#maybe i'll just leave them behind after i become a chosen again... that would certainly be narratively satisfying...

[corpocyborg]

also now that i've killed jaheira, durge has officially killed more companions than she's recruited. shadowheart's next.

[dragon-kazansky]

Made with love | Helmut Zemo

Chef Zemo AU! 👨‍🍳

Gender neutral reader

Collage by @realremyd

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Part 6

You are hereby invited to the grand opening of The Iron Grill. Doors will open at 7PM. Tables are reserved for guests.

See you there.

You look at the intricate invitation in Zemo's hand. Glancing up at him, you bite the inside of your cheek in concern. Helmut was disheveled. He was glaring down at the gold lettering on the card.

You reach out brush his hair back into place the best you could. Your touch causes him to look up at you in silence. His big broken eyes are soft, his lips slightly parted.

"He came to see you, it's only fair you go see him," you say softly. You rest your hand on his cheek, thumb brushing along his cheekbone in gentle motions.

"Will you come with me?" He asks, voice quiet and soft. There was a slight pleading look in his eyes.

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes."

You nod subtly. He tilts his head into your palm ever so slightly. You smile.

Sam excuses himself from the kitchen. When he's gone, Helmut raises his hand to place over yours, taking it in his and lowering it from his face. He takes a step closer to you.

"I need you."

Your gaze flickers between his eyes as he stands in front of you.

"Alright."

He brings your hand to his lips and kisses it, before slowly turning around to look at the mess he had made.

You let go of him and step over the mess, kneeling down to start clearing up. He kneels down to, but only to take your hand in his once more, stopping you from picking up anything.

"Don't. I'll deal with this."

You shake your head.

"I want to help. Let me help, Helmut."

He looks at you. He's not going to force you out, and he doesn't want you to leave, not really. He nods and let's go of your hand, gathering things from the floor.

He can't resist teasing you a little, however.

"I thought I told you I have only one name in the kitchen."

You glance up at him.

"Right. Chef."

His lips curl up into a grin. He is looking more like the Helmut Zemo you had come to know.

Both of you tidy the kitchen, Zemo teasing you here and there, while you spent a little bit of time becoming acquainted with hi kitchen.

When you were both done, you head out into the front. A few customers had come in. Zemo and Sam nod at one another. The table that Stark had used was now clear.

Zemo looked at you.

"I shall let you get on with your day. See you tonight?"

"Yes. See you tonight. I'll meet you here?"

He nods.

Helmut stands by the door of his beloved restaurant as you leave, waving at you with a smile as you turn to look at him once more.

This man was head over heels for you.

When you return to the hotel, Wanda is there. She smiles at you as you enter. You can tell by the look on her face that she wants to know everything.

You stand beside her bed, of which she was sitting on, and smile at her.

"Go on, ask."

"How was it?"

You sat down on your bed and looked at her. There was a happy smile on your face, one that lit up your entire expression.

"It was fun."

"Tell me more. I want to know all about your future husband," she grins.

"Wanda!"

"Come on, tell me!"

You sigh softly and look at her.

"I had fun. I really did. We made a paella for Stark. Helmut showed me how to do it. Even let me have a go here and there, though I mostly just handed him the ingredients. It was nice spending so much time with him."

"I hear a but coming."

"Well, kind of. I think he really likes me. He really wants me to move out here. He wants to see me every day. He even offered me job."

"That's good though! He likes you."

"Yeah, it's just a huge ask. Also, we're going to dinner tonight."

"Look at you! Your first date! Or does today count as a date?" She looks deep in thought. You roll your eyes.

"It's not a date! Stark invited Helmut to his restaurant tonight. It's the grand opening. Helmut asked me to go with him."

"That sounds like a date to me," she grins at you.

"It's not a date."

"Still, you have to look nice. Not just for your handsome chef, but also for Stark. I looked him up while you were gone. He's a big deal in America, you know. He has several restaurants across the States. Many small businesses have closed up shop because they couldn't compete with his business," she tells you.

"Don't say that. I can't tell Helmut that! The restaurant is his pride and joy," you say, worried.

"I'm just telling you what I know. Go there tonight, see what the deal is. You never know, it might not take off over here. This is his first restaurant outside of the US."

"His first?"

"Yeah," she confirms.

"I wonder why he chose Sokovia of all places. Don't get me wrong, I love it here, but you would think someone like him would pick a more popular country."

"Yes, you would, wouldn't you?" The look she gives you makes you wonder if she's suspicious about all of this.

"I'll see what happens tonight then."

She nods and stands up.

"We have to get you an outfit. Something that will blow him away," she looks you up and down.

"Stark, or Helmut?"

"Helmut, obviously. We need to make him fall in love with you more."

You just shake your head with a laugh. What would you do without Wanda Maximoff in your life? You would never know.

Wanda took you shopping right then and there.

When evening came around, you stood with Wanda in your hotel room. She smiled at the outfit you had chosen. Nothing too fancy, but something stylish that stood out just enough. It should be enough to catch Helmut's attention, and be enough for Stark's restaurant.

"You look amazing!"

"Thank you!"

You felt amazing. You look at yourself in the mirror once more and then let Wanda basically ban you from the hotel room. You weren't allowed back in until after dinner.

You made your way to Zemo's restaurant. He was stood outside the double doors waiting for you. He was dressed smart, neatly ironed shirt, slacks, loafers that looked brand new. A casual, yet smart, blazer hugging him nicely, just tight enough to define the muscles in his arms.

You forced yourself to look at his face before you got carried away.

He looks so taken back when his eyes land on you. His eyes scan you up and down, stunned by how good you looked.

You smiled, rather shyly because of the way he was looking at you, at him and came to a stop in front of him.

"Hi."

"Hello. You look... wonderful."

"Thank you," you could feel your face getting warm. The way this man can make you feel so shy felt bewildering to you. "You look really good too."

Helmut glances down at his outfit.

"I maybe a little under-dressed compared to you, but we certainly make a fine pair. Shall we?" He offers you his arm.

You nod and take it, both of you walking across the plaza.

"Any idea what might happen tonight?" You ask, taking in the quiet atmosphere around you. Most people had gone home by this point.

"No idea, but I won't stand by and let him insult me or my restaurant again," he says, firmly. You can see the rage flash in his eyes.

"Neither will I, Helmut."

He smiles at you. His smile is always the most dashing thing you've ever seen.

You both make the small walk to The Iron Grill with no trouble at all. It's quite busy outside and you can already tell that alone bothers Zemo. You give his arm a little squeeze and he smiles in return. You both make tour way to the door.

"Invitation?" The man at the door asks.

Helmut holds up the card Stark had left behind for him that morning. The man nods and let's you both in.

The entrance to the restaurant is buzzing just as much as outside. People, all dressed up smartly, were scattered about. You didn't really know where to look.

Stephen Strange spots you both and comes over with ease.

"Good of you to make it."

"Well, it would be rude not to come," Zemo said, biting back anything be actually wanted to say.

"Yes."

Strange led you both over to a table. Zemo stopped Strange from pulling out your chair by doing it himself. You smiled softly at Helmut for that. He sat himself down opposite you, ignoring Stephen.

Strange walked off with a sigh.

"I feel so out of place here," you say, looking around the room.

The restaurant was big. At least 2 dozen tables. The kitchen was visible right at the back, you could see chefs cooking away back there. Strange was acting ad host, guiding people to tables. The ceiling was high up, miniature chandeliers hung evenly around, right above every table. It was fancy, but not overly posh. Classy.

A bit much for a grill house, but Stark clearly had the money for it.

Speaking of, he was no where to be seen.

"Don't worry, I do too. Escorpión Morado is a family business. This is high end business. He's here to make a profit, not to make connections and provide people with comfort and love in the form of food."

You nod, agreeing.

These two were so different from each other.

Three loud claps sounded from the other end of the room. You both turned to look. Tont Stark, wearing an expensive suit, was seeking attention.

You could almost feel the way you wanted to glare at him.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome! This is the grand opening of The Iron Grill! I'm glad to see you all could make it. Many of you have flown far and wide to be here tonight."

You look around the room.

These weren't customers, these were business partners. Now you and Zemo felt even more out of place.

"It's with great pride and pleasure I present to you a taste of my menu."

He claps loudly again. Many carts come barreling out of the kitchen, each being pushed by a waiter or waitress. Each of them were dressed to the nines in carefully designed uniforms.

Whereas back at Escorpión Morado, Zemo's staff were dressed more casually, just wearing aprons with an EM stitched into them delicately.

One such cart comes to a stop next to your table. You glance at Zemo, who meets your gaze. The tall waiter pulls the sheet from over the cart and you a presented with a selection of dishes, all three shelves of the cart full with different colours and flavours.

This was... something.

Another waiter came up to the table and poured you each a glass of champagne. Tony was holding up a glass of his own.

"To The Iron Grill!"

Everyone else cheered, but you just slightly raised your glass with Zemo before taking a sip.

"Bon appetite!"

All the waiters simultaneously pick up the same plate from the cart and place it between you both.

You both take a bite each.

"So, we're here to taste test his menu?" You ask, having absolutely no opinion on what you just ate.

"It would appear so."

"We spent all that time making a paella, something from the heart, only to come here and have taste of his insanely large menu?"

Helmut sighs softly as he puts his fork down.

"It will never work. His menu is too big, no feeling is put into the cooking, everything is too basic. He isn't trying."

You reach put and place a hand on his, which is resting on the table.

"He won't last the year. Your restaurant is everything and more, he can't top that."

The way he smiles at you let's you know they he believes your words. He's thankful you came here with him tonight.

This goes on for hours. It's getting on for 10 PM when he thanks everyone for coming. Zemo pulls out your chair for you, taking your hand in his as you stand. You sigh.

You had tasted all the main courses on the menu, and then you got to choose a dessert to try at the end. Both of you chose something different so could try each others deserts.

Honestly, desert was the best thing on the menu, but that was it.

As you neared the door, Tony stopped you both from leaving.

"Will you wait just a bit longer, I want to talk to you."

Zemo reluctantly agreed.

You all waited for the restaurant to clear out before sitting down again. Stephen joined you all, offering more champagne, but neither you nor Zemo touched the flutes.

"Did you like my menu?"

You and Zemo shared a subtle look, both of you nodded, though you considered it very normal and bland compared to what Helmut serves under his roof.

"Good. We think we'll do quite nicely here. I'm going to cut to the chase, I want to buy your restaurant, use it to expand our empire."

Helmut had never stood up so fast. The bang from his fist hitting the table startled you. He was seething. If looks could kill, Stark would have taken his last breath just now. Zemo's eyes were glaring holes into the other man's skull.

Strange had the audacity to slip a cheque across the table. There were far too many zeros on it.

"No."

"Hear me out-" Stark began.

"No. The answer is no."

You stand up, taking Zemo's other hand in yours. He didn't turn his gaze away from Stark, but his hand did wrap around yours.

You glared at Stark.

"How dare you even say such a thing."

Tony didn't look at you, keeping his gaze locked on Helmut. However, he did hold up a finger at you.

"I'm not talking to you."

Helmut was going to say more, but Stark spoke first.

"I'm offering to buy your restaurant here and now before you go bankrupt due to lack of business. If I buy your restaurant, you can keep your job and your staff. However, the whole place will be remodeled in the image of The Iron Grill and I would own the building."

You scoff.

"How dare you!"

"Again, not talking to you," Stark glanced at you this time.

"No! I'm not just going to stand here and let you insult him further. You cannot have Escorpión Morado, it belongs to Helmut. It was his father's business, passed down to him, and you're just going to remodel it? Do you not care about it's history, it's importance? You have the audacity to invite us here and say this? I cannot believe you! You may be a big shot billionaire, but there are things more important than money."

You failed to notice the way Helmut had turned to look at you as you went off on your passionate speech. His eyes had softened, his lips curled up ever so slightly at the corners.

Gosh, he was so in love with you.

You were standing up for him, for all he had left. How did he get so lucky to meet you?

"Fine, but you'll see."

Stark picks up the cheque and pockets it, not once looking away from Zemo who was still looking at you.

You give a tug to Zemo's hand, he smiles as he follows you out, both of you done here.

Helmut didn't look back, unable to look away from you. Once you were back pit on the street, only then did you turn back to Helmut. You couldn't help smiling at the way he was looking at you.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're amazing," he grins.

"Don't be silly."

"I'm not. I mean it. The way you defended me, my restaurant, my heart could burst with joy."

"I only said the truth. He can't have Escorpión Morado, don't give it to him!"

"Over my dead body."

"Don't say that!" You stand in front of him, frowning at him.

Helmut just chuckles softly and let's go of your hands to place his on your face. He holds you gently, just looking at you with a goofy smile.

"Stark will not have my restaurant. Not if I can help it. You'll see, his very own will fail within the year."

"I believe you," you say, softly.

"Stay."

"Helmut..."

"Stay, please."

"I can't."

His dark brown eyes flicker between yours with a pleading gaze. He was so desperate to keep you here beside him, to keep you in his life.

But you had to leave.

He needed to give you a reason to stay. A reason so big that, even when you go home, you'll never forget it.

He kisses you.

He's quick and swift in kissing you. Your mind blanks as all you can feel are his lips on yours, his hands on your face.

You're kissing him back.

You just melt. You give in. You want it.

You can't bring yourself to stop him.

You're utterly in love with him and now he knows it. He can feel it. Just like how you can feel his love for you.

He was a reason to stay.

He pulls away, but does not move his hands. He gives a goofy smile as he looks at you.

"Stay."

All you can do is smile at him.

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