[ Almost mindlessly, she catches his fingers; handholding is customary by now, too, and she's desperately clinging to anything comfortable and familiar. It helps, a little. She's at least able to crush her anxiety into a ball and shove it down the pit of her stomach. That'll have to do for now.
Despite her lack of appetite, still she says: ] Yes, please. I'd love some tea.
[ Another thing that's familiar. Another thing she'll miss if this whole thing goes south.
On the way up, she rehearses the words in her head. Strange how she can't find the words in this scenario when she can otherwise easily come up with some grand, inspiring speech. Maybe because it's easier to tell people what they want to hear. This, however, is the opposite of that. ]
[The doorman is already in front of them, pulling open the door for them to pass through. Zemo gives him a slight nod and a smile in thanks, casually ushering Stephanie inside first. He follows close, still holding fast to her hand and not wanting to let go.
The anxiety is contagious. Or it's just so thick between them it's nearly palpable. He can feel something by the time they get to the elevator and he hits the button for the floor of his penthouse.
Not a whole lot of talking going on. He figures they're both saving it for tea, and the last thing he wants to do is push an issue or ask too many questions. He's sure she'll tell him everything that's on her mind once they're up there. Or he'll end up poking and prodding until the information he gets is satisfactory enough.
It's just so strange. All of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere - they need to have A Talk.
He exhales a sigh - in response to the thoughts dashing around inside his skull. And once he realizes he actually did that out loud (apropos of nothing happening in the car), his shoulders hunch and he looks over at her with the most guilty expression on his face.]
Apologies. [Pause.] It's tense. I'm tense. [And now he's tripping over his words, looking like a complete fool. He gestures toward himself with the hand that's currently squeezing hers, letting them both come to rest at his chest.] This is... tense, yes.
[He's so quick to crack isn't he?
The elevator comes to a stop and the door opens with a ding.]
[ That... actually makes her laugh. Short, quiet, but genuine. ]
We're terrible at this, it seems like.
[ Somehow it works. Some of the tension dissipates. She no longer looks like she's about to bolt any moment now. She squeezes his hand, but doesn't let go. Surely her secret couldn't be the worst thing in the world?
But maybe his is.
The treacherous thought comes unbidden and it almost makes her visibly bristle. Just almost, thankfully. ]
I know you said I don't gotta bring anything, but I brought us some wine.
[Oh good - she's laughing! That instantly makes him feel so much better. Almost like all the tension's just gone poof.
...Almost.
The look of sheer discomfort on his face softens, becomes much more easygoing and relaxed. He even manages a smile amidst his faint chuckles.]
We are, yes. Quite terrible. [But now he's smiling even more, completely at ease. In record time, really.
What was he so worried about again...?]
Did you? [His eyebrow raise at the admittance. He casually glances towards her bag.] You didn't have to, but perhaps we'll need some after the tea, hm?
[A playful jab, of course. The potential threat of... whatever their discussion is going to include still looms overhead. But he's made her laugh and she's brought a gift unprompted and maybe this will turn out alright in the end.
Zemo doesn't need to lead the way - since the elevator opens right into his penthouse here - but that doesn't mean he lets go of her hand. He would never. At least he's stopped gripping her tight by now.]
Let me put the kettle on. [He only parts from her once he's pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek and given her hand a gentle squeeze. She's been here enough - the place is practically hers if she wishes. She can get settled however she likes.]
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Despite her lack of appetite, still she says: ] Yes, please. I'd love some tea.
[ Another thing that's familiar. Another thing she'll miss if this whole thing goes south.
On the way up, she rehearses the words in her head. Strange how she can't find the words in this scenario when she can otherwise easily come up with some grand, inspiring speech. Maybe because it's easier to tell people what they want to hear. This, however, is the opposite of that. ]
no subject
The anxiety is contagious. Or it's just so thick between them it's nearly palpable. He can feel something by the time they get to the elevator and he hits the button for the floor of his penthouse.
Not a whole lot of talking going on. He figures they're both saving it for tea, and the last thing he wants to do is push an issue or ask too many questions. He's sure she'll tell him everything that's on her mind once they're up there. Or he'll end up poking and prodding until the information he gets is satisfactory enough.
It's just so strange. All of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere - they need to have A Talk.
He exhales a sigh - in response to the thoughts dashing around inside his skull. And once he realizes he actually did that out loud (apropos of nothing happening in the car), his shoulders hunch and he looks over at her with the most guilty expression on his face.]
Apologies. [Pause.] It's tense. I'm tense. [And now he's tripping over his words, looking like a complete fool. He gestures toward himself with the hand that's currently squeezing hers, letting them both come to rest at his chest.] This is... tense, yes.
[He's so quick to crack isn't he?
The elevator comes to a stop and the door opens with a ding.]
no subject
We're terrible at this, it seems like.
[ Somehow it works. Some of the tension dissipates. She no longer looks like she's about to bolt any moment now. She squeezes his hand, but doesn't let go. Surely her secret couldn't be the worst thing in the world?
But maybe his is.
The treacherous thought comes unbidden and it almost makes her visibly bristle. Just almost, thankfully. ]
I know you said I don't gotta bring anything, but I brought us some wine.
[ She's always been bad at following orders. ]
no subject
...Almost.
The look of sheer discomfort on his face softens, becomes much more easygoing and relaxed. He even manages a smile amidst his faint chuckles.]
We are, yes. Quite terrible. [But now he's smiling even more, completely at ease. In record time, really.
What was he so worried about again...?]
Did you? [His eyebrow raise at the admittance. He casually glances towards her bag.] You didn't have to, but perhaps we'll need some after the tea, hm?
[A playful jab, of course. The potential threat of... whatever their discussion is going to include still looms overhead. But he's made her laugh and she's brought a gift unprompted and maybe this will turn out alright in the end.
Zemo doesn't need to lead the way - since the elevator opens right into his penthouse here - but that doesn't mean he lets go of her hand. He would never. At least he's stopped gripping her tight by now.]
Let me put the kettle on. [He only parts from her once he's pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek and given her hand a gentle squeeze. She's been here enough - the place is practically hers if she wishes. She can get settled however she likes.]