( the last thing he wants to do is make bucky uncomfortable, but...he still hasn't fully reconciled with his own guilt about his role in what happened to bucky. if only he'd searched for him after the war, if only he'd caught him from falling, if only he hadn't led him into a dangerous mission. if only, if only, if only. but then he hears a voice in his head, which sounds suspiciously like peggy, telling him to snap out of it. that it's not about him.

if he senses that bucky's masking something (something that steve caused, because he's an idiot), he doesn't let on. just matches him, smirk for sly smirk. )

I'm gonna hold you to it. That means you have to accept my invite and actually, you know...come over. ( he pushes off the counter and crosses the few feet towards the microwave, peeking at the semi-inflated popcorn bag, then turns back to bucky. ) Maybe even bring something.

( you know. social things. )