Nov 29, 2021
I found this (again, no idea who made it)
And yes
But
In Madripoor it's more like
Don't you think?
seen from Germany
seen from Canada
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Jordan
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from India
seen from Ireland
seen from Ireland
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from China
I found this (again, no idea who made it)
And yes
But
In Madripoor it's more like
Don't you think?
Mind Over Matter ch.1 - Helmut Zemo x reader
Pairing: Helmut Zemo x mutant!fem!reader
Word Count: 741
Warnings: None! (other than my attempt to salvage a fic i started when i was 14)
Twelve Years Earlier
Maybe university wasn’t for you. You were two years into your degree, yet you felt as though you’d only been there for a brief amount of time - although perhaps your attendance (or lack thereof) was a good indication of why that may be.
By some miracle, though, you had been accepted onto your course’s year of study abroad. You could have picked anywhere: Japan, Canada, France!
You chose Sokovia.
To this day, you weren't entirely sure why you had picked Sokovia specifically - it was a shitty little country with nothing too special about it, but perhaps it was its absolute nothingness that brought you there. You didn't have to be anything special in that sort of place, just simply exist.
The campus was actually quite a pretty place, with beautifully detailed architecture and a wonderfully weird combination of young people all trying to find their footing in society. You couldn't help but get distracted by the constant quiet excitement on the campus, so much so that you were headed in the completely wrong direction of your lecture hall.
In hindsight, perhaps missing your first lecture at a new university, in a new country, just to admire the campus was an incredibly stupid thing to do. But maybe it was fate, too. Life is filled with weird signs from the universe that you never quite realise until the moment has long passed; this was definitely one of those moments, whether you accepted it or not.
As you head mindlessly down one of the many narrow pathways that weaved between the campus buildings, looking up at the delicately detailed archways and hidden little gargoyle figures, you fail to notice an embarrassingly large, loose cobble. Before you could even begin to register what was happening you were on the floor, a stinging graze on your elbow and a bruise already forming on your knee.
“That’s a compensation claim,” you hear a Sokovian, male voice chuckle from a metre away.
You look up to see a dark haired, friendly faced man holding his hand out in an attempt to help you up.
“I was really hoping no-one saw that,” you laugh, your voice laced with embarrassment as you take hold of his hand, pulling yourself back on to your feet.
Letting go of his hand, you finally made eye contact with the man, finding him to be maybe two or three years your senior.
You couldn’t lie - he was gorgeous. Deep, brown eyes with a perfectly round yet defined face and a laughing smile directed at you.
“There’s plenty of guys around here, you know. You didn’t need to throw yourself to the ground to get their attention,” he laughs, nudging your side with his as the two of you begin to walk, only for him to stop when he notices that he’s nearly knocked you onto the ground once again.
“Hey!” you exclaim, turning to face him in feigned offence. “How do I know that you didn’t pull that stone out yourself to get my attention?”
“You got me!” he says, his hands up in surrender. “I just love pulling pathways apart with my bare hands to get girls’ attention.”
“You Sokovians have some weird hobbies.” you laugh, the man narrowing his eyes at you before shaking his head in defeat.
The two of you continue to walk, a comfortable silence between you.
“Kaffee?”
His voice catches you by surprise once again, tilting your head for him to continue.
“I kind of feel like I owe you for, you know, laughing at you,” he says, a faint redness creeping onto his cheeks. “We don’t have to if you don’t want to, natürlich!”
“I would love to!” you exclaim, almost overly excited to actually be spending some time with a real life human. “Lead the way.”
------------------------------
On your way to the cafe, you’d been worried that you’d struggle with keeping the conversation going, that your social skills may had worsened significantly over the summer, but you and this mystery man completely clicked. The two of you were so comfortable together, it felt as though you had known each other for years, as if you were childhood friends.
“I probably should have asked you this before,” you say, your hands wrapped around the warmth of your mug. “But, what’s your name?”
“I’m Helmut Zemo,” he states, nodding his head towards you. “Most people just call me Zemo though.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Helmut.”
You take another sip from your mug, eyes locked with Helmut’s as you do so before you’re suddenly startled -
She completely missed her lecture.
Part 2
Prinzessin 👑
Zemo x Reader
Zemo is out of prison and gets to see his wife (you) for the first time in years. No mention of past trauma, just fluffy romantic smut. Still absolute filth though. Set during episode 3 of FATWS. Originally posted on AO3, the paragraph formatting on tumblr went a bit wonky lol, more wholesome than I’m used to writing tbh but Zemo just really wants an heir to inherit his title.
Warnings: 18+, slightly Dom Zemo, breeding kink, oral (f receiving), Zemo has a huge praise kink, fingering, multiple orgasms.
Word count: 3,050
Minors do not interact
When you had seen the call pop up on your phone you were hardly sure whether to answer it or not. You were never keen on answering calls from unknown number but you accepted the call and held the phone to your ear nonetheless.
“Prinzessin?” Your heart almost stopped. Only your husband ever called you that. He had been in prison for years now but you could recognise that voice anywhere. It had to be him.
“Helmut?” You questioned, hoping you were right. You could practically hear him smiling down the phone at the sound of his name on your lips. It had been far too long since he had last heard your voice. “Where are you? Are you out?” You asked, barely more than a hushed whisper, hoping against all reason that you were right.
“Yes Prinzessin, I am free. I am safe. I will send you coordinates, meet me there my love.” With that, your husband hung up the phone. You couldn’t help but notice how his accent was still thick after all the time spent in prison. In the back of your mind you had always a known this day was coming. Helmut Zemo was a brilliant man with a fantastic brain, it was only a matter of time before some other interested party found a way to free him from prison. You were just glad no harm had come to him in the process. Soon enough your phone pinged with a text message from the same number. Before you knew it, you had a bag packed and were on a plane to Madripoor. You were practically trembling with excitement as you walked into the safe house, careful you were not being followed. You stepped inside discreetly, careful not to draw any attention to yourself.
Once inside you were greeted by a beautiful welcome area. Your shoes clicked softly on the wooden floor beneath you. The room smelled of fresh coffee and dust, while it was obvious that this safe house didn’t see a lot of use, you could tell it had been recently occupied.
“My love?” You heard your husband call before he appeared, walking in from a room to your right. His warm smile when he saw you was infectious, just as loving and giddy as he had been all those years ago when you had first met. He wasted no time in crossing the space between you two, your bag dropped to the ground unceremoniously as your arms laced around his neck. His hands moved to your face by instinct, fingers cupping your jaw in a light but insistent way as he crashed his lips against yours. You could feel how his lips were still curled into a smile as they moved against your own. His left hand wandering to your hair, trying desperately to pull you closer, doing everything in his power to make up for all the lost time with this one moment. You couldn’t even guess how long you had stayed that way for before both of you separated, flushed and gasping for air. The need for the other’s touch being greater than the need to breathe. Even as your lips parted, he didn’t let you go entirely. He kept your face close to his, thumb stroking along your cheekbone, almost as if he was scared you would be gone again if he let you go. You had to admit, the Baron looked stunning in his dark, high-necked sweater but the fur lined coat interested you most. To anyone else he may have looked imposing but you knew your husband better than to believe he was capable of causing you any harm. He was absolutely devoted to you, as you have been to him. His lips were pink and swollen and looked absolutely perfect as he drank you in. He smelled of the same cologne he always had, something lavish and expensive. Smelling it again almost made your knees weak after such a passionate kiss.
“H-how did you-.” You began but weren’t given the chance to finish asking your question before your husband had crashed his lips against yours once more, the same passion returning tenfold as his tongue moved instantly against yours. You let out a tiny, breathy moan at his urgency which didn’t go unnoticed by your husband. He would have been more than happy to admit he was desperate to feel your body again. You had both spent so long being denied the pleasures of each other’s bodies that despite how much he longed to tell you all the details of his escape from prison, feeling you again was higher on his list of priorities. Despite himself, he pulled away slightly, only long enough to swoop you up in his arms and carry you to a lavish bedroom. Before you knew it, you were being dropped gently onto silk sheets, with one strong arm either side of your head as the Baron continued his assault on your mouth. He was needier than before, the years of neglect driving him almost mad now that he had you here with him in the flesh. Tiny gasps escaped from you as he bit your bottom lip between his teeth, his hands moving to make quick work of your jacket. Back when you two first met he would have been embarrassed by how much his lust was consuming him in this moment. He was always known for holding his cards very close to his chest, never wanting to give anything away but as his wife, you knew him better. He knew he had nothing to hide from you. You sucked at his neck, marking him as yours while he worked to rid you of your shirt and bra, tossing both on the floor unceremoniously. He pressed, nipping, open mouthed kisses down your chest before biting gently on your right nipple in the way he always knew you liked. Your moans of his name falling from your lips only encouraged him to continue, tongue driving you wild as he pressed it flat against your nipple after a particularly rough bite. While switching sides to give your left nipple the same attention, he used one hand to unbutton your trousers, slipping his hand under the fabric to play with you over your panties.
“Oh my love, you are a soaked little mess.” He practically groaned, feeling how slick you were without even having to move your panties out of the way. Truth be told, you had been like this since you took your seat on the plane to Madripoor but between the continued assault on your nipple and the gentle teasing the Baron was providing between your legs, you could hardly find the words to tell him. He looked up at you with a hunger you had never seen before. Of course, your wedding night had been passionate but this was something else. He was looking at you now like he was ready to entirely lose himself in you. You were an angel in his eyes, all that kept him sane in prison was the thought of making it back to you. And now here you were. He pulled your shoes off before pulling your trousers down your legs, letting them land on the carpeted floor in a heap. You probably should have felt exposed like this, in only a tiny pair of soaked through panties, with Helmut Zemo still fully clothed but you were too lost in your desire to notice.
“Helmut please, please touch me.” Your little needy cry came after he had spent too long tracing one finger over the length of your clothed pussy.
“Anything for you, my Prinzessin.” He whispered softly, watching your face as he slipped just one finger under the thin material and into your soaked pussy. He studied your face as it contorted in pleasure, your little gasps encouraging him as his finger curled just right. His pace was slow but it still felt magical “God my love, you are so tight.” He mused, watching from between your legs as you lay spread on the sheets in front of him. Without warning, he pushed your panties aside and added a second finger and at the same time, pressed his tongue firmly against your clit. The sensations were nearly overwhelming as you involuntarily bucked your hips against his hands and mouth, trying desperately to get more. He had you right on the edge and you knew he had only just started. You could tell by his confident smirk that he knew it as his fingers flexed inside you. “Such a good little kitten for me, you have no idea how much I’ve missed tasting this sweet little pussy.” He praised, finishing his sentence with a broad stroke of his tongue, from where his fingers were driving in and out of you, up to your clit. “You’re so good for me. Look at how you’re practically riding my hand, hmm? So needy and wet. Can’t get enough can you?” He teased with his thick accent, knowing it would only heighten your pleasure. Your legs were shaking with need and he didn’t have the heart to make you wait any longer. He leaned down and sucked gently on your clit. The hand that wasn’t driving into your pussy reached up and tugged your nipples and you knew you were done for.
“Oh my god, Helmut, fuck!” You squealed, feeling your orgasm hit you like a train. Clenching tight around his fingers, your thighs also tightened around his head, keeping him in place as you took the chance to ride out your orgasm on his tongue. Your husband didn’t stop his assault on your body until he sensed he was giving you too much. Your body was tense with over sensitivity when he pulled his fingers out of you, sucking them clean while you watched.
“So delicious my love, you did so well for me.” He sighed softly, leaning over to kiss you. You could taste yourself on his tongue and if anything it made you want him more. His hand tangled in your hair as you moved to push his coat down his arms. He removed his sweater, leaving him in just his dark trousers. His skin was undeniably pale from spending so long deprived of sunlight, or perhaps the dark material of the trousers just made the contrast even more noticeable. Either way, you couldn’t give it much thought at that point, working instead to undo his belt and push the trousers down his toned legs. His boxers were undeniably tented and you took great pleasure in ridding him of them, letting his hard cock spring free. His tip was dark and already slick with precum, his eyelids heavy as you gave him a firm stroke, remembering exactly how responsive he is as a deep moan caught in his throat. As much as you wanted to draw this out, neither of you had the resolve for that. It had been far too long. You gave him a couple more strokes before climbing on top of him, straddling him. The head of his cock between your wet lips felt heavenly, teasing as you rutted back and forth on top of him, not allowing him to enter you just yet. His little gasps were encouragement enough as he groaned praises against your mouth. “You feel so good on me Prinzessin. Need you my love. That pretty little pussy is already dripping onto my cock. Can you feel how wet you are for me?” His praise never seemed to stop as he grasped your waist, letting you slick his cock thoroughly. After a few moments you reached down and grasped him, positioning him at your entrance before slowly sliding down on his length. The stretch had both of you gasping, your bare chest pressed against your husband’s as you gave yourself a moment to adjust to his size. “That’s it my love, taking me so well, just like I knew you would.” He encouraged as you slowly started to bounce up and down on his member. Your little needy moans getting louder as you became accustomed to his size. God, you just felt so full. Anchoring your hands on his shoulders, you bounced on his cock as the praise continued. “Yes my love, I can tell you’re enjoying this, you missed feeling me fill you up. You don’t need to tell me, this pretty little cunt is giving it away. Squeezing me so tight.” If Helmut Zemo had one thing, it was a filthy mouth. Your body ached from the position, your legs growing tired but his head was hitting so nicely inside you it would have killed you to move.
“W-want you to fill me Helmut.” You moaned out, turning quickly into a panting mess.
“Really my Prinzessin, is that what you want? Want me to cum in this sweet little pussy? How about I do just that? Fill you up with my cum? You would look so beautiful carrying my heir for me. Is that what you would like? Do you want me to make sure your little belly is full of my seed?” He mused filthily against your ear, beginning to thrust from underneath you. His words and the intensity of his thrusts had you practically falling apart, orgasm building in you before you even had a chance to warn him. Before you knew it, your pussy was clenching around him and you were babbling nonsense about wanting to give him his heir. Prison really must have given him plenty of time to think. Your fingernails had left deep scratches down his arms but he did not seem to care as you came down from your second high. “You know cumming without my permission is against the rules, my love. But I’ll let you off just this once.” He smiled softly, placing loving kisses against your neck as you fell boneless against his firm chest. He let you take as long as you wanted like that, neglecting his own pleasure to ensure you knew this moment was borne out of love. As much as he longed to be giving you another orgasm, he needed to ensure you knew how much he deeply cared for you. After a few minutes of you regaining your strength, he urged you to lie back on the bed, one hand coming to cradle your face, the other pushing his cock back inside you. You certainly had no objections to this new position, given that your legs felt weak from riding him with such intensity. He kissed you lovingly as he established a decent pace, letting your moans and whimpers help him gauge when he needed to speed up as your pleasure built up once more. His lips only left yours to suck bruises on your neck and his praise continued against your ear. “You’re taking me so well my love, you feel amazing. God I have missed you, missed being buried deep inside you like this. Gonna cum in this little pussy, I will make sure you and my baby never want for anything.” He was practically trembling with the need to fill you, his own release building quickly.
“We will need nothing now that we have you Helmut.” Your promises broken by soft moans as he thrust into you. Carefully, you lifted one leg over his shoulder, allowing him to thrust deeper into you than you could even have imagined was possible. His eyes fluttered shut as he increased his pace once more, chasing a high that was long overdue.
“Touch yourself Prinzessin, cum one more time for me.” He moaned, knowing that he was close. You did as he asked, fingers moving skilfully against your own bundle of nerves as he watched your face contort in pleasure. Within minutes, you were just as close as he was, ready to fall over the edge with him. “Cum for me my love.” He encouraged, watching as your fingers sped up, pussy twitching deliciously around his throbbing cock. Once he felt your orgasm start, he knew he was done for. He fucked you through your high before giving one particularly hard thrust as he filled you with his seed. The force of his orgasm had him trembling above you, barely even able to hold himself up. You reached a hand up to cup his face, stroking your thumb lovingly over his cheekbone as he came down from his explosive high. The sound of your heavy breathing mixing with his was all that could be heard as he slowly pulled out of you and rolled onto the silk sheets beside you. You wasted no time curling up beside him as he wrapped his arms around you, feeling absolutely boneless from three orgasms. He loved these moments, the ones with his loving wife pressed against him, knowing she was safe and satisfied, knowing that everything he cared about in the world was right there in that room with him. After a brief moment tracing little shapes over his bare chest with your fingertips, you spoke. “Did you mean it Helmut? About giving you an heir?” You asked softly, noticing a slight flush creep over his cheeks.
“I did, my love. I have always longed for a child, a little one to inherit my title when I am gone.” He admitted, pressing a hand lovingly to your lower belly. His face made clear that he was being sincere. The love he had for you was almost radiating from him and you had to admit, it had been lonely while he was in prison. You knew, no matter what happened that both of you would be taken care of. You placed your hand on top of his on your belly and kissed him gently, the fingers of your other hand carding softly through his hair. The silence was not uncomfortable, just heavy as he awaited your response.
“Then I guess there’s no time to waste!” You smiled, his laugh at your eagerness was light and carefree, warming your heart that he felt so relaxed with you. Neither of you made any effort to move.
“Do not worry, my Prinzessin,” he breathed softly, thumb stroking lovingly over your lower belly, “we have all the time in the world now.”
Zemo: In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Sam: Wasn't Bucky with you?
Bucky: In my defense, I was also left unsupervised.
Madripoor
Zemo and Sarah’s time in Madripoor
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR EP3, violence, flirting, ect.
Words: 3527
“He’s just through that corridor.” The security guard points to a door down the large hallway. Sarah stand between Sam and Bucky as the guard stops walking.
“Alright. Give us a sec.” Bucky turns to the two as the guard walks off. “I’m gonna go in alone.” Sam and Sarah look at Bucky like he has lost the plot.
“Why?”
“Cause you’re Avengers. You know how he feels about that.”
“Buck it’s not like you two were known for frolickin’ in the sun together.” Sam gestures to where Zemo is.
“This is dangerous Bucky... HE is dangerous.” Sarah states, looking at Bucky, concerned.
“He was obsessed with Hydra... We have a history together. Trust me...” He looks at them. “I got it.” He walks off before they can say anything.
“I hope he’s alright in there...” Sarah says to Sam, after Bucky leaves the pair alone.
“He will be... He’s Bucky.” Sam places his hand on Sarah’s shoulder and gives her a soft smile.
~Later~
“What are you talking about? You wanna break Zemo outta jail? Where the hell are we, Buck? Have you lost your mind?” Sam shines a torch around the large empty room.
“We have no leads, no moves, nothing.”
“What we have is one of the most dangerous men in the world behind bars.”
“And we also have eight Super Soldiers that are loose.” Sam covers his eyes as Bucky shines the light at his face.
“Sarah how do you feel about this?” Sam turn to Sarah. Sarah quickly turns to Sam.
“I don’t think it’s safe to break Zemo out... remember what happened last time we dealt with him?” The pair look at Bucky.
“Exactly. Zemo’s gonna mess with our minds. Especially yours. No offence.” Bucky flips a switch and these large lights begin turning on. The three switch their flashlights off.
“Offense.” Bucky glares at Sam. “Super Soldiers go against everything he believes in. He is crazy, but he still has a code.” Bucky walks away from Sam and Sarah.
“I’ve been on the wrong side of that code, Buck, and so have you and Sarah. He blew up the UN, he killed King T’Chaka and framed you for it. Did you forget that? You think the Wakandans forgot about it? It’s a rhetorical question. They didn’t. I know why this matters to you, but c’mon it’s pushing you off the deep end.” Sam takes a step forward as Bucky opens his arms.
“Sam, we don’t know how they’re gettin’ the serum. We don’t even know how many of them there are.” He sighs softly.
“This is a little too crazy Bucky... we will figure it out okay? We don’t need Zemo.” Sarah steps forward and gives him a soft smile and she rests her hand on his arm.
“Look, let me run you through a hypothetical. Can I run you through a hypothetical?”
“Bucky...” Sarah’s smile turns into a frown, as Sam turns to look at him.
“What did you do?”
“I didn’t... do anything...” Bucky loos to the left, refusing to make eye contact.
“The weakest point in the system isn’t the software, the hardware, it’s the meatware. The human element. Now, in this lockup, it’s nine to one, prisoners to guards, and if two prisoners start fighting then the protocol says four guards have to respond.”
“So why would two prisoners start randomly fighting at that moment?”
“Who knows? There could be many reasons...”
“What I’m hearing is that you started it.” Sarah crosses her arms.
“The point is, these things escalate. Lockdown procedures would have to be initiated, and with all those bodies flying around left and right, it wouldn’t be hard to slip down a hallway or two.” Sarah shakes her head and facepalms, exasperated. Bucky starts up again. “And if the fire alarm got tripped while the prisoners were being separated... someone could use the chair to their advantage.” Bucky does a small shrug.
“I don’t like how causal you’re being about this. This is unnatural. Are you... And where are we, man?” Suddenly, a door loudly opens.
“Bucky, you didn’t...” Sarah gasps at him.
The three look over at a plastic curtain, seeing the silhouette of a man grow smaller the closer he gets, until HE emerges.
“Whoa. Whoa, whoa. hey! What are you doin’ here?”
“No, listen. I didn’t tell you ‘cause I knew neither of you would let this happen.” Bucky looks at Sarah, who is staring at Zemo, eyes wide, knowing memories of what he had done were running through her mind.
“What did you do?!” Sam gets in Bucky’s face.
“We need him, Sam... Sarah.”
“No, Bucky, this is crazy. Even for you!” Sarah growls, a glare plastered to her face.
“You’re going back to prison!” Sam points at Zemo.
“If I may...” The man in question begins.
“NO!” The three yell at him. He looks a little startled by the sudden synchronisation but nods softly and whispers out a small “Apologies.” Bucky turns to Sarah and Sam.
“When Steve refused to sign the Sokovia Accords, you both backed him. You broke the law, and you stuck your necks out for me. I’m asking you both to do it again.”
“I really think I’m invaluable...” Zemo once again interrupts. Sarah groans softly as Sam turns to him, with a glare.
“Shut up.” Zemo squints at him. Sam looks at Bucky and sighs, shaking his head.
“Okay. If we do this, you don’t make a move without our permission.”
Zemo makes a face for a second and nods.
“Fair.”
“I don’t like this...” Sarah looks at Bucky and Sam. The pair shrug and turn back to Zemo.
“Okay, Zemo. Where do we start?” The three look at him as he smiles.
“So our first move is grand theft auto?” Sam looks at the large number of cars.
“These are mine. Collected by family over the generations. I spent years hunting people HYDRA recruited to recreate the serum.” Sarah, Sam and Bucky look around at all of his cars. “Because once it’s out there, someone can crate an army of people... Like the Avengers.” Zemo looks at Sam, his eyes flickering over to Sarah who stands beside Sam. “I ended the Winter Soldier program once before. I have no intention to leave my work unfinished.” He grabs a large coat from the top of his car. “To do this we’ll have to scale a ladder of lowlifes.” He begins walking away from the trio and the car.
“Well, join the party. We’ve already started.”
“First still is a woman named Selby. Mid-level fence I still have a line on. From there, we climb.” Sarah looks at Sam and begins to follow Zemo, Bucky and Sam right behind her.
The four walk towards the door of a private jet where an older man stands, waiting.
“So all this time you’ve been rich?”the look of confusion on Sam’s face made Sarah giggle softly, to herself.
“I’m a Baron, Sam. My family was royalty until your friends destroyed my country.” Sarah watches as Zemo and the older man talk in Russian, happiness and comfort evident on the Baron’s face. “Please.” Zemo gestures and leads the three up the stairs of the jet.
Once the four are in the jet, Sarah sitting across from Zemo. The older man explains the fridge is out.
“If it doesn’t pass the smell test... give it to them. But not the beautiful woman.” Zemo smiles as the older man laughs and leaves. Sarah zoned out of the conversation for some time, translating Zemo’s words and tries to figure out if he had actually meant to say beautiful or not. She is only snapped back to reality when she sees Bucky with his hand around Zemo’s throat.
“I’ve seen that book. It was Steve’s when he came out of the ice. I told him about Trouble Man. He wrote it in that book. Did you hear it? What’d you think?” Sam looks at Bucky expectantly.
“I like ‘40s music, so...” Bucky shrugs.
“You didn’t like it?”
“I liked it..”
“Trouble Man is amazing.” Sarah states.
“It is a masterpiece, James. Complete. Comprehensive. It captures the African-America experience.” Sam and Sarah look at Zemo confused for a second before they turn back to Bucky.
“He does have a point.” Sarah agrees with the Baron.
“He’s out of line, but he’s right. It’s great. Everybody loves Marvin Gaye.”
“I liked Marvin Gaye.”
“Steve adored Marvin Gaye.” Sarah shakes her head softly, takes out her phone and headphones out and puts on some ‘calming’ music by Pan!c at the Disco, trying to delve into her own little world as she looks out the window of the jet.
~~In Madripoor~~
“We have to do something about this. I’m the only one who looks like a pimp.” Sam complains.
“Only an American would assume a fashion-forward black man looks like a pimp. You look exactly like the man you’re supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming African rake names Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger.” Zemo shows Sam a picture of the man he is impersonating on his phone as the four continue walking.
“He even has a bad nickname. Hell, he does look like me, though.”
“Well you aren’t the only one who hates this plan, Sam...” Sarah walks in between Bucky and the Baron, in a small black dress and black heels that Zemo had bought for her to wear. “Do I really have to wear this? And who the fuck am I supposed to be?” She looks at Zemo, an annoyed glare pointed at him.
“Yes, darling. And you are my fiancée, it would be too suspicious for a new face to show up without a specific reason. No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There’s no margin for error.” Zemo states as a black car pulls up in front of them. He reached forward and opens the door for Sarah, who nods at him as she climbs into the middle seat, between Sam and Bucky. During the car ride, Zemo’s eyes flicker up to the mirror, watching Sarah. She notices his staring and she looks down, a soft blush covering her face. Suddenly, a group of motorbikes come out of nowhere, surrounding the car.
The car pulls up and Sam, Bucky and Zemo climb out of the car. Sarah turns to climb out after Bucky but an outstretched hand stops her. Specifically Zemo’s hand, waiting for her to take it. She reaches out and places her small hand in his and he helps her out of the car, wrapping his arm around her waist. Sarah tenses and he leans down, lips millimeters away from her ear.
“You’re my girl here, that’s your character.” He whispers huskily. The hand on her waist gives her a soft squeeze. She takes a small breath and leans against him, as the four of them walk along the walk above the large crowd of people.
As the four of them walk into the Princess Bar, Zemo’s grip on her tightens, pressing her close to him. The fur on his coat tickles her cheek and neck. “Here we are... Ready to comply, Winter Soldier?” Zemo asks as he leads Sarah, Sam and Bucky to the bar, still holding the woman’s waist. As the four make it to the bar, the bartender walks over, surprise written all over his face.
“Hello Miss, Gentlemen. Wasn’t expecting you, Smiling Tiger.”
“His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby.” The bartender looks at Zemo with suspicion, then looks at the Sam.
“The usual?” Sam nods.
“Ah... Smiling Tiger, your favourite.” Zemo says, watching the bartender cut open a snake, using it to make the Smiling Tigers usual drink.
“I love these..” Sam says with slight hesitation. Zemo lifts his drink.
“Cheers Conrad.” Zemo drinks his own as Sarah sips on her drink, watching the two. Sam hesitates, then takes the drink like a shot, giving the bartender a thumbs up.
A man walks up behind Zemo and as he turns, moves Sarah out of the way of any possible harm.
“I got word from on high. You ain’t welcome here.”
“I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me...” Zemo gestures to Bucky.
“New haircut?” The man questions Bucky.
“Or bring Selby for a chat.” Zemo watches the man. He looks at Zemo, then at Bucky, then Sam and lastly towards Sarah who is peeking out from behind Zemo’s protective stance.
“A Power Broker? Really?” Bucky looks at Zemo, obviously done with this situation.
“Every kingdom needs its king.” Zemo slides his arm back around Sarah, softly and sneakily massaging the small area on her waist. “Let’s just pray we stay under his radar.”
“Do you know him?” Sam questions.
“Only by reputation.”
“That doesn’t sound to good.” Sarah mumbles, taking another sip of her drink.
“It’s not. In Madripoor, he is judge, jury and executioner.” Zemo looks around the room and then turns back to the bar. “Winter Soldier. Attack.” The moment the man roughly placed his hand on Zemo, Bucky’s metal arm shot out, grabbing his wrist and twisting, pushing the man to the middle of the floor.
Sam, Sarah and Zemo watch as Bucky kicks ass left and right, causing not only damage to the people but to the furniture around him. Zemo leans close to Sarah and Sam.
“Didn’t take much for him to fall back into form.” Zemo states. Bucky slams a man down onto the bar, then the sound of guns cocking. Sam and Zemo look around the bar at everyone and Zemo grabs Sarah, pulling her close, trying to protect her. Sam places a hand on Bucky’s arm.
“Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us.” Zemo whispers to Sam, then he turns to Bucky. “Well done, Soldier.” The bartender watches as Bucky doesn’t let go of the man.
“Selby will see you now.” Bucky let’s go of the man, slowly.
“Thank you.” Zemo nods and gives Sarah’s waist a squeeze. Sam turns to Bucky.
“You good?” He says softly. Bucky looks at Sam quickly before following Zemo and Sarah. Sam following shortly after.
“You should know, Baron. People don’t just come into my bar and make demands.” The woman, Selby, state as the four enter the room.
“Not a demand. An offer.” Zemo sits down, Sarah sitting down on his lap.
“A lot has changed since you were here last.” Sarah decides at that moment to play the character she was given and rests her head on Zemo’s shoulder, playing with the ends of his hair, sneakily paying attention to the entire conversation. Sarah then slides off the Baron’s lap, he gestures for her to sit back where he was sitting and he walks over to Bucky.
“And I give you him.” He walks around, behind Bucky, who looks like a statue. “Along with the code words to control him, of course. He will do anything you want.” Zemo runs his fingers over Bucky’s chin, softly grabbing and wiggling the end.
“Now that’s the Zemo I remember. I’m glad I decided not to kill you immediately. However, I want something else to go along with him.” She smirks at the two men, slowly turning to look at Sarah, who is still sitting on the chair opposite her. “I want that pretty little thing as well.” Zemo walks away from the soldier and Sarah scoots out of the chair for him to sit, taking her original place in his lap.
“Not this one, she’s mine.” His hand cups Sarah’s butt and squeezes, as a way of staking his claim in front of Selby. Sarah, deciding she didn’t like the way the woman talked about her as though she’s an object, steps in.
“I belong to my Baron.” She runs her fingers through the back of his hair. Selby looks disappointed by gives Zemo the information about the Super Soldier Serum and a man called Dr. Wilfred Nagel.
“You can’t find Nagel without me.” Sam’s phone vibrates suddenly.
“Sam? Who’s Sam? Kill them!” Suddenly Selby is on the floor dead with a bullet wound and then chaos ensues. Bucky and Sam take out two of her bodyguards as Sarah pulls a knife out from under her dress and stabs another in between the eyes. She lets the body fall and hit the ground, turns to look at the three men who came with her, staring at her in shock.
“Did you three REALLY think I was coming HERE, defenceless??” Sarah rolls her eyes. The four move towards the exit.
“They’re gonna pin this on us.” Sam states, leaning against the door. Zemo sighs, as Sarah sheaths her knife, the three men’s eyes lingering on her exposed thigh.
“We have a real problem now, so leave your weapons and follow my lead.”
Bucky, Sam, Sarah and Zemo quickly leave the area, the sound of phones receiving messages going off all around them. Zemo’s arm is once again around Sarah’s waist.
“This is not good...” suddenly the light above them go out and multiple gun shots are heard. The four duck and Zemo turns and drags Sarah off down an alley, leaving Bucky and Sam.
“Zemo wait! I can’t run in the-“
Sarah trips, her eyes closed as she waits for the rough impact but instead feels the soft fur from Zemo’s coat. He caught me... the two stare at each other for a moment before Zemo picks Sarah up and continues running down the alleyway.
Finally they got to the end of the alley and turn the corner to see Sam and Bucky standing there, as a body falls.
“You seem to have a guardian angel.” He points out.
“Well this is too perfect.” The last person the four expected to see was Sharon Carter to walk out of the shadow. “Let go of Sarah and drop it, Zemo.” Zemo puts the gun down and lets of Sarah reluctantly.
“Sharon?” Bucky takes a step forward.
~~~~ skip forward to the party at Sharon’s~~~~
Sarah stands off to the side of the crowd still wearing the dress Zemo bought her. Bucky and Sam are talking as she looks around at the dancing crowd only to see Zemo...
Sarah let’s put a tiny laugh, shaking her head at the sight. When she looks back up at him, he is gesturing for her to come dance with him. Sarah thinks for a second before a goofy smile appears and she pushes off the bar and joins Zemo in the crowd.
“Those are so great moves!” She calls out to him over the crowd, he grabs her hands and continues dancing.
“Then dance with me!” He calls back, a large goofy smile on his face. The pair end up dancing and looking at some of the artwork together until they meet up with Sam and Bucky, waiting for Sharon.
“Hey, guys. I found him.” Sharon motions for the four to follow her. Sam turns to Bucky.
“Here we go.”
“Alright, he’s in there. Container four-two-six-one. Sarah and I will keep an eye out while you guys talk to Nagel. But hurry. We’re on borrowed time.” Sharon holds out her palm with five ear pieces for everyone. Sarah, Sam, Bucky and Zemo take theirs and Sharon leads Sarah away from the group, noticing how Zemo watches as the two disappear.
Minutes later, Sharon turns to Sarah.
“So, Zemo seems to have taken a liking to you?” She smirks.
“No he doesn’t.” Sarah shakes her head as she looks around, guarding the shipping container. “It was Allan act. I had to pretend to be his fiancée to get into the club.”
“It’s pretty obvious it wasn’t an act, when I showed up pointing that gun at him, he was being protective.” Sarah rolls her eyes as Sharon nudges her.
The pair are oblivious to the fact that their earpieces were still on and Zemo, Sam and Bucky could hear everything. Sam and Bucky turn slowly to glare at Zemo and if looks could kill, he would have been dead already. However he isn’t paying attention to the two, instead distracted by the voices in his ear and the burnin blush covering his cheeks.
~~~ After the explosion and Zemo’s scene of him kicking ass ~~~
Zemo pulls up in front of the group and shrugs.
“Supercharged.”
Bucky climbs in the passenger seat and Sam climbs in behind him, Sarah walking around the front of the car. Before she opens the passenger door behind Zemo, he opens his door.
“Come here for a second.” Sarah looks at him inquisitively but complies, standing in front of him. Zemo reaches up, grabs her waist and pulls her onto his lap, passionately kissing her for a minute, Sam complaining in the back. He pulls away and smirks, giving her a small wink. She blushes and he pats her ass, for her to climb into her seat. She does so in a daze and once she is buckled in, Zemo takes off.
It's that time of night where my mind wonders and I'm missing these beautiful men.... a lot.
Fuck John Walker - and not in the good way.
Spoilers for Episode 4 of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
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Karli Morgenthau talks about how struggle creates community. But all American culture has ever been concerned with is power. And since white people have been sitting at the top of this nation for 250 years, when they don't have power, they have *nothing.* Now this happens in 3 places.
John Walker, obviously, loses his MIND at the concept of his own perceived helplessness. But more interestingly are Bucky and Lemar.
Bucky
There's an interesting comparison drawn multiple times throughout this episode between John and Bucky. When Ayo disabled Bucky's arm, he looks as if she killed his firstborn. He looks terrified and helpless. Despite all his misgivings, Bucky is just another version of John Walker, just a much societally palatable one because instead of literally murdering people, he self-isolates. They're trying to be like Cap. They're afraid that maybe they aren't as good as they think they are because of their dubious pasts.
We have to remember that Bucky did not get the time to heal. After Civil War, Steve (well-meaningly) put Bucky through all his same traumas over again. Prematurely given a powerful weapon, forced to fight in a war, essentially dying and coming back years later, abandoned by time. Bucky does not know who he is without Captain America, without Steve. All he has left is power. So he clings to that arm like his life depends on it, because...well not to be morbid but I think it does.
Lemar
Poor Lemar. Despite what people believe, black people are not exempt from White America's supremacy narrative. Lemar is a prime example. He drinks their koolaid and sells his soul to be a soldier in white supremacy's army and a sidekick to a white supremacy's hero.
Lemar believes that power makes people "more of themselves," which isn't a bad idea in itself. But Lemar shares that same blindness with John Walker, the belief that they are unequivocally good, and that their enemies are unequivocally enemies. So it follows that with more power, good people can do more good, because they are good and that goodness is an inherent state of being and not a choice.
I wonder who spread around that idea?
Lemar understands that he's done some bad things in the past but he does not believe that makes him bad. He does not extend the same courtesy to Karli (although he is more willing to do so than his white counterpart John), perhaps because, unlike Karli, he worked under the jurisdiction of a government, stupidly believing he was creating peace by fighting their war. But as Ultron says to the Avengers, "I believe you're confusing peace with quiet."
Anyways, the true tragedy is that Lemar didn't get to live to see how right he was. He died, weak and helpless. Never having chosen anything for himself.
Conclusion
The core issue of everyone in this narrative is their idealizations about Cap. Everyone on "America's" side believed him to be unequivocally good. Everyone else believed him to be the opposite, namely Karli. But even Karli is trying to replicate Captain America in her own way, as one of her soldiers says.
Zemo gets much closer to the truth because he's "just a guy," but he also inherently distrusts the Avengers for personal reasons, and has a bit of a God complex himself, so...he's a bit biased.
The only one who truly understands is Sam. He can see the power and the struggle, the unfairness and the privilege. He chooses to give up Cap's shield and he would choose not to take the super serum because the truth is that
Steve wasn't perfect, Steve was lucky.
Steve was always able to just scrape by, able to get what he wanted in the end, in no small part due to his identity (we see what they did to the black surviving super soldier). But Cap made this mess. Cap left Bucky behind and traveled back 80 years, somehow managing not to solve a single problem of the system of which he is supposed to be an embodiment that won't allow Sam's sister to get a goddamn loan. Cap was good, but he wasn't even the best of them. I think Sam is the best of them. And if he knows what's best for them, he won't pick that shield back up.