Disclaimer: I don't own Tiger & Bunny in any way, shape, or form. I just like to play with the characters.
Summary: Kotetsu and Antonio have a alcohol-friendly chat about Keith's damn mushrooms. [Future Fic set after Chapter: Magic]
Author's Note: May your winter holiday have been bright, cheerful, and full of chicken & cake (which is how Christmas is celebrated in Japan) ;)
"I was thinking Kotestu," said Antonio, a broad grin on his face and a beer in his hand, "that Kaede-chan needs to see more of her father."
His best friend was beside him, raising a glass of shochu to his lips and giving a strange look.
"Normally that's what I say," Kotetsu said after draining half the glass. Ugh. Paint thinner. Had been since they stole some from the liquor store. Antonio knew better than to say that aloud though. The two of them had had enough knock-down drag-out fights over their drinks of choice... and would continue when drunk enough, of course.
"What are you planning?" Kotetsu peered at him. "You've got that... air about you, that look."
"Planning?" He spread his arms wide. "Me? And what look?"
"Yes, you." The Japanese man snorted. "You can pretend you're as thick as your skin, but I know you. We grew up together, and you've been behind some pretty sneaky things. It's also easy to tell when you're thinking, little bits of steam rise from your overcooked brain."
"Sure, that's why I got better grades than you."
"Setting the bar pretty low there," Kotetsu shot back. "If you'd gotten better grades than Tomoe, then that'd be something to brag about." He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at a couple of short strands. "Thankfully Kaede seems to be taking after her mother that way."
"She just gets her stubbornness from you," teased Antonio, chuckling as Kotetsu rolled his eyes but didn't suggest otherwise. Couldn't really. The whole family was stubborn, from the woman who'd tanned both of their hides as kids to a certain little girl who never missed a chance to prove her point. Antonio grinned. Kotetsu and Kaede need someone for a little balance. A third wheel for steadiness.
"So what are you trying to pin on me this time?" he continued. "Tomoe wasn't my fault, I had no idea she's been trapped in that building."
"Truuuue..." hummed Kotatsu, leaning back in the chair until his neck cracked. "But... Kaede's 5th birthday, when she got that yellow bike. That was you, wasn't it."
Antonio waved a hand, dismissing the fact as irrelevant.
"I guess it's been long enough that I can admit to that one. You were still paying off that huge fine for the courthouse, remember? After destroying the support bridge for the cable cars and the pier? And Masa-baka didn't have the greatest year for sales. Kaede didn't need a crap year because the rest of us were having one. Kids should have bikes, it's better that they get out, fall down, and all that.
"Some of us don't have your power. What about those mikan trees that magically found their way into my mom's backyard?"
"Musta been fairies." He lept his face deadpan as Kotetsu peered at him, a little wobbly on his chair. Old man was drinking up a storm tonight, and he had a suspicion as to why. Sneaking a hand into his pocket, he touched his phone, a plan coming together in his mind.
"And who keeps my family," continued Kotetsu, "from knowing all of the times that I've been put into the hospital?"
"Your guardian angel, who's really thirsty and needs another beer. Or three." Antonio got up. "Get me one of those craft beer taster sets, the autumn one. I'm heading for the toilet."
He slapped his friend on the back as he walked past, the slightly older Japanese man laughing.
"You're the bestest Antonio. Through all the years, thick an' thin, you've been a good friend, a real amigo." He sighed. "I've needed one, thanks."
"Meh, you've been there for me. Helped me get out of my slump at work, not to mention saving my life several times. I owe you."
He gave one last pat, then ducked around the corner.
"And I think I know how to pay the piper," he muttered, scrolling through his contacts list to press a button. He almost had to pin the phone to his ear to hear over the voices, music, and general bar noises.
Rinnggg...rinngg... the person picked up on the third one.
"Antonio?" Barnaby's voice sounded suspicious. "What's wrong?"
"Does something have to be wrong?" He countered, looking at the advertisements plastered against the wall. Oooh, a sweet potato beer. That might taste good... or not.
"When it's you calling me, yes." There was a pause "Is Kotetsu okay?"
"Mmmm..." Antonio drew it out. "He will be, I'm sure."
He laughed at the loud sigh.
"Fine, fine. I'm getting my keys." There were sounds in the background, rustles that suggested Barnaby had been undressed, or at least in something that wasn't outdoor friendly. "Where are you guys this time?"
"Bar-Bar-Dos, silver stage. Across from that ice skating shop Kaede goes to sometimes."
A grunt.
"I know it. Be there in about ten minutes."
"Thanks."
"He's lucky to have you as a friend Antonio," said Barnaby. "You're a good man. Sometimes I think I'd leave him there to sleep it off."
"Nah, you're nicer than you give yourself credit for. And I think you're better for him than me," Antonio chuckled, hanging up before he was asked what that was supposed to mean.
He went to the toilet, found another craft beer he wanted to try, a sour cherry one, and then returned to his bar stool just in time to see a craft beer tasting sampler set in front of him, with another glass of shochu placed in front of Kotetsu.
"Hey, I found a funny video," he said, sliding his phone to them middle of the counter. "You should watch it."
"Not again-"
"But you were perfect!" crowed Antonio, taking one of the drinks and downing it.
Kotetsu was hugging Barnaby octopus style, whispering in his ear as hands wandered everywhere, soaking in the touches; Barnaby was half-struggling to get free and half-melting at the caresses. In the background Ivan stared at a bowl of mushroom risotto that Keith had scooped up and given to him, Karina ordering him not to eat it at the same time Pao-Lin saying that a small spoonful would be fine, and that she wanted to know how it tasted.
"Handsome, it's more enjoyable if you don't try to escape." There was snort of laughter. "Or maybe," continued Nathan, ignoring Antonio, "that's your thing."
"He has no idea what he's doing!" seethed Barnaby, directing his glare off camera. "Of course I'm going to escape!"
"Mushrooms don't do that," chided Antonio, walking into view and petting Kotetsu on the head. "They let you make connections you might not otherwise see, but there's nothing magically created from nothing."
"Bun-hun!" Kotetsu renewed his attack, surprising the man with a deep kiss. There was a choked sound-
"Quit playing that!" Snapped Kotetsu, shoving the phone back towards Antonio. It stopped as it cracked into a glass.
"Hey! Careful with my phone!"
"I'm going to delete that damned video-"
Antonio took the abused gadget and tucked it securely into his jacket pocket, tapping it.
"Try, and I'll mail it to Kaede-chan."
That threat was enough for Kotetsu's pickled brain to change gears.
"Hugging and kissing her favorite Hero-she'll skin me alive." Kotetsu groaned, hitting his head on the bar counter. "I think she got her tongue-flaying skills from Tomoe too."
"Then you'd better think of a different threat," Antonio suggested, selecting a second beer sampler. Pear pressed. "Didn't think Barnaby was your type."
"Like I said earlier, stop acting stupid." A gulp, and the snatched up shochu was a third gone. "Two words: high school. Two more words: you suck at kissing."
"That's four."
Kotetsu ignored him.
"As for Barnaby..." he sighed. "He keeps me... I don't know, grounded?"
"He keeps you at the top of your game," corrected Antonio. The pear was a little too sweet, too heady even. He'd not get that one again by choice.
"Bunny worries when I get hurt, takes care of me when I get sick, and even helps Kaede with her statistics homework. He's the perfect guy."
"So make a move. Say something. Do something. Stop moping around like a teenager in denial."
Kotetsu snorted.
"Isn't that the problem? I did do something, and he... he didn't like it."
"Do something when you're not sky high," corrected Antonio, shaking his head, "and he won't be able to blame it on Keith's mushrooms. Hell, does he even know you like guys?"
"You and Nathan are the only ones who know I'm bi. Not even Kaede knows."
"So your tastes have changed then." Antonio laughed, grabbing another beer after studying what was left. "Away from this handsome visage."
"Hey, both Tomoe and I thought you were handsome in high school. It's been what? Almost twenty years? Tastes change."
"To curly-haired blonds with glasses."
Kotetsu shrugged.
"What can I say? It's everything about him. He's got a brain, and he uses it. He's strong, and since Maverick's been gone, he's been able to finally break free and enjoy himself. Just... what if he doesn't like me like that? Dammit, I don't even know if he likes women or men. Or both."
"Sounds like a good question to ask him."
Kotetsu squirmed on his seat.
"Maybe. Maybe I'll go up to him and just ask, 'Bunny, could you love a guy like me?' It can't be that hard, can it?"
Antonio lifted his glass in a cheer.
"Interesting," remarked a voice.
Kotetsu started coughing, slamming his gass down on the bar top. A hand belonging to the voice clapped him on the back.
"You okay old man?"
"Bun-Bunny!" Kotetsu coughed a bit more, waving off any help from Antonio. "What are you doing here?!"
Barnaby adjusted his glasses, green eyes focused on his partner. Kotetsu wilted.
"I think we need to talk."
"...what did you hear?" Kotetsu asked, his body and his voice sinking fast.
"Enough. Let's talk."
Kotetsu's mouth opened, but Barnaby shook his head.
"Not here. My place."
"Um... I'm still drinking-"
Bunny grabbed Kotetsu's glass and drank the little that remained, making a face as the taste.
"Paint thinner," agreed Antonio. "Fight nice tonight guys, see you tomorrow."
"Thanks Antonio," said Barnaby, his eyes never leaving Kotetsu's. The two of them left, one propping up the other as they walked to the front door.
"I've gotta tell Nathan," chuckled Antonio, pulling out his phone again. "This might put a little crimp in their plans. But first... I think Kaede needs to see a video."
Letter from the Soup - A for Amigo
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