a/n -This chapter is brought to you by chaotic writing, enjoy!-

-Ryki's Hut, Ord Mantel, Bright Jewel System- 

Hunter watched carefully at the sight of Wrecker and the girls giggling. Ryki and Omega were seated on Wrecker's shoulders as the group explored the small forest near Ryki's home. The young clone was ecstatic and giddily pointing around the forest at every new thing she came across, tapping away on Wrecker's shoulder when she wanted him to stop. Tech would be there to explain every single detail about some flora or fauna while Ryki would just lean on Wrecker's head and admire Omega's curiosity. All in all, the scene was most endearing to the sergeant. 

"Nice change from all the running" Echo joined Hunter's pace. 

"It's a good break, for all of us." He agreed with his brother but his eyes were drawn to a particular woman. Hunter noticed how her green skin easily blended in with the forest, how Ryki looked so at home. And her laugh... don't get Hunter started on it because he caught himself breaking into a laugh whenever Ryki did. Not to mention how calming of a presence she has on the group. Echo on the other hand caught on to what was happening and bit back a smirk. 

"HUNTER!"

The sergeant snapped back to reality. Echo waved his good hand in front of his brother's eyes. "W-what is it?" His stammering making Echo chuckle quietly, "I asked about what suddenly caught your attention." Hunter winced and tried not to show it, "Uh, n-nothing. Just, the forest is very pretty." Echo narrowed his eyes, "What, the forest on Ryki's face?", he teased.

Hunter flusteredly looked at Echo, fighting a rising tint of pink that threatened to stain his face. Hunter tried to quietly deny the fact, though it was a little too late since Echo had already caught on, "Look, you like her and find her attractive. Nothing out of the ordinary there." Hunter sighed, "I don't see how anything can happen between us." Echo's previous smile grew into a grin, "I knew it!" 

"Hey, don't start to blab about it okay. I don't need Tech to lecture me about hormones and Wrecker to find out, or worse I don't need Ryki finding out yet." Echo raised his hand in mock surrender, "Okay okay. Tech and Wrecker I get, but what is so bad if Ryki knows. She clearly has the hots for you too." Hunter gasped and shushed Echo, "She wha- Look it doesn't matter." Echo scoffed, "Plus, why should she like me anyways. We've known each other for six months." 

"I would not call worrying about each other, late-night endearing talks and soft touches 'nothing'." Echo stubbornly folded his arms. Hunter was about to retaliate, then again Echo did make sense. The former arc trooper chuckled and patted Hunter on the shoulder, "Just admit it." The sergeant grumbled "Fine..."

Wrecker ceremoniously led the girls to the decorated garden that had been filled with the warm air from the bonfire Echo created. Omega and the mirialan herself sat in the garden's centre, laying happily on a hammock as the boys busied themselves to prepare dinner instead of having Ryki handle it this time. 

"So, you think they can make dinner just as good as yours?" Omega giggled watching the four brothers fussing over what herbs they should use to marinade the fish they caught. Ryki giggled quietly, "I think they'll manage, especially since Tech always helps me with the food." 

Omega sighed and leaned to Ryki's side, snuggling under a blanket. As they settled in, Ryki's eyes drifted to a certain clone with long hair. Smiling to herself, she allowed her eyes to take in the sharp features of the sergeant. Like a lovesick teenager, she wondered how his hair would feel in the palms of her hands or the feeling of his gorgeous jawline. Ryki also found it amusing as to why Hunter was always so adamant about wearing the red bandana. It made the simple piece of cloth all the more iconic and unique about Hunter. The woman could not help but wonder how Hunter would look without the bandana. 

(Okay, okay, the author is fangirling over Hunter cause kriffing hells they had to make pixels drop-dead gorgeous, like WHY?) - HANDSOME PIXELS = BAD BATCH

In her wondering, Omega had been keeping a close eye on the mirialan's sight. Her eyes constantly flitted back and forth from Ryki, to Hunter, and back to Ryki, then- oh... she saw what was going on. A poke distracted Ryki from her incessant romantic stare, "Someones in love..." 

Ryki looked down to the clone who was already struggling to hold in a sequel. Omega gestured with her eyes towards Hunter, Ryki glowed red. Just as Omega was about to let out a squeal, Ryki quickly plastered her hands on Omega's mouth, "Shushh 'Mega." 

Omega chortled, "Oh my goodness... You really do!" She pushed Ryki's hands away. "I was just teasing but I didn't... oouuuuuu-" Ryki squirmed under Omega's sudden intense awe, "What are you 'ooing' about? Do not 'oouu'" Laughter consumed Omega, she covered her mouth with her hands, "Do you..... love him?" she whispered excitedly. 

"'MEGA!" Ryki tried to quiet down the young girl.

"You do YOU DO!" 

"N-no" 

Omega shook her head and 'tsk-ed', she pointed over to Hunter (I don't know how to describe that to 'tsk-ing' it will be) , "Denying the truth doesn't change the facts"

Ryki shot an amused glare, "Where did you get that?"

Omega shrugged, "Some on the holo said it." Ryki bewilderedly gawked. Omega shuffled closer into Ryki's arms, "So, do you like him or not?". Ryki sighed, knowing the young girl would not let go of the topic, "It's complicated 'Mega." Omega tugged on Ryki's sleeves giving her a confused look. "I do like him..." 

Omega squinted, "You like, like -like Hunter?" 

"I like, LIKE like... him? Dang it Omega this is confusing, I like it so we shall leave it there for now." Omega accepted the temporary answer but decided to push her friend a little further, "You like, love him?" 

Rolling her eyes exasperatedly, Ryki gave Omega a warning but playfully look, "We're gonna drop that topic for a while so they," she pointed to the boys, ", don't find out yet. Maker knows what would happen if Tech found out." 

Omega thought for a while then giggled, "Maybe tell you facts about liking someone" Ryki laughed in agreement. A crash disturbed the girly moment, Omega asked if her brother's needed help with anything. 

"NO no! Everything is TOTALLY FINE!" Hunter shouted back.

Ryki and Omega winced and watched with pursed lips as the boys tried to restart a dying bonfire with an explosive. "They are going to kill themselves aren't they?" Omega asked tiredly. 

Ryki scoffed, "Don't look at me, they are your brothers.."

---

Ten minutes later, the Bad Batch managed to whip up some stew, thanks to Ryki's help by saving them from accidentally exploding dinner. Ord Mantel's sky had darkened significantly so now the billions of shining diamond like entities in the sky were shining down upon them. When Ryki ran off into her hut to get some blankets, Omega dragged all her brother's except for Hunter and whispers erupted among them. 

"What are you guys giggling about?" Hunter appeared behind them out of nowhere. Wrecker was on the verge of speaking when Tech cut him off, "Nothing of extreme importance." Tech yanked on Wrecker's arm and pulled him away, Echo followed suit leaving Omega to Hunter's company. "So, what was that all about?" Ryki emerged with a heap of blankets. Hunter reached out to take some when their hands brushed against one another. The two began to fumble and flush at the simple contact. "S-sorry.." Ryki tried to readjust the blanket heap while Hunter helped her but their heads somewhat managed to bump into each other, eliciting giggles from the two. 

"Here let me just-" 

"No, no-"

"I think, like this-" 

Ryki giggled, "Hunter, not like-" 

Ryki and Hunter unknowingly grew closer to each other as they wrestled over the blankets, Omega was staring starry-eyed, "Amazing...." Hunter and Ryki slowly turned and met Omega's puppy eyes, suddenly growing nervous. Hunter cleared his throat and grabbed some blankets and hurried away. Ryki sighed as she blushed, "Not a word" She told Omega before walking in the opposite direction. Just behind the previous scene, sat Tech, Wrecker and Echo. Tech gave Omega an 'okay' sign and pointed to his holo cam. 'We recorded it' Wrecker mouthed.

Giddily the girl squealed as the skin beside her eyes crinkled from smiling so hard. She watched as Hunter and Ryki continued to be so oblivious to the small spark that they shared. Omega especially loved seeing Hunter happy because he deserved to be happy, so, she secretly hoped that her two favourite people would get together soon. 

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-Sorry if this chapter was very dry. I just didn't know what to do lol. I'm starting my online classes again so updates are going to be slowww, but not to slow. Anyways, have a good day and well get back to the main story line soon : > adanna-

a playlist to feel like a 19th century villain who won the game

https://youtu.be/XCBwOgTYFAI

-im so weird, I write fanfiction while listening to a playlist of classical music that makes me feel like a villain but I'm writing about happy stuff..... just....