No sooner was lunch finished did the kids all beg for more of the story. Sam sat back in his chair and let out a sigh of content. "Alright. Let's see...where were we?" Bucky spoke first, "Bucky and the princess finally admitted their love for one another." The children nodded and Tony continued, "And Bucky volunteered to be Tony's champion in the duel against Clint." Everyone else started speaking until Sam held up his hands. "Okay, okay! I got it. Now here's what happened next..."

The next day, everyone was pulled from the cells and outside to the arena where the duel would take place. Clint was already prepping. "Bucky?" you questioned. Bucky looked at you with a smile on his face. "Don't look so worried, Princess. I told you; I will win this for you. Then we can go anywhere we want." You smiled at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Good luck." Bucky entered the arena and prepared himself.

Tony and Brock were up in the royals box with Natasha. Tony looked worried while Natasha and Brock looked smug. You bit your lip in concern. You knew Bucky was good, but so was Clint. There was absolutely no predicting the outcome of this match. As both men readied themselves and Tony stood along with Brock to announce the start, you held your breath. Bucky and Clint took their stances and everyone was on the edge of their seats. You'd never felt so much tension in one place.

Just as Tony and his brother opened their mouths, another sound carried on the wind. The sounds of trumpets and galloping hooves. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked around until the horses came into view. When you saw who was leading them, you breathed out an "Oh no."

"Hello, Y/N!" the young prince astride the horse called down. Bucky looked back at you in confusion. "You know this kid?" You nodded, feeling your face heat up. "Yes. That's Prince Peter. He's the crown prince of a neighboring kingdom and...my fiancé." Bucky nearly dropped his sword.

"WAIT A MINUTE! FIANCÉ?!" Steve cried, finally getting into the story. "No. No way. Steve did NOT just deal with all the nonsense between those two and witness them falling in love JUST to find out that she's got a fiancé!" You all stared at Steve for a minute. He closed his mouth and his ears turned bright red. "Easy, Cap. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation," you said. Sam nodded and continued on.

"Fiancé? He's a kid!" Steve exclaimed. "It was arranged by my parents. Believe me, I've been trying to get out of it for years." Bucky was still in shock. Why didn't you tell him you were betrothed? At least you were trying to get out of it. Yet another reason to save your life. Still, the admission had thrown him. He didn't even hear Tony announce that, in honor of the guests, the duel would be postponed until the next day.

Back in his cell, Bucky paced again. He tried to come up with a solution. And finally, he had one but he needed to talk to Tony. That was easy enough since he was representing the king in the duel. The guard took him to Tony's chambers after only slight hesitation. Then, Bucky managed to convince Tony down to the nearest tavern.

"How would you like to take back your kingdom without worrying about losing the duel?" Bucky asked. Tony arched a brow as he downed another whiskey. "The only way that can happen is if Brock dies." Bucky smirked and nodded. Tony's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean...?" Another nod and Tony's lips curled up in a smile. "You want to kill my brother?"

"It's the only way. We can sneak in tonight and kill him while he sleeps." Tony thought for a moment before he spoke again, "I'm going to need another drink or five if I'm going to do that." With a laugh, Bucky ordered another round. And another. And another. In fact, by the time the two left the tavern, they were both drunk.

Tony was not a quiet drunk. At all. The whole way back into the castle and down to the dungeons, he kept singing about how he was going to kill Brock. Bucky wasn't much better, but at least he was a little more quiet. "Bucky?" you asked. Bucky grinned lazily at you. "Hello, Princess. Gosh, you're pretty. And not just your face. Your brain. It's like your beautiful brain exploded all over your face."

"Are-Are you drunk?" you asked and Bucky nodded. "Yep. Man, I should have kissed you when I had the chance. But I knew that, once I did, I'd never stop. It would be one of those forever kisses." You shook your head fondly. Tony tried to whistle at Bucky, but ended up just spitting a little. "Welp, off to kill the king," Bucky announced as he grabbed Tony and pulled him from the dungeon. He didn't remember much after that.

"So did they do it? Did they kill Brock? And what about Prince Peter?" Your son asked. "Wait, who now?" another voice asked. You all turned to see Peter there. "Just in time, kid. You made your story debut in Wilson's adventure tale. Apparently, Prince Peter is engaged to Princess Y/N." Peter's face turned red.

"Uh, sorry Mrs. Barnes, but I don't like you like that." You let a laugh burst out of you. "That's alright, Peter. I'm pretty happily married." Bucky kissed your temple and Sam cleared his throat. "Can I continue?" You and Bucky both looked sheepish. Sam took a deep breath and pressed on.

Bucky woke in the cell with a splitting headache. "Oh...god," he groaned. "Serves you right," he heard. He looked over to see you smiling at him. "Oh god, what did I do? What did I say?" You licked your lips and bit back a giggle. "Well, you and Sleeping Beauty over there," you gestured to the cell on the other side of Bucky's where Tony was sleeping away and continued, "Tried to kill Brock. He caught you and threw you in here. You're both to be executed at sundown tonight."

Bucky shot up, suddenly a lot more sober than he had been. He'd failed. He had failed in everything he'd set out to do. He'd failed to "save" Natasha who hadn't even wanted to be saved. He failed to win your freedom. He'd failed in seizing his moment in the sun. He had failed.

"Hey," you cooed, "It will be alright." Bucky shook his head as he got up and made his way over to the bars separating you. "How can you be so sure?" You smiled sadly at him. "Because I know you, Bucky. I know that we'll find a way out of this. Together." Bucky grasped your hands and tried to return the smile.

Just then, the doors opened, causing you to jump. Bucky stiffened in place and Tony finally awoke at the sound. "W-What? Clint?" he questioned. You and Bucky looked more closely and, sure enough, it was Clint standing there with one hand on the hilt of his sword. After dismissing the guards, he grabbed the keys and unlocked the cells.

"You have to hurry," he said plainly, "The guards are stupid, but it won't take them long to learn Brock didn't summon them. There's a boat waiting for you on the shore behind the castle." Bucky's brows furrowed in confusion. What was going on here?

"Why are you helping us?" you voiced Bucky's unasked question. Clint flicked his gaze to Tony for a brief second. "Because I may be a dog, but I'm a loyal one. Tony's been my king and my...friend, for a long time. Get him out of here and keep him safe. That's all I want in return for letting you go. Now go. I'll take care of Brock and the guards."

Bucky went to work making sure everyone was ready to go while you stared at Clint. "Now why are you really letting us go?" Clint chuckled softly and smiled. "A story for another time, Princess. Go on." You said nothing more as Bucky grabbed your hand and pulled you after him.

Your little group didn't stop moving until you reached the shore. Captain Banner nodded at you from one of the lifeboats. In the distance, his ship waited for her captain to return with his passengers. You assisted Bucky in getting everyone on board the boats until it was only the two of you left on the shore.

Bucky gently took your arms, making you face him. "Whatever happens next, we're in this together, Princess. You and me." You beamed up at him. "I promise. I love you, Bucky." Bucky pulled you a little closer, whispering that he loved you too. And, as the sun began to set, Bucky leaned down and finally pressed his lips to yours in the kiss you had both been longing for.

"The end," Sam declared, earning cheers of joy from all around the room. "Best. Story. EVER!" Your son cried out. "It was pretty great," you agreed. You leaned your head on Bucky's shoulder with a sigh as he pressed a kiss to the top of your head. Murmurs of agreement washed over the room. Sam sat back in his seat with a triumphant smile on his face.

Once more, your youngest made her way over to Sam and sat next to him. "Uncle Sam?" He glanced down at her. She gaze at him with wide, innocent eyes. Before she even opened her mouth, Sam knew what was coming. "Can you tell it again?" Sam let out a laugh. "Sure thing. Way back in days of old, there was a legend told about a hero known as Bucky Barnes..."