the cat is butt rubbing to his leg saying “Ima leave my scent on your leg so you don’t get lost again you oaf ape”

The cat’s body language (ears forward, tail completely up) says it is unafraid and interested. In the last panel, it is, “bunting,” using the scent glands in it’s head to mix it’s scent with it’s owner, essentially marking it as it’s family. So, yeah, that cat is having a very emotional reunion.

This is normal, cats lose affection after 2 to 4 weeks away.