[fic] drawn together - prologue
Title: Drawn Together - prologue
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Characters: Kotetsu x Barnaby
Rating: M (for Mature *PS chime*)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and I definitely don't own the sponsors that they wear.
Kotetsu groaned after regaining consciousness, all too familiar with the signs of a hangover. He lifted his right arm, covering his face with the appendage. That current position was short-lived; he rolled over onto his stomach, blindly reaching for a pillow to bury his face in. What his fingers encountered made the blood in his veins run cold.
Kotetsu ghosted his fingers over the solid warmth and was rewarded with a smothered moan of protest and the rustling of bed sheets. He pushed himself up onto his knees, throbbing head be damned, and found himself staring down at the half-naked frame of Barnaby Brooks Jr.; half-naked, because the sheets covered his lower half.
Kotetsu dug his fingers into his bare thighs as he studied what covered the new Hero's upper half. Love bites-he'd counted a dozen so far. He opened his mouth, but his voice was obviously as lost as he was, and only a horrified squawk tumbled out. Kotetsu fumbled, twisting so he could reach behind himself. There was no aching pain in his lower back, but there was dried evidence between his thighs that told a tale of intimacy.
"I had sex with Bunny…?"Now his voice decided to come back.
Kotetsu untangled himself from the sheets and climbed from the large bed. There was no pile of clothes, which meant Barnaby had obviously cleaned up before falling asleep. It took the veteran Hero a few minutes before finding the bathroom, where he allowed himself to indulge in a much-needed warm shower. His headache remained as a steady reminder, but so did the stinging in his shoulders. When Kotetsu emerged from the shower, he used the bathroom mirror and found that his back was covered in scratches. His lips started curling into a smile, but he shook his head, reminding himself that this was a dire situation.
Kotetsu muttered a quick apology before borrowing a white towel and wrapping it around his waist. He still couldn't find his clothes, which meant it was time for Barnaby to wake up.
Barnaby Brooks Jr was sitting upright, though not fully awake, when Kotetsu returned to the bedroom. His headache became a distant dull throb and he prepared himself for the worst when half-lidded green eyes attempted to focus on him. "Old man...?"
"I take offense to that, but who else would it be? If you're referring to me…"
Barnaby combed his fingers through his unruly hair with a sigh. "I don't know. I can't remember anything... and I can't see anything without my glasses."
Kotetsu grinned lopsidedly and glanced around the room, searching for the eyewear. The owner found them first, and Barnaby's scowl slipped back into place the minute his glasses were back on his face. "Kotetsu. Why are you naked?"
"Showered. Why are you?" Kotetsu countered, one hand on his hip while he wagged the index finger of the other.
"I sleep naked."
"Interesting fact. Do you think you can remember what you did with my clothes?"
"Why would I have done something to your clothes?" Barnaby scoffed, tossing back the covers.
Kotetsu's eyes widened, but he quickly looked away, grinning sheepishly; the love bites went even lower. He took a seat on the bed after Barnaby vacated it, waiting for the other to catch on. Kotetsu knew he'd arrived in the bathroom when the shouting started.
Barnaby appeared in the doorway, cheeks flushed and eyes wide. "What..." He waved a hand up and down his naked frame. "...happened?!"
"Alcohol. I guess we celebrated too hard." Kotetsu crossed one leg over the other, the towel still keeping him modest. "You obviously enjoyed it. I'm sure I did as well. I hope we did."
"How can you take this so lightly?!"
"It's difficult with you standing there like that "
Barnaby opened his mouth, then snapped it shut, storming off. When he returned, he was dressed in a robe.
Kotetsu didn't like his on-again off-again headache, either. "Do you intend for us to sit here and have a heart to heart? Bunny, I'm scared. That's why I'm being so sarcastic. I can't remember what happened, and our already strained partnership will just sour even more. Let's just... pretend that whatever happened… didn't happen."
Barnaby carded his fingers through his hair, clutching and tugging at the strands before letting his hands fall back to his sides. "I can't pretend it didn't happen, but I'll never mention it again."
Kotetsu tilted his head back and smiled up at the ceiling. "Thank you. Where are my clothes?"
Barnaby smirked, disappearing from the open doorway.
X X X
Kotetsu tried to ignore the headache attempting to split his skull open, but it refused to go away. He'd already taken as many painkillers as possible without nearing the overdose level, but the pain would not fade. Panting, Kotetsu clawed at his pillow, trying not to resort to screaming. He heard a distant trilling, but paid it no mind. It ended and then started again. The trilling gave way to pounding, and Kotetsu wondered if his brain was finally escaping; he also thought he might have gone crazy.
Kotetsu was faintly aware of being shifted, but he had no idea he was being carried out of his apartment.
Kotetsu woke, not realizing he'd fallen asleep, feeling refreshed and free of pain. He rolled over, quickly pulling himself from the edge of the bed. The short distance told him he wasn't at home, and forced his eyes open to find out his current location. Sterile walls and sterile sheets meant he was in a hospital. Kotetsu sat up, his surprise obvious at finding the bed a few yards beside his occupied.
Barnaby glanced his way before returning to the tablet in his lap. "They don't know what's wrong with us. You passed out almost immediately after being checked in."
"Who came and got me?" Kotetsu questioned, adjusting himself properly so he sat with his back against the headboard.
"Rock Bison. I told him to check on you when my calls went unanswered."
"When do we get to leave?" Kotetsu sighed, absently scratching at his chest. Hospitals weren't his favorite place.
"Someone should be on their way since I alerted them of your waking."
Kotetsu grinned. "Such a diligent Bunny."
Barnaby rolled his eyes and returned to the tablet in his lap. He was researching potential ailments that could have caused a headache of such a high caliber. The doctors told him he was the picture of perfect health-as was Kotetsu-but he sure hadn't felt like it a few hours ago. He heard movement to his right, but ignored it in favor of a concussion article.
Kotetsu mumbled something and walked out, leaving the young man in silence. Several moments later, Barnaby dropped the tablet in favor of clutching his head with both hands. He doubled forward before falling onto his side and curling into a fetal position. 'What is wrong with me...?' Barnaby exhaled sharply as the pain suddenly faded, and squinted through half-lidded eyes.
Kotetsu was leaning against the inner wall of the room, hands braced against his thighs in his slumped position.
Why... is this happening?
His head snapped up and he stared at the bed where the blond lay. "Bunny?"
"What?" Barnaby hissed through clenched teeth. He was reluctant to relax if it meant the pain would return.
"I don't know why this is happening," Kotetsu sighed, answering the previous question. He pushed away from the wall and took a few tentative steps forward. His body straightened to its full height with each step, and he made his way toward his deserted bed. Kotetsu fell face first into the sheets, getting a strong scent of disinfectant, before rolling onto his side and reaching for the "nurse" button.
The nurse brought him sleeping pills, which he accepted gratefully. There were several instances throughout the night where the sudden pain forced him to wake, but Kotetsu managed to get a decent amount of well-needed rest.
The other Heroes of Sternbild visited when they were both awake.
It took Origami Cyclone to figure out what the doctors couldn't. "You're joined... in some kind of bond," the timid blond stated, having listened to their stories of their time apart and time together; of their comings and goings, at the apartment and here in the hospital.
Kotetsu sputtered out a laugh while Barnaby scoffed. "That's… what happens in movies and anime," the brunet said, a nervous grin on his face. "We have nothing to bond over. We can't even become proper partners."
"That could be the reason why this happened." Ivan held out his hand to Kotetsu, shaking it when the veteran Hero refused to move. Kotetsu took the offered hand and was yanked to his feet and pushed out the door. Ivan stayed with him, supporting him when he teetered to one side from the sudden onslaught of nausea.
Dragon Kid poked her head out of the room. "He's in pain," she stated, speaking about either Kotetsu or Barnaby.
Ivan guided Kotetsu back to the room. The minute he reached the entrance, the pain receded and he sagged against the teen in relief. He looked inside and saw Keith assisting Barnaby back against the headboard of the bed.
Barnaby turned, meeting Kotetsu's eye. How did this happen...?
The blond's lips never moved, but he heard the question loud and clear. "How... did this happen?" Kotetsu whispered aloud.
A/N: *sobs into her hands* …why can't I stop? I have a list of things that interested me over at the t_and_b kink meme, and I'm slowly working through them. There was this nice one with Keith... *trails off*
(By the by... I suck so hard at summaries...)