Screaming Among the Cheering

Summary: Barnaby has never been to a Hanabi festival before so he asked Kotetsu to take him to one. Kotetsu complied, though reluctantly, and together they go with Kaede. What Barnaby didn't know was, Kotetsu doesn't do bright lights and explosions; and what will he do when the press attacks?! PTSD!fic, can be taken as family or as a prequel to romance

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"I love the Hanabi festival!" Kaede cheered, walking alongside her idol and friend Barnaby.

Barnaby chuckled in reply. "Are they always this lively?" he asked, a little louder so he'd be heard.

"Mm!" Kaede nodded. "The Hanabi festival is a super long tradition from a long time ago, when the fireworks were used to ward off evil. These days its just for fun!"

Barnaby looked at her curiously. "Do you and Kotetsu come every year?" he asked.

Kaede paused, and her smile turned into a frown. "No, um, not since mom died," she said and Barnaby winced. "I go with Grandma and Uncle but dad stopped coming with me."

Barnaby frowned. "Do you know why?" he asked curiously.

Kaede shook her head. "I asked and he said that it wasn't his style anymore," she replied in confusion.

"Hey there you are!"

Barnaby and Kaded stopped and turned to see Kotetsu, who was walking towards them with three bags of cotton candy, which were green, blue, and pink. Kotetsu caught up to them and Barnaby hid his surprise as he noticed for the first time that night just how uneasy Kotetsu looked.

"I got the cotton candy!" Kotetsu said victoriously.

"Wow thanks dad!" Kaded said and took the blue.

Kotetsu grinned and held out the pink to Barnaby. "Here you go bunny," he said, then paused when Barnaby didn't immediately take it. "What is it?" he asked then grimaced childishly. "Oh no- the green is my favorite and you can't have it!"

Barnaby shook his head with a snort. "Nothing," he said and took the sweet from Kotetsu.

With that, the festivities began. As they ate their cotton candy, father and daughter led Barnaby all over the festival, taking him to games and stalls. Kotetsu bought Barnaby and Kaede each a yo-yo balloon to carry and Barnaby bought them each chitose ame. The rods of candy were sweet and fruity; something Barnaby had never had before. They even played at a stall where Barnaby won Kaede a bunny plushie, making Kotetsu laugh. They were having so much fun and yet Barnaby couldn't take his eyes off Kotetsu, and not in the good way.

As it got later and later into the evening, and darker, Kotetsu grew fidgety, and he began to sweat; there was even a tremble in his voice at one point. No matter how much Barnaby studied his partner, he could not figure out what it was that had Kotetsu so freaked out. Finally, it turned nine, the time set for the fireworks to go off, and they happened to meet the other heroes.

"Hey guys!" Kaede cheered, running to sit by Pao-lin and Karina. "I didn't know you were here!"

Karina giggled. "Yea, we just happened to all meet while here tonight," she explained.

"Attention, all please be seated, the Hanabi Festival is about to begin!"

Barnaby was in a conversation with Antonio and Keith and so he didn't notice when Kotetsu timidly said he was going to the john. Barnaby was having so much fun among his friends and so he didn't notice anything amiss. Within ten minutes, the first round of fireworks were being fired off and everyone stopped talking to watch the explosives light up the sky.

Barnaby's eyes glowed as he watched with a wide grin. "Kotetsu are they always this beautiful?" he called over the cheers, but heard no response. He turned. "Kotetsu-?"

Barnaby paused and saw no one behind him; he looked around and saw no Kotetsu at all. Where was he? He couldn't still be-?

Barnaby froze as he suddenly heard a sound he never wanted to hear again; a scream. Kotetsu's scream.

"Tonio watch Kaede!" he called and dashed off without giving any answers.

Following the sounds of the screaming among cheering, Barnaby finally came across a dark corner near a tree and he paused in surprise. Kotetsu was sitting under the tree, his knees brought to his chest as he covered his ears with his hands and closed his eyes. Kotetsu was screaming and he didn't even seem to notice.

"Kotetsu!" Barnaby shouted and ran to the man.

When Barnaby touched Kotetsu, the man fought back; wrenching his arm back and slugging Barnaby in the cheek. Barnaby grunted and fell onto his ass while Kotetsu stood, shouting as he covered his ears.

"StopStopStopStopStop!" he shouted, roaring like the tiger he was.

Barnaby stood quickly, ignoring the blood in his mouth as he pulled Kotetsu's arms away from his head. "Kotetsu it's me!" he shouted. "Barnaby! Its me bunny!"

Kotetsu jolted and gasped; his eyes shooting open and finding Barnaby's. "Bunny…?" he whispered.

"Yes," Barnaby said. "Its me. Its bunny. You're okay Kotetsu."

"No," Kotetsu said, his eyes looking around and yet not seeing. "No, no. There's been an explosion! People are dying bunny! I have to help them!"

Kotetsu tried to pull away, unconsciously activating his powers but Barbany activated his powers too and held Kotetsu, keeping the older man's arms at his sides. Kotetsu struggled, shouting over the fireworks that he had to save them but Barnby didn't let go; he just held Kotetsu, whispering in the man's ear that he was safe and that there was no one to save anymore.

One minute was up quickly and Kotetsu slumped against Barnaby, seeming to realize it was a lost cause. Barnaby loosened his grip slightly.

"Let's go home," he said gently, taking the man's shoulders.

"They're dead Bunny," Kotetsu said brokenly; tears streaming down his face.

"No one is dead Kotetsu," Barnaby said firmly. "Everyone is okay. Everyone is safe."

Kotetsu was silent and Barnaby took his hand; gently leading the man back to the parking lot while texting Antonio to take Kaede home once the show was over. It seemed like the walk would be a peaceful walk when suddenly they were surrounded by cameras and reporters.

"Barnaby! Barnaby! Are you and Kotetsu an item?!"

"Tiger! What about your supposed wife?! Is it true she died of cancer?!"

"What does your daughter think of this?!"

The flashes from the camera were no help at all and Kotetsu screamed, backing away and into a brick wall; sliding down and hiding himself in his hands. The 'vultures' looked ready to leap for their prey and Barnaby quickly got between them.

"Tiger! What's the matter?!"

"Is it true you suffer from post traumatic stress?!"

"What do you see Tiger?!"

"Stop it!" Barnaby shouted and they all paused.

Barnaby was the company face, usually taking in whatever the publicity spewed out while Kotetsu protested them. It was a surprise to see to have Barnaby fight back; especially if it could tarnish his name.

"Enough!" Barnaby shouted again. "This isn't a stunt or act! This is his life and you're making it worse! Leave and if this gets into the public I'll sue you all!"

Everyone jerked; cause they knew if the Barnaby sued them all then they'd be in debt long after they died. Unwillingly, they all slinked away and Barnaby watched them all with a glare. When they were all gone, he turned and fell into a crouch in front of Kotetsu.

"Kotetsu?" he asked gently.

Kotetsu continued to tremble. "Take me home bunny," he begged.

Barnaby nodded. "Okay Kotetsu."

End.

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No more! Sorry but this isn't a hurt/comfort fic but a kind of angst/drama fic where Barnaby learns something new about Kotetsu, and not a good thing. Maybe I'll do a chapter 2 where they are home and Bunny will comfort Tiger and that'll be more romantic like but eh~ who knows?

Ja ne til next time~!