Chapter Text
It was evening when Crosshair finally bit the bullet and started making his way back towards their shared room. He would’ve stayed away longer, wandering the outer halls of Kamino, pretending to be distracted by the view of the endless sea. But predictably, it had started to rain. It rains hard and often on Kamino. Reluctantly, he decided that no matter how strained things were with Hunter, it wasn’t worth getting drenched just to avoid him a bit longer.
At least he had the long walk back to the room to decide how he was going to play it. Should he refuse to acknowledge it and let the kiss be slowly forgotten? Should he wear it confidently or even try it again. Would Hunter even bring it up or would they both pretend it never happened?
His time to contemplate his options was suddenly cut short. He came to a halt when he saw Hunter struggling to drag a standard issue, dura-steel frame bunk down the hall. The sight was so ridiculous Crosshair momentarily forgot that he had been trying to avoid him.
Hunter had a firm grip on the frame of the bed. His teeth were gritted, he was leaning back with all his weight as he slowly tugged it inch by inch down the hall. Troopers and Kaminoans gave the spectacle a wide berth as they passed, but nobody offered to lend a hand.
“What are you doing?” Crosshair asked
The familiar voice took Hunter off guard, his grip slipped and almost fell back on his ass, but he caught himself just in time.
“We need another bed” Hunter answered. “I’m bringing back to our room”
Crosshair almost looked disappointed in him, “…why” he asked simply.
Hunter sighed. “Wrecker won’t answer his comm” he explained.
Crosshair crossed his arms. “And you thought you’d bring it yourself?” he assumed.
“It’s heavier than it looks” Hunter said defensively.
“It looks heavy, Hunter” Crosshair said flatly. He crossed his arms. “I’m not saying you’re being weak; I’m saying you’re being stupid” he explained.
Hunter glared at him. “Helpful as ever, Cross” he muttered then grabbed the frame of the bed again.
Crosshair walked past him, continuing his way towards their room.
“Aren’t you going to help??” Hunter called after him.
“No” Crosshair answered simply. He didn’t even pause to look back.
Hunter cursed under his breath angrily. He expected things to be a bit weird with Crosshair after what had happened, he knew Crosshair had been avoiding him. But it still felt like a slap to the face. Hunter was left to continue dragging the bed, making slow but steady progress.
He had made it about halfway where then he heard Wrecker’s boisterous laugh from behind him. Hunter sighed in relief and finally gave up on dragging the bed.
“Cross said you needed me to come rescue you” Wrecker said teasingly.
“You weren’t answering your comm, I figured I’d do it myself” Hunter scolded him lightly.
“I was busy helping Tech with his… whatever it is” Wrecker told him. He made his way to other side of the bed and Hunter had to jump out of the way when Wrecker started pushing it with ease.
Hunter walked beside Wrecker as he pushed it back to their room.
“Aright, I think that’s everything” Hunter said, speaking to no one in particular. Hunter pointed to where he had already placed a footlocker filled with new armor and Wrecker pushed the bed over to the designated spot. The rest of their bunks were built into compartment in the wall, but Echo’s was a standard bed that now stood just below the row of windows on the far side of the room. He was sure Echo wouldn’t mind the slight difference.
“So…where is he?” Wrecker asked.
“He’s-” Hunter started to explain but Tech rushed to answer first.
“I assume the Kaminoans will be conducting a full examination” Tech hypothesized.
“Yeah” Hunter said, nodded. “I don’t know when he’ll be back”
“Whatever will you do with yourself in the meantime?” Crosshair asked with sarcastic concern.
Hunter’s grey eyes flickered towards Crosshair. He didn’t glare, just shook his head slightly before looking away. He didn’t know what had gotten into Crosshair, or how he was meant to fix it.
“I’m hitting the showers before dinner” Hunter decided.
The room was quiet when Hunter left. Tech was still focused on his circuitry, but Wrecker was pouting and glaring at Crosshair from his bunk. Crosshair pretended he didn’t notice Wrecker staring at him. He knew Wrecker didn’t like it when things got this tense but that wasn’t his problem. Wrecker threw his pillow at Crosshair, and it hit him in the side of the head.
“Why are you givin’ sarge such a hard time?” Wrecker questioned
Crosshair glared and threw the pillow back at Crosshair. “He’s fine, he’s just worried about that reg”
“No, he’s worried about you” Wrecker said, pointing an accusatorial finger at the sniper.
“Please” Crosshair scoffed.
Tech picked his head up. “His behavior is irregular, he normally showers in the morning, before wake-up call” Tech noted.
“So?” Crosshair said, crossing his arms.
“Maybe he’s avoiding you” Wrecker said, raising his brows at Crosshair.
“A possible theory” Tech agreed
Crosshair just rolled his eyes “Maybe he went to the showers because he wanted to shower” he argued bitingly.
Crosshair turned away from the other two his arms still crossed. He glared at the floor as he considered what they said. Was Hunter really avoiding him. Quarreling wasn’t new for them, but Hunter had never gone out of his way to avoid him. Maybe he had really pushed things too far when it came to questioning Hunter’s leadership. Or maybe it had nothing to do with the arguing and everything to do with that stupid mistake of a kiss. He didn’t know what he was going to do but he knew he had to at least attempt to patch things up. It was only a matter of time before they were deployed on their next mission.
Crosshair stood from his bunk and walked towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Tech asked.
“Showers” Crosshair answered curtly. “I’ll talk to him” he added quietly. It was the closest Crosshair came to admitting any sort of fault.
“That’s right, go kiss and make up already” Wrecker said jokingly.
“I said we’re just going to talk!” Crosshair snapped.
Wrecker shot a confused glance at Tech. Tech answered with an uninterested shrug as Crosshair hurried out.
Meanwhile, down a long stretch of halls, Hunter was stepping into the communal showers and surveying the room carefully. On the ship it was easy to find some privacy. There was one shower, no sharing, no buddying up. Everyone just waited their turn. On Kamino, Hunter had to be much more careful. It was usually best to go in the early morning. Before wake-up call there was no one to interrupt or catch a glimpse. Clones were never shy about their bodies. Why bother? They had nothing to hide, nothing the others hadn’t seen before. Every inch was identical when it came to the regs at least. It wasn’t quite the same for the bad batch, but they had grown so close they all stopped caring a long time ago. Except for Hunter. The rest of the batch didn’t care enough to question it, but Hunter was much more private. He got dressed alone, and he showered alone. Hunter did have something to hide.
Hunter hadn’t actually expected to find the showers empty but there was no one insight. The long rows of communal showers were empty, the room silent except the occasional drip from a leaky shower head. It was a pleasant surprise for sure, if he could shower now he wouldn’t have to wake up so impossibly early the next morning. He’d have to be quick, the showers were empty for now, but he had no way of knowing how long it would stay that way. The thought of someone walking in while he was mid shower made him nervous. However, the idea of sleeping in to wake-up call was starting to seem worth it.
He looked around one was lost time before stepping further into the showers, picking a faucet, and starting to undress. He untied his bandana and tossed it onto the nearest bench. His dark hair immediately fell in face, and he shifted it away from his eyes with a shake of his head. His armor was discarded quickly and placed on the same bench. He scanned the large room one more time then, his blacks were off next, and he was in the nude.
He turned the shower on and stepped into the water with a quiet sigh. That was the best part about waiting until you had the showers to yourself. The water was always warm, never quite hot, but warm. When your body was always some degree of sore from the latest mission. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. The water running through his hair had his entire body relaxing.
The quiet bliss only lasted a moment. He opened his eyes suddenly when he thought he heard footsteps. In an instance the relaxation had left his body. He ducked behind the nearest wall. Half walls divided each shower in some mockery of privacy. Half the time clones had to double up in the showers anyway.
Hunter held his breath and waited but the footsteps had quieted. Slowly he peaked just his eyes above the wall. No one was there. The door was still closed and panel beside it was blinking a small red light. The green light flashed when the door opened or closed, but apparently it hadn’t moved.
He must have overheard footsteps from the hall. He waited another long moment to be sure. Then slowly he stood back up and stepped hesitantly back into the water. He finished his shower with a bit more haste. The dispenser on the wall offered the standard soap, meant to sufficiently clean a clone’s body and hair. Hunter scrubbed it over his body and head then rinsed it off just as quickly. He grabbed a fresh towel from one of the large crates in the corner of the room.
His nerves began to settle again as he dried himself. That was until he heard the door slide open. He wrapped his towel around his waist as quickly as possible then turned to see Crosshair scanning the room, locking eyes with him, and making his way over.
“What are you doing here” Hunter asked, eyes wide.
He was obviously uncomfortable, but Crosshair couldn’t quite tell why. “Looking for you” he answered vaguely.
“Whatever it is, it can wait” Hunter insisted. His eyes darted towards the bench. His blacks and his armor sat in an unruly pile. In his armor, he was safe, secure, confident. He was a trooper just like the rest of them and he was damn good at what he did. Now Crosshair stood between him and his armor, and he was left to face him with only a towel tied tightly around his hips. Each time his gaze flickered back to his armor he considered making a break for it. He had to fight the urge back down into the back of his mind.
Crosshair narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Hunter. He knew Hunter was more on the private side when it came to things like showers but still, it was strange seeing him so nervous. Hunter was never nervous, always the brave leader. Yet here he was, wet hair dripping down his face, eyes wide, and clinging to the towel around his hips. It was scary to see Hunter so shaken, and it hurt to think that things might stay this way because of a kiss. Surely their friendship was stronger than that. Crosshair hoped.
“No, now” Crosshair insisted.
“Okay, okay what is it?” Hunter asked impatiently.
Crosshair looked down and glared at the floor for a moment as he found the words. Then he looked back up and swallowed his breath.
“What happened earlier…” Crosshair started to try and explain but Hunter interjected.
“It’s fine” Hunter said quickly
Crosshair stared back at him in surprise and confusion as he wondered what on earth Hunter meant by that.
“…It’s fine?” Crosshair repeated with quiet disbelief.
“Sure” Hunter said, hoping to end the conversation. “Its not a big deal.”
Crosshair’s heart was beating fast in his chest. This was it. This was Hunter giving him the green light. Of all the scenarios he had braced himself for on his walk down here, this was the one he didn’t even consider. He couldn’t believe it. Hunter: their courageous leader, Hunter who was just as handsome as he was fearless and just as fearless as he was compassionate could want him. Or at least want to be kissed by him. As difficult as it was to believe, he couldn’t let the chance pass him by.
Crosshair put a hand on the back of Hunter’s neck and pulled him up into a sudden kiss. This time he tried to kiss him slowly, and softly. He wanted to take his time with it and enjoy the taste of the other man’s lips. He wanted a moment to realize this was finally happening. The other kiss had been over just as soon as it had started. Crosshair was determined to make this one last.
It didn’t. Hunter pushed him off even sooner than he had last time and for a moment they just looked at each other with big, bewildered eyes.
“What are you doing??” Hunter was the first to break the silence.
Crosshair didn’t answer. It was dawning on him that he had read the moment all wrong and he was frozen in horrifying embarrassment. Hunter had meant it was fine to kiss him, he meant that he was trying to forget about it.
“Get out!” Hunter said, losing his patience. He couldn’t bear to stand her so exposed any longer. “Just get out so I can get dressed!” Hunter insisted.
Crosshair was too mortified to try and defend himself. He stepped back slowly then suddenly turned and hurried out of the showers. He didn’t even stop the question whether Hunter had the right to kick him out of public showers in the first place. He hurried down the hall, all he knew for sure was that he didn’t want to be there when Hunter finished getting dressed.
Crosshair had been a mission to resolve things, but he had only made a bigger mess. There was no denying it now, no playing it off as a mistake. He had made it clear that he wanted Hunter. He had shown all his cards and Hunter clearly didn’t feel the same way. He was a fool for thinking he would. How would things go back to normal now? Would the others find out? Crosshair’s head was spinning as he stormed back towards their shared room. But even now, though everything had gone from bad to worse, he still found himself conjuring back the image of Hunter, only covered by a towel, his wet hair dropping beads of water down his exquisite form. His body was strong, well-muscled and toned. His skin was smooth and dark and probably warm, but Crosshair could only imagine that part.
He tried to shake the image from his mind, but he didn’t stand a chance.