Chapter Text
Tech yawned, turning to sit up in bed. The time on his phone read 1:30am with not a sign of fatigue in sight. It seemed he would have another restless night, so he pushed himself out of the bed.
He tiptoed around Crosshair, who slept through his pittering. On his way past, he swiped up some papers from his most recently set work.
He took one last glance to his sleeping brother before slipping out of the room.
Tech had always preferred the night. He found comfort in the quiet, dark hours where there was no pressure to exist. He could simply be, without the oppressive weight of the idea of perception.
Now especially, Tech took a deep breath, the air cold in the winter, and listened. The familiar sounds of Echo pretending to be asleep as well, accompanied with Hunter and Omega's mixed snoring as they had a sleepover.
Though Tech couldn't hear Wrecker's usual snores, he thought better than to bother him. Wrecker was not like Tech, nights were difficult at the best of times for him.
He took only one more moment to appreciate the quiet before making his way downstairs.
The tiles were cool against his bare feet, and Tech wandered into the kitchen, yawning again. He wasn't sure what he was doing down here, but anything was better than laying in thay stifling hot room.
He set his papers on the counter, sighing softly as he rubbed his eyes. His phone buzzed, lighting up with a message from Phee.
You. Me. Art museum date Friday?
Tech couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. He abandoned his work to type quickly.
I suppose I could squeeze you in there, send on the time and I will endeavour to meet you.
Tech didn't have to wait long before her response came through.
Be at our apartment by 10am or I go w/out you, Brown Eyes <3
Another smile, and a muffled laugh, he replied.
Of course.
He didn't see her reply, searching through the fridge for Crosshair's orange juice. His hand brushed against the wrong item, and the cold bit his hand, making him jump.
The seemingly sound structure Hunter had created by carelessly shoving everything he had bought into the fridge collapsed.
Tech winced, hoping that no one had woken up. He froze, locked in place for a startling few moments as he waited. He held his breath, counting the seconds that ticked by.
No one stirred. No one Tech heard, anyway.
He continued to go through the fridge, hoping that some miracle would happen, and anything would look appetising to him. After another few moments of fruitless searching, Tech shut the fridge with a sigh.
He turned away from the kitchen entrance, filling a cup with water before turning again to a press, going for one of Crosshair's many hidden snacks.
He did not hear the cautious footfalls of someone behind him, catching him as he carelessly searched the cupboards. In truth, he wasn't all that used to doing it himself, unless he was feeding himself and another.
He straightened just as the figure appeared behind him.
He felt a puff of air on the back of his neck, and turned quickly. A hand clasped his throat, cutting him off.
He hadn't seen anything amiss on his way down, no windows were open, no doors forced in. This wasn't a stranger.
He could faintly make out the outline of his brother in the dark. He was too tall to be anyone else.
"Wrecker—?" He choked out, feeling his feet leave the suddenly warmed tiles as he was lifted. He gasped, hearing rather than feeling his bones crunch and creak under the pressure.
Wrecker didn't seem to hear him. He was speaking, Tech couldn't make out the words around the blood rushing in his ears, his head light and beginning to pound.
Instinct screamed at him, and he mentally apologised. His hands grasped uselessly for a moment, until his fingers curled around the handle of the cupboard.
He swung it open, hitting Wrecker harshly with the corner. He cried out, a sound much too loud for this late, and he dropped onto the ground.
He ducked around his brother, aiming for the lights. Wrecker couldn't see, not in the dark like this, Tech guessed this was an assumption. A reaction based on fear. He had to assure his brother before anyone else woke up.
It was the only logical conclusion he could come to as to why his brother would ever put his hands on any of them.
Tech's hand brushed the light switch as a hand snagged his ankle in a bruising grip.
He hit the floor with a smack, loud and painful as he was dragged back into the kitchen. He scrambled, fingers digging into the tiles for any form of hook to brace himself.
He watched the front door- and the staircase, get further away as he was flipped onto his back. Wrecker had him snagged tight in his hold, slamming him down onto the floor.
Tech hissed, wincing as his back screamed in protest. Hands gripped his throat again, and Tech choked. He pushed against the hold, sucking in oxygen when he could, wheezing as Wrecker pushed his weight onto his hands.
His vision blurred, but he could only focus on the fear in Wrecker's eyes. The familiar glaze of panic. He wasn't paying any real attention- he was somewhere else. This wasn't him.
That was the only confirmation Tech needed to sink his nails into Wrecker's arms. It was a desperate move, and his brothers shout had definitely woken someone, yet Tech refused to call out, just in case.
His hands pat around uselessly. He couldn't breathe, eyes beginning to roll as his brain began to melt, lack of oxygen getting to him. He was going to pass out.
His hands began to numb, feeling heavier by the second as he desperately past around the kitchen floor. Wrecker wouldn't relent, glaring down at him, however pale and sweaty he was.
Tech's hands closed around the lid of something, and his fingers dipped into ice-cold water.
A jolted of shock ran through him, his eyes shooting open. Fumbling, his hand closed around the container.
He threw the water all over them both, soaking the pair in freezing water.
Wrecker gasped, letting go and rubbing his eyes. He scrambled backwards until his back slammed against the radiator. He panted, shaking hard as he finally came back to himself.
He looked around, on the edge of another panic, before his eyes landed on Tech's prone figure on the floor.
Tech laid on the floor, drenched in what he now realised was Gonky's water bowl, and felt himself sinking into the floor as he gasped for shallow mouthfuls of air.
His chest felt as if it was on fire, his throat burning with a mix of bile and trauma.
They stayed there for a long moment, breathing heavily. Wrecker flinched when the light was finally turned on. That was the last thing Tech saw before his eyes slipped shut.
"What's going on down here?" A low voice hissed at them. He sounded tired, Echo must have finally gotten up to see what the commotion was for. "Wrecker? Tech, what are you two—"
Echo froze. He took in the water bowl, that had been tossed and had clattered beside the fridge. Water had been splashed all over the floor.
He watched Wrecker tremble, guilty and shivering as water dripped off his nose. His eyes fell on Tech, who had long passed out, still shaking and heaving, shirt soaked.
"What–?" He began to ask, before Wrecker let out an almighty sob, and collapsed forward into himself, shooting forward. Echo felt guilty for flinching back, taking two long steps back as Wrecker threw himself across the room.
He landed with a squelch beside Tech's limp body. He shook him, panicked and unsure as he sobbed apology after apology into the silent room. Tech continued to gasp, and didn't answer.
Echo finally snapped into action. "What happened?!" He demanded, kneeling next to Tech on the floor. Wrecker shook his head, heaving himself now. Echo fought a sigh and turned to Tech.
His neck was already beginning to bruise. Echo didn't need to think hard on whatever happened there.
He pressed hard on his younger brothers chest until he heaved, and turned him on his side as he spat, vomit and the tiniest amount of blood.
Echo's eyes zoned in on it, and as he heard Wrecker gasp sharply, breath hitching, Echo knew he had seen it too.
He grabbed Wrecker's wrist tight. "Can you pull the couch out?" He asked, as softly as he could. Wrecker nodded, wiping his face as he stood shakily. "Then go." Echo pointed, watching him stumble out.
Wrecker's pace was shaky but quick, and soon Echo had moved them all into the living room, away from the stench of vomit and the cold of the wet floor.
"Stay with him," Echo instructed. "I'm gonna get some warm clothes and some blankets—"
"No!" Wrecker gasped, gripping Echo's wrist tight. "Don't- don't leave me with him."
Echo froze. Wrecker's grip was tight, almost vice-like. "Wrecker," He started, slowly. "It's only for a minute—"
"I can't–" Wrecker shook his head, desperate for Echo to understand him. "I'll hurt him. I'll hurt them. I'm not- I'm not safe."
Ah. That complicated things.
Echo carefully took his hands. "You're not dangerous." He assured. "What makes you think that?" He could assume, but he wanted to hear it. He wanted to know the specifics.
Wrecker took a shaky breath. "I thought–" He looked to the kitchen. "I thought he was someone else. I couldn't see him, and I was already iffy 'cause of today–" His voice hitched on a sob, and he shook his head. "God, Echo I– I almost killed him!"
Echo hushed him as he began to raise his voice. "You didn't," He gestured to Tech, now stable and laid out on the pull-out couch. "See? He's alright, but– why did you react like that?"
Echo had never known Wrecker to be so aggressive. Not even in the worst of a war.
Wrecker took another shaky breath, beginning to calm. "Today," He sniffed, wiping his face. "Today, Hunter 'n I were out in a real shady spot for a job." He explained. "'N some jackass pulled a knife on us. Said he'd fuckin'–"
Wrecker sighed. "It was stupid." Echo frowned. "Shouldn't bothered me the way it did. But I couldn't stop worrying 'cause– 'cause him 'n his stupid van followed us the rest of the day. Got- paranoid."
Echo nodded slowly. "And you thought he was in the house." Wrecker sniffed again. "I didn't want him getting at you guys." He told Echo, eyes downcast. "With everything else going on, it just- I just–" He hesitated.
"You were scared." Echo finished. "I know, that's not your fault. I know you and the other's have had shit like that happen before."
Wrecker spoke to the floor. "People comin' in 'n taking you guys is– it's the–"
He took a breath. "–scariest thing that I can think of." He admitted quietly. "M'never right when I think about it. I'm sorry, Echo. I didn't meant t'freak like that."
"Don't apologise." Echo assured. "I don't blame you. Neither will he."
Wrecker seemed to finally calm, and he sighed. Exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders. Echo squeezed their hands.
"Watch him," Echo requested, softer. "I won't be long."
Wrecker hesitated, but nodded slowly and let Echo go. He left Wrecker in the living room, rushing around as quietly as he could.
He returned with his hands full. Wrecker helped him set up their makeshift bed for the night- or, morning, at this point.
Echo wrestled Tech out of his wet clothes as Wrecker changed behind them, and finally, they were settled.
"Move." Echo said, scooping Tech up and gently pushing him towards Wrecker. "This isn't going to be that comfy, sorry."
"It's fine," Wrecker looked a bit shaky, hesitating as Tech, still blissfully unaware, was curled up against Wrecker. "Just– you take him—"
"Wrecker." Echo warned, gentle as he slid into the makeshift bed, with Tech comfortably pressed in the middle. "We don't know how tender his neck is, it's safer to keep him still, just until morning."
A beat of quiet. "And, you won't hurt him." He added, watching Wrecker sigh. Echo got as comfortable as he was going to get, feeling Tech pressing into his shoulder.
It went quiet for a while. Echo checked the time, wincing. 3:24am.
Wrecker shifted. "Echo?" He whispered into the finally quiet house. Echo turned over, facing him. "What?" He asked.
"Has- this ever happened to you?" Wrecker asked hesitantly. Echo paused. "What do you mean?" He watched his brother shift again.
"It's just-" Wrecker sighed. "–Hunter said it's normal to be paranoid after the war. And- and I've seen him have moments like I had before." Echo winced, remembering exactly what Wrecker spoke of.
"But–" Wrecker continued, voice soft, almost scared. "–but 'm not like Hunter. 'M bigger 'n a lot harder to hold back."
That was true. Even if he had gotten there moments before, Echo wasn't sure he could have been able to stop him.
"What happens when I'm freakin' out in the middle of the streets, 'n you guys can't stop me?" He asked into the dark.
"Techie's lucky. 'Cause he was smart and quick. Not everyone's like him. How would a stranger know what t'do with me?"
Echo felt his heart squeeze in fear for a moment. Fear of how seriously real that outcome was. He fought for something– anything that could help ease his brother and his fears.
"What if they don't try 'n help like you did, what if they just–" Wrecker folded his arms. "–y'know."
Echo does know. Too well. "We won't let that happen." He assured. "We'll talk to Hunter tomorrow, get you some help, so we know what to do next time."
Wrecker shot up. "Don't tell Hunter-!" He near shouts. Echo hushed him, easing him back down into the bed. "Hunter'll have a meltdown," Wrecker whispered. "He'll lock me up quicker 'n anyone else."
"That's not true," Echo tried to defend. Wrecker rolled his eyes. "He still won't let Techie work with us for Cid, 'cause of his back." Wrecker pointed out. "Even though he's been in'n out of school."
That– was painfully true. Echo frowned. "He won't lock you up." He told Wrecker. "I won't let him. We'll figure something else out."
Wrecker went quiet, fidgeting. Echo fought for more to say.
"I do have my moments," Echo admitted quietly. "Sometimes."
Wrecker glanced over. "I got seen by a therapist," Echo explained. "Because I was pretty violent, too." He still winces when he thinks about it for too long. "You're not alone, Wrecker. It's okay."
More silence. Echo swore he heard another quiet sob. He reached over, gripping Wrecker's hand tight. Echo heard his breathing even out, and let himself drift off.
He was rudely woken up barely two hours later.
"Echo?" Omega had clambered her way onto the couch. He groaned, rubbing his face as he cracked open an eye. "What's up?" He mumbled.
"What're you three doing on the couch?" She asked, looking to the other two. Echo followed her gaze, spotting Wrecker and Tech, snoring as they dozed.
"We were up late." Echo lied, standing and groaning. His limps protested, not having the chance to take off his prosthetics before getting into bed. He would be feeling this ache for a while.
Omega opened her mouth to ask more questions, and Echo quickly pushed her into the mountain of pillows. She laughed, curling up happily in the crook of Tech's arms. He hardly stirred.
Echo wandered into the kitchen and froze. Ah, he had completely abandoned and forgotten the mess in the kitchen. Thankfully, Hunter hadn't come down yet, and he practically threw himself towards the cleaning supplies.
When Hunter did make his way down, he glanced towards the bundle of blankets on the couch. He walked into the kitchen, waving to Echo. "You guys have a sleepover or something?" He asked, reaching for the coffee machine.
Echo shrugged. "Something like that." He muttered, sipping his own coffee. Hunter shot the cleaning supplies a look, then sniffed a bit. "Did you spill your coffee?" He asked, suspicious.
"Oh, yeah?" Echo lied. "Sorry about that."
Hunter did not believe him. Omega ran in after a little while, sitting up at the table for breakfast. Hunter moved around as Wrecker and Tech began to stirr. Echo cast a nervous look towards them.
Tech sighed as consciousness called for him. He felt arms around him, and for a moment, wondered where he was.
He blinked open his eyes, and he tried to turn. The arms tightened around him, and he yawned. He wasn't surprised at the headache, or the pain in his throat, he just wasn't sure why they were sore.
"Techie? You awake, buddy?"
That was a voice he could recognise. He squinted through the haze of his own cursed vision, until his eyes settled on Wrecker behind him.
"Good morning," He croaked, rubbing his eyes. "Why are we on the couch?"
Wrecker looked... well, if Tech could see more clearly, he would guess that guilt crossed his features. He looked away, hands moving. His hand came back holding Tech's glasses.
He shut his eyes as Wrecker put them on. "Thank you," He said. Wrecker nodded, sitting up, lifting Tech up with him.
"How're you feelin'?" Wrecker asked him, with more care in his handling than usual. Tech yawned, remembering the night in small flashes. "I feel fine," He told his brother. "Are you alright?"
Wrecker hesitated. "I guess–" He looked away. "I'm- sorry, about what happened. 'M real sorry I hurt you, Techie."
Tech tilted his head as the events replayed in his mind. "It's alright."
Wrecker blinked dumbly for a moment. "What?"
"It's alright." Tech repeated. "I don't mind."
I dont mind. Oh, how familiar those words were.
Those three simple words were enough to send Wrecker spiralling. Tech seemed to notice, frowning as he reached out. "Wrecker-?"
"You should mind." Wrecker told him firmly. "You should mind that I hurt you. It wasn't fair, s'not your fault that I had– that I was freaked out, I'm sorry—"
"Wrecker." Tech's hands grasped his, and Wrecker's mouth snapped shut. Tech considered his brother for a moment, before taking a small breath.
"I am not angry at you." He assured, first and foremost. "I am well aware none of us are entirely mentally sound after everything we have endured. We are going to have bad days."
Wrecker couldnt bear to look at his baby brother, eyes pinned to their hands.
"So, I don't mind." He continued. "I don't mind that you experienced a well earned moment of panic. I don't mind that instinct took over, because I understand why. I forgive you."
For a moment, he frowned. "In truth, I'm the one who needs to apologise. In a moment where you needed help, I couldn't do anything. I'm sorry."
Now Wrecker was really spiralling. "That– no that—"
He spluttered for a moment, uncaring as he grappled his brother into a bone crushing hug that, for a moment, conveyed every part of anger, love, and apology Wrecker ever wanted to give to and for Tech.
In turn, Tech gripped back just as tight, secure and safe like he knew he always would be. He squeezed hard, trying and praying to show that he knew. He understood and he reciprocated.
The words, for a moment, were on the tip of his tongue. Yet something stopped him.
"Thank you– for gettin' it," Wrecker said shakily into Tech's hair. His baby brother, clutched tight in his arms. "Love you so much, Techie."
Tech smiled into the crook of Wrecker's arm. He tapped three times, gentle but firm, and Wrecker knew.
They separated, and Tech winced. "Your head–" He pointed out the blossoming bruise on Wrecker's forehead. He brushed his fingers along it, and laughed as he pointed to Tech's throat.
"Say we're pretty even," He joked. Tech snorted, then winced. Echo watched from the door and sighed softly.
Hunter poked his head in and frowned. "Wrecker, where'd you get that bruise?" He asked.
Wrecker jumped, eyes looking between Tech and Echo before he settled on a lie. "I tripped."
Hunter, again, was not convinced. "Uh-huh." He said, eyes landing on Tech. The youngest brother squirmed awkwardly, appearing as nonchalant as he could.
Echo could pinpoint the exact moment Hunter registered the bruises on his neck. "Where did those come from?" He asked, anger curling up in his chest.
Tech laughed, too loudly. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said, eyes pinned to something on the wall beside him.
Wrecker and Echo shared a look. Right, lying in the mornings is apparently a skill they needed to relearn.
"Tech," Hunter took a steeling breath. "Wrecker. What happened."
Echo bit his lip nervously, glancing around. Tech and Wrecker shared a look, and Wrecker finally opened his mouth to answer, when—
"Hunter? Why is Gonky's bowl upside down by the fridge?" Omega, like a saviour, called from the kitchen.
Hunter groaned. "That cat‐" He muttered, turning to walk away. "We're talking about this later." He told them harshly. "No getting out of it."
He left them, and they sighed in relief.
"We can work with later," Echo tried to sound optimistic. Neither of the younger siblings shared the sentiment. "We'll figure it out." Wrecker sighed, standing. "Later."
"Later," Tech agreed, though he didn't look assured. He stood, then checked the time. "I should get ready to leave soon." He mumbled. "I have an afternoon class."
"I'm glad you got those changed." Echo was glad for the new topic, anyway. "It's a way better schedule."
Wrecker agreed, moving around as he began tidying up the living room. Tech disappeared upstairs, and things bled into their normal morning routine again.
Wrecker opted to drive with Echo today, and as he passed Tech by the door, he gripped his brother in another tight hug. "Text me," He told him. "I'll probably answer. Y'know, 'cause I'll be keeping an eye on the phone today."
Tech nodded. "I will." He assured. "I shall see you two for our– discussion, later?"
"Later." Echo smiled tightly. They separated, and Tech waved them off.
Omega stood beside him as Wrecker and Echo drove off. "What was all that about?" She asked. Tech shrugged. "Nothing important," He told her softly. "Just a bad night. It happens."
Omega nodded thoughtfully, and ran to get ready for school. Tech followed her back in, the door clicking shut.