Lazy Sundays...

Part of the shorts series. Shorts are short one off stories done by request of the person generally in the story. Meaning, they will be self contained even if they have characters from other stories. Good for when you are looking for a quick fight that won't hurt your eyes reading for a long time. 

 

 

 

The scene was really so basic American, that it could have taken place in any small city or old town. Kevin was middle-aged, solidly built but really unremarkable and never really standing out personality wise. His hair clung thick to his chest and arms, with his nature themed tattoos covering most of his upper body. He worked, he slept and he did nonsense on the weekends, pretty much like any other single American male. The guy that was next to him on the sofa, watching TV like it meant something, was James. James, also single and not caring, was slightly younger (not that it mattered much in your 40's), taller, and have a build that even a baggy shirt couldn't hide. Lady killer the boys at work called him. James, paid such nicknames no mind. During the day on weekdays, they worked at the local factory. They traded their labor, sweat, blood and youth for pennies on the dollar, and making some stuck up fat cat rich idiot even richer. During the weekends, they hung out a lot, mostly at James’s apartment. Beer, cheap takeout, the TV always on in the background. Not saying much, because they really didn't need to. When one got up for another drink, they grabbed another, for the other. When it was time for a new show, they changed the channel. They knew each other, and what clicked well. It was the kind of friendship and understanding that felt needed after dealing with everything and everyone else during the week.

A friendly Holmgang

Part of the shorts series. Shorts are short one off stories done by request of the person generally in the story. Meaning, they will be self contained even if they have characters from other stories. Good for when you are looking for a quick fight that won't hurt your eyes reading for a long time. 

The two had known each other for years. They trained side by side through countless sessions, pushing each other on the heavy bags, spotting each other in the weight room, trading jabs during sparring rounds, and offering quiet encouragement before real fights. No matter what happened, they had each others back in and outside the ring. Brothers you could call them. Not by blood, but by choice. In the world of boxing, or any fighting sport really, where rivalry could turn bitter, their bond was different. It was built on trust, sweat, and a shared respect for the grind. So when the idea of facing off finally came up, it wasn’t born from ego or any need to prove who was better. It was more like checking in with an old friend, seeing how far they’d both come, testing themselves the way only two people who truly knew each other could. The day it happened, there was no big announcement, no flyers, no hype. Just a mutual nod, it was of quiet understanding. They each laced up their gloves without a word, stepped into the ring, and met in the center, calm, focused, and smiling just a little.

The "official" bell was a timer app running on someone’s cracked phone, resting on a bench outside the ropes. The crowd was whoever happened to be in the gym that day. Some guys mid-set on the bench press, a couple trainers on break shooting the shit over water, a handful of regulars who knew this wasn’t something to miss. No one yelled, they didn't have too. No one called out odds, it wasn't that kind of fight anyways. There was just a low hum of anticipation, knowing it would be a good male time. More importantly, there was no bad blood in the air. Just the heat of the gym, the sound of gloves tightening, and the quiet kind of energy that comes from two men about to share a fight, not to hurt each other, but to honor each other.

Gut Punch Journal - Entry 5

These stories started off as a standalone short, meant to be a one off tale that sparked unexpected interest. Got a few comments and request about wanting more, and so here we are! "Series" with feature recurring characters, themes, and an expanding world that continues to unfold, one story at a time. Also yes, this series does feature the actual meetfighters site.

Journal Entry #5 – June 20, 2024

It’s been a couple months since the last entry. Took a while to bounce back after what happened with Ademir, not just physically, but mentally too. I needed the space. I needed to remind myself that this isn’t about pain or pride, it’s about control, clarity, whatever I’m still trying to name. It was a painful lesson but one I obviously needed. I don't hate Ademir either, don't get me wrong. He gave me what I wanted and asked for. Thankfully, while he still pushed hard, he saw me, and gave me what I needed too. But yeah, I wasn’t even planning on setting up another match yet. I think I was still a little iffy about everything, and I wanted to be sure. Like sure sure, you know? But then I got a message from a guy named Eli. Username was something simple, “NiceBoyFighterNextDoor.” His profile was honest. Nothing flashy, nothing aggressive. Just: “Lean build, into gut punching and long friendly matches. Respectful, chill. Just want to test limits, together.”

He attached a couple photos, like most of the guys did with their profiles. But unlike the others he wasn't trying to show off. They were him, real, every day. Kinda cute.... shut up I didn't just admit that. Maybe that's what changed my mind. Eli, did I mention I like his name, well he's close to my age. He's got a nice body too, it's slim, but toned. It reminds me of a swimmer who stopped competing but never stopped moving. He may have moved into other things, but the drive was still there. He also has a bit of a dusting of chest and stomach hair, like someone pressed a brush across him lightly. He's pale but with the kind of flush that hinted he sweated easily. Definitely Irish, and it worked for him. And finally, something about his eyes made him look like he smiled often, even when he wasn’t.

We chatted for some time, starting with the usual casual back and forth. It came so easy, he wasn’t trying to impress me or show off. It was normal, grounded, even for people who liked fighting. It was almost like we been chatting forever, like we been friends since grade school. He would ask what kind of hits I liked, how long I’d been doing it, if I was okay with slow builds instead of hard slams. I was honest, I told him I’d had all kinds, fast, brutal, drawn-out. Said I was still figuring out what I liked best.

He replied, with absolutely zero judgment, “Sounds like you’re getting closer. I'd be happy to help if I can man!"