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There had been some accusatory words, a lot of finger pointing too involving pushing and shoving. Some slapping as well, but thankfully, so far, no blood.
True the bad blood still existed between the two. Crosshair and Hunter.
Those pesky feelings of betrayal on both sides lingering. Those same ones of who had been on the right and who in the wrong hanging there tightly making the air feel stale all around. Guess they both had been wrong in varying degrees.
Neither admitting as much though, not yet anyway .
The staring contest ending the fight as it had begun.
This having gone on for several days, usually starting over something simple like a badly placed glare or a grunt leaving either party. And then it was on, even if nothing important was really said nor the real issue resolved.
The fight never really getting off the ground.
But Echo, had finally had enough. The ARC Pulling rank and age over the two warring brothers.
“Crosshair, Hunter, get in here right now!”
Both Crosshair and Hunter having been sitting in the cockpit with their silent fight on going once again, heard the tone Echo had used. Neither willing to get on the ARC’s bad side. As Echo could be scary as hell when he really wanted to.
And right now, Echo really wanted to.
So, the duo making their way to the now empty cargo bay of Echo’s ship.
Echo was there, waiting for them. His stance menacing as he stared at two arrivals.The glare certainly sending chills down both Hunter and Crosshair’s spine. Echo always having that effect on the duo.
“Now, you two listen to me very carefully for I will say this only once.” Echo let his gaze trail from one to the other. Echo’s intent of ending this feud one way or the other quite clear.
Hunter about to object opening his mouth, but Echo only needed to raise his finger to silence the Sergeant. Hunter clamping up real quick. Knowing Crosshair well too, only waiting for the comment to be spewed, Echo made a pre-counter face to the sniper before Crosshair was able to put on the expression he used to taunt Hunter and sometimes Echo too.
And so having both of them where Echo needed them to be, Echo made his ultimatum.
“Now, here is how this is going to go.” Echo made sure they were listening in. Real good.“Either you keep on fighting like you have and not talking things through. Or…”
“Or?” They asked in unison.
Echo once again silencing the two with his mere stare.
“Or, you two split up. Each going their own way. Separator from the rest of us.”
It was harsh for sure, Echo knew this to be true, but, he too was at the end of his rope as were the rest of the team of this constant infighting in their family.
“But…”
They both actually looked panicked at the suggestion. It sounded so… permanent.
“No buts Hunter. What happened happened. The reasons well, we are all to blame to some extent for the past and we can’t change them.”
It was Crosshair’s turn to open his mouth.
Echo’s raised finger once again shutting him too up.
“Like I said. We’re all to blame and that won’t change things any. You either forgive and forget each other, or then, simply split up.”
Hunter and Crosshair were once again starting at each other. Only this time, there was no malice there, the anger fading fast as per Echo’s ultimatum hitting them. Hard.
Thoughts playing inside the two fighters minds a parsec a minute.
“I um… I don’t want us to split up again.” Hunter started.
“I… don’t want that either.” Crosshair admitted as much.
“So, truce? End this fight?”
“You have to do better than that.” Echo warned them of the lame comments.
“Um, can you forgive me, Hunter?” Crosshair tried then glancing at Echo for approval.
Echo let a soft smile slip and nodded.” Better.”
“Only if you forgive me first.” Hunter retorted.
“It’s not a competition Hunter.” Echo reminded the scout.
“We both forgive, at the same time.” Hunter suggested then.
They both nodded in agreement.
“I’m sorry Cross.”
“I’m sorry Hunt.”
It was Hunter though taking the first step. Crossing the gap between them, his arms around Crosshair. Confused and dazed, Crosshair yielded to the hug, his own arms snaking around Hunter soon enough. The two leaning into the other’s embrace.
Echo was smiling widely now. Only hoping this would be the first step toward heeling the still open wounds. Joining in the other twos hug as well.
Even if there was a lot to talk about still, Echo hoped this, was the way towards a more friendly and open discussion between Hunter and Crosshair, perhaps all of them.