Forcing Bucky to talk is not at all what he wants to do but Bucky is right. Steve isn’t sure where to step. There could be proverbial land mines all over their conversations for the next few months and Steve needs to know where to step.

It’s best, then, to start from the beginning, after he’s rescued their dinner from the floor to the coffee table. There still within Penny’s reach, but at least she might be better behaved now that they’re slightly more guarded. Steve takes his time unwrapping a burger. He flattens out the paper and carefully uses his thumbs to split the sandwich into two pieces. He’s buying time. He knows that. It’s just awkward to ask.

“You told me they were sending you in assignment. That was more than six months ago. You said there might be black out conditions... but what happened? You were hurt.” He can see it. Bucky still isn’t using his other hand. Not even to help with the food.