steve's gaze drops noticeably and it's difficult not to feel flattered even if he's convinced it's all part of building on their act - but at least it lets him know that turnabout is fair play. something he takes advantage of near immediately, his own gaze dropping to the pretty pink of full lips curving into something that oozes the enticement of trouble. the idea of this walking demigod having anything to be insecure about would be utterly laughable - impossible to even fathom.
but there's also something admirably down to earth about him - a sheepishness in the way he laughs and glances down occasionally that reminds zemo that he is, despite first impressions, still just a regular man. an exceptionally good-looking, immeasurably charming one, but still a man. he wonders what sorts of things would make steve weak in the knees. does he have a type? surely no one he accepts company with to pay the bills could come close. not that zemo thinks he's low caliber or undesirable, but he'd be willing to bet he isn't exactly steve's usual.
he tips his chin up, perching it on a curled first and takes a minute to consider what he's said - from brunch to the bathroom to the idea of kissing him at his leisure. there's a lazy smirk tugged at one side of his mouth, brushing along his fingers as he drawls out teasingly:]
As if I'd ever have someone else on my mind while I was with you. I may be a purveyor of fine art, but believe me - Michelangelo wouldn't inspire the unspeakable things we'd get up to.
[he pauses to take a bite of his pain au chocolat, letting out a low hum of approval and licking at a few errant bread flakes sticking to the corner of his mouth before swallowing.]
I think we'll certainly set a few tongues wagging. Half of Sokovia will know I'm off the market by the time your suit is finished and we even set foot at the gala. And don't worry - my reputation precedes itself in the kissing department as well. Everyone will assume we've packed on the PDA and do the work for us.
[he nods, moreso to himself as insinuation steve won't have to worry about anything physical, anyway.]
[ These dates never turn out like this. It's rarely just conversation over brunch and good coffee, and it's rarely veiled flirting that actually does something to make a little heat prickle at the back of his neck. The brush of Zemo's fingers against the pull of the smirk is definitely intriguing, and for once Steve likes the back and forth. Particularly right now, where he almost feels like he has more control over the situation, more freedom.
He cuts a piece of french toast with his fork, taking his time to eat and enjoy the sticky sweet on his tongue. It's a little unfair that he glances up at Zemo from under his lashes as he does so, listening to him talk. He swipes at his lips after, clearing syrup from the corner of his mouth. Two can play at that game. Well, until there's the mention of Michelangelo, and he laughs suddenly, bright and warm and unexpected. ]
And what unspeakable things? [ He leans in across the table, just enough so he can lower his voice. ] Mm, I can think of a few, but if they're really so unspeakable then I guess you'll just have to wait and find out. Maybe I'm mysterious.
[ In a way, he is, but Steve doesn't exactly feel like he's veiling himself here, as if he's shrouding the warmth of that awkward, skinny, sick boy from years and years ago. If this had been another life, he could see this little table in a little cafe being their first real date, he could imagine he met Helmut Zemo in a hazy club and it all tumbled out from there.
He smiles, a little rueful, and stabs again at his french toast. ]
Nice of the general public to help us out last minute. I'll make sure I put on enough of a show that the tailors spread it all like wildfire. I'll have to test how it moves and breathes, right? A good suit is worth every stitch.
[zemo's dates never turn out like this either. he's tried both ways - the proper, planned ones that his mutual friends insist will hit it off with him, and the spontaneous exchange with someone who looked much better in dim lighting on a dance floor. they always end the same way - zemo charming them with ease, bored to tears on the inside and insisting on splitting the bill so no one walks away with the wrong impression that he'd want to do this again under the same circumstances of hopefulness. thank god he's never had anything too mortifying to follow it up, but what is it they say? when you know - you know. and he thinks a little disappointingly that if he'd met steve any other way and ended up in this same scenario...he'd know.
it's extremely unfair to be distracted from his own meal by the way he makes something as simple as eating an attractive art form, and zemo has to force himself more than once to focus on his own plate or reach for a sip of tea. maybe it was unwise to make mention of the unspeakable, especially when it brings steve closer and murmuring low and intimate. it makes him swallow hard, jaw slackening slightly in an attempt not to get lost in the combination of his eyes and the thought of defiling a bathroom or two hoisted up in his arms.
christ, maybe pietro was right about needing to get laid instead of holding out as some form of invisible retaliation against john. fortunately he's quick to recover.]
The kind of things that tend to correlate with "show" and not "tell". But you seem to have a vivid imagination - I trust you have the right idea. And luckily for you, so do the tailors.
[he smirks wryly, the briefest flash of teeth.]
I set one foot into the changing room a little too long, rumple their pins and needles, and they'll catch on quick enough. They are ancient, but they aren't blind yet.
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steve's gaze drops noticeably and it's difficult not to feel flattered even if he's convinced it's all part of building on their act - but at least it lets him know that turnabout is fair play. something he takes advantage of near immediately, his own gaze dropping to the pretty pink of full lips curving into something that oozes the enticement of trouble. the idea of this walking demigod having anything to be insecure about would be utterly laughable - impossible to even fathom.
but there's also something admirably down to earth about him - a sheepishness in the way he laughs and glances down occasionally that reminds zemo that he is, despite first impressions, still just a regular man. an exceptionally good-looking, immeasurably charming one, but still a man. he wonders what sorts of things would make steve weak in the knees. does he have a type? surely no one he accepts company with to pay the bills could come close. not that zemo thinks he's low caliber or undesirable, but he'd be willing to bet he isn't exactly steve's usual.
he tips his chin up, perching it on a curled first and takes a minute to consider what he's said - from brunch to the bathroom to the idea of kissing him at his leisure. there's a lazy smirk tugged at one side of his mouth, brushing along his fingers as he drawls out teasingly:]
As if I'd ever have someone else on my mind while I was with you. I may be a purveyor of fine art, but believe me - Michelangelo wouldn't inspire the unspeakable things we'd get up to.
[he pauses to take a bite of his pain au chocolat, letting out a low hum of approval and licking at a few errant bread flakes sticking to the corner of his mouth before swallowing.]
I think we'll certainly set a few tongues wagging. Half of Sokovia will know I'm off the market by the time your suit is finished and we even set foot at the gala. And don't worry - my reputation precedes itself in the kissing department as well. Everyone will assume we've packed on the PDA and do the work for us.
[he nods, moreso to himself as insinuation steve won't have to worry about anything physical, anyway.]
no subject
He cuts a piece of french toast with his fork, taking his time to eat and enjoy the sticky sweet on his tongue. It's a little unfair that he glances up at Zemo from under his lashes as he does so, listening to him talk. He swipes at his lips after, clearing syrup from the corner of his mouth. Two can play at that game. Well, until there's the mention of Michelangelo, and he laughs suddenly, bright and warm and unexpected. ]
And what unspeakable things? [ He leans in across the table, just enough so he can lower his voice. ] Mm, I can think of a few, but if they're really so unspeakable then I guess you'll just have to wait and find out. Maybe I'm mysterious.
[ In a way, he is, but Steve doesn't exactly feel like he's veiling himself here, as if he's shrouding the warmth of that awkward, skinny, sick boy from years and years ago. If this had been another life, he could see this little table in a little cafe being their first real date, he could imagine he met Helmut Zemo in a hazy club and it all tumbled out from there.
He smiles, a little rueful, and stabs again at his french toast. ]
Nice of the general public to help us out last minute. I'll make sure I put on enough of a show that the tailors spread it all like wildfire. I'll have to test how it moves and breathes, right? A good suit is worth every stitch.
no subject
it's extremely unfair to be distracted from his own meal by the way he makes something as simple as eating an attractive art form, and zemo has to force himself more than once to focus on his own plate or reach for a sip of tea. maybe it was unwise to make mention of the unspeakable, especially when it brings steve closer and murmuring low and intimate. it makes him swallow hard, jaw slackening slightly in an attempt not to get lost in the combination of his eyes and the thought of defiling a bathroom or two hoisted up in his arms.
christ, maybe pietro was right about needing to get laid instead of holding out as some form of invisible retaliation against john. fortunately he's quick to recover.]
The kind of things that tend to correlate with "show" and not "tell". But you seem to have a vivid imagination - I trust you have the right idea. And luckily for you, so do the tailors.
[he smirks wryly, the briefest flash of teeth.]
I set one foot into the changing room a little too long, rumple their pins and needles, and they'll catch on quick enough. They are ancient, but they aren't blind yet.