[Bucky stands still and silent while Stark talks, letting the words wash over him with satisfaction. He’s never come face to face with one of the people directly affected by the Soldier before Stark, and it’s a bitter sort of comfort that even the people who’ve been hurt by him the most (at least the ones still alive) can see that it wasn’t him. Not really. It helps to silence the whispers of guilt that are always there to accuse him of not fighting it hard enough.

Sounds like this is something that Stark needed to get out anyway, like lancing poison from a wound.]

I hate him too.

[It’s simple and quiet in contrast to Stark’s emotional ramble.]

He’s always there, he’s always a threat. He’s the reason I can’t remember my Ma’s name or what my favourite food was, he’s why I can never live a normal life, and he’s the reason I have blood on me that’s never going to clean off. Trust me, Stark, you’re not alone in hating him.

[He falls silent, but only for a second.]

I’m glad you hate him so much. It means if something happens, if I become him again, there’s someone here that’ll do what’s necessary before anyone else gets hurt.

[Because God only knew that Steve wouldn’t.]