Title: & Bunny – chapter twelve
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Pairing/Characters: Kaburagi Kotetsu + Barnaby Brooks Jr.
Rating: PG-15
Genre: Alternate Timeline; science-fiction; superheroes.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.
Summary/Notes:Taking Ben's advice, Kotetsu decides to separate himself from Hero TV and the Heroes of Sternbild. / …this chapter still mainly centers around the OCs (with some Kotetsu thrown in).


He was a patient, therefore the only thing he wore was the customary white hospital gown. He could feel the floor beneath his feet, but not the cold of the sterile tiles. He flexed his fingers, working the kinks out of the digits. Unconsciously, he brought them both together, cracking the knuckles of both hands. A clearing throat drew his attention and he lowered his hands, focusing his ruby-eyed gaze on the room's other occupant.

Radboud exhaled, hunching his shoulders forward. He straightened up with a small smile. "Ready to make me proud?" Kotetsu nodded.

"I still don't see why I couldn't play the nurse," Dark Star whined from the bed. Her boot-covered feet were planted atop the foot rail at the end of the bed, hands tucked behind her head.

"He's seen you before," Radboud reminded her.

"Then he got his memory wiped!"

"Evy's more suited for it."

Evelyn stood quietly off to the side, dressed as a nurse; her light pink gown stopped above the knees, every button closed right up to the high neck. Not a strand of her red hair was out of place from the bun it had been tightly rolled into, with the cap perched above it.

Kotetsu stared, but had no reason to think anything other than Evelyn Gustaaf – sister to Radboud Gustaaf; the basic information in his programming.

Radboud Gustaaf – his creator and elder brother of Evelyn Gustaaf; also known as Range Rover.

Dark Star – an anomaly.

"Ah…" Dark Star freed a hand and pointed. "He's smiling. Can he think? Like… by himself?"

"He has an AI," Radboud stated. He walked to the 'patient', lifting a hand to comb his fingers through the dark dresses before cupping a smooth cheek. "Everything working?"

Kotetsu grinned. "Perfectly."

Radboud smirked. "Let's get this party started."

"Couldn't a' said it better myself!" Dark Star sprung out of the bed, giving it back to its rightful owner. "Bye, Evy!" Evelyn smiled, lifting her hand in a small wave.

Once the door slid shut, Kotetsu crossed to the bed, climbing in. Opening his eyes, he found the female Gustaaf staring at him. An unconscious smirk tugged at his lips. "I'm not him."

Evelyn's eyes widened and she looked away, wringing her hands together. The real Kotetsu was back at the apartment, arms still bound by her vines. She would be able to return to his side once this charade was over.

X

There was another, desperate to return to Kotetsu. Her leg bounced as Karina tapped her foot impatiently, drawing confused stares from her friends. Emily and Jane shared a look, the brunette shrugging her shoulders. Today was the day that they would finally be able to visit Kotetsu. No one—not even Barnaby—had clearance to the hospital room after Tiger's rescue.

Karina shook her head, unable to sit still any longer. She packed her case and stood, everyone's attention now focused on her.

"Ms. Lyle," the teacher began, his tone taking on a warning edge.

Karina ignored him, turning around to face her friends. "Let me know what I missed." And with that, she walked out, her teacher's demand that she return to her seat drowned out by her closing the door. Karina's pace increased until she found herself running through the school's hallways, happiness and anxiousness battling it out within her. 'Tiger!'

X X X

Karina showed her badge to the guard and quickly made her way to the private hospital wing. Her eyes widened at the yells floating down the hall, and the teen broke into a run, almost tearing the automatic door off its tracks in her haste to open it. It took a few moments for her racing heart to calm, but the sight before her helped. The only danger Kotetsu was in was of eating too much gelatin.

Kotetsu's face lit up after spotting his first visitor. "Karina-chan! Save me…!"

The nurse lowered the full spoon back into the bowl, huffing indignantly, "Kaburagi-san. It's not a gourmet meal, but it will help to gradually rebuild your strength."

"I'm tired of Jell-o," Kotetsu whined, leaning back against the raised pillow, awayfrom the bowl of green gelatin.

"Eat it, Tiger," Karina ordered. Arms tucked behind her back, fingers locked together, she slowly, carefully made her way across the room.

The red-haired nurse smiled at her. "Ms. Lyle, welcome. Maybe you can persuade him better than I can."

"Persuade…" Karina lifted her eyes to the bright ceiling. "Maybe 'threaten'?" They shared a laugh.

"Karina." Kotetsu looked appalled. "How could you… side with the enemy? I've been here a week! I want to go home. I want to return to the streets of Sternbild."

Karina's expression turned serious, and she stepped around the nurse to post herself at the patient's bedside. "It's because of that attitude why you ended up in this… predicament!"

Kotetsu smiled over the girl's shoulder, nodding his head a little. The nurse bowed, taking her leave. Evelyn walked calmly through the halls, smiling politely at others she passed. Her so-called shift would end after Barnaby's arrival. Radboud and Dark Star would come to collect her, and she would return to the apartment where the real Kotetsu was currently located.

Karina took a seat in the chair she'd dragged away from the wall, tucking her hands beneath her thighs so they didn't "talk" animatedly on their own. "How are you… really feeling, Tiger?"

Kotetsu folded his hands in his covered lap. "I feel great, Blue Rose—honestly. It's like I said: I want to go home. I'm tired of being here. I was only here a day after my failed attempt at fighting with Jake. Add five more to that, and I've been going out of my mind."

Karina giggled softly and he grinned at her.

Behind the crimson irises, data flashed and information flooded the digital screen. Karina Lyle. Blue Rose. Harbors feelings of admiration for Wild Tiger that she believes to be love.

"You'll get your freedom once Barnaby-kun shows up," Karina hummed, her dislike of the King of Heroes obvious in her bored expression.

Kotetsu reached out, brushing back her wavy hair to reveal a blue rose earring. "Don't be too hard on Bunny. My capture wasn't his fault."

"That was your own fault," Karina deadpanned, shaking her head so his hand fell away.

"Tiger-san was just doing his best," a soft voice whispered. Ivan smiled apologetically after receiving Karina's deadly glare, ducking his head. He had himself tucked into the corner of the room to the right of the door.

"How long have you been there?" Kotetsu asked, beckoning the sky teen closer.

"A few minutes. When she first brought the Jell-o." The young blond blushed, averting his gaze.

Karina stood, offering him her seat as he drew nearer, only to make the shy boy back away, hands flailing as he frantically shook his head. She sat back down, crossing one knee over the other. Resting her elbow on her thigh, she propped her head up. "So." Karina stared pointedly at Kotetsu. "Have you learned your lesson?"

"Blue Rose," Ivan stammered out.

Kotetsu shook his head, dismissing the boy's concern. "I can't say I won't do the same thing again, but… maybe I'll be a bit more rational?"

"I doubt it, not with the intonation at the end of your statement." Karina sighed at the man's sheepish grin, drumming her fingers idly against her cheek. "Please try, Tiger." Ivan nodded in agreement with the girl's plea.

Kotetsu smiled, "I will try." There was nothing further to talk about with the children. He leaned back against the raised bed, exhaling softly.

"Tired?" Karina inquired softly, worry etched across her face.

Kotetsu smiled sleepily. "Yeah. Sorry," he yawned. "I guess I'm still not as fit as I thought."

"That's why… you should have eaten your Jell-o."

The comment had come from Ivan, and had both Kotetsu and Karina staring openly, the man's mouth spread wide in a grin. The blond blushed, but kept their gazes as he smiled.

Kotetsu chuckled, "You can stay. Keep me company…" His eyes fluttered close. His audio sensors were turned off and he slipped into "recharge" mode. His creator had given him "dreams"—recordings that he should study while he "slept", in order to perfect the persona he had taken on. The real Kotetsu filled every inch of his monitor—laughing, smiling; a constant reminder.

X

Barnaby had taken over the chair long since vacated by Karina. Elbows propped atop his thighs, his face was buried in his hands.

Kotetsu stared at the blond, monitoring him. His heart rate and breathing were even, but he wasn't asleep. Barnaby Brooks Jr. Orphan. King of Heroes. Partner to Wild Tiger.He tilted his head; that was all the information provided to him. Running a hand over the sheets to imitate the sound of movement caused the blond head to snap up.

A look of elation crossed onto the young man's face and he stood, bracing his hands on the bed in order to lean forward and into Kotetsu's space. "Kotetsu-san. Thank goodness. Blue Rose told me you were feeling tired. I was worried…"

"Don't worry about that."

"How can I not? You're so… reckless."

Kotetsu smiled, reaching up to cup Barnaby's face. He smoothed a thumb over his cheek, under a bright green eye. "I missed you, Bunny."

"It's Barnaby," the young man corrected, but he smiled as he leaned into the touch.

"You're too docile... Are you sure you're the real Bunny?" Testing his luck, Kotetsu playfully pinched the blond's cheek. His hand was slapped away and he grinned up at the glowering face. "There's Bunny."

Barnaby scoffed, lowering himself back into the empty chair. "I'm sure Blue Rose has already chastised you, so I won't be harsh. Saying you learn from your mistakes will change nothing, but you have a partner. Remember that."

"So… you just told me you would run headlong into danger with me."

Barnaby's eyes widened before his glare returned. "That's not—"

"Yes," Kotetsu laughed. "I heard 'take me with you the next time you do something rash'."

"You really should listen… old man."

"I do listen."

"To yourself, obviously."

"Not all the time!"

Their back and forth was background noise to an unfortunate trio.

Dark Star was on guard to keep an eye on Evelyn after they'd been dropped off at the apartment; Radboud told them he had business to take care of. She busied herself at her friend's vanity, leg drawn up in the red, wide chair, trying to ignore the noises on both her right and her left.

On the right was Evelyn, trying desperately to coax the real Kotetsu into eating something. "Kaburagi-san. Please eat." Evelyn held a plate of fried rice in her hands. She'd been standing in front of the bed for almost fifteen minutes; the food had already gone cold. Kotetsu was laying on his side, facing the wall, his back to her. "Kaburagi-san…"

On Dark Star's left came another round of laughter between the so-called Tiger and Barnaby duo that caused their prisoner to release a sound so painful, it made her own black heart clench. It wasn't in her to apologize, but there was a little voice, one surprisingly louder than all the other sounds around her, that continued to be a reminder that shewas the reason for Kotetsu's current form of torture. A simple offhand comment, and its results were now sparking life in the conscience she was sure she'd murdered decades ago.

x x x

"How can he be so dense? Even the machine picked up on it."

Radboud smiled at the brunette seated beside him. "I programmed him to."

Dark Star scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she huddled back in her seat. "It's a useless emotion."

"I thought you loved me?" Radboud teased, carefully crossing his arms over the steering wheel.

"I don't know what 'love' is, but I know that man smiles the brightest around that punk. He even laughs more. Before he opened up to his daughter, he looked… small?" Radboud nodded, informing her that he understood. Dark Star sighed, lowering her gaze to her lap. "I wish he could see how much that punk really needs him."

"Your wish, is my command, Mijn Ster."

x x x

'Damn you, Ray…!' With a shout, Dark Star stood and stormed to the wall mount. She resisted the urge of tearing the television down, and simply removed the power cord from the device itself. "Tiger…" Her pride wouldn't let her speak the words of apology. Dark Star shook her head. "You should eat your food. Evy, warm it back up for him." Reluctantly, Evelyn turned away from the bed, leaving the room. Dark Star took up the vacated spot, kicking the bed lightly. "Pull yourself together, Tiger."

"Why?"

She felt relief that he had spoken, but the voice was already defeated.

"This is obviously the end for me."

"Are you… are you giving up?" Dark Star climbed onto the bed, reaching for Kotetsu's shoulder in order to roll him over and loom above him. "Don't give up!"

"Why not?!" Kotetsu snapped, an action so unlike him, it made the brunette pull away for a startled second. There was no hope in his eyes.

"Because… you can't."

Kotetsu laughed harshly, laying his head back down. "I'm going to die—"

The slap rang loudly in the room. Dark Star scowled down at the Hero. Kotetsu's shocked expression returned to being impassive, and he looked away, his reddening cheek now hidden against the sheets. His jaw was taken, and his head turned back around so he stared into the narrowed brown eyes of the young woman.

Evelyn returned a few moments later, stumbling across a scene she felt was meant to be private. The fork rattling against the plate, thanks to her trembling hands, drew the attention of the bed's occupants. Dark Star put some distance between herself and the older man, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she climbed from the bed. "We were talking," she muttered in explanation, walking by her friend toward the open door.

The quiet redhead nodded, trying to push away the image currently burned into her mind's eye; Dark Star's mouth against Kotetsu's. Said man smiled at her from the bed—a smile similar to one of the first smiles he'd ever shown her—and Evelyn's worry melted away. She gave him a small smile in return, making her way to the bed.

Kotetsu sat up as she sat down, leaning forward with an eager "ahh", his mouth open. The hint of Evelyn's smile vanished when she noticed his cheek. "What happened?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Pillow burn? Ahh!"

Evelyn giggled, lifting the spoonful of fried rice to Kotetsu. 'Thank you, Ster.'

Dark Star sat in the darkness of her room, knees hugged to her chest. Radboud had once told her that the house wasn't bugged—that he trusted them. He was, what she called, a techno-dweeb, and wasn't too sure that some form of recording device hadn't been install after their prisoner's arrival. It hadn't been a kiss, per se, but their lips touched, but only so she could whisper to him: "Your family knows you. He can never replace… you." Dark Star groaned and lowered her head onto her raised knees.

X

Kotetsu woke because his instinct warned him that he was not alone. He would never have noticed his company had it not been for the glowing red eyes. He scrambled to sit up, but it was awkward with his bound hands. "What… what do you want?" The dark stranger remained motionless, unblinking, and delivered no response.

"I don't know what he wants." Radboud appeared in the open doorway, a hand tucked beneath the hem of his plain white tee. Dark Star commented that he rarely slept, but his current appearance stated otherwise. His short auburn hair already spoke the language of the "pillow". "Maybe he's curious," the NEXT offered. "His first time seeing you was yesterday. And Evy's always been here with you at night. Are you studying him?" he asked, the question directed at the lookalike android.

"We're the same," the dark figure replied. Kotetsu bit his lip to stop himself from commenting. "But we're still… not," his doppelganger finished.

"How observant," Radboud yawned. "Let's go recharge. Lord knows I need it…"

Kotetsu shuddered at the grin that crept onto his own face.

"Goodnight, Kotetsu."

He nodded stiffly at himself in response. The door closed, leaving Kotetsu alone, but far from relaxed. He couldn't relax. It was unsettling, knowing that that creature had stolen a portion of his life. His family remained unawares, but— "Kaede will probably call soon." Kotetsu flopped unceremoniously, groaning into the pillow where his face was planted. 'How did my life become this?'


Hearing the shout of his name, Antonio let the barbell he bench pressed slide back into the holding grooves of the stand to keep it elevated. Keith, who was spotting him, stepped back as the brunet sat up. Antonio grinned. "Kotetsu—"

"Don't 'Kotetsu' me," said man scoffed, one hand on a slim hip; the other pointed accusingly. "What kind of friend are you? Kidnapped, rescued… and you don't even show your face. Origami Cyclone visited me!"

"I wanted to," Antonio began.

"I apologize." All eyes fell on the older blond. "I believe I was the cause of his absence." Keith's expression resembled that of a kicked puppy, a trait he probably picked up from John. "I needed his assistance."

Kotetsu looked between the two, drawing his arm back to cross both over his chest. His eyes narrowed. "You two have gotten awfully close. Sky High, are you stealing my friend?"

"I would never dream of doing such a thing," Keith protested, his bright blue eyes wide.

"I believe," Barnaby stepped forward to stand at Kotetsu's right side, a smug smile on his face, "He might have already done so."

"No matter," Kotetsu grunted. "You can have him for right now. I have to make up for all the time I missed with Bunny." He began stretching, loosening himself up for his exercises.

Barnaby followed the older man to the advanced butterfly machine, his worry obvious. "Should you…? Is it okay for you to be pushing yourself?"

"I'm not pushing myself," Kotetsu laughed as he took a seat. He set the machine's parameters, lowering it from his norm, and lifted his arms to grasp the handlebars. "I'm just working out. This old man has to stay in shape, doesn't he? I have to keep up with my partner." In reality, he could pick up and bench press any machine in this room, but his power level was lowered until he actually engaged in combat with a NEXT. As he began his workout, Barnaby took up residence on the treadmill.

Antonio and Keith took their leave first, the Bull Tank exchanging a few words with his friend before walking out. Nathan replaced them, staying at the entrance a few moments longer to watch them walk away. "Tiger," he drawled after entering their private gym. "Cheer me up. I'm depressed." He pouted to prove his point.

Kotetsu dropped his arms with a laugh. "You? Depressed? Please, do tell."

"You saw them." Nathan stopped in front of the seated brunet, arms encircling his waist. "Both of them—such fine specimens—are now off the market."

Kotetsu's eyebrows rose as he choked out a laugh, "Off the market?"

"They're a couple," the dark-skinned man sighed dreamily, a hand to his cheek.

"Eh?!" The outburst belonged to Kotetsu.

Barnaby's curiosity was piqued, and he stepped away from his machine and moved closer to the duo. "Do you have proof of their relationship?" he inquired.

Nathan nodded emphatically, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "They've been going out on dates for months now."

"Eh?!" Kotetsu squawked, louder than before. "Ah…!" His eyes widened and he shot up from the bench, relying on the information programmed into him to reach his sudden conclusion. "So, then… And, that time! They were together!" All instances belonged to the real Kotetsu.

Barnaby rolled his eyes, sighing, "You're babbling, old man."

"Because Fire Emblem's right!"

"Of course I am," Nathan drawled, smiling coyly.

"Months… Well, maybe two months." Kotetsu gritted his teeth in a forced grin, though there was amusement in the crimson eyes. "Now I'm upset because he didn't tell me."

"That's what you're upset about?" Barnaby scoffed.

Kotetsu shot him a wide-eyed look before laughing softly. "Well, yeah. I'm happy for him. It's… When you think about it being the two of them, who hardly ever interacted before, it might seem weird at first, but they actually complement each other. I need to give them my blessings."

"They do, don't they?" Nathan gasped out in delight, clasping his hands together. "I'm so glad I'm not the only one that thinks so." He smirked, glancing from the frowning blond to the smiling brunet. "You two would also make a cute couple."

The fluttering in his gut returned and Barnaby curled an arm around his midsection. This was the second instant of it happening and he couldn't pinpoint why. Kotetsu tucked a hand behind his head, grinning sheepishly. "Bunny doesn't even like me. He tolerates me because we work together. Besides, his fans would turn on me, or anybody else for that matter, if he was taken away."

"I do have to tolerate you, don't I?" Barnaby sighed, using his free hand to adjust his glasses. "Because you're an annoying old man that doesn't listen."

"Ouch…" Kotetsu touched a hand to his chest. Nathan nodded, sympathizing with his pain. Both men smiled. Barnaby smirked.

X

Kotetsu couldn't tear his eyes away from the gentle look Barnaby was directing towards his doppelganger. A pleased voice interrupted his thoughtless reverie.

"His eyes are saying 'I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world'. Don't you think so?" Radboud had a few minutes to spare, and decided that they needed to bond as guys. The girls were out shopping, or so he claimed. "So wanting… not quite wanton," he drawled, leaning back, his arms keeping him propped up. Radboud smirked, tilting his head to stare at the underside of the other man's jaw. "Have you ever been with a man, Kotetsu-san? Have you ever thought about it?" His question was punctuated by an arched eyebrow.

Slowly, Kotetsu looked away from the television to stare down at the bed's other occupant.

"Yes? No?" Radboud grinned. "I have—been with a man, that is. It's the same… kind of." He chuckled at his own expense.

"Please give me an answer. Why… What's the reason for doing this?"

Radboud's smile remained, but his eyes spoke of annoyance. "Why am I babysitting you? Honestly, I don't know. I went out yesterday to ask, 'cause… I don't like working. I like playing around—making stuff. Ebitsu—" He grinned, "—I call him that. Ebitsu was fun to make, but now… I can't play with him. Because I'm babysitting you. And the only answer I keep getting is to make sure you stay here so I can keep getting paid."

Radboud laughed, the sound dry. "Money's no concern to me. Hell, moving to the Bronze Stage might be better for hiding out, but I choose the Silver Stage for the sake of my girls. Granted… Mijn Ster likes to play, just like me." He exhaled deeply. "I'm tempted to let you go, just to see what happens." Radboud glanced sideways, humming, "Should I?"

Kotetsu smiled weakly; the first smile ever directed at his male captor. "You should."

"After Barnaby falls in love with you. Correction—after you fall in love with him."

The emphasis on 'you' was misleading; Kotetsu was uncertain whether it referred to himself or his copy. He shook his head and turned back towards the television, chewing the inside of his cheek as he was forced to watch the clone steal his friends—his life. He ignored the constant shuffling and movement to his left, but jumped in surprise when Radboud rest his head in his lap.

"Don't get excited," the young man grunted. "This is a precaution to make sure you don't run away."

"Not the most sensible," Kotetsu told him.

"Like you know sensible," Radboud scoffed, letting his eyes slide shut. Was he being corrupted as Evelyn had? He knew the Kotetsu that he'd recreated; knew his habits, patterns, and quirks. And while it was fun to poke the android and see what his response would be, he never thought he would feel this relaxed around the real thing. 'What makes you so different… from other adults?' Unbeknownst to him, he'd spoken the words aloud.

Kotetsu smiled, leaning over the lax figure. "Because I know your pain."

Radboud's brow creased, slowly smoothing out into a peaceful expression. Kotetsu sighed. They were kids—Radboud, Evelyn, even Dark Star—that had had an unfortunate upbringing, yet still managed to survive under the radar. 'Except for Dark Star.' "She's only in it for her fifteen minutes of fame," he told himself. Kotetsu let his gaze drift over to the television, which had fallen silent the moment Radboud closed his eyes. The moving pictures were still there.

Barnaby and the other were now at Apollon Media, doing desk work. A silly comment must have been made, because Barnaby looked at him and rolled his eyes. But his smile remained.

Have you ever been with a man, Kotetsu-san? Have you ever thought about it?

There was a twisting in his gut as he watched Barnaby laugh at something he said, and Kotetsu doubled forward, careful of the young man using his lap as a pillow. "No," he ground out, screwing his eyes shut. "That's not me… Bunny."

"Mmm…" Radboud moaned softly, shifting and lifting his head so he stared directly at Kotetsu's tortured expression. "Do you… want it to be you?"

Kotetsu's fear was centered around the fact that he in no way opposed the idea. His pain actually lessened when he told himself 'yes'. Barnaby hadn't belonged to him first, but Kotetsu didn't want to let him go, especially not to a fake. He tucked his chin against his chest, saying nothing.

Radboud smiled sleepily. "I think you've already decided, but I won't pressure you to say. It's not my business." He lifted a hand, awkwardly patting Kotetsu's stomach in a comforting manner. "For now, we can sleep, or you can keep watching that. I have it recording…" A yawn halted his speech. "Research purposes." Radboud stayed silent after that, his breathing slowly slowing and evening out.

Kotetsu smiled.

X X X

"Huh…" Dark Star cocked her head to the left, only to tilt it back right in an attempt to study the scene before her. She imagined this was how Evelyn felt after finding her and Kotetsu.

Evelyn's bed was currently occupied by two figures, both fast asleep. Kotetsu, who was unfortunate to still have his arms bound, was limited to sleeping on his sides, which made it easier for Radboud to spoon against him; his left leg was curled over Kotetsu's, and his face tucked into the crook where shoulder met neck. They looked so content and comfortable, she didn't dare disturb them.

Wearing a grin, Dark Star shook her head and stepped out of the room to let them be.


A/N: Alright! New chapter, yea! I promise to have more Barnaby in the next chapter. My "editor" says she doesn't like him interacting with the clone, and I admitted to her that it was a bit difficult more to write for him 'cause I knew he wasn't Kotetsu *shrug* Go figah! But they're gonna hafta interact. And, wherever she might be, I'd really like to thank kudakoneko for these wonderful OCs that are helping me write my fic :3 …next update will be July. It's partially finished, so hopefully I can have it posted before I leave for Otakon. Who goes to Otakon~~? *waves a "meet with me" flag* xD

Hrm… anything else to add? Can't think of any…