Always (Crosshair x Jedi Reader)

Part 28

"Where's Echo and (Y/N)?" asked Crosshair, looking to his brothers and Omega. The rescue had been surprisingly quick considering Coruscant was the center of the former republic turned empire. The sniper looked between each of them, hope in his golden eyes mixing with uncertain, dread and fear. He didn't want to be judged again, least of all by his brothers. Yet at the same time he couldn't deny the fear tightening around his chest and stomach, settling its grip on his heart.

"They caused the distraction with Rex, if all goes to plan we'll rendezvous with them on Ord Mantel" replied Wrecker, all but pulling Crosshair from his feet in a bone crushing hug. Omega was quick to join in, the hug helping to drown out her sadness of (Y/N) and Echo not being apart of the long awaited reunion too.

"Not to worry. (Y/N) is more than capable of handling whatever the Empire throw at her. Plus with Rampart's recent arrest the odds of the capture is low" casually spoke Tech in an attempt to lighten the dread each of them felt, even if it was more obvious in Hunter and Crosshair. Even now it was clear Hunter regretted the idea of letting (Y/N) and Echo, even more so when it meant the little family would be broken a little longer, and the fear of losing someone he loved grew the longer they were all parted.

"Why did you come for me now?" asked Crosshair, failing to stop the words slipping passed his lips. He'd always thought (Y/N), his beloved would lead the crusade to retrieve him when the time came. Yet here he stood, surrounded by his brothers and Omega. No Princesses in sight, no Echo either. Instead it had been the three to hurt him the most. The more Crosshair waited for one of them to respond, the more his thoughts of (Y/N) planning for this crossed his mind. He had no doubt she planned for them to reunite eventually. She intended for them to be on the same page again, a force to be reckoned with, as they were during the war.

"Princess's orders" simply responded Hunter, finding his self unsure. Like Crosshair he'd always imagined (Y/N) to be with them, instead she was working closely with the former Arc Trooper and Captain. "You know better than anyone how stubborn she can be. She was insistent we come and get you and you get this" calmly spoke the Sargent, holding a hologram out to his younger brother. Once again feeling the guilt bubbling up. Just seeing Crosshair didn't do anything to help it. Even more so with how terrible he looked. Hallow cheeks, lines from the constant frowning, eyes dull, he slouched now too. Hunter was willing to bet Crosshair had lost weight as well, although it was difficult to tell with the black armor. "I'm sorry .."

"Don't" simply responded the enhanced Clone, looking to Hunter, before his eyes flicked to Tech and Wrecker. He'd been so focused on Hunter, he'd failed to realize Omega had moved, coming to stand at his side, her small hand wrapping around his long fingers. She gave the same comforting feeling (Y/N) often did, the peacefulness being a welcome sense. "Save it for when Echo and (Y/N) are back with us" added Crosshair, wanting nothing more than the impending reunion to happen quicker. Hunter soon nodded, recalling the amount of times he wished, he'd spoken those words sooner. How many times he'd wished to have done things differently. So many things could have happened, had they just taken Crosshair with them when they left Kamino, after the reign of fire.

Crosshair soon walked to the seats near the communication panel, the place he'd once religiously cleaned his rifle after every mission. Even now Crosshair could recall what each of his brothers would have been doing. Hunter would always be sat opposite him, silently thinking about something as he calmed his overwhelmed senses, all while mindlessly spinning his vibroblade between his fingers. Tech would be in the cockpit, ensuring everything ran smoothly, Echo with him towards the end. The two deep in conversation about something. Wrecker would be on the sleeping racks, complaining they were too small for him, while also attempting to stay on them when fighting to get comfortable.