NIGHT 64: MAIN HALLWAY, 1-EAST

[envy_the_sinners]

_{[From here]}

Scar continued through to the easternmost end of the hallway, finally reaching the door to the medical wing. Grumbling at the damn thing being locked, the Ishbalan bashed it a few times with his flashlight until it broke, and he pushed open the door somewhat cautiously.

_{[To here]}

Comments

[oyaji]

"Oh--Ah, nothing! I just..." am having a crippling bout of depression, no biggy. Right, like he would tell Barnaby about that when they were in the middle of something important! The last thing he needed was for his partner to feel exposed in a moment of crisis because he was having a pity-party for one.

"I was just thinking about that time--" flippantly waving in the direction of the Sun Room. "--and I was falling and I was thinking, you know, 'This is how my life's gonna be... Tossed around like a puppet in an insane asylum.' And then you caught me out of nowhere... I mean what were the chances, you know? But every time I needed you, you've always been right there..."

[baniichan]

The man's words blind-sided Barnaby -- not because they were bad, exactly, but because he hadn't expected to hear something like that come out of his mouth. For a moment, Barnaby forgot how to breathe, and he was struck by the strange sensation of butterfly wings fluttering against the walls of his stomach. A confusing knot of surprise, embarrassment, and happiness suddenly lodged itself in his chest, making it difficult to speak.

He'd wondered, sometimes, whether he was really there for Kotetsu when he needed him. It was certainly true that Barnaby wanted to be there for him. Not only that, but he wanted Kotetsu to feel like it was okay to need him. More often than not, though, his partner kept him at arm's length when it came to his own problems. Whenever Barnaby considered the fact that Kotetsu must have been struggling with his power loss for months leading up to his retirement, he didn't think he'd always been there for Kotetsu. In fact, Barnaby felt like he'd failed him by not noticing his condition sooner.

This sudden admission was a huge change from before, though, and Barnaby was desperate to conceal just how pleased he was to hear it. As he shyly averted his gaze, his mouth twisted into a muted smile, and he took a slow, measured breath to steady himself.

Once again, he was left wondering what had happened to make Kotetsu say such things.

"That's because we're partners," Barnaby finally answered, as if the matter was as natural as one of the laws of physics. And while that was certainly true, he still got the distinct impression that wasn't why Kotetsu had heaved such a unmistakable sigh. His eyebrows faintly furrowed.

"In any case," he added, bringing himself to meet the other man's gaze, "we should probably get going. The sooner we get this taken care of, the sooner we can focus on other things." Barnaby's voice grew more subdued. "There's a lot I want to ask you about..."

[oyaji]

It was good to know that answer came so easily to the blond. He knew it would have--Doubt wasn't so much the problem, but insecurities had a way of popping up at the worst times, especially since this bizarre outbreak. Of course, that was why they were here. As Barnaby said, the sooner they get this done, the sooner--

"Ah, yeah," Talking... It almost made him sigh again. Well, it didn't matter right now! They both needed to focus on serving any patients who got caught in the potential crossfire of this mad doctor's schemes. And hey, this whole saving thing could take all night! It was all Wild Tiger could think to keep the flutter of anxiety in his stomach from rising any higher. It was strange how easily he was growing flustered over the dumbest things lately. Sure, he had a lot to be worried about, but they both did and Barnaby was holding it together better than he... Though he also hadn't been the one to up black hair twice! In fact, the older man was pretty impressed by how well he was dealing with it. Cool as a cucumber, man!

"All right, we are gonna be all over that X-Ray Room. Won't even know what hit it!" Strutting down the hallway with renewed purpose, it didn't take long to run into the right set of doors however, what he found dried up any humor left in him. The door was clearly broken into and that could mean anything from reckless patients or a violent attack, or maybe even a trap. They needed to be very careful.

[baniichan]

It looked like someone had already beaten them to the medical wing, though Barnaby had yet to determine that that meant, exactly. Still, the damage done to the door coupled with the blood stains illuminated by a quick sweep of his flashlight didn't bode well.

Barnaby knew he didn't even have to remind Kotetsu to stay on guard. After exchanging a grim, wordless glance with his partner, he led the way onto the next area.

((To here.))