Twisted Slough Into terror, into valor

His brother seemed less enthusiastic, and Gannet's posture dropped some, becoming slightly more tentative.  Was something wrong?  He'd assumed his family would be as happy to see him as he was, but that didn't seem to be the case.  Gannet frowned curiously at Titmouse's question.  He'd joined them?  Of course he had.  But that was right... he didn't know.  He'd gone by the time everything happened.

"I saw you, and I tried.  But they caught me, and stopped me.  And then they let me stay."  It was about the shortest and least descriptive way of saying it, but it was exactly what happened.  He looked down, then back tentatively.  "I'm glad you ran."  He added, a confession.  He didn't argue with Hydra on it any longer... it was pointless, he knew, since she was still convinced he was guilty.  But Gannet knew that, had he stayed, they would have killed him.  And he was glad that his brother had gotten away and was here standing now, even if he did seem somewhat less than happy to be there.