Leaning against the cold metal frame of the safety railing Berry and I sat and watched as Ash and Luciano spared with each other. The packhouse had been abnormally calm the last couple days leading up to the Tournament. leaving not much for Berry or I do to while we weren't at the diner or I wasn't attempting to learn to protect myself.  Beside slowly suffocating our brain cells like Physalis and Mateo upstairs watching some unnecessarily barbaric tv show, this was the next best thing.

Not only where both Ash and Luciano easy of the eyes. Watching them spar was attractive and informative. I was entranced by how effortlessly the two danced around each other. Managing to avoid blows and take swings with ease. They knew berry and I was watching and I swear because of it they were putting on a show. Ash almost taunting Luciano with there quick moments, Luciano by far stronger but Ash was faster it somehow balanced them into the perfect pair.

As Ash's phone began to ring they called a break hurrying to their phone while Luciano decided to continue the practice by himself. On the phone, Ash made their way over to the small platform Berry and I sat on before the stairs that lead from the basement to the main level.  While Ash spoke on the phone I watched Luciano intensely.

It wasn't until Ash nudged me with their foot that I noticed I had subconsciously been attempting to mimic most of his moves. Looking up at Ash they nodded toward the rink motioning for me to get in. Shaking my head gentle I dropped my head back only to see Strawberry leaning into view.

"Do it. Doo it" she chanted intensely.

Huffing I slipped through the small opening between the cement pad we had our legs hanging off of and the metal bar we leaned against. Dropping down onto the mat, Luciano still has his back to us to focus on his moves to notice me. I stood there for a moment watching him, even though the thin material of his long grey workout shirt I could see the definition of is back muscles.

The feeling of Berry's foot on my lower back prepared me for the shove she gave second later, steadying myself after stumbling forward I looked back at her glaring. She waved her hands motioning for me to get on with it.  Scrunching my face I scowled at her once more before turning back around. 

I knew I had to be the plan this through If I just went barreling in there I'd really stand no chance.  With a deep breath, I carefully tiptoed closer and once I thought I was in reach I lunged towards  Luciano.  my plan to wrap around him like a spider monkey and drag him to the ground was ruined in milliseconds. Just as I was about to make contact, Luciano spun around causing me to miss him completely his large hand taking my wrist as he spun me around holding my arms against my chest as he pinned me to him.



"So, this is the sort of stuff Ash has been teaching you?" Luciano hummed his warm breath on the back of the neck causing a shiver down my spine. 

"No way. That was all Trash Panda. I would of went with a sack and gut"  Ash called out over their phone call.



"Well, I will say thank you for not doing that, but next time maybe less jumping " Luciano chuckled I could feel the vibrations from his chest as he gently let me go. 

"height isn't exactly my advantage"  I reminded gaining a chuckle from him.


"I've noticed"  he smirked.


"The ring is for fighting not flirting!" Ash called out.



I could feel my eyes practically bulge from my head as I turned away from Luciano to glare at Ash. Partially to hide the blush growing on my cheeks and partially because I wanted to send them eye daggers for their comment.  Luciano also turned to stare down Ash for a moment, who simply smirked at both of us before returning to their phone call.


"Fight!!" Berry chorused throwing her hands in the air, rolling my eyes I turned to face Luciano

"you sure you want to do this?" He questioned his tone cautious as  he watched me attempting to circle him

"Bring it Cacciatore" I insisted wiggling my fingers at him.


"I don't want to hurt you" he informed his eyes locked on me as I circled him.


"Don't worry, I can take a hit" I assured.


Even though I smiled at him with my comment I could see his guard falter for a moment, the teasing of his smirk falling. Watching him for a moment I couldn't help but wonder if my he was lingering on that my comment implied I had been hit before.   I wasn't able to take a hit because I was abused a child, but because  I had grown up failing to rough house with not only my siblings but also Adam and eventually Campbell as well, even though the two always went easy I always ended up being the one on the ground.


As Luciano's lips twitched I knew he was preparing to say something, I didn't give him the chance to back out. Doing my best I attempted to lunge for him, his taunting smirk that at that moment was so much like his brothers it fueled the need to land a hit as he danced around me.  Not once did he lay a fist on me, his hands only ever gracing my back or arms to prevent me from running into the wall or hurting my self. 

Going after Luciano time and time again, it was nothing like when he and Ash spared. Not only because he refused to swing at me, but because no matter what I tried I couldn't even come close to landing a punch. I felt like a bull being lead around the ring like a matador unable to catch him. 

Taking long deep breaths I watched him closely, now he was teasing me on purpose, staying just out of reach letting my fingers tips just barely graze him before slipped away.  I watched as he circled me, not winded or tired just smirking at me with a little head shake, taunting me.  Staring him down my eyes looked passed him to Berry and Ash on the platform, Berry was watching intensely her hands balled in fists close to her chest quickly cheering me on. 

As my eye focused on Ash they tilted their head slightly,  raising a brow. reaching there hand down Ash tapped there leg just above the knee hinting at me. That's when their words filtered into my mind. "you don't have to be bigger, or stronger, just smarter"  Closing my eyes I took a moment to focus my self before locking them back on Luciano who was now bouncing on the spot. 

There was no way  I was going to land a punch, my arms were too short and he was to fast. He was expecting it every time. My eyes scanned over Luciano,  as Ash's hint finally clicked I slowly looked up at Luciano attempting to hide my smirk,  taking a step forward I attempted to swing directly at him, purposely letting myself trip as he stepped to the side. Hitting the mat with a thud. I stayed there for a moment, knowing Luciano would come to check on me.

Holding my self up on my hands and knees I watched Luciano's feet as he got closer. I took in a deep breath as he bent down, Kicking my leg back and out  I hooked it around Luciano's leg. Catching him off guard Luciano stumbled to the ground. Forcing myself up  I twisted around tackling him to the ground as he fell. 

With all my weight I pinned his arms to his sides with my knees my hands pressing into his firm chest as I straddle over his torso pinning him to the ground. Heavy breaths escaped my lips my chest rising and falling as I looked down at him.  The surprised that filled his face washed away as a smile slipped into a smirk, Luciano raised a brow. 


It was at that moment I knew I hadn't won. With ease, he pulled his hands out from under twisting them around my arms. In one swift motion, he had brought both of us to our feet. His large hands gripping gently around my wrists holding me in place.


"That was pretty, but not good enough" he smirked, that hint of Cacciatore cockiness shining through 

Ripping my arms forward between where his thumb met his other fingers I twisted them from his grasps using as much force I could muster I slammed my palms into his chest causing him to stumble back, a surprised and proud look pulling on his lips as he nodded.  Luciano tilted his neck one way then the other causing it to crack. Now it was his turn to wiggle his fingers in a taunting manner. 


Once again we started the dance, this time he was letting me get hits in ever so often. Even though they had very little if any effect on him. Every so often he takes my arm and spins me or even half hazard pin my arms, not really trying. After a while  I had finally gotten close enough to attempt to grab his arms attempting to pin him, instead he reserves it twisting his large hands around my arms as he pulled me into his chest pinning me to him.


I stared up at him, the hints of green in his eyes seemed to shine brighter today the most.  I could feel his chest rising and falling against mine as we both breathed heavily, neither moving at we stood there for a moment staring. 

"Kiss already!" Rocky's voice echoed through the ring.

My body jerked at the sound, stumbling out of Luciano's grip I tripped over my own feet landing on the mat with a thud. Both Luciano and I now more focused on the fact, the platform was full on each other, neither of us had noticed, that Berry and Ash and now been joined by Rocky, Aliya and Zeke all watching us intently.


"Or.. you know just drop her on her ass" Rocky added shrugging with a chuckle.

My eye darted from the group to Luciano who had just now realized I had taken a tumble, preparing to reach his hand out to help me up. I was quick to jump to my feet, eye darting nervously between him and the group, I could feel my nerves starting to twist up inside me. bolting I ran for the platform slipping past the group to head up the stairs.

" I need a shower" I yelled out 


I don't know why I had suddenly got so nervous, or why panic had clouded my brain. but I did know I needed to get out of there and away from all the prying eyes and a shower was the once place none of them would come looking for me.

Stunning gifset by the ever talented marvelity