Despite all that he had strove to overcome and accept about himself, it felt easy to slip slightly and have an actual conversation about mutual decisions. He hadn't had one of those in a very, very long time, probably long before he had any kind of memory. It seemed fitting that such a conversation would occur with Steve before it happened with anyone else, not that he gave HYDRA any chance for any mutual decision outside of dying and anyone else he generally avoided too much in long-winded associations. Steve was someone that he could engage and know that the decisions made were done so in such a way that he could reject them and his bond would take no particular offense to it. He trusted Steve, and Steve trusted him, which felt like a rare thing these days.

"I know of a few places, but I don't generally stay in the same place twice. That kind of association can bring about unwanted attention," he replied slowly, but there had been some very secure places out of any big cities. In fact, they had required either walking or a vehicle to reach any kind of real humanity, and they had been some of his safest places given he could hear anyone sneaking up for miles and had set up traps which might still exist. "There are a few places, but they would require you to disappear with me. That would concern those you associate with."

The helicarrier was a strange time of dislike and thankfulness. He had broken free, but he had realized some of the extent of his suffering too. It had been a painful awakening. "I couldn't, not until you fell. I had to save you."