A part of Steve, tiny and traitorous, was terrified that Tony was right. The blankness on Bucky's face drove spikes through his heart, and to think that HYDRA might have permanently scooped away the wonderful, brave, charismatic man his best friend had been was an ache in his very soul.

But the rest of him refused to believe it. He still believed in the soul, in God, and Bucky's soul was there. The essence of him. Steve would find a way to help him remember, help him get to safety.

"Real ray of sunshine you are, huh?" He remarked, sardonically. "Maybe you should look for the hope of something better, rather than the darkness of now."