Work Text:
“You are hiding something.”
Crosshair does not look up from his rifle, trying to buff out a scratch in the barrel with his polishing rag. “I am not hiding anything.”
“Now you are lying,” Tech says.
“Since you know so much, why don’t you tell me what the issue is?” Crosshair growls.
“You were injured on the mission,” Tech tells him. “You are favoring your right leg, and your Firepuncher seems to have acquired some slight damage as well.”
“Hm.”
It is as good an admission as Tech is going to get. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it doesn’t matter. Leave it.”
“We do not hide injuries. Doing so could have adverse repercussions to upcoming missions if wounds are not properly treated.”
“Some wounds can’t be treated, Tech,” Crosshair tells him.
Tech blinks. “Such as?”
Crosshair glances up at the cockpit where Hunter and Wrecker are, then hisses softly, “Wounded pride.”
“You are hiding your injuries because of pride?” Tech folds his arms. “That does not sound like a healthy mindset to have. For you or this squad.”
Crosshair throws down his rag. “I fell out of a kriffing tree. Dropped my karking rifle. Happy?”
“I will be once you have allowed me to assess your injuries.”
“There are no injuries,” Crosshair bites out, enunciating each word irritably. “My leg is not broken or sprained. It’s just sore.”
Tech considers. “But you will tell me if the pain worsens?”
“Fine.”
“Excellent, then we have come to a compromise.” Tech goes to his toolkit and returns with a tube of paste. “Here. This is a polishing compound that should help smooth the scuffs on your weapon.”
Crosshair hesitates but takes the offering. “You’re not going to tell the others I fell out of a tree, are you?”
Tech smiles and sits down next to his brother. “I believe that would only further aggravate your ‘wounded pride’, which would be counterproductive to your wellbeing.”
Crosshair snorts. “Thanks, Tech.”