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You felt silly walking into your apartment. The mall had been busy, but you were determined when you arrived. You’d been confident when you walked in, excited as you made the bear, and now you felt silly. You entered the apartment, calling out a quick greeting to let Bucky know you were home. You heard the shower running, so you curled up on the couch. You stared at the bear you’d made today. It was soft, and you couldn’t help smiling at it.
“Hi doll,” Bucky kissed your head as he walked through the living room. “How was the mall?”
“It was good,” you hugged the bear closer, trying to hide it.
“I’m glad. Did you find what you needed?”
“Yeah,” you sheepishly responded.
You heard Bucky grab a glass, then the tap running as he filled his cup. You wondered how weird he would find the bear you made. The soft bear comforted you from where you were squeezing it in your arms. Bucky’s quiet footsteps reached you before he walked into your view. He sat on the couch facing you, smiling as he pulled your legs into his lap.
“Hi,” his hand strokes your ankle.
“Hi,” you smiled back at him.
“What’d you get?”
“Oh! I just went to Build-A-Bear.”
Bucky’s brow furrowed as he tilted his head, “Build-A-Bear?”
“Yeah, it’s this store. You go in, and choose an unstuffed bear. Or other animals that they have there. Then you get it stuffed, choose the heart that goes in it, and you can add a sound. Once it’s stuffed, you choose clothes for it before making a birth certificate. You make a customized bear,” you shrug at your explanation.
Bucky nodded at your explanation. “So, what did you make?”
Your cheeks flushed as his attention was now focused on the bear in your hold. With an internal cringe, you pulled the bear away from you. Holding it to face Bucky, you offer the bear to him. Bucky took the dark brown bear. Looked at the little black henley that was under the denim vest, noticed the way you’d tucked the boots into its dark jeans.
“I made a mini you,” you explained. “This is Teddy Barnes. And if you squeeze his paw…” You reached out and pressed the plastic box in its paw. Bucky’s voice came through with an ‘ I love you, doll ’ that you had saved in your voice memos. “I know it’s probably kind of weird, but I just thought it’d be nice for when you’re on missions. Or if I just wanted a cuddle and you were busy.”
“This is really sweet,” Bucky lightly laughed. “It’s adorable.”
You quickly tugged Teddy Barnes out of Bucky’s hold, hugging it tight against you once again. “You don’t have to say that,” you snap. “I know it’s probably really weird. But–”
Bucky’s lips pressed to yours stops your rant before it could start. His hands cupped your head, holding you in place. You felt all defensive instinct drain out of you from the soft movement of the kiss. Bucky pulled back to breath, pressing his forehead against yours.
“I was being serious,” he panted. “It’s the sweetest thing anyone has done. I love it. I love you ,” Bucky pressed another kiss to your flushed skin.
“I love you,” you whispered past the emotions building in your chest.
“And now I really want to make one of you, too. Can keep it in my duffle during missions. Have it on the bed with Teddy Barnes when we go places. Can’t have them getting lonely when we’re busy, now can we?”
You smiled widely, nodding at his question. “That sounds great,” you giggle.