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Cuddle duty
They’d gotten him back.
And finally after a longest of whiles, the Bad Batch was complete again. All of them alive, together and well… Guess them all housing their full faculties wasn’t the right word for it especially with the horrid happenings on Mount Tantiss, but… they were together. The family intact.
Crosshair, being in the worst condition of them all. The experimentation having lasted a long while for him. Then with the great escape, not to mention the time having been spent apart from his family having taken a toll on the sniper for sure. But they were working upwards, towards becoming whole again.
They were all there now in Rex’s rebel base. New and old friends alike. Much like Crosshair’s new Commander friend, Mayday with his crew. They had saved them all. The clones. And now, it was the time to begin the healing. Most of them healing quickly enough, even Tech having plummeted to his death, which had thankfully turned out a ploy of Dr Hemlock’s.
They each took turns in sleeping with Crosshair, the man simply refusing to stay put in his bed sleeping all alone. And so, each member of the Bad Batch had taken to the task to comfort the off kilter sniper during his nightmarish dreams. Those reoccurring every single night of his stay. The nightmares having been really bad in the beginning, but now, after the warmth and comfort of Crosshair’s friends and family around him, things were starting to look up even for him.
Hunter was the one with the most duty on his roster though. By choice of course. The scout wanting nothing more than to stay as close as possible to the wayward batch mate ever since his return. And tonight was no different.
As despite the improvements in Crosshair’s condition, some nights were still more difficult than others. Those pesky experiences of Crosshair’s returning to haunt the man no matter how much and how hard Crosshair tried to atone for his recent past. His actions while serving the Empire.
Hunter, was ready though. As soon as the whining noises and the thrashing around started Hunter was ready to catch his sniper when he was about to fall…
“Cross, is okay, I’m here for you.”
Hunter spoke softly, his velvety tone soothing to the nightmare ridden sniper. Curling around Crosshair, holding onto to him for dear life while fingers ran small circles across Crosshair’s hair and back. Something which Hunter had figured out from their past, when they were very young would sooth the man.
“Sh… is okay, I’m here for ya.” A soft peck on Crosshair’s forehead for assurance. “Always.”
It took mere moments for Crosshair to calm down again. Trusting in Hunter finally to catch him, even if the rift between them was still there, with lots of things in need to be figured out. But Crosshair relied on Hunter. If anyone could pull him out of the funk, Hunter could.
Hunter felt Crosshair finally relax and fall back to sleep, safely tucked under his chin.
*
Crosshair stirred, the light in the small window leaking through the otherwise darkened room.
It was morning hours, he was sure of it. Crosshair felt good though, locked tightly in the embrace of the one he would have given anything for. Hunter. The one whom Crosshair found by his side constantly these days. And Crosshair could not have felt more… happy?
Hunter was still asleep leaving Crosshair a private moment to simply gaze at the man he had once loved so very much. But then things had gone so, so very wrong and well, they had been separated. But now it seemed, there were second chances given all around. For the clones, for the Batch and him, Crosshair too.
Staring at his former partner, Crosshair finally dared to entertain the thought he had not done for the longest of whiles. Perhaps it was possible to go back to the times when the two of them had once been? Like going back home again? After all, Hunter was there for him all the steps of the way, so he did care for Crosshair after all, didn’t he?
Crosshair must’ve fallen deep into his daring thoughts, not even realising Hunter was waking up.
“Cosmic thoughts?”
“What? Um… nothing so fancy. Just… thinking.”
Hunter stared at the suddenly deer caught in the headlights looking man, seeing a slight flush forming on Crosshair’s features. Something rare for sure, Crosshair hardly ever the embarrassed one.
Feeling daring though, Hunter reached for Crosshair’s cheek, placing his palm there, caressing the smooth skin ever so gently.
“Is it the same thing that I am thinking of?”
Crosshair looked surprised still, the words implicating something Crosshair did not dare to question. Then again, he was open to try whatever Hunter suggested. Right?
“It… depends I guess.”
Hunter felt bolder and so leaning in, his breath was on Crosshair’s skin being ever so close to the other man.
“If I am wrong in my assessment, feel free to smack me.”
Hunter was pretty sure he wasn’t. Closing the remaining gap between them, his lips finding Crosshair’s own as Hunter kissed him lightly, softly, without any pressure. Something familiar yet, feeling oh so very new. Giving the chance for the sniper to back off if he wanted to.
The kiss did not last too long, but it was a promise of something Hunter wanted Crosshair to know. How Hunter still felt for the sniper no matter what had happened between them.
“You weren’t wrong in your assessment, Hunt.”
It was Crosshair’s turn to respond in kind, their lips locking again. This time, their kiss lasting longer, becoming much more deeper, passionate. With more promises made for things to come.