Summer of Bad Batch 2024

It Still Hurts

Currently combining Week 2 and Week 3 prompts for two different one shots.

Week 2 Main Prompt: Injured

Week 3 Main Prompt: "It's just a scratch."

Enjoy!!

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"It's just a scratch, Hunt. Chill," Crosshair said, hopping backwards onto the countertop in their 'fresher. He used the red sleeve of his cadet uniform to wipe away some of the blood dripping down his cheek.

"'Just a scratch?'" Hunter echoed, digging through the cabinets looking for the medpack. "'Just a scratch' my face, Cross," He muttered as he found the box, pulling it out and slamming it on the counter.

"It's not that bad. I can do it myself," He reached for the bacta only to have his hand lightly smacked by his older brother. Only reason for the light smack was the blooming bruises on the younger's knuckles. 

"Don't," Hunter commanded, digging out the antibacterial spray and shaking it, per the instructions on the back. "Honestly, Crosshair, what were you thinking? Those regs were twice your size."

That was an overstatement. They were maybe a head taller than him. Crosshair scowled at the blatant lie. He hated when he was perceived as much smaller, even though he was shorter than his brothers. For now. He was on track to passing Hunter in a few months.

"You didn't hear what they were saying," Crosshair muttered.

"Close your eyes," was all Hunter said. He waited until Crosshair's eyes were firmly shut before spraying from his forehead to his cheek. A clean line from a vibroblade, no doubt. Crosshair was lucky it didn't slice through his eye. He'd be annoyed trying to switch from right handed to left.

Crosshair's pained face as the spray made contact sent a stab to Hunter's heart. How close had he been to losing his brother? If the blade sliced his eye, he wouldn't be able to see and would therefore be decommsioned. There were threats of it already but this... this could've been the thing that pushed it over the edge.

"I was being careful," Crosshair said, his voice losing all previous venom and sass. "You should see the other guy."

"I did," Hunter was the one to pull the two apart, trying to deescalate the situation while making sure his brother was in one piece with all the blood on both clone's faces. "And I think a slice down the face beats a broken nose and wrist, Cross."

"He deserved it. He was making fun of us." Crosshair explained, grabbing the roll of bandages from the box to fidget with.

"What did 99 tell us? Turn the other cheek and ignore them. They want to get a rise out of you and for you to throw the first punch so you'll get in trouble. They're just words." Hunter said, taking out the pack of bacta. Crosshair was silent, eyes lightly closed, as Hunter dabbed the bacta along the length of the cut. He smeared some across his younger brother's knuckles, patting the back of his hand lightly when he was done as a way to signal he was done. Hunter took the bandages from him and turned to put the supplies back into the box.

"It still hurts." Crosshair murmured. Hunter sighed, lightly pushing Crosshair's legs over to get to the cabinet under the sink, placing the box towards the front this time. He turned to his younger brother. With him sitting on the countertop, they were at equal heights. Crosshair would surpass him someday.  

Hunter reached out and wrapped his arms around his baby brother, the smallest of the batch. "I know," he said, cause it hurt him so much hearing the insults thrown at them left and right each day. But he couldn't do much about it. He kept his brothers close, making sure they knew they were loved, if only by their ori'vod. Some days it was harder to ignore those voices, mainly for Crosshair. Those words cut deep for him.

"I know, Cross."

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It's not a one-shot from me without a little angst hehe

I honestly didn't intend for this to be so angsty but the angst fairy decided to sprinkle some words at me and I couldn't deny the way they flowed.

I hope to catch up to the current week this weekend. I know there isn't a strict timeline for the event (just that it ends in August) but I'd prefer to be on time each week.

Hope y'all enjoyed this installment! It's shorter, I know, but there might be longer ones in the works for these next weeks ;)

<3 Katie