Yes, that makes total sense to me! I don't know why it hadn't really occurred to me as an option until it was suggested to me, but it works really well in a situation like this, where there's only one version of events that doesn't ring false to me on some deep level, but I really really don't like the "true" version. Or at least, really don't want to write it. But I can AU it; my brain is perfectly happy doing that as long as I'm clear on which one the "real" version is. (Brains. So stubborn.)

Also ... ow. Bucky. :( I am, however, firmly in favor of any AU that ends up with Steve and Peggy and Bucky making a happy family together.