FOREVER YOUNG, b.barnes daughter

ten. I remember

Idk what to write guys

TW: BURNS BY PIERCE

THE TRAINING ROOM WAS AN unforgiving space, with metal walls that seemed to close in on them. Judith and James stood in the center, facing each other. They were supposed to be practicing their hand-to-hand combat techniques, but Judith's movements were sluggish, her mind still foggy from the turmoil of the previous night.

James tried to go easy on her, but Pierce watched them from the sidelines, his eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Stop holding back, Soldat!" Pierce barked. "This isn't a playground. Fight like you mean it!"

Judith forced herself to focus, her muscles aching with fatigue. She launched a half-hearted punch at James, who easily blocked it and countered with a light tap on her shoulder. It was a gesture of encouragement, but Pierce saw it as a sign of weakness.

"Pathetic!" Pierce shouted, storming over to them. "Is this what HYDRA's finest has come to? You fight like children!"

Judith's jaw tightened, her eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "I'm sorry, sir," she muttered, barely meeting Pierce's gaze.

"Sorry?" Pierce sneered. "Sorry doesn't cut it, Viper. You need to be stronger, faster, better. You're a disgrace."

James clenched his fists, every muscle in his body tensing. He wanted nothing more than to knock Pierce to the ground, but he knew that would only make things worse for both of them. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Pierce grabbed Judith's arm, pulling her sleeve up to expose the skin. "Maybe this will remind you of what's expected," he said coldly, pulling out a lighter.

Judith's eyes widened with fear, but she bit her lip, determined not to show any weakness. Pierce ignited the lighter and pressed it against her skin, the flame searing into her flesh. Judith clenched her teeth, a pained whimper escaping her lips.

James watched in horror, his heart pounding in his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to intervene, but he forced himself to stay still. His hands trembled with barely restrained rage, his nails digging into his palms.

"Do you understand now?" Pierce hissed, his voice low and menacing. "You are nothing without HYDRA. You are weak, and you will always be weak unless you learn to embrace the pain."

Judith nodded, her eyes brimming with tears that she refused to let fall. "Yes, sir," she whispered, her voice shaky but defiant.

Pierce finally let go of her arm, the burn mark standing out angrily against her skin. He turned to James, his expression a mix of contempt and satisfaction. "Make sure she gets it right, Soldat," he ordered. "I don't want to see this kind of sloppiness again."

James nodded stiffly, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Yes, sir," he replied through gritted teeth.

Pierce stalked away, leaving them alone in the training room. Judith cradled her arm, the pain radiating through her body. James stepped closer, his eyes filled with concern and barely contained fury.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice trembling with emotion.

Judith nodded, though her face was pale and her eyes were distant. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice flat and devoid of emotion.

James struggled to find the right words, the sight of her in pain tearing at his heart. "I'm sorry," he whispered, guilt and anger mixing in his eyes. "I wish I could do something."

Judith looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, the wall between them seemed to crack, and she saw the depth of his feelings, the love and protectiveness he felt for her. It was overwhelming, and she didn't know how to handle it.