Chapter 12
It had been a while since Sam overslept. Even on better days when he slept regularly, he never slept in. He liked sticking to a routine, it kept him on track. Today was different though, for many reasons. For once he hadn't woken up alone, cold and in pain. His sister wasn't trudging through his room begging him to eat. And judging by the time, his nephews were already in school. If he hadn't had any company, he would have fallen back asleep. He had spent most of the week feeling worn out, it felt good to finally get some rest.
"I think our little omega is waking up." He heard Steve say. Steve! The memories of last night flooded in as he blinked away the weariness. They almost seemed fake, like he had imagined all of it.
"Morning, sweetheart," Bucky said, his arms still wrapped around him.
"How did- How did you know?" Sam asked the blonde, his brain just catching up to him. He had referred to him as "little omega", specifically "our little omega". The claim on him alone made him blush furiously, he was glad his brown skin hid that from their eyes. They didn't need to know how they made him feel.
"I already knew, your scent is unforgettable."
"Oh, um well...that's-" Sam was so flustered he could barely get a word out. It had been so long since he had been sweetly looked down upon by the soldier. Let alone flirted with. "Sorry, Good Morning guys. I didn't realize I was so tired, if you give me a minute I can make y'all some breakfast and..." He had recovered quickly. Choosing to ramble on about starting the day than addressing their closeness or Steve's very direct comment.
"Sarah said you be tired, we didn't really want to wake you either. Seems like a few extra hours did you well."
"And you don't need to worry about breakfast, we already ate. Buck got you something too, I can go grab it if you want."
"Thanks, but I'm not-"
"Sam," Bucky interrupted his attempt to escape a meal. He should have realized sooner than Sarah would tell them everything. She never could keep things to herself. "You don't need to lie. Your sister already told us about your new eating habits. I know you think you're not hungry, but you need to eat."
"It's not intentional," Sam hadn't been eating due to the bond sickness. Every time he tried he was met with unbearable cramps. He rather just not eat. "I can't help it." He said at a pitifully low volume. He didn't want to admit, that he had become weak.
"Just try, doll."
"Please...for us."
Breakfast wasn't bad. Sarah had ordered out for once and picked up bagels and lox and breakfast burritos, a whole assortment of things to feed her family and their guests. And Sam was actually able to eat it, though the anticipation of cramps made it hard to enjoy. Those cramps he had experienced before were horrendous. It was almost as bad a the cramps he felt during his heat.
"That's a good boy, glad you were able to finish." Steve watched as he ate the last of his food. His comment making him almost drop his fork. Taken out of context it sounded so vulgar, his mind couldn't help but wonder.
"Isn't he? Such a precious thing, this one." Bucky added, really not helping the way Sam beginning to feel.
He had to shut it down before it got out of hand. "I know those aren't really pet names, but they make me feel..." He couldn't find the word to describe it. Uncomfortable. Weird. Adored. Loved. "It's different."
"We don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or anything, we're just-"
Bucky completed his sentence. "trying to make you feel appreciated. It's supposed to help with the bond sickness and all."
"I really don't want to talk about that, Barnes."
"You should. I mean, we should. Seriously there is a lot that needs to be addressed."
"Ah," Sam said responded realizing what he truly meant. "so that was your plan, butter me up in hopes that I'll what...talk about my feelings. Listen, I know we need to talk, all of us. But you don't need to beat around the bush, this situation is already ridiculous."
"Sam," Steve tried to say.
The omega stood up abruptly, anger pulsing through his scent. "You know what, you don't get to talk. You left Steve, you gave me the shield and never came back or even gave us an explanation of what happened to you." Before he could walk away the man had already grabbed him stopping him in his place. "Let go, Steve." He warned.
"Not until you hear what I have to say." His grip loosening around Sam's arm. "Alright, I was selfish and it was wrong to leave to you the way I did. When I woke up in 2011, I was so lost. I hated every moment of the future. I tried to move on but then the Winter Soldier appeared and Peggy died, and I- I met you, Sam. You were like a breath of fresh air and I took advantage of your kindness more often than not. That's why I gave you the shield because if anyone deserved it, it would be you—the man brave enough to quit his job and run all over the world chasing a ghost with an idiot like me. The man who stood by me no matter how badly I messed up."
Steve had let go of his arm by the end of his rant, his face flushed in embarrassment. If he were telling the truth, Sam would have found it cute. "If I meant so much to you, why'd you leave?" He asked simply, holding his anger in hopes he'd receive a proper answer.
"I started to want you in ways that I shouldn't have. I thought going back to Peggy would change my mind but I was wrong. A life without you wasn't one worth living."