Chapter 8
After two weeks, Stephen felt better, but he still had some difficulty walking. His maids, Natasha and Wanda, took great care of him, and he had become friends with them. However, Stephen hadn’t seen Tony at all during this time.
Wanda and Natasha were really good company for him.
"Stephen, so you’ll be leaving soon, right?" Wanda asked sadly.
"Yes. You sound like you’re sad that I’m better now," Stephen said, smirking.
"Of course not. But I am sad that you’ll be leaving when you get fully better," Wanda admitted.
"We could meet outside, Wanda. We could hang out," Stephen suggested.
"Outside? But we’re not allowed to leave the tower," Wanda said.
"Why not?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"Mr. Stark bought us as personal omegas to take care of his family when we were kids. We’re not allowed to leave this place," Natasha explained.
"Tony Stark did that?" Stephen asked, surprised.
"No, his father, Howard Stark. We’re like slaves," Wanda said softly.
"What nonsense is this? Nobody should be forced to work as slaves," Stephen said firmly.
"But that’s the reality, Stephen. We omegas don’t have many choices. We’re actually grateful that Mr. Stark saved us from the streets, or we might have ended up as whores in some taverns," Natasha said.
"I’m so proud of what you’re doing, Stephen—becoming a doctor, especially as an omega," Wanda said.
"I’ve paid a big price for it," Stephen replied with a small smile.
As they were talking, Pepper and Steve walked in.
"Stephen, we need to go to the hospital today, right?" Pepper asked.
"Yes. Hopefully, I’ll get this cast off today," Stephen said, pointing to his bandages.
"Steve will go with you," Pepper added.
"Okay," Stephen agreed.
Steve caught Stephen by the waist and helped him walk out. Stephen tensed up at the touch of an alpha, feeling uncomfortable.
"Hey, I won’t hurt you," Steve reassured him in a calming voice.
Stephen relaxed a little. Steve helped him into the car and then started the engine.
"So, Stephen, how did you decide to become a doctor?" Steve asked.
Stephen was surprised; Steve had never spoken to him like this before, only exchanging a few words in passing.
"I’m not a doctor yet," Stephen replied.
"But I’m sure you’ll be one day," Steve said with a smile.
Stephen smiled back.
"You didn’t answer my question," Steve said.
"Uh... I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to help people and take care of them," Stephen explained.
"You became a doctor to help others? I thought it was for the money," Steve said.
"It’s not always about money," Stephen responded.
"Mmh... right. I really admire what you’ve achieved in your life," Steve said.
"What? Becoming Stark’s whore?" Stephen asked with a bitter chuckle.
"No. I’m sorry, Stephen," Steve said genuinely.
Stephen didn’t quite understand what Steve was trying to convey.
"It’s okay. You’re just his employee," Stephen said.
"I’ve done a lot of bad things for Tony, but it’s not just because he’s my employer. He’s my friend too," Steve explained.
"Pepper said something similar," Stephen remarked.
"Tony wasn’t always like this," Steve said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Stephen asked.
"I know you have every right to hate us, but I just want to say I’m sorry for everything," Steve said sincerely.
Stephen just nodded in response.
When they reached the hospital, Dr. Tao greeted them with a smile.
"Stephen, how are you feeling now?" Dr. Tao asked.
"Great! Can I get rid of these?" Stephen asked, pouting.
"Let me check," Dr. Tao chuckled.
"Stephen, we’ll remove the bandages, but your leg still isn’t fully healed. You’ll experience some difficulty walking, but you should try with support," Dr. Tao advised.
"Oh, okay," Stephen said.
Dr. Tao removed the bandages and gave Stephen crutches. Steve helped him back to the car and started driving.
"You can drop me at my house. I’m alright now," Stephen said.
"Didn’t you hear what the doctor said? You still need help. You’ll be staying at the tower until we feel you’re okay," Steve insisted.
"Are you and your boss trying to make me your slave, like Natasha and Wanda?" Stephen asked suspiciously.
"Do you not trust us?" Steve asked.
"No. Why would an alpha show care for an omega if they didn’t want to take them to bed?" Stephen scoffed.
"I’m not trying to take you to bed. I’m a loyal husband. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, but I love him," Steve said.
"Oh? Then why are you being nice to me?" Stephen asked.
"Because we could be friends, you know?" Steve said, chuckling.
"We can?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, only if you want," Steve said, smiling.
"Okay," Stephen agreed.
Meanwhile, in the Stark Tower, Pepper was talking to Tony.
"Tony, about the deal with Asgard—are you really going to collaborate with them on weapon manufacturing?" Pepper asked.
"Yes, I think it’ll make things easier for us," Tony said.
"But it’s like losing our monopoly in this field," Pepper pointed out.
"What’s the point of keeping a monopoly? It’s all about making a profit," Tony said.
Pepper looked at him skeptically..
"What?" Tony asked, frowning.
"You’re changing," Pepper said with a smirk.
"What are you talking about?" Tony asked.
"The Tony Stark I knew loved power. It was never just about the money—you enjoyed people begging for your mercy," Pepper said.
"Maybe I want a break from all that," Tony shrugged.
"Yes, you need it. Take a break. Spend time with the people you love," Pepper suggested, smiling.
"Who’s there that I love?" Tony scoffed.
"I don’t know. You figure it out," Pepper said as she started to walk out. But she stopped and added,
"Also, Tony, Stephen’s bandages are off. He might leave in a week. If you want to see him, you can." She smirked and left.
Tony hadn’t gone to see Stephen all these days because he didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. But he wanted to apologize to Stephen personally. So, he decided to visit him.
"Jarvis, where is Stephen?" Tony asked.
"Stephen is with Mr. Rogers in the garden area," Jarvis informed.
"What’s Rogers doing there with him?" Tony asked.
"He’s helping Stephen walk. Would you like to see the footage?" Jarvis asked.
"Yes, show me," Tony ordered.
Jarvis displayed the live footage of Steve helping Stephen walk, his arm around Stephen’s waist. Stephen had his hand on Steve’s shoulder, and they were talking and laughing.
Tony felt jealousy surge through him.
"Tell Rogers to come here," Tony said in a dark voice.
"Sure, boss," Jarvis responded.
In the garden, Stephen and Steve were still walking.
"Steve, that’s enough for today. I’m tired," Stephen said.
"Nope. Didn’t you hear what the doctor said? You need to walk for at least an hour every day," Steve insisted.
"Doesn’t your boss give you any other jobs besides taking care of me?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"No, for now, this is my job," Steve said, chuckling.
"You’re annoying. Are you like this with your omega too?" Stephen asked playfully.
"Bucky? Yeah, he says the same thing. Once, he broke his arm, and I didn’t leave his side until he healed," Steve said, laughing.
"You really love him, don’t you?" Stephen said, smiling at Steve.
"Yes, very much. I miss him too," Steve said with a sad smile.
"Then why don’t you go and see him?" Stephen asked.
"I can’t. Tony wouldn’t like that. Bucky is still alive because I begged Tony for his life, but Tony said I could never see him again, nor could he come to me," Steve explained.
"Why would Stark want to kill him? Why are you working with someone like that?" Stephen asked.
"It’s... complicated. Tony is my friend, and Bucky did something wrong, even though it was unknowingly," Steve said.
Before Stephen could ask more, Jarvis’s voice interrupted them.
"Mr. Rogers, the boss requests your presence in the lab."
"Oh, I should go. I’ll take you to your room," Steve said.
"No, I’d like to sit here for a while," Stephen replied.
"Okay. Call me if you need anything," Steve said.
"Sure, thank you," Stephen said.
Steve walked to the lab, where Tony was sitting. Tony didn’t acknowledge him, but Steve could tell he was furious about something.
"You want to see me?" Steve asked.
"What's your deal with Stephen?" Tony asked in a cold voice.
"Nothing, I was helping him out to walk" Steve said.
"Don't bullshit me Rogers. Are you trying to take him to bed?" Tony snapped.
"No, I'm not" Steve said calmly.
"Then, why you the alpha sniffing around an omega like him. You want to fuck him, don't you?" Tony asked walking towards Steve. His eyes we're dark.
"Not everyone is like you, Tony. You might see omegas as just a fuck toy, but I'm not like that" Steve said.
"Rogers, I get it. You miss your whore, that backstabbing bitch and you want to put your cock in some omega hole, huh? But don't even think about touching Stephen like that." Tony said.
"Stop talking about Bucky. You have done enough to punish him, punish us. Tony, I'm still with you after all this, because your my friend. What should I do to make you forgive us?" Steve asked.
"I don't forgive or forget. So, don't expect that from me. This is my last warning. Stay away from Stephen. He is not here for you to fuck around" Tony growled.
"Why is he exactly here?" Steve asked scoffing
Why is he here? Tony doesn't know the answer to it. And he hat not knowing answers.
"Leave" Tony said in a cold voice.
Steve didn't say anything back. He left the room.
Stephen was on a FaceTime call with Christine.
"How are you feeling now?" Christine asked.
"I'm okay. When are you coming back?" Stephen replied.
"Next week. Did Stark talk to you?" Christine inquired.
"No, he never came to see me, and I'm glad he didn't," Stephen said.
"Hopefully, he's bored of you by now," Christine teased.
"I hope so," Stephen responded.
At that moment, Tony walked into the room. Startled, Stephen tried to stand up.
"Hey, easy. Sit down," Tony said, motioning for him to relax.
Stephen slowly sat back down on the bed.
"I just wanted to check on you. Are you feeling better?" Tony asked.
"Yes, better," Stephen replied in a quiet voice.
As Tony walked closer, Stephen winced slightly. Tony noticed.
"Don't worry, I won’t hurt you again. And I’m... I’m sorry for what I did," Tony said, sounding uncertain.
Stephen looked at him, confused.
"I also know you’re having financial problems. I can offer you a job, if you want," Tony continued.
"As your whore, right? And I can’t reject it, because you'll hurt my friends," Stephen scoffed.
"Uh, no. I mean a real job, something you’d actually want to do. You have complete freedom to reject the offer," Tony clarified.
Stephen was even more confused. Was he dreaming? Or was he talking to a Tony from another universe?
"Why are you doing this?" Stephen asked.
"I wanted to apologize properly," Tony said.
"You do that to everyone you hurt? Must be a long list," Stephen smirked.
Tony remained silent. Stephen, suddenly nervous, feared he might have provoked Tony.
"I... I’m sorry," Stephen blurted out quickly.
"You’re right. It is a long list. Starting with you. Good night," Tony said before walking out.
Stephen sat there, baffled. Tony Stark had just apologized to him.
"Stephen, it seems like the devil’s becoming human,"
Christine chuckled from the other end of the line.
"Christine, you're still there?" Stephen asked, startled.
"Yeah, I heard everything. You should take that job," she advised.
"I don't know... I’ll call you tomorrow," Stephen said, hanging up the call.
He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t figure out what was happening. Maybe he would soon.