Mosaic (Bucky Barnes X OC / Winter Soldier x OC)

Chapter 18: Valeriy Ayers - Cookie Dough (Part II)

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"My code name... it's not known outside of the family, Security Department and Eve's Puppets.... The fact that they know I'm Cookie Dough should be a piece of info I could at least trace to a leak. But nope. I don't know what this whole shit storm is about. I can't even find who is behind this....

"I even checked my usual haunts. Most of them now have a new regular with a lovely concealed side arm.... Haven't been able to find a whisper of their orders. Jekyll isn't a company with the means to have someone with cleanup skills on par with Eve... at least not when I poked around their systems back in April.... Information has never been this scarce for me...."

"Why can't she hear this?" Bucky asked, hand waving to the ether. "You should be working together. The two of you think differently.... She might find something you didn't."

"Eve probably did? Probably knows a lot more too. She's been on this far longer than I have. And I might have a piece she hasn't figured out? But it's best that she doesn't confirm what I know. Plausible deniability or some shit... It's damn near impossible, but her files can be accessed.

"Information means everything. People can't ask about the things they don't know they don't know. The less they know, the less they can ask. The ones after me have already changed up their movements based on what they think I know...."

Those bright blue eyes darted over my way. His bottom lip found itself being gnawed on between his teeth. "I... know more than I should... don't I?"

"Yeah.... That you do. Like how I'm not utterly daft...."

My nerves still coiled unpleasantly at that very thought. Somebody not completely protected knowing more than they should about me. He'd be so much better with Gramps. Far, far away from any unsavoury folks.

"Why tell me? You know I'm a risk...." His voice so very small. Almost scared.

He was right. He's a risk. So was anybody else who knew.

"It can't be... can't be just because I asked. Hydra... they can make me talk. They'll find out about you. I... I should have never ask –"

"It'll be alright, Bucky," I assured with a smile.

"It's not!"

"Whatever comes of it, it'll be alright.... The very first few words, the thing about the windows? That was an honest slip.... The rest served their purpose. Having you temporarily in Hydra's hands is no longer a viable option for Eve. She wouldn't leave you there for Gramps, but she'll keep you out of their hands for me.... Well, more likely for our Security Department. That's most important."

Bucky did not like what he was hearing, the words coming out of my mouth. That massive frown he sported said as much. Whether it was due to the utter lack of information bit or the manipulation, I couldn't be sure. Maybe it was something else entirely.

"I'm raised by Eve, Bucky. Bound to pick up a few things from her. I'm not as good at making people dance on strings as she is, but I'm not above using what I can.... She can't risk the info you know leaking.... Nor can I. Can't exactly play dumb about my awesome bomb-ness if people know. Or the fact that I actually know more than the info people want when it comes to our security systems and stuff.... Last thing I want is to be stuck in one building for the rest of my life. That's no fun."

"It'd be a lot safer," he pointed out with a sigh.

"Eh," I shrugged. "I'd probably spend my time clawing at the walls trying to escape.... That and at the moment, I do not want to be around anyone from Ayers Corp."