[A tall order and one Rumlow suspected was impossible. It took regular soldiers years to deprogram from what the military ingrained in them, he couldn't imagine how long it would take to change someone like him. Bucky said he could keep what was him, but where was that line? What part of Rumlow was HYDRA and what part wasn't? He didn't know. He'd lived too long within its confines to really understand the difference.

He knew what Bucky was trying to accomplish, but Rumlow didn't think it wise. Not only was the training HYDRA gave him important, it was useful, here in Hell. Imperative, if he wanted to build his own organization. The attachment to HYDRA itself, that he could lose, but beyond that, Rumlow didn't want to let go.

Rumlow planted another kiss onto Bucky's temple, both arms wrapped around him now, as if he could keep him safe, keep him grounded. Even if he had been the one to un-tether him in the first place, the last thing Rumlow wanted was for Bucky to be lost in his purpose. They would have to redefine parameters, hoping that would work still.]

I'm not sure there's a lot of me that isn't HYDRA at this point, Bucky. They had me for so many years. I was still a kid when I was brought into the fold.

[Rumlow shut his eyes, staring at the backs of his eyelids.]

But if you're talkin' about breaking the programming that makes it hard for me to tell you how I feel when I wake up and find you there, how goddamn happy you make me, in spite of everything -- that you make me forget ever fucking suffering in my life. Then yeah. I could stand to lose that.

[There was a slight smile about his lips, a fond thought passing through an otherwise tumultuous moment.]

We will make it work. I'd never expect anything to happen overnight, Bucky. I got a lotta patience when it comes to you, котенок.