Things Bucky Barnes Doesn't Do Well

Non-Lethal Competition, Part II

"Sounds dangerous," Steve says doubtfully.

"Says the guy who gets shot at by real bullets on a regular basis," Natasha replies with a smirk.

Tony points at her eloquently. "Come on, Cap, it's fun! We'll just be downstairs, no innocent passerby to make things complicated. Perfectly safe."

Steve looks over at Bucky and raises an eyebrow questioningly. "It could be a good way to spend the afternoon," Bucky suggests, secretly pleased with the idea.

Considering this, Steve nods. "Alright. What gear do we need?"

"Cap wants to be one of those hardcore guys who goes out every weekend," Clint explains, deadpan.

Tony clears his throat. "I think we should try to keep the playing field level and all wear the same gear." He pauses, glancing at Bucky. "Well, as much as possible," he amends cryptically.

"Let's get a move on, boys," Natasha says, hopping off of the counter on which she was sitting and heading for the elevator. The others follow suit, and Bucky waits to follow Steve, which puts them at the rear.

"Have you done this before?" Bucky whispers to his friend.

Steve shrugs. "I don't think so. But I'm sure no one will mind if you sit it out. Or if we leave early," he adds, glancing over with a concerned expression on his face.

Biting back a sigh, Bucky nods. "I'm sure I'll be fine," he replies resolutely, and Steve smiles.

They arrive at the elevator and cut their conversation short in order to pile in. It's a tight fit, but they manage.

"The thunder god isn't here?" Tony asks over the group.

If he were, they would not all be able to fit. "He's needed at home," Steve explains.

"Okay, what about –" Tony begins before Natasha cuts him off.

"I'm sure Bruce is not interested in this kind of game," she says smoothly.

Tony nods, smiling self-effacingly. "Alright. Is the other birdman in town? I'm going to give Rhodey a call," he adds with a grin.

"Sam's upstairs, yeah," Clint reports.

"JARVIS, tell Wilson and Rhodey to get themselves to the 5th floor for paintball in the next half an hour," Tony says.

"Sir, Col. Rhodes may require more time than that," the AI responds, politeness hiding some degree of condescension.

With a snort, Tony steps out of the elevator as it comes to a stop. "Just tell him to hurry," he replies.

The floor on which they have stopped is the largest Bucky has seen – which doesn't make sense, so it must just be the most open. It's all one room, though littered with fake hills, trees, and the occasional lean-to. Bucky stops in his tracks to stare, thrown by the existence of such a place. Why would anyone go to all the trouble to make this when there are surely places they could go outside that are just the same? Or perhaps there aren't any more. He hasn't been to Central Park in, you know, close to a century.

"So, how do we do this?" Natasha asks, possibly as surprised by the existence of such a room as Bucky is.

"What you guys think, shirts vs. skins?" Tony answers with a smirk.

Clint snorts. "Not a good plan," he mutters. "I don't want to increase the number of welts I'm going to walk away with."

Bucky glances sharply at Steve, who sets his jaw. "Welts?" Steve questions.

Moving closer, Tony throws his arm around Steve's shoulders. "Don't worry, Cap. It's not as bad as it sounds."

The elevator opens behind them, and Sam steps out, looking perplexed. "Hey, guys. What's the plan?"

"Paintball. You, Bucky, Barton, Nat versus Cap, me, and Rhodey," Tony tells him.

It's immediately apparent that the teams were not chosen as well as those involved would have preferred, and Bucky moves a little closer to Steve in the noise, frowning. No one seems particularly angry, but he did not expect the reaction.

"Alright, alright!" Tony yells, waving his hands. "Okay, fine, I was just trying to make it even. Didn't want the guy with super-strength to have an unfair advantage."

"It's a shooting game, Stark. You think we should put Clint and James on the same team?" Natasha asks sardonically.

There is a murmur of agreement, and Tony nods slowly. "Fine, how about Barton, Nat, and Cap versus me, Rhodey, Sam, and Bucky? Can't let the two super soldiers be on the same team," Tony explains, patting Bucky's shoulder.

Though somewhat begrudging, the crowd agrees with the division this time. Tony shows them where the gear is, and they split up to get ready. Bucky supposes the team makes sense, since he knows Clint, Natalia, and Steve have often worked together, while he and Sam have been partners and Tony and Rhodey have been also. So it should work pretty well, he thinks. Whatever 'it' is... The gear is pretty standard combat stuff, camouflaged to match the room environment.

Once everyone is ready (Rhodey having arrived while they got dressed), they all stand in the circle in the center of the room. "Okay, capture the flag rules. Everyone has their own weapon, red or blue paint. No face shots, no fraternization with the other team. Once you're hit, you're out. The winning team is whoever gets the other team's flag without getting paint on them. Any questions?" He pauses, surveying them. "Good, then let's go!"

Immediately, they turn and run toward their respective flags to determine a strategy. Once of the four of them are in place, Bucky is not surprised that Tony takes the leadership role. "Okay, Romanoff and Barton are both spies, so I'm sure they'll be trying to sneak over here. Cap will probably be guarding, and it'll be tough to get passed him. So, I think our own spy can stay here and stay hidden, taking out anyone who gets close. And the rest of us will go take on Cap," Tony says.

Rhodey has a bemused expression, but then nods. "And what if they've switched?"

With a shrug, Tony checks his ammo levels as if it's not the same as everyone else's. "Then Bucky can take on Cap and the three of us should be able to match the super spies."

"You okay with that idea, Buck?" Sam asks.

Bucky smiles. "I'll take good care of it," he says, nodding toward the flag.

The others smile in return or give him a high-five before disappearing through the trees. He moves back to disappear as well, considering all the possibilities of how the enemy might approach. This particular game is unfamiliar, but it's not unlike many of his missions, both during and after the war. He waits patiently, motionless, silent. Unlike most of the other forms of entertainment the Avengers have included him in, he's pretty sure he'll be good at this one.

Eventually, he hears footsteps approaching carefully. He tightens his grip on his weapon, and holds his breath. Natasha steps into his line of sight and he takes the shot. She hisses as the paintball hits her, and frowns at the red mark on her shirt. "Nice, James," she says, and turns away. He doesn't answer, not certain if she is alone or not.

It's a while before he hears anything else. Then it's running feet.

"I got it!" Tony shouts excitedly. Right before blue paint blooms on his back and he drops with a grunt. Then looks at the flag wistfully as he puts it down and walks away slowly. Bucky moves silently toward the flag, uncertainly. Pausing in the clearing, he can see the glint of metal hidden in the tree across the way. It must be Clint, he thinks. And settles down to wait him out.

It becomes apparent that it's only the two of them left, and the others shout encouragement and taunts toward them, offering advice and otherwise. Bucky slips back a little ways so he can keep an eye on both flags before settling in to wait. It takes a long time. The others lose patience and he can hear them chatting. Some of them may even have left the floor. He wonders if he should bring an end to this.

Finally, the metal glint shifts and Bucky aims right below the spot and takes the shot. From the colorful language that results, he knows he was successful. He strolls over to the flag and picks it up. "We win," he says quietly.