Work Text:
Their sleeping routine hasn't changed that much since moving to one of Zemo's properties. They take a shower, change clothes to something comfortable, brush their teeth, comb their hair and Zemo dedicates a time to do both of their skincare. After that, they go to bed. Except Bucky keeps sleeping on the floor.
He takes his blanket and a pillow, says goodnight to Zemo and kisses him, and goes to his spot in the living room.
Zemo doesn't like him sleeping on the floor. He's tried to convince him to use the couch at least, but Bucky just gives him a fond smile and says, "It's okay".
----------
"Goodnight baby" Bucky says while giving him a quick peck on the lips. Zemo is washing his empty cup of tea in the kitchen. He watches him leave straight to the living room.
"James"
Bucky stops and turns. Zemo walks to him and reaches his hands to his mismatched ones. "May I join you tonight? For sleep" His voice tone is calm and expectant. He's looking at him with those dovey caramel eyes and damn Bucky knows he couldn't deny anything to that.
"Why? I mean– Is something wrong with your room? Do you feel sick?" Bucky was surprised. Zemo has tried to persuade him from leaving the floor, but he has never offered company.
"No" He rubs circles on his vibranium hand. "I just desire to sleep with you, that's all"
They stand there in the dark room for a moment, until Bucky grabs Zemo's hand and guides him to his spot. He drops his pillow to the floor, and he lays down while Zemo just sits by his side.
"I thought you wanted to sleep on the floor with me"
"Sleep with you? Of course. Sleep on the floor? I never said that"
Of course his fancy ass wouldn't sleep on bare floor.
"I'm afraid I do no longer have the body of the young man I used to be. I was thinking perhaps… sleeping on top of you? If you are comfortable with that, of course, darling"
Bucky complains a bit but lets him do it anyway, their bodies would be sore by the morning anyway, but nothing that a warm bath can't fix.
"Good night, baby" Bucky says again.
"Good night, love" Zemo replies.
----------
When the early rays of sun start to illuminate the room, Bucky opens his eyes and the first thing he sees are Zemo's golden locks of hair shining from the light. He thinks it's beautiful. He also notices the warmth and heaviness from Zemo's body, and how his own body welcomed that feeling through the night, apparently so much that while being asleep he embraced Zemo with his arms, the vibranium one on his lower back and the flesh one on the back of his neck.
There's this weird feeling of peace surrounding him. He doesn't remember having nightmares even, and Zemo doesn't have any wound or sign of struggle.
He looks back at Zemo. His breathing is relaxing him, and thanks to the super soldier's enhanced senses he listens to his heartbeat, steady and calm. With his flesh hand, he starts petting Zemo's hair with a very gentle touch as the minutes pass. It doesn't take long until the baron hums with satisfaction, welcoming the soft touch while waking up. He lifts his head to meet Bucky's eyes.
"Morning" Bucky greets him with a smile.
"Good morning" he replies with a lazy smile and tired eyes. Bucky catches a glimpse of expression lines and little wrinkles around his eyes and forehead, and welcomes his more accented voice in the morning. A reminder of how time passes differently for both of them fills his mind.
"Is everything okay?" Zemo asks with a soft voice, catching a subtle look of distress in Bucky, and not wanting to break the peaceful aura of the morning. Bucky instantly gets rid of that thought and focuses on the present.
"Yeah, I'm good" Bucky smiles. "Are you okay?"
Zemo nuzzles his head in Bucky's bare chest, like a cat. "My neck hurts"
He lowers the hand fondling Zemo's hair and makes a little pressure with his fingers, focusing on the back of his neck. "I'll give you a massage later. Prepare a warm bath for us. Maybe light up some scented candles". Zemo just hums in agreement. "I very much would like that, yes". Bucky chuckles, and they stay silent for a little while.
When the time to get up comes, Zemo lifts himself from Bucky and joins him at his side on the floor. Their eyes meet, and Bucky starts to laugh. Zemo frowns. "What's so funny?"
"I'm sorry, doll. It's just that..." He reaches his hand to Zemo's cheek, his thumb caressing it. "You have my dog tags marked on your face"
Zemo feels his cheeks turn warmer and touches that spot to feel the marks on his skin for himself.
"They look good on you, y'know. People would know that you're with me. Maybe I can mark on your forehead: 'If lost return to James Buchanan Barnes'"
Bucky laughs and knows that Zemo didn't like that at all just by seeing the little pout on his face and how he pushes him by his chest. He looks like an angry kitten, and if that isn't the cutest thing, Bucky doesn't know what else is.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry. Just messing with you" He laughs. Bucky holds the hand pushing him and lifts himself just enough to kiss Zemo's marked cheek. He surrounds Zemo's waist with his free hand and brings him closer until their bodies touch. Zemo is hiding his face between Bucky's jaw and neck.
"I would love to tell everybody that you're my lover. That I'm yours" Zemo whispers, knowing that Bucky could listen to him anyway. He lifts his gaze and places his hand on top of Bucky's cheek, covering his ear as well. "I love you, James"
Bucky feels his heart beat so fast, like it could explode just from happiness. He approaches and they kiss. Cherishing the feel of Zemo's lips on him. It is gentle and slow. He doesn't remember feeling so happy and lightweighted ever in his life as at this moment.
When they pull back, they're both smiling.
"I love you too. Thank you for joining me"
Zemo's smile grows bigger, and they return to embrace each other.
Bucky saves this morning and every detail of it in his mind. Specially how Zemo's caramel eyes turn gold with the rays of sun, how his hair is soft to the touch, his calming breathing and his freckled covered skin, creating beautiful invisible patterns. How his accented sleepy voice calls his name and all the beautiful expressions his face makes.
He doesn't want to forget.
----------
Both sleeping on the floor becomes a little routine they make once a week. Bucky has little to none nightmares in that time.
They eventually switch to sleeping in the same room, Bucky on the floor, Zemo on the bed. It doesn't take long until they share the mattress, cuddling in their sleep.
Bucky likes it. The domestic and calm life he never thought he could have after all he's been through. His relationship with Zemo has taught him so many ways to love and to be loved, to embrace and cherish the good days and to stay strong and supportive on the bad days. He's planning to ask the big question soon.
He stopped having nightmares a while ago. And he doesn't want to go back to sleep on the floor ever again.