From what Steve remembers, Bucky had kept talking to a minimum during their encounters. He'd barely said a word the first time, and the second time -- well, he'd been a lot more out of control, yelling in frustration as he'd come at Steve with all he had. He'd protested Steve's claims too, but now Steve realizes that's because his conditioning had been in the process of unraveling.

Normally the joke on Bucky's part would be enough to at least get a humorless smile out of Steve, but not this time. He glances up when Bucky parrots back words that Steve has told him time and time again, nodding slowly. "No, it doesn't make it any easier."

It's probably pointless to be this contrary when Bucky is only trying to help. Steve huffs out a breath and then drags a hand through his hair. "We're both just giant messes, aren't we?" Try as he might to always be strong, right now he feels as brittle as he had before the serum. Like the slightest amount of pressure would break his bones.