[oh. a shopping date - he hadn't even considered that. it's not like he has to go full bespoke - but he can't let steve wander into the lion's den with something that clashes or - god forbid - is off a rack. he bites down on his lip, thinking it over. if nothing else, it can serve as a very elaborate thank you gift and souvenir for steve given the equally elaborate tale they're going to have to spin among friends and acquaintances. and there's a shred of guilt that he isn't exactly telling the whole sad story, but this is enough of a difficulty admitting he needs help from an outside source to begin with to then nick at his pride even further in admitting he was dumped and his ex is the one that moved on first.]
I think a shopping trip is in order. You really don't mind if it needs to be to a certain specification? Particularly because we'll be a pair and all. [he doesn't know why he feels the need to add after the fact:] Normally I would not be quite so demanding. Even with an eye for detail.
[but he does like to spoil people, and there he'll draw the line. that's not what this is, and the likelihood of steve caring is probably quite low even if he'd be too polite to say otherwise. but at least he seems to agree to the trip outright, even if he's painting a very vivid picture of a fine sheen glistening along strong shoulders and an abdomen he's only seen in photos, but might get a glimpse at during the same excursion. his gaze drops inexplicably to steve's mouth, then his shoulders, then back up again in that exact order and he realizes he should probably close his mouth.]
Probably not. Though by the time you walk out in one of their creations, I think they'll be thanking you on account of all the business they're about to earn from a walking billboard.
[zemo smirks, resting his chin against a curled fist again. he remembers steve saying it was up to him just how flexible he was meant to be, and this time zemo decides to sidestep that loaded implication.]
Well, I can't let you leave here empty-handed. What do you like? Wait - let me guess and see if I'm as good as you.
[he taps a slim finger against the side of his cheek in concentration, eyes narrowing in concentration as his face purses up slightly.]
You're careful what you consume, clearly. Which means something like coffee should be a safe bet - but you strike me as someone who knows how to properly balance the things in your life. So you let yourself indulge every so often with something a little sweeter. Most days you're tired of eating some form of egg, even if it's good for you. But - all bets are off on the days you sleep in.
[he sits back again, tilting his head again and praying he hasn't made a fool of himself.]
no subject
I think a shopping trip is in order. You really don't mind if it needs to be to a certain specification? Particularly because we'll be a pair and all. [he doesn't know why he feels the need to add after the fact:] Normally I would not be quite so demanding. Even with an eye for detail.
[but he does like to spoil people, and there he'll draw the line. that's not what this is, and the likelihood of steve caring is probably quite low even if he'd be too polite to say otherwise. but at least he seems to agree to the trip outright, even if he's painting a very vivid picture of a fine sheen glistening along strong shoulders and an abdomen he's only seen in photos, but might get a glimpse at during the same excursion. his gaze drops inexplicably to steve's mouth, then his shoulders, then back up again in that exact order and he realizes he should probably close his mouth.]
Probably not. Though by the time you walk out in one of their creations, I think they'll be thanking you on account of all the business they're about to earn from a walking billboard.
[zemo smirks, resting his chin against a curled fist again. he remembers steve saying it was up to him just how flexible he was meant to be, and this time zemo decides to sidestep that loaded implication.]
Well, I can't let you leave here empty-handed. What do you like? Wait - let me guess and see if I'm as good as you.
[he taps a slim finger against the side of his cheek in concentration, eyes narrowing in concentration as his face purses up slightly.]
You're careful what you consume, clearly. Which means something like coffee should be a safe bet - but you strike me as someone who knows how to properly balance the things in your life. So you let yourself indulge every so often with something a little sweeter. Most days you're tired of eating some form of egg, even if it's good for you. But - all bets are off on the days you sleep in.
[he sits back again, tilting his head again and praying he hasn't made a fool of himself.]
Well? How did I do?