Chapter Text
It was very early in the morning, but then again, never too early in Crosshair’s mind for a lengthy stroll around the island of Pabu.
Loving the cool fresh air and the nature all around him waking up while most of the inhabitants of the island were still a slumber. The early birds so to speak, were setting up their shops and whatnots for the day.
Crosshair, well liked among them and so.
“Top of the mornin’ to ya Cross! Looks like we’re getting another great day!”
Getting his good morning wishes and comments of the day, not to mention the great topic of weather discussed among a few generic comments and queries to come from the all. Crosshair gingerly accepting them and sending his own wishes and notes their way, while stopping for a wee chat with whomever there was around.
“Indeed! A great day for a longer walk today!”
Then again, Pabu mostly had great days until the rain season began. But it was good for the nature so nobody was complaining about that too much.
And yes indeed, the former surly sniper no longer as surly as that was a very liked person on Pabu these days. The lot of the clones were, those having settled on the island and those visiting as well.
After all, they were very helpful not to mention grateful for those having lived in the sanctuary before them and having welcomed the lot of them with open arms. The clones always lending a hand wherever they could. It was their way, helping others, it was in their blood, their nature. So what was there not to like about them!
Crosshair too, like the rest of his family, the former squad of Clone Force 99 had become integral members of the community on Pabu.
Each of them having found their calling, their reason for being after finally being able to live their own chosen lives and not those of soldiers.
And for Crosshair, it had meant setting aside his riffle while opting to let his other talents to fully emerge. Crosshair having always had a knack for the arts, being the designer of the Bad Batch’s unique paint-art for their armour, Crosshair had extended his repertoire to include canvas work, murals among other things and even starting classes for anyone wanting to learn the fine arts.
And much to his family’s surprise, Crosshair was really good at it. The teaching others in arts.
They had all known he was a great artist, true, even if Crosshair had never really thought so before. Being a soldier and all that jazz and not letting the artistry of his being take over.
Crosshair was patient and encouraging. Seeing the varied talents and skills of others where they themselves perhaps could not. Always letting them know, they were good enough even if some might not have felt that way nor where the end results all that, not at first anyway.
But, specifically one of the three clone cadets the team had rescued, Stak, Mox and Deke all living on Pabu now. The trio enjoying their new life as free people with a future and able to choose their own path instead of becoming the soldiers they had been trained since birth.
The three boys having taken up on the offers of becoming apprentices for the locals. Deke having become Tech’s learner, while Mox had taken into fishing. Spending his time with Wrecker mostly but other fishermen as well. Stak though, having presented the knack for the arts. The kid having followed Crosshair around for a while before daring to ask if the former sniper could teach him. And soon enough, Stak had become an apprentice of Crosshair’s.
It was a usual sight on Pabu Island, the teacher with his trainee by his side these days. The two having done several large size murals on quite a few dwellings on the island. The natives loving them and as soon as one was made, another neighbour was asking if they could have one.
Alas, the morning strolls were reserved for Crosshair and him alone.
As no matter how much Crosshair enjoyed the company of his friends and family these days, sometimes, there was no substitute for the solitary moments while walking without hurry, or a set location while simply enjoying the moment of it all.
Being free and living his best life ever imagined.
*
“Hey Crosshair! Wait up!”
Guess the peaceful moment was over sooner than desired!
But Crosshair could not blame the enthusiastic kid, like a shadow always by his side. It had been Omega for some time, something which Crosshair had enjoyed having her around, mimicking him to some extent.
But Omega had her own thing to do now and guess she had outgrown the need for constantly having to learn from others, rather becoming somewhat of a role model herself for the younger children living on the island. Especially for the Force sensitive kids they had rescued from Tantiss. With their families gone, even if they had tried to locate them, the children eventually giving up and having remained on Pabu with their new families.
“Stak!”
Crosshair waved at the youngling, his face lighting up as soon as he had found Crosshair on his stroll. The boy running to him and taking his place at Crosshair’s side.
“What’s our plan for the day then?”
Stak always eager enough to learn more, to do more. Crosshair was proud of his trainee no question there. Stak able to pick up on his teachings quickly enough. And he had talent too. Much like Crosshair had.
“Well, what do you say if we start on Mrs Lander’s wall today? She has been asking when we would be available for a while now as she is very eager to get it done before her big celebration day.”
The local elderly matriarch preparing to celebrate round numbers for once, the whole island invited to the shindig.
“Sounds perfect, Crosshair. We have the drafts ready and it looks like a good day as any to start.”
Stak had been the one to do the bulk of the drafting for this particular paint job. Mrs Lander having given her vision to the two artist and Crosshair having made the choice to let Stak spread his wings finally even if the boy had been having his doubts but Crosshair thinking it was time to get his confidences up.
And so, Stak had made the design of the rather large size mammal living in the Pabu waters. An under water scene. Something Stak had imagined rather vividly after experienced some of the colourful life while diving with his brothers.
“Yes, Stak… you my friend are going to take the lead on this one.”
Stak looked positively shocked. Not that he had not been eager to take on the larger part in drafting the mural to be painted. But, that Crosshair was actually trusting him to take the lead on the actual job. The job! Not just the design of the thing. Stak was… shocked!!!
“I… um… I dunno, Cross.”
Crosshair halted their movement.
The two having strolled back to the levels where their dwellings were. Crosshair living with his Batch and Stak with the other two clone boys. Their respective homes in close proximity. Hunter having thought it was good to keep on eye on them even if he trusted Mox to be the parental figure for the other two. Just like Mox had been ever since the trio having escaped the imperial clutches having left them marooned on the Force forsaken horror planet.
“Stak…” Crosshair placed his hand on the kid's shoulder, trying to both comfort and assure the boy he would be fine. “You are ready."
Stak was all quite for a spell, his eyes darting all over not really sure as to how to take this new situation and feeling perhaps a tad scared too.
Crosshair sensing his dilemma, he kneeled down, being on eye level with Stak.
“Stak. You. Are ready. I know this for a fact. Trust me.” Crosshair let a soft smile slip out. “I will be right by your side the whole time.”
Stak let out a breath he had been holding, seemingly calming down, his eyes connecting with Crosshair’s finally.
“You really think so… I mean that I am ready?”
“Yeah, Stak, you are.”
Stak contemplated his status for a moment before finally nodding.
“If you are sure…”
“I am.”
“Well, then, guess after breakfast, we go and see Mrs Lander then.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Crosshair then got back up, still towering over the kid even if the boys were growing fast. Offering his hand to Stak. “Now, let’s go see Wrecker and Shep about some pancakes, shall we!”
It was tradition, having breakfast together. With the family. To go enjoy some freshly made mouthwatering pancakes with the bestest jam on Pabu courtesy of Shep and Wrecker.