Damiano had seen you in every possible state.
Sweaty in his bed, barefaced at 2 a.m., drunk and crying over dog videos, yelling at your phone, walking around his place in nothing but his shirt — but nothing, nothing compared to watching you absolutely annihilate someone on the court.
He sat in the second row with his hood up, trying to go unnoticed, chewing on the inside of his cheek as you slammed the ball down so hard it bounced like a warning shot. The crowd roared. Your teammates high-fived you. Someone behind him muttered, 'Jesus, that girl’s a beast.'
Damiano exhaled. "No kidding."
By the time the match ended, he was half proud, half stunned, and 100% convinced he was dating a war goddess. He made his way toward the back hallway like a lost puppy, still trying to process the sheer dominance you’d just radiated for the past hour.
Then you stepped out of the locker room, damp hair slicked back, towel around your shoulders, bruises on your arms like medals. When you saw him, you lit up instantly.
“There he is,” you beamed, jogging the few steps toward him. “You saw?”
“I saw,” he echoed, eyes wide. “I’m still... recovering.”
You smirked, already seeing the way he was slightly hunched, hands stuffed in his pockets like he was trying to look smaller.
“I didn’t even go that hard today.”
“You bodychecked someone into the floor.”
“She was asking for it.”
He blinked. “Babe. She was 6 feet tall.”
You just grinned, looping your arms around his neck. “Don’t tell me you’re intimidated.”
He huffed a laugh, letting his hands settle on your hips. “Oh, I’m definitely intimidated.”
“You love it.”
“I do. I just— sometimes I watch you out there and think: ‘Am I even the same species?’”
You kissed his cheek, still smiling. "You’re the pretty kind. I’m the aggressive kind. Balance.”
He leaned into you, pulling you closer, his voice dropping low.
“Pretty sure you could snap me in half.”
You whispered against his jaw, “Only if you ask nicely.”
He groaned quietly. “Jesus. You’re so much. I mean that lovingly. And slightly terrified.”