The screen showed;
Sam Wilson is jogging around Washington, D.C. when Steve quickly catches up to him and runs past him.
Steve Rogers: On your left.
(as Sam continues to jog Steve comes around again quickly after doing another lap.)
Steve Rogers: On your left.
Sam Wilson: Uh-huh, on my left. Got it.
The humans snickered at their friend- leader?- The Asset almost groaned, why couldn't they have a clear hierarchy like Hydra did? Not that The Asset wanted them to be like Hydra; He hated Hydra, but he had no choice but to comply. After all, without them, who would make sure he didn't overstep his bounds? Who would keep him in line? Who would fix his arm when it glitched? He was trapped, and he knew it.
It didn't really matter though, he was a weapon- nothing more. He had no right to want or get freedom.
The Asset shook his head, shaking away the thoughts. It was odd, that when he had no orders to follow, that his mind always went down these rabbit holes.
(as Sam is still jogging Steve comes around again from behind him from another lap.)
Sam Wilson: Don't say it! Don't you say it!
Steve Rogers: On your left!
Sam Wilson: Come on!
Once again, the humans snickered at the now blushing Steve. The Asset bit back a huff of.. Of.. amusement? Now that was an odd feeling. Kind of light and airy? Like all his troubles had just vanished. He shrunk into his seat, in one way, being with Hydra was easy. He always knew what to expect, what to do. He was used to the feelings; Rage, pain and fear.
But here, he didn't know what to feel. He didn't feel any rage, nor any pain. Maybe a little fear, but other than that- the other feelings were so.. So abnormal? But oddly familiar, like he'd felt them before.
(Sam gets angry and tries to catch up to him but only after a few seconds he's unable to carry and stops to rest.)
(as Sam is resting, catching his breath sitting by a tree Steve walks over to him.)
Steve Rogers: Need a medic?
Tony looked over at Steve with a fake shocked look. "Did- did Cap just use.. Sarcasm..? Is the world ending..?" The man said with a dramatic flourish of his arms at the blond, who was glaring at him.
The Asset watched with confusion; why did they talk to each other like that? Hydra never talked like that. And once again, The Asset had a sense of recognition, like he'd done it before. Another thing from the Before, The Asset assumed.
"I can use sarcasm, Stark. And I have before." Steve growled at Tony- or was he Stark? Honestly, The Asset was at a lose on how to act. Maybe he should just call Tony by Stark, after all, Steve had. And The Asset still felt a strong sense of recognition to the blond. So surely it'd be better to act as Steve did. Right?
Not that The asset intended to talk to them. But if he did…
(Sam laughs.)
Sam Wilson: I need a new set of lungs. Dude, you just ran like 13 miles in 30 minutes.
Steve Rogers: I guess I got a late start.
Sam Wilson: Oh, really? You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap.
The Asset watched as Stark looked over at Steve again. "I like this dude." The man stated. "Who is he?"
Steve shrugged. "I've never met him. The girl did say we'd be watching our near future, so.." The blond trailed off, shrugging.
While the humans jumped into a conversation about the running fellow, The Asset noticed that Natasha never took her eyes off of him. She was watching him like a hawk. He knew why, if this was the humans, 'near future,' why was he in it? And he remembered shooting someone through her, so he could imagine what her thoughts on the matter were.
(He hesitates for a moment before saying sarcastically.)
Sam Wilson: Did you just take it? I assumed you just took it.
At this, Stark cracked up, as did Maybe-Archer. The Asset really needed to learn that guy's name. "Oh, he's perfect." Cackled Stark, madly.
The Asset surprised himself with a sarcastic thought regarding the man's sanity. He was shocked, he hadn't had a thought like that since the Before. But he knew he'd had thoughts like that in the past, far back in the past. Like really, really far back.
Steve Rogers: What unit you with?
Sam Wilson: 58, Pararescue. But now I'm working down at the VA.
(Sam lifts hand to shake)
Sam Wilson: Sam Wilson.
"Finally, a name!" Exclaimed Maybe- archer, smiling widely and earning a disapproving glance from Natasha- before the woman turned her sharp green eyes back on The asset.
"I'm with Clint on this one, it's nice to know the guy's name." Steve said, grinning slightly.
Clint! Finally a name to go with the face. Now The Asset could call him, 'Maybe- Archer Clint'.
(Steve gives Sam a hand to rise.)
Steve Rogers: Steve Rogers.
Sam Wilson: Yeah I kind of put that together. Must have freaked you out coming home after the whole defrosting thing.
Defrosting? Had Steve been in Cyro freeze too? That would explain why The Asset seemed to know him, if he'd been frozen, never aging just as the Asset had.
That was one of the worst things about Hydra- he had been with them for what? Sixty years? And he'd only aged about three. Mainly because they only ever took him out for missions, and those only lasted about, what, a week at tops? Maybe add a day or two on for repairs and beatings? The fact was that The Asset doubted he'd ever die of old age, and no one had managed to kill him yet. He knew he'd never be free, but death would be its own kind of freedom from the clutches of Hydra.
Steve Rogers: It takes some getting used to. It's good to meet you, Sam.
(as Steve turns to leave.)
Sam Wilson: It's your bed, right?
Steve Rogers: What's that?
Sam Wilson: Your bed, it's too soft. When I was over there I'd sleep on the ground and use rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I'm home, lying in my bed, and it's like...
Steve Rogers: Lying on a marshmallow. Feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor.
'What's a Marshmallow?' The Asset thought to himself as Stark looked over at Steve. "We can get you a new bed if your current bed isn't up to your standards." The man said snarkily, though the Asset thought he caught a hint of concern in Stark's voice.
"No, it's fine. I'd better just get used to it." Steve said, giving a half smile to Stark.
The Asset's original thought flew through his head again, and before he could stop himself he blurted it out in a quiet voice, making the humans jump out of their skin. "What's a Marshmallow?" He said before he could stop himself, instantly regretting it. What had he been thinking? Hydra or not, Steve seemed to be the head of the hierarchy here. Would the blond punish him for his impudence? The Asset knew he wouldn't try and stop the blond, following orders was all he really knew how to do.
The answer to his stupid question surprised him. "Er, you don't know what a marshmallow is?" Stark asked with a surprised look. The Asset felt even stupider, apparently a marshmallow was something he should know.
Steve seemed to catch onto The Asset's discomfort, and explained. "It's a kind of food. White, fluffy, chewy, sweet." He said in a patient voice.
So, the blond wouldn't punish him? This was so odd. Did this Steve not harm or punish something when it malfunctioned? At least he knew what a marshmallow was.
Unsure how to respond to the blond's unexpected kindness, The Asset just gave hima short nodd.
(Sam smiles and nods his head.)
Steve Rogers: How long?
Sam Wilson: Two tours.
(Awkward Silence)
Sam Wilson: You must miss the good old days, huh?
Steve Rogers: Well, things aren't so 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.
(Sam looks up to think and raises finger)
Sam Wilson: Marvin Gaye, 1972, "Trouble Man" soundtrack. Everything you've missed jammed into one album.
The Asset marked down that information into his head. If he ever got free, which he wouldn't- he would make sure to find this 'internet' and use it to learn of things, like marshmallows and Marvin Gaye- whoever that was.
Steve Rogers: I'll put it on the list.
"You have a list?" Stark asked with great pleasure and amusement in his voice. Steve rolled his eyes at the other man.
"Of course I have a list! I was frozen for nearly seventy years." The blond exclaimed, glaring at Stark- who just smirked.
"I had a list too, when I first joined Shield." Natasha offered helpfully, coming to the blond's rescue.
The Asset watched them interact with interest, he hardly ever saw human interaction, besides Hydra. He didn't have much time on missions to stop and watch them all go about their days. He honestly had no clue if these humans interacted normally, or if this was weird.
(Steve gets his small notebook and pen out and notes it down on his list which also includes - in the American version of the movie - I Love Lucy (Television); Moon Landing; Berlin Wall (Up + Down) Steve Jobs (Apple); Disco; Thai Food; Star Wars/Trek (with Star Wars crossed out, indicating that he has seen it); Nirvana (Band); Rocky (Rocky II?)
"You're gonna need a better list than that, Capsicle." Stark said, amusement lacing his voice.
"Shut up, Stark." Steve said with a glare at the other man.
"I'm afraid he's right." Maybe- Archer Clint said with a smirk.
Natasha snickered, while Bruce just shook his head at them all.
(Steve gets a text message: "Mission alert. Extraction imminent. Meet at the curb. :)")
Steve Rogers: Alright, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run. If that's what you wanna call running.
"Ooooo, burn." Maybe- Archer Clint said, clapping his hands together once. Stark snickered, while Natasha, Bruce and Steve just shook their heads.
The Asset watched their interaction closely, is this how friends acted? What even are friends?
(They shake hands.)
Sam Wilson: Oh, that's how it is?
Steve Rogers: Oh, that's how it is.
"Didn't know you had it in you, Captain." Natasha said, smirking at Steve's glare.
The Asset felt the od airy light feeling again.
Sam Wilson: (He laughs.) Okay. Any time you wanna stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know.
Steve Rogers: I'll keep it in mind.
Sam Wilson: Okay.
(Just then Natasha pulls up in her car by the curb and rolls down the window.)
Natasha Romanoff: Hey, fellas. Either one of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil.
Stark gave Natasha a high five at that, snickering with Maybe- Archer Clint as Steve rolled his eyes.
The Asset was confused, Steve didn't look like a fossil. He had seen fossils before, and they normally weren't alive.
Steve Rogers: That's hilarious.
(Steve walks over to her car and gets in, Sam gives Natasha and her car an appreciative look.)
Sam Wilson: How you doing?
Stark snorted. "Is he trying to flirt with Nat?"
Natasha in question just shrugged.
The Asset was once again confused, what was Flirt? Maybe he should make a list.
Natasha Romanoff: Hey.
Steve Rogers: Can't run everywhere.
Sam Wilson: No, you can't.