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It was heart-warming for Medkit to be able to watch his brother train. The way he swung his weapon, he put his all into every little movement and attack. His mentor was excellent at parries and dodging Sword's oncoming swings, but the doctor could tell, from this session alone, he was gradually chipping away his defences and better at predicting when he would avoid.
They have been at this for a while, Med thought, but he could not take his eye off the entrancing display in front of him. However, swiftfully and conclusively, Venomshank threw off Sword's balance, letting him fall to the hard floor and mimicking a slash that would have inevitably resulted in fatal injury if it was a genuine one.
Medkit could tell he was lecturing Sword and probably congratulating him on today's training, but he was too far away to hear it. Venomshank helped him up, noting how much effort he put in today and how tired he looked. Sword offered a glance to his brother, of which Med responded with a small warm smile. The teal demon ambled over to the two swordsmen.
"What did you think?" Sword asked, in his usual joyous tone, though somewhat reined in.
"It was... interesting. I could not stop watching you both." The doctor uttered, Sword beaming at the little compliment.
"You're welcome to come again anytime," the deity pronounced. That sounded quite nice - he did want to do it again, but he was quite busy a lot of the time. Sword stared at his brother with hope and anticipation in his eyes, practically begging him to say yes. He could not refuse.
"I'd be honoured." Med answered, Sword glowing with excitement and exhilaration.
"I am going to take my leave now; I heard you both are going to hang out today, have fun!" Venomshank exclaimed, with pride and appreciation for his son and the friend he had made all that time ago. He departed within an instant leaving Med and Sword together. Medkit turned around to see Sword has spaced out.
"Are you doing alright? Do you need me to patch up any injuries for you?" Medkit suggested. It was common in the past for his brother to come running for him after phights and training to ask to be healed. It was slightly annoying but also endearing - it gave Medkit an excuse to be in Sword's presence.
"No... I.. we made plans today, remember? Let's go and do that!" The swordsman insisted, his cheery attitude faltering, as if he was still catching his breath and struggling to breathe properly. The doctor took notice of his abnormal behaviour. Led by Medkit, they walked toward the exit - the training grounds were not far from Sword and Venom's house, which meant they were probably going to stop off there before they went to the centre of Crossroads.
Rather uncharacteristically, Med was advancing quicker than the swordsman. His movements seemed sluggish and as if they were causing him pain. Medkit halted. "Sword, I am not sure that you are doing fine, you seem to be in pain," He tried to make his words not sound too accusatory or condescending.
"I swear it's alright! I just.... don't worry about it!" Sword reassured, but this was not something the doctor was just going to let slide.
"I don't think you are doing alright. Please, tell me what is wrong." He hated how stubborn his brother was when it came to showing off all his scrapes and cuts - recently, he'd been trying to hide the extent of all his injuries, which was not something Medkit was happy about.
Sword glared down at the floor, defeated and dejected, avoiding eye contact.
"Come on, I can help if you need it. If you do not share, I won't be able to help." It was sad to see Sword like this. Sword let out a breath and collected his thoughts. Med was being nice, there was no way he was just going to deny and pretend and push him away.
"Well... okay. The training, today, took everything out of me. Not only is all my energy gone, but everything... hurts. But, please, it's fine, don't worry about it, it'll be-" The swordsman said, clearly dismissing his own feelings which the doctor did not like to see.
"I don't think it would be good for you to spend all of today trudging around Crossroads while every muscle in your body aches," Med asserted. If he pushed himself, undoubtably Sword would just make himself experience even more pain and maybe cause damage, which wasn't an outcome he wanted to explore at all. "You should go home and have some rest."
"...okay, if you think I should. Can you take me to my house.?" Sword asked, which made Medkit chuckle a bit.
"Yes, of course," He responded. Sword lent on Med slightly and with his shaky legs, they left.
Sword passed over his keys to the doctor, of which he unlocked the door and they trotted in. He twisted the key again, and brought both of them into the living room, noting the sheer amount of sunlight that was pouring in through the windows. Medkit was the first one to sit down on the sofa, Sword following soon after.
"So, how do you feel?" The doctor asked, starting off the conversation. Sword had already started dozing off, so it jolted him awake.
"A little better. But everything still hurts." Sword offered a smile, trying to lighten the mood, and reinforce the fact that really, he is doing alright, which was a lie Medkit would not fall for.
"Hmm. Okay. Do you want me to get you any pain killers?" Medkit peered at Sword, who was looking back at him, disconnected.
"No, thank you," The swordsman replied, wearily. Med noticed how his hands and legs shook ever so slightly and how he was downcast.
"You... were really great today. I am happy you invited me to come watch you. Your training is really impressive." He complimented, seeing Sword's face light up.
"Heh, no problem! Means you get to be around me more! I just..." The boy did not know what to say next, as if he was choking on his words. "Y'know... I wish I did better. I train so hard but I didn't strike him once. I wanted to show you how good I am at this... and I failed.." The doctor's heart sank at this remark. No way. He admired him so much. His movements were quick and agile - he going toe to toe with one of the SFOTH deities, for god's sake! Was he trying so hard just so he would impress Med?
"Sword." Med declared, in attempt to grab his attention sharply. "You were... amazing. Please.. don't forget that." His hand creeped onto his brother's shoulder, to provide him with some comfort.
"Not really, you're just lying to make me feel better," Sword spat, laying his thoughts out bluntly. The phrase hurt Medkit to hear.
"No, I am not lying. I swear on my soul." He put his hand to his heart.
"...really?" Sword murmured, turning around and glaring at his brother.
"Yes, of course." This answer earned Med a small grin from the swordsman.
"Thank you," The boy muttered, rather melancholically, his bright smile fading away into oblivion. "I'm... really sorry," The doctor was taken aback by what he had just said.
"Why.?"
"We were supposed to hang out and go around Crossroads today.. you were probably really looking forward to it, and I ruined it all. I am really sorry. I don't know how I will-" he was swiftly cut off before he could finish the sentence.
"We are together right now, hanging out, are we not?" The teal inphernal asserted, wanting to calm Sword's nerves. He didn't like to see him like this. It made him think he had failed as a brother and a doctor.
"I guess.."
"Do you... want a hug?" Not something he usually asked or was the one to initiate but it felt necessary at the current time. He assumed it was a gesture that Sword would appreciate.
"Yeah.." Sword consented. Medkit brought his arms up and nestled them around Sword's shoulders. They turned their heads around and faced each other and Sword lent into the embrace, shutting his eyes - he could feel his pain being numbed and alleviated by the touch. He was at peace. Or at least, that's what it felt like.
"You're fantastic, please don't forget that. Ever. You have so much talent. It makes me proud," Medkit offered him, making Sword blush out of embarrassment due to all the compliments.
"Hehe. Stop. You're wonderful too. You always heal me. You're... so kind." A word no one ever really described him with. Kind. An unfamiliar word. Not something he would relate to himself, much more suited for a boy like Sword, but instead it was coming out of his mouth and directed at the doctor. An unrecognisable feeling surged inside him. All he could do was give him a weak smile in return.
"Am I hugging you too tight? Am I hurting you?" The doctor asked.
"No, it's just right. It feels really nice."
"Yes... it does."