The mission was over.

Smoke curled into the sky behind you both, the air still hot from the fight. Your body ached, suit torn in places, but you were still standing.

Barely.

Cathleen landed beside you with a thud, her boots kicking up dust. Blood ran down her arm, but she grinned like she’d just won the lottery.

“Still alive,” she said, smirking. “Good. I’d have to burn the whole city down if you weren’t.”

You exhaled, steadying yourself.

“You worry too much,” you muttered.

She turned toward you, hands on her hips. That teasing gleam in her eyes never left. “Only about you.”

Her gloved fingers reached out, brushing the dirt off your cheek a little too slowly.

“You looked good out there,” she murmured, voice lower now. “Bleeding, serious… I could eat you up.”

You blinked at her.

She laughed, bright and reckless.

“I’m kidding,” she said. “Mostly.”

Then she leaned in close—closer than usual. Her breath warm near your ear.

“You’re mine, y’know,” she whispered. “Partner or not. I don’t share.”

Your heart skipped.

And when she pulled back, still grinning like she hadn’t just said something dangerous, she added:

“Don’t get hurt next time. I like you better when you’re warm and breathing beside me.”

She winked, then walked ahead— Fully expecting you to follow.

Because you always did. And she’d never let you go.