Title: Drawn Together – chapter one
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Characters: Kotetsu x Barnaby
Rating: M (for Mature *PS chime*)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.


The morning they woke up together, Kotetsu told Barnaby that his sarcasm was to hide his fear at not knowing what transpired that night. Now, he laughed—a bit manically—to cover this newfound fear. "You're not making any sense." He shook off Origami Cyclone's touch, backing up towards the open door again. "I feel fine. We're both in great condition—the doctors said so. Why... can't I leave?"

Kotetsu ducked around the corner once he'd stepped over the threshold, moving quickly down the hall. He wasn't certain how he'd gotten, but he was soon forced to his knees, fingers clutching at his hair in a futile attempt to ease the pain. Slowly, the pain began to recede. Before Kotetsu could feel relieved, the irrationally rational part of his brain reminded him that there was only one possible way for him to feel at ease. Dropping his hands, he pushed himself back onto his feet, swaying a bit as he turned around. Barnaby glared at him from a few feet away.

'It's true...' Kotetsu didn't have enough strength left to hide his fear. He felt a sudden warmth in his chest, and his hand slowly rose to lay flat across the area. 'Bunny...?'

Barnaby's eyes grew wider, by just a fraction. If Kotetsu's own gaze hadn't been locked onto the young man, he would've missed it. Barnaby's expression quickly closed off, becoming hard lines and dangerous edges. "Now that we've tested the theory ourselves and understand the problem, we need to work on solving it."

...putting an end to it.

Kotetsu shook his head, trying to rid himself of the scornful voice that wasn't his. Tapping into an unknown reservoir of adrenaline, he forced a grin onto his face, he marched forward until he was standing beside the other Hero; they both faced opposite directions. "Here's another problem: me, moving in with you." Kotetsu didn't need to see it—he could feel the damning realization and the shock that followed.

The only reason Barnaby Brooks Jr. would have for being in the Bronze Stage was if he chased a criminal there, and even that was rare. He pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off the building migraine that had nothing to do with their current predicament. "We're going to keep this between us and everyone else in that room."

Kotetsu nodded. He didn't need anyone else shouting at him for impeding the young Hero's rise to fame. Lloyds was more than enough; Agnes was an everyday part of his life now, so he was used to her barking orders.

Barnaby leaned against the wall, letting the solid structure support his weight, and cupped his chin as he let his mind wander. There were thoughts in his head that weren't his own; emotions about him that weren't his own. He'd felt Kotetsu's fear minutes ago—it still hummed softly at the back of his mind—and unconsciously shared a touch of sympathy with the older Hero.

Barnaby exhaled softly, pushing his glasses to his hairline as he covered his eyes with his hand. "First things first. We need to find out what happened that night."

x

"You were both drunk."

Fire Emblem nodded in agreement to Rock Bison's statement. "Tiger can handle himself well enough, but I was a little surprised that Handsome got swept along for the ride."

"You two left together," Dragon Kid piped up from Kotetsu's bed; a spoonful of applesauce filled her mouth shortly after. The veteran Hero sat at the foot of the bed, his back to her.

"There were no reports of any misdoings that night, either," Origami Cyclone added softly from a chair tucked against the wall.

"Which means whatever caused this mess is your own fault," Blue Rose scoffed, already annoyed that she was dragged into a problem that was no concern of hers. If anything, it was a benefit to have Barnaby out of the way; Wild Tiger was no competition.

Sky High perked up, lifting a finger as his idea unfolded. "What if we request the city's assistance to track your movements via the security cameras?"

Kotetsu wrinkled his nose. He was certain the clear denial he felt was a mutually shared feeling.

Barnaby spoke before he could, his voice sharp enough to have Sky High recoil. "No. I'd rather not have the entire city aware of my personal life." He recalled Agnes's proposition to run a small documentary on him and amended his choice of words, "At least, not that intimate."

Fire Emblem curled his fingers against his cheek. "How intimate is intimate?" he purred.

Kotetsu interjected, sitting up straight on his hospital bed. "Bunny was obviously kind enough to let me pass out on the floor of his place." He met everyone's gaze except Rock Bison's—and Dragon Kid's, since the young girl shared his bed and sat behind him. His childhood friend would know he was keeping something from them; he probably already did.

Barnaby dropped his crossed arms, putting on a more businesslike expression. "Thank you all for coming—"

"Sky High dragged us here," Blue Rose scoffed.

"We appreciate any helpful efforts, and will continue trying to figure this out on our own," the new Hero finished, completely ignoring the teen.

Blue Rose took her leave first, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she disappeared through the open door. Dragon Kid bounced her way off the bed, shouting out a quick 'see you later' before following after the other female Hero. Sky High left next, with a wave and a 'good luck'. Origami Cyclone trailed behind him after executing a quick bow at the waist to his senior Heroes. Rock Bison made no motion to leave, even with Fire Emblem curled against his side.

Kotetsu sighed, carding his fingers through his hair. "I really can't remember, Antonio, I don't think I've ever gotten that drunk before…" He shot a quick glance at Barnaby, wondering if the young man could feel his lie, let alone hear it. There had been plenty of times Kotetsu woke up, hung over, unable to remember most of the previous day's events. He exhaled deeply, tamping down on the emotions that threatened to spill through whatever link they had unfortunately managed to create.

Barnaby flinched, his brow furrowing.

Fire Emblem sighed. "It's like you're having unspoken conversations," he said, looking between the duo. "Tiger, you're good at hiding your expressions, but your eyes—"

Rock Bison cleared his throat, shaking his arm free of Fire Emblem's long fingers. "Let's go."

To have been included in the "let's" meant Kotetsu and Barnaby were no longer Nathan's concern. Kotetsu caught his friend's eye, smiling gratefully for the diversion. Antonio nodded before rolling his eyes, his attention now drawn to the man pressed against his back.

"You're too big to get a piggyback ride," he muttered, moving awkwardly out the door.

Nathan's excited reply of "you would let me if I was smaller" was the last thing Sternbild's first Hero Pair heard before the hospital room was filled with an almost deafening silence.

"We need to… get my stuff, I think," Kotetsu muttered after a few more minutes of silence dragged on.

"Yeah," Barnaby sighed. This was really happening. His life was going to be thrown into even more turmoil than he had already suffered.

X

It took an hour to get back on the street, but only because half of that time, after checking out of the hospital, was spent arguing over who would drive. Antonio's return reminded them that neither one of them had driven to the hospital. Kotetsu sulked in the backseat, pressed flush against the door behind Antonio. Barnaby had taken it upon himself to borrow Kotetsu's hat to hide beneath during the drive into the Bronze Stage. He sat ramrod straight, eyes glued straight ahead.

Antonio pulled up to Kotetsu's house and its owner hurriedly scrambled out, rushing around the car to dart up the front steps. Barnaby flinched, his fingers reaching for the door handle when Kotetsu disappeared from sight. "We should help him," he forced through gritted teeth.

"Yeah," Antonio agreed. He pushed open his door and got out; Barnaby was already inside once he circled the vehicle.

Kotetsu had two suitcase stuffed with random belongings he felt he would need: clothes; a few extra hats, in case one or two happen to disappear. He lugged them downstairs and handed the fuller one to Antonio, who took it outside. The other was left at the entrance. He then proceeded to load a smaller, more personal bag. Barnaby was being an unnecessary shadow and hadn't even offered a hand in assisting him.

Kotetsu stopped at the entranceway, gently removing the framed photographs displayed there. He held them against his chest before taking a knee and carefully laying them into the small bag he carried. "Let's go," he murmured after rising to his feet. Barnaby moved ahead of him and Kotetsu switched off the lights and locked up.

Antonio was the voice that told Kotetsu it would be best to take his own car back to Barnaby's place. "I'll follow," he added after skeptical and questioning looks were thrown his way.

X

At Barnaby's suite building, the new Hero went in first, leaving Antonio and Kotetsu to build a guise that they had nothing to do with him when they entered minutes after. Barnaby gave his guests—unwanted, if the expression on his face was anything to go by—a onceover. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he turned away. "There's an extra bedroom. Follow me."

Kotetsu mimicked the young man's 'follow me' to Antonio—the Bull Tank grinned—before they both stepped away from the entrance to do as they were told.

The suitcases were placed onto the floor and Kotetsu openly gaped at the room. The only thing it contained was a bed, and even that was naked. He shook himself from his stupor and asked, "Where is your room?" Barnaby's eyes narrowed and Kotetsu raised his hand defensively. "I just wanted to know so I could push the bed closer in that direction, so… we can try to have a good night's sleep?"

Without warning or response, Barnaby took it upon himself to readjust the bed into a position that would bring them closer together. He took a step back, surveying the room. "We can bring one of your dressers if you'd like," he mumbled after a few silent moments of thoughts.

Kotetsu perked up, taking a few steps closer but still keeping his distance. "I can… live out of my suitcase—wow, that sounded better in my head. It's just... I don't want to be any more of a burden!" he added quickly.

"I'll take half of the blame, since we were both obviously involved and neither of us can remember what happened that day." Barnaby crossed his arms, staring resolutely at the naked bed. He glanced over his shoulder, gaze focused on the silent Antonio. "Thank you, Rock Bison, for your assistance."

Antonio knew a dismissal when he saw one. "No problem." He turned to Kotetsu, tapping his friend in the forehead.

Barnaby clenched his right hand at his side to keep himself from rubbing his forehead to ward off the phantom touch.

"Don't forget about us little people now that you're living in this penthouse."

Kotetsu swatted Antonio's hand away, frowning up at the brunet. "As if," he scoffed. He tugged Antonio's arm, pulling him to the front of the suite to continue talking.

Barnaby kept his ground, testing the limit for his threshold of pain. None came, and Kotetsu was back just as quickly as he'd left, a grin splitting his face. 'You're terrified, aren't you?' Barnaby adjusted his gaze to the wall behind Kotetsu.

Kotetsu chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I'll try to stay out of your way, after… Once we get back to my place, I can grab some sheets along with the dresser."

"Or we can buy some," Barnaby countered, uncrossing and lowering his arms.

Kotetsu's grin dimmed, but he continued to smile. "That's not necessary," he protested meekly. "I've got spare ones back at my place. We can stuff it all in the back of my car. Thank you, though!" Kotetsu laughed sheepishly.

…charity case.

Barnaby's eyes widened, but he shifted his gaze to the floor. "Let's go," he murmured.

Kotetsu removed the hat that had been returned to him, moving forward until he was close enough to plop it onto the other's blond crown.

Barnaby scowled, readjusting the headgear so it was seated comfortably atop his head. "Let's go," he repeated with a sigh, pushing past Kotetsu and out of the guest room.

Kotetsu followed, but kept his distance as they crossed the lobby. Barnaby stopped before leaving the building, doubling back to the counter. Kotetsu watched them from beneath his bangs, his hat sitting comfortably atop the new Hero's head, and saw the receptionist's eyes flick his way. He hoped his movements were discreet as he took his time looking away. He felt Barnaby draw nearer and took a few steps forward, moving closer to the door. He stepped through with Barnaby beside him.

"I told him you're an old family friend that's visiting," the young man explained. "Not that we'll be too far apart when we come and go," he muttered, his brow knitting together. Kotetsu kept his mouth shut and what he hoped was a lid on his emotions.

Another quiet drive was taken to the Bronze Stage. Barnaby assisted in loading the lightest piece of furniture Kotetsu had chosen to store his clothes. Kotetsu grinned triumphantly after closing the back of his SUV. "Ya hungry?"

"I can have something delivered," Barnaby informed him, unconsciously tugging down the brim of his borrowed hat. His lips pressed into a thin line and Kotetsu could tell he was thinking. "Right now, we need to eat and sleep. Everything else needs to put on a temporary hold."

Barnaby glared at him from beneath the hat, but there was truth to his words. They hadn't eaten a proper meal during their two-day visit to the hospital, and dusk was slowly settling. He closed his eyes, taking a breath, and then opened them as he released his, his expression more civil. "What would you like to eat?"

Kotetsu pursed his lips, not used to anything other than his fried rice and whatever quick bite he got at the bar. He grinned. "Surprise me."

X X X

Dinner had been a surprise. Barnaby had obviously considered his background and ordered a variety of sushi and rolls. The fact that he'd thought about him was good enough. Cleaning up was easy, since he was familiar with the bathroom already. He missed being able to soak and relax, but he was a guest. He peeked around the corner, bidding goodnight to the young man seated in the main room. Barnaby nodded in return.

Kotetsu ducked back out of sight, heading to the guest room. He chanted for the headache to keep away; Barnaby obviously wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Kotetsu managed to climb into the bed without any problems, and sighed in relief, letting the tension ease from his body. Kotetsu buried his face into one of the pillows Barnaby had lent him. Sleep came easily and quickly.


A/N: Slow build… I'm basically trying to find my footing right now. I'm gonna have to go back and pick out certain episodes of the anime and re-work them to fit my fic, yay~ Of course, I won't follow them word for word… If you guys have any favorite episodes, I'll be glad to try to turn them into my own x3

And if you know any good "bond" fics that I can use for a bit of reference, I'll be glad to hear them, yes (I've read several Teen Wolf ones).