Childhood Hero: Return of the Redbird (Captain America Story)

Chapter 7- Three Months Later

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Steve's POV

I look up to the early morning sun, rising steadily above the Washington Monument, reflecting light off the water in the pond.

I circle around the Lincoln Memorial, then head up back the other side of the water. Running in front of me is a dark-skinned man. I easily catch up to him.

"On your left." I say as I pass him, running another lap.

I don't feel tired, I feel energised. I've been running every morning since I moved here, it's a good way to clear my head when I wake up.

"On your left." I pass him again.

"Uh huh, on my left." He calls after me sarcastically, "Got it."

I run another lap, coming up behind him yet again.

"Don't say it!" He says, "Don't you say it!"

"On your left!" I grin, chucklling as he groans behind me.

"Come on!"

I run one last lap, spotting him sitting by a tree.

I jog over, slowing to a stop, watching as he pants heavily.

"Need a medic?" I ask lightly, and he laughs, shaking his head.

"I need a new set of lungs." He replies, "Dude, you just ran like thirteen miles in thirty minutes."

"I guess I got a late start." I look around the park.

"Oh, really?" He rolls his eyes, "You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap."

He hesitates for a moment, before speaking up again.

"Did you just take it?" He sasses, "I assume you just took it."

"What unit are you with?" I ask him.

"Fifty-eighth, Para-rescue. But now I'm working down at the VA." He says, holding out his hand. "Sam Wilson."

I grab his hand, helping him up.

"Steve Rogers." I reply.

"I kind of put that together." He says, "Must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosting thing."

"It takes some getting used to, some people have helped me a lot." I nod, "It's good to meet you, Sam."

I turn to walk away, but his voice stops me.

"It's your bed, right?"

"What's that?" I ask, turning around.

"Your bed, it's too soft." He says, "When I was over there I sleep on the ground and used rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I'm home, lying in my bed, and It's like-"

"Lying on a marshmallow. I feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor." I nod in agreement, "How long?"

"Two tours." He replies, "You must miss the good old days, huh?"

"Well, things aren't so bad." I grin, "Food's a lot better, we used to boil everything. No polio is good. Internet, so helpful. I've been reading a lot, trying to catch up."

"Marvin Gaye, 1972, Trouble Man soundtrack." He tells me, "Everything you've missed jammed into one album."

"I'll put it on the list." I pull out a small, well-used  notebook.

I add Trouble Man to the bottom of a list, accidentally flicking a few pages back.

Beatles ✓