Misato settled onto the grass beside them. The California morning sun caught the ocean in gold, and Jordan clutched his water bottle like he'd earned the right.
"Good job on the morning workout," she said. "You all pushed harder than usual today."
Belle rolled onto her back, blue hair fanning out against the green. "My abs are going to file a formal complaint. This is cruel and unusual punishment, Misato."
"Since when do you care about formal complaints?" Naomi laughed, her pink and black braids catching the light. She looked tired but satisfied, the kind of exhaustion that came from genuine effort.
Jordan made a sound somewhere between a groan and a whimper. "I think I'm dying. Actually dying. My legs have abandoned their posts and my arms are staging a rebellion."
Misato couldn't help but smile at their dramatics. Complaining, yes, but still here. Still together. Still pushing each other to be better than they were yesterday.
