Take a moment to ask yourself if this is how we fall apart

[oldmantiger]

So his attempts to heal his wounds with his Hundred Power had been...rather less successful than Kotetsu had hoped. Admittedly, that fact had been made apparent to him when he'd started bleeding again just outside the arena. But the full extent of his remaining injuries wasn't made entirely clear until after he'd been shuttled back to the hospital by the heroes left able to stand under their own power. 

Now Fire Emblem, Blue Rose, Dragon Kid and, of course, Bunny were all getting checked out in another room somewhere. Kotetsu, meanwhile, had to endure being quite literally stitched back together, along with a lot of lecturing that he mostly tuned out. He'd heard it all before. Right now, there was...well, there were a lot of questions on his mind. But he knew that there was really only one he was likely to get an answer to any time soon. He asked it once the doctor had finished taping fresh bandages wherever they needed taping and had gone to work washing her hands.

"So, doc. When can I go home?" 

The doctor looked at him like he'd just grown a second head. In her opinion, he should stay a couple more days at least. Kotetsu bit back a sigh and prepared to dig in his heels. This wasn't the first time he'd been hurt on the job. Much as he loathed to admit it, even Kotetsu could see that heroics would be off the table for him for a bit. The company would be holding his suit, what kind of trouble did they think he could get into without it? Besides, he knew he healed better at home than he ever would when forced to share a bed between Sky High and Bison.

He finally wore the doctor down enough to get her to admit that there wasn't actually enough basis to insist that he be kept in the hospital against his will, no matter how strenuously she advised against going home. He smiled, nodded, thanked her for her advice, and asked for his clothes back - the hospital had issued him a pair of shorts and not much else. She left to go ask a nurse what had been done for them. Barnaby might even meet her coming the other way. 

Meanwhile, Kotetsu wasn't expecting to see his partner for...a while, at least. He was pretty sure he'd been forgiven for...everything earlier. But only pretty sure, and besides, Barnaby would probably have a lot on his mind even before the press circuit that would inevitably come from saving the entire city. Well, he was welcome to it. He'd certainly fought hard, at least - let credit, for once, be given where it was due. 

Comments

[ojisankink]

If Kotetsu really thought Barnaby would leave his partner alone after all the damage he had suffered, he truly was a senile old man.

He had caught a glimpse of the doctor while he was coming out from his own check-up (he was lucky enough to make it out of the fight with little more than a few stitches) and immediately got the truth out of her. At first, he's a little disappointed Kotetsu didn't try to find him before leaving. Then again... Barnaby did have a lot to think about.

His parents' deaths were avenged. Kriem was comatose, but would have to be questioned later. The public would obviously be focused even more on him than they had been already, after the story of his past got out. He had to think about how to continue on... what to do, now that everything was finally over.

Perhaps that's why Kotetsu tried to give him space. Like Barnaby would just be annoyed to see him. Not that Kotetsu realized all through Barnaby's checkup, his pulse was high, throat was try, body was tense all because he was just waiting for the moment he could make sure his partner was all right.

Maybe he should be focusing more of his mental energy on finding out when he started caring so much.

He does end up letting Kotetsu rest at home for a few days, just long enough to sort a few things out. Then he's at the apartment, trying to convince himself he didn't need to call before coming, trying to stop his heart from pounding out of his chest. He's... not exactly aware of the protocol for friendships like this. It's awkward.

Still, he knocks on the door.

[oldmantiger]

He'd bummed a ride home from Ben after realizing that Fire Emblem would be a little while longer getting stitched up, and after realizing that the painkillers they'd given him to better let them stitch him up would probably leave him unfit to drive even if he'd had easy access to his motorcycle. Rarely had anything ever felt as good as closing the door of the cab and watching the hospital receding in the rearview mirror.

Things had been okay, at first. He'd come up to his apartment and managed to stay awake long enough to call Kaede. She'd been unhappy that they'd missed each other again, of course. But she'd also heard more than enough about the danger the city had been in, so that she'd been mostly glad to hear from him. More than that, when he'd spun a hasty story to cover for the fact that he was obviously injured, she'd even been more sympathetic than he'd seen her in a while. So that had been good.

After that, he'd tried to make himself comfortable in bed and slept for a long, long while.

Unfortunately, he'd had a less-than-pleasant awakening due to sudden, violent nausea, and had only just made it to the bathroom in time to lose what little had been left in his stomach. That had been less good. The hospital had gotten him hydrated, at least, so he didn't pass out after that. But there was still a while of laying miserably on the bathroom floor, trying to marshall his strength to get up again while he enjoyed how cool the tile felt on his feverish skin. When he finally managed it, the first thing Kotetsu did was check the medication they'd given him, and oh. They'd switched to a new brand of painkiller. That quite probably explained it - side effects were always slow to creep up on him, as a Next. But at least he knew he was allergic to this particular brand, now.

He threw the painkillers away in the garbage can, took the rest of his meds, and shifted himself into the kitchen to try and eat something.

The next day or so after that, he was steadier, and tried to settle back into a routine. Food, water, sleep on the couch where he was close enough to get more, rinse, repeat. But even that grew steadily harder as the pain in his body grew from aches to throbs to fire. Even so, he gritted his teeth and did his best. There was no one around to hear any noises he made. It was almost cathartic, really, this act of repairing and controlling and marshalling himself. He'd be okay, he knew. He'd come back from worse. And he did manage to confirm for himself that he was healing, and healing properly, though the pain of even checking himself over for that much almost made him pass out for real.

When he felt up to it, he turned on the TV, searched for news of his partner, and felt proud whenever he saw him. Bunny had come a long way. Kotetsu would be back out there with him, soon. It was just a shame that even Hero TV could only show so much footage. Somehow, seeing for himself that Bunny at least seemed to be okay helped him relax in ways that were otherwise impossible without the painkillers. He didn't question why. That was just what being partners was about.

The knock on the door was unexpected - he'd lost track of how many days it had been, by then, and cast a worried glance at his wrist communicator where it rested on the side table, before he saw that it was still quiet. That only made the knock even more inexplicable. Still, he managed to heave himself to his feet, make his way over to the door, and open it without leaning on it too obviously, he hoped.

Even so, it would probably be fairly apparent that all was not well. Kotetsu mostly looked exhausted, having slept rarely and badly from the pain. The effort of standing, moving, and caring for himself has him paler from exertion, even sweating a little. He was also dressed rather casually in a plain shirt from an old sponsor and a pair of old jeans. But he doesn't notice or think of any of that. His eyes just widen at the sight of Barnaby standing out in the hall.

"Bunny?" Concern stabs at his chest, and he immediately follows up with: "What's wrong?"

[ojisankink]

No one was around to hear any noises he made, but there had been a few minutes of Barnaby standing in front of the door, berating himself for being unable to do something as simple as knock, when he had managed to hear a few of those sounds, sounds that made fear coldly grip his heart. He sounds horrible. He was hurt this badly after a few days... how bad had he been when he had come to Barnaby to help him?

He had cared so much. he had given just as much as Barnaby did to try to stop Jake and Ouroboros, and Barnaby knew it wasn't just for the sake of the city. He said himself that he'd take down Jake so Barnaby wouldn't have to be tormented with the memories of his parents' killer again.

And how did Barnaby repay him? He had been so wrapped up in anger and distrust that he failed to show how much it stung when Kotetsu nearly died. He didn't wait for his coworker to come out of the ICU. He didn't wait for any word that he'd be okay. He just marched out there to confront-and nearly kill-a psychotic man who shouldn't be worth a single inch of what Kotetsu is worth to him.

So wrapped up is he in that guilt and worry that he almost doesn't notice he's knocked on the door. It takes a few minutes more of fretting before Kotetsu opens the door, revealing that he looks just as bad as he sounds. Immediately, Barnaby grabs his shoulders, glaring at him, and backs him up so he can properly close the door behind them.

"What do you think is wrong, idiot? You shouldn't be out of the hospital like this! Get back in bed, alright?" Anger and guilt mix up in his voice and he isn't sure whether he's scolding Kotetsu or just praying he can lay down on his own.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu's first thought, as he finds himself backed forcibly inside, is what?, followed shortly by ow. The wince flickers over his face before he can even think to fight it - in his agitation, Barnaby is gripping just a little harder than Kotetsu can easily stand right now. Even setting aside what healing he has managed, he remains bruised and broken. Around his arms and shoulders especially, those bruises protest being grabbed.

There's a bad moment where he sways a little, off-balance from surprise and the push and unsteady because of it. He compensates by dragging himself out of Barnaby's grip and stumbling back a pace, there to steady and brace himself for...what? A fight? Bad news? Barnaby must have a reason for showing up here, and he can't imagine it's a good one.

Until he gets to that point, however, there's another point to be addressed. Kotetsu snaps back: "What the hell are you on about?! The only reason I'm out of bed is because you knocked on my door!"

A tangled blanket on the couch might attest to the fact that Kotetsu hasn't really been sleeping in bed, however. At least it might also demonstrate that he is still capable of laying down on his own, however slowly.

[ojisankink]

Almost immediately, Barnaby withdraws his hands, shock and worry flickering over his face before he can stop it. Did he push too firmly, or is Kotetsu far more injured than he realized? Or is it both? Either way, it makes him feel sick.

He notes that sway too, and tries desperately to stop himself from reaching out again. He doesn't want to hurt Kotetsu, and if he touches him, he'll either accomplish that or make Kotetsu more angry.

"I came here because I was worried! You left the hospital without telling me! What was I supposed to do besides come knocking?"

He takes a few deep breaths. No. Anger isn't befitting of this situation. He's running on instinct. A foolish idea. He has to remember to strategize.

After a few moments, he has managed to lower his voice and find a semblance of calm.

"Please, go lay down again. I can help you get back to your proper bed if necessary. Have you been eating?"

[oldmantiger]

As Barnaby slowly settles, so does Kotetsu. Especially when he notices that regret flickering over his partner's face. Of course, the other man wouldn't mean to manhandle him. He's just wound up. It's the fact that he's wound up that's so confusing to Kotetsu right now.

But he's not going to get any answers by shouting, either. Especially when Barnaby only introduces more questions with his explanation.

"You were...worried? Really?" Kotetsu looks genuinely surprised, at this, and that surprise does the job of chasing the last of the fight from his bearing. He sighs faintly and settles, hackles lowering, even if doing so means that he pretty much immediately has to step back far enough to brace a hand on his armchair. The fading spike of adrenaline only leaves more pain in its wake. But even he can see that there's no point keeping up the charade entirely. He's already accidentally tipped his hand.

"I mean...I didn't think it would bother you? Seeing myself out of the hospital. I've done it before, and I knew you'd be busy, wrapping things up from Jake, catching your breath." Which he clearly had been, since that had all been a few days ago. "Besides, I knew you could get ahold of me, if you needed me." He nods at his communicator, still resting on the side table.

More than that, he hadn't been sure how much Barnaby might want to see him, after everything. It turned out that the answer was "a fair amount." It even sounded like Barnaby came over because...he thought Kotetsu might need him? Kotetsu is genuinely not sure he knows what to make of that. He has the sense that maybe he should be offended? But somehow, that's just not happening.

"Of course I've been eating." His tone changes, trying to reassure rather than argue. He nods towards the kitchen, where a rice cooker stands on the counter, open and ready to be refilled from the half-empty box of white rice standing beside it. A cup stands next to the sink, lending credence to Kotetsu's addition: "And drinking. And it's less of a walk from the couch to the kitchen." It's not like he can really sleep too much either way.

[ojisankink]

Of course he's wound up. He knows he and Kotetsu didn't really get along all that well recently, but that doesn't change the fact that they're partners. Barnaby can't just let Kotetsu keep hiding things from him.

Surely he wants to confide in his partner? Surely he trusts him... after Barnaby put his trust back in him? What is Barnaby doing wrong?

"Of course I was worried! You left without letting anyone know, not even Lloyds. Everyone was looking for you. Half of what I've been busy with is making sure everyone was discharged from the hospital safely, and then... and then I couldn't find you."

He folds his arms, looks at the floor. "Doesn't it make sense that I would worry about my own partner? The last time I saw you, you were still bleeding."

Still bleeding, and yet he'd still been there to figuratively and literally support Barnaby when everything he had worked so hard for was coming apart. So yes, Kotetsu needs him, if only because Barnaby needs to make up for what his partner did for him.

He notes the rice and the glass of water, and that at least offers him some relief. "I'm glad you can at least manage rice. Do you think you'd be up for soup?" He realizes it's probably odd to offer to make soup so suddenly, and he glances back away. "I mean. I was thinking of ordering food for myself anyways, and you should probably have something with a bit more sustenance."

[oldmantiger]

"Bunny..."

As Barnaby carries on, Kotetsu feels more and more troubled. This...this is a side of his partner that he's not sure he's never seen before. Walking beside his stretcher is one thing. Having his back in a fight is one thing. But this...coming in here to yell at him and fuss over him and offer to help him with such minor things...that's new. And he doesn't quite know what to do about it.

And there's something earnest and desperate and palpably fragile about Barnaby right now that leaves Kotetsu feeling...touched, at the insistence, rather than offended at any perceived lack of faith in him, which might be his normal response.

Meanwhile, the situation over the past few days does all sound pretty bad, when Barnaby lays it out like that. Were Kotetsu feeling up to it, he might try and explain that of course he trusts the other man. That this isn't about trust. This is about just...doing what he can, what he knows he can, and not needlessly burdening anyone else.

He's not feeling up to it, though. Maybe later.

"I'm sorry," he says instead, the words tasting a little strange in his mouth. "I wasn't trying to scare anyone. I just...I'm pretty much done with bleeding, if that helps. And it's not like this is the first time I've been hurt on the job." It occurs to him too late that this might not be the most reassuring thing to say, under the circumstances. He just thought they'd all know by now that he prefers to lick his wounds alone.

But it is the first time that he's been hurt on the job with Barnaby as his partner. And apparently, that makes all the difference.

"Soup? Hell, if you're buying, I could definitely give it a shot." He grins, teasing a little and trying to break the strange tension humming between them. Just in case that's not enough, he offers a small concession as well. "You can just stick mine in the fridge when it gets here, though. I'm starting to think you're right and maybe I could use another nap in bed."

[ojisankink]

"Barnaby," he reminds, but gently, nothing like his usual annoyed insistence on being called by his real name. He really can't help but fuss, as much as he's trying to hide it under his usual layers of stoic professionalism. He should be doing this as a partner, not in this twisted way that feels a little bit like friendship and a little bit different, and a little bit scary.

If Barnaby tries to get a little closer and find out what exactly this different feeling is, he'll only get hurt. He knows that. It's not worth it.

But even so, he still can't get his grumpy demeanor to return. He watches Kotetsu with a soft gaze, searching him for some sort of reassurance, when he hears the apology. His eyes widen. He's... not sure Kotetsu's ever really apologized to him so sincerely.

"It's fine. I know you weren't trying to do anything like that... I know you think you can take care of this alone." He sighs, fiddles with the ring on his finger as he decides whether to continue. "But... you don't have to anymore, since we're partners. You would come help me if I'd been hurt, so I should be able to do the same for you."

His worried explanation of his reasoning is at least cut off from running frantically around his head by Kotetsu accepting his offer. He can feel his shoulders slump a little in relief. Kotetsu is listening. He'll get some proper food and some proper rest. He isn't sure why that makes his heart feel so warm.

"I'm always right," he agrees, offering a small smirk of his own. "Here... let me help you up the stairs."

He steps forward, hesitantly holds his arms out.

[oldmantiger]

And it's because the correction comes not quite as vehemently as it usually does that Kotetsu feels up to correcting Barnaby right back. "Bunny." His grin broadens a little. Really, Barnaby should just accept his fate and his nickname. Because he's stuck with it. At least between them.

He could argue - he could talk about how it's not the same thing, that Kotetsu has been a hero for so much longer and knows how to deal with things that Barnaby will hopefully never have to. He could insist on making his way up the stairs on his own. But he looks at Barnaby smile, looks at the relief in his bearing, and he can't do it. Now's not the time. Maybe there won't ever have to be a time.

"Sure," he says instead, and reaches out to let his partner pull him closer and take some of his weight. And indeed, once he's done so, Kotetsu can't help but let out a sigh of some relief and lean against him. This...actually feels a lot better. It's easy to forget just from looking at him how strong Barnaby is even without the Hundred Power. But like this, he's a warm and steady presence, and Kotetsu knows he won't be dropped.

And like this, Barnaby will be able to feel the tension and exhaustion humming through Kotetsu's body in a way that betrays any reassurances he might verbally try to offer. He's in pain, and for all that he's been able to survive, it's taken a toll in other ways.

It's when they're making their way up the stairs together that Kotetsu is finally able to admit that this is...nice, and not just because it's clearly helping Barnaby feel better. It's strange, too, unfamiliar and alien, having someone here when he's sick or hurt. But it also sets off some long-neglected warmth in his chest. He wonders when the last time was that he had someone else around to just notice and worry and be there like this.

...probably a while before Tomoe got sick, he realizes. And in an instant, the warmth turns to a needle of ice. He doesn't let go of Barnaby, though.

[ojisankink]

That prompts an eye-rolling, but at least Barnaby doesn't argue. He thinks the nickname is ridiculous, but it's... oddly endearing that Tiger came up with it on a whim and it's now become such an affectionate term he pitched in to buy that stupid rabbit plush toy. The one still sitting on his bed, freshly laundered. He feels heat crawl up his neck.

He's glad Kotetsu's agreed to take his help, and he shows his gratitude with a short nod. It's silly of him to be grateful to be able to help someone, but Barnaby doesn't feel particularly all that great at being serious.

He adjusts one of Kotetsu's arms so it's slung over his shoulder, and lets his partner lean on him. He hears the sigh of relief, but even before that, he can feel tensions in Kotetsu's body lessen but exhaustion deepen. It's a wonder Kotetsu was even able to walk over and open the door like this. Barnaby glances at Kotetsu out of the corner of his eye, but says nothing.

It's halfway up the stairs when something does change enough that he has to say something. His partner, happy to lean on him and enjoy the fussing for once, was suddenly stiff and tense all over again. Had the pain gotten worse?

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

[oldmantiger]

Barnaby's voice draws him back a little out of the fog of memories. Kotetsu gives his head a little shake, trying to clear it the rest of the way. When he realizes just what his partner has asked, he hastens to reassure. "N-No. No, you didn't."

Or he had, in a way, but in an entirely unintentional way he couldn't have known was a risk. Even Kotetsu hadn't been expecting these knots of equal parts old grief and fresh guilt in the pit of his stomach. They're there now, though. At least he'll have some time to catch his breath when he's back in bed.

He manages to force a smile, even if he can't quite manage to lift his head and meet Barnaby's gaze. "It's fine. I just stepped wrong. Caught me by surprise." He hadn't, of course, and this close Barnaby might have noticed as much. But all Kotetsu goes on to add is: "C'mon, we're almost there."

[ojisankink]

He does notice as much. Kotetsu's leg doesn't look twisted. He isn't stepping awkwardly or limping. He just seems stiff and uncomfortable. There shouldn't be anything wrong with this, though. It's just walking up some stairs...

The smile doesn't really convince him, but he has a feeling Kotetsu doesn't want to talk about it. It stings, but he nods and lets him keep that secret for now.

"As long as you're okay."

A few more awkward steps and they've made it up to Kotetsu's bed. Barnaby helps him limp the rest of the way and sit down on the bed, before moving to the chair nearest it to sit and pull out his cellphone.

[oldmantiger]

He's not okay, and they both know it, and it's only for the sake of his pride that they're pretending otherwise. Kotetsu is quite attached to his pride - sometimes it feels like all he has.

But neither is he lying when he replies: "I'm doing better." Because that much is true right now no matter what.

He manages to get seated on the bed without too much difficulty. Kotetsu knows it will be finding a comfortable way to lay down that will be the real challenge. He stares pensively down at the bed as Barnaby moves away, looking almost as though he's psyching himself up to take on some enemy or another.

Moving carefully and gingerly, trying to make as few noises as possible, he at least gets himself laid down. Despite the lingering scratches and cuts on his back, laying flat proves infinitely more forgiving to his ribs. A bit more hesitant trial and error lets him find a good way for his arms and legs to rest, and then...and then the pain is, if not receding, not actively getting worse as he lays here. That counts for something. That counts for a lot.

Then Kotetsu just closes his eyes and focuses on breathing, taking care to visualize pushing the pain a little further away from him with every exhale. Good. He risks drawing in deeper breaths than he might have before. The sheets are cold from not having been slept in for a couple of days, and they feel even more soothing as a result. Maybe he really will be able to sleep like this.

[ojisankink]

Barnaby knows just how proud Kotetsu is. He should really consider himself lucky that Kotetsu is even letting his partner see this much. He knows it's a matter of pride that makes Kotetsu hide his own issues from Barnaby, and though it's still difficult to deal with, at least Barnaby can understand that.

It's not exactly pride for himself, but still a sense of pride that leads to his bravado in front of the cameras.

At least he sounds honest when he says he's doing better, but Barnaby still keeps a close eye on him as he tries to lay down. A few times, a particular noise makes him nervous, almost makes him reach out, but he holds back, and Kotetsu finally gets settled.

His voice is soft and gentle when he manages to speak up again. He doesn't want to interrupt if Kotetsu is already sleeping.

"I'll order food. Is there anything else I can get you?"

He sounds so... doting, he notes with a small blush.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu hums faintly in reply before he speaks. He's not asleep, not yet. But he already sounds groggy, not to mention noticeably more relaxed, and he still hasn't opened his eyes.

"Nah. I'm all right."

He doesn't want anything to go to waste if it turns out his stomach is up to less than he thought. And if his stomach is up to more, then he can get back to working his way through his backlog of leftovers. He can't think of what else he would even want to eat anyway.

Kotetsu wonders in the absent way of the hyper-exhausted and semi-lucid if he is actually asleep, right then, and this is all some weird dream. He can certainly think of less plausible explanations for Barnaby to sound so...yes, doting. This is definitely uncharted territory, if it's even really happening at all. More than that, a dream makes more sense than having someone here at all. He takes care of himself and he fixes himself up - that's how it's worked for years, and it's not about to change. Not for a washed-up idiot like him. And if by some weird twist of fate this is all real, then best that he just go to sleep before he makes a mess of it.

Even so, he forces his eyes half-open, because there's one more important thing to say.

"...thanks, though. Seriously. I'll pay you back." For the food, at least. That, at least, was a debt that was easily quantifiable. "You don't have to wait up here with me. The TV downstairs works fine. Make yourself at home." He's aware that he should have said as much earlier.

[ojisankink]

At least that's a good sign. Barnaby wants him to be able to relax and rest, more than he clearly has lately. He can feel a smile start to tug at the corners of his lips.

He nods, at least satisfied that soup appears to be good enough, though he does wonder if there's something else he could need. Extra painkillers, maybe? Bandages?

But he doesn't want to bother Kotetsu when he's nearly asleep. He can wait and ask a little bit later.

It's a little bit hard for both of them to understand this is happening. Barnaby hardly believes he's actually doing it himself, but he's too worried about Kotetsu to really spend time focusing on whether this is real. This is what he wants to do, and what he has to do. Nothing else really matters.

"You don't need to repay me. I'll be fine. And... thank you for the offer."

He may go watch TV. But later. For now, he waits until Kotetsu's eyes close once more, and then he phones a nearby restaurant to order food in a hushed voice.

[oldmantiger]

"You're welcome, Bunny."

It's not just an offer. He hopes Barnaby takes advantage of it. If he's going to hang around keeping an eye on his partner, the least he deserves is to be as comfortable while he's doing it as the apartment can allow.

But for now, Kotetsu closes his eyes again and just...breathes, and drifts, and listens to the sound of Barnaby's voice coming as though from very far away.

"You know..." he mumbles, his voice trailing away and growing fainter even as he speaks. "I really do have a nice bed." Bunny was right about that much. This is way more comfortable than the couch, and that's his last thought for a long time.

He doesn't sleep right away, but he does slip into a meditative sort of doze that looks much the same. But from there, eventually, he falls bit by bit into a deep and proper sleep instead, motionless and quiet and beyond the reach of pain for now.

And there he'll stay for the next several hours, probably well into the night, unless Barnaby wakes him for something. Though that will probably be enough time for Barnaby to confirm that bandages and extra painkillers might be called for. His meds are arranged on the side table by the couch, and he's definitely missing one bottle that all the other wounded heroes were issued. And the box of bandages sitting under that side table is almost empty.

[ojisankink]

The admission that Bunny was right about the bed gets him to laugh, soft and friendly. It helps lessen just a bit of the tightness in his chest, makes him a little less panicked as he watches over Kotetsu's sleeping form.

He doesn't watch the entire time, luckily. He leaves to get the door when take-out arrives. His pasta is eaten in front of the television, and then he washes up before returning back to Kotetsu's side. He reads and checks his phone dazedly, but eventually he does note the medication problem. Checking the garbage confirms what's happened to the other bottle. He leaves a note for Kotetsu then, taped to his nightstand. A simple 'I'll be out getting you a new prescription and bandages.'

He somehow doesn't scold Kotetsu for not telling him about the allergy. But he does leave a little doodle of a bunny with glasses instead of a signature.

That note will still be taped to the nightstand when Kotetsu awakes, though a glance to the side will reveal that Barnaby has returned back to the apartment, a drugstore bag dropped beside the chair he is now curled up dozing in.

[oldmantiger]

It takes a few false starts before Kotetsu finally does wake up. He's slow to return fully to consciousness, opening his eyes only to feel them dragged shut again multiple times. Finally, gritting his teeth, driven on by a sense that he's forgetting something, Kotetsu pushes himself upright abruptly in a way that would have left him crying out yesterday...but now, he only clutches his shoulder and winces at the twinges of pain.

He catches sight of the note out of the corner of his eye and tugs it down from the nightstand. It's only as he reads it and smiles at that stupidly adorable little sketch at the bottom that his memories of the day(?) before start to return. Bunny. That's right - Bunny really did barge in here yesterday(?), bound and determined to help out. A job he's apparently taking quite seriously, if he didn't even scold Kotetsu for failing to mention the allergies.

It's only then that he looks up and, as though on a winch, his gaze is drawn to his chair where Barnaby sits, curled up and dozing. It can't be comfortable, sleeping like that. But he looks...strangely peaceful, in a way that makes Kotetsu smile in a goofy sort of way and wonder if he's ever seen him look like that before.

He feels well enough now to be quiet as he gets out of bed. Before grabbing the painkillers and risking waking Barnaby, he spends some of the energy he's regained changing into clean clothes and stepping into the bathroom to at least start to get himself cleaned up. And he feels like a new man with all of that accomplished. But he also feels the ache in his ribs starting to threaten again, and so doesn't hesitate before gather up the bag as quietly as he can.

Fortunately, Barnaby doesn't wake and Kotetsu thinks to check the instructions on the new prescription. Just in time to see that he should take them with food, lest more nausea result. Kotetsu is just starting to run through his mental catalog of leftovers when he glances again at Barnaby and smiles in recollection. That's right, he also has soup to dig into.

His bandages are definitely overdue to be changed, but that just means they can wait a little longer. After all, he actually is starting to get hungry. So Kotetsu heads downstairs and into the kitchen, there to grab himself some water and retrieve his soup from the refrigerator. Even after a round in the microwave, it turns out to be pretty good. He eats it as enthusiastically as he dares without risking losing it again, with the TV on for soft background noise.

And as he eats, Kotetsu takes stock. It's dark outside his window, but it's not until he looks at the microwave clock that he realizes it's well after midnight. Long past dinner. The sun will be up and breakfast will need to be a consideration, soon.

...he can't let Barnaby feel responsible for that, too. And maybe it's because of that strange, floating feeling that comes from a lack of pain after so long burdened with it, but Kotetsu then decides to test out the efficacy of his new meds by cooking up a couple of rice omelettes right there at three-thirty in the morning.

[ojisankink]

Barnaby isn't exactly comfortable, but he'd been running around since lunchtime helping out Kotetsu. On top of that, he had been putting in overtime at work, and having several meetings with the higher-ups regarding the next season of Hero TV. No wonder he's exhausted. Exhausted enough to somehow curl up in a chair and pass out.

For once, he doesn't even have a nightmare. He isn't woken up in a cold sweat, gasping for air, crying at memories from decades ago. No, it's something else that wakes him up, an odd smell drifting past his nostrils.

He almost tries to sleep through it, rubbing at his nose and grumbling, but eventually, his curiosity gets the better of him and he forces himself awake, if only because there shouldn't be anyone cooking in his apartment.

And there isn't. Because he isn't in his apartment. It takes a few minutes of blearily staring around the room to recall that he's still at Kotetsu's after checking in on him. In a panic, he checks his phone, but it's early still. He's definitely not late for work, but that doesn't explain the odd smell.

Getting up, he stretches as he wanders down the stairs, still rubbing his eyes behind his glasses as he finds the kitchen and the source of the smell.

[oldmantiger]

There's always something so peaceful about cooking. Kotetsu is aware that his repetoire is limited, but...well, barring unexpected circumstances like this, he's the only one who ever eats what he makes. Hopefully Barnaby doesn't mind rice omelettes. But even if he does...well, that's breakfast for tomorrow sorted.

So he stands at the stove, watching the rice brown and the chicken sizzling and the vegetables cooking, occasionally shuffling it all around with a spatula. And somehow the strange domesticity of it all feels peaceful rather than strange. He's so lost in thought that he only realizes Barnaby is awake when he hears the stairs creak beneath his feet. He has the decency to facepalm when he hears it. Oops. Good going, Kotetsu.

Barnaby, meanwhile, will find Kotetsu looking markedly better than he did even before sleeping. He's steadier on his feet, no longer expending energy he doesn't have just to stay upright, and looks remarkably more relaxed and less wan. And he offers Barnaby a wave as soon as he comes into view.

"Morning." Kotetsu glances at the microwave clock, smiles wryly, and adds: "Technically. Sorry to wake you. Just thought I'd get breakfast going while I was up."

[ojisankink]

Barnaby has never had a rice omelette... not that that's what he's actually focused on right now. He's more focused on the person holding the spatula. Kotetsu is up, and that should make panic flood into him, but he actually looks a lot better. He looks awake, and less tense. There aren't dark circles under his eyes, and he's actually changed clothes. He must have noticed the pills then.

He walks a little closer, leans on the island as he watches Kotetsu work with a relaxed grin of his own.

"Morning." He stifles another yawn and shakes his head. "It's okay. I'm just glad to see you've slept well. What are you making?"

[oldmantiger]

He's grateful for the lack of any additional lectures or orders to get back in bed. Not just because Kotetsu actually is planning on going back to sleep after this - he knows Barnaby will probably have to be leaving for work soon, after all, and so he might as well sleep once he's gone. More to the point, the lack of panic on his partner's face, in such sharp contrast to the day before, tells Kotetsu that he really must be looking better as well as feeling better. Maybe he can actually be back in to work by next week, at this rate.

"Rice omelettes. Breakfast of champions!" He fistpumps a little too enthusiastically, and winces. Bad idea. To cover for that bad idea, he hastens on to add: "Yours will be done in a sec, if you want it." So saying, he moves the rice to a burner on a lower heat, before setting another frying pan over the hot burner and cracking a couple of eggs into it. He barely has time to get the yolks broken before it's already cooking. And of course, he has the ketchup standing by. Whether Barnaby says yes or not will really only change what design he draws on it. So once he has the actual omelette part prepared, Kotetsu sets to work scooping a generous amount of the fried rice mixture into it.

[ojisankink]

He doesn't really have the energy at three in the morning to give his usual stern lectures. If he tried, he knows he'd likely get off topic and start rambling about... god knows what. The table of elements or something. He probably needs another nap before he goes back to work...

But he is a little hungry, now that he sees the omelettes. And Kotetsu seems to happy about it that he doesn't want to say no. He can have his breakfast a little early...

"You know what? I think I do." He grins and tilts his head. "That way I can sleep off any stomachaches you may give me."

He watches carefully while Kotetsu finishes up the omelette. He likes finding new recipes, especially when his partner seems so certain this one is a good one.