[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]

“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."

[from_the_outside]

"It's okay."

She squeezes his fingers and swings their hands gently back and forth between them as they stroll. "I was, too."

For different reasons, but she'd still felt the ripple of anxiety running through her. "But you're a good trainer."

[nerves_of_ice]

Amusement flickers in his glance. "We'll see if you still say that in the morning."

[from_the_outside]

"We'll know you're a good trainer for sure if I start swearing at you in the morning," she says, without much concern behind it.

Her smile is crooked and warm and sweet as she looks over at him. "Thanks, baby. Really. It means a lot."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hand and raises it to press a brief kiss to her fingers. "Thanks for being patient with me."

[from_the_outside]

"Pretty sure it's the other way around," she teases, gently.

"But you're welcome."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her a sideways smile and makes a soft, noncommittal sound, and leaves it at that.

It's still just the two of them when they walk out of the woods and approach the hut. "Want another cup of coffee?" he asks. "Or are you thinking to head back up to the Citadel and get cleaned up there?"

Not that she's not welcome to use anything he has, but he also knows that his setup's a little simpler than what she's got available to her. It's designed to be; it's what he still needs, right now, although he also knows that T'Challa would do more, if he asked.