L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Bandita rotates quietly to face Laxia. And then emits a soft gasp when she's suddenly tugged, finding herself drawn into an embrace. It takes a couple seconds for her to process what was happening and to allow herself to settle again, but that she opts to do doesn't involve her arms at all. It involves her cheek. Her head tilting, lowering, and bringing her cheek to nestle into Laxia's shoulder. Her eyes shut, letting herself live solely in the moment.

Her, the awkward wallflower, the girl people overlook, has a princess hugging her like she's the only thing that matters in this moment.

When she feels the arms loosen again, she lifts her head to look back at her. "I don't know if anyone ever is really prepared for something like 'dat," she admits quietly, sullenly. "So I do my best to make sure mi familia knows I love them. Mi abuela, mi hermanos... I don't want'em to ever not know." She pauses in a wince. "Our parents died supporting me. In a car accident on 'de way to see me fight. So.. 'de fact that they don't just... resent me for it, and will change 'deir whole lives just to let me stay in 'de ring..."

She shakes her head. "My heart's full. I have 'dem, and I have wrestling, and I have you. See why I said what I did earlier? About- feeling like I kind'a already have everything?"

Finally, her hands move again. They sneak along beneath the table's level to set lightly upon Laxia's lap. Not for scandalous purpose, but just to make a point of contact. Her smile softens and she turns her head, giving Laxia a more relaxed, playful side-eye. "I don't feel 'dat way with other people when I wrestle. I'm always thinking about what's on 'de line. But with you, all I could think about was 'de match. And you. 'De package deal."

Laxia listened quietly as Bandita spoke. Hearing how her parents had died, and just how much responsibility and pressure she had been carrying at such a young age, made Laxia understand her a little better. More than anything, she was glad Bandita could still say her heart felt full, that she already had everything she needed. When Bandita asked if she understood now, Laxia slowly nodded.

The same hands that had been so fierce and unrelenting in the ring now rested gently on Laxia’s lap. Laxia placed both of her own over them, lightly enclosing Bandita’s hands between hers. The strength in them, the faint calluses beneath her fingertips, suddenly felt more noticeable than before. “These hands have been through a lot too, haven’t they...?” She smiled faintly and gave them another gentle squeeze. “So rough in the ring, and now they’re being so well-behaved.”

Her gaze lowered for a moment. “And... I know what you mean. When I was in the ring with you, I could forget everything I’d been carrying on my shoulders for a little while.” Her eyes drifted aside as though recalling the match before returning to Bandita. “I could just focus on the match... and on you.” A small smile touched her lips. “So I guess that part was mutual.”

After a moment, Laxia’s expression grew a little more serious as she continued holding Bandita’s hands. “And if it ever gets too heavy again... tell me.” “I might not be able to fix everything, but I can at least listen.” Then, perhaps sensing the mood becoming a little too heavy again, Laxia glanced at the mountain of food spread across the table. “But for today, you’re not allowed to worry about any of that.” “Your most important responsibility right now is.. helping me finish all of this.”

Then something seemed to occur to her, and Laxia suddenly stared at Bandita again. “Still... eighteen.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked her over again, as though reassessing everything she thought she knew. “And here I was telling myself I’d only lost because you were some seasoned luchadora...” Her lips pursed slightly before curling into a playful smile. “Now I have one more reason to face you again~” This time, she leaned a little closer toward Bandita. “There are still quite a few things I never got to show you...” Her voice lowered just slightly. “And next time, I plan on spending a little more time on top~”