Title: Choose - chapter one
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Characters: Kotetsu, Antonio, Keith
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.
"You're not the only one."
Keith was surprised he didn't spill his drink after the sultry voice whispered directly into his ear. Or, directly into the speaker unit beside his ear. They were all celebrating Wild Tiger's crowning as King of Heroes and still donned their helmets, masks, and in Fire Emblem's case—the voice resonating clearly through his helmet—his cowl. Sky High took a few deep breaths, glad that his helmet hid his shock, and faced the Fire NEXT. Even though Nathan couldn't see it, he smiled out of courtesy. "I'm not the only one… what?" Keith pressed.
Fire Emblem smiled wickedly, his lips slightly pursed to show off the pink lipstick he always wore. He plucked the glass from Keith's fingers, placing it onto the tray of a passing waiter. "Just because you're hiding behind this—" He ghosted a long, slender finger down the side of Sky High's helmet, "—doesn't meant I can't tell what you're thinking, especially when you stare so blatantly."
Keith tried not to shy away from the touch he couldn't feel. "What… am I thinking?"
Fire Emblem giggled softly, curling his fingers around the back of Keith's neck. He leaned in close, lips ghosting over the metal of his helmet, and whispered. Sky High buried his face in his hands; only Fire Emblem could hear his embarrassed whimpers and groans, and rubbed gently at the young man's back in a soothing manner.
"Oi, Fire Emblem."
Sky High froze after hearing the new voice, but Nathan's gentle, yet somehow firm grip on his arm prevented him from bolting. He lifted his head to get a proper look at the approaching Hero through his visor.
Wild Tiger grinned at him before frowning at Fire Emblem. "Already set your sights on the newbie? He's still a kid, y'know." He glanced at Keith, a questioning look in his eyes. "Right?"
"Twenty-two," Keith replied, allowing his helmet to adjust his voice to a more audible level.
Fire Emblem smiled sweetly, resting his head against the side of Keith's helmet. "Perfectly legal and then some." Keith let out an unmanly squeak after feeling Nathan's hand slide from his lower back straight to his behind, squeezing firmly.
The touch lasted a few seconds, because the Fire NEXT was soon purring with the appearance of another Hero. Rock Bison had taken hold of Fire Emblem's wrist, stopping his wandering hand, but the CEO of Helios didn't mind at all, curling himself against the burly Bull Tank.
Wild Tiger saluted his friend for taking one for the team, before slipping an arm around Keith's shoulder to lead him to safety. He released him long enough to grab two flutes filled with champagne from a passing server before nodding his head towards the balcony doors. Keith hesitated, not bothering to look over his shoulder; Fire Emblem wouldn't be able to rescue him.
Wild Tiger grinned from beneath his mask, cocking his head to one side. "Despite my name, I don't bite," he laughed. "C'mon."
Keith's hesitation after taking one small step forward was all thanks to his traitorous mind and libido. To have Wild Tiger leave a mark—no! He took a few calming breaths, ever so grateful for his helmet—it hid the burning blush he was positive had spread throughout the rest of his body—before accepting the glass being held out to him.
Wild Tiger snagged his wrist when he did, making sure the golden liquid didn't spill, and tugged him outside. Once there, the new King of Heroes let out a ragged groan, moving to the rail so he could sag against it. "I'm not cut out for these events," he muttered, lifting the glass to his lips to take a sip. He spared a fleeting glance to the young man standing several feet away from him, fingers clutching the slender body of the champagne flute for dear life. "If you can get over your shyness… I bet you'll be better at this than I am.
'I'm this way… because of you.' Sky High gasped when the flute shattered in his grip. He took a few steps away from the railing, letting the broken pieces fall to the balcony floor.
Wild Tiger chuckled softly, straightening up to tug the handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit jacket. He opened it with a flick of his wrist and placed it into the young man's hands. "It'll get better, I promise. I run around in spandex, for Christ's sake!" His grin softened to a warm smile, his golden eyes sparkling. "But I wouldn't trade it for anything else."
"Because you're Wild Tiger," Sky High whispered. He wrung his hands together with the pretense of still cleaning the wine from his fingers.
"Exactly. King of Heroes, or not, I'll always be Wild Tiger." Wild Tiger turned an almost loving gaze away and downward.
Keith followed it. His helmet enhanced Wild Tiger's left hand, along with the silver band sitting on his ring finger. Something twisted in the young Hero's gut and he found himself releasing the latch on the side of his helmet. The front and back pieces fell apart and down onto the floor, revealing the flushed blond beneath. Keith moved back to the railing, clutching the cold metal tightly with both hands as he greedily gulped down the fresh night air. He could distantly hear Wild Tiger, obviously worried, asking him something, but he couldn't bring himself to focus.
'It's a fanboy crush. Let it go… just let it go. You're a Hero now. He's a colleague—a rival, even!' Keith lifted his face to the night sky, a tortured smile twisting at his lips. 'He's married—happily married. He doesn't need a kid mucking up his life. Let. it. go.'
"Sky High!"
The strong hands on his shoulders brought him back to reality and Keith grinned reassuringly at the wide-eyed man staring at him. "I'm fine," he told him. His eyes curved into arcs as he laughed chipperly, "I believe that was me getting over my shyness!" Keith ducked his head, gaze roving over the roof as he searched for the fallen pieces of his helmet. He collected both, holding the back part against his head first. He brought the front piece forward.
Wild Tiger opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to speak. He pressed his lips into a thin line, trying to banish from his mind, the devastated look on the young man's face before he disappeared behind his Hero persona with the few clicks and whirs that locked the helmet in place. Wild Tiger shook his head, sighing deeply. "I think I've had too much to drink. Let's go back in before they send out Heroes to find us."
Keith laughed along with him, his feelings now buried somewhere he could never reach them. He led the way back to the glass doors, holding it open for the new King of Heroes.
X X X
When Keith returned home that evening—the suite that Poseidon Line practically threw him into, he cried into the tawny fur of his best friend; a Golden Retriever named John. They were both young, still puppies, but Keith received comfort from the concerned whine the animal directed his way.
Both master and friend fell asleep curled around each other at the end of the large bed.
Keith didn't try to maintain any distance—they shared the same Tower and all its facilities—but he was no longer the same Sky High they once knew. Agnes pulled him aside one time, preaching dramatically about HeroTV and its ratings. Keith had been following in Wild Tiger's footsteps—"It's about rescuing people and stopping the bad guys, kid, not the points."—but who's to say he couldn't do both? Against his better judgment, he began spending more time with Fire Emblem, but the CEO understood his plight and refrained from mentioning a certain King of Heroes.
So busy trying to change himself, Keith failed to notice when Kotetsu began to change also. He became distant and inattentive at parties and promotional events. The smile was there, but the vibrant golden eyes had turned dull.
X X X
"You're staring again," Nathan hummed, standing beside the treadmill Keith absentmindedly jogged on.
Keith ignored him and continued to do just what he'd been accused of. Across the room, Antonio stood with Kotetsu, the worried look on his face causing his brow to crease as he had an obvious one-sided conversation. He leaned down closer and for a moment, Kotetsu's eyes brightened and he chuckled—softly, since Keith didn't hear.
Keith relaxed, returning his attention to the man that had remained beside his machine. Nathan stared, unblinking, until it became unbearable and uncomfortable. "What?" Keith hissed.
"You let him go, that's what you told me."
"I did, but I'm just worried." Keith flashed the dark-skinned NEXT a bright smile. "We can't afford to lose Heroes—we're only four."
"There's been talk that we'll get a new addition."
Keith hummed softly in affirmation, turning back around. Antonio and Kotetsu were now spotting each other as they lifted weights, so Keith decided to put his focus into his own workout. Nathan left him shortly after he increased the speed of his run, sauntering over to admire Antonio and his biceps. Keith momentarily forgot he was on a stationary machine, and attempted to flee when he saw Kotetsu approaching. He lowered his speed, taking a few deep breaths, and adapted his 'Sky High' persona. Keith grinned widely at the brunet that stopped in front of his treadmill.
"Agnes got to you, didn't she?"
Keith's mask faltered, but he recovered.
Kotetsu saw all he needed to. "You're her new project." He smiled dryly. "And you'll be perfect."
"Mr. Wild Tiger—" Keith fell silent when the golden eyes focused in him. There was a pain in their depths. He hit the STOP button and the treadmill slowed to a halt, with him at the end of the belt. "Mr. Wild Tiger. Is everything... okay?"
Kotetsu's eyes widened for a brief moment, and then he was grinning lopsidedly. "Everything's fine..." Keith heard so far and for now after Kotetsu trailed off. "I've been told that my performance is starting to slip. Pick up my slack?" Kotetsu smiled, waving as he wandered away.
Keith stepped off the treadmill, but that's as far as he allowed himself to move. 'Smile. Keep smiling... Smile.'
It was a sad smile of longing and heartbreak that he wore, and the remaining occupants of the gym saw it before the young man took his leave.
A/N: *cough cough* I blame this all on mrsklemzak74. And that Avengers story (and the several after that I found *silent tears*).
...mmm, short. I think most of the chapters might be short. They're like... "life segments". They feel right where I stop them.
I'm making assumptions, based on ages, that the guys were the first to become Heroes. No idea how old Nathan is, but Kotetsu and Antonio are around the same, and I pushed it back to like... 30-31. Keith, I made 22, so when you have the "five year" mention of Tomoe's death... the series starts out with them being 35-36, 27. Sounds right? *runs away*