Persuasion »Quicksilver

Hail Hydra

"Steve." Tony Stark warned sternly, arms crossed against his chest.

I raised an eyebrow at him, questioning the warning tone of his words. His usual humorous manner had vanished- replaced with a protective and serious man. Now i wanted to know what they were hiding from me more than ever. Tony shrugged at me, carelessly, but his expression remained dark.

"Steve, please- What is going on?"

Sam Wilsons eyes studied me carefully from where he stood behind Steve. The blonde reached into his suit pocket. Cautiously he pulled out a slim black S.H.I.E.L.D device.

"I'm getting Nat.." Bartons voice trailed off in the background, as he rushed away quickly.

I paid him little attention, as Steve had held out the device to me. All of my senses were now devoted to the screen, suddenly sobering. A tiny grainy image stared back. Quickly I took the device, noting Steve and Tonys clashing looks at each other.  Before I could examine closer, i caught Wanda's eye across the room. Standing next to vision, her beautiful face looked pained. Her eyes looked glassy as she concentrated on something beyond her reality. Gently i pressed play on the device and my breath caught in my throat.

He was screaming.

Despite the muted silence of the video, i could hear the angry broken sound.  His once handsome face was contourted in burning anger, a flicker of insanity and a glimpse of...joy? I didnt need to hear his words to know what he was screaming. His mouth formed the poisonous words:Hail Hydra.

My mouth went dry.

Hail Hydra.

Numbly, I thrust the device back at Steve, my hands trembling. I did not need it anymore. I could never forget what i saw, the image ingrained on my mind. My  own brother- his beaten body being dragged, screaming, by S.H.I.E.L.D agents. Wandas voice broke into my mind,

"Kat, its not-"

Without hesitation I pushed her out my mind, hurt that even Wanda knew before me. My own brother. My Harry.

Hail Hydra.

I should have know, I was a fool! Everything he said to me at the café was crystal clear: his show of his tainted soul. I had blocked it from my mind, during the mission and after... Now there was no escape from the pain of it. Dragging a trembling hand through my hair, I bit back my tears. What did the others think of me?

"Kat.." Steve reached out to me, voice gentle.

I flinched away. Hail hydra.

"Where..where is he?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper, avoiding directly looking at Steve

"Your brother," I cringed visibly  "Is located in a top secruity department-"

"Steve." Tony warned, face set dissaprovingly.

The group was silent, tensions crackling between us like sharp electricity.

"Please," I whispered "I have to know."

"He is here;  Base level." Sam Wilson spoke.

I felt nauseous. Dizzily the room span and not from the drink.

"He is dangerous! Under no circumstance can she-" Tony growled.

"He is her brother." Steve interrupted, and Tony pinched the bridge of his nose in annoynance "She is the only one he will talk to, and with his rank he could be the key to bringing down Hydra once and for all."

"She is just a child!" Stark said sternly.

Anger flared inside me and I threw my hands up, palms facing out.

Blazing white light emerged, flooding the room. Guests shielded their eyes from the burning energy. Glass shattered violently. I caught a glismpse of my self in the fractured glass, scattering the ground, the wild look in my eyes blazed back at me. 

Hail hydra .

Tearing my eyes from my hysterical face, I turned on my heel to leave the room, dodging the crowd. Worried and confused faces blurred past me as i shoved my way out. I had to get out, I couldn't breathe- I could hear calls out to me, but i didn't falter. I needed air. 

***

When i feel the need to escape, I disappear to my safe haven, to the rooftop garden. It was a request I made early on to Tony, which he willingly obliged to. He knows what it's like to feel so desperately overwhelmed sometimes. Lush green plants and exotic flowers, the overall smell is slightly overpowering. But it is welcome refuge from it all.

Sitting on the edge of the building, the stars dance across the heavens above me. The avengers facility is not necessarily at a looming height, but it is enough to cause a gentle wind to brush through my hair. Up here, I feel calmer. No racing thoughts that don't belong to me. Just me. My pulse is it's steady beat, my hands no longer sweaty.

Behind me the glass door slides open and shut softly.

"If i had know how upset it would make you, i would have listened to tony for once."

 Steve's attempt to make a joke was refreshing, and I found myself unable to be hostile with him. After all he was not in the wrong here.

"Captain America listen to Stark?" I replied sarcastically, wrapping my arms around my knees and pulling them to my chest "Never in my wildest dreams."

Steve laughed gently, shaking his head.

"Believe me, i wanted to tell you sooner, i just.."

"I understand- Protocol, Restriction, Yadda yadda.. I just dont want people to assume i think like my brother just because he's, well, family." I trailed off uncomfortably.

Steve shook his head, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"None of us think you could ever be like that- no one."

I looked into the horizon, a dark purple hue spread across the city, it's own twinkling lights rivalling the stars.

"I just dont know why i didnt put it together sooner. Do you remember that day when i met him..." He nodded. "He practically told me he was rotted."

The memory of how he possessed that poor girl flooded my mind. The pure black eyes and his hysterical glee. It should have been my first thing to do once the Ultron issue was solved. 

"He's strong, people arent safe near him- he can possess people and who knows what else-"

"Its alright, S.H.I.E.L.D knows everything you do about him."

I slumped down, my body betraying my fatigue. Steve noticed, patting me awkwardly. I wanted to laugh but the concept felt wrong.

"When is the footage from?" I asked instead.

"Recently- two days ago."

I bit my lip. Part of me wished he would rot away in the cell, but another part of me...well I wasnt sure. My emotions were totally on a rollercoaster now. But I knew what I needed to do. Calmly I looked up at the super soldier.

"Steve...can you...can I see him?"

Shock registered on his face and his eyebrows scrunched.

"I dont know Kat. Stark is already mad i even showed you, letting you visit..."

"Please Steve, you said he wouldnt talk to anyone- i can help!" I pleaded, grabbing his hand.

"We did want to try the family tactic...i refused but if it's what you want."

"Ill do it."

"Are you sure, Kat? I wouldnt want you to do anywthing you were uncomfortable-"

"Steve, hes my brother."

"Kat, im afraid hes not the same brother you will remember." 

***