"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.
It doesn't matter if it's muscle when the end result is that he still can't breathe! He may care about Bucky a great deal, but lines have to be drawn. He will deal with the bruising bites, but he will not suffer any unfortunate crushing accidents underneath him.
Besides, now that he's not vaguely worried about being able to move, there's a soft moan of approval when lips move back to his neck, followed by his hands sliding up and over Bucky's sides, along his back.
You know, Zemo had the opportunity to take the serum too. Him going on his self-righteous warpath means getting bruised and crushed by Bucky is his own fault, really.
Bucky tugs the corner of the sheets up a little more and covers himself and Zemo with them, trying to trap some of the warmth in. At some point it will get annoying and they'll end up kicking all those sheets away, but for now it'll work in Zemo's favour.
"...are you sensitive here?" Bucky asks softly once his hand drifts down to Zemo's breasts. They're kind of new and unexpected and Bucky's still trying to figure out what to do with them. It feels a little... pervy, to give them a light squeeze. But obviously it must be even weirder for Zemo.
He'd deal with all the bruising and crushing if it means zero poison in his veins. Bucky may wear it well, but-- Zemo isn't certain what sort of person he'd become, tainted with it.
Zemo sighs out when the sheets come over them, when they're tangled up far more comfortably--
But yes, that is weird. Not in a bad way, necessarily. They just... shouldn't be there. Still, he gives a soft sigh, tries not to look too awkward about being groped. It isn't as if he minds Bucky touching him anyway. "A bit."
Whether it's because he's just hyper aware or they're new or Bucky's just paying more attention to the area, he's not certain. He does arch up a bit, giving silent encouragement for Bucky to continue if he wants.
Bucky likes it. A lot. He's pretty sure Zemo knows. But he doesn't think Zemo does, and he doesn't want to sound so discouraging of them pursuing a fix or a cure. So he just frowns and shakes his head.
"They're okay. Still figuring them out." But it's kind of hard to deny that Bucky has been... more relaxed? Or comfortable? Almost? Around Zemo since the changes. He would argue that Zemo is harder to recognise in public, but it's probably more than that. He hasn't really figured out his own feelings about when he's rolling around in bed with men or women or, whatever. Aliens. It's the same Zemo, and it's the same Bucky, so it shouldn't be different. But he is, somehow.
"I like you, whatever you look and feel like," he reaffirms, even though that wasn't exactly the question.
Of course he knows. James isn't quite so... discreet as he thinks. Or maybe Zemo has just spent too much time studying him.
The response gets a chuckle out of him though, something surprisingly genuine. "James, I realize it has probably been a very long time for you, but I am not certain breasts have much to figure out."
They are a part on a body, not a math problem to solve.
"I like you too, James." His fingers trail up to graze the side of his face, up through his hair.
"No, I mean. Everything." Not just the breasts. Also, it hasn't been that long. There's no need to be an asshole about it.
It's not like he's planning their lives or their future together or anything with all these changes that he's not sure whether would stick. But there are some things he has to do differently right now. And it's a lot for Zemo to adjust to. He wants to give him the space and time he needs, if things stay the same tomorrow.
"You seem more..." Fragile? And indecisive. Zemo's changed too you know. Not just how Bucky's been acting. "...I don't know. Womanly." He's not the most eloquent companion Zemo has. That should come as no surprise.
Every time his life has turned into a nightmare, there had been a clear plan of action before him. Stark and HYDRA causing chaos in his country? He joined the military. He found resources and connections and consumed an information he could about the Winter Soldier program. Stark destroyed his family and his country? He set out for vengeance, for justice.
He can't pretend to understand magic or who may have done this, what motivations they had. He can't pretend to know if it would be better to stay in this body, if it doesn't right itself, or to seek a solution. Maybe he'd like to get some sort of vengeance on whoever decided to play with his body, change it...
It's a strange situation to be in -- it's even stranger with Bucky. Then there's the texts -- Bucky's friends and their concern. The Wakandans. There are a lot of threats at the moment. Maybe in the morning, he will have a clearer head, a better idea of what to do. Maybe he'll pick himself up yet again and figure out how to live with his life changed again. Maybe he'll be back to himself.
Right now, he tilts his head curiously. "Womanly? How so?"
"I don't know. You're just. Short. Shorter. And you bruise like a peach. And you-- seemed more anxious. Not saying that's just a woman thing. You just. Weren't so anxious before." The more Bucky talks the more he's realising he's digging a hole for himself and the more likely it is Zemo is going to put his foot between Bucky's legs. So he doesn't mention that Zemo's been more demanding or flip-flopping than usual. What does he know about-- hormones or anything like that anyway? Bucky does kind of give a prolonged look off to the side though, chews on his lips and shrugs.
"Did Oeznik say anything?" That's a poor deflect but maybe Oeznik's said some things that Bucky wouldn't have to say.
"I don't-- bruise like a peach. You're a super soldier who doesn't watch how hard he bites! You leave plenty of bruises on me all the time." He frowns a bit, listening to Bucky speak-- and yes, kicking him is very tempting right now.
"Just to be clear, you don't think I would be more anxious because I woke up and my body was changed, just in general?" Bucky knows what that's like, even if they're different. Doesn't he? It's not-- hormones. There's a short glare, his jaw tightening briefly. He doesn't kick in the end, but Bucky can be sure he's getting swatted away from any groping. No more breast groping privileges right now.
"He's worried, of course. And this is a lot of excitement for an old man. Far out of his realm of expertise as well... He did not call me womanly, however." Not to his face at least.
He doesn't notice the bruises on Zemo, and Zemo doesn't complain. Obviously, Zemo should complain more, then Bucky will know to dial it back. Retreating to lie down next to Zemo, Bucky withdraws a bit, lying on his side, watching Zemo warily the way Steve does when he's lying on the carpet watching the baron with his tail flopping against the floor. Although now he'll be able to take it into his tree and watch everyone move around from his high perch, which will hopefully keep him away from ruining the antique furniture.
"Yeah. I mean." Bucky averts his gaze and purses his lips, looking at the sheets. "Just. Outwardly anxious. You usually keep it in." Bucky keeps his anxiety in as well, although his hyperventilating through his nose and eyes darting around usually gives away his heightened state of stress.
Oeznik will likely end up hearing from the both of them on separate individual occasions. Zemo will ask him if Bucky is being weird, and Bucky will ask him if Zemo is being weird.
"I don't know. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's me." Does that reduce the urge to kick? Especially since Bucky is being honest and not just saying that to get Zemo off his back?
If he-- minded the bruises that much, he would complain. But normally, neither of them seem to mind or notice and that is-- fine. He's not suddenly so fragile because he's in a woman's body. He doesn't want to be treated like that. It's-- frustrating. He was a colonel, he led a group of skilled soldiers-- he ended the Avengers.
"You asked me to talk, James. I tried because-- things are a bit different now." But perhaps he shouldn't have. He should have just kept it to himself until he was ready with a solution, married or not. It seems to stress Bucky out after all and he'd... rather not
They really should give Oeznik a vacation at some point -- away from counselling the two men living under this roof.
There's a sigh at Bucky's words. He's not going to kick him. He is going to get up and peel himself out of the damp, uncomfortable suit and grab for something to slip on. A shirt, a pair of pants. Something comfortable and warm. He's not especially in the mood to play. "It doesn't matter. Today has been... strange for both of us. Maybe tomorrow will be better."
Clearly Bucky's not in the running to be the world's best husband at the moment. He does want Zemo to talk but he doesn't know what to say in response. He's either abrasive or dismissive or not responsive enough or just-- been alone for too long that doing anything more than just listening and observing is a surefire way to get in trouble.
He watches Zemo get dressed and his frown deepens. For a moment he thinks maybe he should slink back to his own room and curl up on the floorboards. But then he's not sure if that is going to be worse than just lying here. He doesn't think it would be good for Zemo to be alone through this.
"Can I-- hold you tonight? At least?" He's not trying his luck, he just wants Zemo to let him be protective without Zemo feeling like Bucky thinks he's so fragile.
A very firm no is on the tip of his tongue. Bucky can't imply he's-- weak, somehow and then expect to flop all over him. He stops himself short from saying it, even if he's still rather unhappy with the confusing signals Bucky is giving off. Maybe he's just frustrated that this-- has changed things.
It's not very comforting, not knowing your own body anymore, and it's bad for Zemo to not really have any idea of plans or ways to stay steps ahead.
But he gives a silent, brief nod yes before he comes back to bed to slide under the covers. Fine, he can stay and-- hold him. If that's what he wants.
"Hopefully you don't assume I'm weak or too different for allowing it," comes the grumbling reply. Maybe it's a bit unfair of him, really. But Zemo figures it will be... better after some rest. Hopefully.
"No. It's for me." That's-- not even what Bucky said, but he has a feeling he's already said something wrong and saying more is just going to dig that hole deeper and worsen the misunderstanding. "I'd feel more at ease." Like he was... doing a better job at being a guard dog, even though Zemo never asked it of him, never accused him of failing anything when this all happened.
"Thanks," he adds quietly. There's an apology in there somewhere, between Bucky falling silent not wanting to be construed as being patronising and a comforting, repetitive rubbing on Zemo's arm.
He's started to get used to a bed but he still generally prefers to sleep on his own sliver of the mattress, untouched, undisturbed, left alone to let his nightmares fester. He gets that it's hard for Zemo or Oeznik to watch, but they seem to know to leave him be. Coaxing Zemo to go to sleep cuddling is going to be a challenge, but at least Bucky's not shying away from it for now.
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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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Besides, now that he's not vaguely worried about being able to move, there's a soft moan of approval when lips move back to his neck, followed by his hands sliding up and over Bucky's sides, along his back.
"Much better, James," he practically purrs.
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Bucky tugs the corner of the sheets up a little more and covers himself and Zemo with them, trying to trap some of the warmth in. At some point it will get annoying and they'll end up kicking all those sheets away, but for now it'll work in Zemo's favour.
"...are you sensitive here?" Bucky asks softly once his hand drifts down to Zemo's breasts. They're kind of new and unexpected and Bucky's still trying to figure out what to do with them. It feels a little... pervy, to give them a light squeeze. But obviously it must be even weirder for Zemo.
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Zemo sighs out when the sheets come over them, when they're tangled up far more comfortably--
But yes, that is weird. Not in a bad way, necessarily. They just... shouldn't be there. Still, he gives a soft sigh, tries not to look too awkward about being groped. It isn't as if he minds Bucky touching him anyway. "A bit."
Whether it's because he's just hyper aware or they're new or Bucky's just paying more attention to the area, he's not certain. He does arch up a bit, giving silent encouragement for Bucky to continue if he wants.
"... Do you like it? The changes, I mean."
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"They're okay. Still figuring them out." But it's kind of hard to deny that Bucky has been... more relaxed? Or comfortable? Almost? Around Zemo since the changes. He would argue that Zemo is harder to recognise in public, but it's probably more than that. He hasn't really figured out his own feelings about when he's rolling around in bed with men or women or, whatever. Aliens. It's the same Zemo, and it's the same Bucky, so it shouldn't be different. But he is, somehow.
"I like you, whatever you look and feel like," he reaffirms, even though that wasn't exactly the question.
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The response gets a chuckle out of him though, something surprisingly genuine. "James, I realize it has probably been a very long time for you, but I am not certain breasts have much to figure out."
They are a part on a body, not a math problem to solve.
"I like you too, James." His fingers trail up to graze the side of his face, up through his hair.
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It's not like he's planning their lives or their future together or anything with all these changes that he's not sure whether would stick. But there are some things he has to do differently right now. And it's a lot for Zemo to adjust to. He wants to give him the space and time he needs, if things stay the same tomorrow.
"You seem more..." Fragile? And indecisive. Zemo's changed too you know. Not just how Bucky's been acting. "...I don't know. Womanly." He's not the most eloquent companion Zemo has. That should come as no surprise.
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He can't pretend to understand magic or who may have done this, what motivations they had. He can't pretend to know if it would be better to stay in this body, if it doesn't right itself, or to seek a solution. Maybe he'd like to get some sort of vengeance on whoever decided to play with his body, change it...
It's a strange situation to be in -- it's even stranger with Bucky. Then there's the texts -- Bucky's friends and their concern. The Wakandans. There are a lot of threats at the moment. Maybe in the morning, he will have a clearer head, a better idea of what to do. Maybe he'll pick himself up yet again and figure out how to live with his life changed again. Maybe he'll be back to himself.
Right now, he tilts his head curiously. "Womanly? How so?"
That's... vague of James to say.
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"Did Oeznik say anything?" That's a poor deflect but maybe Oeznik's said some things that Bucky wouldn't have to say.
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"Just to be clear, you don't think I would be more anxious because I woke up and my body was changed, just in general?" Bucky knows what that's like, even if they're different. Doesn't he? It's not-- hormones. There's a short glare, his jaw tightening briefly. He doesn't kick in the end, but Bucky can be sure he's getting swatted away from any groping. No more breast groping privileges right now.
"He's worried, of course. And this is a lot of excitement for an old man. Far out of his realm of expertise as well... He did not call me womanly, however." Not to his face at least.
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"Yeah. I mean." Bucky averts his gaze and purses his lips, looking at the sheets. "Just. Outwardly anxious. You usually keep it in." Bucky keeps his anxiety in as well, although his hyperventilating through his nose and eyes darting around usually gives away his heightened state of stress.
Oeznik will likely end up hearing from the both of them on separate individual occasions. Zemo will ask him if Bucky is being weird, and Bucky will ask him if Zemo is being weird.
"I don't know. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's me." Does that reduce the urge to kick? Especially since Bucky is being honest and not just saying that to get Zemo off his back?
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"You asked me to talk, James. I tried because-- things are a bit different now." But perhaps he shouldn't have. He should have just kept it to himself until he was ready with a solution, married or not. It seems to stress Bucky out after all and he'd... rather not
They really should give Oeznik a vacation at some point -- away from counselling the two men living under this roof.
There's a sigh at Bucky's words. He's not going to kick him. He is going to get up and peel himself out of the damp, uncomfortable suit and grab for something to slip on. A shirt, a pair of pants. Something comfortable and warm. He's not especially in the mood to play. "It doesn't matter. Today has been... strange for both of us. Maybe tomorrow will be better."
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He watches Zemo get dressed and his frown deepens. For a moment he thinks maybe he should slink back to his own room and curl up on the floorboards. But then he's not sure if that is going to be worse than just lying here. He doesn't think it would be good for Zemo to be alone through this.
"Can I-- hold you tonight? At least?" He's not trying his luck, he just wants Zemo to let him be protective without Zemo feeling like Bucky thinks he's so fragile.
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It's not very comforting, not knowing your own body anymore, and it's bad for Zemo to not really have any idea of plans or ways to stay steps ahead.
But he gives a silent, brief nod yes before he comes back to bed to slide under the covers. Fine, he can stay and-- hold him. If that's what he wants.
"Hopefully you don't assume I'm weak or too different for allowing it," comes the grumbling reply. Maybe it's a bit unfair of him, really. But Zemo figures it will be... better after some rest. Hopefully.
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"Thanks," he adds quietly. There's an apology in there somewhere, between Bucky falling silent not wanting to be construed as being patronising and a comforting, repetitive rubbing on Zemo's arm.
He's started to get used to a bed but he still generally prefers to sleep on his own sliver of the mattress, untouched, undisturbed, left alone to let his nightmares fester. He gets that it's hard for Zemo or Oeznik to watch, but they seem to know to leave him be. Coaxing Zemo to go to sleep cuddling is going to be a challenge, but at least Bucky's not shying away from it for now.
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