[Reintro of sorts] Insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity

[longlasting]

Adam Brooks is one for following the rules.

Not the inherent rules set out by law enforcement and people he is far above, no. Those are all based on an unwavering idea of morality that Adam refuses to see as productive. No, he's one for following the rules his mind has constructed in order to further himself towards a goal. These are rules that are based on his observations of the world around him, ones that make sense and help him make sense to others.

The rules help him look like a normal person. They're honestly quite helpful in a place like this, where Adam doubts his appearance would be taken well. Barnaby certainly hadn't taken it well, but Adam couldn't imagine any scenario where he would. It's not everyday your brother comes back from the dead, after all. That is, regrettably, a rule Adam has had to break.

But other rules have been easier to follow. They remind him to remove Barnaby's clothes so he can wear them as a disguise, without anyone asking about any regrettable blood stains. They remind him to walk like his brother and talk like him instead of screaming for revenge. He is cautious and careful.

Kotetsu will be found first. He needs to check on him and gain his trust immediately, so that he has someone to back him up. To laugh off his strangeness towards other prisoners in this strange castle as social ineptitude. Toshi will be found afterwards, with Kotetsu still at his side. He doubts his disobedient slave will rebel for a second with Kotetsu already in his grip. He'll be sweet and kind to both of them, just as Barnaby would. Follow the rules. Soon enough his opportunity will come to strike.

So those who are around the hallways may see someone very much like Barnaby walking over to his room, straightening his clothes before peering inside in his search for Kotetsu.

After his reunion with his dearest partner and the android made in his image, 'Barnaby' will be all over the castle. He adores the library as much as he always has, and seems to have picked up cocking as well. He is deliberately careful to stay quiet and calm, so only those with a sharp eye will notice anything strange. For example, that bunch of berries from the garden can't be used as an ingredient in his soup, right? They're poisonous... Some may find it odd to find him coming out of the armoury with a crossbow, or practicing violin in the music room.

Or perhaps you may catch him wandering up the stairs leading down to the basement late at night. What would he be doing down there? Surely it's not a bad thing to ask.

((Okay, let's see if I can get this asshole to cooperate with me this time! Adam Brooks is impersonating his brother, Barnaby, and will be friendly to most everyone he runs into, if a little forgetful. Should anyone notice his odd behaviour, though, he may be forced to do something not so nice... so a trigger warning for possible character mutilation and death in here, as well as psychological mindfuckery which happens with a character like Adam. Should you not want him to tag you, please message this account to let me know!))

Comments

i am ready for hell

[itstheend]

Chara has been sparing Barnaby their presence. Just because one interaction went... some level of well, does not mean they should push their luck - they peg most of such on Frisk's presence.

So when they walk into the kitchen, they are fully prepared to just turn around and leave again as soon as they spot the golden lengths of hair. What stops them is a natural flash of their gaze to the movement of his hands, and a stilling.

They immediately doubt their judgement as they think it but... they are fairly sure those berries are nightshade. They look just like the illustrations. Had they not been from the Castle, it's doubtful Chara would have recognized them as poisonous, but with their interest, they had been looking up plants that caught their eye while gardening.

*We can't just leave!

They very much can. It's incredibly within their capabilities. They could walk out without a word, and leave him to poison himself as he pleased.

Instead, they clear their throat, back already straightened and hands clasped in front - look, no weapon. "Barnaby." They're trying not to block the door while staying close to it, which is a mild puzzle. "A moment of your time."

[mettaton_rex]

One of those times he's practicing the violin, he'll hear the sound of applause and the click of heels as a beautiful robot in a crown and a flowery suit walks into the music room.

Mettaton had considered walking straight back out again, when he recognised the other person in here already as one of his rival self's friends. But, no. He'd rather be despised than isolated. He's done avoiding people. If they've seen his ugly secrets scattered all around the castle, then he'll play the cackling villain they love to hate. If Barnaby's first words to him are what are you doing here you murderous despot then fine.

Better not to assume he knows about that right off the bat, though. Mettaton offers a perfectly friendly smile. "It's Barnaby, right? I didn't know you played."

...and that smile fades just a little at the edges as he approaches the other man. Something feels off here. Is there a chill in the air, or...?

[oldmantiger]

Nothing at all has changed. Life continues in the routine he's settled into in this pretty prison, in between Kotetsu's continued and undeterred attempts to find some way out. But while he searches, Kotetsu also focuses on just...trying to keep things in order. Trying to keep the people important to him safe and fed and happy. Barnaby is of course an especial priority there.

And his efforts seem to be working! Bunny seems happy, engaged, busy. His uncertainty about physical affection also seems to have melted away with a startling swiftness. Kotetsu had been surprised by that. But given that this was the very thing he'd been encouraging Barnaby towards, he keeps his surprise to himself.

Nothing at all has changed. Maybe Toshi seems more subdued than he had, giving Kotetsu a somewhat wider berth. But...he had been acting strange ever since their talk on the rink. Maybe Kotetsu had pushed too far. Maybe Toshi needed space as much as he protested that Kotetsu and Barnaby did. As long as the android didn't look hurt, and as long as he didn't stay away for too long, he told himself that there was nothing to worry about.

Nothing at all has changed. Except for the fact that the bed they shared - once a refuge of nightmares - seems to have brought them creeping back. Kotetsu's dreams are uneasy, and when he wakes, he wakes with an aching sense of loss such as he hasn't felt in years.

And rather than trouble Bunny with them, he goes walking instead. It's not like it's the other man's fault.

Today, the sound of violin music makes Kotetsu curious. Stifling a yawn, he makes his way to the music room and pokes his head in, only to smile at who he sees there. When there's a pause in the performance, Kotetsu greets it with a round of applause.

"Hey, good job! I didn't know you played."

Good because that is definitely where we are going

[longlasting]

Adam pauses in the middle of chopping up what looks like eggplant when he hears someone lingering at the door to the kitchen. He looks up, quickly arranging his face into a look of calm curiosity. He doesn’t seem bothered by Chara’s presence. Mostly because he doesn’t remember much about this person. Barnaby mentioned a few children. Is this one of them? Maybe Frisk?

He sets the knife down, and his eyes dart down to Chara’s hands, noting that they are unarmed. He smiles gently and moves away from the counter where he’s working. His posture is relaxed, even if his mind is working on overdrive to try to get any information that could confirm the child’s identity.

“Of course. What do you need?”

[longlasting]

Adam pauses in the middle of his song, slightly annoyed to be interrupted, but forcing a very convincing grin as he looks up.

He knows who this is. Barnaby had mentioned Mettaton before, among the robots that apparently had been trapped in this place along with humans. A robot Adam hasn’t created… Which is frustrating, but interesting. Mettaton could still be useful to him, should he find an opportunity to open the chassis up and find out what makes the android tick.

So for now, he isn’t insulted or even scowled at. Adam still keeps his smile on his face.

“That’s correct. And you’re Mettaton, right?” He thinks it’s safe to mention that, since Mettaton apparently forgot his name. “Only here and there. It’s been years since I’ve had the time to practice. Work kept me busy.”

He seems oblivious to the chill, even though it’s stronger the closer Mettaton gets to him.

[longlasting]

How very, very dull. From what Adam recalls of the short time he finally had the hero he had craved, Kotetsu was not the type to give up. He shouted and fought and argued and bargained. He even pleaded when that failed. No matter what he was reduced to, he was always, always hoping for a way to escape, and Adam had had to twist his mind around, change who was really the cruel one, to get Kotetsu to run to Adam’s embrace.

Of course, Adam accomplished as much because he was an unparalleled genius. The castle shouldn’t have been intelligent enough to trick Kotetsu into being so docile. Yes, he’s still searching, but it’s half-hearted, often interrupted by the offers Adam makes to distract him. Perhaps it’s just that Kotetsu is so lovesick that he’ll stay anywhere so long as it’s by Barnaby’s side. That attachment is disgusting… but wonderful when it’s turned towards him, so Adam can hardly complain that this strange world has done half the work in making Kotetsu his prisoner.

Toshi is another matter, but Adam has a plan for him as well. If promises of love and affection can’t affect the android (even if he’s as starved for approval as a certain old hero), then Adam can tweak his needs easier and with far less psychological damage. The rewiring will take time, but during that time, Toshi will be powerless to speak up and Kotetsu will be too naive to question his bout of happiness.

Let Kotetsu think nothing has changed for a little longer. The truth will suffocate him soon enough.

Adam blinks in surprise as the silence between songs is broken with the sound of eager clapping, but does offer an adoring smile when he sees who it is.

“Kotetsu! You aren’t supposed to spy on me. It’s been ages since I’ve practiced, it must have been lousy…” He offers a convincing pout, trying to encourage Kotetsu to flood him with attention and praise.

[oldmantiger]

"Aw, come on." Kotetsu laughs sheepishly, running a hand distractedly through his hair. "I wasn't spying. Just trying to be a good audience." But, now that his presence has been acknowledged, he makes his way further into the room to join Barnaby. "It sounded just fine, Bunny. If that's you when you're rusty, I can't wait to hear how you sound when you're polished back up."

He kisses his boyfriend on the cheek before sitting himself down on a nearby bench. "Besides, this place could do with a bit more music sometimes." He reaches out to run his fingers absently over the keys of a piano. They give out dusty, discordant clanks. "Maybe you and Mettaton could play something together for people sometime."

awww yeah

[itstheend]

Unarmed, in the sense of not currently wielding anything. They do, however, have a pointed stick stuck in their belt-loop, and two knives hidden on their person. They're not stupid, but mostly, they just weren't expecting to find him here. It's their standard arsenal.

He's utterly at ease, pitch perfect polite, and that's what gives them pause. His utter lack of unease is setting up some within themself, although they keep it hidden behind their own prim and proper expression. They can't pinpoint precisely why things feel just a tad off kilter - like they walked into an automatic door expecting it to open and smacked into it.

Still, if he's calm with their presence, that's a plus. Isn't it? They breathe out.

"Perhaps it has escaped your notice, but those berries are poisonous." An old urge suddenly frantically fights to tack on a 'sir' at the end, and they strangle it with gritted teeth, head tipping up just a bit, tone dry. "I would recommend removing them from the recipe."

[longlasting]

Adam makes a teasing face. “You were definitely spying. If you were an audience, I’d know you were there in the first place.” Still, he seems as cheerful and affectionate as ever as he meets Kotetsu in the middle of the room, wrapping his arms around Kotetsu’s neck and nuzzling into the kiss. “You really think so? I’ll be sure to let you listen when I practice again.”

He looks a bit disappointed as Kotetsu moves away, but quickly abandons that in favour of a thoughtful look. “Mm, maybe. I suppose it’d give everyone a distraction from how we’ve failed to find a way out.”

Why yes, there is a reason he’s used that particular word. He glances at Kotetsu to gauge his reaction. Is he disappointed in himself?

art by meme (wuffgod/characlysmic/ponchohuman-mun)!

[dustless]

Frisk hasn't...spoken with Barnaby, or--even really seen Barnaby closeup for the longest time. It's not like they were trying to avoid him, but...they admit to themselves that they haven't gone looking for him, either.

It's not like they wanted to hurt him; they wanted to help stop him from being used and being hurt, that was all, and he probably knew that. But they hurt him anyway, bad, during a time where they could hurt anyone (they think) too easily and he deserved to be treated more gently than the wood he'd been made of at the time, and the guilt's stayed settled in their guts for a long time now.

When they chase down the violin music, they're hoping to see...well, they aren't expecting to see Barnaby there, and they want to turn around and leave, but their Jackal-made other self is in the doorway beside them. Their eye is filled with sympathy, they can tell, since they're them, with most of their memories and feelings--but the eye is still an eye, and even if they'd understand the action, being seen turning and running from a friend would make them feel like...an even worse friend than they've been already.



When he finishes with his most recent song, they both step into the room and clap for his performance. "That was really good," Frisk says softly.

[oldmantiger]

Failed. The choice of word does not go unnoticed. It's a...surprisingly sharp word for Barnaby to use these days, and so of course it doesn't go unnoticed. It also hits surprisingly hard, like a shove to the stomach. Kotetsu looks away, frowning anxiously. He certainly looks disappointed in himself - troubled, even, and embarrassed. Maybe even just a bit ashamed. He hasn't forgotten how determined he was to escape within a couple of days, a few months ago. Much as he sometimes tries to.

"Heh. Yeah. Feels like that's all we do, sometimes. Distract ourselves from how we're still stuck here."

Still, being Kotetsu, he tries not to let the moment of doubt last long. Especially not in front of Barnaby. With a minor effort, he brightens once more and waves a hand as though to chase the moment away. "Still. Just because we're stuck here doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make things a little less miserable when we can. Can't let the giant crocodiles go around stealing hats." And eating people. But at least his hat is back on his head.

[mettaton_rex]

And with another step closer, Mettaton recognises exactly what that feeling is. And he's tempted to run all over again, because the last time he felt it was shortly before being dismembered by a rampaging Croc. That's the presence of someone with a lot of LOVE to give, and no hesitations about sharing it.

Wosh u SOUL, he thinks, a little hysterically, and then well, who the hell am I to judge? They can start a support group! Evil Doubles Anonymous. Meet once a week in the ballroom and talk about all your worst decisions over cake.

"Well, darling, you certainly haven't lost your touch!" He takes a seat on a nearby piano bench, elegant legs stretched out along the length of it. Smile, flirt, pose, nothing's wrong. "And yes, that's me! Star of stage and screen, the Underground's number one entertainer -"

And this Barnaby has heard his name before, but wasn't sure of it, and so what Mettaton says next seems to him a completely innocuous question and observation that doesn't imply he knows any unpleasant secrets at all. He has no idea that it's probably sealing his doom. "Am I the first one of me you've met? Sorry, gorgeous, I didn't realise you were new."

[longlasting]

They aren’t wielding anything, but really, how much damage could a child do? They have knives? Adam is surrounded by knives and has a gun hidden under his coat. He can certainly take one child if things go wrong…

But they won’t. He’s confident that being polite will circumvent any need for violence. Just act friendly, just act like Barnaby would. Either this is the child Barnaby gets along well with, or the one that he doesn’t, and even then, he would never act rude. So he stays calm, oblivious to the fact that he should be uneasy.

At least until he hears those words. Then he looks at the plant with complete surprise, picking it up by the stem.

“These are? ...Wait, nightshade, isn’t it? I should have guessed.” He sighs at himself, apparently annoyed that he made such an avoidable mistake. “Thank goodness you told me. I would have given this to Kotetsu otherwise…”

No, he had other plans for this recipe, and he’ll probably still follow up on those plans if he can get the kid to leave. So he offers a sheepish grin.

“Sorry that you had to interfere. You don’t have to stick around.”

[darkerstripes]

His life is a waking nightmare.

It has been ever since that horrible moment he saw Kotetsu walking toward him, accompanied by... Him. It's hard to use His name, even in Toshi's own mind, and he isn't sure if it's more or less respectful that he can only use the capitalized pronouns. The presence of Him hurts and in so many ways. He should be dead. Toshi watched it happen himself, from an intimate angle.

And yet, somewhere in his metal heart, he knew this was inevitable. Adam would come for him. For Kotetsu. This castle doesn't care for chronology or sense.

Even after he's done so much fighting, so much rebelling against his former master, Toshi knows in one horrible instant that he is doomed, outplayed. It only took a glance to know Kotetsu was wrapped around Adam's finger, and suspected little or nothing. The look in Adam's eyes was clear: if Toshi did anything at all, Kotetsu would pay for it.

So he did the only thing he felt he could do: he let it happen. He let his former master, his creator, his- his abuser, do whatever he wanted. He doesn't react. He acts, as best he can. He isn't sure he's convincing, but he keeps a little distance and hopes Kotetsu doesn't notice.

He can't avoid Adam forever, though, and he knows he will come looking for him. If Toshi avoids too long, Adam will get impatient and angry, and then it will be all over. So, eventually, he accepts the inevitable again, and spends the day in his room, knowing a certain evil genius will come calling for him eventually.

[itstheend]

Chara is completely unaware the SPARE button is being leaned on this encounter, so to speak. Their name hasn't turned yellow yet. They still see themself as the danger in this equation in a lot of ways - Barnaby's time as a puppet has left a strong mark, even if logically they know he is not that way any more, and hasn't been for a while.

Everything seems to go well. And then there's... an absence. A missed beat. A sound not heard until it stops, and then you can't recall the sound. Something is off. What is?

Frisk is suddenly equally as ill at ease, and it percolates, amplified as it seeps between sides. Realization is abrupt, and it's difficult to tell whose it is - he picked them up, but he hasn't thrown them away. Hasn't made a move to. Just acknowledgement, and dismissal.

It's silly. It's stupid. It's such a little thing to focus on. So why is it eating up all of the attention? Maybe it's a fuss over nothing, although there's something in the pit of their gut...

On impulse, Chara speaks. Is it Chara? Is it someone else?

"Before I leave, may I have them? I have read that they can make a good dye, despite their inedibility." This is a complete lie, they have no idea, but it would stand to reason, wouldn't it, that they might stain like other berries?

A good die. Haha.

[longlasting]

Adam knows as well as Toshi does that he should be dead. He felt Toshi’s blade pierce his own chest. He felt blood bubbling up around the wound and flood his organs until he choked. He knows Toshi’s horrified face was the last thing he ever saw, and the last thing Adam did was smile, red staining his teeth, satisfied that Toshi would never escape his grasp.

Perhaps that’s why he’s been brought back to life. To reclaim what was rightfully his. His brother had been getting attached to Adam’s servant, and that just wouldn’t do. He needed to get back his disobedient android, and the castle was generous enough to help him do it.

Of course, it was slow. Adam had to work on gaining everyone’s trust first. There was no sense stealing Toshi away if people would know what he was doing the instant he tried. He got Kotetsu to love him, to protect and defend him. Kotetsu knows how much Barnaby adores him, and Toshi as well. He wouldn’t bat an eye at Barnaby spending time with someone he adored.

It takes time to find him, but eventually, he tracks his creation back to his room. Good. He wasn’t trying to hide. He was right where he was supposed to be. Adam hopes that he’ll stay put over the next few days… they have a lot of wasted time to make up for.

His tap on the door is too gentle, his voice and smile too soft as he steps inside the room.

“Oh, Toshi, there you are. I’ve been meaning to talk to you... it’s been such a long time after all. We must catch up.”

[darkerstripes]

Toshi assumes this Adam is from before his death, or from some other version of events that went differently, since he's now very much under the impression that infinite universe theory is correct. He isn't sure which is worse: his Adam coming back from the dead, or the possibility of potentially infinite Adams from all slightly different realities trying to come find revenge.

The sense of oncoming dread has only built as the days went by without Adam actually cornering him, or taking him aside, or in any way putting down his front of being Barnaby. It has to be coming. Toshi knows him well enough to know that. Adam won't be satisfied until he can threaten him as himself, and not just in silent, subtle ways.

That sense of dread gives a powerful spike, and for a moment Toshi wonders if he's actually broken something, when he realizes it was his sensors going off because of Him.

He's here.

Toshi knows it before Adam knocks on the door. Too soft. Too gentle. It makes his skin prickle in fear. The calm before the storm of Adam's rage. He must be so incredibly angry. Memories of being broken, ripped open, smashed, brutalized...

He rips himself back to the present as Adam steps in. He feels dizzy. He can't see straight.

"I... expected you."

Oooh look at it how cool~

[longlasting]

Adam has gotten used to people stumbling into his performances, so the round of applause is almost expected when he ends his latest song. People are so ridiculously polite, insisting on applauding for music just because it’s been arranged by someone they know instead of on the merit of whether they enjoyed it. Not all tastes are the same, are they? People are strange, but Adam shouldn’t be rude. Instead, he’s already wearing his polite smile when he turns and is rather shocked to see not just a child, but a copy of them with no face, staring uncomfortably with an unblinking eye. He looks between the two of them for a few moments, trying to gauge the similarities.

Eventually, he realizes he hasn’t answered them, and he forces himself to smile again. “Ah… thank you.”

[longlasting]

Barnaby surely didn’t intentionally use that word. It was a slip of the tongue, an innocent choice that seemed to have consequences he wasn’t expecting. He looks worried at Kotetsu’s frown, already setting his violin down and coming forward, but before he has a chance to say anything, Kotetsu beams back at him, and Barnaby relents with a wry smile of his own.

Inside, of course, he’s thrilled that he was able to get to Kotetsu so easily, but he’ll keep that well hidden.

“You are right, as always. You’ve been doing a lot for the people here. I’m lucky you’re sticking with me.”

He looks away, shy all of a sudden. Because that is why Kotetsu is still here, isn’t it? To stay by Barnaby. Because of some lovesick obligation to stay with such a pathetic excuse for a hero.

Tbh if i had any other version of Adam here he would love to join Evil Doubles Anonymous

[longlasting]

He has a lot of LOVE, most of it stemming from love. He wanted Kotetsu so badly it resulted in Toshi. He wanted his old life so badly his brother is chained up and mutilated in the basement. He loved what his sibling had so badly he’d do anything to steal it back away, and that’s what’s made him so intense.

“Thank you very much. I’m sure I’m nothing compared to the number one entertainer.”

His smile remains fixed on his face. They’re both playing a game of deception now, both of them trying to pretend they haven’t caught on. Mettaton is trying to act like he doesn’t realize Adam is a murderer, and… well, Adam is trying to act calm until he has an opportunity to use that high LV to his advantage. He sets his violin down, walks to another corner of the music room, pretending to admire some instruments.

“Oh, I suppose so. I didn’t realize the fact that I was a new arrival was so obvious. I was hoping to keep it a secret.”

He’s so close to the door now. Just a few calm steps forward…

“My brother is here, after all, so I thought it would be easy enough to just let people think we were one in the same. No harm done. So long as someone doesn’t let it slip…”

He slides around the door and leans back against it, his smile getting a bit wider as it clicks shut.

[longlasting]

Oh, they’re certainly not the danger anymore. Regardless of who has more power, Adam has more desire to use what he has. Barnaby would have never used the Hundred Power against an innocent, especially not an innocent child. Adam has no super strength, but he has knives and bullets and no concern about being a murderer.

That’s why the berries are still dangling from his hand, not being deposited into a trash can. He had plans for these, and it would be so very disappointing to throw them away…

But it would be more disappointing if someone figured out something was wrong before he was ready to show his hand. He notes the child’s obvious nerves and concern, and so instead of continuing with his plans, he passes them over. He can always find other poisons.

“If you’ll be careful with them. I don’t want you getting sick, after all.”

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu's expression softens. His tone grows faintly teasing. "I mean, it's not like being stuck anywhere with you is the worst thing in the world."

Normally, that shy and self-conscious look on Barnaby's face would make him pull the other man close - wrap an arm around his waist or shoulders, or pull him into a quick hug. The fact that Kotetsu doesn't do so isn't even a conscious decision, in that moment. It's just an instinctive attempt to avoid that strange, skin-crawling feeling whose cause he can't even truly place yet.

Still. He consciously knows that he can't stay seated when his boyfriend looks like that. Kotetsu reaches out to catch hold of one of Barnaby's hands again, to try and coax the other man into looking at him. "And hey, what's this selling yourself short business again? You know I'm just as lucky. And when we find our way out of here - and we will - I'm still gonna stick with you."

He knows that just...enjoying life with Barnaby has definitely contributed somewhat to Kotetsu's distraction. Just being with Barnaby in good times and taking care of him in bad. But Kotetsu can't bring himself to regret those moments as much as he should. Those are happy moments. Even the breakdowns, because he knows that they're both better off when they're over. His life has regained those moments of quiet domesticity and intimacy that he thought he'd never have again, after Tomoe.

He's happy. Nothing has changed.

[longlasting]

Toshi can assume whatever he’d like that will make Adam more intimidating to him. Adam can’t explain it.. For all he knows, he could be another version of Adam that was also seeking revenge against Toshi, just not this Toshi. Maybe their universes are just so closely connected. Either way, he’s back, and he’s not about to die again until he finds a way to punish Toshi for abandoning him.

It’s been slow, of course. He’s had to work on maintaining his facade, and seeing what boundaries he can push without drawing attention to his obvious differences from his brother. He’s had to spend far too much time with Kotetsu to keep him happy. But now he’s ready to confront the android. Ready to make his entrance.

The simple act of knocking on the door has seemed to have a profound effect on Toshi, who is nearly paralyzed with fear. Adam smiles as he closes the door behind him, steps forward with the same grin. He never once lets Toshi see even an ounce of his rage.

“Oh, have you? I wasn’t entirely sure if you recognized me. Thought it might be a little hard to connect me with the bleeding corpse you left me as.”

He takes a seat on the bed next to Toshi, a hand inching around the android’s waist.

“Anyways. We need to catch up on what happened since then. I’ve been quite confused about this place, but it’s been a bit difficult to get proper answers when everyone thinks I know already.”

[longlasting]

Barnaby rolls his eyes with a faint smile of his own. “I would hope you’re not begging to be separated from me, at the very least.”

He still looks a little worried, though. Unable to shake that feeling that Barnaby is what’s holding him back. If only he was gone, then Kotetsu could truly thrive. That was why he was doing all of this… No matter what Kotetsu says, he could be so much better if Barnaby wasn’t here.

That's why Adam has to do this. Surely Kotetsu will understand when the two of them move on to far better things.

He looks up as Kotetsu takes his hand, sighing as Kotetsu catches his obvious concern. "I suppose you do see yourself as lucky as well... I hope you stick by me, Kotetsu. No matter what happens, you know I'd do anything for you. Right?"

His hand tightens around Kotetsu's just slightly. He will ensure Kotetsu stays by him forever. He has to promise that he understands. Then they'll both be happy.

[dustless]

Replica-Frisk shifts from clapping to waving with both hands. The stare isn't unexpected. (It's not like they're going to show their slight self-consciousness easily, or even can.)

Frisk smiles back, just for a moment. Just long enough to show their new mouthful of fangs. "Welcome. Didn't know you...knew how to do that."

They feel a little strained. They don't know how to bring up...anything, or at least anything relevant to them and him, like their silence and their mistake. They should apologize, at the very least, but there aren't any words good enough for that.

Re-focusing on their own issues feels selfish, but Barnaby's already seeming curious. "Um. A lot of...weird stuff's been happening. Mostly t' me. But don't worry," they add hastily--he's a hero and a good guy, he might still worry even with their recent failure of a friendship. "'M gonna be okay."

That's their opinion, anyway. Replica-Frisk can't roll their eye--that's what it's supposed to be, only more of a sigil than an actual organ--but they tilt their head from side to side in an attempt to get that meaning across. In their place half a step nearer to Barnaby, Frisk doesn't notice.