experienceandpatience

[He is fully aware that Bucky's home is not his, not in the sense that his Riga home is his. He wouldn't ever make a presumption like that... but it is nice, to be allowed to stay for now.

He wishes they were there now, actually.

Debating dinner, talking-- even making certain that Bucky catches up on modern cinema is enjoyable in its own way.

This-- not so much.]

Well, some would say that it is about time you did.

[And Zemo hopes he gets to continue it.]

Bucky just snickers. "Do you really want Sam at your wedding?" He wouldn't mind, himself. Anyone else he could have invited beyond Steve's friends are dead. He wouldn't inflict Sam on Zemo though.

"No, it's fine. He thinks I'm crazy. Crazier than usual." Forcing a smile, Bucky tries to dismiss Zemo's concern as though everything's okay, as though nobody's out for his blood, as though his phone isn't full of reminders of the things Zemo has done to him and the things he should be wanting to do to Zemo.

Bucky has spent more time feeling alone in the world than he has with company, so the censure doesn't bother him so much. But it's not always easy, when he's lived that life being a good boy doing what everyone around him tells him tto People who are closest to him have been trying to train him out of that, but now that he wants something for himself, he's struggling to find acceptance and approval.

"You never let me under the water first," Bucky points out as he shoves Zemo's discarded clothes to one side. He doesn't mind of course, but usually Zemo makes a point of stealing all the warmth from him and messing him up before getting him cleaned up.

He's a little more comfortable going to the bathroom with Zemo this time, starting to shed his clothes only once Zemo's in the shower and got the hot water started. Zemo's been fairly tame in the shower since Bucky hurt his hand but there's no guarantee he would stay that way.

"I don't think it's ever bothered you anyway. What anyone else thinks, about anything." Let them not start dwelling on that. Definitely not today.

"It depends on his behavior." It isn't as if Zemo can't tolerate Sam, or even find his company enjoyable. But he'd rather not deal with the accusations he's certain would come, despite whatever Bucky insists.

Zemo isn't a fool after all. There isn't any way that they aren't out for his blood, to put him back in prison -- now, especially. It involves Bucky again, and all the potential manipulation and control they'll assume is going on. It's... tiring, really. He's given Bucky ample opportunity to walk away from this marriage and yet-- he keeps insisting on staying.

There's a soft laugh as Zemo slips in -- under the water, of course. "It only bothers me if they intend on showing up on our doorstep."

He's rather used to ill opinions. Those aren't the issue, really. He expects them, with his past.

"What would they say, hearing you call me yours, I wonder." Besides that he's gone mad.

When Bucky has slipped into the shower, Zemo turns to face him -- and slide his arms around his waist. He may not be shoving Bucky into the wall for any play, but he does seem to have every intention of pressing against him and stealing some warmth, it seems.

"Be careful with your hand, James. I will help you wash."

"He would object halfway through. Maybe he wants to marry you instead," Bucky says dryly. He's far more likely to succumb to pressure and call everything off under the guise of being disinterested in everything if everyone starts fighting.

"Safe to say, they scoured every inch of Vegas. We were lucky to have left. I don't know if they found Oeznik." Sam knows to look for him, but he also knows Oeznik could compete with Bucky when it comes to loyalty. They're not the type to do anything to Oeznik if the boys were nowhere to be found.

"I don't care what they say," Bucky mutters quietly. It's not true to a certain degree but he does care more about what Zemo has to say. This is between them after all. He's a little worried the novelty of it all might wear off. But so far, the novelty of having a sulking hundred year old grumpy manatee rolling around his various safehouses hasn't worn off yet. Maybe there's hope that Bucky's not just an interesting bespoke one of a kind collection piece to be displayed in a room that no one ventures into.

Bucky makes a soft little noise that is part surprised, part possibly aroused as Zemo presses up against him, warm and wet and soft in places he's used to being more muscular, more hardened and scarred. He has to go that much further now to kiss him but that doesn't stop him from leaning down and trying to catch those lips in a gentle bite, metal hand finding a curve in Zemo's waist to latch onto while he fails at multitasking to keep his wounded hand out of the water without assistance.

"Being Mr. or Mrs. Captain America would never work out for me, lucky for you," he jokes back, even if there's a bit of paranoia creeping in under the surface. He can't imagine Sam being so easily deterred with a sweep of Vegas. The idea of anyone taking Bucky away from him now makes him bristle, want to lash out.

"Oeznik would have covered his steps at least." He would not have given them away... although he is more grateful than ever for their impromptu honeymoon trip. Hopefully, it threw them off their trail for a bit longer.

There's a smile at the affectionate biting before he's pressing a soft kiss to those lips in return, grateful for the momentary distraction. The little reassurance that Bucky isn't quite rethinking things just yet.

He does make an effort to guide Bucky's injured hand safely away from the spray of water. "I was thinking, James--"

There are kisses peppered between his words, soft little distractions. "If I am like this tomorrow-- if I am like this for an undetermined amount of time..."

There's no way to be certain of anything right now after all. If this spell will run its course, if he's facing something more permanent.. "I think I would like to-- go back to where my home once was. Pay respects to my family. I remember where I buried them, even if Sokovia is gone."

And it will keep them away from here for a bit, out of the country. Besides-- "It is something that I have put off for a long time now. I would like if you joined me."

Are you calling me old?

[ He mock-huffs, exaggerating a dramatic clutch of imaginary pearls. ]

Well, Sam's got a lot of things to worry about, so you never know. Maybe he won't chase them down like a dog with a bone that refuses to let go.

Bucky's whole arm goes lax in Zemo's grip. He doesn't even protest when Zemo ends up pinning his wrist to the wall for a bit, to remind him to keep his hand out of the water. He does go unnaturally still when Zemo suggests to drag him along to his old place, although that's likely more out of surprise or concern than it is an outright rejection. Bucky wouldn't mind going at all, but it feels something so intensely personal, and he feels like he would be encroaching, being there.

Zemo seems utterly serious about it though, and Bucky swallows and nods. He's not thinking about leaving Wyoming for a bit. Even if the thought of smuggling Steve along again did cross his mind... He wouldn't put Steve through that again though. Especially not after they set up the new cat tree and give him a safe place to perch and lie in the sun in.

Not that Zemo gave any thought to anything intensely personal when he brought them to Siberia. But maybe Bucky is more sensitive about these things. There are few people he would invite into his space the way Zemo is asking of him right now.

"Okay. Let's go." He flashes Zemo a tight-lipped smile and pets his hair on the back of his head, bumping foreheads in a silent gesture before his metal hand slides down the side of Zemo's body again.

It is rather personal -- and perhaps he will still steal away from the hotel to go alone once there. It's still better than leaving Bucky here alone with Avengers sniffing around for him, just in case Zemo is manipulating him into any acts of terror or whatever has their concern.

Or perhaps, with as well as he's studied Bucky down to every basic detail, he can allow him this glimpse into his life. They are married after all. The thought almost has him laughing still, just from how ridiculously far fetched all of this is. Certainly not in a horrible way though.

He stifles the urge with a fonder smile before he leans up to press a quick kiss to Bucky's lips. "I will ask Oeznik to make arrangements for us soon, then. I suppose it would be smarter to wait until morning, see if whatever sort of spell this is lasts."

The old man may prefer a bit of a break from them anyway. "Now, be mindful of your hand, James."

He makes certain to nudge his right hand right back against the wall before he reaches for the soap to start cleaning the other man. Of course he has his left hand -- but it seems rather busy at the moment and Zemo is in no hurry to brush it off. Not when he could be working soapy hands over the other and do a little bit of harmless groping of his own.

"Do you think Oeznik would wanna go? I mean, I could hold down the fort here instead, if someone needs to stay," Bucky offers, oblivious to the intent of taking him out of Wyoming. "I do want to go with you, but it-- might be important to Oeznik too." Or maybe Oeznik doesn't want to go at all. Maybe he's spent too much time mourning too many Zemos already, and he just wants to stay here and enjoy the time he can have with the last one.

It would be a little strange though, if they find Bucky rolling around in this big old house alone with a cat he's gone and named Steve because he's really lost the plot this time, marrying the titular villain of their shitshow. It's very unlikely that they'll just leave him here alone if that's how they find him, though. There's too much of Zemo in this house for them to really believe everything Bucky would categorically deny.

"Hmmh. Do you--... I haven't. Contacted anyone, but. Do you still want me to, if you're stuck like this for a while?" He gets that it is the desperate play, that they have no other choice, but he still wants it to be a choice. And, most importantly, Zemo's choice.

Although, Zemo did buy about as much clothes for his current form than Bucky has clothes for himself, so... Maybe he is planning on staying like this for a while?

Not at all. I think that, physically at least, you may be younger than me, James.

[There's a soft laugh.]

But you have been through an exceptional amount of grief in that time. A break is not a terrible thing.

[ Zemo's not wrong: Bucky might have been born over a century ago, but counting all the actual non-freezer time he's been walking around, he's still thirty-something. Not far behind really (and only on a technicality). ]

I dunno, this feels like grief to me.

[ He kicks a piece of rubble to punctuate the comment. ]

The idea of leaving Bucky alone strikes something uncomfortable in him. It's-- strange to think that they haven't been apart for a very long time now, whether they've bickered or distrusted each other or fallen into bed together, it doesn't really matter. Perhaps that's not healthy. But the idea of leaving Bucky behind-- here...

Well, it just seems like a very bad idea, all things considered. He isn't certain what he'd come back to.

"We could all go, if Oeznik is inclined..." It means uprooting Steve and he's not certain that's really best for the cat, but they also can't quite leave him behind in an empty house. Maybe they could board him for the duration...

Or maybe Zemo should let Bucky stay behind, but there's also the fact that the man may not care enough to take care of himself or the cat in their absence.

The question has him pausing, humming thoughtfully. "We will have to, won't we? Though I still can't quite escape the nagging feeling that it will be at least the beginning of the end of whatever peace we have found."

Involving more magic, or letting people know they are traveling together. "We will see if it lasts, I suppose."

It feels like a prison.

[He lets out a sigh and rolls his shoulders, trying to ease out some of the tension.]

Although I suppose it isn't quite that. No scheduled meals, no guards looking for reasons to remind others who is in charge, none of the usual scheduled monotony. Just-- nothing beyond the knowledge we are trapped.

[He's not certain which is worse, to be honest.]

I was trained to withstand the worst tortures, to endure pain and starvation and any mental abuse that could be thrown my way. Still, I found myself questioning my own sanity at times in that cell. Even more so when so many lives were taken away and mine was not among them. It seemed rather cruel.

[He tilts his head back, though his eyes stray to Bucky.]

And so does this. Everything was going so well...

Bucky is so used to being alone that it's probably surprising that he hasn't lashed out yet. Well, okay, he might have had a meltdown or two, but Zemo's taken them in his stride, and he's given Bucky a lot of space when he thinks he's pushing Bucky a little bit too much.

Oeznik is likely to veto any notion of Bucky being alone here, however, and make the trip there on his own at another time. He's taken it upon himself to look after all of them, and he's fairly certain Bucky and Steve won't be fine left alone to themselves. Steve will probably be fine, wander off on his own to find whatever scraps he's been living on all this time. He can't say the same for the lump they will find on the dust-covered floor when they return.

Still, Bucky likes to fantasise that Oeznik trusts him enough to leave him alone to man the house for a while.

"We'll see what he says." Bucky almost gets his hand wet again when Zemo shoves it back and keeps it out of the spray, helping to wash the soap off his body and rubbing him in places that make him whimper and squirm. He licks his bottom lip nervously and makes a disgruntled, warning noise. For someone who's not fooling around in the shower, Zemo's being a little handsy.

Zemo can't be blamed for getting a bit handsy, can he? Bucky is very tempting to get handsy with and it's a rather perfect excuse -- although the noises he gets in response do have him show a little mercy. There's a brief, teasing smile before Zemo leans up to press a quick kiss to his cheek -- and backs away enough to start scrubbing himself down.

Still a bit awkward with the differences, but Zemo is rather talented at at least seeming at ease in most situations.

"We will. For now, let's just enjoy the rest of the day as much as we can." They still have a bit to go after all, and it's been rather pleasant for the most part. Zemo would like to keep that trend going for a bit longer at least.

"Anything else you would like to do tonight, James? Besides the hot tub."

[ Bucky curses softly. ] Jesus.

[ So he survived the Snap. Cruelty wouldn't even begin to describe that, Bucky thinks. The disappointment of not being able to finally reunite with his family, the starvation for even monotonous human contact...the desperate, wild relief when everything suddenly reset.

Bucky can't help but extend his hand between them, palm up. ]

Hey. You're not alone.

[He looks over at the movement, managing a brief smile before he takes Bucky's hand. He gives it a slight squeeze.

No, he supposes he's not alone, not yet. But they aren't in the best of predicaments right now.]

Neither of us are at the moment, that much is true.

[He hesitates for a brief moment before he lets his head tip back, hit against the wall they're leaning against with a dull thud.]

I am not certain that's how I would prefer things. I would rather you be out there.

[Whether that's because Bucky could have potentially saved him from this predicament a lot easier or because he'd just rather not see the man die quite like this, it doesn't need to be delved into or said, does it?]

No amount of showering can convince Oeznik that they didn't get up to any hanky panky on their day out but he can't fault them for trying. Probably better than showing up to dinner looking like horny teenagers - if Zemo's still up for dinner of course.

"If I don't eat something I'll get an earful from Oeznik," he laments softly. So that's on the to do list. After that, well... He's pretty sure he's going to squirm in the hot tub and Zemo will enjoy it too much.

Well, with any luck, Zemo's used up the earfuls so Oeznik is too tired to nag at Bucky.

"Are you hungry?" Bucky tries to shake water off his bandaged hand not unlike Steve would when he gets a paw wet, but there's no hiding the fact that it looked like he didn't put in the effort to keep his hand dry.

Oeznik knows them too well to guess they didn't get up to something, left to their own devices. But at least they'll look less like they parked somewhere and acted out semi-public fantasies somewhere. And at least he didn't have to hear a bit of it, this time around...

Unless things get heated up later tonight, of course.

But right now, Zemo cuts the water and gives a quiet tsk at Bucky before he takes his hand in his, inspects the damp bandage. Despite his best efforts, it seems they weren't very successful at all keeping it clean. "We will have to change this before you can go down."

Unless Bucky wants to be shamed for his lack of care, of course. As for the question-- "I'm not in particular. I may take a few moments before coming down, if you don't mind."

Surely, Oeznik has used his reserves to give Zemo enough of an earful to turn it on Bucky. "Meet you in the hot tub later?"

[ Bucky smirks, offering a shrug. ]

Well, my place isn't exactly set up to entertain nobility, Baron. I'd at least need to make some effort.

[ he starts digging through the kitchen junk drawer. ]

Okay, none of that. [ He suddenly feels like Steve Rogers for a moment. ] We're gonna get out of here. Together.

[ Bucky clambers to his feet, dusting his trousers off and offering a hand to help Zemo up. ]

There's gotta be another way out-- assholes like this always build escape routes.

You entertained nobility very well last night, James.

[He gives a wry smile as he looks over his shoulder at Bucky.]

No need to put in more effort than that.

[ The rustling stops, and Bucky looks over his shoulder, sly. ]

Why Baron, I didn't realize you were in the mood for an appetizer.

[He takes the hand and pushes himself to his feet with a quiet huff.]

Unless they truly didn't want any of this information getting out.

[Which has certainly piqued his curiosity, but-- they don't have the means or the time to look at the moment.]

Very well, James. I suppose it is something to do.

I may be in the mood for many things, James...

[There's a brief smile directed towards Bucky when he notices him looking.]

But to find out, you would have to stop looking for candles for the moment.

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😭 H E L M Y 😭

He's fine!!! 🙃

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