Title: Ne Pas Oublier
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Pairing/Characters: Antonio Lopez / Keith Goodman
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.
It took three years before Keith regained his memory.
Keith and Antonio managed to survive the ups and downs of their new-again relationship, but their anniversary plans were temporarily postponed when a hostage situation unfolded on the bridge. At the mention of explosives strapped to the victim and the criminal, Rock Bison all but locked Sky High in the Justice Tower.
Unmasked, Keith took Rock Bison's helmet by the horns, bringing him down so he could press his forehead against the cool alloy. "You can't stop me," he chuckled. "And maybe this is what I need—closure. I can't recall the previous incident, so maybe if I live it again—"
"I'll die," Rock Bison muttered, his voice tinny through his helmet.
Keith kept one hand on a horn. With the other, he hooked a finger through the nose ring of Rock Bison's helmet. He rose onto the balls of his feet and placed a kiss to the red segment of the helmet. "Keep an eye on me, then," he whispered. He grinned at the soft, grumbling voice he could hear at their proximity. "Let's go before Ms. Jouvert comes looking for us." Keith released the other Hero and rushed to his helmet, quickly pulling it on. He saluted as Sky High, leaving first before Antonio could protest.
X
Sky High stole the show, rescuing the young woman from Death's door, but almost leaving himself there in return. With the bomber's attention elsewhere—Wild Tiger loved playing the part of distraction, much to Barnaby's dismay—Sky High managed to separate the criminal from his hostage with a blast of air that sent both over the side of the bridge. Rushing after the victim, he held onto her long enough to remove the explosives before releasing her into Barnaby's waiting arms. The bomber closed his eyes with a smirk, pushing the detonator he held. There were two explosions in the air that afternoon. Sky High barely escaped the second blast, launching the vest of explosives even higher than he had flown.
Antonio didn't have the energy to continue yelling at Keith over his rash actions. "You've been hanging around Wild Tiger too much," was the last thing he mumbled, emotionally drained.
Kotetsu whined in protest, but Barnaby placed a comforting hand to his shoulder. He grinned up at his partner, taking the hand and squeezing it gently in gratitude.
Keith curled his hands over the arms that held him in a bruising hug, relaxing against the broad chest. He still couldn't remember anything, but he had saved more than one life today, so he felt accomplished.
X X X
Keith's memory didn't return after the incident, however, but they were still able to enjoy a late, at-home anniversary dinner.
It was a normal night—just like any other night where they collapsed from exhaustion after a hard day's job of being a Hero—when it finally happened.
Antonio was startled awake by bloodcurdling screaming. He sat up, sleep the farthest thing on his mind, and gently pulled the thrashing man into his arms. He endured the hits and cuts as Keith fought to get away—fought to get away from the nightmare he was experiencing. John howled from the end of the bed, his paws on the mattress as he listened to his master suffer.
Keith continued to scream, digging his fingers into Antonio's forearms for support, until he broke down and began sobbing "...hurts." John's barks died to almost painful whimpers. "...hurts," Keith croaked, his throat burning and voice scratchy. "It's dark…"
"I'm sorry," Antonio hissed. He never tightened or loosened his hold, waiting for Keith to come back to him.
Keith eased his painful grip on the other man, but he didn't let go. His eyelids fluttered open and he quickly reminded himself that this darkness was different from the one he'd just escaped from. Eyes red and swollen, he blinked up at Antonio beseechingly. "...did we catch him?"
Antonio lowered his head, hiding his face in the junction of Keith's neck and shoulder as he roared with laughter, unconsciously squeezing the blond in a tight embrace. "Only Keith Goodman would wonder if we caught the bad guy that tried to blow him up."
"Of course I would," Keith stated hoarsely. "Especially since he tried to take me out. It's in my best interest."
"Yes. We caught him."
Keith relaxed moments later, fitting himself perfectly against Antonio. As their hips slotted together, Antonio knew then that Keith truly had regained his memories. With the amnesiac version still at his side, they had created new customs, similar, but not quite what he'd first remembered.
"Sorry I was so skeptical, and thanks for putting up with me. Thank you, for trying to keep my memory, and for falling in love with me again." Keith smiled, the expression lost in the darkness. "And let's start a relationship with Kot—"
John finally allowed himself to relax when his two humans began wrestling. He knew he would be able to stay for this bout of wrestling; they weren't giving off heavy pheromones that had him making a beeline for the door so they could have privacy. He settled on the floor, laying his head atop his crossed paws with a wide yawn. Eventually, the noise died away, and it made it easier for him to fall back asleep.
With Antonio draped over him in a natural and familiar way, already breathing heavy in sleep, Keith was able to keep further nightmares at bay, and slipped into a peaceful slumber.
A/N: It's a short epilogue, woo! Sorry about the repeated mentioning of polyamory relationships... I'd read an Avengers fic of the sort, and it was really good, so I was probably channeling.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!