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[Tiger & Bunny] - Without Reason	By : ChronoDragon Category: +S to Z > Tiger & Bunny Views: 3881 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Tiger & Bunny or any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Chapter 2

"Good night…Barnaby."

Barnaby jolted awake, breathing hard as the vision of Maverick hovering over him still lingered in his mind. He sat up quickly, taking a look around his surroundings, making sure it he was safe. For several minutes he breathed heavily, his eyes wide and staring out in front of him. His body shook from both the cold air in the room and the nightmare he just had. The next thing he knew he was crying, tears flowing out of his eyes and down his cheeks. He didn’t understand why he was getting so upset over a simple nightmare, but it was a nightmare that had been haunting him ever since the incident with Maverick happened. It repeated in his mind over and over again like his nightmare of the night his parents died.

Barnaby wiped his tears away with the end of his sleeve, lying back down on the bed, curling up and gripping onto the sheets around him tightly. He shivered, becoming aware of the cold air around him. While lying there trying to fall asleep again, his mind wandered to a particular person. That smile… The tension in Barnaby’s body slowly left him, replaced by a great sense of comfort as if he was in Kotetsu’s arms like before. He sighed, wondering why he was having these kinds of thoughts about the older man. Sure he cared for Kotetsu, liked being his partner when they were Heros, but never thought have anything more with him than just a friendship. But then why did he think about him so much? Why was every thought replaced by man’s image, voice, smile…that damn warm, geeky smile of his? But before he could come to any real conclusion on his feelings, Barnaby fell asleep, Kotetsu sleeping next to him, being the last thought in his mind.

----

Despite having a curtain there, the dim sunlight shining through his window woke the blonde not much later. Barnaby groaned as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, squirming around in his bed as his body slowly came out of its resting state. A yawn escaped his mouth as he sat up, taking a look around his still unfamiliar room. He grabbed his glasses from the nearby table and put them on, slipping his legs from under the covers after he did so. He yawned again, jumping slightly when he placed his bare feet on the cool, wood floor. Barnaby sat there for awhile, trying to get himself to wake up completely by stretching his back and other limbs, but his body refused to cooperate. He sat up from the bed, running a hand through his now messy hair as he walked over and opened the door to his room. It was fairly quiet, save for only the wind making the house around him creak. There weren’t even any voices from Kotetsu or his family members audible from where he was, which made him wonder if he was alone in their house. That would be incredibly awkward. Barnaby made his way down the hall towards the kitchen, the smell of a food he could not identify filled his nose as he got closer. He stepped into the kitchen, stopping abruptly when he saw Kotetsu, humming a joyful tune as he wiped down the countertop in front of him.

The dark-haired man felt the added presence in the room and looked towards the doorway, smiling when he saw his partner standing there. “’Morning!” He greeted happily. “Want some breakfast sleepyhead?”

Barnaby stood there, his sense still gradually coming to him. “Um…I’m not really hungry right now.” He muttered sleepily.

“Hah? You should eat something!” Kotetsu shook a scolding finger at the younger man. “You slept in so late! That’s the problem!”

Sighing, Barnaby ignored Kotetsu’s attempt to lecture him and looked around, noting the absence of other people and voices. “Where’s your family?”

Kotetsu scratched the back of his head. “Kaede is at school and my brother is working. My Mom went shopping a while ago but she’ll be back soon.” He eyed the younger man briefly, noticing that Barnaby was most likely attempting to withdraw into himself again and he did not want that. “Don’t change the subject…Now what do you want to eat? I’m going to make you something whether you like it or not!”

Barnaby relented, smirking to himself. He knew if he didn’t say anything Kotetsu would probably cook an entire meal for him. Then again, Barnaby wondered if Kotetsu even knew how to cook anything else besides fried rice. “I guess some toast is fine.” Barnaby shrugged, stepping further into the room and closer to Kotetsu.

“That’s it? You need to eat more than that!” Kotetsu raised an eyebrow at him. “How about some scrambled eggs?”

“Sure, I prefer sunny-side up though, if that’s okay.”

“I um…” Kotetsu stumbled on his words as he smiled in a bit of embarrassment. “I can try…but every time I try to make a fried egg it ends up scrambled.”

Barnaby chuckled in response. “Then I’ll make it.” He said, walking over to the refrigerator in the room. “Are the eggs in here?”

“Hey hey hey!” Kotetsu sprinted over to the younger man, pausing as Barnaby dug around and took out an egg. “I can do it!”

“It’s fine Kotetsu. I can cook myself.” Barnaby said for what felt like the millionth time since he had gotten there the day before. He walked past a dumbfounded Kotetsu and over to the stove, setting down the egg on the counter next to it. He reached for a frying pan hanging on the wall near him only for the other man reaching quickly and swiftly to grab it before he did. Barnaby eyed the older man. “Kotetsu…” He held out his hand, demanding the utensil from him.

“I’m cooking! You’re the guest remember?!”

“Kotetsu give it to me.” Barnaby demanded sternly, reaching for the frying pan that Kotetsu held. The other man held it further away, causing Barnaby to groan in frustration and lean in further, trying to grab the utensil. “Give it-!”

“No!” Kotetsu grunted when the younger man finally grabbed the handle of the frying pan and pulled. In returned he pulled back himself, fighting with Barnaby over the piece of metal. “…Bunny.” He grunted through clenched teeth as he tried pulling the item from the younger man’s grasp. “I can do this for you!”

“Stop being a child!” Barnaby tried jerking the frying pan away from Kotetsu. It was no use; the both of them were pretty matched with their strength. There was a better chance of the frying pan snapping in half on them than either of them overpowering each other. “I can cook for myself!”

“Is it that hard to accept a home cooked meal from your friend?!”

Someone clearing their throat caught the attention of the two men. Barnaby and Kotetsu paused in mid-struggle, turning towards the doorway to the kitchen, both of them still holding onto the frying pan they fought over. Anju stood there, holding a paper bag full of groceries, giving the two of them a look of amusement. She shook her head, chuckling to herself as she walked in to set the bag of food on the counter.

“Just don’t destroy my kitchen please.” She simply said, looking at Kotetsu afterwards.

Kotetsu grinned at his mother in a bit of awkwardness, yanking the frying pan from Barnaby’s grasp while the man was distracted. The younger man nearly tumbled over from the sudden pull but he quickly regained his composer, looking at him disgruntled.

“I think the boy can cook his own food Kotetsu.” Anju spoke up again, placing her hands on her hips. “And while he does you can put these groceries away for me.” She motioned to the bag next to her, smiling at her son before turning to leave.

Kotetsu watched his mother leave the room. Barnaby cleared his throat next to him, holding out his hand out to him again for the item they were just fighting over. Sighing in defeat, Kotetsu handed the younger man the frying pan and made his way to the bag of food his mother had left on the counter. While picking out the items and putting them in their respective cabinet, Kotetsu watched the younger man, who in fact did struggle a bit while preparing his meal. He couldn’t help but chuckle slightly to himself, but he didn’t speak a word nor ask Barnaby if he needed assistance.

Soon the egg was done cooking and Barnaby slipped it onto a plate. He had broken the yolk in the process of flipping the egg, which happened more frequently than he wanted to admit. In his mind, the egg was still edible and would taste the same. Barnaby place his food on the table and sat himself down.

“Do you…want anything to drink?” Kotetsu ask slowly and quietly.

Barnaby turned his head, looking at Kotetsu to the left of him. “No I’m okay.”

“You might need this though.” Kotetsu held out a fork to the younger man, who chuckled as he grabbed the silverware from him.

“Thanks.”

----

The rest of the day dragged on slowly. Most of the time, Barnaby sat in the company with Kotetsu, bored out of his mind. Of course he didn’t admit it whenever Kotetsu asked, but watching television all day wasn’t his idea of a productive day. Then again looking back on his life, what did he do to past the time during the day whenever they didn’t receive any calls? Barnaby honestly couldn’t come up with anything; he was just as bored now as he was when living in Stern Bild. But this time there was an extra quirk in his life: he had Kotetsu. Even though they didn’t say much to each other while they were watching, Barnaby still enjoyed the fact that he had someone else sitting beside him; someone else to talk to, laugh with, or even just share glances with. He almost craved Kotetsu’s presence and if Kotetsu had to leave, even if it was for a short moment like going to the bathroom, Barnaby didn’t know what to do with himself. Even with all these thoughts in mind, Barnaby just shrugged it off thinking it was just because of what kind of person Kotetsu was. He was a person that could make anyone’s dull day turn into a joyful one.

Or maybe he was lying to himself.

Dinner that night felt the same as the previous night: uncomfortable. Barnaby kept his head low for most of the time, staring down into his bowl of food. At least tonight’s meal was a little more tolerable. It consisted of soba noodles and salmon, with a side of various greens that Barnaby would just call a salad. Kotetsu referred to it with a fancy word but Barnaby couldn’t remember what it was for the life of him and he doubt he could even pronounce it. A few times Barnaby joined the conversation, only because Kotetsu forced him into it, but even then he didn’t have much to say. He just sat there quietly, slowly eating his food until he was the last one again. This time he was able to finish everything and tried washing his own dishes but Kotetsu pushed him out of the kitchen before he could. Barnaby honestly didn’t understand why Kotetsu was giving him special treatment all the time, other than he was always repeating that he was the guest and even when Barnaby brought up the fact that Kotetsu had said this was his home now, Kotetsu made up some cheesy excuse like that he had to take care of him or something.

Barnaby sighed as he dropped himself onto his bed, pulling his bag close to him and pulling out a few items he refrained bringing out right away. His toy robot that he got from his parents was the first item out and he held it in his hands for several moments, staring at the little blue toy. He didn’t even feel sad anymore when he looked at it, sure memories of his parents would come into his mind but they were only wonderful and happy memories. He finally was able to find the one responsible for their death, even though he didn’t know the whole story behind it, he felt some sense of relief that he didn’t have to wonder anymore. Barnaby set the toy robot on the night stand before going back to his bag, pulling out the soft, pink bunny plushie the Hero’s had given him for his birthday. He held it out in front of him, the smile on the bunny’s face making him want to smile as well. He tossed it onto his bed, figuring it would be nice to have something to hold onto during the night. Would be nice to hold onto Kotetsu while I sleep. Barnaby blinked when he realized what he had just thought to himself, his heart pounding faster when his mind refused to think of anything but Kotetsu.

“Why…” Barnaby murmured to himself, hanging his head as he stared at the floor. “He’s just a friend. He’s my partner.”

“You like him don’t you?”

Barnaby held in a breath, his thoughts sparking a memory from not too long ago.

“No! I…” Barnaby trailed off, looking away from Nathan and towards the entrance to Kotetsu’s hospital room. He had been there every single day since Kotetsu was admitted there after their battle with Rotwang’s androids, never leaving the older man’s side. That is until Nathan was able to pull him out of the room to talk to him briefly.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of Handsome…” Nathan reassured the younger man with his sweetest voice possible. “Both of you are a perfect pair.”

“Is that all you came here to tell me?” Barnaby asked without looking at Nathan. That question came out a little more sternly than he intended and the dark-skinned man tilted his head at him in question. “Because I’d really like to get back to Kotetsu to make sure he’s alright. He wasn’t feeling well before and…” He started walking back towards Kotetsu’s room before Nathan grabbed his arm, stopping him mid-stride and sentence. Barnaby looked back at the other man who had the most firm expression Barnaby had ever seen on him.

“One day you won’t be by his side anymore and you would have wished you said something to him.” With that, Nathan let go of Barnaby’s arm, his eyes locked onto the younger man as he slowly turned away and leaving him there in the middle of the hallway, the expression of both shock and sadness on his face.

Suddenly Nathan’s words sunk in. “He was right. I like him.” Barnaby muttered to himself, his hands clutching either side of his head in disbelief. “But how…I can’t tell him this!” He bent forward, resting his head against his knees. He did know what to do, he felt so helpless. The one person he could seek comfort in suddenly became a person he was afraid to be next to just because he feared he’d do something that would push him away. No…Kotetsu would never push him away, he wasn’t the kind of person that would do that. But, he still didn’t want to say anything to him. Now wasn’t the time.

"One day you won’t be by his side anymore and you would have wished you said something to him.”

Barnaby shook his head violently before sitting straight up, closing his eyes in confidence. Nothing was going to happen to Kotetsu what would take him away from him soon. He had time. He had time the time to wait…

----

After slipping on his night shirt, Barnaby stepped out of his room and made his way down the hall to Kotetsu’s room. He was going go see him and to say good night to him, nothing more nothing less. He paused when he got to the older man’s room and looked inside slowly, a part of him hoping Kotetsu would be there while the other half of him hoped he wasn’t. Kotetsu was no where to be found however and Barnaby took a look around him briefly before hearing a familiar whine coming from further down the hall.

“C’mon Kaede!” Kotetsu whined loudly, standing in front of Kaede’s closed bedroom door. “You don’t want me to read you a bedtime story like I use to?”

“Dad I’m too old for that now!” Kaede’s muffled yell came from behind her door. “That’s baby stuff!”

“But you’re always going to be my little baby Kaede!” Kotetsu frowned, looking down at the book he held in his hand. He sighed, not taking notice of Barnaby standing near him. “Please Kaede?!” He begged one more time.

“Dad, go away! I’m trying to sleep now!”

“A bedtime story will put you to sleep!” Kotetsu grinned cheerfully, even though Kaede couldn’t see it. But his liveliness was put down when something loud smacked against the other side of Kaede’s door as if she thrown a book at it. Kotetsu jolted back in surprise, before frowning in defeat. He began to turn to walk away when he saw Barnaby standing there and startled himself for the second time in a too short of a period. “Ah Bunny?! What are you doing here?”

“I um…” Barnaby began, deciding in his mind that he better not intrude with what was going on before. “I just wanted to say ‘good night’.”

“Oh…’night Bunny.” Kotetsu put on the best smile he could at the moment before walking past Barnaby.

“Kotetsu…”

Kotetsu paused in his tracks, looking back curiously at the younger man.

“I wouldn't mind a bedtime story.” Barnaby simply said, watching the man before him perk up a bit in surprise. He said it on impulse, which he seemed to do a lot when he was with Kotetsu nowadays. At least he could hold his own in front of him and not have a frightened fit like Karina did.

“Uh-um…” Kotetsu blinked at Barnaby in awe, still trying to put two and two together. “Okay?”

Soon after Kotetsu found himself sitting at the edge of Barnaby’s bed while the younger man lay there behind him, snuggled up in his sheets and waiting for the older man to start reading. “This is kind of weird.” Kotetsu admitted, glancing over to the other man.

Barnaby raised his head slightly, his gaze going to the other man’s own. “Why?”

“Well…”

“Weren’t you just saying to Kaede that despite her age that she’ll always be your baby?” Barnaby interrupted. “Just think of this in that sense.”

“Yeah but…” Kotetsu began, scratching the back of his head. “She’s my daughter. You’re my friend…whose a guy and in his mid-twenties.” He looked over at Barnaby who rolled his eyes at him.

“I meant the broader aspect of what you were saying.”

“Huh?”

“You’re never too old for a bed-time story.” Barnaby stated, his green eyes making their way to the golden ones above him. “Isn’t that what you meant when you said that to Kaede?”

A smile grew on Kotetsu’s face when he finally understood what Barnaby was getting at. He chuckled, opening the book he held and flipping through its pages. “Which story do you want me to read then? Three little pigs? Hansel and Gretel? Oh! How about the Ugly Duckling?” He asked enthusiastically, holding open the book to Barnaby, opened to a page with a picture of a sad little duckling. “I like this one.”

“Pick one. Any of them are fine by me.” Barnaby twisted onto his back, tugging on his sheets to pull them further up his body. He kind of wanted Kotetsu to lay next to him while he read the story like his parents once did for him, but he figured he better not push it. He knew Kotetsu felt a little awkward the way it was.

“Ugly Duckling it is then!” Kotetsu exclaimed joyfully, situating himself so that he could turn to face Barnaby while he read. “Once upon a time there was an ugly duckling. He didn’t know why he was so different from his brothers and sisters even though they were part of the same family…” Kotetsu began reading glancing over at Barnaby every so often, feeling a flutter in his heart whenever the younger man smiled back at him.

Barnaby listened to Kotetsu read out loud from the book, closing his eyes after while and just taking in the man’s voice as he spoke. His voice sounded so sincere and gentle, it was odd for Barnaby to hear him like this since he was use to the fumbling and quirkiness Kotetsu usually put on display. But it was soothing the way Kotetsu was reading to him and the next thing he knew he was falling asleep. He blinked his eyes open a few times in an attempt to stay awake, just so he could keep listening, but his eyelids felt so heavy. Eventually Kotetsu’s voice faded and Barnaby’s vision went black, a smile still lingering on his face as he drifted off to sleep.

“…the end.” Kotetsu finished up, shutting the book. “So did you like it Bunny?” He blinked in surprise when he saw Barnaby sound asleep, his chest slowly rising and falling with each breath. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he rose from the bed, setting the book on the desk in the room and turning back to the sleeping figure, grabbing the sheets and tucking them around Barnaby’s frame. The younger man stirred slightly, muttering something incoherently. He slipped off Barnaby’s glasses as well, folding them up and setting them on the nightstand. “’Night Bunny.” Kotetsu whispered before picking up the book again, shutting off the lamp and heading to the door, taking another quick look at Barnaby and smiling to himself before shutting it behind him.

Barnaby stirred again, but did not wake; instead his body was making itself more comfortable among the covers. “…mmm…Kotetsu…”

----

The next few days at the Kaburagi household were uneventful, even though it had been the weekend. Kaede did take it upon herself to show Barnaby around the small town while the family went shopping together. It consisted of various places such as the farmers market, pointing out who had the best produce and even though Anju told her not to, she pointed out the worst as well; a park that had the most elegant statue fountain Barnaby had ever seen, her favorite candy store (which was a must on the list of places to visit during the shopping trip), and an unkempt, overgrown grassy field.

“Why is this place so special?” Barnaby asked looking around at the range of tall grass before looking down at Kaede who was holding his hand next to him.

“Mom and Dad took me here a lot when I was little.” Kaede explained, letting her hand slip from Barnaby’s as she stepped towards the old wooden fence that surrounded the field. “Of course the grass was cut down a bit so we could actually sit down on it. But…I use to like coming here, even though I don’t remember it well.” She stepped up onto the lower part of the fence, making herself higher to get a better view. Barnaby walked up by her side, leaning on the fence. “I’d always run around and Dad would chase me and catch me and lift me up really high. Then he would put me down and I’d just run off again and he’d have to chase me again.”

“Sounds like you had some great times with your parents huh?” Barnaby straighten himself out from leaning on the fence. “Then again you still have your Dad to make even more happy memories with.”

“Yeah but…He’s so boring.” Kaede stressed. “Nothing he does is fun! I don’t think he understand how old I really am.”

“You know…I think he tries his best to understand you.” Barnaby explained, earning a glance from Kaede. “Maybe you don’t understand him that much either. Now’s the time to sit down with your Dad and be with him as much as possible.” I really want to do the same… “He’s the only father you’ll ever have.”

“I know…”

“You do know you have a great father, right Kaede?” Barnaby asked softly, smiling at the young girl who watched him curiously. “He may be a little obnoxious sometimes and not the most sophisticated man in the world but…he loves you very much and everything he does revolves around you.” He paused, smiling at Kaede. “You’re lucky to have him as your father.” Barnaby watched Kaede smile at him with glee, suddenly jumping onto the ground and falling against him, hugging him tightly. He grunted slightly from the sudden contact, but quickly knelt down and wrapped his arms around the younger girl.

“I love my Dad, but you’re right.” Kaede admitted. “I think I’m not giving him a chance to be my Dad yet after all this time he’s been away from me.” She paused, sinking her head against Barnaby’s shoulder. “Thank you Barnaby.”

“You’re welcome Kaede. I don’t mean to intrude though.”

“No its okay!” Kaede backed up slightly, smiling at Barnaby. “You’re part of our family too!”

Barnaby felt a warmth in his heart hearing the same words that Kotetsu said to him from Kaede as well. It almost made him want to cry. He felt happy that Kaede also considered him part of the family.

“What’s this?” Kotetsu spoke from behind Barnaby and Kaede, their attention going to him instantly. “I hope your not replacing me and making Barnaby your Daddy. He’s not old enough to be your Dad.”

“Actually Kotetsu…” Barnaby trailed off, wondering if he actually should even finished his sentence.

“Bunny let’s not go there…” Kotetsu narrowed his eyes at him.

“Dad that sounded really wrong.” Kaede let go of Barnaby and walked up to her father. “Besides I would never replace you…you’re the only father I’ll ever have.” She repeated what Barnaby had said to her earlier as she wrapped her arms around Kotetsu, embracing him tightly.

“Aw…” Kotetsu patted his daughter on the head. “Love you too sweetie.” He looked up at Barnaby who had stepped closer to them. “So what’cha guys talking about?”

“Nothing~!” Kaede stepped back from the embrace, looking at Barnaby briefly before looking back at Kotetsu.

“Oh a secret huh?” Kotetsu grinned before turning slightly and crossing his arms, pouting. “Fine I didn’t want to know anyways!” He teased, turning his head back at the two standing next to him and smirked in amusement.

“Good I wasn’t going to tell you!” Kaede laughed as she ran past Kotetsu and back towards the town.

Kotetsu watched his daughter run off towards his mother and brother who waited by the side of one of the shops there. Eventually he turned to Barnaby. “Bunny will tell me though right?” Kotetsu grinned at the blonde-haired man beside him.

“Nope.”

Kotetsu pouted. “Awww c’mon.”

Barnaby snickered to himself, also walking past Kotetsu and in direction of the rest of Kotetsu’s family.

“Not even a little hint?” Kotetsu paced after him. “Please?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“You two are no fun.”

----

“Hey Bunny?”

Barnaby looked behind him from his spot on the couch, eyeing Kotetsu standing there. “Yes?”

“I’m just wondering what you’re doing.” Kotetsu leaned in against the back of the sofa, spying all the newspaper clippings and photos Barnaby had in front of him, as well as his laptop.

“Oh I’m just…” Barnaby paused, collecting his thoughts. “I was just going through all the information I have to see if there’s anything I missed about Ouroboros.” He explained, turning back to the piles of paper he had around him.

Kotetsu cleared his throat and made his way around the couch, setting himself down next to Barnaby, his eyes scanning through the number of pictures scattered across the table. “Fine anything interesting?”

“Not really.” Barnaby said, sighing. “But I did figure out that Maverick might have not only supplied Ouroboros with weapons but also with medicines and such. But…all this information is so scattered, it doesn’t pin-point to anything specific. It’s kind of driving me insane.”

“Hmm…” Kotetsu hummed in response. The two of them sat there for several minutes in silence as Barnaby flipped through the papers. Kotetsu watched him, a frown growing on his face. “Can you not think about this stuff for awhile?”

“I’m giving myself something to do.”

“HA! So you are bored!” Kotetsu sat up abruptly, pointing an accusing finger at Barnaby.

Barnaby let out a heavy breath. “Okay so I have been a little bored since I got here.” He paused, hearing Kotetsu chuckle to himself as if to say ‘see I was right’. “At least I tried to keep myself busy by reading most of time. But I read all the books in your house already. Well the ones that were in English anyway…” Barnaby exclaimed, narrowing his eyes at the other man next to him.

Kotetsu scratched his chin with his thumb in thought. “How about you work at my brother’s liquor store?” He suggested, Barnaby looking at him afterwards a bit taken aback.

“What?”

“Yeah! My brother is letting me work by him so I’ll have some kind of job. Maybe I can ask him to let you work there too!” Kotetsu clapped his hands together, thanking himself that he came up with such a good idea. “And when my brother gets too old to run it, we can take it over and rename it “Hero Tag-Team Liquor”!”

Barnaby chuckled at the absurd name and idea of taking it over that Kotetsu just pitched. Sure working would give him something to do during the day and he would still be with Kotetsu, but… “I think I’ll pass.”

“Huh? Why?” Kotetsu grunted in displeasure, leaning in to eye Barnaby. “You can’t sit around the house all day! Hell my Mom is already yelling at me for doing it!”

“Kotetsu…” Barnaby sighed, pinching the space between his eyes underneath his glasses.

“Bunnyyy…” Kotetsu whined in return. He sat there, pouting at the younger man as he waited for him to give him a response.

“Alright I’ll think about it.” It was about the best answer he could give. His answer might have been different if he hadn’t overheard a conversation between Kotetsu’s mother and brother a few days ago, which he dare not speak about in front of Kotetsu. It made his heart sink as he thought about it.

“Okay! That’s good enough for me!” Kotetsu grinned happily, patting Barnaby on the shoulder, not knowing of the terrible thoughts that were going though Barnaby’s mind. “I’ll ask my brother anyways, but it’s really up to you. I won’t push you into something you don’t want to do.”

“Thanks…”

----

A week had gone by now since he had been living there at Kotetsu’s home and Barnaby was still being startled out of his sleep by nightmares. He sat up, choking back a sob as he sat there in bed. He reached for his cell phone, flipping it open to see the time. Only three hours had gone by since he fell asleep and he was already awake. For awhile he sat there, trying both to rid his mind of Maverick’s image and contemplate a way that would help him rid of these nightmares for good. The only time he could recall that he didn’t have it was when he slept next to Kotetsu in Stern Bild before they left for his home town. He didn’t know why, but that night, Barnaby felt the most secure and relaxed in his life. Barnaby wiped the tears from his eyes and cheeks as he slipped out from under the sheets and out of his bed. He held his bunny plush tightly against his body as he walked out of his room and down the hall. It was a spontaneous decision for him, but he really needed some kind of comfort at that moment. He was sick of having this nightmare and sick of getting upset about it. He didn’t want to cry; he didn’t want to have to cry anymore.

Slowly opening the door to Kotetsu’s room, the blond haired man peeked inside and saw the older man fast asleep. Barnaby stepped inside and shut the door behind him before walked over to Kotetsu’s right side. He watched the other man lay there briefly, the sheets covering his body moving up and down as he breathed. Kneeling down, Barnaby lifted the covers and slipped himself under. He curled up, using his bunny plush as a pillow. He glanced over at Kotetsu who hadn’t stirred the whole time and he smiled before drifting off to sleep.
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[Tiger & Bunny] - Without Reason