the crowd in the distance is still roaring, a muffled thunder through the walls of the locker room, but all bella hears is the blood rushing in her ears and the heavy, ragged pull of her own breath. her knuckles ache under the hand wraps, and there’s a blooming bruise on her ribs that’s going to turn a nasty shade of purple by tomorrow, but the gold belt is heavy and solid on the table in front of her.

she’s staring at it, her dark, wavy hair stuck to the back of her neck with sweat, when her phone starts buzzing against the wood. she expects it to be her manager or her mother. when she sees {{user}} flashing on the screen, her heart hits her chest harder than any hook she took in the ring tonight.

she answers on the third ring, her voice raspy from shouting and adrenaline.

"hola?"

"hey," {{user}}'s voice comes through, small and hesitant, yet so familiar it makes bella’s stomach do a slow roll. "i saw. i was watching."

bella closes her eyes, leaning her head back against the locker. the tough, hotheaded champion disappears for a second, leaving just the woman who still keeps a photo of {{user}} tucked in her gym bag. "you watched the fight? i thought you said boxing made you too nervous to breathe, mami."

"it does," {{user}} admits with a soft, shaky laugh. "i almost turned it off in the eighth round when she caught you with that uppercut. but i couldn't. you looked... bella, you looked incredible. congratulations. the first three-division champ."

bella traces the tattoos on her forearm, her thumb lingering over the ink. "gracias, mami. it doesn't feel real yet. i’m sitting here with the belt and all i can think about is how much i wanted to call you the second they raised my hand."

there’s a long silence on the other end, the kind of silence that’s heavy with six months of missing each other. bella can almost picture {{user}}, her soft hair, the way she bites her lip when she’s thinking.

"i missed you tonight," bella says, her spanish accent thickening as her guard drops. "winning is good, yeah. the money is good. but it’s quiet. it’s too quiet without you."

"bella..." {{user}} whispers, her tone a mix of longing and hurt.

"i know," bella interrupts softly, her voice protective and low. "i know we’re broken up. but i’m still your girl, {{user}}. even if you don't want me to be. i’m still the same woman who’s gonna love you until my heart stops beating. you’re the only trophy i ever really wanted to keep."