[oom] training ground

[nerves_of_ice]

He'd made a promise, and he intends to deliver. He just also intends to make sure it's not the sort of thing that draws an audience - especially not any of the kids.

It takes a little while to find a clearing further out but within reasonable distance of the hut, then a little bit longer to set it up with a waterproof chest and some basic equipment. But eventually it's ready, or good enough as.

Once the goats are taken care of for the morning, he takes up position under the usual shade tree to scratch out a few notes in his latest journal and to wait for Sharon to drop by. If she's got time this afternoon, if she's not busy with Shuri or Ayo, well, then they'll see.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins at her. "Come on then, Carter. Time for calisthenics."

[from_the_outside]

She groans in mock exasperation, but follows him through the series without complaint. Calisthenics. She hasn't done any in a long time, and she's definitely going to be feeling it later.

But it feels inexpressibly good to be moving her body the way she knows she can; to extend it and stretch her muscles and work them just past the point of endurance, so that the next time she can go a little longer, a little harder.

The series ends with a solid minute of burpees, and Sharon stays flat on the ground once it's up, her chest heaving. "Wow, I can't believe I let you do this to me."

She can't believe she let herself get this rusty, but that's beside the point.

[nerves_of_ice]

"What's the saying? Careful what you wish for?" He goes to the chest and pulls out a couple of the water bottles he'd stashed there earlier, along with a soft cloth that'll work as a towel, and carries them over to her.

"Here," he offers.

[from_the_outside]

She sticks her tongue out at him and rolls up to sitting to accept a water bottle and the cloth. Cracking the first, she takes a deep swallow of water to parch her dry throat as she wipes the sweat from her chest and neck with the latter.

"I hope you're having fun," she teases.

[nerves_of_ice]

“You know, I kind of am,” he admits, sitting down across from her with his own bottle.

[from_the_outside]

"Good."

It might be something she needs to do, but she wants it to be something they both enjoy.

Sharon grins over at him. "Me, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m glad.” He flashes her a quick, mischievous grin.

“We’ll see if you still say the same thing in the morning.”

[from_the_outside]

"Well, we can't go too hard today," she says, disingenuously. Her eyes are laughing.

"I had some plans for tonight, and they'll get ruined if you tire me out too much."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Plans?” He gives her a curious look.

“I figured you were off the hook for the rest of today anyway,” he adds. “I was going to suggest you soak in the bathtub up at the Citadel.”

[from_the_outside]

"That does sound nice."

She may even take him up on it, if she has time.

His curious look gets a bland glance in return. "Well, I guess it depends on whether or not you have plans already."

[nerves_of_ice]

He glances pointedly around the clearing and back at her. “This was the only thing I had planned for today.”

[from_the_outside]

"Okay."

She shifts her foot forward, nudging him with the toe of her light sneaker. "How about a date night, then?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He leans over to wrap his fingers loosely around her ankle and smiles.

"I like the sound of that."

[from_the_outside]

"Great."

She smiles back at him and tips up her bottle for another long swallow of water. "But I'm going to need you to vacate the hut for about an hour beforehand."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. "Am I supposed to go anywhere in particular?"

[from_the_outside]

"Wherever you like," she says magnanimously. "Why don't you go to the lab and give Steve or Nat a call?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's a good idea." He tries not to bother them too much, but ... it has been a while.

"It'll give Shuri a chance to tweak a couple of things while I'm there, if she wants."

[from_the_outside]

"I'm sure she'd like that. And they would, too."

She empties her water bottle and caps it again. "Okay, coach, anything else you got for me today?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not today," he says. "I meant it when I said I thought we should see how you're feeling tomorrow." A little wryly, he adds, "Don't get me wrong, I know you're definitely capable and all -- but we don't want to overdo on day one. As soon as I'm sure what your current level looks like, then we'll start pushing the boundaries. Hard."

[from_the_outside]

"I know, baby."

She pushes herself to her feet and holds out her hand to help him up, too. "And you know I love a challenge. But I'm just as happy to call it here today."

[nerves_of_ice]

He lets her help him to his feet and keeps hold of her hand once he’s standing.

“Just so you know, you did good,” he murmurs.

[from_the_outside]

She lifts her chin and gives him a pert look. "I know," she teases.

Even rusty, she can still hold her own. "Why don't we head back and get cleaned up?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Figured you did,” he says, peaceably, “but thought I should say it anyway.”

He tugs at her hand and starts to walk with her back out of the clearing and down the trail.

[from_the_outside]

"It's always nice to hear."

She laces her fingers with his and walks easily at his side, enjoying the way her muscles feel, how her body feels; enjoying the flush of warmth and light sheen of sweat on her skin. "You did good, too. Just like always."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I don't mind saying I was a little nervous," he admits. "It's been a long time since I was anyone's trainer."