soul_logs | [closed] caught my breath on my way home

Entry tags:

[closed] caught my breath on my way home

Characters: Kotetsu & Barnaby
Location: tegur and bani apartment
Rating: G
Time: February 22nd, afternoon
Description: Bunny, meet ~~papa hen~~ mother hen. Mother hen, meet Bunny. Proceed to drive each other crazy. And don't break anything.

[The day Kotetsu and Barnaby had returned from the mission in Norway, only one thing had been on Kotetsu's mind had been sleep. Lots and lots of sleep. And warm clothes. Bed. Warm food. Anything that would make the time in those freezing temperatures merely a dream, along with all the worry he'd held for Barnaby upon their return to Death City. Admittedly he hadn't really known what Barnaby thought when they came back, mostly because he seemed too out of it to do much thinking when they had gotten home.

The younger hero had promptly been carried off to bed and kept there the whole day, and without any negotiation, Kotetsu had gotten them some time off from the Watch in order for them to rest up properly. The second he'd told Barnaby about their mini vacation of sorts he'd received a whole lot of complaining but, Kotetsu didn't care. It was for Barnaby's own good.

Another stream of mental complaints and curses went through Kotetsu's head as he thought about his partner's reckless behavior, something that wasn't ever acceptable because in his opinion he was the only one allowed to do such a thing. To think Barnaby had gotten tired enough to collapse, to almost get himself ki-- 'Bad word. Can't use that word. Not using that word.' With a loud exasperated huff, Kotetsu closed the refrigerator door, suddenly too frustrated to decide on what to make for lunch. All he wanted to do was sit and relax, have a beer, maybe watch some TV. Forget about the whole thing that had happened and how irritated he knew Barnaby had been with him, still was in fact, even though it wasn't fair because Kotetsu was irritated with him, still was, because that's just what happens when he's worried about his partner. His stupid partner who didn't understand that it wouldn't hurt him to be at home for three days. Well, two now, but from what he'd seen, Barnaby wouldn't be able to handle a couple more hours.]

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That's... n-no, of course not... no idea...

[Note to self: look through Barnaby's closet once he's asleep.]

[Barnaby had to laugh. He felt too bad to keep this up, especially with how nervous his partner looked.]

I'm kidding. I hadn't thought of anything.

[He'd been about to ask if Barnaby was feeling tired, that maybe even if he was just a little bit, he should try taking a bit of a nap on the couch, just close his eyes and rest a little and ignore Kotetsu's absence for a few minutes as it'd just be him going to the bathroom, and that if he heard any rustling about in Barnaby's room then it was just mice, big ones, that he hadn't noticed them before until now bu the went in to take care of them but suddenly they were gone and if there was anything in his closet that wasn't meant to be seen then it was gone and oops the mice must have eaten it! But nothing like that was mentioned, because Barnaby had once again proved his ability to twist about Kotetsu's gullibility to his liking. Wow, rude.]

Of course I knew you were kidding, I told you! There's no way you could hide anything like that from me!

[Kotetsu huffed loudly and stood up straight, walking around the couch in order to plop himself down on the empty side.]

[Barnaby's laughter just grew louder at that. Kotetsu was sulking far too hard to deny that he hadn't fallen for it, and it was just far too hilarious to the young blond. A few seconds passed and he took his water, trying to calm himself just enough to take a few long sips.]

I'm sorry, but that was far too easy.

[Maybe if the man hadn't pouted so horribly--but just watching him sulk as a child made Barnaby's laughter return. Oh, this poor boy.]

[Outwardly, Kotetsu was the perfect image of perturbed old man... while on the inside, he wanted nothing more than to laugh right along with Barnaby. He wasn't that upset at all, because he knew he'd been yanked around by a chain that he'd set up for himself since the very beginning.

Above anything else, he just couldn't make himself put down the act for long, because it was what had caused the mood to lighten up to this point, had made Barnaby feel so at ease that he could just sit and smile and laugh with him (well, more-so at him), and it had felt like years since that had last happened. It was nice, having his partner be like this, carefree and enjoying himself. Personally he considered this a bit of a victory, but for now, he'd keep that joy to himself and just continue to sulk, reaching over to try and lightly smack Barnaby on the arm to get him to stop.]

Yeah yeah, laugh it up. I see how it is, gettin' your kicks out of pushing around a gullible old man. You should feel ashamed of yourself.

[Subduing his laughter just a bit after the light hit, Barnaby fought of the rest of his chuckles and finished his water. Once done, he returned the glass to the table and leaned back against the couch. Although completely unaware of the meaning his laughter gave to Kotetsu, he was actually rather enjoying it himself. Just being able to laugh like that, unplanned and accidental, actually felt somewhat nice.

Not that it would ever happen again. But pushing back that smile just a bit, attempting to look serious, he just nodded to the fellow hero.] You're absolutely correct. Were it not so easy, I would feel more ashamed.

[His arm draped over the back of the couch, Kotetsu kept Barnaby within arm's reach in case he needed to give him another scolding pat. Might even mess up his hair a little too, he'd just have to scoot in a little closer for that.] You're not gonna be laughing much when you realize you're stuck here with me for two more days, which means I've got two days to get you back for that joke of yours.

[Maybe he should sabotage Barnaby's shampoo, swap it for hand soap. Or maybe draw a mustache on his face while he's asleep. Hide all his books under his bed. Drink all the milk, since he knows by now that Barnaby doesn't go to bed without his full glass.]

[Oh... right. Two more days of Kotetsu. Of just being in this man's presence and following his every whim. Barnaby just let out a soft sigh, tilting his head back.]

...oh, joy. Forty-eight hours of imprisonment.

[Well, hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. After all, Kotetsu said he could sit out here, so there was a chance he'd at least get to read by the end of the second day.]

[Aaand another smack of the arm for little Brooks.]

Oi, it's not gonna be that bad! Just behave yourself, rest up and try not to make so much of a fuss about being at home for two days and you'll be fine. I'm sure I could get you some extra privileges by tomorrow. Like, you can go outside for 5 minutes, get some fresh air, stretch your legs out!

[Take him out for walkies....]

Edited 2012-06-10 16:49 (UTC)

[Barnaby just frowned at Kotetsu. Five minute walks? This was worse than imprisonment, this was pure torture. For as much as Kotetsu was trying to get him to rest, he felt as though he'd stress a lot harder from being holed up inside for so long.]

Five minutes? That's all I'll be permitted? At least pretend you're not trying to torment me.

Good behavior gets you better time, that's just how that stuff works.

[His fingers tapped away at the couch, other hand fiddling around with his now empty beer can-- except once he shook that around and heard a bit of a sloshing sound, he brought it back up to his lips in order to finish it off. Can't waste a single drop!]

A reward system? Am I on some sort of punishment?

[This was definitely worse than he had been thinking. Part of him was tempted to go back to bed just to wait until tomorrow, but then Kotetsu would think he was tired. So he decided to just turn the television back up, cross his arms, and watch this television program.]

[Excuse you, don't raise the volume on the TV while he's talking.]

It's not really a punishment, it's... well, it's... uh...

[Technically to Kotetsu, it is sort of a punishment, but it doesn't really feel right to say it is. That just makes it seem like Barnaby's actions that got him this time-off from work were wrong, and they weren't necessarily wrong... but, he could have gotten himself seriously hurt by working under so much fatigue and stress. Worse than just seriously hurt even, and it really did rub Kotetsu the wrong way.]

...okay, I was kidding about the whole time limit thing. You can head out as long you're able to, tomorrow, but not too long. I don't need you suddenly sneaking out to do who knows what off in some busy party of the city and then you end up needing more rest than you already got.

[He's being pissy, gosh. Not a punishment, but it definitely felt like one in every way possible. And with Kotetsu removing it to say that he could head out if he didn't have some secretive plans to completely ditch him--

No. He was getting angry. He could already feel it. All of this felt like some odd mockery for his original anger to begin with, and that didn't help him in this situation at all. He had no plans, he had hardly used the network at all. Just because he had considered reading or doing something instead of sleeping didn't mean he planned on going deep into the city to get himself stuck. Without so much as a word, he changed the channel back to what Kotetsu had left it and all but slammed the remote down on the side of the couch. Standing, he took his glass and returned to the kitchen. It was time for some milk.]

[It only took a familiar tingle at the back of his neck for Kotetsu to know that Barnaby wasn't giving him a pleasant look, but before he could ask his partner about it he was already throwing his silent mini-tantrum, heading off to the kitchen in a rush and Kotetsu could only sputter for a short while before standing and following him.]

B-Bunny? Bunny! Oi, Bunny! Dah, what's wrong?! What'd I do?!

[Don't you walk away from him when he's talking to you young man!]

[Angry walking! Once he made it to the kitchen, and listening to Kotetsu hurry after him, he slammed the cup down on the counter, staring down at it. He didn't want to talk right now, not with the man who was just constantly infuriating him, knocking him down a few pegs, reminding him of his weaknesses and holding him down more than he was ready for. And not being trusted... He couldn't even be trusted to rest properly, and that was what upset him most of all.

His hands just tightened into fists and he scrunched his eyes, focusing on taking a few deep breaths. Like Maverick had said when he was younger, he just needed to take a few moments to clear his head and calm down. He had to calm his rage, no matter how hard it was.]

...Sorry. I need a moment.

[The most he could utter out through clenched jaws, but he hoped Kotetsu would at least spare him a few minutes to himself.]

[He'd only made it about more than halfway to where Barnaby had stopped until Kotetsu came to an abrupt halt, jolting at the sharp, loud sound of the cup. This was more than just a simple little tantrum then. Barnaby was actually angry with him, and even without getting a look at his face, Kotetsu could hear it clearly in his voice and the way he was breathing. Strained, short breaths, like he was holding himself back from making even more noise or saying something more than just an apology and a plea to leave him alone.

His worry grew immediately, but Kotetsu didn't say anything like he usually would, didn't fumble with awkward words or taunts or complaints that Barnaby was taking things way too seriously. Standing silently for a short while, he swallowed hard and then looked over to the front door, contemplating just leaving completely for a short while. Odds are Barnaby wouldn't calm down completely until he was fully gone and that was really the only route to take then.]

...okay, I'm going outside for a few minutes. --not, outside-outside. I'll be outside the door. ...unless, you don't want me to wait around. [Voice slightly cautious, Kotetsu directed his hesitant and worried gaze back to Barnaby, wanting to close up the distance between them but knowing that he really shouldn't.] Sorry, Bunny. I didn't mean to make you mad or anything...

[Barnaby hated that additional worry in Kotetsu's voice. The man didn't do a very good job of hiding it, and just knowing that he was concerning the man while in this mood didn't help matters at all. If anything, it made him angry for actually being angry--a paradox in and of itself. But he really did need to calm down.

Kotetsu didn't need to leave leave, though... He just needed to keep a small distance. Just for now, until Barnaby could calm down. His hands loosened, just for a moment, but they were quick to tighten again. How could he even respond to that?]

Just... just don't move closer right now. [That would work. A small distance, but not on at all.] I'll... Give me a minute, or two. I... [Shaking his head, he stopped. He was only mumbling gibberish now. But he was calming down, just barely. Enough for his hands to completely let go and for him to sigh, reaching for the fridge door. He tugged it open and slowly turned his attention to the contents inside.]

[Kotetsu stopped right as he'd been about to make his way over to the front door, keeping a watchful eye on his partner for a few seconds before nodding and turning right back around to just go over to the living room.]

I'll, uh, just be on the couch then. [He lingered for a while, unsure if he should wait for some sort of response or simply just go, having the feeling that the more he spoke to Barnaby the worse he was making the whole situation, and as much as he wanted to fix things himself he knew that the only thing he could do was just leave Barnaby alone for a while, give him some space to calm down and unwind. He'd ask questions later, but now he just needed to give up on his pestering and leave him be, and so he finally started to walk off to the couch, trying his hardest not to seem hurt or upset himself.]

[With a small nod, Barnaby just continued to stare at the fridge, not moving until he could hear Kotetsu's footsteps leaving. This would definitely be problematic to explain, annoying on his part. But... in a few minutes. When he was better.

Reaching in, he pulled out the jug of milk and filled his cup. Then, shutting the fridge door, he finished his drink slowly. Cold and refreshing... Milk was a soothing drink, however childish it may be. Then a few seconds of just breathing, clearing his head... And he was alright. Well, not completely alright, but better. Setting the glass down in the sink, Barnaby turned around and headed back into the living room, but he didn't sit down just yet. Instead, he just looked straight at Kotetsu.]

...I apologize for getting angry with you.

[To say his wait at the couch had been awkward would have been a bit of an understatement, but that was just about the best way to describe it as Kotetsu sat and did just about nothing to keep his mind off of what had happened, He'd thought about turning up the volume on the TV or changing the channel but he'd been worried that it'd set Barnaby off again, make him think that he was possibly ignoring him or pretending things were okay. Then he'd thought about laying down but, he had the same opinion about that. Basically, anything he did other than just sit there might make things worse and so all he did was stare at the television screen until Barnaby came back.

Kotetsu turned quickly once his partner's figure caught the corner of his eye, and though he wanted to tell him to sit down he figured he'd just let him do whatever he wanted, grimacing and letting his hands grip slightly at his knees, ready for some sort of scolding.]

No, it's fine, really--! I... I should probably be the one apologizing more, since I set you off and everything. I got the feeling that, I overdid it with the whole, "make sure you get rest and stay put" deal.

A little... B-but I can understand why.

[He looked away at that, eyes glancing towards the hallway. After all, he was still mentally beating himself up for his error earlier. But besides all of his own internal errors, he shouldn't have lashed out as he did.]

I just don't like being treated as a child. I know I deserved this, after burdening you so much during the mission... But being put under so many restrictions isn't something I'm used to. [Even at the orphanage it hadn't been this bad. And by the time he was in Hero Academy, he was already allowed to come and go as he pleased. But here was completely different, and Kotetsu was just so accustomed to coddling, watching over him--everything he couldn't take at times... It was just too much. But even so, that was no reason for him to lash out.] I shouldn't have thrown that fit. I apologize. I... don't have any plans of leaving tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about me going out and exhausting myself further.

[All he could do was sit there and eventually scratch at his nose, unsure of what to even say at that point. He'd screwed up, big time, and though he felt justified in all the worry he'd been holding for his partner, he knew that the way it had all come off wasn't in any sort of way that Barnaby was able to deal with.

It was times like these that he had to remember that even though he was more than willing to do just about anything for Barnaby, he didn't know that, and to just shove that sort of concern onto him so suddenly... he wasn't prepared to deal with it, those "restrictions" of having another person care for him so deeply. It was enough to unsettled Kotetsu, just a small bit, but he knew it wasn't Barnaby's fault, wasn't his own fault either. Directing his gaze over to the TV, he watched the images pass by blankly with no interest, hands fiddling about in his lap as he tried to find the right thing to say.]

I know, I... I'm sorry, Bunny, I just... [He was just worried. Kotetsu sighed heavily, ran his hands through his hair and leaned far back into the couch, slouching a bit.] I'll ease back on you these last two days, I swear. You don't have to stay shut away in here like I've been telling you to do. Whatever you wanna do, you can do, as long as you're careful.

[Barnaby sighed. For some reason, this didn't make him feel much better. Probably because he could tell it didn't do much but hurt Kotetsu either. None of this felt decent. He hadn't meant to bargain it as a reason for Kotetsu to feel guilted into removing the restrictions. Although Barnaby appreciated it, he didn't like how this had gone about.

But there was no real way to turn this around, was there? He just continued gazing at the hallway, nodding slowly.] I'll be careful. ...I am sorry, though. [There really was nothing else. Nothing he could think of, at least. So he just headed towards his room again. Perhaps he was just tired... He might be less prone to feeling upset if he rested a bit more.

But before he reached the hallway, an idea hit him. Pausing, Barnaby looked over his shoulder.]

Old man?

[His hands remained in his hair for a few seconds longer before they fell down to rest over his eyes, eventually rubbing at his face as if he was tired, and he merely nodded his head at Barnaby's response.

He thought he'd gotten a handle of it, not overwhelming Barnaby with things he was used to, things he knew as fact, as being a constant in their relationship. Hovering over his shoulder, wanting to butt into his business, laughing and grinning and poking fun at him, staying right by his side in all his quirky annoyance, and all of it without much of a complaint at all, because he knew Barnaby didn't mind. But as he'd suspected, it wasn't that easy, to remember that things weren't like that here. He could only be himself for so long until this sort of thing happened, where Barnaby wasn't ready for him to be himself. Not yet. He still needed time.

Kotetsu could faintly hear footsteps, which meant Barnaby was most likely leaving or heading back to his room. Either/or, Kotetsu didn't mind, and there was no point in bothering him with asking, but when he heard that nickname he pulled his hands away and sat up, looked over his shoulder at Barnaby and moved as if he'd been about to stand up but instead kept himself on the couch.]

Yeah? What is it? Did you want me to get you something, or...?

[closed] caught my breath on my way home

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WHOA HOW DO I HTML it's 10am i can't function at this hour

what am 10am

a miserable pile of zzzzzzzzz

YES. EXACTLY.

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