WinterFalcon week 2021 - Day 1
Hi, this is my first time doing this, so please bear with me. Here is the first day of the WinterFalcon week created by @winterfalconweek. The prompt was “Sam finds Bucky before Civil War”. Enjoy!
Sam thought that after Steve and his frighteningly fast jogging left, he could finally take his morning runs peacefully. He could, once again, slow down a little to see the sunrise over the flowering trees. He could wave and shout a brief ‘good morning’ to all the other morning joggers and dog-walkers. He could finally take a break after his third lap, sitting on one of the benches near the lake and watching the fish. He could finally relax, knowing there wasn’t someone running laps around him - quite literally. But most of all, he was glad that he wouldn’t have to hear that classic, yet almost patronizing “On your left” ever again.
Well, he had been right about one thing. He wouldn’t have to hear that sentence again. Instead, he heard something equally bad, if not worse.
The morning had started normal enough. Sam’s alarm rang at exactly six am, signaling it was time for his morning run. He changed into something better suited for jogging, took a swing of water, and put on his running shoes as he set out for the park. He stretched his legs and arms a little on the way there, shivering slightly from the morning cold. As he reached the park, he started picking up his pace until he was jogging lightly. He took in a big breath of fresh air as he took in the morning view.
Sighing happily, he jogged steadily. He looked around, waving and smiling at the occasional passerby. He was on his second lap when he finally heard another pair of feet jogging behind him. He smiled to himself, secretly glad that it wasn’t Steve and his inhumanely fast running. It wasn’t until the person behind him sped up that he paid much attention to them.
Fine, he thought. Two can play that game. He started picking up his pace, still slightly ahead of the other jogger. They must’ve noticed that since they too picked up their pace. The two joggers kept accelerating until they were both running at full speed. To everyone else at the park, they must’ve looked idiotic, but they didn’t seem to care.
Although Sam was super competitive when it came to running, he eventually ran out of stamina and slowed down a little. That was when the jogger overtook him, shouting a quick “On your right,” as they sped ahead. Only then did Sam get a brief look at them. The jogger was a man with chestnut hair that almost reached his shoulders. He had worn a hoodie and shorts, showing off his sturdy legs. His form wasn’t all that great, but his speed and stamina made up for it.
Sam hoped this was the last time he raced with this mystery jogger. He had, after all, wanted to take his morning runs peacefully.
The next morning Sam woke up at the same time; six am. He drank a little water before changing and heading out. He once again stretched a little before starting his morning run. He started jogging casually for almost 20 minutes before he heard another pair of feet jogging behind him.
Damn it, he thought. The stupid mystery jogger is back. And sure enough, the pair of feet caught up with him. They, once again, started racing to see who could stay ahead. Sam managed to take the lead for almost five minutes before the other man overtook him. And once again the other jogger shouted the dreaded “On your right.”
Sam was determined to stay ahead of that stupid jogger. He got up at the normal time, heading to the park earlier than usual as he didn’t waste time at home. He stretched more thoroughly and warmed up a little. He started speed walking until eventually, he sped up to a light jog.
Upon hearing those aggravating footsteps again, Sam didn’t waste time waiting for the other. Instead, he started sprinting at full speed. He knew that was a really stupid thing to do, especially since the mystery jogger would catch up to him eventually and Sam probably wouldn’t have enough stamina to keep up with him. But he ran forward anyway.
Once he felt that he was far enough ahead, Sam slowed down until he came to a full stop. He doubled over, breathing heavily. He spotted a water fountain, a little ways away, and decided to drink a little before continuing his jog. He walked over to the fountain, letting the cool water splash over his face and into his mouth.
When Sam had finished drinking, he walked back to the trail, wiping his face. He was about to start jogging again when he heard that stupid pair of feet on the road, along with the snarky “On your right.” Dammit, he had been too slow.
The silent running competition continued between Sam and the mystery jogger for a couple of weeks. Every day, Sam started jogging, hoping that was the day he would outrun the other. But every day, the man with chestnut hair and big calf muscles overtook him and shouted his stupid “On your right.”
After a while, the other man must’ve gotten a bit bored with his usual phrase because he decided to change it up a little. The first time that happened, Sam became slightly confused as to why the “On your right,” was now suddenly said with a horrible British accent. The next day, it was a terrible Southern accent. Then it was a weird French accent. He kept going until he ran out of accents, at which point he switched to different languages. The first time it sounded like Russian, then it was Spanish, and another time it was Italian. A lot of the languages were spoken with a clear American accent, almost as if the mystery jogger had typed the phrase into Google translate and tried to pronounce the translation. It got to the point where it felt like he was doing it on purpose, as if he was trying to get Sam to laugh. And Sam did laugh, almost every time.
Soon, the two became unlikely friends. They never saw each other apart from their morning runs, and even then, Sam had only seen a glimpse of his face and didn’t even know his name. Nevertheless, they became good companions, running together every day, without fail.
“Okay man, I get it. But who the hell is this Bucky Barnes guy? I’ve never met him.” Sam said to Steve as they walked up the stairs of an old apartment building. Steve had this old friend from the 40s that he wanted Sam to meet. He had previously been brainwashed by Hydra and became the infamous Winter Soldier. But now, he had finally broken free from the hypnosis, and was on the run from the government who thought he was a threat. Sam wasn’t sure if he trusted this guy, but he trusted Steve, so he would have to deal with another 100 and something-year-old. He just hoped Bucky didn’t look and act his age.
“Don’t worry, you’re about to meet him,” Steve responded as they reached the top of the stairs. He took out a key and used it to unlock one of the doors on that floor. “Hey Buck, it’s me, Steve. I brought a friend. I think he could help us out.” Steve called out.
As they walked into what looked like the living room, Sam could hear the TV and saw a man sitting on the couch. He had chestnut hair that almost reached his shoulders and his face looked familiar. Wait a second-
“You’re the mystery jogger!” Sam realized, pointing to the man on the couch. He looked up from the TV with visible confusion on his face. Then, a look of recognition dawned on his face.
“Oh shit, you’re the slow dude from the park.” He said. Even though it had been years since Sam saw him last, his voice was so familiar. A rush of memories came as he remembered all the morning runs where they had raced. He had eventually moved away for his job and never saw the mystery jogger again, much to his dismay.
“I’m not slow, you’re just super fucking fast. What, are you a super soldier too?” Sam replied, secretly offended because he thought of himself as a pretty fast jogger.
“Actually,” Steve interjected, sensing that the two might start arguing. “He is. So, I take it you’ve already met?”
“Kind of.” The two responded at the same time.
“Great!” Steve said cheerfully as he clapped his hands together. “Then I’m sure you guys will get along just fine. Bucky, turn off the TV. We have to talk strategy.”
“Fine,” Bucky groaned as he grabbed the TV remote and turned it off.
“Sounds good,” Sam said to Steve. Then, he turned to who he assumed was Bucky. “Also, I want a rematch. I’m a lot faster than I was two years ago.”
Bucky grinned. “We’ll see about that. I am a super soldier, after all.”
