Despite himself, a small smile tugged the corners of Bucky's mouth up. "That's been mentioned, especially by people who know what they're talking about." Deep breath. "Thanks, Peggy."

Then he held his breath, turning to his oldest friend, his eyes glittering a little. Not defiant, no. There was nothing to feel proud and defiant over; it had hurt every step of the way, but she'd been one of the only things holding him together, her, and his refusal to give up on the thought of finding Steve. And he'd not been the only one with a huge gap in his life, the other a lifeline to better times. (He'd only been the one who had to aspire to be good enough for the other, even a little.)

Anything he might say was hard enough, so he went for blunt.

... no, actually, he went for jumping to conclusions.

"I can go away, if you want."