Post by Robb (Owner) on Nov 11, 2024 11:36:01 GMT -8
The rain fell in relentless sheets, drenching Kian as he trudged through the deserted streets. Each drop felt like a cold reminder of the turmoil churning inside him. His father, Xavier Laroux, and uncle, Gabriel, had been pillars in his life, guiding him through the brutal world of wrestling. They had trained him, molded him, and for a time, he had felt a sense of belonging. But now, that connection seemed distant, almost irrelevant.
The image of Charli’s bruised face haunted him. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and trust, now held a shadow he couldn’t ignore. She had said it was an accident, that she still loved him, but Kian wasn’t naive. He had spent his life reading people, a skill honed from years of survival. He saw the fracture in their relationship, a crack that might never heal.
His thoughts drifted to his childhood. Growing up without his father’s presence had left a void, one that his stepfather had filled with cruelty. The physical and emotional abuse had been relentless, teaching Kian to rely on himself and trust no one. Meeting Xavier and Gabriel had been a turning point, offering him a glimpse of what family could be. But now, even with their support, he felt isolated, adrift in a sea of his own making.
The recent events only compounded his sense of isolation. Kiki Masters had denied his challenge to Haven West, a decision that stung more than he cared to admit. Nathan Callaghan’s intervention had seemed like a lifeline, but the stipulations—a cage submission match—felt like a setup. Haven’s Muay Thai background gave her a clear advantage, and Kian couldn’t shake the feeling that Nathan was punishing him, pushing him further into a corner.
As he walked, the weight of his mistakes pressed down on him. He had hurt Charli, the one person who had seen past his defenses. The thought of her moving on, finding someone better, gnawed at him. A fleeting thought crossed his mind: Would everyone be better off if I just disappeared? It wasn’t a serious consideration, more a reflection of his despair.
He stopped under a flickering streetlamp, the cold metal of the post grounding him. The rain blurred his vision, masking the tears he refused to acknowledge. He had fought his entire life, clawing his way up from nothing. Giving up now wasn’t an option. He had to find a way to make things right, to rebuild what he had broken.
Kian’s phone dinged. A message from Charli. “Ki, come pick me up… they said I can come home as long as I stay on bed rest for the next 24hrs.” They texted back and forth for a moment, Kian being too scared at first to go see her, believing she deserved better. But with Charli’s reassurance, a sliver of his confidence came back. Taking a deep breath, Kian straightened, the resolve hardening within him. He couldn’t change the past, but he could fight for the future. And fight he would, no matter the cost. He would do it for himself and for Charli.
The image of Charli’s bruised face haunted him. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and trust, now held a shadow he couldn’t ignore. She had said it was an accident, that she still loved him, but Kian wasn’t naive. He had spent his life reading people, a skill honed from years of survival. He saw the fracture in their relationship, a crack that might never heal.
His thoughts drifted to his childhood. Growing up without his father’s presence had left a void, one that his stepfather had filled with cruelty. The physical and emotional abuse had been relentless, teaching Kian to rely on himself and trust no one. Meeting Xavier and Gabriel had been a turning point, offering him a glimpse of what family could be. But now, even with their support, he felt isolated, adrift in a sea of his own making.
The recent events only compounded his sense of isolation. Kiki Masters had denied his challenge to Haven West, a decision that stung more than he cared to admit. Nathan Callaghan’s intervention had seemed like a lifeline, but the stipulations—a cage submission match—felt like a setup. Haven’s Muay Thai background gave her a clear advantage, and Kian couldn’t shake the feeling that Nathan was punishing him, pushing him further into a corner.
As he walked, the weight of his mistakes pressed down on him. He had hurt Charli, the one person who had seen past his defenses. The thought of her moving on, finding someone better, gnawed at him. A fleeting thought crossed his mind: Would everyone be better off if I just disappeared? It wasn’t a serious consideration, more a reflection of his despair.
He stopped under a flickering streetlamp, the cold metal of the post grounding him. The rain blurred his vision, masking the tears he refused to acknowledge. He had fought his entire life, clawing his way up from nothing. Giving up now wasn’t an option. He had to find a way to make things right, to rebuild what he had broken.
Kian’s phone dinged. A message from Charli. “Ki, come pick me up… they said I can come home as long as I stay on bed rest for the next 24hrs.” They texted back and forth for a moment, Kian being too scared at first to go see her, believing she deserved better. But with Charli’s reassurance, a sliver of his confidence came back. Taking a deep breath, Kian straightened, the resolve hardening within him. He couldn’t change the past, but he could fight for the future. And fight he would, no matter the cost. He would do it for himself and for Charli.