Incognito

✑ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑.𝟒

𝙶𝚛𝚢𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚛 𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚖
𝟾:𝟸𝟷 𝚊.𝚖 I

"Come on, Evans! It's like you're not even trying!"

"It's like you're only trying to aggravate me!"

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Now hit me like you fucking mean it!"

Lily snorted and did just that. There was something satisfying about hitting James Potter in his idiotic face. It was like feeding that inner childish monologue that told you to destroy something pretty; like kicking a sandcastle or splashing a painting.

"Good girl, but not even remotely hard enough. That barely hurt me!"

She swung again and he parried, making her grunt with the empty swing.

"There! See? This is why you shouldn't listen to me. Brute force does nothing for your fighting style, especially when your opponent is stronger than you. You fight smarter. So don't let me get in your head again, Evans."

The way he spoke only angered her more.
"Why won't it do me any good? You've been annoying the hell out of me all morning, so what if I want to punch you in the stupid face?"

James smirked, "go on then."

She swung again, hard, and this time he did not only parry, but he caught her wrist, swung her around, grabbed the second one and, before she could breathe, he'd pinned both wrists in one hand above her head, her back pressed firmly against the wall.

"This is why," he whispered, closer to her mouth than he should have been, "we don't swing out of blind anger, Evans. We size up our opponents. And if they have a foot on you then we don't overpower them. We disarm, disable and then overpower. Strategy."

Lily said nothing, her head swimming with the feel of his breath mingling with hers. It would be so easy to kiss him... if she wanted... which she didn't.

"Lesson number two. If you find yourself in this situation, first of all, you sort out your pulse because it is humming and that gives far too much away," he murmured, the fingers around her wrist curled to monitor her pulse.
"Secondly, psychology is half a fight when you're already losing. So if you find yourself here then—"

"OI!"

Lily's eyes snapped to the door and immediately were filled with horror, James turned his head but did not step away from her until he saw exactly who it was storming towards them.

Christopher Evans, Lily's father, was wearing an expression akin to unbridled rage as he powered towards the two spies he'd caught in a rather unfortunate situation.

"Exactly what lesson were you teaching my daughter, Potter?"

James did not answer right away, nor did his face betray any emotion at all. He simply remained stoic.
Perhaps it was Lily's lack of training, but she could not hide her aghast expression.

"Potter."

"I was teaching Falcon the valuable lesson that it does not do well to attempt to overpower those with physical authority in combat. Psychology is a much stronger weapon when fighting for the upper hand."

Christopher did not appear to buy it.
"It would appear you may do well to remember such lessons yourself, or at least don't have so much fun teaching it. You're here to instruct. Not romance."

"Did anyone consult me what I might see fit?" Lily asked, stepping forward and pushing James away by the chest, though his hands were no longer on her, he had not made much of an effort to put distance between them both (Lily supposed this was partly intentional) and so she was still partially blocked against the wall.
"I can't listen to this. Call me when your displays of masculinity exist beyond ritualistic, Dad. That way you can stop protecting me like I need it, and James, don't justify yourself. You were teaching. It's pathetic."