A/N; I rewrote this story and fixed all the errors!
If it Makes You Happy…
"You know what night it is right?" an unhappy voice said as he pressed the phone to his ear
"I apologize, but I was just given an important project to handle" another voice said on the end hearing a short hum on the other line.
"I know your work is busy, but I was under the assumption you would be home tonight"
"As soon as I'm done with this I'll be home as soon as possible" the voice said
"Alright" came a sigh, "Just hurry home, I made something really special for tonight" they said rather giddy, smirking.
"I'll see"
"Okay, love you Bunny-chan!"
"I know" and with that the line ended
That was 5 hours ago,
Tan fingers tapped against the clothed table, amber eyes looked to his watch that flashed the time
'10:00 pm'
"He's late again…" with a sigh, Kotetsu turned away from his watch, a frown on his face as he looked toward at the table, he had spent all day cooking and cleaning for when his boyfriend came home.
"Come on Barnaby" he sighed looking at the empty seat in front of him, it was becoming apparent that he was going to be late or wasn't come home at all. With a sad sigh, Kotetsu rose from his seat, leaning over he blew the candles out releasing the black thin trail into the air.
'So much for this special day' he began cleaning up the table, suddenly he heard a knock coming from the front door.
"Who could be knocking at this time of night?" he made his way toward the front, "Hold on I'm coming!" he called out, taking a hold of the door knob, with a quick twist he opened it and was meet with…
"A giant stripped bear!?" he gasped in shock
"Good Evening Kotetsu-sensei!" a voice called out, from behind the bear a familiar green haired male peeked out.
"Oh hello V" Kotetsu greeted the other, "What are you doing here this time of night?" he asked as the male gave another happy smile.
"Oh well, I wanted to deliver this in person" he said showing all the stuff in his arms
"Well why don't you set it inside it must be heavy" he said motioning inside, V gave a short blush,
'Kotetsu-sensei invited me inside! Stay calm V' he thought
"Thank you Kotetsu-sensei!" he thanked earnestly before making his way inside, maneuvering the handle full of items setting them on the couch, but not before removing his green and black gym shoes.
"So what's all the stuff for?" Kotetsu asked closing the door
"There for you! Please except them!" he exclaimed suddenly surprising the tanned male
"Me?" he pointed to himself
"Yes, I mean I heard today was your birthday! So I went out and bought some of your favorite things" he said a little fast showing the other the tiger stripped teddy bear and the basket full of items.
"Wow, I mean you didn't have to get me anything" he said,
"It's no problem, I-I wanted to get you something, today is such a special day" he said, "Plus since I've only been working with you a short time I've missed so many of your past birthdays! No that I knew when your birthday was…" he explained as the other gave a small chuckle at his rambling
'Awe he's cute' he thought seeing the other flustered
"Well thank you for your gifts" he thanked the other with a warm smile
'He's smiling at me! He's too cute' he thought almost grimly seeing the other giving him such a face, why did he bring his camera?
"So what's in the basket?" he asked curiously
"Oh, well I made a basket with all your favorite things" he said showing the other the basket, inside was a variety of Mayo, some Mr. Legend merchandise one of his favorite heroes, some toothbrushes, and various other items.
"Wow you really put a lot of time into this" he said awed at the detail in the basket
"Thank you Kotetsu-sensei, I'm glad you like it" he blushed rather embarrassed, "Though I bet your…bo…boy…Barnaby-san must have given you something really good" he said with a small pout, he never really liked the fact that Kotetsu had a boyfriend and was even more upset that he was taken by that pretty boy Barnaby Brooks Jr. Now he didn't have anything against the blond, but seriously he had half the female populous and a few males in Sternbild fawning all over him, dazzled by his cool good looks. He was on t.v shows, magazine covers, radio shows, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing his face. Barnaby Brook's Jr. the handsome young bachelor of Sternbild.
That's what made him upset, even though he had a great catch like Kotetsu he still referred to himself as a bachelor.
As V snapped out of his thoughts he saw a frown on Kotetsu's face and went into full 'red alert mode'
"Are you okay Kotetsu-sensei!? I-I…did I do something to upset you!?" he said and began apologizing
"Huh? No you didn't" he shook his head giving a small smile of reassurance
"Hey have you eater anything yet?" he asked as the green eyed male blinked
"No actually"
"Well if you're not in a rush I made so dinner for me and Barnaby, but I don't think he'll be home soon" he said a little sadly but held his smile, "I would hate to have it go to waste, would you like to join me dinner?" he asked
V stood there for a moment, 'Dinner with Kotetsu-sensei, dinner Kotetsu made, thank you!'
"I would love too! Thank you!" he nodded,
"Great, come on" he said motioning for the other to follow who happily did so. Taking his seat V looked amaze at all the food on the table.
"Wow everything looks so good!"
"Thank you, I've been trying some new recipes" Kotetsu said fixing their plate, "Barnaby has been complaining that all I cook is fried rice" he said, though he did make some as a side dish.
'He should feel lucky he has such an angel to even cook for him' he stressed, "Thank you!" he said accepting the food, lingering a bit as the other smiled at him, it was so cute.
Picking up a spoonful of food, taking a bite, green eyes widened,
"Something wrong?"
"It's…so delicious~" he said with twinkles in his eyes
"That's a relief I'd feel guilty if I gave you food poisoning on my first attempt at new cooking skills" he smiled watching the other enjoy his food, it was nice. It had become routine eating alone, because of their different work schedules they rarely saw each other until late at night and if luckily at a time when they both were awake. Most of the time he would call his lover, wondering why he was so late. He knew he was a busy business president, having to take over his family company, but it was lonely waiting up for the other day after day. As the night progressed Kotetsu and V talked and laughed, it felt almost foreign having a conversation with someone. Whenever he tried to talk to Barnaby, it was always short, a phone call from work always cut into their time with each other.
'Bunny you're working too hard, you need to take a vacation or something'
'Can't, I need to read over these proposals, plus I have three different meetings today, plus there's executives coming so a vacation is out of the question'
He didn't even stop his paperwork to look at him, every time he wanted just a little time together he would always have an excuse. He wasn't expecting much, he knew there were contradicting differences to him and his lover. One of the biggest one's being that they were years apart, Barnaby being a young 24 year-old, while Kotetsu was middle aged in his late 30's.
Moving the conversation to the couch, Kotetsu had opened a bottle of wine pouring both of them a glass and resumed their conversation. Removing his shoes and blazer he had worn for tonight.
"Wow Kotetsu-sensei you're stories are really interesting!" V said earnestly
Kotetsu gave a short chuckle, "Thanks, it's nice to hear someone interested in an old man's ramblings"
"I don't know about the old man and rambling part, but I find your stories snip-its of wisdom that I cut and paste into my daily life!" he laughed, using computer humor in his sentences.
Half-way into the conversation Kotetsu asked,
"V?"
"Huh?"
"Do you…do you think I'm being delusional?" V blinked trying to understand the question
"What do you mean?"
"Well, after my wife passed I never really thought about dating again" he started playing with his wedding ring, "All I really thought about was my work and taking care of my daughter, though I have to admit I wasn't good in the parent department" he said with a light chuckle
"When I moved here to help my brother with his business, I met a lot of good people, like you V" at that mention V blushed, "But I never thought I attract the attention of…someone like Barnaby" it still felt surreal, he had actually approached him one night at the bar where he helped out at with his brother. It was hard not to recognize the blond haired male, though Kotetsu didn't really care that much for status, plus Barnaby was someone loved by everyone really, girls literally threw themselves at him wherever he went. So it was even more shocking when he kept coming back, over and over again to the bar where he worked. At first he thought nothing of it, he was just another customer. But soon it became more,
"When I first met Barnaby he was just as people had mentioned, he was cool" he said with a small blush, "The way he smiled, the way he spoke, the way he touched me, I fell in love with all of it" as he spoke so happily of the other V couldn't help feel sour.
"Soon Barnaby would bring me small gifts coming up to my job at different time, it made me feel like crushing school girl, which was embarrassing as you can imagine for an old man like me" he blushed
'Why can't I get Kotetsu-sensei to blush like' he wept on the inside, even though he knew he was dating another, he still wanted to make Kotetsu smile whenever he could. To see his eyes gentle and kind and full of good cheer, it made his heart swell with warmth.
"Before I knew it we were dating, then after that living together, it all happened so fast" he said with a sigh, "But…after all this time, I…I feel like Barnaby has…lost interest in me"
"Lost interest?"
"When we first got together Bunny-chan was so tender with me, a little less during sex, but he would hold me kiss, whisper sweet things in my ear, place tender kisses on my skin" he thought happily of those sweet times, "In those tender moments I would happily give him anything he wanted be it a hug, a kiss, or even sex"
'Why must you torture me so Kotetsu-sensei' he wept again on the inside
"But I'm a father, a male, and an old man, the thought of being with someone like me must creep him out" he said swirling the wine in the glass, "Barnaby's a young man, he's smart and handsome, he'll defiantly find someone he wants to be with, maybe even start a family" he stopped for a second
"Kotetsu-sensei?" V gulped trying very hard to take in the other words, "I don't want to offend you but your words are ridiculous"
Kotetsu gave a smile and said, "I've been thinking about it for a long time now, when the time comes I'm prepared to let him go" green eyes looked at the male before him, the man he looked up to as a mentor and at one point a father figure, eventually those feelings quickly turned into love. While it pained him to see him with another, while it hurt him listening to him always talking about what a great person Barnaby was and how much he cared for him, to see him sitting before him, with smile on his lips, but looking like he was going to cry and had given up.
'I can under stand that look' every time he stood in front of the mirror he had fix the smile he had practiced for years
He felt like he would break at any moment
"Kotetsu…"
"Hm, yes it's okay I knew that Barnaby would lose interest in me, wanting to be loved, that was just an old man's unrequited love" he said, "Even today, as I get one year older, I feel myself growing farther away from him. Even when we're in the deepest embrace, the feeling becomes routine" he said solemnly letting his amber eyes fall to the wine.
"But that isn't true!" V said standing suddenly, "Kotetsu you're one of the greatest people I know, and you're kind and wise, a great cook, your always helping people!" he said, "Plus you're in great shape! Your age shouldn't matter, if you love someone, truly love them you can look past anything. In general you're really special and anyone would be lucky to have you!" he said with a short blush
'I want my words to reach him, I want to mend the wounds before it widens and consumes all the happiness'
"That's the reason I fell in love with you damn it!" he yelled out suddenly, there was an awkward silence and after a couple of moments V finally realized what he had done and quickly covered his mouth.
"What did you say?" V shook his head quickly
"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry!" he apologized repeatedly
'Now I've made things awkward, Kotetsu must be so uncomfortable now, 'he must hate me for saying something like that' he thought frantically, 'Why the hell don't I ever think before talking!?' he scolded himself
"Did…did you say you love me?" he asked, green met amber, before he seemed to calm down
"I can't lie to you, yes I said it!" he replied, "I can't help it, you're really special and cute and I…I…" he was suddenly silenced but a pressure on his lips, his eyes would have popped out of his head if they could.
'K-Kotetsu…lips…kissing me!?' when the lips pulled away amber eyes looked at the green haired male
"Are you okay?" he asked seeing the male red in the face and sitting almost frozen in place
"Yeah…just a small short circuit" he joked trying to compose himself
"I'm sorry, V" he apologized to the other, "This is so awkward, if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way"
"No No! it wasn't anything like that!" he said, "It…was really nice" he said with a short blush
"It's just, when you said those words, when you said I love you, it felt so nice" he said
"But, doesn't your bo…bo…"
"He did, when we first got together, now I barely have anytime with him and he doesn't seem to mind" he said sadly, "I can't even remember the last time he said it" V remained silent for this, if he has someone like Kotetsu he would say he loved him every day.
"Could…you say it again?"
"Huh?" V blinked thinking over the question, "I…I love you" Kotetsu smiled at this, leaning in close he prepared apply another, suddenly he found the others hand in his way,
"Um, before this goes in further…are you drunk in anyway?"
"I've only had half a cup a wine"
"Secondly are you sure…you want to do this?" he asked, green looking into amber, without a word Kotetsu placed his lips over the others sealing his answer. Soon the kiss was returned, carefully dragging his tongue over the bottom lip, Kotetsu parted his lips allowing the other to enter inside. Their tongues touched and moved against each other, the taste of red wine ever present.
As they parted a heated red blush was present on both their faces as lidded amber and neon green meet before again pressing their lips again. Leaning back the two now lay on the sofa lips still connected in a deep and heated kiss. Tan hands moved into a short green hair messaging ever so gently trying to deepen the kiss.
As hands moved to roam and explore each other's bodies, breaking the kiss again hands began to unbutton and shed clothing,
"Kotetsu…" V blushed as Kotetsu placed kisses all over his face moving down to his neck feeling the body tense under him,
"Is this your first time?" Kotetsu asked looking down at the green haired male who blushed more looking off to the side,
"Y-Yes…"
'So cute' he smirked placing a short kiss on the others forehead, his eyes full of tenderness and warmth
"Don't worry, your sensei will take care of you" he smiled as V became flustered
'Kotetsu-sensei!' he began having an inner battle, it should illegal for a man to be that cute! His heart was pumping fast in his chest, his mind buffering from the heat of the moment,
Kotetsu sat up, only clad in his boxer's and his white dress shirt, his hair slicked back only adding to his mature beauty. With tempting of movements he began shedding his top, revealing his chest, V's eyes roamed and scanned his muscular physique his eyes falling on the scar just above the his shoulder and nape. He had remembered when he had gotten that wound, a guy named Jake had been causing trouble at the bar, at one point he tried to hit on Karina who was visiting with the others. Needles to say everyone didn't take to kindly to that, but it was Kotetsu who had taken care of the unruly red haired, tattooed punk. In the midst of the fight Kotetsu gave wounded and ended up with the scar. Everyone was worried because of his injury, but he only smiled and laughed it off, even during recovery he played it off as a battle scar.
"Kotetsu-sensei!" two hands shot up stopping the overs movement
"V? What's wrong?" he questioned seeing the troubled look in the others face
"I…I really want to do this with Kotetsu, but…" he sighed looking the others in the eyes, "This is a very…this situation isn't the way I wanted to be with you"
"I wanted…to earn your affection, talk with you, go on dates, eat together…make you fall in love with me" he smiled a little, "I want your eyes to be filled with happiness and wanting, but when I look now I just see a sadness hidden behind a wall of contentment"
"Please understand Kotetsu-sensei I love, I really love you…I love the way you smile, how you look cute without even trying, how you always give advice and try to help people, the way you cook, the way you walk you walk, your voice , I could spend the whole night listing all the things I adore about you"
"Oh V…" tears built up in amber eyes as the word reached into his ears, traveled through his blood, and entered his heart.
"You've moved this old man to tears" he smiled truly, wiping the tears away softly, "Thank you V" with a good pull V helped the other male back up fixing his shirt.
"No problem…" he blushed trying to ignore the awkwardness
'Anytime I would have been happy to been a substitute, artificial love and happiness run through me like a dagger piercing what's left of this tattered and fractured heart'
"Again I'm sorry V, to put you in this awkward situation" he apologized, but V only smiled and said, "I'm used to it, I mean not that I've been in this kind of situation, just awkward ones…and…I…can I have some more wine?" Kotetsu laughed at the others sudden shyness
'Even his laugh is cute' V blushed
'I haven't laughed this much in a long time' after pouring some more wine, the two males continued their conversation trying to put off the awkward interaction.
"So V how is your work coming along?" Kotetsu asked, "I heard from Karina you've been working hard on your composing" V blushed at this
"Well yeah…I mean I still have a lot of work to do, but I think if I keep working really hard I'll get better!" he said as Kotetsu smiled
"Well keep at it, one day I hope to here you play!"
'Kotetsu-sensei why must you torment me so!'
"Well enough about me, this is your day" he said trying to change the subject, he felt selfish rambling on about his life.
"Well I…" suddenly there was a buzzing sound echoing in the room that sounded like a mix of techo music, "S-Sorry!" V apologized pulling out a device from his pocket
"Is something wrong?"
"Not really, apparently there's some big interview on right now…um do you mind?"
"No go ahead, we can watch it here" Kotetsu said reaching for the remote on the table with a press of the button the giant screen tv came on,
"Wow that is so cool!" V gushed looking over the big screen television that was the size of the wall, "It's so big and technologically structured!" if it's one thing V loved besides his sensei was technology, big or small, V fanned whenever he saw something new or old even.
"Yeah I guess, what channel is the interview on?"
"Oh um, I think the TAN channel"
"TAN?"
"Yep, the Technology Advancement Network!" he explained, "They showcase all the new and up incoming advancement in technology and robotics! Always staying on the cutting edge of medicine, media, science, engineering, and cybernetic"
"Oh…right…" after flipping through the channel's he find the network as V took his spot back on the couch
"Looks like something big"
"Hello I'm Agnes, where standing here live from the Golden Goddess Tower, where some of Sternbild's most successful technology cooperation's have come together to celebrate the merger of Apollon Media's. Amongst these power players is the young president and handsome bachelor Barnaby Brooks Jr.!" at the mention of the blonds name the camera zoomed in on the young president who seemed to be mingling well with the other attendee's as camera's flashed and people chattered, there was even sounds of girls gushing and screaming.
"I don't get it…" V shrugged, "If you two are da…toge…a cou…living together" he forced, out finally finding a word he could say "There we go…then how the hell can he be a bachelor" he said almost leering at the screen.
"Hm, it's hard to explain" he sighed, "The company thought it would be better for publicity if Bunny was a young, single president"
"Publicity…" he wasn't buying it, "It must be hard when you guys go out" he said
"Not really"
"Huh?"
"Since Barnaby took over his parents company, we very seldom go out in public, in case the media see's us. If that happens we're just friends out for a drink or just hanging out" he couldn't name the all times he was pushed out of the way, watching from the side as he was surrounded my media and adoring fans.
'As he stood to the side, he watch from afar as he was given a smile as if to apologize, but soon that smile became routine and seemed to loss meaning'
V didn't say anything at that, no it's not that, what he was defining was like saying he was ashamed of the relationship he had with Kotetsu. If he really loved and cared for him it wouldn't matter who he was dating,
"I don't mind really, Bunny is a young man, he has a good future" he said though he was smiling, the sadness peaked again in those amber eyes.
"Oh! I've just gotten word that Mr. Brooks Jr. didn't come to this gala alone!" the reporter said, "It appears Barnaby a date, a woman Mr. Brooks Jr. has been photographed on multiple outings around the city!" suddenly pictures of Barnaby and a mysterious honey brown female appeared on the screen showing them at various places like restaurants, shops, and other places around the city.
Suddenly the camera's zoomed into on Barnaby who was answering questions, on his arm was a woman with honey brown hair that was done in a bun with curled bangs on each side, dress in a simple long red dress and shimmering jewelry.
"Barnaby, if I may ask, my viewers are dying to know who your date is" Agnes inquired holding the microphone, Barnaby gave his award winning smile,
"Allow me to introduce you to Lisa Marie, my date"
"Nice to meet you" the woman spoke softly
"I think I speak for all woman in Sternbild who must be dripping with envy snagging this handsome catch"
"Actually I'm the lucky one, Barnaby is one of the most caring lovers"
"Oh!"
"Today is actually Lisa's birthday"
Green eyes peered over to the side, as he looked over at the other he could already sense it, the despair,
As the interview went on, the questions of love and admiration's like a knife in his very heart, the light of hope, the flicker he had protected was dimming, fading quickly with each word.
With a push of the button, the television turned off ending the asinine interview, "What a waste of time, right Kotetsu-senpei?" he said giving a small smile, "Kotetsu…senpei…?" for a moment there was no answer, when he finally moved V caught those amber eyes again, the ones that burned and flickered with such happiness and life, were dim reflecting the brokenness breaking through the cracks of his crumbling walls.
"Oh…Kotetsu…I…" he watched the man rise from the couch his wine forgotten, "Excuse me" he said quietly almost automatic as he moved past the couch and went upstairs.
'Kotetsu…'
After a few moments of sitting there, V finally resolved to follow the other the worry of the others health banging against his mind. When he finally found him, he was pacing back in forth in a bedroom he suspected was his and Barnaby's, two suitcase's were on the bed. Opened with a few clothes inside, Kotetsu was in his closet taking a few choice clothes out, some shirts and pants,
"What are you doing?" he asked, though he could probably already guess what was happening
"Just packing a few things…nothing big just the stuff I moved in with" he placing the clothes before snapping the case shut clicking the mental hinges.
"Where are you…going to go?" he asked
"Huh? Well…I think Antonio will let me stay with him for a while, though I was thinking of returning back to my home town" he didn't know how to feel at this moment, it was a combination of happy and sad at the same time, a bittersweet mixture that making V unwell to stomach.
After the final suitcase was closed he moved passing V, "Kotetsu-senpei wait!" he called going after the older male, "Let's talk about this" he said walking down the stairs.
"Listen I know your hurting, but I think you need to think about this before making such a rash decision" he said as he stopped just before the door.
"There's…there's nothing left for me here" he said, "There's no love, no warmth, just a mundane routine of broken promise and secrecy" he said placing the suitcase's down to his sides, he turned to look at V, a tan hand placed on the others cheek stroking it lightly,
"When I heard you say you love me, I could see it in your eye that it was true" he said smiling softly, "When I kissed you I felt a spark that I had thought vanished"
"But, thank you…thank you for coming here and being with this old man, you actually made today happy" he said though V had other thoughts
"I feel like I made more of a mess of your birthday then anything" he mumbled, "I wanted you to be happy, but instead I made you feel worse and now…"
"Hey now, you had the best intentions in mind, the thought that you came and tried to cheer me up makes me happy" Kotetsu smiled before reaching up and placing a kiss on the others cheeks. After the lips left his cheek, V's hand eclipsed over Kotetsu's tanned one.
"V?"
"Um…if's it's not too much trouble…I mean, would you consider…" he tensed, trembling trying to find the words, "Kotetsu please move in with me!" he said suddenly
"Huh?"
"I…I mean if you want you could live with me, my apartment has enough room and I would be really, really worried about you, so you can stay with me until then, that is if you want…" he blushed as amber eyes just stared at him
"That actually sounds nice"
"Huh?"
"I accept your offer, as long as I'm not kicking you out or anything"
"No No NO! I have plenty of space!" he said worried the other would change his mind, "I promise to be a good host, my cooking skills might to rusty, but I'll make sure your comfortable"
"It's fine, I can handle the cooking" Kotetsu said, "Though I hope you don't mind having an old man around" he chuckled rather cutely
"I already said it, it would bring me nothing but absolute happiness! So please don't second guess it" Kotetsu only smiled at the males resolve
"Thank you, V"
After that, V had taken Kotetsu back to his apartment. Though it wasn't what Kotetsu had expected, his thoughts had been on a beginner apartment,
"This is your apartment!?" he gasped a shocked look on his face, "How can you afford a place like this on a waiters salary?"
"Huh? Oh right…" he laughed nervously, "Yeah, you see even though I write music and do small jobs and work as a waiter, I'm one of the most sought after techno genius out there, companies pay me a lot to check their security systems and make sure their up to date" he admitted
"Wow…you're just full of surprises aren't you" Kotetsu said
"Well anyway let me go get your room ready!" V said happily running to the back to prepare the spare room
'Such a kind guy…'
After that everything seemed to fall into place, V was a great host dotting on Kotetsu's need, at first it was strange waking up in a single bed, though he had grown used to doing many things alone with Barnaby always gone.
Right now, Kotetsu was in the kitchen, he was trying to find something good to fix for dinner,
"Let's see this looks good" he said looking over the recipe
Suddenly there was a knock on the door,
"A visitor?" he thought walking to the door, "Coming, coming hold on" grabbing hold to the door knob he opened the door, "Hello can I…help you?" his voice went quite as amber stared into blue,
"Barnaby?" he blinked trying to see if he was hallucinating
"Good evening, Kotetsu" he said, his entire demeanor seemed composed as he stared at the other
"How…what are you doing here?" he asked breaking the awkward silence, though he was surprised to see the other here after everything, in truth he hadn't spoken to him since he left and moved in with V, that was almost two weeks ago.
"I was going to ask the same thing, I came home and found you weren't there. You haven't picked up any of my calls" he replied looking back at Kotetsu, "Do you mind if I come in?" Kotetsu thought for a second before replying
"Sure, why not" he said and motioned for the other to follow him, once inside Barnaby looked over the apartment, "I have to say I wasn't expecting to see a place like this"
"I thought the same thing the first time I came here, but its V's place" he said setting a glass of water on the table, one for him and Barnaby.
"Thank you" he said accepting the glass of ice water
"You look…well" Barnaby said
"Why don't we skip the small talk, I know you hate things like that" he said
"Hm, right" Barnaby took a sip of the water before setting the glass down, "I want you to return home" he thought it might be something like that
"That's not an option" he replied
"Why not, why did you suddenly leave without telling me?" he questioned surprised by the others answer
"Don't take it the wrong way Bu…Barnaby, it's just…" he began taking a short breath, "I don't think me and you…the relationship we had is gone"
"What?"
"It's true, we barely see each other, you're never home and when you are your always working, I can barely get at least one conversation with you without something for work coming up" he stressed,
"That's unfair, you know I have a lot expected of me"
"That's not the point, I knew that when you took over the company you would have responsibilities and I accepted it, because I knew you had a great future ahead of you" he stated, "I even accepted being pushed to the background and hidden like some dirty secret, because I truly believed that as long as I had you, as long as we were together is was all okay" he tensed, "I also didn't want to hurt your bright future"
"But…in the end it was just an old man's unrequited love" he sighed, bringing back the small smile on his face, "I was at my end point forgiving the small things, broken dinner promises, late outings, the endless excuses…but when I saw you with that woman I felt the last flicker of hope I had vanish" and that's when he saw it, as Barnaby listened to the others word he felt a numb feeling inside, a dread that bubbled and stirred in his gut. He knew exactly what Kotetsu was speaking of, on that day, the day he should have been with him for his birthday, and he caved under pressures and allowed himself to escort that girl, Lisa, to a gala.
"Kotetsu I…I didn't know you felt this way" Barnaby shook his head, "It was only supposed to be for the camera, I didn't expect things to turn out the way they did" he tried to explain
"No it's my fault, I spoiled you I'll admit that" he sighed, "In those tender moments I wanted to give you anything you wanted, weather it was a kiss, a hug, or even sex"
'It's true, no matter what he seemed to do, he would always forgive me with a smile'
"But then even that became routine, I often found myself wondering why were even together, especially in a relationship that's being hidden"
"When it comes down to it, I'm an old man, I don't want to force you to be with me. So no, I can't go home with you" he said sadly, "In fact I…"
"Don't say it"
"Huh?"
"Please don't say it" he tensed gripping his knees, visibly trembling
"I'm sorry but…we should end this relationship" he finally said, "I don't want to…get in your way, like I said you have a bright future, I'll always treasure the good times we had together"
"If you want, I can come by later and pick up my stuff...or if you prefer you can just throw it out and..."
It was so sudden, the gripping of fabric, the tears spilling forward as they soaked into the shirt below
"Barnaby? Hey, what's gotten into you?" he questioned after just being talked by the blond, "Listen I know its tough breaking up, but I'm sure in no time you'll forget me and find a cute girlfriend and..."
"Stop talking like that!" amber eyes widened at the sudden outburst and was soon was looking into the weeping blue eyes,
"Barnaby…?"
"Please…I…I don't want to lose you" he wept, "Don't call me Barnaby, call me Bunny like you used too"
"But, you hated when I called you Bunny" the blond shook his head
"No, at first I did…but then it grew on me, on that day when I came home and you weren't, at first I thought you were with your friends, but then as the days past and you didn't come back I felt…lonely"
"I missed the way you kissed me good morning, falling asleep with you in my arms, the way you cooked even if it was mostly fried rice" he sniffled, "Without your warm smile to brighten my day, my life is nothing by darkness"
"I know now, after being without you, that I selfishly took advantage of your kindness and forgiving nature without even thinking of how I had hurt you, my Kotetsu" he let his hand rub the others cheek, even though it was a short time, he had missed the feel of the others skin.
"Kotetsu, I love everything about you, the way you ask questions with a soft voice, the way you cut your fingernails too short, the perfume you wear" he whispered, "The way you kiss, your body, and your heart, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I took that all for granted" Kotetsu laid there, his eyes full of surprise hearing Barnaby...Barnaby Brooks Jr., apologizing.
"I'm not looking for forgiveness, I'm resigned to just being scolded by you. I don't even know if my words will reach your heart…But please consider…going out with me again!" with that Barnaby crashed their lips together, amber eyes widened at the sudden action, at first he was going to push away, to stop it before it got any further than this, but as the kiss deepened. Those hands that were once pushing, pulled and clutched the other body close.
Standing outside the door, looking from the crack, green eyes looked down cast, his body visibly trembling, before going still. With a short squat he set something down on the floor and walked off.
'I don't feel like a fool, or maybe I do, I'm resolved to be alone, I always have been, yet I surround myself with people who I know will abandon me. But I guess I'm used to it, I'm never meant to be loved, oh well' V loved Kotetsu, with all his heart, he wanted to dote and cherish him like a precious jewel or a great wonder, to find that complete part of him that had been void for years. He wanted to entwine and lace his fingers with the man that had stitched his heart so finely, kissing the wounds away with his words of confidence and hope.
But he loved Kotetsu, whatever made him happy he was resolved to happy too. Even if his love was unrequited he wouldn't complain because he was happy to have met him and for a short time believe they were lovers. He was prepared to come back and find him returned to Barnaby, he was ready if things were awkward and Kotetsu would push him to the background, he wouldn't block him from happiness. Sometimes he wished he was a computer, then he could delete unwanted files and data, like love.
Looking down at the note in his head he scanned the words,
To Kotetsu,
These roses are a symbol, red as the fire of my love that burns for you. Red as the blood I would shed to protect you. Red as the color of my cheeks when I'm nervous around you.
Love Always V
He smirked weakly, they were just words, that's all, it doesn't matter how much emotion you have in them, it doesn't matter how much you hold them dear, without anyone to hear them their just something that can be erased.
'As long as he didn't read them, they don't exist…love for me doesn't exist' with each twist the paper crumbled and shredded between his fingers, nonexistent and unimportant' but he guessed as long as Kotetsu was happy…
'If it makes you happy, I'm force myself to smile' he smiled letting the tears cascade,with the look in his green eyes that seemed to give up
A/N: I'm not gonna say anything after that, I'll leave that to you. My inspiration for this was a TB dj called Liar Alice. Also for those reading Two Breathes Walking, I will be adding a preview chapter in a couple of days, the story has about 2 or 4 more chapters until the end. Finally, there will be a sequel to this story, mostly dealing with V's life and eventually what he does after this story.