Steve and the other Avengers have a NERF battle in and around the tower. Splitting into two teams, maybe a Capture the Flag type of game...Sam and Tony flying outside shooting each other with NERF darts. Bucky and Clint sniping each other, Nat slinking through air ducts, etc.. All out NERF war!
It was Natasha whosuggested it. Announced, more like. She arrived at breakfast with twoS.H.I.E.L.D. Agents in tow, both with boxes loaded onto dollys.
“I think practice has beengetting a little boring.”
Steve gestured with hisfork. “And what’s in there?”
At her nod, the agentsopened their boxes and held aloft several brightly colored toy weapons.
“NERF guns.” She smiled.
Clint set his mug down,still half full with coffee. Apparently,this was a Big Deal. “Have I told youlately that I love you?”
“It bears repeating.” She glanced around the table. “We’ll get started at ten.” It was eight-thirty. “Better pick your teammates soon.”
The rest of the table’soccupants – Sam, Tony, Bucky, and Clint – eyed one another and almost as onedug into their plates with fervor.
***
Tony and Sam had NERFdarts stuck to their armor and wings, respectively, and were dodging andweaving around the Tower. They’dswitched their comms to a private channel they were laughing and shouting withdelight so loud.
Clint and Natasha too hadflipped to a private channel and were trading terrible puns and plasticBBs. It was harder than it sounded, tryingto keep from giggling and giving away their positions in the ductwork.
Steve and Bucky wererelying on supersoldier hearing, shouted insults, and on-the-fly modificationsto their NERF guns. How Bucky got his toshoot tomatoes (where he got the tomatoeson a floor three away from a kitchen), Steve didn’t know. He’d modified his to shoot tiny, super-strongmagnets instead of plastic BBs.
***
By the time they ran outof ammo and energy, it was well after dark.
“JARVIS. Order us the menu from the Pad Thai place twoblocks over.”
“Of course, Sir. Shall I assume a double order of appetizersand Thai iced tea?”
“As always. And can you get us some results from yoursecurity footage?”
“Indeed, Sir.” There were several moments of silence whileJARVIS analyzed the footage of all three battles and placed the take-awayorder. “Analyzed.”
“What’ve we got, J?”
“Best Alteration goes toSargent Barnes with his tomato shooter. Worst Pun belongs to Agent Romanoff with: Did you hear about the pet store that had a bird contest? No perches necessary.” Clint started laughing all over again. “AndBest Evasive Maneuver belongs to Mr. Wilson.” JARVIS replayed the footage of Sam barrel-rolling out of the line ofNERF-dart-fire only to change direction dive towards Tony as he returnedfire.
“Where did you get those tomatoes, anyway?” Steve was pretty sure he still had some inhis hair.
Bucky smiled innocently, offeringa shrug as his only response.
“Fine.” Steve smiled. “Rematch tomorrow. And thenswitch the pairs up the day after.”
Tony hummed in agreementbefore tilting his head from where he lay on the couch to see Natasha. “Best training exercise idea ever.”
