Middle Ground I Bucky barnes & H.Zemo

5

Two days had passed since the last private interaction between Zemo and Bucky: the team had been too occupied holding back John Walker from nonsense and Karli from escalating to rest even for a moment. However, both missions weren't going on so smoothly. The cherry on top was the constant feeling of surveilance that Bucky perceived following him around under the shape of invisibile eyes: he couldn't pinpoint it, but he could feel the drops of sweat forming on his neck, his mouth turning dry and his heart palpitating whenever his thoughts linged on Zemo for more than an istant.

However, the Sokovian seemed to ignore any change of heart in James' behaviour: it was still mandatory for him to find at least two or three times a day to bicker with Sam, teasing him with salty catchphrases and chuckling at his face turning red of anger. 

Regarding ​Sam, Bucky knew that he was a good and loyal friend, but despite him being a veteran consultant, he had no idea of what went through his partner's mind half of the time, so the soldier was left feeling quite alone and doubtful. 

There was something, a sort of charm or witchery that would drawn him to Zemo, and he hated enjoying it so much. The fact that his eyes were always so beautifully highlited by gold threaths, that the the smell of roses and syrupy turkish delight would accompany him everywhere, that his body moved with elegance at every footstep; all those details were driving Bucky insane, he couldn't help but feel attracted by them. 

He couldn't stay away from the sokovian for too long without wishing to see him, to check on him and feel his charismatic presence around. He made him feel safe, his heart would race whenever he was around, but he started figuring out that it wasn't for the worst reasons, on the contrary, the best.

That night the three of them actually managed to have a civil conversation while having dinner together, after Zemo offered to cook some typical Sokovian dish and Sam had to admit it tasted very delicious, but sitting at the table Bucky couldn't take his eyes off the man in front of him, who had the classical, elegant and excessive fineries of an aristocrat even when eating. 

When his friend retired in his room for some good rest and Zemo announced he would do the same he decided to remain in the living room for a while: something was pulsating inside his chest, a feeling coinstrained in the rib cage, awaiting to be let out. He tried different methods to calm down: he walked up and down the room, he thought about drinking some tea, sadly the alchool wasn't the only substance that the super serum would prevent from having any effect on his body, so no chamomile would help him to fall asleep any quicker.

Bucky got up and decided to step closer to the door, heasitant. His fingers were caressing the veins in the wood, his chest rising up and down. What was he going to do?

-Zemo?- he whispered -Can I come in?-

​A couple of seconds after the room unlocked and the Sokovian appeared wrapped up in bathrobe of the most beautiful forget-me-not shade of blue. The hair was wet as he had just gotten out of the shower, but his bear was still undone and his cheeks were starting to turn shaggy, yet that only made him look even sexier to Bucky's eyes. Without waiting for a further invitation he sneaked in and stood in the middle of the room with his hands sunk in the pockets' of the pajama

-To what do I owe the pleasure?- Zemo raised an eyebrow, but let the door close behind him with a small thump -Is everything okay?-

He knew something was up and he enjoyed teasing the man in front of him, acting all unaware and surprised. James was quite unstable, his left feet hadn't stopped thumping on the floor ever since he got in and pearls of sweat were forming on his pale forehead in the attempt of making a decision. The Sokovian got closer to examine his look, a superb smile rose from his lips when he felt Bucky's warm breath blowing on his neck

-I think you now- the words struggled to come out of his mouth, he almost chocked speaking

Zemo lifted Bucky's chin with his thumb an index finger

-Please enlighten me-

Enough with the sublety.

James grabbed the flaps of the robe and pushed him against his own chest, pressing his lips on the barons'. He didn't think it through, he just showed up with that precise desire in his mind, and decided to play along. Zemo wasn't complaining neither, his hands found grip onto Bucky's waist and was more than glad to welcome the rough tongue exploring his mouth. It had been so long since he kissed anyone: the last person to show him any sign of love was his wife, and so much time passed from those moments...

-I think I understood your general point- Zemo smirked, only to get back to those pink lips and deepen the kiss.

The room felt extremely small and hot all of the sudden, especially when he struggled with sliding James' t-shirt off from his beautiful body. Under the moonlight he had to take a step back only to admire with lustful eyes the amazing sight standing in front of him: Bucky's pupils were dilated, a unhibited expression of passion on his face. The baron took a moment to appreciate all of his beauty, and he made sure he knew how attracting he was by saying it out loud

-James- he started placing little kisses on his back, following with his fingertips the trace of numerous scars. Under the shining light of the night they seemed made out of pure silver -You're incredible- he leaned in to caress every part of his bruised abdomen: he knew it was likely those marks weren't hurting him, he was a supersoldier after all, but he tried to be as gentle as possible, not giving any step for granted. He wasn't the only one who missed out on many years of pratice, and he wanted to make sure he felt as comfortable as possible. He delayed his stay on a particular spot on James' neck, cherishing it with extreme care

-Zemo wait- he turned to the Sokovian and held his hands with a look of humiliation -I have to say this has nothing to do with you... you're...- his smile was all the sokovian needed to comprehend what he meant, so he nodded and pressed the thumbs on his palms to encourage him -but I can't do anything... not yet-

His cheecks flushed red and his eyes dropped on the floor

-I feel at ease with you, however these things trigger me more than I thought and I ask you to understand, please-

-Of course James- he touched his blushing cheek gently -I told you I can be trusted and I am ready to show you that-

Zemo took his hand and lead him to lay on the bed and Bucky did so knowing he wasn't going to force him to do anything he wouldn't do willingly. He felt more than happy when he received an invitation to cuddle and rest on the man's chest. No pressure. He relaxed under the soft and reassuring touch of his fingers drawing invisible patterns on his shoulders, he positioned his head on his torso and he immediately noticed Zemo's accellerated heartbeat pressing against the bare skin. He was glad he wasn't the only one to be so nervous.

-When I was... trained as the Winter Soldier- Bucky stopped to inhale -They experimented every sort of thing, and I mean it... Unspeakable things, so much violence... They used me as their personal puppet-

Zemo listened in silence, conscious that there weren't many words that could make his James feel any better. Silence was the most respectful thing he could do.

-I was mistreated, violated, tortured and used for so long - he closed his eyes, focusing on the now steady rythm of Zemo's heart -and I never thought I'd find out what it truly feels to be loved...not like this, not as in more than just friends. I've faced rejection all my life, and I am not exactly young-

The man waited to see if he wished to add anything before intervening

-We both lost the ones that were dear to us and that we loved - he felt the nerves on his back tensing up -Yes James, only a fool and someone so naive as Steve himself couldn't see how much you loved him. I am sure his decision to go back to Peggy hurt you quite a lot, but I have no intention of digging any further in that, I only want happiness for you, peace and rest, you deserve it-

Bucky raised his head, his eyes were watery and his heart felt heavy as a stone, but those words acted as a fresh balm for his bleeding wounds. He kissed him softly

-Thank you, that means a lot- he whispered, their frontheads touching

-It's okay, I am here for you now, I'll take care of you-