[Bucky can feel a hot lump at the back of his throat which horrifies him, he hasn't cried since the day they amputated what was left of his arm to keep it from getting infected and he doesn't want to start again now. But somehow Steve has a way of saying just the right thing to dig under his defences.

It's things other people have said; his sister, his counsellors, the people at the VA... but somehow it always seems like an attack when they say it, not so now.]

How can you say that, Steve? I broke your nose, any sane person would be telling you to get the hell out of this relationship faster than you can blink. You really think your friends are gonna be cool with you dating a guy who roughs you up? And even if they are, and even if you are, I'm not fine with being the one to hurt you. Fuck me, Steve, I've fallen in love with you, the last thing I want to do is be the one who hurts you.