City Undertaker || Bang Chan Mafia AU

11: Crisp Trepidation

TW: *mentions of alcohol*

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Lex bounced back and forth on her feet, attempting to maintain momentum. In truth, her body was aching and she was running out of breath. She may have bitten off more than she could chew. Her opponent was a man, but that wasn't the part that had her exhausted. Originally she had entered Manny's bar again to just watch some ring fights. But she found that she couldn't refuse a challenge. With the man that was declaring for someone to fight him, Lex hopped over the railing and landed in the pit. 

However, Lex had underestimated how strong he was but noticed he wasn't as agile as her. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage. She wasn't looking forward to another throw down onto the hard concrete. Which had happened twice and knocked the wind out of her both times. The first time she wasn't able to stop the strikes to her face, the second time she rolled away before he could stomp on her ribs. 

Lex slipped on her foot but quickly composed herself, however, she wasn't fast enough to dodge the punch thrown at her face. Her head jerked back and a small spray of blood escaped her mouth. Lex ignored it and went in. She faked left, which he fell for, before attacking right, landing a punch to his gut. With him processing the pain, Lex took the opportunity to manoeuvre herself to be behind him where she jumped into his back and took him down to the ground. 

In an instant, her legs were locked around him, and her arm wrapped around his neck in a chokehold. She tanked the blows to her face and held on tight, groaning at the throbbing in her face and his clawing at her arm. Seconds later he was tapping out, conceding defeat. 

Lex immediately released her death grip on him. He jerked away, choking and coughing, inhaling as much oxygen he could. Meanwhile, Lex lay on her back on the ground, relishing the cold against her warm and sweaty body. She was panting and took a moment to regain her breath. 

No ring fights for a while I reckon. Lex struggled to get off the ground before she managed to pull herself into a sitting position. It was then that her nose started bleeding, running down out of her nostrils and splattering across her tank top before she could stop. It didn't help that it was throbbing too, even the slightest touch hurt. Hopefully, it wasn't broken, but she imagined it was just swollen. 

Lex eventually stood up, limping away while clutching her nose. She knew some of the pain would subside by tomorrow, but had a feeling they'd leave marks. Surely her back was going to hate her tomorrow. She slung her jacket over while she slid into the seat of an empty booth. The place was full but always seemed to have seats available. 

With a rag against her nose and a glass of water to the right, Lex was able to stabilise her body. Although the bloody nose was quite persistent. There was a dance platform that had two women wearing skimpy outfits and rubbing up against each other. Lex caught herself staring but turned away after a moment. The air always reeked of alcohol and occasionally sweat but she got used to it over time. Occasionally though, she would crinkle her nose at the scents. Lex had her eyes closed, her head resting against her fist when a voice disturbed her peace. 

"Well well, it's the bitch who kicked my ass." A woman scoffed. Though her tone was snide, she bestowed an amused grin. Lex identified her as her opponent from about a week ago, the woman he fought on the night Minho proposed she join his gang.

When Lex realised she was being sarcastic, she returned the grin. "Yeah? What's it to you?"

"Oh, nothing. Just here to learn some pointers. We can't all have moves like you." She moved beside Lex and leaned her back on the railing, casually propping herself on her elbows. 

Lex chuckled, averting her eyes to the pit. Is she flirting with me? Surely not. Lex wasn't too sure what to respond with. Do I accept it? What's the go?