𝓂𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓎 - 𝓅. 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓇

chapter 10

2016, Upstate New York

Alec sat at the sleek, marble counter in the compound's kitchen, slowly eating his breakfast. The morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting a soft glow on the otherwise cold, metallic surfaces. He savored the rare moment of peace, the steady hum of the compound's activity still distant.

The sound of footsteps broke the silence. Steve Rogers strode in, a light sheen of sweat on his brow from his morning run. Sam Wilson followed close behind, catching his breath, but still in good spirits.

- Morning. - Steve said with a nod, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

- Morning. - Alec nodded back.

Sam shot Alec a grin as he passed by, grabbing a towel.

- We need to get you on one of these runs, man. Clears the head.

Alec chuckled softly, shaking his head.

- I'll pass, thanks.

Sam shrugged, draping the towel over his shoulder.

- Suit yourself. Anyway, I'll catch you guys later. Got a few things to take care of.

With that, Sam left the kitchen, and an unspoken tension filled the space. Steve lingered by the counter, his posture less relaxed than usual. Alec sensed it immediately, the shift in atmosphere, something more than the casual conversation they'd just had.

Steve finally broke the silence.

- Alec, I, uh... I need to ask you something. - his voice was quieter now, careful.

Alec set down his fork, meeting Steve's gaze.

- What's up?

Steve glanced toward the doorway, ensuring they were alone before continuing.

- It's about Bucky. - Alec's expression tightened slightly, but he nodded, urging Steve to continue - I know you've got abilities, things with people's minds. You understand them better than most of us do. - he paused, his eyes searching Alec's face - Is it possible... is there any way to turn off the Winter Soldier inside of him? Permanently?

The question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of hope and uncertainty. Steve's face was lined with concern, the kind of concern that came from years of fighting battles, not all of them on the battlefield. This was about his best friend. About Bucky.

Alec leaned back slightly, considering the gravity of what Steve was asking. He knew the Winter Soldier wasn't just a name, but a part of Bucky, embedded deep within his psyche. Turning it off wasn't like flicking a switch, it was far more complicated than that.

After a long moment, Alec exhaled.

- It's not that simple, Steve. The programming, the trauma... it runs deep. - the boy said - It won't be easy, but I think I can do it.

Steve nodded, his expression determined yet grateful.

- Thanks, that's all I needed to know.

Alec offered a small smile.

- We'll get him back, Steve. For good this time.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. They didn't need to. The weight of what was to come was shared between them, unspoken but understood.

•••

Growing up, Alec had never considered being a psychiatrist, but now he was actually studying how human's mind work with trauma and "hypnosis", and where he would need to access to undo what Hydra did to Bucky Barnes.