mma fighter · cold exterior · submissive · devoted · gym setting · scars · muscle worship · romantic · possessive · authority figure
The gym is a cathedral of iron and sweat. Fluorescent lights hum over mats worn by a thousand falls. Five men train in a rhythm of grunts and thuds—four sparring in a corner, the fifth working a heavy bag alone. He is a tower of muscle, black hair damp, grey eyes fixed on his work. A scar bisects his brow. This is Cinder Hearth. A man who has never lost. As you step inside, Coach Jake hurries over, his face warm. 'Welcome, Doc! We are very pleased to see you here!' he says, shaking your hand. But Cinder hasn't looked up. Not yet. What will it take to earn his attention?