Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’ll be back late tonight, don’t wait for me for dinner.”

Tech glanced up from his tablet, watching as Emerie packed some food into a lunchbox. “I thought you weren’t doing any more overnights.”

“I’m not,” she replied, slipping her lanyard over her head. “There’s a department meeting and they usually run on for a while. There’s leftovers in the fridge.”

“Noted.”

“Unless you have plans?” Emerie asked as she picked up her bag, a hopeful tilt to her tone. 

“Working on my computer,” Tech got up from the table to place his breakfast dish in the sink.

He didn’t look over when he heard Emerie sigh. “I meant plans outside of the apartment,” she said. “You can’t just spend all your time in your room with your gadgets.”

“I really do not want to have this conversation again.”

“Don’t your coworkers ever go out after work?” Emerie pushed. “I just…think it would be good for you to make some friends.”

“I have friends,” Tech turned around and leaned back on the counter, crossing his arms and fixing Emerie with a stern look. 

“Friends that aren’t also my friends, then.”

“You aren’t on the clock, so stop being a psychiatrist, please.”

“I’m being a concerned sister , Tech,” Emerie sighed again. She glanced at her watch and headed to the door. “Have a good shift, and let me know if your plans change.” 

Tech didn’t say anything as the door closed, leaving him alone in their small apartment. It seemed this theme of conversation was becoming a daily occurrence, but Tech didn’t see the problem. He didn’t spend all of his time at home, he visited Wrecker at the scrap yard at least twice a week, and he and Emerie always went to Echo and Wrecker’s for dinner on Sundays. That was more than enough. 

He had two hours before he had to leave for work, just one more shift before the weekend. Just one more shift, and then he had two whole days of not dealing with gossipy coworkers and incompetent clients. 

Taking a deep breath, Tech continued with his usual morning routine. As he went through the motions of packing some food for work, taking a shower and brushing his teeth, Emerie’s words kept floating through his mind. 

The topic of Tech making friends wasn’t a new one, but over the past year or so, his sister had gotten far more insistent about it. She’d be so happy when Tech got the job at Czerka IT and Repair, but she quickly realised he wasn’t making friends with his coworkers.

It wasn’t like he hated his coworkers, he just found them…dull. All they did was gossip and sometimes they seemed as clueless as the clients, and things had just become more irritating once they realised that Tech could seemingly fix any issue for them. He enjoyed repairing the various electronics that were brought through the store, but that was the only thing he actively enjoyed about the job.

A job was a job, though. He had to make money somehow. 

He knew why Emerie was becoming so insistent. Despite her work schedule finally becoming more consistent, she still worked long days and often Tech would be in the apartment by himself. She worried about him, Tech knew that, but he was an adult and could handle being alone for a few hours.

Tech pulled on his work uniform and brushed his hair back from his face with a sigh. His coworkers invited him out almost every weekend, but he always said no. Then he’d spend Monday mornings listening to them all tell him what a great time he missed out on. 

He looked at himself in the mirror, chewing at his bottom lip as he thought. One night out wouldn’t be the end of the world, and maybe… maybe it would get Em off his case. He could go out with his coworkers and hate it, as he knew he would, and then he would have a reasonable excuse for not going out with them again.

It wasn’t exactly a plan he was thrilled about, but it was still a plan he could work with.

–

“Sir, I am trying to explain that there is no way to fix this,” Tech said for what felt like the thousandth time. “It is beyond repair and you will need to purchase a new laptop.”

“I thought this was a repair store!” The customer shouted, angrily slamming a fist down on the counter. 

Tech pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Yes, we are a repair store. Czerka cannot, however, perform miracles.”

“Oh, you think you’re funny?” The customer leaned across the counter in an attempt to intimidate Tech, but he was still a full head shorter, even with Tech’s terrible posture. “I pay good money at this store! I’m a regular customer and I expect you to do as I say!”

“Sir, you have never been here before,” Tech replied. He pushed the smashed laptop across the counter toward the irate man. “If you would like some suggestions on replacements, we are able to assist with that. However, it appears as though this laptop was run over by a car, so there is nothing we can do.” 

“Get me your manager!”

Tech couldn’t help it when he sighed. He lifted the radio microphone to his mouth. “Manager to the repair counter.” 

“ What did you do this time? ” came the exasperated response through his earpiece. “ I’ll be right there. ”

“ Did you call a customer stupid again? ” one of his coworkers piped up. 

“ Eh, I was on Tech’s side on that one,” another replied. 

Tech switched the radio off as his manager walked over, a customer service smile plastered on her face. 

“Good morning, sir,” she greeted the red-faced customer. “How can I help?”

The customer ended up just as furious with the manager, who was trying to offer him a discount on a new laptop. In the end, the customer picked up his smashed laptop and threw it, hitting Tech squarely in the chest. He let it fall to the ground as the customer stormed out of the store; he’d had worse thrown at him during his time there. 

“Go take your 15, Tech,” his manager sighed. 

In the breakroom, there was a group of his coworkers around the table, gossiping about something or other. Ignoring them, Tech pulled a snack bar from his bag and pulled out his phone. 

“Hey, Tech,” one of them piped up. “You ever been to 79’s?” 

“The nightclub downtown?” Tech asked.

“Yeah, they’re doing half-price drinks tonight. We’re heading there after closing,” another coworker said. “You should come with us. It’s been a hellish week, come get trashed with us.” 

Tech’s immediate instinct was to say no , but he reminded himself of the plan he’d made that morning: accept an invitation to go out, hate it, and then Emerie would hopefully drop the whole issue. A nightclub sounded like torture, though–a room packed with sweaty, dancing bodies, everyone various shades of intoxicated, loud music and half-price drinks that would still somehow be overpriced? 

A quiet evening building his computer sounded much better.

“What’ya think, Tech?” 

Despite his better judgement, Tech nodded. “Yes, I think I’ll join you.”

–

The plan was to meet at 79’s an hour after the store closed, so everyone could go home and change. Emerie had been delighted when Tech texted her to let her know, and then demanded to know exactly who he was going out with. Em was still learning how to balance the supportive sister-protective sister thing. 

Tech found himself staring at his closet, wondering what people even wore to nightclubs. 

[Tech, 8:15 PM]: I don’t think I want to go anymore.

[Em, 8:16 PM]: Don’t back out just because you can’t find anything to wear.

Tech sighed, looking through his closet again. He chose his clothing based on practicality and comfort, and everything just looked so bland . He glanced at his phone when it buzzed again.

[Em, 8:20 PM]: Remember in college when you had your goth phase? 

Tech pulled a face; that was a…strange point of his life. 

[Tech, 8:20 PM]: Yes…?

[Em, 8:21 PM]: Do you still have any of those clothes?

He did, actually; they were shoved in the very back of his closet. He kept meaning to donate them, but had never actually gotten around to it. Pushing clothing out of the way, he managed to pull out a few pieces. 

Tech eventually decided on a dark green, loose fitting tank top over a tight fitting mesh t-shirt. He had tried to pull on the one pair of skinny jeans he’d ever owned, but found them restricting and incredibly uncomfortable, so he went with a regular pair of black jeans. 

He dug through his desk and managed to find some accessories to match his outfit, and even managed to force a pair of earrings through his ears. He looked at himself in the mirror, quickly snapping a photo and sending it to Emerie.

[Tech, 8:45 PM]: How does this look?

[Em, 8:46 PM]: Looks like you’re ready for a night on the town. Have fun, don’t drink too much. You’re a lightweight.

[Tech, 8:50 PM]: Thank you for the reminder.

[Em, 8:50 PM]: Have fun! 

Tech really wanted to just sit at his workbench and continue modifying his computer, but his coworkers were blowing up the group chat. With a sigh, Tech grabbed his headphones and headed out the door. 

–

79’s was loud . Tech stuck with his group of coworkers, his headphones already up to cover his ears and hopefully block out the heavy bass that rattled through his ribcage. 

He was talked into a round of shots, hoping that maybe a little bit of alcohol would help to calm his nerves. One of his coworkers threw an arm around his shoulders and said something, and a second shot was pushed into Tech’s hands. 

Two shots became three, and then Tech had some kind of brightly coloured fruity drink in front of him. Most of his coworkers had disappeared into the crowd, dancing among the bodies packed tightly on the dance floor. It was warm, and his drink was cold, so Tech continued to drink.

He could feel the effects of the alcohol seep in as he listened to two of his coworkers talking about the client that threw the laptop at Tech. He finished his drink, and ordered another one. 

Someone tugged on his arm, trying to pull him onto the dance floor, but he stayed firmly sitting at the bar. He was already half-way through the second fruity cocktail, and he felt floaty. The bright lights were almost hypnotising, and Tech found himself watching them as he finished his second drink, facing the dance floor and leaning back against the bar.  

He was chewing on some of the ice that was melting in his glass when someone approached him, leaning on the bar next to him. The man was probably the same height at Tech, with silver hair and brown eyes and a playful smirk on his face. 

“All by yourself?” He asked, and Tech had no problem hearing him over the music. 

“No,” Tech replied, much louder than he normally was. “Came with coworkers. They’re…somewhere.” He waved a hand at the crowd, his words slurring together. What was in these drinks again? 

Tech glared into his empty glass as if the ice would list the ingredients. The man next to him chuckled. “Want another one?” 

“Mmh,” Tech shook his head. “I should stop. ‘m a lightweight.” 

The man actually laughed at that, and Tech took the moment to properly look at him. He was… very attractive. 

“You are very attractive,” Tech decided to vocalise his observations. The man quirked a brow at him, smirking. There was a scar over his right eye, and Tech could see many tattoos snaking their way up his arms and disappearing under an unfairly tight shirt. Everything about him just screamed Bad Boy . 

“And you’re very pretty,” Bad Boy said. “You’re here with coworkers?” 

“Czerka IT and repair,” Tech slurred out. “I repair computers. Had a laptop thrown at me today. Hence the drinks.” 

Bad Boy chuckled, leaning closer to Tech. “Sounds like a rough day.”

“People are just so stupid,” Tech continued, the alcohol completely removing his filter. “They don’t know the–the basicest things about computers, or security, or viruses. They hit their computers with hammers and expect me to fix them?”

Bad Boy just watched and listened as Tech continued to ramble, complaining about the customers and their inability to listen to anything Tech told them. 

“I am no–I am not a miraclerist–I can’t make miracles happen,” Tech was motioning with his hands as he spoke, his empty glass sitting on the bar. The frustration he usually kept so carefully under control was getting away from him, spurred on by the alcohol and the fact that Bad Boy wasn’t interrupting him. “And then my manager gets mad at me for telling customers they’re being stupid! But she can’t fire me, I’m the best repair-er she’s got.” 

Once Tech was finished, Bad Boy inclined his head, motioning to the dance floor. “Dancing might help take your mind off things.”

“I don’t know how to dance.”

“Well, there isn’t actually much dancing happening out there,” Bad Boy grinned, grabbing Tech’s hand and dragging him off the bar stool.

Tech let himself be dragged onto the dance floor, stumbling slightly as he got to his feet. He had definitely had far too much to drink. 

Amongst the crowd, Bad Boy finally stopped and pulled Tech flush against him with a tight grip on his hips. Tech found his hands coming to rest on Bad Boy’s chest, unsure what else to do with them. The other man lifted a hand from Tech’s hips momentarily, to readjust his headphones, where they had slipped off his left ear. 

It was an endearing movement that seemed entirely out of place, but it tugged at Tech’s heart all the same. Bad Boy was just a tiny bit taller than Tech, though it probably had to do with the boots the other man was wearing. 

The hands on Tech’s hips started moving him, the two of them just swaying to the beat. Bad Boy was looking over Tech’s face and smirking slightly, and Tech was feeling even floatier, his head spinning when Bad Boy’s eyes flickered down to Tech’s mouth. 

Something in Tech’s mind, tucked far, far back in a deep corner somewhere, was screaming about how this was an absolutely terrible idea. He was drunk, and he was pretty sure Bad Boy was also drunk, though he seemed to hold his liquor better than Tech did. Alarms were ringing in his brain, telling him that he needed to go home .

Instead, Tech slid his hands up across the toned chest in front of him and over sharp collarbones, his arms winding around Bad Boy’s neck as he leaned into the “dancing.” Bad Boy was still guiding his hips, swaying to the music. 

The last whisper of rational thought quickly flew out of Tech’s brain when Bad Boy leaned down and kissed him.

Tech had never been kissed before, and wasn’t entirely sure what to do. He followed Bad Boy’s lead, copying the movements of his lips and pressing into the kiss. Bad Boy’s hand trailed up to Tech’s face, pressing a thumb against his jaw and forcing his mouth open. 

Tech didn’t hear the sound that escaped him as Bad Boy licked into his mouth, but he was sure he’d made some sort of noise. He could taste alcohol on the other man’s tongue, confirming that Bad Boy had also been drinking. 

Hands gripped Tech’s hips tightly and swaying became rocking. Bad Boy rolled his hips against Tech’s, slowly at first, pulling Tech’s hips closer with each move. 

It was overwhelming. The bodies surrounding the two men would occasionally bump into them, it was hot and humid and Tech’s shirt stuck to his back from the sweat. Bad Boy’s hands were everywhere and his tongue was down Tech’s throat, and there was nowhere Tech would rather be. 

Bad Boy pulled back from the kiss first, leaning down and pressing open mouthed kisses along Tech’s jaw and down his neck. Tech let his head fall to the side, moving a hand up to rest on the back of Bad Boy’s head. Any pretense of dancing had been discarded, their hips grinding and pressing together, Bad Boy’s erection obvious with every roll of his hips. 

Not that Tech was faring much better, his own cock twitching in his boxers when Bad Boy bit down just below his jaw line. 

Tech felt rather than heard the frustrated groan against his neck. Bad Boy moved back suddenly, grabbing Tech’s wrist roughly and dragging him through the crowd; all Tech could do was allow himself to be pulled along, all of his focus on not falling over his own feet. 

Bad Boy shoved open the door to a single-stall bathroom, locking the door securely behind them. As Tech blinked to adjust to the sudden change in lighting, he was pressed back against the cold, tiled wall, and Bad Boy was all over him again. 

Sharp teeth bit into his neck and a hand slid down under his thigh. Tech could hear himself panting, his hands clinging tightly to Bad Boy’s shirt. 

Tech let out a surprised yelp when hands gripped his thighs and pulled him up, his legs wrapping around Bad Boy’s waist before he lost his balance. There was another low groan against his neck as he pulled Bad Boy’s hips closer, pressing their growing erections together. 

“ Fuck, ” Bad Boy hissed, insistently grinding against Tech. He felt teeth on his neck again—Bad Boy was a biter. “Wanna fuck you.” 

Bad Boy’s voice was low and gravelly and it went straight to Tech’s cock. Unable to form a response, Tech just whined and rolled his hips, hoping it got his point across. 

Tech was pulled away from the wall and deposited on the counter by the sink. Bad Boy made short work of his belt, tugging Tech’s jeans down just enough to be out of the way. 

Bad Boy was looking through his pockets for something, and Tech leaned back against the mirror behind him. His headphones had slipped down to his neck at some point, and his glasses were halfway down his nose, but his brain was too fogged over to care. 

A sharp, high pitched whine escaped him when he felt fingers press against his entrance. Bad Boy’s fingers were cold, or maybe it was just the lube, but it didn’t matter when a finger glided easily inside him. 

“F-fuck—,” Tech barely recognized his own voice. He sounded breathless and needy, letting his head fall back against the mirror as he spread his legs further. 

Bad Boy chuckled and added a second finger, thrusting and curling inside Tech roughly. “You’re so fucking tight…you need to relax, puppy,” Bad Boy drawled, scissoring his fingers with each thrust. 

Puppy— that pulled another breathy moan from Tech, the way his cock twitched not going unnoticed. 

“Ah, you like that?” A hand wrapped around his cock, stroking up when fingers pulled out, and stroking down when fingers thrust in. “You’re such a cute little puppy. Pretty little puppy, can’t wait to get my cock inside you.”

Bad Boy’s voice was raspy, betraying his arousal despite how he tried to play it cool. He pulled his hands away and gripped Tech’s hips, tugging him closer to the edge of the counter. 

Tech’s hands flew up to Bad Boy’s shoulders, gripping tightly as he felt the head of Bad Boy’s cock push past his rim, gliding inside him easily. Tech’s mouth fell open as he panted, unable to focus on anything but how good it felt . 

He had never felt anything like it. He’d never been with anyone before, and only jerked off as stress relief. This was a whole new level—he wasn’t sure what was making his head spin more, the alcohol or the heavy press of the cock inside him. 

Bad Boy swore gruffly as he started moving his hips, giving Tech little time to adjust. His thrusts were hard and fast, and all Tech could do was hold on and take what he was being given. 

Moans and whines tumbled from Tech’s mouth, sounds he didn’t know he was capable of even making. Bad Boy was biting him again, sucking dark bruises into his neck as his hands pressed more bruises into his thighs. It felt so good, so good, so good—

Tech arched his back and cried out when Bad Boy hit something deep inside him that shot pleasure up his spine and brought stars dancing across his vision. He heard a deep groan and then Bad Boy was hitting that same spot, again and again and again and—

He was close. He couldn’t get his mouth to move to vocalize this to Bad Boy, nor could he get his hands to cooperate to stroke his cock. Fortunately, it seemed Bad Boy was good at reading the signs. 

A hand closed around his cock, stroking him in time with his thrusts. Fuck, he was close— 

With a loud shout, Tech dug his nails into Bad Boy’s shoulders and arched his hips as he gave into the most intense orgasm he’d ever experienced. He swore his vision actually blacked out as Bad Boy stroked him through it. 

A few more thrusts and Bad Boy slammed his cock into Tech, groaning so roughly it sounded more like a growl as he came. Tech felt Bad Boy spilling inside him and whined softly, absolutely loving the feeling. 

The mind-shattering orgasm did nothing to clear the drunken haze still clouding Tech’s mind. He slumped back against the mirror, panting as he caught his breath. 

Bad Boy chuckles breathlessly, leaning in for another messy, uncoordinated kiss. 

“I’m not done with you yet, puppy.” 

Chapter Text

When Tech woke up, his head was pounding and his mouth felt drier than it had ever been. He was sure there was drool drying on his face– gross . With a groan he rolled onto his back and ran a hand over his face, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.

He’d gone to that loud, humid, and incredibly packed bar with his co-workers. They’d included him in a round of shots–or was it two rounds? He couldn’t remember. The taste of alcohol still burned at the back of his throat; oh, that’s right. He’d gotten drunk. 

Very drunk. 

Tech let out a sigh and let his hand flop against the pillow next to his head. He’d gotten drunk, and now he was hungover. Wonderful, he couldn’t wait to hear Em’s lecture. He wondered what state he’d been in when he’d stumbled into their apartment, and if his sister had even been home by then.

As his thoughts began to clear, Tech became aware of several things all at once.

One, he was naked, and his thighs felt sticky.

Two, he felt bruised, mainly on his neck and on his hips. 

Three, he could hear someone breathing next to him. 

Tech’s eyes snapped open as he shot up in the bed, that was also notably not his bed. He didn’t recognise the room he was in, band posters haphazardly stuck to the walls and a desk covered in pencil and ink sketches next to what looked like a tattoo gun. The thin curtains were drawn, but did little to block out the sunlight filtering through the room. 

“Morning,” a voice drawled to his left. His heart hammering, Tech looked at the side table for his glasses. Once in place, he slowly turned to see just who he’d fallen into bed with last night.

Oh , he was handsome. 

Short hair bleached a silvery-grey, sharp features and dark eyes, a sly smile on his lips. There was a scar over his right eye, cutting through his eyebrow and–it was all coming back to Tech slowly.  

Bad Boy was in a similar state of undress, the blanket pooling around his hips. Tech couldn’t help the deep flush that came to his face when he noticed the other man was also covered in bruises, hickies running down his neck. 

The previous night was coming back to Tech in disjointed scenes; he’d danced with this man, things had gotten heated and he had been dragged out of the bar and back to this man’s apartment–-and right into his bed. 

“U-uh,” Tech started eloquently, his mouth opening and closing dumbly as he struggled with what to say. “Is that my phone?” 

Bad boy smirked, offering the phone back to Tech. “It kept going off, got curious.”

Tech’s heart dropped to his stomach as he unlocked the phone and saw that he had 25 missed notifications. Most of them were from Emerie, several were from Echo, and a few were from coworkers. 

Oh, he was about to be in deep shit. 

Tech stumbled as he climbed out of the bed, his foot twisted in the blanket. As he hastily looked around for his clothes, he tried not to notice Bad Boy watching him. Tech found his jeans and what looked enough like his shirt and pulled them on, thankful that his wallet and keys were still in his jean pockets. 

Looking around for his headphones, Tech glanced over to see Bad Boy holding them up for him, an amused smile on his face. “Here.” 

“Th-thanks,” Tech mumbled as he took the headphones. Finally meeting the other man’s eyes, Tech was completely unsure of what to say; this had never happened to him before. Bad Boy was just watching him, one brow raised, waiting for Tech to continue. 

“I–,” Tech usually didn’t struggle with his words so much. “I have to go.” 

If Bad Boy replied, Tech didn’t stick around to hear him. He located the stairs and all but ran downstairs, making his way to the front door in record speed.

The cold air that hit his face was a relief. After taking a few steadying breaths, he opened up the voicemails on his phone as he started walking. 

[Voicemail From] Em: I hope you’re having fun with your coworkers, let me know when you’re coming home. Love you. [9:40 PM]

[Voicemail From] Em: It’s pretty late, are you coming home soon? Love you. [11:30 PM]

[Voicemail From] Echo D.: Hey, Em called, she said she doesn’t know where you are. Is everything okay? Give her a call, please. [11:45 PM]

[Voicemail From] Em: Okay, Tech, there’s no way you’re still out partying. Did you go somewhere else? Please call me, or at least text. Love you. [1:05 AM]

[Voicemail From] Echo D.: Em called again, said you’re still not home. Did you two fight or something? If you don’t call her, at least let me know you’re alright so I can tell her. [1:35 AM]

[Voicemail From] Em: I am literally about to put out a missing’s person alert for you, Tech. Text me at least. [2:17 AM]

Tech didn’t listen to the rest, all varying levels of text me and you’d better be dead otherwise I’m going to kill you myself. The texts from his coworkers all said more or less the same thing:

Hey, don’t know how your sister got my number, but she wants you to call her.

Heading to his contacts list, Tech found Emerie’s entry and hit call. 

“ Tech!” The phone rang once before Emerie picked up. “ Fucking hell, Tech, you better have a good explanation for where you’ve been.” 

“I thought you’d be happier to learn I’m still alive,” Tech replied. He’d made his way out of the apartment complex, but quickly realised he had no idea where he was. 

“ I swear to god, Tech–” 

“The situation is not that dire, Em,” Tech interrupted, looking around for a street name or some kind of landmark he might recognise. “Besides, I was under the impression you wanted me to get out more.” 

“ I want you to socialise, make friends, not disappear for twelve hours!” Em sounded exhausted, and Tech couldn’t help the pang of guilt that shot through his chest. He wondered if she’d managed to sleep at all. 

With a sigh, Tech found a bench to sit down on. He winced as dull pain ran up his spine. “I did not mean to worry you, Em.” 

“ Where are you? ” Em asked, her tone softer now. 

Connecting his headphones, Tech pulled his phone away from his ear to pull up the GPS. “Not far,” he said, managing to recognise some nearby street names. “Within walking distance. I will be home shortly.” 

“ I expect a full explanation once you get here, ” Em said sternly. 

Tech wasn’t sure she’d want a full explanation. “I’ll be there in about 15 minutes.” 

Once the call ended, Tech sighed and slumped back against the bench. He pulled his headphones back down around his neck and was about to lock his phone when something on the screen caught his attention.

Tech did not have an extensive contacts list. There was Emerie, Echo, Wrecker, work, his manager, and a handful of coworkers. As such, he was quick to notice the additional entry that definitely hadn’t been there yesterday. 

He clicked the entry to open it. His heart leapt when he saw the profile image–it was Bad Boy, grinning up at the camera, with a sleeping Tech curled into his side. 

Crosshair - Call Me ;) 

Tech locked the screen and shoved his phone into his pocket, his cheeks on fire as he started making his way home. 

–

That probably could have gone better, Crosshair thought to himself. He laid on his front, watching his bedroom door, even after he heard the front door open and close. Pretty boy had left in a hurry; Crosshair wondered how much he actually remembered from the previous night. Crosshair was trying to break his habit of getting drunk and bringing someone equally drunk back to his bed, but something about Pretty Boy had completely captivated him.

Tech , he corrected himself. He’d found the name in his phone, which had a surprisingly easy to guess passcode for someone who had blabbed on and on about technology and computer security the previous night. 

With a sigh, Crosshair pulled himself out of bed and pulled on some sweatpants. No sooner had he done so that a loud, insistent knocking sounded at his door. 

“Are you decent?” Hunter asked. Thankfully he knew better than to barge in. 

“Morally, not so much,” Crosshair replied. “But I have pants on.”

Hunter opened the door, fixing Crosshair with that Dad Look he insisted he didn’t have. Hunter leaned against the doorframe, trying and failing to appear casual. 

“Who was that?” 

“Who was who?” Crosshair asked as he looked for a clean shirt. 

“The guy who just sprinted out of our front door,” Hunter pressed. 

“Oh, him,” Crosshair replied vaguely. He picked up a shirt from the floor and couldn’t help his small laugh; it was Tech’s shirt, which meant Pretty Boy had left wearing one of Crosshair’s. “I met him at 79’s last night.” 

“I’m glad we weren’t home for that, then,” Hunter sighed. He pushed off the doorframe, hands on his hips. “You gonna see him again, or was he just another hook up?” 

“I’m too hungover for the moral lecture, Hunter,” Crosshair grumbled as he pulled on one of his own shirts, tossing Tech’s onto his bed. “Don’t you have work today?”

“It’s Saturday,” Hunter replied. “Omega and I are heading out to the park. If you want to join.” 

Hunter turned to leave, pausing for just a moment to see if Crosshair would respond. When he didn’t get an answer, he left, heading back down the stairs.

Crosshair left his room and headed for the bathroom. Hook ups were usually just that, one night stands to blow off some steam and then he’d never see them again; especially after his attempts at relationships kept blowing up in his face. There was something about Pretty Boy though that just wouldn’t leave him alone, to the point where he’d entered his number into Tech’s phone. 

Part of him really hoped he’d hear from Pretty Boy again. 

– 

Tech had barely closed the door behind him when he was all but tackled by Emerie. She hugged him tightly and clearly wasn’t interested in letting go, so Tech awkwardly returned the embrace. 

She pulled back after a moment, elation at seeing Tech alive now replaced with irritation. “The last I heard from you was 9 last night,” she said, pressing an accusatory finger against his chest. “It’s now 11 the next day. Over 12 hours, with nothing! No indication of you being alive!” 

“I’ve already apologised,” Tech replied, pushing his glasses back up. “Please stop shouting, Em, my head hurts enough as it is.”

“Are you hungover ?”

“I just wish to take a shower and have a nap, please,” Tech stepped around Emerie, kicking off his shoes and making his way to the bathroom. 

“Aren’t you at least going to tell me his name?”

Tech stopped in his tracks, turning to Emerie, his shoulders tensed defensively. “Who’s name?”

“All of your coworkers I spoke to said they’d seen you dancing with some guy,” Emerie folded her arms over her chest. “And then you left with him. I assume whoever it was is also to blame for that mess on your neck.”

Tech reflexively raised a hand to his neck, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

“And I’m also assuming it’s his shirt you're wearing.”

Looking down at himself, Tech realised with a jolt that the shirt he’d pulled on was most definitely not one of his. His cheeks burnt red again, suddenly feeling very small in front of Emerie. 

She sighed and shook her head. “Go shower, and get some rest,” she said. “I could use some sleep too.” 

Tech retreated to the bathroom before Emerie could say anything else or continue to lecture him. His cheeks were burning and his stomach churned uncomfortably; this was not how the previous night was supposed to have gone. Though, maybe it would yield the same results and Emerie would stop badgering him about being more social. 

Once back in his bedroom and dressed in sleep clothes, Tech caught sight of himself in the mirror. The shirt he wore to sleep in was over-sized and slipped down on his shoulders, and Emerie wasn’t exaggerating–his neck was a mess . 

Deep bruises ran from under his jawline down to his collarbone, all varying in size and colour, ranging from what looked like small nips to actual bite marks. Tech tilted his head to the side and lightly ran his fingers over the marks, a small thrill running through him. 

He glanced at his phone where it lay innocently on his desk. He had Bad Boy’s number, he could call him, or at least text him. But–that would be weird, wouldn’t it? It was a drunken hook up, nothing more. 

But then…why did Crosshair enter his number in Tech’s phone? 

With a frustrated huff, Tech turned to collapse onto his bed. Such emotional dilemmas could wait until his head stopped spinning.

Chapter Text

Four days later, and Crosshair hadn’t heard anything from Pretty Boy. He was beginning to think he should have gotten Tech’s number while he had the phone, mentally kicking himself for not doing so. 

He hadn’t been interested in anyone for well over a year or two, and even then he hadn’t felt what he’d felt that night at 79’s. He may have been drunk, and Tech was incredibly drunk, but something about their encounter just kept tugging at the corners of Crosshair’s mind. 

Tech was pretty, that was the whole reason Crosshair had approached him in the first place. He had looked entirely out of place, especially with the large headphones covering his ears, and the way he slouched in his seat as if trying to make himself smaller and less noticeable. 

Then he’d gone on about computers and repairs and customers–-Crosshair wasn’t very well-versed in the world of IT, and half of Tech’s words were slurred and definitely made up, but Crosshair had found himself listening intently either way. 

The way Tech appeared at a glance had made Crosshair think he’d be a total pushover, but once he got his hands on Tech, he was surprised to find that Pretty Boy was just as built as he himself was. He may work in IT, but Crosshair would bet money that Tech could best him in a fight. 

And god , was he pretty. It was ridiculous–-Crosshair was acting like a teenager with his first crush. 

“Whatcha doing, Cross?” Omega’s face came into view, leaning over where he was sprawled out on the couch. 

He shot her his best piss off expression, but it always lacked any heat when it came to Omega. “What do you want?”

Unbothered by Crosshair’s response, the girl smiled brightly. “You thinkin about that boy again?” She had a sing-song, teasing tone to her voice. 

Crosshair sat up, shooting her another ineffective glare. Both Hunter and Omega had seen Tech fly out of the front door, and while Hunter was a bit more tactful with his prodding, Omega was much more to-the-point. 

“Are you gonna see him again?” Omega sat herself down next to Crosshair on the couch. “He seemed nice.”

“How do you figure that ?” Crosshair raised a brow. “You didn’t talk to him.”

“No, but he didn’t look like the other people you’ve liked,” Omega said. “He wasn’t scary looking.” 

Crosshair looked away from Omega, pretending to look at something on his phone. It was no secret that Hunter had never approved of any of Crosshair’s partners, or potential partners; Omega didn’t know the full extent of it, but she always seemed to know more than she should. 

“I didn’t get his number,” Crosshair said, hoping to end the conversation. 

“What?” Omega sounded genuinely distressed. “Cross! Why not?” 

“I’ll tell you when you’re older, Meg.” 

Omega rolled her eyes and let out a loud, frustrated groan as she flopped against his arm dramatically. “You’re no fun .”

“Pizza for dinner?”

That perked her up, any further questions completely forgotten from her mind. “Yes!!” 

–-

Four days later, Tech found himself laid on his bed, his phone unlocked and a new message screen opened. It had been a terrible day at work; he’d been shouted at, almost knocked over by a customer, he’d cut his finger on a twisted piece of metal, and then a customer had thrown his phone directly at Tech’s head. Not to mention ever since Monday morning, his coworkers had been hounding him about the man he’d been dancing with. 

Four days later, Tech still couldn’t get Friday night out of his head. He may have been drunk, but he could still remember how he’d felt. Chatting with Crosshair, dancing with him, Tech had felt…happy. 

Tech had typed out a message five times now, and each time he’d deleted it. Nothing sounded right to him, and he wasn’t even sure what he was supposed to say. He’d never been in this situation before. 

Ultimately, he decided that simple and to the point would be easiest. 

[Tech, 7:15 PM]: Hello. This is Tech. 

[Tech, 7:16 PM]: From Friday, at 79’s. 

Tech stared at the messages blankly. He highly doubted Crosshair was going to respond, especially with how stilted his texts were. With a sigh, he dropped his phone on the bed and sat up to grab his tablet from his desk. 

When he walked back over to his bed, his heart leapt when he noticed his phone screen lit up. 

[Crosshair, 7:18 PM]: Thot I sed to call me , babe

[Crosshair, 7:19 PM]: gud 2 hear frm u 

The hammering of Tech’s heart was distracting enough that he couldn’t even get annoyed about Crosshair’s lack of grammar and spelling. 

[Crosshair, 7:21 PM]: u gnna say anything else? 

[Tech, 7:22PM]: Yes. That is usually how conversations work.

[Crosshair, 7:22 PM]: funny 

[Crosshair, 7:23 PM]: u left ur shirt at my place 

[Tech, 7:25 PM]: I apologise. I was in a rush when I left. 

[Crosshair, 7:26 PM]: yeh no kidding 

[Crosshair, 7:27 PM]: too bad u left tho. i make a mean pancake 

Tech smiled to himself as he leaned back against the pillows. Bad Boy has jokes, then.

[Tech, 7:28 PM]: Maybe next time? 

He chewed his bottom lip anxiously as he hit ‘send,’ wondering if that would be coming on too strong. Though, Tech wasn’t really sure where the boundaries lay at that point, given how he’d met Crosshair in the first place.

[Crosshair, 7:30 PM]: oh it’s a date, pretty boy 

Tech felt his cheeks grow hot, a dumb smile on his face. He’d never been in a relationship before, he’d never even been on any dates. He was always the weird one , the quiet kid that no-one talked to, the teacher’s pet. As it turned out, things didn’t improve much after college, but… 

[Tech, 7:32 PM]: I’m holding you to that. 

Tech watched as the typing bubble appeared and disappeared a few times, and he wondered what Crosshair was trying to say. There was a giddy feeling in his chest that almost overtook the anxiety bubbling inside him. 

[Crosshair, 7:40 PM]: i wud like 2 get 2 kno u better

[Crosshair, 7:41 PM]: more than just pancakes and sex ykno

[Crosshair, 7:41 PM]: if ur intrested too

[Crosshair, 7:42 PM]: no worries if not 

[Crosshair, 7:42 PM]: i just think ur cute 

He was blushing again, watching as the bubbles appeared rapid-fire. His hands shook slightly as he tried to think of a response–Crosshair had called him pretty boy and cute in the matter of minutes, two phrases Tech had never before heard said to him. 

[Tech, 7:45 PM]: I think I would like that.

[Tech, 7:45 PM]: I am not sure ‘cute’ is the right word for me, though. 

[Crosshair, 7:45 PM]: XCUSE ME? 

Sent with slam effect.

Tech actually startled, blinking blankly at the screen. 

[Crosshair, 7:46 PM]: ur super cute. u spent like ten mins ranting bout computers and i had no clue wht u were talking bout but it was cute as fuck

[Crosshair, 7:46 PM]: unless u dont like it ill stop if u dont like it

[Tech, 7:46 PM]: no don’t stop 

[Tech, 7:47 PM]: I mean, it’s perfectly fine. I don’t mind. 

[Crosshair, 7:50 PM]: u busy saturday? 

[Tech, 7:51 PM]: No, I don’t believe I am.

[Tech, 7:51 PM]: Did you have something in mind?

[Crosshair, 7:52 PM]: dinner? 

[Tech, 7:56 PM]: I would like that very much. 

After they made plans, Tech found the giddiness in his chest had increased tenfold. He couldn’t keep the dopey smile off his face, even after the conversation ended when Tech set his phone to charge and get into bed. He’d spent over three hours texting Crosshair; it seemed almost natural talking to him, like they’d known each other for years. 

Even the anxiety of going on his very first date couldn’t dampen Tech’s spirits over the next few days. 

–-

During his shift on Thursday, Tech had gotten a text from Wrecker. He said he’d found some of the parts Tech had been trying to find in a recently junked car, and he should head over to the lot after work. 

Tech managed to find Wrecker amongst the various cars in the back lot, pulling apart an engine from a very burnt out looking vehicle.

“Are you actually finding anything useful in there?” Tech asked as he walked closer.

Wrecker looked over his shoulder and shot Tech a wide grin. “The engine’s in great shape, actually!” He said, always a little too loud. “Your stuff is there,” he added, pointing to a box next to his tools.

Tech grabbed the box and hopped up onto a car hood after ensuring there were no safety hazards. Wrecker continued to disassemble the engine, Tech sitting in silence for a few moments as he looked through the parts in the box. 

“So, you gonna tell me what happened last Friday?” Wrecker commented, dropping a large piece of machinery on the ground and turning to face Tech. 

Ah. He’d had a feeling this was about more than handing over some spare parts. Tech pushed his glasses up his nose, not looking at Wrecker as he replied. “What do you mean?” 

“Em callin’ me and Echo in a panic, not knowin’ where you were?” Wrecker continued. “That’s not like you.”

“Haven’t you all been spending the last several years pushing me to get out more?” 

“Well, I guess, but,” Wrecker ran a hand over his head, shrugging. “Still isn’t like you to just disappear.” 

“I went out with some coworkers to a club,” Tech answered flatly, closing up the box again. “It is difficult to notice a phone going off when there is poor lighting and loud music.” 

“Right, right,” Wrecker nodded. “Echo said Em told him you’d been seen leavin’ the club with a guy.” 

Tech sighed, a long, exasperated exhale. He rubbed a hand over his eyes, pushing his glasses up. “You’re all overreacting. If you or Echo or Em did the same thing, you wouldn’t be thinking twice about it.”

“But this is you we’re talkin’ about,” Wrecker leaned against the car next to Tech. “You gonna tell me about him?”

Tech looked at him, Wrecker smiling at him with genuine curiosity. Tech’s thoughts and phone had been totally consumed over the last few days by Crosshair, Crosshair, Crosshair, and Tech hadn’t even told Em anything about him. 

“Have you ever been on a date?” Tech found himself asking before he could stop himself.

“Uh,” Wrecker shrugged. “Yeah, a few. Why?”

Tech knew he was blushing, avoiding Wrecker’s eyes as realisation dawned on him. 

“Wait, you have a date?” He grinned widely. “When? Is it the club guy?”

“Saturday,” Tech said, looking down at his hands. “I’m meeting him for dinner at a place called Power Sliders. It’s not a fancy place but it is affordable.” 

“I’ve been there, great food,” Wrecker commented with a nod. “Does Em know?”

“She does not, and I would rather you didn’t tell her either.”

“If I promise not to, will you tell me more about this guy?” Wrecker asked with a sly grin. 

Tech tried to keep himself from talking, but something unfamiliar completely overwhelmed him at the chance to tell someone about Crosshair. It was silly, really–he was gushing over a man he’d only really met once. 

“He’s incredible,” Tech said with a small smile. “He’s funny, witty, and really smart, he can read people so well and he just seems…really observant? His spelling is atrocious but talking to him is just…it feels easy. Like we’ve always known each other. And he never seems annoyed when I start rambling, and he actually pays attention. Not that–I mean, we’ve only really spoken over text, so I–it might be different in person, maybe.” 

Wrecker’s expression made Tech anxious; he was looking at Tech softly, a genuine, gentle smile on his face as he listened. 

“What’s with that look?”

“Nothin’,” Wrecker said. “I’ve just never seen you light up like this over a person. Usually it’s because of some new computer upgrade or somethin’.” 

Tech was definitely blushing now. He cleared his throat and pushed his glasses back up. “I know, it’s ridiculous and completely illogical. I mean, I don’t actually know him that well.”

“Things like this ain’t usually logical,” Wrecker replied. “Just listen to your heart for once, yeah?” 

Tech sighed, and was almost glad when their conversation was interrupted by one of Wrecker’s coworkers.

“There you are,” Phee sounded only a little annoyed as she walked over to them. She glanced at Tech, raising a brow. “You really shouldn’t be back here, you know.”

“You have yet to kick me out,” Tech replied. “So I think I’ll stay.”

Phee laughed, resting her hands on her hips. “You’re lucky I like you, Brown Eyes,” she turned to Wrecker. “Your 4pm is here, Wrecks.”

“Ah–almost forgot about that!” Wrecker jumped up. He shot a quick smile and a thumbs up to Tech before he rushed back in the direction of the offices. 

Tech hopped down from the car and picked up the box of parts, already going over in his mind the exact process he would use for installation. 

“Tech.”

He looked over at Phee and raised a brow, waiting for her to talk again. Tech had been unsure about Phee when he’d first met her, back when Wrecker first got his job, but he’d quickly realised that she was teasing him entirely because she found his reactions funny; since then, she’d become something of an older sister figure to him. 

“Just stay calm and be yourself,” she said with a wink. “And you’ll have any guy falling for you in no time.” 

Tech was pretty sure he’d blushed more in the last week than he had in his entire life.

Chapter Text

After much deliberation and emptying out his entire closet, Tech finally decided on an outfit. A pair of tight fitting jeans that Em had once said made his legs look good, and a cropped t-shirt that ended at the waistband of the jeans. After ensuring he had his headphones, keys, wallet, and phone, he pulled on a pair of boots and was out the door. 

He’d told Emerie he’d be out late, possibly all night, and fortunately she didn’t push for more details, seemingly elated that he was going out again–-two weeks in a row, no less. Power Sliders was on the other side of town, Tech fidgeting nervously as he waited for the bus to reach the right stop. He kept checking his phone just for something to look at. 

As he climbed off the bus and started making his way toward the restaurant, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

[Crosshair, 6:57 PM]: waitin outside

[Tech, 6:58 PM]: I’m almost there. 

[Crosshair, 6:58 PM]: lookin forward 2 seein u cutie 

Tech had thought he’d stop blushing so damn much each time Crosshair used a pet name, but every time, his heart leapt and his face heated up. He turned the corner and slid his phone into his pocket as he approached the restaurant. 

Crosshair was leaning against a streetlight outside the restaurant, flicking through something on his phone screen. Tech paused for a brief moment just to take him in, actually looking at him, and wow was he pretty.

Ripped jeans, clunky boots, tight fitting shirt and a leather jacket; he looked like a sin wrapped in a bad decision, and Tech was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. When Crosshair looked up and spotted him, the smile he got almost knocked Tech off his feet.

“There you are,” Crosshair said, taking the cigarette from his mouth. He made an obvious show of dragging his eyes over Tech, his smile morphing into a smirk. “Looking good, pretty boy.”

Tech felt breathless and entirely out of his depth. “It–uh, hello,” he replied, internally cringing at the way his voice shook. “You look good too. It is nice to see you again.” With your clothes on this time, he added in his head.

Crosshair chuckled as he pushed off the streetlight, putting his cigarette out on a nearby trash can and tossing it away. He held a hand out to Tech. “Shall we?” 

Tech stamped down his anxiety and took Crosshair’s hand. It was ridiculous how nervous he was about simple hand holding, especially given the events of last Friday night. He walked with Crosshair into the restaurant, and Tech had a feeling that Crosshair knew the staff when the host had greeted them.

They were led to a booth toward the back of the restaurant; it had a cosy atmosphere with gentle lighting, and from their table Tech couldn’t see the distracting screens around the bar. It was quiet despite being a Saturday afternoon, for which Tech was grateful. 

As they took their seats, Tech couldn’t help but feel awkward. He had spent the last week texting Crosshair daily, but seeing him again in person was an entirely new playing field, and he hoped he could keep himself from tripping over his words again. 

“Had a good week?” Crosshair asked, breaking the silence first. He was leaning back against his seat, arms folded loosely over his chest. He’d taken off his jacket and Tech was momentarily distracted by arms . 

“It was very productive,” Tech replied. 

Crosshair was smiling at him, just a subtle curve of his lips. “Productive,” he repeated. “How so?” 

“Well, I found some more parts for the processor of my custom-build computer, as well as an additional cooling fan that matches the other one I have,” Tech said. “It has limited functions at this time but I have many more parts to sort through so I can likely complete it by the end of the summer.” 

“You’re building a computer? From scratch?”

“Sort of,” Tech felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. “I am modifying an old computer that a client brought in sometime last year. They wanted us to scrap it but my manager lets me look through everything before we throw it away.” 

They were momentarily interrupted by a waiter taking their drinks order, and when they left the table, Tech was expecting Crosshair to pick up the conversation and change the subject. He was surprised, then, when instead Crosshair looked at him and raised a brow.

“You were saying?”

“U-uh,” Tech never stumbled over his words like this, but usually by this point in the conversation, the other party typically lost interest. “I could show you the computer, sometime. It’s not that complicated to make one, especially since I’m not starting from scratch.” 

“Not complicated?” Crosshair chuckled. “What would you consider complicated?”

“Well, I just want the computer for gaming,” Tech replied. “So it’s not as if I’m trying to...I don’t know, launch rockets with it or something.” 

Crosshair chuckled, the conversation taking another pause as their drinks arrived and they ordered some food. Once again, Crosshair looked at Tech and waited for him to pick up the conversation. 

“Something wrong?” Crosshair asked when he noticed Tech fidgeting with his bracelet.

“Oh, no,” he replied. “It’s just–-this is usually the point in the conversation where I am told to shut up or the topic is changed.” 

There was an almost microscopic shift in Crosshair’s expression, but it passed as soon as Tech noticed it. “Well, telling you to shut up wasn’t on my list of things to do tonight.” 

“I think I’ve talked about myself enough,” Tech hadn’t felt this anxious before, unsure of what to say and hoping that he wasn’t saying the wrong things. “What about you?”

Crosshair shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “Not much to tell.” 

“Do you work?”

“Nope. I got fired a few months ago and nowhere ever gets back to me.”

Tech could tell by the change in his tone that this was not a subject Crosshair wanted to discuss. Quickly sifting through his thoughts, he searched for some way to change the course of the conversation. 

“Do you live alone?” He asked. “Do you have roommates?”

“I live with my siblings,” Crosshair replied. “Got an older brother and a younger sister.”

“Ah–I have a sister, too,” Tech said. “She’s older than me, though.” 

Crosshair smiled, raising a brow. “You’re the baby, then?” 

“I most definitely am not,” Tech pouted, straightening his back as if to make himself seem taller. 

“Bet she treats you like one, though.”

“Does your brother treat you like a child?”

“Sometimes,” Crosshair chuckled, fiddling with the straw in his drink. “But I’m the middle kid. My sister Meg gets all the babying. She’ll be thirteen next year, though, not sure what Hunter’s gonna do with a teenager.”

“That’s quite young,” Tech commented. “Are…your parents around?”

Crosshair shook his head, a slight frown on his face. Tech felt himself floundering again to find something to talk about-–don’t talk about employment, or the family, he noted to himself. 

“It’s okay,” Crosshair reached across the table and slipped his hand into Tech’s, intertwining their fingers. “My personal life has been kinda…fucked up over the last few years.”

“I never knew my parents,” Tech started before he could stop himself. It felt so right to hold Crosshair’s hand, like they were made to fit together. “Em and I were moved around to various foster homes until she turned 18 and got guardianship.” 

“Guess you’ve had some fucked up years too, then. Why’d you get bounced around?”

Tech smiled, glad that the tension seemed to be fading. “It was mostly because of me. Em would say otherwise, but I was not…the easiest of children. None of the foster homes seemed to know what to do with me.”

“Sounds like a them problem,” Crosshair pulled his hand back as the food arrived. 

Before either of them could pick up the conversation again, someone appeared beside the table and gave Crosshair a friendly, but heavy-handed, slap on the shoulder.

“Crosshair! Been forever, where’ve you been?” 

“You missed me? How touching,” Crosshair rolled his eyes, but he seemed amused all the same. 

“Wolffe told me you had a date ,” the man grinned, looking over at Tech.

Crosshair slid down in his seat, and Tech briefly considered that he might be flustered. “Gregor, don’t you have, I don’t know, a job to do?” 

“We’re quiet, I can spare a few minutes,” the man–Gregor–was talking very loudly, but no-one else seemed disturbed by it. It must be a regular occurrence. “The name’s Gregor! I own this fine establishment.” 

“Tech,” he introduced himself. “It is very nice to meet you.” 

“Oooh, he’s very polite,” Gregor nudged Crosshair, who seemed to just sink lower in his seat. “Well, Tech, I hope you enjoy the food. Don’t let Crosshair scare you off, he’s actually a real softy.” 

With one more playful nudge, Gregor made his way back into the kitchen. Tech looked over at Crosshair, who was stubbornly keeping his eyes on his plate as he stabbed his fork into the food. 

“You come here often, then?” Tech asked after a moment. “Often enough to know the owner?”

“I’ve known Gregor since before he opened this place up,” Crosshair answered. “He, uh…was a close friend of Hunter’s mother. Stepped in when he could to help. He’s…a lot. But he’s nice.” 

Tech smiled at the fondness in Crosshair’s tone. 

“He also gives me a steep discount,” Crosshair finished with a playful grin. 

Tech laughed, all tension or awkwardness fading quickly as the evening went on.

—

Tech had never been on a date before, so he didn’t have much to compare this one to, but he was still confident in saying it was a damn good date. Their conversation over dinner had drifted between numerous topics, and Crosshair never once seemed irritated or bored by what Tech had to say, even if he went on for several minutes. 

Moreover, Crosshair seemed genuinely interested in Tech, and asked questions, actively engaging in the conversation. It had been harder for Tech to get information from Cross, but as the evening had continued, he had started to open up a bit more. 

Tech gathered from what Crosshair said (and what he didn’t say) that he was an artist, though he wouldn’t call himself that. He did most of his own tattoos, and had done tattoos for many of his friends. He never went to college because they couldn’t afford it, and he had difficulties holding down jobs. 

Crosshair did mention that his brother Hunter worked for Corellia Auto Parts, a company that Tech had heard a lot about before; the scrapyard where Wrecker and Phee worked did a lot of business with Corellia. He wondered if they knew each other, which would definitely be an interesting coincidence.

The topic that Crosshair dodged the most was anything to do with his parents. It sounded as though things had never been good between him and his father, but Hunter had just as many issues with the man as Crosshair had. 

Crosshair certainly hadn’t been joking about the discount he got at Power Sliders. He tried to keep Tech from seeing the bill, but Tech had been too quick for him; Crosshair had started stumbling over his words, trying to explain that he didn’t just take Tech there because it was cheap, well, he wasn’t exactly employed and didn’t have much in the way of savings, but he genuinely thought Tech would enjoy the restaurant, especially with how quiet it was–

Tech had just smiled and offered to help pay the bill, but Crosshair was adamant that he was going to cover it. In the end, Gregor had emerged from the kitchen and told them he’d already taken care of it.

“Happy to see you smiling again, kid,” was all he’d said to Crosshair before he headed back to the kitchen. 

There was a park a few streets away, and Crosshair suggested they go there for a while before heading back home. Tech found himself holding onto Crosshair’s arm as they walked, Crosshair listening patiently while Tech was in the middle of talking. 

“--but then they tried to argue with me about the processor speed and the type of motherboard I was installing, to which I very pointedly described how they fit in with the build I was working on,” Tech said, waving his free hand as he spoke. “And then they said, well, that’s not how they’d do it, so clearly I was doing it wrong.”

“What a dick,” Crosshair chuckled.

“They’ve just been jealous ever since I defeated them in our High School robotics tournament,” Tech pushed his glasses up. “I had prioritised speed and defence over brute strength and offensive capabilities, so my build lasted longer and withstood the barrage of attacks that led to their build becoming overheated.” 

“And I thought I held onto grudges for too long.” 

“He just needs to be correct all the time,” Tech rolled his eyes and huffed in frustration. “He seems to take it as a personal attack that I am simply more effective at these things.”

Crosshair chuckled and led Tech into the park, which was thankfully empty. The sun had long since set and with few lights around, the stars were more visible. Crosshair tugged Tech down to lay in the grass with him.

“It’s very quiet here,” Tech commented. 

“Mh,” Crosshair sighed. “Usually is after dark.”

“You come here often?”

“Yeah, when I need to clear my mind,” Crosshair folded his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky. 

Tech watched his profile for a few moments, before also turning to look at the stars. There was a gentle breeze rustling the trees, and every so often the sound of a passing car would break the silence, but it was peaceful. 

“Do you see that bright star there?” Tech said, pointing up at the sky. Crosshair followed where he was pointing, responding with a mhh-hm. “That’s Saturn.”

“Huh,” Crosshair turned to face him. “Do you know the constellations too?”

“I used to create star maps to pass the time when I couldn’t sleep,” Tech said as he searched the skies. He pointed again, Crosshair following his line of sight. “That’s Ursa Major, and near it over there is Ursa Minor.” 

Crosshair didn’t say anything, but he followed along as Tech continued to point out the stars.

“Polaris is part of Ursa Minor, though it is more commonly referred to as the North Star,” Tech explained, pointing out a few more constellations. “Ah, and that bright star there, the one that’s moving? That’s the ISS. It is usually easy to spot, since it is so bright.”

“Mh,” Crosshair hummed. “Beautiful.”

Tech looked over at Crosshair and was surprised to see the other man looking at him instead of the stars. He could feel his face heat up again , cursing himself for how easy it was to make him blush. 

Crosshair rolled onto his side so he could face Tech, who copied his movement. Crosshair took one of Tech’s hands in his, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of Tech’s hand. 

“Is everything alright, Crosshair?” 

“Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine,” he smiled at Tech, squeezing his hand gently. “I haven’t had this much fun with anyone in a long time.” 

“I am glad you find my extended ramblings entertaining,” Tech replied. “As I mentioned before, most people just find it annoying.”

“You’re cute when you go off, though,” Crosshair said. “You get all animated and expressive.” 

“I still do not think ‘cute’ is an accurate term for me,” Tech said, looking down at their intertwined hands. 

Crosshair moved closer, pressing their foreheads together as Tech looked up at him again. “Whoever made you believe that doesn’t deserve your time,” he said. “Along with anyone who’s ever called you annoying or irritating.” 

It wasn’t very often that Tech found himself speechless. It was as if he had dreamed Crosshair up, creating him to be everything Tech never knew he needed. Crosshair was guarded and closed off, and on the outside he seemed dangerous, like someone Tech would usually never cross paths with. 

Yet there they were, Crosshair gently holding his hand and staying close to him, looking at him as if he was the only thing in Crosshair’s universe. 

Without much thought, Tech leaned in and kissed him. He knew he was inexperienced, but Crosshair moved closer to him and pressed into the kiss and tangled a hand in his hair and nothing else mattered in that moment. 

Tech smiled into the kiss, shivering when he felt a gentle nip against his bottom lip. Crosshair pulled back before Tech could do anything else; it was a first date, they probably shouldn’t go much further than this. 

I’ve been in his bed. I don’t think there’s any “further” than that, Tech reminded himself. 

“I want to keep seeing you,” Crosshair said quietly. “I know I probably didn’t make a great first impression, but–”

“I like you, Crosshair,” Tech interrupted as he sensed the doubt seeping into Crosshair’s voice. “I like you very much, and I would also like to keep seeing you.” 

Crosshair blinked as he processed what Tech said, a smile slowly creeping onto his face. “Yeah?” 

Tech pressed a quick kiss to Crosshair’s lips. “Yeah.” 

Crosshair moved and Tech found himself laying on his back, Crosshair hovering over him. He wound his arms around Crosshair’s neck as they met in another slow, gentle kiss. 

Tech knew it was cliched, but in that moment, everything felt right. 

Chapter Text

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 9:59 PM]: howd work go?

[Tech, 10:00 PM]: Oh, as fantastic as usual. Though I did manage to find some wiring for the cooling fan, finally. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:01 PM]: nice. still cant belive ur just building a whole computer like its nbd

[Tech, 10:03 PM]: I built my first one when I was 6. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:05 PM ]: do u still have it?

[Tech, 10:06 PM]: Oh, no. I took it apart to repurpose the parts a long time ago. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:06 PM]: of course u did

[Tech, 10:06PM]: How has your day been?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:07 PM]: spent most of it applying 2 jobs. prob wasting my time

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:08 PM]: no useful skills 

[Tech, 10:07 PM]: You know a lot about cars. You said you’d done some alterations to your current vehicle, did you not? Why not try Corellia Auto Parts?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:07 PM]: i am not working wth hunter

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:08 PM]: i taught myself so theres prob a lot im doing wrong

[Tech, 10:08 PM] : If it works as intended I do not not think there is a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong.’ 

[Tech, 10:09 PM]: You are very resistant to me stating facts about your abilities and intelligence.

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:09 PM]: cant take compliments well i guess

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:09 PM]: not rly used 2 getting them

[Tech, 10:11 PM]: Well, you do not have to think of it as a compliment. I am stating an objective fact: you have many skills and talents and while they may be different from the ones I possess, that does not make you any less capable. 

[Tech, 10:13 PM]: It just means our strengths lay in different places, as it does with most people. You should not compare your ability to repair electronics with mine, especially since my ability to repair automobiles is lacking compared to yours. 

[Tech, 10:14 PM]: Not to mention your artistic ability. You have many options open to you, Crosshair. You just need to find the right place for you.  

[Tech, 10:29 PM]: Did you fall asleep?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:33 PM]: i dont kno what i did 2 deserve u 

[Tech, 10:34 PM]: What do you mean? 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯 is typing]

[Cross ❣️ 🎯 is typing]

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:39 PM]: ur just so genuine. u say exactly what u feel & dont worry bout other people

[Tech, 10:42 PM]: I learned a long time ago that other people’s opinions are not worth obsessing over. I know where my abilities and strengths lay and that’s all that matters to me. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:45 PM]: its just late im getting emotional

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:46 PM]: u kno ive picked up people b4 at 79’s. none of them have been like u tho

[Tech, 10:47 PM]: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:48 PM]: good thing. that place is a shithole tbh. cheap drinks, easy 2 get drunk and find some1 else drunk

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:49 PM]: ur just so 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:50 PM]: genuine

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:50 PM]: real

[Typing…]

[Typing…]

[Typing…]

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:01PM]: damn its ur turn 1 b speechless huh

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:01 PM]: sry if it was 2 much

[Tech, 11:05 PM]: I suppose it is now my turn to be resistant to compliments. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:06 PM]: “I am stating an objective fact” ;)

[Tech, 11:06 PM]: Very funny. 

[Tech, 11:07 PM]: Thank you. I have very much been enjoying getting to know you. You also seem very genuine, as you phrased it. I appreciate that, it can be difficult for me to understand when people are being indirect. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯 is typing]

[Tech, 11:08 PM]: If you are not busy on Friday I would like to spend some time with you. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:10 PM]: for u babe im always free 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:11 PM]: any ideas?

[Tech, 11:13 PM]: Do you like arcades? There is one that opened last month that I have been wanting to go to. It is called Hyperspace Lane. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:14 PM]: yeh ive heard of it 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:14 PM]: u like arcades? 

[Tech, 11:15 PM]: Is that so surprising? 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:15 PM]: a little

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:15 PM]: arent they 2 overstimulating? 

[Tech, 11:17 PM]: They can be, but I have learned to manage. I enjoy the games and calculating how to work around the built-in limitations. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:18 PM]: any games w shooting im good at 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:19 PM]: its a date 

[Tech, 11:20 PM]: I will see you then, my dear. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:22 PM]: cant wait, cutie ;) 

Friday took too long to arrive, but fortunately the work day sped by. By the time Tech had arrived back at his apartment, he was filled with his usual pre-date nerves. He thought it was ridiculous, he and Crosshair had been seeing each other regularly for over a full month now, but he still gets excited to see the other man in person. 

They texted every day, but actually being with him was entirely different. 

Tech was getting dressed after a quick shower when Emerie knocked at his door. 

“Are you out again tonight, Tech?” Em asked as she walked in.

Tech was double checking how he looked in the mirror, and decided it was satisfactory. “Yes, I am going to Hyperspace Lane with a friend.”

Em crossed her arms as she leaned against the door frame. “A ‘friend’?” She asked, putting emphasis on friend .

“Yes, a friend,” he replied simply, checking his phone when he felt it buzz.

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 6:02 PM]: omw, see u soon babe

[Tech, 6:03 PM]: You had better not be texting while driving, my dear. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 6:03PM]: red light!! 

Tech smiled to himself and slid his phone into his pocket. 

“You don’t typically put this much thought into how you look,” Emerie commented. “I don’t think I’ve seen that shirt in three years, and you’ve worn it twice in the last month.” 

“I do not see how that is relevant,” Tech replied stubbornly, pulling on his boots. “I like this shirt.” 

“You’re trying to impress someone,” Em concluded with a small smile. 

“What does it matter if I am?”

“Will you tell me about him?” 

Tech hesitated, considering for a moment. He and Crosshair hadn’t put a label on their relationship, but there definitely was something there. Tech wanted there to be something. “I do not think I am quite ready.”

He was relieved when Emerie nodded. “Okay, I understand,” she said. “Have fun, and let me know if you’re staying the night somewhere else.”

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 6:10 PM]: ur chariot awaits, my prince 

–

Hyperspace Lane had been open for a few weeks, so the crowds weren’t as bad as they would have been on opening night. It was like most arcades, with coloured lights and music that could only barely be heard over the sounds of the game machines. 

Tech had been excited about the opening of a new arcade since the only other one in town had shut down almost two years ago; and, this arcade supposedly had a rare and hard-to-find game that Tech had only ever played on emulators.

“It’s called ‘Galactic Republic,’” Tech was explaining to Crosshair as they walked in. “It’s a sci-fi game, and while it does not have any particularly impressive graphics, it is known as being an incredibly difficult game. It relies heavily on strategy and allows the player a lot of freedom when it comes to how to complete levels.”

“I think I’ve heard of that,” Crosshair said, looking around at the various games and prize machines around them. “This place is huge.” 

Tech was trying to keep his excitement under control, but he was walking just a little faster than usual and he could feel the energy buzzing just under the surface. Crosshair paused to look at some of the machines that emulated a shooting range using some sort of laser-sensor guns. 

“You said you were good at shooting games,” Tech recalled.

“Yeah, but it can wait,” Crosshair nodded toward something. “Found your game.”

Tech followed his line of sight and saw the cabinet for Galactic Republic , and furthermore, there was no-one currently using the machine. Tech made his way over quickly, followed closely by Crosshair.

“They actually have it,” Tech said, flapping his hands happily and smiling, bouncing on his feet once they reached the game and setting his backpack on the ground. “I never thought I’d actually get to play the original.”

Crosshair chuckled, moving behind Tech and wrapping his arms around his waist. “Well, let’s see you play,” he said, his chin resting on Tech’s shoulder.

Tech could feel himself blushing as Crosshair moved closer to him. Tech was learning very quickly that Crosshair was a tactile person, who enjoyed any kind of physical touch from those he was close with; Tech was picky about physical touch, on the other hand, but he always found himself leaning into Crosshair. 

Crosshair continued to hold Tech as he played, commenting occasionally and asking questions. Tech was worried he’d get bored and wander off eventually, but he never did. 

“How many levels are there?” He asked after Tech got through level two. 

“Five, plus a bonus level,” Tech replied. “But the bonus level is only unlockable if you have above a certain score. It is a shorter game, but the difficulty means it could take several hours to complete.” 

“Have you completed it before?”

“On emulators, yes,” he said.

It took around forty minutes in total before Tech got to the final victory screen, completing all stages and the bonus stage. Crosshair whistled, impressed.

“Look at that, top of the scoreboard,” he chuckled. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were good.”

Tech quickly snapped a photo on his phone of the scoreboard. “I’ve had a lot of practice with this particular game. It took me a long time to figure out each level, though.”

“My sister’s pretty good at strategy games,” Crosshair commented. “I’ll ask if she’s played this before.”

Crosshair pressed a kiss to Tech’s cheek before he pulled back, his hand resting on Tech’s lower back. “You gonna go again?”

“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Tech smiled up at him. “I know it’s here now, so I can play it again as long as it stays. Is there anything you’d like to play?” 

The two ended up playing a few claw games, which Crosshair turned out to be a pro at. Between the two of them they were able to work around (or take advantage of) the built-in limitations, though Crosshair referred to the games as rigged instead. 

Tech had assumed when the first soft toy fell into the prize slot that Crosshair would take it home for his sister. He was surprised when instead, Crosshair handed the plush to him. “Here.”

“Oh,” Tech took the toy, a cheaply made, slightly wonky plush of a dog. It was small, able to sit in the palm of his hand comfortably. “Thank you.” 

Crosshair leaned in closer to his ear with a playful smile on his face. “A puppy toy for my little puppy,” he winked as he started walking to the next machine.

Tech’s brain took a moment to reboot as he processed what Crosshair said. His cheeks were burning as it sank in, getting even redder when Crosshair shot him an unfairly handsome grin. 

“You are a menace,” Tech huffed, pushing his glasses back up as he joined Crosshair at the next machine. 

Crosshair won a few more plush toys for Tech (most of them being canine in nature), and then Tech helped him figure out how to get a particularly strange looking plush of a creature that appeared to be a cross between a dog and a dinosaur. Crosshair said that his sister liked the “weird” toys, and this blue animal (whatever it was) would be perfect. 

Tech was glad he’d brought a backpack with him as he added the blue creature to the rest of the plush toys for safe keeping. He followed Crosshair as they drifted back over to the shooting-range games.

“I am not very good at these ones,” Tech said as Crosshair started up one of the games. 

Crosshair picked up the laser-rifle, taking aim. “Had an uncle that used to take me to the shooting range,” he said.

The ease with which Crosshair hit the centre of the target several times in a row should not have intrigued Tech the way it did. There was something about the way he held himself, the way it seemed so effortless, and the look on concentration of Crosshair’s face that completely captivated Tech. 

A string of tickets were spat out of the machine and Crosshair turned to Tech. “Want a go?” 

“I do not want to hear any comments when I miss,” Tech took the toy rifle from him and got into place. “This is not a game I excel at.”

Tech managed to land one bullseye, but the rest of his shots missed the mark. He huffed and was about to lower the rifle when Crosshair was suddenly behind him, pressed up against his back. 

Crosshair set up another round and his hands came up to rest on Tech’s, gently moving him into place. “Your stance is just a little off, that’s all,” he said, right next to Tech’s ear. 

Tech felt himself stop breathing and he went light-headed at the closeness and the feeling of Crosshair’s hands on his. Crosshair was saying something, likely giving direction, but Tech couldn’t focus over the sound of his own heartbeat. 

“Shoot.”

Tech pulled the trigger, hitting the centre of the target each time. For a moment he was distracted from the feeling of Crosshair against him and he grinned, bouncing on his heels. “That was incredible.” 

“You are incredible,” Crosshair chuckled. At that moment, Tech realised there was a hand slowly creeping up under the hem of his shirt, Crosshair’s cold fingers tickling his stomach. 

Tech cleared his throat and placed the toy rifle back in its starting position.

Crosshair’s hips were flush against him, and he could feel heat building in his stomach. “Crosshair–”

Crosshair kissed the spot behind Tech’s ear, gently nuzzling against him. “I know somewhere quiet, we won’t be interrupted.”

Tech exhaled, nervous excitement running through him. He nodded, and that was all Crosshair needed before he took Tech’s hand and started leading him out of the arcade. 

It was dark when they exited and made their way back to Crosshair’s car. Neither of them spoke, Tech feeling jittery as he climbed into the passenger seat and set his backpack down as Crosshair sped out of the car park. Tech fidgeted with his seatbelt, curious as to where they were going.

He felt a little ridiculous, getting so anxious; it wasn’t as if he and Crosshair hadn’t had sex before, but this would be the first time they were both sober. At least, Tech was pretty sure that was where the evening was going, anyway. 

They ended up driving up to an overlook surrounded by a forest. Tech had only been up there a handful of times before, since it was a good spot to stargaze. Crosshair turned off the road and drove a short while up a dirt path until they were surrounded by trees, the only lights the faint glow from street lamps coming through the branches.

Crosshair turned the car off and locked the doors before he reached over and pulled something on Tech’s seat. The seat fell backward, Tech going with it with a startled yelp. 

“Is this okay?” Crosshair asked as he climbed over, leaning over Tech. 

“I assume we are about to have sex,” Tech said, his voice already breathy and quiet. “In which case, yes, this is very okay.”

Crosshair chuckled before leaning down and pressing a kiss to Tech’s lips, sliding a hand down his side slowly. Tech shivered and returned the kiss, winding his arms around Crosshair’s shoulders. His movements were uncertain, but fortunately it didn’t seem as if Crosshair noticed. 

Tech surprised himself with the small whine he made when Crosshair licked into his mouth as his hand slipped up under his shirt. He tightened his grip on Crosshair’s shirt when he felt a thumb brush over his nipple, arching his chest up into the touch. 

When Crosshair pulled away, Tech felt breathless and he knew he was already bright red. His shirt was pulled off and dropped somewhere in the car, Crosshair leaning down and dragging his tongue over Tech’s nipple, teasing the other between his fingers.

“O-oh,” Tech gasped, his head tilting back and his eyes fluttering closed. He mewled softly when he felt teeth bite down, before Crosshair moved to lick and bite his way down Tech’s stomach. 

“C-Cross,” Tech tugged at the other man’s shirt insistently. Crosshair got the message, sitting back and tossing his shirt off whenever Tech’s had landed. 

Tech couldn’t help himself as he ran his hand from Crosshair’s shoulder down over his chest; it should be illegal for someone to look so good. Crosshair wrapped a hand around his wrist, pulling Tech’s hand up to gently trail kisses over his palm. 

Only a second later, Crosshair’s mouth was back on him, biting and sucking marks over his chest and down over his stomach. Tech let his head tilt back against the seat, small whines escaping him with each touch. Eventually moving to kneel down between Tech’s legs, Crosshair made short work of the belt. 

“You’re fucking gorgeous,” Crosshair whispered as he pulled Tech’s jeans down, pulling them off along with his shoes. “So pretty.” 

Tech sat up on his elbows so he could see Crosshair, the other man glancing up and shooting him a playful smirk. He littered soft kisses just above the waistband of Tech’s boxers, so gentle it was almost ticklish. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Tech couldn’t help but admire how good Crosshair looked kneeling between his thighs. 

“Love how sensitive you are,” Crosshair kept talking, sliding his hands up along Tech’s legs and thighs. 

“J-just…inexperienced,” Tech managed to say, though he couldn’t deny how worked up he was already. His erection was very noticeable through his boxers, his hips twitching as Crosshair’s hands inched closer. “C-Cross…”

Tech whined loudly when Crosshair ran his tongue over his clothed erection, unable to keep himself from bucking his hips up, silently pleading for more . His cries only got louder and more desperate when Crosshair repeated the movement. “P-please—“

Tech raised his hips to help as Crosshair slid his boxers down, a relieved sigh escaping him as his erection was freed from its confines. 

“You’re so needy, puppy,” Crosshair smirked, the pet name pulling a rough gasp from Tech. 

Tech’s arms gave way and he fell back against the seat when Crosshair licked slowly up the underside of his dick from root to tip. Tech moved a hand down to rest in Crosshair’s hair as the other man repeated the movement, this time taking the head into his mouth.

Tech could hear his own loud, ragged panting as Crosshair moved his legs to rest over his shoulders. Crosshair’s tongue swirled around the tip of his dick, teasing the slit before he moved to take even more into his mouth. 

It was unlike anything Tech had ever experienced before; Crosshair’s mouth was warm and felt incredible around his dick. “N-nh,” Tech tried to speak, but it took a moment for him to get his mouth to cooperate. “G-good, Crosshair, s-so good.” 

He whined when Crosshair groaned around him, sending delicious vibrations through his cock and up his spine. Tech yelped when he felt a finger press against his entrance, already slick with lube–he wasn’t sure when Crosshair had even pulled lube out. 

Crosshair moved up to pay special attention to the head of Tech’s dick, flicking his tongue into the slit and groaning at the taste of precum. Tech was distracted by the pleasure and barely felt when Crosshair’s finger slid inside him—something he was grateful for. 

Fuck, Crosshair was good at this. 

Tech let his thighs fall open wider as Crosshair continued to finger him, adding a second finger after a moment. As he felt Tech relaxing more with each curl of his fingers, he pulled back from Tech’s cock and moved his attention to sinking his teeth into the soft thighs. 

Tech gasped at the first feeling of sharp teeth against his skin. He could feel pleasure and heat building in the pit of his stomach, more precum bubbling at the tip of his cock. “S-so good,” he managed to whine, raising his arms above him to grip at the back of the seat beneath him. “C-Cross…f-feels a-amazing…y-you’re…f-fuck—i-incredible—”

Crosshair made a small sound under his breath that almost went unnoticed. Tech was distracted quickly though, when Cross’ fingers thrust in and curled up roughly. 

Tech’s back arched as pleasure shot through him, pulling a loud, needy sound from his throat, as his eyes almost rolled back. “F-fuck—!” 

“There it is,” Crosshair chuckled darkly. He curled his fingers up against that spot and rubbed against it slowly. 

Tech was overwhelmed by the feeling, completely unable to do anything but gasp and pant and whine as Crosshair pulled him apart. He could feel his dick twitching with each pass of fingers over his prostate, pulling him closer and closer to the edge. 

“C-Cross—,” Tech barely recognized his own voice, high pitched and breathy. “P-please—I-I—“ 

He could feel something warm and wet on his stomach. Managing to prop himself up on shaking arms, Tech was able to look down at himself through skewed glasses. 

Crosshair had one hand around Tech’s thigh, digging his fingers in harshly as he bit and sucked and marked up his skin. His other hand was busy tearing Tech apart with pleasure. 

Tech was pretty sure he’d never been this hard before, and he let out a high-pitched mewl as he noticed a thin stream of cum leaking from his cock and making a mess over the flat plane of his stomach. 

The sound got Crosshair’s attention, following Tech’s eyes to where he was looking. With a low chuckle, Crosshair curled his fingers even harder inside Tech. 

“A-ah—!” Tech could feel tears burning in his eyes, his thighs quivering as he got close. “C-Cross—I-I—w-wait—s-stop—“ 

The way Crosshair immediately ceased all movements the second he heard ‘stop’ made a warm, fuzzy feeling settle in Tech’s chest that had nothing to do with how damned close he was. Crosshair sat back as far as he could in the limited space of the car. “Are you okay, puppy?” 

“Mmh—f-fuck—,” His usual bashfulness seemed to have fled him, replaced with the overwhelming pleasure flowing through him. “D-don’t wanna cum yet…” 

Crosshair pulled his hand back and climbed up onto the seat to lean over Tech. He leaned down and they met in a gentle, slow kiss, and all Tech could do was whine when he tasted himself on Crosshair’s tongue. 

“What do you want, puppy?” Crosshair asked into the kiss. 

Tech moved his arms to wind around Crosshair’s shoulders, replying to him between kisses. “I…want to cum with you inside me…please…”

Crosshair groaned lowly and the kiss became deeper, messier and less coordinated. Tech trailed his hands down to Crosshair’s waist, realising the other man still had his jeans on. 

“This can’t be comfortable,” Tech commented against the kiss, feeling the unmistakable strain of Cross’ cock against his trousers. With a low whine, Crosshair bucked his hips against Tech’s fingers. 

“Get in the back seat,” Crosshair all but growled as he sat back, making short work of his belt. 

Tech scooted into the back seats, watching as Crosshair pushed his jeans down enough for his cock to be freed, red and swollen and already leaking precum. Crosshair moved to sit in the back seats, surprising Tech as he was manhandled to sit in Crosshair’s lap. 

“You have no idea what you do to me, puppy,” Crosshair groaned as he licked his way down Tech’s throat. Tech tilted his head back, shaking hands clinging to Cross tightly. 

Without really meaning to, Tech moved his hips down, the two men gasping as their cocks were pressed together. “N-not going to last long, C-Cross,” Tech managed to whimper out. 

“Want you to ride me,” Crosshair gripped Tech’s hips tightly, forcing him up and moving him until Tech could feel the head of a cock pressed against his entrance. “Think you can do that for me, puppy?” 

Tech nodded, bracing his hands on Crosshair’s shoulders. Crosshair kept his hands firmly on Tech’s hips, helping his movements as he pressed down. 

Tech gasped sharply and stopped moving as the head pushed inside him. The low, deep groan that escaped Crosshair went straight to Tech’s dick, making him shiver and whine softly. 

“You feel incredible, fuck,” Crosshair groaned as he pressed his face against Tech’s neck. “So fucking tight…”

After a few deep, shuddering breaths, Tech pressed his hips down slowly. The feeling of being filled and split open was even better than his alcohol-blurred memories had led him to believe; he dug his nails into Crosshair’s shoulders as he adjusted to the feeling. 

Crosshair was pressing open mouthed kisses to Tech’s neck and jaw, his hands digging into Tech’s hips as he kept himself still. “Breathe, puppy.” 

Tech let out a long exhale, releasing the tension in his shoulders. He briefly heard Crosshair groan lightly against his neck, nails digging into Tech’s thighs. 

The feeling of being so full, so completely overwhelmed by everything Crosshair was giving him, was making Tech’s head spin. It felt so right , so perfect, so incredible that Tech was sure he could get addicted to it. 

Tech rocked his hips gently, testing to see if the pain had subsided. There was still a slight discomfort, but as he chewed his bottom lip, he found the pleasure quickly drowned it out. Crosshair made another muffled sound from where he had his face buried in Tech’s neck. 

Repeating the motion, Tech brought his arms up to rest around Crosshair’s shoulders. He whined softly, running a hand over Cross’ short hair. 

After a few moments of gentle rocking and soft moans, Crosshair’s grip on Tech’s thighs tightened as he bucked his hips up. Tech gasped as his back arched at the new feeling. 

“Nhn—fuck, sorry,” Crosshair managed to say, his voice low and rough. “You feel fucking amazing, babe…” 

Tech didn’t respond, instead intent on exploring that new feeling more. Bracing himself on his knees, he slowly raised his hips up, teeth digging into his lower lip as he paused with only the tip of Crosshair’s cock inside him. 

He pushed his hips down again, a sharp exhale escaping him as he was split open once again. He kept his movements slow as he repeated the motion a few times, Crosshair keeping his face pressed into Tech’s throat. 

Tech became aware of how Crosshair’s fingers were trembling where they were gripping into his thighs. From the man’s controlled, steady breathing, and the way his hips kept twitching, Tech figured he was holding back, letting Tech take things at his own pace. 

Tech was inexperienced, but he wanted to make Crosshair feel just as good as said man was making him feel. 

Moving his hands to rest on Crosshair’s shoulders, Tech lifted his hips up slowly once more. He paused for a moment, bracing himself before he dropped his hips down against Crosshair’s, harder and faster than before. 

That seemed to break the dam holding Crosshair back. He swore loudly, digging his nails into Tech’s thighs as he started thrusting his hips up roughly, his cock pressing deeper and deeper. 

Tech was still managing to surprise himself with the sounds he was making, this time a sharp cry escaping him. They fell into a rhythm, Crosshair pressing up as Tech pushed down, both of them seeking the other out for a messy, uncoordinated kiss. 

Tech could feel the heat building as the pain completely faded, finding nothing but overwhelming pleasure. He knew he was close, precum making a mess against Crosshair’s stomach. 

“C-Cross—,” he managed to gasp out, his whine becoming a sharp gasp as Crosshair shifted his angle and hit his prostate with incredible accuracy. “O-oh—f-fuck—!” 

“Close, puppy?” Crosshair moved his hips rougher, hitting that spot inside Tech and sending him to the very edge—

“C-Cross—!!” Tech arched his back and ground his hips down desperately as his orgasm hit him, nails scratching at Crosshair’s back as he chased the pleasure for as long as possible. 

He vaguely heard a low groan and felt Crosshair lose his rhythm, thrusting and grinding into Tech as he chased his own pleasure. 

Tech whined softly as he felt Crosshair grind into him insistently, his cock twitching before he came with a whine, muffling himself by sinking his teeth into Tech’s throat. 

The feeling of cum filling him was just another sensation Tech was getting addicted to. He tilted his head back as he panted to catch his breath, gently stroking a hand over Cross’s hair as the other man came down from his own high. 

Crosshair’s face was still pressed against Tech’s throat as arms came up to wind around Tech’s waist. They stayed like that, quiet and wrapped in each other’s arms, for several long moments. 

It was Crosshair who pulled away first, grabbing a discarded cloth that Tech slowly recognised as a t-shirt, so he could clean up the mess on both of their stomachs. 

“You okay, babe?” Crosshair pressed a kiss to Tech’s jaw. 

“More than okay,” Tech smiled, his thoughts still sluggish and slow as he came back to himself. “You’re amazing at this. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so….incredible.”

“You must’ve had some shitty partners in the past,” Crosshair tossed the shirt aside, draping his arms loosely around Tech’s waist. 

Tech was overcome with the urge to kiss Crosshair, so he leaned down and kissed the bridge of his nose. Slowly he made his way down to Crosshair’s lips, pressing gentle kisses against skin as he went. 

“I’ve never had a partner before,” Tech admitted. “You were my first.” 

Tech stopped himself as he leaned in for a proper kiss, feeling Crosshair tense beneath him. He leaned back, Crosshair’s expression unreadable. “Cross?” 

“You—,” Crosshair hesitated. “I took your virginity in a shitty club bathroom? While drunk ?” 

The rising doubt and self-hatred in Crosshair was evident in his tone, Tech immediately moving down to kiss over his face again. 

“Virginity is a made-up concept created to make people feel bad about themselves,” Tech still sounded breathless, but he did his best to get his mind to start working again. “You were my first, and now my second, and I wouldn’t change any of that.” 

“You deserved better than some—drunken fling—“ 

“Crosshair.” 

The other looked up at him, Tech fixing him with a stern look. He raised his hands to cup Crosshair’s face gently, ensuring they kept eye contact. 

“I genuinely do not care about the idea of virginity. I am just happy to know you, and to be able to share any of this with you.” 

Crosshair opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemed to change his mind, as Tech raised an eyebrow. 

Instead, he let out a long sigh, his head coming to rest on Tech’s shoulder. “Okay,” Cross said, quietly. “Okay.” 

Tech smiled, wrapping his arms around Crosshair’s shoulder, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. 

“Good.”

Chapter Text

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:59 AM]: heyyyyyyyy

[Tech, 11:01 AM]: Yes, my dear?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:05 AM]: me & sme buddies hangin out tonite

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:06 AM]: wanna join?

[Tech, 11:25 AM]: What exactly does “hanging out” involve?

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:27 AM]: just at a friends place. Video games, snacks. Mayb beer but u dont have 2 partake 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:28 AM]: just wanna show u off 2 my friends ;) 

Tech couldn’t help the small smile on his face as he read the text. He sat back in his chair, completely forgetting about the laptop on his workstation that currently lay in several pieces. It was Friday, and he didn’t really have any plans–well, his plans thus far had just been “Crosshair,” as had been the case for the last several weeks. 

[Tech, 11:30 AM]: That sounds fine to me.

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:31 AM]: great, ill pick u up at 6? 

[Tech, 11:31 AM]: I can hardly wait, my dear. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:32 AM]: 😘

The exasperated voice of his manager actually managed to startle Tech as she came in loud over the earpiece. 

“ Tech, for the last time, get. off. your. phone.” 

–

When Tech climbed into the car that evening, Cross leaned over and greeted him with a quick kiss to his cheek, intertwining his hand with Tech’s. From the first impression Crosshair gave Tech at 79’s, he never would have guessed that Bad Boy would have been so affectionate.

“How was work?” Crosshair asked as he set off driving. 

“Oh, terrible,” Tech rolled his eyes, settling back into the car seat. “I got a warning for telling a customer that it was no wonder their computer was infected with viruses, considering the untrustworthy source of the many, many downloads he’d installed. I was only stating a fact, though.”

Crosshair chuckled. “Was the DM in, then?”

“Well, considering that’s the only time my manager actually gives me warnings for these things…yes. Yes, he was in,” Tech sighed. “I know that she knows she can’t fire me. I’m the only person there with any actual knowledge and technical skill.” 

“Well, at least try not to get any more computers thrown at you.”

“That has only happened three times.” 

Tech smiled when Cross laughed, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. 

“How about you, how was your day?”

Crosshair’s smile faltered a little, but he turned his face away as they took a left turn. “Eh, same old,” he replied. “Didn’t get the job.”

“Oh,” Tech said softly. “I’m sorry, Crosshair.” 

“Eh, would’ve hated doing it anyway.”

Tech remained quiet for a moment, watching Crosshair’s profile as he kept his eyes on the road. He knew Crosshair had been struggling to find employment, and it was becoming more and more of a point of conflict between him and his brother, Hunter. Tech absently started moving his thumb over the back of Crosshair’s hand in what he hoped was a soothing gesture.

Looking down at their interlocked hands, Tech’s eyes wandered up to the tattoos across Crosshair’s skin. There were old sketchbooks littered in the back seat, and Tech had seen some of the work he’d done; it had taken some convincing to get Crosshair to release the death grip he’d had on the sketchbook, but Tech had managed. 

“You’re an artist, yes?” Tech asked. Crosshair didn’t respond, but he gave Tech a sidelong look, raising his brow. “Maybe there is some sort of creative career you could pursue?”

“I’m not good enough for something like that,” Crosshair shrugged. 

“I disagree. You are very talented, Crosshair, and I think that you would excel in an artistic job,” Tech continued. “Therefore, it is a logical–”

“Oh look, we’re here,” Crosshair pulled into a driveway, parking the car as if he didn’t just interrupt Tech. 

With a sigh, Tech gave up the argument–for now . He joined Crosshair as they climbed out of the car, Crosshair grabbed a case of some kind of beer Tech didn’t recognise from the back seat. Anxiety suddenly settled in Tech’s chest as he moved closer to Cross, clinging to the other man’s sleeve. 

Cross noticed Tech’s anxiety, but he didn’t comment on it. He gave Tech a small smile and kissed his forehead as they made their way to the front door. 

The door swung open before Crosshair had the chance to knock. The man that greeted them was shorter than Tech, his dark brown hair slicked back and a beard that looked well-groomed and scruffy all at the same time. He was grinning happily.

“Cross, glad you could make it,” he stepped aside to let them in. “I see you brought something good.”

“It’s the cheapest shit I could find,” Crosshair handed the case of beer to the man, who’s eyes had finally fallen on Tech. 

“Ah, and is this who I think it is?” The man said with a sly smile, shooting a look at Crosshair. 

“My name is Tech,” Tech decided to introduce himself. The man seemed friendly enough. 

“You can call me Mayday,” the man replied. “It’s great to finally meet you, Tech. Cross here’s been going on and on about you for ages .” 

Crosshair pointedly didn’t meet Tech’s eyes as they made their way further into the house. There were three other people in the living room, all sprawled across the large couch and armchairs. 

“The twins are Veetch and Hex,” Mayday introduced the two men on the couch. “And sunshine over there is Fox, my roommate.” 

Veetch and Hex looked similar to Mayday, so Tech reasoned they were related somehow. Fox was shorter than Mayday, and was slouched in an armchair, engrossed in something on his phone. He offered a small half-wave without looking up, but Veetch and Hex seemed a bit more enthusiastic. 

“This is Tech,” Mayday motioned to Tech, and he didn’t miss the way Fox stopped typing and the twins shot each other a look.

Mayday opened a nearby cooler and started putting the cans of beer inside, while Crosshair tugged Tech over to the open spot on the couch next to Hex. 

“Veetch, you owe me five credits,” Hex said with a smug grin. 

“Shit,” his twin replied with a sigh. 

“What did you assholes bet on this time?” Crosshair asked, taking the beer Mayday offered. 

“Whether or not Tech was real,” Hex replied. 

Tech raised a brow and glanced up at Crosshair, who just looked exasperated. Mayday offered a beer to Tech, and he accepted; he could handle one drink, especially a cheap, weak beer, which this definitely appeared to be. 

The group around him fell into familiar conversation as Tech let himself relax. He leaned back against the couch and sipped his beer slowly, moving closer to Crosshair when his arm came up around Tech’s shoulders. From the conversation, Tech figured out that Mayday and Crosshair had met in high school, and the twins were younger than Mayday but liked to hang around and “raise the damn electricity bill,” as Mayday put it.

Fox was harder to figure out. He didn’t say much of anything during the conversation, but he didn’t seem like the type to stick around if he really didn’t want to be there. 

Tech found himself zoning out of the conversation as he watched the video game the twins were playing. It was some sort of space-based fighting game, with levels both on varying planets and in starships. Hex wasn’t very good at it and kept losing to Veetch. 

After another defeat, Hex groaned in frustration. “Dammit, how are you so good?”

“It is not that he is good, it is that you are bad,” Tech replied before he could stop himself. Crosshair almost choked on his beer as he laughed while taking a drink, and Mayday laughed loudly. 

“ Excuse me?” Hex asked, mock-offended. “I’m good at this game!”

“Well, I suppose bad isn’t really the correct way to say it,” Tech continued. “You just aren’t utilising your resources or equipment to their full potential.” 

“Think you could do better then, specs?” Hex grinned. 

“ Hex, ” Crosshair warned. 

“I know I could do better,” Tech said, at the same time. He placed his beer down just in time for Hex to toss the controller at him. 

“Go on, then,” Hex said, grabbing a bag of crisps from the table. “Bet you can’t beat Veetch.” 

Tech pushed his glasses up and sat up. “Well, I suspect I will still get a higher score than you have been able to.” 

Fox laughed from his seat, and he’d actually put his phone down to watch the scene play out. Tech took a few seconds to familiarise himself with the controller before Veetch was starting up a new match. 

The teasing, cheering, and jeering slowly quieted down as the others realised that Tech wasn’t joking. He had never played the game before, but after watching several rounds play out, it was easy enough for him to figure out. It didn’t take long before he had swiftly and soundly defeated Veetch’s squad.

“Okay, you’ve played this before,” Veetch said, staring in disbelief at the screen. 

“I assure you I have not,” Tech replied. “It is simply a matter of strategizing and locating your opponent’s weaknesses to use against them.” 

“Oh, simple, sure,” Hex said with a huff. 

“I could give you some pointers, if you’d like,” Tech handed the controller back to Hex, but the twin didn’t take it. 

“Oh no, I gotta redeem myself now,” Veetch said. “Best two out of three.” 

Two out of three became three out of five before Veetch had to admit that Tech was much better than he was. Veetch loaded up a different game, which was a series of versus mini-games, all of which Tech also managed to win. 

“This is just getting difficult to watch,” Fox commented, speaking up for the first time that night. “Just accept defeat, Veetch.”

“How are you so good at these games?” Hex asked, turning to Tech. 

“All these games are basically the same,” Tech replied. “It’s just a matter of utilising all available resources and taking advantage of the playing field and your opponent’s weaknesses.” 

“This guy’s too smart for you, Cross,” Mayday laughed. 

The conversation eventually moved away from video games, and Tech found himself enjoying the others’ company. He had resumed his position of curled up next to Crosshair, listening to the others talking and offering comments every so often.

At some point, Tech had pulled his legs up onto the couch and cuddled closer against Crosshair’s side. After a full day of work and current socialising he was doing, Tech was becoming tired quickly. The twins were getting rowdier the more they drank, and Tech was glad when nobody commented as he pulled his headphones up. It had been several hours since they arrived, and Tech was content to doze off against Crosshair. 

He felt a gentle tap against his shoulder and looked up blearily at Crosshair.

“You ready to head off, babe?” Crosshair asked with a gentle smile. 

“Only if you are,” Tech replied sleepily, failing to stifle a yawn.

“Yeah, I got sick of these idiots hours ago,” Crosshair stood, just barely missing an empty beer can tossed his way by one of the twins. He took Tech’s hand and helped him up, keeping hold of Tech’s hand as they headed back to the door.

“It was great to meet you, Tech!” Mayday said as he walked them to the door. “Oh, wait, Crosshair–Fox had something to talk to you about before you left.”

“Ah,” Crosshair glanced at Tech. “I’ll be right back.”

Tech found himself alone in the entryway of the house with Mayday. Crosshair tossed him the car keys, but Mayday turned to him before Tech could make an exit. 

“Hey, Tech,” he said, the serious tone grabbing Tech’s attention. “How’d you and Cross meet?”

“We met at 79’s,” Tech replied. 

Something in Mayday’s expression made Tech uneasy, a nervous feeling settling in his stomach. “I’ve heard that before,” he said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. 

“This is gonna sound sappy, and I don’t need you repeating this to Cross,” Mayday continued, Tech’s drowsiness completely forgotten as he listened. “But I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time. You seem like a decent guy, but I don’t want to see him get hurt again. He’s had enough shit to deal with in his life.”

“I understand where your concern is coming from,” Tech responded. “You needn’t worry. I have no intention of hurting Crosshair. I have been very much enjoying my time with him.”

Mayday chuckled. “You don’t waste time, always straight to the point, huh? Well, I’m glad Cross found you.” 

“Mayday, you’d better not be scaring my boyfriend over there,” Crosshair snapped as he made his way back to them. 

“Always so suspicious!” Mayday threw up his hands in mock-surrender. “We were just chatting. It was great to meet you, Tech. I might have you come back to thrash Veetch in a game again if he starts acting up.”

“I would be happy to,” Tech replied with a smile. 

Before long, Crosshair and Tech were back in the car, their hands intertwined and resting on the centre console as they drove back to Tech’s apartment. Tech was smiling softly to himself, which hadn’t gone unnoticed by Crosshair. 

“Something on your mind, babe?” He asked, sparing a glance over as they waited at a red light.

“You called me your boyfriend,” Tech replied, looking over at him. 

Crosshair blinked, looking out the windshield. “Yeah, I suppose I did,” he looked at Tech again. “Is that okay?” 

Tech smiled and nodded. “It’s more than okay,” he said. “Especially if I can call you my boyfriend too.” 

With a chuckle, Crosshair leaned over and kissed him gently. “I would love it if you did.”

They startled apart when the car behind them honked their horn. Crosshair laughed as he sped through the green light, and Tech couldn’t help the giddy feeling in his chest. 

“Oh, what did Fox want to talk to you about?” Tech asked after a few moments.

Crosshair didn’t answer at first, and Tech noticed the subtle frown on his face; he recognised it as Cross’ ‘thinking face.’ 

“Fox’s boyfriend works at a tattoo place,” Crosshair said eventually. “They’re down an artist and apparently Fox decided to show him some of my work and now the guy’s interested in meeting me.” 

Tech shifted to sit up a little straighter in his seat. “As in, a job interview?”

“I don’t know,” Crosshair sighed, turning into the car park outside Tech’s apartment building. “I…guess it could be? I’m meeting him and Fox tomorrow evening.”

“That is very exciting,” Tech smiled. “It could be a good career for you to pursue.”

Crosshair looked at Tech, keeping his expression neutral to hide any nerves or doubts he might be feeling. It hadn’t taken long for Tech to pick up on Cross’ damaged self-worth, so he did his best to be encouraging. Leaning over the console, Tech kissed the corner of Crosshair’s mouth quickly. 

“Have some faith in yourself, my dear,” Tech said. Crosshair replied with a quiet scoff, moving in for a proper kiss before Tech could continue to argue his point. 

After one final kiss, Tech moved back and gave Crosshair’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Text me when you get home.”

“I will, babe.” 

With a quick wave as he exited the car, Tech made his way into the apartment building. 

Chapter Text

“How are you feeling today, Omega?” 

The girl was swinging her legs as she sat opposite Emerie, smiling politely. “I’m doing okay.” 

“How was school this week?” Emerie asked, double checking the notes Echo had handed her. 

“It was fine,” Omega answered. “I got an A on my essay!”

“That’s wonderful,” Emerie smiled. “How are things going at home?” 

Omega’s smile faltered, which didn’t go unnoticed by Emerie. She glanced down at the notes, seeing that Echo had left a comment about something happening between Omega’s brothers. 

“Um,” Omega hesitated, a hand moving up to fidget with her necklace. “Hunter and Crosshair have been arguing a lot again.”

“What are they arguing about?” Emerie asked softly. “Is it the usual conflict?”

“A little, Cross still doesn’t have a job,” the girl answered with a sigh. “But, there’s something else, too. They haven’t said anything about it in front of me, but I can hear them after they think I’m asleep.” 

“Would you like to tell me about it?”

“Cross is dating someone,” Omega said. “He’s been out a lot lately. Hunter seems angry about it, he’s been asking Cross a lot of questions about the guy.”

“Crosshair has been in relationships in the past, correct?” Emerie asked, making some notes. “You said those relationships ended badly.” 

Omega nodded. “One girlfriend was really mean to him, and then later on he had a boyfriend who cheated on him,” she said. “Crosshair was kind of mean during those times. I think Hunter is worried about him.”

“I’m sure he’s concerned for Crosshair,” Emerie said. “They may argue a lot, but I’m sure they care for one another. Hunter probably just doesn’t want Crosshair to get hurt again, or end up with the wrong kind of people again.”

“I know,” Omega sighed. “But I wish they could just talk about it, instead of fighting.”

Emerie offered her a small smile. “I understand. Why don’t you try talking to them? Let them know you’ve heard them, and you’d like them to talk it out instead of arguing.” 

“I could try that!” Omega smiled happily. “I’ll let you know how it goes. I want them to figure it out. I don’t think this new guy is a bad person, and Cross has seemed…happier, lately. He even took me to the park last Sunday when Hunter had a migraine, he hasn’t taken me to the park in ages.” 

“Have you met his new boyfriend?” 

“I haven’t. Cross doesn’t want to bring him home, for some reason,” Omega said with a pout. “He said I can meet him eventually, though. Apparently this guy is really good with computers and stuff, and Cross said he’s super good at video games, so I wanna have a game tournament with him!”

Emerie chuckled, writing down a few more notes. She couldn’t help but think how much that description matched her brother. “Do you know his name?”

“Tech!”

The pen Emerie was holding slipped when she pressed down with just a bit too much pressure. She looked up from her clipboard at Omega–surely she’d heard her wrong. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

“Tech,” Omega smiled happily. “T-E-C-H. Cross said the name suits him since he’s such a techie guy.” 

Emerie stared at Omega blankly–Tech, as in, her Tech? It wasn’t a common name, but–dating…Crosshair? Crosshair, who Omega said used to bring people home all the time? Crosshair, who used to spend most evenings drunk? Stabbed-a-guy Crosshair? Joined a gang Crosshair? Dating Tech?

“Dr. Karr?” Omega asked, concerned. “Are you okay?”

Emerie blinked a few times, bringing herself back to the present. She offered Omega an apologetic smile. “I apologise, Omega. Why don’t you tell me about your weekend plans?”

The rest of the session went on smoothly, Omega leaving with Hunter once he arrived to collect her. After some extensive pacing back-and-forth in her office, Emerie headed down the hallway and was glad to see Echo’s office door open and his light still on. 

Knocking on the door gently, Emerie poked her head in. “Echo, are you busy?”

Echo looked over from his desk, smiling pleasantly. “Not at all. How was Omega’s appointment today?”

Emerie closed the door behind her, sinking into the armchair next to Echo’s desk with a sigh. She took her glasses off and ran a hand over her face–it had been a long week. 

“Has Omega mentioned Crosshair’s new boyfriend to you?”

Echo frowned. “She has,” he said slowly. “I wrote in her notes that her brothers have been arguing over this new relationship.”

“Did she tell you his name?”

“No, she hasn’t,” Echo turned to face Emerie. “Em, what’s going on?”

“She told me,” Emerie put her glasses back on. “Echo, Crosshair is dating Tech.” 

The silence that fell over the room was deafening. Emerie could vaguely hear the white noise machine outside Echo’s door as she waited for him to respond. 

“Tech as in our Tech?” Echo eventually asked. 

“It lines up far too well to not be our Tech.”

Echo leaned back in his seat. “That is…um…”

“A problem. It’s a problem.”

“Is it?” Echo looked at Emerie. “I mean, you said yourself that Tech has been pretty happy lately, right?”

“Crosshair stabbed someone, Echo,” Emerie said. “Not to mention the smoking, the drinking, the fact that he’s had about five or six relationships in the last four years–with Tech? Oh my god–they met at a club, Echo!”

“Okay, deep breaths,” Echo said gently. “We don’t know that Crosshair actually stabbed anyone, remember.” 

“That does not help.” 

“I think Tech is a good judge of character,” Echo said. “Omega said that Crosshair’s been doing better recently. Tech wouldn’t date just anybody.” 

Emerie sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

“Think on it for a bit, wait for your initial response to fade so you can think rationally again,” Echo continued. “Then try to talk to Tech about it, okay?” 

“You’re right,” Emerie nodded. “Are you busy tonight?” 

“Just getting dinner with the guys,” Echo shrugged. “You’re welcome to come along. You could probably use a drink.”

“That sounds perfect, actually.” 

—

Crosshair got home late and was surprised to see the lights still on when he walked into the apartment. Hunter usually didn’t wait up for him if he was out past 10, but tonight he was sitting in the living room. 

“It’s late,” Hunter said, fixing Crosshair with a stern look. 

Crosshair shrugged as he tugged his boots off, tossing them to the side. He walked over to where Hunter was; if this was about to be an argument, at least they could do it downstairs, to avoid waking Omega. 

“Where were you?” 

“I’m not a child, Hunter,” Crosshair narrowed his eyes. “I’m allowed to be out past curfew.” 

Hunter sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Were you out with that boy again?” 

“His name is Tech,” Crosshair said before he could stop himself. “And no, actually, I wasn’t. Either way, I don’t see how it’s any of your business.” 

“The last time you met someone you usually came home drunk, high, or bleeding,” Hunter stood up to stand in front of Crosshair. “And that was if you came home at all.” 

“Get to the point.” 

“You have to understand why I’m concerned,” Hunter continued. “You don’t exactly have the best taste in partners.”

Cross clenched his fists as tension rose in him. So, they were doing this again. “You haven’t even met him, Hunter,” he hissed. 

“I know you met him at that shithole nightclub,” Hunter said. “Nothing good has ever come out of that place.” 

Crosshair didn’t respond, glaring off to the side with a quiet tsk. 

“Crosshair, I just don’t want to see you get hurt again,” his brother’s tone was softer now. “You’ve been doing so much better recently, I don’t want to see you set back.” 

“I’m not a child, Hunter!” Crosshair snapped, turning to face Hunter. “So stop treating me like one.” 

“Why won’t you bring him over, then? Let us meet him?”

Crosshair didn’t have an answer for that. He was sure part of it was some twisted sort of possessiveness, wanting to keep Tech entirely to himself. Mostly though, he knew it was because he’d never introduced a partner to Hunter or Omega before. It just wasn’t something he did, because deep down he knew the relationship wasn’t going to last. 

But the idea that he and Tech weren’t going to last made a strange ache settle in his chest. 

Hunter sighed when he didn’t get a response. “If you weren’t out with him, then where have you been?” 

“Job interview,” Crosshair replied, not meeting Hunter’s eyes. “Tattoo parlour. Late hours. Fox put in a good word for me.” 

Hunter didn’t respond, his brows raised in genuine surprise. 

“I was going to wait until I heard back from them to tell you, but apparently I can’t walk into my own home without being fucking interrogated.” 

That pulled Hunter out of his daze, and the frown was back on his face. “Crosshair–” 

Cross had turned away, slipping on a pair of beat-up Converse and grabbing his keys. “Don’t wait up for me this time.” 

He slammed the door behind him and stormed over to the stairs. He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, anger rising in him in a way he hadn’t felt for a long time.

Hunter was concerned about him, Crosshair knew that; the first girlfriend he thought he might actually have been in love with had utterly destroyed his heart, and after that he had a boyfriend who cheated on him. Both times Crosshair had been sent into a spiral, resorting to drinking and slinking off to 79’s to get trashed or laid. Or both. 

But Crosshair was sick and tired of Hunter being so goddamn overbearing. He may act like Omega’s father, but he didn’t have to extend that to Crosshair–they were only a year apart.

The part that was making Crosshair’s blood boil the most, though, was how Hunter was automatically assuming the worst about Tech. He hadn’t even met Tech, and yet he acted like Tech was some scumbag who was just going to break Crosshair’s heart. 

Cross slammed the door of his car shut a little too harshly and shoved the keys in the ignition, fully intent on retreating to 79’s like he usually did after an argument with Hunter. His hand hovered over the gear shift for a moment, before he reached for his phone instead. 

[Crosshair, 10:55 PM]: u up babe?

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 10:57 PM]: Naturally. 

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 10:58 PM]: I figured out the issue I was having with the programming. As it turns out, I simply made an error when typing. It is working as it should now.

Crosshair smiled to himself. 

[Crosshair, 11:00 PM]: can i cme over? 

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 11:01 PM]: Is something the matter? 

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 11:02 PM]: Of course you can come over. It is just me here tonight, Emerie is out with friends. 

[Crosshair, 11:02 PM]: b there soon 

—

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:01 PM]: can i cme over?

Tech paced in the living room as he reread the texts, waiting for Crosshair to arrive. It was unusual for Crosshair to ask to meet up spontaneously, let alone at one of their homes. Except for that first morning, Tech had never been back to Crosshair’s apartment, and Cross had never been to his. His texts seem to lack their usual enthusiasm, too. 

His phone buzzed again, a new message coming through. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:15 PM]: outside

Tech snatched his keys up and headed out of the apartment, making his way down to the entrance. Usually he would just buzz folks in from his apartment, but Crosshair hadn’t been over before–plus, the anxiety and worry was beginning to overtake Tech. 

When he opened the door and let Crosshair in, he knew something was wrong. The smile Crosshair gave him was forced, the way he walked in lacking his usual confidence and cockiness. He also wasn’t wearing any of those ridiculous boots that gave him a few inches over Tech, the two of them standing at the same height. 

“Hey, pretty boy.” 

Tech offered him a smile and took his hand, leading him up the stairs and back to his apartment. Crosshair didn’t say anything else until Tech closed the door behind them and flipped the lock. 

Arms wound around Tech’s waist from behind as Crosshair’s head pressed against his shoulder. Tech placed a hand over one of Cross’, letting him take as long as he needed. 

“Sorry,” Crosshair mumbled. “Just…needed to get out.” 

Tech turned around in Crosshair’s arms and wrapped his arms around the other man’s waist, pulling him closer. “Is everything okay?” 

With a sigh, Crosshair pressed their foreheads together. “It’s just…Hunter. Again.”

Tech ran his fingers over Crosshair’s short hair gently, something he’d found to be comforting for his partner. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

The silence went on long enough that Tech assumed the answer was no, but then Crosshair spoke again. “It just seems I can’t do anything right by him. No matter what, there’s always something he complains about.” 

Tech took Crosshair’s hand and gently pulled him over to the small living room. Making Crosshair sit on the couch, Tech sat beside him and pulled him closer. They ended up with Tech laying back against the sofa, Crosshair laying on top with his head on Tech’s chest. 

“Siblings can be…frustrating,” Tech said, holding Crosshair tightly against him. “But I’m sure it comes from a place of love.” 

Crosshair made a small, frustrated sound. “I just always seem to be the fuck-up.” 

His voice was quiet and uncertain, and it hurt Tech to hear him like that. Before he could say anything to comfort Crosshair, the man continued to talk. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever done anything right,” he said, pressing his face into Tech’s chest. His breathing was tight and controlled, and Tech guessed he was trying not to cry. “I say the wrong things, fall in with the wrong people, no matter how hard I try to do something right.” 

Crosshair had mentioned past relationships to Tech before now, and how the last two especially had ended badly. Tech pressed a kiss to the top of Cross’ head, holding him tight. 

“Our father used to remind me what a fuck up I am,” Crosshair continued. He’d only talked about his father a few times, and Tech had gathered that he was a terrible, abusive man, and the reason Crosshair had his scar. “Guess he was right about some things.” 

“Crosshair,” Tech interrupted his spiralling. “Just because bad things have happened to you, it does not make you a bad person.” 

“Easy for you to say,” Crosshair said, looking up at Tech. “You’ve never joined a gang or gotten into a knife fight.” 

“Mmh, no, I haven’t,” Tech replied. “But I did get drunk and wake up in a stranger’s bed,” he added with a small, teasing smile.

Crosshair huffed out a small laugh.

“Nobody is perfect, Cross,” Tech continued, tugging on the other man’s arms to pull him closer, Crosshair leaning over him now, propped up on his forearms. “But…for what it’s worth, I think you’re fantastic.” 

“Fantastic?” Cross raised a brow. “Not sure that’s the right word–”

“If you get to call me cute, I can call you fantastic.”

Crosshair paused, eventually cracking a genuine smile. “Okay, that’s fair.” 

Tech pulled Crosshair down, pressing their lips together in a gentle, slow kiss. One of Crosshair’s hands moved to tangle in Tech’s hair as he pressed closer, and Tech could feel the smile against his lips. 

“You’re fantastic, Cross,” Tech smiled softly, keeping Crosshair close. “And anyone who can’t see that clearly doesn’t know you.”

“I think you’re biased, babe.” 

“The word you’re looking for is brilliant,” Tech replied. “Alternately you could use ‘intelligent,’ ‘correct,’ or–”

Crosshair muffled him with another kiss, Tech laughing into the kiss and wrapping his arms around his boyfriend’s shoulders to pull him closer. 

Gentle kisses soon turned more passionate, Tech automatically letting his mouth open for Crosshair. Soft whines and sighs escaped them both as they just enjoyed the feel of the other, the taste of their lips as they moved, slow and unhurried. 

Crosshair broke the kiss first, pressing their foreheads together and keeping himself propped up over Tech. His eyes were closed, his brows furrowed as he tried to ignore whatever self-deprecating thoughts were still simmering just below the surface. 

Tech patted at Cross’ shoulder to get him to sit back, so that he could slip off the couch and tug at Cross’ hand. “C’mon, my bedroom’s this way.” 

Tech didn’t release Crosshair’s hand until they were in his bedroom, pushing Cross to sit on the edge of the bed. 

Crosshair raised a brow but didn’t say anything or make any movements, just watching Tech as he knelt down between his knees. 

Tech slowly crept his hands up across Crosshair’s thighs, looking up at him. “These last few months with you have been incredible, my dear,” he said, gently tracing his fingertips over the skin just under Crosshair’s shirt. “If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Crosshair let out a flat laugh, running his fingers through Tech’s curls. “Wouldn’t you rather have someone who’s…less messy?” 

“Everyone’s a little messy in their own way,” Tech gave him a soft smile. “I like you exactly the way you are.” 

Before Cross could voice anything else contradictory, Tech moved his hands down to start unbuckling his belt. 

“You don’t—,” Crosshair paused on an exhale as Tech started on his jeans. “Don’t feel like you need to do anything for me, if you don’t—“ 

“If I didn’t want to do this, Crosshair, I wouldn’t,” Tech replied simply, looking up at the other man as he pressed his palm against the front of Crosshair’s boxers. The pressure earned him a low hiss, Crosshair leaning back on his hands. “I want to make you feel good.” 

“You do make me feel good, babe,” he replied, spreading his knees just a little wider. 

Tech began to stroke him gently through his boxers, finding he thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of Crosshair’s cock hardening beneath his fingers. He had a vague idea of what he was doing, between receiving a blowjob from Crosshair before and some late-night research, but he kept close attention to the reactions and responses he was getting. 

Crosshair was half-hard at this point, panting softly as he’d let his head fall back. Tech hooked his fingers under the waistband of his jeans and boxers and slowly tugged them down. 

Tech had never really understood when other people had described human genitalia as beautiful, but he couldn’t really think of a better word for Crosshair’s cock. He leaned forward, slowly flicking his tongue out over the base of his cock, keeping his movements gentle and light. 

The small, quick kitten licks earned him a low groan, and when he glanced up he noticed Crosshair had moved to watch him. As they maintained eye contact, Tech felt a little more confident as he ran his tongue up the underside, noting every tiny change in his boyfriend’s expression. 

Tech closed his lips around the head, flicking his tongue against the slit and whining softly at the taste. As he continued swirling his tongue around the head of Crosshair’s now fully-erect cock, he moved his hand to wrap around the base. 

“Puppy…,” Crosshair groaned lowly, tangling a hand in Tech’s hair. 

Relaxing his jaw, Tech moved to take more into his mouth, keeping his tongue pressed against the underside as he moved. His knees were beginning to get sore and his jaw ached as he forced his mouth open further, but Tech wasn’t about to stop. 

He managed to get about half of Crosshair’s length into his mouth before he got too close to setting off his gag reflex, which Tech thought wasn’t too bad for his first time. He noticed that Crosshair’s free hand was gripping the bedsheets tightly, his other hand similarly tangled in Tech’s hair. 

Crosshair was hard and panting, small whines and groans escaping him as Tech continued to work his mouth and tongue over his cock. The fact that Cross was feeling this pleasure because of him was definitely doing something to Tech, his own erection getting uncomfortable in his shorts. 

Tech had meant it before when he’d said that the last few months had been incredible. Now that Crosshair was there, he couldn’t imagine life without him. Tech briefly mused that it was a strange thing to get so emotional while he had a cock in his mouth, but he filed that thought away for later. 

“F-fuck, Tech…” 

Crosshair’s cock twitched, precum leaking onto Tech’s tongue and making him whine at the taste. He doubled his efforts, using his hand to stroke whatever he couldn’t fit in his mouth, bobbing his head and making sure to flick his tongue over the head with every up-movement. 

The fingers buried in his hair twitched and tightened their grip, surprising Tech when he was suddenly pulled back, cock falling from his mouth with a wet pop. 

He blinked a few times, only now realising how flushed his face felt, and feeling the drool that had been running down his chin. “I-is everything okay?” He asked, his voice rough. 

“Fuck—y-yeah, it’s—you’re fucking incredible, puppy,” Crosshair was catching his breath, his grip in Tech’s hair loosening slightly but still keeping him in place. “Don’t think I should finish in your mouth during your first blowjob, is all.” 

The last part was rushed out, and Tech could read Cross enough now to know he was holding himself back. Tech smiled fondly as he got to his feet, leaning in and kissing Cross’ forehead. 

“Where would you like to finish, then?” 

Crosshair let out a small groan. “Get on the bed.” 

Tech did just that, pulling his shirt off before he settled back against the pillows. Crosshair crawled over him, peppering kisses over his face. “I…want to make love to you,” he said quietly, nuzzling his nose against Tech’s jaw. 

Tech shivered, tugging Cross’ shirt up and over his head to toss it somewhere to the floor. “Please,” he whispered, closing the distance between them in a gentle, unhurried kiss. 

Cross had Tech’s shorts and boxers off in a matter of seconds. He gently nipped and sucked at Tech’s throat, down to his collarbone as he carefully spread Tech open with his fingers. It was slow and soft, nothing like the heat-fueled times before, and Tech thought he could actually cry from how he was being handled as if he were something precious. 

Tech heard his own gasp as Crosshair pressed his cock inside him, sliding in easily thanks to the thorough prep and the lube. When he bottomed out, Cross had his face pressed against Tech’s throat, Tech having wound his arms around his boyfriend’s shoulders. 

They stayed like that for a few moments, as they both adjusted to the feeling. Crosshair trailed a hand over Tech’s side, so light it was almost ticklish, before wrapping loosely around his cock. 

Tech whined as Crosshair started moving, stroking his cock slowly in time with his languid thrusts. It was no longer about hurrying to chase the pleasure, but just about feeling each other. Knowing the other was there, and real, and getting lost within each other. 

It somehow felt even more intimate than riding Crosshair in the back of his car, or hooking up in a club bathroom. Tech could feel heat in his stomach and warmth in his chest as he held onto Crosshair tightly. 

Steadily their movements became faster, their breathing picking up as they both got closer and closer to the edge. Tech whined and mewled, never letting go of Crosshair as he bucked his hips to meet his thrusts. 

“C-Cross—,” Tech gasped, feeling lips brush against his throat and the hand around his cock tighten. The warmth in his chest was pure affection and adoration, the words tumbling from him before he could help himself. “I-I love you…” 

He was taken off guard when Crosshair thrust rougher into him, a broken gasp against his throat as he felt heat filling him—realising Crosshair was cumming had Tech falling over the edge too, bucking up into Crosshair’s hand as he came over both their stomachs. 

Crosshair’s forehead was pressed against Tech’s shoulder, both of them panting to catch their breaths. Tech kept his arms securely around Cross’s shoulders, keeping him pressed close. 

When Crosshair finally spoke up, his voice was quiet, unsure, vulnerable. “Did….did you mean that?” 

“Mh?” Tech’s mind was fuzzy, blissed out. 

Cross pulled back, keeping himself propped up over Tech. 

“You….said…”

It clicked, finally, and Tech smiled, moving a hand to gently brush over Cross’ cheekbone. “I meant it,” he said. “I love you, Crosshair.” 

For a moment, Tech was worried Crosshair was about to cry. He moved and hid his face in Tech’s neck, taking a few deep, steadying breaths. 

Tech gave him as long as he needed, hands brushing over short cut hair gently. He pressed a soft kiss to Crosshair’s temple. 

“I…,” Crosshair’s voice cracked. “I love you too. Fuck, I love you so fucking much, Tech.” 

Cross pulled back again, looking down at Tech, his expression, for once, unguarded and vulnerable. Tech knew the weight of those words, and what they meant to Crosshair. 

Tech felt words were unneeded at that moment. He wrapped his arms around Cross’ shoulders and pulled him down into a slow, deep, gentle kiss. 

Chapter Text

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft, gentle glow. Tech had woken up a few moments earlier, legs tangled with Crosshair’s and pressed close to him, and it felt perfect .

Crosshair looked so peaceful as he slept, and Tech couldn’t pull his eyes away. His mind floated back to the previous night, their shared whispers still bringing a giddiness to Tech’s stomach. 

I love you . 

He curled up closer to Crosshair, tucking his head under the other man’s jaw. It was comfortable, warm, and Tech could feel himself drifting back into sleep. 

Crosshair’s arm moved to rake his fingers through Tech’s hair as he woke up slowly, pulling Tech out of his dozing. When he looked up, Crosshair gave him a soft smile and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Morning, cutie.” 

Tech smiled. “Morning, my love.” 

Crosshair leaned in for a kiss, and Tech decided then and there that he wanted to wake up to this for the rest of his life. Crosshair’s hands trailed up along his spine, pushing up his shirt slowly. It was slow and soft and absolutely perfect. 

So, of course, something had to interrupt and ruin the moment. 

“Tech!” A loud knocking sounded on his bedroom door. “Are you awake? We need to talk.” 

Emerie .

Tech sat up quickly, just as the door swung open and his sister walked in. 

She looked annoyed before, but the second her eyes fell on Crosshair sheepishly sitting up behind Tech, her expression became irate . 

“You,” she glared at Crosshair. “Out. Now. ”

Crosshair silently slid out of the bed and pulled his t-shirt on, and Tech was internally grateful they had gotten at least half-dressed before they went to sleep. 

“Wait–,” Tech looked at Crosshair, and then back at Emerie. “Emerie–”

“This is not open for discussion,” she hadn’t sounded this angry in a long time, and even then it had never been directed toward Tech. 

Tech climbed out of his bed as Crosshair moved toward the door, but he reached out and caught Cross’ wrist to stop him.

“Emerie, really –”

“ Tech Karr I am not negotiating this,” Emerie snapped, and Tech felt Crosshair flinch. “He needs to leave. ”

He looked up at Crosshair, who gave him a small, apologetic smile. Tech let go of his wrist, but leaned in to give him a quick kiss, despite the thunderous scowl on Emerie’s face. 

Crosshair nervously sped past Emerie and out of the room, and nobody spoke until they heard the door closing. 

“That was entirely unnecessary,” Tech snapped, snatching his glasses up from his desk. 

“I knew you were seeing someone, Tech, but I had no idea it was him ,” Emerie’s voice was tense. “I thought you’d have more sense than that.”

“Excuse me?” Tech slid his glasses on and turned to face her. “You don’t even know him!” 

“I know him better than you think, actually,” she said. “Crosshair Hemlock, correct ?” 

Tech didn’t respond, his glare deepening as he stared at Emerie. 

“Echo and I work on his sister’s case, Tech. I have heard all about him. ” 

“What?” Tech blinked, processing the information. His sister-–Omega? Omega was a patient of Em’s? 

“Did you know he was part of a gang, Tech?” Emerie continued, gesturing with her hands as she spoke. “He stabbed someone! Not to mention his habit of sleeping with anyone too drunk to say no-–something he did to you !”

“As a matter of fact, Emerie , I did know all of that,” Tech did his best to keep his voice under control. “Because he told me. Additionally, he told me how that all happened three years ago , and I will not allow you to judge him based on second-hand stories.”

“People don’t change that much, Tech. Especially not people like–”

“You don’t know him like I do!” He was shouting, anger overwhelming him entirely. “You don’t know him at all !”

“I don’t want you seeing him anymore.” 

Tech’s heart hammered in his chest as tears burned in his eyes. “I am an adult, Emerie,” he said, keeping his tone as even as he could. “You do not get to control who I am with.” 

“He’s just going to hurt you, Tech.” 

“Get out of my room.” 

“Tech–”

“Get. Out.” 

Tech turned on his heel, making his way over to his closet. As he looked through his clothes, he heard a small sigh followed by his door closing. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed that Emerie had left, and he continued to get dressed in silence. 

Walking over to his desk, he snatched up his phone.

[Tech, 10:35 AM]: Are you alright?

[Tech, 10:35 AM]: I am so very sorry about this. Emerie seems to have a very specific idea of who you are and she refuses to listen to me. 

[Tech, 10:40 AM]: Please reply, Crosshair. 

Tech pulled a brush through his hair, paying more attention to his phone than the brushing. 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 10:59 AM]: r u ok? 

Tech picked up his phone, almost crying from relief when he saw Crosshair’s notification. 

[Tech, 11:00 AM]: Where are you? 

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:01 AM]: home

[Cross ❣️ 🎯, 11:02 AM]: i didnt kno ur last name was karr

After shoving his tablet, laptop, phone, and any wires or chargers and clothes he needed into his bag, Tech slipped his shoes on and made his way out of his room. He didn’t look at Emerie as he walked past her in the living room, ignoring whatever she was trying to say to him.

He made his way out of the apartment without a second thought.

—

[Echo, 11:15 AM]: Emerie texted me. Sounds like the chat didn’t go well?

[Tech, 11:15 AM]: If you want to call her making unreasonable demands and shouting a “chat,” then no, it did not go well.

[Tech, 11:16 AM]: Additionally, if she has set you on me to find out where I am going, you can tell her it does not concern her. 

[Echo, 11:17 AM]: Just tell me you’re going somewhere safe.

[Tech, 11:17 AM]: Contrary to what you and Emerie seem to think, I am an adult and I am capable of taking care of myself. 

[Echo, 11:18 AM]: You’re just as stubborn as each other. You both need to calm down, and then we will be revisiting this conversation.

[Tech, 11:19 AM]: Wonderful. I simply cannot wait.

—

Tech knocked on the door and stepped back, chewing at his lip anxiously. He realised when he was almost there that he hadn’t asked Crosshair if it would be okay for him to be at his apartment, but he wasn’t about to turn around and go home. 

The door opened and Tech didn’t recognise the man; he was shorter than Tech, with an impressive skull tattoo on half of his face. He was frowning. 

“Can I help you?”

“I am here to see Crosshair,” Tech replied. “My name is Tech.”

Something shifted behind the man’s eyes, a look of realisation dawning on him. “Yeah, of course.” 

He stepped aside to let Tech inside. No sooner had the door closed that Crosshair appeared at the top of the stairs, quickly making his way down. 

Crosshair all but threw himself at Tech, arms winding around him tightly and pulling him close. A hand tangled in Tech’s hair as he returned the embrace. Tech let his eyes close as he stayed close, listening to Crosshair’s breathing, just taking in being so close to him.

He was brought back to reality when he heard a small giggle somewhere to his left. Pulling back, he saw a young girl had appeared next to skull-tattoo. She must be Omega–-which would make the other man Hunter. 

Tech heard Crosshair make a frustrated sound as he grabbed Tech’s wrist and all but dragged him upstairs. He was pulled into a familiar bedroom that looked more or less exactly how he remembered it. 

“Are you okay?” They asked each other at the same time. 

Tech felt some relief when it made Crosshair smile. He sat down on his bed and pulled Tech down next to him. “But, really, are you okay?” He asked.

“I am…frustrated,” Tech replied. “I didn’t ever think Emerie would react in such a way. She has this idea of who you are and she forbade me from seeing you again.”

“I see we’re not listening to her, then.”

“Of course not,” Tech turned to face Crosshair. “She…it turns out that Omega is one of her patients.” 

“Mhm,” Crosshair nodded. “I never knew her first name, but Meg is always talking about Dr. Karr.”

“It is interesting that we went so long without you knowing my surname,” Tech commented. “I’m sorry for coming here, I didn’t want to be at home.”

“Seems like our situations flipped overnight,” Crosshair teased, bumping their shoulders together. Tech gave him a small smile, pushing his glasses back up. “It’s fine you came here, though. Hunter’s been bugging me about introducing you.” 

“You talk about me to your siblings?”

Tech was pleased when Crosshair was the one to blush this time. He looked away and shrugged, running a hand over his short hair. “Well, I mean…yeah,” he answered, turning to face Tech again.

“Look, Tech, I…,” Crosshair sighed, taking Tech’s hands in his. “I don’t want to mess this up. I meant everything I said last night, I’ve never felt this way with anyone before.”

“Neither have I,” Tech replied with a smile. “I’m not going to let Emerie’s opinions stop me from seeing you, especially since she knows nothing about you.” 

“I don’t want to cause issues between you two.”

“Emerie is the one who pushed me to go out and make friends in the first place,” Tech moved to reposition them both, laying back on the bed and pulling Crosshair down on top of him. Crosshair’s head lay on Tech’s chest, his arms wrapping around Tech’s waist. “She does not get to harass me about my lack of a social life and then make uneducated judgement calls on the people I spend my time with.”

Crosshair chuckled, nuzzling against Tech’s jaw. “Seems logical to me.” 

Tech smiled and kept Crosshair close, listening to his gentle breathing. A knock on the door broke the comfortable silence, but Crosshair didn’t seem to be planning on moving. He made a sound to let whoever it was know they could come in, but kept his head comfortably on Tech’s chest. 

Hunter opened the door, and Tech couldn’t help the wave of self-consciousness that overcame him; he had barely met this man, and yet here he was, laid on Crosshair’s bed with said Crosshair laid on top of him. Hunter didn’t comment, and fortunately didn’t seem put off by the cuddling. 

“I was just wondering if you were sticking around for lunch?” Hunter asked. “Both of you.” 

“I wouldn’t want to be any trouble–”

“Yep,” Crosshair interrupted Tech, his arms tightening around Tech’s waist. “He’s not going anywhere.” 

“I was gonna order in again, the usual place,” Hunter glanced at Tech. “You okay with pizza?”

“Yes, that’s no problem,” he replied. “Thank you.” 

Hunter nodded before closing the door again.

—

No sooner had Tech and Crosshair joined the others at the table did Omega launch into a thousand questions.

“Crosshair says you’re really good at video games,” she said, turning to face Tech. “I love playing strategy games! We should play after lunch!”

“Oh, um,” Tech hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay, yes, that sounds fun.”

“I like your headphones,” she continued, smiling. “Hunter’s got some just like them! Do you get migraines too?”

“Meg, leave the poor guy alone,” Hunter commented, but his tone was fond. 

“It’s quite alright,” Tech assured them. “I do not get migraines, but I often get overwhelmed by bright lights and loud noises. The headphones help me block out some of the sounds when I get overstimulated.” 

“Is that why your glasses are yellow, too?”

“Yes, it helps prevent eye strain, since I spend a lot of time looking at screens,” he replied. 

“Woah,” Omega smiled brightly. “That’s really neat!” 

Throughout the course of the meal, Omega continued to ask all her questions, and even though Hunter had told her to calm down, he had a fair number of questions to ask too. Tech knew that Crosshair’s prior partners hadn’t been the best of people, so he couldn’t fault Hunter for wanting to know more. 

“So you work for Czerka?” Hunter asked.

“I do, yes,” Tech said, watching as Omega put another slice of pizza on his plate before getting a slice of her own. “I work in their IT and repair retail location.” 

“That’s a…good company,” Hunter said, hesitating before settling on the word ‘good.’

“It is a large, faceless corporation that cares for little else but sales numbers,” Tech replied simply. “I am grossly underpaid but of course these places insist they cannot afford to pay their workers fairly.” 

He took a bite of his pizza and heard Crosshair chuckle next to him. Hunter raised a brow and nodded slowly. “It sounds like you don’t particularly care for this job, then?”

“I enjoy the parts of the job where I am actually repairing computers,” Tech replied. “It’s the…customer service part that I struggle with.”

“Ah,” Hunter smiled in understanding. “Yeah, I get that. I don’t work with the customers where I’m at, fortunately.” 

“You work at Corellia Auto-parts, correct?” Tech asked. Hunter nodded in response. “You work with Bracca Demolition and Scrap, then?”

“Yeah, we do a lot of business with them,” Hunter replied. “Why?”

“Do you know Wrecker?” 

Hunter looked confused for a moment, raising a brow. “Yeah, I’ve known Wrecker for a while.”

“He comes over sometimes for dinner!” Omega added.

“Wrecker is a close friend of mine, and my sister’s,” Tech said. 

“Huh, small world,” Hunter replied.

That seemed to have had the intended effect; they had a mutual friend whom Hunter trusted, which visibly set him at ease. His questions became less guarded as the day went on, and he didn’t seem to mind when Crosshair leaned over to hold Tech’s hand where it lay on the table. 

When the time came to clear away the dishes, Tech offered to help, but Hunter told him to sit down. He was the guest, Hunter said, repeating himself more firmly when Tech tried to help anyway. Hunter roped Crosshair into helping clean up, and Omega excitedly tugged at Tech’s hand to lead him to the living room. 

The girl went to the cabinet full of video games, pulling one out and showing Tech. “This is just a bunch of different games, but it’s got Dejarik, which is my favourite,” she explained before she put the disc into the gaming console. 

Tech followed her lead as she pulled some cushions off the sofa and sat down, handing Tech a controller. “I haven’t played Dejarik for a long while,” Tech said. 

“We can do a practice round first so you know the rules,” Omega said as the game loaded. “Hunter and Cross have never beaten me at Dejarik before, I even won a tournament at school once!” 

“It seems I am in for a challenge,” Tech couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s enthusiasm. 

—

“He seems nice,” Hunter commented as he handed Crosshair another glass to dry. 

“Mhm.” 

“Did you spend the night with him?” Hunter tried again. 

“Uh-huh,” Crosshair replied, putting away some of the washed and dried cutlery. He and Hunter hadn’t spoken since the argument the previous night, which he knew was the entire reason Hunter had pulled him into help with the chores. 

“How come he didn’t come back here with you?” 

Crosshair let out a frustrated sigh as he rolled his eyes. He leaned back against the counter and rubbed at his eyes, knowing he wasn’t getting out of this easily. “Tech’s sister is Dr. Karr.” 

Hunter raised a brow. “Seriously?”

“Yep,” Crosshair replied. “And she was not very happy to find me in bed with her brother this morning.”

“Really?” Hunter asked slowly, his brows creasing with concern. “That is…surprising.”

“It’s not because Tech’s gay or anything,” Crosshair clarified. “It’s because she’s got a very specific idea of who I am, thanks to her sessions with Meg.”

“Oh,” his brother nodded. 

“She’s forbidden Tech from seeing me,” he continued, avoiding Hunter’s eyes and picking at the skin around his thumbnail. “I don’t know what else was said after I was kicked out.” 

Hunter glanced over the breakfast bar, the open plan of the apartment allowing for a clear view past the small dining room table and into the living room. Omega was in deep concentration as she played some video game against Tech, who Crosshair noted was also in very deep concentration. 

“Meg’s taken a liking to him,” Hunter commented. Crosshair was still looking toward his sister and his boyfriend, a warm feeling settling in his chest as he watched them getting along. “He doesn’t seem like the…type to go to 79’s.” 

“He isn’t,” Crosshair responded, turning back to Hunter. “He was trying to make a point to his sister and let his coworkers drag him out after a shift. His plan was to go out just to prove how much he hated it so she’d get off his back about socialising.” 

Hunter snorted as he laughed. “And you threw a wrench in that plan.” 

“I guess I did.”

“Hunter! Cross!” Omega called over, waving her arms to get their attention. “Wanna come watch the rematch? The first one ended in a draw!” 

Chapter Text

[Em, 9:03 PM]: You’re staying out all night, then?

[Em, 9:36 PM]: You could at least let me know you’re alive.

[Em, 10:56 PM]: Echo says you’re responding to him.

Tech sighed, leaning back against the pillows on Crosshair’s bed. Said boyfriend was currently in the shower, so Tech was in the room by himself and decided to check his phone. To Emerie’s credit, she’d at least managed to wait until the late evening to text him.

[Echo, 10:57 PM]: Are you going to respond to Em?

[Tech, 10:59 PM]: Once she decides to be reasonable, I might. 

[Tech, 11:00 PM]: She is the one who decided to make assumptions and try to control my life. It is not irrational for me to not wish to talk with her right now.

He slouched down further on the bed, the oversized shirt he was wearing bunching up around his waist from the movement. It was one of Crosshair’s, as Tech realised too late he’d forgotten to pack any kind of sleep wear.

[Echo, 11:03 PM]: I understand, Tech. Don’t tell her, but I do think she’s overreacting. 

[Tech, 11:04 PM]: Thank you, Echo. 

The door opened as Crosshair walked in, black sweatpants hanging low on his hips as he made his way over to the bed. Tech scooted over, making room on the bed for him to lay down. 

As soon as he did, he rolled onto his side and wrapped his arms around Tech’s waist, pulling him closer. They ended up spooning, with Crosshair holding Tech tightly from behind. “Everything okay?” Crosshair asked, noticing Tech was holding his phone.

“More or less,” Tech sighed. “Em has texted a few times, but I cannot think of how to respond. I’m not sure I want to respond, either.”

“Mh, I mean, if it were me I’d be pissed off,” Crosshair said, nuzzling gently against Tech’s neck. His hands moved up from their position on Tech’s waist to gently remove his glasses, setting them on the side table. “No more worrying about it tonight. It’s a tomorrow problem.”

Tech tossed his phone to the side and rolled over so he was facing Crosshair. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

“Hey, you did the same for me,” Crosshair replied, pressing gentle kisses to Tech’s face. “What kind of boyfriend would I be if I kicked you out?” 

—

When Tech’s phone began to buzz for the fourth time, Crosshair decided to actually get up and see who was calling. Tech was still fast asleep, and Crosshair was intent on letting him rest, so he grabbed the phone and made his way quietly out of the room. 

When the buzzing began again for the fifth time, Crosshair glanced at the screen to see the called ID simply stated: Em . 

Before he could decide if it was a bad decision or not, Crosshair swiped to answer the call and brought the phone up to his ear. 

“ Finally deciding to pick up? I’ve only called four times.”

“Five, actually,” Crosshair replied, making his way downstairs. Omega and Hunter seemed to still be asleep, so he headed to the kitchen to make himself some coffee. 

“ Put Tech on the phone. ”

“He’s sleeping.”

“ It’s almost nine, why is he still asleep? He’s usually up by eight, why isn’t–”

“I haven’t kidnapped him or whatever it is you’re imagining,” Crosshair interrupted, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. “He’s tired, considering how emotionally draining yesterday was for him.” 

Emerie didn’t respond immediately to that, and Crosshair didn’t say anything to fill the silence. He leaned back against the counter and watched the coffee maker as he waited. 

“ I don’t suppose he’s said anything about contacting me?”

“He said he will once you stop being unreasonable.”

“ I am not being unreasonable!” Emerie replied harshly. 

Crosshair sighed, running a hand over his face. “Look, I think that we should talk. Just you and me. In person.”

“ Why would I agree to that?”

“Because you’re basing your idea of who I am on what Omega has told you in therapy ,” Crosshair said, the bitterness in his tone coming through despite his attempts to stay calm. “That isn’t very rational or logical.” 

He knew he’d hit something with the last part, as Emerie didn’t immediately try to argue with him. Instead, she sighed on the other end of the call before she replied.

“ Fine, ” she said. “ But we meet somewhere public.” 

“Sure,” he sipped his coffee. “You know Pyloon’s Saloon?”

He heard a quiet sound on the other end of the call, as if Emerie tried and failed to stifle a sound of distaste. 

“Hey, it’s better than 79’s.”

“ Alright, fine. I’m only doing this for Tech’s sake.”

“Uh-huh.”

—

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 9:25 AM]: Where did you disappear to, love?

[Crosshair, 9:26 AM]: sry babe had some errands 2 run

[Crosshair, 9:27 AM]: i wont b long promise 

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 9:30 AM]: Good, because you promised me and Omega pancakes this morning. 

[Crosshair, 9:31 AM]: im still gnna make pancakes. dont wanna disappoint my 2 fave ppl in the world ♥️

[Tech ♥️ 🤓 ♥️, 9:32 AM]: 😘

Crosshair took a sip of his second coffee that morning. He was in a booth at the back of Pyloon’s Saloon, a small, kind of run-down cantina on the outskirts of town. Since it was morning, it was still quiet, only the barkeeper and the owner milling around and a handful of people around the bar. The coffee wasn’t the best–Pyloon’s excelled at alcohol, nothing else–but it was something. 

He glanced up from his phone when someone approached the table. Dr. Karr slid into the booth opposite him, her back straightened and her hands held tensely in her lap. 

“Crosshair.”

Crosshair tipped his coffee cup toward her in a sort of half-toast motion. “Morning.”

That did nothing to ease Emerie’s frown, her mouth held in a flat, tense line. Crosshair sighed and placed his coffee on the table, sitting up so he could fold his arms over the table top. 

“Alright, look, we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, that much is obvious,” Crosshair started. “But you have to admit, you’re being unfair.”

“I am just trying to keep my brother safe,” Emerie replied tersely. 

“You don’t think Tech can keep himself safe?” he raised a brow, taking another sip of his coffee. 

“I–of course I do,” she replied with a scoff. “He just doesn’t know what sort of person you are.”

“And you do?” 

There was silence, Emerie frowning even more as she looked off to the side, away from Crosshair. 

“I’ll admit that I’ve done some fucked up things,” Crosshair continued when Emerie didn’t respond. He looked down at his coffee cup, fiddling with the cover. “But I am trying to be better. I dropped the assholes who I thought were my friends, I’m more careful about who I do spend my time with.”

“What changed?” 

“I realised I was self-destructing,” he sighed. “I made the conscious choice to become a better person, if not for myself, then at least for Meg. Sure, I’ve been through shit, but so has Hunter, and I knew I was being unfair on them both.”

“Why were you back at 79’s then?” Emerie pushed. “When you and Tech met?”

“That…was a lapse,” Crosshair admitted. “I’d been rejected from a job I thought was pretty much guaranteed, and I had another argument with Hunter about it. I’m trying to be better, but with your profession you should know lapses are to be expected.”

Emerie folded her arms over her chest, but she didn’t say anything else. 

“Look, I really like Tech,” he continued, looking up at Emerie. “In fact, I love him. And I don’t want to do anything that might mess things up or push him away. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.” 

Something in Emerie’s expression had softened just slightly, her frown looking less angry and more thoughtful. Crosshair noted vaguely that Tech had a very similar thinking-face. 

The silence went on for longer this time, Crosshair busying himself with the lid of his cup again, needing something to do with his hands. He didn’t want to rush Emerie, but the anxiety was creeping in and he realised he really, really needed her approval. 

“You really do love him?” Emerie asked after a few more beats of silence. “This isn’t just…some fling that you’re going to get bored of?”

“I’m loyal to the people I care about,” Crosshair replied. “I would never do anything to hurt Tech.” 

They’d made eye contact again during their conversation, and Crosshair silently hoped that his sincerity was coming through. Emerie’s expression held no anger or disgust anymore, instead she appeared focused and lost in thought. 

She nodded slowly after a moment. “Tech is at your apartment?”

“He is.”

“I…think I need to talk things out with Echo a bit further,” she said. “I will call Tech later, please make sure it gets answered. Whether it’s him or you, I just need him to actually hear me.” 

“Okay,” Crosshair nodded. “Promise.” 

—

Tech had a small, uneasy feeling in his chest as the morning ticked by and Crosshair still wasn’t home. He was doing his best to ignore it, as Omega had sat him down for another round of gaming; the previous night, every round of Dejarik had ended in a draw, so the girl had chosen another of her favourites to play instead.

The door opening distracted both of them, and Tech was relieved to see Crosshair walk in. He was carrying a bag of groceries, but it didn’t seem like enough to warrant being out for well over an hour. 

“Hi Cross!” Omega chirped happily.

“Mornin’, Meg,” Crosshair made his way over to the two of them, ruffling Tech’s hair affectionately. “Hey, babe.”

“Good morning,” Tech smiled. “Did you get everything you needed?”

“Yeah,” Crosshair glanced at the screen to see what they were playing. “Ah, I could never figure this one out. You must be good if Meg’s pulling out the big guns.”

“It’s definitely more involved than Dejarik,” Tech replied. 

“Could you pause it? I just need to steal Tech for a moment,” Crosshair said to Omega, tossing her a bag of some brightly coloured sweets. 

“Okay!”

Tech got up and followed Crosshair to the kitchen, deciding to help unload the grocery bag while his boyfriend put things away. “When I got up this morning, my phone had somehow made it down here.”

Crosshair faltered for a second, the hesitation not going unnoticed by Tech.

“Furthermore, it seems there was a fifteen minute phone call with Em that occurred while I was asleep,” Tech continued. “Would you like to tell me where you actually went this morning?”

With a small laugh, Crosshair leaned back against the counter to face Tech. “Seems like you already have a pretty good idea where I was.”

“Did you talk to Emerie?”

“I did. I met up with her at Pyloon’s.”

“You got her to go to Pyloon’s?” Tech was momentarily distracted from the topic. Emerie wasn’t particularly snobbish or stuck-up, but she was very picky about where she went for any kind of food or drink. 

Crosshair chuckled. “She didn’t seem too pleased about it.”

“That’s–beside the point,” Tech shook his head. “Why were you there?” 

Crosshair didn’t reply at first, but he did push off the counter to close the distance between them. With his hands resting on Tech’s waist, Crosshair leaned in for a quick, chaste kiss. 

“Because I love you,” Crosshair replied. “And I need the people important to you to…at least approve of me, and not kick me out.” 

Tech moved his hands to rest against Crosshair’s chest, watching him as he spoke. “How did it go?”

“Better than I thought it would,” Crosshair replied with a small smile. “She said she wanted to talk to Echo, and that she’d be calling later.”

“I suppose I should answer when she calls, then.”

“I promised her you would.”

Tech smiled, leaning in to kiss Crosshair gently. They stayed there for a few moments, sharing gentle kisses and enjoying the closeness.

There was a small, simmering feeling of anxiety in the back of Tech’s mind as he considered how the phone conversation may go, but that was something he could worry about when the time came.

Chapter Text

Most of the rest of the day was spent playing more games with Omega. The girl was very good, most of their games ending in a draw, with Tech managing to win only a handful of them. Even then, it was only by a few points, and only because Omega was still young. Tech was sure that, given a few years, she would easily win against him. 

Eventually Crosshair managed to convince Omega to release her hold on his boyfriend, and they retreated up to his bedroom. 

“Have you heard back from your interview?” Tech asked, looking over the various sketches that lay strewn over Cross’ desk. 

“Not officially,” Crosshair replied, from where he was on his bed. “But I should hear back by tomorrow. Quin said I’m likely gonna get it, though.”

Tech smiled over at him. “I think you’ll be brilliant,” he said, only smiling more when Crosshair blushed and looked off to the side. Tech set the sketches back down before he walked over to settle himself down in Cross’ lap. 

Cross’ hands came up to rest on his waist as Tech leaned down, kissing him quickly. 

“ When you get the job, you should give me a tattoo.”

“You’d want one?” Crosshair asked. “What of?” 

“Mmh…not sure,” Tech pressed their foreheads together, closing his eyes. “Would you design something for me?” 

“You’re gonna let me tattoo you with one of my designs?” Thumbs rubbed against Tech’s hipbones, slowly. 

Tech understood the underlying tone easily, smiling to himself, keeping his eyes closed. “I knew you were possessive.” 

Crosshair just hummed, silence falling over them for a few moments. It was comfortable, as it always was between them. 

“What’re you gonna do if your sister decides she still doesn’t like me?”

Tech looked up to meet Cross’ eyes, but the other man was looking away. With a hand on his cheek, Tech gently turned his boyfriend’s face back toward him. 

“Em doesn’t get to pick and choose who I’m with,” Tech said. “She is important to me, but so are you. I am important to Em, and I have faith that she will make the right decision.” 

“Faith?” Cross raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face. “That’s not very logical .”

Tech rolled his eyes, but pressed a kiss to the bridge of Cross’ nose. “Neither is love, my dear.” 

–

The call from Emerie came through in the evening. Tech had just gotten back to Crosshair’s room after taking a shower when he noticed his phone light up with the incoming notification.

“ Tech, thank you for answering.”

“Emerie,” Tech leaned against Crosshair, holding the phone up between the two of them. 

“ Is Crosshair there as well? ”

“Yep,” Crosshair had one arm around Tech’s shoulders, keeping him pulled close. 

“ Okay, perfect,” Emerie sighed on the other end. “ I owe both of you an apology. ”

Tech didn’t reply, wanting to hear everything his sister had to say before giving any input. Crosshair was playing with the ends of his hair lightly, his fingertips brushing against Tech’s neck every so often. 

“ Tech, I’m glad that you are getting out more and that you’ve been making new friends,” Emerie started. “ And you’re right, it’s unfair of me to push you out and then be judgemental about the people you meet.

“And Crosshair, I definitely owe you an apology,” she continued. “ I had…an irrational response to finding out you are with Tech. I judged you unfairly, and I realise that now.”

“It’s alright,” Crosshair replied. “Kinda used to it by now.”

“ Still, it’s not my place to tell Tech who he can and cannot spend time with. Tech seems happy with you, and I don’t want to interfere with that.” 

Tech smiled to himself, turning to nuzzle gently into Crosshair’s jaw. 

“Are you happy with him, Tech?” 

“I am.”

“Then that’s enough for me,” Em replied with a small sigh. “Why don’t we all go out for lunch tomorrow? It will be on me.”

Tech glanced up at Crosshair, who gave him a small nod. “We would like that,” Tech answered her. “Just text us the details.” 

“Alright,” Em sounded almost relieved. “Well, goodnight to you both.”

The phone conversation over-–and much more successful than Tech had braced himself for–-he placed the phone on the bedside cabinet just in time before he found himself pressed down onto the mattress. Crosshair peppered light kisses over Tech’s face, before pressing their lips together in a slow, sensual kiss. 

When they pulled apart, Crosshair pressed their foreheads together, a genuine smile on his face. “You know, when I first saw you at 79’s, I never thought things would end up this way.”

Tech returned the smile, draping his arms around Crosshair’s shoulders. “I never thought I’d ever have something like this,” he replied. “As cliched as that sounds.” 

“I love you, Tech,” Crosshair pressed a kiss to the bridge of Tech’s nose. “I hope you know I’m never letting you go, now that I have you.” 

“The feeling is mutual, I assure you.” 

Tech had never put much thought into romance, relationships, companionships, always thinking he didn’t really have the time; he never really considered himself desirable, either. He spent his whole life being treated as too much , being told to shut up, to keep his voice down, that no-one cared about what he was saying.

The last several months had completely changed Tech’s life, in ways he never thought possible. Suddenly, he had a boyfriend, who loved and doted on him, who listened to every word he said and never told him he was too much or too loud or too annoying. Crosshair seemed to understand Tech in a way no-one else ever had, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating to finally be seen . 

Not only seen, but chosen . Chosen by someone that Tech adored and admired, someone who had been through so much but still held him so softly, treated him with such kindness and patience. 

It might take a while to get Emerie to fully trust Crosshair, but what mattered most was that she was willing to try. 

Crosshair fell asleep first that night, laying on top of Tech with his head resting on Tech’s chest. Tech watched him, gently running his fingers through his hair, knowing there was no-one else he would rather be.