Work Text:
"Cross-"
"Shut up." The gun pointed at him didn't waver, but Crosshair also didn't pull the trigger and Tech didn't move, holding his gaze through the helmet. Trying to collect his thoughts, trying to find words, words that would convince Crosshair to come back to them, to come back with him-
"What is that?"
Tech followed Crosshair’s gaze to the two matching bracelets on his wrist, black and grey and red, and white and grey and red beads strung up on a thread.
"It's a friendship bracelet. Omega made one for each of us."
"So why do you have two ..." Crosshair trailed off, eyes locked on the two bracelets. They were unassuming, until you realized that the beads were arranged in a certain way; morse code, spelling out their names. And Tech wore two, one with his name and one with Crosshair’s.
"She ... made one for you, too.” Because we miss you. Because you belong with us. Because you belong with me. But the words stuck to Tech’s throat.
"And you …"
"I took it." Naturally. It reminds me of you. Tech hoped he didn’t need to say it for Crosshair to know. He never had to; they’d always understood each other silently.
He slowly reached for his wrist, taking off the bracelet with his own name, keeping the one with Crosshair’s, before holding it out to Crosshair even slower.
"That's stupid." Crosshair hissed, making no move to take it.
Why wouldn’t Crosshair want it? Did he not love him still, like Tech still loved him? Despite it feeling like being stabbed in the heart, Tech didn’t back down, still holding out his hand. Holding onto hope. Until a shot rang through the air from somewhere and he had to scramble for cover, away from the shots, away from the Imperials.
He didn’t notice that he dropped the bracelet in the haste.
“Tech!” Hunter’s voice filled his helmet. “You need to get out of there! We’ll cover you.”
He couldn’t spare a look back.
The Marauder was too quiet.
"Are you okay?" Omega asked quietly.
"Yes. I wasn't shot, you don't need to worry."
Tech ignored the way his eyes burned, glad his voice sounded so steady, one hand rubbing over the beads on the one bracelet he had left. He didn't tell Omega; he didn't need her to worry more.
Crosshair scowled down at the bracelet on the ground, white and grey and dark red beads covered in dirt. It was a useless piece; a sentimental thing he didn’t need, not after they had abandoned him. Not after he had abandoned him. He didn’t know why he still picked it up.
For some reason, the bracelet survived with him through everything. Even Hemlock had decided to leave it to him, a cruel reminder to what he lost. Crosshair had held onto it like a life line.
Now, even if safe on Pabu, Crosshair kept absentmindedly rubbing over the beads. The ones that spelt out Tech's name were a little bigger, more textured, at least they had been. They were wearing down over time, slowly but surely, despite him keeping it treasured, always safe.
“Oof-”
Batcher barked happily, jumping up on him like she hadn’t seen him in an eternity, even if he had only been gone for like an hour. Crosshair pushed against her, trying not to topple over.
“Get down, girl,” he huffed, pushing more insistently.
Batcher yapped, scrabbling at his arm before dropping back down - getting a claw stuck in the bracelet and before Crosshair knew, the beads were all over the floor. He stared at it in horror, frozen in place, for a moment. It had survived so much, for so long, even on Tantiss, and now - he didn’t even try to quell the anger,
"No! Batcher you du-"
"She didn't do it on purpose!" Hunter was between them in a second, hands on Crosshair’s chest. Batcher whined in confusion, trying to push past Hunter and nuzzle Crosshair’s hand.
The bracelet had been all that he had left of Tech.
Crosshair stormed off, trying to blink back the tears.
He didn’t know how long he had been on the roof alone; night had fallen and it was cold, but he didn’t move, couldn’t move. He barely raised his head from where it rested on his knees when he heard someone join him.
"Crosshair." Hunter's voice was soft. "Omega fixed it."
Of course she would.
He didn't take the bracelet from Hunter, didn't even look at him. Hoping Hunter would leave him alone. Predictably, he didn’t; only sitting down close. Crosshair heard a soft clatter - the bracelet being placed between them.
Silence stretched, until Crosshair couldn’t bear it anymore.
"I- I miss him.” The way his voice shook made him regret talking immediately.
Hunter sighed.
"We all do. But … he's the reason we are still here now ..."
“He- he shouldn't have done it. Not for me." Crosshair could hear Hunter exhale softly, and glanced at him. His eyes had turned sad.
"Tech was the one who pushed to get you. He would have done anything for you."
He loved you. Always had.
The words weren’t spoken but they were still there. Always had been.
When the first sob wrecked his body, Hunter was at his side in an instant, pulling him into a tight hug. Crosshair didn’t resist, not this time, burying his face in Hunter’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Cross,” Hunter mumbled, like it was his fault; like it wasn’t all Crosshair’s fault.
“I’m so sorry. He loved you, Cross and he knew you loved him too.”
Crosshair could do nothing else but to sob in Hunter’s shoulder, holding onto him while he felt like drowning.