Steve worries for Buck sometimes, especially when he doesn't text back, but he's figured he's done enough being a mother duck and will let him make his own decisions, even if Steve doesn't necessarily agree with them. He tries to unclench, really, he does, but it's just difficult.

Bucky's been his friend for a century. And he'd always been the strong one, the one with his whole life together and with Steve under his wing.

But every single time Steve does anything, he isn't sure if he's moving them backwards, if any of this is working.

Every time he gets a text after a period of silence, his heart jumps into his throat.

Okay, good. That's great. Did you just come from an appointment?