![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
[fic][Star Wars: Republic Commando/Bad Batch, Hunter, Fixer, PG-13] Say it Again
Just realized I'd forgotten to put this up here after a year and a half. Oops. The final part of this crazy crack ship saga.
Title: Say it Again
Fandom: Star Wars: Republic Commando/Bad Batch
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5592
Characters: Hunter, Fixer, various appearances by Omega, Niner, Laseema, Wrecker and others
Summary: Getting married really shouldn't have been this hard.
Dropping out of hyperspace partway through zigzagging their way back to Pabu at least a dozen messages were suddenly dinging on their comms. Fixer and Hunter’s anyway. Apparently the rest of the family had found out about their spontaneous technically-not-marriage. From what Hunter could tell, Fixer’s messages were mainly variations on why Jaing had been the only one present while Hunter’s were a mix of congratulations and asking why he hadn’t said the riduurok back. Hunter wrote back- to Corr to guarantee word would spread to everyone -that he never learned the riduurok or even suspected that marriage was even the reason he’d been invited. Knowing that the rest of Fixer’s family had either known or expected it explained that vibe he’d been getting.
When they finally arrived in Pabu’s orbit, Fixer’s comm went off again, this one a direct call. He frowned at his comm, let Omega take over landing, and went to the back for some kind of privacy to take the call. Just before the door shut behind him, Hunter heard Scorch blurting out, “/Hunter didn’t know?/”
Probably a little mean of him to dump it all on Fixer like that but, honestly, Fixer was probably less annoyed by the fact his brothers- and whoever else -were getting on his case about his relationship and more by the fact they’d broken comm silence to do so.
Fixer was still on the comm by the time the ship landed so Hunter and Omega left the ship first and Hunter froze when he realized that Wrecker and Tech and Phee and Shep and Lyana were all waiting for them. He turned to give Omega a look.
She just smiled a horribly endearing mix of innocent and smug. “I couldn’t not tell them.”
“Congratulations on your marriage!” Wrecker boomed, drawing the attention of some of the idle port workers though their interest quickly waned. “Don’t know what the difference is but apparently it’s a big deal!”
“Legal things, mostly,” Phee said. “So long as a place follows Galactic Law, married spouses have a legal right to be recognized as such, even if the place has laws that don’t recognize non-procreating unions or clones as sentient beings.”
“The symbolism is also important!” Lyana objected. “At least here it is.” She clapped her hands together, going starry eyed at the thought. “During the engagement period, those getting married will give each other a series of gifts, each more extravagant or meaningful than the last to show that they’re able to provide and also proves how well they understand each other. The last gift is working together with family and friends to set up the ceremony itself. Then they pledge their lives to each other, promising to cherish and honor each other for the rest of their lives.”
Which Hunter could certainly get behind the sentiment of the ceremony but, “We’re not married. Not technically, anyway.”
All eyes turned to him. “What do you mean ‘not technically’?”
“I have to learn the Mandalorian marriage vow before we’re properly married.”
Shep hummed, tapping a finger to his chin. “But you are planning to marry, yes?”
“Well, yeah.”
The three Pabu natives grinned broadly. Phee whooped and ran off, saying something about making some orders. Lyana did similar, her excuse being to let everyone know. As the clones boggled, Shep clapped his hands together. “In that case, we’re throwing you an engagement party!”
“What’s that?” Hunter asked.
“The party is a fairly new tradition but engagements are basically a promise to wed. The engaged set the date for the wedding and allows everyone involved to prepare.” He let out a little huff of laughter. “I suppose you could look at it as a pre-wedding wedding.”
“Oh!” Omega jumped in place. “Does that mean Hunter and Fixer get to have a wedding ceremony?”
“Only if they want one, of course.”
“If there’s food, I vote yes!” Wrecker smacked a hand against Tech’s shoulder. Noticeably softer than he would for anyone else but it still made Tech rock a little. “So when’re you gonna get married?”
Tech sighed, adjusting his goggles into proper position. “There's been consideration.”
Fixer finally exited the ship. “I heard shouting, what’s going on?”
“They’re throwing us an engagement party,” Hunter told him. Honestly, Pabuans seemed to take any excuse to party and Hunter wouldn’t doubt this was just another.
Fixer nodded as if what he’d said was something in need of serious consideration. Then asked, “What’s that?”
—
The party, just as Hunter had suspected it would, practically exploded across the neighborhood. It had grown so large that many didn’t even know what it was for and most only knowing it was an engagement party but not for who. Which suited the two supposed guests of honor just fine given they hadn’t had time to mentally prepare to be the center of attention let alone with strangers. They’d found a fairly out of the way corner- close enough to be present for the festivities but away from the crowd and noise -dragged a table and some chairs and sat together with Wrecker acting as a buffer between them and everyone else. Omega and Lyana acted as runners, keeping plates filled with food and glasses with drinks, when they weren’t in the thick of it, dancing and laughing together.
“So why’d ya wanna get married, anyway?” Wrecker asked, letting out an alcohol-laced belch that had Hunter wrinkling his nose. “I don’t mean about that legal stuff. Pretty sure neither of you mentioned it before ‘cause Omega woulda told me.” Omega generally was good with secrecy just not in regards to certain subjects. “So what made you decide to do it?”
That was actually a very good question that had passingly crossed Hunter’s mind before other things demanded his attention. He turned to Fixer with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, why did you?”
Fixer fiddled with the cap for his drink, flipping it between his fingers. “I don’t have a lot that’s just mine. My beskar belongs to Clan Vau- it’s been passed down generations and, when I die, it will go to someone else. I have my brothers but even that I share with them,” Fixer’s mouth twisted ruefully and if Hunter didn’t know exactly what he meant, he might have found it as silly as Fixer thought it should be. “The only thing that I don’t share is you and what we have between us.” He looked up at Hunter, eyes dark and open and Hunter’s heart tripped over itself like it did every time Fixer pried open his chest so Hunter could see the most vulnerable parts of him. “No one else looks at me like you do, no one else makes me feel how you make me feel. I don’t care that it’s selfish, but I’m not letting go of the one thing that’s truly mine.”
Hunter was left speechless, unable to trust his voice even if he had words to say. Wrecker let out a low whistle and jostled Hunter with an elbow to the back. “Damn. Someone said that to me, I’d marry ‘em too.” He took another swig. “Shoulda just said marriage is staking claim, that makes more sense.”
Hunter reached over to put his hand on top of one of Fixer’s, curling his fingers into Fixer’s palm. “You’re teaching me that vow tomorrow.” Fixer just smiled and squeezed Hunter’s fingers.
The next day the two were worse for wear but they’d both had to deal with tougher things than facing the morning suffering hangovers. Fixer brewed a strong pot of caf while Hunter cooked a light breakfast and they silently got through both and felt somewhat better afterward.
“So,” Hunter said as they cleared down the kitchen, “want to tell me that vow now?”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” Fixer said it slowly, carefully enunciating each word and Hunter listened with an intensity he hadn’t even brought to battleplanning, determined to memorize them.
He repeated it back, drawing out each word and repeating them as he was corrected. Fixer said the vow entirely again and Hunter repeated after him, slightly less shaky. “So what does it mean?”
“Mhi solus tome , mhi solus dar’tome means we are one when together, we are one when parted. Mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde means we will share all, we will raise warriors.” Fixer wiped down the counters and the stove surface while Hunter put the dishes into the washer and rinsed out the sink. “It’s been suggested to me,” the way he said the ‘suggested’ made it sound more like a demand, “that we should discuss the meaning of it.”
“To make sure we’re expecting the same things. Sounds fair,” Hunter said with a nod. “The first part sounds pretty straightforward. Be loyal to each other, do what we think is best for our families.”
“Not just our families,” Fixer said. “Not just Delta Squad or Clone Force 99 but for you, me and Omega. Our family.”
That thought put a sunburst of warmth in Hunter’s chest. “Yeah,” his throat felt a little tight and he had to clear it to continue. “Communicating and being supportive are key. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with each other and not trying to hide our problems.”
“No debts,” Fixer agreed. “Help without expecting to be owed anything and accept help without thinking you’re being a burden.” He gave Hunter a meaningful look. “Or that anyone’s looking down on you.”
Hunter scowled though it was a playful one. “I’m getting better with that.” Fixer just chuckled, bumping their shoulders together. “With the kids, I want them to be raised to be as strong and fierce and loyal and compassionate as any of our brothers. They’ll have the spirit of warriors but I don’t want to make them feel like they’ve gotta fight.” His expression was set and unbudging. “If they want to learn then we can show them, but I want them to have all the love and support and freedom we never got. Even if it means letting them grow up without knowing how to hold a blaster.”
Fixer’s mouth twisted. “I’d want them to learn self-defense at least but…” His eyes got distant, as if remembering something from long ago. “Yeah. I don’t want to force them to do something they don’t want to.”
Hunter reached out to squeeze his arm, getting Fixer to focus back on him. Hunter’s lips tweaked into a small but sharp grin. “That includes Omega. She may be an older kid but you’re also her buir now. She still looks up to you.”
Color rose up in Fixer’s cheeks and he looked almost shy at that. “I’ll do my best to remember that.” He swayed again, this time not moving away as their shoulders pressed together. “Do you have anything else to add?”
“No, I think that about covers it. If I come up with anything more I’ll bring it up but otherwise, I think those are good goals to aim for. Say it for me one more time?”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” That time, still with clear enunciation, Fixer said it at a speed closer to natural. Hunter’s attempt wasn’t quite as quick and he stumbled a couple times over the words but Fixer still looked at him proudly. “Say it a few more times and you’ll sound like a natural.”
—
The next morning Hunter spent getting back into the rhythm of Pabu. When he saw Fixer in the late afternoon the commando came up to him and asked with utter bafflement, “Why does Lyana keep asking to measure me?”
The question came so suddenly- and the memory of Lyana bringing an album of her father’s marriage to show Omega and Hunter what a Pabuan wedding was like -that Hunter spluttered out a laugh. Wedding tunics, she’d told them, were made by the parent- or equivalent -of one of the marrying couple for the other to wear. Shep’s mother-in-law had been a seamstress and the tunic she’d made for him had been intricately embroidered. Hunter wondered who Lyana thought would be making a tunic for Fixer. He wondered which of Fixer’s family would make his.
“It’s a Pabuan marriage tradition,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “I think she just likes the idea of a wedding. If she’s making you uncomfortable, I can ask her to back off.”
Fixer’s confusion didn’t go away but he shook his head. “It’s not that. The idea of a ceremony is just strange to me.”
From what Hunter heard about Fixer’s various family members’ marriages, he could understand the confusion. It was just a verbal contract that happened when one felt strongly enough to say it. There was very little transitioning from a non-married state to a married one. “Yeah, Mandalorian marriages seem a lot more spontaneous.”
“Usually. Depending on their position, alore have more public vows to have their riduur recognized. And those that want something more ceremonial can do so.”
“You just prefer something a bit more simple and straightforward?” Hunter asked with a grin which grew as Fixer nodded. “Well, according to Phee, some people just apply for a marriage license to have their marriage formally recognized and skip the ceremony altogether.” A thought suddenly hit him. “Do Mandalorians have marriage licenses? They seem to have a decentralized government outside the New Mandalorians. Couldn’t anyone claim to be married to whoever they wanted?”
“If someone isn’t part of a clan, probably. Otherwise marriages are registered to the clans involved and the house if they’re part of one.”
“So does that make me Clan Vau?”
“If you want to be.” Fixer settled down, getting into what others affectionately called ‘lecture mode’. Hunter loved that mode. Even if he didn’t remember or understand what Fixer was talking about, he just liked hearing him talk. “You’d be afforded certain protections from the clan regardless. As part of my family, both you and Omega would be able to go to Clan Vau for help, shelter or support, including legal trouble.”
Clan Vau’s strength and political position had waned long ago but they still held respect amongst many clans for their long and involved history. But even a clan as careful and isolated as they hadn’t escaped the Purge unscathed. Hunter didn’t know where they’d resettled but he was sure Fixer did.
“If you wanted to join the clan formally,” Fixer looked down at the strill emblem he always wore even stripped down to bare amounts of armor, “you’d have to speak with the aliit’alor. You’d be acting as a representative of the clan so you’d be expected to behave in a certain manner. Or at least not act in certain ways.”
Hunter thought about Fixer’s former trainer and wondered why he’d never seen an emblem on him.
“Do you think we should?” Hunter asked. “At least for Omega’s sake? And what about my brothers?”
“I can’t say how much protection your brothers would have, though they’d probably also be welcomed to join.” Fixer huffed lightly. “The aliit’alor would probably love to have Wrecker, honestly. I wouldn’t worry about Omega. Clan Vau is especially keen on children. They’d probably do anything for her regardless if she joined the clan or not.”
That made Hunter laugh. “I feel like she should meet them for that reason alone. Eventually Omega will charm enough people she’ll be the most powerful being in the galaxy.” A thought suddenly hit him. “Though if we do go, she’ll probably ask if she can have a strill and I don’t know if we can handle that.”
“You say that like you’re already expecting to not be able to tell her no.”
“I’ve been around her enough to know when she’s got me beat.” Then he asked challengingly, “Do you think you could?”
Fixer made a show of grimacing. “I suppose one of us should be able to.” He hesitated before asking, “Do you think it’ll be alright if I say the adoption vow for her?”
Hunter blinked. “Of course. She already considers you her buir.”
“Saying something for real is different from saying something in jest.”
He reached out to jab a finger into Fixer’s shoulder. “She was not jesting about it. Honestly I’m pretty sure she just assumed you’d be her parent after marrying me.”
“Why would she assume that? You might be her parent but you don’t own her. Your relationships don’t automatically become hers.”
There was something about that thought, the knowledge that Fixer considered Hunter and Omega two separate identities to such a point that he’d allow Omega to reject him as a parent despite being Hunter’s husband that made Hunter’s heart swell. He took a breath and said, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verd.”
The suddenness of the vow had Fixer’s eyes widened just a fraction. He wet his lips, a quick swipe with the tip of his tongue, opened his mouth and said-
“Verde.”
It took a moment for Hunter to realize what he said. “What?”
“It’s verde, not verd.”
Another moment and then Hunter was trying to stifle his laughter into a palm. When he looked up Fixer’s bewildered expression nearly undid him.
“What? What is it?”
Hunter just shook his head, moving to press a kiss and his snickering to Fixer’s temple. “Don’t worry about it. Next time,” he promised. “You know, I should make Omega’s adoption official for me, too. Tell me the vow?”
—
Finally Tech had decided to knuckle down and set a date to begin reconstructive surgery. Hunter had had an inkling that the reason he’d been dragging his proverbial feet had more to do with anxiety and self-perception rather than wanting to make sure he had the most up-to-date tech. It had taken some time but, between Fi, Corr and Etain sharing their own struggles with their respective disabilities, they’d slowly managed to coax him through those issues.
There was still some trepidation, however, and Tech wanted to have Fixer there to oversee the surgeries on his behalf. Which meant Fixer would be staying on Pabu for a couple months- his longest stay by far -but also meant he’d have to spend just as much time ensuring his work with the Rebels was in order, that there were people trained up to cover his duties, information sorted and disseminated to the appropriate people and a dozen other things. That didn’t even include all the time and work that would go into getting the parts needed for Tech’s surgeries.
Which meant Fixer would be leaving by the end of the week.
Ever since the not-quite-marriage, Hunter would admit to being a little more… touchy than usual. ‘Cuddly’, Omega would say but she wasn’t there and Hunter refused to call himself that. That didn’t change the fact he kept wanting to grab Fixer’s hand, lean against him, wrap his arms around Fixer’s waist and bury his face against his neck. Hunter had been doing his best to reign those impulses in but ever since he found out how long it would likely be until he’d see Fixer again those impulses became a compulsion. Luckily Fixer tolerated Hunter’s sudden need to touch him whenever they were together- or perhaps he felt that same need. It made it all the more clear in Hunter’s mind, however, that he’d have to properly marrying Fixer before he left.
They sat together on the couch, Hunter crosswise, reading up on Crosshair, Echo and Rex’s latest news with his feet on Fixer’s lap. Fixer had a datapad on the arm of the couch, making notes with a stylus while his other hand rested on Hunter’s ankle, rubbing absent circles just above the ankle. The last paragraph, clearly written by Echo in an attempt to broach the topic diplomatically, had Hunter dropping his head back with a groan.
“What is it?” Fixer asked, not looking up from his work.
“They ran into one of the Nulls recently who, of course, had to tell them about the marriage vow. With some embellishments, apparently.”
Fixer paused to raise an eyebrow at Hunter. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not. Just a melodramatic troll saying melodramatic troll things.” That got a snort out of Fixer, attention turning back to the datapad though he gave Hunter’s ankle a squeeze. “I’ll tell ‘em the actual story.” Hunter paused, then nudged Fixer’s stomach with a toe. “I gotta ask: why did everyone else in your family seem to know you planned to marry me but I didn’t?”
Something that wasn’t quite a grimace crossed Fixer’s expression, a little bit more exasperated and resigned. “I just forgot.”
That made Hunter snort. “You forgot to tell me.”
“No, I forgot that you’re not like my brothers.” He ran a hand through his hair, half turning to Hunter so he could more easily look him in the eyes. “Sometimes I forget that you don’t know me as well as they do and that I actually have to tell you things. And not just you. I’m so used to my brothers always seeming to know what’s on my mind that it’s hard to remember I have to talk to people.”
It was clear from the look on his face exactly how Fixer felt about that and Hunter couldn’t help chuckling at it. He was certainly familiar with the other side of it: usually having to be the one to communicate what was going through Crosshair’s head when he was being especially taciturn or clarifying for Wrecker when he couldn’t unjumble his words or Tech couldn’t simplify his. Given how little Hunter himself liked having to talk to most people more than was necessary it was exhausting.
Then Fixer asked, sounding somewhat ashamed, “Are you mad?”
The question threw Hunter for a loop. “Mad? That you didn’t tell me or that I was the last to know?” At Fixer’s shrug, Hunter pulled his legs in, shifting around until he was right next to the other commando, one leg tucked beneath him and an arm across the back of the couch, hand resting lightly at the base of Fixer’s neck. “I was a little annoyed at the time just because everyone seemed to know something that I didn’t. But I know you wouldn’t do something like that maliciously. So no, I’m not mad about it. Wish I’d been more prepared but we’re working on that.” Besides, he knew Fixer was trying to get better about talking, had gotten better.
Fixer’s lips twisted into a smirk that was more the idea of one rather than actually present. “True enough.”
With his fingers brushing through the short hairs at Fixer’s neck, Hunter said the vow again, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome,” Fixer shifted, turning to rest his head against Hunter’s arm, his eyes dark and fathomless, his lips and soft breath brushing the sensitive skin of the inside of Hunter’s wrist; Hunter stumbled over his words “m-mhi me’din… me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
He knew, the moment the words left his mouth, that Fixer didn’t recognize what he was trying to do and, sure enough, Fixer gently corrected Hunter’s pronunciation. Then, when he was satisfied, Fixer shifted on the couch, laying across it and pulling Hunter down to lay with him. Wedged in the space between the couch and Fixer, with Fixer’s arms loosely around him to continue his work, Hunter couldn’t bring himself to mind.
—
NothinFiner: boss wants to know if youve made an honest man of his brother yet
NothinFiner: please say yes so he stops bugging me
HeadHunter: Still correcting me when i don’t say it perfectly
HeadHunter: it’s honestly hilarious and kinda cute
HeadHunter: probably shouldn’t be doin this when he’s so busy but I kinda wanna see how long it takes him to figure out I’m tryin to marry him
HeadHunter: but he’ll be leaving soon so I should probably just tell him
MoreThanLaseems: how r boys such a mess?
HeadHunter: You say taht like Mandos regularly mess up marriage vows
MoreThanLaseems: well . . .
NothinFiner: i mean
HeadHunter: Seriously?
HeadHunter: now i get why engagements are a thing
NothinFiner: i wouldn’t worry too much about it hell catch on soon enough
NothinFiner: speaking from experience
MoreThanLaseems: ???
MoreThanLaseems: Idk this story??
NothinFiner: it was after the rebels suffered a hard loss. boss came back to recuperate. spent most of the night coming up with plans to regroup before completely crashing out on our bed
NothinFiner: next day he comes into the kitchen looking like reheated osik and shambles forward until he could put his head on my shoulder
NothinFiner: and i dunno something about how he looked at that moment and how much i missed him and i was suddenly hit with every memory of why i loved him all at once
NothinFiner: i just sorta… said it
HeadHunter: And?
MoreThanLaseems: AND???
NothinFiner: the bastard grunted stole the caf from my hands and went back to bed
NothinFiner: when I came home later boss was half convinced hed dreamed it all up
NothinFiner: so we talked it over and then got married after
MoreThanLaseems: ya’ll ridiculous. If you talked about it beforehand you wouldn’t HAVE to do it more than once
HeadHunter: And how d id Perfect Husband marry you?
NothinFiner: she cant judge she got married over text
MoreThanLaseems: Then we said it properly when he got back!
HeadHunter: Oh so you DID do it more than once
NothinFiner: ::highfive::
MoreThanLaseems: At least WE knew what we were doing both times!
NothinFiner: so how’d you flub it this time?
HeadHunter: Rude
HeadHunter: I mean true bu t rude
MoreThanLaseems: so? Spill
HeadHunter: Wasn’t entirely my fault this time
HeadHunter: I said it to him and he got interrupted by a call before he could say anything back and I was aksed to help at the docks
HeadHunter: Then I get a message on my comm and it’s Fixer correcting my pronunciation adn complimenting how much better I got
MoreThanLaseems: omg
MoreThanLaseems: that’s so Fixer
NothinFiner: youve got your work cut out with that one
NothinFiner: boss says to just sit on him and keep saying it until it gets through his thick skull
HeadHunter: tell Boss I don’t need his input on my love life
MoreThanLaseems: idk you could probably use all the help you can get
HeadHunter: I got this
MoreThanLaseems: uh huh
NothinFiner: proof or it didnt happen
—
“You sure you want me to record this?” Omega asked with obvious dubiousness.
“Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure.” It was mostly to get unbelievers off his back but one of the things that had struck Hunter when Shep talked about his own wedding was how obviously he treasured the holos from the day and the memories they brought up. As happy as Hunter would’ve been if any of their previous attempts at marriage vows had stuck the moment was so quick, the vow a momentary break from what would otherwise be a normal day, that Hunter wanted something a little more tangible to document it.
But still: mostly to get people off his back about how long it was taking.
So Omega followed behind Hunter, recording him as he went into the main room where Fixer was sitting, surrounded by half a dozen tablets and pads in preparation to leave. Hunter took a seat next to him at the table and the only acknowledgment Fixer gave him was a slight shift, body angling a little more toward Hunter.
“Fixer?”
His head inclined just slightly though his attention didn’t move from the datapad currently in his hand. “Hm?”
“You got a moment?”
“Hm.”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
He nodded absently. “Sounded good. Very confidant.” When it became apparent that that was all Fixer was going to say Hunter turned to give Omega- and the recorder -a look that made her snort loud enough to draw Fixer’s attention. He looked at their faces and realized he’d missed something. “What?”
Hunter turned back, chin propped in his hand and said in a tone equal parts teasing and exasperated, “Fis’ika, do you even know what I said to you?”
“Of course. You said the riduurok.” Fixer blinked, realization suddenly dawning on him. “Oh.”
“Uh-huh.”
“How long have you been trying…”
“To marry you? Nearly a week now.”
Fixer flushed the brightest red Hunter had ever seen him by far. “I didn’t- I thought you were still practicing.”
“Oh, so you didn’t change your mind?” At Fixer’s almost hurt look, Hunter relented and reached a hand across the table. Fixer took it without seeming to think about it. “I’m kidding, I know you’ve been busy. I would’ve waited but I was ready to marry you when I found out what you said. And also your family’s been bugging me through Niner and Laseema to know when we finally made it official. Hence the recording.”
Fixer looked over to Omega- who gave a cheeky wave -and huffed. “Fine. If they need proof.” He moved his chair so he was facing Hunter, their knees nearly touching. He cupped a hand behind Hunter’s head, drawing him in closer. “You ready?” He asked with a dry smile.
Hunter’s heartbeat picked up and he could feel his expression turn bright and eager. “Absolutely.”
Fixer closed the space between them, resting forehead to forehead. There was so much open affection and utter devotion in Fixer’s eyes and when he spoke his voice was soft, meant just for the two of them and Hunter wanted to feel the shape of each word as it came off his lips. “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
A shiver ran the length of Hunter’s back and it took him a moment to remember he needed to say it back. “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” Even though he’d meant it every other time he’d said it, somehow the words felt more real that time. Like he was truly stamping each one into his heart, like the vow had somehow bound itself to his blood. “I love you.” He caught just a glimpse of Fixer’s smile before he adjusted the angle just enough to kiss him, letting it say all the things he couldn’t. Hunter sighed against his mouth, hand coming up without conscious thought to wrap around the arm Fixer had around him.
Hunter eventually became aware of a very faint, high pitched noise and when he looked over to its source, Omega was biting her lip against a huge grin and trying to keep the recorder steady as she bounced on her toes. He rolled his eyes and held out a hand toward her. “Alright, c’mere before you explode.”
She charged over, throwing herself at Hunter and Fixer grabbed at her arm so he could take the recorder from her. He sat it down on the table next to them though Hunter noticed he took the time to ensure it was still capturing all three of them. Omega slid her arm through his grip until she could squeeze Fixer’s fingers into the palm of her hand. “I’m so happy for you! Now we’re a real, official family!”
“Not yet,” Fixer said, tugging on Omega’s hand and turning her to face him. “We’re not a complete family yet. Ni kyr’tayl gai sa’ad, Omega. I know your name as my child.”
Her jaw dropped, eyes going wide. “Wait- was that- that’s the adoption vow, isn’t it?”
“Yes. You’re legally my ad if you want to be.”
Her jaw clicked shut, expression a little wobbly, a little dewy as she nodded her head. Hunter placed a gentle hand to her hair and when Omega looked at him, he repeated the adoption vow. “Ni kyr’tayl gai sa’ad, Omega.”
Those were definitely tears and Omega threw her arms around both of their necks, drawing them in so she could press her face against their shoulders and sob. Hunter kissed her hair and said, “Love ya, kid.”
She could barely choked out a broken, “I love you, too. Both of you.”
Fixer put a hand to her back where Hunter's hand held her tight, hooking his thumb over a couple of Hunter's fingers. Firm and gentle, wanting the both of them close to him without keeping them there. He turned his face into Omega's hair and caught Hunter's eye, admitting in a quiet, almost shy voice, "Me, too."
Title: Say it Again
Fandom: Star Wars: Republic Commando/Bad Batch
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5592
Characters: Hunter, Fixer, various appearances by Omega, Niner, Laseema, Wrecker and others
Summary: Getting married really shouldn't have been this hard.
Dropping out of hyperspace partway through zigzagging their way back to Pabu at least a dozen messages were suddenly dinging on their comms. Fixer and Hunter’s anyway. Apparently the rest of the family had found out about their spontaneous technically-not-marriage. From what Hunter could tell, Fixer’s messages were mainly variations on why Jaing had been the only one present while Hunter’s were a mix of congratulations and asking why he hadn’t said the riduurok back. Hunter wrote back- to Corr to guarantee word would spread to everyone -that he never learned the riduurok or even suspected that marriage was even the reason he’d been invited. Knowing that the rest of Fixer’s family had either known or expected it explained that vibe he’d been getting.
When they finally arrived in Pabu’s orbit, Fixer’s comm went off again, this one a direct call. He frowned at his comm, let Omega take over landing, and went to the back for some kind of privacy to take the call. Just before the door shut behind him, Hunter heard Scorch blurting out, “/Hunter didn’t know?/”
Probably a little mean of him to dump it all on Fixer like that but, honestly, Fixer was probably less annoyed by the fact his brothers- and whoever else -were getting on his case about his relationship and more by the fact they’d broken comm silence to do so.
Fixer was still on the comm by the time the ship landed so Hunter and Omega left the ship first and Hunter froze when he realized that Wrecker and Tech and Phee and Shep and Lyana were all waiting for them. He turned to give Omega a look.
She just smiled a horribly endearing mix of innocent and smug. “I couldn’t not tell them.”
“Congratulations on your marriage!” Wrecker boomed, drawing the attention of some of the idle port workers though their interest quickly waned. “Don’t know what the difference is but apparently it’s a big deal!”
“Legal things, mostly,” Phee said. “So long as a place follows Galactic Law, married spouses have a legal right to be recognized as such, even if the place has laws that don’t recognize non-procreating unions or clones as sentient beings.”
“The symbolism is also important!” Lyana objected. “At least here it is.” She clapped her hands together, going starry eyed at the thought. “During the engagement period, those getting married will give each other a series of gifts, each more extravagant or meaningful than the last to show that they’re able to provide and also proves how well they understand each other. The last gift is working together with family and friends to set up the ceremony itself. Then they pledge their lives to each other, promising to cherish and honor each other for the rest of their lives.”
Which Hunter could certainly get behind the sentiment of the ceremony but, “We’re not married. Not technically, anyway.”
All eyes turned to him. “What do you mean ‘not technically’?”
“I have to learn the Mandalorian marriage vow before we’re properly married.”
Shep hummed, tapping a finger to his chin. “But you are planning to marry, yes?”
“Well, yeah.”
The three Pabu natives grinned broadly. Phee whooped and ran off, saying something about making some orders. Lyana did similar, her excuse being to let everyone know. As the clones boggled, Shep clapped his hands together. “In that case, we’re throwing you an engagement party!”
“What’s that?” Hunter asked.
“The party is a fairly new tradition but engagements are basically a promise to wed. The engaged set the date for the wedding and allows everyone involved to prepare.” He let out a little huff of laughter. “I suppose you could look at it as a pre-wedding wedding.”
“Oh!” Omega jumped in place. “Does that mean Hunter and Fixer get to have a wedding ceremony?”
“Only if they want one, of course.”
“If there’s food, I vote yes!” Wrecker smacked a hand against Tech’s shoulder. Noticeably softer than he would for anyone else but it still made Tech rock a little. “So when’re you gonna get married?”
Tech sighed, adjusting his goggles into proper position. “There's been consideration.”
Fixer finally exited the ship. “I heard shouting, what’s going on?”
“They’re throwing us an engagement party,” Hunter told him. Honestly, Pabuans seemed to take any excuse to party and Hunter wouldn’t doubt this was just another.
Fixer nodded as if what he’d said was something in need of serious consideration. Then asked, “What’s that?”
—
The party, just as Hunter had suspected it would, practically exploded across the neighborhood. It had grown so large that many didn’t even know what it was for and most only knowing it was an engagement party but not for who. Which suited the two supposed guests of honor just fine given they hadn’t had time to mentally prepare to be the center of attention let alone with strangers. They’d found a fairly out of the way corner- close enough to be present for the festivities but away from the crowd and noise -dragged a table and some chairs and sat together with Wrecker acting as a buffer between them and everyone else. Omega and Lyana acted as runners, keeping plates filled with food and glasses with drinks, when they weren’t in the thick of it, dancing and laughing together.
“So why’d ya wanna get married, anyway?” Wrecker asked, letting out an alcohol-laced belch that had Hunter wrinkling his nose. “I don’t mean about that legal stuff. Pretty sure neither of you mentioned it before ‘cause Omega woulda told me.” Omega generally was good with secrecy just not in regards to certain subjects. “So what made you decide to do it?”
That was actually a very good question that had passingly crossed Hunter’s mind before other things demanded his attention. He turned to Fixer with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, why did you?”
Fixer fiddled with the cap for his drink, flipping it between his fingers. “I don’t have a lot that’s just mine. My beskar belongs to Clan Vau- it’s been passed down generations and, when I die, it will go to someone else. I have my brothers but even that I share with them,” Fixer’s mouth twisted ruefully and if Hunter didn’t know exactly what he meant, he might have found it as silly as Fixer thought it should be. “The only thing that I don’t share is you and what we have between us.” He looked up at Hunter, eyes dark and open and Hunter’s heart tripped over itself like it did every time Fixer pried open his chest so Hunter could see the most vulnerable parts of him. “No one else looks at me like you do, no one else makes me feel how you make me feel. I don’t care that it’s selfish, but I’m not letting go of the one thing that’s truly mine.”
Hunter was left speechless, unable to trust his voice even if he had words to say. Wrecker let out a low whistle and jostled Hunter with an elbow to the back. “Damn. Someone said that to me, I’d marry ‘em too.” He took another swig. “Shoulda just said marriage is staking claim, that makes more sense.”
Hunter reached over to put his hand on top of one of Fixer’s, curling his fingers into Fixer’s palm. “You’re teaching me that vow tomorrow.” Fixer just smiled and squeezed Hunter’s fingers.
The next day the two were worse for wear but they’d both had to deal with tougher things than facing the morning suffering hangovers. Fixer brewed a strong pot of caf while Hunter cooked a light breakfast and they silently got through both and felt somewhat better afterward.
“So,” Hunter said as they cleared down the kitchen, “want to tell me that vow now?”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” Fixer said it slowly, carefully enunciating each word and Hunter listened with an intensity he hadn’t even brought to battleplanning, determined to memorize them.
He repeated it back, drawing out each word and repeating them as he was corrected. Fixer said the vow entirely again and Hunter repeated after him, slightly less shaky. “So what does it mean?”
“Mhi solus tome , mhi solus dar’tome means we are one when together, we are one when parted. Mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde means we will share all, we will raise warriors.” Fixer wiped down the counters and the stove surface while Hunter put the dishes into the washer and rinsed out the sink. “It’s been suggested to me,” the way he said the ‘suggested’ made it sound more like a demand, “that we should discuss the meaning of it.”
“To make sure we’re expecting the same things. Sounds fair,” Hunter said with a nod. “The first part sounds pretty straightforward. Be loyal to each other, do what we think is best for our families.”
“Not just our families,” Fixer said. “Not just Delta Squad or Clone Force 99 but for you, me and Omega. Our family.”
That thought put a sunburst of warmth in Hunter’s chest. “Yeah,” his throat felt a little tight and he had to clear it to continue. “Communicating and being supportive are key. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with each other and not trying to hide our problems.”
“No debts,” Fixer agreed. “Help without expecting to be owed anything and accept help without thinking you’re being a burden.” He gave Hunter a meaningful look. “Or that anyone’s looking down on you.”
Hunter scowled though it was a playful one. “I’m getting better with that.” Fixer just chuckled, bumping their shoulders together. “With the kids, I want them to be raised to be as strong and fierce and loyal and compassionate as any of our brothers. They’ll have the spirit of warriors but I don’t want to make them feel like they’ve gotta fight.” His expression was set and unbudging. “If they want to learn then we can show them, but I want them to have all the love and support and freedom we never got. Even if it means letting them grow up without knowing how to hold a blaster.”
Fixer’s mouth twisted. “I’d want them to learn self-defense at least but…” His eyes got distant, as if remembering something from long ago. “Yeah. I don’t want to force them to do something they don’t want to.”
Hunter reached out to squeeze his arm, getting Fixer to focus back on him. Hunter’s lips tweaked into a small but sharp grin. “That includes Omega. She may be an older kid but you’re also her buir now. She still looks up to you.”
Color rose up in Fixer’s cheeks and he looked almost shy at that. “I’ll do my best to remember that.” He swayed again, this time not moving away as their shoulders pressed together. “Do you have anything else to add?”
“No, I think that about covers it. If I come up with anything more I’ll bring it up but otherwise, I think those are good goals to aim for. Say it for me one more time?”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” That time, still with clear enunciation, Fixer said it at a speed closer to natural. Hunter’s attempt wasn’t quite as quick and he stumbled a couple times over the words but Fixer still looked at him proudly. “Say it a few more times and you’ll sound like a natural.”
—
The next morning Hunter spent getting back into the rhythm of Pabu. When he saw Fixer in the late afternoon the commando came up to him and asked with utter bafflement, “Why does Lyana keep asking to measure me?”
The question came so suddenly- and the memory of Lyana bringing an album of her father’s marriage to show Omega and Hunter what a Pabuan wedding was like -that Hunter spluttered out a laugh. Wedding tunics, she’d told them, were made by the parent- or equivalent -of one of the marrying couple for the other to wear. Shep’s mother-in-law had been a seamstress and the tunic she’d made for him had been intricately embroidered. Hunter wondered who Lyana thought would be making a tunic for Fixer. He wondered which of Fixer’s family would make his.
“It’s a Pabuan marriage tradition,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “I think she just likes the idea of a wedding. If she’s making you uncomfortable, I can ask her to back off.”
Fixer’s confusion didn’t go away but he shook his head. “It’s not that. The idea of a ceremony is just strange to me.”
From what Hunter heard about Fixer’s various family members’ marriages, he could understand the confusion. It was just a verbal contract that happened when one felt strongly enough to say it. There was very little transitioning from a non-married state to a married one. “Yeah, Mandalorian marriages seem a lot more spontaneous.”
“Usually. Depending on their position, alore have more public vows to have their riduur recognized. And those that want something more ceremonial can do so.”
“You just prefer something a bit more simple and straightforward?” Hunter asked with a grin which grew as Fixer nodded. “Well, according to Phee, some people just apply for a marriage license to have their marriage formally recognized and skip the ceremony altogether.” A thought suddenly hit him. “Do Mandalorians have marriage licenses? They seem to have a decentralized government outside the New Mandalorians. Couldn’t anyone claim to be married to whoever they wanted?”
“If someone isn’t part of a clan, probably. Otherwise marriages are registered to the clans involved and the house if they’re part of one.”
“So does that make me Clan Vau?”
“If you want to be.” Fixer settled down, getting into what others affectionately called ‘lecture mode’. Hunter loved that mode. Even if he didn’t remember or understand what Fixer was talking about, he just liked hearing him talk. “You’d be afforded certain protections from the clan regardless. As part of my family, both you and Omega would be able to go to Clan Vau for help, shelter or support, including legal trouble.”
Clan Vau’s strength and political position had waned long ago but they still held respect amongst many clans for their long and involved history. But even a clan as careful and isolated as they hadn’t escaped the Purge unscathed. Hunter didn’t know where they’d resettled but he was sure Fixer did.
“If you wanted to join the clan formally,” Fixer looked down at the strill emblem he always wore even stripped down to bare amounts of armor, “you’d have to speak with the aliit’alor. You’d be acting as a representative of the clan so you’d be expected to behave in a certain manner. Or at least not act in certain ways.”
Hunter thought about Fixer’s former trainer and wondered why he’d never seen an emblem on him.
“Do you think we should?” Hunter asked. “At least for Omega’s sake? And what about my brothers?”
“I can’t say how much protection your brothers would have, though they’d probably also be welcomed to join.” Fixer huffed lightly. “The aliit’alor would probably love to have Wrecker, honestly. I wouldn’t worry about Omega. Clan Vau is especially keen on children. They’d probably do anything for her regardless if she joined the clan or not.”
That made Hunter laugh. “I feel like she should meet them for that reason alone. Eventually Omega will charm enough people she’ll be the most powerful being in the galaxy.” A thought suddenly hit him. “Though if we do go, she’ll probably ask if she can have a strill and I don’t know if we can handle that.”
“You say that like you’re already expecting to not be able to tell her no.”
“I’ve been around her enough to know when she’s got me beat.” Then he asked challengingly, “Do you think you could?”
Fixer made a show of grimacing. “I suppose one of us should be able to.” He hesitated before asking, “Do you think it’ll be alright if I say the adoption vow for her?”
Hunter blinked. “Of course. She already considers you her buir.”
“Saying something for real is different from saying something in jest.”
He reached out to jab a finger into Fixer’s shoulder. “She was not jesting about it. Honestly I’m pretty sure she just assumed you’d be her parent after marrying me.”
“Why would she assume that? You might be her parent but you don’t own her. Your relationships don’t automatically become hers.”
There was something about that thought, the knowledge that Fixer considered Hunter and Omega two separate identities to such a point that he’d allow Omega to reject him as a parent despite being Hunter’s husband that made Hunter’s heart swell. He took a breath and said, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verd.”
The suddenness of the vow had Fixer’s eyes widened just a fraction. He wet his lips, a quick swipe with the tip of his tongue, opened his mouth and said-
“Verde.”
It took a moment for Hunter to realize what he said. “What?”
“It’s verde, not verd.”
Another moment and then Hunter was trying to stifle his laughter into a palm. When he looked up Fixer’s bewildered expression nearly undid him.
“What? What is it?”
Hunter just shook his head, moving to press a kiss and his snickering to Fixer’s temple. “Don’t worry about it. Next time,” he promised. “You know, I should make Omega’s adoption official for me, too. Tell me the vow?”
—
Finally Tech had decided to knuckle down and set a date to begin reconstructive surgery. Hunter had had an inkling that the reason he’d been dragging his proverbial feet had more to do with anxiety and self-perception rather than wanting to make sure he had the most up-to-date tech. It had taken some time but, between Fi, Corr and Etain sharing their own struggles with their respective disabilities, they’d slowly managed to coax him through those issues.
There was still some trepidation, however, and Tech wanted to have Fixer there to oversee the surgeries on his behalf. Which meant Fixer would be staying on Pabu for a couple months- his longest stay by far -but also meant he’d have to spend just as much time ensuring his work with the Rebels was in order, that there were people trained up to cover his duties, information sorted and disseminated to the appropriate people and a dozen other things. That didn’t even include all the time and work that would go into getting the parts needed for Tech’s surgeries.
Which meant Fixer would be leaving by the end of the week.
Ever since the not-quite-marriage, Hunter would admit to being a little more… touchy than usual. ‘Cuddly’, Omega would say but she wasn’t there and Hunter refused to call himself that. That didn’t change the fact he kept wanting to grab Fixer’s hand, lean against him, wrap his arms around Fixer’s waist and bury his face against his neck. Hunter had been doing his best to reign those impulses in but ever since he found out how long it would likely be until he’d see Fixer again those impulses became a compulsion. Luckily Fixer tolerated Hunter’s sudden need to touch him whenever they were together- or perhaps he felt that same need. It made it all the more clear in Hunter’s mind, however, that he’d have to properly marrying Fixer before he left.
They sat together on the couch, Hunter crosswise, reading up on Crosshair, Echo and Rex’s latest news with his feet on Fixer’s lap. Fixer had a datapad on the arm of the couch, making notes with a stylus while his other hand rested on Hunter’s ankle, rubbing absent circles just above the ankle. The last paragraph, clearly written by Echo in an attempt to broach the topic diplomatically, had Hunter dropping his head back with a groan.
“What is it?” Fixer asked, not looking up from his work.
“They ran into one of the Nulls recently who, of course, had to tell them about the marriage vow. With some embellishments, apparently.”
Fixer paused to raise an eyebrow at Hunter. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not. Just a melodramatic troll saying melodramatic troll things.” That got a snort out of Fixer, attention turning back to the datapad though he gave Hunter’s ankle a squeeze. “I’ll tell ‘em the actual story.” Hunter paused, then nudged Fixer’s stomach with a toe. “I gotta ask: why did everyone else in your family seem to know you planned to marry me but I didn’t?”
Something that wasn’t quite a grimace crossed Fixer’s expression, a little bit more exasperated and resigned. “I just forgot.”
That made Hunter snort. “You forgot to tell me.”
“No, I forgot that you’re not like my brothers.” He ran a hand through his hair, half turning to Hunter so he could more easily look him in the eyes. “Sometimes I forget that you don’t know me as well as they do and that I actually have to tell you things. And not just you. I’m so used to my brothers always seeming to know what’s on my mind that it’s hard to remember I have to talk to people.”
It was clear from the look on his face exactly how Fixer felt about that and Hunter couldn’t help chuckling at it. He was certainly familiar with the other side of it: usually having to be the one to communicate what was going through Crosshair’s head when he was being especially taciturn or clarifying for Wrecker when he couldn’t unjumble his words or Tech couldn’t simplify his. Given how little Hunter himself liked having to talk to most people more than was necessary it was exhausting.
Then Fixer asked, sounding somewhat ashamed, “Are you mad?”
The question threw Hunter for a loop. “Mad? That you didn’t tell me or that I was the last to know?” At Fixer’s shrug, Hunter pulled his legs in, shifting around until he was right next to the other commando, one leg tucked beneath him and an arm across the back of the couch, hand resting lightly at the base of Fixer’s neck. “I was a little annoyed at the time just because everyone seemed to know something that I didn’t. But I know you wouldn’t do something like that maliciously. So no, I’m not mad about it. Wish I’d been more prepared but we’re working on that.” Besides, he knew Fixer was trying to get better about talking, had gotten better.
Fixer’s lips twisted into a smirk that was more the idea of one rather than actually present. “True enough.”
With his fingers brushing through the short hairs at Fixer’s neck, Hunter said the vow again, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome,” Fixer shifted, turning to rest his head against Hunter’s arm, his eyes dark and fathomless, his lips and soft breath brushing the sensitive skin of the inside of Hunter’s wrist; Hunter stumbled over his words “m-mhi me’din… me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
He knew, the moment the words left his mouth, that Fixer didn’t recognize what he was trying to do and, sure enough, Fixer gently corrected Hunter’s pronunciation. Then, when he was satisfied, Fixer shifted on the couch, laying across it and pulling Hunter down to lay with him. Wedged in the space between the couch and Fixer, with Fixer’s arms loosely around him to continue his work, Hunter couldn’t bring himself to mind.
—
NothinFiner: boss wants to know if youve made an honest man of his brother yet
NothinFiner: please say yes so he stops bugging me
HeadHunter: Still correcting me when i don’t say it perfectly
HeadHunter: it’s honestly hilarious and kinda cute
HeadHunter: probably shouldn’t be doin this when he’s so busy but I kinda wanna see how long it takes him to figure out I’m tryin to marry him
HeadHunter: but he’ll be leaving soon so I should probably just tell him
MoreThanLaseems: how r boys such a mess?
HeadHunter: You say taht like Mandos regularly mess up marriage vows
MoreThanLaseems: well . . .
NothinFiner: i mean
HeadHunter: Seriously?
HeadHunter: now i get why engagements are a thing
NothinFiner: i wouldn’t worry too much about it hell catch on soon enough
NothinFiner: speaking from experience
MoreThanLaseems: ???
MoreThanLaseems: Idk this story??
NothinFiner: it was after the rebels suffered a hard loss. boss came back to recuperate. spent most of the night coming up with plans to regroup before completely crashing out on our bed
NothinFiner: next day he comes into the kitchen looking like reheated osik and shambles forward until he could put his head on my shoulder
NothinFiner: and i dunno something about how he looked at that moment and how much i missed him and i was suddenly hit with every memory of why i loved him all at once
NothinFiner: i just sorta… said it
HeadHunter: And?
MoreThanLaseems: AND???
NothinFiner: the bastard grunted stole the caf from my hands and went back to bed
NothinFiner: when I came home later boss was half convinced hed dreamed it all up
NothinFiner: so we talked it over and then got married after
MoreThanLaseems: ya’ll ridiculous. If you talked about it beforehand you wouldn’t HAVE to do it more than once
HeadHunter: And how d id Perfect Husband marry you?
NothinFiner: she cant judge she got married over text
MoreThanLaseems: Then we said it properly when he got back!
HeadHunter: Oh so you DID do it more than once
NothinFiner: ::highfive::
MoreThanLaseems: At least WE knew what we were doing both times!
NothinFiner: so how’d you flub it this time?
HeadHunter: Rude
HeadHunter: I mean true bu t rude
MoreThanLaseems: so? Spill
HeadHunter: Wasn’t entirely my fault this time
HeadHunter: I said it to him and he got interrupted by a call before he could say anything back and I was aksed to help at the docks
HeadHunter: Then I get a message on my comm and it’s Fixer correcting my pronunciation adn complimenting how much better I got
MoreThanLaseems: omg
MoreThanLaseems: that’s so Fixer
NothinFiner: youve got your work cut out with that one
NothinFiner: boss says to just sit on him and keep saying it until it gets through his thick skull
HeadHunter: tell Boss I don’t need his input on my love life
MoreThanLaseems: idk you could probably use all the help you can get
HeadHunter: I got this
MoreThanLaseems: uh huh
NothinFiner: proof or it didnt happen
—
“You sure you want me to record this?” Omega asked with obvious dubiousness.
“Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure.” It was mostly to get unbelievers off his back but one of the things that had struck Hunter when Shep talked about his own wedding was how obviously he treasured the holos from the day and the memories they brought up. As happy as Hunter would’ve been if any of their previous attempts at marriage vows had stuck the moment was so quick, the vow a momentary break from what would otherwise be a normal day, that Hunter wanted something a little more tangible to document it.
But still: mostly to get people off his back about how long it was taking.
So Omega followed behind Hunter, recording him as he went into the main room where Fixer was sitting, surrounded by half a dozen tablets and pads in preparation to leave. Hunter took a seat next to him at the table and the only acknowledgment Fixer gave him was a slight shift, body angling a little more toward Hunter.
“Fixer?”
His head inclined just slightly though his attention didn’t move from the datapad currently in his hand. “Hm?”
“You got a moment?”
“Hm.”
“Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
He nodded absently. “Sounded good. Very confidant.” When it became apparent that that was all Fixer was going to say Hunter turned to give Omega- and the recorder -a look that made her snort loud enough to draw Fixer’s attention. He looked at their faces and realized he’d missed something. “What?”
Hunter turned back, chin propped in his hand and said in a tone equal parts teasing and exasperated, “Fis’ika, do you even know what I said to you?”
“Of course. You said the riduurok.” Fixer blinked, realization suddenly dawning on him. “Oh.”
“Uh-huh.”
“How long have you been trying…”
“To marry you? Nearly a week now.”
Fixer flushed the brightest red Hunter had ever seen him by far. “I didn’t- I thought you were still practicing.”
“Oh, so you didn’t change your mind?” At Fixer’s almost hurt look, Hunter relented and reached a hand across the table. Fixer took it without seeming to think about it. “I’m kidding, I know you’ve been busy. I would’ve waited but I was ready to marry you when I found out what you said. And also your family’s been bugging me through Niner and Laseema to know when we finally made it official. Hence the recording.”
Fixer looked over to Omega- who gave a cheeky wave -and huffed. “Fine. If they need proof.” He moved his chair so he was facing Hunter, their knees nearly touching. He cupped a hand behind Hunter’s head, drawing him in closer. “You ready?” He asked with a dry smile.
Hunter’s heartbeat picked up and he could feel his expression turn bright and eager. “Absolutely.”
Fixer closed the space between them, resting forehead to forehead. There was so much open affection and utter devotion in Fixer’s eyes and when he spoke his voice was soft, meant just for the two of them and Hunter wanted to feel the shape of each word as it came off his lips. “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”
A shiver ran the length of Hunter’s back and it took him a moment to remember he needed to say it back. “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” Even though he’d meant it every other time he’d said it, somehow the words felt more real that time. Like he was truly stamping each one into his heart, like the vow had somehow bound itself to his blood. “I love you.” He caught just a glimpse of Fixer’s smile before he adjusted the angle just enough to kiss him, letting it say all the things he couldn’t. Hunter sighed against his mouth, hand coming up without conscious thought to wrap around the arm Fixer had around him.
Hunter eventually became aware of a very faint, high pitched noise and when he looked over to its source, Omega was biting her lip against a huge grin and trying to keep the recorder steady as she bounced on her toes. He rolled his eyes and held out a hand toward her. “Alright, c’mere before you explode.”
She charged over, throwing herself at Hunter and Fixer grabbed at her arm so he could take the recorder from her. He sat it down on the table next to them though Hunter noticed he took the time to ensure it was still capturing all three of them. Omega slid her arm through his grip until she could squeeze Fixer’s fingers into the palm of her hand. “I’m so happy for you! Now we’re a real, official family!”
“Not yet,” Fixer said, tugging on Omega’s hand and turning her to face him. “We’re not a complete family yet. Ni kyr’tayl gai sa’ad, Omega. I know your name as my child.”
Her jaw dropped, eyes going wide. “Wait- was that- that’s the adoption vow, isn’t it?”
“Yes. You’re legally my ad if you want to be.”
Her jaw clicked shut, expression a little wobbly, a little dewy as she nodded her head. Hunter placed a gentle hand to her hair and when Omega looked at him, he repeated the adoption vow. “Ni kyr’tayl gai sa’ad, Omega.”
Those were definitely tears and Omega threw her arms around both of their necks, drawing them in so she could press her face against their shoulders and sob. Hunter kissed her hair and said, “Love ya, kid.”
She could barely choked out a broken, “I love you, too. Both of you.”
Fixer put a hand to her back where Hunter's hand held her tight, hooking his thumb over a couple of Hunter's fingers. Firm and gentle, wanting the both of them close to him without keeping them there. He turned his face into Omega's hair and caught Hunter's eye, admitting in a quiet, almost shy voice, "Me, too."