[He's patient--quiet while Bucky searches for words. Steve does his work efficiently and well--pulling the bullets out and closing up the wounds with neat stitches learned during wartime, then bandaging up the spot.

Steve's heart is pounding. He has Bucky, for these few sweet moments, but he's so close to losing him again.]

I don't want to lose you again.

[His voice shakes, just the tiniest bit.]

But if... [His voice breaks, and he has to pull his hands back because of how they're shaking.] If what you need... is to go... [He takes a deep, shuddering breath, then steels himself. This is not about him. This is about Bucky.] If you need time on your own, then I won't stop you. You need to be able to make your own choices, and figure out who you are, and I won't... I won't interfere with that.