Н“‚Н“Ž Н’¹Ð‘’Н’¶Ð“‡ Н“ˆð“…Н’¾Ð’¹Ð‘’Н“Ž – Н“…. Н“…Н’¶Ð“‡Ð“€Ð‘’Н“‡ 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.

The Winter Soldier wasn’t just a man with a troubled past. He was a weapon, crafted through unspeakable methods; torture, mental reprogramming, and layers upon layers of conditioning. Like said before, undoing what Hydra had done wasn’t a matter of simply flipping a switch. It was more like unraveling a tightly wound knot that had been tied over years of pain and control. Alec knew it would take time, patience, and a level of care he hadn’t anticipated.

Late nights found him hunched over books, papers spread across the table, filled with research on neural pathways, PTSD, and the effects of trauma on memory retention. He had studied under some of the best minds in psychology, but none of them had ever faced something like this. None of them had to work on reversing brainwashing designed by one of the most ruthless organizations in history.

Accessing the parts of Bucky’s mind that Hydra had buried was no simple task. The triggers Hydra had planted were like landmines, ready to explode at the slightest wrong step. Alec understood he couldn’t just dig into Bucky’s memories and pull them apart, he had to be strategic. He had to rebuild trust, piece by piece, allowing Bucky’s mind to slowly reveal itself without causing more harm in the process.

Alec stared at the notes sprawled across his desk, the weight of his realization settling in. There was no way he could “turn off” the Winter Soldier in a single session. It was going to take time, at least two weeks, maybe more. This wasn’t something that could be rushed, and he needed to make sure both Steve and Bucky understood that. With a sigh, he picked up his phone and dialed Steve first.

Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his phone and dialed Steve’s number first. It didn’t take long for Captain America to pick up.

– Hey, Alec. – Steve’s voice came through the line, calm and steady as always.

– Steve, I need to talk to both you and Bucky. – Alec said, trying to keep his voice even – Can you meet me in my lab?

There was a brief pause, then Steve’s response came, serious and understanding.

– Of course. We’ll be right there.

Fifteen minutes later, Alec sat in the quiet lab, fidgeting with the edge of his notebook as Steve and Bucky walked in. Bucky looked tense, his jaw set, eyes flickering between Steve and Alec as they sat down. Steve, ever the calm presence, nodded at Alec, urging him to begin.

– I’ve been studying the process. – Alec started, leaning forward – And there’s no way we can undo the Winter Soldier programming in just one session. The conditioning is too deep, too complex. It’s going to take at least two weeks of sessions, maybe longer.

Bucky’s expression hardened, his hands curling into fists on the table.

– Two weeks? – his voice was low, barely controlled – And what happens in the meantime? What if… I snap?

Alec looked him directly in the eyes.

– That’s why we’re doing this slowly, Bucky. We can’t just rush in and start tearing down walls in your mind without being careful. It’s like disarming a bomb. One wrong move and-

– I get it. – Bucky cut him off, his voice gruff. He looked away, clearly worried – But I can’t keep waiting around. What if something happens?

Steve placed a hand on Bucky’s shoulder, his voice gentle but firm.

– We’ll figure it out, Buck. Alec knows what he’s doing.

Bucky shook his head.

– I know but I’m tired, Steve. I’ve been fighting this thing inside me for so long. I thought… – he stopped, taking a breath, his hands tightening into fists – I thought it could just be over.

Alec leaned forward, his voice steady.

– I understand, Bucky. And I’m going to help you. But if we rush this, we could end up making things worse. We need to take this step by step. I’m confident I can break Hydra’s programming, but it has to be done carefully.

Bucky’s eyes were locked on the table now, his brow furrowed. After a moment, he nodded, though the tension in his body remained.

– Alright. – he muttered – Two weeks, then.

Steve looked at Alec, gratitude in his eyes.

– Thank you. – Alec nodded.

– We’ll start tomorrow.

Bucky didn’t respond, but the flicker of something – maybe hope, maybe fear – passed through his eyes. He stood up, his movements stiff, and gave Steve a nod before walking out of the room without another word.

As the door closed behind him, Alec sighed, running a hand through his hair. Steve remained seated, watching the door for a moment before turning to Alec.

– It’s the right call. – Steve said quietly – But you can see why he’s impatient.

– Yeah. But this isn’t something we can rush.

Steve gave him a small, understanding smile.

– I know. Just… keep an eye on him.

– I will. – Alec promised, though he knew it was going to be a long, hard road for all of them.

•••

Alec stood in the confines of his lab, a space now transformed into a makeshift therapy area. It was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Alec sat across from Bucky, the two separated by a small table. Steve had offered to stay, but Bucky insisted on facing this alone. He needed to feel like he could do this on his own terms, even if Alec was leading the way.

   Bucky sat stiffly in the chair, his hands resting on his knees, muscles tense. His expression was neutral, but his eyes – those haunted blue eyes – gave away the weight he carried inside.

   Alec could sense the tension radiating off of him. It wasn’t just nervousness; it was something deeper, darker. Hydra had taken control of Bucky’s mind for so long that any form of introspection likely felt like walking through a minefield.

   Alec had explained his plan to access Bucky’s mind using his telepathy, a skill he had kept mostly hidden until now. He wasn’t a doctor, but he had learned to navigate the labyrinth of human consciousness in ways that traditional methods couldn’t. Today, he would attempt to erase two of the seven trigger words that activated the Winter Soldier inside Bucky. It was a monumental task, but if he could succeed, it would be a critical first step toward freeing Bucky from his past.

– Are you ready? – Alec asked, trying to keep his tone calm and reassuring.

– As ready as I’ll ever be. – Bucky nodded slowly.

   Alec took a deep breath, closing the distance between them and placing his hands gently on either side of Bucky’s head.

– This might feel strange. If anything feels wrong, or if you want me to stop, just say the word.

   Bucky gave a quick nod. Alec could feel the tension radiating from him; the memories, the control Hydra had programmed deep within.

   Alec’s eyes fluttered shut as he began focusing, his mind slowly sinking into Bucky’s subconscious. It was dark, colder than Alec had anticipated, and filled with fragments of violence and regret. The seven words that held power over Bucky were like glowing chains in his mind, pulsing with ominous energy.

– There. – the boy whispered to himself as he located the first word.

   As he mentally approached the word, he felt resistance; Hydra’s programming was strong, a deeply embedded command. He pushed deeper into Bucky’s mind, feeling resistance as he tensed in the chair.

– Stay with me, James. – Alec whispered. He could sense the unease, the fear of falling back into that empty void where the Winter Soldier had no will of his own.

And then, like a spark in the dark, Alec found the first word. It floated in Bucky’s subconscious like an anchor, holding a part of him hostage. “Longing.” He tugged at the first word, peeling away the protective layers around it, the word growing fainter with each second.

   Bucky winced, his fists clenching the arms of the chair as sweat began to bead on his forehead.

– It’s okay. Almost there. – Alec murmured, his voice calm despite the struggle he was experiencing.

   Then, with one final surge of effort, Alec felt the word flicker and fade. Gone. He had erased it. The first link in the chain was broken.

   Alec exhaled, releasing Bucky from his grip and stepping back, leaning onto the table behind him. His head pounded, but he had done it, one word was erased.

   Bucky slowly opened his eyes, looking up at Alec with a mixture of hope and exhaustion.

– Did it work?

– Yeah. – Alec replied, his voice steady – How do you feel?

   Bucky sat in the chair for a moment, as if testing the weight of his own mind, his brow furrowed in concentration.

– I feel… different. – he admitted, his voice cautious – Like there’s a little more room to breathe.

– Different in a good way, I hope. – he said, flashing Bucky a small smile.

   Bucky nodded, the faintest trace of relief crossing his face.

– Yeah. In a good way.

– Good. That’s a start. – Alec nodded, he could feel the little strain from using his powers so intensely, but seeing Bucky’s small flicker of relief made it worth it.

   Bucky looked up at him, studying his face.

– I didn’t think you’d get through. Not like that. – his voice was rough but honest – Most people have tried… pills, therapy, even science, but this… it’s different.

   Alec shrugged, though there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

– I’m not most people. – he leaned back against the wall, catching his breath – I don’t know how fast I can get the rest, but we’ll keep going. We have to.

   Bucky nodded, but his eyes remained distant for a moment, the weight of his past still lingering despite the small victory.

– It’s weird, you know? – he murmured – For so long, those words have been a part of me, like a chain I’ve gotten used to wearing. Even now, with one of them gone, I’m not sure how to feel. Like… what happens when they’re all gone? Who am I then?

    Alec leaned forward, crossing his arms, his voice gentle but firm.

– You’re whoever you choose to be, Bucky. Those words don’t define you. Hydra doesn’t define you. You get to decide now.

   Bucky chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it.

– You make it sound so easy.

– I know it’s not. But that’s why I’m here. – Alec studied him for a moment, sensing the lingering doubt and fear – You’re not alone in this. I get that it’s hard to trust people after everything, but… you can trust me.

   Bucky’s eyes met Alec’s, and for the first time, there was a flicker of something that hadn’t been there before: trust, fragile but growing. He gave a slow nod.

– I’m trying. It’s just… after everything I’ve done… after everything he did… – his voice trailed off, the weight of the Winter Soldier still looming large in his mind. Alec’s gaze softened.

– That wasn’t you, Bucky. That was them. And I know it doesn’t change the past, but you’re not that person anymore. You’re here now, trying to make it right. That’s what matters.

   Bucky looked down at his hands, the hands that had been used as weapons for so long, and nodded again, more firmly this time.

– Yeah. One word down… and six more to go. – he paused, glancing at Alec with a faint smile – Maybe you really can pull this off.

   Alec grinned, the tension in the room finally easing.

– I do like a challenge. – Bucky chuckled, shaking his head.

– You’re really are something else, you know that?

– I’ve been told. – Alec replied, leaning back in his table, his grin widening.

   For the first time in what felt like years, Bucky felt a small, flickering sense of hope. He wasn’t there yet, but with Alec’s help, he was finally starting to believe that maybe – just maybe – he could be free.

•••