Iris

“Animals have always left me with a curiosity about human nature. I trust animals more than most people.” —Pamela Anderson

Bucky couldn’t imagine a better way to wake up in the morning. He was the little spoon. 

Steve was pressed right against his back and purring happily in his sleep. 

An Omega’s purr did unholy things to an Alpha. 

Bucky didn’t know how he had woken up without this. Sure, he’d dated Omegas before, but he’d usually woken up alone. He remembered waking up cold and lonely. 

But now, he was warm and loved. 

Steve mumbled something in his sleep. 

Bucky smiled. His heart filled with adoration. He wanted to make his Omega’s day the best ever, and he knew exactly how. Carefully, he untangled himself from Steve’s arms and crept downstairs. Cooking just like Winnifred Barnes had taught him, he didn’t hear Steve walk into the kitchen. 

Steve stared at his husband in wonder. “God, you’re beautiful.”

Art by @callmekayyyyy.

Bucky grinned. “Isn’t that my line?”

“We’re both beautiful, doll.” Steve giggled. “That smells delicious.”

“I was gonna surprise you with breakfast in bed,” Bucky said softly. 

Steve gasped. “Oh, no! I ruined your surprise!”

“You could ruin anything,” Bucky assured him. “God, I love you!”

Steve wrapped his arms around him and started tracing his tattoos. 

Bucky took a deep breath as Steve lightly caressed his arms. He never knew something so innocent could feel so passionate. “I want nothing more than to forget everything and take you on the kitchen floor, but we’ve got places to be.”

Steve pouted. “But I’m sposed to kiss the cook.”

Bucky kissed him soundly and then some. “How bout you enjoy your pancakes and call your ma?”

Steve’s entire demeanor shifted.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Bucky asked sensing his Omega’s distress. 

Steve sniffed. “I-I haven’t told her yet.”

Oh , Bucky thought. 

“What if she hates me?” Steve asked. 

“Why would she hate you?” Bucky asked. 

“I got mated without her,” Steve whispered. 

Bucky squeezed him tight. “She could never hate you.”

Steve sniffed and took a deep breath. “I-I gotta call her.”

“Yeah, I should probably call my folks, too?” Bucky waggled his eyebrows. 

Steve chuckled. “We kinda did this backwards, didn’t we?”

“Just a bit.” Bucky sighed. “I’m sorry if it wasn’t the mating you’d dreamed of.”

Steve shook his head. “It was perfect. I’m just scared of telling my ma.”

“At least, you don’t have to tell my ma.” Bucky kissed Steve’s forehead. 

Bucy decided to give Steve some privacy to call his ma. He jumped into the shower and tried to figure out how he would tell his own ma. 

Steve took a deep breath and called his ma. 

“Steven Grant Rogers, I haven’t heard from you in weeks!” Sarah scolded. She hid her worry with anger. 

“I’m sorry, Ma,” Steve said softly. 

“How was your trip?” Sarah asked. She was so relieved to hear her pup’s voice.

“It was lovely,” Steve gushed. “I could’ve stayed there forever.”

“My leannán na farraige (lover of the sea).” Sarah sighed. “How I’ve missed you.”

Steve’s heart filled with warmth. “I miss you too.”

“I was thinking I could visit for the holidays,” Sarah said. “It’s been too long.”

“I would love that, but uh, there’s something you need to know.” Steve took a deep breath. “I got married.”

“What?” Sarah gasped. 

So, Steve explained. He told her how he had met Bucky, and how Bucky had swept him off his feet. 

Sarah sighed. “I wish you would have talked to me first. I don’t know anything about this Alpha. What if he hurts you?”

“You can come and meet him,” Steve said. 

“Very well, leannán beag (little darling).” Sarah couldn’t help but worry for her pup. 

Steve decided he loved nothing more than driving around in Bucky’s car. 

The wind played with Bucky’s hair. 

Squirming in his seat, Steve tried to not think of straddling Bucky... 

“How’s your ma?” Bucky asked. 

“Good,” Steve said. “She wants to come for a visit over the holidays.”

“That’s a good idea,” Bucky said. “I think  I’ll invite my folks as well.”

Steve smiled. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” Bucky said cheekily. 

Steve sighed dramatically. 

“We’re almost there!” Bucky’s eyes sparkled mischievously. 

Steve looked around trying to guess where they might be going. “Wait, really!”

Bucky laughed. “Really!” 

The car was parked right beside an animal shelter. 

“I know how much you want a dog, and we’ve got such a big house” Bucky explained. 

Steve jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I love you!”

Holding hands, they walked into the shelter. 

“Hello, how can I help you?” An employee named Darcy asked. 

“We’re looking for a dog!” Steve exclaimed. 

Darcy grinned. “That’s fantastic! Do you have any preferences concerning breed, size, gender?”

Steve looked to Bucky.

“Whatever you want, love.” Bucky smiled. 

“I don’t care about breed or size, but I think I’d like a girl. Not exactly a puppy, but not an old dog either. Do you have one that just really needs a home?”

Darcy thought for a moment. “I think I’ve got the perfect dog. Do you want to meet her?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Steve squealed and ran after Darcy.

Bucky coughed trying to cover his laughter. 

Darcy led them to a kennel with a large, fluffy dog. “This is Hush Puppy. She’s about five months old. She’s trained and everything, but she’s got so much energy that she’s not been able to be placed long term.”

“Oh, she’s lovely,” Steve whispered. He held his hand out.

The dog was a little hesitant, but she sniffed his hand. 

“Her hair’s blocking her eyes,” Steve whispered. 

“She actually prefers that,” Darcy explained. “Do you want to go in with her?”

“Can I?” Steve asked. 

Darcy nodded and opened the kennel for Steve. 

Steve let Hushie make the first move. 

She sniffed him and pressed her head against his hand. Wagging her tail, she licked his face. 

“She likes you!” Darcy grinned. “Do you want to see more dogs?”

Steve shook his head. He wrapped his arms around Hush Puppy even though she was at least twice his size. “She’s perfect!” 

“I’ll get the paperwork sorted,” Bucky said. “How bout you get her some things at the gift shop?”

Steve nodded. “C-Can I take her with me?”

Dacy nodded. She gave Steve a leash. 

“C’mon, Hushie, let’s find you a new collar, a bed, dishes, toys!”

Bucky didn’t hear the rest as Steve and Hushie bounded over to the gift shop. He filled out the paperwork and paid Darcy. “Thank you for your help.”

He found Steve and Hushie pushing a cart overfilled with everything and anything a dog might want. 

“We might need to get more…” Steve said. 

“I think this is a good start.” Bucky patted Hushie’s head. “How bout we get this one settled in her new home?”

Steve grinned. 

Later that night, Bucky, Steve, and Hushie were piled together on the couch. 

“I love her,” Steve whispered sleepily. 

“I’m glad.” Bucky loved her too.

Art by @hail-hawk-eye.

***

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