The Fight

“He-He’s got a gun!” the man barked, staggering back.

Matthew raised his arm, coldly aiming his gun.

“Don't just stand there!” the women screamed, jerking out her own gun. She immediately fired, clipping Matthew on the shoulder and sending his handgun skittering across the floor.

“Oh no you don’t!” Aunora snarled, clenching her fist. Her red eyes flashed as violet armor formed around her body, vicious studs protruding from her gauntlets. She flung herself forward, heavy iron boots banging against the concrete floor. Her back was hunched, head aimed down as she lunged.

The women smirked, throwing her hands up. A wall of ice erected from the floor, an electric chill raising Matthew’s hairs on end.

Gritting his teeth, Matthew clamped his fingers over his gunshot wound, feeling blood leak through his jacket. Luckily, the bullet had only grazed him, but the pain was still a force to be dealt with.

“Esper!” Matthew growled, pulling off his coat and throwing it over Seraph, “Protect yourself and Seraph. Aunora and I will take care of this.”

Taking a shuddering breath, Matthew flung himself into the throng.

Aunora plunged her fist through the women’s ice shield, reducing it to splintering shrapnel. Icy fragments covered Aunora’s face, giving her skin the sheen of water. The two descended into a fist fight, a flurry of muscle and curses.

The woman’s partner headed straight for Matthew, crackling flames igniting around his arms. Matthew dodged a fiery punch, ducking and striking out with a kick. He stumbled, but quickly found his footing.

Matthew took advantage of his momentary weakness. He rammed his fist across his jaw, feeling several bones crack under his knuckles.

The man didn't falter. Tightening his bleeding jaw, he grabbed Matthew by the shoulders, headbutting him. Black spots lured Matthew into a daze, but the hot blood coursing out of his nose snapped him out of it.

Crying out, he threw his hands around the man's neck, pouring out all his strength despite his injuries. Blood drizzled down his chin as he overpowered the man. With a violent push, he slammed the man’s head against the concrete wall. His neck cracked under Matthew's pressure, the man falling limp.

Matthew threw down his body, directing his attention to Aunora.

The demon horse fought in a vicious frenzy, thrashing her iron-clad fist through every sheet of ice the woman summoned. The woman ducked, letting Aunora punch the wall. Her eyes widened when she realized her gauntlets were stuck, and her opponent smirked. The woman flung spears of ice at Aunora, not piercing her armor but leaving visible dents in it.

Matthew grit his teeth, grabbing his focus from the muddled sea that was his mind. Holding out his palm, he channelled his magical energy, unleashing it in a blast of cutting wind. The woman was thrown across the room, rolling across concrete and landing in a tumbling heap.

Aunora shot him an exasperated smile, sweat running down her brow. Matthew nodded, squeezing the throbbing bullet wound on his shoulder. His entire bicep was slick with blood.

“Freeze!” the woman cried, raising her trembling hands. She held the gun Matthew had dropped.

Matthew immediately halted, heart dropping into his stomach when she moved the gun to her left, directly at Seraph and Esper.

She fired.

Seraph cried out as the bullet sank into the stomach, and Esper instinctively threw himself over the child, protecting him from further harm. The woman tossed the gun aside, darting for the staircase.

“Let her go,” Matthew growled, setting an arm on Aunora’s chest, “It would be idiotic to follow an enemy into the heart of enemy territory. She'll lead us straight into a trap.”

“We can't just let her get away!” Aunora snarled as the sound of footsteps running up the stairs started to fade.

“We don't have a choice,” Matthew said solemnly. Shaking his head, he knelt in front of Esper. “Is Seraph okay?”

Seraph squirmed in Esper’s grip as he pressed his hand to the wound on his stomach. Blood began to retract, the pain lessening in Seraph’s face. Esper pulled his hand away, and Seraph took a deep, gasping breath.

Matthew wrapped his arms around Seraph, twisting his fingers through his curly locks. Esper gently grasped his upper arm, letting his cooling healing magic flow through his skin and mend his laceration.

“What do we do now that she's gone?” Aunora whispered, her voice sounding hallow.

Matthew tightened his embrace on Seraph, feeling the spirit’s tiny hands clutch his stained shirt. Over his shoulders, Matthew's coat seemed to consume his son. His peachy skin was soft under Matthew's lips.

“I....I don't know.”

Author's Note- hnng i finished planning,,

favorite pairing, platonic or otherwise?