Chapter 30! The title is a multi-meaning one lol.

There is a bit of bad news with this chapter, but I put it in the end notes so y'all can enjoy this chapter first without that on your mind.

Also, just a note! Well two. I've changed their appearances again. The actual images will be released in the PDF of OtaGS on tumblr but the basics are: Cross has an undercut thats silver on top and black underneath, Tech is the same shade as Hunter with unruly ginger hair that completely ignores his canon haircut, Hunter has no bangs and his hair is jet black, and Wrecker has an actual burn scar plus some head fuzz but its really short. The second note was the PDF of the OtaGS remaster will be on Tumblr some time next week! It's got some new edits and such that arent published anywhere else except that document!

With that, onto the chapter! And boy what a chapter it is.

Warnings: Kink mentions, sexual material, biting (Hunter likes to mark), self loathing (Crosshair), self blame, strong angst and feelings of defeat.

Divide and conquer worked for lunch too. Tech took Crosshair to find extra sticks while Wrecker tended to the actual fire at an elevated rocky outcrop a little ways up the trail.

Which left me and Hunter to skin and clean the hogs where I'd detonated the tannerite.

Fine by me, got to spend some time with Shaggy McStabby.

"Guess I was wrong," he commented as he worked.

I hummed questioningly, most of my attention focused on what he was doing. Sure I was descended from a long line of rednecks, but thanks to the Air Force my parents moved out of KY long before I was born so I lacked the whole redneck atmosphere to grow up in.

Made me sad at times, but never too late to learn.

"You can hold your own against clankers," Hunter continued, but I only half heard him.

All my attention focused on the knife in his hands. And his hands. He had nice hands.

Hell he had a nice everything. Moved like a damn panther and my lizard brain was quite appreciative to say the least. Gotta love soldier boys.

Maybe it was shallow, but hey. Military guys caught my eye and I would shamelessly admit it.

Was mesmerizing watching Hunter work. Definitely lived up to his name. Guess whenever they were lucky enough to get leave, Hunter would vanish into the woods like some sort of backwoodsman and just stay gone for a day or two.

He seemed like the type to do that.

"Sorry I doubted you, Ice."

"Mmhmm."

"Should have trusted you from the start."

"Uh huh."

Hands...

"Distracted?"

I blinked and shook my head. "Huh?"

A chuckle and a smirk. "Asked if you were distracted, but guess I got my answer."

My cheeks colored, ears flatting. "Ah... well... you know me. ADD and all that."

"Act like you've never seen someone clean a kill before."

"Well... kinda haven't," I admitted.

"Get closer, then," he said, beckoning me forward.

Sir yes sir.

Excitedly shuffling forward, my knee brushing his, I watched him work. It didn't take long, however, for my eyes to travel to his face and stay fixed there.

If he knew, he didn't say anything. The corner of his mouth twitched as if warding off a smile, but other than that he did not acknowledge my gaze.

Until he finally turned to look at me.

"See something you like?" he teased.

"Hmmm," I mused softly as my eyes shifted between his. "Maybe..."

Some of his hair had fallen from its usual spot. Taking a gamble, I reached up and tucked it back behind his ear. My fingers skimmed over his tattoo, the skin warm beneath my fingertips. I wanted to trace it so bad, but I resigned myself to just his hair.

But the sergeant had other ideas, reaching up resting his hand over mine. He'd taken his gloves off to clean the hog, and the feeling of his skin on mine sent bolts of electricity up my arm. He squeezed lightly before guiding my hand back to his tattoo. Rich brown eyes watching me steadily, he murmured, "Wanted to let you do this last night, but you weren't awake."

Pardon me while I SCREM.

"I was," I replied, carefully tracing the outline of the inked skull as his hand remained over mine. "But I wouldn't have remembered this." Down his forehead, over his cheek... My fingers hesitated when I got to the teeth section of his skull.

His hand nudged mine, eyes still staring intently into my own.

Given permission, I traced the ink over the corner of his lips and down to his chin before heading back up his jaw. I could feel stubble like fine sandpaper under my fingertips and vaguely wondered what Hunter would look like with a beard.

You'd really look like a rugged woodsman then, Hunt. And I'd probably go feral.

"Something on your mind?" he rumbled. Hellfire that voice...

"Wonderin' how you'd look with a beard," I replied, voice equally soft as my head tilted to the side in thought.

"You like beards?"

"I like a bit of stubble," I said. "Just enough to darken the face." I lightly scratched at his jaw. "And feel under my fingers."

"I see."

"Do ya, Sergeant?" I teased, grinning lopsidedly at him.

"I do, Icy." His hand left mine and brushed some of my own hair back. "I do."

Did his eyes flicker to my lips?

I hadn't kissed anyone in... four years? Maybe five?

Hunter wasn't a bad candidate.

But footsteps signaled the approach of another Batcher, so nothing would happen for now.

I hadn't been sure if I saw desire in his eyes, but I was certain Crosshair's arrival sparked disappointment.

Hunter groaned, "What, Cross?"

"I interrupt something?"

"No."

"Yes."

I glanced at Hunter, surprised at his affirmation, only to swallow when I saw the territorial glare on his face.

Don't start getting horny now.

As if I hadn't been semi-horny for like an hour.

Crosshair looked between us, then he must have decided it wasn't worth it because all he said was, "We're back. Makin' the fire."

"Good. Now go."

Crosshair glanced at me, then back to Hunter, and to my surprise left without a word.

He'd been acting odd ever since the pistol incident. But there was another time I remember him acting subdued.

The stream incident.

If Cross got quiet, that meant one thing.

He was remorseful about what happened.

I shouldn't be giving him all these chances. But if I shut someone down when they were actively trying to do better... I was only teaching them there was no point in changing.

No one would ever improve if the world was like that.

But Crosshair and his enigmatic self would have to wait.

There was something else I wanted to focus on.

Hunter's cheek.

We were alone again.

We might not get another chance.

Another Batcher may head this way any minute.

If I was gonna do this, I needed to do it now.

Do it! Do it! Kiss the Sarge! Hurry, before he turns to look at you!

I leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

Only to get the edge of his lips as he turned his head.

Oh shit!

I jerked backwards as both of our eyes flew wide. "I was aimin' for your cheek, my bad bro!" I squeaked, blood rushing to my cheeks as he stared at me. Turning away, I buried my face in my hands as my cheeks continued to blaze.

Mentally spouting every curse word I knew, I wanted to straight up curl into a ball and perish. No, fuck it, I was gonna curl up. Flopping to the ground, I covered my head and wrapped my tail around me.

That was...

Hellfire that was embarrassing!

This is why I didn't make the first move!

"I have... never been so happy about bad aim."

I curled up tighter. "Shut up, shaggy haired bastard."

"Aw, c'mon, Icy," he laughed, trying to tug me into a sitting position. "Red looks good on you."

I groaned louder, bordering on a whine as I burrowed deeper in on myself. "I hate you."

"Wouldn't have kissed me if you did," he chuckled, slipping his arms around my middle and pulling me towards him.

"Stop bein' so smug!" I whined, ears back and a borderline pout on my face.

"You like it when I'm smug, darlin'."

Darlin'?!

Oh me, oh my.

I was... not ok.

My not ok-ness skyrocketed as Hunter lightly scratched my side.

"AIEE, don't do that!" I yelped, spazzing and sitting up.

Hunter laughed and locked me in a vice grip, just as he had done the night before. The strength with which he held me sent a rush to my core. "I see why Wrecker calls you Squeaky," he teased.

"Asshole," I growled, trying to twist my arm around and swat him while simultaneously beating impure thoughts back with a stick.

He laughed again, nuzzling my neck.

Then, out of absolute fuckin' nowhere, his lips brushed my skin. "Can I mark you?"

"Mark me?" I squeaked, barely managing to not accidentally twitch and elbow the man in the throat.

What in tarnation? Where in the blue heck did that come from?! You aren't helping my case!

The backs of his fingers ran down my cheek. "I want them to know you're mine."

"I'm no one's," I replied with a flick of my ears, elbowing his stomach as butterflies swarmed in mine.

Mark me?!

I would... never forget the rasp of his voice in my ear as he asked that.

"Yet I'm your sergeant?" he hummed into the junction between my neck and shoulder, sending a shiver through me that raced all the way to the tip of my tail.

Nor would I forget that.

"Well... uh... hmm."

Wow did this boy make me a stuttering, blushing mess.

"I know you like it when I'm possessive. I see the way you look at me. See the color in those cheeks." He inhaled deeply and released it slow, raising the hair on the back of my neck. "Smell it too."

So much for him not catching on. "Ain't gonna deny that territorial Hunter makes me feel a certain way," I grunted, fighting down another shiver.

Zero to a hundred real quick.

"What kind of way is that?" Hunter whispered, lips ghosting over my skin again.

This was gonna escalate quick. While I was curious to say the least... I needed to put the breaks on.

"A way that we better not act on right now," I grunted despite my body screaming for him to continue. For those lips to travel. For those strong hands to wander...

Pull it together before you really set him off.

"The boys can deal with it," Hunter muttered, nuzzling higher on my neck.

"Hunter... we need to stop here. Or it may get past the point where neither of us want to stop."

"But I already don't want to stop," he whispered against my jaw.

"But... I do."

Hunter pulled away. "Why?" he asked, sounding a bit hurt but not upset at least.

I turned to face him. "Not that I don't want to... ya know. You make me feel a way very few people have," I said, tail twitching. "But... aside from the obvious reasons why havin' sex in a jungle is a bad idea... I'm not ready for it. Not yet. Sex is... is an intimacy thing for me. I'd rather not go too far until... if we ever make it official."

Hunter blinked, but a soft smile tugged his lips. "Then I can wait."

Do my eyes and ears deceive me? A man who actually knows how to take rejection? Y'all do exist.

"You... you're cool with that?" I asked, shocked.

"If you aren't comfortable, then I will not pursue it. I want you to enjoy it too, or there's no point." He ran his fingers through my hair. "And I respect your decision."

You, sir, are a keeper.

"Hunter... thanks. I mean it."

"Have other guys... not respected that?" he asked with a frown.

"You kiddin'?" I asked tiredly. "Most guys don't."

He shook his head. "None of us are like that, I promise."

"I wouldn't have assumed so but... ya know." I shrugged. "Got a lot of testosterone."

Brows shifted downwards. "We're rowdy but not wild animals."

My tail bristled and twitched at the tip. I didn't... offend him did I? "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, Icy," he assured me. "I'm just glad you trust me enough to test the waters around me."

"I definitely trust you," I chuckled, then went silent for a moment. Oh I was so so curious... "You can... you can mark me. A light one."

Hunter blinked. "You sure?" he asked, yet the enthusiasm in his tone and the way he shifted closer told me I didn't need to tell him twice.

"Aye." I shrugged. "Curious to what it feels like, even if I'm not up for more."

He frowned, a brow arching up. "You... never had a hickey?"

"I broke up with my last and only boyfriend when I was sixteen. I'm twenty now. Never been an age when I could get one."

"Hmm. You know..." His hand found my chin and he ran his thumb over the corner of my lips. "I could show you all sorts of stuff."

I lightly snapped my teeth at his finger. "Oh it's not a lack of knowledge. I've been writing smut since fifteen. It's a lack of experience."

A sly, downright devious smirk sent my heart rate skyhigh. "I... can fix that."

"Oh I'm sure. But you can only do this if you understand there won't be anything more."

"This alone is more than I could hope for."

"Then make your move."

Hunter nodded and brushed my hair to one side of my neck. Nuzzling me, he whispered, "You sure?"

I swallowed and gripped his arm. "Go for it."

His hand rested over mine. "Easy, darlin'. Won't hurt." Kissing the bare side, he sucked lightly, a hint of teeth to the kiss. His arm slipped around my back, drawing me close to the sergeant as his other hand shifted down to rest on my hip. A deep inhale and the hand at my hip squeezed.

I wasn't sure what emotion that caused, all I knew was I was in heaven with this. "Woah," I purred, tail curling around his arm.

He chuckled, biting softly before pulling back. "It's faint." He bumped his forehead against mine. "But I'd be happy to leave a more noticeable one later."

"Right... well something you should know, Sarge," I growled softly, hormones awakening an entirely different side of me.

"What's that, darlin'?"

Grabbing his jaw, I lifted it and with my other hand pulled down the collar of his blacks before leaving my own mark. He tasted like sweat, dirt, and, despite the covering of his blacks, woodsmoke and pine. Plus something I didn't know the name of but was unmistakably Hunter.

Cross smelled sharp like whiskey, spice, and aftershave plus a hint of lavender tobacco of all things. Wrecker smelled warm like baked goods yet with a noticeable hint of sulfur residue and sweat. Tech smelled semi-sterile and very clean with an odd hint of clean linen.

But Hunter?

Something unidentifiable yet maddeningly enticing.

Took all I had not to leave another mark.

I let my lips brush his ear as I purred, "You ain't the only possessive one here."

His grip around my back tightened and Hunter growled, "You're playin' a dangerous game, cyar'ika."

"Good thing you like danger," I shot back.

What are you doing?

Lemme have a little fun!

"Besides... now we're even, Shaggy," I snickered, shifting away.

He gripped my chin and made me face him, holding me still. "Don't play to get even." Dark eyes narrowed. "I play to win."

My hand splayed across his chestplate. "But are you good at the long term game?"

His lips shifted into a smirk. "When you're ready to go," he chuckled, gripping my tail and tugging. "Just give the word."

I winked at him, then twitched my ears. "And now I should probably apologize for gettin' you riled again when I just said we should stop," I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. "Got... carried away."

He let go of my chin and loosened the grip on my tail. "I am hardly complaining. Besides, I'm capable of light play without losin' control, you know," he remarked.

"I still don't like bein' unfair to ya."

"Can't blame you for wantin' more of this," he teased, pulling me close again and tickling my side. "I'm irresistible after all."

"Hunter!" I yelped through the laughs. "Cut it out!"

"Say please and maybe your sergeant will show some mercy."

"My sergeant is an asshole!"

"That little stunt does not win you any points," he teased, holding me tighter.

"Mercy, man!"

He rolled to the side, taking me with him. Seconds later I found myself pinned in that triangular body lock he used to take me down the first time back in the Anthill. Despite my extra six inches of height compared to then, he still held me more or less immobile.

Just don't cover my mouth or we will really have issues.

"Lemme go, bastard!" I laughed as he continued to attack my side.

"Magic word?" he purred into my neck.

"Fine! Please!"

He stopped tickling me, but laughed and hugged me close. "As always, I keep my success rate," he boasted.

"Yo! Where's the food?!" Wrecker yelled, coming back into the clearing. He stopped, however, when he saw how close Hunter and I were. A grin spread across his face and he wiggled his eyebrows. "Well well! What's goin' on here? Not interruptin' somethin', am I?" he teased.

"Just this."

Hunter's lips pressed against my cheek, sending blood rushing to my face again.

Wrecker's jaw dropped before he turned and rushed back up the path. "Tech! You owe me forty credits!"

I rolled my eyes as my entire face burned "Why am I not surprised?"

"They like makin' bets," Hunter laughed.

"No shit." My next words came out before I could stop them. "What's the bet on who sees me shirtless first?"

"Ah. Well. That's... "

I smirked as Hunter sputtered. "Confidential, hmm?"

"Cross was right. You got a dirty mind," Hunter remarked.

"You have no idea," I snickered.

"I do have a question." I saw his smirk return from the corner of my eye. "What about the hidin' from droids got you heated? Was it me on top of you? Or..." A hand snaked towards my mouth. "Was it my hand right here, keepin' you quiet?"

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

"Errrrr... the line you reached is not in service. Please try again later."

A low, primal chuckle. "Oh, darlin'." He lightly palmed my throat. "I most certainly will."

Do not get carried away, Shadow! "Is this payback for me gettin' you riled?"

His fingers curled ever so tighter. "Maybe."

"Alrighty, tiger," I said, tugging at his wrist. "We really better stop and get on with the kill cleaning."

"Can't we play some more?" Hunter grumbled, hugging me close again.

"Between horny and hungry, hungry takes priority," I snorted, wiggling.

More grumbling from the sergeant, but he did let me go.

Laughing, I nudged him. "Don't worry, Hunt. You'll get another chance later."

"Promise?" he teased, leaning over with a smirk.

"In the words of a certain sergeant," I snickered, "I don't make threats."

A true laugh burst from the man's throat. "Glad to hear it, cyar'ika."

I winked and went back to watching him as he resumed cleaning the hog.

Minutes passed, and as we were ready to take the meat up the hill I sighed. "Hey... Hunt?"

"Yes, cyar'ika?" he asked with a smile.

"What... what's Crosshair's favorite part of the animal?"

His smile faltered into a look of mild confusion, but he nevertheless answered, "Ribs."

Same as me... "Just... as a thanks for the encouragement back at the tree. He seems to work better on positive reinforcement rather than punishment." I glanced at the ground, tail twitching. "And he did attempt to be nice so..."

Hunter's hand rested on my shoulder. "I appreciate your patience with him. I know he's... not the easiest to get along with, but thank you for not giving up."

"I can't give up on him," I sighed, looking back up at Hunter. "Not after what he told me yesterday."

"What did he say?"

Would I be betraying him? No. There's a very small chance that he told me something his brothers don't already know. "He... I asked why he couldn't be nicer."

"And he said?" Hunter pressed gently.

"He didn't know how."

Hunter's eyes widened. "You got that out of him?" A soft chuckle. "Should have gone into the interrogation business."

"I don't think he meant to spill," I said with a shake of my head. "But after that I tried watching closer and I did pick up on some behaviors that suggest he's remorseful and probably wants to reach out... but given his past he's scared to."

"What are those?" Hunter asked as we stood up, meat in hand. He'd sent his helmet with his brothers so at least we didn't have to figure how to carry that.

"Hoverin', for one," I listed, taking some of the load. "He'll hang close by, almost close enough to touch but not quite. Like an apologetic wasp, hoping you see he's sorry for stinging you." After Hunter's laugh died down, I added, "Or he won't make a snarky comment. His praises are clumsy, but... but he's makin' an attempt."

He's trying.

"It's slow, but it's there," I continued. "I can't shut him down now. I might not be close to a full breakthrough, but Cross isn't a singular event type guy. It's like gainin' the trust of a feral cat. It's a process and you gotta be patient." A small smile tugged my lips. "But when you see a shift, no matter how slight, it makes it all worth it."

Hunter gazed at me with a smile of his own. "Knew I made a good choice with you."

I slapped his leg with my tail. "Don't get mushy on me, buster."

"Wouldn't dream of it, cyar'ika." He bumped his head against mine softly. "Wouldn't dream of it."

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

They'd been about to kiss, hadn't they?

Why else would they have been so close together?

The sight of Shadow gently tracing Hunter's tattoo burned into Crosshair's mind and filled him with far too many emotions to name.

Too many to even think about dealing with.

Yet... Shadow looked so gentle as she traced that skull.

How would her fingers feel tracing the rifle sight inked on his own face?

Cut that out! Why would Shadow ever show gentleness towards you?

But she had! That gentle, reassuring grip on his arm yesterday...

Crosshair hated touch, at least with strangers. Physical contact with outsiders meant his position had been compromised and he was in deep shit. Snipers weren't supposed to be in hand to hand. Weren't supposed to feel the touch of another being against them.

They were supposed to be cold.

Unfeeling.

Removed.

But no one ever thought about what such isolation could do to a person.

A machine could tolerate it. Was made to tolerate it.

That's what the Kaminoans saw him as. A machine...

But Shadow...

"You're not a droid. You are not a machine. That may be what they tell you you are, but what they say you are doesn't matter. What they think about you doesn't matter. There's only one person who can define who you are, Crosshair. You."

He was tired of acting like a machine. So karking tired.

Tentatively, reluctantly, Crosshair allowed himself to indulge the idea. Idea of Shadow being close to him.

"Crosshair... you've got to learn that not everyone is out to get you."

Shadow wasn't out to hurt him, right?

"Not everyone wishes you harm. Many might, but not everyone does."

A silence louder than any cannon or explosion or scream or atomic blast.

"I know I don't."

She didn't.

He knew she didn't.

He could trust Shadow.

The revelation nearly knocked the breath from his lungs, yet it was true. He trusted her. He did. He trusted Shadow.

Trusted her not to hurt him. Trusted her to have his back.

Trusted her to get close to him.

But, after all he'd done to her, how could she trust him?

All he ever did was hurt her...

Voices signalled the return of the sergeant and snarky mountain guide. Unable to meet their eyes, Crosshair focused on his rifle as they went to the fire and started cooking the meat. The smell made his mouth water, but he couldn't get up to join them.

Shadow probably wanted him to stay away anyway.

"Hey, Techie! Got some left over fruit from yesterday for you!"

"Thanks, Shadow!"

Crosshair risked a glance up only for his chest to clench.

Tech had shifted close and was snuggled up to Shadow, resting his head on her shoulder. Shadow's arm draped over him, pulling him in closer as her tail curled around him.

"Since when does Tech nuzzle you?" Hunter asked from across the fire.

"Oh! He has a crush on me. That's why he drug me away to be alone. Sly little nerd," Shadow chuckled, messing up Tech's already unruly hair.

So he finally admitted it.

"And you reciprocate?"

"Ya."

Why did that sting? What was wrong with him?

"So... you got three unofficial boyfriends now!" Wrecker laughed.

"If y'all wanna make it official, then let's go!"

"Say no more, Squeaky!"

Their playful exchange annoyed and hurt. Oh did it hurt. Everyone was on good terms with Shadow but him. Everyone was close to her but him. Everyone had her trust... but him.

He just... couldn't do anything right.

Crosshair had hoped his encouragement at the tree would have mended something, but it came out all wrong.

It always did.

He always failed his mission when it came to Shadow.

Defeat crashing down on him, he focused back on his rifle.

Would he ever make any headway? Any progress that wasn't canceled by a harsh word? A step forward that didn't end with three or four steps back?

A closeness that wasn't immediately shattered by a stupid mistake?

Crosshair looked up as padded footsteps approached. Standing in front of him, Shadow offered him a plate. He looked down at it and his eyes widened.

Ribs?

How could she...?

No, it was just a coincidence.

She couldn't know-

"Hunter said they were your favorite," Shadow said softly.

Crosshair's eyes met hers.

She... asked what he liked? And then proceeded to get it for him?

Why... why go out of her way to do something nice? After how he treated her?

When he still didn't respond, Shadow's shoulders slumped and she set the plate in front of him. "Sorry about the pistol."

Say something!

Speak!

Do it before she leaves you!

"Wasn't your fault," he managed with only a mild hitch to his words.

Shadow smiled tiredly. "Better just let me stick to sabers next time."

With that she turned away, leaving him feeling worse than before.

You'll get over it. You're great at disregarding other people's feelings anyway.

That was all he was good at...

All he would ever be good at...

Shadow glanced over her shoulder. "Gonna join us, Charlie?"

A nickname.

She called him by a nickname!

He couldn't keep the surprise from his face. "Thought... thought you wouldn't..."

"You know me. Too lazy to hold a grudge." She extended a hand to him.

Shouldn't give me so many chances, sweetheart...

Yet she did. Even though he could see her patience wearing thin at times, she kept giving him chances.

Why?

What was her game?

"She cares for us."

She cared for them...

For him.

He reached up and accepted her hand. Picking up the plate as Shadow pulled him to his feet, Crosshair followed her as she headed for a space on the other side of Hunter.

Sitting between Shadow and Wrecker, Crosshair felt Shadow's tail brush his leg again before whisking away. Reassurance that he didn't mind stuck in his throat, refusing to leave his lips, and he focused on the ribs instead.

Really felt like he was on thin ice with her. Didn't help that he was driving a pick into the already fragile surface. Causing the cracks and fissures to grow wider and wider. She would always find a way to stabilize, find a way to give him another chance, but she couldn't keep that up forever.

The only question was...

When would the ice shatter?

And how fucked was he when it did?

Now... for the bad news.
Unfortunately this the last chapter for a long time. Ive slowly been approaching burnout, and thought only short breaks would keep it away. I was wrong.
I'm physically sick, unable to sleep anymore, and had what I can only call a mindbreak two nights in a row. Ive crashed and I've crashed hard. Between college, keeping up with this fic, a deteriorating mental state thanks to the pandemic, life, and the upcoming show release, I've run myself into the ground. I can't keep up anymore and to prevent a permanent burnout that knocks me out of writing forever, I'm placing this fic on an indefinite hiatus. I just can't give an estimate of when I'll be back.
May be june, may be august, may be December. I just don't know.
I cant promise any writing in the mean time either. I'm probably gonna be non-existent on all platforms except for occasionally popping in.
Whatever the case is, thanks for sticking with me this long. Love y'all, Shadow out.