The crowd was roaring for blood before Daejoon's match even started. Minjoon, Ellie and Jay observed it all through the doors into the arena. All peering around the frame because they were technically too young to be in the room, not that such a thing would stop them from observing. Even if they had to peer round the door and watch the screens above the ring. The previous match had ended and the tension for the final match was ramping. The crowd already split and baying for each side's blood as the referees got the match ready. The noise level a thunderous din, far more than Minjoon was used to hearing at matches. But this was the first match he had been too since everyone had been brought back and it seemed that people still liked matches even if they had only recently returned to society. 

"Hey kiddos", a familiar jovial voice called to them. The three teens turned, Ellie rolling her eyes as Jay grinned. 

"Hey Ricky", Minjoon greeted without surprise as the man emerged from the crowd. 

Ricky was dressed in a baggy pair of jeans, jordans and an oversized stripped red shirt customised with a golden chain and a baseball cap over his curls. He smiled at them lazily, a familiar and usual scent of weed emanating from his frame. Minjoon did not need to see his eyes clearly in the grimy lighting to know that his pupils were larger than needed. 

"What's up Ricky?" Jay smiled as they slapped hands in their traditional handshake. 

"Ricky", Ellie nodded. "You stink". 

"Still self medicating?" Minjoon asked. He was well aware with the older man's PTSD and his habit of self medicating. He was good about staying away from the heavier things but he could never resist a bit of pot. "I thought you said you were cutting down". He wrinkled his nose at the smell. It was never pleasant unless you were partaking. 

"You know how it is", Ricky waved dismissively. "It's match night". He leaned against the doorframe next to Jay and reached out to ruffle their hair. All three putting up with it with fond huffs. "Seen your brother yet Minnie?" 

"I saw him earlier when he was warming up", Minjoon offered. "And don't call me Minnie". They had walked to the venue together despite it being almost half way across the city from their block. Daejoon used the journey as a warm up but Minjoon knew that he was merely using the time to control his nerves. Daejoon maybe a good boxer but he wasn't fond of competitions. The crowds, the fame, that was just not him. 

"He on good form today? I have money riding on this. You guys need any? Got to buy any school supplies?" Ricky turned to Minjoon with a grin. "Minnie. Dae said that you have a school trip going up. Want some spending money?" 

"You don't have to but I won't argue too much", Minjoon sighed. He wasn't a beggar but he wouldn't refuse some extra money when he knew that nearly all the money from this match if Daejoon won would be going towards the cost of the trip. Also, Rickey made most of his winnings of Daejoon's matches and always insisted on sharing it with them. 

"What about you two?" Ricky turned his attention to Jay and Ellie. "You two going?" 

"The trip is for science and humanities students", Ellie shrugged. "We were offered but my mum wants me to go and visit her family in Mexico City with her during the summer. We don't have the money to do both. Might be able to convince my mum to let me go. I don't know". 

"It seems Milo might just have to go gallivanting around Europe by himself", Jay sighed mournfully. "I am not a humanities or science student. so I wasn't invited". 

"What do you all specialise in again?" Ricky frowned in through as he tried to remember. They had told him many times but he never seemed to recall. Despite being their neighbour and being one of the more reliable adults in Minion's life (Other than Dae, but he didn't count), Rickey had the memory of a dog. He remembered the big things but was easily distracted from any of the small stuff. 

"Law and politics", Ellie stated absently as her head turned towards the doors. 

"Mechanics and engineering", Jay stated smugly. 

"Business and Maths", Minjoon muttered, attention stolen as the spotlights around the ring grew brighter and the crowd grew impossibly louder. 

"Oh yeah, I forgot you guys were little geniuses", Ricky whistled as behind him, the lights around the ring started flashing brighter to announce the beginning of the next match. "Other than Minnie here". He reached back and went to ruffle his hair again, which Minjoon avoided. "What is it you want to be again?" 

"The match is starting", Ellie interrupted before Minjoon could answer. He turned his gaze to the open doors, peering around the adult man to watch as distant figures stepped into the ring. Daejoon was in the blue shorts this time. His hands wrapped up in matching boxing gloves as he turned to talk to his coach. Mr Santiago, who owned the gym where Daejoon worked and who was also the one who had made the age rule about watching the competitions, patted him on the shoulder. 

"Danny's ripped", Jay commented as they watched the distant figure of Daejoon flex to warm up. His skin shiny gold under the lights. His opponent a large latino man with an impressive set of tattooed sleeves, who was busy fixing his gloves. Minjoon had forgotten who the other fighter was. He did not care for their names, only if his brother could beat them. 

Down in the ring, the crowd rose in volume as the fight count down started. Minjoon sighed deeply as he watched his older brother slip on his gum shield and step away from his corner as the referee took the centre of the ring.  He never liked watching these. Yet he was here every time to support his family. It was the least he could do. Minjoon knew that Daejoon liked it all as much as he did. But it was the easiest way to make them money, even when the weight cuts and gains made his limbs shake and the constant training left him exhausted. When it kept him away from home all day. 

Daejoon liked working at the gym and he loved teaching. He did not enjoy being centre stage. For all his determination and skill, he would much rather teach children to defend themselves than be in a ring beating others up for the entertainment of others. Minjoon liked watching his brother get beaten up even less. To him, fighting was to defend. Not a enjoyment. 

The match was not long, luckily. Daejoon's opponent made a mistake a few moves in. He over corrected his balance with his left foot so it was easy for Daejoon to then move in swiftly and get a punch around his guard. It collided with his diaphragm and the shock had the man plummeting to the ground as he heaved for air. 

The crowd roared as the referee held Daejoon's arm up in victory. The roar of noise that exploded out was deafening. 

"That was quick", Ellie muttered. 

"Thank god", Jay sighed. "We still got to get home. I still have curfew". 

"Why the hell did you come out then?" She glared. 

The Thai boy raised his hands in defence. "Got to be here to support Danny of course". 

Minjoon snorted and halfheartedly shoved him towards the corridor. "Get going then, before it all empties out and the trains get crowded. If you miss your curfew again then your mom really is going to go apeshit". 

"Yeah yeah. I'm going. I'm going". 

"You not coming?" Ellie asked as she and Jay turned to go. Ricky had already disappeared into the crowds to presumably collect his winnings. 

"Na. I'll walk back with Dae later. You two go on ahead". He waved them on. 

"Be safe!" Ellie called as she and Jay headed down the corridor for the exit. 

"You too! See you tomorrow!" Minjoon watched as the pair slipped through the exit doors and out into the night city. For a moment he was alone in the corridor. The sounds of the crowds bouncing through the open doors around him. Close but separated. 

Then he drew in a breath and turned on his heel towards the doors to the athletes changing rooms, ready to see what mess Daejoon was this time. 

unedited 

Hey. I'm back.