Tightening the Grip

My fingers twitched first. The strap slung across my chest felt heavy, but solid. I tested my knuckles, tightening my grip against the thick leather. It yielded beneath my gloves. To my left, a loud figure in pink stood frozen mid-shout, flexing into empty air. I didn't flinch. I planted my boots, curled my right hand deeper around the title plate, and pulled it an inch closer. Real weight. Real control. I held my ground and watched.

1 Nauk