we're all dust in the end

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Endgame but I unequivocally loved this scene. Because Tony’s not treating this as a joke. Nebula has zero context for competition for the sake of fun. She has never handled competition with no stakes, she’s clearly taking this way too seriously. And Tony recognizes this, and he’s not mocking, he’s not telling her she’s doing it wrong by not relaxing. He’s letting her find her feet, affirming her successes, congratulaing her when she wins. Yeah, Tony can be a dick, but here, as in so many other moments, we see him reaching out. 

I like this scene too, especially because Tony, who is not exactly the world’s most laid-back competitor, 100% let her win. He flubbed the second punt to give her a chance to win and played it totally straight. Not only because it’s obviously important to her but also because it’s just…more fun if the kid wins. 

While I had mixed feelings this is one of the scenes that I want to bundle up in a blanket and keep safe forever. 

Tony is like a Gordon Ramsay of the heros; He’s a dick to everyone who thinks that they’re competent but aren’t and he is the softest to those who need it and who are trying their best.