FIC POST: AGMIHTF, Chapter 2: "I'm Not the Man They Think I Am At Home" (Tiger & Bunny)

[flowrs4ophelia]

Title: A Good Man Is Hard To Find
[ CHAP. 1]
Characters & Pairings: Kotetsu/Barnaby, some Kotetsu/Tomoe, + ensemble (notably featuring Kaede, Nathan, Karina, Antonio)
Rating: hard R
Summary: The city was complicated and dangerous, everything shrouded in facades, and maybe it was no wonder someone like Barnaby who'd never known anywhere else would be

Comments

[flowrs4ophelia]

I'm glad you liked the flashback so much. :D I was kind of nervous about it because it seems like a lot of fans don't like to acknowledge Kotetsu as the less-than-perfect family man he is because of his insecurities. Given the way he can be even now, it just doesn't seem right to me that he wouldn't have struggled sometimes even with his relationship with Tomoe, because he couldn't have grown through that relationship without her having to call him out on his flaws sometimes. There had to be a lot more to it than her just being his angelically understanding and supportive cheerleader all the time, and a lot more to her than that. (/rant. Sorry, lol.)

Kotetsu couldn't have been working for Apollon ten years ago since they just bought him at the beginning of the show, right? Probably he was working for Top Mag?Yeah, he would have just been starting out as a Hero with Top Mag. That totally slipped my mind. I'd assume Apollon Media was already established as the studio that runs the show back then even if they didn't have their own

[flowrs4ophelia]

I also like the point you make that Kotetsu is just a liiitle better at dealing with people and arguments now, since his marriage gave him experience in knowing what and when to say things.
It occurred to me when writing that bit that Kotetsu is probably the oldest character I've written anything from the POV of, which is kind of sad, lol.

did they ever say Apollon Media was around ten years ago? No idea, actually. Gonna fix this. :)

Thanks so much for the comment!

[ninety6tears]

You write dreams like a boss. The sort of comprehensive clarity mixed with the actual actions making no sense feels like the proper amount of disorienting. LOL, wet dreams are always fantastic in fic but they're rarely done in a way that feels...surreal enough?

"I love you so much. You're the only one I've ever...the only one there could ever be. I know I've said that a hundred times, I just...If anything happened to you..."
I'M NOT CRYING. THERE'S JUST A GODDAMN MONSOON ON MY FACE.

[flowrs4ophelia]

Hehe, the dream was really fun to write trying to make it not too obviously meaningful with all these random associations in there and his thought process making no sense at all. I like to think it's not too unbelievable that Kotetsu, who relies on his instincts so much and is so nosy and attentive about every detail of Barnaby's life, could have been subconsciously perceptive about there being a bigger threat than Jake yet to be taken care of. But still, it's Kotetsu, so I didn't want it to feel too dark and profound or anything, lol.

...Yeah, I'm sorry for that one. :(

[7th_rock_alien]

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL <3

I'm not even sure how to describe its awesomeness. Everything about your characterization seems so realistic and human, and I love the voice you've given to Tomoe. Even though we haven't seen much of her in the series, the way she's so calm and comforting and sensible just fits. Her interactions with Kotetsu sounds like a really accurate we-love-each-other-but-sometimes-disagree married couple.

Also, I like how you've managed to focus on Kotetsu's insecurities and character flaws. Most fics I've come across tend to focus more on all the shit that's wrong with Bunny, and while I like that, too, it's nice to see the other side of the coin. Please tell me there will be more Tiger angst because I really like the way you do it! 8D

[flowrs4ophelia]

I like how you've managed to focus on Kotetsu's insecurities and character flaws. Most fics I've come across tend to focus more on all the shit that's wrong with Bunny, and while I like that, too, it's nice to see the other side of the coin. Please tell me there will be more Tiger angst because I really like the way you do it!
The funny thing is when I started working on this fic, I thought it was pretty much going to be all about the problems of getting close to someone like Barnaby who's so unsure about opening up to people, and then as I thought more about Kotetsu's point of view of things I realized You know, he hides it pretty well and he's come a pretty long way during his longer life by comparison, but damn, he does have plenty of his own issues. LOL. Of course Bunny's conflicts are going to be more in the forefront later once I get more into the show's current timeframe, but I'll be trying to keep it pretty balanced. One of the later chapters is going to involve them visiting Kotetsu's home town together, and that chapter

[reckless_rage]

"I need more change," she said, reaching into one of his pockets.

He rolled his eyes at the way she was ignoring him as she dug around until she found the last Sternbild ten-piece she needed. She was surely the most stubborn human being he'd ever know.

Somehow, I find the image of Kotetsu standing still enough to let her dig around for change very amusing. XD But absolutely endearing. I loved the flashback scene - it's nice to see Tomoe written, too! You're a fantastic writer. :D