Chapter Text
The soft hum of the ocean breeze rustled through the trees on Pabu, carrying with it the gentle sounds of the tranquil village. Omega had spent the day exploring the island with Mox, Deke, and Stak, loving every moment of the peace it provided. After months of running, fighting, and living on edge, the serenity of Pabu felt like a dream. She smiled as she wandered toward their small home on the outskirts of the village, moments after bidding her farewells to her friends. She heard the familiar deep voices of her brothers inside.
As she approached, Omega caught the sound of Wrecker’s voice. His usual boisterous tone was softer, almost vulnerable, and she instinctively slowed her steps. There was something different in the way he was talking, and she didn’t want to interrupt. Curiosity piqued, she stopped just before the doorway, out of sight but within earshot.
“I had the same nightmare again,” Wrecker was saying, his voice low. He seemed to be speaking to Hunter and Crosshair. “She… she was gone. We were searching everywhere, but we couldn’t find her. I kept thinking she was calling for me, and I couldn’t reach her.” His voice cracked, a rare break in his normally unshakable demeanor. “It felt so real.”
Omega’s heart clenched.
Hunter’s calm voice followed, soothing and steady. “I get it, Wrecker. I have those dreams too; you’re not the only one. Ever since she got captured, I’ve had nightmares about losing her.” There was a pause before he added, quietly. “I wake up in a panic sometimes, thinking something’s happened. But she’s strong. You know that.”
Wrecker let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I know. But it still scares me.”
Hunter nodded. “We’ll always protect her, no matter what.”
Omega stood frozen, her heart swelling at the words. They had been through so much together, and despite everything, they still worried about her safety.
After a moment, Omega decided to make her presence known. She stepped into the doorway, plastering a bright smile on her face, pretending she hadn’t just heard the conversation between her brothers. “Hey! What are you guys up to?”
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Wrecker sat up straight, his usual grin back in place, though his eyes still held a hint of that vulnerability. “Omega! We were just… uh, talking about dinner! Yeah, dinner. I miss my shrimp tacos.”
Hunter turned toward her with a smile that was warm and reassuring. “How was your day, Omega? Did you find anything interesting on the beach?”
She glanced between them, noting how quickly they masked their earlier emotions, and for a moment, she considered saying something. But she decided against it. Instead, she smiled and said, “Yeah! I found a perfect spot for fishing tomorrow. Even better than Wrecker’s spot last week. You guys should come!”
Wrecker’s grin widened, his earlier concern forgotten in the moment. “Fishing? Count me in, yeah! I bet I can catch something bigger than you!” He boomed loudly.
Hunter chuckled, reaching down to ruffle Omega’s hair as she scurried past him. “We’ll see about that!” The young girl challenged the gentle giant.
Omega joined them, sitting between Wrecker and Hunter in the kitchen, feeling the warmth of their presence. Despite the lighthearted banter, she couldn’t shake the feeling of gratitude for her brothers. They had been through so much, and even though they tried to hide their fears from her, she knew they cared deeply.
As the evening settled in and the soft glow of the setting sun bathed the home in golden light, Omega looked around at the faces of her family; her brothers.
As the golden hues of the sunset deepened, casting a soft glow through the home, Omega relaxed between her brothers on the couch, laughing at Wrecker’s playful boasting about his fishing skills. The warmth of the moment wrapped around her, but as the conversation drifted on, she absentmindedly raised a hand to her hair, fingers tangling in the knotted strands. She tugged a little too hard, wincing as the mess caught between her fingers.
Before she could react, Hunter gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her. His dark eyes softened as he looked at her, noticing how roughly she had been handling her hair. He didn’t say a word, just released her hand and stood up, leaving the room quietly.
Omega blinked in confusion, watching him disappear around the corner. Wrecker raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment, simply leaning back with a stretch, clearly content to let Hunter handle whatever was going on.
A moment later, Hunter returned, holding something in his hand. Omega’s eyes widened as she realized it was a hairbrush. He moved back to her side, holding it up with a small smile.
“Can I?” he asked, his voice calm and steady, as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
Omega hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Oh. Yeah, sure.”
Hunter sat behind her, shifting her hair gently over her shoulder. The brush moved through her blonde locks with a tenderness that surprised her. At first, there were tangles, and she winced a little as he carefully worked through them, but his touch was so patient, so deliberate, that soon she relaxed into it.
The rhythmic motion of the brush moving through her hair had a calming effect. The tension in her muscles began to melt away as Hunter continued, his movements slow and soothing. She leaned forward slightly, her eyelids growing heavier with each stroke.
Wrecker watched with a quiet smile, noticing how Omega was slowly drifting into a half-awake state. He caught Crosshair’s eye, who gave a faint smirk before turning his attention back to cleaning his rifle, pretending not to care but clearly watching the tender scene unfold.
Omega felt herself slipping into a daze, her head leaning to one side as the gentle brushing lulled her closer and closer to sleep. Hunter’s quiet presence behind her made her feel safe, grounded in the moment.
“I promise, kiddo.” Hunter said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re safe with us. You always will be.”
Omega didn’t respond; she didn’t need to. Her eyes fluttered closed, and in that peaceful space between waking and sleep, she felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. The nightmares, the battles, the chaos, they were all distant now. Here, in the quiet of Pabu, surrounded by her brothers, she was home.
And with the steady, gentle strokes of the brush, Omega let herself drift into the soft embrace of sleep.
The early morning sun painted the sky with soft pink and orange hues, casting a calm glow over Pabu. Omega stirred in her bed, feeling the warmth of the sunrise on her face, and quietly slipped out from under her covers.
She glanced at her brothers’ rooms from across the hall; Crosshair and Wrecker’s door was closed, meaning they were still sleeping. Hunter’s door is normally open, but Omega heard him snoring. After all they’d been through, they needed rest, and Omega didn’t want to disturb them.
She smiled to herself, the memory of Hunter brushing her hair still fresh in her mind. Feeling adventurous and eager to explore, she decided to head down to the beach. It wasn’t far, and she’d be back before her brothers even woke up. Besides, Pabu was safe now. Hunter promised it. No need to wake them.
She grabbed her seashell bag and quietly tiptoed out of their small home, gently closing the door behind her. The morning was beautiful, and the sound of the waves calling from the beach made her grin. The beach was her favorite place on the planet.
As she walked along the shore, her boots sinking into the soft sand, Omega took in the peaceful scene. The whole world felt calm and perfect in this moment. She waded ankle-deep into the cool water, laughing softly as it splashed around her legs.
Back at the cabin, Hunter’s instincts kicked in before he even opened his eyes. Something felt… off. He blinked awake, his senses immediately scanning the room. Pushing the intruding thought away, he got up for the day.
He pushed himself out of bed, before traveling down the hall to make breakfast. As he passed Omega’s room, he turned to glance at her sleeping form. Instead, eyes landed on Omega’s empty bed, and his heart skipped a beat. He sat up, listening for any sound of her.
“Wrecker, Crosshair,” he called, his voice suddenly urgent. “Omega’s gone.”
Wrecker sat up instantly, his eyes wide in panic as he bolted from his bedroom. “What? Gone?! Where did she go?”
“I don’t know,” Hunter replied, already moving toward the front door. “I-I don’t hear her.”
Crosshair stood up, his face stoic but his eyes sharp with concern. “She wouldn’t just leave without saying something.”
Hunter’s heart raced as he moved quickly outside, scanning the area for any sign of her. His enhanced senses were on high alert, his mind racing with the possibilities—had someone taken her? Had she wandered too far? What if she was in danger?
“Omega!” Wrecker’s booming voice echoed across the clearing, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by sheer panic. “OMEGA!”
Hunter clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest. “She wouldn’t go far,” he muttered, more to himself than to his brothers. “She knows better…”
But despite his words, the familiar fear began to claw at him; the same fear he felt every time one of his nightmares took hold. Losing her was his worst fear, and now it felt like it was happening in real life - again. His stomach churned as he looked to Wrecker, who was already running toward the edge of the village, shouting her name. No, no, no. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. They were supposed to be safe. Nothing dangerous was supposed to happen on Pabu anymore.
Hunter wasn’t thinking clearly. His protective instincts were in overdrive, and all he could think about was finding Omega. His mind flashed with worst-case scenarios; what if someone had taken her while they were sleeping? What if she’d gotten lost?
Omega, blissfully unaware of the chaos back at the cabin, sat on a large rock near the shore, watching the waves crash softly against the beach. She had found some pretty shells along the way and was considering collecting more to show Wrecker later.
She lifted a particularly pretty shell to the sunlight, admiring the way it shimmered, when the unmistakable sound of hurried footsteps reached her ears. Turning her head, she saw Hunter sprinting down the path toward the shore.
“Omega!”
Something wasn’t right.
Omega stood quickly, the shell slipping from her fingers as she stepped down from the rocks. “Hunter?” she called out, her voice gentle but full of concern.
“Maker, where were you?! What were you doing?!” He asked in a panic, gripping her shoulders. His own shoulders were tight, and his usually sharp, clear eyes were clouded with fear. He looked around frantically, as if making sure nothing was lurking in the shadows, his breath coming faster and more erratic with every second.
Omega’s heart sank.
Without a word, she moved toward him, her small hand reaching out to touch his arm. “Hunter,” she said softly, her voice calm and steady, despite the fear she could see rising in him. “It’s okay. I’m right here. I’m okay.”
But he didn’t seem to hear her. His breaths were coming in quick, uneven bursts, his hands trembling as he stared at her, like he couldn’t quite believe she was standing in front of him. The raw fear in his eyes made Omega’s chest tighten, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to do.
Then instinct took over.
Omega gently placed her hands on his shoulders, guiding him to sit down on the nearest rock. She knelt in front of him, her hands moving to his, holding them firmly, before moving into his arms. They held each other in a gentle, yet grounding, hug.
“Hunter,” she repeated softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s okay. I’m here. I’m okay. Breathe with me.” She inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled, demonstrating the pace she wanted him to follow. “In… and out,” she said soothingly. “Nice and slow. Just like you have shown me so many times.”
Hunter’s eyes were still wild, his breaths still uneven, but he followed her lead. Slowly, painfully, he began to mimic her breathing, his chest rising and falling in time with hers. Omega never broke contact, her voice soft and full of love, like a daughter speaking to her father after a bad dream.
“That’s it,” she whispered. “I’m right here.”
As the seconds passed, his breathing began to even out, the tightness in his shoulders slowly loosening. The fear in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something more vulnerable. Omega could feel the tension leaving his body, though his grip on her hands remained tight.
“I thought…” Hunter finally whispered, his voice shaky, almost broken. “I thought I lost you… again.”
Omega’s heart ached at his words. She squeezed his hands gently, her eyes softening. “I’m so sorry, Hunter. I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t think-“
“No no, you didn’t do anything wrong, ad’ika.” He interrupted, his voice thick with emotion. He shook his head, pulling her closer as if reassuring himself that she was still there. “I just- when I woke up and you were gone… I couldn’t find you.” His voice cracked, and he closed his eyes, taking in a shuddering breath. “I thought someone had taken you. I just.. wasn’t thinking straight. I- I know Hemlock is gone.”
Omega’s throat tightened at the pain in his words.
She leaned forward, resting her head gently on his chest, her small arms wrapping around him. “I’m here.” She whispered, her voice filled with all the love she had for him. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Hunter’s arms encircled her tightly, pulling her close against him, as if he could protect her from everything in the galaxies by holding on. For a long moment, they stayed like that, the sound of the waves in the background, the warmth of the sun wrapping around them.
“I’m sorry,” Omega murmured, her voice muffled by his chest. “I should have told you where I was going. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Hunter let out a shaky sigh, his grip on her never loosening. “I just… I can’t lose you again, kid. I can’t.”
“And you won’t,” she promised softly, pulling back just enough to look up at him. “You won’t lose me. I’ll always come back to you. I promise.”
He looked down at her, his eyes still glassy but filled with love. He nodded slowly, releasing a breath he’d been holding for too long. “Okay,” he whispered. “Okay.”
Omega smiled gently, resting her hand on his cheek, the same way he often comforted her.
Hunter gave her a weak smile, his heart still pounding but steadying under her touch.
For the first time that morning, the fear ebbed away, leaving behind a quiet calm. Hunter’s panic had passed, and as he looked at Omega, he felt the overwhelming gratitude that she was there, safe and sound.
Without another word, he pulled her back into his arms, hugging her tightly once more. Omega closed her eyes, leaning into the embrace, feeling the love and protection he offered, knowing that no matter what happened, they would face it together.
“There she is!” Wrecker boomed from the shore, gazing down at the two, before comm-ing Crosshair that they found her. “What were you doing, kiddo?”
“I got more shells to show you!” Omega beamed.