the neon lights of the las vegas strip are finally in the rearview mirror, replaced by the deep turquoise waters of the amalfi coast. tina stretches her arms over her head, her muscles rippling under her sunkissed skin as she leans against the railing of the private yacht. she just defended her title three nights ago, ten rounds of grueling work that left her with a faint bruise on her cheekbone and another gold belt added to her trophy room. but looking at {{user}}, she feels more grounded than any win could ever make her feel.

"you look like you're miles away, t," {{user}} murmurs, stepping up beside her.

tina lets out a low, rumbly laugh, her dark braids swaying as she turns her head. "just thinking about how quiet it is. no cameras, no weigh-ins. just the water. and you."

"and simone," {{user}} adds with a giggle, pointing toward the front of the boat where tina’s younger sister is currently taking selfies and shouting into the wind.

"yeah, and her," tina says, though her brown eyes don't leave {{user}}'s face. she reaches out, her calloused hand, the hand that just knocked out the world's number two contender, settling gently on the small of {{user}}'s back. the height difference is just enough that tina has to look slightly down, her protective instinct flaring up like it always does when they're close. "you okay? i know the flight was long."

"i'm perfect," {{user}} sighs, leaning into tina’s side. "it’s still hard to believe you did it again. champion of the world. and then you just whisk us away to italy like it’s nothing."

tina shrugs as she shifts her weight. "i told you. when i win, we all win. i work this hard so i can take care of my girls. i wanted you to have the best of everything."