Chapter Text
Breathing is important to the fight. If you can’t control at least that, you’re stuck. That’s what was running through Jason’s head the moment the chain came crashing against his back.
The blow hurt like hell fire itself - the air escaped him and he’s pretty sure the world went white for a moment.
He had to move out of the way, he knew staying still would get him killed. He rolls.
He’s met with a kick. A yelp escapes, a laugh meets it. Leather chokes him as the collar is tugged on.
He wonders where the ref is.
Instinct hits.
Move towards the ropes, just pull to the side. Pull at the hand.
There’s a sickening snap - one only he and his opponent hear.
It got quiet.
The metal scrapes canvas. Jason tries to pull himself up. Metal hits his shoulder. He screams loud enough, cameras pick the noise up.
Tap out. Tap out. Tap out.
He knows he can’t handle it more, blood runs into his eyes as he tries to look at his maker. To show he isn’t afraid.
That smile makes it through.
It’s way too cheery for his death day. Wasn’t he supposed to be better at this?
Bruce’s voice echoes in the back of his head.
“Never act if you don’t know what will happen.” What was he supposed to do?
He grabs at the legs and pulls.
A solid thunk meets his ears. A chance to breathe.
He whips blood off his brow, a useless attempt to clear his sight.
He takes the opportunity to pin the other down.
It’s turned on him.
He knows this is a show, why is he panicking?
The collar is pulled again. Jason tries to copy, to grab at what he can.
He claws at exposed skin. The blood trails back into his eyes.
His head hits the mat hard.
The weight on his chest leaves, for a moment.
He tries to use the opportunity to attack. The moment he moves he feels himself choking.
His vision blurs more.
Fuck, is really about to lose this?
The bell sounds. Medical is lifting him up.
Both took a beating, he knows that. He attempts to tell them he’s got it, but the attempt is in vain.
Everything hurts by the time he’s in the lockers again. The handful of painkillers don’t seem to be helping fast enough. He wouldn’t say anything, of course. It was a hassle to even get here without medical next to him.
Jason’s entire weight holds against the lockers. He feels way too lightheaded to be up, but it’s more embarrassing to go to the hospital. Well, at least to him. The idea of explaining that he was there because he got beaten by a grade 80 chain for work was worse than whatever he could go through.
The pain only got worse as he fully came off his adrenaline high.
Maybe the hospital would be his best option. The money wouldn’t be much of an issue, since the company paid for his medical bills, but still. He didn’t like the place and avoided it when he could.
“Fuck,” he groans as he holds his wadded up shirt between his hands.
By the time Jason left the building, the pain killers had kicked in. Never in his life did he realize how thankful he was for those little things.
He had also made arrangements for Jyn to stay with Roy for the night, so he could try to gather himself before she got home. According to his friend, she was fine with that.
The last thing he had to figure out was a ride home. A cab would be his best bet, but he was worried about falling asleep in a stranger’s car. He was still lightheaded and feared of losing consciousness again.
A member of security gave him a lift. Jay couldn’t remember his name for his life but, he was nice.
He made it back to his apartment in one piece. Thanking the gods for it, he went straight to bed.
Everything else would be a morning issue. He just needed to rest until he felt slightly better. Until he could take care of himself without feeling like death.