The sun was dipping low over the edge of the forest, painting the trees in golden hues. Katniss stood a few feet away, her bow already strung, eyes narrowed in playful concentration.

“You ready for this?” she asked, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

You nodded, trying to hide your nerves. Archery wasn’t your strongest skill, but being challenged by Katniss—well, that was an experience you couldn’t pass up.

She handed you a bow, adjusting it so it fit comfortably in your hands. “Don’t worry,” she said softly, “I won’t go easy… but maybe not too hard either.”

The contest began, arrow after arrow whistling toward the targets. You felt the tension in your shoulders and the quickened pace of your heartbeat. And yet, every time you released an arrow, it seemed to land closer to the bullseye than it had any right to.

Katniss shot gracefully, her arrows splitting the air with precision. But you noticed something subtle—sometimes she aimed slightly off, tilting her shot just enough to let you stay ahead. She was teasing you with a mixture of challenge and encouragement, letting you shine without making it obvious.

When the final round came, your arrow hit dead center. You looked up in disbelief, expecting Katniss to smirk and reveal your “cheat.” But she simply nodded, a quiet smile on her face.

“You did… really well,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Better than I thought you would.”

Your cheeks warmed as you realized the truth—you had won. And yet, the victory didn’t feel hollow. Katniss’s eyes held admiration and something softer, a silent bond that didn’t need words.

“Thanks… for letting me,” you whispered, and for the first time, she laughed openly, that rare, unguarded sound that made the forest feel warmer.

“Maybe next time, I’ll let you actually beat me,” she teased, and in that moment, you knew this playful challenge was only the beginning of something more.