"He's not so bad, Kotetsu," Antonio Lopez spoke quietly, twirling the beer bottle in his hand slowly. His eyes were glassy, fixated on the mouth of the coffee-colored bottle. He looked up, shaking the hair from his eyes and smiled. "He could be worse."

"How?" Kotetsu Kaburagi asked with a drawl, shrugging his shoulders dramatically. He gulped down another mouthful of sochu and eyed Antonio skeptically. "The only thing worse is if I had to live with him."

"He's doing his best," Antonio proffered gently, careful not to exact his friend's wrath.

"He's just so troublesome!" Kotetsu complained, rubbing his goatee irritably. "He thinks he knows everything! He thinks he's perfect! And, and…." Kotetsu began to speak louder and louder, his voice attracting the attention of the bar's other patrons. "He plays the favorite! 'Oh, look at me, everybody loooves me!'' It pisses me off!"

"You take it too personally," Antonio sighed, taking another swig of beer. "He acts normally. He's just a normal, average guy…" Antonio lifted his hand, squeezing Kotetsu's shoulder in a friendly way. "I think the truth is… you might… well…. Be jealous."

"W-w-what?!" Kotetsu stammered, his amber eyes wide in offended disbelief. "What do I have to be jealous of? He can kiss my ass."

"Just call and talk to him," Antonio suggested. "You'll feel better."

"No." Kotetsu snapped. "No way. If he wants to act like he's superman, let him… I don't even care…"

"Well, obviously you do…" Antonio muttered.

"Agh!" Kotetsu groaned. "My brother is an asshole."

Antonio shook his head, laughing into the mouth of the beer bottle. "You're something else."

"He was Dad's favorite," Kotetsu said, finishing the sochu and shaking the ice in the bottom of the glass. "And Kaede adores him…" Kotetsu took a deep breath and began to complain, his words rapid and hard to discern. "He got the store… That was Dad's life… Did anyone think to ask me? No,… I mean, I'm a hero, but I won't be forever…"

"Muramasa's the oldest." Antonio pointed out, arching a brow.

"And he doesn't let me forget it," Kotetsu mumbled, pulling his cap down over his head. "He's a thorn in my side."

"He takes care of your mom and watches over Kaede…" Antonio replied, shaking his head.

"Stupid cow," Kotetsu complained. "Whose side are you on?"

"Yours…" Antonio said soothingly, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture.

"Tch," Kotetsu grumbled, standing up from the bar stool awkwardly. He seemed to weave back and forth before he placed a hand on the bar to steady himself. "I'm going home…"

"Alright," Antonio agreed, pushing himself to his feet. "I'll walk with ya."

"Eh," Kotetsu said with a crooked smile. "I'm not that drunk."

"Of course not," Antonio said, pushing one hand in the pocket of his jeans and hooking the other around Kotetsu's slender arm. Kotetsu wriggled from Antonio's grasp and ran ahead, laughing like a child. He jumped up, kicking his legs out, his hand touching the street sign high above their heads, Legend Avenue. "Hey, you're an old man, you'll hurt yourself!"

Kotetsu turned around to face him, walking backwards on the empty, dimly-lit street. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners and his nose scrunching up ever-so-slightly. "I'm not old tonight." Antonio's breath caught in his throat as Kotetsu spoke. "Tonight, I'm free."

"Hey, I think you're really drunk," Antonio replied, speeding up to walk beside Kotetsu. "I have the feeling you're about to make some terrible decision."

"I've decided not to go home," Kotetsu answered, giving a small bow. "The night is a field… ready for… my… uh, harvest…"

"Yup," Antonio groaned. "You're drunk."

"I feel fine," Kotetsu replied with a shrug. "I feel fan-tas-tic."

Antonio jogged the distance between them, lowering his chest and scooping Kotetsu around the waist. He heaved the other man over his shoulder, carrying him as he slowed down to a casual walk. "Hey! Hey! Hey! S-s-st-st-stupid cow!" Kotetsu turned, glaring at Antonio with glassy, amber eyes. "What're you doin'?"

"I'm a hero." Antonio responded softly, fighting the urge to lift his hand and brush the hair from Kotetsu's handsome face. Loud club music cut through the air, two streets over and the noise was still irritating. "It's my duty to save people."

"An-to-ni-o…" Kotetsu whined, his breath fanning across Antonio's neck. "I'm a man, I have needs…"

"You're totally shit-faced drunk and you're an old man," Antonio teased. "You're not getting it up tonight, Tiger."

"I don't need to get it up." Kotetsu said so matter-of-factly that Antonio paused in the middle of the sidewalk. Kotetsu took the opportunity to drop to the ground. He pat Antonio on the chest affectionately and smiled. "I'll see ya tomorrow…"

"Kotetsu," Antonio pressed, concern etched throughout his voice. "What are you saying? What are you thinking? If Tomoe-"

"If Tomoe, what?" Kotetsu snapped, his eyes wide, distress showing across every feature. "If she was alive? If only she was alive, stupid cow… If only she-" Kotetsu stopped talking and raised his hand in a halting gesture. "Goodnight, Antonio."

"Goodnight, Kotetsu," Antonio muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets. He watched Kotetsu jaywalk across the street and disappear around the corner. He held his breath until he could no longer see the other man and then he exhaled loudly, sending a trashcan fifty yards into the air.

Kotetsu ignored the crashing sound on the street over and continued walking, his hand on the wall of the building for balance. He found himself in a rowdy line, bouncers checking ids before admittance. The two bouncers looked Kotetsu up and down critically and the smaller of the two held out his hand, "Cover is $20." Kotetsu opened his wallet, handing the bouncer two ten dollar bills. The bouncer nodded and stepped to the side, allowing the hero a teeny, tiny space to squeeze through.

He stepped into the club, his head and chest pounding from the extreme bass of the music. The room was small and packed, bright colorful lights flashing throughout the dance floor. The bar was well lit and even better stocked. Kotetsu rubbed his hands together and slid onto the last empty stool. He smiled at the people next to him and waved down the bartender. "Uh, yeah," Kotetsu had to shout over all the noise. "I'll take a sochu on the rocks."

"Sorry," the bartender yelled back. "We have soju and sake but no sochu…"

"Ah, uh," Tiger shrugged, flashing a smile. "Soju's fine."

The young man beside him looked over at Kotetsu, who was yelling excessively loud. Kotetsu smiled and nodded, leaning over to speak to him. "Soju and sochu are pretty much the same thing anyway." Kotetsu shouted. The young man smiled, his eyes widening. He nodded his head, humoring the drunk, old man at the bar. "Sochu is stronger… Soju is sweeter…"

The young man shook his head, rolling his eyes as he took a slow, measured sip from his wine glass. "You're drinking wine," Kotetsu said suddenly, tapping the table in front of the younger man. The younger man nodded, forcing a tight smile.

"You seem to be fairly intoxicated already," the man said, wagging his finger from side to side in front of Kotetsu's eyes. "It's against the law to serve alcohol to intoxicated persons."

"Are you a cop?" Kotetsu asked, scooting closer and off his stool.

The younger man laughed, and it was a handsome laugh. His eyes blinked and his lips turned upward, a light pink tinting his cheeks. The younger man shook his head, "No. How about you? You look like you've been through the wringer."

"Eh? Do I look bad?" Kotetsu wondered aloud, looking down at his clothes unsurely.

"You're either a detective or a journalist, wearing that ridiculous suit; you're drunk even though you only just wandered in…" the man began to explain, leaning across the table on his folded arms. "I have the feeling you came in here by mistake, old man."

"Old man?" Kotetsu groaned, grabbing at his shirt in mock pain. "Why're you here then?"

"It's my last night of freedom." The young man said simply, taking another sip of wine.

"Ah," Kotetsu nodded his head. "The old ball and chain…"

"Well, sort of."

Kotetsu's eyes opened wide and he began to stammer. "W-w-wait! Wait! And you're here alone? Where are your friends? Where is the grandiose party?!"

"It's just me."

"Not anymore," Kotetsu said, squeezing the other man's shoulders. "What do you wanna do? We can go play pool? We can do shots… we can…"

"I was sort of trying to pick someone up." The younger man admitted, flashing Kotetsu an apologetic smile.

"Yeah," Kotetsu said slowly. "Well, maybe I was looking for that too."

"Old Man," the younger man laughed, shaking his head in surprise. "You do know what kind of bar this is, right?"

"Of course," Kotetsu drawled with a flirtatious smile. "I can walk into this place, say 'Who wants to fuck me' and get more than ten offers in a minute."

The younger man sat back on his stool. He eyed Kotetsu up and down silently before flashing another smile. "I'm sure your wife loves that about you." The younger man tapped Kotetsu's silver wedding band purposefully.

"My wife," Kotetsu looked down at his finger, almost as if caught by surprise. He shook his head and cleared his throat. "She and I… we live separately… she understands…"

"That's mighty brave of her," the younger man said quietly, adjusting his glasses. He leaned forward slightly and Kotetsu inhaled his spicy, peppery scent. "I wouldn't want to share you, if you were mine."

"She doesn't share me," Kotetsu replied without hesitation. "I only love her. She understands the slipups. It's only until we get back together anyway."

The young man seemed intrigued by Kotetsu's answer. He stared at the older man curiously for a long moment before smiling again. "My name is…" the younger man said, the beat of the music drowning him out.

"Huh?" Kotetsu shook his head, gesturing to his ear and leaning forward.

"My name is… Arnie Dillinger." The younger man said, though Kotetsu couldn't be sure, as he stood up. He was only an inch or so taller than Kotetsu, but he was broad and strong. Kotetsu smiled approvingly and offered his hand for a shake.

"Arnie Dill..inger…?" Kotetsu slurred, a crooked smile splaying his handsome face.

"Close enough," the younger man said with smile. "It's loud in here, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. Kotetsu." Kotetsu said in self-introduction.

"Koat-pet-zoo?" the younger man, Arnie, repeated with embarrassed uncertainty.

"Ko-tet-su." Kotetsu enunciated, nodding and smiling reassuringly.

"Well, Kotetsu," the younger man said, his hand pressing against Kotetsu's waist. He seemed to be evaluating Kotetsu's worth. Arnie paid his, and Kotetsu's, tab with a thick stack of paper money. "Should I get you out of here before the other nine offers show up?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kotetsu said with a playful shrug. "You look like you could fight them off…" Kotetsu admired Arnie's body with an unconscious smile.

"How drunk are you?" Arnie asked, holding Kotetsu's hand and leading him from the bar.

"Uh…"

"Are you playful, lose your inhibitions drunk or…?" Arnie asked. Once they were on the street, Arnie turned around to face Kotetsu. He smiled, handsomely, his hands straightening Kotetsu's tie.

"I'm okay," Kotetsu said, shaking his head. "I'm a little tipsy, but I'm fine…"

Arnie smiled, his cheeks turning a curious shade of pink. He bit down on his lip and exhaled loudly. "You know, you're really hot for an old guy."

"Hey…" Kotetsu growled in warning. "You don't have to add that last part…"

Arnie gestured impatiently for a taxi. "Your place? Mine isn't quite set up for company…"

"Yeah, sure," Kotetsu said with a nod. "That's fine. Whatever works."

The taxi pulled to the side and Arnie held open the door for Kotetsu. He watched him stumbling into the back of the car and he shook his head, laughing softly. "Hey, what's the address, Old Man?"

As soon as the words left Kotetsu's mouth, the door of the taxi slammed shut. Arnie, still standing beside the driver's window, handed the driver a few large bills and then he tapped the roof of the car. "Take care, Kotetsu." He pressed his hand to Kotetsu's window and smiled. "You should try and make up with your wife."

"Well fuck me," Kotetsu groaned, letting his head fall back against the seat of the car as it pulled away.

The next day Kotetsu went through the motions. He woke up and he took a shower, brushing his teeth as the shampoo set. He trimmed his goatee, shaved his moustache, and cut some nose and ear hairs. He dried his hair and styled it. He got dressed, underwear, pants, left sock, right sock, shoes, shirt, vest, tie, hat. He grabbed his wallet and his keys, locked his door and walked down the street.

He had a horrible taste in his mouth, like smoldering ashes. He smacked his lips distastefully and searched his trouser pockets for a piece of gum. He chewed noisily, his jaw smacking up and down. "Ugh…" Kotetsu groaned, leaning on the fence outside of a row of townhomes.

"Ah, Mr. Wild," a man's voice called out, ringing through the air loudly and confidently.

"Hi, Keith," Kotetsu muttered and gave a small wave. He didn't even need to look up to know who was speaking to him. He turned and flashed a tired smile at his co-worker, Keith Goodman.

"Good morning." Keith said, finger-combing his golden blonde hair from his face. "Care for some company? I'm heading that way myself."

"Yes, but… quietly…" Kotetsu suggested, pushing his hands in his pockets.

"You look like crap." Keith said, stifling a laugh. He shook his head and knocked shoulders with the older hero. "Rough night?"

"Ah, well," Kotetsu wracked his brain, he remembered the bar with Antonio and then a second bar and somehow he ended up home, with more money than he started with. A handsome young man flashed through his recollection and his cheeks reddened. "I'm getting older, it's harder to bounce back."

"Mr. Wild," Keith looked at Kotetsu out of the corner of his eye. "You know, I spend a lot of time working out, training. I find it's a healthy habit. You should try to find a hobby… more suited to… well…"

"Old men?" Kotetsu finished dryly, eyeing Keith.

"You're in good shape," Keith pointed out. "But you've got to take better care of yourself. You only have one liver…"

"Eh," Kotetsu said dismissively, waving his hand in gesture. "My body heals so fast, I won't even have a hangover in a few minutes."

"You're lucky." Keith replied with a shrug.

"It's served me well." Kotetsu agreed. "And hold on a minute, aren't I the one always meddling in people's business? Leave me alone, I should be bothering you…"

"I don't mind," Keith said with a good-natured laugh. "I've never met a hero without a tragic backstory… it's kinda nice to have someone look after me…" Keith pat Kotetsu on the back firmly. "You're like a dad with weekend visitation or maybe that one, crazy uncle…"

"Heh heh…" Tiger laughed peculiarly. "I'm not that old…" He looked up at the tall, white building looming just ahead, the words Poseidon Line scrawled across it, and popped a bubble with his tongue. He bumped knuckles with Keith as he continued walking, "See ya, Keith…"

"Good day to you, Mr. Wild." Keith called out, waving goodbye. "Feel better."

Kotetsu's day wore on and on and the only spark of hope was when his communicator went off and Agnes Joubert's voice filled the room. She was the new producer of HeroTV and Kotetsu hadn't decided whether he liked her or not, but she was damn good at her job regardless.

He suited up quickly. He would be lying if he said it wasn't as exciting the 1000th time as the first. Every time he went out as Wild Tiger his entire body would shake, adrenaline, excitement, fear, all swarming in his belly. He was addicted to that feeling, that rush, that pure joy and he physically needed it to survive.

Agnes Joubert had an entirely different view on being a hero. And to be honest, it made Kotetsu's skin crawl. She cared about ratings, his sponsors cared about points, and he only cared about helping. Since when had heroism become a business? But the same people that Kotetsu argued with cut his checks. They paid his staggering fees and damages. Wild Tiger was a brand and he had been bought, whether he liked it or not.

And so Kotetsu found himself in a familiar predicament. Cutting to commercial. Agnes had given her instructions, but he couldn't obey. There was too much at risk. People were in danger. He said some cool line and threw himself in front of a speeding train.

No matter how hard he tried, he always seemed to fuck up. Sky High saved the day that night, earning points that easily should have gone to Kotetsu. Kotetsu laughed and shook his head and he dismissed it easily, saying he didn't care. But he was lying. Wild Tiger was once the reigning King of Heroes. What had happened?

And then he made another stupid mistake. Kotetsu's time ran out midair. He began to fall, crashing back toward the earth at neck breaking speed. He dropped from the sky, head over feet. And then, suddenly, he was caught in someone's arms. He sighed dejectedly; Sky High was truly a brilliant hero. He rolled his head to the side to thank Keith, but it wasn't Sky High who had rescued him.

"E-e-eh?!" Kotetsu stammered, looking from the masked man holding him to other heroes on the ground. The masked man held him princess style against his chest. He wore an impressive gray and black robotic suit. "Who are you?"

The mysterious NEXT placed Kotetsu on the ground gently and took a step back as if to distance himself. He opened the visor on his mask, exposing a handsome, youthful face. "My name is Barnaby Brooks Jr. I'm a new hero."

Antonio took a step forward, opening the faceplate of his helmet. "Who's your sponsor?"

"No one yet." Barnaby removed his helmet completely and flashed the older heroes a breathtaking smile. Kotetsu's body froze, a strange noise escaping his lips. He looked from Barnaby to Antonio guiltily.

"Oh my God…" Kotetsu shook his head, taking a step closer to inspect Barnaby critically. "I feel like I've seen your face before, but I just can't place it."

"Well, I just saved you." Barnaby said coolly, his green eyes burning victoriously. "It's completely normal to feel some inexplicable affection."

"He is not cute." Kotetsu muttered to Antonio who nodded in agreement.

"You're welcome, by the way, Old Man," Barnaby said, his lips turned up at the corners.

"Ah, T-t-thank you," Kotetsu said, bowing deeply to the stranger. "But you don't have to add that last part…"

Barnaby's eyes narrowed and he took a step closer, looking at Kotetsu as if deeply offended. "Old Man?" The young hero tilted his head to the side in confusion. And then a wide, beaming smile twisted his face. He nodded and crossed his arms, a tiny chuckle escaping his lips. Kotetsu and Antonio shared a look as Barnaby Brooks Jr. walked away.

"Buy me a drink?" Kotetsu asked, slapping Antonio on the back roughly.

"Don't even joke." Antonio said seriously, shaking his head. "We have this season's point ceremony in less than an hour."

"Hai, hai," Kotetsu grumbled, waving his hand dismissively. "I forgot, but I'll be there."

"Don't be late." Antonio replied, arching a thick brow in warning.

"I'm always late." Kotetsu retorted with a guilty smile.

"Well, don't be." Antonio snapped.

With a pounding headache and a queasy stomach, Kotetsu discovered the TopMag building had been locked and a large notice was of closure was posted on the doors. He took his phone out of his pocket with a sigh, and seeing Ben's name on the id, he swiped to answer.

"Tiger…" Kotetsu had been the only one who didn't see it coming. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, somehow managing to continue the conversation. He received a lot of information at once and he couldn't process half of it.

He walked a few blocks over to the Apollon Media building. It was large, newer, nicer. Kotetsu puffed out his breath and walked inside. He was greeted by security, which immediately began to question him. He smiled through it all, pointing to his mask as he introduced himself as Wild Tiger.

They settled down, sending him over toward a large, glass desk and the woman sitting behind it. She smiled politely, and once again, barraged him with questions. She gave him a slip of paper, like a hall pass, he thought ironically, and he was allowed upstairs to meet Alexander Lloyds, his new boss.

For some reason, as Kotetsu pressed the button of the elevator, he thought of the young man he had met earlier that week. He remembered the other man hailing a cab and then things got hazy. There was no number in his phone and no one was there when he woke up. Either way, sex or no, it apparently didn't go well.

The meeting with Lloyds was a draw. While he wasn't fired, it was obvious that it wasn't Lloyds' idea. Lloyds made it clear; Kotetsu was past his prime and on thin ice. But the most disturbing information was that Kotetsu was expected to pair up with another hero. There had never been a hero duo before and Kotetsu wasn't sure that he of all people was the person to try it out on.

And somehow, the day got worse. In one very, extremely shitty day, Kotetsu got a new boss, new company, new sponsors, new suit and a new hero as his partner. "This isn't going to work, Little Bunny…" Kotetsu said, slamming his locker shut and turning to face the younger man.

Barnaby's body twitched at the use of the nickname and he turned to face Kotetsu slowly. "My name is Barnaby Brooks Jr."

"I don't need a sidekick." Kotetsu said, shrugging his shoulders.

"You're my sidekick, Old Man." Barnaby retorted. He leaned against the row of lockers, crossing his arms over his chest. His green eyes wandered as he spoke and Kotetsu had the strangest feeling he was looking at his body. "This isn't the best arrangement for me either. What kind of hero needs to be saved?"

Kotetsu opened his mouth to reply but thought better of it. He walked past Barnaby, pausing as a peculiar, sensual scent drifted through the air. The scent was very masculine, almost peppery, and it reminded Kotetsu so strongly of the night at the bar that he spoke before thinking, "Arnie Dillinger…"

Barnaby looked at Kotetsu curiously before realization sank in. "I knew you called me Arnie, but Dillinger… I'm not even sure how you could come up with that…"

Kotetsu gasped, covering his mouth with his hand, his eyes growing wide. "Oh, shit, shit, shit… no…"

"Don't tell me you just now recognized me?" Barnaby asked, insulted, narrowing his eyes.

"It's you!" Kotetsu exclaimed in shock, pointing at Barnaby accusingly.

"You're an incredible sleuth." Barnaby derided. He turned back to his locker and started to apply deodorant. Kotetsu seemed as if he might burst. His face turned bright red, his eyes open and wide. Barnaby turned around to look at the older hero. "Don't die on me, Old Man…"

"Did we … Oh, God… Did we?" Kotetsu blurted, sitting down on the bench in the center of the locker room.

"You mean you don't remember?" Barnaby asked, pulling his shirt on over his head.

"It's a complete blank…" Kotetsu admitted.

"That's fine, I've already forgotten about you too." Barnaby said coolly before shutting his locker. He eyed Kotetsu with disappointment before grabbing his duffel bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

"So… we…" Kotetsu breathed. "Did." Kotetsu groaned into his hands before looking up apologetically, "I am so sorry, I have a bit of a drin-"

"Of course not," Barnaby said with a laugh and he smiled so innocently Kotetsu was completely sideswiped by his next comment. "People like me don't fuck people like you."