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

   Alec’s brow furrowed, as if he didn’t understand the distinction. He had done what he thought was necessary, what was efficient. In his mind, there was no difference.

– They would’ve killed me if given the chance. Why hesitate?

   Steve clenched his jaw, not sure if he could reason with the boy right now.

– We don’t just… massacre people.

   Alec looked over at him, his expression softening just a little.

– I didn’t hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it, Cap. – his voice was calm, steady, the team whet silent after his words.

– Did you enjoy it? – Wanda’s voice cut through the silence, drawing every eye in the quinjet to him.

   Alec tilted his head, his eyes finding hers.

– No. – he replied calmly – It wasn’t about enjoyment. It was about efficiency.

   Steve’s jaw clenched at the response, his hands curling into fists.

– Those were people, Alec. Not just targets. – Alec’s gaze shifted to Steve, unflinching.

– They were hydra. – he said simply, as though that explained everything – They were people who would’ve destroyed everything I care about if they had the chance.

   Pietro’s pacing stopped. He exchanged a glance with Wanda, whose fingers were tense in her lap. The speedster finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm.

– And that doesn’t bother you at all?

   Alec met his gaze with a calm that bordered on chilling.

– If it did, hydra would still be out there, regrouping, waiting to strike again. Is that what you would have preferred?

   Bucky leaned forward, voice gentler this time, yet with a hint of firmness.

– There’s a line, Alec. And once you cross it, it’s hard to go back.

   Alec’s gaze didn’t waver, a hint of defiance in his eyes as he looked at the man.

– I think hydra crossed that line a long time ago. I just ended it.

   Bucky’s hand patted Alec’s shoulder, his voice low, almost reassuring.

– Just make sure you know where your line is. Because that’s what really matters in the end.

   The rest of the team remained silent, processing what they’d just witnessed. Alec’s calm demeanor was unsettling, but Bucky’s words lingered, like a reminder that sometimes only those who’ve been to the edge truly understood the view.

•••

Alec stood under the relentless cascade of water in the dimly lit shower, steam rising around him like a shroud. The water was scalding hot, yet he welcomed the heat as it splashed against his skin, each droplet mingling with the remnants of the violence he had just left behind.

As he lathered the soap in his hands, the thick, red liquid that had once stained his fingers washed away, swirling down the drain like a macabre reminder of the soldiers and scientists he had killed. Their lives, snuffed out in an instant, were nothing more than a fleeting thought as the water consumed the evidence of his actions. Each wash was mechanical, devoid of any emotion, the ritualistic act of cleansing transforming the aftermath into something mundane.

He remembered the chaos of the fight – the sounds of gunfire, the panicked shouts of the hydra operatives as each of their colleagues died right before their eyes. But as he stood there, washing away their blood, he felt no exhilaration, no weight of guilt. There was only the numbing routine of cleansing his body, as if he were merely scrubbing away dirt rather than the remnants of lives taken.

Alec stared blankly at the tiles, his mind a void. The faces of those he had killed flickered through his memory like images in a slideshow, but they faded almost immediately, overshadowed by the adrenaline and satisfaction of being home again. He didn’t regret a single action; they had been enemies, and he had been doing what needed to be done. In his heart, there was only an emptiness that felt oddly comforting.

With one final rinse, he closed his eyes, allowing the last remnants of blood to wash away. The water turned clear, and for a moment, he marveled at how easily it was to erase the past, how effortlessly he could step back into the world, unmarked and unbothered. He shut off the water, the silence of the bathroom enveloping him as he stepped out of the shower, feeling clean and detached.

Steam rose from the bathroom, clouding the air as Alec stepped out of the shower, water droplets trailing down his skin. He ran a hand through his damp hair, his body wrapped only in a towel that hung low on his hips. The sharp coolness of the room hit him, a contrast to the heat of the shower.

– Friday, – he called, his voice steady but softer than usual – call my mother, please.

– Calling Alissa Owens.- a moment passed before Friday’s calm voice filled the space.

A soft chime sounded as the call connected, and a moment later, Alissa’s voice came through, warm and familiar, even with the hint of worry woven into it.

– Alec? – she answered, her tone lifting with hope – Are you okay?

– Hey, mom. – he said gently, a faint smile tugging at his lips – I just wanted to check in and let you know… I’m alright. Got out of there in one piece.

Alissa’s sigh of relief was audible even over the phone.

– Alec, what happened? – she could sense the heavy tone in his words.

– I had to fight my way out. Killed some of their soldiers. – his voice tightened – It wasn’t pretty, but I did what I had to. To survive. – Alissa let out a shaky breath.

– I hate that you’re in these situations. But I’m so proud of you for getting out, for surviving.

– I know, mom. – Alec sat on the edge of his bed, the towel still loosely hanging on his hips – I just wanted to tell you that I’m okay. I’m out. And I’m coming to visit tomorrow.

Alissa’s voice was softer now, a mix of relief and concern.

– I’m glad to hear that. I’ll have everything ready. You just come home, alright?

– Yeah. I will. – Alec said, a faint smile tugging at his lips – See you tomorrow, mom.

– I love you. – she sighed, her voice still thick with worry but also relief.

– I love you, too. – he said quietly before ending the call. He let out a breath, a strange mix of exhaustion and gratitude settling over him.

A quiet knock sounded at the door, and Alec got up to open it, but before he could do it, Peter entered the room, stopping awkwardly just inside. He hesitated, catching Alec’s eye and then looking down, his cheeks dusted pink as he noticed his lack of a shirt.

– Alec… can we talk?

The young Stark leaned back against the table, arms crossed.

– Yeah. Go ahead. – Peter took a breath, searching for the words.

– Look, I-I wanted to apologize. For earlier. I judged you for… what you did to those hydra soldiers, but I know you didn’t have a choice. And after everything they did to you… – Alec’s eyes softened as he met Peter’s gaze.

– You were worried about me. I get it. But sometimes, you have to do things you don’t want to, Peter.

   Peter stepped closer, his eyes filled with sincerity.

– I know that now. I’m sorry. I just- I couldn’t see it from where I stood. But you… you did what you had to do. And I’m sorry for not understanding that.

   For a moment, Alec said nothing. Then, his shoulders relaxed, and he offered Peter a small, tired smile.

– You don’t have to get it, Pete. Just… trust me when I say it wasn’t easy.

   Peter nodded, the tension between them finally easing.

– I trust you. Always.

   Alec swears that he could’ve kissed Peter right there, but he prevented himself from doing so.

   A quiet understanding settled over them, the weight of the day easing just a little as Alec held Peter’s gaze. They both seemed to realize, wordlessly, that no more needed to be said. Peter offered a small, almost shy smile, eyes soft.

– Well… I guess I’ll let you get some rest. – he said, his voice softer, almost reluctant. He shifted back a step toward the door, his eyes searching Alec’s face as if wanting to say more but finding no words.

   Alec offered a small, reassuring smile.

– Thanks, Pete. For coming to talk. – he tilted his head, adding: – Good night.

   Peter nodded, a hint of warmth returning to his expression.

– Good night, Alec. – he murmured, his voice gentle as he turned toward the door.

   Peter lingered for a moment, then turned toward the door, glancing back just once as if to make sure Alec was really okay. He saw the reassuring nod the boy offered him, a silent promise that he was, for now.

   With a final look, Peter slipped out, the quiet click of the door closing behind him leaving Alec alone, but this time, with the reassurance of the bond they’d shared.

•••