Sparring - Tumblr Posts
It only takes one hit.
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Rigor
Portfolio | flickr | tumblr
Skinny boy about to get the crap beaten out of him by some jacked up juicer, cos muscle beats fighting skills any day. Maybe if he jumped on the gear he’d have a chance
Jasico Week 2024 - Day 3
Words: 2,002 Rating: General Audiences Type: Oneshot
Description: Jason Grace, ever aloof praetor, asks the new ambassador to spar with him. Nico isn't sure if this is a weird mating ritual or if Jason is going to murder him, but he has fun either way.
Sidenote: This fic was written for @jasico-challenges Jasico week 2024 event!
Full fic under the cut!
In Nico’s opinion, Camp Jupiter was pretty boring. Considering all the things he’d seen at Camp Half-Blood, this was a walk in the park. They were more organized and put together, which was both appreciated and vaguely disappointing.
One day, as Nico sat bored in a meeting with all the other senate members, he found himself zoning out. He rarely attended meetings but had been asked to be here. He probably should have paid attention, but gods this was lame.
His attention was dragged away from its sharpened stare on the floor by a hand on his shoulder. He whipped around, instantly going into fight or flight.
His shoulders dropped as he realized who it was. Jason Grace. The praetor.
Jason flashed him a smile that looked more like a sad attempt at showing all his teeth. “Hello, ambassador,” he said.
Nico shuffled awkwardly in his spot. “Afternoon. Praetor.”
Jason pointed to the seat beside him. “This spot taken?”
Nico shook his head, slightly less startled now that he realized he wasn’t in trouble for zoning out. Still, Jason freaked him out.
Nico was well aware that he himself was a pretty scary guy. Jason, however, rattled even his nerves.
He was just so untouchable. Nico often wondered if he had some kind of inordinate amount of human-to-god ratio that no other demigod had.
He knew Jason was nice. He had experienced his kindness multiple times throughout his days at Camp Jupiter, but he just looked mean.
Nico couldn’t blame him. He’d heard many stories about Jason’s upbringing, and how it was mostly done by Lupa. He’d probably be weird too if he was raised by wolves.
One of the senate members started going on a rant that no one quite knew how to stop. Most people just quit paying attention.
Jason leaned over. “Pretty boring meeting.”
Nico jumped again but recovered from his startle. “Yeah,” he agreed weakly.
Jason looked him up and down quickly, accompanied by the unabashed confidence only a man in his position could acquire. Nico yet again shuffled awkwardly, not sure what to do with himself.
“Spar with me,” Jason said suddenly, eyes flipping back to Nico’s face.
Nico sputtered before getting himself together. “Excuse me?”
Jason looked away. “You’re excused.”
Nico couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped his lips. “That’s not what I meant. It’s a figure of speech.”
The praetor’s head turned back to Nico, eyes settling on him with the same intensity of the sky before a storm. He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward just slightly. Nico resisted the urge to shy away and lean back.
“What did you mean?” Jason asked.
Nico took a beat to let his eyes wander over Jason’s face. “I meant ‘What?’” he explained.
“I want you to spar with me,” Jason repeated, eyebrows furrowing.
Nico couldn’t help but laugh again. He got that this guy spent the majority of his life so far either in the company of wolves or being trained for war, but come on. He also couldn’t help but notice the way Jason’s face softened when he laughed. He didn’t take time to ponder that, though.
“No, no. I understood that part. I meant ‘why?’” Nico corrected, now aware of the few people looking at them, telling them to shut up. Oops.
Jason lowered his voice. “Why didn’t you just say that?” he asked quietly. Upon Nico’s shrugging, he explained. “I’ve never sparred with you.”
Nico looked at him quizzically. Jason was like a puzzle no one but Reyna could really solve. He didn’t know much slang aside from what he heard every day, and he rarely felt the need to explain himself. Talking with him could be a task, but Nico always left their interactions feeling slightly—oddly— endeared.
Jason watched him, waiting for an answer. Throughout his eager staring, the meeting was adjourned and people began filing out of the building. This included Reyna, who shot a curious glance toward Jason before shrugging and walking away.
Nico decided that was enough explanation and nodded. “Sure.”
Jason smiled, slightly scary and slightly sweet. His smiles always were confusing, but it looked like he was really trying this time.
“…right now?” Nico asked, standing. Jason nodded, just as eager as before. Something shone in his eyes, something Nico wasn’t used to seeing on him.
Nico let him lead him out to the training area, following awkwardly.
“Aren’t we, like, not supposed to be out here this late?” Nico asked, tilting his head to see the side of Jason’s face.
Jason shrugged, though the act looked foreign on his stiff shoulders. “I’m a praetor,” he said as if it explained it.
Nico decided to let it go, following him onto the packed dirt of the coliseum. He pulled his sword from its hilt, standing in wait.
Jason flipped a golden coin, which transformed into his own sword. Nico resisted the urge to say “That was cool,” deciding Jason already knew that.
There was no warning or countdown, just Jason suddenly swinging his sword. Nico panicked and shadow traveled behind him, sweeping his leg under Jason’s to trip him forward. He poked the tip of his sword into his back as a sign he had accidentally won.
“I didn’t say powers were allowed,” Jason said, though there was a hint of humor in his voice as he pulled himself up off his knees.
“You didn’t say they weren’t,” Nico smiled back.
Jason mimicked his smile, for once flashing one that didn’t look too threatening. Nico tried to keep his eyes from lingering too long, but he couldn’t help but notice how pleasant the setting sun looked on Jason’s face.
He passed that off as admiration and let Jason come to his feet, readying again. He lowered his stance. Nico, again, couldn’t help but notice how good concentration looked on him. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts as he got into his own battle stance.
“Powers?” Nico asked, not looking forward to a fight without his.
Jason shrugged. “Go ahead.”
Nico let Jason advance again, shadow traveling behind him once more. Jason was able to anticipate it this time, swinging toward him. Nico blocked, forcing him to step out of the column’s shadow he had been standing in.
Jason smiled, a cocky kind of smile that Nico would’ve been mad about if it was anyone else. However, he couldn’t seem to mind how the scar on his lip moved with his grin.
Nico was forced farther into the light as Jason continued his advances. They were two skilled swordsmen, but without his powers, Nico often faltered.
Jason had now figured out the trick to Nico’s powers and was about to show him his own.
Electricity gathered on his arm in little bolts before shooting down his sword and onto Nico’s. It wasn’t enough electricity to actually hurt him, but enough for him to drop his sword and stumble.
Jason held his weapon to Nico’s chest. Nico smiled, rubbing the elbow he’d fallen onto.
Jason outstretched a hand, letting the gathered lightning fade away before offering it. Nico took his hand and stood. Their palms brushed for a second longer than they needed to. Nico tried not to think about that.
They assumed their positions yet again, both formulating plans behind their eyes.
Once Jason decided they were both ready, he advanced. Nico was not ready, but let it happen anyways, sword raising in defense.
This time, he shadow traveled to Jason’s left. Just as he was about to kick him down, Jason shot electricity through his leg, effectively zapping Nico.
Jason attempted to herd him out of the shadow again, but Nico knew better and evaded. He attempted to block another hit but was just zapped again. It seemed the two were at a crossroads.
Well, until Nico decided shadow traveling above him would prove more successful, and set him up to do just that.
He managed to push Jason to the ground with that method, catching himself mid-air to shadow travel just beside him. Nico had dropped his sword in the process, so he couldn’t officially end it. However, he stood triumphantly, taking the thud of Jason’s body against the dirt as clear evidence of his win.
Before Nico could notice over his gloating, Jason reached out with his sword and zapped the back of his leg lightly, making Nico fall forward. He caught himself on his palms, one by Jason’s ribs and the other by his neck. His knees hit the dirt with a thud.
He couldn’t help the laugh that fell from his lips soon after, kneeled over Jason. Jason laughed too, though his was more of a refined chuckle than Nico’s out-of-character cackling.
When he collected himself enough to realize he was currently on top of the praetor, he pushed his hands off the ground, kneeling beside Jason with flushed cheeks. Jason sat up, rubbing the back of his head. His cheeks were equally red.
Jason tugged himself to his feet, outstretching his hand. Nico, yet again, took it, tugging himself to his feet.
“I’ll walk you to Temple Hill,” Jason said, dusting himself off. Nico usually used the easy access to the underworld in the Pluto temple to his advantage but wasn’t aware that Jason knew that.
Nico took some time to dust off his clothes too. “Thanks.”
He knew Jason was just doing it so he didn’t get in trouble for being out past curfew, but it still felt nice.
They walked silently for a second. However, the silence seemed less awkward than before.
“What do you call that, by the way?” Jason asked, clearly wrapped up in his own thoughts.
Nico looked up at him, noticing swiftly how Jason didn’t meet his gaze. “Call what?” he asked, eyes lingering on the hints of embarrassment on Jason’s face.
“The teleportation,” Jason said, footsteps beginning to fall in line with Nico’s.
Nico considered. “I’ve always referred to it as shadow travel.”
Jason nodded. His eyes traced over Nico’s hands, they were paler than usual—nearly transparent, really. He realized he might have used that ability a few too many times.
“Is that a side effect?” Jason asked, pointing to his hand.
Nico held it up to let Jason see. “Oh, yeah. Don’t worry, it’ll go back to normal in a bit.”
Jason placed his hand under Nico’s to pull his hand closer to his face. Nico quickly looked away in a desperate attempt to hide his red face. ‘Gods, does he have any boundaries?’ Nico thought to himself.
Jason ended the scrutinizing of Nico’s hand, dropping it. Their knuckles brushed in a way that was far from coincidental. Nico decided to focus his gaze on the ground.
“You’re talented with that sword. What is it? I’ve never seen one like it,” Jason said, focusing on the sky.
Now that they had their silent agreement of not watching each other very obviously blush, Nico felt confident enough to answer. “Thanks. It’s Stygian iron.”
Jason nodded, seemingly very focused on a cloud. “Interesting. Any special properties?”
“It can evaporate ghosts,” Nico said, a little too casually.
Jason nodded again. This dirt was really interesting.
They found themselves at the Pluto temple. Nico was tempted to ask Jason if he wanted to come in but recognized that they probably shouldn’t go bending any more rules.
Jason put a hand on his shoulder, flashing him the closest thing to a smile Nico had ever seen on him. “Thank you for indulging my curiosities, ambassador. I have enjoyed getting to know you.”
Nico nodded, doing his best to smile despite his fluster. “No problem. I had fun.”
Jason nodded. He looked behind him, looking at the setting sun.
“Well, enjoy your night,” Jason said, starting to walk away. He didn’t give Nico the time to say, “You too,” so he mumbled it to no one.
Nico disappeared into the dark temple and made a very sudden and awful realization.
He had a crush. Godsdamn it. Not again.
Cvičný duel Kornela a Johanna Walthera, veliteľa nemeckých kyrysníkov, pretože obliehanie Nových Zámkov (Ujvár) si treba nejako skrátiť. Autor - Martina "Agama" Zrostlíková
may I have some Nyx sparring with S/O crumbs , please? The wizard thanks you <|:•)
Ooooo, is that you mighty Gandalf?! 😁
Of course dear Wizard, let me see, what I can make with it! OH be warned ... It may be a little bit spicy😉
Nyx loves to spare with you! Especialy hand to hand combat ;)
When you spare it´s a show for whole Kingsglaive, usually bets are made (dont worry reader, I have my money on you!)
Be warned that he's god damn tease.( will slap your butt,or steal a kiss) Especially in the beginning, when you weren´t that experienced as him.
Nyx in first few spares went easy on you, teaching you in the process lot of moves ... until you handed him on his butt. Then boy took it serious! (suck it Tredd, give me my money)
The spares are intense and fast, you know each other moves by heart
WARPING! Warping around the training room
“ Ah, sweetheart won´t you give your hero a kiss?” “ Sure, by my fist into your jaw, babe” “Fighting talk, I love it!” That one is self explanatory
Play dirty with him ( squezzy his booty, give him bedroom eyes, tickle him, show more of your skin, ect) Boy will lose concentration, and here´s your chance to make him eat the dust!
The first time you get him in the choke hold with your thighs, he sweared to Libertus he saw Ramuh. “That was probably the lack of oxygen, dumbass!” “I would happily do it again, just so you know”
After every spare Nyx takes care of you. Will heal all your injuries with his magic or flask. Nyx will usually gives you a massage ( Please, do it for him too) This may lead to a very steamy shower ;)
“What if smalland survive the wilds had dueling schools of fencing and sparring? 🤔” and then after about 6 hours of watching actual fencing videos and full films this was born
Yay, unsolicited advice time! Or, not really advice, more like miscellaneous tips and tricks, because if there's one thing eight years of martial arts has equipped me to write, it's fight scenes.
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Fun things to add to a fight scene (hand to hand edition)
It's not uncommon for two people to kick at the same time and smack their shins together, or for one person to block a kick with their shin. This is called a shin lock and it HURTS like a BITCH. You can be limping for the rest of the fight if you do it hard enough.
If your character is mean and short, they can block kicks with the tip of their elbow, which hurts the other guy a lot more and them a lot less
Headbutts are a quick way to give yourself a concussion
If a character has had many concussions, they will be easier to knock out. This is called glass jaw.
Bad places to get hit that aren't the groin: solar plexus, liver, back of the head, side of the thigh (a lot of leg kicks aim for this because if it connects, your opponent will be limping)
Give your character a fighting style. It helps establish their personality and physicality. Are they a grappler? Do they prefer kicks or fighting up close? How well trained are they?
Your scalp bleeds a lot and this can get in your eyes, blinding you
If you get hit in the nose, your eyes water
Adrenaline's a hell of a drug. Most of the time, you're not going to know how badly you've been hurt until after the fact
Even with good technique, it's really easy to break toes and fingers
Blocking hurts, dodging doesn't
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Just thought these might be useful! If you want a more comprehensive guide or a weapons edition, feel free to ask. If you want, write how your characters fight in the comments!
Have a bitchin day <3
Day 12 - Quarry
Some Undetermined Time Later...
Kaida and Estinien spar. DRG on DRG violence occurs.
No warning, no real spoilers but is set Post-EW so places mentioned!