Chapter 24
"Forever means forever, though."
Bucky sighed pulling him close. "You know what I mean punk, we can't just bite him 'cause he's pretty. Tony has a lot on his plate now, trying to adjust to motherhood and living with us. He's not going to just jump at the first alphas that want him, even if it's us."
Steve tried to level with him. "He's going to need us, Buck. I know you know that."
"I don't doubt it, but it's his call either way. We can't be pushy, Steve."
"Why the hell not?" His mate growled in frustration.
"It's too early for this," Bucky muttered to himself. He didn't want to bring up what Natasha had told him about Tony. It really wasn't his place, but he needed to keep the peace for the recovering omega. It probably wouldn't be wise if Steve went on to pester him, he was always too headstrong for his own good. Tony didn't really know them, he might not realize what his mate wanted. "Please alpha, I need you to listen to me. That poor omega needs time. As soon as he presented, he was taken advantage of. And by a family friend no less. It's a miracle he trusts us as much as he does now. We cannot mess this up."
"Sorry, I know I'm-"
"Eager. Yeah, no shit sherlock."
Steve pushed him a little, rolling his eyes at the brunette's sarcasm. "I'll tone it down."
His mate was nothing if not a man of his word. The next day or rather later that morning, he showed enough decorum to let Tony come downstairs on his own. The pretty omega was light on his feet, surprising both of them in the kitchen. He had left Peter in his crib that morning, hoping to eat before he woke up. He looked even better today, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It felt good to see him doing better.
"Order up," Steve said serving him a few pancakes. They were his 'specialty' as he liked to call it. Really, he was just trying his hand at impressing Tony. Word was that omegas liked sweet things, neither knew if it were true but they couldn't help but try. "Just for you my dear."
They watched as Tony's face turned red. Steve just couldn't help himself, he was always so possessive. It was a wonder he had only said so little. Lord only knows what he would have said if he could. Even Bucky would have been ashamed.
"T-Thank you, Steve." Tony replied softly.
He couldn't believe his eyes. Tony was truly embarrassed and it was only over a few well-placed words. Bucky secretly hoped he'd see it more. "God, you're precious." He found himself saying before realizing it.
Steve turned to him, a smirk playing upon his play. Neither alpha could keep their cool as they thought. The omega was just so darn pretty, not to mention his scent. It was like coming home, finding peace at last. Bucky prayed there'd be a day he could just revel in it.
"I'm sorry?" Tony asked unsure of what he had heard.
"You, Tony Stark. Are absolutely precious." Bucky repeated. "Not to be forward, but uh-"
"We'd like to court you, Tony. If that's alright."
"Steve, I-" He failed to find the words. "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say."
"Say, 'You'll think about it.' please."
Bucky laughed at Steve's attempt to be flirtatious, "Hell, omega you could just say 'no'. We can take it. But we'd like it if you gave us a chance."
"I'll uh- I'll think about it."
Dear god, did they mess that up or what. It hadn't even been 24 hours and they were both just throwing themselves at him. What on earth happened to their 'be patient with the omega' plan? Maybe his father was right about them. They were no good after all.
"Don't beat yourself up over this, Buck. We tried, it just didn't go to plan." Steve said later in the day. There weren't many moments now they spent away from Tony, but he was always on their mind.
He sighed, not feeling quite as confident as he had earlier. "Did we really? Try, I mean. The poor boy barely had time to wake up before we bombarded him."
"Hey, at least he said he'd think about it. That's got to count for something."
And it surely did. The moment Tony stepped away to tend to Peter, he felt like he'd combust. For days, he'd been feeling off. He liked Steve and Bucky, they were just...perfect. Everything Obadiah wasn't and it made him want to do things he'd never even thought about before.
He knew things were moving fast, though. That was his fault entirely, his body was pumping the house full of young omega pheromones. He couldn't help it, his second heat was soon approaching. It'd been almost a year now since his last. Now that he was healthier it was bound to happen. He just hoped after all was said and done, those alphas would stay by his side. Tony didn't know what he'd do if they didn't.