[Steve cringes inwardly - so much so that it's probably impressive he didn't cringe physically, too. Way to go, Rogers. He's never been one for subtle, least of all around Bucky, and sometimes... it kind of hinders more than helps, even if he's always been an honest, open guy. Some things, you've just got to approach more carefully, and that's sometimes a challenge.
Especially with regard to Bucky.
But for once, Steve knows when to back off. He doesn't want to - hell no, he really, really doesn't want to - but if he's learned anything from watching Sam Wilson at work, it's that sometimes, barreling right in just isn't the answer. Sometimes, it's a waiting game.
He's willing to wait for Bucky forever, back home. So he's willing to wait forever for Bucky here, too. Even if he knows he isn't going to wait forever before trying to bring this up again. The way he's acting isn't doing Bucky any favors, but pointing out that hey, the war is over for you, too, only rubs his face in something that Steve's already feeling horrible enough about. So for once in his life, he drops it, and just says, carefully - but not patronizingly,]
I never said you were.
[He can pretty much feel the tension radiation off of Bucky; Steve just nudges his shoulder, and doesn't get up, but doesn't say anything else.]
spam!
Especially with regard to Bucky.
But for once, Steve knows when to back off. He doesn't want to - hell no, he really, really doesn't want to - but if he's learned anything from watching Sam Wilson at work, it's that sometimes, barreling right in just isn't the answer. Sometimes, it's a waiting game.
He's willing to wait for Bucky forever, back home. So he's willing to wait forever for Bucky here, too. Even if he knows he isn't going to wait forever before trying to bring this up again. The way he's acting isn't doing Bucky any favors, but pointing out that hey, the war is over for you, too, only rubs his face in something that Steve's already feeling horrible enough about. So for once in his life, he drops it, and just says, carefully - but not patronizingly,]
I never said you were.
[He can pretty much feel the tension radiation off of Bucky; Steve just nudges his shoulder, and doesn't get up, but doesn't say anything else.]