Re: STEVE/BUCKY.
Howard doesn't think things through the same way most people do. At least, the Howard I know doesn't. I don't think this Howard is too different.
He's the kind of guy who's going to read about his death in the future and invent time travel as a solution, or try to and end up running into 12 other new discoveries that may or may not work.
And he's worried about you. He's worried about what happens to you in the future. But he's also very easily distracted, particularly if you're asking him to be honest about his feelings and would rather just flirt with a pretty girl than have to think about anything too heavy.
Also? I think he's more scared of facing his son than he is of you.
You got some cover if you don't to talk to him or think about him for a while. He has plenty to distract himself with. You want me to tell him to give you some space, I can do that, too.