So post-AoU the new Avengers team have this unspoken side project that involves making sure that Steve never goes off on his own while he’s following up a lead on Bucky. There are a few reasons for this. Mostly it’s just a bad idea to let anyone chase questionable threads on their own but it’s also kind of insurance because Steve has some very easy to exploit blind-spots.
Every break Steve gets he’s out there. The everyone does “Steve sitting” duty when they get the chance. But one by one they start realizing that Steve is checking out vaguer and vaguer things. He’s getting no where fast.
Vision informs Steve that if Bucky isn’t making any tracks it may be best to wait him out and let Bucky come in himself. Vision eventually has to get taken of the rotation.
Wanda tries to get Steve to let go so he can grieve and maybe get some closure. Wanda get’s not so calmly told that Bucky is not dead, thank you very much.
Sam has to keep reminding Steve that burning himself out is not going to help Bucky or anyone else. Sam has to fake nod through more than one explanation of why the serum won’t allow that.
Natasha tells him every time that they have to be prepared for the person he’s looking for to not be Bucky. Natasha at least got an agreement out of Steve to respect that possibility.
Rhodey … Rhodey says nothing. A dozen or so outings with him Steve notices and starts questioning this himself. There is some serious paranoid doubt running around in Steve’s mind. Eventually he accidentally lets slip that he’s curious about Rhodey never making commentary that Steve should stop looking for Bucky in some capacity.
And Rhodey is like … what? Like you don’t hear it from the other’s sometimes? Sure they have some legitimate concerns, but is any of that really going to stop you? I have plenty of experience in ignoring people that tell you to stop looking for someone you care about, and I am in no position to judge you for doing the same.
… for 10 whole seconds Steve has the most confused puppy face ever before it dawns on him … oh … OH, OH SHIT … shit I am so stupid.