#crosshair is going to start shit but he can't end it

[stars-n-spice]

I need to lock these gay ass motherfuckers all in a room.

For science.

[clone-anon-after-dark]

Heyo!!! It's Chopper (again. What can I say? I'm addicted to your writing)

Could you do a Crosshair x Male reader where the reader tries to top but gets too flustered so Crosshair takes over? (I don't know where this idea came from but I can't write sexy shit to save my fuckin life-😅)

Topping

Crosshair x M!Reader

Word Count: 1098

Warnings: NSFW, minors DNI, unprotected PiA, brief handjob, blowjob, kissing, reader gets flustered, dirty talk, some foreplay (story starts at the end of foreplay), aftercare

A/N: I'm glad you like my writing! I tried to follow the prompt. Established relationship, Crosshair knows what he wants and we love that for him, but he wants you to say what you want too. Definitely some soft!Crosshair here

You stood along the side of the bed and looked down at Crosshair. He let you take the lead for the first time and was more than happy to let you treat his body with affection. You took your time and tried to help both of you relax. It wasn’t that he insisted on being in charge, but you were comfortable as a bottom. 

He held his thighs up and grinned at you in anticipation. You swallowed as you gazed down at his form and rubbed circles around this hole with your thumb. You nearly shook, leaning forward and kissing his chest with the head of your cock pressed against his entrance. You hoped your nervousness didn’t show, but it never got passed his eyes. 

“Something wrong?” he asked. “You don’t like having me spread out for you?” he asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“You know that’s not true,” you said, trying to control your breathing.

“Tell me what you want from me,” he said sincerely, trying to encourage you.

You wanted him, wanted to feel him and bury yourself inside him. You wanted to watch him sigh at the feeling the same way you felt when he was on top of you. You wanted to kiss his chest and hold him as you fucked, but somehow the words wouldn’t come out. 

“I… I want you.”

“You have me,” he replied, arching his hips in an effort to encourage you to press inside him.

Your eyes searched his. You weren’t exactly good at taking on this role, but didn’t want to let him down. Your hands ran over his thighs and rested on top of his hands. You felt stuck there like you couldn’t stop looking at him and couldn’t quite take the plunge.

Crosshair let go of his legs and sat up, resting on his elbows. He wordlessly reached forward and ran his fingers around your jaw and kissed your lips. He didn’t break eye contact and you smiled at him, feeling your heart swell. It wasn’t a scrutinizing look. He simply observed and tried to gauge what you both needed.

“Maybe I’m not good at this,” you whispered.

He shook his head, eyebrows knitting briefly. 

“Do you still want me?” he asked.

“Of course I do,” you countered.

“Do you want to be in charge or are you open to suggestions?” he asked.

“What do you suggest?” you replied.

“You just lie back and let me ride you.”

“Oh, I’s like that.”

“Good.”  He grinned. You laid back in bed and got comfortable. 

“Tell me what you want,” he said, looking at your now half-hard cock. He was clearly trying to talk you through it, but it eased your mind. He still wanted you. 

“S-suck,” was all you could get out but he happily obliged. He left little kisses along your hips before kissing his way from your base to tip. He took you in his mouth and started bobbing his head, using his lips to add suction in the way he knew you liked. You watched, trying your best to keep your breathing steady and not finish too quickly. Using his mouth was one of his many talents. It was even better to see him play with his balls while he pleasured you.

“That’s enough,” you said after several minutes.

“Nice and wet,” he said with a smirk. “Ready?”

You nodded. He was in charge at this point, but you didn’t mind. You took in his long form as he straddled your hips, took your length in his hand, lined himself up, and slowly sank onto you with a content sigh. He rested his hands on your chest and started to ride you. 

Your breathing came in heavy pants. He felt incredible and looked even better playing with his cock while he took you. He placed each hand on either side of your head, leaned down, and kissed you, slowing his movements enough to focus on capturing your lips. As you parted just enough to look up at him and before you could stop yourself, you uttered, “Let me,” and held his hips in place while slowly thrusting up into him. 

“Fuck,” was all you could say.

“Take what you want,” he muttered between low grunts at the sensation of your cock massaging him from inside. You found a steady pace and couldn’t stop the moan that left your lips. Crosshair adjusted his position and rested his head in the crook of your neck, his length rubbing along your abdomen as you continued to fuck him. Being enveloped in him while you continued to bury yourself in his asshole felt intoxicating. You held out for as long as you could, but remembered to take care of him, wanting to make sure he came first.

“Crosshair, I’m…” 

Just then he came, sputtering his cum between both your stomachs. He didn’t move his face from where he was nestled against you, but brought his hips lower so you could thrust deeper.  You moaned louder and finished inside him. 

Your arms snaked around him and held him close as both your bodies melted against each other, now spent. You played with his hair and kissed his forehead. He was usually the one holding you and it felt nice to switch it up. You wanted him to feel just as loved and cared for as he made you feel. 

“I’m sorry that didn’t go entirely as planned,” you said, eventually breaking the silence.

He shook his head and looked at you with the softest smile you’d ever seen.

“Don’t be sorry. It felt good.”  He searched your face and kissed your jawline before adding, “Don’t be afraid to say what you want either.”

“I just got a little flustered,” you said. 

“Did you have fun, though?” he asked, already sure he knew the answer.

“Yes,” you grinned, kissing him again and holding him a little closer. “I really enjoyed fucking your ass.”

“Mmm.” His lone vocal response was not unusual, but his expression said everything. He liked when you said exactly what you wanted. Crosshair was safe and loved you. He wanted you to feel good. 

“And I enjoyed being fucked in the ass by you,” he said, being sure to cause any uncertainty to vanish.

You reached for the towel on the nightstand and carefully cleaned you both up before saying, “I could go for a hot shower, actually.”

He got up and offered you a hand. A long shower proved to be the best way to wind down before falling back into bed together. 

Tagging: @chopper-base @staycalmandhugaclone @dukeoftheblackstar

[waywardwritesstuff]

Sleeping with the Shooter: A Crosshair X M!Reader

Crosshair X M!Reader (platonic/brotherly) Word Count: 1,489

Tags: fluff, comfort, platonic, intended to be brotherly (NOT INCEST)

Summary: It's been a while since The Bad Batch have been able to take a rest from missions on their home world of Kamino. But reader can't help but notice that things are changing, especially within the world of Clones. He seeks comfort in his brother Crosshair on the long journey home through hyperspace.

A/N: this is a self-indulgent one-shot I wrote for myself but I thought that maybe some others in the fandom could use the comfort from the ending of The Bad Batch. Enjoy!

Another long mission, another long flight back to Kamino, another sleepless night in the cock-pit of the Marauder. I was sitting in the cockpit, my legs up on the dashboard watching the light from the stars flash by us as we jumped through hyperspace. It was calming, serene, a gentle break from all the blaster fire, destruction and pressure of our missions. I was born to be a soldier, but this life was starting to feel less and less like mine. I’m starting to notice our disposability, it urks me, but there is nothing I can do about it, which bothers me even more.

As I continue to stare into hyperspace I feel a disturbance beside me. A creak confirmed my suspicion as the seat to my left now had the body of one of my brothers slumped into it.

“Tech’s not going to appreciate you having your boots on the dash.”

I shrug, “What he doesn’t know won’t kill him”

“Do you ever actually sleep?” Crosshair’s deep voice rattled out again.

“Do you?” I retort without looking at him.

He huffs continuing on whatever conversational path he had planned out in his mind.

“Your thinking too much again, aren’t you” It’s not a question, it’s a statement. Blunt and plain.

But not without a hint of concern, something our brothers often miss when talking to Crosshair, I can hear it, the underlying emotions in his speech that our brothers cannot.

“How can I not-“ I respond “- its in my code, my programming” I knock on my head, a dull thud sounding back.

I sigh and continue to watch the stars as they whizz past us, focusing on one flash of light until it's gone and then focusing on the next, I can feel my eyes flitting around in their sockets. He sighs as well and I see him, in my peripherals, lean forward, elbows on his knees, chin resting on the fingers of his curled-over shooting hand.

“What is it this time?”

“Us” I say darkly

“Us?”

“Us, our purpose, our reasoning, our next mission for the republic, us” I elaborate numbly.

He’s heard this all before and every time he tries to convince me that the Republic will always have a purpose for us, they made us, and they need us. The same old bullshit. He never sees how they treat our brothers. We come and go too quickly and our names just become numbers in a data bank, dust that litters the battlefields of the galaxy.

Crosshair maintains the silence without giving me one of his usually patriotic responses. I listen to his breaths, the nasally sound as his lungs push the filtered air of the ship in and out. As I’m watching the stars go by I don’t notice that Crosshair has stood up and walked over to my seat, I am too lost, in space and in my own mind. I nearly jump out of my seat when he puts a hand on my shoulder. Out of reflex I immediately turn and grab his wrist forcing it back.

“Shit” he cries and I let go of his wrist instantly

“Damnit it Crosshair…sorry” I mutter

“No, that one was my fault”

I inhale sharply and close my eyes for a moment, hugging my arms to myself before blinking them back open. Crosshair is still standing there, though noticeably a pace or so back from my chair. He looks at the ground thinking a moment before he looks at me and nods his head in the direction of our shared room. If you could even call it that.

I was the second biggest compartment of the ship aside from Storage, it was deck out with standard issue barrack bunks, with a few personal touches of course. Wrecker and Tech on one set, Wrecker's bunk is always decorated with Lula sitting in the corner by his head and Tech, as usual, has fallen asleep with his data pad hanging loosely from his fingers. The next is Hunter and Crosshair’s bunk, Hunter’s bandana hangs on the edge of his bed and Crosshair's bunk is empty, though I know he keeps a chest under his bed with some nicknacks from missions and planets we have visited, but I never bring it up. And lastly, Echo and I, Echo’s bed is also empty and mine is covered in a few bits of graffiti here and there.

My bunk is on the bottom which is why I assume that Crosshair is gesturing towards my bunk instead of his own. He climbs into my bunk and gestures for me to follow. The notion takes me aback slightly, none of us have had to share a bunk since we were younglings, not out of necessity or choice. We used to do it when we were still developing in the Kaminoan facility, making sure to stay close to one another. Minus Echo of course, we weren’t joined by him until much later. But Crosshair had always been off put by the idea of sharing sleeping quarters when there was an option to sleep apart, even when we were kids, so this gesture was not something that was normal for him to so willingly offer.

However it would seem that Crosshair could see what kind of struggle I was facing in my head, my programming though good for tactical advantages and strategy is not ideal for anything else. Maybe my state had become more noticeable as of late. I would need to make sure to rein that in as to not screw up future mission.

I climb in beside him in my bunk and he shuffles over so that his arm is bent underneath me. I rest my head on his chest and once I’m settled he curls his arm over my shoulder and cups the back of my head, placing his gloveless fingers into the mess that is my hair. The softness of the touch from his hand takes me by surprise, it was unlike him to be so gentle. He was swift, aggressive and tactical, it was his design. But his nature was not his design, he could be gentle, and he was very calm at times when he chose to be. I know this, and yet still the gesture does not fit with the image I have of my brother.

My head rests on his torso, right where the red marking that we all share on our breastplates would be. His heart thrumming a steady rhythm under his ribs, I follow the sound in my head, counting the time between each beat thump bump thump bump thump bump. The sound of it and the gentle but sturdy feeling of his torso underneath my chest had made me feel safer than I ever had. All I had known was War but this…this made me feel like I could have faith in the hope of life after war, maybe one where me and my brothers have freedom and true autonomy.

I divert my attention to his hand in my hair and focus on the bend of his fingers that are cupped around my head. The smoothness of his palm. Maybe tonight won’t be a sleepless night after all. I know how the brain responds to stimuli that are connected to memories and feelings of being safe, but I know all of that in theory. Not in practice.

Following this train of thought my mind wanders and I get lost, staring into the wall above Wrecker's head on the other side of the compartment. Briefly I wonder if Crosshair needs this as much as I do, and he’s using me as an excuse and guise to get this attention he needs, whatever the case I am happy to give it, not only for myself but for him. I know what Crosshair is like, he never takes care of himself, he takes better care of his rifle than he does his own mind and body.

I am pulled out of these thoughts, my eyes suddenly refocusing as his other hand comes into view of my face. I think that maybe he is just moving in his sleep and waiting for him to settle down again, but he isn’t moving like he’s asleep, his hand is moving lightly towards my face, almost as if cautious. He is still awake. His hand finally come to rest on my cheek, the barest contact between my face and his hand, but he holds it nonetheless and whispers something

“You’re a good kid” I bite my lip at his statement, and my eyes begin to sting. What the hell am I crying for?

‘It’s the stimuli to positive attention after an absence of it’ I remind myself.

I breathe deeply and absently I nuzzle into his hand and hum contentedly. And with that, at least for tonight, I am at peace and drift off to sleep.

I take requests if you like what you see then send in something per my guidelines

[antianakin]

I feel like this show has just... missed an entire opportunity to undo some of the damage they did with introducing TBB the way they did by having Crosshair's "redemption arc" such as it is come about because he has to face his prejudice about the real clones and recognize that he's WRONG about them. All of them. Not just a few that he decides to like, ALL OF THEM. He was wrong to hate them, he was wrong to bully them, he was wrong to consider them the same, he was wrong to consider them expendable, he was wrong to give them a rude nickname.

Now, let's be honest, they should've had this be the whole point of their arc in TCW season 7 when they got introduced. By the end of the arc, they've all been schooled and they offer Echo a place among them because they don't see "regs" as inferior to them, Echo included, and are willing to let him join their little ragtag family if he needs a safe place to heal from his trauma.

But they didn't, and instead, season 1 of TBB doubled down on the whole idea that they were all bullied by the real clones on Kamino. They apparently have TOLD Omega that they hate all of the real clones and she has adopted that same philosophy.

Season 2 offered a rare opportunity to undo that radically stupid decision via Crosshair. He's the only one who is regularly around the real clones to any degree and he was the one who was the MOST vocal and aggressive about his hatred of them out of the entire squad. He was the most provocative and dismissive and cruel. So it would make SENSE that, after he decides that his own squad has abandoned him to the Empire and chooses to stay with the Empire rather than return to TBB, that he'd have an arc where the reason he starts to turn on the Empire is because the only people he's got LEFT to bond with are the real clones who are being treated like shit by the Empire.

It wouldn't take much. Have one of them approach him at his stupid lonely table and they get to talking and Crosshair brings up a rude snarky assumption about "all you regs" and his new companion just laughs and is like "that's not true, where'd you hear THAT?" and Crosshair just has to stay silent because, well, he'd made an assumption and can't admit to it. Have Crosshair get assigned to a clone squad and he complains about all the ways it's going to be TERRIBLE and he pushes back against it SO HARD but of course the Empire doesn't care and forces him to go anyway, but by the end of the episode all of those assumptions are proven wrong and Crosshair's actually grown to like this new squad but they get moved off to a different assignment or they're all killed or disappeared or SOMETHING and he never sees them again.

The opportunity to actually allow Crosshair a REAL ARC because he's the ONLY CHARACTER who can grow or develop on this show at all was RIGHT THERE and they IGNORED IT.

[eriexplosion]

Vibrating excitedly because it's time for Battle Scars and I am READY.

Obsessed with this opening honestly. Everything is happening at once. Everyone is yelling. Echo is just trying to get the hyperdrive back online. Omega has named the lizard. (Interesting that it IS Ruby and she picked the name... but when we see it with Roland, the name is in fact Ruby. So either she DIVINED THE NAME or Roland hadn't named her yet and somehow the Ruby name got passed to him and he's like. Yeah this is a Ruby. Great instincts kid I will surely never meet!)

Also crawling onto Wrecker's face, he is ALREADY HAVING A BAD TIME. IT'S GONNA GET WORSE.

Successful Cid job tally: 1 failed, 2 successes

Hunter's very doubtful UH-HUH... THE KID. is so cute.... I miss him, season 2 Hunter is SO FUCKING DEPRESSED. LIKE LITERALLY ABOUT TO LAY DOWN AND SLEEP FOR 200 YEARS DEPRESSED.

Cornered introduced them to Money and Bribes, Battle Scars introduces them to CREDIT CARD DEBT.

TWENTY CARTONS OF MANTELL MIX. JUST BEEN PUTTING IT ON CID'S TAB THE WHOLE TIME.

Bolo and Ketch trying to fight Rex is SO fucking funny. Boys you won't win that one. Go sit down.

I'M SORRY I AM NEVER OVER TECH PIPING UP WITH "THAT'S NOT HER UGLY SIDE?" DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF CID. ABSOLUTE LACK OF SHITS TO GIVE. LOOK AT HIS FIELD OF FUCKS AND NOTE THAT IT IS BARREN.

We do love Rex's poncho disguise. Nothing says stealth like having your EXTREMELY DISTINCTIVE ARMS ON DISPLAY.

"Being dead in the Empire's eyes has its advantages" sounds like another line that could come back with Tech.

CUTE SMILES <3

Rex immediately kneeling down to talk to Omega is adorable but when she gets way into his personal space he looks SO NERVOUS AND ANXIOUS. AND THEN SHE TELLS HIM HE HAS WRINKLES.

Tech very casually like OUR INHIBITOR CHIPS DON'T WORK EXCEPT IN CROSSHAIR like yes Wrecker is having migraines, etc, but it's probably fine. Genius that cannot conceive of his family continuing to dwindle so he just assumes Wrecker will be okay probably. He has to be right?

Still seeing Rex go for his blaster for them hurts me.

HUNTER STANDING IN FRONT OF TECH THOUGH WHEN THINGS GET TENSE. HE PROTECT.

I don't want to bury anymore of our brothers.

Listen I do still think it's funny that Rex unlike Cut has Zero Reaction to Crosshair being missing and apparently has not asked, but I do think that it would be interesting to get him talking about the chips with Crosshair. Rex has no reason to lie to make him feel better. You can't resist the chips and Crosshair isn't special in that regard.

Wrecker thinks he's nervous about the surgery now but soon he gets to see that the surgery suite is also a complete wreck!

Obsessed with this shot WHY does Tech looks like he belongs in blurry bigfoot footage?

Rex not mentioning Ahsoka makes so much sense actually he has no idea what might make their chips suddenly activate so best not to mention the help he got from a former Jedi

So Wrecker starts out getting attacked by a lizard, has a horrifying migraine, has to go across a terrifying pit on a cord which immediately breaks, smacks him into a wall, and dangles him upside down by one leg to fish for some sort of horrid creature. AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE FOR HIM FROM HERE.

Tech complaining about the cleanliness again like he didn't live in some sort of biohazard train wreck in a bed that looks like this

God the way Omega is already worried about being left all alone in Battle Scars. Baby, I want you to have your whole family back so bad more than I've wanted anything ever. Also Hunter's response here is "You're stuck with us for the long run" and I just feel like it would be exceptionally mean spirited to have that and then have Omega alone at the end like a lot of theories predict.

God the moment that Wrecker grabs Tech is still the most fucking chilling thing. And obviously the chip was already activating but I wonder if it's what Hunter was talking about, saying 'at least we helped the Padawan escape' that finally pushed it over the edge.

THE MUSIC CUTTING OUT WHEN WE ZOOM IN ON WRECKER'S PUPIL EXPANDING.

Someone pointed out ONE TIME that when Wrecker is pinning him to the wall Hunter tries to tap out by tapping his wrists twice and I can never again NOT notice that. Trying to get through to Wrecker but Wrecker's not in right now. It's just the fucking chip.

HE WAS JUST GOING TO MURDER THE FUCKING CHILD.

Chipped Wrecker is terrifying and honestly vital to see before we get to Reunion. The viewer NEEDS to understand just how unbeatable the chips are in order to understand Crosshair's character arc, we need to see it in someone that we know is completely trustworthy and good in order to see how much it Does Not Matter how good you are.

The thing with this show is that I've always felt like it REALLY understands where it's going with its narrative. Whatever else people might think about it, it does understand how to lay the groundwork to support the themes and family dynamics and it does feel completely sketched out.

Omega honey shaking him will not make Wrecker wake up faster please give him some breathing room.

EVERYONE FALLING ASLEEP AROUND WRECKER. MY HEART.

The way Tech pops straight up from being completely conked out in a chair KILLS ME.

They went so far as to shave like a quarter of Tech's head for the surgery but they didn't touch Hunter's at all. He allowed exactly one (1) square inch to be shaved off and he immediately hid it under his fucking bandana.

The animation is so detailed though, they left hair stubble behind even.

Here Wrecker eat Omega's pocket mix that she has been carrying for who knows how long.

Hunter saying he's still figuring out what's best for his squad. End of season two he still doesn't have it yet.

Rex mysteriously fucking vanishing into the fog is so funny, that is exactly how to exit the screen. Just fade into the fog like a mysterious unicorn.

And of course the Doom Ending to lead into Reunion.

[dangraccoon]

Oyuba’din - Chapter 29: Return

Summary: Jaine speaks with an old friend as the squad grapples with the result of her fall.

Warnings: mild language, canon typical (ish) battle

Author’s Note: Guess who's back, back again, Jainey's back, tell a friend

2 chapters remain

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“Shit,” Jaine groaned as she resurfaced in the same little pond as she had before. She stood up and walked out of the water, body and clothes drying as she did. “Stars fucking damn it.”

“Such language, Little One,” the Chromira chuckled.

“You’ve heard worse,” Jaine grimaced.

The soft light of the Chromira swirled around her, a familiar warmth flooding her chest. “And not just from you.”

“How long this time?” Jaine said, sitting down in the clover-filled clearing.

“A while longer than last time,” she hummed. “You should really be more careful, child.”

Jaine shrugged. “I guess. Seems like it doesn’t matter though.”

“How so?”

“It’s getting more frequent, isn’t it? I come back here more often.”

The Chromira grew silent, the warmth of her light fading just a touch. 

Jaine heaved a sigh, laying back onto the clovers. “Will this ever end?”

The Chromira didn’t answer, and Jaine looked at the light curiously. “Are you…okay?” she asked.

“Hm? Oh, yes. I was distracted for a moment,” The Chromira mumbled, clearly still not totally here. 

“What- what’s going on?”

The Chromira was quiet for a while longer, Jaine worried that if she interrupted the silence this time she wouldn’t know what could be happening.

After what felt like a small eternity, the Chromira hummed to herself a little. “It seems he was able to find a way to sleep.”

“He? He who?” Jaine urged, slowly getting to her feet.

“Your Starlight,” she answered simply before flying away.

“Starlight?” Jaine pondered aloud. “H-hunter?”

She looked in the direction the light of the Chromira flew off in.

“Hunter! I’m here!” she shouted as loud as she could. “Hunter!”

The Chromira reappeared as she started running.

“Child, you cannot-”

“I need to-” she panted, vaguely aware that the Chromira was slowing her movement. “No! Let me see him!”

“Jaine-”

“I need to see him!”

“Jaine! Where are you?” she heard him call and her heart felt like it would pound through her ribcage. 

“Hunter!” she screamed, her legs burning and her lungs feeling like they'd explode.

She shouted his name again, trying desperately to reach him, catching the shortest glimpse of him as he fell out of the dreamscape.

“No,” she cried, falling to her knees. “I need to get back to them.”

“I know, child,” the Chromira answered sadly.

“I need-” she sniffed. “I need to tell them-”

“I’m sure they already know.”

-

“Stay down, damn it!” Hunter barked over the comms.

“Do you want to get off this stars-forsaken planet or not?” Tech’s reply came.

“Not getting out of here if you’re dead, Tech!”

“Your concern is noted, but not necessary.”

“Echo-”

“Already on my way,” he answered, quickly catching up to his goggled squadmate.

“Crosshair, we need height,” Hunter ordered.

“I can’t leave Jaine,” Crosshair growled back, his voice straining.

“We’re not-”

A harsh, pained noise from Wrecker sounded over the comms, followed quickly by a string of curses from the sergeant.

“We need to regroup,” he hissed. “Forget about getting to the Marauder, it’s too far.”

Tech turned back, exchanging a quick glance with Echo.

Echo looked over the scene from the ridge they’d found themselves on.

“Up there!” he heard a B1 call, pointing right at him and Tech.

“Shit,” he heard Tech breathe, both of them hitting the ground as a barrage of blasterfire hit above them, grateful for the cover the rocks on the side of the ledge gave them.

“Get your asses down here, we can't get to Wrecker,” Crosshair shouted.

“We’re a bit busy at the moment,” Tech answered, peering over the rocks and firing a few quick shots.

“Jaine?” Crosshair nearly whispered.

The blasterfire seemed slow and Echo heard a few battle droids scream. He pulled himself up to peek over the rock ridge, not sure he could believe what he was seeing.

“Is that-”

“Jaine?” Tech finished.

Below them, bursts of bright red lightning were flashing, seemingly in every direction. Rows of droids fell to the ground, fried beyond use. Tanks were lifted and slammed back down on top of more clankers. At the center of the carnage, there she was. Hair flowing wildly around in the wind she created, eyes glowing red, her armor cracked and covered in mud, Jaine stood, crimson power flowing from her. 

They were gone - the whole battalion - in a few moments. Surrounded by the masses of broken battle droids, burning tanks, and scorch marks across the dirt, was Jaine. Standing, breathing heavily, but so alive. Echo thought he was hallucinating.

“Jaine!” Crosshair shouted sharply, darting out to her, catching her just before she hit the ground, unconscious once more. He was quickly joined by Hunter and Wrecker, who was rolling his shoulder back and wincing.

Echo and Tech slid down the ridge easily, rejoining the group.

They heard Crosshair, helmet discarded, pressing his forehead against Jaine.

“I knew you would come back to me.”

Thanks for reading! - River

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[staycalmandhugaclone]

The bad batch, Gregor, Howzer, Rex, Wolffe, and Cody all go to a Hibachi place. Who gets Hibachi, who gets sushi, who gets noodle bowls, who sings every time someone in the restaurant has happy birthday sung to them, and who gets miso soup? (Obviously they can all choose multiple things.)

So... many... That poor restaurant...

Let's go down the list!

Wrecker: He'd sing, he'd get Hibachi, and sushi, and noodle bowls and miso soup, and the wait staff love him too much to even mind the mess he makes, and love him even more when he helps clean up after (he may be messy at home, but dude knows not to do that shit in someone elses' place)

Tech: Miso Soup (it actually has been found to have several health benefits), and Hibachi, that way he can ensure everything is cooked correctly - plus he secretly really likes the show. He does not sing. Unless you get him drunk.

Crosshair: Noodle Bowl - it's quick and simple, and has all the nutrients and calories he needs without a ton of fuss. He'll throw utensils at anyone who sings and he'll make eye contact while he does it (except Omega of course)

Echo: He'd get the miso, too, but, depending on how good it is, might not finish if it's too salty. I think he'd initially go for the noodle bowl, but, if he's in a good mood, he'll do Hibachi just for the fun. The singing though? ... yeah, not likely to happen

Hunter: Sushi - the flavors are more subtle, but still incredible, and he'd rather stand a bit back during the Hibachi shenanigans - just a bit too much going on for him to relax during it. He doesn't sing initially, but them Omega gives him a look and reluctantly joins in

Omega: She get Hibachi because that's so COOL, but wants to try all of the things, so ends of just snacking off of everyone's plates. And oh yes. She sings. And when she learned what the song means, she then insists and "figuring out" everyone's birthdays so they can start celebrating them for each other, too!

Gregor: Oh Hibachi all the way! And he steals a nibble from the plates of whoever's around him when they're not looking, but he can't not giggle while he does it so always gets caught. And proceeds to finish putting the stolen food in his mouth anyway with a big grin. He sings loud and off-key and makes everyone smile so damn brightly because of it

Howzer: Yes to Miso - it's healthy and a good appetizer. He'd get the noodle bowl, but he'd also get a few bits of sashimi - nothing too crazy. He doesn't sing initially but, like Hunter, yields beneath Omega's insistence.

Rex: Another one for Hibachi - he can't help but think how much Fives would have loved it, and maybe the quiet evening could do with just a pinch of controlled chaos. He does not sing. Guys. Really. Come on, we came here to relax, not announce our presence to the whole damn restaurant.

Wolffe: He'll get some sushi as an appetizer and the Hibachi for his main course. It's rare he gets to indulge, so he's going to take advantage, but like hell is he going to let on how much he's actually enjoying the food. Until the kriffing singing starts... He gives Gregor the meanest glare before yielding with a disappointed eye-roll and getting back to his food.

Cody: This man has learned to appreciate the finer things in life, so he's going for pure sushi. He'll even get the weird stuff no one can pronounce so he can recommend them to Obi later. And yes. He sings. Much to everyone's shock and Gregor's absolute delight. His voice isn't loud and boisterous, but he lends a subtle undertone to it and unabashedly meets the eyes of anyone gawking at him (Obi taught him)

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[magicalqueennightmare]

Sins & Amends Chapter 23

(Gif by @ banditthewriter)

Billy Russo x Female Reader (60 part story)

This follows pre- the punisher into the storyline of daredevil, punisher season 1 and beyond

This is NOT Canon Billy. This is decent human being Billy left with bad options over worse decisions

This was also posted to A03 under: WaywardGaPeach. That account and this one is the only place you'll see me post this. If you see it on any other platform/account know it's not me.

Chapter Summary/Warnings: Things fall apart in court, you end up taking your anger out on Billy and grow closer with Karen, Matt and Foggy

The next morning you headed to the courthouse first thing. You knew it would be crowded but you weren't exactly trying to get a seat up front. Hell you were hoping to blend with the crowd so Frank wouldn't spot you.

 You slid into the back and saw that while Foggy and Karen were sitting at the defense table with Frank but Matt was missing and felt anger boil up. He couldn't let the vigilante bullshit slide long enough to help Frank? 

When the judge called for opening statements you felt your stomach turn at Reyes saying that Frank was a psycho and talking about his so called victims. You ended up literally biting down on your tongue to the point the coppery taste of blood filled your mouth.

Once Foggy stood to give opening statement you took a deep breath. You watched the jury as he spoke and realized he'd in fact used a lot of what you'd told him the night before and some of the jurors seemed to actually be listening. The doors to the courtroom opened and you rolled your eyes when you saw it was Matt just now coming in.

By the time Foggy finished his opening statement you were left with a small flicker of hope. Maybe he could really help Frank. The judge dismissed court for the day saying that witness testimony would start the following day.

You slid out as soon as Frank was taken from the room and was headed for the door when Karen called your name. You turned with a half smile knowing you'd been busted "I thought you had to work today?" You shook your head "Nope I'm off today" "I'm glad Frank didn't see you" you grimaced slightly at the tone she had. It reminded you a bit of Maria "I hid to make sure. I had to catch what I could i mean come on"

She smiled then "Well what did you think of Foggy's opening statement?" By then the guys had joined you so you said "I liked it. It was a nice thick slice of bullshit that hopefully sunk into some of those jurors even if some of what he said sounded familiar" Foggy smiled nervously "Who better to quote?" You shot him a wink then checked the time "Shit I got an appointment I gotta get to but Karen please keep me in the loop?" She nodded "Of course" 

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

After the official appointment with Kenzie to satisfy Chief Michelson that you were looking after your mental health you ended up catching up with Curt for dinner.

You sat across the table from him picking at the Chinese food "How's Mia?" You asked and he nodded "She's good. Says to tell you hey. How did opening statements go?" You knew better than trying to lie so you said "Reyes is a bitch and Nelson has turned out to be a decent lawyer" 

He shook his head "Y/N didn't Frank ask for you not to be in the courthouse? He doesn't want your face in the public eye" you knew that and god you didn't want to be difficult but you couldn't stand not doing anything "I know Curt. I'm being safe like Frank asked. I know he doesn't want to risk us but can you blame me for wanting to know what's going on?"

He held your gaze for a second then sighed "No but please for the love of god let Page keep you informed ok? I don't want to see you hurt and Frank can't handle anyone else dying" you ducked your head down feeling a little like a child being scolded although you knew everyone was trying to help keep you out of any crosshairs. "I promise Curt"

Conversation turned to a call you'd went on the previous week where you and Alice had ended up delivering twin girls one of whom was breach so talk of the trial was left alone for the time being.

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

You were pulling a double shift since Ash had ended up having a family emergency so you were at the station house when Karen called you. You walked out the bunk room where you'd been laying down into the common area "What happened with Tepper?"

She took a shaky breath then said "Oh he admitted to everything but seeing as someone apparently threatened him first into altering everything and giving you false ashes then again last night into testifying his confession and any proof we have is worthless" "son of a bitch" you had to keep your voice down considering you were still technically in trouble for the blow up against Kayla since Chief Michelson had no other choice but to write you up.

"Don't panic yet. We still have Schoonover's testimony"  "Let me know what happens?" "Of course" you hung up and stared at your phone. This was getting worse and worse.

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

The next day Schoonover and a doctor who handled only traumatic brain injuries like Frank's would be testifying. You had already made too many promises to stay away from the courthouse so you ended up wandering around while you waited for Karen's call.

You'd just left the flower shop to head to the cemetery when your phone started ringing. You pulled it out to see it was Karen "Please tell me Schoonover's testimony was good?" "Reyes was floundering after it" you could hear the smile in her voice so you allowed yourself to take a breath "What's next?" You questioned. "We had a small break. I'll let you know what happens next. I gotta go" "Thanks Karen" "You're welcome"

You slid your phone into your pocket then continued down the sidewalk.

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

A little over two hours passed which found you walking out your favorite coffee shop when Karen called again "Y/N we had a set back" You stopped walking to ask "What happened?" She went into detail about how the doctor's testimony went over well with the jury but that after he was done the kid of one of Frank's "victims" had an outburst in the courtroom. "Fuck" you repeated for the sixth time.

"He's testifying. I talked him into it" you opened your eyes when she said that. "Then what?" "I don't know honestly. I just wanted to make sure you knew" you noticed yet again she'd skipped over mention of Matt. From what you'd gathered she was dating him so if she didn't know he was daredevil what did she think he was doing to rank missing the biggest trial they'd ever had? You didn't really care. What would happen to Frank if Reyes got her wish? She wanted the fucking death penalty because she was neck deep in the cover-up.

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

You were so lost in your own mind you hadn't realized you'd walked blocks. Your phone rang and you saw it was Alice calling to see how the trial was going. You answered it with a shaky hand realizing you were on the opposite side of town "It's falling down Alice. I'm afraid Reyes is gonna get her wish. She wants him dead or in gen pop of prison which lets face it is the same thing" 

"Just calm down babe. Foggy is good at his job. He'll figure something out" you knew she was trying to calm you down but it wasn't working. You were pissed at the entire thing. You were pissed at the people who'd killed Maria and the kids, pissed at those in the cover-up. You were pissed at Reyes and the whole damn district attorney's office. You were pissed you couldn't testify.

You glanced up and realized you were at Anvil or across the street. You hadn't seen Billy since the morning after the night you'd spent with him. Why wasn't he trying to help Frank? You focused your anger on him and the building which at one time had held dreams of a future. One where you were happy and Frank wasn't broken. "Alice I'm probably about to get arrested at Anvil" "Y/N NO!" She said but you hung up. You quickly crossed the street and walked into the front door of the building.

The guy at the door looked you over when you walked in "Yes ma'am?" You forced a smile onto your face "Where's your boss? Russo" "Do you have an appointment?" He asked but you were already shoving past him after spotting what was clearly Billy's office.

He followed you shouting but the moment his hand closed around your upper arm you heard Billy's voice "If you value your job you'll take your hand off her" the guy quickly moved his hand and you glanced up to see Billy staring at you from a few feet away "Y/N is there something I can help you with?" "Can I talk to you?" You asked walking into his office without waiting for permission. He waved the doorman off then walked in behind you and shut the door.

You spun around to face him letting your anger fuel you before any other emotion could take over at seeing him "Why the fuck aren't you helping him Billy? I know you don't give a good god damn about me but he's your brother" 

He ran his tongue along his bottom teeth as you spoke and you knew it was something he did when he was irritated and just that knowledge of knowing him that well pissed you off even more. 

He was calm when he spoke "You could literally set fire to this building and I’d fucking let you but I’m not going to let you storm in here and tell me that I don’t love Frankie" 

"Then fucking act like it Billy! Schoonover testified! Where were you? Frank wouldn't let me near a witness stand in fact that was the only reason he agreed for Murdock and Nelson to represent him was if they kept me out of it. I can't lose him Billy. I lost Maria, Lisa, Frank Jr and.." You caught yourself before you added him onto the list of losses  "I can't lose anyone else"

He walked over and sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms “That’s life. You either lose people or push them away. Have you ever thought Frank is trying to push you away to save your ass and you’re making it harder on everyone who wants to keep you safe?”

You knew that but you didn't need Billy of all people reading the situation so well and telling you that. "Can you just fucking yell back at me or something? I came here because I figured you wouldn't care enough to spare my feelings" you admitted and saw a look flash through his dark eyes before he schooled his features “You know that even now and after all the bullshit I’ve done to you, I can’t do it. I know the shit your dad did, I know you don't like yelling and screaming so fucking rage. Tell me I'm a narcissist asshole. I deserve it"

"It wouldn't hurt me any worse than leaving me alone. I can't help him Billy do you know how that feels? My sister is dead and I can't even help her husband stay out of prison and" you wanted to add the one person who you thought you'd always be able to count on had up and left you because you apparently weren't good enough to keep him in love with you. 

His features softened at least momentarily “Can you just trust that I’m doing what I can?” for some reason you believed him.�� "Yeah even after everything if you say you're doing what you can I still believe you" 

He watched you for a second and you spotted Kenzie heading down the walkway towards his office. You were about to walk out but stopped when he said “Good, now are you done or do you want to yell at me some more? Genuinely, if you want to yell at me please do it. I want you to do what you need to do.” 

You were more confused than you'd been before walking in here. "Do I want to yell more? Yes. Will it do anyone any good? No. so I guess I'll leave with Kenzie. Sorry for storming in here like that" He pushed himself off his desk and your heart clenched with the familiarity of being so close to him. “Like I said, you could burn this place to the ground and I wouldn’t stop you. This place wouldn't have a name without you and I'd deserve it for hurting you"

You opened your mouth to respond but realized you didn't have one so you closed it back. The door to his office opened and Kenzie stood there looking between the two of you. "Alice sent me to be referee because I was closer. Is everything ok?" You turned your back to Billy and said "Yeah I was just apologizing for busting in and about to leave" "Ok want a ride?" She asked so you nodded then looked back at Billy "I was overly emotional this won't happen again"

----------

 He gave a sharp nod then watched the two of you walk out. There was so much he wanted to say but knew he couldn't. God he hated seeing you so hurt and not being able to help.

He did love Frank like a brother but he had to keep you alive and what he was doing was the only way to do that. He watched you leave and knew then and there he needed to find a few guys he trusted enough to keep an eye on you. There was too much attention on the trial to risk any turning to you. If it cost his life and what was left of his soul he'd make sure you were safe.

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

That point where you hit rock bottom and aren't sure how you even got there was about the moment you sat down in Kenzie's passenger seat and it registered that you'd walked into your ex boyfriend's company and yelled at him like a mad woman only for him to allow it. Did he still have that much of a presence in your mind that you managed to turn all your anger towards him? 

You managed to stay quiet until she pulled out onto the road then you said quietly "Can we go up to three days a week?" "Yeah sweetie no problem" was her only reply before she reached across to pat your leg "It's a normal human response. For years he was your emotional support. You've got to stop bottling your emotions. If there's things you can't tell me, tell Curtis or Alice or what's her name Karen. Just get it out so this doesn't happen again because later this is going to really fuck with your head with how far you've managed to come as far as he's concerned" 

You nodded keeping your eyes down. Embarrassment was now replacing your anger and you felt tears prickle your eyes "I'm so scared for Frank Kenz" "I know. How about you stay with us just for tonight ok?" You nodded feeling tears slide down your cheeks "I'm sorry for being a fucking headcase" she laughed and said "You're not a headcase Y/N your problem is that you try being too strong"

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

Getting the call from Karen that Frank had apparently sabotaged his own chances from his outburst of a testimony while you were walking into your apartment the next morning was kind of par for the course. While you were planning a time to meet her at the bulletin to talk to Mitchell Ellison the editor who she had at least a working relationship with your phone was beeping with another call. She apparently had photographic proof of a body being removed from the massacre and if what she suspected was true it was the same body that had been cremated and handed over to you as "Frank's ashes"

You glanced to see it was Foggy. You let it go to voicemail then finished the call with Karen because that was more important at the moment. You hung up with her then hit his number "Can we talk?" Was the first thing he said. "Like no other ears?" You asked "Yeah" you let out a sigh then said "I'm home. Swing by and we can talk" "Be there in ten"

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

Sitting at your table across from Foggy seemed like such a mundane setting despite the conversation being about Frank's disaster of a trial and Matt's vigilante issues. "So he literally said he won't give up red for the firm? And he had his ex girlfriend in his bed when Karen showed up to get his ass to finally show up to court?" You couldn't believe what you were hearing. Hell maybe all the vigilantes and their inner circles needed therapy of some sort.

"Foggy maybe you should move forward? I mean if he can't pull his head out his ass" you were one to be giving advice but he'd asked. "I know but since I started law school it was Nelson and Murdock" "and if it's meant to be it will happen" you replied and at his look you shrugged "Had an early therapy session and I'm now up to three days a week. It helps"

When he started to leave he said "Thanks Y/N I'm glad we all met you" "Same here Foggy" you replied with a smile then watched him leave. You had two hours to meet with Karen and Ellison before you had to get to work. You figured you should just take your med bag with you since she was picking you up so you headed to get dressed in your uniform.

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

You were waiting on the sidewalk when Karen pulled up. You cut your eyes at her missing passenger side mirror before climbing in "What happened there?" You asked and she smiled "Frank" "Oh" you sat your bag down in your floorboard and buckled up. "Should I say my bad or I'm sorry that he shot your mirror?" You didn't exactly know the etiquette for such. She shook her head "No that mirror is so far from my mind on the list of things I could be upset about"

You let her pull out onto the road before asking about Matt. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened "He's decided he doesn't want me or Foggy in his life. I don't know what exactly is going on with him" your heart ache at the expression on her face. You didn't know if it was the loss of him as a lover or a friend or just believing to not be good enough that was plaguing her the most. "If it makes you feel better I busted into my ex's company and yelled at him like I was the one needing an insanity plea" you offered and saw her crack a small smile "Yeah that does help a little" 

"and I think Matt is just dealing with a lot. Believe me I'm pissed at him too for flaking out during the trial but I don't think he meant to hurt you" she waved her hand as if to clear the air of talk about Matt then placed a large envelope down in your lap "What's this?"

"That is the proof of the cover up surrounding the massacre at the carousel. We're taking it to Mitchell Ellison. He's the editor in chief at the bulletin. I met him through a friend named Ben while working the Fisk case and if we have any hope of Frank getting out from under any of this or getting a possible target off your back he can expose it"

You let her words sink in and let out a breath. Maybe there was still a way to help Frank. Maybe you could still expose the truth. "Wait why am I here?" You asked and she half smiled "One I kind of just wanted to see a friendly face for a little while and you made Foggy see Frank differently. I think you can give Ellison some insight too" you checked the time to see you still had over an hour until your shift started "So I'm along as further proof of Frank's humanity basically?"  "Pretty much" she admitted with a pensive smile that turned more genuine when you replied "Fine by me. Let's see what we can get done"

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

"Mitchell Ellison this is Y/N Y/L/N" "Y/N this is Mitchell Ellison" you shook his offered hand once Karen got the introductions out the way. "So you're Karen's inside source on Frank Castle" "Who is going to remain off the record" Karen interrupted. You cracked a smile at her protective tone. You turned your attention to Ellison "That would be"

He showed you and Karen to a storage room that was lined with boxes and boxes of back records. You glanced around at the sheer volume until he said "Ok tell me what you know" you laid out what you knew about Frank as a person and Karen laid out what the two of you had managed to uncover about the cover-up. "So we go talk to Tepper" was his only response and something told you that you'd come to like Ellison. He dove in feet first at just Karen's words. 

You checked your watch "Are you going with Karen? I'm not sending her alone but I'm due at work in like twenty minutes" he watched you for a moment then raised one eyebrow "Oh Ben would've liked you too" Karen had told you some about the man so you took that as a compliment "Thank you now are you going with her?" He nodded so Karen turned to you "Grab your bag out my car and we'll drop you by the station house on the way. I'll come by after your shift to catch you up on anything we may learn"

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

Alice was standing on the sidewalk when you climbed out of Ellison's car and waved to Karen before they pulled off. 

You walked towards her and she smiled "There's my love! How are you honey?" You thought about it for a moment then answered as truthfully as possible "I got a long way to go but I know I'll get there" an almost proud look flashed through her eyes before she slung her arm around your shoulders "That's my partner I know and love. We may get knocked flat on our asses but we're always gonna get up and let life know she hits like a bitch" 

You laughed as you let her lead you inside "You've always had a way with words Alice"

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

A long shift later you'd been forced to change twice because one uniform ended up getting sprayed with blood while the other you didn't even want to discuss.

You were dead on your feet and grateful when Kenzie and Alice offered you a ride home. You waved as they pulled out onto the road then turned to head into your building. The lobby was empty so you continued to the elevator leaning heavily against the wall while the floors ticked by.

When it got to your floor you stepped off but froze when you saw Karen was next to your door. "What happened?" You spoke around the lump already forming in your throat. She shook her head and you could see tears in her eyes "Karen?" You quickly covered the space between the two of you gently touching her arm. "Frank's fine but there's some things I feel like I need to tell you"

You pulled your key out your bag and motioned to the door "Let's get inside then we'll talk"

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

You sat across from Karen silent as she told you not only what had happened the day her brother died but about killing Wilson Fisk's right hand man. You didn't want to interrupt her so you listened intently wishing you could do more besides give her hand a comforting squeeze when the tears would start.

Once she was finished she wouldn't meet your eyes "Still want to call me a friend?" A sharp laugh fell from your lips and her blue eyes flew up to meet yours "Karen a man I consider like a big brother is none other than the Punisher himself. I'm not judging you. What happened to Kevin was a horrible accident but it was just that, an accident. Now what happened to Wesley was kill or be killed and completely justified. I know killing someone has to take a toll but you're still alive. Through a weird and twisted fate we met but that seems to be how I've met all the people in my life that I consider my family now. Know you've got a friend here that isn't gonna judge you for damn near anything and if anyway possible I will always have your back"

She pulled you into a hug and you could practically feel the relief flood through her "Thank you Y/N and I promise to do everything I can to help you and Frank"

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

Karen ended up just crashing in your guest bedroom. It was so late by the time the two of you were through talking you didn't feel comfortable letting her leave so after coffee she headed home and said she'd talk to you later.

The later ended up being sooner than either of you thought considering NYPD was waiting to escort her to the courthouse because unbeknownst to any of you Frank had escaped the prison the night before and no one knew where he was headed or what he had planned next.

@intothesoul

@weallhaveadestiny

[freshie44]

Disventure Camp All Stars Episode 18

Disventure Camp All Stars is the WWE of Disventure Camp. I've just lost hope. I glad the writers are enjoying what their writing at least, I'm just in apathy at this point. Jake - "I feel great, I stand by the move I made and ready to vote". You know what good for you kid. Shit like this is why you'll get @ by randos on the internet with the Ellie speech from season 1 on a constant basis. The endless Jake & Ally feud is god awful. It literally just the never ending 2009 John Cena v. Randy Orton feud. I despise sacrificing characters to prolong this stupid feud. Also statement like above just fuel the hate, because I've seen your early game, your mid game, and your late game and Jake, honey, you've been playing like SHIT. Insta falling for any lie you've been told, throwing challenge for yourself just to fuck over someone else, and starting random ass feuds to put yourself in the crosshair of the votes. Your own story says you SHOULDN'T BE PROUD OF HOW YOU PLAYED THE GAME! So you sir, even in your wishy washy petty confidence don't get to say SHIT like that and get my backing. Ally - "yeah I'm confident it probably me tonight. I know these people consider me a huge threat" No, NO, NO! You are not a threat, you've been an afterthought. You got carried to the merge. They got rid of Ashley because she was the biggest threat among the heroes, Tom because he a challenge king, you got lucky with Yul & Gabby, got carried by Grett to go over Aiden and Alec. Only to be an afterthought to Grett. You are HERE because you aren't a threat! You had wishy washy writing who can't decide if you a heel or face because consistent booking is overrated. Your story line been the bonus song they throw in, not even making the A or B side. The only threat you've ever been is as a flipper. So nah, not wanting to back you. Riya - She 2015 Roman Reigns, she the BIG DAWG, she got the DAWG in her, she the ultimate survivor because she the BIG DAWG. She can do whatever she like because she always figure a way out. Karma, no she beat Karma in the ring, made it tap out. She is a "COMPLEX" Character that we just have to maximize her screen time for. She so obviously going to win because fun went and died. Conner - speaking of 2015, Danial Bryan at the 2015 Royal Rumble. Now start the booing.

[stars-n-spice]

no you don't understand. I need the Bad Batch to have a happy ending. I need them all to make it out alive. I need them to all be together. I need them to be a family once again. I need them all alive, happy, healthy, thriving. I need them safe and healing and growing.

I need Hunter to be able to be at peace. To become what he so clearly wanted to be at the start of the series; a father. For him to have what he fought so hard for. To know that he's more than a soldier. I need him to be able to relax knowing his brothers, that Omega is safe and will forever be safe. I need need need him to have that peace. To have that kind of life. The life he didn't think he'd get, that no clone ever thought that they would get, but yet...And I need him to grow and learn from these mistakes and be that older brother for all of them I know he can be. Seeing him want a life different than what he was essentially made for that badly for him not to get it is going to absolutely destroy me.

I want Tech to come back. I want it so bad. I know Star Wars can't keep getting away with "killing a character and bringing them back" but what's doing it one more time? Am I biased because Tech is my second favorite Batcher? Yes. But listen, I just need him to return and be reunited with his family. I need him to see Crosshair again. I need him to see and be with Phee again. Yes the build up to his death was great and the send off with his goggles was, in my opinion beautiful, but I just really want him back. I miss him so much. He means so much to so many people and I just want to see him alive and well again.

I need Echo to come back and I need him to stay. Wrecker and Tech might be my favorites, but when it really comes down to it? Echo is my comfort character. When I'm upset and really struggling, what usually brings me back is thinking about what would Echo do? What would Echo say to me to get me through this? Echo means so so much to me and it hurts so much to see him reduced to a background character. It makes me think what even was the point of bring him back just to reduce him to what he is now? And I'm so so scared they're going to kill him off for shock value or to "explain" why he isn't with Rex in Rebels, but that's just so fucking stupid to me after having done nothing with his character since like the middle of season 2 of the Bad Batch. Bring him back, please. And let him be at peace for once too!! Goddammit, all this shit he's had to go through; getting fucking exploded, being a prisoner of war, losing Fives, losing his brothers because his chip malfunctioned, having to see what becomes of clones after everything they sacrificed for the galaxy-Like you already "killed". him off once, there's no need to do it again. Just bring him back and reunite him with the others, please.

I need Wrecker to get to have his family all together. On top of that, I need him to get the recognition he deserves for all that he does and has done. Omega might be the heart and soul of the team but Wrecker's the glue and arguably just as much as the heart and soul too. He's the protector, I'm sure he feels it's his responsibility to keep them together, to keep them safe. I want him to continue living his life knowing that he succeeded in doing so and now doesn't have to worry about something like that because they are safe. They're all together again and they're happy and they're safe. He can relax and enjoy what they used to have before it all went to shit. It's so obvious that he cares so much about his brothers and Omega in his own unique ways. Each of the members of the Batch have their own unique dynamics within each other, but it really seems like Wrecker is the one who has one with each of them. And yeah, he's my favorite so I'm going to be biased and I want him to make it out alive and I want him to be happy goddammit.

I need Crosshair to stay the fuck alive. I need him to continue to heal and grow and be back with his family again. I need him to be reassured and to feel safe and loved again. I cannot take another instance of a character who used to be so lost and broken finally getting healing and some peace only to sacrifice themselves again. To have someone go through so much only start to heal and then rip that away from them? I need him to be at peace. I need him to enjoy all that he's missed out on. I need to see him okay and content and healing and living. I don't think I can deal with seeing all of that being ripped away from him. Please just let the man be at peace for once in his fucking life. I am begging. You don't understand, he's healing; mentally, physically, he's getting better and to just,, take all of that away? Can't just ONE character please get a happy ending?? Like if any one of them deserve to see it through the end, it's him.

I need Omega to get the childhood she was cheated out of. I don't know how many times I've sat and thought about Omega only for me to burst out into tears. She's been isolated for nearly all of her life. At the most, she was free for two years out of her FOURTEEN years of existence. She went through ALL of that before the age Ashoka and Padmé were when they were just STARTING to go through the horrors. Yet she's remained so brave and so strong and so determined. She's endured and survived and I want her to thrive. I want her to have all her brothers together once again. I want her to grow up alongside them. I want her to be able to be a child for once. To experience life through those lenses. I don't want her to have to endure another loss.

I need to see this group of individuals who never really fit in have their place in the galaxy. I need to see them, all created with clear intents and purposes to fight in a war as cannon fodder find new purposes. I need to see these burnt-out kids catch a damn break for once. This family of neurodivergents who spent their entire lives either isolated or distant from everyone else because they were "different" and "special" get that well-deserved ending where they're all safe and happy and have a purpose and a place in the galaxy because fucking hell. I wanna know there's hope for me too.

just AAGUUHHH. I've never wanted a happy ending for anyone more than I want it for the Bad Batch.

[7er1ch0]

What if MC was the artist for the TSL graphic novel

So I got a bit to go before the new genshin update, so to kill time I'm going to write the most self indulgent obey shit that has been on my mind for the past few days.

*it's exactly what it sounds like

*I’m not sure if it was brought up at one point of TSL having a graphic novel, but a bunch of popular books and franchises eventually get a graphic novel made of it, so it's not unlikely

*Anyway, starting off, You and Simeon knew each other before the events of the game.  

*Agreeing to illustrate books, demand to talk to the author to take even more thorough notes than whatever the original books were going to give them.

*Whether or not Simeon realizes that his book is prophetic, and that Mc is technically Henery, it doesn't really matter.  He agrees to meet up, talk shop about the characters, what kinda designs would be wanted/backgrounds/expressions/body language ect ect.  

*This leads to Simeon describing the brothers in very different ways.  Some will be entirely appearance, some will be certain mannerisms, different interests, and whatnot.  

*They stay in touch during the illustrating process and well past that cause its Mc and that otome protagonist powers are strong.

*Anyways, times pass, and you get yanked into he- The Devildom.

*Slowly starts recognizing the brothers, and small things fall into place cause Simeon you ain’t slick.

*Also

*Diavolo - “Allow me to introduce you, Mc.  This is-”

*Mc- “SIMEON! YOU FUCKING NERD” *Simeon - “Mc, it's been too long”

*Diavolo - “wait-”

*Anyway onto the good shit

*Levi

*”The second lord attempted to steal the lord of corruption’s platypus, which could lay golden eggs”

*They hear Solomon say that once, don't even wait for Levi to finish.  

*”i know you’re just repeating Solomon to get on my good side”

*Lore dumps how the Lord of Corruption not only got the platypus but why it could lay golden eggs.

*access into Levi’s room achieved (kinda)

*Levi’s being his good ol’ self, saying how just because you know a ‘bit’ about TSL doesn't make us friends or anything even close.  And just because you tricked the dumbest of us into a pact (HEY!) doesn't mean you should even think about coming after me.

*It keeps going like that for a while.  And then it turns back around to TSL and how they probably just read that off the fan wiki and aren't a real fan.

*Excuse me

*This just became the battle of the nerds which poor Solomon and Mammon are stuck in the crosshairs of.

*It finally escalates to You challenging him to a TSL trivia battle

*no goating needed this time, Levi’s accepts immediately 

*”Mc, why are we going to Simeon”

*”I just need his permission Mammon, then I will destroy his faith in friendship, brotherhood, and the goodwill of man.”

*The competition was brutal

*and at the very end

*”Wh…what…?...NO!  THAT’S INSANE…THE LORD OF MASKS WOULDN'T DO THAT TO THE LORD OF SHADOWS!”

*What You had presented was a section of the unreleased 9th edition rough draft of TSL.

*Victory felt oh so sweet

*Until Levi tried to commit murder.

*But, you win, another pact mark under the belt and another story to tell the grandkids

*next morning

*”So, how did you get the script?  Was it leaked or something, it can't be I would have heard about it…”

*”Levi, you have the graphic novels of TSL don't you, of course you do.  Do me a favor and go get it”

*Shortly after leaving the table there is a scream and a loud thud coming from upstairs. 

[vinxwatches]

the bad batch season 3

well the fallout show was shit. hopefully the bad batch is better. getting back to Omega who i 100% head cannoned as trans will be nice. last season ended with the death of Tech, but i still call bullshit on that.

episode 01 confined

of course Omega is her usual optimistic self. but did Crosshair lose his sharpshooting ability? that's can't be good for his psyche.

aggressive paragoning. i love it. she's growing into the roll of leader.

she really is the goodest girl.

damn, an entire episode of setting shit up. and showing the the work method of both Omega and the people she's up against, and demonstrating who will win.

also damn i missed that music.

episode 02 paths unknown

this is something you can only do with a big multiseries world like starwars. crossing the pikes means something. you can just say it, tell don't show, but it works because of all the setup for it.

insane number of last seconds, i love it. WAIT?! the carlack pit?!

setting up a clone savehaven. nice ultimate goal for the series.

ep 03 shadow of tantiss

kind of odd general grievous is in the opening considering how he's dead and irrelevant.

damn, are we going to find out what's wrong or right with Omega? i'm still thinking jedi, even if the series has shown no sign of it, it's the only thing that makes sense.

"we were in need of a shuttle, thanks so much for bringing one to us"

is it just that she's a perfect clone? didn't we already know that?

ep 04 a different approach

wait... m count transfer? m for midiglorian? so i was right?!

a confrontation that happened multiple times, finally on the same side again (sort of)

ep 05 the return

i love the Omega Crosshair banter.

time to relive some Crosshair trauma.

ep 06 infiltration

energy crossbow is cool, but i miss the energy bow.

i'm beginning to think Tech may actually be dead. since no one talks about him anymore. they moved on, and that stage of grief is rare if he's alive. but why kill him? too powerful? group too big? i don't understand. especially since he seemed to be in the middle of a romance arc.

well shit. the resistance v0 is about to die a quick death. NO YOU CAN'T END AN EPISODE THERE AT 0.07 FOR ME!!!

ep 07 extraction

you know when clones are around people are going to die.

i love some convincing the enemy to not act simply because it's the right thing.

OH SO HE GETS TO SURVIVE A FALL FROM HIGH!

ep 08 bad territory

they keep mentioning Tech. now in part this makes sense: he was one of the central cast that had a huge impact on every other main character. but on the otherside it gives the vibe that they don't want us to forget the character for one reason or another.

oh love the personal mission Omega gets.

"you don't like anything" "true" such great lines

betrayal? or asking someone to deliver info in person? probably the former.

ep 09 the harbinger

ventras? IT IS! i like her redesign. and i like that she didn't disappear from the universe, as we now see she found a new life.

like how she started not lit, but now is half lit, i wonder if that'll continue.

guys, seriously? stop it.

she and crosshair would be a fun pairing.

but surprisingly few answers for an episode that seems so set up to give answers. it seems to suggest that yes, she is force sensitive, but is lying to her about it. but not quite?

ep 10 identity crisis

is this Omega being in crisis between being a clone and a jedi? also if this is about Omega add it to the pile of Omega is trans.

oh this suddenly feels a lot more star wars rebels, the episode of protecting a kid from the empire going after those force sensitive.

we have seen her softer side, so her getting a higher position is quite positive. wait... that was behind the big ol vault door? also what's "project necromancer" about this?

do, it's not that Omega is force sensitive, but she can replicate it. in the creepiest way she'd the perfect host... the perfect artificial jedi mother.

oh no, not him.

got to love that they made the stormtroopers bulkier to make the clones we've grown to see as friends evil again.

oh. it's just an entirely grim episode. also not about Omega, but about the other female clone, so my trans reading persists (even if it was about hunter it would still persist)

ep 11 point of no return

that title does not instil confidence.

haven't seen Omega's girlfriend in way too long, and that was way too short.

well... fuck. they really just blew up the ship. their home.

oh this is weird. these aren't the new ships. this is the old, the stuff the good guys used to have.

i remember seeing a clone trooper with that big gun and thing "fuck yea big gun" and now it's terrifying. it's so cool how everything transitioned.

well... fuck. everything is awful now. they don't even have a ship to hunt for Omega anymore.

ep 12 juggernaut

they won't have Omega be stuck for 3 episode until the end of the finally... right?

"they'll detect our electronics if we got close" "not if we turn of all electronics" "but... we're flying in the direction of a planet?"

they used to be 5, often 6. now they are 3, and it feels so small for them to be able to do things.

the terrifying thing now is that wrecker can totally be killed. like Omega is save, hunter is the leader which makes him really hard to kill, and crosshair has an arc to complete. but wrecker? he's in the same position as Tech, and well.

also i was fully right on my last hypothesis on Omega

ep 13 into the breach

ok, i Love this Omega. like how her blood can grow with the midiglorians of others she has grown with the power of the team. she's now a leader like hunter, exploring smarts reminiscent of tech, and is likely going to hack into the droid controls like echo can innately. but where will we see wrecker in her?

don't make me hold my breath like that, i only have so much.

ep 14 flash strike

god i love the absolute trust in echo.

half way through, and it's now i learn that this isn't the finally, that's the next one, which doesn't appear to be out yet... fuck

ends in an evil laugh from me.

ep 15 the cavalry has arrived

final episode hype. please let it end on a positive note for once.

50 min episode? that bodes really well. that means they have time for a more complicated story, or a larger victory.

and setting up wrecker for death... please no? longer episode can also mean more complete defeat.

fuck, multiple escape plans at the same time resulting in some failing.

ouch the self condemdantion. and more setting up death with plan 99. "echo's handy work? or Omega?" in unison: "Omega". such good lines. same with Echo's line "because that's exactly what i would have done."

i don't like how calm he is. what is your plan that hasn't been countered? a clone? what could make these clones that good?

oh no. they have their own clone force 99, i guess clone force 100.

god damnit i came to this show to get away from living amputation. i get it, it's star wars. it's tradition at this stage. but still WHY!!!!! (echo may have a spare hand for you to use.)

Echo doesn't argue with Omega not leaving yet.

oh no i know what you're going to do with one of those. and why are you still with the empire. you could have joined the injured and left.

fuck yea Omega will stab a bitch.

the end of this project will mean the start of the death star. but it means clones will probably be left alone. those that are left that is.

the message of the show is that it's good to be able to be whatever you want. with that as message/theme of the show it only makes thematic sense for Omega to be trans and/or lesbian. to go against conventions, to go against what the while old men want you to be.

FUCK YEA ADULT OMEGA!!!

[eriexplosion]

So, final thoughts:

Tech is not dead, I have said it multiple times but I'm sorry if I don't see a body that man is not dead. Maul survived being cut in half. Echo survived an explosion. Mr. 'I fractured a femur and continued to hobble around' can survive that fall especially after being found by Hemlock. Honestly I was more willing to believe it was real before he pulled the goggles out like, establishing that he's with Hemlock = no way he's dead

CROSSHAIR IS GOING TO WAKE UP TO OMEGA BEING IN CUSTODY WITH HIM THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE SAID TO DO WHY HAVE THEY FAILED SO THOROUGHLY

Can't wait to see Hunter's apeshit era

God I love a good old cliffhanger ending we are in some darkest moment shit and they probably can't get much lower so they're gonna have to start climbing up somehow.

Season three when?

[hawthornsword]

Today on Bad Batch! (2x12):

Crosshair:

Audience:

I guess it's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, because I was honestly prepared to completely dislike Crosshair and settle in to him being a villain, but then we have seen so little of him that I was getting antsy like, "Where is he?! What's he doing?! What's he thinking?! I need to know!" And then I squealed with delight when the episode started with him.

Nolan: exists

Me: Can we kill him?

Yay new named clone boys!!! (They are just resting safely. They are perfectly fine.) Mayday has a fuckin presence, no? (*swoons a little*) Maybe just a personal preference, but I am digging all the bearded boys. Yes. Good.

"no point carrying dead weight."

"remind me not to die on your watch."

*Crosshair realizing maybe this is why people don't like him and that maybe his batch were a lot more tolerant of his behavior than most and maybe he took that for granted, and he is desperately lonely and seeking connection and has finally realized that he is the one pushing everyone away. 😭😭😭

Oh hey, the huddling for warmth trope, that's usually used for like, romantic confession- Oh, my god I'm dying, my heart. The absolute tenderness. This may be the best huddling for warmth scene I've ever seen. Good job animators! I'm just -

Mayday protected Crosshair and treated him as a brother even though Crosshair was prickly, just like Cody did, and he's finally got it through his thick head that he doesn't belong with the empire, he belongs to the empire - he's just equipment to them - and that belonging with his brothers who actually care about him is worth so much more than than any false sense of grand purpose the empire might temporarily give him. Personal connection will always trump ideaogical bullshit.

And I suspect the thing about Crosshair is that once he commits to something, he's committed. That's it. Now that he knows the truth in his heart, nothing will stop him from acting on it. So he doesn't go subtle, like Cody slipping out in the night. He goes out guns blazing, killing that worthless empire motherfucker, because that's The Bad "when have we ever cared about orders? Batch Way.

That was so satisfying.

I am also glad we are going to pretty much immediately get back to whatever the heck is going on at Mount Tantis. Hemlock is creepy af, I love it. I really want to know what they plan to do to Crosshair tho???? They don't need him to make more clones, they're phasing them out, so what, clones are just convenient for shits-and-giggles experimentation? Like, they've got cloning down. And yeah, we know from Mandalorian/sequels Palps is trying to do Force sensitive cloning, but they don't need Crosshair for that, unless they've already got force sensitive dna and they're gonna shoot it into him to see what happens??? I somehow doubt that they'd risk a force sensitive supersoldier though, so I bet it's something else.

Predictions/wishlist for the rest of the season: I'm guessing Omega will get captured soon and then Crosshair will be like, "okay, let's bust out of this joint baby sis!" And Taun We will probably get killed helping them escape, then the Batch and Rex and Echo and Gregor will arrive, and I hope Omega (and Wrecker and Tech) will be like, "We can't leave the Zillow Beast! It's just a baby! The last of it's kind! Treated awfully just like us! (Big tooka eyes)" and Hunter will be like, "okay fine, we can rescue the beast." And Crosshair and Echo and Rex especially will be like, "wtf, force preserve us Hunter, you can't be serious right now - she makes big tooka eyes once and you do whatever she wants?!?!?! (Because Rex and Echo have experience denying Ahsoka's cuteness, so they have learned already that no good comes from indulging the chaos babies.) And then Omega and Crosshair befriend and get to ride the Zillow beast while it squashes all the imps as it escapes and then they find a nice uninhabited planet to drop it off, and the Batch is reunited and we get a happy ending of the season (and after credits hemlock escapes to be creepy again later, obv).

Meanwhile,

I still need to know where Cody is. Please.

[silverwings22]

Caught in the Crosshairs: Chapter 27 You're Going Down: Sick Puppies

Series warnings: Smut, mind control, canon typical violence, childhood trauma, language, chronic illness

Chapter warnings: near kidnapping, Miria losing her temper, chronic illness

Translations: ori'vod: Special friend/older brother or sister

vod'ika: little brother/sister

ner kar'ta: my heart

cyare: beloved

Previous chapter:

Next chapter:

"We've got to do something about supplies." Hunter murmured tiredly.  They'd gone through everything fresh they'd gotten from Cut and Suu,  back to their rapidly dwindling ration bars.

"What's our credit situation look like?" Miria sat beside him in the floor of the cargo hold.  She was looking into a box of rations, concerned with how low the line of neatly packaged bars fell inside.  

"Not great.  We've only got Republic credits, which we can only exchange with a chain code. Omega has one technically,  but she's a kid. We can't send her alone."

"Perhaps Tech could reprogram it to me?  It's never been used,  and I could exchange the money?" She tapped her nails on the durasteel crate quietly. 

"That gives the Empire a way to track you, and all of us. We're better off trading for Imperial credits with citizens who can exchange their own.  And selling stuff." He shook his head.  "You're brave,  General,  but I'm not letting you get yourself killed."

She smiled quietly.  "I thought I was the commanding officer here?"

"War's over.  No Republic,  no Grand Army." He chuckled. "Technically I'm not even a sergeant anymore.  We're just a group of brothers and sisters in a stolen ship."

She couldn't help but smile a little wider.  "You consider me a sister?"

"Yeah. We all do." He didn't say what he knew she was thinking,  that she'd been days away from really being their sister if she married Crosshair like she'd planned. That the end of the war could have been the beginning of her happy ending.  

That if that hateful Order 66 had never gone out,  she could have been his brother's wife right now.

She shook off her thoughts with a slight rock of her head.  Sometimes you had to just shake the brain like an etch-a-sketch and start over.  "That's sweet, ori'vod." She tested the Mando'a word for older brother and close friend carefully. Hunter just smiled.  

"Pantora is the next closest place to get supplies. And Tech said something about scrambling our ships signature so we can't be tracked."

"That's a good idea. After Salucemi,  they know what they're looking for." She nodded and sagged back against the wall, looking at her knees. 

"You okay,  vod'ika?" He murmured.  

"It's just strange.  To not want to be found." She said faintly.  "I know it's the safest thing, and I'd never dream of endangering us… but I want so badly for him to find us and come home.  It doesn't seem fair that I'm here with you and he's all alone. He loves you all,  you know. It's just hard for him to show it."

"He tell you that?" He cocked a tattooed brow.  

She nodded.  "In his softer moments. He said you guys were the only people he felt like he could trust.  Not command,  not regs.  They never felt like brothers,  but you did." 

"I wish he'd said something." Hunter sighed.  

"You know how he is.  It's hard for him to talk about feelings… that's why he wrote those letters. He said in one of them that any weakness when he was a cadet was exploited. He's used to protecting himself."

Hunter couldn't help but feel a little hopeful at the way she spoke.  In the present tense,  like Crosshair was somewhere on the ship and could walk in any moment to glare daggers in their skulls for daring to suggest he of all people cared about anything.  Even when they all knew better.  "I'll give him shit about him if he comes back."

"When. Not if." She said firmly.  "But… I need you to promise me something. As a brother."

"Yeah?"

"If Crosshair doesn't return until after… if I'm already gone…" she bit her lip.  "Just… no matter what happens,  promise me that you won't give up on him.  No matter what that chip makes him do,  that when it's gone he'll still have his brothers to come home to.  That you'll always take him back."

Hunter looked at her,  her face set and determined. He finally nodded.  "I promise."

Miria smiled gratefully.  "Thank you. I just don't want him to be alone… he acts like it doesn't hurt him but it does."

He patted her back.  "We'll figure it out."

"Yes… so, Pantora?" Miria pushed her smile back on her face.  "I've never been,  though I did hear some stories about a moon in the system from Anakin and Obi-wan…"

He nodded.  "We'll set the coordinates.  We're gonna have to probably bribe our way into a hangar to get the repairs done."

"I'll get the credits we can spare for a bribe together." Hoisting herself up,  Miria took a deep breath and rubbed her left hip. "You get us heading the right way."

He nodded and took her offered hand up.  While Hunter headed to the cockpit,  Miria went to start collecting credits around the ship. She had a little stash in her footlocker she'd been saving to buy Crosshair a gift,  she hoped it was enough to buy their safety.  

"So where are we going?" Echo was in his hammock, Omega snuggled in next to him as they looked through his data pad together.  

"Pantora. We need supplies." She chuckled.  "But we'll have to park in a hangar and the only way to be sure we're not reported before Tech can scramble the signature…"

"Is a bribe." He mused.  "Lemme up,  'Mega. I got some credits squirrelled away that might help."

The girl nodded cheerfully and climbed out of his arms,  holding the hammock steady so he could get up without flipping.  "Can I go on the supply run?" 

"It won't be an exploration trip, sweetheart." Miria shook her head.  "We're just getting supplies and scrambling the signal."

"Pleeeeeeease?" Those big brown eyes tugged the Jedis heart. 

"Oh, alright.  But if you're going,  then three of us will go out to look after you."

Echo chuckled.  "I'll come along. Tech's gonna need Wreckers muscles"

Omega nodded. "It'll be fun."

Miria smiled.  "I suppose. Just stay close, okay?

The girl nodded.  "Okay."

Omega headed out with Hunter, Echo, and Miria,  delighted by the bustle of the city and the bright lights.  They'd bribed the hell out of the hangar attendant with nearly everything they'd had,  so it was imperative this worked. 

Hunter was shrewd,  selling off what they could afford to lose while Miria looked for supplies and Echo minded the girl. It was an effective team effort. 

Miria glanced back to see Omega getting excited over a trooper doll at one of the shops. Echo was holding it out for her,  dressed like a droid but still so kind and patient with their collective little sister.  It made her heart ache for her lost sniper… he'd have been grouchy and sarcastic but she just knew he'd love Omega too. She could picture him here with them,  dressed in plain clothes like Hunter,  fiddling with his toothpick and staring down venders while she haggled but keeping Omega in the safety of his peripheral. And if they ever had a little one of their own…

Oh, Crosshair…

But there was little time to dwell.  She had supplies to buy,  and a precious few remaining credits that she was hoping to use to get Omega a little treat.  The girl had been such a trooper during all this,  never once complaining. She deserved something,  even something small,  to know she was appreciated.  

Miria turned her back as Hunter started talking to another shopkeeper,  looking at a little shop that sold pretty silks.  She didn't have much money,  but she stepped inside nonetheless.  

"Hello miss." The shopkeeper was a pretty, golden eyed Pantoran with lavender hair.  "Looking for something in particular?"

"Just a present for my… fiances little sister." She smiled.  "She's had… a rough time."

The clerk gave a sympathetic nod.  "Poor thing.  At least the war is finally over,  though.  Things can get back to normal."

Miria pushed a smile,  but felt her spine stiffen.  The war wasn't over,  not by a long shot. Not for her.  And nothing would ever be back to normal. "I suppose."

"C'mere. It's sweet of you to be getting her something.  I'll cut you a deal." The woman smiled.  "How old is she?"

Thank the Maker Crosshair had taught her a sabacc face,  because it occurred to Miria she actually had no clue how old Omega was.  Or… any of the guys.  And they aged differently anyway,  but she'd have to guess…. "Ten."

"Aww. Watching her for your fiance?"

"Yes… we're here with his brothers too, but they're grown. She's the youngest… a surprise blessing." 

"I can already tell you love her.  Here." She offered Miria a gorgeous silk, one of the big ones you could tie into anything from a scarf to a dress, in a delicate blue and white mandala pattern. 

"Oh, ma'am,  I'm afraid I can't afford this.  It's beautiful,  but I-"

Her answer was a smile.  "No charge.  I know what it's like to want to do something for your family when times are tough.  And there's a lot of war orphans… but you're taking care of one little girl who needs you."

"Are you quite sure?  This is so kind of you…"

The shopkeeper chuckled.  "My husband's got a little sister too. She moved in with us after their parents died.  Go on, make her smile."

"Thank you,  ma'am." Miria tried not to tear up as ther shopkeeper shooed her out kindly. 

She tucked the silk into her bag and headed back to where she spotted the red of Hunters bandana, coming out of the other shop and tucking credits into his bag.  "There you are." He chuckled.  

"How'd we make out?" She smiled.  

"They didn't offer much for ther equipment,  but they thought Echo was a droid and paid three thousand credits for him."

Miria stared at him.  "You sold Echo?"

"Relax.  He's just gonna walk out when we comm him.  No harm,  no foul."

She groaned,  pinching the bridge of her nose.  "Hunter…"

"We need the credits. Where'd you take Omega?"

That got her attention.  "I left her right here with you and Echo?"

He blanched under his tattoo.  "Shit. She's wandered off."

"Start tracking.  We'll find her." Her voice was firm,  the general returning. "We should have gotten her a comm before we left the ship."

"Lesson learned." He turned and started doing what Hunter did best. Hunting. 

Miria followed behind,  arms stiff at her sides as she tried to search the Force for the little girls bright energy.  It was exhausting even to try, but this was her family. Crosshairs family.  She couldn't let anything stop her,  even the heavy feeling in her chest.  

"Here." Hunter murmured,  picking up the doll Omega had been playing with. "We're not far behind."

Miria nodded, stifling a cough.  "I sense her nearby.  She's on the move,  and with someone."

"That good or bad?"

"I can't tell."

They followed the trail, finally coming down a mostly empty street. Sure enough,  Omega was walking with a woman carrying an orange helmet and with the other arm draped over the girls shoulders.  Both adults instantly stiffened.  Hunter could see the blaster half hidden under the womans tunic.  Miria could feel the energy radiating from her.  

Bounty hunter. 

"Omega!" Miria called.  

The girl spun around cheerfully and waved.  "Oh, there they are.  I was just telling my new friend about you guys.  She was helping me look for you."

"Get away from her." Hunter said firmly.  

Omega blinked,  looking up at the woman still beside her.  "But… she was helping me…"

"We were just getting to know each other." The woman had a smooth voice,  and slipped her helmet on casually as she spoke. Hunter's fingers inched towards his knife at the same measured speed as Miria did the same. Before either of them could make contact though,  the bounty hunter had pulled her blaster and was firing.  

Omega yelped and tried to grab the womans arm,  but she shook her off roughly.  Hunter threw his knife,  which ended up embedded in a trash can lid the bounty hunter had grabbed as a shield.  She wrenched it out,  now doubly armed, and putting Hunter on the defensive. 

Miria threw caution to the wind and tackled her, locking both arms and legs around the womans torso and hips from behind as they rolled into the street in a tangle of limbs.  Hunter was right behind her. "Omega,  run!"

The frightened little sister took the order and darted off as Hunter forced both weapons from his opponents hands by squeezing her wrists furiously.  With both hands occupied,  however,  he had no defense against the helmeted headbutt that knocked him clean unconscious.  

Miria hissed,  a punch laced with the Force lifting the now very confused enemy off her feet and into the nearest building like she'd been hit by a truck. The Jedi scooped Hunter under the arms and dragged him out of the alley as the police showed up.  

She tucked her dazed but waking partner against a building wall.  "Tech, we've got trouble. Someone has attacked us, and they're after Omega. She's run ahead,  and Hunter got knocked out."

"I am able to get into the city traffic cameras, but if you've made noise we're going to have bigger trouble… the ship is disassembled. I would need a team of droids to get it operating before you get back."

"On it." Echo chimed in. "Gimme a few minutes."

Miria nodded to herself.  "Alright. Tech,  if you can get eyes on Omega, we'll get her.  Send Wrecker to help,  Echo can help you with the ship. But we have to hurry,  this bounty hunter is highly trained. We can't let her get Omega."

"Dunno what they want a little kid for." Wrecker grumbled.  

"Nor do I.  But I'm not willing to wait around and find out.  She's one of us now." She murmured, looking at Hunter.  "How's your head,  dear?"

"Hurts like a sonafabitch, ma'am." He groaned.  "C'mon, we gotta find the kid."

She nodded,  helping him up. "We'll find her. We're her family, we always find each other."

"General,  I've got eyes on Omega. She's out of the maintenance tunnels and hanging from a tower in the lower division.  Wrecker isn't coming in from the tunnels where he engaged the ounty hunter."

Miria gritted her teeth. "Thank you,  Tech." She looked at Hunter.  "She's halfway across the city."

"Guess we're getting creative.  We're good at that." His eyes locked onto a man parking a speeder bike in front of some storefront behind her.  The Jedi glanced back and sighed.  

"We've broken enough laws today.  Might as well." She flicked her fingertips and the keys snatched themselves out of the driver's pocket as they hopped onto the bike.  "My apologies,  family emergency!"

Hunter gunned the engine as she clung to him from behind.  "Which way,  Tech?" He growled into his comm. 

Tech guided them,  just in time to spot the bounty hunter toss Omega into the back of a truck laden with bales of Maker-knows-what. Behind them,  Hunter heard police sirens and huffed out a furious breath.  

Miria hissed when the bounty hunter took a couple shots at them,  pulling the blaster off Hunters belt to shoot back.  "Sorry, dear.  Needs must."

"Damn, Miri. At least buy me dinner first." 

She rolled her eyes,  spotting a lever in the truck bed.  She threw a hand up,  yanking with the force.  "Omega,  brace! "

The back of the truck dumped its contents,  including the hunter,  and Omega grabbed a trailing rope to hold herself on while Hunter maneuvered them closer. 

He reached out for the girl when their opposition decided to ram their speeder with the hijacked airspeeder she'd been dumped onto and promptly stolen.  While they recovered,  she shot the police speeders and caused them to crash into each other. 

Collateral damage.  Miria Halcyons one big rule. 

"I've had quite enough." Miria hissed,  turning around backwards in her seat.  "Hold us steady, Hunter." His blaster was jammed back into his holster. 

Miria summoned every ounce of strength she had and grabbed the airspeeder with the Force,  wrenching the engines off like tearing confetti.  She got a quick glimpse of startled brown eyes as the hunter realized she had fucked about and found out with a Jedi,  before the airspeeder dropped altitude and she had to bail or crash.  Miria didn't bother to see which choice she made, spinning back around as Hunter grabbed Omega when she lost her grip on the rope. 

The girl clung to Hunter's chest in a frantic scramble,  relief painted on every inch of her face. "Hang on,  'Mega. We're not clear yet." Hunter murmured.  

Miria hacked into her elbow behind him, other arm around his middle weaker than before.  Even over the engine and city racing by,  he heard her heart rate stutter faintly.  "B- back to the ship." She finally muttered, getting her comm up.  "Tech, are we mobile?  We're coming in hot."

"Just finished,  General.  Wrecker isn't back yet,  but he's on the way."

"Good." She sounded awful,  but he decided not to comment yet.  

They tore into the hangar and Hunter carried Omega back onto the Havoc Marauder as Miria stumbled in after.  Wrecker was running in behind them.  "Let's get out of here." He whooped. 

Tech was already in the cockpit and took off post haste. 

Hunter sat on the hold floor with Omega,  letting her cling to him and patting her back lightly.  "Easy,  you're okay now.  You're safe. We'd never let anyone take you away." He murmured softly as she settled from crying to hiccups.  

Miria lay on her back beside him,  eyes half closed as she tried to get a handle on her breathing.  "You okay,  Miri?" Echos voice was somewhere nearby,  but it sounded like she was underwater.  

"Mm okay…" she mumbled,  wiping her bloody nose haphazardly.  She only succeeded in smearing crimson across her face.  

Omega finally calmed down enough to crawl over to the downed Jedi worriedly and move her head to rest more comfortably in the girl's lap. "You don't look so good…"

Miria smiled fondly.  "It's okay.  You're safe,  that's what matters…" her eyes didn't quite focus right now,  but she could tell Omega was there and okay. She could live with a little double vision. 

"Who was that?" Omega whispered.  

"A bounty hunter." Hunter sighed. 

When Omega looked confused,  Echo put a hand on her shoulder.  "They catch people and turn them in for money."

Omega frowned.  "They… sell them? Sell people?"

Tech nodded, coming down from the cockpit.  "And it seems you are the target." 

"Don't scare her, Tech." Wrecker grumbled,  rubbing the side of his head.  It was killing him from where he'd smacked into a pipe in the maintenance tunnels. 

"We need to find out who she was and who sent her." Hunter put a hand over Omega's.  "We're not going to let her get you. Promise."

Omega just looked worried. 

Miria closed her eyes so the room stopped spinning.  "Ord Mantell."

"What's that,  Miri?" Echo leaned over. 

"We should go to Ord Mantell. There was a contact there my master mentioned… Cid, in a bar called Cid's Parlor in Ord Mantell City.  Master Plo said they always had good information…" She made herself sit up,  Omega putting an arm around her to steady her. 

Hunter nodded.  "You heard the General."

"Let's get you to your bunk,  and I'll get the treatment apparatus." Tech murmured,  helping her up.  "You've overdone it."

"Probably…" She mumbled tiredly,  leaning against his shoulder.  "But worth it. Family…"

Ner kar'ta. 

You're sick again.  You're running a fever so high I can feel it with your head on my chest.  I should have known,  I guess, when we landed on Ryloth and you saw the refugee kids that you'd go full force into the mission. And I've got to admit,  it was pretty badass to see you lift an entire building and crush clankers with your weird Jedi powers.  

I keep meaning to ask you how those work.  I want to know how you see the galaxy,  and what force there is out there that always has you seeing the best in people.  Like you saw the best in me,  even when I'm mostly just an asshole with a toothpick.  

I admire that about you.  How you always are willing to trust someone, because it seems so foriegn to me.  I don't trust anyone but my brothers and you. And even then I catch myself second guessing every order.  I picked that up on Kamino,  probably.  Everything had a catch there,  no one was really what they seemed.  They tell you you're going to learn the most amazing skills,  but not that they're going to half kill you to make them stick. Take interrogation resistance for example. They teach you how to avoid being cracked under torture,  by demonstrating the methods with you as the test dummy.  

You'd hate hearing that story. You can't stand to think of anyone getting hurt,  especially me. I like that you care so much, but I don't want to see you cry if I tell you about it.  You already cried enough over me when I told you about my first batch. I'd rather see you smile, you've got this little chip in your front tooth and it makes your smile just a little crooked and cute. I notice details like that,  call it a sniper's perception.  Right now there's an eyelash on your cheek while you sleep,  and I can't brush it off without waking you up. 

Tano told me once that people make wishes on fallen eyelashes.  I thought it was stupid kid stuff, but now I wonder what you wish for when you get little moments like that. I know what I'd wish for,  if wishes mean anything at all.  

I'd wish for you,  cyare. Every damn time.  

Crosshair

[tobiasdrake]

Star Wars: The Bad Batch S01E01 - Aftermath

Not going super deep-dive analysis; just some thoughts. I have some qualms with this episode. Spoilers after the jump.

Wow, hearing Kanan's deep, masculine voice coming out of a child character was super unsettling. I was kinda relieved when he escaped; he needs some time to grow into that voice.

Obviously nobody's mind would jump straight to mind control chips but I was amazed at how much leeway the group continuously gave Crosshair throughout the episode. Basically every line out of his mouth was, "I am betraying you! Glory to the Empire!" And everyone called out how weird he was being, but at no point was anyone like, "Hey, maybe we need to do something about the fact that Crosshair is acting like a reprogrammed droid."

When they were shocked at the end that Crosshair was now leading the Imperial Stormtroopers, I was like, "No. You have not earned this shocked face. Crosshair has clearly been acting as a dedicated Imperial Dog for this entire episode. Which is the first episode. All'a y'all knew this was coming."

Maybe there's something something camaradarie that's supposed to justify why everyone decided to ignore the bloody red flags oozing out of every single line of dialogue Crosshair spoke, but we haven't seen that. In fact, if anyone missed the final season of Clone Wars that spent a few episodes on a pilot for this series, Crosshair being an Imperial Loyalist will be your very first introduction to this character ever.

What we get in this show is Crosshair being an obvious betrayer who is obviously betraying while telling everyone about how much betrayal he intends to do, and whose clear and vocal treachery is consistently ignored for no apparent reason.

Omega, the obvious Kid Appeal character, seems neat. I remember a plot point from TCW about Kamino starting to run out of Jango Fett's genetic material and having to stretch it thinner and thinner. I think this is why the titular Bad Batch happened? In any case, my immediate response on seeing Omega was to crack up laughing and exclaim, "They ran out of Y chromosomes!"

That bullying scene in the cafeteria was the stupidest shit. "These clones are defects." "In what way?" "In the way that means they have a bunch of superpowers and no drawbacks." "Oh, so in a really optimal way that is actually good and in no way defective?" "Right. Each one of them is so awesome he's worth a whole squad of clones." "Huh. You'd think they would mass-produce more of these 'defects' on purpose." "You'd think. Anyways, so, obviously they get bullied by the other, shittier clones...."

I can't even with writers sometimes.

But the training scene was awesome. In general, this episode has done a really good job of selling me on Hunter's character specifically. I'm still a bit lukewarm on the others and have begun mentally referring to them as the Heavy, the Medic, the Engineer, and the Sniper (who unfortunately turned out to be the Spy).

But it's a first episode and Hunter's the most important to build up. Hopefully we'll get to see the others get their chances to shine as the series progresses.