Summary: "The numbers rattle by in the dozens, and it's not long before they've reached a hundred. And they keep going." When Hunter's late from solo training, Wrecker proves himself to be a good brother. One-shot.
A/N: I'm just casually interrupting my progress on a longer one-shot, for the third time since I started it, to write another short one. shrug I can't help it, honest.
Also, my versions of young Tech and Wrecker have had like zero bonding time. I'm disappointed in myself. Wrecker, you go stand by Tech for, like, forever. Thanks. Just don't accidentally squeeze him to death.
Brothers Against The Galaxy
Wrecker had already been in the barracks when Tech arrived. Loda Ke hadn't allowed him to stay to wait for Hunter this time, instead ushering him away with that insistent Kaminoan detachment. Arguing with a Kaminoan never ends favorably, so he hadn't protested.
Now, he sits on the edge of his bunk, his goggles up, his legs bouncing nervously.
Wrecker, for all the physical training he's just completed, takes it upon himself to find entertainment in seeing how many times he can lift a crate before he drops it on his head or something the like. The numbers rattle by in the dozens, and it's not long before they've reached a hundred. And they keep going. Tech tunes it out. He's tired of hearing numbers, even simple counting, after his tests. Not to mention, if he focuses on it too hard, he'll undoubtedly throw up. He's already anxious enough as it is.
Five minutes. Ten. Fifteen.
He rises to his feet and begins pacing.
Another five minutes passes.
"You…You alright there, bud?" Wrecker asks uneasily, finally quitting his lifting out of concern for his younger brother.
"He should have been back by now." Tech murmurs. "I should…I should go back and wait anyway."
"Ya know, the long neck'll just send ya right back out."
"I-I'll hack the door." He decides, around the aching of his head. "Keep security out until Hunter's free to go."
"But you'd get in trouble. He wouldn't want ya to do that for him." Wrecker gently reminds him, watching his pacing. "They're only testing him."
"Hunter says they've started using live rounds." Tech blurts, finally pausing to look at the larger clone's blurred figure.
"Nothin' can hurt Hunter." His brother boasts.
"I am not that naïve anymore, Wrecker." His voice is quiet again. Because, no, he isn't that naïve anymore, hasn't been since he first stepped out into the halls of Kamino. Perhaps even since the first operation on his eyes. And he knows that none of the regular cadets can even get close to relating to the pain that he- no, that the three of them have been through.
"I just want ya to feel better…" Wrecker mumbles, glancing away.
Tech's anxious thoughts die down, just a little, and it's that much easier to breathe. He swallows hard and gives a small, grateful nod. "…Thank you."
"Aww, c'mere, Tech." His brother holds an arm open, beckons him forward.
He allows himself only a moment's hesitation before he steps in the older clone's direction, coming to sit beside him on the bench at the center table. Wrecker wraps his strong arm around him, pulls him into his chest with no shame whatsoever. A large hand ruffles Tech's hair, and he allows himself to sink into his brother's hold. It feels strange for someone other than Hunter to hold him, but he sighs and lets his eyes close as he takes comfort in the gesture.
"I'm your brother too, ya know." Wrecker's voice rumbles gently in his chest. "You can count on me to look out for ya."
He knows, now, that he can rely on Wrecker when Hunter isn't around.