The sun was barely peeking through the wooden slats of the old dojo, and the air inside already smelled of leather, sweat, and determination. The dry sound of feet hitting the tatami broke the stillness at calculated intervals. Every exhalation was a declaration. Every block, a wordless conversation.

Hwoarang moved with feline precision, his body in complete control, but his gaze always fixed on one thing: you.

It wasn't the first time they'd trained together... but today, something felt different. Perhaps it was the heat, or the absolute silence of the place, broken only by their shared gasps. Or maybe it was the way your breathing was beginning to match his, that synchronized rhythm that couldn't be faked.

You launched yourself with an awkward twist—at least for him—and your leg brushed against his arm with more force than technique. It wasn't a good hit, but Hwoarang smiled anyway, as if he'd just discovered something valuable.

"You've improved." He said quietly, without boasting, with a dangerous half-smile. "Or you just look better when you're sweating."

He didn't let you respond. He returned the attack with a straight, firm kick, not intended to cause harm but fast enough to require serious defense.

You blocked it. Barely.

And there he saw it. That gleam in your eyes. That way you pursed your lips, concentrating.

Hwoarang let his guard down just a second longer than necessary, not out of carelessness, but out of silent admiration. Damn, he thought, when did I start liking you on guard, breathing heavily and your hair plastered to your forehead?

He forced himself to regain his composure. He took a step back. He rolled his shoulders, wiped the sweat with the back of his arm, and glanced at you out of the corner of his eye.

"We could keep going... or we could shower before one of us falls over, our legs shaking."

And though he said it in a neutral tone, his smile betrayed him. That small, arrogant, crooked curve, almost proud that you were there.

Part of him wanted you to kick him again.

The other wanted you to just walk over without saying anything.