experienceandpatience

Do you keep pinups around, James?

[He gives an amused huff.]

I don't think they would begrudge me a photo of you. [And if they did, he certainly doesn't care that much. He's compliant enough.]

Want to make certain you're never far from my thoughts, James?

[ He wiggles his eyebrows in a dramatic, salacious gesture. ]

Maybe I'll let you photograph me like one of your French girls.

[ A movie reference! He actually has some pop culture literacy! ]

So you truly do use Netflix, don't you?

[There's an amused huff as he nudges against Bucky lightly -- before moving to the couch.]

[ Bucky shrugs, a doofy smirk on his face as they sit. ]

I wish I could say I watched it on VHS, or even the movie theater. But at least I've got some culture.

[ He turns on the tv and hands over control of the remote to Zemo. ]

Some of the things I watch are a lot less fun when I've fought actual aliens.

I suppose that would take the excitement out of it, when you can tell just how far off the mark they are in a movie.

[He shifts a bit closer as he takes the remote. He's not especially interested in watching television, so much as enjoying what little time he has left in Bucky's company. But he does make a show of at least going through the guide.]

What sort of movies do you enjoy, James?

[ Bucky wants nothing more than to sprawl out on the couch and lay his head in Zemo's lap. But his sofa is too small, and his legs too long. So he settles for letting it rest on Zemo's shoulder instead. ]

Lots of stuff. Pick something and I'll tell you if I like it.

[He shifts a little when Bucky's head comes to rest on his shoulder, sliding an arm around him loosely instead.]

Well, I suppose Titanic is off the table. It depends on if you truly want to watch a movie or you plan for us to be-- distracted, James.

Well now that gets a sly grin out of him. Bucky takes the opportunity to nose at the spot behind Zemo's ear, voice dropping to a murmur. ]

Do you find hangovers sexy, Helmut?

Perhaps I just find you sexy in general, James.

[He lets out a sigh as he tips his head, offering a bit more room to roam.]

Have you seen Star Wars?

[It may not be quite something he'd choose, but-- Bucky does seem rather fascinated with space and maybe Zemo wants to indulge him a bit.]

I saw the first one. Apparently there's nine now?

[ Bucky instantly misses the scent of Zemo's cologne, but lets his lips explore the newly revealed extra neck landscape. The touch is light, nothing serious if they're going to watch something he's never seen before. ]

Want me to make popcorn?

[ Does Bucky even have popcorn in his desolate wasteland of a pantry? ]

There are quite a few now... but you should at least see the original three. They're classics, James.

[Although those kisses along his neck are nicely distracting, certainly.]

Mm, if you have any.

[He gives a thoughtful hum.]

I can't remember the last time I sat and watched movies with someone.

[Or at all, really.]

[ Bucky reluctantly peels himself off of Zemo and pads to the kitchen. After some digging, he does find popcorn! ]

Go ahead and get it queued up.

[ And then the place is filled with the sound of kernels popping and the delicious scent of hot, buttery popcorn. After the three minutes are up, Bucky returns with the popcorn in a bowl, and two sodas. ]

This is something about an empire, right?

[He watches Bucky move to the kitchen for a moment -- just... taken with how strangely domestic this feels. It's still dangerous to get too accustomed to it, too used to this... too fond. It can't happen for any real length of time.

And yet, here he is, enjoying the attention, the company... wishing it didn't have to end at all. Of course Walker would be rather cross if he skipped out on another check-in. He shifts a little, smiling briefly when Bucky returns.

Once he's settled back in, his arm slides around the back of the couch behind Bucky.]

The Empire Strikes Back. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on it, James.

Mm. [ He places the bowl in Zemo's lap, settling back in.

When the music starts, he's engaged, following the action and storyline with interest. Bucky plays with the hem of Zemo's shirt throughout (well, his shirt technically), snacking on the popcorn right up to the final battle. Sure, he's struck by the plot twist that Vader is Luke's father; but when Luke has his hand suddenly severed, Bucky gasps softly. Then he visibly tenses when Luke chooses to jump from the platform, watching him fall down and down into the inky blackness. When Luke (somewhat implausibly) ends up skidding to a stop in the middle of a tube, Bucky exhales and tries not to feel like he's being silly about it.

He tries to cover his discomfort with some commentary. ]

No way he'd gently land in that tunnel.

[ Because physics is definitely the most pressing concern in regards to realism in this film, clearly. ]

[One of his hands finds its way into Bucky's hair, idly brushing through it or playing with it as they watch the movie. It would be difficult to miss the reaction James gives to the scene - the way he tenses. His eyes drift towards the other man quietly, curiously.]

I suppose you have experience the creators didn't in something like that.

[ Those fingers combing through his hair keep Bucky grounded enough not to immediately want to terminate the movie early. As uncomfortable as he is, he manages to stay at least somewhat calm, drafting off the unusual domesticity of watching a movie together. ]

I guess I shoulda had magic space powers. Might've kept the arm attached.

[ And been able to fight off the HYDRA mooks digging his sorry ass out of the snow. ]

Would you rather not watch this?

[He ventures after a moment, fingers still combing through his hair, soothing in what ways he can manage at the moment.]

Reality is never as... simple or clean as fiction. The fact that you survived all of that is impressive, James. Then again, so much of you is impressive I've found.

No, I'm fine --

[ The scene is over, and Bucky will just deal with his traumas later. The fact he survived the fall at all likely has more to do with the prototype enhancements that Zola had been shooting him up with in Azzano than any intrinsic goodness or capability. He does find it endearing that Zemo's trying to comfort him in his own way, though. ]

I got this nifty new one anyways.

It is rather well-made. Lovely, even.

[Fingers slide from his hair to knead at the back of his neck soothingly. He leans up to brush lips against the side of his face. He may not be able to ease the horrors Bucky has endured, but hopefully a small distraction from his thoughts will be enough.]

[ Bucky's eyes slip half-shut, his attention only partially on the last bits of the movie. The smallest hints of a frown tug at the corners of his mouth when Luke is rescued; being able to psychically call for help could have saved his life when lying at the bottom of a snowy ravine.

But that's past. The movie ends, credits roll, and he starts to shift to move their snacks aside. ]

Kind of a bummer ending but I guess they wrap that up in the next one.

Most were disappointed by this movie when it was in the theatres. The heroes lost, the empire won.

[He watches as Bucky moves the snacks to the side, giving a softer smile.]

Perhaps one day, we can watch that one together.

[If he's allowed out again, of course. Not that he says that as he lifts his hand to cup the side of Bucky's face carefully.]

I should leave soon, but the issue is... I'd rather not.

[But he's also practical enough to recognize the immaturity of that statement. The childishness. He'll have to leave soon.]

[ Bucky turns into that touch, a wan smile tugging at his features. ]

I don't want you to leave either. But I told John you came over to work on mission plans, and I don't think he'd buy that again.

[ they're both tactical experts, so it's remarkably implausible to take more than a day (and even that is pushing it). But it would also feel a little like rushing if they fucked again before Zemo had to split. Bucky frowns, conflicted. ]

I can think of a couple ideas, but you probably wouldn't like them.

Oh, he certainly won't.

[And Zemo barely tolerates him as it is -- he's especially obnoxious when he feels he has reason to be angry.

He brings up his hand to push through the other man's hair.]

Try me, James.

[ Bucky sighs, hesitating for a very long moment, a grimace on his face. But Zemo's plying him with touch, and that's just cheating.

Bucky swallows, trying to pick his words carefully. ]

I was going to make it sound like you needed someone keeping an eye on you...because you've mentioned a couple times before --

That your life had nothing left after your family died.

[ god, Zemo, don't make him say it. Please. ]

[That has him arching a brow -- perhaps slightly surprised. He can't quite decide if he's surprised that Bucky has truly listened and paid heed to those remarks or that Bucky devise a plan like that.

He tilts his head, meeting Bucky's eyes as he considers those words.]

Do you truly want my company so much, James?

[It's not accusatory or angry. It's a genuine question.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject