A Sacrafice of the Heart (HunterxCrosshair) Book 1 - COMPLETE!

Chapter 40

(Warnings: Attempted Suicide)

For once the leader of the bad batch was lost for words, he never knew how much pain his lover had gone through just to get to where he was. Hunter knew Crosshairs return to the Empire would not be welcoming but he didn't think it would be this bad, his mind was going crazy thinking about all the pain Crosshair had gone through. Damn it he was the oldest, he was meant to protect his batch mates whether they were related or not, yet he failed. A hand on his shoulder made him look up to see Shaak Ti's concerned face as the memory fizzled out of existence. She pointed ahead of them where a figure sat tied up in a chair with hallucinations surrounding them of individuals causing pain to them.

"CROSSHAIR!"

This time Shaak Ti didn't stop him as he ran forward to where his love sat chained to a chair. Hunter called his name a second time and finally got some response. Crosshair flickered in front of them as he grunted but Tarkin and Rampart kept throwing words of pain his way that he couldn't tell if it was Hunter standing in front of him or another hallucination. The sniper was honestly sick of them but he couldn't do much. CT-9904, had control most of the time, Crosshair was just a pawn to the devil's ways.

Good soldiers, follow orders

Crosshair grimaced, hearing them four words that haunted him for days. Some type of pressure against his cheek made the words fade slightly as his chocolate brown eyes connected with deep polished silver ones. 

"Cross?" Hunter's soothing voice reached his ears. "Cross listen to me, the chip has been destroyed, it's all in your head. Listen to me, none of what you're experiencing is real, they are hallucinations. The memories are the past, let me help you and get past it. Remember what 99 used to say, 'I know you're strong, but accepting help is its own kind of strength', let me in Cross. Let me love you". 

Tears spring from Crosshairs eyes as he hears the words of his love, the two are engaged now and for Hunter to go this extra mile to help him. Just showed the sniper how much Hunter loved him, with a grunt. Crosshair blinked allowing the hallucinations to disappear, he fought against the restraints CT-9904 had on him but soon a helping hand reached up to take them off him. Another hand helped him come to a standing until he found himself wrapped up in strong arms and pulled into a loving chest.

"Hunter?" It was said with so much hesitation that it made Hunter look down at the man in his arms, "Yes love", the pet name seemed to stick and this time Crosshair didn't really care. "I love you". Hunter smiled, Crosshair didn't say them very often. But before Hunter could reply the two heard four cursed words fade into the distance as their love spread for one another.

'Good Soldiers, Follow Orders'

Crosshair gasped as a bright light filled his vision and lips connected with his. Hunter blinked his eyes to avoid the assault of the light when he soon found something cold touching his back. Looking around he noticed they were out of the snipers mind and now back in the bathroom. Hunter smirked when Crosshair moved to look up at him with a genuine smile. 

Movement in front of the two made them look up to see Shaak Ti, their essential mother looking back down at them. She kneeled before them as she pulled the two of them into a hug. Crosshair found himself smiling as he found himself trapped between the two. A happy sigh left him, two chuckles made Crosshair look up at Hunter and Shaak Ti. "What?" There was no snark in his tone but their smiles never left, "Nothing ad'ika, I'm just glad you finally accepted help". Crosshair frowned, "What does that mean?", He asked hoping for an answer. Shaak Ti just shook her head as he left the room where her other children waited anxiously. 

Hunter laughed, "Cross, do you seriously not know what that means?". The leader found himself punched in the shoulder as the sniper shook his head in defeat. "I hear it all the time from Cut, Suu, Howzer and Kix. But I don't get it". Hunter smirked, "it means 'little one', in Mando, love". Crosshair froze, it was simple yet there he was unable to work it out.