Chapter 19
"I might not be able to protect Tony forever, but I can try while I still can." Howard tried to reason. "He needs me, Peg."
The woman sighed on the other end of the line, knowing all too well how things would turn out. "He does need you, but he's an adult now. You have to let him make his own choices."
"I know, I know. He's 18 now, has too many degrees to count, more life experience than most, and his own kid. But he'll always be my boy."
"You're worried, it's natural. I understand that, you know I do. But you cannot interfere with whatever is happening between him and those alphas. You just can't, Howard."
He knew that his friend was right. She always was. If it weren't for her he'd have already ripped them apart from touching him. He couldn't believe he didn't see it coming. The attraction, the sheer desperation to be close to not only their adopted child but to him. An omega, a special one at that. Tony wasn't so easily matched. The main reason he'd always believed he'd turn out to be an alpha, like him. But he was wrong about that like he was wrong about this.
"I need them out of my house. I can't do this Peggy, I'm telling you this is the last straw."
"I'm coming over. Don't you dare do anything, till I get there." She growled.
He gripped the phone tightly once she hung up, their conversation replaying through his head. She wasn't happy with him and she had good reason to be. Stark men were never good listeners, a trait he, unfortunately, passed down. He did try though, with Maria, with Tony, even with his old pal Jarvis. But none of them could beat some sense into him like Peggy could.
"Howard," She'd say, like his name was a bullet. "Get it together." Her lips would be wound tight and she'd screw up her face in anger, sometimes she'd just outright punch him. She'd always been an aggressive little alpha, far too much for her own good. But maybe that's why they worked. Why they needed each other. Cause who else could put him in his place like she could.
Today was one of those days where she'd just punch him. No greeting or anything, just a fist straight to the nose. He'd been so caught up in his own head, he'd barely heard her come in. "Damn," He winced in pain, still never expecting it to hurt as much as it did.
"I'm not here for you Howard, I do hope you know that." She said rather indifferently. "Tony needs someone at least a little level-headed on his side for once, don't you think?"
"I am level-headed." The older man emphasized clutching his throbbing nose.
"Perhaps when you're sober, or not swayed by the emotions of your pup. You're an alpha, same as I. We both know we can't control ourselves when it comes to family."
"Peggy- "
"And don't think I just forgot about what you did to him. You might be trying to reconcile things with him, but you hurt him, Howard. You hurt that poor boy more than you even realize. No wonder Maria can't stand to be around you."
"I know what I did, it was wrong. The whole thing was blown out of proportion and before I knew it I had taken it out on Tony."
"He didn't deserve that." She said. "And he doesn't deserve this either."
"They'll ruin him." He pleaded.
Turning away from him she sighed, "You already have."
Howard would be lying if he said that didn't hurt. Peggy never held back, even if her words would cut him deeply.
"You can't tell me you don't smell that. He's in heat for Christ's sake."
"Oh let it go, Howard. It's not even a real one."
He snarled, "Well whatever it is, they triggered it. And I'm getting rid of them once and for all."
"Hmm, good luck with that then."
Upstairs the trio lazed around in contentment, blissfully unaware of the havoc Howard was itching to reak. The alphas sitting beside Tony had never felt so whole, so at peace till then. They couldn't explain what had happened when he went into heat but he became so irresistible. It was as if a wall between them had fallen. Tony felt something similar though his mind wasn't as nearly as focused as theirs. His only concerns were to wrap his baby in his arms and be wrapped up between the alphas.
"Maybe we should order dinner soon." Bucky spoke up after a few hours. "Tony's probably hungry."
"I don't think he'll be in the mood for food anytime soon." Steve noted after seeing the omega snuggle into his side. "A late dinner then?"
"Hmm, how's that sound doll?" Bucky asked Tony softly. "You think you'll be up to eatin' later?"
Like clockwork the baby began to fuss in its mother's arms. "Looks like Pete doesn't like that idea." Steve chuckled.
"Hold on, I'll grab a bottle. Let me just-"
Tony may not have been entirely present for their conversation, but his baby's cries were enough to bring him out of the fog. Swiftly he adjusted him on his chest, pulling his nightshirt down to reveal his taut breast. The alphas were so stunned they stopped speaking. It wasn't the first time seeing him like this but it seemed more intimate now.
"Oh wow," Steve said as he watched Peter begin to suckle.
"My words exactly."
The pair wondered how they couldn't see it before, the bond between mother and child. The love they shared for one another was so clear, so strong. Yet they couldn't notice it before.
Settling back in beside the group, Bucky leaned in to kiss Tony's forehead. "Pretty omega," He said.
"Beautiful omega," His husband corrected, kissing the same spot. "Absolutely beautiful."