Steve attempts to close the door roughly behind him, but Bucky catches it in his metal hand and pushes through, catching up with the blonde.

"Hey, hey, what the h*** was that?" he asks, frowning as he takes a hold of Steve's wrist. The blond purses his lips and pulls himself out of Bucky's grasp and slumps onto the couch, his face a mask. "Steve, talk to me here."

Steve avoids his gaze, huffing quietly.  He lets his shoulders sag a little and he shakes his head to himself. Bucky frowns and kneels in front of him, looking up at him.

"I had to, doll, Nat needed -- " He stops himself and starts over. "I needed to help her, Stevie."

"And you couldn't have done that without throwing yourself in front of a bullet?"

Bucky sighs and takes his hands. "Stevie, look, it's healed already. Barely grazed me, see?" He lifts up his shirt to show Steve the bullet wound in his stomach, which already had healed over due to the quick regeneration in his body, thanks to the super-soldier serum.

"That's not the point, Buck," Steve answers impatiently, turning to face him. "I love Nat, you know that, but I just - What if you hadn't healed over, okay? What if the serum didn't work that one time? What if I'd had to lose you again? Over and over, I always lose you," he rants, voice raising. Bucky squeezes his hands and smiles at him patiently.

"Hey, look at me," he hushes. He spreads his arms out and gestures to himself. "Look at me, doll. I'm still here, alright? You're stuck with me." He smiles and Steve blows out a breath as he leans over his knees and rubs his face.

"Okay?" Bucky kisses the top of his head. Steve doesn't say anything, deep in his thoughts.

"I just -- I can't lose you again," he finally mutters and Bucky sighs softly.

"I know, baby." He pauses and looks around, looking for something to cheer up his husband. If he were to promise that he'd always be okay, he'd be promising an empty lie. He knew it, and Steve knew it. Their line of work was dangerous, and to promise one's safe return was to tempt fate.

Bucky's eyes fall to the record player and he walks over, picking a record at random and putting it on. The music picks up and he glances over at Steve, who was rubbing the bridge of his nose.

He starts humming along to the music and catches Steve smile slightly to himself.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon baby, now," he sings under his breath and Steve lifts his head. Bucky grins and nods at him. "Come on and work it all out," he continues and offers him a hand.

"Well, just work it on out, honey," Steve sighs to himself before getting to his feet and taking Bucky's hand.

"Y'know you look so good," Bucky sings as he spins Steve closer, back pressed against the brunet's chest.

"You know you got me goin', now," Steve sings back, a smile spreading across his face. Bucky twirls him back out.

"Just like I knew you would," Bucky adds, his heart leaping as he watches him dance and smile.

They dance together, switching between the apparent male and female roles, dipping and twisting each other, smiling and singing.

"You're still in trouble, you know," Steve comments as they dance close together, hands clasped. Bucky snorts.

"Am not, I got you dancing and everything! Plus, look at this," he continues, suddenly dipping Steve backwards, forcing the blond to clutch onto his arms to hold himself steady. He scowls a little and the brunet chuckles. Bucky kisses him lightly and pulls him back up. "See how smooth that was?" he adds, giving Steve his innocent face as they break away.

"Cheating, mister," Steve replies, pointing a finger at him, looking amused. Bucky makes a pshh sound and shoos away his accusations. Steve rolls his eyes and twirls him around again.

"You can't dance your way outta this one," he speaks plainly and Bucky shrugs, twirling himself back around.

"It was worth a shot."

Well, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up, baby)

Twist and shout (twist and shout)

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now (c'mon, baby)

Come on and work it all out (work it all out)

Breathless by the song's end, the two break apart to breathe, still smiling over at each other. Bucky collapses on the couch and Steve joins him, resting against his chest.

"In the future, take my shield. Its entire purpose is to block bullets," Steve finally speaks and Bucky nods, wrapping an arm loosely around him.

"All right. I'll try not to get shot again."

"Good." Steve snuggles down some and closes his eyes.

Bucky looks at him quietly and kisses the top of his head, rubbing his thumb over his husband's knuckles. He wanted to be there for him, always. He wanted to make that promise.

"You won't lose me again, doll," he murmurs quietly. Even if it was a promise he couldn't keep, just saying the words strengthened the thought in his mind.

Steve didn't have to be alone. He had Bucky, always.