Billigerent

"Again, Johnson!" His voice boomed throughout the deserted and silent room, causing Ace's ears to ring as he did as told, moving backwards to be in a fighting stance. His chest rose and fell repeatedly, silence coming between the two as they held eyes. It was thick enough to be cut through with a sword- and it wasn't a pleasant thing to know between the men. Seconds ticked by, the clock on the wall being the only sound dimly heard in the room. Ace's nostrils flared, his fingers clenched into fists as he counted each second thst past begore he could make any new moves. It was then after the number five was barely mouthed that he made a move, rushing forward and giving a high kick, only to be caught and flipped by Zion, Ace landing gracefully and giving a left hook punched. It was expected, the attack blocked before a punch was dealt towards his gut, causing a double take of pain to fill him and stumble back again, his feet almost giving out.

A sigh left the trainers lips, his hand raising to begin taking the bandages off his other- torturously slow. "You're lacking again, Ace." He began, indicating the start of a conversation Ace knew would lead to what he didn't want to speak of. A low groan of a growl left his lips, the annoyance of unwant in the conversation evident to Zion; though it seemed he didn't care as much. "Ace-" he started again, wanting his friend to listen. He turned and lifted the boxing ring wires, bending to step between two and landing on the bench, his hand taking the water bottle, twisting the cap off and practically swallowing the entire liquid in a few short gulps. A shiver of happiness and relaxation went through when the cold water trailed down his throat, closing his eyes to take in this temporary good feeling.

"Ace." Zion spoke again, causing the peaceful mindset Ace had to evaporate and bring him back to the world of Hell; a place he no longer had the need to be in. In conclusion, he felt useless in life. His eyes locked with his coldly, showing a feeling of hatred towards the man bringing up the need to converse. His lips pursed, the dark eyes he was born with searching Ace's in hope of finding any hints of his newfound personality and given actions. It was then a flicker of a lightbulb went off in realization. "You need to get over her." Zion spoke in a more soft tone than earlier, his personality doing a switch- he was in best friend mode. He moved and looked at Ace for approval before sitting down beside him, taking a sip of his own water with a sigh releasing afterwards. "There's no reason to act this way, your ass left her in the dust which she obviously deserved."

The way Anna was spoke about by his mouth made Ace have the need to beat him to a pulp; turn his insides in and out completely until he apologized for what he said. Instead, he lowered his head and bent his neck till it was between his knees, pressing the kneecaps against the sides of his head to push some pain into it. He placed his hands on the back of his head, the imagine of a smiling Anna appearing in the darkness. It caused him to choke on the upcoming tears, a throbbing pain filling his throat and head. "She didn't deserve it." Ace answered in a shaky tone, voice barely audible.

Zion tsked at his words, finding it unbelievable he could speak such a way when he was so much more stronger than this. The tapping of his foot agsinst the floor began, showing his annoyance. "She cheated on you, Ace, and you want to believe she didn't fucking deserve it? You crying over it is completely insane!" He practically shouted in a scolding tone, Ace's fingers curling tightly in his locks. He knew, deep within his mind, Zion was in the right of his words, but he couldn't help but believe all this was his fault. Ace stood, hands trailing down his face as the pacing began, Zion's eyes following his every move. The small bundle of hairs poked at his skin, his thoughts flitting towards Anna that it caused his jaw to set.

Ace ended things two weeks ago after finding out she slept with another man he was told was a colleague at work. He had bad feelings about him but ignored it for the sake of the relationship, not wanting to upset his lover. Although things had ended, she invaded his thoughts like a neverending nightmare. "You don't understand." He groaned, hands falling to his sides after raking them through his mess of hair. "I lover her to pieces, adore her soul, body and mind! Yet, she says the cheating happened out of no attention-" a faint flicker of light came to mind. "That's it," Ace started, a scoff mixed with a short hurting laugh leaving him. "you've taken so much time away from me to train that I never gave enough attention! Yeah, that's fucking it." He breathed out, shaking his head out of hurt and "realization". Zion's reaction was completely different than what Ace expected.

A punch was brought about his face, feet giving out and falling on his ass out of surprise. Immense pain flamed through his cheek, the flesh brightening red in response. He shakily reached up to grip the red strings surrounding the boxing ring, looking up at his angered best friend. Zion breathed heavily, his hands fisted at his sides. "I'm done being nice so get this through your damn skull, Ace!" He shouted, reaching down and gripping the collar of his tee. "She never loved you! She's a whore, a slut, that's why she cheated! You bored her. "No attention" my ass, she got annoyed not shopping with the money you earned through fights! What did she do? Nothing! You were her bank and she ended it by finding another one." He seethed, veins popping from his forehead.

The words were the type Ace couldn't believe but it hit him harshly like a truck as he tried to recover all the memories with Anna. She seemes so innocent; her emerald eyes glowing with happiness beside him, kisses filled with happiness and passion. He couldn't believe it, no way in Hell could he be so blind! "You're numb." Ace raised his eyes to hold Zion's gaze who kneeled in front of him, a serious look. "You can't take the pain knowing the truth and force fault onto yourself. She broke you after giving so much love and adoration, she knew your weaknesses, where to hit you where it hurt and broke your mind terirbly. Let the reality sink in, Ace. She never loved you and you know it, you're just blinded!"

Memories seemed to sped past his vision at that exact moment, eyes wide like plates. 'After our three year anniversary, it was then that she became distant. The only time we had a real long conversation was when she introduced me to her coworker, Mike.' It was then that reality sank in. His head lowered, wanting this burning feeling of betrayal to diminish. It was unspecified what this icky feeling was, although felt for a mere moment.

A hand settling on his shoulder earned Ace's attention, head lifting again to see a pained and sorrowful Zion. He gave a sad smile, leaning down and taking his wrist, forcing Ace to stand on his feet that wished to give out immediately. He felt weak. "Hey, think about it." He started, patting his back. "Now you can actually take the time to try and find a girl that'll treat you right and love you, not your money."

"Is there even a girl like that out there?" Ace snorted lowly, scoffing afterwards with a deep frown. He choked as Zion tsked and wrapped his arm around his friends neck, placing him in a headlock.

"Come on man, ever heard of soulmates?" He grinned while giving a wink, causing the two of us to release short laughs. "Let's go to the bar for a guys night!" He howled, forcing him to walk towards the door. Another scoff left Ace's lips, shaking his head as he released him to walk beside him.

"You just want to get laid!" Ace accused, grabbing his bag on the way out. Although disappointed in his friends need for sex by getting drinks, he was glad to have him in his life to keep his mind distracted.