In Another Life • A Loki/Fixing Marvel FanFic

Chapter 10 : Bucky

M: Steve, I need to talk to you after our run, and it's gotta be somewhere private.

S: How serious is this?

M: Let's just say it's serious enough that you might freak out... but I'll try to keep you calm. Maybe. Wahahahahahaha

S: U R crazy.
S: How was that?

M: Haha. Ur getting the hang of it.

S: Are you on your way?

M: I'll be at the three in two minutes.

S: See you soon.
....

Training Steve on how to use his phone was one of my finer accomplishments. Not only can Captain America text like a pro now, but he's also mastered the art of video calls. We've upgraded our running path to the one near the Washington Monument, just like in "Winter Soldier." So far, I haven't spotted Sam yet, but I know it's just a matter of time.

"Ready?" I ask, jogging up to Steve.

"I'm always ready," he replies with a smile. "Let's hit it." We start our run, the rhythm of our footsteps syncing up. After a few minutes, he glances at me. "So, how serious is this thing we need to talk about?"

"So serious that if you had a heart condition, you might want to reconsider this conversation. I figured I'd wear you out with this run first, make sure you're too tired to react." I grin.

"Miranda, I'm a super soldier. Tiring me out isn't exactly easy," he chuckles.

"And I'm a light elf. I could do this all day," I retort, picking up the pace.
.....

"Okay, I'm officially done," Steve pants, finally admitting defeat as he collapses under a tree. "I shouldn't have underestimated your elf heritage."

"Yep, pretty cool perks," I say, sitting down in front of him. "But let's get serious now."

"Shoot," he says, still catching his breath.

"There's a man—someone who was a success in HYDRA's super soldier program. He's like you, but with a high-tech metal arm to replace one he lost."

"Like a prosthetic?" Steve asks, brow furrowing.

"No, more like something Stark would build—cutting-edge tech," I explain. "This guy is HYDRA's greatest asset, but they control him completely. They've wiped his memories so many times that he's basically a programmed weapon, a shell of who he used to be."

"Mind control?" he asks, clearly disturbed.

"Sort of. It's more like brainwashing. They erase his memories and reprogram him to follow orders, making him believe his only purpose is to serve HYDRA," I say.

"So there's a HYDRA agent out there with super soldier serum and a high-tech arm, basically brainwashed into being their perfect weapon?"

"Exactly. Now, are you ready for the real kicker?"

Steve gives a nervous laugh. "That wasn't it?"

I take a deep breath. "Steve... Bucky's alive." He starts to stand, but I place a hand on his shoulder. "No, stay down. I'm not finished." He leans back against the tree, eyes wide, heart racing. "When Bucky fell off that train, Zola found him. His arm was beyond saving, so they gave him a metal one. They messed with his mind, wiped his memories, and kept him in cryo-sleep between missions. Basically froze him in ice until til they needed him over the past 70 years."

"How do you know all this?" Steve's voice is barely above a whisper, his eyes searching mine.

"I have my sources, Steve. And I have reasons to believe they're waking him up for another mission."