•••••• 18 Years after King of Hawkings ••••••

Jonas, his face a canvas of blood, stood in the center of the octagon. His knuckles throbbed with pain, aching from the intense battle. His body longed for the soothing embrace of a hot shower, but his mind was still immersed in the fight, the thrill of battle coursing through his veins.

The screams in the stadium were deafening, and Chuck was behind him, holding up his championship belt for everyone to see. However, Jonas' eyes were fixed on Hugh, sitting in the front row with Brett. They represented his life and his future.

One of the commentators, Daniel, approached him with a microphone in hand and placed a hand on his back. "Jonas, wow. That was one hell of a fight. How are you feeling?"

Jonas chuckled. "Like I fought the future welterweight champion of the world."

The crowd erupted in cheers once more. His opponent, still unsteady on his feet, grinned and raised his hand in thanks for the compliment, a sign of their mutual respect.

"Now, I know you've mentioned you were thinking about retirement. After a fight like today, are you sure that's still on the table?"

Jonas felt his heart pound in his chest as he looked around at the immense crowd. Many people had come for this fight, including rivals and other champions. "Wolf" was being chanted across the stadium, and he felt a deep sense of loss. He was going to miss this.

"Yes," Jonas finally answered, looking at Hugh for strength. "Tonight was my last fight."

The cheers were quickly replaced with cries of protest.

Daniel sighed as the crowd quieted. "I admit, it hurts to see you go. You've established so many records and memories within the UFC."

"And many of those will be replaced one day by the new generation," Jonas countered. "Which is why I love this sport."

Daniel patted his back. "What words do you have for everyone out there?"

Jonas smiled, his heart swelling with emotion. "First and foremost, I want to thank my husband and son. Your unwavering support, love, and sacrifices have been the foundation of my career. Hugh, your belief in me has kept me going through the darkest times. You've been my rock, my encouragement, and the shoulder I've leaned on. I love you more than words can express.

"A special thank you goes to my oldest friends and my brother—my family. You've been by my side through the highs and lows. We've been through hell together, fought for our lives in more ways than one, and I am deeply grateful for your presence in my life."

He looked back at Chuck. "To my coaches and training partners, you have been my mentors and motivators. Your dedication and guidance have shaped me into the man I am today. I am eternally grateful for the countless hours we've spent in the gym, pushing each other to be better, stronger, and faster."

Chuck hugged him tightly, emotion evident in his voice. "I'm so proud of you, son."

They broke from their embrace, and Jonas' eyes were tinged with red. He took a deep breath before continuing.

"To the UFC, thank you for giving me the platform to showcase my skills and for being a part of this incredible journey. The opportunities, the challenges, and the unforgettable moments have been a dream come true. I've had the honor of stepping into the Octagon with some of the greatest fighters in the world, and those experiences will always hold a special place in my heart.

"To my fans, your support and enthusiasm have been the fuel that kept me going. The cheers and the energy you brought to every fight—those moments are what made every sacrifice worth it. I've always strived to give you my best, and I hope I've made you proud."

The screams from the audience nearly shook the Octagon. Jonas laughed, covering his face with his hands, unable to hide his tears.

He finally composed himself and smiled at the crowd. "As I step away from the sport, I want to take a moment to reflect on the lessons I've learned. Fighting isn't just about physical strength; it's about mental resilience, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It's taught me perseverance, how to face adversity head-on, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams."

Jonas' voice was thick with emotion. "I leave this sport with no regrets and a sense of fulfillment. The memories I've made, the friendships I've forged, and the battles I've fought will stay with me forever.

"Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey. I am humbled and honored to have shared this experience with each of you."

Jonas paused, his eyes misting as he absorbed the finality of his decision. He had given his all to the sport, and now, it was time to embrace a new chapter, supported by those who had stood by him throughout his remarkable journey.

"And with that, I say farewell to the Octagon but not to the spirit of the fight that lives within me. Thank you, and I'll see you all around."

As the crowd cheered for him, Hugh rushed inside the octagon. He wrapped his arms around him and held him tight.

"I'm so proud of you, Jo," he whispered. "And I love you so fucking much."

Jonas tightened his grip around Hugh and let out a small cry, his emotions finally breaking free. He had fought for so long, through battles that spanned from the fiercest UFC champions to the high school bullies and even this father's abuse. Nearly three decades of relentless combat had led him to this moment.

••••••••••••

Jonas unbuttoned the top of his dress shirt and rolled his shoulders. Everything ached. At this point, he wasn't sure if it was from the fight a couple of nights ago or simply the toll of age. His eye was still swollen, and the cut over his eyebrow, bruised and held together by butterfly strips, throbbed slightly. The bruises on his ribs were even worse.

Four rounds with the number one welterweight contender had been a brutal dance of skill and endurance. The kid was good—Jonas had to give him that. But with years of experience and grit, Jonas managed to knock him out two minutes into the final round, sealing his victory in a blaze of adrenaline and sweat. He retired as the long-standing welterweight champion.

"You're feeling up to this?" Hugh asked, concern evident in the flash of his eyes.

Jonas smiled at the man he was still deeply in love with. Age had touched them both, but it only enhanced Hugh's appeal. Small lines formed at the corners of his eyes when he smiled, and the dark brown hair at his temples was now flecked with gray. But his smile remained the same—exuberant and full of joy.

Hugh was a man who loved life and lived it fully, and Jonas felt blessed to have him along for the ride.

"I am," Jonas answered. "My body's just reminding me that it's glad I've retired."

"I think it's a shame," Hugh said wistfully. "There's nothing sexier than my husband in a tight pair of shorts, kicking the shit out of some guy."

Jonas winced at the memory of his bruised ribs and shook his head. "I'm pretty sure some guy was kicking the shit out of me."

Hugh laughed and kissed Jonas on the cheek. "And you looked hot taking them."

"Ew. No," Brett grumbled from the side, covering his ears with a helpless look on his face. "Please, none of that when I'm in your presence."

Hugh sighed dramatically. "One day, my darling son, you'll find your person and be just as overly affectionate."

Brett's nose scrunched at the thought. He was 16 this year and had never shown an interest in anyone. Then again, not many people had a romance quite like Hugh's and Jonas'.

"Can we get a mic check?" one of the interview directors yelled out.

Jonas took a deep breath and settled into the chair next to Hugh. Hugh laced his fingers with Jonas'.

"You're going to be amazing," Hugh said.

"I agree," Felix Mason said as he approached them. He was dressed in a meticulously tailored suit and wore a bright smile. He is renowned for his high-profile interviews with celebrities like Alex Lee, Jaxon Reid, and Miles Mendez—also known as Requiem. Felix had even conducted a few with Hugh before. But Jonas had never been in this seat, and he felt a bit inadequate.

Felix seemed to sense his hesitation. "It's alright to be nervous. You should have seen Miles when he was sitting in this seat. He was a mess, but he pulled through. So can you."

Jonas laughed. "Requiem? Nervous? That sounds unlikely." He had met the man several times with Hugh, but Miles always seemed so confident.

Felix grinned. "Interviews like this reveal a whole different side of you."

"I'd rather be in a ring with someone who wants to kick my ass," Jonas grumbled.

Hugh laughed happily. "When you're all healed up, I'll spar with you."

Felix seemed pleased with their camaraderie and signaled his crew. "We're going to get started. This won't be live, so we'll edit as needed. Just be yourself, and you'll do great."

Jonas nodded, though he tensed when they began the countdown.

Felix flashed his signature smile. "Hello, and good evening. I'm Felix Mason, and I'm here for an exclusive interview with UFC's welterweight champion, Jonas 'The Wolf' King-Richards. Joining him is his husband, the renowned music producer Hugh King-Richards. Welcome to the show, gentlemen."

"We're happy to be here," Hugh said amicably, clearly comfortable in this setting.

"I have to commend both of you. You just returned from Dubai, yet you still agreed to this interview. Thank you for taking the time."

"Of course," Jonas managed with a smile.

"Now, I have to say, I'm not very familiar with MMA, but I did watch your last fight. I must admit, I'm impressed."

"Thank you. It was a tough fight," Jonas chuckled. "As you can probably tell by the state of my face."

"Your face is gorgeous, even with a few bruises," Hugh chimed in, drawing laughs from both Jonas and Felix.

"You started your UFC career when you were twenty and never shied away from your sexuality. Did you ever struggle with that?"

Jonas smiled. "I think every sport may have a level of toxicity when it comes to sexual orientation. I can't speculate on how other sports compare, but the wonderful thing about the UFC is that if someone talks shit, I can kick their ass—and get paid for it. Nevertheless, I'm in good company with Amanda and Nina Nunes, Liz Carmouche, and several others."

Felix nodded with a smile. "What was the hardest thing you faced?"

"Besides George St. Pierre?" Jonas laughed. "I think adapting to the lifestyle. Training camps and cutting weight were brutal, but balancing that with being a father and a husband was another challenge. I started my career the same year we adopted our son, Brett. Suddenly, I had to juggle a new, unstable career while starting a new family. One bad leg kick could have ended everything."

Felix leaned in, showing genuine interest. "That sounds incredibly tough. And Hugh's role in all this?"

Jonas gave Hugh a warm look. "We got through it together. During those first few years, Hugh made some big sacrifices. He stepped back from school and worked on his music at night just so he could be there for our son and support me. It was a huge adjustment for both of us."

Felix nodded thoughtfully. "That's a remarkable commitment. It's clear how much you both have supported each other through this journey."

Both men glanced over at their son, who was sitting on the other side of the camera. They smiled, a shared understanding of their journey reflected in their expressions.

Felix nodded thoughtfully. "I know you married when you were eighteen, but I was surprised to learn how young you two were when you adopted your son."

Jonas nodded. "Brett's mother reached out to us when she found out she was pregnant. She was a friend of a friend and was in a difficult family situation. She knew she couldn't provide the life he deserved, so she discussed the adoption process with us."

Hugh added, "We were initially surprised because she came from a part of town where people weren't exactly welcoming to us. But she trusted our mutual friend, Emilia, and decided to meet us anyway. When he was born, and we met him for the first time, we knew we were meant to adopt Brett. It felt like he was always meant to be a part of our lives."

Felix's expression softened. "And what about his mother?"

Hugh and Jonas exchanged a sorrowful look. "She stayed in Brett's life as much as she could. But when he was a toddler, she was tragically hit by a drunk driver. She didn't survive."

Felix's expression softened. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you honor her every day with Brett."

"We try," Jonas replied, nodding.

Felix then leaned in with genuine interest. "Hearing about your journey and the challenges you've faced makes me curious. You mentioned that you came from a side of town where people weren't exactly welcoming to you. I've heard stories about the Kings of Hawkings. Can you shed some light on that part of your past?"

Hugh grinned. "We can't share all our secrets. We still need to keep some intrigue," he said with a wink.

Jonas chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly, we were just a group of guys looking out for each other—a tradition that still remains. We protected each other and fought against injustice the only way we knew how."

Felix's eyes lit up with interest. "I've heard you've always been known as 'The Wolf,' even in high school. And Hugh, you were 'The Mad Dog'?"

Hugh laughed warmly. "No one's called me Mad Dog in years. Man, that brings back memories."

Felix leaned in slightly. "Where did these names come from?"

"I guess I enjoyed fighting a little too much," Hugh said with a shrug, his smile nostalgic.

Jonas chuckled. "He loves it. Even as we approach our 40s, he'll still find a way to brawl."

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing, sweetheart."

Felix laughed along with them. "And what about 'Wolf'?"

Jonas' smile wavered, and he absentmindedly rubbed the crown tattoo on his wrist. "That one's a bit more complicated. It, too, started with a fight."

Felix looked curious. "Did you lose that fight?"

Jonas shook his head. "No, I won. But I was young and angry, and even though the guy deserved it, I didn't exactly pull my punches. The school began to see me as something feral—like a monster."

Felix's expression was etched with rueful understanding. "The Wolf."

"That's right," Jonas said with a tight nod. "I wish I could say I scared everyone away. Sure, I lost all my friends, but they didn't just ignore me—I became the target of their torment."

"Wait... You were bullied?"

"It began with the usual petty stuff," Jonas said, his voice steady but his eyes revealing the depth of his pain. "The tripping, the cold remarks, the shunning. At first, it felt almost like a test of endurance, something small that I could handle. But it quickly spiraled out of control. What started as minor annoyances escalated into brutal acts—shoving, verbal assaults, and physical attacks that left me battered and bruised."

Jonas took a deep breath, his face hardening. "At the end of my junior year, they ambushed me. It wasn't just a fight; it was a meticulously planned attack. I was surrounded, outnumbered, and completely at their mercy. They say I won that fight, but honestly, I'm not sure that's true."

He paused, his expression tightening as he relived the memories. "I wish I could say I was the only one who suffered, but I lost a close friend who was also a victim of that school's cruelty. Their actions took a toll on him—he couldn't cope with it."

Felix's face went pale, and his shock was evident. "That sounds like an unimaginable experience, Jonas," he said, his voice tinged with sympathy. "And to lose a friend like that... It must have been incredibly painful. It's hard to believe that this kind of behavior could go unchecked, especially in a place where it should have been safe."

"There was a lot of corruption in that town," Jonas said, his voice laden with bitterness. "With enough people in your pocket, the worst crimes go unnoticed." He took a deep breath, his gaze distant as he recounted the memories. "When I moved to Hawkings, I hoped for a fresh start, but it wasn't long before trouble found me again."

"Correction," Hugh interjected, his tone serious, "A crazy stalker followed you."

Jonas intertwined his fingers with Hugh's. "He used to be my best friend, and he had a way of turning up everywhere. He was persistent, and his behavior quickly escalated—becoming obsessive. What started as harassment turned into threats and stalking. He was determined to harm me."

"He tried to kill you," Hugh said darkly, his expression grave.

"Technically, he was after you," Jonas teased, "I just got in the way." He received a playful nudge from his husband, their shared understanding bringing a touch of levity to the moment despite the gravity of their past.

Felix looked confused. "I'm sorry, what? Why don't more people know about this?"

Jonas shrugged. "We've kept it under wraps as much as possible. Though, I've had my fair share of inquiries about the scars on my back."

Felix nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Right. There's been speculation that they're stab wounds."

"Some of them are," Jonas answered. "Courtesy of the person I once called my best friend. He's now in a facility receiving the help he needs."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Is this why you started the Kings' Youth Shelter?"

Jonas' eyes softened as he looked at Hugh, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Yes and no. I've had many interviews where I was asked when I started fighting, and I always gave the same answer."

Felix nodded knowingly. "You happened to see some professional fights when you were about eight and fell in love with the sport."

"That's only part of the story," Jonas admitted with a rueful smile. "The other part is that I needed to find a way to protect myself... from my father. Like many of the children we help through the shelter, I endured abuse. Many of the scars on my body aren't from fights but from him. I faced beatings and was locked in a dark basement to starve. It was... a torment I'm still struggling to heal from."

"You've been through so much," Felix said, his voice laden with sympathy.

Jonas smiled kindly, a hint of resilience in his eyes. "I've survived so much. And now, I want to shield children like me and my brother. I want to ensure they have a safe place and support those who feel trapped with no way out. I aim to create an environment where many people, including my son, can thrive—whether at home, in school, or even in the octagon if he chooses. Because I have the means, I want to protect whoever I can. This is the philosophy behind the Kings of Hawkings."

Hugh's eyes welled with tears as he leaned over and kissed Jonas' cheek. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too. Always."

Jonas' story began at St. Vincent's Prep School—a place for socialites where he lost everything. Little did he know it was only the prologue to discovering a life worth living.

This moment wasn't the end of his story; it was merely the closing of a chapter.

••••••A/N••••••

We have reached the end once more. This chapter hit me hard and I may have cried more than once. 

I originally published this back in 2021 and watched so many people meet Jonas and Hugh. It's been a humbling adventure, and I am so grateful.

Going through these revisions has been amazing. I never realized how much I missed this story, so thank you for indulging me and supporting my decision to revise it. I truly hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you all for your support.

If you are new to my stories and want to dive into this universe, here is the list of stories where you will see these characters:

• King of Hawkings
• Death & Tequila
• A New Song
• Beats of the Heart
• Final Round (coming soon)

Thank you everyone!