Steve Rogers pressed his fingers to his temple the moment he had made the mistake of walking into the training room. Since his 'defrosting', the old-styled gym had been a sanctuary. It was away from all the technological advances, the new and improved buildings and vehicles. The first time he had even stepped out to explore, the old Captain was forced to keep his eyes downcast and blush under control. It had been so difficult to see the style changes in women. He felt wrong for making eye contact but he was only human. And it was hard to think of a girl without Penny coming back to mind, which always hurt more.
Hence, why he liked going back to the gym to take his stress out on one of the bags.
The bags that Clint was currently lazily shooting arrows into, Natasha quietly examining his aim; Tony and Bruce seemed to be chatting about something along the lines of power and sketching formulas over the once-white punching bag with a rust-colored sharpie. The bottle of alcohol between them explained the sloppy writing.
His entrance did not go unnoticed though, because the archer immediately stopped his drawing of the next arrow to stare in acknowledgment. "Steve," he greeted simply.
"What are you guys doing?" asked the blonde, brushing off the attention of everyone in the room now.
"Why," Tony grinned as he stood up from the floor, walking over in a few quick strides to give Steve a clap on the shoulder, "waiting for you, Captain."
The frown deepened. "An emergency?"
Tony snorted. "Please. Do you think we'd be waiting for you if there was one?" At the glare, the man put his hands up. "I'm joking. Jeez, calm down before you start turning the color of America."
Natasha rolled her eyes and stood up from where she'd been seated. "We've all agreed on giving you a … tour so to speak." A brief pause as the surprise flickered into the soldier's face. "Thor would be here if he wasn't still delivering his psycho brother."
Clint muttered something about how he still owed the asshole an arrow through the eye.
The female gave him a sharp glance and Bruce decided it was his turn to say a few words, before Tony could make another remark. "It's best you go out and actually see the city. Since you're probably going to be dragged into plenty of battles, might as well know the place."
"Even though it's half-destroyed right now," Tony chipped in.
"And that's because of whom, Stark?" Natasha inquired. "Because if I remember correctly, you brought the party straight down into the central square."
"Hey, I can't take all the credit. You forget the crazy, green-alien who was jumping around all over the place, too."
"You're welcome for saving you."
"I was talking about Loki, Bruce."
"I did plenty of damage without causing any more to the city."
"Clint, you played Cupid. That's not plenty of damage, that's just wrong."
At the sight of Iron Man and Hawkeye ready to lunge across the room at once another, Steve found his voice again and cleared his throat. "I appreciate the thought guys, but I'm not really –"
"I didn't ask you when I said it," Natasha said with a casual finality. "I was just informing you of what was going to happen. So let's go already. I've got somewhere to be later."
"I know exactly what restaurant to go to," Tony announced, clapping his hands together. "Alright Avengers, time to blow this joint!"
Bruce was already heading towards the door, a slight wobble to his step from the shot; Tony looked positively childish with the way he all but skipped to the doors (and a chance to drive his new car); Clint had gone oddly poker-faced at his fellow S.H.I.E.L.D member's comment; and Steve … Steve merely struggled to hold in his smile. He was the last one out and the Captain flipped off the light switch before the doors swung shut.
His sanctuary would be there when he returned.
