I'm the lonelier version of you

[bigdamnhiro]

[Hiro never would've thought he'd go from tacitly ignoring Callaghan running loose in the city to actively harboring him in his friend's mansion basement, but, well, here he is - standing in front of an innocuous bookshelf in the main foyer, taking a deep breath and counting to three before tipping a copy of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead just slightly out of position. In chintzy spy movie fashion, the bookshelf shudders and rolls out of the way to reveal the secret elevator that will take him down to Fred's "basement" - something more like a jet hangar combined with a laboratory, if those kinds secret bases also came with a posh minibar in the corner.

As he steps inside, he pushes a button to activate the comm that goes to the lower floor.]

I'm coming down.

[It's not much of a warning, but he's found it helps to have some kind of preemptive alert before somebody barges in. At least it avoids anybody getting swarmed by angry microbots when they step out of the elevator.

He probably looks comical when the doors open again and he walks out, carrying a duffel bag as long as he is tall over one shoulder and a doggy bag emblazoned with a cheery maneki-neko and a thanks! in the opposite hand. He looks around, and when Callaghan doesn't immediately appear raises his voice.]

I, uh, brought gifts -

[He makes an effort to smile; this place is safe, but as Baymax has noted (in slightly more medical terms), losing a leg and living underground in a starkly utilitarian space with no windows will mess with anybody's head.

And frankly, it's hard to feel anything but sorry for the guy right now - even if he keeps the sentiment to himself.]

Comments

[pushtheboundaries]

Hmh.

[that...isn't a sound of disagreement. that's a sound mostly made because he's seeing that toughness in Hiro, that...strength he remembers seeing before, but hadn't recognized, initially. it's...well.

it's quite remarkable, to tell the truth, but he doesn't comment on it. instead- have a tilt of the head, Hiro.]

Are you sure that's a good idea?

[inside is safe. inside is shielded. outside is...]

[bigdamnhiro]

[Inside is gonna make you go stir crazy, Robert. Hiro knows this from experience. Listen. Hiro lets out a dismissive pfshhh, smirking like he's sharing in some private joke.]

Do you think we practice our super-moves out in the street? Dude, no. I know you haven't been outside since you got here, but there's a garden out back with a privacy wall three times your height, and Fred's dad even installed drone-jamming tech. We do all our drills out there when we have spare time. Nobody's the wiser.

[He hefts the prosthetic up insistently, fixing Callaghan with a stern look—one that, for a moment makes him look uncannily like his brother if Tadashi had been chastising him, though he probably doesn't realize the face he's making. Runs in the family, apparently.]

Put the leg on. We're going outside.

[pushtheboundaries]

[okay but...inside in a lab...that's a safe place where he can be and/or feel productive...

...he seems dubious, but with a final sigh, begins to push himself up. the microbots are automatically moving to compensate, and there's what seems like an inner fight as he 'explains' what he wants- it's only a few seconds before they get the gist, quickly snaking the leg in to position. he tenses as it's secured, but it doesn't seem painful.

that done, the microbots mimic the hand gesture he makes towards Hiro.]

Lead on.