Exile

“How can I teach her some way of being human that won’t destroy her?” —Margaret Atwood

Steve stared at the bruises painted across his body. The worst of it was across his chest and back. He’d always bruised easily so he wasn't really surprised. He knew better than to pick a fight, but he couldn’t just walk away when someone needed help. 

Homelessness was a common issue with returning veterans. It was something Steve had seen too many times. So, he couldn’t help but notice how quickly the Alpha had responded when he protected Steve. 

But why didn’t he protect himself?

Steve sighed. It was almost five in the morning, and he’d spent most of the night thinking about the Alpha on the streets.

Peggy started crying. 

Steve flipped on the lights and walked over to his daughter. “Morning, baby girl.”

Peggy made grabby hands. 

Steve picked her up and paused for just a moment. He inhaled her sweet baby scent. She smelled like lilacs and smoke. 

His mother’s scent had been lilacs. 

Tony’s scent was tobacco and smoke. 

Steve pulled himself from memories associated with smell. Placing Peggy in her high chair, he tried to find something for breakfast. “Guess we’ll need to get groceries again. Dammit!” Steve didn’t get paid till the end of the week, and he couldn’t afford anything else—

Someone knocked on the door. 

Frowning, Steve wasn’t expecting anyone. When he opened his door, he didn’t see anyone but a bag of groceries was sitting on his welcome mat. Steve looked to see if he could see who had left them, but he only found the lingering scent of pine and snow.

The Asset shivered. It did not like the cold. It did not have much of a choice.

Someone cleared his throat. 

The Asset blinked not certain if the Omega were really standing before him or not. 

“G-Good morning,” the Omega stuttered. 

“Morning,” the Asset echoed. 

The Omega thrust a thermos at him. “I uh brought you some tea.”

The Asset took it. 

“It’s uh thank-you tea,” the Omega explained. “For the groceries.”

The Asset nodded. 

“I uh work at the VA,” the Omega said. “I’ve worked with a lot of veterans, and I know it’s hard to ask for help. But you’re welcome even if you don’t want to talk. There’s always coffee and food.”

The Asset wasn’t sure how to respond. 

This was probably the longest conversation he’d had. 

“Well, I gotta get to work,” the Omega said 

The Asset watched as the Omega walked away. He couldn’t help but think that the Omega looked incredibly vulnerable. The Omega needed someone watching his back. The Asset could provide that. He had nothing better to do so he followed the Omega. 

Steve was wheezing by the time he reached the lobby of the Stark Tower. He’d barely taken a step into the tower when he ran into the hardest chest imaginable. He would have fallen if muscular arms had not enveloped around him. 

“Easy there,” a uniquely accented voice murmured. 

Steve blinked. “T-Thor?”

The god of thunder grinned. “Are you well, Omega?” 

“J-Just dandy,” Steve squeaked out. He pulled away quite not believing what had just happened. Trying not to freak out, he stepped onto the elevator.

Thor followed. “Where are we going?”

“W-Work,” Steve squeaked out. 

“Good morning, Mr. Rogers. Good morning, Sparky Sparky Boom Man,” Jarvis’ voice trilled out.

Laughing a bit hysterically, Steve wondered if his face could turn any redder. 

“You are son of Rogers?” Thor asked.

“Steve,” Steve corrected. 

“What is our quest?” Thor asked. “It appeared urgent.”

“I work for Mr. Stark,” Steve explained.

“Ah, yes, I know Tony!” Thor exclaimed. 

“No, I mean I work for Howard Stark.” Steve almost wondered if Jarvis were making the elevator move slower. 

“There is another Stark?” Thor asked. 

Steve nodded. “Yeah, Howard is Tony’s dad.”

“This is wonderful!” Thor exclaimed. “I have finally met a Midgardian Omega, and I am about to meet a Midgardian father!”

Finally, the elevator dinged. 

Steve felt frazzled as he looked up to see Tony and Howard glaring at each other. It was very obvious that they had been arguing… 

“M-Morning,” Steve said quietly. 

Howard’s smile was strained.

“You’re late,” Tony snapped. 

“Most likely that is my fault,” Thor said smiling at Steve. 

Tony forced a charming smile upon his face. “And what brings you here?”

“Curiosity, my friend. I am to observe how Midgardians live that includes familial bonds.” Thor saw more than he was letting on. 

“I’ll get breakfast started,” Steve said. 

Howard took Peggy without a word. 

Frowning, Steve slipped into the kitchen. He couldn’t help but worry about what they’d been arguing about. Was it about Peggy? Had Tony changed his mind? Hands shaking, Steve tried to focus on making breakfast. He breathed deeply for some reason focusing on the scent of pine and snow… By the time he’d finished making pancakes and eggs, everything seemed normal. Or at least, Steve felt more grounded. 

Howard handed Peggy back. 

“I’ve not seen a pup so small!” Thor announced with a mouth full of pancake. “In Asgard, they are much bigger!”

“S-She was premature,” Steve explained. He didn’t mention how his declining health had affected her. All of his doctors had advised him to abort, but Steve could never… He’d been miserably sick for the entire pregnancy, but he’d never been alone.

“Have you had syrup yet?” Howard asked trying to change the subject.

Thor nodded. “We have a similar substance on Asgard, but it is alcoholic.”

“Alcoholic syrup.” Tony grinned. “I’d drink to that!”

“Why are you not eating son of Rogers?” Thor asked. “You are much too thin for an Omega.” 

Steve shook his head. “I already had breakfast.” For once, it was the truth. He’d had the most filling breakfast he’d had in weeks. The groceries that the Alpha had left had been more than he would have ever bought for himself. 

“At least, some eggs sons of chicken,” Thor insisted. 

Swallowing thickly, Steve sat across from Tony. He forced himself to eat a few bites, but Peggy started to squirm.

She opened her mouth like a baby bird. 

Steve offered her some.

Peggy’s eyes lit up in delight. 

Steve made a mental note to get eggs when he got his paycheck.

“Have we found the frost warrior?” Thor asked. 

“No,” Tony growled. “He’s the one who trained Nat, and we’d never find her if she wanted to disappear.”

“Clint says his mind was controlled?” Thor continued. “It sounds similar to how Loki controlled him.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Tony growled. His scent burning in anger.

Steve bit his lip hard.

Peggy started crying.

“It does matter!” Howard yelled. 

Tony threw his plate at the wall. “Tell that to mom!”

Broken glass. 

Steve trembled, shaking like a leaf.

“He’s not mine!” Joseph roared. “No son of mine’s a useless Omega!”

“How dare you!” Sarah growled. “Am I any less for being an Omega?”

Joseph laughed darkly. “Yes, your only worth was your ability to provide pups. And look what you provided!”

Stevie whimpered. He could feel it: his father’s hatred and his mother’s love.

Sarah cried out as Joseph hit her.

Joseph kicked her and grabbed Steve’s baby doll. He threw it against the wall. 

Broken glass. 

He picked up Steve and threw him against the wall.

Steve heard the cracking of already broken glass. He felt hundreds of small shards digging into his body. 

Sarah covered his body with her own as Joseph hit her and kicked her over and and over again.

“Excuse me.” Steve winced at how loud the chair was as it dragged against the floor. He stood on unsteady feet, but Peggy’s familiar weight centered him. The short distance between the dining room and the powder room had him wheezing. Locking himself in the bathroom, he tried to put himself back together. Sometimes, Steve wondered if he was cursed; he’d fallen for an Alpha just like his father… 

Peggy was whining. She could feel his distress, but she didn’t know what was wrong.

Steve took a deep breath. “I-It’s ok. Oma’s ok.”

Peggy nuzzled against him trying to scent him and comfort him. Steve rocked back and forth humming a lullaby that Sarah used to sing for him. It always made him feel better, but the truth was Steve hadn’t felt right for years.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t hide, not even from memories. Exiting the bathroom, he found, Thor and Tony had already left.

Howard was cleaning up the glass.

“I can do that,” Steve said.

Howard shook his head. “No need, I’m done.”

“What’s wrong?” Steve asked. He’d known Howard long enough to tell when something was wrong. 

Howard sighed. “You know my wife died.”

Steve nodded. He’d never met Peggy Carter, but he’d known the ones she left behind. “It was a car crash.”

Howard shook his head. He blinked back tears. “No, it wasn’t. I-It wasn’t an accident.”

“Howard—”

“No, they killed her!” Howard sobbed. “He killed her!”

Steve managed to get Howard back to bed. For once, his eccentric patient, his goofy friend, did not have the heart to tinker away or play with his grandchild. Steve didn’t blame him. He knew grief as a dear old friend. She was his constant companion. 

Steve felt heavy as he walked to the VA. He just wanted to go home and make a nest…

“What’s wrong with you?” Sam asked.

“Rough day,” Steve managed. 

Sam frowned. He was about to say something when the door opened.

The Alpha from the alley walked in. He looked at Steve worriedly.

Steve smiled sadly. “You came.”

He nodded.

“Sam, this is uh, what’s your name?” Steve asked. 

“James,” the Asset replied. 

“I’m Steve, and this is Sam,” Steve said.

Sam held out his hand. “Nice to meet you. You’ll be with my group.”

James looked back at Steve.

“That’s right. I deal with a specialized group but don’t worry; Sam’s better than I am.” Steve grinned halfheartedly. Walking towards the Howlies, Steve hoped that James got the help he needed. The Howlies were fencing with their canes when Steve walked in. They fell short when they smelled the lingering distress in Steve’s scent.

“You alright, Cap?” Dum Dum asked.

Steve shrugged. “Not really.”

They moved the chairs into a circle.

Steve sighed. “It’s been a while since I’ve had an episode. I know recovery’s not a straight line, but damn, I thought I was finally done.”

Falsworth patted his back. “We’re never done.” 

Steve nodded. “How bout you guys?”

“Started smoking again,” Gabe sighed. “I just missed the smell.”

“Remember lucky cigarettes?” Jim asked. “I lost all my rations to Sarge!”

Dum Dum chuckled. “So, did I! The bastard bet me he couldn’t make the shot, but he’d hit it every time!”

Steve smiled. “Made any progress on our homework?”

“I called my granddaughter,” Falsworth said. “Wished her happy birthday.”

“I made a bean sandwich,” Gabe said. “Bout the only thing I ate during the depression. Swore I’d never eat one again, but I miss it sometimes.”

Steve smiled. “That’s really good.”

“How bout you, Cap?” Dum Dum asked. “You reach out to your family? Or do something for you?”

“I don’t have any family left,” Steve said. “I did manage to get groceries yesterday.”

The Howlies frowned. 

“You ever do anything just for you?” Jim asked. 

“Sometimes I draw,” Steve admitted. 

Falsworh grinned. “Can you draw something for us?”

“Sure,” Steve said with a tired smile. “I want you to do this too. Not draw I mean but give yourself a day where you take care of yourself. Sometimes, we’re so busy trying to take care of everyone else that we forget that we have needs to.”

Steve was about dead on his feet when he met up with Sam after their sessions had ended.

“Where’d you find that Alpha?” Sam asked, startling him. 

“He’s been living in the alley across my street. Had that look about him,” Steve explained. “Why did it go well?”

“Hard to say. He didn’t really say anything.” Sam sighed. “I’ll make some calls to see if I can find a job for him or something.” 

Steve yawned. “I wish we could do more.”

“Me too.” Sam’s brow creased in worry. “How are you doing, really?”

“Honestly, I feel like shit.” Steve shifted Peggy, trying to find a more comfortable position.

“You coming down with something?” Sam asked. 

“Maybe,” Steve admitted. 

Sam squeezed his shoulder. “You ask for help this time. And not when you’ve been hospitalized!”

“That was one time,” Steve mumbled. 

“Try five times,” Sam corrected. 

Steve was almost a block from his apartment when he had to stop. He sat on a bench, taking deep breaths. The sun was going down, casting dark shadows across the city. He needed to get home. He was just out of energy—

“Steve?” James asked. 

“H-Hey,” Steve said tiredly. “M’jus resting.”

The Asset frowned at the Omega, who had fallen asleep on a bench. Hesitantly, the Asset shook him. 

The Omega jerked away. “Jamie?”

“C’mon, let’s get you home.” The Asset picked up the pup with his flesh arm and helped the Omega up with his metal arm. He tried to step away, but the Omega held onto him. They made slow progress, but soon enough, they were outside of the Omega’s apartment. 

“Do you have the key?” The Alpha asked. 

The Omega’s only reply was a soft snore.

Twisting the doorknob, he heard a crunching sound. He might have broken the doorknob, but he could fix that. He carefully set the Omega and his pup in the bed. He hadn’t realized how much his new mission actually needed his help.

The Omega was clearly exhausted to the depths of his soul. His den was small and messy, but it was obvious that the Omega had tried his best to make it a home. There were pictures of the pup on the wall, of the Omega with friends, and his mother. Despite the groceries the Asset provided, there needed to be more food in the small fridge. 

Omegas were capable of taking care of themselves. They were not the weaker type, but their needs could be met with others. They needed to feel safe. Even if they could provide for themselves, they needed an Alpha who could provide for them. They did not need to be crushed or coddled. Instead, they needed to be cherished. 

The Asset did not know a lot of things, but he knew that an Omega should be treated better than this.

***

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