Work Text:
The Dance of Life Continued
Hunter was hovering. Pacing more likely.
Something which did not go unnoticed by Mayday. Hunter had as of late having done it a lot. Hovered over Mayday whenever he was there, in the Batch’s shared home waiting for Crosshair to get ready for their dates.
It had been endearing in the beginning, but it was getting a tad annoying and certainly, growing rather old too.
“Hunter, would you please stop fidgeting and sit down.” Mayday gave Hunter a stern stare, something of a command the former Sergeant really found hard to obey. “Please.”
Hunter did sit down finally. Guess it was the please that did it.
They both sat there for a spell, neither talking, simply staring at each other.
“Wot?” Mayday finally broke the silence.
“Wot wot?” Hunter played it coy, but there was something on his mind for sure.
“You know quite well wot. You’ve been acting all… peculiar for a while now.”
Yeah Hunter had been caught for sure. But, he really was feeling like he was being ignored. This was his family and he felt responsible for them all. Even Crosshair.
“Look, you’d better tell me what it is. I can’t read your mind Hunter. But, we’re all family here.”
“Family?”
Yeah Hunter still wasn’t buying to the all clones are family bit even if the others did. Especially Crosshair and wasn’t that the thing!
“Yes, Hunter. Family.“
Mayday was well versed with the difficulties the Bad Batch had faced before when still cadets back on Kamino with the so called regs. Crosshair having told him all about it. But this was not the past. This was Pabu and they all had a new lease in life and peace for all for once.
Hunter just glared at Mayday.
But this wasn’t Mayday’s first rodeo and he could see the protective way Hunter and his family were for their brother, Crosshair. Mayday having had the chat with pretty much each member of said Batch. Even Echo.
“Look, I thought we were passed this phase but guess I was wrong.”
“Wot phase?”
“The one where you feel you still have to protect Crosshair from what ever imaginary issues you think might just rise. The phase when you don’t trust me, a reg, to be good to him.”
“I um… yeah.” Hunter yielded, after all why deny it. Mayday wasn’t wrong about how he felt.
“So what do you need?”
“Waddaya mean?”
“I mean what does it take for you to trust me?”
“I um…” Which was becoming Hunter’s go to line suddenly. The loss of words and explanations.
Mayday sighed. Guess him and Crosshair had been moving a little quickly too. The couple talking about moving in together and all. But they were both happy. And in love. So it was only natural.
“Is it about us talking moving in together? Getting our own place?”
Hunter could only stare at Mayday, his mouth agape. Guess Mayday had really hit the nail with a sledgehammer there!
“Look, we can slow that part for now, but it will happen, eventually.”
Mayday and Crosshair wanted a life together, separate to their larger family unit. A room together in the same household simply would not cut it.
“Yeah, May I know.”
“So now that we’re on the same page about things, is there anything else you care to share?”
Hunter thought about it for a moment. Realising how things were finally and that perhaps he had been overreacting. Just a tad. And what else did he need to know? He could see how much Mayday cared for Crosshair and visa versa. Crosshair finally having someone just for him, and it had been a good thing clearly for the former Sniper.
“Is okay Mayday. I think I can do better.”
“Good. “
Mayday patted Hunter on the back as Crosshair arrived, spic and span ready for the hot date.
Realising something was wrong or that it had been quickly enough.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Not anymore.” Mayday responded, glancing at Hunter, who simply agreed with a nod.
“Well then guess we should go.”
“Unless Hunter objects?” Mayday asked rather coyly.
“No, go. You have my blessing.”
Mayday nodded, winking an eye to Hunter. Crosshair simply raising a brow. But yeah he should have known better. Hunter could really be a pain in the old shebs. Sometimes. Even if it felt good to have someone protecting him. Other than Mayday but of course.
“Well then we’d better go before Hunter changes his mind.” Crosshair stated sarcastically getting a snide snort from Hunter only.
As Crosshair and Mayday walked to the tavern for their dinner date, Crosshair had something he had to ask from Mayday. Even if he knew Mayday wasn’t easily rattled. Not by anyone or anything.
“Did the others give you any grief? About us I mean?”
Mayday chuckled.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. As a matter of fact, Tech was the only other one who gave me the talk, while the others have been very accepting of me. Omega and Wrecker seemed to think I’m good for you and Echo, well he and I get along quite well… but he had a few things to say just the same.”
“Oh?” Something of a surprise perhaps.
“Nothing bad, just some advise is all.”
Crosshair huffed a smile, not surprised hearing Echo got along well with Mayday. They had a lot in common. And Wrecker and Omega seemed to love Mayday as did Tech. It was Hunter he had excepted to give some trouble.
“Hunter gave you a talking to then?” Crosshair was surprised Hunter had said something as he usually just growled when displeased about something though.
“Well not exactly, I had to dig it out from him. But his meaning was pretty clear.”
Crosshair could only nod in agreement.
“So what did Tech say?”
“He simply asked if my intentions were in earnest and if I intended keeping you. Nothing out of malice I’m sure. Tech simply cares for you, Cross.”
“Oh? And are you? Intent in keeping me.”
Mayday smirked, then stopped walking and drew Crosshair to him. His lips on Crosshair, soft, but firm, loving and confirming what Crosshair already knew.
“They have to pry you out from my cold dead arms.” Mayday assured Crosshair, their private joke never getting old it seemed.