System Reboot || DC

Chapter Twenty-Nine

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Cute & Sexy

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I felt the palms of my hands grow sweaty as I walked down the hallway. Mindful of creaky floorboards and heavy breathing. Jason had texted me after lunch, telling me to come to the mansion's gym. With yesterday's conversation in mind, I guessed that today was going to be my first day of training. I all but skipped down the grand stairs with a wide giddy smile. There were feelings of both excitement and anticipation at the idea of finally reclaiming control over my life. To actually be able to throw a punch instead of being punched.

Though I have been doing basic exercises in my room and building up my stamina by running laps around the garden, it isn't the same as actually sparring with someone. When fighting, you experience the feeling of muscles tensing and burning. Of skin bruised by bone. To learn how to defend, evade, and outsmart your opponent.

Eventually, I found myself stalking one of the deepest areas of the mansion. I stopped at a double door and knocked. Jason was the one to open it, grinning giddily when he saw who it was. He grabbed my arm and ushered me inside, locking the door behind us. Ensuring no one would walk in on me getting my ass kicked.

"You weren't followed?" He asked, pulling me deeper into the room. A gentle grip around my wrist. He was wearing the same black shirt and matching sweatpants from earlier. An outfit that did little to dull the imagination of the toned body beneath. Not that I haven't seen it already.

"Don't think so. Even if I was, would the boys really be that mad that you're giving me self-defense training?" I raised a brow.

There was a long pregnant pause before we busted into laughter.

"They'd fucking hang me by my toenails," his chuckles faded into a solemn tone of realization. I stopped laughing as I formed a mental image in my head. Jason hangs by his toes as the others dance around a fire like cavemen. Loud, boisterous laughter bubbled uncontrollably from my stomach. "Hey, don't laugh! They really would!"

"That's why I'm laughing." I held my stomach as it began to cramp. Soon I had to sit on the bench to prevent myself from doubling over. "They're so ridiculously protective that they'd torture you for something as dumb as teaching me basic combat. In a place like Gotham, you think they would be glad that I can protect myself."

"I can see where their worry comes from," Jason walked to the supply closet and began to pull out some equipment. Boxing gloves and what looked like wrist raps. "You wouldn't feel the need to protect yourself if we were doing our job properly. Too many times have we nearly lost you. I guess their egos are hurt that you might not trust their help anymore."

Jason came to sit beside me, took my hand, and began strapping my hands. He explained to me that we were going to do some simple sparring to test my current level. I think he was worried about me getting blisters because soon my hand was cocooned in stretchy cloth and thick padding. I gave my face a pat, smiling when it bounced away without any pain. Like that one episode of Victorious where Kat got mistaken as a mental patient and had her hands wrapped in foam.

"Unfortunately you can't protect everyone. Especially those you care most about. The more you smother them, the less likely they are to stay within your protective circle."

Jason stopped and stared at my wrist clasped between his hands, "I didn't realize you felt that way." His voice was soft and I could tell I struck a sore spot. Like he had been thinking of this before.