Keep Your Enemies Closer // Sam and Zemo
Helmut allowed himself the simple luxury of closing his eyes as he breathed in the fresh cool air of New York City during his ritual evening stroll in the park. He had arrived in the city over a fortnight past, but chose to stay quiet in that time. Raising HYDRA from its grave in the Americas would prove no small feat, but Zemo was no stranger to monumental feats. His latest accomplishment was still being felt by those who he considered his enemies: S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers.
He had been elated during the brief time that Steve Rogers remained missing and Tony Stark had been pronounced dead. How dismayed he had been to read in the papers that both had now returned. He opened his eyes and frowned. Perhaps he had been mistaken, an empire such as the Avengers could not stay in ruins for long. Then again, he had not heard anything about Steve Rogers officially taking back his title of Captain America. The... sidekick had taken it over. A malicious sneer tugged at the corner of his lip. How quaint.
After several minutes of trekking the well traveled paths of Central Park, Zemo veered off to chart his own course. It was his way, after all. He continued on this heading for well over a half hour, cataloging every distinguishable feature of the landscape in his head as he walked. Time drew on still longer before he chanced to see a figure walking along a part of the path Helmut’s travels had brought him abreast of.
Again came the curling and tugging of the smirk at the corner of his lips. A face he recognized. Zemo allowed the person to wander past before he approached the tree line to offer his greetings. “I had heard rumors of the Avengers attempting to rebuild. How charming.”