[ among the degenerates of the world, the raft has a reputation for two things: one, that it's a maximum, maximum security prison with a complete absence of privacy or dignity for its prisoners, and two, that it's too susceptible to breakouts.
part two of its reputation should inform part one, zemo thinks, but it hardly matters. once the security is overridden - a gift from an anonymous benefactor - he's able to force the structure to lift out of the ocean. from there, it's a simpler matter of reclaiming his confiscated possessions, stealing a helicopter and flying it through a choppy, angry storm back to freedom.
on solid land, zemo finds his way across eastern europe, in trains and cars until, finally, he opens the door to the gulf-stained air in riga. he takes a deep breath, and hands deep in his coat pockets, disappears in the alleyway between two connected businesses.
darkness blankets the tunnel system underneath his vacation home. it feels like a half ancient place, some walls a smooth, nearly machined stone, the others the jagged, natural edge of cliff walls. when james' voice calls out, zemo feels himself take a breath, nearly in relief. ]
Now, when was the last time you went on holiday?
[ revealing himself, zemo steps into the light of torches he'd left on earlier that day. his chin raises, smile arching the corners of his mouth. ] And don't say it was two weeks ago. Chasing an anarchist across greater Europe with me by your side hardly constitutes a relaxing time.
[ Wakanda, Bucky thinks, is the closest he's gotten on this side of the war, but that only complicates this, so he tries to push it from his mind. Ayo is going to be even more angry this time and he can't blame her. ]
We don't all relax with champagne and caviar, Baron.
[ The words could have bite in them--they should--but there's an edge of teasing to it that he instantly regrets. He doesn't care about any of this dumb fancy crap, but Zemo's not wrong. Bucky's done a lot more hiding and throwing himself into distractions than he's done actual relaxing. ]
[ zemo's smile pulls further back on his face, but it's more of a sneer or a wince than something with real humor. he adjusts the gloves on his hands, tugging them at the wrist as he considers james' question. ]
Not a holiday. Unless you'd like it to be.
[ and then things would get even more interesting. james barnes, vacationing with convicted terrorist helmut zemo. the headlines they'd make. the thought earns a sharp exhale of a laugh. ]
Would you like it to be? I have you to thank for my newfound freedom, don't I? [ he tilts his head. ] Again. I assume you have a reason to summon me, otherwise you have gone to great lengths for a social call.
[ Well that's not good. If Zemo thinks Bucky called him here and Bucky thinks Zemo called him here... ]
We have to go now.
[ All business. In fact, Bucky's not going to waste time or energy even pretending to play nice. He grabs for Zemo's bicep and starts to drag him--gently enough, but still a drag--back in the direction he'd come from further into the tunnel. ]
Someone's trying to smoke both of us out.
[ Bucky's face is all business. He hadn't exactly been looking for a fun time to begin with, but this? This is more serious than the two of them sniping at each other and Bucky's going to keep them both alive expressly because someone else might be wanting the opposite. ]
[ if zemo didn't know any better, he would say a look of fear passes over james' face in the moment before he closes in on him, pulling him deeper into the tunnel by the arm. he rights himself after a couple of steps, understanding quickly the gravity of what james has just imparted. ]
Well, [ he begins, with a little sarcastic huff as he hurries to keep pace with a super soldier, ] this feels familiar.
[ he can't help but point out the obvious. the tactics he had used to flush out james buchanan barnes himself, now turned back around. zemo would be indignant if he isn't so convinced of the efficacy of this plan.
further down the tunnel, the path splits into three. at the crossroads sits a small leather duffel bag. reaching in, zemo retrieves the necessities: a fake passport, cash, and a handgun. he gives james a halfway sheepish look and a tilt of his head. ]
Sorry. If only I knew I would be having company. [ just one passport for now. zemo gets back to his feet and starts down the rightmost path. ] There's a car waiting for us by the bridge. It's unmarked, we won't be seen. This way.
[ Bucky's not worried about the passport. He's not the wanted one anymore and he's got his actual passport. If that's not an option, they can figure something else out as it comes. For now, they've got to get somewhere safe and if this place is compromised, he's not sure how much they should trust anything else of Zemo's to not be compromised, but there's not much choice, is there? They're going to have to trust each other.
He holds out his hand for the gun expectantly. ]
I'm a better shot than you and you're going to want me to go first, anyway.
[ His complicated feelings about Zemo aside, Bucky's not going to sell him out or use him as canon fodder if someone's trying to kill the two of them. It's one thing to get him locked up for a crime he actually did and a whole other to let him get killed senselessly.
Besides if someone wants both of them dead, that's probably not a great person. They have exactly one thing in common and that's HYDRA and the super-soldier serum. Bucky's not letting them get what they want. ]
[ zemo's head does not move, only his eyes dropping to the palm outstretched in his direction. his brows lift, halfway to incredulous before he realizes james is right.
certainly better to have the super soldier take point than he of the ordinary biology.
a beat, and then zemo spins the gun around deftly in one hand and extends it, grip first, toward james' direction. ]
No arguments on the latter, [ he says, eyes flashing, ] but we can compare skill on the former at a later date.
[ he's no super soldier nor a century old assassin, but zemo's aim and tracking is a point of pride. stepping aside, he sweeps a hand out, an invitation for james to go first. ] After you.
[ Bucky allows himself the shortest moment to give Zemo a look that he hopes conveys exactly how he expects a shooting contest of any kind to go between them, because Bucky was a great shot even before he was enhanced.
Not too long to waste, though, so he takes the gun and starts to lead them in the direction Zemo's pointed.
He doesn't know this city the wat Zemo does, but he knows he's a lot more likely to survive getting shot at, so here they are with Bucky protecting him and trusting him to do the same once they get out.
The funny thing is that Bucky does trust him to do it. Zemo is a lot of things, but he's got his own code, even if he's got no problem using people. He'd crossed his own name off of Bucky's list and Bucky had handed him over instead of shooting him and he thinks that there's actually some sort of twisted respect between them now that goes somewhere just slightly more than a mutual mission.
Not much more, but enough that Bucky thinks they're both aiming to make sure they each survive. He'll take it, because he's worked with less. ]
If this place was compromised, what should we expect with the car? If we can make sure there's no tail or tracker, I might have a place we can go.
[ as they make their way deeper into the tunnel, zemo's steps slow. while they should probably make themselves scarce sooner rather than later, they're headed in a direction zemo thinks must be as unlikely as any. he gives a half hearted shrug. ]
Well, we hope that whoever is pursuing us doesn't think to check where we're going.
[ zemo keeps it cryptic and james doesn't ask. just as well, because when they finally come upon a ladder, zemo stops. going first up a ladder to a location they're not sure is compromised is enough to test the mettle of any soldier. he fixes james with a sidelong look. ]
You told me once you can be quite sure we aren't being followed. You will need to put that skill to use now.
[ at the top of the ladder sits a heavy, square metal door. unlatching it unlocks a fake manhole, one that sits at the bottom of a darkened carpark. there are no lights close by, only streetlamps some meters away, out in front of the building they've arrived at - a primary school. one that is decidedly more working class than posh. white letters sport the school's name in latvian.
zemo spares the school a furtive look and then motions for james to follow him around the corner to where a small black car sits. it unlocks as zemo approaches, keys in hand as though he's managed to conjure them out of thin air.
standing beside the driver's side door, he turns back, smiling mischieviously. ]
Will my bodyguard be acting as my chauffer as well?
[ Bucky checks around corners, eyes everything that could possibly be a problem, but he's surprised to find he doesn't see anything. Much as Zemo might want to tease him, Bucky really is good at losing a tail. He'd spent two years without much of an issue until Zemo had shaken him loose.
The coast seems clear, but Bucky leans into his paranoia. There are moments when he has to remind himself that he's unrealistically paranoid, but this doesn't feel like one of them.
The question pulls an exasperated glare out of him. ]
I think you can manage to drive yourself.
[ Besides, Bucky wants to stay alert for a tail. It's easier to do that if he isn't also driving and easier still to react to it if they do find themselves being followed, so he climbs into the passenger seat. ]
Take us towards the East. We'll see if anyone follows us before heading where we're really going.
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branchandroot
all gouda!!
Date: 2021-04-28 09:48 am (UTC)part two of its reputation should inform part one, zemo thinks, but it hardly matters. once the security is overridden - a gift from an anonymous benefactor - he's able to force the structure to lift out of the ocean. from there, it's a simpler matter of reclaiming his confiscated possessions, stealing a helicopter and flying it through a choppy, angry storm back to freedom.
on solid land, zemo finds his way across eastern europe, in trains and cars until, finally, he opens the door to the gulf-stained air in riga. he takes a deep breath, and hands deep in his coat pockets, disappears in the alleyway between two connected businesses.
darkness blankets the tunnel system underneath his vacation home. it feels like a half ancient place, some walls a smooth, nearly machined stone, the others the jagged, natural edge of cliff walls. when james' voice calls out, zemo feels himself take a breath, nearly in relief. ]
Now, when was the last time you went on holiday?
[ revealing himself, zemo steps into the light of torches he'd left on earlier that day. his chin raises, smile arching the corners of his mouth. ] And don't say it was two weeks ago. Chasing an anarchist across greater Europe with me by your side hardly constitutes a relaxing time.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-30 08:03 pm (UTC)We don't all relax with champagne and caviar, Baron.
[ The words could have bite in them--they should--but there's an edge of teasing to it that he instantly regrets. He doesn't care about any of this dumb fancy crap, but Zemo's not wrong. Bucky's done a lot more hiding and throwing himself into distractions than he's done actual relaxing. ]
Is that what this is? A holiday?
no subject
Date: 2021-05-01 11:50 am (UTC)Not a holiday. Unless you'd like it to be.
[ and then things would get even more interesting. james barnes, vacationing with convicted terrorist helmut zemo. the headlines they'd make. the thought earns a sharp exhale of a laugh. ]
Would you like it to be? I have you to thank for my newfound freedom, don't I? [ he tilts his head. ] Again. I assume you have a reason to summon me, otherwise you have gone to great lengths for a social call.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-01 06:00 pm (UTC)We have to go now.
[ All business. In fact, Bucky's not going to waste time or energy even pretending to play nice. He grabs for Zemo's bicep and starts to drag him--gently enough, but still a drag--back in the direction he'd come from further into the tunnel. ]
Someone's trying to smoke both of us out.
[ Bucky's face is all business. He hadn't exactly been looking for a fun time to begin with, but this? This is more serious than the two of them sniping at each other and Bucky's going to keep them both alive expressly because someone else might be wanting the opposite. ]
no subject
Date: 2021-05-04 05:30 am (UTC)Well, [ he begins, with a little sarcastic huff as he hurries to keep pace with a super soldier, ] this feels familiar.
[ he can't help but point out the obvious. the tactics he had used to flush out james buchanan barnes himself, now turned back around. zemo would be indignant if he isn't so convinced of the efficacy of this plan.
further down the tunnel, the path splits into three. at the crossroads sits a small leather duffel bag. reaching in, zemo retrieves the necessities: a fake passport, cash, and a handgun. he gives james a halfway sheepish look and a tilt of his head. ]
Sorry. If only I knew I would be having company. [ just one passport for now. zemo gets back to his feet and starts down the rightmost path. ] There's a car waiting for us by the bridge. It's unmarked, we won't be seen. This way.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-07 04:10 am (UTC)He holds out his hand for the gun expectantly. ]
I'm a better shot than you and you're going to want me to go first, anyway.
[ His complicated feelings about Zemo aside, Bucky's not going to sell him out or use him as canon fodder if someone's trying to kill the two of them. It's one thing to get him locked up for a crime he actually did and a whole other to let him get killed senselessly.
Besides if someone wants both of them dead, that's probably not a great person. They have exactly one thing in common and that's HYDRA and the super-soldier serum. Bucky's not letting them get what they want. ]
no subject
Date: 2021-05-09 10:11 am (UTC)certainly better to have the super soldier take point than he of the ordinary biology.
a beat, and then zemo spins the gun around deftly in one hand and extends it, grip first, toward james' direction. ]
No arguments on the latter, [ he says, eyes flashing, ] but we can compare skill on the former at a later date.
[ he's no super soldier nor a century old assassin, but zemo's aim and tracking is a point of pride. stepping aside, he sweeps a hand out, an invitation for james to go first. ] After you.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-11 10:23 pm (UTC)Not too long to waste, though, so he takes the gun and starts to lead them in the direction Zemo's pointed.
He doesn't know this city the wat Zemo does, but he knows he's a lot more likely to survive getting shot at, so here they are with Bucky protecting him and trusting him to do the same once they get out.
The funny thing is that Bucky does trust him to do it. Zemo is a lot of things, but he's got his own code, even if he's got no problem using people. He'd crossed his own name off of Bucky's list and Bucky had handed him over instead of shooting him and he thinks that there's actually some sort of twisted respect between them now that goes somewhere just slightly more than a mutual mission.
Not much more, but enough that Bucky thinks they're both aiming to make sure they each survive. He'll take it, because he's worked with less. ]
If this place was compromised, what should we expect with the car? If we can make sure there's no tail or tracker, I might have a place we can go.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-12 07:58 am (UTC)Well, we hope that whoever is pursuing us doesn't think to check where we're going.
[ zemo keeps it cryptic and james doesn't ask. just as well, because when they finally come upon a ladder, zemo stops. going first up a ladder to a location they're not sure is compromised is enough to test the mettle of any soldier. he fixes james with a sidelong look. ]
You told me once you can be quite sure we aren't being followed. You will need to put that skill to use now.
[ at the top of the ladder sits a heavy, square metal door. unlatching it unlocks a fake manhole, one that sits at the bottom of a darkened carpark. there are no lights close by, only streetlamps some meters away, out in front of the building they've arrived at - a primary school. one that is decidedly more working class than posh. white letters sport the school's name in latvian.
zemo spares the school a furtive look and then motions for james to follow him around the corner to where a small black car sits. it unlocks as zemo approaches, keys in hand as though he's managed to conjure them out of thin air.
standing beside the driver's side door, he turns back, smiling mischieviously. ]
Will my bodyguard be acting as my chauffer as well?
no subject
Date: 2021-05-17 08:53 pm (UTC)The coast seems clear, but Bucky leans into his paranoia. There are moments when he has to remind himself that he's unrealistically paranoid, but this doesn't feel like one of them.
The question pulls an exasperated glare out of him. ]
I think you can manage to drive yourself.
[ Besides, Bucky wants to stay alert for a tail. It's easier to do that if he isn't also driving and easier still to react to it if they do find themselves being followed, so he climbs into the passenger seat. ]
Take us towards the East. We'll see if anyone follows us before heading where we're really going.