For Efflations: Come Fly With Me

[herotvlive]

Agnes's life is scheduled out for the next ten years.
It DEFINITELY does not include room for things like romance.
ESPECIALLY not with Sky High of all people.

Ship: Agnes x Keith/Sky High

Other characters: Kotetsu/Wild Tiger

Prior Events:

Irresistible Force vs. Immovable Object 
Agnes is hurt on location. Cue massive guilt from Sky High. Contains several princess carries and numerous threats of being hit with crutches!

Dance Lessons
Tiger needs dancing lessons. Agnes volunteers Keith. THIS will go well!

Summer Wind
The Superhero Swing Party has arrived! Features dancing by Mr. Wild with Mr. Brooks and Agnes running out of contingency plans...


Warnings: Possibly eventual adult situations, swearing, absurd amounts of Sinatra

Comments

[efflations]

Oh! Yes!

[With finding out about Tiger and Barnaby he'd completely forgotten why he'd want to talk to Kotetsu in the first place. And it really is a good idea to change the subject before he says the wrong thing. Staring at the tabletop, Keith traces the patterns on the surface thoughtlessly, blush creeping back up his cheeks.]

It's just... I haven't really had a proper girlfriend before, not really. And I don't want to do the wrong thing. You were married so...

[He glances up at Kotetsu in case that was the wrong thing to mention then goes on-]

Was it ever hard? Being a hero and having someone special? Or I guess, is it difficult now?

[herotvlive]

[Kotesu nods, not at all bothered by Keith's phrasing.]

Sometimes, yeah. You've got someone you care about, you worry. You worry about disappointing them or that some psycho will go after them and hurt them. And it's hard, finding the time to be there for them - you know, as a person, not a Hero. And sometimes you do have to decide between being a person and a Hero and that... sucks.

[Work-Life balance: NOT Kotetsu's forte. He thinks about empty hospital rooms, the reek of antiseptic. It's a relief when the waitress brings the bread baskets (yes, multiple, she knows his eating habits!)]

But then, there are other parts that get better. Even if it's a really bad day, having someone who cares about you and supports you like that? It's a lifesaver. Even if they do it by shouting or being all uptight about points and ratings!

[He's poking fun at himself. Keith wouldn't have experience with that, RIGHT?]

[efflations]

[Keith nods along with Kotetsu's answer thoughtfully. Already he's finding that it is hard sometimes finding time to spend together. Both he and Ms Agnes have busy schedules and unlike Tiger and Barnaby they don't tend to be together during work. But he can't say it's not worth it when they do.]

Yes. I don't think I get told off about my points as much as you might- [It would be unfair for Ms Agnes to say too much there even if his scores were particularly bad (which admittedly they don't tend to be), unlike with Barnaby.] But if I don't do my part for HeroTV's ratings I get yelled at a lot.

[He sounds pretty happy about that though.]

[herotvlive]

Geeze, sounds like a bossy lady!

[Keith seems happy though, so maybe he's into that? And it's not like Kotetsu can really judge anyway. Good to have someone who knows what they want!]

So she's a fan?

[efflations]

Not of Sky High specifically but of HeroTV yes!

[HeroTV's biggest fan and most avid supporter definitely.]

But she's not bossy. Not really. Well, not in a bad way! Like Barnaby I guess.

[Picking at one of the bread baskets he thinks about Tiger and Barnaby again.]

Do you think people will find out about you and Barnaby? Will... it be a problem if they do?

[herotvlive]

[That gets a laugh. Like Barnaby, huh? Maybe they BOTH like taking orders.]

There have been rumors for a while. We're not confirming anything with the press - Madame Producer seems to think it's better ratings. But everyone kind of knows. Especially with that stunt we pulled, dancing at the Swing Party!

[And let's be honest, there's already enough footage of the pair's belligerent sexual tension 'partnership' to be analyzed for YEARS.

The waitress has returned. Kotetsu orders, then jerks a thumb over at Keith.]

- And I've got his too.

I am so sorry this took me so long!

[efflations]

[Wait, there were rumours about Tiger and Barnaby being a couple? That had been going on for a while? Surely Tiger is exaggerating, why would anyone have thought they were a couple even before they started dancing together? It's not like they used to spend all their time together and get in each other's personal space or anything!]

Oh. There were? She does? ...Ms Agnes didn't say anything to me about you and Barnaby.

[Not that she should have but if she had known and he hadn't he'd have thought she might have mentioned it. Should he ask her? It doesn't really matter but he is puzzled why she didn't. As he mulls it over Keith places how own order as well and once the waitress has left turns back to Kotetsu.]

That's not necessary - I was the one who asked you to help me Kotetsu.

Welcome back! :D

[herotvlive]

[She DID mention it Keith. It's not her fault your innuendo processor is nonexistent!

Kotetsu waves off the protest.]

The drinks are for celebrating. The food is another 'Thanks' for the 'getting head out of ass' thing. "Thanks and thanks again," right?

[He grins, but it falters as something else catches his attention. Something that makes no sense at all.]

Um... Why would Ms. Agnes have talked to you about dating?

[efflations]

[Innuendo - that's a Japanese food right?]

Right! If you say so!

[Keith freezes at the question, colour draining from his face as his grin turns pained.]

She didn't! We're not! I mean, ah, I'm not- Dating. Ah. I didn't, um... talk to her about....you dating Barnaby. Not exactly. And not about dating at all!

[He stares at Kotetsu with a panicked look that might be familiar from when Kaede was younger and trying to hide something even after being caught in the act.]

[herotvlive]

Okay, yeah, that seemed pretty weird, you and Agnes -

[What the hell is wrong with Keith now? Wait. Wait, what was that last part?]

Processing...]

- you and Agnes -

[Processing...]

You and Agnes.

[BOOM. Kotetsu's jaw drops and he points a finger at Keith.]

Haaaaaaah?!

[efflations]

[Nonononononono! Ms Agnes will kill him if he spills the beans before they're ready! Waving his hands frantically in the air and shaking his head Keith launches into damage control mode.]

No! No, no- we're not! No, of course not! Hahah- that couldn't happen Mr Wild, really!

[Another forced laugh and he gives Tiger the kind of pained, fixed grin better suited for a badly made action figure. Or someone currently imagining just what Agnes will do to them if she gets wind of this.]

Ha... Look! The food is here!

[That will be enough to make Kotetsu forget the past few minutes, right?

Right?]

Back!

[herotvlive]

[Keith's "damage control mode" is about as effective as Wild Tiger's. Meaning it sends more things crashing down then stay up. He's such an honest guy - surely, if he wasn't dating someone, he would say right out. Set the record straight. And say what a wonderful person they were, and that they would surely find somebody special! Not... flail and start panicking.

Someone who yells about HeroTV... Who works closely with Sky High, has known him a long time.. Someone who Keith would feel obligated to tell the other Heroes about because it would matter to their work...

Ms. ...

Oh. God.

Kotetsu drains the glass of beer and hands it right back to the waitress before she can walk away.]

Eh, sorry, can I have another one? I think I need it!

[Laughing, she goes to get the refill. Kotetsu just keeps gaping at Keith.]

Welcome back!

[efflations]

Um...

[What does he do now? What does he do NOW?

Ms Agnes will be furious if she finds out he couldn't keep a secret! And he's still not certain it won't be bad for her if it gets out before they're ready. He just.... has to convince Tiger that it's not what he thinks. Somehow.]

I'm not! Not dating Ms Agnes. Of course not Mr Wild, really I'm not! That would be- We're not! She's a beautiful, wonderful, smart woman and any man would be very lucky to have her as a-

[And where was he going with this again? He hadn't wanted to suggest that dating Ms Agnes would be - was - a bad thing (it really, truly wasn't) and gotten a little off-track. Right, that was it!]

But we're not really!

[That was convincing, right?]

[herotvlive]

[Yeah, noooooot in the least. The more Keith protests, the more Kotetsu's convinced he's right. Well. That certainly is... a thing. Processing it is difficult. Imagining Agnes with a personal life is kind of like trying to imagine snow in July (Blue Rose not withstanding.) And one with SKY HIGH?

Also, poor Keith - He's floundering and no wonder. He'd been trying so hard to keep it a secret, and Agnes will probably NOT be happy about this. What will she do to him?

More importantly, what will Agnes do to TIGER if she finds out he knows?!]

Look, um, if it is - um, who it probably is - you didn't tell me. Exactly. I guessed.

[It's a flimsy cover, but maybe enough to get away with just a chewing out instead of being flayed alive?]

[efflations]

[He should probably just give up on trying to convince Tiger that it's not what he thinks it is, shouldn't he? It seems the older hero is just too good to be fooled by his clever lies.

Ms Agnes is going to be furious. Slumping dejectedly Keith buries his face in his hands.]

You guessed because of what I said Mr Wild. It's my fault.

[It's his fault and Ms Agnes is going to be so mad and all he had to do was keep it quiet until they were ready to tell everyone. He'd thought he was doing so well - he hadn't even told John (which had been very hard not to blurt it out but he'd managed) - and now he'd given it all away.]

I'll tell her what happened.

[There's no way that could negatively affect Kotetsu, right?]

Please don't say anything to the others? We will tell them, I promise! Just, not yet.

[herotvlive]

Huh?! Tell her?! Tell who?! I have NO IDEA who you could be possibly talking about! Nope!

[Under further consideration of what Agnes would do to them BOTH, Kotetsu had decided to TOTALLY BELIEVE your very clever lies now, Keith!

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh SHIT.]

But if it was - um - her - WHICH IT ISN'T - I'd be really surprised. You don't... um. Seem like each other's types?

[He can't help sounding doubtful. Keith looked really happy about it earlier, but Ag - THAT person? REALLY?!]

[efflations]

Really?

[So wait, it had worked? Tiger didn't know about him and Ms Agnes?

Oh, no wait - this was one of those cases where they were both going to pretend Kotetsu didn't know. That way he wouldn't have to say anything to her and she wouldn't get mad (unless Keith felt bad about lying and wound up confessing anyway. Which was a distinct possibility.)]

Oh! Right! No idea, yes!

[He straightens up again and laughs nervously.]

You don't? But Ms- ah... [wow this is hard] 'she' is very dedicated to her work and helping people! She's truly wonderful! And I might say the same thing about you and Barnaby, ah- Kotetsu. I mean, you're not very alike and I thought you liked girls?

[herotvlive]

[Yes. Right. All they have to do is pretend... They're both going to die. At least it's been a good life?]

Okay, point. I guess for me it's more about the person.

[Keith, please do not make him explain 'bisexual.' It's going to give you both a headache.

Oh thank God, there's more beer. Kotetsu takes a deep swig, then tries some of the fries.]

It's just - 'She's' kind of - er - a little scary?

[And quite a few other things, in Kotetsu's opinion. Many of which he's said, possibly around Keith. He absolutely respects Ag - whoever. But it's the kind of respect you have for high-grade explosives, the kind better expressed from far away.]

[efflations]

[Keith can't die! Who will look after John?

He can understand Kotetsu's answer though - who a person is is certainly more important than anything else. It may still seem a little odd but so long as both his friends are happy that's all that matters.]

Yes, she can be!

[Again, he's pretty happy that Ms- that his girlfriend can be terrifying.]

Again, she can be very scary! But she cares about people a lot and works hard and-

[Keith follows suit, taking a few bites and sipping at his lemonade (not as good as the lemonade served at Fire Emblem's club but still good) as he tries to put what he wants to say in words.]

And she doesn't care who's ranked number one.

[He doesn't have to try to be the King of Heroes (or former) for her, there's less pressure, less expectation. It's nice, that's all he can say.]

And of course John likes her!

[This is possible the most important point in her favour.]

[herotvlive]

[Well if JOHN likes her, that settles it, right?!

Kotetsu considers. He knows Keith doesn't MIND losing the King of Heroes title so much that he minds everyone ELSE does. While Ag - WHOEVER - they're talking about demands everyone does their best, she's never harped on anyone for dropping in rank. Only those who she sees as slacking, not doing their jobs. And if ANYONE'S oblivious determined enough to get through to her, it would be Keith. Framed that way... maybe Sky High and WHOEVER make more sense then he thought?

Also, Kotetsu has to admit - Without her, he wouldn't have a job. Or be alive.

He begins puzzling out loud, trying to make sense of it.]

I guess as long as HeroTV is ranked number one, she's okay?

Huh. Well... I mean, you seem REALLY happy - happier then usual, and who knew THAT was possible? And she seems... not less happy?