The Siren (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Part 15 - A Song of Seduction

A/N: Totally not me getting an extension on one of my assignments so that I can write!  Enjoy some jealous Bucky in the chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. I'd love to hear your feedback xxx

The smell of fresh produce unexpectantly over came Maya as the four of them stepped into a refugee camp courtyard. The surrounding walls were stained with rain dirk marks, each one marking a trial and tribulation of the people who lived there. The few people in the courtyard made themselves sparse, their dark clothing turning them into the shadows of doorways and windows.

"Shame what's become of this place," Zemo spoke almost as if he meant it. "I remember coming here for parties when I was young, knew nothing of the politics, but I remember it being beautiful."

"Gonna take a look around upstairs," Sam informed them. "See what you can find out here." He turned to go, but paused as Bucky went to follow him. "Keep and eye on him," Sam suggested, motioning to Zemo. Maya followed Sam up the stairs and into the buildings.

"Hey kid," Sam called after a boy who ran away from the pair of them. They followed him down a hallway and into an open room filled with sewing machines. A few women were seated at the stations.

"Excuse me," Maya voiced gently. "Have you heard of Donya Madani?"

"Umm...no," one replied as they all exited the room swiftly.

Sam and Maya walked their way around the levels, repeating the same question to every person they came across. Coincidently, no one seemed to know who Donya Madani was as they rushed to get out of the room as if they were scared to breath the same air as the two of them.

"Maybe Bucky and Zemo are having better luck," Maya hoped. 

"Speaking of Bucky," Sam turned to her, "What's going on between the two of you?"

"We're friends," Maya shrugged dismissively.

"I heard Bucky laughing earlier with you. Haven't heard that before ever, so whatever your friendship is, it's doing him good." Sam gripped her shoulder with a tight smile. "Bucky trusts you, and that's about as rare as snow in the Saharan Desert, so I'm gonna put my trust in you too. When we send Zemo back to prison, you should stick around, even if it's only to keep Bucky more bearable to work with." Sam chuckled.

"I'd like that a lot, Sam," she beamed up at him. "Thankyou."

"Maybe that friendship is helping more than just him."

Maya and Sam flanked Bucky as they walked back down to the courtyard. "Starting to feel like a dead end," Sam stated. 

All three of them cocked their heads to the side as they watched Zemo pour a bag of Turkish delight out onto a chair. Creep. A group of kids wearily crowded around, cautiously listening to his words. One girl reached her hand out to snatch one of the plastic wrapped pink cubes from the wooden chair. 

"The hell is he doing?" Bucky queried angrily.

Before Maya could listen in, her Uncle stood from his own chair handing a fist full of the treats to the girl who turned to share them with her friends. "Cute kids," Zemo stated. A look of worry darted across his face when he made eye contact with his niece who was scowling distrustfully at him.

The team went back to Zemo's apartment for lunch, waiting for the afternoon to roll around so they could find Karli at Madani's funeral. Zemo told them over tea that the little girl had told him when and where it was taking place. But Zemo being Zemo, he kept the where abouts to himself in order to buy himself a little more time from the Wakandans. 

In the mean time, Maya drifted off to sleep on the couch next to Bucky. Her head lolled to the side, dropping onto Bucky's shoulder. Awareness of the world around her began to fade until she felt a cold arm move her so she was lying down, her head in Bucky's lap. Too tired to object and already half asleep, she didn't object to the more comfortable position. Blonde hair pooled in Bucky's lap like a glistening puddle slowly dripping down towards the ground. A warm hand gently placed itself into the puddle, shifting its waters in a calming motion.