Spoilers for Bad Batch s2e4

Tech x Reader

No use of y/n

Warnings/Rating: spoilers for s2e4, fluff

Word count: 1.4k

Summary: You worry about Tech's safety during the race, fluff and realisations ensue

----------

Tech stood towards the back of the hanger, giving the ship and his calculations one last look over. He was confident in his skills, despite the look on Cid’s face when he decided he would be the one to race.

He heard footsteps coming from behind him, instantly realising who they belonged to. “I’ve gone over the final calibrations, and everything seems to be in order.” He turned to see you coming to a stop a few feet from him, a grim look on your face. “You have no need to be concerned. I am fully confident in my abilities.”

“I know you are Tech, that doesn’t mean I don’t worry.”

He hummed in response. “Yes, your concern is very typical of your behaviour- “

“Tech.” You interrupted.

“What?”

“You will be careful, won’t you?” His eyebrows rose, as if surprised.

“As I have just said I am fully- “

“I know you are, but that’s not what I meant.”

You took a step closer to him. “I just,” you paused, “I worry about you. These people play dirty. All they care about is money.”

Tech sighed. Of course that would be your uneasiness would be about. As if he wasn’t also out to win this race.

“Cid is at stake here. As well as more credits that we can afford. I cannot just opt out.”

“I’m not saying you should. All I want you to understand, is that your life is worth more than any amount of credits.” You put your hand on his arm. He looked down at it. “But Cid- “

“We can always get Cid back. And no offense but I care about you a lot more than I do her.”

He looked up into your eyes, your brows creased with concern. No. It was fear. You were close to terrified.

He sighed your name, but you interrupted him again. “Just please come back in one piece. That’s all I ask.”

He looked long into your eyes, his stomach knotting. “Of course.”

He paused, then whispered your name, as if about to ask you something.

“Hey Tech! You ready?” Omega called from the entrance to the hanger, Wrecker trailing behind her. You stepped back quickly, as if you had only just become aware of the proximity between the two of you.

His eyes shifted to give you a once over, your own fixed on something near your feet.

“Yes, I’ll be right there.”

----------

You stood at the edge of the balcony, watching the hovering screen displaying the live events of the race. You were half aware of the commentary, shifting your focus mostly to the conversation happening behind you. You gripped the commlink tight in your hand, feeling the edges digging into you, knowing it would leave marks on your palm.

The racers flew out of the tunnel, Tech careening towards the run where you were all situated. The weapons carrier on the front of his ship dislodged, clattering to the ground. “Your weapons!” Omega cried.

“They were slowing me down.”

He shot forward, clearly moving at a higher speed than before. That did little to quell your anxiety.

“Tech.” You spoke into your comm. “You can’t defend yourself properly.” You did little to hide what was close to anger in your tone. “I am aware, although I have deemed my shields and speed to be of greater importance.” After a moment he added “Don’t worry. I’m being careful.”

“Yeah, doesn’t really look like it from here.” You mumbled under your breath.

“I heard that.”

As the race continued, your fear and anxiety only grew, your stomach feeling as though it was folding in on itself.

“You’re losing shields.” You heard Omega say behind you.

“Tech, if you die, I’ll kill you.” You muttered into the commlink.

“Noted.” He responded curtly, although you could hear the smirk in his intonation.

Omega and Wrecker had now joined you overlooking the track. Looking to your left, Omega was anxiously peering over the railing. You placed a hand on her shoulder, not trusting your voice enough to be convincing of the phrase, ‘Don’t worry, he’ll be okay.’ She placed her hand atop of yours and squeezed.

“Here they come! It’s going to be close!” The commentator cried as the remaining ships flew out of the tunnel ahead of the finish line. A cloud of dust enveloped the ships, preventing any of you from being able to see what was happening.

“Come on Tech, please.” You muttered, your hands clenching.

“And the winner is…”

The dust cleared and one ship careened towards the finish line.

“Tech!”

Omega and Wrecker cheered. You leant forward against the railing, letting out a breath of relief with a laugh. Omega grabbed your arm to pull you, and all three of you ran down to reach Tech on the track.

You practically sprinted, launching yourself at Tech, wrapping your arms around his shoulders, almost knocking him back.

“Uh- “ Tech found himself dumbfounded. His arms hovered in the air, not knowing what to do with them. You jumped back as if shocked, suddenly realising what you were doing.

“You did it!” Omega shouted.

“You sound surprised.” He managed to choke out, still shocked by your display. You looked mortified.

“I thought you were a goner.” Wrecker laughed.

Tech went to say something to you but was distracted by the crowd chanting his name.

----------

You sat next to Omega on the shuttle back to Ord Mantell. Tech sat a few rows behind, watching the back of your head as you listened to an excited Omega, who was recounting the days events. He pondered your actions as he scrolled through is data pad. While you had never exactly shied away from physical affection, this was clearly the most you had ever shown to him. Along with your anxiety about his safety, it was clear you cared about him. What he struggled with the most, was trying to figure out examples of when you were worried to the same extent about the rest of the group.

It was true you had been distraught when Wrecker had been overcome by the effects of the inhibitor chip, or when Hunter had been captured by the empire. He could not recall a time where your worry had been this highly directed at any other individual, except perhaps Omega. But she was a child, which made sense. You were fully aware that he was an adult and had more than enough experience taking care of himself, and that he was a skilled pilot. He could not fathom that your emotional response to his safety in such a small circumstance would be so high.

Once the shuttle landed on Ord Mantell, the group of you made your way back to Cid’s.

Once inside, they found Hunter and Echo, who had looks of relief on their faces as you entered. He was vaguely aware of Hunter lecturing them about going off world without notifying the other two. He was mostly paying attention to how you wandered over to the bar, reaching over the counter and pouring yourself a generous glass of spotchka. Once Hunter was satisfied he had conveyed his frustration, he and Echo turned to Omega who began retelling the days events.

Tech made his way over to the bar and took the seat beside you. He opened his mouth to ask if you were okay, but you beat him to it.

“I’m sorry Tech. I know you’re not a big fan of physical touch, I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” The words came out in a jumbled mess, but Tech managed to understand what you were saying.

“I was not uncomfortable, just surprised. You have never shown me that level of affection before, so I was unaware of how to react. You have no reason to apologise.

You looked at him. “I was worried.” Your voice was strained. “I know you were, but I’m okay."

He placed his hand upon yours. As you turned to look at both your hands, he looked at you. He had never really thought about the fact that you were attractive before. Yes, he hated noted the way you looked, the slope of your nose, and the colour of your eyes, but he had never taken it all in as he was doing now.

You smiled as you looked back up at him. “I stand by what I said before. You ever die, and I’ll kill you Tech.”

He smiled back, “Understood Cyar’ika.”

Neither of them saw Omega looked between the two of you from the other side of the room. She grabbed Hunter’s arm, shaking it. “Look.” She whispered.

Hunter followed her gaze. A knowing smirk growing on his face.

tech was once again in his tokyo drift era