A Day in Time

by wolfelements

Summary:

Tony Stark was meant to follow a plan so that, despite being an omega, he'd lead Stark Industries.

Tony Stark didn't expect to be an omega who ends up in the early 40s and meeting a strong Bucky Barnes and a tiny Steve Rogers who doesn't take shit from anyone.

Tony Stark understands that he'll never get what he wants in the end. Each day he's pulled away and each night he comes back, leaving a constant loop of uncertainty.

Tony Stark was never meant to be happy. Until he was.

Notes:

This is inspired by Somewhere in Time, which is an overlooked awesome romance time travel movie with Christopher Reeves (that's right, Superman). Seriously, my husband hates romance movies, but he loved this movie. You can literally compare it to Time Traveler's Wife. Honestly, I think it's better.

Chapter 1: Day One

Tony Stark was nineteen, his parents were dead and he didn’t get to have control of the family business yet. So he had time to play, time to create as he wanted before the real world set in. Obadiah would come visit him in the apartment he’d held himself up in, wanting enough space to just be himself, even if it was in Brooklyn. Obadiah did not understand and even Tony could see the slow build of annoyance on his face.

But then the man always viewed Tony as less strong than what he was, always arguing that an omega was useless.

Howard Stark had been a traditionalist up to a certain point. When his son presented himself as omega, the man raged. Of course he would, no one would take his heir seriously. So, as a countermeasure, Howard had demanded harsh, character building treatment of Tony. He’d show affection, allow his wife and the servants to show affection. But Tony was to be cold, hard steel in public.

Was there abuse there? Tony was never sure, because he got advantages that no omega had. He couldn’t really fault Howard since his lessons ensured he now stood strong and proud in front of any news reporter, the perfect Stark.

But the moment he was inside his own home, Tony’s shoulders immediately drooped a little and his scent of desperate need for touch got stronger. Because he wasn’t allowed that. He wasn’t allowed to be touched and held, not when it could risk the Stark name. Only Rhodey had given him that and he was now off in training for the military.

After the latest string of too many galas, Tony came home and curled up on his couch - threadbare from the local Goodwill, because there was just something desperately wonderful about a couch that had scents there. Like he would be able to feel like he was part of whatever the couch experience. Tony was, if anything, a combination of a hedonist and homebody. He loved being on his own to just do things as he saw fit, even if so much of his omega nature demanded he submerge himself in other people.

‘Not yet,’ Tony thought to himself. Tabloids can say what they want, but no one yet has proved themselves to get him as an object.

He turned from where he was laying and reached for his latest little enjoyment. He’d found that the ‘garage sales’ here in Brooklyn were phenomenal at finding little electronics to take a part. Honestly, it was teaching him more and more, something he hoped to introduce to the R&D division of the company as soon as he had a chance to actually work. Instead of just hanging back like an icon instead of a person.

Eventually, Tony made himself some food and, after eating and playing around with the parts on his coffee table, he went to bed.

He woke up in a beat up room, the mattress underneath himself filled with spring and lumps. The room smelled of so many scents that Tony actually had difficulty figuring out where he was. Tony stood and looked around, feeling actual stressful smells peak up when he couldn’t identify anything, not even the color of the bedroom’s door. He stared down at a bundle of clothes near the bed and looked. They were what he remembered as the photos of his father as a young man.

Tony dropped them and backed away to the wall next to the door.

This was insane. He needed to find out what happened. On the verge of panicking, he opened the door to enter another space just as beat up as the last. And, no, his phone was not where he hoped it to be, nothing was as he left it the night before. There wasn’t even a television anymore.

There was a good chance he had been kidnapped. It would be the thirteenth time, but even that would be better than if this reality was, well, real. Obadiah would save him, if only because Tony was needed for a transfer of company property along with his own funds and his current will left everything to various charities, drawn on random. He knew that was a pretty sad way of thinking of things, but it was the way of Tony’s life. Howard had taught him greediness was the only way to survive.

His only choice was to head for the door. He had glanced around and there were no weapons. Not even a steak knife. Tony was pretty sure he was heading to his death, as dramatic as that seemed, but it was better than waiting for his captors. It didn’t stop him from, while in his pajamas of all things, creaking open the front door of the apartment. He was greeted with a dirty hallway and set of stairs that looked half rotted heading below. Tony stepped onto the hall, listening for anything around him.

There was the random gust of air below, possibly from an open window or door. The wood beneath him creaked like it could break at any second. The rest was the muffled sound of cars and people talking. Like a normal street corner. There was no indication of anyone else in the building, which Tony wasn’t sure if that was more worrisome or not.

Thankfully, his slight build aided in Tony’s ability to carefully bounce from good step to good step without falling fully to the basement. Screw you Howard, short guys hit the goal. Even with Tony being an omega, Howard was most annoyed by his smaller stature. Stark men were made of iron, but it had to be iron that could impress.

Tony strode to the broken front door and peaked out of one the slots onto the street before him. What he saw sent his brain into a whirlwind, letting him know he probably smelled like an omega in distress at this point. What he could see of the street was like watching a black and white movie from the war that Howard was so proud to contribute to. Even the cars were barely models from 1940.

Panting from panic, Tony stumbled back, nearly stepping into a hole in the floor.

“No way, no way,” Tony muttered, swallowing, not willing to believe he had actually travelled to the past. No, there was nothing to convince him of the fact.

Carefully stepping up to the door again, he peered out with a more careful gaze. No one had a phone. The air itself smelled more thick than he was used to, like the industry around him was made by...coal. Shit. This was too elaborate for any prank or mind trick to mess with him.

This was real.

And he was standing in a building that was probably about to be demolished in his modern day pajamas. He was an omega who didn’t get the chance to take his morning suppressants standing there in his pajamas.

He’d read about the horror omegas went through back in Captain America’s time - even the female alphas were treated like mental health patients. He knew if he stepped out there he could easily be overtaken against his will and no one would even blink an eye. Or so the history books said.

Tony refused to think everyone acted that way throughout any history. There had to be decent people. So, taking in a nervous breath, Tony started prying the decaying door open. He got it about four inches open before someone noticed.

“Ma, someone’s in there!” a small voice said excitedly.

“No, sweetie, there isn’t anyone in there,” a tired mother’s voice replied.

Realizing this could be his only chance of a safe exit, Tony tugged at the door again, yanking it open another six inches.

“Are you stuck?” the girl’s voice asked, finally in view, her blonde curls bouncing around her face. “Do you need help?”

Behind her the girl’s mother looked a little horrified, but Tony ignored that and gave a small chuckle. “Yes ma’am, I am a bit stuck. Let this be a lesson to not join boys you don’t know in a game of hide and seek.”

At those words, the mother’s face suddenly softened. “Let us help you.”

They got the door open enough for Tony to squeeze through, though it ripped a part of his pants at the thigh in the process. He stood there, probably looking utterly pathetic in the process. The mother gave him a look, clucking her tongue. “Well then, come with us. My boy is about your size and off in the military. You can’t stay, but we need to get you dressed at least.”

“Why can’t he stay?” the little girl demanded, reaching out to grasp Tony’s hand. Tony felt the low hint of alpha from her, she was going to present early.

“It’s fine,” he told her, trying to keep his tone pleasant instead of screaming at the situation he was in. “Clothes would be wonderful, ma’am. I wouldn’t like to walk home in this outfit.”

“No, dear, best you don’t,” she replied with a sigh. She looked worried, but Tony understood the urge to keep strangers at bay. If anything, she was his guardian angel right then.

They led him to a small apartment, signs of the Great Depression everywhere. From the streets outside to the lack of just simple human enjoyment inside the apartment. He wanted to hand over money when she put him in the slacks and button-down of the day. But he had no money on him and realized that even if he did the currency wouldn’t pass for them anyway. He stared into the mirror at his youthful face, noticing the stress and worry on it.

This hallucination needed to end, he didn’t belong there.

He thanked the girl and her mother and knew better than to ask where her husband was. He knew from the stories Howard told him that single mothers and omegas in general were more common than not. One thing he didn’t hate his father for was the respect the man gave to the people of that time. And now, standing out on the street and watching people pass by, like they were strong even though they were starving, Tony felt a hint of guilt in his stomach.

He hadn’t eaten since the night before, but even he seemed to have a fuller stomach than some of the people around him.

Feeling unease, he tried to figure out what he could do now. SI had yet to fully develop and were just a behind the scenes weapon manufacturer. If Tony’s idea of the time was true, Howard had yet to broadcast his brilliance. Captain America had yet to be thought of. Tony honestly had nowhere to go and no money to get him there anyway.

So he walked.

Eventually he found himself in a more entertainment level district of Brooklyn. He had no money for movies or food, but he found a bench to sit on. He leaned down, resting his elbows on his knees. Wonderful, he barely even had a chance to enjoy his life and here he was, stuck in the past with no direction to go on. He was only thankful that his lack of suppressants hadn’t sent him straight into a heat, something he’d been avoiding since he was fourteen. He was perfectly happy with only having the three heats back then. But he knew one could come soon.

Tony always had the belief that like attracts like. Even a thought could shift energy enough to trigger events.

So, he wasn’t surprised when he heard a sly voice speak up behind him. “Well, well. Hello, lovely.”

Tony had the sudden sensation of thick ink running along his body, a sign as any that he didn’t want the alpha leaning over his shoulder to touch him. “I ask that you don’t call me that, because I’m not interested.”

The other two alphas behind the man smelling his hair laughed. The alpha pressed in closer, his cheek brushing Tony’s ear. “Now, that’s just rude. A soft little omega like you, sitting out here alone, both you and I know you were just hoping for an alpha to take notice.”

Tony’s brain raced, trying to ignore the way the man’s breath on his cheek made his fingers tingle. He cleared his throat. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“Oh, baby boy, he doesn’t seem to be here,” the man drawaled, his accent different from the mother and her kid. Not a local, then.

Tony felt fingers at the back of his neck, nails scraping across skin. He stood up, turning to face them, not even caring that his eyes might look a little wild. “No. You have no right to touch me.”

All three of them started laughing, like his statement was worthless. Pointless. Tony had never had his words be ignored like that before. He was a Stark, even as an omega people viewed him as something of worth. They would never dare to touch without permission.

“Okay, as hilarious as that was, come on little omega,” the leader of the group, the one to touch him, said. “Do you really think anyone here is going to argue if we strip you down and take you. Or even force you into heat? Huh? No one cares.”

“I care.” The voice was followed by a small body actually tackling the man down, punching and kicking like he was used to fighting those bigger than him and honestly didn’t give a shit that he was a seriously small kind of guy.

One of the others was punched by a tall man. “Sorry boys, he gets a little excited but I’m fully willing to finish this fight for him. Unless you want some fun?”

Tony stared, feeling completely overwhelmed as he gazed at what just happened in front of him. His thought of there being good guys when it came to omegas flared up in his head as he turned to the two men that saved him. Men, yes, but around his age all the same. The smaller one yelled off some, well, pretty offensive material for the time while the other just looked fully amused. And they looked extremely familiar, their faces floating up in his head, though older than they appeared then.

“Hey, you okay?” a soft Brooklyn style tone asked, the taller of the two walking around the bench to get a little closer. He still maintained his distance, giving Tony space to breathe.

“No! Yes!” Tony heard himself and winced, finally looking at the man’s face. He definitely looked familiar, the images on his father’s wall, filled with black and white photos, almost making him remember names. “I wasn’t expecting...I was just sitting.”

“Yeah, you gotta love the idiots who think their knot is bigger than their brains,” he replied with a lopsided smile. And, damn, Tony wanted to swoon as a result.

“He okay?” the smaller one asked, finally backing away from growling at the alphas who had run off.

“I’m fine, soldier, calm down,” Tony replied with a smirk, one that froze when the guy responded with a bright grin. The tiny idiot was just adorable.

“Would you like an escort home?” the other replied.

“I…” and shit, Tony didn’t have anywhere to go.

“I’m Steve Rogers,” the small one said, glaring at the other. “Really, you offer that before introducing yourself?”

“My better half is a bit right,” the other said, actually rolling his eyes. “I’m Bucky Barnes. And now that’s in the air, the offer stands, doll. We’ll happily walk you home.”

“Tony,” he replied, feeling a full blush as they both looked at him with smiling faces. And, dear God, he had just been saved by Steve and Bucky, the men his father babbled on about any chance he had. Their faces had been all over Howard’s study, he had to face the facts. But they weren’t that yet, Bucky not in uniform and Steve smaller than even Tony was. He felt, though, he could admit, “I don’t...actually have a home.”

Steve’s eyes went wide, the tears practically manifesting just for the emotion he was feeling. He glanced at Bucky, who was suddenly rigid like he was a second away from beating someone senseless. Steve looked back over to him and, after taking a deep and controlling breath, said, “You can come to our place.”

“Stevie,” Bucky said, tone stiff as he stared at Tony with his nostril flaring.

“He has nowhere to go,” Steve snapped.

“I know that, but what if his scent changes,” Bucky growled. “We might not be able to control ourselves and it will be like he’s on the streets.”

“At least he’d know who he’s with,” Steve argued. “If he goes into heat we can let him lock himself in my room. Shit, you know we can fight that instinct better than most. Out here?”

Bucky closed his eyes and nodded. “Tony, if you’d like, you can stay the night at our place.”

Tony looked between them and realized he’d never had two alphas actually worry about his consent before. Like they didn’t care who he was and who he was made the only reason they were forced to care. Swallowing, Tony nodded. “I, uh, would like to go with you. Honestly the fact you were arguing about my virtue was...not what I’m used to.”

Bucky’s eyes turned gentle. “Hey, your, well, virtue is yours.”

“Alphas who abuse that are shit,” Steve added. Tony had to stop himself from laughing at Steve’s easy use of profane language. That wasn’t something the history books told him.

“Okay, well, let’s go,” Tony said, dramatically waving a hand out. He ignored the amused responses he got and followed them down the sidewalk.

They ended up in an apartment a block from the woman who helped him. Steve opened the door and stepped back to let him enter first like he was some kind of dame. Which the time they were in was pretty much on point. Tony felt another blush hit his face and reminded himself to hide it like Howard had taught him. He found himself sitting on their couch as the two went and got him blankets and pillows, which ended up twice as many as he needed.

“Guys, I'm okay,” he eventually said, despite it being all very adorable.

Steve rolled his eyes. “We were doing the weird alpha thing. I’m sorry.”

“Weird alpha thing?” Tony asked in amusement while inspecting one of the pillows.

“We were,” Bucky suddenly agreed with wide eyes, arms holding another pillow.

“Explanation, please?” Tony demanded, not knowing what they were talking about.

The two of them shared a look, before Bucky sighed and said, “It’s when an alpha is interested but waits for the omega to decide. The alphas often bring things for the omega to build their nests, it’s really just an instinctive urge. And, well, you should know from there.”

And Tony did from an extremely abstract way. He remembered getting, when he was young, gifts in the mail...maybe. His father was angry over them, because it meant people knew what he was. They were usually destroyed before Tony even got to look at them. He ground his teeth a bit in frustration, before giving a hesitant grin. “Not Really.”

“Okay,” Bucky replied, a little louder at the end when he turned his head toward Steve, who actually looked like he was about to yell about social injustice. “Steve, let's go to bed.”

Steve’s jaw clenched before opened his mouth. Tony was actually curious what the future Captain America had to say but Bucky cut the man off.

“Yeah, come sleep in my room. Like you had that many blankets to even spare, you’re going to freeze. You sleep in there most of the time, anyway,” Bucky announced, grabbing Steve’s sleeve before handing him the pillow he had been holding.

Tony watched them leave and let out a long rush of air. He wanted to freak out. He wanted to get paranoid. Then he felt like an idiot because he also wanted to break apart their radio and improve it.

He curled up on the couch, dragging blankets and pillows around him as comfort. He couldn’t sleep, though. He heard noises from the bedroom, through the thin walls. They were talking. Tony clenched his eyes closed, dragging a pillow over to cover his ears. He eventually fell into a mild sleep, his ears and nose aware too much for him to fully fall asleep.

Eventually, Tony heard the bedroom door open and then close. Tony pulled the blanket down, peeking over it to see Bucky pulling open the small and ancient fridge, possibly just a mechanical icebox. Tony looked at him, suddenly realizing the full difference between the two. Bucky straightened up and drank from a bottle of milk, before setting it back in the fridge. Watching Bucky shift and bend made him realize how much a unit him and Steve actually were.

Bucky’s body, standing there in sleep pants and a tank top, was the ultimate alpha. Everything Tony would want from the muscled thighs to the strength in his arms. Tony closed his eyes. Steve, on the other hand, was everything an omega would want from speaking alone. Someone that didn’t care about how he’d look, he’d defend his omega’s rights purely. The concept, the very confusion made Tony roll over, trying to even his breathing.

He felt hands tugging the blanket up and tucking him in. A hand pet his hair, fingers dragging through the strands. And then he was alone again.

Tony wanted to cry, because he’d never been touched that way before. Like he was worth something beyond money.

Eventually, he was able to fall asleep. A few hours later, he woke up in his own apartment like it was merely a wonderful dream.

Chapter 2: Day Two

Tony went through the motions the next day, trying to keep the memory of a tiny alpha beating someone up for him or strong fingers running through his hair out of his mind. He had a hard time doing so as he let Obadiah guide him through the headquarters, hand on his back in a near possessive manner. Not polite like Bucky and not proud like Steve.

He’d only spent barely an hour with the men and yet he felt like his entire world had changed as a result.

He sat at the table in the employee lunch room with Obadiah, a sandwich turning soggy from the ripe tomatoes and cucumber in front of him. He barely wanted to eat, wishing he was somewhere else. He managed to keep up the conversation and ignore Obadiah’s hand brushing his knee. He understood that Obadiah saw the only way to achieve pure control was to get the Stark omega.

He understood it, but the thought made him sick. He wasn’t an object. He refused to be.

“You realize you don’t have many options,” Obadiah stated, his hand rubbing Tony’s knee. “This could be a good move. You’ll keep some control, more than if another alpha wanted you. You’d get to have the pleasure of an alpha’s attention.”

Tony couldn’t help but think of Bucky and Steve, who had taken the effort to show him that he was cared for, their utter awkwardness just adding to the feeling of being safe. Allowing his grimace to show on his face, Tony said, “I think I need a little more time.”

“Really, what other options do you really have?” Obadiah asked, his gaze sharp, like he could actually harm Tony with it.

“I have options,” Tony immediately snapped, even though Bucky and Steve probably were just a figment of his dream. He drew in a breath to calm himself. “I just feel that I should have the right to explore.”

“So you can be considered a slut?” Obidiah laughed, before dropping to a serious voice. “Actually, that might work. You are young, me saving you from it...Fine, you get a minimum of six, if even that, months”

“Then you get me,” Tony replied in a strained voice.

“It’s your best option,” Obidiah said like that was the end of the conversion.

Tony changed the topic, trying to talk about his ideas for R&D, but Obidiah cut him off and asked what kind of weapons Tony had thoughts for. Apparently new everyday products that could be made to give the lower class something that they could afford was worthless. Tony found it best to just nod toward Obadiah’s ability to shut him down so easily. He was in front of an alpha who felt he owned everything, best to follow along.

When Tony got home he rushed to the shower and scrubbed at his knee and even thigh, trying to erase everywhere the man had touched him. He refused to cry as he made his way back to the living room. He turned the television on, not even looking at the screen. He leaned down and messed around with the electronic pieces on his coffee table.

Eventually sleep crept up. Hearing the random channel he had set it on when he got home, he decided to lay on his couch. The sound of someone else talking felt nice. Eventually, on his side and facing the television, Tony fell asleep.

He felt hands on him and immediately started pushing them away. They run down his side, along his back. Trembling, he tried harder to push them away. Feeling almost pinned, he heard himself cry out, body squirming. “No, Obadiah!”

“Step back, he’s frightened!” a voice said, tone, demanding.

“He’s dreaming, we need to wake him up,” another voice replied, his tone more calm.

Tony gasped, grabbing the blanket on him and trying to scramble back. The couch he was on was smaller than his own and pressed against the back of it, it wasn’t much of a hiding spot. Blinking rapidly, Tony tried to breathe in through his nose, scenting his space. Immediately he felt safety and care. Curling up into the corner of the couch he looked to see both Bucky and Steve in their sleep clothes, watching him with worried eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he replied automatically.

Steve grabbed Bucky's arm before the man could say something and smiled. “It’s fine. We all get nightmares. We were just worried because we didn’t want you to start hurting yourself.”

“That bad, huh?” Tony asked with a weak smile, knowing one of his past habits was to claw at himself. He hadn’t done that in years, though.

“Who’s Obidiah?” Bucky growled, before Steve could stop him. The smaller man shrugged, looking sorry.

“I..uh,” Tony swallowed, knowing he was blushing. “He was my father’s business partner. Now that my father is dead, he thinks…”

Bucky looked like a huge, defensive wolf all the sudden. The man stepped back and turned away, his back to them as he stared at the wall. Steve sighed and looked back at Tony. “Don’t mind him. Please continue.”

“That’s pretty much it,” Tony offered, realizing he said the wrong thing when Bucky’s body tensed even further. “Look, he can’t find me and, well, it never got that far. Just trying to get me to agree to be his omega.”

“And?” Steve asked softly.

“He groped me, that’s all. It’s not a big deal,” Tony insisted, deciding to not even be bothered by how honest he was with them.

“But you had to pretend it was normal,” Steve commented, which oddly made it sound very much like a big deal.

“Because it is,” Tony said, knowing that him looking confused bothered both of them. “Look, I was taught to stand strong, to not let me being an omega ruin the family name. But it doesn’t work when you no longer have your alpha father standing behind you.”

“So you ran, because you didn’t want to be the prized omega,” Steve summarized, watching his face carefully.

Tony laughed, letting his head fall down onto the couch. He knew they wouldn’t quite understand when he said, “Shit, that’s what my head is doing, isn’t it?”

“Sounds like it,” Steve replied with a gentle smile.

“Yeah, well, he’s not going back there,” Bucky snapped, turning around just long enough to glare at both Tony and Steve, before storming into his bedroom, door slamming shut.

“I’m sorry…” Steve drew in a deep breath. “His mother was an omega and...well, the topic of her and what he saw kind of drives him into a minor rage. His father died in the last war.”

“I don’t want to upset him,” Tony admitted, swallowing. He closed his eyes tight, the nightmare making his emotions feel raw. “I don’t want to be something bad for him to remember.”

“You’re not,” Steve assured him. “Just give him a minute. Anyway, the shower is free and I’m going to start on breakfast. We don’t have much, but I have leftover pancake batter. Uh, leftover cause the recipe I learned was for a bigger family, so we usually get pancakes three mornings in a row. Oh, but the shower does turn cold after about seven minutes.”

“That's totally fine and...pancakes sound amazing,” Tony replied in a soft voice, utterly amazed by the comfort he felt. He watched Steve head toward the kitchen, eyes darting toward Bucky’s closed door and wondering if he should just leave right then. He literally had no idea of how he managed to get back here. But he felt hungry and weak like he hadn’t slept or eaten.

He stood and stumbled to the bathroom, feeling like his legs were practically rubber underneath him. He was under the spray of lukewarm water before he realized the shift of what happened. He let the water hit his face, covering up tears, as he realized that what he wanted in all the world couldn’t be his own. He had a lifetime of being Tony Stark, of his father and Obidiah controlling every move he made. And now he was right where he wanted to be, with people who actually gave him choices and cared, but knew the moment he fell asleep he’d be back.

Something had to be causing this, something he didn’t understand. Tony was smart, stupid smart if his father had any right to label him. Which meant it was beyond his knowledge or he was actually causing this on his own.

Tony swallowed and fought back the urge to to sob and he finished cleaning himself. He was already crying softly, there was no excuse to make hysterics. The water turned pure cold, letting him know his time was up. Once he shut off the water, Tony was able to hear them talking through the thin walls. Add in that Tony’s emotions were all over the place and that was the quickest way for an omega’s senses to become sharp, well, he had no trouble hearing what they were talking about.

He quickly pulled on his used clothes, not wanting to be caught nude.

“Stop being an idiot, you didn’t scare him,” Steve said, his voice teasing like they had been on the topic for a while.

“Just got angry,” Bucky grumbled.

“Oh, I know, always rushing out to protect us little guys.”

“Like you need it, more like I need to protect the bullies,” Bucky replied, voice fond.

“Yeah, well, this guy isn’t going to let you go protective alpha on him for long. Too much fire in his eyes,” Steve said. There was a bump, like someone had walked into a counter, followed by a small giggle from Steve.

“I always appreciated a little fire in my men,” Bucky said, his voice almost a growl that Tony could feel down to his bones. There was more silence, then Steve laughing.

Tony was always known for how nosey he could get, it’s why he’d gone into engineering in the first place. So he didn’t even bother to stop himself from carefully opening the bathroom door, slowly to ensure it didn’t squeak. He couldn’t see much, to be honest, at the angle he had. He was about to give up, when Bucky stepped back further into the living room, tugging Steve after him.

Tony jerked back right as the two started kissing, his heart pounding in his chest. Alphas can’t be attracted to other alphas, that’s what had been drilled in his head since birth. That’s why alphas needed omegas, otherwise omegas were worthless and would have died out. Even he knew that alpha on alpha relationships were part of the Holocaust, possibly worse than female alphas themselves, because of how it was a genetic, worthless dead end that went against anything a good person would do.

Heart feeling like it was in his ears, Tony peeked through the crack in the door again. Bucky was cupping Steve’s face, their kiss just soft, simple and gentle. Steve’s hands fisted at Bucky’s shirt, before pulling back. “The shower’s off. Sit down, he can’t see this.”

“Now who’s being dramatic?” Bucky asked.

“You know what would happen-” Stve started, walking back to the kitchen.

“He’s hiding himself, Stevie, he won’t turn us in,” Bucky cut in, following him. “Besides, you’d be able to slip out of handcuffs, easy a pie.”

Tony closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, figuring this was about as good as any time for him to exit the bathroom. He shuffled out, oddly not feeling like his normal flair, enjoying the way he didn’t have to showboat with the two of them. He had a slight smile on his face as he entered the kitchen, just in time to see Bucky’s thumb caressing the back of Steve’s hand. Steve jerked his hand back when he saw him, leaving Bucky looking annoyed.

Tony sat down at the table, where Steve put some pancakes down for him. There was syrup before him and Tony was hungry, but the tension in the air was bothering him. So, he decided to just be himself and, as he was reaching for butter farther away on the table, asked, “So how long have you two been together?”

All sound in the room stopped, only the soft tick of a clock and the rumbling of a train a few miles away through the window. Tony winced. “Sorry, I don’t really have tact.”

“Are you going to turn us in?” Bucky asked in a rough voice.

“No...you gonna turn me in?” Tony asked, knowing only he knew that would be pointless.

“What’s your last name?” Steve demanded, looking at him with his apron like a very stern housewife. Tony tried to not find it super cute and decided telling them wouldn’t be the worst in the world. He still didn’t know if this was a dream or not.

“Tony Stark.”

“Not like Howard Stark, though,” Bucky joked, before growing quiet when Tony just sat there, picking at his pancakes.

Realizing they didn’t have enough food to just feed someone who wouldn’t eat anything, Tony started eating and purposely ignored the conversation. His face was red, possibly from eating in embarrassment, but more likely from freaking out over what the hell he was going to say. He didn’t understand it himself. There was no way to explain it to them, he’d have to research in his own time if he could get away from Obadiah.

“I want to tell you everything, I do, but...it’s not really understandable,” Tony trailed off to a mutter. “Right now I can tell you that you two, plus a cute baby alpha kid with a protective mom, is all I know after I...left where I was. I was in my pajamas when they found me. I don’t even know how I woke up in that building.”

He looked up to see Bucky looking a weird mix of horrified and possessive. Steve was staring at him with a blank face and he slowly set his shaking coffee cup down on the table.

“I am going to tell you everything,” Tony said in the stern tone he used for the interns that Obidiah let him oversee. “But I have to know what that is, first. I don’t want to tell you figments of my mind. I’m...I don’t even understand how I got here.”

“That’s understood,” Steve finally replied, his body relaxing. He looked over at Bucky. “Right?”

“One, are you related to Howard Stark and two? Are you going to talk about anything that happens in this house?” Bucky demanded, ignoring Steve’s eyeroll.

“Howard Stark is a far distant relation, he wouldn’t even know my name to be honest,” Tony admitted, watching Bucky relax like it had actually worried him. And since Howard was dead and Tony had yet to be born he hadn’t actually lied. “Also, you both together? Not an issue at all. I actually find it...nevermind, but no. I won’t have any issue with it. Carry on.”

“That brings up the last thing we need to talk about,” Bucky said, leaning in. “We don’t mind you staying now that all this is cleared away. Your heats might become an issue. Do you know when your next one is? I know it’s awkward, but-”

“I don’t,” Tony blurted out, realizing with guilt that he hadn’t even thought about it. He knew suppressants were already available, even if they were dangerous to the organs at that point. “My parents had me on a suppressant, so I wouldn’t go into heat with the wrong alpha. I haven’t had it regularly for the past couple of days. I have no idea how my body is going to react.”

“Of course the rich have that kind of ability,” Bucky muttered.

“I didn’t want it,” Tony said, nearly snappped, remembering being thirteen and no other omega at school having them. He envied them for being allowed to just be themselves. “The pill can cause a lot of damage, but that didn’t stop me from being required to take them. They didn’t want anyone to know they created someone that was faulty. The wires crossed wrong.”

Bucky looked over, turning in his seat and reaching over to grab Tony’s wrist. He tensed, almost struggled, but the soft tug got him to look at Bucky’s face. The man was looking at him like he was delicate and precious. There was a soft squeeze at his wrist. “There is nothing wrong with you.”

“Nothing wrong with you guys,” Tony replied, feeling like he was shutting down and had no idea how to stop it. “I wish my parents loved each other as much as you two love. I want to find someone who would love me like that, instead of the highest bidder.”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Steve’s soft voice said in his ear. Delicate and yet strong arms were wrapped around him while Steve’s face was pressed against the side of his and it wasn’t until Steve pressed his face against the back of his ear, near the bonding mark that Tony actually felt his body again, like he had had an out of body experience. The small man didn’t bite, he just breathed, letting Tony know that he was there. Once again he just felt comfort.

“You’re staying here,” Bucky ordered, downing the rest of his coffee.

“Bucky!” Steve hissed, pulling back from Tony a bit. “He’s had no choice all his life, he deserves the choice.”

“It’s better for him here,” Bucky snapped.

“He’s right,” Tony said, finally finding his voice and lifting his head. “Staying here is safer for me, but I don’t want to-”

“You try to call yourself a burden, claiming you have to leave, and I will let you go but I will be begging for every second of it that you stay,” Bucky growled, narrowing his eyes at Tony.

“I’ll stay,” Tony replied, breathing out as a rush of emotion and arousal went through him. He saw Bucky’s nostrils flare, Steve’s too, but they made no move to claim him. Tony felt safe. He finally knew, beyond Rhodey, what safety actually felt like. Rhodey was the only alpha that treated him like this, like an actual person. Tony started eating again, suddenly very hungry, ignoring the satisfied looks on the alphas’ faces. “What do you do during the day? I mean, you’re taking me in, but after tidying up I’m going to get bored.”

“I guess it depends on your interests,” Bucky admitted. “I have a job at the steel mill over by the train station and Stevie is a dishwasher at a diner near where we met you. So that gives you, with our shifts overlapping, about seven hours to do what you want.”

“Got a library nearby?” Tony asked, fighting the urge to chuckle when Bucky made a whining sound.

“Now I got two of you?” Bucky demanded, starting to stand. “I got to get ready.”

Steve waited until Bucky went to the bedroom, shutting the door dramatically, before grinning at Tony. “He’s the actual drama queen. But, if you’re going to the library, I have a request. The Hobbit by-”

“I know the book,” Tony said, breaking into a smile to match Steve’s.

“Oh good, he heard about it and has wanted to read it ever since,” Steve said, fighting down his laughter when Bucky emerged.

“You two okay?” Bucky asked, sitting on one of the living room chairs to pull on his boots. “No hijinks?”

“I’m taking Tony to the library on my way to work,” Steve replied.

“Okay, Tony, do you want to stay there all day?” Bucky looked at him with the typical alpha worrying, but more warmer than Tony was used to. “Cause I get off before Stevie, I can walk you home.”

“Actually, that sounds perfect,” Tony replied, knowing he had always been the type to have the librarian order him to leave. “You might have to look for me, I’ve always been a wanderer when it comes to the library.”

Bucky stood, coat in his hand, and walked over to Tony with a small smile. He bent down, smelling his hair before dipping lower. Tony grabbed the table as Bucky breathed in deep behind Tony’s ear. It was the opposite from his bonding mark, but emotions and sensations rushed through him. He might have moaned, but he was too busy angling his head to give Bucky’s more room.

“Oh, I’ll be able to find you,” Bucky practically purred into his ear.

Then Bucky was out the door and Tony was just staring at Steve, still feeling his body throb. “Is he always like that?”

Steve gave him an awkward smile. “How do you think he convinced me? Alpha on alpha relationships are practically illegal and I fought wanting him. How cliche is your best friend being your mate? He figured it out before I did and, well, he’s pretty intense.”

“You love that about him,” Tony said, smirking when Steve blushed.

Steve started picking up the plates and taking them to the sink. Tony stood, feeling an urge to help. As he assisted Steve cleaning the dishes, he could feel himself there. No judgement, no hatred. Just himself. Help the ones he wanted to help. He knew it couldn’t last. It wasn’t like he had been born in this time. The idea that he would have to leave them made his stomach tighten in regret.

“I don’t want that to be something that scares you,” Steve finally said, drying off his hands and looking at him in such a careful way that Tony could see why this man would be chosen to be Captain America.

“Him being intense?” Tony asked, just to clarify.

“Yes, it’s out of...I can’t say love, but he hates to do things a person wouldn’t consent to,” Steve admitted.

“And you?” Tony asked, wanting to take it back almost immediately, feeling a moment of worry that he’d offend Steve.

Steve went quiet, hands gripping the kitchen counter behind him to the point of his fingers growing white from the pressure. “My Ma was a beta, one of those non-scenting folk.”

Tony stared at him confused, because betas were not treated badly in his time. Sure for alphas they were considered secondary after an omega, but that was more for the rich. For Tony’s class, which made him sick to think about. The average person didn’t think that way. Tony sat down, determined to not be like that. “Yeah, I get how that can be hard.”

Steve looked at him, before sighing. “Both Bucky's father and mine died in the war. When we were really young. His mother was an omega like I said. She only got enough food if she was willing to let the alphas...well, I guess you can already figure that out. They gave food to her as presents near her heat. My Ma didn’t have that ability. Bucky used to come by with food, his eyes dead, making sure both our homes had food.”

“Fucking hell,” Tony wispered. “I had no idea it was that bad. My father always talked about the great accomplishment of helping everyone.”

“That’s why Bucky is so determined to not have you have that fate,” Steve said, tossing the kitchen towel down.

“This isn’t going to last, you know. As much as I’m enjoying it, I’m the trophy husband,” Tony muttered. Once again his fear of going back there raised up, but he pushed it down, trying to enjoy the moment.

“Hey,” Steve said, dropping down on his knees in front of Tony. “You are just Tony to us. Just yourself.”

Tony wanted to tell him that he didn’t even know how to be himself anymore. But he knew that was a conversation for another time, when Bucky was there and he could actually say goodbye. Because he knew that he wasn’t where he was meant to be and he also knew that there was no way he could explain it to them.

“Steve, I need you to know that I appreciate and...I guess adore is the only word I can use to explain how I feel just sitting with you,” Tony said, his hands grabbing Steve’s hands, looking down at the tiniest and yet fiercest alpha he had ever encountered. “I honestly don’t even understand the instincts in me, this is really too new for me to even say anything. My life has been spent following rules and demands.”

Steve started to stand, pausing for a second to kiss Tony on the forehead, then pressing their foreheads together briefly. “I just want you to understand you have options.”

Tony felt his stomach tighten in response to Steve’s words and touch. “So what happens now?”

“Well, I think your clothes need to be changed,” Steve said, his tone so calm it was soothing. “I have a baggy shirt that can fit you. Bucky’s pants might be too long, but it will work.”

The shirt in question was pure white, the type he normally would wear under a button up. It was tight, but Tony didn’t complain when he saw Steve fight to not stare at him. The jeans fit his omega hips, but he had to roll them up a few inches. He looked into the mirror seeing their clothes on him and just felt claimed.

“Without those suppressants you really do let your scent roll out,” Steve teased, in his work uniform that somehow made him look even smaller.

Tony cursed, face turning bright red. “I don’t mind, but...I don’t want it to encourage things. Well, you saved me from that attention the other night.”

“I…” Steve looked awkward, eyebrows scrunching up together. “You can just stay in here, but I don’t picture you the type to handle that well.”

He laughed. “I would deconstruct your radio and anything else I can find to make it better. It’s kind of how I relax.”

“The other options are you go out there as you are or you let me scent mark you,” Steve said, his tone very straight forward, not a hint of a blush on him.

Tony wondered the difference now to his time when it came to scent marking. He’d been offered semen from an alpha, rubbed into his skin to prove he had some type of claim. Tony shuddered when he remembered that it was Obadiah. Taking a deep breath, Tony looked at Steve, who apparently decided to give Tony a minute and was collecting his wallet and keys. Tony bit his lip, sadly wishing he didn’t have to be a nineteen year old in this situation.

“Steve?” Tony eventually said, wincing at how delicate his voice sounded. “What is scent marking to you?”

“It’s...kind of embarrassing,” Steve admitted. “You already have Bucky’s scent on you from him scenting you earlier, but it’s really weak. I’d have to…”

“Ejaculate on me,” Tony interjected, wanting to get the conversation over with.

Steve stared at him, face looking utterly horrified, a sense of utter pissed off righteousness flaring in his eyes. “Is that what they did to you?”

“It depended,” Tony admitted, wondering how sad his life was that Steve Rogers looked like he was going to be a single man army in his honor. “Usually the suppressants were fine, but if I was going to be in a room of only alphas…”

“No, no,” Steve rushed to say, storming up to him and cupping his face. Steve being smaller and so much shorter suddenly didn’t matter, the alpha’s intensity just filled the room and Tony was honestly trying to not drop to his knees. “I would never do that to you unless you asked. I just need to make sure you have a lasting scent, so any alpha will know you’re with one in some way.”

Tony was fully aware a flare of arousal shot through him that was probably something Steve could smell, but he only said, “How would you do that?”

“I need to put my scent on your bonding mark,” Steve said, his face now blossoming into a bright blush. “Saliva works best, but...it can be intense. I might try to bite without realizing.”

The thought sent a shiver down his spine. “Think you can control yourself?”

Steve squinted his eyes at him and smiled. “Think you can shove me away like a strong omega if it hits that point?”

“Yes,” Tony said slowly, because to be honest he didn’t know if he could. But saliva was better than someone rubbing his ejaculate on him. He looked at Steve, this man he just met who had done everything in his power to make Tony feel safe. “I trust you.”

“Okay, yeah, Bucky told me to do it, but I was so worried-”

“I trust you,” Tony repeated, cutting him off. He backed up and sat down on the couch, leaving room on the side of the couch for Steve to access his bonding mark. Steve was staring at him, blue eyes ridiculously wide.

Then he was stalking forward, dropping down on the couch. Tony didn’t even have a moment to speak, because delicate hands were on him, pushing him back against the cushions. Steve’s eyes were fully blown open and he had his hand on Tony’s chest. He was just looking at him, a gaze that was intense and made Tony tremble, something Steve felt from where they touched. A single hand on his chest gave Steve enough to know what he was feeling.

“Okay?” Steve whispered.

“Yes,” Tony replied, staring at him, not knowing how this would happen.

Steve’s hand slid up, along his neck and cupping his jaw. Tony refused to believe he whimpered when Steve tilted his head to expose his bonding mark. He could actually smell himself filling the air around them, turned on but wary. He’d never been able to do that before. Then suddenly there was a wet, agile tongue along his bonding mark. And Tony felt his body jerk, pain filled him because he needed the alpha. Needed. Needed.

He wasn’t even ashamed of the mewl that escaped him, hand reaching for Steve, trying to drag the man on top of him. And Steve was just licking, the occasional drag of teeth. Tony closed his eyes, trying to just enjoy it. Because in the real world he’d never get to enjoy the pure pleasure of someone doting on him. No, the first alpha to get to his bonding mark would bite, his own enjoyment pointless.

Steve pulled back, looking down at him with a flushed face, eyes darting around his face. “You okay?”

And for once Tony couldn’t even figure out a single word to say. He just let out a sound and felt ashamed when his hips rolled upward. He was hard, he couldn’t deny that. His body was trembling and touch would probably set him into an immediate orgasm. Steve didn’t deserve that, not when he was just doing this to keep him safe out on the street.

“I’m okay,” Tony whispered. “Just never experienced that. Shit. That was…”

Steve just smiled at him fondly.

Eventually, after Tony spent a couple minutes in the bathroom for personal reasons, they left the apartment. Steve left him at the library, walking another block to his work. He settled himself in the library, spending most of his time in the math and engineering section. Eventually he made his way to literature, gazing around at the beautiful architecture of the building. He had already gathered a book on time shifts. It probably wouldn’t help him any, but getting any book on it would help in the strange place he had found himself in.

Steve’s scent mark did it’s job. As he was grabbing the only copy of The Hobbit an alpha started to approach him, but backed up from the combination of Tony’s glare and the smell of Steve on him.

He was shocked by the card presented to him, used to more fuss when he’d check out a book. He signed for both books and watched the librarian stamp the date next to his signature. Smiling, he went out and sat himself down on the wide and massive steps. He pulled out the time shift book, skimming it fast since he knew Bucky would be there soon. He got caught up in the concept of multiple timelines, squinting at the page he was on and hoping there would be more information in the books of his timeline.

“Look at you, too busy reading to even notice me,” a voice said.

Tony felt his whole body jerk, realizing Bucky was sitting next to him. Tony knew his face was bright red. “Sorry.”

Bucky chuckled. “What are you reading, anyway?”

“Time loops,” Tony replied, closing the book.

“That’s...pretty science deep,” Buckky replied.

Tony winced. “Kinda how I go.”

Bucky stared at him a moment, before grinning. “Want to get a hotdog and head home?”

Tony grinned back, because he’d never had an actual hotdog and Bucky’s grin was too strong to deny. “Sure.”

Bucky stood and held out his hand for Tony to grab, which he did knowing he was letting out both nervous and excited omega scents. Bucky just tugged him into his side, draping his arm across Tony’s shoulders. Many would consider it a gesture of ownership, but Tony just felt secure as they came up to the hotdog stand. It was small and Tony almost wondered about the food safety, before Bucky set a warm hotdog in his hands.

The hotdog wasn’t really something Tony enjoyed, even beyond his rich upbringing, but he loved the way Bucky enjoyed it. The man acted like it was caviar and in between bites he kept talking to Tony, like he was just that important. It made him ache and hate himself in turn.

“If you won't eat it, I will.” Bucky suddenly said.

Tony looked and saw he had only eaten half of his food. He handed it over to Bucky, who winked and started to eat the hotdog. Tony had to force his gaze away, something warm hitting his stomach and a weird energy in his body. He looked back up at Bucky and he felt a blush rushing through him, thankful that he was tan enough for it to not show too dramatically.

As they entered their apartment, Bucky turned toward him, head tilted. “What do you want to do?”

“Umm, well, I actually have a book for you,” Tony replied.

Bucky broke into a bright grin. “Yeah? I knew you and Steve were conspiring. Let me get changed first.”

Tony found himself back on the couch, holding his own book on time loops but not looking at it. Bucky emerged in loose jeans and a simple white shirt, but it didn’t hide the muscles of his arms. Tony swallowed and looked away, reaching for the book Steve asked him to get.

“What do you have for me?” Bucky asked, dropping down on the couch next to Tony, in the same spot Steve had been when he had leaned in a scent marked him. The thought brought up more emotions than Tony was expecting.

Tony gave a nervous chuckle. “Steve thought you might like it. The only one in the library.”

Bucky’s reaction to The Hobbit reminded Tony of the first time he picked up a book on mechanics and understood it. The man was grinning, bouncing slightly in his seat, before opening to the first page. Tony couldn’t help grinning as he watched Bucky just get absorbed into the book. He wanted to ask when Steve would be home, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull the man away from the world he had dived into.

He stood up, wincing at the odd twinge in his side, before walking toward the kitchen to prepare a snack for them and Steve. Apparently their estimation of when they got home was accurate because an hour after Tony had given Bucky the book Steve entered, looking tired.

“Hey,” Tony said softly. “If you want to change, go ahead. I got some cheese and crackers for you.”

“How long has he been reading?” Steve asked, grinning.

“Around an hour,” Tony replied, matching his amused expression.

“And he calls us nerds,” Steve said with an eyeroll, before heading into the bedroom. He came back, looking more relaxed than Bucky in pajamas. “So I hear you have food.”

Tony reached for the plate and handed it over. “I didn’t know what you guys liked, but I don’t know a person who hates cheese.”

“You actually baked this,” Steve said, looking at the plate of crackers with hot, formerly bubbling cheese on top.

“Is that okay? I mean-”

“You are a gift,” was all Steve said, before taking the plate into the living room. Tony watched as he sat next to Bucky and gave a gentle kick to the man’s leg. “Get out of your fantasy world and eat what Tony made us.”

Bucky let out a humming sound and reached out, eyes still on the book, to pick up one of the crackers. It wasn’t until after he ate it that he finally looked up. He looked at Steve, smiling softly. “Hey, you.”

“Uh huh,” Steve replied with a smirk. “Took you what, twenty minutes to realize I was home.”

“A good world is a good world,” Bucky replied. “Where’s my bookmark?”

“You don’t have one,” Steve replied with a grin. He reached over and grabbed the notebook next to the couch, ripping a strip off. “Here.”

“You’re the best,” Bucky said, leaning over to kiss Steve.

Tony felt that longing again, to be a part of this, to have that kind of love. He moved back to the kitchen, quickly gathering up the things needing washing. He was turning on the water when strong arms wrapped around him from behind, the heavy scent of Bucky surrounding him. Bucky’s hands followed his arms, the soft touch lighting up from his nerves. Bucky turned off the water and then guided Tony to turn around.

He’d never had an aggressive alpha actually pressed up against him, body to body. They usually ran hands along his thighs or lower back, testing his willingness so there wouldn’t be a scene. Right then, he felt Bucky against him, chest to knee. Tony held his breath, feeling himself relax when he realized Bucky wasn’t trying to actually do anything. He just had such an intensity to him that Tony felt like he could drop to his knees.

It was the same with Steve, just with his voice instead of body.

Tony knew if he spoke, he’d be a stuttering mess. So he stared at Bucky, meeting eyes that were more gunmetal than blue. He felt hips pressed to his. Bucky wasn’t hard and neither was Tony, this stare down wasn’t about arousal.

Eventually Bucky smiled, a hand sliding up Tony’s side. “Come listen to music with us.”

Tony let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Okay.”

Somehow, and Tony really didn’t get how it happened, but the smooth swing music on the radio led to him dancing with them both. Then both of them together. They laughed and touched, but nothing more. Almost like they were wooing him. His mind was set alive with all the possibilities they could give him, both alpha running a hand down his body without insisting it was more than what it simply was.

Bucky twirled him and he nearly ran into Steve. He laughed, realizing he had laughed more in the past hour than he could ever remember. “I told you I was bad at this a while ago.”

“How have you not learned to swing?” Steve teased, tugging Tony up against him.

“It is the dance of those weak against their urges,” Tony replied in a horrific pompous tone, rolling his eyes at the same time. The same words Howard Stark used when he got caught at a club.

Bucky grabbed his hip and tugged him in close. “Anyone who says that doesn’t know what fun is.”

Tony suddenly felt Steve against his back, delicate hands resting at his sides but Steve’s body was fully flush against him. Always the daring one, as Tony was realizing. Steve pressed his mouth against Tony’s neck, low on the back of the neck. “I think we can have fun without those rules right here.”

And god, if Steve Rogers wasn’t a tantalizing man, and also a little shit.

Tony didn’t actually respond. He just started moving with them, head dropping down to rest on Bucky’s shoulder. He was a good dancer, didn’t think he’d ever be, but he knew how to respond to the people touching him. He ended up sandwiched between Bucky and Steve. Bucky got hard ten minutes in, but he never thrusting, just slid his hand along Tony’s body to tug him closer. To be honest, neither of them let their lust take over.

Tony’s life had been alphas trying to get close enough to touch, to own. And there, dancing to the upbeat sound of music that he wasn’t familiar with, Tony felt himself feeling safe between the two of them. They didn’t want more than this, they just wanted to enjoy him while he enjoyed them.

He felt like his temperature was spiking with need, but he forced it back as the song ended and he was able to sit down.

Eventually food was eaten. Tony went through it like in a daze, the feeling of them wrapped around him stuck in his head.

“Umm, so, now that you know about us,” Steve said, shifting from foot to foot. “You can take my room. I’ve only used it for show, anyway.”

“That sounds fine,” Tony replied, smiling, wanting to show that he still approved of their unorthodox relationship.

He found himself in a small room and on a mattress that was better than the couch, but still nowhere near what he was used to. Proof of Steve spending his nights in Bucky’s room was apparent by the lack of anything personal. For some reason, that Tony couldn’t fully understand, the fact that Steve was so fully connected with Bucky made him happy.

They were perfect for each other.

He fell asleep hoping he’d wake up there, cocooned in Steve and Bucky’s blankets. Hoping to wake up early enough to make them breakfast. So he fell asleep, hoping life would just give him something good for once.

He woke up on a couch, television still playing and little electronic pieces on the table.

Notes:

So clearly each chapter is a single day. I don't expect it to be as long a Hazy Shade of Winter. Each chapter will be different length to fit to the events of that day.

I do start my new job tomorrow, but have Chapter three 1/4 done. I shouldn't have any difficulty posting at least once a week, but we shall see.

Also: Enjoying writing tiny!Steve way too much.

Chapter 3: Day Three

He didn’t get off the couch for a long time, half hoping he would randomly fall asleep. But eventually he knew he’d have to go back to living his life. Tony got dressed and headed out to the street, immediately making his way to an antique shop he had spotted a few weeks ago. He ignored the loud noise of Brooklyn, just the idea of being where Steve and Bucky were enough to keep it from being annoying.

The antique shop was small, items pressed against each other on the shelves. The girl manning the desk smiled at him and told him to ask if he needed help. He paused, almost feeling his face start to blush. “Do you have anything from around the 1940s?”

The girl perked up and waved her hand for him to follow. He found himself at the back of the store, while she said, “Not much, I’m afraid, but this shelf is all from the 1930s, so it’s probably close to what you’re looking for. The only thing from the forties is the tea set on the next shelf.”

“Thank you,” Tony replied. “I’ll let you know if I need something else.”

“Of course,” the girl said. “Anything you need.”

Tony watched her walk away, the scent of alpha following her. He stared at the shelf, biting his lip and wondering if he was just going crazy. But he stared at the old radio in front of him, hands twitching like he just wanted to touch it. The very wood of it was tarnished and the dials at the bottom weren’t fully cleaned. But it looked exactly like the one broadcasting music as they had danced.

He didn’t even pause while he grabbed it and headed to the front counter, his body vibrating from the need to just possess it. He set it on the counter, annoyed when his phone made a loud noise. He pulled it out and saw the calendar reminder for the quarterly board meeting. Cursing, he made a point to smile as the girl rang him up.

“This does have an issue,” she admitted. “There is a gear or something missing that is needed.”

“That's fine,” Tony replied, because he didn’t actually plan on playing it. He just needed to hold it.

Quickly, he made his way home. The radio was delicately placed on the coffee table, among the collection of electronic parts he was trying to figure out. He stormed toward the closet, yanking his comfortable clothes off and just as roughly pulling on a suit and tie. He hated business meetings, from the depth of his heart.

He made his way downstairs to the street, scowling when a sleek car, far too expensive for this community and therefore making his presence too noticeable. He climbed inside and immediately felt the heat of Obadiah against his side. His body went tense. “Thought I’d avoid it?”

“It would be best if they saw us as a unit,” Obadiah said. And Tony knew what he meant. He meant that he was already preparing for the board to suspect Obadiah claiming Tony as his omega. After all, it was all about image. And the more people that were accepting of it, the harder it would be for Tony to fight it.

In the end his presence at the meeting was utterly pointless. Now that his father was dead, the board no longer indulged in Tony when he opened his mouth, even if he thought he had better ideas than just another bomb or gun. Even trying to encourage the R&D program looking into body armor instead of all out weapons was quickly shut down. Frustrated, he closed his mouth and pretended to take notes.

They were a block from Stark Industries when Tony leaned forward to catch the driver’s attention. “Can you just drop me off at the library?”

“We should go for a late lunch,” Obadiah stated, making it clear there was no suggestion to his tone.

“Obie, just because I’ve graduated from MIT doesn’t mean I should stop learning. The board wants better weapons, well I need to get inspired,” Tony said, lying through his teeth.

“Fine, library it is,” Obadiah replied with a huff.

Thankfully the man got bored after thirty minutes and, in his usual inconsiderate manner, told Tony to find his own way home. Tony was thankful and swiftly moved away from the books on war and toward those on physics, astronomy, and alternative science, hoping he’d find something to add onto what he had read about time loops and alternate universes.

He grabbed a few possibilities and headed to the bus stop. He might have already inherited millions of dollars from his parents, but that didn’t mean he was willing to pay a taxi price to get to Brooklyn. He sat on the second bus, ignoring the elderly woman who clearly recognised him and was staring with intensity. Thankfully his next stop came up and he got out before she could try to speak to him, then he walked another block for his final bus, books held tight in his arms.

He eventually made it home, over an hour longer than he would have if Obadiah had any sense of patience. But that didn’t bother him, he loved having his own space and being able to be a normal person.

He dropped the books on the side table by his couch and dropped down on the soft, used surface of the couch, smiling when the random scents of other people hit his nose. It did make him feel like he was a part of this community, if only by scent alone. Humming to himself, he reached out for the remote to turn the television on, letting a random show fill the space with other voices.

Tony Stark would never admit it to himself, but he was desperately lonely.

After eating, Tony started looking at the radio. He grabbed rags and a cleaning agent and set about scrubbing it down until the dials were pristine and the wood practically glowed. Smiling at just the sight of it, he then turned to the books, skimming them fast to find any hint of time travel. The second book had a few chapters on time loops and string theory, so he marked them, so he could read them later. Right then he was just searching for a sign the book was useful.

Eventually tiredness came upon him and he laid down on the couch, feeling a desperate hope inside him as he stared at the television. Seeing it on one of those competition shows, Tony scowled and changed the channel. It ended up on the news, but he didn’t care as long as it wasn’t that annoying crap.

And then he was asleep.

There was a tapping on the door. Tony let out a growl and grabbed a pillow, throwing it in that direction. It hit the door with a soft thump, causing the tapping to stop.

“Oh my, the omega has launched an attack,” a very sarcastic and familiar voice said. There was one last tap on the door. “Come on, Stevie is making breakfast.”

Tony sat up fast, ignoring the twinge in his side as he realized that he was back. He was exactly where he wanted to be, where he actually fit in. Throwing off the blankets, he rushed to the door, needing to see them. It felt desperate that he saw them right in front of him. The door was thrown open, Bucky looking startled.

“You okay there?” Bucky asked.

“I just...was worried this went away,” Tony admitted, wincing. At Bucky’s worried expression, Tony shrugged and said, “Bad dream I guess.”

“Sure,” Bucky replied, like he knew something was wrong but was willing to let it go. Tony was actually glad that Bucky had woken him up, because Steve would find some way to get answers out of him. “Hey, let’s get food, okay? Today’s a rare good day.”

“Rare how?” Tony asked, following Bucky into the kitchen.

“We both have the day off!” Steve announced, his grin so wide across his face. “So we get to be lazy. Well, other than cleaning up after breakfast.”

“I’ll take care of that, superstar,” Tony replied. He turned to Bucky before the man could think to open his mouth in protest. “You two work way too hard. I am capable of doing the dishes. You can play down the dramatic alpha defense with me. I actually beg for it. I’m living in your home, let me do something.”

“I just don’t want you to think we’re taking advantage of you.” Bucky accepted a plate of toast and eggs, not looking at Tony.

“You’ve reached the point that it’s already been drilled into my head. Thank you, Steve,” Tony replied, taking the plate of food and immediately taking a bite. He’d never been a fan of sunny-side up eggs, but Steve’s cooking was too good to not enjoy.

“Fine,” Bucky said, looking a little grumpy.

“I say I want to do something, I should get to do it. Even if it’s cleaning a few dishes, right?” Tony asked, watching in amusement as Bucky squinted at him in frustration. “Sorry, big boy, but I’m a stubborn omega who does what he wants.”

By this point Steve dropped his toast and started laughing. “Damn, Bucky, this omega is a match for you.”

“Oh, fine,” Bucky muttered, focusing on his food. “You think you’re feisty then that means you tell us no if you don’t want to do something. Even the dishes.”

Tony just smiled, feeling a pure warmth rush through him. He felt like this was where he should be. That cold world he had left behind seemed like the actual dream. He watched Bucky and Steve argue about what they were going to do that day with a small smile on his face.

“What do you normally do?” Tony interjected when the argument turned to Steve throwing his hands into the air in frustration. While Steve claimed Bucky was the drama queen, Steve was clearly the bomb ready to boom.

“Honestly, nothing,” Steve admitted, face going a little flush. Which meant it was more than nothing, but not something that involved an extra person.

Tony honestly tried to hide his grin, but from Bucky’s expression he didn’t do very well. “Well, I could always leave for a while and let you be sex maniacs.”

“That’s rude,” Steve replied.

“Says the guy who curses while tackling people,” Tony replied.

“He’s got you there,” Bucky replied with a smirk.

“Seriously, I will leave if you guys need that time,” Tony said, tone serious. The two did a weird eye contact and facial expression thing, clearly communicating without words. Tony finished his plate and took it to the sink, starting to clean it and the pan Steve had used. There was silence behind him, which he figured was more silent communication.

He was rinsing off the pan to put in the drainer when strong arms wrapped around him. It was familiar, which meant he felt no reason to flinch when Bucky’s nose pressed against his neck. “We want to spend some time with you.”

Tony snorted, setting the pan in the drainer and easily turning around, because Bucky might be holding him but he wasn’t being a strict alpha with it. He gave Tony all the room he needed. Tony ignored the fact that he was blushing as he looked up at Bucky’s face and then over at Steve, who didn’t show a single expression on his face except that he was okay with what Bucky was doing. Tony didn’t really know what to do, because these two broke every rule that he’d experienced in life.

“Okay,” Tony finally said, letting out a long breath and ignoring that he was resting a hand on Bucky’s arm. Bucky was still holding him, his arms feeling too strong. “What do you want to do, then?”

“We can go to the beach?” Steve offered. “Get into the water a bit.”

Tony let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t have swimwear. Though...I’ve never been to the beach, either, so that does sound enticing.”

“You can borrow one of mine,” Bucky said, eyeing him in a way that should have made Tony uncomfortable, but instead gave him an odd urge to preen.

They lounged around for a bit longer, Tony finishing the dishes and the others turning on the radio to enjoy. Eventually he had a set of swimwear over his shoulder - being told they’d change there and Tony was dreading it because the shorts and tank-top combo did not look appealing - and was bent over the radio, tilting it so he could look at the back.

“No dismantling,” Steve ordered, tugging him to the door.

“I just want to see how it works,” Tony protested, actually going as far as pouting.

“Then we’ll take you to the library again, now let’s go,” Steve said with a laugh. He turned to Bucky with a grin. “He admitted that his favorite hobby was breaking down electronics.”

“That’s...oddly adorable,” Bucky said, obviously stating it because Tony’s face immediately blushed red. Bucky just grinned when Tony glared at him.

“Off to the trolly!” Steve announced.

Tony stuck close to them, staring at the trolly, riding on metal beams like a regular train. He was eventually, Bucky smirking, distracted by the very motion of it. It was difficult to sit and not wobble around and there wasn’t much of a way to let the driver know to stop. And yet it made him feel content much like sitting on a city bus like a normal person.

Another moment to be just Tony.

It wasn’t the fastest journey, but Tony entertained himself by asking them about locations they passed by. Bucky looked at him carefully, like he was trying to figure out a puzzle in his head, but Steve was happy to play tourist guide.

The beach had sections of small buildings, almost like modern day port-a-potties without the offensive sight and smell. Tony followed them and went into one to change into the horrific swimsuit. When he exited he had to stand there awkwardly for a few minutes, avoiding the eyes of a few alphas. He let out a breath of relief when Bucky emerged. He was in a similar outfit, but one that showed a lot more leg.

He didn’t even care that he was staring. Bucky still looked like the perfect muscled alpha, his smile when he spotted Tony making him think of the sun rising. Swallowing, Tony looked down, not wanting to be so obvious about his attraction. A minute later Steve emerged, nowhere near the physical stature that Bucky gave off, but the man had a strange energy to him, like he honestly couldn’t care what people thought about him and was hoping for someone to say something so he could get riled up.

“Ready to get wet?” Steve asked, striding over, pausing to glare at one of the alphas that had been eyeing. Tony snorted.

“Yeah, sure,” Tony said awkwardly, one hand squeezing at his top’s hem.

“Come on, you scaredy-cat,” Bucky teased, grabbing Tony’s hand.

And that was how Tony found himself in the ocean for the first tiime, which wasn’t as clean looking as pictures had told him, trying to keep Steve from splashing water in his face. Laughing, Tony took this moment to allow that level of joy to spread through him. They splashed and ducked eachother under the water and Tony felt happy, like he could play for no reason than it was just something to enjoy. It was a bit of a novelty that he couldn’t shake off.

Eventually they went back to the beach, dropping down on a couple of towels Steve thought to bring. Tony stared up at the sky, occasionally joking with them, and feeling like he never wanted to leave this place. Which meant, as the energy of the universe always did, that something would come around to destroy the ambience Tony had dropped into.

“Mighty fine omega you have there,” a voice said, his shadow stretching across both Tony and Steve. “Now, what sad alpha wouldn’t have a taste of that by now?”

“Excuse me?” Steve snapped. He was clearly about to stand up, possibly even tackle the poor unsuspecting guy down.

“Who are you to talk?” Bucky asked, not even bothering to look over, his tone alone enough to settle Steve down. He kept his eyes on the water, where he’d been sitting next to Steve, looking content. He didn’t look content right then, but it was enough to fool a dumb alpha.

“Who are you?” the alpha snapped. “Can’t even mark him properly? Poor excuse of an alpha, I’d say.”

Bucky stood and walked the mere four feet to be face to face with the man. “You want an omega who isn’t able to say no, you take yourself elsewhere. Because in my house, I will treat my omega as I see fit. Including letting him choose what he wants. I suggest you walk away, or you’re going to have a very angry bulldog teaching you a lesson.”

The alpha looked a bit confused, before apparently realizing it just wasn’t worth the effort. Bucky stayed standing, face almost fierce, until the man was barely a shadow on the beach. It was after then that Bucky let out a breath and walked over to drop down onto the sand and lean into Tony. Like he couldn’t help himself in making sure Tony was okay.

“Babe,” Steve whispered, knowing people were around to hear him speak a word of affection toward another alpha. “Are you okay?”

“I-” Bucky shook his head, clearly confused about his own actions. He seemed to not realise he had wrapped his arms around Tony and honestly Tony couldn’t bring himself to point it out. Bucky went tense and looked at Tony. “I’m sorry.”

Tony looked at him, confused. “Why?”

“I called you my omega,” Bucky said, his grey-blue eyes wide and almost scared. “You’re not mine.”

Tony swallowed, not sure if he was ready for that conversation. He bit his lip and glanced at Steve, whose face was more open with emotion than Tony had ever seen. He looked back at Bucky, knowing his own eyes were just as wide and hesitant as the other man’s. “My dream is to have an alpha like you. And like Steve, obviously. I just don’t know how long this can last. But I want you both for as long as I can have you, even though that makes me a really selfish person.”

“We need to head home,” Steve said in such a strong voice that Tony and Bucky immediately started gathering their things.

The path back was filled with a tension Tony wasn’t used to, like he was stuck waiting to know if someone wanted him in a way that was abstract to him. He’d realized early in life that no one was allowed to want him like that. They finally made it home and Tony followed them in, his arms now wrapped around himself because he knew that he was walking into bad news and with his own arms he felt he had some kind of a defense against the coming conversation. Eventually Steve got him to sit down, all of them on the same level.

Bucky was on the small chair by the door and Steve was sitting next to Tony, but a few inches farther than usual which implied this wasn’t going to be a good conversation. Tony stared at his hands, picking his nails. He finally looked up, seeing them having one of their silent conversations, and cleared his throat. “I’ll leave. I didn’t mean to bring this kind of...stress on you.”

“That isn’t-” Bucky cut himself off, turning and not looking at either of them. Which Tony didn’t feel offended by, the man had already proved that he backed away from something that required to deal with emotions.

“We actually,” Steve said in a soft tone, “wanted to ask if you would be open to one of us being your alpha.”

“One of-” Tony cut himself off, before shaking his head. “I won’t be able to stay. I want both of you, but me being here and then leaving? I can’t do that to you. And picking one, what does that even mean?”

“Why not fight leaving?” Bucky said, looking back over at him. “I’m daring anyone who thinks they can fight you while you are saying no, saying yes. I can feel the strength in you. You deserve to do what you want. Even if it's not us. I refuse to let you leave without being happy about it.”

Tony was trained to not let tears fall unless it was something that could aid you. He suddenly felt himself drawing into a ball on the corner of the couch. He couldn’t breath as his legs drew up, until he was a worthless ball in the corner of the couch as two alpha’s took his reaction like he was injured. It took a moment for him to be able to even hear anything. Wiping at his eyes, he could see Bucky on the floor, on his knees, and Steve hovering a foot away from his cushion on the couch.

“I’m sorry,” Tony eventually said, voice feeling a bit raw.

“What set you off?” Steve asked.

Tony winced, before dropping back onto the back of the couch and staring at the ceiling. “I’ve never had anyone say I deserve to do what I want. I’ve never had the chance to, well...as you said, be happy. And I’m so sorry you got swept up in my-”

“Don’t you dare,” Bucky said, gaze intense. “We’re not offering because we think it’s a fleeting thing, we understand that it’s about you and if we want to be a part of it then it's your decision. An omega’s heat or anything about it isn’t something to abuse.”

Tony felt his face go bright red and by the way Steve and Bucky briefly sniffed the air for a second made him realize he was sending off the scent of an aroused omega. Because both of them joining him for that was too much to not think about and appreciate. He cleared his throat, pushing embarrassing images out of his head. “Can we save this for when I’ve actually processed…”

“Of course, we just thought we should tell you that you have that option,” Steve replied. “Honestly, we just want to make sure you’re safe. And, well, to show our interest.”

Tony looked at both of them. Feeling his face still as red as before, Tony squirmed and said, “Can we listen to music or something? You guys are staring a bit too much.”

“And this is why you can’t dismantle it,” Steve teased as Bucky turned on the radio. Tony felt himself tugged up into a watz with Steve. Tony laughed, letting his thoughts just sit on the back burner, Steve grinning as he spinned him right into Bucky’s arms.

“Boring music, Steve, just give us something to actually dance to,” Bucky said, smirking when Steve reached over to set the station to similar swing music as before. Bucky wrapped an arm around Tony’s waist and tugged him in close as they moved to the sound of music. Tony gasped when Bucky suddenly put him into a spin.

“Yeah, Bucky likes the dangerous type of dancing,” Steve piped up. “I prefer to be a gentleman.”

“Only dangerous if you don’t know your space,” Bucky said, not hiding his grin when Tony got pulled back and into his chest.

Tony looked up, scowling. “This is hard when you don’t know what you’re doing. We didn’t dance like this the other day.”

“Ah, but you’re just beautiful to twirl, doll,” Bucky teased.

“This is embarrassing for both of us, Bucky,” Steve said in an amused tone, dropping down onto the couch.

“Oh be quiet,” Bucky grumbled. He turned back to Tony with a soft smile. “How would you like to dance?”

Tony felt his face turn red and couldn’t find it in himself to respond. He wasn’t a weakling, he knew how to speak up even if the people around him never wanted him to, but this was a more intimate situation.

“Oh, I see,” Bucky replied, drawing him in close. “We can definitely do that.”

And then Steve was pressed up against his back, making him blush even more, and the nervous omega against the two of them. It was still the swing music on the radio, but once again they were moving to it in a completely different way. It was like the night before when he had been pressed between them, their bodies like a guard against the rest of the world. He felt warm, all over, and let out a soft humming sound in response to Steve’s hands resting on his hips.

He dropped his head down, resting his forehead against Bucky’s shoulder as they just swayed. It wasn’t even actual dancing. But it was hypnotic, the gentle movement and soft press of their bodies against his own. He felt a thumb stroking his cheek and blinked up at Bucky. “I think someone is getting tired.”

A rush of fear shot through him, he didn’t want to leave. He couldn't go back there, back to being lonely and desperate, without touch and comfort.

“Hey,” Steve’s soft voice caught his attention, gentle hands turning him around. Bucky immediately pressed up against his back, like he was trying in his own way to stop Tony from slipping into a panic attack. It was a very close thing, but he focused on Steve’s bright blue eyes. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Tony felt his stomach clench. “How can I already feel this strongly for you two? Since we’re basically being honest here, I don’t know what it’s like just feeling this way, let alone acting on it.”

Steve was silent for a moment, looking over Tony’s shoulder at Bucky. Then, after a moment of wordless communication, Steve reached up and cupped Tony’s jaw, delicate fingers stretching out to slide into the hair just as Tony’s neck. “Tony, those types of feelings happen exactly when they want to, we don’t have control over them. Those emotions and the weather are two things we’ll never control.”

“What he’s trying to say,” Bucky whispered near his ear, sending a tingling along his skin, “is may he kiss you?”

Tony had been kissed in a non-family lips on the cheek way exactly three times in his life. The first was in boarding school, when a boy had nervously given him a quick peck of a kiss when they were both eleven. The other two had been at MIT, both unwanted but it was hard to tell a show off alpha to get off. Thankfully Rhodey had had no problem saying it for him. And that was it, that was all of Tony’s experience. Tabloids went crazy with fake news just seeing him in public with an alpha and some of those alphas lied, but for Tony it was just those three kisses.

“I’m sorry,” Steve said, tone soft. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Tony swallowed, realizing he had been standing there silent for longer than he realized. “I’m not...I don’t know what I’m...yes.”

Steve lifted up his other hand, cupping Tony’s face like he was actually delicate. He watched, feeling a nervous thrum through his body, as Steve stepped up against him. Bucky was still a solid, comforting wall behind him. Steve leaned in, pausing merely two inches from Tony’s face. “Are you sure?”

And Tony was honestly tired of waiting. He reached up and tugged Steve toward him, feeling that small but wonderfully strong body against his own. And then, lips. Tony knew he let out a gasp at just the touch, trying to pull Steve closer and letting out a whine when he realized that Steve was just fully right there and he couldn’t actually devour the man or the feeling. Tony ignored the whimper he let out, opening his mouth to Steve’s tongue.

Tony knew he was the weak omega, it had been reminded to him often enough, but the fact that Bucky wrapped his arm around his waist when he nearly stumbled, holding him safely so he could just keep kissing Steve. It meant something that he just couldn’t actually solve by his normal experience. So he kept kissing Steve, not bothering to stop all the noises he was probably making.

Eventually Tony pulled back, panting slightly while Steve watched him with intense eyes. “Okay, so. That happened.”

“Yeah, that...happened,” Steve said, face red from a blush and voice sounding almost raw. “You are so beautiful.”

Then, before he even could process that compliment, he felt Bucky turning him around, a small smile on the man’s face. “He’s right, you are.”

“You are both-” Tony was cut off by Bucky pressing his lips to his own and apparently not even being ashamed that he didn’t ask first.

Steve’s kiss had been strong and yet delicate like he didn’t want to push too hard. Bucky was the opposite. Oh, sure, he was gentle, but he took what he wanted and Tony didn’t even have time to panic before the feeling of devotion and a strange ownership overwhelmed him. It wasn’t bad, but it was new and Tony felt embarrassed when he let out a low, guttural groan, hands reaching out to grab at Bucky’s clothes.

With Steve behind him and holding him still with a gentle wrap of his arms, Tony felt like he was being taken over by Bucky’s kiss. The aggressiveness he had seen before was now a strong but careful sensation as Bucky’s tongue touched his. Tony let out a sound that could only be described as desperate want. He jerked back, biting his lip and tasting Bucky.

“And that happened,” Tony eventually said into the thick silence they had found themselves in.

“And how do you feel about that?” Steve asked, the vibration and breath of him speaking against the back of Tony’s neck.

Tony couldn’t bring himself to lie. “Wonderful.”

“You can sleep with us tonight, nothing else happening, if you want,” Bucky said.

“We’ve already talked about it,” Steve offered. “We’re both on board with it, but it’s only if it’s something you want.”

Tony felt his inside just clench, because he did want it. “Even if it’s temporary?”

“We’ll figure that out when it comes,” Steve said.

Tony dropped his head down onto Bucky’s shoulder once again, trying to fight back the urge to say yes. But even Tony was just a man, a human that reached out for affection when it came to him. He shuddered, feeling like this was his only chance to feel loved beyond Rhodey’s brother type comfort. “Okay.”

Bucky tilted his head, taking a moment to kiss his temple. “You sure, doll?”

Tony let out a rough laugh. “Yes, I’m sure.”

And then it was like the heavy tension in the room dissipated. It was just them. They made dinner and ate while talking. Tony didn’t feel an urge to back away from soft touches from both of them. The ache in his stomach was still there, but it seemed to be comforted by the two alpha drawing him into comfort.

He didn’t know what to do with himself as they got ready for bed, Tony in Bucky’s clothes. They were loose on him, but the other option was Steve’s clothes that would be obscenely tight on him. He didn’t bother to roll up the pants as he stood in their room, staring at a queen size bed and two alphas who were gazing at him with more care that Tony felt he was worth. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do, shifting from foot to foot, feeling the urge to hug himself once again.

It was Steve, always more analytical when needed, who walked over. He ran a hand down Tony’s arm. “We are kind of hoping you’ll sleep between us, but if you need to be outside of that, it’s okay.”

“No, that’s,” Tony swallowed. “I just wasn’t sure.”

“Come on over, doll,” Bucky said, his gaze intense, much like everything the man did.

Tony nodded and crawled into bed. Immediately Steve was behind him, his small form oddly making Tony feel less blocked in the way he was expected. He watched Bucky slip under the blankets, body just tucking up against him like it was natural and he’d been doing it for years. Tony closed his eyes tight as the two of them shifted and got comfortable, wrapped around him like they needed to actually protect him. He felt their arms wrap around him and grasping each other, a reminder of how they felt about each other.

He’d never experienced such a safe cocoon before. Their scents were all around him, arms enclosed to keep him safe.

Tony didn’t want to, but he still fell asleep.

He woke up on the couch, a 1930s radio that he had just danced next to on his coffee table. And he didn’t bother to stop the tears as he buried his face into a pillow and sobbed.

Notes:

To be honest, I feel so many Tony sad feels. Like it's actually taken over everything.

Again, I recommend Somewhere in Time, which inspirited this.. Christopher Reeve is PHENOMINAL in it.

Chapter 4: Day Four

Notes:

Shorter chapter, but you'll see why.

He scoured the library books, hoping for any idea of how to force himself to get back there. He found nothing and didn’t regret throwing one book at the wall. With no believable excuses, Tony went into work and looked over the projects at R&D, annoyance building as every suggestion he made was ignored. Eventually, he found himself in a taxi heading to the biggest history museum in New York. Most of Captain America artifacts were at the Smithsonian museum, but New York had managed to keep a hold of enough to have what Tony desperately needed right then.

He ignored the desk receptionist who tried to get him in for free, because he was Tony Stark, and just handed over the money and walked through. He tried to enjoy the other exhibits but he couldn’t stop himself from rushing toward the Captain America exhibit.

And there he was, the image behind pristine glass, but it wasn’t Tony’s Steve. It was Steve after the serum. Tony could still see the drive and pure determination in the man, the unique righteousness that Tony had never seen in a person before. But, no, that wasn’t his Steve. It took longer to find a picture of Bucky and the man looked the same, just beaten down and tired amongst the Howling Commandos. Tony understood that feeling, he felt worn down right then.

What photos there were of them together, a normal person would never suspect they were together. They kept their perfect foot length space away from one another. But they couldn’t hide from Tony now, Tony could see a glance here and the uncontrollable twitch of a finger as they wanted to touch. Tony almost wanted to cry again, reaching out to touch the glass over a photo of Steve laughing and Bucky grinning. Everyone else might see it as two best friends, but Tony knew better.

And Tony wanted to go back to that. Back to them.

So he sat himself down on one of the little museum benches and stared at the pictures and descriptions around him. People continued to pass him by, one after another. Then ten after ten, then fifty after fifty. He must have sat there for a good while, long enough to worry the volunteer staff.

“Sir, we’re closing in a couple hours,” a nervous looking man said, leaning slightly to be in Tony’s vision but not obstruct the image of Steve’s face Tony had been staring at without blinking. “I’m only saying, because you’ve been here since noon.”

Tony finally blinked, ignoring the grittiness of his eyes. Noon? That couldn’t be right. He immediately noticed how his stomach felt tight from lack of food and water, but how he had no urge to actually eat. He cleared his throat and stood. “Thanks.”

Somehow he made it home, though he could admit to himself that he didn’t really remember how he had managed it. He picked up the book that was still on the floor and stared at the bent pages, fighting the urge to actually throw it again, but instead setting it on the side table. Tony wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge, staring at its contents.

His body was hungry, the throbbing in his stomach telling him as much, but the idea of eating made him oddly nauseated.

Tony wasn’t tired yet, probably wouldn’t be for a few more hours. Normally, he’d mess around with his electronics or get on the computer to work more on his JARVIS program, but even that didn’t seem worthwhile. So he found himself in the bathroom, the medicine cabinet open in front of him. He reached out and stared at the prescription bottle of sleeping medication. He hadn’t really needed them for months, the shift from college late night study binges to a regular schedule finally taking hold.

No, he could wait a few hours to go to sleep.

As he sat down on his bed, figuring he should at least get comfortable, arm reaching for his pajamas, a horrific thought struck him. What if he couldn’t fall asleep? Or what if they were gone or he woke up in a different place entirely?

His stomach clenched painfully, like he hadn’t eaten in days. Standing, not bothering to try to work through what was going on in his own head, Tony rushed back into the bathroom and threw the cabinet open. He nearly dumped the whole bottle of pills in the sink, before managing to swallow two down dry, ignoring the bitter taste and the way they tried to stick to the back of his throat, because he needed to sleep.

He’s curled up on his bed before the panic attack he was barely aware he had been having faded and he noticed the vague fuzzy state of his vision. There was a moment when he wondered if he took too much, but he knew two - it was two, right? - wouldn’t kill him.

Before he could even try to think farther on that disturbing thought, he blinked twice and then didn’t blink again.

There were fingers running through his hair, a thumb dropping down to gently trace his jaw. “He’s still not waking up and he’s feeling pretty warm.”

“I don’t think it’s feverish, but he might have caught something at the beach,” a voice - Steve, it was Steve - said softly.

“Stevie, what if he’s-” Bucky- it had to be - replied in a wary voice.

“Come on, Bucky, we both know what a heat smells like." Steve said. “I’m going to get another warm towel for his forehead, just keep trying to get him to respond. It’s like he’s sleep sick or something.”

Tony tried to open his eyes, just the motion giving him the urge to vomit. So he squeezed them closed tight. He felt a rough hand pick up his own, a thumb rubbing a gentle circle along his palm.

“Hey, squeeze my hand if you can hear me,” Bucky whispered. Tony squeezed, trying to open his eyes. “I don’t know what’s happening, but we’ll take care of you, okay doll?”

“I’ll be fine,” Tony muttered, his eyebrows scrunching up when he heard how slurred his voice was. “Just need to get past this...sleepy.”

“Hey, hey,” Bucky said, running his hand through Tony’s hair. “It’s okay. Just try to stay aware, okay? Nap as much as you need.”

He was in and out at that point, flashes of his own bedroom crossing over with images of Bucky and Steve. He didn’t know how long it lasted, not really, but he understood how long it must have been by Steve's worried face as he got Tony to eat some soup. Eventually the heated weakness faded from him and he was actually able to get out of bed and speak without gasping for breath.

They helped him to the living room, bundling him up on the couch, a blanket that smelled of both of them wrapped around him. It was as they both went into the kitchen to get food for dinner that Tony realized it was his own stupidity that had caused this whole reaction. He refused to let it be known that it was him, taking those sleeping pills, that had triggered his near drugged state for most of the day. Even if they knew he was from the future, this would be impossible to explain. Because this was science that even Tony Stark couldn’t even begin to understand.

“Hey there,” Steve said, setting a bowl of what Tony was pretty sure was the soup he had been handfed earlier onto the coffee table in front of him. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” Tony admitted, acknowledging the dark fog in his head was finally gone. “I’m sorry, for all of this.”

“None of that,” Steve replied sternly. “You told us how long you’ve been on suppressants. For all we know this is a normal reaction of withdrawal.”

“Maybe,” Tony agreed. Then he wondered how often, in his own time, he had kept up with them since he started switching into this time. He ignored the thought, because he knew the moment he let out a hint of heat that Obadiah would be on him, demanding his attention, thinking Tony not taking them was a sign of acceptance. Tony swallowed, wishing he had the right to just scream from the idea in his head right then. Instead he looked up at Steve and gave a weak smile. “Thank you, both of you, for just taking care of me.”

“I want to do nothing other than that,” Steve admitted, his face blushing red.

“Besides, if this means that poison is getting out of your body, I can’t complain,” Bucky added, walking in with both Steve’s and his own bowl. “Rather you go through the motions than have to deal with a dead kidney.”

Tony felt his face blush a bright red and instead of replying he reached for his bowl of soup, stomach now aching for sustenance. While the overlap of how time was actually working for him now was probably a headache waiting to happen, Tony wondered if he’d gone a day without eating or if it actually was two. The sleeping pills had definitely done their number on him and his hands felt almost numb wrapped around the warm bowl.

Steve must have added something to it since they got him to eat earlier, vegetables and extra chicken. It was delicious, the heartiness of it resting well with Tony’s stomach. He cleared his throat and asked, “What time is it?”

“Got about three hours before bed,” Bucky offered. “You probably won’t want to lay down that early though, so feel free to stay up. Sadly we definitely need to be at work tomorrow.”

“You called in, for me?” Tony asked, throat feeling dry despite the broth.

“Tony, you were barely moving, so of course we called in,” Bucky replied, eyebrows coming together.

“I told them my intended omega was sick and I wasn’t leaving his side,” Steve said with a small smile, one both bashful and sneaky. “I think my boss was actually relieved that I was interested in an omega at all.”

“Told my boss the same thing,” Bucky said, breaking into a grin. “Told me to go ‘em and then called me Tiger. Tomorrow is going to be hilariously awkward.”

“So, before you say anything,” Steve said, smiling over at Tony, “you don’t need to worry. No one is feeling bad about today. We’re just happy you feel better. Do you...well, do you know what happened?”

Tony shook his head and fought to come up with something. Naturally, his mouth took over for him. “I don’t know or think it was this, since I have been sleeping here, but I used to go on study binges. I’d go five days without sleep, even more if I had something to keep me awake. So eventually I’d just crash into a deep sleep for twelve or more hours.”

“That’s not healthy,” Steve replied.

“No, it’s not,” Tony agreed, thinking of the desperation while at MIT and the difference it has to today when he could actually have a steady schedule. “I used to have a friend that would come into the house and just gather up all the coffee, take it with him to ensure I couldn’t actually force myself to stay awake.”

“Used to?” Steve asked.

“He joined the army,” Tony said bluntly. He knew they’d understand. Now was World War II, but Rhodey was in the midst of the Gulf War. But war was still war in the end.

“America hasn’t entered the war, though,” Steve said, with a heavy dose of hesitation.

“Doesn’t mean they don’t have men somewhere,” Bucky muttered. “Come on, Stevie, you know it’s bound to happen, with Europe going crazy right now. We’re building our defenses up, even if we aren’t over there.”

Steve went silent, a look of concentration on his face.

“Don’t think about it,” Bucky growled.

“Think what?” Tony asked.

“You know this knothead,” Bucky said, looking the grumpiest Tony had ever seen him. “What is the bigger bully than a Nazi?”

“I’m not doing anything,” Steve snapped.

Tony fell silent, wondering if this would have been a conversation without him there. If they had argued and screamed at each other when the draft kicked in and Steve was left behind. Blinking, Tony silently ate his food, watching the two men stare at each other with a heavy sensation in the air. Eventually he noticed in the silence that they had all finished their food. He pushed the blanket off and stood, reaching for Steve’s bowl, tugging it out of his hands to stack with his own.

“You shouldn’t be doing that,” Bucky said, standing as well.

Tony actually rolled his eyes. “Then come help me. You don’t need to be a mother hen, you know.”

Steve laughed. “Mother hen, that’s about accurate. I’ll start getting the bed together.”

Tony found himself washing the bowls and utensils, handing them over to Bucky to dry off. He glanced at the cooling batch of chicken soup remaining on the stove. “Do you have any containers for that?”

Bucky pulled out a series of small containers that were clearly left over from the few things they had been able to buy in bulk from the deli or otherwise. Tony didn’t say anything, pushing down any snobby thought that dared to creep up, and set about filling all the little containers with soup before handing them over. He only got confused when Bucky started placed ice cubes from the freezer into each container to make them cold faster.

“What are you doing?” Tony asked.

Bucky looked startled for a second, before smirking. “Well, rich boy, too much heat in the ice box can raise the temperature.”

“Which would raise the temperature for the milk and eggs,” Tony finished. “That makes sense.”

“Just allows us to not worry about it so much,” Bucky replied. “I remember my pa, who didn’t even have the electric ice boxes we have now, well he refused to put any cooked food into that tiny little thing without it being at least room temperature. I’d say we’re lucky now.”

Tony felt a bit of awkwardness, knowing he was extremely lucky in comparison. He knew the basic refrigerator in this time was now available, but only for the rich. People like Bucky would never be able to pay the cost, especially the electric cost of something like that. He took the cooking pot to the sink and began scrubbing, a tension in him that he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with.

Bucky placed the last container of soup in the icebox before turning to him. “You okay, doll?”

“I can’t help,” Tony snapped, scrubbing a little too hard on the inside of the pot. Realizing he’d most likely scratch it, he dropped the pot into the sink and backed away, feeling tears in his eyes. “I can’t make things better.”

“Tony, no,” Bucky grabbed him and turned him around into a gentle hug. “Neither one of us wants you to.”

“I want to,” Tony whispered, annoyed when a tear fell. “I want to give you both everything, but I can’t. And it kills me that I can’t.”

Bucky’s hand slid up from his lower back, the very touch relaxing Tony’s muscles. The hand kneaded gently at his neck, before cupping his jaw and tugging softly to make him look up into steel blue eyes. “We...I want you to be you, just as you’ve been since the moment we met you. I don’t care what world you come from, because it doesn’t matter. To us, you are perfect as you are, right here and with no questions.”

“I don’t think I can live up to that,” Tony said, blinking rapidly, not wanting tears to ruin the moment.

“Sorry, doll,” Bucky replied with a grin. “You are already living up to it.”

Tony felt his body relax. He almost wanted to stay up, but he mostly wanted them. He really wanted to feel them holding him and Bucky looking at him like he was just important made his final decision, “Let’s go to bed.”

Bucky took his hand and pulled him into the living room. At a look from Bucky, Steve smiled and turned off the light. And again, he was there, tucked in between them, both naturally tucking into the curve of his body. Both reaching for the other, which made Tony surrounded even more tightly as they created a perfect hold.

Tony stayed awake for a couple of hours. Steve fell asleep first, his steady breath hitting Tony’s ear. For a small bit, Bucky kept his eyes open, watching Tony with a soft look to his face. Then Bucky threw a leg over both Tony and Steve in an automatic form of possession and fell asleep as well. Tony was surrounded by love. The kind of love he didn’t really think he was worthy of, but it was love nonetheless.

Despite his wishes, he fell asleep. All that warmth and safety, it was inevitable.

Then he woke up, the sleeping pill still in his system in a sick way. Crying, he vomited, arms clutching the toilet and heart breaking from being alone once again.

Notes:

These boy are killing me, omg, like seriously.

Gonna admit I never really thought of this trio before this idea hit me. But I'm so happy I went with it, instead of being like...nah.

Also, for those who enjoyed Hazy Shade of Winter, I'm almost done with a side story for Wanda in that. Yay!

Chapter 5: Day Five

Notes:

Added a few tags on this.

Tony eventually made his way back to bed, not even bothering to look at the time. His body felt like it had been dragged down through a garbage shoot. And he wondered if this wasn’t so much the sleeping pills as his own reaction to traveling through time every night. That couldn’t be good for any living thing, let alone the complexity of a human body. Trembling, he drew the blankets over him and found himself falling back to sleep.

He didn’t return to Steve and Bucky, though. Three hours later found him staring up at the ceiling, feeling physically better. Mentally, well, that was always a different case for Tony. He never felt mentally well, never had. Blinking, he tried to think about what he needed to do that day, but honestly didn’t care at all.

There wasn’t a single bone in his body that felt the urge to go find his phone and look at today’s schedule. He couldn’t bring himself to care, there was no way he could even bring a care to the idea of seeing Obadiah or the rest of the board today. They just didn’t matter. Honestly, nothing really did at this point. But eventually, he did stand and burnt eggs just to say he ate something. He didn’t taste the burn, barely tasted anything.

He sat on the couch, staring at his weird collection of electronic parts and the polished radio of their time. He swallowed and wanted to cry looking at it, but refused to. Tony reached for the remote and turned on the television. Only then did he look at the clock, seeing it just past ten in the morning. He drew his legs up, wrapping his arms around them as he stared at the news on the television.

He stared, an anger building.

He stared, feeling a desperation in his entire body.

He stared as the first tear rolled down his cheek.

Then, not even really aware of himself, he grabbed the 1930s radio and threw it at the television. He sobbed, hiding his face in his own hands, trying to get his breathing under control. When he did, he peeked through fingers to see a few cracks on the still running television and the radio broken open on the carpet.

He had to get out.

He almost didn’t have it in him to pull on proper clothes, but the panic in his head told him that they would judge him if he didn’t. In a rush he had only time to pull on a dirty pair of jeans and the same shirt he had on the day before. He didn’t care, his throat was closing in on him and he nearly ran down the stairs to the street below. It was there he took a moment to press his back against the cool brick of the building, sucking in air in soft gasps as he looked around him.

“Sweetie, you okay?” a strong voice asked. It took a moment for Tony to see the old woman in front of him, her silver hair up in a stern bun, a pure alpha air around her.

“Yes, I think so,” Tony replied softly.

“Think?” the woman asked with a small smile.

“Yeah,” Tony sighed, pausing when a little girl rushed over, hair in curls around her face.

“Who’s this, gramma?” she asked. “I got you a cone, too!”

The woman accepted it with a smile, before turning her head to Tony, eyes squinting. “I met a boy that looked just like you when I was her age, back before the war and when this building was meant to be torn down. Nearly identical.”

Tony felt a jolt in his body and swallowed. “Really?”

The woman laughed, holding up the cone to lick at before gazing up at the building, a look of nostalgia on her face. “He was stuck here by bad men. That’s how my mom explained it to me after he left. She got him clothes and he was very kind to me.”

“I’m sure he appreciated it,” Tony said, feeling the urge to cry.

“Never saw him again, but I knew he’d be okay,” she said, laughing. “Well, as much as a nine year old could. I’m so glad we treat omegas better, I'd hate for someone to find themselves in that state again. Like my Susan here.”

“I am who I am!” the little girl declared, obviously only listening to half the conversation.

“What’s your name, son? If you don’t mind me asking,” the woman asked, smiling.

“Tony Stark, ma’am,” he replied, finally feeling his ability to breath settling down, her smile enough to make his panic die down.

The woman stared at him a moment, before a small smile appeared on her face. “Well, so you are.”

“Gramma,” the girl spoke up, already finished with her ice cream cone. “Are we going to see papa?”

“That’s right, I’m sorry I am delaying us,” she said, looking back up at Tony, a weird look of awe on her face. “I don’t know how but I remember you. Leave it to a Stark to flash through time. I hope you found what you are looking for.”

“I did,” Tony said softly. “I can’t keep them, though.”

The woman snorted, looking down and petting her grandchild’s curls. “Never know what can happen. Don’t expect things to go the way you think. My daughter was an omega and was told she couldn’t have children. Then, without medical help, she got this beautiful girl. Never think things are set in stone.”

“Thank you,” Tony said, ignoring how his very voice was nearly choking on the urge to cry.

“You are who you are,” she said, before turning her gaze to her grandkid. “Isn’t that right? You get to be who you want.”

“Yeah!” Susan said, clearly not having listened to the conversation. “Fuck them all, I’m gonna be the best.”

The woman sighed, rolling her eyes. “And that is what a mouthy grandpa does to a child.”

Tony burst out laughing, the sudden moment of enjoyment catching him by surprise. “Best get her to that mouthy grandpa.”

“Suppose I should,” she said, smiling. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too, ma’am,” Tony replied, watching the woman hand her barely eaten cone to her granddaughter as they made their way down the sidewalk. He felt an ache in his chest, some strange gaping hole that was filled up just a small amount by that conversation. She remembered him. It was real. He wasn’t crazy. They were real and his time with them was real.

Feeling calmer, Tony went back inside to his apartment, pushing open his door and looking down at the broken open radio, his other collection of electronics on the ground. A glance at the clock showed it was now in the afternoon. He decided to ignore the mess on the floor, only picking it up to put on the table so there was less to step on. He picked up his phone with a grimace, before letting out a sigh of relief to see he didn’t have anything scheduled that day, only a missed call from Obadiah who had developed the habit of contacting him often. Most likely because Tony was now eligible as a mate.

That brought another thought to his head and he made his way to the bathroom. He probably needed a shower anyway, but wanted to check on something first. He spotted the spilled sleeping pills first and after a second of hesitation he scooped them up and tossed them into the toilet, flushing them down. Swallowing, he opened up the medicine cabinet again and reached for his heat suppressants. He closed his eyes, thinking back on the days and honestly couldn’t really remember taking them. They were an automatic part of his nightly routine that the assumption that he had taken them was readily there.

He cursed when the foil packet got stuck in it’s sleeve, wondering why he ever put it back inside in the first place. Eventually, it yanked free and Tony was able to scan the small pill pockets, some empty and others holding a pink pill within a foil and plastic casing. And he was forced to keep staring.

He hadn’t taken them in three days.

Tony had never been the type to miss a dose so he wasn’t entirely sure what to do. He knew with beta birth control you could take two pills if you missed the night before, but his knowledge of this was completely beyond him.

Unsure of his options, he rushed to his phone and dialed his pharmacist, babbling out his problem in a panic before they could even properly say hello. “So, what do I do? I can’t...I can’t go into heat.”

“Sir, you can take two pills now to push the hormones down, but to be honest the chance of that working depends on if you’ve taken breaks to have a heat,” her voice was calm and probably would have been soothing to anyone else. “If you haven't, even taking the three missing pills most likely won't stop it.”

“Okay, thank you,” Tony said in a small voice, before just dropping down on the floor where he stood, phone clattering on the floor. He bit his lip, wondering if this was why Obadiah had been more invasive the last few days. Letting out a whimper, because no way was he going to cry, Tony curled himself up in a comforting self hold.

Eventually the fact set in that he just needed to move past it, take one tonight and just keep going. It was his only option. Tony didn’t have a degree in biology, so he was willing to accept another’s thought in a topic that made him often fall asleep. If the one biology class he took in high school was any indication. Scowling, he let his legs drop down and stared up at the ceiling. Shit.

He stood and made his way to the couch, wincing as he saw the crack on the television, before reaching for the remote and TV Guide in order to find a movie. He was halfway through The Breakfast Club before he fell asleep, the stress of the day finally hitting him.

Tony woke up practically purring at the feel of a hand briefly running through his hair from behind. In front of him came a small rumble, before both him and the smaller body behind him was tugged closer. A rolling sensation of comfort went through him and he refused to open his eyes and ruin the moment. Steve and Bucky were clearly in the moment of waking, before you can really control the twist and turn of your muscles.

A smile spread across his face. He had an arm around Bucky and one of his legs was tilted back, allowing his foot to hook around Steve’s calf. He didn’t want to move at all.

“You’re awake, I know you are,” Steve voice said in a soft whisper to the back of his ear, tone teasing.

“Sorry, I’m enjoying it too much,” Tony replied in just a hush of tone, not willing to wake up Bucky who had just let out a small noise before rubbing his nose against the fabric of the pillow case. It was extremely cute.

“Yeah, he’s adorable,” Steve replied, making Tony realize he said it out loud. “I’m going to start breakfast. You keep him sleeping a bit longer, he hardly ever sleeps in.”

Tony hummed, moving the leg that was wrapped around Steve’s and throwing it over Bucky’s thighs. He felt Bucky’s hand, where without Steve had landed on his back, slide down to his waist and further along his side before resting on his outer thigh. Utter warmth went through him. He felt a soft kiss on his forehead and curled into the feeling.

After a bit, Bucky dipped his head down and sniffed just under Tony’ jawline, near his ear. That rumble started up again, his hand clutching at his thigh, fingers gently pressing into the muscle. With a rough voice he said, “You smell different.”

“I’m fine,” Tony replied, hesitantly.

Bucky pushed him over gently with his own body, his leg now between Tony’s thighs and his arm moving to wrap around his waist. Bucky briefly buried his face into Tony’s neck and breathed in, before pulling back enough to look at Tony’s face. “You are going into heat.”

“Not yet,” Tony snapped, frustrated despite the way he layed complaint under Bucky’s weight.

“Tony,” Bucky said softly, tugging his arm out from under Tony’s body to reach up and cup his cheek. Tony felt a sudden hardness against his hip, but was more surprised when Bucky’s face turned red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I can smell it and my stupid body reacts. You’re safe.”

Tony took a moment to actually catalog what he body was feeling. From his understanding, an omega set off a scent right before a heat. If he was truly in it, he would feel almost drugged, reaching out to any alpha available. Tony’s one and only heat had been locked up in his own room with no communication for five days. Even on the fifth day he wasn’t allowed out of the room, only Jarvis as a beta was allowed to enter and give him food. It was a horrible way to spend the day after your thirteenth birthday, but never wanted to know what the other options were.

“I’ll stay in Steve’s room,” Tony said, wanting to immediately take it back. “To make it easier on you both.”

Bucky rolled to the side, glaring at the ceiling. He didn’t say anything, more like he couldn’t figure out what to say.

“So you told him,” Steve’s voice said from the door, looking like he was in a permanent wince. “I’m sorry, I thought it would be best if he told you, with his history. You’d believe it more from him.”

“Sometimes you’re a total asshole, Stevie,” Bucky muttered, getting off the bed.

Tony cleared his throat, catching both of their attention in the process. “Like I said, I’ll stay in the other room. Or I can leave.”

“You’re not leaving,” Steve said, well more like growled. He shook his head. “Let’s just go eat, please.”

The breakfast was much better than the burnt crap Tony had made the ‘day before.’ There was a tension in the room, one that was accented by both alphas taking sudden gulps of air. They were trying to not breathe his scent in. Eventually, he couldn’t eat more. Whether that was his body preparing for a heat or just his nerves, Tony could never explain. Because he honestly didn’t know. He’d heard that because of the body’s drive, omegas ate less the days leading up, but to be honest he’d never taken the time to learn.

There had always been something more interesting to study on, and now he was paying the price.

Eventually Bucky stood, staring Steve down in the process, and said, “I have to go to work.”

Tony watched him get dressed, then pull Steve into a much more passionate kiss than Tony had ever seen, the very sight actually making him feel like he had lightning bolt in his lower belly. Bucky’s nostril flared as he said, “Maybe one of us should be here.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Steve replied, pushing Bucky toward the door.

“Without the knight in shining armour dramatics,” Bucky demanded.

“Darling, I don’t know what you mean,” Steve said in a very fake sweet voice. The grin on Steve’s face made Bucky roll his eyes and head out the door, it clicking closed with Steve twisting the lock into place. Then Steve turned to look at him, face going soft. “Oh gosh, what are we going to do with you?”

Tony squirmed in his seat, staring at the piece of bacon he was still holding, with no intention of actually eating it. He didn’t feel...wet, so he figured he actually had maybe ten hours to a day, but with his body reacting to not having suppressants he’d be lucky if he’d last before Bucky even got home.

Steve returned to the table, sitting across from him in their tiny kitchen. “How do your heats usually go? I know you’ve said that you’ve been on the suppressants for a long time, but surely you’ve had a few. A parent would have to be mad not to have you take breaks.”

“I’ve had one,” Tony said, voice hesitant. He wasn’t sure if he could handle Steve getting righteous and...alpha like right then. “My first, I was thirteen.”

Steve sucked in a breath. “Was...God, I can’t believe I have to ask this, but-”

“No alpha,” Tony rushed to say.

“Thank God,” Steve whispered, rubbing the side of his face. “So…”

“Steve,” Tony said softly, biting his lip. “I was locked in a room without anyone to even explain to me what was happening. The butler had to explain it after the ordeal was over. I have no answers for any question you might have.”

“So, you don’t know how to help yourself during this time,” Steve surmised.

Tony blinked and looked at him in confusion. “I mean, I get the general idea of...those objects, but I can’t just run out and buy that stuff.”

“There is also using just your own hand,” Steve offered, suddenly looking flushed. A soft vanilla mixed with cinnamon suddenly drifted in the air and it took Tony to realize Steve was a bit turned on just from this conversation. “Look, I just want to make sure you’re not going to be hurt, even if it’s by yourself. Because I have to leave for work in a couple minutes and we are just afraid that-”

“I’ll be fine,” Tony quickly said. “I’ll take a shower, listen to some music, then just go sleep some more. I’m not used to this kind of….ache, so sleep could be good.”

Steve gave an unsteady nod as he stood, taking a step toward the bedroom. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call in? Tony, it’s okay to ask me to.”

“I’m sure,” Tony insisted, his stomach clenching a bit as he spoke. “You’re going to be late.”

Tony was cleaning the dishes when Steve reemerged, his adorable apron tossed over his shoulder. A glance at the clock indicated there wasn’t much time for talking, which the exasperated way Steve was searching for his wallet showed the man knew. Steve finally quickly walked over and grabbed Tony, pulling him into a soft kiss before pulling back just as fast. “Sorry? Well, not really. I have to go.”

“I know, you’ve said,” Tony laughed.

“You know you can’t open that door, right?” Steve suddenly said. “Darling, you smell amazing, I do not want one of those brutes out there thinking they have any right to touch you-”

“Steve, calm down. I’m going to stay here,” Tony replied.

“Okay,” Steve replied, backing up. “The diner and Bucky’s work number are by the phone. You call if you need anything, you understand?” Steve grabbed the doorknob, glancing back at him. “Are you-”

“Go to work,” Tony ordered, not able to hide his laughter once again. “Please, just go. I’ll be okay.”

Steve stared at him for a moment, before unlocking the door. Tony waited until it was closed and, knowing Steve was out there listening, walked over to lock it back up. Otherwise he had a feeling Steve would open it and lecture him. Afterward, he stood there for a long moment, trying to figure out what he could actually do. The dishes were done and the place wasn’t really untidy.

His stomach clenched up briefly, but he ignored it and headed for the shower like he said he would. Inside he tried to be quick. The shot of cold on him after a few minutes made him rush out really quick. But the shock of it made his body settle for a bit. The heat of his skin seemed to go back to normal as he redressed.

He had just under seven hours to kill and had no idea how to use the time. He found Bucky’s library copy of The Hobbit and sat down on the couch, reading. But even that didn’t last long. He didn’t want to get farther into the book than Bucky, it just seemed rude.

A glance at the clock found he had managed to pass some time away. He had around four hours before Bucky would be home. He stood, entering the kitchen to open the ice box for one of the small containers of leftover soup. Tony let out a groan, grumbling as he pulled out a small pot and lit up the stove top. Of course there wasn’t a microwave. Still it wasn’t long before he was able to eat, glad it was more broth than anything else as his stomach twisted in protest. He went through the motions of cleaning the dishes again, before realizing something was slightly different.

He was overheating, despite the stove having been turned off long ago. Tony stood for a moment at the counter, gripping it tightly with his hands. He needed air.

The kitchen window faced the alleyway, giving sight to other windows in the building next door. It took a moment to pry it open and stick his head out, glancing down to see the fire escape before a rush of wind hit him and ruffled his hair. The space between the two buildings seemed to cause a cyclone effect, the gusts of wind whipping around. Tony closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling of it on his heated skin. When he opened them he spotted the man across the alley, standing on the fire escape with a lit cigarette between his fingers, staring at Tony. A shiver ran down his spine and he reached up to slam the window closed, watching as the man took a drag of his cigarette and grinned.

Tony stumbled back and went into the living room, pushing the panic in him down because it made absolutely no sense. So the man - who visually held himself as an alpha - smiled at him; it didn't mean Tony was in danger. A cramp shot through his side and with a growl, Tony stormed over to Bucky and Steve’s room. He knew he said he would sleep in the other room, but he needed to actually feel safe.

It barely took moments after covering himself in their blankets, curling around Steve's pillow to hold while Bucky’s pillow was under his head, for him to fall asleep.

A hand was running through his hair, fingers trailing down to touch his jaw, like it was delicate. Tony blinked his eyes open, smiling when he saw Bucky hovering over him. Bucky cupped his cheek before sitting down on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Tony looked around the room, for a moment confused, before he groaned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come in here, it was just…”

“Just what?” Bucky asked, looking at him with concern.

“I’m not in heat, I don’t think? But I…”

“You didn’t feel safe,” Bucky surmised. “What triggered it?”

Tony pressed his face into the pillow, swallowing. “I opened the kitchen window to get some air. There was a guy watching me, smiling. I don’t know why, but I kind of freaked out.”

“Hey now, that’s okay,” Bucky replied. “That’s normal. My mom would try to lock herself in if she felt a threat. I’m proud of you for doing the same. Steve should be home any minute. You think you’re up to getting out of here, have some food when he gets home.”

“I ate, but my stomach hurt,” Tony admitted, feeling a moment of awe that once again he felt so comfortable talking to them like this.

“That’s pretty normal,” Bucky admitted, reaching out to take Tony’s hand, rubbing a thumb against his palm. “When you go into heat you can't, well, easily go to the bathroom and such. But we need to get some kind of nutrients in you.”

Tony opened his mouth to reply, but a sudden loud thud interrupted. “Bucky…”

“It’s okay, I got this. Stay here, you understand?” Bucky didn’t wait for Tony to nod, like he knew Tony would follow the order.

Tony layed there, wincing as another hard thump echoed in the other room. Then he just heard Bucky and Steve’s voices, bringing him an odd calm.

“Really?” Bucky asked, sounding exasperated.

“He was on our fire escape and was looking at the window like he was coming in,” Steve said in his odd certainty. “What did you expect me to do? I saw him trying to open the window from the street. Bastard deserved it.”

“I wish you would stop lunging yourself into fights,” Bucky replied, softly. “But...in this case I can’t really be angry at you. Even if you did kick him off the fire escape. We could have police here any minute.”

“So?” Steve said in a stubborn voice. “Like you wouldn’t have done the same.”

“No, I would have,” Bucky said, voice going hard. “Was it the guy across the alley? The one you’ve beat up before over an omega?”

“Yeah.”

“Then good on you, because Tony opened that window today and it was mostly likely him that was eyeballing him. Triggered a panic attack.”

“Is he okay?” Steve whispered, clearly holding back his emotions.

“He went into our room, to feel safe with our scent,” Bucky admitted, before sighing. “He’s awake and probably heard all of this.”

“He’s not gonna be afraid of me for that, is he?” Steve asked.

“Hush,” Bucky said easily. “You know he doesn’t care that you beat up alphas every once in a while.”

“Good,” Steve said, before there were footsteps coming closer to the door Tony had been staring at. The door opened, the light almost painful to Tony’s vision, but the small alpha coming in was a nice sight. “Hey there.”

“You can stop treating me like I’m weak,” Tony muttered, pressing his face into Steve’s pillow just as Steve climbed onto the bed.

“Can I hold you?” Steve asked in a soft voice, carefully laying his hand on Tony’s arm.

It was Tony that reached out and grabbed him, tugging him into the space at his front. Steve was easy to hold, comforting to hold. While Bucky was a strong wall to huddle against for comfort, Steve was adaptable, always shifting to make him comfortable. Tony blinked rapidly, trying to force out the odd blurriness, in order to see Steve smiling at him as their foreheads touched.

“Did you really kick that guy off the fire escape?” Tony asked, tone more a whisper than anything.

“I’ll admit that I would have done it without you even here,” Steve said. “No one gets into my territory without permission.”

Tony laughed, all the memories he had of his father talking of Steve Rogers echoing in his head. Tony didn’t know first hand how Captain America was, but seeing this small alpha holding him carefully, Tony couldn't deny that some of those claims were there long before Howard helped turn him into something supposedly better. Tony let out a long breath. “Thank you, even if it wasn’t for me. You are one spunky little guy.”

“Hey,” Steve said, a grin on his face. “I’m not the only short guy here.”

Tony rolled his eyes. “I have room to grow.”

“Sure,” Steve teased. “Now, ready to come out for food? Your scent has become stronger, but you’ll be fine for a few hours.”

Tony answered by sitting up, immediately missing the arms around him, and crawling out of the nest he had made for himself. He’d heard of omegas doing that, but it was considered only something a mated omega would do. So Tony ignored it and followed Steve into the other room where Bucky was already at the stove, stirring something that smelled amazing in a saucepan.

“So, I, uh,” Steve coughed, looking embarrassed. “I asked at the market what was good for an omega about to go into heat. Solid food apparently causes cramps. So I asked them for something that would help you.”

“It’s actually kind of weird,” Bucky said with a grin. “I almost want to try it myself.”

“We get sandwiches,” Steve offered as Tony started walking over.

Peering into the pan, it honestly looked like egg-drop soup from a Chinese restaurant. He could see broken down protein - egg included. Stepping back, Tony felt his eyes filling with tears even though there was no reason for me. “You got this for me?”

“Yeah, why not?” Steve asked.

Tony shook his head, a small smile on his face. They ended up eating in the living room again, Steve and Bucky with their sandwiches and Tony with the weird broth that actually tasted amazing. He was even willing to let Bucky dip his sandwich into it, who gave him a pleased smile. The radio was turned on, switched over the swing music that Tony had gotten confused about before.

“Look, we know you’re not ready to share your heat with us,” Steve said, “But some physical motion and touch can make it easier. So you can handle it better.”

Bucky stood up and shifted the coffee table over to give them the full living room space. He smiled and held out his hand. “Ready to try spinning while dancing again?”

Tony felt his whole body rush forward with warmth as he reached out and took Bucky’s hand. Bucky tugged him up, bringing them so close together that Tony wanted to moan. Bucky’s nostrils flare, but otherwise he didn’t seem to react at the temperature in his bones. Bucky just smiled at him and tugged him closer.

“Just don’t let me fall,” Tony ordered.

And then he spent the next hour with Bucky spinning and dancing with him, energy he didn’t realize he had letting him oddly keep up. Eventually Steve stood up and switched the radio to a slow classic sound, the same Tony remembered before. Steve brought him in close and Tony found himself moved rapidly to just a simple waltz.

“Romantic,” Bucky scoffed.

“Yes, I am,” Steve said simply, dipping Tony into a low tilt before dancing around the room.

Eventually, Tony felt his temperature and he pulled back, knowing his face was regretful. “I should probably go lay down.”

“Still sure about going to the other room?” Bucky asked, calm despite his eyes being blown wide in the pupil.

“I can’t do this to you both, I can’t stay,” Tony replied, ignoring the tears suddenly rolling down his face. “I can’t...I don’t know what I can do without hoping the entire time. Please, just let me suffer alone for it.”

Steve looked over at Bucky, the two of them having one of their silent conversations. Then he came up and cupped Tony’s face, leaning in to give him a soft kiss. “Tony, omegas sometimes yell out for their alpha. We need to know whether you want us to respond, if you call out for us. Right now you are fully lucid and can give permission, but afterwards you can’t.”

Tony glanced over at Bucky, who had a hard look to him, but was still able to meet his gaze. Tony took in a deep breath, his body shuttering just from that alone. He felt a jolt in his body at the very idea of not being with them. “You know how my last heat went.”

Steve stared at him, biting his lip. “I do.”

“I don’t want to be alone,” Tony admitted. “I want you both there. But I can’t ask that, not when your decision is going to be based on my scent alone.”

“No,” Bucky said in a rough voice, striding forward. “If you think we don’t love you outside your smell? Then you haven’t been paying attention, doll.”

“You weren’t in heat that night,” Steve said, reaching up and trailing his fingers along the side of Tony’s cheek. “Sure, I’d beat up any idiot who messed with an omega, but I never brought one home. You were so beautiful and the way you held yourself. You’re not just an object to us. Never have been.”

“It’s up to you,” Bucky said softly.

Tony swallowed, wondering at what point he’d be back in the place of now but horribleness. He looked at Steve and his earnest face. Bucky with his hesitant smile. Tony took in a deep breath, trying to remember what breathing even felt like. Then he looked up at them. “Take me to bed, please. And yes, yes to everything.”

It all seemed like a whirlwind after that, but eventually he felt Bucky behind him, his body tucked in so close. Steve practically curled around them, kissing Tony’s jaw as the heat of them sent him into sleep.

And he woke up rolling over and falling off the couch, back hitting his coffee table. He panicked for a moment, then realized he felt no hint of heat on himself. He was back, wanting to cry over the cruelty of it, but he was nowhere near hitting a heat.

Maybe Tony Stark was an idiot, but it gave him hope.

Notes:

So next capture might make me raise the rating, but don't know. You'll see it when it happens.

Chapter 6: Day Six

Notes:

So this was originally rated Mature, but apparently I can't do a non-explicit sex scene. YOU'RE WELCOME.

It’s a strange feeling. He knows he’s nowhere near a heat, but he can feel his muscles become a bit looser and his awareness of what’s around him heightened. Like an omega just coming out of a heat, actually, if what he was told was actually accurate. It was almost as though the world he had woken up from held all that, not allowing him to share that with this place of existence.

Standing there in his small hallway, gazing at the doorway across from him, Tony suddenly wanted to take a walk, to enjoy what he had around him for the first time in his life. Feeling a pure enjoyment in what was around him. He knew he wouldn’t honestly fall asleep for a good number of hours. So he had the time.

He took a shower first, trying to ensure that he had any scent of heat off him, if it was even there. Eventually he put on his faded jeans and an ACDC shirt. He paused at the door, glancing back at his phone, before ignoring it and stepping outside, locking the apartment door behind him. He wanted to feel normal. Normal people didn’t have the latest SI cell phone. Cell phones had been around since the eighties, but SI had advanced them recently, making them smart in a sense. Only the elite got them, and Tony didn’t want to be elite, he wanted to just be Tony.

Steve and Bucky had shown him that he was just fine as his own person.

He bought a hotdog at a small stand and oddly it tasted just fine to him now, with just a splash of mustard and cheese. He managed to get a few streets over from his apartment, pausing near the bus station and wondering if he should go further.

He found himself at Central Park for the first time without an annoying security man in an obvious black suit. He sat down on a bench, watching a kid play frisbee with his black on white husky. Tony, at that point, wondered if he was going insane, because he had never taken a moment to enjoy the regular living people around him like this. He’d always tried, but it was now like a wall had broken down.

He stopped at an actual fast food place to get a cheeseburger, the greasy taste on his tongue somehow translating into freedom, before he went back to the bus station and took it home.

He was full body tired by the time he unlocked his apartment door. Not the exhaustion he normally felt, but a simple signal of needed sleep. He had already eaten, but something in him encouraged him to eat again. Tony couldn’t be sure, but it was like his body knew he was burning extra calories somewhere else.

Feeling content for the first time in this world, Tony ate a bagel and then went through the process of brushing his teeth before the tiredness hit him so much harder than it ever had before. He didn’t even have time to change into his pajamas before he was face-first into his mattress, barely squirming to cover himself up with the comforter, before he was fast asleep.

He woke up feeling an odd heat in his body, followed by a strong tingle that seemed to sooth from the touches on either side of him. And they weren’t even trying to grope him, they were holding him close, tightly. He could tell they were both awake, no one actually slept so stiffly. He felt a rush of warmth over them not wanting him to be asleep and even more vulnerable to their alpha touch.

Then he jerked with a gasp, feeling the warm liquid dripping down his backside.

“Tony, it’s okay,” Bucky whispered, reaching up a hand to cup Tony’s cheek. “You’ve been pretty into it for a couple hours. We’re not going to hurt you.”

“I wasn’t thinking that,” Tony replied, feeling like he was about to cry. He felt Steve’s nose against the back of his head, the man’s arm around his waist providing comfort. “I wasn’t prepared for this.”

“We know,” Steve said softly. His hand on Tony’s stomach slid up, causing Tony to whimper more in pain than pleasure. “You said you wanted us in your heat, that doesn’t mean we won’t be able to control ourselves.”

“We have each other, remember that, but by that reaction I think you’ve hit the hypersensitivity part,” Bucky replied, wincing. “We need to get you out of these clothes, trust me it would be more painful the next couple days with them on.”

Tony nodded, eyes wide when they both started to gently pull off his clothes. He winced, covering his face, when they took his pants off, the evidence of what was leaking out of him now more noticeable.

“Hey,” Steve said, his voice still soft. “That’s normal, okay? You’re fine.”

“You’re aware enough for some broth, the broth you had last night?” Bucky asked, his hand reaching out to touch Tony’s shoulder.

Tony let out a purring sound, body shifting in an attempt to get Bucky to touch him more. He blinked, forcing his body to still. “Okay, yes.”

When both of them moved to get off the bed, Tony suddenly found it harder to breathe, like he was being rejected. He let out a whimper, face turning red at the response. Steve was suddenly pressed against him, arm around his waist again. “It's okay, Bucky will go get it. It’s okay.”

Tony felt a soft kiss on his temple, before Bucky stood and walked away. All Tony could feel was confusion, his body just taking over as he turned to bury himself into the curve of Steve’s hold on him. Steve made a humming sound, his hand now at Tony’s lower back gently sliding up until it was cupping the back of Tony’s head. Tony felt his body practically roll in it’s attempt to get closer.

“It’s okay,” Steve repeated. Tony smelt the strong scent of cinnamon surrounding him as Steve pressed their foreheads together. “I know you’ve never experienced this and we aren’t going to hurt you.”

Tony swallowed, his throat feeling dry. “I know, but I’ve never-”

“Done anything?” Steve finished for him. At Tony’s nod Steve smiled, his entire hold on Tony so delicate. “We know and you asked for us to be here and we are not going to betray that trust.”

“You smell like cinnamon, in a vanilla latte,” Tony replied, trying to ignore the conversation.

“I’m not sure what a vanilla latte smells like, but I take it that it’s something you enjoy? Bucky says I smell like a cinnamon roll,” Steve replied, a grin on his face.

Tony smiled. “Bucky smells like steel and something like clove, strong to the nose I guess.”

“I smell the clove too,” Steve chuckled.

“Are you both talking about me?” Bucky replied, entering the room with two coffee cups in one hand and another in his other hand. “We all need something right now, not sure we’ll be able to for a couple of days.”

“I’m sorry,” Tony replied, but reaching up for one of the cups and seeing the strange nearly, but not really, egg-drop soup from the day before.

They were half way through their cups before Steve smiled and said, “So we agree that I am cinnamon and Bucky is clove, but what is Tony? By scent, Bucky, keep up.”

“Keep up to a conversation I wasn’t part of,” Bucky said, rolling his eyes. He finished off the soup and took Tony’s finished cup. Once they were put on the side table, Bucky dropped down and put his nose just against the bottom of Tony’s jaw, the very motion making Tony arch his back and let out a soft whine. “Well, doll, you smell like an electric charge and something that I’ve never smelled before.”

The moment Bucky pulled away Steve was there, deeply dragging in the scent just underneath Tony’s jaw. Tony bit his lip, trying to hold back any scent of desire, but the sudden gush of moistness between his legs told him he hadn’t been able to hold any sign of his desire back.

“Not really electrical,” Steve said, reaching up to just his hand down along Tony’s side. “Like when you smell the energy off a street light, but more. And chamomile. Charged but calming.”

“Leave it to you to know what chamomile smells like,” Bucky joked. “Doesn’t matter, Tony smells amazing.”

“So what happens now?” Tony asked, trying to ignore the urge to just whine and beg for something he’d never experienced.

Steve reached up and pushed Tony’s bangs away, his stupidly too bright blue eyes watching his reaction. “This is your heat. You agreed to both of us being here. You’re probably going to get pretty, uh, well…We just want you to know that you asked us to be here and the moment that you show you don’t, it’s okay.”

“Steve and I are used to it being just us in our ruts,” Bucky admitted, his face a bit uneasy. “We have each other, okay?”

“I didn’t mean for you guys,” Tony said. “I don’t know how to do this with someone present.”

“Tony, your body is going to ache,” Bucky said, wincing at being so blunt. “You’re going to reach out to the nearest alpha, demanding attention. And any alpha nearby is going to want to mate with you. We are going to be here in case you need it and also to protect you.”

“Did you have to go so dramatic?” Steve hissed.

“My mother went through this with a dead mate mark,” Bucky snapped. “He needs to know what could actually happen.”

“Steve, Steve,” Tony said, before not bothering to finish his barely there sentence by reaching up and tugging the man into a kiss. He felt oddly proud when Steve whimpered as they pulled away. “I don’t want anyone but the two of you. Stop defending my honor, cause I want you. I want Bucky getting grumpy as he puts on his boots for work. I want you fretting over things that don’t need fretting over.”

Steve stared at him, eyes a bit moist, before he said, “I don’t fret over stuff that doesn’t need fretting over.”

Bucky snorted, dropping down on the bed and tugging Tony against his body, causing Tony to let out an embarrassing moan. Bucky squirmed a bit, shifting on the bed. “I think we can agree on just resting.”

And that’s how Tony finds himself, well, not sleeping, but almost drifting with the tangle of arms and legs and heat pressed against him keeping him grounded. His mind is foggy, getting worse by the minute, but they are something to hold onto, something to breathe in as a way to calm his racing heart. He coasts along this vibe of safety and comfort, until he eventually falls asleep.

He awoke in a panic, begging to any godly being out there that he’s not back in his empty apartment. His skin felt overheated, like you could fry an egg on his chest. A chest that a hand was sliding along, a warm voice whispering soft words into his ears. He couldn’t understand the words, but his body undulated against the one behind him and he knew he was making a high pitched noise as lips started kissing under his chin and along his jaw.

“Steve,” the man behind him said, though his voice seemed far away. “He’s soaking the bed. And - shit -”

Tony’s arching had somewhat paid off, as he could now feel a hardness against his ass. He moaned, pressing against it, before letting out a sound of distress at the realisation there was some kind of fabric acting as a barrier. He could hear whispering around him, but didn’t care because he needed. God, he needed something intangible that he had never got to experience in his life.

Soft, small hands grabbed his face, forcing him to look into blue, blue, blue, blue…

“He’s zoning,” a voice said.

There was a soft, not even painful, smack to his cheek that jolted him out of focusing on that color. Steve was in front of him, petting his cheek and making him want to just purr. The man leaned in and gave a few more kisses to his jaw, cheek, and nose. Tony whimpered, pressing his ass back into the hardness behind him, feeling strong hands holding his hips.

“Sweetie,” Steve whispered, cupping Tony’s jaw with both hands. Tony could feel himself panting, drawing in every smell he could and muscles spasming without any reason. “I know, I know. You need it. Bucky’s going to help you, okay? So it won’t hurt.”

Tony whined, clenching at Steve’s hands as Bucky lifted him up to straddle Steve’s hips. He could feel Bucky behind him, pulling off Steve’s pajama pants. Every touch, just down to a graze was amplified and Tony tried to not panic, but it resulted in his body going stiff, fingers clinging to Steve’s hand as their eyes met.

“Tony,” a rough voice said against his ear, the mere tone that Bucky let out caused him to moan and his body to relax. “You’re choice.”

He was trembling, not because of fear, just from want and the weird newness of this. He looked down at Steve, nearly zoning in on the blue of his eyes, before he blinked and tried to focus on the question asked of him. But he couldn’t, not probably, but he remembered making a decision when his mind was fresh and not this. They’d go by that, he decided, as he bent down to kiss Steve on the forehead and then lips.

The low rumbling growl he got in response was almost startling from such a small alpha, but his mind flashed with images of the man defending him, so Tony went by instinct and pressed his hands against Steve’s shoulders to sit up again. It was then he felt the hardness of both Steve and Bucky pressed against him. With a whimper he rolled his hips, only for a solid hand to grab his hip and stop him.

“It’s okay,” Bucky said softly. “Stevie’s ready for you, if you want it.”

Tony never heard himself sound like this before, but the whine he let out was high pitched and just begging. He couldn’t even speak from the rage of hormones in him. Bucky pressed a hand against his back, a heavy weight that slid down his spine. Tony was staring at Steve’s face again, lost in the thinness of his face and yet softness of his forehead. The heavy hand dropped down lower, into the wetness he forgot was there.

Tony let out a sound, more a cry than whine, as Bucky’s fingers slid into that wetness and then into him. He started rocking back into it, mind too foggy to even voice outloud how much he wanted more nor knowing how many fingers or how long Bucky opened him up. The entire sensation was rippling through his body and all he could do was paw at Steve’s shoulders like a cat while he arched his back.

“So beautiful, doll,” Bucky said, twisting his fingers to cause Tony to let out a sharp cry. “Gonna take Steve and you get to do all the work, the way you want it.”

Tony was panting when Bucky removed his fingers, the fact it caused an obscene squelching sound not even on Tony’s radar. Bucky’s hand tightened on Tony’s hip and then there was something big and blunt and Tony whimpered, trying to drive himself down on it. Bucky’s hold and a nip at the back of his neck made him pause. Then, with the head of Steve’s erection against his entrance, Bucky grabbed both of his hips and slowly started to lower him down.

He couldn’t tell what he was saying, what noises emitted from his throat. And it didn’t hurt, not like he always pictured, it was just intense. His head dropped forward, nails digging scratches into Steve’s shoulders.

“Maybe slow down?” he heard Steve say, voice almost strangled.

“No, look at him,” Bucky replied, the breath from his voice tickling the back of Tony’s neck, causing a long moan to escape him. “There you go, doll. There you are, taking it all.”

And Tony felt himself settle onto Steve’s lap, feeling broken wide open. He let out another sound, his hips rocking. Steve gasped, his face a look of pure wonder as Tony started to move. Trying to find that place that would calm his mind and body. He felt Bucky behind him, his own erection pressed against Tony’s lower back as the man started rubbing and petting his back and shoulders.

Steve was making gasping sounds, his hips eventually thrusting up and causing Tony to cry out, body trembling. Steve’s hands reached up, tugging Tony down into a kiss, a whimper on Tony’s lips as Tony ground down on him. Bucky’s hands went back to his hips, guiding them, dragging him down onto Steve as they kissed.

“Fuck, Steve, you’ve got a knot,” Bucky said.

Tony felt Steve pull away from the kiss, so he just kissed his way down Steve’s sharp jawline and nipped at the skin. He could hear them, make out the words, but it wasn’t something to worry about right now.

“I, shit, they-” Steve hissed.

“Yeah, I’d say all of your doctors are idiots, cause damn, babe,” Bucky said, before his hand was suddenly right there at Tony’s entrance, grabbing something that made Steve’s hip jerk up fast.

Tony was mindless and just ground his hips down, feeling a thick base that he wanted and needed. Steve was under him, looking overwhelmed, but with the usual stubborn glint to his eyes. Tony let out another whimper and sat fully, feeling that thick and heavy thing that he needed. And Tony Stark always got what he wanted.

The heat of a body behind him left and suddenly he was rolled onto his back, Steve’s too blue eyes staring down at him. And then, finally, the apha was taking him, thrusting into him. Tony could only hold on, one arm around Steve’s shoulders and another pressed against the wall above the bed. He was thrusting back as much as he could, grinding against the knot he knew he needed.

“S-S-Steve,” he said in a strained voice, his first in the crazy situation. “Please.”

And then he was drawn open, almost ripped but without the pain, as Steve’s knot penetrated him and took hold. Pressing in some part of his body that had demanded it from the moment he was made an omega. Tony felt tears roll down his cheeks, but he was far from unhappy. If anything he was shocked he had gotten his first time this way.

Steve himself was trembling, arms wrapped around him in a protective hold. The man’s head lifted up, eyes watery, before kissing Tony hard, no hesitation.

“Okay, love birds,” Bucky said, his hands now back, caressing them both. “But we should shift you guys onto your sides. We probably got six hours maybe to rest before the next wave.”

Tony hummed, clutching Steve tightly as Bucky got them on their sides without hurting either of them, still connected by Steve’s knot. He felt Bucky cuddle up against his back, erection still noticeable, but the man just wrapped his arms around both of them.

And then Tony was asleep.

And then Tony woke up feeling empty, staring at his bedroom wall.

Chapter 7: Day Seven

Tony knew the routine by then, knew he had to be awake enough hours in this world to get to the last. It didn’t stop him from laying there for the longest time and just savoring the odd aching in his backside, like what had happened was so strong it had followed him through time. But to be safe, he went to the bathroom and checked his temperature, which was set at 97.7 degrees. Dramatically lower than it would be if he was in heat.

So, Tony knew he had to go through the motions, sitting on his couch and wondering what he actually needed for the day. He honestly didn’t even remember what day it was. He glanced at the calendar at the wall and just rolled his eyes, it hadn’t been changed for three months. Typical.

Eventually he made breakfast, turned on the television, and stared at the broken radio. He needed to fix it, of course, but he also had to repress his instinct to make every electronic better. The whole point was for it to be connected to them, to be original. For him to have a memory left when it all stopped. Because he knew it would, at some point. It had to, Tony's life just worked like that.

He was finishing his cereal and examining the random metal pieces he had on his table next to the broken radio, trying to figure out where they came from, when his phone rang. A jolt went through him, before he leaned over and grabbed the phone that was on the floor, not really remembering how it ended up there on the floor.

“Hello?” Tony answered, voice a little breathless as he sat up.

“Hey, Tones,” the deep voice of Tony’s only friend greeted.

“Rhodey! What, got a moment away from fighting the good fight to call me?” Tony replied, smiling brightly for the first time in this world for a long time.

“Actually I’m on a small leave and I’m in town. Got time today for lunch?” Rhodey said.

“Yeah, where do you want to meet?” Tony asked.

“You’re the newfound Brooklyn boy, what’s good over there?” Rhodey returned.

“Honestly, no idea,” Tony replied, before thinking of the other day when he saw the diner that Steve had worked at still up and running. “There’s a diner, if you want.”

“Look at you, mingling with us simple folk,” Rhodey teased.

“I kind of like it here, to be honest,” Tony replied softly.

“I kind of like that you are liking it there,” Rhodey offered.

Tony eventually told him the street corner of the diner and hung up in order to get ready. He was in the bathroom when he spotted his suppressant pills on the sink’s ledge without last night’s pill being taken. Naturally, Tony cursed out loud for about three minutes. He might be in heat in the other timeline, but he could not go into it in this one. He stood there a moment unsure, before reaching out and popping a pill from the foil packet.

At the very least, taking one today should help in some way.

He looked in the mirror for a moment. He had toothpaste on the corner of his mouth but otherwise he just looked tired. Tony wiped the toothpaste off and, with a heavy sigh, walked out of the bathroom to gather his things.

Rhodey was already there when he arrived, tapping his spoon against a cup of coffee. Tony slid into the booth, tucking his coat into the corner of the seat since rain was on the news. When he looked up, Rhodey was staring at him.

“What?” Tony asked, instead of a greeting.

“You’re glowing,” Rhodey replied, looking confused. “You didn’t tell me you were seeing anyone.”

“I’m not,” Tony insisted. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on, Tones, you don’t have to hide it. You’ve got that weird glow to your skin that you normally see in pregnancy or an omega meeting their perfect mate,” Rhodey said, his voice dropping low so others wouldn’t hear him. “Sorry if I got it wrong.”

“It’s not...It’s.” Tony paused as the waitress brought him a menu. He didn’t bother to look at it and just asked for the turkey and ham club with water. Rhodey put in his final order and then they were left looking at each other.

And that’s when everything that had been happening came spewing out of Tony’s mouth, his word turning slurred from tears.

“Okay, okay,” Rhodey finally said, reaching out to grasp Tony’s hand. They had to wait a moment as food arrived, before Rhodey looked at him with sad eyes. “Are you sure these aren’t dreams?”

“I’m sure,” Tony snapped. “I’ve never remembered details like this. No one can remember details like this from a dream. I remember the taste of the food and the touch of one of them making me feel calm. There are too many details for it to be a dream.”

“I’m going to stay with you tonight, okay?” Rhodey said after a long pause. “If anything, it can give you more data, right?”

“Yeah,” Tony replied with a shaky voice. Rhodey had been gone a year, so Tony was a bit hesitant, but he was the only person he usually felt comfortable with closing his eyes around. And Tony was determined to fall asleep.

They eventually made it back to Tony’s apartment, Rhodey tossing his bag on the couch and sitting down with a sigh. Tony made for the kitchen and pulled out the kettle, tea, and sugar. He automatically went through the motions of making sweet tea like Rhodey’s mom had taught him five years ago. Eventually, waiting for the water to boil, he went over to hover in the doorway, and watched Rhodey inspect the broken radio.

“Please tell me you didn’t destroy this masterpiece,” Rhodey begged. Tony winced. “C’mon man, my grandma had one of these.”

“It wasn’t my intention, but you know how angry I get with Obie around,” Tony muttered.

“Well, thank God that healthy glow of yours isn’t because of him,” Rhodey said, looking sad as he lifted up one of the wood panels. That was an argument that led to Rhodey trying to stop the angry talk about Obadiah, but it didn’t always follow through. As Tony went to get the whistling kettle and start the tea Rhodey said, “I mean, seriously, Tony? You look healthy for once. Like you’ve actually been eating.”

Tony felt a blush hit him, thinking of Steve’s breakfasts and the soup they made just for him. Shaking his head he popped his head out of the kitchen. “You want this right away or should I chill it first?”

“Man, I’m thirsty, bring it over,” Rhodey ordered.

Chuckling, Tony made them a glass each and put the rest of the pitcher in the fridge. He set them on the counter then dropped down next to Rhodey and immediately rested his head on the man’s shoulder. He breathed in Rhodey’s scent, something he had missed for far too long. There was now the smell of gunpowder on his scent mixed with his normal tang of orange juice and something metal. But it didn’t mess with the overall comfort Rhodey gave him, just an adjustment of Rhodey’s experience.

“How are things out there?” Tony asked.

“It is what it is,” Rhodey replied, which was always his response when Tony asked about his training and deployment. Like Rhodey wanted to protect him from it.

They watched the television for a while, mocking each random show that popped up. Eventually Tony yawned, blinking at the clock and realizing it was barely six in the evening. He had no reason to be sleepy, so he curled up closer to his best friend and kept watching some show about a poor dysfunctional family, which seemed to be the average storyline these days.

Twenty minutes later he yawned again. Then his head pressed against Rhodey’s shoulder in a heavy way, another yawn breaking through. “Tones, seriously, how are you tired?”

“Don’t know,” Tony mumbled, trying to get more comfortable against Rhodey’s side.

“Okay, there, buddy,” Rhodey laughed, slowly pulling away. He stood up and turned toward Tony, who had nearly toppled over without the support. Rhodey leaned down and scooped Tony up with enough ease that would have normally caused Tony to protest. Instead Tony mumbled something and watched with bleary eyes as Rhodey walked to the bedroom.

“Damn, Tones,” Rhodey whispered, placing Tony on the bed and pulling a blanket over him. “I was with you most of the day. I hope you’re not using those sleeping pills again.”

“Hmm, nah,” Tony hummed, blinking up at him. “Stay?”

“Sure, until you fall asleep then I’m going to raid your fridge, okay?” Rhodey replied, kicking off his shoes and crawling in on the other side so he could easily wrap his arm around Tony’s waist. Tony let out another happy sound before rolling over so he could press his face against Rhodey’s chest. Rhodey rubbed his back. “Yeah, I’ve got you.”

Tony awoke feeling overheated by the bodies around him. Not Rhodey, because Rhodey would never be naked and...kissing? Tony gasped, eyes opening, and he realized why he had gotten tired so fast. In this time he had hit his next wave of heat. Every drag of breath in he could scent them. He could feel that Steve’s knot had left him hours ago, but the two of them were once again hard. He could practically smell his pheromones pumping out.

With a whine he squirmed, interrupting the duel kissing on his shoulder. He twisted, feeling each press of their skin against his own. It was more intense than before, he could barely remember who he was or even them. He opened his eyes to see a set of eyes, the man’s face close to his. He stared, gunmetal blue staring back at him, a hand gently tracing his jaw.

“Bucky?” Tony gasped out, trying to get control of his breathing.

“That’s right, me and Steve are here. You’re doing so good, doll,” Bucky said in a soft tone.

Tony felt his entire body shudder. He was doing good. He was good. His body arched, nose now buried in Bucky’s neck and ass rubbing against an erection - Steve, it was Steve. He heard the whine he gave out, but it was distant because there was another hand on him, smaller than Bucky’s, suddenly gripping his hip.

He looked up at those eyes again and was about to ask, about to beg, but Bucky kissed him instead. A flare shot through him and by instinct he twisted, breaking the kiss to get on his hands and knees. He felt two different hands caress his side for a moment, before the bed shifted and Bucky left his side to press up against his back, erection pressing against his right cheek.

The smaller hand was practically petting him and he looked over to see Steve looking at him like he was something precious. At that look, Tony just let himself down, chest and head on the pillow and his ass just up in the air. Like a present for Bucky, who growled in response. Tony bit his lip, feeling like a hedonist when it got Steve’s face to turn red before he leaned in for a kiss. It was soft and gentle.

Tony gasped when he felt fingers in him. Even though being an omega and his time with Steve he wouldn’t need it. Just like before, he knew Bucky would insist on doing it, stretching him, like the alpha cherished every sound Tony let out.

“Oh, gonna make you feel so good,” he heard Bucky say in a deep and raspy voice.

“You triggered his kink,” Steve said softly, between kisses. “He loves this position.”

Tony’s hips thrust back at those words, because he was picturing Bucky bent over Steve’s back, holding him still and protecting his smaller body.

“Like that?” Steve asked, hand coming up to run through Tony’s hair in a slow drag of fingernail against his scalp. “Want me to tell you what it’s going to feel like.”

Tony’s head dropped down onto his arms on the pillow, body rocking back to any number of fingers, cause he couldn't tell. He was open, ready, but Bucky was teasing him. He let out a desperate sound, “Please?”

He watched as Steve glanced up at Bucky, before scooting closer and lowering his hand to massage the back of his neck. Tony felt himself become practically limp, only Bucky’s fingers and hand at his hip keeping his hips up.

“First time, he was scared,” Steve whispered, keeping eye contact with Tony. “He didn’t want to hurt me. We had to learn. But when it finally happened I was in your exact position and it was so slow and gentle. He cherished me. Just like he’s going to do with you.”

Tony whimpered again as he felt those fingers leaving him. And it was something harder and bigger and while Tony remembered being with Steve but this was still brand new in a weird way. Steve tugged him into a kiss as Tony panted through his nose, because he wasn’t willing to leave Steve’s mouth on him, as more and more of Bucky pressed into his body. Eventually, Tony felt Bucky bend over him, his chest pressing against Tony’s back.

“You okay?” Bucky asked, nose pressed against the back of Tony’s neck, dragging in deep breaths from scenting at Tony’s skin.

Tony nodded, gasping when he pressed back and felt Bucky shift inside of him.

Bucky kissed his neck, shoulder, and along his spine until he stopped between his shoulder blades. “If you're sure.”

Tony moaned, just the fact that they always asked if he wanted it made something tremble in him. He couldn’t verbally answer, so he dropped his head down, meeting Steve’s eyes, before he rocked his hips back. He felt oddly proud when Bucky gasped. Steve grinned, leaning in for another kiss, which seemed to be Bucky’s trigger.

He cried out, Steve’s hand on his cheek the only thing to keep him from pressing his face into the pillow. Steve looked at him in a way that understood, knew the overwhelming sensation that Tony was experiencing. Because Bucky wasn’t actually soft and gentle like Steve tried to be. No, he was a one man army and Tony could barely breathe as the man drove into him like he was conquering.

Tony felt his body shaking long before his orgasm. As he felt it burn through him, Steve grabbed his head to kiss him on the lips and then immediately reached down to help finish him off. Tony could even understand the noise coming out of him. And Bucky kept moving. It was a moment before Tony felt the hardness of Bucky’s knot. And it was bigger than Steve’s, whose medical issues had limited him.

For a moment Tony didn’t think he could take it, gasping for air while at the same time grinding back. Steve kept watching him, but eventually Tony just pressed his face into the pillow and pressed back, grinding as hard as he could. And when he felt it inside him, all air left him. Hands were on him, but it didn't matter. Even as he was turned on his side, his body was twitching from a second orgasm, eyes fluttering because he had no idea what to do.

But Bucky tucked up against his back and Steve cuddled up against him. Steve had apparently orgasmed while watching them, which was almost enough to turn him on again. Steve kissed him, causing his body to tremble and as a result for Bucky to gasp.

“You are so perfect,” Steve said, his eyes a little sleepy.

“Mmm.” Bucky reached out and grabbed Steve’s hand, their combined hold wrapping around Tony. “Both of you are perfect. Now go to sleep, both of you.”

“Sure thing, daddy,” Tony replied, already half asleep.

Bucky kissed his shoulder. “Don’t make me spank you.”

Tony drifted for a bit, listening as they fell asleep. Bucky first, pressing his nose against the back of Tony’s neck. Then Steve, right after he gae a soft kiss to Tony’s forehead. And he laid there, a little afraid, as his eyes eventually closed.

“Tones? Oh shit, Tony?” a familiar voice was yelling at him.

His eyes fluttered open and seeing Rhodey’s scared eyes, he reached out sluggishly and grabbed his best friend’s arm. He swallowed, throat dry, and said, “What?”

Rhodey looked actually scared, eyes wide. “You stopped breathing. It was only for barely a minute, but you stopped fucking breathing!”

“I….I was there,” Tony said, his voice a bit lost. Rhodey just stared at him, face not just scared but confused. Tony didn’t have any answers for him.

Notes:

All those who take part in Thanksgiving I hope it went well. Got to enjoy Grandma cooking this year, meaning I didn't know past deviled eggs what to do. lol.

Chapter 8: Day Eight

Notes:

NOTICE: New tags of the sexual kind added. Most specifically Double Penetration. Wanted to warn you!

“I don’t know if I should be freaking out or kicking your ass for scaring me like that,” Rhodey snapped, walking around Tony’s bedroom. “Tony! You stopped breathing. I mean, it was a normal amount if you were a regular deep swimmer, but not for you!”

“You want me to apologize?” Tony asked, shifting to sit off the edge of his bed. “I was there, Rhodey! I was there, just like I was before.”

“So, what, every time you have one of these dreams, your body just stops like this?” Rhodey demanded, dropping down onto the bed next to him.

“I don’t know, not that I can remember,” Tony replied, tugging the comforter around himself. “I never had anyone here to witness it.”

“Tony, I get having dreams and even fantasies that you enjoy, but this is a bit much. There has to be more for you to want this so much,” Rhodey said softly, a hand coming up to rub Tony’s shoulder. Tony’s head dipped down, his teeth chewing at his lower lip. “Tones, come on.”

“Obie wants to mate with me,” Tony finally said, his face turning beet red. “And there? Where I was? I was in heat with them and they didn’t force me on anything. They got my permission before the heat set in and even after they made sure I was okay. Do you honestly think Obie is going to do the same? I can barely handle him touching me right now.”

Rhodey closed his eyes, his entire body going stiff. Before he sighed. “That’s all the more reason that this other world of yours is in your head. I’m sorry, but Tones? This is reality.”

Tony curled up on the bed, knowing that there were tears falling down his face. “I don’t want him near me. I don’t want to feel dirty like that. Please, please…please don’t make me have to go there.”

“Okay, okay,” Rhodey quickly said. “I’m going to make some calls so I can be here for the next week or so. We’ll figure it out.”

“Thank you,” Tony said, before allowing the tears and sobbing to come through. Rhodey grabbed him, holding him close as he cried himself out. And Rhodey, outside of Bucky and Steve, was the only person he allowed himself to be so vulnerable with. It took a while before his tears calmed down, his arms wrapped around Rhodey’s waist. He sniffled, pressing his nose against Rhodey’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay,” Rhodey said softly. “Want to watch a movie?”

“Yeah,” Tony replied. Thankfully, Tony had yet to dismantle his old VHS player out of boredom, so he curled up on the couch as Rhodey put in the Iron Giant. Tony tucked his feet underneath Rhodey’s thigh, getting a soft smile from the man in response as the movie started playing.

“Could you imagine something like that?” Rhodey asked partway through the movie. “A body of metal.”

“It would be nice, on occasion, to have that protection and strength,” Tony said softly.

Rhodey looked over at him and reached out to grab one of his calves. “You’re going to be okay, Tones. I know you will.”

The Iron Giant turned into The Little Mermaid - Rhodey’s choice, despite him claiming otherwise - and eventually as The Breakfast Club finished Tony finally felt the urge to eat. Loudly, as his stomach growled just as the ending song played through the speakers. Tony dropped his head onto the back of the couch, looking over at his best friend. “Lunch?”

“We missed breakfast, so yes,” Rhodey chuckled, from where at some point he had leaned over to rest his head against Tony’s knees.

Tony reached for his phone. “Pizza then. There’s a good one a couple streets away.”

“Please, no sausage,” Rhodey begged.

“Ugh, fine. Pepperoni and green pepper it is, then,” Tony replied, dialing the number from heart due to ordering it so often. He quickly put in the order, before looking up at Rhodey, who was looking at him with a worried expression. “Don’t give me the sour patch look.”

“We need to actually talk about this,” Rhodey told him.

“Which part?” Tony snapped. “My surrogate father wanting to mate me or me going to the 1940s? Because, seriously, it’s all a fucked up mess. Rhodey, I don’t know why I fall asleep and am then there, but I can’t believe it’s not real. It’s so real to me. I’m so happy there.”

“Tony, you are talking about time travel,” Rhodey replied. “That’s not real.”

“I’ll prove it’s real,” Tony said, tone stubborn.

Rhodey closed his eyes and nodded, looking tired for a moment. “Well, if anyone can, it's you.”

“Exactly,” Tony grumbled.

And from there it was pizza and more movies. Both of them called their jobs, Tony able to get off needed time more easily than Rhodey. Then it was just them for the next two weeks, exactly like the one spring break in college where neither could get home and Tony didn’t want to fly off to Florida.

“So, tell me,” Rhodey said, reaching out to teach the pieces of the old radio, “did you get this because of your dream or before?”

“After a couple dreams,” Tony admitted. “It looks just like the one they had.”

“You sound like your father,” Rhodey said drily. Tony opened his mouth to protest, but Rhodey cut him off. “Always rushing out on a new radar lead to find Steve Rogers? Maybe it’s not exactly the same, but it’s the start of an obsession.”

“You saw I didn’t do it on purpose,” Tony replied, curling himself up tighter on the couch.

“I know, Tones,” Rhodey said softly. “I just need you to be aware of how it all sounds, okay? You’re going into these dreams or whatever they are and indulging yourself. I need you to tell that brilliant brain of yours to focus and look properly at your surroundings. Repetition of a thought has been known to affect dreams.”

“Ugh, I forgot you minored in soft science,” Tony grumbled. He looked over to see Rhodey raising an eyebrow at him. “Okay, fine!”

They watched Braveheart after that, because Rhodey wanted to mock the history and Tony just enjoyed a sweaty, battle-worn Mel Gibson. Well, he also enjoyed lamenting about sweaty men while Rhodey looked sick, which always made Tony laugh hard enough to fall off the couch. It wasn’t long until it was pizza once again for dinner.

Rhodey was watching the news when Tony went from fully awake to deeply sleepy. Paying attention, it was like a switch activating. He blinked rapidly at the television, but it was all colors and shapes. “I’m going to lay down.”

“Tones?” Rhodey asked, narrowing his eyes.

Tony stood, nearly falling back toward the couch before he actually got to his feet. “No, I need to lay down.”

Everything went blurry and then it was darkness with Rhodey’s arms around him. Right before his mind went dark as well, Tony remembered Rhodey’s voice yelling at him. Then he fell into what could only be sleep.

And then he didn’t quite wake up, not fully. No, there were hands massaging his back, fingertips and the occasional nails pressing down deep at the curve of his spine. He could hear himself mumbling words that he couldn’t quite hear himself. It seemed to take forever for his eyes to be able to open. Bright blue eyes looked back at him.

“Steve?” Tony asked, his own voice shaky. His body felt weird, each muscle trembling and his senses acting like he had been in the isolation they put omega’s in when they were going into withdrawal.

“Sweetheart, we don’t know why you’re responding this way. You started smelling like mate decay an hour ago,” Bucky said softly into his ear.

“I’m not mated to anyone,” Tony hissed, the very sound almost sounded feral. He could see Steve and Bucky conversing with eyes alone over his shoulder. A cramp from crotch to chest made him clench his eyes closed and he pressed his face into the pillow. Gasping, he kept his eyes closed to avoid seeing Steve’s worried face and said, “I wouldn’t betray you like that.”

“Shh, no, we don’t think that,” Steve was quick to say in a soft voice. His hand came up, practically petting Tony’s cheek. “You’re already doing better, your face was really pale for a bit there.”

“I don’t know what happened,” Tony whispered, even though he actually wanted to say there was a chance his body was no longer handling the time switch like it had before. It was a thought he had while talking to Rhodey, but he had pushed it aside. Mentioning it now would just cause further problems.

“It’s okay, babe,” Bucky said softly into his ear. Tony’s body shuddered and he shifted his hips back into Bucky. “There we go, you’re smelling better and better. Probably was just an intense nightmare.”

“Sure, that,” Tony replied, and let Steve kiss him like he was just delicate and something to covet. Tony fought the urge to cry, not feeling worth the attention.

“Your heat is nearly over,” Steve said, “I can smell that much. Next wave should be the last. Do you want us here?”

Tony swallowed. “Always want you here.”

“Well, okay then, doll,” Bucky said, gently tugging Tony onto his back. Then Bucky was kissing him, tongue delving in in a more aggressive way than Steve did.

Tony’s back arched, looking for something as he felt that ache start up and pure wetness leaving him. And it’s Steve who grazes his hand along his side, drawing a whimper out of Tony and into Bucky’s mouth, and down to the erection he didn’t even realize he had. Steve stroked him a bit, like he was testing the waters. Then Steve laid his hand on Tony’s thigh, effortlessly guiding Tony’s legs apart. The whole motion made Tony’s hips thrust, a hand coming up to grab Bucky’s forearm, which led to a hand that was now cupping his cheek.

“We were so worried for you sweetheart. Going to show you how much,” Steve said as Tony felt his body move until he was now between Tony’s legs.

Bucky kept kissing him, his tongue practically filthy as he tickled the roof of Tony’s mouth. Tony groaned, thighs trembling, because Steve was lightly touching the inside of his thighs like they were something sacred. Bucky pulled back, smiling at him and dragging his thumb along Tony’s lower lip. “Don’t worry, we’re going to take care of you for as long as we’re allowed to have you.”

Tony felt a sob leave him just as when he realized was a tongue licking at his erection. “I…let me stay. I want to stay.”

“If we have any say, you will,” Bucky said, looking at him softly. Tony reached up and tugged Bucky back into a brief kiss. Bucky smiled at him. “Oh, baby, we plan on making you feel how much we want you.”

And then Tony was crying out, because Steve was swallowing him down, tongue actually massaging at his erection. Bucky started kissing along his neck, nipping lightly at the skin there which just made Tony jerk his hips. He worried for a moment about choking Steve, but the man just hummed and dug his nails into Tony’s thighs.

“Oh, he’s good, isn’t he?” Bucky whispered in a near sinful tone. “Boy’s attention to detail just applies. Like it, don't you?”

Bucky bit at his lip before he could reply, just as Steve deep-throated him. Tony cried out, feeling more wetness, enough for it to drip onto the bed sheets. “Fuck, fuck. Please.”

“Please, what?” Bucky asked, his hand coming up to gently grasp his neck, thumb massaging right where a mating bite would go. “Come on, baby, tell us what you want.”

“Please, anything,” Tony replied, his voice raspy from the heavy way he was panting.

“Trust us to give you what you need,” Bucky growled, his hand tightening slightly at Tony’s neck in a quick show of alpha dominance - which Tony couldn’t believe turned him on as much as it did - before that same hand slid down to pinch one of his nipples.

Tony felt Steve sucking at him, another hand dragging nails underneath a thigh in a strange counterpoint to the gentle tease of his tongue on Tony’s erection. Tony groaned, trying to get his head together, but it was sinking into that last bit of heat and his body was just reacting to the stimulus around him. There was another pinch to a nipple and his sight focused on Bucky half-hovering over him, gray eyes blown from the smell in the air. Before he could think to thrust his hips up, Steve grabbed them and pinned him down and Tony could admit his eyes rolled up in response.

“Someone likes being controlled a bit,” Bucky said, his hands suddenly sliding down Tony’s arms and grabbing his wrist. “Oh, say I can, doll. Can I pin you like the good boy you are?”

Tony groaned more from being asked consent then anything and nodded his head. He gasped as his arms were brought up and pinned to the pillow just above his head. Bucky held him with one arm, his strength almost too much for Tony to handle. He felt his body practically roll, a whimper leaving his mouth, where he had already started biting down on his lower lip.

Bucky looked down at Steve for a moment, then grinned at Tony. “You’re going to orgasm, right when Steve swallows you down. Do you understand?”

Tony nodded, Steve’s hands on his hips the only thing that kept them from jerking upward. And then they didn’t actually give him any warning. Within a minute, Steve was once again downing his entire erection. Between the feel of Steve’s throat working and Bucky’s hand holding his wrists, Tony was lost. He didn’t even cry out as he came, it was a small noise as his body just shivered, Steve’s hands on his hips the only thing that kept him from fully arching up.

It took a moment, the blinding intensity needing to fall away, before he could hear them again. He was panting, a heavy heat through his body, and his arms still pinned which just drove his heat higher. He was feverish, but it didn’t matter because the two of them were cool to the touch and he reached out in need.

“It’s your last wave, doll, you get to choose,” Bucky said, his breath still not hot enough to match the heat riding through Tony’s body as it touched his neck. Bucky released his hand from Tony’s wrists, causing Tony to make a sad sound, before Bucky was leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Who do you want to finish you through?”

And the thing was, Tony wondered if this would be the last time with them. If he would then be stuck in his own world again with no partner, no way to feel connected. Or worse, Obadiah mating him just for business. And he wanted Steve and Bucky, more than he had ever wanted anything in the world. And that was why he answered the way he did, because that thought was the absolute for him. There was no one else for him.

“Both,” Tony gasped. “Please, I love you. Mate me. I can’t…I don’t want anyone else, just the both of you.”

Once again the two of them had one of their silent conversations, before Steve crawled up and cupped Tony’s cheek. “I wouldn’t be entertaining this if you weren’t so clear-headed because it’s the last of your heat, but you need to be fully sure. You’re asking us for a life changing thing here, sweetheart.”

Bucky pushed Steve out of the way and took Tony’s head in his hands. “You know what that would mean. If you left, we’d have each other to get through the pain. But you wouldn’t. We don’t want you to get hurt like that.”

“Worth it,” Tony said, his tone as determined as he was when Rhodey asked big questions. Because he didn’t care, it was worth the sacrifice. Worth the joy of knowing someone wanted him.

Again they had one of their silent conversations, which Tony honestly enjoyed watching.

Then Tony felt Bucky nudging him until he was on top of Steve, who was looking at him in awe. Steve reached up to thread his fingers through Tony’s hair, nearly causing Tony to let out a purr. Then he said, “You sure both of us? We can do this without that.”

Tony suddenly realized what he had asked, both of them. At the same time. He swallowed, his body feeling so open and so wet, more empty than ever with just the images flashing through his head. He nodded. “If we’re doing this then I want it at the same time.”

“But-” Steve started.

“Steve,” Bucky interrupted, his hand on Tony’s buttcheek, spreading him slightly. “Oh trust me, this won’t be a problem. His body is preparing itself.”

Tony groaned, just from them talking about him that way. He rocked his hips back, feeling the heat in him flaring up which led to more wetness escaping him. “Please.”

“Okay, okay,” Steve said, sounding breathless as he tried to scent the air while talking.

Bucky pushed Tony forward a bit, before reaching between Tony’s thighs. Steve gasping told him that Bucky had grasped him and the blunt head of Steve’s erection against his entrance confirmed it. Tony let out a sound he couldn’t really identify as Bucky grabbed his hip and guided him onto Steve’s hardon, the way it spread him open making Tony pant again, biting down on his lip.

“Love watching you take him in, doll,” Bucky whispered into Tony’s ear, which drew out a soft keening sound. Tony rocked his hips, feeling Steve shift inside of him. “That’s right, babe. Still want us both?”

“Please, Bucky, please,” Tony said, his tone more begging than anything. He couldn’t help it. Even with Steve he felt open and waiting.

He felt Bucky’s hand at his lower back, pushing him down, letting the man see everything. Whimpering, Tony nuzzled Steve’s check, hearing him make his own noises. Then as fingers joined Steve inside him, Tony just buried his face into Steve’s neck. He felt delicate hands along his side, a strange counterpoint to the two, maybe three, fingers stretching him further. He could feel he didn’t really need it, but Bucky seemed determined as he twisted those fingers and made both Tony and Steve cry out from the touch.

“Shit, you’re so pretty like this,” Bucky said, sounding more overwhelmed than anything. “Still sure, Tony?”

“Yes,” Tony gasped out, causing Steve to groan as his breath hit the back of his ear. Tony whimpered as Steve rocked up, both his cock and Bucky’s fingers stretching him to near perfection.

Then the fingers were leaving and Tony was about to complain before he felt Bucky pressing in. And dear god it was so much more than what Tony imagined, what he conceptualized. He was wet enough, open enough even before Bucky’s stretching, but it was overwhelming. The intensity didn’t seem to want to end. He knew he was making tiny little sounds because Steve’s arms were now wrapped around him. He turned his head and kissed Steve just as a high pitch keen escaped him.

But Bucky took him by his original word, that he was ready, and pressed in fully like he was laying claim. Panting, Tony looked down at Steve, who had a desperate kind of look on his face.

And then they all paused.

Tony tried to slow his breathing, but it was so much, the pressure making it hard to get enough air. He felt Steve’s hands caressing his sides and Bucky leaned down to kiss his lower back. And Tony realized they were waiting for him, for him to give the go ahead to continue. Gasping, he said, “Give me a second.”

“You’re doing so good,” Bucky said, a hand sliding around Tony’s hips.

“So perfect,” Steve said, his voice a little high, probably from what he was feeling as well.

“Just, let me…” Tony trailed off. He swallowed and rocked his body back. Both of them gasped, but otherwise didn’t move. Feeling a bit of control, Tony rocked back again, feeling them both inside him, and groaned. “Please.”

And suddenly Bucky moved and, with Tony’s sound of pleasure in response, Steve joined. It was a weird combination of movements that Tony couldn’t even begin to explain. His prostate was constantly stimulated, causing him to feel like little fireworks were setting off under his skin. He was making noise that shouldn’t even be possible, only able to hold onto Steve because he was underneath him.

His first orgasm hit and he was actually crying from how intense it was, forehead pressing into Steve’s shoulder. He barely got a second to rest before Bucky was riding harder into him, another orgasm hitting him barely minutes later and causing him to shake and tremble between the two.

He felt a hand slide up his back, through the sweat that was all over him, before grabbing his shoulder and tugging him up to a near sitting position. It dropped him even harder on both of their erections, causing him to cry out in shock. Bucky started licking at his skin, and Tony could feel him rocking into him.

Bucky bit down lightly at the back of his neck. “Still sure?”

“Yes, yes,” Tony gasped, not even thinking about it, because for the first time he was sure about something he wanted. He got to choose.

And then Bucky was grabbing his hips and driving him down, body bending forward so he was stuck between the both of him. It felt like he was being split open, his scent filling the room. He had already orgasmed twice, but his body didn’t seem to care as it fought to build to that point all over again.

Because he felt teeth on either side of his neck, biting down. Light flashed behind his closed eyelids and his whole body started spasming. He was grinding his hips back, trying to get as much feeling as he could even while he honestly didn’t feel like he could breathe. And he knew he was crying, full out tears, but it all felt amazing in a way he didn’t think he could ever feel again. Or even properly describe.

And he could tell it affected them too, because while Tony hadn’t expected them to try to knot him it was like they didn’t even have a chance to consider the idea before they too were coming.

He mostly was out of it when they shifted him over to have his own space on the bed. But they pressed up against him and he felt safe, even though his body was still trembling for the full intensity of it all. He grabbed at Steve, who easily curled up in front of him. Bucky once again reached past him for Steve’s arm, making a perfect completion. And Tony just kept shaking between them, the mating bonds running through his system like the edge of happiness and pleasure.

“You’re okay?” Steve asked, sounding sleepy.

“He is,” Bucky said, kissing the back of Tony’s neck. “He’s doing so well.”

Tony hummed, feeling Bucky’s praise flow through him, as he fell asleep.

He opened his eyes, seeing Rhodey in front of him with a horrified expression. He looked around the room, confused for a moment, before realizing where he was. Back to his supposed home.

“Tones,” Rhodey said, his voice far too careful. “You passed out on me and now…”

Tony groaned. “What? You saw it happen before.”

“Yeah, but…you have mating marks on you now,” Rhodey said, his eyes wide like he didn’t know what to do or even believed what he was saying. “I was watching, in case you stopped breathing again. Not even an hour ago they appeared.”

Tony sat up, suddenly feeling the ache in his neck from Bucky and Steve biting him. He scrambled out of bed and rushed into the bathroom to look into the mirror. And there, on both sides of his neck, were distinct bites. They were still raw, the muscle of his neck swollen. Tony, as Rhodey came up behind him, felt tears fall down his cheeks but couldn't take his eyes off the marks long enough to wipe them away. He could still feel them, the connection still strong even through time.

“Okay,” Rhodey said, letting out a long breath. “I think I believe you now.”

Notes:

And thus concludes three chapters of sex, lol, enjoy it because things are gonna be getting real, like real soon.

Also apologies for the delay in this. I got caught up writing my Spideypool sequel to Hazy Shade of Winter.

Chapter 9: Day Nine

“Okay,” Rhodey said for probably the millionth time. Tony watched him from the couch where he was polishing off the last piece of cold pizza and gently touching the marks on his neck. Rhodey glanced at him again, “Okay.”

“Rhodey, come on, I told you everything without diving into the ‘ugh, ew, no’ part,” Tony mumbled, face flushed red.

“Okay,” Rhodey said again, finally sitting down next to him. “So, we can establish that despite all science contradicting the reality of time travel beyond, what? Star Trek? That you managed it just by going to sleep.”

“Yes,” Tony agreed.

“Fuck, okay.”

“Could you stop saying that?” Tony snapped.

“Well, I’m sorry. I just watched my best friend fall asleep, stop breathing, and then wake up with two alpha marks on him,” Rhodey growled, for a moment his alpha energy just filling the room.

Tony winced. “Sorry, you’re right. For me it’s just, it’s just some fairy tale I guess. One that’s fully true to me. For you, to see that, is different. I’m sorry.”

Rhodey reached out and ran his fingers through Tony’s hair, like an older brother. “I’m sorry, too. Shit, Tony, I just don’t want you to get hurt from this.”

“What if it was meant to happen?” Tony asked.

“Then nothing would have changed in history,” Rhodey said, catching on quickly. “You could be tapping into an entirely different timeline, like that whole string theory idea.”

Tony stood, going over to his bookshelf. “If it's Steve and Bucky from our timeline? Our books in history would reflect that.”

“Maybe not all books,” Rhodey warned.

“But what about the book written by my father?” Tony dared, walking back over with a slim book, one that didn’t have a flashy cover like most commercial history books. “He considered himself to be the know all of the Howling Commandos. Hell, he missed my tenth birthday and my high school graduation because he was looking for Steve Rogers.”

“We’ve already established your dad was a dick,” Rhodey said in such a casual tone that it proved how true it was. “Where are we looking?”

“Steve was working as a dishwasher at the diner I took you to and Bucky was at the steel factory a few miles away. The one they shut down after the war for hiring people under age,” Tony said.

“Gonna take a moment to appreciate that I didn't live back then,” Rhodey muttered. “So, where does that leave us?”

“At least a year or a good chunk of months before Bucky is possibly drafted. Though he could have just enlisted. He became a sergeant, how long does that take?” Tony asked. “He was a sniper, too.”

“Back then? Not the two year officer treatment now, I don’t think, if he enlisted. I’m not good at war history so I might be wrong, but being a sniper? He was in for a year or two,” Rhodey said. “We rushed into the war back then, but they wouldn’t put a newbie into that role without them having experience. Most definitely if he was drafted.”

“Right, so early forties, maybe before?” Tony asked. “All the cars I saw were pre-forties. Their radio was from the thirties.”

“Start there,” Rhodey ordered. “Besides, if they marked you they’d still show signs after Rogers got the serum.”

Tony had only skimmed Howard Stark’s small published detail of Captain America, a publication that hadn’t been prodcasted for the world to know about beyond the academics. He’d spent most of his life ignoring anything his father had done, trying to create his own path. But he remembered specific details, because that was how his mind worked. He remembered a sickly Steve Rogers who never had a girlfriend, who never really stepped too far from Bucky Barnes. A Steve Rogers with no signs of a mate, just being aggressive to those he considered bullies, which some considered a sign of too much alpha hormones.

The book was much the same as he remembered it, before he found himself reading a chapter talking about how both Steve and Bucky experienced depression after their omega was lost. It was then Bucky joined the army, unable to just go through the motions anymore. Tony dragged in a breath and handed the book over to Rhodey.

Rhodey read silently, before setting the book on the coffee table, shuffling some of the electronic pieces in the process. “Tony…this isn’t going to end well.”

“I know,” Tony admitted, feeling his body just go numb.

“I have to say it, just so we both acknowledge it. No omega has survived their alphas dying,” Rhodey whispered.

Tony swallowed. “Then why am I still alive?”

“You’ve always been a little bit special,” Rhodey offered, voice softer than Tony had ever heard it. Rhodey drew in a deep breath, before smiling like that was just normal. “You got two frozen dinners and sweet tea in that fridge of yours. I’m going to go out and get us some Chinese.”

“Sure,” Tony replied.

“Hey, maybe fix that radio. Seriously, man. You ruined a classic,” Rhodey said, grabbing his coat and making sure he had his wallet.

Tony wanted to dive back into the book, but chose to leave it alone and follow Rhodey’s advice. He had the frame of the radio and most of it together by the time Rhodey showed back. He left the radio as it was and reached for his Sesame Chicken and white rice. Rhodey tossed a couple of vegetable spring rolls onto his plate, taking all the wontons for himself.

“Do you want to try to stay awake?” Rhodey asked, his tone clear that he knew the answer.

“When have you ever been able to keep me from falling asleep?” Tony replied. “You met me because I fell asleep in a bathtub.”

“You were drunk and had been drugged by a frat guy,” Rhodey said, tone hard from the memory. “Just, go take your suppressants. I saw the container, you’ve missed a lot of them and while that might be working out in the past, we really don’t want that awkwardness now that I’m on your couch.”

“Fine, but then we’re watching Jurassic Park,” Tony ordered, standing up to walk to his bathroom.

“So you can argue science even though I agree?” Rhodey asked.

“Also, dinosaurs,” Tony replied. He stared at his pills and took the nearest two of that date, knowing more would make things worse instead of helping. He came out of the bathroom to find a small plate of Rhodey’s Mongolian Beef while the man had just as small a plate of Tony’s Sesame Chicken. “I don’t know why you like this.”

“And yet you’re going to eat it, so shut up and watch them find dinosaur DNA,” Rhodey said sternly.

“Ugh, bug wasn’t even in the same time period,” Tony whined, slurping up his food.

“Maybe it’s time travel,” Rhodey said, a smirk on his face like he just couldn’t help himself. Tony threw one of the spare couch pillows at him, getting a full grin in response.

“So mean,” Tony told him. “You are officially the meanest.”

“Aww, I’m sorry, I forgot that you are in love with Jeff Goldblum,” Rhodey teased. “I’ll shut up now.”

Tony didn’t fall asleep through the movie, but he could feel himself getting tired so he curled up against Rhodey who shut off the electronics after the movie, his eyes drooping as well. It was with Rhodey’s arms around him that he fell asleep this time, ear pressed against the man’s heartbeat. It lulled him into a much softer sleep than he was used to, like safety was all around him.

He woke up feeling the same way. He stretched and it was the two bodies pressed against him that fully woke him, along with the gentle pop in his mid-back. He felt a thin and delicate hand slide up his side, followed by a nose rubbing against his own. “Hey, there.”

“Hi,” Tony whispered.

“How are you feeling?” Steve asked, one of his hands carefully touching the spot he had applied his mating bite.

Tony didn’t even try to ignore that he purred in response, he just grinned and pulled himself out of Bucky’s hold. Steve let out a gasp as Tony climbed on top of him, straddling hips. Tony was already hard, probably just morning energy but possibly the last taste of heat. He could feel Steve starting to get hard as he bent down to kiss him again.

“You don’t smell like heat anymore,” Steve said.

“What? Like that’s the only time I want you?” Tony asked, starting to crawl backward. He could feel his face flushing in a blush, but didn’t let that stop him from what he had been planning even while watching the velociraptors on his television. He pressed a kiss to Steve’s lower stomach. “Besides, I have plans.”

Steve was stiff underneath him, but Tony could tell it was because he was unsure of what Tony was going to do. “Plans?”

“You were so good to me,” Tony said just as his chin bumped into Steve’s erection. He heard Steve gasp and grinned. “Wanna show you how I’m going to be good to you.”

Steve cried out, causing Bucky to grunt in his sleep, as Tony took the head of his erection into his mouth. And it tasted of sweat and skin and a little of the slick Tony had let out. Which caused Tony to groan as he took more of it into his mouth. It was ridiculous that the taste turned him on, but he couldn’t help dragging his tongue all over Steve to take it in. Steve’s hand grabbed at his shoulders, like he honestly didn’t know how to respond. In response Tony slid his arm around Steve’s left thigh, tugging it up. Tony had no plan to go further, but the groan Steve let out was what he had been hoping for.

“Shit, he’s taking you in good,” a rough voice said, before Steve’s groaning was muffled by Bucky kissing him.

Steve’s hips suddenly jerked up from Bucky’s voice and Tony didn’t even question taking him down. He felt Bucky’s hand on his right hand, which was gently caressing Steve’s hip. Steve made a sound, like he was unsure. But Tony looked up to meet Bucky’s eyes, who out of the two of them was better at seeing physical cues.

“He’s wanting it, babe,” Bucky whispered into Steve’s ear.

Tony tightened his hold on Steve’s left thigh, trying to show Steve he wanted it as well. Steve started thrusting, hesitant at first until Tony’s moaning became too much and he was clutching at Tony’s hair, his smaller body rocking up. It didn’t take too long, and Tony nearly coughed from the ejaculate hitting the back of his throat, but it was still oddly perfect.

Hands were on him, Bucky pulling him up and onto his back. The man’s eyes were blown wide open and while Tony had planned to do the same for him the sight of Tony satisfying Steve must have hit him hard. Tony felt fingers in him and arched into it. He was still loose and wet from the both of them the night before. Bucky still made a point to slick up his hand and thrust in his fingers, kissing Tony hard.

“Fuck,” he gasped, when he was able to pull his mouth away. “Shit, please.”

And Bucky practically growled into his ear, causing Tony to arch his back as instead of fingers it was Bucky entering him. Tony tried to keep his eyes open, but it was hard. While Steve was gentle and gloriously careful, Bucky was a force to be reckoned with. He hit hard and fast and Tony could barely breathe.

Their orgasms were practically side effects from Bucky taking over his body, it happened so fast. Even Steve was still catching his own breath. “So, who’s making breakfast?”

“Teach me how to cook?” Tony asked, sending Steve a grin.

And that was how Tony found himself having Steve lecture him on proper heat levels and how to use a spatula to toss grease onto an egg to make it actually a fried egg. Tony had a moment to realize that his mother and even Jarvis would have loved Steve. Especially with the way he seemed to think Tony doing normal human things, instead of brilliant genius things, was good.

They were gathering the eggs and bacon on plates when a knock hit the door. Bucky, who had pretty much just spent his time laughing at them, got up to open the door. Both Steve and Tony stilled, the very energy running off of Bucky careful. “Hello, Officer.”

Steve grabbed his arm, eyes telling him to let Bucky take care of it.

“I’m sorry to intrude, but we had an assault report from an alpha across the alley. Said an alpha beat him up from your fire escape,” the office honestly sounded unsure about the story. “I came by a couple days ago, but I could smell an omega in heat so I decided to wait.”

“Yeah,” Bucky said, his tone not quite a growl, but Tony looked past Steve to see how rigid his back was and how hard he was holding the door. “Alpha starts tampering with your window when your omega is entering heat, what's a guy to do?”

There was a long moment of silence, before the officer muttered something. “Okay, we’ll put that in our report. Sorry to bother you.”

“You should be,” Bucky snapped, sounding all the protective alpha as he slammed the door shut. He stormed into the kitchen and grabbed the plate of food that Steve handed him. It actually took him a few minutes to calm down. Then he looked up at Steve with a scowl. “See, this is what your impulse causes us.”

“I still stand by what I did,” Steve grumbled, handing Tony his own plate.

It wasn’t until Tony was poking at the eggs he helped make that he looked up in realization. “Wait, the guy that was eyeballing…you said he was tampering with the kitchen window.”

Steve took a bite of his bacon in a nearly violent way. “Yeah.”

“You kicked him off the fire escape,” Tony said, speaking out loud what he remembered while being sleepy all those days ago.

“And?” Steve asked, calmly.

Tony looked over at Bucky, trying to actually understand Steve’s ease with the situation. Bucky shrugged, a small smirk on his face telling Tony he wouldn’t get anything from him. Tony kept eating, before he had to put his fork down. “I don’t understand why you’d risk it.”

Steve shot him a look, almost a glare. “It’s not like I really hurt him more than jerks who punch me up. He landed in the dumpster where he belonged.”

“Calm down soldier,” Tony teased. “I just, that was before my heat, I didn’t realize-”

“Would do it anyway,” Steve muttered. “Hey, hand me the jam.”

Tony handed the jam over, a small smile on his face. “You’re a little shit, you know that, right?”

“That is not proper language,” Steve said, while Bucky rolled his eyes in the background. “Now, what do you want to do today?”

“I’m stuck here, aren’t I?” Tony asked, nervously.

“You don’t smell like heat,” Bucky said, finishing off his food. “You smell like a newly bonded omega, to be honest.”

“What would happen if I went out and explored?” Tony asked, poking at the remains of his eggs. He glanced up to see Steve and Bucky silently communicating and grunted in agitation. “Without the two of you hovering, I mean. I know you have to go back to work.”

“One of us could stay,” Bucky said.

“I like the idea of learning this territory, I mean it’s my territory now too?” Tony said in hesitance.

“Yes, it is,” Bucky declared. He glanced at Steve, before smiling. “I’ll give you my key to the apartment, since Steve gets off first.”

“And some money-” Steve started.

“No, don’t give me money,” Tony begged, not wanting to feel cheap. He’d spent the past year trying to prove he could pay his own way.

“No,” Steve said with a bit of a chuckle. “So you can go to the grocery store for us.”

“Oh, okay, that’s…yeah, I can definitely do that,” Tony said, laughing weakly.

“Well, work is ready for me,” Bucky said briskly, clearly ending the conversation and immediately disappearing into the bedroom to change into his work clothes. Tony got up to help Steve clean the dishes, watching out of the corner of his eye as Bucky came out to pull on his boots. And then he walked over and grabbed Steve by the back of the head for a kiss, before barely pausing in grabbing Tony to another kiss.

“Oh,” Tony let out.

“Come on, you’re my doll now,” Bucky replied in a teasing reply as he placed a key on the table and left the apartment.

“Still feeling unsure about us?” Steve asked, giving him a small smile as he poured himself another cup of coffee.

“I guess I don’t know how to react to all of this,” Tony admitted, the words coming easy with Steve. With Bucky he felt the omega needing to please, the man was a pure presence all on his own, but with Steve it was almost like talking to an equal. Kind of like the way Rhodey was with him.

“You know we don’t want anything from you, right?” Steve asked, softly.

Tony smiled. “Yeah, I know, I just have reactions that I need to get past.”

“I’m sorry you do,” Steve replied after a sip of his coffee. “Hey, honestly, we are fully invested in this, okay? You’re ours. Don’t let Bucky being cranky turn you off.”

“Nah, I know he’s just going through the emotions,” Tony offered. “He’s pretty, well, alpha. I’m not saying you aren’t, but you’re verbal and he’s more physical with his emotions. I get it.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, even growing up with it took a bit to adjust to.”

Tony chuckled, before looking down at the apartment key on the table. “I want this. I want to just be me and not just…”

“Given away,” Steve replied, looking at him carefully. “I don’t even know what that feels like, but I’ve heard stories. I couldn’t imagine growing up with that fear.”

Tony held back the urge to tell everything, all the fear through the years he felt just because he wrongly ended up omega. Every new business partner his father had, just created a new fear. He drew in a breath and smiled at Steve. “I think I get over that with you both. Or starting to.”

“Trust me,” Steve said, grinning. “Bucky will demolish them if they try.”

“So, you’re just the warning, huh?” Tony teased.

“They’d be lucky to get Bucky first,” Steve said, downing the last of his coffee. He grabbed Tony’s shirt and tugged him close. Steve looked up at him and once again Tony was shocked by just how short he was, but Tony leaned down for the kiss he obviously was expecting. Steve smiled, pulling back and saying, “I’m going to write you a grocery list. Honestly you being here is wonderful cause Bucky is horrible at shopping and I get off too late for the grocer to be open.”

Tony watched Steve search for an actual blank piece of paper and smiled. For once he didn’t feel like someone that was there just a distraction, but like Steve was actually getting frustrated until he found a blank slip of paper in a drawer in the living room. And Tony joyfully knew that it was because the man didn’t think to grab his sketchbook in the spare bedroom.

“Do you think you need anything else?” Steve said, bent over his piece of paper. “I want to make sure you have what you need.”

“No, nothing I can think of," Tony replied and tried to fight the automatic response of worry toward the concentrated way Steve gave him money. Like he knew the exact amount that was required, glancing at the list as he did so. Rhodey had once mentioned his grandma being like that, knowing the price of every critical item in the house.

“I added a buck so you can get a soda or hotdog,” Steve let him know, before heading to the bedroom to change into proper clothes and grab his apron.

Tony stared down at the small stack of money, biting his lip and once again feeling guilty that he couldn’t just provide for them. But he’d go out to do this for them, he’d do as much as he could while they had him. He turned back to finish the very last of the dishes. He was about to shut off the water when he heard Steve curse and rush into the kitchen. Tony backed up and watched as Steve scrubbed at a spot of ketchup where the shoulder of his shirt was.

“What’s wrong?” Tony asked.

“Job rules are a pristine white top,” Steve replied. “I didn’t notice.”

“Hey,” Tony said, nudging Steve away from the sink. “I’ll continue working on this, while you keep getting ready.”

Steve paused, staring at him. “Yeah, sorry, I’m not used to another hand here.”

“Adjustment,” Tony replied, pausing until he heard Steve walk away. Then he grabbed the soap, rubbing a bit into the stain. He remembered Jarvis cleaning out a quick stain when he hung out in the kitchen. He repeated the scrub, water, scrub method he had witnessed. It was slow going, Tony couldn’t even imagine this being the main form of laundry.

“Wow, that’s better than I could ever do,” Steve said as he pressed into Tony’s side.

Tony finished rinsing the spot off the shirt and sighed. “Still a bit there.”

“Better than I could ever do,” Steve repeated, before grabbing him and pulling him into a kiss. “Thank you.”

“Oh, um, you’re welcome,” Tony said with a blush.

“Where did you learn that?” Steve asked, flicking the shirt up and down to try to dry it faster.

“Jarvis,” Tony admitted, before clearing his throat. “He was our butler.” At Steve’s look, Tony laughed, “Okay, more like dad. He read me stories to go to sleep and he actually got onto me for being a little shit. He’d even sneak me little mechanical parts to play with. Never anything that really created something, but just cause he knew it kept me busy.”

“I’m glad he was there for you,” Steve said, slipping his shirt on and tucking it in. Steve didn’t ask if Jarvis was still alive, for which Tony was thankful. It had been about three years since Jarvis’ passing, but it was still fresh in his head. Steve bit his lip, before clearly deciding that a change of topic was better. “Did you want me to walk you to the grocer?”

“Is it that far away?” Tony asked.

“Oh, uh, no,” Steve said, blushing. “It’s a block away, opposite of where I’d go.”

“You’re trying to secretly protect me again,” Tony replied, grinning.

“Can’t really help myself,” Steve admitted.

“Well, I’m going to need a shower before I leave, I don’t really want to walk out there smeling of sex. So, maybe let me do this on my own?” Tony asked.

Steve stared at him, looking almost feral for a moment, before he sighed. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. You have the key, money, and list. I just…the diner’s number is by the phone. Could you call me when you get back?”

Tony stepped closer to him, not surprised when Steve lifted his head and practically nuzzled under his jaw. Tony closed his eyes, biting his lip as Steve breathed him in. Tony let out a long breath and drew Steve into a hug. “I’m going to be fine, you know.”

“I know,” Steve grumbled, gently pressing his nose against the curve of Tony’s neck. “That’s the thing, Bucky and I have never felt like this before.”

“Neither have I,” Tony replied, not bothering to hide the shaky way he spoke.

“I should go…I need to actually go,” Steve said, sadly.

“I’ll call the diner when I get back. Keep in mind I might explore a bit,” Tony said.

“By noon?” Steve asked.

“I will try to find a way,” Tony replied. “Though, that’s four hours away, so I’d hope I’d be back by then.”

“I’m being obsessive,” Steve laughed. He started heading for the door, stumbling a moment as he made sure he had everything he needed. “I’ll see you this evening.”

Tony nodded, smiling as Steve looked at him for a moment. Then the man was out the door, the lock clicking into place while Tony mindlessly stared at it. He drew in a nervous breath, looking down at the apartment key on the table. He had promised to get groceries, but first he needed a shower. It went cold as he was now used to. So it was a quick affair before he grabbed and put on a collection of both Steve and Bucky’s clothes.

He rolled up Bucky’s jeans, Steve’s shirt a little tight on his torso. He felt oddly comfortable, despite having to tug up the jeans as he went back to the kitchen to gather the money and list. He snatched up the key and stepped out of the apartment for the first time since Bucky and Steve had brought him home on his own. He paused for a moment at the doorstep, before locking the door and slipping the key into his pocket.

Tony felt a feeling of pure freedom as he made it to the street. He had the alpha marks he wanted and the feeling of belonging was like a vibration through his body.

He stopped by a small bookstore on his way to the grocer. He had no extra money but just looking at all the titles available was something he would savor. Tony didn’t have a watch, so he put back a book and headed for the grocer, not sure how much time he had before he called Steve.

It was as he was at the grocer, putting items into the small basket he had grabbed near the door, that he spotted the man. Tony’s hand clenched at the grocery list as his eyes met the man from across the space between dry goods and breakfast food. But Tony knew it was better to not acknowledge the man and unclenched his hand. He read the next item and headed toward the dairy section.

He was reaching down for a block of cheddar cheese when he felt a sudden hand on his lower back. Cheese in his hold, Tony stood up fast and glared at the man next to him. It was the same man, but up close Tony could see what damage his tiny Steve Rogers had done. A speckling of deep bruises was along the side of the man’s head. Even the hand that he had just removed from Tony’s lower back had a severe bruise.

“So you’re their new little bitch,” he said, his dark colored eyes tracing Tony.

“You don’t get to touch me,” Tony snapped, dropping the cheddar into the basket.

“Oh please, like they even want you,” the man snorted. “We both know those perverts just want each other.”

“And yet I was the one they satisfied during my heat and you ended up in the dumpster,” Tony replied, his tone more a hiss than anything. Tony turned and started walking away, heading for the bread section, the last thing he needed after quickly plucking up eggs.

He could feel the man following him as he reached the bread. He paused for a moment, glancing over to try to memorize the man’s eyes and hair, even his strong alpha body, so if he needed to he could describe it to the cops. He ignored the attention and went straight for the register. The beta behind the register glanced between the two of them, then slid a piece of paper over, placing a pen on top of it.

“Anything I can get for you, sir?” the cashier asked. Realizing what the cashier was doing, Tony grabbed the pen and scribbled down ‘Steve, alpha’ and the number of the diner. The beta glanced down and smiled. “I’ll get that taken care of, I’m sorry we didn’t have everything you needed.”

Tony felt the alpha behind him step closer as he paid for the groceries he was buying. With nothing else to do, he took the bags and stepped onto the sidewalk. He started walking fast, feeling that the alpha was following him, and hoped the beta cashier called for Steve. He had no other place he could go but home. He wasn’t used to this level of stalking and his breath was near ragged as he made it to their apartment building.

He unlocked the door and stepped in, thinking he didn’t hear the alpha anymore. He turned to press the door closed before a heavy body rammed it back open. The groceries Tony had been holding dropped to the ground as the door slammed right back into his face, blood immediately bursting from his nose.

Tony didn’t even have enough time to stumble before a body slammed into his own. All Tony could do is use the defensive moves Rhodey had taught him, drawing a leg up to kick the body above him straight in the crotch. The man grunted, before kicking Tony’s thighs apart. Tony felt a hard slap to his face, hard enough to make him blink hard to see.

A hand wrapped around Tony’s throat, pressing hard against the mating marks, causing Tony to let out a whine. The man’s pressure on it just triggered a hard sense of pleasure. There was a reason no one touched that spot until it had become solidified. Even Rhodey hadn’t dared to touch his neck.

Tony felt a hand on his clothes, ripping them as the man tried to pull them off. Tony kept kicking, twisting his body to get away.

Suddenly the body on top of him was knocked over, Tony gasping and shaking as he scrambled away. And when he finally allowed his eyes to open he saw Captain America. Sure he wasn’t the big guy from what he had been told about, no he was better. Steve Rogers was tackling the guy who had hurt him down. He was pinning the guy down, looking feral. More feral than Tony had ever actually seen an alpha get.

Tony glanced over, seeing the woman across the hallway, watching it all.

“Steve,” he said, his voice sounding raw and weak. “Please, let the police come in and take care of things.”

“He touched you,” Steve growled, digging a thumb into the guy’s throat, causing him to make a choking sound. “I asked the diner to call Bucky. Oh, he’s gonna have fun with you.”

“No! No, you can't do this for me, please,” Tony replied. “I’m not worth it.”

“You’re worth this and more,” Steve growled.

“I called the police,” the woman in the hallway said. “But I understand his thought. Do the same if someone touches my omega.”

Somehow, and Tony didn’t try to figure it out, Bucky stumbled up into the room right before the police did. It took Bucky wrapping himself around Steve and tugging him away before Steve stopped choking the man to near death. The cops took one step into the room, before cuffing the man and requesting they all let them ask them questions.

Shuddering and wrapping his arms around his own knees, Tony felt it was weird that he didn’t even know the man’s name.

It took an hour, after asking Tony what he knew, before they found out the guy in question had been watching him before Steve had gone alpha on the idiot who had tried to break into their kitchen window. The man, and even then Tony hadn’t been told his name, was dragged away to be charged. The cops treated Tony like something delicate, so he wasn’t sure entirely what was going on.

When everything was over and the cops had left, Tony picked up the groceries and took them into the kitchen. He felt weak, glancing down at his torn clothes. But he made a point to put what food he could away. He could feel Steve and Bucky watching him, but he ignored it.

It wasn’t until he realized the eggs were all broken that he started to cry. He felt himself dropping down, unsure about how he should react to the sobbing he was letting out. He curled up, wrapping his arms around himself. He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, but despite it being gentle he still scrambled back, gasping for air.

“Shit.”

It was a deep voice who spoke, a tone he did remember, but the flashes of his own life pushed that back. He was just an omega, made to be a tool for those willing to bet on.

“No, Tony, you are not just an object to us,” the voice said. “We want you to be you. We love you for you.”

Tony opened his eyes, immediately seeing gray eyes followed by another head beyond him that he couldn’t really take in. Tony felt a shudder go through him, before meeting the gray eyes staring at him. He swallowed, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Bucky, cause that was definitely Bucky.

“I caused trouble,” Tony mumbled.

“No, baby, you defended yourself,” Bucky replied. “Actually, you giving that cashier your message was perfect. You protected yourself. Don’t ever feel bad about that.”

“The eggs are broken,” Tony said, crying despite what Bucky said.

“We’d rather you than eggs,” Bucky said, carefully reaching out to touch Tony's cheek. “Come on, you look tired. I’d be tired too with all of this.”

“Please, take a nap with us?” another voice piped up. Tony looked over Bucky’s shoulder to see Steve looking like he was upset. “We just want you to be okay.”

Tony nodded and let Bucky pull himself up on his feet. They tugged him into their bedroom and gently guided him into the bed. Bucky carefully changed him into pajamas that were not really fit for him. After he was down on the bed, facing Bucky and allowing him to draw him into a hold, he felt Steve slipping underneath the covers and wrapping his thin and yet strong arms coming up against him.

“I already told you how we feel,” Steve said, his voice right behind Tony’s ear.

“I know,” Tony said. Bucky bent down and kissed him. Tony bit his lip as a response. “Please, don’t hate me if I can’t stay.”

Steve made a shushing noise. “Not worth worrying about that right now.”

Tony knew he couldn't say anything else, they would keep trying to get him to fall asleep. So he wrapped his leg around Bucky’s hip and held onto Steve’s arm, which was around his waist.

And he fell asleep. And when woke up, Rhodey was staring at him. And he had no way to show what had happened beyond turning away and sobbing, a little, because how else was he meant to respond.

Chapter 10: Day Ten

It took breakfast and him picking at it with no enjoyment for Rhodey to stop talking about the nearby library and just look at him. Rhodey finished his plate and turned to look at him fully. “You need to eat.”

“I am,” Tony muttered, taking a bite of the pancake in front of him.

“Tony, what happened?” Rhodey asked, clearly keeping his voice soft. “I’m the one you can talk about it with, you know. So, please, talk.”

“There…there was an alpha,” Tony said, before all of it came spilling out. Rhodey took his plate away just as he let go of it and curled his arms around himself. “Steve showed up and he just…I’ve never seen an alpha go feral like that. He was choking the guy. Bucky had to drag him off so the police could arrest him.”

“Then Steve is better than all the stories about him,” Rhodey growled. At the sharp look Tony gave him, Rhodey smiled. “Tony, that’s what alphas are meant to do. We protect our home, our mate, and then our country. If I had an omega that requested I stay with her? I would leave the Air Force faster than you could take in a breath. Our home and omega come first, before anything else.”

“So me leaving is why they start fighting for their country,” Tony said softly. “I feel like all this pressure is on me, but I can’t control it.”

Rhodey reached over, wrapping an arm around his waist and tugging him close. Tony closed his eyes and rested his head on Rhodey’s shoulder, enjoying the pure warmth the man let off. Rhodey’s chin dropped down onto his head and the man drew in a sharp, strong breath. “Tony, you’re worth all this and more. I’ve been telling you so for years. But there comes a point where you have no control of what is happening to you.”

“I know,” Tony mumbled.

“Remember how excited I was to get into the Air Force?” Rhodey asked. Tony nodded, just scooting a bit closer. “God, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. No idea. It was my dream, but I was terrified. Still am.”

“And?” Tony replied. “You’re out of boot camp and are already into that school to be an officer. So it worked out.”

“Tony, that doesn’t mean I’m not still scared,” Rhodey said softly. “And if those alphas of yours are real…And, yes, Tony, I’m starting to believe. If they are real, then their only focus is to make you safe. That’s all I would want if I had an omega.”

Tony didn’t say anything, there wasn’t really anything he could say. Eventually, he ate his cold pancakes, holding back a chuckle when he realized Steve made them better. He placed his plate on the coffee table and smiled. “Rhodey, your omega or beta is going to be amazing. Cause you’re amazing.”

“Oh now you’re just being a smartass. Ready to check out Brooklyn’s best library? I already checked and you can turn those books in. They're used to it,” Rhodey said, nodding toward the small stacks of books Tony had checked out from Manhattan nearly a week ago.

“Okay, I’ll get dressed,” Tony said in agreement.

Being out and about with Rhodey was much like MIT, but he realized he was quieter and Rhodey was even more able to notice things than he had been before the military. Tony just tried to enjoy having his best friend with him as they walked down the sidewalk toward the library.

He also tried to ignore how he flinched any time an alpha looked at him, swallowing his fear down until it wasn’t a thing he felt down in his chest. He could tell Rhodey noticed and he wasn’t shy about it, his arm curling around him to keep him up close. Tony was split between being annoyed and thankful.

When they reached the library, Rhodey laughed. “Go play.”

Tony broke into a grin, because in this world Rhodey knew how he was. He never got irritated with how he darted from topic to topic, or gave himself a certain number of books because otherwise he’d be checking out every book available. Every time he found a book, he’d take to the table Rhodey had found for himself. The man was reading, of all things, a Little House On the Prairie book.

“Is that even good?” Tony asked after setting a book on the Great Depression down on the table.

“You’d be amazed,” Rhodey said, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, okay,” Tony replied, rolling his eyes and heading for the physics section. He knew he wouldn’t find anything for his situation, but he was determined to not head to the spiritual section, despite the card catalog directing him there. He found a book on the translation of chemical balances and how it affects a person over time, which he knew wasn’t really promising but the idea hit him with the need to read it.

“Got what you need?” Rhodey asked, smiling as he closed his book.

“As well as I can,” Tony replied. “Want your girly book, too?”

“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it,” Rhodey said, before dropping the novel on top of Tony’s selection.

“I’m so telling your future mate, whoever she is, about that interest,” Tony teased, scooping up the books and heading upstairs to the check out lobby.

“And she will giggle and hug me because I’m just damn adorable,” Rhodey replied, reaching out to flick Tony’s ear.

Tony laughed, setting the books over to the librarian to check them out. “Yeah, sure. Adorable.”

They made it home, despite Tony nearly dropping the books as he flinched at a few alphas on the street. Rhodey played it calm, pretending he didn’t notice unless a book slipped too far. Rhodey was always good about not drawing attention to Tony’s fumbling, even when it wasn’t trauma based. They paused at a deli to grab a couple sandwiches, before heading up to his apartment.

Rhodey put on the television and Tony set his books to the side, instead reaching for the nonworking radio on the coffee table. He heard Rhodey getting them both glasses of the sweet tea he had made a couple days ago, the glass being set before him only noticeable because of the thunk it made. Rhodey opened up his sandwich and set it on his thigh as he worked. Rhodey knew he got distracted easily and just chuckled when Tony started eating without a word.

When Tony sat back, glaring at the radio and chewing aggressively on his food, Rhodey glanced over and poked him. “Hey there, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

“There’s a piece missing. The girl at the antique store told me, but I was hoping it was a quick fix,” Tony answered.

“Are you telling me that Tony Stark can’t figure out a radio made in the late thirties?” Rhodey teased. There was a pause, before Rhodey chuckled. “Maybe you need to mess around with an original.”

“They won’t like me breaking that down,” Tony said, chuckling. “It’s the best entertainment they have.”

“I don’t know, I’d let my omega get away with it,” Rhodey said with a shrug. Tony kicked his leg, scowling and making Rhodey laugh. “Okay, that aside, do we keep reading or start watching something?”

“I picked the last movie last night, so it’s your turn,” Tony replied, picking up his glass of tea and watching Rhodey get up to browse his movie collection. “Oh, but not The Fly….it kinda skips.”

“Because you rewatch Jeff Goldblum too much,” Rhodey muttered, before plucking a movie off the shelf and putting it into the VHS player.

“He’s a good actor,” Tony objected, before cuddling up to Rhodey the moment he sat down, smiling when the man wrapped an arm around him. He burst out laughing when Rock-A-Doodle started playing. “Forgot I had this.”

“Tsk, I gave this to you,” Rhodey replied.

“Owls sing well,” Tony muttered, smiling when Rhodey just tugged him closer. He found himself humming, then singing along with Rhodey once the other man started. Eventually Tony just sat there watching the end. “I wish everything was happy like that.”

“Oh, I’m sure the owls aren’t too happy,” Rhodey said. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” Tony replied.

“Just sleepy or about to pass out no matter what?” Rhodey asked.

Tony felt his body become sluggish and answered honestly, “Second one.”

“Okay, Tones, let’s get you into an actual bed,” Rhodey replied softly, his hands tugging Tony to his feet. He almost didn’t feel himself moving as Rhodey made him take his suppressants and go to the bathroom. When his back hit the bed he curled up, making a soft sound as the blankets wrapped around him. He felt the bed dip behind him and an arm wrap around his waist. “Love you. You’re my platypus.”

A chuckle echoed against his ear and Rhodey kissed his shoulder. “Those boys of yours better be prepared for my dressing down.”

“They will,” Tony said happily, eyes finally closing. He could sense flashes of light behind his eyes, before there was nothing.

He awoke, eyes blurry as he looked around. He was alone in bed, for once the nearly overwhelming heat was not surrounding him. He sat up, confused, before he heard them talking in the living room. He carefully eased himself out of the bed, thankfully he was dressed as he inched for the door to make sense of the murmurs he was hearing. He carefully opened the door a bit wider.

“One of us needs to stay here,” Steve’s voice said. “The diner already knew I rushed out because of this.”

“So did my job and my boss gave me three days,” Bucky snapped, before sighing. “I’m just saying you might not be the best one here today. I already have the time.”

“So I’m weak?” Steve asked, voice tense and determined to press the issue.

“No!” Bucky replied, his voice going soft. “You’re never weak, you proved that yesterday, but you are intense. Stevie? He just got accosted by an alpha and the last thing he needs is that level of intensity again.”

“Oh, please, like you’re any better?” Steve growled. “He told me that you are pure alpha, an alpha that shows who he is by the physical. Think you’re that calm now?”

“At least he hasn’t seen me beat up people,” Bucky replied in a dead tone, like Steve’s words hurt more than any of them would understand.

There was a moment of silence, before Steve spoke up in what could only be a hiss, “Like you wouldn’t have done the same. Don’t give me that shit. You felt the same way when you saw that jerk.”

“Thanks,” Bucky said drily.

“Babe, you are the ultimate protector.” There was a noise that Tony assumed was them kissing. “Buck, come on. Even if it wasn’t me or Tony and some random person needed help, you’d still be the big protector. So stop feeling bad about yourself. That’s not something to feel bad about.”

“I’m not,” Bucky snapped, sounding more grumpy than anything.

“Stay, I’ll go to work and you stay here with our omega,” Steve ordered.

“Okay, but it’s his choice…” Bucky muttered.

Taking a moment to swallow, Tony finally pushed the door open and looked at the two of them. Bucky looked purely nervous as their eyes met, even taking a step back. Steve on the other hand had a near steel quality to his blue eyes as he stepped closer, giving Tony a half smile. Tony swallowed, knowing he still felt twitchy from what had happened. It was an automatic response, scanning the room swiftly, but he didn’t feel any fear from them.

Never from them.

“How do you feel?” Steve asked, looking like he just wanted to pamper him.

Tony gave a soft laugh. “I’m not glass.”

“Never said you were,” Steve replied. He glanced back at Bucky, who had a grumpy look to his face. “We want you to get whatever comfort you need today, okay?”

Tony chose to ignore the conversation he had heard and nervously crossed his arms. “Do you both have to go to work?”

“Whoever you want to stay with today, we can do that,” Steve said.

“Why can’t both of you stay?” Tony asked, nearly wincing at how delicate his voice sounded.

“Yeah,” Bucky responded in a rough voice, “we can both stay. I’ve got time off, all Stevie needs to do is contact his boss and let him know what happened.”

Tony felt himself relax, not even realizing he was tense to begin with. As Steve headed toward the phone, Tony stepped over to Bucky and without anything to say he just rested his forehead on Bucky’s shoulder. The man’s tension seemed to dissolve at the touch, like Tony just resting against him eased all his worries.

“Thank you,” Tony whispered.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner,” Bucky admitted.

“Nah, someone had to get the spitfire in line,” Tony replied with a chuckle. He heard Bucky laugh and grinned in response. “I swear, I’ve never seen an alpha go brutal like that. Where I’m from it’s usually blamed on the omega enticing the alpha.”

“The more you talk, the more I’m glad to be poor,” Bucky said. Then he grabbed Tony’s arm and tugged him back to sit on the couch. Bucky slipped an arm around Tony’s waist and pulled him closer. “I wish I could have stopped what happened to you.”

“You can’t stop idiots like that,” Tony told him. “Trust me, he talked to me at the grocer and to be honest…he didn’t have a logical brain. It was all alpha hind-brain. You can’t control someone like that.” He glanced up to see Steve walking over, but forced himself to keep talking. “A guy like that would have tried at some point. I’m just glad he did it while you both could get here.”

“You sound like you have experience,” Steve said, sitting opposite of Bucky.

Tony knew better than to try to explain what happened at MIT and how he met Rhodey. So he broke the story down and tried to tell it in a way that would fit where he was. “I don’t usually drink, but in boarding school I did. I was probably trying to make my dad look bad, but regardless…I went to a party and an alpha kept randomly coming up, even giving me drinks. I didn’t really enjoy his attention so I told him at one point to get away from me, embarrassing the guy in a room of people.”

“So he started following you,” Steve commented.

“Yeah, and I ended up in the bathtub, passed out, as a result,” Tony said, shrugging. “I don’t really remember what he did. Just him touching me.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Bucky replied, before looking over at Steve in one of their silent conversations. Eventually, Steve winced and then sighed.

“I’m often not an alpha to a lot of people,” Steve said in a nervous tone, his voice suddenly breaking through the brief silence they had created. “When I was younger, people could barely smell me being an alpha. My body looks like omega.”

“You’re my alpha,” Tony told him, softly.

Steve smiled, his blue eyes almost glowing for a second. “I was fifteen and an alpha, who had been following me, cornered me in an alley. It was the first hard puch I ever placed that was for defense instead of proving myself. But him pinning me to that wall…I don’t think I’m still over it.”

Tony curled up against Bucky’s side and reached out for Steve’s hand. They both ended up holding hands and resting their heads on Bucky’s shoulder. Bucky stayed silent, holding them both. Eventually the urge for food made Bucky shift. “And what would my boys like for breakfast?”

“Lunch by now, but I’m not sure. We don’t have any eggs-”

“I’m sorry,” Tony whispered.

“You’re not the one who needs to apologize,” Bucky grumbled. “But maybe we should go out for food. There's the diner up a couple blocks away.”

“Be nice to eat at a diner without being a waiter,” Steve said, starting to smile. “What do you think, Tony?”

“As long as I’m with you guys I’m golden,” Tony admitted, grinning. “We all need to get dressed first, though.”

It was the first time there that they argued over who should wear what. Tony found himself in the only pair of slacks Bucky owned, which had actually been handed down by his father, and they actually fit perfectly. He tugged on Steve’s baggiest shirt, buttoning it on as he watched Bucky adjust Steve’s shirt, properly buttoning him up and causing Steve to laugh.

“I think we are good,” Bucky said, pulling on his leather coat. It probably wasn’t cold enough for it, but Tony saw it as Bucky’s way to show he was the strong alpha he was without being vocal about it.

“You look good,” Tony said, tugging at the coat until it was placed perfectly. He turned to see Steve in a basic blue button up shirt and smiled. “Both of you.”

“Like you aren’t the best one of all, doll,” Bucky said, reaching out to slide a hand down his lower back and grazing the curve of Tony’s backend.

“Tease,” Tony replied, grinning.

“Only if I don’t follow through,” Bucky said, throwing open the door and smirking at the blush that hit Tony’s face. “Shall we?”

The street was busy this time of day, cars lining the sidewalks as people made their way into shops. They walked north, quickly passing the grocer that Tony had met the alpha. He nearly flinched and held back the urge to ask the man’s name, because he still didn’t know the man’s name. He walked in silence for another block before pausing, right in front of the apartment of the kind woman who helped him. Remembering her tone to be careful made Tony remember yesterday.

“Tony?” Steve asked.

“I just have to know, what was his name?” Tony asked, watching as once again Steve and Bucky had a silent conversation. “I just need to know, please?”

“Mark Hammer,” Bucky said.

Hammer, the biggest competition of Stark Industries. Tony swallowed and shook his head, trying to not laugh over the irony. He smiled at the two men with him, not able to say how ridiculous that very man’s progeny would be. The irony made him just want to cackle out loud, but he knew right then no one would understand. Tony nodded, a small smile on his face. “Thank you, it’s been bothering me.”

“I get it,” Steve said. “Putting a name to it helps.”

“Right,” Tony replied, feeling a shudder run through him before he felt himself still. He let out a laugh before looking over at Bucky. “So, lunch?”

“Yes, sir,” Bucky said, tugging Tony into his side before they crossed the street and walked another three blocks.

The diner looked the same as the one Steve worked at, inside being mostly regulars or those on their lunch break. They were directed to a booth, Bucky taking one side while Steve tucked into Tony’s bench. He understood the positions. As an omega, the alpha’s mindset wanted to protect him. Bucky was the most clear alpha physically, so sitting there across from him practically claimed ownership. Steve blocking him made it all the more obvious.

They gave their orders, a weird pause when the waitress expected one of the alphas to order for him. But after their encouragement Tony was able to put in for waffles and eggs. After the waitress left Tony reached for the orange juice that had already been provided to them. “I forgot how that goes. With you two I don’t have to worry about having to be silent.”

“I’m sorry, we can’t stop that,” Steve admitted.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Tony replied. “If anything your response would get you in jail.”

Steve let out a huff of exasperation. “I’m not that bad.”

Bucky laughed. “Sweetie, you are that bad.”

They all paused as food was brought, smiling at the waitress to show they appreciated it. They ate for a while, some faster than others. Tony was still a bit weak, despite what yesterday showed, from his heat. He found himself devouring his food. He sat back from a foodless plate, looking up to see Bucky smirking and holding out a cup for fruit.

“I’m not even going to be ashamed about eating this,” Tony admitted, snatching the fruit cup up. “I’ve never indulged like this.”

“You need the energy,” Steve said.

“And you eating is enjoyable to watch,” Buckey said with a sly smile.

“Like I said, you are a tease,” Tony replied.

Bucky grabbed his piece of toast and handed it over with a flick of fingers and a smirk on his face. Tony swallowed, watching Bucky tilted his head to the side, that smirk turning into a full grin. A hot warmth went through him, nothing like he felt during a heat. Blushing, Tony reached out and took hold. That heat rushed through him, throbbing everywhere.

Bucky pulled his hand away. “Eat, then we can go home.”

“Getting him all worked up, I see,” Steve said with a small smile.

“Just want to make sure he eats,” Bucky replied.

“You two can calm down,” Tony muttered, nibbling at the toast and glancing around the diner to see a few people glancing over. He blushed and looked down, focusing on his toast. He knew he was sending off signals, omega out of heat but still feeling a contentment that a lot of alphas scented as arousal.

“I take it you want the check,” the waitress stated, handing it over and giving Tony such a fond look that he almost felt like he did something wrong, despite not being able to control his scent. He glanced up, only then noticing her name was Joan.

“Thank you,” Steve replied, accepting it. There was a moment where Bucky argued about the bill and who was going to pay. “Fine, Buck, but give her a good tip. She did good with Tony.”

Tony understood what Steve meant. They had let Tony order for himself and she had just smiled happily. Tony could only imagine what some waitresses would do seeing an omega speaking up like that, even in his own time alphas ordered for their omegas. Rhodey always just glared anyone down for him to order for himself.

“She was nice,” Tony offered, watching them place the money in the check tray, including a two dollar tip. Tony’s mind calculated fast and knew this was at least a twenty-five percent tip, possibly more. That was confirmed when the woman came back and asked if they needed change, then grinning brightly when Bucky said no.

Tony smiled as they left, enjoying how with all the little money they made they both thought of others. Tony wished he could do the same in his own time. He did it in small ways, when he was at a restaurant or taking a cab. But Obadiah always shut him down at work or when they met outside of it. Tony wondered if Howard Stark did that now, as a young genius bursting to life after the Great Depression. Tony doubted it.

They made it back to the apartment, the occasional conversation making it faster. They got to their floor just as the woman across the hall exited her apartment, face brightening at them. “Oh good, you’re doing good.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tony said, nervously.

The woman seemed to understand he didn’t want to talk and turned her gaze to Steve and Bucky. “I don’t know if you knew, but I called the cops. I didn’t know what else to do, I could hear the struggle and no alpha would want their omega to go through that.”

“We actually appreciate it, ma’am,” Bucky replied. “Thankfully Tony gave a signal to the grocer cashier and they called Steve’s work.”

“Ah, that’s why you arrived so fast. I would do the same.” There was a pause. “Well, I have no real need to keep you. And I have fruit to buy, my omega always craves them before her own heat. You all three take care.”

They entered the apartment, door shutting before he turned to them in confusion. “So, a triad like us is normal?”

“Yeah,” Bucky replied, taking off his coat. “I mean, it’s more like people assume we only focus on you. Sadly, that also means to some people that an omega with two alphas is insatiable and available. But that’s not for most people.”

“That guy, Hammer, mocked me at the grocer,” Tony admitted. “He said you were both sick and wouldn’t be able to…well, because you were focused on each other.”

Steve let out a near pained sound. “That’s because two alphas together are wrong. Two alphas could get arrested for being together.”

“We’ve always been together,” Bucky admitted. “I tried with omegas, but it didn’t feel right. Steve was my first for everything important.”

“Same with me,” Steve said in a soft voice as he gazed over at Bucky.

Tony paused for a moment, eyes darting between them. “I have stopped thinking that I’m not good for you, if what you want is me-”

“Yes,” Steve interrupted. “For both of us.”

“If you want me,” Tony began again, “then I have to admit all I want is the two of you. I just hope I didn’t give Hammer the impression that I didn’t. I want you both enough to feel it in my chest.”

“Oh, babe, we never thought otherwise,” Bucky insisted, reaching out and tugging Tony into a hug. A second later Steve was pressed against his back. Bucky seemed to breathe in his hair. “That asshole has been making an ass of himself for the two years we’ve been here. He tries to beat up Steve once a month for no reason. He’s not worth your thought.”

“Wasn’t the first time I kicked him into the dumpster,” Steve muttered.

Tony laughed, pushing them away and walking over to the couch, pausing a moment to turn on the radio. He sat, closing his eyes at the soft swing style music that filled the room. He was about to put his feet up on the coffee table before Bucky grabbed his hand, a grin on his face as he said, “Oh no, doll, you put my song on.”

Tony found himself tugged into Bucky’s arms as Steve pushed the coffee table about a foot to give them more room. Tony couldn’t help the blush on his face as Bucky twirled him before pulling him into Bucky’s hold. He found himself being dipped and, once he got used to the movement, dancing like they had taught him to, grinning at every spin.

The song ended as Tony found himself brought hard against Bucky’s chest. He looked up and, by the dilated ring of gray-blue eyes, let himself be kissed hard, hands dragging along his sides. Tony moaned into the kiss as distantly he heard the music switch over to an old song of violins and piano.

Bucky pulled back and grinned, “Looks like Steve wants his turn.”

Tony turned, letting Steve position his hands before they began to move in a soft, near waltz, movement. Steve was shorter than him, but Tony felt comfort pressing their cheeks together as Steve guided him around the room. It was the type of intimate dancing he had seen between his parents, before alcohol and frustration had set in.

He pressed his forehead into Steve’s thin shoulder, humming as the pure tranquility dancing with him was. Bucky created a sense of euphoria, while Steve was the perfect calm down. Tony couldn't imagine them being separated and he never wanted to experience it.

“You smell amazing,” Steve whispered against his jawline. “Bucky, smell him.”

Tony felt Bucky’s body press against his back and he groaned, burying his flushed face against Steve’s neck. Bucky dragged a hand down his back, causing a whine from Tony in the process, before it cupped his backend. Bucky’s voice was practically raw when he said, “He’s not wet. But he smells like he should be.”

Tony forced himself out of the odd fogginess, because he knew they didn’t understand. Maybe the discovery was in the future. Whimpering, Tony lifted his head. “An alpha attacked me right out of my heat. Need to reconnect to mine. Please.”

He suddenly found himself dragged to the bedroom, which he was fully okay with. They all stripped themselves of clothes and Tony let out a pleased sound when he found himself sandwiched between them. He grabbed Bucky’s head and pulled him into a kiss, letting out a whimper when Steve pressed fully up against him.

“What do you want?” Steve said softly into his ear.

A groan escaped him. “Wanna see you both, wanna see you together.”

“And what about you?” Bucky asked, his tone clearly fine with Tony’s first request.

He felt Steve’s hand slip around his waist to grab his erection, causing Tony to gasp. It was then he felt himself get wet, though it was nowhere near what he would in his heat. Tony pressed his forehead into Bucky’s shoulder. “Whatever you want.”

“You’re such a good omega, aren’t you?” Bucky whispered, causing Tony to just arch his back in response. “Why don’t you get on your stomach, huh? That’s a good omega, doll.”

After Tony rolled over, he didn’t expect wet fingers sliding into him. He made a shocked sound, arching his ass up. The fingers were thin and almost delicate. Tony groaned, realizing it was Steve working him open. He pressed his face against the pillow, unable to stop himself from rocking back.

“Tony,” Steve’s voice said, right up against his ear. “I’m gonna penetrate you. You asked for us together. So while I’m making you feel good, Bucky’s gonna be doing the same for me. All three of us, okay?”

“Yes,” Tony gasped out, rocking his hips back. He felt another finger being added and just let out a high pitched sound, face pressed down in the pillow and hips stuttering in their thrusting back.

He didn’t realize he was begging until another finger worked into him in response. This was so different from being in heat, where he didn’t need much preparation. This was intense, his body trembling in response. It was a pure shock running through his body as the fingers rotating inside him seemed to hit every trigger he physically had. “Steve.”

“Got you,” Steve said, his voice strained and with a hint of a wine to his voice. It took Tony a minute to realize that it was because Steve was feeling exactly what he was feeling. Which only led to Tony picturing Bucky’s thick fingers penetrating and rotating inside Steve. Tony dropped his head onto the pillow and whined. “Don’t worry, Tony, we got you.”

The sound of Steve’s voice made him rock back into the fingers inside of him. “Please, Steve.”

He heard Steve gasp into his ear and without Steve even moving, the man’s erection was pressed against him. He knew that it was Bucky guiding Steve, but all he could focus on was the feeling as he pressed back. Steve shifted, thrusting slightly and causing him to graze against Tony’s opening. Tony couldn’t stop rocking his hips back, finally letting out a small cry as Steve finally entered him.

He didn’t even have enough time to understand what just happened before Steve suddenly thrusted forward, his erection fully inside him. Tony drew in a sharp breath, knowing a small whine escaped him. Steve kissed his shoulder. “Sorry, Bucky is now in full control. You okay?”

Tony nodded, head dipping down as Steve nipped softly at the back of his neck. Then Steve made a sharp, breathless noise and Tony knew that was because Bucky was now pressing into the alpha. Tony gasped, not really feeling the penetration except from the whimpering noise Steve let out near his ear. He felt himself pressed hard into the bed, his ass up in the air for Steve’s pleasure. And it was all…Tony didn't even know how to describe how he was feeling.

He clutched the pillow, using it to muffle his cry of confused pleasure as Steve let out a sharp sound. Bucky wasn’t taking his time, he was suddenly thrusting, rocking Steve into him. And the feeling of Steve working into him while Steve made, god, he made so much noise. It forced Tony into an euphoria of feeling and sound and true emotion that he didn’t think he understood until now.

He rocked back, letting out a whine as Steve gasped and bit at his shoulder. Tony could hear Bucky making a growling noise. They were all lost in the sensation.

And then Steve was clutching at him, trying to reach down to Tony’s erection. He didn’t make it before his orgasm hit him, but Steve’s hand fumbled at Tony’s erection just enough that Tony felt his body trembling just under Steve’s jerking body. He heard Steve cry out, because Bucky was still thrusting. The sound, the motion, sent Tony into what he felt was the hardest orgasm he’d ever had.

Their bodies rocked before Bucky came as well. Tony rolled to his side, not even blushing as Steve slipped out of him. Tony hummed in contentment, slipping his arms around Steve while Bucky held him from behind.

“Such an amazing omega,” Bucky mumbled, clearly about to fall asleep.

Tony didn’t even have time to reply before Steve kissed him, a bright smile on his face as he pulled back. “You’re perfect.”

Tony blushed, but didn’t protest when the two of them pulled him close. He closed his eyes, wishing he could stay awake, as they held him.

He woke up to Rhodey’s worried face and a body that just felt abandoned and confused.

Notes:

This story is about to break my heart, cause I know what's about to happen. Also, wow, was not planning so much sex. Oops?

Also, if anyone knows how to add images tell me how, cause I might need that ability later in this story.

Chapter 11: Day Eleven

“Tones, you need to eat,” Rhodey said softly.

“Yeah,” Tony mumbled, twisting the old radio around to inspect it once again.

“You didn’t eat breakfast and lunch was a few hours ago,” Rhodey said, standing. “I’m going to buy groceries.”

“We need milk,” Tony replied, finally glancing up and seeing Rhodey’s look of worry. “I’m fine.”

“Tony, seriously, do I need to hide your sleeping pills?” Rhodey asked, voice soft.

“No, I tried them once and…it wasn’t good,” Tony said, sitting back on the couch cushions. “I need to fall asleep naturally or I'll sleep a whole day with them.”

“Fine,” Rhodey said. “Well I’m going to the store and you are making spaghetti.”

Tony smirked, glancing up. “I’m not actually Italian.”

“Your mother was.”

“And she didn’t cook,” Tony pointed out.

“You’re still making it,” Rhodey replied, grabbing his coat with a grin.

“Fine, but remember the milk!” Tony yelled out as the door shut behind Rhodey.

Tony glanced at the radio, before ignoring it entirely for the book on Captain America his father wrote. He reached out and held the spine in his hand so the pages spread out in a dramatic fan type of way. He ended up halfway through the chapter of Steve Rogers becoming the Star Spangled man, straight from Howard Stark’s perspective.

‘He was a weak little thing.’

Tony nearly shut the book, because Steve was never weak even when he was small. Feeling an urge to keep reading, despite the agitation it caused, Tony curled up on the couch. He placed the book on his knees and scanned the page with swift eyes, darting past where he was. He landed on his father’s account of the actual procedure.

‘We had nearly given up. The man was so tiny, despite his personality. And there was a weakness there, like he was still waiting for his omega and it was slowly killing him. Then just as we thought we had failed and Peggy Carter rushed down to order us to stop, his demanding voice told us to continue.’

Tony shut the book, wincing at the idea of him not being there to protect Steve. Swallowing, trying to push that past his thought, Tony stood and went to place the book back on his bookshelf. He made his way back to the couch, pausing when he stepped on something metal. It had the cold feel most metal did, so he lifted his foot.

Laying on the floor was a small piece of metal shaped like a perfect washer. It must have been knocked off a few days ago in his rage. He thought he had picked it all up, but there it was. Sighing, Tony picked it up and tossed it onto the table before dropping down on the couch, feeling a pure grumpiness set over him.

The door opened as Tony was reaching for the remote. Rhodey stepped in, at least four bags in his hands. Tony considered not helping, but he couldn’t bring himself to know Rhodey had carried all that for three blocks and then up the stairs. He stood and began helping Rhodey put it all into the fridge. He could feel Rhodey’s eyes on him as he set the meat on the lower shelf near the milk.

“What’s in that head of yours?” Rhodey asked.

“Nothing important,” Tony said.

“Now, that’s a non Tony thing to say,” Rhodey replied, grabbing Tony’s arm to turn him into a careful embrace. Tony sank into it, never able to fight the comfort Rhodey gave him. It was an easy thing, the way they gravitated toward each other.

In a perfect world, Rhodey would have been his alpha.

“I’m scared,” Tony admitted, pressing his face into Rhodey’s shoulder and feeling the man hold him harder in response. “I’m scared that I won’t be there for them. And I’m scared of being alone when it ends.”

“It’s going to be okay,” Rhodey whispered. And even though Tony understood the man couldn’t make it true, it made him feel better. Rhodey tugged him back, smiling. “Let’s watch a movie before you make food for me.”

“Demanding alpha,” Tony said, getting a grin in response.

“Sure,” Rhodey replied, before heading into the living room. “Now I know you have Thumbelina somewhere in this house. I will find it and we will watch it.”

“No,” Tony protested, following him. “Fern Gully!”

Rhodey sighed heavily. “Fine.”

They ended up watching Fern Gully, then after Tony had made spaghetti in the way he distantly remembered Jarvis’ wife making it, they put in Thumbelina. Tony was pretty sure Rhodey would have complained if they hadn’t. They ate, enjoying the simple story which was a relief to both of their lives. Tony tried to not think of Rhodey leaving in a week to start his classes for officer training.

Tony didn’t want to be alone again in this world.

Determined to get those thoughts out of his head, Tony leaned forward and looked at the radio again. He knew he wouldn’t get anywhere, but he needed to occupy his mind.

He was inspecting it for a few minutes when Rhodey said, “Hey, what’s this?”

Tony glanced over, seeing the washer in his hand. “Oh, I found it on the floor. I must have missed it when I was picking up my mess. I can’t remember what it’s for, but I bought a few parts at a garage sale a few weeks ago.”

“Huh, cause it looks like it could fit here,” Rhodey said, reaching out to press the part into a space of the radio’s knob gears.

Tony stared. Then he grabbed the washer and began taking the piece apart so he could slip it in and screw everything down. It fit perfectly. Tony set back, confused. “How didn’t I notice that?”

“You’re not a genius about everything, despite your claims,” Rhodey teased. Seeing the movie had ended, Rhodey grinned. “Well, now all you need is to replace a couple tubes. Looks like they cracked when you had your hissy fit.”

“Rude.”

“But not untrue,” Rhodey sing-songed.

“I can get them delivered,” Tony said, ignoring Rhodey’s comment. “Even rushed, I’m sure. I have a guy.”

“You have a guy?” Rhodey laughed. “Of course you do.”

“Okay, fine, it’s an intern at SI headquarters. He spends all day being bored while following someone else around. My little requests give him something worthwhile to do,” Tony admitted. Rhodey’s amused expression made Tony scowl. “I am assisting a coworker so don’t you dare give me that face.”

Rhodey leaned forward. “I’m always going to give you that face.”

Tony rolled his eyes, rubbing a hand through his hair and wincing. “I’m going to take a shower. Don’t touch the radio.”

“I’m putting on a Sharon Stone movie just to annoy you,” Rhodey replied.

“No you won’t. You’re going to put in Aladdin,” Tony said, standing. “Visiting me is the only time you get to indulge in children shows. Poor little soldier.”

“Okay, now that’s rude. Correct, but rude,” Rhodey replied.

In the shower Tony stood for a moment, allowing the flow of water to wash down on him. Unlike the forties, he had a lot more access to warm water and didn’t worry about letting the strong spray hit his shoulders as he hung his head down. He could feel a few bits of the heavy water hit the marks on his neck, causing him to press his hands against the wall as his whole body thrummed.

He pulled away from the spray to start cleaning himself, oddly uncomfortable reacting to his erection with Rhodey in the other room. Oddly because he had had no problem in college, even if it led to a few embarrassing moments.

New clothes pulled on, Tony came out to not be surprised that Rhodey was twenty minutes into Aladdin. “I swear, you are addicted to this movie.”

Rhodey glared at him as he dropped onto the couch. “Excuse me, but who doesn’t have a crush on Jasmine. Also: Robin Williams.”

Tony smiled. “Okay, you have me on Robin Williams.”

By the end of the movie Tony had started to yawn. It wasn’t until the fourth yawn that Rhodey reached over and tugged him into his side. Tony blinked, glancing at the clock. It was only six in the evening so he reached for the radio again out of instinct. “Really? Is that radio so important?”

“I just…” Tony let out a rush of air. “It’s just something to occupy myself.”

“From the thirties, sure,” Rhodey commented, before tugging Tony even more into his side. “Just listen to the music, man, and relax. Even sleep.”

“You’re too good for this world,” Tony mumbled, before letting A Whole New World fill his hearing. His eyes started to close, nose pressed against Rhodey’s shoulder.

“Right, I am,” Rhodey said softly, just before Tony fell asleep.

He expected to awake pressed against Rhodey, probably drooling on his shirt, because the world was never that good. Instead he felt arms around him and mumbled nonsensical words into the chest his face was pressed again into, feeling a vibration from someone chuckling. Tony didn’t know truly the way bonds worked, maybe it was just him, but he could immediately recognize that comforting hum as Bucky. He remembered falling asleep holding Steve and it was that thought that made him look up, eyes almost blurry from sleep.

“Hey doll,” Bucky’s deep voice greeted him. “Finally awake, I see.”

“Hmm? Yeah,” Tony said, stretching a bit and almost purring when Bucky trailed a hand along his side to rest on his bare hip. “Where’s Steve?”

“Came back from the grocer about twenty minutes ago,” Bucky replied. “I stayed to make sure you actually slept enough. He is now cooking bacon, if my nose is accurate.”

Tony blushed and wanted to apologize for the food that was ruined the other night, but knew better than to say anything. Bucky’s hand squeezed a bit at his hip, like giving praise for him not blaming himself for that very fact. Tony swallowed, fighting back the urge to just arch into Bucky from the subtle praise. “So, uh, we should get in there. You need to go to work soon, right?”

“Nah, not at all,” Bucky replied. And suddenly Tony felt himself pressed onto his back with Bucky hovering over him. “We both got the next couple days off, to comfort and treat you nicely like an omega like you should be treated. Boss’ orders.”

Tony didn’t have enough time to react before Bucky moved down, practically disappearing under the covers, to kiss his hip. And, okay, Tony could admit his only experience with alphas doting on him was the two of them, but there was something overwhelming from having Bucky’s mouth drag across his skin toward his now growing erection without being able to see the man at all. His hips jerked up, before he forced them to stay still while a nervousness flowed through him.

He felt hands grab his hips, pinning them down before a mouth and hot wet heat just swallowed him down. Tony let out a surprised sound, hands grabbing at his pillow since he had nothing else to hold onto. He knew he was moaning loud, loud enough for Steve to hear in the kitchen but he couldn’t help himself. Bucky’s tongue was everywhere and he was nearly swallowing him down like he was teasing, giving him just what his body wanted with a chance to pull away.

“Bu-Buck-” Tony gave up trying to say the man’s name as Bucky’s hands stopped holding him down and just encouraged him to thrust. Gasping, Tony clenched his eyes closed, feeling himself building up to orgasm. “P-Please.”

Bucky didn’t answer beside a small graze of teeth that caused Tony to jerk up hard, whimpering as he felt himself enter Bucky’s actual throat. He felt a vibration around him, like Bucky was humming, and his hips started truly thrusting. He almost felt like he was ripping the pillow case underneath his head. Then his whole body was jerking before he even realized he was coming into Bucky’s mouth.

He felt his body shiver as a tongue lapped as his softening erection, then his stomach, as Bucky crawled back up. The man laid down on top of him, their naked bodies pressing together. It honestly just made Tony tremble even more, because Bucky was hard against his hip.

“Damn,” Tony whispered, voice shaky.

“Mmm, like that?” Bucky asked, kissing his jaw. “You make such wonderful sounds, doll. Could do that all day.”

Tony tilted his head and whimpered when Bucky easily kissed him, tongue delving into his mouth. He could taste himself. “What was that?”

“Well, that was me enjoying you,” Bucky replied, kissing him again. “Also, thank you. You just accepted us last night. You’re perfect for us.”

“Alright, lovebirds,” Steve’s teasing voice called out from the bedroom door. “I got scrambled eggs going, so get yourselves together.”

“Slave driver,” Bucky muttered, grinning down at Tony. “Come on, best follow his orders. Or we will both be kicked off the fire escape.”

Tony laughed. “That’s not funny.”

“I know, he might actually do it,” Bucky said with a sad face. Tony grinned, watching as Bucky pulled away and jerked on his pajamas, tossing Tony the pants that had become his own in the process. “Let’s get in there before he gets a head of steam, huh?”

The morning of eating breakfast washed away Tony’s constant worry. Being with them always did. There was such an ease to how they moved that made Tony relax. He ate more enthusiastically than ever before, pausing to laugh as Bucky teased Steve. He swallowed the last of his eggs and held a piece of bacon in his hand as he turned to the others, “So what is happening today?”

“I thought we could go to the Brooklyn Museum,” Steve offered, refilling Bucky’s glass of orange juice. “It’s one of the first museums in New York, though others are trying to catch up.”

“Really?” Tony replied, not even bothering to hide his excited reaction. “I’ve always wanted to go. Sooner or later Manhattan will create their own, but seriously, can we?”

Tony didn’t actually have any knowledge about regular museums, but he remembered in a class from years ago for his liberal arts demands saying that Brooklyn was one of the first official ones to have been built in 1930. Tony figured himself having babbling ideas wouldn’t cause someone to question. Steve clearly didn’t, because he shot Bucky a smug expression. Bucky rolled his eyes with a grin, letting the both of them be nerds for a moment.

“Can we take the trolley again?” Tony suddenly asked.

“You actually like the trolley, geeze,” Steve chuckled.

“Oh come on, remember last time?” Bucky replied. “He couldn’t stop talking about the gears and structure, I think he didn’t even realize we were at the beach even after he got dressed.”

“Okay, that’s rude,” Tony said, but not able to hide his smile, causing Bucky to wink at him.

Steve snorted, having been watching them. “Still remains that you were obsessed with them and Bucky, as shown by his attention, was staring at you the entire time we were at the beach. You both are ridiculous.”

“Aww,” Bucky said with a humm sound, reaching out and dragging Steve into his lap. “Are you sad because you’re not ridiculous?”

Steve laughed and leaned in to kiss Bucky. “I’m fine. But get your butts up and dressed, because I am not standing in a big line because the two of you decided to sleep late.”

“Yeah, sleep,” Bucky replied with a smirk.

Steve laughed before Tony could even feel awkward. “Yeah, that too. But go get dressed. Both of you.”

“Yes, mom,” Brucky drawled, causing Tony to grin as they both stood.

It was another moment of them arguing about clothes, Tony pulling on what they ordered. Tony didn’t feel he was taking anything from them, since they fit him better than they would the two of them. He was out on the street before any other easy going complaint could happen. They made it down the block, before jumping on the trolley.

Tony found himself to be the same as before, but without nervousness as he leaned over the trolley’s frame to watch it’s small wheels follow along the long beam that would take them to the street closest to the museum. Tony grinned and glanced back to see his two alphas smiling at his response. Tony in the real world would have gotten uppity, but now he was completely content to have his alphas practically call him cute. Stark’s weren’t cute, but with them he didn’t care beyond their smile.

They got to the museum faster than Tony expected, used to traffic and cab drivers that wanted to make that extra buck. It was a relief to jump off the trolley, knowing they had already paid their fare. They walked a bit, before the museum was there, smaller than the New York museum that he remembered from days ago, but still standing proud. Tony tugged them in, because they were really moving too slow. Rhodey did the same thing, but the tugging method hadn’t failed him yet.

He ignored the laughter the two shared and tried to be silent as they gave a few dollars as a donation to the museum before they all walked in. It was a museum unlike what he was used to. There were no loud children or bright lights directing you to the most recent exhibit, no it was just a few rooms with a staircase leading to a couple more presentations and then a sitting lounge. Tony never felt so calmed down in his life. Robotics and engineering shows were always bright and dramatic.

This was real life. He was able to take his time, zoning in on the entire room devoted to the progression of the steam to coal engine. He felt like he was learning little pieces that filled in the gaps that his modern education had skipped over.

“Okay, our adorable engineer, time to go upstairs for some lunch.” Tony looked over, briefly realizing there was a hand on his arm, as Bucky talked with a smile. “You can come back if you’re good.”

“He’s always good, so that’s a weak claim,” Steve teased, looking at Tony and jerking his head at the stairs.

“Did I get caught up?” Tony asked, not able to do anything but wince. “I’m sorry, I won’t-”

“Won’t keep being cute?” Bucky asked, eyes narrowing. Like he recognized this some pre-conditioned response and refused to let Tony get away with it. “Too late for that, come on.”

He could feel the two of them having a silent conversation, one of the ones that had Tony be relieved and frustrated in turns. He focused on not reacting to it and let them order and collect the cups of coffee before walking to the sitting place by the window, showing the bustling of random cars mixed with mostly people walking on the sidewalks below.

“I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?” Bucky asked after at least five minutes of silence.

“What do you mean?” Tony asked, confused. When seeing the look on both of their faces, Tony swallowed the coffee in his mouth. “I know you did your little silent talk thing, but that didn’t really bother me. So, uh, what’s going on?”

“You seemed upset when we asked you to come up here, we interrupted your study,” Steve said carefully.

Tony bit his lip. “No, I’m not upset. That happens a lot, I just zone in on things. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Anything wrong like yell at you,” Bucky muttered, staring at the window. He wasn’t even looking at the world, just staring at the glass, like he was trying to not let out some emotion. Bucky’s aility to notice things was something Tony couldn’t hide from, that was obvious.

“Okay, so people get annoyed with me, cause I can’t stop analyzing to save my life.” Tony gulped down more coffee, thankful for the purity of this time. It hit him harder than him in his real world. “I wasn’t expecting you to be like that. I didn’t flinch because of you. I’m used to people being frustrated. I was so zoned in that I just reacted that way, it wasn’t you.”

“Okay,” Bucky said, letting out a long breath. “We don’t mind, okay? You were just jumping around so much we thought you needed a break. You were like a golden retriever.”

“Okay, once again, rude,” Tony replied, grinning. “But I’ll accept the designation of a mighty spirit.”

Steve burst out laughing before Bucky’s scowl could even form. Steve nudged Bucky. “Calm down. Tony’s had his fill, my turn.”

“Here?" Bucky asked. “They have a room for that?”

“Art is important everywhere and yes, there are a few local artists,” Steve said, spine going straight as he almost looked offended. “You get the last vote, you know. I know what you want to see.”

“Fine, oils and such awaits,” Bucky replied, having finished his food and reaching for the remainder of Tony’s. Tony didn’t bother to respond, letting Bucky eat the pickle slice on his plate and watching him roll his eyes in exasperation. “Ready?”

“Come on, brave boy,” Steve replied with a smile as he stood.

They ended up in a room with charcoal and oil paintings that looked like they were dripping off the canvas. The one most on display was an oil painting showing the Brooklyn bridge only partially built, which could have been done nearly fifty years ago. His eyes zoned in on it, like it was showing him the true progression of time, the casual connection of life sustaining joints. He could hear Steve babbling in the background, his words a near blur.

The painting itself just made him realize how lost he was, even with the two men across the room. Tony swallowed and stepped back, thankful for the random chair that managed to catch him before he accidentally hit the floor.

“The perspective is amazing, isn’t it?” Seve piped up, sounding like all the liberal arts kids Tony had used to make fun of.

“Yeah, like you should be there,” Tony agreed. He glanced up at Steve, smiling when he saw the man was holding Bucky’s hand. “What’s next?”

“War,” Bucky muttered, leading them down the stairs and into the one room they hadn’t got to. Bucky went straight to a war coat, his gaze intense.

As though knowing the man needed a minute, Steve tugged Tony over to the photographs on the wall. “So, both my dad and Bucky’s fought in the last war. Mine came back too injured for medicine, Bucky’s never did. This is basically all Brooklyn got, most donated, for what our fathers did.”

Tony scanned the room and bit his lip as he gazed on a very few items, but mostly grainy photos and plagues telling a story. Something in his stomach dropped, the realization that Steve and Bucky had already faced a loss that should not happen.

“There’s my dad,” Steve said, drawing Tony’s attention to a small photo. It was of a man that was smaller than the others, but was stocky with muscle and had the very same stubbornness that Tony saw so much on Steve’s face. “It was the only photo of him during the war, my mother donated it.”

“He…well, you have that face down, stubborn and wide eyed,” Tony teased. Then he glanced over at Bucky. “Is he okay?”

“That was his father’s,” Steve said, voice almost too soft for Tony to hear. “It was the only thing they could give his mother. Enlisted Army, Sniper. Bucky sometimes wants to do the same.”

“Father’s are like that,” Tony muttered, before walking over to Bucky and leaning into his side. “Tell me about him.”

“He became a sniper because he grew up in north New York, hunting game,” Bucky said, eyes intense of the jacket before him. “Taught me the same. If I made it into a war, I’d aim for the same.”

“I don't like the idea, but…I know you’d be amazing,” Tony replied, looking at the red mark on the jacket before him, showing the man had bled out near the stomach. Tony swallowed and looked over to Steve. He wasn’t sure if he was right for any conversation, not when he knew what would happen.

“So, home?” Steve called out, recognizing the bit of panic on his face.

Bucky drew in a deep breath and smiled. “Yeah, maybe stop at the grocer first.”

“Sure thing,” Steve replied. They made it outside before Steve turned to Tony and said, “He’s either buying eggplant or pork fat. He always wants Romanian or Turkish food after visiting here, he sticks to a couple recipes. It’s actually tasty, don’t look worried.”

Tony tried to not imagine all the ways you could abuse pork fat as they waited outside for Bucky to come out, a heavy bag in his hand. The man had a blank face, striding straight toward the apartment. Steve didn’t look worried, so Tony went with Steve’s lead. He knew this was Bucky’s little annoyance of seeing a remembrance of his father. Tony would never have encouraged the visit if he knew Bucky was going to go so quiet.

Steve grabbed his arm before they followed Bucky into the apartment. “This is how he deals with that, Tony. Don’t take anything personally. That bag of his? Has pork fat to crisp and beer. He never gets drunk, more affectionately driven. It’s how he gets past it.”

“I shouldn’t have agreed to go to the museum,” Tony said, admitting how he felt.

“No, eventually you would see him like this,” Steve replied, smiling sadly. “I just want to make sure you understand he’s not going to hurt you.”

Tony glanced into the apartment, hearing Bucky banging what sounded like a pan around. “I don’t think that.”

Steve nodded, before striding into the apartment, Tony following and shutting the door. Steve sat down at the table and asked, “So, what’s it going to be?”

Bucky grunted, downing part of an already open beer. “Like you don’t know.”

“Jumari?” Steve asked. “Be honest.”

“Bit like that, yeah,” Bucky replied, finally smiling.

“Paprika is on the top shelf,” Steve told him, standing and tugging Tony into the living room. He glanced back, smiling. “He’s doing better than usual, so how about the two of us do something to wait for him to have a resting point?”

“Like what?” Tony asked, letting the smaller man tug him closer. He immediately relaxed into the kiss he received, Steve’s hands gripping his waist tighter for just a moment.

“What do you want?” Steve asked, smiling slightly.

Tony reached over and turned on the radio, switching it easily to the station Steve preferred. The swaying sensation of piano mixed with what Tony was pretty sure was a cello filled the room. This time Tony pulled Steve’s hands into place, feeling he had the slow dance down by now.

“You’re very sweet,” Steve said, his smile growing as he tugged Tony closer. Tony gasped as Steve dipped him down before pulling him back up.

“Not really that sweet,” Tony replied, allowing Steve to guide him in circles around the room.

Tony let Steve give him a gentle twirl, before the man’s arms were on him again. Steve looked up at him, head tilted. “Well, you are to us. So get over it.”

“Mouthy,” Tony teased. He glanced over at the kitchen, watching as Bucky glared at the pan on the oven, hand holding the spatula with jerky motions.

“He’ll be fine,” Steve told him, pulling away and switching the radio over to Bucky’s favorite swing music. “Don’t worry, give him ten or so minutes, then he will be offering us food. I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but he’ll be happy with you trying. Okay?”

“I just can’t expect something from pig fat being…good,” Tony admitted in a soft whisper so Bucky couldn’t hear.

“It’s kind of crispy and a lot of seasoning, just enough,” Steve said, face contorting as he tried to describe it. “His mom made it. It’s kind of a home comfort for him.”

Tony had no experience with that. His parents didn’t cook. Jarvis made him french toast on occasion and his wife would make pasta for the service people that Tony would eat because Howard was too busy for a true evening dinner. With such a limited pallet and the freedom to try new things, Tony wasn’t about to complain when Bucky brought out golden fried food and set it on the coffee table.

“We don’t have anything for dipping,” Bucky replied, looking a bit grumpy about that.

“That’s okay,” Tony said, allowing Steve to hand him a piece. He couldn’t actually taste what he ate, it was strongly flavored and there wasn’t a lot of the heavy fat taste he knew was there. He swallowed it down and reached for Bucky’s hand. “Dance with me?”

Tony watched as Bucky’s face slowly turned into a smile as the man accepted his hand. Tony was pretty sure he would have swing dancing down to perfection by the time Bucky taught him all the twirls and flares. Steve watched them, smiling in satisfaction even as Tony nearly stumbled into the coffee table as Bucky sent him into a long twirl. Laughing, Tony grabbed Bucky’s biceps, breathing a bit heavy.

“I’m going to end up injuring myself,” Tony admitted.

“Aw, but you’ll look so cute during,” Bucky replied, the fact he had drunk a bit somewhat obvious but nowhere near the level Tony remembered his dad getting toward. The thought calmed him, letting him press into Bucky’s body.

And just like that, the night became what was just normal for them over the past few days. Bucky eventually picked up The Hobbit, over half way through the book at this point, while Steve grabbed his sketchbook. Tony dropped onto the couch between them, resting his feet on Steve’s lap and his head on Bucky’s. It was just so domestic and he felt himself get drowsy as a response.

“I think someone is getting tired,” Steve commented in a soft voice.

“No,” Tony let out a whine, letting his eyes open slightly. “That’s a lie.”

He felt Bucky laugh, the man’s body vibrating underneath him. Bucky pulled his book away to look down at him. “It’s okay, doll. Just rest.”

Tony pressed his face into Bucky’s thigh, sleepiness trying to overwhelm him. He mumbled some words that he would never be able to explain. He breathed in Bucky’s scent, his toes curling as they touched Steve’s arm. “Don’t want to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Steve offered, dropping a hand down to rub at Tony’s ankle. “Except dreamland, which we are very much happy with. You make sleep sounds.”

“Lies,” Tony muttered, closing his eyes again.

“Happy little sleeping sounds,” Steve teased, his voice low enough that it was leading Tony farther into sleep. “We got you.”

Tony drifted for a bit, not able to talk but able to hear them around him. Like a gentle cocoon that made him feel safe.

He blinked his eyes open, seeing his own bedroom. Rhodey had brought him to his bed and the man was snoring next to him, taking up more room than he actually needed. Swallowing, Tony fought down the desperation and sadness inside him. He rolled over and wrapped his arms around Rhodey, trying for some sort of comfort. He couldn’t bring himself to be upset, because this was just normal now.

He reached up and touched his neck, the swelling of the marking bites now gone, but the sensation of them being there alive and strong. It was something for him to hold onto.

Notes:

I've never been to New York, let alone the Brooklyn Museum. I did date research, but that's it. Any fabrication is just me fabricating! Also, the food Bucky makes is based on a Romanian recipe I found, but I made it vague since it wasn't from his perspective.

Last, so sorry it took this long. Started my new job and school in the same week, lol.

Chapter 12: Day Twelve

Tony scrubbed himself down a little too hard in the shower, knowing he was leaving his skin more red then it’s normally pale olive tone. An hour before Obadiah had called, the phone was answered by Rhodey, who had that grumpy and fierce look on his face as he had handed it over. Tony had felt numb as the little safe haven Rhodey and he had built was shattered. Obadiah demanded Tony to come to the office with him, the idea of Tony taking a leave being considered a joke.

And that stupid alpha voice the man had, oddly stronger over the phone like he felt more comfortable bossing his omegas around that way, insisted Tony obey. Tony mumbled to Rhodey he was going to be leaving and immediately ran to the shower.

Like that was going to hide his bonding marks. Tony tried anyway, the knowledge of how angry his godfather would be echoing in his head as little flashes of rage. Letting out a strong but shaky breath, Tony finally emerged from the shower and made his way to the bedroom. He pulled one of his suits from the back of the closet, eyeing his comfy shirts and jeans with a desperate envy.

“Tones,” Rhodey said, his voice as soft as the man could manage. “Call me if you need me.”

Tony ran his fingers through his wet hair, the thick strands determined to not dry. He didn’t care at this point and made no move to go get the hair dryer. “I’ll be fine. He wants me to look over the R&D projects again, to make sure the work is good.”

“Sure.” Rhodey’s tone was casual, but Tony knew him enough to know the opposite was more accurate.

“Want me to bring home lunch?” Tony asked, pulling on the stiff suit jacket and feeling like he was putting on a uniform.

“Fine, but I want real subs. Not that commercial crap,” Rhodey ordered, leaning back into the couch. “And I’ll be waiting, he can’t keep you past one. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Tony replied with a chuckle. He slipped into his shoes and looked at the clock. “Guess I timed it right. Oh, and the Secrets of Nimh is on the bottom shelf. I know you’ve been wanting to watch again, without me being drunk next to you.”

“You are an ass,” Rhodey said, smiling. “And yet a sweetheart all rolled up into one. Don’t let all this crap change you.”

“Aww,” Tony practically crooned, grabbing his wallet and keys. “In another world I’m your sugar daddy.”

“Okay, you need to leave,” Rhodey ordered.

Laughing, Tony stepped out and shut the door, expecting Rhodey to lock it behind him as he made his way down stairs and ignored the little fluttering in his stomach that was always a precursor to a panic moment. He fought it back, building the little shields of determination around him as he stood on the corner as Obadiah’s car pulled up.

He slipped inside the back seat, staring straight forward as the door shut and the car began to move. He could feel Obadiah lean in and, yes, he could tell the moment the man smelled Steve and Bucky on him. The scent of a bond wasn't strong, but you could smell it easily with intent and Tony was determined to keep thinking of them as his alphas, to keep that scent as strong as he could.

“What have you done?” Obadiah hissed, reaching out and grasping Tony’s arm.

Tony could already feel that he would have bruises from the grip, so figured he had nothing to lose by turning and smiling. “I found the perfect alpha, two as you can tell. Why? Is this a problem?”

“Of course it is,” Obadiah snapped, tugging Tony closer. “I have catered to you on the understanding you would be mine. You knew this, and you what? Went out and bonded with a couple whores?”

“Maybe I didn’t want to be a bargaining chip for you.” Tony could hear the pure anger in his voice and didn’t bother to hide it. “You only want me so you can gain control of everything. Guess what? I don’t care. Right now, I don’t care.”

“You honestly think that I only care about the company?” Obadiah asked, looking sad in a way that Tony couldn’t actually translate. “Your father demanded I take care of you.”

“I know,” Tony replied, wincing. “But, you can take care of me without mating me, you know.”

Obadiah’s eyes went dark for a moment, his mouth tightening, before he smiled. “Of course.”

“You’re still my guide to the whole SI leadership,” Tony pointed out, fighting the sudden urge he had to press against the door and create the most distance he could. “That’s important and I appreciate it. I do need you.”

“Good,” Obadiah said, tone almost stiff as the man tried smiling again. “So, who are the lucky men? A couple brats you met at a club recently?”

Tony found himself laughing, trying to picture Steve Rogers at a club. “Yeah, no, they are just regular people and…they’re great. They don’t demand anything from me. It’s exactly what I always wanted.”

Aside from the obvious rage flowing out of the man, Obadiah apparently had nothing else to say on the matter. And Tony had a small feeling that being marked saved him from any other argument or touch that would have been. It was criminal to act on ideas of ownership when the bonding marks had solidified, which they certainly had on Tony if the swelling was gone and leaving behind perfect teeth marks that jolted with electricity when touched meant anything.

It was a good feeling, one that allowed Tony to truly enjoy walking through his future business that day. He met up with the often bored intern and got him hunting down the tubes needed for the radio at home. After a view of the electronics department Obadiah left him for a meeting. Tony wandered over to the floor for robotics and where his own station sat. It was hardly ever used, Obadiah was often quick to keep him from being engaged.

Much like his father, Obadiah didn’t let Tony fall into spells of exploring what he could achieve. But today he was able to sit there and let his first creation come over and greet him. DUM-E had been left on his station since the bot had tried to help the other creators on the floor, oddly in a way that DUM-E was trying to get rid of fire. Even if it was a small flame from a bunsen burner.

“Hey boy,” Tony greeted softly, reaching out to pet the sensor he knew was on top of the bot’s head-claw. “Sorry I haven’t been around.”

DUM-E almost seemed sluggish, like he had been powered to a near overload. But the bot made a point to bump Tony’s shoulder in a greeting, the metal claw rubbing up and down like a happy cat.

“Let’s take a look at your room. I think we can make it better for you, huh? No drugged out waking up anymore,” Tony offered, grabbing the needed tools and letting the bot lead him to his charging station. When Tony took a look at it he felt his heart drop. He hadn’t been able to visit in so long that the entire wiring was awkward. Even some of the threads frayed for some reason. “Shit.”

DUM-E made a whining beep noise, a clear sign he was asking what was going on.

“I need to fix a few things. Fuck, did someone take some of your wiring? No wonder you’re so sluggish, baby,” Tony offered in a soft voice, his mind immediately going into comfort mode. Some would say it was an omega trait, but Tony was pretty sure he’d react this way as an alpha. Tony looked up at DUM-E beeps. “Don’t worry, I have time. And you get to play while I work. See Johnson over there?”

He got a strong beep in response.

“Yeah, he’s about to set that armor plate on fire by not paying attention to heat levels, so get your fire extinguisher ready. You are the fire department today,” Tony told him.

DUM-E beeped in a rapid beat.

“Not every day, but just for today,” Tony ordered, turning his eyes back to DUM-E’s charging station. “Today you are my second eye of something going wrong. So let me know, okay?”

DUM-E beeped happily before rolling off. Tony listened for a moment, enough to know he needed to oil down a couple of DUM-E’s gears, before grinning at the idea that he just unleashed a very determined to impress bot onto the floor’s populus.

Then Tony just emerged himself into the job of fixing DUM-E’s charging station, growling when he had to replace full wires. At one point he heard Johnson squeal as DUM-E stopped the fire Tony predicted. When Johnson came to complain, Tony merely gave him a blank stare. Once the man left, Tony reached out to give DUM-E a soft palm tap to his sensor and then grinned as DUM-E spinned from the moment of pleasure.

Everything came to an end, though. Thankfully Tony had fixed DUM-E’s charging station before word of Obadiah coming down to gather him up hit his ears. Tony took a moment, one last moment, to feel in control of his own company by standing up and calling everyone’s attention while his hand caressed DUM-E’s claw arm.

“I didn’t realize this neeed to be said, but you can’t fuck with my stuff,” Tony snapped. “Even if I’m gone for a year, you can't harm my stuff. If I ever come down here again, be it tomorrow or in a year, and I find that you fucking took parts from my bots charging station again? You will all be fired. Even if it was just one of you, guess what? All of you get fired.”

Tony paused long enough for Obadiah to enter the room, before there was a derisive snort from someone in the room. Tony couldn’t pinpoint who it was, but he was quick to respond. “You think I’m joking. The last profitable thing to come from this department was so supar that two of our competitors beat us out of the water and into a lava pit. So, who here thinks ripping apart a charging station is getting you anywhere? Huh? Anyone? Maybe just actually work for once instead of gathering the parts around you. We’re SI, not a dumpster.”

“Well said,” Obadiah commented, looking more like the regular proud man Tony had gotten used to as a teen. “And he’s right. Trust me, there are plenty of brilliant people out there that want your job.”

Obadiah was oddly affectionate for the next hour or so before they got back into his car for Tony to go home. The man didn’t complain past an eye roll when Tony demanded they stop for Tony to grab the proper subs Rhodey had been asking for. When the car stopped in front of his building, Tony looked over at the man with a genuine smile on his face. “Rhodey is on leave for the next week, so hopefully I can stay home for that.”

“Maybe,” Obadiah mildly said. “Next time we meet, bring those alphas.”

Tony swallowed, trying to keep the panic off his face. “I’ll do what I can.”

“That’s all I ask,” Obadiah replied, reaching out and drawing his fingers down Tony’s arm, like a caress.

Tony knew his face had turned red, both from confusion and anger, as he opened the car door. He didn’t say anything as he got out, holding his breath even until the car had driven away. He had to take a moment to press his back against the brick of his apartment building, just to collect his breath. He wasn’t scared, but he could feel something off about Obadiah’s reaction now. Something that he didn’t know how to translate, let alone react to.

He finally got upstairs and, in his desperation to be in his own space, fought against the doorknob to let him in. He distantly heard a lock click before the door was pulled open. Tony thrusted the bag of subs into Rhodey arms before rushing to the bathroom. And he threw up. He couldn’t understand why, nothing happened. Obadiah hadn’t even touched him in a way that would have been scandalous. But he felt a weird oily disgust on himself.

“Tones?” Rhodey asked from the doorway, his voice more nervous than Tony had ever heard it. “Talk to me, man.”

“He knows I’m mated,” Tony said, after getting some water into his mouth to spit out the taint on his tongue. “And he’s smug. He’s fucking amused by it.”

“Hey, hey, come on,” Rhodey whispered, grabbing Tony into his arms and gently guiding him to the couch. Tony found himself covered in a blanket, the man before him looking like a fierce lion, ready to defend as he curled up next to Tony’s numb form.

“What happens when they are gone? Marks can fade if the omega or alpha ends through death,” Tony whispered. “He seemed like he was amused because…of course my alphas would get bored of me.”

“No,” Rhodey said in a stubborn voice. “Omegas die without their alphas, he should know that-”

“Unless another alpha swoops in to save the day, at least that’s the romantic rumor,” Tony muttered, pulling the blanket up over himself until only his eyes were really visible.

“True,” Rhodey said with a small sigh. “But that’s also with the omega giving up. Maybe you will continue being your annoying and stubborn self. We can’t predict the future, Tones.”

Tony was silent for a long moment. “Can I sleep now?”

“Not until you eat,” Rhodey ordered, his face going soft. “After you eat then you can sleep as much as you want.”

“I wish…” Tony sighed, accepting his sub, a bit of mustard added as Rhodey knew he preferred, from Rhodey. “If Steve and Bucky weren't there, I wish I could be your omega.”

“Hey,” Rhodey replied, reaching for the remote to play something in the background. “Any omega I get needs to know you're a package deal. Agreed?”

Tony laughed, finally taking a bite of his food and nodded. “Agreed.”

Rhodey helped him to bed, ignoring the tension in Tony's body from the day he had. Tony made sure to change into his pajamas and smiled when Rhodey got into bed with him. The man was ridiculously straight, but he held Tony like it was a lifeline. Tony felt safe, head resting against Rhodey’s shoulder and eyes slowly closing.

He woke up to Steve’s face buried into his throat and Bucky holding him like his body wasn’t capable of breathing without grasping both of them. He wiggled, causing Bucky’s arms to become loose, the man groaning in his sleep. Humming, Tony reached back and grabbed Bucky’s arm to move it to lay across his hip, giving Tony more room to breathe. Steve made a soft sound, like he could tell the movement happened, but otherwise didn’t awake.

Tony grinned, realizing he was the only one awake as he felt them both breathe in their sleep against him. It allowed him a moment to just let his brain rest and just feel. And he felt them. While there was no indication of sexual need, Tony could still feel it from the way Bucky reached for them and the way Steve kept breathing in deep like he was afraid Tony’s scent would go away. This wasn’t an alpha finally dominating and getting his omega kind of behavior. This was domestic.

They felt so comfortable with him that they felt no need to cater to him or demand anything from him the moment he woke up. Not like the horror stories he had heard about triads like theirs. No this was literally a moment of domestic happiness. Nothing was expected of him. And he was the only one awake which meant they felt safe with him causing something inside of himself to near tremble at the contentment it gave him.

He tugged Steve’s smaller body closer, relishing in the happy humm the man let out. Tilting his head back, he kissed Bucky’s temple and enjoyed the way the man nuzzled his shoulder in response. The softness of it was so strong that he felt himself closing his eyes, surrounded by warmth that should have been a near level of overheating, but was just perfect.

It had to be an hour later. Tony was technically still awake, stuck in that half-aware place of dozing. He could feel them start to shift. Being more agile than he thought himself capable of, he managed to pull away from them and get his feet on the floor. He nudged Bucky, making the man roll forward, watching with satisfaction as Bucky immediately grabbed onto Steve. Smiling Tony adjusted the blankets to cover them properly.

In the kitchen he stared into the fridge, trying to remember how to actually make breakfast food. He tried to remember the lessons Steve had taught him combined with trying to help make food with Jarvis and his wife. He hadn’t been good at it then, being a child, but he figured he could make something for his alphas with what he had. In the end he tried to make pancakes, since the ingredients were all there and Steve had taught him how to properly flip them while cooking.

He was wincing as the final pancake half fell off the pan, one side still raw. He gently guided it over, feeling almost proud when it landed properly and continued cooking. There was the sound of shuffling behind him and he looked up to see Steve standing a few feet away, his face sleepy and yet shocked as he took in what Tony had been doing.

“You didn’t need to do this,” Steve said, despite reaching into the cupboard to grab the syrup.

“I wanted to,” Tony replied, smiling when Steve’s only response was to kiss his shoulder.

Bucky stumbled in a few minutes later, looking tired and barely awake, but his face the standard look of an alpha gathering in the information inside the room. Tony hadn’t realized the man always did this, but he could see it now. Bucky was a man aware of everything, even if he was about to fall asleep on the kitchen table.

Steve smirked and dropped a plate of pancakes in front of Bucky, followed by the thud of the syrup bottle. “Wake up, you lazy man. Eat what Tony made us.”

They all settled at the table and Tony didn’t even feel the need to ask how it tasted, he didn’t feel the anxiety that would usually happen. Eventually Bucky polished off his plate, faster than them. Bucky leaned back in his chair, letting off a satisfied hum that sent a happy thrill through Tony. That he had caused that and somehow it meant more than when he’d get Rhodey to give him the same content grin that Bucky was displaying right then.

“We have to go back to work,” Steve said, awkwardly cutting into the layer of domesticity they had created. “Did you want me to walk you to the library? I doubt you want to stay here all day again.”

“I’m able to roam about by now, being a very happy omega claimed,” Tony commented, ignoring how his cheeks burned as he reached for his cup of coffee.

“Yeah, you can go anywhere,” Bucky replied in a soft tone, meeting Tony’s eyes. “Just be back by the time I am? I don’t want to worry.”

“Of course,” Tony grinned. “I understand the trolly system now, so you have no reason to worry.”

“Fine,” Steve said. “But, if you can grab something for dinner once you’ve paid the trolly here and there. Cause I’m not sure what to make tonight. So I’ll give you some money, your choice though.”

Now knowing how much they analyzed what was spent on certain daily items, Tony understood the trust Steve was giving him by not giving him a detailed and strict list to follow. “Don’t worry, I’ll get us something and not go crazy buying ice cream.”

Bucky laughed. “Yeah, don’t worry, he’s got this.”

There was then a flurry of movement as Bucky got up and dressed for work and Steve helped Tony clean the dishes. Once again Bucky kissed them both, Tony fully feeling the longing and protection in the man’s touch. He bit his lip after, feeling his face turn into a full blush.

“You’ll get used to it,” Steve commenced after Bucky had left. “It will still hit you like that, how he needs a taste or touch before he leaves you. But it gets easier to not look and feel stunned.”

“Lucky you, I’ve got two alphas who like to leave me overwhelmed,” Tony teased.

“Only if you want it,” Steve teased, grabbing the last slice of toast and walking toward the bedroom. He left the door open so Tony could hear him call back, “Last chance for a quick escort, I have a date with dirty dishes and cranky customers.”

Tony grinned at Steve’s words and shook his head, raising his voice so the alpha could hear him. “I think I’m going to hang out here, then maybe explore a bit.”

“Okay, then I’ll see you and Bucky around seven,” Steve replied, walking back into the room with his apron tossed over a white clothed shoulder. “There’s money on the dresser for you, a bit extra in case you want to get lunch on your walk other than dinner. Don’t give me the grumpy look, I’m not letting you starve.”

“There’s still the soup from a few days ago in there,” Tony offered.

“Which we should actually have for dinner, cause it’s got a day at best left to it,” Steve said. “But at least go get yourself one of those weird coffee drinks, okay?”

“Yes, sir,” Tony said, giving a small salute, which got the grin he was expecting. Tony stood there, watching fondly as Steve got his shoes on, before forgetting where his keys were, and then finally made for the door. The smaller man was very adorable and Tony had to fight to not grab him and never let it go.

“You know where to get a hold of me,” Steve said, pausing at the door.

“Get into gear, alpha. You’re showing weakness,” Tony joked with a grin.

Steve laughed and within seconds Tony was alone in the apartment. For a moment he felt panic, not really sure what to do with himself, before he looked down at the kitchen sink and the remaining dishes and pan waiting there for someone to pick up the slack. Once focused on that, Tony immediately switched on the radio to Bucky’s favorite swing music and got to his job of cleaning.

He had never considered himself the type to want to clean anything, he even indulged in the occasional cleaning service just so he didn’t have to work too hard at it the next time he tried. But there was something just stupidly satisfying by drying off the last plate and then moving into the living room to actually dust the bookshelf. It was then, after the room was clear of any allergens to mess with Steve’s nose, that Tony finally dropped down on the couch.

He had already changed the radio over to Steve’s preferred channel a bit ago and the soft sound of a violin and piano was threatening Tony to fall asleep. After dozing for a moment, Tony forced himself up and made for the bedroom. He gathered clothes and put them either away or in the dirty clothes basket. Things were dusted, the bed was made.

And then Tony realized he had nothing else to actually do.

It took him a moment, staring at the clothes available to him and his nerves causing sweat to build between his shoulder blades, before stubbornness took over and he got dressed. He had no clue of where he wanted to go, but he just knew he wanted to feel his space around him. Scientists argue over an omega’s ability to feel their own territory like an alpha, but Tony knew he could now. It was a thrum under his skin as he stepped out that door, locking it behind him and heading down the stairs.

He didn’t have the need to claim that territory, because his alphas were in every footstep and every smell around him. So Tony went with his instinct, something he hardly let himself do, and took a small walk. It was about ten minutes later he found himself stopping in front of the antique store. It was more a group sale type of store in this day and age, a collection of sale booths. It made sense, with few spaces for yard sales.

Tony stepped inside, his eyes looking around tracing the small path he had taken decades later to get the broken radio when this commercial space was an actual antique shop. His throat felt dry, like this space was literally the two places in time colliding. He fought it down and began walking around, only a handful of people inside, workers included. If anything, it was a comforting environment with soft conversations and no one demanding something from him. No sales person to try and get his attention. This was the commercial version of the library.

Tony wasn’t actually sure how he spent so much time navigating through the stations, each one selling things as the previous owners rented the space. It was like jumping into a pool of life in the thirties and forties. The chance of information and learning alone almost feeling overwhelming.

He took a moment at one station, reaching out to touch the quilted blanket folded up there. He couldn’t afford it, even the few bills Steve had given him wasn’t enough. But he couldn’t help grazing his fingers along the red and gold pattern, splashes of light blue here and there. He wanted it even if he hadn’t draped it out to see the actual pattern.

“You’re sure looking hard at that blanket,” a voice interrupted his thoughts, a man with gray hair commented, leaning against the post between selling stations. “Sorry, I own the place and you’ve been roaming around here for two hours, doll. Got a bit worried.”

Being called doll by someone other than Bucky made Tony suck in a quick breath and blush. “Sorry, I’m new around here and my alphas are at work. It feels comfortable in here, I guess. And, well, red and gold are kind of my colors.”

“Yeah, my wife made that,” the man replied. “Sorry, Michael Richards, at your service. I don’t usually engage with people, but you were looking lost.”

“I don’t really know what to do with myself when they go to work,” Tony admitted.

“You’ll figure it out,” Michael replied. The man eye-balled him for a moment. “What can you do, anyway? If you want to help them.”

“I’m good at electronics and, well, robots if that was an actual thing.” Tony shrugged. “I learn and do, I guess. I’m sure it will become useful eventually.”

“Get your butt over here, then.” Michael started walking away, one hand raising to gesture Tony to follow. “Got a couple things that are too broke to sell, so might as well put you to work and give you the blanket as payment. Not much else happening around here, boy, so leave your privileged hesitance behind.”

Tony found himself in the back room of the shop and feeling extremely awkward by Michael’s comments. Sitting on one long table was a broken down radio along with another item Tony couldn’t actually place was an older woman, around the same age of Michael, who was carefully putting together what looked like the older version of a drill. She looked up, blonde hair looking amusingly frazzled when she turned her eyes on them.

“Sorry, Michael, I fix gears, not people.”

“Oh Susan, he’s willing to work to buy the blanket in station fifteen,” Michael said, nearly singing the words.

The woman looked at him, eyes narrowing in a more analyzing way that Tony felt Michael would never be able to achieve. He stayed silent and was a bit afraid when she smirked. She seemed to ignore Michael entirely as she spoke, “I’ve got a project for you. You get this radio to actually shift its gears smoothly? You get the blanket.”

Tony could say a lot of good things about himself, but the one bad thing that he was repeatedly told by others was that he would gamble if it meant proving himself. He was always willing to stumble on his face if there was a chance he could get out by showing how good he was. He had actually started the creation of DUM-E because of a drunken challenge.

“Deal,” Tony replied, striding over and dropping into the only other seat. “Let me take a look.”

Tony happily spent the next few hours poking and prodding at the radio in front of him. It wasn’t the one he had himself, nor the type his alphas had in their living room. But it was familiar and he took enjoyment in putting all the pieces in place.

Susan looked over at him as Tony pulled back from the flow of creation that usually sent him into days of ignoring the world. But Tony just sat there, staring at the machine in front of him. Susan clucked her tongue and nudged his arm. “Think you got all you could from that one.”

“Just feels wrong, leaving it like this,” Tony admitted, looking up to see the woman's eyes showing more of a grin than the smirk she actually gave.

In the end, Tony left the store with the blanket and a number of requests to come back for an actual job. Tony stood on the sidewalk for a moment, hugging the red and gold blanket for comfort to combat the overwhelming sensations in him. He belonged here, despite his knowledge of the past, he wanted nothing else to be here.

That in mind, Tony made his way to the grocer, knowing the man who came from there to his apartment wouldn’t be an issue. He entered the store, the blanket tucked under his arm, seeing the cashier who was there that day, when Tony had to send that distressed message out. He waited until the customers in line had left before walking up to the cashier’s station.

“Thank you,” Tony said the moment he saw the man’s eyes widening in recognition. “No, I need you to know. Because of you helping me that day…what could have happened even before the neighbor called the cops would have been so much worse. You helped me that day. Thank you.”

The man, really more a boy like Tony was at his age, blushed and nodded. When it was clear he wouldn’t respond Tony made his way further into the grocer to inspect the food and knowing even with the soup they would need something for tomorrow, the money in his pocket telling him how much he had to pick from.

He grabbed ground beef and tomatoes, pausing for a moment, then grabbing a head of lettuce . Eventually he paid for his items, smiling when the cashier gave him a bright look, as though only now realizing what Tony’s words meant.

With a more happy emotion fueling him, Tony made his way home. He had the food to make burgers, knowing they had a half loaf of bread at home for tonight or the next depending on their tastes. Grinning, Tony held the folded up blanket under his arm knowing if he got lucky and got to stay he would have a place to go for work. Tony felt fully content in the world presented to him.

He got home, unlocking the door and about to press it closed when a heavy hand kept it open. Tony had no time to feel panic as Bucky pressed in, slamming the door closed behind him.

“You took the order to get here when I did literally,” Bucky teased. He looked down at the bag in Tony’s arm. “Let’s put this away.”

Tony let Bucky take the bag of food. As Bucky made for the kitchen, Tony quickly ran into the living room and shoved the blanket into the corner of the couch. He didn’t want Bucky to see it yet, not even sure if he wanted to make a big reveal of it anyway. Knowing his face was blushing, Tony went back to the kitchen to see Buck inspecting the ground beef.

“I, uh, thought of burgers if the soup didn’t stay well,” Tony said. “I think we have the bread for it.”

“We do,” Buckle replied, placing the meat into the icebox. “It sounds good, but we have some time. Steve won’t be home for half an hour or more. What would you like to do?”

Tony bit his lip, because he just wanted affection. His eyes darted around the room. “Anything you want?”

And then Bucky’s hands were on him guiding him to the couch causing warmth to practically explode everywhere they touched. Bucky didn’t look like he was trying for sex and the moment Tony dropped down onto the cushions on the couch the man merely curled up against him. Bucky smiled, soft and happy, leaning in for a kiss. It was gentle, no demands obvious, Bucky’s hand carefully cupping his cheek.

“Someone’s happy,” Tony commented, ignoring how breathless he sounded for no real reason.

“You ever feel like everything is falling into place?” Bucky asked with a small smile. “We’re so gone on you, doll. And I never thought life could get this perfect. Just need you to know.”

Tony shoved down the feeling of regret and guilt, letting the comfort of Bucky’s words cover him like a blanket. All he could do was lean forward and kiss the man. Bucky let out a combination of a groan and growl, leaning closer. Tony didn’t even protest when Bucky’s enthusiasm led him to be awkwardly on his back, Bucky pressing in close.

It was the sound of the door opening that had them sit up, like they were teenagers being caught by their parents. And if Steve, once seeing their position, having an eye roll and smirk was any indication…it kind of felt exactly like that. Tony felt a blush hit his face.

“Well I’m so happy you two found fun things to do,” Steve teased, face a little tense, his pristine white shirt now covered in a bright red sauce as he closed the door, tossing his also stained apron on the nearby chair. “I on the other hand got spaghetti thrown at me today because it had meatballs instead of ground beef.”

Tony felt himself still, not used to seeing Steve so aggravated. The man got angry often, knocking people off fire escapes and all, but he never looked this tired about it. Tony could admit he wasn’t an expert on Steve, but he could tell this wasn’t exactly normal. “Are you okay?”

“I’m golden,” Steve replied, letting out a sigh. “Just a bad day. People are extremely rude sometimes. I’m going to get in my pajamas. Thankfully I have another set for work so I don’t have to clean them right now.”

Tony watched him head to the bedroom, before looking over at Bucky. “He’s okay, right?”

“Yeah,” Bucky replied with a shrug. “He might be grumpy for a while, but don’t you worry. Odds are someone tried to say he wasn’t an alpha. People act like that’s something they can judge on. But Steve doesn’t react well to that, never has.”

“He’s not the stereotype, but I knew immediately,” Tony muttered.

“Oh, he’s the ultimate stereotype if a person bothers to get past his size and medical issues,” Bucky snorted. “But then, that’s why I love him.”

“Me too,” Tony said softly, then looked over to meet Bucky’s eyes. “You too, you know.”

“Yeah, I love you too, doll,” Bucky whispered. He cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m going to check the soup, make sure it’s good for eating.”

Tony nodded, eyes now focusing on the open door to their bedroom. A couple minutes later, right when Tony was considering going inside to help Steve, the man came out in threadborne pajamas. Tony leaned back into the couch, smiling when Steve went straight for him, settling down in the space Bucky had vacated. Tony leaned closer to him, nudging Steve’s shoulder with his nose to get his attention.

“I have something for you guys,” Tony said, keeping his voice soft. He was never good at giving gifts and usually went all dramatic about it.

“Oh?” Steve replied, turning his bright blue eyes on Tony, making him forget for a second about what he was talking about. Steve grinned, grabbing his hand and squeezing. “And what did you get up to today?”

“This and that,” Tony said, matching Steve’s grin.

“Okay lovebirds, the soup is still good, but we gotta trash it after tonight,” Bucky’s voice said, the man standing between the living room and kitchen. “But, if I’m wrong, you can’t judge me when you get sick.”

Steve laughed, looking much better than he had when he first came home. “Sure thing, Buck.”

“I’ve got the stock pot heating it up. So we got a bit,” Bucky said, raising his eyebrows.

“You two dance,” Tony blurted out. At both of their eyes on him, Tony knew he blushed hard. “You guys always dance with me, I want to see you dance together.”

“Then you pick the music, cause we always argue over it.” Bucky turned his eyes to Steve, his gaze soft.

“One of each,” Tony demanded, standing and walking over to the radio. He shifted the knob for the station, now knowing the placing for the music Bucky adored. He looked up to see that Bucky had shifted the coffee table and Steve was now standing in front of him. “Maybe a workout before a cool down?”

Bucky chuckled. “Well, we do that with you, so might as well make a tradition out of it.”

“You drop me and you’ll regret it,” Steve said, reaching out and grabbing Bucky’s hand as a new song, filled with jazz and upbeat movement filled the air.

Tony watched them suddenly twirling and grinding as far as that time meant it. He wondered for a moment if he gave Bucky the same smile when he tripped over a step, like he did with Steve. He didn’t feel jealous or even out of place as he watched them. No, it was more learning another aspect of them, just the two of them enjoying each other.

Steve started laughing, Bucky following as he didn’t even try to stop Steve from landing the small twirl and gathered him into his arms. Before either could react Tony jumped up and changed the radio to Steve’s channel. As the melodic string of a cello and piano filled the room, Tony could only smile at how easily Bucky went into waltz mode with Steve, who automatically grabbed Bucky’s hand to guide his hold to where it needed to be.

It was good to see. If Tony never came back, he could see the strength in their love for each other. If gave a secret part of himself comfort. He would never be leaving them alone, because they were just as strong together. He didn’t know what Obadiah had planned for him at this point, but he would do anything to see them like this. For the rest of his life.

He stood up when he saw the two no longer fully dancing. Feeling like it was right, he pressed up against Steve’s back, sliding his hand along the man’s shoulders to meet Bucky’s biceps. And they just swayed to the soft orchestra filling the room.

“Hmm, you said you have a present,” Steve commented, voice low and happy.

Tony held them for a couple more minutes, before pulling back and feeling his face blush. “I went to the antique store today. And I found this item…but couldn’t afford it, so the owner let me fix some stuff as payment. They actually want to give me a job doing it.”

“Really, that’s wonderful,” Steve said, pulling him into a quick hug.

“Right, so, yeah,” Tony said, knowing his face was turning red as he pulled the comforter out, the stitches on it so originally quilted that he was a bit afraid of putting it on their bed to get dirty. Clearing his throat, he handed it over, the two of them grabbing it at the same time.

They opened it up, letting it spread out with their hands holding it out. The red and gold was laced through all of the pattern, but the bright blue and a more gray created geometric shapes. Like the blue was guiding the red and gold along the pattern. He watched as Steve’s delicate fingers traced the stitching. Bucky just held it up, staring down like he was trying to see everything like it was a puzzle.

“I fixed a radio,” Tony mumbled. “So that was my payment and…I don’t know, seems to fit you both.”

“Fits all of us,” Bucky replied in a gruff voice. “Do you want us to actually use this? I don’t know if you want it tarnished.”

“Trust me, if I go back to Susan and tell her we aren’t using it, she’d have words.” Tony grinned. “You like it that much? I mean, I just saw it and-”

“We like it,” Steve said softly, reaching out to touch the comforter as Bucky still held it up. “We definitely like it. Help me put it on the bed?”

“I’ll go check on food,” Bucky said, letting Steve take all of the blanket into his hands, the quilt honestly looking bigger than him. He paused for a moment, hand reaching up to drag him into the kiss. Then, with a grin on his face, Bucky headed for the kitchen.

Steve bundled the blanket up, holding it tight as he led Tony into the bedroom. Steve paused, scanning the room. “You’ve been busy today, I didn’t take the time to notice before.”

“It wasn’t hard to do,” Tony muttered.

“Well, a made bed will make it easier to place this on it.” Steve grinned. “Help me lay it right.”

It didn’t take long, before the quilt was laid perfectly along the bed. The geometric shapes with the colors Tony always loved seemed to make the room brighter. It made him almost afraid and yet hopeful they would connect this to him once he was gone. He knew it would eventually end.

“Hey, food!” Bucky's voice called out. Allowing that as a distraction, Tony dropped a kiss onto Steve’s forehead and made his way into the kitchen.

Food was devoured, with the three of them talking lighty. Tony tried to keep himself from remembering Obadiah’s demand to meet them. He’d come up with a plan for that later. Until then, he’d let the two of them pull him up to head for bed.

They curled up, arms and legs all intertwined as the dark room and blankets covered them. Once again he was between them, swallowing down his enjoyment as he held onto Steve and Bucky reached out to hold both of them. The warmth was too overwhelming to not fall asleep. So he did, humming as Bucky nuzzled the sensitive spot behind his ear, so close to where he marked Tony.

Sleep settled in and sleep turned into pleasant dreams.

He woke up in his own bed, just as he knew he would. Rhodey was still snoring, face pressed against Tony’s shoulder. Despite anything, Tony did appreciate the contact as he awoke, eyes darting around the room. He didn’t know what time it actually was, so he settled to just doze. The half-sleep state was not enough to send him back, but it helped his mental state more than he realized. It pushed back the panic.

Notes:

Sorry for the delay. Between hubby going on strike and me trying to start a job. I nearly dislocated my shoulder a couple weeks ago and despite having doctor's notes galore for my new job, they fired me for missing days despite the doctor's giving them notes of it all, that they demanded. Apparently that doesn't matter. So, no more new job at this point. Never been fired before, so wow. Depressed.

Anyway...hope you enjoy the update and yes I have the next few chapters planned out. Thank you for for enjoying it so far.

Chapter 13: Day Thirteen

“I can’t believe your guy actually got these delivered today.” Rhodey rolled his eyes in between spooning Lucky Charms into his mouth. “Do people even work at that business of yours?”

“Yes, they do, and pleasing me is their main job,” Tony snarked back, carefully inspecting the tubes that he had just pulled from the box he had gotten delivered that morning. He reached out and turned the radio around to inspect the back. It was easy to fit them into place and get everything connected from there.

“So, what’s next?” Rhodey asked. “You’ve got the radio fixed. I’m picturing some interior design to make this apartment a true flashback to the forties?”

“Rhodey,” Tony groaned, leaning back in his seat. “Don’t be such an ass. And give me some marshmallows.”

“Oh no, these teeth rotting pieces of sugar are mine. Go get your own bowl,” Rhodey ordered.

“But I don’t like the rest of it, just the marshmallows,” Tony replied in a near whine. “Gimme.”

“As much as I’m enjoying your good mood, no.”

“Fine,” Tony said, standing up and carrying the radio over to the television in order to sit it on the stand and plug it in. He fiddled with the dials for a moment, before twisting the knob to turn it on. Biting his lip in concentration, he started messing with the dials again, turning the main, larger one carefully as static filled the room. Then, suddenly, music burst from the small speakers.

“Hey, I know this song. Glen Miller,” Rhodey said, tapping his foot to the beat. “That guy got his style from the black man, but at least his band could actually play an instrument.”

“It sounds familiar,” Tony admitted, walking back over to the couch. “I think Bucky and I danced to this song.”

“Then your boys are getting close to Pearl Harbor happening,” Rhodey commented. He reached out and tugged Tony closer, draping his arm across Tony’s shoulders. “So, what is on the agenda today, besides listening to nostalgic music?”

“I have no clue,” Tony replied. “Wanna go to the Brooklyn Museum?”

Rhodey laughed, before settling and looking at Tony with a strange look in his eyes. “You’re serious? Mister-History-is-for-Those-That-Can’t-Think-Forward?”

Tony glared at him. “They took me. I’d kind of like to see how it’s changed, okay? Or do you want to watch more Disney movies? Even you can’t binge on them to this level without a break.”

“Fine!” Rhodey said, throwing his hands up. “But seriously, Tones, first the library and now a museum? If you haven’t been obsessing over that radio, I’d think you'd have gotten yourself hijacked.”

“Rhodey, you should never try to be a comedian, cause you suck,” Tony replied.

It was many hours later before Tony and Rhodey managed to get dressed and head out, taking the first half of the day to lounge around the apartment, music playing softly in the background. Rhodey had spent some time just ranting about the acceptance requirements for officer training, before then bragging that he’d gotten in. Again. It was a normal conversation of pride at this point, since Rhodey had been talking to him about it for a while the past week. And Tony was so proud of him that he couldn’t bring up his own worries just because of the grin on Rhodey’s face.

When they finally left, Tony found himself almost pouting when he realized they’d have to walk or take a taxi. Because of course the trolley was no longer active, though Tony could identify spots on the asphalt that were clearly covering up the path the trolley took. Rhodey said nothing, tugging Tony along the sidewalk. Apparently they would be walking the four miles.

It was about ten blocks before they stopped at a food stand, Rhodey paying for a couple hot dogs. Tony took a bite, frowning at the taste. “Oh come on, going to complain about that now?”

“They were better in the forties,” Tony replied with a shrug.

Rhodey burst out laughing as they continued to walk and eat. “You are the only one your age that thinks things were better back then. You’re just adorable.”

“Rude,” Tony muttered. And Rhodey was only right in some things. Tony did appreciate the simplicity of the time and could see himself there, making improvement. A part of his father’s legacy making him want to see it for real.

The museum was the same on the outside. On the inside was different. Instead of a stand for donations was a demand for payment, ten dollars for each of them. Tony paid, scanning his eyes around the path to the exhibits. He knew where he wanted to go, seeing the sign on one wall for the veterans of the world wars.

“Where do you want to go first?” Tony asked.

“Tony, I know why we are here,” Rhodey said softly. “Come on, let's see that first so you’re not squirming the entire time.”

“Again, rude,” Tony replied, but he let Rhodey guide him over. The exhibit was different than before. Then it was simply a small showing of the World War One vets, with a couple images of the next war. Now, it was more filled out, showing both world wars and a bit of the wars that followed that Brooklyn participated in.

“Hey, your dad is in this,” Rhodey commented, pointing at a photo and exhibit devoted to the Korean war, his father standing proud in front of a bomber. Tony knew that the air artillery was only put into the war in the fourth year of the Korean war due to the terrain being mostly of hills, giving an unsure target. Even Tony knew of the War of the Hills, where ground artillery was the only way to fight, so of course his father was part of bringing a better weapon in.

Tony walked further, wincing when he saw his father again. “Yeah, here again in Vietnam, standing proud despite the damage Operation Orange caused. Proud to have helped create it.”

“What are you hoping to see here?” Rhodey asked. “We both know your dad assisted the most lethal thing any chance he got.”

Tony walked around the corner and paused. “This.”

“Damn,” Rhodey whispered once he caught up to him. “This should be called a shrine.”

The end of the war section of the Brooklyn Museum was fully devoted to not just Steve Rogers but Bucky as well. Each had their own sections. Naturally Captain America had more, but Bucky actually had his own corner. Not that the museum had that many items, most of their items had been given to the New York Museum or the Smithsonian. Tony stepped over to Bucky’s display and had to fight crying because the uniform Bucky’s father wore was still on display.

His mind tried to be calm, despite seeing Bucky react to that very jacket.

“Hey, hey,” Rhodey said, rushing over. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s Bucky’s father's jacket,” Tony whispered. “He didn’t like the memory of it, the way that he had to protect his family after. But he wanted to be a sniper just like his dad.”

“Damn,” Rhodey said in a low voice. “He got what he wanted, despite everything. Shit, okay, I think we’ve hit our threshold. I don’t think you need to be here.”

“No,” Tony snapped, before heading to the last part of the exhibit. Where the creation of Steve Rogers was. He stormed over, looking at all the images available. He knew the museum didn’t have much by way of physical items, but they had photos and the wall holding details. That’s all Tony needed.

At least he thought it was.

“Shit,” Rhodey said, coming up behind him.

The final part of everything there was centered on Steve. And how he was so depressed from having his omega gone that he was willing to submit himself to anything that would help the war and get Bucky back to him. Tony, trying not to cry, stepped close to a letter that Steve had written at the time. His words were nothing but pain and demand that without Tony - and it actually said Tony - he would only live for Bucky.

Gasping, feeling emotions he didn’t even know what to do with, not even how to comprehend. Tony started crying, backing away until a wall stopped him. He slid down, hands covering his face because he just couldn’t handle more being bombarded onto him.

“Hey, Tones, come on,” Rhodey’s voice broke through the rage of his mind. “Let’s get you home.”

Tony honestly didn’t know how they got back home. He was a mess. He held down the urge to cry and violently lash out. His mind was fully in deep despair by the time he was sitting on his own couch. He saw a glass of water set before him and he numbly picked it up to take slow sips.

“Tony, come on, talk to me,” Rhodey said, his voice feeling so distant.

“I did this to them,” Tony whispered. “I hurt them so they had to shift to violence instead of love. I made them become what they are.”

“They became American heroes,” Rhodey replied. “Last I heard everyone still loved them for it.”

“Bucky wanted to be a sniper, but he was happy with Steve. Bucky didn’t want to really do it, more if he had to, he would become that. And Steve would have held back and maybe not have gotten the superserum if I was there.” Tony sucked in air, hands clenching. “If I never met them this would never have happened. But I did and it pushed it forward in agony. With me they did it out of the trauma of their omega being gone. I did that to them. I made it personal, instead of fate.”

“Tones,” Rhodey said in a soft voice. He pulled Tony close, trying to give comfort by touch alone.

“I hate what I did to them, despite needing them,” Tony whispered, feeling Rhodey tug him closer.

“It’s getting dark outside,” Rhodey said. “Let’s get some food into you, then you can sleep.”

Tony was numb as he accepted the sandwich from Rhodey. He ate, watching the random movie that Rhodey put on, but not really paying attention. He was merely waiting for sleep. Not so he could tell them to not do what they would in the future. No, he just wanted to hold them again, to joke and enjoy their presence.

“Okay, you’re passing out,” he distantly heard. He felt Rhodey pull his cup of water out of his hands, even when he didn’t know when he got it in the first place. “Up, Tones. Can’t get to bed without standing.”

Tony stood and let Rhodey guide him into the bedroom. He sat down on the bed, looking up when Rhodey handed him his pajamas. “Do you think they’d be mad, if dad’s attempts brought Steve back and Bucky followed?”

Rhodey paused at the door, before giving him a small smile. “I think they would be happy to see you and know that they were meant to be with you. Fate brought you to them. Fate will bring them to you. Because I know you deserve that happiness.”

“You’re too sentimental, Rhodey,” Tony muttered, finally yanking off his button down shirt and pulling on the white t-shirt Rhodey had given him.

“Just change and get to sleep, okay?” Rhodey said, softly.

Tony didn’t bother to look up as he squirmed out of his jeans. He heard the door shut behind Rhodey, tugging on his pajama pants in the process. He paused, clothing now on, and looked at his room. It was barely decorated, like he never spent time in there. That was okay with him, he belonged in another place.

Tony closed his eyes, blankets tucked around him as he pressed his face into his pillow.

And he woke up to daylight. In his room. Feeling refreshed but rapidly reaching panic. He was in his own room.

He was in his room.

Notes:

NOTE EDIT 2/2/23: I wrote a ficlet! Technically takes place after Chapter 12, but would spoil before this chapter. Introducing A File in Time, Steve & Bucky's initial response of Tony going missing, told by the officer taking their statement.

Chapter 14: Day 14/15

He didn’t get up from his bed that first day. Rhodey tried, but even his best friend’s stubbornness couldn’t solve everything. The only thing he drank was the two cups of coffee Rhodey brought, after Tony had rolled over to ignore the sweet tea or sandwich.

He was just waiting to fall asleep. He had to, because this was wrong. It had all gone wrong.

He felt broken, but didn’t even have the energy to do anything about it. He wasn’t even sure if his sleeping pills were still in the bathroom cabinet. Maybe Rhodey threw them away, or he did? They probably wouldn’t help anyway. He didn’t remember, he barely remembered anything but them.

Eventually his body took over. He managed to stand for the bathroom, but then he went right back into bed and didn’t struggle against falling asleep at three in the afternoon.

There was no shift of time, there was no bliss. He dreamed of them, but of losing them. And when he awoke the next day he knew it hadn’t actually been real. He was still in his room, the clock claiming it was nine in the morning.

Rage rushed through him, he wanted to scream, but the only word he could let out was a pained, “No!”

He stumbled out of bed, tripping over a stray shoe, and into the living room, probably looking wild-eyed to Rhodey who sat on the couch with the news playing on the television. Nearly growling, Tony stormed forward and grabbed the antique radio. He yanked it hard, hearing the cord pulling from the plug-in, base where it connected to the radio cracking. It wasn’t enough.

“Tones, what are you doing?” Rhodey demanded.

“Fixing things,” Tony snapped, before throwing the radio down onto the floor.

“Tony, stop!” Rhodey yelled, just as Tony’s foot started pounding onto the radio like his life depended on it.

It was more anger than the time he threw it across the room. It was so much anger that even without feeling the pain, blood was spread across the wood and metal dials. He didn’t care, any pain he could feel was pointless at this point. He gave one last stomp before he felt Rhodey practically pick him up and nearly throw him on the couch.

“What? Do you actually think this is a magical radio? That it sent you back in time?” Rhodey was nearly yelling, before he settled and strode closer. He dropped to his knee and grabbed Tony’s ankle.

“It-”

“Do you honestly think we live in a world of magical lamps and radios?” Rhodey practically growled as he inspected Tony’s foot. Rhodey paused and let out a hissing sound. “I’m going to get the bandages and tweezers and peroxide, and then you are going to tell me what’s going on.”

Tony sat there, shifting for a second before he finally noticed the throbbing pain in his foot. He stayed silent, eyes squinted as he tried to think properly. Rhodey came back in and kneeled in front of his foot. Tony looked away when the man glanced at him, but he couldn’t hide back the sound of pain when he felt the tweezers start plucking at what he could only assume were large splinters from the radio’s frame. They had to have been large with how much blood he had placed on the broken radio and the carpet next to the couch.

Rhodey’s mouth was tight, his movement swift as he took care of Tony’s foot. When he finally talked, he sounded more tired than anything. “Speak to me. Yesterday you were like a zombie, I couldn’t get you to speak a damn word. Tell me, man, cause I don’t know what to do without intel.”

“I haven’t been back. Not for the last two nights,” Tony whispered, closing his eyes.

Rhodey didn’t respond for a moment, not until he was wrapping up Tony’s foot. “You suspected this would happen. In fact, you were certain this would happen, preparing yourself for it. Or so I thought. I didn’t really think of how you would react.”

“I kept waiting for time to change again, for something that I did to change the timeline. But it stopped, it stopped before I could be with them and make a difference,” Tony said, his voice weak.

Rhodey stood up and walked over to sit next to him on the couch. “And what purpose would destroying that radio be?”

“I made it, I put it together while we were together. The washer? I remember it from the electronic parts I had. I remember it now-”

“Now that you are desperate for something to be true. Tones, you’ve mocked people for thinking every image or object was a sign.” Rhodey slid his arms around him, resting his chin on Tony’s shoulder. “You need to think like yourself, not like a Tony in frantic need.”

Tony leaned back, letting Rhodey hold him. “Can I pretend it’s going to work?”

“Yeah, bud, you can. For now,” Rhodey’s voice was soft and heavy. Tony winced, knowing how much he was worrying his best friend. “You need to take care of yourself. I don’t want to see you fade away and don’t tell me that they would want you to as well.”

Tony said nothing, staring at a spot on the wall. He sighed and curled up against Rhodey’s side. He felt almost like when that girl at MIT had dumped him. He had been too hesitant for her, not willing to let her past his boundaries. He hadn’t been enough. Only instead of feeling horrible about a simple breakup, he was exploding with the devastation of being separated from his alphas. So, not really a comparison, but it was the only comparison he had for a relationship.

“I gave them all I had,” Tony said.

“Bullshit,” Rhodey snapped, holding him a bit closer. “You give me plenty every day. Maybe it's not the same thing, but it’s still important. I couldn’t survive without you. The face you showed when you got out of bed had enough emotion to say you’re still here.”

Tony sniffled and looked away. “What can I do now?”

“Your mark is still there, their scent is still there,” Rhodey said. “You’re still their omega, so use that. Enjoy having free reign for one.”

“Obadiah won’t be okay with that. He’ll want evidence,” Tony muttered.

“You’re nineteen,” Rhodey said. “Give him an ultimatum. Let him be head of the company until you are actually twenty-one, or later. He leaves you alone for at least two years, gets what he really wants for that time. I mean, offering him that can’t hurt, right?”

Tony slowly nodded. “The way he touches me…”

He felt Rhodey’s arms pull him close and with Rhodey he never felt smothered, never felt sick by it.

“Tones, this is something you can’t prepare for,” Rhodey admitted.

“I want to go to bed,” Tony admitted, tone so low that he could barely hear himself, desperate to get away from the real world topics.

“Eat something,” Rhodey demanded, his voice more desperate than anything. “Even if it’s bread.”

“Fine,” Tony muttered, drawing his legs up and pressing his head into the back of the couch. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rhodey stand up and head to the kitchen. He closed his eyes, his emotions allowing nothing by sadness, regardless of the world around him.

Rhodey got him to eat a sandwich and drink a full glass of water, like the man was worried he’d just slip away without it. And Tony could understand the idea, because he just possibly lost not just one alpha, but two. Tony tried to pay attention to the movie Rhodey put in, but he wasn’t able to drag his eyes up from the spot of blood on the floor. The blood that he spilled in utter desperation. Tony felt a shudder run through him and he tucked in closer to Rhodey’s side.

Eventually he did get tired and Rhodey watched him head to the bedroom. He was under the blankets when Rhodey came in with his suppressant and a multivitamin. “You need to take care of yourself and remember this.”

“Fine,” Tony grumbled, taking the pills and also grabbing the water Rhodey handed over to swallow them down. He set the cup on the side table.

“Sleep well, Tones,” Rhodey said, softly, looking at him with his eyebrows scrunched up. Like he was worried enough that his body couldn’t hold it back. Typical Rhodey.

Tony nodded and rolled over. He drew his legs up, curling up into the tightest ball he could manage. He didn’t want to fall asleep, because he knew what the result would be. Tony was anything but stupid, he knew his time in freedom was over. But a part of him just hoped. It hoped so much.

But he woke up the next morning in his room, staring at a discolored wall. Tony buried his face into his pillow, like that would hide the cry of pain he let out, tears pouring down his face. He didn’t even react as Rhodey rushed in, his sobbing had grown too loud and deep. He couldn’t hide the pain anymore, in any way.

He didn’t know how he was going to survive this.

Notes:

Not gonna lie, I wish I was writing this a different way.

Chapter 15: Day 22 - 1 Month

Notes:

This is the start of a shift. No longer counting days, time is moving forward at the speed it wants to. So, some chapter may be short, some really wrong.

Eventually, after a couple of days, Rhodey managed to get him positive enough that he got out of bed on his own. At some point, a few days after, he managed to go into the kitchen for his own water and something to snack on. Rhodey had hid his smile the entire time, but Tony wasn’t so out of it that he didn’t notice.

By the time it was due for Rhodey to leave, Tony had managed to argue over a movie and make dinner without anyone demanding it, without being encouraged. Tony knew that anything less and Rhodey would have managed to stay. But he had his future ready for him and Tony was determined to not mess that up.

He wasn’t Rhodey’s omega. Even though it often felt like that, here in the real world. And Tony was fully aware that he thought about that often enough. As often as people assumed, watching them together.

“You don’t have to come to the airport with me,” Rhodey pointed out, putting his suitcase and bag into the trunk the taxi driver had opened up. “You’ll have to get a ride back.”

Tony glanced at the taxi driver, who clearly recognized him. “I’m sure a taxi would be willing to circle the block a few times for the extra cash.”

Rhodey followed his eyes and noticed the taxi driver nodding with a delighted smile. Rhodey rolled his eyes. “You really should be a CIA guy, even with a changed face you’d get what you wanted.”

“Maybe if I get bored making things,” Tony replied, smiling. He had gotten used to smiling again a couple of days ago. A challenge completed, as Rhodey had told him like it was a video game, but a part of him felt like it was a betrayal to those left behind.

They both got into the cab, the driver bouncing in, looking forward to an easy and high pay ride. It was silent while they waited through a couple blocks of traffic before hitting the highway. Then, Tony looked over and, despite the constriction of the seatbelt, he twisted enough to be facing Rhodey. “So, what do you think officer school is like?”

“A few classes and tests, even physical ones to test your endurance. That was what I was told by a fellow soldier. He said it can get pretty intense, though. Told me some guys couldn’t last it,” Rhodey replied. He shot Tony a grin. “I’m sure after you I can beat any of the mental endurance ones.”

“Rude! So rude,” Tony exclaimed, smiling when Rhodey laughed. It was okay being here, if he could make Rhodey laugh like that right then. If he was stuck here, he might as well make people happier than how he felt himself.

And he did it with the taxi driver when the man finally dropped him off. Having Tony tell him no change as he handed off three hundred dollars was new for the driver, obvious by the expression in his eyes. Actually, the three hundred was all he had on him, and now he understood how having so much on a day to day basis was arrogant.

He made it into his apartment, the image of the man’s happy grin still in his head, and made for the kitchen. He poured a glass of tea and made himself a sandwich. He set them on the coffee table and, knowing they would be fine there for a few minutes, swiftly walked into his bedroom. He dropped to his knees in front of his bedside table and pulled open the last drawer.

Rhodey had gotten him to sweep up the parts of the radio. Rhodey had hoped it would make him face the truth. It hadn’t. His reaction was to grab the parts and throw them at Rhodey’s face, even leaving cuts on the man and his own hands. After Rhodey had cleaned them both up, the man gathered the items and took them outside inside a bag. He didn’t return with it. But Tony was able to salvage a broken piece of wood, a cracked dial, and an inch wide shard of glass from one of the tubes.

There was in the drawer and he knew he was crazy for staring at them, like that would bring them back. He was a man of science. This was not good behavior. This was the act of a madman. It didn’t stop Tony from feeling his heartbeat slow to a comfortable rate at just the sight of the pieces.

He shut the drawer and made it back to his sandwich before the lettuce turned fully warm. Tony considered that a win.

Life became a set of little wins. He started to remember his suppressants again. He got up and fully dressed everyday. He tried and, eventually, brought himself to take a walk occasionally. And finally, he called work and was delighted to find out that Obadiah was in Hong Kong for negotiations for a buyout and would still be there for another three weeks.

He had time to plan, time to ensure that Obadiah stayed away from him. One benefit of being Tony Stark was what would normally take six months or more for someone else could be rushed within those two weeks left of Obadiah absence.

First things first, he called the company lawyers. He decided to take Rhodey’s advice and laid down a list of needs to be put into a new contract regarding Tony’s relationship with the company. Notably, the main item was for Obadiah to continue as head of the company until Tony was twenty-three instead of just when he ‘came of age.’ Tony knew Obadiah didn’t really want him, just the power that came along with it. Hopefully, Rhodey’s idea would give him some space. The next portion was a separate set of a contract, Tony’s actual employment. He arranged for him to move to the Los Angeles location and run the R&D department from there.

“Are you sure, sir?” he was asked.

“Positive,” Tony said, feeling something in his chest get lighter.

“We’ll have the paperwork ready in a few days.”

“Go ahead and send the contract for Obadiah to him digitally, the sooner he signs it the sooner it can be confirmed. Oh, and I’m going to need the name of the best real estate agent out there,” Tony added.

Phone call ended, Tony draped across his couch for a moment, feeling a hint of panic from what he just set in motion. He had a strange mix of anxiety and pride circling his mind. Before it had a chance to solidify into an actual problem, Tony stood and made his way to his computer, pulling up the JARVIS program he had avoided working on while Rhodey had been there.

Three hours later, Tony leaned back and just smiled. That sense of hope for the future wasn’t exactly back, but even as the bite marks on his neck gently throbbed more from memory than anything, he could feel okay with continuing forward in his life. Even if he was destined to be alone.

Notes:

I want to thank all the people who have supported this so far. In a way, cataloging the specific time span is new to me. So with time now shifting, I'm in for a challenge. Also thank you for the love on what happened with my job situation. I love how loving fandom is.

Chapter 16: 1 month & 1 week - 1 year and five months

Tony woke to his phone ringing merely an hour before his alarm was due to set off. His personal plane would be sending him off to Los Angeles in four hours, plenty of time for him to get his travel bags ready, the rest having already been shipped off two days ago. It had been a week since he had set everything in motion and he had a temporary apartment ready for him, with a holding unit nearby for his things until he could find a real residence.

He knew who was calling, before he even stood up and walked toward the phone.

“Hello?” he asked, knowing the hints of sleep were still affecting his voice.

“So this is how it’s going to go?” Obadiah’s voice was tense, but less angry than Tony expected. “You’re going to hold everything off because you want to be a whore for some alphas.”

“No,” Tony replied, blinking the sleep from his eyes and wandering toward the kitchen to start coffee. “I feel right now you are the best to run the company. Can you really deny that? You say often enough that I don’t look past creation of things to actually understand how the world works.”

“Do you actually think I believe you won’t put your ideals into play, even with me controlling Stark Industries for the next three years and so many months?” Obadiah asked, though he didn’t sound argumentative, which was better than Tony had been hoping for.

“I’m giving you complete control, outside of my demands within my department. This only lasts until I’m twenty-three. It could last longer, you know.” Tony poured coffee into his cup, adding a dash of milk. “I’m just extending the agreement between you and dad.”

“And your alphas?” Obadiah asked, tone neutral, which Tony’s didn’t buy for a second.

“Are okay with anything I decide,” Tony lied. “They want nothing to do with it all.”

Tony held his breath, taking his cup into the living room and sitting on the couch. He waited, listening as Obadiah let out a harsh breath. “Tony, you don’t understand what this could look like.”

“Look like? I’m merely being realistic,” Tony said, laughing in such a dry way that it almost shocked himself. “The company is stable with you. How stupid would I be to take over now, when product is high? When our board members are happy? We both know they want me to grow up a bit first. And I’m much happier learning the trade of R&D than trying to maneuver myself around what you do everyday.”

Tony was not stupid, something he did have to remind himself of everyday when at his father’s company. And he knew that Obadiah would see that, because the man desired control. And with Tony out of the main picture, he’d get that. Just as Rohdey had suggested.

“Fine, I’ll sign the papers. Do you really think moving to the other side of the country is what you need?” Obadiah replied, his voice tense, but not the snappish tone he had gotten used to in the past couple of years.

“Yeah, I do,” Tony replied.

“Fine, I know a lost deal when I see it. Your father always said you were too stubborn for your own good,” Obadiah replied, practically growling. And it was the hint of that, the very tone of Obadiah’s voice that made Tony realize that Howard Stark probably had promised Tony to the man from the beginning.

Feeling sick to his stomach, Tony let out a breath and grabbed his coffee, downing two gulps of steaming hot liquid just to feel something else. Then he cleared his throat and said, “I feel our business is concluded, then.”

There was a moment of silence, before Obbadiah grunted. “I’ll sign the contract. I'll be in Los Angeles in a few weeks, I expect you to be there. We have a gala, after all. Perhaps those alphas of yours can show up.”

“We’ll see, and thank you,” Tony replied, fighting to keep his tone neutral.

He got off the phone and nearly bent over from the panic that hit him. Even thousands of miles away Obadiah would still try, in some way, to ruin his life. Sucking in air, Tony forced himself to stand and walk to his belongings that still remained. He let the folding of clothes and the wrapping of delicate items guide him past that panic. Right then, with Obadiah agreeing on the temporary band-aid that Tony had created, he was fine.

His employment did not require him to broadcast his claim marks to the world. The tabloids would question if they knew about it, but otherwise his scent to any alpha or beta was simply one of unwanting. Obadiah had been obsessed, so he noticed it. That didn’t mean others would. All he had to do was keep control of the gossip channel. Granted, that was harder said than done, but he was willing to hide everything about Bucky and Steve away. There was no reason to keep opening up a sore, letting it bleed every time someone looked at you.

After filling his suitcases and calling for a taxi, Tony paused to look at himself in the bathroom mirror. He tilted his head back and forth, seeing the bites they had given him as plain as day. No collar could cover them. Ignoring those thoughts, he grabbed his medication: suppressant, anti-anxiety, and even anti-depressants. They got shoved into the small bag he would keep next to him on his private jet. Even then, he didn’t trust anyone to just get curious.

The taxi was swift and he paid them much like he had the other taxi, ignoring the wide eyes given to him in the process. He was able to bypass the x-rays and demands of checking the chemical composition from just a bottle of contact solution. Somehow, through all of this, he noticed more. Noticed how quickly people were to get him through checkpoints and to his private plane.

Tony felt almost sick to his stomach as he sat down and buckled up inside his personal jet. Steve would have been horrified by the difference of class. Bucky would have remained a stern, non-spoken man because he knew he would have said too much about privilege. And Tony sat there, staring at the window as the jet set into the air, wondering which life he preferred.

Swallowing, Tony played normal. He played normal all the way to his temporary apartment. Everything was boxes and he felt no urge to open them up. He felt no urge to do anything. So he wandered through a much more lavish apartment than the one he left behind and dropped down on a new mattress that was so much softer than the one he left. So much softer than he alphas had in the forties.

He fell asleep, but felt guilty for doing so.

He took his meds in the morning, before he met with the real estate agent, not bothering with food even though it was on the label of a couple of them to do so. She was nice, sweet even, but every place that day she showed him was not what he wanted.

Eventually, though, he spoke his opinion. He made a decision so dramatic for himself that he was shocked he didn’t pass out right then. He used the excuse of his alphas as the reason to keep going further and further out from the heavy bustle of the city. It worked.

Two weeks after he had met her, she was a beta and told him to call her Catherine, that he stood in front of the Malibu home he’d then call home. The basement wasn’t worked on, giving him room for a workshop. The very walls gave access to the Jarvis system he was building. And then there was the ocean, a direct link to just walk down and remember that one time they had gone swimming.

“Are you sure, sir?” Catherine asked. “It needs some improvement.”

“I’m an engineer. I can do it,” he said.

“I’ll let them know your bid, then,” she replied, clearly understanding when a future homeowner saw the perfect thing in front of him. She paused. “Do you wish for your alphas to be on the contract?”

Tony reached up automatically to touch his neck. “No, they wanted me to pick my own home. Thank you for considering them.”

Catherine seemed to brighten up a bit at that, like she understood the omega struggle in a distant way. “Very well. I should have everything ready in a couple days.”

It took time to own a home and even more time to get the tools you needed to make it exactly what you wanted. Tony lost track of time, just handing over checks while he set up his space in the Los Angeles R&D. The very department needed a lot of work, which was why he was happy that he arranged for DUM-E to only be sent over when he had his home set to his standards.

Then there he was, standing next to his robot, who was nudging his arm delicately. Because of course DUM-E would notice his emotions, even with being kept hidden at his station for so many years. Tony had built him to be empathic, despite not thinking it would actually happen.

“This is our new home, baby,” Tony whispered, starting to walk forward. DUM-E followed, his head swirling as his sensor took every shape and temperature in. “We get to build your space together, I got the basement all set up for it. Think we can build you a sibling, even.”

DUM-E let out one of his excited chirps, but still kept close.

“Yeah, I’m a little scared, too,” Tony said, stroking a hand along DUM-E’s sensor. “We’ll get through it together.”

And they did. Tony built DUM-E a friend, laughing when she only responded to feminine terms. His workshop kept growing, his new house kept getting fixed then reworked to get fixed again. He dove himself into each and every need the home had.

And then, Tony finally finished Jarvis. He sat at the computer, upgraded from the older model. Both DUM-E and U were hovered around him, waiting to meet their new brother. Tony almost felt like crying, because he had spent the past year doing his job and coming home only with robots as friends.

He reached up and rubbed at his neck. Covered in make-up still. He wore it to get the press off his back, finding the simple trick worked, but usually he violently scrubbed it off the moment he got him. He had been so excited today, because today his new child would come alive.

There was a nudge at his elbow and looking down he saw U with a wet rag, which just allowed tears to drop fully. He scrubbed at his neck with it and handed it back. “I look better, right?”

U tossed the rag off into the distance, not even bothering to aim for a trash can. It was her way to just say good riddance. She had done it before. Tony let out a small laugh, before reaching for the cords connected to the mainframe of the workshop. The plan was for Jarvis to only be there for now, giving DUM-E and U time while they were in their charging stations to transfer over day to day information.

The whole system seemed to flickered from the overload, lights going down for a couple minutes, before a single speaker near him made a static sound. Tony stilled, even the bots stayed still. Then there was a voice that was so familiar Tony nearly started tearing up again. “Sir?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” Tony replied, knowing that the microphones he had set at every speaker would catch his voice. Then it was like a floodgate, almost like the Jarvis program refused to come online fully until it had confirmation. All the speakers he had set up came alive, all the computers lit up. Even the charging stations for the bots lit up. “You okay there? Making a light show, you know.”

“I am feeling my environment,” a voice echoed through the room. “May I meet my siblings?”

And Tony could only wave his hand, watching as his bots rushed to their charging stations to talk to their new brother. And Tony cried. Because this was all he had. This was all he had for himself. He was an abandoned omega and at that point, so long after it happened, he still felt the scars. So he watched his mechanical and computerized children bond and learn from each other.

And he cried. He sat down on his workshop couch and cried, not even bothering to grab a drink to numb the feelings away. His neck was raw from scrubbing makeup off his alpha bites. He wasn’t a good omega. He didn’t deserve them. He didn’t deserve anyone.

Eventually he made his way to the bedroom, knowing the programs would continue as he had created. He dropped down there, unaware of what he had actually made.

The Jarvis program learned. It got facts from those around it, then used those facts to search for more information. And the facts that the bots gave him was disturbing, especially DUM-E’s fractured images still left in his hardware. So, Jarvis, being just as inquisitive as Tony Stark had made him, took the liberty to access the computer.

Granted this was a time when the Internet was still building up steam, but Jarvis was as smart as his maker made him. And with encouragement from the bots, he searched. He learned. And he found evidence of two men that should not be alive but were. One was merely an idea, a hope that he had survived. The other…evidence was scattered through all the data Jarvis dug through.

Tony Stark went to bed, unknowing that what he considered his children were trying to save him.

Notes:

Okay, so I started crying at the end of this...I mean...Seriously. Granted I'm also reading a book tugging on my emotions too (Once There Were Wolves seriously, it's phenomenal).

I hoped you liked this chapter. I have spring break next week, so next chapter should come out then. I've been distracted with my Spideypool sequel to Hazy Shades of Winter, so hopefully that will come out then too.

Chapter 17: 2 Years & 3 weeks - 3 years & 7 months

Tony’s life didn’t seem to change in the following year. Was it a year? Maybe. He did the same thing every week. He worked, argued with other scientists and engineers, corrected their mistakes and then came home. It was there he started drinking a couple glasses of scotch a night, something that didn’t actually cause any issues. He was just unwinding.

Then he’d go down into the basement and hang out with the only people he could hang out with. Rhodey, as wonderful as the man was at keeping a schedule for phone calls, truly was in his own world at that point. He was moving up in the world and Tony tried as hard as he could to not interfere with that. His bots were enough and Jarvis had flourished at a rate even Tony hadn’t expected.

Jarvis was now connected to the entire house and security system. Tony had finally got around to embedding the speaker and microphone units into the walls so they were naked to an untrained eye, adding cameras at the right angles in every room. Jarvis saw and heard everything.

And even if that meant he witnessed Tony crying himself to sleep every once in a while, Tony was too proud of his baby boy to mind it that much.

He had come back from a dark day at work. It was always a dark day when Obadiah decided to visit. The man still had a year before Tony was due to take over the company, but with the way the man acted the world would think that Tony was sneaking it out of his hold the next morning. Tony could barely breathe with the man around him, so coming home to Jarvis greeting him at the door and a bottle of scotch on his counter was just too perfect and made up for everything else.

After three weeks in a row of Obadiah showing up, Tony finally downed the entire bottle and reached for more. Ignoring how he stumbled into DUM-E and ignored U’s inquisitive beeps of questions, Tony did the same the next day. It was now a problem, a problem he had no intent to fix. Because this was his life now.

He might have taken that thought to heart and fell into a water fountain at the next gala months later. He had apologized, but the silence of Jarvis, who had probably watched through security cameras as he had made an ass out of himself, hurt more than any press release.

He tried to pour out the alcohol that very night. And he pretended to not notice as he had actually hid three bottles under the kitchen sink just in case.

It became a pattern and by the time he was due to own the company, no one thought it was a good idea. Even his own bots skirted around him like he might suddenly lash out. It took three days of moping around his house, sleeping for far too long, before he could think of the next step in his solution. And he admitted at least to himself that it also helped him keep some of his reckless behavior.

He called the lawyers and, mind a bit clearer from a few days of rest and no alcohol, was able to set up the next contract. Dual ownership between him and Obadiah, with Obadiah handling the business side but Tony focusing and controlling all the product and the integrity of that product. He placed the timespan as to be determined, figuring in a couple years he might be stable once again.

He wasn’t shocked by Obadiah arriving on his doorstep three days later, his now gray haired face raising an eyebrow. “Well, hey, come in I guess?”

“So this is your new solution?” Obadiah asked, throwing a thick folder onto Tony’s coffee table that no doubt held the contract. “One month, Tony. You’re supposed to take over in one month and then you throw this at me when all the world is expecting more of you?”

“More of me?” Tony snapped. “Have you seen what they are saying about me? I’m a lost cause to them all at this point! Just let this happen. You know the only place I do perfectly is R&D. You handle the mergers and the stupid board meetings. Your face gets put everywhere, just like I know you enjoy. Just let me do something good here and admit that my faults are too much for the company right now.”

Obadiah sat down, for once looking as old as he actually was. “This will look bad on me, Tony. I’m just catering to you yet again as you run around flirting and drinking. What happened to those alphas of yours, huh? What happened to the marks I once saw on your neck, because I sure as fuck haven’t seen them in a while.”

Tony swallowed, reaching up to touch the side Bucky had bit into. He had his make-up on, covering them perfectly. Even on the days he grabbed a drink thirty minutes after waking up because it was his day off he always made a point to put that camouflage on. “They’re gone. They…they’re gone.”

Obadiah squinted at him, his jaw looking hard. “How? You’re still here, being a pissant in my life. So, how?”

“I don’t know,” Tony replied, saying the truth about them for the first time in so long. “Lost in combat. That's all I’ve heard.”

For a moment Obadiah looked sympathetic. Then his face hardened again, like he couldn’t spend more than a couple seconds looking like a normal human. “Then you better get your ass into gear and protect all those other soldiers out there. I’ll deal with the press release. I don’t know how you’re still alive, one of them might just be out there trapt in a place of torture. This is why we need you to focus, because for once you might help our numbers. If you’re going to be my second man, then you better as hell follow along like a man wishing he had done better for his alpha.”

Tony felt the sting of the words like a full body numbing agent. He barely said anything as Obadiah signed the paperwork and watched him with stern eyes as he faxed them off to the lawyers. And Obadiah had stuck him in a corner with those words. He knew he had to stop looking for clean energy or better technology for the lower class. He was now an omega who could only focus on war, because all the public would believe is that he was hoping to somehow get his alpha back.

He poured himself a drink after Obadiah left and made for the workshop. He sat there, staring at the amber liquid for the longest time, before he activated his computer. DUM-E swiveled over, distracting him with the yellow tennis ball in the bots’ claw. Smiling sadly, with three days of sobriety in his system, Tony grabbed the ball and tossed it. For the first time in probably a month.

Was he happy with this next step? Probably not. How could he be happy with anything? The parts of him that were happy were still stuck in the 1940s.

Eventually he turned toward his computer, which had been running as he played fetch with DUM-E and pet U like the total princess she was, which he had been neglecting. The idea made his heart heavy as he stared at the computer screen, confused that there was a folder already opened. He went to click out of it, but it came back again.

He reached for his drink, finally a drink, but at that moment the screen flashed and showed the same folder again. Sighing, Tony glanced up. “Jarvis, what is this? If it’s an intervention, it’s not going to work.”

“I feel you need to see this while sober, sir,” Jarvis replied, his voice echoing through the room. A factor Tony had yet to notice and put on his mental list to fix the next time he was able to make Jarvis centralized instead of broadcasting. Tony glanced at the two bots hovering next to him, like they were waiting for him to open the folder as well. He had a moment of feeling like he was surrounded, but squashed the idea of paranoia down. Sighing, and rolling his eyes just because he knew Jarvis would see it from the computer’s camera alone, he opened the folder.

Inside were two other folders and Tony squinted, seeing them labeled as C. America and W. Soldier. “No, seriously, J. What is this?”

“I’m afraid, sir, it’s what you’ve been wishing for,” Jarvis replied, but his tone was off. Tony had never taught the program to portray sadness or even fear, but somehow Jarvis was doing both. “As I said, I had to wait for you to be sober for this, sir.”

Tony clicked on the C. America, because he knew what that was. He knew who Captain America was. Inside were a few documents, articles of him before he died and pretty much everything Tony knew about Captain America from Howard Stark’s lectures. But there were three others that made Tony’s heart race. The first two were actual scans of Howard’s attempt to find the man, or at the very least the body to be sure he was dead. Because of course Howard had a hope the man was still alive, being the ultimate fan he was.

The third was from a corporation that Tony had seen before. SHIELD wasn’t exactly a government entity, more a side company of trained individuals. Every government needed a secret covert operation, Russia once had the KGB, and from what Tony had listened in on Howard’s meetings as a child, he knew SHIELD was just that for the United States. Tony almost felt his heart stop as he scanned what Jarvis had uncovered.

“They’re still looking for him?” Tony asked, his voice so weak that he could barely recognize it. “The last search report was from two months ago. Jarvis?”

“I can only access after they scan the reports, I do not yet have the full capability to break through their security walls for day to day access,” Jarvis replied. “They have centralized their search, but have yet to find a location that is less than a seven hundred miles radius.”

“Shit, shit,” Tony said, pulling back, allowing his chair to roll himself back. It gave him some distance. “So, we still don’t know if there is anything left? I mean, this is arctic weather and…”

“No, sir, it might be a lost cause,” Jarvis admitted. Then the silence in the air made Tony lookup, dragging his chair closer to the computer again. “However, if you could take a look at the other folder.”

Swallowing, Tony gazed at the glass of scotch again, before ignoring it in favor of exiting out of the C. America folder and clicking on the W. Soldier. This one had a lot more material, more than Tony knew he could get through without losing a night of sleep. “Jarvis, what am I about to see?”

“I cannot truly describe it,” Jarrvis admitted. U nudged at Tony’s arm in comfort, which made Tony wonder how much the three of them just sat around talking about what Jarvis found in his search.

“Fine, out for a penny out of a pound, or whatever the saying is,” Tony muttered, clicking on the first file. It was a long list of James Buchanen Barnes’ army duties, including his training as sergeant and becoming a sniper. All that Tony already knew, so he exited out and saw the next was a video clip. “Jarvis, seriously, do I need to see this?”

“I think watching just the first video and then the last three files, two videos and one scan, would be enough to get an idea, sir,” Jarvis said, again doing that weird twist of sorrow and fear that Tony, for the life of him, didn’t know where he had learned it. “We are here for you, when you are done.”

Deciding not knowing was worse than knowing, Tony opened the first of what must have been more than thirty videos. And the first thing he heard was screaming and cursing. Tony stared as his Bucky, and god it was his Bucky, fought against leather restraints as thick German words echoed in a white, stained room. His Bucky was barely muffled by the thick leather gag put in his mouth as the sound of what was too similar to a chainsaw echoed in the air.

And no, Tony was wrong. Knowing was so much worse and yet he couldn’t look away as his Bucky passed out as they took off the stump of his arm, what was left over from his fall from that train, and then bandaged his shoulder up like it was just something okay to do. Another day at the office. The camera zeroed in on Bucky’s face, a pale hand reaching out to tug the man’s eyelids open to reveal the gun-gray color Tony had always loved.

In German, Tony heard, “He’s stable. We need it to heal before the arm implant.”

“And the other implants?” another voice asked.

“I’m sure his weakening state will be a wonderful assistance,” the original voice said, just as the video cut off.

Tony had never felt so horrified in his life, and even more hated himself for learning German on top of all the other languages he knew, so that he could hear what they said in their own voices. Swallowing, fighting tears, Tony asked, “Are you sure, J?”

“I’m afraid so,” Jarvis replied, his tone now more mechanical. Like even Jarvis needed to distance himself.

He looked again at his drink, but he knew the bots - who were still hovering - and Jarvis wouldn’t approve. Odds were he’d drink everything in the house after this, but Jarvis was right. Level headed should come first. So he scrolled down, wincing at the number of videos Jarvis had managed to snag, before clicking on the second to the last video. Following Jarvis’ direction, because right then he had no other.

It was grainy, like the quality of video was more due to the handling than anything. Tony looked past that and saw it was focused on a large machine opening to reveal…it was Bucky. But not the Bucky he remembered, not even the one from the first video. No, he had longer hair, gangly like no one actually cared to maintain it. Tony watched, eyes wide as he was pulled out of a frosted over tube and dragged to a chair. It wasn’t even until the man was pressed into it that he was able to open his eyes and Tony was able to realize that whoever these people were, they had developed cryogenics beyond anything Tony had heard of.

Bucky was strapped down quickly, but that didn’t stop the snarl on his face as he threw one of the men - probably some technician - into the brick wall across the room. The camera followed the movement and then focused back on Bucky being held down, mouth guard shoved between his teeth and a metal device attached to his head. Then the chair he was on seemed to growl and shudder, before Bucky started bucking up like electricity was filling his entire body.

And Tony could only watch as Bucky’s eyes rolled up into his head.

Tony looked away for a moment, not sure if he could honestly handle this, not today. God, not ever. But like it was his duty, he turned back to the video to see Bucky sitting there compliant as the head piece and mouth guard was pulled off. Bucky blinked, twice. Then his voice, god the voice that Tony dreamed of every night, came through the computer’s speakers. “Ready to comply.”

Tony’s heart dropped, his whole body felt like it did, because Bucky Barnes never complied if he had the option to do so. The man was too damn stubborn, despite his claims that Steve was worse.

Then words, in Russian this time. Once again, Tony hated his need to understand what people were saying, so he could just once not be fluent. “This is your target. Howard Stark will be driving this route and in his trunk is a case that you need to get for us. You will eliminate him as a threat and take out any witnesses. Any security cameras must be disabled. Do you understand?”

“Only the case survives,” Bucky replied.

“Very good, Soldier. We will see you afterwards,” the man behind the camera said. And they seemed very careful to not show their faces to the camera.

The video cut off and Tony just sat there. Then a desperate shudder went through him. “Jarvis, where’s the video? Where is the video of him killing my parents?”

“I was not able to access that, sir. It’s in a highly secured bunker, I was only able to pinpoint the general area. These videos were found in a safehold in Siberia.” Jarvis actually sounded regretful for not getting everything.

“No, baby boy, you did wonderfully,” Tony breathed out. He wanted to drink the house out then rush to the nearest liquor store for more, but he knew Jarvis told him to look at the last video for a reason. And even then, there was another file of scans after it. Tony had to keep a hold of himself for just long enough. “I can do this.”

He opened the video.

Bucky was already sitting in the chair, eyes rolling vaguely like the electricity had been stronger or more frequent this time. The video had much better quality and it even took Tony a moment to realize it had the date on the corner, like a modern day video camera. This video was taken barely a month ago.

“Ah, there we are, back online?” This time it was an American voice, one Tony couldn’t recognize. “Well, hello there, Winter Soldier.”

Bucky’s eyes flickered, before his body stilled. “Ready to comply.”

“Shit, really that easy for you, huh?” the voice said. “Well, I just wanted to test you out before we go after the big guns, you know?”

Bucky’s eyes seemed to flicker around, as clear as anything to Tony that Bucky was a bit confused due to this not being his standard, but it appeared the man with the camera didn’t notice. “Ready to comply.”

“Fine,” the man said, sounding frustrated. “It’s like talking to a sex doll. Fine, here’s your mission.”

Then the video cut out, scrambling and just going black. “Jarvis, what was that? What was that? What happened?”

“I thought it was due to them detecting me, but the man in question simply fumbled by turning it off, possibly on accident,” Jarvis replied. “He was not very bright.”

“Jarvis, I swear to God, if you don’t tell me where my alpha was last seen I will shut you down right now! Forever!” Tony suddenly yelled, jumping up from his seat. Less than a month. Tony was there in his home, feeling sorry for himself and drinking when his alpha was somewhere and alive. Possibly in the very same country. He grabbed at his hair, not caring that he pulled some of it out. “Jarvis, please.”

“Last known place, officially, was Los Angeles,” Jarvis said. “Sir, if you would look at the last file.”

“No,” Tony snapped. “Tell me.”

“Last target for the Winter Soldier is Tony Stark,” Jarvis said after a long silence.

“Then how hasn’t he caught me yet?” Tony demanded, turning to stare at the computer, grabbing DUM-E’s claw arm for balance. “I’ve been here and in Los Angeles this entire time. I know that stupid bastard. Even as Bucky he would find me. Where the fuck is he?”

“Sir…?” Jarvis said, hesitantly.

“What?” Tony snapped.

“He’s been waiting for permission,” Jarvis said.

Tony collapsed to the floor, almost like his heart just stopped. A sheer fear rushed through him and he dragged himself back until he hit a wall. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Facts need evidence, sir,” Jarvis replied. “Shall I let him in?”

Notes:

Don't get too excited. Or maybe do. I dunno, your jollies. But this is still a train wreck rolling happily to the end. We're just hoping everyone gets off safely.

Also, if anyone reading this actually read Hazy Shade of Winter, I'm nearly done with the Spiderpool sequel (don't worry, our cuddlebug Peter is legal in it). My brain seems to bounce between the two in the evening. LOL

Chapter 18: 3 years & 7 months

Notes:

SO THIS HAPPENED.

Tony's behavior is a little high strung here, but honestly I was the same when I was afraid and 23. So.

The words echoed in Tony’s head. Let him in. Let him in.

“Wait, does that-?” Tony cut himself off, scrambling to his feet. His eyes darted around the room. “You said he was in Los Angeles.”

“Officially, he is, sir,” Jarvis said, tone hesitant. “I did not want to alarm you too much. However, security sensors indicate he is on the property and has been for the past two days.”

“The last two…” Tony trailed off and rushed over to one of the many metal shelving units in the room. He grabbed the small butane torch sitting on the second to the highest shelf and, not really thinking things through, stood there for a moment before slowly walking toward the stairs. Almost as though he would find Bucky just standing at the top of it, leaning against the wall and smiling like nothing was wrong with the world.

There was definitely something wrong with the world, Tony was fully aware of that as he stared upward into the shadowed entryway above. “Jarvis, where on the property?”

There was a moment of silence as Jarvis accessed each of the outdoor cameras. “He appears to be sitting at the cliffside, overlooking the beach.”

“Okay, that’s…” Tony cleared his throat and looked at the torch in his hand, wishing he actually owned a gun, because he doubted he wanted to get that close to what appeared to be a brainwashed assassin. Tony had no doubt that Bucky was a threat to him, even if the man got close enough to smell Tony’s scent. And while Tony’s curiosity had allowed him to discover the dark web, he’d known enough about being kidnapped to not want to get closer to an actual assassin or the selling of such jobs. He was aware enough to realize just how dangerous this situation was. “I’m going to…”

He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he let his feet guide himself up the stairs, eventually entering the living room. He walked up to the ceiling to floor windows facing the ocean and stared out into the darkness for a few minutes. He could barely make out the few trees that would be blocking his view, let alone any humanoid silhouettes. “I’m so fucking stupid. This is a very bad idea.”

“Sir?” Jarvis asked.

“Turn on the floodlights,” Tony ordered. There was a small pause, like Jarvis was considering ignoring the demand, before Tony saw the lights on the far side of the building flare up, followed by the one on the other side. The two combined illuminated the property in front of him.

And the man now standing right in front of the window.

Tony let out a strangled sound, flailing back and landing on the floor, air rushing out of his lungs from the impact. He laid there, staring up at the man, watching as he slowly tilted his head. It was only the eyes that told Tony this was Bucky Barnes. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have recognized him at all, if it hadn’t been for the videos he had just watched. He was dressed in all black, his jacket displaying an array of straps that in a less scary world Tony would have found to be a turn on. Bucky’s hair was even more noticeably longer, the wind sweeping up from the ocean causing it to repeatedly brush against his face. A face that was half covered in a black mask.

It was then that Tony saw the arm. He had noticed it in the videos of course, but the horror of how Bucky had received it had somehow muted the sight for him. Now it was all too noticeable as Bucky raised it and, lightly and almost teasingly, tapped a single metal finger on the glass. The only barrier between them. Like he was testing its strength.

Then Bucky pulled away and began to walk along the glass wall, his gait casual and yet far too deadly for Tony to not think of a jungle cat. The alpha was heading slowly for the front door. The actual arrogance behind it, that Bucky seemed to think Tony was just going to open the door for him, almost made Tony let out a shaky laugh.

Almost.

He heard the tapping again, only this time it was on the front door, the heavy wood turning the repetitive noise into a dulled sound. Slowly, Tony got himself to his feet, the useless torch being left behind as he inched his way over. With a shaking finger, he pressed the button for the intercom next to the door and cleared his throat. “Yeah, sorry, no solicitors. Time for scary assassins to go to bed.”

Stupid. Stupid. Why did his mouth always lose its filter at the worst time? While Tony was fully aware his sassy remarks were often the highlight of a person’s day, that did not mean he needed to use that skill right then.

Then there was the tapping again.

“Look,” Tony said into the small speaker, his body shaking as he started to talk. “If you can’t talk cause they tore out your tongue or something-” And that thought made him want to just vomit, because this night really needed that image to become even worse. “-I’ll turn the video feed on and you can tell me in sign language what you want. Because I’m tired and I think I can handle talking to you after a good night’s sleep, but definitely not right now.”

Tony pressed the second button, watching as a panel in the wall opened up and a small video screen lit up to show the man standing at his front door like it wasn’t one in the morning and he didn’t have a gun strapped to his thigh. Bucky was staring at the camera, eyes narrowed and head tilted. Like he wasn’t sure how to respond to Tony’s panicked talking. Which was better than what Tony had expected, which was the door having already been torn down and Tony’s lifeless body dirtying the floor.

Tony needed a drink or half of his anti-anxiety medication, because he didn’t think he was handling this very well.

“So,” Tony finally said, reaching up to scratch at Bucky’s bite mark, wincing when realized the make-up was still on it from earlier that day. Thankfully the video feed was only one way, so Tony could allow himself all the small emotional expressions he couldn’t control. “You’re here to kill me, right?”

Bucky - and maybe at that point Tony should consider actually calling the man Winter Soldier - simply blinked, saying nothing.

“What? No explanation? Just a bullet to the brain and then off you go to get some sushi before being frozen again? Cause, that doesn’t seem like a good way to live,” Tony babbled.

There was a small widening to Bucky’s eyes, like something Tony had said struck a nerve.

“Oh, the frozen part…” Tony muttered. “Yeah, so I’ve got some videos of you being pulled from cryo. I know exactly who you are. I know more about you than you know about yourself, probably. I can show you? Tell you about it? Then you can kill me, I guess, if you want.”

Bucky’s head tilted again, like he was confused by Tony’s words, before he gave a sharp nod.

“Great!” Tony replied with fake cheer.

“Sir, is this such a good idea?” Jarvis asked.

“Don’t you sir me,” Tony snapped, after switching off the intercom and reaching for the door’s locks. “You thought it was just fine and dandy to have the Winter Soldier napping outside my house, hell probably outside my damn bedroom window, for two days. So, clearly, he’s not that much of a threat.”

Jarvis was silent, clearly understanding that Tony was actually trying to scold him. While the program had developed an astounding ability to comprehend Tony’s behavior and maneuver through what he saw digitally, this whole situation reminded Tony that in the end Jarvis was extremely young.

Tony pulled the door open, taking four huge steps backward to give Bucky plenty of space to enter. He looked up at one of the room’s cameras, hoping Jarvis was recording this, before turning back to watch the slow and methodical way Bucky scanned the room. The man’s footsteps were silent, like he was walking more on air than anything else. Tony could see even from the distance he was creating, taking a step back with each step forward the Winter Soldier made, the man’s fingers twitching next to the strap holding his gun in place. It wasn’t until Tony’s shoulder bumped into the wall that Bucky actually fully looked at him.

With an almost ominous movement, Bucky reached back and pushed the door closed, the hard thump and click of it closing echoing in Tony’s ears.

“Uhh,” Tony let out, because the silence in the room was causing his anxiety to increase even more than it already was. The fact he wasn’t curled up in the corner and trying to rock himself in an attempt of comfort was astounding. He’d definitely made a bad move somewhere, because he had a lover-turned-assassin in his house. “We can sit here? Or, maybe the workshop? Not because there are tools I could use for a weapon down there, I mean…look at you, how could I even dream to fight back against-” Tony did an awkward hand waving motion. “-that.”

He was utterly terrified and yet was stammering like a school boy in front of a crush. Even Bucky seemed to notice something was off, if the narrowing of the man’s eyes meant anything.

“Workshop it is!” Tony said with a level of energy that he really didn’t have. He turned to lead the way, only to have Bucky’s glove covered hand grab the back of his neck and squeeze. Tony stilled, his whole body responding to the silent order of compliance. And even if Tony’s omega nature wasn’t screaming at him to submit and bare his neck, the fear rushing through him would have made him do so. It was only Bucky’s hand that was truly keeping him on his feet.

Bucky’s thumb dragged along the side of Tony’s neck, pressing into the very bite mark that Bucky had left on him so long ago. Tony doubted Bucky knew it was even there and had just done it to keep the omega calm. Letting in a shuddering breath, Tony let his body relax as Bucky then guided him down the hallway and past the kitchen. Of course, Tony should have known Bucky had studied the layout of his home, it would have been stupid to think otherwise.

They made it down the stairs, Tony for once having no urge to speak just to fill the tense silence. The lights in the room automatically turned on, revealing DUM-E and U waiting, still by the computer that Tony had been using. It felt like a lifetime ago, instead of merely twenty minutes. DUM-E edged forward, his claw rotating in worry as the bot seemed to take in the man holding Tony in front of him like a shield. As though Tony was a mere object, a thought Tony chose not to dwell on.

“It’s okay, DUM-E,” Tony said softly, glancing over at U to see her raise her claw up high. Whether it was to properly see over her brother or simply to appear larger and thus intimidating, Tony wasn’t sure. “It’s fine, this is just a…friend.”

Bucky gave him a small push, nearly sending Tony into DUM-E with the very strength of it. Clearly the man wasn’t used to being gentle. His flippant inward commentary was even more evidence that Tony was probably not dealing with Bucky being this way at all, a fact that had Tony swallowing down any tears that threatened to appear. Tony straightened and looked up at Bucky just in time to see him staring down at his gloved hand. If that mask hadn’t been there Tony was sure he’d see a frown appearing.

Bucky took a couple steps forward, reaching out and this time grabbing Tony’s jaw. Tony felt the leather of the man’s gloves scratch at his skin as Bucky firmly forced Tony’s head to the side to reveal the part of his neck that Bucky had been rubbing his thumb into. Bucky’s eyes narrowed, leaning in closer than he had so far.

Tony’s eyes zeroed in on the mask, able to see it in detail now. It took him a second to notice, but he realized that the mask wasn’t actually smooth. There were small lines along the side, barely big enough to see into and what Tony could make out looked like just more black with a barely noticeable pattern. Tony stared for a second before he realized what it was. It was a filtering system. The mask was keeping Bucky from scenting the air around him.

Which meant Bucky couldn’t even smell that he was an omega, let alone that his own scent was practically a part of Tony’s own. Bucky as his alpha would be able to scent Tony out in a crowd of underwashed, hormonal teenagers. They put the mask on him to ensure the Winter Soldier couldn’t get distracted. His handlers had no idea how idiotic it had been to send this particular assassin after Tony Stark.

He had to get that damn mask off.

He was so busy trying to come up with a plan, that he almost missed Bucky moving. Tony watched him grab one of the random red cloths Tony had around the workshop, all of them having some level of grease on them. Thankfully, this one wasn’t as dirty as the others. Tony winced as Bucky grabbed his jaw again and proceeded to scrub the cloth against Tony’s neck, not even bothering to be gentle about it. The flesh he uncovered was no doubt bright red from the harsh treatment, but Tony also knew that the teeth marks would stand out all the more white against the friction burn.

Bucky suddenly backed away, eyes darting around the room like Tony’s alpha would suddenly appear in a rage. Tony wasn’t sure if Bucky’s new wariness was a good thing or not. At the very least it did show that Bucky was still capable of thinking of consequences and understood the basics of social protocol. It also meant that the intel his handlers had given him showed Tony as a single omega with hardly any connections, probably no friends even since Rhodey hadn’t been able to come visit for nearly a year.

Tony Stark, despite his fame, would probably be considered an easy target.

It took Bucky pulling the gun out of its holster for Tony to properly react. “Woah, calm down big guy. It’s only you and me, plus the robots and an adolescent AI. You’re the only alpha in a twenty mile radius.”

Bucky was narrowing his eyes again, but it was clear the man was considering what Tony was saying. In fact, Bucky seemed to be oddly content just letting Tony ramble. It was a trait Tony didn’t think an assassin - brainwashed or otherwise - would have, despite it being a trait he remembered Bucky Barnes having. Even Tony could admit he was verbally obnoxious on a normal day.

“Do you want to sit down?” Tony asked, waving at the desk chair. The wariness Bucky was still giving off was making Tony nervous. “You know, if you took that mask off you’d be able to smell that you’re the first alpha in this room in months.”

It was then that Bucky spoke, his voice a more growl than anything. Despite the strange rawness of his voice, Tony was more startled by the rush of rapid Russian being muffled by the mask. Bucky was talking too fast for Tony to translate. Even being fluent in the language, Tony could still just make out every fourth word due to the speed that Bucky was using to communicate.

“Hey, you gotta slow down,” Tony said, first in English and then repeating it in Russian. He continued, switching back to English. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”

There was a moment of silence, before Bucky simply said in Russian, “Who?”

It took Tony a moment to realize that Bucky was talking about the bite mark. He was asking Tony who the alpha was, like the concept actually mattered to him in some abstract way. Tony reached up and fought down a flinch as he touched the mark on his neck. He could almost feel the scar tissue throb under his own touch. “He’s not around anymore. I think he’s gone, maybe never coming back.”

Because right then it was the only actual truth he had on the subject, no matter how much it hurt to say out loud.

Bucky shifted on his feet, not exactly appearing uncertain. More like he was frustrated. He muttered something, again in fast Russian. All Tony could make out was something about false intel. Tony supposed that would be enough all on its own to annoy the Winter Soldier, who looked like enough of a seasoned pro for Tony to tell that this whole evening was not turning out how Bucky expected.

Then, without a word, the man turned on his heel and strode for the stairs.

“Hey!” Tony called after him, for a moment frozen as Bucky disappeared. A panic rushed through him. No, no, no. He didn’t care if this wasn’t his Bucky, it was the closest thing he was going to get.

Using the panic to fuel his body into moving, Tony rushed after Bucky. He stumbled, running into a stool in the kitchen, before he caught up with Bucky in the living room. The man had paused, most likely having heard Tony’s fumbling attempts to catch up with him. It was probably a marvel to have the man he was sent to kill chase after him. That was the only reason Tony could think of why Bucky stood there, patiently waiting for him to catch his breath.

“James Buchanen Barnes, you stay right there!” Tony snapped, raising a hand, palm out like the very hand motion would keep Bucky still.

Bucky tilted his head in question, before apparently deciding whatever Tony had to say wasn’t worth it and started turning back toward the door.

Tony managed to stay silent until Bucky reached the door, his silver hand twisting the doorknob hard enough for Tony to hear the metal creak. Tony called out again, his voice cracking and barely more than desperate pleading, “Bucky, please.”

The Winter Soldier paused again, glancing over his shoulder with his eyes once more narrowed, only this time in obvious question. When he spoke, it was in lightly accented English. “Who the hell is Bucky?”

Tony stood there. All the muscles in his body seemed to go numb, all except his marked neck, which burned and throbbed in protest to the very words that had come out of Bucky’s mouth. Tony couldn’t say anything, feeling something in his heart just break as he watched Bucky open the door, apparently deciding Tony’s silence was answer enough.

Tony didn’t cry. He didn’t think he had it in him. He felt his knees impact the floor and heard the door almost gently click shut as Bucky left, leaving Tony lost in confusion.

It made no sense. None of this made sense. While Tony could picture Bucky now hunting down the men who were supposed to provide proper intel, probably blaming them for the fiasco of the night, it still didn’t make sense. Tony should be at the very least incapacitated, even tied up in his own workshop while the Winter Soldier took his time, taking care of loose ends before finishing the job.

It just didn’t make any sense.

“J?” Tony whispered.

“Yes, sir,” Jarvis replied, sounding apologetic and contrite.

“I want to know who that man was on the video, the one giving him the mission to kill me. I need to know who it is and how he ended up with Bucky,” Tony ordered. He didn’t know if it would do any good, but having some kind of plan helped return the feeling to his limbs. He was able to slowly stand up, using the wall to steady himself. “I don’t care how you do it, I want everything. Understood?”

“Of course, sir,” Jarvis said. “Sir? If he comes back, what is my protocol?”

“Leave him be,” Tony said after a long stretch of silence. “I don’t think he’s a threat at the moment, he seemed more confused by me than anything.”

“And if he shows signs of becoming a threat?” Jarvis questioned.

“What do you want me to say? Call the cops?” Tony laughed, trying to hold back a distinct sign of hysteria. “I doubt that would help at all. Just…we’ll figure it out if it happens. In the meantime, get me that information. Fuck, I need a drink.”

He wasn’t exactly proud of it, especially when he had no idea if or when Bucky would return, but grabbing the full bottle of scotch seemed like the better idea. He polished off the drink he had in the workshop, then ignored using a glass entirely.

It was six in the morning by the time he stumbled into bed. Eyes barely open, he stared out the window and wondered if maybe he had drunk enough to finally poison himself. His stomach churned, threatening him with the distant urge to vomit. He didn’t move and just let the feeling pass. He watched the sun rise and told himself that it was probably just his imagination that he thought he saw the shadow of a figure in the distance, looking for all the world as though it was simply watching the beach and the ocean further out.

Notes:

As I said, keep in mind Tony is 23 and clearly had no skills about how to deal with his emotions. And Bucky is the Winter Soldier with even less skills at how to deal with how he is feeling.

This was a weird chapter.

Chapter 19: 3 years, 7 months - 3 years, 7 months, 1 week & 4 days

Tony isn’t sure how he lasted the week. He doesn’t really remember going into work. Actually, he’s pretty certain if he had he would have been escorted out by security for drunkenly setting himself on fire. Maybe Jarvis called in for him, Tony was pretty certain the AI had recorded his voice for similar reasons, like complaining to the cable company.

Tony didn’t actually spend the entire week drinking. There had been time set away for vomiting up what little he managed to swallow that could be food, followed by trying to remember what day it was because oh, he was an omega and needed pills to stop himself from going into heat. Thankfully, for the last part, DUM-E had made it a part of his own duties to ensure Tony took them. Even if it took DUM-E blocking him in the corner of the workshop nearly every morning for that to happen.

It was on the Friday of that week that he got a call from Rhodey. Oh, his Rhodey-bear. Always concerned about him. Always yelling at him for slurring through his words.

“What the fuck is going on, Tones?” Rhodey asked, when it was clear that his best friend was at the very least too buzzed to care about anything. “You’ve been drinking often, I’m not stupid, but you’ve never answered the phone with me like this. It’s barely noon!”

“He came for me, sort of,” Tony mumbled, deciding he should probably roll over so he wasn’t actually talking into one of the pillows on the couch. “He was here and he came for me.”

“Who? Obadiah? I swear to God-” Rhodey started.

“No, Bucky,” Tony said, more a whine than anything. “Jarvis got to looking for them, Rhodey. He searched for them because he thought I’d need to know what happened. And he found Bucky. Alive, very alive.”

“Are you serious?” Rhodey asked.

“He’s a brainwashed Russian assassin now,” Tony replied with a laugh. “I think I freaked him out, though. How many targets just let you into their house?”

“Tones,” Rhodey said, his voice soft and barely noticeable with how Tony was just laughing hysterically. Because this was his stupid life. Rhodey seemed to wait for him to calm down before he said, “Are you sure it was him?”

“He saw his bite mark,” Tony offered, reaching out and grabbing another pillow to hold onto. “Something about it made him leave. I should be dead right now. But he left, sort of.”

“Sort of?” Rhodey repeated, clearly confused.

“I keep seeing a shadow, just a human out on the cliff. You know, the one that faces the beach? Jarvis said originally that for the first two days Bucky just kind of hung out there. Probably between stalking me,” Tony replied. “Am I stupid to find that romantic? Of course I am.”

Rhodey was silent for so long that Tony pulled the phone away from his face, wondering if they were disconnected. Then the man let out a long breath. “I’m back for leave and no, you can’t know where I was. But, I can visit for a few days. Get you back on non-drunken feet, hopefully.”

“I’m not making this up,” Tony argued, suddenly feeling defensive.

“Oh, Tones, I’ve learned to never assume the simplest answer with you,” Rhodey said. “I’m going to go now, talk with my superior. Damn good thing you're Tony Stark, cause it’ll give me a good reason to come visit.”

“Ah, yes, the weapons,” Tony muttered. “I might need to go back to work then, huh?”

“You need to go back to living,” Rhodey corrected.

“Love you, platypus,” Tony mumbled.

“Go take a nap, I’ll email you with the details later,” Rhodey said.

And Rhodey did, telling him he had a four day weekend to come visit. Four days seemed so little and, now a bit more aware with his afternoon energy spike, Tony wondered what the point of it would be. Bucky would still be out there. Jarvis would still be researching. Tony would still…be worthless.

He probably should get those thoughts out of his head before Rhodey got there, because heaven knew the man wasn’t going to tolerate Tony talking that way.

He went to bed that night more sober than usual. Feeling brave and honestly overheated from the summer California heat, he opened up a couple of his bedroom windows. He didn’t care if the Winter Soldier came in. It was clear to Tony that the man wasn’t entirely focused on following that kill order. Tony had passed out in the hallway, thankfully not choking on his own vomit, four days ago would have been the perfect time to kill him.

The man was more likely observing and investigating. Tony knew something about that night had triggered some kind of awareness in Bucky Barnes. The man just didn’t know what it was. Tony didn’t know either.

Feeling like he was just waiting for a reunion or a swift death was playing hard on Tony's emotions.

He didn't know if he could keep waiting without doing something.

Tony pushed it back, as far back into his mind he could. He still thought about Bucky, every damn day to be honest, but he knew he had to actually be coherent when Rhodey came. He chose to blow off work, actually having gone that day and shocking everyone with how he did real work instead of staring at the window. He got out at two instead of what should have been five and walked his way down to the garage, knowing that there were reserved vehicles in the garages for the upper level employees. How upper level could you get beyond having the last name on the building?

Being actually sober and driving almost seemed weird to him. Not because he had driven drunk much in his life. No, that usually only happened when he went to an after-party from a gala and he didn’t feel safe letting some flirtatious alpha son of a politician offer him a ride. Otherwise, Tony did try to abide by laws.

He seemed to see the traffic and ramps of the highway more acutely, though, like his eyes had been dumbed down for the past week and a half. Maybe he should stop. Or at least control the amount, because even the sound of the music on the radio sounded more vibrant.

He didn’t know if it would happen. But it was a thought slowly forming as he pulled up to the pick-up part of the airport, throwing the door open and bouncing around the car at the sight of Rhodey with two suitcases standing there and waiting for him. The man’s face was like a balm on the chaos around him, just a comforting presence that he hated having to be away from.

Rhodey of course took over the radio once they were inside the car, him being the only person Tony wouldn’t claim ‘driver chooses’ on. The trek back to Tony’s Malibu home was mostly silent, until they got to about five miles away. Rhodey paused from his humming of the song on the radio and looked over at him. “So, how do you feel? Right now, regardless of the bullshit?”

“Like I can move past the hole I made for myself,” Tony admitted. “I don’t know how, but…at the same time he’s still out there. He has an order for my head that he’s not acting on, Rhodey. What am I supposed to make of that? Or even deal with that?”

“Don't get drunk for one,” Rhodey said. “If it was him, and yes I believe you, but if it was him then you don’t know what he’s going to do when he shows up again. Do you really want to be drunk off your ass when that happens?”

“No, not really,” Tony muttered. “So…you believe me?”

“I do in a way, because I know you aren’t the type to make up this kind of thing, but I want to see the evidence Jarvis gathered before I say anything more, okay?” Rhodey replied.

“Jarvis didn’t want me to see all the videos…you sure?” Tony asked, pulling into his driveway. “Actually, it might be best if you saw them before I do. It went from him being tortured in one video to him accepting a assassination job with no expression on his face.”

“The one for you?” Rhodey asked, pausing before opening the car door.

“No…” Tony winced, but he knew he couldn’t hide the facts from Rhodey. “They ordered him to kill my parents.”

There was silence for the longest time, before Rhodey let out a rush of air from his lungs. “Okay, I need to see these videos, Tony. All of them. I don’t expect you to be there. I have seen some horrible stuff in the world at this point, I know how brainwashing works. I can look at them in a different, less attached way than you. But I need to know that you are going to be okay with me seeing that.”

“Yeah,” Tony said, closing his eyes. “If the first video was anything, you don’t want to eat first.”

“Fine, but I do want to greet my nephews and niece before anything else happens,” Rhodey demanded, climbing out of the car.

Tony laughed, because with Rhodey it was always just that easy. Watching the man play ball with DUM-E and praise U gave Tony even more an urge to just try being part of the world. Part of this world at least. It was Rhodey meeting Jarvis for the second time that nearly made Tony cry. Rhodey treated his young AI like just another nephew, even talking to Jarvis about how to better manage Tony’s time and what to look out for. Because even without Bucky and Steve in his life, Tony had always been the odd one in the group. The one needing watching.

Eventually, though, Rhodey turned to him with a blank expression. “Pull them up, Tones. Better now than later. I’d rather see it my first day here and have time to think than wait a few days.”

Wincing, hands almost trembling, Tony walked over to the computer and opened it up, then he just backed away. “Jarvis can guide you. I should…I need…”

“Get up there and prepare me some food,” Rhodey said sternly, the idea of just grabbing a bottle of whatever alcohol he had rushing out of Tony’s head just from the tone. “Hey, I might need a drink after this. With food, by the way. So don’t look so upset, we’ll handle this as it comes.”

“Right,” Tony muttered, staring at the folder open on the computer screen for a moment, before turning on his heel and walking up the stairs.

He almost stayed at the top of the landing, just to see if he could hear Rhodey’s reaction. But then the sound of Bucky screaming, even if it was distant and barely hitting his ears, made Tony rush to the kitchen. Otherwise he’d break down. He knew he would.

He scanned the fridge, back so tense he wished he had some way to massage it. His whole body was in a painful tension as he grabbed food. Jarvis must have allowed in a delivery service of groceries since Rhodey was coming, an idea that he should keep continuing, because there was enough to make a simple set of chicken and rice burritos. He stood in front of the stove, the memories of watching the living Jarvis and his wife cooking together almost making him smile.

It wasn’t until he had the meat cooked and was slowly combining the ingredients that he looked out the window. And it must have said something about his mental state that he didn’t even jump or jerk when he saw the dark, humanoid shadow leaning against the nearest tree.

Bucky was watching him. Tony couldn’t see the man’s face, but he knew the man was observing him. Maybe it was because there was finally another alpha in Tony’s home. Maybe Bucky had been doing this all along with Tony being too drunk to notice. Or maybe Tony was just imagining what he was seeing.

That thought in mind, Tony quickly finished the two burritos. He glanced up again occasionally at the window and the shadow always seemed to have moved, but it was so vague that Tony honestly couldn’t tell if it was real or a mere trick of the dimming light. The dinner was made and the pan rinsed off in the sink, and Tony just stood there, staring at the window like Bucky would suddenly break his way through the glass.

“Okay, Tones, I believe you,” Rhodey’s voice said, slowly entering the room, looking a little pale. “Shit, I believe you. It’s Bucky.”

Tony finally pulled away from staring at the darkness outside and asked, “What did you see?”

“Tony, I’ve seen pictures of that man all through my early years in the Air Force. He represents the force of a man, sometimes beyond Captain America to some of us, because he did it all without having something in his system to protect him. I’ve seen your Bucky be a soldier and strong. I’ve heard how you’ve talked about him, too.” Rhodey looked away, reaching out for his plate more because he didn’t have anything to do with his hands. “What I just saw was that man being stripped of anything that made him who he was.”

Tony stared down at his own food. “What do you mean by that?”

“If any of my men, hell even me? Went through that?” Rhodey winced. “I can’t picture a soldier coming back from that.”

Tony felt his body oddly calming, because he knew something about that was off. He grabbed his burrito and took a bite, swallowing before he said, “Yeah, well, Bucky has me. He has me.”

Rhodey just stared at him, mouth turned into a stern line. “It might not be enough.”

“If it wasn’t, then I wouldn't be alive!” Tony snapped. “Every case of POWs coming home less than even just a shell of a man, the omega they left behind had degraded just the same. He’s alive and thriving and I can make him better. I can get him back.”

“Not without your third,” Rhodey replied, staring Tony straight in the eye. “Every study done on a triad? Even if you get him back, the two of you will continue to find ways to destroy yourselves until your third is found. There is a reason why there are new waves of doctor’s not supporting the concept! Unless you are all together, then the decay will still happen. Do you think your desire to just die from alcohol poisoning is normal? Most alcoholics don’t think of their drinking habits that way, but I know you. I know you are just hoping for a numb way for it to end.”

“This is different,” Tony told him. “I was out of time, Rhodey. I have their marks from out of time! This is the biggest exception to the rule, probably the only one ever. I shouldn’t have even lived past childhood because of this fucking crap, but the stupid timelines made sure what happened would happen.”

“Never thought I’d see you sitting here arguing fantasy over science,” Rhodey replied, but not out of anger, more a frustration that he just couldn’t do anything. “You sound like you did three years ago, only I’d have thought you’d think more clearly about it at this point.”

Suddenly, there was silence. They both continued eating, each trying to find the proper words to fit their thoughts. Tony glanced back at the window, now seeing the shadow off to the edge of it, like Bucky had been listening in on their conversation. Tony wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, not knowing if Bucky would be able to accept what he heard.

Eventually, drawing Tony from his thoughts, Rhodey straightened and took his plate to the sink. “Tony, I can’t even begin to understand what you are going through. Hell, I can’t even begin to understand what I’m slowly believing. What I just saw was something they show in the interrogation preperation class to become an officer. I thought I had seen the most horrific way a man could hurt someone… It looks like Bucky, but how can he still be around?”

“Super Serum,” Tony replied, just tossing the last half of his burrito into the trash. He wouldn’t be able to eat more. “Bucky was taken captive and from Steve’s reports he was strapped down like they were experimenting on him. The serum for Steve was pure, but the Germans still had the left over trials before all of that, the original and failed trial. The Nazis who captured him probably had a serum that was more similar to original version the Red Skull had taken than the one Steve got. But it worked.”

“You really think that?” Rhodey asked, his tone serious.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Steve was told, according to my dad’s journals, that the serum amplified you and makes you more of what you are. Steve was a stubborn, brave little shit and he became a strong, big shit. Bucky was the one to protect everyone, be the man that could protect without the need to be acknowledged for it. Isn’t that what you meant when talking about how the military remembers him? It makes sense to me.”

“And how do you propose to handle this? The Bucky you remember isn’t the Winter Soldier. And there is a chance, if he regains his memories, he will never be the Bucky you remember,” Rodhey pointed out. “What do you want to do?”

“I want him to come to me,” Tony replied, feeling certain. “I reacted to him, called him by his name, and he left confused. He’s going to search me out eventually.”

“You’ve never been the waiting game type, Tony,” Rhodey pointed out.

“Guess I’m going to have to start,” Tony replied, honestly feeling a little unsure himself. “I can’t keep going like this, not when I finally found him.”

“Yeah, well, Jarvvis showed me Steve’s files too and I told Jarvis to keep an eye on the arctic search,” Rhodey admitted. “There has to be a reason that SHIELD keeps pushing for an expedition. From my understanding only higher ups know about them. They are a hide behind the screens kind of group. There sure as hell has to be a reason they keep searching for Steve Rogers.”

“I’d like, at least right now, to focus on one alpha at a time,” Tony muttered.

“You think you're okay with a single drink or me at least having one?” Rhodey asked. “Cause the two of us can do without.”

“No, let’s do it,” Tony said, standing and heading for the living room where the main cabinet for alcohol was. “Just…stop me if I hit my third.”

“No problem, Tones,” Rhodey offered. “You need to stop thinking that drinking is the way of life, but I know better than to stop you from drinking all together. I want to see you understand that a glass of whatever to ease down dinner or at a gala isn’t the same as drowning yourself. Understood?”

“I get it,” Tony replied, with a shaky hand grabbing the most expensive bottle he had. Better to waste it on Rhodey than on a later tantrum. “I’m just stuck, you know? In this place where I have no path. I don’t know what to do and I can’t handle it.”

They both sat on the couch, sipping at barely a finger worth of scotch.

“This could be your last, you know? I can lock it all up, be the only one with a key. Or you can dump it down the drain,” Rhodey said, his voice soft. “It’s normal to drink the occasional drink, to let you ease into the room. Especially with what we put up with on a daily basis. But when you wake up unsure of the day and that’s your answer? That’s not okay, Tones.”

“You drink to enjoy the company that comes with the drink, not to enjoy the disaster that follows,” Tony replied.

“Well, yeah. Where did you hear that?” Rhodey asked.

“Your dad,” Tony admitted. “Back in MIT, remember you took me home for Christmas break cause my parents forgot to arrange for me to be in Vale with them? Your dad gave me a beer. I downed it so fast. And he just shook his head at me and told me that. It wasn’t about the booze, it was about the conversation you had while relaxing.”

Rhodey suddenly laughed. “Yeah, he told me the same thing when I hit eighteen, right before graduating high school. I got so drunk and he was just standing on that damn porch watching as I fell out of my friend's car.”

Tony laughed as well. “Yeah, I can't picture that going well. But you already know that with my father…”

“Yeah, it’s hard to know boundaries when those teaching you have none,” Rhodey replied. “But we can’t fix that now. It’s up to you to fix it yourself, you know.”

Tony downed the last of his barely two inches of scotch. He stared at his glass, before setting it down and grabbing the bottle. He gave it a little shake, Rhodey shaking his head to say he didn’t need more. Tony put it back in the cabinet. It took him a moment to remember that there actually was a key for the alcohol cabinet. He hadn’t used it in so long.

The fact that he had to search for it in the various drawers in the room just made his face turn red. It had been that long for him to pay attention to what he was drinking, or even how much he bought. Eventually he did find it and walked over and, only pausing a second, locked the cabinet up. He turned to Rhodey, now done with his drink and standing. Tony just tossed the key over to him. “At least for while you are here.”

“Better than what I was hoping for,” Rhodey admitted. “We’ll figure the rest out as we go. I don’t know about you, but bed seems like a good idea.”

“Rhodey?” Tony called out, hearing the man head for the kitchen with their glasses. “Thank you. I might be able to handle this, but I know I’ll handle it better with you.”

Rhodey paused in the doorway, looking at him fondly. “I can’t come over and hang out like I wish I could. You know my life by now. But I will always get back to you with any message you have, even if it's a couple months. Even if I come back to the computerized world and I have fifty emails waiting for me. Tones, you’re my best friend, I want to know everything. It just might take a bit for me.”

Tony bit his lip, fighting down some of the tears the entire day had been trying to force through. “I love you, Rhodey-bear.”

“Love you too, Tones,” Rhodey replied fondly. The man paused. “I’ve actually got sheets on my bed, right? I know it’s been a bit since you've had visitors.”

“Fucky, Rhodey, of course,” Tony laughed. “Placed lovely this morning by yours truly.”

“Awesome,” Rhodey, heading for the hallway. He called back, “If I wake up in an hour for a milk craving and I still see you in here, I will drag you to bed and sit on you until you fall asleep. It worked at MIT, I’m betting it will now.”

“I’m going to bed,” Tony replied, smiling. He watched Rhodey walk away. He could hear the man rinse off the glasses and then there was nothing but silence. Tony stood there a moment, fighting the urge to look out the window.

Then he shook his head, as though to clear it, and strode through his dark home toward his bedroom. He changed in the dark, a part of him still feeling eyes on him. He took whatever night pills he had, one of the bottles feeling too light. Thinking of Rhodey’s face in his head, he took the pill bottle and set it on his bedside table as a reminder to call in for a refill of that anti-depressant.

Tony stood there a moment, in the dark with his pajama bottoms on. Then he strode over to the two windows that could swing open. He opened them, the near salty air immediately flowing into the room. Tony stared out into the darkness for a moment, before he climbed into bed, back facing the windows and the covers wrapped around himself. Like he was cold, even though he really wasn’t.

He was drifting off, eyes fully closed, when he heard an odd sound. Almost like a thump of feet hitting the ground. He was too tired to think past it. Too tired as his mind started to slip into dream. He should have opened his eyes, but he couldn’t find the energy as he felt fingers touching his hair.

It was just a dream. The fingertips ghosting along his cheek. It was a wonderful dream. Tony fell asleep more easily than he had in years, as those fingers thread themselves into Tony’s short hair.

Notes:

RHODEY! *hugs* Just them two spending time together makes me want to read some Tony/Rhodey fic.

Chapter 20: 3 years, 7 months, 1 week & 4 days - 3 years, 7 months & 2 weeks

On the first day and a half, essentially Rhodey’s second day there, Tony felt two hands shaking him awake. Being so deeply asleep was such a novelty that he had difficulty waking so fast, but he zoned in on Rhodey in front of him. Before he could respond, Rhodey was at the windows and closing them fast, each hard impact waking Tony up more and more.

“Rhodey,” Tony complained, rolling onto his back. “What’s wrong? Oh God, is this a war flashback? I didn’t think to read up on how to-”

“No!” Rhodey whispered, crawling up onto the bed, one hand holding what the moon through the windows identified as a gun. Rhodey grabbed him and tugged him close to Rhodey’s side, forcing Tony to sit up. “There was someone in my room. I woke up to this huge shadow standing by the door. Then it was just gone. I had to make sure you were okay.”

Tony watched how stiff Rhodey was, like every muscle was coiled to act, and he wondered if this was just a part of being a soldier. It was something he would never fully understand. He grabbed Rhodey’s arm, feeling how tense the man truly was. “It’s okay, you said it was gone, right?”

“I rushed immediately to you,” Rhodey admitted, his body relaxing slightly. “But I don’t know where it or he went.”

“Probably out the windows you just closed,” Tony replied, before looking up. “Jarvis, run a scan on all non robotic lifesigns on the property.”

There was going to be some time. Tony knew, in the following years, Jarvis would be able to do a simple scan in a second. But now he was learning, so Tony settled back on the bed and looked at Rhodey. The man was still holding himself stiffly, hand on his gun and the other on Tony’s side. Like he was preparing to have to grab Tony and drag him out of the house.

“It’s fine, Bucky was just curious about you,” Tony told him. “I think.”

“Tony, that’s fine and good, but all we know is that someone was in this house. We can’t confirm who it was,” Rhodey replied, the man’s hand clutching harder at the back of Tony’s t-shirt. “Do you understand? Just because you’re willing to open the door for an assassin, doesn’t mean I'm going to sit around and not prepare to defend you.”

“He wouldn’t hurt me!” Tony protested. He dropped his head down and winced. “But no, I can’t say he wouldn’t hurt you. And if he hurts you all bets are off.”

“Good,” Rhodey said. “That’s the logic I need you to go with. He might not hurt you but he sure as hell can hurt everyone else.”

Tony nodded, his muscles spasming from the anxiety running through him.

“Sir?” Jarvis asked.

“Give it to me, J,” Tony replied.

“The Winter Soldier is no longer on the property,” Jarvis replied. “From the cameras it appears he fled the moment Rhodes spotted him. My cameras only have a five mile radius, though.”

“Biding his time,” Rhodey said, finally relaxing against Tony’s body. “Okay, new plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“We need to get that Soldier of yours to introduce himself,” Rhodey replied. Tony just stared at him, not really sure what Rhodey was actually saying. Rhodey looked at him for a moment and sighed. “He’s become interested in the people around you and hasn’t acted on his order. The more connected he gets to you, the more of an urge he’ll have to not kill you and hopefully me.”

Tony started nodding, before his body stilled and his eyes narrowed. “And how do you expect me to get that message to him? What, just a piece of paper taped on my window saying to come to breakfast?”

Rhodey stared at him and for the longest time Tony stared back. They both started laughing awkwardly at the same time. Eventually Rhodey uncovered his mouth and said, “Think that could actually work?”

“Shit, I don’t even know,” Tony admitted. Tony bit his lip and then shrugged. “Want to try?”

“Let’s do it,” Rhodey replied. “Hell, if he’s that interested in you then he will at least read it.”

Tony yanked open the first drawer in his bed side table, pulling out the small notepad he kept there. It took a bit to find the pen, but when he was done he set the notebook on his thigh and wrote out a simple message. Then immediately crumbled that page up and tried again. Barely a minute later, he was crumbling up another page. “I can’t do this.”

“Tones,” Rhodey said, both being soft but also a little condescending.

“No, this could very well be my first love note to the Bucky I remember, the Bucky I want him to start remembering,” Tony snapped.

“You didn’t know them that long, but there has to be something you can say that reflects your time with him,” Rhodey offered.

And Tony remembered The Hobbit. He never knew if Bucky finished it, but he could remember what he had read and Tolkien had always been good at poetic greetings in his writing. Granted, Tony had an eidetic memory, but an eidetic memory was different for every person. He remembered ideas, numbers, and random scenes. He couldn’t remember exact words. But he tried, writing what he thought he knew, onto the note.

“Wow, that’s kind of flowery,” Rhodey offered.

“He was so excited to read The Hobbit,” Tony offered as an explanation.

“I’ve only read Lord of the Rings and even then all the songs in it made it hard to follow, but I think, if a part of him remembers you, this will do the trick,” Rhodey said, grabbing the sheet of paper. “Now, where’s the tape?”

After realizing Tony didn’t have any clear tape, the note was taped onto his window with the duct tape from his workshop. Tony glanced at Rhodey. “What now?”

“Do you feel like sleeping?” Rhodey asked.

“Hell no,” Tony replied.

“Then, it’s six in the morning and I doubt he’s going to come back and inspect that if we’re both standing here,” Rhodey said. “Hungry now?”

“Not at all,” Tony admitted. “Isn’t it Saturday?”

“How am I not surprised you want to watch morning cartoons,” Rhodey laughed. “You know they’re still playing Sailor Moon.”

“Girls in weirdly tiny outfits being a bunch of badasses, I am in,” Tony replied.

They ended up on the couch. Sadly it wasn’t Sailor Moon, that apparently didn’t come on for another two hours, but the rest of the ridiculous cartoons playing was like a balm on Tony’s stressed mind. They drank coffee like adults, but laughed at the cartoons like kids. It was actually amazing how fast time managed to go.

It was Rhodey’s stomach growling, a mere two hours after they had sat in front of the television, that pulled them away from the television. It was now just after eight in the morning, so Tony stood up and with Rhodey following him headed into the kitchen. “Okay, so I’ve got eggs and bread and butter…”

“If you’re thinking of a robin's nest I’m so down,” Rhodey replied, sitting at the counter, rocking back and forth on the stool.

“You remember the last time I did that, right?” Tony said, laughing.

“Yeah, you demolished the bread before it could actually get on the pan,” Rhodey replied.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sober now so let’s see how it goes,” Tony said. He buttered the bread, adding a couple pieces of bread to the mix just in case the Winter Soldier actually showed up. Once the large pan was heated up, he started cutting careful x’s into the bread before dropping them onto the pan. It only held four, which should be enough even if Bucky showed up. Otherwise, he knew they would have no problem eating the remains.

It was when Tony was breaking open the eggs and dropping one on each x mark on the slices of bread that he heard the sound at the front door. He paused, the last egg landed a little lopsided. “Rhodey…”

“Yeah, I know,” Rhodey replied. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. Us acting normal can keep him calm.”

Tony kept monitoring the food, his spatula easing up the edges of bread to check the cooking. He could almost sense Rhodey going still behind him, so he glanced over his shoulder to see a dark shadow in the doorway. It was definitely the Winter Soldier and he looked even more grimy than before. Tony let out a long breath, letting his tension rush through him and try to dissipate.

He flipped one of the pieces and, letting all of his ability to bullshit his way through most conversations take over, said, “Hey there, if you want to eat you need to sit on down. I’m almost done.”

He could hear movement behind him, the slow drag of a stool, and Tony just focused on the food in front of him. He flipped all of them until the hissing of egg and butter under heat slowed to a near stop. Then he placed one on each of his and Rhodey’s plates. He placed two on Bucky’s, knowing that whatever form of super serum he received required more protein. He tried to keep his hands steady as he set Rhodey’s plate in front of him, seeing that Bucky was two spaces over, staring at him with a weird kind of gaze. Like he had reached the peak of confusion by all of this and this was the moment that he didn’t know what step to make next.

So Tony dragged all of the rules his mother had told him of how to be a good host and he then set Bucky’s plate down. He took his own and walked around, knowing that putting Rhodey between them might not be a good idea, but it was the only idea that would keep his brain sane. He sat down and cleared his throat. “If you need anything, let me know.”

Rhodey was the first to take a bite. “Damn, you have gotten good at these. So…Winter, Bucky, whatever you want to be called. Might be a good idea to wash your hands first.”

Tony almost smacked him, if it wasn’t for the strange way Bucky was now looking at his hands. Then, without any other word about it, the man stood up and walked to the kitchen sink to do just that. Tony shot a glance over to Rhodey, who was giving him a wide-eyed expression, like he didn’t even think Bucky would have responded. Tony stayed silent, body tense, as Bucky went through the process, even drying in hands on a hand towel.

“Better eat before it gets cold,” Tony offered, ignoring how soft his voice went. And when the Winter Soldier turned back around and walked to his plate Tony could see the confusion on the man’s face had grown. Like he just wasn’t sure what all this meant, but he had to do it anyway. And even with that damn mask on, Tony could tell that all of this was affecting him. Speaking of which, “Gonna have to take the mask off to eat. I know you’ve been watching me for a while, so you can’t have gotten much food.”

“Who is this?” Bucky suddenly asked, back in Russian and making Rhodey glance at him in question.

“My best friend,” Tony replied back in Russian. “He’s protected me from harm and has never hurt me. He’s the best alpha I’ve ever met, beyond my bonded alphas.”

“Bonded, but not here,” Bucky growled. He reached out to the fork he had been given and stabbed at his food. “Not good alphas, then. If I can get to you.”

“I’m sure if they were able, they would come. But, I think one of them has, he just doesn’t understand it yet,” Tony offered, shrugging when Rhodey turned to glare at him for leaving him out of the conversation. Rhodey didn’t understand Russian, but he was able to understand the tone of a voice. The fact that Tony and Bucky had been almost cordial was probably a bit of confusion for the man.

Bucky said nothing, in fact he just kept poking at his food.

“You know you can’t eat that without taking off that mask,” Tony said, this time in English.

Rhodey suddenly spoke up, after devouring a bite of food, “My father always said that you never ignore the food an omega gives you, because in our society it is often the only way they can show their interest.”

There was a sudden tension in the air and Tony knew damn well that Rhodey’s father never said that. Grandma Rhodes? Probably, but not his father. And yet after four to six minutes of them all just sitting there, Bucky reached up and yanked off his mask. It made a strange suction sound, like when a suction cup is yanked off the tile wall, but in the end as he tossed it onto the counter Tony could see for certain that this was his Bucky. His Bucky.

Almost feeling like he was breathing too fast, Tony practically gasped out, “Finally ready to eat?”

To be honest, Tony was expecting Bucky to rush up to him. Finally smelling his omega in so many years and just going feral. Instead, Bucky just ate. Except there was an analytical expression on his face, like he noticed something was off but didn’t understand what it meant. And that’s when Tony realized that they had made Bucky wear the mask for so long that he didn’t even understand what it was he was smelling.

To Bucky, this was just a weird taint in the air that didn’t mean anything. It was something odd to be considered later when he had the time, but most likely wasn’t urgent.

Tony glanced at Rhodey, who nodded slightly, indicating for him to go with his instinct. Tony stood up and walked around his best friend and pressed himself in between the two of them. He watched, feeling a surge of joy as Bucky polished off the last of his food. Then Tony reached out and gently touched Bucky’s arm, the one made of flesh.

Bucky almost flinched, his body stopping the motion at the very last second.

“What do you smell?” Tony asked, rubbing his thumb against Bucky’s arm and almost getting lost in the joy of touching him again.

“I…” Bucky cut himself off. Then he was standing and pressing back against the nearest wall, Tony not even having a second to react. “I can’t.”

“It’s okay,” Tony said, trying to be as soothing as he could. Even though by omega standards he was never up to par on that ability. “They kept that mask on you for so long that you don’t understand what it is these smells are making you feel.”

Bucky’s eyes darted between the two of them, lingering mostly on Tony. “You smell like electricity and something else…I don’t know what it is.”

“Yeah, you said that to me before,” Tony replied, smiling sadly.

For a moment Bucky looked like he was just going to collapse and curl into himself, but something kept him upright. He stared at Tony for what felt like hours, but was probably a bare few minutes. His eyes seemed to focus more acutely than before, scanning Tony’s body from foot to head. “They didn’t get to you…they didn’t…your family didn’t force you to…”

Rhodey made a sharp sound in his throat, but Tony was focused on Bucky just staring at him. Like he was a new star in the sky. “No, Bucky. I’m still yours. I’m still Stevie’s. No one else can touch me.”

“Stevie…” Bucky whispered the name, before he went back to staring at Tony. Like he was taking in every inch, memorizing every body movement and cataloging it for later. “You…no. You don’t look the same. And your scent…so much grease and metal. And pain. No, no.”

“Bucky, listen to me,” Tony quickly said, fighting his urge to just reach out and hold. “I’m changed, just like you. I remember those gun-metal eyes. I remember the careful way you touch and the way you just command a room without even thinking about it. I remember it all, and yet you are not the same. Just as I’m not the same.”

There was such a long moment of silence, where even Rhodey didn’t move, that Tony was starting to think it was all a dream. Then Bucky scanned the room, before narrowing in on Tony again. “Who got you?”

“What?” Tony asked, confused. He could hear Rhodey curse behind him, but he was too busy staring at Bucky’s wide eyes.

“Who got you?” Bucky demanded. “They caught me and they…changed me. I should be dead, happily dead. If you’re still here…who got you, who made you like me? Like Stevie? Who made you live without us?”

“Bucky, that’s not how it happened with me,” Tony replied, feeling all his muscles cramp up. Because how could he explain this to him? Tony could barely explain it to himself. “Bucky…I fell asleep in my time and woke up in yours. That’s how we met. Every night, the same thing would happen. I have no clue why or even how, and I’m damn smart enough to figure it out. I swear, that’s all I know. I was born decades after you and Steve.”

Bucky almost seemed to go cold. He looked away, face blank. Then he straightened and said, voice so monotone that Tony almost wanted to cry, “I will be back, Stark.”

Even Rhodey didn’t try to stop him as Bucky grabbed his mask and strode out of the kitchen and into the living room. By the time Rhodey was pulling Tony into his arms, practically onto his lap, the front door was shut just loud enough for them to hear. Tony buried his face into Rhodey’s shoulder. “Shit, I shouldn’t have told him that. I had him here, he was practically comfortable.”

“No, you would have told him eventually,” Rhodey said.

“I just confused him even more,” Tony said, cursing under his breath. “I just couldn’t stop myself from babbling out nonsense.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Rhodey told him. “If anything, this is going to get him thinking. And if he’s as smart as all the textbooks say, then he’s going to go search out his own answers.”

“I hope so,” Tony mumbled. “God, this could backfire on us in a really bad way.”

“Or a good way,” Rhodey offered. “Think about it, who is he more likely to get angry at? You for opening his eyes or the people who have been messing with his head all this time?”

“That’s…disturbing, Rhodey,” Tony told him. “I…can’t talk about this anymore. I have some work to do downstairs. I’ll see you in a bit, okay? Do…whatever it is soldier guys do on their days off.”

He pushed Rhodey’s arms away and made his way to his workshop. Bypassing his computer, Tony shuffled over to the couch and slumped down on it. He felt conflicted. And it wasn’t like he had anyone he could actually talk to about this. Even Rhodey was lost on how all this was going. Tony supposed he should be happy that Bucky seemed to be responding to him, but there was something just wrong with how the man had left.

Something on the man’s face maybe, or the way his footsteps weren’t quite as light as they usually were as he had walked away. Tony had a feeling that he had made some sort of progress, but Rhodey was right. This could have unknown consequences.

No, this would definitely have consequences.

Notes:

Another weird chapter, a part of me wishes I hadn't made the mental determination to only have this be from Tony's perspective cause...yeah, our little Winter Soldier is definitely having some thoughts right about now.

Chapter 21: 3 years, 7 months & 2 weeks - 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 3 days

Nothing happened for two days, not until it was the day Rhodey had to leave. Tony wanted to say he felt numb because Bucky had not shown himself, but there was a part of himself that understood that things couldn’t happen all at once. As much as he just wanted to indulge into instant gratification, he knew that would be stupid. Time was time, despite his experience at nineteen.

“This feels familiar,” Tony said, helping Rhodey place his bag into the trunk of Tony’s car. “Just without the taxi.”

“And I’m worrying just as much as I had then,” Rhodey said, bless his heart, remembering the taxi ride to the airport three years ago. “Look I’m going to be state side for a bit, let me know how you are at the very least? You know I will do what I can to be there.”

“I know and I’m fine,” Tony told him, walking over to the driver’s side door. “Trust me, you’ve seen how he reacts to me.”

“Yeah, he’s gonna run before he lets himself critically injure you,” Rhodey offered. “But what about his handlers. Tony, maybe I should try to find a way to stay?”

“Rhodey, platypus, my golden knight?” Tony rambled as he got into the car, Rhodey reluctantly following. “I get the military, I have to with my job, you can’t take time off just for me. And we both know they would look at you like you’re crazy if you tried to explain this.”

“But-” Rhodey said, even though he sounded like he was caving.

“Me being Tony Stark isn’t enough for you to abandon your station,” Tony replied, turning the key to start up the engine. “Come on, you’re my next of kin, so if something happens you’re going to be the first to be contacted.”

Rhodey was quiet as Tony backed out of the driveway and drove down the long path to the main road. He glanced over at Tony, mouth looking tight. “I am?”

“What?” Tony asked, focusing on the road as he revved the engine and worked his way toward the highway toward Los Angeles.

“I’m your next of kin?” Rhodey responded, his hand reaching out to adjust the radio. Stiffly, like he needed a distraction.

“Of course you are,” Tony said, scoffing. “Seriously, who else would I choose? Obadiah? No thanks. He’d kill me off in a second. You’d actually read my will and do what I want.”

“And what do you want, Tony?” Rhodey asked, softly.

Tony flinched. “I’m sorry…let’s not talk about this.”

“No, tell me,” Rhodey demanded. “What do you want?”

“If my alphas are truly dead, I expect you to pull the plug. If they have a chance at being alive, I expect you to use every contact you have to get them to me, so I have a moment to say goodbye.” Tony clenched his hands around the steering wheel. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“No, it’s what I knew I would hear,” Rhodey simply said, reaching out and changing the station.

“And just like that, you’re satisfied?” Tony snapped, the topic of conversation boiling through his emotions, even as he turned onto the proper highway to get to the airport.

“It’s good to know you are exactly yourself,” Rhodey admitted, glancing over. “I’ve been worried that you haven’t really been yourself, you know? You’ve been so hesitant these last few days. But your words? Yeah, that’s one hundred percent Tony Stark. So…as long as you keep calling and answer when I call, I’m okay.”

“Right,” Tony said, letting out a long breath and knowing that Rhodey was right. Even with their long distance he had always noticed every change to Tony’s behavior. He was like Jarvis, only human and with a warm hug. And a long span of friendship. Tony switched on his signal and merged into the lane heading for the airport. He allowed himself a smirk as he said, “So when’s my deadline?”

“If I don’t hear from you in three days?” Rhodey replied, chuckling. “I’m sending the army after you.”

“Oh? Are you that high up?” Tony teased.

“You are talking to a Major, thank you very much,” Rhodey replied.

“That’s actually impressive, to be honest. You need an omega to calm you down, Major,” Tony replied, hitting his brakes as the long line of people heading for the airport junked up the highway.

“I’ll find one, when I don’t need to spend my leave to keep you safe,” Rhodey replied. The man was grinning, so Tony knew not to feel offended by his words. Rhodey reached out to fiddle with the radio again. “Damn, it’s like nothing is available out here.”

“Wait,” Tony said, trying to focus on the slow moving car ahead of him but Rhodey had just accessed the news and, well. “What are they talking about?”

Rhodey turned up the sound and the sound of the news woman’s voice may have sounded calming, but her words were nowhere close. Rhodey looked over at him and said, “Calm down.”

There was silence in the car for a moment.

“A city worker had an order to enter the building this morning, due to its supposedly complete absence for the past six months and potential structural damage. Instead of testing the structure, he found something else,” the newscaster said, her tone too neutral.

Tony hit the brakes, again because of the slow moving traffic. But his body was oddly vibrating for another reason. He didn’t understand why, but he knew in his heart what he was listening to.

“Listeners, the next part of this broadcast may be traumatic to children,” the woman said. “Please change the channel if needed.”

There was a moment of silence before the woman began speaking again, her tone just as neutral as before, almost to the point of being creepy. “Inside he found eighteen dead men along with a room with devices the police have yet to identify. The men had been killed by either brunt force trauma or a knife, otherwise no other sign of attack has been found. The local police are asking for us to request that anyone who may know something of this event to come forward.”

Rhodey reached over and switched the station to Tony’s usual rock channel, looking at Tony woridly. “What’s in that head of yours?”

“That could have-” Tony started, his eyes still focused on the traffic, which was loosening up slowly.

“No,” Rhodey snapped, his tone stern. Almost alpha stern, so Tony found himself listening though he didn’t know if he wanted to. “That could have been a drug deal gone bad, a human trafficking deal gone bad. They didn’t even tell the actual location. All we know is that it was from a location in Los Angeles.”

“But, come on,” Tony replied, letting the car go faster now that the traffic had eased up. The sound of Billy Idol flowing from the car’s speakers didn’t even distract him. “You even said he may go back to his controllers in response to what happened between us. And, I’m sorry, I just have this feeling…”

“Yes, maybe, but you can’t hope for it,” Rhodey said, practically hissing. “Tony, I can’t control you. I wouldn’t want to. But you can’t look into this. If anything, it would make them suspect you. Don’t be stupid.”

“But-” Tony started, even though he knew very well that he was just searching out for anything.

“No,” Rhodey replied. “I’m going to be gone, Tony. He’s going to come back, especially once you’re alone. You don’t need to search for him yourself. I get that your instincts are trying to tell you something, but you can’t just jump to these connections. You’re a scientist, you need more facts.”

“Fine,” Tony muttered.

“Don’t get cranky on me, you know I’m right,” Rhodey said. “We have no idea about what this was. It was probably a meth lab, anyway. Just promise me that you won’t go looking for him. I won’t get on that plane unless you do, my superiors be damned.”

“Rhodey-bear-” Tony started.

“Don’t start sweet talking to me. I said what I said.”

And Tony had no choice but to pull into the airport, driving into the drop-off. He knew he had a grumpy face as he helped Rhodey with his bags. And while the man kissing him on the forehead helped a bit, he knew he didn’t show it. He also knew that Rhodey didn’t find it offensive. The slight smile the man gave as he disappeared though the doors was evidence enough of that.

Tony drove home and fought the urge to hunt out that location of the murders to see for himself. Something in him told him that it was relevant, that it was something connected to him. It was an odd feeling, because for the last few years he hadn’t let his omega instincts even be loud enough for him to hear. So, maybe he was wrong.

Clenching his hands on the steering wheel, Tony drove back into Malibu, going into the actual city before hitting the path that would take him home. He parked the car in front of a liquor store, but after a moment of staring at it he walked past and into the grocery store. Jarvis had arranged food delivery, but Tony wasn’t ready to be home just yet so he walked through the store with no actual intent to buy anything.

He left with ice cream, because between the startled looks he was receiving and the need to feel sorry for himself it felt appropriate.

He got home, put away his ice cream, and just stood there. Small signs of Rhodey lingered, a cup unclean and he knew the man probably didn’t make his bed just because he wasn’t under military control on his vacation. Smiling slightly, Tony turned and made his way downstairs to give his bots a pat on the head each before sitting in front of his computer.

He wanted to immediately hack into the Los Angeles’ police database, but Rhodey’s voice was in his head. So, he found himself watching another Bucky video, tears running down his face as he saw such a strong man being beat down.

He immediately switched to the C. America folder before the autoplay could pull up the next video. That was when he noticed a new file inside, only this one was a scanned document of the SI bank accounts. “Jarvis? What is this?”

“I found it while you were taking Rhodes to the airport, sir,” Jarvis replied. “I had planned to direct you to it when you started the computer, but you focused on the Winter Soldier’s files instead.”

Tony closed his eyes, reminding himself that Jarvis was still learning and there was no reason the AI would know to redirect him. “What am I looking at?”

“The old SI account that has been funding the Arctic search for Captain America just sent another payment off for more exploration,” Jarvis replied.

“Who is issuing these orders?” Tony demanded. “It can’t be Obadiah, I can’t even picture him knowing who that SHIELD organization is, let alone authorize this. He’s too public business, wanting the world to know his achievements. This wouldn’t benefit him at all.”

“I can assure you it wasn’t him,” Jarvis said. There was a pause and Tony saw a bunch of letters and documents flash across the screen. It landed on an old item, with his father’s signature at the bottom. “Howard Stark approved it.”

“What the fuck do you mean?” Tony snapped, reaching out to rub at DUM-E’s sensor when the bot rushed over at the distress in his voice.

“It appears that Howard Stark made it so that anytime SHIELD thought they had reason to keep looking for Steve Rogers, the funds needed for the search would be transferred over,” Jarvis told him. “It is why they have sporadically been able to afford to do so even since his death.”

“J, what made you look for this?” Tony asked, sitting there numb. “I asked you to look for my alphas, but…this is so deep in my company.”

“I stumbled upon four emails from an accountant who happened to notice the money missing,” Jarvis said, the screen drawing up an email from a Virginia Potts from yesterday. “She appears to be frustrated that Obadiah and other higher ups are ignoring her requests for an audit on the account. The last email was to you directly.”

“Okay…” Tony pushed away from the desk, letting his chair move on its own as he thought. It was actually a blessing to be able to think about something else other than Bucky. He stood, the chair hitting the wall. “Okay, I need…” then surprising himself “...ice cream, I need ice cream.”

He was in the kitchen, glancing occasionally at the wall made of windows as he grabbed a spoon and just ate mint chocolate chip ice cream straight from the box. Feeling a bit calmer, Tony looked at the time and knew he had to be at work tomorrow. Clearing his throat, Tony said, “Okay, J? Send her an email and add to this Potts woman’s calendar a meeting with me around ten.”

“In your office, I assume,” Jarvis asked.

“I-” Tony cut himself off and frowned. “I have an office?”

“Yes, sir,” Jarvis replied almost drily, so reminiscent of the real Jarvis and when the butler would point out the obvious to Tony in his early years. Tony managed to not burst into tears at the very thought. “I connected to the security cameras once I had access to the SI mainframe a long time ago, to be able to better serve your ability to timely get to and from work. You never visit, though.”

“Yeah, I don’t really leave the R&D department,” Tony admitted. “Where is it?”

“The same floor as Obadiah’s,” Jarvis offered.

“Okay…then I need to be there before ten tomorrow, don’t I?” Tony replied, wondering how much his drinking had actually made him clueless of his own environment. “It’s, uh, not next to Obadiah’s office, is it?”

“No, sir,” Jarvis said. “You’ll take a right instead of a left at the elevator.”

Tony burst out laughing. “Really, getting this sassy so early in our relationship?”

“As I must,” was Jarvis’ reply.

“Fine, fine,” Tony sighed. He glanced at the clock again. “Shit, how is it already nine?”

“You do often think in silence for long periods of time,” Jarvis offered.

“Yeah,” Tony sighed. “Okay, I should at least head to bed, even if I’m not going to be able to sleep.”

“Sir, you should know,” Jarvis said, his almost robotic tone sounding hesitant.

“Know what?” Tony asked, putting the ice cream away. “J?”

“Bucky Barnes came by earlier and entered your room. Due to you letting him in before and no one in the home I allowed it and had the emergency response on standby.”

“Wait, what?” Tony paused on his way to his room, body tensing.

“He was gone within five minutes and left a book on your pillow case. I scanned the object and there is no sign of danger,” Jarvis explained. “I felt it best for you to know before you entered your room.”

“Shit, J, why didn’t you say something?” Tony asked.

“Sir, you have accepted him into your home and he has yet to be violent. You were already upset. So for your emotional health, I felt it best to not add to it until you got past the most recent trauma,” Jarvis replied.

Tony rolled his eyes, but he understood how Jarvis’ programming would work like that. He probably would have broken down from all that information and if Tony knew Rhodey, the man probably had been talking to Jarvis to help him learn the best way to ease Tony into emotional information. It was more proof that Jarvis was learning much like a teenager.

“Okay, no, Jarvis,” Tony sighed. “You’re fine. And, yeah, that probably would have sent me straight to the liquor cabinet. You said it was just a book?”

“Yes, sir,” Jarvis replied.

Tony nodded and finally kept heading to the bedroom. The room was dark, but lights lit up the moment he entered. And there it was, on his pillow like it was waiting for him. Like chocolate at a five star hotel or a surprise gift from a loved one. Tony saw that the windows were closed and, not wanting anymore surprises that night, he walked over and locked them. He stared out in the night for a moment, before looking back over at the book.

For some reason, Tony wanted to feel the anticipation he had flowing through him, so he changed into his pajamas, set his alarm, and went to brush his teeth.

The book was still there when he came back and, with nothing left to distract him, he walked over and picked it up. He almost dropped it. There in his hands was a brand new copy of The Hobbit.

Emotions rolling through him, Tony picked it up and thumbed along the pages. Halfway through the book opened wider to reveal a folded piece of paper. The paper was stained and it took Tony a moment, after pulling it out, to realize it was smudges of blood. Swallowing, Tony opened the page, the idea of not leaving his fingerprints on it too foriegn at this point. Inside were half-Russian and half-English words. Separated they were disjointed, but together they became a single message.

‘They will no longer control me. Only you can.’

Notes:

Okay, those hat read Hazy Shade of Winter, the Spiderpool IS LIVE. WOO! See my profile for it. Already got a hate comment for it not being Stucky. Like, look at the story it follows, dude.

Also, anyone who notices who's showing up in the next chapter YES. She's the ultimate Domme to me and so happy to include her.

Also, so loving writing Jarvis as a teen AI still trying to learn. My heart is just expanding for this ridiculous AI.

Chapter 22: 3 years, 7 months & 2 weeks & 1 day - 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 2 days

Tony had to force himself to leave the book at home the next day. He managed, even though he nearly wanted to put the paperback in his pocket. The idea that Bucky was fully reaching out to him was creating the type of emotion in him an omega only felt during courtship.

Regardless, he went to work and spent his first hour diving into the different project suggestions from those in R&D. He flagged those for approval and then sent scalding emails to those who had ideas for things that only Hammer’s company would consider worthwhile. With his recent sobriety mixed with agitation he might have been a little too blunt in those critiques. Still, his employees needed to learn.

He was at his own station, scanning through his own files of possible development ideas when he received an email from Jarvis. The AI had done it before so Tony wasn’t that shocked. He stared at the reminder of his meeting with Virginia Potts and stood after looking at the directions Jarvis had placed in the email to his apparent office.

He had to dodge people asking him questions and greeting him, which just made him tired and wanting a drink right then. When he got to his office outside there was a woman sitting there, looking bored. “Umm.”

“Oh my God,” she rushed out, standing awkwardly. “I’m sorry, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen you.”

“And you are?” Tony asked, feeling just as awkward.

“Uh, I’m your receptionist,” she replied. “Melinda Morgan. But call me Melinda!”

“Sure,” Tony replied. “I, uh, have a meeting in a bit.”

“Yes!” Melinda burst out, looking far too excited to just be doing something. And considering she had been sitting here for months, Tony didn’t blame her. “Virginia Potts is on her way. I’ll let you know the moment she arrives.”

“Thank you,” Tony replied, feeling like he should tell the woman that she was doing an amazing job. But that would feel pretty insulting to someone whose job the last few months had been to be useless.

Not knowing how to handle that situation, he strode through the door and immediately went to the desk. He got the computer up and running and spoke allowed. “Hey, J? I know you’re seeing this, can you tap into the computer?”

It took a few minutes, longer than Tony would prefer. He made a mental note to add to Jarvis’ processing ability. Then, with a soft bing, a small window opened up. Jarvis, using the computer’s chat function. “I am here, sir.”

“Good job,” Tony praised. “Just keep an eye on the conversation, please. I want to know what she knows and how she knows it. Understood?”

The computer pinged with the response. “Yes, sir. I have full connection to the security cameras and the extra speaker of your computer. I’ll have a record of the conversation.”

“I adore you, J,” Tony replied, before his phone rang. He picked it up, “Yes, Melinda?”

“Ms Potts is here, may I send her in?” Melinda asked, her voice sounding like she was too happy to finally have something to do. Tony made a note to use the office more, because he felt bad about leaving her at her desk.

“Of course,” Tony replied. He leaned back in his seat, not knowing what he would be dealing with. SI didn’t make secondary gender reveal a requirement. He could be dealing with an alpha female, which was rare but becoming more noticeable in their ability to stand strong in roles unexpected of them, and he tried to prepare himself for it.

He should have known he’d be wrong. His life was never predictable, after all. Instead of a female alpha he found himself with a female omega with, judging by her scent, nerves of steel. To be honest, Tony was overwhelmed by the barricade the woman put around her, and it wasn’t just the carefully chosen dress and killer heels. No, she looked him directly in the eyes as she walked into the room, a handful of files under one arm.

“Well, hello, Ms Potts,” Tony replied, actually shocked at the flirtatious tone of his voice. He cleared his throat and gestured at the chair across the desk. He glanced at his computer, which suddenly had her driver’s license and resume for him to look at. He scanned it, before focussing his eyes on the woman sitting before him. “From my understanding you found some irregularities in our accounts.”

She stared at him for a brief moment, before talking in a soft yet stern voice. “Yes, Mr Stark, I did. And no one is willing to look into them. I understand being busy but this is a few million dollars for each time-”

“Each time?” Tony asked.

“Yes, Mr Stark,” she replied. “It appears every three to five years there are three million or more in US dollars that are withdrawn from the charity fund."

Tony scowled at the word charity. “Do you know where it goes?”

“It goes through a charity for finding artifacts in the Arctic, but the charity has not had funding from others for thirty years,” Ms Potts replied. “You have to understand that this entire account needs to be audited for validity and to ensure illegal activity isn’t happening.”

Tony eyed her, seeing just how swift she thought and just the pure stubbornness there. “You know where the money goes after that, don’t you?”

“I wasn’t given leave to search for that information,” she replied, eyes narrowing.

“But you did,” Tony stated, glancing back at his computer. Everything that Jarvis had pulled up matched with what she said. He fought down a smile. “Look, Ms Potts, I’m not in charge of the company, but I’ve also seen some weird things involving just my own department that I haven’t been aware of being normal practices. Thankfully, engineers making shortcuts for themselves isn’t something I’m too worried about, since their work undergoes multiple reviews. This is the possibility of SI funding something we have no business funding. Be frank, please?”

She was silent for a moment, like she was simply inspecting him. Even her nostrils flared, like she was taking in his scent and therefore intent. “Yes, I looked further when everyone ignored the issue.”

Tony gave what should have been a genuine smile, but it was probably too tired to be exactly that. “What did you find?”

“The charity’s funds filter into a holding company. Supposedly,” she replied. “This is normal in a lot of cases, but the holding company is then filtering the money into multiple accounts. I was only able to trace it that far due to the access allowed to us here, but that’s odd behavior for a supposed charity organization. I don’t know where it’s going and we could be looking at money laundering at a corporate level. The fact a holding company is only attached to one charity with no other connections to other charities or companies is a possible sign of fraud. Normally a holding company would connect to a variety of organizations.”

Tony nodded, glancing at the computer again to see Jarvis had the screen captures of what Virgina Potts had accessed. It showed everything the woman said was true, as far as she had been able to access.

“What is it you want for this information?” Tony asked, wondering if her intentions were true.

She narrowed her eyes. “I want to be able to audit this account. It’s what I’ve been requesting all this time. The audacity of your CEO and the dozens of others I have contacted that have brushed me off is insulting. I’m starting to question my employment with the company.”

“Don’t be so hasty, Ms Potts. I would hate to not have you still with us when I take over the reigns,” Tony said, the woman’s passion oddly addictive. “So, here is what I request you to do. I’m not too sure I want this account to remain open. If it was created by my father then with his death certificate and his will you should be able to close it, after we find out where this money is going so I can take a moment to say hello.”

Virginia Potts was clearly not an idiot, a fact that was making him like her more and more. “And what backlash shall I expect from this. I apologize, but while you are Tony Stark? You are also not in current control of this company.”

“Yes, but I am Tony Stark,” he said, smiling at her. “If I have the ability, depending on whether the account was opened by my father or SI, and even then it depends on what department, I will be able to close it down after our little investigation.”

Her face became more accepting when she heard he knew a little bit about how bank accounts worked. He had the feeling he had just passed some sort of test and showed he was taking her seriously. Possibly, that he wasn’t just a drunken rich kid like the news painted him as.

“It might not be as dramatic as all that, but millions of dollars is being moved around and I’d rather look into it just to be safe,” Tony admitted. “I don’t want the people who are suddenly not getting funds to know we caught on until we have all the facts. You only saw this one account. I need this fully weeded out. Look, this might be going too far for you…"

“Sir?” Virginia Potter said, her eyes looking more like steel than anything. “I’ll look farther on my own, happily. Only if you sign an agreement for me doing so, so I have something to show the courts in case this turns sour.”

“Do you suspect it will?” Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I suppose I can’t say either way until I know what I’m dealing with,” she said. “And to know that, I need more information.”

“Catch-22,” Tony said.

“Apparently,” was her reply.

They were silent, watching each other. Then Tony slapped the top of his desk enthusiastically. “Awesome! Jarvis? Get us a standard contract printed up giving Ms Potts access to whatever she needs through you.”

“Jarvis?” she asked.

“Oh, my AI,” Tony said cheerfully. “He’s been searching around the company as you did.”

“Of course, sir. If I may?” Jarvis asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Tony waved his hand.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms Potts,” Jarvis’s voice spoke through the computer speakers. Tony looked away, realizing his young AI sounded like he was flirting and feeling slightly embarrassed on Jarvis’ behalf. “With your permission, I can access your workstation’s computer to assist you through your search.”

Ms Potts’ face turned oddly soft. “Of course you can, Jarvis.”

“Well, now that that is settled,” Tony said, “I’ll let you get back to work so you can look over the contract and help Jarvis get settled in your computer. He's a wonderful AI, but J? Be a gentleman.”

“I’m sure we’ll get along fine,” she said. “I’ll meet you at my desk, Jarvis.”

“I look forward to it, Ms Potts,” Jarvis replied.

Tony waited until Ms Potts left before scowling at his computer screen. “Jarvis, no flirting with the cute omega accountant. And, no, I’m not building you a body.”

“Why, sir, I have no idea what you mean,” Jarvis replied.

Tony rolled his eyes and forced himself to stand so he could make his way back to the R&D floor. He gave Melinda a wave and quickly walked to the elevator, making a mental note to come back next week just so the poor girl could have something to do. Back in his own floor and department, Tony once again forced himself to get emerged into the weapon in front of him. Sadly, he was better at building weapons than his father was. And while the military may not need it, Tony always made sure he did the best in whatever he made.

He stepped away from his soldering of the motherboard of a new missile and focused for a moment. He thought he had heard the phone ring. Realizing it was an hour from the end of his ‘shift’, he paused for a moment. If it was important they’d call again.

When the phone started ringing again, Tony slipped off his gloves and reached for the phone. “Hello?”

“Sir,” Jarvis’ voice replied. Tony didn’t understand how the AI had accessed the phone system, but he had created Jarvis to learn and adapt. The idea of how powerful his AI would be in the future was pushed back fast. There was no reason to panic about it.

“J? Communicating in leaps and bounds,” Tony replied, glancing at the other employees to make sure they weren't looking over. “We’ll talk about that later. What do you have for me?”

There was a long period of silence. It was only the idea that Jarvis was there that kept Tony from standing up and rushing to Virginia Potts’ desk. Then Jarvis spoke, “Sir, may we meet you later. If you can accept guests. We feel we need to speak with you one on one.”

Tony felt his body still, a feeling of foreboding hitting him. “Yeah, no, don’t worry. I’m heading out now. We’ll meet in an hour or so?”

“That sounds perfect,” Jarvis replied.

And then Tony was left with a dial tone. He swallowed, before standing and putting his tools away. He put the partially soldiered motherboard and the later to be welded bomb casing unit away, sealing it’s container and coding the lock. Then he spent ten minutes inspecting a couple of promising employees’ projects. After that he strode to his car, trying not to speed as he hit the highway to Malibu. The last he needed was a traffic ticket.

There was another car, not as sleek as his but still classy on its own, driving up the long driveway of his home ahead of him. He pulled up next to it and wasn’t shocked when Virginia Potts stepped out of the car. She had a folder that she held close. It was her scan around the property, combined with Jarvis’ earlier words, that made Tony realize how serious this meeting would be.

He led Ms Potts into the house, Jarvis greeting her from the speakers embedded in the walls seeming to make her more relaxed. They sat on the couch and Tony turned toward her. “I wasn’t expecting results this soon.”

“With Jarvis’ help my search was much faster than I thought,” she admitted.

“Well, Ms Potts, let’s hear it,” Tony offered, watching as she put the file on the coffee table. Something in him, in the past two years at least without his alphas, had slowly developed a hatred and near fear of being handed something. He wasn’t sure if Ms Potts had been warned by Jarvis or if it was something she did instinctively, but it was oddly comforting. Smiling slightly, he grabbed the file and scanned the first page. “Okay, I’m not an accountant, what is this? And did you sign the contract? Honestly, I have no intent on you getting in trouble.”

“The contract has been signed and filed as of five hours ago,” Jarvis offered.

“And as for what this is?” Ms Potts said. “This is evidence of that holding company filtering the money into different accounts of another holding company. Something called SHIELD Enterprises. After that, SHIELD simply…it’s like they disappear. There is no sign of activity except the money being deposited, like they have managed to eliminate any electronic paper trail. Which should be impossible, especially with no record of them withdrawing the money again. I can keep looking, but outside of searching sealed government databases this is honestly all I can find.”

“I don’t want you to go that deep,” Tony said, knowing if she did the ramifications would be too harsh for even Tony Stark to get her out of. “Is there a way you can find a contact? I want to find out what this is, before shutting the account down.”

“Yes,” she replied. “I assumed you would. If you look on the tenth page, you’ll find the only number associated with them.”

Tony flipped through the pages before finding what she was talking about. “You’re amazing, Ms Potts.”

“How flattering. Regardless, the account is under your father’s name, so it would be within your right to do as you please with it. And, well, I should probably get home.” The woman stood, before looking at him with a strange look. “I hope you own this company. You’re better equipped than I think you realize.”

“Thank you,” Tony replied, a flow of affection hitting him.

“Jarvis, I do hope you won’t be a stranger,” she then said, looking upward with a smile. “Even if it’s just a talk to distract me at work.”

“I will try my best, Ms Potts,” Jarvis replied.

Virginia Potts looked back at Tony, almost staring for a few seconds. “It was nice to meet you, Mr Stark.”

“Trust me, it was nicer for me,” Tony replied, lifting up the information she had brought him. “Drive safely. I’ll let you know if I need more help, or even just what may happen.”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t,” she said, before walking out of the house, the sound of her heels clicking fading as the door shut behind her. A moment later, her car started and Tony could hear the car drive away.

“And you claimed I flirted,” Jarvis commented, his voice filling the two speakers in the living room.

“Rude!” Tony protested, but he didn’t get offended by the remark. He looked back down at the pages before him. “Keep talking to her, J. She’s damn good. I don’t want her leaving the company.”

“Understood.”

Tony stood and made his way to the kitchen. After peering into the fridge for a moment, he let out a sigh. “Hey, J? Use your newfound phone powers and order me a pizza.”

While waiting for his food, Tony went downstairs and, after being greeted by the bots, sat down to stare at the number for SHIELD Enterprises. A part of him was hesitant to call them so quickly and he wondered if maybe he should work on some kind of script first. The name sounded familiar, like something he’d heard in a passing conversation too long ago to remember the details. Then, rolling his eyes over how much he was overthinking a simple phone call, Tony reached for the phone and dialed the number.

The phone rang. And kept ringing. Tony waited for an automatic message or even a voicemail, but all he got was what felt like a never-ending repetition of the ringing. Eventually, Tony set the phone back down, ending the call. Well, that was a fake business then. And a badly hidden one if they didn’t even fake having a voicemail or automated system. Tony rubbed at the side of his face and decided worrying further about it could wait until tomorrow.

“Sir,” Jarvis said. “The pizza has arrived.”

“I didn’t hear the doorbell,” Tony said, standing and heading upstairs.

“That would be because it did not ring. We may need to find a new pizza service, as I am unsure this delivery driver would be willing to return,” Jarvis said, sounding more conversational than worried.

“J, just spit it out. What happened?” Tony replied, tiredly.

“It appears Bucky ran off the driver and delivered the pizza to the door himself. My cameras did not see most of what happened, but it didn’t look like Bucky got violent, merely intimidating,” Jarvic explained.

Tony stopped in front of the door. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I am not, sir,” Jarvis said.

Tony grabbed the doorknob after unlocking the door. He swung it open, not sure what he was expecting to see. A pizza box with a box of garlic bread sitting on his welcome mat wasn’t it. He scanned the darkness around the house, but knew he wasn’t going to see Bucky unless the man wanted to be seen.

He bent down and picked up his food, peeking inside each box and not surprised there were three slices of pizza and two breadsticks missing. He rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on Bucky! You could at least come inside and eat with me instead of stealing my food!”

Knowing he wasn’t going to get a response, Tony went back inside and sat down on the couch. He flipped open the boxes, reaching for the remote to turn on the news. He didn’t feel as lonely as he usually did and the idea of grabbing a drink didn’t even pop into his head. Even though Bucky wasn’t in there with him, body warm along his side, he knew the man was around. There was a feeling of safety he normally didn’t have, even in his own home.

Notes:

I wrote this chapter three times. This was my final, yes! version.

Also, so loving Bucky in this. It's like he thinks he knows what's going on, but too afraid to just go with it. It's so cute. Also, PEPPER POTTS IS A BADASS.

Also, if I accidentally called her Pepper at any point let me know, I'm so used to referencing her as that I might have missed it.

And finally, I used some of my bank manager crap in this. I've been part of researching fraud, etc. Most of that was people creating companies just to get the government Small Business loan that was given out the first year of the pandemic. Yeah, I got used to searching what I was legally able to. What Pepper does here is actually illegal in the banking world. We can't jump from account to account unless they are with our own bank. That's why she asked for a contract to lessen any criminal charge.

Chapter 23: 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 2 days - 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 3 days

Tony went to work the next day and worked on the missile prototype. He kept glancing at his computer, wondering if Jarvis would contact him. Mostly because his mind kept wandering. Bucky kept drifting in his thoughts. Bucky was clearly seeing his connection and all Tony could do was hope the man would come forward on his own. Bucky seemed hesitant at this point, which was extremely different than he had been in the forties.

Tony hated waiting. He hated knowing that he couldn’t expect the next move his brainwashed alpha would take. So, in defense, Tony started looking up methods to help. Granted it was methods used for veterans who had been stuck in a POW camp, but Tony kind of felt that would apply to Bucky as well. So he accessed psychological websites and between soldering and microchip connection, Tony read as much as he could.

He also kept in contact with Virgina Potts via the company’s messaging system, letting her know the result of him calling SHIELD. She encouraged him to try again and said she would search for more contacts for the holding company. She also made a point to tell him to keep learning about his own company. Granted her words were a bit less pleasant than that. It made him adore her even more. He had someone that wanted him to take control and it was oddly empowering.

He went back to his missile, looking at it awkwardly, wondering why he was making such a destructive device anyway. He stared at it for a moment, before shaking his head and grabbing the next wire to be soldered onto the homing motherboard. The fact that his new missile needed an extra board for navigation made him feel resistant. He knew it was his job to make the best weapons, but to make a missile that could defy any attempts to stop it made him…Honestly, Tony didn’t know what he thought of that.

It was with that thought that Tony had when he left work, hands clenching at his steering wheel as he made his way home. He drove the highway, not even bothering to be annoyed by the traffic. As he drove into his driveway some instinctive feeling hit him. He made his way to the door and entered to find the living room hadn't been touched. But the feeling was still strong.

He was standing in the living room, trying to hear what was in the rest of the house when he heard a few steady footsteps. Somehow Tony managed to not look shocked when a man came into the room with Bucky following, his metal hand grasping the man’s neck.

“What?” Tony blurted out, before his eyes saw Bucky’s near feral face. Tony cleared his throat and looked at the man Bucky was holding. He was dark skinned, but the most noted thing was the eye-patch over one eye. “Who are you? Because you pissed off my guard dog and I’m a word away from letting him do what he wants to you.”

Tony saw Bucky grin, like he was approving of Tony’s words. And right there Tony knew that Bucky would kill the man he was holding just on Tony’s word. It was oddly flattering to know he had the ability to do that.

Mister Eye-Patch cleared his throat. “You called us, I’m here to respond.”

“Sure,” Tony said, feeling less panicky than he probably would have. Having an alpha waiting for his cues did a lot for his self esteem. “Let’s sit down.”

Tony sat down on the couch and watched as Bucky shoved the man into the only chair. Bucky then positioned himself in the space between the two of them, eyes glaring down at the one-eyed man. Tony followed Bucky’s lead and stared at the man for a while before asking, “How did you get into my house?”

“The organization I’m with has ways-”

“Yeah…” Tony tilted his head up. “Jarvis?”

There was no response.

“What the hell did you do?” Tony demanded. “I will happily let my guard dog take care of you, I’m sure he’ll find a creative way about it as well.”

The man glanced up at Bucky, who gave him a smile that nearly made his teeth look like blades. With Bucky’s metal hand resting on the back of his chair, the man seemed to realize he didn’t have all the information he thought he did about Tony. “My name is Nick Fury and I’m the commanding agent of SHIELD. And your AI will be back online soon.”

“And you, being the commanding agent, are going to tell me what?”

Fury squinted his one eye and frowned. “Your father never told you.”

“My father had a habit of ignoring me, so how about you tell me all about it?” Tony countered, still glaring. Bucky had shifted closer to Tony and he knew that Bucky’s alpha hormones were to keep Tony calm. Fury had such a bland scent to him that Tony would usually consider him a typical beta, but there was some part of the man’s behavior that made Tony know he was probably dealing with an alpha. Which was why Bucky was acting like a barricade to the man near him.

Fury sighed and sat back in his chair. “Your father helped build SHIELD and towards the end, his only demand was for us to continue the search for Steve Rogers. I’m assuming that you contacted us because you saw the fund transfers.”

Tony knew not to give Virginia Potts credit, knowing if he did it would probably get her into some sort of trouble. The man before him was definitely trouble, so Tony knew where to draw his lines. “Yes, the last one was three million dollars. So, forgive me but I question what the money is being used for. Since, after all, it’s just a charity.”

“And it could be considered that,” Fury replied. “That money is going toward finding Captain America. It has taken years, but thanks to those funds we now have the place where his plane went down. That last transfer of funds is going toward an excavation to get through that ice and into his plane.”

Tony glanced up at Bucky, watching as the man’s eyes blinked rapidly as though trying to hold back any type of emotion. Tony cleared his throat. “Any expedition you do, me and my friend here goes with you. Otherwise, all funds will be suspended. If Steve Rogers is found, we will be the first thing he sees.”

Fury looked like he wanted to argue the demands, but he glanced up at Bucky again and apparently the intense look on the alpha’s face was strong enough to convince him otherwise. Letting out a sigh, Fury nodded. “Fine. Then you both better be ready in a week, because that’s when we are heading out.”

“The details?” Tony asked.

“I will be able to retrieve them, I have access to that folder in SHIELD’s database,” Jarvis’ voice suddenly echoed in the room. “Perhaps, sir, we should upgrade our security software.”

“First thing on the list, J,” Tony replied, not taking his eyes off Fury’s face. “Yeah, from now on you contact Jarvis for communication. Or my wonderful alpha here will be the one to respond.”

Fury looked up and saw Bucky start to grin. “Understood, Mr. Stark.”

“Good, now get the fuck out of here,” Tony snapped. “Jarvis will get the itinerary, which you won't order to block, and I will see you next week.”

Fury stood and strode to the door. He didn’t even look back as he exited. Tony didn’t care, because his eyes were already on Bucky. The man was standing there, glaring towards the door, but he finally smelled just as Bucky had when he’d come in and helped save him from the guy from across the alley. This was a Bucky he remembered. Tony stood and grabbed him, dragging him into the hardest hug he could manage.

“What’s wrong?” Bucky asked, his voice both gruff and muffled by his mask. “He’s gone.”

Tony looked up, reaching for Bucky’s mask. Bucky flinched, but didn’t stop Tony from unclasping it and tossing the damned thing onto the chair that Fury recently sat in. Tony smiled at Bucky, finally looking him fully in the face with no true awkwardness. Just pure adoration. “I’m perfectly fine, thanks to you. You’ve always kept me safe.”

Then Tony leaned in and finally kissed Bucky like he had wanted to from the moment they were reunited. He could feel Bucky tense, before the man just responded in a way that was against all his brainwashing. Bucky suddenly grabbed him and pulled Tony closer. Tony groaned at the feel of Bucky kissing him back. He only pulled back to breathe, staring at Bucky’s face. The man looked so vulnerable. Tony knew he was still trying to get his head back into reality, so he kissed him again softly before taking a step back.

Tony smiled, reaching up to caress Bucky’s cheek, his smile getting bigger when Bucky didn’t flinch back. “I know you seem to like that mask of yours, but as your omega? Don’t wear it inside my house. Please?”

Bucky glanced down at the mask in question, before nodding. “Yes, for you.”

Tony grabbed his hand and gave a slight tug. “Sit down with me?”

He was actually shocked by how Bucky followed his request so easily. They sat on the couch and Tony shifted slightly so he could look fully at the man next to him. “Do you remember me?”

Bucky stared at him for a moment. “Your scent…I remember hunting it to find you at…a library? And then…coming up stairs in a frantic state and your scent turning sour.”

“Yeah,” Tony agreed, reaching out to grab Bucky’s hand and feeling a wave of warmth when the man not only let him but squeezed slightly in return. He ignored the second memory, knowing Bucky wouldn’t be ready for that just yet. “You came to me at the library and we ate hotdogs. I got The Hobbit for you then.”

“I loved it,” Bucky whispered, his eyes darting around as he tried to remember the details. “I gave it to you because I thought of you when I saw it.”

Tony couldn’t help but shift closer, wanting to at least feel the heat of Bucky’s body against his. “Yeah, I started reading it at one point while I was with you, but I couldn’t bring myself to read farther than you. I guess I can now, huh?”

“Yes,” Bucky replied, sounding distracted. He clearly had too many thoughts to concentrate.

“Hey, want dinner?” Tony asked. Bucky gave him a look like he wasn’t sure of even what choosing to eat even meant. Tony squeezed his hand again. “I’ve got some chicken tenders in the freezer. Not in the mood for something more complex myself. Let’s put them in the stove and while they are cooking I’ll properly introduce you to my children.”

“Children?” Bucky asked, standing with him. “I thought there were only robots and your Jarvis here.”

Tony guided him into the kitchen and waited until he had the oven preheating and the bag of chicken tenders out onto the baking sheet. Then he turned toward Bucky and said, “Okay, so actual children? I have none. However my robots are essentially that for me. You saw them before and heard Jarvis. I made them and they are my kids.”

Bucky’s mouth twitched, like he wanted to smile. “I remember them, but I’d like to be properly introduced.”

Tony couldn’t help but grin, stepping over into Bucky’s space. He was hesitant, not sure how much Bucky was willing to allow. When Bucky stayed still, Tony leaned in and kissed him again. Bucky was solid stone for a moment, before he softened into the kiss. Tony felt arms wrap around him and he let out a soft groan, clutching at Bucky’s weird yet hot assassin vest. He reveled in the way Bucky clutched at him.

Breathing became a problem and Tony pulled back, looking up at the flushed face and wide eyes in front of him. Tony took a deep breath in and turned away, putting the baking sheet in the oven. He knew Jarvis would alert him when it was done, so he turned back and with a smile grabbed Bucky’s hand. He gave a small tug to let Bucky know to follow him toward the door of the workshop.

Bucky easily followed him, holding onto his hand while he had an amused look on his face. It had been nearly four years, but Tony never forgot this feeling. Of strength and adoration being broadcasting at him. Tony smiled at Bucky, before opening the door and gently dragging Bucky down the stairs. The workshop lit up immediately and Tony heard the many machines humming as they started up, including his bots.

“Okay, so DUM-E and U are booting up and you are going to meet the machines that were around me when you were last down here,” Tony told Bucky, who was glancing around. “I need to know you’re okay with that. They are my baby-bots.”

“How do I not hurt them?” Bucky asked, stepping a bit awkwardly as he looked deeper into the room.

“Be the same as you are with me, delicate wise,” Tony offered. There was a rushing sound of wheels before DUM-E appeared around a shelf and went claw first at Tony. Tony grinned and reached out to pet the sensor on the top of DUM-E’s head and the claw rotated in what could only be seen as happiness. “DUM-E? I want you to meet Bucky, my alpha.”

Bucky cautiously stepped closer and DUM-E wheeled over just as slowly, clearly picking up on Bucky’s behavior. Then Bucky knelt down to DUM-E’s level and cleared his throat. “Hello.”

DUM-E’s claw rotated back and forth and he drew it closer to Bucky for a moment. Then he gave a few beeps and drew back. There was a moment of silence, before he turned and rushed away on his wheels. Bucky looked up at Tony in confusion. Tony smiled. “Don’t worry, if he doesn’t like you all he’s going to do is spray you with a fire extinguisher.”

“That seems unpleasant,” Bucky managed to say, his voice still rough. The gutteral sound of it though made Tony shiver slightly.

Tony laughed. “Oh, trust me, it is. It’s chemicals and pure cold.”

“I don’t like the cold,” Bucky whispered, before he stood up and stared into the darker part of the workshop.

There were a series of beeps matching another set, the second sounding more stubborn than anything. After about a minute, U came into the brighter light with DUM-E practically trying to push her forward. U’s claw arm was low, like she was either afraid or embarrassed by her brother forcing her into that part of the workshop.

“Oh, U, come here sweetie,” Tony said, opening his arms. U gave a rapid set of beeping, most likely complaining about DUM-E, before speeding over and nearly knocking Tony over in her enthusiasm. “Bucky, meet U. She’s my princess. She responds only to female terms so I figured that is her identification. U, meet my alpha.”

U gave off a curious beep, her claw rotating in question before angling her claw arm at Bucky, who seemed much more intimidated by her. Tony could understand, the bot had zipped over to any analyzing machine and even tried to pull a camera out of Tony’s hands with her claw delicate. He gave it to her once and the final recording had been watching the coffee machine brewing.

“Come over,” Tony ordered. Bucky seemed to still for a moment, before walking over to Tony’s side. “U, this is Bucky. Bucky, this is my princess.”

Bucky was silent for a moment, as U’s claw rotated as though she was taking him in. Bucky eventually reached out and gently grabbed U’s claw with his metal hand. “My lady.”

U let out such a long series of beeps that Tony wasn’t even sure what she was saying. It ended up not mattering because DUM-E rolled around the metal shelving with something metal in his claw. He rushed over and Bucky had to pull back from his enthusiasm. DUM-E then stretched his claw out to Bucky. Bucky glanced at Tony, who shrugged, and reached out for what DUM-E was holding. He stared down at what was apparently a wrench being dropped into his metal hand, before reaching out with his flesh hand and patting DUM-E’s sensor like Tony had done before. “Thank you.”

And then like that the bots wandered off, apparently happy with the exchange.

“That went well,” Tony said cheerfully. He watched as Bucky looked down at the wrench, one thumb caressing a side of it. “You can keep it, DUM-E meant it as a welcome gift.”

“Hmm,” Bucky let out, slipping the wrench into one of the many pockets his uniform seemed to have. He looked over at Tony, eyes narrowed. “You told us a man was pressuring you.”

Tony winced, hoping to not have that conversation yet, but if it helped Bucky remember he knew he had to respond. “Yeah…my friend, the soldier I told you about, figured out how to get out of that. I gave him what he really wanted, the company. Me being marked at the time helped. Everyone thinks you both were soldiers, possibly dead or captured.”

Bucky stepped closer, almost as close to feel his body heat. “Do you want it? The company.”

“Yes, eventually. The new contract I have with him allows for me to control my department, but negotiate when I decide to take over,” Tony replied. “I’ve been a horrible mess, Bucky. I’m not fit to actually run a company.”

Bucky just let out a humming sound again, but didn’t follow it with any words. He started to reach out with his metal hand, before changing it by reaching with his flesh hand instead. Tony could only close his eyes as the fingers he was so familiar with, the fingers that had literally been inside him, stroked his cheek.

The silence in the room was strong, but Tony nuzzled Bucky’s palm just because he finally could. After a few minutes Bucky pulled back and asked, “You think they’ll actually find Stevie?”

“Even if they can’t,” Tony replied, “I’ll make sure he’s found. I’ll take their information and get it done on my own. I love having you here, but we need him.”

“We do,” Bucky said softly.

The silence felt heavy and, in an attempt to calm it, Tony looked up and smiled. “I have something for you.”

“What?” Bucky asked, his voice suddenly rough again, like he was suspicious.

“Oh calm down,” Tony teased, standing.

“Sir? I hate to interrupt, but the food is done,” Jarvis piped up.

“Oh, great! We can eat while I show you,” Tony said, grabbing Bucky’s metal hand without thinking. It seemed to flex in his hold and Tony paused to look up at Bucky. “Sorry.”

Bucky looked down at where Tony’s hand was clutching him. “It’s fine. I won’t hurt you.”

Tony smiled at Bucky’s trust in him and guided the man up into the kitchen. He took some time pulling the chicken tenders out of the stove. The bag had said a minute resting, but as a fast eater Tony knew he could quickly put them on their plates. He put a dollop of ranch dressing on the plates and handed one to Bucky. The man didn’t eat until he saw Tony take a bite.

“Okay, take your plate and keep eating,” Tony walked toward the hallway that had the three bedrooms in the house. “Like I said, I have something for you.”

Bucky was eating, like he took Tony’s words as an order as he followed him down the hall into Tony’s room. It was a large room with a bathroom included. There was a desk matching the bedside drawers, one of which had the book Bucky had given him. There were two bookshelves on one wall, filled with random novels and books of engineering and physics. Tony paused in front of it, having eaten all the way there.

He looked at Bucky, who seemed to only be on his third tender. Tony set his empty plate onto a side table and waited until the man ate his final bit of food. The entire time Bucky watched as Tony trailed his fingers along the books, and Tony was pretty sure Bucky knew he was waiting for Bucky to finish eating. When Bucky did, Tony grabbed his plate and set it on top of his own.

“So, yeah, I have a present for you. For you to borrow, and when you’re done I’ll give you the next one,” Tony said.

“I don’t understand,” Bucky replied.

Tony pulled The Fellowship of the Ring off his shelf and handed it over. “It’s the sequel to The Hobbit. Though the style is for a slightly older audience and the world is much more vast.”

Bucky stared at it for a moment, looking hesitant over taking it.

“Oh, and I’m hoping you’ll stay here tonight,” Tony said softly. “I mean, I’d love you to be here always, but I know you might not be ready for that. But maybe? Stay tonight. I have extra rooms and I know you probably want a shower. Please?”

Bucky stood there, his metal thumb dragging lightly along the book in his hands.

Tony stepped closer and grabbed his metal arm, causing the thumb to stop moving and Bucky to look away. “Please? And if you leave in the middle of the night, tell Jarvis why. That’s all I ask. I just want you here.”

Bucky let out a near growling sound, glaring off into the distance. “Want to be here. But I’m not safe.”

“You don’t have to stay in here with me,” Tony said. “I’ve got another bedroom ready for a guest. But, Bucky…you look so tired and you need to be clean and get a full night of sleep. And Bucky? That fucking Fury asshole got into my home and you protected me. Come on, if you won’t stay for me just wanting you here, stay because of that.”

Bucky shot him a look that at first Tony didn’t understand, then he realized Bucky was offended by Tony not thinking he couldn’t protect him regardless. Tony hid his amusement. Bucky looked down at the book, almost glaring, before he gave a slight nod. “I’ll stay.”

Tony opened his mouth to say his appreciation, but Bucky simply turned on his heel and strode out of the room. Tony stood there a moment, not sure what to do. Sure, the Bucky before was often quick in his decisions, but Tony wasn’t actually dealing with 1940s Bucky Barnes. So Tony grabbed their dirty plates and made his way back into the kitchen to rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher.

He felt Bucky’s presence behind him as he closed the dishwasher, waiting to turn it on when he had more dishes. He turned to see Bucky standing there, book in his hands and looking so young and almost lost. “Thank you.”

“Bucky, you can thank me all you want, but I would give you the world just because I want to,” Tony admitted.

Bucky squinted at him, before nodding. He turned and headed for the guest room Rhodey had used. After a few minutes, Tony heard the shower turn on. Letting out a long breath, Tony made his way to his own room and showered. He pulled on his pajamas and got into bed. Sleeping was difficult, filled with heavy dreams he couldn’t control. He tossed and turned for far longer than he should have.

Then he felt arms around him. He didn’t open his eyes to see Bucky, afraid he was lying to himself. But he finally fell asleep. His mind became so calm and he felt a comfort he hadn’t felt in years.

His alarm went off at 8:30 in the morning and he was alone. When he went into the living room, Bucky’s mask was gone.

Notes:

Okay, so my new job is AWESOME. Doing Rick Management Audits for a bank is just...holy crap. Yay!

Also, I have thought of so many ideas of Steve interacting with the bots. It's super adorable and I can't wait to write it.

Chapter 24: 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 3 days - 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 5 days

It had been a couple days later. Bucky had yet to return, but Tony had a weirdly soft feeling that he would come back. Which meant his focus had to be on work. He was going extra slow on the missile he needed to make. A part of him didn’t want to make it at all. He thought of Steve and Bucky in the war, trying to stop bombs like the one Tony was making. It made him a little sick just to think of. Tony learned gentleness from both Bucky and Steve, and yet here he was making bombs and guns that could kill people more efficiently.

And knowing that, maybe that was why he had been slow on this project and the one before it. Tony knew it would come back to bite himself in the ass, but there was a hard feeling telling him to limit the amplified weapons. So, if he was honest with himself, he was lazy about it.

He was taking his time with the soldering and had been just staring at it like he had an equation to work over even though he didn’t when his phone rang. He glanced over and saw the extension. Groaning, he set down the tools and reached for the phone.

“This is Stark,” Tony said.

“I need you in my office as soon as possible,” Obadiah replied, apparently not going for small talk.

“Why?” Tony asked, glancing at his slow building bomb nervously.

“We’ll discuss that when you get here,” Obadiah said, his alpha tone giving each word a strong edge.

Tony fought down the urge to sound submissive. “Yeah, sure. I’m at a stopping point so I’ll head up now.”

The way Obadiah just ended the call gave Tony pause. His hands clenched up, nerves hitting him. There were probably a few things Obadiah could be calling him for. The tabloids had released their newest article on his slutty behavior with a picture of him going into a small Malibu grocery store for ‘a quick meet up.’ Apparently buying ice cream was sexier than Tony would have thought. But Tony knew that couldn’t be it, so he packed up his soldering tools and the bomb’s housing unity and motherboard. He strode straight to the elevator and hit the level he needed.

A few stops later, Tony finally made it onto Obbadiah’s floor. He spent part of his walk trying to remember to stand upward and not be fidgety. He passed the secretary of his that he didn’t remember the name of. He gave a wave to match her own before heading to Obadiah’s office, waiting for his secretary to let him in.

There’s a weird spike in his nervousness in him as he finally enters the office. Tony had gotten used to Obadiah almost ignoring him, merely watching him from afar. Like the man still couldn’t put away the desire he had before, despite having been able to get what he wanted. Tony didn’t think he was that desirable, despite what the tabloids said, so the thoughts rushing in his head seemed bizarre and honestly just paranoid.

Obadiah was seated at his desk, a hand up for his chin to rest on. He didn’t even look up as Tony came in. Tony stood there a moment and when Obadiah still didn’t look up he made his way over to the man’s small liquor cabinet and poured himself a full glass of scotch. He sat in on the chairs in front of the man’s desk and took a sip, followed by a gulp as he waited to be acknowledged. He was halfway through the glass and feeling a soft buzz due to not having drank since Rhodey had visited.

He was considering topping off his drink when Obadiah finally looked up and spoke. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes,” Tony replied, his wariness flaring up enough for him to take another gulp. Trying to remain calm, he set the glass - a fourth still full - on the side table in between the two chairs. “So, what did you need me for?”

Obadiah got an odd look, half smiling, before it vanished. “Well, I have some questions about the accountant that visited you. She’s been quite the trouble maker, bombarding us with emails about fund transfers. I was curious as to what you thought of the whole ordeal.”

Tony swallowed, his throat feeling dry. “Not much. I met with her and she presented evidence of funds going into a holding account via a charity. I told her I would look into it.”

Obadiah stared at him, his face so blank that it was clear he was using subtle intimidation. “And yet she suddenly gained access to the account at a much higher level than her station.”

Tony bit his lip and grabbed his glass for another gulp. Then he rolled his eyes. “Come on, Obie. We both know I don’t have the time to look into everything. So I gave Jarvis access to her computer, to let him see the trail. I told her I’d look into it and I did. I saw what I was looking for through my AI and I’m satisfied with the results. Ms Potts has not been a part of anything beyond the first search.”

Obadiah’s eyes narrowed. “So you saw.”

“Yeah,” Tony replied, shrugging and playing cool. “Captain America crap. I’m fine with it continuing as long as the funds don’t get bigger. Searching for an ice cube is good and fine, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the funds we need for everything else.”

Obadiah smiled, the sight of it oddly sending a chill down Tony’s spine. “Well, then, I guess we have nothing to worry about. I’m glad you want to continue your father’s work. Which brings me to your latest bomb project. It’s been delayed quite a few times, Tony. I expected more from you.”

“Well,” Tony replied, shifting in his seat. “As I’m sure you’re aware from the tabloids, I've been a little preoccupied.”

“Yes, for a few years now,” Obadiah practically growled. “For someone bonded you sure as hell don’t act like it. Which makes me wonder if you ever were in the first place.”

“I was - I am!” Tony blurted out, his neck throbbing from the bite marks he kept hidden. “Where is this coming from, Obie? You haven’t questioned my bonds to my alphas in years. If this is about me not getting that bomb prototype to you in time-”

“No,” Obadiah interrupted, standing. Tony watched, biting his lip in an obvious sign of his discomfort, as the man walked around the desk and made it to Tony’s side. It was as he placed his hand on the back of Tony’s neck that he said, “You have been holding on to them for too long, Tony. It’s time to let go. It’s time to know who you actually should belong to.”

Tony felt his body still as Obadiah squeezed his neck. Tony had always been upset about being an omega, but he had never been the type to hate himself for his station. No, he hated the situations it placed him in, and right then as that squeeze made him imobile he hated what he was more than ever before. He cleared his throat and shifted forward on the chair in case he actually needed to run.

“Obie, please, I don’t-” Tony started, twisting to look up at the man behind him.

“But you do,” Obadiah said. “You need an alpha to keep you in control. I waited for all these years, watching as you destroyed your own name. Tony, you need a real alpha. Not some phantoms hovering over you. I know you hide their marks but still hope for them. This is futile.”

“It’s my choice,” Tony whispered, feeling oddly subdued by the strength in Obadiah’s voice.

Obadiah stepped back and walked back around to his desk, a strong alpha scent lingering. He sat down and gave Tony a stern look. “I won’t wait for long, Tony. Eventually, you’ll bend for me.”

Tony felt weak and wished he had never had that drink. Though he was aware enough that he understood it had been Obadiah that had put him in this head space. The man was ignoring him again, so Tony stood on shaky legs and made for the door. He hit the elevator and rode it down to the car garage before he finally found himself grabbing at the cement wall next to his car and vomiting.

By the time he was done letting out the alcohol and his light lunch, Tony felt clear headed enough to drive home. He wanted to speed, to get as far away as possible, but he reminded himself that he wasn’t the disgrace that Obadiah thought he was. And when he finally got home, he slammed into the house and rushed into his workshop where he knew his bots would be there to comfort him.

It took an hour, as he played ball with DUM-E and pet U, before the door to the workshop opened up. And Tony knew it would only be two people and that Rhodey was out somewhere on his tour. Tony looked up, still feeling on the verge of tears, to see Bucky storm down the stairs without his mask on. There was stiffness in his stride, like on some level he knew something was wrong.

Tony didn’t even let the man speak. He rushed over, the sob he had held back for so long coming out, as he wrapped his arms around Bucky’s torso and pressed his face into the weird assassin vest the man always wore. Bucky slowly wrapped his arms around Tony, holding him as he cried.

“Jarvis?” Bucky’s rough voice asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t properly explain, but I can show you the video,” Jarvis replied.

Bucky started to gently push Tony over to the couch and once there Tony wrapped himself around Bucky, giving the man no choice but to sit there and rub Tony’s back. “Show me. Please.”

Tony knew he whimpered as he pressed his face into Bucky’s neck, who tilted his head to give Tony the room to do so. He could hear the echo of himself and Obadiah in the security feed Jarvis had recorded. He flinched, but calmed almost immediately when he felt a metal hand threading through his hair. Tony let out another sob, because even with Bucky as he was now he knew he wasn’t good enough. And even more, he’d never in his wildest dreams be good enough for Steve.

“Let me kill him.” It took a moment for Tony to realize Bucky was talking to him. His voice was so soft and the metal hand caressing the back of his head was gentle, a complete contrast to his words.

“No,” Tony mumbled, trying to come out of the state of mind he had been in. “The company needs him.”

“Then let me come back, let him see the alpha you have,” Bucky said in a near growl, a growl that unlike Obadiah sent a rush positive feelings through him.

“It’s only a few days before we get to go to Steve’s landing site,” Tony replied, finally sitting up. “If we make a fuss now then it might stop that from happening. Obadiah knew about the funds and what they were for. Bucky, it’s only a few days. When we are back, you can do whatever you want, with Steve there as well.”

Bucky glared. “He touched you.”

Tony knew it wasn’t a good idea to say it wasn’t the first time. “Bucky, I know you don’t remember much. But…Bucky, I know you’ll protect me no matter what. I just can’t risk that when we might be getting Steve back. I don’t know who SHIELD views better, me or Obadiah. I can’t risk it, we need to get to Steve.”

“Then after,” Bucky said. “After, I’ll eliminate the threat.”

Tony wanted to tell Bucky that he didn’t need to do that, but a part of him felt a roll of satisfaction over how happily his alpha was willing to defend him. Tony raised his head and pressed his nose into the curve of Bucky’s throat. The man tugged him closer in response, a flesh hand on his side and the metal hand still threading through his hair. Tony drew in his scent before saying, “Sleep with me.”

And despite the shiver that he felt run along Bucky’s body, Tony knew the man understood it wasn’t sexual. The man easily pulled him up, guiding him up the stairs and to his bedroom. Tony, suddenly in what could only be described as a fugue due to the last few hours, didn’t fully comprehend what was actually happening. His brain numb, he just let Bucky take care of him. He let the man tug off his clothes and guide him into putting on pajamas. Sitting on the bed he watched as Bucky stripped off his many layers, leaving only a pair of boxer-briefs.

Distantly, he wondered if Bucky had picked them out himself.

“Lay down,” Bucky ordered.

Tony did as was told, his head hitting the pillow. Bucky walked over to the other side of the bed and climbed in. The blankets were suddenly around Tony, making him feel like he was suffocating for a moment. Then Bucky grabbed him and tugged him close. The warmth of his body was followed by an arm around his waist and a strong chest at his back.

Tony wasn’t sure if it was all real. He supposed he would find out in the morning. Yet, there was a kiss at his neck, making his bond bites throb happily instead of earlier in the day. Tony let out a humm of satisfaction.

“Always,” Bucky whispered against his ear, causing Tony to shiver. “I will always protect you.”

Tony clenched his eyes closed, fighting the urge to cry. He felt the arm around him pull him closer to the pure warmth and scent of Bucky. A part of him wanted to beg, just beg for Bucky to reclaim him. Except he knew Bucky was working through motions to become himself again. Tony had helped, sure, but that wasn’t fixed so easily and Tony knew not to pressure. Bucky would need time before any reclaiming could take place.

“I love you,” Tony whispered, almost hoping Bucky didn’t hear.

There was silence, before Tony felt Bucky’s nose nuzzle against Tony’s ear. “You’re the most important person.”

Tony felt himself smile because that was as close to a love statement as Bucky could make right then. He shifted back, letting out a noise of contentment when Bucky held him closer. If only he could stay this way forever. But he knew he’d wake up to something new to destroy this calm comfort. It didn’t stop him from falling asleep, one hand on Bucky’s hand at his stomach.

Tony Stark fell asleep more easily than he had in nearly three years. He only hoped it would last.

Notes:

As you can see, Obadiah is still as creepy as ever.

Chapter 25: 3 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 3 days - 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 2 days

Notes:

This is probably the longest chapter, also new characters! woo!

Tony woke up that morning, a few days after he had slept with Bucky, feeling like maybe the day was going to go sour. He had worked more on his bomb at work and had somehow managed to avoid the liquor cabinet despite how stressed he had been. Tony stood and made himself a microwave breakfast burrito.

After all, today was the day and Tony knew he’d need the energy just combating the Arctic cold alone.

He didn’t even flinch when a hand of metal slid along his side and warmth pressed up against his back. He set his now empty plate down on the counter and leaned back into Bucky’s hold. It had slowly become more common in the last few days. While Bucky had only held him that one night, the man was suddenly more comfortable with small moments of touch and affection.

At least once a day, either before or after work, Bucky would show up randomly and sit silently with him as he tinkered with one thing or another. Then after about thirty minutes Bucky would start asking questions on what Tony was working on and eventually he’d start leaning into Tony’s space. By the time their time was over - which could be an hour all the way to four - Bucky was comfortable to hug him goodbye, ignoring Tony’s offer for him to stay.

Tony never said it to the alpha, but he was proud of Bucky trying to connect. His progress of just no longer having the stiffness in his shoulders was wonderful.

“You ready to do this?” Tony asked, softly.

“Do as we must,” Bucky’s voice rumbled against Tony’s back. “Any means necessary to get Stevie back.”

“Definitely,” Tony replied, before turning in the man’s hold. “But we can’t be hostile to those SHIELD guys, we need them to get to Steve.”

“I’ll protect you,” Bucky replied, like he was simply stating a fact and he didn’t understand why Tony kept questioning him. Since Tony hadn’t even implied that, he was certain he was seeing The Winter Soldier actually showing vulnerability. “If they start something-”

“You’ll finish it?” Tony asked, chuckling.

“Sir, your…transportation has arrived,” Jarvis said.

“Great!” Tony grabbed Bucky’s metal hand - something he had the habit of doing, which seemed to make Bucky more and more comfortable with using the hand - and dragged him into the living room where their bags waited. “I got you all the cold condition clothes you need, even clean boxers. I wasn’t sure how long we’d be there. I know you’re just going to wear your murder vest and dom-boots the entire time, but you needed at least a warmer coat.”

“Caring,” Bucky said, suddenly dropping a kiss on Tony’s cheek. He snapped his mask back on, his only request about coming with Tony, before gathering up the bags and glaring when Tony tried to help. They opened the door and paused.

“A jet?” Tony asked, throwing up his hands in disbelief. “A fucking jet!”

“Yes, a quinjet to be specific,” a voice called out as the back of the jet lowered to allow entry. Fury stood there, waiting. “We are busy men, Stark, so are you coming or not?”

Bucky growled next to him, but Tony ignored it and strode forward, giving off his usual scent of boredom. He felt a little bad about Bucky carrying their bags, one of which was all of Tony’s tech tools. However, he knew the alpha would deny him if he asked to carry any himself. The old Bucky probably would have, but this Bucky was much more stubborn.

The quinjet’s interior was bigger than what Tony would have thought. There were at least twelve people there, sitting on benches on either side. Fury went back to his spot, gesturing for Tony and Bucky to follow. They stopped a second as someone offered to stow away their bags. Tony watched, amused, as Bucky glared the woman down, nostrils flaring. Eventually, he seemed to view the woman as trustworthy and handed over the bags.

“Such a badass alpha,” Tony teased in a whisper as they sat down in the chairs Fury pointed at. Bucky’s eyes seemed to show an almost smile, so Tony counted his comment as a win. He turned and looked forward at Fury and asked, “So, what’s the flight plan?”

It wasn’t Fury who answered but the pilot who was now double checking the control panel’s readings. Tony was shocked at the young blonde man that twisted around, only one hand on the controls, to grin at them. “Oh, we’re heading straight to the Arctic base. We are passing go and heading straight for free parking!”

“Barton,” Fury growled.

“Right, sorry.” the man mumbled, and he was clearly an omega. Tony could identify a sassy omega from a mile away. There was a moment of silence before he piped up again loudly, so the others in the back could hear, “This is your captain, Clint Barton, reminding you to buckle up. The sky is beautiful here in California, but the current temperature in the Arctic is too cold for your balls to survive. Have a wonderful flight.”

Fury dropped his head down, like all he wanted to do was gag Clint. “I’m writing Coulson up for recommending you for this.”

“What can I say? He sees amazingness when it’s right in front of him,” Clint said, his tone turning soft.

Tony knew there was something in that tone and the gossiper in him wanted to know more, but he was distracted by Bucky actually chuckling. As he buckled up as Clint had suggested, he turned to look at his alpha, grinning. Sure the chuckle was muffled from the mask, but it was the first time since Bucky came back that he had made that noise. Tony's smile grew wide, reaching out to grasp Bucky’s flesh hand. He saw blue eyes darting toward him.

“Love you,” Tony said as low and soft as he could. Bucky looked up, his eyes boring into him with obvious emotion, like the man was saying the same back. Remembering they were among strangers, Tony cleared his throat and turned toward Fury. “So, what’s the itinerary? I’d like to know what to expect.”

“First we’ll freeze-” Clint started.

“First,” Fury growled out, clearly trying to get the omega to shut up. Clint shrugged, turning back to guiding the jet with an air of an omega that was bonded and wasn’t bothered by another alpha or beta bossing him around. Fury sighed. “We’re going to get you settled at the Arctic site, a room as well. Then I’m hoping you can analyze our satellite surveillance to know if we’re looking in the right spot to begin with. This team here are all engineering and medical. They’ll be able to use the equipment we have to get through the ice.”

“And after, if you find him?” Tony asked.

“We have a small medical team on site and with these additions we should be able to analyze what Steve Rogers needs and if he’s able to return to life as your father claimed he should be able through the serum,” Fury replied.

“How long until we get there?” Tony asked.

“Fast as a bald eagle diving for fish,” Clint said, smiling brightly when Fury glared at him once more. “Sorry boss, my mouth runs away so easily. Stark, it’s going to be about four hours depending on the air. There’s a storm in Michigan that might slow us down. I’ll put it on auto-pilot in a bit.”

“Good to know you can actually answer questions,” Fury grumbled.

“So harsh, boss.” Clint went silent, but Tony was definitely enjoying the man’s commentary.

“So are you just the pilot?” Tony asked.

It was Fury who responded before the omega could. “Barton is our defense and has the eyesight to see anything coming.”

“And why would we need a defense in the Arctic? Well, I guess he might enjoy shooting polar bears,” Tony drawled out.

“We’ve had members of a sleeper agency attack us before,” Fury admitted. “Rogers fought against HYDRA so there is a chance that they are still alive and might make a move. Barton is a precaution. Trust me, no matter the crap that comes out of his mouth, you put him up high and he can eliminate any threat around.”

“Aw, boss, you tease me with your words,” Clint said.

“What is your gun of choice?” Bucky suddenly asked, his tone both full defensive alpha - a clear response to all the new people around him - and curiosity.

Tony noticed Clint reaching up and touching his ear, realizing quickly the man was wearing hearing aids. Clint glanced back. “Sorry, buddy, but with that mask it’s hard to hear you. Say again?”

“What weapon do you use?” Bucky asked, the squint of his eyes indicating he had noticed what Tony did.

“Well, I’m old school. Take your rifles and bombs, I don’t care. But my bow and arrow will hit my target every time, and they are more adaptable. You would be amazed by the styles SHIELD makes for me. Haven’t missed a mark since I was a kid in the circus,” Clint said with pride.

Bucky nodded. “I was a sniper, that sight and aim is only for those built for it.”

There was a moment where Clint sat up straighter, recognizing the praise given to him from an alpha. Tony knew that feeling. Then he focused on the sky as Clint adjusted some controls. “Setting autopilot. And this guy needs to take a piss.”

There was silence after Clint left the cockpit. Tony looked over at Bucky, smiling when he saw that the man was looking at him already. “So, what do you think?”

“Not sure about the others,” Bucky admitted, reaching out again. Tony immediately took his hand, knowing his alpha was feeling nervous in a situation where he wasn’t in control. “I like the Barton guy, though. I trust him to keep you safe. I can smell honesty on him.”

“Yeah,” Tony said softly. “We got some time…anything you want to do?”

Bucky looked away, like he was embarrassed. “I have the book you lent me in my bag.”

Tony started to smile and unbuckled himself now that it was safe to do so. He stood and leaned into Bucky’s space and kissed him on the temple. Then he walked back to the storage space and found Bucky’s bag. Tony had prepared it, so Bucky must have put the book in it before greeting Tony in the kitchen. He grabbed the book and his own computer. Coming back, he handed the book to Bucky and knew the man was smiling at him even if he couldn’t see the smile.

They spent the next few hours ignoring everyone else. Bucky read his book while Tony worked on R&D prototypes. They ignored Fury snapping at Clint, who clearly had less of a filter than Tony had. Eventually, they got to their location. Both of them closed what they were looking at and tuned back in just in time for them to hear Clint’s echoing voice.

“Welcome to the place of ice and boredom, my wonderful passengers,” Clint announced. Fury had clearly given up on controlling the man’s mouth. “We are arriving into the facility's airspace in five minutes, so I suggest getting those buckles on right about now.”

Tony grabbed his buckles and clipped them in, watching as Bucky did the same. He watched through the window as the jet dropped down and landed on an icy landing pad. The fact that Clint did it so perfectly, with barely a tremble to the jet, was impressive.

The landing pad was close to a small circular building, ice covering the building like a defensive shield. The back ramp opened and a harsh cold flowed into the space. They all undid their safety belts. Tony was already shivering as he stood up, but Bucky brought himself close and his warmth eased some of the cold. The land was simply clouds and dead silence. And due to it being the Arctic it wasn’t even snowing. This high up on the earth there was no precipitation, merely freezing cold.

Tony knew he wouldn’t be seeing any snowflakes before he came here, but the lack of actual snow with such a cold place seemed unnatural compared to what he was used to seeing. They grabbed their bags, putting away his laptop and book, and basically rushed to the door awaiting them. Getting inside was more important than taking the time to dig out their winter coats.

Inside there was a small crew at their computers, some standing in front of a large screen that had geographic information on it. They were approached by a man with a receding hairline and suit, which would have looked out of place on anyone else. His face was almost bland, like he didn’t show emotion unless he knew the person. Except when Clint stepped forward the man actually smiled. “Did you mouth off?”

Clint lowered his head and mumbled, “Maybe a bit.”

“He was obnoxious,” Fury snapped. “As usual. Honestly, Coulson, I don’t know how you deal with him.”

“That’s not for you to question,” Coulson said, eyes narrowing.

Fury seemed to almost fume, despite clearly being a higher rank than Coulson. After a second of intensity Fury started to storm off, throwing over his shoulder, “Get them settled.”

Coulson looked at them a moment, his face showing no emotion in a way that made Tony a little nervous. Clint came up to him and whispered into his ear. There was a twitch, like the man wanted to smile. Then he turned back to them and said, “Follow me, we have a room prepared.”

They followed the agent, watching as Clint babbled on while Coulson shot the omega a soft look. Tony grabbed Bucky’s hand, feeling a weird sense of happiness at seeing the clearly bonded duo talk and verbally fight as they made their way down the hallway. It was clear that Coulson had suggested Clint to Fury because he wanted to be close to the man again. The entire idea sent a warmth through Tony. He had seen so many partnerships break apart from stress.

Before Tony could open his mouth and interrupt the contentment of both men they had reached their room. It was small, with a queen size bed and a dresser. Otherwise it was just steel. Everything beyond the bed was hard metal. A vent near the ceiling pumped in warm air, but there was still a chill that only the Arctic could give.

Bucky didn’t seem to mind the chill. He hadn’t shivered once. Tony figured spending years in cryo would do that to a person. You either adapt or die.

Tony turned to him and shrugged. “Home sweet home.”

“You’ll want to head back to the computer room when you’ve finished putting away your things,” Coulson informed them before turning toward Clint. “I need to debrief you.”

“Aw, come on, I just got here,” Clint whined.

“Be that as it may, I will debrief you before you run off to bother the cook,” Coulson replied, putting extra emphasis on the word ‘debrief’ and tilting his head slightly.

“Oh! Oh.” Clint started bouncing a bit, before grabbing Coulson’s hand and tugging him toward the door. Coulson managed to look cool as a cucumber, a complete contrast to his omega. “Gotta go guys, debriefings are very important.”

Tony opened his mouth to reply, but poor Coulson had already disappeared, his shoulder potentially popping out of the socket by the strength behind Clint’s enthusiasm. Tony smiled and looked over at Bucky who was still staring at the door. Tony walked over and closed it. “They were adorable.”

Bucky nodded. “I like that guy, too.”

“Come on, Bucky,” Tony said, stepping closer. “Just us here, take off the mask. I want to see you smile.”

Bucky squinted his eyes, clearly looking for some kind of play Tony was going for but he must have seen something on Tony’s face that calmed him. He reached up and undid one clasp, causing the mask to swing down and dangle at the left side of his face. Tony reached up and grinned when Bucky didn’t flinch away. Tony dragged his thumbs along the pink imprints left behind from the pressure of the edges of the mask.

“I need to make you a new one, more comfortable,” Tony said softly, more to himself than anything. Bucky’s mouth curled up at a corner. “Okay, yes, I’m feeling sappy. Get over it.”

“I like it,” Bucky told him.

“Ugh, I need to go inspect their setup and probably fix everything,” Tony complained. “Are you staying here?”

Bucky just glared, like Tony was being ridiculous and Bucky wanted him to stop. Tony grinned and headed for the door, hearing Bucky’s steps behind him and the soft click of the mask being put back on. He made his way, with his alpha escort behind him, to the computer space. It was filled with computers, more than what he originally saw. He stepped over to the man who seemed to be the one in charge.

This began two days of altering the computers so they wouldn’t have to search a couple miles down to merely fifty feet. Like he was in his own workshop, Tony just emerged himself into the work. He felt Bucky behind him and knew the man was watching him and protecting him. It was a sudden rush the second day to know his apha was watching every move he made.

On the third day it started the same. Coulson, who had been absent those first days, came up and questioned his progress. Coulson had the scent of a happy omega on him. Tony figured that was normal for the two of them being reunited. A part of him wished Bucky was stable enough for him to just give himself over the way Clint did, but he was Bucky’s omega. He could sense when his alpha wasn’t ready.

It took him four hours to realize Bucky was no longer in the room. Ignoring the technician's questions he straightened up and looked around. A start of panic hit him.

“Stark,” Coulson said, grabbing one of his arms so Tony had something to focus on. “Clint took him down to the range. Do you want me to take you there?”

Tony nodded, feeling numb by the worry in him. Coulson led him to the elevator and hit a lower level. They remained silent, though Coulson let go of his arm as they descended. When they got there the room was large, with targets that randomly moved set up at the far end. Tony spotted Bucky immediately. The man was easily shooting at one of the targets with a rifle. A few feet next to him was Clint who was aiming his bow and shooting another moving target with accuracy that matched Bucky’s.

There was a flash of red from the lights of the room, apparently to tell the shooters that someone had entered. Clint looked over and grinned when he spotted Coulson. At Tony’s glare, however, Clint shuffled his feet nervously. “Oh come on, he was clearly bored.”

Bucky shrugged, which told Tony that it was true. “They have a nice set up.”

“I didn’t realize, I’m sorry. I got caught up in my work,” Tony offered. Bucky looked over at him, the mask hiding any true emotion. But his eyes showed all Tony needed to know. Tony winced. “Yeah, that’s definitely on me. You like it here, though?”

“Don’t get to practice often,” Bucky said, which was all that Tony needed to hear.

“I think we’ll be good to leave tomorrow,” Tony offered. “But you and Clint should get to play.”

“Always a good idea for these types,” Coulson offered, his tone almost fond.

“And yet they both seem bored. Any way to amp up the targets?” Tony asked.

“I suppose I can,” Coulson replied, but without his bland tone as he seemed only amused. “Let’s leave them to it.”

“Yeah,” Tony replied fondly, watching Bucky talk to Clint. The man actually engaging with someone was a beautiful moment that he allowed to imprint in his head. “Hey, Bucky? We’re going to head back up, okay?”

And Bucky shot him a look, nodding. Tony turned to leave, glancing back once to see Bucky easily diving into a conversation with Clint. It was probably about weapons, as that was what Bucky had connected with the omega on originally. Tony wasn’t worried, he just went back to his job.

The next day was when they knew they were at a good enough spot by Tony Stark standards. They had Steve’s plane narrowed down and with Tony’s amplifications they could even see it on the radar. The single wing of the plane angled out of the solid ice. From what Tony could tell the wind in this part of the Arctic could reach deadly levels so the fact the wing was still in one piece hinted that the plane itself might still be frozen but in strong condition. It was nice to think that it wouldn’t collapse on them.

“You can stop glaring at me,” Tony said, adjusting the puffy coat he had fought to get Bucky into. “I know it’s not the assassin line of fashion that you’re so fond of, but it's better than having your other arm freeze off.”

“So that’s how that happened,” Clint said.

Tony didn’t know if the man was joking or not. To be honest, he wasn’t sure how much the agents at this SHIELD location knew about Bucky or even their bond to Steve. Tony figured this was the one time he could not be nosy and just take the blessing as it was. He turned back to Bucky and double checked that the buttons on his coat were still connected. Bucky gently grabbed his hands and pushed them away.

“Ugh, I’m nervous,” Tony admitted.

“You could stay here,” Bucky offered.

“Hell no! I am not a delicate omega and I’m not missing this,” Tony replied.

“You just want to see him ripping open a plane in front of you,” Clint said. Which pretty much answered whether Clint knew what Bucky was.

“Are you ready?” Coulson asked, entering the room where they were suiting up - five other agents doing the same behind them. Coulson was only wearing his ever present suit, indicating he was remaining comfortably behind the monitors. “I’ll be watching you and the surrounding area. Radar indicates only a cargo ship nearing twenty miles south, so other agents will be watching that for any suspicious behavior. The quinjet is ready for you when you’re good to go. Tony will help with navigation.”

From there it was a rush of activity, packing whatever last minute items they thought they might need. They should only be there for a few hours at most, but with two omegas on the team things like extra food and extra blankets for needed warmth were added. Tony didn’t even bother to roll his eyes, Clint doing the same as he sat at the pilot’s chair. Eventually, they were buckled up and lifting off into the air.

Even with the quinjet’s speed it took nearly an hour to reach the plane’s location. The plane’s wing and tail were all that was visible, the barely there light of the Arctic’s hardly there day giving just enough light to see made the metal look almost mystical in nature. The idea that Steve was there, frozen and all alone, made Tony’s stomach clench.

The engineer agents, with their excavation drills, exited the plane with Clint. They heard a thump on top of the jet a moment later and having seen Clint carrying his bow Tony knew he was getting into place to watch over everyone. It seemed ridiculous that someone would be lying in wait for them, but Tony wasn’t going to say anything.

Bucky and him stood by the window, watching as the agents worked, the sound of the huge drill echoing loud enough for them to hear it inside the jet. Tony leaned into Bucky’s warm side, his stomach fluttering with nerves. He didn’t know how long they stood there, watching and waiting. It could have been twenty minutes, but was probably a few hours as the depth of the drill grew and grew until it was wide enough and deep enough to reach the side door of the plane.

Tony jumped as the ramp opened up again and one of the agents stood there. “We’ve gained entry, just need to pry the door open.”

Bucky strode to the ramp, Tony rushing to catch up. As Bucky just brushed past the man, Tony paused. “We’ll take care of that. Or, well, he will.”

There was no response from the agent as Tony jogged to keep up with Bucky. He nearly slipped on the ice that was already forming at the end of the ramp, but Bucky reached out with his metal hand to keep him steady. His hand creaked, like even it felt the cold, and it made Tony make a mental note to make him a better arm. After Tony’s near fall they headed for the drilled open space. It was a huge - at least twice the width of a man’s body - hole and it led into darkness that was intimidating enough for Tony to shift closer to Bucky.

Bucky snatched the straps and rig that was connected to the rope that will help them descend from the agent, who had stupidly attempted to put it on The Winter Soldier himself, and glared at the agent with what could only be called murder eyes. Tony, on the other hand, was perfectly content with his own agent strapping him up. It felt like bondage gear, a fact Tony knew from curiosity and not actual use. The agent quickly explained how to trigger and control his descent.

“Yeah, yeah, I got this,” Tony interrupted after the tenth time the agent had used the word ‘squeeze.’

The whole process is over faster than Tony would have thought and he found himself struggling to not slip on the ice as they stare at the frosted over window of the side door. Tony opened his mouth to say something, anything, that would break the silence. He ended up covering his ears instead. The door sounded like nothing Tony had ever heard before, even with his extensive experience working with metal. It was like a high-pitched scream. The door curled outward from Bucky’s hold with his metal hand. Tony couldn’t decide whether to find the show of strength a turn on or to continue being horrified by the sound echoing around them.

“Ready?” Bucky asked, looking back at him.

“Yeah, they’re not going to give us much time before we’ve got SHIELD swarming the place,” Tony said, stepping forward to climb through the hole in the door behind Bucky. His alpha reached back to help steady him before they looked around. The inside of the plane was exactly what Tony had pictured. Ice had taken over, somehow building upon itself.

It took him a moment to notice the interior was much brighter than it should be. Shuffling forward, Tony’s eyes zoned in on a small square shaped item that was glowing. He was about to bend down for a closer look, but Bucky swiftly walked past him and made him turn instead. Bucky knelt down next to a section of ice that had the odd coloration of blue and red. Steve.

Almost as though he was frantic, Bucky pulled out one of his knives and started stabbing at the ice, tiny chips falling to the metal floor. Tony went over, dropping to his knees and grabbing Bucky’s arm. “Bucky, come on, you’re not going to get him out using a knife.”

Gunmetal eyes turned and stared at Tony. “I can’t smell him.”

“I know,” Tony whispered, dropping his head briefly so he could rub his cheek against Bucky’s shoulder. He felt Bucky relax a minute. Then Tony cleared his throat and pulled the walkie-talkie out of his coat pocket. “We’ve found him. Get your asses down here and get him out of this ice.”

Both Tony and Bucky probably didn’t make the process of breaking the ice around Steve’s body easy on the agents, but neither one of them could stand to move away even just a step. Behind them another duo was getting the glowing square out, but Tony found he couldn’t care one bit about it. Eventually, he was out and they were moving him through pulleys up to the Arctic surface. It wasn’t until they were inside the quinjet that they had a problem. The medical agent rushed over and guided them over to a long coffin looking thing sitting on the floor next to the other medical equipment. Tony had noticed it, but couldn’t identify it.

Bucky, however, knew exactly what they were doing.

One moment Bucky was standing there, slowly growing stiff, and the next he was rushing forward and grabbing the agent that had just opened the box. Tony saw almost dry-ice like wisps of air rising from the interior and suddenly understood exactly why Bucky was so upset. He looked back at his alpha just in time to see Bucky holding the man by his throat and slamming him onto the ground. The man laid there, looking dazed as Bucky pulled out his knife and straddled the man, pressing the blade where his hand had been.

“You’re not putting him in there,” Bucky said, his tone such a growl that Tony knew that he was baring his teeth under the mask.

“Sir-” one of the other members of the medical team spoke up.

“He’s not going in there,” Bucky interrupted.

“Bucky? Hey, Barnes,” Clint finally said, glancing over at Tony and probably wondering why Tony wasn’t trying to calm Bucky down. And in honesty, Tony was pretty much in agreement with his alpha. “We’re not putting him in cryo. We need to keep him at a cold enough temperature until we get to the facility. Do you understand? It’s just to maintain his temperature so the medbay can actually look at him, but he will not be put in real cryo.”

Bucky was silent, eyes darting from Clint to Steve to Tony. Slowly, his body started to relax and he stood. He paused for a moment, before reaching out his hand to help the terrified agent up. “Fine, if it must be done.”

Thankfully, that was the last bump in the plan as Clint sped them back to the facility. When they got there, Clint grabbed the black suitcase the square had been placed in and led them inside. Tony saw him head straight to Fury, but was too focused on Steve to allow himself any level of curiosity. Inside the medbay they were forced into a corner, watching as Steve was placed on a steel table. The medical team quickly attached a variety of monitoring systems and suddenly, thirty minutes after they had entered the room a beep was heard.

The whole room went silent, waiting. But there wasn’t a second beep.

“It's okay,” Bucky said softly. “It takes a while. Your body has to remember it can be alive.”

“How often did they…?” Tony started to ask.

“When they didn’t need me,” Bucky replied, like it wasn’t something that mattered. It almost made Tony want to cry, or grab a machete and hunt the bastards down in the most brutal way possible.

It took a couple hours for the medics to establish what was needed. Shorter time than Tony thought it should be, but he wasn’t a doctor and SHIELD knew who they were hiring if Coulson and Clint were any representation. So cameras were set up and two oddly comfortable chairs were brought in. The two of them could only stare as Steve laid there.

They watched as the last of the ice melted due to the ninety-five degree heat flowing into the room. They watched as every thirty minutes Steve’s chest rose just an inch as his lungs thawed. They listened as the beeping occurred every hour or so, slowly growing closer together as the night went on.

Bucky was determined to stay awake and, unlike Tony, he probably had the ability to do so. Tony tried, he tried so hard to keep his eyes open and focused on their third. On their Steve. But he had spent the last three days getting only naps here and there all so they could get to Steve as fast as possible. So Tony’s head dropped and he felt a warm hand slipping under his cheek to help prop his head into a more comfortable position.

And then with a beep hitting his ears, Tony fell asleep.

Notes:

Okay, so I LOVE Clint. The Hawkeye comics and the idea of how he was with Coulson even though we never got to see it. Guh, love his adorable self. (MCU actually made him a lot more grumpy/angry than he should be)

So now we have to see how Steve will react to waking up with his bonded instead of a fake room with a radio that was super wrong (I mean, come on Fury, do your history work. Dude could have just contacted a history professor to not make that mistake. Idiot.).

But my God, I'm loving the Tony/Bucky feels in this and can't wait to add Steve to it.

Chapter 26: 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 2 days - 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 3 days

“No, he’s going to our room.”

The heavy growl made Tony wake, eyes blinking from where he was curled up on his chair. He looked up to see Bucky in a defensive stance in front of Fury. It took him a moment for his head to clear as he sat up. “What’s going on?”

“This idiot-” the word was more a spit than anything “-wants to put Stevie in a forties designed room. Like Steve wouldn’t know the difference and freak out immediately.”

“We need to ease him into this,” Fury replied. “He’s due to wake up in even less than a day.”

Tony stumbled onto his feet, one leg numb from how he had slept. “No, that’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. Do you want a super soldier running through this place to get out? Think you are all trying to play him? Seriously, Fury, I thought better of you.”

“Exactly,” Bucky snapped, looking on the verge of just hitting Fury. “He’d smell us and fight anyone to get to us.”

“He won’t know why,” Tony added, turning to look at Steve. The man was now breathing normally and the heart beat was close to normal. Tony turned back to Fury, glaring. “I already told you that we would be the first people he saw. He’s not your toy.”

“I never implied he was,” Fury replied.

“But you fucking thought it,” Bucky growled.

Fury looked at them, face tense. Tony glared back, knowing Bucky had never stopped glaring. Then Fury sighed, indicating his choice. “Fine, it’s not like he’s going to run out into the Arctic cold anyway.”

“And when he is stable and healthy, he’ll come home with us,” Tony told him.

“No, that is non negotiable,” Fury snapped.

“It’s so sad then,” Tony sighed. “I guess all the money going to you will be blocked. Actually, we don’t really need those types of accounts anyway. I’m sure there are others that aren’t Captain America funds. But I’m also sure you’re going to get by without my company’s money.”

Fury looked to be near shooting at Tony’s words. “You’re not the CEO.”

“No, but I know that Howard Stark made those accounts. Which means by his will I have control,” Tony replied. “It’s so sad you don’t understand even the most basic banking rules.”

Fury glared and the room remained tense for the longest time. Then Fury let out a growl and stormed toward the door. Bucky looked over at Tony with a smirk on his face that Tony answered with a grin. They both turned to look at Steve. The man was actually showing signs of flushing, his cheeks and hands brightening up from blood flow.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Tony asked softly.

“Steve always finds a way,” Bucky muttered, walking over to his chair and sitting down.

They sat there for around thirty minutes before the medic agents came in. They inspected Steve’s vitals before telling them he was ready to be moved to their room. The process after that was easy, but a little difficult. Maneuvering Steve on a bed with the IV still attached was slow going, even with Bucky intimidating everyone around them.

Eventually, they were in their temporary space with Steve laying on their bed. They stood there a moment and Tony knew Bucky didn’t know what to do anymore than Tony did. After a moment, Bucky turned to him and said, “Get in bed with him.”

“Are you sure?” Tony asked, nervously. “He knew you longer.”

Bucky grabbed the chair at the unused desk and sat down. “I don’t know if he’ll want to see me like this.”

“Gonna run away,” Tony more stated, not wanting to be harsh but the tone came out despite his attempt to hide it.

“I barely remember him, I just know he’s mine,” Bucky replied, reaching up to unclasp his mask. “It was the same with you.”

Tony let out a breath and nodded. He crawled over Steve and onto the bed and laid down, head on the pillow next to Steve. He looked up at Bucky, his face going soft. “You are, you know?”

Bucky scowled, looking away.

“You are worth me and Steve and so much more,” Tony told him.

Bucky didn’t respond and it was clear that he was just going to be a silent guard. Tony didn’t mind, Bucky had gotten better at talking with him but that didn’t mean the man was required to converse all the time. They were in a confusing situation and Tony would rather Bucky be himself.

A few hours later they heard a tap on the door. Tony remained where he was and watched as Bucky walked over, scenting the air. After a moment he opened the door to reveal Clint with a plate of food and Coulson behind him. Bucky let them enter, standing like a sentinel as they placed the food on the desk.

“How’s the big guy doing?” Clint asked in a low voice, like he was afraid of waking Steve.

“Breathing and heartbeat is good,” Tony replied, draping an arm across Steve’s chest.

“Use the com by the door to ask us for anything you need,” Coulson said, his eyes focused on Steve’s still form. “Whatever you need.”

“Phil is still a Captain America nerd,” Clint offered.

“Clint,” Phil snapped.

“Sorry, even though it’s true,” Clint apologized in the least apologetic tone ever. Coulson just sighed.

“Come on, Clint. I just saw a finger twitch, so we should leave,” Coulson said in a bland voice, even though all of them knew it was more from embarrassment.

They left, but Tony looked at Steve, wondering if Coulson had noticed something he hadn’t. And that’s when he saw the finger twitch. Except more than that was a jerk in Steve’s arm like his body was trying to learn how those muscles worked again. Tony looked up at Bucky. “He’s actually moving.”

“Might take some time,” Bucky said in a gruff voice. He was clearly hiding his emotions. He grabbed the plate, which had cubes of cheese and some grapes on it, and handed it over. “Eat.”

Tony rolled his eyes at the order and reached out. He gathered a handful of both and glared stubbornly at Bucky. “Only if you do as well.”

For a moment they were both arguing via their eyes, but they both caved. Neither had eaten in over a day. So Tony laid there and Bucky sat there as they both ate while staring at Steve. They finished the food soon after, but kept watching. Steve continued to twitch, each limb jerking as they relearned.

So much time passed and Tony felt himself growing tired. It was only, he thought, three in the afternoon but with all the stress his body didn’t care. With Bucky there, Tony shifted closer to Steve and rested his head on Steve’s shoulder. It would only be a nap, after all. And as his arm wrapped around Steve’s torso he found himself falling into a light sleep.

His eyes snapped open when he felt a body suddenly grabbing him, holding him close. He nearly fought back, before the scent in the air told him to calm. Steve, in his near comatose state, had grabbed Tony. The man was clutching him, legs wrapping around Tony’s calves. Tony raised his head to see Bucky smiling, so Tony let himself go limp other than his head pressing against Steve's neck and breathing in.

Tony almost felt tired again for as long as it took for Steve to move again. He didn’t know how long it took, but suddenly Steve was growling into his neck. Tony stiffened, his fingers digging into Steve’s back as the alpha started pressing into him. Tony gave a small noise as Steve used his body to force Tony onto his back.

“Bucky,” Tony gasped. “He woke up in rut.”

“Do you need me to-” Bucky started.

Tony groaned, feeling his body suddenly flush with heat in such a fast way that he almost felt dizzy. His skin felt like it was on fire as Steve’s pheromones burnt through everything in his system, including his suppressants. He could feel his body get wet as Steve ground his hips down. Steve was definitely in rut, the man’s hormones so strong that Tony was shocked Bucky was able to just sit there, watching.

“Fuck,” Tony let out as Steve growled against him, hands dragging down his sides. “Bucky, just, shit. Don’t let him get violent.”

“I’m here for you, doll.”

But Bucky’s voice was already getting painful to his ears, every sense spiking. He’d known that a rut affected the omega just as much as the alpha, but this was beyond what he had been expecting. Everything was bright and alive. He could only whimper as Steve ripped his clothes off and then yanked off his own. All he could do was arch his body upward, everything he saw being something akin to fireworks.

And then Steve kissed him and all Tony could do was moan.

He felt himself moved onto hands and knees. Mewling, he grasped at the sheets under him as he raised his ass up. He wanted it, always would with Steve, but his mind was merely fog as he felt a large hand caressing him. Tony pressed his face into the pillow, waiting and hoping. He was already wet, already in that desperate need. He had to have Steve.

He didn’t even have the time to prepare himself for it. Steve drove into him, a bit larger than Tony remembered, so swift and fast that Tony cried out, his body just shuddering in response. He felt a hand in his hair, moaning from the touch, as it pulled his head back. For a moment all he could do was whine, trying to arch back into Steve’s thrusts.

Steve leaned down and pressed his nose and mouth against his own claim mark on Tony’s neck. Steve’s thrusts got stronger, harder, and Tony could hear him growl against his neck.

Tony cried out, the bombardment almost too much. He grasped at anything he could, his body held into position by the hand in hair and the possessive caress on his side. He just let Steve use him, listening to him growl and feeling him grasp at every part of his body. And then Tony trembled and a minute later his whole body jerked as he came.

But an alpha in rut wasn’t satisfied with just that. Steve angled himself, finally hitting Tony right on his prostate. Tony didn’t even know the sounds coming out of his mouth. Steve never missed, Tony’s prostate being attacked like that was too much. All he could do was yell out in response, digging his nails into the pillow to let him tear at it. It was just too much.

He came again, just letting his body collapse in response. Steve kept going and Tony could only let out small whimpers and the occasional yelp. He thought he heard someone talking, but at that point he was just grinding back, needing and wanting Steve’s knot. He no longer cared about anything. He needed it. His body was practically vibrating, just to have it.

He felt a hand running along his skin, before the pattern of Steve’s cock driving into him started to become erratic. Before Tony could even register feeling the swell of Steve’s knot it was pressing in, fitting into Tony’s channel so perfectly he thought he might actually cry. Steve’s arm wrapped around him, both of them somehow now laying on their side facing Bucky. A near constant rumble could be felt where Steve’s chest was pressed against his back. A soft rumble of contentment.

Bucky was staring at them, mouth parted and eyes wide. Like he had never seen anything like what he just witnessed before. Tony wondered, briefly, if Bucky remembered the sex side of their relationship. It was obvious he was aware of the romantic part and that he longed to go back to it, but seeing this type of intensity was clearly a shock to him.

“Are you okay?” Tony asked, tilting his head when Steve started lapping at his claim mark. Tony felt a pleasant shiver run from head to toe.

Bucky swallowed, glancing at Steve and looking wary. “Are you?”

“Mmm, yeah,” Tony replied, eyes fluttering when Steve’s knot shifted as the man rocked his hips.

“We’ve done this before,” Bucky half-questioned, half-stated.

“Yeah, but usually not with you in a seat watching,” Tony said. He reached out his hand. “Get up here.”

Bucky stood and walked the three feet to the bed. As he - fully clothed - knelt his knee on the bed Tony heard Steve start to growl near his ear. His arms dragging Tony impossibly closer to him. Bucky appeared to be staring Steve down, eyes narrowing. Then, jaw set, Bucky continued climbing onto the bed. Steve made no other move, just growling as Bucky settled on his side. Bucky stared at Steve a bit longer, before he scoffed. “Calm down, punk.”

“Jerk,” Steve snapped, his voice sounding painfully raw.

“You’ve been frozen for decades and the first word you say is ‘jerk’?” Tony asked. Teeth nipped at his earlobe. Tony reached out and took Bucky’s hand, his body feeling calm. The sudden heat was easing away now that Steve was satisfied with his claim. “Rude. So…what do you remember?”

Steve pressed his nose into Tony’s hair and let out a sigh, “Everything. I think. One moment I blinked and woke up to your smell and I had to…”

“Catch him before he got away,” Bucky said, looking away. There was something there, a shame. Tony could only think that it was because Bucky hadn’t done the same.

“But I don’t understand…where did you go? And Bucky, how are you even alive?” Steve demanded.

Bucky raised his hand and flexed the metal fingers. “Hydra. Got my own serum, fancy arm, and the ability to live long enough to catch up with our omega’s real timeline.”

“Time-? Okay, wait, I need to sit up for this,” Steve said weakly, gently easing out of Tony and propping the pillow up for his back. Tony made a small sound of protest, rolling onto his back, only to get a soft kiss from Steve as an apology. “Okay, timeline?”

“Not exactly timeline, it’s more like-” Tony drew in a breath, because even using the word still made his science brain spasm. “-time travel.”

“That’s…” Steve slumped. “Well, if someone was going to accidentally invent time travel, it would be you.”

“He fell asleep,” Bucky offered. “Just fell asleep and time traveled, like it was a normal thing to do.”

“Okay, first of all you are both super soldiers so you have no room to talk,” Tony ranted. “And second, I’m getting dressed and getting you something to eat cause I want to pamper my alphas with horrible cafeteria food. You two bond.”

Tony was already at the dresser and buttoning his pants when Bucky sat up. “I’ll go.”

“Nope, you’re staying here and catching up with Steve. He had his moment with me and now you two get to reconnect,” Tony said, pulling on his sweater. Bucky stared at him, intense doe eyes taking up most of the assassin’s face. “Hey, I’m sure you’ll find something to talk about.”

Then Tony winced and glanced over to see his other alpha looking sadly at his damaged clothes. “Hey, Steve, I’ll see you in a few minutes. Bucky is staying here, but you should know he doesn’t remember much of the past, not like you and me, so don’t take offense if he doesn’t remember something.”

“Uh, yeah, of course,” Steve said, looking just as awkward as Bucky.

“Cool!” Tony turned to the door, before spinning back around. “And Bucky, get the man some of your clothes. I don’t need people trying to get a peek at the goods.”

“He’s more confident than before,” Steve whispered as Tony strode out of the room, shutting the door and glaring at one agent that had dared to glance at the opening.

Tony stood there in the hallway with uncertainty thrumming through him, wondering if leaving while Bucky was so nervous was a good idea and still feeling the throb from Steve’s knot. Their entire remeeting was both new and a flashback. Tony even felt overwhelmed. This was new territory. Bucky was clearly already struggling and Tony felt like he was on a swing, uncertain of if he could get off. Steve…Steve was clearly looking on the bright side of things, but Tony doubted it would last for long. The man would react eventually, but the typical stubbornness would hold strong and hopefully until they got back to Malibu.

He shook himself, the omega drive to pamper kicking in as he made his way to the cafeteria. The food wasn’t as horrible as he had said to his alphas in his teasing. It was better than what Tony remembered at MIT and definitely better than the hot dog he had shared with Bucky on the Brooklyn streets of the forties.

He was staring at the breakfast food - really? It was that time already? - and trying to figure out what to put on their tray when Coulson walked up and grabbed a fruit cup. “How are things?”

Tony glanced at him, seeing Coulson had his pleasant face on. “Fine, just getting my boys some food.”

“He’s mated with you, that's a good sign. He’ll adapt better with that connection,” Coulson said in such a bland way that Tony wanted to roll his eyes. Coulson looked down at the fruit cup. When he spoke his voice was much softer than usual and yet oddly more intense. “Fury still wants to keep him.”

Tony reached out and grabbed an omelet for Bucky, eyes narrowing. “He can’t have Steve. Why does he think he can?”

“Fury is paranoid and…a collector. He likes to have stronger individuals around him,” Coulson admitted, his voice going even softer. Tony thought it might not be not overheard, but there were only two agents there.

“I can’t get a read on him, but that right there screams non-alpha,” Tony offered. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Clint adores you and Bucky. My omega is more important than my boss, so if Clint is determined about something then I listen,” Coulson reached out and set the fruit cup on Tony’s tray. “Our omegas are always more important.”

Tony blushed.

“Get the Captain the french toast,” Coulson said, before calmly walking away.

Tony took a moment to realize his life was just too weird. He needed to talk to Rhodey soon for some sort of calm. Something steady.

Glancing at his tray, Tony grabbed the heated french toast and set it next to Bucky’s omelet. He stared at the other food, comparing it to Coulson’s fruit cup, and decided to just go with the small offering for himself. He made his way back to his room, wondering what he would find. Before Tony had met them they had been in a relationship that involved sex, so Tony could be walking into anything.

He hoped it wasn’t sex, because Bucky’s initial worry for him and hesitance to be alone with Steve was not something that could lead to consentual sex. Suddenly having that in his head he started walking faster down the hallway.

When he entered their room again, the two were sitting on the bed with intense looks on their faces. Feeling wary and noticing they had stopped talking due to Tony’s entrance, Tony carefully reached over and set their food on their laps and grabbed his fruit cup. He sat on the chair by the bed and squinted his eyes at them. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Steve said, grabbing his fork and cutting up his food.

“We were talking about Obadiah,” Bucky said.

“Bucky,” Steve hissed. He glared when Bucky simply shrugged and started eating. With a sigh Steve looked over at Tony. “He told me. He’s the one you were scared of, wasn’t he?”

Tony ripped the top of his fruit cup off and threw it into the trash almost violently. “Really? First time you guys have met in forever and you decide to latch onto something I said forever ago.”

Bucky looked up, swallowing a bite of his food. “He touched you, barely a week ago. He touched you. Still a threat.”

“I-”

“No,” Bucky interrupted. “I saw the footage. He touched you, intimidated you. You don’t…you’ve never gone lost like that. Not with us and not while I’ve watched you. It’s not normal. He’s the guy you spoke of, trying to get you.”

“He’s…” Tony sighed, looking down at his half eaten food.

“Bucky told me that he has control of the company,” Steve said, oddly sounding casual.

“So I go away and you guys just talk about me?” Tony asked.

“Did you expect us to have sex?” Steve teased.

“Well, no, Bucky’s not ready for that, but I didn’t expect this.” Tony glanced over at the man in question, feeling a surge of pleasure over Bucky actually smiling. “I still don’t know how this matters.”

“Because you matter,” Steve said. He reached out, laying over Bucky who just seemed happy with the contact, to throw his plate into the trash. Then his hand grabbed Tony’s and his eyes looked soft. “So, you want me to destroy him, or what?”

“I don’t want that,” Tony said, softly. “I get it, that you want to fight for my honor, but I can’t do it that way. It has to be legal and, well, put him in his place. So, I guess I got to take over the company.”

“You’d be amazing, doll,” Bucky said softly, finishing off his food.

Tony accepted Bucky’s plate and threw it in the trash. He tugged his hand out of Steve’s hold and finished his own food before sending it into the trash as well, then sitting back with a sigh. “I don’t know if I could be amazing. You think too highly of me.”

Steve snorted.

“You woke up with an extra layer of sass, didn’t you?” Tony asked. “I feel like you should be freaking out more. Steve, you are in the future. I’m old. And phones aren’t connected to walls anymore.”

“I’m sure you’ll give me all the survival tips I need,” Steve said.

“No, seriously, you should be freaking out,” Tony insisted. “Even Bucky had a moment of panic when he realized I had time traveled. God, there has to be a better word for that…”

“I didn’t freak out,” Bucky said.

“I believe you, because I’m not either,” Steve agreed.

Tony stared at them and kicked off his shoes. He got onto the bed and crawled over Bucky to settle between them. He curled up and mumbled, “I forgot how tiring you two are. I’m going to bed and there will be no getting in my pants again until we get home, where I will catch you freaking out through the power of Jarvis and you will be in awe.”

“You’re freaking out a little, aren’t you?” he heard Bucky ask once Tony had been laying there a while, just on that hazy cusp of sleep.

“Oh, I am definitely not handling this as well as I’m acting,” Steve replied, his tone sounding almost weak and fearful. “But don’t tell him that. I don’t need him worrying, not when I’m already disrupting his new life.”

“Trust me, he wants us to disrupt it,” Bucky said, his voice growing fainter.

Then, Tony couldn’t hear them at all.

Notes:

Yeah, so Steve is really good at hiding when he's about to break down. Actually, Bucky shows more even in Winter Soldier mode. So that crazy crap will be happening.

If anyone is curious, yes an omega goes into rapid heat for a rut and a rut ends when the alpha feels he's claimed his claim. Since Steve has already claimed Tony, it was for that one moment. Unclaimed would be longer and possibly violent.

Chapter 27: 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 3 days - 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 4 days

Clint was their pilot again, but Fury wasn’t present. Instead Coulson sat next to Clint, looking as professional as ever, and apparently only smirking as Clint babbled the entire way. The alpha made no attempt to keep the man quiet, which was understandable as Coulson occasionally glanced over with a soft look to his face.

“Alright, my darlings, we’ve got a storm coming up in Colorado. I swear, if it’s not snow in May then it’s a raging fire in August with those people. Did you know their tornado touchdowns have doubled in the last ten years? Crazy Mile High. However, buckle up! Cause we are about to get some turbulence,” Clint announced.

Tony glanced over at Bucky and Steve, who had been mostly silent in this first half of the trip. They were buckling up the same as Tony, but were still looking at each other as they had been during the flight. They whispered to each other off and on, but Tony didn’t know about what. Still, the duo getting more comfortable was a good thing. Tony loved them both, but it would be exhausting if they didn’t get their connection built up again. They can’t be able to give each other bonding bites as alphas, but this whole trio relationship wouldn’t work if they couldn’t get back to what they had. Even if it was a bit different.

Tony reached out and grabbed Bucky’s hand, feeling the softest of squeezes in return. As the plane shook from the thunderstorm they were flying through, Bucky never released his hand. It wasn’t like Tony preferred Bucky over Steve, he just had already built this level of trust all over again. He knew the same would happen with Steve.

It took another two hours for Clint to land the quinjet onto the Malibu’s home’s front lawn. Coulson merely gave them a nod, but Clint came over and gave Tony a small hug. Tony had the feeling he hadn’t many omegas to bond with. Bucky, as well, got a handshake.

“So, Phil is going out to be the handler to our new agent that I brought in,” Clint said proudly.

Finally Coulson spoke. “You were supposed to eliminate her.”

“Eh,” Clint said, waving his hand. “She had potential. Anyway, I was wondering if I could come for a visit next week. Otherwise…well, I’ve built so much vacation time SHIELD is planning to cut some of it. Like it’s such a bad thing I built up a year’s worth.”

“Workaholic,” Coulson commented.

“You work, I work,” Clint grumbled, before breaking into a grin. “If that’s not okay, tell me some sightseeing I can do.”

“You can stay a bit,” Bucky said, before Tony even had the moment to say the same.

“At least let us know the day,” Tony said.

“Cool! I’ll email you the final date,” Clint replied, grinning. He reached out and hit the lock button for the ramp. They started heading to the house, but Tony glanced back to see Clint trip over nothing. “Aw, no, floor.”

Smiling, Tony led his alphas to the door. They entered and set the bags onto the floor. Tony stood for a minute, waiting, before Jarvis spoke up. “Welcome home, sir and Sergeant Barnes. Welcome to Mister Rogers. Or do you prefer to do it by another label?”

“Steve, meet Jarvis. He’s my AI,” Tony told the man, who was looking a bit stiff as he scanned the room. “He’s young, but I was creating him when I met you. Tell him what you want him to call you. He’s still young and I really don’t want to connect you to a children’s show.”

“I…uh…” Steve swallowed. “Steve is fine.”

“Very well, Steve,” Jarvis replied.

“He only calls me Sergeant Barnes when I first enter,” Bucky offered. “Otherwise he calls me Bucky. Weird…he never gave me a choice.”

“I was uncertain of your intent at first and am now satisfied with how you view Sir,” Jarvis said.

“His voice is everywhere,” Steve said. “It’s a bit unsettling.”

“Do you want me to limit his interaction when you’re in the room?” Tony asked.

“No,” Steve immediately replied. “I can get used to it.”

“Steve?” Bucky said, reaching out awkwardly to touch the man’s shoulder. “Jarvis is a computer program, but he’s also Tony’s line of defense. He built Jarvis to protect himself.”

Steve closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, thank you.”

“Jarvis knew I was here the moment I got close to the house,” Bucky said, almost fondly.

“Yes, Bucky observed the house and beach for two days. Even after he scared a pizza delivery driver and stole some of Sir’s food.” Jarvis’ tone was more amused than anything.

“Okay, enough of that,” Tony announced. “We haven’t eaten in a few hours so I’m going to try to find some food in the fridge.”

“You should see how fridges are now. Ice boxes are definitely a thing of the past,” Bucky told Steve.

Tony grinned at Bucky reaching out to Steve. It was baby steps, but at least they were steps. He made for the kitchen to dig through the freezer, all of the other food being discarded when he knew he’d be in the Arctic for so long. He poked around in there, only finding a bag of peas and the remaining ice cream. Sighing, Tony headed back to the living room.

“Do you remember the theater, before we found Tony on the street?” Steve was asking as Tony walked in to find them both on the couch, a good foot and a half between them.

“I think…you wanted to get into an argument with that guy. Tall, brown hair?” Bucky replied tentatively, before glancing up at Tony.

Tony walked over and sat on the chair. “Good thing you didn’t, or you might have been too late.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Steve muttered.

“It comes back to me in pieces,” Bucky said, tone hard. A clear sign that he was done with talking about the past. Bucky ignored Steve looking at him with wide blue eyes, like the man would do anything to bring back Bucky’s memory.

“So, we have no food and Bucky here, like an adorable assassin that he is, scared off the delivery guy of our normal pizza place,” Tony said, grinning when Bucky shot him a glare. “What would you like? We can order almost anything.”

“The SHIELD doctors said I should eat light,” Steve admitted.

“Do you want to eat light?” Tony asked. “I mean, with your body’s demands I don’t want to deny you food you need.”

“Three times more than us soldiers,” Bucky said, eyebrows scrunched together. “We didn’t often know if we had enough food for you.”

“Right, well if you have no preferences?” Tony asked, waiting until they both shook their heads. “Jarvis, order from that Italian place I like and get five orders.”

“Five?” Steve asked.

“Two for each of you and one for me, plus breadsticks,” Tony replied, smiling.

“Order placed, Sir. Arrival time is forty minutes,” Jarvis announced.

“Awesome. That gives me time to introduce Steve to my children,” Tony announced happily.

Steve jolted, his whole body going still. “Children?”

Bucky made a snorting noise. “Don’t worry, you’ll find the thought adorable in a minute.”

“Want to come with?” Tony asked as he stood.

“No, I’ll stay here,” Bucky replied. And Tony knew the man was just needing to be in defense mode. All of this had been a lot on his emotional system.

Tony smiled softly at Bucky, who looked away in possible embarrassment. Tony had a feeling Bucky’s instinct to check the perimeter had kicked in. They would probably come back to a satisfied alpha reading Fellowship of the Ring. Tony waved at Steve to follow, who quickly stood up. They made their way down the stairs to the workshop, Steve obviously hiding a flench when the lights turned on automatically.

“You okay there, big guy?” Tony asked, turning and leaning onto a work table.

Steve looked around, oddly stiff. “So this is the future?”

“Well, my future. This is my workshop, so it’s my favorite room in the house.” Tony paused, watching as Steve slowly relaxed. “So, you’ve already met Jarvis.”

“Jarvis. Yes,” Steve replied.

“Well, he’s made by me. And the things I make, well, I tend to think of my children. They won’t hurt you.” Tony gently reached out and grabbed Steve’s hand, tugging him closer. “Do you want to meet DUM-E and U?”

“...you gave them those names?” Steve asked, looking baffled.

“Hey, don’t criticize,” Tony replied.

“Okay, yes. I’d like to meet them,” Steve said, sounding hesitant.

Tony looked at him a moment, watching as Steve straightened up like he was ready for a fight. Tony pushed him over to one of the stools, forcing him to sit down. Then he turned toward the inner part of his workshop. “J, lights on.”

The deep part of his workshop lit up, pieces of machines and chunks of metal waiting to be used along three workstations. Steve stared at it all, before looking up at Tony. “You said, once, that you wanted to take our radio apart and make it better. You could have done it and still can, can’t you?”

“Yeah,” Tony said softly. “Apparently people think I’ve got a phenomenal brain. I just understand mechanical things, you know? And I can create things. Jarvis and, well, the other two. So, uh, there’s a lot of stuff in here you might want to ask about before touching.”

Steve opened his mouth, but a series of beeping stopped him. The sounds were going back and forth from opposite corners of the workshop, which made Tony a little worried about what his darling children were up to. Especially if they're working together.

“Hey, U? Come on over here girl,” Tony called out, causing the beeping to stop. He heard DUM-E coming forward at a slower pace, before he seemed to stop. Then U appeared, her head-claw reaching out. She paused at the new person, but after a moment rushed over to Tony. “That’s my good girl.”

Steve stood next to him, staring at U. Who was just as affectionate as DUM-E, if not more, her claw reaching up to practically nuzzle Tony’s jaw. Steve reached out a hand, before stilling. “Can I?”

“Ask her,” Tony said, giving a quick pet on her sensor.

“Uh, umm, U? Ma’am?” Steve awkwardly said and Tony just wanted to grab him and hold him. “May I touch you?”

Of course a construct made by Tony was curious at first. She reached out her claw as Steve stayed still, before just poking him in the chest. Her claw rotated, before she poked him again. Steve looked up at him confused, but Tony just shrugged, waiting to see what U did. U tilted her claw up and seemed to stare at Steve, who was stiff in his uncertainty. Then she raised herself to a better height and actually softly booped Steve on the nose with her claw.

The look of bafflement on Steve’s face was priceless.

“J? Please say that was recorded,” Tony said.

“Saved in your Bot Children file, sir,” Jarvis replied.

“Wait, where’s DUM-E? He always visits first,” Tony stated, noting how U rolled herself behind Steve and peeked over at Tony from behind Steve’s hip. “Yeah…DUM-E! Where are you pal?!”

There was no sound.

“Usually he's the first to meet guests,” Tony said. He heard a soft beep farther into the workshop. “Yeah, I’m gonna hunt him down, make sure he didn’t decorate the place with the fire extinguisher.”

“Is he like U?” Steve asked, following with U rolling along behind him.

“Eh, he’s the oldest, actually, despite how much more aware Jarvis is. I made him in my teens…damn, was it sixteen or fifteen? I can’t really remember. He’s my first baby, though,” Tony offered.

Tony had to side-step a half built carburetor for a car he couldn’t even remember owning before he saw lights and headed in that direction. He walked around a shelving unit and just stopped, staring at DUM-E and the space he was in. There was a series of lights along the wall, hovering over DUM-E and the workshop couch, which Tony hadn’t even noticed being missing from its usual place. There were random hearts, clearly cut in the awkward jerky way his bots moved, on the wall.

It looked like a little love cove, the only thing stopping it from being a nest was the lack of multiple blankets and pillows.

“DUM-E, did you make this for me?” Tony asked, his throat almost trying to work in response from what he was seeing, but too dry to really speak louder. U let out a few beeps from behind Steve. “Sorry, did you both make this for me?”

DUM-E rushed over to him, bumping his claw into Tony’s arm as he let out a series of beeps. He was clearly asking if he did good, so Tony petted his sensor while he stared at the small and yet comfortable space they had made for him.

“They gave you a nest,” Steve said in a soft awe.

“Yeah, I guess they did,” Tony replied, smiling. His bots had understood what him being an omega and getting his alpha meant. Sure it was in an abstract way, but they knew.

DUM-E finally turned his claw toward Steve, the claw rotating as he took everything in. Then DUM-E looked toward U and beeped a few times. U beeped back and whatever the bot said seemed to be enough for DUM-E, because he weaved himself around Tony to stop in front of Steve. He began beeping rapidly, his claw raised up in almost an intimidating style. Steve stumbled back, U stopping him from actually moving.

Before Tony could scold DUM-E, Steve blurted out, “I won’t hurt him. He’s my omega, he’s mine to protect. I’ll do anything to protect him.”

DUM-E held himself in place for long enough for Steve to actually look nervous, then DUM-E turned and rolled over to Tony, claw nudging Tony’s shoulder with affection. Tony wrapped an arm around him, tilting his head down so DUM-E could nudge at his hair, claw slightly opening like he was trying to comb at Tony’s hair.

“You’re amazing,” Steve said softly. He stared at the little nest Tony’s bots had made, before turning to look at him. “I knew you were smart. I knew you were…just different. I didn’t realize how, though. Until now.”

“Oh, I’m not that special,” Tony said, grinning when DUM-E beeped in obvious disagreement.

“Sir, food is five minutes out,” Jarvis announced. “May I suggest greeting the delivery man before Bucky does.”

“Has Bucky really been that bad?” Steve asked, following Tony’s lead toward the workshop’s door.

“I need to show you some videos,” Tony admitted. “You’ll understand after them. I saw them and so did my best friend and…let's just say it’s not pleasant. I don’t want to bombard you with too much, though. It’s up to you when you see what was done to him. He’s never going to be the Bucky we both knew. We just have to get him healthy and happy.”

“He said HYDRA got him,” Steve mentioned, as they stepped into the hallway. “Where he got his arm.”

Tony felt his whole body go stiff, remembering the video. “Yeah. Don’t mention it. Let him bring it up if he chooses. Steve, this is his trauma. I wouldn’t expect you to be okay with me probing at you, when you didn’t want to talk about something. You went down in the ice and woke up, so I’m expecting you to have difficulties. Bucky was frozen in cryo and brought out time and again for HYDRA’s whim. Neither one of us can even comprehend what he went through.”

Steve looked almost like he was going to find someone to punch out, before he let out a sigh. “I get that, I do. It’s just…It’s only been a blink of an eye and here I am. I might be acting fine, but…”

“It’s going to build up eventually and you know that it’s going to happen,” Tony surmised, nodding when Steve looked away like he was embarrassed. “You know that we don’t expect you to handle this perfectly, right?”

Steve let out a soft chuckle. “I’m Captain America. I’m meant to be perfect.”

“Nah,” Tony said, reaching out to run his fingers along Steve’s arm. “Pretty sure you’ve never been perfect, no, you're just right, always have been.”

“I never stopped loving you,” Steve replied.

“I’ve spent the last few years surviving because no one could take your memory away from me,” Tony admitted. He took a step back, feeling too much emotion in the air. “I need to greet the delivery driver before Bucky has a territory defense reaction.”

Steve just nodded, leaning back against the wall. Tony knew he’d have to help Steve eventually, but for that night he didn’t have it in him. Tony reluctantly made his way to the door, seeing Bucy watching him carefully instead of reading his book.

The delivery driver was friendly enough and Tony took the two bags of food to the kitchen. Bucky caught him quickly, taking one of the bags himself. Tony had already separated the food and had started making plates when Steve finally joined them. They each got a plate, with more food to add onto, while Tony grabbed his own and made for the living room. He didn’t start the television like he normally would, not wanting to trigger Steve to anything modern that would cause panic.

They had been eating for a while before Steve cleared his throat, face blushing red, “So, uh, where are we sleeping?”

“You take my room,” Bucky practically ordered. Tony wanted to mention he had another room, but the tension in Bucky’s words made him go silent.

Steve stared at Bucky for the longest time. “And where will you sleep?”

“Where I feel like it,” Bucky simply said.

Steve’s eye darted to Tony, who could only shrug. Tony wasn’t sure what was happening in Bucky’s head right then.

“Bucky,” Steve said, pausing for a moment to swallow his food. “He’s our omega, we should be sleeping with him.”

“No,” Bucky snapped, setting his plate down and glaring at Steve. “He’s my omega. Waking up and talking to him, physically claiming him, doesn’t mean you get him. He’s not yours anymore until you prove yourself.”

Steve stared at Bucky like he could barely recognize him. “And how should I prove myself?”

Bucky didn’t reply. He stood up and kissed Tony’s forehead. “I’m going to check the perimeter one more time.”

“Yeah, of course,” Tony replied in probably the most awkward way ever. His hands even flailed a bit.

“What was that?” Steve asked, whispering it to himself than anything.

Tony was silent for a moment, before sighing. “That was the Winter Soldier remembering how to be normal.”

Steve was silent for a long time, before shaking his head and breathing in sharply. “I need to see those videos.”

“Not tonight,” Tony replied, standing and grabbing the plate Buckky had left behind. “If you’re done I’ll show you to your bedroom.”

Steve grabbed his plate and followed him into the kitchen, watching for a moment as Tony started to rinse them off. Tony wasn’t surprised when the man finally talked, nor what he was talking about. “Why can’t I sleep with you? I did in the Arctic.”

Tony let out a sigh and turned around, trying to not let Steve’s sadness hit him too hard. “Because right now Bucky is feeling like you’re coming into his territory. The last thing any of us needs is an alpha fight. Bucky needs to know where he belongs when what he might view as an infiltrator has come into his territory. But, honestly, Steve. The two of you are not in sync right now. Please don’t make me choose one alpha order over another.”

Steve’s eyes dropped down, his hand clenching the counter hard enough for his fingers to go white. “Why would he think of me like that?”

“Because he has been brainwashed for decades while you were sleeping. He’s still trying to figure things out.” Tony placed the last plate in the dishwasher and grabbed the dish towel to dry his hands. He turned to look at Steve, the sorrow in the man’s face making Tony’s heart ache. “Steve, I don’t fully understand what it’s like to just…in the blink of an eye be in a new generation. But…Bucky, and even me, aren’t the same as we were before.”

“I know,” Steve said, the stubbornness there reminding Tony of the Steve before.

Tony narrowed his eyes, then gave a small smile. “I know you think you know, but we both understand that you’re swimming in cold water.”

“And how am I supposed to get past that?" Steve snapped.

“By learning,” Tony replied softly.

Steve let out a heavy amount of air, raising a hand to grab briefly at his neck. “Okay, so…where am I sleeping?”

“I don’t have any clothes for you. Hell, I barely have any for Bucky. He doesn’t usually stay the night. Always a roamer, that one,” Tony said as he led Steve to the guest room. He showed Steve where the bathroom plus shower was before sniffing the air. “Yeah…I haven’t changed the sheets since Bucky slept in here. Do you want me to replace them?”

“No!” Steve said rapid fast. “I want to smell him.”

“Alright, Romeo,” Tony teased, heading for the door. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate, understand?”

“Yes, thank you, Tony,” Steve said softly, like he felt lost.

“Hey, I’d let you sleep in my bed, but with Bucky on the defensive I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m looking out for both of you,” Tony told him.

“Tony, don’t ever feel bad about making that kind of choice,” Steve replied. “I’m okay here.”

“Sleep well, alpha,” Tony said softly, turning as he saw Steve smile and heading out the door. He felt the tiredness of the Arctic hit him hard, so he quickly went through his night routine before collapsing in bed.

A part of him expected Steve to venture into his room from instinct alone, but Tony fell into a type of sleep that was in and out as he laid there alone in his cocoon of blankets. It wasn’t until early, probably three in the morning, that he felt someone crawl into bed with him. Tony let out a humm, enjoying the new warmth and arm tugging him close.

“Was wondering if you would show up,” Tony slurred, already half asleep.

“Mine,” Bucky said in a rough voice that sent a rush of arousal through him. Bucky chuckled. “Another day doll.”

“Shut up, trying to sleep,” Tony mumbled, the urge of sleeping moving from the edge of a chance to full blown sleep. Bucky said nothing, just held him a bit tighter as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Notes:

Oh those poor boys. Their omega is there so they automatically feel connected to Tony. Sadly, not so much to each other.

Also, Tony's bots are pure love forever. Just ultimate love for Tony's bots.

Chapter 28: 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 4 days - 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 5 days

Tony entered the living room, bare feet shuffling as the floor moved from tile to wood. His eyebrows scrunched up as he took in the view before him. It was Steve, sitting with the early light shining on his blonde hair from the window. The man looked depressed and devastated all in one go. Tony flinched, feeling a wave of guilt hit him. “I’ve already messed things up, haven’t I?”

Steve blinked, the blankness in his eyes shifting to confusion, and said, “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry about last night. I mean Bucky doesn’t always show up when I go to bed, I should have let you sleep with me,” Tony said, walking over and sitting stiffly on the couch.

“I think I understand, you wanted to protect me in case Bucky took a bad turn. You haven’t told me what happened to him, but you both have dropped enough clues for me to know that it’s beyond my worst nightmares,” Steve told him softly.

Tony felt his eyes tear up a bit, looking over and meeting Steve’s gaze. “I don’t show it, but I’m a little broken, too. We all are. And sooner or later I’m going to fuck everything up. I don’t know what I’m doing here anymore than you two.”

“Then maybe we should figure it out together,” Steve replied. He reached out a caressed Tony’s cheek with his thumb, receiving a small smile in return. Steve took a deep breath. “Where’s Bucky?”

“No idea. I think he visited me last night. I remember someone held me, but he was gone when I woke up,” Tony said. He rushed to explain when he saw that panicked expression on his face. “Steve, it’s okay, this is just what he does. He visits for a few hours and then disappears. Sometimes it’s a day or two before I see him again, but he always comes back.”

“Where does he go?” Steve asked, the panic having changed into worry.

“Sometimes to the cliffside facing the beach, other times? No idea,” Tony admitted. “First time he disappeared on me he brought me back a book…after killing his handlers. It was even on the news, I knew in my gut it was him. He even gave me a note covered in drops of blood.”

Steve looked away, hands clenching at his knees and his breathing getting a bit heavier.

“Let’s go to the beach,” Tony blurted out. “Fresh air will be good, especially if you want to hear Bucky’s history. I don’t think you’re ready for the videos right now.”

“You’re probably right about that, if the look on your face when you mention them is any indication,” Steve muttered. He let out a sigh. “Okay, sure, the beach.”

Tony figured they were probably the worst happy couple walking down to the beach he had ever seen. Steve kept darting his eyes around, like he was expecting someone to attack him, and Tony just kept hunching over and closing into himself. They made it to the beach and sat down on the large rock Tony preferred.

Steve spent a moment looking out toward the ocean, before he glanced at Tony. “He fell from the train.”

Tony sucked in a breath, realizing this conversation was going to be real and not just rehearsed in his head. “Yeah. I’m not sure how they found him. I doubt even Bucky would know. They got him and…are you sure you want to hear this?”

“I need to hear this,” Steve said, his tone almost like stone. There was an alpha quality there and Tony felt compelled by simple nature to respond.

“They cut off his arm and he was awake for part of it. Then they attached the metal one after he passed out,” Tony replied, his voice shaking at the memory of watching the procedure. “Then they brutalized him, broke him down. They broke him down until he was just a being they could mold.”

Steve stood and walked closer to the water. His back was clearly trembling and Tony wanted to get up and hold him, he really did. But Tony wasn’t a perfect omega, he curled up on the large rock they had found, wrapping his arms around his knees as he watched his alpha pace back and forth.

“What else?” Steve suddenly demanded.

Tony winced, seeing the fire in Steve’s eyes. Like when he went after the guy across the alley, but amplified. Swallowing, Tony knew he had to answer. “Once he was broken and retaught to be what they wanted…they sent him on missions. I don’t know how many kills he has, but they put him in cryo inbetween. They froze him like you were frozen, only they brought him out when they needed something done with his skillset. Steve, his last order was to kill me.”

“Shit, no wonder,” Steve said, walking over so he could drop down onto the rock, hip pressed against the feet Tony still had up. “And he knows me. He does. He talks to me a bit, but…”

“I think he’s trying to work through his mind what is friendly and what isn’t. Like I said, he doesn’t stay here more than a few hours,” Tony told him. “He has the normal alpha instincts and I’m definitely someone he views to protect, but I don’t even think he knows why.”

Steve let out a long sigh. “He’s afraid to connect with me because I’m an alpha. He thinks I’m going to take you and all you’ve provided for him away. He doesn’t remember…”

Tony dropped his legs down and scooted closer to Steve, close enough for the man to reach out for him. “It’s going to be okay. He will remember how the two of you were happy without me and then with me. He’ll remember all of you. We just need to give him time.”

He felt Steve’s arm wrap around his back, tugging him closer. Steve pressed his face against Tony’s neck and breathed in. “It amazes me how you still have my scent on you, after all these decades.”

“I’ll never lose your scent, Steve. Never,” Tony whispered, pressing his nose against the man’s jaw. “We will all get past this, I swear.”

“I know,” Steve replied, sounding tired.

“Jarvis probably had food delivered by now, let’s get lunch,” Tony said, standing up.

“He even gets your groceries?” Steve asked, following Tony along the beach.

“I spent a couple years, when I stopped going back into the time of us, drinking a lot. I’d often forget to eat, I still do occasionally. I haven’t had a drink in a good while, but the avoidance of eating has still been there,” Tony admitted as they started walking up the hill that would lead to his home. “Jarvis made a point to order food for me.”

“So Bucky was right that he is your protection,” Steve surmised.

“Well, yeah, though Bucky does a decent job of it on his own,” Tony replied with a chuckle. “Actually, he’s probably back from wherever he went off to. Last few deliveries he’s shown up, glared at the delivery guy until they went away, and brought them in himself.”

Steve didn’t reply, though the corner of his mouth twitched up. Tony saw that as a good sign, it was better than the lost expression Steve had been showing for the majority of the morning. Tony drew in a deep breath, trying to figure out where to go from there.

Well, better start with the simple things. “We need to get you clothes. Bucky, too, actually. The doofus refuses to wear anything but that damn assassin outfit, maybe you could help me correct that. I think it will help make you feel more at home, having stuff that’s just yours.”

“I don’t have any money,” Steve mumbled.

Tony rolled his eyes. “Steve, you're my alpha. My money is your money and buying you some jeans and t-shirts isn’t going to break the bank. Or even be noticeable.”

“I don’t like using money I didn’t earn,” Steve replied, tone tense as he kicked a rock, sending it into the wall at the back of the house.

“Fine! Whatever,” Tony said, remembering how much of a stubborn snot Steve could be and knowing when to pick his battles. “Consider it a loan. It’s not like Fury isn’t going to be snatching you up for whatever missions he wants to test you on after you’re settled, anyway. Of course, it’s up to you if that’s something you want to do. You have a fresh start…go to art school, even.”

Steve stopped in front of the glass wall that provided a view into the living room. There’s an oddly soft and amused look on his face. “It bothers you that I don’t want you to spend your money on me.”

“Well, I finally have a chance to,” Tony replied, scowling. “Watching you count out money to the penny, feeling how the shower almost instantly went cold? I felt so horrible and guilty that I couldn’t just buy you both everything you needed, because you both deserved it and I love you. I can do that now. I can pamper you both, finally.”

Steve closed his eyes for a moment. “Fine, until I get my own income, I’ll allow you to purchase things for me. But, Tony, I demand that you don’t go overboard.”

“Of course not,” Tony said, waving a hand. “I’m thinking of an art studio. How do you feel about oil paints, cause we’d need a room with a lot of windows to open if you're going to be using turpentine…”

“Tony,” Steve said, growling slightly as they made for the door.

“Your growl is deeper than it used to be,” Tony told him, inwardly grinning at getting Steve to show full emotion again. One step, one success at a time.

They opened the door to find Bucky standing in the doorway to the kitchen, head tilted as he observed them. Then he turned and made his way back into the kitchen, Tony and Steve following. Apparently, Bucky had prepared them sandwiches. The man didn’t speak as they started eating, just occasionally looked up and stared at them like he was trying to figure out an equation.

“Where’ve you been today, Buck?” Steve asked, clearly trying to sound casual.

“Out,” Bucky grunted.

A flash of frustration crossed Steve’s face. “Are you being obtuse for a reason? Why can’t you just tell us where you were?”

Bucky bit down on his sandwich, staring at Steve the entire time as he silently chewed.

“Guys,” Tony said softly, before being ignored easily. He was stuck sitting there as Bucky turned and fully faced Steve. He had a look on his face that was the close he’d seen to barely suppressed anger. Bucky hid his emotions so well that usually Tony figured them out by scent and body language alone.

“You got what you wanted. Time with Tony.” Bucky tilted his head and smirked. “I knew you wouldn’t appreciate him enough. As soon as you could you started focusing on me, thinking I’m up to something.”

“Are you up to something?” Steve said, his tone heading into the dark territory.

“Guys,” Tony said, trying again to stop the conversation. His body was tense. He honestly wasn’t sure he could handle them arguing right then. “Guys?”

“Maybe I am up to something. Maybe I’m actually doing something more important than a damn walk on the beach,” Bucky snapped. “And I’d be able to do it in peace if I knew for a second you could protect him.”

“Bucky, what the hell?” Steve blurted out, his face going red with anger. “Do you honestly think I’d sit by while someone tried to hurt our omega?”

Bucky just narrowed his eyes at him.

“You’re the one who apparently disappears frequently, leaving him alone for hours or days,” Steve growled.

“You have no idea what I have to protect him from,” Bucky hissed, standing, knocking his stool over in the process. He stepped forward, face coming close to Steve’s. “You have no idea. You smell like ice and the cold and I can’t stand to be around you.”

Then he was storming out, the front door slamming shut as Tony watched Steve push his plate away and drop his head until his head hit the table with a dull sound. Tony didn’t know what to say. Standing, he shifted over and wrapped an arm around Steve’s torso and rested his head on Steve’s shoulder. They remained there for a bit, Tony clenching his eyes closed from the small tremors he could feel go through Steve.

“Shit,” Tony suddenly said, straightening up.

“What?” Steve asked, voice sounding weak.

“He said you smell like ice and cold,” Tony told him, stepping back, a wince on his face.

“Tony, I’ve been in the ice for decades. That’s not really surprising,” Steve said. His eyes momentarily look glazed over, before he blinks rapidly. “What did that brain of yours link together?”

“Bucky was put in cryo in between missions. He functioned in the Arctic because he had a goal, he didn’t have the mental state to even react to the cold,” Tony explained. “Oh god, your smell must remind him of cryo and Hydra. I mean, with his issues I figured he would be distant from you, but this explains the anger.”

“I can’t fix my scent, Tony,” Steve said, looking so tired and about to cry.

Tony looked at him a moment and knew he had nothing to say that could make this better. Instead, he reached out his hand. “Come with me.”

Silently, Steve took his hand and seemed to lumber instead of his usual graceful and casual stride as he followed Tony. For a moment he thought of tugging him into his bedroom, but veered off at the last moment and led Steve down the stairs to his workshop. He maneuvered his way to the nest that DUM-E and U had made. Tony gently pushed Steve onto the couch, nudging him to face the back of the couch.

“What are you doing?” Steve asked, softly.

“This,” Tony said, crawling up behind him, spooning up against Steve. He wrapped his arm around the man’s waist, hand coming up to press against the beat of his heart. He threw his leg along Steve’s thigh and felt the man suddenly just go lax. Like every muscle in his body finally went fully relaxed.

Steve hummed. “Thank you. I needed this.”

“I know…I’m sorry. I’ll try to be a better omega.”

“No, Tony, you went years not having us,” Steve replied, softly. “This was as much of a shock to you as us. We need to just figure out how to connect again.”

“Yeah,” Tony said, before pressing his nose into the sensitive place behind Steve’s head. He breathed in and, yes, he could smell something too cold, but he also smelled Steve under that. He felt a throb in his gut from the scent and grasped at him more strongly. “We’ll be fine.”

“Eventually,” Steve said, words slurred. So Tony let him fall asleep, smiling at the ease in which he did so.

And feeling guilty for not letting him in his bed the night before. Tony held him closer, trying to push that back. Because he was doing better now, he was communicating instead of freaking out to know what they needed. He let himself feel the panic, before forcing it down. He had more things to take care of then himself. He couldn’t view himself as the one in need, his needs were trivial. He had two alphas floundering and he had been focusing on what he felt about the situation.

He forced down the tears, forced down the feeling. Made himself numb to everything but the man in his arms. He was all that mattered. It was a mantra he repeated to himself until he stopped thinking at all, and finally fell asleep with his face buried in Steve’s neck.

He didn’t know what time it was when he woke up. They had fallen asleep around one, but as he blinked his eyes opened he realized there was no clock or windows to indicate how long they had slept. Steve was still fully passed out, clutching at one of the couch pillows like a lifeline. Tony’s only thought was to stay where he was, not wanting Steve to wake up alone or worried.

He turned his head to see where his bots were, kind of hoping he could get one to bring him some water. Instead he found a shadow standing over them, the body too still to not be Bucky. Carefully, Tony pulled away from Steve to stand up, pressing a kiss on the man’s neck when he let out a soft sound. He nearly stumbled getting back to his feet, before he turned to Bucky, whose face was completely blank of emotion.

“He needs to sleep, come on,” Tony said softly, trying to not roll his eyes as Bucky continued to stare at him silently. He guided Bucky toward the front of his shop and nudged him onto one of his stools, Tony sitting next to him next to the computer. “Bucky, what's going on with you? I mean, I get the part about Steve’s scent going literally cold. I’ve noticed. But…look I haven’t been the best omega recently. I’m strong driven, my father raised me to pretty much act like an alpha. I’m not doing so well with all this either-”

“Stop,” Bucky said, his voice low like the Winter Soldier again. Tony immediately shut up, just looking at the man with wide eyes. “No, don’t look at me like that.”

“I need to know where you are. You and Steve can keep struggling it out, because that’s normal, but I can’t be a good omega for you or him if I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Tony said, softly, fighting down all emotion. It wasn’t the time for that.

“I have a plan,” Bucky replied. He squinted his eyes and stared at the floor for a moment. “I have things I need to do and I don’t trust Stevie to protect you while I take care of them.”

“What the hell have you been up to anyway?” Tony demanded.

“Keeping you safe,” Bucky growled.

“What can that even mean, when you won’t even tell me what I need to be safe from? Obadiah isn’t a threat right now. What in the hell are you doing?” Tony replied, practically begging.

Bucky stared at him, his body stiff. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why?” Tony snapped.

“Because you will try to help and I can’t risk you,” Bucky admitted.

Tony wanted to rant about how he could take care of himself, but instinctively he knew it wasn’t the time. Tony let out a heavy sigh. “Just, please, what’s going on?”

“Soon,” Bucky offered, before standing and walking to the stairs. He paused, turning back. “I understand now that I was too harsh with Steve.”

Bucky’s words were stilted, like he was using words he didn’t understand because the way he felt didn’t fit them. The man blinked rapidly, looking around the room.

“Bucky?” Tony asked, standing.

Bucky strode over to him, grabbing him almost harshly and pulling him into a deep and almost harsh kiss. Tony couldn’t help but respond, reacting to the way his alpha was clutching at him, tugging him close and harshly grasping at his back. Tony felt like he was being devoured and couldn’t help moan.

Gasping for air a moment after Bucky stepped back. “Okay, bad boy. You need to talk to Steve, you need to talk to me.”

“Can’t,” Bucky said, tone stern.

“Why not?” Tony demanded as Bucky started heading to the stairs again.

“Because I can’t risk you stopping me,” Bucky replied before he was out of sight.

Just the pure confusion of Bucky’s words led him back to the nest, needing an alpha to hold and calm him. He found Steve now on his other side, back to the back of the couch and still in his arms the pillow from before. Tony allowed himself a moment to smile at how cute the man was. Then he gently tugged the pillow out of his arms.

Steve grunted, reaching for it. Quickly, Tony laid down, tugging Steve’s arms around him. Steve breathed in his neck’s scent and let out a soft sound. Tony happily felt himself pulled against Steve’s chest, feeling like he was surrounded by soft, maybe a little icey, alpha scent. He had to force thoughts of Bucky out of his head, knowing worrying would never fix it.

He fell asleep, though, still worrying. And yet also comforted and safe.

Notes:

Yeah, there be shit going on. Anyone who thought the tone of the last chapter was how it was going to go is completely wrong. I mean...yeah, things are going to harsh.

Bucky isn't communicating, but has plan. Steve it just trying to understand what's happening. And poor Tony is just confused and trying to do the best he can. No way there is an easy fix to this.

These ridiculous boys.

Chapter 29: 3 years, 7 months, 3 weeks & 5 days - 3 years, 8 months & 1 day

The next day seemed a bit easier on Steve. Sadly, Tony had a suspicion it was because Bucky had left them alone. Jarvis alerted him to Bucky hanging out at the cliffside come sundown, but the man never stepped foot in the house. By the next day, Steve’s more relaxed mood turned sour when Bucky once again refused to come inside, even when Steve stormed outside and yelled for the man to.

It had been a useless move and possibly made things worse, because Bucky disappeared off of even Jarvis’ radar for the rest of the evening.

“He’s so stubborn,” Steve growled, pacing the living room floor. “I mean, he could give us a clue as to what he’s doing so we’re not panicking everytime we can’t find him.”

“Hey, come on, calm down. He’s still in lone wolf mode,” Tony said, shutting up when Steve just glared at him. He watched the man pace some more, before sighing and trying again. “Look, he’s still stuck in whatever mission he gave himself. Something about protecting me or some crap. He just needs to get it out of his system.”

“He was like this before I came, wasn’t he? That’s why you’re so okay with it,” Steve commented.

“Yeah, pretty much. He talks more now, though,” Tony offered. “You’ve triggered him to do that and I’m sorry that it’s kind of turned into an awkward thing. I really am.”

“It’s not your fault,” Steve replied, sending him a soft smile. “Seriously, it’s not your fault.”

“Come on, it’s late. Just come to bed?” Tony asked. Stevve had joined him in bed the night before, so it wasn’t a weird request. “We both know he's not going to turn up right now. He’s…manic.”

“Yeah, okay,” Steve said with a sigh. “I just don’t like him out there by himself.”

“Trust me, I don’t either. Every attempt I’ve made hasn’t worked. Except for going to the Arctic, he refused to let me go without him. He wanted to find you just as much as I did.”

“Then why is he avoiding me now?” Steve asked, letting Tony guide him toward the bedroom.

“I have no idea,” Tony admitted. “But it’s proof that you are important to him.”

“He doesn’t show it,” Steve muttered, going through the motions to get ready for bed, stripping down to his boxers as Tony pulled on his pajama pants.

“I know,” Tony said softly, tugging Steve down onto the bed and pulling the covers over them. “I wish I could change that.”

“Not your fault,” Steve offered, tugging Tony into his hold. His arms wrapped tightly around Tony’s waist, nose pressed against his bond mark. A comforting shiver ran through them both. “I wouldn’t be able to handle this if it wasn’t for you.”

“You have no idea how much I feel the same,” Tony whispered, nearly purring from the warmth of Steve’s body around him.

Steve hummed and Tony could feel the man fall asleep. It wasn’t until then Tony let himself close his eyes, drifting off to the sound of Steve’s steady breathing.

He woke up in the early hours, Steve still holding him. Something was off, something in the room had changed. He glanced around, eyes bleary and almost foggy. He couldn’t really see much, so he blinked rapidly to try to clear his vision and breathed in deep, searching for any new scent. He smelt it then. Blood. He smelt blood. He sat up, Steve making a grunt but still fully asleep.

Carefully he got out of bed and looked around. There was a red drop on the floor, near black in the darkness, the clear creator of the blood he had smelt. Nervously, Tony walked toward the door, only to find another drop of blood in the hallway. His body went stiff and yet he didn't feel like he was under attack. It was the nervous terror of someone he cherished being harmed. Swallowing, Tony glanced back at Steve, wondering if he should wake the man up.

It was the kitchen light turning on that made him decide not to. No intruder would make their presence so obvious.

He found Bucky there, pressing a dishtowel against his arm, his assassin coat’s arm pulled up to his bicep. There was blood in spots on the floor and Tony felt his stomach sink as he rushed forward. He grabbed the cloth against Bucky’s wound and guided the man to one of the stools.

“What the fuck, Bucky?” Tony hissed. He raised the towel enough to see a slice deep enough to show the fatty tissue and, under that, muscle. “What the hell?”

“Not something to worry about,” Bucky growled. “I’m fine.”

“The hell you are,” Tony snapped. He looked at the wound again and cursed. “I need to get the first aid kit. You need stitches and I know you're too much of a dumbass to go to the hospital.”

“Not that bad,” Bucky grumbled.

“I'll say how bad it is. Stay here.” Tony didn’t wait for Bucky to nod in agreement. He was already rushing down to the workshop and grabbing the first aid kit he had there. He ignored DUM-E’s questioning beeping and ran up the stairs and back to the kitchen. He found Bucky glaring at the counter. “What the fuck have you been doing?”

“Not your concern,” Bucky muttered.

“Are you seriously saying that right now?” Tony asked, trying to keep his voice low so he didn’t wake Steve. Heaven only knows what would happen if Steve walked in on this. Tony pulled the towel away, motions jerky as he tried to fight back panic. “You’re not alone anymore. God, look at that. You’re an idiot if you think we don’t care about what happens to you.”

“I’m doing what I have to,” Bucky replied, his voice so monotone that Tony forced himself to calm down.

“Ever thought to tell us what that is?” Tony asked, starting to clean the wound. “I’ve got a lot of contacts. I could help.”

“Don’t need it,” Bucky said with a growl.

“Okay, calm down big guy,” Tony ordered. “Be happy I know enough first aid for this.”

He reached for the suturing tools. Back when he was spiraling, Tony had damaged himself and, being how he was, refused to go to a doctor. He had learned how to stitch himself up. So it felt almost natural as he began stitching Bucky up. And he winced as he had to do twenty stitches. He applied some antibiotic oitnment to the wound and began wrapping it up.

“I swear if you come back home like this again, we are going to have issues,” Tony said in a steady, but obviously angry tone.

“I think we’re going to have issues now,” Steve's voice echoed from the hallway.

“Shit,” Tony cursed softly. He finished the bandage and stood, stepping away when he saw the look on both Steve and Bucky’s face.

“Tony, go back to the bedroom,” Steve ordered.

Tony stilled, looking between them. Bucky was just glaring, chest rising fast as the man got more worked up. He glanced at Steve and saw just pure coldness. Tony knew as an omega he could calm the situation, but he had no idea how. He wasn’t good enough of an omega to have the proper instincts to know how to do that.

So, he followed Steve’s order and walked stiffly to the bedroom.

He buried himself in the blankets and listened, trying to pay attention so he could understand what was going on. He felt himself shivering, grasping at the pillow Steve had been using, trying to not cry from the very volatile situation he just ran from.

“Do you even understand what you did to Tony?” Steve’s voice was so angry, enough for Tony to whimper.

“I am protecting him,” Bucky growled.

“How?” Steve demanded. “By making him worry about you? By making us both worry about you? You came home injured and yet we have no fucking clue as to why.”

“I’m fine,” Bucky snapped. “You don’t get it.”

“Because you won’t tell me,” Steve snapped. And the very tone made Tony press his face into his pillow. “Did you ever think that maybe I would help you?”

“Please, right now you are weak.” Bucky sounded like he was talking to a child, just plain insulting.

“You know, you used to love me. When I saw you again after the ice, I thought you still did,” Steve said. And he sounded so sad that Tony had to force himself to not go to him. “I guess I was wrong. I guess you don’t feel that way anymore.”

There was a moment of silence, then suddenly Tony heard a hard impact. It took him a moment to realize that Bucky had thrown Steve into the wall. Carefully, trying to not make any sound, Tony stood and stepped out into the hallway.

He wasn’t expecting what he saw.

Bucky had Steve pinned to the wall, growling as he grinded against the man. Steve was gasping, grabbing Bucky’s shoulders. Bucky grabbed at Steve’s boxers and pretty much shredded them with his metal hand. Steve seemed to be going on instinct, arching up against Bucky, even though Bucky was fully clothed. Steve’s legs wrapped around Bucky’s hips.

“Bucky, shit, what,” was all Steve was able to get out before Bucky grabbed him, picked him up. Tony drew in a breath, watching as Bucky set Steve on the counter. “Uh, Buck-”

“Shut up,” Bucky ordered.

Then Tony felt himself jolting, before staying perfectly still. Because Bucky, the Winter Soldier, was giving Steve a blow job. Still fully clothed in his assassin outfit, he had grabbed Steve’s hips and just went for it. Steve let out a surprised sound, which quickly turned into a groan. And yet Steve was grasping at Bucky’s shoulder like he was trying to push him away.

“Just let it happen, punk,” Bucky suddenly snapped, before going right back to what he was doing.

And Tony watched as Steve basically fell apart, coming hard and trembling as Bucky licked him clean. Bucky straightened up and just stared at Steve in a calculating way, like he was analyzing Steve’s body language and reaction. Then, after catching his breath, Steve slid off the counter and grabbed Bucky. He dragged him into a kiss that quickly turned heated, aggressive even. Steve pulled back, his hand sliding along Bucky’s stomach.

“Can I?” Steve asked.

Bucky stepped back. “No.”

Steve nodded. “Just know I want to.”

Bucky stared at him a moment. “Get the omega to bed.”

Steve glanced over, the blush on his face making it clear that he didn’t realize Tony was watching. He turned back to Bucky. “Keep taking care of that arm. And…when you’re ready let me return the favor.”

Bucky’s mouth twitched. “Maybe when you’re begging for it.”

“Good to know you’re still a jerk,” Steve replied.

“Punk,” Bucky snapped back, before striding out of the kitchen and toward the door.

“I’m shocked you’re not following him,” Tony said softly, feeling a little overwhelmed by the intensity of what he had seen. And how quickly the room felt empty as Bucky left.

“I would, but…that was the most authentic Bucky I’ve seen yet,” Steve said, softly.

“Got more time before morning,” Tony replied. “Cuddle with me?”

Steve grabbed his hand and let Tony guide him back to the bed. There was a moment when Steve looked down at his torn apart boxers with a lost expression, but Tony said nothing and simply grabbed another pair from the rushed clothing order Tony had made yesterday. This time Tony held Steve, clutching at him like he was afraid Steve would just disappear.

Neither one of them fell back to sleep easily. And even then it was merely for a couple of hours. Tony felt a bit like a zombie when he crawled out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen to try and make some form of breakfast. He paused when he spotted the droplets of blood. Sighing, he quickly cleaned them up, scowling at the paper towel as he tossed it into the trash.

He was part way through scrambling eggs when Jarvis spoke, “Sir, Mister Stane is on the phone for you.”

Tony let out an aggravated sigh, knowing Obadiah would just keep calling if he didn’t answer. Sometimes the man was like an obnoxious teenager. “Let him through, kitchen only.”

“Tony,” Obadiah’s voice said.

“Jarvis, volume down,” Tony ordered, hoping to let Steve actually sleep until food was ready. He cleared his throat, reaching for the bagels. “Good morning, Obie.”

“Don’t ‘Obie’ me,” Obadiah growled. Thankfully it had less of an impact on the phone than in person, so Tony allowed himself an eyeroll. “You haven’t been to work in over a week. That damn bomb isn’t going to build itself.”

“I’ve had a personal situation. I filed the needed paperwork before I left,” Tony pointed out. He wasn’t about to tell Obadiah he had actually gone to the Arctic and found Steve. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for that big reveal and he knew Steve wasn’t in the mental space to handle the public yet.

“I expect you here tomorrow, are we understood?” Obadiah snapped.

“It’s so sweet how much you miss my beautiful face,” Tony said just to be annoying.

“Sometime soon I’ll be able to keep that mouth of yours closed for good,” Obadiah replied in what was a disturbingly calm voice.

Tony’s back stiffened and he clenched his eyes closed. Taking a deep breath, pulling the bagels out of the toaster with shaky hands, Tony said, “Bright and early tomorrow. Oh, and Obadiah, I’d appreciate it if you kept your little threats to a minimum. I wouldn’t want to have to contact HR.”

There was a snort, then just like that the man hung up, like addressing what Tony said wasn’t even worth his time. Tony found himself grabbing the edge of the counter, body trembling from some elusive emotion. Fear? Maybe. Anger? Definitely.

“What can I do?” Steve’s voice made Tony jerk in shock. “Tony?”

Tony shook his head, quickly finishing the bagel and egg sandwiches. “Nothing. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine, tell me what I can do,” Steve said, voice oddly stern and calming at the same time. A perfect example of an alpha focusing on his omega’s mental state than whatever level of anger that was probably there.

“There’s not much you can do right now,” Tony admitted. When Steve narrowed his eyes, Tony added, “Look, he’s an ass. A major ass who has never had any sense of boundaries when it comes to something he wants. Right now, though, he’s in charge of my company. Which means he has enough sway to turn the board and everyone else against me. I can’t risk losing SI right now.”

“I didn’t understand it back then and I don’t understand the corporate world now,” Steve muttered.

“I know, babe. Sadly, I have to deal with this in those terms,” Tony replied.

“Hey, come here,” Steve said softly, reaching out and tugging at Tony’s shirt. Tony followed easily, looking up and meeting Steve’s eyes. “Just say the word and I’ll storm the place for you.”

“Maybe once you’re fully settled, hmm?” Tony told him with a small smile. “I’ll even get you a new Captain America suit.”

Steve wrapped his arms around Tony’s waist and pressed his nose against his bond mark. Tony let out a happy noise, earning a kiss to his jaw in response. He tilted his head, bringing their lips together. Unlike the kiss Steve and Bucky had shared, this was gentle, a slow glide of lips and the tease of tongue.

Tony decided then and there that he was not covering up his bond marks tomorrow, Obadiah’s reaction be–damned.

Notes:

Okay, so I'm not sure when the next chapter is going to be done. My acute anemia flared up and not only do iron pills make me sick but I'm now ordered to eat red meat every day by the doc, which I normally only eat 3-4x a month. So I'm a little too busy being sick and grouchy, lol.

(Actually, the grouchy part is putting it lightly.)

Kids and peoples, try to keep your iron levels under control. When my acute anemia hits it's a storm of lightheadedness, nausea, headaches, blurred vision, shaky hands, and my legs giving out on me. It's not fun, so please take care of yourself.

That being said, if you see any typos let me know so I can comeback and fix them at a better time.

Chapter 30: 3 years, 8 months & 1 day - 3 years, 8 months & 2 day

“I don’t know if I like you doing this,” Steve said, his reflection shifting as Tony tied his tie and adjusted his jacket in front of the mirror.

“A man must work, Steve, or I won’t be able to keep you in the finest of clothes,” Tony told him, just so he could see Steve look down at his cotton shirt and jeans in confusion. Tony smiled, finding the man adorable. “Look, I know you’re going to get bored. Jarvis is ready and willing to get you anything you need and…there is a chance Bucky will show up at one point. So, watch television and play with the bots. Nap.”

“The last thing I need is to sleep more,” Steve mumbled as he followed Tony into the living room. “I should go. That…Stane will be there.”

Tony laughed. “Obie thinks my department will give him some kind of disease or a computer infection. I’m going to work on my project, as long as he knows I’m there doing my bomb building like a good boy, he won’t bug me.”

“But-” Steve started.

“Are you ready to be seen by the world?” Tony asked softly. “Because I do have to go and…you could come with me but, Steve, once people see you then…that’s it. There is no going back, you’ll be back in the limelight. So are you ready? For that?”

Steve’s jaw visibly clenched, his hands squeezing into fists. Then he seemed to sag, the sudden tension disappearing into simple tiredness. “No, I’m not. I wouldn’t handle it well.”

Tony stepped over and slid his arms around Steve’s torso, still amazed at the bulk the man now had. He pressed his forehead into Steve’s shoulder and breathed him in. The scent of his alpha allowing his whole body to relax. “Jarvis is integrated into parts of SI, okay? It’s been a slow process getting him in, but he can connect you to me anytime you need. And if he can’t, I’ve got a cute little accountant who could probably weed me out in his blank spots, too. Jarvis loves an excuse to talk to her.”

“Yeah, okay,” Steve nodded. He pulled back. “Cute accountant?”

Tony grinned. “I think you’re adjusting better than you know. Do I hear jealousy?”

“...well,” Steve said, face flushing red.

“Don’t worry, she's a cute omega, but not as cute as me,” Tony told him, laughing when Steve gave him a look. “What? I couldn’t help myself. Besides, she’d scare the shit out of me in a relationship…I should introduce her to Rhodey.”

“Maybe save the matchmaking for later?” Steve suggested.

“Shit, you’re right. My name on the damn company, but I’ll still hear someone grouch if I’m late,” Tony muttered, spinning part-way to find his keys.

A lingering kiss and eventually Tony found himself back at work, tucked away in his corner of the R&D department and working on microwelding for the bomb. He wasn’t sure how long he worked. The motherboard was completed and the casing was starting to actually have a shape. For something so deadly, there was an odd sleekness to it that Tony had never been able to stop himself from adding to his creations. Maybe Tony was a hedonist, but he loved a level of beauty in all things.

Tugging his goggles down to dangle at his neck, he reached out for his cup of no doubt cold coffee. His hand bumped the mouse of his computer and his eyes focused on the screen, before glaring at the cup like it was cold on purpose. Sitting the cup back down, Tony’s eyes were drawn to the small alert saying he had a new email.

He wheeled his chair closer to the desk and clicked, opening up what appeared to be an email from Clint. Tony had completely forgotten that Bucky had agreed, or really more insisted, Clint spend his week vacation with them. It had seemed odd at the time and seemed even odder now taking in Bucky's sudden turn of behavior.

Still, Clint’s half-assed sense of humor could be nice having around the house. And even more so it would actually get Steve to work on being social with someone he had already met before Rhodey decided to show up. Going with that instinct, Tony replied that arrival in two days was just fine and to not destroy his lawn even more with his jet. Then, he kept building.

He made it home, rubbing at the gauze covering a small burn from when a coworker had distracted him. He entered the house to see the pleasant sight of both Steve and Bucky sitting on the couch. Granted it was clear they were only watching the television together, three feet between them, the silence near deafening is how heavy it felt. But he had a feeling they had been sitting there in each other’s company for a while, they looked too relaxed for it to be any shorter.

Tony just had to take advantage. He threw off his coat, tossed his bag to the side, and fell into the space between them. Squirming, he draped his legs on Steve’s lap and rested his head on Bucky’s thigh with full view of the television. “What are we watching?”

There was a hand on his ankle, gently holding: Steve. Then fingers through his hair, more resting there than anything else: Bucky.

“Something about criminal investigation,” Steve replied, giving his ankle a gentle squeeze.

“Think Stevie has a thing for one of the detectives,” Bucky announced, sounding more easy going than Tony has ever heard in this decade. Maybe letting them spend time alone was a good thing.

“Gonna still argue with me when we got our omega here to enjoy time with?” Steve grumbled.

Bucky was clearly smirking from the reaction he got. Tony didn’t even have to look up to confirm.

“You know that actor has a movie about aliens, right?” Tony asked. He sent them both a hopeful smile. “Ah come on, let’s watch him try to not be a cockroach. ...Oh, also Clint will be hanging out with us in a couple days. Anyway, Jarvis? Switch to the movie.”

The hand around his ankle tightened. Not painfully, honestly Tony didn’t think Steve was capable of hurting him. But the sudden change in the air was new and a different heavy feel than before. He’d feel bad, but how else was he going to get this out in the open?

“Been meaning to ask you about that,” Steve said, his tone so plain that Tony knew even Bucky couldn’t read his shift of words. “My Bucky wouldn’t draw a bonded omega into the house all simple like that.”

“And my Stevie wouldn’t let a new generation scare him,” Bucky said. Well, more like growled.

“I’m not scared,” Steve snapped.

And it was like they forgot he was lying there, listening. He cleared his throat, but he knew they didn’t hear. Tony knew he just had to let this happen. At least they were communicating, albeit in a stubborn alpha way.

“You sure as hell are, you weak little punk,” Bucky said. He didn’t sound teasing, but at the same time there was no actual heat behind his words. Tony found him relaxing, nuzzling Bucky’s jean covered thigh, as the realization that everything was okay and still safe. “When you can pick up that shield of yours again, let me know.”

Steve’s whole body seemed to be like ice, before he blinked and swallowed. “And until then?”

“Get better. Just…get better, Stevie,” Bucky said, his voice steady but with a hint of softness. “Besides, this one needs watching over. I’m sure you can manage that.”

He knew not to reply to that, to not view it as bait. Tony waited probably ten minutes, before he couldn't handle the tension anymore. “Are we going to watch the movie, or be melodramatic some more?”

The fingers in his hair tugged gently. “We’ll watch.”

With the stress of the day, Tony wasn’t surprised he fell asleep. Combined with the scent of his mates and their consistent and comforting touch, it was the safest he had felt in a very long time. He didn’t think anyone was surprised when he fell asleep before the cat was nearly kidnapped in the movie.

Notes:

guys. Guys. GUYS. So this is a small chapter (sorry!), but hot damn my month. My acute anemia made me so unsteady that I fell tripping on jeans on the floor. JEANS! And I broke my wrist. So I've been in a cast for 3 weeks, get it off day after 4th July (yeah...grilling is going to be fun with this thing). So next Tuesday I'll be all weak wrist lady. So I might not be able to write the next chapter in the next 2 weeks.

I'm so mad. Like, I have so many story projects I could be working on: this one, a getting too long Tony/Thor & Bruce/Loki, a 5+1 Tony/Sam, a Tony/Clint wing!fic, the plans of the next Steve Rogers vs the Internet. Okay and wtf, just got an idea for a fic of the Avengers as kitty cats. Why muse why?! I swear, I'm unable to write and it bombards me.

So, other than this fic - cause of course - any thoughts of the secondary fic I should focus on? Cause this bouncing around is driving me nuts.

Love you all! Tell your children that not picking up their laundry can break bones!

Chapter 31: 3 years, 8 months & 2 day - 3 years, 8 months & 5 days

The next three days were much the same. Tony went to work, perfected his bomb and avoided running into Obadiah, before coming home to find Bucky and Steve sitting in a tense silence with a random television show droning on. It was progress, especially on Bucky’s end. Tony could see how the initial happiness of Steve being alive hadn’t lasted. For Steve it was as though he had fallen asleep and woke up with everything nearly the same, his emotions remaining unchanged. Bucky didn’t have that privilege. He had decades of bond strain and emotional torture to work through just to understand what he was feeling.

Laying once again between them, this time with his head in Steve’s lap while they watched a really weird movie involving cats with human faces - that was the least freakiest thing in it that was apparently a bit much for Steve because he declared Bucky could no longer choose, Tony’s mind drifted to his childhood. He remembered leaving his father’s study in a rage after being verbally humiliated over presenting as an omega. In the kitchen he had found Jarvis and when the man questioned if he was okay, Tony just unleashed that anger. He said things to the one man in his life he could trust that later horrified him, words he was certainly too young to know the use of. When he stopped he felt numb, empty. And ashamed. So he ran.

It was a couple hours later that he hunted Jarvis down, finding him inspecting the flower beds at the house entrance, and he apologized. Jarvis had easily pulled him into a hug and looked him in the eye and said, “Sometimes when all we can do is get out what we are feeling and we can’t attack the one who hurt us, we instead turn it onto another because they are safe and will not harm us if we show such weakness. You turned to me and I am honored you trust me.”

Tony will admit he had never really understood what Jarvis had been saying. He got the idea, but only in a vague theory. Now, however, he was watching it everyday when Bucky narrowed his eyes in Steve’s direction. The hurtful things he would say, that Steve would just sigh sadly over, was Bucky doing exactly what Tony had done that day. Emotions spiking, becoming confusing and dangerous and right there was Steve. The greatest safety Bucky had ever known. The only person who could just understand him as easily as breathing. The one person who would forgive him anything.

Tony didn’t feel jealous in the slightest. Instead, understanding that this was Bucky’s way of reaching out made him feel more secure, safer. Steve, within these walls, was the same stubborn rock they remember. It was outside of their home that Steve’s problems would most likely trigger. Tony just hoped Bucky was calmer by then.

He let out a hum, feeling Steve’s fingers - still like an artist’s - thread through his hair.

“Off in his own head, just like before,” Steve said softly.

“Been working too hard on that weapon. He doesn't even want to build it,” Bucky muttered.

“I don’t understand why he has to build all those weapons anyway. Howard…” Steve let out a sigh. “Howard wasn’t just about supplying the special forces. He always had some new, wacky thing up his sleeve that wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

Bucky grunted. “Yeah, well, time changes you. He was still a dick to his own kid, that’s why we didn’t get too buddy-buddy with him. Though he followed you around enough when we were in town.”

Tony felt Steve’s fingers spasm where they were resting against the nape of his neck. He didn’t move or open his eyes. He didn’t want to break the moment, especially when Steve said, “You sound jealous.”

“I’m not jealous and I especially wasn’t then,” Bucky snapped. “We both knew that he was at the very least related to Tony. It felt…wrong for him to be eyeballing you like that, especially when we were in mourning for our omega and your damn alpha was in the same room.”

“He was a bit inappropriate,” Steve admitted, sounding awkward. He drew in a breath. “I don’t think I can talk about this anymore.”

“Good, he’s dead anyway so you don’t need to worry about it,” Bucky said, his voice sounding plain agitated.

“He hasn’t eaten yet,” Steve commented.

“He’s not asleep, so we can get some food into him,” Bucky replied.

“I’m totally asleep, you speak lies,” Tony mumbled, turning his head to nuzzle Steve’s thigh. He ignored Bucky’s nearly derisive snort. He begrudgingly opened his eyes. “Jarvis, order some pizza, make it triple my usual. And warn the delivery driver the scary man with a mask is here again.”

“Perhaps a sizable tip, sir?”

“Go for it,” Tony replied.

“So you really did terrify a delivery driver?” Steve asked, sounding amused.

“I wanted to eat,” Bucky said, as though it was as simple as that.

And Steve just shook his head. Tony said nothing, instead twisting around to roll off the couch onto his feet. He walked away, leaving them in the growing mix of remembrance and stilted form of conversations. He changed into his pajamas, letting them answer the door for the pizza. Instead, he made his way to his workshop, working his way through the space to get to the little nest his robots had made for him. All of the stress of the last few days at work gave him the urge to just curl up on that couch and pull the soft blankets around him.

He was almost in a doze, feeling content, when he heard footsteps. He wasn’t surprised when both Bucky and Steve appeared, paper plates of pizza in their hands. The agitation around them almost seemed to become subdued as they stood there, looking at him. “I’m not contagious, we can eat here.”

“Sorry, but this is your nest,” Steve said softly, making Tony blush over the idea that they were waiting for permission.

And that was how Tony found himself eating and then being surrounded by both of his alphas as sleep overtook them all. Even Bucky, who didn’t join them in bed half of the time, usually instead heading out for whatever he did at night or just prowling the landscape. Tony let himself ease into their hold and into the blankness of a dreamless sleep, only the sound of his bots in the background being sounds that were louder than their breathing.

He awoke with a jolt to a voice. “It is 8:30am, sir.”

“Right, right. Work. Bombs,” Tony mumbled. It took ten minutes to get himself out of the tangle of alpha limbs. He paused a moment to watch them gravitate to each other, Steve’s face tucking in under Bucky’s chin. It was the best thing he had seen in a while. The fact they immediately tucked into each other was extremely adorable. “Jarvis give me updates of cuddle time and alert me when Clint gets close with his little jet.”

“Understood, sir,” Jarvis said, his voice oddly lower than usual. Tony smiled, his boy was learning. He knew not to wake up his alphas.

“Good job,” Tony offered in praise, before heading to get ready. He had an actual meeting with Obadiah that day about the new bomb, something about a proper pressentration to the board. Tony swallowed, dreading the idea of being in the same room as that man, but odds were it was just a summary of what could benefit the company. Not to mention arrangements to have the initial test done.

Tony went through the motions, parking his car and heading to his department. He had a few hours before the meeting and used it to finish welding and buffing the casing. The motherboard was deactivated, of course, no one wanted an active bomb in a meeting room. He got it packaged up. Even though there were plenty of computerized displays that could be set up, the board always preferred a physical example.

He ignored the ding of his computer, knowing it was the fifteen minute alert for the meeting. It was already arranged for someone to take the bomb to the meeting room level, so he made strait for the elevator. He hit the button, remembering how long it took last time. The elevator paused fifteen floors from his location for Virginia Potts to enter.

“Well hello,” Tony said, letting his tone turn teasing. “It's been a while.”

“It has been, Mister Stark,” she agreed. She glanced over, her eyes almost raking over him. “You seem to be doing better.”

“I found what I needed,” Tony offered with a small smile. Her gaze turned a bit more appraising, before she nodded.

“Then I pray for them,” she said as the elevator opened on her floor. “I’m sure you are a handful.”

The grin she shot him as the elevator shut was just the jolt of happiness Tony needed, giving him a small respite for the nerves in his stomach. The elevator hit his floor and he repeated Potts’ words over and over again in his head. It gave him an odd thing to hold onto, remembering what he actually was. He was trouble, always making a mess of things. But he wasn’t ashamed of it. His alphas were even okay with it. They never tried to put him down.

He strode into the meeting, seeing the prototype there on display. A pure sign of what his worth was to this company. There was Obadiah and five others waiting for him. And even though he was early he started his PowerPoint presentation, swiftly giving them the ultimate details. A bomb that had not just GPS response but echo and heat locators as well. He watched as their faces became more greedy with every detail and Tony wished he had the ability to just vomit from the cruelty in their eyes.

“We’ll need to see a demonstration,” one guy said. Tony had never been able to remember their names.

“It needs testing first,” Tony pointed out.

“I’m thinking of a full demonstration once it’s out of the testing stage. After all, we want our boys in uniform to see the real thing,” Obadiah said, with a grin. “But I do agree with Tony. A full range of testing first.”

The rest of the meeting seemed oddly numb, like he just had to go with the motions. He held on to the fact they weren’t going to speed rush his bomb. The product, put into the wrong hands, could explode in their own face if there was no testing. Once the decision to test the device was officially decided and projected dates established, Tony rushed out of that room before Obadiah could even speak to him.

On the highway, Jarvis interrupted his radio to let him know Clint was due to touch down soon. He was coming up his driveway when he saw the small quinjet land in his front yard. Tony got out of the car and watched as the back ramp lowered, right on top of the rose bushes that were clustered around the corner of the house. Tony wanted to be annoyed, but the way Clint’s shoulders suddenly dropped as he bounded down the ramp made Tony feel like it would be no different than kicking a puppy. Especially when Clint scratched at his head and said, “Aw, roses, no.”

“Gee, Clint, you could take up a second job in gardening,” Tony teased.

“Stark, allow me a moment to mourn,” Clint replied.

“Perhaps, you could mourn off of the ramp so I can be on my way,” Phil said, appearing at the top of the ramp and tossing Clint his duffle bag.

“No kiss goodbye?” Clint asked.

Phil’s mouth twitched upward. “I believe we said our goodbyes this morning.”

The grin Clint got on his face was downright dirty. Tony rolled his eyes and headed for the door. He did not want to stand there long enough to witness the two agents practically make love via eye contact on his own front lawn. Inside, he found Steve standing at the window doing just that. Tony walked over and leaned into his side, feeling the weight of Steve’s arm wrap around him.

“It’s rude to stare,” Tony said.

“They are having a full conversation without even talking,” Steve commented, tone curious.

“Phil is Cllint’s handler, they probably know each other’s body language better than tone of voice even without being bonded,” Tony told him. Tony glanced around the room. “Speaking of bonded, where’s Bucky? I figured he’d be here.”

“He left a couple hours ago,” Steve replied. “All he would say was that he had last minute preparations. He’s planning something, but you already figured that out. I just wish he’d let us in on it.”

“Yeah, well, can’t keep the cat in the bag forever. Clint isn’t exactly quiet and Bucky had to have invited him here for a reason. I doubt we’ll be in the dark for much longer.”

Tony was right, they didn’t have to wait much longer at all. Bucky returned home in time for dinner. After devouring his burrito, Tony escaped to his workshop to work on preliminary designs for energy sources that could be safer for the planet. He knew it wouldn’t be until a few years after he took over SI that he would be able to properly plan on marketing the idea without too much backlash, but he liked the idea of working on it regardless.

Eventually, he ran out of coffee and emerged to find Steve once again staring out the darkened window, but this time with all the lights off. “What are you doing?”

“Bucky and Clint are out there,” he replied. “Not sure what they are saying, though.”

“Oh, Steve, you should know by now that Jarvis is everywhere,” Tony said. He walked over and peeked around Steve. It was too dark outside for him to actually see anything but a few shapes. He could tell they were standing a reasonable distance away, the shorter of the two seemingly leaning against a tree. How Steve could even see their faces, Tony didn’t know. “J, activate audio access to the left side of the building. Make sure it’s not both ways. We don’t need Bucky getting snippy from us being nosey.”

There was a moment of silence before they could hear Clint as though the man were standing right next to them. “It's supposed to be my vacation, man!”

“It’s only three days,” Bucky replied, with a level of frustration that meant that wasn’t the first time he’d had to repeat himself.

“I was going to buy a surfboard,” Clint pouted.

“Then I’m saving you from an injury,” Bucky snapped. “It’s three days. You have your bow with you, anyway. I just need you to keep surveillance up on the property and protect them if needed. It’s a babysitting job.”

“Fine, but only if you tell me where you're going and I get to tell them that you think of them as babies,” Clint demanded. “Also, I expect payment.”

There was a moment of silence and Tony watched as the shadow that was Bucky shifted. “There’s a Hydra base in Nevada. Small, minimal security. I’m cleaning up shop.”

“Are you serious?” Clint hissed. “By yourself? Tony is going to kill you and I can’t picture what Steve would do to you, but I’m sure it’s going to involve a lecture.”

“I’ll be fine,” Bucky growled. “It’s been easy marks across the board.”

“Shit.” Clint let out a huff.

“And your payment?”

“For this? I was going to ask for you to get Tony to build me the best bow ever made, but this is so much more worse than what I thought you were doing. So…I want a dog.” There was a moment of silence. “Don’t look at me like that. If I already have the dog then Phil can’t say no.”

“Shut it off, Jarvis,” Steve ordered, his voice monotone. Tony watched Steve, noting how tense the man’s muscles were and the way his jaw clenched. He drew in a deep breath and turned to Tony. He leaned forward and kissed Tony’s forehead. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Steve…?” Tony asked, nervously.

“Please, Tony.” Steve shut the door behind him gently, so softly that Tony found it strange that it sounded like a bang echoing in the room.

Tony had the lights turned back on and sat down on the couch. He felt a bit numb as he stared at a spot on the wall. Too much information, too much emotion, to process. In what felt like hours, but was closer to thirty minutes, the door opened and two sets of footsteps entered. Tony didn’t even bother to look over when he spoke. “Three days adventure, huh?”

“You heard,” Bucky stated.

“We heard,” Tony corrected.

Bucky’s eyebrows drew together. “Where’s Steve?”

“Huh, that’s a question. I don’t know. Hey, J? Do you know where Steve is?” Tony asked, somehow his tone not moving past emotionless.

“Sir, Steve is no longer on the property.”

“Hmm, must still be out for a walk.” Tony stood and started heading toward the hallway, before turning back to look Bucky in the eye. “You know, since it’s so easy for you to run off into dangerous situations without letting us know anything and just leaving us with a babysitter of all things? I don’t think I want you in my bed tonight. Pretty sure one of the guest rooms will be just fine for you, give you all the solitude you need.”

Bucky opened his mouth, but Clint grabbed his shoulder and shook his head. Clenching his eyes closed, Bucky just nodded.

His body was stiff as he walked straight for his bedroom. Unlike Steve, he wasn’t gentle with shutting that door. He sat on his bed for the longest time, trying to get control over what he was feeling. He wanted to find Steve, but he knew a man that needed time alone when he saw one. “Jarvis? What direction did Steve go?”

“The beach, sir,” Jarvis replied.

Tony let out a sigh of relief. Knowing Steve he would spend a few hours staring out at the water, maybe punch some trees or large rocks if he got angry enough. But there’d be no people down there to make Steve even more frustrated or confused. Tony didn’t need to go rushing after him then. In reality, rushing after him would be an even worse idea, since it would practically broadcast that Tony didn’t think Steve could be trusted alone.

A drastic opinion, but when you just had your alpha claim you needed a babysitter, well.

Tony laid down, hearing movement in the house. Eventually he heard Clint head to bed. He didn’t know what Bucky was doing and Tony wondered if he was even supposed to care anymore. He closed his eyes, pushing the thoughts away. But sleep didn’t want to come and eventually the sun was rising, the bright light shining in small beams between his dark curtains.

It was then the door opened and a body laid down next to his, smelling of saltwater and slightly chilled from the exposure of the ocean air. He felt Steve kiss his neck and, finally, he was able to sleep.

Notes:

So, when Tony goes to the nest and lets Steve/Bucky get the pizza, I have this image in my head of Steve answering the door and the pizza guy is SO RELIEVED, only to have Bucky suddenly peek over Steve's shoulder and glare at him. Why can't I draw?!?! I'm laughing so hard, that poor kid.

Alright, this is the start of another cycle of crazy that will spill right into the completion of this story. Bucky is being a huge idiot, even though his intentions are good (Hydra, naturally, hurt him and would love to get ahold of Steve so he's in alpha protect mode if anything). Tony is just trying to keep everything as normal as possible, hoping that will help his alphas. And Steve is slowly building a huge case of cabin fever. And Clint wants a damn dog, Phil, let him have one.

Also, thank you for all the well wishes for my wrist. It's doing well, though I freaked out cause my thumb popped yesterday and it sent a painful shock wave and my hubby had to calm me down cause my stupid butt thought I broke it again. XD XD

Chapter 32: 3 years, 8 months & 5 days - 3 years, 8 months & 6 days

Notes:

OH HEY LOOK! double penetration happens again.

Tony ended up at SI the next morning, utterly tired from the argument in his home to find out Obadiah was pushing for a simple one month test period for his bomb. That was not okay. Most products had multiple months of testing before they were presented to the public. Military grade products had much longer. Despite the drastic move the military sometimes made, they actually did only accept weapons properly tested for safety. It made no sense to kill your own soldiers in a war.

Tony spent a good couple of hours at his R&D station, before he grabbed his phone and made his way toward the basement meant for the maintenance team. Less cameras and audio surveillance. It always made him laugh when the higher ups thought the men and women who cleaned out their trash cans and vacuumed their floors didn’t listen in. But rich men had a habit of being idiots about anything not above money. Thankfully, Tony had learned by watching his mates in the forties.

“Mr Stark,” one custodian said.

“Can I borrow your office, please. I have a personal phone call and, well,” Tony said, looking upward pointedly.

The man laughed. “Of course, Mr Stark, just make sure you put everything back where it was.”

Tony laughed, enjoying the man’s bravery. Any other higher up would fire him. “Hey, if I don’t, feel free to rearrange my office.”

“I will happily take you up on that,” the man said as he started to walk away. “My wife loves decorating.”

Then Tony found himself in a dank kind of office, clearly meant for the head of maintenance. But there were a couple plants that looked well cared for next to the only window. Tony thought of the people he saw in the Great Depression, actually there to see Steve count exact change, and he wondered if they were any better today. He hunted down an envelope and, despite how he felt before, he still had at least three hundred dollars in his wallet. He put it in the envelope and scribbled a simple message (thank you, for you all) and placed it under the keyboard.

He didn’t exactly feel better, but it allowed him a moment to feel relaxed. Which was good as he dialed Rhodey on his phone. The tone rang for a couple minutes, so Tony canceled the call. He waited a few minutes, knowing how Rhodey was. His semi-brother was one of those hesitant types. If Rhodey was in a meeting he would call back later. If he was in a conversation he wouldn’t answer, but get back as soon as possible.

Tony smiled when he phone rang. He answered immediately. “Hey, Rhodey.”

“I’ve got about twelve minutes, Tones. Seriously, give it to me straight,” Rhodey said.

“I’ve built a bomb and you know me, how far I go in my creations without meaning to. Obadiah is insisting on a one month test trial,” Tony said, putting it all forward. “A bomb not even built buy me, without all the extra bells and whistles, would have a year or two.”

“You need me to get the higher ups to press for a longer test time,” Rhodey summarized. He was silent for a moment. “You know this implies that your work isn’t perfect. Obadiah relies on your perfection.”

“Yeah, well, he wants me to go and give a live demonstration. Rhodey…I have my alphas. I have them both. And they are not ready to have this stability removed from them. I need the testing extended,” Tony insisted.

“Okay, we are going to talk about how you managed to find Steve Rogers later. But I get what you mean,” Rhodey said. “I’ll talk around, give the hint. But the next time I’m able, I’m over there and get to meet them. I’ve met Barnes, but I need to make sure you’re okay with them both.”

“I’m not a kid,” Tony muttered, regardless of the rush of warmth he felt of Rhodey still determined to take care of him.

“Right, that’s a true thing,” Rhodey scoffed. “I’ll let you know the moment I can.”

“Thank you,” Tony said, voice soft, because he was too thankful to not go pure omega right then.

“Hey, if I can’t do anything, do you have a back up?” Rhodey suddenly asked.

“Well,” Tony said, thinking. “Umm, there’s this accountant. She’s like a damn firework, actually argued her way to me about a money inconsistency. She helped me get in touch with the people finding Steve. Pretty shure if there’s numbers to crunch, she can.”

“Then go and get her addressed of the situation,” Rhodey ordered, before his voice went soft. “But you're okay, other than this? Two alpha confused of the world…be honest with me. Cause that’s a lot for you to have to handle.”

“Rhodey, I…it’s uncertain right now, but I can say that we are working toward getting better, okay?” Tony said. “Their past has led to complications, but trust me? I’m not in harm's way.”

“Yeah, that just makes me worry a bit more. I’m willing to hold judgment until I really meet them both,” Rhodey replied.

“You’re like the big brother no one wanted,” Tony teased.

“Nah, you always wanted me,” Rhodey said. “I have to go. Get that accountant on the job, just in case. And take care of yourself. How is your alcohol intake?”

“Honestly, I’ve barely touched the stuff. Too much to do,” Tony admitted.

“Then keep yourself busy, but remember to sleep. Oddly it’s a good thing,” Rhodey ordered.

“Yeah, Steve kind of has thought of that as his job,” Tony said, fondly.

“Then I like him already,” Rhodey replied. “I do have to go. Tones, be safe. I’ll get to you when I can.”

“I love you too Rhodey-bear,” Tony said, for once not teasing. He hung up and sat in the dark office, trying to get his mind into the proper gears. He allowed himself a few minutes, closing his eyes and just remembering to breathe. Then he stood and made his way to the elevator. He hit the accounting level, allowing himself to accept that Rhodey was right and to follow those orders.

Despite his determination to be a strong headed omega, he still had the right to enjoy the feeling of calm that came from a good alpha approving of him. And Rhodey was a good alpha.

He found Virginia Potts tapping away at her computer, a stack of paper a foot high that she kept glancing at. He watched her a moment, before clearing his throat, almost enjoying how she jerked in shock as she looked up. Then she squinted her eyes at him, like she was analyzing him fully. “Yes?”

“Ready for lunch?” he asked. She glanced around her and he grinned. “Oh don’t worry, they’re just going to think you’re sleeping with me.”

“Oh what joy, I must be in such bliss,” she immediately said. And Tony had to chuckle over how she didn’t even look ashamed by her sarcasm.

“You are a delight. However, I do need your talents with accounting. I figured a lunch instead of all your coworkers watching would be better,” Tony replied. “Come on, you know you want to have a business dinner with someone who will not only approve but insist you eat more than a salad with dressing on the side.”

If Ms Potts rolled her eyes any harder she would probably end up with some serious muscle strain. But she stood and collected her purse, striding past him to the elevator. “And I want cheesecake as well.”

They ended up in a small Italian restaurant that was classy in its simplicity and would no doubt take on a more romantic air as the evening drew closer. For then it was filled with business men and women having meetings or enjoying a lunch out of the office. Even with his name in the papers, Tony found he felt like he was invisible, without even the waiter blinking an eye as he refilled Tony’s water glass.

Eventually Ms Potts had grown bored of the silence and set her fork down, clearing her throat. “Well?”

Tony had the urge to tease her a bit, something about the other omega just drew the feeling out of him. Much like Clint’s presence did. Tony pushed the feeling away and cleared his throat. “I need to ensure the testing on my new product is not rushed. Skipping prototype analysis, shortening stress testing, and pushing through the final testing steps can only end with dead soldiers.”

“Why would you need an accountant to assist you with this?” she asked, eyebrows drawing together.

“I’ve got Rhodey - he’s sort of a part-time liaison with the military and he’s speeding up the ranking pool, so the brass actually adores him - looking into nudging his boss’ to make it clear they are paying attention to our testing protocols. But I can’t rely on that fixing the situation. Obadiah is like a bull, once he sets his mind on something it’s hard to change it, especially when he gets the board agreeing with him,” Tony explained. “And the board only cares about one thing: money.”

“This isn’t going to require another dubious contract, is it Mr Stark?”

“Oh, woah, no!” Tony said, raising his hands in defense in response to her tone. “Calm down, there’s no need for the spicy annoyance you got going on there, Pepper.”

The nickname had just naturally slipped out and, well, it did honestly fit her. He was half expecting her to get even more annoyed or outright angry. Instead, she blinked and looked a little stunned, before a smirk appeared. “No need for flattery, Mr Stark.”

“In the end,” Tony continued, offering her a smile, “I need you to take a look through the books and give us evidence of us making more money with lengthy and well done testing. Nothing illegal about it. You audit our financial files for your job, after all.”

“Hmm,” she replied, eyes looking into the distance. Then she nodded. “It should actually be a thing done with every product, so I’m happy to do it.”

“Thank you,” Tony replied. “I would tell you why, but…let's just say I keep creating things that definitely need the control that those tests would allow.”

“Have you thought about taking over? As I said before, you seem to be ready,” she replied.

“Oh please, like anyone would think I am capable,” Tony scoffed. “I have two alphas to worry about, I can’t do both.”

She squinted her eyes at him. “Just so you know, most others I know prefer you over him. Obadiah doesn’t really make underlings feel safe. Especially if we’re omegas.”

Tony set his glass of water back down and looked at her. The way she looked away quickly. He swallowed. “I know how he is with me, but how is he with all of you? I’ll admit he…he has never been respectful with me.”

The waiter was suddenly there, taking away their plates. Tony automatically asked for a slice for cheesecake, just wanting the guy to go away as he saw Ms Potts start to look at a level of awkwardness that made Tony feel a drop in his stomach. It wasn’t until they were alone again that she let out a slow breath. “Pep, what?”

She looked up at the nickname of a nickname, an obvious calm settling over her. “I was warned when I got the job. My coworkers urged me to be as dominant as I could be, so he wouldn’t…It’s known to us underlings that Stane will seek us out. Those that refuse are usually forced to quit pretty fast.”

Tony was gripping the table hard, trying to not just unleash his emotions. When he spoke, he didn’t even feel in control of his ability to even talk. “Did he do that to you, as well?”

He felt her intake of breath then heard it. He looked up at her, trying to urge back his need to just break down. She stared at him for the longest time. “You know very well he met with me before I met with you.”

And he just wanted to get sick. Because the last time Obadiah had made an advance he was claimed, but it was still enough for him to vomit in the parking garage. His body had that claim to combat it. Virginia Potts had no defense. He clenched his eyes, not knowing what to say. She stayed quiet, still calm and in control. The type of control that was learned.

“I…” And Tony didn’t know how to respond. He grabbed his glass of water, wishing he had some kind of alcohol instead. He swallowed the water and finally looked her in the eye. “How often does he do that?”

“I don’t know,” she said, her voice soft, which was the opposite of all his experiences with her. “There are those that refuse to speak of it. But with me, it was alpha intimidation. It was like he tried to subdue me. Nothing else happened. I played the part. I can’t say the same for others.”

Tony wanted to scream. Obadiah had been doing that sort of intimidation since his father had died. He never took a moment to think he had also done it to others. “I need to get him out. I can’t…I can’t let him keep doing this. I thought it was only me.”

She looked away for a moment, before meeting his eyes. “He sees us as things to play with, if he can. I feel you are the one he actually wants. It’s not about getting him out, it's about getting him away from you.”

“No,” Tony snapped, looking down to see he had ripped up his napkin. “That would just make him focus on every omega in the company. And…you would be his first target, he would know. I can’t…I can’t let that happen.”

“I can handle myself,” she said in a strong voice.

“I don’t know what to do,” Tony admitted.

“We do our job,” she said with a slight smile. “We can’t bring him down with omega abuse. You might be able to be at the level you are, but the rest of us just have to go with the motions. An alpha acting that way is expected, not an harassment. But as you said, getting him where it hurts. Your Rhodey will make his board question things. I am fully capable of digging up all the information you ask of me. We’ll go about this in a corporate style. Because despite what people think, us omegas are pretty crafty.”

Tony stared at her, trying to not grin in case the people around them would notice. “You definitely deserve the name Pepper.”

“My grandma called me that,” she offered.

“Your grandma was spot on,” Tony offered. “It’s okay-”

“You can call me that,” she interrupted. “I like being called that again.”

He smiled and saw her smile in return. He felt the connection right then, a weird snap of electricity. Instead of what he understood it felt more like cotton becoming a thread. Like a gentle weave was happening. He’d never felt this with an alpha. He’d never even been friends with another omega, but he had always wondered what it was like to create an almost family bond with another omega. He supposed now he knew.

“Now,” she continued, “I believe our business is concluded for now and you owe me cheesecake.”

Later, after getting glared into submission when he tried to sneak a bite of Pepper’s dessert, Tony headed home feeling more secure than when he had gone into work. It’s a new level of tension that builds in him as he drives home, because he has no idea what he’s going into. A variety of options rushes through his head as he heads up his long driveway.

He can immediately see Clint on the roof. Getting out of the car he pulls his sunglasses off and stares at the series of targets Clint had set up around the yard, looking as though they wrapped around the back of the house as well. There were a variety of sizes and locations, even two tiny one dangling from tree limbs and swaying in the breeze.

“Someone’s been having fun,” Tony piped up, watching as Clint lowered his bow and glared at him.

“I’m supposed to be on vacation,” Clint said.

Tony really wasn’t in the mood for omega dramatics, so he turned to head for the door.

“So, just so you know, you might be safe going in there, but I wouldn’t recommend it,” Clint called down.

“What happened?” Tony demanded.

“Not sure, I escaped four hours ago. Hear a lot of things banging around and muffled yelling every once in a while. The alpha hormones in there are overwhelming, though. My clothes still stink, so be prepared,” Clint summarized, looking oddly sorry for Tony.

“Thanks,” Tony muttered, despite knowing Clint probably couldn’t hear him. He walked toward the door and took a moment to close his eyes, before nodding his head and entering the house.

Clint's claim of alpha pheromones was extremely understated. His house had never felt so oppressive, so volatile. It was like a thick and heavy layer of pure aggression and alpha control permeated every molecule. It was…it was feral. His alphas had gone feral. Against each other. It gave him the urge to run and follow Clint’s example of getting to a safer high ground. But these weren’t two alphas, these were his two alphas. He knew, on some level, that he was still safe.

The pressure of the pheromones in the air were so heavy and pushing him in different directions. He realized Steve and Bucky must be in different parts of the house, like they had claimed individual territory. Tony didn’t know what to do. If he went to one and not the other it could trigger an instinctive fight. Tony’s own hormones were making him want to just strip bare and crawl toward them.

He dropped down onto the couch, trying to take in gulps of air, hoping for pure oxygen instead of what was simply attacking his senses. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to calm himself, to try to ignore how his stomach muscles tensed and his thighs burned in reaction. Then on shaky legs he stood and walked to the kitchen. He stood there a moment and felt a tug toward the bedroom and one of the guest bedrooms.

Tony should feel thankful that they weren’t attacking each other fully, though he didn’t know what had happened before he got home. Two alphas sharing an omega would, in this state of mind, fight to claim the omega for themselves. But studies didn’t really take into consideration that a triad wasn’t just a love triangle. His alphas had loved each other in emotional and sexual ways before Tony had even been in the picture.

He had to draw them out. They had separated because they didn’t want to actually harm each other. With that in mind, Tony cleared his throat and spoke in a calm voice, “Hey, alphas. Why are you hiding from me?”

The slam of two doors opening at once echoed through the house, though Tony managed to not flinch. There was growling and a couple of thuds of bodies hitting the wall down the hallway, but then it was like they actually could scent him. Tony felt a shudder, realizing he had been letting off his own pheromones. Omega, afraid.

They moved faster than usual, that super serum in both showing just what it could do. They were there, standing in front of him before he could blink. They were standing with a vibrating intensity, and there was a glare in how they kept looking at each other.

“Guys, stop. Just stop,” Tony whispered, taking a few steps closer. “I don’t know what caused this, but it stops now. I’m here and I’m yours, both of yours. There is no territory to claim, you have all of what’s mine.”

He had lips on his own in an instant and he was actually shocked they were Bucky’s, who had been more hesitant in the previous weeks. A set of warm hands were suddenly at his waist, stroking with a firm touch. An arm wrapped around him, lifting him up as Bucky pulled back.

He felt himself almost dragged to his bedroom and thrown on the bed. Gasping, he looked up at them, watching the gleam in their eyes, an almost animalistic nature to how they moved. “Okay…yeah, we can do this.”

He didn’t even have time to wonder how to start. They both climbed onto the bed, now working in sync now that their omega was there. There was an odd reaction here, like they only now felt comfortable touching each other. If Tony hadn’t been there, they would have fought against each other in rage, pausing to rejuvenate before starting again. All because Tony wasn’t there.

He kind of hated being the one who broke their safety with each other all those years ago, creating a pin in their relationship where he was needed as well. But he didn’t have time to hate himself for it as Bucky grabbed the waistband of his pants and essentially ripped them off.

Steve was yanking off his own clothes, before reaching for Bucky, each article of clothing being ripped in his frantic need for flesh. Bucky focused on Tony’s clothes, tearing off the outer layers before focusing on pulling down his underwear, clearly trying to be careful with at least one article of clothing. But no, a feral alpha had no ability to be gentle beyond that of their actual omega, so they ended up shredded as well.

The way the two of them growled, at one moment shoving at each other, made Tony thankful he was starting to get wet in response. Sure, it was a biological response so that the feral alpha could do what they needed and the omega wouldn’t get too hurt, but Tony actually was turned on by how both of them were gazing at him. Like they were analyzing how they wanted to play with him.

“Guys?” Tony said softly, feeling himself going into an omega space. He knew he was going doe-eyed, his body breaking into a hotter temperature that only his bonded could fix. It wasn't heat, but it was an animal drive that was disturbingly close. Everything was suddenly…fuzzy. Not bad, it would never be bad with them around to protect him.

And how they suddenly grabbed him, the strength in those hands as he was pushed - still gently, no force, always careful - onto his hands and knees made him whine, back arching. Hands were everywhere. He hadn’t felt this in nearly four years, them both touching him. And he knew they had to get through this before he could make demands. Let them calm down before he could see them sexually devour each other, something the two clearly wanted under the hostile tension.

He blinked, realizing he was reaching the space of needing touch and thinking of anything to get himself to reach the pleasure he wanted, causing his mind to try to ignore all forms of rational thought. He let out a long groan as fingers entered him, gasping when he realized they were made of metal. The sharp drag of the plates on the metal arm’s fingers slid along his insides, shockingly smooth instead of in any way painful.

The fingers went away, causing him to whine, before he was dragged over and laid over a strong body. He whimpered as Steve tugged his face down, pausing to nip at his throat before kissing him hard. Like Steve needed to just eat him, breathe in his soul just to survive. Tony could only moan in his mouth, his arms collapsing and pressing him chest to chest with Steve. Bucky, however, kept his hips upward, hands a hard grip. Holding Tony’s back-end up and practically ready for him.

“Steve,” Tony whimpered, crying out when those cold and metal fingers entered him again. He was so wet and open, so ready that everything was so sensitive. He felt a shudder run through him.

Steve didn’t actually growl out the word, but the emotion was there. “Ours.”

“Yes, yes, fuck,” Tony gasped out, feeling a third metal finger enter him. A slow drag of a tongue drew up his spine and it was Steve who reacted, rocking his hips up to create friction at Tony’s cock. He cried out, pressing his forehead against Steve’s shoulder. He could hear a purring sound, Steve’s hands stroking along his sides before he grabbed Tony’s hips, his strength holding him in place.

He felt so overwhelmed, the smell of them attacking him with every intake of air. He didn’t even have time to properly react, his hips rocking back when Bucky pressed into him. He didn’t even remember Bucky’s fingers leaving him. He cried out, not able to stop making noise as Bucky drove into him, not even giving him time to breathe as the alpha set a steady and deep rhythm.

He was nearly sobbing against Steve’s neck, unable to move. They were both keeping him in place and he didn’t even feel scared by it, the pure control they had over his body made him feel like he was floating. He felt Steve grab his jaw, bringing him into a kiss, the man’s other hand letting go of his hip to stroke him everywhere except his erection. Tony felt himself trembling, the pure euphoria echoing through his body before he came, jerking so hard that Steve had to grab him again to make him still.

Tony whimpered, feeling Bucky slamming into him so hard his body would have rocked so far forward to let his head hit the wall if Steve hadn’t tightened his grip. It was too much and yet exactly what he wanted. Then Bucky stiffened, hips jerking forward a few times before he came. Tony gasped, head dropping down. But Bucky didn’t knot him, no he was still hard.

He didn’t protest as his body was turned until he was facing away from Steve. Like by instinct they had planned how to use and take care of their omega. He found himself in Steve’s lap, the man now sitting more upward with his back now able to rest against the wall above the head of the bed. Bucky was on his knees on the bed, drawing Tony into a kiss.

As Bucky’s tongue entered his mouth he felt Steve’s erection press against his entrance, which was loose and filled with slick and Bucky’s come. Whimpering into Bucky’s mouth as the kiss continued, Tony wanted to sob from the slow build of sensation from the way Steve chose to enter him. He was trembling, only Bucky’s hold of him keeping him upright. Bucky grabbed his hips and simply took control, guiding him into a motion as he rode Steve.

While he could feel Steve almost clawing at his back he could also feel Bucky’s hand sliding down and grabbing his renewed erection. Tony shuddered, dropping his hips down and grinding on Steve as Bucky started jerking him off.

“Come on, you can do better than that,” Bucky whispered into his ear.

Tony started rocking his hips, trying to start a heavy rhythm, but he was so worn out. He forgot how intense it was to be with them both. Tony clutched at Bucky, pressing his face into Bucky’s chest. “Please.”

“You’re ours,” Bucky whispered into his ear.

Tony let out his most embarrassing sound yet, before it turned into a sound of shock. Bucky grabbed him and, like he was simply a doll, rotated him around until he was now draped onto Steve. Gasping for air, he stared into Steve’s bright blue eyes, before crying out when he felt a flesh finger against his rim, where Steve was inside him. Steve grabbed his jaw again and stared at him as Bucky’s finger slid inside as easily as it had done when he was in heat in their small apartment. Steve’s eyes narrowed. “We take care of what’s ours.”

“I’m not in heat, I don’t know-” Tony’s breath caught as that finger rotated and all he could do was groan and rock his hips back. “Okay, but I get to say stop.”

A metal hand practically clawed his skin as it slid up his spine. Bucky spoke and his voice was raw and husky in a way that caused a flare of heat to rush through Tony. “You get to tell us everything.”

“I-” Tony stopped, gasping as Bucky’s finger rotated and he could feel the flood of slick escaping him. And he suddenly realized. His alphas went feral. And he…he didn’t enter omega space… “Fuck, I’m in heat.”

Steve made a happy humming noise, drawing him into a deep kiss. “So perfect.”

“No, I…I’m on suppressants, not like before,” Tony said, before his hips started rocking back as a groan escaped him. “Doesn’t…fuck…hit this hard this fast. And, you’re not in actual rut and…fuck.”

Tony let out a keening noise, his whole body spasming as more slick escaped him because Bucky had just slid a second finger alongside Steve’s cock. He didn’t even bother with feeling annoyed at being in heat, he wanted it too much and his body was breaking out in a strong sensitivity that was too much but not enough. He felt Steve rock upward and could only let out an animalistic sound, trying to drive down onto it. He gasped as a third finger joined the rest. He should be in pain, but the sudden heat, the animal scent of his alphas just determined to claim and own, made his body pliant.

God he understood why he was always scared of this in his younger years. He didn’t know how to react, there was no logical thought to it. He just needed.

Bucky did something, possibly rotated his fingers, and suddenly Tony was orgasming again. He felt Bucky kiss his back and Steve grab him to steady him through the shockwaves rushing through him. He felt teeth bite at his hip before the fingers went away and suddenly there was pressure, so much damn pressure. But Steve was looking him in the eye and he knew with the heat in his body he could take it. But it was so damn intense.

Bucky’s body, after he had pushed all the way through, draped over him and he could only lay there, surrounded by their warmth and hold. Tony sucked in air, feeling Bucky nipping at his shoulder. He could feel himself trembling, but the sharp raise of arousal and the wetness suddenly flooding out of him eased the stretch.

Their feral state had dimmed down, he could tell because there was a stiffness now to both of them. Like they didn’t know their next move. But Tony was now entering heat and they would just have to deal with how their stubbornness affected him. He sucked in air and then gasped out, “You both better as hell go through with this.”

Tony wasn’t surprised when Bucky moved first, his thrust causing Steve’s eyes to roll back. Tony clutched at Steve's shoulders, his mind flashing back to the last time they did this. Steve was smaller, but he grabbed at him just as strongly as he was doing then.

Trying to breath, still taking in the feral alpha scent that was mildly permeated around them, Tony could only rock back as they started to move. He was immediately overrun with sensation and pressure and just the perfect connection he felt. He could only yell out, grabbing at anything he could claw at. Distantly he knew Steve would now heal all the deep claw marks Tony left and Tony was too far gone in the pleasure and pain and love and perfection he was feeling to stop.

He had already come twice, but the moment he felt both of their knots hitting his rim he suddenly jerked and then spasmed as the hardest orgasm yet hit him. He wasn’t actually clear headed. Every thought and concept of feeling could be analyzed on another day. Tony’s mind couldn’t not detail what was happening. And that very fact was what made his mind experience them both fully entering him, like a hammer driving in a nail. It was like every particle in his body was shaking, because they were both coming, hard and heavy inside him.

And this tiny part of himself thought: finally.

There were hands on him, eventually, and he felt tucked in. He was so overheated his very skin felt like lava. His body was practically vibrating as they pulled him close, sandwiched between them. He could hear Bucky and Steve speak, but he was so tired and just simply closed his eyes.

Notes:

I did not plan on the sex scene in the end, but damn Tony needed some nookie and it could be considered one wall broken down of Bucky/Steve's many issues.

But yay! More Pepper time and I can finally start calling her Pepper, lol. That Ms Potts crap was annoying. Also, anyone find it odd Tony's suppressants didn't work despite neither of them being in rut? I wrote it and even I'm confused, cause that's not how feral works (feral is animal ownership and dominance, rut is a sexual drive to claim and breed). How does my brain plot crap without me know it? Must be all those Excel sheets at work, let's blame work yes.

Also, I think this was my longest chapter yet?

Chapter 33: 3 years, 8 months & 6 days - 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 2 days

His skin hummed, each brush of fabric causing a burst of sensation. He was burning up and yet cold at the same time. Like he was running a fever. He felt a hand slide across his chest and moaned, unable to open his eyes. It took a moment, but eventually he realized he could hear talking. Bucky and Steve, laying on either side of him.

“-going to have to put your little Hydra hunt on hold,” Steve was saying.

“If it was any other situation, I’d think you did this on purpose,” Bucky muttered.

He tried shifting, grunting when a series of sharp shocks of pain raced through his stomach. It wasn’t the usual cramp and ache of a heat needing an alpha’s touch. This was different and Tony winced, that lightning shooting around to his lower back.

“Something’s wrong,” Steve suddenly said, his larger body shifting, hands cupping Tony’s face.

Tony got his eyes to open half-way, eyelids fluttering. Steve’s face swam before him. “Wha-”

“Tony, tell us what’s wrong,” Bucky ordered from Tony’s other side.

“Hurting, feel too dizzy,” Tony managed to say, feeling nausea hit him. Then he was trying to push Steve away, aiming for the side of the bed where he promptly vomited up mostly bile. He felt tremors rush through his body, groaning. “I don’t…”

“Shh, it’s okay, we’re going to take care of you,” Steve said softly. Any other time Tony would have practically purred under the pure care in Steve’s tone, but right then he was fighting the urge to dry heave.

The bed shifted and Tony fought to look up and see Bucky pulling on his pants. “I’m getting Clint.”

“What?” Steve demanded. “I don’t think bringing another person in here is going to help.”

“Who here knows the most about omega biology?” Bucky snapped. “I’d suspect it would be another omega. We didn’t learn shit in school about this stuff and I never saw my mom do that during a heat.”

In another world, where Tony could fully understand the conversation, he’d probably smile over the fact that Bucky’s memory was definitely getting better. Right then, though, Tony just wanted to roll over and curl up into the smallest ball he could in hopes the shocks on pain would ease.

“Then go, get him,” Steve encouraged, before grabbing his own pants. After he had those on, Tony more felt than watched as he tucked Tony under the covers, allowing him a bit of modesty. Tony heard himself whimper at the simple touch. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Oh my God, you weren’t kidding,” Clint’s voice said from the doorway. “Get those windows open, it smells like fear and sickness in here.”

“Do you know what this is?” Steve asked.

Tony heard footsteps and realized he had closed his eyes. He forced them open to see Clint inspecting the medicine bottles on his dresser, looking at the labels before counting the foil packet in his hand. “Skipping a dose can cause abrupt heat and a bit of sickness, but I’ve never heard of it being this bad. Seriously, the scent in here is killing me, open the damn windows, Bucky!”

“We can’t risk a nearby alpha scenting him,” Bucky growled.

“We are on a cliff next to the ocean. Who do you think is going to try to break in here?” Clint asked in disbelief. “The fresh air will probably help Tony breathe better, I can hear him wheezing a bit.”

While Tony was out of it, he wasn’t so out of it to not know that he wasn’t wheezing at all. His lungs were the only things not in pain.

“Get him into a cool bath, he’s definitely not showing normal heat temperatures,” Clint continued. “I’m going to get the SHIELD doctor that works on us omegas on the line.”

Tony just wanted to sleep. The shocks of pain and shivering was combating the urge, though, so he felt the ache in his limbs when Steve and Bucky set out to get him into the tub, cool water around him feeling like heaven. He could hear Bucky and Steve talking, their voices grating on his ears. He could feel the tension between them and it only made the pain and aches spike higher. “Stop.”

“Stop what, Tony?” Steve asked.

“Fighting,” Tony mumbled, feeling tired and just plain horrible.

He must have drifted off, the soothing cool water turning heated from his skin alone. The next thing he knew was blankets being tucked around him and Clint’s voice, “The doc will be here first thing in the morning. Said to keep him sleeping as much as possible and wipe him down with a cool cloth if he starts sweating. We can’t give him anything until she does an exam and trust me, you do not want to go against Dr Cho’s orders.”

“Long night, then,” Bucky said.

“And I’ll leave you to it,” Clint replied.

Next, the bed shifted and Tony, despite the tremble in his body, rolled to tuck his face against Bucky’s neck. He felt Steve curl up around him from behind. He didn’t want to sleep, he didn’t know if he could. But darkness did descend on him eventually, his eyes opening every couple hours when a particular pain shot through him. But he would eventually fall back to sleep for another cycle of sleep with no dreams, just pure blackness in his mind.

He awoke to fingers threading through his hair. It wasn’t pleasurable, but it eased some of the tension he could feel humming just below his skin. “Tony, the doctor is here. She needs to examine you.”

Tony whined, pressed his nose against Bucky’s collarbone. He could actually feel his whole body pulsing, each pulse waking him up farther.

“We’ll be here the entire time,” Bucky said, before kissing his forehead, which flared briefly to life at the touch.

Tony could only nod. Then there was smaller hands on him, he was too out of it to truly understand why they touched him at the neck and at his arm pits. He opened his eyes and there was a woman looking at him, beta scent calming and her heart shaped face covered with nothing but compassion. He went through the exam too weak to protest anything. Though she never did anything beyond clinical before she pulled back.

“Barton, walk away,” her higher but calm voice ordered. Tony couldn’t hear Cint leave, but he must have because she started talking again. “Tony, despite the law of your alphas having to be here regardless, may I speak with them here.”

Confused, Tony just nodded, trying to blink away the fogginess of his vision.

“Then first,” the woman stood straight, her face stern. “Alphas, listen well. I will need to do bloodwork, just in case, but it’s pretty obvious what is going on. I’ve seen it in quite a few omegas in the field at SHIELD.”

Tony glanced over to see Steve look down at him. Tony groaned, wanting to just cover even his face with the blankets, but knowing he had to hear this. It was Bucky who spoke first, “Spit it out already.”

“An omega can withstand a lot, much more than even you alphas. They are built to adapt to ensure survival in comparison to fighting for survival,” she said, her voice almost like a cool balm to Tony’s ears. Easy to hear. “Your omega is going through a heat drop. He’s been severely stressed, which from Clint’s comments about you two fighting so much, is understandable. Not only that, he’s Tony Stark, his life is stressful by definition. On top of that, your omega has hit the start of his fertility peak, which makes suppressants faulty. I will need to take blood samples to be sure, but during that peak, suppressants are less effective and sporadic heats can happen. The fertility peak with both of you feral is what triggered this heat. But his stress, especially with your behavior, made him subconsciously feel unsafe.”

“He’s sick because of us?” Steve asked softly.

“It’s one of the bigger factors, amongst others,” Dr Cho said. “Mr Stark has a file on SHIELD, granted I don’t approve of the methods done to get it. We know he’s been on suppressants for the majority of his life, but healthier ones the last few years. Regardless, the strongest medicine can’t stop an omega from reacting badly to a toxic environment. Instinct takes over at that point and a heat drop causes sickness in an attempt to get nearby alphas to focus on caring for them instead of whatever negative behavior they were displaying.”

“We weren’t-” Steve started. And Tony was too numb to try to argue or even make a comment. The words flowed over him and he clenched his eyes closed.

“We were,” Bucky interrupted. “We both were. Too focused on fighting each other, didn’t even notice how stressed out he was. And him not saying anything isn’t an excuse.”

Tony reached out, seeing Steve drop his head down. His fingers touched the soft skin of his forearm and Tony zoned in on the texture of skin, blinking rapidly when Steve shifted to look at him. Tony tried to smile, his body thrumming from an ache that couldn’t be cleared the way it would normally in a heat.

“God,” Steve whispered, moving his arm to grasp Tony’s hand. “How do we fix this?”

“I’m going to give him a shot for the pain, but otherwise you need to act like he’s in a regular heat for the next couple of days, only you’ll be doing everything but the sex part. Pamper him, get liquids into him at least. He’s going to need to sleep the majority of the time, understand?” Dr Cho was staring the alphas down, like she wasn’t the smallest person in the room.

“Not a problem,” Bucky said.

Tony figured he’d heard enough, bone deep tiredness hitting him all at once. He could still hear talking, but could no longer make out the words. At one point he felt a pinch in his arm and his body seemed to go lax after that, a gentle cotton feeling embracing each pained muscles. It was easy to fall asleep at that point.

The next few days - at least he assumed it was a few - was spent mostly sleeping. Occasionally one of his alphas would bring him juice or soup and they would nudge him into shifting around so he wasn’t in one spot for too long. Mostly, they just held him and wiped down the sudden flares of sweat that would coat his skin.

When he was finally able to open his eyes fully, his immediate thought was that he felt disgusting. He wasn’t in pain anymore and the feverish taint to his heated body was gone. In fact, he mostly felt like he had after his heat he’d last had, only with less signs on his body of sexual activity. He allowed himself a full body stretched and hummed when fingers thread through his hair.

“Someone’s feeling better,” Steve whispered.

“Hmm?” He blinked sleepily up at Steve, who smiled in return.

“Bucky’s grabbing you some orange juice. Do you think you can sit up?” Steve asked.

By the time Tony had managed to get into a sitting position, two pillows behind his back for support, Bucky was entering the room. Tony blushed at the soft look Bucky gave him, accepting the glass of juice and taking a sip. He stayed silent, watching as Bucky and Steve looked at each other. It wasn’t the tension of a fight waiting to happen. It was more reluctant and tired.

“You should go together,” Tony blurted out.

“Drink your juice,” Bucky ordered.

“Together for what?” Steve asked immediately after Tony grudgingly took another drink.

Tony might have felt like he slept a decade and he really needed a shower, but his head felt clearer than it had in weeks. “Hydra, fight the good fight. Bucky, Steve is going with you. Maybe together you both will actually stay alive and not give me a heart attack when I find one of you in my kitchen bleeding.”

“Tony, look, you have been delirious and sick for nearly four days. That is the last thing we should be talking about,” Steve insisted, nudging him to drink more of the juice.

“Yeah, of course, you’re right. I need to remake your uniform, so you can be the flashy soldier to Bucky’s metallic style,” Tony replied. He set the glass on the bedside table and moved to stand up, only to have his legs give out from underneath him. Bucky was the only thing stopping him from face planting onto the floor. “Okay, that’s not normal after a heat.”

“Your muscles didn’t get the usual, uh…”

“Exercise,” Bucky finished, getting him back on the bed. “You were too sick for what would be normal physical activity during your heat.”

“You’ll need to stretch those muscles a bit more to get back to normal,” Steve offered. “We massaged you as much as we could, but you reacted like you were in pain if we actually touched you too much.”

“Shit, I’m sorry,” Tony said, looking down at his hands before reaching for the last of the juice so Steve wouldn’t have to urge him to.

“Why are you apologizing?” Bucky asked in his usual grumpy tone.

“I ruined…I mean…I don’t even fucking know why,” Tony stammered out.

“Tony, hey, look at me,” Steve said, cupping his cheek. “Are you apologizing for getting sick? Something you can’t actually control?”

Tony bit his lip, before clearing his throat. “I guess, yeah, I guess I am.”

“Always knew you were a handful, but this is ridiculous,” Bucky said, sitting down on the bed in front of Tony, eyes narrowed. “Don’t ever apologize for needing us. And stop thinking you can’t tell us stuff and let us share some of your burden.”

“What Bucky means,” Steve added, sending Bucky a small glare and getting a blank look in return, “is that you can talk to us and that none of this was your fault.”

“I just said that,” Bucky snapped.

“You were victim blaming,” Steve countered.

Bucky stood. “I’ll let Clint know to call the doctor.”

Steve cursed as the door closed behind Bucky. “I’m sorry…that was really on me. I can’t seem to stop judging everything around him, and…”

“Bucky is the safest target,” Tony said. “Yeah, he does the same with you. That’s why I think you should go on Bucky’s self-made mission together. The two of you in a situation that will make you communicate. This isn’t about remembering anymore, Steve. This is about you two finding out who you are now and how you work. And I…”

“You?” Steve asked.

“I can’t push you two into doing that,” Tony said. “You two need to do it yourself. And, okay, but potentially dangerous situations as a Hydra base might work considering your past. Both of you, really.”

“I’ll think about it,” Steve offered. “Can’t say Bucky is going to even think about it.”

“And there is a piece of the problem. That man overthinks every step he takes,” Tony said, cutting any more he wanted to say off when the door opened to reveal Bucky walking in with Dr Cho. He could finally actually look at her and, at a quick glance, she looked delicate but hardly weak. Then her eyes turned on him in a calculating way and that delicate feeling to her just rushed away in the confidence she showed. “Dr Cho, right?”

“Yes, and good. That means your mind is focused on your environment,” she replied, completely ignoring Steve and Bucky to walk over to him. “May I examine you?”

“Yeah, uh, go for it,” Tony said, awkwardly. He was startled by how she just went straight to the job at hand. But like before, from what he remembered, her touch was clinical but she apologized when he winced or blinked rapidly at a light in his eyes. When she stood back he offered her one of his usual Tony Stark smiles, seeing immediately that she didn’t buy it for a moment. “Well, doc?”

She actually sat on the bed, looking only at him like the two alphas staring were merely furniture. “I did take a blood sample before, just in case. Right now your vitals are showing that you are out of heat drop. But your blood test shows that you are definitely at your fertility peak, so we need to discuss suppression options and if you want to continue them at all for the next few years. The ones you are on now are for either pre or post a fertility peak. During that time you should look for a milder one or go off them entirely, or your chance of having children will be chemically damaged.”

Tony couldn’t even speak, his face and neck rushing with blood from the biggest blush he probably ever had. He glanced up and saw Steve and Bucky looking at him. Bucky looked nervous, like he wanted to clean a knife or just be out of the room. Steve had a weird doe-eyed look to his face, before the man blinked rapidly and moved to look out the window. Shit. They had never talked about this. Tony hadn’t even really known this was a thing omegas went through.

Oh, sure, he had taken the one omega class Howard Stark had let him take, but after that he was trained to act like an alpha. That only class never talked about fertility, and Howard had just pressed into him that he was a Stark, no comment on the possibility. Even a teacher under a non-disclosure status would come in to teach him how to walk and talk like an alpha. Which now knowing Clint and Pepper seemed utterly stupid, because they screamed alpha behavior more than some of the alphas he knew.

Tony felt his whole body become numb as he looked back at Dr Cho. “Uh, we’ve never…discussed that whole thing.”

“Hmm.” She looked over at Steve and Bucky, one looking like he was as still as ice while the other refused to look back at her at all. “Then you need to talk about this. In the meantime, in case you decide that children are something you’d want, I’d recommend every other day on your suppressant. They will still work, but the chemicals involved won’t hit your system as hard.”

“Thank you,” Tony whispered, feeling like he needed to crawl into a corner.

“I don’t mean to sound like I’m pressuring you, especially with you recently being in a heat drop,” Dr Cho said, reaching out and gently grasping Tony’s arm. “I’ve seen heavy dosed omegas lose the ability of children before they even got the chance to figure out what they want. I want you to think about it and make an honest decision for yourself. It’s your decision. But until then, take an every other day dose, it will be enough to combat the heat but not enough to destroy your system. We’ll speak when you decide to choose the best path.”

“Yeah, I can do that,” Tony replied.

“It’s not a decision you have to make tonight,” Dr Cho told him. “But with how awkward those alphas of yours are acting, best to get that over with. Communication is good.”

“Yeah,” Tony sighed. The room was quiet for a moment, before Tony sat up straight. “Okay, I’m either going to crawl to the tub or someone’s helping me take a shower.”

He wasn’t actually expecting Bucky to react to his words so fast, considering Steve had been the soft spoken alpha the last few days, but there Bucky was helping him to get to his feet. He gave a nod to Dr Cho, who smiled and left the room after setting her business card on his dresser. Then Steve was there, even though only one super soldier was all that he really needed to be able to walk to the bathroom.

“You guys are going to make me take a bath, aren’t you?” Tony grumbled.

“What’s wrong with us wanting to pamper you even more?” Steve teased, though his tone was more nervous than anything.

Tony sighed and let them get him into a bath, announcing that next time he got to shower alone. They proceeded to dote on him, helping to get him clean and even working in sync. He had no idea of how to deal with this. He wasn’t used to this much attention. Even before with them it wasn’t bare and vulnerable like this. Which was odd that getting help to take a bath was so different from their time in a heat with him before, back in that time.

“Okay, I’m clean!” Tony blurted out. He raised his hand, palms out. “I get it, you are both trying to prove something here or just think you need to do something more in order to make all this okay. I get it, but can I please have a moment to myself?”

Both of them were tall tense statues for a moment, before Bucky grabbed Steve with his metal hand and nodded. “Of course. But the moment you need something-?”

“I’ll have Jarvis get you,” Tony offered. He watched as Bucky tugged Steve out of the room, who had a lost look on his face. Tony dropped his head back, not even wincing when it hit the hard back of the tub. He clenched his eyes closed and convinced himself the way he was tearing up was not because of the situation.

He didn’t want to have that conversation. Male omega fertility wasn’t something talked about and Howard had made sure he never learned much about it. Tony figured it was because the man was ashamed over the idea of Tony even being omega, let alone giving birth to the next in line Stark. Tony had never even let himself think of having a kid, just the panic over whether or not he couldn’t have one in the case the company needed one.

Tony grabbed the loofa again, even though Bucky had scrubbed him pretty clean, and washed himself again. Anything to get his mind off of the whole topic. Not until he actually knew more, knew what actual omegas learned when Tony should have learned with them. He had a moment, dipping into the water of the tub, where he just wanted to breathe in the water and not think anymore. But that was dashed away before the thought even formed.

He exited the bathroom with a towel around him and was able to hear both Steve and Bucky’s voice in the kitchen. He took that time to pull on clothes. Sure, it was only a few hours until nightfall, but he needed the strength of at least street clothes instead of the delicate image pajamas gave. So he put on his most worn down jeans for comfort and his favorite band t-shirt before he walked out to meet them.

They both looked over, probably alerted first by the scent than his soft footsteps. He glanced at them, eyes darting between the two. “We will not be talking about this tonight.”

Bucky almost looked like he wasn’t responding, but Tony saw his shoulders tense slightly. Steve was like a shifting nervous mess, mouth opening and closing, and Tony kind of felt sorry for him. Steve wanted to calm but while Bucky understood the need for distance, Steve wasn’t the same. He relished in every contact he got.

Tony sighed. “We will talk about it, but I can’t do this now. Okay? Let me order some Chinese food and zone out to something I choose without your complaints. Please?”

Tony didn’t realize how much he needed to feel in control until they both nodded. It was Steve who asked Jarvis to order the food. And Bucky guided him into his now spot on the couch and offered him the remote controls.

It was a couple hours later that he found himself stretched out on the couch, head on Bucky’s thigh and Steve gently stroking his ankle, that he truly felt comfortable. Like what had happened was real, but he didn’t need to scream in his own head for it. It could last until tomorrow. And getting sleepy when his chosen movie - randomly chosen, he wasn’t sure why the actress suddenly had her imaginary friend back - had reached its peak wasn’t exactly the best. He had slept for so long, but right then he felt so comfortable.

He longed for a world where he didn’t have to have that conversation of kids or even how his stress shot him down to be such a bad omega. He didn’t want that. So he would watch a movie, close his eyes, and fall asleep feeling safe once again.

Notes:

I'm adding new tags. I had half-planned for it but wasn't fully planning the concept of mpreg to fully be a part of this. Which is why it's been talked about but not tagged. However, gotta tag that now. I'm also stating that this chapter was pretty much about Tony trying to realize his ability to control his life while still feeling weak. Hence the heavy dose of the whole kid thought, poor boy has never even been allowed to talk about that despite it being apart of who he biologically is and now he has to think about it. Whether it's the world or yourself fighting to think about that, everyone deserves to be able to think of if it's right for them. (I still have to yell at my parents about how the docs confirmed beyond heavy shots I'll be infertile, so not getting a choice damn)

Side notes, anyone wondering about I think the last chapter's movie with the human faces on cats? That was MirrorMask (written and directed by Neil Gaiman, of Good Omens and American Gods awesomeness). The one in this chapter was Drop Dead Fred, so awesome and has our lovely Star Wars Leia in it. Drop Dead Fred was the movie I picked when hubby and I first got together, he was so shocked over that being the movie I grabbed off that shelf cause it's cult classic no one knows about it level. So to me it's childish glee and a hopeful idea connected with it.

Chapter 34: 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 2 days - 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 3 days

He awoke in his own bed, the soft hint of warmth around him telling him that Bucky and Steve had woken up no more than two hours ago. He could still smell them in the sheets, their scent slowly taking over his own in the mattress below him. He wanted to just curl up and sleep more, until he looked at the clock and saw it was nearly noon. Groaning, he rolled off the bed and was able to catch himself before he just toppled over.

Tony stumbled to his feet and, after catching not only his balance but train of thought, he made for the hallway. He could hear tense words in the kitchen. Drawing in a sharp breath, Tony was certain he didn’t need yet another visual of the Steve and Bucky’s Alpha Show. He didn’t even glance over when they were in view before making his way down into the workshop.

“Hey, DUM-E? Daddy wouldn’t mind a green, no chemicals needed shake right now?” Tony called out, settling in the stool in front of the computer. He could hear a series of beeps, from both DUM-E and U. Apparently she decided DUM-E needed help. As he booted up the computer, he tilted his head and listened. He hadn’t closed the workshop door. Either of his alphas could come in at any time.

He wasn’t sure if he was happy or uncertain when neither came forward by the time DUM-E brought him his smoothie. He pet the bot and drank the green liquid without even smelling it. It tasted good, so clearly U helping the bot out was a good thing.

“Hey, J?” Tony said out loud, taking a final sip. “Pull up the old schematics of good ol’ daddio's design for Steve’s suit.”

“Do you wish to pull the old one from storage?” Jarvis asked.

“Created a seperate room in the basement for a reason, J,” Tony muttered. He looked at the information presented to him, squinting. “Hey, Jarvis, let’s focus your secondary drive to creating actual visuals and not what three stupid screens can provide. I want this up in the air. Where I can touch it.”

“Bigger is always better, sir,” Jarvis replied, his tone so snarky that Tony had to look up and disengage from what he had been staring at. He thought back to this exchange compared to others with Jarvis and felt a soft warmth in his chest. Jarvis had learned so fast to be able to meet Tony’s own thought patterns. “Try not to get misty eyes on me, sir.”

“Sass, so much sass!” Tony exclaimed, grinning, letting that small little joy roll over him. “Okay, but let’s actually get back down to work.”

“The optimal fabric will need extra materials,” Jarvis offered.

“Order what’s needed.” Tony let out a breath, knowing what he was doing was going to cause some amount of trouble since it was proof Tony wasn’t going to let go of his idea. For Steve to join Bucky. Tony knew it was a gambit, but then everything he’d done most of his life was. His mind might work on patterns and logic and numbers, but that didn’t mean his final results did. He always went for the best gambit, the best option. That’s why he went home with Bucky and Steve that very first night. It was why he just instinctively knew they needed this together.

“J, what about the shield? I…there’s one at the museum in New York and I think the Smithsonian has the original, but,” Tony cut himself off, closing his eyes. Because there was a sudden tension at his back and he knew they were standing there, just watching him. Tony cleared his throat. “Don’t make me go dig through Daddy’s crap, J.”

“Tony-” he heard Steve’s soft voice say.

It was quickly cut off by Bucky, “Let him do this. I can see a guy on a mission just like you.”

Tony closed his eyes, pretty much clenching them closed, because he didn’t actually want them in here. Despite not locking the door or telling Jarvis no visitors, he honestly didn’t want them here watching him as he set up the next plan. Because Tony always had to have a next plan. No matter how paranoid it made him and everyone who knew feel.

He forced himself to not even look over, hearing them settle a few feet away. He cleared his throat, “J?”

“The New York version is merely a prop and the one in the Smithsonian was the last fully built shield for Captain America,” Jarvis replied, pulling up images on the computer screen as he spoke.

“So we need to start from the beginning,” Tony began.

“Tony!” Steve exclaimed, most likely about to say something on the verge of damaging only to be overridden by Jarvis.

“There is a partial prototype in storage, sir.”

“And how partial is partial?” Tony asked.

“Tony,” Steve said again, voice more subdued.

“I’ll talk to you both when I’m ready. You can stay here or go upstairs. You get the choice,” Tony replied, his voice tense because he was running on a weird type of nervous instinct. His mind was everywhere and he honestly just couldn't take on their issues as well. He needed to focus and restrain his brain after the heat drop. He didn’t need to be questioning himself at every turn. He couldn’t let himself ride their rage and depression so much that he would drop again. He wasn’t sure if he’d come out positive the next time.

“Here when you need us, doll,” Bucky’s gruff voice said.

And then they were silent, but not leaving. Tony could work with that.

“J, what is the status of the prototype?” Tony asked, allowing the emotions to flow past him, his need to help and protect and just know creating a seal skin type of defense to what was less reality and just fear. He just needed to focus.

“It’s three-forths completed, with a structure to keep it in shape for the last parts,” Jarvis replied. Tony stared at the image before him. “Sir, I recommend bringing the chest it resides in up from storage for more analysis.”

“I’ll get it,” Steve, his voice distant and almost sad. “It was supposed to be for me…I’ll get it.”

Tony was about to turn and protest, but he felt a soft hand on his shoulder that made him look over to see Bucky right there, body heated and scent all around him. Bucky tilted his head, face so conflicted that Tony almost wanted to flinch. Still, he said, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Bucky asked, that warm hand sliding up to Tony’s neck.

“I can’t be what you want, but I can give you everything else,” Tony replied, knowing he sounded as confusing to Bucky’s ears as he did to his own. He swallowed, but wasn’t able to look away from Bucky’s steel-blue eyes. “This isn’t going to work unless it works for you. Both of you. This isn’t some romance novel where all the focus is on the omega. It can’t work that way.”

“Think sending Stevie into a fight is going to fix that?” Bucky asked, voice so gruff it had to be at least a couple notes below his usual register.

“Fix us? Hell no,” Tony admitted. He heard Steve come back into the room and didn’t have to look over to know he was carrying something heavy along with him. “But I know it will help fix you.”

“Tony,” Bucky said softly, before glancing over Tony’s shoulder. Tony could feel, even without touch, Bucky’s body go stiff. Then he looked back down at Tony, tension around his eyes. “We’re not a puzzle.”

Tony stood up, refusing to reply at that moment, and walked over to where Steve stood. He didn’t say anything, though his tension lessened when Steve reached out and placed his hand on Tony’s arm. Tony just ignored them, glad they were there and loving the connection he felt just having them near but not ready to lose whatever focus he had left, as he knelt down and opened the huge trunk at Steve’s feet.

At first, all he saw was journal after journal. Reels of videos, probably at least twenty. But once he shifted those to the side, there it was. The Captain America shield, its yet finished frame making it look as old as it really was. And Tony knew his father had meant to make something even better than the simple original, the one sitting happy at the Smithsonian. Something better, something that would defy mere simple logic. Tony grabbed it and picked it up, tilting it from side to side.

He drew in a breath. “Hey, J? What is the timetable on new armor?”

“Minimal two weeks, however I will need more specifications to know the material needed. The timetable may change,” Jarvis replied.

“So we have time?” Steve asked, clearly talking to Jarvis and with a stiff tone as well.

“Yes,” Jarvis said.

“Tony,” Steve started, only for Bucky to grab his arm. The way they glared at each other almost set Tony’s teeth on edge. Steve’s jaw worked, the muscles tensing as he pulled his eyes away from Bucky’s. “Tony, we need to talk about this. We need to talk about everything.”

“This is the only ‘everything’ that needs to be talked about,” Tony told him, setting the partial shield back into the trunk.

“No, Tony-”

“Steve,” Bucky hissed. “We can’t pressure him.”

Tony watched as Steve turned away from him and glared at Bucky. “We made him go into heat drop. He’s hit his fertility peak. Our behavior has made that conversation more critical. He should feel comfortable talking to us about it. If we don’t talk about it then we will all lose control of the situation. We need to hear what he wants before our damn alpha instincts take over.”

Steve’s words were ridiculously calm, but the look on the man’s face was desperate. The face of a man who needed some kind of sign, some kind of rule to follow so he wouldn’t mess up everything. Tony felt his knees buckle, his body just collapsing down with his hands on the trunk the only thing to steady himself.

He wasn’t ready for this conversation.

Tony closed the lid and forced himself onto his feet. “Fine, if you want to talk about this, then let’s talk. Jarvis, keep gathering and ordering the material needed for Steve’s armor.”

“No, this isn’t right,” Bucky said, even as he reached out to steady Tony as he fully stood.

“Nothing about any of this is right,” Tony replied, turning and walking a bit unsteady toward the entrance of his workshop. They were following him, he could feel the heat of their bodies. They were so close. He made sure not to stumble and held himself in the way he did in front of Obadiah, an omega not willing to bow down. It was the only defense he had against all the complications he had in his life, the only way he knew how to stand simply strong like a normal person.

They ended up in the living room. And Tony had to wonder how sensitive Clint’s instincts were that he wasn’t in the house at all. If Tony listened harder he might hear the quick hit of an arrow on a tree outside, but Tony wasn’t able to at that moment. He was just thankful the other omega understood he wasn’t needed right then.

Tony sat on the armchair, knowing his choice would broadcast how much he didn’t need their touch to get through this conversation. He watched them sit on the couch, Bucky closer like they both understood Steve’s emotions would become too much. And then there was silence.

And even further silence as they all looked a bit lost.

Tony almost thought he’d have to be the first person to speak, but surprisingly it was Bucky. “Children should get the best care and the best a parent can do…I’m not sure we can provide that. Any of us.”

“Were kids ever in your plans?” Tony asked, his voice so soft and hesitant that he almost wanted to press his face into the arm of his chair, face going red.

“Before…everything or now?” Steve asked hesitantly.

“Both?”

“I…we always talked about adopting,” Steve admitted. “That was before the war, before you. After that, there was no time to even consider it.”

“And now?” Tony asked, not even able to bring himself to look up as they glanced at each other.

“Not now,” Bucky replied. “No sane person would have a kid with how we are now.”

“Too cruel for them,” Steve whispered, looking away.

“Well I…” Tony stopped, suddenly realizing he had a tear running down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly, though he knew they both saw. “I was never taught about fertility peaks or honestly anything about heat. I think my dad…I think he would have eventually viewed me as the person to establish the next generation, but he died before he could or wanted to. My being an omega was considered a harm to the company. I was weak. So the idea of…”

“Babydoll,” Bucky said, the new nickname just rolling off his tongue and it was enough for both Tony and Steve to pay attention. “You’re dad was a piece of shit. This is about you, not him.”

“We’re not expecting you to suddenly demand kids or no kids,” Steve offered with a small smile. “It’s not like tonight is the only time we can decide. You’ve just been really pushing me to join Bucky in his fight and we’re afraid that you think this decision is affecting that.”

“We just want to know where you're at, before we question why you want to send Stevie into danger just to help me out,” Bucky said, essentially summing up the entire issue. “He’s been out of practice after all.”

Tony sat there, his body slowly relaxing. Because they weren’t demanding an answer. He got to choose what he wanted and got to think about it on top of that. He glanced up at them, seeing how they had such open faces and it was proof of how honest they were being. He swallowed, plucking at his jeans with his fingers. “I’m not going to feel okay or even safe if you go out there alone. Steve has to go with you or you’re not going at all.”

He felt the shift in the air before Bucky’s face when still and practically cold. He watched as the man before him went from doting to pure steel in a bare second.

“Bucky, please-” Tony started, flinching back. “I can’t just have Steve or just have you. I need you both. I need you both, damn it. So if your fight sends you off then I need Steve there with you. I have my defenses. And I know damn well that you haven’t done anything to connect me to you. I can’t know you’re out there without Steve protecting you.”

Tony didn’t even realize he was crying, practically sobbing through his words, until he felt Steve’s arms around him. Steve tugged him in close, his arms like ropes holding him into place.

“Bucky, no, just listen to him,” Steve said, though the words were distant, because Tony was still trying to remember how to breathe. “Just listen.”

Tony felt almost numb, like there was so much emotion and too much sensitivity that it all turned into this worthless knot inside of himself that he couldn’t feel or touch. He felt hands on him, one so hot it was almost a burn and the other cold like a frost. He didn’t even feel how he was shifted, only that someone else was holding him. Hands were everywhere, he couldn’t tell whose hands belonged to Steve or Bucky.

His vision finally focused.

They really did have ridiculously beautiful blue eyes.

Tony laughed, the sound almost holding a hint of hysteria. “Oh, God, we are fucked.”

“No, we’re not,” Steve replied. “We’re just lost.”

“Okay, so, what have we learned here today?” Tony asked, trying to get the conversation back on track and ignoring his brief moment of a near breakdown. He wiped at his face, cheeks damp from the tears.

Bucky’s face was blank, so it shocked Tony when he answered the question first in an unsure voice, “That making you cry isn’t…I don’t…”

“Bucky?”

“Don’t cry like that again,” Bucky ordered.

Tony stared at him, then glanced at Steve, who was still hovering like he had to leap into action at any moment. Eyes darting between the two of them, Tony let out a long sigh. These two idiots. Adorable, clueless idiots who in the face of a new century were practically novices when it came to handling their emotions. Tony had to remind himself that they weren’t the clever, sure-of-themselves alphas they had been decades ago. Sometimes it was easy to pretend they had a good handle on themselves, but Tony could see a bit clearer now.

Crying usually had that effect and what he had been purposely not thinking about, now made clear after his burst of emotion, was how much he was hurting them right back. And it wasn’t a type of hurt that had intent or even negative thoughts behind. It was just a long felt bruise that wouldn’t go away, that couldn’t heal just yet.

“This is what we’re going to do,” Steve said, straightening up with a firm line to his mouth. “You can make me a new suit, create me a shield, if that makes you feel better. That means Bucky and I will have at least two weeks to determine whether I’m going with him. That’s two weeks for us to just be together and not worry about what decision we have to make for tomorrow.”

“So we get a vacation from adult responsibility? No big decisions, no stressing about what each other are worrying about because our brains get to vacate the premises?” Tony asked.

“Won’t be that easy,” Bucky muttered.

“I’ll be happy if we can just get a little bit closer to that,” Tony said.

“That’s sort of what I mean, I guess,” Steve offered with a shrug. “We need to just be with each other. I think we’ve all been pressuring ourselves on how to be perfect for each other. We’re not taking the time to take care of ourselves in the process.”

“Oh, but I still have to work! How is that fair?” Tony demanded, smiling slightly when he got an eye roll from Steve and a little bit of tension clearly leaving Bucky’s shoulders. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for Tony to feel a bit lighter in response.

“Part of that work will involve measuring Stevie for that suit,” Bucky commented, face still blank but his tone holding the slightest tease. The very taint of a joke there was all the agreement to their plan they were going to get from him, but it was enough.

“Hmm, you have good points,” Tony replied. “I should give it a different color scheme, make the project really fun.”

“Make it purple,” a voice piped up from the kitchen entryway. Clint was leaning against the wall, tossing peanuts into his mouth and literally dripping sea water all over Tony’s floor from his body and swimsuit.

“How did you get in here?” Tony demanded, gesturing toward the door.

“Saw through the window you guys were having a little pow-wow, so I climbed through the kitchen window,” Clint replied. “So you guys finally decided to stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and, I don’t know, breathe? Damn time.”

“Yeah, your vacation was completely ruined,” Bucky said dryly. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that mangy mutt hanging out with you on the beach.”

“He saved me from a crab,” was all Clint said in response. He started to turn toward the hallway, no doubt heading for the shower, his voice calling back to them, “Oh, hey, Phil will be here around lunchtime tomorrow. I’ll text him to bring some of his Captain America sketches from fourth grade. They’re actually pretty detailed with some good armor notes for what age he was. My alpha could have been a military fashion designer.”

“You know what, that’s more than I needed to know about Agent,” Tony announced. “All this heavy conversation and emotional crap has made me hungry. Who wants Mexican?”

Enough Mexican food to feed two super soldiers, one spy/assassin, and one emotionally drained engineer later and they had enough food for their small lunch and for dinner. Tony did feel a little sorry for the delivery driver, and on top of that the restaurant’s chef, when Steve began bringing bag after bag in. But comfort food had been needed and Tony wasn’t going to turn down a fresh crispy chile relleno.

Tony did think Bucky was a little rude about standing by the door and just glaring at the poor guy, but he honestly didn’t have the energy left to lecture Bucky on being nice to the people who had the food. So, he put his money to work and gave a hefty tip instead.

Suddenly, it was a blessing to have Clint there. It was clear to Tony that they had talked themselves out and he was pretty sure he didn’t even want to hear his own voice after the conversation they had had. Clint, apparently, had no problem committing himself to a full conversation all on his own, not being bothered by even Bucky’s annoyed grunts as answers. For a guy who purposely adjusted his hearing aids so he wouldn’t have to listen to people, Clint really could chatter away.

Tony was dipping his chip into what was more fire than salsa, nodding along to some story about the new girl Clint had saved from “the clutches of Russia,” when Jarvis interrupted. “Sir, I have Ms Potts on the line for you.”

“Friendly conversation or do I need to go into another room?” Tony asked.

“It concerns the conversation you had the other day, as well as something else she discovered during her information gathering,” Jarvis explained. “I’d say that translates into a need to know, per your wishes, sir.”

“Right,” Tony said, letting out a sigh. So much for a good mental vacation. He turned to Clint and gave him an apologetic sigh. “Sorry, buddy, but I don’t really want SHIELD to get wind of SI information.”

“Nah, got a dog to play fetch with, anyway,” Clint said, accepting the dismissal without fanfare other than to gather up his food. The man slinked out as silently as he had appeared earlier. At least he used the front door this time.

“I order that everyone here ensure that I’m there when Agent meets that dog,” Tony ordered, waiting for the amused nods before turning back to Jarvis. “Alright, J, patch her through, but let her know my, uh, alphas are present.”

“Of course, sir,” Jarvis said.

There was a moment of static and even though it only lasted a mere two seconds it was enough for Tony to put adjusting the speakers on the ceiling on his to-do list. Then there she was, Pepper Potts’ voice broadcasting through the room. “Mister Stark?”

“C’mon, Pep! Call me Tony, please?” Tony asked, putting a bit of a whine towards the end that had Steve rolling his eyes.

“Very well, Tony,” she agreed, her voice going a little soft. “And I am to understand you’re not the only person who is engaged with this conversation.”

“Uh, well, like I said the other day I found what I needed and-”

“Tony, I just want to greet them as your alphas. As is a respectful thing for an omega to do, remember? In polite society,” Pepper said, tone teasing. There was a snort from Bucky, which Tony knew she had zeroed in on and her next words simply proved it. “And who may that be?”

“Bucky, ma’am,” Bucky answered.

“No last names right now, Pepper,” Tony said.

“Understood, Mister Stark,” she replied. “Bucky, it is lovely to meet you.”

“The other one is Steve,” Bucky grunted, getting a glare from Steve in the process.

“Ma’am,” Steve quickly greeted.

“Bucky and Steve,” Pepper muttered to herself, before her voice raised into a more professional tone. And Tony knew she wasn’t stupid, if anything Pepper was as clever as he was on any given day. It wouldn’t take her long to put the pieces together enough to not even need to be told their last names. That would be a conversation for later, though. “Alright, Tony I looked into the profit margin of testing length on weapons as you asked while you were on heat leave.”

“Please tell me that it’s not widely known that I suddenly…” Tony trailed off, pressing a palm against half of his face. He didn’t know if he could even handle going back to work if his R&D team were smirking and whispering around him like his heat was any of their business.

“Tony, calm down, I only know because Jarvis told me,” Pepper replied. “And even then, what tiny rumor wheel that has started is mostly us underlings being happy you are being taken care of. You have quite the following in SI’s omega circles, you know.”

Tony ignored his blush. “Right, so what do you know?”

“The standard books indicate weapons with less testing time gain less profit, with notations of negative feedback from the field itself,” Pepper said. “I even have a lovely little review letter of a missile one year ago from a now Major Rhodes. He’s got quite the vocabulary for one talking in a business tone.”

“Yeah, he has the gift,” Tony replied. “I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually. So, this is good news. We can use that to push the testing into a longer timeframe.”

“Absolutely,” Pepper said, before she hesitated. “However, during my search, or should I say Jarvis and I’s search? The program he installed on my computer is amazing, Tony, I don’t know how you came up with it. It’s practically undetectable.”

Tony opened his mouth to say he didn’t create any such program, before he rolled his eyes and turned toward Bucky and Steve with a low voice - though he knew Jarvis wouldn’t let Pepper hear what was about to say anyway. “Oh, dear God, my AI is creating presents for her. My AI has a crush on an adorable accountant omega and is giving her presents.”

“Guess it’s time for the talk,” Steve replied, sounding like the same little shit he was pre-war.

“Don’t even think about it,” Tony ordered, before raising his voice to indicate Jarvis could let her hear him again. “Okay, well, I’m glad you like the program.”

Pepper, all business, merely blazed on, “Those low numbers on those speeded up testing units may have gotten a bad commentary from the brass but they also had a startling number of indescrepencies in their shipping manifests. More were sold than what we got paid for.”

Tony felt his whole body freeze, a strange and yet horrifically deep shiver ran down his spine. “Someone is selling on the side.”

“Outside of someone just kicking them off the transport boat into the ocean, that is the only logical conclusion,” Pepper said, softly.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Tony insisted. “I mean, it makes sense, but who would do that? It wouldn’t help out Obadiah. His goal may be to be the owner of his happy empire, all the money and publicity to fund it, but he wouldn’t risk the chance of tarnishing himself. Not until he has everything he wants, enough power to do as he wishes. I’m a walk through the door into a board meeting away from taking over the company. Who in their right mind would take this kind of risk?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Pepper said, her tone subdued aside from its hint of venom.

“He didn’t…Pep?” Tony asked, ignoring his alphas’ confused looks because he knew that Pepper understood what he was asking.

“Hannah…our secretary for the accounting department…she quit just after you went into heat leave.” Pepper’s voice was calm and disturbingly cold. “I heard news this morning that she went into heat drop and her alpha couldn’t get her out. She’s in the hospital.”

There was the sound of wood breaking and Tony looked over to see a metal hand holding what might as well be tiny little splinters from the edge of the table where the man had squeezed too hard. Tony swallowed. “Pep, I’m going to send an official email to you to pass on to HR. All her medical bills are on SI’s money.”

Suddenly Bucky’s chair went flying, kicked by his leg before the man stormed out of the room. Barely a moment later there was the sound of the front door slamming so hard the entire house seemed to shake.

“Tony? Mister Stark?” Pepper’s panicked voice echoed through the room. And Tony just felt numb, remembering the stories of Bucky’s mother and remembering the feel of Obadiah’s hand on his neck.

“Ma’am, Tony is okay,” Steve said, his voice so soothing that Tony almost believed he wasn’t worried as well. “Bucky doesn’t handle omegas being abused very well. With his ma and everything. But we’re all okay here.”

“Okay,” Pepper practically breathed out, the sound sounding more like the pressure of air letting go as it echoed through the room. There was a moment where they all had to collect themselves. Pepper apparently had an easier way to compartmentalize, because she spoke first and her tone was more stubborn than anything. “We can’t say anything involving the shipment manifest being off on Obadiah. What he’s doing now are completely separate issues, as much as I hate to say it. So, we need to focus on whether those units were actually bought at full price.”

“You think only a portion of the pay went to SI and the rest went into a separate account,” Steve said, who had moved over to sit next to Tony, one had lightly started rubbing at Tony’s lower back as Tony tried his hardest to get back on the case in point.

“Exactly and I can keep digging in that direction. If that’s okay, Mister Stark?” Pepper asked, her voice in that stern way an omega got. Like a clear signal to listen because it wasn’t going to get repeated.

“Yes,” Tony managed to say, swallowing immediately after because all he could think about was Obadiah’s hand on his neck, squeezing. He’d been here, absorbing the unhappiness of his alphas, and he had been bringing that sick, oily feeling home as well. “Do it, as long as you stay safe. Hear that, J?”

“I shall watch her diligently, sir,” Jarvis said, sounding a little too eager to do so.

“Within reason,” Tony added.

“Of course.”

“What about Obadiah?” Steve asked. “Even if he’s not the cause of the testing and shipments, he needs to be out of there. Every omega in your company is at risk if he is preying on them. Like he’s always done with you.”

“Come on, Steve, when have omegas been known to actually speak up?” Tony asked, tone tired.

“We would,” Pepper said softly. “If we knew we had support.”

“Bucky’s ma didn’t have support. You haven’t for the longest time,” Steve admitted. “But, it’s something to figure out. Maybe they have organizations nowadays for people to gain support for this. Cause outside you becoming CEO and kicking that jerk out? It’s going to keep happening.”

“What happened to a mental vacation?” Tony asked, feeling a bit shellfish as he asked, because in his gut he knew he couldn’t let this keep happening. Pepper had said her name was Hannah. She went into heat drop and Tony was certain the stress and trauma wasn’t from her alpha, who had enough sense to hospitalize her instead of hiding a crime. Tony was fully aware of what sexual harrassment did to the senses and self awareness and pure stress. He didn’t want to picture if it had been worse for this omega.

“Kingdoms don’t topple in two weeks, babe,” Steve whispered. “Don’t think you’re going to rush off and save the day after you finish your horchata.”

“Love that you remember what it’s called,” Tony muttered, before swallowing heavily. “Okay, Pep? Listen up. Your job is to look into any secondary account receiving heavy funds at the time of weapon transfer.”

“Will be done,” Pepper replied, her voice oddly soft like she had actually heard Steve whispering to him and thought it was sweet. “Anything else, boss?”

“I need testimony from omegas, betas, and shit…might as well throw alphas in there too of any unwanted advances or worse. They’ll trust you more than me. Get what you can and we’ll talk in a few days or more. I don’t know where I’m going with this, but…something needs to be done about this,” Tony said, wishing he sounded more strong than tired.

“Of course, boss,” Pepper replied, obviously using the term boss to instill some sort of confidence in Tony. He didn’t know if he was at that point yet, but he appreciated it all the same. “Feel free to contact me via Jarvis. He’s been enjoying hanging out and talking to me through my computer’s chat.”

“Oh my God,” Tony muttered, thankful for the distraction from his heavy thoughts. “Pepper Potts don’t you dare break my baby boy’s heart.”

“I promise,” Pepper chuckled. “Though you could always build him a girlfriend AI.”

Tony sputtered, not even wanting to think of doing such a thing.

“Have a good evening, Tony. You as well Captain Rogers,” Pepper said, before the connection was lost.

“Did she-?” Steve asked.

“Never underestimate an omega. Or a redhead,” Tony offered. “She won’t tell anyone.”

“I kind of figured.” Steve reached up and cupped Tony’s cheek, thumb rubbing against the stubble on his cheekbone. “Are you okay?”

“Nothing an acidic brain bath won’t fix.” Tony pulled away and rubbed at his face. “Have to say, I’m glad Bucky stormed out when he did. I don’t know how well he would have handled the rest.”

“Yeah…” Steve trailed off for a moment, before leaning in and kissing Tony’s cheek. “Come on, let’s go find him. Pretty sure I heard him stomping toward the beach.”

Tony made a point to put the food away, not wanting it to spoil. But with Steve’s help they were heading to the cliffside, where it dropped down and made a path to the beach. The same path he and Steve had made so many days or weeks ago. He couldn’t even remember the timespan. The sun was going down, the water reflecting the mix of reds, yellows, and oranges created by the shift of chemicals - natural or otherwise - in the air.

And there was Bucky, sitting on a boulder and staring out into the ocean like it could just sweep in and take all of the pain away. There was the bark of a dog and Clint laughing farther down the beach, but it wasn’t close enough to really disturb the careful isolation Bucky had created for himself.

Tony was hesitant to disturb it, even when Steve walked over and sat next to the man. Then a metal hand grabbed his elbow and Tony felt himself tugged not only into Bucky’s hold but into his lap. He blushed, not wanting to admit how good it felt to have Bucky’s warmth all around him and how he wondered how much he could enjoy Bucky manhandling him in other ways.

In the end he just settled, not making a sound as they watched the water. Steve easily wrapped his arm around Tony’s lower legs, where they rested between Bucky and Steve. Bucky tugged him closer, ensuring he was fully on Bucky’s lap, left shoulder against his chest as he held Tony close.

He’d never really stopped to enjoy a sunset before. It was always just a time signal, work to be done or a dread of a sleepless night.

Staring at the reflection of color, the comfort of his warm alphas holding him, and even a panting dog and his following archer seemed to lull Tony into a state of comfortableness. His brain could just rest in this very moment. So relaxed, head nearly lolling on Bucky’s chest, Tony didn’t even react when he saw the dog that had just tipped over and began laying at their feet was missing an eye.

It was too peaceful to think of tomorrow. Or the next problem. Or the next call. No, the salty blast of wind from the ocean was all he could feel right then.

He wasn’t asleep exactly when he laid down on what was now their bed. He was floating in a weird place, almost like he was in a state where everything was a happy but fuzzy sensation. At least the feeling of hands on him, stripping him of his clothes, felt amazing. He didn’t even complain when all three ended up in the bed naked, wrapped around each other like they couldn’t live without the touch of the other.

It was all he could ask for right then and he had to force himself to not think of the events of the day. That part was oddly easier, like a part of him had settled, because as Bucky pressed his nose against Tony’s bonding mark and Steve nestled their noses together, Tony almost felt like something clicked into place.

It wasn’t perfect. It never would be. But they could make this better.

Notes:

Okay so this chapter was super long, but it's the first time reality was able to come back to them, so yeah.

Side note: Google Docs kept alerting me that the phrase "Who wants Mexican?" should be "Who wants a Mexican?" Should I be cackling about that or feel too old to deal with that?

Okay, so, for serious, things with Obadiah are heating up and things are SO NOT Canon capable at this point, let's face it. You know, originally this was going to be about 20 chapters. I really need to learn to not rely on outlines. I shatter them every time.

Any of you interested in Tony/Sam, I posted a 5+1 Tony/Sam fic (Tony Feels and Tony Confused Feels and Sam just being all adorable.)

Chapter 35: 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 3 days - 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 4 days

Day one of their mental vacation started later in the day than Tony thought it would, shocked that his two alphas were still laying beside him, arms pulling all three of them into a tight and admittedly sweaty tangle. A glance at the clock said it was once again nearly noon and he wondered what had awoken him, until the strange distant noise he thought he had heard echoed from the kitchen again. Cursing and a clatter of metal hitting the floor. Then more cursing.

What in the hell was Clint doing in there?

It took a lot of wiggling and eventually turned into pure jerking at his limbs to get free, tugging on clothes when the smell of something burning hit him. He could feel bleary eyes peek open at him, their gaze already intense, but didn’t stop to see who had woken up before he stumbled his way into the kitchen. Clint was finishing off a fight against what might have been a big grease fire, standing there looking lost and just a bit angry.

“Okay there, Legolas?” Tony asked.

“Oh fine, I was trying to make lunch so it would be ready in oh-forty-three-minutes, but…Yeah, I don’t even remember what I was trying to make,” Clint replied, looking almost as small as Tony often felt himself as he stared at the burnt food. “Phil never gets a home cooked meal.”

“You need to stop looking adorable in front of me, or I’m going to think this spy and assassin thing is a huge lie,” Tony offered, walking over to the fridge. “Let’s see what you didn’t burn and figure this out for your stoic mate.”

“Sorry about…the burning,” Clint offered, placing the pan he had dropped into the sink and splashing it with soap and water. He grabbed the sponge to give it a bit of pre-scrub. “I’m shit at this. Phil works so hard and I’m just…”

Tony squinted at him from where he had been staring at what food they had in the fridge. “Just what?”

“Oh come on, you know how it is. This constant wonder if you’re doing what you should be,” Clint snapped. He went quiet for a moment. “Not to turn this fine day into a pitiful omega bonding moment, but well…I want to give him the house and home and kids, all of it. But I’m a stupid carnie that only knows how to search out secrets and kill.”

Tony paused from pulling out ingredients for a simple sandwich and possibly a salad. He set what he had gathered on the countertop and turned to look at Clint. The man that always had a grin on his face, a joke to fit the moment or even a joke to fit a complaint, was looking awkward in front of him. “Clint, I have to say that Agent is like a whiteboard. Look at him one second it says something and then a second later it is wiped clean with something else. I'm not sure whether to console you or ask if you lost your damn head.”

“Nice, Tony,” Clint grumbled.

“No, seriously,” Tony insisted, walking over. “I didn’t get to finish. The only time I’ve seen emotions like happiness or pride on his face is when talking with you. I don’t think that not making him a home cooked lunch is going to hurt that.”

“It’s just…” Clint went silent, face suddenly unnervingly blank. “It’s the first time in a year that he volunteered to go into a mission that would last more than a couple days with another agent. I brought her back here, got backlash about giving her a chance, and now he volunteered to spend a full week with just the two of them gathering intel.”

Tony went back to the collection of sandwich ingredients he had gathered, silently urging Clint to help him build a near mountain of them thanks to two super soldiers in their midst. It wasn’t until he had tossed the small salad that he felt he had to speak up. “What if..what if he did this to prove to the brass that your instincts and ability to analyze in the field was proven through her being worth keeping?”

“Why-” Clint started, before letting out a shaky laugh. “Shit…I didn’t even. I mean she’d just a beta and I was feeling so jealous. This whole week I’ve been obsessing. God, I’m going to have to apologize for being so cold to him when he dropped me off.”

“That was cold?!” Tony demanded. “We were watching and we got devour each other eye-fucking vibes happening there.”

“Really?” Clint asked, before laughing lightly. “Yeah, other people have said that. No, that’s us pushing through the tension. Build walls where we can, because we can’t be there if something fucks up. Tony, neither of us have had a happy way with it. It’s a comfort goodbye. Even when you don’t like it or something has been creating an argument. You remember to show what you feel at every goodbye. I don’t even remember where we learned to do it like that. But it helps.”

“Doesn’t it drive you crazy? I mean, beyond the tree murder via arrows and adopting a beach dog,” Tony asked. “Knowing it’s completely out of your ability to help him the way you want?”

“At first, yes,” Clint replied, tapping a finger on the countertop. “Have you looked at him, watched him? Phil could move through a room and get everyone to agree with him in five minutes. But he doesn’t look like he’s the type to respond to a true threat. When I met him he had been hunting me. Following intel on my movements, like I was just a square on a checkerboard for him to claim. And that’s how he works. If I didn’t know how easily he knows to use all the checkers around him to his advantage then I would be terrified that his calm confidence would blow up in his face. But to be honest…”

“He’s a bigger threat than you, but that doesn’t stop you from wanting to protect him,” Tony finished.

“Yeah, but I’m okay with it cause he gives it class.” Clintt let out a grunt when the sound of footsteps came from the bedroom. “I guess I didn’t expect him to run with my thought and just make a point to prove it.”

“Yeah, alphas are kind of weird like that,” Tony offered, before he straightened as Bucky and Steve entered, properly dressed like it had been a fight between them and the clothing. “Hello, sleepyheads!”

Bucky grunted, immediately going for the food. Steve looked over at Tony and smiled fondly as he sat down at the counter. He grabbed a sandwich, handed it to Bucky who was nearly halfway through his first one, then grabbed his own. “Stopped being about food immediately after the serum, I don’t really feel the hunger. I still have to eat, but I don't have the hunger pains. Bucky is apparently the opposite.”

Bucky paused from his eating, eyes looking too tired to actually be intimidating. “Just showing your own weaknesses by talking like that. What’s it gonna take to shut up your honest mouth?”

Before Steve could even respond Clint replied, “Whatever it is, can I watch?”

Bucky turned and glared, but Clint had been around Bucky enough to just grin back. Bucky sighed, “So we got your stone cold boy showing up today?”

“I told you in the Arctic to not call him that,” Clint muttered as he walked toward the window to peer out, despite knowing the jet wouldn’t land for another ten minutes.

“Calm down,” Bucky teased, grabbing another sandwich before heading out toward him. Tony realized that he planned to meet Phil’s arrival before Clint even caught sight of the man.

There was a weird but subdued frantic need to include Clint into Bucky’s group, which was essentially a pack. Tony watched Bucky place his hand on Clint’s shoulder, letting it rest there for just a moment, before letting it fall away. Bucky wanted Clint there, in his pack. Bucky clearly knew that wouldn’t be possible, Clint was for SHIELD and Phil was for SHIELD, but the need was still there so his instincts led him out the door and presenting himself as the strong alpha of the house as the quintjet began to arrive.

“What just happened?” Clint asked.

“Nothing, he’s not going to lay claims. He just wants to make his point about how he feels about you in a non mate but important-”

“He’s just making a point to show another alpha that he claims us and the territory as his, and right now that pretty much includes you,” Tony finished so Steve could actually eat instead of stumbling over his words. He shot Steve a small smile. “I ironically know more about alpha behavior than my own. Bucky just wants to be the one to approve of Phil coming inside. Got to love their level of testosterone.”

“Huh,” Clint said softly, right before a sound, despite how soft a jet could be, hit their ears.

Tony glanced over at Steve, who had what would be a weird face if Tony didn’t know what was probably going through his head. He walked over and leaned in close so it was just the two of them. “Bucky’s still in hyperdrive, you’d do the same.”

“More sad he feels he has to broadcast like this, to be honest,” Steve whispered back. Their eyes met, soft brown on a bright sky, and Steve smiled. “But what I do know is that I can relax, because he’s doing this. I think he’s being this dominant to protect me too.”

“We all need protecting and…outside of frantic hormones and crazy issues of the past, I’d say we’re actually doing pretty well,” Tony offered. “Some of our problems? A lot of alpha-omega couples have. It’s just being amplified by our stress.”

Steve leaned in and kissed him, hard and yet too brief. They stared at each other, but the sound of the front door opening again made them both straighten. Steve glanced over at Clint, who was like a statue, and said, “I think we should just observe. I have a feeling this will be a happy moment.”

The door opened and, even with Bucky hovering behind him, the man entering looked like he owned and controlled everything around him. While Bucky putting off dominance was a rocky wave of the sea, Phil was more like a steady mountain, stiff and yet yielding when someone was brave enough to get close. And yet both had a weakness, all alphas did, because while Phil’s stiffness didn’t change, his face was almost lit up when Clint suddenly rushed at him.

Phil let out a small grunt, but the small smile on his face was nowhere near the condescending one he showed for everyone else. His arms wrapped around Clint and it was like Clint just settled and went limp with Phil there to hold him. There was whispering and Tony couldn’t help leaning into Steve’s shoulder as he watched Clint become almost soft in the agent’s hold.

The two finally pulled apart and Phil had a small smile on his face that apparently couldn’t be removed. “Report?”

“Watched over these idiots. There was a heat related situation, but it’s settled now. Also…I met a dog,” Clint said, starting off like a stern soldier probably by habit alone before he went into a pliant tone as he mentioned the dog.

“A dog?” Phil asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That crab was going to kill me,” Clint said in such a sure voice that Tony wanted to give him an award right then and there.

“Forget the dog, what do I do with her?” Bucky spoke up, standing like a huge boulder at the doorway. Tony had to shift and angle his head before he could see the hint of red hair. Not Pepper’s, which was like a strawberry-copper combo but a rich blast of red that was dark enough to hide in a shadow but bright enough to drag your attention. Bucky shifted, actually now glaring at everyone. “She came with the plane, what do I do with her?”

Phil pulled away from Clint and looked over. “That would be Agent Romanoff. It’s up to you if you want her inside, but I do have to say…Clint, I’m sorry for arguing with you. She’s a good asset.”

Tony saw how Bucky went stiff with just the term “asset” and walked around the counter and further into the room. He reached Bucky and placed his hand on his alpha’s chest. He hated the immediate way his mind would switch to honorifics so easily, but this wasn’t Obadiah showing him off to the board or the public. Bucky was unsure and Tony could fix that. “She can come in for lunch, with restrictions beyond the food. Let’s see if she plays well.”

Bucky let out what could only be a growling sound. And Tony suspected a part of him remembered the redhead that was looking bored just past the doorway, possibly a flicker of her face from somewhere in the past. Tony knew it was a long shot, but Bucky’s twitching along his eyes made him wonder. “We give people a chance here.”

Bucky half-heartedly glared at him, before stepping away into the living room so Tony could properly see the woman at his doorway. He could still feel Bucky’s heat against his back as he turned to the girl, maybe the same age as him, pale skin and hesitant green eyes. Those eyes scanning everything she suddenly had the view of. The same way Bucky had done during his first few visits. Even her muscles had the same fake look of relaxation like Bucky’s, and yet ready to activate at the slightest attack.

It was unsettling.

“We’ve got ham or turkey sandwiches and a salad if you’re trying to watch your figure,” Tony announced, pushing the thought away before he could dwell on it. He made for the kitchen, not hearing either Bucky or her follow, which was another similarity: ninja feet.

“Hey, Tash,” Clint greeted, untangling himself from the nearly octopus hold he had had on Phil. “How was the undisclosed location? Spot any fairies?”

“Clint,” Phil warned.

“What?” Clint asked, innocently. “I didn’t give it away, there are fairies everywhere. Right, Natasha?”

“The secret is probably safe,” she said. Her voice had that strange accent people had that never stayed in one location long enough to sound like the locals and never visited home to keep sounding like family, almost blank or bland. Again, unsettling.

After that lunch became a calm affair, with Clint doing most of the talking while Phil continued to smile a satisfied little smile as Clint stole the cheese from Bucky’s sandwich, who pretended not to notice. The flow of conversation, even with Natasha speaking up with something sarcastic every once in a while, finally dwindled as Phil looked down at his watch. “We should be on our way.”

“Vacation had to end sometime,” Clint said woefully.

Phil stood, adjusting his suit jacket. “Well? Introduce me.”

Clint squinted at him. “Phil, you know everyone here.”

Tony fought back a snort, loving how for such a clever guy Clint could be horribly unobservant. Phil just tilted his head in amusement and waited. He doesn’t have to wait long, because seconds later Clint was beaming, grinning brighter than the sun. He bounced in his seat a bit, before jumping up and grabbing Phil’s hand. They’re out the front door faster than Tony can blink. Natasha followed, giving them a brief nod as she calmly left them alone.

“They are cute together,” Steve commented.

“Sap,” Bucky said.

Thirty minutes later Phil, Clint, Natasha, and Lucky the dog were boarding the quinjet, leaving Tony alone with his alphas once more.

“What now?” Tony asked, plopping down on the couch and reaching for the television remote. “I have to go back into work tomorrow to yell at the R&D minions, but for today - what’s left of it - I am all yours.”

Bucky, who had sat down next to him, leaned closer, practically pressing his nose against the back of Tony’s ear. “I could think of something.”

“Someone’s feeling all alpha proud. Did you make Phil blink like he was scared?” Tony teased. Bucky gave him one of his intense stares, saying nothing. Tony rolled his eyes. “No sex with me. I have to take my suppressants every other day now, which means today I’m probably more fertile. Ask me tomorrow. Besides, you can always take Steve for a ride.”

Tony looked over to see Steve sitting on his opposite side, eyes wide and a heavy blush spreading along his cheeks.

“You think that blush still goes as far as it did?” Tony asked, smirking when Bucky suddenly stood up.

“Steve, it’s time for your first sparring lesson,” Bucky ordered, starting to walk toward the door.

“Uh, what?” Steve stammered. “Bucky, I know how to fight.”

“And if you’re going to fight again, we’re making damn sure those muscles aren’t too frozen,” Bucky replied.

“...Fine,” Steve muttered, standing up to follow.

“Okay, but if this leads to sex, you better as hell come back inside so I can watch,” Tony ordered. All he saw was Bucky smirking before the door closed. Well, at least they were spending quality time together. Though, Bucky was either fully coming out of his Winter Soldier shell or simply riding on the high of being the dominant alpha in the room for most of the day. Tony couldn’t be certain, but he was happy if they were happy.

Tony sat there a moment, remote control in his hand, before he ended up not turning on the television and made his way down to the workshop. While he was thinking of Steve’s uniform, a part of him was also thinking of Bucky's arm. He wondered if the man would ever let him take a peek at it.

Probably not, unless for maintenance. God, a sick part of him hoped Bucky needed maintenance.

So, instead of overthinking all of that, he pulled up a few projects he had been planning for after the soon to be tested bomb. Obadiah would be on his case to create another killer robot or exploding bomb eventually. Well, he hoped Obadiah never got him to build a killer robot. Only the threat of the end of human life would encourage him to even consider it.

Tony was computer deep into making micro-measurements on the blueprint for an actual gatling gun, only with digital control and a special rope that his brain hadn’t created yet, when he heard a thump upstairs. He paused, fingers hovering over his keyboard. Jarvis hadn’t alerted him to anything, but when another thud hit much closer toward the entrance of the workshop, Tony stood. He carefully walked toward the open stairway, looking up toward the door.

There was another thud, right at the wall beside the open door. Tony for a moment wanted to yell for Jarvis to find a way to get ahold of his alphas, but his voice caught in his throat when he heard a very familiar moan. It was Steve, he remembered that moan, because even pre-serum Steve had the same moan as he did today. That sound was permanently burned into his brain.

Steve was moaning. His alphas were right upstairs and Bucky was doing something to make Steve moan like that, almost filthy in the way it dragged out. Tony's mind flashed back to that moment, during his time travel when Steve was above him, a tiny thing that held so much strength and fire. As Bucky entered him and Tony got to watch his face as he groaned and broke down from Bucky’s actions.

Tony rushed up the steps, following that sound, in time to see Steve against the wall. His hands were clutching Bucky’s shoulders as Bucky licked in a slow drag up Steve’s throat. A throb of just need rushed through him and he knew the scent of his arousal hit them both as they looked over to see him standing there.

“Think we have a witness, Stevie,” Bucky said, his voice almost raw, before he grabbed Steve’s jaw and kissed him hard enough for Steve to moan and just go pliant. Bucky pulled back, eyes dark and intense. There was a feral level there, but Bucky wasn’t tipping over. “Steve, how shall I enjoy you?”

“I,” Steve swallowed, glancing at Tony. His eyes clenched closed for a moment. “Please, I want you. I’ve missed feeling you.”

Bucky’s eyes were as soft as he was able to do in this state. “I do believe our omega will be waiting for us in the bedroom.”

Tony felt his whole body practically twitch. “I’ll be waiting, Steve. I want to see this.”

He heard Steve groan as he rushed to the bedroom. Almost frantically he drew the blankets down and stripped down to his boxers, even though he had no intention for the focus to be on himself. His brain was pulsing, knowing that this could be what they needed. The connection that they had in the past, renewed by their bodies taking over. So he stood to the side and watched as Bucky backed Steve into the room, the two of them kissing like they were fighting a battle.

They landed on the bed, almost like they were fighting. While Bucky had been the aggressive one, once they got fully onto the surface, Bucky was underneath Steve and grinning. He brought hands up and jerked off Steve’s shirt. “Fuck, I forgot how well that serum did you.”

While Steve’s face developed a blush, it didn’t stop him from trying to take off Bucky’s shirt. Ending, thanks to Bucky laying back and not able to move in time, was ripped. “Sorry.”

“No, damn, get down here,” Bucky said, voice rough as he reached up and tugged Steve into another kiss.

Tony didn’t know what to do, how he should participate. He understood this was a horrible tension between them that needed to break, connecting just their love to today. But he stood there as Bucky grabbed Steve’s hips, dragging him close and thrusting upward. There was a pause, then Steve was frantically trying to undo Bucky’s jeans. In his haste, he kept fumbling.

“Let me,” Tony said, keeping his tone soft and submissive. He climbed onto the bed and reached out, pausing a moment to make sure it was okay, then swiftly undid Bucky’s pants. He drew away, but laid on the bed, watching.

There was a soft noise as Steve started pulling off Bucky’s pants and underwear. It took a moment, but he realized Steve was growling, the sound building in the air. The moment both of their clothes were gone, both of them naked, was the moment Bucky let out a moan that had Steve lowering himself down, pinning Bucky to the bed. Steve thrust his hips down and Bucky practically arched up into it.

He’d never seen them like this. He didn’t even think this dynamic was part of them back when he was with them before. Maybe their intensity was post him being there, post-serum and trying to find a connection to each other. But as Steve pinned Bucky down and just grinded down, Tony could only clutch at the sheet underneath him as a surge of arousal hit him.

“Fuck, he likes it, come on,” Bucky half growled and half moaned out, his hip rocking up.

Tony stared as Steve kissed Bucky, a strong hand sliding along his bare side. Steve’s hips jerked forward as he grabbed at Bucky’s backside, his hand grabbing at the globe of Bucky’s asscheek, causing Bucky to gasp. Steve’s face was at Bucky’s neck, nibbling, before he lifted up just enough to say, “Tony, I’m going to need lube.”

Tony paused for a moment, just to watch Steve bite down on Bucky’s neck. Bucky’s eyes went wide, his head tipping back to expose more skin for Steve’s mouth. Scrambling, Tony nearly jerked the side table’s drawer onto the floor. He came up with the tube of lubrication and held it up, his own eyes full-blown as he watched Steve just render Bucky into a submissive mass. He could have pictured it back then, back in that time, but not now. And yet Steve gently grabbed Bucky’s wrists and pinned them by the man’s head and Bucky just groaned, hips reaching up.

Steve was flushed, eyes wide and yet intent, body trembling. He turned to look at Tony, switched Bucky’s wrist to just a single arm and reached out for the tube. He opened it with his single hand and looked at Tony, gaze intense. “Hold your hand out.”

“What?” Tony asked, almost wanting to feel embarrassed by how weak his voice was. Even still, he held out his hand, watching as Steve put the lube on his hand. “Steve?”

Steve gave him a smile and grabbed his wrist. “Open him for me.”

The thick sounding groan Bucky let out from hearing that stopped Tony from arguing. He let Steve guide his hand down and, after flexing his fingers to get the lube on them, his fingers were suddenly at Bucky’s entrance. Steve’s hand released his wrist and he was there, laying next to them, with his fingers touching the apha who had always, by instinct, been the strongest. He glanced up and saw Steve lean down and kiss Bucky, who let out a whimper.

Swallowing, he pressed a finger in, feeling Bucky actually tremble around that single digit.

“Like that, huh?” he heard Steve whisper.

“Fuck, Stevie,” Bucky replied and his tone was fully Bucky, no Soldier there. His hip rolled and Tony could feel it just around a single digit. “Shit, yes.”

Tony didn’t even wait for Steve to ask, he thrusted a bit before inserting a second finger. And Bucky’s eyes fluttered, biting his lip and he rocked into it. Tony wanted to ask what happened out there while they were sparring, but the pheromones in the air? Tony was barely able to speak. So he did as Steve asked, twisting his fingers and thrusting into Bucky’s body. When he felt the man was pliant enough, he added a third finger.

Steve grabbed Bucky’s thigh, the one closest to Tony and lifted it up onto his shoulder. And, shit, it gave Tony so much more room. He almost wanted to add another finger, but wasn’t sure, looking up as Steve leaned down to kiss Bucky again. But the combination of the kiss, Bucky making a sound he never heard before, and so Tony’s fingers sped up their thrusts until he could feel Steve’s erection brush up against the back of his hand.

Gasping, trying to control himself, he pulled his fingers out and instead started using his palm to spread the rest of the lube on Steve’s erection. His eyes darted between their faces as Steve entered Bucky. Bucky was staring up at Steve, like he was making a dare. The look of adoration on Steve’s face made Tony’s heart ache. Eventually, Bucky couldn’t seem to not react to the slow and steady slide of Steve’s pressing into him. His eyelashes fluttered and head tipped back.

Unable to stop himself Tony crawled closer and nuzzled the length of Bucky's neck, smiling at the pleased rumble he got in response. He was kissing the back of Bucky’s ear when he felt Steve’s movement become a steady back and forth. He looked up at the look of bliss on the alpha’s face, zoning in on how Steve was biting his lower lip as he fought to go the slow pace he had set.

Bucky let out an impatient grunt. “Fuck, Steve, just - c’mon! You know I can take it, you punk.”

Steve leaned down, changing his angle at the last minute and kissing Tony instead. He pulled back and turned back to Bucky. “You can take it, huh?”

“Yes,” Bucky growled, glaring.

Steve shifted, an arm sliding underneath Bucky’s hips to lift him to a proper angle. Then Steve thrust forward, setting an immediately brutal pattern. The power behind it sent Bucky sliding back along the bed, his metal hand having to reach out to grab at the headboard. The headboard creaked under the fingers digging into the wood. Bucky cried out, head falling back.

God, it was so intensely hot. Steve had a look of extreme focus, eyes narrowed and teeth clenched together. His thrusts were relentless. And Bucky, who had been stuck in a coil of self-control since they were reunited, looked like he was finally allowing himself to feel something just in the moment. Steve wasn’t just forcing the sharp cries of pleasure out of the alpha, he was breaking Bucky down.

Tony surged forward, grabbing Bucky’s head and pressed their lips together, swallowing down the near sobbing sound Bucky made. He slid his hand down to grasp Bucky’s erection. Bucky’s back arched. Between Steve’s steady thrusts and Tony’s hand stroking him, Bucky was already building up to orgasm. Small tremors were rushing down his body, building up until Bucky jerked and the headboard broke with a harsh crack as he came.

Steve kept going until Bucky slumped down into the bed, panting. Then Steve pulled out of him, still rock hard, and reached, grabbing Tony’s ankle. With a jerk, he had Tony on his back. He crawled over, practically tearing at Tony’s boxers. “Don’t think I forgot about you.”

Tony gasped as he was stripped bare, too shocked to even help. Then Steve was on him, pinning himself down with his heavy bulk and immediately thrusting. Their erections slid against each other, Steve grinding down hard and making Tony let out a sharp cry. One of his hands reached up to clutch at Steve’s shoulder and his other flung out to grab at Bucky’s arm.

Steve's body was covered in sweat, pupils blown wide open, and his mouth was parted as he let out a small moan. He looked wrecked. And definitely a thrust or two from completion. Tony wasn’t much better, the whole scene having ramped him up. He was a moaning mess under Steve and could only close his eyes as his orgasm hit him hard and fast.

“Yes,” Steve groaned, grinding down hard on Tony’s still pulsing erection and coming himself.

All three of them laid there for a while in a comfortable silence, cuddled together with no space between their bodies. None of them wanted to move and Tony couldn’t help smiling. “So, how does sparring in our backyard turn into this? Cause you guys should do that more often.”

“Punk pinned me,” Bucky replied. “Had to give him a reward.”

Tony laughed and looked over at Steve, who was blushing. Only Steve would go from dominating them in bed to blushing like a shy school boy. “Shocked you guys even managed to get back inside, let alone to the bedroom.”

“Bucky wanted you to watch,” Steve admitted.

“Figured you could use a reward, too,” Bucky offered, smirking.

“I needed this so much, maybe even be rewarded with it once a week?” Tony suggested, batting his eyes. Bucky snorted in reply and stretched. Tony had to drag his eyes away. “Okay, as much as I’d love for us to lay here in debauchery, we do need to eat dinner.”

There was silence for a while as they stretched out the contentment. Finally, Tony sighed and called out, “Jarvis, I want mushroom ravioli. What do you guys want?”

“Hmm, we need to start eating home cooked meals,” Steve said.

“Have to get groceries in that case,” Tony admitted. “Jarvis, add some lasagna and alfredo. We can all share family style. J, make it delivered in an hour. Pretty sure we’re all too lazy to get up anytime soon.”

“Feel too good,” Bucky mumbled.

“Yeah, sleepyhead,” Tony practically cooed. He snuggled closer to Steve so he could reach across the grinning man to poke Bucky in the cheek. He got a glare back, but it was more like a kitten’s scowl than anything.

He rested his chin on Steve’s chest, looking at both of them. They were so relaxed and happy. Tony couldn’t help but smile, pressing closer, and closing his eyes.

He’d end up having to reheat his food tomorrow. Thankfully, it was Steve who got up for the delivery driver.

Notes:

I had to make the comment of Steve greeting the delivery driver. It's like story canon at this point, or running joke. Don't let Bucky intimidate the delivery people!

I wanted to put Phil actually meeting Lucky in here but I don't feel I have his voice down well yet and, come on, he can't actually deny Clint something right in front of him. (I need to practice my Phil cause I wanna write an awesome Phil fic eventually.)

I've got the ending fully planned, so it's just about getting there. I go back to school (online, which wow, cause back to college after over a decade I'm kinda walking into confusing water. Yay being stubborn to be a teacher woop!) in about 3 weeks. Hoping I get this into it's final groove by then.

Oh! since I mention other works. I have been working on my Tony/Thor and damn, got so long I'm having to create another doc for it. lol. But the kitty!Avengers? Got a plan of poor T'Challa having to take care of them, so that's gonna be a random crack fic of joy. Yay!

I'm tipsy and could talk forever, so ending here. Thank you all for sticking with this for so long!

Chapter 36: 3 years, 8 months, 1 week & 4 days - 3 years, 8 months, 4 weeks & 5 days

Tony tried to sneak out of bed the next morning, wanting his alphas to be able to sleep past seven. Naturally, his plans failed and he ended up being sent off to work with a stomach full of breakfast and a travel mug filled with coffee. A part of him was shocked by how easy it was. It was as if they had started to create their own little groove in life, brand new and yet familiar. Suddenly work was easier to deal with. Boring meetings with departmental heads and laughable presentations by the newest members of his own team were no longer headache inducing. Even a bad day seemed to pale in comparison to happiness he felt heading home to Bucky and Steve.

It took three weeks of this pattern to lull Tony into a sense of security that even the approach of Obasiah couldn’t ruin. Though, with the way the man came up behind him, hovering mere inches away, as Tony worked on fine tuning the schematics of his latest project, it was clear the man was trying to unsettle him. Given the sudden heat felt at his back, it was nearly working. He was standing too close, close enough to see the bond marks Tony no longer covered and close enough to even scent Tony.

Shifting to the side in order to create at least a few more inches of distance, Tony turned and looked up at Obadiah. The man's eyes were dark, nostrils flaring slightly. “You’ve grown up so fast, Tony.”

Tony felt a heavy weight drop in his stomach. Obadiah could sense or smell the fertility peak on him. No one else had, or if they could they had been polite enough to not mention it. They had definitely been polite enough to not crowd him into his own desk, because if anyone was able to smell the fertility then they were also able to smell the fresh claim by his alphas. Tony swallowed and forced a calm expression on his face. “Is there something you need?”

Obadiah drew in a deep breath and made a strange humming sound that unnerved Tony. Then Obadiah dropped a file onto Tony’s desk. “Your bomb passed the environmental stress tests. It’s going to work beautifully in any country our boys in uniform take it to.”

“That’s good. I want it’s computer hardware and GPS formatting triple tested. The last thing we need is for the heart of it to malfunction,” Tony replied.

“Have you no faith in yourself?” Obadiah asked, teasingly. “Or are you distracted by something else? I know it is sometimes difficult for omegas your age to focus unless you have someone to properly ground you.”

Tony narrowed his eyes. “What are you getting at?”

“Everyone knows your alphas are back, you haven’t bothered to hide it,” Obadiah said with a snort. “But you’re broadcasting your scent like you want the rest of us to stop and take a look. Maybe you should reconsider your decisions, Tony, if they can’t satisfy you the way you need. Perhaps they don’t realize you need to be put in your place.”

“You’re overstepping boundaries, Obadiah,” Tony said, trying to keep his voice steady. Obadiah was suddenly closer. He could smell the man’s cologne and feel Obadiah’s breath on his cheek as he leaned in.

“We both know you’ve never wanted boundaries between us,” Obadiah whispered.

Then suddenly Obadiah was stepping away, leaving Tony to feel cold and dirty. He stood still, spine stiff, as Obadiah made a point to poke around at the random pieces of machinery and sketches of ideas on Tony’s worktable. Tony knew the man was doing it to make Tony’s sense of unease worse. The feeling of being intimidated caused a shudder to run through him.

Obadiah reached out and Tony outwardly flinched when the man ran his hand down Tony’s arm. “I’ll see you later, my boy.”

Tony stood there, watching him leave. A few of his employees were glancing over at him, unsure if they should say anything. In the end, they went back to their work. The tension in the room remained, though, and Tony couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed his phone and walked toward the elevator with wobbly legs. This was familiar, this shaky path to the parking garage and nausea building with each step.

He didn’t make it to his car before dry heaving against the garage’s cement wall this time. He slid down the wall, letting out a short sob, before he forced it down. It took a few minutes for him to get his breathing under control. Slowly, a sensation of cold numbness filled his brain, clearing his head.

He got up and got to his car. His mind was blank as he drove to Malibu. He ended up on the street he had so long ago, parking his car between the liquor store and grocery store. He glanced between the two, before getting out of the car and walking into the liquor store. He bought a bottle of scotch, not even the good kind, and got back into his car. When he got home he parked the car off to the side so it wasn't visible by any of the windows, knowing his alphas didn’t usually hear his car pull up. Then he walked around the house and headed for the beach.

He walked along the shoreline for a good twenty minutes, knowing that if Steve or Bucky hadn’t heard his car then they’d still think he was at work. As he dropped down onto the hot sand, the liquor bottle clutched against his chest, he thought about calling Rhodey.

Tony felt a touch to his arm and jerked, looking around wildly. There was no one there. He could still feel Obadiah, the hand on his arm and his breath on his cheek. Tony didn’t realize how hard he was shaking until he scrambled to get the scotch opened. Finally he got the lid pried off and he was downing a huge gulp of the burning liquid. Immediately, he began coughing. It had been so long since he’d had alcohol he had forgotten the unforgiving burn of it as it was swallowed down.

He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that he didn’t feel ashamed of each time he brought the bottle to his lips. No, he was ashamed about what happened to get him to drink. How did he feel so guilty? He could have shoved Obadiah away, raged against the words coming out of his one-time mentor’s mouth. But he had just stood there as Obadiah proved what he was saying. Because if Tony didn’t want Obadiah to keep invading his space and claiming to be what Tony really needs, then he would have done something.

Right?

At least an hour had passed and Tony was definitely drunk. He felt miserable, with the sun beating down on him and his vision foggy from both the alcohol and the tears. He had started outright sobbing not long ago.

“Tony?” a soft voice said, a shadow falling over him. “Steve! He’s over here!”

Tony let out a small whine, flinching when a gentle hand touched his back. The hand paused, but didn’t move away. Another shadow appeared and Tony clenched his eyes clothed when a hand carefully tugged the nearly empty bottle of scotch out of his grasp. “How long have you been out here? Jarvis said you left work a few hours ago.”

“Sorry,” Tony replied, fumbling over the word. He still didn’t look up. He didn’t want them to know, to suspect he would let another alpha get so close. He didn’t want them to regret being with him. He swallowed down another sob, drawing his knees up to rest his forehead on.

“Forget all that. We’ll add a protocol to Jarvis later so this doesn’t happen again,” Bucky said, his voice soft. “What happened, doll?”

“Nothing.”

“Will you at least let us help you inside?” Steve asked. “It’s a bit of a walk.”

Tony let out a shaky breath and nodded. In the end they did most of the work. He could barely stand without toppling over. Apparently, he had walked a lot farther than he had thought because it seemed like it took forever before he was eased down on the couch. He immediately jerked away from their touch, curling up on the corner of the couch. A part of him wanted to run for his nest, but a small voice in his head told him he wasn’t worthy of that sort of comfort.

“Tony?” Steve's voice sounded far away, despite the man sitting next to him. Steve looked over at Bucky. “He keeps zoning out. What do we do?”

“If he’s not going to talk to us…” Bucky let out a growl. “Jarvis, get Rhodes on the line.”

“Calling Rhodey,” Jarvis announced.

“How is having another alpha talk to him going to help if he’s barely acknowledging us?” Steve demanded.

“Because sometimes we don’t need our mates, we just need our best friend,” Bucky said softly. Steve went silent at that, turning his eyes back on Tony. Tony looked away. He couldn’t allow himself to meet his gaze.

“I have Rhodey on the line,” Jarvis said.

“Patch him through,” Bucky replied.

“Tones? Man, you don’t usually call me on a Wednesday!” Rhodey greeted. “But I’m glad you called, I have good news-”

“Rhodes, we have a situation here,” Bucky interrupted.

“What’s going on?” Rhodey demanded, using what Tony always teased him as his commander’s voice. Tony curled a little more into himself, guilt momentarily overtaking him.

“It’s Tony,” Steeve started. “He got off work early. We didn’t hear his car pull up, hardly ever do, so we didn’t know. It wasn’t until Ms Potts called looking for him that we even knew he was missing.”

“We found him on the beach,” Bucky said quickly before Rhodey could completely lose his cool. “He’s been drinking and he won’t talk to us.”

“I assume he’s in the room with you,” Rhodey said, not waiting for a response. “Does he have his phone on him?”

“We found it in the car, so yeah, it’s here,” Steve replied.

“Get it in his hand. And you two get out of hearing range. Call Ms. Potts and let her know her favorite boss is okay,” Rhodey ordered.

Tony glanced up to see Steve gently place the phone on his knee by his hand. After the front door shut behind them, Tony picked up the phone with a shaky hand. Knowing Jarvis would have already switched the call to the phone, he simply held it to his ear. “Rhodey?”

“Not sounding too good, Tones,” Rhodey replied in a calm, soft voice.

Tony clenched his eyes closed, feeling the muscles in his back start to unwind. Rhodey was easy to talk to. There wasn’t any pressure. Steve and Bucky didn’t mean to put pressure on him, but the desire to say the right thing and be the perfect omega they needed. It was a pressure he enforced on himself. With Rhodey he had no reason to. “I’m not.”

“Just talk, Tones, I’m listening.”

“I did something bad,” Tony whispered. “I drank again.”

“I know, buddy, but can you tell me why you drank?” Rhodey asked.

“I let-” Tony sniffed and tried again. “Obadiah came to my workstation today. He…He said some things and I let him get too close.”

He heard Rhodey draw in a sharp breath, but the man still sounded calm when he asked, “What did he say, Tony?”

“That-that,” Tony stammered, before swallowing. He closed his eyes, the remaining alcohol in his veins making it hard to think. “That he could tell I was that thing I told you about last week?”

“Your fertility peak. It’s a normal thing, Tones, there’s no need to be ashamed of it.”

“I’m not, not really, it’s just he said that I was broadcasting it and I wouldn’t do that if I was happy with Steve and Bucky, that I wanted someone to put me in my place,” Tony replied, sounding a bit more sure of himself the more he talked. “He thinks I’m asking for him to…he had me up against the table and…I didn’t push him away. I let him just stand over me and I didn’t push him away. What if he’s right? What if I’m…not good enough for them?”

“Shit, okay, Tones? Listening to me,” Rhodey said in a stern, yet gentle voice. “This is not your fault, man, this isn’t on you. What he’s doing is not okay and it’s his actions, okay? You are not encouraging him in any way. He’s the one who should feel ashamed.”

“But, what-?”

“Tony, please, think hard on this,” Rhodey interrupted. “Do you feel unhappy or unsatisfied with Steve and Bucky? Do they, in any way, imply or claim you’re not a good omega?”

“You know it’s the opposite,” Tony muttered.

“Exactly. Look, I am in no way trying to tell you what to do, because you definitely don’t need that right now. But, the thing is, you really should consider telling your mates what happened. They already know that Obadiah is a creep, they need to know how much of a sick fuck he is.” Tony felt his body jolt at the pure poison in Rhodey’s tone, relaxing immediately when he knew it wasn’t directed at him.

“I’ll tell them,” Tony replied, feeling drained.

“There’s one more thing…Tones, I think you should report him to HR,” Rhodey said carefully. “This isn’t okay, not in your workplace or anywhere else.”

“I…I’ll think about it,” Tony offered, thinking about all of the other omegas in the company and Pepper’s efforts to get them to band together. He’d always planned to join them, when they were ready, to help create a solid front. He wondered if he even had the time to wait for that, with how Obadiah kept pushing.

“You feeling better?”

“Definitely going to have a hangover,” Tony replied, rubbing his eyes and yawning. “Thank you, Rhodey.”

“Hey, what are best friends for?” Rhodey said. “Think you're up for good news?”

Tony chuckled, “Always for you.”

“I’m going to be in town this weekend,” Rhodey announced happily. “Someone might be getting promoted Monday morning.”

“Wait, what does that make you now? What’s after Major?” Tony asked.

“Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodey,” Rhodey said proudly.

“I didn’t even know you were reaching for that yet. Or is this a take it or take it scenario?” Tony asked, stretching his legs and flexing his toes to fight the cramp his position had been threatening. Once done, he gave a small bounce in his seat, the stress of the day momentarily set to the side. “And why are they doing this here? I mean, can’t any air force base in the country work?”

“Well, I’m allowed to have family there for the little ceremony, but there’s no air force base near momma, so they thought this would just strengthen their relationship with your company if Tony Stark himself was there cheering me on. And, this way I could negotiate with you representing your company instead of Stane, which after today is even more important,” Rhodey explained.

Tony chose to ignore the mention of Obadiah, even though he was thankful for Rhodey thinking of that before even today. “Momma Rhodey is still afraid of flying, huh? Well, don’t you worry one bit! She still has the computer I made for her last Christmas so she will have a fully live feed of Stark quality. She’s going to see the pores on her baby boy’s face.”

“You know, this is why she likes you more than her own son. It’s not fair, man,” Rhodey complained.

“Well, maybe you should call her more than every other week,” Tony said. “She told me on Saturday that she misses your voice.”

“Never should have taken you home for Thanksgiving sophomore year,” Rhodey said. “If I knew I was going to get an annoying little brother the moment you batted those brown eyes at her and complemented her hair of all things then I never would have done it.”

“I love you too Lt Colonel Rhodey-Bear,” Tony replied, enjoying how he was finally grinning for the first time since that morning.

“Oh here we go,” Rhodey muttered. “Okay, so do you want me to set up at a hotel in Malibu or just stick with L.A.?”

“Uh, excuse me?” Tony asked, baffled. “You have a room here. It has an American flag on the wall just for you. Though I can’t promise the room is still Rhodey approved, because Clint did spend a whole week in there.”

“Okay, I’m not even going to start this argument. Could you get your alphas back in here and have Jarvis connect me to the room’s speakers again?” Rhodey asked, sounding fond like Tony had just made a social blunder. “If you want me to stay there then the whole little group gets to take part and agree. I’m not having the sleepover of our junior year again, I don’t even know who that girl I woke up with was.”

“You act like it was an orgy,” Tony argued. “Also, J? Let the boys know they can come in.”

The next time Rhodey spoke was a near echo around the room. “Exactly! It was bizarre for juniors to do that and have no one be naked. There was barely even making out. I can’t remember how you made it so fun.”

“I’m special,” Tony said right before the front door burst open, making Tony jump. Steve and Bucky were scanning the room like they were searching out a threat. “Uh, J? How did you alert them?”

“I flashed the floodlights,” Jarvis replied. “I intended to use morse code, but I believe the website I accessed was inaccurate.”

Tony stood up, raising his hands in the universal sign of it’s okay and please calm down. “Guys, calm down.”

“Sorry, we were sparring and…well, fight instinct was at the surface,” Steve admitted, walking over. “You’re looking better. I’m glad.”

Tony shuffled on his feet. “Yeah, uh, hey Bucky?”

“Yeah,” Bucky replied, voice gruff.

“Thank you for calling Rhodey. Sometimes you really just need your best friend,” Tony said softly. He felt Bucky’s hand at the front of his shirt, tugging him forward into a hug. A second later, Steve was wrapping his arms around both of them.

“Guys, I’m technically still here,” Rhodey piped up.

Tony slowly pulled away from his alphas, feeling a surge of happiness at how he didn’t even flinch at their touch. He nudged them to the couch and they all sat down. “Okay, Rhodey, paying full attention. And, guys, Rhodey is going to be in town this weekend getting himself promoted to Lt Colonel Rhodey-Bear-”

“Not my actual name.”

“-and he thinks he has to stay at a hotel of all things. Which is nonsense. So, can he stay here?” Tony asked.

There was a moment of silence, before Rhodey spoke up, “I explained to him that having another alpha, and unbonded one at that, in the house wasn’t a good idea. He’s being his usual self and disagreeing with me. So, I made him get you two alphas - honestly, you’re all ridiculous and I don’t know why I put up with you - in here so you can make the final decision.”

“It’s his room,” Bucky said, sounding grumpy, like he was annoyed he even had to have this conversation.

“Yeah, but…I’m sorry, I haven’t actually got to know Rhodes. Or even see him in person like you did Bucky…” Steve said, sounding both hesitant and apologetic at the same time.

“How about this,” Tony piped up, “Rhodey stays the first night and if you feel you don’t want him here until Monday afternoon? He gets a hotel.”

“I’m good with it, Rhodes seemed solid,” Bucky said, looking over at Steve. “What about it, Stevie? Willing to get to know our omega’s best friend?”

“He got you to smile again, so…yeah, he can stay,” Steve said, leaning into Tony’s side.

“Excellent!” Tony said. “Rhodey, let me know your travel itinerary.”

“Of course and…Tones?” Rhodey’s voice went soft. “Remember what we talked about. It could help to talk about it, but no pressure. I don’t think they’d pressure you anyway.”

“What-?” Steve started.

“I will, Rhodey, I promise,” Tony interrupted. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Right. Tones? Just take care of yourself and let them take care of you. Bye,” Rhodey said before there was a beep ending the call.

He looked over at his alphas nervously, wiggling a bit in his seat. “So, what did you do outside?”

“Sparring,” Steve said rapidly, like he was hoping Tony wouldn’t ask more questions.

“Yeah, okay?” Tony replied. A smirk appeared on his face before he could fight it down. “Sparring is always important. Got to keep active.”

“Started as angry sparring,” Bucky spoke up. “Couldn’t fix you.”

The happy spiral that Tony had growing in him suddenly shut down. He was no longer drunk, barely buzzed, and suddenly he felt that worried emotion so strongly that he knew he was going to mess up fixing what he had done. Sure, Rhodey had told him it wasn’t his fault, but that wasn’t enough to stop him from feeling it.

He had a choice to make. Tony knew about hard choices, he knew that the choice a person made could blow up in their face. Right then, his choice was to tell them or to simply say he wasn’t ready. They would accept it no matter the decision, but they would be critically observing his every move and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Tony was tired of hiding things, tired of just acting like this situation was normal. He hated how he had made it normal. He looked up at them. They were talking softly to each other, but seemed to feel his gaze. The gentle way they looked at him made his heart break. Sure, Rhodey had said it wasn’t his fault, but he knew he wouldn’t be okay until his alphas said the same. And his alphas would make themselves sick trying to know why he wasn’t okay. Especially with Rhodey coming. Rhodey would just encourage them.

Tony bit his lip. “Guys?”

“Yeah, babe?” Steve replied, smiling gently.

“I’d…like to tell you what happened today,” Tony stated, his whole body vibrating from nervousness.

Bucky stood up and walked over to sit at Tony’s other side, giving him an alpha at both sides. Bucky slid his hand up his back, just rubbing in comfortable circles. Steve reached out and cupped his face, placing a soft kiss. And Tony couldn’t even stop himself from telling them what happened, giving more details than he had Rhodey. He was now on the cusp of being sober and was able to even describe how Obadiah backed him into the worktable, taller than him and made himself feel small.

“I’m sorry,” Tony said at the end. “I was scared of how you’d react. I mean…I thought it was my fault and just-”

“That was not your fault,” a growling voice said and Tony was shocked to see the aggression was actually from Steve.

Tony glanced between the two of them and at the window that showed a dark sky. “Can we just go to bed? Just…hold each other?”

Bucky stood, his movement far more Winter Soldier than they had been in a full month. “We’ll go to bed, but tomorrow you add the needed protocols to Jarvis so us freaking out doesn’t happen again.”

“Yeah, no, that’s reasonable,” Tony said weakly.

“We love you and that…man has no right to do this,” Steve said.

Tony shuddered just from the memory. “Rhodey said the same.”

“Then I’m liking him a bit more,” Steve admitted. “Come on, let’s get you to bed. Things will be clearer in the morning for all of us.”

Tony let them guide him to bed. They stayed with him, brushing their teeth in a mess of three grown men in a tiny space. He was bundled between them on the bed faster than he thought it would take. He felt safe. The lingering touch of Obadiah was still there and he knew they’d have to talk about it tomorrow, but for that moment he felt secure. In the darkness of their bedroom he was safe. And while he had a nightmare an hour later, he got more sleep than he would have if he hadn't told them.

He knew, closing his eyes, that if they had fought to rush out in his honor he would have dreamed worse. He was actually blessed that he had alphas that understood his need for control.

So, Tony fell asleep with Steve and Bucky wrapped around him. Things would change now, maybe not immediately, but things would soon change. And Tony dreamed of a cave with his chest hurting for reasons he didn’t know.

Notes:

Getting closer to the end. (well, ten chapters at minimum)

Tony's reaction to Obadiah is something I've experienced. And honestly, anyone reading this out there who have experienced this intimidation? Be strong and know it's not your fault. Cause shit it can hit you hard, so hard you forget how to take care of yourself. So remember there are even strangers that understand and are rooting for you.

Chapter 37: 3 years, 8 months, 4 weeks & 5 days - 3 years, 9 months, 1 weeks & 1 days

The next day passed in an isolated blur. He wasn’t avoiding Steve and Bucky, not exactly. He just conveniently had the excuse that while he wasn’t going into work, he still had to get some progress done. He didn’t shut the workshop’s door, they were free to enter as often as they liked. Which they did, bringing him snacks and ensuring he had enough water to balance out the coffee. No, the isolation was more mental than anything.

Tony Stark was officially stuck in his own head and he didn’t know how to get out of it.

So, he went through the motions and the next day he did it again. It wasn’t until Friday evening that he took a look around him and realized he had lost two days to that numb feeling. He frowned, wondering what had dragged his attention back to the present.

“Tony?” Steve said from the doorway, sounding like he had been trying to get Tony’s attention for a while.

“Yeah?” Tony replied, throat dry.

“You ready to go? I thought I could join you, give you some company on the way to the airport?” Steve said. “I know you’ve been kind of out of it, and we’ve been giving you the time you need because we completely understand, but I didn’t think you’d want to miss out on picking up Rhodes.”

Tony cursed under his breath, glancing at the clock. “I didn’t realize what time it was. Let me change real quick.”

It wasn’t until they were on the highway that Tony glanced over at Steve curiously. “This is the first time you’ve asked to leave home.”

“I thought it was time I stopped hiding,” Steve said softly. “I’m never going to be able to contribute or even go on a mission with Bucky if I can’t get used to going farther than our front lawn.”

“I’m shocked Bucky didn’t insist on following us to make sure we’re behaving ourselves,” Tony said, laughing slightly.

“He was in the spare room and talking with Jarvis when we left,” Steve replied, before he let out a sigh. “I think he has Jarvis doing surveillance on the HYDRA base. Can Jarvis do something like that?”

“He’s infiltrated all of the Stark Industries headquarters and he’s now connected to the security system of one of our testing sites. My big boy, he did that one all on his own,” Tony said with a proud grin.

“So…he would have video evidence of Obadiah intimidating you?” Steve said hesitantly, like he knew his words could be taken the bad way.

“His emotional recognition capabilities haven't matured enough for him to have known what was going on,” Tony snapped, clenching at the steering wheel. “I programmed him to not take those kinds of liberties unless it was asked of him. And even then he’d probably only listen to us, Rhodey, and Pepper. Mostly Pepper since he is still acting like a robot with a crush.”

“Really?” Steve asked, accepting the lighter topic.

“Her work computer is his second home. She told me he finds jokes on the Internet to show her,” Tony said, rolling his eyes. “He’s officially a pre-teen trying to flirt.”

“Is that adorable or creepy? I don’t know how I feel about him flirting with her and her enjoying it, considering their…differences,” Steve commented, looking confused.

Tony burst out laughing. “Come on, Steve, don’t put shame on our little boy’s heart!”

“Oh, to go back in time and tell my ma that I was going to have computer programs and bots as children,” Steve said, tone pure sarcasm.

“They have souls, too,” Tony insisted in a tease, before taking the turn off the highway that would lead them to the airport pick-up. He smiled, watching Steve chuckle. The silence descended, but it was comfortable. He had the radio on an easy listening station for Steve’s sensibilities and was happy the man was tapping his finger against his knee.

It wasn't long until they were at the arrival pick-up. They didn’t see Rhodey the first time so he had to make the loop to start over again. At the second time Tony spotted Rhodey, carry-on thrown over his shoulder and a suitcase at his feet. The moment they stopped, Tony was shocked to see Steve get out of the car as well. Though why he was surprised with Steve practically being a boy scout, Tony couldn’t say for certain. He just was expecting Steve to be more hesitant at meeting new people. Clearly it was the wrong assumption.

Steve stuck out his hand to Rhodey and smiled. “It’s wonderful to meet you, soon-to-be Lt Colonel Rhodes.”

Rhodey chuckled, shaking his hand. “If I had ever pictured you greeting me, it would have always been just that earnest. Great to meet you, man.”

Steve blushed. “Let me get your bag.”

Rhodey looked over at Tony, who had just popped the trunk open for Steve. “I’ve entered the twilight zone.”

“Nah, but welcome to my life,” Tony said, before Rhodey grabbed his arm and tugged him into a strong and steady hold. Rhodey held him carefully and he could hear the trunk close. When he noticed Rhodey wasn’t moving away, Tony realized this was a little test for Steve. Rhodey had done the same with Bucky by sitting between them when they ate dinner and allowing Tony in his space as though Rhodey had the right without asking Bucky’s permission.

“Okay, you two, I think people are getting cranky that we haven’t moved yet,” Steve said, completely oblivious. Tony grinned, because while Steve was a possessive bulldog on his best days, he was also completely ignorant to the subtle things. It hadn’t been a constant trait before he was frozen, but it seemed to be coming out in full force since he had awakened. Tony wondered if it was the effect of the serum, the way suddenly being large and noticeable had affected Steve’s perception.

“I already like him,” Rhodey whispered into Tony’s ear, before letting him go and heading for the back door.

“You can sit up front. I’m sure you want to reconnect after so long,” Steve offered.

Rhodey smirked. “Nah, I just want to observe.”

Tony rolled his eyes and ushered Steve into the car. He said nothing when he saw Steve reach for the radio to turn it onto some jazz station. Through the rearview mirror he saw Rhodey raise an eyebrow. Tony blushed.

The ride home was mostly done in silence, Rhodey’s Air Force honed eyes watching every glance between him and Steve. It should have been uncomfortable, but when you shared a dorm for a few years and saw each other in the midst of the flu, well, things got a little more comfortable. Besides, this was less embarrassing some of the things Rhodey had walked in on him doing.

Tony got the joy of watching Rhodey and Steve argue over who got to carry Rhodey’s luggage into the house when they arrived. Finally, Rhodey put his foot down and ordered Steve to stop being so polite. Tony laughed as he heard, “Do not make me take back my approval! I’m not Tony’s mom, save it for when Momma Rhodes comes to visit.”

They entered the living room to see Bucky draped over the couch, heavy-lidded eyes watching the television. Gray-blue eyes drifted over to Rhodey. Bucky gave a small nod. “Rhodes.”

“Barnes,” Rhodey replied, before striding toward the hallway and presumably to his temporary room to get settled.

Bucky twisted his head to stare Steve down. “What did you do to him?”

Steve let out an offended sound and walked over. He swatted at Bucky’s legs to get space to sit down. “I tried to carry his bags.”

Bucky snorted. “Barely met the guy and you’re already trying to take care of him. Never change, Stevie.”

Tony headed for Rhodey’s room, ignoring Bucky’s complaint when he momentarily blocked the television. Whatever Bucky and Jarvis had been talking about clearly put the alpha in a good mood, so he wasn’t going to try to pry information out of his beloved son. Instead he bounced into Rhodey’s temporary room, watching as the man hung his dress uniform on the closet door, light glinting off of its protective wrap.

“I’m so proud of you,” Tony said.

“Looks like you’re gonna have to make CEO, you’re running behind our ambition goals,” Rhodey teased.

“That’s not happening anytime soon,” Tony admitted with a sad sigh. He glanced down the hallway before shutting the door and walking over to the bed. He waited for Rhodey to join him, giving a small smile when the older man wrapped an arm across his shoulders. “I thought about it. The…talking to HR thing. I’ve already had Pepper getting testimonies so any who stepped forward would have back-up. I wasn’t going to speak up myself, though.”

“And now?” Rhodey asked.

“I won’t be able to claim the title of CEO if I come forward,” Tony said, reaching up to rub at his face with one hand. “It will look like I did this all as a power play. The board especially would be on Obadiah’s side.”

“What do you want to do?” Rhodey asked softly.

“If I let this happen, I can’t demand the CEO position. I have to act neutral to it.” Tony bit his lip, thinking. “If the board doesn’t think I have a nefarious purpose for this and the threat of Obadiah being a sexual predator leaking out is a reality they need to worry about, the board will go where the money is. There’s a chance they’ll demand that I take over as a good publicity move.”

“That’s a bit of a gamble,” Rhodey admitted. “Though, you do have the ability to get evidence. Not to mention this Pepper girl could end up being your secret weapon.”

“Yeah, between her and Jarvis,” Tony agreed. “Speaking of? You should come with me tomorrow instead of staying here with the super twins. Pepper and I are meeting for lunch and an official pow-wow.”

“I’m pretty sure this is going to be nothing like an actual pow-wow, but I’m in,” Rhodey said, reaching up and ruffling Tony’s hair.

“Hey! Be nice!” Tony exclaimed, standing and heading for the door. “I have two mates that are very capable of enacting swift justice for me.”

He opened the door as Rhodey started cackling. They made their way back toward the living room. When they reached the space, Rhodey asked the two men on the couch, “You guys wouldn’t really ‘enact swift justice’ on me for making his hair stand on end like that?”

Bucky bit his lip, before slowly smiling. “Not at all.”

Steve coughed, face slightly red.

“Swift justice, indeed,” Rhodey said with a snort, ruffling Tony’s hair again just to get Tony to make that squawking sound. He managed to bypass Tony slapping at him and dropped himself down on the overstuffed chair.

And that had set the mood for the night. Rhodey had apparently been saving up his best Tony stories for his mates, who had pulled him down between them and were enjoying themselves a little too much. During Rhodey’s tale about how Tony had gotten drunkenly lost in the admissions office - which he had broken into for unknown reasons - and, too drunk to remember how to get out, had re-wired a phone to call Rhodey every three minutes, Tony had ordered food.

“So, these are stories before you met us?” Steve asked Tony.

“Yeah, I was out of MIT for two years when we met? Around there,” Tony replied.

“I think you and I would have got along wonderfully…only without the alcohol. I couldn’t tolerate it back then,” Steve said, grinning.

“Oh me and you would have driven these two insane,” Tony agreed.

“Barnes, they have a point,” Rhodey admitted. Bucky grunted in agreement, reaching for a fortune cookie. “We’re doomed.”

They continued like that farther into the night. Eventually, Rhodey stopped telling stories and they went to bed. Tony found himself wrapped as the inward person in a three person sandwich. It had been a wonderful evening and that led to him falling asleep easily. Steve and Bucky’s arms wrapped around him without fully holding him in place. He felt safe and happy.

The next day started with a strong breakfast made by Steve. Tony felt content as they all talked and ate. Rhodey fit in perfectly with his mates. And it was clear that they felt the same when Tony announced he and Rhodey would be heading out to Los Angeles to meet with Pepper, Bucky had eyed them carefully before the alphas just shrugged. There was something satisfying with how they just accepted Rhodey.

The drive into Los Angeles quickly hit congestion. It gave Rhodey and him time to jam out to some classic rock in a way that would honestly have been embarrassing in front of anyone else. Eventually they were parking and Tony reached out to catch Rhodey before he could get out of the car. Rhodey raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“When you see my future personal assistant? Try not to drool or ravish her,” Tony said, tone teasing.

Rhodey rolled his eyes. “My knothead days are over, Tones.”

“That’s the spirit!” Tony replied, opening his door. “Be a gentleman.”

Rhodey rolled his eyes again. A third time within the next minute of eye rolling and Tony would have beaten his record. Fighting the urge to simply be childish, Tony led the way into the restaurant. The smell of pasta hit his nose before he walked past the greeter and headed straight for the splash of strawberry-copper color in the far back.

As they approached, Pepper looked up from her menu and broke into a bright grin. Tony felt Rhodey bump into him and fought down a chuckle when he realized Rhodey had actually tripped over his own feet. He turned toward the man and whispered, “Remember, be a gentleman.”

“You are an asshole,” Rhodey hissed, before straightening his clothes as they reached the table.

“Pepper, how are you?” Tony greeted.

“I’m doing just fine,” Pepper replied, glancing at Rhodey. “While I know who your friend is, you should probably do the polite thing and introduce us.”

“Pepper, this the soon-to-be Lt Colonel James Rhodes. Rhodey, this is Virginia Potts,” Tony said, waving a hand between the two of them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms Potts,” Rhodey said, reaching out and shaking her hand.

“Oh, please, Pepper is fine,” she said, smiling. “Tony has renewed my love for my childhood nickname.”

“I do good work like that,” Tony boasted, picking up the menu even though he knew he was going to get the baked penne anyway. After they ordered and had small talk waiting for their food - and by small talk Tony meant him watching his best friend awkwardly flirt with Pepper - Tony straightened up in his seat and turned serious eyes on Pepper. “So, what are we looking at?”

Pepper swallowed her food and sighed. “Essentially? Any department that is dominantly omega…half of them have grounds for a sexual harrassment suit. That’s accounting, payroll, office assistants, and more. I’ve even talked to a few food service and cleaning workers. There’s probably a few cases in HR, but I was hesitant to alert them of what we’re planning.”

Tony automatically reached out and rubbed Rhodey’s shoulder, knowing the low growling sound was him. Rhodey blinked and shook his head. “Sorry, I just…instincts.”

“Protective instincts an alpha is supposed to have,” Tony offered.

“Exactly,” Pepper said, her voice hard like iron. “Stane is…Don’t feel bad about displaying your displeasure of another human being treated wrongly, James.”

“Wait, so do you have an estimated number?” Tony asked, getting them back on track before Rhodey actually started blushing.

“Not specifics. Honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to do the actual math, but the departments he has easy access to employ a lot of people, Tony. Your company is huge, if you were to take all of your employees? You could probably fill your own state,” Pepper said, leaning forward to add emphasis to her words. “And Stane has been working there for a long time. If every abuse victim got up and walked out? It wouldn’t destroy SI, but SI would be crippled for a while.”

“Shit, and we’re not even taking New York into consideration. He spends half his time there,” Tony said, feeling drained. “How does a guy have that much time?”

“It only takes a few minutes to intimidate or touch someone without permission,” Rhodey said, giving Tony a sad and oddly guilty look.

“Rhodey, don’t take on the actions of asshole alphas on as your own. The way you defended me in college is proof you’re a good guy.” Tony stabbed at a piece of pasta. “Besides, this isn’t an alpha problem. This is a sick, coldhearted predator problem. And I want the bastard out of my company.”

“We’ve decided to push forward with going to HR next week. It’s up to you if you want to add your name to the mix,” Pepper said. “I have to say, though…if you plan to join us? Step forward now, so we are all a unit. Doubters tend to, well, doubt a person that speaks up after the fact.”

Tony stared at his mostly empty plate for a moment. He reached out and took a sip of his water before looking up at Pepper. There was no judgment there. She would accept any decision he made and that knowledge eased the tension in his shoulders a bit. “There’s something I’m going to need.”

“Of course, if I can manage it,” Pepper replied.

“I need any of those coming forward to agree to not speak about me becoming CEO after Obadiah is gone. I don’t want the board to think this is some kind of take-over stunt,” Tony said. “I know rumors are going to spread regardless, but I’d like it to be minimal. So maybe a blanket statement to them. Because this should be anonymous, but let’s face it…it’s me.”

“Understandable,” Pepper told him with a soft smile. “I’ll be emailing those that were willing to be contacted about this on Monday, to finalize that they’ve provided what they felt was needed. I’ll alert them in that email. Jarvis is keeping this communication hidden from all other eyes, thankfully.”

“Are you sending it to HR as an email with all their statements?” Tony asked. “Considering it’s a group effort.”

“No, actually, only about fifteen of us are having me compile and send them in. The others wished to do it on their own. Which is actually better, because it shows that it’s not just a collective. It makes it more individual. So those accusations will be hitting HR Monday and will continue to bombard them for the next three weeks,” Pepper explained.

“I’ll report mine separately, as well. Towards the middle of the week or so. I don’t want to look like I started it, but I don’t want it to appear that I’m jumping on the bandwagon to get rid of Obadiah,” Tony said.

“This shouldn’t take the amount of planning you guys have been doing,” Rhodey commented, face tense.

“Yeah, but, it’s best to have one,” Tony said, sounding tired. “Anyway, now that’s settled I am ordering myself some tiramisu and I’m not sharing.”

Tony waved a water over and let the calming voices of Pepper and Rhodey bring down the tension the entire conversation had created. Doubts ran in the back of his mind, despite him knowing he was doing the right thing. That Pepper was doing the right thing. The dessert didn’t have much of a taste, but not because of the food itself. Tony was feeling numb, because this was actually happening. Blinking, he tried to listen in on their conversation.

“So, how does one of those ceremonies go?” Pepper was asking.

“Honestly, it’s not much. A person with that authority can do it in the middle of battle, but outside of that it’s mostly me on an erected stage getting the pin put on my dress blues. There’s barely a speech,” Rhodey admitted.

Pepper laughed. “That sounds like high school graduation. Are you actually excited for it?”

“The new title? Yes. Standing in the California sun while Tony broadcasts me sweating in my uniform to my mother? No,” Rhodey said. He grinned when Pepper snorted in response.

Tony smiled and took a bit longer than needed to ask for the check. With all the horrific conversations with fellow victims Pepper had been having lately, Tony figured letting her have a light and happy conversation was worth telling the waiter they didn’t need anything five times. Soon they all had to leave. Tony and Rhodey started heading for the door, before Rhodey paused. “Hey, I’ll meet you at the car.”

A part of him wanted to ask, but he honestly wasn’t that interested in Rhodey’s bathroom habits in case that was why he was going to be late. Tony had a not really handshake, more just holding hands fondly, before heading out to his car. He was sitting there for about five minutes before Rhodey joined him.

When the man slid into the car, shutting the door, Tony was wondering how he was able to buckle up with how much both him and his scent was vibrating. “Rhodey…what did you just do?”

“Nothing…” Rhodey smiled and waited until they were back on the road before saying anything more. “But you might have to prepare a consolation speech for your baby boy, because I have a date with Pepper Potts tomorrow….Also, I need to borrow a car.”

“If you weren’t such a good guy, I’d be giving you the talk,” Tony told him. He got onto the highway, hitting the gas at just legal speed. “She’s family at this point, you realize?”

“Tones, she’s the most beautiful and strongest omega that I’ve ever met. And no, you don’t count on that list because I’ve never wanted to be with you. Sorry man, I’m straight,” Rhodey said.

“I know. I already embarrassed myself in college over that. Ugh, that one party?” Tony replied, groaning. “I just…you’re not around a lot so I don’t want the distance to hurt her.”

They pulled onto the highway heading for Malibu when Rhodey sighed. “It’s one date, Tones. You’re acting like I’m asking to mate with her. I have a feeling, but tell me what’s going on?”

“I don’t know how they are going to react,” Tony muttered, clenching his hands around the steering wheel. “They’ve been amazing about me making my own decisions and just…I’ve finally made a serious choice about this, about Obadiah. What if they don’t agree with it?”

The car was silent, beyond soft music, as they got closer to his Malibu home. It was like Rhodey was figuring his thoughts out. Then, merely a few minutes from the house, Rhodey spoke up. “I’ve watched you all together. Yeah, they’ll go straight into a fight the moment you’re in danger but…they also respect that you can handle things. So, take a breath and know they are going to support you.”

In the end, Tony kept the building tension inside as they got home. Steve was there, sitting on the couch as he drew on the art sketching supplies Tony had bought him. Bucky didn’t show up until dinner, but it was so normal that Tony didn’t even question it. Then he started noticing his alphas doing gentle things here or there. Like they were feeling his emotions, but didn’t want to ask about them.

As they went to bed the light touches became stronger. Rhodey simply smirked at him as he went to bed. Tony found himself gently pulled into bed. The two of them, somehow feeling that all he needed was comfort, wrapped around him. He fell asleep too easily. Nothing else mattered than their touch on him.

So while Tony was scared about what would happen, he fell asleep safe and secure. And while he had a dream about a cave, it was barely strong enough to worry him.

Notes:

YAY!! Rhodey! Been wanting him to meet Pepper for so many chapters ago!

Me all drunk and saying: Hope you liked this, cause it's leading to the endgame. And wow, think this is the biggest fic I've written chapter wise and I'm looking forward to the final game I have planned.

Also, ugh, I'm reading Supernatural fic again. The Sastiel in my head!

Chapter 38: 3 years, 9 months, 1 weeks & 1 days - 3 years, 9 months, 1 weeks & 3 days

Tony woke up slowly, feeling fingers trail not only along his spine but at his neck as well. He hummed, arching into the touch, before opening his eyes to see Bucky’s gray-blues. He let out a sound of pleasure, warmth all around him. Bucky smiled and he felt a gentle nip of teeth at the back of his neck. He almost gasped, but their touch wasn’t an intent to turn him on and get him worked up into a compliant omega. It was just comforting all around.

Then Rhodey cursing in the second bathroom interrupted the soft space they had created. Bucky snorted, “Someone pissed off Jarvis.”

It wasn’t until later, during breakfast, that Tony learned exactly what Bucky had meant. The coffee maker stopped working the moment Rhodey was in the room. The lights dimmed to a point that Tony was just barely able to see as he walked through the house. The moment Rhodey entered the living room the television shut off.

“Seriously, Tones?” Rhodey finally demanded. “I had to take a cold shower this morning and now all this? How long does your baby boy’s temper tantrums last? Cause it’s going on for four hours.”

“He doesn’t want you to be presentable for Pepper,” Tony said, awkwardly. He honestly didn’t intend for his AI to be capable of this level of personality and emotion. Apparently he had overdone himself again. “Look, Pepper knows Jarvis, right? You can explain to her why you look all frazzled.”

“Frazzled,” Rhodey repeated, shaking his head. “Yeah, that is the exact image you want to give away on a first date.”

At his statement the lights went off. Tony sighed. “Okay, I’m going into the workshop and working this out with Jarvis. Maybe you should get out of the house? Go to the beach?”

“I’ll join you,” Steve said. It was now clear to Tony that Steve was fully intent on being Rhodey’s friend. Bucky didn’t seem to care about what Rhodey thought of him, but as usual Steve was determined to be different.

It was with that thought Tony ended up spending most of the day in his workshop with Bucky playing with the bots. He managed to program in a less aggressive attitude into Jarvis before Rhodey left for his date with Pepper, though he got a few flare ups of discontent on his workshop computer as a result. Inserting the small piece of code really was the only way Tony could think of to discipline Jarvis. He didn’t have the guts to block him from Pepper’s work computer.

Rhodey went off on his date, borrowing one of Tony’s cars and refusing Tony’s offer of a driver (“I know how to drive, Tones.”), and leaving Tony to introduce Bucky and Steve to Disney movies. Something they were still doing when Rhodey returned nearly three hours later.

“The rest of the movie isn’t going to be this sad, is it?” Steve asked, voice a little rough. “We’re barely into the movie and his dad dies? Are you sure this is for children?”

“Do you need me to dig out my old Bucky Bear for you?” Tony asked, smirking and recieving a scowl in response.

“I question these hyenas. Their reliance on a single male lion is not very sound,” Bucky said, completely ignoring Steve’s sniffle as Simba collapsed in the desert. “And aren’t they matriarchal? I don’t think Disney did any research for this movie.”

“I should have picked The Little Mermaid,” Tony muttered. “Should have learned my lesson from watching Finding Nemo.”

Their first movie had been Finding Nemo and Steve’s desire for more talking animals had led to The Lion King. Apparently, both were either traumatizing for even super soldiers (Steve) or made no logical sense and needed a rewrite (Bucky). Tony made a mental note to never let them see Up.

“That lion cannot survive off of worms!” Bucky said, clearly getting impatient with the film.

“He’s adapting as he runs from the fear and despair of his homeland! Survival!” Tony tried to explain.

“Tony,” Rhodey’s voice piped up from the front door where he was tugging off his suit-jacket. “Are you showing these two men beloved children’s movies and letting them mock them?”

“A grown lion would not be that large and muscular living off of grubs,” Bucky snapped.

“At least he’s happy again,” Steve said.

“You two are pathetic,” Rhodey observed. Tony turned to take a good look at the man. He actually wasn’t as focused as his words implied. He actually looked a bit dazed. And his tie was slightly crooked.

“How was your night?” Tony teased with a bright grin.

“A gentleman doesn’t gossip,” Rhodey replied primly.

“Oh, so there’s gossip? My Pepper is a classy gal, I know she wouldn’t have unzipped anything. So what has you blushing?” Tony asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“We kissed,” Rhodey admitted, dropping into the armchair that might as well be his when he visited. Apparently even Steve and Bucky wanted to know about Rhodey’s date, because they joined Tony in staring and waiting for more details. “She might have initiated it.”

“And how soon is the wedding?” Tony asked, half-teasing. Just a bit. He’d been hoping for this outcome the moment Pepper had strode into his office the first time, all business and no room for anything else. While Tony didn’t often attempt to be a matchmaker, when he did he always got great results.

“Tomorrow,” Rhodey said sarcastically. “Tones, don’t go saying anything to her. I don’t want her to think I’m actually talking that far ahead. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s getting late. I have an early promotional ceremony tomorrow.”

“Dang, that means I should go to bed soon, too,” Tony whined.

“After the movie,” Bucky ordered.

“No one else is going to die, right?” Steve asked, settling back.

“Well, it depends on how you interpret the hyena thing at the end,” Tony said, hesitating slightly.

“Dear God, yeah, definitely going to bed,” Rhodey said, standing. He walked toward the hallway, pausing before he rounded the corner. “Tony, I swear to God, if you make Captain America cry over a cartoon we will be having some words.”

“Upset words or congratulatory words?” Tony countered.

“I haven’t decided,” Rhodey admitted, before he disappeared.

“He’s totally going off to call his momma,” Tony told his mates. “I’ll get all the juicy details of his date tomorrow from her.”

“You two are really involved in each other’s lives,” Bucky commented, though it wasn’t in a negative tone. Just curious. It made a rush of warmth go through Tony, knowing they weren’t jealous of his relationship with his best friend.

“Sounds like how we were, before life got complicated,” Steve said.

“Oh, I don’t think he and Rhodes are getting up to some of the stuff we did,” Bucky leered. When it got Steve to blush, both Bucky and Tony grinned.

Eventually, the movie ended with Steve looking annoyed on whether he’d ever find out if the hyenas actually killed Scar or not. Bucky and Steve chose to stay up and watch an action movie Jarvis pulled up for them - probably to purge Disney out of their heads - while Tony headed for bed. He didn’t wake up when they finally got to bed, just enjoyed a dreamless night sleep that was rare for him.

The morning was a rush of action. Steve practically flung food at Rhodey and him as Rhodey double checked his uniform and Tony cataloged his equipment to broadcast everything to Momma Rhodes. With a flurry, they were out of the house in one of Tony’s larger cars to house his equipment. As he pulled out of the drive, the sight of Steve and Bucky at the doorway hit him hard.

“Damn, those boys really love you,” Rhodey said. “Seeing you off like that. Such good little homemakers.”

“They aren’t my wives of ye old, if that’s what you're implying. I haven’t tamed two super soldiers and forced frilly aprons in their hands,” Tony said. “But yeah, they are doting like that.”

“It’s what an alpha is supposed to do. I’ve always told you that,” Rhodey replied.

“Some of them didn’t get that memo,” Tony muttered.

Thankfully, Tony knew well enough to not say anything as they made their way to the air force base. Tony had been inside plenty of bases, be it air force or any other military branch, so he had no problem putting on his sunglasses to hide the wariness in his eyes and play it up for everyone around him. Anyone who didn’t know him - which was essentially everyone - would be annoyed by his need to showboat when it was his friend that was joining another step to the military elite.

“Okay, Tones, I have to go talk to my superiors, but remember what I told you? Obadiah is here, he had a meeting with the General earlier today. It’s SI business, so I don’t think he’ll be sticking around just to see me get an upgrade.” Rhodey looked at him, a tension along his eyes.

“Rhodey-bear! I’ll be fine. Gonna have the video conference set up and then I’ll get to chit-chat with Momma Rhodes while installing the cameras,” Tony said, grinning and hiding the sick feeling he got knowing Obadiah was somewhere and he didn’t know how to hide.

“How many cameras are we talking about?” Rhodey said, sounding nervous.

“She’s gonna be able to see her sweet baby boy’s pores when he gets his promotion,” Tony said, wiping away a fake tear.

“I think I’ve said this before, but I regret taking you home for Thanksgiving,” Rhodey lied.

“You might regret it, but she doesn’t!” Tony sing-songed.

And then he was alone in the little side room they gave him to work his computer magic. He was pretty sure he was in a utility closet and that he was going a bit overboard with getting as many angles recorded as possible, but he had a sort-of mom to make christmas presents for. Besides, anything to keep his mind off of things. Anything to keep the darkness from creeping in and filling his mind with images and feelings he didn’t want. Things he wished he could purge from his mind.

A knock on the door made him jump and, to add to the panic, the knob immediately turned. Tony felt himself go fully still, before who entered was the complete opposite of Obadiah Stane.

“Tony? James told me I’d find you here,” Pepper greeted, her smile dropping a bit as she took in his pale skin. “Oh, shit. Stane was here. It’s okay, I saw him leave as I pulled in. He’s not going to corner you here.”

Tony swallowed and turned back to the computer he was typing away at. He cleared his throat. “You cursed. And you’re wearing tennis shoes.”

“I’m not always in the office,” Pepper teased. “Besides, I figured I shouldn’t look better than the man of honor.”

“Weird they are making such a fan fare over it,” Tony said. “Not that I disagree on how awesome my platypus is.”

“There’s a suspicion with Stane being here that James was chosen to officially, not just casually, be the military liaison with Stark Industries,” Pepper said, stepping closer to watch him type in a password and a program screen pop up, loading. “Of course, I don’t like anything that involves Stane nowadays, but I think James got this on his own merit. The General would have approached you if Stane hadn’t responded.”

Out of the corner of Tony’s eye he saw the video screen light up, but held up a finger. “So how was that date with my Rhodey-bear?”

Pepper laughed. “You can stop trying to make me think you’re jealous. And, for your information, James was a perfect gentleman and…”

“And?” Tony encouraged her.

“I like him,” Pepper replied, her voice all delicate, pure soft omega for just a moment. Then she cleared her throat and looked at his setup. “So, what are you…uhh. Tony? Who’s that?”

Tony opened his mouth, but another voice cut him off, sounding a little strained from the internet connection. He’d have to smooth that over later.

“You must be Virginia,” Momma Rhodes stated, clearly not bothering with introductions. Her face was stern, but Tony knew her well enough to know she wanted to smile. “I hear you and my son have entered a relationship?”

“Yes,” Pepper replied awkwardly. “Only one date, but…hope for more?”

“Are you asking or telling me?” Momma Rhodes asked in as stern of a tone a beta could make. Tony fought the urge to laugh. He loved this woman, it was so obvious she helped create his Rhodey.

“Telling, ma’am,” Pepper said, all signs of the confident accountant apparently out the window in the face of Rhodey’s mother.

Momma Rhodes narrowed her eyes, before slowly smiling. “I think we’ll get along just fine. Though, you really could gain a few pounds. We don’t want you wasting away when James is overseas.”

Pepper looked a little put off about her weight being mentioned, but held back from saying anything against the woman. “None of us would want that, ma’am.”

“Well, I’ll let you rush away with dignity. I’m sure we’ll talk soon,” Momma Rhodes said, like she was gifting Pepper the ability to leave.

“I should, actually, go check on James. He invited me here today and I’ve barely spent ten minutes with him,” Pepper said, heading for the door as she spoke. “It was wonderful to meet you, Mrs Rhodes!”

Tony waited until the door closed before he started laughing. “Momma Rhodes, why?”

“Oh, she’s going to be just fine. Cute, too. Though I will be sending you some recipes to get some meat on those bones,” Momma Rhodes grumbled.

“I can’t cook,” Tony replied, pulling up a side image of the outside cameras and checking the lighting. “Besides, Pepper is beautiful as she is. You’d love how fierce she is. Doesn't’ take crap from even me.”

“Sounds like the two of them together would end up being good for you, too,” Momma Rhodes replied, raising an eyebrow.

Tony couldn’t stop his blush. “I kind of like the thought, you know? Of us all being together, like…”

“A pack?” she suggested, a soft look on her face. “You’ve always wanted a family, a real one. I’m glad you’re getting it.”

“Uh, yeah, thanks,” Tony mumbled, turning away to try and hide his sniffle. He knew he hadn’t managed it, but at least he tried. He was about to speak when a knock echoed from the door and Rhodey popped his head in.

“Hey Tones, are you actually working in here or hiding from the media masses,” Rhodey teased.

“Media masses?” Tony asked, looking back at the computer. “I don’t see any…”

“And my boy gets you one more time,” Momma Rhodes said, delightfully.

“Momma?” Rhodey walked over and gave her a wave, before looking at Tony with his usual level of exasperation. “I’m sorry, but you can’t be the man in the room right now. I’m about to get my uniform on and you need to be out there. Everyone knows you’re here.”

“Fine!” Tony whined. He looked at the screen. “I’m setting it up for full live feed now, Momma Rhodes.”

“You two behave yourselves,” she said.

“We’ll try,” Rhodey said, grabbing Tony after he put in a couple more commands. “Now you need to behave yourself. This is a military thing. No theatrics.”

“It’s like you don’t know me!” Tony protested. Tony grinned when they left the utility closet, seeing Pepper there talking to the General himself. “Your girl is going to win your boss over before you have the chance.”

“Not sure we’re there yet, but I’m kind of hoping,” Rhodey admitted.

“You’re momma likes her,” Tony whispered.

“Damn, really? You got them to meet before I could?” Rhodey asked, scowling. “You are literally both ruining things but making them easier for me. I don’t know whether to love you or put you in time out.”

“Maybe just go get into place?” Tony replied, grinning.

“Stick with her,” Rhodey said, walking away.

“Only because she keeps me in check!” Tony yelled back. Rhodey lifted his hand in a thumbs up, causing Tony to laugh. He walked over to where Pepper was, the General now heading in the same direction Rhodey had headed.

Somehow, she could feel the building tension in him. She reached out and gently grasped his forearm. “No sign of Stane. I’m still certain he left.”

“That’s good,” Tony replied. “So, I guess we start this thing.”

“Yes, because you are the one who gets to start it,” Pepper teased.

It took another twenty minutes and then they were watching as Rhodey stood proud and stiffly tall as his uniform was added a pin. Tony didn’t pay much attention to what the words were said, Rhodey would tell him anything important anyway. He just watched as his best friend, the alpha he had secretly hoped for back in college, got the attention he had always deserved.

After he went into the utility closet and shut everything down - and with a joyful goodbye to Momma Rhodes - he went around and carefully took the cameras down. Seeing one particular man in uniform watching him, he held back the urge to leave one up. They all knew originally what he had been doing, there was no reason to push it further. Despite his curiosity.

Soon Rhodey was meeting him at the car. Tony watches an affectionate goodbye between Rhodey and Pepper. They simply kissed, but there was a scent of affection that not only Tony smelled. The few guards around had a slight smile as the two said goodbye. Rhodey ignored them and joined Tony in the car.

“Sure you don’t want to go with her? Your plane is leaving in the morning,” Tony said, pausing before he started driving.

“No,” Rhodey said, smiling. “No reason to take it too fast.”

Tony wanted to say something about Rhodey being too hesitant, but he couldn’t. The idea of an alpha being careful and doting on their omega was strange. Except he had experienced Steve and Bucky in such a way, just at a much faster pace than what Rhodey was planning. Rhodey had learned from watching Tony’s experience, he supposed. Rhodey was careful. He was what an alpha was meant to be.

Tony kind of wondered what he did in a past life to have the wonderful alphas around him as he did.

“Well, then let’s get home and see what my alphas have been up to,” Tony finally said.

“I’m sure they’ll be healed from their sparring by the time we get there,” Rhodey replied, chuckling.

Tony hit the highway and the time was spent changing the station on each other, before singing along to a pop song. Tony would try to get Rhodey to vow to not mock his music and Rhodey would just stick his tongue out. Honestly, it was amazing that they were successful adult men instead of the two teenage boys they were acting as.

As they got close on the highway to his Malibu home his phone suddenly lit up. He had to let it go to voicemail, but as he was entering the long drive up to the house the phone had rung multiple times, more than even Obadiah would have done. Tony groaned, setting the car to park. “Rhodey, go on inside. I need to get this. Five damn voicemails and more than that calls.”

“Alright, how about I get Jarvis to order some lunch for us,” Rhodey said, opening the door. He got out and opened the back door to grab his plastic covered uniform. “I’m thinking Mexican.”

“No! Chinese!” Tony whined.

Rhodey cackled, shutting the door a little too hard and heading for the house. Tony stared at his phone, picking it up and looking at the calls he received. Two were from Pepper, which worried him, but the other six were from SI. He bit his lip and decided to not listen to any of the voicemails. He chose the harder idea and dialed the SI number. A part of him already regretted it.

“Stark Industries Human Resources, how may I help you?”

Her voice sounded strained, which made Tony have to push down his sudden anxiety. “This is Tony Stark, I received quite a few calls?”

“Oh! Of course, sir,” she replied, almost sounding frantics before calming. “I’ll transfer you over to Jess, our Assistant Human Resources Officer.”

Tony fought down a flinch at a higher up actually needing him. This was important news, apparently. He could hear the elevator music and wondered if he could change it to at least a dramatic opera. Then there was a pause of silence and a voice spoke, “Mister Stark?”

“Tony, please,” he immediately replied. “I got quite a few calls from you today. The company knew where I’d be.”

“And I’m sorry about that, Tony,” she said, sounding awkward saying his first name. “I tried to speak with Mister Stane earlier today, knowing you had taken a personal. He laughed at me…”

“Laughed? For what?” Tony asked, though deep down he knew what.

“At that time it was merely three, but we now have eleven acusations of sexual assault. I say it that way, because it’s not just omegas reporting. A few betas have submitted claims as well,” Jess said. “Sir, I called you because you are the next on board for these complaints, as Mister Stane’s secondary.”

Tony pressed his forehead hard into the steering wheel. “Right, so, what do you need from me?”

“A couple of the complaints have been in Mister Stane’s department and…an omega in your own division has complained as well. We need someone to verify these claims of sexual abuse or intimidation,” she said.

And that was when Tony made a choice. He had wanted to wait, to make sure he wasn’t just making up the way that Obadiah had touched him, and had made him feel submissive. He drew in a sharp, loud breath and said, “Jess, I would also like to make a complaint against Obadiah.”

There was a panic type of breath. “Sir, I…I don’t know how to respond to this. I will need you to put in a formal complaint. But, now I’m kind of lost since I can’t go to Mister Stane with this.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that.” Tony felt his whole body vibrating from the stress. He grabbed the steering wheel hard, trying to calm himself. “Do what your department has to do. I’ll…be in shortly to give my own statement. Keep in mind now that the initial complaints that have come in you’ll see more over the next few weeks. There is no way this is going to stay quiet.”

“Of course, Tony.”

“Oh and I want you to start setting up a fund account for victims to pay for their therapy,” Tony said.

“You’re definitely kinder than Mister Stane,” Jess replied. “Sadly, I can’t let my own thoughts be involved.”

“I don’t even want to imagine what he said,” Tony admitted. “Jess, get the fund account set up and I’ll be in the next couple days to provide my own testimony. Oh, and if you need help on the accounting side look for Virginia Potts. She’s proven to be good to me.”

“Of course,” Jess said. “I’ll email you any new information and hope to see you soon. Though I can’t give you specific information, if you plan to submit your own complaint.”

“I’ll be okay with that. Have a good afternoon, Jess,” Tony said, before quickly hanging up. He hadn’t expected to react this way, to know Obadiah (Stane, Stane, Stane, he should be Stane) had hurt so many people. A part of him wanted to cry, to hold the steering wheel like it was a stuffed toy. But he knew he had to go inside.

Managing to calm his breathing, Tony walked with an unsteady step toward the house. Three alphas turned to stare at him, which told him he was setting off the smell of distress. He wanted to just open his mouth and spew out all the horrible emotions rushing through him. And without even being in control of himself, he spoke.

“Obadiah laughed when HR called him. There has been over ten complaints about his harassment. And that’s only this morning,” Tony snapped, feeling like he was about to cry. “He laughed, so HR had to call me to figure out what to do. And I don’t fucking know what I should be doing!”

“Tony,” Bucky said. And honestly, it was because it was Bucky that Tony didn’t feel the need to just lash out. Bucky’s tone was stern, simple and ready to react. “Tony, you know what to do, but you’re just overwhelmed. We? Are the sounding boards.”

Tony nodded, taking that in but not about to really process the thought. He walked away, hearing Rhodey speaking, but wasn’t willing to stay there to hear. So he stumbled to their bedroom and stripped his clothes off. He was under the covers as he fell asleep.

Then he woke up in confusion as a gentle man helped him put a bright light in his chest.

He jerked, waking up yet again as Steve was suddenly wrapped around him, pulling him against his chest. Bucky snuggled up against his back. This time, Tony fell asleep without a dream. A full sleep with no strange images involved.

Chapter 39: 3 years, 9 months, 1 weeks & 3 days - 3 years, 9 months & 2 weeks

There were no announcements and no real news about the slowly growing number of omegas putting in their complaints about one Obadiah Stane. It took four days, as Tony listened to the whispers of typical office gossip around him as he went about his usual work day patterns, before the first real rumor hit his ears. Two betas in his department were hunched over what looked like a badly made mechanical arm, completely ignoring their project in favor of talking. Tony wasn’t sure if they meant to be loud or not, but at least half the room could hear them.

“I heard that Hannah girl, from upstairs? Heard her dying is why all the omegas are in a frenzy. Don’t blame them, needing a target for their anger,” Richards commented.

“Yeah, but Stane? The guy is powerful enough to buy a line-up of omegas to do what he wants with. Sounds like they need a scapegoat to me,” Thompson scoffed. “We all know omegas are gagging for it during that time of the month.”

Tony clenched his eyes closed, fighting down the urge of actual violence, before they snapped back open at the sound of metal clattering loudly in the room. He looked over to see Williams picking up her screwdriver with a shaky hand, fingers convulsing too hard for her to even remotely sit the thing down carefully. Their eyes met and Tony suddenly knew, and given the way her eyes widened she knew all his well kept secrets surrounding one Obadiah Stane as well. They were two victims seeing each other for the first time.

Right. Tony took a deep breath.

“Thompson, shut that idiotic mouth of yours,” Tony snapped. “You two need to actually work for a change. This isn’t gossip time at your fourth grade science fair. I’m heading up to HR and when I get back I expect an actual schematic on something the company can use, not a toy for a three year old.”

Thompson was looking at him in surprise, mouth dropped open. Tony avoided looking anyone in the eye as he headed for the door. He wasn’t even through the doorway before he heard Thompson say, “Our omega boss is heading to HR. You don’t think-?”

“You know, maybe you should take that concept into consideration. Might help you in life if you can learn to think,” Williams piped up, leaving the other observers to laugh at Thompson’s expense.

Feeling secure in that most of his employees were trustworthy enough to be left unsupervised, Tony made his way to the elevator. Once inside, he hit the button for HR’s floor and immediately pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the elevator’s back wall. He tried to control his breathing, small tremors rushing through him.

He was actually going to do this. By now his whole department would know where he was going and what the topic of conversation had been to trigger him and by the end of the day there were good odds that all the departments that share their break room will know as well. There was no running away from it. Picturing Williams staring at him, eyes wide, made Tony straighten just in time for the elevator doors to open.

Drawing false bravado around him like a shield, Tony walked up to the secretary’s desk and waited for her attention. “Oh, Mister Stark, how may I help you?”

“I need to speak with someone about submitting a complaint,” Tony said, feeling a bit of relief at how steady his voice sounded.

The woman straightened in her seat. There was a tone to her voice that was both uncomfortable and weary as she said, “I see…a complaint. Of course, give me a moment.”

After a couple minutes of her murmuring on the phone, she stood and gestured for Tony to follow her through the door behind her. Through there Tony found himself being led down a long hallway with a few doors on either side, a hallway to the right, and a right turn at the end. Each door was solid with no windows, providing needed privacy. That privacy didn’t hide the smell of shame and uncertainty that drifted through the hallway.

“I take it you’ve had quite a few of these complaints,” Tony said, using the same emphasis she had made.

“Too many,” she told him, turning the corner and opening the single door there. She nodded at Tony as he entered, closing the door behind him so that he was alone with an older woman sitting behind her desk.

“Come in, come in,” the woman waved toward a chair as she finished writing a few more notes in the notebook in front of her. She closed the notebook and tucked it into a desk drawer, before resting her hands on the desktop and looking at him expectantly. “Now, what’s on your mind, Mister Stark?”

“I…” Tony cleared his throat, fighting back the sudden urge to silently walk away. His mind went blank. What had he been thinking? He couldn’t do this. “I was hoping, Mrs-”

“Wagner.”

“Mrs Wagner…it has come to my attention by gossipy coworkers that you are receiving a good number of sexual harrasment complaints about Stane.” Tony swallowed, keeping his face blank. “I would like to help, maybe set up funding for legal support. Something behind the scenes-”

“Mister Stark-”

“Tony,” he corrected, voice sounding oddly faint. Why was she looking at him like that? That careful way he remembered his mother having when Tony was being ‘too omega.’

She gave him a small smile. “First, please, sit?”

He automatically did, a tension momentarily flaring. She wasn’t an alpha, him obeying her was a sign of weakness. A worry that he shouldn’t even have. This was one of the most neutral departments in the whole company, he had no explanation for why his mind wasn’t thinking straight.

“Tony, perhaps we can restart our conversation,” Mrs Wagner said. “I’m afraid it’s been a hectic few days, so I didn’t take the time to realign my brain, so to speak, before allowing you to come in. I apologize for that. Now, Tony, I understand your desire to help but trust me, we are fully equipped to provide neutral legal aid and even free therapy sessions. Any employee needing a full medical exam for evidence is being sent to a local omega abuse charity.”

Tony flinched. Evidence? Even with what Pepper had told him, he didn’t think employees were walking around with physical signs, like bite marks or worse. “Well, then, Mrs Wagner…I supposed I’m not needed.”

“Call me Marge,” she said, tilting her head at him. There was a moment of silence, before Marge clasped her hands together, green eyes narrowing at him. “Tony, if you feel you have something to say, now is your time. I can take down your statement, but it wouldn’t be filed until you leave my office after giving your permission, signing papers and all. You’d even be able to discuss it with your mates over the weekend and, if needed, I can withdraw it on Monday.”

Tony sucked in a sharp breath. “I can take it back?”

“Monday, maybe Tuesday. After that the files will have been processed enough that only an official statement of regret would denounce them,” she explained.

Tony crossed his arms and wished he had some kind of actual defense, even if it was just his sunglasses. Try as he might, Tony was well aware of how expressive his eyes were. He straightened in his seat, because this was enough. He couldn’t just sit there like a scared little omega waiting for an alpha to come tell him what to do. He nodded a little quickly, betraying his nerves. “What do you need to know?”

“For documentation purposes, I can simply write your testimony down, have you read it and correct as needed and then sign…or the simpler and, if this goes to trial, more effective approach? I record you,” she said, making it clear it was his decision.

“I-'' Tony cut himself off from saying he wanted her to write it all down. His mind suddenly supplied the sound of her pen scratching away, hearing it pause as though to decide if what he had just said was important or not. “-record me.”

Marge reached for her phone and Tony fought down a bit of fear. “Hey, Miranda, I’ll be doing a recording session so keep all calls and visits away until we are done.”

Tony watched her set down the phone, before opening a drawer and pulling out a sleek recording device, Stark level small and with a noticeable microphone at one end. It was clearly not meant for long distance, just in the room. The idea relaxed him some. Well, no, that was a lie. Tony Stark was not relaxed at all.

He watched Marge press the buttons and could almost imagine that he could hear the gears in the recorder turn. He jumped when Marge started speaking, “Please state your name, title within the company, and what your complaint is for today.”

Tony swallowed. “My name is Anthony Edward Stark. I’m head of R&D and heir to the company. I’m submitting a complaint against Obadiah Stane for sexual intimidation on an omega both inside and outside of the workplace.”

He didn’t look away from the recorder, he could still hear the gears inside.

“Tony, tell me about the incident that occured,” Marge guided.

“Which time?”

“I see…tell me of the first,” Marge corrected herself.

Tony bit his lip, staring at that stupid recorder as images through the years flashed through his head. “A year after I presented. He…he cornered me and said he couldn’t wait to guide me through my new life. I was scared, but I didn’t understand, really. Jarvis interrupted, looking angry.”

“At what age did you present?”

“Uh, ten? I think. You know how that first heat is, it builds for months, so ten or eleven maybe?” Tony replied, sounding uncertain.

“Was it common for him to show this behavior around you? A constant thing?” Marge asked. It was clear she was forcing her neutral tone. And Tony honestly appreciated that, because he didn’t need anyone getting emotional right then.

“Jarvis, after that first time, made a point to not leave me alone with him,” Tony said, feeling a deep ache at knowing the man was no longer alive. It had been years, but the pain was still there. He sucked in a breath. “Stane didn’t really try anything until my parents died and I left MIT.”

“You were officially employed by SI at that point?” she asked.

“Yeah, for nearly two years by the time I hit nineteen-” before Steve and Bucky “-and I was already going to board meetings and business dinners with him.”

“Aside from when you were a child…when did he make you uncomfortable again?” Marge asked. “Even if it’s small, we need to know what his track record - so to speak - was for you.”

“The moment my parents died he started talking about me finding a ‘Stark worthy alpha’. He didn’t seem amused by the fact I’d rather go to my lonely apartment and play with mechanical parts than join him at a gala,” Tony said, before shaking his head. “No, it was when I hit nineteen. He started insisting he pick me up for work, even though I was all the way out in Brooklyn. He started touching my leg during the drives as he talked. Started telling me I didn’t have much time left to choose and I wouldn’t get an alpha better than him…”

The tension in the room must have been as stifling to Marge as it was for him, because she didn’t say anything for a long while. “Has he been the same since. I can see and feel that you’re bonded to alpha mates, Tony. We can go into detail on the older accusations if they are needed later, but what about recently?”

Tony felt himself wrap his arms around his waist in a defensive move, but didn’t bother to straighten his posture. “I met Steve and Bucky when I was nineteen, actually. At first, Obadiah - I mean, Stane - got mad, told me that I would learn that I was making a mistake. He talks like that to me, you know. Implies I’m a stupid omega that needs to be under the right alpha’s control. But, my alphas…they were lost in combat. We never had a chance for a great reveal and now that they are back, I couldn’t put that kind of pressure on them.”

“And how does Stane react to you with all that going on?” Marge asked.

“He’s…” Tony winced, reaching up to touch his shoulder and neck. “He’s squeezed my neck and told me I’d give into him. I threw up in the parking garage. He’s repeatedly told me that I’ll make my alphas realize they didn’t want me, because only he could manage me. I’ve had panic attacks and…He doesn’t seem to be capable of being in a room with me without standing close enough for me to feel the heat of his body.”

“Has he touched you any other way?” Marge asked, carefully.

“He’s made a point to press his fingers against my bond marks,” Tony snapped. “He’s made my body collapse, I just managed to run fast enough before anyone saw.”

“Okay. Tony has-” for some reason she had cut herself off. She was watching him carefully, but everything was fuzzy and he just wanted to hide and go to sleep. He could hear her talking, though. “Tony? Tony? Tony, do you have your phone on you? I need to call your-”

“Hello, Mrs Wagner,” a voice echoed from her computer. Tony knew that voice, of course he did, but right then he just couldn’t stop being numb. “Mrs Wagner, I am Jarvis, Tony Stark’s AI. When I realized you wouldn’t get to his phone, possibly harming him more by touching his body, I uploaded myself onto your computer. Rest assured, I will delete myself once this situation is dealt with.”

Then things went not quite black, more speckled. He realized easily enough that he was in a full blown panic attack. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t raise a hand to defend himself. Something hard and solid hit his back, taking all the air from him, and he could only draw himself down. Be smaller. Be quieter. Don’t let him find him. Don’t let him touch him.

“Hey, Tony,” a soft, feminine voice said. He had a feeling she had been speaking for a while. Blinking, he looked up confused. Pepper reached out and, after a pause, gently ruffled his hair. “There’s our genius.”

“What-” Tony swallowed, looking around the room. Marge’s space didn’t look like it had before. Chairs were turned over and her loveseat that had been against the wall was now moved as a defensive position to protect where Tony now found himself. Like he had gone near feral and created himself a wall as a line of defense. “Shit, I’m so sorry-”

“None of that,” Marge ordered, still using that calming neutral tone. “From all the testimony I’ve been hearing lately, you’re completely justified.”

“Besides, Bucky is going to be very proud of how you created a barricade,” Pepper teased. “I already took a picture.”

“Rude,” Tony replied, weakly.

“Come on, up you get. Don’t want to keep your boys waiting,” Pepper said, tone turning chipper. A very fake chipper, but Pepper had the ability to make it sound natural.

Seeing the confusion on Tony’s face, Marge spoke up, giving him the answers he needed right then to stay sane. “Your AI contacted your alpha, Steve. After some conversation, he and Bucky agreed that storming the place to get to you could harm your reputation more than do good. They only agreed to distance because your AI pulled Pepper into the conversation.”

“And I’m here to take you to them as casually as Tony Stark can be seen rushing to a place,” Pepper finished. “I’m sorry, but with the fact you hadn’t even introduced them and their obvious nerves over leaving their solitude…since you weren’t in actual harm, we thought it best for them to not storm the beach, so.”

“Stop trying to explain all that,” Tony replied. He had meant to snap, but his mind was still a bit fogging and the strange feeling that things were moving out of the corner of his vision was being slow to go away. Fake things, but his mind didn’t stop from viewing it as dangerous. “Just, wait, what is your plan?”

“It’s lunch time and your boys wanted a good burger,” Pepper answered, gently grabbing his arm to guide him to his feet.

“Wait, they’re-”

“In the city? Yes,” Pepper replied, guiding him along and waving goodbye to Marge. When they entered the silent hallways, Pepper finally added, “Well, Steve I know for sure. According to him, Bucky is setting up a perimeter.”

“Yeah, of course he is,” Tony sighed. He let out a groan. “I can’t believe I just did that. I mean…I freaked out in front of a total stranger.”

“With what you’ve been through? Seems a normal reaction to me,” Pepper offered. She buffered him from those on the HR floor, urging him into the elevator and hitting the garage floor. They were silent as the numbers lit up on the wall went further down. The elevator door opened and Pepper grabbed his hand and tugged him out toward the employee cars. “Do you want me to come with you? My boss is fine with it.”

“You haven’t officially met them yet,” Tony said, suddenly realizing the woman that he talked about to his mates so much had never actually seen them face to face. “Come with me.”

“Okay, but I’m driving,” Pepper replied. “I’ve heard stories about your need for speed.”

Tony laughed, actually feeling the emotion and loving that it was his Pepper that got him back to the real world. Feeling a need to move, to get to his alphas, he strode toward his car and pulled the keys out of his pocket. He tossed them over, watching the bright smile blume on her face as she caught them. “Just treat her well.”

“All the ladies love a good ride,” she said, teasingly.

They were on the road before Tony had much time to think about it. He didn’t even realize where they were going until Pepper took a turn off the highway and toward his favorite family owned burger joint. “Okay, did you know or did Jarvis tell you?”

“Actually, Steve picked it,” Pepper said. “Jarvis gave him a list and this is the place he chose.”

“Is it weird that I love him even more now?” Tony asked, suddenly looking down to realize his hands were gripping his seatbelt. Not because of fear, but more a need to reconnect himself to the physical world. He didn’t even bother trying to loosen his grip.

“A man that knows what you need and what best to feed you? Why not love him for it?” Pepper replied, turning a corner and pulling into a tiny parking lot. She got the car into a place and turned the engine off, looking over at him with a smile. “If they are half as wonderful as your face says when you mention them? We’re going to get along perfectly.”

“They better love you. And you better love them,” Tony said, finally honestly smiling as he got out of the car.

“I won James over,” Pepper said smugly, following him toward the hole-in-the-wall burger joint before them.

“And how is that going?” Tony asked, his mood rising even more at the idea of them together. He couldn’t imagine what this would have been like if he had no one there to help him. Pepper was a godsend.

“Well, I don’t know where he is, but he made a point to email me a couple of times this week.” There was a moment of silence as they entered the burger place. “His mother, on the other hand, has already moved to texting me. She’s terrifying, but I oddly enjoy her blunt way of talking about things.”

“I’m happy for you both. And Momma Rhodes. She’s been lonely the last couple of years,” Tony said, reaching out and grasping Pepper’s upper arm. They both shared a smile.

Then there was a dark shadow over them and Tony nearly flinched back. It took a moment to realize it was Bucky standing before them, his nearly permanent scowl when he didn’t know the proper way to react in place. The man had suddenly appeared and seemed to be fighting against himself as one of his arms reached up.

“Bucky,” Tony said softly, reaching out and just tugging him into a hug. It was an awkward one. The Bucky of before was happy to give any form of affection he could in public, but this was a different Bucky. Beat down and changed. Tony could still see him as he was though, so he made the hug short and stepped back. “I wasn’t…you guys didn’t have to do this.”

“We both know it isn’t about having to do something,” Bucky said, voice gruff and eyes scanning the room even though Tony knew he had done that multiple times already. Bucky looked Pepper up and down, before nodding toward her. “Ma’am.”

Pepper nudged Tony’s side. “I can see the charm.”

“We’re over here,” Bucky said, clearly ignoring her comment.

Steve was sitting at the table as they approached. The moment that he saw them his entire face lit up, like Captain America just had a firework erupt under his skin. Tony heard Pepper let out a small ‘oh’ sound and was glad that she didn’t react more when Steve immediately got up to pull out her chair. “Ma’am.”

“Okay, wow.” Pepper reached for the menu, before hesitating. “My name is Virginia Potts, but you can call me Pepper. Tony and James do, so that would be less confusion. I know you were witness to one of my conversations with Tony, but that’s really not a good introduction, is it? Still ‘ma’am’ is not required.”

“It’s those old school ways of being respectful to the ladies,” Tony offered.

“If you want us to call you Pepper, we will,” Steve said, sounding like it was a much more serious conversation than needed. He was also looking around the room carefully, but seemed to force himself to look directly at Pepper when he spoke. “And…thank you. For getting him away from that situation. He didn’t tell us he’d be going to HR today.”

“I didn’t plan on it,” Tony said, a little annoyed by everyone around him acting like he needed to be saved. Though, also aware he had needed it. “Honestly, a part of me regrets it.”

“Why did you?” Bucky grunted from behind his menu. Whether he was hiding from the general public or that interested in the food descriptions was anyone’s guess. Between that and Steve already starting to shred the napkin he had put on his lap, Tony was certain they shouldn’t stay here too long.

“Idiot employees gossiping and downgrading the situation in front of omega coworkers?” Tony replied tentatively, because even he wasn’t certain why he had made that final decision. Williams had only added to the building tension in him he’d felt the past few days. “I knew I needed to and when they put it right in front of my face like that, I just went and did it.”

“Always ready to leap toward a theory,” Bucky said, setting the menu down. “I’m proud of you.”

“We both are,” Steve quickly followed, before he looked down at the fork he had just bent with his thumb with an almost perplexed expression.

“You know,” Pepper suddenly said, gazing around the restaurant. “Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to take the food home? I’ll drive your car and you can ride with your alphas.”

Tony just wanted to hug her. A quick glance at Steve and Bucky was enough to see they felt the relief of the idea. “Yeah, let’s do that. Guys, tell Pepper what you want and she’ll get it all ready. For me, the cheesiest cheeseburger they have.”

It took twenty minutes of Tony and his alphas twitching and shifting in their seats before the food was brought to them. Tony could only feel a flair of love, because it was clear Steve and Bucky weren't ready to be amongst the normal any time soon. And yet they had made the point to do so when Pepper had contacted them about his panic attack. Grabbing the bags, making sure Pepper still had his car keys, and heading out the door felt surreal.

“Do you want to drive?” Bucky asked, holding up the keys to the car they had chosen from his Malibu garage to drive up to Los Angeles with.

Tony glanced between the keys and the 1959 Dodge Dart he had never actually driven, merely kept for value. He bit his lip, hiding a smile. “No. Whoever drove it in, gets to drive it home.”

Bucky gave a slight smirk, nudged him toward the back seat, before starting the car up. Tony spent the drive back to Malibu trying to keep their food steady and Bucky drove the roads like he was racing for a trophy. He glanced back often enough to make sure Pepper was behind them. Otherwise, he just leaned back and took in the smell of food and his mates. Listened as Steve criticized Bucky’s driving, who just rolled his eyes in response.

He was almost in a fog of thought, panicking in a subdued state and waiting to burst forth, when they finally parked in front of the house. He was immediately brought to reality by the sudden stop of the car and his alphas talking.

“If that’s the way you insist on driving then you shouldn’t be the one doing it anymore,” Steve grumbled.

“You don’t know how to drive,” Bucky replied with a near grin. “Learn to drive and maybe I’ll let you.”

“I don’t need to learn how to drive to know you shouldn’t go ninety-five on the highway,” Steve snapped.

There was a knock on Steve’s window, before Pepper opened the door and gave them an amused smile. “Don’t we have food to eat, boys?”

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry ma’am-” Steve started, before wincing. “I mean Pepper.”

Pepper rolled her eyes and glanced at Tony. “Alphas.”

Tony fought down a laugh, but he couldn’t hold back an actual snort as they all clambered out of the car. Tony trudged behind them as they entered the house and settled in to eat. Tony was starting to wonder if he should invest in an actual dining room table with the increasing number of visitors he was getting.

They all ate for a while, but eventually Pepper set down her burger and sighed. “Tony, are you ready to talk?”

“About what?” Tony asked, focusing on tugging a pickle out of the small remainder of his burger.

“About what you plan to do next,” Pepper replied, her voice too soft for Tony to actually pretend to ignore it.

Tony drew in a deep breath and set his fourth of a burger down on the coffee table. “I don’t know.”

“Okay, and that’s actually completely fine,” Pepper said. “Having a plan would make you look like you were trying to take over against Stane. Outside of all that? What do you want right now?”

“Think I can risk going on vacation?” Tony asked, weakly. She gave him a sad look and he sighed. “Yeah, probably not a good idea. But after this is all over, I’m buying an island and going fully off the grid.”

Bucky paused from where he was stuffing fries into his mouth. He swallowed, raising an eyebrow. “You want to go without electricity?”

“Well, I’d still have a generator. I’m not leaving Jarvis behind,” Tony said, like that alone was obvious.

“On the plus side, our parts are technically over for right now,” Pepper offered. “Unless we take part in a trial, everything about our testimonies is under lock and key. Well, anonymous is the hope.”

“Except the rumors,” Tony muttered, pushing his burger away. He wasn't very hungry anymore. “And there are going to be a lot of them. Most of my department saw me snap at Thompson for being snide about all this, right before heading to HR. Won’t be long before Stane comes and demands answers himself.”

“No,” Steve growled out, shaking his head. “He’s not getting near you.”

“Look, as entertaining as it is to have Bucky playing bodyguard via the vents like the adorable assassin ghost he is, you guys can’t really be seen yet,” Tony said, biting his lip. “So stop entertaining the idea.”

“Bucky, definitely,” Steve said, “but why not me?”

“Steve, you’re not ready-”

“Think it’s Stevie’s choice on whether he wants to stay in hiding,” Bucky said. “He’s a big boy. Besides, he’s driving me nuts with how cooped up he’s been. Makes it a lot more dangerous to target you when you’ve got Captain America showing up as your alpha.”

“You don’t even have to announce him,” Pepper added. “Skip the fanfare and just let your alpha show up to bug you at work or take you to lunch. Him just being a presence around on you on occasion can act like a bodyguard. I’ve seen it work with other omegas. And if someone figures out who he is? Even better.”

“I like her,” Steve announced brightly, getting a mild blush from Pepper in response.

The conversation turned to lighter things and eventually Pepper was borrowing his car for her drive home. They slowly got dressed for bed, bumping into each other as they tried to brush their teeth at the same time. Tony found himself tucked between the two of them again - making a mental note to force Bucky to finally take that position sometime soon - and he shifted, pressing his nose against Steve’s collarbone.

He took a moment to breathe in Steve’s scent, humming when he felt Bucky squeeze his waist with his metal arm. He let out a sigh. “You’re not really going to just randomly visit me at work are you? We both know you aren’t ready for full immersion.”

“Mmm, maybe. And showing up to take you to lunch isn’t full immersion. I need this as much as you do. So, it could help us both. Not going to warn you beforehand, though. Mid-work lunch dates sound more fun when they’re a surprise,” Steve mumbled into Tony’s hair.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he has a weapon on him,” Bucky offered, the only one sounding even remotely awake at that point.

“That’s…sweet,” Tony replied for lack of anything better to say. He tried to keep his eyes open but it was a potential failure waiting to happen. “Don’t wanna go to work tomorrow.”

“Shh, it’s okay, you forgot it’s Friday,” Steve whispered in a sleepy teasing tone.

Tony let out a small laugh, eyes closing, almost overheating between their bodies. It was definitely Bucky’s turn to be the inner part of the sandwich. And with that thought his eyes refused to open and he fell asleep.

And he saw a car battery and a gentle man tending wounds he didn’t really feel.

Notes:

So sorry for the delay. Grandma got real sick, then Latin class started (it's evil, guys, just so evil), and then I started playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake (Cloud trying to be all stoic but his stupid baby face ruins it every time). This chapter was also kind hard to write, I rewrote parts of it multiple times the last few weeks. I've never reported sexual harassment, despite experiencing it, so even now I don't know if I did the scene right.

But also, yay! Steve and Bucky getting out and about! Damn time.

Chapter 40: 3 years, 9 months & 2 weeks - 3 years, 9 months, 3 weeks & 1 day

The weekend was, if anything, a collection of indulgent moments. Bucky had started trying to get him to learn self-defense, feeling with an ‘actual threat’ out there that Tony should agree to it. Tony, in all honesty, agreed more for the feel of Bucky positioning his body, nearly giving into an omega urge to purr from Bucky’s simple manipulation of his form. He managed to ignore Steve standing off to the side, smirking as he watched the two of them together.

With Steve, the man had gotten more demanding about leaving the house. Like he had a mission he now needed to triumph over. They went to the grocery store instead of having Jarvis order it for delivery. He insisted on them picking up their pizza Saturday night instead of scaring the delivery driver yet again with Bucky’s glaring face - now done in jest, Tony was almost certain.

The weekend had been comforting, a steady build of a soft shield around him that he had needed. Since Pepper hadn’t worked over the weekend, either, he had no indication what kind of hell or false safety he was walking into on Monday. He knew…no, he was certain that he’d have time to stew, waiting for Stane to reach out to him. Marge in HR would still have to email him to get at least digital signatures on his statement, since it had ended the way it did. That was the only certainty he had going into work.

“Don’t want to,” Tony mumbled that night, shifting in the heat of two bodies against him. He had yet to convince Bucky to be in the middle, but Steve had indulged him Saturday.

“Call in,” Bucky grunted, sliding a hand along Tony’s hip, then past that to caress Steve’s side. “Aren’t you supposed to be a rich brat?”

“Rude,” Tony laughed.

“You’re going to be fine,” Steve said.

“Hmm,” Tony hummed out, closing his eyes at the feel of Steve’s nose dragging delicately along his ear.

He slept almost restfully that night. He twitched, jerked, but he didn’t wake in confusion as he had been doing recently. His dreams remained elusive to him just as they should. But it remained that he woke Monday morning feeling comforted by the touch of his alphas. And hating that he had to leave them.

He did, anyway, accepting the food Steve pushed at him and the knife Bucky casually slipped into his pants pocket. It was a bizarre reflection of the sitcom couples, only it was the omega heading out to a hard day’s work.

Tony expected to hear the whispers and feel the stares the moment he stepped into work that Monday. And yet, nothing. Everyone was going about their business, even his coworkers were ignoring the gossip in favor of Thompson blowing up a portion of his desk. His despondent face, bright red in embarrassment, had the rest of them chuckling off and on for the rest of the afternoon. Tony didn’t even have the heart to tell him how close to being fired he was with yet another dangerous stunt like that.

The day was oddly normal outside of that. He signed the paperwork Marge sent over to him with a reminder he can always return to her office to add anything he felt important. That was the last of it, the only actual comment about the situation all day.

And the next day. And the next.

Tony was beginning to feel a strange form of paranoia and a ridiculous amount of let down by the time the weekend hit again. Sitting on the couch in a slump, not even bothering to take off his tie. He had his feet pressed against Steve’s thigh, sock-covered toes digging into the muscle while the news played on in the background. Tony watched as Steve sketched, humming in contentment.

At the sound of his own name, both Steve and him glanced up at the actual television they had been mostly ignoring. “Jarvis, turn that up.”

“Tony Stark’s alphas have been considered missing in action for years, honestly the idea they exist in the first place seems like a bit of a hoax if it wasn’t for the now very clear bonding marks on both sides of his neck,” the newscaster said, sounding more like she was gossiping than telling any real news. Which was close to the truth as Tony let out a pained groan when close up photos of his bond marks appeared on screen.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Tony muttered.

“So, why are we bringing this up in this week's celebrity corner? It appears there might just be an alpha back in his life,” she said. “Now, it’s only rumors, but he has been spotted twice recently with a young alpha. First in the parking lot of a local burger joint and secondly outside a small cafe in Malibu.”

A sketch popped up that made Steve snort. “Does that even look like me?”

“I think they were going for a strong alpha vibe, but you just look angry,” Tony replied, leaning forward a bit. He laughed. “I think whoever did this saw your expression after I got you to try an iced caramel mocha.”

“It was disgusting,” Steve insisted.

“Sadly,” the reporter continued, “it appears outside of this one sketch no one is talking, beyond saying they appeared to be very happy. Whether Tony is buying them off is a question or not, I’d say we’re all happy to see him finally looking happier.”

Tony leaned back as the television switched to a commercial. “That wasn’t too bad. And it wasn’t about…well.”

“You know that’s going to take time, Tony,” Steve said softly. “I’ve looked it up and even when it’s high profile, work harassment cases can take years to resolve themselves. Just try to relax and enjoy the interlude you have.”

Tony remained quiet for a while, letting the commercial on the television pass over him. Steve kept turning the channel, hitting a commercial on everyone much to his alpha’s annoyance. A small smile reached Tony’s face and he scooted closer to Steve’s warmth. He paused. “Shouldn’t Bucky be back from wherever he ran off to by now?”

“He didn’t run off,” Steve said carefully. “He went to get dinner.”

“It’s been three hours,” Tony pointed out. “My stomach is at near growling level.”

“I’m sure you won’t starve.”

“Steve.”

And there it was, the small squirm Tony had been looking for. Steve was hiding something.

“What is he doing?” Tony demanded.

“Maybe I should make you a sandwich-”

“Don’t you dare,” Tony said, finally angling his head right to lock eyes with the super soldier. “Steve, come on.”

Steve winced. “He’s gathering intel.”

Tony stared. “On what?”

“He just-we just want to make sure you’re safe,” Steve said, though it more sounded like a question than anything. For all of Steve’s gung-ho alpha protective streaks he had never been able to hide that sheepish look from Tony and Bucky, the look that said Steve was not sure about the situation but he was probably going to do something dramatic anyway. The longer Tony stared at him, the more intense the expression became before Steve let out a groan of annoyance. “He’s bugging Stane’s house.”

“Uh-huh,” Tony said slowly, before rolling his eyes. “I’m not even surprised at this point.”

“Look, it’s just to give us heads up in case Stane decides to handle this in a not so legal way,” Steve offered.

“Stane’s not like that,” Tony said. “He’s a horrible excuse for a human being, but he’s not the type to set a hit on me or something. He doesn’t consider those sorts worthy of his attention.”

“Then no harm can come from this,” Steve said, giving a small smile.

“Ugh, fine, you two play underground detectives or whatever stupid books you two read back in the day had in them. I’m going to stay sane and do the healthy thing and repress all of this until it blows up in my face. Also, Jarvis? You need to stop helping Bucky with his little pet projects.”

“In my defense, sir, you did tell me to help him find a hobby,” Jarvis replied, his computerized voice practically flooded with sarcasm.

“This is a high cry from collecting Lord of the Rings figurines or something,” Tony snapped.

“Oh, he’s already ordered the collector’s chess set,” Jarvis said, practically letting his glee - which should not have been possible - to permeate the room.

“I can’t win with any of you,” Tony admitted, slumping back into the couch. “J? Get me Italian, usual order. And if Bucky’s late for dinner he’s not allowed to heat his leftovers.”

Bucky was not late for dinner. Tony had already decided he wasn’t going to even hint that he knew what Bucky was up to. It was enough stress living with the situation on a day to day basis without having two super soldiers treat him like a secret black-ops mission. Still, watching Bucky pile a large load of pasta onto his fork and, somehow, not spilling any as he ate, made Tony get that warmth in him. He loved the two of them regardless of how ridiculous their point of views were.

So Tony decided not to directly say anything to Bucky about his not so secret activity. He even managed to not comment on Bucky ordering a Lord of the Rings chess set and made a note to see if Bucky needed the next book, as he only remembered letting him borrow the first of the trilogy.

And that set the mood for the second weekend since Tony had visited HR and put in his complaint. There was a level of contentment there mingled with an underlying unease. As he watched Bucky devour another Tolkien book and ordered art supplies for Steve online, Tony felt relaxed but wary.

He wondered if that was just his default state of mind these days.

The weekend went faster than he thought it should. And as they lay in bed that Sunday he pushed down any sense of dread or fear. He relished the sense of triumph as Bucky finally caved as slept in the middle, both Tony and Steve wrapped around him, soothing away the nightmares Bucky always tried to hide. He remained awake far past the two of them falling asleep, listening to their even breathing.

He was so focused on the soothing sound it was easy to tell that Bucky’s breathing wasn’t so deep right before the man’s flesh hand slid up Tony’s arm. “You okay?”

“Trying not to overthink,” Tony admitted in a whisper.

Bucky’s hand came up, thumb lightly stroking Tony’s cheek. “You’ll be fine. Now come’re.”

Tony let Bucky tug him even closer, tucking his head under his alpha’s chin to he breathed deeply against his neck. Tony felt himself relax, Bucky’s heat surrounding him. He heard Steve make a noise in his sleep, before the man’s arm was thrown over Bucky’s waist, hand landing on Tony’s hip. He smiled as Bucky let out a soft sound of contentment.

The next morning Tony woke up, took his shower, ate breakfast, and headed to work. Only to turn back around because he had forgotten his phone. At the very least, it gave him a chance for another series of kisses that nearly turned into a confusing three-way make out session. Eventually, he was back on the road, mind foggy from the memory of lips and tongue.

Never let it be said Bucky and Steve didn’t know how to distract him.

Sadly, it only lasted until he was pulling into his parking spot and staring at the gray cement wall of the parking structure. He took a deep breath, letting it out with his eyes closed. He nodded to himself, like he was giving himself permission to open the car door, before climbing out and striding into the building and heading straight for the nearest elevator. He had just stepped onto the R&D floor when his phone rang, nearly making him fumble before he pulled it out of his pocket.

He frowned when he saw Robert Chambers’ name on the screen. He was on the board, but one of the newer members that usually was drowned out by all of the lifelong members. It probably wasn’t a good thing that they chose him to make this call. “Stark here.”

“Mr. Stark, listen…we’re having an emergency board meeting in an hour,” Chambers said, clearing his throat nervously. “It’s…things have come up and well.”

“An hour, huh? Yeah, just let me make sure my little minions aren’t going to blow the place up and I’ll meet you.” Tony was oddly proud at how even his voice stayed solid and calm, because the way his hands were shaking told a completely different story.

“Right, good. Board room three,” Chambers said quickly, before hanging up and leaving Tony there staring at his phone like it could miraculously make more sense of that brief conversation.

Tony made his way to his work station without even noticing. He quickly booted up his computer and scanned all of his works in progress, mentally noting the areas of improvement. Afterward, he meandered around the room, checking on the rest of his team’s work. He was strangely proud when he saw Thomspon was actually doing something useful for a change.

He was stalling. He knew the board was expecting him sooner than an hour. They always liked to test him about tardiness, which Tony would admit he had delayed many board meetings in the past. Especially during his drunken years. The ache was still there, to go home and grab a bottle of scotch to just forget everything. He knew Bucky and Steve would even let him, simply monitoring his intake and cutting him off when they saw fit. It was so tempting even right then to blow off the board and find the nearest bar.

Tony turned and nearly sped walked toward the elevator. No, he was going to go in there and get this done, with a clear head that wouldn’t let his mouth get away from him.

The board rooms were on the second to top floor. Tony always suspected his father and Stane had designed it that way to make themselves feel like they were observing all the little cars and people like ants they could just step on. Tony liked the top floors, looking out at the sky instead of the city, like at any moment he could just take off to parts unknown. He tried to let that thought calm him as he opened the board room.

All of the board members but Stane were there. Chambers looked more like an intern than a fully grown adult with all of the aging, gray haired men around the table. The ten men turned their heads to look at him at the same time, like a horde sharing the same time. Which could sometimes be considered true. Tony threw himself into the chair at the end of the table, clearly left empty for him, and propped his feet up on the table. He grinned when Abrams scowled. “Hey, guys, what’s going on?”

One of them silently slid a folder toward him. Tony easily caught it before it could fly off the table and flipped it open. He scanned the page, stomach tightening and forcing the urge to vomit down. It was a declaration of investigation from HR on the accusations against Stane. Though Tony knew his name wouldn’t be attached to it, he still felt an overwhelming sense of relief when he didn’t see his name anywhere.

Tony glanced up and did a quick scan of everyone’s facial expression. Most were grim. Chambers was squirming. Abrams looked like he wanted to go Stane hunting. Tony cleared his throat. “I’m not going to lie, but…are we really surprised?”

“Are you saying you were aware of this?” Abrams growled, actually managing to look dominating despite his frail form. It was then Tony remembered that both of his grandchildren were omegas. No wonder Abrams always had a soft spot for Tony.

“I heard rumors,” Tony said, technically not lying. Most of his information past his own experience was passed to him by Pepper.

“You understand how this could be a problem for the company,” one of the others said. He didn’t know his name. Tony was pretty sure at least five of them were clones.

“This would be a problem for a rock,” Tony said, jabbing a finger at the envelope.

“The omega population has gotten a lot more…persistent in their desire for what they call equality,” another replied. Tony squinted at him, trying to remember…something like Caldwell? “When this gets out, and it will, we need to ensure that omega supporters don’t turn their back on the company. We don’t need protests happening on the street corner.”

“Yeah, well, I’m just the token pretty omega here, so what’s the game plan?” Tony asked, knowing they already had an idea of what to do. Hell, they probably had had it for years, knowing eventually someone was going to screw up royally. Tony wondered if they had expected it to be him instead of Stane.

“We need Stane’s image away from Stark Industries as fast as possible,” Abrams said.

Tony dropped his feet to the floor and sat up a little straighter. “That’s just going to make it look like we’re hiding him for his own safety. People aren’t going to like that. Look, this hasn’t even leaked yet. It’s not like we’re needing to corral the press.”

“No, but we will. We’ve considered leaking this ourselves to get ahead of the curve,” one said.

“It would allow us more control. We’d be better prepared for interviews, public outcry, and any others coming forward,” Chambers said.

“Right,” Tony said, making it clear he thought they were idiots via his tone. “And in the process potentially alienate the very omegas who came to our HR for help and safety. No, you’re not leaking it and that’s final.”

“That is neither here nor there,” Abrams said. “Stane needs to be shelved immediately. We can pluck him off when the verdict comes back not guilty, and for no other reason.”

“That could take years,” Tony pointed out. “Sure you guys can live long enough to run the company that long?”

“Whatever contract you have with Stane giving him control is over,” Abrams said. “There is a stipulation in his company contract that states his position will be altered by our determination if he commits a criminal act or damages the company’s public image in any way. He’s gone. We’ll hold him on retainer until this mess he created finishes, but he is no longer CEO.”

“Does he know that?” Tony asked, unable to control the nervous hint in his voice.

“He will soon,” one of the possible clones said.

Tony felt dread swell inside him and had to fight the urge to grab his phone and call Bucky or Steve. He swallowed, shifted in his seat, and said, “So, clearly you have everything figured out. I’ll just leave you to it, huh?”

“No, you have work to do,” Chambers said, his voice going oddly high, like he wasn’t sure if he was really allowed to boss Tony around. He wasn’t, but all the other board memebers thought they could so Tony didn’t react. “We need you at the press conference in a few hours.”

“Really, guys, I need to get back to my-”

“You’ll get in that press room and announce your taking over as CEO, Stark,” Caldwell growled. His alpha demeanor almost broke Tony out of his panic. He almost wanted to laugh at the man for talking to him that way.

Instead, Tony tried to focus on what they were actually asking him to do. “Wait, you can’t make me CEO. When this mess, as you call it, finally hits the press? There will be two factions, those praising me and the rest claiming all these omegas are lying and I arranged all this to become CEO.”

“You’re paranoid,” Abrams said, with a wave of his hand. “Besides, an omega CEO would make Stark Industries shine. Consider yourself the dawn of a new era.”

Caldwell snorted, clearly unhappy with the idea but willing to along with it anyway. Knowing how much the man was like Howard, he probably figured Tony would rely on the board for everything so it would be a win-win situation. Tony stared at the men before him, realizing he was backed into a corner with both sides of the alpha spectrum demanding the same thing from him.

“Fine, but you’re going to regret this,” Tony promised, pushing down his panic. He was fully qualified to be CEO, of course he was, but it had always been a ‘oh, maybe someday’ kind of thought. “I don’t have to write my speech do I?”

“I took the liberties,” Chambers said, handing over a stack of cards. Tony read the first four lines and fought to not roll his eyes. Yeah, he was not using this speech.

“And Stane?” Tony asked.

“Extended leave of absence, pending a breach of his contract investigation,” Abrams said. “Worry not.”

“I guess that’s…all, then,” Tony said, almost feeling like he was flying from the feel of it all. It was disorienting.

“You’ve got three hours,” Caldwell ordered.

Tony gave in and rolled his eyes, earning a scowl from half the room. He stood up and walked toward the door. “Good luck with this. You’re going to need it.”

He left and headed for the company lounge four floors down. There were a few people milling about, one on his phone having a heated conversation with what sounded like his dog sitter and another sighing over what had to be the most overly dressing coated salad Tony had ever seen. Tony sat by the window and pulled out his phone. He dialed the house, asking Jarvis to get both Bucky and Steve on the line.

He didn’t give them time to say hello. “The board knows about Stane and I’m apparently the new CEO and have to announce it to the damn world in about three hours.”

“Damn, doll, that’s a lot to take in,” Bucky finally said after a moment of silence.

“Can they do that? Just make you become CEO?” Steve asked.

“Technically, yes,” Tony sighed. “It’s practically grandfathered in from Howards ruling. Even if I’m not officially CEO, I technically have to act as one in the chance there isn’t an active one. I mean, it’s old contract crap. Should have known those dinosaurs on the board would remember it. That and Stane’s contract pretty much removes him from the position if he is a bad boy for the company image.”

“Well, this qualifies,” Steve said, with an air of uncertainty.

“They gave me the stupidest speech for the camera, too,” Tony complained, feeling his body relax just from the sound of their voices.

“Write your own,” Bucky said, though it sounded more like an order.

“Or have Pepper do it. I’m sure Jarvis has already told her about this, anyway,” Steve said.

“I have not,” Jarvis announced. “I was waiting for your conversation to end.”

“I say wing it. You do your best when you just let that mouth of yours run free,” Bucky said.

Tony laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time we’re in the bedroom.”

“Oh yes, please do,” Bucky replied, a hint of longing in his voice. Tony glanced around the room, making sure no one was watching him blush.

“You doing okay?” Steve asked.

“I’m better now. I should probably go bug Pepper, because knowing Jarvis she’ll have all the information and will be hunting me down in the next fifteen minutes,” Tony said.

“Hey, we love you,” Bucky said. And the words made warmth flow through him, because Bucky didn’t say those words as freely as Steve did.

“God, I love you, too,” Tony whispered.

“Go kick reporter ass,” Bucky told him.

“Just be yourself,” Steve advised.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll see you soon,” Tony said, before hanging up and allowing himself a moment to just sit there in the uncomfortable plastic seat.

He eventually got up and headed for the accounting floor, not surprised when Pepper met him in the hallway. Her expression told him everything, that Jarvis had contacted her and she was both sad and elated for him. The two emotions shouldn’t work on a single face, but Pepper managed to get her emotions across regardless. He found himself tugged into a hug, her delicate arms surprisingly strong.

“I’m going to be so proud of you,” Pepper said softly. “You’re going to do great.”

Tony chuckled, before pulling back and handing over the notecards. “Not with this speech.”

Pepper took them and scanned through a few cards, before huffing. “Who wrote this? It’s like someone just kept using a thesaurus for every word.”

“The kid board member,” Tony said, though he was pretty sure Chambers was at least ten years older than him. Which made it all the sadder. He understood having to fill the shoes of the previous generation and often not being good enough. “But, uh, I was thinking of just winging it?”

“Are you asking me or telling me?” Pepper teased.

“Asking your opinion.”

“Let me write you a simple outline to keep you on track, then you can take it from there,” Pepper offered.

“Be my personal assistant,” Tony blurted out. “I mean, yeah. Make sure I’m doing a good job and not destroying Stark Industries. In return you get the goldmine of a resume and a near volcanic level raise.”

“Mister Stark, are you actually offering me a job?” Pepper asked, tone filled with caution.

“Job, potential heart attack,” Tony replied, shrugging. “Who else is qualified to be by my side?”

“Technically, by my resume alone, I’m not qualified,” Pepper told him. She smiled softly at him, reaching out to straighten his tie. “Let’s see how you do at your little presentation and I will think about it.”

“All I ask,” Tony replied.

“Well, it’s about brunch time. Let’s get some food into you while I go over the fine points of things you don’t want to say in front of a microphone,” Pepper said, taking his arm and leading him to the elevator.

“See? You could be getting paid extra right now,” Tony pointed out, before letting his shoulder relax and she guided him around. “I’ve done interviews before.”

“Oh, I know. In every one of them you deflect the important questions, leaving your audience frustrated,” Pepper told him. “I remember before I even finished college I’d watch you on television and wonder if they just threw you to the wolves without even telling you what the interview was even about.”

“In my defense, that is partly true and sometimes I was drunk.”

“We’ll get you settled,” she said, ignoring his comment.

Around three hours later he was standing outside the media room, wishing he hadn’t had put so much barbeque on his burger, because now his stomach didn’t know if it wanted to fly high or drop straight to the ground. He swallowed, thankful he wasn’t actually going to throw up, but the feeling was bad enough.

“Okay, so that blonde reporter that likes to bug you is front and center,” Pepper told him, adjusting his suit jacket. It was like having a mom fret over him, an odd feeling he didn’t know what to do with. So he batted her hands away instead of dwelling on it. She smiled. “You’re going to do great.”

“Of course he is,” a familiar voice piped up.

“Steve?” Tony asked, practically knocking Pepper over to see Steve walking down the hallway toward him. He nearly slammed into him, hugging his alpha’s torso tightly. This was what he needed. He could feel his body start to relax.

“Pepper said you could use a pick-me-up,” Steve said softly. “Like we could stay away.”

“We?” Tony’s voice might have had a high, worried level pitch to it.

“Oh, no, Bucky’s not here. With all the cameras and Hydra still out there, we didn’t think it was a good idea to just broadcast his location,” Steve explained. Tony felt himself relaxing again. “No, he’s in a dive bar half a mile away pretending to get drunk on whiskey while he watches the news.”

Tony rolled his eyes. “Of course, he is.”

Steve grinned down at him. “So, uh, what do you have to do out there, anyway? Just announce your new position?”

“Then let them bombard me with whys and hows and am I actually qualifieds. Pretty much try to find the big gaping hole in the entire situation.” He turned, taking Steve’s hand as he made his way back toward Pepper and that dreaded door. “But, I’ve sleezed my way through interviews before, I’ll be fine. Having you near, knowing Bucky’s watching, helps.”

“Then go kill’em tiger,” Steve said playfully, tilting his head down for a kiss. Tony hummed softly, taking a brief moment to nip at Steve’s lower lip. He pulled back, taking in a deep breath, squeezing Steve’s hand a bit too hard. Steve smiled softly at him. “You’re going to do fine.”

It was only when Steve or Bucky said it that Tony truly believed he could be. The nerves in him were still there, they weren’t going away anytime soon, but Steve was his anchor right then and there. Tony had something to lean against, someone that wouldn’t let him fall. He pressed in for another kiss, soft and gentle and just perfectly simple, before he turned toward the door that Pepper was opening for him.

There were too many people in the room for Tony’s erratic brain to count, let alone tell who was who. They had clearly been coached to not bombard him by yelling questions in that mass mob style they tended to have. Tony stood at the podium a moment, pulling out the notecard Pepper had written for him, a simple outline with no extra details that he would have to basically read outloud like he was presenting to a class.

Most of the interview was foggy, Tony responding with bland answers that he knew would please the board. Yes, Stane is on leave of absence until further notice. Yes, the board thought it best Tony start taking his role in the company seriously. No, he was not sure when Stane would be available for comment. And along it went. Until the blonde in the front, the one that always managed to find the worst rumors about him, stood up.

“There has been word that there has been mistreatment of the omegas in your company, do you have anything to say about that?”

Tony froze, before presenting the fakest smile he had ever made. He knew he could deflect it, she knew what this press conference was about and it wasn’t that, but Tony steeled himself to follow through. “I’m sorry Miss…?”

“Christine Everhart,” she offered, raising an eyebrow.

“Miss Everhart,” Tony said, clearing his throat. “If there are complaints about omega mistreatment within my company then that would be for human resources to handle and their regulations for victim secrecy and protection is at the highest. Anyone who is ‘leaking’ information is subject to being fired.”

“You seem awfully emotional about this. Care to share why?” she asked, clearly just trying to provoke a reaction out of him.

“I’m sure you can understand that as someone that has your lot following him around I can understand why someone wouldn’t want to be gossiped about in such a way. Especially for something so sensitive,” Tony replied, forcing calm into his voice. He stepped away from the podium, ignoring her voice calling out another question. “Alright, we’re done here.”

He strode through the door, hearing it click closed behind him, and walked right into Steve’s chest, pressing his forehead against his face against his neck. Strong arms came around him, holding him firmly and making him feel protected. He breathed in his alpha’s scent, melting against his chest.

“You did good,” Steve whispered.

“I don’t even remember half of what I said,” Tony admitted.

“Doesn’t mean you didn’t do good,” Steve informed him, before looking over Tony’s head to Pepper, who was probably smiling indulgently at them. “I’m going to get him to Bucky before Bucky decides to find us.”

“The more I know about him, the more I agree on that being a wise choice,” Pepper said with a laugh. “And Tony? Just stay away from the television for a while. I’ll let you know if anything of worth was said.”

“Thanks, Pep,” Tony replied, letting Steve gently pull him down the hallway. They made it all the way to the parking structure before Tony paused. “Wait, you can’t drive.”

“I can drive!” Steve said defensively. “I just, uh, don’t drive well. And Bucky likes to tease me about it. Just because I haven’t had practice in, well, an Antarctic ever, doesn’t mean I can’t drive a car. Besides, I didn’t drive a car, anyway.”

“Please tell me you didn’t endanger my Harley,” Tony demanded.

Steve continued to lead him over to where Tony could now see his motorcycle, still in pristine condition. He hardly ever drove it, but it would have been nice to be asked. He forgave Steve immediately of course when he watched the man straddle the bike and look over at him. “Well?”

“Yes,” Tony replied, walking over and climbing on, wrapping his arms around Steve’s waist. He didn’t care that he was more turned on than the moment allowed, having Steve rev up the engine, the vibration between their legs. Tony was definitely certain Steve could smell the arousal drifting off of him.

Steve shot him a smile over his shoulder and soon they were winding their way through the streets of Los Angeles, heading closer and closer to the more dirtier part of the city. Eventually they pulled up to a brick building with neon light in the window. There were other bikes in front and a few men lingering near the door.

“Okay,” Tony said, climbing off, “I’m going inside to get him, you stay here and guard the bike.”

“That’s fine,” Steve replied, giving him an amusing smile, probably because of Tony’s need to protect the bike.

Tony paused. “You are actually okay with me going in there alone.”

“Bucky’s there,” Steve told him. And that really did settle the matter, because Tony would always be safe with one of them.

Inside Tony found Bucky off to the side, clearly hustling a couple of betas out of their hard earned money with darts. He stood there for a while, waiting until Bucky was being handed some bills. Bucky turned on his heel and strode straight for Tony, yanking him forward into a hard kiss that immediately softened, ignoring a couple of cat calls that echoed in the background. Bucky pulled back and smiled. “You did good, babe.”

Tony snorted. “Steve said the same thing. You two definitely grew up together.”

Bucky draped an arm across Tony’s shoulders and casually guided him back outside. “So, you are going home with Stevie and I have a quick stop to make, but I’ll meet you both back there in a couple hours.”

“Seriously?” Tony asked, tone neutral.

“Nothing bad,” Bucky insisted.

It was clear by the look on Steve’s face that he already knew Bucky was up to something and the alpha said nothing as Bucky nudged Tony back onto the bike. Tony scowled. “You’re an ass, you know that.”

“Sure am, doll,” Bucky replied.

“You could at least look ashamed of it,” Tony commented. He got a kiss on his cheek in response. He’d never admit it out loud, but today’s Bucky had the ability to make him melt with every purposeful gentle gesture. “Fine, but you better bring me food.”

“You got it.”

“Something with vegetables,” Steve added.

“Fine,” Bucky grunted.

Soon, Steve had them on the highway, air wiping around them. Tony was certain this was going to be Steve’s vehicle from now on. The way the man could angle around every curve of the road and go fast without actually endangering them. Tony just happily pressed his face between Steve’s shoulder blades and enjoyed the ride.

They made it home and found themselves dropping onto the couch, legs tangled. Tony reached for the remote, but Steve snatched it out of his hand. “Nope, Pepper ordered you not to watch television in case today came up.”

“Ugh, you’re letting her boss you around, too?” Tony asked, admitting to himself it was a bit of a whine. “What happened to being a big scary alpha?”

“You have seen her heels, haven’t you?” Steve asked.

Tony chuckled. “Thanks, for…just distracting me.”

“Anytime,” Steve said softly.

“He would have gotten the forced leave papers today. He’s going to know why even if they didn’t tell him, especially with that Everhart woman mentioning omega abuse,” Tony said, sliding further on the couch into a slump.

“Let him stew in his own juices,” Steve growled out. “Stane needs to realize this is serious and he can’t get out of it by tossing money at someone.”

The door opened before Tony could reply, Bucky stepping in with a big bag in one hand. The smell of Mexican food wafted through the room and Tony’s stomach growled. It was barely four, but Tony felt like he hadn’t eaten all day and needed dinner immediately. He grabbed the bag from Bucky, who looked amused as Tony didn’t even bother with the kitchen and started pulling out containers and setting them on the coffee table.

“So, where were you?” Tony asked, stuffing a chicken flauta into his mouth. “If you only say gathering intel again, I'll throw refried beans into your face.”

“I wanted to know what Stane was doing,” Bucky said casually, dropping down onto the couch on the other side of Tony and reaching for a container and pulling out a street taco.

“Shit, Bucky!” Tony said, waving half of his flauta around in the air like it actually said all the words for him. “What if someone saw you? Stane has guards, you know.”

“Well, he didn’t seem to have many today,” Bucky replied. “He hit the airport, all I know was it was international. I couldn’t get further than that. Airport security has gotten rough over the years.”

“He’s left the country?” Steve asked, speaking up for the first time since Bucky came home. Tony glanced over to see him half-way through a large burrito. With Bucky having already devoured most of his tacos, this was a clear case of Great Depression syndrome. Sometimes they reacted to food that way, like it was going to disappear before they could even smell it. Tony let them indulge, because it wasn’t often it happened and they seemed to be working through it slowly naturally.

Bucky nodded, chewing. “I’m going to have Jarvis flag any return flights that match his parameters.”

“He’s got houses in twenty different countries, so he could be anywhere,” Tony admitted. “I say let him hide like a coward. They’re still going to charge him.”

“Since we’re avoiding regular television, how about a movie?” Steve asked. “Anything you want.”

“You’re not going to cry again if I choose WALL-E are you?” Tony asked. Bucky snorted.

“As long as it’s not The Lion King again,” Steve promised.

They put on the movie and pressed in close together, passing food back and forth. It was halfway through the movie that Tony spoke, voice soft. “Thank you.”

They didn’t ask about what or look at him confused. Just smiled, because they knew what he was thanking them for and it didn’t need to be said. Tony wasn’t sure what was going to happen tomorrow or a month from then, but he knew it was going to be wonderful just because of the men sitting next to him.

They fell asleep that night on the couch, limbs tangled around each other, the television glowing blue until Jarvis shut it off. Thankfully, they had put the food away at some point, because they were essentially dead to the world. He had fallen asleep with worry and a hint of panic about Stane under his skin, but the soft touch and words of his alphas soothed him more than anything else could.

He fell asleep unsure about the future. Unsure of what he would have to set forward to prove himself and what he had to do to protect himself in return. And then he was so deep in sleep, so comforted by the two pressed against him, he didn’t wake up when all his dreams were of water and the jolt of a battery.

Notes:

Long chapter, but now we've hit long time stretch number 2, so shits getting real.

Sorry about the delay. I had major dental surgery a week ago. Take care of your teeth and most of all, monitor how your meds are affecting them. 20 yrs on various bipolar meds destroyed mine, don't let that happen. Constant Vigilance!

Chapter 41: 3 years, 9 months, 3 weeks & 1 day - 4 years, 12 months, 3 weeks & 2 days

He awoke to the gentle touch of metal fingers sliding down the dip of his spine, more tickling than really touching. He let out a moan and stretched, body still sore from the heat that had ended three days ago. He felt kisses along his shoulder, but not Bucky’s usual scruff. Blinking, he looked up to see Bucky as clean shaven as he was the first day he met him in the forties. It made him look younger, less tired from the difficulties life had given him.

“Hey there, sleepy head,” Bucky drawled out. “Stevie’s making you breakfast before your flight.”

“No, don’t wanna,” Tony whined, pressing his face into his pillow. “Do I have to go?”

“Do you want to face Pepper if you don’t?” Bucky asked. “Besides, you get to show off that fancy bomb of yours, see another country, tease the baby soldiers. Might as well have fun with your first big presentation as CEO.”

“Yeah,” Tony sighed. It felt like only yesterday he had sat in that boardroom, filled with dread, instead of over a year ago.

“What was it you told me yesterday? Oh, yes, it’s taken thirteen months of incompetence in testing and idiocy in beuacracy to get this bomb built, you might as well show it off,” Bucky said, inaccurately mimicking his voice. Tony snorted. “C’mon, there’s bacon.”

“Why are you so perky, anyway?” Tony asked, letting Bucky tug him out of bed. He followed him down the hallway, tugging his pajama bottoms up before they slipped past his hips.

“Morning,” Steve greeted with a bright smile, moving strips of bacon around on the iron skillet before him.

“Okay, let me re-ask, why are you both so perky? That happy to get away from me for the weekend,” Tony teased.

“We got a call from Clint,” Steve replied, letting the words hang in the air.

Tony stilled, before slowly sitting down on a stool before he simply toppled over. Clint had been spending the last three months tracking Stane from country to country. He often had to start from a new trail due to his own job, but Clint always managed to find him again. Bucky had asked for his help when the court system had finally kicked into gear and put a warrant out for the man’s arrest.

So far he had spent time in any country whose laws against omega abuse were lax. And mostly in countries where there was no extradition allowed. Stane might have been on the run - as much as ‘on the run’ a man of power could be - but he was clearly enjoying himself. And, sadly, they had to go about his arrest through legal means, or Bucky and Steve would have already taken care of it.

“And?” Tony asked, voice hesitant.

“Clint says he’s about to be on the move again and, well, since you’ll be busy with your presentation we thought it was time to finally back him into the corner. Besides, SI’s lawyers say they have the case fully ready to go to trial,” Steve said.

“Bastard would have been out on bail with all the millionaire pleasantries all this time, at least he’s experienced getting his clothes dirty out there,” Bucky commented, filling both himself and Tony a cup of coffee.

“Ah, yes, the week he lived in a hut,” Tony recalled. Despite his unease with this topic of conversation being so casual, he had enjoyed the ability to mock Stane over the past year or so. Almost as though knowing the man wasn’t fully happy was a small but justified pleasure. “Wait, you’re going after him yourself?”

“He needs to go to trial,” Steve said. “And we have permission.”

“And I was content just to keep an eye on him since he was far from you, but since they are now prepared to charge him and send the bastard to prison, I want to bring him in myself,” Bucky said, ending with a near growl. “Not like the Feds could disagree with two vengeful alphas with military experience, anyway.”

Tony shook his head with a fond smile. “Good thing you’ve had Hydra to keep you busy, or this would have driven you mad.”

Steve looked up from the eggs he was flipping, “Oh no, he gripes about it every time we’re out on a mission.”

“And you let me, because I’m only saying what you’re thinking,” Bucky replied.

Tony enjoyed the familiar bickering between the two, watching as they moved around the kitchen, grabbing plates and piling food onto them. A plate with half the amount of food than theirs was set before him and he immediately started eating, spotting the time on the microwave out of the corner of his eye. Pepper was twenty minutes away from calling him to remind him to get to the airport.

It was all his fault for convincing her - over a period of months - to be his personal assistant. Slave driver was more like it.

Breakfast finished, he went to get dressed. Meticulous suit with his tie the perfect level of snug at his neck and he was heading for the door. He stopped when he saw Bucky and Steve hovering. Bucky looked up and jingled the car keys. “Did you really think we weren’t going to drive you to the airport?”

“Do you know us at all?” Steve asked, shaking his head and grabbing Tony’s hand.

Tony felt a flush of pleasure rush through him, watching as they put his suitcase in the trunk and bundled him into the back seat. A year ago they wouldn’t have done this. A year ago they would have been afraid to be seen in public or be caught doting on him because they knew there was some threat out there and couldn’t and couldn’t risk it. After a year of hunting Hydra and reintegrating themselves into the public, this type of outing had become normal. Though, Bucky still avoided cameras, stating that Hydra was still Europe side as his reason.

It took a while, but they realized that holding back wasn’t going to make their life any easier. Tony watched them bicker, throwing music requests to him, and didn’t even have the urge to make any objections. He just wanted to enjoy the drive of being with them. When Steve twisted in his seat and asked if he’d like a last minute burger before the airport, Tony knew even more, beyond any level, that these two men were perfect for him.

They made their way to the airport. Not the Los Angeles monstrosity, but a slightly smaller one where the Stark Industries personal plane sat. It had been years since he’d flown on the personal plane now waiting for him, back after he became stuck back in his own time and chose to move to California. It seemed forever ago even though it was merely a few years. His mind almost ached over the trauma he had to work through at the time.

“Okay, so we’re only ten minutes late,” Bucky announced, parking the car. “She can’t yell at you for ten minutes.”

“Nah, Rhodey’s here, she’s happily distracted,” Steve said, grinning. They all climbed out and Tony found himself pressed against the car, Steve’s body a pressure of heat against him. “Maybe we should distract our omega, too?”

Tony grabbed him and tugged him into a kiss, swallowing the happy moan Steve made. Bucky was quickly there, his arms around the both of them, stroking flesh and just making everything so much more. He pulled back from Steve, sucking in air, before Bucky claimed his mouth. His whole body felt like it was vibrating as they both focused on him. By the time they were done he felt almost weak, not so much like a heat but his body throbbed from their attention.

“I love you. Love you both,” Tony said in a soft and raspy voice.

“You’re going to blow them out of the water,” Steve said.

“And you two are gonna capture the bastard while I’m gone,” Tony said in reply. “Make sure he can still testify, okay? No permanent injuries?”

Bucky looked away for a moment, before smiling. “We’ll leave him just right.”

Tony almost felt sorry for Stane, but the sudden feral look in both of their eyes told him to ignore that thought. They were alphas that had held back far too long to demand retribution. The fact they had waited for the long process of the judicial system was a testament of how much they didn’t want to hurt Tony more.

He grabbed Bucky and kissed him hard. He pulled away only to do the same to Steve. All three of them were panting for air when Tony walked to the trunk to get his suitcase. He let Steve be the manly one and grab it before he could, before they all walked the long trek to the SI personal plane waiting for him. He fought back unease. His mind pulled up the regular nightmares he had never shared with his partners.

A car battery. Water drowning him. A man telling him that he had no choice but to do what he did. Metal all around him.

Blinking, Tony greeting Pepper who looked a little flushed as she stood next to Rhodey. Tony smirked, knowing his face was flushed as well, and Pepper scowled at him. It was always adorable when she tried to be annoyed.

“Rhodey-bear!” Tony called out as his alphas handed his bags to an attendant. “It’s been, what, five months since I’ve seen you? You shaved that horrible beard off, thank God.”

“Good to see you, too,” Rhodey said drily. He turned to Pepper, dipping his head down to smell the part of her neck that proudly displayed his bonding mark. She never hid it, any dress or jacket that had a high collar was dismissed by Pepper Potts. “I’ll call you when we land.”

“You better,” she said in a soft voice, one that had never been heard until Rhodey came along.

“You’re not going to call us, are you?” Bucky asked, with an almost dramatic air.

“Only gonna call Steve since you’ve already mouthed off,” Tony teased.

“Either is good,” Steve said, smiling. “Just let us know you’re safe.”

Tony gave him a solute and climbed up the steps to the plane, Rhodey behind him. It wasn’t until they were in the air for at least an hour that Tony felt the ache settle into him. He looked around the plane, seeing all the space. He could have brought them as well. But, no, it hadn’t come to mind at the right time. Besides, the two of them had been hunting down Hydra across the country. They've taken out ten bases in the past year. He knew they could handle themselves without him.

“They’re going to be good. From what I hear they have a mission this weekend.” Rhodey always knew what he was thinking. “Stop your brain. We’re in for a long flight. Sleep.”

And he did. He slept and kept having images in his mind that were familiar but also so new. Water. He’d stopped taking showers months ago, due to the nightmares. Sparks of electricity, painful against his wet skin. He’d spent four days analyzing all the electrical currents in the house. A man, a calm voice telling him that he would survive. Tony never met a man who spoke to him like that. He was a strange anomaly.

They made it to Afghanistan and the next day was filled with arranging the presentation. Tony let Rhodey take care of the arrangements as he called his alphas. He also sent pictures of where he was, commenting on how it was just sand and rocky structures.

Later in the day he stood in front of a group of soldiers. Generals, Colonels, and others. He let his ego, always willing to flare up when he realized people were actually paying attention, take over and created the bang they needed. The destruction they needed. The very loud noises they needed. His bomb really was a war all on it’s own waiting to happen and Tony felt that surging level of guilt hit him once again.

He was proud of his creations, no matter what he would always be proud, but he feared someone getting a hand on one of them and creating pure disaster.

Rhodey dragged him over to the most decorated soldier of the group. Tony smiled, shook his hand, and tried not to stare at the disrupted sand and partially caved and crumpling rock structure that he had just destroyed. It took him a moment to tune back into the conversation, flashing another smile to try to hide that he wasn’t paying attention. “Use them well, General.”

“Oh trust me, the Jericho is going to change the tide of this war and many to come, Mister Stark,” the man said, with that air of superior calm that men of his rank and age often had. “You should be proud.”

“Well, it’s been over a year’s work,” Tony replied.

“No, I mean you should be proud of yourself. You’ve just proven to all the men here that an omega isn’t a bleeding heart baby machine. It’s good to see a little violence there, others are so meek. It’s…unsettling,” the man - Tony really should have tuned in to hear his name - said, with a disgruntled sigh. Like omegas not wanting to run around blowing things up was a tragedy. “Then again, I understand wanting to keep your omega right where they belong.”

“How is your wife, sir?” Rhodey stepped in, clearly realizing this conversation was going to turn far south.

“Decorating the grandkid’s bedroom,” he snorted. He raised one of the celebratory glasses of champagne for a sip, then eyed Tony. “I recommend avoiding popping out any kids, son. You’re fighting in an alphas world, you’re going to need to avoid anything they see as soft. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“What the fuck?” Tony asked, turning to stare at Rhodey in disbelief. “You actually wanted me to talk to that guy?”

“He’s one of the main supporters here,” Rhodey said in defense. “And I did not realize he was so creepy.”

Tony let out a laugh in disbelief. “Did you hear that? My alphas won't even talk about having kids and that asshole just brings it up, insultingly, like he was discussing what he saw on television last night. And the hilarious part is I think he was trying to be nice in that condescending alpha-voice way.”

“Welcome to the military,” Rhodey offered.

“Ugh, no, get me a drink and a ride out of here,” Tony demanded.

Rhodey shook his head and poured barely a finger of the scotch sitting next to the remaining glasses of champagne into a tumbler and handed it over. Tony looked at the small amount and scowled. “Hey, Bucky told me you haven’t had any alcohol since your birthday three months ago. Take it easy.”

Tony downed the glass and set it down, not reaching for more. He walked with Rhodey to the humvees, where a few baby soldiers were hovering. Rhodey kept telling him not to call them that, that it was going to give them a complex, but Tony couldn’t help it. Bucky was right, they were babies. He wasn’t even thirty and yet they made him feel old. It was almost cute, though, how they acted like he was a celebrity. Tony didn’t mind basking in the awed affection, just this once.

“You feeling okay?” Rhodey asked.

“Yeah, I feel top notch. Why?”

“Nothing, I mean,” Rhodey shrugged. “Your scent smells off. Not badly! But, like it’s losing its flair.”

“Rhodey, how rude. You don’t tell a man they’re losing their flair,” Tony said, putting his hand on his chest in fake shock. He reached out and shoved Rhodey’s shoulder. “And stop sniffing me or I’ll tell Bucky.”

“Bucky ordered me to monitor your every vital this entire trip, that includes your scent, temperature, and all the rest. I’m more afraid of him than you,” Rhodey replied.

“Did you not see my awesome bomb?” Tony asked, pointing at the still crumbling rocks.

“It was so awesome, Mister Stark!” One of the baby soldiers piped up, opening the back door to the humvee like it was a limousine.

“You hear that? So awesome. You have to ride in the last humvee. This one is full. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to start tasting me too for Bucky’s paranoid need for in depth bondmate data,” Tony said in a haughty voice.

Rhodey rolled his eyes. “He’s just looking out for you, Tones.”

Tony smiled a little, before frowning at Rhodey. “Still, back humvee.”

“Yeah, yeah. I got your six,” Rhodey said with a grin, heading for the other vehicle.

Tony happily piled into his vehicle with the baby soldiers. It was nice, chatting with them as they traveled back to base. He could forget about Stane and how Steve and Bucky were probably zeroing in on him. He could forget how after Stane’s official arrest they would be going to trial and how Tony still hadn’t decided if he was going to testify in actual court. With the happy carefree babbling around him, Tony could sit back and actually be his age, not CEO or mate to super soldiers or former alcoholic or the worst one of all, abuse victim.

He was just Tony for that short period of time.

Then out of nowhere there was a loud bang, sand and heat spraying into the open windows. One of the soldiers grabbed him, pushing him down. He could hear growling and realized that particular soldier was an alpha, who was now going by instinct. Protect the omega.

It didn’t work. One soldier went down. He could hear gunfire all around, with no way to discern what direction it was coming from. He hoped most of them were the good guys. There was someone yelling out in pain and the alpha soldier turned and looked at him fiercely. “Stay.”

Tony nodded, not really wanting to move from his spot wedged between the front and back seat anyway. Then the soldier was out of the humvee, gun firing. Tony stared, before flinching and closing his eyes as the man went down. It was then that Tony realized the impact of the bullets were starting to angle, to get inside where he was. He paused, instinct telling him to still follow the dead alpha’s order to stay still, before self-preservation kicked in and he was opening the door and falling onto the dirt.

He immediately began to scramble away. He dug into his pockets, trying to keep the backward motion going and ignoring the tearing and dirtying of his suit. He needed his phone. Where was his phone?

The humvee suddenly exploded, fiery shards of metal flying everywhere. His phone had been in there.

His back hit a medium sized boulder and he went to crawl around it for some kind of protection. A high-pitched whooshing sound hit his ears and he looked up to see his own name. It took him a second to realized it was a bomb, one of his bombs. Meaning there was no chance it wouldn’t detonate and no chance for him to get away in time. He tried anyway, trying to get behind the boulder.

He barely had time to acknowledge the bomb going off. It was too fast, too loud. Heat and pain hit him like a tidal wave. He writhed on the ground, gasping for air, before looking down at red. So much red.

That couldn’t be good.

Then darkness.

Notes:

Oh snap!

Chapter 42: 8 years, 12 months, 3 weeks & 2 days

Tony gasped, hands going to his chest, heaving for air.

There was no pain. But there was something else. Tony looked down at his chest in confusion, expecting to find blood but only saw the black of his t-shirt. Under he felt a hard, metal disk about the size of his fist. He quickly tugged his shirt up to see a glowing blue light coming from a metal plate that appeared to be embedded in his chest. On top of that, he was dressed in well worn pajamas and sitting on a bed that was even more comfortable than the one he had at home.

Then he looked around, realizing the place looked familiar. The furniture wasn’t exactly the same, but it was his room in Malibu.

Dear God, he felt faint. Swallowing, he pressed his palms against his eyes and shook his head. It was a dream. Just a dream. But his brain thought differently and immediately remembered his first confusing moment in that run down apartment in Brooklyn where he had woken up in Steve and Bucky’s time. Tony tried to control his breathing. This wasn’t that, though. The laptop on the desk by the window was proof it wasn’t the past. And besides, why would he hang a painting by Van Gogh right next to what he suspected was a fully functioning shotgun?

He couldn’t sit there all day. With a sigh, he slowly climbed out of the bed and looked around for some clothes. Wherever he was, he didn’t want to stumble upon someone in just a thin shirt and pajama bottoms that had little versions of Steve’s shield all over them. Another curiosity to take into consideration. It was easy to tell what clothes were his, as the other sets were for Steve and Bucky sized men.

He hoped desperately they were for Steve and Bucky as it would make this experience a little easier to go through.

The house was quiet as he slowly walked down the hallway. The kitchen had a new microwave, but other than that Tony didn’t bother to take a closer look. The living room was definitely different. There was a larger, flatscreen television and a whole new couch and loveseat set in a cozy gray and tan pattern. More paintings and drawings lined the walls, some of the three of them, one of a sunset over the ocean, and one of a couple children building a sand castle. He also noticed that liquor cabinet was completely gone. Tony didn’t bother to go to his workshop, he wasn’t ready for any changes there.

“Sir? Are you alright? Your heart rate is elevated,” Jarvis voice said, making his jump. He felt a rush of relief. If JArvis was there then he couldn’t be too out of place.

“Wh-where are Bucky and Steve?” Tony asked.

“On the beach, sir. They requested I let you sleep in.”

“Thanks, buddy,” Tony said automatically. He walked to the door and eased it open, taking a moment to survey his surroundings. Other than someone having set up an herb garden the front yard looked normal.

Not bothering to find shoes, he stepped outside and walked around the house toward the beach. He almost regretted not getting any shoes as he had to avoid a rock here or there, but he was too determined to find his alphas than to worry about it. He rounded the cliffside, feet now touching hot sand, when he spotted Steve sitting on the large boulder there, sketchbook in his lap.

Feeling a sense of longing, he strode over as fast as he could, eyes focused only on the man in front of him. Steve looked up, smiling. “Hey, Tony-”

Tony cut him off as he practically barrelled into him, yanking him into a hard hug. “Oh, thank God. Unless I’m in Heaven, because you shouldn’t be up here yet. We’re not dead are we?”

“Uh, what?” Steve said in confusion.

“I’m…I don’t,” Tony tried, but it was like pulling teeth. He had no idea what to say.

“Tony, you’re kind of freaking me out,” Steve told him.

“Myself as well.” Tony drew in a deep breath, ignoring the odd wave of dizziness that tried to take over. “I don’t know what year it is.”

“That’s…” Steve swallowed. “Oh.”

“Oh, you understand or oh, what the hell am I talking about?” Tony asked.

“I…” Steve glanced past him. “Bucky! Get over here!”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” was the man’s reply from much farther down the beach.

“We?” Tony asked, starting to turn. But the dizziness hit full force and his vision started to go black. He grabbed Steve’s shoulder, trying to focus on his blue eyes to stay grounded. “This isn’t normal. It’s only supposed to happen when I’m asleep.”

“Calm down, baby, just calm down,” Steve said softly, “You need to sit down.”

“Yeah,” Tony agreed, vision mostly black and only allowing him to see the main outline of Steve’s face. He shifted to sit down, overwhelming sleepiness muting his senses.

“Hey, doll, what’s going on?” he heard Bucky ask, but he couldn’t see him. It took him a moment to realize his eyes were closed. “Tony?”

“Hmm,” Tony managed to reply. “I feel…drugged. Not supposed to work this way, it didn’t last time.”

“Oh,” Bucky said in the exact tone Steve had.

“We knew it would happen,” Steve said softly, clearly talking to Bucky over Tony’s head.

“What do you mean you knew?” Tony said, forcing his eyes open.

“You told us you’d wake up here, in the future, and stumble your way down to the beach to find us,” Bucky replied, reaching out cup Tony’s cheek. “It’s going to be okay, you were supposed to come here.”

“I’m not dead?” His voice was oddly small, unsteady.

“No, babe, you’re just fine.” Steve hugged him close and Tony accepted the comfort, trying to keep his eyes from fluttering due to his tiredness. He sat there a moment, enjoying their closeness.

“Tony, there’s someone we want you to meet,” Bucky said.

“What?”

He never got an answer. The darkness descended on him, pure nothingness invading his senses. A stillness came over him and the deep tug of a sleep caused by an outside force overwhelmed him into succumbing. Eyes closed, he didn’t even have time to say goodbye.

He awoke already screaming.

Chapter 43: 4 years, 12 months, 3 weeks & 2 days - ?

Steady hands held him down on what appeared to be an unyielding cot. He rushed air into his lungs, jerking and yelling out in the pain in his chest the movement caused. Finally, his vision cleared and a man wearing an oddly clean suit for the obvious cave Tony found himself in was standing over at him. The man nodded. “Calm yourself. I will not have you ruining my hard work.”

“Wha-?” Tony cut himself off, following the glance the man sent downward. What he saw made him want to scream, to scramble away as though that would get him as far away from the car battery attached to his chest as he could. Shudders ran through him and he could feel himself getting light headed, vision going foggy.

“Breathe,” the man ordered, his voice steady and calm in a way that was soothing. “You will breathe and live, Mister Stark.”

“Where-? Who are you?” Tony asked, his voice raspy from lack of water and what he knew was screaming.

“My name is Yinsen,” he said. He walked away and picked up what looked like a small pail of water and a rag, which was probably the cleanest thing in the room. “You disturbed some of your stitches so I need to clean the area. Do not move. I don’t think either one of us wants water getting onto those wires.”

Tony let him come near, holding perfectly still, taking the time Yinsen took to clean the few spots he had ripped the flesh from his flailing to look around and breathe in the air of his new environment. It was a cave, and it was dark and dank. There were metal tables set up with a few bits of metal on them. Even signs of a soldering iron. That’s when Tony’s heart dropped. He knew what was expected of him. He knew what he would be forced to do.

And Tony right then knew after this he would never be able to handle making another weapon again.

“This is a mess,” Tony said.

Yinsen set the pail of water to the side and nodded, rubbing his palms on his pants. Like he was nervous. “They demanded much from me and now it is your turn.”

“So ominous,” Tony groaned, trying to sit up. “I doubt they want a generator for clean energy. It’s always weapons. Do you know who they are?”

“They call themselves the Ten Rings,” Yinsen replied. He reached out and guided Tony until Tony was sitting upright with his legs over the edge of the cot. It was then Tony realized he was barefoot. “They’ll be in soon, I suspect. Focus on becoming more aware, you’ll need it with their demands.”

Tony paused at that advice. He watched the man move around, inspecting a tool here and there. He knew the space. He actually felt comfortable, or as comfortable as a kidnapped man could be. Because Yinsen was clearly kidnapped. It was the fact the Ten Rings had kept him so long that he looked around the dank cave like it was almost a home, instead of a cavern turned cage. Tony had to look away, clenching his hands at the edge of the cot.

He tried to think of his alphas, tried to think of them rushing into the cave and fighting their way to him.

No. That was not the way it worked. Sure, they could sense his emotions when he was nearby. A scent could travel far and a voice could carry in certain environments. But they would have no way to find him here. They would have to get close, at least within a few miles if they had a chance of feeling him near.

Tony was officially screwed.

“Shit,” Tony said, softly.

Yinsen glanced over. “Rest assured, they won’t kill you. Tony Stark is quite the person to own.”

“You have a way with words,” Tony said, drily.

“I’ve learned to lose the softness. I am not speaking to my children. I am speaking to murderers,” Yinsen replied, not looking over.

“How long?” Tony asked, dreading the answer.

“I only know days by when they visit and that is highly unreliable,” Yinsen answered. “I suspect it’s been nearly a year? This is a space outside of time.”

“That sounds more lonely than dangerous,” Tony said.

“They learned I could not do what they wanted,” Yinsen told him. He turned and looked at Tony sadly. “Now that you are here they will not accept my lack of knowledge as an excuse.”

“Hmm,” Tony hummed back, standing up and looking around the room. There were a couple large metal tables with your typical starter mechanic tools laid on them. Outside of that there was a security screen, probably so Yinsen could change or go to the bathroom in peace. Tony supposed that was a sort of humane offering in this depressing place. As compared to the lack of light beyond three standing lamps or the very fact they were there against their will.

It wasn’t long before his review of the room was interrupted by the sound of the door’s locks being manipulated and it swinging open. The men who came in weren’t the cleanest, but they weren’t dirty enough to be called grimey. If anything, the effects of the heat made them look disheveled. The one in the middle was clearly in charge, as he had a lot less sweat staining his clothes. The man’s eyes immediately zoned in on Tony and even standing a bit away with a car battery clutched in his arms he managed to make Tony feel a shiver of disgust at the pure sexual interest that momentarily flashed accross his face.

“The great Tony Stark,” he said, looking smug. “You don’t look all that great now, do you?”

Tony stood still as the man came closer and began to circle him, even reaching out to lightly touch Tony’s arm. He jumped when the man leaned in and sniffed at his neck.

“My, my,” he said with a chuckle. “I was told I couldn’t have any fun with his omega, but you don’t smell like an omega at all. I just might enjoy your time here.”

“And what am I doing here?” Tony asked, keeping his voice calm. Or as calm as he could be when his brain was racing with thoughts of potential escape and how to defend himself from whatever this man was planning.

“You’ll build us your weapons, Stark. And you won’t give us trouble for it,” he replied.

Tony questioned himself about what he knew he was about to reply. He knew it wasn’t going to end well for him, but he also knew he had no other choice in the matter. He was stuck with no control and he knew he wasn’t going to be finding it soon. He had a hollowed out chest and no real doctor to look at it. And yet, he could not build them weapons. The weapons he had already been making was bad enough, he didn’t want to essentially put them in the hands of terrorists.

“No.”

The man stared at him a moment, his face hard. Then he smiled and the sight of it sent Tony’s stomach dropping to the floor. It was the kind of smile Stane got when he was about to get what he wanted, regardless of the cost.

“No matter now,” he announced. “Come with us, we have a video to make.”

Tony wasn’t given the chance to move on his own. As the other men swarmed him, Tony had to struggle to keep a hold of the car battery. He felt the tugging of the cords attached to the wound in his chest and had to fight down a cry of pain as a small, rough sack was thrown over his head. Eventually he was no longer being pulled and was shoved down onto what seemed to be a wooden chair.

His head was swimming. When the sack was pulled off the light in the room became too much and he felt the urge to vomit. He couldn’t even understand the words being said around him. He squinted at the light, trying to see, and felt his breath pick up when he saw the camera. Was he going to be killed on screen, like some kind of terrorist snuff film?

He opened his mouth to possibly say something, anything for whoever was watching. But he knew he looked weak and exhausted, with cords attached to him that would terrify any loved one looking upon it. His hearing is fuzzy and he’s ashamed to admit that he just zones out.

He’s taken back to the small cavern-like room where Yinsen was standing like a silent sentinel, ready to catch him when he collapses. All Tony can do is sleep.

Days pass. Tony isn’t sure how many, but it has to be around a week. Every supposed day the man, who he had learned was named Raza, would come inside and ask him to make bombs. Everyday Tony would say no. Raza would leave, looking amused.

It was the amusement that should have tipped Tony off. No dangerous man actually was amused when they were denied something. And time and time again, Raza merely smirked. And the method worked. Tony started jumping at any sound at the door. He stopped sleeping. All he could think about was when the other shoe, so to speak, would drop.

Then they came again, days (weeks?) since he had been captured. Raza asked, “Will you accept your fate and build our weapons, Tony Stark?”

Tony swallowed, standing and clutching at the battery that was his lifesource, and shook his head. “No.”

The smile Raza gave him sent a jolt of fear down his spine. “I’ve been waiting for this moment. We had hoped, with time, your stubbornness would run its course as weak rich men often do. I’m happy to find you are not the case. I do prefer to be a bit more physical with my convincing.”

Tony expected the two guards Raza had with him to grab him and drag him out. Or for Raza to hit him at the very least.

He wasn’t expecting Raza to stride forward and almost gently grab him by the back of his neck. He tried to hold still, but Raza was able to tug him forward and suddenly Tony had the unwelcoming feel of Raza’s nose pressed against the scar of Steve’s bite. A sickening shudder ran through him and it only got worse because Raza forced his head to the other side. Raza breathed in the scent of Bucky’s bite.

Tony felt sick and terrified. He didn’t really know what was going on, because this was just something people didn’t do unless the alpha was dead and a new alpha was planning to replace the bite. Swallowing, he watched as Raza pulled back and started laughing.

“I had planned a specific torture for you,” Raza said, sliding the hand on Tony’s neck gently up to cup Tony’s cheek. The way his thumb gave a single stroke along Tony’s lower lip told Tony all he needed to know about what Raza had planned. Then Raza’s hand fell away and he laughed again. “But it appears something more damaging would be more appropriate. Fear or survival can also have an influence.”

Tony was confused. He had been expecting a painful torture. It had been the idea of sexual assault that scared him the most. He didn’t understand what Raza was doing and what had changed his mind.

What happened next was a bit of a blur for Tony. Not subdued like the camera room. No, he felt everything. The problem was he didn’t fully comprehend everything or how he had been brought to this new room. He felt water on his face and in his lungs, but didn’t have enough time to comprehend the coughing to get it out before there was water yet again. Then on top of that were the shocks. It didn’t happen every time, but the randomness of a sharp and painful shock from the battery made the utter pain even more noticeable.

When he was next aware he was laying on his cot and blinking up at Yinsen, who had been putting his own blanket on top of Tony. Yinsen shook his head. “You will not survive this for much longer.”

“It’s better than him touching me or making bombs,” Tony croaked. And it was a croak, his throat felt raw from the water, coughing, and possible screaming.

“I wonder, he clearly knows something,” Yinsen said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Tony said, letting out a cough.

“I don’t know if I can stand to the side when they come for you again,” Yinsen told him.

“I won’t make weapons for them,” Tony replied, as though that was the end of the conversation.

Yinsen opened his mouth to say something, but finally closed it and walked away like he couldn’t bring himself to say anything else. Tony closed his eyes, reaching up to rub at his face and flinching when he felt the wetness.

Then, it had to be a couple weeks. Surely it was?

So many times, Tony was brought to the water. So many times, Tony felt the shock and terror. So many days, Yinsen wrapped him in blankets and told him he needed to live.

He was caving. He knew he was. But Yinsen was right, he had to survive now. He had no other choice.

Raza came in that day and, with a smirk, asked him to make the weapons. Tony stood, holding that damn car battery, trying to control his breathing. He wanted to yell and rage. This wasn’t fair. His life had finally hit a point of perfection, if there was such a thing it would be what he had with Bucky and Steve. Now, it was all he could do to hope they were looking for him. Closing his eyes, Tony made his final choice.

“I’ll make them,” Tony said, looking up to glare at Raza. “Bring me all the Stark weapons you own, whether they are complete or not. I’ll need to gut and rebuild as I’m sure you didn’t keep them properly intact. I’ll write a list of what I also need and will start when they arrive.”

“So demanding,” Raza replied.

“Do you want this done right, or not at all? The only other option is killing me,” Tony told him.

“Not just you,” Raza said.

“You won’t kill Yinsen, I need an assistant,” Tony snapped, getting frustrated.

Raza chuckled, like he found something only he knew hilarious. He turned to the door, calling over his shoulder, “I think we can get you what you need tomorrow.”

Tony watched him go and then slumped down, feeling all of his muscles go limp. He stumbled back and sat on his cot. Yinsen stepped closer, but Tony ignored him. The dread he was feeling was amplifying and shifting, like a living thing under his skin. He looked up at Yinsen. “I shouldn't have agreed.”

“You all need to survive,” Yinsen said, softly.

“Wait, huh?” Tony asked, before the heavy sense of sleep hit him. He blinked rapidly, trying to understand the exact words Yinsen used. But the urge to curl up simply claimed him and his head hit the make-shift pillow he had on his cot. He felt Yinsen touch him, making sure he was settled fully on the cot.

The world swam. His mind went to sleep.

Notes:

Man, I wish I was getting these out faster because my brain is actually going nuts with the story stuck in there. But alas, I got a promoted to a full-time position doing a floater thing and now I'm packing my brain with everybody else's job. Brain. Tired. LOL.

Also my current addiction to a youtube channel (DanielleKirsty) that is nothing but a girl talking true crime while doing her make up. It's oddly fascinating.

I'm also gonna work on another story I paused cause I need a creative purge of a few things lol. So you might see something else from me soon!

Chapter 44: 9 years, 2 weeks & 1 day

He awoke to the sharp pain of something heavy landing on his stomach. It proceeded to bounce, causing Tony to let out a groan and peek an eye open. What he saw made both eyes grow wide. There was a tiny child with brown hair that stood out in every direction and the clearest blue eyes Tony had ever seen, and that was including Steve’s. He couldn’t have been more than three, maybe close to four if Tony squinted.

“Up!” the tiny voice of the tiny being on top of him demanded in a yell that could have been heard across an ocean.

“Hey now, little guy, you’re so loud even I could hear you up the stairs,” Clint said, walking around the corner and toward what Tony suddenly realized was his nest. It was bigger and had more odds and ends, from a couple paintings of the walls to the little dresser with a stack of books on the top. Tony blinked, making sure it was real. “I turned my back for one minute and you head straight to wake Tony up, huh? Don’t you know naps are sacred?”

Clint bent down and scooped the kid up, who was clearly pouting. “No! Robot fun now!”

“See, now I think you spend too much time with him,” Clint said with an eyeroll. He turned and looked down at Tony. “You okay, man? He didn’t bounce on your head as well, did he?”

“No, I’m…fine,” Tony replied. Feeling completed out of tune with his environment? Yes, but he was healthy and safe, so he couldn’t complain too much. Watching Clint hold a kid like it was completely natural was throwing him off, though. The kid was definitely familiar with the archer. Apparently in the future Clint and Phil went the family route.

It was almost sweet to think about. Though, it didn’t explain why Tony felt a little jealous looking at the two.

Clint eyed him, before shrugging. “Right, well, I promised him some baby gymnastics. And we are going to sneak a couple of his robots so they can cheer us on, huh squirt?”

“Robots!” the tiny child yelled, just as loudly as before.

“Why did he get your machine enthusiasm,” Clint commented, rolling his eyes yet again. “Too much time together.”

Tony rolled to his feet. “Oh like you hate it so much.”

Clint grinned. “Nope, cause robot audience! Huh, tiny tot?”

“I’m sure he has a name,” Tony said.

“But Peter is boring!” Clint exclaimed. “How did you even come up with that? Bucky says you argued with Steve until your face turned tomato red to get your way. You know Steve is secretly wanting another kid so he can name it, right?”

“I…what?” Tony asked. His face momentarily went blank before he stared at the small child in Clint’s arms. His child. That was his child. “He’s…mine?”

“Yeah,” Clint said, sounding confused. “You were in labor for over a day. Which, male omega, true, but still. You didn’t hit your head down here, did you? Cause you’re kind of freaking me out. Cause Peter’s been hanging around being loud and obnoxious - sorry, little guy, gotta speak the truth - for over three years. Which, thanks for that, cause Phil is still in want-a-family mode. Like I can shoot a bow while pregnant.”

“I…Peter,” Tony said, his voice sounding a bit in awe. Peter looked up at him from where he had been distracted by the necklace Clint had been wearing, the leather cord of it wrapped around his hand..

“Dad’y,” Peter said, tugging his hand free so he could reach out and make grabby motions with his little hands.

“Oh my God,” Tony whispered. He started to raise his arms, but paused. What if he dropped him? What if he made him cry? What if he was a bad father? He was probably reckless with the kid. He wasn’t careful with himself, how could he be safe enough for a child? The panicky thoughts hit him hard and he ended up taking a step back instead of taking his own child into his arms.

Peter’s face seemed to tighten and he made a protesting wine, reaching for Tony again. Tony felt sick to his stomach that he was causing that expression, but the fear in him made him freeze.

“Tony…wait.” Clint squinted at him, scanning him. “Is this that thing? Bucky told me about your little time travel thing. Is that what this is?”

Tony winced and gave a small nod.

“Where are you actually at?” Clint asked in a hushed whisper, like he was asking a secret.

“The cave. Afghanistan,” Tony mumbled.

“Shit,” Clint let out, before glancing down at Peter. “Sorry, don’t say that until you're thirteen.”

Peter sniffled, eyes on Tony with a wide and sad look, and seemed to accept Clint distracting him. “It?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I said it,” Clint said cheerfully. His face sobered as he turned back to Tony. “If you don’t think you can hold him, maybe sit on the couch with him? I need to go let Steve and Bucky know about this.”

“Okay, I can do that,” Tony said, giving a shaky nod. He practically fell back onto the large, nest sized couch. He watched nervously as Clint set Peter down a couple feet away. He barely registered that Clint was leaving. He was too busy staring as Peter twisted around to face him.

And stare at him with a grumpy intensity that Tony nearly wanted to laugh at. He got that same look from Bucky all the time when Tony wasn’t doing what he didn’t want. This really was his child. Robot obsession? Check. Blue eyes too bright to not be from Steve? Check. A stare one can only learn from a former Winter Soldier? Yes, that too. And the hair…that was Tony’s hair.

“Sorry to be acting weird, kiddo,” Tony offered, wondering if Peter was even old enough to understand the meaning of his words. How advanced was a three year old’s vocabulary?

“You sick?” Peter asked. His voice was still higher than Tony was used to - with his very limited interaction with children in general - but he was no longer yelling so Tony figured the kid was handling things well. Better than Tony, anyway.

“No, I’m just confused for a bit. I’ll be okay soon,” Tony told him.

Peter narrowed his eyes - and yup, there was Steve’s suspicious face. It was the analyzing in the kid’s eyes that startled Tony, like Tony was a machine Peter would someday know how to take apart. Clearly they had a ridiculously smart kid on their hands and he was only three. Tony feared the teen years.

Then Peter was crawling over the cushion dividing him and settling right next to Tony. He rested his head on Tony’s arm and let out a little sigh. Tony felt an odd calm come over him. He watched as Peter reached out and put his hand on top of Tony’s. The boy gave a little pat, almost like he was doing the there-there gesture, before just letting it go still. Tony turned his hand, noticing how there were more calluses and what looked like a couple burn scars from what was most likely welding accidents. Peter’s hand was now being held by his own, feeling too small to be real.

“So,” Tony started, before falling quiet. How did a father but not really father start a conversation with his own kid? He drew in a deep breath and tried again, “So, other than baby gymnastics what were you going to do for the day?”

Peter mumbled something against Tony’s arm.

“What was that?” Tony asked.

“Not a baby,” Peter said, outright petulantly.

“Oh?” Tony replied, trying to hide his amusement.

“Don’t need changed,” Peter told him. “And! And Papa says I’m a big boy.”

“Of course Papa does,” Tony agreed.

“He is a big boy,” Steve’s voice said. Tony looked up to see Steve and Bucky standing at the edge of the entrance to the nest. “I hope you’re not going to leave so quickly like you did last time.”

“We tried to introduce you last time,” Bucky said, taking an almost careful step forward.

“You’re both too calm about this,” Tony pointed out, looking back down at Peter. The boy was looking up at him with that look again, which almost unnerved Tony but he was used to seeing that overanalyzing expression in the mirror too much to be affected anymore. “All of you.”

“Da’,” Peter said in what was obviously an order. Tony watched as Bucky immediately responded, striding over with the hesitance long gone, his focus on Peter. Tony looked up to see Steve roll his eyes and Tony tried to not laugh. Clearly, Bucky was wrapped around Peter’s finger.

“What’s up, little man?” Bucky asked, sitting down and giving in the clear urge to tickle Peter’s side. Peter squirmed against Tony’s side, letting out a tiny giggle before he was batting at Bucky’s hand. “Fine, fine. Gonna answer me?”

“Daddy is sad,” Peter whispered. Or at least that’s probably what he meant to do, but Tony and even Steve could hear him clear as day.

“Oh, so what should we do?” Bucky fake whispered back.

“Watch making things,” Peter replied, his little face way too serious.

Bucky nodded with the same level of seriousness. Then he looked up, flashed Tony a smile, and turned to Steve and said, “Look like it’s an afternoon of How It’s Made.”

Steve was clearly fighting back a groan. “How is that show still making episodes?”

“Stevie, there is literally stuff everywhere they can show the production of,” Bucky said, before turning back to Tony and Peter. “Well, kid, get my mate moving. We don’t want to miss it.”

Tony dutifully stood when Peter slid off the couch and reached up to grab Tony’s hand. Tony was a little afraid the boy would fall, but he was mostly steady on his legs. No, it was more the fact the kid wanted to actually run wherever he was going that was hard to keep up with. But soon Tony was sitting on the couch in the living room. It looked the same as before, just toys that were less baby oriented, including a working robot that actually greeted Peter when he had entered the room.

He was almost squished between Steve and Bucky. Peter had started in Tony’s lap - an oddly bouncy experience - but he was now curled up in Steve’s lap, eyes focused on the television show that was showing, of all things, how pens were made. The kid seemed engrossed, so Tony took the moment to close his eyes and try to take in the moment. Try to just pretend he wasn’t actually somewhere else. This wasn’t his body, not yet anyway. This wasn’t his current reality.

“Tony,” Bucky said softly, low enough it didn’t disturb Peter, though Steve did glance over. “Clint said you’re there.”

Tony nodded, not wanting to talk about that topic in front of Peter.

Bucky watched him a moment, before he looked over toward their companions. “Hey, I think it’s snack time. Tony and I are thinking apples and peanut butter.”

Peter’s eyes shot over, looking excited, indicating that this was one of his favorite snacks. “Yeah!”

“Alright, let them get it ready,” Steve said, hugging his son closer before Peter could squirm out of his hold. “You don’t want to miss any of your show, do you?”

“More butter,” Peter demanded, before his eyes landed on the television and zoned in. Tony would have felt worried by how easily the kid could be distracted by something like television, but seeing him mouth the words being spoken on screen he felt a bit better about it. If anything, he was learning speech patterns.

“Extra peanut butter, you got it!” Bucky announced, before gently tugging Tony toward the kitchen. He pushed Tony into a chair that didn’t exist in his time. There wasn’t a proper dinner table then, either.

Tony watched Bucky bustle around, pulling apples from the crisper drawer and a jar of peanut butter from the cupboard. It was strange. Even with how domestic they had become in his time, Bucky wasn’t like this. Now, he seemed settled.

“Tell me about it,” Bucky said, expertly using the knife to slice up the apple, the size of each so exact that only a pro could have done it.

“I…” Tony swallowed.

“You yelled things about it, when you first got back. Hid in your workroom for long periods. You never actually told us. We just knew not to leave you alone in the dark or that water was an issue,” Bucky said. “Then one day you just looked at us after changing Peter’s diaper and said that we didn’t need to worry about not knowing because you’ve already told us. That’s when we knew that it was going to happen to you again. Sad, isn’t it, that we can only say ‘it happened’ because saying time travel sounds delusional even to us.”

“This is delusional,” Tony muttered. He glanced up to see Bucky scowl, knife hitting the carveboard a little too harsh. Tony let out a sigh, brain rushing, before he said, “How can I know this is real when I just spent weeks, if not more, being waterboarded nearly everyday.”

Bucky looked up, his eyes wide and tense. But he didn’t say anything. There was not anything he could say.

“There are probably days in between, but on those days they turn the electric generator off to our portion of the cave. Utter darkness and all I can hear is Yinsen move or the rare moment we feel safe enough to talk,” Tony told him. He didn’t even recognize his own voice right then. It was monotone, like he was determined to just give facts and not show how it affected him. “I gave in. I’m sorry.”

The knife in Bucky’s hand clattered to the counter and the man swiftly strode over to him, dropping down to a kneel. Bucky’s steel-blue eyes looked up at him, forcing him to meet his eyes. There was compassion there and a level of understanding that Tony knew was fully genuine. But Bucky didn’t bring up his own experience in captivity.

“I’m just going to tell you this, because I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell you what you’re going to do beyond giving you hope. But, the first thing you said to us? You were prepared to fight before you recognized us and you relaxed as much as you could have relaxed and said, ‘Took you long enough. I had to do all the work.’ So don’t think you’re defeated.”

Tony shook his head, because there was no way he’d end up in a situation in that cave where he could have that kind of strength or that kind of upperhand. He thought of Yinsen’s strength. He had no idea how long they had held him. The man never said, but it was indicated by how he went through the motions. “I’m not going to survive this without giving terrorists weapons that will murder so many people. Not soldiers that signed up for it, not a situation of actual war. Just pain. I’ll create that.”

“No,” Bucky snapped, his voice momentarily harsh. “You have always told me I’m more than what they made me do. How does that differ for you? Why do you get the right to take blame when I can’t?”

Tony was suddenly happy that Steve was in the other room. Because while Steve was always comforting, often soft about it, he didn’t understand this level of pain. Steve ran into the battle, Bucky and now Tony was dragged in. Steve would understand at a point that he could comfort them afterwards, but right then with Tony experiencing it Bucky knew he was the one needed.

“Could you hug me?” Tony asked in a tiny voice. He was immediately engulfed in a strong embrace. He buried his face into Bucky’s neck, shuddering as he breathed his smell in. It wasn’t a long hug, but it was enough to calm him and stabilize him. He pulled back and gave Bucky a smile, apparently a real one as the alpha before him smiled to a near grin. “Always making me smile.”

“It’s my job,” Bucky said, reaching up to give a soft stroke to his cheek with his thumb. “C’mon, Petie-boy is gonna come in any second for his snack…unless it’s now the episode on screws.”

“I get him to like my stuff that much?” Tony asked, and he’d never admit it was shyly. Even though it was. He always thought he’d baffle any child coming near him.

“Oh, yeah,” Bucky said, standing to head back over to the counter. He immediately began slathering peanut butter on the apple slices with the knife he had used before. They then went onto a plate and with a smile, Bucky gestured with his head for Tony to follow him into the living room.

What greeted them was Peter now sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table. The boy was still glancing up at the show, but mostly he was focusing on a set of what Tony could only assume were Legos. They weren’t the big ones for toddlers, but were too big for the tiny pieces of the sets he would admit to still playing with in his age. Apparently in this time Lego had made something in between for Peter’s intelligence to allow him to build things. Tony could already tell they were still too advanced to the kid, but he had figured out how to connect items and set things on top of each other to build a kind of structure.

While Tony only felt vague fatherly feelings right then, he also felt a little proud. Peter’s main behavior had been heavily influenced by his alphas. Outside of Clint encouraging robots, Peter’s main actions had been to mimic the alphas around him. To see a trait of himself so obviously shown made him feel more connected. And also more scared.

“Don’t let him eat too much, we still have dinner to get through,” Steve ordered in a vague commander voice. Like at this point he couldn’t help it and had given up on trying.

Tony walked over and sat down next to him and welcomed Steve’s arm going around his shoulders. He felt protected, much like he had in Bucky’s hold. He settled into it, absorbing as much as he could. Because he knew what would happen when he fell asleep. He knew he was simply biding time before the torture would begin again. Though if what his understanding became true, this torture would be pressure of creating horror in a part of the world that needed no more. More reason to somehow avoid making those weapons.

He felt Steve tug him closer. A glance over showed Bucky engaging Peter by eating apples with him. Tony looked up and Steve’s face was as caring as it had been after he had beat up those alphas wanting to ruff him up back during the start of World War II. Tony kind of wanted to laugh at the absurdness of the moment. His life was absurd.

“You doing okay?” Steve asked softly, most likely trying to not catch Peter’s attention.

Tony rested his head on Steve’s shoulder, scenting him in as much as he had done Bucky. “Yeah. This is going to end tonight, I can feel it.”

“Then we will make the most of it,” Steve replied. Tony looked up at him, matching his soft smile. Steve didn’t look physically older, but there was an edge to his eyes and mouth that showed he went through things that Tony wouldn’t know years after his time in the cave. Unlike Bucky, who was willing to show his soul in a look if you deserved it, Steve thought too much and didn’t let people in until it was demanded of him.

Tony reached up and tugged Steve into a kiss. There were no actual words between them, no intense conversation as it had been back in the past before he was Captain America. But Steve still let go of that need to follow order and right when touching him, even in his future. There was a cough before Tony realized they had practically started making out with a kid in the room. Tony felt the blush forming on him and he leaned back into the couch in embarrassment.

“Daddy?” Peter asked, turning to look at him. “What now?”

Tony paused, feeling a panic, then looked up. “Jarvis, what’s the time?”

“Five hours before Peter’s bedtime,” Jarvis replied, clearly understanding his question. Tony let out a breath of relief, knowing Jarvis was still around.

“Well, that means in a couple of hours many of us will need to fill our bellies, isn’t that right Peter?” Tony asked, feeling more of a fake confidence than anything. He felt Steve slide his hand along his back, almost like he was trying to encourage him. “How about we keep watching our show and you pick what we’re going to eat?”

“But not pancakes,” Peter said, before shooting Bucky a kid sized glare.

Tony laughed. “Bucky, what did you do to the pancakes?”

“I was alone trying to feed him! It’s not my fault they turned black,” Bucky replied, shrugging with an air of indifference. He gave Tony a sad look. “I did not do well with the kid until recently.”

Peter seemed to understand his distress and simply reached over to a hug, which Bucky gave happily. The relief on his face, that Peter would still be able to touch him was evident. Like Bucky was still waiting over every corner for someone to condemn him, even a child.

Tony turned away, because it was too much to watch. Steve gave him the look of understanding. Steve was working through his issues, clearly, but Bucky was still struggling all these years later. Tony could only press his forehead against Steve’s shoulder, trying to calm his thought process. It was moving too fast. For a moment he thought he was shifting back, but it lasted but a few seconds and he was back with his family.

“Alright, what’s the jury? Movie or beach time?” Steve asked.

“Well, what do you say, Peter?” Bucky asked the little boy trying and mostly failing to clean a bit of peanut butter off his cheek. Bucky gently took it from him and cleaned the swab of peanut butter that was on his cheek and nearly spreading to his ear. “What does Peter have planned?”

“King lion? I wanna see that,” Peter said, in a very determined voice. He clearly got all over their stubbornness levels.

“The sad one again,” Steve muttered, before glancing at Tony. “The only thing I’d complain about you nowadays is your influence means I have to repeatedly watch how sad this is.”

“You could leave,” Tony suggested.

“Maybe next time, now I want to be near you,” Steve replied.

So they watched the Lion King. Bucky still complained about the hyenas being ordered about by a lion. Steve still got all teary eyed. Tony enjoyed it all and got a gleeful kick out of Peter rooting only for the hyenas. A reason for which Peter didn’t actually explain beyond a shrug and ‘they need it’ in young kid speak. Tony wondered if this was an example of the level of compassion Peter would have as he got older. Then he watched the boy devour his macaroni and cheese (with bacon bits, as Bucky insisted) with a voracious manner.

They all kept the conversation light, Tony was enjoying the less tension as he leaned back on the couch. After the credits ended and everyone was fed, Tony felt the couch cushion next to him dip. He blinked open his eyes that he hadn’t realized he closed and saw Peter sitting with his knees under him and blue eyes even bluer than they had been before.

“Feeling better?” Peter asked.

“Much,” Tony replied. “What’s up with you?”

“Read me the story? Bedtime, know you won’t…me stay up,” Peter said, momentarily struggling with his words. Tony had noticed it a bit before, but the kid was barely four. Even a genius couldn’t understand the English language overnight and Peter’s attempt to try was more than he’d normally thought he’d see at his age. Another moment at pride for his future son’s progression. Though he expected the language encouragement was from Steve.

Tony looked over at Steve with a questioning look. Steve chuckled. “You’re reading him the Caterpillar That Didn’t Want to Change. Usually after a third through the story he falls asleep. But he’s determined to stay up to the end so he makes you start at the beginning every time. It’s a wonderful bonding experience. Have fun!”

Steve Rogers clearly didn’t have the patience for this task and was also a bit of an asshole. Because Tony took the book into Peter’s bedroom, which was the third bedroom that was never used back in his time. The walls didn’t have the usual gender based colors. No, Steve had clearly been in charge of the decoration. The walls were swirls of color and yet the walls showed hints of mountains of Colorado snowy peaks and even the plains of red dirt found in west Oklahoma. Courtesy of Captain America, Tony was sure.

“Alright, so where did we finish?” Tony asked, wondering if Steve was telling the truth.

“No, start!” Peter demanded, looking too cute and sleepy in his bed.

So Tony started. “There once was a caterpillar who saw his family build walls around them and change, then leave on wings. He liked his friends, liked his home. He chose that he would not change.”

He got halfway through the book, as Steve suspected, before he noticed Peter was fully asleep. He stared at that small body, wondering if this was a dream or reality. Could this actually be his child? He reached out and covered Peter with the blankets the boy had already kicked off while hearing the story of a caterpillar determined to be different. Tony smiled and leaned down and kissed the boy’s forehead.

He reached the bedroom, finding his alphas standing in their pajamas, obviously talking about him as the sound of voice immediately stopped.

“I feel I need to sleep,” Tony said, feeling a sadness there. Because his dream would either end or he’d leave a reality that he craved too much.

“Come on,” Steve said, reaching out a hand with a pair of pajamas. “Change and let us just hold you.”

Tony didn’t bother to go into the bathroom, he changed there. Bucky nudged him into bed and so fast, he was surrounded by super soldier heat. Not only that, but strength as they tried to hold him close, each having to relent so it would be equal. A dance they had probably played over the years.

Tony felt Bucky’s nose pressed against the nape of his neck. Steve had managed to tilt his head back, laying lower on the bed, so he could press his mouth near Tony’s Adam’s apple. It was just as he felt the comfort of this that the flare of tiredness hit him. He let out a small gasp and while his alphas were asleep they still clutched him tighter.

Their grip was what he tried to hold onto as the weakness overcame him. It hit hard and fast.

He was asleep.

He would awaken to Yinsen shaking him awake with urgency. He would want to go back to that place, of strong comfort. He wouldn’t get it. He wouldn’t get it for a long time.

Notes:

I always planned this as the way to the ending, but I didn't plan for this to be so long so I'm like, omg my babies! And also, what else can I sneak in here! Then the smart part be all, anything else save it for a sequel. lol.

Also I chose Peter as the kid's name cause well, why not. I already fucked up the universe and there are these awesome memes on a Facebook page I follow where essentially everyone is Peter's parent or uncle and every be all TAKE CARE OF. The Loki one's are the funniest. Must protect small human who thinks I'm Good.

Chapter 45: ? - ?

Tony shot up, wincing at the pain in not just his chest but limbs as well. A wave of dizziness hit him, before disappearing as fast as it came. He could tell their treatment of him hadn’t been the most accepted by his body. He looked up, ignoring the urge to groan in pain, and saw Yinsen staring at him with an intense look. It was a look his father had given him. Not the angry look of disappointment. No, it reminded him of the time they had been in danger. Tony had to have been in elementary school so he didn’t understand why that stern fear had been on his father’s face, but he knew in memory that it meant to be calm and stay silent at all costs.

He stood, Yinsen helping with a barely noticed gesture, which was ignored by the four men bringing cases after cases into the room. Tony could see the imprint on each thing they brought and each one was stolen from SI. He had, himself, monitored the loading of his product at the time it was going to be delivered, because he knew from Bucky and Steve’s experience that this time things could go sour. He thought he had covered all his bases.

For the first time he started to think that this was more than just a simple ‘kidnap and build me something’ type of abduction.

The idea hit him like a shock and his mind switched gears. This was no longer about waiting. This was now a time game. He had to be prepared. He wasn’t just an omega of powerful alphas. No, they loved him because he could provide and flourish without them present. He had thought them dead and still managed, even with the alcohol and the random suicidal thought, but could get himself from one day to the next.

This wasn’t going to stop him. Not when it was clear there was some doomed person in SI that eventually was soon to realize this offering of Tony’s creations was to be the stupidest idea he had ever had.

Tony held onto that idea as Raza just hung out by the doorway, raising an eyebrow to Tony. It was a clear message that if he didn’t get what was needed done there was a far worse punishment. The feel of the man’s mouth on his alpha’s bond marks echoed along his skin. He shivered all over, but didn’t let it show despite how weak his body was.

Eventually, they were gone and all Tony was left with was stacks of silver boxes and Yinsen standing there waiting for some kind of response. Tony glanced at the man, recognizing the signs of a man too tired to fight but willing to aid another who could. Tony didn’t know, but later he would try to do as much as he could to honor this man, as he was certain that something would keep them apart in the future.

“Well, I guess we should start sorting through it all,” Tony said in a tired voice.

“And what should I be looking for?” Yinsen asked.

“You’ll see it. Anything broken up or damaged, even with a bent, hand it over to my side. Anything pristine set to the side for later,” Tony requested. “Someone has been feeding them my weapons for a while. I need to know what level they have and what I can do about it.”

“If you get out,” Yinsen said, so soft that Tony shouldn’t have heard it.

“You’ll get out, too,” Tony said stubbornly.

“I’ve already gotten out, because my wife and children have. Rest assured, my place is as it is perfectly,” Yinsen replied, before opening up a case and not looking at Tony as he shuffled through the items. Tony chose to not ask more, the hint of sorrow to Yinsen’s voice was matching to his own and he didn’t feel he could handle questioning the man. Or maybe it was more that Tony couldn’t handle it.

They did their job, putting things into categories that Tony set up. In the end, Tony could see a lot of potential with what they had. More weapons than they had even needed.

“Hey, Yinsen? It’s going to be damn hard for me to work with a car battery,” Tony said in a casual tone. “How do you feel about fixing that?”

“I think that would be necessary for your healing and productivity,” Yinsen said, clearly catching on. “As I am the only one here with the ability of being a surgeon in case you fail. I can tell them such.”

“They might be angry about that,” Tony said.

“It’s what it is,” Yinsen said with a shrug, clearly already determined.

Hours later, Tony had to turn away as they beat Yinsen a bit just for asking for extra light. He couldn’t fight back.There was a sense of honor in Yensin that Tony was actually protected enough to not see at first sight. As the man came back, with the word of more work lights, he had a stern look to his face. All pain from those hits hidden by a veil of determination.

That was when Tony realized Yinsen was an alpha. The way he stood, the way he spoke to Tony sternly when needed, and the way he hadn’t made a sound when the men beat him but just stared at them with a condemnation. The men had left looking uneasy. Even in their bloodlust, they had felt Yinsen’s stare. He was a strong alpha, since society felt the need to label, He was an alpha equal to Tony’s own alphas, but modern ideas.

Tony could only stand as Yinsen walked back, two black eyes and blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth.Tony felt himself just go a weird sad-tense. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Yinsen turned and looked at him, before reaching for a nearby bit of cloth so he could spit out the excess of blood and spit in his mouth. Somehow he was elegant at it, which made Tony wonder how much pain the man was in. How much he always had been.

Tony looked away, collecting his thoughts. “So, I figure I have a design. Get me a sheet of paper and I’ll show you.”

Suddenly things were so fast. He drew the image he had remembered from sneaking into the workstation he was aloud in a corner of Howard’s shop. But he had remembered Howard being so frustrated over some strange circular image. And he had not been noticed until his mind had remembered the details Howard had managed. It was those small, scattered details that Tony now worked on.

It took a couple weeks, maybe more. But with the terrorists, it took time. They still loved the idea of Tony and the water. The sparks of electricity and the sudden need to breathe because he just couldn’t.

He wasn’t sure how long it had been before he built the small arc reactor. The moment he snapped it into place it felt like his body had become alive. He was able to move and just feel his own body in a way the tired version couldn’t reach. Yinsen monitored him, of course, to make sure no infection set in. But after another week it was clear he was good to go.

Tony made sure to work toward new weapons during this, laying out blueprints and doing welding that seemed appropriate. It was clear Raza had no knowledge of weapon mechanics of any kind. He saw Tony working and just gave a nod to the guards. Tony was thankful because he knew the moment he became slow in his work Raza would bring out his other form of discipline that he avoided before.

The man was just a beta, but Tony knew he would try to act alpha in a claiming.

So Tony worked. He worked a bit on the bombs but salvaged parts for his own project. Yinsen at first scowled at him, of course he would sense he was an omega making a full body with attack capabilities. It took a few days for Yinsen to watch him and, getting out of the traditional alpha mindset, help.

Finally, after a month, maybe more, Tony had a prototype. There was a large box of partially done weapons that he had made to satisfy the Ten Rings, but otherwise, behind the small partition given for their bathroom needs was a massive and heavy metal armor. One able to be empowered by the arc reactor built into his chest.

It had taken more than a week for Yinsen to subdue any inflammation and possible infection after he had installed the arc reactor into the metal encased chest cavity Yinsen had originally created. After that, Tony could only figure out how it could work. That was the problem with making creations that baffled everyone around you. There was nowhere to turn when it might go wrong.

But that was besides the point. Tony paused that morning to quickly vomit into the nearest container.

“Are you okay?” Yinsen asked, sounding almost careful. He watched as Tony straightened up and glared down at the basin he had only let out merely that level of bile that didn’t mean much until it did.

“I’m fine,” Tony said, quickly. “Let’s get back to it.”

Yinsen seemed hesitant, like he wanted to say something, but the man clammed up as usual. “What is our next step?”

“We need to disrupt their security feed. We’ve already tested that I can fit the metal suit.” Tony paused. “We don’t have a weapon for you.”

“We need to establish a loop, but long enough to show you are actually working,” Yinsen replied, ignoring Tony’s last comment.

“Right, so we need to collect their latest movies,” Tony nodded, letting Yinsen have the avoidance. The task turned out a bit harder than he thought, since he wasn’t allowed to leave the room and his computer savvy ways were far more in the mechanics and robot range.

Eventually, Tony came to the acceptance that they would have to wait. He turned his attention back to the metal suit’s offensive capabilities, building guns and other attachments while Yinsen made the occasional comment. Yinsen seemed to think he was needed there to keep Tony from going overboard. Considering the man had let him build a metal suit of strong offensive power, Tony didn’t think he was doing a very good job of it.

They slept as they thought the night probably was. Tony hadn’t had another dream since the time he met his son. The idea still astonished him, but kept the very topic hidden in a locked space of his mind. He didn’t need this place to tarnish that memory. Every morning, some of Raza’s thugs would enter to wake them up, sometimes shoving them out of the beds onto the hard rocky ground. They seemed to have given up on the idea of harming Tony further with physical blows.

No, they left that to Yinsen and made Tony watch.

They still used waterboarding on him. He thought it had been long over when they didn’t drag him off for a couple weeks. Then one morning Yinsen was pushed out of his bed and given a kick, before they didn’t even bother trying to get Tony to even stand as they dragged him toward the door.

Tony didn’t protest, he knew better than that by now. The water was familiar, but the attempts to breathe was a familiarity that he wished he didn’t have. He might have been crying by the time the men were done. He didn’t care and he knew they didn’t really either. They were bored and figured they might as well follow orders. That was life in a cave.

When he was shoved back into the room with a demand to hurry his building up, a swell of nausea hit him. He felt dizzy and like he was about to pass out. He stumbled over to his cot, jerking in surprise and a bit of fear when he felt hands on him. He realized those hands belonged to Yinsen and allowed the man to get him to sit with his head down and almost between his knees.

He was certain he was going to vomit, but as Yinsen held his shoulder and the man’s thumb rubbed a gentle circle against the skin under his threadbare shirt, Tony found himself calming. Yinsen cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the moment, which Tony had to admit was oddly intimate.

“I’m not the one who should be helping you with this,” Yinsen said, a softness to his voice.

Tony looked up, a confused look on his face. “It’s not like there’s anyone else here, Yinsen. Besides, they’ve done it before. I guess I reacted more because it’s been a while.”

“Maybe so, maybe not,” Yinsen said, eyes narrowing. He looked hesitant, like he wanted to say something but was afraid of what the reaction would be. Then he sighed and dropped his hand. “We are pretty much ready and I do not think we will be able to do so without notice. Your suit is quite noticeable.”

“Then we need to wait until they come inside, so I don’t have to just blow the door open. We’d be able to take them wave at a time.” Tony nodded, feeling the muscles in his body starting to thrum over being able to just do something. Then that surge of sickness hit him and he was turning away, dropping off the cot onto his knees and vomiting like his life depended on it.

He felt Yinsen’s hand on him again, carefully rubbing between his shoulders. He could hear the man murmur to him, but couldn’t make out the words. It was oddly effective. He felt his body relax at the sound of an alpha comforting him. It was then that Tony remembered Yinsen’s words and maybe that was what made his friend unhappy. He would prefer to be comforting his own omega instead of Tony. Tony let out a cough and accepted the bottle of water Yinsen handed to him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s going on with me,” Tony told him, letting out another small cough to clear his throat before taking another bigger gulp of water. He would question why he didn’t mind drinking water when he was just dunk into it. Apparently washing out your mouth and throat trumped that trauma.

“It’s been around three months, from what I can gather,” Yinsen commented. “You began to be light headed a few weeks in.”

“They had started torturing me,” Tony pointed out, standing and looking around to find something to clean up his mess with.

“Yes, I suppose that’s what all this has been,” Yinsen replied, almost sounding frustrated. Tony shot him a look. “I merely hope you think of other ways you came to feel this way.”

“Right,” Tony said, shortly, already done with the conversation. He was in a dank cave with little food. Of course he’d be lightheaded and nauseous on occasion. He just regretted throwing up what was probably was the only food in his stomach. He wasn’t sure when they would feed them again, they were often sporadic about it and if they happened to have fallen asleep they wouldn’t leave the food for them to eat later.

Tony really wanted a drink right then. Even more he wanted Steve’s self-righteous voice and Bucky being sarcastic for no reason. He wanted…he wanted Peter even though the boy was probably a figment of his imagination. He just wanted his family. That was a reason to feel a little ill.

Tony shook his head and thought about other matters, what was actually important. First he cleaned up his mess, though they’d still smell it and the last few times he threw up the Ten Rings didn’t believe in taking out the trash of the captives unless the smell was affecting them.

After he had done that, he went back to work. He still felt like he could tip over at any moment, but Stark men were made of iron. He hated the phrase, but he used that right then to put the final touches on his work. His body clock kicked in eventually. They had not given them food, but Yinsen had begun stashing some away so they were able to eat.

Tony laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. Yinsen had said it was around three months they had been there. Three months.

He tried to turn that over in his head. What were Bucky and Steve doing? They probably had secured Stane by now. Tony just missed them. He always would, even now after so much progress. They had gone on a few missions together starting about seven months back. Once Steve had gotten used to talking with the shop cashier of Malibu he had branched out. He had started taking Tony out to lunch. Though it was usually a hole in the wall type place so Bucky could join them.

Thinking of his boys and thinking of how they’ve progressed, Tony felt pride and he rolled over and tried to get comfortable. He wouldn’t be able to, but in a couple hours he’d fall asleep from pure exhaustion.

Tomorrow, when they came for him, they’d make their move.

Tomorrow, Tony had a bit of hope. Right then, he just felt uneasy and bone tired. Like he had been running all day and forgot to breathe during it. It was a weak feeling and he wondered if he was coming down with something. Which made him even more sure that tomorrow should be the day.

He fell asleep, and an unsettling sleep, but finally it dipped down to that deep level that allowed for REM cycles. Tony was fully asleep.

Notes:

C'mon Tony, how are you this clueless? I know, I know, focusing on escape probably is something you should be doing, but seriously.

Okay, so I was going to do this chapter differently, longer actually. But the way Tony falls asleep here felt a good way to end the chapter.

I LOVE YINSEN SO MUCH IN THIS CHAPTER. YES, caps-lock was required for that, because that's how I feel. Alpha Yinsen, yes please.

Chapter 46: 19 years, 3 weeks & 4 days

His face was pressed against something smooth and hard. There was a snapping sound next to his ear, what he assumed was someone actually snapping their fingers. He grunted, feeling oddly sore. Not from a beating, nor the gritty pain of the day after a waterboarding, but the throbbing ache of working. His back muscles hurt from what was obviously welding. The tiny sting on his hand from getting clumsy while soldering. The throb in his wrists and fingers from rapid typing.

“I’ll start calling you Daddy again if you stop pretending to be asleep,” a voice said. It was oddly familiar, even though Tony had only heard it for one day. This voice was not as high pitched, Tony couldn’t even picture it making that squeal Peter had made when picked up. Except, it was definitely the sound of the voice he’d never forget.

It was Peter, he saw it the moment he opened his eyes. He had the same face shape, same creamy white skin he clearly had gotten from Steve, and his brown hair was still sticking up everywhere in a defiance against physics. But he was not a toddler. He wasn’t even an elementary school kid.

Eyes wide, Tony sat up, back actually cracking as it straightened. That wasn’t normal, but he supposed with age came body aches. He winced, before looking Peter directly in his blue eyes. He blurted out, “How freaking old are you?”

“Uh, my birthday was a few months ago?” Peter replied, like he wasn’t actually sure himself.

“Where are your fathers?” Tony asked.

“On a mission?” Peter said in that same unsure way. Tony kind of wanted to roll his eyes at his own kid. “Okay, you forgot my age and where Dad and Pa are at. Who are you and please say Loki didn’t bewitch you again. I keep telling you guys to stop messing with him. Drop a building on him and be done with it.”

Tony didn’t even bother with trying to figure out who Loki was. “How about you just answer my questions, kid.”

Peter actually rolled his eyes. “I’m thirteen and they’re somewhere in the Ukraine with Aunt Natasha.”

Thirteen. He’d skipped that far ahead? Tony didn’t even have the brainpower to figure that one out. So he focused on where he was right then. He had woken up in his workshop again, only instead of in his nest he was at a workstation. A very advanced workstation. Holograms floated without any actual screens to attach themselves to. There wasn’t even a physical, taking up space laptop. Tony felt his fingers practically vibrating with an urge to play and learn. But no, the kid first.

“Okay, so, hi,” Tony said awkwardly.

Peter squinted at him. “Yeah, okay, if this is you messing with me because I blew up my science project I do have to say, harsh.”

“How did you blow up your science project?” Tony asked, curiously.

Peter’s head did that weird tilt thing Bucky did when he was analyzing something. It was, as with Bucky, annoying. “You got called to come into the principal’s office two days ago!”

“Well, I was busy doing stuff and can’t remember things well,” Tony replied, lying out of his butt. He wouldn’t have believed himself with the tone he had created.

“Really?” Peter replied, raising an eyebrow.

Tony sighed. So much for that route. “Sometimes I have this little memory issue that you probably don’t remember cause you were a toddler last-”

“Oh, that?” Peter said, rolling his eyes even harder this time. The kid was going to strain something. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Um, what?” Tony probably had the stupidest look on his face. “You know about that?”

“Well, yeah,” Peter said, moving over to swipe the holograms off with his hand. “It, uh, happens to me too.”

“What?” Tony repeated, earning a small smile from his future son. How, now that he took the moment to register, was going to be on the shorter side like him. “How the hell did that happen?”

“I don’t know the exact details, because apparently I’m not mentally capable of handling such news. Pa is a bitch sometimes. Sorry! Sorry,” Peter said, now looking panicky.

“By Pa I think you mean Steve? And, yeah, he’s particular like that, but don’t you dare be that disrespectful in the future. You don’t have to pronounce every thought in your head,” Tony said, shocked by the lecture mode he fell into.

“Right, sorry,” Peter said sheepishly. “Anyway, this sorcerer guy, Dr Strange, looked us over. Apparently we have energy or souls, I don’t know, that are attuned with fate and therefore the timeline we are connected to. It sounds like malarky to me. Since I’m your son, I’m pretty sure it’s genetic.”

“Right, um,” Tony let his voice fade away. Because what did one say to that? He was already getting tired. Suddenly having an older body could do that, he supposed.“Maybe we should just watch a movie or something?”

Peter slowly grinned, which was clearly a sign Tony should start worrying. “I have the perfect movie.”

Tony glanced down at what he was working on at his station. He wanted to reach out to the red and gold metal glove, but his curiosity was pulled away by Peter grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the stairs. Oddly, it gave him a bit of a calm knowing that they were still in the house in Malibu. The fact that the home he had originally decorated while thinking of his alphas, despite at the time thinking they would never see it, was still their home hit his heart hard. A thirteen year old kid and they never thought of getting a new home.

Tony found himself watching some anime about a group of heroes in which Peter had scoffed over the idea of using subtitles. Apparently, future Tony spoke some Japanese. He was completely confused. But Peter seemed excited about sharing it with him, so he tried to catch something of the plot. At the very least he could handle Peter rambling about it. If anything it told him what he was supposed to understand.

He figured this was life with a teenager. Getting coerced by happy kid smiles didn’t seem too bad, though.

Eventually, Peter settled back in his seat, looking amused at Tony’s confusion over the show. “Guess you're close to your one night of sleep travel time, huh? Where do you come from, anyway?”

“I’m not heading out just yet,” Tony replied, despite knowing full well he could feel the tiredness sneak up on him. “I mean, I love the idea of continuing your fathers’ and I’s past relationship. And, well, having you. But what time period I’m in is…something I don’t want to tell you about.”

“The cave,” Peter said, nodding. “Yeah, you never describe it to me. All you call it is the cave and then change the topic.”

“You never need to know about that,” Tony told him, voice stern.

Peter was quiet for a while. “Got any questions for me?”

Tony turned on the couch in order to face Peter, curling his legs up. “Seriously, how is Bucky as a dad?”

Peter started laughing and, wow, Tony could hear Bucky in that laugh. Peter might have been biologically Tony and Steve’s - too much evidence to disagree - but Bucky clearly had a significant effect on their kid. Peter leaned back, crazy-haired head resting back on the couch as he looked over at him. “Dad is great. He teaches me self-defense and sometimes helps me with my English homework.”

Neither of those shocked Tony. Bucky wouldn’t let Tony step out of the house without at the very least having a boxing session once a week. The English tutoring made just as much sense. Bucky devoured Lord of the Rings and had moved on to many other titles. He had been puzzling his way through A Clockwork Orange right before Tony's presentation. Probably creating a language translation in his head for the book.

Tony grinned at the idea and looked over at Peter. “Steve isn’t too stern with you, is he?”

Peter laughed. “No, he’s doting to the point of it being annoying. Though, he does crack down on things. I’m glad it was you - err, future you - that went to that teacher’s meeting about the explosion two days ago. You banished me from using the workshop. Pa would have banished me from every fun thing in the house. No workshop, no television or internet, and no books. Just schoolwork.”

“He’s clearly a horrible person,” Tony said mockingly.

Peter snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s what an outsider would think. But, he’s great. He is the strongest with discipline out of all of you, but he also does these little things to make it less horrible. Don’t tell future you, but even when I’m grounded he’ll sneak me movies and books. I’m pretty sure Dad knows.”

“So, I’m the clueless one,” Tony surmised.

“You’re the one who teaches me stuff my school can’t even dream of teaching me,” Peter replied, happily. Then he rubbed his stomach. “Lunch time.”

Tony soon found himself watching his future son devour as much food as his alphas. He couldn’t be certain if that was merely the effect of being a teenage boy. He had an appetite. Actually, Tony thought it might be more than average.

Tony watched him for a moment, finishing off his own single sandwich to Peter’s six. An entire bag of chips had been eaten as well. It made Tony smile, watching his progeny eat his fill and be strong and alive. It was a weird feeling, almost like what he thought it felt to feel like to be a parent. Maybe. He was starting to actually picture this as real.

“So what now?” Tony asked.

“I wish I could show you what you created. It’s so awesome,” Peter said, sadly. “But Dad and Pa told me, if this ever happened, to not tell you more than the basics. I shouldn’t have said anything, huh? It’s not that cool!”

“Calm down! You have me curious, but I can occasionally pass over something. Maybe you shouldn’t show me what’s happening right now, beyond what you have,” Tony replied. “I remember when I traveled to the past. I obsessively searched for information during my days at that time. It’s not a good feeling to feel helpless over simple knowledge. I’m not in a situation where I can handle that and I do not want you to experience that.”

“What are you saying?” Peter asked, pushing his plate away.

“It’s the one area where there is a possibility of too much information,” Tony said, before he closed his eyes and winced, because he could feel that terrible sleepiness hit him hard. Almost like he was swiftly becoming drunk. He felt his head dipping forward and jerked it back up to see Peter posed to stand up and get to him. “Sorry, I’m just…tired.”

“It’s happening, isn’t it?” Peter asked, softly. “It hasn’t happened to me like this before. I just kinda just gently fall asleep.”

“It’s rare,” Tony admitted. “I think it’s when I’m being forced to awaken. Not like an alarm clock, but of sudden need. Panic.”

Peter watched him, obviously seeing the way Tony’s eyes were having trouble staying open and his body had started to shake. The boy stood up and walked around the table. Tony felt his gentle but still strong hands guiding him up. Really strong hands, actually. Peter definitely got some of Steve’s super-serum, it must be fully integrated into Steve’s DNA in order to pass it on. Tony knew it was an obvious outcome, but he wondered what a super-serum fueled toddler throwing a fit had been like.

Peter guided him to the master bedroom. Tony had no urge to complain as his entire body was feeling sluggish and barely able to keep itself upward. His body hit the soft mattress and he let out a near growling sound when Peter pushed him around into a comfortable position. He heard Peter snort. He rolled to face Peter through half-closed eyes. He tried to take in every detail, to remember him (dear god, a son, he’d never fully believe) as his eyes fell closed and then they couldn’t open.

He woke up gasping, jerking to move away from the hands grabbing him.

Notes:

I re-thought this chapter over and over. Originally it had Steve and Bucky in it, but I wanted an very simple chapter in all the chaos and thought Tony bonding more with his son would be perfect.

Hopefully, next chapter won't take as long. I know what's happening in it, so the struggle is the flow. Also, it's gonna be long. But I visioned the perfect ending to story and I wanna cry even though we're not there yet. XD

Chapter 47: ? - ?

Notes:

I know in the original Tony doesn't have repulsars in the cave. But, let's face it, this whole story is about defying reality.

2-3 chapters left!

Tony’s eyes snapped open to see Yinsen standing over him, the man’s gentle and yet stern hands gripping his arms with a strong and yet urgent hold. Tony blinked up at him, stomach starting to roll. Yinsen immediately said, “They are coming.”

Tony scrambled to his feet, before immediately bending over and vomiting on the very bed he had just left. He hoped their plan worked or he’d have to find a new place to sleep. He stumbled toward Yinsen, who grabbed him and stabled him. “I’m getting tired of this throwing up thing. It’s been happening for a few weeks and is just getting worse.”

“It’s merely a side effect, it’ll get better as it progresses,” Yinsen said.

He looked at him in confusion. What was the man talking about?

It didn’t matter, because he could hear the distant sound of Raza’s voice through the thick door. It was how much Tony had grown to fear over any of them coming that made it easier to hear in such an environment. Yinsen waking him up the way he did showed the man had the same reflex.

“Suit,” Tony said in a near breathless rush. He stumbled over to where they had the suit hanging up. Tony knew it was going to be heavy and wondered if his spout of sickness would affect his ability to carry it as well. The movement alone would be more stilted.

He almost vomited again, this time out of pure nerves, when the first leg plate was put into place. Yinsen worked diligently and fast, probably at the same speed he had for the light in his chest. Not perfectly, but excellent given what was provided. Tony would forever be grateful for his fellow captive and he planned to ensure Yinsen and his family were set up like lords. That was the thought that was on his mind as Yinsen snapped the heavy metal helm onto his head.

Then Raza and his so-called soldiers entered the room. Tony was still powering up the pulsars, so Yinsen was the one for them to focus on.

“Where’s Stark?” Raza demanded, his troops lifting their guns in Yinsen’s direction.

Tony heard a soft click in his ear and the heat in his palms. He also heard the click of one gun gearing up to set fire. Guns meant to shoot a series of bullets rapidly and at Stark Industries accuracy. He took a hesitant, testing step forward. The joints grinded, but were moveable enough for what he had planned. He took another step forward and turned.

The pulsar was faster and harder than he had expected. Three men ended up dead from the blast alone. He might have overcharged the unit. Tony paused for just a second. He had just killed three men. He’d never killed anyone…personally. His weapons had. He’d been killing many through his designs.

There was a ping, followed by a barrage of pings against his armor. He saw sparks bursting from what he was encased himself in. Oddly, he suddenly thought about Bucky and his decades of violence and what he went through. Tony swung his arm up, anger hitting him. Anger from the weeks in this place, the pain he knew it was causing his alphas, and then…Yinsen hiding behind a workbench in order to not accidentally get hit. Tony felt rage and he just reacted.

Blasts echoed around the room as he fired over and over. Harsh pings that were hitting his armor were overwhelmed by the sounds of the high pitched gearing up of the pulsars, followed by the loud echo of the blaster setting off. Tony, jaw clenching, shot it over quickly until the only person left was Raza. The cause of his and Yinsen pain and terror for weeks upon weeks for Tony, longer for Yinsen.

The man was laying on the ground, letting out gasping sounds of pain that Tony couldn’t help enjoy. He stomped his way around the workstations to face him, Yinsen standing and coming up behind him. Raza looked…horrifying. One arm was blasted off and one leg was burnt to the point Tony could see the muscle smoking, like meat on a grill.

It took Tony a moment to pull himself back together. This was almost too much, he almost wanted to vomit - kind of felt like he was about to - but he had another urge that was stronger. He stepped forward, the movement still awkward but getting better. “Raza.”

Raza didn’t respond.

“Are you trying to speak?” Yinsen asked Tony. “I can hear a muffled sound.”

Tony tried to nod as well as he could and let out a sigh when Yinsen awkwardly pulled his helmet off. Tony cleared his throat, pretending he wasn't cast over in sweat instead of fear. He shot Yinsen a thankful smile and then looked down at Raza. “Are you paying attention, Raza?”

Raza practically snarled at him, which with the pain made the expression a little too hard to see. Tony swallowed, trying to hide the strange mix of nervousness and rage, walked over. Well, stomped over. The sound of his step was very loud. Raza was glaring at him, but trembling from fear and blood loss so Tony knew he’d answer his questions. Even if the answers might not be accurate from confusion.

Tony raised his hand, the high sound of the pulsar hitting his ear. Raza was staring at him, eyes wide. “Who paid you to do this? Who wanted the terrorist video made?”

Raza was silent. At least, until he coughed up a bit of blood. “Stane.”

Tony felt himself go cold, because of course. Of course. Tony had been the biggest force in Stane’s trial. In Stane’s hiding he probably had plenty of time to plan this. Him being sent to prison made his trigger to send Tony to death a reality.

That didn’t excuse Raza, though. “I should kill you.”

“Do it,” Raza said, almost begging.

Tony wanted him to suffer. So he stomped his way past Raza. The man would die either way and Tony was cruel enough to let a person get what they deserved. He should feel ashamed for walking toward the door. He should, but something in him refused. No, he stormed to the doorway regardless of the guilt riding through his system.

“No, no!” Yinsen blurted out, rushing over with his helmet. He put the helmet on, napping it into place. Then grabbed one of Raza’s people's guns. It was a multi and rapid shot. Actually it was a SI gun.

“What are you doing?” Tony asked, knowing Yinsen could barely hear him.

But the keen senses of alpha Yinsen showed true. “I’m going to clear the way.”

Tony’s heart lurched, but he didn’t even have a moment to protest. Yinsen, even with a gun in his hand, was swift. Tony had no opportunity to stop him as he rushed out into the curving paths of the cave they had been trapped. Tony could only follow, thoughts of Stane echoing in the back of his head. Stane was on the verge of court. There was still time to add this charge, because Tony knew he could find evidence. He was determined to make Stane pay for ordering his death.

He was, however, hating and affected by each blast of his hand pulsors as he made his way through the cave’s tunnels. Each death on his hands left a black mark on his consciousness. Tony almost felt horrible able to escape as he shot down yet another man shooting at him.

He met a curve offshoot of the tunnel. He could see the bright light from the cave’s opening and wanted to bounce for a second. Then he saw a man laying on the ground. Yinsen. The man was already coughing up blood, a few rocks pressing down on his shoulders.

Tony pushed up the front plate of his helmet and tried to lean down as much as he could. “Yinsen?”

Eyes snapped up to his face, while a bit of blood dripped at the corner of Yinsen’s mouth. “What are you doing? Protect yourself.”

“No, no,” Tony said, feeling a bit panic hit him. “Let me pick you up, maybe. Get you to safety.”

“I’m going home,” Yinsen said with a mild smile.

“I’ll take you home. You can see your family again,” Tony said, ignoring how he was nearly crying.

“You are such a strong omega. You remind me of my wife. I’m looking forward to being with her again,” Yinsen said. Then he was vacant in his eyes. Tony realized then that Yinsen’s wife and children were already dead.

 

He wasn’t sad. No, he was angry. Yinsen, one of the most gentle alphas Tony had known, had lost his omega and children and then suffered here. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right.

Tony straightened up and shot the terrorist rushing at him right in the face. He didn’t feel upset about the loss of life, because Yinsen was dead. Tony made his way to the bright light that meant freedom with the same oddly numb thought. Yinsen had in some way been his alpha, like a replacement that never meant to take over his alphas but to help him keep going. It was too important to look back and not acknowledge it.

So, Tony shot and he fought through any person that got in his way. He didn't know how many he killed. He understood soldiers in the thick of things, frantic to just survive. Because for the first time, he was experiencing what they were going through. He was gasping in his armor, hardly able to see where he was going by the time he stepped out of the cave.

He expected a gunshot, maybe a shot similar to a bazooka, but there was nothing. At least until he stepped out a few steps. Then he heard it.

Gunshots. The odd metal hit a body sound. A stern voice yelling orders. Another, practically feral, responding.

There Tony was in a full metal suit, having liberated himself, and there were his alphas clearing the entrance for him. Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was a ridiculous twist, like his time travel. Regardless, he saw a terrorist trying to sneak up on Steve and raised his hand to shoot him down.

Suddenly he had Bucky’s gaze on him. The man shot the last enemy remaining, then turned his gun on Tony. He watched as Steve rushed over, grabbing Bucky’s shoulder. Then Captain America, because that was who this man clearly was, strode forward.

“Show your face,” Steve demanded. Bucky’s figure, much more intimidating while in fighting more than Steve could manage, came up behind Steve.

Tony took a step forward, watching as Steve raised his shield a bit higher and Bucky became more tense. Then he raised his face plate. “About time you showed up.”

Steve’s was one of an overwhelming emotion that Tony couldn’t explain. Bucky, on the other hand, practically shoved Steve over to get to him. Even through the metal, Tony could feel the hug he received. In fact, he would later see that Bucky had hugged him so hard that finger indentations were there.

Tony looked up, once Bucky had finished trying to hug the life out of him, and said, “Can we go home?”

“Yes, yes! I should have immediately got you to the helicopter, I’m sorry,” Steve suddenly stumbled. He reached his hand up and spoke into what had to be a communicator on his wrist and let whoever was on the other end know that Tony Stark had been found. “We need to get you to medical and Rhodes is probably going to treat you like a little kitten.”

“I’d expect no less,” Tony replied, his tone obvious that the whole experience was making him tired. Actually, way too tired. Tired enough he could feel himself shutting down. “Plan to take my suit, huh?”

“Tony?” Steve asked.

Then Tony just felt a weird fall. Heavy weight all around him, the fall was strange and kind of painful. But, as they say, the lights went out before he could figure it out.

He woke up to an annoying beeping and a rushing sound. He was smart enough to realize he was in a medical bay of some Air Force spaceship. Wait, no, spaceships didn’t exist. But Rhodey was often on this type of airship. Tony had joined him on occasion, to see a bit of what he was funding.

Apparently, that wasn’t all he was funding. A thought that would have to wait until later. Right then, he had difficulty seeing what was on the ceiling.

“Tones?” a soft voice asked.

Tony smacking his lips, because they were just that dry. “Rhodey?”

“Yeah, buddy,” Rhodey replied. “You’re finally waking up. Anything you need? Water, Jell-O?”

Tony didn’t bother to ask how he got there. He remembered his alphas finding him. And of course Rhodey would have been waiting for their call. And even then, Tony Stark was important enough for Rhodey to get the job done. A thing Tony kind of felt bad about with all the soldiers that were lost in battle and never found.

“Where are my alphas?” Tony glanced at the room, taking a deep breath, only to find no hint of them.

“They’re trying to process,” Rhodey replied with a wince. “I’m going to go get them now, okay?”

“Why are you acting like this?” Tony asked, scooting himself up on the bed so he could be easily upright. His body felt weak, of course it did, but nothing to make Rhodey look like he wanted to avoid any conversation with him.

“Look, they did blood tests on you,” Rhodey replied. “I just think you shouldn’t hear one of the results from me.”

“Then get someone in here who can, because that was a pretty fast way to freak me out,” Tony snapped. He tried to think of anything he could have gotten in the cave. And besides any infection from the waterboarding, which he would have shown already, he couldn’t think of anything.

“Yeah, of course, I’ll go get your boys,” Rhodey replied, standing up.

Tony watched him go and nearly squirmed in his bed. He knew they were close to the American border, he had to have been passed out that long. He didn’t understand the, well, freakout that was clearly happening. Obviously his kidnapping was something to freak out about. Obviously. But the lack of information to him and even more there being no scent from his alphas in the room. Tony felt himself starting to hit a higher level of anxiety than usual.

He was about to go into a full blown panic attack when the door opened and Bucky and Steve entered. He watched them, noticing how hesitant they acted. He drew in a breath. “So am I dying? Cause Rhodey is acting like it.”

Steve’s eyes went wide and he walked a bit faster to his side. “No, you’re a little malnourished and you have some damage to your throat.”

“I already knew that would happen,” Tony replied. “But what has made you both so weird? I mean I figured you’d be smothering me.”

“We’re worried because…” Steve cut himself off and looked over at Bucky, who had barely moved two feet from the door.

Bucky seemed to steel himself as he walked over. “Did they hurt you sexually?”

Tony squinted his eyes, seeing there was more to this than that single question. Bucky was wearing his emotionless face, one Tony no longer saw often. “Raza intimidated me that he was going to, but he never actually touched me. So, no.”

Bucky bit his lip and stepped behind Steve. And Steve was letting out a rush of air that was more intense than when the man got overly dramatic in an art museum. Tony glanced at Bucky and that was no better. Bucky was looking away and, of all things, had started sharpening a knife on a sharpening block. The sound was oddly comforting.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Tony snapped, unable to control the outburst.

Steve’s mouth was twitching and Bucky was stubbornly looking away. Their amusement was highly inappropriate. Tony was about to start throwing a fit when Steve just looked at him with a soft expression. “Tony, you’re pregnant.”

“We asked about all that because, well, we weren’t sure how you’d respond,” Bucky admitted. “We didn’t want you to flash back to that if it had happened. But now…okay, you seem upset regardless.”

“I know we only talked about the idea in the future…” Steve trailed off, eyebrows coming together in worry. “Tony?”

Tony felt a surge of panic, because there was no way he could handle this. Not at all. Not when he was..what? He planned to follow through with what he had come to the conclusion with concerning the weapons. He couldn’t make them anymore. He had to shut it all down. How could he be taken seriously if he was pregnant while he did it?

But he wanted this kid. He knew who they would be. Tony thought about that. He thought about Yinsen, who was okay with his death. Content, even, because he hoped only for a life with his own family, even if he had to die to get it. He thought of Peter with his casual mention of blowing up something and his love of robots. He wanted that feeling Yinsen had with his family.

Screw the press being judgemental. Screw board members thinking he was just a hormonal pregnant omega. He was nearly tortured to death because of these weapons.

Tony looked up at his alphas, realizing his silence was completely sending them into a freak out. He let out a small laugh. “I guess we got shown up on how actual family planning can fail. In a good way, this time around.”

Bucky was the first to break into a broad grin. Steve followed, but after he stared at Tony enough to see that he was happy about it. While Bucky was the first to grin, Steve was the first to grab him into a hug. Bucky laughed, “Hey now, we don’t want to limit his oxygen supply.”

He winced when both Steve and Bucky stiffened in response. Steve pulled back with his stern face in high gear. “What did they do?”

Tony didn’t want to have this conversation. Actually, he’d be content to never have it. However, being stared at for answers from two alphas was a bit much. He didn’t want to tell them. Because he knew that they’d go out and kill as many as they could. He mumbled something and was pretty sure it was the truth. At Steve’s narrowed eyes, Tony blurted out, “Waterboarding. Beatings…Raza knew. He knew I was…pregnant now that I know myself. That’s what he meant when he had a better way to torture me than raping me.”

“Shit, shit, shit,” Bucky’s voice slowly got higher and oddly more growl-like with each word. The alpha began pacing at the foot of the bed. He was breathing quickly and Tony knew a Bucky Barnes panic attack. They had mere minutes before he brought out a blade.

“Woah, woah, Bucky!” Steve exclaimed, blocking Bucky’s path and getting a furious glare in return. Steve dropped his voice down to a soft whisper. “Bucky, you need to calm down. You’re scaring Tony.”

He wasn’t, actually. The display of fear and protectiveness had run through Tony’s head as he dreamed of Bucky in the cave and, along with Steve, as he charged in with a level of violence to terrify more than terrorists. More than Raza. It might have been wrong, but Tony felt safe right then. He opened his mouth to speak when instead Steve began to talk. “Bucky, it’s okay. He’s alive and so is the baby.”

“That bastard tried to force Tony to have a spontaneous abortion,” Bucky growled, throwing the hand Steve had placed on his shoulder off. “We shouldn’t have gone on that mission for Stane! He would be fine if we had handed the mission over to Clint and stayed with him.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Steve asked, his tone deceptively calm. “I can’t - we can’t let this overwhelming need for vengeance get the best of us.”

“Besides, they’re all dead,” Tony piped up. Two sets of blue eyes snapped over to stare at him. Tony swallowed. “The suit I made had high power pulsors, offensive systems. Well, it was more barbaric than that, completely oldschool, but it was enough. I plowed them down. And Raza…after a small conversation, he died too.”

Bucky strode to his side, gently cupped his face, and kissed him almost hard with intensity. When he pulled back, both of them were trying to catch their breaths. Bucky started to grin. “You get hotter everyday, but that just took the cake.”

“Super glad you approve of my murder spree,” Tony replied, sarcastically.

“You know what I mean,” Bucky said.

“I do,” Tony whispered.

“What did he say?” Steve asked. He was using a tone that Tony usually heard when he walked in on Bucky and him planning for a mission.

“Who?” Tony asked.

“Tony.”

“Why haven’t you asked about my new little nightlight?” Tony suddenly said, both wondering and hoping to derail the conversation. He wasn’t ready for the talk about Stane. He’d never be ready for that talk. Besides, he didn’t want them to interrupt the one thing he needed to do before he could let this go.

“The doctor said it was some kind of magnet charged by a really strange energy and that they had to carve into your chest the put it in,” Steve said, allowing the interruption. It was clear he thought Tony needed time. It was also clear he was going to keep asking.

“Yinsen, the man imprisoned with me, had to do it to save my life.” He gave a bitter laugh. “They didn’t know they were kidnapping Tony Stark. Morons. Anyway, Yinsen hooked the magnet up to a car battery. Considering it was all he had, it was pretty clever. Well, except during the dunking. It caused shock-” Tony cut himself off, hearing dual sounds of rage. Apparently, Steve was joining Bucky in that thought now.

“They're all dead,” Steve muttered to himself in an attempt to calm himself. He squinted at Tony, analyzing his face. “And Yinsen?”

Tony clenched his jaw and looked away. He didn’t say anything and knew that his silence answered that question. He knew his chin was quivering, but he managed to not cry.

“What do you want, right now?” Bucky asked, softly.

Tony gave what could only be called a wet chuckle. “A hug.”

They both tried to climb onto the med-bay’s tiny bed with Tony, but eventually had to admit defeat and simply perched on the edges on either side. It didn’t stop them from leaning down into his space, half arched and half laying on him. Just enough pressure from their bodies to give him a feeling of security. He tilted his head back and let out a tiny moan when they both slid up to press their mouths against the bite marks on his neck. Both of them shuddered.

Bucky nipped at the skin there and both Tony and Steve let out a sound of pleasure. It was then he realized they were at each other’s bite. Bucky let out a grunt and bit down a bit harder. It was Steve that gasped, somehow feeling the sensation through their bond.

“We need to stop,” Tony whispered.

“Why?” Bucky asked against his skin.

“Because we’re on a military airship and…” Tony trailed off.

“I’m sorry,” Bucky scrambled to his feet, Steve doing the same. “I don’t know what we were thinking. You’re tired and sore-”

“You can stop the guilt trip right now,” Tony ordered.

“Well, it’s good to see he still has a tight hold on you guys.” Rhodey’s voice entered the room before he did. He looked tired, which Tony hadn’t noticed earlier. In fact, they all had a bone deep tiredness about them. Like they had been through a similar torture as him. That hit hard and it was difficult to zone in on Rhodey’s voice. “Hey boys? You look hungry. Go get some food and I’ll keep Tones company.”

And because they actually did look hungry - possibly starving for days as they searched, but the super serum wouldn’t show it. Giving them both what he hoped was a soft smile, he said, “Go ahead. You know Rhodey will keep me safe.”

“Yeah, he will,” Steve said, returning the smile and reaching out to grab Bucky’s sleeve. The reformed Winter Soldier looked a little grumpy for a moment before he began moving after he took in Steve’s expression.

Rhodey roamed around the room for a bit and Tony knew exactly what he was doing. He’d learned how to tell if the duo was listening in and how far they had to go before they couldn’t overhear his conversations with Tony. Rhodey was the best the Air Force had to offer, so of course he could hear how far Tony’s alphas had gotten down the hall.

Rhodey was a bit ridiculous about it, as Tony told him constantly, but Tony understood. Sometimes brothers needed time to themselves.

“Alright, I don’t need the highlights,” Rhodey began, getting straight to the point. “Tones, I know you. You’re playing docile for them, but I’m not buying it.”

“Rhodey-”

“No.” Rhodey’s tone was the definition of final. “Who are we going after?”

Tony was silent for a while, but he knew Rhodey could get him access. Finally he sighed. “Stane.”

Rhodey began cursing and it almost seemed like he wouldn’t stop. He did though and it appeared the very act of letting out his burst of anger had renewed some of his energy. Rhodey began laughing, but it dwindled off pretty quickly. “I should have known. He was in contact with people before we caught him. He laughed, you know? Just laughed when Bucky was pinning him down, nearly breaking the bastard’s arm.”

“I guess we know what he was laughing about,” Tony muttered.

“Look, it’s going to be easy to convince a jury he did this. I can add this to his charges. After sexually harrassing and raping over half of the omegas in SI? We don’t even need evidence that he’d do this to the CEO omega.”

“Aww, Rhodey, you really do make a fella feel appreciated,” Tony said, sarcastically.

“Shut your mouth and tell me what you're planning,” Rhodey snapped, though more gently than he usually would. He came over and sat on the bed next to Tony’s feet. He rubbed his face. “Tones, just tell me what you have planned? It’s not like I’m going to deny you.”

“I just want to see him, alone.” When Rhodey looked to protest, Tony raised a hand. “With cameras on. You know that arrogant ass will try something or spill everything to me. He’s too obsessed with me to not to. That’s all I want. Us in a room, full visual and sound, and with guards outside in case of an emergency.”

“He would be handcuffed to the bolted down table,” Rhodey pointed out.

Tony leaned forward, finally letting his anger and fear and every other emotion he’d experienced in that damn cave show on his face. He didn’t need to speak any words. Not to Rhodey.

Rhodey swallowed and nodded. “If I can get it arranged.”

Tony felt his whole body go slack, all the tension of the day releasing like someone letting go of a rubber band.

“Are you going to tell them?” Rhodey asked, softly.

“After,” Tony admitted. He winced at Rhodey’s look of disbelief. “You know they’ll stop me! Or use it as an opportunity to rush in and rip Stane’s head off. And that’s not what I want. I want justice for all those omegas. He’s not going to go easy with my alphas or me killing him. We need him in trial. And me triggering him to admit as much as possible, including the cave? Imagine that footage in the trial.”

“Fine,” Rhodey sighed. “I’ll stay quiet. But you owe me.”

“I’ll pay for you and Pepper’s wedding, cause I know she wants more than a mating bite,” Tony replied.

Rhodey’s mouth twitched, the clear sign he wanted to burst into a grin because he just loved Pepper so much. It could explode from him if he wasn’t careful.

“Boys are back,” Rhodey said, gesturing toward the door. And sure enough, five minutes later they were there, looking much better with food in them and Steve holding what looked to be a ham sandwich. Tony couldn’t remember if he had eaten yet. Rhodey chuckled and shook his head. “I’m heading out. We will touch down in about an hour.”

Steve narrowed his eyes as Rhodey passed him, but Rhodey didn’t react and continued on as though a super soldier wasn’t trying to intimidate him for information.

Tony got his sandwich and ate. He was tired. He just wanted to sleep. But he needed to be home, he had to feel it and smell it. He had to know this wasn’t another travel dream.

They got home and Jarvis greeted him in a strange tone of desperation and relief. He felt bad about how much he was talking to Jarvis, but Steve and Bucky never commented. In the end, he didn’t notice how dirty the home was or how there was no food in the fridge. People in desperation could cause that. He simply found the bed and collapsed. His body ached and his mind twisted in what he had been through.

He collapsed on that mattress with no actual memory doing so.

Chapter 48: 5 years, 0 months, 2 weeks & 1 day - 5 years, 0 months, 2 weeks & 4 days

He had been staring at the mirror for an hour. He had woken up at four in the morning, about an hour and a half before Steve would wake for his morning run. Bucky had the habit of sleeping in unless he was having Winter Soldier flare-ups or simply dragged out of the bed by the smell of maple syrup. Tony had to get out of the bathroom. He had to get dressed, go to the workshop, something to explain why he was up at near ass-crack dawn.

Tony stared some more.

It couldn’t be him. That wasn’t his reflection. He was gaunt, his skin almost gray. How did they manage to kiss him? Why didn’t they shy away?

The worst of it was his eyes. There was no sign of laughter, happiness…only fear and a hesitance, waiting for the pain to begin again. Tony would have to pad his suits to look well, make-up on to not draw the attention of reporters. He was going to have to meet Stane looking like just what he was, a victim.

“Tony?”

Tony jumped, spinning around and almost painfully pressing backward into the counter.

“Hey, hey,” Steve practically whispered, hands up and out towards his sides to show he wasn’t armed. Like Tony thought he would be. He’d just been startled, that was all. Steve took a hesitant step into the room. “What are you doing up? Morning sickness? The doctor said male omegas have it longer. I can make you some tea-”

“I’m fine,” Tony replied, smiling. Because his life was on camera, why not act it at home. “I’m going down to the workshop. Don’t be afraid if you hear some explosions.”

“Don’t be wreckless,” Steve said, giving him a slight smile.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Tony replied as he left the bathroom. He took a long glance at Bucky, who was on the verge of actually falling off the bed. Tony thought about rolling him fully onto the bed, but after a year he knew it was a lost cause. The man seemed determined to fall. Thankfully in this life he wasn’t prone to doing it at great heights.

When Tony got to the workshop, he headed straight for his nest. Laying down there, trying to breathe without panic, helped. Eventually his brain was able to steady itself, as it had done the last three days back at home. He hadn’t expected to have these swells of unease, though he should have known he would have. Trauma created negative feedback.

This was just his feedback. That’s all it was.

And it was there, curled up in his nest, that he remembered the suit. He had created it to escape, to survive. But if he evolved it then it would have many capabilities. He could take that symbol of liberation and create more. Create something worthwhile. Something to protect himself, and others.

Tony suddenly sat up. It was time to do what he always did, stumble forward with purpose and too many ideas for his head to make sense. “Jarvis, start up the computers. Create a file for details on a metal suit. We’re going to make my cave creation awesome.”

“Of course, sir. Shall I boot up the auto-developer now?” Jarvis asked.

“Not yet, I want to get the design down before I play with actual prototypes,” Tony replied, heading to his computer. He thought, briefly, of the future workshop with a bit of envy. But he’d done just fine with what he had before. Who actually needed holograms? …Tony. Tony needed holograms.

“It’s good to have you back, sir,” Jarvis offered.

“Trust me, I love it more than you,” Tony replied, already consumed as he greeted the specific details of the new suit. It couldn’t be called a replica, with the sleekness and form fitting body. It was more than the cave suit and he planned for it to be more than couldn’t probably be made quickly. Perfection took time.

He spent hours working to the point where he was able to make the smaller prototype metal pieces. Bucky brought him a couple snacks, ordering him to not burn himself and getting an eye roll in response.

Rhodey called at one point and told him he could meet with Stane. Tony had to stand still at that point. To make himself settled, comfortable in his environment. It was a hard thing when he woke up with nightmares every night. It was a shaky moment and it took everything in him to not drop the small metal plating he had just pulled from the fire, newly made smooth and sturdy. He dipped it in his trough of water, hearing the hiss. It didn’t need polishing off, being meant for experimentation.

None of it registered. Three days of waiting before he was face to face with his tormentor. Without even laying a finger on him, Stane had managed to uproot - nearly destroy even - his life in a way that was going to cause issues the rest of his life. He was already weaker, his chest aching with every movement. A blue glow reminded him every moment of every day.

But he could replace that weakness with new strength. Obadiah Stane would never be able to take this away from him.

Tony worked nearly day and night leading up to his meeting with Stane. Steve and Bucky let him, knowing by now that this was how he processed information and the emotion that went with difficult things. They brought him food and sat with him, talking while Tony worked. It wasn’t perfect, but it was still a healthy level of ‘them’ that Tony felt they were fine.

The third day arrived and Tony found himself standing in a security office, Rhodey at his side. Normally the building worked white collar crimes, but Stane couldn’t be trusted in your standard jail. Knowling, as was broadcasted wide, that his game was abusing omegas the prisoners waiting for their own hearings would have found a way to kill him. Omegas and children were the crimes that led you to harm in the actual system. Guards, often alphas, turned a blind eye to an omega abuser being brutalized. And many decided to do it before the man or woman even got sentences. And Stane was one that would be killed in a day.

Tony almost wanted that for him, but it would be too quick and easy. He thought of all the omegas in all the departments in the Stark company. It put a rage in him and, no, Stane needed the long suffering Tony knew he was going to get.

“You ready?” Rhodey asked, softly.

“Yeah,” Tony breathed out, realizing he had been staring at the interrogation room for a while.

“I’ll be watching on the cameras,” Rhodey told him.

Tony nodded, reaching out for the door handle. “I can handle him.”

“I know,” Rhodey replied. “Are you sure about the handcuffs?”

“Yes,” Tony said in a stern tone.

“The moment you say my name or make a clear sign, I’m rushing in there with the calvary,” Rhodey growled. “He’ll regret it.”

“You are going to be a terrifying dad,” Tony commented, getting a slight laugh in response. “I’ll call for you if I need to.”

He had to take in a few deep breaths before he could bring himself to turn the handle and pull the door open. The first thought in his head was that Stane still looked arrogant. Tired, a little thin and weak, but arrogant that eventually things would go his way. Tony kind of just wants to scream at the man because of it. How did this man get away with being satisfied when Tony had gone through hell.

He held it in, adjusted his gold and red tie, and sat across the man who ruined his life. And he waited, because it would be Stane to speak first.

It took a couple minutes, but Stane started laughing. “Look at you, thinking you’re king of the world.”

Tony stayed silent. Stane hated not having a reactive audience.

“Did the cave make you mute?” Stane asked, voice harsh.

Tony merely tilted his head, giving no answer.

“This company will fail because of you. I heard about your clean energy shit. Typical omega, taking a good thing and ruining it,” Stane snapped, before leaning back like he was finished with the conversation. Tony knew he wasn’t finished. Not by a long shot. So he raised an eyebrow, even though he wanted to respond.

The man hadn’t been handcuffed to the table. Tony had specifically demanded that, something Rhodey had worried about. He wanted an even ground when meeting him, to make sure that he knew Tony thought nothing of him and that he was no threat. So he wasn’t shocked when the man leapt up and rushed at him.

He didn’t cry out for Rhodey as he was lifted up and slammed into the wall. He’d had his head dunked into water for long minutes, sparks burning his chest. He could handle an alpha trying to prove a point. In fact, Tony started laughing. Because this was ridiculous, it’s not like Stane was the first alpha. It was like Stane didn’t even think that there were cameras on him, cameras that would prove his guilt even more.

“You little bitch,” Stane hissed, shaking Tony hard enough that his head hit the wall. He felt nauseous, but he held the reaction down. He wasn’t going to give Stane the satisfaction. Stane’s nostrils flared. “You’re pregnant.”

For a moment Tony felt the man lessen his hold. He was able to breathe a bit better, some of the shakiness leaving him. So, he spoke. “Yes.”

He had expected Stane to call him a terrorist whore, rambing about how he wasn’t shocked that Tony had spread himself open to his captors. Instead, Stane went still. There was a simmering rage that Tony could easily feel. He fought the urge to look away and swallow. No, he was going to stare him down right back. He had no right to comment on his pregnancy, even if it had happened in a one night stand or actual committed relationship it had occurred. It wasn’t his right to have an opinion no matter how it happened.

He wasn’t expecting Stane to suddenly lash out, backhanding him and then grabbing his throat in a stiff grip. “Do you even know which one of those fucking alphas did it?”

Tony couldn’t reply. The hand around his throat had tightened with every word.

“You were supposed to be mine!” Stane screamed out at him. “Howard promised you to me!”

Tony was seeing spots. Unable to speak, he slapped his hand against the wall, hoping Rhodey would see it for what it was. His body felt weak. He remembered this, only it had been caused by water instead of a strong hand around his throat. His body was trembling and he thought of the baby growing inside him. Peter. He lashed out, but his limbs were getting weak. He managed to claw hard at Stane’s cheek, blood now trickling down the man’s cheek, before the door burst open.

It hit the wall with such an impact, Tony felt the door should have broken.

Suddenly, Tony could breathe and he felt the hands of a feral alpha checking him over. Rhodey was snarling, grabbing at him like he was made of porcelain and the most precious being in the world. It took him a moment to notice that three other alphas were clearly blocking Rhodey from Stane as they not very gently dragged the man out. Blocking him because as Rhodey pressed his face into Tony’s neck Tony knew, if Rhodey had easy access to Stane the man would be already dead.

“Rhodey, I’m okay,” Tony insisted. Rhodey pulled back from his neck, where he had been scenting him, and Tony could see his eyes start to clear. “I guess the question is if you’re okay.”

“Pepper isn’t going to be happy that I let this happen,” Rhodey said.

“I’m pretty sure her response might top Bucky and Steve,” Tony replied with a tired sigh. “I didn’t expect him to…well.”

“Stane is an idiot. He’s not insane, he’s not a desperate alpha that lost his mate. He’s just pretending to be. The jury won’t buy it for a second,” Rhodey said with a scoff.

“Do you think he’ll play that angle? That I was his intended omega and he was driven…actually I don’t even know what they would call that. He’s sexually assaulted multiple people since I’ve presented.” Tony shook his head as he thought it over. Handing over omegas as simple objects, from a parent to someone that would help their wealth. Tony took a breath and ignored it when it shook, like his throat didn’t know how to let it out. “I believe him, though.”

“Yeah…I do too,” Rhodey replied with sympathy in his eyes. “You’re more than what your father labeled you as.”

“I’d hope so. I’ve only been with them. Even when I thought they were lost and was getting drunk at parties,” Tony whispered. “But no one would believe that.”

“Nah. You’ve got quite a few people that believe that. Pepper, me? That new driver - Happy, God that name - has never judged you. Bucky and Steve would kill anyone who thought you were like that.” Rhodey started to smile, finally. “And you know how Momma Rhodes would react to you talking about yourself like that.”

Tony let out a chuckle. “Yeah…is there anything I need to do?”

“You can go home, but they will call you for a statement this week,” Rhodey told him.

“Oh God, did me doing this delay the trial? With all this? It’s been delayed so much from Stane hiding like a coward,” Tony said.

Rhodey had a flash of amusement on his face, but the situation buried it quickly. “Tony, it’s fine. You’re fine. And I’m taking you home.”

Tony took a deep breath in and nodded. His throat was a little sore. While he wouldn’t have a bruise by the time he got home and would have a hint even then, he would when he woke up the next morning. Steve and Bucky had no idea he had gone to meet Stane. For some reason Tony felt he needed to have that just be about himself. No vengeance, no drama at home. Just him, facing that horrible man. He needed to hear the words straight from the source.

He didn’t get the confession about actually arranging his capture. But him speaking about being given to Stane, as though the man still thought he should be, made Tony’s stomach sick. How could Howard do that? He was Tony’s father! His mother had started being prescribed heavy medication for barely there issues by that point. She had some kind of excuse to not be a part of it, lost in her addiction. But Howard. Tony wanted to throw something, but Rhodey’s car was an efficient thing and he didn’t let others dirty it up. There was a cup in the cupholder for him to throw, but he didn’t reach for it.

When Tony got home, Bucky was waiting for him in the living room. The man watched him carefully, simply giving a nod to Rhodey. Apparently it was enough of a signal and, beyond saying goodbye to Tony, Rhodey spoke no more and left the house.

Tony stood tense while Bucky sat on the couch and looked him over, steel eyes taking in everything. Including the barely there hint of a bruise starting to form on Tony’s neck. It took awhile, but Bucky eventually spoke. “Why?”

Tony swallowed. “I had to know. Raza said Stane ordered my kidnapping. I had to know.”

Bucky nodded. “I understand that. You do something stupid like this again? I won’t understand it the next time. The only reason I’m not letting out my anger, and trust me that I have it, is because you were smart enough to have Rhodes and therefore a set of defense.”

Tony started to reach up toward his neck, before dropping his hand.

“Yeah, I can see it.” Bucky looked away with a sigh. “Steve will see it, too.”

“What are you going to tell him?” Tony asked, shifting from foot to foot.

“The truth,” Bucky replied, a confused look in his eyes over Tony hinting at keeping it from Steve. Bucky closed his eyes for a moment. “He’ll be back from the store in a bit. You might want to be in your nest before then.”

“I’m sorry,” Tony whispered.

“Only apologize for your wrong decisions, not for how you need to feel,” Bucky muttered, repeating something that his therapist had told him. It fit Bucky, Tony wasn’t so sure about himself. He didn’t say that, though. “I made you a sandwich. I thought you’d be back sooner. It’s in the fridge. Grab that on your way down.”

The dismissal of his tone hurt more than Tony thought it would. He could tell Bucky did understand Tony’s actions, but the fact that he hadn’t let them know obviously hurt a lot more than Tony had predicted. He stared at the ground a moment, but the sound of a motorcycle outside had him turning and heading into the kitchen. He grabbed the wrapped up sandwich and made for the workshop stairs just as he heard the front door open.

He curled up in his nest, eating the sandwich with a ferociousness that told him how long it had been since he’d eaten. He wanted to go work on his suit, but he was too tired. He barely managed to lift that last bite to his mouth.

He was almost asleep. One hand on his stomach. All he could think was that he was an idiot. Instead of his neck, Stane could have attacked his stomach and therefore Peter. He felt selfish, he had jeopardized himself - and so his child - all because he wanted answers. He demanded that certain safeguards weren’t in place. Rhodey had insisted on a group of military guards, of course. But it was a risk Tony never should have made. He never should have put himself or Rhodey in that position.

Tony was half asleep when a set of feet stormed down into his space. Tony clenched his eyes closed, even though he knew the most Steve would do was rant. His throat hurt and he was just tired.

“Tony,” Steve said in a soft voice. “I know you’re awake.”

Tony opened his eyes and watched Steve hesitantly. He blurted out, “I’m sorry.”

Steve’s jaw clenched. He clearly was angry, but it was held back with an easy control that told Tony that he wasn’t as angry as Tony had expected. Steve sighed, looking tired all of a sudden. “I get it. What you did? I would have done the same, damn the consequences.”

“But I’m not you,” Tony whispered.

“Yeah, you’re not me.” Steve walked over and sat on the small chair that was next to the bed-like structure Tony was curled up on. “I got pretty reckless after the serum, stuff that probably wasn’t even in Howard’s journals. I had no reason not to, mostly because Bucky was joining me. …I wouldn’t do that now. Bucky needs more than that and we have you back. I have something more to hold onto.”

Tony bit his lip, then sat up. “I get what you’re saying, but I had to just see him one more time to…I don’t know, confirm? Get it out of my system? And I know you two wouldn’t be able to control yourselves. I just had to know. But I’m sorry I went about it like a secret.”

“Hey, I get what you’re saying, too,” Steve said softly, reaching out to touch Tony’s cheek with his thumb. That thumb slid down and stroked at a bruise that was more reality than forming by then. “Are you okay?”

“Rhodey and his army swept in to take Stane away the moment I smacked my palm against the wall for help. His team were all alphas. Honestly, I’ll be shocked if Stane makes it to trial,” Tony replied.

Steve’s mouth gave a little twitch, his only indication that he hoped for that and more. Then he cleared his throat. “Bucky is worried he scared you.”

“What? He didn’t-” Tony cut himself off. He stood up and began striding for the stairs. He paused and turned toward Steve. “Are you coming? We need to keep him from moping. I refuse to have a pouting assassin in my home. Where he has weapons and depressing documentaries.”

Steve rolled his eyes and followed, but at a slow pace.

“Oh, no! It’s worse than I thought!” Tony called back, an inward feeling of giddy relief hit him. They didn’t hate him for this. “It’s Schindler's List! The historical inaccuracies might push him over the edge.”

Steve narrowed his eyes, clearly catching onto Tony’s need to distract all of them from the dark mood that had been hanging in the house since the cave. It wouldn't last long but sometimes you needed that tiny bandage. Tony felt himself suddenly lifted as Steve came up behind him, carrying him the last couple steps and into the floor above.

Steve was still sort of carrying him, more an arm around his waist lifting him so his feet couldn’t touch the ground, as they hit the kitchen. Tony was laughing, because he had to. His mind needed it and Steve clearly needed to hear it. As Tony was put on his feet he saw Bucky leaning against the counter, arms crossed and a small smile on his face.

“Having all the fun without me?” Bucky asked. It was a mock question, but the look on his face had a hint of worry.

Tony rushed over and wrapped his arms around Bucky’s waist, resting his forehead against the man’s shoulder and feeling the cold hardness of where metal met flesh. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. I didn’t mean to send you rushing to the workshop,” Bucky whispered as he pulled Tony in tighter for a proper hug. There was a moment of silence. “Why didn’t you tell us you were going to see him?”

“I knew you’d either stop me or demand to come. I probably wouldn’t have been able to stop you,” Tony admitted. “I needed him to be talking to me, no distractions. I needed to get answers about why I ended up in the cave and Stane would not have reacted honestly with you there.”

“Get the logic,” Bucky muttered. He sighed. “Was it worth it?”

Tony let out a dry laugh. “Sort of. You know what happened.”

“Bastard tried to choke you, I understand those bruises,” Brucky growled out. He glanced over at Steve, who had come up beside them, like he needed to see he was okay as well. “But being choked and being told something are two different things.”

Tony was silent, turning slightly to press his face against the soft t-shirt of Bucky’s opposite shoulder. He clenched his eyes shut. It was then it hit him how much worse what Stane had said compared to anything that was done to him in the cave. He drew in a shaky breath, knowing it would be easier to get this over with now than later. Cut the wound and let the pus come out.

“He was mad - pissed - about me bonding with you. He was angry from that. He barely gave any information on the trial or the cave…” Tony swallowed and didn’t look at them, focusing on a freckle along Bucky’s neck. “When he pinned me? He had just started screaming about Howard. About how Howard promised me to him. Like I was an object. I’ve always been an object to the alphas.”

“Not us,” Steve said softly, coming up behind him. “Even without knowing for sure that he was your father, I did not like that man.”

“Because he kept hitting on you like it was his right,” Bucky snapped. It was still oddly soft as far as Bucky’s casual anger went.

“Yeah,” Steve admitted. He grabbed Bucky’s shirt and brought them even closer together, Tony in the middle. Steve’s head rested slightly on the top of his, even though it had to be awkward. Tony wasn’t that short. “Tony, when did you last eat?”

“Bucky made me food, I ate it in the workshop,” Tony replied.

“Do you think you both need food again?” Bucky asked, clearly talking about the baby.

“I keep telling you this, but once again? It’s not going to die if I go, what, four hours without getting my vitamins. I take the prenatal vitamins,” Tony replied,exasperated. Honestly, Bucky had been the one to buy the prenatal vitamins.

“You sound cranky,” Bucky told him.

“And sleepy,” Steve offered.

“Time for you to go to bed. Or at least nap, because I know you will be up in three hours and working on that project of yours,” Bucky said.

“Something we’ll be talking about later,” Steve whispered into his ear, causing a slight shiver. Tony has a flash of mourning over not being the pregnant type that got extreme horniness at the slightest trigger. Because the feel of Steve’s breath on his ear would, normally, cause him to tackle the super soldier down.

The two didn’t seem to expect it. They figured all of those symptoms were some type of propaganda and didn’t expect any actual exact pregnancy hormone induced response. Tony knew he was lucky in that. He glanced up, already acknowledging to himself that he was just blunt tired. “So, bed?”

“Cuddle time,” Steve said in a sappy voice that was just pure him.

A giggle escaped Tony, which he tried to cover up by clearing his throat and walking away toward the hallway. Then he was suddenly lifted up, just like with Steve, only this time he was fully up and in Bucky’s arms bridal side. A squeaked might have escaped him, but he’d never admit to it. “Excuse me, but this is my person.”

“It’s just that…you let Steve, but I’ll set you d-”

“Don’t you dare,” Tony interrupted, enjoying the way Bucky’s eyes lit up as they continued down the hall. Over Bucky’s shoulder he could see Steve looking smug, like he had arranged this, like his analytical mind had set it up just so he could see this very scene. Which was probably crap.

Tony glared, but all he got back was an All American Smirk. Steve’s specialty. Tony didn’t even bother to pout, he was too happy to argue over something so enjoyable. Well, until Bucky practically tossed him on the bed. “So much for the gentle act, huh?”

Bucky ignored him, except to reach out and tug his socks off. Shoes had been banned past the door and patio after Steve saw how much Tony’s oil tainted work slash dress shoes were (so he snuck off at fancy meetings to tinker, sue him), Bucky’s…blood? actually they both didn’t want to know, and his own paints that had somehow gone everywhere despite the tarps. Steve had set his foot down and they adored him too much to fight back.

Tony was down to his boxer-briefs before he could take a few breaths. Which was just fine, as he let out a humm of contentment over the super soldier level heat suddenly wrapped around him. It seeped into his skin, down to the bones. A warmth that he felt secure in believing it would never go away. He didn’t want it to go away. They could pick him up anytime.

Notes:

I'm gonna miss this story. I really am.

Chapter 49: 5 years, 3 months, 4 weeks & 4 days - 5 years, 3 months, 4 weeks & 5 days

Tony looked down at the email from the SI lawyer and smiled. Granted it wasn’t the length of a sentence he’d wanted for Stane, but eighteen years in communal prison was enough to bring that smile to his face. Eighteen years in the general public would be worse than what the defense lawyers had gone for. Private prisons didn’t truly cater to their inmates, but Stane would have been kept from the harm or fear caused by other inmates as he was kept in some type of isolation. In a public prison he was going to get the full brunt of everyone’s ire with no safety beyond guards that, if history showed, wouldn’t be able to stop what would happen the moment he left his cell.

And with omega abusers, something always happened. Steve had had to have Jarvis block his access to prison reports of what happened to those alphas in prison. They had gotten pretty graphic and they had been giving him nightmares.

Tony leaned down and set the laptop on the coffee table, before he rested back and laid his hand on his rounding belly. He was starting to show. It was just a swell of a bump at that point. The doctor said he’d probably barely notice the growth until he started having the physical symptoms of strain that came with the mid - to - later stages of pregnancy.

He could hear his alphas in the living room, but stayed there in his nest. They had read the email first before handing it to him. All three of them were happy with the news and Pepper had got him to agree to meet up that weekend for a lunch celebration. It was all so normal. It felt good to have things be a little normal for once.

Tony made to stand up to check on the diagnostics of his new suit when he noticed something in the corner of his vision. He paused, sitting back down and looking over.

A boy. Small and barely old enough to call ten. No, he was a couple years younger. And he was panicking. Breathing fast and strong, looking around like he was expecting a kidnapper to walk out of the shadows. Tony’s heart lurched, a rush of protectiveness hitting him. “Jarvis, let them know there’s a visitor and that they can’t rush in here and scare him.”

Of course Bucky didn’t listen to orders and Tony had an urge to roll his eyes as he appeared, barely making a noise. Steve, naturally, followed.

“Both of you? Stay quiet,” Tony ordered, watching as the kid backed into the wall and looked even more like he was going to have a pass out. “Hey, it’s okay.”

“Daddy?” the boy said in such a lost voice that even if Tony didn’t know who this was he would have accepted the title. The child turned his bright blue eyes up to him.

“This is the first time this has happened, isn’t it? What do you last remember before this?” Tony asked.

“Dad told me a story about polar bears and I went to bed. I had a dream about dolphins…then I was here,” he replied, taking a hesitant step over. “Daddy? What’s happening? That’s…that is you, right, Daddy?”

“Yeah, buddy, it’s me,” Tony whispered. He leaned forward just in time for Peter to rush at him, climbing into his lap and wrapping around him like a scared octopus. He looked over Peter’s shoulder to see Steve with a gobsmacked expression that admittedly looked ridiculous as mouth hung open. Bucky, on the other hand, had a strange half stone-cold expression and half one of pure fear. At least they weren’t scaring Peter more.

“Daddy, where are we?” Peter asked, his voice so soft it was nearly impossible to make out. “It looks like home, but isn’t.”

“It is home, but a long time ago before you were born,” Tony said, like he was telling a secret. “You’re having a sort of dream, okay? When you go to sleep tonight, you’ll get to go back to your room and toys and whatever video games your Papa has bought you.”

Tony glanced again at his alphas, seeing Bucky’s face start to almost clear, his eyes focusing on the boy in Tony’s arms. Then Bucky’s hand came to his mouth and Tony knew that he now knew. Steve stayed stock still, mouth still hanging open, apparently unable to get past the simple fact there was a kid in the midst. Bucky took a step forward, catching Peter’s attention. The boy looked up at Tony, as though for permission, who nodded.

Peter climbed off Tony’s lap. Tony watched him walk over to Steve and Bucky, noting how he definitely had Tony’s height. Peter looked between them, then directly at Steve. “Hi Papa.”

Steve startled, as though he hadn’t watched the kid come over and Peter had spontaneously leapt out of the ground. Which, admittedly, wasn’t far from the truth. “Uhh…”

“You know, you’re fatter in the future,” Peter commented. Bucky didn’t bother to hide a snort as Steve sputtered. “Daddy says it’s muscles, but I’m not sure.”

“Yeah, that’s our kid,” Bucky said, reaching out and ruffling the dark hair on Peter’s head. The boy beamed up at Bucky, causing the alpha to look shocked by the complete adoration in that smile. He clearly wasn’t expecting that response.

“Kid?” Steve squeaked.

Tony tried to not chuckle. “Steve, look at those eyes. Don’t they look familiar? From the mirror, maybe?”

“And the Tony hair,” Bucky said, seemingly unable to stop himself from ruffling Peter’s hair again. Peter reached up and swiped at Bucky’s hand. “Gonna have to work harder than that, short stack.”

“Daaaaaaad!” Peter whined.

Bucky went still, before a very bright, sunbeam of a grin spread across his face. The man looked over at Steve and with a note of superiority said, “I get to be Dad.”

Steve glared, before turning Tony. “How did this happen?”

“He, uh,” Tony glanced down at Peter, who was whispering to a kneeling Bucky. “He’s like me. I…when I was in the cave I visited you guys in the future. I mentioned it the other day.”

“Yeah, we remember,” Bucky replied, looking up.

“I got to meet him. Not at this age, but I’d recognize him anywhere,” Tony said. “He was about thirteen I think when he told me he started traveling around this age. This is his first time. If he wasn’t with familiar faces?”

Steve pulled him into a hug, pressing his face into Tony’s neck. It was most likely a surge of emotion from the mention of the cave, but regardless it sent a warmth through Tony. Steve smiled at Peter. “Hey kid, want to watch some cartoons?”

“Can we build robots?” Peter asked, bouncing slightly on what Tony now realized were bare toes. The boy was in his pajamas as well.

“Sure, Bucky can help and then Steve can paint it under your guidance. How about that?” Tony replied.

Peter gave him those Bucky squinty eyes, before he smiled. “Okay! You don’t have a bathroom down here yet, so I need to go upstairs.”

Then he reached up and grabbed Steve’s hand as he made for the stairs. Tony could hear him whispering, “I don’t need you to help me, I just want to make sure I don’t get lost.”

“Of course,” Steve whispered back.

The moment the boy was out of earshot, waiting longer because of superserum most definitely passing down, Tony said, “Jarvis, I need seven year old clothes…though he probably wears-”

“More like five years old, he is on the small side. Yes, sir, it has already been ordered on rush from the local children’s store. A few sizes, as we don’t know how often he will visit us. The delivery driver will be getting a tip that will ensure he will be here in an hour,” Jarvis cut in.

“So no answering the door,” Tony ordered Bucky, who didn’t even bother to look offended. After all, even with his consistent good behavior with outsiders, Bucky still had one thing outside of a dangerous situation that he would intimidate someone to terror. Delivery drivers. Tony was pretty sure it was a hobby at that point. Tony glared. “I don’t want to pay even more for a tip, and don’t use the whole me being able to afford it as an excuse.”

“C’mon, doll, I wouldn't do that,” Bucky drawled, lying through his teeth. Tony ignored it as Bucky titled his head to kiss Tony’s jaw. “I love him already, maybe even more than with you being pregnant now with him. He’s perfect. And so is Steve and you. But wow. I can’t wait to see him grow up.”

“Not freaked about the time travel thing?” Tony asked with a wince.

“No, that’s what made you ours,” Bucky said. He reached out and, with his silver hand, gently touched Tony’s stomach. “What made him ours tonight.”

“And that biologically he’s not-”

“Stop,” Bucky interrupted. “That is my kid. He calls me Dad. A dad doesn’t have to be the one to give the genetics in order to be Dad.”

Tony dropped his head down onto Bucky’s collarbone. He could feel that metal hand, meant for death but so often just to fix a leaky pipe, caressing the swell of a baby-bump as though it and Tony were delicate. Yeah, Bucky was a dad through and through.

“Is that me?”

Tony’s head snapped up and he let out a small laugh. “Yeah, buddy, it’s you.”

Peter looked up at Steve. He whispered, “Can I touch it?”

“It’s Tony’s body, so you have to ask him,” Steve explained.

“But it’s also me,” Peter pointed out, clearly willing to argue for no reason.

“Through Tony, so he gets first say,” Steve insisted, narrowing his eyes when Peter narrowed his first up at him. It was almost like watching Steve trying to intimidate himself. After a bit, Peter sighed like it was the most dramatic event of his life and tugged his hand out of Steve’s so he could walk over.

“Daddy, can I?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, you can,” Tony replied softly, taking Peter’s small hand and placing it next to Bucky’s.

Peter leaned in. “Hey me, guess what? Life is gonna be awesome. Except that one kidnapping thing. But Papa rescues us. And I’m not allowed to talk about what Dad does.”

“Okay,” Bucky said, before Steve’s obvious questions were asked out loud. Tony felt a bit worried about the kidnapping comment, but it happened often enough in his childhood he figured he'd be thankful it had only happened once with Peter so far. And the idea of Steve storming in to save Peter made him hide a grin. “How about we watch a movie and order some food.”

“No robots?” Peter pouted.

“Movie robots,” Steve stated. Peter was obviously already used to Steve taking a stand and not letting him get away with things, because the kid just sighed and walked over to Steve to take his hand. Steve led him up the stairs, shooting them a raised eyebrow.

“Movie robots,” Bucky said, heading to the stairs as a chuckling Tony followed.

The pizza and kid clothes ended up arriving before they picked a movie. There were more robot movies than Tony even knew about. They got Peter dressed in Captain America pajamas, causing Steve to blush heavily and Peter to brag to all of them about how cool they were. Then, while eating, an argument began over whether to watch WALL-E or something else. Eventually, Bucky put his foot down.

“We’re watching Iron Giant,” he said in a voice that made it final.

“Like Daddy!” Peter announced. “But you really are more flashy.”

“What?” Tony asked, thinking immediately of the red and gold glove he had woken up next to the last time he had traveled to the future.

Peter looked at him for a long moment then seemed to realize he was saying something about the future he shouldn’t be. “Nevermind.”

“It’s okay,” Tony replied, swallowing. “You don’t have to tell us anything about the future, okay? We won’t be upset if you don’t or if you accidentally do.”

“Okay,” Peter said, as though it was as simple as that. “But you do make a good robot.”

Tony’s wide eyes lasted through the strange silence and he was only able to blink it away when Steve reached out to hit play on the movie. Peter sat between him and Bucky, eating his couple slices of pizza and bouncing in his seat. At one point he had to go to the bathroom. When he came back, Tony found Peter draped across both Steve and Bucky’s laps and half asleep.

Tony grabbed his phone and quickly took a picture before Peter could notice. “You three look very comfortable.”

“Shhh,” Peter said, “they’re being mean to the giant. He’s going to run fast enough, right?”

“Of course, he’s going to run fast enough,” Bucky told him, rubbing soothingly at Peter’s calf.

“But there’s all the trees,” Peter replied, sounding worried.

“It’s going to be just fine,” Steve said, running his fingers through Peter’s hair. The boy looked a breath away from passing out, which they all knew what was going to happen come bed and midnight. “It’s all going to be fine. Do you want to head to bed?”

“Is it over?” Peter asked in a bit of a mumble, clearly talking about the movie still.

“Even if it’s not, you can watch it again tomorrow,” Bucky offered.

“Okay,” Peter said, words slurring.

Tony walked over and shut off the television. “I think it’s definitely bedtime. Say goodnight to Jarvis.”

“Night, Jay,” Peter said, waving at the ceiling even as Bucky scooped him up in his arms in order to carry him down the hall. Peter blinked up at him. “Can I sleep with you, Dad?”

“Hell yes, you can,” Bucky replied, shooting a gleeful grin back at Tony and Steve as he led them toward their bedroom. Tony would expect not less from Bucky or Peter. And he had planned on Peter sleeping in their oversized bed regardless, unless the boy demanded otherwise. When they reached their location, Bucky set Peter down on his feet.

“Go wash up,” Steve told him, guiding him toward their bedroom bathroom. “Do you need help?”

“No,” Peter pouted, making it obvious how tired he was. Though Tony was certain he would have done it while wide awake as well, he probably was just as stubborn as Steve could be about being told what to do.

They took the time Peter was in the bathroom to change. Tony tugged down his sleep shirt and rested his hand on his stomach. “This is weird.”

“I like it,” Steve admitted. “We get to see him. We know he’s going to be born and grow and…be happy with us.”

“Definitely freaked out until he called me Dad,” Buckky told them with a small laugh.

“Why am I the one with the stuffy old man name?” Steve asked, sitting down to tug off his socks.

“Uh, because you are in fact a stuffy old man?” Bucky questioned back, raising an eyebrow.

“Better that than a nerd prone to dramatic mood swings involving weapons,” Steve replied, raising his chin in defiance.

“Punk.”

“Jerk.”

“You’re both idiots,” Tony said, setting his watch on the dresser.

“Says the spoiled brat with a mother hen complex,” Bucky said, poking Tony in the hip to lighten his words. Tony rolled his eyes, not taking him seriously either way.

The bathroom door opened and Peter came running out like a monster was after him. Bucky and Steve started to react, only to have Peter leap onto the bed and started bouncing on it. He then began to talk very rapidly, beginning with what appeared to be in the middle of a paragraph. “Which is why that Loki guy is going to lose so hard to you and why Thor doesn’t know what he’s talking about even though he’s super loud and my favorite baby-sitter and I almost picked up his hammer and Thor said it was cause I was an innocent kid but I can’t touch it anymore.”

“Hey, son,” Steve said, reaching up to grab the kid and simply plopping Peter onto the middle of the bed. “How about you lay down and let your mother cuddle with you while we turn off the lights and make sure the pizza is put away.”

Tony glared at him for the mother comment and was amused when Peter did the same. Peter raised his chin. “He’s Daddy. Daaaaddyyy. Okay?”

“Yeah, I got it,” Steve said, trying not to laugh as they left the room.

Tony got them both under the covers and tugged Peter closer. “Thanks for the defense, little man.”

“I’ve got your back,” Peter told him, cuddling up to Tony’s chest and almost immediately falling asleep like a switch had been triggered. Just like that, Tony had a sleeping son in his arms.

As Steve and Bucky came back, lights all off, and slid into either side, Tony glanced at the clock. Four hours until midnight. Four hours until Peter was gone. Sure, he’d be back in six and a half months, only in a small form of an infant, but this moment was so unique and rare. Tony dragged in a shuddering breath as he watched Bucky reach around him to stroke Peter’s cheek.

“We didn’t ask his name,” Steve said, looking both sad and tired. His long and slightly heavy arm was wrapped around Peter and Tony's waist. Tony was still small enough that Steve’s fingers could rest on Bucky’s hip in full.

Tony closed his eyes and let out a hum. “It doesn’t matter. I want to enjoy finding it on together.”

“You’re falling asleep,” Bucky teased.

“We all are,” Steve mumbled.

“Who knew just watching a movie and eating pizza with a seven year old would make me feel old,” Bucky groaned.

Tony didn’t respond. He couldn’t respond, his eyes were closing, breath slowing. His last image was of Peter’s small, sleeping face. They all briefly woke at one point after, jolting up when they realized Peter was gone without a trace. Eventually they fell back to sleep, though they all kept a hand on Tony’s stomach, reassuring themselves that Peter was still with them.

Sleep took them again and this time Tony slept soundly, feeling safe and content. There were worries, of course. He was a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, mate to two alphas who went out on life defying missions every other month, and pregnant. But this was happiness.

Tony Stark was happy. And he was dreamless.

Notes:

Umm...so there's an epilogue after this and if you don't want drama emotion (I'm Fucking crying after editing it just now) then please let this be your last chapter.

So, epilogue then it's done. I know what my next multi chapter is, but I'm not sure when I'll get it out...eh, probably soon since I'm between jobs (for medical, rehirable to last job which yay!). So we'll see you at the next one, definitely a Winter Iron.

Chapter 50: Epilogue - Unknown

He walked down the hall, amazed. The same hall. The same kitchen. He knew they wouldn’t change much of his things, but to not change much of anything since he’d left was strange to him. He took a peek and saw that his childhood room was the same as ever.

Down in the workshop a series of Iron Man suits stood proudly, intermingled with the Winter Soldier and Captain America uniforms.

His heroes. His fathers.

This was the last time. He could feel it that it was the last time he’d see them.

Peter fought down the urge to cry.

Further down the hall and there they were. Wrapped around each other like they had always been, since his childhood of nonstop joy and moments of scares. But he had a happy life with them. His fathers had as well. Peter could not doubt that, looking at them as his Daddy snorted and his Dad nearly fell off the bed. It was Papa’s strong hold that kept Dad from actually tumbling off the bed.

Peter turned, walking through the house. His Daddy’s body had finally become unable to handle the arc reactors’ energy. And they chose together that they wanted to die together. Peter remembered coming to the house with his alpha, Harley, a few days later. The goodbyes had already been said, of course. It didn’t stop the violent emotional reaction when instead of finding his parents he had found bodies.

But it had been their choice and getting to see, thanks to the ability his Daddy had handed down to him, one of their last nights was something he would always cherish. He knew he wouldn’t want to live without his alpha and so a part of him just simply understood why he’d lost his parents.

“Sir?” Jarvis spoke up.

“It’s okay, Jarvis,” Peter replied. “You’ll be coming with me.”

“I look forward to a new adventure,” Jarvis replied as Peter laid down on the couch and waited to wake up for just that, five years into his own future.

Notes:

So, I opened this up to Peter side story. And of course, possibly Rhodey/Pepper story. But this is the end of the Tony/Bucky/Steve story. Anything else in this universe will be other characters (why do I want to write a Momma Rhodes Christmas Special, what is my head)

Thank you all who stuck with me through this and the others that join in post production.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Somewhere in Time