"Around," was the somewhat weak reply - though that was when Sam stood up, and Steve was cut short. Honestly, that was a good thing, because he wasn't entirely sure what he'd tell Bucky. But the truth was, he agreed with Sam - he didn't think telling Bucky the whole truth all at once was a good idea, either.

But first, they might have a situation on their hands. Bucky tensed, dropping into a completely different stance, which had Steve tensing, too, ready to spring out of his chair. But Sam - a smart man - said he was going to find Stark, and left, all calmly, and Steve was never so glad to have another soldier with him as he was when Sam seemed to know and do absolutely the right thing.

Bucky relaxed, and Steve with him. Still, he couldn't really concentrate on his breakfast, so he just set it aside, leaning forward in his chair, elbows on his knees. "Look, the truth is, we don't know exactly where you've been. You've been so hard to find that some people thought you were a ghost story." Okay, all true. "But from what I can tell, you were on ice for most of that time, too." Also true." Our paths just... hadn't crossed before now."

He paused, his expression turning pleading, as guilt washed over him again, threatening to pull him under. "Bucky... God, Bucky, I thought you were dead. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."