Sam slipped out of bed quickly and began to put on his suit. Since becoming Captain America, he was always on deck awaiting his next mission excitedly. He strapped himself in and grabbed the shield from the closet, ready to go when he heard a sleepy voice behind him:

"Where are you going?"

He turned around and grinned. There was Bucky, propping himself up in bed and rubbing his tired eyes. Sam walked over and smoothed his soft hair down.

"I got called in for something. I'll be back in a little bit." He kissed Bucky's cheek and started walking away. Bucky grabbed his hand.

"Wait for me, I wanna come with you," he said, his eyes still closed. "I'll be ready in a minute," he said quietly, but Sam could tell he was already falling asleep.

Sam was glad to see him sleep peacefully like this. His nightmares had been getting better and for the first time in probably years, Bucky had been sleeping past 5 am.

"You can't come with me." Sam smiled. "Sarah's dropping off the kids later, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Okay." Bucky yawned. He was still holding on to Sam's hand. "Well at least come say goodbye," he said, pulling Sam over to him and wrapping his arms around his waist.

Sam laughed. "You do this every time I have to go somewhere. It's not like I'm leaving you forever."

"Shut up." Bucky pulled him back onto the bed so he could hug him properly.

They were both laying down now, pressed comfortably against each other. Sam brought him closer, stroking his brown hair and kissing his forehead. He was so glad to have a partner, and he was especially grateful that it was Bucky. Even though Bucky didn't usually put into words what Sam meant to him, it was clear that the feelings for eachother were mutual.

Sam looked down and sighed. It seemed like Bucky had fallen asleep again, his face pressed against Sam's chest. Sam gave him one last kiss on the forehead. He was about to get up when he heard Bucky's faint, sleepy voice next to him.

"I love you."

Sam's breath caught in his throat. This wasn't the first time they had said "I love you," but Bucky aired more on the physical touch side with Sam and was often too shy to initiate things like this.

"What did you say?" Said Sam teasingly. Of course he had heard him, but he wondered if Bucky was going to admit to it again.

"Stop," Bucky whined, turning his face in his pillow so that Sam couldn't see him smiling. "Don't make me say it again," came his muffled voice.

Sam turned him back around and leaned over him, bringing his face next to Bucky's.

"I love you too."

Sam leaned down and gently kissed his soft lips. Bucky put his hands on Sam's face, trying to keep him there for just a moment longer before he would have to go.

After a minute, Sam pulled away, giving Bucky a look to let him know it was time for him to leave. Bucky reluctantly let go of his face and looked away, blushing. Even after hundreds of kisses with Sam, he always got shy afterwards. Sam's affection had an effect on Bucky that made him feel completely safe and warm, something that he didn't feel often.

Sam got up and put the covers back over Bucky before grabbing his phone and beginning to leave. He stopped in the doorway of their room.

"Bucky," he called quietly. "I love you. I really do."

"I love you too, Sam." Bucky smiled and closed his eyes.

And he meant it.