What If These Is Their Way Of Telling Us Who Is Going To Survive!?

What if these is their way of telling us who is going to survive!?

the only good thing that came out of this episode

You know, the las time I saw the words "One last fight/flight" They killed Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, they send Steve Rogers back in time to be with a girl he kissed ONCE and fucked up the life she built, they retired Clint Barton for the second time, they "took" one of Bruce Banner's arm and they made me see Thor absolutely deppresed for Loki

The odds are not looking good here...

Why did no one tell me that in C1 they "turn" into cows!?

It's the funniest shit ever, so far this is my favorite episode 😂😂😂

This whole story is sublime, do you hear me?

Sublime!!

It aches me to know Stitch doesn't remember everything her and Tech did, but I know she will get her memories back

Please give Stitch her memories back 😩

Oh! and please tag me in the next chapter 🙏🏻

Sanctuary part 2

Chapter 17: Past Echoes

A/N: Happy Tech Tuesday!!

Warnings: 18+, angst, emotions, mentions of trauma and torture, cracking bones 😏 iykyk.

Word Count: 6.1k+

Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18

Masterlist

Tagging: @subbing-for-clones

“Oh! Wrecker.” You had put on the armour, letting some hidden memory guide your hands. Every piece fitted like it was made for you, the markings on the vambraces were clearly inspired by your name. You had seen that holo, the one where Tech offered you this name because you had no idea who you were back then.

“Ah, hey Stitch.” The big clone was kneeling on the floor, dragging out a large crate from under the bottom bunk. He exuded a brightness, an almost child like restless energy as he searched. He found wonder in the world around him at all times and it was a feeling you wanted to tap into. But it was dampened by a niggling discomfort you couldn’t ignore anymore.

Wrecker turned to see you still standing by the hatch, staring at him. “You need somethin’?”

“I don’t.”

“Um…ok.” It took five strides to reach him, your hand reaching out to touch his scarred cheek. “Wha’…what you doin’?” His gaze darted around, his energy turned anxious which did nothing to dim the heat of his discomfort.

“Does your neck ache?” Instantly he sagged into your touch with a relieved sigh.

“All the time,” he admitted. “Can…can you fix it? Like you used to? My back too?” You smiled warmly, patting his cheek gently.

“Sit down.” Wrecker almost bowled you over he was so excited. Straddling the chair before the console so you could have access to his back.

“Just like old times,” he breathed happily when your hands explored the wide expanse of his shoulders, slowly walking up the side of his neck. You could feel the tension, the misalignment, it all created an angry hot spot in his presence.

“Relax, Wrecker.” He hummed in acknowledgement and you fell deeper into his body. He was putty in your hands, relaxed enough for you to begin. You manipulated his head back, feeling where your hands needed to be. With a swift but precise movement, came a loud crack and a moan from Wrecker at the same time.

“What are you doing?” You didn’t need to turn to know which look was on Crosshair’s face.

“Oh!” Omega came up beside him, grabbing the sniper’s arm in excitement. “Stitch does this thing where she cracks Wrecker’s bones.”

Another sickening crack filled the hold and you heard Crosshair inhale sharply. “Absolute bliss,” Wrecker mumbled.

“Why?” Crosshair sounded disgusted and intrigued at the same time.

“Wrecker is larger than the rest of you, almost unnaturally so,” you stretched Wrecker’s arm out. “His body is under immense pressure all the time, his tendons strain, and his spine is prone to misalignment.” You lifted the heavy arm, a hand on his shoulder feeling the resistance in the movement. “With a few precise moves, I can realign the discs, releasing the pressure on his nerves and cartilage.” With a quick motion, you felt the brief jolt in his joint, lowering the arm and moving to Wrecker’s other side. “It’s been a while since he had this done so his muscles may try and make his body to misalign again.”

“It’s a good job you’re back.” Hunter was standing behind Omega, a softened expression on his face as he watched you. “Wrecker has done nothing but moan all these months.”

Wrecker tried to muster a few words of protest but he was too relaxed under your hands.

“Things are always so much fun when Stitch is on board,” Omega happily told Crosshair.

“Something to look forward to, I’m sure,” he drawled sarcastically.

After adjusting his left arm, you asked Wrecker to cross them over his chest, laying his hands over the tops of his shoulders. It was awkward to get into position, he was so wide and you were worried your arms might not reach.

“Udesiir,” you soothed. “Relax.” Your hand ran down the length of Wrecker’s spine, coming back to just under his shoulder blades, completely lost in the motions you didn’t realise everyone was watching now. With a surge of strength, you tightened your arm to hold Wrecker steady, pressing into his spine, feeling the discs slide to where they should be with a popping sound.

“I’m not even back a full rotation,” Echo grumbled from the ramp, retreating outside.

“I still find it mildly disturbing,” Tech exclaimed, over the sound of another large pop and a muffled grunt from Wrecker.

“I didn’t know Stitch was so strong,” Omega whispered.

“I had a conversation with General Skywalker after Anaxes,” Tech answered. “He informed me, that force users can possess an ability, using the force to augment their physical parameters, enabling them to jump extraordinary distances and significantly enhance their agility. Stitch could very well be stronger than Wrecker, if she so wished.” He finished with a shrug as though it was the most obvious thing in the galaxy.

Hardly listening to the chatter, you pulled slightly harder, pushing with your other hand until Wrecker’s spine finally all slipped back into place with a collection of pops and you released him.

“There.”

“Oh man,” Wrecker had a big grin on his face, gingerly testing out how his body felt now. “Thanks Stitch. I have missed you.”

“Just don’t ruin my hard work,” you joked, laughing a little when he grabbed you from behind in a warm bear hug.

“Now the show’s over, can we get the supplies on the Remora?” Echo called from outside, he sounded disgruntled but you knew it wasn’t real.

This all felt so normal. A warmth blossomed within your chest as you watched the activity all around. Omega was asking Tech more questions about General Skywalker and his abilities while Crosshair feinted a bored look on his face as he listened. You could hear Echo talking to Hunter outside about the supplies while Wrecker was muttering about his lost crate behind you.

Every little moment felt so right as you stood in the midst of it all, soaking in the familiar feel. Then something shifted, a thread of discord trembled through the peace. It wasn’t hard to pinpoint.

Crosshair went to go out and help when Hunter came up the ramp. They glared at each other, the rising hostility from Hunter was surprising, while Crosshair just remained apprehensive. You followed Crosshair outside, glancing back at the ship.

“Did I cause that?”

“No. He just needs to get it out of his system,” he told you. “Whatever happens, would have happened anyway.”

“Crosshair!” Wrecker was holding a case of some kind, pushing it in Crosshair’s direction. “I don’t know if this’ll fit still, but, uh, here.” Wrecker passed it over, eagerly watching his brother open the lid.

“My old armour.” To anyone else, it sounded like Crosshair was just announcing what was inside. But you felt the rising feelings in him. The swell of surprise at seeing his armour, coupled with the realisation they never completely erased him.

“Yeah, it never felt right to get rid of it,” Wrecker was saying. Crosshair pursed his lips, clearly not going to say anything else.

“I got my old armour too,” you suddenly said, trying to take the focus off Crosshair. Spreading your arms to look down at yourself and Wrecker chuckled.

“You got pieces of all of us, even Crosshair,” Wrecker gave you a wink, then he shouldered a crate in one easy movement to load onto Echo’s ship.

“Mmm.” Cross reached for one of your spaulders, his fingers tracing the edge. “That one was mine.”

“Want it back?” For a crazy second you thought he was going to say yes.

“No. Tech has already modified it for you. What would I look like with…these.” He prodded the stitch like markings, his eyes glittering when you giggled. Sometimes it felt like he actually enjoyed your banter.

“We’re taking my ship,” Echo announced from your right. “You can gear up in there.” Crosshair gave him a curt nod. Echo watched the tall clone walk up the ramp, his golden eyes softening when he looked back at you. “Hi, Stitch.”

Echo was holding back, his posture rigid. He was concerned about doing anything wrong around you…and he missed you. Where Tech’s feelings were a vortex that drew you in to trap you, Echo’s were much more tentative. He was hopeful, but realistically so. Crosshair knew exactly the torment you’d been through, and so did Echo. You could see it written all over him as he stepped towards you.

“Hi.” Your brow furrowed. “Are you ok, Echo?”

“What a loaded question.” He tried to smile but it just turned into a grimace as he anxiously rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m glad to see you back with the boys,” he muttered. You stood patiently as his gaze flicked over the crates left on the ground. “I’m sorry,” he finally blurted out. “We looked for you. We really looked.”

“Echo…”

“We hoped something would finally turn into a lead as we kept rescuing clones. We even have people on the inside and they still can’t find a whisper of Hemlock’s base.” He gestured wildly with his scomp. “It’s like his base doesn’t even exist!”

“Echo!” You grabbed his hand. Moving closer to him as he sighed roughly with frustration. “I understand.” He looked away from you, his shame at not being able to help when you needed it the most, filled the space between you. “It’s no one’s fault.”

You gently spread his fingers, threading yours through them, feeling the way he automatically squeezed them in response. He sighed again, deflating a little.

“That’s how I felt when I was rescued.” He paused, clearly debating if he should say something else, his face was like an open book while he stared at your joined hands. “I’ll get Tech to rig up a long range com, like he did for you on Ord Mantell, so you can send me messages. You can talk to me whenever…about any of this.”

“I’d like that,” you told him. Echo’s emotions were raw and real, he mourned for you and what you’d been through because it reminded him of his captivity. How his captors had changed him to suit their needs, not very different to how you had been changed to suit Hemlock’s. He had lost a year, you had lost an entire lifetime.

“You look like your old self in that armour. How do you feel?” You released his hand, tucking yours into the crook of his elbow and he started to lead you to his ship.

“I feel surprisingly…at ease,” you confessed. “It’s home. All of this feels like home, even if I don’t remember most of it. You, Tech, even Crosshair.” He gave a gentle snort of amusement.

“Yeah. The Batch has a knack for making you feel like that. Let’s hope Crosshair stops being so standoffish soon.”

“Crosshair has demons he needs to overcome,” you murmured in the sniper’s defence.

“Mm,” Echo agreed with a nod. “This mission should tell us where we all stand.” You glanced up at the ship now looming over you both. He needed a distraction.

“Shall we?” You asked, happy to see a smile gracing his face.

“After you, ma’am.”

“Oh thank you, Trooper, sir.”

“That’s ARC Trooper, sir to you,” he teased, nudging your shoulder with a soft knock from his armour.

“What even is an ARC?” You asked.

“I can answer that,” Tech spoke up from the bottom of the ramp, carrying a heavy crate onto the ship.

“I, uh, need to ready for ship for take off. I will leave you in Tech’s capable hands.” You didn’t miss the knowing look Echo gave you in passing or the slight rise of colour in Tech’s cheeks, though he could have exerted himself carrying the crate. It sounded heavy when he thumped it down on the floor of the hold.

"ARCs undergo more specialized, advanced training compared to the regs. They are taught to think independently and are typically assigned to high-risk missions that require a higher skill level. Their armor surpasses standard GAR regulation armor, offering better protection, featuring enhanced communications and more sophisticated targeting systems." He spilled all this in one go, barely breaking for a breath, even taking a crate from Hunter without stumbling over his words.

“You’re all ARCs?” You queried.

“No, we are Commandos. The fundamental difference between us and Echo is, we were trained and kept together as a squad whereas Echo was pulled from the regs and given additional training.”

“So I can call you Commando Tech, sir?” His eyes magnetised to yours at the hint of playfulness in your voice.

“I do prefer just Tech, from you,” he revealed softly, swallowing noticeably when you stepped yourself closer to him.

“I like Tech, too. It suits you.” He was geared up ready for the mission but the knuckle plates did nothing to hide his fingers flexing. “Cross said you modified my armour for me.”

“He is correct. I can give you a run down of what I have improved once we are in hyperspace, if you require.” Tech’s expression changed, clearly running over something in his mind. “You refer to Crosshair as…Cross?” Reaching out, you gently tapped on his chest plate with your own knuckle plate.

“Don’t tell him. He’d never speak to me again,” you joked, delighting in the way Tech’s expression brightened.

“I do not think we have ever dared refer to him as anything but Crosshair.”

“Are you two gonna flirt all night, or can we load this ship up?” The pair of you jumped at Wrecker’s booming voice, drawing the attention of Omega and Hunter who were outside.

“Do you even know what flirting is, Wrecker?” Omega chimed in, coming up the ramp carrying her own bag.

“Well…do you?” He retaliated quickly and she grinned innocently.

“I read.”

“I have checked through your holobook collection,” Tech pointed out from beside you. "I found no evidence to suggest that you are engaging in any material related to flirting."

“Nor should she be,” Hunter added with a soft scowl, putting another crate down.

“Hard to believe I am the oldest one,” Omega said to you with a smirk. “Come on Stitch. I might have a book that would interest you.”

“Do I like books?” You whispered to Tech before the kid could tear you away from him.

“You do have a partiality for knowledge.”

“I do?”

"You consistently listen to me when I speak, and I am an extensive source of knowledge,” Tech answered, a slight smile gracing his lips.

“I want to hear more of that knowledge later!” You grinned openly at him over your shoulder, not wanting to take your eyes off him as Omega dragged you deeper into the ship.

“I knew it wouldn’t ruin anything.”

“Hmm?” Your heart was doing somersaults, your stomach felt like it was full of butterflies. Had you been flirting? You didn’t intentionally flirt, you just wanted to hear him speak, to be close to him, to see his eyes when they sparked with amusement or interest.

“Whatever Hemlock did to you,” Omega explained. “I knew it wouldn’t ruin what you and Tech feel for each other.”

“I like being around him,” you breathed wistfully.

“Tech has only ever had eyes for you.”

“How do you know?”

Omega shrugged and activated the door panel. “You’re the only person he acts stupid around. And sometimes, the very mention of you makes him blush, he doesn’t even realise. It’s soooo romantic,” she gushed.

You followed her into the cockpit where Echo and Crosshair were sitting in silence, both turning with matching looks of relief on their faces at being interrupted. Omega rushed to Echo, immediately asking questions about the ship and its systems. The book she apparently promised you, all forgotten. So you sat next to Crosshair leaning forward to look him over quickly.

“Nice armour. What’s that for?” A long red fin protruded from his left spaulder.

“Do you ever stop asking inane questions? You sound like Omega,” he said, nodding in the kid’s direction.

“If that was meant to be an insult, you missed the mark.”

“Funny,” he sneered, clenching the toothpick between his teeth.

“Oh look, you have padding.” He tutted when you poked on the extra plate over his chest, flicking your fingers away. “I could have done with that when we were practising.”

“Don’t worry about it. You won’t be shooting my rifle again.”

“All loaded up,” Wrecker announced when the rest of the squad filed into the larger cockpit.

“All we need are the coordinates,” Echo mentioned suggestively. You felt Crosshair stiffen, his chest expanding under the armour he now wore. This planet held a deep rooted cord of tension within him. You wanted to find out why but you knew he’d never open up here.

A tap on your shoulder made you turn around. Hunter smirked, beckoning you silently with his hand back into the hold. When you felt his intention, you smiled in return.

This was going to be fun.

“Within this vambrace is a shield projector. Twist your wrist like this, and it will be activated.” You watched Tech’s wrist movement and copied, flinching when the blue glowing shield shot from your left vambrace and spread into a circle. “It can repel blaster fire and withstand blows from a lightsaber.” It hummed dimly with every movement, strangely weighing nothing when your mind was telling you there should be some resistance from it. “I have observed you are ambidextrous. If you would prefer the shield on the opposite wrist, it is easily changed.”

“No, this great.” You told Tech with a grin.

“I have modified the brace to contain the vibroblade Fi gave you on Coruscant,” Tech continued. “And enhanced the magnetic pull on the glove with the ability to callback the blade to your hand from within a 10 metre radius.”

You pulled the blade out to inspect it as he spoke, gently running a thumb over the engraving in the hilt. RC-8015.

Tech continued. “I have reshaped the katarn to fit you better than it did before.”

“I can barely feel it,” you agreed.

“Exactly as it should be,” Tech’s chest puffed up proudly.

“She’s had the lecture,” Hunter came over, making Tech sigh at being interrupted. “Let’s put it all to the test.”

“I would advise you wear a helmet,” Tech told Hunter.

“I think I’ll be fine,” Hunter assured his brother, rolling his shoulders under the armour he also wore. “Are you ready?”

You smirked in the face of Hunter’s confidence. “I don’t think you realise what a beating you’re letting yourself in for.”

“Give him what for!” Wrecker shouted from where he was sitting.

“This should be fun,” Crosshair added, taking no effort to hide his sarcasm.

“Whatever you do, Stitch. Don’t hold back.” You knocked your vambrace twice against Hunter’s raised arm.

“I don’t intend to.”

The pair of you separated. A space had been cleared in the hold wide enough for you to train. Hunter crouched, balancing on his feet with his arms spread. He looked ready for anything and you desperately wanted to test that.

You moved first. Getting a feel for the speed of his reflexes. Armour clashed, both of you moving in a dance that you’d walked before. He grabbed your wrist, looking to throw you off balance; so you pressed an attack with the heel of your hand to his nose.

Weak spots…eyes, nose, throat, solar plexus, groin, knee. An inner voice you hadn’t heard for a long time ghosted across your mind.

Hunter bent back to avoid your hand, pulling you down him. In the move, he wrapped his legs around your waist, keeping the momentum going until he managed to pin you to floor. Before he could immobilise both hands, your fingers were curling round his throat.

Hunter’s pride was distracting, even as he choked in your grip. Not letting his emotions break your concentration, you heaved your body to dislodge him. He ended up losing balance, using his hands to stop him falling face first to the floor. Lunging to the side you grabbed Hunter’s legs, using your entire body to collapse his arms and wrench one round his back.

After a few moments of struggling he muttered, “I yield.”

You let go of his arm, blowing out a breath as you sat back. “That was fast. Out of practise?” You teased.

“Why do you think I wanted to do this in the first place?” He rolled over and sat up, grinning that lop sided smile as he took your outstretched hand to help him up.

You turned away to go back to your staring place, when his intent shifted. You had time to smirk, feeling his arms enclose round your middle. There was no hesitation. Your arm jerked back, Hunter took the elbow to his face like a true soldier but his grip lessened enough for you to twist, bringing your other hand in a sweeping motion and slamming the heel of your hand into his nose and connecting this time.

“I told you to wear a helmet,” came Tech’s smug voice as his brother stumbled back, clutching at his face.

“It’s not broken,” you quickly stated. “I held back. Wouldn’t want to hurt that handsome face,” you explained with a grin. Crosshair snorted from his corner while Wrecker laughed loudly.

“Impressive,” was all Hunter could muster. Gingerly exploring his face for tenderness.

Lifting your chin defiantly, you readied yourself for another attack. “I had plenty of time to practise in my cell.” On the days where you were left isolated and the restless energy became too much, you had moved through familiar motions. At first, you had been surprised with how natural it felt to move in such a way, but you embraced it nonetheless. You enjoyed how they felt, imagining Hemlock with every move.

You had no idea how long the bouts went on for. Sometimes Hunter bested you with a quick move you didn’t have time to sense. But you were grateful for the bodysuit under your armour. It kept your skin cool and dry from the sweat of exertion.

Hunter’s arm came dangerously close to your face, forcing you to twist and avoid the blow. Your muscles hummed, bunching as you moved to grab his arm. Spinning on your heel, you yanked him over your shoulder, bringing Hunter over your head to slam into the floor. He coughed and gasped when air fled his lungs from the blow, Wrecker shouted, clearly enjoying watching Hunter get tossed around like a ragdoll.

Omega glanced over, a smile in her eyes. She lay on her back on a crate, holding a datapad up so she could read. Crosshair was nearby, his rifle spread over another crate he treated like a table so he could clean all the parts. Batcher lay at his feet sleeping.

Tech and Echo stood by the cockpit door, both watching with amusement in their expressions at Hunter flat on the floor once more. Tech was doing something with his datapads and a set of headphones.

“Unfair,” Hunter grunted. Taking your offered hand of help once more.

“You told me not to hold back,” you reminded Hunter.

“Mmm.” You couldn’t contain the smile beginning to grow at his mild hum of acknowledgement. You weren’t sure how you’d been before your time on Tantiss, from the memories you had watched so far, you came across as an untrained, nervous wreck.

You did want your memories returned, but after seeing what you past had done to you…the certainty wasn’t there anymore.

“Weapons.”

Your eyes lit up. “Kandosii!”

Tech looked up in alarm. “Is that a good idea?” He questioned Hunter. But neither of you paid attention. Something shifted in the man circling you. With the drawing of his blade, his stance changed, his eyes became darker and you felt his intention to best you again. He tossed the blade, catching it in a reverse grip.

Cocking an eyebrow, you pulled your own, mirroring his stance. You circled one another. Another dance you knew intimately, it echoed through you, lining every muscle.

Hunter swiped first, his impatience getting the best of him. You stepped back from his reach, throwing your arms wide to avoid the sting of his blade. He advanced, forcing you to quickly defend yourself. Crossing your vambraces, locking his arm with the blade in place, you could see determination darkening the golden glint in his eyes. Bringing your leg up, you kicked him in the chest, pushing him back with more force than you’d intended and he fell to his knee.

He went to stand but you were already on top of him. Driving your own weapon down, the muscles in your arm straining just as much as Hunter’s were. With a grunt, he lurched upright, tipping your balance.

Hunter finally made his move. You attempted to side step but he’d accounted for that, catching you in the chest with his other arm. He was so fast, you wondered if he had lured you into a false sense of security. His empty hand closed around your throat, his blade coming down to pierce your breastplate.

Hypothetically, you hoped.

Right now, you had three options. Block with your own blade, make the sacrifice and stab Hunter in the side as he stabbed you…or…

Your body reacted on instinct. Lifting an open hand you halted his arm in midair. Using this mysterious force that pressed in around you. Your concentration strained as you brought it into your control, feeling the way it encircled his arm and pushed the blade from your body. The pressure increased, the image of him being flung away entered your mind and you exhaled abruptly, unable to keep the pent up energy contained.

A blast rocked the hold, sharply flinging Hunter away from you. Omega squeaked when she was toppled from her crate, Crosshair made a noise of aggravation as his rifle pieces were blown into him and across the hold. Wrecker’s drink was spilled down his front when Hunter crashed into him, leaving them both as a heap.

“Osik!” You exclaimed, covering your mouth. “Is everyone ok?”

“I’m fine!” Omega stuck a hand up from behind her crate. Crosshair looked like he wanted to murder someone, his deep golden eyes giving you a lethal glare. Hunter and Wrecker both groaned, neither one attempting to get up yet.

“Well, I was expecting that,” Tech announced.

“You were?” Hunter groaned, finally sitting up and checking on Wrecker behind him.

“Stitch has consistently demonstrated, when under pressure, her instincts activate. Resulting in her attunement to the force becoming evident.”

“I’m in one piece,” Wrecker mumbled, still on the floor.

“Let’s not put a hole in the hull while we’re travelling at lightspeed,” Echo added with a frown. His arms were crossed but you could sense the tickle of amusement coming off him.

“I didn’t mean to do that.” Not to that extent anyway.

“Yeah, we know.” You caught Hunter’s faint sense of satisfaction when he grinned at you from the floor. “It’s good to see your skills haven’t disappeared.”

“Another round?” You asked eagerly, jumping on the balls of your feet, shaking out your arms. It felt like you could train for hours this way. Strength rushed through your body, banishing weariness to leave you refreshed.

“I need a break,” Hunter muttered, so your attention automatically turned to Crosshair, intrigued to see his rifle had so many different components. You wanted to know how it worked, what they all did, how to clean them…

“I have something that may interest you,” Tech said, gathering his items and walking towards you. Immediately, Cross’ rifle was forgotten. "I have established a wireless connection between these two devices, allowing you to view the remainder of the holos in private. May I?” He held up the headphones with the clear intent of putting them over your ears.

You eyed them warily, giving him a nod after a brief inspection. His touch gently brushed behind your ears, adjusting the padding until it was comfortable. You gazed at him with wide eyes, enjoying the way his brow creased with concentration, how his eyes darted from side to side as he watched what he was doing. He glanced at you with a smile, the telltale faint dusting of colour on his cheeks.

He grabbed the datapad, explaining how he had downloaded everything you needed to see as well as some other things he said you used to like. You took it from him, mouthing your thanks just as sound filled your ears. You sank to the floor, eyes fixed on the screen, unable to hear anything outside of your little bubble. It made these memories more believable, as though you were right in the middle of them. You were barely aware of Tech finding a space to sit beside you, leaning on the hull with his own datapad in his hands.

Each recording, stirred a swirl of emotion in your chest. But when you got to the one that showed you saving Tech’s life, the chains broke. This recording had been pulled from the Marauder’s internal systems, showing you working on him from a couple of angles. You could hear the rush of blood, the panic in everyone’s voices, the exhaustion in your own. You watched when Hunter grabbed your sagging form, to hold you upright so you could keep saving his brother’s life.

All this happened to someone else, a person you felt you didn’t know, except you did. She wore your face, used your voice, cried your tears, felt your emotions.

A sense of detachment was there, leaving you watching from the outside, yet you felt everything on the inside. The thud of your heart was real, the shake in your breath was real, the tension in your shoulders was…yours.

Tears dripped down your cheeks at seeing Tech in that state, to see Omega looking so worried. To witness Wrecker hold you in such a caring way as you nearly passed out in his arms.

A hand carefully rested on your thigh, causing your attention to momentarily break. Tech was watching with a grave expression, his gaze flicking from the screen to your face. Your breath grew harsh.

He was alive and here, right now, because of you. It didn’t seem real. If it happened again, you weren’t sure you had the skills to save him.

The idea of being without Tech caused a severe ache that punched you in the gut. You couldn’t look away from him, torn at the seams with the need to bury into him countered by the overwhelming feeling of keeping him at arms length.

Even after you’d been gone so long and come back someone else entirely, he still looked at you as though the stars hung in your eyes.

Your lashes fluttered when Tech moved to wipe the lingering tears off your cheeks, his thumb trailed so delicately over your skin. You could feel his fingers rest in the curve of your neck, his eyes following the motion of his hand. Your breath hitched when he leaned forward slightly.

Emotions were storming without any control. Having shed the chains that kept them contained all this time, every single one was magnified. Feelings ripped through your body, flushing you with a concoction so intoxicating you nearly swooned.

Tech’s presence was warm, trembling with concern and worry. You nuzzled into his palm, never taking your eyes off his face so you could watch his own emotions play out.

You wanted him closer.

Nothing else mattered.

Nothing else existed.

There was a moment of hesitation, a flicker of doubt that he would pull away when you leaned forward. But then he leaned closer, pressing his forehead to yours. Tech’s sigh of satisfaction and relief ghosted across your face. His fingers tensed against your neck.

He was a blur in your vision, closing your eyes fully, every little touch was heightened. Your presence merged with his, revelling in how safe you felt with him. You breathed Tech in, unable to get enough of him to feed the desire growing. He lined your very soul and filled all of those cracks you had been unable to heal. Tech encompassed your senses completely, causing your heart to flutter erratically and your chest to tighten.

You became aware of his hand moving. The touch of his thumb slipped gently to your lips, brushing over them as they parted.

The heat under your skin became unbearable, sweeping away the lingering sadness to leave you feeling hot and reckless. You could feel his emotions resonate with yours. Except for a rise in agitation, scratching down the warmth of the moment and it made you pause.

Tech still had doubts you were ready, something was holding him back from allowing these feelings between you to move forward.

Then he retreated, the touch of his hand fell away, taking with it all your desire. Dowsing you in the bleakness of his avoidance. He was nervous. It showed in his eyes so you smiled, trying to hide the sting of his silent rejection.

Tech gently took the datapad from your lap, coming out of the recording so he could find another. You watched him flick through them, casting a quick look around the hold to find you were both completely alone. Everyone else has drifted into the cockpit at some point.

Tech gave the datapad back and you were pulled into another memory.

You recognised Tech’s hands as they expertly worked on the headphones that now sat over your ears.

“So where are we actually heading?” That was your voice, probably from the copilots seat. Occasionally you caught a glimpse of yourself when he looked over, the pair of you talking about a planet called Maridun and the fauna you were likely to encounter.

Then he faced you fully, holding the headset out with a, “Can you try this on for me?”

You saw yourself stand before him, skin tingling with memory as you watched his hands place the headset over your ears. You were scrutinising Tech so intently, your eyes tracking over his features as though you were dying of thirst and he was a well of water. He pressed some buttons and your whole expression shifted to one of wonder.

“Is it too loud?” Tech asked. You clearly couldn’t hear him, your gaze drawn inwards as you listened to the headset. He moved to take them off but you grabbed his wrist, smiling widely.

Your breath caught when he tapped your wrist on the holo. Moving his hand free of your grasp, so your fingers could be entwined together with a teasing agony you could almost feel in your palm. Absently you rubbed a thumb into your hand, watching you both bathed in the flashing lights of hyperspace to watch the Purrgils that surrounded the Marauder.

It was strange to watch everything from Tech’s point of view, to see the emotions that crossed over your face. You had no idea you were so expressive, or that your eyes held so many words you couldn’t say.

“I have created this to help you with your meditation. I am assuming it helps you relax?”

You slipped one of the ear pieces off, looking up at him. “What was I listening to?” His brown eyes flashed with a glint of triumph.

“I recorded the song from the first purrgil pod we encountered. Would you like to listen to it?”

“It helps me relax?”

“As far as I am aware.” Once more he took the datapad from you to find what you wanted. “It remains my preferred recording of fauna that I have encountered.”

“Why?”

“Because I got to experience it with you. This song always reminds me of that moment.” You let him adjust the headset back, the haunting song of the purrgil swelling in your ears.

It really was beautiful, the melodic noises echoed in soothing waves, bringing the memory to the forefront of your mind. It was the moment you accidentally woke Tech by bumping into him, letting him tell you everything he knew about purrgils.

You leaned against him, not wanting to give up the contact he was allowing. Tech might not be accepting of obvious acts of intimacy, but it came in many forms.

A sense of contentment settled over you both, a blossoming happiness that made you want to smile uncontrollably. You guided his arm over your shoulder so you could settle into his side, inattentively toying with his fingers. Your eyes closed at the feel of him leaning his head atop yours.

If you could take this moment to relive time and time again, you would.

This right here is the moment I would choose to go back in time to

I would give everything to be able to be there!

what a legend

We all really just took a look at this mf

And went: "This is Tech, fight me!", huh?