"Saito, Saito, Saito!" Kotetsu called out, chasing the small, meek man down the hall.
"What is it, Kotetsu?" Saito whispered, nodding in greeting.
"I've wanted to speak with you…" Kotetsu explained, walking side by side with Saito. "I keep having this weird power surge."
"Your suit is having power surges?" Saito asked, looking up from his clipboard.
"No, not the suit. It's me… It happens even when I'm out of the suit. I swear, I'm faster, stronger, hear better…" Kotetsu continued. "It's actually kinda awesome."
"It doesn't sound… Well…" Saito said seriously, shaking his head. "How old are you?"
"Uh, 39.99." Kotetsu answered. "Why?"
"Well…" Saito breathed out quietly. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but I'll start to run some tests. Come to my office at 3 pm today…. I'm expecting you at 3:45 so try to get here at 3…"
"Thanks," Kotetsu said dryly, waving his hand dismissively. "Got it."
"Mr. Wild Tiger! You're back!" Ivan shouted down the hall excitedly.
"Hey, Ivan, Keith! Good morning." Kotetsu said in greeting, pausing in the hallway until the other heroes caught up to him.
"It wasn't the same without Tiger and Barnaby." Ivan said with a sarcastic smile. "Nope, nope, nope."
"Hey!" Kotetsu protested, flicking Ivan in the chest.
"Hey, Barnaby told me I wasn't allowed to ask until you got back…" Ivan continued. "That jacket you wore, ya know, at that time… Can I have it?"
"What? Why would you want that jacket? It was big on me!" Kotetsu shook his head incredulously.
"Because you looked super cool… And it was actually a pretty cool moment for me as a hero… My defining moment as a man, really." Ivan explained.
"Wow. Sorry, but I actually borrowed it from someone and I should probably give it back." Kotetsu said with an apologetic frown.
"Awww…" Ivan groaned. "That's okay."
"I'll buy you a new jacket. One that actually fits…" Kotetsu insisted. "We can have it done in Oriental Town, the quality can't be beat."
"Really?" Ivan asked excitedly.
"Yeah, we can take a few days off work and I'll take you there. We can get your jacket made, eat some good food…" Kotetsu offered. "I can't ever repay you for what you did, but let me try plying you with dango."
"Dango?! I've always wanted to try dango!" Ivan exclaimed. He nodded enthusiastically, his cheeks stained pink. "You really have to take me. No backing out!"
"No backing out." Kotetsu promised.
Kotetsu looked at Keith and smiled sadly. "You're quiet today, Keith."
"I'm just glad to see you back." Keith replied. And then he smiled so brilliantly, his hand snaking through the back of his golden blonde hair. "When an old man gets hurt you always worry, you know, if they're gonna bounce back…"
"You little…" Kotetsu laughed, shaking his head and narrowing his eyes. "I didn't expect it from you too…"
"Expect it from all sides." Keith said with an impish smile. "No one's safe."
"Clearly." Kotetsu said, pursing his lips in playful indignation. "Well, I better get up to my office. I'm only 45 minutes late."
"It's a marvel…" Keith said. "How you can be late when Barnaby and you arrive together…"
"I'm easily distracted." Kotetsu said with a shrug.
"Go on." Keith nodded toward the elevator. "Don't get yourself in too much trouble."
"Oh, I'm not too worried." Kotetsu replied, waving as he turned around. "When my lawyers are done I'll probably own Apollon."
"Maybe you can pay off your destruction of property fines." Ivan called after him, his hands cupped around his mouth. "Just have enough left over to buy me that jacket, Tiger!"
A few hours later, Kotetsu was sitting in Saito's office, his good leg swinging off the edge of the table. Saito and a nurse were muttering to one another energetically. Kotetsu scratched his stomach, staring at the wall blankly. "Kotetsu…" Saito began unsurely. "Have you considered retirement?"
"Retirement?!" Kotetsu nearly choked. "Are you kidding? I just got back! Why? I love my job…"
"It's not uncommon…" the nurse explained. "As you age to experience abnormalities in your performance."
"Wow. That sounds like you're talking about something else entirely…" Kotetsu murmured in embarrassment. "What do you mean anyway?"
"These surges…" Saito whispered. "Are the early stage warning signs."
"Early stage of what?" Kotetsu asked, looking from Saito to the nurse in confusion.
"As a NEXT ages they often lose control of their powers. It was never made public, but Mr. Legend himself suffered the loss of his powers."
"I can lose my powers?" Kotetsu asked, his eyes wide with horror. "I can lose my abilities? Am I losing my abilities?!"
"No one we know of has completely lost their powers…" Saito explained calmly. "But many NEXT lose strength, speed, efficacy, so on…"
"But I'm stronger… My hearing has never been so good. My reaction time is amazing… That doesn't make sense…" Kotetsu reasoned.
"That's what they call a 'flare'." The nurse explained. "It's very a concentrated amount of power released at once. I believe that is what you are experiencing. Flares are the first sign of power loss."
"I've never heard of such a thing." Kotetsu said softly. "What can I do?"
"Nothing we know of." Saito said, his eyes lowered. "There's no cure."
"What about a diet I should follow? Or an exercise routine? Anything…" Kotetsu pleaded. "Anything to slow it down."
"This isn't a death sentence…" the nurse said sympathetically. "Dozens of heroes have continued to work after the flares began." The nurse pat Kotetsu on the shoulder. "But it's just a matter of time until your power dithers."
"Doctor patient confidentiality…" Kotetsu said quietly. "You can't tell anyone else about this can you?"
"It's not my place to tell anyone." The nurse said softly. "But it's just a matter of time before people notice."
"How long do I have left?" Kotetsu asked, shaking his head.
"It depends…" the nurse began unsurely.
"One year." Saito said, tossing his clipboard on his desk.
"But this is my life…" Kotetsu breathed.
"I'm sorry, Kotetsu." Saito sighed. "I'm so very sorry."
Kotetsu was quiet for a long moment before nodding. He slid off of the table and flashed Saito and the nurse a tight smile. "It's okay. I'm okay."
"Kotetsu-"
"No, really, I'm okay." Kotetsu said with a nod. "I love being a hero. It's my entire life. But I also wonder what else is waiting for me, ya know? I love being Wild Tiger. It is the thing I am most proud of. But when I can't be Wild Tiger anymore, I can just be Kotetsu for a while and see where that takes me."
ONE YEAR LATER
"Hey," Barnaby opened the door, smiling in greeting. "Come on in."
"Sorry, we're a bit early." Antonio apologized, handing a heavy container of rice to Barnaby. Nathan slipped past Barnaby, kissing him on the cheek and leaving a lingering scent of perfume.
"It's okay, Keith and Ivan are already here." Barnaby said, closing the door behind Antonio. "This smells good. Mexican rice?"
"Well, it ain't no chino rice… I figured Kotetsu would make that…" Antonio said with a smirk. "And Nathan wasn't going to make anything…"
"I would have happily bought something to bring…" Nathan said, scandalized by Antonio's comment. "I'm not a cook. Sue me!"
"Where is the old man?" Antonio asked, searching the living room.
"He's outside." Barnaby said. "Muramasa brought over the last of Kaede's bedroom set and they're moving the old stuff out to the shed."
"So is she all settled in?" Nathan asked, sitting down in the chair beside Ivan's.
"Well, her stuff is here at least." Barnaby said with a sigh. "It's gonna take some getting used to."
"Oh? Is it more complicated to be a step-daddy than you thought?" Nathan asked with a smirk.
"Shut up." Barnaby groaned. "I'm not her stepfather. And well, yeah, I mean, I adore her but it kinda puts a damper on a lot of things, if you know what I mean."
"It's just summers and the third weekend every month right?" Keith asked. "I mean, she's still going to school in Oriental Town…"
"Yeah, she didn't want to leave her friends…" Barnaby explained. "So this was the compromise…"
"If my parents had a glass bedroom I would die of embarrassment." Ivan said, letting his head fall back against his chair. "What could be worse?"
Kotetsu threw open the sliding glass door and Muramasa and Kaede filed inside. "You guys're early…" Kotetsu muttered, wiping his hands on his pants. The three of them weren't dressed for a party, their clothes were old and worn, their hair slick with sweat.
Kaede looked around in horror and then down at her clothes. She opened her mouth to protest but Keith was already embracing her. "Hey, and hello, I'm Keith. I've heard so much about you…"
"Papa!" Kaede hissed, pulling away from Keith with a hiss. "You didn't tell me anyone was over yet! I'm not dressed!" She stomped across the living room in a rage. "No one look at me!"
"Well, that's a girl for ya." Nathan chuckled, throwing his legs over the arm of the chair. "She's precious. I love her already."
"Sorry, Keith." Kotetsu shook his head. "She's pretty big into heroes. She's probably making a voodoo doll of me right now…"
"Sorry, that's my fault." Barnaby said. "I should've warned you they were here."
"It's okay…" Kotetsu waved his hand dismissively. "Everyone, this is my brother, Muramasa. Muramasa this is Keith, Ivan, you know Antonio, and that's Nathan… My Ma is in the kitchen, her name is Anju…"
"Hi." Muramasa said disinterestedly, nodding as he sat down on the ottoman.
"Ooooh… another Kaburagi…" Nathan purred. "My heart flutters."
"Well stop it." Kotetsu said. "Alright, well, I suppose I'll go change too."
Kotetsu dressed quickly, grabbing the jacket he long ago borrowed from Yuri Petrov and carrying it out with him. He placed it on the table by the door so he wouldn't forget. He didn't expect Yuri to come tonight, but he had invited him anyway.
"I'm back." Kotetsu said, walking into the living room and plopping down in a chair. "Did I miss anything good?"
"We're talking about your glass bedroom." Nathan said with a smile. "What an interesting design…" Nathan laughed to himself. "Such a shame you dressed in the closet…"
"Yeah, I'm going to have to get used to Kaede being around." Kotetsu muttered. "Poor girl… Some things cannot be unseen…"
"Papa! Papa! Papa!" Kaede screamed. "Pa-aapa!"
Kotetsu and Barnaby shared a look, both of them bolting out of their chairs. Barnaby reached Kaede's bedroom first, throwing open the door. She was mid-air, hanging onto her dresser handle for dear life, dressed only in her bra and underwear. "GET OUT! B-BARNA-BY!"
"Whoa…" Barnaby paused in the door way, watching Kaede float toward the ceiling of her bedroom.
"What's wrong?!" Kotetsu demanded, pushing past Barnaby and into the bedroom. "K-Kaede?"
"Barnaby, get out! Get out!" Kaede screamed, releasing the handle of her dresser and covering herself modestly. "Papa! Get me down now!"
"What's going on?" Keith asked, coming up behind Barnaby and peering inside the room.
"Oh my God!" Kaede screamed. "What is wrong with you guys?! Go away!"
"I've got you… I've got you…" Kotetsu said soothingly, grabbing Kaede around the waist and pulling her down gently. As if she were suddenly weighted she dropped to the ground like an anvil. The floor creaked beneath her.
"Papa!" Kaede cried out in a panic. She grabbed her father tightly, nearly crushing the bones in his hand.
"Ow-ow-owwie…" Kotetsu growled. "Kaede, darling… Too tight…."
"Kaede, are you alright? What's wrong Kotetsu?" Barnaby walked into the room, kneeling on the ground in front of Kaede. He tried to separate Kaede's from Kotetsu's hand but she was too strong and he couldn't risk hurting her.
"Kaede…"Muramasa breathed heavily, slipping past Keith and into Kaede's room. "What's wrong?"
"Mura-ojisan!" Kaede cried out. "I can't let go!"
"Wait, don't Muramasa…" Barnaby said quickly. "She'll break your hand."
Muramasa reached over, his hand easily prying between Kaede's and Kotetsu's. He grabbed Kaede's hand and her body released. She stood there gasping for several long seconds before looking up at the men in her room. "GET OUT!"
She pushed Barnaby roughly, shoving him and Keith outside, she tapped her foot angrily and Muramasa and Kotetsu slinked out guiltily. The moment they were clear of the door, she slammed the door shut in their faces.
"What the hell was that?" Barnaby asked, grabbing Kotetsu's swollen hand and inspecting it carefully.
"That was my hundred power." Kotetsu whispered, his eyes wide open. "When I first got my power I was always doing stuff like that."
"But how was she floating like that?" Barnaby asked, shaking his head. "That doesn't make sense."
"Actually…" Keith began unsurely. "That seemed pretty familiar to me too."
Barnaby, Keith and Kotetsu suddenly turned to Muramasa, their eyes wide with interest. "How did you get her hand to let go?" Kotetsu asked, his sore hand held out as if in evidence. "I couldn't get it off unless I used my power."
"Just luck I guess." Muramasa said with a shrug, turning away and walking back down the hall.
"Luck, huh?" Kotetsu muttered to himself.
"Hey, you're daughter's a NEXT." Barnaby breathed excitedly. "Isn't that great news?"
"Good thing she's here for the rest of the summer." Keith said. "Your poor mother and brother would've had their hands full."
"They knew about this and they didn't tell me…" Kotetsu realized, shaking his head. "Those sneaky bastards…"
"Everyone you know is a NEXT." Barnaby said. "This'll be easy."
"I wonder what her power is. I mean, you saw it right? She was floating and she was up in the air!" Keith chattered excitedly.
"We'll be lucky if she leaves her room the rest of the summer." Kotetsu pointed out. "Let's not get too ahead of ourselves."
"Excuse me, boys…" Anju said, pushing past the heroes standing in the hallway. "Let me go talk to her."
"Ma…" Kotetsu sighed in relief as Anju knocked on Kaede's door. "You're awesome."
Karina and Pao-Lin arrived shortly after the incident, Ben Jackson and his wife coming right behind them. Anju returned just as the kitchen timer starting ringing. She hurried into the kitchen and pulled the heavy pork roast from the oven. "Mura-chan, come slice the meat for me."
"Ma…" Muramasa grumbled, embarrassment evident in his deep voice. "It's Barnaby's house. Barnaby should slice the meat…"
"And you're here to help!" Anju exclaimed. "Now hurry and slice the meat so we can eat…"
"Ma…" Muramasa continued, looking from his mother to Barnaby's chest. "The man of the house cuts the meat… Everyone knows that."
"What? Nonsense…" Anju groaned, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Nah, he's right…" Antonio agreed. "Man cuts the meat."
"It's that way in our house…" Ben added. "The head of the household cuts the meat."
"Oh, Lord…" Nathan moaned, covering his face with a manicured hand. "You lot are hopeless."
"This must be another culture thing!" Keith pointed out with a grin. "In certain cultures it must be an honor to slice the meat…"
"Bro culture." Karina whispered to Pao-Lin who giggled.
"Ma…" Muramasa's face was tight, as if he was fighting the urge to snap.
"Fine, fine… Barnaby, would you come slice the meat for me?" Anju asked, her soft brown eyes rolling to the side.
"Yes, ma'am." Barnaby said with a nod. He rose quickly, disappearing into the kitchen.
"Poor, nii-san…" Kotetsu teased. "I never realized how shy you were."
"Shaddap." Muramasa said, no heat behind the words. "Go get your daughter so she doesn't miss dinner."
"Hai," Kotetsu said. He walked quickly to Kaede's room, knocking three times before entering. "Hi, Kaede… Dinner's ready…"
"Papa…" Kaede breathed, sitting on the foot of her bed and looking forlorn. "I can't go out there."
"Why not?" Kotetsu asked, sitting next to Kaede on the bed.
"It's too embarrassing." Kaede explained. "Barnaby and Sky Hi- Keith both saw me in my underwear."
"You know…" Kotetsu whispered. "I've kissed quite a few of the people out there… And I can't say it's not embarrassing. But if you act normally, they will still treat you normally."
"Papa!" Kaede exclaimed in surprise. "Who have you kissed?!"
"That's not important." Kotetsu said simply. "What's important is you. You go out there and act mature and like what they saw isn't anything and they will believe it."
"Who'd you kiss?" Kaede demanded.
"That's off topic." Kotetsu said with a wink.
"You brought it up." Kaede pressed. "And now I'm curious. I can't undo my curiosity…"
"Well, Barnaby, of course…" Kotetsu sighed dreamily.
"Of course." Kaede said, an impatient smile on her face. "And?"
"Keith." Kotetsu whispered. "Antonio… Nathan…"
"Oh, wow." Kaede sat up straighter, her eyes wide.
"Now, ready for dinner?" Kotetsu asked, offering Kaede his hand.
"I guess." Kaede murmured. "I am hungry."
"Me too." Kotetsu agreed.
They walked into the dining room together, Kotetsu's hands on Kaede's shoulders. She sat down in the empty seat beside Muramasa and flashed Kotetsu a smile as he sat beside Barnaby.
"Aren't we missing someone?" Anju asked, counting heads.
"He probably won't show up." Kotetsu said, sipping the soda from his wine glass.
"Aww, well, that's too bad…" Anju said sympathetically. "He's missing out on some wonderful pork."
"It's okay," Kotetsu replied. "I'll see him at the retirement party that the Justice Department is hosting." Kotetsu reached for Barnaby's hand under the table. "He's not really the type of guy I expected to come."
"He looks like he's allergic to fun," Barnaby teased, squeezing Kotetsu's hand affectionately.
"Well, he saved my life…" Kotetsu said simply. "So he could look like the backside of a warthog and I'd still envision him like Aphrodite…"
After the main course and before Karina's and Keith's desserts, there was a knock on the front door. Kotetsu stood quickly, squeezing past the chairs and out of the dining room. He grabbed the borrowed jacket and opened the front.
Yuri Petrov was standing on the doorstep, a tailored black trench coat pulled tightly around his slender frame. He smiled sadly, tucking a curl behind his ear. "I'm sorry I can't stay, I just came to offer my congratulations on your retirement…"
"Thank you," Kotetsu said, nodding slowly.
"Here. Take this…" Yuri said, handing a small, wrapped gift to Kotetsu. "You can open it later."
"Oh, I have this…" Kotetsu said, switching the present to the crook of his elbow and presenting the jacket to Yuri. "You let me borrow it… I never really got around to giving it back…"
"That's…" Yuri looked at the jacket, his hands falling to his sides. "You can have it."
"Oh, but… Are you sure?" Kotetsu asked, looking down at the large, worn jacket thoughtfully.
"It will mean more to you than to me." Yuri said simply. "I don't care for the thing."
"Well, thanks…" Kotetsu said, more than a little confused.
"I suppose you don't know…" Yuri said softly, his finger twirling his hair. "But Mr. Legend owned a jacket just like that."
"Really?" Kotetsu asked, his interest sparking.
"Yes. Mr. Legend's was handcrafted by the finest Russian tailor." Yuri explained. "He wore it everywhere. It smelled like him for the longest time…" Yuri paused, his eyes glossing over. "But now it smells like mothballs."
"Wait, Yuri…" Kotetsu clutched the jacket close to his chest.
"Mr. Kaburagi," Yuri said, ignoring Kotetsu. "I think you made the right choice. You picked your family over being a hero…"
"Do you want to come in…?" Kotetsu asked, swinging the door open even further.
"No, no. I don't have the time." Yuri waved his hand dismissively. "I just wanted to tell you, you've surpassed your hero."
"You seem to know a lot about Mr. Legend." Kotetsu breathed. "How do you know so much about him? I mean, I'm a hero and they still won't tell me anything!"
"The same man who gave me that jacket…" Yuri said, his olive eyes locking on Kotetsu's. "He knew a lot about Mr. Legend. I've never had an interest in him myself, so it's all been wasted on me."
"Well, thank you…" Kotetsu said, smiling excitedly. "I really appreciate it. This is amazing. To have something of his… it's just amazing…"
"Enjoy your retirement." Yuri said, turning away with a swish of his hair.
"Hi, Ma." Kotetsu breathed into the phone. He sat down at the dining table with a sigh. "I told you I'd call when we got back."
"How'd the appointment go? How's Kaede?" Anju asked.
"She's fine. She's excited." Kotetsu spoke tiredly. "It took about four hours…"
"And what did they say?" Anju pressed.
"She doesn't have two powers…" Kotetsu explained. "It turns out she has what they call Ability Duplication. That explains why she didn't show signs of being a NEXT until she moved in, she has to make contact with a NEXT to absorb their power…"
"Oh…" Anju gasped.
"What? Ma? What's wrong?" Kotetsu panicked.
"Well, it's nothing serious, but…" Anju's sentence trailed off.
"But what?" Kotetsu questioned. "What's going on over there?"
"It's not my place to tell…" Anju explained. "I'm sorry. Go on, tell me, how is Barnaby taking it?"
"Barnaby's in love. He's super excited. He thinks she's great. He loves that she's a NEXT. Now stop changing the subject. What are you thinking about?"
"Well, it's just that I happen to know something about Ability Duplication…" Anju replied. "It's nothing, really…"
"Ma!"
"Okay, Okay, but you can't make a big deal out of it…"
"Okay…?" Kotetsu agreed perplexedly.
"Many, many years ago, when you first gained your power your brother came to me. He started to change as well…" Anju explained. "He didn't have his own power, he could only copy yours. Every time you came into contact he would have your Hundred Power…"
"Muramasa is a NEXT?" Kotetsu asked, disbelief pressing down on him with a tremendous weight.
"You know he doesn't like that sort of attention. Forget I even told you…" Anju requested. "I just thought you should know, since Kaede has her Uncle's power. Perhaps these things are genetic…?"
"Muramasa is a NEXT?" Kotetsu repeated, his mind reeling.
"I always expected the two of you to knock the house down to be honest…" Anju chuckled softly. "Two boys with the Hundred Power under one roof."
"Ma, I gotta go. I love you." Kotetsu said quickly before hanging up the phone. He walked across the house and towards Kaede's bedroom. He knocked loudly before opening the door. "Kaede, princess, sweetie, can you call Karina or Pao-Lin? See if they want to catch a movie?"
"Sure, Papa…" Kaede said, sitting up in her bed. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, of course. Papa just wants some alone time with Barnaby." Kotetsu explained.
"Eww. Yuck. I don't need to know that." Kaede protested in disgust.
"Not like that, Kaede. I just need some space for a little while…" Kotetsu insisted, feeling a little guilty about asking his daughter to go elsewhere.
As soon as Karina, Pao-Lin and Kaede pulled out of the driveway, Barnaby was on Kotetsu. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I just need some time to think." Kotetsu said softly, his eyes focused on something far off.
Barnaby sat down on the couch, patting his lap pointedly. "Come think over here."
Kotetsu climbed onto Barnaby's lap, his chin resting on Barnaby's shoulder, their chests pressed against one another. Kotetsu straddled Barnaby, just listening to his steady heart beating for a long time.
"Ready to talk about it?" Barnaby asked, his hands resting against the curve of Kotetsu's bottom.
"Muramasa's a NEXT." Kotetsu said quietly. "He has the same power as Kaede…"
"He never told you?" Barnaby asked in surprise.
"No, he never told me. But that's not what's bothering me…" Kotetsu admitted. "It's something… Well…" Barnaby was completely silent until Kotetsu continued. "My whole life I've been angry with myself. I told myself that I never really tried to stop him, because I never used my Hundred Power against him… I understand why I couldn't, but it doesn't matter. It's still something I feel guilty about. But now… Now I know that as strong as I was, as much as I could've sent him flying a hundred yards with one blow… He could've done the same…"
"And how does that make you feel?" Barnaby asked, kissing Kotetsu's temple.
"Better." Kotetsu whispered.
"Good. I'm glad." Barnaby said softly, embracing Kotetsu gently.
"He was so mean." Kotetsu breathed, his arms wrapping around Barnaby. "There were times I thought he wanted to kill me… but he never used my power against me… Why?"
"I think there's a lot of things you'll never get an answer to…" Barnaby said simply.
"And that's okay." Kotetsu nodded. "Everything's okay."
"You sure?" Barnaby breathed, his green eyes searching Kotetsu worriedly. "You can be honest."
"I'm positive." Kotetsu said with a courageous smile. "I'm okay."
"So, I don't mean to rush the moment, but you do realize we have the house to ourselves, right?" Barnaby asked excitedly.
"Bun-ny…" Kotetsu smacked his hand against Barnaby's chest playfully.
"What?" Barnaby groaned. "I'm just pointing it out…"
"I'm gonna go hop in the shower…" Kotetsu said, sliding off of Barnaby's lap.
"Okay…" Barnaby muttered in disappointment.
"I'm going to be naked… and wet…" Kotetsu spoke seductively, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it at Barnaby. "And probably very lonely…"
"Well, I can't let that happen, Mr. Kaburagi…" Barnaby breathed, standing up and unbuckling his belt. "Could I offer you company?"
"I don't see why not…" Kotetsu said, stepping out of his pants and walking backwards toward the bedroom. "Let's make a deal… You work up my appetite and I'll make you dinner afterwards…"
"Nah, how about this, I fuck you every which way and then, when you can barely stand, I bring you dinner in bed…"
"The second one, I'mma go with the second one…" Kotetsu answered, an embarrassed smile twisting his lips.
And then they were in the shower, the hot water beating down on them. Barnaby pushed Kotetsu up against the tiled wall, water cascading over his tanned skin. He spread Kotetsu's legs further apart a bar of soap in his hand.
He lathered Kotetsu's muscled body slowly, washing every inch of him. Kotetsu couldn't help but squirm as Barnaby soaped him up. He washed his hair next, gently pulling and tugging, every so often placing a kiss on his lips.
Barnaby pushed Kotetsu against the other wall, his strong arms moving him with ease. He adjusted the showerhead, letting it stream directly over Kotetsu. They kissed hungrily as the water washed the soap away. Barnaby and Kotetsu switched sides and Barnaby turned Kotetsu away from him.
Barnaby bent Kotetsu over gently and Kotetsu obediently placed his hands out for support. Without hesitation Barnaby pushed inside of Kotetsu, his hips smacking against Kotetsu's perfect, round ass. He thrust forcefully, shaking Kotetsu's entire body. Kotetsu moaned loudly, his hands gripping the sides of the tub.
Barnaby pumped into Kotetsu, faster, harder, deeper. Kotetsu muttered expletives, his skin prickling under Barnaby's touch. "You feel so good, Kotetsu…"
"Ah, Bun-ny-chan…" Kotetsu groaned, his body growing rigid.
Barnaby came inside, quickly pulling out and finishing on Kotetsu's ass. He tapped his cock against Kotetsu's bottom, smearing the cum over his skin. He reached around and grabbed Kotetsu's dick, stroking it until his hand was coated with Kotetsu's semen.
Barnaby smacked Kotetsu's butt loudly before helping Kotetsu straighten up. He turned Kotetsu around, switching places again. The water poured over Kotetsu's head and his eyelashes collected droplets of water. Barnaby and Kotetsu kissed, Kotetsu's hands grabbing Barnaby and pulling him closer.
"Hold tight." Barnaby instructed, lifting Kotetsu into the air.
"We're gonna fall and die…" Kotetsu breathed, wrapping his legs around Barnaby's waist.
"No way…" Barnaby exhaled, pressing against Kotetsu's opening teasingly. "You're gonna love this."
Barnaby lowered Kotetsu onto his cock, pressing him against the wall of the shower for support. He thrust upward, slowly, deeply. Kotetsu grunted, his toes curling and uncurling behind Barnaby's back. "Shit, Bunny… That feels… so good…"
Barnaby increased his speed, pumping into Kotetsu over and over again. He growled loudly, his self-restraint crumbling from the pleasure. He bit down on Kotetsu's shoulder, kissing the wound quickly and apologetically, his motion never slowing. "Kotetsu… I…"
The water was cold before Barnaby finally carried Kotetsu from the shower. He wrapped the older man in a large, fluffy towel, laying him on the bed gently. Kotetsu sat up, his arms shooting around Barnaby tightly. "Forget dinner… just lay with me…"
"Aren't you hungry?" Barnaby asked, his body pressing against the side of Kotetsu's.
"I'm starving…" Kotetsu admitted with a smile. "But I just want to be with you a little longer…"
"I'll be right back." Barnaby chuckled. "Be patient, Kotetsu, I…"
"Please." Kotetsu breathed, kissing Barnaby impatiently.
"Of course." Barnaby replied, nodding his head. He kissed Kotetsu's forehead affectionately. "I love you, Kotetsu."
"I love you, Barnaby…"
Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?
Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.
Her lips suck forth my soul: see where it flies!
Come, Helen, come, give me my soul again.
Here will I dwell, for heaven is in these lips,
And all is dross that is not Helena.
I will be Paris, and for love of thee,
Instead of Troy, shall Wittenberg be sack'd;
And I will combat with weak Menelaus,
And wear thy colours on my plumed crest;
Yea, I will wound Achilles in the heel,
And then return to Helen for a kiss.
O, thou art fairer than the evening air
Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars;
Brighter art thou than flaming Jupiter
When he appear'd to hapless Semele;
More lovely than the monarch of the sky
In wanton Arethusa's azur'd arms;
And none but thou shalt be my paramour!
-The Face That launch'd A Thousand Ships by Christopher Marlowe
THE END