Helmut Zemo Oneshots

TROPHY WIFE

Plot: Reader is a very poor ex-avenger traveling with Bucky, Sam, and Zemo when she confesses her shock at their temporary lifestyle.

Warnings: Swearing, describing poor living conditions

- - -

Y/n was poor. She rejected all the money and fame she could have gotten from being Avenger, not wanting to profit off of a job that had previously ruined a country, even if that happened before she had joined. Instead, Y/n considered herself nothing more than a concerned citizen taking action to help, even if that meant she had to eat cup noodles for every meal in a water damaged studio apartment.

Now she sat on Zemo's couch, a cup of tea nestled in her hands as she looked around the home. It was nice, not overly showy but was visibly upper class. Y/n couldn't believe this was how she was living now, pulled around by a rich guy. Truthfully, she could get used to the perks that came with being around the Baron.

"I still can't believe I can say I've been in a private jet." Y/n said out loud, getting the attention of Bucky and Sam. "I mean just a few days ago I was poor as fuck, living off of dollar store cup noodles and sunny d. I was able to eat a steak yesterday!" She laughed, only earning a concerned look from the three men at her living arrangements, Zemo now no longer staring into his cup and instead at Y/n inquisitively, his head tilted slightly.

"Damn Y/n, you lived like that?" Asked Sam, "Like, you're not exaggerating?"

Y/n laughed. "God, I wish I was. But no, I actually lived like that. I should invite you guys around to my apartment sometime, you can meet the rats that live in my walls." Her words caused Bucky's never ending stare to morph into serious concern and Sam's jaw to drop. Zemo showed indifference, grabbing her empty cup she had placed down and going to the kitchen to wash it. "That's a joke, it's actually mice."

"How do you live like that?" Asked Bucky, "If you need a place to stay, I don't use my bedroom much."

"It's hard to hold another job when you're an Avenger and it just feels wrong to get money from it. Unlike you two I became an Avenger right out of highschool, I didn't have savings like Sam and I wasn't in anyone's will like you Bucky. All my money comes from the occasional government mission that I allow to pay me. But don't worry about me, I'm an Avenger, I'll make do. I don't need any help" She smiled at the two.

"Alright, but you need anything you call me. God, I can't believe you live like that. Do I need a tetanus shot just because I've been standing close to you?" Joked Sam, easing the tense concern that filled the air.

Y/n giggled. "No don't worry, I'm safe. But being with Zemo has made me start thinking," She paused for a moment, wondering if she should really say this. "I wonder if any rich people out there would like an Avenger trophy wife?" Sam let out a laugh, about to say something when an unexpected voice interrupted.

"I would." Spoke Zemo from his place in the kitchen, popping a turkish delight into his mouth.

All heads turned to the Sovokian Baron, earning a casual shrug from him. Y/n felt her cheeks turn red as she processed his words. Bucky's fist clenching as he shot a glare to Zemo. Sam looked between the two, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"No, no, no this is not what's going to happen. I need some air, I'm going for a walk." He headed to the door, followed by an awkwardly silent Bucky. "You two, don't do anything weird while we're gone." Sam tossed on his jacket, muttering about the situation under his breath as he headed out with Bucky in tow.

The room became consumed by silence soon after, the only sound being made was from the wrapping on Zemo's turkish delights as he tossed another one into his mouth. Y/n couldn't keep his eyes off him, thinking of his words. She hadn't really realized how attractive he was before now. Not a hair out of place, his long jacket slung over his shoulders, the air of casual confidence he gave off. She wasn't sure why she liked him, the man that caused a rift within the Avengers, who had caused so much pain to those she cared about. She almost felt guilty for it. Almost.

"I meant what I said." The sokovian accent filled the room after a few moments, Y/n's eyes snapping to his instead of looking at his body. "About an Avenger trophy wife."

"And why would you mean that? I thought you hated us?" Y/n asked, confused.

Zemo walked over, his steps slow and back straight as he approached, looking like the royalty he was. "Because you're not like them, you're not a supremacist. You live in squalor because you believe it's the right thing to do. You don't show your power to the world and become a glorified image, you try to remain human. You're humble, altruistic." He paused right in front of Y/n. She turned her head away from him, looking out the window, his words making her cheeks painted red.

"You flatter me Zemo." She spoke nervously, not used to all the praise. She wasn't a popular avenger so not many people paid attention to her efforts, and she didn't care if they did or didn't but it felt nice to receive a compliment. In a way, Zemo's praise meant more to her in her eyes than anyone else's. He was against the whole group and wasn't scared to make that known, yet here he was complimenting her.

"It's the truth." His hand cupped her cheek and guided Y/n's face to look at his. "You don't deserve to live like that when you're the only good one in the damn system. If the others were like you, maybe my country would still be around." His eyes held sadness within them for a moment as he almost stared through her before going back to how he was before. "I know I can't marry you now, however just think of at least being my sugar baby, let me reward you for being the only hero with a good moral compass."

Y/n stared into his dark eyes for a few moments, mulling over the situation. Was it right to accept? No. But she hadn't felt true appreciation for her actions and sacrifices before, nor such genuine praise, that she decided for once and only once it was time to be selfish. She reached into her pocket and ripped a page out of her notebook, scribbling her number onto the sheet and handing it to Zemo.

"I accept."