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

[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.]

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[ He falls silent through all of that. The only other option is to not. He's had the same thought, come to the same conclusion; he can't go through with the alternative, so he has to figure out something else. Something that includes him continuing onwards. And the rest ... god. His shoulders hitch in revulsion, involuntarily; as horrible as all of that was, at least he hadn't worked with those bastards. That thought makes him want to be sick again.

They're all dead now, anyway. It doesn't matter any more. They're done ... He exhales hard and wipes at his face with the heel of one hand. ]

She would be. About both of us. [ Dull, toneless. ] ... We're never telling either of them about this.

[to that? that Callaghan can only offer a sharp, humorless laugh, reaching for Hiro's shoulder]

She might be a bit disappointed, but- you're not numb, Hiro, and I hope you never become that way. I don't know how I can undo this, because until I do, I couldn't bear to look at her.

I hate to say it, but as long as you hate it...you're no monster. It's when it becomes easy that you need to look at yourself.

[he squeezes that shoulder, then starts to get up]

I'll get you some water.

[ Like hell Hiro believes that. Certainly not while the wound is still fresh and the blood hasn't even dried on his armor yet. But maybe he'll get there someday. ]

Water, sure. Water sounds good.

[ Mostly because he doesn't know what to say to the rest. ]

... I need to get home soon. The sun's almost up.

[ And it's going to take way too long to get back on foot - it'll be well into morning by the time he gets back. ]

[maybe.

but ironically, that just will lead Callaghan to be even further convinced. he returns with the water soon enough, handing it over to Hiro] I'll finish getting this off while you drink it. Slowly. [because he knows that if Hiro downs it too quickly, he may very well be sick again.

when he returns, though, he's changed, and has the armor in another bag. he's probably going to get a shower before going to sleep- he's tired, but not about to pass out on his feet.

not like Hiro seems.]

...do yourself a favor and see Baymax, first thing.

[ He forces himself to take the glass in slow little sips. Even so, his stomach churns dangerously; he leans back over the basket a few times before it settles properly.

Maybe he doesn't look better, exactly, but he doesn't look worse. And the water has refreshed him a little. He'll make it home and that's all that matters at this point. With the glass finally emptied, he sets it down and reaches out for Callaghan's bag with the same hand. ]

As soon as I check on my brother. Sure.

[no progress is better than negative progress. Callaghan holds out his arm to transfer the armor, but he doesn't let go. not at first.]

Your brother needs you.

[he waits a moment for that to sink in]

Realizing he needed to not be alone kept me going, when I had my more...selfish...thoughts.

[and he leaves it at that, releasing his grip]

[ Hiro flinches a little at that. Like he didn't know already that Callaghan knew what he'd been considering. That was obvious already. But it still smarts a little, and he bows his head. His brother needs him. He'll cling to that, at least, and use it to force himself to go forward. ]

... I know. I won't leave him.

[ He takes the bag, gripping the handles hard. ]

Don't be like me and be selfish anyway, either. [his voice is wry and self-mocking, but he means it, damn it.] Tadashi's more perceptive than I could give him credit for, and he needs to help people.

[let him help you, is what Callaghan's trying to say here. he's not telling Hiro to tell Tadashi what went on, but there has to be some way that he can let his brother share the burden, something...

Robert sighs, then waves his hand]

You've had enough of my 'wisdom' tonight. The rest, you'll have to figure out, and I hope you have more luck than I have.

[ Let his brother help him? How? He can't without telling him, and telling him ... no. He can't do that without spilling everything about his superhero antics. And he's certain that doing that would just hurt his brother worse. Better to bear it alone. ]

I'll see what I can do. [ So, that's a no. ] ... Thank you, though.

[ He means it. For the advice if not ... everything else. ]

[it was worth a try.

Robert gives him a long look...then shakes his head]

You have nothing to thank me for.

But take care.

[and with those parting words, he fully intends to retreat for the night.]

[ Time to head out then. Hiro takes a moment to gather himself ... then starts the long walk home. ]

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

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