The Proposal (A BuckyNat One Shot)

The Proposal

The day had been perfect from the start, a gentle summer breeze whispering promises of something special. Natasha had noticed Bucky's unusual nervous energy throughout the day, but whenever she asked him about it, he would just smile and brush it off with a playful comment.

They had spent the afternoon wandering through the woods, enjoying the vibrant colors of nature and the tranquility it offered. The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in hues of pink and purple, when Natasha finally decided to confront Bucky about his strange behavior.

"Bucky, are you alright?" she asked, a teasing smile on her lips. "You've been acting like a squirrel on caffeine all day."

Bucky chuckled nervously, running a hand through his long dark brown hair. "What? Me? No, I'm fine, totally fine. Why do you ask?"

Natasha raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Well, for starters, you just tried to butter your toast with a screwdriver this morning. Not exactly your usual smooth self."

Bucky laughed, a bit too loudly. "I was just... testing out a new life hack. You know, multitasking tools."

"Uh-huh," Natasha said, smirking. "And the part where you put your metal arm in the dishwasher? Was that part of your new cleaning routine?"

Bucky sighed, his nervousness momentarily melting into affection as he looked at her. "Okay, you got me. I might be a little bit... preoccupied."

"Preoccupied?" Natasha's eyes twinkled with amusement. "James Buchanan Barnes, master of understatement. Come on, spill it. What's going on in that handsome head of yours?"

Bucky took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "Well, there's something I've been planning for a while, and I want it to be perfect."

Natasha's smile softened, her curiosity now mixed with genuine concern. "Perfect, huh? You know you don't have to go through all this trouble just to impress me, right? I already think you're pretty great."

Bucky's nervousness was replaced by a warm, loving smile. "Trust me, Nat, it's worth it. Come on, there's something I need to show you by the lake."

He guided her up the steps of the gazebo, the wooden boards creaking softly under their feet. Natasha couldn't help but notice the effort and thought Bucky had put into creating this magical setting. The lights reflected in the water, creating a shimmering effect that added to the enchantment of the moment.

They stood in the center of the gazebo, the soft glow of the lanterns surrounding them. Bucky took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He reached into his pocket, feeling the small red velvet box that had been weighing heavily on his mind all day.

"Natasha," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you."

Natasha looked up at him, her eyes full of love and curiosity. "What is it, Bucky?"

Bucky took her hands in his, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. "You know how much you mean to me, right? How you've changed my life in ways I never thought possible?"

Natasha nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I know, Bucky. You've changed mine too."

Bucky's heart swelled with love and determination. He dropped to one knee, pulling the red velvet box from his pocket and opening it to reveal a beautiful silver ring with a star-shaped ruby. Natasha's eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise.

"Natalia Alianovna Romanoff," Bucky said, his voice strong and clear despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm him. "From the moment I met you, my world has been brighter, more vibrant. You've shown me what it means to love and be loved, and I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"

Natasha's tears flowed freely now, her heart pounding with joy. "Bucky," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I... I don't know what to say. This is so beautiful, and you mean everything to me."

Bucky smiled, his own eyes glistening. "Say yes, Nat. Say you'll be mine forever."

Natasha slowly lowered her hands, her lips curving into a radiant smile. Bucky gently took her left hand in his, slipping the unique ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, sparkling brilliantly as if it had always belonged there.

"Yes, Bucky," she said, her voice steady and filled with certainty. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

As Bucky stood up, he wrapped his arms around Natasha, pulling her close. They shared a tender kiss, their hearts beating in unison. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their bubble of love and joy.

Their body language spoke volumes. Natasha's fingers gently tangled in Bucky's long hair, while Bucky's hands rested firmly on her back, holding her as if he never wanted to let go. Their foreheads touched as they looked into each other's eyes, a silent promise of a future filled with love and adventure.