliant, kind, shy little brother -, Wrecker's brothers were happy. And, for Wrecker, all he had ever wanted was for his brothers to be happy. To see his brothers with raised spirits and smiles was all Wrecker needed to be at peace and, slowly, to fight off the memories of killing sentients with ruthless fervor.
Never could Wrecker forget how he'd crushed the throats of his enemies to protect Hunter and Crosshair, but he was determined to no longer allow himself to be controlled by his memories. Not when his brothers needed him. Not when he had his brothers' happiness and could smile once again. Wrecker's brothers were his once more, and he would be there for all three of them no matter what.
Wrecker allowed another hour to pass before, as his own exhaustion demanded for Wrecker to sleep, the large clone stood up from his previously seated position. Wrecker gathered together his blankets and pillow, then approached his three sleeping brothers.
There was a faint, almost indistinguishable, smile easing the stern lines of Tech's mouth as he rested between Hunter and Crosshair. Crosshair's right hand rested against the crown of Tech's head, the sniper's long fingers threaded within Tech's light brown hair, and Crosshair's smile was unmissable. Hunter, positioned with his right arm looped over Tech and Crosshair alike, looked at ease with himself and was finally breathing easily.
His brothers were content, and that was all that mattered to Wrecker. Though, as he looked over his brothers with an ever watchful gaze, a tiny shard of worry made Wrecker's heart sink. The blanket Hunter had pulled over himself and his brothers had shifted in their sleep, discarded over Hunter's feet instead of covering all three.
And Tech was shivering, ever so slightly, even as he burrowed ever closer to Crosshair's chest. Wrecker's brothers were cold.
Carefully, Wrecker bent down and covered his brothers with Hunter's blanket once more, then pulled his own blanket - a heavy, and warm blanket Tech had made for him months prior - over his three younger brothers. Wrecker sat down on Hunter's right, his left hand shifting to only just brush his brother's shoulder with a small smile.
"Wreck'..."
Hunter's whisper made a good ache build inside Wrecker's chest, an ache he soothed by laying out beside Hunter. Wrecker covered all three of his brothers with his right arm, his fingers gentle as they dug into Crosshair's shoulders. Tech let out a small squeak when Wrecker's left hand brushed the top of Tech's head, but his little brother did not flinch.
His little brother was happy and that was all Wrecker needed.
With a smile and memories of Tech's joy-filled smile, Crosshair's protests as Wrecker threw the sniper into the lake, and Hunter's calm heartbeat underneath Wrecker's hand, Wrecker slept. His hold over his brothers was impenetrable and unrelenting and soothing. Having his brothers together was all Wrecker had ever wanted and, as he allowed himself to fall into a dreamless sleep with the blanket draped over himself and his three brothers, Wrecker's smile lasted.