#and thor learnt basic training with a sword just like everyone else BUT he also got his hammer when he was relatively young

[lillywillow]

Play Pretend

Summary: Clint takes the team LARPing

 Written for: @buckybarnesbingo

 Words: 1142

 Square Filled: C2- Team Dynamics

 Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Gender Neutral Reader  

 Warnings: None

 A/N: Kind of inspired by the episode of Hawkeye where he meets the New York Live Action Role Players but is not cannon compliant

 Clint was really excited to introduce the team to his LARP buddies. He thought that joining them on one of their campaigns might help the team to bond. Steve and Bucky thought the idea was interesting as they had never done anything like it, Bruce thought that things might get a little too exciting and thought it best if he didn’t participate and Tony… well, he decided he had better things to do. As for Thor, it was decided that it might be best if he didn’t join in just in case he got too carried away and forgot the Play part of LARP. Clint was pretty excited when everyone else was open to the idea of trying. When you were introduced to them, you found they were just as cool people as Clint described them. They taught you a few basics of the game and guided you through the rules. They also explained that their guild was in the middle of a campaign so they weren’t accepting new members as of right now but they would set you up with a guild that were having an open day and they would hook you up with costumes. Bucky had to admit it, he was having a lot of fun.

…

 In the weeks leading up to the open day, your team spent a lot of time practicing. Clint, of course didn’t need any training as an archer but he enjoyed chatting with his friends and encouraging bonding as a team. Steve had been cast as a mage so he spent his time memorising which ‘magic pouch’ was for which spell and learning how to use a staff. You, Bucky and Nat had been cast as warriors so you learnt how to swordfight and use a shield. Steve offered his advice where he could on that angle. Sam had been cast as a king but he also had to learn the basics. You, as a group had a blast learning the lingo, acting out the fights and trash-talking one another in archaic language. You got a little carried away during one practice and kicked Bucky hard in the chest which left a boot print shaped bruise on his skin. Everyone laughed but you promised you would tone things down for the day.

…

 The day of the big skirmish finally arrived and the team were pretty excited. Clint’s friends arrived to show their support and Missy helped to style Nat and Bucky’s hair into warrior braids. She also offered to help with your hair if you wanted. Between his sword, new costume and hairstyle, Bucky felt quite princely. He almost felt ready to join the Fellowship of the Ring. The rules were explained one last time to everyone before letting them all go to fight.

 The objective of this game was to capture the treasure in the castle. Your team was more than ready for the task. All your training had paid off. Clint covered you from the back, Steve cast his spells and fought off anyone with his staff if they got close range (both of them collecting their ammo as they went) while you, Nat, Bucky and Sam all had each other’s backs. Nat was more of a close combat warrior and was able to nimbly avoid attacks. Bucky’s natural skills with a knife also came in handy whenever someone got too close. Sam, while not used to this kind of weapons training, actually looked pretty cool and regal. You also found your skills as an agent were practical for this kind of environment (as long as you didn’t actually hit for real). You were doing pretty great until you stormed the castle. The other players felt like they were multiplying the closer you got to the treasure. Your tight squadron seemed to spread out as they cut in which was probably part of their strategy. Then something bad happened. You were facing a warrior, one hand on your sword, the other using your shield to block. Bucky had just finished off an opponent when he saw another warrior creeping up on you.

 “Y/N! Behind you!”

 His warning came too late as you were ‘stabbed’ in the back. You fell dramatically to play along. Bucky ran over and ‘finished off’ your two assailants before cradling you in his arms.

 “Bucky…” you softly called.

 “I’m here. I’ve got you…”

 “Avenge me, my love. For the glory of Sam’s kingdom,” you feebly whimpered.

 “I’ll do it for you…” he vowed.

 You let out one last exhale before ‘dying’ in his arms. Bucky gave you one final kiss which you couldn’t resist kissing back before gently placing you back down and getting back out there.

 “So do we lay here all afternoon now?” you asked one of the other fallen.

 “Just until the battle is over. Shouldn’t be long now,” they shrugged.

 You flipped over to watch as your team climbed up the staircase like a well-oiled machine. They looked so cool as they fought, just as they did in real life. However, you couldn’t take your eyes off Bucky. Even though he was fighting, you could tell how much he was enjoying himself. He cut down the last foe on the stairs so Sam could run up them and claim the treasure in the name of your team. With that, the grand battle was over and you get up. Bucky rushed over to help you to your feet and hugged you tight.

 “Are you okay? You’re not hurt for real are you?”

 His concern really touched you.

 “I’m fine, baby. A little stiff but not worse than coming off missions,” you replied. “Sorry, I couldn’t be there for your triumph.”

 “At least I got my vengeance,” he chuckled.

 You smiled and kissed him softly.

 “You look so handsome with that hairstyle,” you smiled, making him blush.

 Before he could reply, Sam stepped in.

 “Hey, are you two going to make goo-goo eyes at each other all day or are we going to celebrate our victory like kings?” he grinned.

 You both shrugged and went to join in the festivities.

…

 After that day, Clint’s friends welcomed you to LARP with them whenever they needed a few extra people. With all the fun Bucky had, he was more than happy to go again as long as he had to by his side. You would often ‘avenge’ each other if you fell in battle and if you were on opposite sides, you would act out dramatic fights. You made for a pretty great team.

#buckybarnesbingo2022 #bbb2022 #Bucky Barnes #buckybarnes #bucky barnes x reader #Play Pretend #team dynamics #LARP #Clint Barton #fun #Marvel #marvel fanfiction #marvel one shot #marvel fic

[worstloki]

Asgardians: *pressure loki into strength training because he’s weak*

Loki: *becomes stronger and faster and more endurable and has a higher stamina than Asgardians on top of an actual fighting style and being smart and being able to use magic*

Asgardians: 

#correct me if I'm wrong but Loki is the closest to Thor (in terms of combat) out of all Asgard #we're excluding odin bc he sucks #and thor learnt basic training with a sword just like everyone else BUT he also got his hammer when he was relatively young #well we don't know about when he got the hammer in the mcu but i'd reckon he got it early considering how arrogant he was in thor 1 #so anyways Thor's got a magic hammer and doesn't need to practice he just goes straight into battle #we haven't seen Thor do any training on-screen ever but we have seen Sif and other warriors doing so #so Thor basically only gets into situations where he has to fight actual battles #but Loki doesn't have a magic hammer and magic is looked down upon so he would've had to learn fighting if he wants to get respected #sure he could only use magic but this is a warrior society who respect muscles and your ability to throw a spear and stuff #so loki spends years being forced by everyone into strength training and running extra and learning how to fight as a weaker opponent #he learns actual fighting styles and how to combat different kinds of opponents #thor doesn't need to do that when he can just roughly estimate which direction to throw the hammer #so anyways everyone treats loki like dirt because he's small and clearly weak - even GUARDS have more muscle than the prince #sif doesn't have the muscle but she's proven she doesn't need it to fight good and has a reputation and that's good for her but loki doesn't #loki gets disrespected and learns how to fight as a weaker opponent because its the only way people believe he didn't magically cheat to win #he proves that he can throw knives and stab people and continues training and when people accept he can fight without it he brings magic in #it takes centuries for people to get over the fact that the magic is useful and not cheating but everyone insists he keeps training #the asgardians don't even try measuring his strength they just look at his flimsy stature and decide he needs to gain muscle mass #loki wears long sleeves and long pants and covers up so people assume he's got to be gaining some weight right? WRONG #loki remains a twig and his strength barely increases BUT he's still able to fight thor and be pretty evenly matched #the only difference is that now loki can combat different opponents in different situations and in different ways AND be strong #he's got magic and he's smart and he's got enough stamina to run for hours and ridiculous endurance but he had already been strong #loki now has the widest range of skills on the planet - including when it comes to battle #and the worst part for the asgardians? they kept training him about how to take down STRONGER OPPONENTS #he was already much stronger than the average Asgardian #quick review of canon: loki can easily take thor in a 1v1 without trying and we've seen how skinny he was in thor 1 and how he was treated #loki also demonstrates fight styles while thor doesn't and loki also uses indirect attacks despite proving he is capable and doesn't need to #we also know that jotuns have strength which at least rivals aesir but have smaller builds (not height obviously - just less muscley) #so technically loki could be stronger than thor but not use the strength because after centuries everyone has him convinced he's weaker #he uses magic and evasive techniques to avoid a battle of strength but if it ever comes to it mcu loki might just win