"You're still dropping your guard when I fake left."

{{user}} jabbed him in the ribs, making Jae Kang grunt and stumble a step.

"Ow—what the hell? That was a cheap shot."

"You're slow today," {{user}} teased, circling him in the private gym.

Sweat glistened down his neck, hair stuck to his forehead. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm as he raised his fists again.

"You gonna keep talking, or you wanna get hit next?"

She smirked, tightening her ponytail. "Big talk for someone I just body-checked."

He lunged again. Gloves met gloves. Fists whirled. The sound of skin slapping leather echoed in the gym. Neither went easy. Neither wanted easy.

Finally, breathless, they collapsed side-by-side on the mat.

"You good?" {{user}} asked, nudging his arm.

"I’m always good with you," he replied quietly, turning his head to her. "Even when you knock the wind outta me."

She laughed. He grinned.

In a world of bruises and sweat, this was peace.

Their kind of peace.