Chapter Text
Lemon has no idea how they both got in this godamned situation. Thomas the Tank Engine may have taught him everything he knew but unfortunately his career worked on more of a need-to-know basis.
And Thomas definitely did not teach Lemon what to do when he was stranded in a little no-name place in Kyoto, with a partner who just had his neck sewn up by a sketchy veterinarian.
So what does Lemon do? He calls his handler for probably the last time. Tangerine is slumped up against his side, barely conscious as Lemon punches in her number.
“You fucked up big time.” The person on the end of the line says.
“As if it isn’t obvious--Actually, it’s not obvious is it? How do you know what happened? They couldn’t have reported the train crash back yet.” Lemons questions her.
“You think we wouldn’t have been watching the local news? Especially after the last thing we heard from you two were gunshots and screaming? Speaking of screaming, is Tangerine with you? I would’ve thought he’d be yelling at me to get you two ‘The hell out of this place’”.
Lemon spared a glance at Tangerine who was practically see through and had blood caked on his body but was still breathing so he answered Apple, “Took a nasty shot to the neck, thought he was dead until I went back to grab his body and the bastard was still clinging to life. Got his neck stitched up thankfully.”
Apple took a moment to process what Lemon said, at least that’s what he assumed she did. “Well I guess that means no more missions for you two in a while, if ever. As--”
“How did you--”
“Know you were hurt too? The train cars are absolutely crushed, love. If Tangerine was hurt that badly there’s no way you were walking away from that unscathed. Even so I know you cherish that fool too much to leave him alone for an hour or so nevermind the week you’d be gone for a mission.” Lemon sighed, she spoke the truth. His unfortunate affection for the man led the two to be practically conjoined at the hips. They weren’t called the twins for nothing. Though they’d call them something else if they knew what went on in their safe-houses.
“Lemon! Lemon goddamn it stop spacing off about whatever the fuck and listen to me! This shit is actually important unlike the debrief I know you didn’t read before the mission.” Huh, guess he had been spacing off.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“Jesus Christ Lemon, at least Tangerine listened. Anyway, the agency has a contingency plan for you two. Do either of you have your phone?” Apple sounded more than annoyed but they’d put her through worse.
“Tangerine does, I think.”
“I’ll send him the email for a place we’ve booked for you two. It was hard to find anything spacious so you’ll have to make do, you can stay there for about two weeks. Should be enough to heal some damage, get you two back on your feet. Then we’ve got you two plane tickets booked for back home.”
“Thank you, Apple, for everything. We couldn’t have had a better handler.” He was being honest, Tangerine would agree with him as well.
The line was filled with silence.
“Wow…this really is it. I hate to see you go into early retirement but, c’est la vie.” Lemon could visualize her tearing up on the other end of the line.
“Come on, you know us Apple, It’s impossible for us to stay clean forever.”
“Okay… how about we call this an infinite intermission. You know how to contact me if you want back in. Good luck.” And a note rang out signaling the call ended. Thunk. Lemon rested his head against the payphone, after a moment he turned it to look at Tangerine again. His breath had steadied out, eyes closed, hair all out of place no matter how much product he’d try to slick it back with.
Under his breath, almost a thought out loud, “Let’s get you home Thomas.” and off the two went into the shadows of the night.