Two sides of the same coin - Armando Aretas x OC

Awkward

The gym echoed with the rhythmic thud of fists against punching bags. Armando and Inessa, were preparing for their op. Sweat glistened on their skin under the harsh gym lights as they moved through motions of their attacks.

Armando, with his sharp eyes and muscular frame, was shadowboxing near the centre of the gym. His movements were fluid and precise. Inessa, grounded and agile, was on the other side of the room, practicing kicks on a padded dummy with a controlled intensity.

The two, whilst training separately, studied one another and how they respectively moved, to be able to mesh together. Armando weaponised his strength on his opponent, whilst Inessa utilised every inch of her body, using both her body and mind.

Inessa paused her kicking, taking a moment to catch her breath and take a sip of water. She glanced over at Armando. She respected his skill and how he was able to neutralised his opponents in mere moments.

Armando sensed her gaze and turned towards her, meeting her eyes. "Mirando porque estoy mejor, o porque estoy caliente" (watching because im better, or cause im hot) he called out with a smirk, his voice carrying across the gym.

Inessa laughed in response, "Ninguno de los dos, pensé que podrías necesitar mi ayuda." (neither, thought you might need my help"

Their banter had become easy, comfortable—a rarity in their profession. As they continued to train, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension, turning around every now and again hoping the other might meet their gaze again.

Armando finished and walked over to where Inessa was punching the heavy bag. "You know," he began, his voice low as he held the bag, "Nosotros hacemos un buen equipo." (we make a good team)

Inessa nodded, her breath slightly uneven from exertion. "¿Estás admitiendo que te gusto?" (You admitting to liking me) she replied with a puffed out laugh, meeting his gaze, as she wiped her hair and sweat off her forehead.

She went to punch the bag again but faltered as their eyes locked, Armando reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Inessa's ear. Inessa's heart sped up as her breath hitched, his eyes never breaking away from hers.

As they stared at one another, it felt as if a magnet was drawing their faces closer, the space between them narrowing. As they got closer, almost too close to be just colleagues, the door swung open with a loud creak, and Marcus and Mike came bellowing in.

"My my what do we have here, Amigos" Marcus yelled out with a chuckle. Armando and Inessa pulled back abruptly, their cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.

"Nothing" Inessa grunted out as she returned to punching her bag, Armando stepping away to get his towel.