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Strong hands pulled Echo back from the fire. He coughed and struggled, throat and lungs burning. Tears blurred his vision and obscured his rescuer's face. He knew who it was, though. One person had always been there and always would be.
"Fives!" He sat up, only to fall flat on his back when his forehead collided with the cold metal of the upper bunk. Stars bloomed in front of his eyes.
"Mind your-- Or I suppose don't mind it, then.”
When his vision resolved itself he found Tech hovering over him, scanner in hand.
"There doesn't appear to be any additional damage. Though it's difficult to say for certain with you. Your brain makes Wrecker's look in peak condition."
Tech's haughty tone had pissed Echo off to no end at first. Now, though, it was familiar. Comforting, even. Insomuch as he associated it with the closest thing he had to a friend these days.
"You flatter me" he deadpanned. Or tried to, anyway. Sarcasm didn't work as well when his voice cracked.
"I'm sure" Tech fired back. "Here, hold this."
A chilled water bottle was pressed against the sore spot on his forehead. Tech guided Echo's hand up so he could keep it in place. His fingers lingered longer than necessary afterward, trailing lightly over his cheek before he withdrew.
"You'll have a nasty bump in the morning," he said. He settled on the floor with his back pressed to the side of Echo's bunk. Echo knew if he rolled over he'd be able to nuzzle against his hair, but he refrained. However much he craved that kind of closeness it just didn't feel right with his new squadmates. Not yet, anyway.
"Do you remember what you dreamed this time?" Tech asked.
"No," Echo said. He turned his head just a fraction. Enough to see out the corner of his eye that Tech had dragged a blanket down from his own bunk and appeared to be settling in for the long haul.
"You were screaming again. For Fives."
Echo hummed in acknowledgement. Not surprising. Rex's words about Fives' death still rang in his ears day and night. He couldn't accept that yet, either.
"It's alright. We're all mad here. Or at least the other three are." Tech reached up and patted his arm. Echo let the water bottle roll aside in favor of bringing his hand down to catch his brother's fingers.
Tech squeezed his hand. Echo squeezed back. This comfort, at least, he could have right now.