The Bad Batch - Mini Stories

Hold On (Tech x Echo)

(Warnings: Suicide - Mentions of it and attempted - nothing to graphic, Swearing, angst)

“Fuck it! I can’t do this anymore!” 

“Why is it everytime we fight, you walk out!” Tech cried as the door slammed shut, “mama?” Tech turned to face his one year old son who didn’t understand what was going on. Tech pulled him close, feeling his son's heartbeat. “Damon, mummy and daddy. Just had another argument. Go back to sleep. Uncle Hunter is coming in the morning to pick you up and your going to the aquarium with your new cousin, Omega” Tech explained while he lullabied his son to sleep. Damon snuggled close leaving Tech to his thoughts, soon enough his son was in his cot and Tech was lying in his own empty bed staring out of the window. Oh how much he missed Echo’s arms, why couldn’t the man understand. Tech just couldn’t do it, his anxiety went through the roof. He wasn’t able to speak to his parents and never mind meeting Echo’s. He needed time after losing their last child, he blamed himself and spiralled into a depression, one he wished he never did as he lost not only himself but his brother was going through the same thing and Crosshair passed away due to an overdose leaving Hunter to raise his daughter himself. 

Tech blamed himself since Crosshair was in his care at the time and now Echo wanted him to meet his twin who was going through the same problem. Echo was asking for his help, unaware of what it had cost Tech. 

Without thinking, Tech climbed into the bath in hope to relax and get away from everything. Closing his eyes, Tech knew he wasn’t fit to be a parent, a brother, a partner so he spiralled and slipped under the water. 

Echo was furious at himself for not noticing it, they had recently lost a child, Tech’s twin brother and without thinking in his own selfish way Echo asked Tech to help his ptsd drugged brother. He still can’t believe he brought it up, it took Hunter to talk some sense into him and come down to see if he could help the two. Yes, Hunter was still mourning his own husband but the last thing he wanted was to lose Tech as well. So the two were on the way back to the apartment when they heard what sounded like a baby screaming. Echo’s instincts kicked in, he opened the door only to find Damon banging on the bathroom door crying for his mother. Hunter picked him up giving Echo room, Echo without warning slammed into the door and broke it. He found a sight he wished he hadn’t, Tech lay in the bath under the water with slit wrists. 

“NO! Hold On! Tech! Hold On!” Echo screamed as he pulled him in to feel his partner's chest only to gasp. “Hunter! Get Help!” Echo yelled, Hunter took a minute to snap out of his trance only seeing his late husband in the same position. “Ambulance is three minutes away, do you have a pulse?” Hunter asked, kneeling beside them. “No! I can’t get one! Shit! Hunter! Why didn’t I pick up on the signs!” Echo cried out as Hunter performed CPR on his brother-in-law. 

Echo only pulled his son close as the paramedics arrived, he couldn’t help but sob into Hunter’s shoulder. To think this was a mirrored Hunter only four months ago, Hunter was desperately trying to stay together as he drove to the hospital since Echo had gone with Tech. On the way he messaged Echo’s older brother Rex who claimed he was on his way, Wrecker too but had dropped Omega off at Shaak Ti’s knowing Crosshairs mother didn’t hesitate to watch her granddaughter. 

Rex burst into the waiting room only to find his crumpled baby brother in tears against the vending machine, Hunter was in a nearby chair holding Damon in his arms while Wrecker wrapped him up. Rex dropped to his knees by Echo’s side and pulled him close. It had been two hours until a doctor rushed out, “Which one of you is Echo?” she asked. Echo perked up, “That’s me” she smiled, “Your husband would like to see you” her soft voice made him smile as he and Rex made their way to Tech’s room. Rex waited outside, giving them privacy.