PDA makes people uncomfortable.
Although Silverwitch was one of the most recognized foundation centers in the country and the world, it was far of fulfilling Kenya’s expectations. As an immigrant herself she knew better than anyone the hardships of it. It was unimaginable how hard must be getting back from the Blip and find yourself homeless and lonely. With the creation of the GRC and their intentions to relocate those people, she felt helpless. The foundation was never part of the government, they didn’t have the intention to recognize them either. There could be thousands of reasons why they rejected them, but she knew deep inside one of them was her name, age and Sokovian blood. It didn’t matter how much food, houses, or medical help she provided; if the U.S. didn’t give her social work powers, people would still be deported by the GRC.
If Flag Smashers didn’t exist, eventually another group of mad people would take their place. There were thousands of people around the world going through the same, no matter their political ideals it still made people mad. The difference was that other anarchist groups haven’t stole a recreation of the super soldier serum. So, if Kenya already wanted to involve just by understanding beyond their intentions, she already sold herself when the serum (which is linked to Hydra) was a confirmed part of the issue.
“This can be fixed.” She suddenly spoke. They were outside a storage place, waiting for Bucky. “There’s no need for them to become more violent, and I’m not talking about the Flag Smashers only.”
“I think so too, but you know the kind of guy Walker is and to whom he responds.” He replied, with his signature seriousness.
“God, this is so upsetting. You know that I agree with the choice you made rejecting the position, but damn. There are things that a person like Walker, no matter how pure and humble they are, can understand other people’s fight.” He just limited himself to nod, lost in his thoughts. Right on time, Bucky showed up with multiple flashlights for them. Weirdly enough, he didn’t seem affected by the interaction with Zemo. In fact, he led them inside the abandoned garage.
“What do you mean you want to get him out? Did he just brainwash away everything that happened thanks to him?” Sam snapped.
“I wouldn’t think about it if it wasn’t necessary. Do we have other clues?”
“I understand your point.” She added. “But we’re talking about the man that messed with our friends, not only the Avengers but with Wakanda’s king and their people’s loss.” Kenya couldn’t even process what kind of mess would unleash if the man were freed. Bucky turned on the lights finding the girl’s worrying face, putting his whole body and mind towards her.
“Just… trust me.” He asked, mostly with the eyes. Once again, they lost themselves in a small silence staring and reading each other. The girl nodded in approval; however, it didn’t keep Sam from disagreeing. Both men bickered at each other for a while, which clearly was a waste of time since Kenya already had the idea that he already did something. “Can I tell you a hypothetic situation?” He asks, confirming the girl’s suspicion. After hearing his explanation, she almost laughed at the Sam’s reaction.
“What-? I don’t like the way you seem cool with- And where even are we, man?” A sound from the entrance was heard and the three of them witnessed how Helmut Zemo came through the transparent curtains, wearing a police uniform.
“You really did it.” She muttered mostly to herself as both men raised their voices at each other, one being clearly annoyed about the situation.
“What did you do?!”
“We really needed him, Sam.”
“You’re going back to prison!” He pointed at the fugitive.
“If I may…”
“No!” They both screamed at the man. Kenya was trying hard to not laugh, as each time Steve was mentioned, they seemed like a married couple and one of them always gave in. Obviously aware of whom Zemo was, her powers were being channeled just in case they needed. So far, the man seemed oddly calm.
“Are you done?” Interrupting for the first time, three pairs of eyes paid attention to her. She slowly walked from the hidden position, as they nodded.
“And I thought James’s visit was the most surprising event of today.” The fugitive noted.
“It seems that I’m pretty famous these days. Watch your back guys, they might make me the new Cap when that douchebag fails.” Letting out her sarcasm made Zemo huff while smiling.
“It’s disappointing to not hear a Sokovian accent, but I don’t blame you.” He spoke in their native language. She wasn’t staying quiet.
“I had to learn English because sooner than later I’d had to leave Sokovia. Where were you and your people back then? Murdering? Destroying buildings? Neglecting those families in need?” Noticing he was at a loss of words, the girl continued in English. “I may have lost my accent, but at least I used grief to honor my family and not putting blood under their names. And believe me when I say I had lots of opportunities to do so.”
“Fair enough.” He finally said, with an impassive tone and same relaxed appearance. “If you allow me to help you, please follow me this way.” He pointed, Sam being the first doing it. Kenya turned finding Bucky staring at her with a smug smile.
“Did I ever tell you I understand Sokovian? Well, that was beautiful. A hundred times better than seeing you punch him. Kinda hot too.” Kenya rolled her eyes, ignoring the flutter in her stomach.
“Don’t say that, or I might start thinking you have a crush on me.” She raised her brows and walked away following her friend’s path while laughing silently. Bucky thought he was slick, and he may be, yet shouldn’t look down on her or things in this ‘Mission’ can turn differently.
*
“Nice glasses.” Bucky smiled at her compliment. “21st century style really suits you.”
“I know.” The answer was covering the flustering, which he wasn’t used to feel. After picking up stuff from Zemo’s car collection, they were walking to what it looked like a private jet. The man told them about a seller named Selby which he assured knew the information they needed.
“All this time you’ve been a millionaire?” Sam questioned, as they arrived at the plane.
“He was basically a prince, lived around gold until his life was destroyed. Just like every other Sokovian.” Kenya answered for him.
“I’m a Baron.” He corrected, not concerned by her words. “Was, until your friends destroyed our country.” Then he proceeded to greet his butler, an old man who she assumed has known him forever and is very loyal to him. Inside the girl sat far from them; she had to work and needed some ‘alone time’ too, before getting to Madripoor. Once they were a few minutes up, she heard Zemo starting to talk again. “Ah, it’s nice to be out of a cell. You don’t know how it feels to be locked. Oh wait, Ms. Maximoff does. My apologies, for forgetting you were abducted and tortured by Hydra as a child.” While the man turned to looked at her, a small silence grew. After analyzing her friend’s expressions and then what he said, she started to laugh uncontrollably.
“Apology accepted. It’s hard to get mad when someone who’s not me surprisingly makes fun of my trauma.” Everyone frowned at her words. “But I can’t promise the same reaction if you dare to do it again, ever.”
After that interaction Kenya went back to her computer while men talked tensely and randomly about… Marvin Gaye? And Steve, of course. In the process, the Baron started to explain the relation between him and the reason they were going to Madripoor. After hearing that, she turned off the computer and sat beside Bucky and in front of Zemo.
“Any knowledge of Madripoor you may now?” He asked.
“It’s the B.Y.O.B. island. Everyone lives by their own laws, at least the ones with power.”
“Exactly. Since that place has no laws, we can’t enter as ourselves.” She sensed Bucky’s uneasiness and sent him a look. He still looked disturbed but showed appreciation of her worriedness. “James, you must feign being someone you claim is gone.”
*
To say that she was out of her comfort zone was an understatement. Alongside a Winter-Soldier-mode Bucky, a pimp version of Sam and Zemo being himself, she disguised too herself too. Wearing high heels, black leather leggings and web see through top that subsequently let view of her bra wasn’t something Kenya would wear, ever. The only thing covering her from dying of hypothermia was the long coat that covered most of her body, at least until they arrived at their destination.
“You are Maid Dragazeko, head of the anarchist movement in Seattle yet funnily enough owner of it. Women here have another kind of hierarchy, so you’re here because we share the Winter Soldier’s uses. Though it’s more yours than mine in the physical sense, if you know what I mean.” He said, in a suggestive tone.
“You heard that? You’re Kenz hustler.” Sam humored, making fun of Bucky.
“Technically he does it for free.” She added, both laughing together. “But for the sake of my morals let’s say it’s consented.”
“Ha-ha.” The Soldier limited himself to roll his eyes. Soon enough it was time to get into character; the car Zemo called arrived. The streets they got to were full of graffiti, led lights and of course, people getting drunk, with unrecognizable kinds of artillery and different clothes and hairstyling. Kenya tried to not look impressed, though she didn’t need to because black glasses were part of the outfit. They finally entered to an exotic bar, where the Sokovian man led them to the bartender.
“Hello ma’am, gentleman.” The African American man greeted.
“Maid.” Kenya rectified, lowering her glasses to give him a look. He nodded and apologized.
“We have business with Selby.” Zemo added. Though the guy showed respect for her, he seemed skeptical of the Baron, preferring to offer Sam his ‘usual drink’ instead of answering directly. While seeing him it was hard to not be impressed by how a snake’s insides were cut. Predicting what they’d need to gain the barkeep's attention, the girl loudly sighed and took out her coat.
“Boring.” She complained with a rough accent. then throwing the garment to a serious Winter Soldier. “I’ll search for entertainment.” Sam nodded at her, while she walked around purposely swaying her hips, for the sake of dramatic effects. It wasn’t hard to get a disgusting man being distracted by her, so she looked at Zemo and did a sign he understood perfectly.
“What kind of thing is a gorgeous, gorgeous woman like you searching here?” A tall man in his thirties took the bait.
“Shopping.” She shortly answered, taking off her glasses and biting them to give a seductive tone. If Kenya could see herself, she’d rip her eyes out. “Are you on sale?” Clearly offended, he laughed and gave her a threatening gaze.
“That’s what I came to ask you.” The second the man lifted his hand, Kenya heard how the Baron called ‘Soldat’. In the blink of an eye Bucky tossed him away, infuriated. Giving her a dead stare; Kenya realized it wasn’t part of the act. The guy got up and started to fight back, gaining the looks of everyone in the bar until Zemo commanded it was enough. Then he went and moved her, taking a grip of her hand to later walk back to the other’s position.
“Selby will see you know.” The bartender said. Talking low enough for the three of them to hear, Kenya whispered.
“Obviously, a jealous kind of scene would work. Powerful or not these jackasses keep seeing women as objects.” After walking through a path full of armed man, drugs, money, and every existing kind of weapon they finally entered to Selby’s ‘office’. They let Zemo do the talk until they reached the key point.
“What’s the offer?” The grey-haired woman asked with a smirk, then turned to Kenya. “Is she included?”
“Maid Dragazeko.” She intervened, while confidently walking around until reaching Bucky. “Luckily enough both things are related. You give us information about the serum, we give you a Winter Soldier and all his functions.” Her hands temptingly slipped through the man’s back, as she said the last sentence near his ear.
“With the words to control him.” The baron added. “He will do anything you want.”
“Serum’s here. Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the scientist.” She slipped.
While Selby and him were making business, she stayed behind Bucky while taking in accountancy every millimeter of the room, ready to fight to run away any second. Things were working slowly but nicely, until Sam’s phone starting vibrating and each person in the room tensed up. The woman forced him to answer, and Kenya knew they were screwed. It was Sarah. When things were about to blow up a sudden shot killed Selby and then the firing never stopped. She used her powers to the bare minimum, only making her body unmaterialized but visible to avoid bullets. After Sam and Bucky finished, they all walked to the exit.
“We’re in big trouble. Drop your guns and follow my lead.” They quickly walked out of the bar, news of Selby’s death sprayed fast and soon enough there were people shooting and chasing at them in the streets.
“I can’t run in these heels!” Sam screamed. The girl ran behind them and a crazy idea went through her mind.
“Okay guys, you may not like this.” Thanks to the panic, it wasn’t hard for her to freeze time for ten seconds, which were enough to put Sam in a safe alley and then Bucky and her in another one.
“I think we lost them.” She said barely breathing because of the lack of usage of her powers. It didn’t help to be sleep deprived with multiple travel hours.
“I hated that.” Bucky complained, supporting his weight on the wall.
“My speed? Well, you get used to it. It’s kinda nauseating though.”
“Not that. The whole acting thing.” Kenya understood what he meant.
“What? I thought you liked it. I spiced up things with the gigolo thing so it wouldn’t trigger you too much.” She jokingly teased.
“Caterina, do not test my-“ A sound was heard, someone was getting close to their position. “Quick! Get here.”
“Where?” She panicked, not understanding. Once again, he manhandled her against the wall and took off his Winter Soldier jacket.
“Kiss me.” He commanded. After seeing confusion and shock in the girl’s eyes he rolled his eyes. “Pretend you’re kissing me so they go away. PDA makes people uncomfortable. Come on, weren’t you just flirting a second ago?”
“Well duh.” The girl nervously voiced, intimidated by his closeness. “I was just-“
“Touching me? Whispering in my ear? Willing to show Selby how to-“
“Here!” Someone near them screamed.
She looked at him in the eye and then she knew. It was the way those blue eyes seemed flirty but trusting at the same time no matter what her decision. She knew she wanted it and have been for who knows how long. Suddenly the nerves went away, replacing her concern for a dazed expression. A subtle look to his lips was the only sign Bucky needed. Getting closer he tenderly smiled before they pressed their lips together, pace slowly at first. His metal arm was against the wall hidden from the view of whoever got there, while the other took grip of her hip. The girl’s hand moved to the back of his neck, unconsciously caressing his hair in the process. Gently taking the lead, Bucky gave the kiss a seemingly desperate touch. Was ‘seemingly’ the right word? Because good lord, the minute she corresponded he forgot about their surroundings and focused on not melting right there. He didn’t realize how much he wanted this until it happened. Affected by his emotions, he moved the metal hand to the girl’s face and lightly pressed her against the wall, both gasping at the new closeness. Kenya’s breath was heavy, her heart wanted to go out of her chest to run a marathon. She was on cloud nine. The way he made small circles with his thumb on her skin. He wasn’t just kissing her. He did it like he wanted it. She loved it like she waited for it. Her hands moved from his hair to his shoulders, then slowly down to the chest holding on it as if her life depended on it. Well, it basically did. Two sets of steps stopped seven feet away from them, and Kenya softly guided Bucky to hide his face before they turned their flashlights. When doing so, they found a giggly girl having her neck kissed by a random and built guy with a black shirt. After being noticed, the girl stared dead at them.
“The fuck is you looking at, pervs?” Kenya threatened, it was a girl and a boy.
“Selby’s murderers.” The guy answered, still looking hesitantly at them. “Have you seen them?”
“Do we look like we have?” Bucky answered raising his voice irritated at them, still facing the wall. She saw how the girl slapped his arm and hissed at him.
“Keep doing your thing.” She mindlessly said, before both turned off their lights and went away. After thirty seconds of hearing nothing Bucky finally faced her, hand still on her hips and hers still on his chest. He thought she might feel awkward, but there she was. Head leaning on the wall and the most beautiful grin in her face. They watched at each other a few seconds before bursting into laughter because the plan worked. When calming down, Bucky did the thing where he removed a strand of her hair with the sweetest expression. For the last time, Kenya leaned and kissed him like she meant it. With eyes still closed, they pressed on each other’s forehead.
“We should search Sam and Zemo.” She sighed.
“We really should.” He answered back, trying to come back from his slumber.