The Merger

Loki

"Chin up, " Caroline tapped your chin, "shoulders back."

"Is a rehearsal really necessary?" you asked her as she continued to correct your posture.

"You will be in front of hundreds of people, then presented to thousands. You will mess up."

"I appreciate your faith in me, " you returned, receiving a wink back along with a small sample of your bouquet. White lilies and green natives. Purity and fertility.

Caroline ran to the other end of the aisle with Steve and the pastor. Bucky stood straight at the end of the first pew. Out of your eye line.

He's kept to himself a lot lately, still on duty watching you from a distance but it had been five days and he had not said a word to you.

The organ began to play but was cut off by your voice, "Is my father joining us?" you shouted from across the church, losing your perfect posture.

"No, Princess. Today you will walk alone, he will give you away next week!" she yelled back.

"Hardly a rehearsal!" your hand was now on your hip, "where is Edwin?"

"With his majesty, Princess."

"What about James? I haven't seen much of him lately." You asked Steve, who nodded for Bucky to escort you up the aisle.

You'd almost forgotten what he looked like. No that's not true, a beauty like him would never leave your mind. He just seemed different compared to usual; absent both physically and in spirit.

The days have been quite lonely this past week. He was close, you knew he was, but he strayed. You could not talk to him, something was bothering him but you were far too busy to be able to get him alone.

The wedding planning along with your promise to attend court took up so much of your time that your late-night lessons just seemed to dissipate. You felt guilty at the thought of Bucky waiting outside the crypts for you.

In the cold.

In the wet.

Shirtless.

No.

Don't go there.

That's reserved for your dreams only.

"Hello stranger, " you muttered as you took his elbow. The organ began, the notes piercing your ears as you traipsed closer to the stage. Barnes didn't return with anything. Stoic.

Steve looked from afar, nodding in approval at Bucky's behaviour. He couldn't have you two flirting.

Because of the eyes in the palace, obviously.

Not anything else.

"Your highness, " the priest bowed slightly, "I can begin with a short monologue about love and God before we get to the vows. I usually stay talking for about ten minutes. Is that alright for you?"

"That would be fine, thank you."

"...to have and hold so long as you both shall live?" the priest asked Steve, he gulped, looking down at you.

"I do."

"And do you Princess-"

The way he looked down on you as if you were shit on his shoe. How dare he? You thought you two were getting along for once.

"Yes yes. Very good, thank you. Is that us done?" you cracked your neck and avoided him, taking Bucky's hand as you stepped down from the stage.

"Where are you going?!" Steve asked, confused as he was angry. He received no reply but you did leave Bucky behind for once.