The sun rose quickly in the morning, lighting up the city with golden light. But no one was asleep in the house.
The entire group was up, busy packing and preparing for their flight back to LA.
Even though they were still excited about their time in New York, the thought of going home was better.
For Damon, the trip had been life-changing.
He'd managed to win The Supreme Fighter, earn his place in the UFA, solved the
There had been problems, some more difficult than others, but they had been solved, and now it was time to move on.
People were chatting, laughing, and zipping up their suitcases while getting ready.
It wasn't much to pack, especially for Damon, who hadn't come with anything except his fighting gear.
The others had small backpacks stuffed with a few changes of clothes, nothing too cumbersome for the trip back.
Damon made his way to the living room, where he found Svetlana and Ashley sitting together, deep in conversation.
They laughed softly at something, this made the morning feel less rushed.
Ash and Joey walked in behind Damon, side by side.
They were chatting, their voices relaxed and casual, as if the drama from the night before had never happened.
But now there was a difference, a small change in the way they interacted. The jokes and stories about girls that used to make up most of their conversations were obviously missing.
Instead, their words carried a newfound respect and understanding, a sign that things had changed, even if they wouldn't admit it out loud.
"Okay, we're done. We should leave," Damon announced, seeing that everyone had finished gathering their things and was ready to go.
The group agreed, and they all left the house together, enjoying the fresh morning air.
Svetlana took a moment to lock up behind them, hearing the satisfying click of the lock as they left.
Without a car of their own and knowing it'd be a hassle to call multiple cabs for all five of them, they opted for a larger Uber.
They stood outside, backpacks slung over shoulders, waiting for their ride.
Svetlana leaned against the fence, glancing at Damon with a smile. "Ready to go back to reality?" she asked.
When Damon smiled back, he felt a strange mix of relief and excitement. "Yeah," he replied, "but this time, reality doesn't seem so bad."
"What about you? Any plans when you get back?" Damon asked, glancing at Svetlana.
She shook her head, a playful smile forming. "Not really. My parents have been trying to push me into the family business."
Damon raised an eyebrow. "You don't like it?"
She laughed, her eyes lighting up. "I do… but ugh, it's so much work. I'd rather be throwing punches and working on takedowns."
Damon chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. Just then, their Uber pulled up, a large SUV, spacious enough to fit all five of them comfortably.
The only downside? The fare was eye-wateringly expensive.
Luckily, Ash stepped up with a grin and a cough that sounded suspiciously exaggerated. "Don't worry," he said, swiping his card. "I've got it."
The group piled in, laughter and chatter filling the vehicle as they settled in for the ride to the airport, leaving New York and all its memories behind.
The drive to the airport was fast and smooth, almost too quick to justify the steep fare Ash had paid.
They were on the kind of ride that you almost wished you could have enjoyed longer.
But the excitement in the morning and the laughter they shared made it all worth it.
When they pulled up to the airport, Damon took a moment to soak it all in.
Airports were nothing new to him.
When he first came to the U.S. from Ireland as a kid with his mom, they had flown across the ocean for a fresh start.
And with the UFA, flying between cities will become routine.
This was just another part of the journey, one he was getting used to.
They got in and made their way through the bustling airport, weaving between travelers dragging suitcases and families saying hurried goodbyes.
The check-in process was a familiar one, but the crowd made it feel like a chaotic maze.
Damon, Svetlana, Ashley, Ash, and Joey stuck close together, making sure no one got separated in the sea of people.
Once they made it to the security line, they settled in for the wait.
Damon glanced around.
Businesspeople tapped away on laptops, vacationers chatted excitedly, and kids fidgeted while their parents tried to keep them entertained.
The airport had its own unique rhythm, a blend of exhaustion and anticipation that always seemed to fill the air.
Ash leaned against a post, yawning. "Man, you'd think getting up early would mean less of a line," he complained.
Ashley laughed, her voice light. "You should be used to waiting by now. How many times have you done this?"
Ash rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, yeah, but it doesn't make it any less boring."
Damon stayed quiet, his thoughts drifting as he watched the airport staff move with efficiency, guiding people through the metal detectors.
When it was finally their turn, they moved through security, taking off their shoes, emptying their pockets, and waiting for their bags to be scanned.
Joey chuckled as they reassembled on the other side, grabbing his shoes. "I feel like I'm being judged for my sock choice," he joked, earning a laugh from the group.
With security behind them, they made their way to the gate.
They found seats in the waiting area, and Damon dropped his backpack beside him, settling in for the final wait before boarding.
When boarding was announced, they stood and lined up, filing onto the plane one by one.
As they found their seats and stowed their luggage, the sound of the engines starting up filled the cabin.
He settled into his seat by the window, watching as the city lights of New York sparkled in the distance, soon to be left behind.