[Bucky listens to Steve's explanation of why he got involved with the Red Room with apprehension, especially when the other man mentions that he's most likely to understand. He can easily figure out where this is going: he's seen what the Red Room does to its Widows firsthand, and he knows where Steve is going with this and it's nothing good. He knows that all too well.

Still, when Steve mentions how their histories are similar, Bucky can't help the very short-lived look of shame that passes on his face: even if the Steve in his world had been very understanding about the whole brainwashed assassin thing, it's nothing that Bucky has ever been proud of. And he's not exactly sure how he feels about another Steve knowing what he did as the Winter Soldier.

But it breaks his heart, all the same, to hear it all out loud, and Bucky moves from his spot on the wall to the other end of the couch where Steve sits.]

I'm sorry, Steve. No one should go through that, least of all you. [He hates the idea of a good man like Steve being all broken like he is. He doesn't deserve it.

Bucky knows the shame of this burden all too well, and he gives the other a look meant to be comforting, even if it doesn't exactly reach his eyes:]

What you did all those years, it wasn't you. You didn't have a choice.

[Steve's words feel less hollow on his tongue than Bucky expects them to. Maybe part of him is starting to believe them too. And maybe, in time, this Steve would start to believe them too.

He nods once:]

Sure. Though it feels like you already know more about my universe than I do yours.

[He can't help but wonder how Steve knows about the Winter Soldier.]