Chapter Text
“Where’s Hunter?”
Crosshair had emerged from his room, glancing around the kitchen where the rest of the Batchers were having their leisurely breakfast which seemed to be the norm these days. And just like so many times before in the past, some things never changing clearly, a steaming hot cup of the strongest black caf emerged into Crosshair’s hand.
“He’s with his boyfriend.”
Wrecker who had made and handed the cup to Crosshair had a lopsided grin on his face, seeing the somewhat of a shock on the sniper’s face. Loving to tease Crosshair still after all this time. Their to and fro as it had been. Just a smidgen giving the kicks for Wrecker. Paybacks and all that!
But it wasn’t a shock per say. Not to Crosshair anyway, simply a surprise. Hunter had had a few ‘boyfriends’ before. Only Hunter had never been as open about it as the situation seemed to be right now with the whole table full of family knowing about it.
Crosshair glanced around seeing Tech, Wrecker and Omega there… putting one and one together suddenly. As one other member was missing from the equation too.
“Yeah Cross. We’re all moving on with our lives now that we are free citizens. Wrecker has Shep, I have Romar and well, Hunter has his significant other too.” Tech stated the obvious things which of course Crosshair already knew about. Well, most of the interactions and relations going on, as Omega had been kind enough to update the sniper with everything but of course.
“And I have Lyana.” Omega’s voice could not have been more proud as she stated it. The puppy love stricken teenager she was now suddenly, all grown up and all. Omega and her best friend sharing cuddles and kisses.
Crosshair simply started at Omega. But yeah, guess he had done worse things while being Omega’s age. Kissing with regs among others in the hidey-closets of Kamino.
“So, Echo.” Crosshair had deduced, seeing the Arc not present in their little morning shindig.
“No silly, it’s Cody!” Omega chuckled swatting the sniper carefully. Still getting used to the surly sniper amongst them.
“Commander Cody?!?”
The caf he had just tasted spurting out from Crosshair’s mouth, thankfully not landing on anyone in the process. Wrecker handed him a napkin with a grin.
“Ever since you were all rescued from the Empire.” Tech clarified in case it was too confusing still for Crosshair to fathom.
“Yup, the one and only. Commander Cody.” The statement followed by a familiar chuckle.
As Mayday had emerged still yawning his sleep away. Placing a peck on Crosshair’s cheek, drawing in his main man for a hug and taking the offering of steaming hot caf from Wrecker. The powerhouse having become quite the mother hen for his little flock now that they had all settled. At least during meal times. Shep having taught Wrecker the finer things of food and cooking and all things related.
Crosshair turned to look at Mayday having commented on the topic at hand his permascowl becoming visible once again. Something which the sniper had been trying hard to tone down as per suggested by his new partner.
“You knew?”
“I thought it was obvious love.” Mayday getting a radiant smirk from Tech for using his favourite line in the galaxy.
Crosshair was reeling the intel for a moment, then only harrumphing in response. Guess it had been obvious after all. Hunter always having a soft spot for the Commander. And thinking about it carefully, in the past whenever they had been on missions with Cody, Hunter had always disappeared afterwards. Yeah, It really obvious that much was for sure!
“Yeah, obvious.” Crosshair murmured, feeling some kind of way of this tidbit of news. Then again, Hunter deserved to be happy. They all did. As happy as Crosshair felt with Mayday. Stealing a sideways glance of his partner before smooching in closer to the man. Yup, indeed, Crosshair was definitely feeling some kind of way. A good kind of a way.
*
Waking up in someones loving, caring arms certainly felt great.
As it did for Hunter, finally having the man he loved all to himself. After all the hiding and playing coy for so long, the two of them could finally be together, openly so. Having this new life for themselves. Their little secret out there for the galaxy to see. The two being a couple officially now as the former soldiers were all civilians now. Well, sort of. Their status somewhat dubious in the eyes of the Empire. Alas, that did not stop any of the free clones in pursuing their own lives now that they finally had them. Even if the lot of them were involved in the Rebellion, Rex’s Cause for the clones themselves but, others too needing the help.
Hunter felt safe and secure for once. Not having to worry about running as soon as someone knocked on the door. Not that anyone dared to. This small house belonging to Cody now and so, nobody was about to disturb them. The command presence of the former Commander still felt among the ranks of clones. And so, Hunter felt no pressure in getting up and leaving the side of his lover. His lover. It really felt good to think about Cody as his very own now that Hunter finally had a permission to do so.
Snuggling in closer to Cody, burying his face in Cody’s neck, inhaling the scent of the man he loved. Yeah, Hunter did certainly love Cody and the feeling was mutual. The L-word having been spoken out several time as the two of them felt they were allowed to share their feelings, even to speak of said feelings. All this ever since Cody’s return.
Cody stirred, feeling the warm body against him.
Slowly waking up he felt the grin on his face and the pressure of Hunter’s body against him. Life was certainly great the former Commander thought to himself. Not just because of having a new lease in life after the long darkness and the Empire, but also having the man he had for so long loved right beside him each and every day. Here, in his bed, his little house on this slice of a heaven most of the clones now called home.
Sensing Hunter was awake Cody turned to face the other man.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Feeling okay?”
“Yeah. Always when I’m with you.”
Cody was all smiles, the words as warming as was the body beside him.
“I know. I feel the same way.”
Leaning in for a kiss, starting slowly soon turned into something more. It always did. It seemed no matter the time of the day, the two lovers could never keep their hands off of each other. The heated moments shared in each others arms simply never enough. Making up for lost time perhaps. And it was all fine. Now, there was no more hiding, they could be whom they wanted to be with whomever they wanted to be with.
And Cody and Hunter certainly were, in love with each other wanting to spend each waking moment with the other. At least when there were no missions to go on, as they still had lots of work to do to free their people from the Empire.
“So, caf and breakfast?” Cody asked after their morning session was over.
“Sounds good hun. Need some help with that love?”
“Sure.”
Cody kissed Hunter one more time before reluctantly dragging his body up from the cozy space of their bed. Hunter was a close second, rushing after Cody into the kitchen to start the preparations for their first meal. Giggling and stealing kisses and snuggles as they did, the preparations taking usually longer than needed.
*
Breakfast was finally being served and almost consumed after the somewhat heated moment shared on the kitchen counter. Food almost forgotten until the fire alarm started beeping rather annoyingly rousing the two from their… little escapade.
The loving couple were sharing their meal together with smiles on their faces and in mostly sated states. Something happening a lot lately. The duo totally enjoying the benefits of their new life. These lazy kinds of mornings.
There was something Cody wanted to bring up though. Something which was unavoidable and something they both needed to do on occasion. Or rather wanted to do. The lot of the free clones feeling they owed as much to their kin and guess other people around the galaxy as well. Helping in the rebellion.
And so, after a lengthy moment of quiet contemplation, Cody was bringing up the subject to Hunter. Knowing already the objections he was about to hear. Not that he had not been on the other side of the conversation himself at one point or another. But, yeah, they were enjoying the civilian life a bit too much these days, the Cause of Rex’s having taken a backseat.
“Um… Hunter, there is something I need to tell you.”
This wasn’t the first time nor the last time ether they were having this conversation. As it was, despite his efforts against but mostly due to peer pressure to take part, Hunter was still largely against going on dangerous missions. The stance he had pretty much taken since his small group had gone rogue after the Empire took over.
Alas, Hunter would never say never and having found himself in plenty of danger with his family. But these days, less so. As there were plenty of other clones fighting the good fight out there thanks to Rex and the Bad Batch among others rescue efforts in the not so distant past.
Hunter looked up and at Cody, the expression of happiness changing soon into something else, a sour and annoyed stare at his partner. Clearly knowing what this was about.
“Yes, Cody.”
“I am going to go on the mission Rex mentioned in our last meeting.”
The one they all knew to be very dangerous and rather ambitious in nature as well. Something most clones working with Rex had redeemed as unachievable at best. Most likely a suicide mission as well. Something which had been planned for a long while now.
There was a long pause hanging between them. Both knowing which mission it was Cody was talking about. Hunter did not want to fight, but, he was still going to object. Even if it might just have been moot. It usually was. They were pretty similar in that way.
“Cody! It’s a dangerous mission!”
“I know love, and I that’s why I have to go.” His eyes on Hunter’s trying to convey the urgency somehow to his partner. “It would give us such an upper hand against the Empire if successful.”
“If successful!”
Yeah, it was the clones holy grail kind of a quest for sure. And the dangers were outweighing the benefits. Something Hunter had objected to already when Rex and Echo had started planning it way back when.
“I know…”
Hunter did not speak another word only clenching his teeth, keeping it all in not wanting to get into yet another fight neither could win. Hunter did not even look at Cody. But, knowing full well this was important to them all and Cody would go no matter what.
Reaching out to Hunter with his hand over the table top, seeing the myriad of emotions running rampant behind the gorgeous eyes of his partner, Cody gently touched Hunter.
“Look at me love.” Cody urged in a chocked voice.
Hunter was finally looking up and at Cody, seeing the tears in Cody’s eyes. Nothing about this new life was ever easy even if they sometimes let themselves be lulled into the notion. There was still a war being waged on the outside their secure bubble. Those of their kindred unable to resist in danger as were others too. And Hunter among the other clones needed to do their bid even if it hurt. Most times.
“I need to do this… we need to do this.” Cody tried, all further explanations moot.
Hunter sighed, taking the offered had and squeezing it in his. Closing his eyes, he knew Cody was right. Cody needed to do this for the success of the mission.
“I know sweetheart. I know.”