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]

[He can practically hear it, even through the suit's modulated voice. Tadashi looks around nervously; even with an oversized hoodie pulled over his cap, he still feels a little too out in the open.]

Would you rather he called me some other name and risk being found?

[microbrobotics]

[ At least with Fred's walls around the mansion, they're pretty well secure. And all the lights are off so it's hard to place where they are exactly. To someone like Tadashi who doesn't know already. ]

I'm judging his choice of that name specifically. [ A pause. God, he should probably shut up; the more he says, the more likely it is Tadashi will realize who's in the suit. But he can't resist... ] So, you're Tenshi and Yokai.

[pushtheboundaries]

[oop.

well, at least other than Hiro One's unamusement, no harm seems to be done- Callaghan finishes moving to the side a moment later, though he does cast a gaze towards Hiro as if asking if he should be the one stepping out. is this a trip, or a visit...?]

I figured it fit, all things considered. I never claimed to be a saint.

[beat]

Should I get my coat?

[he steals a glance back towards Tadashi, though, arching his brow in a silent query ; are you okay? on some level, he knows it's silly to ask- none of his friends would hurt him, no matter the circumstances- but he can't help it.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Hmph. That's all Hiro will say on that subject, anyway. He shakes his head lightly in response to Callaghan's question. ]

He's staying here for a little while. I'll be close.

[ Then he turns to Tadashi. ]

When you're done, press the comm button I gave you. Don't be too late. Your family will notice if you're not there in the morning.

[ There's an underlying caution in there too - if Callaghan does anything Tadashi doesn't like, then he can press it immediately. Plus when Hiro said he'd be close, he meant it. Outside the door at best, and still within hearing range of their conversation. ]

[tadeadshi]

[Once he can step inside, whatever anxiety Tadashi had fades. Being indoors is infinitely better than out right now, enclosed in a secure mansion or not - not that he could see it with how dark it is. He flashes a quick look to Callaghan, processing the silent question and nods, lips pressed together hard forming a thin line and then One is talking again.]

I-- understand, I don't want them worrying. But seriously, thank you. For this.

[And he means every word, pouring gratitude into his voice as he nods to the hero. His hand grips around the comm he was given in his hoodie pocket before he watches him go, then looks back to Callaghan, tilts his head; What now?]

[pushtheboundaries]

I...

[...they're leaving him alone with Tadashi? with a semblance of privacy? Callaghan thought Hiro hadn't trusted him at all, but...he's not unaware of caution or implications here. he can only nod after a moment]

...yes. Thank you.

[and...after a moment he will close the door, but he's not stupid enough to think Hiro'll go far. they're still probably going to be watched, observed, just...

...even so, he offers a strained sort of smile to Tadashi, looking him over from head to toe]

So. Where've they been keeping you?

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro still doesn't trust Callaghan - but he does trust his brother. And his brother asked about Callaghan's safety right from the beginning, before he was even truly settled back home. This is all for Tadashi's sake, not Callaghan's. It does help that he's seen the footage so far and thus has no reason to believe that the professor would harm his brother. If anything, it looked as though they were good friends. (There's a stab through Hiro's heart, but he's grateful that his brother had someone in there, even Cal.)

As soon as the door closes, Hiro turns to Baymax, who's waiting and observing patiently. Quietly, over the suit radio: ]

Turn on your hyper-spectral cameras and route the footage to my HUD. Same with audio.

[ He can hear well enough through the door anyway, but he wants to be sure. It was either this or install a camera in the guest house directly, and that ... that just seems horribly wrong, given what they've gone through. Baymax's camera will only show outlines, at least, so they'll have some semblance of privacy. ]

[tadeadshi]

[As soon as the door is closed, tadashi pulls the hood back and the cap of. Definitely feels safer indoors than out, confirmed to himself. He's also sure they're definitely still being watched, our at the very least listened to, so can't say everything on his mind. Yet.]

Uh, home actually. Woke up in my own bed, it was weird. And this is where they've let you stay? Not bad...

[pushtheboundaries]

[home. lucky Tadashi. Callaghan can't help but smile at that, really; it's the best and worst he could have hoped for.] Good. That's- that's great, Tadashi. And all things considered, this is better than I'd thought I'd get. For a while I was convinced I was heading to jail, but I think we've reached an understanding.

[he pauses]

There's food here, if you haven't eaten? But I'm hoping your family's been taking care of you.

[tadeadshi]

I was worried about that. You going, I mean.[Wait no don't be that obvious.] Glad you're not.

[The mention of food almost makes him queasy. He'd already eaten more in the last twelve hours since the collar shock, the thought of more just... No thanks.]

No uh. They have been, almost too much. Barely even finish one plate. I think my aunt forgets to leave some for herself.

[pushtheboundaries]

[Callaghan nods at the first- and actually laughs at the second. so much for his attempt at hospitality. he gestures for Tadashi to follow him as he moves to the seating area, and settles himself down on the couch] They're probably just glad you're back, and afraid you'll disappear if they don't give you a good reason to stay. I'm sure you've got plenty now, though.

[more to stay than to go back out with him, at any rate. assuming he could even do that, himself. Callaghan has the feeling he'll be staying here for a while, half-planned escapes or not.]

You'll want to keep a low profile. [he figures Tadashi already knows, but...it's worth saying.] I get the feeling the 'heroes' will keep an eye out for a while, but...

[tadeadshi]

[He nods at the concern, completely understands it. There's only so much the Six can do long term.]

They're still just people. Can't keep eyes on us forever, not with the whole city to look after.

[But he does follow Callaghan's invitation, sits next to him just at arm's length. It's worry and habit informing his actions now when he reaches over to tug gently on the edge of his sleeve.]

You weren't hurt before right?

[tadeadshi]

[He's still a far cry from himself, even as upbeat as he's making himself be for Hiro. He can tell his brother's worried and being the mess he is won't help things. Better to act like he's not and ... He isn't sure he can take the same role back that he had before, but he can try. His little brother isn't so little anymore and doesn't need big overprotective Tadashi hovering. Which in and of itself is a big relief: an entire role and mindset he doesn't have to try to fit back into, like a shirt he's outgrown. He can focus on just taking care of himself and being a brother.

He mulls all that over taking this bite off his fork, forgetting he's supposed to be talking. He tries to grasp at the last thing he caught Hiro saying.]

She come up with anything good?

[microbrobotics]

[ He didn't really have much of a choice. Not Tadashi dying and Hiro finding himself the leader of a superhero team. He would have liked to have his big brother in his life again, to be his big brother again ... But he's quickly seeing it's not going to happen. His turn to protect his brother. He can't even complain; Tadashi protected him for so many years that it's only right he'd return the favor...

So he makes himself brighten, keeping his tone normal. Like this were any other day with them just hanging out and having some brotherly gossip. ]

Depends on your definition, I guess. We went through a loooot of veggie pastries until she found a quiche recipe that I liked. They're all tiny and wrapped in bacon.

[tadeadshi]

[He's about to make a comment on Hiro eating quiche of all things but bacon fixes all problems. Hmm.]

Get her to try to make a poutine. It'll gross her out.

[Likely not if she makes natto of all things. He wants so badly to have a normal conversation, to try and get some of that simple brotherly feeling back but it keeps feeling like it's missing something. And he knows it's him. The thought of outgrowing shirts though... Ugh this one feels so loose, he's lost a lot of weight. Back to eating.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Yep, better put on weight before Hiro and Tadashi end up wearing the same shirt size. That would be embarrassing. Hiro can sense something is off. But he's trying, dammit, and maybe they'll find their way eventually. Or maybe all the trying will never make this feel natural again. He takes in a deep breath before continuing. ]

Poutine, huh? 'cause of the cheese stuff in it?

[ He shovels in another huge bite. ]

[tadeadshi]

[It'd taken months, nearly a year, to feel natural at carrying a conversation with Callaghan again, and that had gotten roadblocked when he found out about the fire for a while. Who knows how long it'd take with Hiro.]

No, the, uh. The gravy. Absolutely covers all of it.

[microbrobotics]

[ Certainly it's not going fast now. There's a strain to Hiro's smile when he grins at Tadashi's response. ]

Right, her gravy thing. I don't get it. It's just meat sauce.

[ God, he's so tired too. With what he has planned for tonight, if he doesn't sleep now he won't get any at all. ]

[tadeadshi]

I never got it either.

[But as disconnected as he is, big brother can still tell when Hiro's 'done' so to speak. He lowers his plate down to just set it on his lap.]

Sure you shouldn't settle for food coma now than later? Look like you could fall asleep on on top of your food there.

[microbrobotics]

[ He sits back up straight again with a little jolt. Was he that obvious? He's gotta keep it together around his brother, jeez. ]

I'm just a little sleepy. If I sleep now, I'll be bouncing off the walls at 4 AM. And I wanna talk more.

[ He says, pleadingly. But his eyelids just keep drooping on him. ]

[tadeadshi]

I'll still be here when you wake up.

[Probably. If he's not on a roof with some weird superhero pouring his guts out.]

Get some sleep, nerd.

[microbrobotics]

[ Ditching him for the superhero. Thanks, bro. Hiro opens his mouth to protest again - he knows he won't have a chance to talk to his brother as himself until tomorrow after actual school and PT - but he nods. Maybe his brother needs space again. It's not hard to figure out what he needs at any given time. ]

You want me to take the tray back down?

[ Unspoken and implied: are you ready to talk to her yourself? ]

[tadeadshi]

[He casts a glance over to the tray, then goes back to his food. He's certainly eating a good bit more than he did at breakfast.]

I'll take it down in a bit, don't worry about it.

[Translation: wanting to talk to her himself but needing a couple hours to regroup]

[microbrobotics]

[ Both good things. Both things that he can't help his brother with right now. So he nods again and moves to lie down on his bed. Not even bothering to change out of his clothes - just kick off his shoes. ]

Wake me up if you need anything, okay? And Baymax'll be here too.

After. alla that.

[tadeadshi]

[That. That was good talk. A long talk that he's sure lasted a lot longer than he should have and he's pretty sure it's two in the morning but. He feels better knowing Callaghan is safe and not going to prison immediately and there's a game plan in place to finish taking out their tech from third party merchants and whatever's left of the mafia that has them. The conversation had come to a close and Tadashi pushed the button like One had told him.

Only now he was at a loss. He wasn't really ready to go home and face family, but he couldn't really stay here either, wherever 'here' is. He still haven't gotten any idea where in town he is. He got on Six and road quietly for a while but once they get to the taller skyscraper bits of downtown, he leans over, a part of him trembling at the thought of asking for ... Well. Anything really.]

Hey- I-i'm sorry, can we pull over? Just- sit somewhere, up here?