He gets his first letter from Bucky a few days after the funeral. It's much longer than his own had been, and while Bucky doesn't tell him much, there's a lot written between the lines.

Steve,

Glad to hear from you kid. I was starting to think you really got your ass-kicked good or something. Had been a while with nothing. You're staying out of trouble like you promised me, right? (I know, I'm dreaming on that one, but I can hope.)
Did the rent come through ok? It should all be automatic with the bank where my service pay goes. If there's a problem, tell Mr. Walters to go bug the Recruitment guys, they'll straighten it out. There should be some extra now that I'm actually in the field, so you can turn the heat up as high as you need to when it really gets cold. Don't you dare get sick while I'm gone, you hear me jerkass? You got no excuse this time!

Thanks for the drawing. It's nice to have a little piece of home to look at. Not much out here but dirt, more dirt, and some trees. It's weird and loud in the middle of nowhere. Wouldn't think it, but bugs make a hell of a lot of noise at night.

I can't really talk about where we are or what we're doing (Army shit, leave it at that) but so far so good. Everybody's still safe and sound, even if the food is complete dog shit. Won't die from shitty cheap bacon, much as you might wanna.

Anyway, keep writing, pal. It's good to hear from you. Take care and PLEASE don't pick any fights while I'm gone. I got enough pains in the ass to babysit here, I don't wanna have to start writing the neighbors to go babysit you too.
Be careful Steve, alright?

I'll be back as soon as I can.

-Bucky

Steve reads it hungrily three or four times before he can put the letter down. After everything that's happened, just knowing that Bucky's safe, even if he's halfway across the world, makes him feel just a little bit better.

This is why he did it. All of it. This is why he's still here.
He's going to get Bucky and all the other GIs home safe, one way or another, if it's the last thing he does.

Dear Bucky,

I'm so glad you guys are ok! I had a little trouble with some jerks at first, but it got straightened out. I'm fine, promise. Mr. Walters hasn't said anything to me about the rent, so I think it must be ok.

He's careful not to lie in answer to any of Bucky's questions, but not to let on that he's currently sitting on a train that's headed to Dallas either. He grimaces as he writes, glancing at the suitcase beside him. In it are folded the godawful bright-blue tights he'll be expected to wear while he dances around like a trained monkey, trying to raise money for war bonds.
He sighs and goes back to his letter.

He'd wanted to serve. Just… maybe not quite like this...

It's actually pretty warm still, so I haven't needed to worry about the heat. Thanks for thinking about it though.

Leave it to Bucky to worry about his health from a warzone on the other side of the earth. The guy has 'big brother' all but stamped on his face. Always worrying about everybody else.

I'm glad you liked the drawing so much. I'm including another one to go with it.

He almost adds that he knows now what cicadas sound like, and yes they really are noisy... but catches himself before he makes that mistake. There are no cicadas in Brooklyn.
He shuffles through his sketchbook and finds a doodle of the Brooklyn Bridge instead, slipping it into the envelope so he won't forget.

I won't ask too many questions, so I don't get you in trouble. Just keep being safe, ok? I'll see if I can get some better food to send you, if the bacon's really THAT bad.

I'm being as careful as I can, Buck. You know me. Don't need anybody to babysit me, I'll be just fine. You just look out for yourself ok? I'm holding you to that 'coming back soon' thing.

Let me know how you are when you write back, ok? I wanna know you're safe out there.

Take care.

-Steve R.

He sends the letter that night, just before he has to get into his costume and head out onto the stage.

Bucky, he finds out later, never receives it.