The Navigator

30. Supernova

Author's Note: TRIGGER WARNING: Mild violence

Song Credit: Dark Matter, Les Friction

This Chapter contains some mature language and sexual themes. This story is rated mature so discretion is advised. 

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THWAP....thwapTHWAP!!!

The dis rhythmic sound repeated itself and Addy struggled to connect the sound to the action that was causing it. Unsure what was happening behind the walls of the annex, and preparing herself for what she may find. She had never fought with Jax before, not that they were now, but it seemed the closest point of reference she could think of. They hadn't been together long enough to need that sort of release. Raised voices and hurt feelings unnecessary and wasteful given the time limits they had operated under. However, while she had never been through this type of expression with him before, she wasn't totally ignorant of what might be required to correct it. It all depended on what he was doing, what he said, and how he reacted to her. She resolved to remain calm and be the source of peace in the room.

She pushed open the door to find a well apportioned gym, A pair of treadmills were against one wall. A couple of different types of standing bikes were nearby and various weights and benches were everywhere, but all of that only took up less than half the space of the room. The central feature was a padded square, a sparring ring she realized, the sounds suddenly making sense. She looked past the roped platform, towards the other end of the room where variously sized and shaped punching bags hung from the ceiling. Finding her quarry.

Jax had his back to the door, taking well placed swings at a heavy bag. His hair was tied into a messy knot on the top of his head, a black tank left his arms exposed so she could see the way his muscles moved before and after each impact. His feet pivoting with each blow, adjusting his body so his shoulders remained square to his 'opponent'.

She had never seen him like this before, an aspect that was either new or just never shared with her in the past. It was obvious that this was something he was well practiced at, no one moved that way without repetition, but it seemed wrong somehow. The amiable Jax using force in this way a wholly foreign concept. She realized that his reputation was one of capability and intimidation-knowing that physicality was part of that but awareness was different from experiencing.

He must have spotted her in the mirror against the back wall because he caught the bag, stopping its gentle sway and stood straight. Tungsten girding his voice when he spoke, not looking her direction. Eyes steady his victim.

"What do you need from me?"

He rolled his shoulders, bringing his elbows back in a quick stretch as he lolled his head from side to side. Addy noticed his hands and wrists were only wrapped, the white material offering some support, but it didn't seem enough to actually protect him. He went back to his bag, making swooping collisions that had the chains clinking and creaking as their attached accessory swung erratically.

"Shouldn't you wear gloves?" She asked, approaching slowly regardless of the cold greeting. Determined to remain open, unafraid and available.

"Not today."

Jax landed a particularly powerful punch with his right hand before he stilled the bag again as she reached him. She could nearly see the heat that rose from his skin in waves, a sublimation under the usually calm demeanor.

"Can we talk?" She asked, unsure of herself or where to start, but knowing she had to make a move in his direction. He snorted, a cruel short sound that bounced off of her.