Tracey looked up and down the hall as she peeked out of her room. So far no one was around. She didn't see any servants or guards. The coast was clear. She sighed, smiling as she stepped out.
"Hold it!"
She froze, eyes wide as she turned around to the source of the voice. She sighed once more and glared at the blonde woman in front of her.
"Seriously, Sharon!" she hissed. "You gave me a heart attack."
"Well I wouldn't be stopping you if you weren't dressed like that," Sharon said, waving a hand up and down as she gestured at the maroon dress she was wearing.
"What's wrong with my dress?" Tracey asked, crossing her arms.
"Well for starters you look like a princess." The maid held up a hand, stopping the other woman from speaking. "Yes, I know you're a princess. What I mean is if you're going to sneak out to see Bucky you're going to have to not look like a princess. You'll be spotted right away."
"Who said I was going to see Bucky?" the princess mumbled, glancing away from her maid and friend.
Sharon stared at her, eyebrow raised. "Really?"
"Okay, fine! I'm going to see Bucky," Tracey huffed, throwing her hands in the air. "Please don't tell my mom and dad! I'd be locked in my room for weeks if they found out."
"Which is why I'm helping you," Sharon said, grinning brightly when she held out a dress.
Tracey looked it over and smiled brightly. It was a servant's dress. One of Sharon's extra clothes. The blonde princess jumped on her friend, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Sharon!"
"Don't mention it. Just hurry up and change and I'll take you through the servant's quarters," she said, pushing her friend back into her room.
ooOOoo
She stood there, pulling the cloak tighter around her body. The wind was blowing around her and rustled the leaves in the trees. It was quiet, except for the occasional bird tweeting about. Tracey looked around, but her face fell when there was no sign of anyone.
She pulled the cloak again and took a step to leave when she felt someone grab her sides. She let out a piercing scream as she jumped in the air. She whipped around to see a laughing brunet man. She glared and smacked his arm.
"Bucky! That wasn't funny!"
"Oh come on, darling," Bucky said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to him. "It was pretty funny."
"You're a pain," she said, rolling her eyes.
The man only grinned and leaned his head down and kissed her. "You love me."
"I do," she said, blushing lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Unfortunately."
"Who would have thought that a princess would be in love with me," he said, smiling down at her. "I must be pretty good looking if that's happening."
"Oh don't get a big head," she said, pushing him away. "You're not that good looking."
"Hmm, if I recall yesterday you were telling me about how much you loved my eyes, smile, need I go on?" he asked, a shit eating grin on his face as a pout grew on the blonde's face. He kissed her. "You're adorable."
"Oh be quiet," she said. "Stop!" she squealed when he tickled her sides. "You're such a pain!"
"Do we have to go through this again?" he asked, kissing her neck. "Because I don't mind proving that you think I'm good looking again. Or we can go to that meadow we found the other day."
"The meadow sounds good," Tracey said, grinning up at him.
"Well then, let me escort you there m'lady," he said, holding his hand out for her. He grinned and grabbed her hand when she reached out to link arms. He pulled her along, smiling brightly as she laughed as they ran through the forest.
ooOOoo
"You're beautiful," Bucky said, as he laid next to Tracey with his body looming over hers. He ran his fingers across her forehead as he brushed a blonde lock out of the way. He smiled down at her as he looked into her brown eyes. His eyes glanced from her eyes down to her lips. Leaning down he brushed his lips against hers. "I love you, Tracey."
The princess's hands made their way around his neck and into his hair as she smiled up at him. "I love you too, Bucky."
Bucky smiled and pressed his lips to hers again, wrapping his arms around her. He grinned against her lips when he felt her hands trace his chest. "Getting antsy, princess?" he chuckled.
Tracey chewed her cheek as her cheeks turned pink. "Shut up, Barnes."
The pauper grinned at her and reached down, grabbing the hem of his shirt. He chuckled when he saw Tracey's face turn pink when he took it off. The chuckling continued, but with a smirk added, when he caught her eyes lingering on his stomach. "Like what you see?" he asked, raising a brow.
Tracey huffed and craned her neck to give him a kiss. "Shut u-"
"Shut up, Barnes. I know I know," Bucky said, running his nose along her neck. He placed a kiss at her pulse point. "You don't like me talking apparently."
"No," Tracey said, kissing his cheek. "I love it when you talk to me. You're one of the few people who make me feel like a real person and not royalty." She giggled when he placed a kiss at her collar bone.
"Yeah," he said. He kissed her lips one more time before he leaned on his elbows to get a better look at her. "Being royalty must get old fast," he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Bucky, I didn't mean anything against you," Tracey said, quickly eyes going wide. She glared at him when he began to laugh.
"I'm only messing with you," he said, kissing her nose. "What don't you like about being a royal?"
The blonde princess's face grew solemn, her eyes glancing to the grass next to and around them. She took a deep breath, afraid of what the man with her would think. "I'm betrothed to a prince I've never met."
Bucky nodded, pursing his lips. "I know."
"You know?" Tracey exclaimed, her eyes going wide. "How?"
"Steve told me."
"Of course." Tracey sighed, staring up at the man she loved with sad eyes. "I don't want to marry him, Bucky. I want to be with you. You and only you."
"That explains why you're so antsy," he said, a toothy smirk gracing his features. He leaned down closer to her, running his hands along her sides. "Do you mean it when you say you only want me?"
"Yes," Tracey whispered, her stomach fluttering as his hands began to roam her sides and back.
"Good," the dark haired man said, kissing her lightly. "Because I only want you as well." He grinned as she smiled up at him and moved over so he was straddling her waist. "I love you with my entire being. I don't have much, but I would give you the world if I could."
"As long as I'm with you I'm happy," she said, looping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her.
They froze, inches away from lips touching, when they heard horses galloping. It was getting closer and closer, the rhythmic thumps of their hooves against the ground. Bucky scrambled off of Tracey, grabbing his shirt and her hand to pull her up in the process. Their eyes widened when they saw two royal guards ride up to them.
"Steve! Coulson!" Bucky said, greeting the two with a large smile. "How are you two?"
"Save it, Barnes," Coulson said, jumping off his horse. He stood in front of the younger man and eyed the princess next to him then the man himself. "It's a bit cold don't you think?" he asked, raising a brow at the shirt in his hands.
Bucky pursed his lips in a tiny, amused smile as he shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Are you cold?" He held out his shirt. "Do you want to borrow my shirt?"
"Hilarious." Coulson turned to the blonde female. "Your Majesty, you need to come back with us. Your parents request your presence. Prince Dave has arrived."
Tracey's eyes widened and her heart sank. She quickly stowed her emotions away and nodded her head with a small smile. "Of course." She stepped around the pauper, brushing her hand against his as she walked by.
Bucky stared at her as she climbed onto the horse behind Steve. The brunet man made eye contact with the blond guard. He pursed his lips as he nodded at the guard before they rode off. His face fell as he watched her go. Go and get married to another man. That man never being him.
ooOOoo
"Are you enjoying the party?" Dave whispered in Tracey's ear as they greeted guests in the hall. He placed a hand around her waist, pulling her close to him. "Be sure to smile. I don't want a queen who looks like she's at a funeral every day."
"Oh I'm so sorry," Tracey spat. "I'll be sure to look happy for you every day."
Dave frowned at the princess. He squeezed her side causing her to let out a small squeak of pain. "I'd watch it if I were you."
Tracey frowned at the ground. Ever since meeting Dave it has been nothing but horrible. The prince is, for lack of better words, an asshole. Since they were alone he treated her like nothing. Like dirt. He put her down. Criticized her on everything. The way she dressed. The way she ate. And now the way she looked. She hated him already.
"Excuse me," she said, slipping out of his hold. "I need some fresh air."
"Good, it might do you some good," Dave scoffed as he walked over to some of his kingdom's guards.
Outside the cool wind blew against her face. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the fresh, cold air. Looking up the stars twinkled in the nearly black sky and the pale moon floated overhead. Turning her gaze downward she could see the tree line to the forest a few yards away from the castle walls. The forest where she first met Bucky. She had snuck out of the palace in desperate need of time to herself. She had been walking through the trees for a while realizing she was lost. It wasn't until she came upon a meadow with a young man lying among the wild flowers. She had been startled by the sight, not expecting to see anyone out here. But the way he offered to help her, how he treated her like a person, she was happy. Granted he didn't realize she was the princess until they reached outside of the forest and Steve happened to be riding by. Even after finding out the truth, Bucky didn't look at her any differently.
Oh how she wished she was in that meadow right now, lying next to her dark haired pauper as they gazed up at the stars.
"You okay?"
Tracey turned around and smiled when she saw her brother walking out onto the balcony with her. "Hi, Barry."
"I'm going to take a guess that you don't like Dave and that you wish you were with Bucky," the male twin said, smiling brightly at his sister.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked, rolling her eyes as she leaned against the railing.
"Yes. Plus the smile you've been wearing all night has been force. It's never forced when you greet new people. But it happened right after you met Dave. Just so you know, I don't like him either. He's pompous and arrogant and I want to punch him in the face."
"Oh thank the lord!" Tracey exclaimed, placing a hand over her heart. "I'm not the only one!"
Barry grinned as he watched his sister look down at the forest again. He nudged her arm with his elbow and smirked at her. "Want to go down there?"
"To the forest?" the female twin asked, raising a brow. She shook her head. "Barry, you know I can't. Especially not with the party going on."
"I don't care. I'm helping you run away," he said, a mischievous smile growing on his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Sharon has a bag of clothes waiting for you in your room. Steve is going to help you get out of the castle walls. Everything will work out if you just follow my lead," he said, taking her arm and looping it through his. "Look ill," he whispered before they exited the balcony.
The two walked back into the party, Barry leading the way out of the room. He told Coulson to tell their parents that Tracey wasn't feeling well and proceeded to take Tracey through the castle and to her room. Outside the door he smiled and gave his sister a hug.
"Good luck. I love you, Trace."
Tears pricked at the corners of Tracey's eyes as she smiled up at her twin brother. She flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. "Thank you. I love you too, Barry. I'll miss you."
ooOOoo
The scene was all too familiar. Tracey standing outside the forest line. Pulling her cloak tightly around her as the wind blew. The leaves rustling as the night air moved about. Only this time instead of birds chirping an owl hooted overhead. And then there was Steve standing with her.
She looked up at the guard. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because Bucky is my best friend. Before I was a guard for your family he and I grew up together. I just happened to come here. He didn't want that life so he stayed behind. I want him to be happy and I want you to be happy. You're both my friends. I may serve your parents, but I'm doing this because I care about you two and I believe it's the right thing."
Tracey smiled and quickly hugged the guard. "Thank you, Steve."
"At your service, Tracey," he said, hugging her back and repeating the goofy line he would always say to her whenever she thanked him.
"I hope you're not stealing her from me," Bucky said, walking up the two. He grinned widely as he neared them and broke out into a run. Reaching Tracey he grabbed her and spun her in the air. "My lord," he breathed as he set her down, "I'm so glad to see you again." He turned to Steve and smiled at him. "Thank you, Steve."
"Get over here," the blond guard said, pulling his best friend into a hug. "You take care of her, do you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Bucky said, a mock serious expression on his face as he saluted. He watched as his best friend jumped onto the back of his horse and rode off to the castle before he turned to the blonde woman next to him. He grabbed her face and smashed his lips onto hers. "I love you, Tracey."
"I love you too, Bucky," she said, practically jumping on him in her excitement as she kissed him again.
She was beyond happy. She was with her pauper and she was going to be happy. She was going to live a life without being expected to be a certain way every day. And she was going to spend it with the man she loved.
Thank you to the anon for the prompt and I'm so so so sorry that it took me so long to write this! I loved the prompt, truly, but I couldn't figure out how I wanted it to play out. Then I saw the gif of Sebastian Stan from Gossip Girl where he's picking up his shirt and I'm like, I'm gonna work with this and incorporate this into this story somehow. Anyways I hope you liked it!
If you'd like to ask the Avengers, Madison twins, and anyone else in the tower like Rhodey, Pepper, Sharon, Darcy, Jane, and Betty, feel free to leave a message on my tumblr. Also if you have any prompts for Life at the Tower/AUs, feel free to message me on tumblr, PM me here, or leave it in a review.
My tumblr is winter-is-ending
Thank you for the love you guys!