#Conrad Mack ~ Smiling Tiger

[justdealingwithsomeissues]

It doesn't feel right having Tyger Tiger around without Logan... anyway, she betrays Aardwolf to the Folding Circle and they make quick work of him...

[abarbaricyalp]

Are there any fics where Sam and Bucky actually meet (or get caught by) Conrad Mack / Smiling Tiger?

The vision is so clear in my mind. Kind of angsty, full of intrigue, threats and tension, a little funny, a whole new character with zero work done with him. He can be as scary, or not, as the author wants. As evil, or not. As good natured, or not. As scheming, or not. As connected, or not. Brand new sandbox here

Talk about a fun what if episode

[evilhorse]

The New Warriors #23

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

🌕 Blood Moon: Chapter Three

Blood Moon: You have been defying nature, and perhaps, even the Gods. After returning to life because of Tony Stark’s sacrifice, all humans now have a designation: alpha, beta, or omega. Angry at the fate you’ve been given, you decide that you will do anything to ensure that your fate is in your own hands. You’ll soon find out that it is never a good idea to tamper with fate, especially when one man makes it his mission to ensure that you understand that you can try to out-fly your destiny, but fate will eventually catch up to you.

Warnings: Language, Canon-Typical Violence, Gun Violence, Zemo Get’s Frisky With Reader, Your Age Pre-Set for Plotline.

To Note: A/B/O Universe Post Snap, Zemo x Female!Reader, Timeline Of Events Is More Spread Out (Weeks Rather Than Days) To Fit Plot Line.

Word Count: ~4.1k

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Saying Sam and Bucky are upset was an understatement. You thought Bucky was going to flat out fall back in a faint when you had followed Zemo down the airplane steps. Sam was probably going to need to go on high blood pressure medication soon.

“No, no way are we letting Diana walk around Madripoor wearing that, especially when we know this place is dirty! She smells like a freaking omega!!” Sam erupted while you ignored him and continued walking.

“Do you want to get the lead, or play big brother Sam?” You called over your shoulder, waiting for the three of them to catch up to you. “Because I don’t have all night and I would like a drink.”

Sam looked like he wanted to argue more, but didn’t. He let out a huff of frustration and started walking over as Bucky broodily stared you down.

“Oh please, stop acting like this is the first time you’ve seen me in a dress,” You snapped out as Zemo walked up to you and placed a hand on your back.

“I am sure James and Sam will get used to the idea, Liebling.” He told you as the four of you started walking. He then called to the two sulking men. “I would not send Diana into a place such as the Princess Bar without some sort of protection.”

“Like what? Her as your side piece?” That was just petty, Sam.

“If you haven’t noticed the giant rocks around my neck, Sam, all who fix their greedy little eyes upon me will know that I am taken, presumably by Zemo, since he is royalty and neither of you could afford this necklace. I am untouchable unless they have a death wish.”

“Yeah, you do know you might have you act submissive, right?” Sam fired back while you rolled your eyes. “You smell like the most delicious omega on the planet. You are gonna have to act like you’re one.”

“I am prepared to do what I need to do to ensure that our plan works. Now, who are you supposed to be again?”

“He’ll if I know,” Sam grumbled before looking down at his outfit. “We gotta to do something about this. I’m the only one who looks like a pimp.”

“Only an American would assume a fashion-forward Black man looks like a pimp.” Zemo told Sam as he passed a phone over. “You look exactly like the man you’re supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger.”

“He even has a bad nickname.” Sam commented. “Hell, he does look like me, though.”

“Then you already have something going for you.” You commented, shooting Sam a look.

“You smell this?” Zemo questioned as a car appeared on the far edge bridge. It continued to drive towards us.

“Besides Diana? Yeah, what is that? Acid?”

“Madripoor.” Zemo corrected while the car stopped. Doors were opened, and you slipped to the middle of the back seat. ”No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There’s no margin for error. High Town’s that way. Not a bad place if you want to visit, but Low Town’s the other way.”

“Let me guess. We don’t have any friends in High Town.” Sam said as he and Bucky sandwiched you in.

“Most definitely not,” You spoke quietly as Zemo slipped into the passenger’s seat and the car started moving once more.

The entire time you walked through Madripoor, Zemo kept you glued to his side as he walked confidently through the misty streets, Sam and Bucky bringing up the rear.

While they stayed in character as needed, you knew their minds had to be going a million miles an hour as their eyes watched everything that moved. Understandable. When you had exited the car, all eyes turned to you as you moved through the neon streets. You had to admit something; you didn’t see how any of the three alphas wore as much layers as they currently did, seeing how it was a current balmy 80 degrees out. Perfect for someone like you wearing this scandalous outfit, but them? They had to be hot.

It didn’t take a genius to notice that the moment you had entered society and the scent of an omega started circulating, heads were snapping around and other alphas were coming sniffing. Time to show everyone that you are really off limits. Dropping your shoulders, you stretched your neck out to accentuate the multitude of gemstones clinging to the column of your throat and put on your best ‘innocent yet absolutely smitten with the alpha at my side’ look you could muster.

Your subtle extra tactic worked wonders as jealousy flamed in the eyes of every alpha in the vicinity. It really didn’t take much to make an alpha jealous. One simply had to flaunt something that another desperately wanted, and in this new world, it was you.

“They’re all looking at her like she’s the prime tenderloin in a case of ground chuck,” Sam grumbled underneath his breath.

“They know what they do not have,” Zemo coolly responded before taking the initiative. His gloved hand slid across your back and settled on the open portion of your side, snugly tucking you into his side in a display of possession.

Your nose picked up the subtle hints of rage coming from the two men behind you.

“Knock it off you idiots, do not ruin this.” You hissed under your breath. That burst of rage melted to a simmer but didn’t disappear completely.

“Consider this. Do you want Diana to remain safe?” Zemo questioned them as you neared the Princess Bar. “Because the only way to guarantee it, is if everyone knows she is mine.”

“This does not mean we have to like it.” Sam growled.

“No one said you had to,” You huffed as you reached the doors to the bar. You turned your head. “This is life or death. Control your alphas or I will do it for you!”

“Come now, Liebling maus, I am sure they understand.” Zemo purred at your side as he took your right hand and directed you into the bar. “No one here wants to ruin your night.”

You let out a haughty sniff and allowed yourself to be appeased by his words. It was all too easy to fall into the submissive roll.

“Готов подчиниться, зимний солдат?” (Ready to comply, Winter Soldier?) You were now in the thick of Madripoor’s underground, and one minor mistake could cost you everything, including your lives. You only hoped that Bucky and Sam could control themselves if you had to go as far as act like the designation you was pretending to be. “Shall we get you a drink, Liebling?”

You let out a purr in the back of your throat while Zemo weaved you through the crowd. Lucky for you, the bar wasn’t too packed at the moment and you found a place to stand by near the bartender. Zemo, carrying on his act, pulled out a bar chair and helped you into it.

“Hello, gentlemen, miss.” The bartender greeted, his eyes flickering to Sam. “Wasn’t expecting you, Smiling Tiger.”

“His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby.” Zemo offered in explanation. “Would you kindly make a side car for my omega?”

The bar tender jerked his chin in acknowledgment before looking to Sam.

“The usual?” Sam gave him a firm nod, and the bartender immediately got started on making your drinks. Tucking you heels underneath the bar stool, you curled your fingers around Zemo’s which still held yours, and drew it up to your cheek where you pressed his palm against your skin.

That tremor beneath your skin was back, clawing at you from the inside out. Alongside it came a flushed feeling that left your skin hot and needing the touch of an alpha.

You cursed at yourself and resisted the urge to shove Zemo away from you and get as far from the mysterious man as you could. Whatever was going on with you was going to have to wait until you were in a safe environment to explore the causes. Preferably your lab. Until then, you would have to accept what was happening.

At least he was wearing a glove. You didn’t know how you would react if it was his bare skin touching you… that was it. It had to be OS-336! Perhaps you had gotten your dosage wrong after all and your true designation was somehow creeping through the cracks of your chemical formula. You would give yourself an extra boost in dosage when this was over then, but at the moment, these embarrassing and unwanted side effects of your true designation were working in your favor.

Letting out a pleased sigh, you rubbed your cheek against the smooth leather glove as you stared down the bartender who was putting together your drink. You hoped you looked like a smug omega who knew exactly who she belonged to; it was how an omega of Baron Helmut Zemo would act.

“Enjoy,” the bartender said as he placed the martini glass down in front of you with an orange twist perched on the edge. Your eyes took in the drink before you slowly shifted them to Zemo, whose lips quirked as he gently stroked the side of your face.

“Drink, Liebling, you’ve more than earned it after patiently waiting by my side.” Letting him slip his fingers from you, you turned back to the drink and pulled it to you by the stem of the glass. While you were raising it to your lips, the bartender was pulling a snake from a jar. As the citrus drink slipped down your throat, your eyebrow popped up when the snake ended up getting gutted and an organ placed in a shot. “Ah. Smiling Tiger, your favorite.”

Oh poor Sam, either the bartender was bullshitting you, or the Smiling Tiger had some weird tastes. Sam picked up the glass and held it up.

“I love these.” He said with zero ounce of happiness. Zemo then picked up a shot glass of his own and clicked it against Sam’s.

“Cheers, Conrad.” Zemo said before shooting back his shot. Sam looked like he was going to be sick, but actually shot back his drink. With that little display over, you focused your energy back on your drink. Since Zemo had explicitly said drink it, any omega would take that as a ‘I will drink this until it’s gone or my alpha says stop’. So you guess you might end up buzzed tonight. Oh well.

You took another swallow of your drink and briefly shut your glittering eyelids. This club reeked of alphas, omegas, and betas alike, but you could only focus on one thing. Zemo.

Someone came up from behind you.

“I got word from on high. You ain’t welcome here.”

“I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me…” Zemo gestured to Bucky in threat.

“New haircut?”

“Or bring Selby for a chat.” Zemo finished his threat. The man sulked off.

“A power broker? Really?” Bucky spoke lowly and unimpressed.

“Every kingdom needs its king. Let’s just pray we stay under his radar.”

“Do you know him?” Sam queried.

“Only by reputation.” Zemo admitted. He turned back to the bar. “In Madripoor he is judge, jury, and executioner. Зимний солдат,” (Winter soldier) Your eyes widened when a hand landed on Zemo’s shoulder. “Вперед, чтобы атаковать.” (Forward to attack.)

Your Russian was rudimentary at best, but judging by the blank look on Bucky’s face, and his robotic movements that proceeded, you knew that whatever Zemo had said probably meant something along the lines of attack. Bucky grabbed the hand attached to Zemo’s shoulder and walked the man back away from you as he grunted in pain. From there, he kicked the man’s legs out and slammed his vibranium fist into his shoulder.

More men ran up to Bucky, and with a few quick punches to their stomach and one hearty kick, he sent them all flying back into each other. From the looks of things, men were going to continue to attack despite the four already down men.

“Didn’t expect this to happen,” You murmured in surprise, keeping your back to the fight. “But at least I’m not bored anymore.”

The bartender walked over to the nearest phone and made a call. You tossed back the rest of your drink, feeling the buzz of the alcohol which actually loosened the tension you were feeling.

There were more sounds of men grunting and being thrown around, and even glass shattering. Had they really thought it was a good idea to take on the Winter Soldier?

“Didn’t take much for him to fall back into form.” Zemo commented right before Bucky slammed a man onto the bar top next to you, holding him there by the neck. You glanced down at the man’s bulging eyes. Guns were cocked. The show was over for you, it seemed. Zemo placed a hand on Bucky. “Stay in character or the entire bar turns on us. Отлично, солдат.” (Great, soldier.)

“Selby will see you now.” The bartender announced. Bucky dragged the man he had pinned from the bar top and let him flop to the floor. You peeked at the ground. He was out cold.

“Thank you.” Zemo offered his hand to you, so spinning in your seat, you effortlessly scooted off the stool and dropped to your heels. You started walking through the bar, and to the back area where Selby could be found. There were CCTV’s everywhere, people at tables counting mountains of currency, and plenty of guns flashing about.

Entering a larger room, you spotted two sofas, one of which was occupied by a short-haired woman. Selby. She drummed her fingers on the back of the couch where she lounged.

“You should know, Baron. People don’t just come into my bar and make demands.”

“Not a demand. An offer.” Zemo responded, tugging you with him to the empty couch and sitting down, tucking you next to him. Your eyes started into Selby’s. She was a beta, but a pretty dominant one by the way she smelled. No wonder she ran things around here.

“A lot has changed since you were here last. By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?” She didn’t pull any of her punches. You could respect that.

“People like us always find a way, don’t we?” Zemo questioned while running his fingers along your black covered thigh. He reached your bare knee and curled his leather covered fingers around it, drawing his individual fingers across your skin. “I’m sure you’ve already figured out what I’m here for.”

Selby ignored Zemo’s words for a moment and looked at Sam.

“You’re taller than I’d heard, Smiling Tiger.” She purred at him while curling her fingernails. “What’s the offer?”

Zemo gracefully rose from the couch, leaving you lounging on it.

“Tell us what you know about the super-soldier serum.” He said, walking over to Bucky. “And I give you him, along with the code words to control him, of course. He will do anything you want.”

“Now that’s the Zemo I remember. I’m glad I decided not to kill you immediately.” Selby chimed with a small chuckle. “Yeah, you were right to come to me. Arrogant, but right… but I’m forgetting something. Who is this? She’s quite a beauty, not to mention I could smell that delicious scent of hers before I even set my eyes on that gorgeous body.”

Selby looked at you like she wanted to eat you up. At least Zemo looked unperturbed by the question and was instantly replying.

“My omega, being in prison gets lonely as you can imagine,” Zemo said before walking behind the couch. Twisting your head, you looked up at him with adoration and reverence a smitten omega would have. “I like to have someone to go home too, someone I can dote on.”

You might have believed his words with the way he was staring so deeply into your eyes had this not been an act. His hand reached up and grasped your hair, pulling your head back to expose the necklace to the lights, and your throat to him. Zemo then bent down and ever so slowly brushed his nose along the curve of your neck, taking in your natural scent that clung to you beneath the omega perfume.

Your eyes shut and all you could concentrate on was the nose pressed to your skin and the lips that shot electricity and need straight to your core. Never had you been so taken with a sensation that made your skin burn. You couldn’t help the soft purr that left your barely parted lips. That had your eyes flickering open wide in shock, and that was the moment Zemo reached your chin.

Zemo place a kiss dangerously close to your lips before pulling away. He had that smug little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He knew exactly what he was doing to you.

“There is nothing like having a soft, warm omega waiting for you.” Zemo finished. You were sure at this point Bucky or Sam, or maybe both of them, would have shot Zemo the second he put his hands on you. The only thing saving him was that you were smack dab in the middle of a bar, surrounded by people who would turn on you in a second if ordered. Zemo released your hair and walked back around the couch to sit down next to you once more.

“It’s a shame you don’t share,” Selby sighed out. So she played both fields, interesting… “The super-soldier serum is here in Madripoor. Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you wanna thank. Or... condemn, depending on what side of this you’re on. The Power Broker had him working on the serum, but... things didn’t go as planned.”

“Is Nagel still in Madripoor?” Zemo questioned.

“Oh. The bread crumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost you, Baron.” Selby stood up and started walking around the room. “And before you get all cute, don’t think you can find Nagel without me.”

So you were going to have to really haggle an answer out of her, so be it. Unfortunately, you seemed to have the worst luck in the world because Sam’s phone started buzzing. Your hands curled into fists in your lap while you struggled to keep a normal outward appearance.

“Answer it. On speaker.” Selby demanded. With tension thick in the room, Sam accepted the call.

“Hello?”

“Hey, um, we need to talk about this situation. It’s been drivin’ me nuts.” Shit. It was Sarah, Sam’s sister.

“What situation exactly are you talkin’ about?”

“Are you high? You know what situation, it’s the only situation me and you have.” Sarah snapped back.

“What situation, Sarah? Say it.” This was going to blow up in your faces. You just knew it. Selby started prowling around Bucky, and before you could dig your fingernails so hard into your palm, you cut them, a leather glove was tugging your hand from its clenched position. Subtly looking at Zemo, you saw he had his eyes trained on Sam.

“The damn boat. And watch your tone. Okay? I let you slide at the bank.” The Wilson sass and attitude was going to bite you in the ass one day.

“The bank. Yeah. Laundered so much money…” Sam let out a small laugh. “Yeah, they’ll come around.”

“If that was the case, then why’d they dog you out, Big Time?”

“Yeah, you damn right I’m Big Time. You’ll see when I have that banker killed.” Sam huffed out.

“Cass! What’d I tell you about the Cheerios? I don’t have time for this! Sam, I’m sorry. I’ll call you back.” My eyes closed at the realization that this had just turned into a shit storm.

“‘Sam’? Who’s Sam? Kill them!” Selby called. Before the guards in the room could fire, a bullet flew through the window and nailed Selby in the head. She was dead before she hit the floor.

Sporadic gun fire started up, and you were yanked from your seat by the Baron faster than you could comprehend as Sam and Bucky quickly took care of Selby’s men.

“This is a big problem,” You said while you were led to the exit, Zemo’s hand still firmly attached to yours.

“They’re gonna pin this on us.” Sam echoed in agreement. Zemo sighed.

“We have a real problem now, so leave your weapons and follow my lead.” You exited the bar as fast as you could, and while you did so, cell phones began to chime with text messages.

“This is not good.” Zemo muttered seconds before the lights over head cut out, and gunfire erupted over your heads. All four of you ducked down and then split. While Sam and Bucky darted forwards, you were left to split with Zemo since he still had a hold of your hand, and seemed determined not to let it go.

It wasn’t easy running in these heels, especially since you didn’t wear them daily and weren’t used to walking in them. At least Zemo seemed to know where he was going because he dragged you into a small alcove between two buildings, briefly hiding you from our pursuers. Of course, it also meant that you were tucked neatly up against him and subjected to both his closeness and his natural scent. You waited for a few moments after your pursuers continued on past before stepping out from hiding.

“I’m not exactly dressed for a high speed get away and these heels are not made for running.” You said quietly. Zemo glanced down at your feet before making a face and nodding his chin at your feet.

“I will buy you another pair.” Not needing further explanation, you quickly unstrapped your feet from the pretty heels and ditched them in the alleyway. “We need to find Sam and James. They can’t have gone far.”

“You know this area better than I do.” You answered with a shrug.

“Indeed, I do, follow me.” You started walking, and you were reminded just who exactly Zemo was before the whole Sokovia Accords debacle. He was a trained military man from a special forces unit. You shouldn’t forget that. Weaving around buildings and sliding along back alleys, you eventually emerged to see Sam and Bucky about to be cornered by some men on motorcycles. But rather than get into another fight, someone from the nearby building shot and killed the men.

“You seem to have a guardian angel.” Zemo said as he merged from the shadows, you on his tail.

“Well, this is too perfect.” Your eyebrows popped up at the voice and turning around, you saw Sharon Carter. “Drop it, Zemo.”

Zemo was rather compliant and placed the gun he stole on the ground.

“Sharon?” Bucky asked in confusion as Sam stepped forward.

“You cost me everything.” Sharon hissed, kicking the gun away.

“Sharon, wait. Someone recreated the super-soldier serum and Zemo had a lead.” Sam explained, stepping forward and getting in front of Bucky and Zemo.

“That explains why you guys are here. And Selby’s dead. ”

“So what are you doing here?”

“I stole Steve’s shield, remember?” She snapped out before motioning with her gun. “I also took the wings for your ass, so that you could save his ass, from his ass. Unlike you, I didn’t have the Avengers to back me up. So I’m off the grid in Madripoor.”

“Hey, don’t blow that smoke at me. I was on the run, too.” Sam shot back.

“Was. Is. Big difference. I don’t speak to my family anymore. I can’t. My own father doesn’t know where I am.” You felt somewhat guilty over that, even though you had nothing to do with Sharon’s decision to help Sam and Steve. Sharon fixated her eyes on you, so you gave her a small wave and meek smile.

“Hi, Sharon.”

“And what the hell are you bringing Diana into a place like this? You know what happened to her. She’s just a kid!”

“I’m actually almost thirty,” You pointed out.

“Because if anyone is going to figure out if the serum we find is real, it’s Diana… and she’s not a teenager anymore.”

“Yeah, you still look barely over twenty,” Sharon huffed at you. You rolled your eyes.

“You can thank the blip for that.”

“Listen... Sharon, we need your help.” Bucky pleaded and Sharon just chuckled at him. “Please.”

“This isn’t over. I have a place in High Town. You’ll be safe there for a while.”

Date Published: 7/10/22

Last Edit: 7/10/22

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[mcbiteypantspresents]

More Zemo in the Media! This time with lots of MCU special guest stars!

TMZ picked up all the social media posts from that infamous night in Madripoor.

[rosie-dear-rosie]

When are we going to acknowledge that Zemo DEFINITELY slept with the Smiling Tiger? Not Sam in the tiger suit but the man himself Conrad Mack. Those two had a fucking SALACIOUS love affair and you cannot convince me otherwise.

[dynamicduoofstackie]

Sam Wilson on Fear Factor like:

[captainslytherinsoldier]

I'm so disappointed no one has talked about this picture and outfit. It's fucking amazing! I'm like 100% sure Mackie came up with Conrad Mack 😂 and the outfit? IMMACULATE. 10/10. Would totally bang Mackie/Sam😏

[grammpa]

A proposal

A Power Broker show, but get this, Sharon teams up with the real Smiling Tiger, played by Anthony Mackie with some light prosthetics and an accent.

Don’t tell me Mackie wouldn’t do it. He totally would.

[panels-of-interest]

First appearance of Smiling Tiger.

[from New Warriors (1990) #19]

[justdealingwithsomeissues]

The last cover was pretty meh, but this one is freaking awesome...

[crankynewt]

Good for a Weekend (Helmut Zemo)

Masterlist

Summary: You were retired, a disgraced Avenger content living the rest of their life out in solitude. But Sam and Bucky's shenanigans dragged you back into the hero life and you found yourself face to face with the man who'd got you into this mess in the first place. The question is, however, is he really who you thought he was? Or are you just as crazy as him?

Pairing: Helmut Zemo x Reader

Warnings: TFAWS Episode 3 Spoilers, Zemo (he's a warning), swearing, mentions of torture and experimenting (past), drinking, Zemo being semi-protective, I think that's it??

Word Count: 3.41k

Author's Note: Biting the bullet and writing this BEFORE Marvel does something to get us to hate him again. Also, ZEMO AND BLANK SPACE WORK SO WELL TOGETHER OMG.

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” You murmured, looking at the message from Sam flashing across your phone. Although you had stopped dead in your tracks, the chaos of the bustling streets of London continued around you. You pushed your sunglasses further up your nose, them having fallen down as you were peering at the screen of your burner cell.

‘Need your help in Madripoor ASAP,’ the text read. You weren’t daft, you knew exactly what kind of lawless entropy happened on that Indonesian island and if Sam was asking for your help, that meant he was in some deep shit.

‘I’m retired,’ you replied, glancing over your shoulder out of habit. Although you’d been pardoned after the Berlin incident by the government, you were still a disgraced Avenger in the eyes of the world. All you wanted was to live the rest of your life out in peace, a future without the world-saving you began when you left HYDRA with the Maximoff twins.

You hadn’t chosen to become a human lab rat, tortured and exposed to the mind stone until you could suddenly hear the thoughts of others in your head. Telepathy and telekinesis were not necessarily the kind of special skills that employers wanted to see on a resume, but alas, here you were. Thankfully, however, you'd learned to block them out until necessary to violate people's privacy. Fighting aliens and other superpowered entities, including the people you’d once considered to be your family, were in the past.

‘Please. It’s Bucky,’ Sam messaged again. Those three words were enough to make your blood run cold and your heart stop. Bucky was the reason you were in this mess in the first place, and you would be damned if the ex-assassin was going to fall back into the clutches of evil.

With a sigh, you typed back ‘fine’ and began the trek towards your apartment. Your phone was vibrating again immediately, Sam explaining that they would be picking you up at a small airstrip on the edge of the city.

Three hours later, you were walking along a long, concrete runway, the harsh England wind attacking your body as you pulled your leather jacket tighter around you. Your brows furrowed in confusion at the sight of a civilian jet rather than the military-esque vessels you’d become accustomed to. The steps were awaiting your ascent with an older man stood adjacent to the entrance.

“Ms.(Y/L/N),” he greeted. A thick accent laced his tone, one you couldn’t quite determine from the crackling of age in his voice. German or Russian, most likely, you deduced. Attempting to be polite despite your skepticism, you gave him a tight-lipped smile and handshake before the elder man gestured towards the stairs for you. Entering the jet, you turned right to be met with the familiar faces of Sam and Bucky.

“(Y/N)!” Bucky exclaimed, rising from his seat and embracing you in a hug. He held you tightly against his body, almost as if he wasn’t sure you were really there. The super soldier had taken a liking to you when the two of you stayed in Wakanda during your exile, both of you having a certain understanding of the other due to your shared experiences with HYDRA. The sergeant had become somewhat of a brother to you in your time away together. “What are you doing here?”

“Sam messaged me.” You replied, Barnes’ arms immediately releasing you as he whipped around to face Sam.

“You tattled on me to (Y/N)?” He scoffed. If looks could kill, Sam would have dropped dead from the darkness in Bucky’s orbs.

“Wait, if he’s okay then what am I here for?” You said, shifting your gaze to Sam as you raised a brow.

“You’re here to make sure that he stays in line.” Sam snapped, crossing his arms over his chest as Bucky let out an exasperated ‘Jesus Christ’ under his breath.

“Bucky’s fine, Sam.” You replied, rubbing your face with your hand in annoyance as you glanced at the super-soldier.

“He’s not talking about James.” A new voice sounded from behind you, one both vaguely familiar but also strange. Whipping around, you were met with a face you’d only ever seen through a screen. Zemo.

“What the fuck is he doing out of prison?!” You exclaimed, looking between Sam and Bucky in utter disbelief.

“Bucky broke him out of jail!” Sam exclaimed, pointing a finger towards the super-soldier.

“Sam’s the one who pulled me into this mess!” Bucky pointed back.

“You two morons have reached a whole new level of dumbassery!” You exclaimed, keeping a cautious gaze on Zemo in the corner of your eye. “You broke out the man who ripped apart the Avengers out of jail and you let him do it?! The same man who killed King T’Chaka! Do neither of you remember what T’Challa and the people of Wakanda just did for us after we became enemies of the state?! I cannot believe that you would betray their trust and help this monster to escape!”

You paused for a moment, breathing heavily as you looked at the ashamed faces of Bucky and Sam in front of you.

“I’m sorry to-” You heard Zemo begin, you turned to face him with utter rage shining in your eyes. “No! The grown-ups are talking, you can wait your turn.” You scolded him, almost as you would a child but just a tad harsher. Grown-ups may have also not have been the best choice of words to describe Wilson and Barnes.

“I don’t want any part of this suicide mission!” You snapped at the duo, moving to leave.

Thirty minutes later, however, you were still on the jet, glaring into a pair of brown eyes as the four of you flew through the air. Honestly, you couldn’t believe you were still there, but Sam and Bucky knew you too well and pushed just the right buttons to convince you to stay. Sam needed you to tap into Zemo’s mind if need be to figure out if he was planning on betraying them, and you didn’t want two of the last people you trust getting themselves killed if you could prevent it.

Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum were sitting across from each other, meaning that you got stuck sitting across from the Baron in silence. He shifted uncomfortably under your gaze, the darkness in your (Y/E/C) orbs not sitting well with the man.

“So, you read minds.” He began, rubbing his hands together anxiously. You noted the nervous tick and couldn’t help but feel amused at his discomfort, but your expression never faltered.

“You don’t need to make small talk.” You bit, your icy tone growing colder in every syllable.

“I’m genuinely curious, is all.” He began, pausing his fiddling to brush his hair back only to resume it once more. “It just seems like for someone with your abilities, you’re often an overlooked member of the team. You’re the most powerful, even more so than Maximoff or Banner, perhaps, yet you were never truly an Avenger, were you?”

“It doesn’t matter, I’m retired.” You muttered, ending your glaring to gaze out the window. The way Zemo spoke about you was unsettling, especially considering how he felt about the Avengers. He seemed not to think that you were part of the team, similarly to Bucky, and that brought you a feeling of unease.

“And why is that?” Zemo pushed, your avoidance evidence that he’d struck a chord.

“Why do you care?” You scoffed, looking back at the Sokovian man, both annoyance and exhaustion present in your tone.

“Because I think you’re like me.” He answered, his tone becoming quieter. Zemo didn’t look at you with the same rage you’d seen in footage from 2016, nor with the amusement that he gazed at Bucky and Sam with. No, it was something different, softer and analytical, perhaps. You wanted to peer into his mind for something, anything to figure out what he was thinking, but he would likely feel your prodding into his consciousness. As of now, he didn’t seem to have any plans to betray you guys, and you wouldn’t be the one to give him a reason.

“That’s enough from you.” Bucky interrupted, rising from his seat to switch places with you, his brotherly possessiveness clear as day.

The rest of the flight was uneventful, and Zemo provided the three of you with costumes for the roles you were to play in Madripoor. Yours seemed to have been designed specifically to be horribly uncomfortable, both in feel and the amount of skin that was exposed in the cool evening air. The three of you were making your way towards the glowing city shining in the distance, the nerves in your stomach rising with each step.

“Only an American would assume a fashion-forward Black man looks like a pimp.” Zemo explained in response to Sam’s protests over his own outfit. “You look exactly like the man you’re supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger.”

“He even has a bad nickname.” Sam said, looking at the picture of Conrad on the phone Zemo had just handed him. “Hell, he does look like me though.”

“And who am I supposed to be playing, exactly?” You questioned, still unsure as to what role you would be playing in this scheme.

“My partner,” Zemo said simply, an amused smile working his way onto his lips.

“What?! No! Nu-uh, I’m not doing that!” You protested, Sam chuckling at your denial of what was probably inevitable.

“Would you rather the alternative of all of us getting slaughtered the second we step foot into the city?” Zemo retorted, still humored by your resistance.

“Fine, but if you try anything I’m going to break your nose.” You gave in.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Soon, the four of you were making your way into a bar, Helmut’s arm wrapped tightly around your waist since the second you exited the car in a mock possessiveness. It was all part of the charade, you had to remind yourself, as the Baron kept your side pressed against his snugly.

Making your way up to the counter, the bartender didn’t look impressed to see the group of you there as he made his way over to you.

“Hello,” He began. “Wasn’t expecting you, Smiling Tiger.”

“His plans changed. We have a business to do, with Selby.” Zemo interjected before Sam could respond.

“The usual?” The bartender ignored Zemo and turned his attention back to Sam, who simply gave a curt nod in response. The bartender turned, grabbing a snake from a jar and slicing it down the underside with a blade. A part of you wanted to cackle, especially seeing Sam stiffen beside you, and you didn’t doubt that Bucky was having to restrain himself as well. Zemo didn’t seem surprised as the bartender pulled who knows what out from the snake and placed it into a glass.

“Smiling Tiger, your favorite.” The Baron commented, the bartender sliding Sam his beverage only to pour two glasses of a different liquor for Zemo and yourself.

“I love these,” Sam said, raising to clink glasses with yourself and the Sokovian man whose arm was still draped around you.

“Cheers, Conrad,” Zemo replied, smiling back at poor Sam. The three of you downed your burning liquor, Sam struggling the most out of the three of you, clearly appalled by the organ at the bottom of his shot. You could see Bucky give a little nod in the corner of your eye, knowing he must be finding this as amusing as you were.

A man soon approached Helmut from behind, tapping him on the shoulder before he turned to face the stranger, shifting you with him. When Zemo felt the little nudge, he immediately pulled you closer to him. You were even tighter against him now, so much so that you had to wrap an arm around him as well to stabilize yourself. It was almost as if he was trying to shield you from the man despite him knowing full well that you can hold your own.

“I got word from on high; you ain’t welcome here.” He spat, getting too close to the two of you for either of your likings. But Zemo kept his air of indifference while you instinctually moved closer into his side. It’s all an act, remember? You have to play the part of the clingy partner who would get frightened at such a rough man threatening you two. Or at least, that’s what you told yourself.

“I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me…” Zemo began, trailing off as he gestured to Bucky.

“New haircut?” The strange man asked Bucky, who merely glowered in response.

“Or bring Selby for a chat.” Zemo finished, this time him being the one to get into the man’s face. Thankfully that was enough to send him away, most likely to Selby or this Power Broker who seems to be Madripoor’s own version of Big Brother.

You could feel Zemo let out a breath that you don’t think he even knew he was holding, giving a quick glance down at you before placing a peck on your temple. For the facade, of course. But what wasn’t fake were the butterflies rise in your stomach, something that you hadn’t felt in a long time. Were you… Flustered?

No, you reminded yourself internally. This was a very bad man holding you close, the same one who killed the former King of Wakanda and ripped your team to shreds. Not only that, but he hated all the Avengers, so why did he seem to like you? It doesn’t matter whether or not he likes you, he’s Zemo. But the more time you spent with him, the more intoxicated you became. He was starting to look more and more like your next mistake, and love is certainly not a game you wanted to be playing with him. Right?

The next thirty or so minutes were a blur. Bucky having to fake being the Winter Soldier to kick a bunch of men’s asses to finally meeting up with Selby, only for Sam to break your cover through a phone call and Selby quickly being shot. The four of you promptly exited the bar, attempting to remain inconspicuous until bounty hunters from all around started shooting at you. Bucky and Sam jumped forward, meanwhile, Zemo darted to the right, dragging you with him as he moved his hand from your waist to interlock your fingers.

You cut through alleyway after alleyway, hiding in the shadows as gunfire echoed around you. Eventually, you managed to catch up with Bucky and Sam, approaching the pair with your hand still in his.

“Well this is too perfect.” A female voice interrupted your mini-reunion, Sharon Carter emerging from the shadows as she ripped down her hood, gun fixated on Zemo.

“Drop it Zemo,” She started, Zemo raising his gun-holding hand before lowering the weapon to the ground. “You cost me everything.”

“Sharon, wait.” You reasoned, raising your hand as you slowly backed up.

“What, are you his lover now? His sugar baby or some shit?” She badgered you, causing your eyes to widen as you only just remembered that you were still holding his hand. You quickly dropped it, raising it to match your other arm as Zemo sent you a look that you couldn’t decipher. Oh, how desperately you wanted to look into his mind, but the little bit of sanity left in you told you to leave it be.

“Someone recreated the super-soldier serum and Zemo had a lead,” Sam explained.

“That explains why you guys are here. And Selby’s dead.” Sharon replied, gun still pointed at your group.

“So what are you doing here?” Bucky questioned the blonde.

“I stole Steve’s shield, remember? I also took the wings for your ass so that you could save his ass from his ass and became a criminal with their ass.” She explained, pointing the gun at each mention of whoever's ass it was that turn. “Unlike you, I didn’t have the Avengers to back me up, so, I’m off the grid in Madripoor.”

“Hey, don’t blow that smoke. I was on the run, too.” Sam rebutted Sharon’s complaints.

“Was. Is. Big difference. I don’t speak to my family anymore - I can’t. My own father doesn’t know where I am.”

“Listen…” You began. “Sharon, we need your help, the former agent only laughing in response. “Please.”

“This isn’t over.” She conceded, shaking her head at you. “I have a place in High Town, you should be safe there for a while.”

Sharon’s place was definitely nicer than yours is now, and you’re not even on the run anymore. She, thankfully, had a change of clothes for you to slip into, the soft material much a welcome relief from the tortuous item Zemo had you wearing.

While you were waiting for Sharon’s guests to begin arriving for whatever event would soon be taking place downstairs, everybody slowly filtered out of the room until it was only Zemo and yourself remaining.

“Can I ask you a question?” You spoke up, breaking the silence from your spot on the sofa as you glanced towards the Baron seated across the room.

“Ask away.” He smiled, taking a sip from the amber liquid in his glass.

“What did you mean earlier, when you said we were the same.” Your voice was quiet now, so much so that you weren’t sure if he’d even heard you. That is until he got up from his seat and slowly walked towards you.

“I never wanted to tear the Avengers apart, not until they killed my family. Destroyed my city… Sure, I didn’t like them, but I didn’t want to destroy them. It was all about vengeance.” He began, sitting beside you on the yellow fabric. “For you, it was HYDRA who ruined your life. You joined the Avengers because it was where the last people you had left were going and it was the easiest way for you to ensure the organization was destroyed. You never wanted the idolization that came with being a hero, and it was clear when your work was done that you had no desire to keep going. Everything that came after the Sokovia Accords was out of survival.”

“I’m not saying you're right,” you began, “but what would that make me, then? Insane? Cause that seems to be the running theory.”

“You’re not crazy, despite how rumors fly. Neither am I, really.” He began, eliciting a small smile from you at the last bit he added. “You’re a fighter, someone doing whatever it takes to get their agenda done. Whether that means breaking the law or joining the Avengers, nothing will stop you once you put your mind to it - it’s one of the things I admire about you.”

You pursed your lips as you focused on the amber fluid floating in its crystalline home, him taking another sip of the burning liquid. Your gaze shifted back to his face, and oh god, look at that face. Maybe it was the liquor in your system already or maybe your last bit of sanity was finally escaping your mind, but suddenly his past didn’t seem to matter anymore. You had plenty of red on your ledger as well, and the more he spoke the more you began to sympathize with him.

“So you admire me?” You smirked, crossing your arms as you tilted your head slightly to the right playfully.

“Why don’t you look into my mind and tell me?” He replied. Reaching out, you gently placed your fingers against his temple as you gazed into his consciousness. Flashes of magic and madness, ideas of a love that could be forever or go down in flames. You didn’t go searching deeper, because your own mind was racing. Would pursuing this be worth all the pain that could very well follow? No, not could, would. You’d be betraying your former teammates, but what did that matter much anymore.

Rather than pulling your hand away, you placed your lips gently on his, tentatively, even. He tasted of expensive liquor and a hint of peppermint, and you found yourself intoxicated. The kiss ended far too soon for your liking, him pulling away so his brown orbs could gaze into your own.

“So… What do you say?” He asked, cupping your cheek in his hand, you place your own over top of his.

“Why not?” You smiled back, reconnecting your lips to his.

“I can make the bad guys good for a weekend.”

Taglist:

@fanfictionedagain @lam-ila @b0nnyzz @haydieenzzibug @cyanide-mustard @duchess-of-new-shire @the-chocoholic-writer @milenadixon @real-fbi @golddenlioness

[evilhorse]

Fido’s slice and dice made for a nasty fight

(The New Warriors #24)

[jackarthurdavenport]

SAM WILSON APPRECIATION WEEK || Day 2: Favorite Outfit

Conrad Mack, a.k.a. Smiling Tiger, disguise THE PIMP OUTFIT

[vivid4am]

Life Goes On (Chapter 11)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Sam, Bucky, and Y/N are in Madripoor. Y/N finally gets to see the Winter Soldier in action.

Warnings: Language, TFATWS spoilers

A/N: Sorry for the year long wait! I had really really REALLY bad writer's block, but I'm hoping to finally finish this fic. It's what y'all deserve for being so kind. Also, I google translated the Russian from the show as best as I could. It's not perfect, but we'll pretend that it is. Thanks!

Chapter 10

The thing that Y/N noticed immediately as she stepped off the plane was the humidity. The air felt thick and stuffy in Madripoor. 

Madripoor is an island in Southeast Asia run by, you guessed it, a rotating variety of criminal gangs and terrorist groups. Y/N’s blood thrummed as she read up on the country during the flight. 

Thankfully the A/C in Zeno’s hideout was still working, despite him not being there for a while. Zemo had given Sam and Y/N fake identities that they would hide under. Powerful people who no one would dare try to touch. Bucky didn’t need one, as everyone already knew him as the Winter Soldier. 

Y/N was hesitant. Sure, she could pull off a few lies, but to try and fake out criminals? Liars who could spot liars? That would be difficult for her to do. 

What was even more difficult was the lack of choice she got in her clothing. Y/N wore a short black mini dress with swirled silver glitter adorned to it. Her hair was pulled up, which was helpful considering the heat. The dress hugged her in all the right places and she was afraid that would stir up trouble. The black strap heels she wore dug into her ankles but she tried not to complain. 

She took on the identity of Katrina Stachová, a daughter of an affluent man from the Czech Republic who did most of his dealings in Madripoor. Katrina Stanchová was apparently also involved with Conrad Mack, the Smiling Tiger, aka Sam Wilson. 

With Zemo in the lead, the four marched towards their disastrous plan. Despite the numerous criminals that roamed the streets of Madripoor, Y/N was astounded by the country at night. The bright purple and blue lights lit up the skyline. The smell of the ocean was a little sour and foul, but Y/N disregarded it as best as she could. 

“We have to do something about this,” Sam sighed. “I look like a pimp and Y/N looks like a lady of the night.” Y/N rolled her eyes. 

“No offense.” Sam grumbled. 

“Only an American would think that a fashion-forward black man looks like a pimp and the lovely Lisichika resembles a lady of the night. It’s called fitting into your surroundings.” Zemo argued back with Sam. “You look exactly like the man you’re supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming, African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger.”

Y/N laughed. “God, he even has a bad nickname.” She said, playfully hitting Sam on the arm. Zemo took the phone out of his coat pocket and handed it over to Sam. On the phone was an almost identical match to Sam. To the untrained eye, one would say that Sam and Conrad are identical twins. However, upon closer inspection, there is a mole under Conrad’s left eye, while Sam is without one. Zemo must think that the others won’t get close enough to notice. 

Y/N heaved a heavy inhale through the nose and then out the mouth. Everything was just starting to settle in for her. She felt terrified. 

“You smell this?” Zemo asked, breaking Y/N out of her thoughts.

“Yeah, what is that? Acid?” Sam replied. 

“Madripoor,” Zemo replied. “No matter what happens, we have to stay in character,” He coached. “Our lives depend on it. There’s no margin for error.” 

The group came upon a black car that was waiting for them on the bridge. It was parked perpendicular to the bridge, almost blocking their way. Sweat broke out on Y/N’s forehead. She felt sick to her stomach with nerves. 

“High Town’s that way.” Zemo said, motioning to the skyline in front of them. “Not a bad place if you want to visit,” Zemo opened the door to the car, Bucky following in the back seat to let Sam and Y/N in. He hasn’t spoken a word at all tonight. And that makes Y/N really nervous. Y/N zoned out of the rest of the conversation, doing her best to pull herself together so she doesn’t sell them out before their plan of trickery even starts.

On the ride toward the club, the car is surrounded by bikes that seem to escort the quartet. Y/N swallowed hard and chewed on the inside of her cheek. She thought she was doing really well, holding herself together, thought that no one noticed. 

Bucky’s fingers grabbed her hand, slowly intertwining their fingers together. 

Oh, She thought. Bucky noticed. 

-

Soon enough, the four arrived at their destination. Bucky subtly calmed Y/N’s nerves by holding her hand in the car. But now, she noticed, he was on high alert. He made sure that Y/N was in front of him the entire time and looked around his surroundings for any immediate threats. Zemo led the sailing group through a sea of people. Criminals making deals, counting cash, and yelling threats at one another. 

When they made it inside the club, Bucky notice Y/N tense up, her shoulders almost touching her ears. She looked like she wanted to crawl and hide away. It took a moment for Bucky to realize that she was uncomfortable being around a bunch of men in a crowded unfamiliar place. Not just men, he reminded himself, criminals. 

Bucky closely trailed behind Y/N careful to not let her out of his sight. Zemo, ahead of the group announced in a loud voice so that everyone was aware of his presence. “Я готов отвечить зимний солдат?” 

Ready to comply, Winter Soldier?

Bucky's jaw clenched at the phrase. He swallowed thickly, eyes trained on what was in front of him. An attempt to ground him. Y/N. 

Whispers broke out around the group. Whispers about the Winter Soldier being here. Shocked gasps entered his ears, making his skin crawl in disgust. He hated himself like this. 

Bucky stood idly by the bar while Zemo, Sam, and Y/N ordered their “usual” drinks. It took every bit of Bucky’s strength to hold himself together when Sam almost threw up over his snake shot. Y/N downed her martini without thinking twice. Bucky leaned on the bar, as he watched this tall man, bald and bearded with many tattoos approach Zemo from behind. 

He cleared his throat, causing Zemo to turn around. “Got word from on high. You ain’t welcome here.” The man said, head nudging towards the upstairs balcony. Zemo, cool and collective replied, “I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me..” He then turned to Bucky. Bucky’s stone-cold blue eyes glared at the man. The man smirked. “New haircut?”

“Or bring Selby for a chat.” Zemo stated, earning the man’s attention again. The man seemed to grow uncomfortable and then retreated, turning his heel and stalking away.

“A power broker, really?” Bucky scoffed. 

“Every kingdom needs its’ king,” Zemo replied. “Let’s just pray we stay under his radar.”

“Do you know him?” Sam asked. Zemo shook his head. “Only by reputation. In Madripoor, he’s judge, jury, and executioner.” 

“That’s one shitty justice system.” Y/N deadpanned. She picked an olive off of the toothpick of her martini. Bucky would’ve laughed at Y/N, showed some sort of appreciation for her deprecating humor, but another man, this one in a black beanie, sauntered behind the group. Bucky stood by, waiting for his orders.

Zemo sighed, seeing the man before he turned around and said,

“зимний солдат. ты атакуешь.”

Winter Soldier, attack.

It was expected for the man to grab Zemo’s shoulder.

But that’s only in T.V. shows, Bucky gathered. Nothing is ever perfect for them. 

The man grabbed Y/N’s shoulder with a tight grip and Bucky immediately sprung into action. 

-

Everything happened so fast. One minute Y/N was eating a gin-soaked olive and the next she was watching Bucky beat the living shit out of a man who grabbed her by the shoulder. Y/N watched in horror as Bucky dodged punches and then launched into attacks, metal arm clamming in human skin. Bones cracked from the sheer strength of his punches. Sam and Y/N couldn’t do anything but stand by and watch. Zemo seemed to egg him on, sending more enemies his way. 

“Didn’t take much for him to fall back into form.” Zemo smirked to Sam, sending chills up Y/N’ spine. She had forgotten that this wasn’t the Bucky that she knew. 

The Bucky she knew liked listening to Frank Sinatra and playing rummy with her over a few beers. The Bucky she knew would sit and listen to her babble on and on about The Beatles. And he’d never complain about it. 

But this Bucky, he was cold and ruthless. It made her stomach flip and her thighs shake. 

The sound of a gun cocking made Y/N  freeze and quickly swallow her vile. She watched as everyone in the room loaded and cocked their guns, just as Bucky slammed his latest victim into the bar. Sam laid his hand on Bucky’s metal soldier. Zemo cleared his throat. “Stay in character, or this whole bar turns on us.” He hissed.

Y/N watched as Zemo rolled his shoulders back and placed his hand on Bucky. “Молодец, солдат.”

Well done, Soldier. 

Bucky immediately snapped out of his rageful “trance”. “Selby will see you now.” The bartender stated wanting to quickly get the group out from ruining the rest of his business for the night. 

Bucky let go of the man. The man slid down the bar, gasping for air. Sam, with a concerned look in his eyes, softly asked. “You good?” Bucky did nothing else but exhale sharply in reply, before turning away and following after Zemo. 

Regret was drowning in his blue eyes and Y/N wanted to scream and cry for him. He didn’t want to revert back to his old self, she knew. Her heart ached for him. She wanted to wrap her arm around him and tell him everything would be just fine. 

But she couldn’t. 

Because now she had to face Selby. 

Life Goes On Tag List:

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[logicheartsoul]

You know what there’s not enough of? Mistaken identity fic when it comes to Sam Wilson and the Smiling Tiger (aka Conrad Mack). Like, there’s all these fics that love his look (which that was an amazing outfit, ngl) and hardly any fall out from it. I’ve probably read a couple of fics where Sam gets accidentally mistaken as him (including one where a woman comes up to him and starts reaming into him thinking he’s Conrad and when he explains he’s Sam, she apologizes and they get on a better footing and it’s a very cute fic) but like... 

Conrad Mack has a reputation in Madripoor that’s well known -- he’s got to look so similarly to Sam that no one, including the bar tender in the (I had to look this up) the Brass Monkey, thinks too much of it. And yeah, I get it, plot convenience, etc, especially the shots of Conrad Mack in the blue suit are basically Anthony Mackie with his Infinity War beard, but another thing I wish there was more in fics (and in stories in general): twin strangers.

Twin strangers is basically a term created by a group of friends who wanted to find their doppelgangers in the world. One of them, a woman, actually did manage to find one (and then several) and meet up in person, and then they set out to create a website that could help people find, match, and meet with said strangers. There have been many articles and news reports about it and a couple of mini-documentaries -- including some that have dealt with research on biological twins and comparing the data with some of these identified pairs (or groups) of twin strangers.

It’s all fascinating, but not the point. My point is that it would be fun for fics to really take this concept with Sam Wilson and Conrad Mack and explore it. All people know is that the “Smiling Tiger” shows up to a meet with Selby, then Selby gets shot and killed. There’s a bounty on their heads but Sam’s last name is never mentioned -- so does that mean Conrad Mack has to deal with the fallout of Sam’s (and the group’s) fiasco? Would he want revenge for what Sam did to his rep or even worse, the fact he has someone who can impersonate him?

But then too, finding out that Sam Wilson, the person who impersonated him, is the new Captain America. They share a similar looking face. That can really do a lot of damage, especially if he does a pretty good job of impersonating Sam Wilson. Being Sam Wilson could get him into places and doors he never thought of and only people who know Sam Wilson truly well would be able to see through it. By the time the word could get out, who knows how far the damage could be?

And yes, the fics where Sam yet again assumes the Smiling Tiger persona is interesting but what if they find out the people they’re meeting really also know Conrad well or also have beef and take it out on Sam? (Or if they just go undercover not knowing the place they’re going is bad coz Smiling Tiger has a bad rep there) Or people want to take advantage of the fact Sam has a similar face to Conrad and demand Sam go to Conrad’s main place/hideout/lair/etc to get something Conrad took/has/etc? Perhaps in exchange for something else (whatever that else is up to the writer, especially if there’s hostages involved or etc)

Or even taking the Sam has to impersonate Conrad thing even further, they are looking into some individuals/groups and they find out they have ties to Conrad, and then they have an opportunity to get them if Sam actually can impersonate him well -- and not with the meager, last minute scraps of knowledge Zemo provided, like deep dive, into personal history thing. If the fics are gonna go there, it would be nice to see it go there you know? Sam still protesting with the whole “I’m a soldier not a spy” shtick or being like “do you remember the last time I tried to be a spy and impersonate this man??” but knowing there might be no better opportunity/choice but at least if he’s going to do it, he’d better be more prepared.

I’m sure there are more ways to milk this out but it’s 6 am and I feel I’m getting a bit wordy but yeah. 

(Another idea, maybe perhaps on a sting, they accidentally uncover Conrad among the few, but they need Conrad to specifically be the one who makes some kind of exchange or whatever, so Sam has to go in his place if they want things to go the way they want and so the two of the work together. That would be interesting lol)

Anyways, there’s so much untapped potential here. And that’s not including if Conrad was smart enough to fool people like Bucky or Joaquin or something. That would be fun. Or, if people are into the idea of Power Broker!Sharon (coz not everyone is and I understand why), the kind of united, brilliantly scarily executed plot of Sharon and Conrad using that similarity to advance their agendas?

Just things to think about.