[ Bucky's throat closes tight and he ducks his head, teeth clenched til they ached. He didn't want to believe this, any of it, but Steve wasn't a liar.

Now that he thinks about it, Steve does seem a bit... different. A little worn around the edges, something slightly older in his eyes. ]

Hell, that's not fair at all. [ He chokes it out and runs a hand through his hair. ] I was supposed to be there with you. Protect you forever. I should have been on that plane with you...