"Don't," says Bucky sharply, searching Steve's eyes with his own. It's a mistake to look at him, the full damage Bucky just inflicted not yet revealed, but still devastating to behold, and all by his hands, by his choice. The rush of guilt is overwhelming, threatens to swallow him whole, and it's everything he can do not to run again. His body, though, has other ideas; his legs are unsteady beneath him, his feet too heavy to move. He's stuck on the spot.

"This-- This isn't your fault."