OUT OF THIS WORLD [2] ✓ (AVENGERS FF) [RE-WRITTEN]

[1] BACK TO THE ROUTINE...KIND OF

BACK TO THE ROUTINE...KIND OF

Fate and destiny.

Lately I've been thinking about them a lot.

I don't mean to go down that path right at the beginning of a new chapter, but I can't help thinking about it. Especially when I think back on everything that has happened so far.

Sometimes, it all feels like a long, endless dreams. And other times, I forget that I'm not from here.

If it wasn't for the dreams, I probably would have convinced myself that none of this is real.

But the dreams.

Don't get me started on the dreams. They just feel so real.

Every night ever since that day it's the same.

I dream of him. Them. Their fate.

But what can I do to help?

Heavy breaths escape my mouth as my feet move at a constant, rhythmical pace.

The scent of sweat, mixed the whirring and humming of the machine along with a faint beat, are the only thing I'm focused on as I run on the treadmill, pushing myself to run faster with every minute that passes.

It would be nice to say that I'm doing this purely for the sake of my health, but that's not it.

The reality of it is quite different. Ever since the incident with Hydra, the Avengers have been keeping a close eye on me. The whole incident shook the team pretty badly, especially because no one saw it coming and we weren't prepared for it.

I wasn't prepared for it and I payed for my carelessness and weakness.

During the first few weeks, the team took turns keeping guard, an Avenger staying by my side every night just in case of another attack.

Once things seemed to calm down, they moved to staying outside my room. Until eventually, everyone went back to their rooms, checking in every once in a while to make sure I'm okay.

It took a lot of pleading and 'I'm fine's' to convince them that it wasn't necessary for them to be next to me twenty four seven.

For now, they are trying their best to continue with their routine but I can tell that they are still worried.

Now, with the exception of the tests Bruce and Tony keep running to make sure nothing has changed, my daily routine is almost back to normal.

Every morning, Steve, Bucky, Sam and I go for a run, and afterwards I continue to train with the other Avengers.

So far, nothing has changed, but we can't be completely sure about what Hydra did. Especially since I can't seem to remember much of it. For now, it seems like experimentation is out of the question, but we are still taking precautions just in case.

However, one thing is for sure.

I need to become stronger.

I let out a heavy sigh as the machine dies down, hand reaching for the water bottle Bruce offers as I step away.

Muttering a 'thanks', I give him a small nod and chug down the bottle as I sit down on a bench, a towel draped on my shoulders as the science bros discuss the results.

After a few minutes of comparing charts and analyzing results, Bruce makes his way towards me, giving me a small smile as he reads the results.

"Your vitals are stable." Bruce says as he reads the charts. "No signs of any anomalies so far. You're good for today."