Pure Intentions? Chapter 38
A/N: Thank you to all who read and review. It brightens my day to see what you all have to say.
Ponytail-FYI there will definitely be more dates.
AdTeeFan-To answer your question, Teela always slips into 'bodyguard' mode, but yes she also thinks he has completely lost his mind.
Teela stood still as a statue, as Adam directed a private smile meant only for her. She was frozen by the look of triumph on his face, like he pulled the woolen handkerchief over her eyes. Luckily, most of the people who sat in their section had not yet returned from the intermission, thus not many people heard her call out his real name. Teela acknowledged that it would be disastrous to give away his true identity while he stood proudly in the middle of the cage. Although he was disguised wearing the black wig, his choice of the purple spandex and uniquely colored blue eyes would surely give him away. There weren't many Eternian's with the name 'Adam' and the prince was known for his signature purple colored leggings he wore at Court proceedings.
'What is he thinking?', she cried inwardly. Perhaps this was his way to test her, to see how she would react the next time she saw him as He-Man. Perhaps this was just Adam having some fun. After all, it wasn't too long ago when he requested they take a vacation together while so many issues were not yet resolved. As she contemplated his reasons for standing in the cage, Adam began shifting his weight back and forth between his legs while also throwing some quick jabs into the air. It looked like he was warming up.
'He's not going to fight, is he?', she mused.
She didn't have long to wait for an answer as the DJ started playing a song drowning out the noise from the audience as they applauded the surprise. These type of changes in the itinerary were known throughout the event's history. However, instead of the typical five rounds, this match would only consist of one, five minute fight.
'Did Adam volunteer for this?', she wondered as she reclaimed movement of her limbs. Hearing the host introduce Adam's opponent, Teela soon realized that if Adam would fight, it would be against one of the greatest professional mixed martial art athletes to have ever lived. She recognized his name…..the famous Manny 'Packer' Vleps. He won every one of his matches. He was known professionally as 'Packer' due to the immense strength of his punches, somewhat like Ram-Man was famous for his ability to 'ram' through various obstacles. At one point, the King tried to commission Mr. Vleps to join the Masters; however, the powerful athlete refused the offer choosing instead to continue fighting as an athlete only. Teela was worried.
Adam was not a fighter. She knew he was strong as she had seen his muscular body with her own eyes. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't get pummeled by the champion. Then she wondered if Adam had somehow transformed into He-Man while being able to keep the black wig on. Looking at his skin color, she knew that wasn't likely as Adam's body was significant shades lighter than He-Man's.
Reaching into one of her pockets, she withdrew her personal badge identifying her as Captain of the Royal Guard. Palming it, she contemplated showing it to the authorities to allow her to enter the stadium below. However, she quickly pocketed the identification, realizing that this action may put the Prince in more danger than what he was already in. Teela knew that the arena's security would wonder why an officer from the Palace was doing trying to get closer to the fight.
Resigned to her fate, she left their ticketed section and walked down to the main level of the arena. Surprisingly, no one gave her any problems as she made her way closer to the chained-in cage just as the ring announcer introduced the fighters. As each of their statistics were being announced, the two contestants faced each other a scowl of determination etched on their faces as they paced back and forth, waiting for the fight to begin. In his corner, Adam threw some quick jabs, upper cuts, round house punches in the air before warming up his legs with knee lifts, front and side kicks followed by roundhouse kicks. Bending at the waist, he touched the floor with both hands before bending his left knee for a sideways lunge and then switching sides. Back in the upright position, he turned away from the camera which was broadcasting the event live throughout Eternia, in order to discretely readjust his man parts, to Teela's horror. She couldn't believe she just witnessed the Prince of Eternia adjust himself in front of hundreds of people. She thanked the Ancients that he was in disguise.
The ring announcer completed his presentation of the opponents, stepping back to the loud applause of the crowd. The referee beckoned the two fighters to the center of the ring, where they tapped fists in good sportsmanship before the referee blew the whistle.
It was now fight on. The red-headed captain now had no doubt that Adam would fight.
Finding an unobtrusive spot to watch the match from, Teela held her breath as Adam immediately took the offensive. At first, it seemed that the two combatants were equally matched. Both men were of similar build, heavy muscles adorning their entire body. Teela knew that Adam weighed a solid 250 pounds and after seeing him naked yesterday for the first time, knew that his body didn't possess an ounce of fat. His opponent also looked just as fit as the disguised Prince; however, Adam was slightly taller. His added height could be both an asset and a deterrent in this fight. 'Ancients, please let his height work in his favor', Teela prayed.
Round and round the two men circled each other as they assessed each other's weaknesses. Both threw several punches and delivered powerful kicks towards each other that they each easily avoided. Teela watched Adam carefully, surprised at the confidence he portrayed. He never did this while sparring with her or any of his training partners from the palace. Gone was the typical avoidant participant she dealt with. In the cage, her lover portrayed stealth at the level of Battle Cat. His facial expression was set in stone as he scrutinized his opponent. Teela had seen this look on him many times when he fought against insurmountable odds…..as He-Man, never as Adam.
Adam was the first to come out of the trance. Making a sudden move, he lunged for his opponent's arms clasping them within his embrace forearm to forearm. Pulling his body's weight backward, the Prince attempted to dislodge his opponent's balance. 'Packer' didn't budge. Adam realized that he would have to employ more threatening moves if he was going to be the victor of this match. With a quick scan of his surroundings, he noticed that Teela was standing a few feet away from the fight. She stared back at him with a mixed look of anger, surprise, annoyance, and expectancy etched on her beautiful features. Deciding to increase his offense, Adam abruptly fell backwards while simultaneously kicking out his left leg in front of him sweeping Mr. Vleps off his feet. As his opponent fell to the ground, Adam did a quick corkscrew turn, thus when 'Packer' landed on his knees, the Prince was on top. However, that didn't keep Mr. Vleps down as he quickly issued a "Granby Roll" in which he swooshed his feet from beneath him towards his side. His momentum propelled him away from the Prince's viselike hold as he pushed himself onto his shoulders before rolling away from the Prince. Both quickly jumped to the upright position, with Mr. Vleps attempting to land an uppercut punch on Adam's chin. Luckily for the Prince, he missed as Adam blocked it by flinging his forearm in front of his face in the nick of time. Now it was Adam on the defensive as he deflected successive punches to his head.
Sparing a glance on the enormous digital clock counting down the minutes left for the match, Mr. Vleps propelled his body forward toward the disguised Prince's mid section in an attempt to wrap his arms around the other's waist. Adam once again blocked his opponent with a sharp downward Karate chop following through with a sidestep backwards, leaving his prominent leg forward. From there, he engaged a roundhouse kick, landing against Mr. Vleps shoulder. Staggering backward, the champion put some needed space between him and his opponent. Finding his footing, 'Packer' righted himself before running directly towards Adam's direction where he attacked with a repetitive series of quick left-right jabs to the Prince's head, which the latter narrowly avoided with turns of the head. Seeing that his fists did not make impact with the opponent's face, 'Packer' changed tactics, attacking with his powerful legs.
'Packer' continued his kicking attack, going for his opponent's left hip. With a quick swipe of his arms, the disguised Prince grappled 'Packer's' leg and lunged forward with his entire weight, allowing him to wrap his arms around 'Packer's' hips while falling to his knees, thus bringing them both down to the mat. With unmatched speed, the purple clothed warrior repositioned himself once they touched the floor so that he was in a mounting position, on top of his opponent wrapping one arm around 'Packer's' neck in a choke hold. This didn't faze the bulky opponent, as he proceeded to deliver several harsh kicks between the disguised Prince's legs making contact with the Adam's groin. If it wasn't for the groin protector Adam was wearing, the Eternian Family Jewels would be out of commission. Needing to put a stop to the attack on his genitals, Adam used his free hand to deliver quick jabs onto his opponent's grounded knee bringing an end to the torment on his groin. From there Adam took a deep inhale of breath, duck his head into his opponent's chest, while freeing his opponent from the choke hold. With another sudden movement, Adam grabbed hold of 'Packer's' waistband, wrapping both of his hands in the fabric. Adam then proceeded to rock forcibly back and forth on his legs creating enough momentum to propel himself into an upright position, while swinging 'Packer' off the ground and into the air above him. Adam hoisted his opponent over his shoulders which such force it send the other man flying over the Prince's head. Tumbling to the ground, 'Packer' hit the floor with a thud, knocking his breath out of him. From there, Adam lunged on top of him and while his opponent was still dazed, grabbed onto the prized fighter's arm bringing it backwards up over his head in an overextension of the limb. Pulling hard, Adam didn't let go until after a few moments with fear coursing through his veins that the disguised Prince would rip his shoulder blade out of the socket, 'Packer' tapped out. Seeing the submission, the referee blew the whistle as Adam let go of the injured limb. He then offered his hand to 'Packer' to help him off the ground. To everyone's surprise the undefeated champion shocked the audience as he delivered a powerful left hook landing on the side of Adam's temple cutting the skin just above his left eyebrow. Immediately, blood seeped down Adam's eyelid as the tissue around his eye socket began to swell. It was obvious to the onlookers that Manny 'Packer' Vleps was a sore loser. The referee pulled the men apart, as a team of medics entered the cage immediately seeking to stop the bleeding from Adam's eyebrow. Joining them in the corner, the Prince sat on a stool as healers examined his wound and applied a liquid Band-Aid. Adam no longer paid any attention to his fight opponent as he was being lead away by the referee.
Teela had watched the entire match glued to her spot; however, when she saw the illegal punch to Adam's face at the end of the match….she lost it. It was her duty to protect the Prince no matter what. This called for action on her part. Without realizing her actions, she stormed passed the guards blocking the cage's entrance, somersaulting high above their heads using her retracted golden staff to knock them upside the head. Guards fell all around her like dominoes clearing a path for her so she could reach her goal. Inside the ring, she continued executing aerial spins landing inches away from the stunned and defeated Mr. Vleps, who watched her with mouth and eyes wide open.
Adam was oblivious to her attack, until he heard a loud 'cluuuump' as a body hit the flood hard. Pushing the healer away, he saw Teela standing over an unconscious Mr. Vleps, her golden staff extended to its full position. Shock reverberated throughout Adam's system as he realized what had just happened.
His red-headed hot tempered 'Bodyguard' had taken it upon herself to protect her charge even in this awkward situation. Now it was Adam's turn to be shocked, as he watched Teela having a very difficult time steadying her staff and withholding from pummeling Mr. Vleps to a pulp with it. Adam had not realized the extent of her devotion to her job until that moment.
Recovering quickly, he telepathically called on the Sorceress beseeching her to make them disappear. It was the only thing he could do, to avoid any questions that may arise for Teela's presence inside the ring. Thank the Ancients, her black wig was still intact on her head concealing her true identity. Prince Adam fervently hoped that no one would recognize the golden staff that was still poised millimeters off of the unconscious Mr. Vlep's temple.
Having witnessed the fight herself, the Sorceress granted Prince Adam's wish and with a zap of magical energy teleported her Defender and daughter out of the arena. Then for good measure, she cast a forgetfulness spell over the entire audience thus ensuring the Prince and Captain's presence was undetected.
Next thing Teela knew, she was seated on a barstool inside a dance club. Strobe lights overhead made it difficult to see around her, the Reggaeton music blaring putting her in the mood to dance despite her current bewildered disposition. Looking to her right, she found Adam seated on a barstool beside her holding a stiff drink in hand. Confused, she pushed herself off the barstool to stand and glare at Adam. Noticing her movement, he looked up at her a sheepish grin playing on his plump lips. Teela could clearly see the wound above his left eye, the black and blue taking over half the side of his face. Waves of anger radiated off her body at the marring of his beautiful features.
"What the fuck were you thinking?", she glowered.
Tilting his head backwards, Adam brought his glass to his lips downing the amber liquid in it in one huge gulp. The Bourbon burning his throat on the way down, Adam initially ignored her question. Standing up, he paid the bartender as he grabbed Teela around the waist. Bringing his body closer to hers, he inhaled her unique scent before answering, "That my love was the whole purpose of our date."
Grabbing a hold of her hand, he pulled her onto the dance floor, Teela too shocked at his words to offer any resistance. Adam pushed his way into the middle of the dance floor, pulling her along behind him. Wrapping his arms low around her waist, he pulled their hips flush together as he started swaying to the sensual rhythm of the music. On and on the Disc Jockey played songs meant to entice couples to engage in erotic movements on the dance floor.
Turning Teela around so that his lover's derriere was now pressed tightly against his groin, Adam kept her imprisoned against him his large palm splayed open beneath her belly-button as he moved their hips in sensual figure eights. As they danced, he brought his lips to her ear nibbling the sensitive skin there before continuing their conversation.
"I figured you must have many questions for me", he stated. "This was my way of showing you what I'm capable of."
Loathe to lose the contact between their bodies, Teela didn't turn around to face him in order to address him. Rather, she wrapped her arm around his neck as she began undulating her chest and hips to the music while he continued the swaying movements of their hips. Turning her head so that their lips were mere inches away from each other, Teela breathlessly asked "What do you mean?"
"Now that you know my secret, aren't you curious as to what I'm able to do physically?", he clarified.
Pushing away from him she put some space between their gyrating bodies. With hands on hips she twirled to address his sexual innuendo. "I know what you are able to do physically, Adam", she stated as she performed the universal hand signal to signify people copulating. " What I want to know is what were you thinking about joining that fight", she demanded.
Reaching for her, he grabbed onto a hand as he pulled her into a spin to close the distance between them. Once they were hip to hip again, he stated "That's what I meant." "This was the only way I could think of to show you my full fighting abilities, without fear of anyone associating me to you know who", he suggested. He then quickly followed with, "Do you always need to be thinking about sex?", just to irk her.
Surprised, she guffawed at his exclamation. He always turned the tables on her. His quick wit was something she adored about him. Finding the humor in the situation, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her anger at him now forgotten. In a voice full of concern she stated, "You're hurt."
Gingerly touching a finger to the cut above his eyelid he stated coolly, "This is nothing." "I've dealt with a significant amount of more serious injuries in my lifetime."
"I've never seen you hurt", she reminded him. She stressed the word 'you' to signify that she had never witnessed his natural self having been hurt. "I don't like it", she stated seriously.
"You've never had an issue with me getting hurt before", he stated.
"It's different when…you know…you are…", she fumbled unsure of how to address the elephant in the room.
"Why?", Adam asked not needing her to put her question into words. Obviously, he knew what she was alluding to.
"It's almost expected with you know who", she replied.
"So it's alright for him to get wounded but not me?", he asked for clarification.
"I don't like it when either of you get hurt", she stated whole heartedly. Then just to annoy him she stated, "But your pretty face doesn't handle cuts the way…", her sentence was never completed as Adam trapped her lips in a soul searing kiss.
Tearing his mouth off hers he stated through gritted teeth, "I AM NOT PRETTY!"