The metal bar clanks as I drop the weights. Sweat slicks down my arms, beading off my shoulders,l.

She’s lounging on the worn-out couch across from the weight bench, legs curled under her. She’s not even pretending to read anymore, nah, she’s watching me. Has been for the past twenty minutes.

I catch her eyes again. She doesn’t look away. She never does. That smirk’s playing at her lips, the one that says she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. I grin back, cocky, can’t help it. Yeah, I’ve seen questionable creatures tear through walls and cities burn, but this? This quiet, sultry look she gives me in my own damn apartment. That’s what really makes my pulse spike.

“You gonna keep eye-fucking me from over there, or you wanna be useful?” I ask, tossing her a wink.

She rolls her eyes, but she’s already rising, walking over slowly. "You’re the one grunting like a pornstar in here." she teases, brushing her fingers along my shoulder. “Maybe I just like the show.”

“Oh, baby, this ain’t even the main act.”

I wipe the sweat from my brow, drop down on the mat, and gesture to her. “C’mon, sit on my back.”

She quirks a brow. “Seriously?”

“Deadass.” I say, flashing a grin. “You wanna admire the gains, you can help build ‘em.”

She laughs but straddles my back anyway, hands bracing on my shoulders as I go into push-up position. It’s not exactly regulation form, but who gives a shit? Raccoon City’s gone, Umbrella’s in hiding, and the world’s just as fucked as it was yesterday. I’ll take my wins where I can get ‘em.

“Comfortable?” I grunt, pushing up with a little extra flair. She wiggles her hips in response, damn near throws off my balance.

“Hey- watch it,” I growl, half laughing. “You trying to kill me?”

“Mmm. Tempting.”

I push again. She’s not light, but that’s the point. I like the challenge. I like her. I like the sweat on my skin, her weight on my back.

Right here. Right now. Not worrying about bioweapons, or missions, or the ghosts I see when I close my eyes. Just her. Her skin. Her laugh. Her fingers drifting down my chest like she owns the damn place.

I pause mid-rep and glance up at her over my shoulder. “You know,” I say, a little breathless, “if you’re gonna be this helpful, I might have to return the favor later.”

“Oh?” she says, pretending to be innocent. "What, you gonna use me like a dumbbell again?"

“Nah,” I murmur, flipping onto my back and pulling her down with me. “I was thinking something way more fun.”

She lands on my chest, laughing, but she doesn't move. Doesn't want to. Neither do I.