Spinning Compass Network

I'm not real good at being all formal and all that so I'm just going to ask:

I'd like both of your blessings to ask Rachel to marry me.

With all that's happened with AJ, and things that happened before I got here, they serve as a reminder that life is insanely short. There isn't a point in waiting to ask the woman I love to marry me if I've decided that's what I want to do. There's no point in pretending that I want to look at other dames, when I don't. There's no reason to waste precious time, when something could happen tomorrow and we could be separated forever.

I can't promise that I can offer her the world, because I can't. But I can offer her all that I have, and all that I am, and I can deliver that easily. I can protect her, and will with my life. Spent most of it protecting Steve Rogers from himself, and most of the bullies in Brooklyn, and I had his back in The War. He thinks I'm capable, so I hope you'd think so too.

But don't get me wrong, this isn't me asking permission. I might not be the smartest cookie on the island, but I'm smart enough to know better than that. You'd tell me no and I'd be plum out of luck. If she'll have me, I'm going to marry her whether you'd give your permission or not.

I'd just feel better about it if we had your blessing. Anyway, thanks.

~Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes, of the 107th, Special Forces: Howling Commandos

Why the hell does this thing say it's 2014?