Certainty (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

━◦○◦4.3: Spar Shamara Not the Dora◦○◦━

episode 4 - The World is Watching

"Shamara, I am not sure this is a good idea," Bucky gave her a look as they stepped into Zemo's gym.

They had driven back to the apartment in silence, Zemo leaning his chair back on Shamara's legs. She'd offered her hijab for him to cover his eyes, which he had accepted. It had been his own fault, but a shield to the head was hardly pleasant. Before Bucky could change his mind, Shamara had changed into some light cotton flowy pants and a tee-shirt, dragging him out to the building behind the apartments.

The gym looked barely used, too nice and clean. It was definitely the kind of place that would be called a "gymnasium."

"Why?" Shamara rolled her shoulders, looking around the small, mostly glass building. "I have no idea how to use my own strength anymore."

Bucky tightened his jaw.

"Don't. It'll be fun. Even if you are going easy on me, it will be a challenge," Shamara twisted her hair up.

"It would still be safer if you trained with Sam."

"You and I have similar training, even if I can't use all of mine anymore. Plus, you can help me make up for my weakness."

Bucky sighed, taking off his gloves, "You aren't weak just because you aren't a supersoldier."

"It is as shocking going from non-enhancement to enhancement as it is for me to be without my old strength," Shamara shifted her stance.

He nodded and took off his jacket. His eyes didn't look any less worried, so Shamara stepped over to him. She set her hand on his right bicep. Crap. Not a good idea. She had to fight to keep a straight face at his muscle and veins under her fingertips. She couldn't keep her face from heating, and she prayed he wouldn't notice.

"You don't scare me, James Barnes," Shamara moved her hand onto his shoulder. "You are skilled enough to beat me thoroughly without hurting me."

"I can't decide if you are overestimating me or underestimating yourself."

"It doesn't matter. We'll sort it," Shamara winked.

She struck at his ribs, but, of course, he grabbed her fist.

"You weren't even trying," Bucky gave her a look.

Shamara didn't bother responding. She moved as if to punch his stomach, but he grabbed that hand too. Then stumbled as she kicked the pressure point in his knee. She twisted out of his grip, aiming a kick. Which he also caught.

"Still not trying," he eyed her foot in his hands but didn't pull or try to make her lose her balance.

"Yeah. You good if I am aiming to beat you up?"

"I'm not worried."

Coming from anyone else, that would've sounded cocky, but Bucky still looked nervous. Shamara held in a sigh. She pushed forward against the leg he held up. He released it too late, and she spun with the move she had used on Lilah. Bucky stepped back, out of range, but Shamara landed on her feet.

"Come on," she shifted her stance. "Make me move faster. I have too much time to think."

"Even if I don't hurt you, you will be bruised," Bucky took his own position.

"That's what happens when you are using bare hands. I'm fine."

He was concerned enough that she saw his punch coming. But she knew better than to try catching it. She moved past it, barreling into his chest. Bucky grunted but barely budged until she hooked her leg between his feet and tugged. He tripped, tried to steady himself, but she used her other foot to push her weight forward and against him. Taking them both to the padded floor. Shamara struggled to move away, but Bucky grabbed her and rolled over her, trapping her knees against her chest.