Soon as the words left his mouth, Stutely knew it was too far, but in the moment it felt so good just to take a swipe at something, he couldn't bring himself to care. He saw the anger contort Scarlet's face as the sledge landed, saw the fist move, but his reaction was too slow and the blow caught him on the temple. Scarlet was nowhere near his full strength, but neither was Stutely and the sharp shock of pain disoriented him for a full moment, giving Scarlet a chance to take another swing. He half-dodged, half-staggered clear.
"What?" Stutely demanded harshly. "This is what you bloody wanted, innit? Fuck knows you been clammin' to hurt someone since you walked in here."
He shouldn't hit an injured man, he thought. He thought it as his own fist was sailing toward Scarlet's jaw. Listen, the injured man had fucking hit him first.