If it weren’t for the fact that Bucky had seen how Steve in particular turns red at the drop of a pin, he likely would have been impressed with how quickly he accidentally caused Peggy to go red-eared. It’s then that he remembers his mouth, forgetting that he probably shouldn’t be so blunt about it. Mixed company and all that. Also times have changed. A lot. But it’s a bit late for that, and Peggy’s already on to prodding that old sore.

Sighing with a huff, he shakes his head at her presumption. “Ain’t saying you don’t care. It’s just. Really complicated and. There’s nothing good about it. At all. I can barely talk to anyone about it as it is without people lookin’ at me like some kinda ghost. That’s just the fact of it. I ain’t playing you on that. Promise.”

He knows she’s sure though. In the same way that Steve is sure, and even if it means that Peggy might slip in the same way that Steve consistently has for the last couple of years, he knows he would feel more guilty to keep the truth from Peggy. Also that he’d likely cave eventually anyway, and if it happened at a later date it wouldn’t be pretty.

“Maybe you should sit down? Hell, I need to sit down. To really talk about it. So.” A shrug follows, trying to ease off the weight of the request as much as possible. Hard to do when gravity drags it down anyway though.