[The suggestion surprises him, and he laughs sharply, rather in disbelief that it was even suggested. It clears out some of the weight in his lungs, and he remembers laughing til his abs hurt when Steve got ice cream on his nose and didn’t notice for several minutes until Bucky couldn’t hold back his amusement anymore. Steve had whacked him on the shoulder, but he was smiling, and nothing else mattered.

Steve smiles a different smile nowadays.]

Pal, you know I ain’t convincin’ anyone of anything the way I look now. Even if I get cleaned up, you were always better at that shit than me. I had the grin, and you had the damn eyes.

[He chuckles fondly, remembering how even if Steve couldn’t talk his way out of a paper bag, he always knew how to make people weak-kneed with his puppy eyes.]