How about Kotetsu x Gender Neutral! Reader where he told them he still wishes that people acknowledge his efforts, even though saving people is still his first priority. They reassure him that he will always be their hero as they seen how hard he tries & they never want him to stop doing what's right! They admire him & told him that he inspired them to be a hero like Mr Legend to him. They also bought his hero cards with his original & current designs too. Is this ok?
My Hero
Kotetsu X GN!Reader
Warnings: violence, blood, almost dying, some language. An 'age gap', y/n is in their 20s vs Kotetsu is 38.
Ngl this request completely kickstarted my urge to get into writing again, after a hiatus that lasted months. So it may have gotten a little more detailed than the original request(and by detailed I mean that I got super carried away like 7K words carried away), but I hope you like it!
Kotetsu T. Kaburagi had always been good at saving people. It came with the job—and the powers—but it wasn’t until he met you that he realized how powerless he could feel outside of a fight.
You were fast. Not just in speed, but in everything—thought, speech, the way you moved like the world never quite caught up. A NEXT with the alter ego Shockwave, although he knew you by Y/N. You are in your twenties with a kinetic energy that made people stop and stare, even when you weren’t glowing. Kotetsu was well past that kind of attention, these days. His joints ached more often than he’d admit, and he had to squint at his phone sometimes to read the messages without his glasses.
He felt the years between you like a physical thing, especially when you smiled at him. Not polite. Not hero-to-hero. Just... warm.
Too warm.
“I don’t get it,” he muttered, sitting with a half-empty can of coffee on the edge of the training deck.
Barnaby glanced over. “You don’t get a lot of things.”
Kotetsu sighed, rubbed the back of his neck. “How do you even tell if someone’s just being nice, or if they—y’know—like you?”
“You could try asking.”
He scoffed. “Right. ‘Hey, I know I’m like ten years older and might’ve pulled my back last week, but are you flirting with me?’ That won’t get me slapped at all.”
Barnaby raised a brow. “You like them.”
“Of course I like them. They’re smart and brave and... and they believe in making the right choice.” Kotetsu paused, voice dropping. “I just don’t know what I’d look like beside them. Like some washed-up has-been hero?”
“More like a reliable partner,” Barnaby said. “But that’s your call.”
You found Kotetsu alone later, half-bent over a vending machine like he was losing a war with it.
“Need a hand?” you offered, already pulling your glove off to short-circuit the stuck machine with a controlled spark.
The can thudded free.
Kotetsu blinked. “You’re scary good at that.”
“I’m good at a lot of things,” you said with a grin that made his brain short-circuit a little. “But you’re not bad yourself, old man.”
He laughed, but the phrase caught—old man—and his smile faltered.
You noticed. “Hey. I was kidding. That didn’t bug you, did it?”
“A little,” he admitted. “Not because of the words. Just… I know there’s an age gap. And I don’t wanna misread anything. Or make you uncomfortable.”
Your expression softened.
“Kotetsu,” you said gently, stepping closer. “You’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. You never pretend, even when it’d be easier. That matters more to me than any number.”
He blinked. “So you...?”
You nudged the can into his hand. “I like you, idiot.”
His power flared for exactly one second—just enough to trip over his own feet in shock.
You caught him before he hit the ground. “Still a hero,” you teased.
Breathless and red-faced, he looked up at you and smiled like a man who just realized maybe he could still catch up.
Even if it took a second or two longer.
You often felt like there was extensive uncertainty in that department, but things came to a swift beginning—he was your friend, best friend in the league.
He gave you advice and often spent hours together, and when your feelings became real. It left you at an impasse. You’d never ask though.
Not when it meant that he might not feel the same. It wasn't just light banter or some flirting, you saw him and knew. Almost instantly. That he was it.
He was the one.
You were training, lifting heavy and hoping your body didn’t collapse under the weight. As the distance became longer, the weights and time became heavier. The bar presses down on your shoulders, back straight as you bend into a squat—a stream of sweat beads down your cheek and your teeth clench together.
A rush of exhaustion hits fast and your eyes widen, only the weight doesn’t come instead it lifts off your shoulders entirely. Clicking back into place, you lean over onto yourself—exhaling heavily and then standing upright.
“What’s up Kotetsu?” His arms have crossed over his chest, compared to some he is average stature, but to you— he feels massive. Your eyes trailing up to look at him, a knot forming in your stomach and in your throat.
“We gotta talk?” Your teeth bite the inside of your cheek, eyes drifting down to the ground.
“About???” You drag the word, wiping the sweat and hoping that it’d be about training.
“Where’d ya go, kid?” Your lip twitches at the stupid nickname, that ball of nerves in your throat is threatening to choke you. He leans his back onto the machine, arms still crossed as you shrug.
“I’ve been here the whole time…” You pause, “training…” But you know that’s the not the answer he is looking for, not even close. A loud sigh leaves your lips.
“See that, I can tell somethings up. But you’re just gone…” You too feel the miles of distance, it felt like it happened overnight, but still when you find it in yourself to look up at Kotetsu. Your thoughts stumble.
“I’m right here.” You assert, of course you know that’s not the truth—that you are trying to put miles and miles of distance to protect yourself. Afraid. Kotetsu already had his one true love, and you would never try be anything close to that. Hell, he even has a daughter. The age difference is there, something that seems to even bother him. But if you're honest with yourself, you just don’t know if you could say it outloud.
“You’re not though. I look forward to our Thursday night outs and every other day, movie night. I love that you always burn the popcorn. But it’s always changing, here and there. I know I’m no—” He runs a hand through his hair, making a funny face. "It's hard to read when it keeps changing."
“Look, I’m no good at this, I haven’t even thought about it before now. But you can’t just stop, because I don’t want you to stop. To ya know—” His words seem to be falling off his tongue, and you can hardly stop your head from spinning. Is your heart supposed to be in your throat? Choking you? Drowning out every other noise, except for your heartbeat?
“Kotetsu…” His name coming out of your mouth silences him, he goes completely still and slumps onto himself. “You’re rambling.” You half smile, partially genuine and partially forced—god, he means the world to you and he doesn’t even know it.
“I know. I know, but I just don’t know how to explain it. I like knowing you’ll be there every night, and most of those nights, all I want is to hold you.” You had wanted to hear those words before, pleaded with the fates to give you the chance to hear them. You had completely given up hope of ever hearing them, settling in with the thought you’d only ever be his friend. It’s almost too good to be true.
“Prove it, Kotetsu.” You swallow, turning so that you’re facing him, eyes upcast to meet his. Warm and brown, and full of life. “Because I’ve spent a long time trying not to cross any lines, terrified I’d do the wrong thing and you’d be gone." You whisper that last bit, you wish you could scream, but a whisper will do.
Turns out, kissing Kotetsu was almost as good as cuddling up to watch a movie, or show. It was quiet and calm, needy, but too much.
It was warm, and all those good feelings people talk about—and it was right.
You didn’t mean to fall for him.
Honestly, you thought it would just be admiration. Respect, even. Kotetsu was a legend, after all—one of the few heroes who never let the spotlight change him. Rough around the edges, sure. Loud, disorganized, sometimes a walking disaster. But he cared. He saw people. He saw you.
Even when you were still getting your footing in the hero world, he never treated you like a kid. He'd wait when you were figuring something out, even if it meant getting singed a little in the crossfire. He listened. He laughed at your bad jokes. He believed in you when you weren’t sure if you deserved it.
So maybe falling wasn’t the surprise.
Maybe the surprise was how hard it hit you.
You knew he felt the age thing. You could see it in the way he’d hesitate after a compliment, or change the subject when someone mentioned “the old days.” Like he thought he had to be the past, and you were the future.
That brings you to where you are now, beside him on the edge of the rooftop, the city below scattered in golds and soft blues. He was fiddling with the tab on his can, trying too hard not to look nervous.
“So,” you said, letting your knee brush his. “You gonna tell me what you were actually thinking back at the vending machine?”
Kotetsu scratched his cheek. “That obvious, huh?”
You nodded. “You get this scrunched-up look when you're trying not to talk.”
He huffed a laugh. “Can’t hide anything from you, huh?”
“You’re not that sneaky.”
A beat of quiet.
“I was thinking I didn’t expect you to like someone like me,” he said, voice low. “Not just the age thing. I’ve got a kid. I’ve got baggage. I’m not exactly... a shiny new hero.”
Your chest tightened.
You turned to him fully. “I don’t want shiny. I want real.”
He looked up at you, surprise flickering behind his eyes.
“I want someone who fights even when it’s hard. Who looks out for everyone else before himself. Someone who’s got a big, dumb heart and laughs too loud and makes terrible coffee.
He blinked. “My coffee’s not that bad.”
You leaned in, resting your head lightly on his shoulder. “It is. But I’d still drink it every morning if it meant being with you.”
Kotetsu went still. You could feel the tension humming off him like electricity.
Then, slowly—like the moment needed to breathe—he let his head rest gently against yours.
“You’re gonna break my heart, y’know that?” he whispered.
You smiled. “Only if you run from me.”
He didn’t run.
Didn’t even flinch.
Instead, his hand found yours—calloused, warm, a little unsure.
And he held on.
Sternbild had seen the fair share of heroes and all of them seemed above reprise. It felt as though there should be no crime or violence, a picturesque city of cooperation. Yet whether there are heroes, there is always crime.
When you first came to Sternbild, you felt like the whole world was against you in the big city. No one really gave you a handbook on how to be a big-time hero.
Sure, your training took you far, but not nearly far enough for it to matter and a violent fight a lot of people and most of the sponsors thought you were powerful, but not enough to be assigned into the big leagues.
When it all came down to it, you stood out enough— got quite a few high profile saves and Hero TV couldn’t sign you faster. That’s also when Kotetsu first noticed you…he couldn’t explain the connection or interest, it made no sense.
Kotetsu thought for a very long time that he was content, that he had everything he wanted in life and more. At all hours, Kotetsu was in awe of you and everything that you had accomplished—so much so that he couldn’t even put it into words.
There’s a shift on the couch as Kotetsu shifts himself closer, his arm wrapping around the top of your shoulder. The TV playing in the back ground, but you can tell something is wrong with him. Although you’re not able to see into his mind, but he has not spoken a word—leaving you in the dark.
You were looking for the right moment to ask him about it, but when he’s quiet like this, your mind begins to wander. When he’d go quiet, it’s been half the night worried terrified of losing him to whatever you might have done. Then other times you would go down the rabbit hole of thinking that you’re no more than a distraction—you know Kotetsu has already had his one true, but Kotetsu is that to you.
He was the one that made the world go round.
You lean onto his shoulder, the sensation of his palm is warm on your bicep. His fingers flex to grass you a little tighter and a heavy sigh escapes your lips.
“What’s going on?” Your eyes go wide and you glance over, only able to manage that much for a few moments.
“Nothing.”
“Cmon, I know there’s—” You interrupt him, spitting the words out as quickly as you can manage.
“I’m just worried about you…” Kotetsu’s eyes seem to shift, his attention moving completely to you—the tv off in a few seconds. “You just seem so—I don’t know. Withdrawn.” Your concern is real, even from his word he seemed withdrawn and it left you feeling more insecure. “Sometimes I worry you think I can’t handle the truth.”
That seems to trigger something because Kotetsu shifts until you were facing each other his palms warm resting on your waist, and you are all too aware of the sensation of how close. The way he circles your skin with his thumb, even through the shirt he is comforting.
“No.” He drags the word, “No. Nothing like that at all—I just…” He sighs, “I didn’t realize you thought…” It’s as if he is talking to himself, but you remain close to him and observant. Watching the way he exists in front of you, seemed to be so present in this conversation.
Kotetsu was always difficult to read, so good at putting on a performance. So it made it hard to know the truth. “I’m not really a hero anymore.” His admission is shocking you expected it to be the pressure or anything else. “You’re even outselling me on cards in your first six months than I have in five years, even in our duo pack… People are only buying it for you…” You place your hand on his arms, keeping yourself attentive to his expressions. “People come to our panels to see you.”
Your own thumb runs along his arms, trying to imagine a more peaceful moments. You sigh: “Now it’s a good card…” Your eyes can see the way he gains light, his expression softening at what you imagine is your card illustration. There’s a flush of pink under his cheeks: “A great card even.” He adds a little laugh out, but there is a great deal of sadness in that laugh too. “But all I wanted to be was a hero, to mean something to someone.”
You smile up at him softly, reaching up to trace the stubble of his chin with your thumb. “You’re my hero.”
His eyes soften as he draws you closer, “I know. I know, but that’s what you’re supposed to say.”
You hush him with your eyes, a look that silences him. “No. I really mean it. You inspired me in so many different ways.” You feel the breath hitch in his chest, smiling at him. “Even before I came to Sternbild. But when I got here, I collected every one of your cards, you were always so strong. So good.” You smile up at him, trying to share your joy and warmth with him.
You rest your hand over his heart with a smile, recalling every card you ever found. “You’re a good hero. A great hero.” Mocking how he spoke about your card, “You’re my hero.”
Kotetsu smiles, finally finding it in himself to breathe again. Leaning his head forward until your foreheads touch, his hands wrapping themselves around yours—bringing you close. “That's probably the sweetest thing anyone’s said to me.”
You shut your eyes, smiling lightly at the confession. That’s the thing about Kotetsu, he always does the right thing. No matter what.
Kotetsu had faced mad men, killer robots, even his own mortality.
But nothing made his palms sweat like this.
He sat across from Kaede at their favorite little soba place, a quiet corner booth by the window. She was home from school for the weekend, already halfway through her bowl and telling him about some new internship like it was no big deal.
She was growing up too fast. Smarter than him. Stronger, probably. And somehow still patient enough to humor her mess of a dad.
He should just say it.
But every time he opened his mouth, it felt like a noodle was stuck in his throat.
“So,” Kaede said, finally eyeing him with suspicion. “You’re doing the thing.”
“What thing?”
“The thing where you fidget like you’re hiding something. Spill it.”
Kotetsu rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, okay. Jeez. Can’t put anything past you.”
Kaede grinned. “Nope.”
He took a breath. “So, uh... I’ve been seeing someone.”
Her chopsticks froze mid-air.
“You what?”
“Not—like—not a lot yet. It’s new,” he stammered. “But it’s serious. Or, I think it could be. I just didn’t wanna drop it on you out of nowhere.”
Kaede blinked, then set her bowl down. “Wait. Like dating? You’re dating someone?”
He nodded.
She stared.
Then leaned in, eyes narrowing. “Who is it?”
He hesitated.
“…You know Shockwave, right?”
Her jaw dropped.
“You’re dating Shockwave?” she repeated, voice climbing.
Kotetsu flinched. “Is that—okay? I mean, I know they’re a bit younger and all, but—”
“Dad,” Kaede interrupted, wide-eyed. “That’s not why I’m freaking out.”
“…It’s not?”
She shook her head, slowly breaking into a smile.
“I love Shockwave! They’re so cool! Oh my god, does this mean I’m going to have to start pretending not to know when they’re flirting with you in the kitchen?”
Kotetsu groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Kaede—”
She was laughing now, full and bright.
“I’m happy for you, really,” she said, more softly this time. “You deserve someone who makes you feel seen. And safe. And a little less like a disaster.”
He peeked at her through his fingers. “Thanks, kiddo.”
Kaede reached across the table and squeezed his wrist. “You think you’re old and rusty, but you’re still you. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”
His heart cracked a little at that—right down the middle in the best possible way.
“…So you’re okay with it?” he asked, still a little breathless.
Kaede grinned. “Only if I get to tease you both endlessly.”
“Deal.”
The alert came through during dinner.
Kaede had insisted on staying over—partly to keep the mood light after the conversation the night before, and partly to help her dad reorganize the disaster that was his living room.
They’d just finished teasing each other over burnt gyoza when the HeroTV emergency broadcast lit up Kotetsu’s phone.
A rogue NEXT. Downtown. Civilian casualties reported.
Your name listed on the active response team.
Kotetsu felt his stomach clench.
The news station cut to aerial footage before HeroTV could sanitize it. The city skyline blurred behind you as you chased the NEXT across the rooftop grid—blindingly fast, like lightning barely tethered to a human form.
You were holding your own.
Until you weren’t.
Kotetsu watched it happen in one gut-wrenching second.
The enemy pulled a fake-out—redirected a collapsing beam mid-air with their telekinesis, fast enough that you didn’t see it coming. The metal crashed down across your back, and the feed flickered with static and screams.
Your body hit the rooftop.
Hard.
“Kae—Kaede, give me the remote!” Kotetsu’s voice cracked as he fumbled to turn up the volume. “Where’s their vitals? Where the hell’s the status—?!”
Kaede’s eyes were wide, frozen to the screen. “Oh my god. Dad—”
Kotetsu’s hands were already trembling. “Why weren’t they with backup? Where’s the rest of the team—?!”
A second camera cut in, shakier—closer. You were down, unmoving, but alive. The rubble around you glowed faintly from your residual energy, flickering like a dying ember. Blood stained the side of your uniform. Too much blood.
And still, you tried to get up.
Kotetsu stood so fast he knocked his chair over. “I have to go. I have to—”
Kaede grabbed his arm.
He stopped. Looked down at her.
“You can’t,” she whispered. “You’re not cleared. You’ll just slow them down. You know that.
He wanted to scream. Wanted to tear through the screen and grab you and carry you somewhere safe.
But he couldn’t.
He could only watch.
His heart split in two.
“Please,” he whispered—to no one, to whatever gods might still be listening. “Please, don’t take them from me.”
