Against The Grain (THIRDS 5)

“What, just come at you?” Cael looked uncertain.

“Yes. Use whatever you think would take me down.”

“But what if I hurt you?”

“You won’t.”

Cael frowned at him. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“This is my proficiency. You’re just learning. So come on.”

Taking a deep breath, Cael charged. Every punch Cael threw, Ash was able to dodge or smack away. The force behind Cael’s punches was good. His form was good. But he was relying on his strength in a scenario where strength alone wouldn’t cut it. Maybe it would against a wolf Therian but not against a larger Felid Therian. He might get some good hits in, but he wouldn’t take them down.

Ash thought about Hogan and that asshole Fuller. He needed Cael to be ready. Fuller. That son of a bitch had pretended to have Cael’s best interests at heart, using his supposed love for him to hurt him. The moment the thought entered his mind, Ash pushed it behind a door inside his head and slammed it shut. He wasn’t Fuller. He loved Cael, and he was doing this to protect him. To give him a better chance out there in the wild streets of the urban jungle. Ash grabbed Cael around the waist, hoisted him off his feet, and slammed him down on the mat.

Cael gasped and wheezed, rolling onto his side before coughing. With a groan, he pushed himself into a sitting position. “Shit.”

“Get up,” Ash growled.

Cael glared at him. “I’m coming.”

“That’s what she said.”

Cael picked his jaw up off the floor and pushed himself to his feet. “You dick! What the hell?”

“What’s the matter, baby?” Ash leered, slowly circling Cael. “Hurt your feelings?”

Cael narrowed his eyes. “What did you just call me?”

“You heard me.” Ash smiled wickedly as he took a stance. “Let’s go, baby. Come at me fast and hard.”

He could see Cael’s temper flaring. See the anger flash in his steel-gray eyes. Cael took a stance and slowly circled Ash. Finally he was getting it. Ash could see him assessing, looking Ash over, trying to work out his vulnerabilities, where he might be able to get a good hit in. With a growl, Cael charged. Instead of going for a hook, he went low and turned at the waist to get a jab against Ash’s ribs. Ash blocked with his elbows. He didn’t attack. This was about Cael trying to land a hit.

Cael moved quickly. When he saw he was unsuccessful, he moved out of the way and approached from a different angle. He side kicked at the back of Ash’s knee, but Ash was already jumping over his leg. If he did the same with an opponent, he might have just hurt the guy. Good.

With every punch and kick Ash blocked, the more pissed off Cael became. He wanted to land a hit, to show Ash he could do it. The harder Cael tried, the more Ash patronized him. Prodding him, poking his ribs, ruffling his hair as Ash avoided getting hit.

“Would you quit it!” Cael snapped, charging Ash only to have Ash step to the side and smack his ass. Cael let out a yelp and spun, his steel-gray eyes blazing. “Asshole.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready to start, sweet pea.”

“Fuck you!” Cael advanced, jumping as he neared Ash and throwing a punch. Ash ducked out of the way and threw his arms around Cael’s waist. He knocked him onto his back, straddled him, and pinned his wrists above his head. With a smug grin, he forced his weight down, purposefully sitting on Cael’s thighs so he couldn’t move.

“What’s your move, Chirpy?”

“Kiss my ass, you bastard!”

“Ooh, ouch. That hurt.” Ash smiled sweetly. “Emotionally, obviously, not physically. Which really doesn’t help your current situation any. Get angry.”

“I am angry!”

“Not angry enough,” Ash growled fiercely. “Get angry, Cael! Some asshole has you on the floor. You’ve been disarmed. He’s going to fucking kill you. What are you going to do? Whatever it is, it better be a fucking step up from what I’ve seen, because if not, you’re as good as dead.”

Cael pulled at his wrists and writhed, trying to get free.

“That’s not going to help you survive, Cael.”

“You want angry? I’ll give you angry!” Cael smacked his head hard against Ash’s, momentarily stunning him. The distraction lasted mere seconds, but long enough for Ash to release one of Cael’s wrists and end up getting punched in the balls.