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The shrill ring of Crosshair's phone jolted him awake, scattering his lingering dreams like ashes in the wind.
Downstairs, the clattering of pots and pans reached his ears. Echo was busy in the kitchen, apparently taking the initiative of his absence due to his mid-day nap to prepare dinner. Crosshair disagreed with that. He was an excellent help in the kitchen.
The ringing continued. Disoriented, he fumbled for his phone, squinting at the caller ID. Omega’s school.
Fucking Hunter leaving it to him. Ugh. He was probably lost within the construction site. Disappearing between metal, wood and concrete. Phones miles away. Better yet, he didn’t take it out of the car at all. Why even have one then- Crosshair didn’t get it.
"Hello?" he snarled into the phone, propping himself up on one elbow. What banality was it now? Omega being sick? One of the teachers having a meltdown because she corrected them?
A disgusting voice erupted from the other side. “Mr. Fett, thank you for taking the call." a pause, then, “I am calling you because we wanted to discuss an issue regarding Omega’s attire.” her tone cut through the haze of Crosshair's drowsiness.
“Attire?” Crosshair suppressed a yawn, pressing the speaker to the other side of his ear.
This couldn’t be happening… was the galaxy having a laugh or what?
“It's come to our attention that there have been some concerns about Omega's clothing choices, particularly in terms of adherence to our dress code.”
Crosshair really struggled to stay level headed about this. Exploding right away would do him no good. Or her. Considering schools were always just a smidgen away from calling CPS. And with their history…. Yeah, recipe for disaster.
But he couldn't deny that it seemed tempting. “Dress code? I mean, she's not wearing a ball gown to school.”
He knew where this led to. Shit. Up you get, Crosshair. No well-deserved beauty sleep for you. He ushered the purring cat -watching him with one eye open- off the bed. Ugh- where were his jeans again?
The administrator continued to pierce his sensitive ears with her shrill, quakey voice. “Mr. Fett, we appreciate your perspective, but it's essential for students to maintain a certain level of decorum.”
Perspective- Decorum- where they trying to fuck with him on purpose here?
“Decorum- uhu” He numbly reiterated.
“behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety” The other end supplied. Checkmate asshole, he very much knew that. Crosshair rolled his eyes. “Well, it seems there have been instances where Omega's attire has raised eyebrows among both staff and students. I’d kindly ask you to report to the secretary when you pick her up today .”
Crosshair couldn’t hide a deep guttural sigh at that. “Fine. I shall.”
Eyebrows raised, mood entirely soured, and with a begrudging acknowledgment of the impending headache, Crosshair swung his legs over the edge of the bed, feet finding the cold floor. Fuck Cody for giving him a night shift.
Training. Is what he’d called it.
Torture, is what Crosshair replied back. And he honestly thought putting nightshifting behind him meant that he was able to sleep at night like a normal human being. But since being equipped with his badge, Crosshair had had more nocturnal calls than he would’ve liked.
Crosshair grumbled under his breath as he hastily threw on a wrinkled shirt and grabbed his car keys. He shot a glare at his cat, who seemed entirely unbothered by the commotion, and muttered, "You're lucky you don't have to deal with this crap."
Gonky gave him a stern meow back as an answer. And Crosshair, maker forbid, even meowed back at the feline.
The drive to Omega's school was silent, save for the low hum of the engine and the occasional growl from Crosshair. The night had left him tired and irritable, and the prospect of dealing with school administrators over something that trivial surely didn’t fester any excitement for the new day.
He rolled up past the sign reading something something academy .
Crosshair was still half-asleep as he pulled into the parking spot. He quickly turned the key in the ignition. His head buzzed as the engine roared to a stop, getting hit with a blast of unfiltered, thick air as he stepped out. A long sleeved denim jacket was nice and all but definitely too hot for late May.
Letting his eyes travel over the parking lot yielded no sight of her.
Funnily enough, to Crosshair it seemed like Omega found a way to doge either him or her stupid school.
Then, finally, he spotted her.
There, near the trees, lurking in the shadows, was the kid. Quietly doodling in a book. Possibly brooding. Entirely courtesy of Hunter. Crosshair’s heart did something peculiar. Tickling, with an ounce of pain. He knew her well enough to see right away how she was coping with it all.
He strode over, toying with the key in his hand. As ready as he could be. Omega didn’t even notice.
“Heya misfit” he jokingly went, Omega not being able to meet his eyes. She stayed silent. Looking from above, he realized what she was doing. Not doodling, but drawing sharp lines, deep, slicing her pages.
He crouched down. Maker help him. “How’s expressionism going for you?”
Omega tried a scoffing sound, scribbles intensifying. “As well as it has been for countless artists before me”
Crosshair wasn’t used to her biting sarcasm. Swallowing he began, “You did nothing wrong, Omega”
Omega just bit her lip. “Are you going to speak to these people ?”
The words in her mouth sounded sour and bitter alike. “M afraid so” He attested. “Making a pitchfork out of a needle huh?”
Omega twitched her slender shoulders. “ Great- Can’t wait for you to confiscate my phone”
Her voice had more vibrato to it than Crosshair would’ve liked. “Surely not because of this crap”
That at least got him a softer pout. “Anyway”
“Anyway,” Crosshair nodded, jerking his head to the direction of the schools entrance, “better see what crap they got for me this time”
Crosshair turned around, stalking towards the school's entrance, his narrowed eyes daring anyone to cross his path. The secretary's office was easy enough to locate, and he didn't bother with niceties as he entered.
"I'm here about the dress code nonsense," Crosshair declared, barely containing his annoyance.
“Hunter Fett, right?” The receptionist behind the desk looked up, slightly taken aback by the disheveled, scowling brother.
“Crosshair” he corrected with spite.
The secretary, unfazed, handed him a form to fill out before directing him to a waiting area. As Crosshair sat on an uncomfortable plastic chair, his impatience grew. He tapped his fingers rhythmically, staring at the clock on the wall.
The minutes felt like hours, and the sterile atmosphere of the school office only intensified his irritation, if anything. Too clean. Too white. It was a school, not a grippy sock vacation domicile. The weird fucking at hung up on the wall surely didn’t help. Big blobs of piss yellow. Crosshair surely knew that whatever Omega was attempting outside in her sketchbook, she could’ve done a better job than this.
Sooner than he would have liked to, he was approached by someone taking themselves a bit too seriously. “Ahhh, Mr. Fett- A pleasure-”
Crosshair couldn’t return it.
“MH” He sloppily held his hand out for a shake. For a split second, he noticed the judging glance darting to the right half of his face.
The official, she had introduced her name and title, yet Crosshair conveniently overheard it, leading the way to a small meeting room. As he entered, his expression morphed to a mix of defiance and fatigue.
The administrator wandered behind her desk, a cutesy cat coffee cup propped on it. Crosshair fought the urge to puke. She typed a bit on her computer, turned, and with a heavy sigh, she began: “Mr. Fett, we're trying to address this delicately. We've noticed her clothing occasionally... draws attention by other classmates. Mostly the male side.”
All Crosshair could do was gape. Omega wasn’t clothed in anything close to provoking. He knew for a fact if she left the house in anything but that, Hunter would flip a switch. Or the table. Or… both. “You know how boys can be-”
Bullying. Harassment. Anything worse than that?
That fucking sweet smile of her’s made his stomach swoop. Boys. He knew enough about those, unfortunately. Crosshair leaned forward, heart thrumming violently in his throat. “Draws attention, how ?”
“Very well.” The admin paused, scooting her glasses back up in Tech fashion. Although, much unlike Tech, this gesture conveyed something of dominance. Superiority. In short, it made him furious. “We've observed instances where the strap of Omega's upper undergarments has been visible, and we believe it's important to discuss this matter.”
“You got me here because of a fucking bra strap?” Crosshair spat, tone infested with venom and disbelief. “You are sexualizing a 15-year-old-”
What the hell was she supposed to wear a potato sack? Crosshair was left baffled. Raising a girl meant dealing with a public scrutiny that he’d never even thought of.
Crosshair tried to lean back a little, arms crossed.
“It's about maintaining a respectable environment for all students, Mr. Fett. And showing off her bra strap or parts of her shoulder does not add to this experience.” She sighed heavily.
What a freaking joke- Yes, fault her for her own anatomy, why don’t you? What was she supposed to do? Take her boobs off and toss them under a fucking table? People were kriffin sick these days.
“There have been instances with her classmates taking on a language in regard to her, that we cannot condone.”
“So you are punishing her of course.” Crosshair nodded, ironically. Eyes in slits and breath quickening, he flatly mumbled, “Understandable. I will put her in a suit of armor next time.”
This was beyond absurd. Curse Tech and Hunter for being busy. Tech with his eloquence would’ve probably had fair play here, while all Crosshair could do was rage-
“We just believe a discussion about appropriate attire is in order.” she tried to defend herself. Crosshair did not want to hear any of that. “We are a respectable institution and we expect our students to adhere to this.” she attempted, but Crosshair cut in first.
“You are shaming her for having body parts because some guys can't keep their mouths shut?” he summarized- Fucking hell. Guys would comment nonetheless. No matter what she was wearing. It wasn’t so much a clothing issue than a behavioral matter. Parents giving two shits about teaching their kids at least some respect.
“Mr. Fett, we're not trying to shame anyone.” A pregnant pause. “We just want to address the concerns raised.”
“Well, you're going about it the wrong way.”
The administrator looked uneasy at that but nodded. “As I have said, We'll consider your perspective, Mr. Fett. But we do hope you can talk to Omega about making some adjustments.”
“No.” he just shook his head. Where five minutes ago there had been space and time for sarcasm, right now all he could do was try to bridle himself. More or less successfully.
“Mr. Fett, we have rules.” she said, equally as stern. She rose from her seat, eyes taxing his.
“I am her brother. Better note that down.” he couldn’t hide the vibration that his fists gave into.
A firm tremor.
PTSD.
Maybe.
“Please calm down, or I have to notify the security.” For a statement like that, this woman did not sound frightened at all. What a nightmare to deal with.
Crosshair fumbled in his jacket pocket, past keys, used tissues, and gum. Fuck them. He tossed the small silver badge on the table which had the eyes of the admin widening. “Try”
“Kid-” he sneered, giving her a gesture to follow, “Car.”
Omega scrambled up to a stand, “Crosshair, what-”
“Car, Omega” he reiterated. Something in him even felt bad for his tone, his chest doing a funky sensation. He hovered over her as she stuffed her things into her canvas backpack, hand still cramping.
With nothing else he had in store for her, the duo trailed to the car, with Omega dropping her backpack down in the boot.
“Why are you mad at me?” Omega had her knees drawn up, hugging them. Crosshair started the engine.
Shit. shit. shit. shit.
“I’m not.” he choked out. “I’m just…. mad”
He slumped into his seat, forcing himself to take a deep fucking breath. Omega’s eyes laid unsurely on the burn mark on the side of his head. Normally Crosshair would’ve ordered for her not to stare at it, but fuck did he care now-
He readjusted himself in his seat, straightening out his spine. Slowly, around the clasp of the steering wheel, he watched his tremor subside.
“So, what's this I hear about the school hassling you over your... attire?” he tried, tone fucking flat and pressed. Once again, he let his eyes catch glimpse of her fit, coming up short though. Boat neck, bit wide maybe but by far not inappropriate. She was a child, goddamn.
Crosshair rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Omega sat a little bit more slouched now, a pout forming on her adorable freckled face as she fidgeted with the strap of her bra. "Apparently, my shoulders and bra strap are causing a stir," Omega sighed, her voice tinged with irritation.
Crosshair leaned back in his chair, his expression a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. "Are they gonna inspect the color of your shoelaces next?" he remarked sarcastically.
A smirk tugged at the corners of Omega's lips, though it had a hint of something else to it. Not at all how he would've seen her on a good day. She turned her tone down a bit. "It's ridiculous, isn't it?"
Crosshair pinched the bridge of his nose. "Truly. I got up because of this-" he grumbled.
"Sorry 'bout that," she apologized, genuine remorse coloring her voice.
Crosshair waved off her apology with a dismissive gesture. "Don't worry about it," he replied, a hint of resignation in his tone. He turned, finally pulling out of the parking spot. Time to get away from this place. “Not your fault. I just don't know why they wouldn't just give you a letter home. Why call me?” Then… something sunk fiercely into his chest. “Any trouble with the boys at school?”
Crosshair didn’t want to hear the answer. At the same time though, he knew he had to. Dread filled, he glanced over. Omega’s head was leaning against the window.
“Well, some guys can be pushy and annoying, but I handle it.” she mumbled. Way too quietly for his taste. Even an entirely dull person would have noticed that she was downplaying it.
Crosshair’s voice dropped below freezing point, “Pushy how ?”
Omega shrugged numbly. It definitely did not seem right with Crosshair. “Just typical high school drama. They don't like it when you don't play along with their games. Not only happens to me though- Might just be part of the experience.”
The tremor came back full force. The whiter his knuckles got, the worse his hands were jittering. Curse them. “If any of those guys cross a line, you let me know.”
The thought alone made him fucking ill.
He'd destroy them. Make sure these little fucks were never ever able to hold down a job.
Omega made a weak smile at that. “Thanks- just sucks- I wore a shirt ‘cuz it's hot- but” The bitterness in her voice managed to soothe him. Anger meant she wasn’t entirely devastated, “apparently that is not fair to the guys.”
Damn, she looked downright adorable when she had her arms snaked around each other like that. Crosshair navigated through the suburban streets, scoffing, shaking his head, his irritation simmering just below the surface as he battled through the congested traffic on his way back home.
As he swerved around yet another oblivious driver, Crosshair couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness towards Omega. It was clear to him that this so-called "discussion" about dress code was nothing but a thinly veiled excuse to enforce outdated societal norms and double standards.
He glanced at his sister, her defiant expression mirroring his own irritation. The car's temperature rose, not just from the external heat but from the simmering tension inside. No one had ever told him how to address this shit.
How the fuck did Hunter do it? Or Echo- seeming to have a magic potion to everything and anything regarding the kids… issues.
He tried again, coaxing the walls of his chest into a gentle rhythm. “You know, it's not your job to make boys comfortable.” He reiterated. Because it wasn’t. Troubling to hear, but he didn’t want to imagine how troubling it must’ve been to deal with. “If someone is that distracted by it, then maybe they shouldn’t be-”
“In public spaces. I know.” Omega finished, fiddling with her sleeve.
She audibly swallowed.
“Crosshair- OH Shit” Omega ducked down, immediately warranting Crosshair’s gaze to follow-
They passed the sports field behind the school, some teenagers the same age leisurely having a laugh … and a smoke next to the metal gate dividing the teens from school ground where the things they held pressed between their fingers surely weren't allowed.
“What?”
“that’s them”
Omega’s nervous glance out the window told him everything. He pushed the breaks. Hard. Causing the car to come to a screeching halt. Omega jolted forward, bouncing back because of the seatbelt. His car made a woeful beebing sound at that.
He wouldn’t take this shit.
Not from her school.
Not from anyone else.
“Wha- Crosshair- NO- please” she grabbed for his arm, shaking her off, Crosshair put the car in reverse, passing the trio of teenage guys, again.
Crosshair rolled down his window, leaned out, cleared his throat audibly, and began to shout. “GET UP YOU MORONS”
The crowd blanked. One even had the fucking audacity to laugh at him.
“I SAID GET THE FUCK UP”
The bullies hurried into a stand, shrugging their backpacks off as they did so.
Crosshair’s jaw was clenched with rage, his eyes ablaze.
"You find it amusing to sexualize my sister?" He demanded, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.
Maybe because of his face, or because of the fact that Omega horrendously failed to hide herself behind the dashboard, the bullies' faces dropped in resolution, realizing who was taking out his anger on them.
The middle one, having the biggest smirk out of all, twitched his shoulders. “The fuck do we care”
"What fucking sick minds do you have?" Crosshair felt this certain vein in his head pulsate. Sicklish, enraged, and severely under-caffeinated, he continued. "You fucking depraved, vile human beings- You better remember this moment" His voice a low, threatening rumble.
“Crosshair- stop” Omega pleaded from the side. Crosshair only extended his palm.
"Don’t think I’m not able to get your parent’s numbers-" he sincerely hoped that would still be a valid threat to a group of teen guys- "If any of you even think about bothering her, hell any girl, again, you'll be dealing with me. And trust me, you won't like the consequences"
“You cant say that-” one of the tiny, vile creatures spoke, "Aren't you a cop or some shit?"
“Fuck I can.” he drawled. “I’m her brother .” He spat.
A tense silence lingered, before Crosshair rolled up the window, cutting off. “I will do what’s necessary”
He sped off, the roaring exhaust pipe expelling all kinds of environmental pollution into the bullies direction. Inside the car, however, it was dead quiet. Crosshair managed a quick look to the side, Omega not meeting it at all. She had her head toward the window, posture tense, and lips pressed.
Crosshair then leaned back, head on straight and trying to keep the car in motion. Still seething with anger, he tried to silence the tremor in his hands by tightening his grip around the steering wheel.
The adrenaline that had fueled him before was ebbing offshore. He stole another glance at Omega, his expression softening momentarily.
Omega finally mustered the courage to speak, her voice small and shaky, "Crosshair-” she sounded like she was near tears. “Why did you do that-?”
Crosshair ignored her. Instead he asked, “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” he couldn't hide the displeasure souring his taste buds.
“Why did you embarrass me like that?” a disgruntled twinge to her now.
It nearly broke him.
“Omega, I won’t stick with this behavior. I was trying to help you- Fuck, why didn't you say anything?” his own lingering anger was surprising. “Why do we only know when it's too late?”
“I dropped the last one because of it. Don’t you think I don't feel like an idiot all over again?”
Pulling around the edge, just out of sight, the car came to a halt. Much smoother this time. Crosshair unbuckled his seatbelt, turning, “Omega, How often does this happen?”
“Sometimes,” was the answer he definitely did not want to hear.
“No big deal though. Just- sometimes one of the bigger guys tugs at my bra strap and flicks it-” Heat crept into Crosshair’s face. He was short of turning the car around yet again. “But not only to me, other girls too.” Her voice got so fucking quiet at that. “The school says it's our fault- That’s all”
“They are touching your underwear?” Without her consent. Young guys… behaving like animals. Now, Crosshair wasn’t free of guilt. In his youth, he did stupid shit. Got others involved. Innocent people. He’d rebelled. Was violent. A cheeky bastard. But never- ever-
This situation was as absurd as it was alien to him. Ninety-Nine had made sure the boys got their fair share of scolding about manners. The old man never shouted, never had to. Yet, he had his ways of conveying what it meant to have decency.
So the question that truly remained now was, how the fuck where these other parents raising their boys?
“Yeah well the school is fucked up and wrong” Crosshair admitted. “Do you want to spend every single day in your life in a hoodie and sweats?”
Omega wasn’t so convinced. “If I have to-”
Crosshair grabbed at his face, exhausted, “It’s about principle- nothing more.”