“But he is so fine, Hades,” pouted Persephone prettily. “I want him for myself.” She stepped up to Zemo, walked around him, trailed her fingers across his shoulder blades.
“James Buchanan Barnes has done what was required to free him, my love. The Baron Zemo must be released.”
“Oh, must he?”
Hades rolled his eyes affectionately.
“You have many other playthings, beloved.”
“I know…”
“And time is on your side.” He whispered in her perfect shell-like ear. “He will come back eventually.”
Bucky watched the conversation from the centre of the audience chamber, here in the underworld, in Hades’ vast gothic palace.
He looked from the two lovers, to his love - Zemo - and back again. He waited patiently.
Persephone took one last look at her handsome doting husband, then flounced towards Bucky.
She stopped in front of him and looked at him haughtily. She was exceedingly gorgeous, and he had to stop himself from angling towards her.
Her eyes widened slightly at his control. She seemed to be assessing him. She looked him up and down, then turned to look again at Zemo, standing nonchalantly on the other side of the hall, giving nothing away.
She turned back to Bucky and whispered low “You may have your man.” She walked her fingers up his chest and placed the tip of her index finger under his chin. “But, if you turn back to look at him even once, he will return to me.”
Bucky searched her eyes - as green as fresh grass - and thought to himself ‘Fine! cos I know I can sense him even in the next room, even through six feet of concrete. This is gonna be a piece of piss!’
He schooled his face. “Understood,” he grated.
“Then turn, soldier,” interjected Hades in a booming commanding voice, “and look upon him no more, until you both cross the threshold into life.”
“Dramatic,” drawled Zemo, casually inspecting his nails. Then he straightened, looked over at Bucky, nodded, and began to walk towards him.
Bucky turned, walked slowly out of the chamber. He could hear Zemo’s footsteps behind him, and he gloated. ‘Piece. Of. Piss.’
He could hear Zemo walking behind him as they left the palace.
He could hear him quite clearly as they passed through the streets and on into the rocky surrounding lands.
But once they passed into the dark twisting tunnels that lead up to the world above, he couldn’t hear him at all. He couldn’t even sense his presence behind him. Was he even still behind him?
Bucky stopped. Stared straight ahead.
“You there, Zemo?”
“Of course.”
Just to hear that liquid chocolate voice was a blessed relief. Bucky threw his head back. He stared at the dark foreboding rocky ceiling and took a steadying breath.
“Talk to me, doll, so I know you’re still following.”
“Excellent idea, my James. I will start by telling you of my exploits in Echo Scorpion.”
*
‘Oh my fucking God. That man can talk.’
Bucky followed the twisting, treacherous route back to the land of the living. But he was sure that the pathway changed before him. He didn’t recognise some of it.
Which way was it? He found himself distracted and disoriented.
Zemo’s rambling anecdotes weren’t actually helping.
“Jeez, Zemo! Can you stop talking for a minute! I’m trying to think, here. You’re gonna make me turn round just to shut you up, and we’ll have to do this whole thing again!!”
“I thought you wanted me to talk. I am just ensuring that you know that I am following you, and you don’t feel tempted to turn around just to check that I am actually still here.”
“I know. I know. Jeez, maybe just dial it back a bit though. I need to concentrate.”
“Understood.”
Now there was silence. Blessed silence. Bucky could concentrate and discern the right path. He felt his spirits rise as he climbed over a particularly tricky rocky outcrop.
The silence lengthened. Bucky stopped just before the passageway turned sharply to the right.
“You still there?” He said in to the darkness.
“Of course,” came back Zemo’s throaty voice. Bucky smiled to himself with relief, and started walking again.
“Say something then.”
“You told me to dial it down.”
“Dial it down, yes. Not stop completely.”
“As you wish.” Did he sound a little put out?
“Fucks sake, Zemo. Maybe just say something when we turn a corner, or pass an obstacle. Just so I know you’re still there.”
“Of course, dear.” Yep. Zemo was definitely put out a bit. His sarcasm was dripping.
*
Bucky climbed up the last step and out into the chilly November air.
There was his motorbike, just where he’d left it, leaning against an olive tree.
He was just about to turn around, when Zemo’s deadpan voice reached him.
“Don’t you dare turn around yet, James.”
“Are you ok?”
“Of course. But I am not yet over the threshold. Step forward slightly to give me room, dear one.”
“Just let me know when I can turn.”
Zemo grunted an affirmation.
Bucky listened with his whole being for the point when he could finally sense Zemo behind him. Wait! Was that a heartbeat?
Then Zemo’s arms were enfolding him from behind, his hot breath on his neck, and Bucky’s heart lifted through him.
Bucky turned to face Zemo. Held him apart slightly so that he could look at him. Really look at him: back in the land of the living. Hale and hearty and oh, so handsome.
Zemo had that mischievous look in his eyes, and he smiled softly at Bucky.
Bucky whooped, grabbed him close in a bear hug and swung him round and round.
Zemo clung to his shoulders and laughed with him.
They were both slightly breathless by the time Bucky dropped Zemo on his feet again.
Arm in arm they made their way over to the bike.
“It’s so good to have you back, Hel,” said Bucky.
“It’s very good to be back. Here, with you, my love.”
Bucky nudged him playfully. “I went through Hell to get you, Hel,” he said.
Zemo groaned good-naturedly, and said “I am forever in your debt.”
“Nah,” said Bucky. “You’d do the same for me.”
“Indeed I would. Although I hope that time is a long way off.”
“Yup.”
“And I would probably wait until Spring or Summer so I don’t have to fend off the romantic overtures of that minx Persephone.”
“Logical.”
“You would then become my Summer Soldier.”
“Ha! I like that - Summer Soldier.”
They reached the bike, and Bucky handed a helmet to Zemo.
“A helmet for Helmut,” he said, grinning at his own joke.
Zemo laughed, and kissed his cheek.
Bucky couldn’t stop staring at him, as he put on the helmet. He really was the most beautiful human being he had ever laid eyes on.
“Everywhere you go, people just love you, don’t they?”
“It’s a burden, I admit.” Zemo’s head peered at him through the faceplate. His eyes sparkled.
“But you’re mine,” said Bucky.
“Indeed, I am. I am yours, my Summer Soldier.”
“That’s good.” Bucky threw one long leg over the bike. “Let’s get you home.”
“Yes, let’s,” said Zemo, settling behind him and putting his arms around Bucky’s waist. “I feel overflowing with vitality. I can’t wait to show you how grateful I am.” He hugged Bucky close.
“Don’t say that!” Bucky sat up.
“Why ever not?” Zemo loosened his grip slightly.
“You’ll get me all excited.” Bucky leaned back down and revived up the bike.
“Is that a problem?”
“It will be, if I crash this bike, and have to go through this whole damn rigmarole again.” The bike roared into life.
“Don’t crash then.”
“What?” said Bucky over the sound of the engine.
Zemo leaned his chest against Bucky’s strong back and smiled. “Nothing,” he said. “Nothing at all.”
***