Work Text:
In the Bat cave
“Ah!” As Harper Row gets thrown down by Cass on the training mat yet again the skilled bat takes her down effortlessly. Harper Row has been trying to get better at fighting since everyone else has been so good at it. Jason, Dick, Tim, Duke, and even Stephanie have been better at fighting than her and she feels she’s being left behind in the dust. She’s smart for sure and and has many gadgets that can help reciprocate in her inexperience in fighting but in some situations, she might not have the opportunity to use all of them. She still remembers when David Cain nearly beat her to death when she was most vulnerable. When she nearly lost her fight with Punchline, or when she infiltrated a prison and nearly got killed.
She nearly got killed a few times which was a few times too many, she needed to train. She wasn’t a bad fighter but she never got an opportunity to train properly so that's where her friend Cassandra comes in. She’s the best fighter in the world and also her close friend who is more than likely to help her.
Harper just wished Cassandra would let her win one match. Harper slowly gets up, body feels heavy, she is pretty sure she’s tasting her own blood right now, and trying not to pass out. Cass gives her a look of worry.
“Can you at least give me one win” Harper grins. “I wouldn’t be a good sparring partner if I let you win easily,” Cass extends her arm which Harper grabs onto helping her up. The smaller bat gives Harper a water bottle as they drink.
“Be honest, how bad was it…” Harper asks. Cass opens her cap and drinks her water. “Well… you’re doing better than when Stephanie started.”
So not by much is what Cass is saying. As Harper chugs her water bottle.
“I know you’re giving it all that you have into this Harper but… a thing like this takes time. You are not the worst fighter, I think if we practice a bit more–”
“Sure there isn’t a way to speed it up?”
“No.”
“Harper, we… I… you’re a very important person to our team and to me–”
“No…” as Harper lies down again defeated, she knows Cass doesn't mean she pities her or thinks any less of her but it feels like she does. She had a headstart that she didn't ask for. She knows multiple fighting styles, able to read body language. Harper, barely got a handle on hand to hand and the kali sticks.
And it's unfair for Cass because she never asked to learn the way that she did. If she had the choice Cass would have wanted things to play out differently for her.
“Sorry,” Cass replies as she sips on her water. “No… Cass, I know you're just trying to help, I just really need a win right now.”
Cass thinks for a moment and is struck with an idea.
“I’m going to pull my punches, I won’t kick or punch you or kick you, all you have to do is to punch me or take me down once, and… we’ll give you a win.”
Cass gets up as Harper watches. She takes a few steps before entering in a fighting pose.
“C'mon, aren't you going to try and hit me?” Harper gets up as she eyes Cass, staring right at her. It seems easy enough, it's not unfair but given she is the best fighter… shouldn't be that bad. Charging right at her and punching blindly would be a bad idea, she's too good for that, trying to match her speed is a no-go because she's going to be way faster than her.
She just has to fool her
Harper throws a punch before Cass swiftly dodges, Harper continues to throw her punches at her but she’s dodging them without any effort. She can’t tell but she’s sure she’s seeing after-images if also mirages every time she thinks she’s landing a punch on her. She's wasting movement she told herself she wouldn't do this.
Harper manages to get lucky and is able to do a full nelson on her. Harper has her, there’s no way she can escape now.
Cass hits her with the back of her own head before escaping her grasp.
“I said I’d be pulling my punches, but I didn’t say anything about letting you take me down that easily.”
As Harper tries to catch Cass again but Cass isn't just a great fighter but also a smart one too. She knew she'd try to catch her, so new tactic.
Harper goes in and throws a punch… Cass blocks, but Harper uses it as an opportunity to hold onto her and throw her down. Cass surprised looks at her as Harper cheers for herself. Cass looked surprised. Cass smiles before tapping on her shoulder and kissing Harper on the cheek.