MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon was about to pull his hand back, not wanting to disturb her rest any further, but the moment her fingers wrapped over his, gently holding it there against her stomach, he paused.

He couldn't help the small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Man," Damon whispered low, teasing, "good thing it was me... if it was either of our moms or Ashley trying to wake you up, you'd probably rip their arm clean off."

There was a pause. Svetlana stayed quiet for a second, that little sleepy moment where her brain caught up, before the faintest smile curled on her lips.

Her voice was soft, barely above a murmur, but carried that dry, cheeky edge only she could pull off.

"Depends..." she mumbled, eyes still closed. "They touch me without warning? They deserve it."

Damon chuckled quietly, shaking his head.

"Fair enough," he replied, giving her stomach a soft rub. "Scary pregnant lady with trained reflexes. God help whoever tries waking you up without warning."

Svetlana peeked one eye open, giving him a small tired look.

"You learned fast," she muttered, smirking just a little.

Damon relaxed next to her, his hand still resting on her belly, their fingers loosely laced.

She shifted slowly, trying to push herself up despite the clear discomfort in her movements. Damon immediately moved in, hand on her shoulder, gently trying to ease her back down.

"Hey, hey... relax. Stay down, you're good like that," he said, voice low.

But she shook her head, that usual stubbornness shining through even when tired. "I'm fine," she whispered, determined as always. With a small struggle, she leaned back against the bed's headboard, adjusting herself with that patience only pregnant women seemed to have mastered.

Damon just sat there, watching her settle in, before she reached out, playing lazily with his hand resting over her stomach.

"You did great tonight," she said softly, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. "Now baby can have a new toy."

Damon raised a brow, staring at her. It took him a second to process.

The belt.

She was calling the championship belt a toy.

His eye twitched faintly. "A toy, huh?"

Svetlana grinned, biting back a small laugh, clearly enjoying his reaction.

Damon shook his head, playing along with a low chuckle. "Well... guess I better keep winning then. Looks like I'm gonna have to bring them a whole damn collection of toys."

Her soft laughter filled the room, warm and light, the kind that just eased every tired bone in him.

Damon looked at her, smiling softly. "You should probably go back to sleep. I got to talk to you, that's more than enough for me right now."

But Svetlana shook her head slowly, that same playful smile tugging at her lips. "Mm-mm," she hummed. "Show me the belt... I didn't even get to see it properly."

Damon exhaled a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "If our mothers let me have it back," he muttered, shaking his head like a man defeated in his own home.

Svetlana chuckled under her breath, knowing exactly how those two could get, especially together. "Go fight for it, champ," she teased. "Let me see what all this hard work looks like."

Damon stood up, still smiling, feeling more like a husband than a champion in that moment. "Alright, alright... lemme go get it back from the real bosses of this house."

Damon left the room, shaking his head, still amused at how quickly his title had become a household trophy rather than a symbol of war.

Walking into the living room, he saw Macey and Aoife both sitting together on the couch, the belt laid across their laps. They were inspecting it like two grandmothers looking at a newborn, touching the engravings, feeling the weight, even admiring the leather strap.

Joey, Ashley, and Victor sat nearby, watching quietly, mostly because they knew better than to interrupt.

Damon stopped in front of them, arms crossed, expression flat but his voice light. "Alright... visiting hours are over. The rightful owner would like his belt back."

Macey looked up first, a playful squint in her eyes. "Already? Thought we'd keep it a little longer. Beautiful piece, really."

Aoife scoffed. "Should've put it on the dining table. Could've been a centerpiece."

Ashley laughed under her breath, while Joey shook his head like a man witnessing generational power at work.

Damon sighed. "If I go back empty-handed, Svetlana's not gonna believe me."

Macey finally gave in, handing it over, but not before giving it a final approving nod. "Fine, fine... but tell her this is the last time she's getting a sneak peek before us."

Aoife nodded beside her. "Tell her we approve."

Damon smirked, taking the belt with both hands. "I'll let her know... but no promises on next time."

He walked back to the room, belt in hand, hearing Joey snicker from behind. "World champ... still gotta ask permission like the rest of us."

As Damon stepped back into the room, Svetlana looked up with that small, expecting smile.

He held the belt up. "Mission success."

She chuckled softly, patting the bed next to her. "Come show me, champ."

Damon sat down beside her, laying the belt gently across her lap. Svetlana's eyes immediately traced over every detail — the gold plates, the intricate design, the weight of it all.

She ran her hands slowly over the surface, quiet for a moment, before letting out a small breath.

"It's heavier than I thought," she said softly.

Damon leaned back on his hands, watching her with a small grin. "Fitting, right? Kinda like life right now."

Svetlana gave him a small side-eye but smiled anyway. "Heavy… but worth it."

Her fingers traced over the engraving of his name, shaking her head slightly like it was still surreal. "You really did it."

Damon shrugged, voice low. "Told you I would."

She hummed, nodding as her hand gently rested over her stomach again. "Yeah… you always do."

There was a peace in that room that didn't need words, only the quiet breathing of two people who fought hard for their place in life.

Damon shifted a little closer, wrapping an arm gently around her shoulder, careful of her comfort.

Svetlana leaned into him with a tired little smile. "Still want more?"

Damon didn't even hesitate.

"Always."