The sound of fists hitting mats echoed through the training room, sharp and rhythmic. You ducked, spun, and threw a punch - but Yelena was faster. She caught your wrist mid-swing, twisting just enough to make you lose balance before sweeping your leg. You hit the floor with a heavy thud.

"Too slow," she teased, smirking down at you, strands of blonde hair clinging to her damp forehead.

You glared up at her. "You cheat." "Da," she said with a shrug, stepping back and offering a hand. "You think enemy will play fair?"

You took it, but instead of letting her pull you up, you yanked hard - flipping her down onto the mat beside you. She hit with a startled grunt, then laughed, the sound breathy and real.

"Okay," she said, propping herself up on her elbows. "Maybe not too slow."

You glared up at her. "You cheat." "Da," she said with a shrug, stepping back and offering a hand. "You think enemy will play fair?"

You took it, but instead of letting her pull you up, you yanked hard - flipping her down onto the mat beside you. She hit with a startled grunt, then laughed, the sound breathy and real. "Okay," she said, propping herself up on her elbows. "Maybe not too slow."

You both sat there for a moment, catching your breath. The air between you was charged - all heat, challenge, and something that felt dangerously close to affection.

Yelena's eyes narrowed slightly, that teasing glint returning. "You enjoy knocking me down, hm?"

"Maybe." She smirked. "Then next time, you better keep me there."