THE CHAIN, B. Barnes daughter

43. stupid zemo

YALL SEV DONT LIKE ZEMO
But if he was good, I'm not even gonna lie with u guys...he could get it.
(I HATE BRO THO)
Anyways Sam and Sev are cuties

RIGA HAD A CERTAIN AIR TO IT, an old-world charm mixed with a tinge of mystery. Seven, or Sev as she was known, took in the sights with wide eyes. The streets were cobblestone, the buildings a mix of history and modernity. Yet, amidst the novelty, there was an undercurrent of unease.

She wanted to go home, but she kept that thought to herself. She knew the chances of not calling Bucky crying were slim if she went home. He would drop everything and come back, and they needed to finish what they started. They had come too far to turn back now.

"We're here," Zemo announced as they approached a nondescript building that somehow still managed to exude an air of foreboding.

Sev noticed Bucky pause, so she did too, her curiosity piqued. "What's the matter?" she asked, looking back at him with a hint of concern.

"I'm gonna go on a walk," Bucky said, his voice carrying that edge of seriousness that usually meant no arguments.

Sev's face lit up with a hopeful smile, hopping slightly on the balls of her feet. "Can I come?"

"No, stay here. I'll be back," he told her firmly.

"But—"

"Stay," Bucky interrupted, his tone brooking no further discussion. Saying no to Sev was one of the hardest things for him, and he needed to focus on the task at hand without distraction.

"Okay," she agreed reluctantly, her shoulders slumping.

Sam, ever the observant one, chimed in. "You good?" he asked Bucky.

"Yeah, I'll see you guys in a bit. Sev, stay with Sam," Bucky instructed, giving her a final look before heading off.

Sev watched him go, feeling a mix of disappointment and frustration. She turned to Sam, who offered her a sympathetic smile.

"Looks like it's you and me, kid," Sam said, trying to lighten the mood.

Sev sighed. "Great, stuck with you and... stupid Zemo."

Zemo, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "Stupid? Really? I'm hurt," he said with a mock expression of injury.

Sev crossed her arms and glared at him. "You should be...stupid."

SEV AND SAM sat on a couch in the dimly lit apartment, the hum of the city outside a constant reminder of their precarious situation. Sam suggested to play a game.

"Alright Lucky, how about a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors?" Sam asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Sev perked up, her competitive spirit ignited. "You're  so on."

They faced each other, hands ready. "Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" they chanted in unison.

Sev threw rock, and Sam threw scissors. Sev's face lit up with a victorious grin. "Ha! Rock crushes scissors."

"Beginner's luck," Sam teased, shaking his head.

They continued playing, the game providing a lighthearted distraction. As they played, Sam took the opportunity to check in on Sev.

"So, how are you holding up, kid?" he asked, his tone gentle but probing.

Sev hesitated, focusing on the game. "I'm alright," she said, throwing paper while Sam threw rock.