[Fenris]

 <img align=left src= "http://www.geocities.ws/scwmaterial/Pictures/Fenris6.gif">Kristjan Baltasarsson could be seen as something of the confident sort, and why not? Ever since his debut in the world of professional wrestling in April of this year, he has not suffered a single loss. Thanks to the training of Gabriel and Odette Stevens, who had taken him under their wing to infuse his professional fighting career inside of the Mixed Martial Arts cage to the much more freestyle and complex style of professional wrestling, a hybrid had arisen that was far more wildly successful than perhaps the Stevens had even expected. Only three months after that debut, Fenris captured the World Heavyweight Championship, marking him as perhaps the fastest rising World Champion in the company's history, if not the fastest rising student of Gabriel and Odette's training camp, surpassing perhaps even the remarkable Evie Baang.

Fourteen victories and zero losses in eight months. And becoming the first wrestler ever to secure both the Rookie of the Year as well as the overall Wrestler of the Year awards, all in the same voting period.

The closest Fenris had come as of yet to suffering a loss was in a tag team match when he teamed with Kris Ryans and they had fought the pairing of Crimson and Ben Jordan to a no contest. But that was tag team competition. The closest he had come to suffering a loss in one on one encounter? it happened just last month at High Stakes VIII. Not against one of the many ring veterans SCW had on it's impressive roster, but a fellow rookie in his own right; Senor Vinnie. A man who had risen just as impressively in the ranks, securing his championship opportunity by winning a tournament against seven other individuals, rookies and veterans alike. Fenris retained, but it was not easy. By his own admission, Fenris won the hard fought match by the "skin of his teeth," marking Vinnie as his toughest opposition yet.

But when the chance came to defend a second time against such an individual came, Fenris wasted no time signing his name on the dotted line. Despite knowing his streak and world title reign would one day inevitably come to an end, Fenris thrived on competition. The harder his opponents fought to beat him, the harder he fought to keep from being beaten. And as trainers in his life like Gabriel and Maksym Petrov infused into his beliefs, "The better the challengers, the better the champion."

Tuesday

it was why Fenris found himself back at the origin of his wrestling career, the unnamed training academy that kick started his career. Confidant as he was prone to being, he was not one to allow himself to become lax in his training, preferring rather to keep both his wrestling as well as his MMA skills sharp. He knew well enough from their last encounter that Vinnie would come back stronger than before, having suffered that initial  setback. So, Fenris would have to do the same.

The only problem was, this training session had been something akin to a disaster from the very start. Gabriel had called on his pseudo 'little brother' Despayre to get into the ring with Fenris and spar with him while he and Fenris's MMA coach, Maksym watched from the outside. And despite his retirement from the sport, Despayre had used the quickness he was so well known for to thoroughly frustrate the Icelandic grappler. Fenris was an incredibly focused individual in the ring, it was a trait that had spelled out much of his success thus far. But this -- this was very unlike him.

Fenris did manage to send Despayre into a nearby corner and he came racing in after him, but the smaller man leapfrogged up and over him. Fenris stopped before he could collide with the corner turnbuckles and he turned around, only to watch with a perplexed stare as Despayre came toward him with a cartwheel into a handspring high cross body, knocking the reigning champion flat on his back. Maksym scoffed in a haughty sense of disgust and turned away as the session in the ring continued.

Fenris swung for a back kick toward his sparring partner, taking caution at Gabriel's warning not to hurt Despayre. But Despayre grabbed his bare foot in both hands and proceeded to sink his teeth into it, prompting a sharp howl of pain from Fenris and a raised brow from Maksym. Gabriel? He tried to hide a laugh escaping from his mouth but was unsuccessful for the most part. He was, however, growing as frustrated with his charge's lack of focus as he was concerned.

Fenris managed to roll through, causing the little pit bull's lockjaw to loosen so that he might escape. Fenris then was on his feet and lunged at him but Despayre scrambled on all fours through his legs, escaping his grip.

Gabriel had seen enough and called out, "Come ON Kristjan! What the hell are you doing in there!?"

Fenris turned around with a dark scowl on his face as he shouted back, "What the hell do you expect when I can't even get my goddamn hands on...!?" But whatever else he was about to say was cut off as Despayre hit him in the buttocks with a dropkick, knocking the man out through the ropes where he landed at the feet of his two trainers! Fenris begun to curse in his native tongue as he slowly pushed his way back to a standing position, and Gabriel knew the man's temper well enough to know when to end things before they got ugly.

As it looked like Fenris was about to climb back into the ring to continue, Despayre hopping in a comical boxing stance with his 'dukes' up, Gabriel placed a hand on Fenris's shoulder in a grip that was firm enough to stop him.

"Okay, Kristjan. Enough." But Kristjan wasn't listening, at least not at first, and he started to pull away and that was when Gabriel's grip grew tighter and his demeanor more serious where his students were concerned. ""I said, enough!"

Fenris came up short and turned around, his body glistening from the extreme workout the Stevens were known for putting their students through, all in the name of making a successful name for themselves. But he also saw frustration and disappointment in the man's cobalt-blue eyes, and sought the reason behind it. Gabriel then took a means to soothe troubled waters and he looked up into the ring, and he said, "And you..."

Despayre immediately stopped his boxing dance and his eyes grew wide. Gabriel continued, "Hitting people from behind isn't right, Despy. Why did you do that?"

Twiddling his fingers, Despayre smiled, "Honestly? it tickled me."

Gabriel  paused for a brief moment, staring at his little buddy before he slowly turned his head toward Maksym who looked even more perplexed and repeated, "it tickled him." Despayre bobbed his head in a happy nod and Gabriel motioned toward him, "Go get showered and cleaned up."

"Awww!" Despayre pouted as he dragged his feet toward the ropes to do as he was told, but Gabriel could not help but smile at his childlike antics. "Oh stop your fussing, Despy. Your Nan I on her way to pick you up and I don't want to send you to dinner with her smelling like that."

Despayre's head whipped around and he gave an audible guess of affronted, but Gabriel just gifted him with a smile and a wink, letting him know he was just teasing. As Despayre took his leave, Gabriel turned to Maksym and said, "Thanks for being here for this session. Same time tomorrow?" To which Maksym nodded. Gabriel then said, "Now I need to have a talk with this one." He said, jetting a thumb toward his protege.

Maksym gave him a nod, then turned to Fenris and said in his thick, Ukrainian accent, "Get your head out of your ass." before he too left. Gabriel then placed a hand on the small of Fenris's back as he sought to make a move for the locker room as well, halting him. Fenris gave him a curious stare and Gabriel shook his head, "Not yet." And he guided his student away from the workout facility and back towards the business office he shared with his wife.

Once inside, Gabriel closed the door behind him and Fenris watched as his trainer and yes, friend, walked around the desk and had a seat. Fenris raised a brow as he quipped, "Am I in trouble?"

"I just want to talk to you." Gabriel answered. "Sit down." His tone was calm and polite, but also stressed behind it that he would brook no argument. Once Fenris did as instructed, and Gabriel was satisfied, the teacher gazed upon his student and shook his head,. "What's going on with you?"

Fenris frowned and shook his head, but said nothing in answer. Gabriel said, "You know what I mean. usually you're a damn machine in that ring, whether it's a real match or training. it never matters with you. But that... out there..." He shook his head and engaged him in a frown. "What I was watching wasn't like you at all."

"Well can you blame me?" Fenris asked, his posture going rigid as he was unused to anyone questioning his performance. Gabriel was perhaps the only one who could and would get away with such.

"Hardly." Gabriel chuckled. "Used to piss off everyone the little guy was in the ring with. But I think you know what I'm talking about. Slick as Despy I, it's not like you to make so many errors." He shook his head. "Your mind isn't in this and I want to know why."

Fenris still remained silent, but Gabriel wasn't about to give up. He knew the young man well enough by now to know when he avoided someone's gaze, it meant something was troubling him. Even if he himself was unaware that he was doing it. Gabriel leaned forward on his desk and asked, "I it the match with Vinnie?" Fenris broke his stare at the wrestling awards on the wall of the office, the many shared and displayed by the Stevens household, and Gabriel pressed on, "Kristjan, if you weren't ready for another defense, why did you agree...?"

"it's not the defense!" Fenris answered a little more heatedly than he intended. "And I am ready!"

"I hope so." Said Gabriel. "Because I've no doubt Vinnie will come at you even harder than before to try and get that elusive win against you. So... what I it? I it that lawsuit?" Fenris frowned and Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Christ sakes, Kristjan! You do know that whole deal I a load of bullshit, right!? A plant cannot file a lawsuit against a human being! Hell! I seriously doubt a court would even hear a case like this between two people, given its based around a full contact sport! What you did to Vinnie was expected. Rough ... but expected."

Fenris stared at him, this time working overtime too avoid not looking into Gabriel's eyes as an equal, a measure of respect given to such a man. Gabriel said, "Vinnie I smarter than he lets on. He knows what you did to him and wants to throw you off your game. it's the only way he'd get any advantage over you in this rematch..."

Fenris shook his head, interrupting him, "it's not the fucking cactus."

"Good." Gabriel answered. "Because I arranged for that to be settled backstage in a wrestler's court." Fenris frowned, not understanding, and Gabriel explained, "it's just a way for wrestlers to settle issues backstage between themselves. Your fellow wrestlers act as jury."

Fenris rolled his eyes at this but Gabriel pressed on, "Is it your family visiting? I know your sisters coming was a surprise..."

"That's putting it mildly!"

Gabriel pressed on as though he had not spoken, "But they are family and it I Christmas."

"Hvað sem er." Fenris mumbled, then recalled that Gabriel was somewhat fluent in Icelandic, having taken his own lessons so that he might communicate with his pupil easier during their early days together. He looked to his trainer and said, "I'm not happy about Viktoria and Elin being here but I will live. I rented a place close by for my family to stay since I don't have room."

"Then what I it?" Gabriel asked. "You're going to have to help me out here Kristjan. I'm trying to understand so I can help you. This I a pretty damn big match you agreed to, to close out the year! it's not a good time for you to get distracted!"

Fenris narrowed his eyes and said, " I don't recall asking you or anyone else for help!"

Gabriel paused for a brief moment after that caustic remark, just long enough to give his perpetually angry and sarcastic student pause enough to contemplate whether he just said the wrong thing.

Gabriel stared cool as he said "Careful boy. You're this close to slipping into that 'bitch mode' that got you into so much trouble with us to start with."

Message received.

Fenris said nothing once again. his brow furrowed and his shoulders slumped, an admit ion from what Gabriel had learned over the past several months, was a sign of him shutting down. Something he did not want.

"Is it about Ty?" He asked, and that certainly got a reaction. Kristjan's head snapped up so quickly Gabriel wouldn't have been surprised had it popped right off of his shoulders. it was enough to tell him that he had just hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Fenris asked, "How did you know...?"

"Oh please!" Gabriel chuckled, taking on a smile reminiscent of the one that Fenris often wore, the one that had so many wanting to slap the shit out of him. Gabriel continued, "Wrestling I the biggest damn gossip factory! You can't get laid without everyone knowing!"

This caused Fenris's eyebrows to rise near to his hairline and Gabriel laughed despite himself. "So come on!" Gabriel said. "Fess up and tell me about the problems your mancake I giving you!" This, however, was taken the wrong way due to the lack of depth in Kristjan's English skills. He frowned and stood up, ready to leave when Gabriel leapt to his feet and reached out, grabbing him by the arm.

"Whoa! Hold up! Ain't you ever heard of busting someone's chops!?" Fenris stared blankly at him and Gabriel exhaled sharply, and shook his head. "I was just teasing, Kristjan. Now seriously... sit." Slowly, almost reluctantly, Kristjan did as he was instructed and only once he was settled, did Gabriel take a seat once again.

Gabriel said, "Look. it's pretty obvious that something I going on between you two. You've made that pretty damn obvious from Twitter alone." Kristjan turned his head aside but Gabriel went on, "Now I don't know what's going on. I told you when you had that affair with Ryans that your personal life was nobody's business, and I meant it. But something I obviously troubling you, and that concerns me. You can't fault me for that."

While he did not say anything in response, his posture somewhat relaxed and the perpetual frown of Fenris's slid into something more subdued.

"Are you having second thoughts about Ty?" Gabriel asked. "Maybe it's having your family meet your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend." Kristjan finally spoke up, turning his head to address Gabriel. "We're not dating. Not really."

"But you said you were having him stay with you for Christmas and having him meet your family." Gabriel smiled. it was the first sign of being human that Kristjan had really displayed since first coming to he and his wife in the early part of 2018. "That's a pretty big sign there." Gabriel waited, but nothing was forthcoming from Kristjan whom he knew was an insanely private person. After his 'coming out,' he had become even more so.

"I do not want to talk about this." Kristjan finally said, standing up and ready to leave with or without Gabriel's leave. Gabriel said, "Fine. I can't make you talk to me, but can I give you one last piece of advice?"

Kristjan paused, waiting, and Gabriel took that as an answer and he said, "if you like the guy, tell him. Trust me, you could do a lot worse than a man like Ty West." Gabriel shook his head. "But he's not going to wait round forever, and you can't go through life without taking risks."

"Someone died."

"What?" Gabriel frowned, caught off guard by this statement that came from out of nowhere.

"Someone died." Kristjan repeated. "I took a chance, and someone died. I lost them."

Now it was Gabriel who was rendered speechless, discovering perhaps a piece of the grand puzzle that told him why Kristjan had such a chip on his shoulders in all walks of life. if he lost someone he cared bout, he didn't seem the type to outwardly mourn. Kristjan was more like the type who would just bottle it up and allow it to eat him alive for the remainder of his years.

"Happy?" Fenris chided him. "I confided."

"I'm sorry." Gabriel finally said to him. "I am, Kristjan. I didn't mean to pry, I was just..."

"Concerned." Kristjan sighed. "Yes. Seems many are."

"I it really so hard to believe people care?" Gabriel asked.

After a brief moment's pause, Fenris finally yielded a nod and answered, "Yes. it I." Before he took his leave, pausing only long enough to say over his shoulder. "Will bring the family to dinner. Thank you for the invitation."

Gabriel simply nodded as his office door closed.

But Gabriel's words rang a certain truth behind them, much as Kristjan did not want to admit it. By nature he was simply a stubborn individual, a trait he had inherited from his father and paternal grandmother. Only he took it to the extreme. What Gabriel had told him was very reminiscent of what his own brother had said and stressed that there was nothing wrong with liking someone. Gabriel was more than a trainer in that regard; he was a friend although Kristjan found it difficult to acknowledge many as such. And Gabriel did perhaps what he set out to accomplish.

He made Kristjan think.

it was why that very night, Kristjan had invited Ty out for a few rounds at a local club near the Vegas Strip. Ty had a rough time of it lately, suffering the death of his birth father. They had shared an evening together, drinking to help drown out the pain of loss, but now Fenris had invited him out for a few more.

Just to see.

Wednesday

That was why we were now at the two story nightclub, the Chateau Nightclub and Rooftop, situated at the Paris Hotel. it was a trendy nightclub on both floors, filled with men and women who were drinking the night away and dancing to the DJ's pulsating rhythms not only on the dance floor, but wherever they might be standing.

But it was on the rooftop, where a roof garden had been pleasantly constructed, where we would find the men of the hour. Having taken the initiative to reserve a table between them overlooking the Strip, Fenris sat on one cushioned seat with a whiskey in his hand, while Ty sat opposite him with a beer in his own. The night sky was open above them, and strands of Christmas lights stretched out overhead to bath the patrons in whimsical fancy, while garland and poinsettias decorated the walls and banisters.

"So," Ty said to break the discomforting silence between them. "You never did say what the occasion was."

"Do I need a reason to want to hang out with you?" Fenris asked, taking a hard swallow off his honey infused whiskey and feeling the warmth of it burn it's way down his throat. The better to calm nerves and help warm himself up against the chill of a Las Vegas night in December.

Ty smiled, "No. it's always nice to be wanted." He cracked a grin at the warmth spread along the ears of the object of his affection. Kristjan wasn't the only one who could cause some charming responses. it just took a little more effort on Ty's part to get said reaction. He then said, "I was just surprised, I all. I thought you would be getting ready for your family's visit."

"I am ready." Fenris answered back. "Got a place for them to stay. Getting up early to pick them up from the airport..."

"They're not staying with you?" Ty shook his head.

"And sleep where?" Fenris smiled. "it's my parents and three sisters! You'll be staying in my room over Christmas. Dani has Aron's room and he sleeps on sofa."

"Right, right." Ty nodded, seeing the wisdom in the decision. Fenris then added, "I not hotel. I an apartment, furnished. Everybody I happy. Well..." Fenris looked up in contemplation. "Everybody but Erin. She's never happy about anything."

"You're really not making me feel very confidant when it comes to your sisters, you know that?" Ty shook his head.

"You'll be fine." Kristjan stressed. "Just do me a favor. Don't let on you speak Icelandic."

"What? Why?"

"Just a hunch." Kristjan answered with a wicked grin before he drained the last of his glass's contents. He then said, "Tickets even bought for them to go with us to Reno for the show."

"Really. Your family I going to go see you wrestle?" To which Kristjan nodded.

"They never saw me fight before, in person. MMA or wrestling. Since they arrive before the show, thought it made sense." Kristjan looked up to him with a sparkle in his eyes. "Mom I not too enthusiastic, though. Dad and Freyja are. Elin and Viktoria are probably hoping to see me get my ass kicked."

"I doubt it." Ty observed. "Not after the way you said they were watching your one title match with your family. Surprised even you."

Kristjan gave a curt nod to acknowledge this. it had indeed surprised him to learn his two older sisters had actually taken an interest in one of his championship fights, and even more so acted pleased and proud alike when he had again emerged victorious. Not to mention recoiled when he had taken some pretty bad bumps. He and his older sisters were not close, probably never would be. Still, it was something. He raised his glass and blinked, seemingly surprised to find that it was empty.

With a sigh of resignation, Kristjan stood up and reached for Ty's own bottle which he had drained only seconds before. As he went to get them a refill, Ty sat back in comfort and allow his mind to wander. Kristjan had been distant as was his nature, he supposed, but slowly, what Aron said had been accurate. Ty was managing to slowly get past the walls that the hostile and angry young man had erected around himself for self-protection. They had sex more times than Ty could remember. Hung out after shows and Kristjan and Aron had even insisted Ty spend Christmas with them rather than alone. Hell, Kristjan had even affectionately taken to Ty's own aunt, using his own nature to charm, and in many cases, embarrass, her.

As his mind wandered on the infinite possibilities that could come, he was not prepared for the familiar voice that said, "Hey, stranger!"

Ty started, and turned his head up to spot a smiling face looking down at him.

"Sebastian..."

Yes, Sebastian Phillips, who his closest friend, Effie Bingham, had set him up with on a blind date to either help him get over Kristjan, or to give the Icelandic man a kick in the right direction. Whichever worked first, according to Effie. He was handsome, very much so, and his body physically pleasing. He was a nice guy, and they had a fun time on their first and only date. the problem though, was that he wasn't Kristjan.

Ty had his heart set on Kristjan, and it wasn't easy to just cast feelings like that aside. Sebastian had attempted numerous times to call or text him for a second date, but Ty hadn't been responsive, holding out hope for something more meaningful with Kristjan. After awhile, the calls and texts slowly came to an end, and Ty figured Sebastian had given up. Now...

"I this what I have to do to corner you?" Sebastian smiled, taking the seat that Kristjan had just recently vacated. That act alone concerned Ty for how Kristjan might react when he returned.

"What are you doing here?" Ty finally asked after having found his voice.

"Just having a drink with a couple friends." Sebastian answered, settling in. "I saw you over here and thought I'd come over and see what you were up to here alone."

"I'm not --"

Sebastian continued, as if he had not spoken a word in protest that he was alone. "Thought maybe it'd be easier to see if you wanted to go out face to face than by sending a text. You stopped answering me."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. But..." Ty shook his head, not comfortable with the idea that he now had to 'shoot down' such a nice guy face to face. "I, I can't. Go out, I mean."

Sebastian frowned, "How come?"

Ty looked around, wondering where Kristjan might be, before he turned back to Sebastian and answered, "I'm... I'm with someone. Here, tonight." He shook his head. "I'm not alone."

"Oh!" Sebastian seemed needlessly surprised, that perhaps he felt Ty would have been waiting for him? That idea annoyed Ty more than he cared to admit. "Who?" He asked.

"Me."

Ty and Sebastian both turned their heads to the angry voice and found Kristjan standing there between them, holding fresh drinks in his hands. his eyes were burning hot, and that alone gave Ty pause in how the hell he was going to get Sebastian out of this without a fight breaking out. And if a fight broke out, Ty was pretty certain Sebastian would end up in a hospital, and Kristjan would end up in jail.

Ty cleared his throat, and spoke up, "Erm, Sebastian? This I Kristjan. The guy I told you about."

"Hey." Sebastian smiled, giving Kristjan a friendly wave as if he either didn't realize the spot he was now in, or didn't care. "You must be Ty's wrestling friend."

Kristjan's eyes flickered briefly toward Ty, but returned to Sebastian. And said nothing. Sebastian glanced at Ty with a smile and said in a joking manner, "Talkative sort, isn't he?"

He then returned his attention to Kristjan and said, "I won't take up your time. I had just come to say his to the man here and see if he wanted to go out..."

"No!" Kristjan barked, startling them both.

"No?" Sebastian repeated."No... what?"

"He does not!"

Sebastian exchanged a glance with Ty before he leaned forward in the chair that was Kristjan's and said, "Hey  man, listen. No offense but I think Ty can decide these things for himse-"

"He's MINE!" Kristjan all but yelled, then froze. his eyes were wide and his lightly tanned flesh paled, as if he had just realized what he had just said aloud. in front of everyone, and most of all, in front of Ty! Kristjan wouldn't so much as look around, to see if anyone was watching, but given his outburst and loud voice, he wouldn't be at all surprised were it so.

Oh, uh..." Sebastian seemed now at a loss for words, but realized that he had been backed into a very uncomfortable corner. He was a really nice guy, and did not want to cause any problems, so he opted for the best way out and slowly stood up, hands held up in a gesture of surrender.
"Okay. I'll ... I'll just go."

Bidding a goodbye (and good luck) to Ty, Sebastian got lost back into the crowd and to his friends, and Kristjan slowly sat down, his eyes staring at the two drinks in his hands.

"I one of those for me?" Ty asked, and Kristjan seemed almost surprised that he was still holding onto them. He wordlessly extended a hand out to Ty who took the bottle of beer from him, and they both sat back. Neither spoke, not at first. Not after what had just happened and what had been said. Kristjan seemed in shock that he had just claimed Ty for his own, and had done so openly and brazenly. inside, Ty felt an elation he had not thought possible. Talk about your Christmas surprises!

Kristjan, however, seemed lost at what he had just done. He remained silent as he lifted his glass to his lips and drank the contents in one long, slow pull, opening Ty's eyes wide. Did he regret what he had just declared? Was he more so embarrassed given his personal and private nature?

"Am I?" Ty asked, feeling the need to press the issue. He didn't want to make Kristjan any more discomforted than he already was, but realistically, Ty had every right to know where he stood. Kristjan slowly turned his head to Ty and raised his brow questioningly.

"What you said." Ty stressed. "Did you mean that?"

Kristjan seemed at a loss for words. his eyes stared vacantly at Ty, then cast aside, looking at nothing in particular. An uncomfortable silence passed between the two men, as Ty stared hard at his lover for the past several weeks, wanting an answer but the longer this silence permeated the distance between them, the more twisted a knot in the pit of his own stomach developed. Ty started to feel that Kristjan was indeed feeling regret, and cast his eyes downward, when he heard him say, "Já."

Ty looked up, his hand over his mouth as if he were trying hard to hide the smile on his face. He felt like a boy on Christmas morning who had just received the present that he wanted, and in this case, he just did. Kristjan nodded, his eyes shifted slightly toward Ty but the vexed nature remained on his face and in his posture. Slowly, he allowed himself to relax, or forced himself to, rather. He faced Ty and said simply, "Já. I Just, I just don't know how to..."

Ty said nothing else. He simply stood up and crossed around the table and squeezed himself into the small, cushioned seat beside Kristjan. Leaning back enough to drape his free arm around Kristjan's shoulder, Ty took a pull on his own beer and said simply, "We'll figure it out."

What followed was an evening of bliss for both men. A weight had seemingly been lifted off of the shoulders of Kristjan Baltasarsson despite the fact that he did not seem to know how to react to what he had said or done. For Ty, he had crossed a hurdle he wasn't certain he could, and now the possibilities were endless. He wanted to talk to Kristjan now about everything, but knew he had so much already on his mind, least of all a new relationship. And according to Aron, his first since the death of his beloved Jökull had his life tragically cut short. Kristjan also had a major title defense set up against Senor Vinnie, not to mention his family coming to the States, all the way from Iceland, to spend the holidays with him and Aron.

Ty could wait. They had all the time in the world.

Thursday

For now, Kristjan and Aron's home at Turnberry Towers was a bustle of activity. While his family was staying at a luxuriously furnished apartment at the Copper Creek suites, the majority of their time would be spent here. An evening dinner had been planned, a special one for his family's first full night in America; the first visit to the States by his parents and two older sisters. it was a spectacle, as Dani had transformed the condo into a Christmas wonderland, with a lot of help from Ty's doting aunt. A Christmas tree with mountains of gifts dominated the scene, but garland and Christmas lights were draped along every edge and over every surface.

Privately, Kristjan cringed at the thought of the cost of the electric bill once the holidays were over and done with.

Despite his protests, Eva, their mother, had went into overtime in the kitchen to prepare a feast for the evening. She had been shocked (horrified) to inspect his and Aron's kitchen to find virtually no groceries save for booze and snacks. When they explained that they just did takeout, she gave them 'that' stare mothers the world over had perfected and made them drive her to the nearest grocery to get everything she would need. Kristjan tried to protest toward his father but Benedikt shot him down fast and said to just let his mother do what came natural.

This was about more than just a nice evening meal with her family together for the first time in over a year. it also meant the family was going to get to meet  certain someone in Kristjan's life, and his aunt who their Aron had taken an affection towards.

Now the dining room table and kitchen counter surface had a spread about it that had everyone's senses reeling. Even Kristjan and Aron's older sisters could find nothing to complain about, as for every vegetarian option Eva had made for Kristjan with Freyja's aid, there were delicacies for their tastes as well.

"So when are we going to get to meet this special fellow of yours?" Benedikt asked as he emerged from the kitchen, a bottle of beer in his hand and Eva shot him a stare which he pointedly ignored.

"He and his aunt will be here soon." Kristjan answered, fidgeting uncomfortably at not knowing how this would all work out. "He wanted to get a couple bottles of wine for dinner."

"A couple?" Eva stood up. "Do you think we'll need that much?"

"One's for me." Kristjan sighed as he turned about, heading back into the front room where Freyja and Dani were chatting while they played with Kyssa while their older sisters gossiped without a care whether or not anyone was within ear shot.

"Can you imagine the kind of man Kristjan could end up with?" Elin joked, a nasty laugh behind the tone of her voice.

"I know." Viktoria answered. "You've seen those guys on TV with him. He's probably ugly. Hairy and fat too."

The two sisters cackled but Kristjan ignored them, knowing Ty was anything but the description that they had laid out between themselves. But timing was a perfect thing when there was a knock at the door, and Kristjan said aloud, "That must be Ty and Lora!"

"I'll get it!" Elin called out, giving Kristjan no leave to do so himself. As Viktoria followed her to the front door, they both had smirks on their faces for what they were about to get to experience at their brother's expense. Behind them, Aron came up beside his brother and gave him a jab in the arm, a smile on his face at how they were about to witness history at their 'bitchy' sisters expense.

As Elin grasped the door handle, she cast a look back at Viktoria who stood there with arms crossed and a nasty smile on her face, Elin said, "This I going to be good!" And she pulled the door open to see Ty standing there in a suit with his Aunt Lora at his side. Elin and Viktoria stared at the handsome visage and Elin sputtered, "Fuck mig!"

"Elin!!" Eva called out, aghast as Aron roared in laughter while Ty's eyes went wide. Kristjan bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling as he turned around, nodding in satisfaction at the egg on both his sisters' faces.

introductions had been made, and Eva stood front and center, staring hard at Ty as she scrutinized the man who had captured the attention of her boy. Something about Eva's stare reminded Ty of his own mother's strong disposition until she declared herself satisfied, and that Kristjan shared her taste in men. And if Kristjan thought his mom was doting on Ty, it said nothing on how his sisters did a sudden about face!

"He I so handsome!" Elin gushed, while Viktoria added, "You can tell he works out! His butt I about to bust right out of those pants!"

"Viktoria!" Eva chided, her eyes wide with shock.

"What!?" Viktoria laughed. "it's not like he can understand us!" To which Aron and Kristjan shared a knowing look but returned to the meal at hand. Kristjan had managed to snag the seat beside Ty's 'aunty,' just so that he could work his charms on her and amuse himself all at the same time. While Viktoria and Elin all but came to a struggle to get the free seat beside Ty, before Eva ended that debate quickly and took the seat for herself.

"Well. Stop. it!" Eva commanded her daughters, and it was a tone that Ty recognized would have been obeyed by anyone. Even Kristjan himself. Hell! Ty felt the desire to stop whatever it was he was doing!

"Did you see Kristjan's knees?" Elin spoke up in a hushed tone after some time had passed. This topic drew Kristjan's attention, and his parents looked up, Eva's brow narrowing but Elin reasoned to herself that the topic was about their brother, not Ty so it was fair game. "They were all skinned up?"

Viktoria smirked, brushing her hair behind her ear and smiled, "You know what that means?"

Ty picked up his glass of wine and responded -- in Icelandic, "That he has  a better social life than you do?"

Time came to a crashing halt! Every head of every one of Kristjan's family members turned to Ty. Elin and Viktoria's eyes grew wide as saucers and their faces turned deep red in a sudden realization. Kristjan leaned forward and smiled with much satisfaction as he said, "Did I forget to mention Ty speaks Icelandic?"

Viktoria quickly averted her gaze, while a thoroughly embarrassed Elin got up from her seat and left the table with Benedikt going after her, despite the fact she and her sister had done it to themselves.

"Kristjan..." Eva started to say but that was enough to open a floodgate as his head fell back and he started laughing uproariously! So much so that Eva could not find it within herself to further chide her son for having led to his sisters' humiliation in front of Ty and his aunt.

That would come later once their guests had left for the evening.

Once Benedikt had lured Elin back to the table, and Kristjan had calmed down, the evening progressed. Kristjan turned to Lora and leaned over, and said something to her in his native language, but in a husky voice, allowing his accent to truly shine through.

"Oh my!!" Lora blushed despite not understanding Icelandic. She simply knew that Kristjan was cheeky, and an insatiable flirt. Lora covered her lips as her cheeks turned a rosier shade than normal. Despite the smile on her face, Lora excused herself briefly from the table.

Ty watched her go, then turned and asked Kristjan, "What did you say?"

Smiling, Kristjan answered, "I asked her to pass the salt."

Friday

it was the dead of night, and Kristjan was unable to sleep. His family had returned to Copper Creek after a visit to Gabriel and Odette Stevens' home for an invited dinner on Gabriel's part. He and Odette had given his family a tour of their private zoo, amazing even the brash Viktoria and Elin at the animals that they had given homes to, and that was followed up with a visit to the training center where the family could see where Gabriel and Odette had transformed Kristjan from a disciplined MMA  fighter, to an unbeaten World Champion in the SCW Universe.

But now more was on Kristjan's mind, and he had insisted Aron take his room as he felt he would be unable to sleep anyway. Kristjan paced the living room, his eyes passing over the Christmas tree which was the sole holiday decor that remained illuminated.

"Vinnie, let's take a moment to reflect on why we're here again. Me? I think it would be fairly simple. in April, I set foot in the ring for the first time with Courtney Pierce  beside me in an event that, at the time, I really wanted nothing to do with. But still, Gabriel persisted and I can admit that I was wrong. Gabriel knew what was best to get my foot in the door, and that path to success started with a single win. Who would have thought when my team was announced, that two rookies... a Bombshell and Superstar who had never competed in a wrestling ring before, would beat fifteen other teams and walk away the winners of the sixth annual Blast From the Past memorial? I doubt anyone gave us much of a chance, let alone our competition, but look at who we faced -- and beat!"

"Quinton Cross and Otaki. Sam Marlowe and Caleb Storms. Equinox and Keira Fisher-Johnson. And last but not least, Shorty and our own Evie Baang. Each and every opponent someone to be celebrated -- well, except for Quinton Cross. He was a fucking poseur! But that was two rookies, two complete newcomers, who bested current and former champions to come out the winners and to see our futures assured. Championship opportunities guaranteed. History made. And after that, who crossed my path?"

"Ty West and Kyle Kavanaugh led up to my date with destiny. Funny how it led me to Ty, who now I a champion in his own right. The world title became mine on July 22, and it hasn't left my wait since!"

Fenris then raised a hand and counted off on his fingers.

"Since then? Ben Jordan and Crimson. The closest I came to a loss, to the point none of were able to win. Former champion Dmitri. SCW veteran Casey Williams. Kris Ryans, the man who I should have fought for the title in the first place!"

He brought up his other hand, continuing to count off, "Hall of Famer and Grand Slam Champion Kain! Joshua Acquin! My toughest match ever in Senor Vinnie, and yes, Jake Raab."

Kristjan grasped the handle of the patio door and slid it open, stepping outside into the night air well after two in the morning. The chill air had little effect on him with his bare chest and feet with pajama pants, given where his homeland was. He stepped close to the porch rail and looked out at the city lights in the distance.

"What about you, Vinnie. Have you any idea why you're here? Why you're really here? This I the third time that you and I have faced each other, and the second time where my championship will be on the line. A great chance for you to have the ultimate Christmas present for yourself. I imagine at this point,, you have to start questioning yourself, and wondering why this chance was given to you. Do you think you deserve it?"

Fenris shrugged.

"Why not? I do. Yes, I think you deserve this chance at the championship and ending my streak more than anyone else on the roster. Why?"

He turned to look into the camera.

"Because you took a fucking beating at High Stakes Viii and you gave me one in return! That I what I like! That I what I want! I was told years ago that if you want to prove yourself as a fighter, you not only have to be able to dish it out but you had sure as hell best be able to take it! You were able to on both points, and that I why you're here again! That I why you are still the number one challenger. You suffered only one defeat so far in your career, and just who was it that handed you that loss?"

Fenris tapped a finger to his sternum.

"I believe that honor was all mine! And since then? You haven't suffered a second loss against an otherwise imperfect record. And that I why I wanted to defend against you a second time!"

Fenris turned away from the camera to again look out at Las Vegas, the far off lights dancing in reflection on his own blue eyes. He nodded.

"Yeah, Vinnie. You're facing me again because I asked for it. When it came time to put the championship on the line at this Christmas show, you were the one I wanted to defend against -- again. You are the man I want to bring 2018 to a close against and make this the Year of the Wolf. But here's the thing..."

Fenris turned from the railing and walked the few short steps to come to the soft patio sofa that dominated the left wall. He had a seat and leaned forward, his elbows resting upon his knees with his fingers clasped together.

"I can't do that, without beating you a second time. Now normally I would be all in for the false bravado and feeding people bullshit, but the simple fact I that you came the closest to handing me a singles defeat, Ty West coming a close second. You, Vinnie. Much of what I see in myself, I can admit I see in you."

He cast a sidelong glance.

"Well, except for that whole cactus fetish. That I just fucking weird! No, you came in to SCW a virtual unknown in wrestling circles. While I had my own MMA past, nobody knew shit about you. And what did you do? You made them know! You made them open their eyes and see what was standing right in front of them. You won the Gold Rush tournament, beating guys like Joshua Acquin, Caleb Storms and yeah -- Ty West. The man everyone, myself included, had hand picked to win the whole tournament!"

Fenris nodded.

"Those names sound familiar, Vinnie? They should because all three were the exact same men that I had to go through to get to where I am today. And when you and I finally fought over the grand prize?"

Fenris shook his head and a low whistle escaped from his pursed lips.

"We fucking tore the house down! We OWNED that shit! But...!"

He held up a forefinger, then directed it back at himself.

"I won. Me. Now some critics said it wasn't much of a win, the same as when I won against Ty when he refused to submit and passed out in the Ride of the Valkyrie's instead. He made that choice rather than give me the satisfaction of forcing him to tap out. But you Vinnie?"

Fenris smiled.

"You couldn't tap out. That option had been taken away before I ever even slapped that hold on your ass! Because I kicked you in the head with Wolf's Bane and knocked your ass out!"

He sat back against the soft lining of the sofa and stretched his legs out, his eyes roaming everywhere. Taking in everything laid out before him.

"I think since then, when you woke up backstage, you knew what you had done to me. You know you had impressed not just me, not just the bosses, but everyone who watched that match. You also knew that you would have to be given a second chance at the championship. After all, if someone gives that kind of performance against the champion, what other choice do the higher ups have? They couldn't justify giving the title shot to anyone else, so it's all on you Vinnie. And that's also why you had to start playing your fucking mind games. I mean, really? A cactus filing a lawsuit for emotional distress?"

Fenris held his arms out and shook his head, looking amazed.

"Are you fucking kidding me!? That's the best that you can accomplish!? Even if Pedro were a person, and not a prick of a plant, it would go nowhere!! Wrestling, just like MMA or boxing, I a full contact sport. People hit each other. People hurt one another, and they get hurt. You think someone would be in the crowd, watching the fight of the century in the Octagon and think afterwards, 'Oh that one fighter went a little too far against that other fighter and hurt him! My emotional well being I damaged so I had better sue for distress!'"

Fenris rolled his eyes quite dramatically.

"The fucking moron would be laughed out of court, even if he could get some grease ball lawyer to take his case. And the same I going to go for you, or should I say, for Pedro. I don't know which insults me more, Vinnie. The fact that you actually thought it would work, or the credit you were giving my intelligence when you cooked up this harebrained scheme!"

"it's almost -- almost as bad, as you resorting to using Ty's aunt as a pawn."

Fenris nodded, sitting upright.

"Yeah, I think you are aware I'm onto you. Lora West I a treasure, and if you think I'm going to stand idly by and watch you hurt her, well you're wrong. I don't understand why Ty I just standing by and letting this happen. Seems you have him caught in the same web as you have Lora, but I can say without a shred of doubt that woman deserves much better than a freak like you with a cactus fetish! Lora could have the world at her fingertips, but that's not something you could ever hope to provide."

"This act of yours, I have to say Vinnie. it's getting tiresome. Although I can't help but admit the cactus I a refreshing touch, I still can't look at you without thinking that it's all been done before. The insane wrestler? Done. Now maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's not an act and you are as justifiably nuts as you put on. if not, well hats off to you! You have a whole world convinced that you're two tacos short of a combination plate. Mexican pun intended."

"But if you are, it's all the more reason for me to stop you where you stand. There are a lot of men out there that I respect, and yes, as a fighter you are one of them. But there are also a lot of men out there that I would fight all the harder to keep from losing my championship to, more so than others. You are also on that lit! I'll be damned if I let my streak end, or lose my championship, to some guy who tends to think he can play games with me in order to get the edge he so desperately needs! And yeah, Vinnie!"

Fenris nodded, his eyes gleaming under the Christmas lights adorning the roof of the patio.

"Make no mistake about it, you do need that edge against me!"

Fenris slowly pushed himself to his feet and stepped back up to the rail of the patio. He extended his arm straight out and swept it along in an arc, presenting the city as a whole.

"Look out there Vinnie, and tell me what you see. Not just the city, but the world! it's there before you, and the entirety I going to tune in to watch us do to each other what we do best! The world itself I at our fingertips, but only one of us will be able to reach out and take it by the balls and bring this year to a close with a win casting aside all doubt"

Fenris turned and looked at the camera.

"Despite all your hopes and dreams, and letters to Santa Clause telling him a win over me would make the perfect Yuletide present, it won't be you Vinnie."

Fenris then slid the patio door open again and set foot back inside of his home. He was greeted by his adoring Siberian husky, her tail wagging and a sloppy doggy grin on her face. He ran his hand along her back as he headed for the sofa where he had taken up  residence for the night's sleep. His canine companion trailing along behind him.

"You know why, don't you Vinnie? Because you're not the only one who has ways to instill inspiration in yourself."

He turned to look straight at the camera before he sat down.

"I know I'm good. I bear no false modesty when I say I'm the fucking best SCW has to offer right now! I am the World Champion, after all -- and undefeated! But it's like I said before, I'm no fool. I know it won't last forever, but it's not going to end now. And it's not going to end by your hands. I have more reasons than just retaining my world title to put you down. I want to do more than call an end to this business between us..."

Earlier in the week at the McCarran international Airport, Kristjan's jubilant mother ran into his arms at the baggage claim where they had agreed to meet, overjoyed at being reunited with her two sons for the Yule holiday, her family together for the first time in well over a year!

"There I nothing that you can threaten me with. Nothing that you can use against me."

Kristjan clasped his father's hand and shook, while Benedikt's free hand gently cusped the back of his neck and leaned in, his father's forehead brushing against his own in a familiar and affectionate display of love and pride.

"I have everything going for me, and you have everything working against you."

His baby sister practically jumped into Kristjan's arms. he wrapped his own tightly around her and swung her in a full circle, uncaring at any stares at this display of affection a big brother was afforded to such a darling little sister!

"I have the proven track record. I have the motivation, and inspiration."

Kristjan exchanged stiff and uncomfortable embraces with Viktoria and Elin, more so his mother's sake than any lingering affection that could truly exit between the three.

"This I the first time my family has ever deigned to see me fight in person. it never happened when I was fighting for EliteXL, and to date, had not happened in Sin City Wrestling simply because the opportunity had never presented itself. But guess what? They're here, now! My parents, my sisters! All watching, all wanting to see me do what I do best and that I put my boot up some damn fool's ass and walk away with my head held high! There I no greater inspiration to succeed than the will to do your family proud! Especially -- when your mom and dad are sitting right there in the front row, watching with pride in their eyes! A little sister with love in hers, and two older sisters who PROBABLY want to see me get my ass kicked, but..."

He shook his head with a sardonic smile.

"I can't let them have that satisfaction. But who knows?"

He jetted out a bottom lip and looked upward, as if in contemplation.

"They may want to see their little brother win, but they'd never admit it to anyone. And I won't let you have the satisfaction of a win at my expense either, Vinnie. Your journey ends here. Mine I only going to continue into the New Year, and inception iii. I have a date with destiny. I had hoped it would be Austin James Mercer that I would be facing in the SCW versus Honor Unification, but it would seem fate was not on Austin's side."

He shook his head.

"I admit disappointment, but the chance to face Jake Raab one on one?"

He then nodded with a satisfied smile,  soft and subdued.

"Now that I a consolation prize that I can get behind. And it I one that you will not deny me!"

Fenris held up his hand and counted off.

"Destiny. Family. Oo! I have it all Vinnie! if you weren't you, I'd almost feel bad for handing you your second straight loss."

He laid down on the sofa and covered up, while  Kyssa moved about in three circles before she too laid down at the side, at her master's feet.

"Merry Christmas Vinnie, and I mean that. I want you to have the safest and happiest of holiday seasons, because I am going to prove to you when I beat you for the second straight time, that not all holiday wishes come true, and all the letters in the world won't help good ol' Saint Nick pull the magic out of his bag to give you the World Heavyweight Championship! So take my advice. Drink some eggnog. Open some early presents. Pretend Pedro I an actual tree and decorate him while you're at it. This Sunday in Reno, there will be no peace on earth, nor good will towards men. I'm going to  prove to you that not all holiday wishes come true."