THE CHAIN, B. Barnes daughter

30. goodbye

YALL LAST CHAP OF CIVIL WAR. Anyways, papa Steve 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
FLASHBACK AHHHHH
ITS BEEN A BIT SINCE IVE DONE ONE OF THOSE

BUCKY REMEMBERS THREE TIMES WHEN he was able to see Seven as a baby. The air in the HYDRA facility was cold and sterile, the harsh fluorescent lights casting a stark glow over everything.

Bucky sat in a small cell, cradling a tiny bundle in his arms. It had been only a few weeks since Sev was born, her soft cries filling the otherwise silent room. She was so small, so fragile, and Bucky's heart ached with a fierce protectiveness.

He held her gently with his flesh and blood arm, terrified of the metal one. He remembered the old man telling him that he would kill Sev with his arm, that's why she can't stay with him. Bucky believed it somewhat, but he knew that wasn't the full reason.

The cold, unyielding metal seemed like a monstrous thing next to her delicate skin. He had seen firsthand the destruction it could cause, the lives it had ended. The thought of it touching her, even accidentally, sent a shiver down his spine.

As he gazed at her, tears welled up in his eyes. Her big blue eyes, identical to his own, stared up at him with a mixture of curiosity and awe. She babbled softly, her tiny fingers curling and uncurling as she reached out.

Bucky smiled, his fear momentarily forgotten. "Hey there, my baby," he whispered, tracing a gentle finger along her cheek. Her skin was impossibly soft, and he marveled at the tiny life in his arms.

Sev's eyes followed his finger, her gaze unwavering. She cooed softly, her small hand reaching out. Bucky's heart skipped a beat as he saw her weakly reaching for his metal arm. Panic surged through him, and he instinctively pulled it back, out of her reach.

"No, Sev," he murmured, his voice trembling. "Not that one."

But Sev was persistent. Her little fingers stretched towards the metal, her determination evident even at such a young age. Bucky watched in awe as she continued to reach, her tiny face scrunching up with effort.

"I said no," he said softly. "No means no, my little baby." He said, with a smile. She was determined and he loved that.

He desperately wanted to hold her with both arms, to give her the embrace she deserved, but the fear was too great. He looked at his metal arm with a mixture of hatred and despair. He would never forgive himself if he hurt her.

Time seemed to stand still as he gazed down at her, committing every detail of her tiny face to memory. He kissed her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin against his lips.

But all too soon, the door opened again, and the same cold-faced agent stepped back in. "Time's up, Barnes."

"No, please," Bucky pleaded, his voice breaking. "Just a few more minutes. Please."

The agent shook his head. "You know the rules. Hand her over."

Bucky's grip tightened around Sev, but he knew he had no choice. With a heavy heart, he looked down at her one last time. "I love you, Sev, I love you so much, my little girl."

Reluctantly, he handed her back to the agent. His arms felt unbearably empty as she was taken from him. He wanted to scream, to fight, to do anything to keep her with him, but he knew it would only make things worse.

THEY WERE NOW SPRINTING WITH
Steve and the rest of their criminal team, the urgency of their escape driving them forward. Bucky's hand was gripped tightly around Sev's, ensuring she kept pace with him. He knew that in the chaos, it would be easy for her to fall behind, and he wasn't willing to risk that.