Sweet Like Arsenic (B. Barnes) ✔

24 | off-limits

   Director Emerson was throwing away two Post-it notes when Bucky, Leo and I walked into his office. He had an imposing look on his face, the kind that would've made people feel like they did something wrong to Emerson. But we weren't regular people—we were trained to resist these looks, to replicate these looks ourselves.

   "Vallis, Meyer," Emerson nodded at us curtly, not even bothered to glance at Bucky. His assistant pulled back the two chairs in front of Emerson's desk.

Leo and I sat down with Bucky standing behind me protectively, and he was about to put his hands on the back of my chair before remembering not to.

"So we're back to last name-basis?" I started the conversation lightly, playing with a loose thread on the sleeve of my jacket.

Emerson ignored my comment, stacking a few pieces of paper neatly before motioning for the assistant to leave.

After the assistant left, Emerson leaned back in his chair, looking at the three of us before clearing his throat. "Leon, I've heard that you've had an... episode this afternoon due to my—Lilith's current status, am I correct?"

Leo's cheeks flushed. "I, uh, yes. Yes, sir."

"I am disappointed," Emerson said without a trace of emotion. "I chose you for this mission that could be done by any agent because I wanted to see if you could keep your emotions in check, but clearly, you can't."

Leo nodded, and Director Emerson sat up in his chair, even more serious than before.

"You are one of Hydra's finest protégés, Leon—and Meyer, you as well—and after Lilith's departure, I believe that you, my boy, are one of the strongest candidates to take my role after I retire."

That was the nicest thing I've ever heard Emerson say to anybody. And "my boy"? Leo was practically dancing in his seat— his lack of a father figure made him practically worship any male authority figure without a thought.

I shuffled in my seat, slightly, slightly annoyed that Emerson didn't include me, and Emerson seemed to notice my displeasure.

"Donatella, you are obviously very gifted, but after leaving Hydra for so long, you're out of... what's the phrase? Yes, out of the loop. And I'm being very honest with you here, but the higher-ups still don't know where your loyalties lie."

"What? I let myself be caught, I fed the Avengers bullshit, obtained information from them, and attempted to form a relationship with the Winter Soldier, and you're repaying me with this?"

"We saw you hugging Barnes," Emerson said pointedly.

My hands fell to my sides, terrified that they'd found out. Next to me, Leo turned to look at me in surprise, a perfectly arched eyebrow raised.

"Oh," I composed myself, breathing for a second before making up random crap. "I read in the Winter Soldier Book that Bucky remembers everything even when he's in his Winter Soldier state, so if, if he remembers, he'll think that I'm on his side."

Emerson nodded, unconvinced, but I let the topic go.

"Right, back to the order of business..." Emerson began going on about jets, Milan, hotel locations and other useless things that I probably wouldn't remember, so I let Leon memorise everything and began to daydream.

We were back in the hotel. Leo was assigned to another room with Bucky, but I made Leo switch with me, who complied begrudgingly. Bucky was silent the whole time, even when we were going up the escalator. It was only when we entered the room that he let a sigh of relief.