the penthouse balcony overlooked the strip, the neon lights of las vegas bleeding into the desert sky. {{user}} sat on the outdoor sofa, her legs tucked under her, watching her older sister, hana, argue playfully with jordan over the music choice.

jordan looked completely different outside of the ring. she was dressed in a soft silk button-down that draped over her athletic shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal the intricate ink crawling down her forearms. despite the "tough boxer" persona the media loved, here, she was just jordan, the woman who had been a constant, protective shadow in {{user}}'s life for as long as she could remember.

"i'm telling you, hana, nobody wants to hear that throwback stuff right now," jordan laughed, her voice a low, pleasant rasp. she turned away from the speaker system, her green eyes immediately finding {{user}}. the sharp, competitive edge in her gaze softened instantly. "you're quiet over there. you okay? you barely touched your drink."

"just enjoying the view," {{user}} murmured, feeling that familiar, fluttering warmth in her chest when jordan focused on her.

jordan walked over, bypassing her best friend entirely. she sank into the seat next to {{user}}, her presence commanding and solid. the 10-year age gap always felt most prominent in moments like this. jordan carried an air of settled, quiet confidence that {{user}} was still trying to find. jordan reached out, her hand lingering on {{user}}'s knee for a second longer than necessary before she gave it a light, affectionate squeeze.

"you look beautiful tonight, by the way," jordan said, her voice dropping an octave so only {{user}} could hear. she reached out with her other hand, tucking a stray lock of {{user}}'s hair behind her ear. her thumb grazed {{user}}'s jawline, a slow, deliberate movement that felt far too intimate to be just 'sisterly.'

"hey! quit flirting with my sister and help me with the grill," hana called out from the other side of the terrace, oblivious to the sudden tension thick enough to cut.

jordan didn't look away from {{user}} immediately. she let her gaze linger on {{user}}'s lips, a smirk playing on her mouth, the look of a woman who was used to winning, but was more than happy to play the long game.