Present Day
Sam Wilson wakes up in the early hours of the day. Life in the military has programmed him to. He doesn't mind though, he's always thought of himself as an early bird. Falcon dresses in his sweats and trainers, throws on a t shirt before heading to the kitchen. He makes himself a light breakfast (eggs, bacon and buttered toast) before he heads out for a run.
He puts his ear buds in as he stretches his legs. Stretching before exercise is very important. Life as an Avenger, protector of the common folk, demands that you be physically prepared at all times. It's hard to jump into action with pulled muscles.
The Avenger puts on his workout playlist and starts down his usual path. It's early spring. Nice little flowers are starting to bloom. Trees are full with green leaves. Fresh green growth can be seen all around. Sam notices all of this on his run. He also notices how refreshing the breeze is this morning. It's going to be a nice day, he thinks to himself. He takes a deep breath and continues on.
The best part about starting your day off with a little exercise is just how good you feel the rest of the day. Sam loves the feeling it gives him. He just generally loves his morning runs.
"On your left!"
"On your right!"
Make that loved.
"Oh come on guys!" Sam stops running. Sweat drips down his face. "I can't have one morning, just one morning without you guys!?" He yells after the two super soldiers. But it's light hearted, and he's laughing when he resumes his run.
Steve and Bucky laugh as they run together. They can't help it, the look on Sam's face as they leave him in the dust every morning is priceless. Soon enough they are so far ahead that Falcon is only a tiny blip in the distance.
Bucky slows to a stop and puts his hands on his knees, still laughing. His Friend stops beside him.
"Come on Buck, let's get going" Steve says. He's jogging in place now.
"Just a sec, let me catch my breath." He says between laughs. He looks up at Steve, a huge smile spread across his face. It knocks the wind out of the super soldier, though he tries his best to hide it. Some days it still shocks him that Bucky, his best friend, whom he watched fall to his death so many decades ago, is alive and well. Maybe 'well' isn't the right term. Alive and.. Doing better. It's almost like old times again.
"What are you staring at?" Bucky asks simply. It brings Steve back to the present. "Do I have something in my teeth?" His friend, the funny man.
"Nah Buck, just thinking." He smiles to himself.
"Well stop then." The ex-assassin stand back up and stretches a little twisting his body just a bit.
Suddenly, he knocks into Steve, throwing him off balance for a few seconds.
"Race ya!" Bucky yells playfully as he takes off running again. Steve is to stunned to move at first. But he shakes it off quickly and takes off after his friend, smiling. Bucky laugh.
"Ha! You call yourself a super soldier? Come on Captain you can do better than that!" The soldier taunts. Warmth blossoms on the Cap's face. He's still getting used to having Playful Bucky back. He charges after his friend, giving it all he's got.
"I'm only just starting buddy." He shoots back, passing a bemused Bucky. Steve laughs and races on.
Bucky grunts and leans into his run, giving him an extra bit of speed. He plows right by Steve, sticking his tongue out playfully.
Just ahead of them is a big sign displaying 'CAUTION: CONSTRUCTION AHEAD'. Buck half turns mid run, smirking at his pal.
"Think you can keep up old man? Follow me!"
"What?" The Cap says before he sees the sign. He feels a pang of alarm and stops dead in his tracks, after all he is Captain America. What would people think if he went rampaging through a construction zone with his freshly cleared ex-hydra agent best friend?
"Bucky wait!" The metal armed man stops and turns, "We shouldn't.." He starts. Bucky only laughs.
"What's the matter Stevie? Afraid of a little danger?" He's teasing him again. "Or maybe you're afraid of some bad publicity?" He smirks and puts his hands on his hips. He seems so sure of himself, but Steve can hear the doubt in his voice. Afraid of ruining the fantastic morning, he puts his duties as Americas hero aside. It's just a little bad behavior after all.
"Not a chance Barnes." Steve gives him his best smile and runs past him into the closed off area. He takes a breath of relief when Bucky laughs and follows him.
They zip between angry workers, Bucky even uses one as a vault to launch himself onto one of their trailers. Steve makes a mental note to send him an apology.
Steve watches his friend as he runs along rising beams and over trucks and such. He rolls his eyes.
"Showing off much Barnes?" He calls, "no pretty girls here to impress!" Bucky flips artistically off a stack of bricks and lands just behind the Star Spangled Man. He's running alongside him again in no time.
"Oh I'm showing off? You know they do make shirts big enough for you right?" Both men are laughing as they exit the construction area. They end their run under a tall tree, both breathing deep and long. Sweat drips down their backs as they rest in the shade, neither saying anything. After a while Steve breaks the silence.
"So how you feeling today Buck?" He says calmly.
"I'm alright." It's immediate, mechanical. Like it's been practiced.
"You sure? Cause after last night I thi-"
A sleek, inconspicuous black car rolls up in front of them. The passenger side door opens and Natasha Romanov steps out looking sharp in a pencil skirt and blouse. Bucky whistles obnoxiously.
"Hey Darlin'" Bucky smiles at her. Nat gives him a look that says 'knock it off', wiping the smile right off his face. Steve clears his throat.
"You look nice Natasha." She smiles sincerely.
"Thank you Steve."
"What brings you all the way down here?" The super soldier asks. She motions to the car.
"Boss is calling." Steve sighs.
"And if we're being summoned-"
"It means we're needed." Nat finishes. "Come on." The trio climbs into the vehicle, Natasha in front and the boys in the back, and drive off.
