Idk if you’re still taking prompts, but #23, with Sarah and Bucky? 💙
Okay so whoever asked for this, here it is. A #23 "You don't have to love me" arranged marriage Sarah x Bucky story! It's sort of fluffy with some historical liberties taken.
Warning: Period-typical racism, mentions of slavery, colorism, slight angst. Not graphic, I promise.
“You don’t have to love me.”
That’s what Bucky told the widow Sarah when he proposed to marry her in order to save her family’s wealth.
Sam went to fight the war and did not come back. Two white men, one blonde and one brunette came bearing her brother’s belonging and the bad news. The Wilsons made their fortune by purchasing land and renting it to tenant farmers as well as building a port where many docked their boats and built their businesses. Since they were one of the few black entrepreneurs that had fair pricing for colored people many moved to the small fishing town and flourished. With her husband dead and her brother now gone, she was the sole heir to the lands and port that many free people of color and other minorities who lived outside of New Orleans used as their homes and to work.
Her father was blind, and her mother was old, she also had two little sons she bore for Cassius, so she had to bear the responsibility of maintaining the property that the tenants lived in and the shipyard alone. Yet there were those who decided not to be so cooperative with her even though throughout their whole lives the Wilsons had always been helpful, generous landlords. She was just a woman after all and a dark-skinned woman at that. Who could she complain to if they didn’t pay on time or at all? Some of the bolder men had the gall to court her in the hopes of getting the Wilson wealth for themselves. Sarah knew bullshit when she saw it and refused to be bullied into submission. She hired men to help her intimidate the unruly tenants into paying and she firmly slammed the door on her suitors, but they were persistent, and she knew she couldn’t keep up the intimidation. She needed a permanent solution.
Captain Steve Rogers and Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes offered to stay and help her. She was appreciative but wary, never liking to rely too heavily on white men; she feared the price of being in their debt might be too high. Steve eventually had to leave to meet and marry his sweetheart but promised to return if ever needed. However, James or Bucky as he liked to be called, remained and asked for nothing. Every morning he would show up, quiet and polite, asking what she needed done that day. It was strange for her to order a white man around, but he showed no embarrassment nor annoyance. The only time he was upset was when someone bothered her and then could she see a flash of aggression.
It was when Bucky had to literally throw the sixth suitor out on his ass from her door that he finally made the offer.
“If we marry, you and your family can continue running the business and if anyone has a problem with it then they can answer to me.” He explained quietly on the porch late that night.
“But why would you do that?” She demanded to know. “How do I know you won’t just take everything my family worked for and keep it for yourself? This all belongs to my boys, and I don’t want a white man taking it from them!”
“Sam, Steve and I went through hell together in that war and I can’t tell you how many times your brother saved my hide. We all thought we were going to make it, but damn it we couldn’t fight against the malaria. The fucking doctor didn’t want to treat blacks so I had to press the musket into his back and made him treat him.” He recalled his anger bleeding through his blue eyes. “I can’t bring Sam back and I wish we’d fought harder to bring his body home. I know Steve has a bride sailing for him, but I got nothing; no home, no family, and I want to do right by my friend. If you want to make sure your boys inherit everything then make a contract and I’ll gladly sign it. I mean to be honorable to you Sarah. You don’t have to love me.”
Honestly it would solve all her problems and then some. Having a husband was useful. Having a white husband was a golden opportunity. “Would you expect me to….” She gestured vaguely between them.
“I’d never force you.” He replied quickly. “When and if you want to. I can wait.”
“But then what are you getting out of this?”
Bucky’s gaze turned soft, then shrugged. “I don’t have a home, no real place to rest my head. Steve and I also want to start our own business. Sam had offered us a place in the dock to begin which was mighty generous of him. It’s only right to return his kindness with kindness.”
It was almost too good to be true and she spoke to her parents about it. They were suspicious, but the contract put them at slight ease. Darlene finally mused, “Make sure the contract is thorough, child. So far he’s been kind and he’s easy on the eyes to be fair. You could do worse.”
With her parent’s blessing she married Bucky and the whole neighborhood could not stop talking about it. Plaçage allowed wealthy white men to have left-handed marriages with girls born among the free people of color. However, these girls were mixed race, light skinned and beautiful, and the marriages were not legally recognized and lasted until the white man settled down with a proper wife. A few became common-law marriages, but the man was legally recognized as a bachelor. This? A white man legally marrying a widowed black woman? Unbelievable! The church questioned them, but they remained firm and signed their names in the church marriage registry.
Sarah Barnes-Wilson now had everything under control. The tenants and workers listened to her and paid their rent on time. All Bucky had to do was knock the shit out of one unruly fishmonger with his metal arm to terrify the meanest to submission. The arm also got tongues wagging. He lost it during the war and a wealthy but crazy inventor named Stark made him the amazing metal contraption he had now. Most prosthetic arms were useless; this one supported weight, flexed its fingers and punched through walls. Yet never did he raise it towards her or her family.
Once Steve and his new bride Margaret arrived, both men started their trading business. Bucky never asked a cent from his wife and used all his own to get it up and running. Sarah offered them the space on her dock for free, but Steve wouldn’t hear of it. He was gentlemanly towards her, and his wife was sweet. She had never done business with such a stubborn pair of honorable men, and it eased her mind to know that whatever shenanigans took place it wouldn’t come from them.
They went into town a lot more frequently. Bucky walked besides Sarah wherever they went, openly treating her as his wife and glared at anyone who had a problem with it. By this time his incredible strength was known, and no one dared confront him. So long as it didn’t bring further reprisals or hurt their investments, it was fine.
Alexander John and Lil’ Cass were wary about their mother’s new husband. They had observed him while he maintained the house and surrounding property, sneakily following him like curious kittens. Usually, stories of stepfathers weren’t happy ones, but Bucky was patient and Sarah marveled at how soft he was when finally the boys felt comfortable enough to speak to him.
“What happened to your arm?” Cass asked timidly.
“A cannonball ripped it clean off and I don’t remember much else. It took a long time to get use to this one.”
“Does it hurt?” The older boy asked.
“Sometimes my shoulder aches when I take it off at night. I use hot towels to ease the pain.” He revealed.
Both the boys gaped in wonder that it could come off. “Do you like our mother? Is that why you married her?”
Bucky glanced over at Sarah who tried to appear busy hemming a shirt for him. “Yeah I like your mother fine but the reason we got married is because I wanted to help and because I have no family.”
The youngest boy realized something. “You’re lonely?”
“I was but you two are doing a good job of making me feel less lonely.”
The boys preened, pleased, and Bucky smiled back. Sarah had to fight down her own.
“When do we call you dad?”
“Um….” He glanced at his wife awkwardly and she looked back unsure. “…you can call me your father when you feel you’re ready to. There’s no rush, alright? Until then you can call me Uncle Bucky.”
The boys agreed and from then on they followed Bucky confidently, learning from him things their true father would’ve taught them.
Darlene and Sarah watched one day as he taught them how to manage a horse.
“He’s good with the boys. That’s a blessing.” The older woman commented.
“I keep waiting for him to lose patience or get angry with them, but it hasn’t come yet.” Sarah admitted. “He’s not what I expected.”
“And he’s been kind to you. He still sleeps in the spare room.” Darlene glanced at her. “Has he tried anything?”
She glanced over at her husband who caught her gaze and gave her a kind smile and a small one graced her lips, which seemed to please him. “No, except…”
“He brought a flower and tucked it behind my ear.” She admitted, flushing.
Her mother shrugged. “Oh. Well, best check on lunch.” She said turning back inside. “Your father may be blind but he certainly knows how to put the fork in his mouth. Go get your boys. They’ll be hungry soon.”
“Yes, all three of them.” She gestured towards the field.
She turned back to said boys, befuddled. In the months since they married, Bucky had been a perfect gentleman towards her. The only time he’d touched her was to seal their marriage with a kiss and good Lord what a kiss. He had cupped her chin and wet his lips before kissing her breathless. The way his mouth slanted against hers, hot and seeking left her trembling and her head spinning. She had to fight the incredible impulse to pull him back for another one. Since then, he hadn’t so much as taken her hand and even though she could hear his footsteps at night he never knocked the door and begged entry. Was it wrong to admit even to herself that she wanted him to ask? Was it wrong that for the first time she felt the pangs of lust?
Cassius and Sarah had gotten married because their parents approved of the arrangement. Both came from emerging wealth, and they wanted to acquire more. Money spared their families from the worst parts of Louisiana and allowed them to help their communities during hard times. The young couple had been kind and polite to each other. Mutual affection and respect grew as they found some things in common. She safely delivered their precious sons, and they were utterly devoted to their care. They were happy and content in their relationship. Did she love Cassius? Yes. She was fortunate that her husband had been a good man and yet his kiss never inflamed her like Bucky’s did. She never ached to be touched before. He would smile at her, his blue eyes bright and she’d want to swoon.
Bucky told her that she didn’t have to love him but what could she do if it was happening anyway?
Cecilia Chapelle was one of the many beauties of mixed race who lived comfortably as the mistress of a wealthy white man who adored her. She had a beautiful French accent, had gorgeous dresses and her two sons attended the finest schools in Paris. As such it made her the loudest voice in town and when her eyes fell upon Sarah and Bucky with their boys one day looking for furniture she decided to chat.
“I heard you married a white man and I almost didn’t believe it, but there he is right before my eyes.” Cecilia said as they watched Bucky talk to the carpenter about the size of the new bed for AJ who was clearly excited about it. “He’s quite pretty. Well done, Miss Sarah.”
Sarah blushed modestly. “I didn’t do anything to…well…He asked and to be honest he’s been so good to everyone in the house. The boys adore him and he’s very gentle with them.”
“Is he gentle with you? He must be, the way you look at him.”
She didn’t want to admit that they hadn’t consummated their marriage, especially not to her! She’d tell everyone! “It’s not what I expected. But what about you? How are your sons?”
The woman smiled faintly. “They’re finishing up in Paris and then they’ll be heading towards Lili Belle Plantation.”
“Wait, the big house?” Sarah was stunned. “So you mean the stories were true?”
The story was that Cecilia was being paid a grotesque amount of money by her sons’ father and his proper white wife for them to adopt her sons. She was quarteron and her boys were so fair that they were often mistaken for white. Their father needed heirs since he had none, and his wife needed sons else the marriage would end up annulled and she’d be returned to her family in disgrace. The catch was that Cecilia could never see them again for as long as the other wife lives. The woman’s pride would not tolerate them having two mothers, plus it would hinder their legitimacy. The boys were preteens when they left for Paris and would return grown, under the guise of being distant orphan cousins that have been found and adopted to the childless couple. It was far-fetched, but it was enough for the Louisiana elite to deem them acceptable.
“It’s a fair trade.” Cecilia said firmly, broking no argument. “I have more money than I could ever need and my sons will never have to fear the slave auction. Besides the woman is frail; how long will she truly live?”
While Miss Chapelle’s voice was strong, her eyes told a different story and when the Barnes-Wilsons went back home, Sarah kissed and hugged her boys long and hard that night.
“What’s wrong? What did she say to upset you?” Bucky asked when he found her sitting outside on the wrap around porch that night.
“You’ll never know the fear of the auction. The sound of people screaming and crying not to be separated from their loved ones; their children.” She took a breath. “I’d do anything to keep AJ and Cass as far away from that as possible…If I ever lost them to that I’d die.”
Bucky instantly went to her side and grabbed her shoulders as she tried to brush the tears from her eyes. “Nothing will ever happen to those boys so long as I’m alive. If anyone so much as looks at them wrong I’d kill them, I promise you.”
“Cecilia just gave up her boys entirely. How could a mother do that? And yet I understand.” Sarah leaned against him, murmuring on his shoulder. “But I don’t know if I’d ever have the strength to do it. Nine months I carried them. I suffered and ached to give them life.”
“You’re a good woman and a good mother. Of course, you love your children and of course you want what’s best for them.” He smiled faintly at her. “Miss Cecilia made a tough choice. All I can promise you is that if a tough choice comes around at least you’ll have me to share the burden.”
She looked at him, touched and confused by his sincerity. “Bucky, I don’t understand you. You marry me, you protect my family as if we’re your own flesh and blood, and you ask for nothing but a bed and a warm meal. Why? Surely you want a little more for yourself?”
Suddenly the hands on her shoulders wrapped around her waist and pulled her firmly into his arms. Her breath caught at the realization of how very close they’d gotten. His blue eyes were so soft and warm looking at her that her gaze darted elsewhere, landing on his well-shaped lips.
“When I know you’re ready, maybe then I’ll ask for a little more.” He replied.
A gentleman to a fault, but tonight she needed more. Cupping her husband’s face, she kissed him back.
Bucky was stunned, but quickly melted at the softness of her lips and his tongue darted in, teasing her. She yielded, her mouth parting, urging him onward.
The whining cry pierced the air, souring the budding romantic atmosphere. Sarah and Bucky drew apart and listened as the boys shouted at each other. Soon the stern voices of Paul and Darlene joined them.
“Duty calls.” She replied with an apologetic smile. It didn’t bother her though if anything it comforted her that AJ, Cass and her parents were safe and loved.
He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Yup. After you.” He gestured towards the door, then followed her to help smooth the mess over.
Although the romantic interlude was interrupted it didn’t fade. Miss Cecilia told the entire town that the Barnes-Wilsons were “so in love” and it wouldn’t be long before the Wilson boys ended up with a few siblings soon. People now wondered why they’d never suspected but of course it was obvious that they were in love.
Sarah wished somebody had told her that sooner! Bucky had only ever done things that pleased her and avoided her when he could not be on his best behavior. Not once had he looked at another woman, he’d always complimented her before anyone else. Plus the way he looked at her made her heart flutter like nothing else had. Often now she liked to hold his hand or sit on the porch swing with his arm around her shoulder. It was divine, but there lay between them a desire for more.
One day she went into his room to bring in his fresh laundry when she noticed a familiar metal box. Before Sam went to participate in the battle, she had splurged and given him a miniature portrait of herself and their mother framed in thin metal that could be folded and easily tucked into a breast pocket. It was one Sam’s belongings that had not been returned. Apparently Bucky had kept it for himself. Incensed at his thievery of such an intimate gift, Sarah picked it up, and noticed that it was damaged. A side of it looked like it had been hit with a musket ball and completely damaged the little portrait of her mother, but hers was still intact. It was right next to the bed where he could see it every day so he couldn’t say that it had been misplaced.
Bucky walked into his room and saw a furious Sarah holding the miniature portraits. “Oh boy.” He muttered to himself.
She glared at him, clutching the little picture to her chest. “This was Sam’s. I had it made for him before he left. Why did you steal this?”
“I don’t know how to explain this without it sounding…crazy.”
“Try.” She snapped, hurt by the theft.
The unhappiness in her eyes wounded him and he had to be honest. “It wasn’t that I stole it. I never touched it until after Sam passed away. When he first showed it to me I saw your face and your eyes were so beautiful and your smile was just sweetest thing I’d ever seen. There was so much ugliness in the battlefield and just seeing you was enough for me to sleep. Sometimes he’d prop it up and leave it open overnight and I’d just look at you. When Sam died, we put all his stuff in the satchel and…I couldn’t bear parting with it.”
Sarah almost didn’t want to believe him except that he blushed furiously and looked around awkwardly like a boy caught stealing. “Bucky do you love me?”
“I think…yes. I love you.” He stepped closer to her and laid his hands over hers. “I know I said you didn’t have to love me, but I made no such promise.”
He was so close to her now and his hands felt like so good on hers. They were also in his room, alone with no one to disturb them. They were husband and wife after all, they can be as close as they pleased. “You married me because you loved me.” She realized and when he nodded her stomach clenched in excitement. Leaning over she kissed him and he wrapped her in his arms. This time his hands wandered, stroking the length of her back before cupping her ample backside causing her to moan sweetly against his lips.
“Bucky.” She whimpered when his lips traveled down to cover her throat in kisses.
“Do you consent?” He breathed against her pulse.
“Yes, husband, yes.” She sighed as pleasure unlike any she’d ever known licked through her body.
“SARAH!” Darlene’s voice pierced the air. “Where are you? We’re not done with the sewing!”
The disappointment was palpable, and Bucky groaned, pulling back. Sarah was equally as miffed and visibly pouted.
“I’m coming, Momma!” She called out as she tugged at her dress. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. We have tonight…at least I think we do. Do we?” He asked tentatively, not wanting her to feel pressured even though he was burning for more.
She beamed and nodded gently. “We do.”
The day moved like molasses, and everyone seemed to be reluctant to go to bed. Bucky had helped with some heavy merchandise and now his left shoulder ached. Sarah took the initiative and brought a basin of hot water with some towels to his room. She waited patiently as he took off the metal arm and winced faintly at the frightening popping sound it made before it came free. Asking him to take off his linen nightshirt and doing a terrible job of not noticing how fit her husband’s body was, she coaxed him to sit in bed where she began to put a freshly heated, damp towel over the sore muscles of his back and shoulders.
Bucky sighed in relief at the heat as it spread pleasantly through his overused physique. Usually, he’d do this himself but the sensation of his wife touching his bare skin was such a dream come true that he didn’t want it to end.
Her fingers glided over the ropes of steel that ran under his skin and marveled at it. When did this transformation occur where once she feared his strength and now she longed to feel it above her and inside? Her body fluttered and she caressed his sides.
“Sarah, I told you that I loved you.” He rumbled. “Do you think you perhaps might love me?”
“When I married my first husband it took time for our affection to grow. I thought that was normal. But then I met you and even though I grew up fearing men like you it didn’t stop my heart from aching to know you.” She leaned down and pressed her lips to his warm, damp shoulder. “And your kiss. My God your kiss.”
“Without knowing, without trying, I fell for you.” She wrapped her arms around him, hugging from the back. “I didn’t have to love you, but I do.”
Bucky grinned broadly then turned around so he could kiss her, then grabbing her around her waist, easily dragged her around to sit on his lap. Sarah gasped but once settled went back to kissing him. Still in her nightgown and bayan, she shivered when he loosened the robe, then coaxed her on her feet so he could take it off properly. Feeling like a new bride all over again, she allowed her husband to undress her. She was as naked as a newborn, but Bucky stared at her as if he’d just seen a goddess. Reaching out for him, she pulled him down with her down to the bed.
Despite having only one arm, he was a wonderful lover. He bathed her in his kiss, hot and wet, his hand caressed her finding that secret pleasure spot that she didn’t know she had until she was moaning breathlessly. His body felt so good and she adored the reaction when her fingers glided over his muscles, down to his hips and caressed his length.
“Sarah.” He moaned and she loved how soft his features became as she stroked him. Maneuvering herself underneath him, she parted her thighs and guided him in. Cassius had been large and Bucky proved to be the same, so the stretch and burn as he slid himself into her silky warmth felt familiar and comforting. Yet he felt totally different as he made love to her in a slow and tender then a steadier pace.
Their lips sough each other and she couldn’t keep her hands to herself, he was just too handsome not to touch. He seemed to appreciate it, groaning and murmuring heated words to her.
“Sarah…..sweetness…” He moaned against her plump lips as their rhythm picked up and he drove into her with greater need, he pressed his hips against her mound and a shock of pleasure almost made her shout. He grinned wickedly, pleased. Dipping down, he sought and consumed a breast, teasing each one until she whimpered.
“Bucky please, darling…” Tunneled her hands through his hair as the sinful pleasure took control and slowly drove her mad. It seemed to go one yet ended too soon for them as they surged deeper, and harder, the bed squeaking gently with their passion, until her leg legs clutched around his hips and they both shuddered, the climax rendered them breathless, then they gasped when it finally released them and they sagged apart, sated and weak.
“That was lovely.” She sighed contently. “Is your shoulder alright?”
Bucky faintly smiled. “My shoulder is grand. It isn’t a chore making love to you, wife.”
“Then can we do it again?” Fighting down a blush at her audacity.
He chuckled and leaned over to kiss her good and proper. “As my wife wishes.”
Things were good between them before, now they were much better. The next day he moved into the master bedroom with Sarah and Darlene only lifted a brow, but at her daughter’s smile she realized it was alright and didn’t ask. Paul may be blind, but his hearing was keen.
“Huh, maybe we’ll have granddaughters to even out the boys.” He muttered, not displeased.
AJ and Cass were blissfully unaware of their parents’ budding passions and went about being content boys. They went to school and followed their stepfather learning how to run the family business. As of yet they hadn’t called him anything but Uncle Bucky until-
“DAD! Someone is coming!” Cass cried out excitedly. AJ looked at his brother, shocked and the smaller boy clapped a hand over his mouth. “Is that okay?”
The couple were equally as surprised, and he swooped down to pick Cass up and give him a hug. “More than okay. Thank you, son.”
Sarah squinted and then shrieked when she saw who was coming. “Sam?? SAM!!” She ran down the porch and Sam jumped off his cart to meet her halfway. Gathering his sister in his arms, he swung her around as if they were children.
It was a miracle and soon the whole house was in an uproar as they marveled at the return of their son and brother. Sam explained that it hadn’t been malaria but yellow fever, but he’d fallen to unconsciousness and the doctor claimed he was dead. Dragged to be buried in a mass grave with other victims of the disease he had been abandoned where he had been found by good people who realized that he was still alive. They had nursed him back to health, but by the time he recovered everyone had gone and he had little means to come back home.
“Well why didn’t you write? Tell us what happened? I would’ve gone to get you.” Bucky protested.
“I did send letters! Didn’t anyone get them?” Everyone shook their heads. “Dammit.”
“But then what’s with the loaded cart and horse? How’d you get that?” Darlene asked.
Sam grinned. “I met with some Quakers who helped me earn some money and of course you know how I work.”
Sarah snorted. Her brother could sell ice to Eskimos and his cart had been loaded with goods from all parts of the Americas. He was glad that all his effects were returned to his family and didn’t even seem too shocked about Bucky and his sister’s marriage.
“You always had that look on your face when you saw her portrait.” He explained with a smug smile. “I wondered what your intentions were and I’m glad that they were honorable.”
Bucky smiled at his wife who beamed modestly. “She deserves nothing less.”
The news spread around town that Sam Wilson had returned from the dead. Many people were astounded by his good luck. Steve and his wife quickly rode to the Wilson house to see for himself and embraced his friend warmly, apologizing for having abandoned him. Sam forgave them both. How could they know? It didn’t matter, everything worked out perfectly in the end.
Things were better for the Wilsons, the Barnes-Wilsons and the Rogers. Business began to flourish as trades never stopped. Bucky now had money to offer to build Sarah their own home since Sam would inherit the family property and likely start his own family. She and her boys were excited at the prospect of something new.
“How many formal bedrooms do we want, love?” He asked as they surveyed the field that would be their home. AJ and Cass ran around claiming the spots their bedrooms would be.
“Five would be ideal.” She mused with a secret smile. “One for us, two for the boys and one for guests.”
He made a face. “Your math is off. There’s still one room.”
“You’re right, my darling. We’ll leave that one for the baby.”
Bucky looked at her from head to toe, surprised. “Sarah!”
“Why are you so surprised? What do you think happens when a man and woman get together?” She teased, her smile a mile wide, then shrieked with glee when he swept her off her feet.
He kissed her long and hard, clutching her tight in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him just as passionately. They then told the boys who jumped in excitement at the prospect of a brother or sister. The day was perfect, and their future looked to be a good one.
