For the TBBTechWeek2022. I combined the prompts of "This is a delicate operation" (Goggles/Datapad/Tinkering), "Obviously, we are different" (Cadet) and "It's in his nature" (Brother/Family). Is this also an excuse to make minor references to the ampullae of Lorenzini in relation to Hunter? Yes.
This fic takes place in 24 BBY. Tech is eleven, Crosshair is thirteen, Hunter is fifteen and Wrecker is sixteen.
Star Wars © Lucasfilm
"...specialized receptor organs for sensing electric fields-"
Tech's fingers danced over the screen of his datapad, his focus captivated upon the blueprint that he had been working on over the last few days, his head tilted owlishly as he studied the various notes and equations that littered the blueprint. In the six months that he had been assigned to Experimental Unit 99, Tech had studied each of his three brothers in turn, understanding their enhancements, as well as the drawbacks that came with each enhancement.
Wrecker's joints were constantly sore, owing to the rate at which he continued to grow into his frame, which left his oldest brother stiff on good days and painfully immobile on the worst of days. To help Wrecker with his arthritis, Tech had employed the precise use of heating pads over Wrecker's knees, hips and shoulders over the months - though he had not seen marked improvement in his brother, Wrecker always thanked Tech after a session with heating pads and physical therapy. Every time Wrecker thanked Tech, there was nothing the young clone could do to respond but to blush, duck his head, and mutter a quiet thanks in return.
When Tech had approached Crosshair with a pair of goggles retrofitted for protection against the bright lights that flooded Tipoca city two weeks prior, Crosshair had let out a low laugh - the first laugh Tech could recall hearing in some time from his best friend - before he had taken the goggles from Tech, then inspected them. Crosshair was almost always nearly impossible to read through the stiff lines of his shoulders and mouth, so much so that Tech had expected the same after handing over the goggles to his best friend. To his complete surprise, Crosshair had loosened his stiff posture to one of a relaxed and cheerful stance, which turned into a mirthful smirk as Crosshair finally tried on the pair of goggles.
To Tech's shock - and pleased enjoyment - Crosshair had returned Tech's gesture with a gentle ruffle of his hair, and even a promise to wear the goggles occasionally. Though Crosshair had only worn the goggles thrice so far, a faint smile adorned the hard set of the sniper's mouth before he'd remove the goggles, then place them next to his Firepuncher lovingly. Tech had found methods to thank Crosshair and Wrecker alike for allowing him into their family, yet he had found nothing to return his thanks to Hunter with. Six months and counting, and Tech had nothing to show for how much Hunter had given him.
Hunter had taught Tech about the gentleness of touch, had taught him about hugs and worked to help Tech understand the emotions that Tech could not comprehend. Hunter constantly protected Tech and supported him, had even helped Tech with his overwhelming fear of water - born from his former handler's use of waterboarding to train Tech to resist different methods of torture -, stars it was Hunter who had found Tech and invited him into his newfound family… and yet Tech had nothing to show for it.
Nothing, except for the blueprint on his datapad he was currently hyperfixating upon since the idea had come to him three hours prior. Hunter's enhanced senses, formed from electroreceptors that provided Hunter with the ability to sense electromagnetic and magnetic frequencies, were often overwhelming and caused Tech's older brother to collapse under the strain of a debilitating sensory overload. The most Tech and his brothers could do to support Hunter was turn down the lights in their barracks, keep their eyes on Hunter and stay as quiet as they could - a fact that frustrated Tech, as well as his older brothers. All three of them were powerless to help Hunter, while the Kaminoans continued to exploit Hunter's sensitivity to his heightened senses to harshen Hunter's very heart.
Tech had to help his older brother, and he had finally found a way. After careful study of a multitude of cartilaginous fish species, Tech had discovered a similar biological process with those species compared to Hunter. A scientist had named the organs sharks, rays and chimaeras shared that offered the fish an ability to detect electric fields the ampullae of Lorenzini and, from the many articles Tech had studied during his chemical engineering class, Tech had finally found what he hoped would be part of a solution to Hunter's senses.
Flickering on his datapad was the hastily scrawled idea of a sensory dampening device, though of what the sensory dampening device could be escaped Tech currently. Whatever he made the dampener into would need to be easily accessible to Hunter during the war they had been created for, yet not something that Hunter could easily lose, such as a weapon or his knife. Perhaps a piece of armor, or a set of blacks?
No...
He needed something smaller and less likely to be destroyed, which would lead to further upgrades and more time with Hunter's senses completely exposed to the war. Tech knew that Hunter would need something he could wear in battle, underneath his armor but inconspicuous so as to not draw attention from their enemies. Tech continued to walk as he looked over his blueprint, a buzz of anxiety racing underneath his skin as he thought of his older brother.
Hunter was always there for Tech, following Tech like a fierce shadow, yet Hunter continued to struggle with his senses daily while protecting Tech - Hunter had interrupted a food fight eight days prior, only to have the clones picking on Tech to douse Hunter in boiling hot soup. Tech had finally stepped in at that point, as Hunter began to howl painfully at the way the hot soup burned his skin, but had hardly lasted a minute against the number of brethren who vastly outnumbered Tech. It was only with the intervention of a furious Crosshair and Wrecker that Tech and Hunter had been pulled from the cafeteria, albeit to the medical wing for Hunter and punishments for Tech.
After, Tech had avoided Hunter for fear of his brother's anger, for he could see no other way Hunter could react. Tech had been unable to defend himself with his small stature compared to the older generation clones, his helplessness practically forcing Hunter to dive headfirst into a fight that would lead them all to trouble. What else could Hunter have been but mad? Yet, when Tech had finally been released from his punishment - a solo battle simulation that tested his ability to protect a target, while fighting a growing swarm of training droids. He had failed the simulation after a droid's shot struck his face, knocking Tech to the ground long enough for the remaining droids to swarm his base - Tech had been greeted by Hunter's usual concern. The Kaminoan who ran the simulation had dismissed Tech back to his barracks without any further punishment, though the failure - yet another on the long list of failed simulations - rankled Tech more than any secondary punishment could have.
When Hunter saw Tech enter their barracks from where he was cuddled around Crosshair's lanky frame, Tech's older brother had immediately scrambled away from the slumbering sniper to lock Tech in a warm embrace. Crosshair, who had been jolted from his sleep by Hunter's swift departure, bolted to his feet before Tech's best friend rushed to Tech's side, where he hovered anxiously over his shoulder. Tech had spent that night cuddled between all three of his brothers after Wrecker had returned to the barracks from a late night snack, though he could not sleep until long after his entire family had fallen asleep.
He lay there, nestled between his brothers, in quiet contemplation, overviewing the way Hunter had reassured Tech of his strength, while Crosshair worried at Tech's food stained hair until Tech had scurried to the private fresher in their barracks for a quick shower. After he had showered and changed into his pajamas, Tech was once again met by the concerned gazes of his brothers - and Lula being forced into his chest with a quiet command from Wrecker for Tech to cuddle with the stuffed tooka he had worked on months prior. His brothers' concern, as well as Wrecker pushing Lula into Tech's chest were the tiniest hint of appreciation that made Tech feel accomplished in his efforts to support his family through whatever means Tech was capable of, though he knew he had not yet done enough to truly earn his brothers continued loyalty.
Least of all with Hunter, Tech thought as he tapped at the screen of his datapad curiously, wracking his mind for any hint for what his sensory dampener could be created from. Hunter was a curious person, disinclined to cuddle with a stuffed animal just as he was prone to habits that only the most observant could catch. Tech's older brother had grown his hair out beyond regulation length in an effort to afford Hunter a way to distract his senses, usually by Hunter pulling at his hair by the roots or having Tech or Crosshair braid his hair. A few times Tech had braided Hunter's hair prior to a simulation, both for Tech's anxiety and to help focus Hunter-
A sudden weightlessness greeted Tech as suddenly as his face crashed into the hard durasteel floor with a resounding crack of his forehead against the floor. Tech lay stunned on the ground as his mind attempted to understand how he had gone from walking to crashing on the floor, for he knew his way around the halls of Tipoca City like the back of his hand. Hallway 10-C of the eastern section of Tipoca City was clear of any tripping hazards at all times, owing to the fact that most of the youngest cadets occupied this sector of the city, which should have left Tech's path unobstructed. A sense of wrong began to prickle along Tech's spine as he slowly shifted onto his hands and knees, only for his body to react with a sudden burst of dizziness as Tech moved.
Tech wavered in place until the dizziness vanished from his head, leaving his mind free to hear a sharp sneer echo inches above him. The voice was familiar in the regards of being that of one of his brethren, yet not a voice Tech recognized personally, though the sharpness of the spoken words were enough for Tech to tense for a fight.
"A soldier always keeps an eye on his surroundings, or did you happen to forget that with all of your useless knowledge on stars?"
An involuntary flinch shuddered through Tech as he shot the clone hovering over him a glare then, slowly, with his knees, hands and head aching, rose to his feet. The clone standing before Tech was much taller than him, as well as older - likely first or second generation, judging from the clone's muscled frame that Tech could see underneath the clone's uniform -, and far too close to Tech for comfort. But his brothers had instilled a tiny sense of confidence within Tech and, with his back straightening to Tech's full height - though still tiny compared to the clone - , Tech stared down the older clone.
"Technically," Tech began, his tone as frank and calm as he could make it, "I-"
"Technically," the clone interrupted mockingly, his lips turned up in a harsh smile, "you're just a little freak."
Freak.
Tech felt himself shrink under the clone's sneer, his bravado vanishing as if by an explosion before Tech shrank into himself. His shoulders fell as Tech tried to maintain the same outward composure he could no longer feel himself, but his attempts failed drastically within a second. A second of hesitation that cost Tech.
Before Tech could process what was happening, the clone before him slammed his hands over Tech's ears. Tech's body flinched at the feeling of the clone's calloused hands striking his ears, before a sudden wave of nausea and dizziness struck Tech like an anvil. His legs wavered underneath him as Tech staggered backwards, his legs practically made of gelatin as Tech stumbled under the agony coursing through his head. But he did not get far before Tech felt a hand roughly grab him by the back of his hair, foreign fingers knotting underneath the band of his goggles before Tech felt the rough hand jerk his goggles from his face.
The force of his goggles being torn from his face threw Tech forward, his hands briefly brushing against fabric before a knee slammed into his back, throwing Tech into the nearest wall. Air slammed out of Tech's lungs in a desperate exhale as Tech's back hit the wall first, seconds before Tech crashed to the ground in a crumpled heap on the floor. Needles of pain shot through Tech's left elbow as he huddled into a ball against the wall, knees drawn to his chest as terror shot through him.
Without his goggles, Tech was blind and without an ability to see, he could not defend himself. Stars, he did not even know how many other clones were near him, or their true intentions. Panic sat restlessly on Tech's tongue until he took multiple deep breaths, then focused every part of his anxiety driven mind to hone upon the first clone's voice.
He could hear the first clone lazily twisting Tech's goggles by their frame, before he let out a laugh that crawled down Tech's bruised back. "So you are the defect that has pushed my batch to second in aerial engineering? You," the clone bent down until he was eye to eye with Tech, who spat defiantly in return to the clone's approach as he pushed himself into a seated position, "shouldn't even be in a second generation class, kid. And whatever could you need these goggles for? A real trooper wouldn't wear adornments on their face as you do, freak."
Hurt clawed at Tech's chest at his brethren's insult, though he dared not allow himself to falter as he met the clone's eyes, clenched his fists, then smirked. Now that the other clone was close enough for Tech to see the distinctive scars that ran across the clone's chin, Tech recognized him as Fissure, the leader of his five clone batch in Tech's aerial engineering class. Most recently, Tech had easily outsmarted Fissure and his brothers in an engineering simulation that had finally earned Tech highest marks in his class. Highest marks, it seemed, that Fissure was highly displeased by.
Highest marks Tech had earned on his own, not in a group of five batchmates as Fissure and his brothers had.
A scowl flitted across Tech's mouth before he crossed his arms over his chest, raised an eyebrow with bored disdain, then calmly stated, "Considering the effort I put into my coursework, and the rate that I spend studying, it was only natural that I would eventually be transferred to more advanced courses. That I achieve the highest marks in our class is further proof of dedication to my coursework and not a slight against yourselves."
Silence met Tech's statement, drawing out into the suddenly tense air for a long minute before Tech felt a fist crack against his jaw. The force of the strike threw Tech to the floor for the third time that day, though this time Tech was more prepared for the strike. His cheek slammed into the ground as his teeth gnashed together, setting his nausea to such a dizzying state that Tech had to fight the overwhelming feeling of his roiling stomach wishing to expel what little food he had eaten that day. Tech tried to stand to defend himself as his brothers continued to encourage and train him to do so but, before Tech could even gather himself off the floor, Fissure's boot slammed into his side - directly over his ribs.
Pain burst through Tech as Fissure's boot slammed into him over and over, never allowing Tech the chance to curl into a defensive position or even defend himself from the flurry of attacks. Loud jeers from Fissure's batchmates followed each strike, an onslaught that eventually left Tech numb as Fissure finally stopped in his assault.
Tech expected Fissure to strike him again - perhaps a boot to his ribs for the second time? - when he heard a low, deep snarl echo through the hallway. Unlike with the unfamiliar thrum of his brethren's voice, the one that next spoke was achingly familiar - Hunter - and deeply reassuring. "Get away from my little brother."
Tech dared to peek out from underneath his arms as Hunter's words snapped off his tongue like the shot of a slugthrower, the threat clear even to Tech as he watched his brother stalk towards Fissure's batch. Rage bristled off of Hunter's shoulders as he stepped up to Fissure - who was a few inches taller than Hunter -, then jabbed his finger into the other clone's chest.
"Back off of my brother, give him his goggles back and I will forget all about this," Hunter growled as he and Fissure locked gazes, each word Hunter spat making Tech's eyes widen. He had never heard his older brother in such a state of fury before, for Hunter had never even seemed this upset about Tech's former handler's abusive treatment of Tech. Worry gave Tech strength as he watched Fissure's boots shift from Tech's side to fully face Hunter, enough strength that Tech pushed himself up off the floor slightly.
Fissure was snarling at Hunter, his hand slamming against Hunter's shoulder roughly enough to shove Hunter a few steps backward, though Tech did not pay attention to what his brother and Fissure were saying to each other when Tech turned to the small communicator cuff on his right arm. His non-dominant hand ached from being thrown to the floor - and being stomped on by the heel of Fissure's boot - but not enough that Tech could not pull his hand close enough to activate the communicator. A few seconds passed of Fissure and Hunter snarling at each other before Tech pressed out a message detailing his and Hunter's location to Crosshair and Wrecker.
Before Tech could receive a response from either of his two absent brothers though, one of Fissure's batchmates - Tech thought it was Scoria by the anooba-like growl that followed his every move, though he could not be certain - swung at Hunter. Where Fissure and Hunter had merely thrown their individual weights around the other in a show of their strength, Scoria broke the tense stalemate between the two with his attack. Hunter, sensing the strike coming through the electromagnetic pulse of energy that came from shifting muscles, whirled on Scoria with a fierce snarl before Hunter's fist collided with the other clone's face.
After that, everything became a muddled blur as Fissure and his batch swarmed Hunter, though Tech could almost narrate the fight through the sounds of flesh striking flesh, or the unmistakable sound of Hunter's deep snarls. Hunter could fend for himself easily, Tech knew, but he was outnumbered against Fissure and his batch - and Experimental Unit 99 never allowed their own to fight alone. Determination set a new strength to Tech as he slowly gathered himself to his feet, enough determination that Tech fought his nausea and bruised body for his family.
His vision swam with the blurs that were Hunter, Fissure and his batch, but Hunter's blur was distinctive. Hunter was stocky and, practically, danced on his feet, flitting to opponent after opponent with agility and poise. Unlike Fissure and his batch - one of whom Tech tracked as Hunter's fist slammed into the clone's face -, all five of whom seemed to lumber about on their feet compared to Hunter. One of five who lumbered too close to Tech.
Before Tech could hesitate on his moral grounds of pacifism, Tech leapt at the clone, using the side of his foot to crack against the calf of the clone's right leg. Tech's opponent staggered for a second at his swift, accurate and fierce hit, though Tech's hit did more than he intended as the clone he'd struck turned on Tech with a low growl. Tech ducked the first swing of a fist that he predicted his opponent would throw at him, only for his act of dodging to instead catch Tech in the abdomen. Immediate fire burst through Tech as the hit winded him, forcing Tech to slump into his opponent with a broken wheeze.
Hunter shouted Tech's name before Tech felt a foreign pair of hands grab him by his hair roughly. Tech spat as he instinctively clawed at the clone who was tearing at his hair, nails digging against the thick uniform, though his efforts to break the clone's grip were futile. Fire burned through his scalp as Tech felt the clone's fingers tighten in his hair until unwanted tears began to prick at the corner of Tech's eyes.
"Tech!"
Hunter's roar boomed inches from Tech, seconds before he felt the harsh grip on his hair vanish - albeit not without some of his hair being yanked from his scalp by the roots. Tech fell backwards with a shout as a blur of fury in the shape of Hunter crashed into the clone, sending Hunter and the clone into a sprawling heap on the floor. The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed in Tech's ears as his older brother whaled on their opponent relentlessly.
Tech saw a blur of movement at the periphery of his vision heading towards Hunter and, without thinking, Tech dove in front of his older brother. Fissure's punch hit Tech in the shoulder, reeling Tech into Hunter's back with a surprised shout. Hunter stiffened as Tech landed on him, a momentary pause stretching between them as Hunter suddenly pushed Tech behind him. The shift caused Tech to almost trip over himself as his feet skidded over the durasteel floor, though Hunter's right hand steadied Tech as Hunter pressed Tech's back into the wall.
Fear rattled through Tech as Hunter pressed his back into Tech, forcing both against the wall before Hunter let out a cold snarl. Tech flinched as he reached for Hunter with his left hand, his fingers latching onto the waist of Hunter's uniform, and waited. Hunter was breathing heavily as he kept his back pressed against Tech, his left leg braced against Tech's hip as Hunter continued to snarl at Fissure and his batch.
Fissure let out a cold laugh before he twisted his hand, then threw something at Hunter. Hunter caught whatever had been thrown at him with his left hand, moments before Tech felt Hunter press Tech's goggles into his chest. Tech took the goggles as Hunter braced himself, fitting them quickly over his face as he clung to Hunter. Now, with his vision restored, Tech peeked around Hunter to see the five clones staring down Hunter.
Fissure was standing before his brothers with his arms crossed over his chest, a sneer pulling at the corner of his mouth as he looked down his nose at Hunter. Tech swallowed as his eye caught on the blade of Hunter's vibroknife, held firmly in Hunter's right hand and drawn for combat against Fissure and his squad.
"You know," Fissure snapped as he stepped up to Hunter - who tensed upon the approach -, then suddenly snatched Hunter's right wrist in his hand before Fissure twisted Hunter's wrist in his large hand, "if you got rid of the defect, your squad would be better off."
Hunter hissed at Fissure in response, words unable to be formed as Tech watched Hunter buckle under the strain of Fissure twisting his wrist. Tech's heart slammed against his ribs as Hunter tried to fight Fissure, only for the clone to twist Hunter's wrist enough that he dropped his vibroknife with a sharp clatter against the ground. Hunter bared his teeth in answer, though Tech could see how his brother was struggling to stand.
Blood was dripping from Hunter's mouth as he pressed his shoulder into Tech, his eyes blazing with fury as Fissure finally stepped into Hunter's space, then slammed Hunter's right hand into his face. Hunter stumbled into Tech as Fissure slammed all of his weight into Tech's older brother, crushing Tech into the wall as Fissure rained hits on Hunter.
Tech pushed at his brother, desperate to escape Hunter's crushing weight so that he could somehow help-
The unmistakable sound of cracking bone stopped Tech just as he had found a purchase on Hunter's back - a sound that made Tech instinctively flinch, then burrow his face into Hunter's back. He expected to feel Hunter's body sag against him at the hit, for Tech could recognize the sound of a jaw being broken, but Hunter did not. Instead, Hunter straightened slowly in front of Tech with a deep snarl before Tech felt Hunter's right hand take his own briefly.
Tech blinked at the touch before he realized that Wrecker had waded his way into the fight, fists flying as rage blazed in his brown eyes. Crosshair was there as well, though he was hurrying towards Tech and Hunter as Wrecker single-handedly dealt with Fissure and his batch. Fissure was laying on the ground, his breathing halting as the older clone clutched at his throat - which was showing livid marks that looked suspiciously similar to Wrecker's hand -, while Wrecker was busy beating Scoria into the ground. The rest of Fissure's batch were trying to pull Wrecker off of Scoria, only for Wrecker to hoist Scoria off the ground as he swung Scoria into the three remaining members of their batch. All three clones crashed to the ground underneath their brother's weight, where they lay stunned as Wrecker turned back around towards Fissure.
At this point, Fissure was struggling to his feet as Crosshair guarded Hunter and Tech with his back, Hunter's vibroknife held carefully in his hand as Wrecker lifted Fissure by the collar of his uniform. Fissure flailed his legs uselessly before Wrecker slammed the clone into the wall, leaving Fissure pinned as Wrecker leaned so that he was nose to nose with Fissure.
"Touch my brothers again," Wrecker hissed, as Fissure shrunk underneath Wrecker's seething presence, "and you and I will meet again."
Fissure swallowed considerably before he gave a tiny nod as answer to Wrecker's threat. With Fissure's nod, Wrecker tightened his grip on Fissure, spun on his heels, then flung Fissure at his squad. Fissure slammed into his four batchmates, who had finally begun picking themselves up off the ground, where they lay sprawled on the floor as Wrecker turned towards Tech, Hunter and Crosshair worriedly.
"Are you alright, brothers?" Wrecker asked as he stopped beside Hunter, eyes narrowed with obvious concern as their oldest brother hovered mere inches from Tech and Hunter.
Hunter answered for Tech with a small, stern shake of his head as Crosshair continued to wipe a piece of cloth against Hunter's mouth, earning himself a wince as Hunter gently pushed Crosshair away from him. Crosshair shot Hunter a glare before he jerked his head to Wrecker, glanced towards Fissure and his batch, then shifted Hunter's arm over his shoulder. As Crosshair started to move Hunter down the hallway, Wrecker looked down at Tech, then slowly stepped in front of Tech so that he could not see Fissure and his batch. Tech swallowed as Wrecker's right hand moved to hover behind his back, though Wrecker did not touch him even though Tech knew Wrecker wanted to place his hand on Tech's shoulder, if not his back.
Then, to Tech's surprise, Wrecker inclined his head in the direction Crosshair and Hunter were slowly trudging in the direction of their barracks, before he crouched down in front of Tech. "Crosshair suggested that I should carry you to our barracks, but I won't if you don't give me permission, little brother. Are… are you alright with me carrying you?"
Tech stared at Wrecker as his brother's request finally filtered through his dizzied mind, all while Tech wavered on his aching legs as his stomach continued to buck with jolts of nausea. Wrecker had never carried Tech before in his life, though Tech had seen his fair share of Wrecker carrying Hunter or Crosshair in simulations to understand what being carried entailed. His brother would be careful as he wrapped his arm underneath Tech's knees and around his back, Wrecker's intentions never being that of hurting Tech, as Wrecker walked with measured strides. Tech could, logically, still walk, as his person had luckily not suffered any broken bones, but his body hurt as his head continued to reprimand him for standing.
Finally, with a broken groan escaping from his mouth, Tech collapsed forwards into Wrecker, his eyes fluttering closed as he slipped between sleep and being awake. Wrecker startled as Tech pressed against his broad chest, his eyes widening with a tiny exclaimed sound of surprise before Wrecker carefully hoisted Tech into his arms. Tech felt his head swim murkishly as Wrecker propped Tech's head against his chest, placed Tech's datapad into Tech's left hand, then walked back to their barracks. Tech failed to notice the passage of time as Wrecker carried him, while the bright lights of Tipoca City danced over head.
Wrecker's arms held Tech close, while the fingers of his right hand rubbed at Tech's shoulder in tiny, soothing circles. This continued until Wrecker reached Experimental Unit 99's barracks, where he had to retract his right hand from Tech long enough to input the code to their room. Tech heard the hiss of hydraulics before Wrecker carefully carried Tech down the three steps into their barracks, then positioned Tech on the bench that occupied the middle of their barracks. There, Wrecker steadied Tech as he urged Tech to stay strong, then hurried out of their barracks.
Tech propped himself up on his elbows, distantly aware of the cold bite of the durasteel table top, before he pulled his datapad into his line of sight. The schematics for his theoretical sensory dampener wavered under his nauseated vision, the words and equations making no visual sense as Tech blinked down at the screen of his datapad. His body ached where Fissure and his batchmates had battered Tech, making it impossible for Tech to do anything but sit stiffly in the bench.
His vision swam moments before Tech found himself crouched over the toilet in their barracks' private fresher, the coolness of Crosshair's touch soothing as Tech shuddered over the toilet bowl. Crosshair's fingers brushed at Tech's sweat soaked hair, pausing momentarily over the clumps of torn hair before Tech's brother carefully helped Tech to his feet. Tech slumped into Crosshair's side, his breathing ragged as the taste of bile burned his throat enough that Tech had to push his face into Crosshair's neck to fight the urge to expel the contents of his stomach once again. Crosshair let out a concerned noise before he shifted Tech towards the small sink, then gently washed Tech's mouth and face with a wet washcloth.
When Crosshair finished, Tech's hot, sweat-soaked face was damp and cool, though a tiny headache persisted. Crosshair directed Tech out of the fresher and to a small, portable chair where the sniper helped Tech sit. Ever obedient under a commanding voice, Tech followed his brother's direction, then watched as Crosshair began tending to his aching body.
Wrecker had returned with large buckets of ice, which Crosshair had bagged, wrapped in small washcloths, then placed over the sore points of Tech's body. Crosshair tended to Tech with the utmost show of care and gentleness, his hands already expert at the role of their unit's secondary medic. Tech had begun honing what knowledge Crosshair already knew of medical procedures in the months he had known the sniper, though Crosshair caught on quickly as he worked Tech through the process of becoming a certified field medic. Tech's knowledge on the matter far exceeded Crosshair's, owing to Tech's years of training as a medic, but Tech was determined to train each of his brothers to be able to tend to their own injuries on the battlefield. As much as Tech wished that he could be there for his brothers for the entire war, reality told him that he would not be able to.
Crosshair had taken to the training voluntarily, while Wrecker and Hunter both had to be encouraged by the sharp tongue of the sniper. The same sniper who was ever so carefully - and subtly - lifting Tech's shirt as he applied ice to Tech's ribs. Wrecker was busy braiding his hair as Hunter sat in front of their oldest brother on Hunter's bunk, the sensation making Hunter exhale warmly as he slumped forward tiredly. Concern clawed at Tech as he shot a glance towards Hunter, bit back a pained gasp as Crosshair's fingers palpated his sternum carefully,
"Is Hunter… alright?" Tech whispered, his voice raw with worry as Crosshair continued to apply the ice to Tech's ribs.
"He's going to be fine," Crosshair responded quietly, his eyes snapping to Tech's face for a brief moment before shifting back to Tech's bruised chest. Tech listened as Crosshair detailed the extent of Hunter's bruising, though Tech only let himself breathe with relief when Crosshair's report revealed that Hunter had escaped with bruising, a cut lip and aching joints, but no broken bones.
Tech looked away from Crosshair as he felt his brother finally finish with his careful ministrations, moments before Crosshair met Tech's gaze briefly. Tech stiffened at the eye contact briefly before his gaze flitted away to study Crosshair's right shoulder.
"You did very well contacting us, little brother," Crosshair rumbled as he looked over Tech thrice more, then released a low sigh, "though I am sorry we couldn't reach you both quicker. Wrecker and I were just finishing our battle simulation when we got your message. I knew something was wrong by the fact you didn't finish our conversation about the Marimkes Mountains, and I'm just glad we found you when we did."
Surprise filtered through Tech as Crosshair continued to ramble, the nervous way Crosshair worked his hands into tight knots making Tech finally aware of how worried Crosshair had to have been about Tech and Hunter alike. Without hesitating, Tech shuffled closer to Crosshair, then pressed all of his weight against his best friend's chest. Crosshair let out a grunt at Tech's unexpected weight, but quickly wrapped his arms around Tech, then pressed his chin on top of Tech's head.
The weight of Crosshair's head, as well as his arms around Tech's back, lulled Tech's mind into a needed state of rest that slowly quelled the queasiness in his stomach, as well as his heart. The only sound that pervaded their barracks was that of Wrecker humming a wordless tune, such a soothing contrast to the snarl Tech had heard Wrecker speak with to Fissure. Around all but themselves, his brothers were fierce, angry and deeply distrusting of others, to such degrees that Tech knew his family to be insular and heavily guarded. He could not imagine any of his brothers lowering their guards around anyone else and, once more, was eternally grateful for the gracious acceptance his brothers had given him in Tech joining Experimental Unit 99.
Tech couldn't imagine living with his brothers and not being welcomed into their tight-knit family, being forced to watch from the sidelines as his family bonded with each other. Being ostracized by his family as they continued to fight and love each other would, Tech knew, have destroyed him and only made him truly break - just as his handler had always wanted Tech to become. A broken, emotionless, twisted monster who would never understand friendships or the confusing world of emotions.
Tech felt an involuntary shudder tear through him before he buried his face into Crosshair's chest, then let out a quiet thanks for his brothers' rescue. Crosshair did not speak as his right hand gently threaded over his scalp, rubbing gentle circles against his skin until Tech finally felt himself truly relax. He stayed curled against Crosshair's chest for hours, moving only when Wrecker returned from the cafeteria with four trays of food for his family.
After their quick dinners, Hunter took a shower first, then curled into his bed, where Tech noticed Hunter looking at Tech's datapad. Anxiety wormed its way into Tech's heart as he showered, brushed his hair and teeth, then dressed into his pajamas, for he knew that Hunter could only be looking over Tech's schematics. The schematics Tech had made specifically in regards to Hunter, and had foolishly labeled with his brother's name.
His brother now knew completely about Tech's project and, from all Tech could theorize as he slowly trudged out of the fresher, then stopped at Hunter's bunk. Hunter took his time to notice Tech as he slowly lowered Tech's datapad from his view, then turned so that he was looking closely at Tech with an expression Tech couldn't decipher for his anxiety. If Hunter was disappointed in Tech for everything that had happened that day, Tech would not know without speaking to his brother, yet he feared the ramifications that Tech was certain would come from the fight with Fissure and his batch. After all, it was Tech's fault-
The sensation of Hunter's hand gently resting over Tech's hands, - both of which he had been unconsciously wringing together as Tech stared down at Hunter - stilling his anxious movements before Hunter gestured for Tech to join him. Tech stared at his brother's face, then stared at where Hunter's hand continued to rest over his own, then scurried immediately under Hunter's sheets. As Tech squirmed against his brother, Hunter let out a soft chuckle as Tech pressed closer to his brother, then carefully shifted the screen of the datapad to Tech.
"How will this work, Tech? Would this help me, little brother? I can't make heads or tails of whatever this is supposed to be, but I saw my name and…" Hunter trailed off before he lowered the datapad to the side of the bed, then shifted so that Hunter was laying on his side, facing Tech.
Hunter's hand hovered momentarily over Tech's shoulder before he pressed his fingers in between Tech's shoulder blades, then began to rub between them gently. Tech sank into his brother's touch, though he kept his gaze locked on Hunter's shoulders as Tech slowly exhaled, then began detailing his theory on the sensory dampener. Hunter listened intently to every word Tech said, until Tech finally hung his head, then admitted how he had no idea how to make the sensory dampener for his brother.
When Tech trailed off anxiously, Hunter's hand pressed between his shoulder blades before, with a gentle sigh, Hunter smiled down at Tech. "You are the smartest person in the galaxy, Tech, and my little brother. I know you will find the perfect solution for your design," as Hunter continued to compliment Tech, his cheeks heated with a crimson flush before Tech took his brother's pajamas in his hands, then began twisting them shyly.
Hunter rambled off ideas to Tech excitedly, until Hunter finally let out a soft chuckle, then resumed rubbing his hand between Tech's shoulder blades. Tech noted each suggestion into the back of his mind, though he lingered over the joking suggestion Hunter had implied about a hair band. Hunter's hair was longer than regulation…
Quiet filtered through the barracks until Tech heard Crosshair's silent footsteps approach Hunter's bunk, mere moments before Crosshair's hand gently brushed against Tech's shoulder. Hunter shared a quick glance with Crosshair before the sniper's mouth twisted into a tiny smile, then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Tech's temple. Shock burst through Tech as he distantly heard Crosshair wish him a goodnight - which was followed by an extremely sleepy Wrecker echoing a slurred "goodnight" -, then departed from Hunter's bunk, leaving Tech a flustered, blushing mess as his brain short circuited.
Only when Hunter's finger pressed gently against Tech's nose did his brain finally recircuit, though Tech was far too embarrassed to look at his brother as he distracted himself with thoughts on Hunter's sensory dampener. Eventually Wrecker's snores filled the barracks, while Tech could tell Crosshair had fallen asleep by the sheer silence from his end of the room - which left only Tech and Hunter awake.
Tech nestled into Hunter's chest, the fingers of his right hand gentle as they played with the collar of Hunter's pajamas nervously. Hunter had not rejected Tech's idea of a sensory dampening device as Tech believed he would, and had even welcomed Tech's idea with curiosity and watchful eyes. The scrutiny of his brother ensured that Tech had to work, and work very hard to perfect the sensory dampener until it was perfect for his older brother. Hunter deserved nothing but perfection from Tech, for that was how he bartered for his family's continued support. Tech had to give to ensure the continued survival of his place among his family, no matter how many nights he would stay up in order to complete one of his brothers' projects.
"Tech?" Hunter's strong timbre called Tech from his thoughts, his eyes widening behind the lens of his goggles as he felt his older brother's hand shift underneath Tech's chin. Tech melted into the rough calluses that pockmarked Hunter's hand, generated from Hunter's nervous habit of spinning a knife daily, as well as his years of weapons training, until he felt his eyelids close.
Hunter continued to rub at Tech's chin with his left hand until Tech felt Hunter's right hand - his dominant hand and, thus, more calloused than his left - brushing over Tech's soft hair. The touch made a content sigh escape from Tech's contemplative lungs as he tilted his head upwards, an unconscious attempt to encourage Hunter to continue to rub at Tech's chin. Tech almost allowed himself to stay like that, until he remembered Hunter questioning him with his name.
Embarrassment bit Tech as he jerked from Hunter's touch, snapped his head downwards so all he could see was his hands wringing together nervously, then whispered, "Yes, Hunter?"
An answer did not immediately follow Tech's response, which made Tech look up towards Hunter in time to realize that Hunter's hands were carefully threading through his hair, directly underneath the band of his goggles. Tech did not move as he closed his eyes, submitting to Hunter's unstated request to remove Tech's goggles with an imperceptible nod.
"Easy," Hunter breathed as his fingers hooked underneath his goggles band, "you are alright. I won't hurt you, I promise."
Tech kept silent as he felt the hard frame of his goggles slowly pull away from his skin, leaving behind the familiar sting of worn flesh as Hunter completely removed Tech's goggles. He had worn his goggles for almost twenty-four hours straight after forgetting to remove them before sleeping the prior night, which only left deeper furrows in his skin along the frame. Then Fissure and his batch had pulled on his goggles band until the frames cut his skin, leaving Tech with a soreness around his eyes he was desperate to wipe away.
Tech's hands were inches from his face when he suddenly felt Hunter shift around him. Surprise burst through Tech as he let out an anxious noise of uncertainty to the shifting of Hunter's weight on the bunk, his hands snapping to cling to Hunter as Tech forgot about his sore skin. Hunter's arms pressed against Tech, the corded muscles bunching underneath Tech as Hunter pulled Tech closer to him.
"I wasn't always like this," Hunter admitted as Tech's older brother slowly maneuvered Tech on top of his chest, so that Tech's head was tucked under Hunter's chin, "not… as open and affectionate as I am now. My former handler took care to train me into what he deemed to be the 'perfect' leader…
"To him, the perfect leader would choose winning over anything, even my own squad. He preyed on my senses to bend me to his will," Hunter paused for a short second as his voice hitched, before his right hand began rubbing soothing circles against Tech's left shoulder, "and bend me he did. I was nearly perfect for him, until the head of Experimental Unit 99 transferred me into this unit. I had been deemed successful enough to join this unit through my earliest training, for I was also the last survivor of my enhancement batch."
Tech shifted over Hunter as his brother spoke, his eyes opening blearily as Tech wrestled his head out from under Hunter's chin, then peered down at his older brother. The telltale half-skull face paint had been washed away after Hunter's shower, leaving his expression and the lines of his face much easier to read than before. Hunter's brow was furrowed as he stared past Tech with a troubled gaze, the curls of his dark brown hair shifting over the soft fabric of his pillowcase as Hunter released a deeply weary sigh. Concern gnawed into Tech as he continued to stare at Hunter, reading the hurt that was so clearly spiking off of his brother.
Hunter was troubled by his past, though he seemed to be trying to act unfazed by what he was telling Tech. That hurt was clear in the avoidance of his brother's gaze, as well as the hard set of Hunter's jaw, and made Tech desperate to assist his older brother.
With a small squeak, Tech shifted his position so that he was nestled firmly against Hunter's right side, his shoulders tucked underneath Hunter's right arm as Tech pressed his cheek against Hunter's chest. Hunter turned to watch Tech as he shuffled around, the tightness of his brow lessening before Hunter returned a slight smile in Tech's direction. Tech blushed at the intensity of his brother's gaze, then returned his own smile in turn.
Tech's smile made Hunter's gaze soften, before Hunter looked away from Tech, collected his thoughts by scanning the opposite side of the room where Crosshair and Wrecker were sound asleep, then sighed.
"Wrecker was the one who taught me about family. Before him, I only fought to survive, for I knew nothing else. Wrecker was different… he felt different than any other clone I had met, and it was all due to his handler. She wasn't a Kaminoan, but a bounty hunter from off-world. All but one of Wrecker's enhancement batch survived, which left the Kaminoans with far too many enhanced clones to train at once. They had no other choice but to assign each of Wrecker's brothers to individual nat-born trainers, not Kaminoans.
"Wrecker was given a Nautolan trainer who showed him the kindness that has morphed our family into what it is today. Without her influence, Wrecker would have never taught me about physical affection or family bonds," Hunter's left hand continued to rub circles into Tech's skin - following the indents made by the hard frame of his goggles - as he spoke, the feeling nearly forcing Tech to sleep as he felt himself slowly relax under the careful ministrations of his brother.
His brother's fingers rubbed against Tech's face, following along his eyebrows, down to the bottom of his eyes and the bridge of his nose, as a soothing quiet filled the space between them. Tech closed his eyes as he felt Hunter's thumbs knead into his hair and against his scalp, along the lines of the band of his goggles, each touch all he needed to be lulled into a peaceful slumber. A peaceful slumber that only lasted for a minute until Tech heard Hunter's voice whisper over his hair, the warmth of Hunter's chest and arms clear to Tech. In his few moments of slumber, Hunter had turned onto his right side, then had wrapped his arms around Tech in a hug that made Tech melt into his brother's ever present warmth.
Heat flickered through Tech's cheeks as he settled into Hunter's chest, embarrassed slightly by how easily he had fallen asleep under his brother's comforting touch while Hunter so clearly wished to speak to Tech. Thankfully, though, Hunter only let out a low chuckle before his fingers ruffled through Tech's hair, displacing his bangs until the light brown strands of hair flopped over his eyebrows. Tech giggled as Hunter ruffled his hair until static electricity fritzed across his scalp, though Hunter's hand eased away from his hair as Hunter let out a bone rattling sigh.
"The first time Wrecker hugged me, I tried to bite him. I had never before been touched in any manner that was not intended to hurt me," Hunter looked down at Tech as he explained, his brown eyes narrowing slightly before Hunter continued with shadowed eyes, "so I believed Wrecker was trying to harm me as he held me. Luckily for me, Wrecker had thick skin, as well as a thick skull, and continued to badger me with affection."
Hunter's voice trailed off as he continued to peer down at Tech, the only movement made that of Hunter's left hand as his fingers shifted underneath Tech's chin to tilt Tech's head until their gazes met. Tech swallowed at the direct eye contact as his skin prickled underneath his warm pajamas, though he dared not break away without Hunter's obvious permission, so Tech held his brother's gaze determinedly - where he could read Hunter's expression, even for his myopic vision.
Underneath the soft smile that Hunter was giving Tech, his brown eyes were dark with worry - further evidenced by the way Hunter continued to grind his teeth together -, the furrowed set of his brow, as well as his scrunched nose, all Tech needed to see to understand Hunter was upset. Worry chewed at Tech's heart as he tilted his head, wide eyes blinking owlishly before Tech raised his right hand, then hesitantly laid his hand on Hunter's cheek.
Hunter startled at Tech's touch, his eyes widening like the suns of Tatooine before Hunter leaned into Tech's touch with a content rumble that seemed to be produced from deep within Hunter's chest. Tech listened to his brother for seconds that stretched on forever, before he tried to mimic Hunter's prior gestures, and rubbed his thumb against Hunter's cheek.
As Tech's thumb brushed across his brother's cheek, Tech watched Hunter's eyes, noticing after a few moments that Hunter's eyes were glistening with tears. The sight of a tear tracking down Hunter's cheek made Tech pull his hand away, anxiety flaring within his chest before Tech whispered an apology, then buried his face into Hunter's chest. Tech had made his brother cry, though why Hunter cried remained lost to Tech as he tucked his hands into his chest and waited.
Waited for the reprimand, or the command to leave Hunter's side, anything that could be laid upon him for making such a forward move to his commanding officer. Hunter was his older brother but he was also Tech's commanding officer, made clear by the hours Hunter spent on command track, training until his hands bled and he collapsed from exhaustion late into the night, mere minutes before curfew. Whatever slight Tech had made would need to be corrected, even if such took Tech ages to complete, for he could not risk losing Hunter's kindness.
Hunter's arms tightened around Tech's back suddenly, startling Tech from his thoughts as he stirred against Hunter's broad chest, though Tech did not dare look at his brother. And it was this avoidance that blinded Tech to how Hunter leaned his down to press his lips to Tech's temple, the sensation too soft for Tech to register until he heard Hunter whisper a gentle, "I love you, Tech."
Tech froze completely at the quiet confession, his brain short circuiting as heat rushed into his cheeks - a heat that deepened into a hot spring underneath Tech's skin as Hunter pressed his chin against Tech's head. Emotions that Tech could not name rushed through Tech as his older brother tightened his hold on Tech, then began a gentle, soothing hum that sank into Tech's marrow.
Only after meeting his brothers had Tech learned of the word "love", though he was uncertain that he truly understood what love was supposed to mean as of yet. No amount of research could help him define what love meant in regards to how Tech earned it or deserved it, nor had he been able to find a way to describe the emotion he believed was love when it overtook his every thought and action. His brothers were his family, three people who Tech loved and cherished beyond even his own understanding, and yet Tech could not even say that he understood why he was loved by Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair.
He offered his brothers only his problems and anxieties, and was returned with loyalty and kindness in return. Whatever had Tech done to deserve his brothers or their kindness? No one before his brothers would have ever dove into a severely outnumbered fight for Tech's sake before, yet his brothers insisted on defending Tech with no regard to their own lives. That was why he had to return their love with practical applications of upgrades or technical equipment, after all, for Tech could never fight his brothers' bullies as they could Tech's. Tech would never be able to stand with the same ferocity of Crosshair, or the fury of Hunter, or with Wrecker's unerring fortitude.
Tech was… Tech.
He wasn't worthy of his brothers love without giving in exchange-
"Tech? Little one?" Hunter's whisper cut through Tech's dwelling thoughts, eliciting a tiny grumble in response from the smaller clone before Hunter pressed Tech closer to his chest. Now all Tech could associate with Hunter was the warmth that radiated off Hunter in shocking waves, as well as how safe Tech felt pressed against his older brother's broad chest. No matter whether Tech could ever believe that he deserved his brothers' love, Tech would always feel safe with them. They protected him and supported him - loved Tech - and Tech was safe with his family. For the first time in his short life, Tech truly felt safe, for he could trust his brothers and knew they would never hurt him.
Not when they loved him. Not when they fought for Tech, and not when they hovered and peppered him with questions as if they truly wanted to know about the average temperature of Polus - fifty degrees below freezing, which had made Wrecker shudder involuntarily when Tech had recited the factoid chipperly to his oldest brother. His former handler or his former batchmates - those who had torn Tech's goggles from his face that day, as well as the ones who picked on Tech for how he stood out amongst his brethren - would have scoffed or ignored his infodumping, seeing Tech solely as a nuisance while his brothers actively encouraged Tech to speak.
Knowing that someone wanted to hear Tech speak made his heart warm, so much so that he believed - illogically - that he would melt, both from the happiness thrumming through his body as well as from the shared warmth of his older brother and himself. Shyly, Tech pressed his head into Hunter's chin, then whispered a quiet thanks to Hunter. Hunter laughed gently before he returned Tech's thanks with another kiss to Tech's temple.
Now Tech could do nothing but blush, a blush that grew further as Hunter continued to speak, the soothing rumble of his voice rolling over Tech like a grassy knoll, soft and gentle as Hunter rambled. Tech listened as Hunter explained about how Crosshair had hated Wrecker and Hunter alike when he had first joined Experimental Unit 99. Tech listened intently as Hunter described the trials of earning Crosshair's trust, though he could not stay awake long enough to hear Hunter continue to wax tales of the old Experimental Unit 99. With barely any hint of the lingering exhaustion that always chased Tech in circles, he slipped into sleep within his brother's arms - within the safety of his family.
Hunter tilted his head as he felt Tech's body relax into sleep within his arms, the slow movement causing Tech's soft hair to brush against Hunter's cheek with a loud scrape. The sensation was not unpleasant, as most were to Hunter, even as Hunter buried his face into Tech's hair and breathed in the scent of his youngest brother.
Underneath the scent of shampoo, Hunter could always smell a layer of anxiety and doubt coursing through Tech, following him like a dark shadow everywhere they went. Hunter expected to smell that same anxiety churning underneath his sleeping brother's restful state, for he had never not smelled anxiety from Tech - least of all after he had been bullied or picked on by their reg brethren - in the six months that Hunter had known his little brother. Alas, as Hunter carefully shifted Tech's hair to its normal swept back state, Hunter realized that the spike of anxiety was, for once, oddly quiet. Instead, in the place of anxiety, Hunter could feel a tiny thread of happiness within his brother's tiny frame - a fact that made Hunter smile.
Tech was never truly happy, not even while he rambled anxiously to Hunter, Crosshair and Wrecker, yet there was no denying that Hunter could feel the faintest trace of happiness radiate off his little brother. His precious little brother who Hunter would fight wars for was happy, because of Hunter. A surge of love burned through Hunter as he looked down at Tech, noting the flush of his tan cheeks, as well as the crooked way his lips turned up in a half smile, and thanked the stars for the day that he and Crosshair had found their little brother. Before Tech, Hunter had believed his family to be complete with just Wrecker and Crosshair, but now that he had had his newest brother for six months, Hunter could not imagine a life without Tech.
Without his brilliant, kind, brave and incredibly strong little brother.
Carefully, so as to not wake Tech when he had finally been lulled to sleep, Hunter shifted his arms until he had Tech locked in his grip, then rolled onto his back. Tech was pulled along by Hunter's movements until Tech rested over Hunter's chest once again, his hands latched into Hunter's pajamas as tiny snores escaped from Tech. Hunter reached for the edge of his blanket with his foot, which had become a crumpled heap at the foot of his bed, hooked the bundle of fabric around his left foot, then pulled. The moment Hunter had his blanket tucked over Tech and himself alike, Hunter felt Tech relax into his chest unconsciously, a content grumble slipping from Tech as his head pressed firmly against Hunter's collarbone.
"Goodnight, little one," Hunter breathed to Tech as he watched his little brother warmly, "I love you."