Alex's Traditon: A Fictional Narrative

Alex walked out into the hallway to see James appear at the top of the stairs, eyes troubled and thoughts obviously elsewhere. It was a look that made Alex's heart drop. Whatever Steve had to say, it hadn’t been good. However, when he saw her, he smiled and some of the tension disappeared from his shoulders. It was such a small thing, but it made Alex's heart break.
He walked over and stood in front of her, just close enough to reach out and touch her if he wanted to, but he kept his hands to himself.
"How did it go?" Alex asked, knowing by the look that it wasn't great.
"He trusts me about as much as I trust him," James sighed. "He wants to trust me, that’s painfully obvious, but without having a better idea of what Hydra did to me, he
“How in the name of God could you stand there and say you aren’t important? Forget the fact that you are a person and all people matter. Look at what you have done! You help Steve win World War II for fucks sake. That’s not even mentioning everything you have done for me. I’d be dead without you!” “How does that make up for what I’ve done in between then and now? Don’t stand there and try to tell me that I am a hero when you know nothing about me,” James’s voice dropped, but it still shook with anger. “You have no idea what I’ve done. What kind of monster I am.” “And you think that makes it so it doesn’t matter if you die?” Alex’s voice dropped as well. “Because Steve knows what you’ve done. I am sure he knows every gory god damn detail and he doesn’t give a damn! He is beside himself trying to get you back. Who you used to be doesn’t change who you are now! I have seen monsters, and you aren’t one!” They stood there, breathing heavily, staring at one another. Finally, James ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, breaking the stalemate. Alex huffed and crossed her arms, still fuming. Did she know what she felt for him? Not really. Was she determined to make him see that he was worthy of living. You bet your