Author's Note: this is based off my favorite movie, The Princess Bride.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Princess Bride, or anything related to Marvel.

Steve was raised on a small farm in the town of America in the country of Asgard. His favorite pastimes were riding his horse, and tormenting the farm-boy that worked there. His name was James Buchannan Barnes, Bucky for short, but he never called him that.

The blonde rode up to his house. He had inherited the farm after his mother's death, and with the farm, came the farm-boy. Nothing gave Steve as much pleasure as ordering Bucky around.

The boy, man really, was chopping wood outside of the barn when Steve rode up and dismounted Freedom, his horse, "Farm-boy, polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning," Steve knew he was mean and bossy, but every time he became close to somebody, they would leave. He didn't want to risk it with anyone. Even someone he had known since childhood. Bucky never seemed to mind. He took whatever Steve was willing to give him, even if it was only ever animosity.

"As you wish," he said, softly. 'As you wish' was all he ever said to him.

"Farm-boy, feed the chickens."

"As you wish."

"Farm-boy, milk the cows."

"As you wish."

Steve hated it. He wished that Bucky would just yell at him, and get it over with, but no. Steve sighed to himself and picked up two buckets. He was going to make soup, and he needed water. He walked over to where Bucky was working hard chopping wood, "Farm-boy, fill these with water," Bucky didn't say anything. He just put down his axe, and looked at the smaller boy. Steve shocked himself when he said, "Please?"

Bucky's eyes lit up, and his lips twitched into a barely-there smile. Just from a please?

"As you wish."

Steve walked away, deep in thought. Why did Bucky stay with the farm? Steve didn't have anything to offer. Steve was mean, and never knew how to back away from a fight, he even searched for them. Bucky was kind and charming. Everyone loved Bucky, so it wasn't like he didn't have other options…so why did he stay.

Steve looked back at the dark-haired man, only to see him staring after him, only jumping to take the buckets when he saw Steve looking back at him.

It hit him like a ton of bricks…when he said, 'As you wish,' he meant… I love you.

Steve hurried into the house, shocked at what he had realized. He avoided him for the next week after that. Riding for hours at a time, taking trips into the village. It wasn't that the realization disgusted him. It was just…he didn't know how he felt about it.

Steve was preparing dinner when Bucky came in with firewood. He was about to leave without saying anything, but Steve didn't want him to, "Farm-boy!" he yelled stopping him. Bucky looked at him, waiting for his order. Steve looked around the room, desperate to find anything to justify him stopping him. He looked up. Directly above his head was a pitcher. It was a little too high for him to reach, but he always managed, "Fetch me that pitcher," he ordered softly, slightly embarrassed.

Bucky looked him in the eyes, and slowly started forward, not breaking eye contact. He came up to Steve, trapping the small body between his own larger one, and the table. Still maintaining eye contact, he reached up with one hand, and brought down the pitcher. He offered it, almost reverently, to the smaller boy, and whispered, "As you wish," before going back outside.

Steve sank against the table. He finally realized. Why he tried so hard to make Bucky go, when he wanted the opposite. Why he had avoided Bucky when he realized the other boy was in love with him. Why he looked for reasons to talk to him. He loved Bucky. He truly, loved him.

The short man didn't waste a moment to run out of the house after him, "Bucky!" he shouted, realizing this was the first time he had ever used Bucky's name, aloud. Bucky stopped short, and turned around, unable to believe his ears. He threw his arms out just in time to catch Steve.

"I love you," Steve said, needing to say it quickly, or he wouldn't say it at all. Bucky's face split into the biggest smile he had ever seen on the other man. Bucky pulled him close to his chest and spun him around in a circle.

"I love you, too," this was all he had ever wanted. He gently put Steve back onto the ground, and tilted his head back. He looked into Steve's eyes, asking permission. The blonde man's blue eyes closed, and he wrapped his arms around Bucky's neck, pulling him down to meet him halfway.

Bucky sighed into the kiss, happy. He had finally told Steve that he loved him, and Steve loved him back.

Bucky had no money for marriage, so he packed his few belongings and left the farm to seek his fortune across the sea. Steve had tried to convince him that the farm was all they needed, but Bucky wanted to give Steve the life he deserved.

The morning of Bucky's departure came far too soon. Steve wrapped his tiny arms around Bucky's waist, and refused to let go.

"I'm scared that I'll never see you again."

Bucky sighed, sad he was causing his love such pain, "Of course you will."

"But what if something happens to you?"

The dark-haired man pulled back and stared into the eyes of the man he loved, "Here this now…I will always come for you. I'm with you 'til the end of the line."

Steve wanted to believe him, "But how can you be sure?"

Bucky smiled, "This is true love. Do you think this happens every day?" he gave Steve one final kiss, and left the farm, and his love, behind.

Bucky never reached his destination. His ship was attacked by the Winter Soldier, a fierce pirate, who never left captives alive.

When Steve got the news that Bucky was murdered, he went into his room and shut the door. For days, he neither slept nor ate.

"I will never love again."