This is a story that was originally written for the SouMako week on tumblr. Please be warned that it contains Violence, yaoi and BDSM.

Chapter 1

Yamazaki Sousuke appreciates the simple things in life. A nice football match on TV. A cold golden beer in his hand. A good joke about that loser, Nanase. Simple things really, that make his daily routine roll effortlessly. Because he is a simple man himself. He even gets angry over simple matters. And he has one simple way of easing the tension.

As he is walking through the dim-lit corridors of the club, Sousuke notices dirty water pooling on the floor. One of the pipes must be leaking again, but it doesn't bother him since it's a monthly occurrence. After all, it's an old building with an even older basement floor, but it serves its purpose just fine. The club had been Rin's idea. He had burst into his garage more than a year ago, after watching that Hollywood movie for the first time. He had listened to Rin brainstorming ideas for about two hours, before he had finally blurted out "What the hell, sure why not?", mainly for the reckless redhead to leave him in peace so he would fix his car. Of course two weeks later, Rin had showed up again with an address of the "place" he had found for the club and two morons tailing after him, the first ones who had happily joined his new whim. Sousuke had rolled his eyes.

But it turned out alright. In fact the fight club, their fight club, has been quite the underground success ever since. Cause it's a pretty straight-forward concept really. With pretty straight-forward rules. No matter who you are or what you are doing outside those walls, once you pass that rusty door and descend those semi-broken stairs, you are equal to everyone else. And you have one simple job; to kick and punch and bleed, until all the stress runs out. No hard feelings, no grudge held, no fatal wounds, all damn happy. Every morning, Sousuke feels like brand new, straight out of the box. Despite the bruises. Well, and one worn out shoulder.

He approaches Rin lazily. During weekdays, the turnout is always smaller. The redhead is holding a marker and fixing the schedule for Sunday.

"My column is blank" Sousuke checks his name on the board.

"And it will stay blank, until someone's interested in wrestling you."

"Pfft...I told you, you should have left the fights random on Sunday, just like the rest days. This is not a tournament, to have arranged matches."

"It's not my fault if you beat them all up , and now hardly anyone wants to fight against you on Sundays, big guy."

Sousuke looks around him and scratches the back of his head.

"There must be someone left. What about your old crush, Nanase?"

"Speaking of the devil..."

Down the main corridor, Nanase Haruka watches uninterested as Hazuki Nagisa, a small-time crook known in the streets, tries to sell him a wristwatch as a great deal.

"Damn that pest, I've told him to drop the haggling when he's around here." Rin runs a hand over his face, but Sousuke doesn't really pay attention. Nanase's upper lip is still badly swollen from two nights ago. Sousuke can't help it; his little achievement makes him smile. This time, the mackerel worshiper hasn't come alone though.

"Who's the beefcake tailing after the weirdo?"

Sousuke points at a tall, young man with glasses following Haruka's every step. A strong, muscled body is outlined below his white Tee and red, checkered shirt, but the guy looks totally out of his element. Judging by his horrified expression, Sousuke is willing to count down to 3, before the man scrambles away from this place.

"His latest boyfriend, Tachibana Makoto. Some student here in Tokyo."

Haruka finally walks their way and Sousuke feels a sudden urge to wipe that aloof expression off his face. Again.

"What's up, Nanase? Coming for a second round?"

Haruka casts a look full of venom at him and turns towards the board.

"All settled?"

Rin bites the marker pensively.

"Well, you are. I've signed you up with Kisumi. Just, do me a favor and ignore that bubblegum bitch if he tries to be funny before the match. There, it's done..."

"Almost..." Sousuke whistles.

"You are being a pain in the ass, and not in the nice way, you know that? If you want your damn column filled, then you go fetch me someone willing enough to face you, cause your matches have been racking my brain for a week."

"Makoto will do it."

Haruka's deadpan voice casually chims in and everyone turns at him dumbfounded. Slowly, their gazes stray to the hazel-haired man with the same surprise. Makoto gulps and smiles awkwardly.

"Hm, I don't know about this." Rin seems skeptical.

"It's ok, I will do 've discussed it with Haru before."

"Are you sure? You have no experience, the cage is tough for first timers."

"I want to try"

"And I want many things in life, not sure if I'm cut for each one of them."

"Let him take a shot."

Sousuke finally says. He has been scanning him from top to bottom all along, rubbing his chin with his thumb. And he is fairly interested.

"Let him take a shot?" Rin lifts an eye-brow in an are-you-fucking-kidding-me expression, but his dark-haired mate shrugs him off and turns around.

"Sure, let's see what he's worth. Come, Tachibana, let's get a room" he says over his shoulder and sends a sly look to Haruka's direction "no pun intended."

Makoto's eyes waver baffled between Haruka's hardened face and Sousuke's back, as the latter one is walking away. But then Haruka nods, granting his permission and Makoto hurries after the whale-shark like a confused puppy.

"You...you know my name? I didn't catch yours?"

Eventually, they all move to a spacious corner, free of any physical encounter. Heavy smells of sweat and blood are still tainting the air. Sousuke takes off his sweater, revealing a black, sleeveless undershirt that hugs his muscular body, and snaps his neck from one side to the other. Makoto removes his glasses and glances at his own attire. His denim jeans can't be compared to Sousuke's comfortable sweatpants, when Haruka had told him he should join the fight club, he hadn't exactly expected for that to happen in his first visit.

Rin explains briefly the rules and Makoto realises that, well, there are no rules. At least none of those that apply in official wrestling clubs. The first punch finds him on his jaw, and as he lifts his arms to protect his face, a second, much stronger punch, strikes his right ribs. Sousuke's attention drifts towards Haruka and Rin who are watching his little show off in silence. He has no intention of butchering this kid so early, but he really wants to harass the dolphin boy for daring to bring him such a novice opponent, instead of fighting him himself again. He smirks cockily at them, until an unexpected fist comes flying from nowhere and smudges the sly smile off his face. Sousuke staggers backwards and stares incredulously at Makoto. The student seems even more startled by what he has just done.

"Alright!"

Rin's excited voice reaches his ears, and that's enough for Sousuke to pull himself together. He dashes towards Makoto, swiftly ducks his head to avoid a blow coming his way, and hits him hard straight in the guts. The hazel-haired man feels his insides getting squashed and as he doubles up, Sousuke slides behind him and showily elbows him on the back. Makoto loses his balance and falls face down on the concrete floor. A wild cough is choking him, but still, he tries to ignore the waves of pain spreading through his body and turns quickly on his back. This time though, he is greeted by Sousuke's extended hand.

"That's enough for tonight."

Makoto grabs it and stands up with a hesitant smile. He now notices that more of the club's frequenters have been watching their short showdown, and feels his cheeks blazing up, much like Rin's crimson mane. Next thing he knows, he is already surrounded and the sharkboy is patting him on the shoulder.

"Well, that went quite well!"

"You think so?" He asks unsure, but Rin is beaming, Sousuke is nodding and even Haruka's reserved face is showing a hint of delight.

"Absolutely. I'll sign you up for Sunday's match."

"You have potential, Tachibana." Sousuke admits with honesty "You are a little clumsy and you forget to stay lower and guard your sides, but if I lose my focus on you, you waste no time and put me in disadvantage. Plus, there aren't many in this club that would get so easily back on their feet, after such a blow in the guts."

"Oh wow, I never imagined..."

"Don't let this get into your head though. I won't be gentle with you on Sunday." Sousuke adds solemnly and Makoto's smile falters.

"Don't worry, I'll be rooting for you." Rin pretends to whisper and winks at him.

"For me? Seriously?"

"Sure. Anything to see this big fella getting roughed up."

The redhead bursts into laughter and Makoto watches awkwardly as more cheering voices join him. That evening, even Haruka cracks a smile.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The night is warm and balmy on Saturday, as Sousuke cruises through the verdant park near his house. He usually jogs and sleeps early before Sunday's matches, but this time he is confident tomorrow's fight will be a stroll for him, much like the one he is enjoying now. A light breeze shuffles his hair and he decides that he should be generous tonight, perhaps treat himself a beer before heading home. Thus soon his feet bring him to a low-key bar, only ten minutes away from his lonely apartment. Needless to say, a surprised smirk colours his face as soon as he notices a familiar backside leaning over the wooden counter.

Makoto rummages in his wallet, getting ready to pay, when he feels a steady grip squeezing his shoulder.

"What's the rush, Tachibana?"

"Oh, Yamazaki-san! Never thought I'd see you here."

"I live nearby." Sousuke makes himself comfortable on a stool and offers a cigarette to his newfound companion. Makoto refuses politely.

"To be honest, I'm surprised you even drink alcohol." He says as he lights up his own and Makoto chuckles.

"I'm not made of angel-dust you know."

"You must have fooled a few souls then" Sousuke's teal shimmers through the smoke "So, what brought you in my neighbourhood?"

"I'm looking for a new place to stay and I have been checking apartments around this part of the city, as it is closer to the university. I stumbled on this bar and, since I have a pile of paperwork waiting me home, I thought a little break would be a good idea. And here I am..."

"I'm not sure if you'll find something good for its money around here though. There are lots of scammers, you'll need to search more thoroughly."

"I don't have many options really. My moving is due for next week, since my landlord needs my current flat."

"Why don't you just move in with Nanase?"

"Well...my parents wouldn't like it." Makoto's smile betrays hidden embarrassment.

"Oh come on, Tachibana. You aren't a puppy under your parents' wing anymore."

"No, you don't get it..." His emerald eyes suddenly seem distant and he lowers his shoulders, defeated. His fingers are clenching the empty beer bottle in front of him. "My parents really...really wouldn't like it..."

Sousuke understands, so he bites back whatever smartass remark he was about to say. At such moments, physical contact is not his strong card , or any type of comfort for the matter, still he lets his hand linger on Makoto's back for a few seconds.

"It's ok, I know the feeling, pal. That's the reason you came to the fight club, isn't it?"

Makoto nods in silence. He needs this burden taken away from him, if reaching to absolute zero through violence can bring him inner peace, then he is ready to fight the nights away.

"Let me buy you a drink"

"Thanks, but you really don't have to. It's getting late and I was about to leave."

"What did I say about not being a puppy anymore?" Sousuke jokes and motions at the bartender.

Two lagers come their way. And soon they become four. And then six. Until Makoto's spirits have been raised high enough and his tongue is beating his mind in a running race.

"What I honestly don't get, Sou-chan..."

"Get rid of the 'chan'.."

"What I honestly don't get, Sou-kun..."

"Seriously, Tachibana."

"...is why Rin is betting on my ass tomorrow."

"He told you, he wants to see me taking a good, old battering."

"But why? Aren't you close friends, best buddies , Batman & Robin or something?"

"Because I fucked his sister."

Sousuke says flatly and takes a sip from his beer. Makoto stares at him with mouth agape for a few moments, before straightening his back and clearing nervously his throat. A shy redness is already creeping up his face and Sousuke thinks the dork looks amusingly cute.

"I guess you haven't ever been with a woman, have you?" He asks shamelessly and cocks an eye-brow at the poor student who is now blushing furiously. Makoto just wants to dig a hole right there and bury himself deep underneath. Instead , he shakes his head briefly and reaches for his beer.

"I figured. What about a man?"

Makoto almost spills his drink.

"You know, I think I should be offended."

"You are right, I forgot you and Nanase are dating" Sousuke rolls his eyes inwardly. "Let me rephrase. Have you ever been with a real man?"

Their gazes lock for a minute that mirrors eternity. Glowing sapphire boring into warm jade and , suddenly, Makoto notices Sousuke is leaning closer, while his knee has been lightly brushing against his thigh. He gulps, but manages to keep a straight face.

"I'm not that drunk, Sousuke."

The raven-haired male grins and pulls back a bit.

"I didn't think you needed to be."

Makoto chuckles at Sousuke's boldness, but , truth is, his palms are already sweating. He finishes his beer and checks his wristwatch nervously.

"If you have a decision to make or somewhere to go, then do it. Looking at the time won't change anything."

Sousuke has a unique way to look and sound aloof even when sexual tension can be cut with a knife. He spares a single glance at the hazel-haired man and keeps on enjoying his smoke. Makoto on the other hand is treading on a plank, unsure if he should dive in the turbulent sea and drown , or stay aboard and burn down with the ship. He can feel alcohol's therapeutic abilities already loosening his inhibitions, but there is something inside Sousuke's aquamarine eyes that has been tantalizing his interest from the very moment they met. Eventually, he bites his lower lip and knows well he's already going to Hell.

"And what if I don't have anywhere particular to go?"

Sousuke studies him thoughtfully for a bit, unable to decide if the dork is toying with him or he actually means what he says. In the end, he takes the risk and goes with the flow, because, frankly, that's how Sousuke is forged; he can never back down from a challenge.

"Then my place is only ten minutes away."