"It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along yeah"
-Maroon 5-
He forgets himself for a second when he hears the first notes of the Wedding March playing on the organ, echoing off the stone pillars of the church.
He hardly even notices when everyone rises up from their seats and turns around, or when Steve claps him on the shoulder in a show of support.
His attention is on her—Darcy Adele Lewis.
She is a vision. Her face is serene, her hair a cloud of chocolate curls, her dress paler than moonlight and glittering like a thousand stars; made in Asgard, just for her. Despite the makeup and many layers that she wears, Bucky thinks that it's Darcy herself that is the most beautiful thing in the building. No, she is more than that. She is the incarnation of his hopes and dreams.
He holds his breath as she takes her first few steps down the red-carpeted aisle, and he can't hold back the smile when he spots the bright blue Converse peeking out from the hem of her dress. Her hand is looped around her father's arm, and she looks ahead, chin high and proud.
It's her day and everyone knows it.
Darcy is getting married.
And that means that he doesn't have to fight anymore. Because this is the sure sign, it's over. Darcy isn't his anymore.
As she passes him, he can't help but imagine this ceremony, this day—it might've been theirs if things had been different.
It's no use trying to change the past now. It's too little, too late.
God, he wishes that it was them up there, exchanging vows. To be the one telling her that she will be loved and cherished. That it's him and her 'till the end of the line.
As the groom leans in to kiss her, sealing the deal, he turns away. Unable to stand watching her becoming another man's wife.