Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tony made a questioning noise, as Bucky stood there in shorts and a t-shirt. The phrase spoken into existence was, let's go for a run. Don't get Tony wrong, he knows exercising was on the bottom of the barrel for priorities but when his boyfriend of a year and 7 months said it. He cocked his eyebrow up and lips pursed.

"Yeah, I said it."

Bucky B. Barnes. Tony leaned forward making his frown more known, "Why and where?"

"Helen and Bruce said I need more sunlight and you need more exercise. We can't be the indoor couple of our dreams." The unspoken fear of the doctors coming for their heads because they refuse the words.

Tony sighed straightening out his back. He looked at his partner, the once-tan skin was ghostly white. Hell, paper white even. Dragging his gaze down. Tony tapped the desk, "You are lacking that vitamin D."

Bucky nodded flopping on the couch, "Yeah, sunny delight does not count apparently."

The genius snorted as he sighed in defeat, the sound of Jarvis and Friday's showing screens on the health of them both. A tremendous 1000 present change if they do this. Of course, his kids would agree. Bucky looked at the readings sighing also. 

Let's go running, he supposes. 

The first day out running was around the building. Tony felt like passing out. Bucky scowled at every person around them. Both hurried back inside to lounge in the workshop decompressing. 

The day ended with Helen, Bruce, and Stephen (go figure) telling the couple that running for a mere 10 minutes is not going to cut it. 

Bucky scowled more. Tony lamented the appeal of exercise. He can let his heart give out officially. 

"You either run or I'll let Steve, Rhodes, Pepper, and Natasha know," Helen spoke those four names with a promise behind them. Both visibly shuddered at the mere thought of it.

Tony's mouth dropped, "You're playing dirty Helen. You can't get the mother hens and the ruthless queens on us."

Bucky raised his hand, "at least give us a head start if you do."

Strange eye twitched showing a patented doctor's note, "You need to run."

Helen nodded, "At least 45 minutes a day. Break it up however but you need to run. If any other exercise does not work."

Bruce nodded, "Running is the best bet."

---

Tony leaned against the Avengers tower wall, arms crossed put off by the threat and demands. The evident concerns for their shared health. He was out here in shorts and a tank top waiting for Bucky. The old sarge wandered back inside.

With a grunt, Tony grumbled, "Better not be ditching me."

"I would never, darlin." Bucky held two backpacks. The backpacks look interesting but also very heavy. Getting handed his, the engineering scientist glanced at him with a questioning stare. A hearty laugh left Bucky, "I figure if we hafta run, we should make a game of it."

A game? Tony interest was piqued as he opened his bag seeing a pair of clothes, snacks, his wallet, and his phone. Old habits die hard he figures. Shooting an accusing smile, "Mhm, I see. What is the game?"

Bucky smiled getting his backpack on. “We run to places we want to go. I figure might as well give ourselves a fun goal.” The super soldier stretched a little, trying his best not to glower at the pedestrians who were tempted to stop, stare, and take a picture.

Tony felt the same sentiments. The two most hermits members of the team, they have been forced outside. Running to a pre-planned destination had Tony more interested. Getting his backpack on, eyes on the long-haired man, he made sure his shoes were adjusted, “Okay, so the rules of the game? I am not running no 50 miles Bucky.”

“Never, I would lose my mind if I have to run 50 miles to nowhere.” It was a smirk that made Tony roll his eyes fondly, the scientist stood up as Bucky began to explain the rules, “First, we choose the place. Let's make it easy, say a park about 16 minutes from us.” Tony loves him, that fast math is great, “Of course being a bit more specific a pond in the park I’ve noticed. Or creek. I think it was the creek, anyway,” Bucky smiled as he looked at Tony. The big browns looked interested and focused on the rules.

“Right,’ Bucky continued as he pointed in the direction, “The creek would take us at least 18 to get there. Then we run back. All the way to the room or lab. Easy. Second rule, if we choose a location that is unrealistic to get there. We can take a car, bus, trolley, carriage,” Tony laughed at the eyebrow raise and lustful look, a hushed ‘Casanova’; Bucky threw his hair up in a high ponytail, “We can also stop at a hotel to shower.”

“Right, Shower,” Tony gave a look that was downright filthy and doubtful, he looked around seeing the park in the direction, “Gym?”

“Gym, if that is the kind of thing we want to do.”

Both stood there before laughing a little. The two heroes looked around before they stood there, Bucky gave another smile, “Last rule, we have fun with this.  We run and have fun. Maybe find new things.”

“Understood,” Tony did a jaunty salute, “Sarge.” Tony grinned with joy as the man visibly shuddered feeling his cheek get a kiss, “Do I count down or…?”

“Yeah,” Bucky looked around at the nice day out, “Also if it is raining, snowing, or shitty weather we can vote.”

Tony swooned at the rules, and his partner's foresight and he was feeling a little more excited, “Okay, ready,” Tony did a small hop forward, “Oh.”

“Hm?” The soldier stopped with a jerking motion, “What is wrong?”

“If we want to race? Could we?”

Bucky wanted to say that wouldn’t be fair, but he looked at the man feeling something warm. They would be running together. Or jogging in his case. Looking at the big browns that met Bucky’s blues with a quarter full of brown stare back. With a quick nod, the genius shot a small smile at the sniper. The count of three sounded off, they began a leisurely pace.

For every one of Tony’s run cycles, Bucky followed with a trot. Both their breaths sank, even with Tony's breath a bit more labored. Over the huffing, Bucky mumbled out, “We can have lunch at the creek.”

“You,” Huff, “Romantic.” Tony groaned out quietly cursing at the sky for their friends being worried about them (the threat of their friends being pissed off).

Winding through the park, Tony slowed as they began to close in on the creek. Bucky who barely had a sweat break out, handed a damp towel to Tony. Tony grimaced at the sweat on his underarms, but he plopped down taking the towel with appreciation. Wiping away the sweat, he looked at Bucky with a little smile.

The bubbling creek, distant parkgoers, and the sounds of breathing regulating had the two heroes relaxing in the shade. Tony happily hums around his food. Bucky content sipping. They sat there before they took a walk around the creek. At the edges, little wild plants started to grow. Among the wild plants was the city wildlife.

“I swear, there are mutated raccoons in New York.”

“I sooner believe gators, hon,” Bucky chuckled as he reached down to grab the wildflower, “Besides the news would have a field day and say,” Bucky put on his best showtimey radio host voice, “This just in, in Down Town, Manhattan, rabid giant mutated raccoons are raiding the trashcans of restaurants. Hide those trashcans folks.”

Bucky grinned at the snorting laughter, the mechanical genius giving him an admiring grin, “Your 40s are showing, white wolf.” Tony grinned adjusting his bag. Bucky stalling as the count of, 1, 2, 3, GO fired off. Tony takes a quick but steady jog. Bucky blinked before following him back to the tower.

They clocked in their time, 42 minutes, three minutes shy. They watched Alpine and debated on whether they could add her time to the roster.

After a quick shower, Bucky and Tony passed out watching television.

---

The next time they were due to run, was an overwhelming summer’s day. Tony grimaced at the heat, Bucky almost calling to vote to skip this run. However, Tony pulled out a cap for Bucky and a sunset for himself. Bucky slowly watched as the man threw on his running clothes, this time, shorts that reached mid-thigh and a tank top with thin undershirt.

Bucky stared as he looked at Tony showing their new location. An ice cream parlor. Tony flopped next to him, showing all the flavors available. Bucky stopped staring at the wide assortments of flavors. Peeking at the man next to him, he thought to himself, “Can I pay for it?”

“Nooo, you paid for dinner last night.” Tony flashed his card, “Plus, I have money to burn. Remember?”

The soldier let out a sad noise, hand on his head pushing the cap up, “My sweet kitten, refuses to let me treat him right.”

Letting a low chuckle, Bucky felt a playful tap on his chest, “Haha, alright c’mon jackass. We gotta run before Steve drags you outside in the sun for five hours.”

The threat and the reminder were enough to have Bucky walking Tony outside. Both standing at the back entrance of the tower. Tony counted down and ran to the bus stop. Bucky was close behind, and the genius threw up his arm grinning as he hopped on a a little bus that would take Tony and Bucky to the ice cream parlor.

Bucky ran up partway to a close ice cream parlor and an annoyed Tony, “What the hell?”

The sign said closed for the afternoon. Power outage. Tony lamented the lack of ice cream. The run being pointless. Bucky nudged him gently catching his focus away from their ruined goal, “I bet there is an ice cream truck nearby.”

Sighing, Tony nodded as they jogged back to the little bus that would bring them back. The bus rolled up. They slipped on, letting the bus take them back to the tower location. Bucky was watching the buildings go by when he spotted an ice cream truck that was about ten minutes away.

Tugging the line, the bus pulled to a stop. Bucky tugged Tony, “I found our goal sweet thing.”

The billionaire looked, thanking the driver as he rushed off. The run to the ice cream truck led to an out breath Tony. Bucky laughing over his heaving lungs, “One…” Tony peered at the menu, “Triple swirl strawberry swirl, please.”

Bucky watched the strawberry ice cream come out, with a swirl of white swirls, red swirls, and something close to caramel. Tony happy noises as Bucky took in the choices. Seeing one that caught his eye, he ordered, “One Banana pop, please.”

Super Soldier took in the banana pop, with some chocolate hard shell covering it with nuts. Staring at it. The first thing that hit him, was the banana smell. It smelled it banana. Something blissful filled his mind as took the banana pop in his mouth, and paid before Tony could find a way to pay the ice cream man.

The surprise bark, as Bucky took a steady jog away from his partner. Tony with a mouthful shouted at him, running after him, “I’sh pose ta pay.” Popping the the rectangular bar, Tony sent a mock scowl at Bucky who looked content with paying for their treat.

Pressing their arms together, they took a jog back to the tower. The off mention of Tony having chocolate on the corner of his lips and Bucky with some caramel, both men flushed but sent waves about not worrying about it.

---

The following run, Bucky had an idea. This time he needed to lead Tony on a roundabout journey in the city before getting to the final destination. He didn’t say anything, but they needed to take the train to get close to it. The run, to the bus stop, to the train got them through the first leg of their journey. Throughout their mandatory running, Tony grew to enjoy running. Bucky found his enjoyment blossoming as he spent time with Tony.

Smiling more, he felt his cheeks warm as he felt Tony’s warm hand grab his right hand, a squeeze of content bliss. The ground under their running shoes lets them run where they need to. As they grew closer, Tony's mind ran with many ideas. He knows this area now.

He watched as Bucky pulled out some tickets, and light track pants, and Tony stared at the expensive tickets. He threw a stare at Bucky who happily walked them into the museum. Already he felt his mind run miles per minute as he grinned a little more. The surprise date was worth dealing with the people and overzealous fans. Bucky and Tony's fingers entangled as they took a walk around the museum. Watched the new additions.

Bucky listened to Tony ask questions, give his own answers, and have a friendly discussion with other more inclined science people. He watched the way the genius's cheeks lit up with red as he spoke excitedly to the others.

The finger that tugged Bucky along the many rooms and floors of the museum, the soldier watched the man who stared excitedly at the exhibits. This was a time for the usually busy man to unwind and explore this place to his heart's content.

As the day went on, Tony practically ran with Bucky in the building, till closing time. The genius-looking content all the way back to the penthouse. After a nice lather in their bath, Bucky listened to the continued gushing of the day. He fell into a please bubble until he felt a slow press of lips, a mumble of, “Thank you, Winter.”

Mumbling back, Bucky combed Tony’s hair back working the knots out, “Welcome Pisoi.”

A mumble of Italian left Tony’s lip, Bucky snorted flicking his ass and hearing a surprised squawk. Letting out a loud laugh, Bucky moved away from the splash of the water. He kept avoiding the man until his back hit the tub wall again. Lips connecting, Bucky hummed happily, letting the night wind down into their bed.

Bruce and the doctors told them that they had met their yearly quota, but for whatever reason now, Tony didn’t really want to stop. Not because he likes running so to speak, but because he likes spending time with his boyfriend. As childish as the term is, Tony enjoyed it immensely. So when they were told this, bucky asked him, "Let's go running."

Where too? Tony wasn’t sure. All Tony said let's catch a sunset on a hill till they can see the Milky Way. He threw shit out there. And now he was riding as a passenger to the mountains. 

They had bags packed. A trip planned but no big plans. No, Tony followed Bucky's lead. Bucky finds them a distant location. The car with the campground location. Then, Tony and Bucky found themselves laughing as Bucky raced him a little way up a path. 

Tony stopped to take a picture of Bucky feeding a bird. Bucky snapping a picture of Tony getting leaves in his dark brown hair. Both wander around the path.

Taking breaks as the sun began to set, they made the most of it. Bucky talking to Steve, "On a trip with Tony. You sure you don't want to hear us," Bucky snorted with a smirk, "see ya punk." Tony let his arms hang around the strong shoulders, rubbing the warm chest with the stronger heart. 

"Mama hen Steve checking in on us?"

"You know how he is. Worried." Bucky leaned back enough to place a kiss on Tony's cheek. Tony turned his head enough to capture the lips.

The woods created a harmonious environment. Bucky turned his head more as he placed another deeper kiss. Tony arms snaking fully around the other neck. Tony's knees getting grabbed as he was lifted onto Bucky's lap. 

"Come on," Tony hummed out, "daylight is burning."

Another surprise gasp left Tony, bucky taking the pleasure of making Tony have these sounds. Tony in his arms, Bucky got to the spot he found perfect. 

With tony feet on the ground, Bucky stood next to him watching the sun sink behind the horizon. They stood there as the first several stars finally got to show off. They watched the Milkway Galaxy's white belly show itself to them.

Bucky rattled some information he learned from the museum. Tony's finger looped around Bucky's metal finger. Both stood there, one head on the shoulder and bucky head on Tony's. 

"Running still sucks." Bucky hummed out. 

Sensing a 'but', Tony whispered into the night sky, "However?"

"Running with you is fulfilling. Great. Fun. Romantic even." The dusting of red looked almost normal. The healthy glow of a more rich cream skin tone showed. The teasing of tan skin building. 

Bucky looked good, as the cool summer winds that yearned to become fall wished through their hair, "It's great. As long as it is with you." Tony smiled brightly. Bucky took in the fuller cheeks, the stronger beat of a heart. The awareness in his eyes as the days wound down. 

Hugging each other, Tony hummed into the soldier's chest, "Ready to walk back?"

Bucky smiled with a mischievous glance, he swept the man off his feet. Spun with him before taking a content trot back to their tent. Tony's voice echoed with joy hugging the other tight.