Chapter 4 - Adder

Well, I was sore as hell, but I had won. That means I could get something small to eat tonight and keep money aside for either the next fight night or another meal sometime. I didn’t count my funds as I shoved the bills into my front pocket. I’m no fool. I know better than to count money in a place like this. Someone like me would try to steal it.

Over the speaker, I heard the crackling calling of the next fighters, and my ears perked hearing the name ‘Mason’. I headed closer, wanting to see if this was the Mason I had met or someone else. And then I saw him. It was the Mason I had met, alright. He was handing his pocket watch, I was right, to his mate along with his tee.

I watched him as he passed me. I’ve come to these fights on and off for a year now, since ending up in Oxford. So, I’ve seen plenty of guys without their shirts on. Muscles don’t impress me. Or maybe it was that I hadn’t really gotten to the point of puberty where guys’ appearances caught my attention. Mason’s appearance had my attention. He wasn’t overly built, but his muscles fit well on his frame.

“Muscles don’t mean he can fight.” I muttered to myself, finding somewhere to watch from. I’ve seen plenty of guys that looked like they’d be good fighters get their arses handed to them. Now it was time to see if he would fall into that category or not. I watched as he stepped into the ring with the same confidence that he walked the darkened streets of Oxford moments ago.

His opponent tonight was a mountain of a man who had at least five inches on him and close to 7 stones on him too. “Shame he’s got a nice face.” I shrugged, my mind playing the fight out where Mason loses. In the ring, the mountain took his fighting stance, and so did Mason, and at the bell, the match began with Mason landing a solid punch between his opponent's eyes, staggering him back. This seemed to anger the man as he charged Mason.

Like the rest of the crowd, I was surprised to see Mason doing so well. A glance at his mate Ashton however, showed he wasn’t surprised at all. Who the hell were these guys? I turned my attention back to the fight, not wanting to miss any of it. He was impressive as he moved around the square, standing his ground and making his debut a real fight worth watching.

As the mountain came charging in again, Mason blocked the attack and used the larger man's weight against him, turning his own force against him. That moment was a turning point for the match. It came to a quick end as Mason apparently found the man's weak point, his left arm that he seemed to favor, and exploited it. Without mercy, Mason managed to get the man to the ground and place said arm into an arm lock submission hold.

The larger man yelled in pain, not willing to submit that was until Mason snapped the arm out of socket, and the man yelled and cursed in pain, tapping his free hand. Even I had to wince at the sight. I did not expect Mason to be the sort that could do that, let alone fight. Mason let go of the hold and stood up, leaning to offer his hand to help the man up.

Okay, this guy is too much. "Good match. Here let me help you set that shoulder back into place." Mason offered. The man raised an eyebrow, a bit confused but took Mason's hand getting up. "Umm, sure, kid." the man said gruffly. Mason nodded, and with a swift movement he set, the man's shoulder. "There you go, mate. Have a good night." Mason said politely before getting out of the square.

I had never witnessed someone like Mason before. He went from utter brutality to polite and even helpful like a light switch. Seriously, who is he? Cause everyone in this room is as perplexed by his actions post-match as his opponent. I watched Mason as he left the cash-out stand. I don’t even care that I lost money on that fight. I watched as Mason returned to his mate and took his shirt and pocket watch back, pocketing his winnings.

I made my way over to them. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll say when I get there. But I’m drawn to Mason, and I want to congratulate him on his match at least. I reached them in enough time to catch their conversation. "I think you made an impression Mason." Ashton commented. "Good. You'll be up shortly. See what they make of you." Mason replied.

"Well, I tell you this, I won't be as gracious as you in victory. Helping your wounded opponent up and even fixing his shoulder… yeah, that I won't be doing in my match." Ashton stated. Mason chuckled, pulling his shirt back on. "That's because you’re an arsehole." I chimed in, making my presence known.

Mason smirked while Ashton rolled his eyes. "What do you want, pet?" Ashton questioned. I glared up at him. Damn, did I not like being called that. "I ain't your pet." I insisted. "Right, I forgot you're Mason's pet since he's the nice one." Ashton teased. 

"Leave her be, Ashton. You know her name is Adder so let's just call her that. So why are you here, Adder?" Mason inquired. "Well, for one, I just lost ten quid on that match." I explained.

"Told you not to judge a book by its cover." Mason shrugged casually. However, there was some stiffness in his movement. Good thing they only allow someone to be in one fight a night. Wait, why was I worried about this guy getting injured? "You better not be over here expecting him to give you that ten quid because you were foolish enough to bet against him." Ashton said.

Oh, he was pissing me off. "I’m not that type of person. I lost. It ain't a feeling I like, but it's the chance I took betting. Was coming to tell him good match." I countered, sticking my forked tongue out at him. Okay, yes, it’s childish, but man, does he annoy me. 

Ashton glared down at me, taking a half step in my direction. "Enough, the both of you. Ashton, you're due in the ring." Mason said, putting a hand on his mate’s shoulder. Ashton snorted and took off his watch, handing it to Mason as his name was called. 

I know Mason said Ashton was the less gentle of them, but would he have hit me? For sticking my tongue out? Or was it just to mess with my head?

As I heard who Ashton was going to face, I blinked. Oh, this was going to be good. He was facing the current champ. I couldn’t wait to see Ashton get his preppy face broken. Mason was already moving forward, pushing his way through the crowd. Of course, this fight was going to draw more people than Mason’s. 

The champ was fighting. Everyone wanted to see this. I tried to push through to see as well. But damn, it was packed. I could barely slip around people. And I certainly couldn’t see over them. Damn, I hate being the shortest person here.

"Come on, pet. You can see better from here." Mason’s voice reached me. Then I saw Mason's hand was stretched out between two people. Did I trust him? It was a risk, but I took his hand, letting him pull me forward through the crowd. “Alright, up you go.” he said, bending enough to indicate I was supposed to get on his back. 

Was this guy for real? He wanted me on his back?

But I wasn’t going to get to see otherwise, so with a sigh, I climbed up and got a perfect view over Mason’s shoulder. “Comfy?” he asked, glancing at me. Okay, I should not be this close to his face. It was doing weird things to my heart. He was overloading my senses at this point. 

“Um… yeah. You’re being rather trusting. Letting a stranger on your back. What if I decide to steal from ya?” I questioned, trying to distract myself from the way my heart had just sped up. I needed to think about anything but this strange effect he was having on me.

"I wish you luck at stealing my wallet as it's in my front pocket, pet. And you aren't going to reach in there. Now let's watch and see if Ashton wins and gets your money, or he loses, and you get his." he teased. 

I snorted a little. He was right. I wasn't going to reach into his front pocket. And as much as I wanted to tell him off for calling me ‘pet,’ I couldn't. There was something different in how he said it versus Ashton saying it. And well, I liked him calling me pet.