"Barnaby?" Kaede asked as she struggled with the big, gold star for the very top of the tree, something she'd like to deal with. She stretched out her body, stood on her toes, and even hopped a little to get the star on top of the tall, fat ligneous plant that her uncle hauled in.
"Yes?" Barnaby replied as he put up the last hanging ornament on a green branch.
Kaede stopped struggling for her favorite hero's answer, a slight pink brushing her cheeks. "Can you help me with the star? I can't reach."
Barnaby put on his princely smile to her. "It would be an honor."
Lifting up the preteen with ease was when Kotetsu walked in, back from the kitchen after retrieving homemade Christmas cookies for everyone on a plate in one hand and a mug in the other. He watched her happily place the star right on top and center it, adjusting with care.
"Bunny~!" The brunette complained. "You took my job!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." The blonde replied, placing the girl slowly on her feet who rolled her eyes at her father's vexation. The girl ran off to her bedroom, saying that she'd be back.
"It's fine, she would have wanted you to anyway," Kotetsu says, a dismissive wave of the hand whilst a sip out of a tacky, green Christmas mug that was filed with hot chocolate and marshmallows. "Just as long as I get to turn on the lights, we're good."
When the tree was finally lit proudly by said brunette(who possibly pushed his elder brother out of the way before he did it himself), the rest of the family gave exaggerated 'ooh's' and 'aah's' as some lights blinked and others remained on. It enhanced the look of the sparkling, red garland and gold orbs as well as the star that surprisingly did not catch as much attention.
This was when Kaede herded the family to sit in front of the tree so that she could take a picture to put on one of her social media websites(Barnaby couldn't be in that one), one with Kotetsu's mask on for the special on HeroTV, and one for secret keeps. They had to take quite a few, another one because someone blinked, another one because someone moved, another one because the phone's camera wasn't focused. She loved every single one, but deleted them and kept the three perfect ones. The caption of the shared picture said, "We put up the tree! Can't wait for presents! 3 :D".
The rest of the night was spent relaxing with cookies and hot chocolate in front the TV in the living room. Muramasa and a knitting Anju took the small couch, the other three took the carpeted floor. Barnaby sat with his legs stretched out, Kotetsu obnoxiously laid on those long limbs that helped make the blonde his clean, six feet of height, the older man's arms folded behind his head which rested on the his thighs. Kaede curled up to her father, so thankful to the criminals of Sternbild for not delaying his stay away from her. Besides, she usually became 'cute and cuddlesome' when it came to such holidays or when she knew her father was struggling to hide the fact that he was going through strife on his own.
After a while, Muramasa, Kotetsu, and Kaede were fast asleep, anyone could tell with the way their chests rose and fell with the relaxed muscles of unconsciousness.
"Hm," Anju smiled at all of her children, including Barnaby. "I guess it's time to hit the hay. My, everyone must've been tired." She carefully set down the baby blue scarf she was making with her needles and began to shake her eldest awake.
"I agree, Anju-san," Barnaby replied, reminded of the times when he and Kotetsu passed out drunk on the floor, empty bottles and cans rolling about them as they're intoxicated brains shutdown. If he were honest with himself, those were more fond memories than embarrassing ones. Those were the good memories of letting loose with another person without an uptight, guarded care in the world.
"You know," The old woman began. "I've never really seen Kotetsu as comfortable with people besides his own family and his late wife as he is with you." She smiled. "I'm gad, whatever you did to him, I'm glad." A few of Anju's wrinkles came solely from watching her youngest fall to pieces, agonizingly from bit by bit with no one there for him.
"Oh," Barnaby smiled a little. "Is that so?" Has his partner spoken good things about him to his family? If so, he doesn't feel very deserving from the way he's acted to the old man through the few years of their partnership.
"Call it a mother's intuition."
To everyone's dismay, they were made to awaken from their dreams and were to stumble into the bedrooms to fall asleep from their short naps. Kotetsu wasn't one to take naps well, he woke up with a glare and pouted lips as he felt groggy, stumbling about whatever room he was in with barely any focus, but determination. Kaede and Muramasa mumbled goodnight's to everyone as they headed down the dark hallway of bedrooms. Barnaby said his thank you's and goodnight's as well, guiding the yawning brunette into their shared bedroom.
Anju was left to shut down the kitchen and living room, leaving a few dim lights here and there in case of a late night escapade.
…
That morning, Kotetsu realized he was pressed up against something so warm, but firm which he was really digging. Another firm, warm thing was slung lazily against his waist, slowly curling around it, but he didn't mind. He didn't have the courage yet to open his eyes on this fine, wintery morning, the second to last day before the big holiday. He feared that if he opened his eyes too soon, this good feeling would be gone. This something made him want to forget about the plans such as ice skating and the liquor store just to laze about in this warmth for days. He feels a scrap of nostalgia; it's been a while since he's been in such a good state like this.
And that wondrous something was horrifyingly Barnaby when he opened his eyes.
The older man's eyes widened and he shot away from the blonde, disturbing the sleep he was having to retreat for a shower. He remembered that the futons were next to each other with little space left between and yet...they seemed to have unconsciously moved into the middle. The brunette shook it off as a mistake in sleep that wasn't necessarily in his control. If there was one to blame, it would be the idiotic subconscious which could or could not be the biggest keeping of the deep, dark feelings that the world does not have the privilege to know.
"Mm...morning..." The blonde mumbled before the brunette could leave the room, rubbing his eyes and slowly sitting up. He scrounged for his glasses, looking around the floor until he found them behind the futon. He set them on his face, the fuzzy world several feet before him became instantly clear.
Kotetsu snorted at the blonde's monstrous morning curls, some were coiled tightly, others were almost straight, some were sitting on his head, others poking out in other places or laying limp in defeat.
"What?"
"Your hair is a masterpiece. I think this is the first time I've seen you with a bedhead...I love it!" Kotetsu laughed, leaning up against the bedroom wall with smug, crossed arms.
"Well, it's only because I didn't put my hair up last night." Barnaby claimed, reaching over for his bag of toiletries to fix the mess he calls hair.
"Wait! Don't move!" Kotetsu exclaimed, grabbing his cell phone from atop the dresser, stopping the blonde shortly. It only served to have the roll his eyes and grab the bag anyway.
"You're not taking a picture of me." Barnaby says curtly, pulling out his hand mirror from his the bag, holding it in front of his face to block his head from the camera. "Besides, you're hair isn't really the picture of perfection itself." The young man pulls out a navy blue hair tie and a comb to at least look decent at the breakfast table until he could snag the bathroom.
"C'mooooon! Don't be a wet blanket!"
Barnaby sighed, it's too early in the morning for starting a bicker party. "As long as you're in it as well, then I'll take the picture."
"Ugh...fine!" Kotetsu said after a thought about it. He grabbed his mask from his suitcase and stuck it on.
"Why are you putting on your mask?"
"Agnes wanted some photos for the special."
"You will not send this to her ever."
After figuring out a pose that would work for bother of them, there was the proclaimed "Selfie!". Kotetsu instantly thought the photo was great, especially that it had been taken in one try. Barnaby leaned over to have a look, not realizing how close their faces were when he asked if his partner could send him the picture. After saving the photo, they looked at one another for a minute, not exactly thinking at all. Kotetsu couldn't help but admire his green eyes which were guarded by such long lashes, little windows into his amazing personality and maturity. It was one of the reasons why he loved him.
Love...damn all of it's treachery.
"Breakfast is ready!" Came a call from Kaede down the hall. Being ten in the morning, everyone should be awake, live, and hungry.
"Kaede made breakfast this time~! Daddy's coming~!" The brunette said with a swoon as he raced to the kitchen, acting like whatever happened never took place.
Barnaby was left to sit there and shake his head to snap out of it. Maybe it was because he just woke up and he's a little into outer space, floating with the stars.
No biggie.
…
"Stop hugging the rail, Bunny! Let's go!" Kotetsu called to him as he skated backwards like he was a pro, doing a little jump-twirl just to be a showoff. He didn't have his hat for a change and he wore a dark, long coat. He also didn't have Kaede beside him as she preferred skating with her friends at the far end of the spacious rink in a slow moving group of prepubescent attitude.
The rink itself wasn't as packed as expected, the few adults and kids only guessed there were more important things to do today such as last minute shopping, cooking, or party preparation. But, the weather was nice, at least. It wasn't too cold, the snow was falling at a very slow rate, and there wasn't any wind to ruin it. The slippery floor was spacious with a few blade marks here and there, but that was no bother.
"I'm just...trying to gain balance." The blonde protested, keeping one hand on the railing and focusing on his feet. It had been years since the last time he actually thought about ice skating.
Kotetsu glided smoothly towards him and snatched Barnaby's hands that were softer and little bigger than his own, he instantly loved them, his feelings scratching at his stomach making him hate it all. He pulled him more into the middle of the rink, which earned him a surprised yet irritated "Old man!" from the youngster.
"Relax, that's one of the things that'll help you skate better." Kotetsu said, looking up at the blonde with a smug look. "Maybe you should listen to the old man for a change."
Barnaby rolled his eyes-
"Don't give me attitude, Bunny! I can make you gracefully fall to your death!"
"I don't think that will happen, I'm already getting the hang of this." Barnaby said with a smirk, loving how he could make the brunette annoyingly defeated. "Besides, your muscles are more frail in your old age to do something at that caliber."
The brunette suddenly pushed the blonde, told him to 'hop away lil' Bunny' with a stuck out tongue, and sped away on his skates. Barnaby was thankfully able to regain lost balance and chase the immaturity that followed his partner. Kotetsu was heard giggling like a little kid as he sped by Kaede and her group of friends who gave back questioning looks. A few seconds later, Barnaby sped by, a smile that read, "once I get get him, I'll eat him for lunch".
"What are they doing?" One friend asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she observed them.
"I think they're racing," Kaede answered, staring at the happy faces of the two men. "Or my dad did something."
It was only calm for a few minutes until a high pitched "NO!" dragged their attention to the source of the noise. It was found that Barnaby had caught the brunette and skated with him in a princess carry. Even though Kotetsu was horribly embarrassed, he couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"No," The older man said between breathless, heavy laughs. "No, put me down!"
"Until you admit that you're a princess, old man, I'm afraid that won't happen." Barnaby could have fun with this, it was his turn after all. "These are the consequences for doing childish things like that."
"Never!" The older man exclaimed, face crimson but a glare nonetheless.
They came back to the turn where Kaede and her clique skated slowly through.
"You wouldn't..."
"I would."
"Kaede, I saved the princess!" The blonde said as he skated by, leaving the preteen and her friends in a laughing bunch. A few 'Kaburagi hime-sama's were yelled back at them.
"Ignore him! He's a bad influence on you, honey!" Kotetsu shouted to his daughter, hoping that he wasn't ignored and that he wouldn't be the town's princess from the loose lips of preteens.
"Are they always like this?" Another friend asked Kaede.
"At first, no," Kaede said with thought. "But, now they are."
Kotetsu struggled in his partner's grasp, trying his best to escape. Failing this, he turned back to glare his best at the blonde, he promised, "I will get you back! It may not be soon, but it will happen!"
"Would I have to remind you about it? Senior citizens are not the best at remembering such things." Barnaby knew exactly what buttons to push. "All you have to do is admit that you're a princess."
"Never and shut up, I'm not that old!" Kotetsu crossed his arms, he suddenly got an idea, his face lighting up a tad. "Shh...you hear that?" The brunette brought a gloved finger to his lips.
"What?" The blonde took the bait, slowing down his speed on those untrusty blades to lessen the noise for what he was told to listen for.
"It's the sound of freedom!" Kotetsu twisted awkwardly in a way that broke the distracted blonde's grasp, allowing him to skate freely. "Gullible Bunny-chan, easy to fool as always!"
"Hey!"
The brunette checked his watch as the blonde sped up to him. It was about time to go help at the liquor store. Muramasa wanted them to come in the late afternoon where there would be more floods of people to come to buy the booze of their choosing. They'd be a little late to the affair, but they can make up for it by working extra hard to earn extra profit.
"Bunny, we have to go help my brother out now. Ha! Time is actually on my side for a change." Kotetsu said, looking at the blonde's somewhat disappointed face. He tried grabbing the older man, but the brunette dodged in time, leaving them both laughing. "Kaede, we have to go now!" He called to her for she was at the other end of the rink. She nodded, said goodbye to her friends and gracefully skated to her father, doing a small, fancy spin in the midst. She is a competitive figure skater, might as well show off her moves to her favorite hero.
"Are we going to help uncle now?" Kaede asked as they gave their skates back to the rental booth.
"Yep, Bunny and I are going to sell, box, and bar-tend with Aniki! It's going to be fuuuun!"
"What do I get to do? Do I just get to go home?"
"You're helping us, duh." Kotetsu gave her a mini nuggie at his words. She grimaced, growling that he's messing up her hair. "And you'll get a little raise in allowance for being an employee during the holidays."
"Really!?" Kaede said, clasping her hands together. She could finally do more things on her own because she definitely loved being more independent.
"Think of it as an early Christmas gift."
…
The store was a little jammed, people came from near and far just to get Kaburagi made booze which famous flavors and types were on sale just for the holidays. Kaede fluttered around from the bar, cash register, and boxing up bottles. She adorned her own little apron with the store title in Japanese letters and snake logo. Most thought it was adorable(she got her cheek pinched once or twice by the old ladies who stopped by), others questioned a little whether a little girl should be helping at a liquor store or not.
Barnaby seemed to be having fun, telling people to have happy holidays and handing out drinks with that million dollar smile of his. He gave some autographs out, took a few photos with people. Muramasa seemed to be liking it, celebrities are great for business.
But, to be honest, Barnaby loved the showering fame upon him, but wanted Kotetsu to enjoy a bit of it too because of the key word 'partners'. He pushed the older man into more face to face jobs which rewarded the brunette to autograph a few things and take a picture or two. The man deserved it and then some, he was damn amazing and the world ought to know it, one of the many reasons why he loved him.
Love...That word again, he seemed to be hating it each time it banged around his head. Why is he plagued with these feelings? Couldn't the world just leave him alone for goodness sake?
"Hey, Bunny?"
A tan arm waved in front of his green eyes, snapping him out his stupor. He blinked sharply a few times and looked back at the older man suddenly in front of him.
"You were out to sea for a while there. Tired?" Kotetsu asked him, looking a little concerned.
"I-I'm fine. I guess I am a little tired, running around all day." The blonde answered, half honest.
"Well, the store's about to close up soon anyway. Think you can hold out 'til then?" Kotetsu asked with a knowing smile.
"Yes, besides, I'm having fun." Barnaby replied. "I wouldn't mind working here every once in a while."
"I'm glad, I was getting a little worried." The brunette winked. "Alright, well, we need two boxes packed of brandy and another box of whiskey for the next three customers." Kotetsu said, already turning back to tend to the people tasting the liquor at the bar.
"On it!" The blonde nodded, turning to the back of the store to pack, close, and carry out to the counter. He passed by Kotetsu's elder brother, who was stocking the back shelves with more lotus wine, on the way who nodded at him in a small hello.
Muramasa, Barnaby realized, was the strong, silent type. The whole time he'd been around, the older man didn't talk or engage much but he was kind. His feelings never were always potent on his face, but you could sort of tell what he was thinking when the situation called for it. It made Barnaby kind of curious to know what he had been like in his partner's youth. The way they acted like annoying brothers around each other debunked the impression that Barnaby had about him thus far. The few pictures he had seen of them as teenagers made it obvious that the brothers were total opposites: One had short, clean cut hair, the other grew it out with a low pony tail in a few pictures, maybe a piercing or two in one ear. One had neatly pressed school clothes that were tucked into his pants, the other wore it sloppily, leaving a few buttons open on his shirt with the sleeves messily rolled up.
Basically, one looked like the golden, angel child and the other looked like the neighborhood's top delinquent and mischief maker. Antonio in one photo with Kotetsu looked like a delinquent too, though Barnaby had remembered the brunette saying that they were friends since high school. No wonder.
The shop finally closed after a college aged couple bought a three boxes of regular beer for their New Year's party, saying that it was best to buy it early. They were so smilely and lovey-dovey it hurt to even want to listen or look at them. Ah, but young love was always that way, wasn't it? Getting so quickly caught up in a person one moment that they become your entire world and you're just so in love with them that you can't help but boil over.
"Happy holidays!" Kotetsu exclaimed to those youngsters as they left the store with a ring of the doorbell.
The tired workers of the store bathed in the silence and wished death upon that bell if they ever heard it chime again. Their hands were dry from handling wooden boxes and drinking glasses. Their aprons wore a few stains, but those could be gone in just one wash with some strong detergent. But, it was fun playing store, earning money, and acting like they actually cared about what people thought of their business. Hard work can always be entertaining, even if we have to stop playing pretend when we grow up. It's why Sternbild had HeroTV in the first place.
They were all glad to fall into their respective sleeping places in the warm home, the day's activity taking a toll on them now. Their calves ached from so much movement and their eyes were trying to close themselves on their own tired accord.
…
A loud crack of thunder awoke the young man, realizing that the world was turning into a booming snow globe. The weather wasn't always best in Oriental Town, he learned from his partner. He looked around the room, all dark but the light that peeked through the curtains of the window served the room well if one wanted to see a little less than decent.
He heard a sigh, looking too his left to find himself face to face with the older man, their hands mingling amongst each other. The blonde wouldn't lie...the body heat was nice. He looked at his situation for a minute, only to separate himself from such warmth. He scooted closer to his own futon and laid on his side, facing away from his crush to go back to sleep. He knew he shouldn't take advantage of something like that, that would immoral, wrong.
He decided to meet his arguing self halfway by looking over his shoulder at the sleeping brunette. He looked like he was searching for something lost by the his facial features wrenched in a frown with his limp hands flexing a little. This lasted a few seconds until the man realized what he had was gone for good now and he relaxed, turning back over to his side.
Barnaby began to feel guilty, like he should have stayed even if his morals punched him in the gut for the remainder of the night. He decided to forget about it, too late anyways. He yawned and let the soothing sound of the blizzard's howling wind lull him back to sleep again. He dreamt of something he couldn't remember that morning, but it was a bittersweet dream that favored the color pink.
That morning, everyone gathered to the table for breakfast. It was a simple, western styled meal: Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a bowl of mixed fruit. Kaede helped her grandmother in making it, like she always does. It made her father claim that the food tasted a lot better.
The day before Christmas was spent lazing about by the fire with hot chocolate and electronics to keep them busy, content with it all. Kaede played video games with her father(who played like he practiced everyday) and convinced Barnaby to play too(who warned that he's never played before and yet was not too fond of them). This was when the two brunettes realized how awful the blonde was at video games. No one can tragically lose eight lives in one level or end up in twelfth place every single race. But, Kaede kindly offered lessons to her favorite hero, earning her a smile. He offered payment to her as well, making her laugh.
Muramasa read a thick book (as well as some minimal housework) with his reading glasses that Kotetsu said 'looks like two pieces of plastic and sticks'. True, Muramasa did like simple glasses with no frame; he always liked his clothes and accessories simple but sophisticated all the same. After a while, the elder brother very reluctantly did join in on video games, proving himself as a somewhat decent player when a fighting game came up with Kotetsu's taunting on how he'll wish he never picked up the controller.
Anju headed over to the only market open for some last-minute ingredients for her special Christmas dinner. This could be a lengthy process, considering her old age, crowds, and the many food items she would need. Kotetsu and Muramasa insisted on coming with her for protection from the bunch of people or the rare occasion she would forget something, but she said that just because she was an old lady didn't mean that she couldn't take care of herself.
Christmas jazz instrumentals played from the radio in the kitchen, loud enough to be heard throughout the house which set the mood just right. Kotetsu mumble-sang some of the lyrics to the songs, a little embarrassed to even do that. He was always shy about performing anything singing or dancing related unless it was a necessity like for his job or when he took ballroom dancing classes with his wife.
Dinner went laughing, chewing, complimenting, wishful thinking, and teasing. It was filled with bliss, the table finally felt full again with Barnaby there. There had always been that awkward seat that no one sat in.
Kaede half listened to the conversation that went on with her grandmother in hopes of Barnaby's return. He is family, so he promised to be back, crossing his heart and hoping to die. This made the preteen smile, she has been loving Barnaby's company. She loves Barnaby period.
She then realized that Barnaby would be back to fill the lonely space at the corner of the table when hometown visits occur. He would continue to make the bathroom faintly smell like cologne. He would continue to make her dad smile as much as he has been during his stay. There would be more family photos to fill the house's sideboard. She could totally have her favorite hero as family. She wouldn't mind.
Not at all.