Happy New Year Everyone! Be safe.
The next morning Adam showed up to his training on time. A forlorn look upon his face, he was expecting to have to put up with another day with Edward. When he saw only Teela on the training field his mood brightened. He still had no idea of how to win back his best friend and not give up his secret but today was looking brighter than it was before. Teela saw Adam approaching the field in a good mood, she did not want to spoil that for him. Edward said that Adam was more of a diplomat than warrior, so that would be the way she would train him from now on. No more criticism, just personal training. Perhaps this way the old Adam might come back to her.
"Good morning Adam. You're looking to be in good spirits today. Are you ready for some practice?" Teela greeted him with a smile.
Grumpily Adam retorted "Only if you don't beat me into a pulp this morning."
Teela notes his usual complaint and figures to make him more at ease. "Not today, I figured we can concentrate on defensive tactics today. I need to be sure you can get out of close combat situations if the need ever arrives. Let's start by warming up." She notices his shoulders relax slightly, good she thinks and begins her workout exercises.
Surprised, he takes a second look at her while doing his own exercises. Today would be a good day. He could do defensive techniques without jeopardizing his secret and hopefully impress her at the same time. He catches her looking towards him and turns away, she is so graceful, so beautiful, he is in so much trouble if he doesn't concentrate.
They began with close weapons training, Teela attacking Adam with a small pretend blade and Adam defending himself from attacks. Adam took pride and disarming her a couple of times, but most of the time he did his training and deflected her. He could not figure out what Teela was up to this morning, normally she was all gusto to get him into offensive moves. He deflected her again this time tripping her as she went by. "Be careful Teela, losing your balance is not a good thing." Smilingly playfully as he said it.
This was frustrating her, first year training self defense and Adam had not made one mistake. It was time to up the game and go into more intensive fighting maneuvers. "Don't worry Adam I haven't given up yet." As she threw the knife away. "It's time to make this interesting don't you think?" Teela decided an all out attack would bring some seriousness in Adam. She went at Adam as she would one of the Masters during training.
"Oh boy, here it comes" was all he could say before Teela began he assault upon him. He blocked, he redirected, he did everything his training taught him to do. The only problem was that his instincts wanted him to fight back, he wanted a true training session but couldn't. His secret identity always coming into play when training with Teela, never being able to fully train with her as Adam. So he continued on as the dutiful prince would fight.
They must've been training for at least 30 minutes Teela was becoming tired, she noticed Adam not even breaking a sweat. That was a good thing in her mind, his training was instinctive for all the moves that she had initiate against him. She had one last move that she wanted to take before their session ended, the move Beastman had done on her the other day. Hoping that his instincts would force him into some offensive moves. Without warning she grasped Adam around his arms and holds with all her might bringing them down to the ground.
On the ground no defensive moves would free him of her grasp, Adam knew only a offensive move would end this training session and he was not inclined to let her win today. Using his brute force he twirled in her arms bringing them face-to-face, he freed his arms and pinned her arms down her side. His sheer weight holding down her torso, she had no way to escape his hold of her. The battle was over but he held her steady on the ground, their heavy breathing the only sounds in their ears. He stared at her daring her to try something else.
Teela knew she could not free herself, he had her and she was relieved. She smiled up at him and relaxed her tense muscles into his hold of her. In his eyes she saw his playfulness daring her to try something else. She saw something else there also, a look from a long time ago, when they used to spar for fun. Her breathing heightened realizing their bodies close proximity, her mind forgetting they were on the training field. She closed her eyes, imagining them teenagers again in wooded meadow away from the castle.
Adam saw her eyes close, he knew he was not hurting her but adjusted his body weight against hers to be more comfortable. What was she thinking, what was she feeling? He resisted the urge to lean down and kiss her, knowing the inappropriate timing, but stayed there and watched her breathing. Holding her this way felt right, as if they were two lovers in a playful battle.
Teela felt Adam move to make her more comfortable, their bodies coming closer. She opened her eyes and looked into his, in them she saw the desire, the want, her breathing got deeper in anticipation. What was he going to do?
Her eyes opened and he saw the acceptance of his body so close to hers, the longing for something to happen. He froze, this is what he had wanted to happen. To know how she felt about him, but not here, not now on the training field. He needed to distract her, he needed some time to get his mind in order. He lowered his head to her shoulder, deep toward her ear and began to tickle her as her used to do when they were younger. The feeling was joyous and immensely satisfying for him. He knew she was highly ticklish, he gave her no leeway.
Oh my goodness he was going to kiss her, then she felt it. She had no repercussion except for laughing, her body changing feelings of want to self preservation. His body had moved enough that she could flip him on his back and her hands went to his stop the onslaught. Smiling as she sat upon his stomach holding his hands to his chest, her breathing slowed.
"Adam, I, I think it's time to end our training session." Was all she could come up with to say. Her heart confused on what she was feeling. Remembering Edward and how they were together, she slowly got to her feet. Her mind loving every minute with Adam, but feeling a sense of betrayal toward Edward. She needed space from Adam, she didn't want it, she needed it. She backed away from his prone form and nodded her leave.
Adam lay there on the ground, watched her go, a feeling of loss come upon him. He needed to figure out what his next move would be. He hadn't expected today's experience. Hell, he never even dreamed of anything like this before. Edward did not hold her heart completely, that meant he still had a chance to win her back. He needed to woo her, but not be obvious. How was he going to accomplish that? He thought. Getting up off the ground he decided to take a shower and see what breakfast would bring.