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Hunter lay back in his chair, after dinner bliss sinking in. Between the lively debate of Crosshair, Tech, and Omega about what Craftmine avatar was the best, Hunter’s ears caught something in the distance. The landline. A sound he heard so infrequently, it startled him every single time. Mostly it was old friends of Ninety-Nine’s, checking in on his kids, or the occasional call regarding one of their insurances. Hunter strode over, fond smile soon faltering. With a sinking feeling in his gut, he answered.
"Good evening," came the cool, calculated voice of Nala Se. Hunter's blood immediately froze to ice.
"Mother," he replied, his tone guarded.
"Astute, as always-" she acknowledged, her words dripping with sarcasm.
"Pleasure to talk to you as well," Hunter muttered, struggling to keep his composure. What the fuck did she want now? Last time, it had gotten so bad, Hunter had to hang up. It had started out innocently enough. Was Omega doing well? Yes, as always. Until it had morphed into something so sinister, he didn’t dare to recall it in full.
"I don't remember these niceties from last time," Nala retorted, cutting straight to the chase.
Hunter sighed, feeling the weight of her presence even through the phone. "As long as you keep your suggestions to yourself-” Vitamins, is what she had called it. Elevated micro-dosing is what it really was. To increase Omega's performance in school. After a stern warning of his, Omega knew to keep her grades to herself now. One B+ in her last certificate had left Nala Sé's world in shambles.
“What do you want?"
"Can a mother not check up on her children?" Nala asked, her tone devoid of any genuine concern.
Hunter clenched his jaw, knowing all too well that her call had nothing to do with maternal care and everything to do with control. "Considering it's you, no," Hunter replied bluntly.
Nala brushed off his response with practiced ease. "I never wanted anything less than your best. You can call my methods unconventional, but they have produced compelling quantitative data which remain congruent with my theories."
Hunter rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to argue. "Sure, if you say so."
"Where is Omega Persephone?" Nala inquired, her tone shifting to one of cold efficiency.
Hunter gritted his teeth at the use of their middle names. An abusive cunt even when name giving. Crosshair had gotten it the worst out of all four, by far. While Tech’s name could be shortened to what it was, Wrecker’s and Hunter’s had been more of the ordinary kind, Nala Sé’s poster-children hadn’t had that luck. Sometimes, Crosshair did tease her. And yes, Omega took it personally. So much so, that it almost always warranted a sincere apology. Nothing anyone beside her could get from him. "Omega is asleep."
"At this hour?" Nala pressed, her skepticism evident.
Hunter resisted the urge to snap. "Yes."
"Is she experiencing any indisposition?" Nala prodded, her tone sharp and probing. "You are aware that I can prescribe anything should she need it"
A weird emphasis on the second to last word. Hunter swallowed, once, twice, then he signed to the others in the room. “No”
"Is this truthful, yes?" Nala questioned, her distrust palpable. "You know why I have difficulty finding trust within your answers."
Hunter was dumbfounded, rendered speechless by her relentless interrogation.
"Be as it may," Nala continued, unfazed by his silence. "Does she still maintain that intricate arrangement atop her head? As for you, I'll refrain from commenting. I will never understand why you did that to your face."
Hunter bristled at the criticism, his frustration mounting with each passing heartbeat. "I don't tell her how she wants to present," Hunter replied tersely. Growing aware, he dared to finally get to the core of this. It was as little fun for him as it must be for her. "You didn't call me to critique our appearance."
“Correct.” Nala ignored his deflection, because why should she show actual interest. "I was inquiring about the possibility for Omega to stay for an extended period of time come Christmas time."
"How long?" he asked, his voice strained. Hunter's heart sank at the suggestion, his mind racing. The days without the kid in the house had been nothing short of agonous.
"Given my access to my own child is being heavily restricted thanks to your efforts, I contemplated for about seven days," Nala scoffed. The urge in Hunter to throttle her through the phone festered.
Hunter's resolve hardened. "Absolutely not."
Nala's tone turned icy. "Hunter, I must say that I am very reluctant to negotiate with you."
Hunter realized the depth of his predicament, feeling as though he was staring into the eyes of a predator, ready to pounce on him. Thank the maker for the distance. Nala didn't know where they lived, and that was a very deliberate choice. One he had hammered into Omega. Yet, he knew he had to stand his ground, for Omega's sake and for his own sanity. "Reluctance seems to be a shared sentiment," Hunter replied evenly.
Nala's intonation remained unchanged, but there was a flicker of annoyance to her now. "Very well, Hunter," Nala conceded, her voice dripping with disdain. "I can see you're determined to make this difficult."
"It's not about making it difficult," Hunter countered, his voice firm. "It's about ensuring Omega's well-being."
The kitchen got awfully quiet at that. Nala's tone sounded pressed, teeth clenched. "I assure you, Omega will be perfectly safe in my care."
"That's not my only concern," Hunter shot back, his voice unwavering. Nala made an indistinguishable noise, prompting Hunter to continue. "You may have lost custody, but that doesn't mean I trust you," Hunter stated bluntly.
Nala went silent for a time. Then, something in her managed to perk up. "Trust is earned, Hunter. I've never laid a finger on her. And I've done everything in my power to prove myself capable."
Hunter shook his head, refusing to be swayed by her abusive antics. Took him long enough. "Not everything."
Nala's sentiments hardened, her patience wearing thin. "Enough, Hunter. I don't have time for your games."
Hunter squared his shoulders, out of reflex, out of training. Either way, behavior that had to be learned. "Neither do I. I don't decide over her head. I'll ask and get back to you."
"Very well," Nala conceded begrudgingly. "Where are my other children? Theobald, Wrecker, Crosshair?"
Hunter hesitated, feeling the weight of her gaze. He glanced at Tech who nodded in silent encouragement. Hunter started gesturing, Next time, you’re the one picking up-
Tech rolled his eyes at that.
"Yeah, uh... here" Hunter began, before passing the phone to Tech.
Promptly, Tech managed a greet. "Salutations upon the waning of this day,” his expression remained unreadable. Exposure to Nala Sé always needed some form of guard.
Beside him, Wrecker snorted. Omega had her round eyes on Hunter. Maker curse her intuition. Hunter brought a finger to his lips.
The muffled voice on the other end of the line increased in volume. Tech breathed heavily. "I assure you, my intentions are far from derisive. Omega shall decide that for herself."
Not entirely surprising Nala Sé had tried again. She was closest to him, out of the four, given Tech was the highest scoring one. Crosshair came close behind, the only issue being that he hadn’t necessarily danced to her tune in the past and refused now.
“Affirmative, I have completed my academic pursuits and have transitioned into the professional realm.” Just from Tech's neutral tone pitching down, Hunter knew he was fed up with her ways of inquiring every single thing, pressing them out to the last drop. Wasn't she ever going to get tired of this?
“I shall.” Tech mused, gesturing to the place beside him.
Leaning against the phone, Crosshair opened his mouth, “Cun-” before he could finish, Tech drew it away. Despite what he was trying to do, Hunter found this game anything but amusing. Sure, Crosshair was cocky and confident now, but when dropping Omega off for the annual visit after Christmas last year, all five of them squeezing into Tech’s four seater, he hadn't been this self-assured. Crosshair had stood there, posture stoic, but the tremor in his legs had been undeniable.
Next, Tech passed it on to Wrecker, who at least managed a greet. Then, his voice stuck in his throat. Just from the way he stared off into nothing Hunter figured it was all about Nala’s usual spiel.
“No, mother, I don’t want a kyber eye.” he groaned into his hand, prompting Tech and Hunter to reach for the phone. Hunter retreated, leaving Tech to do the honours of farewell.
Face tight and muscles stiff, Tech returned the phone to his ear. “Sufficient unto this moment, I must now bid adieu. Let us reconvene our discourse in the near future.”
He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t wait. Just pressed out, placing the phone onto the aged wood of their kitchen table.
Strangely, Omega was the first one to find her voice again. “That was about what?”
A heartbeat passed, Hunter just watching Echo, leaned against the sink. Arms, synthetic and human, crossed. "She wants to see you," Hunter dropped, watching their youngest, his voice laced with concern.
"I thought so," Omega's reaction was subdued, her eyes cast downward, her posture shrinking. Hunter struggled to find the right words, unsure of how to navigate the delicate situation. How to even- Especially with all 5 eyes on him.
"She's asking for a week this time," Hunter continued, his voice tinged with apprehension. It wasn't the first time Nala Se had requested time with Omega, but the thought of a full week under her influence filled him with dread.
“Hunter you can’t be serious? Fuck her-” Crosshair's frustration boiled over, "Fuck, I need air." He managed to a stand, swiftly exiting, leaving a tense silence in his wake. Echo followed after him, leaving Hunter alone with Omega, his worry mounting. Torn. Why did he always have to decide? Either one sibling or the other. And Hunter knew very well that Echo was not necessarily able to provide what Hunter, Wrecker, or Tech could in that situation.
"Hey, you don't have to do anything you don't want," Hunter reassured Omega, his voice firm with conviction. Eyes still flickering between his kid and the door. "You're our kid now. She's got nothing on you."
“Affirmative. Not to worry Omega. We remain with full custody. We shall decide on this matter collaboratively.” Tech's assurance brought a sense of relief, his words a beacon of solidarity amidst the uncertainty.
“Ye-ah- Means you decide, kid!” Wrecker's straightforward honesty cut through the tension, his loyalty unwavering.
"You don't owe her anything, Omega," Hunter reiterated, his voice gentle yet firm. "Remember that."
Omega's expression softened, but her resolve remained unyielding. "But she's still my mother," she whispered, her voice tinged with sadness.
Hunter sighed. Goody two-shoes. Especially to those who didn’t deserve it. "We know, Omega. And we'll support you, no matter what."
"Yet, we must prioritize your well-being. Nala Se's intentions are irrelevant in this matter. And we cannot risk anything happening in regards of-" Tech's pragmatic approach reminded them of the stakes at hand, his determination unwavering. The four of them shuddered. Nala Sé did have her way of twisting things.
Wrecker's unwavering loyalty bolstered their resolve, his words a silent promise of protection, "Tech's right. We've got your back, kid."
"Then I don't think I want to. Not for this long at least," Omega admitted, her voice trembling. Hunter readjusted his grip around her small palm.
Hunter nodded, understanding her hesitation. "That's fine, kid. You don't have to at all."
"Thanks," Omega murmured, fell silent, searched for Hunter’s face, and then, "I might just go for three days, though. She has no one else-"
Ouch. Subtle accusations weren’t fun when it came from a different sibling, but especially gruesome when it came from Omega. He wanted to defend himself, to justify his actions, but he knew it was futile. Nala Sé's intentions had always been shrouded in deceit, and after a while, Hunter had figured, avoidance was the best way to stay sane. Just sucked that she was so insistent to claw herself at Omega.
"Omega, we understand your desire to spend time with mother," Tech interjected, his voice steady. "But we must prioritize your safety all else."
“I just don’t know… I don’t know what to do” Omega's uncertainty hung heavy in the air, her voice shaky with indecision. And for a moment, Hunter had wished for everything to be different. Painting their whole story anew. A normal family, grappling with normal family shit. Not this. Never this.
Behind those convex glasses, Tech’s eyes had an unknown sparkle to them, Wrecker’s just looking so damn affected behind these big panels of face. Alas, it was Hunter that regained his composure first. “You don't have to decide right now, Omega.”
Echo didn’t know what kind of automatics brought him to trail after the lanky ex-sniper. Yet, he couldn’t even begin to resist. “Cross, brother-” he spoke to the back of his silver-blonde head.
“I’m fine” Crosshair gave back, tone cold and defensive. “Don’t need to mother me”
The irony in that made Echo’s stomach swoop. “True” he nodded. Because it was. None of the quadruplets had ever known family until it had been way too late.
Crosshair stood there. A pillar. Not moving. Not giving him any sign of life. Classic. “So why then? Why are you always doing this?” Crosshair growled, his voice low and gravelly.
Because someone had to. Because he cared. Because these gestures came naturally to Echo. Because Ninety-Nine had done it. Taught him what true love and care should look like… Instead Echo cleared his throat. “Because it affects you”
That made Crosshair snort. “Nothing affects me- She doesn’t have shit on me now. Never had. She’s just a fucking cunt. Nothing more.”
Echo rolled his eyes. Sometimes he wondered if Crosshair thought he was just plain studpid. Even someone as oblivious to social cues as Tech could’ve felt just how untruthful he was with his show. For lack of a better word. “Not entirely true. Is it?”
Crosshair bit back with rage, “Sorry you didn’t grow up with an abusive as shit parent.”
“You can be so fucking vile, Crosshair” Echo scoffed back, the one fist he had balling, fingernails pressing into the sensitive flesh of his hand. “Suit yourself mate-”
Just as he managed to get the bad foot off the ground, turning to leave, Crosshair piped up, “don’t go”
Echo rolled his eyes, the gesture a silent testament to his exasperation. He could see right through Crosshair's bullshit. Every single damn time. “ Well, what do you want me to say then?” Echo asked, his voice gruff.
Crosshair turned abruptly, his hands deeply lost within the pockets of his jeans, "I just don't get it," his voice raw and strained with anger. "Why, why the hell is she so insistent on inserting herself into our lives? Why now, Why at all?"
Echo paused, taking a step closer to him, trying to choose his words carefully. "Maybe she can't stand the fact that you're happy without her."
Crosshair scoffed, despisal so freaking thick in the air. "Or maybe she's just trying to control everything, like she always did."
"Mate, you don't have to be okay about it," he said gently, his voice tinged with sympathy. After spending half his life with the quadruplets, Echo still didn’t quite get the appeal of: don’t tell, don't feel, that they had going on. It had worked out something in his core, thinking how Omega now slowly but surely had adopted the same strategies.
"Maybe I'm not then," Crosshair spat, his frustration boiling over. "Damn it- Why doesn't she just—" He grabbed at the lack of hair on his head, a gesture of nothing but helplessness.
"She's trying to get under your skin, Cross. All of yours," Echo observed, his tone grave.
Crosshair's jaw clenched, his frustration evident in every tense line on his face. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he was close to tears. Echo wouldn’t tell.
"Well, she's doing a damn good job of it," he muttered bitterly, wiping a hand over his face in a futile attempt to disguise what was happening behind. For the better part of Echo’s youth, he’d been furious. Raging. Not at all grasping at how someone was able to devalue her own children. “There she fucking is- pulling the strings again. Fucking shit.”
"But you're stronger than her mind games, Cross," Echo reminded him, his voice firm. "You've proven that time and time again."
"I just... ah, fuck," he muttered, his voice trailing off into a frustrated groan. "I feel... trapped. With the kid- I... I'm glad that she's here, but..." His sentence hung unfinished, a jumble of conflicting emotions that echoed through the dimly lit corridor.
"Feels like you're living that again, huh?" Echo interjected softly, treading utterly lightly. Conversing with Crosshair, especially about something that was strictly exclusive to the quadruplets, felt like diffusing a damn bomb sometimes.
Crosshair leaned heavily against the wall, his arms wound tightly around himself as if seeking some semblance of comfort or stability. "Just... I thought that... it's over, you know," he continued, his gestures disjointed in the darkness. "But no... then Omega comes, and this endless cycle of shit continues."
"It's not her fault," Echo offered, cautiously approaching him, unsure if his presence would offer any solace.
"I know," Crosshair admitted, his voice laced with resignation as he bit at his lip, his face obscured by shadows. "That's the worst thing about it. I..."
"You can't do anything for that either, Crosshair," Echo reminded him gently, his heart aching. Never got any easier to see this side of their parental coin. The Jango one was mostly fine. So much so that they openly joked about it. But... as for the maternal side -
"This woman," he gestured towards the kitchen, his frustration palpable. "This woman should've never been allowed around children, and somehow, no one started investigating this shit until it was too late?"
"Hey, bud," Echo interrupted, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"We left her," Crosshair corrected himself bitterly, "We didn't even know. How the hell... And now Nala Sé just strolls up, asking for a fucking week? What's next? Ten days? Two weeks? A month? And then-" His words trailed off, his jaw clenched. The jugular came out.
"Hunter won't let her," Echo reassured him. He knew the sergeant would rather saw off his favorite piece before letting Omega wander off into the depths of the unknown that was Nala Sé’s despicable cold house.
"He better not," Crosshair muttered, his resolve firming at the thought.
"He won't," Echo insisted, offering a reassuring expression. "Crosshair, I can't imagine he would."
"I just... don't want..." Crosshair began, his voice faltering as he struggled to articulate his fear, “it to happen again. More than it has.”
"It won't," he promised, unwavering in its certainty.
"You don't know her like I do," Crosshair countered, tone infused with bitterness.
True, Echo didn't. And he knew fuck all to do about that.