Helmut isn't exactly the easiest thing to roll of the tongue, is it? [there's an airy laugh at himself, because let's not even get started on the teasing he endured among american peers in his youth.] But - it'll do the trick. Z is usually reserved for my friends - which is convenient, seeing as you and I are going to need to be convincingly friendly.
[there's a little bounce of his brows in amusement. he has nice hands, zemo muses - because of course he does. the handshake itself is firm without being overbearing, and he can tell steve takes care to maintain his skin when his thumb glides lightly across the top of the back of it when they slot together. they're bigger than his own - but that's no surprise. zemo also notices he has to tip his chin up ever so slightly to look him in the eyes which are impossibly, mesmerizingly bluer in person. he might just be the most attractive person zemo has ever had the fortune to get this close to, and considering the circles he runs in? that's really saying something.
it's not worth reading into being sized up. he knew what he signed up for to an extent, presumably they both do at this point, and zemo is happy to fill in the gap. though, he's a little surprised to see someone like steve in this line of work after all. it's not that pictures did him justice, it's simply rare to see a person even better looking in the flesh. that, and it's hard not to let his mind wander why he's in this line of work at all when he could presumably charm his way past any door, shake any hand and make the other party melt on the spot, and surely have a bevy of suitors just desperate to lock him down in something serious. that's much too personal to speculate or ask about, however, and it has no consequence on the present anyway.
zemo smiles a little wider, impossible not to feel like steve's is contagious.]
Not at all - you're right on time. I, on the other hand, am typically fashionably late.
[when steve turns away to set down his jacket, of course his gaze is drawn to the sudden movement. there's confirmation his photos weren't doctored in the slightest. he's a little distracted when steve comes around behind him, turning over his shoulder with a quick flash of surprise and a murmured thank you before folding his hands atop the table and leaning in.]
Well Steve, could you be more perfect? No wonder the rest of us mere mortals are down here struggling.
[there's nothing outright flirtatious in the lilt of his accent - it's clearly meant to be a light tease to break the ice and acknowledge how ridiculously handsome he is to get the obvious out of the way.]
no subject
[there's a little bounce of his brows in amusement. he has nice hands, zemo muses - because of course he does. the handshake itself is firm without being overbearing, and he can tell steve takes care to maintain his skin when his thumb glides lightly across the top of the back of it when they slot together. they're bigger than his own - but that's no surprise. zemo also notices he has to tip his chin up ever so slightly to look him in the eyes which are impossibly, mesmerizingly bluer in person. he might just be the most attractive person zemo has ever had the fortune to get this close to, and considering the circles he runs in? that's really saying something.
it's not worth reading into being sized up. he knew what he signed up for to an extent, presumably they both do at this point, and zemo is happy to fill in the gap. though, he's a little surprised to see someone like steve in this line of work after all. it's not that pictures did him justice, it's simply rare to see a person even better looking in the flesh. that, and it's hard not to let his mind wander why he's in this line of work at all when he could presumably charm his way past any door, shake any hand and make the other party melt on the spot, and surely have a bevy of suitors just desperate to lock him down in something serious. that's much too personal to speculate or ask about, however, and it has no consequence on the present anyway.
zemo smiles a little wider, impossible not to feel like steve's is contagious.]
Not at all - you're right on time. I, on the other hand, am typically fashionably late.
[when steve turns away to set down his jacket, of course his gaze is drawn to the sudden movement. there's confirmation his photos weren't doctored in the slightest. he's a little distracted when steve comes around behind him, turning over his shoulder with a quick flash of surprise and a murmured thank you before folding his hands atop the table and leaning in.]
Well Steve, could you be more perfect? No wonder the rest of us mere mortals are down here struggling.
[there's nothing outright flirtatious in the lilt of his accent - it's clearly meant to be a light tease to break the ice and acknowledge how ridiculously handsome he is to get the obvious out of the way.]