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Sonic paced through the city, bending to the shadows and staying out of the eyeshot of most civilians. People found him frightening, and getting recognized could slow down his mission. He perched atop a building, surveying for his target.
Suddenly, a voice perked up behind him, “Hey, what are you doing all the way up here?”
Sonic whirled around, unsheathing his katana. Though, as his eyes settled on what he considered a rather unintimidating person, he smirked.
“What does it matter to you?” Sonic growled.
“Because, I thought you might fall and get hurt, and that wouldn’t be good.” The man said innocently.
Sonic resheathed his katana hesitantly.
‘What a weirdo, dresses up like that and runs around making sure people are safe. He’s probably a hero.’ Sonic mused.
“Whatever, you should go, I’ll be perfectly fine up here by myself.” Sonic snarked.
The man seemed to miss the venom in his words, simply smiling and nodding.
“Alright, well if you need help, just ask and I’ll be there!” He turned to walk away, waving.
As he reached the door to the stairs though, Sonic’s voice stopped him.
“What’s your name?” Sonic inquired.
“Oh, my name is Mumen Rider! What is yours?” Mumen Rider smiled at Sonic patiently.
“I am Speed-o’-Sound Sonic!” He declared, settling his hands on his hips.
“Okay, have a great day Sonic!” Mumen waved again and headed off down the stairs.
‘Well that was distracting.’ Sonic turned back to his work, still looking for his target.
Mumen Rider peddled heavily, trying to get to the battlefield to rescue more civilians trapped under the rubble. He ignored the call for all C level heroes to evacuate, he had to help people, that was his job, his duty, his purpose! As he heard the call for Hero level B and A to evacuate as well, sweat began to drip down his chin. Arriving back at the arena, everything was pretty much destroyed. The city ruined by monsters, he slowed down to listen and look over the rubble more carefully. He saw a figure fly overhead, launched by a beam of light. He quickly changed trajectory, peddling over to the newly steaming rubble of what was previously somebody’s home.
He hopped off his bike, on his knees next to where he could see a hand clawing uselessly at the rocks. Mumen helped pull the rocks back, blurry gray eyes focusing on him. Blood dripped down his head, getting matted in his hair, which the ninja mentally noted would be a problem for later.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here!” Mumen Rider assured, as he pulled back more rocks.
“I don’t need your help.” Sonic slurred.
‘He must have a concussion…’ Mumen noted.
“It does not make you weak to accept help from another person Sonic, you are bleeding out. Please, let me help you.” Mumen pleaded.
Sonic muttered something, as Mumen finally pulled back enough rubble he could stand on shaky legs. Or did, before his broken leg gave out and he tumbled back down.
Perhaps he would’ve, if Mumen hadn’t caught him. Sonic took in the hero’s scent, it reminded him of chamomile tea. He was warm, another fact Sonic archived for later use.
“I am going to pick you up, and get you out of here, okay?” Mumen Rider gingerly scooped Sonic up.
Sonic slurred out what was supposed to be an insult, but found the world growing dizzy and cold. He grew more still, much to Mumen’s fear as he shifted the man so he could steer his bike and hold him securely at the same time. He expected Sonic to growl something, but the silence made him worry for the black haired man. Mumen Rider began to wheel back to a hospital as quickly as he could, surprised when the modern ninja latched onto him.
“Where are we going?” Sonic’s voice was pained, and Mumen frowned.
“I am taking you to a hospital, you have a pretty bad head injury, Sonic. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get there!” Mumen Rider sounded as confident as he could, which seemed to soothe Sonic in his concussed state.
Silence passed for a while, Sonic resting his head into the licenseless rider’s shoulder.
‘Damn the sun, it’s so bright.’ Sonic’s head pounded painfully.
Mumen Rider slowed to a stop outside the hospital, gathering Sonic up into his arms and rushing inside. Almost instantly, Sonic was whisked away, and in his current state a deep fear settled into his chest. So he did something he normally wouldn’t do.
Show vulnerability.
“Mumen, Mumen come back!” Sonic cried out, struggling against the nurses who were simply trying to keep him from hurting himself further.
Mumen entered hesitantly, kneeling beside Sonic who calmed in his presence. Mumen’s eyebrows knit in concern, as the nurses walked over with thread and needle.
“Here, feel free to hold my hand if that would help you be more comfortable.” Mumen offered, holding out his hand invitingly.
Sonic raised an eyebrow at Mumen, trying to figure out what had spurred the hero into this sudden soothing. Then he made eye contact with the nurse carrying the supplies and he felt his throat tighten. At first he fought to keep his pride and dignity, eyes averted from the suturing. But as the pain seared, he grasped Mumen’s hand as if his life depended on it. Mumen successfully suppressed a yelp of pain, gingerly gripping Sonic’s hand back.
“Just look at me Sonic, I promise it will all be okay.”
Sonic muttered something under his breath, but let the warmth from Mumen’s hand distract him from the painful stitches.
He’d never admit that to a single soul, though.
Mumen Rider flung himself in front of a raging monster and a mother with her young son hiding behind some rubble. Everything was on fire, Mumen found it hard to get any air in. His arms burned from pushing through the flames, he was sure he'd be covered in burns by the time he got out of this, if he did. Yet he remained on his feet, fighting stance ready.
“Run, as fast as you can!” He tried to keep the fear brewing in his gut out of his voice.
The mother scooped up her child, taking off as fast as her legs would take her. Mumen returned his attention to the monster that towered over him. The monster reminded him of a centipede, except it could shoot fire out of its mouth and was several times larger than any human. It sent shivers down his spine, and as he made eye contact with it, he found himself frozen in place. Fear wouldn’t allow his muscles to contract, he couldn’t move.
‘I’m going to die here.’ Mumen realized dully.
As he couldn’t even close his eyes, he stared up at death as it began to descend upon him.
He heard the wisp of a katana hitting its target long before he saw the aftermath. The creature arched back, before falling into two pieces, dead on the ground. Mumen tried to comprehend what happened, but as his vision started to darken, a voice broke his concentration.
“Breathe you idiot, you need to breathe.” A hand shook his shoulder.
Gasping for air, he crumpled to his knees, he probably would’ve collapsed completely had slender arms not wrapped around his torso to hold him up.
“Are you hurt?” Although familiar, he had never heard the person’s tone sound quite so worried.
“No.” He managed to gasp out, but when Sonic’s face moved in front of his to inspect Mumen, he didn’t look particularly convinced.
In Sonic’s defense, Mumen had just collapsed randomly after being attacked by a giant centipede that could shoot fire out of its jaws.
“What were you even doing here? They ordered B-Class heroes and below to evacuate.” Sonic masked his concern with frustration.
Mumen went to respond, but curled forward coughing hard. The coughing fit caught them both off guard, as Sonic gathered Mumen in his arms. Mumen registered the feeling of wind, and enjoyed the brief sensation as the burns on his arms were soothed. He shut his eyes, finding the scenery passing by at such a fast rate was a dizzying experience. It wasn’t until he felt a plush surface dip underneath him did he crack an eye open. Sonic was kneeled over him, rolling the licenseless rider’s sleeves up. He gasped inaudibly at the burns that coated the majority of the man’s hands and forearms.
“Liar.” Sonic muttered, pulling out a first aid kit he’d luckily remembered to buy after becoming friends with Mumen.
“I didn’t want to bother you, you did save me after all.” Mumen mumbled.
“Shut up.” Sonic grumbled, applying a cleaning solution to the burns.
Mumen withheld a yelp, quite used to these kinds of procedures. Sonic’s gaze softened as he continued, discovering countless scars as he went along. He didn’t comment on a single one, as he moved down to Mumen’s legs and repeated the entire process.
Once the modern ninja was sure he’d gotten all the current injuries taken care of, he sat beside Mumen, wrapping the man into a hug. Mumen looked up in surprise, opening his mouth to ask Sonic what he was doing.
But Sonic was faster, “if you scare me like that again, I will kill you myself.” The threat was empty, and Mumen knew it.
Regardless, he smiled weakly and hugged the man back, “Okay.”