Holding On | Bucky Barnes

13 | Friday, January 7th

"Morning L/N," Fury says through my laptop speaker.

It's Friday morning, and I made the excuse to everyone that Renner cancelled our meeting today. Meaning I haven't told them about pausing therapy... I'm still worried about what they're going to say—especially because I've constantly been lying and telling them it's helping.

I blink and focus back on the laptop. "Hey Fury, how are you?" I ask, smiling a little.

"Fine. How has everything been going for you?"

"It's been good, just the usual, I guess," I shrug.

"The usual?"

"Yah, you know, working with Tony, sessions with Renner, being tracked by your agents," I smile sarcastically.

"We don't have to go over this again, do we?"

"No, I'm just kidding around. It's been fine."

"Hmm... And how are you finding your newly realized role as an Avenger?" he grumbles.

My fingers freeze from where they fiddle with the ring on my chain. Apparently, Tony didn't tell anyone about announcing me as an Avenger—not even Fury, who is kind of the organizer of the whole initiative, so safe to say, he was pissed. Tony got an earful the night of the gala, and in his usual aloofness, just shrugged it off.

"Yah that..."

I've been catching different news casts and random videos here and there, speculating who I am, my life story, questions about what happened to me with Hydra.

All the good stuff.

When Tony announced I was joining the team, he kept my details quiet, and I certainly haven't tried to share anything.

I can't help but wonder about that man from yesterday though... what he'll tell others. If he'll tell others. What parts of media he's listening to and what he believes about me...

"It's been weird. People recognized me before, but nothing like they do now. And everyone's trying to figure out my past... I'll get used to it; it's just going to take some time."

He nods. "The Council wasn't too impressed with the move, but I assured them it wasn't your idea nor your decision. They seem to be placated for the moment seeing as both security and Renner have assured them that you are stable and not a danger to anyone."

"Glad to hear it."

"They do want to continue the monitoring, but they seem to be less and less interested in keeping you under a microscope. I suggested that we dial back security, so agents will only be on-premises from six AM to Midnight. They agreed—as long as you continue not to pose any threat—and we will reassess in the coming weeks whether security is necessary at all."

Some tension leaves my shoulders and I nod.

Only a little longer.

He pauses a moment before leaning forward slightly. "I did have something in particular I wanted to speak to you about today... That's your ability to control people's minds."

My stomach tightens and I look down to my nails. "Hmm right. That. Honestly, I'm surprised the Council didn't hear about that and lock me up somewhere."

Fury chuckles. "That's because they don't know."

I look back to him, brows furrowed. "What?"

"We never told them. We had any mention of your ability to influence minds scrubbed from records, so reports state that you slipped away from security and used Stadelhofer's phone to contact Tony, but that's it. They aren't aware of your ability—only the team, me, and a few of my most trusted agents are."