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“Fuck me,” The curse slipped out at the reminder of what Joel had gone through just hours ago, mentally kicking himself. To be fair, [i]usually[/i] when escorting someone on the run that was a standard question - and considering how fucked the whole situation was quickly being revealed to be, it was a pretty good way for Grim’s mind to drift.

Much better than drifting back to charred bone and melting skin and screaming-

Oop, back to repressing.

“Right, well who knows who she called so let’s-” Grim paused as his sentence was suddenly interrupted, for a moment staring at his hand. It’s not like the slap particularly hurt since that was his hand still adorned in the thick leather glove, but it still left coffee all over the ground. And glass. And a handle. But the coffee was probably the most important part.

“Yes Joel, prions,” Grim tried not to sound as tired as he felt, but it was a losing battle. “We could’ve tested it.” That part was little more than a mutter under his breath, quiet and sullen. It was not the hero’s first time pulling a night this late, or even going a day or two without sleep himself, but despite the fact the hour was suddenly weighing in [i]very[/i] heavily. It wasn’t even over yet, as who knew what kind of ruckus the Old Lady Spy was setting up for them?

The best way to stop that, of course, was to head it off. Besides, he’s been in rougher situations. It was time to man up. Mentally Grim slapped his cheeks and visibly steeled himself, pulling out his phone to do a few quick swipes. In the clouds above the Crow drones began to move across the city, quietly patrolling as they always did - though this time subtly checking for interception. With that done the phone was replaced, and Grim turned his gaze to Joel once more.

“Don’t worry, I’ve sniffed you out a place to lay low and lick your wounds. But we have to leave, [i]now[/i], so I sure hope you’ve gotten everything important.” Grim stepped toward the wall, half his body sinking into the shadow that solidified and became a portal just to reappear in the alley opposite them across the street. He raised his injured hand to offer Joel. “Come on. I’ve got your back.”