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“Buir!” Fives whisper hisses as he shakes his father’s shoulder. 99 jumps awake, twisting his body to squint at his son.
“Fives?” He asks, still not quite awake enough to process everything. He fumbles and flicks on the lamp. Fives is wearing his panicked expression-the one he uses when he doesn’t want anyone to worry or he’s hiding something. 99 sits up some. “Ad, what’s wrong?”
“Hunter’s gone,” Fives replies. 99 shakes his head as his brain computes what his son just told him.
“What?” 99 gasps out as he throws his covers back to hop out of bed. “What do you mean he’s gone?” 99 tosses his robe on and begins walking down to Hunter’s room.
“He’s not in his room,” Echo answers at the entrance of 99’s room. “Hunter asked to borrow my charger and when I went to get it back, he was gone.” Echo is calmer than Fives is at the moment, but 99 can see the tension in his eldest son’s shoulders.
“Alright, well, let’s not panic just yet, yeah?” 99 addresses them both. “The weather’s nice out tonight, maybe Hunter’s out taking a stroll.” Since turning seventeen, Hunter has begun to take walks at night. He still has some rules of course- stay on their street, always take your phone, and be home by midnight.
99’s bedside clock read 11:32. Hunter could still be out strolling.
“I highly doubt that,” Tech interjects as he scrolls through his phone. “The truck is gone, as are Hunter’s wallet and phone.” Dread begins to fill 99’s stomach.
“Well…” Wrecker trails off, rubbing the back of his neck. The youngest of 99’s boys is already nervous, likely anxious over where his big brother is. “You could try and track his phone, Tech! Like you did for me when I lost it at the park!” Tech hums from the back of his throat.
“I am afraid I cannot do that,” Tech answers. “Hunter has turned his phone off, making tracking him impossible.” Each of the boys tense up at Tech’s words.
“Okay, okay,” 99 tries to calm them down from full on panicking. “Let me call, Alpha. Maybe he can send a patrol to cruise down our street.”
99 is in the middle of dailing his cousin when Echo walks up to him with the house phone.
“It’s for you,” Echo says, holding the phone out to his father like it’s a venomous snake. 99 quirks up an eyebrow as he reaches for the phone.
“Who is it?” He asks, placing his hand on the receiver.
“The Tarkins,” Echo responds. “I think I have an idea as to where Hunter disappeared to.” Echo’s mouth quirks up in a smirk. 99 quietly groans as he brings the phone to his ear.
Two years ago, Hunter started dating a friend of his named Crosshair. The younger boy is from a rich, high society family who care more about appearance than family. From what he heard from his sons, Crosshair’s family reacted negatively to him coming out as trans. 99 is certain there is emotional and mental abuse happening in the household, and no matter how many times he files complaints to DCFS, they always manage to get swept under the rug.
99 clears his throat and braces himself.
“Fett household, this is 99 speaking. How can I help you?”
“99,” Wilhuff’s cold voice replies. “Vivian is not in her bedroom.” 99 blanks until he remembers Crosshair’s birth name. “We had our security check the cameras, and a truck with the license plate 8TRS777 was seen fleeing the property.” Tarkin pauses for effect. “Does this license plate number ring a bell to you, 99?”
99 curses internally. That’s their truck alright.
“That is our truck, yes,” 99 confirms. “What are you trying to insinuate, Tarkin?”
“I am insinuating nothing,” Tarkin responds, as level headed as always. “I do not need to insinuate what happened, where my daughter went, or who took her. I have the evidence I need.” There is another pause and 99 can hear Nala Se whispering in the background. “Vivian needs to be home within the next hour before I call the police.”
99 purses his lips to avoid snorting. Tarkin’s threats aren’t going to solve his issues this time.
“Well, I’m afraid Crosshair isn’t here,” 99 retorts, unable to keep the grin from forming on his face. “Neither is Hunter.”
He realizes what Echo meant earlier. The two ran off together. Now, he has no idea where the boys could be, but at least they're together.
Osik, I hope he remembers to practice safe sex, 99 thinks to himself. Tarkin scoffs from the other side of the line.
"Vivian needs to be home," Nala Se says. "She has a very important meeting in the morning, and she needs to be well rested and prepared." 99 hears someone grab the phone.
"You need to call me as soon as your delinquent son returns home with my daughter,” Takrin says. 99 opens his mouth to tell Tarkin not to call Hunter, his caring, righteous son, a delinquent but Tarkin cuts him off. “My daughter was a classy, sweet young lady before she met that-that…” Tarkin trails off as his anger rises. “Hoodlum.”
99 jerks away from the phone in shock. Crosshair is a sweet kid-he comes over for family gatherings and buys them all small gifts for holidays. 99 considers Crosshair to be classy. He dresses nicely, always presentable and well put together. Crosshair is polite-more polite than any of 99’s sons.
“Crosshair is a great kid,” 99 snaps into the phone. “And I don’t know where he got it from, but it sure as hell wasn’t you or your witch of a wife, you hut’uun.” 99 hangs up the phone quickly, not wanting to give Tarkin the chance to respond. He sighs, hating that he let his temper get to him, but he couldn’t listen to that man bad mouth his son or his son’s boyfriend.
“How’d it go?” Fives asks from the doorway, a shit eating grin threatening to consume his face. Behind him, 99 sees the other boys wearing similar expressions.
“Tarkin can’t find Crosshair either,” 99 explains. “It seems the lovebirds have fled the nest.”
“Oh Manda,” Fives groans, palming his face. He jerks up to gape at his father. “Oh fuck, what if Crosshair’s pregnant? They could be driving to a clinic for all we know.” 99 opens his mouth to tell Fives not to swear.
“If Crosshair’s pregnant, that means we’re gonna be uncles!” Wrecker cheers, his previous nerves forgotten at the exciting prospect of there being a baby in the family.
“Crosshair is not pregnant,” Echo cuts in.
“You don’t know!” Wrecker argues.
“And how do you know?” Fives asks at the same time.
“He gets the birth control shot,” Tech answers. “Crosshair is smart; he knows how difficult a pregnancy would be at fifteen years old. It is highly unlikely they are attempting to solve a pregnancy issue.”
“Alright, now that we’ve calmed down…” 99 begins, looking at each of his kids. “I say we make some tea and cookies and wait for the couple to return home.” 99 turns to prep the snacks when Echo calls for him.
“Buir?” 99 turns to address him, raising his brows in question. “Is there any way that Crosshair could live with us?” 99 purses his lips and sighs heavily out of his nose.
“I’m not sure that’s possible, ad,” 99 replies. “Crosshair is a minor; he’s legally under his parents care.” Each son visibly deflates. 99 claps his hands and motions towards the kitchen. “Let’s go, verde. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
Echo and Fives are leaning against each other; Fives’s mouth is hanging open as he snores. Wrecker is bear hugging one of the throw pillows. Tech is sitting up straight with his head resting on the back of the chair. 99 is the only one awake. He couldn’t sleep a wink.
His mind is running ragged as he imagines what his son could possibly be doing. It’s been hours since 99 was woken up, and noon is approaching. He sits up and stretches out his back. Entering the kitchen, he decides to make pancakes. They are great comfort food for his boys.
99 is pulling his pan out of the cabinet when he hears the truck’s rumble from the driveway. He runs out the back door and spirits as fast as he can to the driveway. 99 sags in relief when he sees his son opening the passenger door for Crosshair.
“Hunter,” 99 calls out. Hunter jerks his head to look at his dad. He purses his lips nervously and glances at the ground. 99 doesn't notice; he’s walking up to cup his boy’s cheeks. “Oh…I’m glad you’re alright ad’ika. We were all a little worried.” Hunter’s expression softens as he holds the hand cupping his cheek.
“Ni ceta, buir,” Hunter apologizes. “Crosshair and I…we…” Hunter gulps guiltily and looks away. 99 raises a brow in question.
“What did you two do?” 99 asks. Fives’s theory that Crosshair is pregnant enters his mind. Speaking of Crosshair, the younger boy is still sitting in the truck which is odd since he typically beats Hunter to run out and give 99 a hug in greeting. “Is everything okay Cross’ika?”
Crosshair’s eyes jerk up to meet his, and 99 can see the anxiety and strangely, relief, in his pupils.
“Yes sir,” Crosshair answers, shaking his head. “Everything’s okay; we’re both okay. We’ve just…” Crosshair trails off to bite his lip nervously and glances down at his hands. 99 follows and watches as Crosshair fiddles a ring on his finger.
A ring on his left finger.
His left ring finger.
99’s late wife Shaak Ti’s wedding ring.
99 takes a deep breath to steady himself. He runs his hands down his face and blows a breath out of his mouth. He puts his hands on his hips and looks down to stare at his ratty slippers.
“Hunter Ijaat Ti…” 99 begins, trailing off to find the right words. “Are you a married man now, ad?” 99 flicks his pupils up to see his son. Hunter is bright red and staring down at his shoes as well. He is also running a finger across a gold band on his left hand.
“Yes sir,” Hunter confirms. He looks back at Crosshair and offers his hand. Crosshair takes it and allows Hunter to assist him out of the truck. The scene is very sweet and domestic, and 99 can’t believe he didn’t see this coming from a mile away.
Hunter continues holding Crosshair’s hand as he turns back to 99.
“We’re married now. Crosshair is my husband,” Hunter explains. 99 pinches the space in between his brows.
“I love your son, 99,” Crosshair says. “This isn’t a fluke; we understand the responsibility that comes with marriage.”
“I know you love each other, ad,” 99 reassures his now son-in-law. “You’re both just…so young, and you’re not allowed to get married in this state until you’re seventeen.”
“We left the state,” Hunter responds. “We needed to get married as soon as possible.” An uneasy feeling settles into 99’s stomach as his talks with his sons about taking responsibility and accountability resurface into his mind.
“Are you pregnant?” 99 questions Crosshair. The teen blushes pink and curls in on himself.
“No, I’m not,” Crosshair answers, unable to look 99 in the eye.
“Look, we love each other, buir,” Hunter begins. “I still plan to go to college to be a park ranger, and Crosshair is continuing school as well. Nothing’s really changed.” Hunter turns to look at his husband and smiles softly, fondly. “We’re just married now.”
“And that changes everything,” 99 stresses. “You obviously didn’t think this through, Hunter. I never imagined you would be the son to elope.” 99 runs a hand down his face again. He addresses Crosshair. “What am I going to tell your parents?” 99 points to Hunter “They called last night threatening to call the police on you. Now I have to tell them that you-”
“They were going to sell me off!” Crosshair interrupts, stepping forward to be closer to 99. Crosshair lets go of Hunter’s hand to nervously twist the ring. “My father introduced me to a colleague of his named Rampart. He’s ten years older than me, but my parents told me we were going to be married by the end of the year.” 99 jerks back in disgust. He knew Tarkin and Nala were scum of the Earth, but he never imagined they’d arrange a marriage of their only child.
Well, the Tarkins would do anything to be one step ahead in the political sphere.
“I couldn’t marry him,” Crosshair continues. “He was…rude, demanding, and loyal to my father.” Crosshair breaks off to make a disgusted sound. “He’s my father’s little lap dog, and he never knew how to keep his opinions, or his hands, to himself.” Crosshair clears his throat. Hunter wraps an arm around his husband’s shoulder and pulls him close.
“Rampart only sees me as a trophy wife and a broodmare,” Crosshair says. He sighs. “I called Hunter and we made our plan.” Crosshair looks down at the ring on his finger. “I didn’t know he’d give me your wife’s ring, sir.”
99 gives the young boy a soft smile. He pulls his son-in-law into a hug and squeezes him extra tight, just to ensure him that he’s loved and has a home here.
“My beloved Shaak would have wanted you to have it,” 99 tells him. He grabs Crosshair’s hand to study the simple silver band adorned with two freshwater pearls with a diamond in between them. He rubs his thumb across the jewels, remembering when he proposed to his late wife with this ring.
“It suits you, ad,” 99 tells Crosshair. He balks as he sees Crosshair furiously wiping away the moisture accumulating in his eyes. “Don’t cry my son,” 99 pulls Crosshair into another hug. Crosshair tucks his face into his neck, and if 99 feels water on his throat, he doesn’t mention it.
Crosshair pulls away first and clears his throat. 99 ignores his red, puffy eyes and claps his hands.
“Well, Crosshair, why don’t you go inside and tell everyone the news,” 99 suggests. “Tell them I’ll order breakfast for us.” Crosshair nods in agreement and pecks Hunter on the cheek before disappearing into the house. 99 turns to his son.
“Is there any way this can be annulled?” He asks. Hunter shakes his head, a prideful, vindictive expression on his face.
“There’s nothing they can do,” he replies. “Crosshair is under my protection and care until he turns eighteen.” 99 breaths out a sigh of relief.
“That's good then,” 99 wraps an arm around his son’s shoulders and leads them to the house. “I’ll call Cody and Rex. When we deliver the news to the Trakins, we’ll need backup…I might call Jango too.” Hunter chuckles in agreement.
“How about Obi-Wan?” Hunter offers. “I’ve never heard of him losing an argument.” 99 throws his head back to laugh. He clears his throat and sobers up. “Now ad, marriage is one thing, but I don’t want a grandchild for at least six years…seven if Crosshair plans to go to college.”
“Yes sir, buir,” Hunter nods in agreement. He reaches for the door to open it, but 99 grabs his hand to stop him.
“Oh and son?”
“Yeah, buir?” Hunter asks, eyebrows drawn together. 99 brings his son in for a hug.
“Congratulations.”