Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Seventy | Ruin The Innocent

Pressure isn't a sudden blow, it's a suffocating grip tightening around your skull.

A constant hum that bleeds doubt into your dreams.

It doesn't break you in a single, dramatic snap, but blurs your edges bit by bit.

Paranoia becomes an unwelcome companion, whispering every "what if" scenario until your mind becomes an itchy web of anxieties.

Each potential threat, every outcome mapped out, fuels a relentless cycle of anticipation and dread.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, especially as the weight of tomorrow settles on my shoulders.

And the same dreadful question runs on an endless loop in my head.

Would we would be celebrating, or falling to our knees in failure tomorrow?

- Azzy

♛Chapter Seventy: Ruin The Innocent♛

"Harder."

I drew in a deep breath, putting all of my focus into the next move.

But I just couldn't do it.

"Azura," Renata sighed as she lowered her hands.

I blinked a few times, "I was getting there," I said, adjusting the boxing gloves in my hands.

I don't know why she even considered the idea of me in a boxing ring, but here we are on the gym level that Renata seemed to have cleared out for us.

Well, except for Antonio and Elijah who seemed to be watching.

"You didn't even try to punch me," Renata pointed out, shaking her head to herself, "You're just tapping my hands."

Elijah laughed slightly—which managed to make Renata's eyes to snap over to him, giving him a narrowed look.

"Damn okay," Elijah said, holding his hands up in defense, which earned a soft nudge from Antonio.

Renata sighed, looking back to me, "Let's go again," she determined.

I pursed my lips, "But I don't want to hurt you," I whispered honestly.

Renata smiled slightly, amused by my concern, "Trust me, you won't hurt me," she said, guiding my hands back up to the original stance that she had them in, "I've been through much worse than this—you would probably cry if I even told you half of it."

I dramatically parted my lips, "I would not," I argued her point.

Antonio suddenly laughed, which easily caused my eyes to snap to him—giving him a narrowed look.

"Yeah... they've been spending too much time together," Elijah murmured to Antonio, who didn't hesitate to nod a few times.

Renata only shook her head, "Clearly not enough time to pick up on self-defense skills," she determined, correcting my hand's stance.