The Child of Winter ~ Book 1

6. New Bonds & Beginnings

-- Hey guys! Please comment on what you think about the improvements I've been making. I hope you enjoy!

Objective: See what the new day brings.

    The sound of complaints greeted her and she couldn't help but laugh at Bucky and Steven, who were still stuck together. Tony was trying everything to get the two apart, but he couldn't seem to make any headway on it. He suddenly shouted over the constant complaining, "It was funny for the first few minutes, gentlemen, but it has lost all of its humor! Now, be quiet and let me think!"

    Steven huffed softly, the artificial light causing his arm to almost look beautiful and not like the weapon it was designed to be. He noticed Peggy and gave her a small smile, "Hey, Peggy. Come to see us in our first embarrassing moment?"

    She smiled and laughed, "Yes, that's why I came! I'm also taking photos for blackmail." Her phone flashed and Bucky hung his head in silent humiliation while Steven just laughed.

    Tony pressed a few more buttons and a soft 'ping' resounded through the space as Steven leaped away from his father, exclaiming, "I'm free! I'm free!"

    Bucky laughed at his son's antics and sighed, "You sure did inherit my sense of humor, Steven, that's for sure."

    Steven shrugged and leaped away when Bucky's metal hand reached towards him, "Oh no! I am not getting stuck to you again!"

    "You won't get stuck again, Steven," Tony said tiredly. He tapped Bucky's arm with a fridge magnet and it didn't stick, "See? I demagnetized your arms so that you can remain... well, a healthy distance apart."

    After a hearty chuckle from both Winter Soldiers, Bucky thanked Tony for his help in resolving their admittedly comical problem. As the two started to walk off, Bucky turned to his son and asked, "What do you say we do a little warming up on your hand-to-hand, son? How about... Jiu-Jitsu in 15 minutes?"

    Enthusiastically, Steven replied, "Oh, you're on, old-timer!" He dashed off to prepare himself for what was sure to be an intense session.

    Peggy watched him dash away and asked Bucky, "Could I watch?"

    "Sure," Bucky replied warmly. He headed towards the gym and muttered, "Who's that kid calling an 'old-timer'? I'll show him..."

    Peggy headed down to the gym and took a seat on the bleachers Tony had installed a few weeks ago. She found that she wouldn't be alone in spectating this event as she noticed that Sam and her dad had also come to watch.

    Soon Steven came jogging into the gym with his gym bag. His eyes looked like they had lightning in them as he began his traditional warm up Peggy had seen him do before every session they'd had. He took a quick breather and then surprised her by approaching and asking, "You've come to see the show too?"

    "Yep. I hope you're ready for this," Peggy said.

    She received a look of confusion from Steven as he said, "Ready? I was created for the sole purpose of taking him down, Peggy. I... I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

    Bucky then strut into the gym and began bantering with Steven, "You ready to taste these mats, Son?"

    "You'll be the one tasting those today, Sir," Steven chuckled as he slowly walked over and stepped into the ring.

    The two soldiers circled each other slowly, looking like two lone wolves silently staring down each other until Steven sprang forward, lashing out with his metal arm and striking Bucky harshly on his left side. He pressed his early advantage by using lighter punches to confuse Bucky and then hammering him hard when he tried to get a bead on his movements.

    Bucky now lashed out and caught Steven completely by surprise at the power he put into the blow. He then easily tackled his son to the mats and chuckled, "I told you you'd taste the mats today."

    Steven growled softly and muttered, "Alright, alright... Maybe I still have some things to learn in order to take you on."

    "It's a good thing you and Peggy will be training together then," Steve said as he approached the ring with Sam.

    Peggy perked up at that, asking, "You're seriously gonna let me begin training, Dad?"

    The captain gazed back at his daughter and smiled softly at her growing excitement, "Yep, it's been decided that you and Steven will be put in your own separate class led by myself and Bucky."

    A sudden 'oof' rang out and everyone turned to see Steven now pinning Bucky to the mats. The teen nodded, "When will the lessons begin?"

    Bucky threw his son off of him and gave him the water answer by throwing a punch, "Right now for you, Son!"

    Steve meanwhile threw a pair of gloves towards Peggy and said, "Suit up, Peggy."

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