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It was sunny after the rain fell. This afternoon was peaceful. Cloudy skies, but warm air. Things were sure going on in the Baron's residence in Riga.
"Cherry blossom tea?" asked Zemo as he poured some warm water into a tea cup. He was in his all-time favorite purple-red sweater, and of course, in his iconic fur coat.
Sam rolled his eyes. "For the 100th time, no thank you." He was tired of being asked it. And anyway, he wasn't thirsty. Sitting on the couch near the counter, he picked up his phone and saw a text message. It was from Bucky. It said: "I HAVE A SURPRISE! I CAN'T WAIT TO COME. JUST HANG ON AND YOU'LL SEE!" And just like that, Sam was curious.
"Okay. Suit yourself," the Baron said. He blinked. He picked up the tea cup and took a delicate sip from it. He placed the cup on the table and walked over to Sam. Zemo sat down on the other side of the couch, not too far from Sam.
"Sam, if I may ask, why are you mad?" He knew exactly why.
"You know why," Sam said, "It's--"
And right before he could speak, the doors were blasted open. It was Bucky. He was filled with excitement. Trying to hide the new cat he had just got, he walked swiftly over to Sam.
"Guess what?" asked Bucky smiling. Zemo tried to see what he was holding. He peeked through.
"What is it?" Sam asked curiously, with his eyes wide open.
Before he answered, a quiet sneeze drew out, particularly coming from Zemo.
Sam and Bucky slowly turned their heads to Zemo. "Bless," Sam said.
Bucky couldn't wait to show Sam the cat. "Okay," he turned his head back to Sam, "Ta-da!" He turned around and revealed the small, white, fluffy kitten out of Bucky's black suit jacket.
"Huh?" Bucky held the kitten closer to Sam, "Look! It's so cute! And tiny!"
"Oh my," Sam said, "That is... I can't even say." Sam's eyes were big and gazed right at the 4-legged animal.
"This is 'Alpine.'" Bucky released the cat onto Sam's lap.
Sam gracefully put his hand on the cat and pet its soft, fluffy white hair. Zemo looked at it, and then the cat walked to Zemo's lap and sat on it.
Zemo, trying not to be rude, gently pushed Alpine over with the back of his hand, but it kept walking over to Zemo's lap.
Zemo stood up, "If I may," he sneezed into his hands, "I will get something for you to drink." He lifted up Alpine and brought him to Sam. He walked over to the counter, and made more tea, even thought no one asked. 3 cups. One for himself, one for Sam, and one for Bucky.
Bucky turned around and watched Zemo making the tea.
Zemo put one small flower in each of the three cups and poured warm water over them. He peacefully stirred them and then brought them over to Sam and Bucky, leaving one for himself.
"What is this?" Bucky questioned after being handed over a cup of tea.
"Cherry blossom motherfucking tea," Sam answered.
Zemo chuckled. He giggled at the fact Sam was annoyed by it. But there was no other option, so Sam just drank it anyway.
"What's so funny?" Bucky asked after sipping the tea from the tea cup.
"Sorry, it's," Zemo put down his cup on the table. He sneezed softly. Again. He was flushed.
"Zemo, you sure you are alright?" Sam asked, actually caring about him.
"Yes." He lied. "I am quite content today."
Bucky realized it. "Oh no," he spat out.
"'Oh no' what?" Sam asked.
"It's Alpine. I think Zemo is... allergic to him," Bucky said.
Sam raised his eyebrows. He stood up and lifted Alpine off his lap and placed him on the couch.
"So then, what do we do about it?" Sam asked.
Zemo finished and walked over to the counter put the tea cup down. Zemo sniffled.
"I think it's best to... maybe... release him?" Sam couldn't think of anything else.
Bucky didn't want that. He was too attached to it, "No. Please. Anything else. Alpine stays with us."
Sam hated to say it, but he said it. "But we need to keep Zemo safe."
Bucky was disgusted. "Well then, I'll just try to keep Alpine away from Zemo as far away as possible."
"It's okay, guys," Zemo said, "I can live with it." No he couldn't.
Bucky grabbed Alpine and walked quickly to his room, leaving Sam sitting on the couch. He sighed.
As soon as Bucky got into his room, he got on his bed and played with Alpine. He was so soft to him.
"Hi Alpine," Bucky said playfully. The cat purred.
"Ohh Alpine. I love you but I don't know how you can stay." Bucky said, although Alpine didn't understand. He "meow"-ed.
"It's just Zemo's dumb allergies. But don't worry. I'll try to think of something," Bucky said to Alpine, still not understanding. Alpine "meow"-ed again and raised his paw as high as he could.
Bucky was like a child. "Oh Alpine! You're so cute. Come here, you."
Zemo sneezed and accidentally bumped into the tea cup on the counter, which fell down and broke to pieces. "Shit."
Sam turned his head around and looked at Zemo, noticing his red, flushed cheeks and nose.
"Sorry," Zemo said quietly.
Sam stood up and walked to Bucky's room. Sam opened the door and the first thing he saw was Bucky playing with Alpine. Bucky laid flat on his back on the bed and Alpine was walking all over his body. When Bucky saw Sam come in, he quickly sat up into position and picked up Alpine to sit up next to him.
"You really do like him, do you?" Sam commented.
"Yes," Bucky said. "He reminds me of Steve. He's funny."
"Yeah. I could see that."
"So," Sam started, "about Zemo's allergies--"
"Ughhh," Bucky moaned and rolled his eyes.
"As I was saying," Sam continued, "Zemo really IS allergic. Man, he even dropped a fricking tea cup when he sneezed."
"Oh. It's that bad..." Bucky said.
"But I'll talk to him. Bye now." Sam walked closer and pet Alpine on the head. "Alpine."
Bucky watched as Sam was about to leave the room. As soon as Sam closed the door, Bucky went back to playing. "Oh come here, Alpine!"
Sam walked over to the other side of the hallway. To Zemo's room. He opened the door and saw Zemo reading his book on a chair: "Fortuna ist ein reissender Fluß". He was surrounded by tissues.
"Zemo." Sam said as he walked in.
Zemo turned around and sat up. He was wearing loose, white pants with his dark blue robe. He put the book down and placed a bookmark to save his page. "Yes, Sam? What do you need?"
"I was about to ask that same question to you," Sam said.
Zemo looked down. "Listen, don't worry about me," he said.
"What do you want? Benadryl? I'll go--" Sam was interrupted.
"No. I'm not into those silly drugs." Zemo said. He sneezed quietly. "Just something more fresh. Heck-- you don't even need to get me anything. I can take care of myself--"
"I'll still HAVE to get you something," Sam pushed it.
"No, really. I appreciate it, but I am quite fine." Zemo was never more red in his life.
"Well then," Sam gave up, "take care." He left the room, shutting the door. Zemo picked up his book and continued reading.
Sam walked over to Bucky's room. Again. He opened the door and saw Bucky and Alpine cuddling, or sleeping, together. Bucky had his arm around Alpine, protecting him.
"Bucky!" Sam said.
"I'm awake!" Bucky sat up, along with Alpine also waking up.
"So," Bucky asked, "what did Zemo say?"
"He says that he could take care of himself. He doesn't want medicine or something like that."
"Pfft!" Bucky pet Alpine's head. "So he'll have to live with it?"
"Guess so," Sam said, "Wait-- no."
"What is it?" Bucky asked.
"What food makes a person feel better?" asked Sam.
"Uhh... soup?" Bucky answered.
"So we'll get Zemo some soup." Sam said.
Bucky tried not to laugh. He smirked. "Okay."
* * * * * * * * * * *
It was evening and Sam was preparing dinner. Soup. That was it. Silly, he thought, he was acting like a dad. A responsible one.
"Bucky, Zemo, dinner." Sam yelled out loudly. Loud enough to wake Bucky up from his slumber. Loud enough that Zemo sneezed. (It was... strange.)
Zemo put down his book and walked over to the dinette. He looked extremely tired, red stuffy nose, red puffy cheeks, and messy hair.
"Woah woah, woah," Sam said as he saw the expression on Zemo's face. "How long have you been reading that book?" He asked.
"Long enough," Zemo's voice was rough.
Bucky walked and grabbed a seat, right next to Zemo.
"Holy--" Bucky said. "Zemo, you good? You look like shit."
"I'm fine." Zemo wasn't.
"Sooo," Bucky said with awe, "What's for dinner? What-- the soup that I suggested?"
"Yes it is," Sam said. "Homemade chicken noodle soup."
Bucky tried not to laugh. It was literally his day today. Full of surprises.
"And you expect me to eat this?" Zemo asked as Sam was giving out the bowls of soup to the three of them on the table.
"Sh. Don't speak." Sam said.
"Sam," Bucky said, "Don't you think you're treating Zemo like a child?"
"Well... what else should I do to get this anti-cat man feel better?" Sam replied.
Zemo gave a look. He tried to hide a sneeze. "I--"
"Just shut up and just eat your soup," Sam spat out.
Zemo was speechless.
Bucky was about to laugh. He took a spoon and tasted it. "Oh my God, Sam."
"What?"
"This is... delicious," Bucky sounded surprised.
"I know that." Sam said.
Zemo was about to taste the soup. Once he had a small spoonful of soup, his eyes lit. It, in fact, really was delicious. Usually, it was Zemo who was taking care of Sam and Bucky. But at this point, it was the other way around.