Sharp Edges: Crosshair x Reader [NSFW]

Clarifications

The conversation continued for a while; apparently trivia wasn't starting until late. Most likely so that the patrons would be more inebriated and thus less likely to win, at least according to Tech. Hunter had a few interesting stories, but his interests seemed to revolve solely around military strategy and his knife skills, and you could tell by her body language that Mel was itching to change things up. You also realized, with a rush of delight, that you had relaxed into the group quite well, asking questions of each of the clones and truly enjoying their answers.

They were incredibly unique, each one so different from the next, and yet there was such a distinct sense of camaraderie and brotherhood, it made your heart ache a little. You'd always been wildly independent, maintaining that you didn't need all the fluffy stuff that others seemed so dependent on, but with your parents gone for years now and your close friends scattered in different places, you realized there was a bit of yearning for the sense of family you were seeing here.

A gentle squeeze on your thigh snapped you out of it, and you glanced over to see Crosshair eyeing you thoughtfully. He wasn't one to press, to constantly meddle or beg to be let into your thoughts. It was something you really appreciated about him, and ironically enough tended to make you want to share even more. You shook your head minutely and offered a small smile before catching Mel's eye across the table.

"I need a real drink," you said, giving Crosshair a little push to let you out of the booth. "Let's go, Mel."

"I'm with you on that one," Echo agreed, taking advantage of the open bench and scooting out as well. The three of you headed downstairs, grateful that the crowd had thinned out just a bit.

"I think I might visit that corner booth," Mel said as you wove your way down the steps. "See if it's as fun as he claimed." She had a beautiful grin and a sparkle in her eye, and you gave her a playful swat on the butt as you reached the bottom floor.

"Go get 'em."

You made your way to the counter with Echo, leaning against the far end of it to wait to catch the bartender's eye. His presence was comforting, in an inexplicable way, and you tried not to stare as you studied his features with occasional glances. He was fine with silence, had a witty sarcastic streak, and seemed to carry a weight on his shoulders that made him a little less playful than the others. You definitely wanted to hear his story someday.

"So how did someone like Crosshair end up with such a normal person like you?" he said suddenly, and you chuckled and shook your head, eyes dropping to the counter.

"I've been called a lot of things, but 'normal' usually isn't one of them," you answered, face twisting into an oddly wistful half-smile. "I... I don't know. I guess we just kind of 'get' each other..." Further explanation felt like too much, and Echo nodded, turning his gaze back to the wall of liquor bottles behind the bar.

"Heh. Well you're a lucky find if you can understand him," he said. "I've only been with these guys for a few months, but he is a stone wall of... stone."

"Not as much once you sleep with him," you joked, hoping beyond hope that your offbeat sense of humor wouldn't be a complete miss. But Echo guffawed in surprise, looking at you with raised eyebrows and a renewed expression of amusement.

"I think I prefer the stone wall."

* * *

Upstairs, the conversation had continued in your absence, with Wrecker barely waiting until you were out of earshot to pipe up.

"I can't believe you have a girlfriend!" he said cheerfully, smacking Crosshair's shoulder and making him spill a little bit of his drink.

"He has not actually clarified the status of their relationship," Tech corrected. "It could be that they are simply repetitive sexual partners, although introducing her to the rest of us would suggest there is more."