Ciel

I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot as I sat in the bar where I usually hung out with Zen and others. My Habanero finally agreed to go out with me. It’s been a few days since then and all I’ve been able to do was to text her and stop by the coffee shop where we would steal a few glances and had small talks here and there. To say I was sexually frustrated was an understatement.

I didn’t exactly knew where to take her. On our first date it took me a while to figure out where I would take her and even though I had a plan to take her places somehow we ended back at my apartment. It’s a habit.

“You ready for tonight Ciel?” Zen suddenly asked. I turned towards them with a confused look. Everyone sighed at my reaction as Zen said “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already? Is she that good in bed?” Zen’s words made me growl and he smiled as he held up his hands in surrender.

“Chill bro, I’m kidding. Get your head out of the clouds Ciel. It’s your turn to fight tonight.” he reminded me. My blood ran cold as I remembered that if I wasn’t earning money from my family business then I was earning money from illegal fighting.

“Can’t I pass?” I asked.

Zen groaned in frustration as he said “We gave you two passes already Ciel. You can’t skip this time. You’re our best fighter, we need you.” I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair. Before I could get myself worked up Fran ran through my head, and it was enough to calm me down.

Even though Fran and I argued most of the time we’ve known each other, we both had an understanding when it came to our relationship. She means a lot to me and I could tell that I mean a lot to her. I could tell by the way she prepared the coffee with cinnamon and peppermint.

I also did notice that the cup she gave me was covered in hearts unlike the cup she usually gave me which was pitch black with some meaningless quote on it. That was enough for me to keep me going.

“Fine.” I gave them my answer. Zen and the others grinned as they started giving each other high-fives. I felt a tad bit of disappointment, if I was going to fight tonight meant I wasn’t going to see Fran tonight like I usually did. Seeing Fran was the highlight of my day and not being able to see or touch her tonight left my heart clench painfully.

The time for the fight was about to start as my friends and I exited the bar from the backdoor and I swiftly took off my shirt and started wrapping bandages around my fists. My heart was pounding like an angry bird wanting an escape from its cage. Drops of sweat were rolling down my face as I readied myself for the fight.

A large crowd surrounded the private alleyway. Cheers came from the audience that were awaiting the fight to begin. Zen was giving me some sort of pep talk as I made my way towards the corner where I’ll begin the fight. But I wasn’t listening to Zen, my heart was beating too loudly. It’s as if it’s telling me to go see Fran.

I tried finding the right reason why I’m standing here and not with Fran.

I needed the money?

Zen depends on me like how I do with him?

Or I simply enjoy the adrenaline coursing through my veins?

I had all these reason yet none of them seemed enough. These weren’t enough to be a reason why I couldn’t see Fran because Fran was worth more. Yet here I was.

Before I knew it the fight was starting. My opponent was as tall as me but he seemed to be on extra steroids. He looked huge but I knew that I could easily beat him. Size doesn’t intimidate me. I was the first one to land a punch, it hit him directly on nose making it instantly bleed. He managed to even land a few punches but nothing serious to take me down.

I was punching him repeatedly until I heard a voice call out.

“Ciel!”

It sounded like Fran. I quickly ignored it as I continued on with the fight but then I heard her again. “Ciel!” I was stunned for a moment and it was enough for my opponent to land a punch directly on my face. Fran’s smiling face entered my mind, completely distracting me.

My opponent managed to even punch me towards the ground making my breath escape my lungs. Blood was seeping out of my mouth. I was suddenly seeing two opponents rather than one.

Was I seriously this weak without her?

My eyelids felt extremely heavy as my fists clenched. I could feel myself getting weaker by the second. I could hear Zen and others shout my name as they tried encouraging me to get back up and fight. My opponent loomed over my body as I lied on the ground, he was about to give the final blow before my body could give up.

Before I could close my eyes and give up I suddenly saw a flash of familiar red. My eyes widen as I saw her, my Fran standing in front of me with her hands stretched out like she was protecting me.

“Stop!” her voice was strong.

Complaints filled the whole alleyway as they tried telling her to get out of the fighting stage. But Fran stood her ground and I could already picture her determined face. I should be worried that she’s here but for some reason my heart felt at ease with her so close by.

“I won’t let you hurt him.” she said. If I didn’t feel pain through my chest then I would’ve chuckled at how stupid she sounded, but I love her for it.

“Get out of here girl! This is no place for you. Let me finish him!” my opponent’s gruff voice growled. I tried pushing myself up but for some reason I had no strength left. “I will not let you touch him.” Fran growled back like the fierce vixen she was.

What happened next sent me into a frenzy, my opponent harshly shoved Fran towards the ground. “Move it!” he growled. A yelp escaped Fran’s mouth and it was enough to send me over the edge. I felt like a beast who just broke its cage.

In a blink of an eye, I was up and already attacking my opponent. “Nobody touches my Francesca.” I growled as I showed him no mercy. I couldn’t see anything else around me except the color red and my bloody opponent. Anger coursed through me like never before.

You can break my soul, beat me, hurt me or even kill me… But for the love of god don’t touch her.

My opponent was already knocked out and sprawled upon the ground but that didn’t stop me from punching him. I could hear Zen and others cheering for my victory. Once they noticed I wasn’t stopping even when they declared that I’ve won, Zen and others tried prying me off of my bloody unconscious opponent.

“Ciel, dude! You’ve won. Cut it out.” I heard Zen as I felt his hands upon my shoulder but I easily shrugged his hold off. People started yelling for me to stop but none of those were going to stop me. He touched what’s mine.

Before I could actually kill the guy I heard her angelic voice call out to me.

“Ciel.”

I was about to punch my opponent once more but I stopped right before it could meet his face. I turned around to see a horrified looking Fran standing timidly among my friends.

“You can stop now Ciel.” she told me. I’ve never seen Fran with such a look. I was so used to her furrowing brows and scowling face, this was brand new to me. No matter what look she makes she’s still absolutely beautiful. I slowly got off my opponent as I walked over to Fran and without saying a word I pulled her into a well-needed embrace.

I buried my face into her hair making sure to smell her lovely strawberry fragrance, it helps me calm down. I felt her small arms wrapped around my torso even if I’m covered in blood and sweat.

“Let’s go home Ciel.” Fran suggested.

As Fran and I walked out of the private alleyway I can hear Zen and the others whisper among themselves. “He’s so whipped.” At this point I didn’t care whether they thought I was whipped or not. I won the fight making Zen and the others happy and I’m with Fran that makes me extremely happy, I hope she feels the same way.

I got my stuff from the bar as Fran and I started heading towards my apartment. The atmosphere was painted in silence, a comfortable silence. But I could tell that Fran had questions for me. Once we were safe behind the locked door of my apartment, a familiar frown appeared on Fran’s face making me smile. She’s definitely so much more than I imagined.