[His fingers slide up to Bucky's shoulder, making a show of smoothing out material but it's mostly an excuse to touch in a way that won't garner them too many looks. He smiles to himself.]
Now give me a moment to pick up something a little more... appropriate as well. Then I think we could both use a few more... casual items as well.
[He's not going to be in prison garb the majority of the time, so he needs some items at Bucky's home at least.]
[ When the attendant isn't looking, Bucky winks and steps away. That moment between them had been palpable, a brimming sort of frission laden with promise of After Dinner.
Maybe Zemo will take that pretty pocket square and tie it in a pretty bow around Bucky's neck--
He stops the thought, not wanting to get riled up too early in the trip. (Or to make Oeznik retract the probationary good will.) ]
[He has little doubt his old friend will play nice with Bucky -- perhaps share an old story or two. Zemo can only imagine what sort.
Not that he dwells on it with so many more pleasant thoughts of their upcoming date (and after) springing to mind.
After he's made his own selections for the evening, he's off to find them anyway. When he does, they're both greeted with a short nod of his head and a pleasant enough look.]
I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important.
[ Oeznik has been...laconic. His replies to Bucky's questions have been incredibly brief, almost overly succinct (even terse) in the absence of the Baron.
So when Zemo reappears, Bucky is scrolling through his phone playing Candy Crush when he hears the footsteps. ]
Oh yeah I got the whole life story, dirty details and all.
[ Oeznik huffs, "Certainly not, sir," in Sokovian and Bucky snickers. ]
[He's not entirely certain for a moment -- being out somewhere so public. It shouldn't be an issue, of course. He'd have never thought of it as one years ago, but it seems such an odd thing now, after so many years in a tiny cell.
Still-- Bucky wants to go, Oeznik seems to be encouraging it in his own way, so after a moment, he nods.]
Of course we can go.
[Of course if anyone sees Bucky out with Zemo again, he won't be held responsible for any damage to his reputation.]
Although I wonder why you thought of it... Have you been?
[He moves to get in their waiting car, telling Oeznik where to go next. If the old man gives him any sort of looks, they're ignored for now. He can't help but tease--]
You should be careful. Someone may be under the impression this is a date, James.
[ Bucky lifts his eyebrows to the dutiful driver, looking for support. Oeznik merely replies in his non-committal and formal way, "The Baron may see whomever he wishes."
It's not a strict answer (and Oeznik is more or less filling the role of an adult chaperone with two teenage lovebirds), but Bucky winks at Zemo. ]
[He wants to argue that his superhero friends may, whoever is left around, but ends up just giving a shake of his head. He's not planning on drawing any more attention to himself than usual after all -- and he's not at all terrible at blending in.]
You may call me Helmut, if you would rather. I wouldn't mind it. [Even if few ever actually use it.]
[There's an easier smile at the touch, his hand sliding down to cover Bucky's easily. If he's worried about Oeznik's judgement, he doesn't seem to show it--
and besides, the old man will have the grace to save it for when they're alone anyway.]
I like the way my name sounds on your tongue, regardless of which one you use.
[The hand holding is-- nice. Unusual and certainly overstepping any sort of friends with benefits arrangement they should likely stick to, for both of their sakes.
But it is nice, and the trip is even nicer. No one recognizes him, or if they do, they don't say anything. It's a nice bit of freedom that he hasn't had in a while.
Even if there's a bittersweet feeling that freedom, true freedom, feels like an odd fit at the moment. When you've lived over eight years in a cell, it's strange to not have that redundancy, that lack of choice.
He still manages to enjoy the day regardless -- whether he and Bucky are discussing the history of the island or the monument, or slyly flirting here and there. Daring to hold hands or stay near each other. It's a day worth remembering.
Eventually, Oeznik returns them to Bucky's home and he takes it upon himself to put away their new clothing. His, as well, even if he shouldn't be so comfortable with this arrangement.]
James-- did you want to go to dinner tonight or order in?
[He had intended on taking them somewhere nice, but... they have been out for the majority of the day. Perhaps staying in wouldn't be so terrible...]
I'm kinda pooped after all the sightseeing. My therapist said it's normal to run out of energy when being around lots of people all day.
[ And he is, but not so much he couldn't find a second wind if Zemo wanted. It doesn't seem that he does though, and that's just fine with Bucky. A nice dinner in could help them recharge after a long, packed day. ]
I could look for some candles if you want to set the mood.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Now give me a moment to pick up something a little more... appropriate as well. Then I think we could both use a few more... casual items as well.
[He's not going to be in prison garb the majority of the time, so he needs some items at Bucky's home at least.]
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[ When the attendant isn't looking, Bucky winks and steps away. That moment between them had been palpable, a brimming sort of frission laden with promise of After Dinner.
Maybe Zemo will take that pretty pocket square and tie it in a pretty bow around Bucky's neck--
He stops the thought, not wanting to get riled up too early in the trip. (Or to make Oeznik retract the probationary good will.) ]
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[He has little doubt his old friend will play nice with Bucky -- perhaps share an old story or two. Zemo can only imagine what sort.
Not that he dwells on it with so many more pleasant thoughts of their upcoming date (and after) springing to mind.
After he's made his own selections for the evening, he's off to find them anyway. When he does, they're both greeted with a short nod of his head and a pleasant enough look.]
I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important.
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So when Zemo reappears, Bucky is scrolling through his phone playing Candy Crush when he hears the footsteps. ]
Oh yeah I got the whole life story, dirty details and all.
[ Oeznik huffs, "Certainly not, sir," in Sokovian and Bucky snickers. ]
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Are there any requests on where you would like to go next, James?
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[ It's out of his mouth before he can stop himself, and his cheeks flush a slight shade of pink. ]
What do we do until dinner?
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I had no plans beyond clothes. [And those have been aquired, so--]
A movie, perhaps? [Isn't that a very American... date? Dinner and a movie? It's certainly something to spend some time doing.]
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[ Bucky perks up, and looks to Oeznik for backup.
"Perhaps sight-seeing could provide a diversion until the tailoring has been finished."
Bucky affects a rather exaggerated waggle of his eyebrows, tempting Zemo with the idea. ]
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Still-- Bucky wants to go, Oeznik seems to be encouraging it in his own way, so after a moment, he nods.]
Of course we can go.
[Of course if anyone sees Bucky out with Zemo again, he won't be held responsible for any damage to his reputation.]
Although I wonder why you thought of it... Have you been?
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[ As if he can just turn them invisible and go parading around busy tourist spots. ]
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[He moves to get in their waiting car, telling Oeznik where to go next. If the old man gives him any sort of looks, they're ignored for now. He can't help but tease--]
You should be careful. Someone may be under the impression this is a date, James.
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[ Bucky lifts his eyebrows to the dutiful driver, looking for support. Oeznik merely replies in his non-committal and formal way, "The Baron may see whomever he wishes."
It's not a strict answer (and Oeznik is more or less filling the role of an adult chaperone with two teenage lovebirds), but Bucky winks at Zemo. ]
See, totally fine.
Oh- you brought sunglasses, right?
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But this is Bucky's reputation to ruin if he wants, being seen in a rather public area with a known terrorist. Zemo isn't inclined to say no.
He does give a curious look at the question though.]
Why?
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Oh my god, for the disguise.
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[He makes a face at that, incredulous.]
James, I hardly think a pair of sunglasses will hide who I am.
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You may call me Helmut, if you would rather. I wouldn't mind it. [Even if few ever actually use it.]
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Bucky's used the given name before, but has gotten a bit fond of using it behind closed doors. Then again-- ]
Is that a request?
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[There's an easier smile at the touch, his hand sliding down to cover Bucky's easily. If he's worried about Oeznik's judgement, he doesn't seem to show it--
and besides, the old man will have the grace to save it for when they're alone anyway.]
I like the way my name sounds on your tongue, regardless of which one you use.
Handwave fluffy Liberty Island trip y/n?๐ฝ
[ He offers a good-natured leer, flipping his hand over to link their fingers together. ]
At least until your guy Oeznik objects.
y!!
But it is nice, and the trip is even nicer. No one recognizes him, or if they do, they don't say anything. It's a nice bit of freedom that he hasn't had in a while.
Even if there's a bittersweet feeling that freedom, true freedom, feels like an odd fit at the moment. When you've lived over eight years in a cell, it's strange to not have that redundancy, that lack of choice.
He still manages to enjoy the day regardless -- whether he and Bucky are discussing the history of the island or the monument, or slyly flirting here and there. Daring to hold hands or stay near each other. It's a day worth remembering.
Eventually, Oeznik returns them to Bucky's home and he takes it upon himself to put away their new clothing. His, as well, even if he shouldn't be so comfortable with this arrangement.]
James-- did you want to go to dinner tonight or order in?
[He had intended on taking them somewhere nice, but... they have been out for the majority of the day. Perhaps staying in wouldn't be so terrible...]
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I'm kinda pooped after all the sightseeing. My therapist said it's normal to run out of energy when being around lots of people all day.
[ And he is, but not so much he couldn't find a second wind if Zemo wanted. It doesn't seem that he does though, and that's just fine with Bucky. A nice dinner in could help them recharge after a long, packed day. ]
I could look for some candles if you want to set the mood.
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Zemo pauses at the agreement though, a brief hint of amusement flashing across his features.]
Candles. Very romantic, James. [He shifts to face him, tilting his head curiously.]
I would not say no. Although I am not certain candlelit dinners were supposed to be part of watching me.
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Well, my place isn't exactly set up to entertain nobility, Baron. I'd at least need to make some effort.
[ he starts digging through the kitchen junk drawer. ]
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[He gives a wry smile as he looks over his shoulder at Bucky.]
No need to put in more effort than that.
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