"I may be getting on in years, but I want to enjoy carrying you around while I still can," Kotetsu announces, strength and composure returning to his arms in full as he rounds the corner and gives the door to the bedroom a reckless little kick. The bed remains in disarray, sheets probably in need of a wash after they'd simply collapsed into bed the evening prior, but Kotetsu doesn't have the patience to start with a clean slate. He can't imagine anything more perfect than this, letting the tight grip of Barnaby's hands guide him.

Raising one arm to loop around Barnaby's waist, Kotetsu crawls a few steps forward on the mattress, dragging the covers with his knees as the fabric purses underneath their weight. His chest feels warm around his collarbone, flushed and buzzing with a boyish excitement as he lowers Barnaby down onto his back.

From his vantage point, Kotetsu leans his weight back on his heels, letting his gaze trail along the contours of Barnaby's body — narrow and long-limbed, with a pale complexion that contrasts with his darker tan as he draws a wide hand up along Barnaby's side.

He hasn't allowed himself to look at Barnaby like this before, and he's stunned by the sudden weight of it. Pausing with shallow breath, Kotetsu lets his fingers skate along the line of Barnaby's thigh, then over the cut of his hip, little more than gentle teases as he glances up to meet the dark green of Barnaby's eyes.