savetheearth | down the rabbit hole

Who: Kotetsu and Barnaby
When: Backdated to December 17
Where: Some generic mall somewhere
What: The birth of a nickname
Warnings: Some anxiety stuff, including a panic attack. Will update if necessary.

[It's been about three months since he met Barnaby Brooks Jr. An admittedly rocky beginning, to be sure, but ever since their "do-over" lunch of sorts, things have been a lot less awkward. They've even made it into a habit; about once a week, they'd meet up for lunch, hang out for a couple hours. Small-talk and the occasional banter made up most of their conversations, though the knowledge of each other as network members was an added comfort--whether or not pulses and surrounded happenings were actually discussed, it was nice to know they could talk about it if they wanted.

It's Kotetsu's turn to pick where they go this week, and with Christmas so soon around the bend, he thinks it's pretty clever of him to pick the mall downtown: lots of interesting places to eat and nice places to sit down and relax, and they could get some Christmas shopping in too. This is clearly the best way to organize a hangout ever and nothing could possibly go wrong.]

Man, [he says, poking at a button that makes a mechanical voice repeat their location a couple more times] I'll never get how these 'interactive map' thingies work.

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[The last thing Barnaby'd expected to come out of this Network business was a new friendship, but here they were. It's kind of nice, being able to just swap stories and talk about mundane things - something vaguely normal in the middle of all the insanity.

Of course, that means he's gotten to learn all about Kotetsu's technology troubles, which is why he gently nudges him out of the way.]

Here, I'll do it. I think I can figure it out.

[There's got to be a food and snacks search function on the menu somewhere. He taps a few of the less obviously marked selections, lighting up different parts of the map before he eventually finds the one that shows their dining options. (Expect heavy preference towards the actual full restaurants listed over the food court - Kotetsu might be the one picking but Barnaby's still got standards, dammit.)]

There we go. [He sighs.] I'd like to get my hands on the moron who picked these button graphics...

[Kotetsu steps aside gratefully as Barnaby starts messing with the map. And honestly--watching in something that’s a little like boyish wonder at how easily this kind of thing comes to his friend. It’s entirely natural to him, practically like breathing, and Kotetsu is always both impressed and a little bit jealous of that.

Their weekly meetings have gotten him used to a bunch of Barnaby’s quirks too, though, and he snickers a little bit at the bit of muttered programmer!rage. As the list of dining options comes up, there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sparkle of mischief in his eye before he innocently points at the one with the dubious moniker Terrible Tom’s Teriyaki Teepee, complete with a ridiculous cartoon logo of a man in a cowboy hat with a dripping steak hanging from a knife.]

How ‘bout that one?

[That snicker earns Kotetsu a light whack on the shin with Barnaby's cane. Not enough to hurt or anything, it's more like a friendly elbow to the ribs.

And then Kotetsu has to point to...that. There are no words at first, just a flat, unamused glare. Don't mind him, old man, he's just trying to set you on fire with his mind.]

For your sake, I hope you're joking.

[Oh god, that expression is absolutely priceless. Kotetsu has to fight not to burst into laughter right then and there, keeping a straight face is so hard right now.]

Whaaat? It...seems like a...perfectly resp...ectahahahaha.....

[Nope, stick a fork in him, he's done. The laughter persists for a good thirty seconds afterward. Between breaths:]

Okay--...you got me--...but the look on your face--was so worth it...

[God, why does he hang out with you again?]

Oh yeah, very funny. I can barely contain my laughter.

[THE DEADEST OF PAN.]

I am half tempted to leave you here and go eat by myself, you know.

[Kotetsu, you are very close to losing your restaurant-picking privilege for today. Choose wisely.]

[Because he's a cute oyaji?]

Naa, you wouldn't be so cruel as to leave an old man hopelessly lost in the mall, would you~?

[OKOK no he'll be good...Kotetsu takes a moment to scan the listing of food establishments, before pointing to one called 'Blues City Deli'.]

Better?

Of course not. You, on the other hand, would probably be pretty entertaining with your flailing around.

[Sure, he smiles as he says it, but is he joking? NO ONE KNOWS.

He leans in for a closer look when Kotetsu points to the listing again. A deli? Sandwiches and salads, he's good with that.]

Yes, much better.

[You're still not entirely off the hook though, old man. There will be prank-vengeance.]

[That remark is greeted with a pout.]

Oiiiii, c'moooon.

[u are so cruel to him, barnabutt.]

[But at his friend's approval, he grins, smirking a cheeky smirk at Barnaby's direction.]

Great. Then let's go get you some rabbit food, Bunny.

[Barnaby doesn't get a chance to react to the nickname, because the second he hears it his expression goes blank as something clicks, turning a record scratch in his memory into Bunny Bunny Bunny and everything falls away, falls and fades and no no no not this please no--

His eyes go unfocused as he gets lost in the memory (no not a memory yes no real not real don't know can't tell the difference anymore). One deep, gasping breath and then he's hyperventilating, his arms start trembling and his whole body tenses up, ready to bolt.

Hopefully Kotetsu can recognize a panic attack when he sees one.]

[He's starting to recognize them, yes. And for an instant he's afraid that rabbits are somehow triggering to Barnaby too before he realizes that just before the panic started, he saw the telltale blankness of an Echo--

....But before he can do anything to try to help, there's suddenly the sensation of an Echo in his own chest, and suddenly he can feel something in his pocket. But he doesn't check right away--it can wait.

He goes over to his friend's side, hesitant a moment before he places a hand on the younger man's shoulder and squeezes. If the Echo is what's freaking him out, maybe trying to ground him in reality will help.]

Hey. I'm here, everything's gonna be okay, huh? Breathe.

down the rabbit hole

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1/2

i keep almost typing 'partner' it's a problem

at least it's an adorable problem?

C: yay