Title: Choose - chapter two
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.

Keith was—almost literally—over the moon when he received his sponsor tag from ; it went right across his chest. He began his nightly patrols that evening, using the time to help better his own performances and techniques. Agnes would keep praising him, which certainly meant he was doing a good job raising his points and her ratings.

Despite what he'd told Nathan, Keith couldn't help when his gaze swept over in Kotetsu's direction. Wild Tiger was falling behind and Keith wanted to know why. Considering the abrupt end to their friendship he'd initiated, he didn't have it in him to outright ask why. The only other step he could try was to ask Antonio, as the two were rarely seen without the other. Asking right away would be rude, so Keith tried for subtly, hoping the older Hero would let something slip.

"You can ask him," Antonio told him one day at the gym.

Keith's steps faltered on the treadmill and he had to jump off before an accident occurred that would have him ridiculed. He bowed forward, hands braced against his thighs, and panted, "...what?"

Antonio smirked, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Kotetsu—you can ask him whatever you want to know instead of trying to get it out of me. Haven't you heard my nickname, Bull Tank? I'm not one for giving out secrets."

Keith lifted his head long enough to grace the other with a lopsided smile. "And here I thought it had a completely different meaning."

Antonio's eyes widened; stunned into a moment of silence, it took a few seconds before he was laughing. "I think I just saw the real Keith Goodman!"

Keith straightened up, a faint blush covering his cheeks; he hoped it passed as a flush of exertion from his exercise. "I've always been Keith Goodman."

"No. Not for the past few weeks, you haven't." Keith frowned, but Antonio waved a hand, continuing, "No matter. Ask him. You're the only one he'll tell. Don't ask him as Sky High, though. Just… Keith." Smiling, Antonio left the young man to his thoughts.

Keith ran his fingers through his hair; the digits came back damp with perspiration. He paid it no attention. His mind was filled with Antonio's words, trying to make sense of everything he'd just been told. 'I am… Sky High.' He shook his head and decided a shower was in order. It might help to clear his head.

Before Keith could even think about asking, Kotesu all but disappeared from Sternbild. Concern overriding his desire to keep his distance, he attempted contact via PDA, but it flashed "UNAVAILABLE" at him. Keith's only other choice for finding out if Kotetsu was all right was Antonio, but there was something off about him as well. Rock Bison's performance fell drastically the next day, and Keith couldn't help but wonder if the two were connected, especially since Kotetsu had yet to return.

Rock Bison took a heavy hit during a particularly brutal fight with a NEXT that had the ability to melt metals and reform them as weapons. They won after a few hours. Keith was barely out of his Sky High suit—barely out of his convoy—before he found himself rushing through the halls of the Justice Tower in just the bodysuit worn beneath. He skidded past the door before regaining his balance to come back and tap repeatedly at the touch pad before it opened.

Antonio's head snapped up at the whirring noise, eyes red and swollen. Keith inhaled sharply, his body moving without his consent, and he found his arms wrapped around Antonio's neck. He was forced onto the tips of his toes as the brunet returned the embrace with far more ferocity. "I don't know what's wrong, but I'm sorry... I'm here. Is this why—"

Antonio squeezed tightly and Keith bit his lip, forcing down the question of Kotetsu's absence. He had no idea how long they remained in embrace, but his feet finally touched the floor again. It took a few more moments before Antonio released him. Keith paid no mind to the whining of his body, gently touching his fingers to Antonio's chin in order to tilt his head back. Antonio saved him from having to make the decision, surging down to seal their mouths together. He pulled away just as quickly, turning his back to the shocked young man.

"Sorry," he muttered. "I... overstepped my boundaries."

Keith let out a little squeak, unable to find his voice. Not that it would matter—he forgot how to use words. He took a few steps backwards, staggered, really, until the back of his knees hit the bench and he fell onto it. The air left him in a huff and he buried his face in his hands.

"Sorry," Antonio repeated, digging his fingers into his hair.

"Don't be." Keith cleared his throat. "Don't..." No, his voice was still high-pitched. "I..." He let out a hysterical laugh before standing and stumbling his way out of the room.

X X X

Keith had no recollection of how he made it home, he was just glad to be there, and in one piece. He dove into bed, John not too far behind, and tangled himself in the sheets. 'Mr. Rock Bison... likes me?' He whined, flopping over onto his stomach to bury his face in the pillow at the head of the exotic bed.

Kotetsu would always have a place in his heart; no matter how deep he buried the feelings, they always resurfaced. "But he doesn't like me," Keith whispered into the pillow. 'I have a chance...' There was no rebounding, as it would be his first relationship. He whimpered and attempted to smother himself with the pillow after flipping back over onto his back. "It's not a relationship!"

John whined and pushed against him. "Sorry," Keith laughed, reaching down to give the Retriever a pat. "Your dad's a bit excited, is all." His hand stilled and his smile faded as he realized something tragic had obviously taken place. Antonio had been crying and Kotetsu was already missing for two days. The two events were obviously related, but he would never know how.

Kotetsu returned five days later—he had been gone a week—with an empty smile and a transparent excuse, but nobody pushed the issue. Keith made his way to the Hero on the opposite side of the room, a wide grin stretched across his face. 'I can do this. I can start over.' "Welcome back, Mr. Wild Tiger. It's been quiet without you."

Kotetsu's eyes narrowed, an eyebrow arching. "Are you saying I'm noisy and destructive?"

Keith's eyes widened, his hands windmilling back and forth as he shook his head. "No. I didn't. I just meant—" I missed hearing your voice. "You were—"

"It's none of your business," Kotetsu sighed, brushing by Keith to make an exit.

The blond looked to Rock Bison, but Antonio slowly averted his eyes. In that instant, Keith remembered what had taken place in the locker room; subconsciously, he'd pushed it to the back of his mind. Keith tried to keep his lips from trembling as he attempted to smile. "That day—"

"Forget it," Antonio muttered. "I was out of line, especially when you tried to comfort me." He shot the younger man a tired smile— "Thanks anyway." —before snatching his jacket out of his locker.

Keith was left all alone, unable to comprehend what just happened.

X X X

The following week found Keith trying to become one with one of the chairs in Nathan's plush office. The CEO of Helios managed to do a bit of paperwork and respond to his corporate mail before slamming his hands down atop his desk with a frustrated sound. Keith didn't even flinch.

"I would tell you to stay away from Rock Bison, but he seems to be interested in you. I can still grope him, right?"

Keith let out a strangled sound that couldn't even qualify as a laugh.

"I'll take that as yes." Nathan smirked, rising from his chair to circle his desk. "Think it over, without Kotetsu's voice in your head, and decide whether you want to pursue a relationship. Personally, I'd go for it."

Keith remained slumped in the chair. "Thanks, but I don't think Mr. Rock Bison wants anything to do with me either."

"Corner him. Don't give him a chance to explain and just…" Nathan lifted a hand, slowly curling his fingers into a tight fist. He stared over it at his guest. "Take what you want."

"I'll apologize," Keith mumbled, idly picking at the material of the chair's arm. "They're both suffering, and I can't do anything to help. Maybe… maybe their behavior is from some sort of emotional backlash?"

Nathan hummed, crossing one long leg over the other by the ankles. "Call it what you want, but I've known these boys longer than you. Their behavior always has a good reason behind it. Even if they managed to get drunk—Antonio lasts longer than Kotetsu, by the way. But they're still very coherent. Rock Bison meant to kiss you. Ohh, so jealous!" Nathan sighed dramatically, closing his eyes. "I wish I'd been there. It could've been me!"

Keith laughed sheepishly, ducking his head. What he couldn't say was that he'd already been watching Rock Bison—"observing", to not sound like a stalker. He'd noticed something off about his behavior and wanted to make sure that last blow hadn't caused any serious damage. "Maybe… I should talk to Mr. Rock Bison."

Nathan nodded, his smile was gentle and reassuring. "Good boy."

Keith laughed and stood from the chair. "Thank you, for always listening to me whine."

"You're still a kid, no matter what society says. Until you experience true heartbreak and other life-altering events, you don't have to become an adult just yet."

Keith cocked his head to one side. "Realizing you have the ability to control wind and fly isn't life-altering?"

Nathan scoffed and waved him away with a manicured hand. "Fire is a bit more destructive."

Keith nodded his understanding. He smiled, waving energetically. "See ya around!"

"Good luck riding the Bull!" Nathan winced, turning away after Keith walked straight into the edge of the door he'd just opened. "Sorry," he whispered.

Keith waved with his free hand—the other cradled his damaged face—and made his exit.

A/N: Please don't ask me what I'm doing, because I can't lie well, and I'll just tell you I don't know. Uhm, yeah... So this is a thing. *skitters away*
(seriously, short chapters, sorry)