So Long || J.B.B.

8: what happens in wakanda

I had a sleepless night. All I could do was toss and turn on the sofa and stare at the ceiling. I may have gotten at the very least two hours.

"Доброе утро, цветочек," Zemo said, coming out of the bedroom. (good morning, little flower.)

"Назови меня снова 'цветочек' и посмотри, что произойдет," I said keeping my eyes covered. (call me 'little flower' again and see what happens.)

The sun was rising, I could see it through the curtains. I could tell there were shades of pink and orange and a hint of blue.

Zemo's butler, Ozniek, arrived about an hour later to take us to Sokovia by the afternoon. I kept quiet for most of the day, mostly because I didn't have much to say.

The drive to the airport wasn't long and we made small talk here and there. I'm sure he'd want to talk about our little rendezvous from last night.

"You know, Autumn, some day you're gonna have to confess your feelings for James. Or I can do it for you," he said, holding my phone with Bucky's messages open.

"I would ask how you got my phone but I probably don't want to know." I grabbed my phone out of his hand.

He had a message typed out already. It didn't look like something I'd even say and Bucky would have known it wasn't from me. I erased the message and gave him the location where Zemo and I would be in just a couple short hours.

~~~

The memorial hasn't changed. It's still the nuclear family portrait with the sigil that once stood for Sokovia. Zemo and I stood next to each other in silence remembering the people who lost everything.

"You know, I usually leave a bouquet of roses," I said to him.

"Why not today?"

"Didn't have the time. A certain someone basically kidnapped me."

He let out a small laugh. It's the most relaxed I've seen him. "Yeah, I'm not apologizing for that. It was nice to have some company."

"And he's back." I turned towards him trying to get a read on him. That's when I saw Bucky to his right.

"I thought you'd be here sooner," he said to Bucky. "Don't worry, I've decided not to kill anyone in the vicinity."

"Imagine my relief," Bucky said, pulling out his gun. "Gracie, you all right?"

"Oh, just peachy. It was a real bonding experience being forced to stay with him alone for the last 24 hours."

"It really was, James. I'm sure she'll tell you all about it later." Zemo gave me a look as I walked past him towards Bucky. "The girl has been radicalized beyond salvation. I warned Sam, but he didn't listen to me. He's as stubborn as Steve Rogers before him. But the two of you... They literally programmed you to kill. Autumn, James, do what needs to be done. Karli has people everywhere, and there's only one way to make sure she cannot finish her mission."

"I appreciate the advice. But we're gonna do it our own way."

"Yeah. I was afraid you'd say that."

Zemo eyed the gun as Bucky opened the clip. There was fear and relief in his eyes, probably hoping to be reunited with this family. It was now aimed at his face. I turned away knowing it'd be a mess. I heard the safety turn and the empty click. No bullets? The sound of them hitting the ground was a big relief for me. I turned back around seeing the Dora Milaje waiting to escort Zemo to Wakanda, I'm assuming.

"Ladies..." Zemo greeted them. "I took the liberty of crossing my and Autumn's name in your book. I hold no grudges for what you thought you had to do. Goodbye, James. Goodbye, маленький цветок." (little flower)