A/N: Welcome back, and I am still so very thrilled at the lovely encouragement I've received for this. Contrary to earlier statements, this is not the end. It turns out there's more for this fic beyond this chapter! So more is on the way! But this chapter. This chapter is most definitely rated M.

Consciousness returned slowly to Barnaby as he awoke in no rush. He'd been having the most wonderful dream, and he wanted to savor what remained of it before wakefulness distorted the memories beyond easy recollection. Even now the details were running away, like water slipping through his fingers. He'd been happy, though. So very happy.

He blinked his eyes open, confused at the unexpected surroundings. Did he fall asleep on the couch again? Usually if he fell asleep out here, it was in his chair, as the couch was really more for Kotetsu's benefit than his—an addition he'd made as a tiny symbol of how he was allowing his partner into his private life.

Then he became aware of the arms wrapped loosely around him, and the throaty murmur of a very familiar voice in his ear. "Good morning, Bunny-chan. Well, evening."

Kotetsu.

He was laying atop Kotetsu.

It wasn't a dream.

A warm flush came to his cheeks as he lifted his head up and found himself gazing into his partner's eyes. No. It wasn't a dream. Or if it was, he was still dreaming, and very lucidly at that. He saw the lines in Kotetsu's face crinkle into a smile, and as the recipient of that smile, he couldn't help but smile back, feeling a rush of pleasure tingling through him. He wasn't entirely sure what the proper protocol was for "just woke up from a nap on your partner's chest after confessing your romantic interest in him," but he was fairly confident he could wing it. Besides, with his lips so close to Kotetsu's, there was one very tempting prospect for what to do next.

It was a soft kiss, hardly more than their lips meeting and mingling in languid contentment, but it did mean this was becoming one of his favorite ways to wake up. As he drew back with a soft breath of a laugh, he felt Kotetsu hug him closer. "I could get used to that."

"Mmm, I was just thinking the same," Barnaby admitted, becoming aware that the comfort he felt was mostly on the emotional side of things, and that sleeping in this unusual position had made him feel a bit stiff. Must be worst for the old man, but of course Kotetsu hadn't breathed a word of complaint, so he'd have to be the one to take care of the situation. With one last quick brush of his lips to his partner's, he started to rise, pushing himself up with the leverage of the back of the couch and easing down into a sitting position on the floor.

Kotetsu had released him from his embrace as he moved, and now sat up himself, moving with care that betrayed more than just a few twinges of stiffness. He must have noted Barnaby studying him, because he grinned a bit sheepishly. "I didn't want to wake you."

"Idiot," he said with a smile. "You could have. Should have, if you were getting uncomfortable."

"And let that end earlier? Not a chance, Bunny-chan."

He felt his cheeks flush again, and he ducked his head to try to hide the expression, even though he knew that would only give it away. Self-consciously he ran a hand through his hair. Not terribly mussed, considering how he'd been sleeping.

He pushed himself to his feet, then climbed back into a place on the couch next to Kotetsu. He paused there. Should he move closer? He'd like to. It felt wonderful to be close to him and he certainly hadn't gotten his fill of that feeling just yet. But should he? Torn with indecision over what would be the right thing to do, he had the matter taken out of his hands as Kotetsu looped an arm over his shoulder and pulled him close. He smiled softly as he was tugged into an embrace, glad to have that matter settled. He'd always suspected (hoped?) that Kotetsu would be rather affectionate. To his own surprise, he didn't mind this at all. Especially since they were in a much better position now to continue that kissing they'd started before. He turned toward his partner.

Kotetsu made a pleased sound in his throat as Barnaby sought his lips again while sliding one hand from his shoulder to the back of his neck. His partner responded just as eagerly as he could hope, sliding his fingers through his hair and drawing him closer. Barnaby smiled in the kiss, knowing that Kotetsu was still holding back. He decided to show him that won't be necessary any more.

As their lips mingled again, he caught Kotetsu's lower lip and nipped gently, eliciting a soft gasp from his partner, and with Kotetsu's mouth open in that gasp, Barnaby slid his tongue in, seeking, tasting, wanting. The hand laced through his hair balled into a fist, and there was another of those throaty sounds of pleasure as his partner responded to this change of protocol. Kotetsu's tongue was sliding against his now, still a bit hesitant, as if waiting for any sign that he was going to change his mind. Touched and reassured, Barnaby only renewed his fervor, climbing into his partner's lap and sliding his hands down his shoulders, pushing down the sleeves of his shirt.

It might have taken Kotetsu by surprise, but the old man responded quickly, releasing his hold on Barnaby just long enough to slip his arms free of the sleeves, and then sliding his hands down his partner's back to the bottom of his shirt. Barnaby shivered at the electricity of his touch, especially when his fingers lifted the hem and brushed the bare skin beneath. He felt Kotetsu try to pull back from the kiss so that he could lift the shirt over his head, but he insisted on first getting in a few more nips on his bottom lip, delighting in the contrast of his soft lips and the roughness of his beard. Then Kotetsu was pushing him back commandingly, and he found himself willingly giving in and pulling away so that his shirt could be removed up and over his head. A brief moment passed for them to gaze at each other in their shirtless states, and then Barnaby was straddling Kotetsu's lap, demanding more of those open-mouthed kisses from his partner, and his partner delivered them, his hands now tracing tingling patterns with his fingertips down Barnaby's back and making him shiver in anticipation. He allowed himself only a gasp to break the kiss, as his position on Kotetsu's lap was making him fully aware of just what he was doing to the old man, and he wanted to continue getting that reaction, to the point that Kotetsu just might realize he wanted to do something about it.

It didn't take much longer of those tongue-caressing kisses before Kotetsu moved his hands to Barnaby's belt, deftly unbuckling it and urging him with insistent caresses to adjust his position and make his jeans easier to unfasten. Barnaby's heart was racing as he complied, bracing himself against the back of the couch as Kotetsu's hand slid into his pants and sought his hardness. He had to break off the kiss with a choked moan when his partner found it, his fingers curling around his length and his thumb teasing the head with delicate circling touches. He fought the urge to buck his hips into his partner's hand, because he wanted far more than just a hand job, he wanted everything his partner was willing to give. He hoped Kotetsu knew it, he hoped the old man wouldn't try to hold back now. How much more obvious could he make it?

Much more, he realized with a flash of realization through the delicious red haze of his lust. So many of the times things had gone wrong between them had been because they hadn't talked to each other. It followed that the right thing to do here was to make his desires unmistakeable and spoken. He broke away from the kiss, resting his forehead against his partner's, and panted deeply as he remembered how to speak. The words came out in a hoarse voice he hardly recognized as his own. "I want you, Kotetsu."

Brown eyes widened, and the hand curled around his cock tensed its grip in a way that made him gasp. "You're sure?" came the throaty response, a voice aching with so much need that it made Barnaby feel a sympathetic pang in resonance.

"I'm sure," he gasped, punctuating the words with another kiss. "More than anything, I want you, I love you,"

"Oh, Bunny..." and Kotetsu was tugging at his jeans now, encouraging Barnaby to get up to pull them down and kick them off.

He pushed Kotetsu back against the couch for another deep kiss, cupping his cheek and brushing away a tear that had slid free from his eyes, but slid free of the hands that were seeking to hold him again. "No, old man, you heard me," he chastised. "I want you." And he raised a brow meaningfully.

His partner stared at him with his mouth round as comprehension dawned. "Why, Bunny, I had no idea you were so sure of what you wanted in bed," he joked weakly, as if in attempt to hide his astonishment.

"Then prepare for some surprises, old man," he returned. "Though perhaps you have a point, and we should move this to the bedroom. It'd be more comfortable."

Kotetsu grinned at him, though it was a grin that didn't hide the beautiful mix of surprised and pleased emotions on his face. Barnaby found himself having to give a soft laugh, and with one last swift kiss, he stood back up and held his hand out to his partner. He took it, once more moving with care, but this time the reason was very obvious as he winced and adjusted his pants.

"You wouldn't have that problem if you weren't wearing any," Barnaby chided, tugging him toward the bedroom.

The old man laughed. "You're not exactly giving me time to fix that," he retorted as he followed, catching himself from stumbling in his eagerness.

He flashed a grin over his shoulder, his heart racing in excitement. "Bedroom first, then take them off," he decided for him.

"Bossy bossy!" but Kotetsu was still laughing, and once they were in the bedroom, he started on step two.

Barnaby grabbed him by the hips and moved his hands away, overcome by the urge to do the undressing himself. He pulled the pants down slowly, crouching as he did, so that once his partner was able to step out of them, he was getting an eyeful of his erection. It was too tempting, and Barnaby slid his hand around the base of his cock, running his tongue along the bottom of the shaft to the tip. He heard Kotetsu gasp and felt him tense, his hardness pulsing in his grip. "Bunnn-nyyyy..." he groaned, one hand sliding into his hair and pushing him back toward him. He hadn't counted on that. Fighting a smile, he touched his lips to the head and kissed softly, then slid his tongue down as he took Kotetsu's cock into his mouth, tasting in that languid stroke of his tongue, teasing as he drew back with his teeth lightly dragging along the top. The hand in his hair clenched into a fist, and he heard the old man's gasps over the roar rising in his ears. He sucked again, his lips sliding further down the shaft, making notes to himself of how he'd have to learn to relax to later be able to take even more of his partner into his mouth. For now he enjoyed this brief taste, his tongue caressing from the shaft to the tip as he pulled back and released him.

He stood then, and Kotetsu seized him, crushing his lips down onto his and forcing his tongue into his mouth. Eagerly he responded, thrilled at the reaction he was getting from his partner, pressing their lengths together and slowly pushing Kotetsu back toward the bed. The old man stumbled as the back of his legs found the mattress, and Barnaby caught him from an awkward fall with a soft laugh, kissing him before he could stammer in embarrassment and then pushing him into a more controlled fall onto the bed. Kotetsu scooted his body up the bed and Barnaby climbed atop him, pinning him with another deep kiss as he slid his hands down his chest. His thumbs drifted over his partner's nipples, and he heard another of those throaty moans of pleasure in response to his exploration. Noting that for later use, he moved his hands further down, until he had wrapped one hand along Kotetsu's length and was cradling his balls with the other. Now he let his fingers work, teasing the head again with his thumb and dragging down the beads of precum. And as much fun as he was having invading Kotetsu's mouth with his tongue, he was eager to taste more of his partner's skin, so he broke away from his lips in order to kiss down his jawline, to his neck, planting more kisses at his collarbone as he stroked his cock.

It seemed his touch had shocked Kotetsu into inaction, but suddenly his partner was passive no longer, and as Barnaby was kissing his neck, he was kissing his cheek, and then moving to his ear, where he nibbled delicately and made the blond gasp. "K-Kotetsu!" His answer was a throaty laugh and more of the same, teasing brushes of teeth and tongue against a spot he had no idea would make him feel so weak in the knees. The old man seemed to delight in this knowledge and continued to see just how many different gasps he could draw out of Barnaby just with different combinations of attentions to his earlobe, and Barnaby had to groan and fight fiercely to keep his growing need from overwhelming him. As a sharp nip made his vision go momentarily white, he decided he'd had enough of Kotetsu's teasing. He released his grip and reached for the bedside table, pulling open a drawer for the bottle inside, and then slicking their cocks with the cool lube. Kotetsu made a wordless moan, and he stroked his partner's length with intensity now, fingers sliding wetly along his shaft.

"Bunny, are you-" He cut off with a gasp as Barnaby's hand moved further down, two fingers circling his entrance to wet it with the lube. He lifted his head to look at his partner's face, overwhelmed by the burning lust he saw in his expression, and the cast of surprise.

"I told you I want you, Kotetsu," he repeated, his throat tight and making his voice hoarse. He shifted his position under Kotetsu's drawn-up legs, pressing the head of his cock against his partner's readied entrance. "Do you want me?"

There was a heartbeat of silence. Then Kotetsu stammered, "Fffuck, yes, Bunny, fuck me," and that was all he needed. With one steady thrust, he entered his tight ass, a moan escaping him at the sensation as he buried himself in his partner. He stayed there, fighting to stay still, to let Kotetsu relax, wondering in a distant part of his mind if his partner had any experience at this. He wasn't going to admit it now, but Barnaby didn't, only what he had seen and read and an analytical mind that put the pieces together. It seemed to be serving him well so far, because now Kotetsu was grabbing him by his hips and urging him to move.

He complied with his partner's demands, starting a slow rhythm to share between them. He arched over him, eagerly accepting the embrace of his arms, and finding his lips in order to have the beautiful sensation of kissing his partner while fucking him. The gasps and moans his touches had drawn from Kotetsu were the very best encouragement, and the thought that he was the reason his partner was making these sounds of need only renewed his own ache for him.

Sensations were beginning to blur, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his thrusts fast and firm. He felt his partner's breath hot against his neck, his nails digging into the skin of his back as he started to moan his name in time with each thrust, "Bunny, Bunny, Bunny-!" Hearing his name called with such needing reverence was pushing him over the edge, but he held himself at the brink by sheer will, a hand finding Kotetsu's hardness again and pumping it, determined to bring his partner to orgasm before granting it to himself. There was a choked cry in his ear and then he felt the warm flood of Kotetsu's release in his hand while he kept calling his name.

It tore down the remnants of his resistance to see and hear and feel his partner brought to the height of pleasure and to know that he was the reason for it. He lost his ability to control himself, thrusting deep and hard as he gasped, "Kotetsu! Kotetsu!" with each breath. And then with a strangled keen, he came in a surge of brilliant ecstasy that overwhelmed his senses, filling his partner with his final jerking thrusts before collapsing on top of him. His vision went red and his mind was swimming in the flood of their shared pleasure, and for aching moments there was nothing that existed but this connection now forged between them.

Slowly, heartbeats later, he became aware of Kotetsu stroking his back, kissing his neck, and murmuring his name over and over. He lifted his head in exhaustion and smiled into those softly wondering eyes, reassuring him. Cupping a hand against his partner's cheek, he gave him a gentle kiss. Kotetsu took his other hand, threading their fingers together as he held Barnaby on top of him. They kissed again, slow and lazy kisses, their lips lingering over each other while their racing hearts and ragged breaths began to relax.

Beautiful moments passed like that, until the kisses paused. "I love you, Bunny," his partner murmured in his ear.

His throat felt tight all over again to hear those amazing words. "I love you too, Kotetsu," he whispered, not trusting his voice to keep from breaking as tears welled in his eyes. The hand holding his squeezed gently, reassuringly, and he smiled, resting his head down again as he fought back his tears. He'd had enough of crying today, even if these were tears of the happiest kind. Once he felt in control of those emotions, he reluctantly rose, hearing his partner grunt softly as he pulled out. But Kotetsu refused to release him, instead drawing him back up, and he smiled as he gave in again to his partner's directions and laid down alongside him. "We should clean up, you know," he offered in quiet explanation.

"We should," he agreed. "In a bit. Rest first."

"Did I tire you out, old man?" Barnaby teased, brushing some of Kotetsu's tousled hair back from his neck to kiss it.

His partner laughed. "This time, but just you wait, Bunny-chan, once I'm all warmed up, this old man will show you a thing or two."

He chuckled softly, squeezing the hand holding his. "I look forward to it."

"Good. Because there's a lot I can teach you, you know."

"Sounds like we'll be at it a while, then," he mused. "I like the sound of that."

"Oh, Bunny, that makes me very happy to hear," and Kotetsu was kissing from his cheek to his lips, swift and happy kisses that ended with one lingering one. More stalling, perhaps, but it was the kind of procrastination he felt he could support, since it was so very enjoyable.

As their lips parted, Barnaby was smiling. "I'm glad. Because you've made me happier than I've ever been."

The honest admission drew a soft gasp from his partner, and he used his free hand to wipe at his eyes. "Bunny..." he started, his voice trailing off. "Ah, I've lost all my words again... Bunny, I love you so much..."

"That's sufficient," he teased lightly, kissing his lips again, feeling a bit awkward as he realized just how honest he had been. "I love you too. Now, come on, old man. You sounded disappointed earlier when I wouldn't join you in the shower, so don't hesitate now."

Kotetsu laughed, arching his brows. "Share a shower with my beautiful Bunny? I wouldn't miss it."