Bucky knew that things might never be easy, and he knew that one good cry and an internal resolution to stay with Steve wouldn't make things plain sailing. He had lost a lot of who he was and gained sharp edges in return. He felt uncomfortable on the bed as if in a vulnerable position, but he didn't want to move, because right now all of those bad times were in the future and he had Steve next to him.

He snorted when Steve professed love, though he couldn't help the slight twist upwards of his lips again. "Sap," he teased. "Why did you never use those charming lines on the girls, huh? But-- you know I love you too."

Of course he did.

Maybe even in ways that were deemed socially inappropriate. He had worked hard to bury those deep down and be the guy that everyone expected him to be, make sure he danced with the prettiest girls and, hey, if the girls that he preferred had blue eyes of a certain shade then nobody could blame him for that. A fella liked what he liked. He just wanted Steve in his life no matter how.