Zemo had kindly asked both James and Sam to leave temporarily, as he had very important business to take care of. He needed to set up everything and mind even the smallest details: Bucky gave him a look of suspicion but accepted to take a walk, whilst Sam almost fainted, after the baron told him what the suprise was. He simply crawled out of the door, his face turned pale, promising not to say a word and to not return until a certain hour later that night. 

Zemo checked on the delicious smell coming from the oven and smiled, being very proud of his success: yes it was almost ready. He took the finest bottle of wine he had found out of the fridge so it wouldn't be too cold for his host: with a quick glance at his watch he figured out Bucky had to be on its way home. He stood in front of the dinner table with his arms crossed and a his brows arched in a worry expression. Was the table cloth too wrinkly? Maybe the chalices weren't shiny enough, was the silverware properly alligned? He was a baron after all: a couple of years in prison rusted his aristocratic manners but all it took was a romantic dinner to revitalize all of his old silly knowledge. 

He wiped away an invisible particle of dust off the gold-embellished plate to distract himself from the anxious heartbeat of his chest. His hands were still trembling a bit, so he tried to keep his mind busy by lightening up the mood with a few candles. The soft scent of roses spread across the room.

 When he confessed his idea to Sam he received one of the most surprised looks he had ever seen on a human face "you...for...you want to... for Buck" was all he got 

"Yes, I mean to do something nice for him that's all, the knifes are for food, no stabbing I swear" he had promised him "unless he has some preferences in that area that I am not aware of..." he teased the man, who basically ran out of the apartment in pure shock.

Zemo was just getting the final piece of art, a soft chocolate cake, out of the hot oven, when he heard the keys opening the door. He muttered a very not-frindly sokovian curse as he almost burned his hand in the attempt of plating up the dessert without splattering it on the floor

-Hey, I went around the blocks for a while, hope that's enough- Bucky's voice was still muffled, he was probably taking off his shoes.

Zemo straightened up with a nervous smile, hiding his hands behind the back. The lights were faint, and when he entered the room the gold shadows casted on Bucky's face made him look even more handsome, he thought. When James noticed how elegant the living room was set up, his eyes started to turn watery: he walked around, brushing over the surface of the table, his eyes lingering on the single candle in the middle, the bright orange flame dancing in the air

-You did this for me?- His expression was full of joy and amazement, he was as astonished as a kid who had just been gifted with brand new toys.

-Yes, I wanted to prepare something special, I see I succeeded to surprise you- Zemo offered a chair to Bucky, inviting him to sit down. His heart was warmed by a soft and tender halo, he was so glad his date was enjoying his treat. He really deserved something nice and all fancy and he was more than happy to also feel a little better about himself, after all it had been a long time since he had done something sincerely good, with the best of intentions.

-But I don't have anything for you!- he groaned all sad -I feel guilty, this is so thoughtful and I am empty handed- 

-Don't worry darling, this is evening is for you and you only- Zemo caressed Bucky's palm as he poured some red wine in both glasses -And there's nothing more that I'd love to do than take care of you, spoiling my precious boy-

Their glasses tinkled as they both cheered to their unusual night. Zemo took a sip of the delicious beverage, suspiring out of pleasure: indeed, he appreciated expensive things and the quality of a good bottle of wine was never to be understimated. 

-You're even more charming when you blush James- he teased the young man whose cheeks had acquired a lovely peachy shade. He loved complimenting him, he always felt like he didn't get enough recognition: he had spent the majority of his life being used as a vessel and a weapon by HYDRA, it was about goddamn time someone made him understand how valuable as a human being he was. 

The vague knowledge that all of that was going to end soon with him going back to jail once the wakandians had shown up was an alarming thought Zemo had in the drawer of his mind. He had tried to not lose too much sanity over it, yet he was also aware that their time was running out.

He took a bite in silence, admiring the soldier, who was still too overwhelmed admiring the details of the dinner table to speak. Damn, he wished they had more time. This new found peace was way too dear to Zemo to give it up so easily and yet he felt like a grain of sand doomed to be carried away by the hourglass-shaped flow of destiny.

-Will you visit me?- he whispered. He didn't mean to break the mood, it just came out of his lips before he could hold it back.

-What do you mean?- Bucky raised an eyebrow, scratching his two-days ingrown bear with his metal fingers 

-At the RAFT. We both know they're coming and there's nothing you can do about it-

-Oh, about that...- his smile dropped instantly as he started playing with the food in his plate -I tried everythig I could, I did, but I have no idea of what will come next. I understand their...skepticism. Ayo deactivated me, or at least she tried, and the process she went through with me just so I could get better... I will forever be in debt with her Zemo, I know she isn't exactly fond of you, but I owe her so much- 

His right hand was visibly shaking even if he tried to hide it under the napkin. A tear flushed out of his eyes.

-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to- Zemo gave him a baffled look -Come here James- he didn't know what to say so tapped on his knees to invite him to sit closer. 

As Bucky got up he opened his arms to welcome him into a hug. He pulled him into his hold and started combing the deep brown hair with his fingertips as James hid his face in his chest. When he started sobbing quietly Zemo decided to hum an old sokovian lullaby: his father used to sing it to him when he was young, so many years prior, and he took the habit of doing the same with his son when he would have trouble sleeping. 

-It's okay, everything is going to be alright- he inhaled the fresh smell of his minty shampoo, aching already for the future loss of such scent on his skin. 

He didn't want to force him to say anything, so he just cradled him back and forth for a couple of minutes, waiting for him to stop the silent crying. When was the last time he felt so much pain for someone? Ah yes, when more than half of his family had died.

When he dared looking had him again, Bucky had red puffy eyes and a grumpy pout

-I ruined our dinner with my stupid tears I am so sorry, I just got emotional... I don't want to lose you-

-You didn't ruin anything- Zemo cupped James' face with his warm hands -This is your safe space. Whatever goes through your mind, you can tell me, you can vent freely. You won't be judged, never. You can trust me completely-

James' lips hinted at a smile, his hands behind Zemo's back slipped under the thin fabric of the shirt - Thank you for everything you keep doing. You know I need time to process the tiniest aspects of my life, sometimes things get... overwhelmingly big for me, and yet you're there to carry me through every obstacle- 

He smirked when he noticed Zemo was holding his breath as his metal fingers rushed down to his bare spine. He shifted his mood pretty quickly to say the least

 damn, the bastard knows what he's up to the baron cussed in his head the moment the metal finger gently squeezed his flesh 

-You're the only one who can make my nightmares go away- Bucky pressed his lips against the Zemo's, tasting the bittersweet flavour of fermented grapes -and as much as I am grateful for your courtesy, we both know we're running out of said time-

Zemo tried to push him away from his body, just a little bit, enough to regain a tiny particle of sanity. Jesus, he's going to make a run for it, isn't he?

-You don't have to do anything that you're not comfortable with- he whispered. His throat was drier than the Sahara desert. He was quite...rusted, the irony of it all.

-I'm not rushing in- Bucky complained with a childlike-petty groan -I am just saying, I am tired of being gloomy, I need adrenaline and you -he adjusted himself to put more pressure with his weight on Zemo's crotch -need to stop thinking you're walking on egg shells and worrying about every single word coming out of your mouth. I'd rather see you using it in a different way-

His eyes squinted at James' dare and smirked with a mischievous smile. If that's what he wanted...

-I am not going to break, not now, I promise- Bucky moved his hips with a serpentine flow, his eyes alighted of a new fever

-You sure?- Zemo asked once more, just to be sure, but he was already biting his lips with a sense of hurry boiling up in his veins. The winter soldier leaned in so he could feel the warm breath tingling his right ear 

-I swear to god darling if you're gonna ask me again you will not be able to walk for the next two days-