[ it's nearly palpable, the way the energy shifts in the room. zemo wonders, briefly, if it had come from james, in how much he revealed himself by asking that one question.
how far would you have let it go?
as though it was zemo that was in control, not james. like zemo was dictating the events of the night, giving each player as wide - or narrow - a berth as he pleased. like james and sam were nothing but toy soldiers, moved into position at will by zemo's unseen hand.
in truth, the entire operation hinged on a cascading series of events, each one feeding into the next to hopefully land the three of them in an advantageous position. luck, and convincing personas had as much to do with their success as the strength of james' right hook. zemo controlled not one element save for their appearances and himself, but it appears to him now that james must consider him some kind of mastermind with hands on multiple levers.
it's just as well. feigning complete control over a situation has its own advantage. and if james thinks of him as having such a power, he won't dissuade the man of such a fantasy just yet.
a calm settles over james then, and when he drinks next, it's more measured, unhurried. what zemo's said has either pleased him, or better yet, offered a comfort. thrilled, he watches pride pull james' spine straight, then paces slowly over, closing the distance between them. at arm's length, zemo can more closely observe the tics of james' expressions. his voice lowers, one hand on his glass, the other settling thumb and forefinger lightly over the rim. ]
You weren't sure of my intentions. [ it's not a question. ] You thought it was a possibility I would have turned you over for information, left you to fend for yourself.
[ of anyone in the loft, or even on this side of madripoor, james barnes is the one person most capable of taking care of himself. but whether that's something james wants or needs or fears is another story entirely. zemo's eyes drop to james' mouth, to his chest, watching his breathing as he recalls leafing through pages of HYDRA intel. ] There was never a contingency plan for the Soldier, if he was captured or taken. You have never had someone promise not to leave you behind and mean it, have you?
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2021-05-03 07:39 am (UTC)how far would you have let it go?
as though it was zemo that was in control, not james. like zemo was dictating the events of the night, giving each player as wide - or narrow - a berth as he pleased. like james and sam were nothing but toy soldiers, moved into position at will by zemo's unseen hand.
in truth, the entire operation hinged on a cascading series of events, each one feeding into the next to hopefully land the three of them in an advantageous position. luck, and convincing personas had as much to do with their success as the strength of james' right hook. zemo controlled not one element save for their appearances and himself, but it appears to him now that james must consider him some kind of mastermind with hands on multiple levers.
it's just as well. feigning complete control over a situation has its own advantage. and if james thinks of him as having such a power, he won't dissuade the man of such a fantasy just yet.
a calm settles over james then, and when he drinks next, it's more measured, unhurried. what zemo's said has either pleased him, or better yet, offered a comfort. thrilled, he watches pride pull james' spine straight, then paces slowly over, closing the distance between them. at arm's length, zemo can more closely observe the tics of james' expressions. his voice lowers, one hand on his glass, the other settling thumb and forefinger lightly over the rim. ]
You weren't sure of my intentions. [ it's not a question. ] You thought it was a possibility I would have turned you over for information, left you to fend for yourself.
[ of anyone in the loft, or even on this side of madripoor, james barnes is the one person most capable of taking care of himself. but whether that's something james wants or needs or fears is another story entirely. zemo's eyes drop to james' mouth, to his chest, watching his breathing as he recalls leafing through pages of HYDRA intel. ] There was never a contingency plan for the Soldier, if he was captured or taken. You have never had someone promise not to leave you behind and mean it, have you?