They were best friends, they spoke their own language and Steve thought that Bucky was the best person in the world. He didn't care about what anyone else was doing, not when they had their games, or listening to the wireless. Sometimes he was so overwhelmed with feelings that he almost did something stupid, something he couldn't come back from. Or said something stupid, something he pushed right down and covered with easy laughs and teasing back and forth. Some secrets were important, kept them safe and kept Bucky from hating him.
His stomach did that little flip it did when Bucky whispered in his ear like that and he hugged him tighter, face pressed even more closely against his neck. They just kind of fit, Steve the perfect height and while there was some inkling he was forgetting something, something incredibly important Bucky was a real distraction. "Never get lost then, never find out," Steve whispered back. Because nothing would ever tear them apart, Steve just knew it.