MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon was in the gym, sweat dripping down his back as he worked the heavy bag.

His knuckles cracked against the leather with each shot, his breath coming in measured bursts.

Every strike was a test, his timing, his focus, the way his body moved in rhythm even after months of different work.

But as he turned, he paused, his gaze softening. Ava was there, the one-year-old toddling across the mat with wide eyes and clumsy steps.

Damon stopped what he was doing and watched her, a small smile breaking across his face.

She wore a tiny tracksuit that Svetlana had picked out, her hair tied back in a messy ponytail that bobbed as she moved.

She stopped, a little unsteady on her feet, then took another determined step forward. Damon's heart squeezed in his chest as he watched.

He walked over slowly, wiping sweat from his brow as he knelt down to her level.

Ava looked up at him, her face bright and curious. Damon reached out, brushing a hand across her cheek, feeling the small weight of her hand when she reached back.

He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. In that moment, he wasn't the champion, the fighter, the man with two divisions in his sights. He was just a father. And that was enough.

As she threw herself against his chest, Damon caught her easily, steadying her with one hand and wrapping the other arm around her back.

She buried her face against his shoulder, her tiny hands clutching at the edge of his workout shirt.

Damon could feel the warmth of her breath against his neck, her small body pressing in close.

This this was what he loved most about the gym, about the world he'd built for himself. It wasn't just about fighting, about belts and legacy.

It was about the moments like this, when he could be here, solid and real, for someone who didn't care about any of that.

Ava didn't care if he was a champion. She didn't care if he fought at middleweight or light heavyweight.

All she knew was that he was daddy. And in those small arms wrapped around his neck, Damon felt a kind of peace he couldn't find in any cage.

He hugged her a little tighter, breathing in the moment. Then he leaned back, looking into her eyes with a small smile. "Hey, princess," he said softly, his voice low and warm. "You wanna help daddy train today?"

Before Damon could even think of what to say to Ava, he heard Svetlana's voice from across the home gym. She had been standing near the doorway, her expression serious.

"Damon," she called out, her tone calm but carrying that edge he knew meant she wasn't playing around.

Damon's smile faded, his brow furrowing as he gently set Ava down. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and careful.

Svetlana took a small breath, her eyes locked on his. "We need to talk. Now."

Damon looked at her, a small smile easing across his face. "Come join us down here," he said, his voice soft but sure.

Ava squirmed in his arms, turning her head to look at her mom with wide, curious eyes. Damon could feel her little heartbeat against his chest, steady and warm.

Svetlana's serious expression broke, her lips curling into a small smile.

She took a step forward, her eyes softening as she closed the gap between them.

She reached out and brushed a hand against Ava's hair, her gaze flicking up to meet Damon's.

For a moment, the urgency in her voice was gone. It was just them, together, safe, and close.

Svetlana slipped an arm around Damon's waist, leaning into him as she looked down at Ava.

Damon exhaled, holding both of them close, feeling the weight and warmth of his family in his arms. Whatever she had to say, they'd face it together.

Svetlana rested her head lightly against Damon's shoulder, her hand resting on his chest as she watched Ava curl up against him.

Damon felt the quiet warmth of the moment, the peace he never took for granted.

He could feel Svetlana's breath slow and steady, her body relaxed against his.

But then he felt it shift, a small tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers drummed lightly on his arm.

He turned his head slightly, catching her eyes, seeing the faint flicker of something on her mind.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice soft, his hand still cradling Ava close.

Svetlana hesitated for a moment, her lips parting then closing as if she was measuring the words.

She took a breath, her gaze moving from Ava to Damon. "I've been thinking," she said finally, her voice low and careful. "About… us."

Damon tilted his head, searching her eyes. "Yeah?"

She paused again, her fingers brushing against the collar of his shirt. "We're engaged," she said, her tone steady but thoughtful. "And I know we've both been busy, with your fighting, the movie, everything. But… when are we going to actually get married?"

Damon's eyes widened a fraction, his surprise genuine. He blinked, the question hitting him in a way he hadn't expected.

He thought for a second, his mind catching up, then he let out a slow breath, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

He set Ava down gently on the padded floor, the little girl toddling off to explore a stack of foam rollers nearby.

Then he turned fully to Svetlana, his hands moving to rest lightly on her hips.

"Is that what's been on your mind?" he asked softly, his voice full of warmth.

Svetlana gave a small, almost embarrassed nod. "Yes," she said. "I know… I know it's not about some big wedding or a perfect day. I just… I want it to be real. I want us to be husband and wife, not just engaged forever."

Damon took another breath, his eyes locked on hers. "Svet," he said, his voice low and certain. "I'd marry you tomorrow if you wanted it. Hell, I'd marry you right here in the gym."

She laughed at that, a soft, sweet sound that eased the tension in her shoulders. "I don't need a big wedding," she said, her eyes bright with something close to relief. "I just want to know when."

Damon leaned in, his forehead resting gently against hers. "Whenever you want," he said quietly. "I don't care if it's tomorrow or a month from now. As long as it's you."

Svetlana let out a long breath, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. "Then let's not wait much longer," she said, her voice soft and sure. "I want it to be soon."

Damon smiled against her skin, his arms tightening around her. "Then soon it is," he said, and he meant every word.

In that moment, the world outside the gym didn't matter, just the promise between them, and the life they were building together.