Infinite set his left foot forward, digging his heavy boot into the rubber tiles, his searing with rage eyes narrowed as he fixated at the plastic dummy.
He angled his body halfway, raising his left, overhanging hand and clutching a wooden sword. He flicked his wrist backward and forwards as he titled the stick for downward cuts.
He lunged at the target like a rabid animal, continuously striking across the dummy's chest, he cocked his elbow back and swiveled his wrist to hit it with the underside of the sword.
Ceasing his action, Infinite placed the blade by his waist.
Useless, slow, and weak.
He ran his wavering fingers up his sweaty, throbbing forehead and through his hair.
He sighed.
A female voice spoke up, "Oi boss, you did great!"
No I didn't.
Infinite sidelong glanced at his Jackal Squad that stood below the bleacher stand.
The one wearing a red beret clapped. "Ain't no one fucking with us!"
Stop.
"Ye, boss, will be on top!" The one with a jelled mohawk and a green bandana wrapped around his head thumbed up Infinite.
Not with me...
Infinite shut his eyes and exhaled a purgative sigh.
His ears twitched when shoes pattered against the mats.
He halfway turned his body, eyes rounding and lighting up.
Gadget lapped his arm around Infinite, he nudged him into his chest, smiling.
Cheeks burning and heart pounding, Infinite lowered his head, his hair covered his face.
He peeked at Gadget's beaming eyes through the strands. A soothing sensation slithered through his quivering body: the side of his pursed-lip quirked up.
Stop it, he doesn't love you.
Gadget patted Infinite's back, he stepped away and typed on his phone before he showed him:
I'm proud of you, you've come so far and it's amazing.
"Thanks..." Infinite's slanted eyes darted away but would peek at him.
He's not into you.
The warm, benign sensation stifled.
His words clung to his tongue.
"You can go."
Gadget tilted his head to the side and raised his brows as he crossed his arms.
Infinite glanced at his squad before he faced Gadget. "See you home, okay?"
Stop running from him.
Gadget's ears pinned back, his smile receded as his eyes pleaded for Infinite.
He shook his head before he faux a smile.
He wrapped his arms around him and he pulled Infinite into his chest.
Infinite's yearning arms idled by his waist. His cheeks burned as his eyes half-lidded and tense, aching body eased.
Failing to find his words, Infinite stared up at the ceiling.
"You can..." Infinite paused. "Let go."
When Gadget stepped aside, visceral forlorn drowned Infinite's sinking heart.
Gadget waved him goodbye, he turned his back on Infinite, and headed towards the entrance: he peeked over his shoulder for a second before he pushed the door open and headed into the blinding light.
Infinite shut his glistening eyes, curling his fingers in and out while alternating between rotating his shoulders. He spoke under his breath, "Stop fucking up."
You damn idiot.
"Boss, you okay?" The girl asked.
"Shouldn't you be practicing?" Infinite halfway crept his eyes open.
"Y-yes!" She saluted him and darted out of his sight.
Infinite glared at the one in the beret.
"Ah hell, c'mon. I busted my ass today."
"Spar with me then." Infinite's muzzle and brows furrowed as he flashed a slither of his fangs.
He recoiled back as his fur stood up. He averted his gaze. "I'll train with — — — ."
Infinite glared at the last lackey.
"In a sec, I just ugh." He paused, scratching the back of his head. "About the fox."
"Wolf."
"Err, yeah, wolf!" Sweat trickled by his wavering brow.
Did I slip up?
"Train first."
"I just...wanted to ask." He curled up, wrapping his tail around his legs.
Infinite sighed. "After." His stomach churned.
"It's real quick."
"No."
"Please." He clasped his hands together and placed them in front of himself.
"Fine." Infinite clenched his teeth while his brows furrowed.
Dammit.
Apprehension crawled up his spine as he stepped up to his squad member.
The golden questioning eyes pricked his skin.
"Don't take this the wrong way..." He halfway turned away, staring off into the distant.
"BUUUUUUUuuuuutttttttt..." He paused, the silenced pierced Infinite's heart.
Their eyes met while he smirked.
"Is he..."
"No."
"I mean, you spend a lot of ti-"
"No." Infinite crossed his arms as he snarled.
"So he is-"
"I said no." Infinite loomed over him as he encroached into his space while his squad member leaned back with his hands up in the air.
"Oh...okay." The side of his lip quivered as sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Just thought he's a squad member."
Infinite retracted a few steps away. He blinked.
"Guess it's personal?" He shrugged and raised his flat palms in the air.
Silence.
"I don't judge, men are hot."
Infinite's cheeks burned, he held his breath, mouth hanging.
"If you swing that way, it's cool." He winked. "He fancies you."
"S-shut it!" Infinite's fur bristled.
"Boss, don't be hard on yourself."
"I'm not like that." Infinite's lies racked his mind.
He raised a brow.
"W-what?"
"You're blushing." His eyes slanted.
Quivering in place, Infinite's sore chest tensed, he dropped his head in his sweaty palms when his warm ears slanted. "I-is it...obvious?" He gulped.
"Uh, duh!" He smirked.
Infinite's heart thrashed against his aching chest.
"Do you love him?" He reached out and rested his hand on Infinite's shoulder.
"I-I...ugh...ha... ..." Infinite sank his fangs into his lip, he peeked over his shoulders to see the two other gawking squad members. "Ha...ha...ha..hahahahahahah..." He covered his eyes.
"You...okay, boss?"
Infinite's mouth moved but his words clung to his throat before they fumbled out.
"Is this love?"
"I think so? Kinda like movies!" He chuckled. "Hold on."
Infinite recuperated with deep breaths before arched his back and wiped his forehead as sighed. "What?"
"What about the plan?"
"What about it?" Infinite's fur bristled as his ears stood.
"Does...he change it?" He faced away and scratched the back of his head.
No reply.
"Boss?"
"No." The tantalizing intoxication dissipated.
Infinite shut his eyes before his heavy, searing breath slipped past his wilting lips.
Sorry Gadget...