[Training] In My Sights (Open!)

zephyr

There's defiance in the way he lifts his chin, in the way he gives his name. A flash of something - recognition, familiarity, loss - tenses your face a moment, and then you relax again, and it's like it was never there. "Zeph," you offer in return, lip twitching in quiet amusement. "On three, then?"

The boy is stronger than you expected, given that willowy frame, but he doesn't really stand much of a chance. Your own bicep bulges under your shirt as your muscles contract in anticipation, letting it linger a moment while he heaves against you to get a feel for what he's packing. More than you expected, but still not enough. Looks like you're going to do well for yourself tonight.

It's with no little difficulty that you bring down his hand, but no large difficulty, either. You can feel the moment his knuckles touch the bark and end your resistance accordingly, letting go and sitting back, the challenge now complete. With an appreciative grunt you stretch your fingers, rubbing your left hand over your right. "Not bad, kid," you allow with an almost-smile bright in your brown eyes. "Maybe next time, eh?"

burn all the things you have to burn
save all the people you're supposed to save