Work Text:
As the group of three changed their destination to Riga on the plane, Zemo served them pastries. Since they only had breakfast at Sharon's place before confronting Dr. Nagel, with a gunfight and escape, Sam and Bucky were actually hungry.
Still not trusting the villain, the Americans ate the food reluctantly. After the first few bites and seeing the baron eating the food himself, deeming the food is safe, they gobble down the rest rather quickly.
Bucky got a bit distracted seeing Zemo eating his own portion with small bites. At first, he thought maybe it's a royalty thing, eating food like they have all the time in the world, but then the baron served in the military, Bucky can't imagine eating like that during missions. Zemo started licking his lips with a small smile, looking content from eating. Bucky's heart skipped a beat and forced himself to look away.
While Sam was busy contacting his sister, Bucky wondered where the food came from. When they were flying to Madripoor, there wasn't any food on the plane aside from crackers. Did Zemo's butler purchase the pastries when they were busy in Lowtown? Why these pastries though? Why not meals that can be considered as dinner? Not that Bucky was complaining, it was some sweet pastries with buttery crispy crust and sugary berry fillings. They were tasty, and the soldiers were more than satisfied.
As they arrived at Zemo's apartment in Riga, after washing up, the Sokovian opened up every single cupboard in the kitchen. With the unexpected murder in Madripoor, Sam and Bucky both kept a close eye on the baron in case of another dangerous surprise.
Zemo took out a bunch of edible items, probably checking whether they were still good or not. Bucky took a glance at the cupboards that were left open, wondering why couldn't the baron close the doors as he went, the kitchen was starting to look like it was being robbed by a hungry thief.
When Steve was mentioned, Zemo had a butter cookie on one of his fingers, wiggling it back and forth. Bucky could barely keep a straight face on, forcing himself to look away and walk towards the couch. He could hear the man munching on the cookie and another cabinet being opened, then probably nibbling again.
Sitting on the couch, he thought about Zemo being this mastermind villain, who single-handedly bombed the UN and broke up the Avengers, who was also in a bathrobe going through the kitchen looking for snacks. Standing on his tippy-toes to reach something up high; bowing down to peek at cabinets at the bottom. It looked so normal: an ordinary man who likes to enjoy food, that just happens to be a villain with some slender yet muscular legs and a nice round butt.
The soldier shook that last thought out of his head.
When the baron shared Turkish delights with them, Sam shrugged and enjoyed the “irresistible” confection. Bucky scoffed under his breath: what's with the sweets? Bucky accepted his candy; seeing Sam and Zemo both consumed theirs, Bucky ate his. It was very sweet and sugary with rose and citrus flavouring, along with a sticky and gummy texture, certainly not your ordinary candy choice if you're unfamiliar with it.
Bucky supposed the children at the camp haven't had candies for a while. Seeing Zemo interacting with the children was weird. Bribing them with candies? Even weirder. However, Sam and Bucky couldn't get any information from the adults, supposed Zemo can't make it worse. It seemed one of the girls whispered into the baron's ear, hopefully he got something useful.
Returning to the apartment, when Zemo talked about leverage, it made his blood boil. Is this all a game to him? He's going back to prison right after this mission, what does he think he can get out of this? Bucky lost his temper, lashed out and stormed out of the apartment.
“It was always my son's favourite.”
Bucky didn't miss that. The change in the baron's voice, body language, and facial expression. Zemo looked genuinely sad. The mouth zipping gesture with the girl, the endearing smirk, the soft lovely brown eyes. Perhaps that was what Zemo would have done with his son, giggling and whispering secrets behind the mother, like a normal family.
Bucky felt bad for a moment.
Sam flew off to make some calls; feeling awkward to go back to the apartment so soon, Bucky walked on the streets with no destination in mind. Walking through the streets absently, the American suddenly registered a tempting smell — a bakery. Scanning through all sorts of baked goods behind the windows, Bucky walked in.
When Bucky returned to the apartment, Sam wasn't back and Zemo was sitting on the couch, reading a book and sipping, perhaps, cherry blossom tea.
“Sorry about teacup.”
Zemo looked up from his book.
“It's alright. This house doesn't need that many teacups anymore.”
Now Bucky felt guilty. An image popped into his mind. Zemo and his family in this house for a vacation, drinking tea with the family, his kid having Turkish delights. Looking back at Zemo in the present, all alone on the family-sized couch.
“Look, I know I shouldn't have thrown the cup, but you shouldn't have pushed it.”
“I won't apologize for something I deemed necessary.”
“What did you think you could get out of it? Because you're not getting out of prison after this mission.”
“James, I'm not that naive. If anything, I thought you'd understand.”
“Understand what?”
“I have a mission and I very much intend to complete it before going back into prison to spend the rest of my life. You, who fought in war, should understand that sometimes a mission is perhaps worth everything. Whether it is gaining whatever little leverage there is, pushing the limit, or risking one's life.”
Especially when you have nothing to lose — Bucky added to his thought. The soldier does understand it, what Zemo said is probably true.
“I'm still blaming it on you.”
Bucky walked into the kitchen, put down the paper bag he was holding and searched in the cabinets. He pulled out a couple of plates, placed what he bought in the bakery on them.
He walked back to the couch and set the plates in front of the baron. The baron moved his attention from the book to the plates on the coffee table.
“Not sure what you'd prefer, so I bought a few.”
“Letting me choose now are we?” The familiar smirk came back to Zemo's face.
“Hey, it's just some damn pastries. Now choose.”
The baron looked at the Danish pastries, took a few moments to think before he reached out to pick up one.
“I figured you'd take the peach.”
Zemo frowned but blushed a little.
“Now eat.”
Zemo raised an eyebrow at Bucky, but started nibbling at the pastry; he moaned quietly at the first bite, content at the flavour.
Bucky did not miss that small moan and felt his pants just grew a bit tighter. He sat on the other side of the couch and grabbed himself a portion.
“Is it good? Bought it at a bakery down a few blocks.”
Zemo swallowed his bite.
“It's good, I can tell it was freshly baked.”
“Saw a bunch of these through the window and I thought… Well, I thought they looked tasty.”
“They are tasty.” Zemo offered a smile.
“... Good.”
That genuine smile caused Bucky's heart to skip a beat. Seeing Zemo resumed nibbling away again, the soldier's sight narrowed to his mouth.
The cute small bites, the focus on the food Bucky brought him. The sinful tongue curling around pink lips, licking the sugar off just to repeat motion with each bite. Bucky couldn't bear to look down at his crotch, for he knew a tent had formed just from seeing the criminal eat, so he started eating his apple Danish.
When he finished his delicious pastry, he noticed Zemo was staring at him.
“What are you staring at?”
Zemo stared a bit more before shifting his body towards Bucky.
Bucky's heart skipped a beat again and was mesmerized by Zemo's closeness; he could smell the peachy sugary sweetness and see individual eyelashes surrounding those enchanting brown eyes.
Zemo got even closer and kissed him on the lips; Bucky thought time had stopped. He could not remember the last time he kissed somebody, he certainly missed the sensation. He unconsciously started kissing back, enjoying the interaction. When he heard the baron's moan, Bucky thought he was going to lose his mind.
Zemo ended the kiss with his tongue licking Bucky's lips.
“Thank you for the pastry.”
“... You're welcome. You could've given the man a heads-up you know.”
“My apologies, James. I have a sweet tooth, and it's just irresistible.”
“... I figured.”