The Merger

Dancing and romancing

"I put these rules in place for your safety - how can you not understand that? It's not safe out there for anyone, especially women-especially girls like yourself," Father was sure laying into you. Saying all the wrong things to gain a reaction.

But you stayed stoic. Teeth grinding and eyes focusing on the butterfly fluttering near the stained glass window atop the conference room.

"Are you even listening? How can you be expected to lead my land if you can't even take care of yourself?!" Ouch. The king could see he hit a nerve. You could take care of yourself, you practically raised yourself by evading the numerous nannies assigned to you during childhood. It wasn't until Caroline came that you began listening to her. She let you do whatever you wanted; provided you stay within the castle walls.

"Just-stay here. For the time being. I need you alive: not only to rule but because I don't know what I'd do without my only daughter. Arguments with your mother might actually end with her winning if I didn't have your notes," that made you chuckle. The king brought your hands to his lips and pecked them. The squeeze he gave them spoke the words he was so uncomfortable to say. 'I love you so much'. You squeezed back; acknowledging him. "You are going to be so great. I need you be around to actually show me."

A nice silence followed.

"Best get to your dress fitting. And don't worry, I didn't plan much yesterday, you still have plenty to go through."

"Oh...such fun."

"Princess," he called, "you should really consider attending court. Gossip spreads," he avoided eye contact on the last sentence, something he rarely does.

Your fitting was done by Jeanette; the session was stabbier than you thought.

"I apologise Princess. I didn't realise you had grown so much since the last time we did this." 
The sly look in her eye spoke her real thoughts, something you chose to ignore.

"Yes well best hurry this up. If you don't do a good job my father will put your head on a spike before I can even complain," you didn't like threatening people but you didn't like disrespected either. The rest of the session went smoothly after your comment.

*

Court was just as boring as you had expected. Numerous ladies gossiping behind your back, thinking their voices were low and quiet rather than shrill and piercing.

"And then she threatened me; just like a royal to use her power against the rest of us."

Jeanettes comment struck you deep. You didn't want to be just like everyone else. A fat cat lazing around the palace; calling for wine whenever you wanted like a damn hedonist. You left the group early and ventured to the on-site chapel.

You were to be wed here soon. An archway made special for the occasion was standing there now, weeks ahead of schedule. Curved steel dipped in gold and decorated with navy ribbon and red roses.
A symbol for the joining of the houses.

"Princess." The familiar voice comforted you. You smiled quickly at Lord Barnes, indicating that he should join you in your pew.
The rustling of his armour clinked as he sat.

He had no clue on how he'd continue the conversation. You both sat there in silence staring at the glimmering vines of the arch.

"Princess-"

"Feel free to use my name James. I think we're past it, " your small smile was polite and familiar. You didn't regret kissing him just as he didn't with you.

The solemn-looking man sucked in his cheeks to stop himself from grinning, "You may call me Bucky if you wish."

"Bucky?"

"A nickname."
You nodded in appreciation for the clarification, "how are you feeling?"

"...fine." your eyes stayed front. Gazing at the twinkling frame. Of course Bucky didn't believe you.

"I saw you return to the grounds with Sir Samuel last night. I asked him if he escorted you back to the grounds but he said it was you who lead the way."

"Good man." you muttered fondly. Barnes gulped down his fear of rejection and longing and got on with confronting you.

"You were gone for so long yesterday. I feel like we haven't had the chance to speak about what happened."

"Why? Would you like for it to happen again?" you teased, enjoying the way he stuttered and scratched at his eyebrow. "It was a kiss James. We haven't fucked like the Prince thinks we are."

'Can we?' he thought but quickly ignored his dirty pictures in his mind. "I tried talking to him about that, it didn't go quite as well as I hoped."

"What happened?" your soft eyes made James feel like he was butter. 

"I punched him in the throat for calling you..." Barnes stopped himself.

"a whore?" you guessed. Finding no offence in Stevens words. James nodded, "thank you. I've never really had anyone to defend my honour before you came along."

"Edwin does a decent job." James comment made you laugh and touch his knee.

"That was my favourite day. Seeing Rogers almost wet his pants for being told off." Bucky's frown returned when you retrieved your hand back.

"I should get back to court before father finds out I left early. Unless there are more pressing matters to attend to..." you eyed Barnes with a raised brow.

"Such as?"

"Such as my bodyguard and trusted advisor needing to practise his waltz for the upcoming nuptials. You are the best man of course, you're expected to do almost everything the groom does that day."

His breathing deepened at yet another thought of your body on his.

Dancing was never James' strong suit after he returned from war. He just couldn't move like that anymore. All fluid and angelic like he knew you could.

*

Your excuse worked. In no time you and Barnes were in the main ballroom holding each other with a band playing slow music.

"That's my foot."

"You're squeezing too hard."

"Hold my waist, not my back."

All these instructions along with being near you and dancing in front of people made Bucky sweat.

"You're thinking too much. Did you want a break?" Bucky nodded so you ordered everyone to leave. Turning back to Barnes you felt sorrow for the damaged soldier. He was calming himself down by psyching himself up in a random wooden chair.

"Come on Barnes, you can do this. It's just dancing."

"What's the matter?" you lightly touched his forearm and sat beside him. His legs were bouncing and his lips were dry.

"Can we go somewhere private?"

Minutes later you were in the crypts. The darkness comforted Bucky. He felt safe knowing this environment and the memories that occurred here.

"Dancing is more than just moving your feet every so often," your hand threaded through his pulling him closer to you until your chests touched. You put his hand low on your waist and your free one near his neck, "you need to feel the music and go along with your partner." Your voice became quiet as you laid your head in his chest, swaying to nothing but the tunes in your head.

Bucky's erratic heart rate slowed down. He felt less nervous and enjoyed your warmth in the cold room.

"I don't believe this is the waltz." He joked.

You smiled up at him and glanced to his cherry red lips. Nothing would please you more than to kiss him gently. Cry in his arms and hug for hours. Bucky felt it too. He closed his eyes ready for you to take action but then you slipped away.

"You're right." You stood back and straightened yourself. "It's as simple as one, two, three."

And his lesson began.