Chapter 8
"So..." Natasha smirked at the couple, "Everything went well, I presume."
Not even five minutes ago they were trying to separate their pup from the omega. If Peter's tear-streaked face was anything to go off, it was easy to say it didn't end well. The poor thing just about screamed his head off till he fell asleep, the trauma of the day finally catching up to him. Tony, on the other hand, looked fine. As if he hadn't just gone through hell, forcing himself to give up his child once again.
"It was fine," Bucky lied, his tone unfairly calm. "He and Peter seemed to really—click."
"That's great, I'm glad he could help."
"Yeah and he fed him and everything." Steve added helpfully, not catching his mate's look of warning.
"Oh?"
"I was a bit surprised myself. He seems young, really young. But he handled Pete well."
"Well you know, most omegas are good with kids. Even young ones." She said looking back to where Tony sat in the car. His head was resting on the window, eyes downcast as they talked. It was like he knew she'd be looking to him for confirmation. "Call me if you need him to babysit again."
"Right, will do." Bucky said dismissively, his mind elsewhere now that the omega was gone.
The couple watched as their friend got in her car and drove off before heading back inside.
On the way back to the omega house, Nat watched Tony out of the corner of her eye. He had been depressed for weeks before this job. But this was different, he scented strongly of anger and pain. Something even a beta like her could pick up on. Had she not trusted her friends, she would've turned around immediately and demanded answers. She knew Tony was a fighter, he wouldn't be pushed around so easily like these other omegas. That didn't mean he couldn't get hurt though.
"What wrong, kid? You're scenting strange." She asked him, her voice surprisingly soft.
"I'm fine." He grumbled. "Just tired is all. Pups are a lot of work."
"Yeah I bet. How do you feel though, any pain? I know you didn't get to pump today."
It was quiet but she heard it. His breath hitched in his throat at the realization, he had nursed Peter. He had scented him too. Just as he swore not to do. For a genius, he could be really stupid. It didn't matter if that was his pup or not, he had given him up. Peter wasn't his, not anymore. He had messed up and soon everyone would know.
"No, I uh- I'm okay."
"Nursing helped, didn't it?" She asked slyly, she already knew he couldn't lie his way out of this one. He turned gaping at her, his already telling. "Yeah, I figured as much."
"H-How did you know?"
"Steve told me and your undertone scent is sweeter. Tony, I thought you didn't like nursing pups. Did something happen?"
He didn't know how he was going to hide this. He could already feel the tears burning in his eyes. "No, Nat nothing happened."
"Then why'd you do it?"
He didn't answer afraid he'd spill everything. She didn't need to know how badly he messed up. How much pain he was in now. It just wasn't worth it.
"Huh, alright then." She said acknowledging the silence. Pulling into a nearby parking spot, she stopped the car. She could always take the easy way out and let him come to her later, but she knew that wouldn't help matters. They needed to talk about this. "Be honest with me, Tony. Did something happen?"
He huffed in fake agitation, clearly holding back tears. "I already told you nothing happened. I'm fine, can't you just take me back to the shelter."
"I'll take you back as soon as you tell me what's bothering you."
"It's noth-"
She glared at him not buying his excuses for a second. He didn't even try to finish his sentence after that. There was something wrong, she could feel it. And his resolve was crumbling. The young omega was emotional, after everything he'd been through it was expected. But he wasn't one to hold back, at least not in the time she'd known him.
"Listen," She said patiently, eyeing his downcast face. "You're not okay and something happened. If you don't tell me what's wrong, I'll have to turn around and ask them. Cause you were fine earlier and I'm starting to assume the worst."
"No, please don't." He begged, his voice cracking slightly.
"Then tell me."
"Peter," He said after a moment. "He misses his Oma."
"What?"
"I didn't think he'd miss me."
"What just happened?" Steve asked later that night.
"You left, I fucked up." Bucky said lowly. He felt bad after what happened. The alpha in him hated that he made such a precious omega cry.
"Geez Buck," His mate cringed. "Language."
"It's true. I went and opened my big mouth and the poor kid just broke."
"Well, at least he was good with Pete. You can apologize next time." Steve said knowing his mate. He was scenting real sad, he knew he never handled emotions well. Neither of them did really. "Besides, it wouldn't be worth all this trouble if we didn't invite him back, right? We'll even pay him double then."
"Oh please, just admit it you think he's cute." Bucky joked, trying to reflect how he really felt.
The other alpha smirked, "You first."