Work Text:
"I need you!" Tsukasa declared in a shout that could be heard throughout the hallway.
Akito was caught off guard by those words that were directed at him.
I need you.
A phrase that can be understood in different contexts. It wasn't the first time Akito heard it coming from Tenma's lips, but he felt that this time there was something different about them. the way Tsukasa's eyes sparkle with determination, his grin trying to contain the excitement inside him, Tsukasa had his gaze fixed on him in a way that Akito couldn't decipher.
The firm steps that the blond took until he was in front of him resonated even though several students were present, murmuring things that Akito didn't quite hear, but the slight glances towards him and giggles coming after embarrassed him, why did Tsukasa of all places choose to make a scene in the entire hallway?
"You didn't run away this time," Tsukasa points out, placing his hand in a firm grip on Akito's shoulder.
God, this display of skinship made others whisper about them even more now.
"Do you even listen to yourself? If I'd run, the rest would have made up all kinds of things about us." With a sigh, Akito grabbed the blond's hand and removed it from his shoulder. "Besides, you're usually like, 'Is Akito here?' or 'Akito! Just who I was looking for.'"
Tsukasa opened his eyes, astonishment on his face at the words, then smiled, rather a little proudly? That's how it looked to Akito.
"What?"
Tsukasa shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that if you know me that well, it only reinforces my decision!"
Akito raised his eyebrow. Tsukasa was acting weird, weirder than he was used to, but he's going to humor him, because now Tsukasa seemed like he wasn't going to let him go.
"You've got your head in the clouds to believe I'm so focused on you." Akito denied the blond's words, but it had no effect; Tsukasa was still enchanted by what he'd said earlier. "What do you want?"
"Can we talk about this in private?" Well, at least Tsukasa was aware that they were the hallway's topic of conversation. "The rooftop must be empty right now."
Akito shrugged and motioned for Tenma to lead the way to the rooftop.
The walk was short, but Akito didn't stop paying attention to Tsukasa's body language in the time he had. It was nothing new for Shinonome to see his senpai walk with his back straight and full of confidence in every step he took, but the interesting thing was in the blond's hands. When the redhead took a brief glance down, he found they were formed into strong fists. The moment he looked back up, something in Tenma changed; just by seeing his back, he radiated a strength he had never seen before.
"Nah, I'm imagining things." Shinonome thought before being greeted by the breeze on the rooftop.
Tsukasa cautiously walked up to the wire fence, inspecting that no one was unexpectedly on the roof other than the two of them.
"Well? I'm listening." Akito was the first to speak, and the only one for a few minutes. Tsukasa wasn't facing him, admiring the skyline beyond the wire fences installed for security. "Dude, I don't want to rush you, but lunch will be over soon, and next period is history. You know how annoying the teacher gets."
Akito noticed Tsukasa's brief movement as he reached into his blazer for something and placed it over his face. "Activated."
In the blink of an eye, both were enveloped in a bubble that dissolved into thin air, as if there was nothing above them.
"Wh- what the fuck?!" Akito looked up and down at his surroundings; what Tsukasa had done didn't seem real in the first place. "What the hell did you do?"
"Necessary measures, even if there's no one here, nothing guarantees that someone will show out of nowhere." The blond replied. When Shinonome was about to ask again, the older man responded first, knowing what was coming. "No one can see us, hear us, or perceive us, as if we were one with the air, don't you think? It's like an invisibility cloak that works for a few minutes."
Akito had more questions to ask: how did he do it, why, what for, why was he showing it to him? His head was a complete mess, and Tsukasa—still looking out at the scenery—seemed calm.
"I need you," Tsukasa repeated, turning to face Akito. His tone wasn't like before; now it was more serious and firm, with the same sparkle in his eyes.
And one more thing, he wore circular sunglasses with a green tint on the lenses.
Akito's breath caught in his throat. "Again with that?" He scratched the back of his neck, slightly flustered by Tsukasa's seriousness.
It was more than just his seriousness, everything felt so unreal that Akito had a hard time understanding it.
"I have a dream." Tsukasa interrupted his train of thought. "Since I was very young, for the sake of someone I loved who was battling an illness, I always wanted them to smile, despite the pain and sadness; despite the constant relapses this illness caused, they could continue forward with a smile on their face. I want every child with an illness to be able to smile, and I will protect that smile and all the others in the world."
Without wasting any time, Tsukasa's body flashed, changing from his school uniform to a bright red outfit with white wings on his back.
Akito didn't know it, but he held his breath at all these revelations. In front of him was not only Tsukasa, his senpai, but also the emerging hero who soars through the skies like a pegasus.
This is insane.
Although the idea of Tsukasa being a hero made sense to him, it was all unexpected, and what does Akito have to do with it? Does Tsukasa want him to be a hero like him? But why? Why, of all people, would he choose him?
"Because I don't see anyone more suitable to stand by my side against crime," he revealed. Perhaps Akito said all this out loud, as if to get a response. "I saw you close, your athletic abilities are on par with mine, but it's your strong conviction and hard work that caught my attention. I can't find anyone more suitable to be a hero than you. You have an overwhelming flame that no one can extinguish."
"Aren't you just saying pretty words to convince me?"
"Not at all! Everything I say is how I feel about Akito!" Tsukasa confessed in a heartbeat. "Sometimes you pretend you don't care, but you don't hesitate to help someone in need. You're someone who gives your all, even if it's just a small thing. Despite what others say, your vision won't waver until you reach your goal. In my eyes, you're a hero!"
Akito only said the pretty words to lighten the mood; he didn't expect to be bombarded with honest words about himself. It's one thing to acknowledge your qualities, but it's another thing for someone to do it and say it out loud.
And even more so if we're talking about a hero who tells you these things.
"That's why I need you, here. I don't consider anyone else I can trust to join me other than you." Tsukasa bowed, finalizing his offer.
And it's good that he did it, so Akito doesn't have to be forced to hide the blush painted on his cheeks, if things are going to be like this, he'd better prepare himself for any compliment Tsukasa might give him so he doesn't get embarrassed instantly.
And it's not about flattery as such, it's about honesty.
If Tsukasa trusted him his life and this sudden secret. If he'd been watching from afar all this time, noticing things Akito might not have noticed in himself yet. If he was so sure Akito could be a hero, then why not be one?
Fighting for the smiles of children with illnesses and the entire world doesn't sound bad.
It's a very Tsukasa-ish, and he wants to share that dream with Akito.
"Raise your head," Akito said. Slowly their eyes met again, and despite everything that had been said, Tsukasa still held that determination in his eyes. "Ah, he really wants me to be part of this."
From head to toe, Tsukasa had no doubt, nerves or fear, no matter what the answer, he was going to accept whatever Akita decided.
"I'm not going to lie to you, this is all unexpected. Anyone would think what you're saying is nonsense unless you have proof." Which was what Tsukasa had. Akito snorted, not giving him any more time. "But if you think I have the makings of a hero, I guess I have no choice but to be one."
Tsukasa was about to jump, but he was holding back his urge to do so. "Are you sure? I don't want to force you into this?"
"Do you really want me to say it out loud?" Akito gulped, a hint of pride rising in his lips. "I want to fulfill that dream you're talking about. It sounds unreachable, but I'll do everything to make it happen. That ideology of yours, I consider it good."
With that, Tsukasa lunged at Akito, and he had to plant his feet firmly because the blond's suit was heavier than it looked.
"Hah hah hah, we'll achieve that dream, with you by my side I see it as more possible!" Tenma placed his hands on his hips as he usually did to look imposing. "But before that, Miku!"
"Pico-Pico!" A voice, followed by an explosion of confetti, brought with it a girl who, despite her feline features, wore a suit that resembled a peacock. "Tsukasa-kun, is this the first member?!"
Tsukasa nodded vigorously. "That's right! Miku, this is Shinonome Akito, my most trusted man!"
"Most trusted man is a lot." Akito looked at the pigtailed girl. "Who are you?"
"Oh! Right!" The girl twirled on her toes. "My name is Hatsune Miku, Pico-pico! I was the one who gave Tsukasa-kun his powers to soar through the sky, and now... I'll give them to you too!"
"Hold on, now?!"
"One, two, three, pico!" Miku clapped her hands and a glow spread through Akito's body.
Then like Tsukasa, his body flashed and now it was his uniform that changed to a suit like Tenma's, only instead of bright red, it was orange and his wings were darker compared to the older.
Tsukasa, with his eye on every detail, inspects Akito's suit from top to bottom.
"Don't you know personal space?" Shinonome complained, his cheeks again blushing slightly.
"Hmm Hmm, you'll be ORANGE EAGLE!" Tenma announced to the other two. Miku hopped happily, but Akito looked a little disapproving.
"At least let me think of my own name." Akito looked down at his suit and couldn't bring himself to change his name, but Tsukasa hit the nail on the head. "So, PEGASUS-MAN RED, do you have a name in mind for the team?"
Tsukasa chuckled. "Good thing you asked, my comrade, because I do! From now on, we'll be 'TENSHO Sentai ZOO RANGER!'"
"Another lame name I can't complain about." Akito slumped his shoulders. "What else are you going to say?"
"Thank you very much." Tsukasa smiled softly. "I promise I'll always have your back as your comrade, and I also want to give this to you."
Tsukasa handed him a pair of circular sunglasses like his.
"Explaining how these sunglasses work is complicated, so it's best to figure it out for yourself along the way."
"Can I do what you did?" Tsukasa made a sound of affirmation.
"And by the way, time is almost up." Miku took that as her cue to say goodbye and disappear into thin air, and Tsukasa returned to his uniform.
Tsukasa squeezed the diamond-like figure on Akito's chest and also returned to his uniform.
"Haaah, I'm getting excited! Could this be the effect of having a team?" Tenma stretched his arms to calm his excitement.
"There are only two of us to call it a team." Akito joked lightly.
"A team is a team! It doesn't matter if there only two of us at the moment!"
"Then we'll leave the search for other members for later, leader. Now we must run to class." As if it were fate, the bell rang, and both of them, filled with panic, ran desperately to their respective classrooms.
From that day on, Akito didn't think better days would come. His first battles against villains were a bit difficult, and having to strike lame poses embarrassed him a bit. But seeing the smiles on the children's faces told him this was the right path, that he hadn't made a mistake by accepting Tsukasa's offer.
And speaking of Tsukasa, he is the perfect hero, despite having the last vote thanks to his position as leader, he does not use it in a way that everything must be done as he says, he always listens to what the rest have to say, especially what Akito thinks. Fighting with him at first was fun, as it was just the two of them, they let themselves get carried away in the fights without ignoring the havoc they could wreak on the city, but with the arrival of SALMON PINK and WHITE CROW, they had to adjust their fighting styles so that the synergy in the team would be more effective.
Even so, being a superhero never crossed Akito's mind; Tsukasa has made him see life differently since that afternoon on the rooftop.
Akito looked out at the chaotic landscape of Tokyo. It wasn't just Shibuya; all of Tokyo was in complete chaos. Buildings had collapsed, smoke billowed from fires in various places, streets were destroyed—despair was in the air.
The League of Villains made a large-scale attack that Akito didn't expect, considering how foolish some of their crimes were.
"TENSHO Sentai ZOO RANGER!" Akito called over the intercom; he really hated his team's name. The others' response wasn't long in coming, except for one obvious that was missing. "How are things on your side?"
"I evacuated several residents to one of the hospitals and performed first aid! Now I'm doing a show to cheer up those who are scared," Hanasato reported.
Akito nodded. "WHITE?"
Silence for a few seconds. "I'm sorry, there are many injured people where I am. Many have serious wounds that I've had trouble treating on my own."
"RAINBOW, can you assist WHITE?"
"I'm my way, pico!" RAINBOW's positive response eased some of the discomfort Akito is feeling.
He has to ask the question anyway.
"Does anyone know the leader's whereabouts?" They all denied any knowledge of RED's status, causing Akito to click his tongue.
Since they split up around the city to help out in different areas, they lost communication with Tsukasa.
Akito sighed; the absence of their leader shouldn't upset him; he's the one in charge for now. "I'll return to the battle then. If anything happens, let me know."
As if it were a call, an explosion was heard behind him and Akito without hesitation jumped off the building to go to the area where the sound came from. Upon arriving, Akito found HAPPY HEART fighting TANTO OTABE.
"Saki... She probably knows." Akito charged into the fray with a swift attack. "Orange Tornado!"
Both heroine and villain were surprised by the sudden new attack.
"ORANGE EAGLE!" HAPPY HEART shouted with joy at seeing the hero."
"Hmm, two heroes against me isn't fair." TANTO OTABE pouted, then grinned wickedly. "Too bad now it's not just HAPPY HEART who'll fall, ORANGE EAGLE will keep her company."
A sweet aroma began to spread throughout the place.
"ORANGE EAGLE, don't smell the aroma, it might put you to sleep or take over your mind!" HAPPY HEART warned, making a barrier to counter the aroma attack that was heading straight for them.
"If it's a scent attack, then." Akito leaped into the air, spinning into a massive hurricane. "We just have to create stronger gusts!"
TANTO OTABE didn't seem to succumb to his attack, so Akito used some of his wing feathers as arrows to distract her.
"HAPPY HEART, I need you to answer me." Was the first thing Akito said as he fell to the ground. Saki nodded, waiting for the question. "Do you know where RED is?"
She's his sister, she should know, but judging by Saki's reaction, the question caught her off guard.
"The last I heard, he was heading with TEAR DROP to fight the boss of the League of Villains." Saki pulled out a device that displayed a hologram of a map. "This place."
The place seemed strange to Akito; this wasn't the League of Villains' hideout, it was a desolate area with several buildings in poor condition.
"ORANGE, go get my brother." Saki spoke, but Akito disagreed. "He won't ask anyone for help except you."
"And what about TANTO OTABE?"
Saki shook her head. "Leave that to me. After all, I know her best." Akito still seemed reluctant to leave Saki alone, but upon hearing her plan, he had no choice but to accept. "Let's Go!"
Saki opened the barrier in two so that Akito could propel himself forward, using his 'Flaming Jet' which at first glance will make you believe that it is a direct attack on the villain, when in reality it is just a decoy for the real attack.
"Stella Melody!" Saki attacked the moment Akito passed by TANTO OTABE. "Go, ORANGE EAGLE! If my brother is in danger, please save him." She whispered the last thing to the air before turning back to her battle.
Akito felt like he was racing against time, considering that Tsukasa's missing trail had been going on for two hours, so time was running out, and time was what he needed. He didn't like this heavy feeling building deep in his stomach, as if his sixth sense was telling him something bad was happening right now. It was worse. Isn't that supposed to happen when you feel something IS going to happen? Instead of thinking about the future, it was as if it were activating in the present.
The effect of the 'Flaming Jet' was diminishing, so now it was only his own ability that was left to lead him to Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa..." Akito bit his lip.
This feeling of worry and nervousness that Tsukasa caused him was annoying. He understood that he was the reliable leader; the word "weakness" wasn't in his dictionary. He must always appear strong in front of the children, the citizens, and his own team. But if he trusted Akito with his life that afternoon on the rooftop, why can't he depend on him too? Why must Tsukasa do all the hard work so the rest would be safe? It's not a leader's job to bear everything alone; that's what the team is for.
That's what Akito is for!
From the first day they became a team, Tsukasa had to let go of that cloak of confidence that covers his vulnerable self in front of Akito. If he doesn't want to do it with the rest, that's fine, but at least bear the entire weight with someone else, bear everything with Akito.
"You're wasting your time." Akito stopped dead in his tracks.
That damn time again. And even worse, coming from someone he least want to see.
"That leader of yours, I don't think he'll be able to live long enough to tell the tale." She shrugged, her gaze directly on her nails.
"Mind your own damn business." Akito growled. "What do you gain by telling me this?"
"I don't know, maybe it's my sisterly instinct that doesn't want to see my little brother suffer."
Akito snorted; now she's trying to play sister. "Just because we have the same blood doesn't make me your brother, not anymore." Akito looked her straight in the eyes. If his powers were ice, he'd probably start a blizzard right now. "You talk crap about my leader again, and don't think I'll hesitate to finish you off."
"Heh, that strong loyalty to someone seems to run in the family." She joked. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Akito continued on his way to Tsukasa.
"That damn Ena, thinking her words will affect me." It was affecting him, because his concern grew even more. "Tsukasa... you better be okay."
After a long time, Akito finally reached the building Tsukasa was heading for. He smashed the door with his fist without warning; this wasn't the time to take things around him into account.
"Leader!" Akito yelled, being answered by his own echo. "Leader!"
Akito needed to calm down, but searching the entire place without getting an answer alarmed him, it was as if Tsukasa had vanished into thin air.
"Huh...!" Akito gasped and took out his sunglasses.
If it was as if Tsukasa vanished into thin air, then this should work. Sunglasses on, Akito scanned the area again, eventually noticing a bubble that was beginning to weaken.
"Leader!" He cried out running to where Tsukasa was.
And Akito found him leaning against a column, his suit not activated so part of his clothing was torn. Half of his face was covered in blood, although there was no open wound, it seemed like the bleeding started from his forehead. The little skin Akito could see was covered in bruises and scrapes. There were no serious injuries, but it was clear that Tsukasa was hurt badly.
"Leader, wake up!" Akito shook him gently, but Tsukasa didn't wake up.
I don't think he'll be able to live long enough to tell the tale.
"No... No!" Akito shook him harder. "Tsukasa! Wake up, you're not going to let them defeat you that easily, are you? Prove me wrong and wake up already, PENGASUS-MAN RED!"
Akito shook Tsukasa with one hand and used his own powers to heal him with the other.
His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest with the frantic beat it was having, but how could it not? Seeing Tsukasa like that was like a shot straight to the chest, this man who countless times has put his skin on the line for the city, for the children, for Akito, without even asking someone to do the same for him.
All these pent-up feelings were starting to spill out, scared of losing Tsukasa, frustrated to see him in that state, angry because the blond doesn't let the rest help him, happy to found him, relieved that he's still breathing, desperate to say everything he feels-
"Akito?" Tsukasa slowly opened his eyes.
"Leader." Akito let out a breath he'd been holding, lowering his gaze slightly as he placed his hands on Tsukasa's shoulders. "Thank goodness, it's a good thing I got here on time."
He was on time.
"What are you talking about? I was just taking a quick break while I healed myself." Tsukasa tried to sound confident. Noticing how shaky Akito was, he stopped himself and patted the ginger's hair. "Thank you, Akito."
"Thank you?" Akito squeezed Tsukasa's shoulders. "Thank you? We lost communication with you for two hours, only to find out that you and TEAR DROP were following the boss of the League of Villains, and then you end up like they wiped the floor with you? Why didn't you tell me to come with you? How did you end up like this? And where is TEAR DROP?"
Tsukasa blinked, of all the times Akito has scolded him, this is the most severe yet, he must change the mood.
"I wasn't going to go down that easily! You know I'm a tough."
"What if the opposite had happened and you were dead?" Tsukasa felt the weight of Akito's words, forcing him to reveal everything.
"It's true that TEAR DROP and I were chasing the head of the League of Villains, but we were ambushed along the way by several villains, one of whom had unfinished business with TEAR DROP so we split up." Tsukasa was hesitant to say the next thing, but Akito was going to get it out of her mouth one way or another. "After that, when I was close to catching her, [B] appeared in the middle and we started fighting. I thought I had everything under control even though [B] and I were evenly matched, only... I didn't expect to be attacked from behind by [E]"
"So that's why she said that." Akito remembered Ena's words. Feeling a headache coming on, he rubbed his temple. "You really let her leave you like that? Are you an idiot?"
"I can't hurt her, she's your sister." Akito clicked his tongue at those words.
"She's a villain." The air felt heavy. "Why didn't you tell me to come with you?"
Tsukasa said nothing, just leaned against the pillar to slowly stand up. He glanced briefly at his clothes and sighed, activating his suit. He took a firm stance before speaking.
"This area is desolate, Akito, head to the nearest area where there are people and help them." Akito knew that what Tsukasa was saying was an order.
"What the hell are you talking about?! That I should leave? And where are you going?"
"I heard where their boss is going, I'm going over there to catch her. So-" Akito grabbed his wrist. "Akito?"
"What did you think when you saw your clothes?" There was no response. "I'm sorry, leader, but I won't obey that order. I'm coming with you."
"Huh?! I'm not going to risk your life!" Echoes resounded in the place.
"But you can risk yours?!" Echoes were drowning in the silence.
Tsukasa saw Akito's eyes tremble, a lump forming in his throat. "It's different. I'm the leader."
"I need you." Tsukasa was caught off guard. "Those were the words you told me when you scouted me."
"Akito..."
"If you really need me, if I really am your most trusted man." Akito had to make him clear how determined he was. "Then I'm coming with you. If you're going to die, I'll die with you!"
Why, Tsukasa wanted to ask.
"Because I need you." Akito admitted, not going to hesitate on this one. "I need you, Tsukasa. I can't see a future without you, I don't need you to defend me, I can fight alongside you. I'll take whatever risks are required to be by your side!"
Tsukasa felt something rise in his chest when he saw Akito's smile. An overwhelming flame that was spreading throughout his body. A flame that was finally burning away the insecurity surrounding his relationship with Akito. A flame that colored his face.
"Those words, so cheesy." Tsukasa tried to joke. "You want to convince me with pretty words?"
"That's how I feel about Tsukasa." Even if this abandoned building was gloomy, Akito's flame was illuminating it.
"You feel so warm." Akito instantly flinched. "Ah! That's not what I meant! Can't you see I'm standing?!" Tsukasa cleared his throat. "What can I do... If you're willing to fight by my side to the bitter end, then I'll let you go with me."
"Let's go, Tsukasa."
"After a wild battle, the day was saved by none other than, PENGASUS-MAN RED...!" Tsukasa struck a pose.
"And ORANGE EAGLE!" Akito stuck to his side to pose with him.
The children screamed, sang, and cheered as the story ended. Their favorite heroes looked even cooler after fighting for the good of the city.
"This is a gift from the heavens!" Tsukasa summoned a gentle, refreshing breeze. "So you little heroes, keep fighting until evil is defeated!"
It wasn't as effective as current medicine, but at least it could boost children's defenses.
After giving lots smiles, Akito and Tsukasa left the hospital. It was already nighttime, so their destination was home.
"Repairs around the city are going smoothly," Tsukasa commented. This hospital, for example, was no longer in the state it had been in after the villains' attack.
"But..."
"What do you mean, but?" Tsukasa crossed his arms, waiting for Akito to continue.
"There's something bothering you." Akito pointed out, and Tsukasa reacted as if he was right on target. "Spit it out."
Tsukasa's stubbornness wanted to silence him, but after that day, he and Akito promised to be more honest - than they already were - with each other.
"Their boss escaped." Remembering that frustrated him. Many told him they almost had her, but to Tsukasa, it was still a failure.
"Things are as they are, what can be done." Akito shrugged. It frustrated him too, but he wasn't going to let failure cloud his mind. "All we have to do is keep fighting for the world's smiles, right, Leader?"
"You said it yourself!"
Tsukasa keep walking, but stopped his when he noticed that Akito wasn't moving.
"What's wrong?"
"Activated." A bubble covered them.
Akito ran to Tsukasa and grabbed him by his collar, planting a short kiss on his lips.
"I'll fight to protect your smile too, do you understand, leader?" He popped the bubble with his finger and ran away.
Tsukasa touched his lips, and his brain clicked. "Akito! What are you planning on leaving me like this? Don't even think you're going to get ahead of me. I'll protect your smile too!"
Akito was really grateful that Tsukasa chose him to be a hero.