The gym was practically empty at this point, as it should be at nearly 1:00 a.m. on the weekend. No sane person would be working out at this hour. They’d be enjoying time out with friends or succumbing to exhaustion after a long week of work.
But then again, Bucky had never considered himself completely sane, nor did his job entail a regular 9-to-5 schedule. Maybe one he’d subject himself to a so-called “normal” job, but he loved what he did now and planned on staying in the ring for as long as possible.
Steve, his usual sparring partner, and trainer, had gone home a couple hours ago, leaving him alone with the gym’s owner, Sam.
Bucky had already gone through his usual workout routine and was just milling about the various machines. Frankly, he was bored, but wasn’t up for heading home yet. He’d developed a habit of staying extra late on days like this. Until Sam kicked him out, at least. He would make sure everything was cleaned and put away properly, making his prolonged presence useful, maybe even getting a few more reps in here and there.
At this point he’d circled the entire floor twice now, yet his body was still abuzz. Turning toward the main office, he hoped Sam was bored too. Every now and again Sam could be convinced to spar with him, usually when the gym was all but deserted.
Like now, for instance.
Sam was on the phone when Bucky tapped the open door.
“Yea it’s just me and Bucky here now,” Sam spoke into the phone, acknowledging the man in the doorway. He nodded at whatever was said on the other line. “He can keep quiet, promise. You gonna tell me who you’re bringing?” He rolled his eyes “Fine, fine. The front’s unlocked, just lock it when you get here.” Humming a goodbye and hanging up, he faced the doorway. “What’s up, Bucky?”
“Who was that,” Bucky asked, crossing his arms, “and what am I keeping quiet?”
Sam rubbed his chin, contemplating what to say. “Natasha. She’s bringing a friend of a friend who doesn’t want to draw attention or something,” he explained after a moment. “Probably some actor trying to stay under the radar.”
Bucky nodded, understanding that’s all Sam knew. It wasn’t too hard to imagine. Sam’s gym wasn’t exclusive per se, but it was more private than most in the city. Ideal for those wanting to exercise and train without being gawked or leered at, celebrities included. Whoever this person was, they were more concerned than most about privacy if they preferred to come so late and ensure the place was empty beforehand.
“Want to spar?”
Sam just looked at him baffled. “You ever go home, man? You’ve been here for hours.”
“I like it here.” Bucky shrugged. “Come on,” he pleaded, “It’ll give you something to do until Nat gets here.”
Sam softly shook his head, following Bucky to the first set of mats, nonetheless. “You pull that shit you did last time and I’m breaking your balls,” he warned, wrapping his hands.
Bucky just smirked at his friend, thinking back to last week’s incident. “Learn to block better then,” he retorted, laughing when Sam flipped him off.
Almost a half hour later, Sam had had enough. Tapping out of Bucky’s hold, he was about to tell him off for almost giving him another black eye when the front doors squeaked open.
Natasha walked in, quietly speaking with the blonde woman following her, and locked the door behind her. Both women took off their jackets, now in the much warmer atmosphere of the gym. Their similar outfits of razorback tank tops, workout pants, and tennis shoes indicated this visit was more than just show and tell.
As they headed toward the second set of sparring mats on the other side of the gym, Bucky’s mind was racing. Even from a distance, he recognized the mystery woman.
“Holy shit!” he whispered, rapidly tapping Sam’s shoulder. “Is that who I think it is?”
“Hmm?” Sam glanced over where the women were stretching and quietly conversing, trying to decipher what Bucky was talking about. He shook his head. “I don’t recognize her. Quit starin’,” he scolded.
Bucky pulled his eyes from the blonde when Sam’s words finally registered. “What do you mean you don’t… That’s Anya!” Sam just gave him a bewildered look. “The Red Warrior, Anya,” Bucky elaborated. “She’s one of the best female MMA fighters out there. She fell off the radar a year or so ago…”
“I know who Anya is, Buck,” Sam ground out in annoyance. “I just don’t…” He discreetly moved a bit closer to get a better look at the blonde. She and Natasha were running through some basic stances and movements. “Nah, man,” he whispered when Bucky joined him. “The Red Warrior was a red-head, hence the name. Plus,” he looked back at the pair, “I don’t remember her having tattoos, especially something like that.”
Bucky rolled his eyes. “People can dye their hair and get tattoos, Sam,” he deadpanned. “I’m telling you it’s her.” He ought to know considering he’d practically stalked her career since her first win. She had the charisma and skill to enrapture any audience, but it was her fighting style that impressed him so much.
Bucky was 6-foot something with a broad frame and muscles to match. While he was quicker on his feet than most fighters of similar size, his large build was undoubtedly advantageous in the ring.
Anya’s stature, on the other hand, was much smaller, though she was deceivingly strong. Combined with agility and swiftness, often using her opponent’s weight against them, or simply wearing them out, dodging and blocking attacks until they tired out, she rarely lost.
“I’d been wondering what happened to her. She was at the top of her game.”
Sam still wasn’t convinced. “I don’t see it, Buck. Last I heard, Red Warrior retired. Living the good life up state. Maybe it’s her sister or something.”
They continued to move closer, staying quiet and unnoticed. Both wanted to figure out their conundrum but didn’t want to be disrespectful either. They settled behind some equipment to observe when they could hear what the women were saying.
“Alright, you ready?” Natasha asked. Anya nodded and took a stance. “Let’s see what you remember, сестра (sister).”
Natasha made the first move, throwing a punch Anya easily blocked. It started out fairly simple, Natasha on the offense while Anya stayed defensive. Escalating quickly, soon both women were meeting each other’s attacks with equal fervor, as if it was a violent dance. Neither backing down, nor taking the upper hand.
“You’re holding back,” Natasha grunted, grabbing Anya’s next kick aimed at her torso, twisting her off balance until she fell.
Anya used the momentum to roll and quickly find her footing again.
“Don’t,” Natasha smirked, “I can take it.”
This time when she lunged, rather than blocking, Anya countered with a knee to her ribs. Briefly pulling back, she shrugged at the red head. ‘You asked for it.’
Though Natasha recovered quickly, Anya’s rapid onslaught caught her off guard. All hesitation and restraint had vanished. A few agile kicks and trips later and she was on the floor between Anya’s legs in a choke hold.
Three quick taps and she was released. “I knew you still had it,” she wheezed out, rubbing her neck.
“Never said I didn’t,” Anya answered, pulling her up. “Just out of shape.”
Chuckling and shaking her head, “You don’t give yourself enough credit, сестра,” she told her.
Sighing, Anya began unwrapping her hands before Natasha grabbed them in her own, tone softer. “Hey seriously, you’re further along than you think.”
Bucky just looked at Sam. “Believe me now?”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Sam muttered. Natasha rarely got taken down so quickly, or at all really. No doubt about it now.
Bucky wanted so badly to approach. This woman was a celebrity to him and, despite working in similar circles, had never gotten a chance to officially meet her.
But he also remembered Sam’s phone conversation earlier. She’d gone to great lengths to stay unnoticed tonight.
Lamenting, he accepted tonight wasn’t his night. She deserved her privacy. Maybe she’d come back when more people were around, and he could talk to her then.
“Hey Barnes! Wilson!” Natasha yelled.
Both men flinched, peeking out from their hiding spot and met her stern gaze. Perhaps they weren’t as inconspicuous as they thought. They sheepishly walked over at her beckoning.
“Boys,” she started, “this is Anya. Anya, this is—”
“Sam Wilson.” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Anya shook his hand before turning to Bucky. “And you’re Bucky Barnes.” It wasn’t a question.
Bucky chuckled nervously. One of his idols recognized him and was currently shaking his hand, had he died and gone to heaven? “Yea. How’d you know?”
She let go and pointed to his left arm. “Hard to forget artwork like that. Last I heard, you were working your way up the ranks. Still at it?”
Bucky nodded, hoping against hope he was still flushed enough from his and Sam’s bout to hide his growing blush. “Trying to.”
“It’d be odd if he wasn’t considering how much time he spends here,” Sam teased.
“Actually,” Natasha interjected before the bickering began, “I was thinking you two could train together. Anya here is trying to get back in the ring.”
“Maybe!” Anya glared.
Natasha pretended not to hear. “I think you and her would work well together.” Her smirk spoke of ulterior motives. “Don’t you, Wilson?”
Sam played along. “I think that’s a great idea, Nat. I’m sure Anya could teach Buck a thing or two as well.”
It was taking everything Bucky had not to internally combust. While he admired Anya for her fighting skills first and foremost, he may have also harbored a not so small crush on her, something his friends seemed to have picked up on. “I mean…I’d be up for it…if you are, that is,” he half mumbled, stumbling on how to respond without coming off too eager.
Anya raised her hands. “Look, I haven’t decided if I’m going back,” she turned to Natasha, “despite what some think.” Nat just shrugged. “But I would like to get back in the gym. Bring back a bit of normalcy.” Looking around at what the gym had to offer, glancing at Bucky, pondering his offer, she turned back to Nat and sighed. “I’ll think about, alright.”
Natasha gently bumped her shoulder. “That’s all I’m asking.”
“Just give me a call if you decide to join,” Sam said. “We’d be honored to have you.” Anya nodded a thanks. “Well, it’s late and I still have a bit of work before I turn in. Goodnight ladies. Bucky.” He headed back to is office as they bade him goodnight.
Natasha checked her watch. “We should probably head back too. I don’t know about you, but I’m showering first.”
Anya laughed gathering her things. “I’m with you there. I’m soaked.”
How Bucky managed to keep his composure at those words, he’d never know.
“They’re over there,” Natasha pointed, bag already slung over her shoulder. “I’ll wait for you after. See ya Barnes,” she called already heading to the locker room.
“Later, Nat.” Bucky planned on showering too, but would probably finish and be on his way before they did. If he managed to just shower that is. Pulling his mind back, he looked at Anya. “It was wonderful to meet you. Really.” He smiled bashfully, tucking a loose hair behind his ear. “I kind of feel like a kid meeting a superhero, honestly.”
Anya laughed lightly at his confession. “I wouldn’t call myself that but thank you. Kind of giddy myself, though. I mean you are the great White Wolf,” she teased.
Bucky blushed again, head tipping back in laughter. “That wasn’t my idea,” he defended himself.
“I like it,” she assured him. “It has a strong…presence to it. Lot of power in a name.”
That wasn’t always a good thing. She’d learned that the hard way.
“I hope you do go back, by the way,” he said, pulling her from a memory.
“Hmm?”
“To the ring,” he explained. “But I’d be honored to train with you either way.”
She smiled at him sweetly, grabbing her duffle. “I’ll let you know what I decide. Goodnight Bucky.”
“Goodnight Anya.”
Bucky’s eyes widened when she turned around and walked away. The large tattoo he noticed earlier was stunning. Beautiful and intricate lines spread across the back of her shoulder, most disappearing under her shirt, but some travelling down her arm. But it wasn’t the design or even the size that had Bucky stifling a gasp.
It was the long scar stretched over her scapula that was incorporated into it.