19 December, ten years ago

Kotetsu opened his eyes. He thought for sure he was dead but then the pain came rushing back into him and he realized somehow, miraculously, he had survived. He looked around his hospital room.

Antonio smiled and waved adjusting in the horrid, blue chair. "You awake, buddy?"

"Where's Barnaby?" Kotetsu asked, poking the skin under the IV tape.

"He's just been released." Antonio replied. "The doctors wanted to keep him but his parents were adamant about taking him home."

"Tomoe…"

"She knows." Antonio chuckled softly. "She came by, but considering the type of folks running around the hospital right now, we didn't think she should risk coming in here…"

"Probably for the best." Kotetsu agreed, looking down at his hand.

"The doctors think we'll be able to move you in three or four days." Antonio explained. "We've already been in talks with Public Security. We can set you and Tomoe up with new ID's and a new area. Hell, you might be neighbors with the mayor's nephew… You're probably eyeing desk jobs right about now, eh?"

"I quit." Kotetsu groaned. "I can't do this anymore."

"Come on, we'll get ya a nice cozy desk to sit at…" Antonio insisted. "You can push paper for a few months until you get bored."

"Maybe." Kotetsu nodded unenthusiastically.

"You get some rest, Kotetsu." Antonio suggested. "You only have so long before they'll want a debriefing…"

22 December, ten years ago

"It was nearly impossible to get permission to see you. He fell asleep waiting."

"I can imagine why." Kotetsu murmured. "Aren't you going to wake him up?"

"I will in a minute. How long were you undercover?" Barnaby Brooks Sr. asked. He sat down beside the hospital bed, Barnaby sleeping in his arms. The boy was long and lanky, but looked so small in his father's arms. As for the father, he was dressed impeccably, even smelled good too.

"Four years." Kotetsu answered.

"Barney told me and I was shocked." Brooks Sr. confessed. "He keeps talking about you. Nonstop. He says he wants to be a cop when he grows up…"

"18 days is a long time sometimes." Kotetsu spoke softly. He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous to have the infamous crime boss in his hospital room.

"I won't forget what you've done for me." Brooks Sr. proclaimed. "And I know there's nothing in the world good enough to repay you."

"Honestly, I owe him." Kotetsu argued. "You've got an amazing kid." Barnaby shifted in his father's lap and Kotetsu smiled. The kid was awake and listening. "There's a silly, little folktale where I come from. It's about the Tsuki no Usagi or the Moon Rabbit…"

"Supposedly, the moon's craters resemble a rabbit or something. Anyway, that rabbit uses a mortar and pestle to pound out recipes during the night, but some legends say it makes the elixir of life…" Kotetsu shook his head, rolling his own eyes at his story.

"So your kid must be my little bunny rabbit, because I should've died at least three times now." Kotetsu's face fell and Barnaby could feel his gaze on him. "He's a real good kid and I'm glad he's back where he belongs."

"Obviously I've cancelled the price on your head." Brooks Sr. cleared his throat. "I'll give the Molotovs until New Year's. And then I'm wiping them off the face of the Earth. One word from you and the Shini Sou will follow…"

"I don't want to be involved anymore." Kotetsu explained. "It's none of my business."

"You've gotta leave Sternbild…" Brooks Sr. warned. "I can help you."

"Thanks-"

"No!" Barnaby shouted, sitting up and sliding to his feet. He looked at his father as if he had committed treason. "You can't leave Sternbild!"

"Barney," Brooks Sr. chastised. "Don't shout. You understand now better than ever, don't you? This life is dangerous. You either get involved or go home."

"I knew you were listening, my little Bunny-chan…"Kotetsu teased. "Come here, give me a high five."

"I'm not giving you a high five." Barnaby sulked. "That's lame."

"Be nice." Brooks Sr. grunted.

"Ah, he's nice." Kotetsu laughed. "He's just a brat too."

"I'm not a brat." Barnaby insisted. "But more importantly, you can't go anywhere!"

"Barney…"

"Right now, just you and your parents know that I'm a cop." Kotetsu breathed. "But if that gets out… I'm gonna be in even bigger trouble…"

"You're in a mess." Brooks Sr. groaned. "I don't think it gets any bigger."

"We won't tell anyone." Barnaby said firmly. His hands curled into fists at his side. "We won't tell a soul who you are."

"Listen, Barney," Brooks Sr. began patiently. "He knows who we are. So he can move, change his name…"

"Is your name really Kotetsu Kaburagi?" Barnaby demanded, cutting off his father.

"Well, uh, I wasn't born Kotetsu Kaburagi…" Kotetsu confirmed. "It's complicated, but where I come from spelling is kinda like a puzzle. You add and subtract and sometimes one symbol can have multiple pronunciations and…"

"I don't care about all that." Barnaby said flatly. "I just want you to stay here."

"It's a matter of life or death." Brooks Sr. barked. "Not even I could protect him at this point…"

"I wish to speak to Kotetsu alone." Barnaby said, looking at his father with the most outrageous expression. Brooks Sr. and Kotetsu burst into laughter. They couldn't help it. Barnaby was enraged further, his pale skin turning beet red. "Now, father…"

"I'm going to the vending machine. Want anything Tiger?" Brooks Sr. asked.

"Some liquor." Kotetsu murmured.

"I'm sure I can whip something up."

Brooks Sr. clicked the door shut behind him and Barnaby and Kotetsu were alone. "Why'd you pretend to be asleep? You're too big to make your dad carry you…"

"I was embarrassed." Barnaby admitted, meeting Kotetsu's eyes. "And I was afraid your wife would be in here with you."

"She's not allowed." Kotetsu muttered. Kotetsu smiled then, and it warmed Barnaby's insides. "But she's nice, you'll like her."

"She's my rival." Barnaby said, licking his lips nervously. The words had escaped and now what?

Kotetsu blinked. His lips curved into an "O" and he was completely perplexed for several excruciating seconds. "Your rival? In what?"

"Love."

"W-w-what?" Kotetsu shook his head in disbelief.

"It's okay, I know I'm still a kid." Barnaby murmured, his cheek twitching. "But I won't be forever."

"I'll be thirty the next time I have cake." Kotetsu laughed tensely.

"Don't dismiss me." Barnaby pleaded.

"Okay, my little Bunny…" Kotetsu nodded, gesturing Barnaby closer. He hugged Barnaby sweetly, patting his head. "But until you're all grown up, we're just friends. There are no love rivals or anything like that. Okay?"

"Okay." Barnaby leaned into the touch. He felt the tears welling up in his eyes and he cried for the millionth time that month.

"You're okay." Kotetsu whispered, combing his fingers through Barnaby's hair. "The hard part's over."

"Don't move away." Barnaby begged, rubbing his wet eyes. "You have to stay. I'll grow up and I'll be a cop too… And… And…" Barnaby sobbed wretchedly. "You said we would be friends… but we can't be friends if you leave…"

"It'll work out." Kotetsu promised. "Don't cry anymore, Bunny-chan."

23 December, ten years ago

"I thought he was supposed to stay in a long time." Barnaby chattered, playing on his father's smartphone.

"He wanted to go home." Brooks Sr. explained, his eyes on the road. "I think he was feeling better and he was too much trouble to keep in bed."

"We can't stay long." Emily reminded Barnaby for the third time. "His wife is very pregnant. I don't think we should impose. She's had enough of their alone time invaded upon…"

"She doesn't have to be there…" Barnaby mumbled under his breath.

There was a loud pop and the car rumbled, shaking from side to side violently. Brooks Sr. maneuvered the car to the shoulder, thumping and bumping the whole way. They slid to a jerking stop, smoke issuing from the front, bottom of the vehicle.

Without warning, Barnaby began to scream. His jaw slackened and his eyes widened with terror. He screamed and screamed, unbuckling his seat belt and crawling to the floor of the backseat.

"Barney! Stop it! It's just a flat tire!" Brooks Sr. shouted.

"Dear, don't yell. There's something wrong with him… He doesn't scream like that…" Emily panicked, throwing open her door. She opened Barnaby's door and immediately got kicked. She backed up in shock, looking to her husband for assistance.

"Barney!" Brooks Sr. barked. "It's okay. It was just our tire."

"Honey, it's just mommy and daddy. You can sit up." Emily encouraged. "Why don't you come look? It's just a flat tire. Your father probably ran over a nail."

"Barnaby," Brooks Sr. whispered, opening the driver's side back door. He grabbed hold of his son, pulling him up by his arms.

"Don't hurt him!" Emily gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Barnaby screeched, clawing his father without reservation. "Oh, Barnaby, be careful. Just put him down!"

"What the hell?!" Brooks Sr. growled, blood oozing down his cheek. "That hurt, Barney. Calm down…" Blood gushed from Barnaby's nose and he went lax, falling into unconsciousness. "Barney? Barney?"

24 December, ten years ago

"Hey, Bunny, how are you feeling?"

"Who is this?" Barnaby asked, narrowing his eyes.

"It's Kotetsu. I was calling to say 'Merry Christmas' and that I'm sorry you weren't feeling well yesterday. We can reschedule, so don't worry about it."

"Who are you?" Barnaby repeated, his shoulders stiffening.

"Kotetsu Kaburagi. You know, Tiger…?"

"Dad," Barnaby said, speaking into the receiver. He eyed his father's worried face. "Some weirdo is on the phone."

"Give it to me, Barney." Brooks Sr. requested. He sighed, staring at Barnaby with some mysterious emotion. "Sorry, Tiger. We'll try again later…"

"Yeah. We're taking him to the doctor in a few days." Brooks Sr. groaned. "I hate to wait, but it's Christmas…"

"Yeah, I will. You too. Oh, yeah, well enjoy the holiday anyway, ya heathen…" Brooks Sr. laughed. "You got that thing taken care of, right? Good, good. You didn't need that finger anyway…" Brooks Sr. grimaced. "Oh,yeah. Shit. I forgot about wedding rings…"

"I'm gonna go see if dinner's almost ready." Barnaby suggested. His father nodded, whispering into the phone as Barnaby walked away.

Present day

"Barnaby, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked, her soft voice fluttering into Barnaby's consciousness.

Barnaby laid on the couch, his hands still clasped over his chest. He choked back tears, his eyes burning. He swallowed thickly, mucus coating his throat painfully. "I don't know…"

"You made exceptional progress." The doctor said gently. She offered a box of tissues and Barnaby took it. He wiped his sticky face and blew into the tissue.

"I need to go home." Barnaby groaned, sitting up. His head throbbed and he felt woozy.

"Take your time." The doctor warned. "This process can be very draining, emotionally and physically."

"No, I have to leave right now…" Barnaby snapped, he stood up and pulled his keys out of his pocket. He ignored his doctor calling him back, rushing past the receptionist. "Bill me!"

It was a twenty minute drive from his psychiatrist's office to his house; he made it home in twelve. "How is he?"

"Tiger? He's fine, Sir. He's a little restless, but he's doing well on the pain management…"

"No one comes in."

"Yes, Sir."

Barnaby wrenched open the doors. He charged into Kotetsu's room, the doors slamming shut behind. The older man was reading in bed, he looked up in surprise, the book falling from his hands. His eyes widened and Barnaby wondered what sort of expression his own face wore. "B-B-Bunny?"

"Jesus." Barnaby growled, falling face first onto the bed. He crawled a foot upward, his arm slinging around Kotetsu's shoulder. "You fucking dumbass."

"What'd I do now?" Kotetsu asked, his voice softening along with Barnaby's proximity.

"I remember everything." Barnaby whispered.

Kotetsu remained silent.

"Why weren't you happy to see me again?" Barnaby questioned, nuzzling his face against Kotetsu's shoulder.

Kotetsu removed Barnaby's glasses, folding them closed and placing them on the bedside table. He looked at Barnaby, long and hard. "Your father decided a long time ago that it was best to leave what happened in the past…" Kotetsu explained. "I respected his wishes. I never received another call from your parents. I know why now, but I just assumed your life moved on beautifully without me…"

"You should have said something to me." Barnaby mumbled, his face buried in Kotetsu's chest. "When I walked in your bar, you should have been happy to see me."

"You were supposed to be a cop…" Kotetsu teased, smiling into Barnaby's hair.

"What about you?"

"I quit."

"Why didn't you leave Sternbild?" Barnaby asked. "That was stupid. You're lucky you aren't dead."

"You asked me to stay."

Barnaby couldn't wait. He weaved his hands through Kotetsu's hair and kissed him. Kotetsu's entire body stiffened beneath him, but Barnaby continued. After several kisses, Kotetsu relaxed, nearly melting into the bed as Barnaby's lips grazed his ear.

"Hey, Bun-ny…" Kotetsu breathed. "Wait a minute…"

"No." Barnaby refused, pulling Kotetsu's lip between his teeth. His flesh was bruised and swollen but Barnaby couldn't help himself. "I need you."

"I-I'm an old man…" Kotetsu argued, his skin prickling as Barnaby removed his shirt.

"Lay back. Don't let me hurt you."

"Barnaby…" Kotetsu scolded. "Wait…"

Barnaby's hands roamed across Kotetsu's developed chest, careful to avoid the bandaged areas. He caressed Kotetsu's nipple, pushing his tongue into his mouth. They kissed hungrily, Barnaby's hands teasing Kotetsu's erect flesh. "Do you really want me to wait?" Barnaby whined, his lips inches from Kotetsu's throat. "I will."

"No." Kotetsu shook his head, his amber eyes meeting Barnaby's.

"I'll be gentle." Barnaby whispered, placing a sweet kiss on Kotetsu's temple.

Barnaby removed Kotetsu's clothes cautiously. He moved Kotetsu into the center of the bed, sliding carefully between Kotetsu's casted legs. He leaned over Kotetsu, his muscled arms flexing with the effort. They kissed and it made Barnaby's face and neck flush with color.

Barnaby pushed backward on his knees, placing a kiss on the cut on Kotetsu's thigh. He moved slowly, licking up and down an old scar. He switched sides, trailing his fingers delicately across the bandage on his side. That scar was because of him.

Barnaby continued, kissing, licking and sucking every scratch, scar or bruise on Kotetsu's beautiful body. His stomach clenched tightly, he could hardly stand the lewd noises escaping Kotetsu's lips. Finally, he grabbed Kotetsu's hand, bringing his lips to his fingers. He may have been shot because of him, but this finger, this little ring finger, was for him…

"You're mine." Barnaby breathed, licking up and down Kotetsu's scarred ring finger. He sucked on the appendage, stroking it with his tongue. "This is my ring…"

"Bun-ny…" Kotetsu whined. Barnaby nibbled Kotetsu's finger gently, enough to make the older man's skin flush. He groaned, the fingers of his free hand digging into Barnaby's shoulders. Kotetsu tightened his legs around Barnaby pointedly. "Take off your clothes too."

Barnaby nodded and undressed. Kotetsu felt drunk. Barnaby's body was divine. His skin was smooth and nearly unblemished in every way. His large cock strained against his underwear and he removed them slowly, his eyes on Kotetsu and his lip between his teeth.

"You're beautiful, Barnaby…" Kotetsu breathed, his hand fluttering to Barnaby's chest.

"I think you're beautiful…" Barnaby confessed. "And now I know why no one else was ever good enough. It has to be you…"

"Is this taking advantage of you?" Kotetsu asked, his head swimming. "Are you confused or disoriented?"

"No." Barnaby shook his head. "I'm a grown ass man now. And I've been waiting for ten years… It's unfair to keep me waiting any longer…"

"But…" Barnaby silenced Kotetsu, pushing his long, thick fingers inside his mouth. He coated his fingers thickly with saliva. He had to look away from Kotetsu's mouth, he didn't know how long he would last if he kept watching.

"Tell me if it hurts anywhere…" Barnaby insisted, removing his hand from Kotetsu's mouth. He pressed his fingers against Kotetsu's hole, pushing unsurely until they entered. Kotetsu gasped, his mouth sucking along Barnaby's neck.

Barnaby pumped his fingers in and out, he breathed deeply, doing his best to remain slow and steady. His groin tingled and he felt the heat pooling beneath his belly. He closed his eyes and pushed another finger inside. Kotetsu moaned loudly, his body quivering beneath his.

"Can I tell you?" Barnaby muttered into the Kotetsu's hair.

"What?" Kotetsu groaned, his thighs trembling around Barnaby.

"I love you." Barnaby confessed, continuing to finger Kotetsu. He spread his fingers gently, relishing the delighted sounds that escaped his partner's lips. He kissed Kotetsu tenderly. "You don't have to say anything…"

"I love you too…" Kotetsu declared.

"What?" Barnaby asked, hugging Kotetsu tightly. "What did you say?"

"Why do I have to say it twice?" Kotetsu groaned, squeezing his eyes shut as Barnaby pressed his cock against his ass.

"Because I lack self-confidence…" Barnaby replied.

"You idiot," Kotetsu murmured between kisses. "I love you."

Barnaby entered slowly, his hands resting on Kotetsu's hips. He thrust deeper, reaching all the way to the hilt. Kotetsu gasped, a strange, lewd noise tearing from his throat. Barnaby smiled, a deep laugh rumbling through his chest. "Ooh. I like that noise…"

"You've, uh, got a big dick…" Kotetsu grunted, his hands dropping to his own stomach. He pressed his hands on his lower belly, his cock twitching. "Fuck…"

"I'm gonna move." Barnaby cautioned.

"Okay. Okay…" Kotetsu hissed, his casts wrapping up in the bedsheets. "Ah, fuck, Bun-ny…"

"You're so much cuter like this…" Barnaby pestered. "Much less aggravating too."

Kotetsu laughed, rubbing his stomach absently. His hands moved deftly, caressing his abdomen with desire. He moaned, licking his lips as he tried to catch his breath.

"Is this okay? Do I need to stop?" Barnaby asked, thrusting into Kotetsu deep and slow.

"Don't stop…" Kotetsu whined, lifting his hips up to match Barnaby's pace. He grabbed one of Barnaby's hands, dragging his hand over his stomach. He blushed, growing quiet. He held Barnaby's hand over his belly, pushing his hand down. "It's so full…"

Barnaby's face burned. He licked his lips, a shiver rippling across his skin. He was completely overwhelmed with desire and he thought he might implode. He kissed Kotetsu, holding his hand over Kotetsu's belly. He thrust harder and harder, wet, sticky warmth spreading between them.

"B-B-Bun-ny!" Kotetsu stammered, his body growing rigid. "Fuuuck…"

"Hold on…" Barnaby groaned. "One more minute…"

"Bunnnny…" Kotetsu whined, his wet thighs quaking.

"Can I come inside?" Barnaby asked, pinning Kotetsu to the bed by his hips.

"Yeah…"

Barnaby pounded roughly for a few seconds, giving Kotetsu just enough to go over the edge but not long enough to cause any serious, lasting pain. Barnaby's groin twitched, his stomach catching. He came hard, his orgasm almost unbearably strong. Kotetsu came a moment later. He sank into the bed, a mess of trembling limbs and sticky skin. Barnaby pulled out slowly, kissing Kotetsu all over.

"I'm an old man…" Kotetsu complained breathlessly. "Shouldn't you take it easy on me?"

"I was gentle." Barnaby replied, lying beside Kotetsu. "And you liked it."

"I'm exhausted." Kotetsu admitted, looking down at his dirtied body. "And I need a shower."

"Sorry, no showers…" Barnaby said, gently tapping the casts. "I'll give you a nice warm bath…"Barnaby offered. "I'll even wash your hair. How's that sound?"

"Sounds nice."

"Good," Barnaby smiled handsomely. "Then we'll go after round two."