Secret Invasion - Runaways/Young Avengers (continued)

An hour of walking between the incident and the present, and Xavin senses that Tommy remains just as angry with him. In between scouting ahead and checking on their wounded, the boy finds no time in between to talk to him again. With his eye on the other's back, Xavin finds himself no closer to the truth.

What he did, anyone else in his position would have done without hesitation. Billy, definitely, would have gladly stepped up to the plate had he been capable of walking at the moment. Tommy himself had risked his life to buy them some time, was still risking his life now by leading the group on their escape. A soldier's life was in service to his superior. Brother would gladly face death for brother. He had been foolish, he admitted that if only to himself, but he had been doing his duty as both. This cold treatment is unjustified.

He hears Dorrek's barely audible groan and is at his side at once – a quick once over assures him that his prince is mending right on schedule, with consciousness only a matter of time. A pained wheeze is like a whisper in his ear, and Tommy is speaking quiet words of reassurance, softly encouraging the brother he is so hesitant to acknowledge. More blue light illuminates the dark tunnel, and Billy's breathing eases ever so slightly. Each sinks back into a healing trance of his own, leaving the other two to watch them in mutual, tense silence.

"Do you know what divorce is?"

Caught off guard by the sudden and voluntary attempt to speak with him, Xavin turns immediately to face Tommy. The boy does not look back, but his eyes are just as hardened. The anger remains, in his eyes as much as his voice.

"It means two people who are supposed to love each other decide to give up. One or both walk out and never come back. They don't stop to think maybe, just maybe, someone is hurting."

Karolina, Xavin realizes at last.

He had perceived a noble sacrifice. Tommy had seen thoughtless abandonment.

"I woke up one morning and my father was gone. My mom still made me go to school … and then I vaporized the building because I couldn't stop being angry. They didn't ask me why or offer to help me, didn't think that maybe I didn't mean for any of it to happen. They just sent me to prison and left me there to rot." He pauses, and for a moment he looks less angry and more … vulnerable.

"… I can still hear those walls falling down around me."

Xavin does not stop looking his way, but he wonders how much he truly understands.

"You still blame them," he guesses anyway.

"Not really," Tommy mutters, "but I'm pretty sure everything could have been better if only they had stayed together."

That one sentence answers many questions. Xavin feels obligation, in turn, to answer one of Speed's own lingering doubts.

"You are sorely mistaken, boy."

Tommy turns on him with bared teeth and a clenched fist. He answers with lax hands at his side and a calm expression.

"I never intended to abandon my beloved. I have every intention of returning to her alive," he explains himself carefully. "Separation is not my desire, but finding her again is."

He senses Tommy's guard dropping, the tension in his shoulders easing. He does not miss a beat and closes the gap between them. Flame crackles to life at his wrists.

"While I appreciate your concern, Speed," he continues in a slightly darker tone, "never insinuate that my love for Karolina is untrue ever again. Is that understood?"

Familiar wariness – the "fear of getting punched" kind that is much preferred – creeps back in that boy's face as he swallows. "Yeah sure. Okay." And as the flames whiff out into thin smoke, he quickly adds "I'llgoscoutsomemore" before disappearing in a rush of wind.

Xavin turns his head in the direction the other went, listening for his presence. A dry cough signals that Billy is rousing.

"… where's Tommy?" he asks, his voice still hoarse but relatively stronger.

"Ahead," Xavin answers simply. "Are you well enough to keep going?"

Billy winces as he gets to his feet, but straightens with sufficient ease. "I'm good."

They each take a side and lift Dorrek to his feet, continuing their way forward as a second rush of wind indicates Tommy covering their flank.

"You should talk with him sometime, once we get out of this," Xavin adds lightly. "And while you do that, you can let him know I apologize … and thank him."

Billy blinks. "What for?"

Xavin does not answer.