I don't know what they've got to do with keeping you from a fair trial, Bucky.
[Since Rumlow wasn't psychic and couldn't read the Soldier's thoughts about corruption. Unless he was remarking on the whole 'evil' concept Rumlow had mentioned earlier, though he thought that was a bunch of bull. Evil was subjective and un-quantitative.]
Besides, I still need you for recruitment. Especially if you're trying to get Romanova on board.
Maybe they are a show of my corruption since I arrived here.
[He nodded his head though because he understood that he had a mission to complete. Recruitment was very much necessary in order to advance the goal, and he would do just that to the best of his ability.
He shifted so that he could disentangle himself from his commander's arms.]
I should go and start now. The sooner I have her routine down, I can find opportunity to approach her again.
[Her tail swishes slowly behind her, the spade-shaped tip attached to a thin, whip of black or... purple, it's really hard to tell in this shitty lighting. It's definitely not as functional as Rumlow's. No weapons or defensive capabilities yet. It's just kind of aesthetically there, the base joining her spine just above the lowest rise pants she could find. Damn.
She uses his shoulder for leverage as she figures out how to sit on the bar stool like a LADY with all this going on. There. Nailed it. Thanks, bro. ]
Pennies don't even exist in Canada anymore. We just round up. You can't pay with them or anything! Totally useless. Obsolete. You're the opposite of a penny.
[He spots the tail as it flits behind her, brows raising. His own curls in interest as his arm comes up, hand wrapping around hers to help balance her as she sits. When she settles, his hand drops to her thigh instead, giving it a gentle squeeze.]
I ain't Canadian, so I wouldn't know. [Rumlow laughs.] But thanks for saying I'm the opposite of obsolete.
[He turns to get the bartender's attention, directing them towards Kenzi so she can make her order.]
Just consider this an international alliance. Also you're welcome.
[What a gentleman! With the helping and the bartender. She waffles a bit on what shitty-tasting drink to get down here and just settles for what SHOULD be a whiskey but is actually some kind of abomination with no ice and no flavour. Unless you count burning as a flavour.]
So I kinda want to steal your roommate's dog. Thoughts? Concerns? Objections?
What matters is the mission, Bucky. We all have to get our hands dirty sometimes.
[The look he gives him lingers, contemplative and quiet. He supposes there's no point in waiting. Not if the Soldier is going to be this adamant. He rubs at his stubble and tilts his head down, breaking their shared gaze. He snatches at his hand before he lets him get too far, brings it to his lips to kiss again.]
Don't fall into her trap, Bucky. I care about you too much to lose you to her.
I'm aware of that. The mission will always be paramount. And if it requires my corruption to achieve it, that is part of what I am.
[He stepped back to Rumlow and raised his eyebrow at the kiss, remembering distinctly when he had done quite similar to Natalia. Somehow the effect seemed rather different when it was him doing it rather than receiving it. He still shifted his fingers around Rumlow's in return.]
I will be on the look out for traps. I will report on my progress.
[He withdrew his hand, caressing Rumlow's face as he went and then moved to head out to search out Natalia to watch her from a distance.]
[Honestly, any kind of alliance is what Rumlow's looking for. Build up that network. Exploit the useful ones, reward the ones who do well to ensure loyalty.
He eyes her drink and gives the bartender a long look, knowing he gave her well whiskey instead of the good shit. He guesses he'll just order the next one for her.]
I'd say go ahead, except 1) Chase would pitch a bitch fit. And 2) I kind of like it.
[He's like a fucked up dog breeder and she has NOOOOO idea. It's not that she's naive about who you can and cannot trust in Hell, it's just that any ulterior motives he may have don't extend past tapping that again in her mind. Blissful ignorance.]
Chase and bitch fits seem to be a regular occurrence. Is one more really gonna matter that much? But fine. If you like the little guy that much, I'll just have to visit more often.
Yeah, but there's only so many times I can shut him up with my dick.
[Rumlow shrugs. She has to know they're fucking by now. Kenzi seems the observant type. At least, where things that interest her matter. He smiles though, at the the idea of her coming to visit. Bucky might have some issue with her, though it's largely him projecting his own inadequacies, he does like the idea of her making better friends with his small, motley crew.]
well, everyone does. unfortunately, the horns I'm thinking of are significantly more skeletal in nature. you know, the sort that grow out of your head? or ass, if you're especially unlucky B
[Kenzi was mid-sip when that little nugget of a revelation was dropped on her head, which resulted in her CHOKING on the beverage and coughing it up into her hand. She had an INKLING! She kind of FIGURED that might be how it was, but she didn't actually expect him to just come out and say it!
She and Chase never really addressed the fact that they were fucking the same guy. The only problem Chase even seemed to have with it was volume control. Jesus frick, there are just some things you don't say out loud, Rumlow!]
Warn a girl next time? I mean, I'm not blind but wow. That's just... that's just out there now. Right in the open. Floating around in the ether. Fuck, Rumlow. What is it with you and hot people half your age, huh?
... He's cool with that, though? I mean. Me coming around? [Chase is mature as fuck and cooler than cool, but he's also eighteen. Emotional maturity is sometimes different from regular maturity. She just doesn't want to mess with the kid's head or his feelings. She really likes him!]
[Honestly, watching her reaction is half the fun. He'd be munching some popcorn if he had any. Instead he idly swirls his drink and waits for her to recover. Rumlow shrugs at her, tries to keep his smirk hidden behind his glass as he raises it to his lips. He sips it, free from any spit-take.]
Dunno, they just sort of flock to me. Guess they think I'm hot, too.
[He grins, completely unabashed in his vanity. He doesn't think he's obnoxious with it, so he doubts Kenzi will see the remark as anything more than a tease.]
Chase? Yeah, we're casual. [He's not going to explain to Kenzi that they're more in a business partnership where Chase basically whores himself out to pay for Rumlow's 'protection.'] I think he only worries about you stealing the mutt.
[Stupid Rumlow and his stupid scarred, hot face and his stupid bod and stupid horns and stupid... everything. Yeah, okay, he's a regulation hottie. She can't not smirk at his dumb ego because it's completely WARRANTED!
Still... She doesn't know enough about the situation to have a say in it. Doesn't mean she's not gonna have Chase's back if shit's not kosher. He's a kid. She knows how awesome it can seem to be at the adults table, making big boy decisions you might not even be ready for. She knows how easy it is to get feelings tangled up in something casual. Gonna keep an eye on this.]
He should be worried. Toto's the cutest thing in your house. [She takes another sip of her drink, no choking this time. It's a miracle! Fuck, that's gross. Wince through it, Kenz.] Is that what we are? Casual? I mean, is this like a strictly booty call scenario, or friends with benefits or... obviously, I'm not the relationship type.
[Rumlow's not worried about Kenzi finding out, either. It's hardly something Chase would want to advertise, nor something he can imagine coming up in conversation, even if Chase were drunk. He drums his fingers absently against his glass, arm resting on the bar. Rumlow looks Kenzi over, as if assessing her for his answer. He lifts a shoulder.]
Booty call is just sex, and you're too fun to reduce us to just that. Friends with benefits works for me if it works for you.
[Rumlow isn't looking for a relationship either. Mostly because he spends way too much effort in courting the Soldier, coaxing him out of his shell. If he's in a relationship with anyone, it's him.]
That definitely works for me. I'm incredibly okay with this. [How could she not be? He's built like an incredibly sexy tank if she at all found military grade vehicles attractive.]
Friends should probably know more about each other. Favourite colour, taste in music, cause of death. Actual age. [Old as balls isn't an ACTUAL age apparently. She turns on the bar stool, tail not quite touching the floor because it's ICKY and apparently the appendage knows better, preferring instead to sway slightly, happily, as she faces Rumlow and rests her chin on her hand.]
Good. Besides, we're in Hell, what kinda moral police are gonna shake their fingers at us for casual ungodly sex?
[Not that Rumlow cares in the first place. Nor does he expect Kenzi to. They chatted online and hooked up after some drinks their first meeting -- chastity is clearly on a low rung of priority. But that's how he likes it.
That aside, Rumlow would probably sooner associate himself with a muscle car out of Mad Max, though he wouldn't mind the tank association, if he'd known that's what Kenzi's thinking. He worked hard to keep his body in this condition. Burns aside, at least he looked good when he died.
Which is why he laughs when Kenzi slips in the little cause of death in there. He gestures towards his face, brows raised.]
Had a building dropped on me. Burned to death.
[Not strictly the truth, but it was the cause, even if it had been a little delayed. No need to get into the details of his week-long suffering in a hospital. He dwells on it enough on his own.]
'S far as age goes. A lady never tells. [Rumlow tuts at her.] Favorite color is red, I like a bunch of music and now it's your turn.
Page 8 of 24