Bucky snorts and doesn’t dignify that with a response. Sure, he’ll climb out of the broken window of his own house. Slink away like a runaway teen.
“Sure, you’ll find me on the highway riding my cow out of town.” The better alternative would be for Zemo to leave and then Bucky can decide if he’s rattled enough by his unwanted guest showing up to pack up and leave.
Drying his hands off after drying the dishes, Bucky heads out for the barn. His dog seems to want to follow, but. It also seems rude to leave the only guest in years just sitting there. She looks out the door, then turns back to look at Zemo, then looks back at the door, uncertain if she should sit and stay or follow the grumpy old man out.
The dog doesn't have to wonder for long as Zemo moves to follow Bucky out, himself. He does need to store his car after all, make some plans for the other things he'll need to be comfortable. It's not exactly convenient, living so far out... but on the other hand, it means less a chance for Wakandans to work their way into his business.
Into their business.
"It seems you've made quite a few animal friends, at least..." Now if he can just graduate to other humans, he may be closer to a man than a weapon.
It feels like any amount of Zemo is too much Zemo. Probably the result of spending so much time in isolation. Even if Steve was still around, Bucky might bristle and grumble and squirm uneasily if he stuck around long enough to see the cracks in this veneer of a life that Bucky's carved out for himself.
The barn is not in the tidiest condition, but Bucky's clearly made an effort. He feeds his animals better than he feeds himself and his unexpected guests. He's been cleaning out the stalls, or the place would smell a lot worse than it currently does. He'd rather be left alone to sweep the floor and brush his cow, but, fine, he'll shoot glares and make conversation. It'll take him some time to get used to talking so much.
"They were due to be. Retired." He wouldn't claim to be so heroic as to have 'rescued' them. But as an animal that his old owners no longer have any use for, that's not as efficient or productive or easy to keep sedated and under control anymore, he can sympathise. "I had space for them. That's all." And if Zemo has any other ideas about his milkless cow, his puppyless dog and the occasional egg a week chicken, Bucky will most definitely not be having space for Zemo.
Even if the old girl is quite delighted with the company and seems to be giving Zemo heart-eyes whenever Bucky's not looking.
Zemo has no reason to do anything to Bucky's misfit animals, really. A life on a farm isn't... quite one that's quite appealed to him the same way it seems to Bucky, but it isn't the worst one he could have made for himself.
"That is a strange way to say you have a soft spot for animals, James," he taunts lightly, giving the dog a pat as she follows him. He's not quite sure what's enthralled her, but-- people tend to be a bit more trusting of those who are good with animals. He may as well use that to his advantage, the fact that she's not eagerly growling or trying to attack him.
She's good-natured. Sweet and trusting, wouldn't hurt a fly. Despite everything that's happened to her, despite the fact that she was targeted precisely for her gentleness, she still stays dutifully by Zemo's side and while Bucky wouldn't trust her judgement, the fact that Zemo isn't the one person in the world she is afraid of or doesn't want to be around is working in his favour.
"They keep me busy," he concedes with his head down and his hand on the big broom, doing a general sweep to make way for the car and move all the hay out the way. But he's about at his limit, even though he only has three animals. He's not nearly functional enough to take on more.
"You can park here, closer to the wall. I'll put some fencing up, give her her own space." Much as he wouldn't mind if she left a dent on the side of Zemo's car, it would mean he'll stay even longer than he has to. Don't say he never does anything nice for Zemo.
Bucky shakes his head. He's been existing just fine in his hovel without any care packages. He does hesitate though when there's an offer of steak for the pup. Yes, fine, she's never had one. Not out of neglect, he thinks he feeds her just fine. But she's been living off biscuits and the occasional roll.
"Sure." He looks at her, the innocent little traitor keeping out of his way staying by Zemo's side. At least she's keeping out of his way while he tidies up instead of following him around the barn.
"You can take her with you. If you want." He feels like he's going to regret this, if the way he grits his teeth after offering is anything to go by. "I don't know what she would like." God if he comes back with six squeaky toys, Bucky is going to break them.
"Ah-- what do you say? Would you like a ride?" There's an amused huff when he gets a wagging tail and excited stomping. He's pretty sure if he'd asked her anything at all, she'd have reacted like that. She seems to like the attention.
... he will come back with eight squeaky toys, just to torment Bucky further. He can't destroy them all after all. "I'll be back shortly then."
A little coaxing and he's convinced her to follow him to his car and to get into the passenger side. Of course he's not coming back empty handed for Bucky either -- whether or not he agrees about needing anything. Some fresh clothes, a few other nice gestures. Maybe something that isn't just swill to drink.
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“Sure, you’ll find me on the highway riding my cow out of town.” The better alternative would be for Zemo to leave and then Bucky can decide if he’s rattled enough by his unwanted guest showing up to pack up and leave.
Drying his hands off after drying the dishes, Bucky heads out for the barn. His dog seems to want to follow, but. It also seems rude to leave the only guest in years just sitting there. She looks out the door, then turns back to look at Zemo, then looks back at the door, uncertain if she should sit and stay or follow the grumpy old man out.
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Into their business.
"It seems you've made quite a few animal friends, at least..." Now if he can just graduate to other humans, he may be closer to a man than a weapon.
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The barn is not in the tidiest condition, but Bucky's clearly made an effort. He feeds his animals better than he feeds himself and his unexpected guests. He's been cleaning out the stalls, or the place would smell a lot worse than it currently does. He'd rather be left alone to sweep the floor and brush his cow, but, fine, he'll shoot glares and make conversation. It'll take him some time to get used to talking so much.
"They were due to be. Retired." He wouldn't claim to be so heroic as to have 'rescued' them. But as an animal that his old owners no longer have any use for, that's not as efficient or productive or easy to keep sedated and under control anymore, he can sympathise. "I had space for them. That's all." And if Zemo has any other ideas about his milkless cow, his puppyless dog and the occasional egg a week chicken, Bucky will most definitely not be having space for Zemo.
Even if the old girl is quite delighted with the company and seems to be giving Zemo heart-eyes whenever Bucky's not looking.
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"That is a strange way to say you have a soft spot for animals, James," he taunts lightly, giving the dog a pat as she follows him. He's not quite sure what's enthralled her, but-- people tend to be a bit more trusting of those who are good with animals. He may as well use that to his advantage, the fact that she's not eagerly growling or trying to attack him.
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"They keep me busy," he concedes with his head down and his hand on the big broom, doing a general sweep to make way for the car and move all the hay out the way. But he's about at his limit, even though he only has three animals. He's not nearly functional enough to take on more.
"You can park here, closer to the wall. I'll put some fencing up, give her her own space." Much as he wouldn't mind if she left a dent on the side of Zemo's car, it would mean he'll stay even longer than he has to. Don't say he never does anything nice for Zemo.
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He tilts his head to study Bucky, thoughtfully. "Is there anything you would like?"
He reaches over to give the dog a fond pat. "Perhaps the old girl would like a steak... I have a feeling she's never had one."
And if it warms Bucky to him, it's a small price to pay.
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"Sure." He looks at her, the innocent little traitor keeping out of his way staying by Zemo's side. At least she's keeping out of his way while he tidies up instead of following him around the barn.
"You can take her with you. If you want." He feels like he's going to regret this, if the way he grits his teeth after offering is anything to go by. "I don't know what she would like." God if he comes back with six squeaky toys, Bucky is going to break them.
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... he will come back with eight squeaky toys, just to torment Bucky further. He can't destroy them all after all. "I'll be back shortly then."
A little coaxing and he's convinced her to follow him to his car and to get into the passenger side. Of course he's not coming back empty handed for Bucky either -- whether or not he agrees about needing anything. Some fresh clothes, a few other nice gestures. Maybe something that isn't just swill to drink.