[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

[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."

[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."

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu's concern doesn't entirely dissipate. Barnaby's words aren't...entirely reassuring. He makes an anxious sort of noise, even as he threads their fingers together. "Come on, Bunny. I know you would, but you don't have to." He smiles tremulously. "You shouldn't have to. Relationships aren't supposed to work like that."

His doubts are momentarily subsumed by worry. It's enough to get Kotetsu to overcome his earlier reservations about hugging his boyfriend.

"...I know you probably didn't mean it like that." Doesn't he? "But this place does make me worry, sometimes. Considering what we already know it can do to us."

Maybe it's this room, putting these grim thoughts in his head. Kotetsu pulls away and motions for Barnaby to follow him. "Anyway, I've been looking for you for a while now. Have you eaten yet? You know it's getting late, right?"

[longlasting]

“I don’t have to, I just want to. Kotetsu… you don’t need to worry so much. I’m still taking care of myself… I just want to be able to take care of you too.”

Adam smiles and squeezes Kotetsu’s hand, even as he gasps, pleasantly surprised by the hug. For a brief moment, he forgets his carefully constructed lies and deceptions and clings back with a sigh. God, this is all he wanted… and everything his brother doesn’t deserve to have.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Like what? Adam probably means it in a far crueller way than Kotetsu imagined… but that still means he didn’t intend for it to have the implications Kotetsu is imagining. Without any more focus on that, he stands and follows after Kotetsu.

“Oh… is it that late already? I was so focused on practicing, I didn’t really notice. Were you planning on making something for us?”

[oldmantiger]

"I wasn't planning on it - I already did. Thought we could try this soup recipe I heard about a while back. Hope you like it."

He considers doing something - wrapping an arm around Barnaby's shoulder, staying close, indulging in something companionable. But he doesn't. Kotetsu has to actively force himself, remind himself, to be as affectionate as he usually is. He tries. He reminds himself often, and sometimes acts even more affectionate towards Barnaby as though to make up for these idiotic doubts. He tries. But the easy affection he previously enjoyed just rings...wrong.

He blames himself for days. He wonders what's wrong with him all of a sudden. Only later - much too late, he'll learn later - does he consider the possibility that something might be wrong with Barnaby. Maybe the castle has done something to him.

He wars with himself for a long while before doing what he does next. This is a line Kotetsu swore that he would never cross. Going snooping through a partner's things is a betrayal, pure and simple. An ultimate breaking of trust. But...he can't shake the feeling that Barnaby is hiding something from him. If he's right, at least he didn't break the trust between them first.

It's a hollow excuse, one that leaves a bad taste in Kotetsu's mouth. But in the end, it leads to him slipping out of bed one night, gently disentangling himself from his boyfriend's embrace. But this time, rather than wandering the halls, he grabs Barnaby's phone off the side table and ducks out into the hallway.

And then he goes looking through Barnaby's phone for some kind of answer. For some clue as to how to help.

[longlasting]

"You know I always love your cooking, Kotetsu. It has to be better than what I'd make, anyways."

And that's the truth, Adam assumes. Both of them grew up in a more privileged setting. He doubts Barnaby ever learned to cook. So he's probably not nearly as good as Kotetsu.

For days afterwards, 'Barnaby' lavishes Kotetsu with compliments. He plays the part of a perfect boyfriend, sweet and kind and affectionate. He certainly acts a little strange when around others, and can say things that could be unintentionally hurtful, but that's all it is, right? Unintentional. He's just a little awkward and new to affection. He'll get used to this.

But even so, he can't keep the secrets forever. Kotetsu is a hero, and he has a sense for when something isn't quite right. So when he goes snooping, it isn't long before he finds a recently recorded video, the thumbnail displaying a dim room in the castle, dark enough to almost manage to hide the droplets of blood on the walls.

cw descriptions of murder

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu watches all of it.

He doesn't want to. As soon as he realizes what he's seeing, he wants to turn it off. He wants to look away, as though if he does none of this will be happening, none of it will be real.

But on some level, that would feel like a disservice to the horror he's allowed to continue for...how long? And so Kotetsu watches to the end, feeling his heart wrench tighter and tighter, feeling like he's going to be sick then and there, feeling a scream building up in his chest as he sees Frisk and Bunny...

As he hears someone speak to Barnaby in his own voice. As he sees Adam come stalking lazily into the camera's field of view, a cat circling its prey. A bloody knife in his hands, and cruel words coming so easily to his lips. Mockery, taunts, insults, and at last...

"You're going to die now," Barnaby's twin says, with clear and evident relish in his tone. "And Kotetsu is never going to know it."

Frisk is sobbing and screaming around oh god that's a muzzle. Barnaby just looks so...tired. So defeated. Like even now, bearing so many visible wounds both new and old on his body, he can't understand why his brother is doing this to him. He tries to say something. Tries to ask, persuade, cajole. But he doesn't beg. Kotetsu will be proud of him for that later. Barnaby does not beg for his life.

But Kotetsu does beg. There, outside the room he was supposed to be sharing with his boyfriend, he watches Adam grab Barnaby's hair and pull his head back and Kotetsu whimpers an endless plea of "no, no, no..." as though it will make any difference now.

"Close your eyes, Frisk," Barnaby whispers, and then the knife flashes down. Kotetsu has just enough time to see the ragged red line open on Barnaby's throat. Has just enough time to see his partner choke on his own blood, and see the realization rise in his beautiful green eyes that he's dying.

Then the phone snaps in half in his grip. Kotetsu has no words left - just the scream of helpless rage and hopeless despair that boils out of him at last. He doubles over, hands fisted in his hair and tears blinding him, and feels the world coming apart around him until one real and true fact remains. One thing to hold on to.

Barnaby's murderer is just beyond the door right next to him.

Bunny's killer is sleeping in their bed.

If the scream didn't wake Adam, the door slamming open will probably do the job. Kotetsu stands in the doorway, glowing bright blue, tears in his eyes and the purest loathing on his face.

"You."

He wastes no time. He lunges.

[longlasting]

Adam isn’t a very heavy sleeper. The tinny murmur of voices starts slowly rousing him from sleep, even if he tries to keep sleeping. He whines under his breath, reaches out to pull Kotetsu closer…

He opens his eyes when he hears the snap, and realizes Kotetsu isn’t in bed. The scream only confirms his suspicions.

He sits up as the door crashes open, as Kotetsu barrells in, and ah, this is the kind of fire he had wanted to see. At least now the hero was actually trying to do something, even if he was far too late to make a difference.

Adam barely has time to grin before Kotetsu is tackling him down, but his laughter continues even as he hits the floor.

“Kotetsu! My, my, something’s got you excited, hasn’t it? That’s no excuse to hurt your lover, is it?”

He reaches out to grab hold of Kotetsu’s wrists, and in moments, the harsh blue glow around Kotetsu’s form starts to falter.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu doesn't see or understand or process a lot of things for a few seconds. There's just the satisfying impact of the two of them colliding and falling, and the red, raw rage thudding in his ears.

Then he realizes that this man is laughing. Adam is laughing.

Kotetsu growls, struggling against that hold. It's harder than it should be, and only then does he realize that something is wrong. The light...his power...

Yet none of that matters as much as it should, either. Not in light of everything else.

"Why?!" he manages to choke out, tears still half blinding him. "He's...he was your brother, why would you do that to him?!"

Almost too late, he remembers that he's not entirely helpless here. With both his hands held fast, Kotetsu shifts enough to drive a knee into Adam's stomach, as hard as he still can.

"You bastard, I'll kill you!"

[longlasting]

Adam starts laughing harder as Kotetsu starts struggling, as he starts to realize what’s wrong. Of course, he won’t know for sure until Adam tells him, but he’ll certainly wait until a good moment to bring that up.

Right now, Kotetsu is focused on another revelation, and Adam delights to see him start to fall into mourning for his pathetic sibling.

“Why would I do what? Take the life I deserved back from him? I should think it would be obvious!”

He laughs again only to be cut off with a choke. Even without Hundred Power, that hurts, and his grip on Kotetsu loosens.

“K-Kotetsu… don’t you dare start rebelling now…”