BE THE CHANGE // BUCKY BARNES X OC

SIX

Sunlight woke me the following morning and as I stretched, my hand hit the empty mattress next to me and while I was going to panic, I realised that Bucky probably went back downstairs so Sarah and Sam saw him there and didn't question where he'd gone.

I got up and went to the bathroom, having a warm, very needed shower before I pulled my pants and tank top on and headed downstairs. Bucky was the only one left in the house and he was making coffee when I dropped to the kitchen table. "Morning." I sang out with a smile on my face.

He sat opposite me, handing me a mug before he spoke. "How are your sides?" I held my mug tightly as I stared at the steam coming from the sweet, warm liquid inside-all I could think about was his fingers and lips on my skin. "Still bruised and sore." I replied dryly but honestly. I couldn't lie to him, I knew he felt bad for bruising me but I was ok, just tender.

"I'm not training you until those are healed." He said sternly and I sighed as I had a sip from my mug, looking at him carefully. He was frowning and I could tell with the look on his face that he meant it. "Yeah. I get that but if I can't handle a little bit of pain. How am I supposed to learn?" I questioned quietly, because I really could take the hits, it was avoiding them or getting back up that I struggled with.

He didn't reply so I finished my drink and went outside. If he wasn't going to train me today then I'd train myself-I knew basic moves, so I'd start there. I took up my stance in front of the tree Sam had padded up and began throwing punches. One, two. One, two. Over and over again.

☆☆☆☆☆

My brows were drawn as I fought through the dull ache in my sides as I turned, throwing my whole body into each punch-sweat dripping down my neck as I worked. "Lower your right elbow." He said from behind me. One, two. "Thought you weren't training me today." I grunted as I threw another set out.

"You're going to hurt yourself if you don't drop that elbow. You're only landing with 80% because of it." I dropped my hands and turned to him. He was just standing there, arms folded and hip cocked with that damn scowl on his face. "I'm not listening unless you plan on sparring with me." I huffed.

He changed his position and put his left hand behind his back and I rolled my eyes but figured it was better than nothing so I took up my stance and remembered to drop my elbow slightly as I swung at him.

He blocked both but I felt the difference in my right hook and smiled to myself. "Ok so I felt that." I said before throwing another set at him. He blocked them with ease again and I felt the anger rising in me. I was determined to land just one, but I was completely outmatched.

I watched the way he moved, his feet placement and I remembered one of my lessons I'd had with Sam. As I rounded on him, swinging a left hook, he moved and I dropped, swinging my leg under his. To my absolute surprise Bucky hit the ground, landing flat on his back and I pounced, straddling him as I raised my fist.

The wind rushed out of him and he stared at me wide eyed as I flicked his forehead. "Sam taught me a few things a couple of months back." I grinned. Which was stupid because I wasn't paying attention and before I knew it the world flipped and I was on my back, Bucky pinning me to the ground. "Fuck." I huffed as I dropped my head back, hitting the ground.

He smiled a cheeky smile then got up, helping me to my feet. "Never drop your guard." I rolled my eyes as I dusted myself off. He made sure I was ok, so we spent the morning sparring together. He corrected my positions as needed, kicking my shoes if I needed to move them, tapping my arms if they needed to shift.

By lunch I was exhausted and starving. As I gulped down a glass of water I leant back against the bench but pinched my side as I did. "Shit." I hissed as I lifted my shirt up and looked at my ribs.