This time, there's a low, quiet groan that he couldn't quite hold back even if he wanted to. He knew better, really. Gladio had long since learned how to listen in for his tells and he had a suspicion that each noise the Shield could pull from him was a small victory.

Teeth sink into his lower lip as he absently let himself lean back into the strikes, breath catching at the last one. His skin felt like it was burning now, nerves alight and pinging.