Sparring and Illumination

[talvi_sotilas]

WHO: Bucky and Natasha
WHERE: The Gym, after classes
WHEN: 8/28/14
WHAT: Natasha and Bucky catch up on what's happened in the few years they haven't seen each other
WARNINGS: PG-13 for language, mentions of abuse, loss of family

Bucky finished taping up his hands, and checked over to Natasha to make sure, well, that he'd done it right. He'd been showed how to do it, and had to do it in class, but he still wasn't that sure, and Natasha seemed to be so much better at this sort of stuff than he was.

It was part of the reason he'd asked her to spar with him today, but-- well. It was like, a tiny, tiny part of it. Bucky just wanted time alone with the young woman who, under different circumstances, might have been his best friend for the past several years.

"I guess this is where I ask you to go easy on me because I'm a noob, right?" He gave her a half-smile.

Comments

[spiderette]

"What, you expect me to put you through the wall with my first punch?" she teases him as she checks the job he did on her hands, then glances over his as well. He did good. Could use a little practice, but she'd be happy to give that to him here. Satisfied, she glances up at him with a crooked smile and playfully punches him in the shoulder, just barely a tap.

"Come on, Buck, show me what you got."

[talvi_sotilas]

Tapping his shoulder was like tapping at a brick wall. He could clearly feel it, because he rolled his shoulder back a little, adjusting how he stood, and returned her crooked smile.

"I dunno, seems like something you'd think was funny," he replied, and gave a half-hearted swipe at her.

[spiderette]

She ducks it and takes a playful jab at his stomach before dancing backwards, leading the way into the sparring ring without needing to look, already aware of her surroundings.

"I find a lot of things funny," she countered with an arch look, motioning for him to come join her.

[talvi_sotilas]

His stomach was another brick wall, but he winced anyway, and crossed towards her eagerly, wanting more to impress his friend a little than actually win anything at all. He was pretty sure he couldn't win anyway.

"Like what?" he smiled. "Puppies falling asleep in their food bowls?" He came in for another swipe at her.

[spiderette]

"Usually more classmates doing the same," she counters with s snicker, falling into an easy stance across from him. She eyed him curiously a moment, trying to decide where to start before finally lifting one shoulder in a shrug and motioning at him. "Why don't you start and I'll stick to defensive until we get a handle on what we can both do?"

[talvi_sotilas]

"I will admit to falling asleep in a few bowls of Cheerios," he replied, smiling more and watching her as she motioned him. Trying to figure out what the hell he was going to do.

Of course he'd had classes here. But that didn't really mean shit for, well. Any of this. He'd only had classes, and here, and not anywhere else. He knew she had done this stuff in other places.

"You're gonna think I'm a clumsy, flailing puppy," he told her, but he obeyed, and despite his general lack of confidence in his own ability, he managed to put in a decent front attack.

[spiderette]

"It's okay, you make for an adorable puppy," she shoots back with a bright grin, her focus on him never faltering. When he moves, she's ready for him, dodging one blow, evading another, blocking a third. She returns one then, testing him, keeping an eye on his reflexes. This is still them testing each other, getting a feel for how the other moves and what they can do. He gives her plenty to work with.

There's a hint of clumsiness to his movements, as if he's not entirely certain about what he's doing, the faintest hint of hesitation before he goes in for a blow. She can read that in him and yet, his aim is good and there is considerable strength behind him. Which he's holding back on her, she realizes a minute in. She's surprised. He's packing more strength than his slim form suggests. That's something new, she thinks. Maybe why he's still growing into his own confidence?