[The moment was heavy. Tenuous. Rumlow wasn't sure which way it would go, but as Bucky spoke, he listened. He understood. He did. There were so many things he could say, reassurances that he could speak. He had never expected it to go like this. Resistance, sure. Shock, yes. This was almost more than he thought he could handle, but just when the worry began to pitch once more, Bucky moved.

He shifted in, pressed it against Rumlow's own and the relief was palpable. He shuddered and sighed, hand moving away from Bucky's wrist to cup his face, pushing into his hair. The lump in his throat refused to move, but Rumlow tried to swallow it anyway.]

You can be whoever you want, Bucky. You don't have to be the asset, don't have to be Bucky Barnes. Just. [He felt himself tensing, still clinging to the protocols that kept him in check.] It fucking sucks, I know. It's an uphill battle that never ends. I still believe in that, I just. I want to start something that doesn't reduce us to this.

[This fragile, broken thing that can be shattered with just the right words. The right action. He wasn't having it. Rumlow wanted stronger bonds. Tighter, something that kept them together that was more than just a cause.]

And I don't want to lose you.