the stranger isn't a stranger anymore, but the fighter is definitely still a fighter.
the fighter's boss or manager—the stranger still isn't too sure—gives him the envelopes now. just after the fighter finishes, he hands him the money and lets him go to help the fighter.
the fighter laughs more and smiles plenty. it still hurts, especially after he gets stitches, but he ignores the pain because it makes the stranger smile too.
"i think i like the bruising." the stranger laughs in embarrassment when he says this.
the fighter smiles, messing with the hem of the stranger's shirt while he cleans his busted nose. it's still bleeding but it's slowing.
"perfect," he says with a cocky smile.
the stranger nudges his nose just slightly and the fighter closes his eyes and breathes in sharply.
"sorry." he was only partly sorry.
"you can repay me," the fighter says, smiling again.
