Hydra masquerading as STRIKE and manipulating Steve is hands down one of my favorite things. Not sure if this has been done before but I'd love if as part of returning to active duty, Steve has to go to regular therapy.
Except, of course, the "therapist" is a Hydra officer who spends the sessions verbally abusing/gaslighting Steve and assigns homework like facing his fears by taking ice baths and other unpleasant things.
+ Bonus points if the therapist has Steve keep a journal of his feelings/whatnot and sneaks access to it and uses it all against him. +++++++++++ Bonus points if at some point Steve has to talk or write about his biggest fantasies (for the good of the country, Steve) but it's all stuff like holding hands and god forbid, cuddling.
Steve's fake therapy/actual torture
Except, of course, the "therapist" is a Hydra officer who spends the sessions verbally abusing/gaslighting Steve and assigns homework like facing his fears by taking ice baths and other unpleasant things.
+ Bonus points if the therapist has Steve keep a journal of his feelings/whatnot and sneaks access to it and uses it all against him.
+++++++++++ Bonus points if at some point Steve has to talk or write about his biggest fantasies (for the good of the country, Steve) but it's all stuff like holding hands and god forbid, cuddling.