Training Commences
Bucky’s POV
“I think I’ll go now, sweetheart.” Bucky tensed at Loki’s words. He had never liked the God with his sly words that always dripped like poison. Bucky wished Thor had never let Loki out of his cell but Thor had insisted.
“Don’t call me sweetheart.” Iris grumbled menacingly. Loki just smiled cruelly.
“I call you what I want.” Bucky resisted the urge to strangle Loki right then and there. Iris was very obviously uncomfortable with the situation.
“Stop it brother. Don’t make me regret taking you out of your cell.” Even with Thor’s words Bucky wasn’t satisfied. Loki wasn’t backing off.
“I’m just teasing.” Loki was leaning in closer to Iris. Bucky could barely contain himself as he shot Loki deadly glares. Loki just smirked. “I’m Loki of Asgard, the God of mischief.” Iris was tensing up. Loki was just inches away from her ear now as he breathed the words which almost caused Bucky to lash out. “Now what must I do to gain the heart of a fair maiden like you?”
If it hadn’t been for Iris at that moment Bucky would have jumped from the chair and beat Loki into a pulp.
“Well tough luck buddy but I already have a date.” Iris smirked and looked up at Bucky. The room tittered and Bucky felt triumphant. “And he’s sitting right her so I’d watch out.” Iris wrapped her arm around his metal one. He was surprised she wasn’t scared of him. Most people would run the other way after they found out who he was. She then leaned against his shoulder and Bucky felt his anger dissipate.
Bucky felt pleased to see Loki back off looking defeated as well as the rest of the room’s shocked reactions. Almost everyone was exchanging glances as Iris released herself from Bucky’s shoulder, letting her fingers trail down the length of his arm. He was glad HYDRA had placed sensory receptors in between the metal plates as he felt the warm, soft skin tickle his cold metal. He hoped no one had noticed him shiver slightly at the gesture.
“So are we continuing or not?” Iris grinned. Bucky was glad she was okay with telling everyone about them although nothing had happened yet.
“Wait, hold up. When did this happen?” For the first time ever Tony seemed lost for words. He gestured between the two of them as they exchanged satisfied glances.
“We are going on a date tonight.” Bucky announced. Steve seemed more proud than shocked from this point.
“Like I said, let’s continue.” Iris broke the awkward silence between them and the rest of the Avengers. He looked over to Loki who had sunk back into his chair, sulking.
“Um, well my name’s Clint Barton and I have a bow and arrow.” Clint didn’t really seem to know what to say so he stumbled over his words slightly.
“Well now I think I know everyone since the two in the kitchen already introduced themselves.” Vision and Wanda waved silently from the kitchen before going back to talking with each other. “So what do you do on a Saturday?”
“Glad you asked.” Tony had reverted back to his jumpy self again, exited to start the day. “We’re going to start your training today.
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Iris’ POV
They had been down in the training rooms for a solid few hours before Iris could barely stand anymore. She had started with a bit of combat training from Natasha who complimented her ability to fight dirty. Iris knew she was no match for the assassin but the compliment helped boost her moral.
After about an hour with Natasha she took a water break, watching a fight which was currently going on in the simulation room. Tony and Steve were betting on Pietro and Bucky who were currently in close combat in an icy mountain terrain.
Natasha had gone to the gym area and was running on the treadmill while Iris stood by Tony and Steve. She watched the screen as Pietro ran through the snow, leaving a flurry of flakes behind his trail. Bucky stood relatively still, only moving to dodge Pietro’s advances. The TV screens were following their wild movements down the side of the mountain as they were too far away to see through the glass.
“Who are you betting on.” Tony asked.
“Bucky.” Iris said without hesitation. “Pietro might be fast but he’s also predictable. See, Bucky will clock him right about…now.” As though it was planned Bucky reached out his arm as it collided with Pietro’s stomach. He slid through the snow and ice, landing a few feet away with a loud oomph. He held his hands up in surrender as Bucky loomed over him.
“Impressive. I had my money on speedy here but I guess you and cap won.” Tony pulled out a wad of money and passed $100 to each one. Iris nearly gasped. For Tony this must have been a tiny gesture but for Iris it might have been the most money she’d ever held in her hand at once. She quickly tucked it into the pockets of her shorts.
When Iris looked back up the mountain side had disappeared and Bucky was helping Pietro to his feet. The two of them walked back to the door in silence. When Bucky exited the room Iris and clapped. Pietro rolled his eyes but smiled before going to the gym where Natasha was.
“So who’s next?” Asked Tony.
“I’ll go with whoever.” Iris had recovered relatively well from Natasha’s training although it was more like beat-up-Iris-for-an-hour. She did want to try out some new tricks she had learnt.
“I accept.” Iris nearly gagged at the hazy voice behind her. Loki.
“No. You are not going in there with him.” Bucky jumped to her side as Iris spun around to face Loki. He was much taller than her so she had to look up to see his sly face. Iris was originally going to refuse as well but she hated people telling her what to do, even If it was Bucky.
“You don’t think I can handle myself?” Iris looked over to Bucky. He was defensive but also looked concerned.
“You heard the lady, give her a chance.” Loki was smirking slyly. I can’t wait to kick his ass. Frustration was boiling over in her mind as Loki spoke.
“Iris, he’s a God.” Bucky began to sound more concerned but Iris didn’t back down.
“And you’re a genetically enhanced super soldier.” Iris stared straight at Bucky. As much as she hated disagreeing with him she wanted to prove herself.
“Fine, but don’t blame me if you get hurt.” Bucky’s words seemed harsh but the tone was much more concerned. Loki sneered besides her.
“Let’s get this show started sweetheart.” He drawled.
“Shut up before I punch you right here.” Iris growled. Loki laughed and put his hands up in mock defeat.
“Whatever you say sweetheart.”
Iris chose to ignore him this time. She stomped into the empty simulation room after giving one last look to Bucky. He smiled but seemed nervous. This might not have been the best idea. Iris began doubting herself. She had no idea what Loki was capable of besides the short clips she had seen on the news about New York and aliens and stuff but she had been high out of her mind and couldn’t remember half of it.
“Here goes nothing.” Iris whispered to herself. She had chosen the far end of the room while Loki stood nearer to where the door was. Well, now it was just an empty wall but still.
A second later the room began to go dark as grass taller than her rose above Iris’ head. It was thick and prickly as she tried to get her bearings. The entire room was silent besides a few crickets chirping and the grass rustling in the breeze. Above her the hazy sky was dotted with dim yellow stars. The room was dark but had light tints of red, orange and yellow like the sun was setting. Iris would’ve loved to lie down in the grass for hours if she hadn’t been about to fight with an actual God.
She was broken out of her spell when she heard rustling behind her. Iris spun around just in time to see Loki about to knock her to the ground. Iris stepped to the side, catching his arm in a tight grip under her armpit and kicking his legs out from underneath him. Loki fell to the ground and Iris pressed her foot against his chest. She smirked before raising her foot to stomp into his sternum but he grabbed her foot pulling her to the ground.
Although it was unexpected Iris still managed to land close to Loki so she could grab his shoulder keeping him down. She pulled in closer to him, raising her fist to punch the stupid smirk off his face but before she could his form shimmered out from underneath her.
“Wha…?” She began as her hand sunk through his shoulder until he disappeared completely. She heard more rustling from behind her but before she could spin around a heavy foot pressed into her spinal column. She groaned as her attacker pressed her to the ground, digging his heel into her back.
She couldn’t breath as she struggled against the weight. Iris was about to tap out when the pressure was released but before she could catch her breath the foot came crashing into her side, causing Iris to spin onto her back. The pain was quite immense but Iris still managed to jump up onto her feet.
Loki stood in front of her, smirking. Without warning Iris attacked. Loki didn’t expect her to recover so quickly so her knee collided with his downstairs area.
Loki groaned, doubling over. Iris wanted to pat her own back but knew the deed wasn’t done.
She raised her foot, slamming it into Loki’s chest. He stumbled backwards but didn’t fall. Iris took a second to regain her balance before charging at Loki again. She prepared a tackle but before she reached him Loki smirked and waved, disappearing in a flurry of mist. Iris spun around.
The tall grass around them had been pressed into the ground leaving an open area. Iris began hearing shuffling and rustling from all sides, spinning around at each false noise.
“You’re cheating!” Iris yelled. “Come out here and fight me for real!”
“If you say so.” Iris gasped in surprise as Loki pulled her hair down from behind. She reached up trying to bat his hands away but he used his other hand to hold her wrists together behind her back. His fingers were long and thin so they wrapped around her thin wrists easily.
Iris grunted and tried to raise her knee to kick him in the stomach but Loki easily avoided her. Iris struggled against his grip until he threw her to the floor. She landed with her palms in the sharp flattened grass, feeling the weeds and stones cut into her knees and hands.
Before Iris could flip over she felt her hair being pulled at again. She screamed as he tugged at her roots but was cut off by a swift punch in the stomach and a hand wrapping around her neck.
Instead of lightly gripping like Bucky had Loki actually squeezed. Iris felt her vision began to fade as she clawed against his arm, trying to pry his bony fingers from her neck.
“I always get what I want, sweetheart.” Loki sneered. Iris couldn’t say anything back as his fingers squeezed harder.
“LOKI! THAT’S ENOUGH!” A voice blared over the intercom. Iris dropped the floor, curling up into ball as Loki laughed at her pathetic form.
She didn’t even notice the scenery fade from the room as Loki walked away. What she did see was Thor grabbing Loki roughly and pulling him out of the room and Bucky falling to her side.
“I should have never let you do this.” Bucky wrapped his arms protectively around Iris who gripped onto his arm.
“It’s my fault, I chose to go up against him. I was being stupid.” Iris had uncurled from her fetal position and was leaning into Bucky’s side.
“You weren’t stupid; you didn’t know any better.”
“Well, I should have.”
They sat in the empty white room in a comfortable silence for another few minutes. Eventually Iris sat up allowing Bucky to stand and help her up. Iris rubbed her sore neck, wincing as she ran her fingers along the bruises. Bucky let Iris lean on him as they walked back to the open door. Natasha, Steve, Pietro and Tony were in the room looking concerned.
“Where’s Loki?” Bucky asked. “I want to punch his stupid face.” Iris grinned at Bucky’s comment. I could get used to a protector like this.
“Thor brought him back to his cell.” Steve announced. Iris was relieved.
“Good. It’ll be easy to beat him up there.” Bucky grumbled. Iris punched him lightheartedly on the shoulder.
“My winter savior.” Iris didn’t know where the name came from but she liked it. Bucky smiled along with the rest of the group. She planted a kiss on his cheek and Tony began slapping Natasha’s shoulder like a teenage girl. Natasha pushed Tony away but was smiling.
“What about me?” Pietro asked jokingly. Iris just laughed.
“Well, I think you’re done with training for today so you go get ready for your date.” Steve said mockingly. Iris and Bucky gazed at each other. Iris hoped he was just as excited as she was.
“Will do captain.” Iris fake saluted with her free hand as the other was still wrapped around Bucky’s right arm. The two of them then walked to the elevator up to the forty-fourth floor.