backendbat | catch all

[there's no sigh of relief, and there's a steady hold of Trowa's gaze to see if he can spot a lie-- Trowa's poker face is better than Batman's at this rate]

Good to hear. Now, you wanna tell me just what they were after?

[Trowa had trained himself to keep things to himself. In this case, it was the truth; probably the worst was some ankle pain, but he had tested his limbs after the landing and nothing moved in a way that was unnatural]

Information. I was helping with a mission and I guess one of them saw me going in or coming out of one of the locations. At first he 'just wanted to talk' but when 'talk' turned into brandishing a gun, I figured it was easier to try and reduce the chance he'd look for me.

Ah, one of those.

[he's a little too intimately aware getting caught up by a goon that just happens to turn the corner at a terrible moment.]

Hate when I miss a camera or something. Usually the change of the guard is pretty predictable, but.

I think that was my mistake. There was likely a camera that I did not notice and he realized I had been there.

[He leaned back in the seat]

A shame. They'll have to find someone else so they don't realize I'm still around.

Seriously hate that. [the shame that comes with it] But you won't be the last to forget to check for one, or miss it.

They'll have to find different fun, that's true. Where to, by the way?

Yes, that is true. Someone else will get careless as well.

[Trowa thought about that for a second]

My apartment is probably fine at this point. I hadn't gone back there for a few days and if someone might be actively looking around for me, I don't want to lead them to someone else.

And your buddies, the other young men....do you think they're being pursued too?

[he begins in the direction of that apartment, no don't ask why he knows where it is, Trowa probably doesn't want to know]

I doubt it. I haven't talked to Heero and Wufei for a while. I made sure to keep distance from Quatre a time to make sure no one saw me going to see him. I did meet with Duo a few days ago, but I will make sure to warn all of them.

[Trowa didn't really want to know, but he was also not very surprised either]

Ah. Hate that you guys keep having to fight the good fight the way you do.

[they're so young....granted, he fought even younger than they are, but still.]

It's been my entire life. Only recently I know anything else. ... They help.

[Friends like Quatre and Duo helped bring some normalcy to his life that he had never thought he needed]

If I can keep them from getting involved, all the better.

Yeah. I know. It's-- a doozy, seeing it all over again. Glad you guys have each other.

[a tiny, tiny sigh-- but he's smiling] I know that, too.

It seems to be a story that is told in every generation. I am glad they are there.

[A pause] And I appreciate your assistance too.

[They were very alike. The two of them]

[he very much wishes....it wasn't. a kid this young shouldn't have to do this! but alas]

You hungry?

[He had been doing it for a very long time unfortunately. It was nothing unusual for him]

Yeah, I am. If you don't mind, we can stop somewhere.

Don't mind at all. We're both growing boys. [he's actually happy to hear the kid's got an appetite] You tried Bataburger yet?

Indeed we are. [He did. Having grown up in an environment where food wasn't always readily available, he didn't complain about offers of it] I have not.

[he knows the look-- has seen it in plenty of child soldiers.

and unfortunately (??) for Trowa, he's about to get the best of Bataburger. he speeds up, if anything]

You're in for a real treat.

[There did seem to be a strange need for child soldiers...

Trowa had never tried it so he was willing to give it a try]

I'm curious to try it, since you are recommending it.

Well it's better than McDonalds...but not sure if it's better than Jack in the Box.

[that's really telling
to anyone who knows what that means]

Impressive. Definitely worth trying.

[Trowa had tried both at some point]

[it doesn't take them long to peel out into the city, finally, all that fresh city air pollution and other cars honking and swerving]

Glad to hear the approval in your voice.

[There was certainly an odd dichotomy about being in the city. There were a lot more people to recognize you, but it was also easier to get lost in a crowd. Trowa appreciated the last part]

I don't know that I have had a burger in a while.

[who wouldn't recognize two circus boys like these]

You like regular ones? Or have you tried turkey burgers? We can try that next time.

[Yeah, they were pretty obvious if only because they clearly had qualities that made people pay attention to them]

I do. I have tried those as well. Seasoned right, they are not bad.

[the really tall pants? the flips?

bataburger-- ah yes, there's the familiar wings]

Good to hear you've had some experience there.

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