"This serves no purpose, he will never tell us everything."
Steve was growing impatient as he continued his daily discussion while Ross, desperate for him to see that Rumlow was better off just being in the government's hands, not pushed upon them, and definitely not on Bucky. Ross, however, still hiding behind a screen, was adamant in his ruling.
"Nevertheless," Ross pushed, his arms crossed against his chest. "We need to show the people we are making progress-"
"By negotiating with terrorists?" Steve spat out, mimicking Ross' pose.
"By showing the people that the government is trustworthy and willing to get answer without violence." Ross snarled.
"By negotiating with terrorists?" Steve repeated, unsure how to get it through this man's thick skull that Bucky didn't deserve this? Rumlow didn't care about helping and Ross knew that. Were they that desperate for information they would take all they could get from a terrorist?
"We investigated Rumlow's claim on the one base and it was as he said."
"So? He'll just keep giving us little fish until he gets whatever he wants from my friend, one of America's longest prisoner of wars?" Steve refused to roll over for Ross.
"Thankfully for us," Ross spat. "Barnes doesn't have any important knowledge that Rumlow can seek out."
Steve was sure that if he was going to get murdered in the nearby future, it would be out of an attempt to strangle the man in front of him, if he ever had the guts to show up in person.
"It'll be for a few more times and then he can stop once we get enough information to show we are making progress." Ross drawled, seemingly attempting to hide rolling his eyes.
Steve didn't stop to listen to anymore before he stepped out the room and instead followed several hallways that lead him back to his and Bucky's room, Ross' yells fading the further Steve walked.
While Steve was thankful that Tony gave him and Bucky their own room in Stark tower, he hated that Ross could contact them at any time because of where they stayed. Tony had done the best he could with giving them a place to live, but the con was that by helping out with the government, Tony had to let Ross know all who stayed in the tower.
Steve walked the short trek towards their room and inevitably his mind trailed off after his friend. Bucky was most likely mentally preparing for his next talk with Rumlow and Steve felt his stomach clench.
Both men knew the odds of Rumlow giving out any real information was still slim but Ross did say the sooner this was over with, the sooner Bucky could go back to trying to get better. Ross couldn't lie about that; not because Steve trusted him but because if Ross was lying, Steve wouldn't give any of them even one second alone with Bucky. Sam would be on Steve's side no doubt, Natasha would need to think about it if she didn't agree with Steve's choice but Steve truly felt that she would do it, and maybe even Tony. If push came to shove, Steve knew how he could rely on.
Steve didn't have to dwell on the though of if Bucky was not handling any of this well, because Steve was close to ripping someone's head off and he wasn't even the one needing to do interview Rumlow.
Softly opening the door that lead to their room, Steve snuck a peek inside. Sure enough, right in front of the door was Bucky who was curled up on his king size bed on top of the covers, lying in a fetal position as his eyes stayed fixed on the back wall in front of him. His unmoving, dull appearance cemented the assumption Steve had on how Buck was feeling.
Keeping his steps light, Steve walked into their giant room and sat on the edge of the bed. Bucky's body tensed for only a moment before whipping his head to see who it was and then he sank back onto the bed.
"Hey." Bucky whispered in the dark room. If it wasn't for the opened curtains, the room would have been pitch black.
"Hey." Steve answered back, moving so he was curled up directly behind Bucky. Steve toed off his shoes and laid directly behind Bucky. Steve moved so his arm was hanging over Bucky's waist and he smoothly shoved his other arm under Bucky's head. Bucky's cheek rested on the inside Steve's elbow. Bucky scooted backwards, closer to the warm contact of Steve.
"I have to go again today, right?" Bucky mumbled in the crook of Steve's elbow.
Steve leaned his head closer against the back of Bucky's neck. "Yeah."
Bucky stayed quiet, allowing the words to hang over the room.
Steve debated on what he could say to make any of this better. Bucky wasn't talking as much as he was before all of this, and he never went outside any more after the attack that took place the last time. Rumlow was ruining every progress they had made and Ross was just allowing it. Steve should be doing more, should have done more-
"Not your fault." Bucky murmured.
Steve scoffed.
"It isn't." Bucky said insistently, his voice muffled by Steve's arm.
Steve could easily imagine Bucky's pouting expression and he couldn't stop himself from allowing a small smile to grow on his face. He shook his head at Bucky's words. "Well, if it's not my fault than whose is it?" Steve mumbled ruefully.
"Rumlow. Ross. Hydra." Bucky trailed off. "Never your fault. And if you try to blame yourself, I'll punch you."
Steve smiled. "No you wouldn't."
"Okay true, but I'm too tired to think of a better threat."
Steve snickered. "Okay, you can think of one when you get back today."
Bucky smiled, closing his eyes. "Okay." He mumbled as he lowered his hand to intertwine with Steve's fingers. The contact was grounding, calming, soothing. "You'll be watching again, right?"
"I promise." Steve didn't hesitate. "Nat will be there again too. And Sam."
Bucky nodded, the tenseness in his gut easing. "Thank you."
Steve nodded, holding Bucky tightly. "Anytime."
...
"How are you today?"
Bucky was in the room all of three seconds and he was ready to either snap Rumlow's neck or make a run for it.
Both. Both might work.
"I'm fine." Bucky replied instead. He sat on the chair opposite of Rumlow. His metal arm clung to his thigh with a tight grip. Do it for Steve stay calm do it for Steve.
"You seem ill." Rumlow squinted suddenly.
"I would do better if you fulfill what you promised and tell me more information about the last of Hydra's hiding places."
Bucky's comment didn't erase the expression of disbelief on his appearance but he nodded nonetheless. He stared at Bucky through the glass as he stayed silent, considering what to say.
"What do they want you to ask?" Rumlow asked finally.
Bucky's fingers against his knee as he asked Brock the questions Ross had told him to ask. Questions of who was working for Hydra that the government had not caught, where bases would be located, information about what the next plan of action Hydra would follow, the same ones as yesterday. He knew Rumlow wouldn't answer them all but he only needed to do this for a few more days.
"Where would undercover agents be hiding if they had not been caught yet?" Bucky asked next.
"Are you being taken care of?"
Bucky pursed his lips. He had Steve, of course he was being taken care of. "I asked you a question."
"And I asked you one, Solider."
"My name is Bucky."
Rumlow shook his head, seemingly growing impatient. "What have they done to you?" He glared at Bucky in disgust over what he was seeing.
"They've saved me."
"They're ruining you."
"They are trying to fix what you ruined." Bucky replied.
Rumlow opened his mouth to say something but Bucky interrupted. "I can leave if you do not start giving me more information." Bucky wasn't sure if that was true but he could feel his mind start to close off at being so close to the man who assisted the others in breaking him.
Rumlow pursed his lips but nodded grimmly.
Bucky stayed silent as Rumlow listed another site that he was sure would have Hydra people hiding out, thinking that they were safely hidden away. Bucky nodded as if he were paying close attention but it was growing difficult to focus in the man's presents, let alone listen to him as he trailed off with locating people who had a hand or knowledge in Bucky's torture.
Rumlow inhaled sharply when he had finished and sat back on his chair, gazing at Bucky through the glass. "That's enough for today."
Bucky felt his gut clench uncomfortably. No that can't be it, they had only talked for ten minutes; at this pace they would have to keep meeting and Bucky didn't know how long he could stand having to face Rumlow.
"There has to be more than just that." Bucky pushed.
Rumloow shrugged a shoulder. "That's all I got for that place. I've given you their names and the location. That can be enough for today."
Bucky bit his tongue. Should he keep pushing? If he got Rumlow riled up and he refused to talk anymore, Steve would get blamed. Bucky didn't doubt for a second that Ross would take the first choice he saw to get rid of Steve.
Controlling his attempt to spit forward a reply, Bucky nodded in agreement and rose up from his metal chair, ready to turn his back from the Hydra agent.
"Do you remember much about how we met, Solider?"
Bucky turned back to face Rumlow. Brock was still sitting down eyeing Bucky curiously, his hands folding in front of him.
Bucky narrowed his eyes as he thought back about Rumlow's question. Honestly, he remembered bits and pieces of the abuse, but their very first meeting?
Instead of answering, Bucky could only shake his head.
Rumlow nodded, his features looking nostalgic as if he was recalling a sweet memory. "That's all."
Bucky's eyes stayed on Rumlow as he turned back towards the door, feeling uneasy having his back exposed even with Brock being locked back. Bucky would think more about that later. Right now, he needed to see Nicole, and get out of their as soon as possible as well.
God, when would this end?
…
Rumlow stayed seated in his chair, his mind thinking back to all those decades ago when he met the Soldier.
"You are the only one we have that has survived this serum, and now we found another." The general said matter-of-factly as he showed Rumlow to an unknown hallway, heading towards another room.
Rumlow raised his eyebrow in interest. "So he has increased ability as well?"
"Actually, better." The general replied. "He has the highest of abilities, similar to the American's great Captain."
"The one who died in the plane crash?" Rumlow raised his eyebrow.
The man nodded. Opening a door, he continued to show Rumlow down another hllway. "Both of you having the same generic capabilities, but with yours, we think you can help train him."
Rumlow gave a short laugh. "Train? Or form into another soldier?"
The man shrugged. "Both. Zola likes you, and he thinks you can do something about this soldier. He is stronger than most of my men. But so are you. I am trusting you to be able to watch him, guide him, control him."
Rumlow nodded vigorously. As they headed in the direction of the final door, Rumlow had to ask. "…Sir? What is his name?"
"We're just calling him the Soldier for now." The general answered with an indifferent shrug. Unlocking the door, he gestured Rumlow to move in first and Rumlow answered by entering without hesitation. He was in an old steel covered room with a door on the other side. Three chairs were placed in front of a clear window. Upon closer expectation, Rumlow saw it wasn't just a clear window, but a two way mirror.
On the other side of the mirror was a man curled up into a ball in the corner of the room. His arms were wrapped around his legs and his long, brown hair was bowed on-top of his knees, covering his face completely.
"Can he hear us?" Rumlow asked the general as Brock gazed at the Soldier curiously.
"No, he can't see or hear anyone."
"What would you have me do?" Rumlow asked.
The man smiled. "Whatever you have to do to make him the perfect solider."
Rumlow grinned. "I can do that."
...
Thank you for reading! I hope this is getting interesting? Maybe? Hopefully?