Lovers in Arms | Bucky Barnes

Part 1

1943

Bucky, as a new recruit he first had to go through three months of basic training. The aim of this course is to build up physical fitness and confidence. Discipline and obedience, and to teach the fundamental military skills necessary to function in the army.

They slept, ate, and trained together, hours upon hours of physical fitness training as a unit. They practiced the same basic skills over and over. Marching, loading, unloading, and cleaning their weapons. What was special is that their unit was that it accepted one of the few women that joined the army. Most soldiers made fun of her, they played pranks, but in the end respected her because of her skills. She can outrun any man, and can hold herself up in a fight. She is not inferior to a man. Sharp weapons are her specialty. She can wield anything from knives to swords. In combat she arms herself with 2 razor sharp Katanas. Bucky cannot deny that he is fascinated by her because you rarely meet such a woman. Even though it is forbidden in the regiment, and after weeks of hesitation, he decides to talk to her.

Somehow the closer he came, the more nervous he got. This was unusual for the ladies man and he can't quite find out why.

She's a beautiful woman, about 5'6", with a strong build, but it suits her. It looks like she just finished a long running session and looks worn out. The length of her long ginger hair stopped at her lower back, it is braided in a long braid. When she turns around he sees her dark brown eyes staring back at him, below her eyes her skin was sprinkled with light freckles, decorating her red cheeks from the workout she just did. She's gorgeous.

Her eyes lock onto Bucky, her eyebrows raised, her lips slightly pouted. Hoping he isn't not just another random guy trying to hit on her. A lot of guys already tried to, but she always was successful brushing them off. She'd even spar with them if they were too hard to shake off. She was undefeated. All the arrogant boys she fought or brushed off weren't amused. She was. It was a way to entertain herself and also to maintain her skills.

But this guy seemed different somehow, she can't place her finger on it. She can see the small smirk on his face slowly disappear, she wonders if he will chicken out before he reaches her. She decides to try to scare him, and give him an menacing look.

Come on Bucky, he mumbles to himself. You've talked to plenty of gorgeous women, this time shouldn't be any different. Why are my palms sweaty? Just talk to her. When he finally arrives at her appearance he opens his mouth to say what he wanted to say. Getting lost in her almond shaped eyes, Bucky suddenly noticed that he lost his words and forgot the opening line he had come up with.

"Yes what is it?" After staring for a few seconds, she shakes her head. Why did he come over here and then say nothing? He was brave enough to walk op to her, but not brave enough to talk to her? Too bad, he is kind of hot. She decides to walk away.

"No. Wait!" He runs after her. "Sorry ma'am, I was just... uhm..." He tries to come up with his opening but somehow can't.

He can speak! Maybe she'll give him a chance. "What's your name soldier?" she asks stern.

"Barnes... Bucky Barnes."

"Barnes, eh? I've heard of you..."

She knows him? Maybe she's also from Brooklyn? He is satisfied and nods his head, his hands in his side.

"...a real ladies man." she continues.

Oh... That wasn't the reaction he hoped he'd get. Do women really think about him like that? He isn't used to be rejected. The grin on his face fades.

"A ladies man huh? That's not all I am." he crosses his arms slightly offended. Behind him he hears his mates chuckling.

"Oh yeah? Do you want to prove yourself? Spar with me." A slight smirk appears on her face.

He is surprised. Does she want to fight? "Why would I fight you?"

"Or are you afraid you'll lose?"

"No, of course not. I just don't want to hurt you ma'am."

A soft growl appears from deep inside of her. She changes her mind, what an asshole. "You won't get a chance for that Barnes."

He doesn't want to hurt her. But is she wants a fight, she can have a fight. A crowd gathers as both start circling. 

"Do you want to wrestle or do you prefer a weapon?" Bucky asks jokingly.

"Actually.. I prefer a weapon."

She gets handed 2 sticks by someone and throws one to Bucky. He catches the almost 40" stick. It has a handle decorated with leather straps. The 30" wooden blade is slightly curved.

"Sticks?" He chuckles. She stays silent.

"Bokkens." She corrects him.

He observes her movements as she walks. Feather light steps and a concentrated look in her dark brown eyes. By the way she moves he can tell she's a fighter. She holds her bokken with both hands, her left hand in front of her right, the tip of the bokken is dragging slightly on the ground. She stops in place, waiting for Bucky to make a move on her.

Bucky strikes the first blow but misses. The bokken digs itself into the ground. She dodged it with grace. She beckons him to her and challenges him to strike again. He goes in for a second strike.

As gracefully as she dodged the first one, just as gracefully she catches the second blow with her bokken. She twists the bokken in a circle and disarms him. Bucky follows the bokken with his eyes as it flies through the air. She doesn't hesitate and tackles Bucky with her own bokken by striking his legs, to the ground. As she catches the flying bokken with her free hand, Bucky falls down on his back with a loud thud, he grunts. 

He lays on his back on the dirt, arms and feet wide. His face is dirty and his throat dusty. He can't suppress his heavy coughing. He enjoyed getting his ass kicked by such a gorgeous and strong woman. She's hot. He only grew more interested in her after this moment. She laughs and holds out her hand and Bucky takes it. She pulls him off the ground and back onto his feet.

"Don't call me ma'am ever again." She wipes dust from her face and walks away.

"Hey! You didn't tell me your name?!"

She looks back at Bucky. His whole uniform is filthy and from the corner of his mouth is a trickle of his own blood.

"Karol Smitt."