You should. [Bucky huffs, sighing softly.] You should think about yourself, I mean.

[He'd be upset if Mettaton got hurt. He only wishes Mettaton would show himself a little bit more care, but he knows that's the cat calling the kettle black. He does it, too. Jumps without thinking first.]

It's alright. You still can, you know.

[He glances over, winking playfully.]

There's no expiration dates on birthday gifts.

[Bucky almost, almost, mentions Steve before he catches himself. It's just not something he's used to keeping to himself. Steve's been his friend his whole life, but it isn't fair, to anybody, to bring him up right now. Mettaton is trying to make this work between them and Bucky doesn't want to screw it up.]

Would've been better if I'd gotten to see you.

[And he means that, too. If only the mirrors and events and his own issues didn't get in the way.]