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Valerie rolled out a mat on the gym floor and dropped her bag next to it.
“So, no ghost powers or weapons, right?” Danny said.
“Duh, no unfair advantages,” Valerie confirmed. “And whoever gets the other down first wins.”
“This should be easy, then,” Danny swiped at Valerie’s ankles, intending to show off and knock her down on the first try.
Valerie jumped back. “A little warning would have been nice!” She kicked toward his chest – he had a terrible habit of leaving himself wide open, even when he seemed to be readier than she was.
“How am I supposed to win if you know what I’m about to do?” They reacted quicker to her attack than she expected and grabbed her ankle, pulling her forward in an attempt to knock her off-balance.
Adrenaline rushed through her. She pushed off the ground with her other leg, doing an awkward almost-cartwheel that pulled her ankle free and landing in a crouch. Her heart pounded and she launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around Danny’s waist as he attempted to stumble out of the way.
She tackled them to the ground, and they let out an ‘ oof! ’ when their back hit the mat. They struggled for a moment, before Valerie got his arms pinned down on either side of his head. “You really lost that fast?” She smirked at him.
Danny spluttered for a moment. “I let you win!” he insisted. Valerie planted a kiss on one of his freckled cheeks, standing up and smoothing down her tank top.
“It’s okay, you can just admit I’m a better fighter than you,” She shrugged.
Danny got to his feet. He rolled his eyes, but smiled at her. “Best two out of three?”
“Is that even a question?” Valerie swung at him and he ducked out of the way of her fist easily.
They went back and forth like that, falling into a rhythm. Throwing swift punches and kicks, dodging each other’s attacks, landing a few hits but never enough to knock the other over. Their instincts had definitely kicked in, both finding it harder to get in a tackle or some other maneuver to knock their opponent over. They were just in-tune with each other enough to make this a challenge, even if they were just practicing.
“Are you sure you let me win?” Valerie taunted Danny. She rushed at him, not noticing the glint in his brown eyes until it was too late.
Danny pivoted, wrapping his hands around her upper arms and swiftly pulling her over his shoulders. She let out a yell, landing hard on her back in front of him.
“Yes, I’m sure I let you win,” they looked down at her, hands on their hips.
Valerie forced air back into her lungs, her extremely graceful landing having knocked the wind out of her. Danny helped her up and the pair took a moment to collect themselves
Strands of Valerie’s hair had come free of her braids, sticking out and making her look frazzled. She tucked away what she could to keep it out of her face – it wasn’t worth it to bother rebraiding her hair for a few loose strands. Danny went to his bag and pulled out a handtowel, wiping down his sweaty face and bangs.
“So, now we’re even,” he said. One corner of his lip quirked up in a lopsided grin as he turned to face her.
“You won’t be so smug after I wipe the floor with you, ghost ,” Valerie retorted. Danny walked up to her and kissed her cheek, mimicking what she’d done to him earlier.
“If it hurts your ego less, we can pretend you let me win,” they said. Valerie rolled her eyes, kicking her leg out and swiping his feet from under him. Two could play at his copycat game, and she couldn't help the laugh that escaped when he landed hard on his ass.
“Best two out of three, I win,” she crossed her arms over her chest triumphantly.
“Absolutely not!” Danny scrambled to his feet. “That was a cheap shot and hardly counts.”
“And you trying to do the same to me earlier wasn’t a cheap shot?”
“I wasn't ready!”
“Neither was I!” Valerie put her hands on her hips and hit him with a glare.
Danny pouted at her. She tried to hold her ground, but the pout combined with their messy hair was breaking her.
“Wanna get Nasty Burger when you’re done being a sore loser?” Valerie shooed him off the mat so she could roll it back up. “I think that’s enough sparring for tonight, that fall kinda hurt. Plus, whine all you want, but I still win.”
“I’m not being a sore loser,” Danny huffed, pulling another laugh out of Valerie. “I can take you any day, I’m just having an off night.” Once the mat was rolled up, he picked it up and carried it back to the storage room.
“Whatever makes you feel better,” Valerie called after him. She took a long drink from her water bottle before giving herself a good wipe-down with the towel from her bag.
When Danny returned he set his hands on her waist, suddenly serious after their playful argument. “Did I actually hurt you?”
Valerie got ready to quip back at him about how she wasn’t fragile, but the concern shining in his eyes stopped her; she knew it was a bigger deal to them than it was to her. “It’s not a big deal babe, I’ll probably just be a little sore in the morning.”
He shook his head and smiled at her. “Sorry, you can handle yourself, I just get worried.”
Valerie gave him a playful shove. “You’re a loser, you know that?”
“I’m your loser,” He pulled her closer to him, raising his eyebrows.
“Shut up , you’re so cheesy,” She rolled her eyes. They just chuckled and then kissed her. Valerie closed her eyes and smiled, enjoying the moment.
The two finally broke apart, both glowing from how content they were. “As romantic as making out in the school gym would be, you did suggest we get Nasty Burger, and I’m starving,” Danny said.
“Wow, you know how to make a moment and ruin it. I’m impressed,” Valerie teased.
“Come on, haven’t you wounded my pride enough tonight?” Danny complained.
Valerie took his hand and tugged him toward the exit. She shivered and goosebumps covered her skin when he phased them through the doors, both from the feeling of intangibility and the cool night air.
The pair laced their fingers together and walked away from the gym, stealing glances of admiration at each other. A light sheen of sweat still covered Danny’s brown skin, gleaming under the streetlights, while a few stray curls that refused to stay tucked into their braids framed Valerie’s slightly-flushed face nicely. Accidental eye contact caused them both to look away from each other quickly, but it seemed to be a silent agreement to not tease each other and ruin such a tender moment.