"Jesus." It's like a bucket of ice water dumped on his head. That goes far and beyond anything he could have thought of. And Bucky had told him to walk away like that would be preferable to Steve getting in a fight. It only strengthens Steve's resolve to watch Bucky's back. This goes so far beyond bullying that Steve's not sure what to do other than feel so angry.

His fingers find their way to the grate over the vent. "I'm not going to let that happen."

He speaks with the sort of authority one might expect from a boss or even a politician, making promises to a constituent who's been hurt by some loophole that he has the power to close. It's the conviction of a man who can't see anything less than the best outcome from this and who truly believes that he has the power to make it so.

Steve isn't stupid. He knows that he's a prisoner the same as Bucky. He has very little power, but he can watch Bucky's back and he can make sure Alex can't get the upper hand on either of them. After that fight, he can't imagine Alex will be able to get too many people interested in fighting either of them for a while, at least, and Steve doesn't really care to be intimidating as a rule, but he knows that he can be and if it will keep Bucky safe, he'll use that a little.

"That was a good thing you did for that kid." It's no less than what Steve would have done, but Steve doesn't expect everyone to be quite as reckless as he is.

And he is reckless when he's got a good reason for it. Bucky must know that now, too.