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March 7, 1969 - Siberia
"Harder."
Sergeant Barnes held the punching bag for Marcella to punch again.
Her knuckles were bleeding and bruised. Her muscles were stiff. Her once slim and muscular body had become bulkier and more resilient. More resilient, yet so tired.
Only a few guards were walking around in the halls near them. They were mostly alone. One last hard punch and he knew she was exhausted.
"Stop."
Marcella's body was hidden behind the bag when she dropped her fists.
"Get in the ring."
Marcella's eyes peeked from around the tan bag. Her eyes caught his in a quiet stare.
"No," she answered.
A scowl formed on the Winter Soldier's face. "No?"
"I want to rest."
Barnes sighed. She was difficult from the start. Difficult to scare, difficult to teach and difficult to order; for him at least. She figured out quickly that he was also difficult in every way possible and mimicked him. Bucky had always fought Hydra and had to be wiped and triggered in order to fully control. Marcella realized he was too, a prisoner.
"No." He mocked.
She huffed and brought her head back in the way of the the bag, hiding.
"Now, Marcella. Ring." His voice was stern as he ordered her into the ring.
Marcella looked down at the bloody white tape that covered her knuckles. "Who with?"
Barnes took a step forward, pushed the bag away like it was full of feathers instead of sand. Marcella's eyes widened at his strength. She always forgot what he really was and what she wasn't. A super soldier.
"Me."
Nerves grew in her stomach. She rarely spared with him and each time she failed. She took a step back and started walking towards the ring. His heavy footsteps were right behind her until she reached the elevated ring. Soft mats were covering the floor around it incase the Winter Soldier ever threw his opponents a little too far.
Marcella placed her palms on the floor of the boxing ring and slowly pushed herself up. Her muscles shook from exhaustion and strain. A wordless hand on her back gave her the last push onto the mat. She reluctantly appreciated who he was when the handlers weren't around. He appeared more like an actual human being with natural actions.
Bucky jumped into the ring after her. The noise echoed around the room. She watched as he pulled his heavy black boots of his feet and placed them at the edge. Then, he took off his vest, leaving himself in the white undershirt.
