Chapter Text
"Cut.. are you sure? I know we planned this for a while-."
"Hunter. It's fine. I promise," Cut clapped Hunter heavily on the arm, kind eyes twinkling in the natural kitchen light, "Your kid's not well. I get it," he nodded in the direction of the three children hovering in the hallway.
Omega sat on the stairs, tearful and miserable, arms wrapped around her tummy while Shaeeah hugged her from the side, and Jek hovered hesitantly next to the girls.
"So you're saying.. you're bleeding right now?" Jek asked, a mixed tone between curiosity and horror in his voice.
"Mhm," Omega hummed quietly.
"And you'll be like that.. for a week?!" He exclaimed, then hushed a "sorry," when Omega winced at his loud voice.
"Yes, that's what a period is, Jek," Shaeeah rolled her eyes at her brother then gave Omega a gentle head pat, "I hope you feel better soon. It seems awful, will I be like this too?"
"Yeah.. it's not nice," Omega mumbled, "But everyone gets it differently. And it's natural, and nothing shameful so don't let anyone tell you oth- oww." Her inspirational speech was cut short at a stab of pain in her lower abdomen. She whimpered and rested her head on Shaeeah's shoulder, "My brothers always comfort me though," she smiled lightly and the children turned their heads at the men on the porch.
Hunter sighed heavily and as he entered the porch through the kitchen, four heads looked up at him in sync, abandoning their previous tasks. Wrecker was enjoying a lemonade in the heavy, summer morning sunshine. Echo was reading the instruction manual to the new shed the family had agreed to stay overnight to help the Lawquanes put up. Crosshair had been glancing at his phone with a small smile he was trying to hide while Tech, also on his phone, was staring at it with wide eyes and a blush so fierce Hunter reminded himself to check up on him later.
"Right! What's the plan?" Wrecker exclaimed excitedly, clapping his huge hands.
"The plan is, Wrecker, that Omega just got her period and is in no shape to enjoy herself properly," he explained and watched as, also in sync, his siblings' faces grew worried, "I'm thinking she's probably better off staying home tonight. One of us should stay with her."
"I'll do it," Crosshair drawled from the back, "Don't know shit about building stuff and it's not like Cut's kids see me as a favourite," he shot Wrecker a side glance.
"You sure?" Echo asked, almost smugly, "Since when do you actively volunteer to play big brother?"
"Shut it," He hissed at his sibling, yet Hunter knew there was no real malice behind his words.
"He probably just wants to invite Rory over!" Wrecker cackled and sent a string of obnoxious kissing noises in his direction. Hunter smirked lightly at the sudden shock in Crosshair's expression and blush blossoming on his cheeks.
"Shut. Up," Crosshair hissed again, and Hunter intervened before the two brothers started fist fighting on Cut Lawquane's front porch.
"If you want to, you can absolutely invite him for the night," Hunter shrugged, "Just ask Omega first please."
"Seriously?" Crosshair asked skeptically, yet excitement started to fester in his eyes.
"Yeah," he shrugged again, "It's settled then. Crosshair and Omega go home and sleep there. And Crosshair can spend the night with Rory if all parties agree."
Everyone voiced their agreement, while Tech nodded mutely.
"Tech?" He prompted the brother, "You've been very quiet. You alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine. I agree to all.. all the plans discussed," He said with an oddly forced calmness.
"He's texting Gale," Crosshair chuckled as he made his way back into the house, "He thinks he's subtle reading what I imagine are dirty texts from his darling," he smirked and disappeared inside.
Hunter, Echo and Wrecker burst into amused chuckling while Tech desperately tried to save himself.
"Ex- cuse me! What conversations take place between myself and my partner are none of your business Crosshair!" He spluttered and yelled after the cackling ex-sniper.
Hunter shook his head and followed Crosshair to let Omega know.
"How you feelin'?" Crosshair asked carefully while gripping the steering wheel.
"Like my tummy is a washing machine full of knives," she mumbled and curled her legs, "How much longer?"
"Few minutes, kid," he said quietly, making an effort to ease the usual venom from his voice. Over time, he'd gotten used to handling Omega's monthly blood bath. So at least that part wasn't contributing to his internal, bubbling panic. Inviting Rory over meant three things.
One, he'd see his boyfriend again.
Two, Rory would be in his house, in his room, in his safe space.
Three, if they stayed true to their conversations last time.. today would be the day he and Rory would get intimate. Which also brought the serious talk Rory had warned him about. That made four things actually.
He took a deeper breath to clear his head.
"Omega?" He started carefully, "How would you feel.. if.. Rory stayed the night today?"
Omega whipped her head round to stare at him. Then her mouth fell open and she gasped.
"Ye-ah!" She nodded as enthusiastically as she could with what Crosshair assumed was excruciating pain, "Could I meet him properly?!"
"I.. suppose so," he nodded and pulled into their driveway, "Though.. could we.. have some privacy tonight? You can always call on me if you need me."
"Mhm mhm," she hummed excitedly, "You guys go upstairs and have fun, I'll be downstairs watching Nat Geo in a blanket mountain," she giggled lightly, then doubled over her seatbelt and whined loudly.
"Alright, let's get you some painkillers," Crosshair muttered softly and helped his sister out of the car, while his mind raced.
After settling his Omega on the couch, equipped with a full carrier bag of supplies and watching a turtle documentary, he sent the proposition to Rory.
And after a minute of silent watching over his sister, his phone pinged.
♡ Rory ♡
Of course! What sweets does your sister like?
Crosshair bit his lip from giggling excitedly. He pushed the anxiety away for a moment and let himself look forward to tonight.