Feathers

8

    You lost count of how many times you hit the ground. Bucky threw you more times then you could count, and when you weren't being thrown you'd somehow mange to step on the tips of your wings at least a dozen times. You always managed to pull yourself up from the ground again, unsteady on your feet. You breathed heavily, looking over at Bucky, he made cupping motion with his hand, urging you come at him again.
You shook out your hands, and stretched your neck before lunging at him again. Bucky had to give you credit, you definitely weren't going to give up. As you reached him, he ducked under your arm, stepping his foot in behind your leg. He hooked your ankle, and shoved you with his shoulder hard. You were thrown to the ground yet again, unlike the last many times you finally managed to figure out how to rolled back over your head.
Every time you had tried before your wings would stop your momentum. The arch at the top reached above your head so naturally they would stop you from completing the backwards somersault. However this time when you rolled back you stretch them to either side, lowering the bend just enough to finish the roll. You were on a knee, one foot a head of it, kneeling and facing him, your wings stretched out on either side of you.
"Look at you, you finally figured out how to roll back." He said playfully, crossing his large arms.
"Was that the whole point of tossing me around like a rag doll?" You huff, standing up, your tired body protested.
"Yeah, you needed to figure out how to fall properly, in way that you use that momentum instead taking the impact full on." He stated, walking toward you. "Anyway, someone told me not to take it easy on her."
"Your right, I did." You replied, standing in front of him. "Doesn't mean I still don't hurt."
"Same time tomorrow?" He asked as the Both of you walked back to the building. You were beginning to wonder if you made a bad idea, seeing his grin out of the corner of your eye.
When you got to your room, you flopped down on the bed. There wasn't a part of you that wasn't sore or bruised. Hell, you were positive there were bruises under your feathers if you cared enough to check. But you were tired and in pain. Slowly you drifted off to sleep, where you would dreamt of punches and falling.

      Days began to pass in a blur, every night like clock work the two of you would meet. And in the dead of night when everyone else was asleep Bucky would hand you your ass, you impressed him though, you never gave up. No matter how much he threw at you, no matter how much pain you felt. You kept coming, but he was noticing the difference that you didn't.
   After every fall you'd spring back up faster then the day before. After every hit, your brain was learning to judge his movements and prepare to block or dodge. Your body was getting it, he also noticed that you were figuring out how use those wings of yours. You found ways to move with them. Using their size to your advantage, their strength. More then once you sent him sprawling to the ground, or knocking him into a tree.
   You were building the muscle tone, and never knowing it. Before long you were starting the sparring, attacking him. Bucky was immensely proud of you, he didn't need to worry if the Winter Soldier came out. He was confident in the fact that you would be able to defend yourself long enough for him to snap back.
     "Hey, think you'll ever come out and meet the rest of team?" He asked, striking at your head, full force.
     "Nope, not interest." You responded, moving your head sharply to the side. Striking into his gut, he took the punch full on, he reached down trying to grab at your wrist.
    "Why not?" He asked, as you leapt back, keeping your wrist out of his hands.
    "Told you, not interest." He spun on his heel, you ducked the kick as his foot neared. You swipe your leg out down low, catching him off guard. He landed, and rolled tightly to the side snagging your leg as he went. You fell hard to the ground, he jumped on you, you managed to lock your legs around his waist to keep him from having complete control.
    "I think you should." He told you as he threw a punch down at your head, his fist connected with the soil making a hard thud.
     "And whys that?" You responded, as you rammed your fist into his side.
     "You give them a chance." He said through gritted teeth, as you brought elbow up to face pushing him back.  " I think you'd get a long them."
     He grabbed your arm with his metallic hand, the cold of it was a welcomed feeling against your warm skin. He pulled your arm tightly cross your own chest, effectively pinning you. He brought his face inches from yours.
     "And get to know them?" Swiftly you brought your head up, connecting your forehead hard with his. He loosen his grip on your arm in a slight dazed moment. Somehow you managed to flip him on his back, saddling him. You placed your hands on his heaving chest and pushed yourself to your feet. "Told you, not interested."
      "Can you at least tell me why?" He asked as you helped him up.
      "I don't trust people and I don't want to get to know them." You say sharply, almost hissing. Your feathers bristled up, it was obvious that you were annoyed at his continued line of questioning.
    "You trust me." He stated, the intensity of his eyes boring into you. He was right, you did trust him but in your eyes the two of you were much the same.
    "You're different." You sigh walking away, the feathers slowly flattening back down.