1941 {Bucky Barnes x OC}

2

James guides me towards a punching bag and hands me the leather gloves. He lines me up closely to the leather bag hanging from a chain fastened to the ceiling. He places his hands on my ribs, slowly sliding them down to my hips which he holds from behind me, squaring me to the appropriate position, then nudging my feet with his own to match my hips. A chill runs up my spine as he holds my waist.

"Is this okay?" He asks quietly, close to my ear. "My hands being here..." he gently squeezes my hips.

"Most definitely." I lean into his hold. He wraps his arms around my waist and gives me a snug hug, I feel his chest vibrate with laughter.

What is she doing to me? I feel so soft. Yet I don't want to stop hugging her. He kisses my neck softly, causing another chill to run through me, I feel his smirk as he does it again. Why does she smell so good? Focus, Buck. He straightens up and lines my hips up again. He brings my hands to the accurate position.

He explains the way I should hold my arms, how I should throw a punch, how to frame my body.

I try to use moderate strength for a woman my size. It feels good. I feel strong. I feel myself gradually throwing more weight into my punch. It feels as though strength is surging within me. I throw my arm forward at the punching bag, rattling the chain it rests on, ripping the exact spot I was hitting. Leaving it dangling while sand spills out from the ripped leather bag. Howard will be so excited when I tell him about this.

Holy shit. How did she -

"I think that must've been ripped already..." I try to control the shock on my face.

"I'd hate to be the yuck that makes you flip your wig." He chuckles and taps my nose. He comes around and reaches up to unhook the punching bag. Hoists it onto his shoulder then takes it towards a supply closet before bringing back a new bag to hang. I note the few people remaining in here observing me.

Was that her?

There's no way...

That had to be Barnes.

I try to focus on something neutral, a plain white colour.

One person at a time, they turn away, thoughts quieting as I try to remove the memory from their minds. James finishes hanging the new bag and looks down to me. "Alright tuts, you want to keep going?"

"You know what, I'm starting to get hungry from this workout." I don't want to draw any extra attention, and really I'd just like to spend more time with him.

"A woman after my own heart. Where do you want to go?" He passes his arm over my shoulders.

"Mind if we go to my place and I can get changed? I wasn't expecting a workout when I got up this morning..." I laugh a bit while gathering my belongings.

"Of course, I'll go change up. Give me just five minutes? If anyone comes up to you, now you can throw a hearty punch." He winks and pecks my temple, while doing a quick glance around the room. He guides me to a chair nearest the men's change room.

I pull my stockings back up my legs, slide my oxfords back on and walk over to the cast iron weights out of curiosity. I grab the heaviest I see with one hand, 100lbs, and pick it up with ease as if it was nothing. Howard is going to want to hear about this.

I put it back down and go back towards where Bucky went. I shrug my jacket back on, button it up as high as I can and rub my hands together as I look out the window and see the snow picking up.