TW: SELF HARM MENTION (Bucky is just checking up on her sh to make sure it's not infected and it's a cute little moment ig 😭😭)

ANYWAYS, NATANDSEVNATANDSEVNATANDSEV

JOHN WALKER EVENTUALLY got fed up and ruined the whole plan. God Sev hated how dumb he was. Long story short, Karli got away and they were once again on the search for this girl.

Back at the building where they were staying, thanks to Zemo, the atmosphere was tense. The frustration from the failed mission hung in the air. Bucky led Sev to the bathroom to take care of her wound. She had been shot a few days ago, and it was time to re-stitch and clean it.

"Sit down," Bucky said gently, guiding Sev to sit on the closed toilet seat. The small bathroom was cramped, with the sink crowded with first aid supplies they had gathered.

Sev winced as she moved her arm, the pain a constant reminder of the danger they were in. She watched as her dad pulled out the antiseptic and the needle with the thread. His face was serious, but his eyes held a softness that was reserved only for her.

"This is gonna sting a bit," Bucky warned, his voice calm and soothing. He carefully unwrapped the makeshift bandage from her arm, exposing the angry, red wound. It looked better than it had a few days ago, but it still needed attention.

Sev clenched her teeth as Bucky began to clean the wound. The antiseptic burned, making her eyes water, but she bit back any sound of pain. She didn't want to worry him more than he already was.

Bucky noticed her discomfort and paused for a moment, giving her a reassuring look. "Almost done with the cleaning part, sweetheart. Hang in there."

Sev nodded, trying to focus on anything but the pain. Her dad's presence helped. Even though the circumstances were far from ideal, having him there made her feel safe.

Once the wound was clean, Bucky threaded the needle and began the delicate process of re-stitching the gash. He worked with the precision of someone who had done this too many times before. His hands were steady, but his mind was racing. Every stitch he made felt like a failure on his part for not protecting Sev better.

"You're doing great, Sev," Bucky said softly as he tied off the final stitch. He ran a gentle hand over her hair, smoothing it back from her face. "Just a bit more and we'll be done."

Sev managed a small smile, grateful for his comforting words. She watched him work, feeling a mix of admiration and sadness. She knew how much it pained him to see her hurt.

Finally, Bucky finished stitching up the wound and applied a fresh bandage. He let out a small sigh of relief. "All done with that one," he said, giving her a gentle smile. "Now, let's check the other one."

Sev hesitated, knowing what he was referring to. Her self-harm scars were wrapped up, hidden away from the world. She had been trying to get better, but the stress and fear of their situation had pushed her back into old habits.

Bucky saw the hesitation in her eyes and gave her an encouraging nod. "It's okay, Sev. I just want to make sure you're healing properly."

Sev hesitated, her eyes darting away from him. She didn't want him to see, didn't want him to know the extent of her pain. But she also knew that he wouldn't let it go. He cared too much to ignore it.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Bucky's expression softened, and he reached out to gently lift her chin, making her look at him. "It's going to be okay, Sev. I promise."

She nodded, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. Slowly, she began to unwrap the bandages that covered her arms, revealing the angry red scars that marred her skin. Each one told a story of pain and despair, of moments when she felt like she couldn't go on.

Bucky's eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at the scars, his heart breaking for his daughter. He tried his best to hide his emotions, but she could see the hurt in his eyes.

He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping with the weight of it all. "Oh, Sev..."

Sev felt a lump in her throat, her shame and guilt overwhelming her. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, afraid of what she might see.

Bucky reached out, gently lifting her face so that she had to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with so much love, so much pain. He took her wrist in his hand, his touch gentle and careful.

Without a word, he brought her wrist to his lips and kissed the scars, his touch reverent and full of unspoken emotion. The gesture was simple but profound, a promise that he would always be there for her, no matter what.

Sev felt the tears spill over, unable to hold them back any longer. She didn't know what to say, how to express the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

Bucky wiped a tear from her cheek tenderly. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. The look in his eyes hurt her. How could he love her after this?

"My baby..." his voice was a whisper, but Sev could here him loud and clear.

Bucky wrapped her arm back up with careful precision, making sure that the bandages were secure. He fixed her hair, brushing a few stray strands out of her face and smoothing it out with his hands, just like he would do when she was little.

"All better." He smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to make right, but he knew that words would never be enough.

They stood up, the small bathroom feeling even smaller with the weight of their unspoken words. Bucky wrapped an arm around Sev's shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"Let's go," he said softly.

They walked out to the living room where Zemo and Sam were waiting. The tension in the room was definitely there, but there was also a sense of camaraderie, of shared purpose.

As they walked out, Bucky's face hardened again. "Something's not right about Walker," Bucky said, referring to John.

"You don't say," Sam replied.

Sev leaned against the counter, watching her dad rummage through the cabinet for a cup. "Well, I know crazy when I see one, because I am crazy," Bucky said.

Sev scoffed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Glad you're self-aware," she joked, watching her dad pour some alcohol into the cup he grabbed.

"Shouldn't have given him the shield," Bucky said, taking a swig of his drink.

"I didn't give him the shield," Sam argued.

"Well, Steve definitely didn't," Bucky said, taking another swig.

Bucky set his glass down on the counter, momentarily distracted as he looked out the window. Sev saw her chance and reached for the glass, her curiosity and the stress of everything driving her to try something new. Before she could bring it to her lips, Bucky's hand shot out, grabbing the glass from her.

He poured the remaining alcohol into the sink, the liquid swirling down the drain. Sev pouted, feeling a bit rebellious, but Bucky's stern look stopped her from saying anything. He filled the glass with water and handed it back to her.

"Here. Drink this instead," he said, his tone firm but caring.

Sev rolled her eyes but accepted the glass. "Fine," she grumbled, sipping the water with obvious reluctance.

Then, the door burst open, and John Walker stormed in with Lemar by his side. Sev's had the uncharacteristic urge to commit murder when she heard his voice.

"Alright. That's it. Let's go. I'm now ordering you to turn him over," John demanded, glaring at Zemo.

"Hey, slow your roll," Sam replied, stepping between them. "Let's be clear, shield or no shield, the only thing you're running in here is your mouth."

Sev smirked. "Yeah, and you're doing a lot of that," she added.

John was ready to jump in and scold her but Sam started talking before he could.

Sev smirked. Sam always had a way with words. "Now, I had Karli, and you overstepped. He's actually proven himself useful today, and we'll need all hands on deck for whatever's coming next," Sam continued.

"Yeah? And her too? The little kid who is barely sixteen?" John sneered. "Oh, yeah, she's very, very useful."

Sev felt her fists clench. "'Scuse me?—" she shot back, stepping forward but Bucky put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back.

Sev felt her fists clench. "She's proven to be more useful than you," Sam shot back.

John's face twisted with anger. "How do you want the rest of this conversation to go, Sam, huh?"

There was a tense pause as John stared down Sam. "Yeah. Should I put down the shield? Make it fair?"

Sam chuckled, clearly unimpressed. There was no way this guy was beating Sam in a fight, and Sev knew that. Just as John set the shield down, a metal spearhead came flying at his head, which he barely dodged.

The Dora Milaje had arrived. Zemo's time was up, and anyone who got in their way would pay the price.

The leader of the group glared at Walker. She muttered something in Wakandan – which nobody else seemed to understand – before turning her gaze to Zemo and saying, "Release him to us now."

Her voice was firm, and her accent added a layer of authority. Walker looked completely out of his depth.

He blinked at her. "Hi. John Walker." He extended a hand. "Captain America."

There was a brief, decidedly awkward pause as the woman stared at him, silent and disapproving. John cleared his throat. "Well, let's, uh, put down the pointy sticks and we can talk this through, huh?"

Sev sighed audibly.

Sam leaned against the pillar in the center of the room, trying to suppress a smile. "Hey, John, take it easy. You might wanna fight Bucky before you tangle with the Dora Milaje."

"They don't have jurisdiction here," Walker gritted his teeth. The leading woman raised an eyebrow at him.

"The Dora Milaje have jurisdiction wherever the Dora Milaje find themselves to be."

Sev had no idea who the Dora Milaje were, but now didn't seem the best time to ask. Besides, they didn't seem in a good mood, and she didn't want to upset them.

Sev really wanted to see the Dora Milaje to put Walker in his place, because if they don't, Sev will...

Somehow?

"Okay," Walker chuckled nervously. "Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot."

Then he made what seemed to be one of the stupidest decisions ever.

He rested one hand on the woman's shoulder, the way men do when they're being especially condescending, and fury flashed in her eyes.

In an instant, the base of her spear smashed hard into the side of his head, dropping him to the floor. Sev was having a great time, as was her dad.

She, her dad, and Sam all watched with varying degrees of concern as the Dora Milaje effortlessly obliterated Walker and his friend. The women moved with grace and ease, seemingly unbound by the laws of gravity.

Sam rolled his eyes at both of them, his expression suggesting he had far more morals than the two of them. "We should do something."

Bucky pretended not to hear him. He bit down on a segment of orange and smiled sweetly at Walker, who was about two kicks away from being on his knees.

"Looking strong, John."

"Yeah! Great punches!" Sev agreed. Sam gave Sev a look.

"Bucky..." Sam said.

"Fine."

Bucky rolled his shoulders back with obvious reluctance and stepped between the main woman and Walker, grabbing the head of her spear with his metal hand and pressing it firmly away from Walker's chest.

"Ayo."

The woman, Ayo, seemed uninterested in his attempts at peace. She snarled at him, wrenched her weapon from his grip, and tried to squirm away, eyes dark with anger.

Bucky gave an apologetic look.

His fighting wasn't effortless, but there wasn't enough force behind it to be effective. He fought like he used to with Sev, using every ounce of his self-restraint so she didn't get hurt.

"Ayo, let's talk about this!" he grunted, still trying to wrestle the weapon from Ayo's hand.

Zemo was edging out of the fight, slipping into the bathroom and locking the door behind him, but Sev didn't think that was her problem. All she really wanted was to go for a walk and stare at the ice cream stall down the road.

Instead, Sev watched Bucky fight Ayo, still reluctant to do any real damage. His arm twisted, he aimed his feet at her ankles, but she backed him into a corner.

Three steps forward, elbow digging into his chest and fingers on his metal arm. Bucky paused for a moment, possibly out of pure confusion, and in his moment of weakness, her hands flew across the prosthetic's circuit board, pressed against the side, and then twisted it off.

Sev wanted to laugh so badly.

The Dora Milaje looked surprisingly calm for people who had just lost their target. Then again, Sev knew that Zemo wouldn't get far with the Dora Milaje on his tail.

Sev picked Bucky's arm off the floor and handed it back to him. Sam exhaled slowly.

"Did you know they could do that?" Sam asked, indicating the empty socket of Bucky's arm.

Bucky shook his head, clicking his prosthetic back into place.

"No."

"Can I try next?" Sev asked, reaching for his arm.

"No," said Bucky.

6 1/2 years ago (INCLUDING THE BLIP)

SEV SAT ON wooden porch of their temporary safe house, staring out at the dense forest that surrounded them. The cabin, hidden away in the middle of nowhere, had been their hideout for a few days now. Steve and Sam had gone out to gather supplies, leaving her and Nat alone for the first time in what felt like forever.

Natasha was cleaning her weapons, her movements precise and efficient. Sev watched her for a moment, admiring the older woman's skill and composure.

Eventually, Nat glanced up, catching Sev's gaze.

"Something on your mind, kid?" Nat asked, her voice breaking the silence.

Sev shrugged. "Just thinking about papa. I miss him."

Nat's expression softened slightly. "Yeah, I figured. It's tough with him being in Wakanda."

Sev nodded, picking at the loose thread on her sweater. "Do you think he's okay? I mean, with the cryo and everything."

Natasha set her gun aside and leaned back, crossing her arms. "The Wakandans know what they're doing. If anyone can help him, it's them."

Sev sighed, leaning back against the porch railing. "I know. I just... I wish I could see him. Talk to him."

Natasha smiled, a rare and gentle expression. "You know, I used to wonder if you'd ever try to steal his arm."

Sev looked up, a grin spreading across her face. "Oh, believe me, I wish I could. It'd be like the ultimate prank."

Nat laughed softly. "Yeah, I can see it now. 'Hey, Bucky, need a hand?'"

Sev giggled. "He'd probably just give me that look. You know the one."

"The one that says, 'I'm not amused but also mildly impressed'?" Nat guessed.

"Exactly," Sev said, smiling.

There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment before Sev spoke again. "Do you miss anyone?"

Natasha's expression grew distant, her eyes unfocusing as she thought. "Yeah. I miss my sister a lot. We didn't always get along, but she's... well, she's family. I miss my mom sometimes, too."

Sev tilted her head, her interest piqued. "Do you think she misses you too?"

"I hope so," Natasha replied softly. "Family bonds are strong, no matter what."

Sev nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. She was about to say something when Nat reached out, gently pushing a strand of hair behind Sev's ear.

"You remind me of her, you know," Nat said softly. "My little sister. Especially when she was a little kid."

Sev blinked, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Really?"

Natasha's smile was wistful. "You're tough, resilient. You've been through a lot, but you still find a way to smile. My sister was like that, too."

Sev felt a lump form in her throat. "I wish I could meet her."

Natasha's eyes were distant again, but she nodded. "Maybe someday. For now, we just have to keep moving forward."