𝓂𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓈𝓅𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓎 - 𝓅. 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓇

chapter 17

The quinjet hummed softly as it sped through the clouds, the weight of silence pressing down on every avenger inside. Peter sat on the edge of his seat, fidgeting with his web-shooters, while Wanda and Natasha exchanged worried glances. Tony, at the controls, glanced back every so often, but his usually sharp, cutting remarks were absent. Steve, sitting stoically, kept his eyes forward, jaw clenched.

Wanda was the one who looked the most shaken. Her powers gave her a sense of emotions around her, and the sheer intensity of Alec's emotions - rage, sorrow, and something darker - had been almost overwhelming. Pietro, though usually bold, stayed close to his sister, his eyes filled with quiet caution.

In the back corner, away from everyone else, Alec sat with his head lowered, hands clasped tightly, and blood smeared on his arms and face - remnants of his recent fury. His expression was hard to read; blank, detached, as if what had just happened back at the hydra facility had yet to fully register. To say it had left an impression on the team would be an understatement. No one quite knew how to react. His dark hair fell over his eyes, concealing whatever emotions might be brewing underneath, the once white streak on his hair, now red with dried blood.

Only Bucky seemed unphased. He watched Alec for a moment, then, slowly, rose from his seat and approached, each step deliberate yet casual. He plopped down beside Alec, stretching his metal arm across the back of the seat and leaned in.

- Hey. - Bucky's voice broke the silence, calm, almost gentle. Alec's head turned slightly, just enough to acknowledge Bucky's presence. No one else dared to speak - You okay? - he asked, leaning forward, his tone more familiar than cautious.

He wasn't afraid, unlike the others, who all seemed to be struggling with the aftermath of what they had witnessed; Alec, a teenager, had killed every single hydra soldier. Not with rage, but with a precision that unsettled even the most battle-hardened among them.

Alec's lips twitched, but he didn't answer
immediately. His eyes, hollow and distant, flicked toward Bucky. There was no remorse, no visible emotion, just a raw kind of exhaustion. Alec turned his head slowly, his eyes landing on Bucky.

- I'm fine. - he answered. His tone was as nonchalant as if he had been asked about the weather. There was no hint of remorse, no sign of regret. Alec didn't seem to understand why they were all so tense.

The others couldn't help but listen, though they pretended not to. Natasha subtly shifted her gaze, her expression softening just a bit. Wanda bit her lip, sending a worried glance in Alec's direction.

- Fine? - Peter's voice cracked, betraying the emotional storm he'd been holding back - You killed- - he stopped, unable to finish the sentence - You just- how could you be fine?

   Alec's gaze shifted to Peter, unbothered by the accusation.

- They were hydra. They had it coming.

   Bucky nodded.

- Fair enough. It's just... not everyone here's used to that level of conviction, you know?

   Alec's gaze drifted to the others; Pietro, Wanda, even Tony. He didn't seem defensive, just... uninterested in their shock.

- If any of you had been in there, you'd understand. - Alec replied, his tone almost bored - I did what needed to be done. No loose ends, no risk of them coming back for me later.

   Natasha looked at Bucky, then spoke up herself.

- Not everyone sees it that way. This isn't about whether hydra was 'right' or 'wrong.' It's about the fact that you didn't hesitate.