Chapter 22
By the time Tony's warm heat came to an end he was left feeling confused and frankly, wanting more. Spending time with his pup one-on-one was nice for a change but he felt like he was missing something. Two of something.
Though he was grateful for the hospitality and all, those alphas were driving him crazy. He didn't understand what their relationship was at this point—friends, co-parents, just a couple of guys? It didn't make any sense to him. Before they had grown close, undeniably so seeing as he had been since kicked out of his father's house again. They had taken the time to look after him and cuddle with him in his nest. That wasn't something omegas took lightly, especially not Tony.
Now he was in their bedroom, nesting frantically as he tried to come to grips with his reality. He had really done it. He chose them. And judging by their mingled scents he had chosen right. They smelled divine. He could never quite bring himself to scent them, even it benefited Peter. He was far too coy about something like that, especially with a mated pair like them. Lord only knows what kind of mess that would have caused between the alphas. But here in the heart of their home, he could smell them all he wanted. From their clothes in the closet to their bedding.
It was just something about them that made him feel. Both were equally strong, built like mountains. But they were unbelievably sweet and caring. Steve had come to him over the past couple of days with a plate of food and drinks. He kept him fed and he even waited with him while he ate. Bucky though, hadn't appeared as often. He'd come and go to check up on him and Pete, but he'd never stay for long. Neither of them did really and left Tony feeling sad in the end. He wanted to invite them back to his nest but something had changed between them, he could feel it deep in his bones.
Longing. That's what it was resting inside in. How he yearned to share another moment with them, even if it was over a meal. He just wanted to be with them. He wanted to be held by them, caressed, and coddled. For once he really wanted to give in to his inner omega. Tony knew better than that. There was no place for him in their relationship. He may be Peter's mother, his milkmaid, his 3 a.m. diaper changer but that didn't have to make him anything to them.
The knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts as he realized the time. Steve was bringing him breakfast.
"C-c-come in." He cursed inwardly at his shaken voice.
"Hey Tony," Steve smiled. "You alright? You're scenting a bit off this morning."
"Sorry, I was just caught up in my head. Lost track of time and all that."
The blonde hummed in response, not wanting to pry. "Well, that's alright sweetheart. It happens. How bout some food? I know you've got to be hungry now."
"I am, thank you." He said accepting the plate. "Uh, actually-"
"Yeah?"
"Could I eat downstairs, with you?" Tony asked nervously. "If that's okay, I mean?"
"Sure, if you're feeling up to it. I'll grab Peter and meet you down there."
Tony just smiled, feeling overwhelmed. This was a small step, but an accomplishment nonetheless. His heat was over and he was getting out of that room. Their room, that was undoubtedly making him lose his mind. Their lingering scent of cedar and morning dew could only do so much for him. Though he rather it didn't do anything. He had to remember his place here.
As his bare feet padded down the stair and to the kitchen table he was met by an equally surprised alpha. One who nearly jumped out of skin when he sat down across from him.
"Oh geez, Doll." He clutched his chest. "I hardly heard you come down, you're as quiet as a mouse."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Don't start, omega. I mean it. You just gave me a little surprise is all." Bucky said ending his apology. "It's good to see you this morning, though. How are you feeling?"
Tony eyed his plate unsure of how to answer. He was feeling the effects of his heat ending, It was overwhelming. Truthfully he was exhausted and nervous, there was still so much to be said. "I'm fine." He settled. "How are you?"
"Better now that you're here to keep us company. Stevie and I missed you."
He must have looked like a gaping fish by the time he processed what he said. Tony just couldn't believe it. They had missed him.
"Whad'ya do now, Buck?" Steve said taking his seat. "Poor things looking at you all scared."
"Me?" He asked his mate. "I didn't do a damn thing. Just got to tellin' him how much we missed him. Can you believe it, he seems surprised."
Bucky smiled at Steve, as if sharing a secret between them. It seemed intimate, far too intimate for Tony to have witnessed it. But he was there anyway and he was the topic of their conversation, whether he heard it or not.
"We did miss you, honey. It felt like ages since we got to spend time together."
"Oh," Tony said numbly. "I missed you guys too, actually. More than I thought would. I guess I got used to you being close."
"So did we." Bucky replied with more emotion. He couldn't bring himself to say more. For now, he had to be content with what he had. They were all together, not the way he wanted but they were there. One step at a time, he had to remind himself. Steve told him to tread lightly. They had all the time in the world.
Breakfast proceeded as a quiet affair. There wasn't much to say after Bucky had shown his hand. He knew he had let on a little bit more than normal. A little bit more than any of them were truly comfortable with. Steve had quickly busied himself with the baby, he took to the role of doting father very seriously. He may not have known it but it was a step closer to Tony. That bond they all shared with Peter, was just a step in the right direction. Bucky could just tell it warmed Tony's heart to see them care for his pup.
He'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't feel the same. Knowing that Peter was carried by Tony, someone who loved him more than life itself was a blessing. He had given up so much for him, missed out on irreplaceable moments, and still, he was happy to be in their company. It was a bit cliche, of course. Who wouldn't fall for the omega who had given them a child? But it was so much more than that. Tony was so much more than his gender. He was a force of nature.
When mid-day came around they had all settled in the living room. Tony still in his silk pajamas and robe, smelling sweetly of post-heat and milk sat between them while he fed Peter. The pup was growing more each day, finally back to his old self. They were all happy to see it but now his feedings were even more important. The little boy was hungrier than ever before.
"Did he always eat like this?" Tony had asked them.
Steve sighed feeling bad that his oma had missed so much. "For the first couple of months, he did. We weren't so sure about it either. He's just a hungry little thing."
"Does it bother you, the way he feeds?" Bucky had asked noting Tony's body language. He was wound tight like he didn't know what to expect.
"No, not really. It's just different."
"Different how?" Steve asked growing concerned.
"The first time wasn't this intense. I guess he's just gotten stronger over the past few weeks. Sometimes it feels like he needs more than I have, more than I'm capable of."
"You seem to be doing just fine by the look of things." Bucky said. "Pete's all happy and fed right. Suppose he could be growing more, though."
He already had. Peter was growing like a weed but that wasn't his problem. Tony knew there was a link, a connection of some sort that bonded them together. It had to be through Pete, it had to be why he was so hungry, so desperate. Like he might scream if he didn't get every last drop. He wondered if the alphas felt the same like they needed every last bit of him too.
The thought alone was enough to make him whimper. He was such a pathetic omega, pining after a couple twice his age. God, no wonder his father kicked him out. He just couldn't get it together could he?
"Hey princess," Bucky nudged him a little."Are you okay? You kinda drifted off for a second."
"S-sorry. I just realized how odd this all is." Tony tried to play it off cool like he wasn't wilting inside.
Steve laughed at them. "I guess it is a little strange. It's a nice change of pace though."
"Isn't it?" Bucky agreed just as amused. "We've really come full circle. You and Pete meeting again and now you're both home, for good this time."
Home. Tony loved the sound of that. He could only hope they did too.