man your battle stations, we'll have you dead pretty soon

[tadeadshi]

[Panic had run straight through his core when he knew someone had found their safe house. It'd been the best one yet, they had managed to stay there for months now, but it really was too good to last. They still had so much to find and clean up, he wasn't ready. He grabs his bag, the one he kept packed for if they had to run fast, and made for the door but stopped just outside.

It was them. It was the Six, they'd found him and Callaghan. He's not sure how, Callaghan's mods to his collar had jammed their trackers so... It must be something else they used. But if they're here then they could help. They could take over this mess, and he could go home.

Maybe.

Tadashi's throat's gone dry with the dirt and dust kicked up from their landing and scuffle with Callaghan off to the side and he stands watching, swallowing the lump in his throat. Callaghan, that's right, he-- He'd done so much to get them out, he couldn't let the guy just be taken back to prison, he'd be killed from the inside --

He makes a run towards the group, waving and trying to call out but any sound he makes drowned by the shouting.]

Comments

[tadeadshi]

No. I can't... I mean, how would I even say that?

[He squeezes the hand right back, eyes looking up to him looking lost. Nevermind he's fairly certain Robert doesn't have a clue either.]

It's for the best I think.

[pushtheboundaries]

[he really doesn't have a clue; in that regard, it's easier for him. the one person who'd ask already knows at least half, and he's admitted most of what else there is to say. as for what he'd tell Abigail?...

he doesn't want to tell her anything, yet. he feels awful for it, and yet...]

I'd say something about blaming me, but that might open up a new can of worms. [he chuckles humorlessly, rubbing thumb and forefinger on one of Tadashi's digits to work some of the muscle. this may be an excuse for contact, but he's still going to give attention to it] They're going to ask sooner or later why you stayed away. If you're not comfortable talking with them, then you should find someone you can talk to, since you're now in a position where that's possible.

[get some real help, he means. not an old man who's just able to offer triage.]

[tadeadshi]

[Yyyyeah, Hiro already asked why he couldn't come home. And Tadashi hadn't brushed him off so much as just shut the conversation down. And he knows he's done blaming Callaghan; blamed him enough already while they were inside and that had gotten him nowhere except miserable.

Someone to talk to... A therapist? He sighs, leans his head against the couch as well.]

How 'm I supposed to do that when I'm dead?

[Coming out of the woodwork to try and find a therapist would open him up to be found by everyone looking for them. Not to mention having to go through insurance agencies and healthcare.

Well. There is the option of the on-campus school counselor? Maybe? But that'd still be a fairly big to-do.]

[pushtheboundaries]

[all Callaghan can think of is when they had to track down a street surgeon. ironivally, he thinks that may actually have been easier than this daunting task, all things considered, and makes an expression somewhere between a grimace and a grin.]

I'm sure there's a way, somehow. But- it probably won't happen for a while. Just keep it in mind, all right? Maybe something will come up.

[tadeadshi]

Not until all this is cleared up anyway...

[And who knows how long that'll take. He looks down at their hands again and... Really he just wants to hug him? Hugging Baymax and his brother are great but not... really the same. They don't know everything. Callaghan does. And it's been a while since he slept in a bed as small as his own. Or slept alone. He swallows down the heavy lump in his throat and carefully closes his hand around Robert's completely. No question about it now, if someone was watching.]

If I do decide to tell him, it's-- ... It'll be a while.

[tadeadshi]

[In turn, Tadashi's smile is worn and tired, but just as genuine as Hiro's. He's so glad and relieved his brother decided to go, even without Tadashi there as a motivation.]

Bet you still get into trouble there too.

[And he can't stop the silence that falls again. He thought maybe he could try to be the same as before but... There's such a distance now. A distance he isn't sure how to bridge except telling him where he was and what happened. And he should, he just... Sees how happy his brother isn't sure.]

What uh. [Clears his throat.] What else is going on?

[microbrobotics]

Well yeah. Of course. That's how I roll.

[ Ah, but what else ... He has to rack his brains to think of what else he can say without giving away his secret. For a moment, he even considers just telling Tadashi ... but no. It'd be too awkward after that talk as One. And he knows Tadashi's seen all those scars on his armor - for his brother to know exactly who his weapons hurt... That would hurt him right when he's starting to get better. Maybe Tadashi can't be the same ever again, but Hiro can pretend, at least. Until his brother's found his way. ]

Nothing, really. No illegal bot fights even, I promise. I do my homework and I do my projects like I'm supposed to. Except for dragging stuff home sometimes, I guess.

[ Ha ha. ]

[tadeadshi]

Oh good, because I was worried about that.

[There's the slightest hint of a joke in his tone but. If Hiro really had continued illegal bot fighting... There's no telling what might've happened. Thank god Hiro quit. That would've been like handing Yama the worst tech Tadashi could've built on a silver platter with Hiro's life on the line.

He won't ask how his grades are; Hiro's ...16 now? Almost 17 if his math is right, his brother's old enough to care about that stuff himself.]

Still helping Aunt Cass with the cafe? Or did she finally hire someone else?

[microbrobotics]

Hey, I'm not completely dumb.

[ Hiro's smart enough to get the grades he needs, anyway. Mostly he gets points taken off for participation, and the classes he cares about know he's good for the work anyway. ]

Someone else, part time. I'm too busy with school work so ...

[ Well, school work and superheroing. ]

[tadeadshi]

Gotcha. At least she isn't trying to do it all herself anymore.

[And he noms silently on his food for a couple more bites before deciding that's enough, sets the only half-finished plate back on the tray. Still having to get used to the "having enough good food available" thing here. Every time he shifts to lean down or lean back, a few more of those scars on his arms become visible, going seemingly all the way up; either slashes or burns or the ending tendrils of weird marks that go further up.]

... But how are you doing? It's... Been a couple days now?

[He thinks? He's bad at time.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro freezes for a moment as he sees a fresh scar pop up. He's seen the tapes, so he has a good sense for what's there, but ... He swallows, slowly, and makes a mental note to have Baymax scan Tadashi later. (Which Baymax will do - and refuse to show Hiro. For the sake of his mental health.) ]

Tadashi, I'm fine. I'm just glad to have you back. [ A pause. ] I mean it. I don't care - I don't care if things are a little different, y'know? You're still alive.

[tadeadshi]

[Tadashi in turn freezes, eyes stuck on Hiro. If things are a little different? Something that had been clenched tight in his chest suddenly releases and he feels like he can take a full breath for the first time since the Six found them. Slowly, oh so slowly, he moves to get in front of Hiro. Then kneels down so he's sitting on the floor below his eye level - where he belongs no not where he belongs, just where he feels he should be

Maybe he should. Maybe he should tell his brother everything (minus a few certain details of incidents) and get it over.]

Hiro, I--I'm glad to be back too. But it being different, it's more than just 'a little'. You know? It's...

[You'll never be the same.]

[microbrobotics]

[ HIro still can't stop the sharp little intake of breath when he sees Tadashi get down on his knees. It' a gesture he's seen before, with his brother, but the context is so different now. Not an older brother getting down on his younger one's level, but just ... more subservient. God. He doesn't like that at all. But - he means it when he says he doesn't care if things are different. Tadashi's still his brother.

He makes himself smile a little and reaches out for his hand. He'd rather hug his brother, but... ]

I know. You had to have gone through a lot, right? But I'm still the same, so ... Why don't you rely on me this time? You protected me while I was a kid, so - so it's my turn to protect you.

[tadeadshi]

[His eyes immediately go to Hiro's hand, watching it carefully like he expects it to move. To do something, to do worse than sit and wait for Tadashi to take it. Once he's sure that's all that's expected, he obliges, a shaky trembling hand taking Hiro's. Then squeezing as he ducks his head down to lean against Hiro's knee. Hiro shouldn't have to be protecting him. He's the big brother, he shouldn't have to rely on Hiro at all. Hiro needs him to be unbroken.

Callaghan had suggested he talk to someone. Either his family or someone else, and One is a busy guy. His voice is quiet, uneven. Like he still isn't used to talking, despite all the easy conversation he had with Callaghan the night before.]

I... I-i. Everything that happened, it - [His mouth just got really dry really fast and he has to swallow down the bile that threatened to creep up. It's too much. He can't tell his brother. He wants so badly to explain things to him, so Hiro can better understand him, but he can't.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro knows his brother is having trouble with all this; he knows that he shouldn't expect more than this from his brother. But after hearing Tadashi and Callaghan, then experiencing a relatively smooth conversation as One ... Hearing his brother unable to talk to him hurts. It hurts so damn much that he can't hide a small wince. And then he immediately hates himself for it. ]

... It hurt you, bad?

[tadeadshi]

[He loves his brother so damn much, that's what makes it hard. Trying to tell someone he cares about any of the terrible things that happened makes him seize up. But he's still going to try damn it.

He slowly nods.]

Yeah. Y-yeah, it did. Lot more than it looks.

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro's gaze drifts up to the collar - and the scars all around it. ]

... Show me?

[tadeadshi]

[That... That makes him pause to think. Showing is easier than talking. Not by much, but still easier. Maybe... Maybe he could.]

... You sure you wanna see that?

[pushtheboundaries]

[if anyone's watching, they'll notice that Robert does not do anything to discourage that grip. he only watches Tadashi for a long moment, then - slowly - brings that hand to press at his mouth. it's an intimate gesture, no matter how you slice it, but it also veils one even more so- his lips moving, however briefly, against Tadashi's skin.

and then he lowers it away, simply holding that hand with both of his]

I understand. Don't let yourself feel rushed, even by yourself. It's okay to...not be.

[and there's a bit of a crooked smile from him.]

[microbrobotics]

[ His expression softens. Of course he knows it has to be bad, but ... he has to look. ]

'course I am. You're my brother.

[tadeadshi]

[He watches his brother for a long moment, something shifts in his eyes. Relief? Resignation? Something that moves him to sit on the backs of his feet and take a deep breath.]

If you're really sure.

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro swallows a little. Does he want to see all the horrible evidence of what the mob did to him? No. But he has to look anyway. ]

I'm sure. I promise.

[tadeadshi]

[This is it then. The start of no-turning-back. He gives his brother's hand another apprehensive squeeze before letting go and scooting away. He keeps his eyes down, can't look Hiro in the face when he starts reaching for the hems of his hoodie to pull up. Is Hiro really sure? Hell, is he really sure he wants to let his brother see? He hesitates, almost changing his mind but - Hiro's almost an adult now. He can make his own decisions.

He closes his eyes and pulls his shirt with the hoodie off. Underneath are burns, up his forearms, up his shoulders, around the right side of his abdomen and spotted across his back; slash scars from who knows what, an especially large one curled around between his right collarbone and shoulder; faint scars around his forearms from not only bad binds but Tadashi having tried to fight against them; a smaller wound against the back of his left side that may or may not have been a gunshot but he won't answer. On top of it all, starting from his neck, long, thin lines snaking and twirling their paths down his neck, his shoulders, his chest, over old still-healing bruises. Some of the scars and bruising go even further down past his stomach, but even letting him see this much is pushing himself.

Tadashi glances up quickly to see if his brother's looking, then back down when he sees Hiro is. He's already having second thoughts letting him see.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro tries - and fails - to suppress a sharp, shocked gasp. He's not surprised that Tadashi was hurt. Or even what kinds of injury marks he might see - the security footage gave him enough of that. But seeing them real and in person ... that's completely different. It's immediately obvious that his brother will never, ever quite look the same. No matter how well some of those things might heal. And he's not sure some of them will, to be honest. Especially some of those burns...

Also: he knows what a gunshot wound looks like.

The silence stretches between them as Hiro stares. Belatedly, he realizes he should say something and not just leave his brother out to dry like this. Not helping with those second thoughts, huh? ]

-- You were shot. [ Is what comes tumbling out first. Stupid, stupid brain. ]

[tadeadshi]

[Hiro's voice cuts through his daze like a knife and he hurriedly starts to straighten his shirt out with shaking hands. Second thoughts, third thoughts. He still can't look his brother in the face now.]

Uh-- Not something I'd recommend.