The Merger

The Night Before

The flames of the fireplace were angry. They fought about even outside of the cavern and grew close to the documents beside you. You were laying down on the floor in your office, lost in one of your poetry books. Edwin was quite sweet and offered his collection of self written stories for you to take a gander at. He was quite good, a lonely giant with a million thoughts and feelings spewed out onto his tiny notebook pages; you appreciated him even more.

"It is late," Steven's voice intruded your thoughts. You placed the book open on your chest and sat up to see him in his night clothes, "you should sleep," his eyes had not reached yours since you arrived back at the castle, "big day tomorrow."

You could say something smart, snarky, witty or mean but with everything happening lately it seemed pointless to tease Steve.

He was to be your lawfully wedded husband within hours. Sunlight would have been just a nap away and yet you were lying down in your fathers office just crying and reading romance poems, dreaming to be in another place.

You should be nice to Steve. He had been very supportive since your parent's death, almost like how a husband should act. You took a deep breath and looked at the heart of the fire, embers burning so brightly it hurt after a few seconds.

"Have you read romantic poems before?"

"Cannot say I have," he stayed by the door, still keeping his gaze away from your eyes.

"These are Edwin's. He's quite good for a wifeless nervous wreck. Read to me," you tossed the book his way and laid down again, staring into the fire; drinking it in. The heat on your eyes made you smile just for making you feel something other than grief for a few seconds.

Steve sighed as he sat on a guest chair, facing you. Your back was to him as he recited two poems. You turned on the third and he stopped.

"to feel such pain as heartbreak would be blessed
because it meant that all those minuscule moments meant nothing
and all the others meant everything"

"Not too bad for a man that hardly shows any emotion," you commented with a lazy smile. Steve smiled too, your adorable tired face sending him to a happier place in his head.
"I met with Barnes today." that was left hanging in the air. Both of you watching each other react yet neither would. "We talked."

"What about?" Steve came to the ground, the carpet rough beneath him.

"To defend himself."

"I suppose he would, just like any other," Steve's eyes travelled side to side and yet he never came across your gaze.

"I believe him."

He bit his tongue and nodded while holding his knees. "Okay. Why?"

"Why do you not? What motive does he have?"

"He has performed some questionable practices since arriving here." Steve spoke slowly, find his words as he spoke.

"Such as?"

"Such as sneaking into the crypts come nightfall with the Princess-"

"Oh stop," you sat. Growing uncomfortable with his words now that you had practically grind yourself on Bucky's lap, talking of running away together. You two sat in silence, studying each other; both hiding something from one another and growing hot under each other's eyes.

"What is it about him that makes you so weak?"

"Weak?"

"You know what I mean," Steve rolled his eyes. You had pondered the question yourself.

"We've had this conversation-"

"We haven't. We really haven't," his chuckle was dry.

"I didn't know you would be so jealous...given your reputation."

You heard him sigh as he wiped his tired eyes.

"Rumours."

"Excuse me?" Steve shrugged.

"They are rumours, for god's sake! I am not the 'ladie's man' that you paint me out to be! I admit I am not as pure as you, Princess of Innocence, but I am a good man! I am godly! I am brave! I am good! Trust me when I say I am good!" he was on the brink of tears, the guilt was eating him up and spitting him out like a piece of tobacco.

His closest, most trusted friend is on death row and he cannot do anything about it unless he wishes to give up the monarchy and turn in his own family to be executed. It made him sick, sicker than any illness he's contracted before. He expected you to leave or awkwardly laugh in his face as he cradled himself but you didn't.

Steve felt your embrace behind him; the warm strokes down his arms and your head leaning against his back comforted him so much he let out another sob. You didn't suspect anything malevolent going on, you just expected him to be grieving for his life long friend.

"You are good," You muttered in his ear. He shook his head, "you are. I trust you. I trust you to do the right thing when it comes to Barnes. I can help."

"No," Steve wiped his face, attempting to clear himself of any signs of grief, "you are too close. The best you can give is a character testimony, that's even if we get a trial. You'll have to convince the council."

"How will I do that?"

He shrugged once more, "Cry? Show them you have another suspect in mind. Come on, I know you have been sleuthing. Who could have done this?"

Your brain had been so scattered recently that no memories came to you. Everything was new and you just had to keep your mind focused on the future. Your future.

Your future with Steven, as Queen.

Bittersweet.

"I-I don't-" you shrugged, giving up on your sentence. You felt strongly that Bucky was innocent but you also felt that everyone else around you wouldn't dare murder your parents either. Whoever the culprit was, it certainly felt that they were near and your safety was in jeopardy.