Chapter 3: Bare your fangs

Humphrey's POV:

I wasn't sure if this guy was actually trying to pick a fight or if that was just the way he was but I chose to ignore it, keeping the smile on my face. He was a fairly big guy, slightly taller than me but probably weighing about the same, giving him an appearance that would likely be described as lanky. He had long brown hair that was tied back in a functional ponytail that, given where we were, probably had nothing to do with trying to be fashionable.

"No we're fine thanks, just waiting for her dad to finish his meeting." I replied, adding a little firmness to my tone in the hope that he would take a hint. My hopes were dashed however as he frowned, stepping forwards again, now uncomfortably close to us.

"Well go and wait somewhere else. We're here to train and you're interrupting. Or are you too thick to notice?" He said, looking angry with us as he gestured around the gym. I looked around myself and noticed that everyone was now looking at us, watching the scene unfold. 'The only one interrupting is you by causing a scene.' I thought to myself as Kate spoke up, "What!? It's freezing outside!" She yelled, stepping forwards herself looking seriously pissed.

"Huh?" Max replied, swinging his gaze to her, equally angry. As he was about to say something else I put myself between them, one on Kate's shoulder to hold her back and the other towards the irate sportsman.

"Come on we didn't mean to interrupt and we're not hurting anyone." I say, forcing my face to twist into a friendly smile as Kate looked at me in disbelief, smacking my hand off her shoulder.

"What? You're just gonna take this?" She asked, thankfully no longer yelling but clearly still mad.

"Hey it's not worth fighting over right?" I said, making a calming gesture with my hands to which she replied with a huff.

Kate's POV:

Kate let out an exasperated huff and turned away, closing her eyes as she tried to calm her fuming nerves. 'He's right, it's not worth a fight.' She thought to herself, turning back around after a moment to show Humphrey that she had calmed down to which he smiled.

"You should listen to him Hun, girls like you don't belong here." Kate was shocked. First he comes over to pick a fight and now a sexist comment when they were already leaving? She was going to wipe that arrogant smirk off his mug she thought to herself, however as she opened her mouth to reply Humphrey beat her to it.

"You're right. She clearly doesn't belong in a gym with second-rater like you who needs to pick fights with strangers to prove he's a big man." He said, putting his arm out to block her, though it wasn't with the same gentleness that he'd used before, it was like he was ordering her to stay back. Kate was about to get angry when she noticed his body language; his other hand was already clenched into a fist and although he was still smiling slightly it fell far short of his eyes. She was surprised he was suddenly so worked up after remaining so calm through this jerk's previous attempts to start a fight. Speaking of whom she turned back to see him laugh humourlessly, "You willing to back that up little man? Or are you gonna let your little bitch fight your battles? She certainly seems to have more fight in her than you." Despite how she was Kate couldn't miss the confidence behind his words, sexist jerk or not he was a boxer.

"I'd prefer not to fight you but unless you take back what you said about Kate we're going to have a serious problem." Humphrey practically snarled, wearing an expression of cold anger as he faced him down, not backing up an inch. Kate watched on silently, feeling as though her chest had been filled with cobwebs, stopping her from breathing. The two stood silently for a moment longer before Max gestured towards the ring.

"Put some gloves and headgear on, I don't want to kill you." He said, getting into the ring himself as he was already kitted up. "Hmph." Humphrey smirked, walking over to the general supplies locker as Kate followed him, "You don't have to do this you know?" She said as he sat down and began taping his fists, a serious look in his eyes as he returned the stare he was subject to by his opponent.

"Yes, I do. He insulted you." He replied shortly, standing up and taking off his shirt.

"That's what I'm saying, you don't have to get in a fight over..." Kate's voice trailed off as she looked at his physique, it was unreal. He had a body most models would kill for, with his shirt off he looked like he'd been chiselled out of marble, nothing like the hired muscle that worked for her dad, they were just big. Humphrey's body on the other hand looked as if someone had just cut away everything that wasn't muscle.

Humphrey's POV:

I finished putting on the gloves and turned to Kate, dropping a hand lightly on her shoulder as she stared at me in what I presumed was concern.

"Hey, it'll be fine, just watch." I said, giving her a quick smile before walking past her and getting into the ring, getting serious as I did. I noted with some satisfaction that the arrogant smirk had faded a bit from the jerk's face, 'Must be surprised I even got into the ring.' I thought to myself, bringing my gloves up and stepping forwards slowly. Just as I got to around the centre of the ring he launched himself towards me, his fist headed straight for my face.