The hivemind is conquering for me?

The beginning of the fight seemed like days ago as I ducked underneath a blow, kicking out at her shin simultaneously to halt her advance, but she kept on coming. Valerica pulled back her leg intime to avoid my kick and proceeded to fling out a high kick directly in line with my temple.

Thoughts were no longer going through my head. I was fighting for my life and was relying sheerly on instinct. Leaning backwards, I just barely managed to dodge the main attack, but her heel still made contact with my nose, breaking it... Again.

On reflex, I reached out as Valerica had hyper extended, grabbing her ankle in place. And before she could use me like a springboard for another deadly kick like the last time, using my freehand, I grabbed her thigh and pushed into her body, as I tanked a blow to my kidney.

Using my entire body as a launching device, I picked Valerica up into the air before slamming her down as hard as I could. I then immediately pressed my advantage, straddling her torso and punched her square in the face, right on her nose, causing a stream of blood to emerge immediately.

I got one other punch in before Valerica countered me, with agility and litheness leaps and bounds ahead of mine wrapped around my arm and somehow manoeuvred her trapped body in such a way that she was once more going for an arm bar.

I knew how to counter this move as I had done so earlier, but it seemed Valerica was feinting and pushed her leg in a different direction and before I knew it, my face was against her jungle cave as she put me in a triangle headlock.

With the strength she was forcing onto my neck, I could tell I wasn't getting out unless I could punch her off me, but the woman was an absolute masochist, her pain somehow made her stronger.

Just as I was about to start donkey punching her face over and over until I passed out, she suddenly released all tension. I was about to attempt to cause some serious damage for the action, but then I heard laughing.

Valerica was laughing, arms spread out either side of her and as she watched me enter her field of view, she began laughing louder. "Are you ok Valerica?" I asked, prompting her to stop laughing temporarily as she could see the worry on my face.

Wiping the blood from her face, she nodded her head and replied "Oh, I am fine baby, I just realised that you managed to bop me on the nose. I am just incredibly happy right now." Valerica stated, causing me to take a moment to jumpstart to the conversation we had before the fight started.

Upon realising what she meant, I chuckled softly before joining her on the floor, groaning as I did so. "Puahh, not without effort mind you, I think you managed to injure every part of my body except for my legs. How are your injuries?"

Valerica shuffled over curling up on the strong arm of her incredible son and began listing her injuries. "Let's see, Ribs fractured all on the right, two broken on the left. My Shins are fucked and my feet are throbbing worse than after wearing heels a size too tight. Arms are surprisingly fine, but my bones are definitely going to bruise. I'm also Pretty sure you treating my liver like a punching bag also messed me up big time, though it definitely hasn't ruptured, so good news there and of course, my nose has been sufficiently bopped."

We both laughed again and with the adrenaline dying down in our bodies, a small murmur of moans followed suit. After a few minutes of recovery, Valerica turned on her side with a wince and looked me up and down.

"Thank you Apollo. That was so much fun. I don't think I have had such an intense workout in so long! I bet you are scared of me now though huh?" Valerica knew she could become a little intense. She knew her gruelling training was the reason why, until recently, Kathrine had been keeping her distance from her. But it was how she was raised. Her family had to be strong. They were besieged on all sides and within by enemies, they needed strength and that took effort.

Leaning on my shoulder, I turned to face Valerica and I could tell she seemed upset by something. I wasn't sure if I missed a cue or anything, but I spoke truthfully. "Those eyes you gave me at the start of the Pankration, sure they scared me, but honestly, I loved every second of it. I can't wait to do this again. It felt extremely satisfying to just go all out with a fresh new partner."

My choice of words caused Valerica to look at me shocked. "You, you want to fight with me again?" Her words were soft, fragile. Like she couldn't believe she was saying them herself. I nodded my head slowly before reaching out towards Valerica's hand, gently holding it as I said.

"Well, of course. You clearly enjoyed yourself, I enjoyed myself and I strive to make my loved ones happy no matter what. I told you Valerica, you are my family now. That means you get extra love from me. And if that extra love time equates to fighting, well that's a win for all involved isn't it?"

*Sniff*

Valerica's eyes started watering. She wasn't bawling, she wouldn't appear weak in front of her son if she could help it, but his words once again struck her critically. Naturally her eyes would leak a tear or two... Or three.

"Oh! Oh no!" I said in a panic. "Sorry! Sorry! Come here!" I said ignoring my injuries as I proceeded to pull Valerica close for a hug. I immediately regretted my decision as pain that had yet to register, registered as she squeezed me tighter than the headlock she had me in previously."

The sobs ended quickly as Valerica had the life experience to collect her emotions quickly, but she refused to end the hug. Even with her substantial strength, the hug had a calming, nurturing, safety to it. She got lost within the embrace of her child.

After a short while of feeling Apollo stroke her back, she spoke up with a gentle tone. "Goodness me child. I don't understand what I did to deserve finding you! I never knew I could love this unconditionally. You literally brighten my life with every move you make and with every breath you take."

"What about Kathrine?" I couldn't help but say in defence of my wife to be. "Who?" Valerica asked, pulling her head away from my chest for a moment before she clocked on, putting her head back to listen to the strong heartbeat.

"Oh, of course, I love my kitten unconditionally as well, but don't tell her that, it will go to her head. I meant unconditionally for someone who hasn't been inside of my birth canal." I inhaled deeply within my mind, the joke was there, it had to be made.

Running my hand up Valerica's leg slowly, my hand reached her rear before I then leaned in and whispered. "Well, I can always enter said birth canal and change that, can't I?" Valerica pulled back immediately and looked at my face "Pfffft Bahahaha!" We both began laughing uncontrollably before groaning again.

Valerica then swatted my chest before she began nursing her rib once more. "Honestly, that tongue of yours, I should have you wash it out with soap with half the crap you spout. Better yet, I should put you over my knee for flirting with your mother so much."

I looked up in emphasised fashion before nodding my head. "Not usually my cup of tea, but a strong mommy doing it, might be an eye opener-oof!" I pushed my luck and got a jab in the gut.

After another quick round of laughter, we both let out a cathartic breath of relief and stayed in each others company for a while, Valerica began drawing circles on my chest hair for a while which felt wholesomely pleasant before my internal clock told me I required rest from the arduous exercise/ execution for those weaker.

"Ugh, I think I should get an air cab sorted soon. I am just going to have to wear my armour and deal with the looks when I get back." I muttered as I began to sit upright. I was then immediately pushed back down by Valerica who seemed shocked by her own action before composing herself.

"I, uh, I haven't slept beside someone for a long time and cuddling with you feels incredibly serene, would you mind spending the night? I will even make you my special breakfast as a thank you.

"Ooh, my favourite mommy making me breakfast? I will take that offer any day." I said and lay back down, inadvertently causing Valerica to sit up.

"Favourite mommy?" She said with hostility. "Apollo, you better not get any idea of having more than one mother." A dangerous look, more dangerous than any look I received during the Pankration was directed towards me as Valerica warned.

"I am your only Mommy, Do you understand?"