[ All those years spent striving to be the best, seeking out popularity is now backfiring as he soaks up Felix's advice like a sponge, feeling himself sink inwards. He wants to impress Felix, to be someone who he will eventually sing the praises of. So naturally, it stings a little to hear the criticism, however warranted it is.
At least with Finn there it had been easier to stomach. He's a damn good buffer, and once he goes to run laps, it feels like something in the air shifts. He finds himself standing up straighter, hands folded behind his back, and maybe even gulps as he stands there under Felix's gaze.
He expects Felix to come off harsher, but there's a determination in Felix's tone that surprises Steve. He isn't able to disguise that surprise as he turns to look at him, taken aback. Why, he's not really sure, considering that's the whole point, right? To train, to learn all these combat skills that he never picked up since his only experience fighting was against other students. He won't pretend that one Russian wasn't a fluke. ]
You're right, never really had to learn. Though I wouldn't say the stakes were always low. [ Maybe he'll expand upon that at some point, but this doesn't seem to be the time or place for that. ] I do want to learn, though. To get better.
[ And Steve's always been good at performing well under pressure. It's why he's always made team captain or co-captain. So maybe it's that bit of drive, that need to impress that has him nodding, resolved to showing Felix that he's right about Steve, that he can pick it up faster. ]
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At least with Finn there it had been easier to stomach. He's a damn good buffer, and once he goes to run laps, it feels like something in the air shifts. He finds himself standing up straighter, hands folded behind his back, and maybe even gulps as he stands there under Felix's gaze.
He expects Felix to come off harsher, but there's a determination in Felix's tone that surprises Steve. He isn't able to disguise that surprise as he turns to look at him, taken aback. Why, he's not really sure, considering that's the whole point, right? To train, to learn all these combat skills that he never picked up since his only experience fighting was against other students. He won't pretend that one Russian wasn't a fluke. ]
You're right, never really had to learn. Though I wouldn't say the stakes were always low. [ Maybe he'll expand upon that at some point, but this doesn't seem to be the time or place for that. ] I do want to learn, though. To get better.
[ And Steve's always been good at performing well under pressure. It's why he's always made team captain or co-captain. So maybe it's that bit of drive, that need to impress that has him nodding, resolved to showing Felix that he's right about Steve, that he can pick it up faster. ]