The morning sun streamed through the high windows, already impossibly bright at 6:47 AM, promising another day of record-breaking heat. The air conditioning units hummed desperately overhead, fighting a losing battle.

Around you, the team moved through their drills. Steve's voice carried across the mats, correcting forms, calling out encouragement. Natasha flowed through a complex sequence with fluid precision. Bucky worked through hand-to-hand combinations against a dummy, his metal arm gleaming in the harsh light.

Sweat dripped down your back. Your vision swam, just slightly, before snapping back into focus.

You swallowed hard. Your heart was beating too fast. Too loud.

The world tilted.