[he's flattered, really, but it's hard not to immediately think that his very kind words and pointed glance are anything other than politeness and a trained reflex to appease his clients. it's what he's getting paid for, after all. he's not bitter about it by any means, nor is he insecure in his own looks - moreso there's having a good sense of attractiveness and confidence, and then there are the men and women who are extraordinary and stop traffic. steve falls solidly within that second category, no question. zemo just offers a wry little smile and a nod, though it's not very convincing in acknowledging what steve has just said very believably.
it's fine. that's not what he's here for. and here is the difficult part: what he's really here for is not something he wants to fully divulge. he's not an idiot - there's a fairly wide gamut of what people hire escorts for. from the baseline obviousness of loneliness and needing a companion, to sex work and beyond into the seedy overlap of true possession and entrapment, he would surmise that the industry is probably not all that it's cracked up to be. based on the level of discretion and professionalism in his booking even just for this date, he hopes steve isn't subjected to the dark side of things. but he is good at his job, making this whole thing seem as smooth and easy as two old friends meeting for a catch-up instead of two complete strangers about to fabricate an entire backstory.
a backstory that's supposed to soothe the burn of his recent breakup and shield him from having to turn up alone while john parades his high school sweetheart around. john is too dense to ever consider that steve will be hired help, thank god. it's definitely not about making him jealous. that would mean he still cares. he refuses to do that.
it's a lie of omission, then. there's a certain suspension of his pride in having done this at all, he doesn't think he can extend it any further by admitting it's because his ex will be there.]
Mm, that's right. I daresay we'll be the best looking couple there - and quite possibly the youngest.
[he perches his chin atop a curled fist, drumming his other hand against the table.]
The Sokovian ambassador is a family friend. My parents rarely leave the homeland these days, so I have been asked to go in their place. There are drinks, there is dancing...and a certain expectation that when the time comes we tipsily - and generously - empty our pockets for the Sokovian Regional Foundation.
I will handle all of that. Now, forgive me, but it's the rest of it - [he gestures vaguely between the two of them with a casual wave of his wrist - ] that is all very foreign to me.
You'll have to be gentle. First time and all.
[he flashes his teeth in a brief, lopsided grin. steve hadn't shied away from a few bold hints in his email, so zemo feels comfortable doing the same. even if it'll only ever be just a tease.]
So, I will rely on your expertise. What do we need to convince the world you are my handsome American boyfriend who has swept me off my feet and simply has to escort me to rub shoulders among my parents' political friends in high places?
no subject
it's fine. that's not what he's here for. and here is the difficult part: what he's really here for is not something he wants to fully divulge. he's not an idiot - there's a fairly wide gamut of what people hire escorts for. from the baseline obviousness of loneliness and needing a companion, to sex work and beyond into the seedy overlap of true possession and entrapment, he would surmise that the industry is probably not all that it's cracked up to be. based on the level of discretion and professionalism in his booking even just for this date, he hopes steve isn't subjected to the dark side of things. but he is good at his job, making this whole thing seem as smooth and easy as two old friends meeting for a catch-up instead of two complete strangers about to fabricate an entire backstory.
a backstory that's supposed to soothe the burn of his recent breakup and shield him from having to turn up alone while john parades his high school sweetheart around. john is too dense to ever consider that steve will be hired help, thank god. it's definitely not about making him jealous. that would mean he still cares. he refuses to do that.
it's a lie of omission, then. there's a certain suspension of his pride in having done this at all, he doesn't think he can extend it any further by admitting it's because his ex will be there.]
Mm, that's right. I daresay we'll be the best looking couple there - and quite possibly the youngest.
[he perches his chin atop a curled fist, drumming his other hand against the table.]
The Sokovian ambassador is a family friend. My parents rarely leave the homeland these days, so I have been asked to go in their place. There are drinks, there is dancing...and a certain expectation that when the time comes we tipsily - and generously - empty our pockets for the Sokovian Regional Foundation.
I will handle all of that. Now, forgive me, but it's the rest of it - [he gestures vaguely between the two of them with a casual wave of his wrist - ] that is all very foreign to me.
You'll have to be gentle. First time and all.
[he flashes his teeth in a brief, lopsided grin. steve hadn't shied away from a few bold hints in his email, so zemo feels comfortable doing the same. even if it'll only ever be just a tease.]
So, I will rely on your expertise. What do we need to convince the world you are my handsome American boyfriend who has swept me off my feet and simply has to escort me to rub shoulders among my parents' political friends in high places?