Beauty and the Trickster

Chapter 15

"Wake up." Bucky's voice frightened me out of deep sleep. Jolting awake just as the doors opened, Zemo walking in holding a silver tray. An arrangement of breakfast foods and fresh fruit, glaring I rolled off the bed forgetting my hand had been broken only for a moment.

Wincing, I stood at attention with Zemo smiling brightly.

"Ah, I trust James was kinder to you. Yes?" He sat the tray on an empty table, eyeing my arm. "Please, let me look? I will bandage it for you, we must not have you injured. Perhaps you would enjoy some breakfast with me? An apology for last night, we really must not blame him for having such a neanderthal brain."

"Go to hell." I muttered, Zemo's smile did not fade.

"I see you slept well, but I do not have time for you to refuse my aftercare." Zemo snapped his fingers, the man I knew as Bucky strode over peering down at me with empty eyes.

"Don't make me drag you," His voice was flat and as empty as his eyes. "Please." He whispered; his voice low enough only I could hear him.

Zemo turned without another word, walking out of the room. Bucky motioned his head towards the door, at first, I refused to move. His eyes rolled, before stepping closer.

"I'll walk myself, do not touch me." I grumbled, quickly moving away from him and following Zemo.

We wandered down a long hallway again, Bucky walking closely behind. I kept thinking about Loki, his lifeless body in my arms. The very same arms still covered in dirt and blackened blood, tears falling before I knew I was crying.

"Almost there, we will get you cleaned up and in something more appropriate for you. Then I have a gift for you, which will make you happy." Zemo spoke more to himself than to me, I ignored his remark. Holding my arms across my chest, finally paying enough attention that I was missing all my armor.

Barefooted, injured, and heartbroken.

I found myself sitting on a medical table, Bucky cross-armed leaning against the wall closest to me. Zemo looked over my fingers carefully, shaking his head.

"Well, it appears your hand was reset, so your bones are all in place." He eyed Bucky, who only stood silently. "It will heal nicely, but you must be more careful my dear." Zemo tightly wrapped my hand, the pressure making me flinch again.

"Now," He clapped his hands together. "Let us get you cleaned up; we have guests coming." Zemo beamed, letting my hand fall. Which hung to my side, staring at the concrete floor my mind wondered.

I thought about Steve, I hoped he had survived. I wonder how Thor was feeling, tears flooding my eyes at the thought of Loki.

"I'm sorry." Bucky said quietly, earning a glare.

"No, you're not, stop talking to me." I glared, holding his eyes. They reflected empty emotions, with sadness. Finally moving off the bed, Zemo carried over a box.

Flipping open the lid he pulled out a floor's length black dress, smiling in my direction.

"We must look our best, Please. Clean yourself in my private showers, James will protect you while you are in my care." Zemo pulled out a matching pair of heels, almost as if he were playing dress-up with me.

"No, I'm not doing anything you ask. You'll have to kill me." I glared, Zemo's eyes showing his annoyance.

"Very well, I will have Sven come to assist me with changing you." He turned to leave; I snatched the dress up quickly. A pleased smirk spread across his face before he motioned to leave the room. I felt sick to my stomach, but I reluctantly followed. Carrying all the items Zemo had given, I wanted to keep crying but my eyes would shed no more tears.