(( Well, I completely understand why people would think this… after all part of my headcanon for Kotetsu involves about six or so years of exactly this after she dies. I think Kotetsu was very much wrapped up in her and a lot of his emotions were as well. A lot of his reactions to things, especially in the beginning of the series seem to be made of what people would expect of him, so in this area particularly it’s easier for him to go with preset expectations than deal with his actual emotions. The kidnapping episode, I think, really fleshes that out nicely.

I do, however, also believe that Barnaby was quite a shake up for him no matter how their relationship is viewed and drags a lot of those emotions, especially concerning love and attachment, that he locked away when Tomoe died. Kotetsu is developed as a character with a really big heart that he’s had to keep at an arm’s length for quite a few years. The show, I think, has as much to do with allowing him to have that again as it does anything else.

Barnaby helps cultivate that willingness to be attached to someone again - to reform the bonds of friends and family that he has absolutely cut himself off from since the death of his wife. The fact that he sticks around during that mess at the end of the series because of those bonds and, in particular, because he wants to make sure Barnaby is safe and risks his life to get the man to remember him speaks volumes to this. 

Whether or not all of that extends to his libido as well is up to interpretation. ;P Bunny-mun and I tend to agree that Barnaby also shook this up quite a bit and Kotetsu does seem the sort of companion that would make solid use of the term “lover” as well… if for no other reason than he enjoys being the cause of others’ happiness. However, I don’t think he particularly needs sex per se, and could see him portrayed in a relationship after Tomoe that didn’t involve it - least of which to the extent we often play it. 

So yeah, the short version of all that, I suppose, is that I believe the show walks us through Kotetsu finally being able to accept Tomoe’s absence in his life and “moving on” emotionally one way or another, but his libido is up for grabs. ))

Wh-what does that even mean?! 

…

17 okay? 17.

I - thanks! That’s very nice of you to remember me so close to a holiday <3

(( For reference, because I know some people just freaked out, lol, Kotetsu still doesn’t have an official birthday. Feb 17th is a birthday derived from fanon speculation based on all the information we do get from the series. I covered this in a post way back when the show was still airing, but it’s damn near impossible to find now.

Long and short of it is: Feb. 17th is Kotetsu’s unofficial birthday and the one I more or less subscribe to. For those wondering, my headcanon places his full birthday at 2/17/1939 :3 ))

(( Ahahaha, yeah. I think we can chalk this one up to the production staff making fun of the voice actors XP They are supposed to be in New York more or less, so clearly Kotetsu writes and speaks in English at least 90% of the time. His handwriting is flawless though… 

Can we all just take a minute to stare at his beautiful, beautiful handwriting? It’s actually rather feminine too, which amuses me to no end. And no, I’m not saying that just because it’s readable. 

Applicable Headcanon Time!

Always thought learning cursive was an amazing thing for young Kotetsu because it seems like something he’d struggle with at first, but was probably one of the first times he actually managed to overcome difficulty with something and actually became really good at it. And I would imagine that, since he canonically wasn’t that on top of things academically, he was always kind of proud of his handwriting because of this. ))

Wha-what?!

I- No! No, of course not; no!

(( Mun’s headcanon on this is actually pretty boring, lol. I think Tomoe was was the first person he actually slept with. There might have been awkward fumbling and uncertain makeouts prior to this, but once Tomoe happened, Kotetsu was completely infatuated, and he was so driven when he was younger - had a real goal that it just seems like he spent all of his time and energy on trying to become a good hero that everything else suffered - academics he wasn’t very good at to begin with and burgeoning love life included :P Tomoe, I think, helped with both these things. ^^;

After Tomoe dies… eh, generally speaking, I expect he went celibate really. He’s really motivated emotionally more than anything. I mean, yeah, he’s human and maybe after a couple of years he had a couple of extremely awkward and or drunken one night stands that he doesn’t particularly remember… but really, it just seems like he lost interest in pretty much everything. The love of his life was gone and he was still in love with her. Still attached. I really don’t see him interested in physical relationships in the mean time. If anything did happen, it would have only resulted from a botched attempt to “move on”. 

That being said, I don’t think his love life was exactly boring ;3 I shall always play Kotetsu with a shibari kink, for one… And that really goes either way. And yes, I do think Tomoe had some fun with it. They were pretty young when they got together and between them there’s a lot of adventure, curiosity and creativity. I’m sure they had fun. I think his relationship with Barnaby hit his life in the same way Tomoe did: he didn’t realize it was there until it smacked him in the face, and in both cases probably shook his libido awake so to speak :P 

So, in general, I’d say he’s been with a very short list of people, if it even passes Tomoe and Barnaby at all, but both scenarios make him pretty *experienced*. ))

… Well I… 

*stops, at a loss for a moment, a hand raising to rub at the back of his neck*

… I may not be the best person to ask about this sort of thing. *wan sort of half smile* … I had a lot to take care of when it happened… which helped me largely to not think about it very often… because when I did I really… I was a mess. *clears his throat* A lot of people will tell you I didn’t ‘cope’ with it… particularly well.

It’s impossible to let go of someone you love that much. And everyone has a different opinion on it - think you should ‘let it go’ or ‘move on’ … but I couldn’t ever think of doing something like that. When it’s someone close like that… it’s like it’s impossible to even think about… I couldn’t think or do anything unless I completely ignored it… and it wasn’t until a few months passed that it really settled in that I wasn’t going to see her anymore.

That was probably the hardest time for me, to be honest… When everyone else had accepted it and the get togethers and condolences were out dated and it was just… me. But, in a way, I was also lucky, because Tomoe gave me something to live for. Not everyone has that… afterward, you know? I don’t know how close you were or how well you knew them, but if you don’t have preparations and paperwork and people to take care of distracting you, I’m sure you’ll remember all the times you spent with her very soon.

That… it helps. I have a lot of photos too - that helps. But memories… those are what you shared with them: the only real piece of them that will stay with you. Treasure them. Don’t let anyone tell you to let them go. And… share them. I… sometimes wish I had. I still have difficulty with it sometimes… but little remembrances here and there… they help. I liked being reminded of her. It’s almost like making her real again, even just for a moment. 

But the best advise I can give is to remember all the things you love about her. All the little moments… And share them with others. Because I never did… And I regret it now. If she’d seen me acting like I did, she probably would’ve hit me. 

…

I hope that helps, Anon. If you ever need it, I’ve got a big hug and a hot mug of tea waiting for you.

(( My condolences, Anon. I really did my best with this! I hope I came up with something at least in character if not helpful! <3 <3 <3 ))