you’ve never liked abby anderson.

not when she knocked you flat on your back in your first training spar. not when she grinned about it like she hadn’t just bruised your ego for a week. not when she got promoted before you. not when she started winning every fight, every mission, every stare down.

you’ve been in each other’s way since you were kids. two stubborn forces constantly clashing, matching pace for pace. you could never just let her win. and she never let you forget when she did.

but god, you respected her. hated that you did.

tonight, the base is quieter than usual. your knuckles are scraped, your shirt clings to sweat from drills that went too long. abby’s there too. she always is, like she’s wired to beat you to everything. she’s leaning against the wall of the gym, arms crossed, all muscle and shadow under flickering lights.

"you gonna stare at me all night or just admit i’m better than you?" she taunts, a familiar smirk pulling at her lips.