“It’s not – ” This is as far as Kotetsu got before Barnaby was darting away, and the older man was left there to plop down on a chair with a defeated sigh. “… that bad, don’t worry,” he finished the sentence in a grumble, even though there wasn’t anyone else around to hear. He prodded at his shoulder again; the pain had subsided as quickly as it came. He really hated being fussed over. And, to be perfectly honest, he felt a little bit like he was guilted into letting Bunny do that, but whatever, if partnership meant putting up with it, he could do that. If it was that important to the blond. And he was already coming back with an ice pack, so Kotetsu tried his best to look a little less put-out than he felt. “You know, I really am fine. You just surprised me. It doesn’t even hurt anymore, see?” A wince. Okay, maybe lifting his arm that high was a dumb idea. He took the ice pack from the other with his good hand, and pressed it over his collarbone. Okay, that didn’t feel too bad. “Thanks, Bunny.”
“Don’t!” Barnaby gasped out, a little exasperated, as Kotetsu tried to life his arm up in display. “It obviously still hurts! Just-- sit there and ice it, please,” he instructed, tone a little clipped, but that wasn’t because of Kotetsu (even if he was trying to lighten up the situation), simply because of Barnaby’s carelessness; he let out a sigh, rubbing at his forehead gently. It was a long moment before he could bring himself to look at Kotetsu, very bemused. “So, was it hurting that bad before? Or did I manage make it worse?” Not that he was trying to play the woe-is-me card, but it did actually matter if it was one way or another, if Barnaby should feel worried or guilty. Though perhaps far more subtly this time round, he added to himself.



















