Coronation Of Flame (A Marvel Fanfic)

Flashback 9: Vermillion Bullets

I already said happy new year in the previous chapter, so I won't repeat my words. But still, good luck readers! (We have too many comic book movies coming out, we're all going to die essentially.)

Enjoy,

LittlePond

Flashback 9: Vermillion Bullets

"Right. Let's begin," Aurelia stated, the day after Pietro had beaten her at 50% S.H.A.D.O mode without powers. As a reward, he could fight using his speed, a fact which somewhat scared the assassin. "You may have to hold off on the whole speed thing. At least until I catch up." As much as it pained her to say the last part, it was necessary.

There was no way that they were going to develop an effective fighting style for Pietro that wasn't summed up in 'run things over.' S.H.A.D.O wouldn't have that, HYDRA wouldn't have that. Hell, the world wouldn't have that.

"I never thought you'd say that," Pietro chimed. The older Maximoff was on a roll today when it came to his witty comebacks.

"Believe me," the assassin answered, "I didn't think so too." Aurelia laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder, and instantly pulled away, causing him to smirk, "What was that for?"

Her stomach, full of swirling mist, fell and the words were out of her mouth before she could register it. "Well, your arms are just so muscular, and rugged and athletic and..."

Aurelia fully registered what she was saying and saw the look on Pietro's face.

"When did you stop talking?" she asked, tightening her ponytail, searching for anything to keep her hands busy.

"About three embarrassing sentences ago," he smirked, and Aurelia realised the leverage he now had on her.

"So do we fight regularly? Or with powers?" Pietro asked. Aurelia shrugged, prepping herself for the fight, "With powers, just take it easy on me."

They both took their stances, as Pietro grinned, "I'll take it easy on you." Without warning, he threw a punch threaded in his trademark blue ribbons at her gut. Aurelia groaned as the punch hit home, causing her to bend over in pain.

If Pietro was going to get her ass handed to her for the next few training sessions, she'd walk away from the Fairy Glen beaten and bruised.

How the tables turned.

Pietro must've realised how hard the punch was and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You alright? That punch may have been a little too hard."

The assassin spat on the leaves below her.

"A little too hard? A little too hard?" she exclaimed.

The Enhanced laughed in embarrassment and rubbed the back of his neck, "Oops?"

Aurelia grinned through the pain, "Now hold back on the speed please."

"Sure thing, S.H.A.D.O," Pietro answered, leading her back into the centre of the Glen. "You better, Quicksilver."

Slowly, but surely, Aurelia became somewhat used to Pietro's inhuman speed.

As their session drew closer and closer to the end, the assassin found she was able to dodge the majority of his punches at full assassin mode. Finally, she had an even match. That was until the speedster caught her off guard with his speed and wrapped her against him.

One arm around her neck, the other around her waist, her back squashed against his chest and the speedster's breath on her neck, and the beating of his heart in her ear.

"Got you," Pietro grinned, essentially whispering in her ear.

Dammit, not only did the aftermath of fighting leave her breathless but those 2 words did wonders. Or disasters, whichever way you wanted to put it.

They were both breathing hard, either from the training or from the position that they were in, but Aurelia had to speak before things got too awkward.

"You did," she agreed as Aurelia finally admitted it to herself.

She had a crush on Pietro Maximoff.

Aurelia should have seen this coming.