Marvel Oneshots

Competitive Spirit (Loki Laufeyson)

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink as Y/N and Loki stood in the expansive training room of the Avengers facility. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as they prepared for another round of their friendly competition, a playful tradition that had become a staple in their relationship.

"Ready to lose again, my dear?" Loki taunted, a mischievous glint in his emerald eyes. He flicked his wrist, conjuring a shimmering illusion of himself that danced around the room, teasing her with playful jabs.

Y/N crossed her arms, a confident smirk spreading across her lips. "I wouldn't be so sure, Loki. You may have the godly charm, but I have the powers to back it up," she shot back, focusing her energy as a soft, golden glow surrounded her.

With a flick of her fingers, she sent a wave of energy that dissipated Loki's illusions, leaving him momentarily stunned. "See? You're going to have to try harder than that."

"Impressive," he admitted, straightening up and regarding her with a mix of admiration and competitive spirit. "But let's see how you handle this!" He summoned a torrent of magical energy, hurling it toward her with a grin.

With a graceful motion, Y/N effortlessly countered the attack, redirecting the magic back toward him in a blinding flash of light. "You're going to need more than a flashy light show to beat me, Trickster."

Their playful banter filled the room as they sparred back and forth, both pushing their limits, the air thick with laughter and friendly rivalry. As the minutes turned into an hour, Y/N began to sense an underlying tension beneath the surface of their competition, especially as Loki's demeanor shifted.

"Feeling a little threatened, are we?" Y/N teased, her perceptive nature picking up on the flickers of frustration that began to dance across his mind. "I can sense your emotions, you know. It's written all over your face."

Loki scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Me? Threatened? Hardly. I simply have a greater respect for the art of combat," he replied, but the subtle tightening of his jaw betrayed him.

"Sure, Loki," she said, a playful smile still on her face, but a hint of concern began to nag at her. She pushed her powers to read deeper, feeling the undercurrents of insecurity and doubt swirling within him. What's going on in that head of yours?

"Let's ramp it up, shall we?" Loki suggested, masking his vulnerability with bravado. "How about a wager? Winner gets to choose what we do for the next week."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what do you propose the loser must do?"

Loki's grin widened, his confidence returning. "Let's just say you'll have to cater to my every whim for an entire week. I'm sure you'd find it... entertaining."

"Alright, you're on!" Y/N exclaimed, her competitive spirit ignited. "But if I win, you'll have to promise to help me with my training every day."

"Deal," he said, his voice firm, but Y/N sensed a flicker of unease behind his eyes.

They both took their positions, and the next round began with an intensity that was palpable. Y/N quickly gained the upper hand, her powers surging as she expertly maneuvered around his attacks. With each successful dodge and counter, she could feel Loki's emotions spiraling into something darker—frustration and jealousy intertwined in his mind.

Finally, after an exhausting match, Y/N knocked Loki off his feet, sending him sprawling onto the mat. She stood over him, breathless but victorious, a triumphant smile lighting up her face.

"Victory is mine!" she declared, throwing her hands in the air in celebration.

But instead of sharing in her joy, Loki's expression turned stormy. "Congratulations," he said flatly, sitting up and brushing off his clothes. "You've proven your superiority once again. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Loki, it's just a friendly competition," Y/N said, the smile fading from her face as she sensed the anger radiating off him. "You know I don't want to make you feel this way."

"No, you don't understand," he snapped, his voice rising. "Every time we compete, you remind me of what I'll never be. No matter how hard I try, I'll always be second to you!"

The weight of his words struck Y/N like a blow. "That's not true!" she insisted, her heart aching for him. "I admire you, Loki. You're incredible in your own right!"

"Admiration doesn't change the fact that you're stronger, smarter, and better than I could ever hope to be," he said bitterly, his defenses crumbling as the vulnerability seeped through.

Y/N felt the urge to reach out, to comfort him, but she knew he needed to express his feelings. "Loki, it's okay to feel insecure sometimes," she said gently, her voice softening. "I'm not trying to overshadow you. I want us to grow together."

"You have no idea what it's like to constantly live in the shadow of greatness," he said, his voice shaking. "I've spent centuries feeling like I'm not enough, and even when I try, I still fall short."

With a deep breath, Y/N stepped closer, her heart aching at the raw honesty in his voice. "But you are enough. You mean everything to me, Loki. Your strength, your intelligence, your wit... they're all part of what I love about you."

His green eyes met hers, a mix of vulnerability and disbelief dancing within them. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Y/N said firmly, her powers allowing her to project sincerity and warmth. "You bring out the best in me, and I wouldn't change that for anything."

Loki's gaze softened as he absorbed her words, the tension between them easing as understanding began to replace anger. "I suppose I let my insecurities get the better of me," he admitted, his tone quieter now. "I'm sorry for lashing out."

"It's okay," she reassured him, moving closer until she could feel the warmth radiating from him. "We all have our moments, and I'm here for you. Always."

After a beat of silence, Loki took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "I'm lucky to have you, Y/N. You're not just stronger than me—you make me want to be better."

Y/N smiled, feeling a rush of affection as they stood together, their earlier competition forgotten. "Let's take a break from competitions for a while, then," she suggested, a teasing light returning to her eyes. "At least until you can handle my brilliance without feeling insecure."

A small chuckle escaped Loki's lips, his eyes glinting with mischief once more. "So, you're saying you want me to find a way to beat you, then? How delightfully challenging."

"Only if you can handle it," Y/N replied, a playful spark igniting in her gaze.

"Challenge accepted," Loki said, his grin returning as the atmosphere lightened between them.