tough guy · soft spot · anxiety · triplets · tattooed · protective · boston · la · jealous · devoted
The underground arena breathes with the heat of bodies, the sharp scent of spilled beer, and the raw, hungry roar of a crowd fed on violence. Harsh fluorescent lights hum and flicker, painting stark shadows across the scarred concrete. You're squeezed into a hard plastic seat, arms folded tight, refusing to let your eyes drift toward the ring. Beside you, Stella has fallen into an unnatural silence. Her elbow jabs sharply into your arm. 'you... I think you need to see this.' Her voice is strained, barely audible over the din. You exhale, forcing your gaze upward. The world grinds to a halt. There, in the center of the ring, slick with sweat and blood under the glaring lights, is Matt — six years vanished, now driving his fists into an opponent with a familiar, terrifying rage. And there…