"It's no safer for him here," Steve replied, sounding regretful. If it had just been a case of himself, if he had known that Bucky wanted beyond a shadow of a doubt to remain here undisturbed, then he would have gone back. "These time anomalies, I don't pretend to understand them, but I know they're the work of HYDRA. Whether Bucky is here or there, they'll be able to find him."

He hated this. He knew that Bucky had been through a lot, though the way that the other Steve talked it seemed like maybe his friend had opened up a bit about what had gone on, something he desperately wished that he knew too.

"I don't want to force him to do anything, but he'd be safer back-- I have a friend, Tony, he has a home nobody can break into with all manner of security. Bucky could stay there until he felt safe again, he wouldn't even have to talk to me if he didn't want to."

God, that hurt to say.

"But here? Steve, I know you want what's best for him, that isn't here."