"Let me know if your phone explodes with worried texts from your friends..." They had to know about the Vegas sighting by now, yes? Hopefully, they are not actively looking for Bucky anywhere... and Zemo doubts anyone would think to check Wyoming of all places.
Zemo decides that it's best to just walk into the kitchen like nothing at all is abnormal about this, his usual confidence. It's going to give Oeznik a start, either way, but it's best to just get it over with quickly.
... And while Zemo wouldn't want any more hospital or clinic visits so soon, Bucky taking just a tiny tumble down the stairs may be a welcome distraction in a moment when Oeznik demands to know what the meaning of all of this is, what happened and Zemo will have no real answers to provide.
Another drunken mistake in Vegas? A wish gone very, very wrong? It's impossible to tell, really.
The thought hadn't even occurred to him that anyone would care, but that soon dissipates when he carefully pops the SIM card in and turns the phone on. It doesn't stop vibrating in the time it takes Bucky to empty his pockets and unpack the shopping bags. Zemo's new clothes will need a wash, but first all the tags have to come off. Tempting as it is to 'help' by using his teeth, Bucky leaves the clothes in a neat pile on the edge of Zemo's bed, shoes by the door.
He takes in a deep breath once his new phone stops vibrating - not because the messages have stopped but because the mailbox and the voicemail box is full - and he thinks to just delete everything. Unfortunately he makes the mistake of reading one from Sam, and it only gets worse from there.
Mostly it's all along the lines of 'Bucky, listen to me, Zemo is not your friend' and his therapist has chimed in also to try and point out all the ways Zemo is gaslighting him, how giving up his own thoughts and desires is a fantasy he shouldn't be indulging in, he doesn't have to 'live this way' - whatever that means - and how he has to overcome the difficult challenge of breaking out of an abusive, controlling relationship.
It's all very well-intentioned, ever so slightly patronising, and leaving him feeling like the only person who actually cares about what he wants is downstairs trying to explain his Current Predicament to his butler.
He should be going downstairs trying to make sure Oeznik doesn't have an aneurysm and Zemo is okay, but he's just sitting on the edge of the bed mindlessly scrolling and deleting words of concern dejectedly while his eyes glaze over everybody's worries and opinions. He might head downstairs if he hears any raised voices though.
But so far, judging from the lack of commotion, it seems like Oeznik is taking it better than 'THE FLOOR IS HOT!' maybe?
Oeznik startles as expected when he turns to greet Zemo and sees-- well, certainly not what he expects. Zemo isn't certain what he expected either, but there's well-intentioned fussing and concern from the old man who comes closer to look him over. It puts him a bit on edge, the scrutiny and his own lack of solid answers on what happened.
At least it doesn't take much to convince Oeznik it is indeed him. They've had a lifetime together and there are things only Zemo would know -- and fortunately, he must still look similar enough. He isn't treated as an intruder, and that's something, isn't it?
Of course there's some blame thrown at that Vegas trip, on Zemo being reckless and irresponsible that has him feeling like a teenager caught in mischief all over again. There's some frustration over Bucky clearly not watching over him as well as he'd thought, on top of the marriage and everything else that followed. It seems even Oeznik has his boiling point.
And then comes Zemo explaining they may have to leave again to-- fix this, meet with some of Bucky's acquaintances, deal in magic, unless he magically changes back or he accepts his very strange fate. He seems to have some reservations about getting too close to the remaining Avengers, most of all one of the ones Zemo put in The Raft himself. But what else can be done? Oeznik ultimately agrees in the end.
It doesn't seem as if the watch and the gifts, though appreciated, are enough to entirely soothe the old man's concern or irritation or provide a proper distraction, but he collects himself as much as he can, even manages a remark or two about having a lady of the house again.
The boardshorts go over as well as they both expected, confusion and a huff before Zemo insists that Oeznik needs to relax more, take it a bit easier. They are settled after all, and Oeznik has done enough to deserve it. The remark that it's impossible to take it easy when Zemo keeps bringing home more and more messes has the baron looking properly sullen by the time he goes back upstairs.
He tilts his head when he sees the other sat on the edge of the bed with that look on his face, scrolling through his new phone. Of course there would not be good news up here.
He sighs and moves to sit on the edge of the bed next to Bucky, casually toeing off his shoes. "Oeznik did not die of shock at the very least, and he is still preparing dinner if you're hungry."
Now, wouldn't that have been a perfectly depressing evening if his old friend had fallen over from a heart attack?
Bucky's head snaps up when he hears Zemo coming in. It would be too obvious to just put his phone away, but he does turn it facing down as Zemo approaches, casting a small, tight-lipped smile Zemo's way. Not dying of shock is always a bonus, but clearly he wasn't elated either, and Zemo seems a little... Off.
"I'm good. Just-- got flooded with texts from Sam." Bucky snaps his phone shut with one hand and puts it on top of the bedside drawer, leaving it to charge.
"I think it's safe to say, everyone knows we got married." In Vegas, no less, and while apparently those marriages don't count, they seem to all be taking it very seriously.
"Are you hungry?" Bucky asks softly, turning a bit more to face Zemo, pulling more than half of one folded leg up onto the bed. He'd rather talk about what they're going to do with the rest of their day than talk about what other people think about their marriage.
"Dinner might be nice. And a shower." He still feels like he's in that just-had-sex state and needing a bit of a cleanup. But he probably won't put too much effort into it because they're going to slink into the hot tub anyway.
"Don't worry about Oeznik," Bucky tries to reassure Zemo even though he has no idea what's wrong. "He'll come around."
"I will assume he isn't angry over his lack of invitation." He wonders what the messages say, what they're telling Bucky.
"Am I the dastardly villain, manipulating and controlling you?" It isn't quite a question, even if it's phrased as one. He can be rather certain they're reminding Bucky of all the little slights, all the bigger wrongs, and everything else he's been on the receiving end of when it comes to Zemo. Perhaps a little part of him wonders if Bucky is even considering any of their words of wisdom.
"Not particularly." But he did figure that Bucky just may be. "But a shower is a good idea. It will be quicker together."
... Provided they keep their hands to themselves, but Zemo doesn't see that being a particular problem at the moment, not when they've both got plenty to occupy their thoughts.
There's a wry smile at the reassurance. "I would say the same for Sam, but I think we both know better than that by now. I don't think he will be letting go of the fact that I put him in the Raft any time soon."
Zemo is already pushing himself up and starting to discard clothes. It's perhaps a little more awkward now that they're not wound up in the backseat of a car, but-- Bucky has already been as intimately close as possible. "Follow me, James. I will get the shower started... I may even let you under the water first."
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."
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?
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."
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."
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?"
No, Bucky would not like to be shamed for anything. Oeznik deserves a break from having to tell the two boys off for their various wrongdoings. He nods without protesting - both for the bandage change and for letting Zemo have some time to himself.
"Okay." He leaves his hand in Zemo's grasp as he makes his way partially out the shower, dripping a bit before grabbing hold of the towels. He drapes one over Zemo's shoulders first before wrapping the other one around his waist, letting water drip from his hair freely while he ambles towards the sink, gives Zemo more space.
His hand is actually mostly recovered and it doesn't even look as severe as it was when he first sliced it open when he unwinds the bandages and dumps the old one. Somehow despite his negligence, he hasn't gotten an infection, and this dressing change will likely be the final one before it will heal up as best it can.
Bucky touches the exposed ring with his metal fingers, head lowered and silent, seemingly not bothered by the cold or the wetness while his mind drifts. But he'll eventually get distracted and look up when Zemo gets his attention.
"It doesn't need bandages, does it?" he asks as he flexes his hand at Zemo just a little bit - not enough to rip anything open, so he should relax.
Zemo seems pleased by the progress as he inspects the wound. He takes Bucky's hand in his, turning it around to look closer. "This will be the last one, I think. Despite all carelessness on your part, James, it looks like you will heal very well."
Probably largely thanks to the serum in his veins than anything he's done, but Zemo will certainly accept it. Either way, Zemo reaches for the bandage to rewrap it for now -- Bucky can tolerate a few more days of annoyance while the wound closes a bit further.
... There's something a bit charming that Bucky truly hasn't taken his ring off, and seemingly has no intentions of doing so at the moment. Zemo's fingers may brush briefly over the metal before it's covered by the gauze wrap again. "This is quite a position, isn't it? I doubt you would have thought years ago that you would be wearing my ring, letting me bandage your wounds."
"I tried," Bucky insists firmly but quietly. Clearly he didn't try his hardest, or he wouldn't have hurt himself to begin with, but he didn't deliberately try to give himself an infection either.
"I guess." Bucky lowers his head a bit and swallows. "I thought you'd be like the others." Hydra's technicians and handlers, he means. His eyes narrow by a fraction. "They would have just left me if they thought I wouldn't make it."
He doesn't know for sure. Maybe they'd try to retrieve him, to cover their tracks, or extract what they can out of his corpse and work on a better v2.0 soldier. Or on the off chance that he does make it, give him that false sense of being valued, being wanted, being part of the organisation. But he's pretty sure that once he's a liability they would have cut him loose. They don't have the same complications or hangups that he does in his head about being saved or the intermittent bouts of kindness he'd been shown.
"You don't have to, anyway." Patch him up, he means. It'll heal one way or another. Just that this one won't turn into a nasty scar like all the others. "You didn't have to do any of this." Drag him around the world, buy him nice things, nudge him into not giving up on himself. Feed him, bathe him, clothe him. Wyoming. They've progressed far beyond just keeping a wary eye on each other.
"I hope I've been okay to you. Or, good enough. Or whatever."
"I'm not HYDRA," Zemo answers simply. Some situations, you have to leave others behind. They were soldiers. They both knew lost causes when they saw them -- and how they had to be handled, whether you liked it or not. Honestly, Bucky had been one of those lost causes, hadn't he? Perhaps if someone had come back for him back then, he wouldn't have been dragged off to HYDRA's hands.
No need to dwell in what-ifs of the past though. "And anyway, don't be dramatic, James. It's a cut to the hand. Hardly worth leaving anyone behind over..."
Maybe he's willfully ignoring the implication there. Zemo hadn't really considered that Bucky... wouldn't make it. Couldn't make it. He'd thought him a murderer still, maybe, but doubting his will to survive? Just looking how far he's come should attest to some sort of will to not die. Or maybe it's just that he hasn't had the option otherwise yet.
"I want to." It's better than letting him bleed or hurt. Quietly, Zemo wraps the gauze around his hand, eyes focused on his work until it's done, but there's a bit of a softer look when Zemo looks back up.
"I wouldn't have cared to marry you if you were so disappointing, James, drunk or not. You've been-- very good. More than I expected. Good to me, good for me. I also don't have any intention of giving you up anytime soon, so you can put that worry to rest." If it was a worry at all.
Once the bandage is done, Zemo guides his hand up to brush another kiss over the back of it -- a mirror of that night at the clinic. "There. Go dress and have dinner, James."
... And let Zemo browse through his phone in peace, of course. He has no doubt Bucky told him a bit of truth, but he can't help but be curious what exactly was said, what slander is being thrown his way. "I'll see you downstairs in the hot tub later."
The wary look Bucky shoots him is slightly less accusatory than before. He's not just talking about the cut on his hand, but he suspects Zemo knows that already. He's also not having an averse reaction to being kissed better, as unfamiliar as the gesture is to him.
"Thanks," he replies quietly, a one-worded response to summarise a lot of other words that had been rolling around his head that he's either not sure or not willing to say. Maybe Zemo deserves more, but he finds that both Zemo and Oeznik understand him without him having to use his words and it's letting him silently cultivate bad habits of just grunting and glaring his way through most conversations.
Flexing his hand once it's returned to him, Bucky pulls a clean shirt and trackpants on and gathers up the laundry to be done, tidying up in the bathroom a bit before slipping back out. If he isn't oblivious about the snooping, he evidently doesn't seem to care. Although, more likely than not, he's oblivious to a lot of things.
Anyway, it's not anything Zemo wouldn't have expected. There's nothing polite in the messages about Zemo's character. The only thing that looks vaguely polite is how Bucky needs help and it's okay to ask for help, he needs to turn Zemo in before putting himself in a situation he can't walk back from, and some other thinly-veiled threats masquerading as concern and helpfulness.
Besides, Bucky's more or less forgotten about it. By the time he's downstairs he's getting shit from Oeznik about not disclosing Zemo's predicament this morning and being adamant about not wearing the board shorts (no, not even once to humour him).
To his credit, Bucky has done a lot of talking today, a lot of sharing. He supposes he can give him a break for the one worded thank you, let him retreat back into his grunts and stares for a bit. It isn't as if it's difficult to figure out what he's thinking -- not for Zemo, at least. Not for Oeznik.
For now, Zemo slips into a robe, waiting until Bucky has slipped out before he goes to sit on the edge of the bed. He spends a bit of time scrolling through the messages on his phone - and it's not surprise to Zemo to see he's once again the villain. It is a bit... tiresome, the threats and that sense of being closed in on, sooner or later. Zemo isn't sure what will happen when that day comes.
He's not sure if it wouldn't be better in the end to slip out quietly and leave Bucky and his cat be before they're all put in the Raft or the ground together. In the end, he knows he won't actually do that. Somewhere along the way, he started to genuinely care about the man. Abandoning him now wouldn't do much good for any progress he's made, well-intentioned or not.
And then there's the selfish part of him that doesn't want to give up something that's his, something that he wants.
After the phone is put back where he found it, Zemo lets himself lean back on the bed for a while, hands folded over his stomach as his mind wanders, as he tries to figure out some plan for-- anything. His current predicament, or if Sam Wilson shows up on their doorstep one day.
Or worse, the Wakandans.
And some of it's just dwelling on this new body, whether it will right itself or if they'll have to reach out to the witch or the doctor or any other person who boasts themselves knowledgeable about magic.
Eventually, he knows he can't brood the entire night away and gets up to slip into the swimsuit he got. It's just a simple one piece, flattering but nothing risque, and it's covered by a robe before Zemo goes to get some towels. His goal is to slip down to the hot tub without facing Oeznik again. He's already gotten a proper enough talk from the old man that he doesn't think he needs to see whatever other exasperation or worry is there.
Technically, despite the changes, he's fine. He's healthy. He's not mutating or anything. That should count for something, yes?
And he feels better by the time he can slip into the hot water and chase some of the chill from the night air away.
Steve comes wandering in for a bit of attention from his favourite human after napping for the better part of the day, and Bucky indulges. He indulges Oeznik plenty too, which is probably why the old man has taken a liking to him. Past the initial resistance phase, he lets himself be fed and clothed, tries to do things how Oeznik likes things to be done, and doesn't complain about the things Zemo complains about because he thinks he's too old to be looked after. He won't go pester Zemo to come down and have a bite since he has a soldier to feed. It's so much nicer when feeding one of them doesn't become an arduous mission.
Oeznik engages Bucky in conversation about how his day had gone out in town. Bucky mostly grunts and shrugs and nods his way through it, although eventually Oeznik manages to pull a few more words out of him. Bucky confesses that he thinks Zemo had a good day, going around town and not having to worry about getting recognised. He stops just short of saying this unexpected, unwanted sudden change might be a good thing, but it's implied. They can at least both agree that there's a few advantages. A silver lining and all that, depending on how they look at it, but ultimately it's not for them to decide since it's Zemo's body.
The topic meanders and circles around to Bucky having a wife, and he shrugs and says it's the same. Mostly. But Oeznik had picked up on a shift in the vocabulary Bucky tends to use. He's never talked about treating Zemo right or things a man should do up until today. It doesn't sound like it's the same, to Oeznik, and he's not sure if that's solely because of how Zemo must be acting out, either, but it's filed away for later when he has the opportunity to probe Zemo further.
Oeznik shoos Bucky away after he's finished his second helping, kicking him out of the kitchen before he can attempt to do his own dishes. Isn't his wife waiting for him in the hot tub, he jabs, and he doesn't let Bucky slip away before reminding him again to not get his new bandages wet.
"I think that went well," Bucky comments when he joins Zemo in the hot tub, wearing black trunks that don't look too different from his sleeping attire. He's not delicate about throwing a stack of towels on the edge, or each step down making a bit of a splash, or that squeaky noise as he sinks down into the seat, leaving his arm raised and resting around the edge of the tub to keep his hand out of the water.
"I mean, Oeznik seems okay." Possibly an understatement, and possibly also because he doesn't know what conversation Zemo and Oeznik have already had.
"It's hot in here." Of course it is. It's a hot tub. And while Bucky wouldn't want to sit in a tub of cold water this time of the year either, it's just. Going to take him a little while to get used to it.
By the time Bucky joins him in the tub, Zemo has let his head fall back, eyes shut as he debates-- what to do. There feels like there are multiple problems. His body, and what to do about it. Bucky and his ever persistent "friends." The way he can't quite-- put his finger on the shift in Bucky's demeanor and whether it actually comes from a place of concern because Zemo was taken aback or if it's some old fashioned mentality he's not shed.
But all in all? It hasn't been a bad day. Possibly one of the best in a while. There's just part of Zemo that wants to go back inside and pick Oeznik's brain about... everything. See if an old friend has any insight or advice on what to do next.
He has a feeling Oeznik would tell him it's all his choice, of course. "It's a hot tub, James."
Zemo cracks open an eye to look at Bucky before he's shifting to fit up against his side. As much as he wants to seek out Oeznik-- Bucky is... his spouse. That means that they should be able to have frank discussions, doesn't it? Even if neither of them seem talented at it, depending on the topic.
"... Do you think that I should stay like this?" He ventures after a moment, not quite doing more than giving Bucky a quick once over. "And if I did, would it change anything between us?"
A pause. "Besides new birth control concerns, of course."
An attempt at a joke, but he isn't terribly inclined to be a parent again, not with this sort of life they've got. Then add in the serum in Bucky's blood and it becomes an even bigger headache...
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Zemo decides that it's best to just walk into the kitchen like nothing at all is abnormal about this, his usual confidence. It's going to give Oeznik a start, either way, but it's best to just get it over with quickly.
... And while Zemo wouldn't want any more hospital or clinic visits so soon, Bucky taking just a tiny tumble down the stairs may be a welcome distraction in a moment when Oeznik demands to know what the meaning of all of this is, what happened and Zemo will have no real answers to provide.
Another drunken mistake in Vegas? A wish gone very, very wrong? It's impossible to tell, really.
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He takes in a deep breath once his new phone stops vibrating - not because the messages have stopped but because the mailbox and the voicemail box is full - and he thinks to just delete everything. Unfortunately he makes the mistake of reading one from Sam, and it only gets worse from there.
Mostly it's all along the lines of 'Bucky, listen to me, Zemo is not your friend' and his therapist has chimed in also to try and point out all the ways Zemo is gaslighting him, how giving up his own thoughts and desires is a fantasy he shouldn't be indulging in, he doesn't have to 'live this way' - whatever that means - and how he has to overcome the difficult challenge of breaking out of an abusive, controlling relationship.
It's all very well-intentioned, ever so slightly patronising, and leaving him feeling like the only person who actually cares about what he wants is downstairs trying to explain his Current Predicament to his butler.
He should be going downstairs trying to make sure Oeznik doesn't have an aneurysm and Zemo is okay, but he's just sitting on the edge of the bed mindlessly scrolling and deleting words of concern dejectedly while his eyes glaze over everybody's worries and opinions. He might head downstairs if he hears any raised voices though.
But so far, judging from the lack of commotion, it seems like Oeznik is taking it better than 'THE FLOOR IS HOT!' maybe?
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At least it doesn't take much to convince Oeznik it is indeed him. They've had a lifetime together and there are things only Zemo would know -- and fortunately, he must still look similar enough. He isn't treated as an intruder, and that's something, isn't it?
Of course there's some blame thrown at that Vegas trip, on Zemo being reckless and irresponsible that has him feeling like a teenager caught in mischief all over again. There's some frustration over Bucky clearly not watching over him as well as he'd thought, on top of the marriage and everything else that followed. It seems even Oeznik has his boiling point.
And then comes Zemo explaining they may have to leave again to-- fix this, meet with some of Bucky's acquaintances, deal in magic, unless he magically changes back or he accepts his very strange fate. He seems to have some reservations about getting too close to the remaining Avengers, most of all one of the ones Zemo put in The Raft himself. But what else can be done? Oeznik ultimately agrees in the end.
It doesn't seem as if the watch and the gifts, though appreciated, are enough to entirely soothe the old man's concern or irritation or provide a proper distraction, but he collects himself as much as he can, even manages a remark or two about having a lady of the house again.
The boardshorts go over as well as they both expected, confusion and a huff before Zemo insists that Oeznik needs to relax more, take it a bit easier. They are settled after all, and Oeznik has done enough to deserve it. The remark that it's impossible to take it easy when Zemo keeps bringing home more and more messes has the baron looking properly sullen by the time he goes back upstairs.
He tilts his head when he sees the other sat on the edge of the bed with that look on his face, scrolling through his new phone. Of course there would not be good news up here.
He sighs and moves to sit on the edge of the bed next to Bucky, casually toeing off his shoes. "Oeznik did not die of shock at the very least, and he is still preparing dinner if you're hungry."
Now, wouldn't that have been a perfectly depressing evening if his old friend had fallen over from a heart attack?
"Are you okay, James?"
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"I'm good. Just-- got flooded with texts from Sam." Bucky snaps his phone shut with one hand and puts it on top of the bedside drawer, leaving it to charge.
"I think it's safe to say, everyone knows we got married." In Vegas, no less, and while apparently those marriages don't count, they seem to all be taking it very seriously.
"Are you hungry?" Bucky asks softly, turning a bit more to face Zemo, pulling more than half of one folded leg up onto the bed. He'd rather talk about what they're going to do with the rest of their day than talk about what other people think about their marriage.
"Dinner might be nice. And a shower." He still feels like he's in that just-had-sex state and needing a bit of a cleanup. But he probably won't put too much effort into it because they're going to slink into the hot tub anyway.
"Don't worry about Oeznik," Bucky tries to reassure Zemo even though he has no idea what's wrong. "He'll come around."
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"Am I the dastardly villain, manipulating and controlling you?" It isn't quite a question, even if it's phrased as one. He can be rather certain they're reminding Bucky of all the little slights, all the bigger wrongs, and everything else he's been on the receiving end of when it comes to Zemo. Perhaps a little part of him wonders if Bucky is even considering any of their words of wisdom.
"Not particularly." But he did figure that Bucky just may be. "But a shower is a good idea. It will be quicker together."
... Provided they keep their hands to themselves, but Zemo doesn't see that being a particular problem at the moment, not when they've both got plenty to occupy their thoughts.
There's a wry smile at the reassurance. "I would say the same for Sam, but I think we both know better than that by now. I don't think he will be letting go of the fact that I put him in the Raft any time soon."
Zemo is already pushing himself up and starting to discard clothes. It's perhaps a little more awkward now that they're not wound up in the backseat of a car, but-- Bucky has already been as intimately close as possible. "Follow me, James. I will get the shower started... I may even let you under the water first."
Although it isn't very likely.
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"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.
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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."
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"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.
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"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."
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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."
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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.
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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."
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"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.
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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?"
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"Okay." He leaves his hand in Zemo's grasp as he makes his way partially out the shower, dripping a bit before grabbing hold of the towels. He drapes one over Zemo's shoulders first before wrapping the other one around his waist, letting water drip from his hair freely while he ambles towards the sink, gives Zemo more space.
His hand is actually mostly recovered and it doesn't even look as severe as it was when he first sliced it open when he unwinds the bandages and dumps the old one. Somehow despite his negligence, he hasn't gotten an infection, and this dressing change will likely be the final one before it will heal up as best it can.
Bucky touches the exposed ring with his metal fingers, head lowered and silent, seemingly not bothered by the cold or the wetness while his mind drifts. But he'll eventually get distracted and look up when Zemo gets his attention.
"It doesn't need bandages, does it?" he asks as he flexes his hand at Zemo just a little bit - not enough to rip anything open, so he should relax.
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Probably largely thanks to the serum in his veins than anything he's done, but Zemo will certainly accept it. Either way, Zemo reaches for the bandage to rewrap it for now -- Bucky can tolerate a few more days of annoyance while the wound closes a bit further.
... There's something a bit charming that Bucky truly hasn't taken his ring off, and seemingly has no intentions of doing so at the moment. Zemo's fingers may brush briefly over the metal before it's covered by the gauze wrap again. "This is quite a position, isn't it? I doubt you would have thought years ago that you would be wearing my ring, letting me bandage your wounds."
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"I guess." Bucky lowers his head a bit and swallows. "I thought you'd be like the others." Hydra's technicians and handlers, he means. His eyes narrow by a fraction. "They would have just left me if they thought I wouldn't make it."
He doesn't know for sure. Maybe they'd try to retrieve him, to cover their tracks, or extract what they can out of his corpse and work on a better v2.0 soldier. Or on the off chance that he does make it, give him that false sense of being valued, being wanted, being part of the organisation. But he's pretty sure that once he's a liability they would have cut him loose. They don't have the same complications or hangups that he does in his head about being saved or the intermittent bouts of kindness he'd been shown.
"You don't have to, anyway." Patch him up, he means. It'll heal one way or another. Just that this one won't turn into a nasty scar like all the others. "You didn't have to do any of this." Drag him around the world, buy him nice things, nudge him into not giving up on himself. Feed him, bathe him, clothe him. Wyoming. They've progressed far beyond just keeping a wary eye on each other.
"I hope I've been okay to you. Or, good enough. Or whatever."
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No need to dwell in what-ifs of the past though. "And anyway, don't be dramatic, James. It's a cut to the hand. Hardly worth leaving anyone behind over..."
Maybe he's willfully ignoring the implication there. Zemo hadn't really considered that Bucky... wouldn't make it. Couldn't make it. He'd thought him a murderer still, maybe, but doubting his will to survive? Just looking how far he's come should attest to some sort of will to not die. Or maybe it's just that he hasn't had the option otherwise yet.
"I want to." It's better than letting him bleed or hurt. Quietly, Zemo wraps the gauze around his hand, eyes focused on his work until it's done, but there's a bit of a softer look when Zemo looks back up.
"I wouldn't have cared to marry you if you were so disappointing, James, drunk or not. You've been-- very good. More than I expected. Good to me, good for me. I also don't have any intention of giving you up anytime soon, so you can put that worry to rest." If it was a worry at all.
Once the bandage is done, Zemo guides his hand up to brush another kiss over the back of it -- a mirror of that night at the clinic. "There. Go dress and have dinner, James."
... And let Zemo browse through his phone in peace, of course. He has no doubt Bucky told him a bit of truth, but he can't help but be curious what exactly was said, what slander is being thrown his way. "I'll see you downstairs in the hot tub later."
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"Thanks," he replies quietly, a one-worded response to summarise a lot of other words that had been rolling around his head that he's either not sure or not willing to say. Maybe Zemo deserves more, but he finds that both Zemo and Oeznik understand him without him having to use his words and it's letting him silently cultivate bad habits of just grunting and glaring his way through most conversations.
Flexing his hand once it's returned to him, Bucky pulls a clean shirt and trackpants on and gathers up the laundry to be done, tidying up in the bathroom a bit before slipping back out. If he isn't oblivious about the snooping, he evidently doesn't seem to care. Although, more likely than not, he's oblivious to a lot of things.
Anyway, it's not anything Zemo wouldn't have expected. There's nothing polite in the messages about Zemo's character. The only thing that looks vaguely polite is how Bucky needs help and it's okay to ask for help, he needs to turn Zemo in before putting himself in a situation he can't walk back from, and some other thinly-veiled threats masquerading as concern and helpfulness.
Besides, Bucky's more or less forgotten about it. By the time he's downstairs he's getting shit from Oeznik about not disclosing Zemo's predicament this morning and being adamant about not wearing the board shorts (no, not even once to humour him).
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For now, Zemo slips into a robe, waiting until Bucky has slipped out before he goes to sit on the edge of the bed. He spends a bit of time scrolling through the messages on his phone - and it's not surprise to Zemo to see he's once again the villain. It is a bit... tiresome, the threats and that sense of being closed in on, sooner or later. Zemo isn't sure what will happen when that day comes.
He's not sure if it wouldn't be better in the end to slip out quietly and leave Bucky and his cat be before they're all put in the Raft or the ground together. In the end, he knows he won't actually do that. Somewhere along the way, he started to genuinely care about the man. Abandoning him now wouldn't do much good for any progress he's made, well-intentioned or not.
And then there's the selfish part of him that doesn't want to give up something that's his, something that he wants.
After the phone is put back where he found it, Zemo lets himself lean back on the bed for a while, hands folded over his stomach as his mind wanders, as he tries to figure out some plan for-- anything. His current predicament, or if Sam Wilson shows up on their doorstep one day.
Or worse, the Wakandans.
And some of it's just dwelling on this new body, whether it will right itself or if they'll have to reach out to the witch or the doctor or any other person who boasts themselves knowledgeable about magic.
Eventually, he knows he can't brood the entire night away and gets up to slip into the swimsuit he got. It's just a simple one piece, flattering but nothing risque, and it's covered by a robe before Zemo goes to get some towels. His goal is to slip down to the hot tub without facing Oeznik again. He's already gotten a proper enough talk from the old man that he doesn't think he needs to see whatever other exasperation or worry is there.
Technically, despite the changes, he's fine. He's healthy. He's not mutating or anything. That should count for something, yes?
And he feels better by the time he can slip into the hot water and chase some of the chill from the night air away.
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Oeznik engages Bucky in conversation about how his day had gone out in town. Bucky mostly grunts and shrugs and nods his way through it, although eventually Oeznik manages to pull a few more words out of him. Bucky confesses that he thinks Zemo had a good day, going around town and not having to worry about getting recognised. He stops just short of saying this unexpected, unwanted sudden change might be a good thing, but it's implied. They can at least both agree that there's a few advantages. A silver lining and all that, depending on how they look at it, but ultimately it's not for them to decide since it's Zemo's body.
The topic meanders and circles around to Bucky having a wife, and he shrugs and says it's the same. Mostly. But Oeznik had picked up on a shift in the vocabulary Bucky tends to use. He's never talked about treating Zemo right or things a man should do up until today. It doesn't sound like it's the same, to Oeznik, and he's not sure if that's solely because of how Zemo must be acting out, either, but it's filed away for later when he has the opportunity to probe Zemo further.
Oeznik shoos Bucky away after he's finished his second helping, kicking him out of the kitchen before he can attempt to do his own dishes. Isn't his wife waiting for him in the hot tub, he jabs, and he doesn't let Bucky slip away before reminding him again to not get his new bandages wet.
"I think that went well," Bucky comments when he joins Zemo in the hot tub, wearing black trunks that don't look too different from his sleeping attire. He's not delicate about throwing a stack of towels on the edge, or each step down making a bit of a splash, or that squeaky noise as he sinks down into the seat, leaving his arm raised and resting around the edge of the tub to keep his hand out of the water.
"I mean, Oeznik seems okay." Possibly an understatement, and possibly also because he doesn't know what conversation Zemo and Oeznik have already had.
"It's hot in here." Of course it is. It's a hot tub. And while Bucky wouldn't want to sit in a tub of cold water this time of the year either, it's just. Going to take him a little while to get used to it.
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But all in all? It hasn't been a bad day. Possibly one of the best in a while. There's just part of Zemo that wants to go back inside and pick Oeznik's brain about... everything. See if an old friend has any insight or advice on what to do next.
He has a feeling Oeznik would tell him it's all his choice, of course. "It's a hot tub, James."
Zemo cracks open an eye to look at Bucky before he's shifting to fit up against his side. As much as he wants to seek out Oeznik-- Bucky is... his spouse. That means that they should be able to have frank discussions, doesn't it? Even if neither of them seem talented at it, depending on the topic.
"... Do you think that I should stay like this?" He ventures after a moment, not quite doing more than giving Bucky a quick once over. "And if I did, would it change anything between us?"
A pause. "Besides new birth control concerns, of course."
An attempt at a joke, but he isn't terribly inclined to be a parent again, not with this sort of life they've got. Then add in the serum in Bucky's blood and it becomes an even bigger headache...
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