Jason straightened, meeting Blake’s gaze with a hint of hesitation, and continued, “Um, Duh? I listened to every woe you told your therapists?”

Jason forced himself from rolling his eyes at how stupid Blake thinks he is for not listening to his weakness, and that there is a ‘Boss’ who should be taken into account too.

Blake’s eyes widened in alarm, upon realizing that Jason must’ve heard about the boss too.

Jason, on the other hand, saw the disbelief in Blake’s eyes, and said in a cheerful voice, although he already had one before, “A Boss Blake?” And then he looked at his lackeys, who looked equally as discerned as Blake.

Then Jason continued, “Juicy gossip, people.”

Blake’s grin faltered for a moment, his friends exchanging uneasy glances.

Blake’s eyes flashed with something close to panic, his jaw clenching.

Jason had noticed- Blake was genuinely rattled.

So the great Blake, top-of-the-school food chain, wasn’t exactly top-of-the-food-chain. There was someone else above him, and Jason could practically feel the leverage slipping into his hands.

‘A “Boss” for Blake? Man, I really hit the jackpot here! I’ll tell Lucas as soon as I get outta here and then we’re gonna make posters about it and we’re gonna paste it everywhereee in school, so my hero knows!’ Jason thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he caught Blake’s uneasy glance toward his lackeys, who were shifting uncomfortably.

“So, Blake, who’s this mysterious ‘Boss’ of yours?” Jason leaned in with mock interest, his voice light but his eyes sharp.

He was pushing Blake’s buttons and savoring every second of it. “I mean, I just want to know who’s really running the show around here. I mean, I know there is one, so mind as well tell me ‘who’, am I right or what?”

Blake’s expression darkened, and for a brief moment, Jason caught a flicker of something- maybe fear or frustration.

But Blake quickly masked it, flashing Jason an empty smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you? You don’t know what you’re messing with, kid.”

Jason fought the urge to roll his eyes at Blake’s weak attempt to reassert his dominance. ‘Kid? You gotta be kidding me. This guy’s quaking in his sneakers and still acting like the big boss.’

Blake’s lackeys shifted uncomfortably, glancing between their leader and Jason, clearly uncertain.

Jason noticed how they all seemed equally unnerved by the mention of the mysterious “Boss.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I’m messing with,” Jason replied, leaning back casually. “I mean, you’re the one with the death wish, not me. Must be tough dealing with this, huh? Thinking you’re the top dog, only to have someone yanking your leash.”

Blake’s composure slipped, his fists clenching as he stepped closer. “Listen here, you little rat. You’ve got no idea who you’re messing with. If you’re smart, you’ll keep your mouth shut about what you heard.” Blake’s voice was low, menacing.

Jason met Blake’s gaze, swallowing the lump of nervousness that had crept into his throat. ‘Stay cool, don’t back down. You got this, You got thi-’ he told himself. “Oh, I don’t know,” he replied, forcing a grin. “I think I’d make a pretty sweet gossip gravy for your ‘Boss.’”

Blake’s face twisted with a mixture of anger and desperation, and for a split second, Jason saw him hesitate. That was all Jason needed. ‘Gotcha,’ he thought.

Without warning, Blake shoved Jason hard, his frustration finally snapping. But Jason was ready, staying on his feet as he regained his balance. “Touchy, aren’t we?” he taunted, his voice dripping with mock innocence.

“Shut up!” Blake hissed, but Jason saw the desperation in his eyes.

Blake wanted to shove him into a corner, and beat him, but he had better things to worry about.

Like how he’s going to tell the boss about some random kid who’d heard Blake bad mouthing him behind his back, and, yeah.

That’s pretty much it.

But still, Boss had never told Blake to keep quiet about his existence, only that he shouldn’t go around telling people about him.

Well, Blake hadn’t told people right?

They just…listened?

So much for a quick and true excuse.

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“You should get the hell outta here if you want to talk again. And if I catch you telling other people, I’m gonna rip the flesh outta your skinny bones.”

‘Man, it’s really getting on my nerves.’

Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, wow, big words, Blake,” he then leaned in and covering his mouth a bit, as if telling to hide a secret, “Big words for someone who has lied to everyone in existence about how damn strong he is, but in fact, he isn’t even the real deal.”

He leaned back, just to have a look at Blake’s disoriented features, and then continued.

“Guess what? The thing is, You did all the talking yourself. The whole ‘boss’ bit and you getting smacked around? That was all you, my guy.”

Blake’s hands clenched, and Jason could see the veins in his neck straining as he struggled to keep his cool. The desperation flashing across Blake's face made Jason's grin stretch wider.

“You think it’s funny?” Blake’s voice dropped to a growl, but Jason caught the wavering beneath it.

“Oh, absolutely,” Jason replied, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Thinking you’re afraid of someone, It’s…adorable, really.”

“You wanna die?!” Blake hissed, looking around quickly as if the walls might have ears.

‘Looks like Blake is actually afraid, another point! I’ve to tell my hero-’

‘Ooh, touched a nerve there, did I?’ Jason thought, his grin only getting wider.

Blake took a step forward, fists tight, and lowered his voice. “If you ever breathe a word of this, I swear, I’ll make you regret it. You won’t even recognize yourself when I’m done.”

Jason took a step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Oh, yeah? Sounds intimidating. But look, Blake, I didn’t come here to, you know, become minced meat. I just came to work out.”

Jason thought he was finally saved, and turned back, when he heard Vic scoff and whisper to Blake, although it wasn’t really a whisper, “What? You gonna let this guy go on? Blabbing about the ‘Boss’? Want everyone to know that you really aren’t the real de-”

Blake interrupted, “ You think I’m weak, huh?!”

“No, all I’m saying is you should at least tell this guy to keep his mouth shut.”

“Yeah man.”

“He’s right. This guy deserves it.”

“You know, he had it coming.”

The others joined in too, which only fueled Blake’s fury, and so he stepped forward and addressed Jason with a challenging voice, “Come back here, jerk.”

Jason exhaled, dropping his shoulders in exasperation. “Alright, Blake, how about this? You and me, right here. Fair and square. No buddies swooping in for the assist.”

Blake narrowed his eyes, the hint of a sneer forming. “You think you can take me?”

Jason shrugged, trying to hide his nerves under a layer of confidence. “Look, I didn’t spend all those hours at the gym just to sit on the sidelines. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

A few people in the gym began glancing over, sensing the tension, and they quickly cleared space as Jason and Blake squared up.

Jason’s heart pounded, but he forced himself to focus on Blake’s stance, his movements, every little tell that might give him an advantage.

He knew a few moves from practice, enough to defend himself- and maybe, just maybe, enough to teach Blake a lesson.

Blake wildly came forward which reminded Jason of a warrior who goes to a war. This made him chuckle, but he quickly regained his focus.

Blake threw the first punch, a wild swing that Jason sidestepped, returning with a swift jab to Blake’s side.

Blake grunted, stumbling back, and for a moment, surprise flashed across his face. Jason grinned, capitalizing on the opening and landing another quick punch, this time to Blake’s shoulder. The crowd around them murmured in surprise as Blake faltered, blinking away the shock.

Blake threw another punch, and Jason sidestepped, delivering another hit to his side. Jason couldn’t help but smile – he was actually keeping Blake on his toes.

“Oh, come on, Blake. Is that all you got?” he taunted, his adrenaline pushing away his nerves.

Blake’s face twisted with rage. “I’ll show you.” With a roar, he charged again, and Jason blocked, countering with a right hook that caught Blake square on the jaw.

Blake stumbled back, a flicker of genuine panic crossing his face as his lackeys looked on in shock.

“Wow,” one of them muttered, “Blake’s actually losing.”

Jason’s heart pounded as Blake struggled to stand, but just as he was about to turn away, a strong grip grabbed him from behind.

“Hey, let go! What happened to ‘fair and square’?” Jason spat, glaring at Blake.

Blake smirked.

“You should know by now, there’s no such thing as fair around here. You thought you were tough?” Blake’s voice was shaky, trying to reclaim his ego, as he brushed the blood from his lip. “Well, let’s see how tough you are now.”

Jason’s stomach twisted as Blake cracked his knuckles, stepping up with a malicious glint in his eyes.

He could only watch as Blake swung, the impact exploding against his ribs, sending a jolt of pain up his side. He fought to break free, but the lackeys’ grip was unrelenting, and Blake landed another punch, this one connecting with Jason’s jaw, forcing his vision to blur.

With a vicious grin, Blake approached Jason, who was struggling against his captors but failing to break loose. Blake again landed a brutal punch to Jason’s ribs, making him gasp as pain shot through his chest.

Jason’s mind was spinning, the pain growing sharper with every hit. His ribs felt like they were on fire, and he tasted blood in his mouth. Still, he kept his gaze steady, even as darkness crept into the edges of his vision.

Blake stepped back, breathing heavily, wiping the sweat from his brow with a smug grin. “Next time you wanna run your mouth, remember this.”

Jason’s head throbbed, his body aching with every attempt to move.

“Hey! This isn’t a-”

“Stop them!”

“Stop him!”

Many voices emerged, as the gym and some faculty members came running upon seeing two teenagers fighting.

One on the offensive, and one barely keeping his eyes open.

Blake was forced to get back, but he brushed their hands off. He took a side glance at Jason.

Labored breaths, blood gushing out of his lips, and battered form. His lackeys weren’t now holding him up-straight, the reason for which Jason was shaking like a leaf, and he was feeling his knees wobble.

“Next time…You’re not getting it easy, you bastard.”

‘I lost. No- I was winning, but his allies came and… but I’m still a worthy sidekick. Yeah.’

With that, Jason’s body waved for a bit, and he fell to the ground.