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.
"I'm only allowing it because I know you would enjoy being made to sleep on the floor too much," Zemo grumbles. It's not true exactly. Not with the way that he shifts back and fits himself back against Bucky. If it's any indication, Zemo finds it just as comforting, just as soothing after the very confusing day they've had.
He lets out a sigh, eyes drifting shut after a moment.
There's a sigh as he curls his legs up a bit, closes his eyes. "... I am glad we went out today."
Whatever happens tomorrow. They at least had a nice day, didn't they? Or at least Zemo hopes.
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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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He lets out a sigh, eyes drifting shut after a moment.
There's a sigh as he curls his legs up a bit, closes his eyes. "... I am glad we went out today."
Whatever happens tomorrow. They at least had a nice day, didn't they? Or at least Zemo hopes.