Steve knows it shouldn't, but that familiar look on Bucky's face makes him smile — just a little — as his eyes trace the exasperation in Bucky's eyes with a nostalgic fondness.

He doesn't answer right away though. Instead, Steve looks down and takes a moment to think, his eyes roaming the floor like it could give him the answer.

"I got into some trouble with Mr. McCabe," he says. Their middle school principal. When everyone started getting bigger and Steve didn't, the fights ended up a little more brutal. Eighth grade was one of the worst. But the most memorable thing about that year wasn't the fights. Instead, it was when Steve got sick and tired of the way the bullies at school were always taking kids out by the dumpster and giving them a beating. Normally, he'd never go to a teacher and instead try to take care of it himself, but this time, Mr. McCabe saw it. Steve knew he'd seen it because he was walking past on his way home after school.

So the next day, he'd gone to the principal's office and demanded that he do something. Two days later, Steve found himself with a note to take to his Ma, saying that he'd been suspended at school for telling lies.

The case almost mirrored exactly what's happening to him now. Steve stuck his nose somewhere, and someone higher up didn't want him investigating. In both cases, Steve still hasn't found out exactly why. Though this time, he has a better hunch.

"I'm being investigated. Though, honestly, I think they're stalling for something. I don't know what."

But he also knows that while a vague reference to a childhood teacher would put Bucky on the right track, he'll need all the details soon.

"Have you eaten? I can fill you in over dinner."