Bucky tried to hide his excitement when Shuri told him that Steve would be coming to Wakanda. But in his head? His heart was swelling from excitement. He knew time was limited because an attack was coming but it was time nonetheless. He put on his new arm after debating whether or not he should but the others would be there and he wanted to be presentable. He cleaned up his one-room hut and smiled when he decided it looked good enough for Steve. He brushed and washed his hair before getting dressed. He finished up all the little details about himself before taking a breath and going to the palace to greet Steve, not before fixing his engagement ring onto his metal hand.
Buck saw Steve and his heart exploded when he saw his beard. Oh my god, that's why he hadn't wanted to show his face on the calls they had had. He tried to remain calm but couldn't help himself as Steve got close for a hug. He pulled him close and kissed him passionately. Sam gave a fake gasp.
"Scandalous!" he joked with a chuckle as Bucky rolled his eyes.
"I missed you, so unbelievably much, Stevie" he whispered against his lips. Steve was about to respond when T'Challa cleared his throat.
"I'd prefer that you take the reunion back to your hut, Sergeant Barnes" he would rather it not get... messy (if you know what I mean, cough cough, whatever). Bucky nodded and picked up steve who chuckled and held on for the ride. He took them back to the hut, kissing and smothering him with affection the whole way.
"I missed you so much, punk"
"Buck, you already said that" Steve pointed out
"yes but-" he was cut off by a kiss from Steve
"you didn't let me say that I missed you too, jerk" Bucky smirked and put Steve down before giving him a searing kiss. They walked backward into the hut and Steve pulled back to look around. "Looks nice," he said and then turned to the bed with a smile.
"it's like a rock, just how we like it" he came over and kissed Steve's cheek. Steve beamed and kissed his love, his beard tickling Bucky for once instead of the other way around. Buck smiled and climbed onto the bed, gesturing for Steve to follow. "come over here with that sexy ass beard," He said as he made the motion and Steve rolled his eyes before crawling on the bed and spooning Buck.
"I'm glad you like your surprise" He whispered and pulled the quilt onto them
"love it" Bucky corrected to which Steve chuckled.
"right." He nodded and kissed Bucky's cheek "I love you, my best guy"
"I love you more Stevie," He said as he turned around to face him and kissed his forehead. Steve smiled and put his forehead to Bucky's when he looked down at his thigh with a smirk
"that goat milk is making you nice and strong huh?" he asked with a raised brow and continued his smirk. Bucky chuckled and flexed his thigh under Steve's hand.
"sure is, baby" Steve then noticed the ring still on Buck's finger that matched his with a smile.
"you kept it?"
"of course. we're gonna get married as soon as we can" he promised with a smile and Steve smiled right back with a chuckle
"Absolutely"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That moment echoed in Bucky's head as he laid on the bed in their old apartment, looking out the window at Brooklyn. He then looked at the ring on his finger and let out a shuddered breath. He's just forever a fiancé. Steve was gone. he would never get those sweet kisses or those hugs or the prickle of his beard against his loves. God damnit, he cursed as tears fell across the bridge of his nose and onto the sheets below.
"I love you" he said as he observed the ring
"My best guy"