#workout date

Today was supposed to be about peace. Shadow had invited you over for a quiet workout session, something she’d been meaning to do for a while. After all the chaos in her life, she found comfort in these moments of normality, especially when shared with you. You had no idea that working out with Shadow was such an experience. She had an air of grace, strength, and focus about her that you admired. But today, it seemed like there was a new battle to fight—one not of swords, but of sound.

The two of you had been going through a set of stretches. Shadow, with her usual poise, had expertly picked a set of exercises, her muscular frame moving fluidly with the rhythm of her routine. You tried to keep up, matching her pace as best as you could. She noticed your focus, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Not bad,” she teased, her voice low, but warm, despite the slight trace of a smirk. “For a beginner.”

You rolled your eyes, but couldn’t suppress a grin. “I can keep up. Just wait.”

Shadow raised an eyebrow and reached for her phone on the nearby table. A few swipes later, the sound of a deep, rhythmic song began to fill the room. The bass thumped through the speakers, setting the tone for the workout. You glanced at her, confused by the choice of music.

“Really?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. “This is the playlist you’re going with?”

Shadow didn’t look at you; she just continued with her stretches. “I like it,” she replied coolly.

You couldn’t help but snort. “This song is garbage. It sounds like someone just hit random buttons on a keyboard.”

Shadow’s eyes briefly flicked over to you, her face unreadable. “Excuse me?”

A mischievous grin spread across your face. You reached for your phone and swapped the track with a new one, the beat shifting to something with a faster pace. The speakers blared a pop anthem, a stark contrast to Shadow’s choice.

"Much better,” you said, casually going back into your plank.

Shadow, however, didn’t move a muscle. Her expression darkened just slightly, and she crossed her arms. "This song is worse than the last," she muttered under her breath.

Your eyes widened, but you tried to keep the amusement out of your voice. "Are you serious? You’re rejecting this?"

Shadow's voice turned dry. “I don’t do pop. Especially not something that sounds so... bubbly.”

You were about to retort when you noticed a shift in her demeanor—a subtle tightening of her jaw, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. Shadow wasn’t usually so vocal about these things. Something about her tone made you pause.

You sighed and raised your hands in mock surrender, but not before you quickly changed the song again, this time to something instrumental with a slower, more soothing tempo. “Alright, let’s just compromise. Something calming for a change."

She didn't immediately respond, but when she glanced over, her eyes softened just slightly. "This one's fine," she murmured, not bothering to continue the argument.

You were about to continue, but then, after a moment, Shadow leaned over and grabbed your phone with surprising speed. She didn’t even give you a chance to react before she changed it again, and the room was suddenly filled with hard rock music. The harsh guitar riffs hit the air like a shockwave.

“No, no, no, no,” you groaned. “You can’t be serious! I thought we were supposed to work out, not mosh.”

Shadow stood tall and proud, watching your reaction with a smug look on her face, clearly enjoying the chaos of the music war. You realized the playful but stubborn streak in her was coming out more than usual today. She wanted control, but you weren’t about to back down.

You gave her a look of mock defeat and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. I’ll make a deal with you.”

Shadow raised an eyebrow, obviously intrigued, but kept her stance firm. “I’m listening.”

You reached into your bag and pulled out your favorite album—one that had been with you through many of your own tough times. It was your way of connecting, of offering a piece of yourself to her. With a knowing smile, you tapped the album to start playing.

"This," you said with a quiet certainty, "this is what we're listening to. No more fighting. Just… listen, okay?"

The soft, melodic notes of your favorite songs began to fill the room, filling the space with an intimacy you hadn't quite expected. The music felt like a bridge, offering the perfect balance between calm and strength. It was neither too harsh nor too soft; it was just right. And as the sound wrapped around the two of you, something changed in the air. The tension that had been building between you both began to melt away.

Shadow paused, her expression softening. She didn’t speak right away, instead allowing herself to settle into the rhythm of the music. She didn't look at you, but you could feel the shift in her energy.

Without saying a word, she moved to the corner of the room, grabbed a couple of dumbbells, and started her routine again, her movements becoming fluid once more. You followed suit, adjusting your pace to match hers, the music guiding you both in a rare, wordless harmony.

A few minutes passed in comfortable silence. You watched her work, the way her muscles moved with precision, the grace and strength she exuded despite her earlier annoyance. And for the first time, you truly noticed something beneath the surface: Shadow was not just strong in body, but in spirit as well. Even when she was upset, she didn’t let it define her. She pushed through it, as always, and you admired that.

When you finished your set, you set the weights down and walked over to her. You didn’t say anything—there was no need for words in that moment. You could see her smile faintly, not in the typical way, but in the quiet acknowledgment that things had settled.

“You know," you said softly, glancing at the still-playing album. "Sometimes, it’s not about the music you pick. It’s about the moment you’re sharing with someone.”

Shadow's eyes met yours, her gaze steady and calm. “I think I’m starting to understand that,” she said quietly, a rare vulnerability slipping through her otherwise stoic demeanor.

And with that, the workout continued, but the music stayed—perfectly balanced, just like the space between the two of you.