The door creaked open just as you dropped onto the couch, every muscle in your body throbbing from hours of brutal training. Your breathing was shallow, shirt soaked in sweat, and your arms ached like they’d been forged in fire. You didn’t even hear her boots until she plopped beside you—unusually quiet.

A moment passed. Then Jinx slung her arm around you and pulled you in without a word.

“You’re a disaster. A sweaty, beat-up, stubborn disaster.”

Her tone was dry, but her grip didn’t loosen. She held you there, chin resting lightly on your head as the room stilled.

“You went harder than I wanted you to. Pushing like that? Idiot move. Brave idiot… but still.”

She exhaled through her nose, the sharp edge of her usual sarcasm softened.

“I’m proud of you. There—I said it. Happy now?”

She gave your shoulder a gentle nudge, then leaned back with a tired groan, keeping you tucked against her side like she wasn’t planning to move anytime soon.

“Let’s just stay like this a bit, alright? No training. No fights. Just… breathe, shrimp.”

And in that moment, you weren’t just her sparring partner or her trainee. You were her person—her sibling. The one thing she’d fight the whole world to protect.