Sorry for my lack of posting, but I'm failing math class, so I don't have much time to write. I do promise that I'll always come back to this fic- unless I die. Which would be unfortunate.

Anyways, big thanks to everyone who has reviewed or fav/followed this. And also, a big thanks to my beta, MommaGotABuzz.

-PaleWolfsHowl

Winter was fairly surprised that Steve's friends had taken the news so well.

But … why? Why wasn't Steve horrified? Angry - he'd just learned that his best friend was a mass murderer? But why didn't he hate Winter?

How could someone be so kind? And generous - to offer forgiveness to him?

He tensed, maybe he was just imagining this whole thing? Maybe he was still with Hydra - and this was all just another cruel game designed to break him - to twist him even more?

How was he to be sure that this wasn't just one big joke - just another lie? It felt real - but his mind wasn't very stable or trustworthy. Was this just a dream? Was he in a coma? Was he really in the Chair?

It felt so real though, he could feel Steve next to him. He could smell the fresh air in the room, he could feel the old ache in his shoulder- where his metal arm was attached.

Maybe it was a simulation of some sort - he didn't know much about technology these days, but he was pretty sure things like that had been invented. Things that mess with the mind and wreak havoc on the brain.

Maybe Steve was just too surprised - and overwhelmed - right now, maybe he wasn't thinking clearly? What if - in a few minutes, Steve changed his mind?

What if in the end he realized Winter was just a monster masquerading as a human? What if he hated him?

Surely the others would hate him too? Maybe they already did, and just weren't showing it - in case they angered Steve?

That would be a cruel trick of the universe, to give him some small shred of hope, just to rip it up and burn it. But, that was how things always went for him. In the end, did it even matter? Even if Steve didn't hate him, ultimately, he would always belong to Hydra. They made him. He was theirs.

He could feel the invisible chains binding him, the feeling of the muzzle that was no longer there resting on his face. He became ten times more aware of the weight of the metal arm. Ten times more aware that as soon as Hydra got their chains back around him, he'd be helpless to stop them from turning him back into The Winter Soldier. He wouldn't remember.

He had learned, over the years, how to mask panic, and pain, and any emotion from showing on his face. The Asset wasn't allowed to feel - to have emotions. Hydra - and especially Rumlow - would take any opportunity to punish him. They always did - including any perceived weakness such as emotion. He was only allowed to suffer.

He was jerked from his thoughts when he felt Steve gently lay a hand on his shoulder. He looked over to meet Steve's concerned gaze. It seemed that even his best acting skills wouldn't work on Steve.

He felt bad for doubting Steve, even if it felt logical to him. Steve wouldn't do that. Now that he had some memories, he did know for sure that Steve would never do that. Steve hadn't become Captain America for nothing.

He gave Steve a faint smile - which still felt weird on his face, after going so long without smiling - and nodded towards the screen, which started to play again.

Bucky Barnes: Who the hell is Bucky?

Winter flinched, and he could feel Steve tense beside him. He was suddenly aware of their eyes watching him. He glanced to the side to meet a kind pair of dark brown eyes, it was the doctor.

Bruce, if he'd caught the name right, the other male had been so quiet the whole time, only chipping in occasionally.

His eyes were sympathetic and kind, but there was no pity in them. His eyes had a certain understanding - a haunted look to them.

Winter wondered what had traumatized the other man, maybe he had been a prisoner of war? Or was that just him? Either way, something about The Doctor was calming and unnerving at the same time.

It gave him an odd burst of confidence, as he gently leaned more into Steve.

"It's fine. Remember, this future isn't set in stone. No matter how much they brainwash me, they can't exactly erase all my memories again very quickly. It'll take them at least a few years." He said confidently, feeling a little more like his former self.

Steve seemed to brighten at that. It was worrisome, he obviously was picking up on the faint hint of Winter's former self.

[as Bucky goes to shoot at Steve - Sam flies in and kicks Bucky aside. Bucky takes aim again, but before he can shoot Natasha uses the grenade launcher Bucky dropped earlier to shoot at Bucky.]

Natasha whistled at that, giving Winter a competitive look. "Take that, Fossil." She says, smirking.

Winter smirked right back at her. "Careful there, Red, I might just have to shoot you again."

Steve rolled his eyes, but Winter could tell his brother in everything but blood was amused.

"Yeah, well, I could always shoot you too, you know." Natasha said, clearly enjoying the chance to try and rile up a dangerous assassin.

"Yes, you could." Winter relented, then smirked at her. "But then Steve would be angry at you."

"Oh no! I couldn't possibly survive The Amazing Captain America being mad at me..! What would I do?" The sarcasm in her voice was enough to scare off any sane person, but, well, no one ever said Winter was sane.

"Okay, that's enough, you two." Steve said, like the Mother he thought he was. Stark also seemed to pick up on Steve's mother-like tendencies.

"What are you, they're mother?" Stark scoffed, and Maybe - Archer Clint snickered.

Steve sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent.

"Huh, Tin Can's right, you do act like a mother." Winter informed his Best Friend helpfully.

"Y'know, I hate to agree with Mr. Manchurian Candidate here, but I do have to say - I am right," Stark paused, then tacked on, "Like always."

"Well, I can't agree with everything Tony just said - because he's normally wrong about anything that's not mechanical, but I do have to agree that Steve acts like a Mother." Maybe - Archer Clint said, grinning brightly.

"I think we should take a vote." Natasha said, catching Stark's attention. He had been glaring at Clint and complaining about how that-was-so-untrue and he-was-always-right-you-daft-birdbrain.

Steve's who had been muttering under his breath about how of-course-he-acted-like-a-parent - after all-fate-had-given-him-one-too-many-idiots-to-take-care-of and why-do-they-always-bully-me?

"A vote?" Asked Tony, looking intrigued.

"A vote?" Asked Steve, looking worried and a tad bit apprehensive.

"Yes." Winter said, catching onto what Natashia was thinking. "A vote about if we should change Steve's title." Steve's face took on a look of dread.

"Yes, Fossil's right. I do believe we should change Steve's title from Captain America to American Mother. " Natasha said, sweeping an arm out in front of her like a salesman.

"All in favor of this change shall raise their hand." Winter said, giving the poor Captain an innocent look. All hands in the room went up, except Steve's, that is.

"Oh wait - no hold on there," Steve tried to protest, but was cut off by Stark, who said they should continue the movie. Everyone agreed, ignoring Steve's complaints.

[... who vanishes in the smoke of the explosion. Then the trio hear sirens and are surrounded by HYDRA agents - led by Rumlow]

"Now that was a cool exit." Maybe - Archer Clint observes, "You were practically gone with the smoke."

"I once excelled in magic tricks." Winter said, looking over at Maybe - Archer Clint.

"Really?" Asked Stark, who looked judgmental.

"The dames loved it." Winter said with long gone pride - just a shadow left from the past.

Brock Rumlow: Drop the shield, Cap! On your knees! Get on your knees! Now! Get down! Get down! [Steve holds his hands up] Get on your knees! Down! [he kicks Steve's leg and Steve kneels down]

"That's bad." Natasha pointed out, looking at the screen with wide green eyes.

Winter hardly noticed. He was glaring at the screen with enough hatred to burn down a building. How dare Rumlow go anywhere near Steve?

Sure, Rumlow had been near Steve before during the movie. They had fought - but that was different, that was before, when Steve was in control of the situation. Winter absolutely hated seeing Rumlow kicking his brother while he was down.

He felt Steve gently rub his shoulder, trying to calm him down to some extent.

Don't move. [Rumlow looks at the helicopter flying above them and quietly warns Rollins who's holding Steve at gunpoint] Put the gun down. Not here. Not here! [Rollins lowers his gun, and the HYDRA agents take Steve, Sam, and Natasha into custody]