Certainty (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

━◦○◦6.8: Ordinary Adventure◦○◦━

episode 6 - One World, One People

(Warning:? Gets a little ~spicy~ at the end, but not much cuz I'm a holy gal. Again, subtle references/conversation about past abuse/harrassment. More about that in the LONG author's note.)

Shamara twirled her wooden pole behind her back, moving closer to Nomble. The woman shifted her stance also. Dim light came from the Talon Fighter windows and the lights around the benches and table. Shuri sat on the table, watching something on her beads while Ayo flew. Nomble swung out so quickly, Shamara barely blocked her. She landed a blow on Nomble's side, ducking a second attack and backing up slightly.

"No retreating," Nomble paused, giving Shamara a narrowed look. "You doubt yourself."

"You have the best advantage when you can use the most power. If you are close, get closer. If you are far, move farther," Ayo turned her pilot chair around, her legs crossed under her.

"Don't bruise me on my wedding day," Shamara heaved a sigh but moved closer again.

Shuri looked up, grinning, "Bucky won't even notice."

Shamara's stomach flopped a few times. She breathed in, struggling to subdue the rush of nerves in her chest. She swung her rod in a tight circle at Nomble's head, but she moved and hit Shamara's legs.

Shamara hadn't expected to feel so nervous about seeing Bucky, marrying Bucky. It had only been a couple days since she saw him, a couple days of shopping for a wedding dress, exploring the city, and training with Ayo or Nomble. But she still felt overwhelmed.  And it felt so unnatural after the life she had lived, after not feeling for so long, to marry. To be united with a wonderful man in a romance that would last the rest of their lives. She was certain. She wasn't afraid. But she felt so much that she didn't know what to do with it. Her feelings were simultaneously tender, gentle, soft, and so powerful, she found it hard to breathe.

Each time she thought of reuniting with him, her stomach seized up. Each time she imagined walking to him on the docks and marrying him, her imagination supplied too many anxious possibilities, like freezing in shock and awe. Or crying. Or tripping on something and vaulting into the ocean and ruining everything -.

Nomble snapped her fingers, "Sister, focus."

"Sorry," Shamara shook herself, her hands shaking.

"You look like an antelope in the headlights," Shuri chuckled and slipped from the table. "Everything will be fine, Shay. OBWM is very in love with his brain cell holder."

"Is that my nickname?"

"Part of it," Shuri winked. "I'll announce the full one later."

"It better not be something inappropriate," Shamara gave her a look.

"I won't announce it to everyone."

"That's a yes, Mara," Ayo turned her seat again.

"Figured that out, thanks," Shamara shifted her rod. "Okay, let's keep going."

Nomble nodded once and started swinging.

As Shamara had been training with them almost anytime she had the energy, she had gotten much better using a spear. And stick. Nomble and Ayo had adapted their typical forms so that Shamara could fight alone. "Though no one should fight alone," Ayo had told her. "Learn with James. It will make you both more comfortable if you know how to fight together." Spear fighting was nothing like Shamara's other training, but her previous training helped her learn more quickly. Shamara never beat Nomble, but that wasn't the point. Each time Nomble achieved what should have been a winning hit, she replayed her motions and showed Shamara where she misstepped.