[there is a certain strategy here at picking this man - steven - out of all the possible options apparently available to him from this agency. steven is everything his ex was but better - or utterly deified. tall, blonde, blue eyes, unbelievably buff. he looks like he walked out of the pages of a magazine, or stepped down from a pedestal in one of the finest museums of the world. he'd know - he's been to the worthwhile ones. it's a little embarrassing that he has to do this at all, but zemo can keep persuading himself it's just because it's such short notice. if he had the proper time, he could find someone on his own - someone outside his normal social circle that he still hasn't told about his breakup and doesn't want to until he's found someone better.
so he has some pride, what's wrong with that?
these people are supposed to be trained for this sort of thing. the perfect stand-ins, exceptional in their charm, and yes, clearly unfathomably attractive. when the day arrives that they've both agreed on, zemo is simultaneously nervous and at ease for different reasons. he's nervous by the entire concept of paying someone to be good company - a first for him, and hopefully not a habit he needs to keep making. but he's utterly relaxed that all he needs to do is show up, ensure he isn't a psychopath, and test to see if they can tolerate one another convincingly enough for two hours. he doesn't have to have the perfect things to say, or laugh to appease someone's bad jokes, or fumble awkwardly at the end for the bill and decipher if they're being polite or if they like him. doesn't have to wait for "let's do this again" and know it was a bust.
he's there five minutes early, dressed casually in a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a black v-neck jumper and leather jacket. there's no capability to send photos through their email system, which zemo imagines is both intentional and for the best. he's described himself best as he can, but steve is impossible to miss when he walks through the door.
ah yes, he's even more heart-stopping in person. zemo stands, offering a casual wave for steve to weave through the other tables and make his way over. and - well, it's not a money situation. not by a long shot. thank god he doesn't have to be intimidated about fucking this up. he extends a hand warmly.]
Steven, thank you so much for coming. Pleasure to meet you - I'm Helmut.
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so he has some pride, what's wrong with that?
these people are supposed to be trained for this sort of thing. the perfect stand-ins, exceptional in their charm, and yes, clearly unfathomably attractive. when the day arrives that they've both agreed on, zemo is simultaneously nervous and at ease for different reasons. he's nervous by the entire concept of paying someone to be good company - a first for him, and hopefully not a habit he needs to keep making. but he's utterly relaxed that all he needs to do is show up, ensure he isn't a psychopath, and test to see if they can tolerate one another convincingly enough for two hours. he doesn't have to have the perfect things to say, or laugh to appease someone's bad jokes, or fumble awkwardly at the end for the bill and decipher if they're being polite or if they like him. doesn't have to wait for "let's do this again" and know it was a bust.
he's there five minutes early, dressed casually in a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a black v-neck jumper and leather jacket. there's no capability to send photos through their email system, which zemo imagines is both intentional and for the best. he's described himself best as he can, but steve is impossible to miss when he walks through the door.
ah yes, he's even more heart-stopping in person. zemo stands, offering a casual wave for steve to weave through the other tables and make his way over. and - well, it's not a money situation. not by a long shot. thank god he doesn't have to be intimidated about fucking this up. he extends a hand warmly.]
Steven, thank you so much for coming. Pleasure to meet you - I'm Helmut.