Snow

The next morning, running on borrowed time, they head to the Madripoor shipping yard to search for Dr. Wilfred Nagel. Sharon led them to the docks, and shipping container 4261, while she and Aspen served as lookout. Sam, Bucky and Zemo enter the container which seemed completely empty.

“Hey, Sharon. You sure this is the right one ?”

Though it appears to be empty, Zemo finds a fake wall, and he, Sam and Bucky follow the stairs beyond it to Nagel’s secret lab. They came upon Nagel as he was mixing some chemicals. 

Nagel eventually gave up that he had been recruited by the CIA to work with blood samples from a test subject to recreate the Super-Soldier serum. Bucky recognized that he was talking about Isaiah. 

Nagel boasted that his version was more subtle, simply “perfect.” Alas, the Snap dusted him before he could complete his work. Once he came back, the thus-far-unseen entity known as the Power Broker was more than happy to fund his research, to the tune of thus far 20 serum samples delivered to Karli. 

While the boys were inside the lab looking for answers Sharon and Aspen both came across several bounty hunters. 

Sharon whispered into the comm, “guys, we have company.” Aspen used the ice coursing through her veins as a way of taking out the men, combining it with moves she had learnt from Hydra, she and Sharon finished beating up the men around them and both made their way back into the container. 

Sharon called out as Aspen entered “Guys, we’re seriously out of time here.” Zemo moved quicker than anyone else could have, he pulled a gun that he had pinched somewhere and shot Nagel in the head. Sam shouted out, “No !” when Zemo was then pushed into a wall by Sam as Sharon wrestled the gun from his hands.

There was a second of calm before the lab exploded around them. Aspen was thrown into lab equipment, as she got to her feet surrounded by fire Sam’s voice croaked out. 

“Anybody see Zemo ?”

Aspen heard ringing in her ears and the sound of the blaring alarm sounded muffled. Sam helped Sharon to her feet and guided her to the door, while Aspen was frozen in place. Flames surrounding her. 

Fire being the opposite of ice, which caused it to melt, it was almost the same with Aspen, just like Superman with kryptonite, fire and intense heat was one of the weaknesses that affected her.  

Soon, fire started to spread bright flames across everything. She was stuck.

The heat was beginning to become unbearable, as well as the smoke from the products that ignited and her head began to spin. Trying to shield herself from the flames, she used her powers to create a kind of icy area around herself but as the fire intensified her area shrank faster than the ice came out of her hands.

To avoid inhaling too much smoke, she crouched down and directed the ice not for herself but rather at the base of the flames that were consuming the container more and more.

Bucky had managed to get as far away from the flames as possible and was at the entrance of the lab, however there was no sign of Aspen, only Sam, Zemo and Sharon had managed to get out. He shouted her name. Once. Twice. Then again and again. Still no sign of her.

Only by looking closer and squinting to see better, a large cloud of steam escaped from the flames barely a few meters from him. 

He didn't hesitate for a second and ran into the flames, pulling up the collar of his top to put it over his nose and mouth, limiting the smoke in his lungs.

For her part, Aspen put all her strength in her powers, trying somehow not to burn herself more. Her hopes of getting out of the fire unscathed dimmed as her strength began to leave her.

Still, she distinctly heard Bucky's voice calling her incessantly.

She was just coughing continuously when Bucky emerged from the flames. She was alive, that's all that mattered to him. She looked up at him, her exhausted features betraying her and Bucky grabbed her like she weighed nothing and pulled her out of the flames as she tried so hard to shield Bucky from the flames with what little energy she had left by covering their clothing with ice thanks to a simple contact with the clothing.

As they emerged from the container, Aspen was still in Bucky's arms with hers around Bucky's neck when he stopped short, discovering the bodies of the bounty hunters on the ground as well as explosions of ice scattered on the ground and Zemo and Sam waiting in a car, presumably stolen. 

He gently lowered her to her feet before inspecting her, looking for any wounds or burns on her body. Because Bucky remembered, he remembered very well the way Hydra tortured Aspen. 

He remembered very well her cries of pain, all the traces of burns, all the scars and her eyes. She was alive but it was as if all life had been taken from her. So he made it his personal mission to take care of her, tend to her wounds and comfort her.

Now, guiding her to the car before fleeing from the docks, he did the same, he made sure that she was fine.

“Okay, I’m on it.”

“Okay. Call me if you get a hit.” said Sam to Torres over the phone before sitting back in his place.

Aspen sat in the back of the plane, Bucky not far from her, as she tended to her injuries.

When her hand made contact with her forearm, where the burn inflicted by the fire was, a wave of steam escaped from her hand. The sensation was more than unpleasant, it was painful, but necessary. In this way, and after a few seconds that felt like long minutes, the trace of the burn almost disappeared and in the long term, the pain became more wearable. Then she did the same with all the others that covered her legs and arms. Leaving no trace visible to the eye of the pain she endured.

Over time, she had gotten used to doing that, yet the one thing she hadn't gotten used to was the feel, the coldness of her hand on her skin.

And yet, long ago she should have. She should have started to get used to it because how to deal with the cold if not by the heat, extreme; fire, intense.

Strangely, even if this feeling was more than unpleasant, she felt good. It felt good because it reminded her how much of a monster, an abnormality she was.

She had never been normal, never felt like it. She didn't become who she is now. She was made like that, by Hydra. Whether it was a gift or a curse the question was highly debatable. 

All she could think about was her life and what she has done. She was wondering if anyone still cared about what she did and the mistakes she had made and if she could fix them all.

“Maybe I shouldn't have put it in a museum. Maybe I should have destroyed it.” Said Sam, grabbing everyone’s attention while he was staring at the ceilings of the plane.

“Look, that shield represents a lotta things to a lotta people, including Aspen and I.” reassured Bucky. 

Hearing about the shield and Sam’s and Bucky’s chat, Aspen moved closer to them, putting her hand on Bucky's shoulder; sitting down on the armrest of his seat.

“The world is upside down, and we need a new Cap”, said Aspen, and Bucky followed “and it ain't gonna be Walker. So before you go and destroy it, I'm gonna take it from him myself.”

Their conversation was cut short when Sam’s phone started vibrating. They found out that their only lead about the flag smashers was found dead in Riga.

“I have a place we can go.”

In Latvia to follow their latest lead, Zemo explained to Sam, Aspen and Bucky how Sokovia was cannibalized by neighboring territories after what Ultron and the Avengers did, and basically was “erased from the map.”

Arriving at their destination, Bucky breaks away from the others.

“I’m gonna go on a walk. I’ll see you guys in a bit.” 

Zemo and Sam entered the place whereas Aspen stayed outside, calling Bucky out.

“Wait Buck” 

Hearing his name out of her mouth always gave him a warm feeling, she always managed to get his full attention. He turned to face her, his eyes softening the second they rested on her.

He saw very through her, she was hesitant and even anxious.

"I.. um. thank you.." she said shyly while smiling at him, “You don’t need to thank me for saving your life Snowflake... Surely you didn’t wait here just to thank me, didn't you ?”

“Not entirely… I also wanted to apologize for the way I pushed you away. I... I shouldn't hav-”

“It’s okay Snow. You were grieving Tony’s and Natasha’s death. You had to readapt to everyone coming back. You were going through a lot and so was I. After we parted ways I closed in on myself too. Hydra messed with our minds and-” he paused, taking a breath,  “and I don't blame you, I never blamed you for needing time to find yourself. I just hope it worked out for you.”

“Not the way I would have liked but yes it worked. I got back my memories.”

His fears were beginning to get the better of him as Aspen revealed to him what she remembered. Above all, he was afraid that Aspen's feelings towards him as well as their moments of bewilderment in Wakanda no longer meant anything to her and that it was only about kindness. He didn't want it to be just kindness, he wanted more, much more. He wanted to be able to be with her, to have her scent slowly consuming him, to feel her soft hands on his face, to be able to kiss her small nose and rosy lips.

He'll never forget how the sky looked when he realized he loved her, it was the beautifulest day in Wakanda. The lights were so gold he wished he could keep it in his heart forever. The sky was a calm orange. The wind blowing like a soft whisper, but none of those things compared to the way she looked at him. Her hugs were so warm and tight he wished he could just live in the moment forever. He never wanted to leave her. 

It was the way she curled her leg under herself before she sat down. That she used to sing sweetly during any mundane task. How her laugh echoed across a room. The way she pressed her gently curled fingers to her mouth when she thought. The soft faraway look she got when she was writing or reading.

"If one day it's possible, I would like everything to go back to the way it was when we were in Wakanda." she said blushing.

And suddenly his fears were gone, evaporated. His head was playing no tricks on him, she was really there and had just said those words, those words he dreamed of being able to hear one day. 

"Me too."

These words came out of their own volition from his mouth. And yet he thought nonetheless. Everything seemed to be said and yet Aspen felt that it was insufficient. Her hands moved on their own and came to embrace Bucky.

She seemed so small in his embrace but so safe. He was her person. They stayed like this, motionless, for quite a while and yet it didn't seem long enough to both of them.

Bucky planted a tender kiss on the top of her head, stroking her snow-white hair before his attention shifted to a small metallic sphere on the floor.

They separated and Bucky kissed her cheek before letting her go inside to rest before going to pick up what looked like a vibranium bead on the sidewalk… and then he picked up another… all leading him into an alleyway. “You dropped something,” he says, before pivoting to come face to face with Ayo, second-in-command of the Dora Milaje.

“I was wondering when you were gonna show up.”

Once inside, Aspen went to sit on the large couch, bringing her legs closer to her chest and grabbing the nearest throw blanket for cover.

Sam watched her fleeing across the room before he came to sit next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

“I guess you two talked to each other… How’d it go ?”

“It went fine. I was finally able to apologize for leaving him during those months and by the way I also want to apologize to you too Sam, I consider you my brother, my best friend and I'm really sorry to have rejected you too…”

“Surely you two are a pair to treat me that way-” he said laughing, “but it's all fine. If it went well, why the sad face then ?”

“I don't want to ruin everything again. I mean, Bucky deserves the world and I gave him hell… I don’t want to hurt him again…”

“But you didn't spoil anything at all, don't worry. In fact, when he joined me on this mission before you, he wouldn’t shut up and stop asking about you.” 

Zemo emerged from the kitchenette with a packet of biscuit in his hand and also came to sit on the sofa, “Pretend I’m not here” he said while grabbing a biscuit and placing it in his mouth. Sam and Aspen both glared at him before Sam continued "Well, despite the circumstances, I'm glad you’re here."

Bucky entered the room and went to get a drink before speaking, “Well, the Wakandans are here. They want Zemo. Bought us some more time” he said, then came to sit next to Aspen while Sam stood up and spoke up, “Where you followed?” Bucky glared at Sam and answered “No” before resting his eyes on Aspen, wrapped in her blanket.

Zemo seemed suspicious and dared to ask “How can you be so sure ?” 

“ ‘Cause I know when I’m being followed. And that's not all… Karli bombed a GRC supply depot.”

Everyone remained silent for a moment, but Aspen couldn’t hold it anymore, and asked “What’s the damage?”

“Eleven injured, three dead. They have a list of demands and are promising more attacks if those demands aren’t met.” Sam sighed as Zemo spoke again “She’s getting worse. I have the will to complete this mission. Do the three of you ?”

Aspen suddenly stood up in indignation, “Wait. She’s just a kid, she needs our help”.

“You’re seeing something in her that isn’t there. You’re clouded by it. She’s a supremacist. The very concept of a Super Soldier will always trouble people. It’s that warped aspiration that led to Nazis, to Ultron, to the Avengers.”

“Watch it,” Aspen warned, “You’re talking about our friends.” Sam said, joining Aspen's opinion.

“So, Karli is radicalized, but there has to be a peaceful way to stop her” begged Aspen.

“The desire to become a superhuman cannot be separated from supremacist ideals. Anyone with that serum is inherently on that path. She will not stop. She will escalate until you kill her. Or she kills you.”

Bucky spoke up from his place on the sofa, “Maybe you’re wrong, Zemo. The serum never corrupted Steve.”

“Steve didn’t want to kill anyone, he didn’t like bullies, he didn’t care where they were from. And because when all hope seemed lost, he was still prepared to stand and fight for a universe that would never know of his sacrifice.” said Aspen.

Zemo made his way to the counter, with his packet of biscuits where he stood at the end, “Touché. But there has never been another Steve Rogers, has there ?”

“Well, I disagree with that.” Aspen spoke up, all eyes turning on her, “The serum affects the person; it makes them more of who they are. Good becomes great, bad becomes worse… The serum simply amplifies what is already there, it does not transform anyone.” she said as Bucky sighed “Maybe we give him up to the Wakandan right now ?” He suggested waving his hand at Zemo. 

“And you’ll give up your tour guide ?” Zemo questioned looking in the kitchen cupboard for something. “Yes.” 

Aspen sat back onto the couch next to Bucky, who went to hold her hand as he dropped his head back. Sam spoke up “From my understanding, Donya is like a pillar of the community, right ? So, when I was a kid, my TT passed away.”

“Your TT ?” Bucky looked confused and raised his head. “Fine then, when I was a kid my aunt passed away and the entire neighborhood got together for a ceremony. It was like a week long. Maybe they’re doing the same thing for Donya.” 

“Worth a shot”

Zemo pulled a wrapped sweet out and spoke. “Your TT would be proud of you. Turkish delight ? Irresistible.” He tossed the sweet at Sam who caught it. Zemo left to change but not before pouring the rest of the wrapped Turkish delights into a paper bag.

The four of them left to investigate where the memorial was going to be held, Zemo headed towards a group of children playing in a small square. 

                                                                                                                     deti

She watched as the kids seemed cautious at first before a young girl came forward and snatched a sweet, when Zemo didn’t react the other children came forward as well. Whereas Sam went upstairs to find any leads and Bucky moved away a little to question the passers-by. 

Aspen stared intently at the little girl, she brought up a memory.

2012 - New York

The day started off so well. The weather was fine, not a cloud in the sky, the sun was present and the weather was good. Everything was in order to be a good day and yet the sounds of gunshots and screams overwhelmed the city. 

Just a few moments ago it was busy cars, now they were stopped dead in their tracks. 

Paused, doors flung open, others running over each other's corpses and a big black hole into the sky. It all happened so sudden, her mind raced. 

The screams of terror as others pushed to get out of the streets and into the buildings. 

She was running as fast as her feet could carry her. 

Suddenly she froze, others shoving her shoulders and chest to run by. But she kept herself there. 

Her eyes flickering as hundreds of people ran forward, a child screaming on the side of a concrete wall pulling at her father's brown work suit. 

An innocent soul too young to decide any choices, left with only a loved one's corpse. 

A switch went off in her brain, shoving through the crowd mindlessly. Keeping her eyes on the little girl screaming by her parent’s side. 

Aspen’s arms teared at peoples shirts to let her by, finally a foot away. Bending down as people flew past them, screaming overwhelming the child's sore ears. Pulling her to her chest, looking around at the hundreds of people before grabbing her hand. She tried to make her let go, all she wanted was her father. But he couldn't take care of her now. 

Finally being able to break the tension, Aspen scooped her up, pushing her way into the crowd. 

At that time, she no longer dared to use her powers, for fear of committing atrocities again. Moreover, she did not yet know the Avengers personally and therefore did not intervene in the battle of New York against the chitauri and remained hidden, while helping on her scale, to protect the young girl she had rescued.

She wondered what the little girl had become.

Present time - Riga

As Sam wanders room to room, he clocks a number of supplies and equipment provided to the community by the Flag Smashers, such as yarn and computer monitors. While he and Bucky have no leads, Zemo has luck with the children in the courtyard luring their trust with a bag full of Turkish Delights.

“Turkish delight. It was always my son’s favorite. My old friend, Donya, passed away. Did you know her ?” Kindly asked Zemo, crouching beside a little girl. 

Aspen looked at each child and began to get lost in her own thoughts. She tried to imagine a family life, children playing in a green garden, a beautiful, welcoming and cozy house. A pure utopia, because she was far from imagining being capable of being a good mother. Not after all she's been through. She would be too afraid to transmit her fears and frustrations to her child and even less her powers. It all evaporated from her head as Sam spoke and started to lose patience.

“Cute kids.”

Once arriving back at their hideouts, Bucky flopped laying on his back on the couch whereas Aspen sat by his head, playing with his shortened hair.

“Well, I got nothin’. No one’s talkin’ about Donya.” Bucky said. Sam sat on the curved end of the couch, “yeah, it’s because Karli’s the only one fighting for them.” 

Following Sam's words, Aspen's hands stopped and her gaze fell on Sam rather than Bucky's hair, “Well she’s not wrong guys…” Bucky and Sam looked up at her and she sighed slightly, “For five years, people have been welcomed into countries that have kept them out using barbed wire. There were houses and jobs. Folks were happy to have people around to help them rebuild. It wasn’t just one community coming together, it was the entire world coming together. And then, boom. Just like that, it goes right back to the way it used to be. To them, at least Karli’s doing something.” 

Zemo poured himself a boiling jug of water into a teapot in the kitchen listening in. Bucky removed his head from her hand, coming into a sitting position, “Do you really think her ends justify her means ?”, he pointed at Zemo, “Then, she’s no different than him, or anybody else we’ve fought.”

Sam sighed lightly, “She’s different. She’s not motivated by the same things.” Zemo began to make his way over the couch holding a cup of tea as he spoke up, “My associate knows where the memorial is being held.”

“Where ?” Bucky turned to face him, “You know time’s almost up, the Dora Milaje are going to come after you. In fact, they’re probably lurking outside right now. Keep talking.” 

Zemo shook his head slightly, “Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli. I prefer to keep my leverage.” Bucky stood and walked calmly over to Zemo, he then ripped the cup of tea from Zemo’s hands and threw it against the opposite wall where it shattered into thousands of pieces. 

“You wanna see what someone can do with leverage ?” he warned before turning his back on him.

Sam spoke up after calming both Bucky and Zemo, “let me make a call.” as he moved away, clapping a hand on Bucky’s shoulder. 

“Want some Cherry Blossom tea ?”