Caught off guard by the warm, dark hands that closed in on Barnaby's, he found it difficult to avoid Kotetsu's amber eyes. With such an earnest expression, with promises of openness and honesty, Barnaby's heart raced and he couldn't quite push him away. Still, that admission had hurt his feelings. If Kotetsu still couldn't trust him, how the hell could he ask Barnaby for the very thing he wasn't willing to give? That was so hypocritical, and it put Barnaby in an awful position.

But, on the other hand, Barnaby didn't think Kotetsu had actually lied to him at any point since this whole mess started. In some ways, Barnaby realized the fault was partly his for not getting to the heart of the matter more aggressively. Maybe, on a subconscious level, he hadn't wanted Kotetsu to talk about it either.

Besides, his more calculating side reminded himself, he would gain nothing by refusing to hear Kotetsu out. Storming away would serve no purpose except to protect his wounded pride, and he had everything to lose by giving up on the two of them now.

The feeling of Kotetsu's calloused thumbs brushing against his knuckles brought him back to the matter at hand, and Barnaby let out a slow breath.

"All right," he said after a long pause, though his tone still remained stiff. "Sit down. We'll talk."