Chapter Text
’Belonging to a kindred, a group of people, even a loving couple is something everyone needs, most of the time. A family of sorts for one and all.’
Gregor was in the mess finishing off a late meal when Ola joined him at the table.
“I thought I might find you here.”
“Oh, am I that obvious?” Gregor chuckled for the comment. The two of them having become… somewhat close lately.
“Well, not really. But it was already late and I know the mission ran longer than excepted.” Ola would have been lying if he had said he had not been worried. Staring at the chrono when the mission parameters had been exceeded and there was no word of the team being on their way back.
“It did. But we got what we were looking for in the end.” Gregor sounded solemn for a change, but it had been touch and go for a moment there. Luckily, no casualties on their side though. With no small thanks to himself and Echo.
“I heard.” Ola’s register was low too. “Do you wish to talk about it?”
“Not now.” Gregor really did not.
Ola seemed to think about it for a moment. The two having become fast friends and well, perhaps something more? The lingering glances and soft touches exchanged between them with nothing having gone further though. So far.
“Then, perhaps you would like to join me for a drink? In my quarters?” It sounded innocent enough, Ola knowing Gregor needed something stronger than the juicy drink they served in the canteen if he was about to open up about what was troubling him still.
Gregor looked up from his food not really having an appetite at the moment either. Having pushed the food around the plate for the longest while before Ola arrived. “So, you’re offering me a drink? To drown my sorrows in?” Gregor was probing for a bit, not that he minded the drink but he knew he wanted more too. From Ola. And talking wasn’t part of it. Not tonight anyway. The happenings still to raw and guess what Gregor really wanted was to forget it all, preferably in the arms of someone special.
Ola looked at Gregor, their eyes locked. Reading the other man before reaching out with his hand, finding Gregor’s cheek and placing his palm there ever so gently.
“I am. But there is more if you want it.” The offer clear enough spoken aloud.
Gregor stared at Ola for a moment longer before his eyes closed. Leaning into the touch. Then after a moment turning his head, kissing the hand there.
“I do. Want the more.”
A soft smile emerged on Ola’s lips. Getting up he offered his other hand for Gregor to take. The clone commando accepting it tenderly, letting Ola guide him towards their future.
*
Echo and Rex were laying languidly in each others arms in their shared quarters on their bed. The two of them having spent some time with each other after so many back to back missions. Finally getting some time off and spending it behind locked doors, closed comms, naked and taking care of each other in the best possible ways.
The latest mission of Echo’s and Gregor’s having been a particularly tough one and so wanting to take their minds of it all, Rex and Echo were kissing each other without any hurry to move further. Not yet anyway. Wanting only to forget the outside world, the galaxy for a spell.
“So, fun party huh?”
Rex was still thinking to the cheerful time they had all had, mostly the cadets and Xavier but still, all of them. Their major success story for sure having been able to turn the would be assassin, the imperial creation, something of a bastardised version of their kin into a whole new person. Someone with a future and with a loving family no less.
“It was. I am so glad we managed to give those kids something great for a change.” Echo agreed, not that they weren’t happy now that they were saved. But still, fun was still not something they did on daily bases. Partying rather. It was mostly serious stuff, planning and going on rescue missions, training cadets and taking care of each other.
“After our last mission together it sure was. I know Gregor was pretty down in the dumpsters.”
Rex had read the mission brief of course. Having heard the verbal version of it too from both of them. But seeing as Gregor of all people being so heartbroken had been taken Rex aback from seeing his friend in such a state. Rex realising then it had been really, really bad. Thankfully, the end results had paid off. In the end.
“Well, he has someone there for him now.” Echo already being rater privy to the goings on of Gregor and Ola. The two of them running missions together more often than they did with Rex, Rex being the leader and so being needed on the new base of theirs more these days than out on missions.
“Oh?” Rex had some inkling of what was going on with his friend, but the latest news had somehow eluded him. Or had they?
“Yeah.” Echo chuckled. “Doctor Dash.”
Rex still felt surprised even if he had seen the clear development there happening between the two men.
“Well, that is great for them both!” Rex was happy for Gregor. And the Doctor. They both deserved someone who cared for them. And so now, they apparently were together.
“It is.” Echo drew Rex in for another kiss. “But now, my dear Captain, I would prefer less chat about the others and more kissing the Echo here.” Echo chuckled softly before his lips met Rex’s.
Rex gladly obliged. Devouring his partner’s lips for a hungry kiss. Clearly, slow was off the table from now on. And Rex wasn’t the one to complain.
*
“So, guess it’s official now.” Cade stated after their party was over and X had become Xavier. “You are Xavier and well, guess our Kid.” Cade laughed. Not that it was a laughing matter, but yeah, they had totally adopted Xavier to their little family unit. “Indeed!” Slip chimed in seeing how happy Xavier had been and still was about it all.
As it was, someone had brought the family situation up after the name reveal at the party and guess I had made it official in a sense.
The three had finally gotten larger quarters as Xavier had become a permanent fixture in their living armaments as well.
The three of them now together, dressed in their pyjamas ready for the night. With Xavier in the middle, the cuddle pile having become perfect for the three of them.
“So, you want me to call you dads then?” Xavier joked, having learnt some bad manners from Gregor for sure. Namely some bad joking.
“I really don’t think so!” Cade objected.
“Yeah, that would make me feel so… old!” Slip quipped. But somewhere deep down guess he really did not mind if the Kid wanted to call him that?
“It sounded kinda lame, right.” Xavier had though so too. They still preferred to think them as his, well adopted family than being something specified, something labeled. But dad sounded like something to be used on occasion maybe? When referring to the two.
“Good. I am glad… son.” Cade just had to. The three of the laughing at the joke together.
“Thanks, dad!” Xavier chimed grinning at Cade.
“Now, it’s been a long day and so, I would like to get some sleep.” Slip declared knowing this poor choice of jokes would soon get off hand if he did not put his foot down.
“Sounds good sweetheart.”
Cade kissed him softly and giving a peck on Xavier’s cheek. Slip following his partner’s example, while the three of them cuddled tightly, falling into a loving and cared arms of his family for sleep. Their small family having become complete.