Xavier restarted the engine.
The car rolled forward from its hidden corner, rejoining the path toward the main gate as if nothing had happened.
As they approached the gate, Alvin glanced sideways at Xavier, smirking faintly.
"Next time," he murmured.
Xavier kept his eyes forward.
"…We are buying curtains for privacy."
Alvin burst into quiet laughter as the gates opened to welcome them home.
The gates of the base groaned open with their usual dramatic reluctance, like they personally disapproved of every return trip.
The sedan rolled inside, engine humming innocently—as if it hadn't just been parked behind a shed for completely wholesome and respectable reasons.
Alvin stretched in the passenger seat.
"Well," he announced lightly, "we have successfully acquired transportation and conducted very important morale exercises."
Xavier shot him a warning look.
"Do not," he said quietly.
Alvin raised both hands in surrender.
"I was going to say we tested the suspension."
