Whatever premature retort Barnaby was been putting together to cut Kotetsu off with, it dies in his throat at those words and he quiets, holding the older hero's gaze for a moment as though expecting him to elaborate. And his partner does, though once again in that pseudo-casual way of his that leaves Barnaby feeling at something of a loss. A loss for words, a loss for footing - he glances away, averts his gaze, and when his hands move for a moment, belying his uncertainty, he slides the card into his pocket.
He doesn't understand this, doesn't understand how Kotetsu can so easily reach out to him, not after their last encounter, not after all that happened. He has to remind himself, once again, that Kotetsu doesn't trust him, and without that trust, their partnership --
he shouldn't have to remind himself, and the fact that he has to, that Tiger has so easily insinuated himself as an important part of his life again makes him feel foolish.
But he doesn't leave. He does the opposite, in fact, cocking his head up and straightening his shoulders in some gesture of defiance, however pointless his rebellion has already proven to be. Walking away from the door and into the apartment, he looks around again.]
[And he hides his small, triumphant smirk with a tilt of his hat at his partner's inquiry, and moves to stand with a casual stretch. He can't seem to erase that smirk, though, when he walks around the couch to confront the younger hero. At least it's dimmed somewhat, not as annoying as it was prior.
That was easier than he thought if would be. This would be a good way to start fix things with his partner, since he can't exactly go and run off to do something completely stupid for his sake at this moment. This would also be a much less painful method, a little twinge in his side reminds him of that.
He begins to walk toward the hall with all the bedroom doors.]
This one's Origami's room - [he mentions aloud as he walks past.] - and this one's mine!
[He makes it to end of the hall, a bedroom next to his own or one across from that. He points toward both.]
These two are free. [He jabs with extra enthusiasm at the one next to his, though.] But I'd recommend that one, it has a balcony and it's own bathroom.
[And yes he did in fact leave that one free on purpose.]
[Not as annoying, perhaps, but that smirk is still completely infuriating as far as Barnaby is concerned. He glares with renewed zeal, but follows him to the hallway, his every step somehow managing to convey his reproachfulness. Curiosity manages to overcome that to some degree, as he glances from door to door.
At Kotetsu's recommendation, his eyebrows raise.]
There has to be something wrong with it, if neither of you took it for yourself.
He stomps his foot, and points toward the door with added vigour. He wouldn't have made a poor choice like that, and he left the room available just in case Bunny ever did show up. Out of good will, not because of damaged property or poor decorating.
He'll never openly admit to that though, and so he stalks right up to the door, twists the nob and holds it open, a pout adorning his features.]
Don't be so defensive. What else am I supposed to think?
[He turns his deadpan expression from Kotetsu's pout to the open doorway, however, looking inside with a nonchalant sort of suspicion. He heads into the room for a better look. In truth, he's suitably impressed, but he can't very well say so to Kotetsu. So instead, he glances back at him, tone almost innocuous.]
[And that is grumbled under his breath as he, too, takes a step inside the room, lingering by the door and folding his arms in an observant fashion. He smirks at his partner's tone, he'll take almost, since it's a definite improvement.
He places both his hands, now unfolded, on his hips, and rocks proudly back and forth on the pads of his feet.]
Of course! I've got better taste than you might think, Bunny.
[It's habit more than anything else - his focus is elsewhere. Barnaby is meticulous - he checks in cupboards and in the bathroom, and then his focus shifts to the little balcony beyond.
When he turns back to face Kotetsu, it's with another frown. Nice as it is, well as he knows Kotetsu's meddling ways, he still can't help but wonder -]
Why are you so set on the idea of me living with you?
[He simply huffs out exasperatedly, choosing to not go back and forth here. That's all it'll ever be, a back and forth contest, and so he lets it slide, his defiant noise the last he'll offer on the matter.
But he perks up at the frown, the incredulous look, and under that gaze he lifts a hand to scratch idly at his nose. He doesn't want to outright say want he means here, but bluntness might be his only option. It's with another huff, this time a more quiet, defeated one, that he continues speaking.]
It's not just you, Bunny. I'm going to ask for everyone to stay, if they show up. [I want you all safe.] It'd be best to stick together.
[He watches him answer, looking almost skeptical. But of course, it's the truth - much as he won't trust him, he can't deny that simple fact of Kotetsu's character. He'll want the best for everyone.
Himself included.]
Mm. [Airily, he walks forward, past Kotetsu, to step into the hallway again.] I'll take it, then.
If we were to stay together, then nothing could --
[And his continued ramblings, since the silence made him think that the other would most likely refuse, are cut short when he does the complete opposite by agreeing and accepting instead.
He blinks stupidly as he watched his partner exit the room, and follows after him with an excited exclamation.]
Wait... really? [A pause, and then he clasps his hands over Bunny's shoulders.] It's all yours, then!
You say that like it's important, [he says, off hand, glancing back at Kotetsu in that guarded, faux-casual way of his. The exclamation draws another roll of the eyes, resigned.
Decisively, he adds:] This won't be for the long term. [It can't be.]
Whatever premature retort Barnaby was been putting together to cut Kotetsu off with, it dies in his throat at those words and he quiets, holding the older hero's gaze for a moment as though expecting him to elaborate. And his partner does, though once again in that pseudo-casual way of his that leaves Barnaby feeling at something of a loss. A loss for words, a loss for footing - he glances away, averts his gaze, and when his hands move for a moment, belying his uncertainty, he slides the card into his pocket.
He doesn't understand this, doesn't understand how Kotetsu can so easily reach out to him, not after their last encounter, not after all that happened. He has to remind himself, once again, that Kotetsu doesn't trust him, and without that trust, their partnership --
he shouldn't have to remind himself, and the fact that he has to, that Tiger has so easily insinuated himself as an important part of his life again makes him feel foolish.
But he doesn't leave. He does the opposite, in fact, cocking his head up and straightening his shoulders in some gesture of defiance, however pointless his rebellion has already proven to be. Walking away from the door and into the apartment, he looks around again.]
Which bedrooms are taken?
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That was easier than he thought if would be. This would be a good way to start fix things with his partner, since he can't exactly go and run off to do something completely stupid for his sake at this moment. This would also be a much less painful method, a little twinge in his side reminds him of that.
He begins to walk toward the hall with all the bedroom doors.]
This one's Origami's room - [he mentions aloud as he walks past.] - and this one's mine!
[He makes it to end of the hall, a bedroom next to his own or one across from that. He points toward both.]
These two are free. [He jabs with extra enthusiasm at the one next to his, though.] But I'd recommend that one, it has a balcony and it's own bathroom.
[And yes he did in fact leave that one free on purpose.]
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At Kotetsu's recommendation, his eyebrows raise.]
There has to be something wrong with it, if neither of you took it for yourself.
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He stomps his foot, and points toward the door with added vigour. He wouldn't have made a poor choice like that, and he left the room available just in case Bunny ever did show up. Out of good will, not because of damaged property or poor decorating.
He'll never openly admit to that though, and so he stalks right up to the door, twists the nob and holds it open, a pout adorning his features.]
Go on, take a look. Nothing's wrong with it!
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[He turns his deadpan expression from Kotetsu's pout to the open doorway, however, looking inside with a nonchalant sort of suspicion. He heads into the room for a better look. In truth, he's suitably impressed, but he can't very well say so to Kotetsu. So instead, he glances back at him, tone almost innocuous.]
You really chose this place?
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[And that is grumbled under his breath as he, too, takes a step inside the room, lingering by the door and folding his arms in an observant fashion. He smirks at his partner's tone, he'll take almost, since it's a definite improvement.
He places both his hands, now unfolded, on his hips, and rocks proudly back and forth on the pads of his feet.]
Of course! I've got better taste than you might think, Bunny.
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[It's habit more than anything else - his focus is elsewhere. Barnaby is meticulous - he checks in cupboards and in the bathroom, and then his focus shifts to the little balcony beyond.
When he turns back to face Kotetsu, it's with another frown. Nice as it is, well as he knows Kotetsu's meddling ways, he still can't help but wonder -]
Why are you so set on the idea of me living with you?
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But he perks up at the frown, the incredulous look, and under that gaze he lifts a hand to scratch idly at his nose. He doesn't want to outright say want he means here, but bluntness might be his only option. It's with another huff, this time a more quiet, defeated one, that he continues speaking.]
It's not just you, Bunny. I'm going to ask for everyone to stay, if they show up. [I want you all safe.] It'd be best to stick together.
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Himself included.]
Mm. [Airily, he walks forward, past Kotetsu, to step into the hallway again.] I'll take it, then.
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[And his continued ramblings, since the silence made him think that the other would most likely refuse, are cut short when he does the complete opposite by agreeing and accepting instead.
He blinks stupidly as he watched his partner exit the room, and follows after him with an excited exclamation.]
Wait... really? [A pause, and then he clasps his hands over Bunny's shoulders.] It's all yours, then!
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Decisively, he adds:] This won't be for the long term. [It can't be.]
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[He retracts his hands to again fold his arms, and nods his head proudly.]
I'm going to be looking for a way home, you see.
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Where would someone start looking?
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... Wherever they feel like starting?
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Hey, what's with that attitude? I'll find a way out, just you wait and see!
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