Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

FIFTYTWO 🌶️

I should've known that training with San would be like trying to learn how to dance with a storm. Elegant, powerful, dangerous. And utterly relentless.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" I gasped, lying on my back, my shoulder pressed into the splintered wood of the deck, my breath somewhere between pain and frustration.

"If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be fish food. I'm trying to teach you how not to die."

San stood over me, his shirt already half-soaked in sweat, a smile on his lips that was anything but educational.

"I want you to fight— even when your body screams to stop."

"Well, my body's screaming a lot louder for mercy right now."

"Then tell it to shut up."

I groaned and rolled onto my side. He was right. Of course he was. But that didn't make it any easier.

"Again," I said, pushing myself up with my hands. "But this time, I'll try to hit you first."

"Good luck." He reached out a hand to me. "Just make sure you can live with the consequences."

I ignored the warning. Grabbed his hand. And the second I was back on my feet, he spun me around— wham— back down, belly-first, my arm locked, my back pressed against his body.

"You rely too much on your legs," he murmured right next to my ear.

"Sirens can pull you underwater. You won't be able to stand. Think with your hands. With your core. With your will."

I gasped. Not just from the hold. From the closeness.

"Then... show me how to fight underwater bitches."

He laughed, a dark, rough laugh— and let me go.

"With pleasure."

Then— without warning— he lifted me off the ground and started walking toward the railing with me in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a panic. "You're not actually going to—" And then, just like that, he tossed me overboard.

"SAN?!"

I shrieked as I hit the freezing water with a splash. Salty. Icy. Shocking.
When I surfaced, I saw him jump— smooth and predatory, diving into his element.

I coughed, spat out seawater. Barely had I wiped the hair from my face when San was already beside me again. His hand grabbed my waist, pulling me under. I kicked, spun, tried to break free— but his grip was strong. His movements precise. Like a siren. Just way hotter. We surfaced again. I gasped for air. He grinned.

"Again."

"Are you insane?!"

"No. I'm thorough."

I had just managed to catch my breath after San pulled me under for the third time, and I was still trying to escape his merciless hold, when something unexpected happened.

A small, seemingly harmless wave rose up right behind him— totally unusual for the calm waters around the Treasure— and smacked him straight in the back of the head.

"What the—?!" San spluttered, flailing, while I nearly drowned from laughing.

"Oh, wow... was that... was that your karma?!" I gasped between breaths.

"Was that you?" he panted, eyeing me suspiciously while raking his fingers through his wet hair. "What did you do?"

I raised both hands. "I swear. I was too busy trying not to drown!"