I hissed from Colette's touch. She chimed in with a soft, "Sorry..." as she continued to apply an ointment to the growing bruises on my upper back and neck.

After the less-than-successful conclusion to my match, the SPPW staff allowed us to come backstage for medical treatment. They gave me a check-up and saw zero major injuries (save for a hairline fracture in one of my ribs) so they gave us the okay to leave. I got some congratulatory remarks as we found a quiet corner to rest in.

There wasn't much to be had in terms of conversation. Though Colette tried her best between my grunts of dismay. "What happened?"

I let out a heavy, "I lost. Weren't you watching?"

Colette pushed down harder on a bruise causing me to recoil away from her. "That's not what I meant!" When I turned around, she had a pouty frown mixed with her concerned glare. "I thought you hated fighting."

I mumbled under my breath. She already knew the answer to that. Even with the Colt debacle I was only trying to protect her. And the shop of course. "I do."

"Then why didn't you stop?" Colette laced her every word with sorrow. She took special care to scoot my scarf aside as she tended to a growing welp along my spine.

I didn't have a response for that. My scarf started shifting about to massage the sore spot along my chest. Colette told me El Primo's final move, The Super Flying Elbow Drop, did me in. Evidently, they had never seen an elbow drop of such magnitude in all of SPPW history. The shockwave from his chest caving blow knocked the socks off everyone in the front row.

Before I could attempt a response a voice chimed in, "To be fair-" three bodies appeared before us, "-he did think that wrestling was fake."

El Primo and his gang had somehow found us. I quickly jumped out of my seat and prepared for another match. An action that Primo quickly dismissed cooing, "Woah woah. Tranquillo. I'm not here for another fight."

He sported a pair of black jeans where his blue tights once were. His chest was covered in a souvenir 'Loco Poco' shirt straight from our very Starr Shop. Adorned across his shoulders was a black leather jacket with fuzzy lining along the zipper and hood. To top it all off he had on a small gold necklace with a cross medallion. The cross and chain were studded with glimmering miniature diamonds.

Though most of his ring gear had been discarded for street clothing he still had on his blue mask. I guess he took the luchador traditions I've heard about very seriously.

I relaxed a bit and gave way to the pain, slinking back into my seat. Colette must have been crushing again since she didn't attend to my pained gasps as quickly. I could hear her chirping with excitement while El Primo spoke. Something she didn't do even though I was sitting here shirtless in front of her.

"Edgar, mi amigo, you fight well. Much better than most. Perhaps the best I've fought in years, even if you're so small." Poco and Amber chuckled at the playground taunt. He emphasized that point by squishing his index and thumb together.

I grumbled, "I'm not small. You're just too big." Colette pressed down on my back once more. I got the message and decided to play nice. "I guess... you weren't so bad yourself. Even if it's against a normal human."

Poco and Amber perked up at my response. El Primo gave them a puzzled look before the trio broke out into laughter as one. Colette even snickered behind me halting her medical treatment.

Poco spoke up, "A human? We might be homo but we are not sapiens!"

Amber pulled out her staff and made a grand procession. Shooting flames above them as Primo stated, "El Primo is a proud BRAWLER!" The fire above spelled out the word that made my stomach turn into knots. Unfortunately, their little celebration caused a fire around us which thankfully the employees quickly put out with an extinguisher. While the chaos caused by Amber was being managed El Primo dipped down to my level, "Just like you."

He pushed a large finger against my chest to punctuate his statement. I flicked him away saying, "I'm not a Br- Wait. You're a Brawler?"

Colette chimed in, "Of course he is."

I tried to understand it, "But why are you wrestling? If you're a Brawler, why not fight in a real combat sport."

El Primo rose up. His eyes were staring at nothing above him. "*sigh* I tried mixed martial arts once before. Cage Matches, blood sport. All were failed attempts. Because of this body. The Brawler Gene." He clenched his fist with enough force to make a one-handed clap. "But it always ended in disaster."

He turned around and looked back down the hallway. In the same direction as the ring entrance. "So, I started holding back. I rigged my fights, tried to make things entertaining. And the people hated me." He inhaled deeply with his arms outstretched. "But out there, in the professional wrestling ring, I can tell my story. Everyone can see the most entertaining fight possible-" his tone became chipper again, "-and I no longer have to fear being ridiculed."

After taking a long pause to inspect his own fist he whispered, "Plus it's fun to come up with such amazing endings to a match."

I silently listened on as El Primo continued to divulge his inner emotions. Though Colette was certainly more enamored with his speech than I was. I was currently having an important realization. The reason that Bull respects him is that he's a Brawler. Of course, that's why. And then Colette. Why did I think she would ever obsess over anyone other than Brawlers. I gritted my teeth and hissed, "Brawlers would never notice anyone other than another Brawler."

Luckily no one could hear me over El Primo's story. I tuned back into his tale and felt my hatred fade away. He continued to preach about talking to the public. His work with many charities and how the money he makes goes to the well fair of his family. Nothing he said was against mankind nor spiteful of their inferiority. From the way he spoke, it sounded as if he loved humans and seeks their affection.

When he finally finished, I could only hold my head in shame. I thought that all Brawlers were selfish jerks that looked down on others thanks to their enhanced traits. It's the reason why I despise associating with them. The reason why I battle them. But this guy seemed in touch with his inner humanity. And for a moment I realized.

I discriminated against humans just like the Brawlers I hate. This entire time I'd been so angry at him. And I couldn't understand why. But once he told me he was a Brawler I felt relieved. But why? Why did I feel better now? Was it because I lost to a Brawler? Was I that angry at the fact a human was tougher than me? Or was it... I looked back to Colette. She was still staring forward hanging onto El Primo's every word.

'Look at me... with those eyes. The eyes you look at Brawlers with.'

El Primo finished his rant. "It's unfortunate. The frailty of the 'standards'. They have such big hearts yet weak constitutions."

I hissed just as Colette touched another bruise. But I couldn't feel the pain from her touch, it was his words that wounded me. 'Standards'. That was their clever little word for the rest of us normal people. Their way of tricking people into thinking they were not less than Brawlers just not as freakish. I let a bit of poison slither down my tongue, "So even the best of them will still discriminate."

El Primo audibly cleared his throat (unaware of my sly comment) and beckoned for Poco and Amber to step away from us. My wild thoughts flew away so I could listen. "But I'm sure you understand. I mean we're Brawlers."

I clicked my tongue. "I'm not a Brawler." I hate listening to people call me that.

"Not a Brawler? Of course you are. I could tell from our match. Fighting is in your blood, just like all the Brawlers before us."

In our blood? I'm not as simple as these bastards. "Not mine." If fighting was in their blood, why hasn't Colette tried to fight me? Clearly I'm a worthy challenge for any Brawler. I defiantly seem to attract enough problems to justify it.

Since they're just beasts that need to battle why did Poco and Amber get into entertainment? Why is Piper a baker? Or Lou a snow cone salesman? I will not be called a Brawler by this brute.

Primo slowly exhaled. "Of course, you're not. But I didn't come here just to tell you my life's story."

"I assumed as much."

El Primo snickered, "Then I'll cut to the chase." He reached out a kind hand, "Will you become a pro wrestler with me?"

Colette and I stood still for a moment, processing what we had just heard. Then in stereo, we screamed, "WHAAAAAAAT?!"

How else were we supposed to respond? "What kind of insane proposal is that?" I shouted at the giant. Did he not hear what I just said?

El Primo scratched his masked head, "I know but... we had such an amazing fight."

"I just said I don't want to fight! I'm not some freak like you?!"

"But when we were in that ring. You looked so alive. Far more excited than when you first entered. Deny if you must but you can't deny forever. You are a Brawler! Your heart shines when you fight." His response was almost childish in nature.

I nearly bit my tongue at his ridiculous analysis. "Just because my heart was in it doesn't mean we're the same." I only heard what I said a minute after it flew. Why was I fighting with all my heart? It was a dumb match I didn't even want to enter. So why did I try so hard?

From behind a high-pitched squeal was barely leaving the lips of my co-worker. I turned around to see her eyes glowing once again. "OMG. My best friend is a Brawler, my co-worker, and a professional wrestler!"

Her best friend? Sure she called me a Brawler and that was disgusting but, she also said best friend. I quickly turned away when our eyes met. I didn't want her to see the rapidly approaching blush. Something that El Primo did not miss.

Colette quickly corrected herself saying, "Oh but sorry. You don't like fighting. If you don't wanna be a wrestler that's fine too. You're still my best friend."

Dangit she said it again. Stop saying that. At least not right now. Not in front of him. El Primo slid in like a snake the moment my scarf tried to hide my cheeks. He whispered in my ear, "You know, I could talk to the boss. Get you a part-time contract. Pay won't be much but, melee guys like me and you need an opportunity like this to... vent." He then grabbed my shoulder and brought us further away from Colette. "Plus~ your best friend can get all the front-row tickets she wants."

I fought back a struggling gulp at this proposition. I sneaked a look back and saw Colette with sleeves to her mouth. Visibly questioning what we were discussing in secret. Her adorable little nose was a soft red hue from all the excitement. She was so cute. I reluctantly reached a hand out to El Primo, "I'll... think about it."

I wanted to see that face again.