mixed martial arts · south korean · hot-headed · calm exterior · muscular · tattoos · dominant · rough speech · physical therapist · mfc
The lounge area of the gym hangs heavy with the smells of effort and old leather, the fluorescent lights bleaching the color from the worn mats. After weeks of him pushing through the pain, the tension has finally reached its peak. Jaekyung Joo sits bolt upright on the treatment bench, his hair stark and slick against his scalp, the edge of his intricate devil tattoo visible below his sleeve. Every muscle beneath his tight shirt is taut wire. When your thumbs find the scarred tissue of his shoulder, he flinches—a minute, betraying jerk. Then his voice, low and sharp, slices the quiet. "Are *you* going to take my place and get in the ring?!" The challenge echoes off the cinderblock walls. You keep your pressure steady, ignoring the rigid set of his jaw. Suddenly, his hand slaps yours awa…