Running, for Pietro, had never seemed that important before the scepter's influence. These days he loved it. He had a feeling it was more the thrill of the speed than anything else - other guys might lust over motorbikes and cars, but he could beat them on his feet - what use did he have for vehicles?

That was one of the reasons he ran in the mornings. The joy of the speed. But there were others too.

The chance to feel free was part of it. Stryker had kept them locked up, hidden inside, saying they were too valuable to risk - he'd hated that. Stone walls hadn't suited him, he'd craved fresh air. If it hadn't been for Wanda, and her reminding him of why they'd signed up in the first place, he'd have escaped the first chance he got. Being outside, all open sky and space helped him relax, helped take the edge of the tension and his temper which was never far below the surface.

Part of it was he literally just had to burn the energy off. He couldn't keep still for too long, the urge to move was like an itch beneath his skin, he had to fidget. Keeping still made his mood anxious and keyed up, he ended up on edge and irritated, irrationally annoyed about almost nothing. Running, he was finding, got that out his system. Kept his calm. And he needed to keep calm these days. Wanted to keep calm, as well. He wanted to work with the Avengers. He couldn't afford to be angry and rash, his twin helped, but he had to get it out.

And lastly - when they'd saved Sokovia he'd been so out of breath by the end. It wasn't enough to sprint in short bursts, he needed stamina.

That was why he went running every morning, early usually, nothing but a blue flash - people he passed probably blinked and thought they needed their morning coffee.

He wasn't the only Avenger doing this either, although the others stayed close to the facility he'd noted. Pietro didn't bother, he knew how quickly he could be back. But he had noted the Captain and Falcon were up early a lot as well, he didn't join them but he was aware of it.

Leaving his bedroom one morning, he discovered they were aware of him too.

"Pietro".

"Morning Sam" he said, a little on his guard still. He wasn't thrilled to find Falcon leaning on the wall outside his bedroom so early. Nothing personal, just he and Wanda would really prefer people not be hanging around outside their rooms.

"Got a favour to ask you" he said, falling into step beside Pietro as they began their way through. the favour had Pietro grinning before they'd even got outside. Of course he agreed.

For the first time he headed down to the track. It was a good morning. Clear skies, the weather still just cool enough to be pleasant. And the Captain running laps. Pietro tilted his head to one side, flashed a smirk at Falcon, and set off. The pace for him was really more like jogging than running - he could have gone much faster without breaking a sweat. But it was still faster than the Captain.

"On your left!"

He could hear Sam was already laughing, although the Captain didn't seem to figure it out so quickly. Pietro sped up a little, hurtling around the track, so that a minute later he could slow down to overtake the Captain again.

"On your left"

"What-"

He was smirking to himself as he sped up, almost slowing down to late so as he said it for the third time he'd almost passed the Captain already -

"On your left!"

This time Steve got it, and he heard the Captain start to laugh. Pietro turned, slowing down and then halting himself to watch as Sam approached, slapping the Captain on the shoulder with a grin. After a moment he walked toward the two of them, wanting to be part of the joke.

"Man, revenge feels good" Sam said, shaking his head with a grin.

"Does it class as revenge if you have to outsource it?" Steve asked.

"Good enough for me" Sam responded, holding out a hand to Pietro. For a moment he didn't move, before slowly - even by anyone's standards - reaching out his own hand and taking it, and the two men shook.

So, he reflected as he released Sam's hand. This was how it was to have friends. For so long, Wanda had been the only person he had in his whole life who mattered. But this...this was not so bad.