Chapter 3
It’s not that Buck never wanted kids, it was just that he hadn’t ever made having one a priority. In fact, after he got back from the Army hospital, all he cared about was living his second-chance at life and spending every second with his love.
He knew Clint wanted to be a Mama and knew that baby fever only got worse when Peter was born. Not that he was complaining, getting to have so much sex with his mate. But it broke his heart every time that little stick was negative.
Or worse, it was positive...until the eventual miscarry.
So when Clint suggested fostering, Bucky thought it was a good idea. He loved pups, or more specifically his nephews, and the idea of having a small pup around made the Alpha happy inside. Plus his family was completely supportive of having more pups running around - no matter where they came from.
And when he met Wade, who was basically a tiny Clint - complete with blonde hair, bandages and an imaginary friend - he was immediately on board. Both he and Clint knew it wouldn’t be easy, but both were willing to make it work.
That kid needed a home, and Bucky and Clint could give him one.
The first night they brought Wade home was rough. The day was fine, lots of paper signing and talks. Wade played with Lucky until he put the dog in a happy coma. The pup was exhausted after an eventful day and went to bed around nine that night. Buck and Clint sat together on the couch, talking about their first long (and successful) day with their new pup.
About an hour and a half after Wade went to bed, they heard screams coming from the boy’s room. The two took off towards the pup’s door, Clint in front and opening the door in a hurry. Wade’s screams had turned to cries, the pup sitting up in bed and looking at the two when they entered.
“No!” he shouted, cowering in fear but looking directly at Bucky. He’s scared of Alphas, Bucky’s mind reminded him of Wade’s file and back story. .
“Shoo Alpha,” Clint said to him, apparently remembering as well and waving his hand at the brunette. Bucky nodded and backtracked out of the room so Wade could see him leave.
“I’ll get him some water,” Bucky said dumbly, feeling helpless as he left for the kitchen. The Alpha stood there a moment as he watched the glass fill, wondering how exactly he could show the pup he was safe.
Grabbing the now full glass, he made his way back to the pup’s room, only to find it empty. Sounds came from the bathroom across the hall, making the Alpha turn towards the noise. The door was cracked a little where Bucky heard water running in the bathtub.
It took him a second, but he realized the poor kid had most likely wet the bed. Sure enough, when he went back to the pup’s room, he saw the big wet spot on the bed. He placed the water on the side table before going about to change the sheets.
He grabbed a different comforter as well before rummaging through the pup’s very little belongings for spare clothes. When he finished, he quietly made his way back to the bathroom and stood outside the open door.
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?” Clint asked. Wade didn’t answer verbally, but he assumed the pup had shook his head no. “Well that’s fine, pup. Buck and I won’t force you to talk, but I want you to know we both care about you a lot. So you have an open invitation to talk to either of us anytime if you want to.”
“I’m not a baby,” he could hear Wade’s quiet reply.
“No, you’re an awesome kid. But everyone needs to talk to someone at some point, regardless of their age. Do you know how long James was in therapy after he lost his arm? Well, physical therapy was a year but psychotherapy was four. And I’ve opened up to my mate and my friends about my past...pup I’m not saying you have to, remember? I just want you to know...we’re here for you.”
“Thanks, Clint,” the pup said, Bucky imagining a small smile on the pup’s cute face.
“Anytime, pup. Now come on let’s get you back to bed. I don’t expect you to take me up on it, but you’re also welcome to come sleep with us if you have bad dreams. James and I...we just want you to be happy.” Bucky smiled as he walked away, hearing the sound of the water draining and wanting to be out of sight for the pup’s sake. He made his way to their bedroom, changing his clothes and waiting for his mate to join him. A few seconds later, the door opened as Bucky was brushing his teeth.
“Hey doll, everything go okay?” he asked after finishing with his teeth.
“Yeah, thanks for changing the sheets,” Clint said with a tired smile as he made his way over to the Alpha before giving him a kiss.
“You did so well, babe,” the Alpha said, practically purring with praise and hugging his mate tightly.
“Yeah?” the Omega asked, insecurity evident in his voice. Bucky kissed his cheek before pulling back to kiss his plump lips again.
“Yes. You’re already a great Mom, doll. Not that I had any doubts, but you just...you really impressed me tonight,” Bucky said sincerely, squeezing his mate’s hands for emphasis.
“Thanks babe. We make a pretty good team, huh?”
“Fuck yeah we do.”
“You’re going to need to be better about censoring yourself, Alpha. We have a pup now.”
“Holy shit we have a pup,” Bucky said, smiling when his mate chuckled at the lack of censorship.
“We’re parents,” Clint said with a smile, adorably biting his bottom lip.
“We’re mother fucking parents,” Bucky emphasized, laughing when Clint punched him lightly in the shoulder for cursing. The two went to bed that night, wrapped around each other and sleeping peacefully as new parents.
The next morning, Bucky was of course up first.
He wasn’t like Steve who naturally woke up at five am, James naturally woke up at six, thank you very much. His Omega...on the other hand...the Alpha was lucky if his mate was up by eleven.
Often times it was noon. Once it was seven but that was cause Lucky had an early emergency vet appointment that Bucky couldn’t take him to.
This morning was no different, Bucky in the kitchen making coffee after taking Lucky on a quick walk. The Alpha went over what he needed to do that day, one of the things on that list taking Wade to the store and getting him clothes and some toys. But first he would head to the gym for an appointment and a workout of his own. As always, he made sure there was enough coffee left on the pot for his mate after pouring himself a cup.
The Alpha sipped on his dark roast, startling a little when Wade suddenly appeared in front of him. Apparently he was no longer the only early riser.
“Good morning, Wade.”
“Morning,” the pup said, apparently no longer afraid of the Alpha as he walked around and stood next to the man. “Do you guys have orange juice?” Lucky walked over to the boy who immediately hugged the dog.
“We do, let me get you a glass. Want some cereal?” Bucky asked as he grabbed a drink for the pup.
“Sure. You guys have Lucky Charms?!” the pup asked excitedly as Bucky poured him a bowl before putting it on the kitchen table for him.
“Yup. So...did you sleep okay? I’m...I’m sorry about last night.” The Alpha frowned when the boy squirmed in his seat. His frown lessened when Lucky gently put his head on the pup’s lap.
"I know you’re not him,” Wade whispered quietly, but Buck still heard it, frowning at the smell of sadness coming off the pup.
“Him?” Bucky dared to ask, watching his foster son push the cereal around the bowl before answering.
“My father. He had long hair too. Your shadow in the door reminded me of him…” Bucky absorbed that information, taking it into consideration before speaking again.
“Thanks for telling me, pup. I know how hard it is. Listen I got to run to work for a bit, but when I come back, you want to go shopping? Get you some clothes and maybe a few toys? I think you could use a teddy bear. Maybe one of those game boys…” Bucky knew their name, but smiled when it got a groan out of the pup. Plus he wasn’t so sure how the pup would react to teddy bears.
“They’re not game boys, jeez you’re so old,” Wade said fondly, his scent changing back to happy as he rolled his eyes dramatically.
“I’m not even thirty!” Bucky said in his defense. “But does that sound good? We have an Xbox but you could pick out a game or two too.”
“If you’re sure,” Wade said, scent changing to slight disbelief. “I’ve never really stayed at a foster home long enough for them to spend money on me.”
“That’s their loss,” the Alpha said automatically, really starting to fall for this pup and feeling the strong desire to protect him at all costs. “Feel free to watch tv or play a game when you finish eating. Wake Clint up if you need anything. I already took Lucky out but let him out back if he whines. I’ll be back in a few hours, okay?” Wade nodded with a small smile, which Bucky counted as a win. He put his empty cup in the sink before waving at Wade and heading to his gym.
With important plans after, to get a haircut.
It had the desired effect when he came back home. Wade blushed when he saw him, smiling at the Alpha next to Clint and Lucky on the couch. While his Omega...blushed for an entirely different reason. Turned-on Omega scent filled the room as his mate stood up and quickly made his way over to him.
“You cut all your hair off?”
“I like it,” Wade said from the couch, cuddling Lucky close.
“I second that,” Clint purred, running his fingers through Bucky’s short locks before pulling the Alpha into a kiss. Bucky couldn’t help smiling against his mate’s lips at the sound of their foster son groaning.
“Alright put your shoes on you two, we got some shopping to do,” Bucky said, waiting until Wade’s focus wasn’t on the two to squeeze his mate’s ass. It was a promise for later, but still got a yelp and pout from the Omega. Which Bucky couldn’t help but chuckle at.
As they drove to the mall, Bucky had a momentary fear that Wade wouldn’t accept a stuffed animal - let alone a teddy bear - because he viewed something as innocent as needing help as babyish.
He was delightfully surprised, however, when the pup picked out a stuffed unicorn he promptly named Charlie.
And yes, Bucky was not so old he didn’t understand that reference.