Hey everyone! Welcome to chapter 3!
3.) Steve
Natasha was always an early riser, but she'd managed to sleep in a little later than usual which meant she'd missed yoga with Bruce.
She figured she'd go down to the gym and do a quick work out and grab some breakfast before heading to Shield for the day.
She got into her comfy workout clothes and headed down to the kitchen to fill up her water bottle, surprised to find Steve up. He was generally an early riser too, though not as early as she was.
"Morning." Steve smiled, chopping up some fruit at the counter.
"Morning." Natasha smiled politely, filling up her bottle. "Working out too?" She asked, snagging a slice of strawberry from the plate.
"Going for a run, it's a beautiful morning." He pointed out the window and Natasha saw that it was indeed a beautiful morning. It had been chilly recently and Steve didn't like running outside when it was cold.
Natasha understood that, if she was ever caught outside in a thunderstorm it sent her mind whirling down the rabbit hole.
"Nice day for a run, actually." Natasha hummed, a little wistfully, wishing she'd checked the weather before deciding on the gym.
Steve took his plate to the table and began eating, swallowing and looking up at her. "Do you wanna join me?" He asked quietly, a little uncertain.
They'd come a long way from the superheroes who had been thrown together to save the world.
They all mainly lived at the tower now, bar Thor who split his time between the tower, Asgard and Jane's. They had movie nights and pizza parties and they were good friends.
Natasha appreciated them wanting their alone time though, and Steve rarely went on his run with anyone else.
"I don't want to impose." She shrugged.
"You wouldn't be. It's a lovely morning and it'll be nicer than working out in the gym."
"Okay then." Natasha nodded, smiling and taking another piece of fruit from his plate.
When Steve had finished eating, he cleaned up a little and they headed out the doors.
The sun was shining and it was certainly warmer than it had been in a while.
Natasha had been cooped up either at Shield or in her room and being outside was a nice change.
They stretched a little, chatting warmly between themselves before starting to run.
...
An hour later, a sweaty Natasha and barely flushed Steve arrived back at the tower.
Natasha had seen Steve run but running next to him, she realised just how fast he was. It had been a welcome challenge, trying to meet his speed, and though she knew she'd never fully catch up to him, it had been fun.
Steve tossed Natasha a towel and they sat down at the kitchen table.
Steve often had two breakfasts, since he burned so many calories with his super metabolism and Natasha had only had a little fruit so when Natasha had caught her breath they started to make breakfast.
By the time the pancakes, eggs and bacon were done, the others had wandered into the kitchen.
Natasha and Steve dished out the food, and Natasha quietly bumped shoulders with him. "Thanks for the run, it was nice to get outside."
Steve beamed at her, nodding. "It was. Same time next week?" He asked softly.
Natasha grinned and nodded. "I'd like that."