experienceandpatience

You will still have Sam, regardless of what happens-- here, with us. Most would say he is a far better influence, you know.

[Which doesn't seem as if it will be anything that ends well, at this point. He shifts a little, his free hand sliding up to try to coax Bucky to look up, to look at him.]

But thank you, James. It's... something I'm glad to hear, that I'm not simply a source of nightmares for you. [Not just a bad memory of old words and the loss of any autonomy anymore.]

And for now, we have time together, as much as I can convince the Countess to give us.

[ He lets Zemo draw his gaze upwards, still wrestling with the urge to hide his emotions after so long being a stony killer. But something he says makes Bucky's face twist. ]

You weren't a nightmare. [ It sounds ludicrous of course, how could someone who would activate the Winter Soldier not trigger nightmares? ] You never made me kill anyone.

[ Sure, he sent Bucky to the worst place imaginable, quoted words that stripped Bucky of his free will. But there was no mission. No sanctions, no targets, no objectives. Just information about a report from thirty years ago, and the location of the other Winter Soldiers.

That Zemo intended Bucky to be his escort and not his slave said much more than anything after the fact. Of course, Bucky can't justify the way Zemo turned his friends against each other (even if he understands it), but the man stands alone, a singular category amongst decades of Soviet and HYDRA overlords. ]

And I know you won't kill me now. [ A beat. Wry: ] Right?

[There's a slight twitch to his lips at the question, even if he's silently marveling at the way Bucky seems so genuine with his insistence. He's not a nightmare. He even seems to be a source of comfort.

It's an amazing thing, really.]

I am not going to kill you. [He doesn't ask the question in return. He knows James won't, but in the end, it also doesn't matter. If anyone were to kill him, he'd rather it be this man, he supposes.

His fingers brush over the line of Bucky's jaw lightly, appreciating the stubble there.]

We are in quite a mess. [And even when the rational, logical side of him tells him he should end this, he knows it's too late to avoid the heartache when it's over anyway.]

[ Bucky blushes faintly for a moment, still unable to hide how he reacts to gestures of tenderness and appreciation. ]

Yeah, well I'm a mess. I guess it was inevitable.

[ though he does think maybe it's foolish to fall for the first guy that treats him decently (he can hear Sam screaming in protest from here). ]

Welcome to the Bucky Barnes experience.

We are both messes.

[Zemo isn't going to pretend that he isn't, that anything he has done has been-- normal, even if it had been necessary. Normal men would not accomplish what he had.

He leans forward to brush a kiss over the other man's face lightly.]

I am glad for it, however long it will last.

[ Bucky hums, closing his eyes at the doting gesture. He's glad for this too, in spite of the inevitable heartbreak.

After a moment, he shifts, rolling over in an effort to get out of bed. As soon as he tries to sit up, his head starts pounding and he hunches over his knees, groaning. ]

Fffffuck. I need a shower, now this?

[There's a soft chuckle, although not exactly a malicious one as Zemo slides to his feet. He circles around the bed and pauses long enough to touch the other man's shoulder.]

You did drink your entire bar, James... you had to expect this. I will go make coffee. You'll feel better after that.

[And he will probably see if Bucky is in possession of anything like aspirin.]

Thanks for the support. [ Utterly sardonic.

When Zemo moves away, Bucky laments not putting a glass of water by the bed, and gingerly shuffles to the bathroom. His hair is wild, eyes bloodshot, lips swollen. His skin feels tacky with dried sweat, and there's the whole issue of letting Zemo...in him.

Once he's emptied his bladder, Bucky takes the hottest shower he can stand to loosen his muscles. While he doesn't dawdle, he doesn't rush either, taking time to make sure he's all fresh and ready to face the day.

Or his hangover.

Bucky pads into the tiny segment of his home that passes for a kitchen, lured to the scent of coffee like one of those old cartoon characters floating through the air. He's clean, but still only in his boxer-briefs; clearly Bucky is totally comfortable and not in any hurry to resume normal functioning. ]

Feels like I could eat an entire herd right now. Shower's all yours.

[Somewhere along the way, Zemo regrets not having the foresight to bring a spare change of clothes with him. He did at least slip back into his underwear -- and maybe nabbed one of Bucky's t-shirts. It's a bit ill-fitting, a bit loose on him, but if they're staying in... no reason to worry about what sort of impressions he's making.

What's important is that he's not standing at the stove cooking in the nude. He managed to find enough in Bucky's home to make a simple breakfast at least.

When Bucky comes in, he pauses an gives a bit of a smile.]

Perfect. [He does pause on his way around Bucky, hesitating only a moment before he leans up for a quick kiss.]

You eat. I will be out soon.

[Although possibly not any more dressed. He did promise Bucky he would stay as long as he could -- and he intends to keep that promise.]

[ Answering a booty call can cloud one's priorities!

Zemo seems to take to domesticity when given the chance, even giving Bucky a kiss on his way out. It makes him smile softly, even as Zemo disappears to rinse off. Once Bucky has eaten and downed at least one cup of coffee (and way more aspirin than a normal person could handle), he remembers his phone.

Zemo missed a check-in. Where the hell are you?

A text from Walker. Bucky sighs, taps out a quick reply, explaining Zemo came over to iron out tactical plans for their next mission. The span of time it takes for John to send another message makes Bucky suspect he's not buying it, so he waits until Zemo is out of the shower to lift his phone. ]

Say cheese.

[ He holds up a peace sign, prompting Zemo to at least wave to the camera. ]

[It certainly can.

And perhaps he really should have bothered to look at his own phone... undoubtedly, there will be some very angry texts from Walker reminding him that he's very close to being thrown back into his cell for the rest of his life.

But he comes out soon enough, dressed again, even if his hair is obviously still wet. There's a pause when he looks at the phone aimed at him. There's a half-hearted wave of a hand.]

Ah, let me guess... I'm in trouble, even if I was with a more than capable guard all night.

Yep, gonna be grounded.

[ Bucky crops the photo a bit and sends it off, along with a message for John to chill. The man won't be happy, but he'll be appeased for a while and that will have to be enough. After, he tosses the phone over his shoulder to land on the bed.

A beat passes, where he looks Zemo over, lifting his eyebrows. ]

Netflix and chill?

[He shakes his head, a wry smile twisting his lips before he nods.]

We may as well, if I'm not going to be able to make a return visit for a while.

[Although it's very rare that anyone could keep Zemo away from where he wants to be, whatever security measures they put in place.]

Next time, perhaps you should visit me.

[Before the drinks, of course.]

[ Bucky steps in close, brushes a thumb over Zemo's jaw. ]

Sorry I don't have your fancy cologne handy. You'll just have to make do.

Ah, I've certainly done without, James.

[There's an amused huff as he tilts his head into that touch just slightly.]

Perhaps I should send you a bottle... you do seem to rather enjoy it.

I'd like that. [ Might help him keep a piece of Zemo around...or make missing him worse. ] Think they'll let you keep a pinup of me in your quarters?

[ He is only half-joking. ]

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 don't know, but they're strong! 😢

When booty calls turn to Feels

It's very rude tbh!

The rudest😤

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wow!! I never got a notif for this. Rude, DW. 😤

the worst~!

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