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[Tiger & Bunny] - Without Reason	By : ChronoDragon Category: +S to Z > Tiger & Bunny Views: 3883 -:- 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
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“Bunny…Lil’ Bunny~” Kotetsu murmured playfully, rolling over and nudging Barnaby’s head with his. The blonde-haired man stirred, letting out a soft whine but kept his back to Kotetsu. The older man frowned and wrapped his arms around the younger man, pulling him closer to his body and buried his face in the man’s neck. A fruity sent filled his nose as he inhaled, something he actually expected from the man. Barnaby always smelled so clean and fresh, it reminded him of Tomoe. Tomoe…each and everyday, Kotetsu was discovering how many things about Barnaby that reminded him of his late wife. Maybe it was just him wanting desperately to see her again or maybe Barnaby did share the same qualities that Tomoe had that he fell in love with. Whatever it was, Kotetsu knew he wanted to keep Barnaby as close as he possibly could. Whether or not it was out of love, he wasn’t quite sure yet.

“Kotetsu.”

Kotetsu opened his eyes as he heard Barnaby say his name, propping himself up slightly so that he could hover his head over the other man’s. “Hm?” He hummed in response, placing a peck on the man’s cheek.

“You are adorable.” Barnaby replied, twisting around so that he could look up at the man above him.

Kotetsu jerked back slightly, raising an eyebrow at the younger man. “Adorable?” He questioned, chuckling afterward as he ruffled Barnaby’s hair with his hand. “That’s not something you say to a man Bunny!” Sitting up, he stretched out his back, yawning as he did so.

“But you are adorable.” Barnaby watched Kotetsu, smiling as he marveled at the man’s muscular back. “And don’t touch my hair old man.” He sat up as well, running his hand through his hair as if to fix it.

“Why can’t I?” Kotetsu turned to Barnaby, pouting. “I think I should be allowed to now.”

“You’ll get it all oily with your hands.” Barnaby smirked, standing up and walking over to the dresser, opening a drawer and rummaging around for some of his clothes.

“So much for some morning snuggling.” Kotetsu muttered to himself, which Barnaby heard anyways.

“What’s that?” Barnaby paused, turning slightly to the man behind him, holding some pants in his hands.

“Nothing.” Kotetsu turned his head away, pouting and pretending to be upset.

Barnaby chuckled, stepping towards Kotetsu and kneeling down, gaining the attention of the man as he leaned in. “Is Kotetsu expecting some morning foreplay?” He smirked, watching the other man’s expression change to shock.

“Woah woah woah!” Snuggling and foreplay are two very different things!” Kotetsu waved a finger at Barnaby. “We’re only on first base right now…right?”

Barnaby sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” He was laughing at himself on the inside for his slip of words earlier, too embarrassed to admit his mistake out loud. Honestly, he had no idea how to act when it came to relationships considering he’d never had one. Sure he had that crush back in the Hero academy but nothing came of it. This was a whole new realm for him, but he knew Kotetsu would take it slow with him and humor him if he made a mistake or did something odd. He stood back up, going back to the dresser and picking out the rest of his clothes. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Hey…”

Barnaby turned slowly, noticing Kotetsu had got up and was walking towards him. The other man grabbed the back of his head and brought him in a tight embrace, squeezing him tight against his body. Barnaby rested his forehead on Kotetsu’s shoulder, smiling against the fabric of Kotetsu’s shirt.

“Good morning.” Kotetsu whispered pulling back, the other man’s eyes darting up to meet his own as he caressed his face with his hand.

“Good morning to you too.” Barnaby smiled, leaning in and giving the older man a peck on the cheek before walking out of the room.

Kotetsu watched the other man leave, taking in a huge breath, keeping the smile on his face. A part of him wanted to join Barnaby in the shower but that involved seeing the other man naked and he wasn’t really comfortable with that idea yet, even though he had already seen the man in nothing but a Speedo. But he had to admit, Barnaby was pretty attractive for being a man.

Then it suddenly hit him--since when was he attracted to men? Never once did he even consider another man’s junk sexy or a man’s muscular chest something he would swoon over. So then why was he suddenly infatuated with Barnaby? Kotetsu scratched the back of his head. Maybe it was because he finally got Barnaby out of his shell and got to see him smiling and happiest he’s probably ever been in his life. He loved hearing the younger man laugh and enjoying a life, a family life, that he barely got to experience before. He was happy for Barnaby. So was this happiness and love he felt for him something else other than attraction?

----

After the both of them showered, Kotetsu and Barnaby joined Anju and Muramasa for breakfast. “How did you sleep boys?” Anju asked as the two men sat down at the dining table, handing the both of them omelets.

“Great.” Kotetsu answered, deciding to leave it at that. He wasn’t sure how long the two of them would be able to hide their relationship, especially now that they were sharing the same bed. It depended how long his family believe the excuse that it was for Barnaby to sleep better.

“Really well.” Barnaby said, taking a cutting a piece off of his omelet and taking a bite. The same thoughts that Kotetsu had were running through Barnaby’s head as well, although he was a little more nervous than Kotetsu was. Although Kotetsu’s mother looked at him with kind and loving eyes, his brother wasn’t as welcoming, constantly narrowing his eyes at him in a nonchalant manner. Of course Kotetsu would probably never notice it—his brother seemed to do it to him a lot as well. Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t sure how close Kotetsu and his brother was. The fact that they didn’t converse too much made it seem their relationship as brothers was a little bit strained that Barnaby previously thought. It was something that was hard for him to comprehend, considering he didn’t have a sibling of is own and if he did, he was sure he would have been the best of friends with them.

“Kotetsu.”

Kotetsu perked up from his meal as he heard his name, looking at his brother who was across the table. “Hm?”

“You do remember that you start working today right?” Muramasa asked, quirking an eyebrow at his younger brother as he sat up, heading towards the kitchen sink.

Kotetsu blinked in response, suddenly remembering it was Monday. “Oh! That’s right!” Kotetsu stuffed a huge chuck from his omelet in his mouth. “Nu’ll nurry…” He mumbled as he chewed. He glanced over at Barnaby when he heard the man chuckling at him.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full young man.” Barnaby smirked, digging into his own meal once again.

Kotetsu pouted and swallowed what was in his mouth. “’Young man’? I’ll take that as a complement.”

At the sink, Muramasa cringed, hearing his brother and Barnaby do what he considered as flirting with each other. Deciding that he didn’t want anyone to notice how obviously uncomfortable he was, he quickly washed his plates, keeping his gaze low as he hurried out of the kitchen and to his room. He was trying his best to ignore it. After all, it wasn’t really his business to step in-between his brother and someone he liked. But at the same time, he wasn’t comfortable with the idea of his brother being with a man, even if they loved each other. Maybe it was because they were brought up with the idea that marriage is between a man and woman, even if most people these days were fine with two of the same sex in love and getting married to each other. Muramasa paused as he was putting on his jacket. Married? Dear God, if Kotetsu and Barnaby got married to each other, he wasn’t sure what he would do other than never speak to his brother again. There was only one thing that Muramasa could think of doing: prevent it all together.

----

“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to ask my brother if you can work there too! Hopefully I won’t forget!” Kotetsu smiled at Barnaby as he dug around in a pile of clothes, trying to find something.

“Um…Kotetsu, about that…” Barnaby stopped himself from going any further. He cursed himself for being at a loss of words. Admitting something was never his strong point, even if Kotetsu did need to hear it. Barnaby watched as Kotetsu put on a denim jacket, stepping over to him when the other man seemed like he was about to leave. “How long are you going to be gone?” Barnaby’s focus never left Kotetsu, forcing himself to resist the urge to reach out and grab hold of the other man, desperation telling him to make him stay.

“I’m not sure.” Kotetsu scratched the back of his head as he turned towards Barnaby, trying to ignore the pleading eyes the other man was giving him, not completely sure as to why Barnaby was doing it; maybe he wasn’t even aware that he was wearing that expression on his face. “Depends on how much work there is to keep me busy.” He paused, finally resting his eyes on the younger man. “So maybe late afternoon? Four-ish or something?”

“I see…” Barnaby bowed his head, his voice coming out as a whisper. Sad, no, he wasn’t sad. He just wasn’t looking forward to the boredom he would face for most of the day. Without Kotetsu there to talk to or hang out with, what was he going to do?

“You’ll be fine!” The older man bought his hand up to pat Barnaby on the shoulder roughly, giving him. The other man smiled briefly at him, hesitating for a moment before leaning in.

That's when Muramasa rounded the corner, going to go get his brother and tell him to hurry up otherwise he would leave him behind. He stopped dead in his tracks however upon seeing the two men, Barnaby leaning in to kiss Kotetsu on the cheek. Muramasa dodged back, hiding himself behind the wall but still peeking around it. He watched as the two men laughed softly after Barnaby mentioned something about Kotetsu's stubble. A lump formed in his throat, his mind telling him to shout at his younger brother in anger but couldn't bring himself to stop staring and confront the two.

"I guess I'm in need of a shaving huh?" Kotetsu chuckled, rubbing his lower face with his hand and noting the stubble there.

"Going to get rid of that lame beard now that you're not a Hero anymore?" Barnaby joked, laughing when Kotetsu grabbed his shoulders and shook him back and forth.

"Nev-ar!!!" Kotetsu laughed in return, pulling in Barnaby and giving him a quick hug before finally departing, waving back at the younger man. "See ya later!"

"Bye!" Barnaby waved back, standing there and waiting until the older man rounded a corner and was out of view. All of the sudden the world around him seemed dark and dull, like it was when he was living by himself. Kotetsu really did make his life a more exciting place. Barnaby shrugged his shoulders as he heaved a sigh. He was going to be so bored with him gone.

Kotetsu climbed into the van his brother waited in, grinning at his older brother who tapped a finger against the steering wheel impatiently. "I'm surprised you didn't come yell at me to hurry up."

"I wouldn't waste my energy to do that." Muramasa replied, his grip on the steering wheel tightening in nervousness. Now was not the time to say anything, he didn’t want to argue with his brother while driving.

The younger brother laughed in response. "You say that as if it’s a bad thing!"

Muramasa sighed, as he started the vehicle and drove off, heading towards his liquor shop. He didn't respond to Kotetsu, he didn't want to. He knew that it would lead him to confronting his brother about his and Barnaby's shared peck earlier before, as well as the hand holding. Thank goodness he ran off when he did, otherwise he would have had to confront Kotetsu about the kiss after being right there and seeing it. Even so, Muramasa knew he had to talk to his brother sooner or later about it. What if his mother found out? He wasn't looking forward to possibly explaining to his mother that her youngest son might be gay even though he was once married to a woman. He felt like it was his duty as an older brother to keep Kotetsu out of trouble, even if it meant getting in-between of a relationship that possibly made his brother happy.

----

Four hours had gone by since Kotetsu had left, at least that what the clock on his computer showed. Barnaby sighed and fell back onto the sheets beneath him, resting his arm against his forehead as he stared at the ceiling. He blinked his eyes, trying to get use to the dimness around him after staring at his computer screen most of the time. He was trying not to be bored, sifting through the files on his computer and searching for more information about Ouroboros. No leads, no new information; he was getting no where. Inhaling deeply, Barnaby's thoughts traveled elsewhere. He thought of Kotetsu, where their relationship was going, if Kotetsu even liked him back in the way that he did. Barnaby never really asked if Kotetsu loved him back, but at least he knew about his crush on him, unlike the person he liked at the academy awhile back who had no clue. Then he wondered what Kotetsu thought of him forcing himself to relive the past over and over again. Maybe the reason Kotetsu nagged him so much about continuing to look for information about Ouroboros was because he wanted him to forget about it. To leave the past behind. Barnaby sat back up, turning off his computer before heading out of the room and to the bathroom. Maybe he should just leave it all behind, he wouldn't forget about it of course but just at least try not to think about it every day and night. He had lived his life for revenge and to be a Hero, nothing else, he honestly didn’t know much about living a somewhat normal life, going out with friends, having a party, being in love. He had always been alone. A new, unfamiliar world was out there for him to explore and he was starting it here, with Kotetsu and his family. He was living an entirely new life now, in a new home, with new people, with a lover. Barnaby paused once he entered the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror. A lover, a boyfriend. It was a thought that made him incredibly happy and at the same time nervous and a bit frightened. He had never had a relationship before with anyone. He didn't know how to act, how to even flirt or kiss properly; he wasn't even sure if Kotetsu felt the same way about him. Barnaby sighed, pushing his pants down slightly, his hands shaking as he did so. His hands were moving on their own, his body becoming warm as he suddenly got the urge to masturbate. But he resisted. I want Kotetsu to be the first to touch me like that. Besides, he couldn't bring himself to masturbate in Kotetsu's family's home, that would just be awkward and possibly disrespectful. Barnaby couldn’t help but laugh at himself for being so stupid and impulsive. “I’m becoming the old man…”

----

Kotetsu sat at the counter, taking a sip from his glass of water. It was a slow day, no more than six costumers came in. There wasn't much left then for Kotetsu to do except do random things like sweep the floors or dust and wipe of stands and tables. He didn't mind too much; he got paid, it gave him something to do other than sit around all day. Even so, he wondered if he could even get Barnaby to work there with this little work.

"What are you doing?"

Kotetsu perked up. His brother stood before him on the opposite side of the bar, his arms crossed.

"Taking a break." Kotetsu answered, chugging the rest of his water down.

Muramasa watched his brother silently. The more he looked at him the more he noticed that Kotetsu was the same old person he was before. He didn't act out of the ordinary that would suggest a relationship between him and Barnaby, nor was he saying anything that would be out of character for him. Either there really wasn't a relationship, it was one-sided, or Kotetsu was good at hiding it. Muramasa couldn't figure it out. Even if it was one-sided, his brother didn't seem to push Barnaby away when he kissed him earlier and willingly held his hand during their walk. Should he even bother saying anything? Kotetsu was his brother after all, he didn't want to do anything to anger him, even if their relationship was a bit strained to begin with being the overprotective older brother that he was to him. Ever since his family had learned about Kotetsu's NEXT power, Muramasa did anything he could to make sure his younger brother was safe, even if it meant hovering over him constantly.

"Hey bro?" Kotetsu spoke up, his finger trailing around the rim of his glass playfully. "Do you think you can get Barnaby in here occasionally?"

"Hm?" Muramasa hummed in question, his eyes narrowing slightly at his younger brother.

"I thought Barnaby could work here too every-so-often. This way he's not sitting at home doing nothing all day." Kotetsu explained. "Besides, it'll be a good experience for him!" He grinned at his brother, who looked less than amused.

"Kotetsu, I already have Takahiro working here part-time and now I have you working here, I can't spare hiring anyone else with this little work to be done."

Kotetsu clapped his hands together. "Pleassse?" He begged, bowing his head. "Even just once or twice a month?"

"Why? Does he want to work here or is it you that wants him to work here?" Muramasa could feel his eyebrow twitch at the thought.

Kotetsu paused, looking up at his brother curiously. "What do you mean by that?"

"What?" Muramasa responded sharply, his frustrations showing through a bit.

"What was with that inflection? Are you implying something?" Kotetsu narrowed his eyes at his older brother in front of him. It was then Kotetsu noticed his brother acting differently than normal. He never has been this cold to another person before, even if he was so narrow-minded.

"It's nothing Kotetsu. Fine, he can come work her occasionally. Now get to work otherwise I'll fire you." Muramasa turned away, heading to the back of the shop.

Kotetsu sat there momentarily, eyeing his brother as he simply fled from the conversation, which he tended to do most of the time. At least he agreed to letting Barnaby work as well. He sighed, scooting off his barstool and snatching a nearby broom. "Fine…I'll sweep the floors for the tenth time." He muttered to himself.

----

The sun was already down behind the mountains by the time Kotetsu and his brother arrived back home. Walking through the house, he arched his back, attempting to straighten out a kink that had formed there earlier. Not that he was out of shape obviously--he wasn't use to repeatedly kneeling down and bending over excessively like he had done all day. He opened the door to his room, ready to get in a short nap before dinner time. A smile slowly crept onto his face as he looked at the curled up frame below him. Barnaby was sound asleep on his side on top of the bed covers, clutching onto his bunny plush, using part of it as a pillow. Unfortunately for him, the younger man was taking up most of the sleeping space, so getting a nap in probably wouldn't happen unless he pushed Barnaby around so he was actually lying on his side and not at an angle. Of course, Kotetsu couldn't bring himself to do it and knelt down, slipping one of the blankets from under Barnaby and placed it over him, tucking the man in. From looking at him, Kotetsu probably would have never guessed how innocent Barnaby looked while he slept. Sure he saw him sleep that time they were taking care of the mayor's son, but didn't pay much attention to it. He was cute, very cute sleeping the way he did, all curled up, face buried in his pink bunny, lips slightly parted with his chest rising up and down slowly as he breathed. Kotetsu couldn't help but stare at him while he slept. Barnaby was so serene-looking it baffled him.

As soon as he sat down, the other man suddenly stirred, slowly blinking his eyes open. "Oh…Bunny?" Kotetsu whispered, hopping he didn't startle the sleeping man. It would have been awkward explaining what he was doing staring at him sleeping.

Barnaby groaned softly in response, dragging himself up slightly so that he could make his way to Kotetsu, his head falling into the man's lap while his arm wrapped around his right leg. Letting out a dragged out sigh, Barnaby snuggled in further, closing his eyes.

"Um….Bunny?" Kotetsu felt like he was suddenly held captive with Barnaby lying on top of him. Good thing he went to the bathroom just before.

"Yes Kotetsu?" Barnaby quietly responded, peaking open an eye and looking up at his partner.

"I hope you haven't been sleeping all day. You won't be able to fall sleep tonight." Kotetsu smiled as the other man jerked up, sitting back from him, rubbing his eyes.

"What time is it?"

"About twenty after five."

"I must have been asleep for about four hours then."

"Well I've got some good news. My brother said, after some constant nagging from me, that you can come work at his shop every-so-often." Kotetsu grinned, patting Barnaby on the back. “This way you'll be kept busy and you'll get some work experience other than being a Hero!"

"Are you implying that I no nothing of the outside world from being a Hero?" Barnaby quirked an eyebrow at the older man who chuckled in embarrassment.

"No no! I um…" Kotetsu scratched the back of his head.

"Oh Kotetsu~" Barnaby leaned in towards Kotetsu, clutching onto the man's shirt and burring his face in it. "The world is so dark and scary now that I'm no longer a Hero! What ever shall I do~?" Barnaby swooned, his eyes trailing up to Kotetsu's, smirking at him.

Kotetsu frowned briefly, unable to contain his grin back for very long. “Bunny you shouldn’t be a smart-ass. You’re not very cute when you’re a smart-ass.” He poked a finger against the side of Barnaby’s head playfully until the other man finally got off of him.

Barnaby picked up his glasses from his side, putting them on. “Well, maybe if you wouldn’t make fun of me old man I wouldn’t have to be sarcastic.”

“You’re making fun of me by calling me ‘old man’!” Kotetsu pouted, crossing his arms. His pout grew when Barnaby began to laugh.

“But you are an old man.”

“Am not!”

Barnaby chuckled. “I just realized that I don’t even know you’re age. How old are you really?”

Kotetsu grinned in response, taking up his signature pose of putting his hand under his chin with his two fingers extended. “It should be very obvious how young I really am!” Golden eyes focused on the younger man who sat next to him in thought.

“Forty-five?”

The pride he felt building inside of him suddenly snapped in two, his cool demeanor disappearing quickly. “NO!” Kotetsu slammed his hands down against the floor, his face turning red as he turned away, crossing his arms. “I’m thirty-nine thank you very much.”

“Close enough.” Barnaby shrugged, closing his eyes and smirking knowing that Kotetsu had his eyes on him, raging.

“Is not!” Kotetsu frowned as he watched Barnaby laugh to himself silently. Both of them sat their in a brief silence save for Barnaby’s chuckling.

“Well you look good for your age Kotetsu.” Barnaby finally spoke up, his tone full of honesty as he smiled at the older man.

Kotetsu blushed, shrugging his shoulders in annoyance. “Thank you…you still hurt my feelings though.” He pouted playfully, turning his head away from Barnaby.

“Oh come on now…I was just teasing you.”

Kotetsu didn’t move for several seconds, slowly turning his head eventually revealing a smiling face, which caused Barnaby to blink in surprise. Suddenly he leaned toward the other man, bringing his face mere inches away from Barnaby’s. “Well you look like a woman with this curled hair and those long eyelashes of yours.” He laughed, playing with Barnaby’s blond curls with his hands.

Quickly backing away from Kotetsu, Barnaby narrowed his eyes at the other man. “Do not!”

“Do too~!” Kotetsu leaned in further, causing the younger man to fall back against the floor. He hovered over Barnaby, the grin on his face growing bigger as he toyed with him.

“Do not!!!” Barnaby began struggling when Kotetsu attempted to grab his arms, slipping his legs from under Kotetsu and began to push his feet against the man’s body.

“Then why do you style your hair the way you do?” Kotetsu continued to tease, fighting off Barnaby’s legs from pushing against him. Even though he thought Barnaby was just being playful with his kicks, he soon found himself with the younger man’s bare foot against the side of his face. For some reason they paused in the position they were in, Kotetsu narrowing his eyes at the blonde who smirked at him in victory.

“Um…”

The two men looked towards the door upon hearing Kaede’s voice come from that direction.

"What are you guys doing?" Kaede watched dumbfoundly as the two men repositioned themselves so they were sitting side-by-side.

"Oh, um…nothing Kaede…" Kotetsu chuckled a bit, scratching the back of his head. "I was just taking advantage of Bunny's only weakness! He's very ticklish." He grinned, twisting around to face Barnaby and bringing his hands up, flexing his fingers as if he was about to pounce him.

"I'm not ticklish at all." Barnaby narrowed his eyes at him.

"Of course you are!" Kotetsu leaned in, his hands and fingers attacking either side of Barnaby's waist. The grin he wore completely vanished when the younger man didn't even budge, dispute his fierce attack of his sides. "Oh damn…" He muttered to himself, backing off of the other man. He really wasn't ticklish.

"Mm-hm…" Barnaby hummed, smirking briefly before lunging himself at Kotetsu, tickling his sides. The older man erupted in laughter as he tickled him and Barnaby couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“S-Stoppp!!! Bun-hah-nyyyy…! Haha hah!” Kotetsu tried fighting Barnaby’s hands away but he was too far gone laughing, all his energy going to his lungs to keep him breathing. To his surprise, he noticed Kaede running over shortly after, laughing as she dropped to the ground next to him and joining Barnaby in tickling him. “Ahhhahaha!!! Y-You guys are so meannn!!!”

----

“Wake up Lil’ Bunny~!” Kotetsu murmured lightheartedly, pushing against Barnaby’s shoulder with his hand.

The younger man groaned, blinking the light that was coming through the windows. “Is it morning already?” Barnaby yawned, sitting up and stretching his arms above his head. “It felt like I just went to sleep.” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“You probably shouldn’t have stayed up watching that movie with Kaede.” Kotetsu said from the other side of the room, grabbing some clothes.

“I couldn’t help it. I like that movie. It’s a classic.” Barnaby climbed out of bed, walking over towards Kotetsu while running a hand through is messy hair.

“By the way, do you have any clothes to work in?” Now that he thought of it, Kotetsu never really saw any clothes besides the black shirt and the olive pants that Barnaby usually wore. He wondered if he had much else to wear besides that and the long sleeve shirt and sweat pants he wore to bed.

“Not really.” Barnaby answered, rubbing his face, still attempting to wake himself up.

Kotetsu grabbed a few extra articles of his own clothing and stood up, holding the excess to Barnaby. “Here, you can borrow some of mine. I don’t want you ruining your clothes.”

“I’ll be fine Kotet-“

“Take them!” Kotetsu said, practically yelling at him, shoving the shirt and pants into Barnaby’s arms.

“Okay okay!” Barnaby sighed, looking at the ruffled and faded-out red shirt and jean pants in his arms. “Is working at a liquor shop really going to make me that fifthly?”

“No but just in case you drop a bottle or something. Wine stains you’re clothes.”

“Never thought that you’d be the type to worry about ruining clothes Kotetsu.” Barnaby chuckled.

“Just looking out for you pal.” Kotetsu smiled at him. “Because I’m sure you’d get mad at me for not telling you after you ruin that nice leather jacket of yours.”

“Yup.”

Within a few hours Barnaby found himself inside of Muramasa’s liquor shop. He looked around as he walked in with Kotetsu and his brother, eyeing the various wines’ that lined the walls. The place was nothing fancy, but Barnaby didn’t mind. In fact he liked the old-time look to it with the wooden and stone walls, floors, and the bar being made out of wood. It made for a cozy environment, despite the fact it was just a shop. When the lights in the shop were turned on is when Barnaby brought his focus back to the two men in front of him, smiling in return when he saw Kotetsu smiling at him.

“It’s going to be much more thrilling to be here with you here Bunny.” Kotetsu stepped over to the younger man, wrapping an arm around him.

“Y-Yeah.” Barnaby blushed, his attention going to Muramasa who was looking at them oddly. “Oh.” He stepped forward, bowing to Kotetsu’s older brother. “Mister Kaburagi, thank you for letting me work here.”

Muramasa smiled a bit but quickly hid it by rubbing his nose. He was a bit surprised by Barnaby’s respectful gesture. So maybe Kotetsu was being honest on how Barnaby had changed over the past year and no longer was the cocky kid Kotetsu first knew him as, but the whole idea of them possibly being a couple still lingered in the back of his mind. “It’s no problem. Kotetsu will tell you what you need to do.” With that he waved to the two men before departing to the back of the shop.

“Okay!” Kotetsu clapped his hands together, startling Barnaby a bit. “Time to get to work!” He grinned as he pushed against the younger man shoulders, leading him to the back room.

“So what am I going to be doing?”

----

Cleaning wasn’t the something he was expecting to be doing, but most places had a cleaning position so Barnaby figured someone had to do it. His guess was that Kotetsu had the job of cleaning before and of course gave it to him to do because he didn’t want to do it. Dusting off shelves wasn’t that bad of a chore to do, but it was making him sneeze. Besides cleaning, he was greeting people who entered the shop, some of which recognized who he was and asked for autographs.

Kotetsu watched as Barnaby signed a young girl’s notebook near the front of the store, snickering to himself. “You know, we could use him as a mascot for the store.” He laughed as he nudged his brother next to him with his elbow.

“I wouldn’t think of it.” Muramasa stood there, ridged and not amused.

“Aw, why not? You’d get more customers that way!” Kotetsu turned, facing his brother as he leaned on the bar’s counter. He looked back at Barnaby when Muramasa didn’t answer him, the younger man going back to sweeping when the girl joined back up with her mother elsewhere in the store.

“Kotetsu, you’re not on break.” Muramasa narrowed his eyes at his younger brother when he looked back at him. “Go back to doing inventory please.”

“Alright…” Kotetsu sighed, smiling when his gaze landed on Barnaby again. “Hey Lil’ Bunny?” He called out as he walked over to the blonde.

“And again he feels the need to pass off his work to others so he can sit around.” Muramasa muttered to himself, pinching the space between his eyes as he walked back towards the register to help waiting customers.

“Do inventory?” Barnaby asked, blinking at Kotetsu in question and to get the dust out of his eyes.

“Yeah! I’ll teach you how to do it, this way you’re not cleaning all day.” Kotetsu explained, waiting for Barnaby to set the broom he was using against the wall before leading him to the back room. Once there, Kotetsu handed him a clipboard with a few papers attached to it, listing a number of products. “It’s simple really…” Kotetsu began walking around crates full of wine bottles and pointing around the room. “You just go down the list and write down how much of a particular product we have in stock.”

“I see…” Barnaby looked down at the list he held in his hand. “These letters and numbers are the product numbers?” He asked, pointing to the serial-like numbers next to the name of the product.

“Yup. They’re usually printed on the crate.” Kotetsu pulled a crate that was on top of a stack towards him, twisting it around and around looking for the numbers he was referring to. “Well…they’re somewhere on here.” He narrowed his eyes in frustration as he continued to search around the crate, unable to find the numbers.

“Kotetsu...”

“Hm?” Kotetsu turned his attention to Barnaby, seeing him point to a spot on the crate, which happened to be where the serial number was printed right in plain sight. “Yeah see! There it is!” He laughed, trying to hide the bit of shame he felt before grabbing Barnaby and dragging him so that he was in front of the pile of crates. “That’s why I’m making you do this. I’ll be up in front so come and get me if you have any trouble, ‘kay?” He waved Barnaby off before heading back to the front end of the store, his older brother just finishing up with a customer at the cash register. He waited as the customer left before he approached his brother.

“Is Barnaby in back doing inventory now?” Muramasa spoke up before Kotetsu could, keeping his attention to the cash drawer for a moment before looking over to his younger brother.

“Yeah. He’s pretty good with statistical stuff so he should have no problems.” Kotetsu smiled contently. For several minutes there was an awkward silence between them, both of them in a way ignoring each other despite they stood mere feet from each other. “Hey, um…?” Kotetsu began, getting the attention of Muramasa. “I have to ask you something.” Kotetsu swallowed, nervousness setting in to the point where he didn’t even notice that Muramasa tensed up as well. Confrontations between them never went so well. “Why are you so…what’s that word…?” He paused, rest his chin against his fist in thought. “Temperamental?”

“What?” Muramasa quirked an eyebrow at Kotetsu, not understanding what Kotetsu was getting at.

“Wait no!” Kotetsu shook his head. “Whenever Bunny’s around you seem to ignore him…or you’re like rude to him. What’s with that?”

“Kotetsu-” Muramasa paused, rubbing the corner of his eye out of habit as he tried to come up with the best way to explain himself. “I’m not being mean to him. I don’t know him very well, so I don’t want to talk to him and say something that might make him angry.”

Kotetsu narrowed his eyes at his brother, debating whether or not to believe him. Before he could add anything to their conversation, Muramasa walked away, going behind the bar. Kotetsu crossed his arms and let out a huff, frowning as he watched his brother making himself look busy to avoid the issue. It was probably for the best to stop talking though. Barnaby could walk back at any minute and get caught in the middle of an argument that might have started between them. Kotetsu sighed, about to go clean off racks when he heard the tiny bell ring at the entrance of the store. He leaned back to glanced around a shelf to see the front door, smiling when he saw his mother and Kaede enter the store.

“Why hello there.” Anju greeted her son when she saw him, chuckling when Kaede dashed past her.

“Hey.” Kotetsu greeted the two of them back with a short wave. He placed his arms out when Kaede ran towards him, expecting a hug from her. His bit of fatherly happiness was cut short however when she simply went past him to the counter were Muramasa was.

“So when can I try my first drink?” Kaede exclaimed eagerly, climbing up onto a barstool on her knees while resting her arms on the bar. Her uncle simply smiled in response, unsure of how to answer her.

“You’re wayyyy to young to have any alcohol Kaede.” Kotetsu leaned over the counter himself, supporting himself with his arms. He raised an eyebrow at his daughter playfully, a smile growing on his face when she pouted.

“I should be able to have a sip by now!”

“You can wait eleven more years.” Kotetsu chuckled, patting Kaede on the head, who leaned away to get her father to stop.

“Hmph.” Kaede sat down properly on the stool, crossing her arms, still pouting. The other family members laughed in response.

“So what are you doing here Mom?” Muramasa asked with a smile on his face, his seemingly aggravated mood that he displayed before was completely gone, which Kotetsu noticed.

“Oh we’re just stopping by. Where’s Barnaby? I thought he was here too?” Anju asked, looking around the shop and noticing the lack of another person in the room.

“He’s in back right now.” Kotetsu answered, pointing towards the back.

“I see. C’mon Kaede, we better get going.”

“’Kay!” Kaede slipped off the barstool she sat on and headed for the front door, Anju following her.

“Barnaby can leave early if he wants.” Muramasa spoke up, causing his mother to pause and Kotetsu to look at him confused. “Inventory was really the only major thing that had to be done. Barnaby can leave with the two of them.” Looking at his brother, he motioned to his mother and Kaede.

“Um….okay?” Kotetsu hesitated to agree with his brother, heading towards the back of the store. “I’ll go ask him and see.” Not to long after, Kotetsu emerged with Barnaby following suit who was taking off the apron he wore as well as handing Kotetsu the clipboard. Kotetsu frowned as he studied the papers that were on it. “Geez, you nearly finished it.”

“It’s not that hard to find numbers and write down numbers Kotetsu.” Barnaby smirked at him, greeting Anju and Kaede when he saw them.

“You workaholic.” Kotetsu smirked at him in return, before turning to his older brother. “Can I go home to since he pretty much finished this?” A huge smile appeared on his face, being a bit sarcastic in a way but at the same time hoping his brother would take him seriously.

“No.”

“Wah?” Kotetsu pouted, his hands going to his hips in a huff. His brother remained un-amused, his arms crossed as he stared at him, his eyes narrowing at him even more.

“Play nice please.” Anju laughed, trying to lighten her two sons up before they started brawling right there in front of them. “We’re going to get going.”

“Bye guys!” Kaede waved, grabbing Barnaby’s hand and leading him to the front door, her grandmother following them.

“Bye! See you later.” Kotetsu weakly waved good-bye to his family and Barnaby as they left, waiting until they were out of the store before bringing his attention back to his brother. “So what am I suppose to do?”

“Finish doing inventory obviously.” Muramasa answered, his annoyed glare never leaving Kotetsu’s face.

“Then what?”

“Just do inventory for now. When you’re done I’ll find something else for you to do.”

Kotetsu sighed, heading towards the back with the clipboard in hand. His brother was being more of an ass than usual and he knew it had something to do with Barnaby. Why that was, Kotetsu had yet to figure out.

----

Inventory took longer than expected, namely because the ones Barnaby hadn’t done were ones that took forever for him to find because they were hidden under other crates or in boxes. But after several hours of searching Kotetsu finally finished the list, heading back to the front of the store and shoving the clipboard he was sick of looking at on a shelf by the register. He stood there briefly, looking up at his brother eventually when he walked up to him.

“Why is he here again?”

“Hah?”

“Why is Barnaby living here?” Muramasa asked again, crossing his arms. He tried to hide his nervousness the best he could behind his ‘stern brother’ look he always had. He was taking his chance, possibly his only chance before it was too late to confront his brother.

“Hm? Why? He need to get his life straightened out and I offered to let him stay here while he did.” Kotetsu explained, seating himself on a barstool nearby, leaning against the counter.

“How is he supposed to straighten out his life if he’s here?” Muramasa raised an eyebrow at his younger brother, questioning his logic. “Wouldn’t it make more sense if he was still in Stern Bild?”

“Well…maybe.” Kotetsu scratched the back of his head. He hadn’t thought of that actually and it would be more logical that Barnaby was still back in Stern Bild. But then he remembered one of the main reasons he brought Barnaby with him. “…But I wanted to be there for him to support him along the way.” He stopped, hoping his brother would just leave it at that. He didn’t want him finding out about their relationship, even though something told him Muramasa already knew. Just the way his brother was eyeing him made him believe that he was leading the conversation to possibly confront him about something, and is most likely had something to do with Barnaby. “Look, you should have seen him right after the fact.” Kotetsu began, trying his best to think of ways he could explain himself and his actions. “He was miserable and extremely depressed. I couldn’t leave him like that.”

“Are you sure it’s not because you love him?” Here we go… Muramasa thought to himself. He felt like he was going up the first peak of a roller coaster ride, his anxiety and fear just building up inside of him.

“Eh?” Kotetsu blinked in confusion. He had heard what his brother had said, but was a bit taken a-back by it.

“Do. You. Love. Him?”

“I…uh…” Kotetsu fumbled on his words, starting to panic. The truth is what his brother wanted, but it wasn’t something Kotetsu could just spit out and say. “Of course I care about him!” He chuckled slightly as if to brush it off as nothing. “He’s my partner after all!”

“That’s not what I mean Kotetsu.” Muramasa sighed. He was at the peak of that roller coaster, about to drop. It was all or nothing. “I saw the two of you holding hands the other day.” The cheesy grin his younger brother wore on his face quickly vanished, his mouth gaping open in shock. “You two aren’t a couple now are you?”

“N-No! He-he’s…” His fear was showing through his voice now and Kotetsu swallowed. “He’s just being a little clingy to me that’s all. I’m…really the only real friend he’s had and-”

“Stop avoiding the issue here.”

“What issue?” Kotetsu stood from his seat, his fear beginning to turn into anger. “There is nothing wrong with him being here!”

“Kotetsu…” Muramasa paced by Kotetsu, his head slightly low, his gaze down towards the floor and away from his brothers own gaze. “I’m your brother and I have to be honest even though it might break your heart.” He paused, finally looking his younger brother in the eye. “You were married, you have a young daughter. What compels you to fall in love with a man?”

“I told you, I care about him and worry about him. If anything its more like fatherly love I have towards him.”

“Yet you don’t see him as a kid do you?” Muramasa sighs when Kotetsu doesn’t answer him. He now wondered why he even bothered confronting Kotetsu about their possible relationship when he knew that his brother was the type to hide things. “Kotetsu, I’m asking you all of this because I’m trying to look out for you.”

Kotetsu felt the anger in him slightly dissipate. He wasn’t sure whether or not his brother was using that as an excuse or if he really was worried about him being with Barnaby. “There is nothing…going on between us.” Kotetsu repeated, growing tired of this argument and of lying. “Where do you come up with this weird stuff? Me dating a guy…” He tried to laugh, tried to joke to cover up his lies.

“Kotetsu…”

“I’m serious!” Something in Kotetsu snapped and he leaned towards Muramasa, pointing an accusing finger at him. “He’s just going through a difficult time in his life right now. I just want to take care of him since he didn’t really have anyone there his whole life to call family. Can’t you accept that and not be mean to him?!”

“Its not that I don’t like him.” Muramasa said and he was indeed being honest, though he wasn’t sure Kotetsu was going to believe him.

“Then what is it? Look, don’t base your opinion on him from when he first became a Hero. If anything his cocky attitude came from-”

“Are you sure you’re not just making excuses now?” Muramasa interrupted his brother.

“What’s with you?” Kotetsu stepped away from Muramasa. “If he wants to be affectionate with me I don’t mind!” He paused, seeing his brothers eyes widen in a bit of surprise. “Besides I-”

“I just don’t want to see my little brother hurt!” Something snapped in Muramasa just then as well, slamming his hand against the countertop next to him. It startled Kotetsu who looked away, upset. Muramasa looked away as well, unable to look at this brother, to see him sad or hurt. They both stood there, not facing each other, silent.

Being the first to move, Kotetsu took a step away but paused, looking back at his brother whose gaze met up with his. He could see this was upsetting him as well and Kotetsu frowned. “You still think there’s something going on between us? Just because of a little hand holding?”

“It’s obvious.” Muramasa responded, his voice low. “I know when you lie to me.”

“Well I’m telling the truth.” He was lying so much he was starting to believe his lies. Kotetsu wasn’t sure how long he could keep it up.

“Then why did he kiss you yesterday?”

A knot in his stomach finally began to form in his stomach. Holding hands with Barnaby was easier to explain off than a kiss. Kotetsu was surprised Muramasa even knew about it. Yet he stayed silent. He was sure his brother knew the truth already.

“I don’t want you to make a mistake with this in thinking that you two are in love. He probably just wants to get into your pants.”

“He’s not like that!” Kotetsu yelled, anger building up inside of him again and this time he didn’t think he could hold it back.

“Then why does it seem like he’s so desperate to touch you?” Muramasa raised his voice as well.

Kotetsu frowned, about to shout various words and possibly profanities at his brother. He held it back however, turning towards the front door of the shop. “Enough of this.” He walked toward the door, stopping to snatch his coat from the coat rack on the wall next to the door.

“Kotetsu!” Muramasa shouted after him, but Kotetsu didn’t stop, pulling open the door roughly, making the bell chime loudly. His brother paused though before stepping outside in the cold hair, turning his head slightly, but not looking at him.

“You can’t tell me who to love and who not to.” With those words to end the matter, Kotetsu shut the door behind him, leaving the shop, making his way home.
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[Tiger & Bunny] - Without Reason