The Bad Batch - Mini Stories

A Protector

Over the years, he had made sure to watch out for everyone he loved while taking time for himself. He even raised his brothers after his father abandoned them, he watched them grow up, helped them with their homework, gave them dating advice. Helped them over medical problems and saved a few of them from making stupid mistakes but sadly he had forgotten about his own. 

Whether he would call it a mistake would be harsh, more like he didn't spot it on time and he blamed himself. Running his hand through his stressed hair, he heard what sounded like laughter. Well that's what he hoped it would be as he felt the vibrations from the side followed by a hand on his back. 

Turning his head he saw a sight that made him remove his headphones and wrap the said individual up.

"Uncle Hunter, what was dad like?" 

"Well Hera, your dad was…" 

Hunter blinked back tears thinking about Hera's dad, a man who saved the world only for the world to fail him when he reached out for help, none came. He really struggled for words looking down at his four year old niece.

"He was a hero" Another voice joined into the conversation, Hunter looked up in shock to see his baby brother. 

"Mama?" 

Hera looked up at Crosshair who lifted her onto his hip. 

"Hero?" Hera questioned. 

"Yes, your daddy was a hero. He was the bravest man and fought off the bad guys with your Uncle Hunter" Crosshair whispered, kissing her head. Hera grinned, scrambling to get down and hug her uncle who had just entered.

"Who are we talking about?" Wrecker asked over eating his food. Hera laughed wanting up.

"Fives" Hunter whispered just as Echo, Tech and their daughter Omega walked into the room. The five year old ran straight for Hera, the two whispering to one another. Hunter could only sigh thinking about his late police partner who was his baby brother's husband. His memory floated back to the day, the day of Hera's birth, the day Hunter begged Fives to stay with Crosshair when there had been a hospital shooting.

The Memory…

Today was a special day, Crosshair was in labour with his baby girl. The whole family had been out celebrating Omega's achievement in learning her first few words and because she had started walking. She was one and growing up fast as her parents, Echo and Tech took many pictures of her in her new dress while Fives and Wrecker cheered her on. 

It all happened so fast Hunter was talking to Rex, Fives and Echo when Crosshair let out a cry of pain and Fives had never moved fast enough. Crosshairs water had broken and the slim man was being held up by Wrecker, the demolition expert was in shock but helped Fives and Hunter get Crosshair in the car. 

Soon enough the family were waiting in the waiting room while it was Fives, Hunter and Tech in the delivering room. Wrecker was invited but he said no, he would rather watch the kids with a squeamish Echo. The labour took a long time and it only got more complicated as Crosshair was bleeding heavily putting both mother and child in danger. Tech watched the doctors become frantic and tried to help Crosshair move more but his twin struggled to even stay awake to the point that Hunter and Fives were the only things keeping him awake. 

"Cross, babe. Stay awake please" Fives whispered kissing Crosshairs hairline, the silver haired man barely blinked as he pushed one last time allowing their baby girl to enter the world. Fives smiled, praising Crosshair only to gasp as the marksman's eyes rolled into the back of his head and the next thing Fives became aware of was the doctors doing CPR on his dying lover. Fives could only sob while Hunter held him in a grounding grip until Crosshair retook a breath and was wrapped up in the arms of love.