That was the thing with getting older, people changed. Steve himself had changed more than most when you considered him in the 1940's, pre serum and before Captain anything. He'd just been a kid looking to draw the world a little prettier than it was. But war had come and war brought responsibility, or that's what it had brought to Steve. Bucky wasn't the James Barnes he'd been back then either, light as anything, quick and sleek like new car itching to get out onto the open road. But time changed them, it changed everything especially when it brought loss. But that didn't mean Steve stopped seeing Bucky as human, a person that things had happened to, his person as much now as ever. Just now with a ridiculous haircut.
They met strength for strength and there was no need to ask, they were from the same place. They were Bucky and Steve. They gripped each other and Steve closed his eyes, like he could put it all back together, that he could unlose and this was the real end of the battle. But things weren't that easy.
As they put some space between them, neither let go, Steve's hand stayed on Bucky's neck like letting go wasn't really something they were ready for yet. Bad things happened when Steve let go. "I mean it's selfish, but sounds about right," Steve agreed. "I'm glad you're here, it's good to see you. Are you hungry?" He squeezed his neck again, that caretaker mode coming all too easily because someone had to, right?