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jrmytxt · 6 months ago

Text

Bandages

Fandom: Metal Fight Beyblade Characters: Masamune Kadoya, Kyouya Tategami Relationship: Masamune Kadoya/Kyouya Tategami, Masamune Kadoya & Kyouya Tategami Summary: 5 times Masamune saw Kyouya bind (and 1 time he didn't) Warnings: Binding with bandages/Unsafe binding Genre: Fluff Word Count: 2221 Notes: This is supposed to be shippy, but nothing much shippy happens until the end and even then it's not that explicit, so, really, if you'd prefer this as a platonic story, you can read it as such! Happy pride month, enjoy my Trans!Kyouya fic!

I'll post the entire story after the cut, so I don't have to make multiple posts

READ ON AO3

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On TV

The first time Masamune ever saw Kyouya was on TV. Battle Bladers was popular enough to get a single time slot on an American channel. It wasn’t prime-time but that worked, because Masamune didn’t need to split his time with Zeo or Toby.

Kyouya was powerful, he could admit that. Powerful and maybe even a bit intimidating. Watching him battle never got boring, and he had to say he was always glued to the screen whenever he was on.

One thing that perplexed him about the other was his style of clothing, though. Everything seemed torn and ripped, but not in a natural way. Not like regular wear and tear, and Masamune wondered of the guy ripped them on purpose to seem cool and edgy.

The bare midriff wasn’t necessarily doing him any favors either, even if it wasn’t a bad view. Especially when, during one match, the wind made his shirt ride up and revealed… bandages? A frown had spread over Masamune’s face when he’d seen that. Was the guy hurt? And yet he was still battling? That was peculiar, and probably not very good, but Masamune had to admit that he was a bit impressed. He had to meet that guy, and he had to battle him.

2. During Battle

When Masamune did finally face Kyouya in battle, it was a tag team match. He was a little bit disappointed, if he was being honest, but he’d make do with what he got. During this championship he’d long since realized that there were much stronger opponents out there, and that he had to take any training he could get, especially regarding situations he still needed to master.

After all, what good would it be to be a Jack of all trades, but master of none?

The disappointment did however persist, when that Kyouya fellow pretty much completely ignored his existence in favor of screaming at Gingka instead. Not that that seemed entirely unbelievable, but still, he was there too after all! He knows he did tell Gingka that he could take on Kyouya and that he’d have his own rematch with Nile. It would have been nice to get recognized, though.

A frown spread over his face and he glanced over to Gingka and then to Kyouya. Both of them sank to the ground, still very much exhausted from their last match against each other. He looked at Nile, who was similarly distracted, and another glance at Kyouya made him notice, once again, the bandages underneath the other’s shirt.

His brows furrowed in confusion (and concern), and he wondered how badly he must’ve hurt himself in the last battle if he needed that many bandages. Sure, he seemed a bit bruised and beaten up, much like Gingka, but that seemed unnecessary. Maybe this tag team battle had been a bad idea. Neither Gingka nor Kyouya were in any condition to fight.

Those thoughts were quickly wiped from his mind, though, when he had to focus back on the battle and he pushed them away.

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3. In the hospital

The final battle against Nemesis cost everyone. A lot of them sustained injuries bad enough they had to go to the hospital, Gingka especially. Amongst those people had been Kyouya as well, and Masamune debated whether to pay the other boy a visit or not. He was already there for Gingka anyway, and so far he still hadn’t really had a chance to just have a regular conversation with the other. The few times they’d seen each other was during the championships and world-ending catastrophes, and that didn’t really leave any time for bonding.

Following the directions a nurse had given him, he stood in front of the hospital room and debated his decision. It would be weird, right? To just go in there, and exclaim he was here to see Kyouya. The other probably didn’t even remember his name. Or maybe he thought him annoying. The last thought didn’t matter, he decided, because when had that ever bothered him? So, with as much bravado as he could muster, he opened up the door to the room and came face to face with a horrified Kyouya.

“Idiot! Don’t you know how to knock?!”

The other huffed, and underneath the disgruntled and angry expression on his face, Masamune noticed a slight blush, that got hidden when the other hurried to pull a shirt over his head.

This time he’d seen the bandages clear as day, but it wasn’t surprising. Not this time. He’d sustained pretty serious injuries, and Masamune didn’t doubt that he’d broken a few ribs.

“Your chest always gets it the worst, huh?” “What? What’s that supposed to mean?!” “Well, whenever you’re injured you’re always wearing bandages around your chest. How often have you broken your ribs at this point?”

Kyouya’s expression was not what Masamune would have expected. Instead of a scowl, or a glare, the other seemed surprised, and almost a bit worried. He averts his eyes and crosses his arms in front of his chest, almost as if to hide it.

“You noticed?” “Well, yeah. You wore bandages after your weird exhaustion battle with Gingka. And when I saw you on Battle Bladers you were wearing them, too. By the way you really shouldn’t fight when you’re injured.”

Kyouya seemed alarmed, his eyes widening.

“It was on TV?!” And before Masamune could respond, Kyouya took a deep breath, very obviously forcing his expression from alarm to an indifferent scowl. An expression Masamune had gotten used to seeing on Kyouya, but never before had he noticed how fake it looked. “You watched me on TV?”

Masamune decided he wouldn’t push the matter any further, because it simply wasn’t his place. Him and Kyouya barely knew each other. Instead he grinned and nodded, taking a seat on one of the chairs close to Kyouya’s bed.

“Sure did. Battle Bladers might not have been a prime-time event in America, but I watched all of it. And I was rooting for you.” A grin. “You were pretty powerful. Still are. You impressed me, and I’m not easy to impress!”

Kyouya’s lips tugged up into a smirk and Masamune realized that it was the right thing to say. After all, that was exactly what he needed. A good conversation starter. And who didn’t like listening to other people praising them?

“I thought ‘Wow, I have to meet that guy’. And even if you didn’t win, you still left an impact. The same thing can be said for the world championships. You know, I was pretty disappointed that I didn’t get to properly battle you. I’d been planning on that.” He stuck out his tongue. “So I’m challenging you to a battle whenever you’re feeling better.”

That, too, seemed to be the right thing to say, because Kyouya’s smirk widened.

“You got guts, coming in here when I’m injured and challenging me to a battle. I’m sure I could kick your butt even with all my injuries. You’ll see!” “But that wouldn’t be any fun, would it? I want you at full strength!”

With that the ice was broken, and Masamune spent a lot longer talking to Kyouya than he’d originally intended. They’d hit it off, surprisingly, and Masamune had to admit Kyouya did seem like an alright guy to hang around, and he hoped the Leone blader thought the same.

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4. In the Dungeon Gym

In hindsight, Masamune really should have realized it sooner.

Right from the start it should have been obvious that those bandages Kyouya wore, were not to treat injured ribs. If he’d been paying any closer attention he’d have realized sooner that they were crude and not professional. They weren’t even wrapped the way they should be to actually help. Hell, they barely even covered all his ribs.

But, in his defense, Masamune didn’t intent on dedicating a lot of time staring at Kyouya’s chest. Sure, the sight wouldn’t have been bad, but it would have been weird regardless. Even now that they’re friends (acquaintances? Masamune wasn’t sure how close they really were, though Kyouya at least liked him enough to pay him a visit when he was in America), he wouldn’t just stare. It was rude and he wouldn’t even know how to explain himself when Kyouya inevitably noticed.

Now though? Standing in the changing room of the Dungeon Gym, Masamune noticed clear as day that those bandages Kyouya wore were not because he hurt himself. He knew Kyouya hadn’t even intended for him to notice, because he hadn’t even intended to change, but his shirt got dirty, and there was really no way around it, especially when Coach Steel had so graceously offered the other boy a shirt.

“You’re binding.” “What?!” “Those bandages. You’re not hurt, you’re binding.”

Saying it out loud now, somehow, it seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. With the way Kyouya’s voice occasionally cracked. The secrecy with his clothes, the coats that hid his hips. His features. Suddenly everything made sense.

Kyouya, on the other hand, was not at all thrilled with Masamune’s sudden realization, and he glanced around quickly, seemingly making sure they were completely alone.

“How did you find that out?!” Masamune scoffs at the question. “The way you bandage your chest. It’s crude. It’s not even reaching your ribs!” He sighs at that. “Do you know how unhealthy that is? Why don’t you use a binder?!”

The realization that Kyouya was trans really didn’t shock him as much as the fact that Kyouya was completely reckless with his binding.

Immediately Kyouya assumed a defensive position, pulling his shirt over his head and crossing his arms. He had his back turned to Masamune now, and Masamune felt frustrated by the simple notion.

“It’s not that easy when you don’t have someone that can get it for you,” Kyouya huffed eventually and Masamune quickly got the hint that Kyouya’s family probably wasn’t the most supportive. It’s not as if Kyouya could just randomly order one, either. A frown spread over his face and he thought for a moment.

“Well,” he began, a little sheepishly. “There’s a store nearby. We could go and get you one.”

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5. In the store

Masamune stood by idly, waiting for Kyouya to be done with whatever measurements the clerks needed to take. He was glad he was able to convince the other after all, Kyouya having been skeptical about Masamune’s intentions, because, apparently, Kyouya didn’t understand basic human decency. Not that it surprised him, from what he’d heard about the other, he had a tendency to be a douche.

He wondered if the other’s constant fight response was due to some underlying insecurities. Whatever the case, Kyouya had definitely internalized toxic masculinity. Masamune hoped, maybe a bit selfishly, that this experience would be a formative one for the other, and he’d grow. Just a bit.

On their way there, it became apparent that Kyouya did not have any money. Or at least any valid American currency, and Masamune, naive, and kind, and wanting to impress him, proudly boasted that he’d pay for it. And while, yes, his own parents had more than enough money, he only had so much as his monthly allowance, but he supposed he’d just have to cut back on the snacks this month.

When Kyouya finally stepped out of the changing booth, though, Masamune decided it was definitely worth it to see the smile the other wore.

It was the first time he’d ever seen Kyouya give a genuine smile. Not a smirk, not something condescending. But a real, proper, genuine smile. He couldn’t help the grin that spread over his face when Kyouya stood in front of him, moving a bit, letting him look at different angles.

“How does it feel?” “Way better than bandages. How do I look?” “Way better than with the bandages.”

That got a laugh out of the other, and Masamune’s grin widened impossibly.

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+1. In the hospital

Kyouya was awake when the nurses moved him back into the room, and Masamune let out a breath of relief he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Sure, this was a standard procedure, obviously it was, but still, it was a surgery, and surgeries were something big. It seemed, though, that the other was fine and Masamune gave him a smile, moving to sit at the other’s bedside as soon as the nurses would allow him to.

“How do you feel?” he asks, taking the other’s hand in his. Kyouya gives a tired grin in return, squeezing his hand and closing his eyes. “Like a new man.”

Masamune couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him and gently he kissed the back of Kyouya’s hand, making the other join into his laughter. It felt wonderful, seeing Kyouya so carefree and happy. So genuine and real, something that almost seemed impossible during their youth. But things had changed. They’ve grown up, they’ve gotten older, wiser, and mellowed out a bit.

Masamune wasn’t the hyper-energetic whirlwind he used to be (although he had his moments), and Kyouya had actually learned how to be a decent person (for the most part).

“I prefer you like this,” Masamune said with a small grin, and Kyouya rolled his eyes, though the smirk on his lips was fond. “Titless?” “Happy.”

He’d happily accept the slap to his arm if it meant seeing Kyouya blush.

#metal fight beyblade #masamune kadoya #kyouya tategami #kyoya tategami #kadogami #my writing

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