Sleepy,, and feeling awful for the pain of Project Failsafe. So.... fix it fic. Kinda.
One would assume, that once Echo had adjusted to his new group, he would have eased back into his usual, happy-to-instigate role he held with his brothers before.
Which he did. He certainly did enjoy watching Hunter shriek and kick about in a temper as Wrecker giggled over something silly Echo had suggested he do. Most of these pranks involved stashing Hunter's things high up, just out of reach. Well, out of the sergeants reach.
He still found tears of laughter raising when he remembers the time Tech had managed to find a way to sneak pink dye into Crosshair's shampoo. Echo hopes he won't ever forget the absolute peels of laughter his youngest brother fell into that day, all snorts and wheezes.
Yes, yes, Echo was still a childish prankster at heart. There was no denying it.
Yet now, amongst the rubble of what was, he found himself taking on a new role. One he hadn't thought he'd ever sink to.
Oh, if Fives could see him now. Echo would never live it down.
It was late, it was time to sleep. Crosshair was doing his rounds, making his bed meticulously, throwing Wrecker's disgusting socks away from him. Echo watched him gag and hiss insults as he finally, firmly pressed his sheets clean. All good there, just slight frustration.
Wrecker was already snuggled into bed, clutching his Lula tight, squeezing her close as he tucked himself into bed. Echo knew some days, Wrecker was known to demand Hunter do this part for him. Today he seemed content- or maybe just tired enough, to do it himself. Either way, he was already yawning.
Echo heard the fresher door shut and sighed in relief. Hunter must finally be relaxed enough to shower, or at least pretend to. Hunter's undivided attention to his duty and brothers caused for some.. clashing scheduling with his personal catering. It resulted in him carrying the stench of their barracks wherever they went, and Echo couldn't begin to express his joy at their sergeant finding the time to clean after so long.
That joy was for himself and Hunter. Maker, it was getting bad.
Echo's eyes fell to the youngest. Not awake, but very much not asleep. Bent over another mindless project, as per the norm, but lightly dozing now. Another tendency that warmed the old soldiers heart. Echo found himself gliding over, easing Tech to his unsteady feet. Echo walked his brother to bed, freeing him from his armour before tucking him into bed. The youngest was out like a light, snoring contently to the soft lull of Echo's hum.
With everything as it should be, Wrecker's snores beginning to fill the space, Crosshair comfortably turned away, mask covering his sensitive eyes, Tech finally sleeping soundly, and the sounds of someone actually showering close by, Echo sank into his own hammock, sighing contently.
Echo heard the sergeant pittering through their barracks not long after, the smell of lavender shampoo and aftershave filling the room. Hunter moved through the dark easily, checking on each brother individually. Echo heard his satisfied hum as he clambered into his own bed.
Echo shut his eyes, but felt another dip in his hammock. Confused, he cracked one dry open to look.
His youngest brother, eyes still shut, hair ruffled from sleep, and one of Crosshair's blacks covering him, had shuffled until his head rested on Echo's cold chest, and he was out as quick as he had woken.
Echo hesitated. "Vodiʻka?" He whispered into the dark. No response, just the happy, sleepy yawn from Tech as he huddled closer, happy to be addressed.
Echo sighed, rubbing the youngest's back until he heard someone else shuffling closer. "What?" He asked into the dark, hearing the silence now that Wrecker has stopped snoring.
The brawler didn't answer for a second. "Can we sleep with you tonight too?" He asked after a moment. "Lula 'n I are kinda cold."
Well, that was the biggest lie Echo had ever heard. But still, he nodded with a yawn. "If you can get me and Tech to your bunk, sure thing."
Echo needn't have bothered challenging him, and felt them both comfortably moving in moments, tucked away into Wrecker's larger bunk as the brawler curled up closely beside them. Tech didn't wake, only gripping Echo's shirt tighter as he settled.
Wow, their mechanic must be absolutely wrecked to not have stirred once. Echo made a mental note to try find an excuse to nap more.
"Can you hum?" Wrecker whispered suddenly. "I like it when you do that."
Echo blinked tiredly, and started humming. Some old tune, an old memory of his ori'vod singing it when he, Fives, and Heavy couldn't sleep. It was the only small comfort he had kept. It still did the trick- and like magic, Wrecker was out again, Lula clung close as he fell asleep.
Echo figured that was the end of it, until another presence joined them, climbing over them so sneakily, Echo almost missed it.
"Cross-?" He asked, only for the sniper to shush Echo. Crosshair slipped into the space between Tech and the wall, worming his way under Echo's arm for good measure. Now, Tech did stir, a confused groan leaving him, only for his twin to run a hand through his hair, a comforting gesture. He was out again, a mumbled string of nonsense leaving him.
Echo startled when Crosshair's reflective eyes slipped shut, and the sniper fell into an easy sleep. Under the watchful eye of Echo. The trust brought tears to the ARC troopers eyes.
With the three younger siblings sleeping soundly, Echo expected the sergeant to join. Which he did, curled up just underneath Wrecker and Lula, covering everyone, ever the protector.
"G'night, Echo," Hunter had whispered. "Th'nks for watchin' 'em."
Echo's heart warmed. He may have been happy to return to being as carefree as he was before, but he also knew better. He had known from the moment he met these kids, that there was seldom he would not do for them.
Rex would never believe just how much of an older brother Echo had become. The lengths he would go to, in the name of being able to come back here each night, to hold his brothers close, warm as they deserved to be.
Echo kept watch all night, happy to be their eyes for the night.
Older brother Echo has my HEART.
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