Chapter 21
"That went well." Bucky said grimly after the fact.
Neither he nor his mate thought things would come to a head so soon. They knew older alphas could be territorial, but not like this. Howard didn't seem to get the point, that his son had changed. That Tony wasn't a pup anymore, he had a mind of his own. Unfortunately, he had to learn that the hard way, he wouldn't be swayed so easily. Though the heat probably made him think otherwise.
The omega was scenting hurt within an instant but he kept his head held high. He took himself and his pup right back into his room and started packing. Howard just walked away, like a coward. The couple stared at one another for a moment, too shocked to realize what they had started. And Peggy, the ever reasonable one was stuck between two sides. Her loyalty though was no question. She helped Tony gather his things and quickly went to retrieve her wallet. Her friend may not care about the well-being of his son, but she did. Never again would she allow him to leave penniless or empty-handed.
"You two take care of him." She ordered, "But remember that he's still young, he's still learning. You have to be patient with him."
"Of course." Steve replied like he was taking an oath. "We understand."
"You think you do." She said.
Barnes could only hope that she meant well. But seeing as how things ended, it didn't seem likely. Her warning weighed heavy in his chest as he watched Tony stumble around the room. He could only fight his heat for so long. The poor thing couldn't just up and leave, he needed to rest.
"Why don't you take a break, doll?" He asked guiding him back to his nest. "Stevie and I can handle it from here, alright."
"No, I can-"
"Just for a few minutes, sweetheart. We just want to help." Steve said.
Tony found that acceptable enough to crawl into his nest with Peter. But only for a few minutes, he reminded himself. He wouldn't want them to think him incapable. He was an omega, not a doll or something to be propped up on a shelf. Tony just wasn't feeling quite like himself now. He only needed a few minutes, a moment to recollect his thoughts.
"Good boy, Tony. That's right, just crawl up next to Peter." He heard Bucky say softly. The praise just about made his poor little omega heart melt.
The alpha's noted how red he turned at that comment. His nose crinkled bashfully as if he wasn't cute enough already. Steve couldn't help but smile to himself, proud his mate had the words to keep him passive. Bending down to press his lips to Tony's forehead, he mumbled a few praises of his own.
"Such a good omega, listening to your alphas like that. Aren't you sweet?"
Tony's cheeks reddened even more. To think that he had not just one, but two alphas caring for him. Both ready to protect him and his pup. It was the stuff dreams were made of. And the brewing haze of his heat had led him down a path of similar hallucinations.
In what felt like moments he had lost his point completely. Unconcerned with the state of his relationship with Howard or the fact that he was being kicked out once again. All he could think about was the feeling his alphas gave him. How safe he felt between the two of them. He hardly even realized the commotion around him as they packed swiftly. His heat had come back full swing and if it weren't for the pup already in his arms, he'd probably be in tears. Of all times for his body to betray him, it had to be now. He was that he still had his senses come to him every now and then. Lord only knows what kind of trouble he'd be in if it were a real one.
"Hey princess," He heard Bucky say. "We're going to leave soon. Can I help you get ready?"
"I am ready," Tony says.
"I know, but you're still in your nightclothes. It's getting cool outside, we don't want you to freeze." He picks up a pair of sweats and a thick sweater. "How bout we just put these overtop?"
"Uh," Tony couldn't think straight. He knew he meant well, but the thought of moving now sounded horrid. He just wanted to lay in his nest. "Okay."
Bucky dressed him as quickly as he had packed. Still mindful of the fact that he was recovering he placed an extra pair of socks on him and a hat. The weather seemed to be as cold as the household they were in but Tony didn't seem to mind. With all the layers he was bundled in he felt just as snug as he did in his nest. Now though, he realized that was packed as well. His baby too was bundled just as tightly in his carrier. Despite the situation, it seemed like they were leaving the right way for once. With clothes on their back and in their bags, with food in their belly, and money in their pockets.
The drive to Brooklyn was relieving to him. Though he loved his father, leaving his house was akin to a weight being lifted off his shoulders. He didn't worry about what was to come or how he'd get by. Tony knew that he and his baby would be just fine with Steve and Bucky. They were the best alphas he'd ever met. They didn't want to take advantage of him or hurt him like all the others did. They even went out of their way to make him comfortable in their home.
Steve told him he could set up his nest in their bedroom and that they'd take the room downstairs. They wouldn't dare stay and cuddle him like he wanted now that they were truly alone. They refused to give in to their instincts like that. They could still care for him from a distance. But boy did their heart just ache at how Tony whined for them.
"Oh Stevie listen at that," Bucky said after bringing in the last of his things from the car. "He's crying out for us."
"I know," Steve said. "It's killing me to hear it. I wish we could go up there with him and Pete."
"Last thing he needs is another couple of alphas getting overprotective with 'em. We'll just have to wait it out, it'll only be a few days."
"Right, right. Just a few days."
Bucky sighed looking at Steve, "It feels crazy, right? That undeniable want tearing through ya."
"Yeah, it's like nothing I've ever felt before." His mate said. "Even before we mated, I knew I loved you. I could feel it in my bones. It was intense, but it wasn't like this."
"This is like feeling whole again. Just like the way, we did when we were young."