"You sure you're ready for this?" Sam asks.

"Of course," I scowl at him and widen my stance, lifting loose fists to chest height. "Get on with it, Wilson, I've got a debriefing to get to in twenty minutes."

"Are you really sure about this? I don't want to hurt you, especially with the way your winter boyfriend is glaring at me from the bench over there."

"He's not my boyfriend yet," Bucky grunts from the sideline and I shake my head, ignoring his sound of protest. "I swear, I will put you on your ass and show everyone who keeps insisting that I need to be taught self-defense that I can take care of myself if you don't just get on with it."

Sam shakes his head and sighs quietly. "Fine, but if you get hurt and Barnes decides to take it out on me, I'm coming for you."

"Yeah, whatever. Less talking, more punching."

Sam settles himself into a fighting stance and looks at me over his fists. We circle each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. I shift from foot to foot impatiently, almost deciding to take a swipe at him, before Sam lashes out with a quick jab. I slap his hand away and land two swift blows to his stomach before dancing backward and out of his reach.

"I thought you were an Avenger, Sammy," I smirk at him, watching him stumble briefly before righting himself, a grimace firmly set on his face.

"You just caught me by surprise,"

"Oh yeah, like when Lang caught you by surprise two years ago?"

His jaw clenches and a glower sets over his face. "I thought we agreed that we wouldn't talk about that." He goes for my ribs with a right hook and manages to make contact before I can avoid it.

I breathe out heavily, taking two steps away from him so I can give myself time to recover from the blow. "You only said that you didn't want Steve to find out. I don't remember agreeing to anything beyond that, Wilson."

Sam throws a jab at my head and I just barely manage to move my head to the side fast enough to avoid it. Sam realizes that he's caught up to me and smirks. I scowl at him and drop into a crouch on the mat before launching myself into his stomach. I manage to knock him off balance for a second before he reaches around my body, clasps his hands at my stomach and presses the balls of his feet into the cushioned mat beneath us. I push him along the mat a few feet before he lifts me up with a grunt and leans back, practically throwing me behind him. My back collides with the mat with a loud slap, forcing the air out of my lungs with a sharp wheeze. I see Bucky appear just outside of my direct line of sight and hear Sam hit the back of the mat a moment later.

"(Y/N), are you alright?!" Bucky asks, trying to help me sit up.

"I'm fine." I try to reassure him, shoving his hands away and pushing myself up from the mat. "I'm fine, Buck, I promise."

"You shouldn't have been so rough with her, Sam." He growls ignoring me completely.

"What?! How is this my fault? She's the one who was egging me on!" Sam cries, pointing at me from where he lays on the mat.

"That doesn't matter!" Bucky says, the volume of his voice growing steadily louder. "You could have seriously hurt her! What would you have done if-mph!"

I cover Bucky's mouth with my hand and laugh hoarsely. "Shut up, I am fine. I just had the wind knocked out of me." Turning to Sam, I can't keep myself from laughing louder. "I can't believe you fell!"

"You were heavy. The momentum of throwing you over my shoulder knocked me off balance."

"Whatever you say, flyboy. Couldn't keep on your feet throwing little ole me to the mat. Truly sad." Sam pouts and I laugh harder, only to break off into a coughing fit mere seconds later.

Bucky manages to pry my hand away from his mouth and frames my face with his hands. "What's wrong?" He asks brows pulled together in concern.

I cover my mouth with my hands in an attempt to muffle the sound of my coughing and fail miserably. Bucky rubs my back in soft circles and traces his thumb over my cheekbone with his hand that's still on my cheek.

"Are you alright? Can you breathe?"

I nod and take a gasping breath before coughing harshly a few more times. "Yeah, I'm good." I take a few deep breaths, trying to reign in my breathing again. "Just need to catch my breath." I laugh weakly and smile at him.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)," Sam says, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "But man, you pack a mean punch."

I grin at him. "Thanks, Wilson, you're not too bad yourself." I extend my hand to him and Sam shakes it once. "I trust I've made my point though?"

Sam nods once. "Yeah, I'll let Steve know."

Sam pushes himself up off the mat and exits the gym, rubbing at the small of his back as he's walking away. I snort in amusement and shake my head. I shift so that I can fold my legs under myself and turn to Bucky.

"You sure you're okay?" He asks.

"I am one hundred percent sure that I'm fine." I take his hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. "I think it's sweet how concerned you are."

"Yeah?" He smiles gently at me, the corners of his eyes creasing.

"Mhm," I nod and lean in, gently pressing my lips against his. "But you gotta cool it. I'm an adult, I've had tactical training. I can take care of myself."

"Right," He clears his throat awkwardly and nods a few times. "Of course. I'll try to remember that. I'm just a little scared of you getting hurt is all."

"I get it, but if you try to get in the way of me making a point again, I will kick your ass."

He grins brightly. "Duly noted."

"Good," I wiggle my eyebrows at him and heave myself up off the mat.

"Where're you goin'?"

"I've got paperwork to do. Why?" I smirk at him. "You wanna keep me company?"

He stands up quickly and scoops me up in his arms, a wicked grin plastered on his face. "Nah, I wanna distract you."

He swiftly walks out the door and heads for my office, playfully nipping at my neck, filling the hallways with the sounds of my squeals and his deep, warm laughter.