Chapter 18
Tony and Peter’s adventure to the lab didn’t last very long. Just as he got himself situated onto the old couch downstairs, his stomach began to turn. Suddenly the lights were blinding and his head ached. Steve noticed how he slumped against the arm of the couch, quickly taking the baby from his before he passed out. Bucky caught him thinking he’d fall forward despite already being seated. His heart felt like it was pumping out of his chest as watched the omega fall sick. He had just been talking to Pete, smiling and laughing. They really thought he was making a smooth recovery, but it had only been a few days.
Maybe they expected too much. Maybe they let him push himself too hard today. He didn’t have much time to think before Steve pushed the baby into his arms. He pressed the back of his hand to Tony’s head, feeling for a rise in temperature. Unfortunately, he found what he was looking for. With all the grace and care two soldiers could manage, they brought Tony and the baby back upstairs. They didn’t bother calling Howard for fear he'd accuse them of doing something but they let the doctor know immediately.
"He started to slow down a bit like he was tired. By the time he was sitting down he'd passed out." Steve explained. "I checked his temperature too, he was really warm."
"It's not uncommon for omegas to run a higher than normal temperature." The doctor said, "However, in Tony's case he is due for a heat. Though it's not a typical one. You see after an omega has a baby they need a lot of rest, their body naturally does that through a warm heat."
"So, he'll be resting more than usual?" Bucky asked not sure he was following.
"Yes, but he's already sick. His body is on the right track to recovery, but he's not taking in enough nutrients to support himself and the baby. It's probably why the heat was triggered now. It should only last a few days, so don't worry."
"How do we help him if this isn't a typical heat?"
"It's tricky, not all omegas are the same. He may want to continue spending time in his nest, with the pup of course. There's a chance he'll be more affectionate in general, wanting to cuddle most of the day. In that case, I'd go along with it, keep him happy, keep him fed, and so on."
"Seems easy enough," Bucky said after the doctor left. So far they had only managed to get him back in his soft clothes before depositing him back in his nest. He hadn't wanted anything to snack on so they left him be for an hour or two. The baby was content to stay with his Oma like usual, tucked right beside him in his bassinet.
When they came back something had changed. The omegas room scented as sweet as warm vanilla, a clear sign his warm heat had started in full swing. It was intoxicating to the alphas, the scent nearly had them stumbling over their feet.
"Alphas," Tony purred prettily, his eyelashes batting lazily as he spoke. "Come 'ere."
He'd never addressed them that way before, with such familiarity. It was like settling into a warm bubble bath, the feeling of relaxing after a hard day's work. It was knowing that their attraction to him went far deeper than they were willing to admit. But they'd be fools not to accept a chance to cuddle with him.
"Oh Tony, look at you sweetheart. You're so precious." Steve said settling in behind him, his hands grazing across his shoulder blades where his gown had slipped.
Bucky moved the same time as him, placing himself in front where he could face the omega and his pup. "You sure are, aren't you doll? Just precious as can be," he said adding to his mate's commentary.
If they hadn't thought they were attached before, they certainly were now. Scenting one another, cuddling up close, and sharing each other's warmth was more intimate than they had ever imagined being with an omega. Tony was in no way in his right mind, but his inner omega was content to be held and cared for as the alpha's tended to him. For the first time, he had truly felt safe, and he wanted to savor the feeling.
In his fevered induced haze he tried all his might to bring the men on his sides closer to him. Practically sandwich him and their pup together, until all their scents began to mingle into something so undeniably beautiful. If he had been asked then, what his plans were for the future, he'd tell them yes. That he'd drop everything to be in between them like this with once more. He'd sell his damn soul to feel the pleasure of being cared for and appreciated by such attentive alphas.
By the time Howard came home, it was dinner time. He had started getting used to the other men in the house, expecting them to be eating in the kitchen or preparing an extra bottle for Peter just in case. The house was eerily quiet and there had been no sign of them even being in the kitchen this late. They didn't leave often but when they did, they let him know—equally afraid of what might happen if Tony was left alone. It seems he had every right to be afraid though, the strong scent of heat had flooded in. The feeling of dread grew heavy as he made his way to his son's room, in hopes he hadn't been taken advantage of again in his own lapse of judgment.
He was thankful not to find his son hanging off a knot, but it did little to ease the displeasure of the scene. In Tony's bed, his nest lied the alphas he had trusted him with and they were staking their claim on him. There was no need for a bite or a ceremony, it was evident that they had all grown far too attached. Even the pup had imprinted on them, sealing the deal for his Oma who was far too busy burrowing himself under the men to notice his own father had been standing there.
Somehow it had all slipped past him, he couldn't understand why? He'd always been a very smart man, paying close attention to detail and learning things faster than anyone else he knew. Yet he never saw that coming. He didn't even see how it came about. The alphas were too old for his boy, they were wound too tight, too serious for their own good. Tony was playful and vivacious, he had alphas fawning over him left and right before he even presented. They couldn't possibly be a match.
"Peggy darling," He called his friend soon after for fear the effects would worsen if he waited any longer. "Those alpha's are in my boy's nest."
"Is this a problem?" She asked carefully.
"They've imprinted on him. It's over now, he's already made his choice." He wanted to cry, the feeling of loss dropping into his lap heavily. "I don't know what to."
"Oh Howard," Peggy sighed, understanding his feelings well. "It was bound to happen. He had already given him their greatest gift after all. They needed him to balance them out."
"I don't want to lose my son again. I don't want him to hate me for this too."
"You're not going to lose him. Things will change but I doubt those alphas would be cruel to him. Even in their anger, they were kind enough to think of how their decisions would affect him."
"Peg, I know how alphas act. They draw in their prey like wild beasts. He won't stand a chance against them."
"You can't protect him forever, Howard. You know you can't."