bucky has been gone for a few weeks, stuck in an undercover mission with sam, and it was putting a strain on your relationship with him.

the only thing that has been comforting the both of you — what has been helping you both be less worried about it — is constantly texting each other whenever you both have the chance.

although, there is a time zone on bucky’s side, which makes it hard to talk as much.

bucky’s even grown a beard, while he’s been away.

it’s been a while.

and you both miss each other like crazy.

both you and alphine, that adorable little furball, miss him, and it’s really killing you.

it’s just constant crying yourself to sleep, sleeping all day and missing him, trying to distract yourself.

and you can’t do it anymore.

and when it’s gotten especially bad, bucky finishes the mission early and comes back early, you not knowing, due to him wanting to surprise you.

once at the apartment and soon inside, after unlocking the door with his own key, he’s first met with the view of alphine walking out of the slightly cracked door of your shared bedroom, assumingly coming out from where both of you were sleeping.

then, once the little furball recognizes bucky stepping inside, she immediately prances over to him and meows, clearly missing him, just as he shuts the door behind him.

he chuckles and sets down his duffel bag at the door, before bending down to pet her, just for a few seconds, and she immediately cuddles up against his leg.

he chuckles, once again, before standing back up and turning to flick the lock, locking the door, before calling out to the apartment, in search of you.

“doll?”

being determined to reunite with you, all from missing you so much, bucky walls and passes through the living room and starts down the hall, stopping at the slightly ajar door.

“baby?” he calls again, softly, before he slowly pushes the door open, seeing the room dark with the lights off and your form laying on his side of the bed, looking utterly exhausted.

almost like you cried yourself to sleep, which you definitely did.

it’s then that you stir in your sleep at the sound of his voice, beginning to become pulled out of your exhausted slumber, and bucky’s heart stops at finally seeing you.

and in his side of the bed, no less.

even now, looking exhausted and half-asleep, you still are just so adorable to him.

he can’t help it as he steps over to the bed and sit down on the bed beside you, reaching out and gently pushing some hair out of your face as you stir again.

he notices that you’re wearing one of his henleys.

“baby, wake up. i’m home.” he tries again as he leans in close to your face, whispering the words against your parted lips, before he leans down to press a few soft kisses on your jaw, unable to help himself.