New Friend
2014
At sunrise, a veteran is going on his regular morning jog in D.C. It helps clear his mind, from all the horrors he's seen on the battlefield. He's jogging across a bridge over water, you can see the Washing Monument from there, when he hears footsteps behind him, sounding like running. The footsteps are coming up to him fast.
"On your left," Steve says, as he jogs past the man, faster than normal from the abilities the super serum gave him. Bucky is still sleeping back at the apartment. When the man gets closer to the Monument he hears running footsteps again, the same ones. He's a little bewildered because he's only jogged a few yards. "On your left," Steve says, a little out of breath, running past the man again, this time at full speed as the sun is getting higher in the sky and he feels a little more energized.
"Uh-huh. On my left. Got it," the man says, a little annoyed because he's so competitive, he hates when he loses at something. A mile later and the man is now sweating a lot, and he's running by the Capitol Pool when he hears footsteps again gaining on him fast. "Don't say it. Don't you say it."
"On your left," Steve says seriously, focusing on running.
"Come on!" The man exclaims, trying to catch up to Steve, but fails by a lot. He groans when he can't catch up to him and Steve is still running ahead, not sweating, just a little out of breath.
…
A while later the man collapses on the grass, leaning against a tree, panting, trying to catch his breath and holding his stomach.
"Need a medic?" Steve asks, when he notices the man he's been 'jogging with,' on the ground.
The man chuckles, looking at Steve. "I need a new set of lungs. Dude, you just ran, like, 13 miles in 30 minutes," the man exclaims, gesturing to the place they were running around.
"I guess I got a late start," Steve says, actually serious. He likes to run off his stress, it helps him forget about his failures in the past - one of the most significant is not being able to save Avery.
"Really? You should be ashamed of yourself," the man chuckles. "You should take another lap." The man looks away for a second and then looks back. "Did you just take it? I assume you just took it."
"What unit you with?" Steve asks, ignoring the question, and noticing the man is wearing a military sweatshirt.
"58th pararescue. But now I'm working down at the VA," the man says. He raises his hand for a hand shake and for help getting up. "Sam Wilson," he says while Steve helps him up.
"Steve Rogers."
"I kind of put that together," Sam says, still panting. "Must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosting thing." Sam puts his hands on his hips, still trying to regain his breath.
"It takes some getting used to," Steve sighs. "It's good to meet you, Sam." Steve turns away, going to talk off when Sam calls after him.
"It's you bed, right?" Sam asks.
"What's that?" Steve asks, not understanding what he's asking.
"Your bed, it's too soft. When I was over there, I'd sleep on the ground, use rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I'm home, lying in my bed, and it's like…" Sam trails off, not knowing how to describe it.
"Lying on a marshmallow. Feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor," Steve explains. Sam nods.
"How long?"
"Two tours. You must miss the good old days, huh? You and Bucky," Sam crosses his arms across his chest.
"Well…things aren't se bad. Food's a lot better. We used to boil everything. No polio is good. Internet, so helpful. I've been reading that a lot, trying to catch up," Steve explains.
"Marvin Gaye, 1972, Trouble Man soundtrack," Sam recommends. Steve pulls out his little notebook from his pocket that has recommendations for things to look up, read, and listen to on the internet. Him and Bucky put a couple things together. "Everything you missed jammed into one album."
"I'll put in on the list," Steve smirks, writing the album name down. How phone then rings, indicating an incoming text. Steve pulls out his phone form his back pocket, then text reads: 'Mission alert. Extraction imminent. Meet at the curb :).' "All right, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run," Steve shakes Sam's hand, thinking of something fun to say. "If that's what you want to call running."
"Oh, that's how it is?" Sam says, jokingly, raising his eyebrows at Steve.
"Oh, that's how it is," Steve smiles, happy to make a new friend. He hasn't really had an in-depth conversation with anyone besides his team mates, let alone a conversation like this - a happy joking one.
"Okay," Sam laughs. "Anytime you want to stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know."
"I'll keep it in mind," Steve nods as a car pulls up at the curb. It's Steve's ride and he knows who's in it. The passenger window rolls down, revealing the familiar redhead, Bucky is also in the backseat, looking like he's just woken up, but trying to fall back asleep.
"Hey, fellas. Either one of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil," Natasha jokes. Bucky smiles softly at the joke, his eyes still closed.
"That's hilarious," Steve says sarcastically, walking up to the car. Sam crouches down as Steve gets into the car. Sam smiles at Natasha, wondering is she's dating anyone.
"How you doing?" Sam says, nodding at Natasha.
"Hey," Natasha smirks at Sam.
"Can't run everywhere," Steve says to Sam, referring to the car.
"No, you can't," Sam says, with a slight shake of his head. Natasha rolls up the window and presses the gas pedal of the car. The car takes off, faster than the speed limit.