Project Hellhound

Chapter 21

My head snaps up at the mention of Banner, my hackles rising involuntarily. Natasha catches the movement, her head tilting slightly as she studies my response.

"Is Bruce necessary right now?" Natasha asks, her voice carefully neutral. "The wolf seems stable, if in pain. We could give everyone a moment to decompress before bringing in more people." She gestures subtly toward me. "And she clearly has opinions about doctors."

Thank you, Natasha, I think. Someone with actual situational awareness.

"He should at least know what happened," Steve points out. "But you're right—it can wait a bit."

"Not yet, FRIDAY," Steve decides. "Just let us know if he emerges from the lab."

"Understood, Captain Rogers. Shall I restrict access to any footage from tonight's incident?"

Bucky's movement catches my attention—his head snapping up, suddenly alert. I understand his concern immediately—the footage would show too much about both of us. His vulnerability, my calculated actions.

"Yes," Steve says firmly. "FRIDAY, please restrict access to any footage from tonight's incident. Team-only authorization."

"Understood, Captain Rogers," FRIDAY replies. "Security footage restricted to Avengers clearance level 9."

"No," Bucky interrupts, voice firm despite its quietness. "Avengers present only."

Sam raises an eyebrow. "That's pretty tight security, even for a Winter Soldier incident."

Bucky's jaw tightens slightly. "Footage like that... it can be used against people. Analyzed. Weaponized. The fewer eyes on it, the better." His gaze shifts between me and the others. "For both our sakes."

My tail gives a single, deliberate swish of approval. The gesture draws Steve's attention, his eyes tracking the movement with surprise, as though he's just remembered that I'm more than a silent observer. I meet his gaze steadily, my eyes revealing nothing—or so I hope.

Natasha studies Bucky's face, then nods in agreement. "He's right. FRIDAY, limit access to security footage to only those currently present in this group."

"That seems excessive," Sam starts, but Steve cuts him off with a raised hand.

"No, they're right. The footage doesn't need to become material for SHIELD psych evaluations or trigger response protocols." He looks directly at the ceiling. "FRIDAY, confirm restriction to present parties only."

"Confirmed," the AI responds. "Access limited to present parties only."

We continue in silence for a few moments before Sam speaks again, his voice thoughtful. "What about Tony?" he asks, his expression troubled. "It's his building."

"Tony will understand," Steve says, though his tone lacks conviction.

Natasha's mouth quirks slightly. "Tony will absolutely not understand being excluded from anything happening in his own building," she observes dryly, "but he'll respect the decision if we frame it right."

"Frame it right?" Steve echoes. "You mean lie?"

"I mean prioritize certain aspects of the truth," Natasha clarifies. "Like how this is about Bucky's privacy and trauma, not about keeping Tony out of the loop."

"That's... actually the truth," Steve admits.

"See?" Natasha says with a small smile. "I can work with the truth when it's convenient."

The common room emerges from pre-dawn shadows as we enter, FRIDAY gradually raising the lights to a soft amber glow that doesn't aggravate enhanced senses. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the eastern sky, where the first hints of sunrise paint the horizon in shades of purple and gold.