Fighting Words

Story by tiger-stripes on SoFurry

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#2 of Love Is a Battle Field


Ash Barker, the 20 year old light red colored husky with bi-colored eyes, always wanted to a Brawler ever since he was 8 years old when he watched his first Brawler match on TV with his dad. He wanted to be like his idol, Vic Wildsyde, who he thought was stronger and better then the superheroes his friends liked. To Ash, no one was better then Wildsyde. No one could beat him, not even the Brawler's founder Carlo Tao senior who was considered legendary. The wolf was the husky's role model, and Ash wanted to be just like his hero.

But his hero wasn't the guy he thought he was; in fact, he was the polar opposite. Ash always thought Vic was nice, humble, and respectful to challengers. Vic never once said in interviews that he was the "king of the Brawl"-his media given title-or bragged about his abilities, he complimented his opponents and never put anyone down. The "real Vic Wildsyde"; however, was cold, often blunt to the point of insult, direct, stubborn, thick headed, and mean as a cornered rattle snake. The black wolf yelled at him like a drill sergeant with anger issues and belittled by calling his a "pup" and "whelp". It frustrated him.

For six long, agonizing months, Ash went to Vic's home to train perfecting his style and form. He was made to down homemade goop to boost his stamina for the days training, Ash hated drinking them as they smelled like stinky gym socks and tasted like the side of a greasy dumpster. He was surprised that he was still alive. He worked out daily to increase his muscle tone and strength, practiced incorporating his Caoperia/street fighting style-the basics of Vic's overall style Ash borrowed-with Tai Jitsu, and yoga to help stabilize his stance and form.

Despite Vic's yelling, the soreness of his muscles, and exhaustion, Ash had to admit his body was looking great. He was more toned, defined, and nicely muscled; he thought he looked similar to those male fitness models he sees in Guy's Fitness Monthly. Women and men alike would admire him when he went in public and hit on him, but Ash didn't seem to pick up on it. His family was amazed by his transformation; they didn't recognize him at first when they first saw the pictures he sent. It was hard for his parents to grasp the concept that their "little boy" was an Adonis, his mom worried that he might be pursued by "sleazy porn people" that she heard about on Ophelia. Everyone was taking notice of the rising young fighter including the wolf named Vic.

For Vic, it was like torture to hold the beast locked inside him. He was falling for the red furred husky with miss matched eyes with the red hot temper and "boy next door" good looks. It was slowly driving him mad. He never felt so strongly toward anyone before, there was something about Ash that drew Vic to him. He couldn't explain it, but somehow he seemed happier then he ever did.

Despite Ash's hot head, easily riled nature, stubborn and cocky attitude, and his tendency to be immature and reckless, the young canine did have his good points. Ash was rather hard working and could nail new forms of martial arts with little effort, he had a gift. He was friendly, warm, open, and carefree with an air about him that made him easily approachable. He was goofy, kind, and fun loving. He liked video games, sweets, and was easily embarrassed. His goofy, mischievous, half cocked grin was sexy and charming. Plus, his laugh was rather cute and cub-like.

It was another day of training in Vic's converted basement and Ash wasn't enjoying it. Vic made him do push ups, sit ups, and run for what seemed like hours. He was made to lift weights until his arms felt like they'd fall off, and made him practice for an up coming match with a seasoned pro, Vic's "old friend"-an egotistical Doberman named Brock Smalls and current "King of the Brawl". Ash was exhausted and wanted to call it a day, but Vic kept pushing him and yelling at him to the point where Ash was about to crack.

"That it, I can't take it anymore! What's you damage, you jerky wolf! You've been riding my ass since the day we met, do this and do that! I've been doing everything you told me to do and it's still not good enough?! What's you problem anyway?!" said Ash angrily, he was working his tail off doing his very best and nothing he did was good enough for the wolf.

"My damage is you, puppy! You're an unfocused, easily riled hot head who's letting the bright lights get to his thick head! You think you're a somebody just because you won a few matches against pretty weak fighters...you're a amateur and it's wasting both our time training when you can't even see the obvious" replied Vic sparking a cigarette. The wolf was sitting on a bench in a grey muscle shirt and blue sweats with a white draw sting neatly tied.

"Amateur?! If I'm such an amateur then how come I beat Dee Shaw, huh? That smart mouthed kangaroo got his ass handed to him during our match and he's a veteran fighter. You just won't admit that I'm just that good" said Ash confidently as he crossed his arms and glared daggers at his former hero, "last I checked you need skill to take on a top ranked fighter like Dee."

"Hate to burst your bubble, pup, but you were thrown a bone" replied Vic casually as he inhaled a drag off his cigarette.

"Thrown a bone? What do you mean I was "thrown a bone"?" questioned Ash raising an eye brow slightly confused by the wolf's statement.

"Let me put it another way, pup...simply put, he was more focused on getting dirty with the two, identical, cosmetically enhanced skunk girls he had blowing him kisses in the front row VIP seats. Dee's a shameless show boy who likes to play the wounded hero card when he wants to get laid, and losing to a newbie like you won't hurt his rep none...after all every veteran Brawler gives to charity now and then, you were simply a charity case". Ash snarled at his relaxed trainer, he hated to admit that he was right.

Dee did seem distracted and always seemed to stare off, normally the kangaroo was cautious during a match carefully eye his challenger for an opportunity to strike. Ash thought it strange he got as many hits on the skilled marsupial, but he got caught up in the cheer of the crowd to call Dee out on it. To a Brawler, a match won by an act of charity was a hollow victory. It meant that the kangaroo saw him as not worth his time and basically without speaking called him a "weak punk". Ash felt like he was insulted and a little hurt. "Damn that stupid dopey faced Casanova...I'm not a weakling. I'll get him back in a rematch and knock him into next year" he thought.

Vic could see the fiery red canine was angry, his whole body shook with annoyed anger. "Look, pup...it's not like you got the skill and talent. You're very good and pick up on things easily, but you have to learn that as a newbie you're pretty much small fish. You'll learn that one day...when you grow up" said the wolf doubting his cigarette in a coffee can filled with sand, "once you climb up the ranks a little I'm sure they'll take you seriously". Ash growled at the wolf, Vic was making fun him again and it ticked him off.

"Quit makin' fun of me, jerk! I'm not a cub, I'm a grown man got that?! Why should I listen to you anyway?! You're a has-been who chose to walk out because you couldn't take it, everyone says so...you used to me somebody, now you're a nobody! A washed up, used-to-be fighter who can't fight anymore. I bet an amateur like me could beat a geezer like you no problem" said Ash with harsh confidence to his tone, he stared Vic straight on. Vic felt the sting of his trainee's words; it ripped through his heart like a razor. Ash didn't know Vic was in an "accident" that nearly cost him everything including the use of his left leg and arm, no one knew of it except the Tao family.

"That's so, huh? You think you've got the skills to back up that mouth...alright then, kid, let's see what ya got" said Vic calmly and collectedly as he stood up and walked toward the mats. The wolf grasped the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head revealing his perfectly developed upper body that David would be jealous of. Vic turned his head toward his hot headed young trainee and cocked a "back it up" smile; he rotated his neck making a crackling sound that would make others cringe if they heard it. "I'll make you a deal, pup...if you manage to beat me then I'll ease up on the harsh lessons. But if you lose, then you show up here, keep quite, and prepare to work until your tail falls off...sound like a plan?"

Ash thought that Vic had lost his mind, he was serious about this. "You're serious?" he asked a bit confused.

"You said a geezer like me couldn't beat a stud like you, figured you might want to show me up...so, you just gonna stand there or bring it? C'mon, pup, a geezer like me shouldn't be much of a challenge. Attack me!" said Vic as he took his stance and motioned with his hand for Ash to make his move, the air in room seemed heavier somehow. Ash took his stance copying Vic's, almost an exact mirror image. Ash swooped in a fury of motion lay a swift kick toward Vic; Vic dodged it at the last possible second. Vic quickly turned the tables and grabbed the red furred canine's arm and flipped him on his back on the mat. Ash landed with a dull thud as his body made contact with the blue matting. "Give up?" said the wolf with a smirk staring down at the fallen star.

"I'm not done yet. I still got some fight left in me, I'm not going to lose to a jerk like you!" replied the husky as he rose to his feet and took his stance. Vic could see that Ash was determined, the fire in eyes was clear to him that Ash wasn't ready to give up yet. The young Brawler charged attacking the wolf with everything he got; Vic was faster though and dodged everything the pup threw at him.

For nearly a half hour the two Brawlers spared in a dance of combat each one was sweaty, their very fur was stuck to their bodies and looked messy. The score, while unofficial, was 6:0 with Vic taking the lead. Ash was knocked down repeatedly. "Ready to give up yet, pup? Just except the fact that you've lost no shame in admitting defeat" said Vic as he leaned against the wall lazily, he was getting tired but yet he was having fun. He hasn't felt this exhilarated in years, Ash was the best sparing partner he had as the pup's style and the pup reminded him of himself when he was young.

"No...I won't give up, not yet! One last time, winner take all!" declared as he got off the mat again for the sixth time, he was stubborn and wasn't going to stay down and let Vic push him around anymore. This wasn't about proving his point anymore; it was about gaining the wolf's respect.

"Stubborn brat...alright, one last time then it's game over" Vic said ready to teach the little red show off a lesson, "gimme all you got, kid!" Ash charged and swiped at the wolf with a powerful kick, Vic was slightly caught off guard-Ash was giving his attacks everything he could must and it showed. The two fighters "danced" for several minutes each blocking each other's blows, they were almost in sync. Vic felt a little proud of himself; Ash was showing him the potential the grouch wolf knew the pup had watching his movement and body language scanning for an opening. Vic was giving it his all too, until now he was going easy on the young hot shot Brawler.

Ash threw a roundhouse at the wolf; Vic was ready and blocked it. In a flash Vic moved behind the husky and before Ash could even react, Vic pushed his foot against the husky's ass causing him to trip and fall flat on his stomach. Ash went to get up but Vic pounced of him like prey and they wrestled around, Vic got the upper hand and pinned the crimson furred husky to the mat. Ash looked into his trainer's eyes, they were narrowed and serious. He tried to get free but Vic hand him pinned with no way to escape. He panted as he felt his wild heart beat returning to normal.

Vic too panted; he never had a workout like that before. It excited him and took him back to the old days, he loved it. But something inside Vic was stirring, something primal that he was caging. He stared into the young fighter's mixed up eyes; the beast was clawing away at him. Ash looked sexier with his sweaty, scruffy fur, his mouth slight agape panting softly, and odd and beautiful mixed orbs full of fire. "What? If you wanna gloat go ahead..." said Ash looking deep into the somewhat softer icy wolf eyes, they had a strange gleam in them he never saw before.

Vic leaned down and suddenly captured the husky's lips in hard, powerful kiss forcing his rough tongue into the younger male's mouth. Ash didn't know what to do, his first instinct was to push the wolf off of him, punch him and storm out. But he couldn't move, he felt this paralyzing electric surge course through him preventing any struggled his brain ordered. Strangely, Ash thought, was part of him liked the kiss. It felt odd, but in a good way. He moaned into the older canine's mouth when he felt Vic's body on top of his softly crushing him.

Vic growled beastly as his hand traveled down the pup's form tugging at the younger male's black muscle shirt sliding it up, he could hear the startled moan from his charge. He could feel the young body under him shiver, the pup was nervous. He slid the cotton shirt up to reveal the well developed chest of the husky; he gently squeezed one of the tiny nipples between his fingers causing Ash to arch into his larger body frame. Ash felt a wave of nervousness flood his cranium, he was confused and hesitant. He was unsure about this; he's never experienced something like this before and was scared. The wolf was growling hungrily as his hand grasped his waits band of his blue/white workout shorts, he whimpered nervously.

Vic broke the intense lip lock and leaned back to stare the young fighter in the eyes; he saw nervousness, unsure anxiety in them that brought him back to reality. Vic felt the pup shake slightly and a confused/uneasy expression on his handsome face, Vic turned his head realizing that he almost forced himself on the young dog. He got up retreating to his hardened shell he had early, the shell that prevented him from showing pride in the young fighter that was destined for great things. The steel hard enclosure that was trying to push Ash away, "Get out!" barked Vic angrily. He turned and walked away disgusted with himself for letting his inner "beast" take control, the primal lust and love he felt for the promising upstart.

Ash sat up pulling his shirt down and looked at the tall, ruggedly good looking wolf that faced the wall. He thought that he did something to make Vic angry at him, although he wasn't sure what he did wrong. Vic felt like his heart was cut with a hot knife when he heard Ash apologize for making him mad; Vic felt he was punched in the gut with a wrecking ball. "Training is over for today...you're still an amateur, and a punk kid! My door is open when you're ready to show me you have what it takes to be a champion...I don't like wasting my time on lost causes! Bring your A game or don't come back, now get out!" growled the wolf as he tried to hold himself together. Ash got up and headed toward the stair, he felt like a failure, worse, he felt like he was disappointment. Despite how he tried to deny it, Vic was still his idol and hero. He grabbed his bag by the door and started to head up the stair without saying a word, he didn't know what to say. Ash opened the front door and closed it behind him heading to his car to go home.

Vic heard the front door close and sighed in frustration, he was beating himself figuratively. "Dammit...what's wrong with me?! I can't keep doing this...I can't fall for him, I can't" he thought as he traveled upstairs to the kitchen to fetch a beer. Vic flopped down on his sofa and sighed, he's never felt an attraction to someone like this before and wasn't sure how to handle it. Vic was a man who followed the rules, and his attraction to the red "puppy" was going against those rules. Vic couldn't change trainees, but Ash could switch trainers. The wolf thought if he pushed the husky away then he could forget what his heart was telling him and go back his simple, blue collar life. He regrets the job he was assigned that was bound by his signature on a piece of legal paper.

"He probably thinks I'm angry with him...he wasn't the one who crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed. We're trainer and trainee nothing more. I have to make him hate me, even if the thought of that stings somewhat...he's young and I know he has what it takes to become a real champion. Even if he felt something for me, I'm not good for him. The pup is too good for a guy like me...I'd only ruin him" thought Vic as he finished his beer. He got up and headed toward the master bedroom to venture on to sleep even it was only 8 o'clock in the evening. He was getting a headache and felt tiered, stripped off his sweaty workout grab and climbed into bed. He stared at the ceiling lost in thought; as the clock struck 11 Vic was fast a sleep only to dream about his secrete love.