Supa Strikas One-shots ⚡❤️

Strength beyond weights

Had this idea trotting in my mind for a while ... 💡🙂

Word count: 801 words
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The clanging of weights and the steady thump of footsteps echoed in the Iron Tank training facility. Uber was in his element, his massive form powering through a brutal set of squats while Ja Nein struggled with his own, less intense routine on the other side of the gym. Sweat beaded on Ja Nein’s forehead as he strained with the small dumbbells, his thin arms shaking under the pressure. He glanced over at Uber, who seemed as unbothered as ever, his face set in a determined scowl.

After finishing his set, Uber wiped his forehead and glanced over at Ja Nein. A smirk crept across his face as he watched Ja Nein’s efforts with a critical eye.

"Still using the baby weights, pipsqueak?" Uber teased, his voice thick with amusement. "No wonder you're always running from fights. You're too weak to handle them."

The words were meant to be a playful jab, but they hit harder than Uber intended. Ja Nein’s grip on the dumbbells faltered for a moment, his expression flickering. His usual witty comeback didn’t come, and instead, he quietly set the weights down, his shoulders tense. He didn’t meet Uber’s gaze, his eyes fixed on the ground as he picked up a towel to dab at the sweat on his face.

Uber’s smirk faded when he saw Ja Nein’s reaction. The sharpness in his teammate’s usually confident eyes had dulled, and the silence that followed was heavier than any weight they’d lifted that day.

“Ja Nein?” Uber called out, his voice quieter now, more hesitant. “I was just messing around. You know that, right?”

Ja Nein still didn’t look up. “Yeah, sure,” he muttered, trying to sound casual, but the hurt in his tone was unmistakable. “It’s fine. I know I’m not as strong as you or Thor. You don’t have to remind me.”

For a brief moment, Uber was at a loss. He wasn’t used to seeing Ja Nein like this—so quiet, so... defeated. It felt wrong, like a piece of their usual dynamic was out of place.

A rare pang of guilt tugged at Uber’s chest. He hadn’t meant to actually hurt him. Sure, he teased Ja Nein all the time, but it had never felt this... personal. His brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, towering over his teammate, his shadow falling over Ja Nein’s smaller form.

“Hey,” Uber’s voice softened, losing its usual gruffness. “You’re not weak, alright? I didn’t mean it like that.”

Ja Nein finally looked up, his face a mix of frustration and self-doubt. “Doesn’t matter what you meant. It’s true, isn’t it? You’re always the one leading, doing the heavy lifting—literally—and I’m... well, I’m just the brains. Not exactly impressive in the gym, am I?”

Uber frowned, unsure how to respond at first. He wasn’t the type to give comforting speeches, but the sight of Ja Nein looking so deflated stirred something protective in him. He knelt down slightly to be at eye level, his usually intimidating demeanor softening in a way that felt unnatural for him.

“Listen, I’m not strong because I lift weights,” Uber said, his tone serious but not harsh. “I’m strong because that’s my role. You? You’re the one with the brains, the plans. You see things no one else does. That’s your strength. It’s different from mine, but it’s just as important—if not more. We wouldn’t be half as good without you figuring out how to beat the other teams.”

Ja Nein blinked, surprised by Uber’s sudden sincerity. His lips twitched, not quite a smile but something close. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

“It's the way to look at it,” Uber corrected firmly. He straightened up and crossed his arms, the intimidating captain back in full force. “You’ve got nothing to prove in the gym, Ja Nein. You do your job better than anyone.”

There was a long pause, then Ja Nein finally let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re surprisingly decent when you’re not trying to be terrifying.”

Uber’s smirk returned, this time without any bite. “Don’t get used to it.”

Ja Nein picked up his towel, tossing it over his shoulder, his usual confidence starting to return. “I won’t,” he said, grinning. “You’re far too scary to stay nice for long.”

As they resumed their training, the tension that had hung in the air before slowly dissipated, replaced by the familiar, easy banter between the two. Uber shot Ja Nein a mock glare as they moved to the next exercise, his tone light as he added, “Next time, though, maybe try lifting something heavier than a paperweight, huh?”

Ja Nein rolled his eyes, but this time, his smile was genuine. “Only if you promise not to break the entire gym, Uber.”

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Ok, so I hope you liked this oneshot!!

-Willow