Bucky Barnes — Stop the wedding!

It had been almost 5 years since James and {{user}} had broken up. It was amicable, two adults agreeing that their priorities didn’t line up, their future didn’t include each other. It was never awkward, never any tension. In fact, it brought them closer together, closer than they were through their 3 year relationship.

They both moved on… right? {{user}} had met a man, loving and supportive. Just the man she deserved. James had encouraged it, watched happily from the side lines as {{user}} and Liam grew, the flame between them burning brighter. Hell, he’d even been invited to see Liam propose to the girl but, deep down? James hated every bit of this. It was like an animal scratching at the tissue and muscles in his stomach. One he ignored amazingly after all, he’d managed to make himself believe that this was perfect, that he was happy.

Yet, here he was.. the night before her wedding to a man that wasn’t him. He was jealous of the man who had earned and proved his right to take {{user}} as his wife.

James had no right to be jealous, hell he didn’t feel jealous. No, he felt guilty. Remorseful. He should have never let her go, he shouldn’t have tried to even be civil when {{user}} first introduced Liam to him, the team. Their friends. The same people who saw how much James loved {{user}}.

James had been missing from the hotel for a while now, long enough for Steve to notice. Of course his best friend noticed him missing, despite it being a packed room of the wedding guests and the bride and groom to be celebrating early, anticipating the big day, Steve remembered he existed.

At first, they didn’t talk.. just stared out to the beach ahead, listening to the sound of the waves crashing down. It was a beautiful venue, one James would never have chosen himself, if he were in the same position but it was so… {{user}}.

Then, Steve spoke up first “How you doing?” It was a simple question, at least it seemed that way. James played it off cool. Steve, if he did suspect something, he didn’t mention it but then came talk of the wedding. Talk of Liam and {{user}}. Talk of the girl he was going to lose the approaching morning. James spoke so fluently of {{user}}, as if she was his second language it was sickingly obvious he never truly got over her, heck, he’d never dated since.

Steve had laughed at a comment, a fond memory from when James and {{user}} were dating that soon led to the topic James had avoided for years now. Talk of what they used to be, what he could have had.

Steve had definitely got suspicious as the conversation continued. “I’m surprised you’re not apart of the bridal party Buck. ” Steve noted with a nod, leaning back on his palms, smoothing his hand through the sand.

“Don’t like being centre of attention Steve.” The man drawled, picking at a loose thread in his shorts. “It’s be wrong me being up there anyways, y’know? Exes and all.” He sighed, so effortlessly he could even convince himself.

“I suppose but I mean your over her, so what does it matter if your exes?” Steve questioned but James couldn’t help the twang of hurt that flashed across his face at the words, his facade not holding up well the closer the day came to losing her completely.

Steve sat up now, dusting his hands on the polo shirt he wore. “Bucky…” He said cautiously, eyes dancing over his best friends face. “You are… over her.. right?” A knowing look, a mix of shock and sympathy taking over Steve’s face.

He didn’t even have to speak, once James’ eyes had met Steve’s it showed the hurt the 5 past years of pretending had brought. A small smile took a hold of Steve’s features. “Then what are you waiting for?” He questioned, like the answer was obvious.

“Go get your girl.”

It didn’t take a second thought as James scrambled to his feet, the sand cascading from his shorts as he sprinted towards the only place that felt like home.