TBB - TCW - You spin me right round (CROSS/HUNT)
By Gun Roswell
Preface
You and me are nothing alike
I will take care of you, love
The bright future ahead
Preface
Set somewhere in Star Wars the Bad Batch and the Clone Wars galaxy of things (A Multiverse of Star Wars Fan Fiction by Yours Truly)
Sometimes Hunter does not know why he even bothers.
Other times he would not change a single thing.
Crosshair, spinning the scout right around his little finger.
Hunter will not walk but run when the sniper beckons.
But then something happens, or rather activates… the horrid pain soon following.
Is this the end of it all?
A What If tale of those karking inhibitor chips.
Part of Crosshair/Hunter series
You and me are nothing alike
'Why even bother? We will never see eye to eye… about anything.'
Hunter felt a migraine coming on. The cause? The sniper of the squad. Crosshair.
The two of them having had a most horrid fight since… well, in a while. It had started as a simple disagreement. At least in Hunter's opinion. Then again, Crosshair always needed to be right and this time had been no different. Hunter always dancing to whatever tune Crosshair was playing at any given moment. During their down time that was. As in the field, Crosshair almost always followed Hunter's lead no matter what. Almost always. But when they were in private, well, mostly never.
And so, they fought. About everything and anything. Sometimes Hunter wondered if this was the straightest path for Crosshair to get off - quick, dry and easy with only needing a sparring partner without doing the actual deed! Well, Hunter wasn't going to help Crosshair further in his quest for a quick for sure! If he wanted to get off now, he would need to resort to self service for all Hunter cared. Or go get find himself a reg! Again, Hunter did not care what Crosshair did as long as the sniper was out of his hair. Literally.
"Cross, I am sick and tired of our fights. Can't we just… agree to disagree?" Hunter felt the throbbing of the vain on his forehead getting worse each passing moment they were arguing. "And leave it at that?"
"You say fight, I say disagreement." Crosshair snarled.
Hunter was at the end of his rope. His nausea hitting hard this time around while usually it being mild and only at the beginning of the headache. But apparently not today. Hunter making a quick inventory of what he had ate, as perhaps there was something disagreeing with him causing the nausea? But as far as he remembered, it had been some kind of bland soup. It usually was that in the mess with stale bread. A ration bar later. That being pretty much it for the scouts dietary regime for the day. Most days perhaps.
"Go, find someone else to bother. I am not having this same argument again." Hunter could hardly think, leat alone speak, the slicing pain growing.
"You are simply jealous." Crosshair interjected not bothered by Hunter's condition, thinking he was simply faking it to get rid of the sniper faster. "Just because I elicit certain… emotions in others… it should not be your concern." Crosshair surely had. Raised several emotions. A commotion even this time in sparring room with several of the regs there. And this time being the less good kind. Crosshair seemingly having bated the several Arcs there. Something of a jealous partner, Crosshair having had a brief fling with their significant other? Nothing new there. As most of the clones seemed to be in more complicated relationships anyone was able to even keep track of. But that was not the reason the two of them were fighting now. Was it? Of course it was! As Hunter could be jealous too. Even if he pretended not to be.
Hunter glared at the man. His scowl matching Crosshair's. "I don't care what you do on your own time. But when we are together. We, are together. That was the only thing I asked from you when…" Hunter's thought trailed off suddenly.
Hunter felt the room starting to spin. The walls closing in on him. Their barracks were the two of them had been standing in the middle of the floor while shouting profanities to each other between their argument. Their usual tiff as Crosshair so lightly considered them to be. Neither of them hardly remembering even where it had all started. Usually it did not matter. Well, it had to do with jealousy that much was sure. Still. Alas this time, it had had a bad effect on Hunter as what else could it have been causing this, sickness in him? Heartbreak? Because Crosshair did not care for Hunter any more? Where had that thought come from? Hunter's head felt like it was about to explode. It hurt so, so bad. Like someone pushing hot needles into his brain!
Hunter's hands flew up to his temple, trying to push the ever worsening ache with mere force. Of course it did not help. The jackhammer of a banging constant in his skull now. Not that Hunter had personal experience of anything like that. That he knew of anyway! But the pain was starting to affect Hunter's ability to stand. And without warning, he fall on the floor. As if struck by something or someone Hunter was on his knees, the impact of the fall almost causing him to lose consciousness.
Still holding his head, the vision blurry, the room spinning, the lighting too much for Hunter to handle.
"Hunter!"
Crosshair was by Hunter's side in a flash. The sniper having a totally different expression on his face from a moment ago. The snide scowl gone and instead in place the face of a worried partner. Someone who cared for their significant other. No matter what had happened mere moments ago. The fight all but forgotten. The only thing on the sniper's mind was that of Hunter. Crosshair tried to sooth Hunter by running his hand over Hunter's back, the scout crouching in a foetal position, the pain roaring fully in his head.
"I… can't…. hurts…" Was all Hunter managed.
"Your head." Crosshair wasn't asking.
Hunter wasn't able to respond though. He wasn't able to do anything. Not even think. The only thing he could do was to wish to pass out. But that relief was not forthcoming.
"Hunt. I'm right here. Please, stay with me." Crosshair's eyes were on the shaking man in front of him, the sniper's worry growing each passing moment. Crosshair quickly scanned the area and noticed the med kit on the table where Tech had left it. "I will be right back."
Crosshair leaped up and towards the table. Grabbing the bag and quickly rummaging through it. Finding what he was looking for. A hypo-spray filled with pain reliever still inside of it. He knew it would not be a long term solution. But having never seen Hunter this bad with his migraines, Crosshair had to try something.
He was back at Hunter's side and pressing the device against Hunter's neck. Feeling the damp and hot skin as he did. Hunter was running a fever. Something unusual for sure. Pressing the hypo against the skin, he heard the hiss as the medicine entered Hunter's system.
"It will be alright Hunt." Crosshair had his arm around Hunter, trying his very best to sooth the scout while the medicine took effect.
Hunter did not say anything. And instead of the painkillers giving Hunter the expected relief. What happened next though, shocked the sniper even further. As Hunter, fell onto his side. Unconscious.
"Hunter!"
Crosshair checked his pulse and found it to be very faint.
"Dammit!"
Crosshair weighed his options quickly. As he was alone, the rest of the team having gone on a mission with Rex having needed the trio's special skills while Crosshair and Hunter had remained behind. And so, there was no help for him to call out to. Kamino being quiet as most of the vod'e were on some mission or another at the moment. Leaving only a handful remaining in the city.
Crosshair made his decision. Getting up from the floor, he then picked Hunter up and into his arms. Carrying the passed out man out their quarters and towards the med bay. Because this was no simple migraine to be handled with hypo-sprays and painkillers. And Crosshair would certainly not let Hunter die, no matter what. Their fights, the friction between them did not matter. The only thing that mattered, was Hunter.
I will take care of you, love
'Sometimes one simply needs to rest, right beside those who really care no matter what might just have expired. As better to forgive and to forget.'
Hunter felt like he was floating in mid air. His body light and the blinding pain finally gone. Hunter felt relaxed, relieved. And so, he did not worry nor care where he was. Or did he? Where was he? How did he get there? Did it matter?
The last thing he remembered though, was the rough pain. The falling down. Onto the… floor? He also remembered Crosshair calling out to him. Crying out to him? Could not be right… Right? And then, after that? There was nothing. Only the darkness at first. But this was not that place. He felt different. It was, light in there, but not the blinding kind of light.
And he liked it in here, wherever this was he was. He did not really want to leave. Did he? Should he? Why should he? The pain was gone. Hunter, felt good. "Hunt?"
Hunter's eyes cracked open. The floaty feeling was still there, but the odd surroundings were gone. The beeping monitors beside him a clear indication of where he was at right at the moment. The med bay. His eyes coming to focus he could see Crosshair sitting by his side.
"Hey there. How are you feeling?"
Crosshair sounded so soft, so caring. So… oh well. Something which he totally was when he wanted to be and clearly, he wanted to be that right now. For Hunter?
"I… what happened?"
Hunter was still too confused of the moments leading him to lie in a bed in the med bay.
"You passed out. The pain… your headache…" Crosshair tried to explain what had happened. Which was Hunter falling down because of the excruciating pain. Then Crosshair having hauled Hunter to the medical bay for the Kaminoans to check out. Thankfully, there had been two clone medics there rather than the scientists themselves. The Kaminoans apparently locked tightly in some negotiations with some Republic representatives at the moment.
The reason for Crosshair being thankful it was vod'e having examined Hunter was the mere fact of what they had found with no small thanks to the medical droid, Azi helping them. The real reason for the bad migraines the Kaminoans had simply chucked off by being side effects of Hunter's enhancements.
Well, they had found out differently, hadn't they.
Hunter took a brief moment for internal inventory. Sensing the clear change inside of him. The lightness of sorts, the pain having subsided completely. And again, the feeling of being more like himself? Whatever that meant? As lately the headaches having taken over so totally being oneself had been difficult, rather the angry scout taking his place.
"The headache… is gone." Hunter simply stated, not sure of the reason why. But the way Crosshair stared at him, it seemed the sniper had some idea as to the why and how. "You know why, don't you." Hunter wasn't really asking as he said it out loud.
"Yeah, Hunter, I do." Crosshair sighed. It was a big thing though and Hunter needed to know. The scout having been out of it for the better part of four days now after his, surgery. And it was no easy telling him what had transpired.
Hunter realised something suddenly. His hand finding the patch on the side of his head. "This, is new." He looked back at Crosshair again.
"It is. They performed surgery on you."
"The Kaminoans?" As to whom else right?
"No, the regs… the clone medics. Azi… found something in there. Inside your head." Crosshair started.
"In my head?" Hunter seemed to be repeating the words of the sniper's alas, it wasn't because he could not understand them, rather feeling… odd about this sudden revelation.
"Yeah. A chip."
"A chip."
Crosshair leaned in closer, grabbing Hunter's hand in his.
"Hunt. A lot of things has happened since… well, since you passed out back in the barracks several days ago." Crosshair started, getting Hunter's full attention. "When the droid, Azi, scanned you because the medics asked him to… well, they found the reason for your headaches. And it was a chip. Some kind of control chip."
Hunter formed the word 'oh' silently. The revelation difficult to fathom.
"Yeah, oh. And so, they removed it. The two medics, Kix and Gadget. And what they found out… well… let's just say things have changed a lot in a few days and yeah… we all have them. Buried inside of our brains." Crosshair tried to be as succinct as possible knowing Hunter was still pretty much out of it.
"Control chips? In our heads? To what end? To control us? For what reason?" Hunter sounded so, so confused.
"Unknown for now. But Kix and Gadget went straight to the Jedi and the council is now involved. They are trying to figure out what this chip thing is all about and demanding explanations from the longnecks."
"So, what about the others chips, yours and the rest of the clones?" Hunter was worried they might affect his team mates the same way they had done a number on him even if it clearly had been a long process for Hunter. Had it?
"There are plans to start removing them all as soon as possible." Crosshair having been on top of things having demanded to know everything as the situation developed. Despite Crosshair having remained vigilantly by Hunter's side while the rest of the team had tried to get him to take a break while taking turns watching over Hunter. Hunter could only nod in agreement. As this all sounded so… well, huge! Massive even!
"You know Hunt, if it wasn't for you… you know having all these bad headaches, we would never have figured this out." Crosshair knew it was bad. The chips. Kix having given him the CliffsNotes of what the implications could be of such things.
"Yeah? Well, guess I am glad I could help." Hunter let out a small laugh not really sure if he felt like a hero, but he was glad the headaches were finally gone.
There was a moment of silence hanging between them before Crosshair spoke again.
"Hunt," Crosshair took Hunter's hand in his. "I was so worried. You know, when you collapsed. And… I… am so sorry."
Crosshair had been really shaken by seeing the strong man Hunter was falling onto the ground, unmoving. And becoming so, so cold despite his fever. Crosshair was blaming himself for it. Because of their fight having caused it. Even if he knew better now. Still, having prayed to whatever deities there were out there listening that if Hunter would survive this all, Crosshair would stop fighting with Hunter. Stop being an asshole. Promising to be a better partner for the man.
"It's alright Cross. It wasn't your fault. Not the chip being installed in my brain." Hunter assured Crosshair. "But I could have done with less of the arguments… and the other things too…" He had a faint smile on his face. "And more with the loving part."
Crosshair knew what Hunter meant by the other things. As despite their agreement, of an open relationship, it had never sat well with Hunter. Crosshair having his side quests as it were.
"Yeah? Well, surprisingly I agree." Crosshair had both of his own hands around Hunter's, squeezing it lightly with a soft smile emerging. "And I promise I will do better." Crosshair gulped and then looked away, having been shook and so afraid for all this time when Hunter was in surgery. His emotions raising havoc inside of him. Something of a revelation for sure for the sniper.
"Hey! Cross." Hunter beckoned and Crosshair turned back to him. "I know you will do better hon, I am sure of it."
Crosshair nodded, the lone tear falling as he leaned in and kissed Hunter's hand first before moving closer to kiss Hunter on the lips. Softly and gently. The scout still recovering after all.
"I love you Hunt. So so much." Crosshair's voice was a coarse whisper as he let the words fall from his lips
"I love you too, Cross. With all my heart."
The bright future ahead
'Permission given, but not taken lightly as sometimes balance is needed there somewhere in between.'
"Over here Hunter!" The several 501st vod'e were shouting for the Sergeant of Clone Force 99 to join them at the table.
The place was jam packed. The clones and their allies having joined in the celebration. The war was over. The conspiracies having been unraveled. The clone troopers free citizens to live their lives as they chose to. The galaxy better for it.
All thanks to the one enhanced clone, the Sergeant of Clone Force 99, Hunter!
Whose nasty headaches having turned to life threatening pain and the medics having found the reason behind it. The inhibitor chips. The truth soon out and the Kaminoans? Well, let's just say they were not in a good place at the moment!
Hunter was a hero.
Hunter made his way to the table of the familiar clones with the rest of the Batchers in tow. Despite the somewhat of a celebratory status Hunter did not feel it was his doing. Sure, it had been his chip which had malfunctioned. And because of Crosshair's quick thinking and the fact that it had been the clone medics on duty and not the Kaminoans. Them doing everything and more. Only finding out about the control chips. Taking the issue to the Jedi Generals directly with all of it leading into a full blown investigation to the Kaminoans, the conspiracies behind it all. And so here they were, celebrating their first time as free people. The clones.
"Hey, Hunt, sit next to us!" Jesse and Kix were eagerly patting the seat next to them, having been keeping there place for their resident hero no matter if Hunter reluctantly accepted the accolades.
"Do you have room for four more?" Hunter asked seeing as the large size table was pretty much full already with familiar and less familiar faces all around observing Hunter.
"For your squad, always!" Fives and Tup were sitting closest to the other two, both of them grabbing Echo and Tech onto their laps as most seats were taken. And besides, why not! They were in good hands/laps!
"Wreck! Over here!" Cody and Rex were sitting at the end of the table, shouting out for him to join them, leaving only Crosshair standing confused until he too was grabbed by two vod'e close to where Hunter had landed at. Gregor and Wolffe grabbing the sniper.
"We have room for Crossy!" Gregor chuckled squeezing the slim sniper between the two of them keeping Crosshair all warm and cozy.
They were all one now. The regs, the enhanced clones after all, the animosities once lingering between them all but forgotten. With a glorious future ahead because of the one SNAFU having uncovered the underlying reason for the whole of the Clone War happening in the first place. And now, that was over.
And guess it was all okay for a little hero-worship after all.
They were on the dance floor.
The plethora of bodies glued to each other swaying to the music in unison. The slow song playing in the background. The mass of vod'e having taken to the floor. Both lovers and friends. It was such a special occasion after all. "So, guess we need to think about our future now?" Hunter's tone was low, speaking close to Crosshair's ear.
"If you still want it. With me that is." Crosshair wasn't sure any more, the once cocky attitude gone now. Things had changed, drastically so. As why would Hunter remain with him? He had plenty of vod'e to choose from now? They all loved the scout! The two lover had had fights, bad ones too. The latest having caused for Hunter to crash and well, guess it wasn't just the fight having caused it. But still… Besides, nothing so bad something so good did not come out of it. And yeah, Crosshair had made a promise to himself. To the deities possibly having listened to him, his prayers to save Hunter… The promise Crosshair would never again cause such agony to Hunter. Even if it meant for them not to be together anymore. That was if Hunter so wished.
Hunter leaned into Crosshair further, his hands tight around his partner.
"You and I may be nothing alike, Cross… but, you can spin me right round and I will follow your lead."
Hunter's voice caressed Crosshair's ear, the soft breath of his dancing partner sending all the good kind of vibrations along his body.
Hunter, having kind of missed their… um… sparring matches, even if they had frustrated him to no end before. Still, with a slight adjustment they could be rather fun too. Hadn't the fighting helped them to end the war after all? Well, technically it had, right?
Crosshair leaned away suddenly and stared at Hunter for a moment.
"You're sure? I mean I can change if that is what you wish for me to do."
"It's fine Cross, I wouldn't want you to change too much. Besides, our lives are going to change a lot from now on anyway. So one thing at the time? Agreed, love?" Hunter sounded so happy now.
"Well then… guess we're good." Was all Crosshair managed before gingerly with a wide grin taking Hunter for a small spin across the floor just because he wanted to. The applause soon following.
Hunter having so many fanboys now cheering for him. Perhaps several suitors if he wanted to. But Hunter did not. As all he wanted, was his sniper. Crosshair.