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The Batch's latest mission had been a long one and none of you had been able to rest in a while. You had all trudged back to the Havoc Marauder, collapsing into your bunks as soon as Tech had the ship's course set. Some of the Batch hadn't even managed to remove their whole kit before passing out, too tired to worry about it until they'd had a few hours rest.
You weren't able to sleep in your uniform, however; the feeling of your blacks was too confining and tight for sleep. Plus it was covered in sweat, dirt, and blaster burns from the mission. You opted instead for a t-shirt several sizes too big that hit at your mid-thigh and a pair of standard issue black underwear. You'd stolen the t-shirt from one of the boys, fishing it out of the clean laundry pile when it had been your turn to put everything away. No one had questioned it when they saw you in it, even Crosshair; although he had raised a single curious eyebrow the first time he saw you wearing it. The Batch was pretty relaxed about sharing things like that. They'd share almost anything with you if you asked. You also suspected they had a bit of a soft spot for you, especially since you got along so well with Omega.
Climbing into your bunk, you were careful not to make too much noise in case it woke the others. You fumbled blindly for your blanket for a moment before finding the edge of it kicked to the end of the bed. You pulled the thin material over you and rolled to face the durasteel wall, your eyes falling closed almost immediately as the exhaustion crashed over you all at once.
Blaster fire surrounded you as you struggled to get to your team. There had been an explosion right in front of Hunter and Echo and you were sure that they'd need help. You hefted your med pack higher onto your back, running up the hill as fast as you could. It was slick with ice and packed snow and your boots slipped against it with every step. You lost traction and toppled to the ground, sliding down the hill and undoing all your progress. Frustrated tears filled your eyes. You could see Tech up ahead, waving frantically to you, but no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't get up the hill. As you tried, you were able to catch glimpses of Hunter, Echo, and Tech. And the bloodstained snow surrounding them.
You weren't sure where Wrecker and Crosshair were, but you needed help. Still fighting your way up the slope, you frantically called out for assistance over the Batch's comms channel. There was only static for a few terrifying moments before you heard Tech's voice in your ear.
"Hunter and Echo will bleed out if you don't do something!"
"I'm trying! I can't- I can't get up the hill, it's too slick!" you cried. "Where are Wrecker and Crosshair? Where's Omega?"
Thinking about what sort of peril Omega might be in had your tears spilling over. She was just a kid! She should never have been out in this situation.
"Hurry!" Tech called over the comms.
The channel crackled again and Wrecker's gruff voice was in your ear. "They've got the kid."
Your breath caught in your throat. You were pretty sure your heart stopped entirely when you heard another explosion and the channel went dead.
Your team was dying because you were weak and you couldn't do your job. You were the reason Hunter and Echo were bleeding out in the snow. You were the reason Wrecker and Crosshair were dying Maker only knows where alone. You were the reason Omega would never see her brothers again, if she even survived long enough to get her back.
You woke suddenly, gasping for breath and shaking. For a moment, you were confused and disoriented but then you saw Wrecker's face in the dim lighting of the ship and remembered where you were. His brow was pinched into a concerned expression and you could see the worry in his golden brown eye. He pulled his hand away from where it had lightly gripped your shoulder.
"Sorry for wakin' ya, it just sounded like you were…having a bad dream or somethin'," he said.
You nodded, sitting up and wiping at your tear-stained cheeks with the back of your hand. It had been a bad dream. Looking around in the faint light, you could see the rest of your team sleeping peacefully and you released a long, slow breath to help steady yourself.
"Did I wake you up?" you whispered. Wrecker's bunk was below yours so if you had been making noise in your sleep, he would have been the first to know.
"Yeah, but it's alright. 'S not your fault. I have bad dreams too," he said, his usually loud voice softer than you'd ever heard it. "That's why I've got Lula."
He bent down to rummage through his own blankets before holding up the tooka doll.
"You can borrow her," he said, holding it out to you.
"Wreck, I couldn't possibly take her from you. Not when you have nightmares too."
Though you couldn't tell in the darkness, Wrecker's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. "We could uh…we could always share," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with one massive hand. "If you want."
You stared at him with wide eyes for a moment. Did he mean…with him? In his bed?
You'd had feelings for him almost since you'd met. He was kind and caring, surprisingly gentle, and could make you laugh even when you were feeling your worst. He gave the best hugs, he was always so thoughtful when it came to the emotions and feelings of those around him, and he was generous beyond belief with those close to him.
And as if to prove that, he was offering you not only his most prized possession, but also the comfort of his presence while you slept. You wanted nothing more than to curl yourself against him while you slept, his strong arms wrapped around you, shielding you from your bad dreams. Your brain felt like it was short-circuiting as you stared at him, imagining how nice it would be to sleep next to him.
You must have stared too long because he was already waving his hands like he could brush his prior words away.
"I, uh, nevermind. That was a dumb idea. Forget I said anything," he said awkwardly, turning away.
Shaking yourself free of your thoughts you quickly reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
"No, wait! Sorry," you said hurriedly before he could duck back down to his own bunk. "Sorry," you said again lamely. "I'd really like that." You smiled softly, hoping he wouldn't rescind his offer.
"Yeah?" There was a note of hopefulness in his voice.
You nodded and swung your legs over the edge of your bunk. Sitting like this you were taller than him, which was a rare occurrence. He offered you a hand down from your bunk and you took it, landing lightly on the balls of your feet. You looked up at him and he gestured for you to get in.
Now that you were actually in his bed, you were afraid he'd change his mind. He was a big guy and although he had the largest bunk on the ship, it wasn't exactly designed for two. You wedged yourself against the durasteel wall, trying to take up as little space as possible as he climbed in behind you.
"That doesn't look very comfortable, cyar'ika," he chuckled. "Come here."
Your heart skipped a beat at the endearment, but you reasoned he was probably just trying to be comforting. He patted the space next to him in invitation and you shuffled closer, still worried he'd push you away if you got too close. He did the exact opposite, wrapping his arm around you and pulling you closer. You stiffened in surprise for a brief moment before melting against him, laying your head on his shoulder and pressing your body to his side.
"Here," he said, handing you the tooka doll.
You smiled and took the well-loved doll, tucking it between your arm and Wrecker's chest. It was quiet for a few minutes before he spoke again.
"Did ya want to talk about it? Whatever made ya so scared?"
You thought for a moment before you said, "I couldn't save you. I watched all of you get hurt and I could save any of you." You took a shaking breath. "I couldn't stop them from taking Omega. I was too weak to help any of you and-" You pressed your face into Wrecker's neck to hide your cracking voice and the tears threatening to spill over. "You're all I have." Your voice came out high-pitched even at a whisper, words slurred together as you tried to hold back a sob.
Wrecker rubbed your back slowly with one large hand, the other tightening around your shoulders to hold you close.
"Please don't cry, mesh'la," he said softly, turning his head so his face was pressed into your hair. "'S only a dream. We're alright. And you're not weak at all."
You nodded against his neck, trying to calm your erratic breathing. "S-sorry," you stuttered.
"Aw, no need to be sorry, cyar'ika. I just don't like seeing you sad," he said.
Wrecker was patient as you got ahold of yourself, stroking your hair and rubbing little circles into your hip with his thumb. He turned and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. You hummed softly and snuggled closer before your exhausted brain realized what he'd just done and you pushed yourself up, staring at him with wide eyes. His eyes were equally wide, as if he also just realized what he'd done.
"Sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to- I should have asked. I just…wanted to do that for so long," he said, rambling slightly.
You gazed down at him, still a bit shocked. Your hands, which had you propped up against his massive chest, looked tiny in comparison.
"No need to be sorry," you echoed his earlier words, the corner of your mouth tilting up. In a rush of boldness, you leaned forward and kissed him.
Wrecker didn't waste a moment, kissing you back eagerly. He sat up, pulling you fully into his lap without breaking the kiss. Your hands slid up from his shoulders to cradle his face, fingers splaying over the web of scars on his cheek.
Even though you knew he really was a soft soul underneath all the muscle, it still surprised you how gentle he could be. He let you lead, never pushing for more than you wanted to give, although you would have gladly given him anything had he asked if only he would keep you wrapped in his arms. It had been too long since anyone had touched you like this and you were starved for the warmth and safety of it. You broke the kiss only to crush yourself against him, your arms wrapping around his neck, never wanting to let go. He held you tight, thick arms around your waist holding your body flush to his own.
"I…I thought you didn't feel the same," he said, his voice muffled against your shoulder.
"How could I ever feel any different, Wreck? You're one of the kindest people I've ever met. You're caring and funny and generous…real easy on the eyes," you chuckled. "You make me feel safe. How could I not feel this way?"
Wrecker's cheeks heated. "Aw, cyar'ika, you don't have to say that."
You pulled back to look him in the eyes. "I will say that because it's true. I mean, you've been calling me sweetheart all night."
He ducked his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I didn't know you spoke Mando'a," he said.
You cupped his jaw and gently tilted his head back up so he met your eyes. "I wanted to learn for you. For all of you," you whispered.
You had just a moment to appreciate the way his eyes went wide in surprise before he was kissing you again; it was a deep kiss, full of gratitude and care and you melted into it. When you parted again, you didn't go far, resting your forehead against his so your noses brushed. You stayed like that for a few minutes, lingering in the feeling of this moment.
"D'ya think ya feel better now? Enough to sleep?"
"Yeah," you said with a little nod. Your exhaustion was catching up with you and you know it must be even worse for Wrecker, who expended enormous amounts of energy on missions.
You both lay back down, taking up your previous position snuggled into his side with his arm wrapped around your back. You dug around in the blanket for a moment before you found Lula and tucked her under the arm that rested on Wrecker's broad chest. A large, warm hand encased your own, his fingers slipping around yours. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of your favorite person in the galaxy, you felt at peace.