herotvlive | For Efflations: Come Fly With Me

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

Current Mood: hyper
Current Music: "Come Fly With Me," Frank Sinatra

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

efflations

[Trying to find time to talk to Mr Wild alone had proven somewhat difficult. Sky High generally had a fairly busy schedule as did Tiger and Barnaby and even when they weren't at some event or emergency there was usually at least one of the other heroes around too. Especially Barnaby - he and Wild Tiger had been spending a lot of time together lately, even moreso than usual it seemed. And Keith had other things taking up his free time as well.

It was only by chance that he finally did catch Mr Wild in the gym late one day with no one else around. He almost let the moment pass, nervously hanging back before taking the plunge.]

Mr Wild! Please wait!

Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something? I wanted to ask your advice, if you have some time?

[He was starting to blush already and he hadn't even said anything really. This was one reason he'd wanted to be sure none of the others were around. He and Ms Agnes hadn't said anything to the rest of the heroes yet and if they heard what he had to talk to Wild Tiger about they'd all want to know why he was asking those sorts of questions. And he was a terrible liar at the best of times. With all the heroes drilling him he'd have no chance at all. If it were just Wild Tiger though maybe he could avoid too many questions or find a way to distract the older hero if he did start asking too much. Maybe.]

From:

herotvlive

[At the moment, it's not hard to distract Kotetsu. He's still kind of in a daze, and people have had to tell him things twice all day. It's a good thing Keith's in the habit of repeating himself!]

Oh! Sky High!

[Wait, someone's actually ASKING him for advice? Red letter day! (Red kinda like Keith's face...)]

Sure, what's up?

From:

efflations

Um-

[He hadn't exactly thought this far ahead. Keith knew what he wanted to ask but actually getting the words out?]

I wanted to ask for your advice.

[He'd already said that hadn't he?]

On, ah, d-dating. And romance. How to do it properly.

[His feet were very interesting at that moment. Certainly better than looking at Wild Tiger and seeing what his reaction would be. Maybe he should've just tried the internet but last time he'd tried looking something like this up it had gotten confusing and a little uncomfortable. At least Tiger wouldn't give funny answers and even if he did laugh at him it wouldn't be mean-spirited.]

From:

herotvlive

Wait, me?!

[If anyone else had asked, he would have thought they were teasing him. He's been getting it even since the Swing Party. Yeah yeah yeah, Wild Tiger, King Of Oblivious, finally got swept off his feet. Very funny. He side-eyes Keith a moment, as if waiting for the others to jump out and join in on the joke.

Seconds tick by. Wow. Keith really is turning bright red.

Oh shit. He's serious.

Slowly, a grin spreads across Kotetsu's face.]

Wait, you?!

From:

efflations

[Why is Mr Wild so surprised? He was the one who'd been married. If any of the others had steady partners they hadn't once mentioned it to Keith and he didn't think that was the case. Which wasn't to say they wouldn't know about relationships but Tiger still seemed the best one to ask.

Finally he chanced a glance up at Tiger, smiling nervously.]

Yes. I met someone. A gi-

[No, calling Ms Agnes a girl felt wrong somehow. And like the sort of thing that would make her yell at him.]

A lady. And we're- well, she said it was alright and she's a beautiful, wonderful, kind person and I want to do things right. And I thought you might be able to help because I haven't really- really done this much and I want to be a good. A good boyfriend.

[The word still sends his heart skipping. A boyfriend. As in someone who has a girlfriend. He has a girlfriend.]

From:

herotvlive

Ha! Well good for you!

[Once it actually processes, it's really not so surprising. Keith's a good guy. A little slow on the uptake, but loyal and easy-going, always looking out for other people. It's more a shock that anyone actually got the idea through his head! (Nooooot that Kotetsu's one to talk...)

Anyway! This is no place for this kind of conversation! With a laugh, Kotetsu slings an arm around his friend's shoulders.]

Come on, drinks are on me! Don't know how much help I'll be, but ask away!

[As they begin making their way out, a more sobering thought hits.]

Hold on - Does she know you're a Hero?

From:

efflations

Really? Thanks! And thanks again!

[Keith happily follows Tiger as he leads the way out, making no attempt to pull away from the arm around him. It's probably best to take this elsewhere in case someone else by the gym when they're talking. The rest of the heroes will find out soon enough.]

Yes! She knows. We talked about that already. It's OK since nobody knows I'm Sky High I don't think there will be any danger to her.

[It doesn't cross his mind that admitting this might cause some worry, that Tiger might think he's told someone he's possibly only recently met his secret identity.]

From:

herotvlive

[Hmmm. Kotetsu considers, then nods.]

Eh... probably for the best. You're a terrible liar, and you'd probably feel bad keeping back something like that.

I just hope you've known her a while, though! That's a pretty big thing to jump on somebody!

[Of course, Kotetsu didn't set the BEST example here. Tomoe had stumbled across him trying to think of a superhero name. It was high school, okay?! He was stupid!]

From:

efflations

Haha! I really am!

[Not that he saw anything particularly bad with being a bad liar, especially where a relationship was concerned. Honesty was almost always the best option.]

I have known her a long time. A very long time! She's the one who helped make Sky High a hero!

[Without Ms Agnes HeroTV wouldn't be the show it was and likewise nor would the heroes themselves be what they were.]

So you see it's very important that I do my best to make her happy! That's why I thought maybe you could help Mr Wild. You must know a lot about romance, right?

From:

herotvlive

[Oh, flattery, good choice. Kotetsu's feeling a bit flush with success anyway, and strikes one of his "Cool" poses.]

Well, I know a few things!

That important, huh? I'm looking forward to meeting her!

[It doesn't even cross his mind he might already know this person. She's got to be someone Keith knew before he was Sky High, right?

Honesty is a GOOD policy, but there's something to be said for when you are honest. Not that Keith should LIE, but working on timing is probably going to be important.]

From:

efflations

Ah- Yes! We were planning to talk to everyone soon. I mean, I uh, was going to introduce her to you all soon. When we're ready.

[Time to change the subject before Wild Tiger decides to ask something difficult like what led to the change in their relationship. Trying to answer something like that without lying (badly) and giving himself away or telling the truth and giving himself away would be near impossible.]

But before that, well, we haven't even been on a proper date yet you see? I'm not sure what sort of places in Sternbild are best for that. For dates. I want to do something romantic but. Do you know anywhere Mr Wild?

From:

herotvlive

[By this time they've reached street level. Normally Kotetsu would just hit Hero's Bar, but they might run into the others there. Somehow, he doubts Keith wants an audience for this conversation.]

Come on. Let's try somewhere else tonight.

[It's a nice evening for a walk anyway. Kotetsu sets a hand under his chin, thinking.]

Romantic. Hmmmmm. I guess the last romantic thing I did was dancing but that wasn't even my idea!

[This is really more Blue Rose or Fire Emblem's area, isn't it? Though if Keith wanted to ask them he would have. So maybe he's not looking for the stereotypical "flowers/chocolates/promises you don't intend to keep" bit. Kotetsu can sympathize. He's had to do a lot of re-thinking on "romantic" lately!]

I mean, you think 'romance' and you think dancing or flowers and all that Hallmark crap but... not everyone wants that, you know? So maybe... Well, seems like anything could be romantic, if the other person likes it. It's more about the thought you put into it.

From:

efflations

[Keith had had the same concern about Hero's Bar so it's a relief when Tiger suggests trying somewhere else. He nods happily and follows, content to keep walking as long as Tiger wants.]

Really? Dancing? So...

[Mr Wild had said when they were first practising dancing that it had been several years since his last time. Did that mean he'd met someone at the party too? Or did he mean that the last romantic thing he'd done had been dancing with his wife? He didn't seem sad like Keith might expect if it was with Mrs Tiger he meant. Would it be OK to ask? If Mr Wild had met someone too then he wanted to know! But first, he had asked for advice and Mr Wild was being kind enough to take the time to help him.]

Anything if they like it.... That's true! You're right Mr Wild, you're absolutely right!

[He just had to figure out what things Ms Agnes liked. Or really, what things she liked that weren't work-related. She had seemed to enjoy dancing. When her leg was fully healed he could see about taking her out like that again. In the meantime he could try and think of other things they could do too.]

You said that you went dancing Mr Wild? Was this at the party too?

From:

herotvlive

[Agnes likes work and kicking other people's asses. Not necessarily in that order.

Dancing may also be acceptable.]

Well yeah - Come on, Keith, you were there!

[Kotetsu laughs, and then elbows his fellow Hero in the ribs.]

By the way, cut the "Wild" stuff, we're not at work! You know you can call me Kotetsu, right?

[Look, they're going out for drinks and to talk about Relationships. If that doesn't qualify for first-name basis, he doesn't know what does.]

From:

efflations

[So he should find a way to let Agnes borrow his powers so she can do both at once then? ...Might have to stick with the dancing.]

I was but I didn't see you dancing with anyone special that night...

[Tiger had danced with some of the other guests but the only person Keith had seen him with more than once was Barnaby. Unless something had happened while he was off with Ms Agnes?]

Right! If you're sure, Mr Wi- Kotetsu.

[It doesn't really matter what they're doing or that they're off-duty (and calling him Wild Tiger wouldn't help Keith's own secret identity any), using Tiger- Kotetsu's first name without permission would be rude. Kotetsu is his senior after all and a truly admirable hero too.]

Um, so who is she? If you don't mind my asking? That is, if it's OK to ask who she is?

From:

herotvlive

[Geeze, they've been friends how long? Come on, all of Sternbild knows who ~~Kotetsu~~ WILD TIGER is at this point. (Getting half your armor blown off and your partner screaming your name on live TV will do that.) No reason to stay formal, but then that's always been Keith's schtick. Heh, and people call Kotetsu the old-fashioned one.

He grins, wondering if Keith's managed to call his girlfriend by her first name yet. There's about to be some teasing there - but the next question throws him.]

Huh? Who who is?

[Great, now he's starting to sound like Sky High.]

From:

efflations

[He may have managed to drop the 'Ms' once or twice. With some encouragement. OK, probably not. It's just too heavily ingrained to treat Agnes with the utmost respect for the habit to be broken any time soon. Or ever.

As for Ti- Kotetsu's confusion, Keith matches it all too well, blinking at the other hero with a puzzled frown.]

Who the person you met at the party is. The special woman you danced with. When you said it was the last time you'd done anything romantic. I wanted to know who she is.

But if you don't want to tell me that's fine! I understand, I haven't said about myself and M- Um. The lady I've been seeing either. It's fine!

From:

herotvlive

[Kotetsu stops, and really looks at Keith.

He... really doesn't know?

Crap. Shit. How is he supposed to explain this without breaking him? Keith barely comprehends dating exists.]

Ah... Keith? I wasn't... talking about a woman.

[Awkward. Well, this IS the first time he's actually had to say this out loud. Everybody already knew.]

From:

efflations

[For someone who has worked with Fire Emblem for as long as he has you'd think Keith would be a bit faster on the uptake. Instead he just stares at Kotetsu uncomprehendingly, trying to puzzle out the answer.

There wasn't a woman? Then what had Tiger meant?]

No? I don't understand. I thought you said you'd met someone?

From:

herotvlive

[Fire Emblem is an outlier and should not have been counted in the sample size... ANYWAY.

Kotetsu reviews the conversation so far, rubbing the back of his head.]

Well, sort of? I mean, a long time ago?

[Kotetsu "Cannot Spit It Out" Kaburagi, everybody.]

Look, it's like - You're just going about things like normal, and then suddenly you just see someone differently? Only you realize you've been seeing them differently for a long time, but you finally GET it? It was like that.

From:

efflations

[But outliers can only be excluded if the proper statistical test has been performed. And it's such a small sample size to begin with that it's hard to justify the exclusion. And it would make Keith even slower on the uptake to do so.

They'd met a long time ago. And Kotetsu had just realised how he felt towards this person. And they weren't a woman.... It was almost just like with him and Ms Agnes. Someone who knew and worked closely with Wild Tiger then? But surely that could only mean-

Keith frowns at Tiger, studying him intently.]

Mr Wild.

[It's deliberate this time. A reminder. Wild Tiger is a hero and an adult and he wants to be understood on this.]

I know I can't tell you what to do but... Miss Rose is still very young. It would be terrible for her to get hurt by someone she looks up to.

From:

herotvlive

WHAT?!

[The shout is so loud the entire street turns to look at them. Kotetsu manages to dial it back, but he is no less shocked.]

Me and - WHAT?! Karina?! What the HELL Keith, I'm old enough to be her father!

From:

efflations

Exactly!

[Love is love and if two people have found it that should be enough but Miss Rose is still very young even if she's a hero and she does look up to Mr Wild, no matter what she says about him. It just seems like it might not be the best idea.]

So please, be careful. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt her on purpose but...

[Do the other heroes know? Surely one of them would have said something to Tiger by now if they did. He can't be the first.]

From:

herotvlive

[This is getting ridiculous. There is NO way he would have missed TWO people feeling that way about him, alright?! He's not THAT thick!]

Keith - I am NOT dating Karina. I have never even THOUGHT about dating Karina! I CARE about her, but it is NOT that kind of caring, okay?!

From:

efflations

Oh. Really?

[Well Tiger- Kotetsu - wouldn't lie about it if he were so then-]

I'm sorry. Truly sorry, I just thought if it was someone you've known a while too but just realised how you felt- Sorry.

[Maybe it was someone who worked at Apollon Media then, someone he didn't know. It wasn't as though they could only date other people associated with HeroTV.]

Ah, do I know them?