summary: To quote Dread Pirate Roberts, “Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.”
tags: roboticist!Zemo, fluff, baking, copious references to Gene Kelly musicals, some angst happens, sentient android, not in an ex machina way, Alpine is a robot!
A GIFT FOR MY MOST BELOVED @patrick-stewart ♡ ♡ ♡ merry xmas I cannot believe you made me write a fic thats basically a love letter to Zemo
& shout out to @bruehl !!! literally could not have done this w/o your brilliant support
Zucky in sweaters is,, significant. Lovely art by @lis-alis ! I’m throwing fluff into the wind for my beloved @lindir who has convinced me that Zucky can be soft cause “they’ve both been through shit and can comfort each other”...(I think it’s a long con but I can’t prove anything). Ao3
Oooh, the moon
Oooh, the snow in the moonlight
When Zemo sings the same lines for the sixth time in a row, Bucky can’t stop the giggle escaping his chest. He looks over at Zemo who’s gazing up at the night sky. The moon really does look beautiful tonight. It’s suspended in the inky darkness, huge and bright, the color of buttermilk. Its light reflecting off the snow makes the night impossibly bright. As close as they are, Bucky can make out every detail of Zemo’s face. His expression is happy, peaceful, and it warms Bucky’s heart more than the thick woolen blanket wrapped around them.
“Are there any more words to this song or…?”
Zemo scoffs. “Of course there are!” He gazes at the stars like they’ll give him the tune. When he starts to repeat the chorus yet again, Bucky cracks into a huge smile. They’re lying shoulder to shoulder on the back porch of Bucky’s cabin. The bonfire at their feet has dwindled but still crackles every so often into the silence of the night. Everything is covered by a deep layer of snow that muffles all the usual sounds of the night. Zemo’s quiet singing rings clear in Bucky’s ears.
Oooh, the snow in the moonlight
And your childlike eyes and your distant smile
I’ll never be this happy again
Zemo finds Bucky’s hand beneath the blanket and laces their fingers together. Bucky feels giddy and light, about to disappear into thin air with the next pop of sparks from the fire.
Joy and life inside our souls
And nobody knows
Just you and me
Zemo turns to smile at Bucky as his voice drifts on the breeze. He can barely keep his eyes open. Bucky wants to reach out and boop his nose.
“You’re so tired,” he observes. Fondness making his voice rich as molasses. “We should go in so you can get some sleep.”
Zemo lets his eyelids droop but his smile widens.
How can anyone sleep?
There was never such a night before
“Oh come on,” Bucky teases. “Does the song really go like that?”
Zemo nods happily and turns his face back to the sky. He lifts his chin like he might howl at the moon.
Oooh, the moon
Oooh, the snow
Bucky melts into quiet laughter and he rolls out from under their cocoon. He shuffles snow onto the dying fire and returns to take the heavy blanket from Zemo who nearly trips over his own feet as he stands. Bucky wraps a steadying arm around his shoulders. Zemo leans into him as he guides them both through the cabin door. It seems pitch dark compared to the brightest outside. Zemo fumbles for the light switch as the door closes behind them, enveloping them fully in shadow. Bucky catches his hand before he can find the lights and wraps Zemo up tight in the still warm wool. A hum of sleepy amusement softens the dark.
“If you think I know your house well enough to not trip and fall down the stairs, then you have far too much faith in me.”
Bucky knows that Zemo can’t see him, probably still has his eyes closed, but he grins at Zemo anyway, finds that he can’t help himself as he steps closer. Bucky’s hand slides from Zemo’s shoulder, up his neck, to gently cradle his cheek. Zemo leans into the touch. Bucky’s palm is warm against his skin which Bucky knows is still pink from the cold. He summons all the courage of his heart with a deep inhale.
“Would it be alight if… would you like it if I kissed you?”
“Yes.”
The answer comes without hesitation. Bucky’s thumb traces Zemo’s jaw, then finds the curve of his bottom lip. He exhales with a quiet laugh when his thumb reaches the crook of Zemo’s smile. He imagines Zemo with his eyes closed tight, and grinning in that sweet irresistible way of his. Bucky leans in to press their lips together in the softest kiss. Once. Twice. He pulls back but Zemo chases him with kisses just as gentle, as light as the fall of snow.
He doesn’t know how long they stand there, trading tender kisses in the dark. After an immeasurably precious moment of time, Zemo slumps into his chest and sets Bucky in motion. The blanket slips from Zemo’s shoulders as Bucky lifts him off the ground. Zemo’s legs wrap around Bucky’s waist and his hands cup Bucky’s jaw. He never stops pressing kisses to Bucky’s face as he’s carried back to the guest room. Bucky lays him on the bed so very gently and their lips find each other again. As Zemo drifts into sleep, he feels his boots come off and the quilt pulled over his legs.
“Sweet dreams,” Bucky whispers as he retreats from the room. Zemo has never felt more safe. His sleep that night is heavy and dreamless.
