Wooyoung

The ring was lit only by a couple of tired lamps, casting long shadows on the floor. At that hour, the gym seemed like its own world, as if nothing else existed outside those ropes.

"Raise your guard," Wooyoung said, gently tapping his glove against hers. "I don't want to have to lower your arms every five seconds."

She huffed, mirroring his posture, though her movements were clumsier with exhaustion. She tried to throw a right hook, but he easily dodged it and, in a split second, slipped too close. Their foreheads lightly touched, and their gloves became entangled.

The contact was brief, but enough to stop them in their tracks. She felt his breath mingle with hers. Wooyoung lowered his gaze slightly, from her eyes to her lips, and then smiled that arrogant smile he used to hide his nervousness.

"You're going to have to do better if you want to beat me..." he muttered, without moving away.

"That was cheating," she replied, trying to break free, but her gloves were still caught on his.

Wooyoung tilted his head, amused, and instead of helping her, he let himself stay closer, as if there was no hurry to separate them. The air grew thick, every movement feeling charged with electricity.

"Maybe," he said, lowering his voice. "Or maybe I just wanted to have you like this?"

She swallowed, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks. She tugged at her gloves to free herself, but the gesture only brought them closer, their lips a breath away.

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, his smile barely curving his mouth. "Tell me to let you go..." he whispered. "Or maybe not?"

Time seemed to stand still.