#hunter x echo

The words echo heavily in the silence of the cockpit of the Marauder. Tech stops tipping on his datapad and glances up, surprised; Wrecker gulps and plays with his own hands nervously. Crosshair is glaring at Hunter; and Echo turns to look at his sergeant as well, his face filling with aprehension and uncertainty.

That's the thing with Crosshair, isn't it? He doesn't handle his trust issues very well, and inmediately attacks everyone, even the people he loves, upon a new threat. Hunter's been spending more and more time with the ARC lately; discussing strategies but also having long quiet talks in their free time, simply enjoying each other's company when nothing is expected from the two of them. And Crosshair is seing this developing attachment as a dangerous competition for the sniper's own attachment to Hunter. Hunter doesn't know how else to reasure him that he has space on his heart for both of them. Cross will always be his brother. And Echo... Echo...

Echo is terrified of what he's about to find. He knows Crosshair's words can cut deep if they want to; and he's got that sort of dangerous glint in his eyes now. He's going to push the whole Batch to a drifting point. Echo... Doesn't think he's ready to hear this. He has a guess of what he's about to say; and knowing Hunter only offered him a spot in their team because he pitied him, that... That would break him. It hadn't been so long ago when Echo felt nothing more than a pathetic mix of metals and scrapped bones. Half-droid. Half-human. No longer a reg, a proper clone... His sense of identity had been swipped in a blink, and among the nauseating guilt of having had his mind used to kill other people, other vods... It had been extremely dificult to carry on. He had worked a lot on it, though. He had moved on. Day by day, his confidence and capacities as a soldier, as a person, had returned. Echo prays the trooper's next words won't bring all of it down.

"Shut up, Crosshair" Hunter warns, with a sharpness rarely seen on him. "You've got no fucking right".

Echo winces. It's definitely nothing good if Hunter reacts like that. As a leader, he's use to mediate; to be patient, remain calm.

Crosshair smirks. He ignores Hunter's death stare and gives Echo a smug grin. A promise of destruction. The spark of a fire.

"Surely Echo is smart enough to figure out how much of a fan boy you are by now" he continues, Hunter's standing figure not quick enough to shut him up. "I'm just not sure if he thinks this is a recent development. Wether he knows that you only offered him that spot on our team after Anaxes because you couldn't help but take the chance to have your little crush close to you".

It all happens so fast; Crosshair's confession, and Hunter's harsh slap on the sniper's cheek. The rest of the Batch are left staring at them, doumbfounded.

"You just can't help but pull people into your own missery, can't you" Hunter hisses, cheeks flushing with either embarassment or rage. "You're such a dickhead, Crosshair".

Hunter rushes out of the cockpit; not daring a single glance towards the others. Crosshair huffs, stands up, and leaves as well; taking the opposite direction and walking out of the Marauder into the hangar they're stationed in. Wrecker and Tech sigh, perhaps more used to his; but Echo remains silent, in shock, trying to process what happened between the brothers.

"What... What does Crosshair mean with "crush"?" He asks, hesitant, still not able to believe he has heard that word coming out of the sniper's lips.

It must have been sarcastic. Some sort of joke to make fun of the two of them.

Wrecker scratches the back of his head, his eyes flickering over the room before answering.

"Hunter has always liked you. From before Anaxes, I mean" he whispers, and Echo answers with a lost blink.

Tech decides to throw some light on the subject; since the cat is out of the bag now.

"Wrecker's affirmation is correct" he agrees, and explains "As the leader of the squad, Hunter and I have studied millions of strategies for all sorts of usefull variants in battles. Our trainers encouraged us to learn from other's experiences, and when you made ARC and started to help Captain Rex with them, we studied those too. In adition, Hunter finally started to show his first signs of sexual maturity and attraction; so it was naturally easy for him to fall for you. Even in the distance, without a proper meeting between the two of you, he grew to admire you. To like you. Considering all of this, I'd say Crosshair's use of the words "crush" and "fan boy" to be decently accurate; though I can understand Hunter's anger about him revealing this private information without his consent. I also agree on Hunter's observation that Crosshair tends to hurt others when he is unhappy as well".

Echo is having trouble to think. This is too much to take in; his mind can't quite understand that Hunter –handsome, sexy, competent Hunter– had all this feelings for him burried for so long. He would have never guessed. He is not naive enough to not have noticed that they were getting closer lately; but Echo had only had hoped that maybe, in the future, the sargeant would grow to think of him as a possibility. But not now. Not that he already did. That he always had. That just...

"For the record" Tech continues, holding his index up. "I don't believe Hunter only offered you to join us solely based on his previous attraction to you. He believed you to be a good addition to our dynamic; you were a seasoned experienced soldier, an ARC no less, and that would always be valuable for the team. He asked us and we all agreed on it".

Echo is honestly relieved to hear that. He'd prefer to have been picked for a pretty face than pity; but it was nice to now it hadn't been based on just that. Echo's panick disolves into stunned confusion and surprise.

"And... Crosshair implies Hunter still feels this way for me now, after all this months?" He finally manages to ask, heart speeding up.

There's a new feeling surging inside of him; hope.

"I wouldn't catalogue it into a "crush" any longer" Tech hums, thoughtfully. "After so many experiences together, and the way I've seen you both interacting over the weeks and the few comments he has made about you to me, I'd say it would run deeper than that. Hunter is also not a teenager anymore; the word "crush" sounds too childish for what I think he feels for you now".

A rush of excitement and warmth flows through Echo's veins. This has to be one of the few times he is this glad that Tech is always overly concise and explicit. This information soothes so many worries, gives him so many chances to work on...

"Thank you, Tech" he pats his shoulder. "I think I'm gonna' go see how Hunter's doing now".

Before either Tech or Wrecker has had the chance to say goodbye, Echo is already leaving the cockpit into the direction of the Marauder's common bunk room.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Hunter is sprawled down on his bed, laying down with his face pressed dejectedly against the pillow, and Echo can almost hear him floating in his own shame. He guesses he'd react similarly if someone had decided to blurt his secret out to the world so suddenly.

"So you liked me, then?" He decides to ask, straight to the point.

The time for hidding and making up excuses –both for Hunter and himself– has ended. If he has a chance, Echo is not going to waste it.

The sergeant groans, pushing his face further into the shield that is protecting him from the outside world.

"You were hot and smart" he reluctantly mumbles, his muffled voice barely audible if not for Echo's implants. "Of course I did".

Echo's heart swell. He can't believe this is happening; that this is real. It almost feels like a dream; those he invented to try to comfort himself at cold nights full of dark memories and fear.

"And you still do? Even if I now look like... This?" A tiny sliver of uncertainty inevitably makes it's way to Echo's mind, and it's enough to finally pull Hunter's face out of his refugee.

"You look different, but you're just as hot and smart now" Hunter replies, a surge of fierce confidence acompanied by a defiant tilt of his chin, almost as if he's daring Echo to contradict him.

Echo feels a pleasant tingle on the base of his spine. Hunter likes how he looks –how he is– right now. Hunter think he's... hot. Echo feels aceptable to look at most days; to know he is admired and desired is... Electrifying. He hadn't really felt like this since Skako.

Echo takes the liberty to slowly walk towards Hunter; carefully sitting in his bunk besides him.

"And you've run all the way down here to...?"

Hunter huffs.

"To not throw a punch at Crosshair's face, mainly, and because I didn't know how to behave around you after he esentially confessed for me" he deadpans.

Echo chuckles quietly.

"You did slap him" he points out, and Hunter shrugs.

"Deserved. He should be glad. A slap hurts less than a punch".

Echo laughs; and it's such a rare sight that Hunter can't help but smile looking at him. His eyes turn soft, his own smile fond; and Echo suddenly realises how this kind of expresion has always been reserved for him.

He catches one of Hunter's hands in his and infuses as much sweetness and warmth in his voice in response.

"I know it must have been embarassing. Perhaps humiliating" his thumb caresses the man's skin and Hunter shivers staring at him. "But I'm somewhat glad this happened, even if in this circumstances. Because I've also been liking you for quite the time now, and I wasn't planning on confessing anytime soon".

Hunter's breath hitches; and he moves to sit straigther in the bed, so that they're almost face to face.

"Why not?" he asks, fingertips caressing Echo's face, almost reverent.

The ARC exposes his own vulnerability.

"Because I didn't think there was a chance someone like you could like someone like me" he whispers, and the words send darts to Hunter's heart.

He sighs and traces a thumb over Echo's lips.

"I don't know how to make you understand how I feel" he softly presses a peck to the trooper's sharp cheek, pale skin reddening inmediately. "You're gorgeous, Echo".

The soldier shivers and melts against Hunter's quick embrace.

He wants to share so many things with him; ask questions, confess some. But he suddenly feels exhausted, and he lets the shorter man pull him down so they're both laying on the bed, legs and arms entwined in a sweet embrace. Echo pushes his nose against Hunter's neck and smiles, giving it too a small peck. The sergeant shivers and answers with a low, pleased hum; and soon sleep falls upon the both of them.

When Crosshair slips into the room in the middle of the night –Tech and Wrecker sleeping soundlessly too in their respective bunks– and sees two shapes on Hunter's bed, he stares for a few seconds before silently climbing into his own and resorting to rest as well. Over the next few days and weeks, when he sees them briefly kissing and caressing each other here and there, he stays peacefully quiet as well.

Echo gets a feeling in his chest, staring at Hunter’s swollen belly with wide eyes. He never thought… he had a crush on Hunter, but he never thought that the sergeant would be…

“Pregnant.”

Echo startles, looking at Hunter who has a raised brow at him, gently rubbing the bump. “I’m pregnant, Kaminoan experiment but I love her.” He looks at Echo with nervous eyes.

Echo gulps and nods. “Of course, I wouldn’t say anything Hunter. Nothing wrong with being pregnant, it’s part of our biology.”

Hunter nods. “I won’t be on missions any longer… probably shouldn’t have been on this one.” He says before yawning. “I’m heading to bed, sleep well Echo.” Hunter then walks away to his room.

Echo’s heart beats heavily in his chest, and he realizes… he’s in love with Hunter, and wants to protect his pregnant sergeant from everything.

xxx

Hunter huffs as he waddles through the halls of Kamino, seven months pregnant now with a worried Echo following behind him. He’s noticed that their newest member has been protective of him ever since finding out about his girl.

“Echo stop! I’m fine!” Hunter yells, startling Echo who freezes. “Oh… I’m sorry.” He says softly, turning and walking away.

Hunter frowns, sighing and going after him, pulling Echo into a room. “I’m sorry, but why are you so protective?” He asks, wanting to get to the bottom of this. He’s worried about Echo, not just because he has a crush on the Reg, but because he wants everyone on his team safe.

Echo frowns, looking away. “Well… I like you.” He says softly, blushing a bit. “Like I wanna date you, but… but no one would really ever want to date me. I wanna protect you and the baby, must be Jango genes or something.” He explains, staring down at his feet and not making eye contact with Hunter.

Hunter’s eyes widen and his mouth goes dry, he can’t believe it, not at all. He doesn’t have the words, so he pulls Echo into a deep kiss, gently licking his lips for entrance, which Echo’s small gasp grant’s him.He pulls away when they both need air. “I like you too, and I wanna date you if you… don’t mind this?” Hunter rubs his belly.

Echo’s mouth hangs open after the kiss, and he immediately shakes his head. “I don’t care, I don’t mind being a dad… I can do it. But you don’t mind this?” He gestures to all of him.

“Of course not.” Hunter promises, pulling Echo close and taking his scomp, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. “I love every last piece of you.”

Echo tears up, blinking the tears away. “Want to watch a movie  with me?” He asks softly, going to place his hand on Hunter’s belly, but stops himself. He doesn't want to do too much so soon.

“I’d love to.” Hunter smiles, starting to lead Echo over to the batch’s room, and gently pulls Echo’s hand onto his belly, feeling Omega moving to kick at the hand. “I love you, you can touch my belly whenever you like, Echo. No need to be afraid” He promises.

Echo nods, following Hunter as he tries not to cry, hardly believing this is happening. It feels so unreal. They both settle onto Hunter’s bunk after changing into pajamas and start a movie of Hunter’s choice, since Echo insisted.

“Let’s cuddle, Echo.” Hunter whispers, pulling Echo close.

Echo hums and curls close, gently  rubbing Hunter’s belly, feeling how tight the buttons are. He’s already planning to buy him a new pair of pajamas, a bigger size. He then settles in to watch the movie, sighing happily as he cuddles with Hunter.

It’s halfway through the movie that Hunter groans softly, when theres suddenly a ping. Echo looks at him. “What…?”

Hunter blushes. “The baby kicked… it popped a button.” He says softly, and when Echo looks down there is indeed a spot of skin showing where the button popped off.

“I think these are too small.” Echo says softly, gently pecking Hunter’s head as he rubs the smooth, warm skin of the spot, feeling another kick.

“I know.” Hunter sighs softly, rubbing his  belly as he tears up from embarrassment. “Was in denial, didnt want to believe I’m… I’m that big.” He whimpers, getting emotional and trying to hold the tears back is making it worse.

“Oh Hunter.”Echo slides his fingers under his chin, lifting Hunter’s chin so that he can kiss his lips gently. “That’s okay, I’ll buy you a bigger pair that fits just right. You’re self conscious, and that’s okay. But you are so beautiful, and your belly just adds to your beauty as it get’s bigger.” He assures, pressing soft kisses to Hunter’s lips.

Hunter sniffles. “Thanks Echo.” He mumbles, kissing back gently as tears flow gently down his cheeks. 

Echo smiles. “No thanks necessary. Now lets get you comfy and this shirt off a bit.” He gently starts undoing the buttons until they're all off and Hunter’s large belly is poking through in all its glory.

Hunter sigh’s softly in bliss. “Much better… don’t even care I’m practically shirtless except  for the sleeves and sides.” He mumbles. “Now cuddles and more movie? Please and thank you, Echo?” he begs quietly, looking up at Echo with wide eyes.

“Yes, more movie.” Echo coos softly, pulling Hunter close into the side and gently rubbing his belly and pressing the gentlest kisses to Hunter’s head as they curl up together, perfectly content.

That’s how they're found a few hours later by the bad batch, both fast asleep. A blanket is gently tucked around them as the brother’s settle silently in their own bunks, the mutual understanding to have an early night, and leave the two oldest ones to rest.

The single hand on his shoulder makes Hunter hunch further into himself. “I’m not him.”

Echo breathes slowly in through his teeth, “I know you’re not.” Retracting his hand does little to repair the damage he’s done. “I would never ask you to be him.”

Without even trying to suppress the self deprecating laugh, Hunter retorts, “You didn’t have to.”

“Hunter I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking-“

Hunter had never meant to get pregnant, it was never in his cards because of the war. But then one thing led to another, and he somehow wound up pregnant. 

It was a surprise, to be sure. All his boyfriends had freaked out. Tech started doing math and figuring out the logistics of having a baby, Wrecker was freaking out about how tiny they’d be and poor Crosshair had gone and drank himself into a blackout. Poor Echo was trying to figure out how he’d do anything with one arm.

But that changed once Hunter had calmed them down, and they all sat down to talk (once Crosshair sobered up.) it went well, and everyone calmed down and accepted the fact they would be fathers. (The freak out when they found out it was a girl was another story.)

Hunter groans as little Omega kicks again. “Little one, please stop kicking Daddy’s insides.” He whines, but just gets another kick for his troubles. He sighs and turns over, trying to get comfortable in his little nest of blankets.

Hunter hears footsteps, four sets of them to be exact. He can tell who each of them are, making him smile as he waits for the loves of his life.

The door opens, and they walk in. Hunter feels the bed dip as Crosshair cuddles close to him. “Someone need some cuddles?” He asks, and Hunter nods, cuddling into Crosshair. “Hmm, they would be very nice.”

Crosshair chuckles, kissing Hunter’s head. “Come on in, fellas.” 

Tech, Wrecker and Echo all clamber into the bed, and cuddling up to Hunter. Echo is at his back, Tech gently sits at his feet and starts rubbing his ankles, making Hunter groan in bliss, but he frowns. “Tech, you don’t have to-“ “Hush, I want to.”

Wrecker lays close to Echo, reaching over and gently rubbing Hunter’s side as Echo goes after his back, making Hunter groan once again in bliss, eyes closing and he sighs. “Thank you.” He whispers, feeling much better already. 

“Always, love.” Echo hums, gently kissing Hunter’s head.

“You deserve it!” Wrecker smiles, massaging Hunter’s side as best he can.

“Yes, you are carrying our baby, after all.” Tech adjusts his goggles before getting back to the foot rub, leaning forward and kissing Hunter’s knee.

Crosshair smiles, gently massaging Hunter’s bump. “Always, handsome. We’ll always help you.” He kisses Hunter’s head gently, a soft smile adorning his normally grumpy features. Hunter just smiles tiredly at his boyfriends, at least, the ones he can see. His eyes flutter, being rubbed all over, including his belly, is making him sleepy.

Now that the baby is settled down, he decides to do just that, go to sleep. He needs it, and who knows when the next time he'll be able to sleep will be. So he lets his eyes drift closed, and his mind wanders as he slowly falls into the warm embrace of sleep.

xxx

Hunter wakes up to a full bladder and a baby girl laying right on top of it, making him groan and get up. He has to manoeuvre around limbs, before heading to the washroom and doing his business. Once he’s out, he looks around, frowning. Crosshair isn't here?

Hunter doesn't like this, and neither does Omega, it seems, as she is kicking at his belly. “Yes, I know. Your Cross’Buir should be here. How about we go find him, yeah?” He asks his large belly, getting a kick in reply. “Knew you would agree, Ad’ika.”

With that, Hunter waddles out of their bedroom,  and through the chilly halls of the small apartment, shivering a bit with his thin maternity shirt on. He looks around, hoping to see his boyfriend but its just an empty apartment.

“Cross?” Hunter says quietly, before he sees it. The back door is open. He immediately knows where his one boyfriend  has gone now, waddling out into the frigid outdoors, looking around as he walks a few feet onto their steps. “Crosshair?” he calls again.

It takes a few minutes of Hunter standing there, shivering when he hears- “What the kriff are you doing!!” It’s Crosshair, running up the stairs and pulling Hunter inside.

“I was waiting for you.” Hunter huffs, humming at the warmth as Crosshair sits him on the couch and wraps him up in his jacket and a blanket. So overprotective.

“You could have caught your death.” Crosshair huffs, kissing Hunter’s head. Hunter chuckles, rubbing his belly gently. “I’m fine, Crosshair. Now back to bed, please? Together?” He asks softly, wanting his boyfriend back in bed with the rest of them.

Crosshair nods, gently pulling Hunter into a kiss. “Of course.” He gently picks Hunter up into his arms and carries him back to their bedroom, moving Tech and Echo over a bit so that they can both fit in. Hunter just hums, snuggling into Crosshair’s arms. 

Crosshair tucks another blanket around them, kissing Hunter’s head softly. “Comfortable?” He asks.

Hunter nods, snuggling closer. “Yes, very much so.”  Crosshair frowns, and silence reigns for a few minutes before he sighs softly. “Do you think I'll be a good father?” He asks quietly, rubbing Hunter’s belly.

Hunter opens his eyes, startled a bit. He cups Crosshair’s cheek. “Of course, where is this coming from?” He asks softly, and Crosshair lets out a little sigh.

“I’m so grumpy, and I'm Scary looking, and-”

 “No.” Hunter says softly. “I’m stopping you right there. You are a little grumpy, but you are also kind, loving, protective and amazing with kids. You are going to be just as good of a father as the rest of us.” He reassures.

Crosshair tears up. “You really think so?” He asks softly, trying to hold the tears back but they fall anyway. And Hunter just smiles, wiping his tears. “I know so.” He promises, kissing Crosshair so softly.

Crosshair hums, pulling Hunter as close as he can. “I love you, now get some rest.” He says softly.