Tony
His father was an Alpha, his mother and Omega, so when Tony turned 12 and got his classification as a Caregiver his father was furious. All his life he was trained as if he was going to be an Alpha; his father was strict, showed no love to his son, always telling him to do better, toughen up and "Stark men don't cry, Anthony, for god's sake you are going to be an Alpha so start acting like it." Howard Stark never told anyone his sons true status and instead told everyone he was an Alpha regardless of the truth.
Tony never corrected his father for fear of the repercussions, even after they died. A few months after he turned 15 he was sent to college where he met James Rhodes, nicknamed Rhodey and later known as Honeybear or sometimes platypus, Rhodey was the first person he ever told. Obadiah never even knew, even after the events of Afghanistan which led him to becoming the superhero known as Iron Man, he never told anyone. Not even the Avengers, even when they came to live at Stark tower, they never asked and he never told.
It wasn't until he started dating Pepper that he told her the truth he didn't want her to be dating him with a lie, and bless her, she simple held his face in her beautiful hands and gently gave him a kiss and thanked him for being honest. After the events with Loki and the aliens he knew he couldn't see his life without her, giving her a majority of his company as she is an Alpha and a Caregiver he felt the company was better in her hands. Soon after that they got married, they live in the penthouse on the 93rd and 94th floor of the tower.
The Tower is made up of 96 floors; 1 being the basement where the arc reactor is that powers the whole building. Floor 2 is the security vault for Avenger weapons ones that are not use. Floor 3 and 4 is the parking garage; floor 5 is the lobby; floor 6 is for tourist attractions such as things on display, old suits and weapons as well as the history of Stark Industries, as well as the reporter room where public announcements are made, floor 7 and 8 is the common cafeteria for all employees. Floor 9 through 79 are different labs for different projects and inventions as well as testing floors for said inventions.
Floor 80 to 84 is the medical floor where a full hospital is to treat staff and the Avengers; floor 85 is where a full pool, hot tub and sauna is; floor 86 is a track/ gym room, and floor 87 is where the full size gym is, one side for humans and the other for super soldiers to use with a practice mat in the middle.
Floor 88 is the Avengers common room where they have a kitchen, dining room and a living room set up for when they have Avengers movie night and team dinners.
Floor 89 is the sleeping rooms for the Avengers. Floor 90 is Bruce's lab which has special locks and containments in place in case the Hulk makes and appearance and isn't in a happy mood. Floor 91 is Tony's lab; floor 92 is a storage floor for any inventions that are abandoned or need to be held somewhere else while waiting to be completed or are completed and just waiting to be used.
Floor 93 and 94 is the penthouse where Toney and Pepper live, Floor 95 is an attic for Tony and Pepper to use to store holiday decorations or old family belongings. Then floor 96th floor where the helipad is on the far side and a small outdoor gathering place for a barbeque and a fire place and seating on the other side with the elevator building in the middle separating the two.
Tony as a Caregiver always looks out for his team, it helps curb his Caregiver urges when it gets bad. He knows that the only way his urges can be satisfied is if he matches with a Little, however he worries about what the team will think if they learn that he is actually a Caregiver.
He also doesn't want to put that on Pepper either, he knows she loves working and having a Little would mean she wouldn't be able to be 100% focused on work, as she would have a Little to also look out for. Tony and Pepper are a team that is what marriage is and he doesn't want to bring it up for fear she would say yes and then regret it later. So he says nothing and just devotes himself to the team and to Pepper.
Having DUM-E and U and Butterfingers also helps as they are like little kids, always causing mischief and needing to be watched, but they could never fill the hole in his heart, only help ease it. FRIDAY is like a big sister to the three robots, always looking out for them as well as Tony himself.
Tony sighs as he leans onto his elbows on the holographic table, running his hands through his hair; he is currently working on some coding for a new Iron Man suit, but his thoughts on what it would be like to have a little surges his mind distracting him.
"Boss are you okay? Your heart rate has elevated showing signs of distress. Would you like me to alert Mrs. Boss or Honeybear?" FRIDAY asks.
"No FRI I am okay, just thinking about things that will never happen," Tony replies. Letting out another sigh he brushes it off and sits up straighter, "alright FRI run the code and see if it works this time."
"Running through the code now."
Tony hides a lot behind a mask of narcissistic, selfish, over confident personality. The smile that fools the media, the one that if you could see his eyes know that the smile isn't real. Here in his lab, however, he doesn't have to hide, he can let his emotions show without worrying that anyone would judge him. FRIDAY would alert him if anyone approaches so he has time to collect himself.
Tony is happy with his life, he has a beautiful wife and wonderful friends, he is a billionaire he can have anything he wants, go where ever he wants; but what he wants most, he has resigned to the fact, he will never have. His very own Little, but life wasn't always fair, he knows this and that is okay. After a past such as his, he is content with what he has and is thankful, for he never thought he would even have this. So Tony does what he always does when he feels depressed about life, he buries it deep down and then himself into work, fixing things he can fix.
It is late May the weather getting warmer and he began to notice that Pepper has been busier then normal. She would wake up earlier then normal and go to bed later then she normal would. It is a couple of days of this when he asks her about it she just says she is okay and that a few things have come up that require her attention and that it should pass soon. True to her word after a week or so everything went back to normal she was even coming home early, before him even.
After her work load seemed to calm down he notices her taking a pill every day before dinner, when he asks her she says that she went to the doctor because she wasn't feeling well and the doctor says her iron was low so told her to take one pill once a day to help, it was prescribed by Dr. Cho so that was the end of that.
A few days after that he came up from working in the lab to find the room beside theirs had been cleaned out, thinking nothing of it, he goes about his day. Another few days goes by and as the elevator opens to their penthouse he smells paint. Taking off his shoes he goes upstairs to see the door to the room beside theirs is closed, when he reaches for the handle, Pepper comes out of their room.
"Welcome home Tony, I wouldn't go in there, it smells badly of paint. Since it is late May I have the window open a bit to air it out but it seems the smell still is strong," Pepper says drying her hair with a towel as she just came out of the shower.
"Oh and why have you decided to paint this room?" Tony asks one eye brow raised. This room was just a spare that no one ever used, secretly he was saving it for something, or should he say someone, he is curious as to why his wife decided to paint it now.
"I have decided that since you use the lab as an escape to relax that I want a room to have to relax in, you know listen to my music read a book maybe sow or knit if I want to learn," Pepper says with a shrug. "I work so much that I find it hard to unwind sometimes and someone suggested a relaxation place of my own."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, would you like help setting it up?"
"As much as I appreciate you wanting to help, but as you have set up your lab as you like, I find it relaxing in itself setting up and creating the space myself, and no peeking until I am done. I don't want you to see the room and start making suggestions about how to improve it every chance you get," Pepper smiles and wraps her arms around Tony's neck, seeing him pout a little at being declined to help her, she leans in and gives him a kiss. "Thank you though, however if you want to help me relax in a different way, I would be more then happy to accept," Pepper says with a seductive voice as she leans in and kisses him again.
Tony is feeling slightly upset that his wife didn't want his help setting up the room or even seeing the room, a room which he looks at with sadness. He didn't want to tell his wife that he was saving this room in hopes that one day they may get a Little, but he didn't want to deny his wife a room of her own to relax in.
When she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him, all thoughts of being upset left his brain. Her lips are warm and soft against his, the smell of her shampoo the feel of her body against his sends blood south of his brain. Then she makes that seductive suggestion and how can he refuse his beautiful wife. He wraps his arms around her and dominates the second kiss, picking her up, she wraps her legs around his waist and he makes quick strides to the their bedroom and lays her and himself down on the bed.
"Why Mrs. Stark how can I refuse that offer," Tony smirks. "FRIDAY lights and music to romantic mode if you will please." FRIDAY did not respond but did as asked, the lights dimmed and romantic music began to play. "Now Mrs. Stark lets get you nice and relaxed," Tony smirks as he began to remove his and her clothes.
"I look forward to it Mr. Stark," Pepper smirks back.
~*~
A few weeks go by and Tony is humming to himself as he makes his way back to the penthouse, these past few weeks seem to have been good for both Pepper and himself, they both have been more relaxed and happier then normal.
FRIDAY announces that Pepper has finished the room and is celebrating, she ordered Thai for supper because it is going to be a date night. He couldn't help but feel sad that the room he was holding out on is no longer for that purpose, but if it means his wife is happy and content he is willing to live with it.
Once he steps inside he notices Pepper sitting on the couch reading something on her Starkpad, she looks up when he steps off the elevator and she shuts down the pad and lays in on the coffee table.
"Welcome home Tony how was the board meeting?"
"Urg! I don't even wanna talk about it, you would think that being their boss they would keep snide comments to a minimum however today they seemed really annoyed that the new Stark phone has been delayed by a month due to a coding error," Tony sighs and flops down on the couch next to his wife.
"Will it really take that long to fix?"
"Naw it should be done in a week, two at most, but I gave them more time so they could double check everything else before we go a head with the launch, I told them I gave them more time so I wouldn't have to go to another board meeting and explain why something else went wrong so to fix it and check to make sure nothing else is wrong."
"Well isn't that nice of you and yet lazy at the same time," Pepper giggles.
Tony just grins back, "so FRIDAY has informed me that you finally finished your relaxation room and that we are celebrating by ordering Thai?" He hopes that at the mention of the room no sadness shows on his face, he is genuinely happy for Pepper to have her room completed but still feels sad about it to.
"Yes, it should be here soon, and then I figured we could eat and talk and then I can show you the room," Pepper says, pride in her voice.
Tony doesn't miss that his wife is proud that she did the room all by herself, so he smiles back and leans over to kiss her temple, "I am proud of you Pep, I can't wait to see what you have done with it."
They sit on the couch while waiting for their food to arrive, talking about each others day. Soon the delivery guy shows up and they move into the kitchen to eat. After dishing out the food they want they begin to eat. Tony looks up at Pepper and gives her a small smile, which she returns, however her expression turns sad and then serious.
"Pep? Everything okay?"
Pepper gives him a small smile, "of course Tony, but there is something I would like to talk to you about."
Tony puts down his fork and raises and eyebrow, "sure what did you want to talk about? Is everything okay with the company? Are you okay? Was the doctor visit more serious then you said?" Tony asks, worry clearly written on his face.
"No Tony I am healthy and the company is fine, but what I want to know is are you happy?"
Tony is taken back by this question, "of course Pep, why did someone say something? Are you happy? If not we can fix this, together."
"Of course I am happy, Tones," Pepper smiles, she doesn't want her husband to get too far with his anxiety thinking she is going to leave him or something silly. "However I have had the feeling lately that you are not, something is bother you and I would like for you to tell me what it is, it has gotten worse since I started renovations on the room beside ours."
Tony let out the breath he was holding when Pepper stated she is happy. Then he lets out a sign, 'I guess I can't hide anything from Pepper, she knows me too well.' Tony reaches out to take a hold of Peppers hand, "Pep, I am happy. Yes I have been a little off lately but it isn't anything to worry about. As long as you are happy and healthy, then I am happy too," Tony does his best to give a reassuring smile.
Pepper signs she knows that getting Tony to admit anything is going is going to be tough, however if she can get a group of stubborn old men to change their minds to her ideas then she can get Tony to admit what is bothering him.
"Tony, you can't hide anything from me, I am your wife and an Alpha. I can see that you are depressed and sad," Pepper knew that what she was about to say will probably upset her husband but she has to hear it from him. "Do you feel like you are missing something in your life?"
Tony is a bit confused, then panic begins to swell in his chest, 'does she know?' "Wh-what? Of course not Pep, I have everything I could ever ask for and more."
"Tony, if you can't tell me what is wrong then it is going to fester and I don't want you to grow angry over what isn't being said, I don't want to say something that will upset without knowing it is upsetting you."
Tony sighs, 'of course she is right, I told her how I am a Caregiver, she is the same as me, she will understand what I am feeling, as my therapist says.' "You are right, as always," Tony says.
"Of course, now talk to me, maybe I can help," Pepper takes her thumb and gentle rubs it over the hand that Tony is holding.
Tony takes a breath and runs his other hand that is not holding Pep's through his hair. "Since the Accords have been dealt with and the world is somewhat at peace. With Ross out of the picture, I have had not much to do, not saying there isn't anything to do there is always Avengers weapons to improve and build there is always a Iron man suit to upgrade and things for Stark Industries to build."
"But," Pepper says after Tony pauses.
"But I feel like something is missing, like there is a hole in my chest."
"Something.... or someone," Pepper asks.
Tony's head shoots up to look at his wife, his eyes wide in shock. When he looks into her eyes he sees not pity, but understanding.
"You seem to only see me as an Alpha Tony, you are forgetting that I also am a Caregiver and though my instincts are not as strong as yours they are still there."
Tony sighs, "The room beside ours, I never did anything with it because I was holding out in hopes of one day getting a Little of our own." Pepper opens her mouth to say something but Tony cuts her off, "I know Pep, we can't have one, it is okay, I am trying to deal with it. With you running the company and me with the Avengers if we got one it would be too many questions they would know the truth about me, and you would have more stress and I don't want to add that onto you. I have come to accept it and it is okay," Tony looks into Peppers eyes, "I will deal with it, we can get through it, some other world issue will come up that will take my attention and these urges will back off."
"There is a lot there to unpack, but let talk about one thing first would the team learning that you are a Caregiver really be that bad?"
"Out of everything I just said that is what you want to focus on?" When Pepper nods, Tony shakes his head. "I don't know how they would react and that is what worries me, I mean Steve and Natasha are Alphas; Bucky is an Omega; Scott is a Beta; Bruce is a Beta with Caregiver tendencies; Honeybear, Sam, Wanda and Clint are Neutrals. Thor isn't from this world so classification doesn't apply to him, but he would be considered an Alpha since he is a God, and Vision is an android so he would be considered a neutral. I don't know how they would deal with learning that not only and I not an Alpha and that I lied to them but I am a full Caregiver."
"Tony, I accept you, Rhodey accepts you. The team will accept you, they are not your father they will not care that you are a Caregiver. I am sure that once you tell them, they will understand. Now that we understand that not telling them is upsetting you, we will be telling them, together. Next thing to unpack, is about having a Little. Tony I would never be too busy to have a Little with you. We, together, would make it work, if that is truly what you want. I would love to have a Little, you are not the only one feeling like something is missing. Know that I know you want a Little, I can't be the sole reason you didn't say anything about wanting one. I know you have fear, fear that if we get a Little you would be just like your father. You said as much when we first talked about having kids or a Little." Pepper squeezes Tony's hand. "You are not your father, you are kind and considerate and loving. You would never yell or hurt our child or a Little. Now about the urges Tony they will never go away it is in our nature, you can try to distract yourself but it will always be there. Now that that is out of the way, how are feeling now that you told me all of this?"
Tony shut his eyes, willing the tears that have gathered not to fall, of course Pepper knew what to say to make him feel better, "Thank you Pep, you are too good for me," Tony smiles.
"Now that that we have sorted out our feelings, and our food is done, let me show you what I have done with the room," Pepper smiles.
Tony gives a small smile back, he feels a lot better now that they talked it out and he was able to express his feelings without being judged. Pepper always makes him feel better, she is an angel that he doesn't deserve but will keep until he dies.
They both stand up and after putting their dishes in the dishwasher they head upstairs. Even though the room is something that causes Tony to feel sad, he is curious on what his wife did with it, and is actually a little excited to see it.
Taking Tony's hand Pepper leads him upstairs, once they get to the closed door, she pauses and looks at Tony, a huge smile on her lips. She then steps a little to the side, "Why don't you go first I want to see your reaction."
Tony looks at Pepper then at the door handle, giving a small smile of his own he reaches for the door handle. He would not ruin Peppers hard work by giving her anything but genuine happiness. Tony turns the door handle and slowly opens the door and what he sees makes him collapse against the door frame. He gasps as he takes in the room and tears fall from his eyes, a hand covers his mouth and he looks at Pepper who also has tears in her eyes, but if smiling so brightly. Tony could not believe what he is seeing, this room painted a pale blue and yellow, plush carpet and a crib. It is a nursery.