Stars Stripes and Metal

As Long As We Both Shall Live

Wakanda, Africa. March 2017.

Steve paces nervously in the Groom's suite, glancing out of the large window overlooking the ceremony space every 15 seconds. He rubs his hands together in front of his stomach, while chewy in the inside of his cheek. He checks his breast pocket for hundredth time, making sure his vowels are there. Not that he needs them, but he's afraid he'll forget when he sees Ana. He resists the urge to run his hands through his hair, which he cut just for today. Not the famous Captain America hair cut but shorter than it had been.

"Dude if you don't stop you're going to wear a path in the floor." Sam warns.

"What if she doesn't show up? What if she changed her mind?" Steve asks.

"Want me to go check on her again?" Clint offers.

"You've been over there 5 times in the last 2 hours. Leave the woman alone."

"What can I say, I want to see Ana all dolled up." Clint teases.

"Man don't joke, I think Cap is about to have heart failure."

"Listen, Thor, Nat, Wanda, and Nakia in there with her. If she was going to change her mind, Thor knows to come get me." Clint reassures him.

"Why do you think she's going to change her mind?" Vision asks.

"Because her soulmate is frozen on ice down the street. Because Ultron said I was the wrong guy. Because there's no way someone as amazing as Ana would want to marry me. I'm a 100 year old science experiment." Steve bursts and breathes hard. 

"Wow." Sam looks at Steve overwhelmed. 

"OK. First of all, Bucky gave up his claim or chance or whatever when he went under. He didn't have too, but he did. So he lost his right to Ana, it was real uncool for him to make you promise you wouldn't marry her. He said that because he knew leaving her with you would mean she would love you more. Which she does!" Sam nearly yells the last part.  

"Second, do not take the word of a murderous android with a God complex. What the hell did he know anyway. Third, you are Steve Rogers, Captain fucking America. Any woman with a pulse and maybe even some dudes too would sell their souls to the devil for a minute alone with you. You are Earth's Greatest Defender man, the First Avenger... not some freaking science experiment. Do not forget this is Ana we're talking about, she got the serum same as you. She's a mutant Super Soldier. And she loves you for your history, for who you are today and for the person you want to be."

Sam takes a breath for the first time since he started talking.

"He's right Cap, besides Ana fell for the boy from Brooklyn not the shield." Clint reminds him.

"I don't know much about love but perhaps if Captain Rogers spoke to Miss Ana he would feel better." Vision suggests, calmly.

"That's a great idea! I'm calling her." Sam declares, as he pulls out his phone and dials Ana's number. He puts the call on speaker so Steve can hear his fiancé talk. Ana answers on the second ring.

"Please tell me I'm still getting married today Bird Brain." Ana questions as soon as the phone picks up. Steve's head snaps in the direction of Ana's voice.

"Because he has sent Clint over here 5 times, and I'm starting to worry that he's getting cold feet." 

"He wants to talk to you honey, let him know you haven't changed your mind." Sam suggests.

Ana sighs, "Baby?"

"I'm here." He takes the phone from Sam and turns speaker off as he walks to the other side of the room. His heart beating so fast it hurts.