Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The sound was almost soothing, like a beacon telling him that he was alive. Jonas opened his eyes and stared at the white ceiling. The room was dimly illuminated by a lamp located somewhere in the room, but he didn't bother looking around for it. That was because he felt what he wanted the most; Hugh's hand tightly intertwined with his.

He didn't know how he became so familiar with it, but he could never mistaken his hand for anyone else's. He knew Hugh's body.

He gently rubbed his thumb over Hugh's knuckles and finally drew his eyes to the sleeping figure next to his bed. Hugh's head was resting on his arm that was slung over the bed. Jonas lifted his free arm to run his hands through the silver hair but stopped when a pain shot through his ribs and back. He let out a sharp hiss and brought his arm back to the original position. He turned his attention to the arm and frowned when he noticed the cast wrapped around it.

He could already tell what most of his injuries were. Broken ribs, punctures in his back, and a broken arm. He sighed a little and let loose a small chuckle.

The sound made Hugh jerk awake and he snapped his head up. His red eyes widened with disbelief when he saw Jonas was awake. He didn't say anything, but stared at the grinning Jonas. Tears rolled down his cheeks and his mouth was slightly ajar.

"Hugh." Jonas whispered with a cracking voice. He was filled with a number of emotions, thinking back upon his last thoughts when he got stabbed. All he wanted was a life with Hugh. So now that he was still alive, with a chance to truly live his dreams, he uttered the only thing he could think of. The name of the person he loved the most. He just wanted Hugh.

Hugh sniffed a little and wiped the tears. "You asshole."

Jonas laughed again but cut if off with a groan. Hugh stood up hastily and checked on him. "Fuck, Jo! Be careful! You broke some ribs. You're going definitely going to hurt."

"No shit." Jonas groaned.

Hugh chuckled and planted a light kiss on his lips. "Thank you for being ok." He said, his voice thick was emotion.

Jonas smiled. "You really think a little thing like a knife can take me down? Besides, I have too much to do."

Hugh sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. He lifted his hand and gently brushed his fingers over Jonas' face. "Oh yeah, like what?"

"Like making you my husband." Jonas said lightly, but his eyes showed how serious he was about the subject.

Hugh grinned and rested his head on Jonas' forehead. "I can't wait."

Hugh alerted the doctors about Jonas being awake, as he had been unconscious for days. After the doctors checked up on Jonas, they made sure to provide a very stern lecture about how they never want to see him or his family in the hospital ever again. After several promises and apologies from both Hugh and Jonas, the doctors left them in peace. Hugh took that time to explain what happened that night after Jonas fell unconscious.

The police and the ambulance came almost immediately after he fell. The EMTs took Jonas and loaded him up with Hugh in the ambulance and they were promptly delivered to the the hospital.

The police had arrested Lukas on the spot. He tried to claim it was self defense and demanded that they call his father, but he was ignored.

The entire incident was streamed live because of the cameras that Jonas set up, as well as the filming from Lucy and Emilia. The Kings' social media profile had already become immensely popular, and this encounter made thousands of people share the video.

Chuck saw the live stream as well. He was sick with worry because of his student and friend, so he commented on it, trying to find out more information because none of the Kings were answering their phones. However, his comment caught the eye of his fanbase and other fighters he was friends with. Who was this person Chuck called his student? And who could fight so well despite being a high school student?

The incident became viral on a national level.

While it was receiving a lot of hype and inquiries, Eli dropped the bomb. He used the Kings' platform to release a series of videos captured from St. Vincent's. Many were the bullying of Jonas when he was a junior, but also of other students that caught the ire of Lukas.

The public called for action, and St. Vincent's was closed temporarily due to the ongoing investigation of their negligence. Although a complete closure wasn't announced, parents were encouraged to enroll their children in different schools.

Lukas' heinous deeds were displayed for everyone to see and the evidence was insurmountable. Dozens of treenagers came forward to testify against Lukas. His violence, instigation, and threats were laid bare. Not even his family's political pull could cover up his crimes. The outrage was deafening. His Elite throne was destroyed by his own hands and crumbled away. Like Jonas told hm, he was only living in illusions of grandeur. The only future reserved for Lukas' was behind bars. Forgotten, alone, and powerless.

As Hugh fell asleep in his arms on the hospital bed, Jonas took a deep breath. For the first time, Jonas felt something he never thought was possible; true freedom to live his life.

His brother. His friends. His lover. He had everything that was necessary to truly be happy.

***** 7 years later *****

The noise surrounding him was ear splitting. The screams and excitement made his blood boil and he couldn't help but to grin as he walked with his crew, Chuck behind him yelling instructions in his ear.

Jonas couldn't help but to laugh. "I know, boss. I got it!" Chuck has been telling him the same thing over and over for the last two weeks.

He strained his ears and listened to the music being played over the roar of the crowd. It was a song that was created just for him, for this very moment. It was one of the most popular songs produced by one of the greatest music producers in the industry, his husband. It made his grin stretch further across his face.

He took off his robe and let the officials inspect him and gestured towards the octagon. He punched the air a few times as he stepped into the ring. His muscles rippling as he waved to the roaring crowd. A scar on his stomach and several on his back were accentuated by the bright lights. Although they were still prominent, time had faded most of them, just like the emotional wounds from his past.

They were now part of his story and his accomplishments. They proved that he survived.

The announcer entered the stage and started his announcements and introduced the man across from the octagon. But the crowd erupted when the announcer turned towards him.

"Presenting the reigning, defending, undisputed welterweight UFC champion of the world; Jo 'The Wolf' King!"

The cheers made the stage vibrate under him and he smirked as Chuck was holding up the belt in the air, yelling with the crowd.

Off to the side, an excited five year old was bouncing in the lap of a smiling Hugh. "Dad! Dad! Did you hear them cheering?"

Hugh laughed and patted him on the head. "I did."

"They really like papa!" He said with bright eyes.

Hugh chuckled. "They really do. You gotta cheer real loud, Brett. Make sure he hears you!"

It's not like he needed the encouragement. He knew how hard Jonas prepared for this fight, and having Chuck as a coach, there was no way he could lose. But their son was excitable and loved watching his father fight. The small child yelled wildly for his father in the octagon. Jonas looked in their direction and winked at them, making Brett scream even louder.

Hugh smiled in return and hollered. "Kick his ass!" This made Brett giggle, but also tried to repeat it, which made Hugh clamp his down over Brett's mouth. He gave Jonas a sheepish look who caught the exchange.

Hugh glanced around him and saw his friends cheering on his husband. Even his parents sat in the audience, nervously yelling out for him.

Sam had his arm wrapped Emilia's shoulder, who was already closing her eyes. She was never a fan of the fighting, but refused to miss a single UFC card with Jonas.

Travis and Eli were holding hands and looking nervous but excited. Eli never cheered until they held Jonas' hand in the air and announced him as a winner. He always explained that he was too worried to make a sound until it was completed and official.

Millan with his partner screaming out their encouragement. Millan was still the silent type, until he was in the audience for a fight.

Rodgers and his own sister, Lucy, sat close together. Her nails already embedded in Rodgers' forearm. His jaw was clenched tightly trying not to let anyone know how much she was hurting him.

Jonas seemed to have felt the same way as Hugh, letting his eyes glance over his family and friends. They were all cheering him on, excited for his next victory and never doubting him. His eyes settled on his longtime friends and happiness swelled within him.

Circumstance brought them all together, their experiences bonded them as brothers, and their hearts crowned them as Kings.

~The end~