Linky's Fics

Traces Of You

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The breeze of the cool spring air could be felt as Spanner waited outside the door of Minato’s apartment. Minato invited him over to his home the previous day. The cherry blossom trees were starting to bloom, and the sound of cars driving through in the distance could also be heard.

It had been some months since Spanner had last visited this place. Right now it had been a week since the big confrontation with Geryon, and things were gradually beginning to go back to how they usually were.

Things would not be entirely the same as it was before, but it was as close as you could get after all of that happened.

With his parents finally avenged now, it left his goal accomplished. But there was still much left for him to do in terms of healing and moving forward. Avenging them was just the start of what was a long, personal journey ahead of him.

And Spanner couldn’t even possibly begin to think about what was going on inside Minato’s head right now. Especially given what he’d gone through ten years ago. What happened in his own past leading him to do what he felt he had to.

But for any form of normalcy to show itself again was welcomed. Even if it felt so surreal to actually experience.

After what felt like a painfully long amount of time, Minato was finally back and reunited with everyone. Despite the fact he was still always fighting for them in the end. Even though it didn’t feel like it right in the moment—

Just then the door suddenly opened, Spanner’s thoughts were interrupted as he saw Minato smiling in front of him. “Ah Spanner, welcome. Come on in.”

“Thank you.”

Minato’s apartment was smaller than Kyoka’s. But he also wasn’t a mechanic like she was. What she required took up a lot more space than most average alchemists would normally need.

Though Spanner did remember a dedicated secret room to his alchemy tools last he checked. Which was decently expansive. Given how he wasn’t just an average alchemist, but also a teacher on top of that, it tracked.

But he only got a couple looks into that room. There hasn’t been much reason for him to be in there so far with Minato, compared to other rooms in the apartment… Though one day he’d like to either do some alchemy with him or watch him in that space.

But that was neither here nor there for today.

Today was for catching up. To spend some much needed alone time together. Starting now, there was going to be a period of peace. At least for the time being, and just who knew how long it was going to last. Especially with the other two dark sisters still out there.

So it would be for the best to take as full advantage of these precious moments as much as possible.

Outside of the secret alchemist’s room, Minato’s apartment was what you’d typically expect from an average person living in the city. Sitting between the lines of more traditionally styled living spaces, and something more modern and sleek.

His hand shuffled through his hair a little bit, something that Spanner always found rather charming. “I still need to get ready, help yourself to anything in the fridge in the meantime if you’d like.”

“Thank you Senpai.”

He wasn’t hungry right now, having had lunch with Kyoka earlier. (Just how she could eat as much coriander as she did still continued to elude him. But that was besides the point.) So he didn’t feel the need to act upon that offer.

As the door shut, Spanner could hear the bells of bicycles passing by out the window. The soft chatter of children walking through the street.

Minato lived in a rather quaint area of town. It wasn’t the fanciest area in the world, but it was still peaceful. Though he’d never struck Spanner as needing to live in an extravagant living space either. A more simple and practical residence was what he’d expected from Minato.

Well, simple save for the secret room dedicated to the art of alchemy.

As the minutes rolled by Spanner couldn’t help but go back to reflect on all that had happened as of late. It was almost hard to believe that around this time last week, he and everyone else were fighting tooth and nail to save the world from Geryon.

Ichinose unlocked new power thanks to Hopper-1 transmuted itself into Crosshopper, and Minato had arrived in the nick of time. When he thought about it, Spanner had never seen Minato use combat alchemy like that before.

In the years they’d worked together, Spanner had been the one doing the fighting, leaving the logistics of things to Minato. That was how things worked, before and after he graduated.

But he looked damn good with a sword. He could feel his cheeks beginning to flush as he played back the sight of seeing Minato fight Geryon.

Maybe one day they could battle together.

And now, things were back to how it had been before Sabimaru was forced to become dread. How life could change in such drastic ways in mere moments… It was an interesting thing.

He heard a door open in the distance, footsteps coming in his direction, interrupting his train of thought. And Spanner could barely take his eyes off what he saw: Minato was shirtless, still drying off the last bits of dampness on his skin with a towel. Then resting it across his neck.

Spanner felt his mouth begin to get dry seeing this toned body that he’d grown to know so closely. Why was he having such a strong reaction? He’d seen Minato with less clothes on multiple times before.

Plus there was something that especially caught his eye: The long scar that began at his right shoulder, trailing its way across his chest. In the exact same path of when he struck him. His lips slowly parted, shocked by the sight.

He purposefully missed his vitals back then, having picked up on his act to help him begin to control the black flames within him.

It made sense that such a blow would leave a scar like this. Yet, he had a complex whirlwind of emotions form up inside him as he saw a mark that he permanently etched across his body. Guilt began to slowly trickle its way into his heart.

He’d fully intended to strike him down before realizing his true intentions…

What were his wounds like back then? His mind gradually began to race wondering just what was the extent of the suffering that he inflicted upon Minato, when he was already going through so much to begin with—

“Spanner?” Minato looked at him curiously. His words brought Spanner back to earth as he sat down next to him on the couch. It didn’t take long for a small wry smile to cross his lips. He knew what the problem was. His hand gently moved its way to the scar. “This? I’m fine, Spanner, really.”

Spanner was left completely speechless, words having trouble escaping his lips. Or even forming thoughts within his head for that matter. Slowly and without thinking, he brought the tips of his fingers towards the section of the scar across his pectoral. Dragging his finger down towards the end of its path, the tip of his finger ending up meeting his hand.

The warmth of Minato’s hand snapped him out of it. Shaking his head, he jerked his hand back. “Ah. I’m sorry, Senpai. That was rude of me.” Frustrated with himself for doing that. Scolding himself -- what a ridiculous thing to do.

Minato could only chuckle in response. It was rather cute how he just reached out to him without a second thought. A rare moment where the typically serious Spanner acted out of impulse, when he’d usually scold and chide others for acting as such.

And it was reassuring to him all the same. Knowing that the level of intimacy they shared wouldn’t change in the end, even if he’d had to play the role of a double agent. Which was a worry of his, deep down.

Though he would have understood completely if it ended up being the case. It was something he was prepared for.

The scar that now laid across his chest was also something he accepted wholeheartedly. It was the price he paid to try and protect everyone. There were no hard feelings. Minato knowingly chose the path he did, and accepted all of the consequences head on.

He had no regrets. Nor would he ever develop any in the future.

“It’s alright.”

Spanner’s gaze moved back to the scar. Feelings of all sorts continued to bubble up inside of him. So many of them he couldn’t possibly begin to list them all. He continued to be left speechless. Just how could Minato be so calm about this?

The more emotional part of his brain was still left baffled by this. That scar would forever be across his chest. And he was alright with that?

As if he sensed the feelings brewing within Spanner right before him, Minato gently rested his forehead against Spanner’s. His hand moved onto his cheek, pulling him even closer.

“Senpai…”

“When I say it’s alright, I mean it.” He reassured him with a soft spoken voice, and a gentle tone. “We were both doing what we had to do back then. So please, don’t worry.” He gently placed a soft and quick kiss on Spanner’s lips, his hand now stroking the side of his face.

When he came up for air, Spanner felt his heartbeat begin to go at an easier pace. The buzzing in his brain cut away as Minato spoke to him softly, his tone like a beacon of light in overwhelming darkness. The touch of his hand was warm, and his lips also had a pleasant warmth to them.

He needed more.

With his heart swelling, he gripped the ends of the towel across Minato’s neck and pulled him close. This time he kissed him with fervor. Making this one completely distinct from the previous kiss.

His hands gripped at the towel as if he didn’t want him to leave his side again. The pace of their kiss increased, and so did its heat. Minato’s hands began to card through his hair as they continued to kiss. The pair began to gently suck and nip at each other’s lips, continuing to let the heat rise.

Pulling away from each other, they came up for air. Panting slightly as they looked at each other. Spanner could feel his cheeks begin to flush, Minato’s did as well.

Spanner slowly reached out his hand again, gently stroking Minato’s scar. The tips of his fingers gliding against the soft skin. Feeling how Minato shivered as his skin met his. Kissing him again, and again, and again, as Spanner’s hand laid upon his chest.

Minato leaned into Spanner’s touch as he gently touched his scar. Letting out a pleased sigh as Spanner directed his attention to Minato’s neck for a moment, kissing and gently nipping across his skin.

Spanner couldn’t even be able to begin to articulate just how much relief he felt. Relief that Minato was okay. Both in terms of his health, and with this new scar. Relief that their relationship wasn’t going to change after all that had happened.

A massive weight was finally lifted right off his shoulders, allowing him to feel as light as air.

Minato relished in the attention. His heart fluttered as Spanner caressed his scar with such a warm and gentle touch. Taking great care when handling such a delicate area. He enthusiastically kissed Spanner back each time, continuing to lean into him. His hands continued to card through his hair.

He wanted Spanner to feel just how much he missed him. How much he cared for him, and continued to convey that with each of his actions.

Words couldn’t even begin to describe just how much he missed this. Being able to be close with Spanner again. It pained him deeply to feign coldness and loyalty to Geryon for all those months, pretending he never cared about any of the people he’d grown close to. Both his students and colleagues alike.

But it had been uniquely painful to pretend to be the enemy of Spanner, someone he had grown so close to, someone who he’d grown to love in a different way compared to everyone else.

In a way it reminded him of how Geryon was like to him. While Spanner had graduated some time ago, Minato was still a figure of authority in his life. Entering a relationship with him as something they both kept on the down-low due to the chatter it would undoubtedly cause if word got out.

(Even Kyoka still didn’t know. It was impossible to guess what she’d even say if she did find out. And right now neither of them wanted to deal with that.)

All those years ago, Geryon and Minato had entered a similar relationship… That was before Geryon’s true intentions were revealed. Even though Minato had the intention to help everyone from the other side, he was still endlessly consumed with guilt and worry that he’d continued a cruel cycle onto Spanner.

He was prepared to lose that deep connection he cherished with Spanner, if it meant his life would be spared. And that he would grow stronger as a rider, as well as a person.

Thankfully for them both, Spanner did gain the needed strength for their fight against Geryon. But so did Minato as well And it seemed like their feelings for each other were able to persist.

Words couldn’t even begin to describe just how grateful he was for that.

The pair just stayed in that room for a while in a comfortable almost silence, save for the small pleased noises that came out of both of them. Continuing to kiss and touch the other with fervor, drinking in all the affection. Keeping their bodies close, and not letting a single millisecond go by where one wasn’t showcasing their love for the other.

Minato then stood up and reached out his hand towards Spanner. “How about we continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable?” Having another wry smile.

Spanner knew exactly what he was implying. And he was eager for the same. Taking his hand, he stood up.

“Let’s.”

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End Notes: I have so many emotions about these two. It's that history pre-show that they've got going on that really gives me the brainworms. (That and many other things.)

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