#tech reader

While Wrecker had been none the wiser at that time, it took only a few days for the rest of the batch to quite quickly catch on to what was happening. You’d never truly said anything, but it was just silently known. It didn’t help that both of you were absolutely the worst at keeping secrets, compounded only by the fact that someone else on the ship had beyond incredible hearing. There really wasn’t much of a chance of keeping it secret to begin with, given Hunter. If your quiet conversations didn’t prick his ears and cue him in, you constantly smelling like Tech would’ve.

At first you had both tried to pretend you weren’t romantic, but it was only a few days before Tech had absentmindedly kissed you on the cheek before leaving the ship for supplies and that whole attempt at a charade was instantly over.

But even before all of that, you’d always found watching Tech work-and by extension listening to his voice, incredibly enticing. His fingers were deft and able to fit in each nook and cranny, control panel or datapad, knowing exactly each and every movement to make and doing it with absolutely zero error. And during each motion he would always talk to himself, or as time had gone on and he’d gotten used to you hovering over or beside his shoulder, to you. Gods, you had a massive thing for nerds.

“So, what is it you're making this for again exactly?” Tech sighed, eyes glancing to the right towards you for only a second. “Have you already forgotten?” “Maybe?” Tech turned to fully face you before once again going back to his project. Reaching his right hand outward and taking one of the small screws from your cupped hand-he didn’t have anything that could hold them so they didn’t roll away-he sighed and pushed his goggles up with one finger. “Truly, we need to work on that memory of yours…” You just smiled and laughed, sounding incredibly pleased with yourself as Tech began re-explaining the intricacies of what he was working on. From overhearing him you’d learned a decent bit of the tidbits for Tech’s various works, but most of the actual technicals were still far out of your league. Tech still explained anyways, more so trying to give an overview then explain each individual function. As much as he would’ve wanted to. You wouldn’t have minded, his even-toned voice soothing away your stresses. You all certainly had a lot of them. But unbeknownst to both of you, Hunter was leaning against the wall between where you both were sitting and the cockpit, looking away from the scene playing out near him and rolling his eyes. In the very few holodramas episodes Hunter had ever seen, he hadn’t quite understood why people were so exasperated by other couples showing affection. Now he realized why people rolled their eyes and gagged at love-struck pairs.

You were staring at Tech like he was both the light of your life, and the most delicious piece of meat.

And as usual, Tech was absolutely none the wiser.

Hunter decided he was sick of watching this play out, walking over only to give Tech a large smack to the back of the head just as you’d opened your mouth. His head careened forward and he jolted in his seat, letting out a surprised noise. When he righted himself, he turned to look over his shoulder at Hunter and scowled. “And what was that for?” Hunter pointed in your direction, causing your eyes to widen as you were now suddenly under the spotlight. “Stop being an idiot, Tech.” Before he had a chance to elaborate, if he was even going to, Omega scowled at the scene in front of her. She must’ve heard something and came and saw Hunter give Tech a good clap at the perfect moment. “Hunter! Don’t just hit people!” Omega furrowed her brow, and continued to as Hunter spoke and ushered her away with him; A hand on her shoulder. “Believe me, I was helping him. You’ll understand later.” Wrecker could keep her distracted, and he wouldn’t have to explain why Tech had needed the smack in the first place. Hunter had enough issues to deal with, he didn’t need to delve into that sarlacc pit.

With Hunter now gone however, Tech spoke up again after adjusting his goggles.

“You were, going to say something?” He was looking right at you now, Hunter’s knock having given him the realization that you were smiling quite wide; And were quite close to him before you’d moved away to watch Hunter leave for the cockpit.

For all of Tech’s talk of ‘chemical reactions’ and ‘natural behaviors’, he hadn’t really realized how they actually felt. And how they overtook, at least in Tech’s case, almost all of your mind.

Tech had this to finish, yes; He’d been planning the schematics for it for days now, fussing over each and every wire and circuit to fit his exact specifications...

But when were you going to lean back against his shoulder?

“I was going to say you just look so handsome when you’re all,” You couldn’t find the right word, and just wildly gestured to his project, and himself. Hopefully it got the point across. Tech was bashful, but hid it well enough behind an attempt at his usual neutral and calculated expression and tinted goggles. They couldn’t hide the heat against his cheeks and neck, however. “When working on a project?” You shrugged. “Yeah, anything really; All the, sciencey stuff.” Tech couldn’t help the chuckle at ‘sciencey’. “And is that why you keep making me repeat everything?” Now it was your turn to laugh, brushing some hair from your face with a free hand. “Maybe.” “You could simply ask, I have no issue with one sided conversation; provided you find it pleasing.” Pursing your lips you faked contemplation, while scooting closer to him. “I could, but I think it’s funnier when you get all exasperated.” Tech tapped his tool against the counter and sighed. “Of course you think that. It seems I was incorrect in thinking you would be above pestering me.” Tech glanced towards the opposite corner of the table from him. “The thicker wire, please.” He had a small smile on his face, only fading when you handed him the small bundle of wiring and he got re-invested in his work.

“It’s probably just Wrecker rubbing off on me too much. Or maybe I just really enjoy it.” Taking another screw from your hand Tech used his feet to scoot the seat he was on closer. Getting a more clear look at the small areas he was working on, you moved closer as well; Tech unphased and even somewhat enjoying the feeling of your hovering around his side watching.

Meanwhile Echo, currently in the pilot’s seat during Tech’s temporary absence, leaned his elbow on the seat’s arm to look around at Hunter. He’d come in here and was now leaning against the wall behind the co-pilot’s seat, watching the area outside through the main viewport. The sun was beginning to set; Hunter would take a quick lap around the area they’d landed to check for anything out of the ordinary once they were fully down. Echo was the first one to break the silence, rolling his eyes.

“Do you think he’s done with that junk yet? I seriously need help fixing the boiler before we’re stuck taking ice showers and not just cold ones.” Wrecker groaned at that aspect, having stopped throwing his helmet in the air mindlessly while Omega tried to catch it. Hunter shook his head at Echo.

“Don’t bother; Those two are too busy nerding it up and fawning all over each other.”

Tech didn't look away from his hands for a moment, speaking up in response to them complaining.

“We can hear you, you know.” The others failed to answer back, but it was quite easy for you to hear them still grumbling. Tech had not a care beyond that initial comment, and continued working shortly thereafter.

Looking to do something else but not having enough hands to do so, Tech handed you a spare set of gloves, before gesturing to the table.

“Hold those wires in place, please? Those ones go on t-.” You rolled your eyes and moved to keep the exposed parts of each wire touching the correct portions.

“These are output wires and these are input. This is easy stuff, Tech.” He glanced over your hands and saw nothing wrong. He was however, getting an odd feeling in his chest after realizing you'd been paying attention to what he was saying all this time.

“It doesn’t hurt to review the basics.” Leaned to the side Tech pressed a kiss to your temple, before looking down and moving to grab the soldering iron.

Unable to not overhear the two of you Hunter groaned, and you could hear his head bump against the wall from where he was in the cockpit. To think, at first he'd been happy Tech had found someone.