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...
Bucky stops fidgeting because he's pretty sure Zemo has had enough of him having the occasional shitfit over what he would deem inconsequential. Yes, he knows it's a hot tub. But he also runs warm so it's hot on top of hot which makes it uncomfortably hot. Anyway, he doesn't expect Zemo to understand, so he just finds an angle that's comfortable for Zemo and doesn't move too much after that.
His arm can handle the soak, but he does end up lifting it so Zemo can lie down against his side instead of trying to work with that uncomfortable hard metal, and Bucky lets it rest on the edge of the tub out of the water. It almost powers down to a kind of unnatural stillness that he readily adopts.
"I think you were happier today like this. Or at least, more relaxed. But I don't know if it's what you would want, long term." Only Zemo would know that for sure. Would it change anything between them? He doesn't think so.
"I mean. Nothing's changed between us today, has it?" Apart from the fact that they were able to move a little more freely around town. That was a nice perk more so than anything else.
"Ultimately I don't think you'd want somebody to just. Do this to you, and make you deal with it, and it's all just. Fun and games to them, or whatever." That's the only thing Bucky feels strongly about, if he felt strongly about anything. If they let whatever happened just get away with it, then, they might as well just issue a free pass to let whoever feels so inclined to just fuck with them.
They won't linger in here long. Zemo knows Bucky's aversion to heat... but right now, it's nice enough, especially when he runs cold. He turns his face in towards Bucky's chest to press a soft kiss there, idly, either as a way to buy time or appreciation for joining him in one of the last places Bucky would want to be. Some-- things felt different, but fundamentally? Zemo can't say it's changed too drastically.
"It was nice for a change. A reminder of a life I thought I'd left behind." In multiple ways, with the spouse and everything else.
"I don't like it. I don't know if it was just a bit of unfortunate mischief, but--" He doesn't have to explain the violation, does he? He lets it trail off because he knows Bucky is well aware of the horrors. Waking up to a body that doesn't quite feel like your own anymore, with no knowledge of how or why.
"... So we try to find who did it and why." At the moment, Zemo would rather have some revenge for that first. Or at least a question or two answered.
"Although we may run into your friends along the way. I'm not-- sure they will let you stay with a wanted terrorist and not check up on you, James." There's a wry smile.
"I don't suppose I could pass for your displaced Sokovian wife? Or American. I am not terrible at accents." There's no chance. As different as he may seem, he's familiar enough under all the softer features and longer hair.
Bucky wraps his arm around Zemo and holds him close, rubbing his upper arm in small reassuring strokes. Would he ever lean over and kiss Zemo on the forehead if this hadn't happened to him? Probably not. But he's not even really noticing that he's doing it right now, chaste and spontaneous as the gesture is.
"Okay." He's determined to help Zemo out, whether he wants to find out who's done this or whether he wants to get help.
"It's not up to them, who I want to be with. Or what I want to do," Bucky insists. He knows the consequences, he knows what they're thinking, what Zemo must be putting him through. But it's nothing like that. He's choosing to be with Zemo. He can't help them see things his way. He can only live with his choices and deal with the fallout when the time comes.
Bucky just scoffs when Zemo suggests to try and pass off as his wife. He resembles himself too much to get away with that, even if he can manage a different accent.
"No one would willingly marry me knowing they have to put up with-- all this." Not sober, definitely. "That alone would give you away." He makes a bit of a splash with his metal hand in the water before idly playing with the tips of Zemo's hair.
"They know we got married. I don't expect them to-- be supportive. But they could just leave us alone. I wouldn't bother them if they wanted to go live on a farm with-- I don't know. Thanos?" Not that he's comparing Zemo to Thanos, but the point stands. It's none of his business, just as this would be none of theirs.
Zemo weighs pointing out again that Bucky is acting... strangely towards him. The kiss to the forehead, the way his fingers play through his hair. But it won't solve much in the end beyond making Bucky tense and self-conscious. Besides, they have so much else on their plate right now... is it really worth making a fuss over this particular thing?
Still, he lets out a sigh as he tips his head in against it's rested comfortably on Bucky's chest. They both know why they can't leave them alone, and it feels morbid to ask Bucky if he will still want him even when they're both put in a cell.
There is a soft chuckle that leaves him at Bucky's insistence. "I would hope I am at least better company."
He understands his point though. "Although I feel like you are questioning my taste in partners, James... I did very willingly marry you." Although he was drunk, admittedly.
Bucky just scoffs at that. "You were so wild that night." Not that he's implying their marriage wasn't real or anything like that. But Zemo wouldn't have asked if he had been sober or in a bad mood instead of winning it big on the casino floor and celebrating in a bigger than usual way.
His hand goes back to rubbing Zemo's arm, holding him close. There's no need to point out anything negative tonight. This is their current predicament. They should just enjoy it.
"You look good in this swimsuit," Bucky comments. It's nothing that offends his delicate old man feelings. But it's still very flattering. "You wear a lot of-- different stuff, today." Not just the usual long sleeves or turtlenecks and trousers, is what he means.
"I was winning." Mostly. He apparently lost in a very big way if that's what set him down the path to magical mischief, but-- he's not dwelling on that right now. He's a bit distracted by the hand rubbing over his arm, in a much more pleasant way than dwelling on how odd Bucky has been acting on and off.
"Thank you, James." He lets out a quiet laugh at the compliment, turning his head up enough to press a kiss to Bucky's jaw.
"Mhm... well, I didn't want to look too much like myself." Although he doesn't think he chose anything that outlandish either. Maybe some of the underwear, but-- he hasn't heard James complain about that. Yet.
"If the car is anything to go by, you seemed to enjoy the new look quite a bit." Not that Zemo hadn't been just as insistent...
"You were pretty lucky." Bucky was actually impressed that Zemo managed to walk away from Vegas winning that tidy haul, even if they had to get Oeznik to collect the winnings.
"You do look a bit like yourself, I guess." He feels a lot different, for sure, but some of the features are still there. Despite the... soft bits. Softer. But it's true that Zemo's wardrobe has grown in unexpected ways. Even though it must be weird wearing women's clothes...
"The important thing is what you like and what you're comfortable with," Bucky deflects deftly from the car. They were both involved there and, to be fair, he didn't hear any complaints about Bucky putting all sorts of things in his mouth that time, did he?
"If everything goes back tomorrow, at least you'll have had a good day." It could have been worse. Zemo's handling it well, all things considered. Bucky would have just locked himself away and sulked or lost his shit or, well, not bought clothes and sat in a hot tub, that's for sure.
It may have been tempting, but-- well, there isn't a way that Oeznik would have let him barricade himself in the bathroom, or Bucky for that matter. It's better to be up... trying to solve the issue anyway. Or at least keeping busy enough to not let it crush you.
Then again, they've got so many things that could crush them at any given moment, it's best to not think about that.
There's a smile at those words, Bucky trying to reassure him or put a positive spin on things. That's not how it usually works. It's as weird as all the affectionate little touches, the way he's been talking to Zemo now. All those subtle little differences Bucky swears to not notice.
And either way, it still has Zemo shifting his position until he's sat on Bucky's lap and leaning in to give him a kiss - it's something soft, affectionate. Not like many of their usual kisses, perhaps, but Bucky is certainly inspiring it. "A very good day."
A very strange one, but good nonetheless. "You've made it quite... difficult to imagine life without you, you realize."
Which was never how it was supposed to be. Not really.
A hand splashes into the water to make sure Zemo doesn't slide or fall off his lap, resting on his lower back. Finally they're at a better height for kissing, and Bucky is the one who has to tip his head back and lean up to meet those soft, wet lips.
"Have I?" He hasn't noticed. Most of the time he's a fairly inconspicuous presence, silently skulking here and there. When he has a little project to work on he'll keep out of sight and out of mind until he shows up pestering Oeznik in the kitchen for food or when Steve demands attention and lures his favourite target down to the floor to play with him.
He's pretty sure Oeznik wouldn't agree. He'd rather deal with one disaster than three. (Okay, fine, two and a half. Steve's messes are a lot easier to clean up, and he's gotten less and less feral over time as the men in the house have tamed him in their own ways.) But he's been kind and patient and firm so far and whatever grievances he takes up with Zemo, Bucky is completely oblivious to.
"I'm planning on sticking around a while." Although he does feel like he's getting older. It's been strange, in and out of cryo, the Blip - losing all these snippets of time, remembering and yet not being able to piece together a lot - but he's not going to pull an Old Man Bucky anytime soon.
Or dying. He's not planning on that either, but. Who knows, at this rate? The world's getting crazier by the day.
"We made vows, Helmut. You're not supposed to have life without me."
For all of Oeznik's complaints, Zemo likes to think they've grown on him -- both Bucky and Steve. He's rather certain if anything ever happened to him, the old man would at least stay with Bucky... for better or worse. There's some comfort in that, knowing his oldest friend will not be alone and lost and to know that his-- husband will have someone to remind him to eat and to sleep in a bed at least once in a wile.
There's a soft laugh at Bucky's reminder, his fingers sliding up to stroke over the side of his face. "We did. I lost one spouse and joining her didn't go very well at all. I expect you to not put me in that position again anytime soon, James..."
Bucky turns his head a bit to give Zemo more access to his face. He's used to the touching, the chiding, the rubbing his stubble by now, although from time to time Zemo still gets grunts and disgruntled noises out of him.
Honestly he wouldn't know what Mrs. Zemo would have wanted. Seems pointless and empty to say she would have wanted him to live on or do whatever with his life. Especially since so many people want him dead or gone. But Bucky wants Zemo around and surely that ought to count for something now that they're married?
"Well, no promises," he says dryly. Is it too soon for that kind of joke? He's not sure. But he's still a soldier and dying is pretty common as far as soldiers go. "If I can help it we'll only do the positions you like," he jokes instead. Maybe a bit of that casual flirty European charm is finally rubbing off on him. Or at least, trying to fight off those tired, old, traditional puritanical values he unconsciously holds dear to his heart.
Oh, that actually surprises a chuckle out of Zemo, lips curling against Bucky's lips before kissing him again, just a little bit deeper. "You did suggest you were going to show me some positions tonight, didn't you?"
... Maybe it's just easier to focus on something lighter, something a little more amusing than all the bad. It has been a good day after all. A weird day, but a good one in a lot of respects.
And Bucky is still here, actually joking and not just glowering and grunting in response. There's another kiss pressed this time to the corner of his lips affectionately, sweeping along his jaw.
"Mmh." Either Steve is picking up on his habits or he's picking up on Steve's habits but he does tip his head to encourage more of Zemo's little kisses. "Not gonna just spoon like an old married couple?" Do old married couples spoon? He's not sure. Maybe theyre more likely to sleep on his and her sides of the bed and leave each other alone. But he'd like to imagine that they do.
He barely remembers to keep his freshly rebandaged hand out of the water, ending up needing to let his metal arm take a dip so he can rub up and down Zemo's waist and side, hand sliding up enough to cup the outside of his breast before disappearing under the water line again.
He's hoping it's not retaining too much heat but he expects Zemo to swat him away if his hand is getting too hot. In which case he'll just have to pull them both out of the water and attempt to dry off with a bit of towel in his teeth.
"Is that what you want to do? I suppose if you'd rather just spoon..." A metal hand in the hot tub may not be the wisest choice for long term play, but-- there's no immediate swatting at least.
He gives a playful nip along Bucky's neck, sharp enough for him to feel. "This may be easier in bed..."
He stifles a soft moan by chewing on his lip. Any shenanigans happening in the hot tub is unwise long term. He's already on the brink of sweating in the heat despite the cold ambient air and the tub is so new, it'd be a shame to break a part of it off in his excitement.
"I-- thought you liked it here." Is that what they were talking about?
"You've one prosthetic that retains heat and another that you can't get in the water, James. This is going to be... difficult to do here." And does Bucky really want to be scolded when he comes back in for not taking care of his hand?
"Besides, I am more interested in you at the moment." And possibly in showing pity on him when he doesn't feel as comfortable in warmer temperatures as he does.
No. He's a fully grown adult. He can take care of his one remaining hand, thanks. He's only just starting to get used to them fussing over him - if they lean too hard he's going to pull back. Zemo is admittedly a little better about knowing where that line is, but to be fair, Zemo seems to have enjoyed pushing all his buttons. Oeznik just overbearing in a genuine, caring way, instead of testing boundaries.
"Let's go upstairs then." Before he dies from the heat. There's plenty of layers upstairs Zemo can bury himself under if he's worried it'll be colder in bed. Although Bucky's pretty sure if they're talking about positions that Zemo doesn't need to be worried about getting cold any time soon.
"Come on." He gives Zemo a bit of a nudge to get up off his lap so he can crawl out of the tub and fetch their towels. At some point he's pretty sure Zemo will end up back down here in the hot tub although he'll likely be curled up on the floor cooling off by then.
Oh, Zemo instantly regrets his offer when he's out and the cold air hits damp skin. Bucky may run hot, but Zemo doesn't and the worst part of getting out of the hot tub is this part right here. Not being dry. He does take one of the towels to wrap around himself, gritting his teeth against the cold--
Well, long enough to step up to Bucky and slide an arm around him, leaning up to press a quick, fond kiss to his lips.
"There's less of me to need to keep warm. Have you thought about amputation?" Bucky remarks wryly. Although considering what he'd done to his hand, he wouldn't recommend it out of the sheer inconvenience and the dull, lingering pain that outstays its welcome. Even if it's not that bad on his scale of things that hurt.
Making quick work of drying himself off, he drapes his towel around Zemo too so he has two layers now he can swathe himself in.
And the nice thing about being in a woman's body is, of course, the way Bucky doesn't hesitate to pick Zemo up in a bridal carry and bring him back upstairs to the bedroom. This he can understand is different, he doesn't carry Zemo anywhere. But this is also a one time offer - or at least until Zemo changes back - and he won't make a habit out of sweeping the baron off his feet and taxiing him around.
With his back turned towards the door he nudges it open backing into it with his butt before gently lowering Zemo onto the bed.
"Still cold?" Or is he going to have to fetch the hairdryer while Zemo spends a few minutes drying off and brushing his hair? It's a little odd to watch Zemo grooming even though Zemo normally does grooms himself plenty.
"Minus the arm, you have a full body, James." That's still a fair amount to be cold. Bucky just wants to be difficult -- and apparently, to carry Zemo. There's a surprised noise before he's reaching up to wrap arms around Bucky...
And that's followed by a surprised chuckle. Being carried is not something he'd expected after all. It's a bit awkward, but-- not terribly so. Soon, they're to the bed anyway.
"Mm, I think you can warm me," he murmurs, reaching up for Bucky to try to draw him down for a kiss.
Bucky feels a lot heavier than he normally does. He's mindful about putting too much of his weight down when Zemo complains about it but Zemo's been putting up with a lot and he's not always aware when Zemo doesn't say anything.
On the plus side, all that muscle manatee blubber is keeping Zemo plenty warm when he squishes Zemo down against the bed and his head leans in for attention, nuzzling against the crook of his neck.
"You're still wet," he points out with a small laugh. Getting slapped with still-damp tendrils of hair is a new, ticklish experience.
"We just got out of the tub!" He chuckles at the protest -- it's just as strange to have damp locks of hair clinging to his skin, but... well, there's a very inviting warmth that's much nicer to focus on anyway.
Even if he is rather heavy. Possibly heavier than usual, but Zemo hasn't quite reached the can't breathe stage just yet. So maybe it won't be too bad. Or maybe in a second, he'll be whacking at Bucky's shoulder and squirming in protest.
"What? I didn't have that much for dinner," Bucky protests, barely able to stop himself from doing that half-inhale and rolling his eyes. But he does try to displace more of his weight onto his legs and stay on his hands and knees, leaning in close to resume their making out activities.
Bucky would point out that it's mostly muscle but he doubts Zemo would stop complaining even with that caveat. He just asks if it's better with a grunt and a nuzzle, without using his words, and goes back to where he left off. Luckily he'd already left a bit of a reddened mark so he knows where to fixate on.
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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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His arm can handle the soak, but he does end up lifting it so Zemo can lie down against his side instead of trying to work with that uncomfortable hard metal, and Bucky lets it rest on the edge of the tub out of the water. It almost powers down to a kind of unnatural stillness that he readily adopts.
"I think you were happier today like this. Or at least, more relaxed. But I don't know if it's what you would want, long term." Only Zemo would know that for sure. Would it change anything between them? He doesn't think so.
"I mean. Nothing's changed between us today, has it?" Apart from the fact that they were able to move a little more freely around town. That was a nice perk more so than anything else.
"Ultimately I don't think you'd want somebody to just. Do this to you, and make you deal with it, and it's all just. Fun and games to them, or whatever." That's the only thing Bucky feels strongly about, if he felt strongly about anything. If they let whatever happened just get away with it, then, they might as well just issue a free pass to let whoever feels so inclined to just fuck with them.
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"It was nice for a change. A reminder of a life I thought I'd left behind." In multiple ways, with the spouse and everything else.
"I don't like it. I don't know if it was just a bit of unfortunate mischief, but--" He doesn't have to explain the violation, does he? He lets it trail off because he knows Bucky is well aware of the horrors. Waking up to a body that doesn't quite feel like your own anymore, with no knowledge of how or why.
"... So we try to find who did it and why." At the moment, Zemo would rather have some revenge for that first. Or at least a question or two answered.
"Although we may run into your friends along the way. I'm not-- sure they will let you stay with a wanted terrorist and not check up on you, James." There's a wry smile.
"I don't suppose I could pass for your displaced Sokovian wife? Or American. I am not terrible at accents." There's no chance. As different as he may seem, he's familiar enough under all the softer features and longer hair.
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"Okay." He's determined to help Zemo out, whether he wants to find out who's done this or whether he wants to get help.
"It's not up to them, who I want to be with. Or what I want to do," Bucky insists. He knows the consequences, he knows what they're thinking, what Zemo must be putting him through. But it's nothing like that. He's choosing to be with Zemo. He can't help them see things his way. He can only live with his choices and deal with the fallout when the time comes.
Bucky just scoffs when Zemo suggests to try and pass off as his wife. He resembles himself too much to get away with that, even if he can manage a different accent.
"No one would willingly marry me knowing they have to put up with-- all this." Not sober, definitely. "That alone would give you away." He makes a bit of a splash with his metal hand in the water before idly playing with the tips of Zemo's hair.
"They know we got married. I don't expect them to-- be supportive. But they could just leave us alone. I wouldn't bother them if they wanted to go live on a farm with-- I don't know. Thanos?" Not that he's comparing Zemo to Thanos, but the point stands. It's none of his business, just as this would be none of theirs.
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Still, he lets out a sigh as he tips his head in against it's rested comfortably on Bucky's chest. They both know why they can't leave them alone, and it feels morbid to ask Bucky if he will still want him even when they're both put in a cell.
There is a soft chuckle that leaves him at Bucky's insistence. "I would hope I am at least better company."
He understands his point though. "Although I feel like you are questioning my taste in partners, James... I did very willingly marry you." Although he was drunk, admittedly.
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His hand goes back to rubbing Zemo's arm, holding him close. There's no need to point out anything negative tonight. This is their current predicament. They should just enjoy it.
"You look good in this swimsuit," Bucky comments. It's nothing that offends his delicate old man feelings. But it's still very flattering. "You wear a lot of-- different stuff, today." Not just the usual long sleeves or turtlenecks and trousers, is what he means.
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"Thank you, James." He lets out a quiet laugh at the compliment, turning his head up enough to press a kiss to Bucky's jaw.
"Mhm... well, I didn't want to look too much like myself." Although he doesn't think he chose anything that outlandish either. Maybe some of the underwear, but-- he hasn't heard James complain about that. Yet.
"If the car is anything to go by, you seemed to enjoy the new look quite a bit." Not that Zemo hadn't been just as insistent...
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"You do look a bit like yourself, I guess." He feels a lot different, for sure, but some of the features are still there. Despite the... soft bits. Softer. But it's true that Zemo's wardrobe has grown in unexpected ways. Even though it must be weird wearing women's clothes...
"The important thing is what you like and what you're comfortable with," Bucky deflects deftly from the car. They were both involved there and, to be fair, he didn't hear any complaints about Bucky putting all sorts of things in his mouth that time, did he?
"If everything goes back tomorrow, at least you'll have had a good day." It could have been worse. Zemo's handling it well, all things considered. Bucky would have just locked himself away and sulked or lost his shit or, well, not bought clothes and sat in a hot tub, that's for sure.
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Then again, they've got so many things that could crush them at any given moment, it's best to not think about that.
There's a smile at those words, Bucky trying to reassure him or put a positive spin on things. That's not how it usually works. It's as weird as all the affectionate little touches, the way he's been talking to Zemo now. All those subtle little differences Bucky swears to not notice.
And either way, it still has Zemo shifting his position until he's sat on Bucky's lap and leaning in to give him a kiss - it's something soft, affectionate. Not like many of their usual kisses, perhaps, but Bucky is certainly inspiring it. "A very good day."
A very strange one, but good nonetheless. "You've made it quite... difficult to imagine life without you, you realize."
Which was never how it was supposed to be. Not really.
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"Have I?" He hasn't noticed. Most of the time he's a fairly inconspicuous presence, silently skulking here and there. When he has a little project to work on he'll keep out of sight and out of mind until he shows up pestering Oeznik in the kitchen for food or when Steve demands attention and lures his favourite target down to the floor to play with him.
He's pretty sure Oeznik wouldn't agree. He'd rather deal with one disaster than three. (Okay, fine, two and a half. Steve's messes are a lot easier to clean up, and he's gotten less and less feral over time as the men in the house have tamed him in their own ways.) But he's been kind and patient and firm so far and whatever grievances he takes up with Zemo, Bucky is completely oblivious to.
"I'm planning on sticking around a while." Although he does feel like he's getting older. It's been strange, in and out of cryo, the Blip - losing all these snippets of time, remembering and yet not being able to piece together a lot - but he's not going to pull an Old Man Bucky anytime soon.
Or dying. He's not planning on that either, but. Who knows, at this rate? The world's getting crazier by the day.
"We made vows, Helmut. You're not supposed to have life without me."
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There's a soft laugh at Bucky's reminder, his fingers sliding up to stroke over the side of his face. "We did. I lost one spouse and joining her didn't go very well at all. I expect you to not put me in that position again anytime soon, James..."
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Honestly he wouldn't know what Mrs. Zemo would have wanted. Seems pointless and empty to say she would have wanted him to live on or do whatever with his life. Especially since so many people want him dead or gone. But Bucky wants Zemo around and surely that ought to count for something now that they're married?
"Well, no promises," he says dryly. Is it too soon for that kind of joke? He's not sure. But he's still a soldier and dying is pretty common as far as soldiers go. "If I can help it we'll only do the positions you like," he jokes instead. Maybe a bit of that casual flirty European charm is finally rubbing off on him. Or at least, trying to fight off those tired, old, traditional puritanical values he unconsciously holds dear to his heart.
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... Maybe it's just easier to focus on something lighter, something a little more amusing than all the bad. It has been a good day after all. A weird day, but a good one in a lot of respects.
And Bucky is still here, actually joking and not just glowering and grunting in response. There's another kiss pressed this time to the corner of his lips affectionately, sweeping along his jaw.
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He barely remembers to keep his freshly rebandaged hand out of the water, ending up needing to let his metal arm take a dip so he can rub up and down Zemo's waist and side, hand sliding up enough to cup the outside of his breast before disappearing under the water line again.
He's hoping it's not retaining too much heat but he expects Zemo to swat him away if his hand is getting too hot. In which case he'll just have to pull them both out of the water and attempt to dry off with a bit of towel in his teeth.
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He gives a playful nip along Bucky's neck, sharp enough for him to feel. "This may be easier in bed..."
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"I-- thought you liked it here." Is that what they were talking about?
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"Besides, I am more interested in you at the moment." And possibly in showing pity on him when he doesn't feel as comfortable in warmer temperatures as he does.
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"Let's go upstairs then." Before he dies from the heat. There's plenty of layers upstairs Zemo can bury himself under if he's worried it'll be colder in bed. Although Bucky's pretty sure if they're talking about positions that Zemo doesn't need to be worried about getting cold any time soon.
"Come on." He gives Zemo a bit of a nudge to get up off his lap so he can crawl out of the tub and fetch their towels. At some point he's pretty sure Zemo will end up back down here in the hot tub although he'll likely be curled up on the floor cooling off by then.
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Well, long enough to step up to Bucky and slide an arm around him, leaning up to press a quick, fond kiss to his lips.
"I am still not sure how you do not freeze."
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Making quick work of drying himself off, he drapes his towel around Zemo too so he has two layers now he can swathe himself in.
And the nice thing about being in a woman's body is, of course, the way Bucky doesn't hesitate to pick Zemo up in a bridal carry and bring him back upstairs to the bedroom. This he can understand is different, he doesn't carry Zemo anywhere. But this is also a one time offer - or at least until Zemo changes back - and he won't make a habit out of sweeping the baron off his feet and taxiing him around.
With his back turned towards the door he nudges it open backing into it with his butt before gently lowering Zemo onto the bed.
"Still cold?" Or is he going to have to fetch the hairdryer while Zemo spends a few minutes drying off and brushing his hair? It's a little odd to watch Zemo grooming even though Zemo normally does grooms himself plenty.
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And that's followed by a surprised chuckle. Being carried is not something he'd expected after all. It's a bit awkward, but-- not terribly so. Soon, they're to the bed anyway.
"Mm, I think you can warm me," he murmurs, reaching up for Bucky to try to draw him down for a kiss.
"Just come here, James."
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On the plus side, all that
musclemanatee blubber is keeping Zemo plenty warm when he squishes Zemo down against the bed and his head leans in for attention, nuzzling against the crook of his neck."You're still wet," he points out with a small laugh. Getting slapped with still-damp tendrils of hair is a new, ticklish experience.
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Even if he is rather heavy. Possibly heavier than usual, but Zemo hasn't quite reached the can't breathe stage just yet. So maybe it won't be too bad. Or maybe in a second, he'll be whacking at Bucky's shoulder and squirming in protest.
... Probably the second scenario, honestly.
"You're a bit heavy, James..."
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Bucky would point out that it's mostly muscle but he doubts Zemo would stop complaining even with that caveat. He just asks if it's better with a grunt and a nuzzle, without using his words, and goes back to where he left off. Luckily he'd already left a bit of a reddened mark so he knows where to fixate on.
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