[Barnaby's eyes widen, and he can't hide the way those words wound him more than any of Gen's punches could. His grip tightens, and his voice shakes when he replies.]
I haven't abandoned him! The whole reason I'm doing this is--! [It's what he'd want. Barnaby had stayed a hero for Kotetsu, and Kotetsu alone, not out of his own virtuousness. Helping others is what his partner would be doing right now, and he'd probably be doing a much better job of trying to talk sense into Gen.
He'd also be telling Barnaby to cool it and not let his emotions get the better of him; he can practically feel the calming hand on his shoulder. If things escalate here, who knows what kind of destruction that tremoring power could be capable of. It could, for all he knows, bring the building down on all three of them.
He swallows and loosens his grip on Gen, before lifting his knee off his chest with the kind of approach of releasing a wild animal. If Gen attacks again he'll respond in kind, but right now--]
no subject
I haven't abandoned him! The whole reason I'm doing this is--! [It's what he'd want. Barnaby had stayed a hero for Kotetsu, and Kotetsu alone, not out of his own virtuousness. Helping others is what his partner would be doing right now, and he'd probably be doing a much better job of trying to talk sense into Gen.
He'd also be telling Barnaby to cool it and not let his emotions get the better of him; he can practically feel the calming hand on his shoulder. If things escalate here, who knows what kind of destruction that tremoring power could be capable of. It could, for all he knows, bring the building down on all three of them.
He swallows and loosens his grip on Gen, before lifting his knee off his chest with the kind of approach of releasing a wild animal. If Gen attacks again he'll respond in kind, but right now--]
--It's why I'm taking this citizen to safety.