A messy meeting...

[mmamarine]

It's not like his mom didn't try her best for the both of them. Tommy knows she works as hard as she has to, and he won't ever ask for anything if it means making her life any harder than it's already been. But lately he's been hearing things about money. About having no money. When his mom cries, he gets angry. He promised both of them, after they

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[littlspecificty]

Arthur, now seventeen going on eighteen, had been on his own for nearly two years. He had been on the streets, under bridges and stair wells, jumping from town to town, making money how he could with whatever job he could manage to get, lying about his age and spending what time he could at public libraries finishing the education he gave up at sixteen

[mmamarine]

Tommy can't help looking over his shoulder every so often at the older men gathered in a ring around him and the kid whose body is taking punishment and a half. He's looking back at them, willing them to decide that this just isn't entertaining, willing them to see the look of this isn't right set in eyes usually devoid of emotion. When he fights he leaves everything else at home.

But this kid... this kid who looks like he hasn't eaten a decent meal in weeks just kept getting back up, and even laid out almost flat on the goddamn floor is still giving him rage-filled looks. The look in his eyes turns from confusion to just stay the hell down, fist still tight by his side because he knows he's got the kid. He just doesn't want to take this any further.

[littlspecificty]

Arthur is ignoring everything else around him except his opponent and seeing him still standing is enough to make him, somehow, muster the strength to push himself to his knees and then feet. He's shaking and blood dripping down his chin and the cut along one cheek bone but he grits his teeth and remains standing if hunched over and swaying.

He can't even manage to clench his fists, knuckles on both hands busted open and bleeding, but he tries. Just like he tries to start yet another round.

He will not stop until he's knocked out; he just cannot allow himself to give up.

[mmamarine]

Tommy watches the other kid sway, watches him draw up every last pound of strength to get up again for another round. He recognizes something in this kid he's seen before. He's felt like that before, won't let himself be beaten by anyone, doesn't matter if they're twice his size.

He can hear the older men hollering at him to finish, yelling at him to finish the kid off so they can collect their money and go. But that's not why Tommy does what he does next.

The look of understanding eclipses the look of apology and, after a split-second pause, he finally lashes out, punching the other kid so hard nobody could stay conscious in response. He's not going to lie and say it was selfless, but it's more for his opponent's benefit than for his trainers'.