Work Text:
So, what happens next then?
A surprise it was for all of them for sure. The one arriving finally, just as promised by Echo.
The ARC stepping out from the ship first and just in Echo’s tow was someone none of the Batchers thought to be seeing alive ever again. Alas, first the rumours having spread, then Echo confirming the same and so here he was once again. Alive and well:
“Cody?”
“Is that really you?”
“Wow!”
“How?”
“Is that… really him???”
“Yeah Megs. The very one we told ya all about.”
“Heh, in the flesh.” Cody smirked rather coyly. “I’m afraid the news of my demise have been slightly exaggerated for sure.”
Cody was then accosted while greeted with hugs and cheers by not just the Bad Batch members, but the other clones residing on Pabu as well. Most of them knowing Cody, while the newer members having heard the tall tales of the Marshal Commander being told.
All but one that is, being present there.
Crosshair.
The former sniper having taken one glance at the arrival and then taken off like his shebs were on fire. None of them realising it happening, Crosshair using his feline stealth to disappear.
“So, good to see you, Codes!”
“Likewise.”
As it was though, as Cody was celebrated for being alive and all and there with them, all Cody could do was to search for the one who wasn’t there.
Turning to Echo he asked in a lowered register. “I thought you said they were all here.”
Meaning Clone Force 99. Naturally.
“They are.”
Echo too searching for the wayward sniper, having been sure he saw Crosshair upon arrival. Alas, no sign of the man.
“Hunt, where’s Cross?” Echo then asked.
“He was just… here.” Hunter too being surprised to see no sign of Crosshair.
As yes, no Crosshair anywhere to be seen. At least not in the proximity of the landing area.
“Anyway Cody, welcome to Pabu!”
“Looks lovely here. Very, very cosy too.” Cody was still smiling, the peace and quiet, sort of, as the landing area was buzzing with clones at the moment, was appealing to anyone taking to the place.
“It really is.”
Omega was by Cody’s side. Taking his hand as she guided the former Commander towards their home. Meanwhile telling Cody all about everything and anyone there. With the rest of them following with smirks on their faces, Omega indeed making Cody welcomed.
“So where did he go?” Echo whispered to Hunter.
“Dunno. It was odd though. I mean Cross really likes Cody and all.”
“Yeah, odd.”
Hunter grabbed Echo’s hand, kissing it gently.
“I’m happy your here though, love. Missed ya lots.”
“Missed ya more, sweetie.”
They both laughed at that, while walking back to their house hand in hand.
*
It was already late in the day.
The party was winding down with most clones having left for their homes for the evening and the Batchers too were getting ready for bed.
All except Cody, who was enjoying the calm night air on the yard overlooking the bay. The moon was up. The stars there too. The quietness appealing to Cody. Being able to simply hear the soft waves hitting the shores was, calming to say the least.
It had been a nice party, in his honour. All the troopers there, sharing stories, laughter, food and drinks. All except the one Cody had been looking forward to seeing there.
But, guess it was not to be?
Sighing as suddenly, his body tensed up.
“Took you long enough.” Cody stated softly.
“What did you expect? Open arms? Forgiveness?” The acerbic snarl of Crosshair’s the response he got.
Cody turned to look, seeing Crosshair so close yet so very far… He felt the regret for a moment, but then.
“What did you except for me to do? I knew you weren’t ready to leave with me back then.”
It was true, as far as Cody knew it to be, having heard the stories already what happened to Crosshair and the others after Cody jumping ship.
“Yeah? Did you even ask?”
No Cody had now. But that was not the issue here or was it? Cody did not respond. He had no answer to give. Having thought about all of it, his own actions, what Crosshair had done… all of it ever since, well, before and after defecting the Empire.
Cody, was at a loss for sure.
Then, suddenly Crosshair had something to say.
“You just, left… left me.” It was a timid voice.
That was all. As what else was there to say?
And yeah, Cody had just up and left, hadn’t he.
“I… am sorry. I know what we had before was… well, I think we both felt it.”
Cody was full of regrets about so many things. Leaving Crosshair behind was the biggest one for sure.
But right now, thinking back, things had seemed so difficult. For all of them. Yet his own choice having been as easy as that to make as chaining a pair of socks.
Cody was hardly able to finish his thought, let alone his sentence when he was grabbed. More like manhandled by Crosshair. The two suddenly toe to toe, face to face. Crosshair holding Cody by his shirt. Alas, there was no threat there.
They must have stared at each other for a long moment. Cody being near tears. Wanting nothing more than to fix things between the two of them.
Cody had wondered a lot about Crosshair. What they had had. Wanting only to go back for him until he had learnt about what had happened to the sniper, much later that is.
Cody was happy Crosshair was back with his family of course. Them all seemingly happy and settled on the island. As were the other clones too.
Cody was filled with feelings and emotions and all of it bursting suddenly forth. But then, as so many times before, Crosshair surprised him once again.
The kiss Cody was at the receiving end of was full of bite and heat, but also something else there in the mix… love?
Breaking for air, the two stood there staring at each other once again. A theme it seemed to be of theirs on this gorgeous eve.
“Why?” Cody managed.
“Do you have any idea how much I have missed you?”
Cody had been prepared to meet anger, for a fight even. But instead, he only saw the tears, perhaps some regret there too. But what he felt right now from Crosshair, was the love emanating in abundance.
His own tears not far away either.
“I was going to come back for you. But then I got the news … about you… and…”
Crosshair kissed him again, this time, there was more passion, more softness in it.
“So what are you trying to tell me?” Cody just had to ask after they broke off again.
Crosshair did not say anything more. A small smile emerging though, as he grabbed Cody’s hand and guided him inside their home and upstairs, to Crosshair’s bedroom.
Guess, this was a start of something new for them.