#knight!kucky

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The Time of the Prey (9)

Summary: The younger sister of the most talked about princess in the kingdoms really can’t do much except smile and nod. When Natasha, your sister, finally goes to moves all of you to Shieldshire to marry her beloved Prince Steve you are left with your art, all alone. But one Knight took it upon himself to keep you company, and that company was all you needed to get through wedding season. Will that company last or will it be ripped away from the both of you? A war is starting and it seems targets are being made.

Pairing: Knight!Bucky x Princess!Reader

Words: 4k

Warnings: sappy stuff (I cried while reading this), fluff and a lot of emotions. 

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Your sister’s wedding day. 

Bittersweet was not the right word to fit the situation but it was close, after she got married you would join your mother back at South Lands. You didn’t want to leave, the hospitality was great for the time you were here, minus the part where you stayed at Hydra’s Hill. 

You knew people all around were aware of your kidnapping and how you escaped, apparently, it was a big deal that a woman broke out of a dungeon, the first story of its kind. Rumbles and hushes came around, people changing and making the story bigger than it was. You were prepared to squash anything people said to you about it, it was still a sore spot for you; mentally and physically. 

Your dress covered your entire back, because it was the summer the dresses would be a little lighter and show a bit more skin but your dress made it seem like it was the winter from how it covered you. It was made days before the wedding, Natasha didn’t know about it because she was refusing to talk to you, how the oldest can be the most immature. 

The wedding would take place outside and the dinner afterwards would be in the corridor, the first room you saw when you first arrived what felt like years ago. There had already been tables set up for the countless Lords and Ladies who were about to show up, as the maids worked on setting the tables you walked around and felt the tablecloth, probably imported for the East. the silverware had eagles on the hilt of every fork, knife, and spoon. You always found it funny how heavily branded some kingdoms were, they made sure you remembered their sacred sigil at every corner you turned. 

The flowers moved with the wind, holding shape but also giving into the breeze. They littered the pathway to the place where your sister would be getting married…your sister was getting married. 

Confused was not the right word to fit the situation, you knew she was beautiful and people grew up but you thought you’d be little girls running around the castle all of your life. Though it felt like years ago, and it was, you could still smell childhood. 

Chairs upon chairs filled on either side, ready for all to watch. Your father would not be the one walking Natasha down the aisle, you knew she was upset about that. No one knew who would do it, your mother wouldn’t. 

There were pillars around to hold up a canopy, sheer silk would be protecting their guests from the summer sun burning down on them. It draped in some places and stayed taught in others. Most things were white or grey, making flowers everywhere stand out. It seemed no matter where you looked there would be a flower there to greet you, your fingers couldn’t help but touch them. 

As you walked down the aisle you couldn’t help but feel nothing. There was no longing, want, or even distress about the fact that you didn’t want to do this yourself, you were thinking if you saw your sister get married you would want to as well. But then again, when have you ever wanted to do anything your sister wanted? As you made it to the end and looked back over your shoulder you tried to fill in all the seats with the people you’d met. Trying to picture if this day was about you, maybe in another universe. 

You could see it. In the front sat your mother, back straight with a tear in her eyes. Natasha would be seated off with Steve, and Lords and Ladies would fill in some other spots. At the back would be the old woman, the one with no name, standing next to the black dog that helped you get back to your home. She’d wave at you slowly, thinking you may have forgotten about her. She would find her seat but feel out of place, looking around at everyone who had dressed nicer than her. When your wedding would be over you’d find her and hug her, saying hello to the dog once more. 

Your head turned to where your husband would stand and your heart didn’t change, nothing lurched. Of course, you imagined Bucky there, there was no one else in your mind you could think of to fill that spot. He’d be married in his armour, not many Knights took a wife, they tried to keep their mind clear for battle. You told Bucky that it just dehumanizes them, making them believe no one would miss them if they died. 

“Is it just me,” your mother had snuck up on you, “or do you also feel out of place?” she asked as she sat down in the front row, right where you imagined her. 

“I’ll never be up here,” you looked around, standing in the exact spot Natasha would be in. 

Outsider was not the right word for it, viewing yourself as an outsider would just be an oxymoron. Some royals viewed themselves as outsiders, claiming they couldn’t connect with their people even though they had the power to do just that. 

You sat down beside your mother with a sigh, you’d sit there in hours. Your mother took your hand and placed it in her lap, “have you thought about James and where you want to go?” she did not look at you when she talked, looking where you were standing. 

“I don’t know yet,” you confessed, “I want to run away with him,” a laugh bubbled in your throat, “maybe revoke myself.” 

“I’m jealous,” she laughed. 

“Would you ever remarry?” you asked quietly. 

“Maybe,” Lady Melina smiled at you, “if you are to run away I need someone to run this castle when I’m gone.” 

A soft laugh came from your lips, “I’m intrigued by Hydra’s new way of running their land, a democracy they say.” Your eye did not stop finding new flowers to look at. 

“It will fall before their eyes,” she sighed, “it is the Free Lands now since they have no ruler.” 

“Ah,” you corrected yourself, “the Free Lands will be holding an election sooner or later, it will be history.” 

“Speaking of,” your mother smirked and you knew where this was going, “The Breaker of Chains is not a bad battle title, my dear,” your mother leaned into your side, resting her head on your shoulder. 

“Alright,” you could feel yourself becoming embarrassed. 

“Maybe the Breaker of Chains would run for the Free lands, make peace with the people of Red River and begin a life of not royalty but rekindling.” as your mother spoke your head tilted to the side, listening to all the words she was saying. 

“I am a painter,” you sighed, “the Breaker of Chains is not political bait anymore, mother, I will come home with you and make my impact there, with James.” 

“I see,” she nodded, “well, whatever you do, just know I’ll always be there-your sister wanted me to fetch you,” it was like it popped into her mind, there were things other than Natasha she talked about. 

“It’s been over two weeks,” you said into your lap, “she wants to see me now?” your eyes moved first then your head, looking slowly at your mother who had a sad smile on her face. 

“Y/N…” she sighed, “I-...” the words died on her tongue, “you are not staying here after she marries, she is not coming home after she marries,” your mother wasn’t one to speak in poetry, there was a point, even she couldn’t bare to say it. 

“It'll be more than just a fortnight before I see her again,” the moment of realization washed over you, like a whip rolling along your back. There was the sting, it lingered in your heart as you processed the words. 

Without another word you walked with a purpose, noting talking to anyone as you passed them by. It was easy for you to be unladylike, in fact, it was nice to get into the groove of rolling your eyes and sassing everyone again. There were so many women standing outside of Natasha’s chambers, you pushed past them all and opened the door, seeing Natasha. 

Speechless was not the right word for how you felt, she looked more beautiful than that. Besides, seeing her with the flowers in her hair, a long white dress that was sleek with no ruffles or feathers brought a breath of air back into your lungs. 

“How do I look?” her eyes met yours through the mirror. 

“Like a Princess,” was all you could manage to say, tears welling up in your eyes. “You’re all grown up,” it came wet and bubbly, laughing through the heart-wrenching realization. 

The handmaids left you two alone, it was still. Natasha looked over her shoulder, fully turned when she saw you there by yourself. “Y/N,” she started but then stopped, it looked like her torso began to hover because you couldn’t see her legs as she stood, the dress was too long. “There’s nothing I can say that can excuse what I did,” she whispered and walked towards you, “but I spent my time sitting here and taking in the fact that I am a shitty person to be around,” your lips parted at her swearing. 

“Natasha…” you whispered, “please, this is your wedding day.” 

“I know,” her lip began to tremble, “and I’ve waisted my last two weeks being a child, I’m about to be a queen of some castle, people are going to look up at me, and I am here, having people brush my hair and tell me I am pretty when in reality I want you to ruffle my hair and flick my arm when mother isn’t watching,” tears fell down her face, her shaky hand whipped them away. 

You reached forward and cleared her cheeks, letting yours freely soak in the tears. “You think I’ve been better without you around me?” you laughed through the pain again, “I see you from afar, learning to how to eat like a proper lady, walk like a lady, talk like a lady, and all I think to myself is are you ever going to really need me again?” 

“Sister,” she whispered, she always called your sister that rather than your name. Maybe the term for her meant more than your name, a title given to the one you shared your childhood with, the one you grew up with who was chosen to hold that name. 

“I’ll always need you,” as hard as she wanted to cry, her lips turned into a smile, “but as I stand here I look at you and see a grown woman, I look in the mirror and I see a woman who made many mistakes, and I am sorry, sister.” 

“I forgive you,” it came so quick, like a breath, like a blink of an eye, “I could never truly stay mad at you. Natasha, I know for a fact that you will be happy here and you will live out your long and beautiful life here with the man you love, I will miss you but I also know that you will thrive here, without me.” 

You both knew it was true, when it came to sisters there was always a silent war between the two of you. People on the outside had an easier time comparing you to one another, it didn’t help that you were both so different and yet complemented each other in many ways. Once one of you was removed into your own space where you belonged- sewing classes for Natasha and painting for you -the comparisons were dropped, you were no longer each other’s sister and just yourselves. 

“I have to ask you something,” Natasha pulled you down to sit beside her on her poof, it was easier for the handmaids to work around her like this. 

“Anything,” both hands took hers, squeezing them tightly. 

“Walk me down the aisle?” 

You couldn’t help but gasp at the request, it was involuntary. One hand dropped hers and landed on your heart, lips pursed together. Another wave of tears began to bloom, this time neither of you wiped them away; wanting to see the expression of love on each other’s face. 

“Great Heavens,” you managed to sputter out, “I would love to, it would be my-”

“Just hug me,” she sobbed. 

Fingers gripped at the fabric of each other’s dresses, yearning to show their sorrow for the precious time wasted between the two of them. Every stupid fight was long forgotten, there was nothing that could change the amount of love pouring out between them. Faces hid in each other’s necks, in a year she’d no longer smell like home; she’d smell like her home. 

Shoulders of white and pink dresses began to soak the salty tears, hands petted each other’s heads. The soothing was something you both were good at, Natasha had the touch of a mother since she was born, able to stop you from crying no matter the situation. Tears didn’t halt, you didn’t want them to, the emotion of love would be stronger than any other love in your life. 

“Love,” you whispered. 

“What?” 

“That’s that word that fits this moment,” you placed your chin on her shoulder, “I’ve been struggling to lay an adjective on this day and I found it,” you laughed to yourself and pulled away, holding her shoulders, “love.” 

“That’s what it has always been,” her eyes travelled down to your torso, smiling at the fact you were wearing your corset over your scars, it did irritate but you promised. 

“And always will be,” you were quick to fill in, “I must go and let you finish getting ready, but I will walk you down to aisle-” the breath caught in your throat, “sister, I promise.” 

Nothing else was said as you left, both of you content with the words floating in the air. You placed one foot in front of the other as you looked up to the walls, seeing the bricks laid on top of one another. As you entered the common area again it looked even more dressed up, more things to look at as you walked past each table. 

You could feel this strength begin to build inside your stomach, this energy that hadn’t been used in forever. It was Natasha’s last day as a child and you realized it was yours as well in some respects, you had been viewed as adults and ladies by the court but between one another you both refused to grow up. Now you had to, it was soon to be your job. In the back of your mind, you knew you were the heir to Southlands, that castle was going to be yours, part of you was excited to walk the halls again when you got home. You also knew you would be asking a lot of Bucky to come back with you, he was still in his prime here and you didn’t want to strip that away from him. 

As you walked outside that energy rolled your shoulders back and tilted your head just a little higher, you took off your shoes and walked to the one place where you could have a moment before the wedding would begin. 

The pond was still and quiet, your painting equipment was all packed away and ready to go. You would be leaving with everyone else that was attending the wedding tomorrow, though it would be later in the day after the other houses left. Getting as close as you could without touching mud you sat beside the pond, letting your feet dip into the cold waters. You saw little fish swimming about and lily pads rippling from the gentle movement of your toes in the clear water. 

With your knees up to your chest, you rested your chin on them, watching the small deer through the woods that began after the pond, it really was the perfect backdrop for your painting. 

At the sound of moving grass, you held one hand behind your back to sign, probably Bucky, to keep quiet. When you heard a gasp you knew it was him, “a deer,” he said and slowly crouched beside you, half-dressed because he didn’t want to walk around in the bulky armour which was his outfit for the wedding. 

“Hi,” he whispered, still looking at the deer, “ready for the big day?” 

“Yeah,” you looked up at him, seeing him look at you after the deer ran away. “You scared them off,” you laughed, leaning into him and hugging his arm. 

“Sure I did,” he said with a little hesitation, “look, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.” 

“What is it?” you faced him, pulling your toes out from the water. 

“After today,” he paused, “where will you go?” 

A smile crept on your face as you took his hand in yours, “where will we go, I think that is what you meant to say, Bucky.” 

“So I may come with?” a smile shot to his face, eye crinkling, “I would love to see your home after showing you mine, maybe we can decide where we can go after that?” 

“I think that’s a great idea,” you leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. 

When you pulled away you stayed close to his face but not uncomfortably close, your eyes shamelessly roamed around his face. A small blush began to bloom as you took in the way his hair framed his face, the little wave at the front shaping his cheekbones and jaw. Your hand cupped his cheek and ran against the coarse stubble that was constantly there, it prickled against the pad of your fingers but you found it relaxing to feel. 

His eyes closed as your hand moved from his beard to his hair, running your nails along his scalp and immediately earning a happy groan. Knowing he was in for a treat he made himself comfortable by laying down and resting his head on your lap, he had said before he loved the way the silk of the dresses felt against his cheek or hand, really whatever was touching your dress. 

Your fingers worked on his scalp, creating patterns but also being unpredictable. You would pick up sections and begin to braid or create a new part in his hair to scratch at much surface area as possible. As you played with his brown hair you noticed the seemingly permanent wrinkles were gone, since you came back his protectiveness increased ten-fold. He wasn’t allowed in your room and you weren’t allowed in his but that didn’t stop him from changing his quarters, getting closer to you and staying up to hear if you’ve had a nightmare or not. 

With every flinch and a quick jolt to grab his hand you could see the shame build on his face, he blamed everything that happened on himself, it was obvious. After one week he wore it on his sleeve, being overprotective and really clingy, making sure he knew where you were and if you were safe at all times. 

Instead of the whip you were greeted with the floor, you had rolled out of bed and landed on your back from a nightmare. Sweat rolled down your back and made your sleeping gown cling to your neck and collar. You were slow to get up, feeling disoriented from not knowing where you truly were for a moment. 

“Y/N,” the door burst open, Bucky was wearing slacks and a tunic, obviously thrown on in a hurry. “Are you alright?” his hand went under your armpits and lifted you up onto your bed, slowly maneuvering you to get you laid down. He hushed and placed his palm on your forehead, “let me get you some water, sweet,” he leaned down to kiss you and all he got was a moan, you were exhausted from waking up on average four times a night. 

Heavy eyes watched him pour a glass from the pitcher left on your vanity by him, he then grabbed and spare rag and pour water on it as well. He came back and got you to sit up to drink, you took no time finishing the cup. After gently laying you back down again he placed the cool towel on your forehead, the temperature was perfect for your boiling skin; equal parts mix of embarrassment and leftover adrenaline. 

“Back to sleep now,” he crouched down to your level and moved the rag to your chest, the feeling was perfect, your eyes fully closed, “I’ll be here, my sweet.” 

“Thank you,” the words ghosted out of your lips. 

Your eyes followed your fingers as you made rows in his hair, you wouldn’t be surprised if he was asleep right now. But there was something in his face, no matter how relaxed he seemed he was always on high alert. There could be leaves crushing under an animal's foot and he’d flinch, a twitch of his eye. 

“I’ve told you before and I’ll say it again,” you twisted your head awkwardly to look at him, “I am here and I am safe, that was the past and there is no need for blame, all it will do is hinder your view for the beautiful days ahead-days with us,” your hand cupped his cheeks and made him look at you.

“I know,” he sighed and looked up at the sky, “I just want you to be safe, you know that, but I know you are strong on your own and so I have all this leftover need to protect you and I feel useless,” his hand clasped together on his abdomen, but he quickly changed that and began stroking one of your arms because you had stopped playing with his hair. 

“It’s been your job to be on guard and to protect people,” a sad smile spread to your face, “and now that you’re with someone who doesn’t need all that protecting I would understand why you feel a little confused. My sister will be gone and it feels as though I’ve lost something that I’ve been with all my life; for me, it is a sister and for you, it is your life,” a laugh fell from between his lips. 

“I’ll get used to it,” he nodded, “that Braker of Chains doesn’t-”

“You don’t start with that,” you laughed and leaned down to kiss him, “you will never call me that again, understood?” you tried to act stern but it came out as giggles as Bucky’s hands found your side, tickling you a little. 

After a while Bucky traded positions with you because he felt bad you had to sit all the time, he made you loosen your corset because no one was around and that your scars needed to breathe. You laid on your back with your head on his thighs, looking up at him with a smile. He would rotate between looking at you and the pond, something would catch his eyes and it would take a while before he remembered a woman laid beneath him. 

“Can I tell you something?” you said, taking one of his hands and laying it on your stomach. 

“Anything, tell me anything,” he smiled as he looked down at you. 

“I’ve been trying to describe this day, I saw all the decorations and my sister’s dress, I even looked at the table I’d be eating at tonight, as I looked around there was this feeling deep within myself I couldn’t describe, it was on the tip of my tongue and I couldn’t spit it out,” he squeezed your hand as you took a moment to breathe, “until I saw my sister and we talked and cried,” Bucky’s eyebrows immediately pulled tight, “happy tears,” he relaxed, “and as I looked at my sister who was about to do the thing she’s always wanted I found the word.” 

“What was it?” a hand pushed some hair out of your face, it wasn’t obstructing your view but you felt it warm your heart. 

“Love,” the word left your lips and you saw it hit his face, slowly causing him to soften his features entirely, “and as I sit here with you the same feeling arises and the same word sits on my tongue, I never thought as a Princess I would be able to say this and mean it,” tears began to gather, “I thought I would live my life miserable with some Prince I have never met and forced to produce heirs and go about my life all sad and dreary,” Bucky smiled and stroked your cheek with his thumb, “but now I look at the man who saved my life, in many ways, and all I can think of is taking you back to the Southlands with me and living the rest of my life with you; the man that I completely love.” 

Your name fell from his lips, and a tear rolled down his cheek and mixed in with yours. He laughed and wiped his face and then yours, trying to keep himself somewhat composed. “As I sit here with the strongest women I know I look back at knighthood and how all I wanted was to lead and protect, but now there is another side of life that I didn’t know could be so peaceful, the loving side and the domesticated side,” you could feel his breathing on your face, his eyes would search to the pond to try and find the words as if they were spelled out with lily pads, “there is nothing more I want from this life than to grow old and grey with you, and to love you completely. I do not need kids or a wedding, all I need is to wake up and say I love you every morning.” 

“And I’ll say I love you every night,” you quickly added. 

FINAL EPISODE

Thanks for all the love and reading, if you enjoyed don’t be afraid to reblog!

- Rambo <3

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