"Silva starts off the fight with a punch that could be a knock out, there's so much force behind it." Mark commented.

"And another!" Dan continued, "Silva is thrusting with all his force. This is a good tactic if you can catch the opponent but you do run the risk of losing too much energy on these heavy hitting punches. Miller looks like a skilled veteran avoiding all these swings."

Silva lifted his right arm as though to jab, and Lucas avoided the manoeuvre right as Silva punched with his left arm, hitting Lucas square in the face.

Silva took his opportunity to punch Lucas once, twice, three times. Lucas's eyebrow was split and bleeding into his eye.

Lucas lifted his leg so quickly, I almost missed the action as he hit Silva square in the chest, Silva's steps faltering.

He used this chance to leap forward and begin punching him anywhere, everywhere - the ribs, stomach, head.

Silva looked like a rag doll, trying and failing to protect his face, until the bell chimed, but Lucas kept hitting and hitting, his face lucid with anger.

Two referees jumped into the ring and pulled the two men apart.

Lucas fell onto a stool at the edge of the ring and Miguel was by his side in a moment wiping down his split eyebrow and giving him water, shouting last minute tips at him.

The bell rang and the second round began. This time, Silva waited with his arms up defensively in front of his bruised face.

Lucas eyed the approach before lifting his leg for another kick, only this time Silva caught it and dragged it forward, throwing Lucas's balance off kilter.

Silva zeroed in onto a small area on Lucas's ribs and began to punch repeatedly with all of his strength. Lucas suddenly yelled loudly and I winced as I heard a deafening crack.

"That's definitely a broken rib, Dan," Mark stated.

"No doubt about that, Mark. Lucas is going to have to reel himself out of this if he wants that title. He has to show what he's gained over the last nine championship fights or Silva will be the middleweight champion for the second time around."

"That would be an honour right there," Mark responded.

I watched in horror as Silva lunged for Lucas and caught him into a chokehold, tightening his grip around Lucas's neck with his arm.

Lucas twisted and turned but Silva wouldn't loosen his hold, a smug smirk playing on his features.

My stomach turned. I felt nauseous.

"Lucas! Kick that smug, sorry, son of a bitch of an asshole for me!" Daniel bellowed out, his arms straining on his seat as he lifted his upper body with his arms in true emotion. "Fight for me! Fight for us!"

Lucas's eyes flickered to Daniel, Miguel, who was screaming at him, Kyle who was standing on his chair and yelling out profanities, and finally, me. I saw pure determination spread across his features and suddenly, I knew. He would win this fight. He'd take home the championship.

He threw his legs abruptly, his knee slamming into Silva's head, which loosened his chokehold just enough for Lucas to flip on him. His leg and arm wrapped around Silva's neck as he held tightly.

I thought Daniel and I would lose our voices with how loud we were cheering. The next ten seconds were the longest I'd ever experience in my lifetime.

"10..." The referee counted down, peering over the two fighters closely.

"9..." Silva attempted to throw a punch.

"8..." Lucas threw his other leg over Silva's body effectively pinning him down.

"7..." Silva slithered around in Lucas's grip.

"6..." Lucas tightened his grip.

"5..." Silva's muscles spasmed.

"4..." Lucas winced as the pressure on his ribs became too much to handle.

"3..." Silva's movements began to slow down.

"2..." Lucas held on for dear life.

"1..." Silva knocked out, his eyes rolling to the back of his tattooed head as Lucas was declared the champion.

The referee pulled at Lucas's shoulder to release his grip from Silva's throat and I watched, my heart beating a mile a minute. Lucas's next actions would decide our future.

His gaze met mine across the ring and even from afar, I could see the blazing steadiness I had come to expect from him. He was good. He could overcome this.

His grip loosened and Silva's body dropped on the mat with a thud. The referee tugged Lucas's arm up in victory. Lucas's smile was radiant in what I could only imagine was immense relief.

He had taken something from Silva that was just as precious as Daniel was to Lucas. His fame.

Music blasted, we sprang out of our chairs, jumping enthusiastically, Daniel rattling about in his wheelchair with the widest grin I'd ever seen on his face. Lucas came to the edge of the cage closest to us and I ran to the mesh wiring, locking our fingers together through it.

Lucas leaned forward, blood, sweat, tears and all and kissed me through the opening in the wiring.

"Careful there," I heard a nervous chuckle as I turned around and spotted Kyle and Miguel holding Daniel's wheelchair over their heads as though he were a trophy as they stepped closer to the ring so he could have his moment of victory. "Precious cargo, guys."

Daniel was taken into the ring where he wheeled his way over to Lucas. Lucas fell to his knees and pulled his brother to his chest. The moment was so intimate, I found myself forgetting we were on national TV. Tears had formed in both the brother's eyes as Lucas whispered something into Daniel's ear. This was their moment. This was the retribution they had waited for, that meant so much to both of them.

Daniel wheeled back from his brother and Lucas walked to the opening of the cage, holding his hand out for me, his smile the brightest I had ever seen it.

"Get over here!" He yelled over the pounding music.

I gulped down my fear and stepped into the cage, my now clammy fingers clutching onto Lucas's large hand tightly for all kinds of support.

He brought me closer to him and leaned down to press his lips against mine, fervently and to the point that I could feel every emotion he was experiencing. I wrapped my arms around his neck, relishing in the communication. It was enough to make me feel woozy as he sucked lightly on lower lip before he pulled back, "I love you!" He grinned, shouting over the music.

"I love you too! I'm so proud of you!" My arms rested at the nape of his neck as I smiled up at him.

"Any words from the new middleweight champion?" An eager announcer threw a microphone into Lucas's face.

"Actually, this win was for my little brother so he'll take the lead." Lucas nodded at Daniel.

Daniel beamed as the announcer pushed the microphone in front of him, "When Lucas asked me to teach him how to fight five years ago, I just knew I was going to be witnessing a star," he grinned as Lucas rolled his eyes at his brother. "He did us all proud today, including dad who you can be sure is making a kickass chicken parm right now. And lastly to Emily, who we owe a lot more to than she'll ever know." Daniel's gaze met mine and I could see sincerity ringing through. I felt my eyes well up. I couldn't put into words how much these brothers had become my life. But I knew we would be forever connected.

We made our way into the lockers where the same black haired beauty/PR agent was waiting for Lucas. Next to her sat a thin man, with thick glasses and suspenders on. His straight nose and angled features were not traditionally handsome, but were sharp and defining.

"Hey, Kate," Miguel called as we entered.

"Hey, guys! Stellar job out there, Lucas. I'm already on top of social media predictions for who your next match will be. Our angle is 'undefeated.'" Kate was energetic, her black hair sashaying around her. "Sorry, have you met my husband Derek?" She gestured to the thin man next to her and I'm pretty sure all of our jaws dropped down in utter surprise. Derek looked up from his phone and nodded before his gaze dropped again.

"Wha-how-" Daniel blubbered before I clamped a hand over his mouth. You couldn't shut Daniel up when he was fully coherent. I wasn't waiting around to see what he'd say when he was at a loss for words.

"Nice to meet you," Lucas replied, his warm arm firmly set against my waist.

Daniel turned to Kyle and the two burst out into giggles.

I looked around at my little family, pride swelling in my chest at the good people I had around. The people that were around for good.

~~~~

I don't know what happened in the span of a couple days but all of a sudden this has thirty seven thousand reads?! That is mind boggling.

This chapter took forever because A. I feel the pressure of people actually reading this when I have no idea what I'm doing and B. I was researching whether countdowns happen backwards or forwards and I still have no idea. I just can't subject myself to watching another UFC fight.

This is not the end. I have about 3 or 4 more action-filled chapters planned out.

All this aside, so grateful for anyone enjoying my little world ❤️