[ Sucking in a breath, hope bloomed so quickly and fiercely through Steve it almost crippled him in the intensity of it. He wanted so badly to believe his Bucky stood in front of him filled with recognition and far more peace than he saw earlier.

Who the hell is Bucky?

The words still clung to every corner of his mind and he couldn't let them slip through his fingers no matter how he wanted to try. What could he do? He wanted so desperately to help Bucky just like the man always did for him in the past. Without Bucky he wouldn't have made it to even receive the serum but he couldn't even protect him for a single moment.

What kind of friend did that make him?

Letting out the breath, he nodded his head. This Bucky had arrived from much earlier in the timeline. How, though? His eyebrows crinkled as he tried to remember the mission Bucky rattled off but he couldn't recall it. How could he not remember? ]

I had to make sure you weren't a trick to try and trap me. [ He winced and shook his head quickly. ] I've got a lot to tell you but we have to get somewhere safe first. If anyone sees you - there's kind of a kill order on your head. Look, I'll explain, just come with me, alright?