The Merger

Visitors

The musty smell had stained the insides of Bucky's nose. It was so dark down there he couldn't even see the moonlight. The torch that the guard had placed outside his cell had burned out.

"For God's sake, piss over there!" Bucky kicked the bastard that had started peeing next to his head. The shackles held them all together, less likely to escape that way.

Barnes thought about why he was charged with the murder of the King and Queen. He understood that he left his post but there was a commotion happening elsewhere and he was needed. The dread that ran down his spine when he saw your chambers empty was something he would never recover from but fortunately Sam managed to catch him before everything was shut down.

"It smells like piss and dead rats, " Bucky heard the familiar voice of his longtime friend.

"Steve?" Barnes muttered in the dark. Thank the gods he was here, he could clear everything up and Bucky will be back upstairs with you in no time.

"Bucky." Steve held his torch up high as he squinted into the darkness. Barnes noticed that he wore a robe, it must be the middle of the night still.

"Steve. You know I did not do anything. I would never betray the throne, " Bucky began but the sombre look on the Prince's face spoke volumes.

He didn't know what to do.

"I uh-I know, " the Prince cleared his throat, a man pissing in the corner caught his eye and he reacted in disgust. "I am trying. Trying to find the person that did this before it's too late."

"Too late? Do I not get a trial? Bail?"

"Not for this. It is treason, conspiracy, murder. You would be hanged after a day back in York."

Bucky knew he was right.
"Am I going to hang?" He received no answer, not even a look, "you will stop it right?" Bucky held the bars, pushing his face as far as he could.

"I will do my best...I have a question for you," the flames above tickled the ceiling as Steve shifted on his feet, "the decision to stay here and not be a Lord back home, married to some pretty Lady..." he stopped himself, embarrassed for even asking.

"I do not regret the decision I made, if that is what you are asking."

Steve looked down at Bucky, covered in sweat and dirt, smelling like a chamber pot. "Good, good." He paused again, could he bear the truth? "Did you decide to stay for me or her?"
The dilated pupils said it all. "Ah."

"Both of you, sire." Bucky released his hold from the bars and stepped back once. It was a lame attempt at showing respect for his Prince. Steve's jaw tensed as he cracked that bit in his neck. "I wanted you to be King...and I know you are aware of my fondness for the Princess."
Bucky's fist was squeezing so tightly his nails made marks on his palm.

"Fondness? Yes."

"Not-no. Not fondness per se. You understand me, no?" He was nervous, shaking at the mere thought of dying based on a rumour.

"I understand." Steve took a breath and reached into his robe's pocket, bringing out two bread rolls, "eat. I am not sure when I will be back but it will be soon."

"Thank you," Bucky took the food be the Prince left without another word.

//

"And this?"

"The merger with York. A lot of paperwork actually, the Rogers had quite a few demands." Edwin picked up more files. You picked up on the empty pages at the back.

"Had my father finished negotiations?"

"Yes but nothing is finalised until your wedding day. You sign it there and Prince Steven's signature goes there."