#sergeant hunter reader insert

   You lowered your head, pulling the hood of your cloak farther down over your face in hopes to keep you from being recognizable by any untrustworthy characters.  By the looks of it, that meant everyone in this parlor.

   It was a risky move going there in the first place.  Incredibly dangerous.  Some might deem it unwise, but it was all you had.

   Ever since that day…that horrible day… you’d been keeping an extremely low profile.  You traveled from place to place, having to choose the shadiest modes of transport to avoid the chain code system.  Being on the Empire’s most wanted list meant that you had to take every precaution.

   You glanced around the crowded parlor, getting a feel for the room.  The majority of customers were gathered around one of the dejarik boards.  Things were getting rowdy as one individual was just about to defeat his opponent.  No one would pay you any mind.

   Good.  You could locate the one known as Cid without drawing attention to yourself.

   She was a known jedi informant, and now a possible way to reach some old friends.

   Thanks to Rex’s description, you were able to find her very quickly.  She was seated at the bar, quietly sipping her drink and watching the game.  You exhaled slowly to gather yourself before walking over and taking the seat next to her.

   You ordered a drink casually, knowing that if you jumped right into a slew of questions that she’d be much less likely to give you an answer.  Finally, when your drink was set down in front of you, you took a sip and turned to the cantina owner.

   “Good evening,” you greeted.

   Her yellow eyes regarded you with skepticism that you were speaking to her, but she remained curt.  “‘Evening.”

   “I am looking for some friends of mine.  I was hoping you could point me in the right direction.”

   She lifted a scaly brow, scowling.

   “Could you tell me where I might find a group?”  You paused, searching for the right words.  There was a good chance that they wouldn’t go by their Republic designation.  “It’s a very particular group.  I’ve been told they do odd jobs for you.”

   Cid leaned back, her expression calculating.  “I might know of a group.  Depends on who’s asking.”

   “I’m an ally.”

   She huffed.  “Sure you are.”

   Cid didn’t say anything more, but the message had gotten across.  You could only hope that you’d reach them.  If you couldn’t, then you’d have to contact Rex again…  You remained at the counter, watching as Cid slipped away.

   The anticipation of seeing them, seeing him again, was almost too much to bear.  Your mind flooded with memories as you waited.  Memories of the first time you’d met the intriguing squad.  Memories of the first time you’d locked eyes with him.

   “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant.” you greeted, blocking a stream of laser blasts.  “Though I wish it was under better circumstances.”

   His voice emerged smoky and mysterious through the modulator of his helmet as he took out a nearby droid with his viroblade.  “Pleasure’s all mine, General.”

   Later on, after the initial wave of droids, he removed his helmet to speak with you face-to-face.  You were well aware of how the Bad Batch differed from other troops, but it was still surprising to see their appearances.

   “Your squad is most impressive,” you said, trying very hard to push down the immediate feelings of attraction that began to blossom as you admired his tattooed features.  “And you arrived in just the nick of time.”

   He gave a small chuckle, his brow lifting.  “It’s what we do.”

   “Yeah!”  The one known as Wrecker jumped into the conversation, giving a hearty laugh.  “Those droids never stand a chance against us!”

   Tech was typing away on a set of buttons on his armor.  “They are falling back.  By my calculations, they will regroup shortly for a final attack.”

   “We’d better get ready then,” Crosshair smirked, placing a toothpick between his teeth.

   “Any orders?” Hunter asked.  It was apparent that the squad was very accustomed to working independently, but he made a point to recognize your authority as a jedi general.

   “None except that we retake this base,” you replied, making Wrecker practically jump.

   “I like her!”

   You found yourself smiling against the rim of your glass right before taking a sip.  That battle marked the beginning of your time with the Bad Batch.  You had the rank of general, but you’d never assumed command of a legion.  The Council would send you on independent missions as they saw fit, and after the success of that one, you were granted permission to assist the squad on a series of assignments.

   You came to see the Bad Batch as family. Aside from the particularly risky missions, it was the happiest period of your life.

   And that’s where it got messy.

   You recalled so vividly the bonds you’d formed with the brothers.  The hours working on the ship with Tech.  The many different ways to blow up a droid that Wrecker taught you.  The time you’d spent getting to know Crosshair and read him, though you still found him puzzling at times.  The talks you had with Hunter.

   Things got extremely messy when taking into account the feelings you harbored for the sergeant in secret, though such attachments to him, or anyone for that matter, were forbidden.  What was worse…he felt the same for you, and he knew about your attachment to him.  You could feel it every time his mind was near.  With both of you being so sensitive to your surroundings, it was bound to happen.  It was an unspoken thing between you.  Though you ached for more, you decided that being near him was enough.

   Then, there was the night that everything seemed to implode.

   Another successful mission.

   You gazed out at the beautiful star streaks across the dash as the Marauder traveled at lightspeed.  All was quiet aboard the ship.  Save for Tech’s busy mind, everyone seemed to be settling down for some much-needed rest.

   Oh.  There was one more mind that hadn’t been lulled by the sound of the engine.  Footsteps made their way up toward the front of the ship where you stood.

   “Hey. Sarge.”  The very informal greeting was a result of much time spent with the Batch.  The lot of you had forsaken by-the-book speech.  

   His eyes did not flash in amusement like they normally would.  His brows furrowed seriously as he leaned against the wall, and your voice took on a more concerned tone.  “Everything alright?”

   “Yeah,” he replied, though he didn’t look any less troubled.  “Just…a few things on my mind.”

   “Anything you’d like to share?  Maybe talking about it will help,” you offered helpfully.  “I’m no Yoda, but I’d like to think that learning under him has earned me some wisdom.”  You chuckled, giving him a playful nudge.

   “It’s-” he hesitated, gaze meeting yours meaningfully.  “I don’t think you want me to talk about this.”

   You tilted your head in confusion.  “Why not?”

   “Because it’s about…us.  This.  Whatever this is.”

   You caught on to where his mind was, feeling your heart flutter and stomach drop at the same time.  Your lips parted with a tiny “oh” sound escaping from them.  He was right.  This was definitely something you didn’t want to talk about. You couldn’t offer him a commitment.  Your code wouldn’t allow that.  But you didn’t want to lose him. This conversation could very well change everything.

   “Hunter… Before you continue, I just want to say that I…I…”

   “I know,” he said, stepping forward.  It was a small step, but it put him in your space entirely.  Suddenly his handsome face was all you could see, and that musky scent of his was the only thing you could smell.  His gloved hand reached out gently to brush your fingers.

   He knew what you felt for him… because that’s what he felt for you.

   “And I’m not asking for anything.  Or hoping.  I just…have to tell you at least once that I do too.”

   His lips ghosted over yours.  The warmth of his breath fanned your face, drawing you in while that feeling of comfort and security that you felt with him washed over you.  Your fingers entwined with his gloved ones, and you allowed yourself a single moment.  Hunter pressed his lips to your own briefly, testing the waters.  You leaned in before he could pull away, capturing him in another kiss, which he deepened.

   It was only a single moment, absolutely forbidden and beautiful.

   The kiss ended all too soon, with Hunter whispering a low “good night” before heading for his rack to get a few hours of sleep.  You remained in the cockpit, caught up in the thrill of what happened, yet completely torn.

   You felt tears well up in your eyes as you recalled what happened next.  It was right after returning from that mission that the Council had decided to reassign you to assist another jedi in an entirely different system.

   That was the end of your time with the Batch during the Clone Wars.  You couldn’t protest the Council’s decision without betraying some sort of attachment.  Even if the Council didn’t pick up on anything romantic, they still wouldn’t be so keen on your preference of the squad over where duty called you.  The Council’s decision had come so quickly that part of you feared that somehow they knew.

   So you carried out orders without so much as a hesitation.  You didn’t reach out to Hunter, fearful that he would also be at risk somehow.  Time passed.  The war came to an end.

   You’d barely escaped the former chancellor’s horrid order.  And after so many months on your own, wondering where your squad was in all this mess, assuming the worst, you ran into Rex, and he informed you of his discovery of them, the removal of their chips, and their whereabouts.

   It was only a matter of a few rotations before you found yourself at Cid’s Parlor.

   There was no telling how your arrival would be received.  Would they be angry?  Hurt?  Would they be glad to see you?  You imagined that the others would be glad, at least.

   The moment had arrived.  The first one you saw was Wrecker, towering over everyone else in the cantina as he made his way out from the back.  He spotted you right away, and a huge grin spread across his face.

   “Hey!  It’s ________!”

   He emerged from the crowd with Hunter just in front of him, followed by Tech.  Another trooper walked out after him that you didn’t recognize and also a young girl.

   “Ah, _________” Tech said in recognition.  “I am pleased to see you alive and well, considering the events concluding the war.”

   “You have no idea how glad I am to see all of you,” you replied warmly.  “It’s like coming home.”  You mustered the courage to meet Hunter’s eyes, hoping you’d find a similar welcome.  His gaze was piercing, like a single lamp in the dark- comforting, safe, filling you with relief.

   It was true.  That seedy parlor, where you’d never been before, that was full of strangers already felt like home.

   Even so, Hunter suggested the lot of you take the reunion back to the Marauder to avoid drawing any attention to you.  Your mind was buzzing the entire time with questions; both about the new faces you saw amongst your squad as well as the one face that you didn’t see.  Where was Crosshair?

   Tech updated you on the sharpshooter’s absence in a brief, but thorough explanation.  You were saddened to hear of these events, but the group seemed somewhat hopeful that their brother didn’t appear entirely lost.

   The other trooper, who you presumed to be a newer member of the squad, looked rather curious.

   “Echo, this is ________, a friend.  She served with us on several missions during the war,” Hunter introduced.

   “Served?” Echo repeated.  “Then that would make you a…”

   “A jedi,” you uttered quietly.  “Yes.”

   He stood up straight and saluted with his scomp arm.  “It’s an honor.  My name is Echo.  I joined the squad after a rescue mission on Skako.”

   “And this is Omega,” Hunter gestured toward the girl.  “Our newest member.”

   “Hello!” she gave a cheerful wave.  “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

   “Oh really?”

   “Yep!” Wrecker butted in, wrapping you up in a big hug.  “You’re our favorite jedi, after all!”  He set you down and gave you a playful nudge with his elbow, which almost sent you stumbling.  “We missed you!  Especially Hunter here.”

   The comment piqued your interest.  Hunter gave Wrecker one of his signature looks, silently telling him to drop it.  Tech observed the interaction, noting it while adjusting his goggles.  Echo’s gaze darted back and forth between you and Hunter, understanding flashing in them.  Omega looked confused, but didn’t voice it.

   You nearly collapsed into ruins from embarrassment.

   Wrecker suddenly scratched his head. “ Uhhh, that reminds me.  Tech, d’you remember the other day? I said I wanted to show you the thing.”

   “I do not recall-”

   “The thing.  It’s, uh, in Cid’s.  But we have to go see it.  Now.”

   Echo seemed to catch on to some inside cue because he quickly got Tech’s attention and nodded his head in the direction of the exit ramp.

   “Ah.  Indeed.”

   “You too, Omega!” Wrecker added, ushering the girl outside.  You clasped a hand over your mouth to hide your humor while the group departed.  You could hear Omega’s little voice asking, “what’s going on?” before they were out of earshot.

   Hunter gave a long and heavy sigh, shaking his head, before his eyes met yours again.

   “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” he said.  “They’re all trouble.”

   “Yeah,” you chuckled.

   An awkward silence fell over the both of you.  It wasn’t like you expected things to fall back into place, to pick up right where you’d left off.  But with how the others acted, you expected Hunter to say something.

   After all that time…There he was.  Safe and sound.  Standing just a few feet in front of you.

   “Hunter, I-”

   “Look-”

   Both of you fell silent again, and Hunter took the initiative to speak first.  His voice was low, a bit shaky.  “I’m glad you’re alright.  You don’t know how worried I was- we all were.”

   “I was worried about all of you,” you replied.  “I saw what the chips did to troopers.  It’s terrible.  I was so relieved to find Rex, and when he told me that he’d been in contact with you… I can’t even say how I felt.  I’ve missed you so much!”  Your voice broke, and Hunter stepped forward, wrapping his arms around you.

   The low rumble of his voice was soothing against your ear as he held you tighter.  “I missed you too.”

   “I’m sorry.  I’m sorry I didn’t reach out to you after I was reassigned.  After what happened that night after our last mission…”

   “It’s alright.  Neither did I.  I guess…neither of us were in a place to do anything about it then.  We had our obligations.”

   Had obligations.  Past tense.

   “But just know that I’ve thought about you every day since then,” he said.  “Nothing’s changed.”

    “Oh, Hunter,” you cried.  “Me too.”

   His breath hitched in his throat, and he pulled away slightly.  “You know, if this weren’t to happen, there’s a place for you here.  With the squad.  That’s undeniable.”

   You met his eyes, too happy to care about the tears on your face.  His gaze seemed to soften at the sight of them, and he reached up to brush them away.  

   “I didn’t think it was,” you chuckled tearfully.  “I do want to be with the squad, and I want to be with you.”

   A soft smile graced his features, the kind of smile you’d only seen a few times.  One of them was when he first and last kissed you.  Hunter leaned in, brushing his nose against yours, before closing the short distance entirely.

   His arms enveloped you, pulling you tighter against his frame while he kissed you with simmering passion.  You grasped his broad shoulders to ground yourself, and yet it only sent you higher.

   Your eyes followed the contours of his face while you paused the dance of your lips to catch your breath, tracing the slope of his nose, the curve of his mouth, and the edge of his jawline.  Amidst the haze of his close proximity, you’d never seen him so clearly. 

   You were glowing, luminous.  So utterly content, and yet, your lips tingled with the desire to be kissed again.

   Heavy footsteps on the ramp jolted you from the moment.  Before you and Hunter could separate to save face, Wrecker poked his head inside the Marauder, grinning.

   “I knew it!  All it took was fifteen minutes.”

“You’ve been awfully quiet.”  The low rumble of his voice echoed softly in your ear.  As his gloved hand sought yours, you released a sigh, shoulders sinking in relief as his presence soothed your nerves.

You took note of Wrecker hauling a boulder on the other side of the dimly-lit tunnel, granting you and Hunter a moment to converse in some semblance of privacy.

“Omega and Tech have been gone for a while,” you said finally.  “I just hope everything’s okay.”

Hunter clasped his hand over your own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.  You relished the contact, leaning into his side. 

“They’ll check in soon.”

His profile betrayed no underlying fear.  No uncertainty.  Even while Cid’s bogus mission went awry, getting worse and worse by the hour, he’d hardly looked phased.  It was a wonder.

When the ship was stolen and the crew broke out into debates about who was at fault, he calmly redirected the team’s energy with the simple statement that arguing was not helping the situation.

While Wrecker grumbled and griped about how long it would take to dig your way out from the collapsed tunnel, Hunter made the argument that complaining would not make it go any faster.

He was right in both cases, and yet even you could not stave off the doubts that crept into your mind.  Would you all make it out in one piece?  Could you get the Marauder back?  How many failed missions would it take for Cid to turn on the lot of you?  And now, would Tech and Omega be alright?

His level-headed nature was almost enough to convince you there was no reason to be concerned. 

Almost.

Hunter turned to face you completely, the corner of his lips turning up.  “Everything will be alright.”  His brown eyes searched your face, measuring your expression, hopeful that his words put you at ease.

A familiar, nagging thought crept its way back in.  You felt the need to pout under his gaze, lifting a brow.

His amusement grew at your shift as you pulled away slightly.  “What?”

“You don’t exactly reassure the others this much.”

Hunter leaned forward, countering your withdrawal by gently pulling you back into his space, so that you had nowhere to look but at him.  You met his eyes and felt helplessly drawn in at the tenderness they held.  “The others don’t quite worry like you do, sweetheart.”

Your lips parted with a reply that itched to be heard, but you couldn’t bring yourself to utter it.  As much as you wanted to protest, his statement wasn’t exactly inaccurate.  Besides, it was hard to argue when his lips found your neck.

“I just…don’t want you to think I can’t handle things like the rest of you,” you breathed, hands gripping broad shoulders as he trailed a series of soft kisses toward your ear.  

There.  You’d said it.  The thing that had been weighing on you for quite some time.  The reason that you’d fallen silent in the last few hours.

“Not for a second,” he murmured.  “You are one of the strongest people I know.  I actually think it’s…adorable how you worry for everyone.”

“Adorable?”  You hadn’t expected to hear that word from him, huffing quietly.  “Yeah, right.”  Your breath hitched in your throat when he nuzzled against the base of your neck.

“Utterly.”  His tone was heavy with sincerity.

“Well,” you exhaled slowly.  “I was not aware of that.”

“You look after each member of the squad in a way we’ve never been looked after before,” he continued, lifting his head to meet your gaze once more.  “Before you came along, do you think anyone worried about us?”

His question pierced you like a blade.  Before you joined, the squad had been on mission after mission, taking on the riskiest of tasks for the sake of the Republic… without anyone to worry besides each other. 

You buried your face in his chest, squeezing him tighter as he sighed.  “Either way, it’s only a matter of time until we’re out of here and find a transport.”

“Uh yeah,” Wrecker interjected, huffing.  “You guys done?  We’ve still got a lot of boulders to move.”

You and Hunter separated, him rolling his eyes while you smiled apologetically.  “Sorry, Wreck.  You’re doing a great job.”

“Yeah, yeah.”  He waved your comment off humorously and stepped aside so you could join him at the wall of collapsed rock.  You nudged him and knelt down to start rolling the nearest one, stealing a look at Hunter.

   “It looks like it’s warming up a little,” Hunter commented, lifting another spoonful of breakfast cereal to his lips.  You followed his gaze past the kitchen counter to the window.  You couldn’t help but make a face at all the layers of snow.

   “Warming up?” you repeated.

   Hunter nodded.  “I may be able to get out there and chop some wood.”

   “Can I help?” Omega asked through a mouthful of her breakfast.  “Please?  I haven’t been outside in days.”

   “None of us have,” you pointed out with a chuckle.  You stared down at your own bowl and chased the last few pieces of cereal around with your spoon idly.  “But I have to agree…I could use a little outdoor time.”

   A look of amusement crossed Hunter’s expression, and his eyes glinted when they met yours.  “You don’t need my permission to go outside, you know.  But sure, I’ve got a few extra layers you two can wear.  The temperature is rising, but it’s still not warm and toasty.”

   “Thank you!” Omega quickly finished the last of her cereal and scurried over to your chair.  “Done?” She asked, reaching for your bowl.  You smiled and nodded appreciatively as she took it to the sink.

   It’d been a week since you first arrived at Hunter’s doorstep.  The blizzard had ended a day or so before, but you and Omega weren’t in a hurry to get going.  The temperatures were still very low, and neither of you were fully prepared for the journey ahead.

   The days had begun to blur together.  It was a cycle of eating, talking, chores, board games, and sleeping.  Yet the cycle wasn't boring to you.  Every day, you learned something new.  You came to find out that Hunter was even more knowledgeable than you had previously discovered, and he was gracious enough to teach both you and Omega.

   The trip outside was very refreshing.  It was still bitter cold, but it was a change from the same routine.  Fresh air poured into your lungs with each labored trudge through the deep snow.  Omega was hopping around to try and keep up since the snow nearly reached her waist.  The two of you did a little exploring before helping out with the firewood.  You in particular found yourself wandering farther away, simply enjoying the sight of snow covering everything like a glittering, frosty blanket.

   Upon deciding you’d gone far enough, you figured it was time to turn back and start helping to carry firewood into the cabin.

   You spun around, coming face-to-face with a tall, lean man who stared down at you with sharp eyes- one of which was encircled by a tattoo of crosshairs.  Your heart leapt out of your chest as you struggled to take a few steps back.  Did your worst fear come true?  Had they finally found you?

   No, it wasn’t them.  He would’ve snatched you up by now.

   “Hunter!”  His name left your lips in a distressed cry without much thought beforehand.

   The silver-haired man in front of you lifted a brow curiously.  With each step you took backwards, he stepped forward to follow. Your eyes flickered to the rifle strapped to his back.  “Who exactly are you?” he asked.

   “She’s a guest.”  To your relief, Hunter’s voice sounded a little farther away.  Your gaze hurriedly found him, but surprisingly, he wasn’t alone.  Along with Omega, three other men stood beside him.  All gazed at you.  “It’s okay, ________.  They’re friends of mine.  Hey Cross, you want to back off a minute?”

   The man in front of you gave an annoyed roll of his eyes, as if he was being madly inconvenienced, and placed a toothpick between his teeth as he created some distance.

   “Alright Hunter,” one of the men spoke up, folding his arms across his chest.  “Time to spill.  What’s... going on here?”

   “It looks like he got busy during the storm,” the largest man joked, glancing between you and Omega.

   Hunter shook his head, looking to the first man.  “Like I said, Echo, they’re guests.  Sorry for not running it by you guys first.”

   “You know it’s not like that,” Echo sighed.  “It’s just that we have a system, and this is definitely something out of the ordinary.  We just want to be sure everything’s okay.”  The two of them conversed for another minute or so, and you began to observe the others.  The tallest man was already talking to Omega, and the one wearing goggles chimed in.  The one Hunter called “Cross” was fiddling with a toothpick between his teeth, his sharp gaze sliding between you and Omega.

   Hunter invited everyone back inside the cabin, which seemed to help put the group at ease.  Crosshair leaned against the door frame, though, as if still not entirely sold on the idea of you as a guest.  Echo was uneasy, but didn’t take long to warm up to you and especially Omega.  Wrecker was the friendliest of Hunter’s acquaintances, already cracking jokes and telling stories like it was a family gathering.

   You didn’t miss the one called “Tech” pulling Hunter aside for a private conversation in the corner of the room while all the commotion was going on.

. . . .

   Hunter glanced past Tech to see Wrecker playfully putting an arm around Crosshair’s shoulders, causing the sniper to roll his eyes in annoyance while Omega laughed and her guardian watched in amusement.  He couldn’t help but note that this was the most crowded his lonely little cabin in the woods had ever been.

   It was…nice.

   “Hunter,” Tech spoke up in a clipped tone, suggesting he had already tried a few times to get his attention.

   “Uh, yeah. What was that, Tech?”

   “Must I really ask?” The goggled man tilted his head.  When Hunter merely gave a shrug in response, Tech exhaled as if spelling out his question was such a chore.  “I doubt it escaped your attention that your ‘guests’ fit the description of the kidnapping alert that went out recently.”

  “You’d be right.”  Hunter nodded.  “It did not escape my attention.”

   “And?”

   “And?”

   “Why haven’t you turned them in?”

   “It’s a long story.”

   “I’m sure I could keep up,” Tech replied, his lip quirking in a smirk, as if amused by the mere idea of him not being able to follow.

   “Well, you see…”

   And Hunter indulged him with the full story.  He told his comrade about his first encounter with the girl and the young woman, how they came to remain guests at his cabin, and their mysterious past that he still wasn’t entirely sure about.

   Tech absorbed this information and turned it over in his head, his eyes flickering between the guests and his friend.

   “I doubt she’s telling the truth about her past.”

   “I know that,” Hunter sighed.  “But I don’t think she’d give me that story without good reason.  Look at them…They don’t exactly strike me as hardened criminals.”

   “Perhaps not.”  Tech turned his gaze back to the girl analytically.  “You’ve gotten yourself into quite the situation in a matter of a week.”

   Hunter chuckled at that.  “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

   “Let us know if you’re in any trouble.”  Tech gave him a pointed look over his goggles.  “I am merely a radio away.”

   And that was that.  Tech had his fair share of suggestions and opinions, but it was evident that he respected Hunter’s judgment.  He knew the sergeant could take care of himself.

   It was nearly a perfect evening.

   You crawled into the little space you made for yourself for the night, curling up in a mass of blankets and even a cushion behind your back to make things more comfortable as you were leaning against the wall.

   All was quiet aboard the Havoc Marauder, save for the tap-tap of rain on the hull and the snores that surrounded you.  Tech had parked the ship away from a small town on the forest planet the group had landed on for fuel and supplies.  Gray clouds rolled in during your little trip, and by the time the squad made it back to the ship, it was pouring.

   You activated your datapad and tapped the story icon to pick up where you’d left off in your book.  Being on the run didn’t always mean you had time to enjoy a good story, which was a shame for someone who loved to read.  It was moments like this- utterly peaceful and quiet- that made you so giddy.

   The second you were comfortable under your blanket with the datapad resting on your knees, you were pretty much in paradise.  With snores chorusing around you, you felt yourself completely at ease.  It was almost amusing at how quickly the Bad Batch had fallen asleep.  Usually, Omega and Wrecker were the first ones out with Tech, Echo, Crosshair, and Hunter to follow much, much later.  This time, the whole lot of them were out within the first half-hour of bedtime.  Even your love, Hunter, had been one of the first ones to fall asleep despite usually being the last.

   It had to be the storm, you decided.  The thunder, flashes of lightning, and the rain beating against the hull must remind them of Kamino, of home.

   You turned your attention back down to your datapad, releasing a quiet sigh.  You indulged in chapter after chapter of your book in contentment, though eventually you began to feel your eyelids growing heavy.  Footsteps from the cockpit caught your attention, and you glanced up to see Hunter gazing down at you.  He was down to his blacks and looked like he’d just woken up.  His eyes bleary, a sharp contrast to his usually sharp gaze that never missed a thing.

   “What are you doin’ up?” he asked in a husky voice.

   You held up your datapad a little.  “Just catching up on some reading since I finally have the time.”

   He didn’t voice a reply, only remaining there for a moment, before he finally nodded his head in your direction. “Got room for one more?”

   You couldn’t help the smile that made its way on your face as you scooted over and lifted the blanket as an offering to join you, heart accelerating.  Hunter wasted no time in sitting down, shoulder pressed against yours, and nuzzling your neck in a more familiar greeting.

   Okay, now the evening was perfect.

   You reached over to entwine his fingers with yours under the blanket while your other hand kept the datapad steady as you continued to read.  Warmth enveloped you in the most pleasant way.

   “S’it any good?” Hunter murmured against your neck, still tired.

   “The book?” He nodded.  “It’s honestly great.  I’m enjoying myself immensely.”

   “Glad to hear it.”  A sigh escaped his lips, and it wasn’t long before his breathing began to slow.  You thought that was the end of it, but a few minutes later his voice rumbled again.  “Would you mind reading it aloud?”

   “What?” you asked, feeling your cheeks grow warm.  “You sure?  It may not be the most graceful reading.” Reading aloud was always a very different experience from reading in your head- especially reading aloud to someone else.  There was the fear of stumbling over a word after a while or mispronouncing something new if you happened upon it.

   “Just a chapter or two…”  Hunter yawned.  “I want to hear your voice.”

   Well, who were you to deny the sergeant on such a sweet request?  You cleared your throat, hesitating for a moment, before finally taking the plunge.  You read in a slow, hushed tone that only Hunter would be able to hear.  Your nervousness gave way to the pleasure of watching him drift off to sleep against your shoulder to the sound of your voice.  He was out by the first chapter you read to him, but you continued on just one more before growing tired.  You bookmarked the page, shut off the datapad, and got into a more comfortable snuggle against Hunter’s side.

   “Goodnight, Sergeant,” you murmured.

   Wind howled furiously outside the cabin.  You had pulled back a curtain to gaze out at the heavy snowfall while Omega and Hunter played a board game at the coffee table.  The sound of their laughter filled you with a feeling comparable to the comforting warmth that the woodstove brought.

   You watched the snow pile up and up outside.  You weren’t quite sure how long you’d been standing there, but it must have been a while.  A glance over your shoulder revealed a sleeping Omega with a quilt draped across her on the couch while Hunter cleaned up the board game.

   “I’m sorry,” you spoke up, clearing your throat.  “I meant to join the game at some point.  I got lost in thought.”

   “Don’t worry about it,” Hunter said.  You heard a dull rattle of game pieces on cardboard as he slid the box back into its place on the shelf.  His brows rose as he watched you approach the couch and pull the quilt just a little farther past her shoulders.  “She’s a smart kid.”

   You watched her sleeping face with a smile.  This was the happiest you’d seen her.  Not that you’d known her all that long…  “She is very smart,” you agreed, giving her one last pat before pacing across the floor back to the window.

   Hunter took a seat in his recliner, but you could still feel his eyes on you.

   “What?”

   You met his gaze.  He shrugged.  “Nothing.  I just noticed you have a hard time relaxing.”

   Noting where you stood at the moment, you couldn’t deny his observation.  For whatever reason, you kept finding yourself at the window.  Waiting.  Watching.  You gave a tired nod.  “We’ve been on the run for a while now. No matter where we went, they seemed to be on our tail.  We couldn’t stay in one place for too long.”

   “You’re safe here,” Hunter said, and his magnetic gaze drew you in once more.  “I’m not going to turn you in, and there aren’t many who even know about this place.”

   You wanted to take comfort in his words.  Really, you did… But even with how safe Hunter made you feel, there was still a nagging feeling that the security wouldn’t last.  You knew you wouldn’t be able to stay.  The storm kept you and Omega for now, but what about when it ended?  What would you do?  Where would you go?

   Your heart rate accelerated from the unsettling thoughts that fought their way into your focus.  You reached up to wipe a glistening tear from your cheek, and a sharp pain made you wince and grunt in frustration.

   “You alright?” Hunter asked.

   “Yeah,” you replied, lifting your palm to inspect it more closely with a squint. You hated how your voice quivered.  Fortunately, though, the pain was a distraction from the spiral of thoughts.  “I got a splinter from the firewood earlier.  It doesn’t want to come out.”

   “Here…”  He rose from the recliner and opened a drawer in the kitchen.  He motioned you over with one hand toward the nearest lantern.  When you approached, you spotted a pair of tweezers glinting in the low light.  Hunter extended a hand in your direction, and you rested your own in his.  The heat of his calloused palm on the back of your hand almost pulled a sigh from your lips.  He leaned in to get a closer look, his breath fanning your hand.  Goosebumps bloomed along your arm as he ever-so-carefully began to slide the tip of the tweezers over your skin.  He repeated the action a few times.  It was strangely pleasant- so much so that you had to resist the urge to let your eyes fall shut.

   Finally, there was a tiny pain, another gentle scrape, and Hunter leaned back with something clasped between the tweezer tips that was barely visible.  “There.  Got it.”

   You exhaled softly, releasing a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding.  “Thank you.  It was really getting on my nerves.”  He took another look at your palm to be sure he got all of it before releasing your hand.  As silly as it sounded, you missed the contact almost immediately.

   “So tell me,” you said, hoping to steer the conversation.  “What did you do before all this?”

   Hunter put the tweezers back in a drawer and continued on to pour some leftover broth into a mug for himself.  “I did a lot of things.  Changed careers a few times.  Nothing ever really stuck, but I acquired new skills and saved some money along the way.”  He held up a mug as a silent question, and you nodded.

   “Is that how you met your friends?” you asked.

   “I did meet them on the job, as a matter of fact,” he continued, pouring some broth into the mug and bringing it over to you.  “We stayed in contact after.  I guess in a way we became family.”

   “That’s nice.”  Your hands wrapped around the mug firmly, and you took a breath.  You weren’t entirely sure how to ask your next question, or if you even should at all.  “What about…your family?  I mean, did you ever…?  Do you have a…?”

   “I don’t keep in touch with relatives,” he replied.  “And I never married.” 

   “Oh.”  Your face grew warm with embarrassment.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

   “Not at all.”  Hunter shifted his weight, leaning against the counter.  “It’s only fair, considering you’ve told me about your ex.  What about relatives?  What do they think about all this?”

   “They don’t know where I am,” you said with a sigh.  “I didn’t want to drag them into this.”

   “I’m sorry.”

   “It’s okay.  It’ll all be okay eventually.”

   A hush fell over the room.  For a while, you sat and watched Omega sleep peacefully while Hunter lingered in the kitchen.  He collected your mug and put it in the sink to be washed in the morning.  Not much was said when it came time for sleep.  Hunter gave you a quilt and pillow, and you thanked him again for his kindness.

   As you curled up on the recliner, your head was spinning with thoughts of Hunter.  More specifically, it was his hands.  You replayed the extraction of the splinter from your hand over and over in your mind.  Without meaning you, your mind wandered to other things like how it would feel to have Hunter touch your cheek or brush your hair away from your eyes.  You wondered how it would feel to hold his rough, capable hand.  Or trace your fingers over the tattoo on his face.  Embarrassment crept its way in, but one realization helped put you at ease…

   You were touch-starved.

   That was at least an explanation for the empty feeling when he retracted his hand.  That could explain why your mind was already coming up with other excuses for contact with him again.  You were nearly to the point of moving some firewood around in hopes of getting another splinter.

   It still didn’t explain why you kept seeing Hunter’s brown eyes every time you closed your own.

   Okay, fine.  You’d admit you were also attracted to your host.  There was nothing wrong with that.  It wasn’t a declaration of love, or anything.  He was simply handsome.  And kind.  And he was gifted in the ways of getting rid of splinters.

   It didn’t have to mean anything.  Even though it felt like you were starting to get to know Hunter (being snowed in all day and night without TV or internet will do that), you also had to remind yourself that you’d only been in each other’s lives for a few days.  You and Omega would have to move on very soon.  It didn’t matter how much Omega smiled here.  Or you, for that matter.  You’d have to keep running.

   You huffed as you stacked the wooden logs in their proper place near the stove.  Behind you, Omega carried an armful of firewood as well.  She smiled as she passed it to your now-empty arms so you could begin stacking this group as well, making sure to follow the layout Hunter had established.

   According to Hunter, Tech’s warning had come just in time.  It gave an opportunity to prepare for the possibility of being snowed in for a long period.  You and Omega had volunteered to do your share of the chores because you felt it was only fair considering how generous your host had been in letting you take shelter in his abode.

   For someone who lived rather isolated and was so independent, it was a wonder that he was so…friendly.  You didn’t get the feeling that Hunter disliked having newcomers at his cabin.  As a matter of fact, it almost seemed like he wanted it.  Perhaps after so much time alone, he was happy to have company after all.

   Speaking of the host, he was busy at work cleaning out the wood stove.  You paused to steal a curious glance at his flannel-covered broad back as he worked.  He had removed a section of the pipe above the stove and placed a bag there to catch the falling debris while he used a bristled brush to empty it.  He removed the brush to take a look up the chimney and inspect his work, nodding in satisfaction.

   “Now I just need to vacuum this out,” he said aloud, glancing down at the opening of the wood stove.  There was still dust falling into it from above.

   “When you said you had to clean the chimney, I imagined you’d have to go out on the roof or something.  But this wasn’t so bad,” you commented.  

   “I used to have to climb on the roof,” Hunter replied with a chuckle.  “Not so much these days.  Expandable pipe lets me clean it easily from here.”  He patted the removed section of piping with his gloved hand.

   “How often do you do it?”

   “It needs a good cleaning around once a week,” he said.  “The dust from so much use in the colder weather makes it a fire hazard.”

   You nodded and continued on your way out to get another bundle of firewood.  Omega was already on her way back in with a smaller one.

   “One more bundle should hold us for a while,” Hunter told you.

   You shivered as you stepped out into the icy air.  The cabin had already begun to cool off since the wood stove was out of service due to cleaning, but it still didn’t compare to the nose-nipping chill that awaited you outside.  You hugged yourself as you hurried down the path Hunter had made with his own footsteps toward the woodshed.  Lifting the camouflage tarp, you grabbed one final load of firewood on one arm before fastening the tarp back down with the other.

   “Ouch!”  A sharp pain pricked your hand, causing you to hiss under your breath.  “Stupid splinter...”  You had to take more deliberate steps on the way back to the cabin because of the weight in your arms.  The cold was starting to seep in even after being outside for only a few minutes.  Upon entering the front door, you were pleased to see that Hunter had placed the expandable pipe back into its place and disposed of the dust.  The cabin would soon be toasty again.

   You stacked the last of the firewood, wincing when the splinter in your palm shifted.  Hunter was already building a new fire in the stove.

   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   Heavy snowfall made for a beautiful scene outside the cabin.  You lingered near one of the front windows, feeling the bitter cold emanating from the glass itself.  The hair on the back of your neck stood up while a shiver ran down your spine.  Despite it being mid-afternoon, the sky was already beginning to grow dark from the blizzard.  It was no longer flakes falling; it was full clumps of snow being thrown about in the wind to blanket the land.

   It was hard not to think about what might’ve happened if you and Omega didn’t stumble upon Hunter’s cabin in the middle of nowhere.  A familiar fear gnawed at your chest from the memory of fighting your way through the snowstorm the night before.  You’d been up to your knees in snow and up to your neck in uncertainty.

   You’d worried that there’d be no way out of the endless forest...  that somehow they would find you…

   You shook your head, expelling the train of thought before it could go any further.  Omega was safe, and so were you.  Instead, you turned away from the window, pulling the curtain back over it, and moseyed over toward the kitchen where Hunter was at the counter.  He was slicing a slab of meat into smaller chunks and placing them into a pot 

   “Maple syrup?” Omega questioned, lips pulling back in an uncertain grimace as Hunter added the next ingredient.  She had climbed onto the stool and rested her elbows on the counter top to watch .

   “Mhm,” he hummed in confirmation.  “It’ll hold the other ingredients together on the venison and give it a slight sweet flavor.  Trust me, it’s good.”  You found yourself drawn toward the kitchen by the mix of scents in the air.  Hunter tossed in some flour and spices to coat the venison, stirring it around in the pot for a minute or so.

   “Can I help?” Omega asked, leaning over the counter.

   Hunter smiled at her eagerness, and you found yourself smiling too.  You weren’t exactly sure why, but his smile was so contagious.  “As a matter of fact, I could use some help peeling potatoes.  Think you can do that for me?”

   “Sure!”

   “Here’s the peeler.  Potatoes are on that shelf.  We could use about six or seven.  Then, we need to cut them up.”  With folded arms, you caught Hunter’s gaze as he turned around.  “If you’re feeling left out, we could use some chopped carrots.”

   “Definitely feeling left out,” you said humorously as you approached.  You opened the drawer that you now knew to be the utensils drawer and fished out a knife.  Hunter stepped aside so you could stand at the counter and chop up the carrots that he had washed.

   Every now and then, you grasped the knife a certain way that ended up irritating that splinter in your hand.  The pain was short-lived each time, but it was so sharp that you’d pause and wince.  Hunter added a few other ingredients before setting the pot on top of the wood stove to cook.  He stood over it with diligence and gave it a good stir periodically.  Soon, it was time to add all the potatoes and carrots to cook together.

   You breathed in the warm scents that filled the cabin.  There was a subtle sweetness in the air mixed with the cooking spices that made your stomach rumble longingly.  Dinner couldn’t come fast enough, and it seemed like Omega felt the same way.  She was practically glued to Hunter’s side watching the pot and listening as he told an alternate way to slice the venison and how it affected cooking time.

   The sight made you smile again.

                                             - - - - CREDITS - - - - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJsHzGww1w8 Credit for expandable pipe and wood stove cleaning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsrzRuW-5WA