Summary: "Again and again, they return to their homeworld, just to sit on the edge of the landing pad and watch that sun sink below the horizon." Sometimes, they return to Kamino, just for the memories of all they'd lost. But they will have to let go, eventually. One-shot. Post S1.
Prompt: A red sunset overlooking a deep blue ocean.
As The Sun Sets
The first time, Tech doesn't know why Hunter asks him to punch in the coordinates to Kamino- they all know there's not much left of their home. But he does it anyway. Hunter later tells him that he just wants to be able to remember the good days easier, and the pain of what they have lost is anew again.
The second time, Tech's too busy with other tasks to even realize they've landed on the only landing pad left on their home planet. They're gone before he even knows they're there.
The third time, he realizes it's becoming a routine, almost. They sit and watch the sun set, a beautiful shade of bright red that melts into the deep, dark blue of the water. And he remembers everything.
Again and again, they return to their homeworld, just to sit on the edge of the landing pad and watch that sun sink below the horizon.
It occurs to him, one day, that the sunset is a sign that they need to let go of the past.
He doesn't think the others are ready- doesn't think he's ready, so he lets them keep visiting.
Tech's working on a new set of goggles when Hunter asks him this time, his last all but destroyed in an explosion. It's tedious work, with him having to squint the entirety of the time, but he doesn't give up. He'd been lucky enough to salvage the lenses of his last pair, so all he needs to rebuild is the frames. He's hunched over his worktable, fusing a couple of parts together, when Hunter approaches him.
"Tech, could you punch in the coordinates to-"
"-Kamino?" He guesses. "Yes, of course."
"You always know." Hunter's voice is fond.
Tech shrugs. "You always ask the same thing."
"I guess I do." He chuckles. He's silent for a moment, the air turning sober. "This time's the last."
He actually turns to look at his older brother now, even if his appearance is blurred. When he is certain that Hunter's being serious, he gives a small nod of agreement despite the pain flaring in his heart. "We need to let go of the past."
Hunter nods solemnly.
Hunter doesn't tell the others that this is the last time they'll ever return.
But the planet seems to know, the waters calmer than usual, as if Kamino itself was mourning with them.
They sit together on the edge of the platform.
It's quiet. Peaceful.
Home.
Echo tells them some stories from his cadet days.
Wrecker talks about his favorite simulations.
Omega listens.
Hunter and Tech remember.
By the time the blur of red that he can see starts mixing with the moving sea of blue, he thinks he's finally ready. Ready to let go of his home, ready to accept all that's come to pass. Ready to move forward.
Once they board the Havoc Marauder to leave, he doesn't look back.
He doesn't regret not looking back.