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Abi Chan Fictionfan: YEET XD. Oh yes, dark sea shanties are the vibe XD. And songs help convey what normal words cant so I'm down XD

So.
Originally this chapter and the next were a single chapter.
Then it hit 6000+ words
Now it is two chapters.

Descriptions may get a bit brief for the next few months, started college back and have little to no time (24 Spanish assignments a week 'cmon) so chapters will definitely slow as well. II'd say more but honestly I'll just link this post so you can read it or ignore the update: post/639807297871331328/update-post
My comments will also be a lot slower

For this chapter. I'll leave the actual content a surprise but I will say that yep I'm a military child. My grandfather actually fought in WW2 in the Pacific area so that's a fun fact. He also worked on a cargo ship when he was younger (like 18, up and left KY and headed down to florida then jumped on a ship) but I didn't learn this until a few years after his death and after I got into cargo ships. Kinda funny.

Anyway. Enjoy some boys!
And yes, I added a Sokka line for Hunter

Content Warning: Some sexual references, blood/needle talk (dammit Tech), fluff (lots of that).

Finally.

It took Tech a good few hours to download it all, but finally it was done. He'd managed to pull the day's footage from each of his teammates' helmets and transferred them to his datapad. Now he could cross reference Shadow from all four perspectives.

It was strictly research based, no other reason. He wanted to analyze the way her species moved, not Shadow herself.

Tired of Crosshair growling at him to go to sleep, Tech retreated to the room he'd be sharing with Shadow.

Would the woman still be awake? The light was still on.

Tech slipped inside.

Shadow, scribbling in a notebook full of flimsi at a small desk in the corner, jumped and pulled out some type of corded listening device from both ears. "Oh, it's you." She shut the notebook and quickly slipped that and her phone plus the listening device into her bag. "I was just about to finish up and head to bed."

Why had she hidden the notebook so quickly?

He squinted at her. "What were you writing?"

If she'd been drafting a letter to the separatists, he would need to inform Hunter right away. Not that he assumed she'd been plotting to betray them, but in war you couldn't be too careful.

Yet logic overruled suspicion. Should Shadow be trying to get in contact with the Seps, she wouldn't be using flimsi and a pencil.

"Are you drawing?" he asked, tone less harsh.

"Close. Just drafting some stories," she replied, standing and stretching.

Once more Tech noticed how she now stood taller than him in this form, her broad shoulders easily rivaling his own.

He wondered how a hug from her would feel before quickly banishing the thought to the back of his mind.

"Why did you hide it so quickly?"

Ears twitched as she scratched the back of her head. "Eh... I'm a bit self conscious of my stories. Bad feedback in the past sticks with you."

"I would be interested to see what you write about," he ventured. "I'm sure it's good, you're very creative and imaginative."

"Eh, I'll show you some more later, ok?" she deflected, jumping to the bed and arranging herself on the side away from the door. "There, I know you'd probably want the side closest to the escape route."

He stiffened, suspicions returning full force. "Do you plan to attack me?"

"What?" she asked, ears flicking backwards. "No. I'm just the daughter of a veteran, and know a lot of vets, and they like being close to escape routes. Habit."

She's a military child? And how could you doubt her so easily from a single action? She's done nothing to suggest betrayal! "What did your parent do?" he asked, sitting on the side of the bed.

"Dad flew fighter jets. His dad served in the navy and in hard combat where he lost half his hearin'. Then there's me, an anxious wreck who is claustrophobic, scared of heights, and can't make a damn phone call..." she sighed. "Least I'm creative."

She really should give herself more credit. "You're a good fighter yourself," Tech remarked.

"Ok I do have that going for me. And I'm good with weapons," she mused, creating a small nest of sorts for herself. She looked up. "You want a barrier or nah? I don't mind either way."

His heart quickened. "I am fine with no barrier."

She squinted. "Techie," she ventured. "You ain't gonna try to steal my blood, right?"

I should after you ran a non-authorized experiment on me last night.

But the last thing he wanted to do was get this woman agitated. If he tried to take it against her will, he knew he would be facing an arsenal of sharp teeth and claws, not to mention a very powerful punch or kick. Besides, to do that to her...

Allies came easily to Tech. Friends... not so much. His brothers either intimidated a possible friend away, or those that weren't intimidated could not even remotely follow his explanations and contribute to his scientific conversations.

Shadow was neither intimidated by the rowdier members of the squad nor was she unable to follow him on his rambles.

Making an enemy out of the one person able to even remotely match him in intellect would prove a disastrous move, and Tech had no desire to deal with the fallout of that for multiple reasons.

Firstly, given that both Wrecker and Tech's CO had a crush on her, it would end badly for him. Secondly... despite his issues with making true friends, he believed that Shadow counted as a friend. Whether or not she felt the same about him was a different matter, but evidence pointed to her viewing him in such a way.

Friends... yes, they were friends.

And friends didn't take each other's blood without permission.

"No, I won't do that to you," he relented before quickly adding, "Unless, of course, you were to-"

"That's a hard pass from me," she chuckled nervously, tail sweeping back and forth across the bed uneasily.

"May I ask why you are so fearful of needles?" Tech asked. "I would do my utmost to ensure it would be as painless as possible-"

"Tech," she cut him off, warning slipping into her tone as the tip of her tail twitched. "I almost pass out when blood gets drawn." A few moments passed in silence before she continued, "I enjoy bein' around you, Techie. I really do. I love hearin' what you have to say about science. But you've got to stop this vampire stuff, ok?"

Tech eyed her low ears, narrowed pupils, and twitching tail, then looked to the dark claws now covering her standard nails.

Agitation, nervousness, even perhaps fear...

Because of him.

That... he didn't want Shadow to fear him! Or even mistrust him!

"I shall drop it," he relented sadly. To lose a research opportunity...

Yet Shadow's look of relief as she relaxed made it worth it. Smiling, she said, "Thanks, Tech."

Trying to swallow down the nervous energy building in his chest, Tech just nodded.

Shadow's head cocked to the side, ears wiggling back and forth, and Tech felt certain she could hear his erratic heartbeat which only worsened the longer she stared at him. She kept calling Hunter's stern gaze a 'soul stare' but hers didn't exactly fall short of that description. And she wasn't even angry with him right now!

The icy fire in those eyes when he'd confronted her at the river after her altercation with Crosshair would forever remain in his memory.

And his saved recordings.

"You ok?" she asked, head tilting the other way. Maker, was she cute when she did that.

"Yes," he quickly said, grabbing his datapad and holding it up. "I'll... be reading over this for a few."

She didn't need to know he wanted to rewatch the footage he recorded of her jumping over the log in the field.

She shrugged and laid down with her back to him. "Alright. Night, Techie."

"Goodnight," he managed, burying his nose into his datapad.

Yet as the minutes dragged on, Shadow continued to show signs of restlessness, twisting and turning back and forth. Was it the light? His presence?

Finally he turned to her as she turned to face away from him again. "Shadow? Is everything alright?"

She flinched, much to his surprise. "Shoot... sorry Tech. I'm tryin' to be still, I swear."

The pain in her voice confused the engineer. Had he said something wrong? He hadn't triggered another episode had he? They really were painful to watch, seeing a bright and enthusiastic spirit shrivel up and die before his eyes as she retreated into herself. "It is alright, but are you well?"

"Eh, used to noise when I sleep," she mumbled, ears flat as she avoided his gaze.

He could remedy that easily! "What if I were to talk about different species I've encountered? Crosshair tells me I can put anyone to sleep."

She continued to avoid his gaze. "Don't wanna be rude and fall asleep on ya though, especially if it's something you're passionate about."

Her concern was touching. To go to such lengths assure him she cared what he had to say...

Hoping she'd look at him again, he rested an uncertain hand on her shoulder. "I don't mind." He smiled. "I can continue where I left off tomorrow from wherever you fall asleep at."

Uncertain eyes looked worriedly up at him, her ears low against her skull. "You sure?"

He nodded, hyper-aware of his heart pounding against his ribs. "Of course!"

A smile crept across her own face. Her arm shifted before she hesitantly rested her hand over his and squeezed. Her hand was warm and slightly rough."Then I'd love for you to share what you know."

Beaming at her and thrilled to have someone willing to listen, he waited until she got settled again and began detailing the different species across the galaxy. Rancors, tookas, nexus, aiawas, banthas. Their habitats, diets, morphology, everything.

On and on he went, caught up in sharing what he knew until he realized Shadow had fallen asleep, breath deep and even as she lay still. Even her tail had stopped moving.

A soft smile spread across his face as he trailed off. She really was something. So smart yet bold. Fierce yet compassionate. Granted, she was plagued by a rather unpredictable temper and the occasional chaotic episode, but she remained level-headed in most cases. An intricate and exciting puzzle to solve.

Slipping his goggles off, he turned off the light and settled down into the covers with his back a few inches from Shadow's.

But he soon realized that he was the one plagued by restlessness now.

He couldn't sleep.

How could he sleep?

Shadow may not have been a furnace, but her back only inches away from his made his skin itch. The soft growl she made as she shifted to get more comfortable, tail brushing his legs, stirred something in his chest and he fought against the urge to roll over and pull her closer.

Tech would never admit it, but the ease with which Wrecker interacted with her... he was deeply envious of their laidback relationship. He desperately wanted to be able to talk to her in a relaxed manner, to have her lean against him, for her to playfully wrestle with him...

Then there was her and Hunter. Their interactions were so natural, so comfortable. Full of playful pushing and shoving just like her and Wrecker. Sarcastic quips and comebacks, constantly exchanging fire in a friendly battle of wit and dry humor.

Tech wanted that.

He wanted to be close to her.

Close with her.

But how could he explain that each touch from her seemed to set his skin ablaze wherever her fingers brushed, even through his gloves? Or how her laugh made his chest swell with happiness? Or how her sharp, inquisitive gaze made his stomach do flips?

He was supposed to be good at words, damn it! That was part of his job! He served as the linguistic expert for the team and they relied on him at least once every mission to negotiate their way out of a rough situation.

Yet Shadow stole away any ability to speak, leading to him standing there like an idiot trying to make words come out. Or making too many words come out in a rushed and jumbled mess of information.

Where could he even start?

What if he tried to cuddle? She said she actually did like hugs, and it was great for building trust!

"Shadow?" he whispered.

A barely coherent muttering was her response, an ear twitching up and angling towards him.

"May... may I cuddle you?"

"Huh? Oh, uh... sure."

Tech hesitated, then rolled over. He let his arm drape over her, trying desperately to breathe normally. But would she catch his heartbeat increasing? Her ears were far superior to his. "Is this ok?"

He fully expected the woman to push him away. To his surprise and joy, Shadow wrapped her muscular arm around his and hugged it close, her grip bordering on possessive. A soft purr rumbled in her throat as her tail flicked against his leg. Wriggling back further into his chest, Shadow huffed a sigh before falling still once more.

She sure did become cuddly when she let down her guard. Tech treasured every moment she allowed her more sensitive and sweeter side to show. It was rare to even see that side of her, so being the recipient of that affection deeply touched Tech.

He couldn't help but rub her arm softly, another smile breaking across his face. He knew she hated the comparison, but she really was cute. "You do not mind this?" he ventured.

"I don't mind cuddles if I'm close to a person."

His heart jumped. Close. Shadow thought they were close? "But you said-"

"Sleepy night night time, Techie," Shadow said with playful sternness, nudging him with an elbow. "We need sleep."

"Yes, being well rested is key to a productive mission," Tech chirped, eager to dodge the other subject.

"Ok, Baymax."

Another bizarre reference? "Who?"

"It's a friendly health robot who looks like a giant marshmallow and is just super sweet."

Tech bristled. Why did people always assume he was weaker than his brothers? "I'm not sweet. I'm a lethal commando-"

"You can be both ya know."

His words slipped out. "Like you."

Idiot!

Shadow chuckled uncertainly. "I'm not sweet."

That was an outright fallacy. Shadow had proven herself kind on numerous occasions. "You claim not to be."

She went silent for a moment. "Guess people just assume I'm not." She sighed. "Think it's my face."

"Why?"

"I always look angry or like I'll shred you if you look at me wrong," she muttered.

"I don't think you do. I like your face."

Fool!

She had to hear his heart now. Or feel it through her back.

But Shadow merely huffed a soft sigh and replied, "Good to hear. Night, Techie."

"Goodnight, Shadow" He paused. "Should I move?"

Please say no.

He wanted to stay wrapped around her.

"No... stay," she mumbled. "Otherwise my brain won't let me sleep because it says I'm not safe."

He made her feel... safe? Shadow was hardly helpless, yet she trusted him enough that she thought she'd sleep better if he was close?

Tech hugged her tighter. "Of course. But you said you didn't like contact?"

"I'm actually terribly touch-starved, I just... hell I love cuddle piles," she admitted, ears low. Her tail twitched against his shins. "But I don't know how to navigate that area with y'all."

"I don't mind if you want to cuddle. It is a fantastic way to build trust and helps mental well-being. Wrecker of course craves all physical contact."

"Oh I noticed," Shadow chuckled. "It's Hunter and you I don't know."

The fact she didn't mention Crosshair at all was not lost to Tech, but he didn't comment. "Well, Hunter is more of an initiator. He prefers to choose when he engages in physical contact."

"His senses mess with him?"

"Sometimes. It swings between craving and avoidance."

"Ain't conflictin' at all," she sighed. "So just chill and let him make the first move?"

With as stubborn as he is? "I think you should make the first move."

"Why?"

"He could be waiting to see where you stand on the issue."

"But I don't want to overstep..."

"Won't know a boundary until you test it," Tech replied.

"Guess that makes sense. Thanks, Tech," she murmured, sighing as she laid her head down.

"You're welcome, Shadow."

He wished he could talk with her more. It was so rare to be alone with her. Crosshair had spent more time alone with her today than he himself had.

But judging by her slow, even breaths, Shadow was almost asleep again. His questions would have to wait.

At least they had four more days.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

She likes me back!

Sitting on the roof, a chilly post-storm breeze tugging his hair, Hunter smiled.

Was this how Wrecker felt whenever he got to blow stuff up? Euphoric?

Hunter certainly felt that way.

His confession and Shadow's subsequent reaction played over and over in his mind's eye.

The initial shock.

The cheesy response.

The confirmation of requited affection.

The warm embrace that followed.

The lighthearted race and banter.

The way her eyes lingered appreciatively on his soaked hair...

The call of a night bird pulled him from his remembrance, and just in time too. He'd been pondering too much on that last detail.

While her gaze had been more curious the first night when she'd seen him shirtless, there'd been something more earlier today while she'd looked over his hair. It'd been there too when he'd stabbed the fish.

Focus on something else before you get yourself in trouble for the night.

But what could he focus on?

Oh... there was that issue...

He hadn't just fallen for a mountain guide on a distant planet. He'd fallen for a Realm Walker. A being who only existed in fiction, or so Hunter thought.

A part of him hoped paranoia was the only culprit for his suspicion. Yet the evidence for her Realm Walker status continued to outweigh any alternative.

Absentmindedly twirling his blade around his fingers, Hunter sighed.

He was just a mutated commando with a knife. He didn't ask for all this Realm Walker nonsense and magic...

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath. "Really picked the best girl to fall for, Hunter," he grumbled to himself.

Of all the people in the galaxy, he went and fell for a girl who was part of a race of beings that were only supposed to exist in legend or space-pilot stories. Of course, because the universe saw fit to make sure nothing was ever easy for him. Always had to be something.

Yet he was hardly upset about the universe sending Shadow his way.

"Hear yourself?" he huffed. "You sound like one of those cheesy romance holos Wrecker watches."

His mind's response of course was to ponder more on the woman he'd gained the approval of.

Maker, he was in trouble.

A yawn caught him by surprise and he glanced up at the night sky. Squinting at the moon, he determined it was time to switch shifts with Tech. While the engineer was up, Hunter could ask him what he thought about it all. He felt certain he knew his little brother's response in advance, but may as well get another opinion on this.

If anything, Tech could debunk Hunter's concerns and put his mind at ease.

Casting his senses out one last time, registering only the Nat-borns that were supposed to be around, Hunter crept back to the large tree he'd climbed up and slipped to the ground and made his way inside.

Maintaining a silent tread as he ascended the steps, he peered at Crosshair and Wrecker on the couch when he reached the top. Predictably, Crosshair had moved close to his batchmate who in turn had an arm curled protectively around him.

Hunter was somewhat surprised. Usually Crosshair wouldn't let people outside the team see him let down his guard like that. Did this mean he trusted Shadow enough to show at least partial vulnerability?

Sharp eyes snapped open, holding Hunter's gaze unblinking. Crosshair's eyes didn't possess nearly the same reflectivity as Hunter's, but thanks to whatever predator the kaminoans added to his DNA the sniper's eyes gave off a faint glow of their own.

It made his sleepwalking habits all the more unnerving.

Deciding there was no threat, Crosshair merely squinted at him and snorted before settling back down.

Shaking the chill down his spine, Hunter snuck to the room where Shadow and Tech slept.

Slipping inside and quietly closing the door, Hunter froze.

He thought they'd've constructed a barrier between them, but no.

Tech had his chest pressed against Shadow's back, his arm wrapped around her as they both slept on.

Maker!

Hunter knew Tech would attach himself to anyone sleeping next to him like a sort of cuddle magnet, but he thought Tech would have the sense to not do that to Shadow! Shadow wasn't cuddly!

But the woman looked peaceful as she slept, unbothered by the trooper wrapped around her. If anything, her arms had wound themselves around Tech's.

Something hot sparked in his chest, and Hunter quickly realized it was jealousy. Jealousy that it wasn't him cuddling the woman.

Stop that. If she does join after the mission, you'll have to share. Remember she likes Wrecker too.

The jealousy nevertheless remained as he approached the bed. He silently cursed when he had to stand in front of Shadow. Were he to tap Tech's shoulder, the engineer could accidentally lash out and hit Shadow. She'd probably react with violence in turn due to shock, and it was just a mess he didn't care to deal with.

"Tech!" he hissed, desperate to wake the engineer but not Shadow. "Tech!"

"Brrrrroww?"

Hunter's eyes widened at the trill from Shadow as she abruptly lifted her head and blinked sleepily at him.

Karkin' hells, that's kriffiin' adorable.

"Al?" she mumbled, voice rough and thick with sleep.

The sailor? "No, Ice."

"Tom?"

Why would she think the sailors were waking her up? Then again she must have slept near the two she mentioned, she obviously trusted them the most. And Trevor said the one sailor called her 'Ice' too...

He shook his head again as he crouched beside her. "Shadow..." he said softly, hoping she'd recognize his voice.

She blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes before squinting at him. Reaching out, she cautiously swatted at his hair.

Are all of her species so tactile?

Not that he minded Shadow's touch in the least. Her hands were a bit rough when they brushed his cheek, but that was hardly a drawback. He almost moved her hand to trace the skull on his face, but he preferred to wait until she wasn't half asleep.

Plus she might poke him in the eye.

"Oh, hey Sarge." She yawned as she pulled her hand back. "Whatcha doin'?"

"Just... wakin' Tech up for his shift," he explained, almost certain he'd seen fangs folded against the roof of her mouth. What are those for?

"I needta take one?"

"No, go back to sleep." He hesitated then reached forward and brushed the hair from her face. Was that ok? Would she accept that touch? She mentioned she didn't mind contact...

But he didn't want to overstep and risk damaging the relationship so early.

Luckily, Shadow enjoyed his touch if anything. Her ears flicked and a purr rumbled in her throat as she leaned into his hand, causing warmth to flood his chest.

A soft smile tugged his lips and he stroked her forehead with his thumb.

Moments of softness, of weakness, were so rare in war. What could a few moments of tenderness hurt? Especially if Shadow was on the receiving end?

She smiled at him before settling her head back on the pillow which Tech had worked his arm under. "Ya switchin' out with 'im?"

Hunter's thumb went still as he stared at her, not certain he heard just right. "Huh?"

The reflective membrane at the back of her eyes flashed as she rolled her eyes. "Hard o' hearin' at night?" She suddenly snickered, pointed finger guns at nothing, and mumbled "At night, tssss" as if it was a bizarre inside joke.

"I... You're certain?" he asked, withdrawing his hand.

"Ain't askin' to fuck ya, Shaggs. Askin' if ya want to sleep here next to me."

Maker, is she blunt. Especially when half-asleep. "I don't mind piling with Wrecker and Cross."

She shrugged, or shrugged best she could lying down with Tech wrapped around her. "Up to you."

"Right, thanks," he stammered before asking, "Can you get Tech up?"

"Can try." Shadow nudged the engineer with an elbow. "Techie. Shadow to Tech, come in Tech."

"Tech reporting," the engineer slurred, still obviously asleep.

Shadow rolled her eyes. "Wake up, bud."

Now partially conscious, Tech whined in protest and snuggled close to Shadow, burying his nose in the junction between her shoulder and her neck. "Noooo."

Shadow shot Hunter an amused but groggy grin and began to softly poke Tech in the nose. "Inspector Gadget, your CO wants you up."

"He can wait," Tech grumbled, batting her hand away.

"I cannot," Hunter retorted as he stood and crossed his arms over his chest, two seconds away from walking back around and prying Tech off Shadow himself.

Tech finally lifted his head and blinked at Hunter, one eye still half shut. "What?" he demanded, perturbed.

"Your shift, get up."

Seeing Tech so physically close to Shadow...

"Five more minutes," Tech huffed, starting to settle back down.

"Now, Tech. That's an order," Hunter growled, purposefully ignoring the look on Shadow's face or the way her ears flicked up at his tone.

"Better go, Techie. Hunter sounded grumpy," Shadow told the engineer, shuffling away from the engineer and prodding his nose again.

"He's always grumpy," Tech grumbled, grudgingly sitting up and reaching for his goggles.

"I'll be outside, do not lag around," Hunter said, jealousy and fatigue shortening his temper.

"Offer is still open, Sarge," Shadow mumbled as she settled back down to sleep.

"Right," Hunter coughed, hurrying out. Ignoring Crosshair's snide remark about being as twitchy as cadet, Hunter descended the steps and waited for his brother as he tried to shove the jealousy away.

A task which, as he quickly discovered, was far easier said than done.