Just A Simple Bad Batch Fanfiction.

Just a simple Bad Batch fanfiction.

This is how I imagine Crosshair will react when Omega tells him about Tech.

Title: It's Okay To Cry

Word count: 854

It was dark and it was cold. His fingers felt numb, as did his heart, which beat listlessly inside of his emaciated chest. He felt a warm hand on his cheek, and then heard a familiar voice:

“Crosshair… Crosshair, wake up… I need you.”

He groaned. How long had he been in this terrible place? It was difficult to say, but he had a ready answer in his head: too long.

The voice persisted.

“Crosshair… please.”

His eyes flickered. A familiar face swam into view, creased with pain and grief and hopelessness. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. His throat felt dry.

“Crosshair, you're awake.”

He sat up. He was in that kriffing cell again. Omega stood over him. He saw tear tracks on her face and knew she'd been crying. “So they caught you. I warned you to stay away… why… why didn't you listen?” he asked. His disappointment was immeasurable. Why couldn't his brothers and sister just follow orders? Why was it so difficult for them?

Omega touched his shoulder. “Because we’re family. We don't leave our own behind.”

His eyes got a little misty. He looked quickly away, afraid she would see how moved he was by her words. He had to maintain a stern front lest she glimpse the now fractured soul within him.

“We have to get out of here,” she said, grabbing his hand and tugging on it.

“I'm too weak,” he protested. The very thought of attempting an escape seemed to sap him of what little strength he had left. He didn't think he could make it. Worse, he didn't think he'd be able to protect Omega. “How long have you been here?” he asked.

“That doesn't matter,” she answered, taking a seat next to him. “What matters is that we’re together now. I can save you.”

Crosshair passed a hand over his eyes. Even after all he'd done, she was still willing to save him. He didn't understand it. Glancing over at her, he smiled a little, weary and doubtful though he was. He no longer felt alone, no longer felt as though the weight of the world balanced heavily on his shoulders. He decided then and there that he would help Omega escape Mount Tantiss, damn the risks. She didn't deserve to be trapped in this terrible, forsaken place.

“You're right, you know. We must get out of here,” he said.

“But how?” she asked.

Crosshair rested his chin on the palm of his hand. He had a lot of planning to do. He closed his eyes and began to bounce his knee, wracking his brain for ideas. He had a duty to protect Omega at all costs. He would lay down his life for her, if need be. “We wait for the opportune moment,” he told her calmly. He knew it would come. A little dose of patience was all that was needed.

Omega plopped down next to him with an audible huff which ended in a wince. She had cuts and bruises all over her face and she was limping. He wondered about her injuries, but only briefly; his mind was soon filled with their future escape attempt and he could think of nothing else but leaving this place far behind.

Omega tentatively rested her head against his arm. He didn't know how to respond to that and so he simply settled a hand on her knee and gave it a little squeeze.

“I will get you out of here,” he vowed softly.

“I know,” she murmured, sounding exhausted. “I know…”

“If Tech were here,” he muttered more to himself than to Omega, “he would know what to do.”

Omega dropped her gaze and her lip wobbled, something that wasn't missed by Crosshair. His heart gave a painful lurch. He turned to her and, kneeling down, took her shoulders between his hands. He saw pain in her expression. Something had happened.

“Crosshair, Tech… Tech’s gone,” Omega whispered, lifting her head and meeting his gaze. Her eyes were full of pain.

“Gone? What do you mean?”

“He…. Plan 99.”

All at once, Crosshair was hit with a multitude of emotions. He knew a pain so fierce and powerful, he had to sit down. He didn't want to believe it. Tech… the brother he loved most. The brother who understood him.

Tears stung his eyes and he quickly dashed a hand across his face before Omega could see. It was no use. She saw anyway. She sat next to him and took his hand, administering a gentle, comforting squeeze.

“It's okay to cry,” she told him in a voice trembling with grief.

Crosshair put his head in his hands and wept. He didn't hold back. Regret tormented him. Regret that he had chosen the Empire over his brothers. Had he been there when it happened… perhaps he could have saved Tech.

“He sacrificed himself for us,” Omega said softly. “We can't let that be in vain.”

Crosshair turned to her and nodded. No, they couldn't. They would escape Mount Tantiss. He would make sure of it.