Epilogue

Bucky awoke to the gentle kiss on the forehead from Sam. They had now been together for 2 years. Bucky had moved in with Sam about 3 weeks after they confessed to each other, and had not regretted it one bit. They had been inseparable since the night they started dating each other..

Since the night under the sycamore tree.

Bucky did often feel regret over his actions that day, but, at the same time, it was the very thing that brought him and Sam together, and he was grateful for that. They did everything together, nowadays. Wherever Sam went, Bucky went, and vice versa. They were each other's whole world, and they could not survive without their world.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he heard Sam utter.

God, his nicknames for me never get any better, but they're absolutely adorable, Bucky thought to himself.

"G'morning, m'sunflower. Did'ya sleep oka-?" "The Brooklyn accent's strong this morning, I see," Sam snickered, resulting in a rather flushed Bucky, "it's absolutely adorable, though," he stated, running his fingers though his short, but nevertheless thick hair, "you're absolutely adorable, honey." "Oh, stop it," Bucky chuckled, "you're making me blush." Sam flashed him a warm grin, then suddenly stopped stroking his hair, as he had remembered something.

"Sunflower?"

"Yeah, darlin'?"

"Can we go on a date today? Your choice what we do, but.. at night, I'd like to have a walk across the river. Nobody really goes there, for some reason, despite it being absolutely stunning, so please, don't worry about any sort of crowds there. I'll keep you safe. I always will." Sam planted a gentle kiss upon Bucky's head, then resumed stroking his hair.

"Why'd I ever say no to a date with you, my sunshine? By the way, I was thinking we could maybe just have the date at night. I just wanna lay here in your arms for most of today. They... they're so comforting..."

God, those nicknames he had for him always made him a gushy, loved-up mess, and the way he just wanted to cuddle for most of today...

He was his entire world, and nobody would take his world from him.

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It didn't take too long for both Sam and Bucky to get ready for their date at night. Except Sam did seem rather nervous. While Bucky was looking away, he slipped a small box containing something into the pocket of his jeans, and seemed to be reciting something under his breath.

He cannot fuck this up. He only has one shot. If he fucks it up, he'll-

"Sam? Everything okay, sunflower? Kinda looked like you were spacing out for a bit."

"Y-yeah, I'm alright."

"Well, lead the way, my love."

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The place Sam spoke of was a truly tranquil place. The gentle glow from the moon shone onto the waves of the river. Every so often, a little canoe or yacht would pass by, but other than that, it was completely undisturbed. The few trees in the vicinity rustled with the delicate breeze of the night. It was truly mesmerising.

"This place.. it never fails to charm me.. of course, not as much as you charm me, Buck, but.. it's beautiful.."

Bucky gave a gentle nod, resting his head upon Sam's shoulder as they gazed at the river together. "I-I remember our first walk across this place, a little after the night we confessed to each other. You gave us promise rings, and.. and I said that there was not much point in them, because I already swore to devote my whole life to you from the very moment I first let my eyes lay upon you, and I accidentally made you cry tears of joy from my words.. then we cuddled each other just on the bench right behind us, sharing delicate kisses and spending the date just trying to think of ways to say how much we love each other, and in the end, neither of us really won."

Bucky lifted his head, to show that he was most certainly paying attention to his lover's words. He couldn't help but chuckle at that final sentence, because he was still adamant that infinity + 5 was a real thing, and that Sam's declaration of him loving him infinity + 3 was a bit of an underexaggeration (which, to be honest, it was.. but infinity + 3 and infinity + 5 are not real numbers, and they had to Google that to find that out, before howling from laughter at their rather childish, but loving argument).

"And the infinity argument.. I swear, that just made me fall for you even more. I can't imagine my life without you, Buck. A life without the very sunshine of my life, lighting it up with every smile, every kiss, every hug.. every single thing you do. A life without sunshine? I wouldn't be able to live a life like that, both metaphorically and literally."

He got down on one knee, pulled the box out, opening it, and popped the question he had been dying to ask since day one-

"Will.. will you be my sunshine, 'til the end of time?"

Bucky let out a gentle gasp, before clasping his hands over his mouth as he let tears gush from his eyes endlessly. He simply nodded at Sam, unable to form a sentence due to both shock and the tears asphyxiating him. He did try to say 'yes', but it was rather strained, and a bit incomprehensive. Sam got off his knees, and kissed his fiancee with all of the passion and affection he could muster, before slipping the ring on him. He then held him close as he rested his head on his shoulder again, making his shirt wet from his tears of joy. "I promise you, Bucky.." Sam breathed out, "I will always be beside your side. I'll try to be the best fiancee and, eventually, husband I can be to you, and I will always keep you safe and sound. I love you so much, dear. More than you could ever know."

It was 4 months later that the couple got married. Little did Bucky know, Sam had been saving some money up for a while to contribute to their wedding, and they had the wedding in a forest, as it was something Bucky wanted for their special day. They lay beside each other, 1 day later in bed, lovesick smiles upon both of their faces.

"Bet it feels weird to finally be able to call yourself James 'Bucky' Wilson. Weird, but satisfying, I assume?"

"Yeah," James spoke, with a hushed, half-asleep tone, "but I wouldn't change any of this for the world. Forever, and whatever is beyond that, my love."

"Infinity plus 8."

"Oh, c'mon, don't start this again!"

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The end.