Linky's Fics

Wounded Pride

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That was so reckless of him…

Those were the only words that repeated in Minato’s head as he tended to the array of wounds scattered across Spanner’s body. He was lucky that he was still alive.

While Minato was grateful Spanner got there just in time to help him with that Golem attack, he got in over his head. Rushing in to land a blow that didn’t work out. Glion’s new Golems were a much stronger foe than the Malgams they had previously fought. A terrifying thought that couldn’t escape Minato’s mind.

Recklessness was far from uncommon with Spanner. It was a trait that had shown itself many times over the years they’ve known each other. Him being reckless was just another day that ended in “y”.

Minato silently wished to himself it would become more of a rarity in the coming days. There was too much at stake at this point.

Glion’s power was steadily growing. The Abysallis Kings were out there plotting who knows what on top of that. So much was on the line… Every move they’d make had to count.

There was no more room for any rash actions. Either they be from Spanner, from him, or from anyone else in the academy.

Spanner sat silently and glared at the floor as Minato wrapped more bandages around his body. His chest was mostly covered with them, admittedly wrapping around his muscles quite nicely… Though this wasn’t the time for a thought like that. Both of his arms and a leg were covered in bandages too.

Minato prepared more antiseptic, making sure to clean each wound thoroughly through the entire process.

“Ah!” Spanner whimpered as it was applied to his hand. That wound was a particularly deep one. Not to mention it was on such a sensitive area to boot.

“Sorry.” Minato looked up into Spanner’s eyes. Able to see everything that swirled deep inside. Minato carefully wrapped the final one to that very same hand. Making sure to not agitate the wound as his fingers worked their way around. “I’m almost done.”

It was as clear as day. Spanner’s body wasn’t the only thing that was wounded, his pride was too.

Minato had known him long enough by this point. They had also confided in many of their darkest secrets to each other. In careful whispers as they laid next to each other at night. Working through their traumas.

So much still needed to be processed from the two of them.

Especially after Minato’s betrayal.

With each tough conversation, their bond only grew stronger. And Minato could read Spanner even better than before. He was certain Spanner was able to read him so clearly as well.

While his power as a Kamen Rider had grown, including prowess with combat alchemy—Spanner still wasn’t quite at the levels of Ichinose or Kudo. His frustration at this fact was apparent.

No matter how much he’d try to suppress it and play it off, Minato could tell. Those beautiful brown eyes said it all.

It was what caused him to succumb to the black flames within him all those months ago. Spanner did overcome that incident, becoming stronger in body and mind. Gaining the ability to become a Kamen Rider on top of that and drawing chemies to him to help him in the fight.

The flames were sourced from trauma however, a trauma that cut deep into Spanner’s being. He had become stronger each and every day, but the path of healing was a long and arduous one. One that never truly had an end point.

He will reach a state of healing one day, Minato said to himself. Almost like a prayer. It wouldn’t be easy. Spanner did have the resolve to reach this point, something Minato believed this with all of his heart.

The day would come where Spanner would push through everything bothering him deep inside his heart, and transmute those feelings into strength to help him continue to move forward. Like the Super A-Rank Alchemist Minato knew that he was.

All of this would take time. Right now, it was just as important to focus on the present as it was to look towards the future.

Minato knew by now what would help the most. While affirming words that would come from him could and did help Spanner, actions were always a much stronger course of action for a moment like this.

Spanner was a man who let actions speak for him. And when actions were used to communicate with him in return, it spoke louder and hit deeper than any words could.

He leaned forward and gently kissed Spanner’s head. Softly holding Spanner’s other hand, one that was thankfully mostly unscathed in the attack, say for a couple bruises. Stroking it with his thumb. Very softly, making sure to avoid any bruised skin.

Spanner blinked and looked over to Minato. Slowly he began to form a smile. It was genuine. His body began to visibly relax, his jaw unclenched itself and his shoulders loosened up. The agitation that was in his eyes moments ago turned into a soft sense of adoration.

That looked to have done the trick. The lingering frustrations about his combat abilities wouldn’t fully leave him so easily, however that was a topic to process for another late-night conversation. For now, Spanner would be more at ease.

Minato also knew he could spar with Spanner in the future. He wasn’t a Kamen Rider, at least anymore, but his combat alchemy was of a high level. There was bound to be something new he could teach him. More training in times such as these was never a bad thing.

What needed to be done was done. Spanner being taken out of his thoughts and become grounded, coming back into the present moment.

“Thank you, senpai.” Leaning forward himself and kissing Minato in return. Who happily accepted and reciprocated it. Fingers intertwined as they kissed, hearts becoming one.

The battle was far from over—though they had each other.

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