After that, the days kind of started blending together, but not in a bad way. It wasn't the same way they had when he'd been alone in his apartment, reliving a cycle of exercise and no sleep. Now he was just living without thought, doing whatever he felt like during the day.
Steve got into a routine of making breakfast for everyone with Bruce. They still kept everything appealing, but they just snuck in some better ingredients here and there. No one needed to know the omelettes were mostly egg whites. Or that the pancakes were made with whole wheat flour.
He usually went down to the gym after breakfast. Thor was the most consistent with joining him, but the others did occasionally as well. Steve relished in the times he could let loose with Thor, since the god could take anything he could give, and vice versa.
Lunch was mostly casual, with whoever going up first ordering from wherever they wanted and getting enough for everyone to share when they decided to eat. Steve liked to go up after someone else ordered, so he could try the different things they liked. There were so many different types of cuisine he'd never had before, but he pretty much enjoyed them all, just maybe not the spicier options.
The rest of the afternoon was typically spent wandering around the tower to see what everyone else was doing. Steve still hadn't added much to his own floor, because he was afraid it would be too easy to go back to isolating himself again. And he just preferred to be around other people still, and see what they liked. It was a lot of TV with Clint, who seemed really excited to show him his favorite movies, cooking with Natasha, which involved a lot of watching internet videos showing the steps one by one, or hanging in the labs with either Tony or Bruce.
They always ate dinner together, casually chatting and laughing like Steve thought they'd been doing all along without him. It felt like a family, like he was sitting with his siblings every night. Even Natasha and Tony were getting along, better than he could ever remember. Steve lived for these dinners, looking forward to them every day.
And Steve always ended the night in the jacuzzi. It helped him relax, even when he didn't consciously feel he was tense. Somehow the water and the jets still found a way to turn him to goo. He was usually alone, but Tony joined him occasionally. They wouldn't talk, just sat side by side even with all the available room. Then when it was time for bed, they'd slip on the special robes and slippers Tony had gotten for everyone with their initials stitched on and head up to their rooms.
Steve was still going up to Natasha's floor every night, sleeping between her and Clint. It didn't even feel abnormal anymore, although he knew it couldn't stay this way forever. There was no need to change things up now though, since no one was complaining. And Clint was a surprisingly good cuddler, especially now that he started wearing pants to bed.
All in all, life was going pretty well. Which is why no one should've been surprised when a wrench was thrown into it.
Steve didn't leave the tower that often since he moved back in. It wasn't for any particular reason, but he never really found a need to. Tony provided everything he could ever think of wanting, so there wasn't a point. He was content to just hang around with everyone. There was a ton of space, so it was easy to find something to do.
So when Tony asked him to run down the street to pick up an important package from the Post Office for him, he agreed without hesitation. Tony was swamped with some sort of emergency work call and needed whatever the thing was, so of course Steve would get it for him. After everything Tony had done for all of them, Steve could do him this favor.
It was a few days into December by this point, so Steve made sure to bundle up for the short walk. It wasn't snowing yet, but there was no reason to be cold if he could avoid it. And all the layers and the hat kept him from being recognized as easily. More and more people figuring out who he really was was unavoidable in the long run, but keeping his privacy as much as possible was important to him. He wore the cowl for a reason.
The streets were busy, with people taking advantage of the pre Christmas tourist lull. Soon enough there would be barely any room to think with all the people crammed in the city, taking in all the sights and sounds. He should really think about getting his Christmas shopping done early, so he could avoid all that. Steve knew Natasha would be willing to go with him and help navigate the crowds, especially since he'd agreed to dress up as a Captain America themed elf for her toy drive.
The Post Office was a little busy, but Steve didn't mind. It was all so normal that he kind of appreciated it. He chatted with the woman in front of him, listening to her go on about her online jewelry shop and how many packages she had to send out this month. He promised to check out her website and she told him to message her on there for a discount code. Thor would probably love something that sparkled for Christmas.
There was a slight hiccup when a man at the counter started shouting at an employee. Steve didn't pay it much mind until he started waving his hands around aggressively. He could tell the postal worker was getting a bit nervous, so he was prepared to step in if needed. But then a manager came out and calmed the situation down. Steve was relieved, because he never would've been able to live it down with the team if he'd been caught up in some sort of drama the one time he left the tower alone.
It was finally Steve's turn and he got Tony's package. He had no idea what it was and it was pretty small, so he tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket and went on his way. He took a different route this time, taking in the sights of the holiday decorations that were being put up.
The bank Tony had found for him was only a few streets away, and they'd gotten that squared up a few days back. Steve still only had the two things to put in, but that was okay. He could always go back and add more whenever he found something worthy. Tony had gone with him, asking any last minute questions he had and making sure everything was air tight. He said that he wanted to get a feel for the place, but Steve was pretty sure Tony didn't want him to have to go through it all alone. And he appreciated that.
Steve was just about to make the last turn to get back to the tower when his phone beeped in his pocket. Tony had made him give up his old phone and start carrying a prototype he'd made for the team. He still didn't know all the things it could do, but he had a good enough grasp on it to be able to open up the messages.
Meet me on SI floor 14.
Steve suddenly got nervous. If there was this much of a business issue, did that mean Tony was going to have to leave again? He really hoped that wasn't the case, but he'd have to get over it if it was. Any one of them could find a reason to leave at any moment and there would be nothing Steve could do about it. And if Thor had to go off Earth right now, Steve would probably drop dead. He should really figure out the situation before letting his mind come up with worst case scenarios.
He never went on the business floors of the tower, because there was no need for him to. That was completely another realm in his eyes, and he usually forgot it even existed. There were so many floors to the tower that he only saw other people there when he went through the lobby. Steve went to the normal elevators, since the team elevator bypassed all the others and went straight to the Avenger's section.
He got lucky at first, stepping onto a car alone. It felt kind of weird to actually have to push a button to get the thing to move. How had talking to a computer become more normal to him? Steve leaned back in the corner of the elevator, listening to the soft music playing over the speakers. It was kind of soothing. Maybe Jarvis could start playing something in the team's elevator.
The car started slowing down as it reached the fifth floor, so Steve stood up straight and pasted his basic, pleasant look back on his face. He was pretty sure Tony had all employees sign non-disclosure agreements, but he didn't need to hear a story about someone seeing a scowling, slumped Captain America in an elevator. Tony's public relations people had enough to deal with.
The doors dinged open and a single person entered. Steve felt his heart stutter a little and his breath caught in his throat. Sweat immediately started beading on his upper lip as he stared in shock. Every muscle in his body went tense and started to tremble.
It was an older woman, maybe around 70 years old, with bright red hair.
Author's Note: if you're confused by the woman at the end of this chapter, check chapter 3 for a refresher. I know, it was a million years ago and I had to check the description myself!