FINALLY
THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
REALM WALKER TIME

This chapter man. You know, originally, back over a year ago when OtRaTtW was a seven chapter draft (don't know what happened), THIS was the chapter where I revealed myself to not be human. This was the first instance of Alphian power being displayed. Funny how drafts can change.

But this post date is special! It's exactly one year after I finished Off to a Great Start, or the first time I finished a full-length book in five or so years!
But today is also special because I join the ranks of full adults! Yep, 21st birthday lets GOOOOOO!

Hope you enjoy the chapter! :D
May be a bit for the next one, but this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger at least! Well kinda does but ya know :D

Warnings!
Brief graphic nightmare description, angst via past character death (RIP 99), mild existential crisis, soft Cross (canon is dead to me)

Run.

Run run run.

Ignore the rocks and branches and roots that try to grab me, hold me back, pull me down.

Ignore the yells echoing through the trees behind me.

Ignore the tears streaming down my face.

What had I done?

What had I done?

I didn't mean it!

I'm sorry, Crosshair!

I'm sorry!

"Shadow?!"

"Shadow!"

Hunter. Tech.

On my tail.

Chasing me down.

Coming after me for hurting their brother.

Gotta run.

Gotta hide.

Water. I had to find water.

Hunter surely couldn't track me through that.

The waterfall. The stream above.

Find it.

It was my only hope.

"Shadow!"

A hope that was rapidly dwindling.

Racing towards the stream, I hissed as the icy water sent bolts of shot racing up my legs. Ok, so the thermal vents didn't extend this far up.

Rat piss.

Making my way upstream, I listened hard for pursuing footsteps over the rushing water swirling around my ankles.

Hunter's yell reached my ears. "Shadow! Ice, where are you?"

Shit, he was close.

"There!"

Damn you, Tech!

Turning to see them racing through the woods towards me, I flattened my ears and took up a defensive stance. "It was an accident!" I yelled, eyes wild. "I didn't mean to hurt him!"

Hunter stopped a few meters from me, holding out his arm to halt Tech. "I know you didn't mean it," he assured me. "It's alright." He slowly stepped closer, hands up. "Not mad."

"You're not?" I asked, desperate for comfort. For reassurance.

"No. Cyar'ika, I want to help." He stepped closer, now only a few feet away, and reached out. "Take my hand."

Should I? What if he was lying?

No. Hunter wasn't a liar. If he was mad, I would know. Ears back, I hesitantly stepped out of the stream and took his hand.

Immediately the sergeant pulled me into a warm embrace. "Not your fault, Ice. It's alright," he soothed, hand cupping the back of my head. "Just take some breaths."

I nodded and gripped his blacks tightly, gritting my teeth as another wave of guilt and lingering nightmare-terror crashed into me.

Tech huddled close to me as well, a hand rubbing my back as his cheek rested on my shoulder. "Shadow, Crosshair doesn't blame you."

"He should... " I mumbled into Hunter's neck.

"No, he should not," Hunter growled, slowly pulling me to the ground.

Sitting down with him, making sure not to dislodge Tech, I took a shaky breath. "Didn't you see his face?" My teeth clenched as I hugged myself tightly. "Didn't you see what I did to him?"

"He's had far worse. Between the two of you, he's not the one in the most distress."

"He's the only one in physical-"

"The amount of cortisol coming off you is a physical response, as is the cold sweat and elevated heartrate."

Usually amusing or comforting, knowing he was listening to my heart just felt invasive now. "Could you… not listen to my cardiovascular rhythm?" I mumbled.

"Sorry, Icy," Hunter apologized, hand cupping the back of my head. "But could you tell us what happened? Cross said you had a nightmare."

"Hunter?"

"I can't see."

"I can't see!"

"Don't leave!"

"I'm scared!"

"I'm too young to die!"

"I don't want to be just another number!"

"I'm scared…"

"Please."

"I can't see."

"Can't…"

"See…"

"Nightmare," I laughed bitterly, voice completely void of mirth. "Would be putin' that shit lightly…"

"What happened?"

"Crosshair… he… he died."

Hunter stiffened as Tech echoed, "Died? What do you mean he died? How did it happen?"

So much blood.

So much blood.

Too much blood.

"We were… it was the entrance to the tunnels. I was alone, then I heard him. He was calling my name. My left. My right. Behind me. In front of me. When I saw him…"

"Take your time," Tech said, huddling as close to me as he could and taking my hand. "We're listening."

I gripped his hand tightly, eyes growing unfocused as hazy images flashed across them. "It was just him. A… a commando droid. The blaster… it… the commando shot him. I saw him take the bullet. Saw him fall." I covered my face with my free hand, fresh tears streaming from my eyes. "I didn't make it in time. He was… the blood… it was everywhere. Just… red. But he still clung on."

Tech rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. "That won't happen. You don't bleed out from a-"

"Tech!" Hunter warned sharply. "Not the time."

"I am only trying to soothe her fear because logically-."

"Clearly it's not workin'," Hunter growled.

"Not at all," I mumbled, withdrawing my hand and huddling into Hunter's chest. "I know you don't bleed out from a blaster wound. It cauterizes or some shit." Another bitter laugh. "But the nightmare hardly cared. Cross should have been dead the moment he hit the ground, but no. Instead, I was forced to watch him die painfully. Slowly. Bleed out as I held his hand and watched him beg to live. Watch him panic as he realized he couldn't see. He didn't even know it was me. He thought I was Hunter. He gripped my hand as he cried and begged and pleaded that he was too young to die. That he didn't just want to be another number."

Tears ran freely down my face now, my breath coming in ragged sobs.

"I held him until I watched the light finally fade from his eyes. Now, every time I close mine, I see his bloodied face. See the fear. The tears. The desperation. I can't get it out of my head…"

"Force… Shadow, I'm so sorry," Hunter breathed, holding me tighter.

I tucked my head under his chin. "I couldn't save him. I failed. I failed and he died because I was too slow. Too weak. You would have saved him if you-"

"How?" Tech interrupted. "Shadow, how would we have saved him? If he took a bullet to the chest, it is unlikely any of our medical knowledge could have helped him. Especially if he was bleeding as much as you say. And it was a nightmare. They do not rely on logic and facts. They are born from our fears and repressed thoughts during the day." He paused. "Having him die must be one of your biggest fears."

"Having any of you die is one of my biggest fears," I muttered, agony and emotional turmoil briefly chased away by the dry and cynical humor always lurking beneath the surface.

"But you have only known us for a few days. Right?" Tech said. "In that case you wouldn't have such a strong attachment. Not to the extent that you do. You also would not have the preliminary knowledge about us, certainly not to the degree that you do.

I didn't say anything.

"But." Tech's hand rested on my shoulder. "You've known about us for longer, haven't you?"

"Could say that…"

He rubbed a soft circle. "That was no ordinary dream, was it?"

I glanced at Tech. "No… I don't think so."

"What do you think it was?" he pressed gently, reaching for my hand again.

Tell them.

I had to tell them.

Tell them about jumping between my reality and theirs.

It was the only way they'd take me seriously.

It was the only way to save Crosshair.

"Prophetic. Guys… look I know this is bad timin'... but there's something I need to tell you. About me. But…" I faltered. "You'll think I'm crazy, and it is crazy, but I'm-"

"A Realm Walker."

As Hunter froze, not even breathing, I looked at Tech in confusion. "A… a what?"

"It's your origin," Tech said with a reassuring smile. "You are from a different reality than us and have somehow found yourself here."

"Are you saying…?" I looked from Hunter to Tech. "There's an actual word, a concept, for this? Studied and named cases of jumping between realities?"

"Technically two words, but yes!" Tech exclaimed, smile growing as an info dump opportunity presented itself. "Hardly studied, primarily the stuff of legends, and highly theoretical, but there are stories about it. Beings having the ability to pass between the boundary of two or more separate universes, essentially forming a branching space-time continuum by doing so. Due to their ability, Realm Walkers are said to know the events of the future on a level far greater than any Jedi. Of course, they also have immense power to protect themselves from exploitation since they are so valuable for their foresight. I myself remained highly skeptical of such a fantastical concept, but you are concrete proof of their existence so I must concede to facts."

"There's… there's a name. You know about it. You know I'm not crazy. This is normal, then! All perfectly normal!" I said, voice gradually increasing in pitch until I broke down into crazed laughter, nerves finally giving way under a culmination of stress.

It wasn't funny.

Depthfire and damnation, it was the furthest thing from funny.

But I just had to laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.

Realm Walker, huh? What a name. Sounded like something I'd make up, honestly.

Unrivaled power? Mystic bullshit? Their mere presence being enough to essentially form another space-time continuum?

But, honestly, I wouldn't be even partially surprised if I was writing this damn series.

Besides, who else would be writing this in depth with my characters, especially ones that I had not posted yet?

I just hated to think what other nasty little surprises my alternate self had in store.

How would that even work, me writing this story while I retained full awareness here?

Not like it would be the first time my characters marched to the tune of their own drum.

You really gonna attempt to rationalize a fanfiction? People don't come here for logic, they come for shenanigans.

Well I hope they're entertained because I sure as hell ain't.

"So you are from a different reality?" Hunter asked, hand softly stroking my hair. "That's why strange… things happen around you."

His tone, while not hostile, chased away the ironic humor and left unease in its wake. My tail bristled and twitched. "Yes... but I wanted to tell you. I didn't mean to keep it from you." What if they were mad? "I didn't mean to lie to you. I didn't mean-"

"Sshhhh," Hunter hushed, cradling my head against his chest. "Breathe, Shadow. Easy, easy…"

I nodded and snuggled closer to him. "I just… you're not mad?"

"Mad?" Hunter echoed. "Farthest thing from it. Relieved that I wasn't just goin' crazy." He settled his chin on the top of my head. "But how could I be mad at you?"

"Because I didn't tell you sooner."

"You didn't trust us enough yet. I respect that."

"I agree that you were wise to wait," Tech spoke up. "By waiting longer and forming a stronger bond, plus allowing us to experience the bizarre happenings ourselves, you ensured that your validity would not be called into question."

"Thanks? I guess." I curled my tail around Tech. "How long have you suspected?"

"Since the second day," Hunter replied. "When you mentioned you knew about Ninety-Nine."

"Right… Ninety-Nine," I repeated, voice barely above a whisper.

"You knew about him? How?" Tech asked, eyes flying wide. "What did you know?"

"I'm a soldier, like you!"

"I didn't just know about him."

"This is what I was trained for."

"I…"

"Ninety-Nine! Look out!"

"I saw him die."

"...What?"

The way Tech's voice cracked… it broke my heart. Retreating in on myself, I stammered, "It… I'm sorry, Tech. Hunter. I know how much he must have meant to you…"

"Tech was really the only one who knew him well," Hunter said, laying a hand on Tech's shoulder as the engineer trembled. "I only met him a handful of times. Same with Crosshair and Wrecker."

"How…" Tech began, reaching for my tail and holding it close. "How did it happen? Cody wouldn't tell us what happened, only that he died a soldier."

"It wouldn't be fair of me to tell you. You shouldn't learn it like this… from me, someone who never had the same emotional connection with him as you..."

"Please," Tech whispered, grabbing my hand again while keeping a hold of my tail. "Tell me."

"He… they were in the barracks. Commander Cody, Captain Rex, ARC Fives, and ARC Echo were there, along with cadets. 99 was going to get more ammo. He… he was so ready to finally be a soldier. And he was. Damn it, he was. He proved all those bastard tapeworms wrong. Took a shot to the leg, but he got up. He continued to fight. He gave it everything he had. It…" I trailed off.

"Continue," Tech whispered. "I want to know."

"Two shots… it took two shots to the back. But even then he tried to go on. He was so determined to be a soldier." Fictional character or not, retelling the story caused tears to slip out. "And he was. He's regarded as one of the biggest heroes of the Battle of Kamino." I squeezed his hand. "You would have been so proud, Tech."

"A hero. I knew he would be a hero," Tech said firmly, swallowing a sob. "They were wrong. They were all wrong."

"They were, Tech. He was a soldier in the end."

"But… how?" For once, Tech seemed at a loss for words. "How did you see it happen?"

This entire scene was just the epitome of "bad timing". How was I supposed to tell them they were a TV show after just telling them about 99 dying?

"It's… you're…"

How did you even segway from Topic A to Topic B?!

Hunter picked up on my hesitation. "Tech," he said, tone gentle. "This may not be the best time for her to go into detail. For both your sakes."

"I can handle it-"

"Shadow can't."

I didn't correct him, dropping my eyes from Tech's instead.

How ironic that a writer with such grand skills couldn't find the right words in any heavy situation they found themselves in.

How hilariously, bitterly ironic.

"Can you tell me later?" Tech asked.

I nodded. I sure as hell would try.

"We should get back to the shelter," Hunter said, running a comforting hand down my back.

I shook my head. "No. No, I… I can't face Cross after what I did." I swallowed hard. "I can't look him in the eyes and see the hate back. I can't take it knowing I just destroyed any positivity between us. I can't stand it knowing I shattered his trust…"

"He'll understand-"

"No he won't. You know he won't."

"You didn't see him after you ran," Hunter said slowly. "He knew you didn't mean it."

"He's telling the truth," Tech said, voice wavering but stronger than before. "Crosshair said, and I quote, She didn't mean it. It had to be the nightmare. He knows it wasn't on purpose."

I didn't say anything, focusing on Hunter's steady heartbeat as my mind raced.

He knew it wasn't on purpose? He didn't blame me?

"I care."

But did he care after what I'd done?

"Tech," Hunter said. "Take Shadow back to the shelter."

I looked up at Hunter. "But Cross-"

"Isn't there."

My heart stopped.

"He's out here."

I looked around, ears flat against my skull. I couldn't see the sniper anywhere, but I suppose that was the point.

Snipers weren't supposed to be easily spotted.

"Where is he?" I asked Hunter.

He shook his head. "I'm going to talk to him. Go back."

"Hunter-"

"It's best if you don't reopen your wound right now. You need time before you face him again," Hunter said gently, standing up and pulling me with him.

Hands on his shoulders to steady myself, I held his gaze before blinking away the tears with a nod. Allowing Tech to take my hand once more, I began to follow the engineer back only to stop and look out into the woods. "Cross… I'm sorry."

With that, I left the sergeant and his sniper alone, just hoping Crosshair heard me.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

"I didn't make it in time."

"I was forced to watch him bleed out."

"I watched the light fade from his eyes."

"I can't get it out of my head."

"I couldn't save him."

"I failed."

"I failed."

If he knew then… what he knew now… Crosshair would have never told her she was making a big deal out of nothing.

She didn't just watch him die… she didn't just hold him as he bled out… she didn't just hear his dying breath… she blamed herself.

What could you have done?

Crosshair watched her leave with Tech, torn between revealing himself or staying put.

He needed to go to her. To assure her that he didn't hate her. That he never hated her…

Hearing her apologize, for something that wasn't even her fault…

Hearing her blame herself again and again and again…

Especially now that he realized the extent of his affection and care for her…

He should have shown himself. Should have gone out and comforted her, the right way this time. Should have assured her that he didn't blame her. That he didn't mean to say what he did. That she hadn't broken his trust.

That he still cared.

But he didn't.

Instead, he stayed hidden like the damn coward he was as Shadow and Tech vanished into the ominous mist

"Get out here," Hunter growled in his direction.

Damn tracker.

Stepping out and fighting down the urge to flinch under his brother's hard stare, Crosshair began, "Listen-"

"Why should I listen to you when you did not listen to me?" Hunter retorted, crossing his arms. "Honestly, don't know why I bother givin' orders to you fellas half the time."

"I came because she's hurt."

"Yeah, because you did a fine job of comforting her last time."

Crosshair bristled under the accusation, well aware how true it was. Perhaps that's what stung the most. "You know I'm not good with... that."

Another painfully true statement.

"There's a point where you can't keep using that as a crutch," Hunter shot back.

"I know."

Hunter's stern glare softened. "At least you're startin' to realize that."

Thanks to Shadow…

"Why?" Crosshair blurted.

Hunter looked taken aback. "Why what?"

"Why does she always blame herself?"

"Don't know."

Crosshair's eyes narrowed, picking up the shift of Hunter's gaze and the way his hand twitched towards where his knife usually lay strapped to his left arm. "You're a shit sabbac player."

Stiffening, Hunter shook his head. "Not betraying her confidence."

"Don't make the mistake of thinkin' you're the only one worried about her." Her words once again echoed in his ears.

"I failed."

"I heard it all…" he whispered. "She thinks the dream is prophetic..."

"Trevor mentioned the ability to see the future was a 'nightmare'."

"So that's it, then?" Crosshair spat, bitterness seizing him with blazing talons and searing his flesh. "I'm doomed to die in her arms after she fails to reach me, and then she'll blame herself for the rest of her life?" Despite the venom in his words, there was no bite behind them.

The thought of Shadow living with that guilt…

He couldn't let that happen. Wouldn't let it happen.

"Possibly not," Hunter said with a slow shake of his head. "I asked her about it before we left the Outpost. In the lift before we met you in the library. It's only the possible future. Gives her a chance to change it, I guess. Didn't think much of it, but now that we know she's a Realm Walker that explains it."

Realm Walker…

Such a powerful entity, capable of changing the entire trajectory of fate and armed with more knowledge of the future than any mortal.

Just his luck to fall for one of those.

What had Sarah said?

"You don't meet a girl like that every planet. Think about that before you do something stupid."

Too late for that warning…

But, perhaps…

Not too late to fix things with Shadow.

Ordinarily Crosshair would just brush it off, move on, ignore and forget about any connection he and another being had. Platonic, romantic, or both. It wasn't worth putting his own skin and heart on the line for someone outside of his team.

It wasn't worth the risk.

The inevitable pain that would strike once the person left him like everyone aside from his brothers did.

But he was in too deep.

He had to fix this.

He'd never forgive himself if he didn't.

"I'll make it right," Crosshair mumbled. "I'll… figure something out."

Hunter snorted softly. "Glad you're willing to figure it out, because since she's a Realm Walker, we need to-"

"I don't care about that." Something blazed in his chest and raced through his body with the power of a thousand suns. "I care about her."

The admission hung in the still night air, the following silence louder than any cannon blast.

Too late now.

Too late to turn back.

Crosshair had fallen in love and was sinking deeper with every passing moment. And, the strangest thing was…

He didn't mind in the least.

If only he could tell Shadow…

"How deeply does that care go?" Hunter asked slowly.

"Deeper than I ever thought possible…"

Hunter's eyes scanned his face. "What are you willing to do to prove you care for her?" he asked. "She will not approach you after this, not when she thinks you hate her. If you don't want the hard work you both put in to be wasted, if you don't want to lose her, then you will have to make the first move."

Crosshair stared in Shadow's direction, breathed deep, closed his eyes, held it, and let it out slow. "Then I'll do what needs to be done."

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Gripping the engineer's hand tightly in mine, I tried to focus and keep my mind off the downright deplorable day I was having.

Or nefarious night?

Whatever.

It was not fun.

"Shadow, how are you feeling?"

My sigh bordered on a growl. "What do you think?"

Hey, give the guy some sympathy too. You just brought up 99.

Ah yes, my conscious. So grand at reminding me of my mistakes.

"Sorry… It… it's not your fault I'm in a rough spot," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry I am not skilled with emotional trauma," Tech apologized. "It is… hard to predict outcomes when emotions are involved. They're not like facts. Facts don't change. I can't… I can't use former scenarios as a point of reference." He sounded so defeated…

"You're doin' your best, Techie," I assured him, squeezing his hand. I stepped closer and brushed my shoulder against his. "I do see that. I'm just… volatile right now. Learnin' about the whole Realm Walker concept is… jarrin' too."

"But you knew about it. Knew that you were not from this galaxy?" he ventured

"Yeah."

"Is it a holo? A book? A game? What role do we play?" Despite his rapidfire questions, his tone bore an element of gentleness.

"It's a saga known as Star Wars, and it spans movies, books, video games, comics… you name it, there's media on the saga. You four are specifically from an animated series called the Clone Wars. Was my favorite show growin' up, but y'all were only introduced a few months ago in my timeline. At least, that's the first time I saw you, where you four show up to rescue an older character. I took a likin' to ya right away for a multitude of reasons, and here I am. Practically datin' three of you."

"Fascinating! And I am glad you came into this… saga. Our relationship is early, I understand, but I still treasure it." He brought my hand up and nuzzled it. "It is nice to have someone to share a passion for knowledge with."

I bumped his shoulder again. "Feelin's mutual, Techie. I'm just sorry I don't hang with you as much."

"I am not as needy as the others, and understand that time together or apart does not necessarily indicate the healthiness of a relationship." He squeezed my hand. "Our care for each other does not need to be proven."

"Never knew you were this good with words…"

"I can modify my language when needed," he said with a smile. "I have some more questions if I may ask them."

"A few more wouldn't hurt."

"For the universe you came from, are Alphians from there too?"

"Er… not exactly." Here's where it gets complicated. "Alphians, Rageryans, Howlers, Kelusines, Tacrumels, Icespitters, Stormcallers, and Hillguides… those are all species that I personally created. Like the Depth Demon. Somehow, the Star Wars saga and my stories, aka Stone's Throw Saga, merged into one. That's why no one has heard of Alphians or their planet. It's not supposed to be in this timeline. And this ain't even the official one. It's an AU of Star Wars and an AU of mine."

"So three realities have merged into one?" Tech exclaimed. "And you are in paramount control over one of them?"

"Guess so." I laughed dryly. "You're takin' this better than I would."

"I must concede to the overwhelming evidence," Tech replied matter-of-factly. "It is very outlandish, but given everything else that has happened it makes sense! All of the strange events that happen to you and those near you. That is also how you know so much about your planets and species, isn't it?"

"Aye. I created them. Everything in Stone's Throw star system is my creation." Another dry laugh. "Hell, Trevor is too. He's a character of mine but he's aware that he is. Max is also my character, and is also aware of what's going on."

"Is Sarah a character? And the others from the outpost?"

"Possibly. They're not from other stories, just this one, but it's entirely possible that they are. Sarah's unique though, because she's got the Force. To not get sued by the company that owns Star Wars, I don't use the Force in my stories, just telekinesis."

"But you see the future like a Force user would?" Tech asked. "Or rather, you have visions?"

"Yeah." I shivered. "Nasty ones…"

"I'm making you uncomfortable, aren't I?" Tech asked, voice softer.

"It's…" I sighed, sudden exhaustion slamming into me. "It's a lot to go through. Especially since I'm not in the best place mentally."

"Understood. I can wait until you feel better."

I managed a weak smile, bumping into him once again. "Thanks, Tech."

A smile as he squeezed my hand. "Of course." He paused. "Can I do anything to help take your mind off of it?"

"How about… talk about something that interests you but you don't get to talk about a lot. What's a niche interest of yours?"

He brightened and happily picked ion engines, chattering enthusiastically about their inner workings and gesturing with his free hand until we came upon the shelter.

"Squeaky!" Wrecker's yell echoed through the trees.

"Hey Wreck-"

Slamming into me with only half the force of a locomotive engine, dislodging me from Tech, Wrecker tightly wrapped his arms around me. "Are you ok?"

"Better, but still not great," I mumbled around his blacks, returning the tight hug.

"Got somethin' that may help." Scooping me up, he carried me over to the ladder. "Can I toss ya up?"

"Guess so, but hang on." I looked over to Tech. "Thanks for takin' my mind off things for a bit."

"Of course. I can talk some more if you'd like."

"Let's get her into the loft, Tech," Wrecker said, gently tossing me up.

Landing safely, my eyes widened.

A… a nest! He built a blanket nest! It was crude at best, but he definitely did what he could with the limited sources.

Taking refuge in it as Wrecker joined me in the loft, I looked up at the demolition expert. "Thanks, Wreck."

He smiled and settled next to me. "Didn't have as many as we do on theship, but-"

"It's perfect," I assured him, managing a weak smile.

His own smile grew as he reached over and pulled me into his lap.

Uncertain but comforted by the gesture, I allowed myself to sink into Wrecker's comforting grip.

Immediately, two large arms further encased me in heat and pressure. My sensory disorder may not have been the biggest fan, but I could feel the anxiety ebbing away, warmth and security taking its place.

Unfortunately, unlike how movies and books showed, it didn't immediately vanish. Small sparks of anxiety flashed through me from time to time, but Wrecker's steady grip helped ease the worst of it.

I released a tense breath slowly, allowing my head to rest against his chest. It really did make a good pillow; squishy yet firm. Saying I felt safe was an understatement. He smelled like a horse after a long lesson, sweat and dirt, but I didn't mind in the least. After years of riding, I'd come to love the smell. To say it calmed me down was an understanding.

Powerful yet gentle arms gathered me closer as he rested a hand on my shoulder before running it down my back. He repeated the action after I leaned into it. "Does this help?"

"A little... so better than nothing," I mumbled, face still against his chest.

Fingers pressed into a tense area below my shoulder blade. "Here?"

"Mmhm." Dragging my tail into his lap, I wrapped my arms around it and held it to my chest as Wrecker continued to rub circles on my back. "Thanks, man."

"No problem, Squeaky," he assured me, voice a low, soothing rumble.

Taking a deep breath, inhaling his scent, I snuggled even closer. He felt so... safe. Like a damn fortress. In his walls, I was safe from any and every storm life wanted to send my way.

"I'm here for ya, Squeak. I gotcha."

I nodded then tried wrapping my arms around his torso best I could in my current position.

"Atta girl."

My heart did a flip at that, but I just leaned further into him.

"Shadow, should I tell him?" Tech asked, sitting beside us in the nest. "About your origins?"

I hesitated but began, "Wrecker… there's… something I need to tell you. I'm-"

"A Realm Walker."

Tech and I responded simultaneously. "You knew?"

A soft chuckle. "I'm not stupid," he said, yet his lighthearted tone held no bitterness. "Picked up on different things over the past few days."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Tech demanded.

Wrecker held me closer. "Didn't want to betray Squeaky."

"Wouldn't have betrayed me, I didn't know there was a term." I tucked my head under his chin. "But thank you."

A hand stroked my back. "Of course, Squeak."

"But did you know that she controls half of the universe since half of it is from her own stories?"

"Uh, what?"

I sighed. "My stories and your universe somehow merged. Kelusia, Alphians, Max, magic portals… that's all my doing."

"Woah," Wrecker breathed. "I really am datin' a goddess!"

A laugh erupted from me. "Of all the responses, that was unexpected."

Wrecker in turn laughed and hugged me tighter. "Gotta keep you on your toes, Squeak," he teased, finally laying down and taking me with him.

Curling up with my back against his chest, I looked over at Tech. "Hey, if you want to… talk some more."

Snuggling next to me, situating himself on his back and taking my hand, Tech nodded and launched into another info-dump, this time on reactor cores.

Sleep almost had me once more when Hunter's voice came from below. "Tech, come here."

"I'm talking with Shadow about-"

"Tech."

I blinked open my eyes and nodded to Tech. "Think… think I'm better now."

"Are you certain?"

"Ain't certain about anythin' right now, but I know better than to piss off the Sarge."

"A valid point," Tech relented with a huff, climbing out of the nest and heading for the ladder.

Watching him leave, I turned over and rested my head on Wrecker's chest after he rolled onto his back.

A large hand cradled the back of my head. "It'll be ok, Squee," he mumbled, half asleep already as a thumb stroked my ear.

Noise from the ladder caused my ears to go flat, and I just nodded before burrowing further into Wrecker.

I'm sorry, Crosshair. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I heard Crosshair join us in the loft, heard him walk over, heard him kneel on the other side of Wrecker… but I couldn't look at him.

Couldn't look at what I'd done to his face.

Couldn't look into those eyes and see hatred once again...

A thin hand rested atop mine.

Slowly, as if not to startle me.

He… he still reached out? Still sought connection? Were Hunter and Tech right? Did he truly not blame me for what happened?

Did he still care?

Biting the inside of my cheek, I risked interlocking my fingers with his.

He didn't pull away. If anything, his hand shifted to better grip mine.

When it came to the sniper, the decision to touch, especially with such tenderness, was not made lightly. I could only imagine the effort it took for him to risk this amount of vulnerability.

But I had to know. I had to hear him say it.

I lifted my head and cautiously looked over Wrecker's chest.

The brown eyes of the sniper met me, empty of hostility and filled with remorse.

For him, that was as profound as any verbal apology.

Swallowing, I ventured, "Do… you still care?"

For a heartbreaking moment he paused, but warm relief swept over me when he nodded.

He cared. He still cared.

Tension bled from my shoulders as I squeezed his hand and let go.

He gave me a final nod and a glimpse of a smile.

Then, to my utter shock, he got up and went to our feet. Hovering there uncertainly, his eyes shifted from me to the space at my back.

Was… was he…?

Not daring to believe it, I shifted closer to Wrecker and inclined my head towards the space.

Taking a deep breath, Crosshair came to my side and laid down with his back to me, shoulders stiff. The nest hadn't been built very big, forcing the sniper to lay barely a foot from me.

Cautiously, hesitantly, I rolled over and reached out to tug his arm. "Cross…"

Having flinched under my touch, he looked over his shoulder at me. The guilt in his eyes knocked the air from my lungs.

Taking a leap, I tugged his arm harder. "Closer. Get… get closer."

What I could only describe as panic lit up in his eyes, but he nodded and shifted to lay on his back, only a few inches from me now. He gripped my hand in his. "Not your fault, furball."

My ears flicked as I glanced over his cuts before meeting his gaze. "But it was."

"No," he said firmly, yet that growl was still absent. "It wasn't." A weak attempt at that characteristic smirk. "Wouldn't I tell you if it was?"

A weak laugh from me. "Yeah… you would."

A soft snort, then the seriousness returned to that dark gaze. "Not goin' anywhere furball." His grip tightened. "Mean that."

I silently held his gaze before nodding and settling back down. Yet when I tried to pull my hand back… he wouldn't let go.

"Hunter and Tech will take remainin' shifts," he said softly. "Will be right here."

Gripping his hand tighter, reassuring myself that the rough skin wouldn't vanish into smoke, I exhaled softly and nodded once more. Closing my eyes as I burrowed back into Wrecker, a tremor ran through me as Crosshair's broken body flashed across my eyes one more.

I promise, Cross, I'll stop that nightmare from coming true.

My tail shifted to curl around his ankle, tugging it closer.

No matter what it takes.

His thumb brushed across the back of my hand before he tentatively shifted so his foot pressed against mine. "Night, furball."

You will not die tomorrow.

I squeezed his hand and tightened my tail around his ankle. "Night, Twiggy."

Even if I have to take that bullet myself.