sparring partner ; parksborn

chapter one

Recently, Harry added a gym to the  Oxford building; specifically for the gang to use whenever they pleased. However, he used it the most; whether simply out of boredom or to relieve stress, hours would pass in the blink of an eye. 

Although the equipment was high quality, hundreds of dollars spent on each piece, he desired a training buddy to hone his newly acquired skills. To his disappointment, however, everyone declined — afraid of using too much raw strength that'd send him straight to the hospital.

He found it silly, even if they did have a point. The last person he could count on was Peter — but even he outright rejected the idea at first, shocked that Harry would propose such a thing. "I could hurt you!"

"I trust you!"

"I don't!"

Eventually, after days of non-stop pestering and attempts at proving his strength — which, compared to Peter, was practically nothing — he managed to convince Peter. After chasing him down the hall, he finally stopped and spun around to face Harry; visibly irritated, and Harry grinned. 

"One time! I'll spar with you one time, but if you get hurt in the slightest-" he warns, pointing a finger at Harry's face, who doesn't bat an eye. 

Lowering Peter's hand, he chuckled and said, "Underestimating me, are we?"

The smug grin was quickly wiped off his face. It's safe to say he lost the first match — and the second, even though Peter promised he was going easy on him, or he would've been sent flying through the wall already. Which, due to that very possibility, are padded. 
By the third rematch a couple weeks later, Peter again denied the idea. "Are you sure? I don't think you're going to win at this rate, Harry." 

Maybe he had a point; he had superpowers after all, whereas Harry only had technology to back him up. No matter how hard Peter tried, he couldn't restrain all of his strength; it was a part of him, after all, coursing through his veins. Sometimes, Harry wishes he'd remained a scrawny nerd — it wasn't fair that he suddenly got buff from a spider bite with no repercussions whatsoever.

But there had to be some way to beat him; other than with technology or superpowers. So Harry kept training, day after day whenever he got the chance. It had to pay out in the end, one day he'll teach Peter a lesson; not to underestimate him. 

And that day is today. Weeks have passed, and finally Peter reluctantly agreed to spar. But if anything went wrong-

"Yeah, yeah," Harry rolls his eyes, shrugging off his jacket to reveal toned arms that Peter sneaks a glance at. "We gonna do this or not, Pete? I've been waiting ages." Rolling his shoulders, he does some quick stretches while Peter just stares. 

After a moment of silence, Peter sighs and gets into position. "Okay, but remember, you asked for this." 
He sure did. 

They take it slow at first, sizing each other up while moving slowly in a circle. As per usual, Harry strikes first; running across the mat to land a blow that Peter easily blocked. In return, he throws a punch that Harry narrowly avoids, knuckles inches from his face. 

Harry has seen him in battle; both up-close and in viral videos, which he studied constantly leading up to this day. He knows Peter's moves, and to an extent, how he'll react. It's not entirely fool-proof, however, as Peter nearly gets a hit on him; which he bends backwards to dodge in the nick of time.

"You've gotten better," Peter comments, sounding genuinely impressed — and not short of breath in the slightest. Harry doesn't waste time responding, kicking Peter in the side. He barely flinches or reacts at all — but the attack still landed.