Petals (pt. 2)
I got a little bit carried away with this one. Definitely took a spin on Ep. 3 and Iâm going to say this one is the calm before the storm, if that tells yâall anything.Â
Link to Petals (pt. 1)
Warnings: mild violence and language
â-
She tugged at the short, form fitting, black dress she was wearing. Zemo insisted she wear it to âblend in,â and after a few choice words she agreed. She hadnât worn a dress in years and never a dress this tiny. To say she was uncomfortable was an understatement, one wrong move and she would flash all of Madripoor. Fighting would in fact be impossible.
She walked beside Sam, her âdate,â tugging once more at the dress, that kept coming up.
âI look like a pimp.â Sam grumbled beside her.
âYou look like a wealthy black man, only Americanâs would consider a man of class to be a pimp.â Zemo retorted.
Bucky glanced behind at the two, his eyes lingering on her longer than they should.
âNo matter what happens we must stay in characterâ Zemo said scolding Bucky, âOur lives depend on it, there is no margin for error. Can you do that, Winter Soldier?â
Bucky clenched his jaw. He knew it was just a role he was playing but being called and commanded around like he use to be struck a nerve with him.
âWe got it.â She said, defending Bucky before he chose to say something else.
They make their way to the club, following Zemo inside. Sam places his hand on Y/Nâs upper back, protectively guiding her through the club. The music was roaring as lights flashed, bodies grinded. The group separates in the crowd. Bucky going with Zemo and Y/N with Sam. Sam approaches a bar where the tender asks if he wants his regular, not knowing what else to do he gives a stern nod. The bartender presents him with an abused drink and he shoots Y/N a look, to which she leans on the bar giving him a âgo onâ look. He quickly tosses it back in his throat, trying to hide a shiver of disgust. He then smiles awkwardly at the bar tender.
Y/N turns around to inspect the crowd, the dancing had haulted slightly and people began to whisper about the appearance of Zemo and Bucky. Zemo approached the two, placing his hands on the bar.
âWe have business to do, with Selby.â He said to the bar tender.
The bar tender looked at him strangely. A man came up behind Zemo.
âWeâve got word. Youâre not welcome here.â He growled nodding to the door.
Zemo began to reason with him, explaining their case. She looked to Sam, his shoulders where tense as he keep an eye on the on lookers who, now had hands on their weapons. He leaned down to her ear, âI have a pistol in my waistband.â
âDo you know him?â Sam asked, as the man finally walked away.
âOnly by reputation.â Zemo replied spotting another man approaching him, a murderous look on his face.
Zemo face grew tense, he looked to Bucky and said something in Russian. She looked to Bucky seeing his jaw clench again, an angered look in his eyes. The man placed an arm on Zemoâs shoulder to which Bucky responded by twisting it the other way, walking the man backwards. He looked back at Zemo for a split second a fire in his eyes. She looked to Zemo to find a faint smile on his face, she bit her lip to withhold her temper. She turned to Bucky who broke the mans arm, slamming him on the floor. One after another, after another men came at him and in seconds Bucky snapped their neck, broke their leg, or kicked them across the room.
Sam looked at her, shock written on his face. She never took her eyes off Bucky, she watched him, the way his body just knew how to find each of their weak spots, to break, bend and snap their bones with ease just in the right way. She had heard stories of those days, but had never seen them. The pure rage, strength and power that surged through him made her heart pound with anxiety.
âDidnât take much for him to fall back into form.â Zemo mused in her ear. She looked at him.
All these years heâd been holding back, because the man she saw before her was not Bucky, it was someone else. Something else. He had a man pinned against a table, choking him when Zemo finally decided to tell him to stop. Bucky released the man and stood back up.
âSelby will see you now.â The trembling bartender said.
Zemo headed out through the crowd.
âYou good?â Sam asked Bucky. Bucky looked from him to Y/N, then he looked down and followed Zemo out. Sam turned to look at her, she just took his hand and they left the room with a hundred stares watching their leave.
The room they entered was dark and smelled of weed, alcohol and smoke.
A woman sat reclined on a couch, her frosty hair glistening in the blue tinted light. She didnât seem pleased to see Zemo.
âYouâre taller than I remember, Smiling Tiger.â She purred at Sam. Her gaze then fell to Y/N. âDo I know you?â The woman, Y/N assumed was Selby, asked.
âSheâs an associate of mine, does all the behind the scenes work. I may have brought her around a few years back.â Zemo replied. Selby eyes her suspiciously then smiled at Zemo.
âWhatâs the offer?â She asked.
âTell us what you know about the super-soldier serum.â Zemo commanded.
âAnd whatâs in it for me?â She said tilting her head.
Zemo stood and circled Bucky. âThe Winter Solider with his full list of commands.â He said. Y/N tensed at the way Zemo stroked Buckyâs face as if he was an animal for sale.
Selby cooed delighted at his offer, âNow there is the Zemo I know but what about her?â She said turning back to Y/N her eyes glossing over her figure.
Zemo frowned then put on a fake smile, walking over to Y/N. âWhat about her?â
âI want her too.â The woman said, a strange look on her face.
âSheâs not part of the offer.â Zemo said, standing in front of Y/N almost protectively.
The woman tilted her head and laughed bitterly, âFrom what I hear you are desperate for the whereabouts of the Serum. I want her and the Winter Solider or no deal.â
âPerhaps-â Zemo began.
The woman held up a finger, âBoth. But before I offer you anything up. I want to see him.â
Y/N noticed the faint line of sweat that began to glisten on Zemoâs forehead. âPardon?â
She looked to Bucky, her eyes full of lust. âI want to see him in action.â
Zemo mused, âIf you went downstairs youâd see the aftermath, but yes, what would you like him to do.â
âFight.â The woman said, her eyes falling back on Y/N, âFight her.â She turned back to Zemo giving an eyebrow for him to try and challenge her wishes. âI have to make sure I like what Iâm agreeing to now, Zemo.â
Zemo smiled and bowed, going back to sit in his chair across the room. He looked to Y/N and gave a small nod. She couldnât tell if it was a nod of assurance or a nod goodbye.
The woman clapped her hands in delight, âOh, I love a nice brawl.â
Zemo said something in Russian. Y/N looked from Zemo to Bucky with a panicked expression. Zemo gave a command Y/N couldnât understand it, but Bucky did and it did something to him. His face contorted and she could see him fighting internally at something. He began to approach her.
She stepped back, âBucky.â She found herself say. He moved at her throwing a punch which she dodged easily, he swung again hitting her in the side. She instinctively swung her leg at his head to which he grabbed it and swung her to the side, but with her other leg hooked around his waist she took him to the ground with her. She wheezed trying to get air back in her lungs as he collapsed onto her pushing his knee into her stomach. She quickly buckled forward, protecting her ïżŒabdomen, grabbing the ïżŒstiletto off her foot and hitting him across the face. She then managed to wrap her legs around his neck and flip him over her. She stood quickly catching her breath. He was up in an instant throwing punches at her. She eyed Sam who was standing there unsure of what to do. She looked back to Bucky, now barefoot and ran then slide in between his legs towards Sam. Back on her feet she shoved Sam out of the way while taking the pistol out of his waist band. She pointed it at Zemo.
The room froze.
âStop it.â She sneered, breathing heavily.
Zemo looked at her surprised, âNow, letâs not make this worse.â
She cocked the gun, âI said, stop it.â
Zemo looked to Selby, who was unamused. âYou really are going to let her speak to you that way. I want to see them fight, not fool around like children.â
Zemo looked back at Bucky and motioned for him to carry on. He looked back to Y/N with almost an apologetic look.
âBucky. Bucky itâs me.â She said now pointing the gun at him. He just stared at her a blank expression on his face as he stalked towards her. She shifted in her place, her hands shaking. Bucky launched at her, she flipped the gun in her hand and hit him over the head with the butt of it, he elbowed her in the back causing her to buckle forward. Her form was sloppy and slow compared to his. She dodged the next couple of punches until she found herself backed against a wall. She heard Sam yelling for Zemo to call him off. Bucky slammed his fist into the wall just barely missing her face, she kicked him back and when she went to kick him again he moved and slammed her into the wall. He twisted her wrist causing her to drop the gun. She groaned. Her eyes widened as his slender fingers laced around her throat picking her off the ground. She thrashed beneath his grip.
âBucky-â she wheezed, she gripped his wrist and tried to shove him off. Her face began to burn, as hot tears stung her eyes. âItâs me.â
Sam tried to pull Bucky off but he was now being held at gun point by Selbyâs men for interfering.
Y/N looked to Zemo, suffocating, he caught her desperate glares as he too now had been threatened. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and opened it and when he exhaled he nodded, signaling her to do the same. She remembered the candle.
She looked back to Bucky, her vision hazy, her strength beginning to fail. Suddenly she felt the sensation come back. She walked her legs back up behind her and shoved herself off the wall. To her surprise Bucky stumbled backwards. She collapsed to the ground gasping for air. Bucky then took out a knife he had in his pocket and flipped it in his hand.
It all happened in a second, he threw the knife as she moved out of the way, a burning sensation coursed through her veins. In a swift motion she swung her hand across her body casting a stream of fire. Bucky fell back, hissing as he slapped at the flames on his jacket. Selby leapt up.
âI knew it!â She cried, âYouâre an Avenger, you both are. How dare you show your face in these parts?! How dare you try and abuse my hospitality.â She looked to Sam, to Zemo and back to Y/N.
Y/N stood now, her nose bleeding, bruises along her body but she felt none of it. All she felt was pure power surging through her body. She glared at Selby. âTell us what you know. NOW.â She began to approach her, the men lifted their guns but Y/N turned to them and cast a ray of light causing them to look away, as their eyes, burned. She looked back to Selby her eyes a bright red glow. âNOW.â She barked. Selby horrified fell back onto the couch.
âThereâs a file in my desk, right hand side top drawer.â She stumbled.
âSam.â Y/N said.
Sam ran to the desk and searched.
âYou will let us leave this place, you will not come after us and if you do.â Y/N leaned down to face Selby. âIâll burn this place to hell.â
Selby stared at her, at a lose for words.
âI got it.â Sam said making his way back over to her, he was sweating, his eyes wide as he was overwhelmed by the whole situation.
She turned around to Zemo, who was already making his way to her.
âY/N, understand that I meant no-â
She slapped him across the face, her hands hot but not enough to burn his skin. âStay away from me you bastard.â She spat.
Zemo stepped back, for the first time in his life he regretted this night. He walked to Bucky who now was in a bewildered phase.
Sam approached Y/N who now was in a delusional state as well. Her face was pale, her body weak, her neck bruised and her breathing shuddered.
She looked to Sam, âSam...â she whispered before her body slumped. He caught her in his arms, gently lifting her limp body as he followed Zemo out the door.
â-
The city was sent into a frenzy. News of what happened spread throughout the city for, of course, Selby sent her men after them. Zemo had directed them to his getaway car, never speaking a word. At that point Sam didnât know who to trust, so he just held Y/N closely and followed Zemo skeptically.
They relocated to a different apartment, Bucky sat on the ground, coming in and out of whatever state Zemo put him in. Y/N lay on the couch, bandaged with ice packs across her body. Sam knelt by her, never in his life had he seen something so extraordinary yet horrific as what he saw tonight. While most would have ran, he stayed knowing the true heart of his two friends. He had Zemo restrained to a chair, which shockingly Zemo didnât fight him on. He knew he had miscalculated.
âSam, I am sorry.â He said.
âYou,â Sam jabbed his finger in his direction, âShut the fuck up. I donât want to hear anything you have to say. We finally began to trust you and you did this. That was not part of the plan.â
âI did not know he would do this.â
Sam scoffed, âdoesnât matter, you wanted him to do this. To tear himself apart, to tear them apart.â He said motioning to Y/N. âYou knew what you were doing.â
âI was under the impression he was free.â
âHe was. And you just undid all of it for your own selfish amusement.â
âPerhaps I can assist in bringing him back-â
âNo. No. The only thing you are going to do is go back to the shithole you came from, and I will make sure you NEVER see the light of day again.â
âSam, anger does not call for a clear mind.â
Sam stood, causing Zemo to become silent. He walked over to him and bent forward to meet his eyes. âYou have not seen anger, pull something like that again and you wonât need a prison cell.â
While Sam was the best of them, Zemo felt his threats carried meaning, so he remained silent.
Sam walked over to Bucky, who was a sweaty mess on the floor. He squatted, âBuck. Bucky come on man wake up.â He shook him, trying to wake him up for the 5th time.
Bucky groaned, his eyes were bloodshot, âS-Sam.â He stuttered. âWhat happened? Where are we?â
Sam placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, âWe are in a safe house. The mission didnât go as planned. Youâve been in and out of it for a couple hours. How do you feel?â
Bucky sat up, his stone cold demeanor was back as he tried to hide his distress. âWhereâs Y/N?â
Sam looked down, âBucky, do you remember anything at all?â
âNo, no why?â He asked panic lacing his hoarse voice, âThe last thing I remember was- Iâm not sure. Sam what happened? Where is Y/N?â
Sam sighed, âSheâs asleep on the couch but Bucky listen-â
Bucky pushed passed Sam and froze. He saw her lying on the couch, her body was covered in cuts and bruises, red bandages covered the rest.
âWhat happened?â He said dropping to his knees by her, inspecting her wounds.
âYouâ Zemo said. Sam bit his lip.
Bucky looked at him and back to Y/N. He stood backing away.
âI did it. I did it again, didnât I? I lost control.â His breathing hitched as his head began to spin. Everything heâd worked so hard on for months, had just slipped out of his grasp. The therapy, the list, the book, Wakanda, Steve, all of it was meaningless. He lost control. He was not free. Tears swelled in his eyes.
âBucky, it wasnât your fault-â Sam started.
Bucky turned to him, in a rage. âWasnât my fault?! Then who did this? Who, Sam?! I could have killed her.â He looked down trembling, âI could have killed her.â He repeated, the words sinking in. âWhat have I done?â
Sam looked at him with sad eyes, âBucky...â
Bucky looked up at him, âNo. No. No.â He backed away. âDonât try and tell me this ok. That itâs not my fault.â
âI know, I know Bucky, but we donât blame you. She wouldnât blame you. Look, you have got to calm down, just sit down and letâs talk about this.â
Bucky looked to Zemo, a murderous look in his eyes.
âBuck,â Sam said, a loving a hand on Buckyâs chest, âYouâve got to calm down right now before you do something youâll regret.â
âI wonât regret it, I should have done it before.â He shoved past Sam.
Zemo sat up in his chair, âJames. I have a confession to make-â
Bucky hit him across the face, with the butt of a knife from his belt. Zemo only smiled at him, as if he was enjoying it.
âBucky! You are giving him what he wants. If you did this, youâll never forgive yourself. What about the amends? What about your peace? Youâll never have it if you kill him.â
Bucky stopped, his facing twitching. He thought for a second before flinging the knife into Zemoâs arm, enough to cause damage but not near enough to truly harm him.
Zemo cried out, doubling over, as Sam went to aid him, Bucky disappeared out the door.










