MAY 31, 2020 — WAKANDA — BUCKY
The ceremony is taking place in the clearing where Réa first appeared in Wakanda...the first place I laid eyes on her.
Lengths of fabric are elegantly draped over several of the lower tree branches closest to the aisle and altar, which has longer lengths of fabric suspended from the trees overhead, forming an arch; hanging speakers are hidden among the drapes. Chairs are set up on both sides of the aisle—which is bare grass—while a partial tent, consisting of just the entrance wall and two side walls with windows, has been set up. The flaps of the entrance wall are currently tied open, allowing the guests to enter.
I'm standing with Steve and Sam beneath a canopy beside the tent, watching through the one of the windows as Peter and Bruce escort everyone to their seats.
"I still can't believe that Thor convinced Jane to be his plus-one...and that they both convinced Darcy to be Loki's," Sam remarks.
I hear Steve chuckle and agree; I don't turn toward either man, too busy looking at the crowd, taking in all of the people who came to support me and Réa in taking this step. In the front row, beside the two empty chairs for Tony and Pepper, are Rhodey—who is holding Morgan—Happy, May, and MJ; on the opposite side are Okoye, Queen Ramonda, Shuri, Nakia—who is holding Toussaint on her lap—and Ayo. The other rows consist of Thor, Jane, Loki, and Darcy; Caroline and Adam; Vision; Quill and Gamora; Mitchell and Harris; Sarah, Cass, and AJ; Clint, Laura, Cooper, Lila, and Nathaniel; Nebula, Rocket, Groot, Mantis, and Drax; Doctor Strange; Scott, Cassie, and Hope; Alphonse and his wife, Marissa; several other members of the Dora Milaje—Assata, Nomble, Aneka, Jemini, and Yama; and two empty chairs in the back row for Peter and Bruce.
"It's a full house out there," Steve says, coming to stand beside me.
"Yeah," I croak, betraying my nerves.
I'm incredibly excited, and I'm nervous, almost insanely so. My heart is racing, and my stomach is full of butterflies...actually, no, not butterflies...the Great Eagles from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. My right palm is sweaty, and I wipe it on my dress slacks.
"Deep breaths, Buck."
I nod, inhaling deeply. "I know Réa loves me, and wants to marry me. I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"Because this is important," Sam joins me and Steve.
I nod again, turning to face both men. "Yes, it is." I clear my throat. "I want to thank you both. Not just for standing up with me today...for all that you've done throughout the years. I know our friendships haven't been without struggles, and I just wanted to let you both know that I appreciate you sticking by me."
Sam extends his hand; I grasp it, and he pulls me into a quick hug, clapping me on the back. Steve hugs me next, then steps back and clasps my shoulder.
"I'm really glad you're letting yourself be happy, Buck. You deserve it...you deserve to have this life, and I'm so proud of you for embracing it."
"Thanks," my voice is thick with emotion.
"Here comes T'Challa," Sam's statement ends the moment.
"It is time, White Wolf," the king says as he joins us beneath the canopy. "If you're ready—"
"I'm ready," I interject.
'So, so ready.'
"—then we can begin," T'Challa finishes.
"That's our cue," Sam says. "Still got those rings, Steve?"
"Not funny, Sam," Steve shakes his head as I let out an unamused huff, but can't hold back his grin. "You know T'Challa has them."
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The Fall - Book 2
Fiksi Penggemar***The Fall - Book 2 picks up where Book 1 left off*** Réa, a half-human, half-Seraph, has spent her entire life locked in a tower, haunted by visions of a man in pain. Unbeknownst to her, this tortured soul is Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldie...
