Title: But For Love p10

Author: Mair Technosage

Pairings: T & B

Disclaimer: I do not own them. I just play with them, mess with their heads, make them take off their clothes; make them do things they may not normally do and put them back when I'm done.

It's amazing how a person can remember the signs of attraction through physical contact. Poor Bunny didn't even realize how many signs he gave off and the pounding in his head/body wasn't nearly enough to keep him from noticing the reaction Bunny gave when he sat down in the shower chair, nor to keep him from noticing the strength and speed of the touches applying the soap on the different body parts he touched.

Kotetsu could still feel those hands as they worked through his hair, strong, gentle, persistent, thorough and yet not completely confident. It personified the Bunny he knew. Bunny was all of those things, especially when dealing with those he cared about unless he had a reason to be emotionally distant. Bunny's touch during the shower had been closer to that of a massage therapist…one who might just give a happy ending. Even at his most clinical when washing his ass, Bunny's fingers had trembled slightly against his skin.

If that hadn't been enough of an indicator—washing his tackle certainly had him convinced that Bunny wasn't as straight as his female fans thought. If he hadn't been in so much pain he would have enjoyed that more and perhaps gotten Bunny to get clean with him. Time enough for that though. Or was there?

Kotetsu's happy mild dream state started to dissipate and he became aware of an oxygen mask on his face and a persistent beeping. Sadly, the same pain from his shower memories was still around. That didn't make sense though. Then he figured out his eyes were still closed. With a Herculean effort his eyelids peeled open and he blinked several times. Each blink was accompanied by a minute stab of pain. His vision cleared and he realized that he was most definitely still in the hospital, that there was a lot of light in the room (probably sunlight) and a mass of blond curls next to him. He blinked several more times and made the determination that it was afternoon sun, that he had a ton of bandages on and around his chest, an IV and a catheter in him which meant he'd probably had the surgery at some point. He didn't see Kaede but she wouldn't be far.

The door opened and a nurse came in. His eyes tracked her movements as she came to the end of the bed and brought up the digital chart display. She looked at him and seemed surprised to see his eyes open.

He realized his hand was trapped by Bunny and decided he didn't really need to try to remove the mask. "Who…What…when…where…Kaede?" He forced out.

The nurse blinked. "I'm the second shift nurse—Jane. You've had the surgery the doctor originally spoke to you about when you arrived. Um…It's two days after the surgery, we kept you unconscious as long as possible due to the fact that you managed to break another rib all the way through when you slipped following the shower after your arrival."

So that was what he felt go when Bunny halted his fall. That explained why Bunny was still at his side. "Where…Kaede?"

Jane smiled. "Kaede is in the lounge at the end of the hall talking with some friends." The nurse's gaze dropped back down to the display and she triggered some diagnostic evaluations. "Would you like me to let her know you're awake?"

Kotetsu watched as the nurse finished off the last couple of taps on the display. "Yes. Pain meds?"

Jane nodded. "You're due for another dose. Now that I've got the newest vitals for you we can request the correct medication dosage." She paused. "It will make you sleepy though—do you want me to give you 10 minutes before administering?"

He nodded and the nurse gave him another smile and left the room. Not a minute later, Kaede burst through the door followed by Antonio and Karina.

"Daddy!" Kaede called, heedless of Barnaby sleeping face first on the edge of the hospital bed. She rounded the edge of his bed and latched on to his hand.

Bunny sat bolt upright at the cry, and looked around wild eyed until he realized Kotetsu was awake.

Kotetsu smiled at the sight of Bunny's mussed hair and red lines pressed into his face from the covers and his glasses. He looked back at Kaede and squeezed her hand. "Sorry to…scare you, Kaede."

"You were out for so long! Antonio made Barnaby and I go to his house last night and I didn't want to leave you!"

Kotetsu coughed once, the smile on his face growing. "Thanks Antonio. I'm sure…they needed that."

Antonio shrugged. "They needed showers and that closet over there is ridiculous." He jerked his thumb in the direction of the bathroom. "Besides, Kaede didn't have any clean clothing that fit so she had to get some new things."

"We also had to take Kaede down to the police department to give a statement and to retrieve her backpack. It looks like Lunatic killed Maverick." Karina said softly.

"Damn." He murmured. "So much for…unlocking his memory…"

"If something could have been developed." Barnaby said. "The answers are gone again." He released Kotetsu's hand and stretched. A soft pop accompanied the stretch and Barnaby twisted in a different direction. Kotetsu gave Barnaby a sympathetic look.

"How are you feeling?"

Kotetsu looked at Kaede. "Kaede, that isn't the…best question to ask…someone who's had surgery…to put their rib cage back…together." He squeezed her hand again and gave her a small smile. "They'll give…me meds soon. Didn't …want to go back…to sleep without…saying 'hi'."

She returned the hand squeeze and he studied her for a moment. "Go with Bunny…get food and…sleep. Come back…in the morning?"

Kaede shook her head. "I'm staying right here."

He exhaled and shot a pleading look at Barnaby.

Barnaby snorted. "Sorry old man, you're stuck with us until you can ditch the oxygen mask."

Kotetsu frowned, then gave it up. He couldn't win against both. Not when he had a pounding headache and was starting to be able to feel where each of the stitches was that kept him closed him up.

His eyes closed again. It was hard to keep them open.

"Sleep Kotetsu. We will take care of ourselves and you."

With Barnaby's words drifting into his soul he slept.