The Seventh | A Dark Matter Fanfiction | Two (Portia Lin)

Chapter 47

Seven and Two sparred in the training room, trading blows with an intensity that had both of them fully engaged. Despite Seven's skill and speed, Two's enhanced abilities from her nanites gave her the upper hand. With a fluid motion, she flipped him onto his back... again.

Seven grunted, raising his hands in defeat. "Time out," he panted, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You win."

Two smirked, extending a hand to help him up. "You know, if we were keeping score, I'd be in double digits by now."

Seven rolled his eyes "Whatever," He huffed.

Two smirked, "You're getting better, you know. Lasted a whole thirty seconds longer this time."

Seven took her hand, feeling the spark of her touch as she pulled him to his feet. "Thirty seconds, huh? Guess I'll aim for a minute next time."

"Ambitious," she teased, giving him a playful shove. " Just need to work on your footwork and maybe stop telegraphing your punches."

"I'll keep that in mind, Coach." Seven's eyes flicked over her, admiring the way she moved with such confidence and grace. "Though it's hard to focus with you looking so... intense."

Two raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Intense, huh? Is that what they're calling it these days?"

"Well, you're definitely not easy to ignore," he replied, his voice dropping a notch. "And it's not just because you're kicking my ass."

She laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Seven"

Seven, feeling the charged atmosphere between them, leaned in, his eyes locked on hers. Just as he was about to close the gap, Two placed a hand on his chest, stopping him gently but firmly, "Nope."

"You stink," she said with a teasing smile, "We stink."

He laughed, a bit embarrassed but mostly amused. "Yeah, I guess rolling around on the mat doesn't exactly leave us smelling like roses."

"Exactly," Two replied, giving him a playful shove. "How about we both hit the showers first? Then maybe we can talk about... other things."

Two glanced back at Seven with a mischievous grin. "Race ya," she said, taking off at a sprint towards their quarters.

Seven shook his head, laughing. "Oh, you're on," he called after her, bolting after her down the hallway.

They tore through the corridors, narrowly avoiding crewmates and obstacles. Two had a slight lead, but Seven was quickly closing the gap. They reached their quarters, almost neck and neck, but Two managed to get there just a fraction of a second earlier.

She turned, breathless but triumphant, and raised an eyebrow. "I win."

"Only by a hair," Seven replied, equally breathless. Without missing a beat, Two grabbed his hand and pulled him into the room. "Come on," she said, dragging him toward the shower. "Let's see if you can keep up in here too."

Seven didn't resist. Instead, he followed her, his heart pounding not just from the race but from the electric anticipation of what was to come. As they reached the shower, Two turned on the water, letting it steam up the small space.

She stepped in first, clothes and all, pulling him in after her. The warm water cascaded over them, soaking their clothes, but neither cared.

"Well," Seven said, his voice low, "this is definitely one way to get clean."

Two smirked, her hands moving to help him peel off his wet shirt. "I told you, we stink. Let's fix that."

Their laughter mixed with the sound of the water as they helped each other undress, the playful competition giving way to a tender intimacy. The shower was small, but it didn't matter. They were close, closer than they'd ever been, and in that moment, the rest of the world faded away.