He'd spent so much time trying to convince himself that Steve would have been better off without him dragging him down, burdening him, endangering him, disappointing him with his inability to be all that he was, that he hadn't considered that Steve had needed him almost as badly. Or more, because at least Steve could remember what they'd lost.
Bucky kissed back like it was a promise and an apology, trying to convey every intention of never letting Steve have to live without him again. "You don't have to, not anymore," he spoke between brushes of lips, fingers burying deeper in Steve's hair. "I'm here now. You have me."