"Yeah," he agreed, resigned to that fact. Whether it was insensitive or not, Kotetsu didn't find much sadness or terror in it. Of course, he worried for Kaede, but he wouldn't wish her here just to sooth his loneliness. She was safer back in Oriental Town than she would be here. Everyone was better off back home, and so would they, but they didn't get that choice and he could accept that. It wasn't so painful with his former partner sitting beside him. If Barnaby wasn't here, the older man knew he wouldn't be able to stand so tall in the face of this bizarre situation. He didn't have the strength or the skill like he used to... It was a depressing fact, but it was one he knew he couldn't escape. it was half the reason he retired in the first place.

Pulling a beer from the plastic, he cracked it open and took a long swallow. "But I'm... I'm glad you're here with me," he finally said, fiddling with the metal tab on his can out of some small fit of nervous energy.