THE CHAIN, B. Barnes daughter

26. steve freakin' rogers

Sev tweaks just like her dad guys 🙏😭 Sev's a little bit of a brat but that's okay! I was too at 13 💪🤩

IN THEIR TINY APARTMENT, the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the kitchen where Bucky was preparing breakfast. Seven, now thirteen, walked in with a determined look on her face. Her dark brown hair, a disguise they had maintained since their escape from HYDRA, swayed slightly as she moved.

Bucky glanced up, noticing her expression. "Morning, Sev. Everything okay?"

Seven took a deep breath, crossing her arms. "Papa, I want to dye my hair back to blonde."

Bucky paused, setting down the spatula he was using. "Sev, we talked about this. Keeping your hair dark helps us stay low profile. It's safer."

"I know, but I hate it," Seven said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It doesn't feel like me. I miss my blonde hair. It's who I am."

Bucky frowned, knowing she had a point but also worried about the risks. "I understand, but it's important we don't draw attention to ourselves. Changing your hair back to blonde might make us more noticeable."

"You don't understand 'cus you still have your stupid brown hair!" Seven's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't care about that attention. I want my old hair back. I'm tired of hiding, Papa, I don't want to keep this hair."

Bucky sighed, running a hand through his own hair. He could see how much this meant to her, but the thought of her safety always came first. "Sev, it's not just about hiding. It's about keeping you safe. I need to protect you."

"I don't care."

"Sev—"

"I don't care about being safe anymore! I just want to feel like myself again. I want to look in the mirror and see me, not some girl HYDRA turned me into." She said, her voice laced with teenage attitude. "I hate that I still look like the killer they made me be." Hee voice became all small. Bucky's heart clenched.

"Well you're not—"

"Well I feel like it."

Bucky sighed, he wanted to retort but how could he?

"You've always protected me," Seven argued. "But I need to feel like myself again. I hate looking in the mirror and not recognizing who I see."

Bucky felt a pang of guilt at her words. He understood the importance of identity, especially after all they had been through. He stared at her for a moment, seeing the determination and desperation in her eyes.

Finally, he sighed deeply, realizing he couldn't deny her this. "Alright, Sev. If it means that much to you, we'll dye your hair back to blonde."

Seven's face lit up with a relieved smile. "Really?"

"Really," Bucky confirmed, though he couldn't completely shake his worry. "Yes, but—"

"Thank you, papa!"

"ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS, SEV?" Bucky asked, his voice filled with gentle concern. "I really thought you liked your dark hair."

Seven glanced at him in the mirror, her blue eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "I did for a while, but now... I don't know. I miss my blonde hair. It feels more like me, y'know?"

Bucky nodded, understanding the need for change and the desire to feel more like oneself. "Alright. If that's what you want, then let's do it."

With Bucky's help, they laid out the supplies: a box of blonde hair dye, gloves, a comb, and old towels to catch any spills. Seven watched her reflection with anticipation as Bucky carefully mixed the dye.