THE FIGHTER (Origninally called my UFC FIGHTER)

18. Ethan

I took a deep breath and tried to relax my muscles. But it was impossible seeing as Noah was going to be sitting in the stands with his dads and brother. Tonight would be the first time I would see him in person since my graduation a few months ago and it was nerve wracking because I was also planning on asking him to be my boyfriend after the fight.

"Ready, son?" Dad asked braking me out of my thoughts and I nodded. Together we walked out of the locker room and down the long corridor where I could hear the crowd chanting and music playing as I neared.

The excitement and adrenaline were palpable as I stepped into the arena. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I made my way to the center of the ring.

The bell rang, and the fight began. I focused all of my energy and determination on the opponent in front of me, blocking out the noise of the crowd and the distractions that came with knowing Noah was watching.

As the rounds went by, I could feel myself gaining confidence and strength. I was in control of the fight, and I knew I was going to win. With each punch and dodge, I felt more and more empowered.

Finally, the bell rang for the final round. I could see Noah in the stands, watching me intently. I took a deep breath and gave it everything I had. As the final seconds ticked away, I knew I had done it. I had won the fight.

I ignored the flashing lights and reporters asking how it felt to win and walked out of the ring and towed the stands and straight to Noah who looked confused as he looked up at me.

"Wha—" I cut him off before he could finish by cupones his face and pressing my lips to his in a kiss. I knew his parents and brother were right there but I didn't care. Right is what matters was that Noah knew how I felt about him even if I already told him. After what felt like an eternity, the sound of someone clearing their throat had us pulling back and Noah hid his face in my chest as blush coated his cheeks in embarrassment.

"Well, that's a good way to tell the world that you're gay and have a boyfriend," Jay said earning a jab to the stomach from Ezra making him groan.

I couldn't help but laugh at the comment, feeling Noah relax in my arms as he looked up at me with a small smile. I looked down at him and smiled, "well I haven't asked him yet, so it's not boyfriend yet."

Noah looked up at me with wide eyes, a mix of shock and hope written all over his face. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the fear of rejection lingering beneath the surface. But I knew, deep down, that Noah felt the same way I did.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I held Noah's gaze. "Noah, will you be my boyfriend?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Noah's eyes lit up with a wide smile, his cheeks flushing with color as he nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, of course I will," he said, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug.

The stands erupted into cheers and applause, the reporters now focusing their cameras on the two of us. But in that moment, none of that mattered. All that mattered was the fact that Noah was now my boyfriend, and I couldn't be happier.

*****

"Does it hurt?" Noah asked as he lightly touched the bruise that was already forming under my eye from the sucker punch I got during my last fight before officially retiring. We had gone back to my hotel room to change since my parents had invited him and his family out to eat to celebrate my final victory.

I winced slightly and shook my head. "Nah, it's not too bad," I said, trying to downplay the pain. "I've had worse."

Noah gave me a dubious look but let it go, helping me pick out a clean shirt to wear. As I changed, I couldn't help but feel a surge of relief that my fighting days were finally over. I had spent years in the ring, but now it was time to move on to something new.

"Have you thought about what college you're going to now that you're actually retiring from the UFC?" My lovely boyfriend asked as we made our way down to the restaurant after he helped me change into more comfortable clothes.

I sighed, knowing that this was a topic that I had been avoiding. "I mean, I haven't really figured that out yet," I admitted. "But I'll have plenty of time now to focus on it."

Noah nodded, understanding the weight of the decision that lay ahead of me. "Just make sure it's something you're passionate about," he said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

As we sat down at the restaurant with our families, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the future. No longer tied down by the demands of the fight game, I now had the freedom to pursue any path I chose. And with Noah by my side, I knew that I had the support to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the night went on, we laughed and celebrated, savoring the feeling of victory in more ways than one. And as I looked around at the smiling faces of my loved ones, I knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in my life. With Noah's encouragement and my own determination, I was ready to take on whatever came my way. And as we walked out of the restaurant, hand in hand, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the people who had been with me every step of the way.