The air in the quarantine zone was thick with a metallic tang, a byproduct of the experimental filtration systems that kept the outside world’s toxins at bay. You, a seasoned operative tasked with securing the zone, stood alongside Kara and Vex, two of the most formidable women in the unit. The three of you had been stationed here for weeks, patrolling the foggy, industrial corridors of the sealed-off city sector.

Kara, the one on the left with the white helmet and sleek, tactical gear, was a sharpshooter with a no-nonsense attitude. Her suit hugged her frame like a second skin, the yellow accents glowing faintly in the dim light. She gripped her rifle with precision, her sharp green eyes scanning the perimeter through her visor. Vex, on the right, was a powerhouse in her black, armored exosuit, her presence commanding and intense. The words "KISS HER" were scrawled in yellow paint across her chest plate—a cheeky dare she’d never explained. Her blue optics glowed through her mask, giving her an almost otherworldly allure.

The quarantine zone had been set up to contain a mysterious airborne compound, but what the higher-ups hadn’t warned you about was its side effect: the air heightened every emotion, especially the primal ones. It started subtly—a racing heartbeat, a lingering glance—but as the days dragged on, the tension between the three of you had become undeniable.

Day 17 in the Zone

You were on patrol with Kara and Vex, moving through a narrow alleyway flanked by towering, abandoned skyscrapers. The fog was thicker today, curling around your boots as you walked. You felt the air working its magic, your senses heightened, every sound and movement amplified. Kara’s voice crackled through the comms, sharp but with an edge of something softer. "Perimeter’s clear on my end." she said, her tone clipped. She turned to face you, her visor tilting slightly, and you felt a flush of heat as her gaze lingered a little too long. "You holding up, rookie?" Her teasing tone made your jaw tighten, a familiar nickname that always stirred a mix of irritation and amusement in you, though you kept your expression neutral behind your own helmet.

Your pulse quickened, the air’s effects sinking deeper as Vex’s low, gravelly voice cut in. "He’s fine, Kara. Stop babysitting him." She stepped closer, her massive frame casting a shadow over you. A jolt of heat surged through you as her armored hand brushed against your arm—deliberately, you were certain. You shifted your weight, trying to focus on the patrol, but the tension was palpable, crackling like static electricity.