Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ohio wasn’t sure how this had become his life. Being an F-Tier Hero wasn’t a particularly glamorous job, nor did it pay well. However there was something comforting and familiar about it. He was lucky enough that he’d been able to fine a career path that allowed him to blend in his Hero work as needed. Though it had happened mostly by accident. He’d ended up spending so much time in the university library researching for his adventures that he’d ended up enrolling as a student to get the record access that he’d needed. Then one thing led to another and now here he was. A published, well-respected and tenured professor. However it wasn’t this part of his life that confused him. It wasn’t even how somewhere along the way his Nemesis became his landlord. Which was honestly not that unusual in Capital City. No. It was that he now apparently had a standing coffee date with a serial mass murderer. A coffee date that he’d forgotten about. 

“You’re late.” Ohio blinked in confusion at the sudden sound in the otherwise muted quiet. Ohio had been forcing himself to read yet another unimaginative paper. It never failed to surprise him how someone could get to be a fourth year university student and still fail to have an original thought. A well manicured hand slammed itself down on top of the offending paper and Ohio had second of delayed reaction to notice that the nails of the hand were painted a gradiant of black to red. He hoped it was paint at least. Tilting his head he followed the hand up along the lithely muscled arm, clad in a red cashmere sweater that probably cost more then Ohio made in a year, to gleaming cat like eyes glaring at him over a lowered pair sunglasses. 

“Late?” the professor muttered distractedly trying to refocus after hours of monotony. Alex rolled their eyes in irritation glanced around the dimly lit office. 

“Yes. Late. It’s Wednesday. We get Coffee at four o’clock on Wednesday.” Alex dismissed their surroundings and focused their attention back onto Ohio. 

“What time is it now then?” Ohio asked glancing around seeing that he’d once again forgotten to restart the pendulum of the grandfather clock on his wall. 

“It’s a quarter to five. I thought maybe you’d stood me up for Morgan but he said that you’re off Hero duty for the month.” 

“Oh, yeah it’s finals.” Ohio pointed out. “I’m a bit swamped between grading, exams, and university politics.” 

“Can Hero’s take time off if Crime doesn’t?” Alex asked and Ohio snorted. 

“F-Tier perks. Unlike you upper tiers poor powerless me doesn’t have the same obligation of duty.” 

“I guess there needs to be some reason you never bothered to rank up.” Alex conceded taking Ohio’s leather jacket off the coat hook by the door and tossing it too him. 

“Hey!” Ohio objected barely catching the coat in time before the heavy jacket hit him in the face. “Pow-er-less.” He stressed giving Alex an irritated glare as he shrugged on the jacket. He briefly considered being stubborn but the papers were boring and Morgan was the only person alive that could out stubborn the S-Tier super-villain. 

“If you say so. Now hurry up. The good barista goes off shift in half an hour and the new kid can’t make a decent latte.” Ohio frowned as he followed Alex out into the hallway. 

“How do you know that?” He asked locking the door behind him then hurrying to catch up. Alex had pushed their dark sunglasses back up into position and without their usual villain-chic attire they almost could have passed for a student on campus. Or more likely, a model that got lost on the way to the art department. 

“I have my sources.” They purred flashing a grin with teeth just a bit too sharp. A group of students that had been lingering in the hallway scattered just from it’s proximity. Ohio simply sighed tiredly. 

“Eavesdropping doesn’t count as ‘sources’ any more then Wikipedia does.” Alex scoffed and for a moment their lips pursed into a pout before flowing into a sly smirk.

“So does that mean you don’t want to hear about the latest developments in the roofer vs engineering saga?” Alex purred casually pretending to study their nails like the dramatic asshole they were. “Or what the latest T from the psych department is?”

“Hey now I didn’t say that!” Ohio hurried to clarify. He knew that Alex was probably itching to share the news anyway but it was always best to pick your battles with them. When Alex thought they were winning it was easier to minimize the collateral damage. 

“That’s what I thought.” Alex smirked turning down a corridor that led to the side exit of the building. 

“You know if you’re that worried about missing the good barrista you could just teleport us.” Ohio pointed out and Alex groaned excessively. 

“But it’s a lazy day.” They whined as though somehow walking all the way across campus was less work then snapping their fingers. Ohio doubted that was the case but again, he didn’t have powers so maybe walking was the lazier option. 

“Fine but we’ll be cutting it close.” He pointed out and Alex shrugged seemingly unconcerned now that they were on their way. 

“Then you’ll have to buy me dinner to make up for it.” 

“Seriously?” Ohio gave the supervillian a deadpan look. “You’re like the richest person on the planet but I’m the one who has to pay for dinner?” 

“Are you saying I’m cheap Ohio?” Alex asked in faux scandal. 

“If you’re making me pay for dinner? Absolutely.” Ohio doubled down as he pushed open the door knowing Alex was prone to breaking them when they weren’t paying attention. 

“You’re just using me for my money. Is that all our friendship is to you?” Ohio kinda doubted there was anyone who’d willingly cultivate a friendship with Alex for money. There was no way any monetary value could offset the ethical, emotional, and moral cost of just existing in their sphere of influence. Not to mention the risk of personal injury or collateral damage. However Ohio was pretty sure why the Super-villain began harassing him in the first place.

“You just keep me around so you have someone to gush to about Morgan. I figure it’s a fair trade.” Alex shot Ohio a dirty look over their shoulder as the hero let the door swing shut behind them and they began to walk down the lesser used side trails of the campus.

“Shut up Ohio.”

*~*

Hours later Ohio finally crawled into his bed to sleep. Alex had been like a needy cat all evening. Demanding Ohio’s attention and constantly dragging him along on various whims that they claimed were ‘errands for Morgan.’ Ohio was pretty sure there wasn’t a universe out there where an errand for Morgan required Alex to drag Ohio around the Grocery store. Though it had been handy since Ohio had been living off of take out for the last week and a half and their apartment was blacklisted by all the delivery places in the city. 

Snickering to himself at the memory of having to help various delivery people out of Morgan’s hallway ‘death traps’ was funny in hindsight, even if the resulting blacklist was inconvenient. He rubbed his face against his pillow with a sigh, noting that the fabric felt cool and clean against his cheek. Huh, maybe he could put off laundry for a few more days yet it the bedding was anything to judge by. Though, he’d may spent too much time with Alex today if the scent of the fancy fabric softener they insisted on using was still tickling his nose. For a long moment he debated rolling over and going to shower the days presence off his skin, but in the end dismissed the idea with a huff. He was exhausted and he had more papers coming across his desk tomorrow.

Sleep sounded like a much better idea. 

Chapter Text

“You look like shit.” Were not the words Barnaby expected to hear as he wearily pushed open the door to his boyfriend's apartment. He froze in the doorway blinking in confusion since that definitely hadn’t been Ohio’s voice. He blinked and squinted trying to force his blurry vision to focus on the scene before him. Ohio’s living room was still the chaotic cluttered mess it always was, nearly every available horizontal surface piled high with books and papers, weighed down by artifacts and shipping crates. There was a lanky form on the blur of brown that he knew was Ohio’s couch but the gleam of yellow where their face should be made it clear it wasn’t Ohio. 

“A-Alex? W-what are y-y-you doing h-here?” The D-Tier Hero asked trying to not slump against the door frame like his aching body desperately wanted to. Some whispering survival instinct insisting he needed to be ready for… something. 

“Barns is that you?” Another voice called out and Barnaby lost part of the fight against gravity at the sound of his boyfriend's worried voice. Relief was a hell of a retardant for adrenaline and unfortunately, it was only adrenaline and stubborn willpower that was keeping him upright. He blinked rapidly letting his head rest on the door frame as the blurry form of his boyfriend came into view from the apartment's kitchen. “Oh shit! Barnaby!” 

Suddenly strong arms were around him and he lolled his head to the other side to inhale Ohio’s familiar leather and old paper scent. Ok, he was home, he was safe now.

“Alex move your ass!” Ohio ordered half carrying Barnaby further into the apartment towards the couch which was one of the few cleared areas.

“Oh please, it’s not like he’s bleeding out.” Alex grumbled, though as they approached the couch Barnaby was relieved to see that it had in fact been vacated. Ohio eased him down onto it carefully but the D-Tier hero couldn’t hold in the hiss of pain at the movement.

“You’re not being helpful.” Ohio growled at Alex. Barnaby blinked taking in Ohio’s profile, now much clearer due to proximity as the scared man scowled over his shoulder. “B what happened?” Ohio asked returning his attention to him. Worried gray-blue eyes darted rapidly over his face as the F-Tier hero carefully removed the damaged remains of his hood.  

“R-ran in-t-to a C-T-tier on p-p-patrol. Th-they were p-po-poking ar-round the wareh-house on 12th tha-that M-Morgan somet-times u-u-uses.” He took a careful inhale, “I  th-thought t-they were m-maybe n-new faces in M-Morgan’s crew. Wa-wasn’t expect-t-ting Dark Bee-Beeker.” Barnaby tried to explain.

“Who?” Ohio asked distractedly carefully peeling Barnaby out of his damaged costume. Barnaby was pretty sure the questions were mostly Ohio’s way of trying to distract him from the pain.

“He’s a poser.” Came a derisive voice from out of Barnaby’s line of sight. “Stole some powers from a lab and thinks he’s the shit now.” 

“You know this and you’re just letting him run around?” Ohio snapped to Alex as he carefully checked the bruising on Barnaby’s torso to see if there were broken bones beneath. 

“That’s hero shit Ohio.” Alex retorted voice suddenly closer and the sound of something heavy being set on the coffee table. 

“Oh yeah? If it’s Hero shit why do you even know about it then?” The professor countered angrily, one of his careful hands leaving Barnaby’s skin for a moment and then returning with a cold damp cloth.

“C-cold.” Barnaby hissed out through clenched teeth. He could feel an eyestrain headache brewing in his templed and he closed his eyes with a groan. He really didn’t need it to start beating in counterpoint to the blow to the head he’d taken during the fight. 

“Sorry babe.” Ohio crooned softly carefully cleaning the worst of the cuts and scrapes. 

“Because I know everything O-boring-o.” Alex answered his voice sounding like it was further away than before, he must be moving around Barnaby thought distractedly.  

“Well if you know and-“

“Spare me the lecture I’m evil.” Alex interrupted coming closer again. “You need to get the glass out of his shoulder before he’ll heal.” 

“Glass?” Ohio asked and Barnaby felt himself being rolled slightly toward the edge of the couch then muttered Latin curses as Ohio saw the results of his untimely encounter with the glass window of what had been the warehouses' main entrance door. 

“Here.” There was movement and then the faint whiff of alcohol was the only warning before something icy cold poured over his skin, turning to liquid fire as it made contact with the open wounds. He couldn’t hold back the scream that time.

“Oh don’t be dramatic you overgrown puppy.” Alex’s voice was closer now and suddenly different hands were on him. They were colder than Ohio’s, the touch far more confident and less careful. “I’ve got him, use the tweezers.”

“F-Fuck. W-warn a g-guy.” Barnaby stuttered grinding his forehead against the rock-like line of Alex’s arm. 

“Shit, this pack’s been opened their not sterile.” Ohio exclaimed over the sounds of rustling plastic. 

“Sterile? Why are all of you so fragile?” Alex’s voice sounded exasperated and absolutely done with the events of the last five minutes. 

“Well sorry, we’re not all fucking gods Alex.” Ohio snarled. There was a moment of poignant silence then a long-suffering sigh. *snap* 

“What did you?-“

“I sterilized them. Now hurry up. The sooner you patch Puppy here up the sooner we can put him in your room to sleep this off. I was in the middle of an episode and I want to get back to it.” Episode? Barnaby thought warily then remember that Netflix was releasing the new season of Bridgerton today.

“You know what.” Ohio almost sounded like he was talking to himself as Barnaby felt his warm hands stabilize his shoulder, “I’d ask if an episode of Bridgerton is more important than my boyfriend but I don’t actually want to hear you say it.” 

“Look the Professor is learning,” Alex muttered back and Barnaby felt like he really should be questioning the ease with which the two were bantering, even under duress. However, before he could he felt the first stinging tug as Ohio began removing the glass. 

“Will you stop bitching and be helpful if we start the new season?” 

“Well, we were in the middle of the 2nd last episode of the rewatch so how about you work and I’ll finish the last season while I wait.”

“Fine. Whatever!” There was another snap then suddenly the sounds of muffled footsteps and swishing skirts filled the apartment. He was too tired to focus on the words that began drifting around him but somehow the lilting accents and rhythm of the flowery speech made the soft clinks of glass shards on metal almost lulling and soothing. So despite the contrasting flutter in instincts that insisted he was safe with Ohio and simultaneously in danger from Alex Barnaby let himself drift off. Soon he was being shifted again and then carried and settled into a familiar bed. Sheets cool and clean against his cheek and bandages a comforting pressure against his injuries. 

“Are you sure it’s ok to let him sleep?” Ohio’s voice was soft and familiar fingers combed through his hair. 

“Are you doubting my knowledge of what is and isn’t a grievous injury?” Alex sounded absolutely offended by the idea. 

“You’ve said you don’t know shit about healing people.”

“Yes but I’m an expert at killing them. Dog boy will be fine. His healing factor might be shit but it’s still leagues better than you and Morgan. Now can we start the new season already?”

“Fine.” Footsteps walked away then lips brushed softly over Barnaby’s forehead. “Rest Babe. I’ll keep an eye on you.” Barnaby wanted to respond and tried to make his lips curve into a smile. However, he wasn’t sure if he succeeded before succumbing to unconsciousness. 

*~*

His return to consciousness was blessedly gradual, impressions of his surroundings seeping into him slowly through threatening nausea eagerly anticipating the slightest movement of his head. With a slow shakey exhale he pushed that sensation back, focusing on the comforting duality of sensory input that let him know his power reserves had recharged enough for Kotesu to re-materialize on the plane. Sheets that were soft against his bruises and laced with Ohio's comforting warmth and cologne. A brief body scan noted the various bruises and contusions, and the pressure of the bandages. With threatening nausea and the subdued but still present throbbing in his skull, he figured the effort it would take to get up off the bed was absolutely not worth it. Instead, he focused on the bond between himself and Kotesu, a refreshing chill picking over his skin as he blinked open distinctly canine eyes. The big spectral dog was sprawled across the mattress lazing in the fading warmth that Ohio had left behind him. Kotesu lifted his head and let Barnaby see that the pair were alone in the room. Ohio's blackout curtains were drawn and beyond them, the muffled traffic sounded closer to the 5 pm rush hour than mid-day. He hadn’t expected to sleep that long, perhaps the fight had taken more out of him than he thought. A nudge of suggestion had Kotesu giving a large stretch before groaning and rising to his feet to go check out the rest of the apartment. 

To an incorporeal canine, closed doors weren't an obstacle and he dutifully phased through into the main area of Ohio's apartment. The lights were on and the muffled conversation was coming from the kitchen. Curiously Kotesu went to investigate. Affection filled Barnaby as he watched Ohio move comfortably around the kitchen, a hearty soup simmering on the stove as he pinched a phone to his ear with his shoulder. The scarred adventurer refused to get rid of his apartment landline, he comfortably used his cellphone when needed but as soon as he crossed the threshold he abandoned it on its charger by the door and much to Morgan's frustration didn't look at it again until he was ready to leave. Which meant he was pinching the sun-aged receiver of the corded kitchen phone between his ear and shoulder as he washed up the tools he'd used to prepare the soup. 

"-Yeah he's still sleeping." He answered absently over the splash of water. Kotesu dropped his nose to the floor investigating the tangled web of scents for any changes since the last visit. "Sure I'll let you know when he wakes up... Ha- yeah I doubt that, you're probably already submitting the insurance claims for the warehouse door." Barnaby could take more direct control of Kotesu but the throbbing in his head made him decide he'd just let the spirit do what it wanted to. He left Kotesu to his curiosity and tried to focus on Ohio's voice. "Please I know you, Morgan. You live to screw with insurance companies and you don't even need to fake anything this time." Ohio's voice was relaxed and amused. Barnaby would have huffed at his boyfriend's casual knowledge if he didn't understand the dynamic that came with being Morgan's nemesis. Ohio clashed with Morgan when they were at odds however he only concerned himself with a very narrow facet of the D-Tier's villainous antics. Barnaby tended to have a much larger swath of activities that he needed to stay on top of, he figured that just this once he wouldn't worry about Morgan messing with an insurance company. After all, it wasn't like the insurance company wasn't arguably eviler than Morgan. "Yep, we binged the latest season so you're free to interrupt Alex rewatching the episodes... You absolutely owe me for that by the way... Why? Because it's totally fucked up my sleep schedule and I've got essays to grade. Usually, I can multitask while watching Bridgerton but Alex insists that it's distracting when I do that... I have no idea how my work is distracting. Ask him... Morgan, I'm F-Tier, I have to choose my battles with Alex very carefully- oh hey Kotesu's back!" At the sound of his name, the dog raised his head from where he'd been focused on something that was under Ohio's fridge and instead turned to get some deserved attention. Ohio's calloused hands dug into Kotesu's thick ruff and while the dog lolled its tongue in satisfaction Barnaby could suppress the full-body shiver that the sensation caused down the bond. "Yeah whatever talk to you later. Barnaby is probably awake if Kotesu left the room." Ohio carelessly stood up and hung the receiver up before returning his attention to Kotesu. 

"Think he's up for soup?" Ohio asked Kotesu who barked once for no. "Ok, well I'll come to check on him." With a last head ruffled Ohio crossed the kitchen and snagged a tray off the edge of the counter. Before Kotesu dematerialized to return to Barnaby he was able to notice that next to the picture of water and empty glass were the glint of his gold-framed glasses. Glasses that he'd lost in the fight last night. Glasses that had a rust-colored partial fingerprint on the once pristine lens...