Learning the Ropes: for dirtyenoughforyou (and kingofarchers if they want)

[smash_stuff]

Bruce was more than a little worried.

He had agreed to some training from Agent Romanov but he wasn't sure exactly what she was going to train him in. He had a little bit of experience with jujitsu but that was just defensive maneuvers. Something to get him by in a pinch.

....plus, and he wouldn't say this aloud to her, he'd never trained with a woman before.

But here he was, dressed in sweats and headed for the Shield gym. He wondered fleetingly if they should have a larger training area. Like outside. In an empty field. In Switzerland.

Comments

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

She let herself smile this time. "Better, much better. And yes, keep hitting the pads. We'll do this until I end the count. Just remember to keep leading from the shoulder. An opponent has less chance of seeing the punch coming than if you lead with your fist. Keep alternating, maybe even switch up the pattern when you're comfortable."

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

Ok, hit the pads, he could do this. Pads weren't people after all, he could wail on them all day and nobody would get hurt. A few more punches and his analytcal brain takes over, working out the right angles, hitting with greater force than before.

He pauses for a second, a few beads of sweat running down his forehead. "That wasn't so bad," he says, surprised at himself.

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

Natasha flexed her fingers as she pulled off the pads, actually starting to feel the force of Banner's hits even if she would never openly acknowledge the slight pain.

She glanced at him. "I do know what I'm doing."

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

"I...wouldn't imply otherwise." He says with an awkward lopsided grin. Figuring they were done with the boxing portion of this exercise, he starts to take his gloves off.

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

"Not if you value certain parts of your anatomy," she teased with a grin. Natasha handed Bruce the pads before taking the gloves off him. She still thought it would be safer to stick with at least some kind of protection while training. "Now we'll work on some blocking. I just don't want you getting hurt. I know the pads might be a little awkward, but at least until you get more comfortable and find a natural rhythm, they are safer."

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

Now blocking, that he was familiar with. Feeling a bit more on solid ground with this one, he takes a practiced defensive stance, ready for anything she throws at him....or at least he hopes so.

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

Natasha started slow, aiming punches to his face and torso before she started to pick up the pace and even move forward to make him retreat or stand his ground. She was curious to see what decision Bruce made, fight or flight an instinctual reaction when you started to forget everything around you.

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

He backs up instinctively, avoiding being hit at all costs. Natasha was fast on her feet, more than he had anticipated. One long jab at him, he side steps and uses her own momentum to push her past himself and away, darting to the other side of her. He will pick flight over fight any time.

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

Natasha didn't lose her balance, but she did overstep to the point Bruce could escape her. She spun around, moving low as she moved into an offensive stance.

She crouched, narrowing her eyes as one hand braced against the floor and the other was held out behind her. "Not bad, Banner. Not bad at all."

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

He was leaning against his knees to catch his breath but his face took on a smile at the compliment. "Thanks. At least that part I've had to use before."

[redinmyledger.livejournal.com]

"I can tell, but that's good. Using what you already know along with what you're learning now will help a great deal. It means you'll start to develop your own style of... well, what shall we call it? Offensive defense?" Natasha smiled again before her expression turned serious and she looked like she was readying herself for another round. "Got your breath back yet, doctor?"

[smash-stuff.livejournal.com]

He stands back up with a nod, feeling less winded. "Just Bruce is fine..." He hadn't felt like an actual doctor/scientist since he'd become his own experiment. Everyone here at Shield seemed to call him that though.

"What next?"