Collar
The fourth time Bucky met his alpha he was sixteen.
Their studies had become far more intense, learning how to sew, cook, clean, and all the other basics of childcare they would need as Omegas raising children.
But as pedigree omegas they learned massage, aromatherapy, self grooming amongst countless other things to make themselves worthy of their alphas. Bucky had taken on more courses than anyone else, yoga, tea making, gardening anything to make him worthy of his beautiful alpha.
He had grown well, his brown hair sleek and thick, kept neat and tidy. While his body was leanly muscled and chest well defined, without straying into the territory of too big for an omega.
But this morning was different.
They woke at six thirty on time , getting themselves ready a little more carefully than usual, spending a little more time smoothing skirts and fluffing hair.
Because today they get to see their alphas for visiting hours for the first time.
And today they would be collared.
Bucky was so excited he was practically vibrating with energy. As they filed down to the lunchhall to eat Bucky could barely touch his food, pushing the little lumps of egg around his plate in circles.
“Eat something” Clint said, shoveling another forkful of eggs into his mouth, never one to let nerves get in between him and some good food. “Your alpha will want you to take care of yourself”
Clint had a point. He could practically hear Steve's soft voice in his ear telling him to eat his eggs, he needs to be a good weight to hold his alphas pups and he's been on a strict diet to regulate body fat and fertility.
Bucky whined and shoveled his bacon into his mouth.
“Good boy” Clint mocked, lowering his voice to imitate an alpha growl. Peter giggled and Loki rolled his eyes, Bucky just flipped Clint the finger.
“God I can't wait to hear that in person” Peter said, looking into space dreamily. “God I miss my alpha”
“You miss YOUR alpha!” Clint said throwing his hands in the air “I haven't seen Natasha since the choosing I even had to do my first heat alone”
Loki winced “god I couldn't imagine that. Sounds rough”
Clint nodded as everyone agreed.
“I just hope my collars pretty” Loki said reaching to his neck. “Thor is amazing but I doubt he has similar tastes to me, he's a Jock through and through”
“I just hope Steve's okay” Bucky sighed “he's been doing a lot of medical stuff recently. I don't know how it's going”
“I'm sure our alphas are fine” Peter said grinning at everyone. “Cummon it's almost time!”
They all walked over to the main hall, lining up, to enter when their name is called.
“James Barnes for Steve Rogers” headmaster fury called and Bucky took a deep breath, walking over to the table where he would sit and wait for his alpha.
On one side of the table was a small fold out chair, for him, on the other were three arm chairs, for his alpha and his parents, the middle one with a beautiful pillow sitting in front of it.
They were surrounded by a little booth for privacy, so that Bucky could be properly collared.
Bucky sat primly on his seat, trying to look as pretty as possible for his alpha, he'd only seen Sarah once and he'd never met Steve's father. He desperately wanted them to like him.
He had been waiting a few minutes, mind spinning when the familiar scent of woodsmoke and rain filled his nose, he looked up at…
Steve was massive, six foot three at least, covered in brand new muscle that covered his arms and chest, straining against the material of a blue button down that made his eyes pop.
“Alpha…” he whispered softly looking up at Steve's beaming face.
“I know I'm a little bigger now buck” he chuckled, raising a hand to rub at the back of his neck self deprecatingly.
Sarah was beaming at bucky now, her expression proud.
“I'm just happy you're healthy” Bucky said looking away shy in front of Steve's parents, but Steve had to know “I always thought you were beautiful. I've been worried about the medical things though”
Steve's expression fell a little “baby I'm fine I promise” he stooped to kiss Bucky's head. “You don't have to worry about your alpha”
“I'm always gunna though” Bucky smiled up at him, wrinkling his nose adorably.
Sarah coughed and Steve jumped as he realised his parents were in the booth with them. He chuckled again, standing up.
“Bucky. These are my parents, you've met my mom, Sarah, and this is my dad, Joe.”
Joe was standing behind Sarah with a deep green collar on, looking absolutely adoringly at his alpha Sarah, giving him a little wave.
“I'm an only child so, it's just us three” Steve smiled. Usually the entire family was present for a collaring, it was a big deal.
Bucky nooded “it's lovely to meet you Joseph, and it's lovely to see you again Sarah.”
“The pleasure is all mine” Sarah said, taking a seat and gesturing for her son and husband to do the same. “I've been waiting for this day since I had to drive Steve home from his choosing. God you should have heard him, couldn't shut up about the omega with the pretty eyes who chose him back” her eyes are glittering as she speaks and Steve is blushing brightly.
“Mom!” He squeaks and Bucky can't help but giggle at his strong alpha making such a sound.
“I'm just teasing” she chuckles turning to Bucky.
“Now, my son hasn't seen you in a long time, so let's get this collaring done, so we can give you guys some alone time” she said her eyes softening as she reaches out to pet Joes hair affectionately “god it reminds me of our collaring day huh?” She smiled
“I-I was so scared I nearly puked on your shoes” Joe chuckled hiding his face in her shoulder and making the four of them laugh.
Steve reaches into his inner pocket and pulls out a black box, thick and sturdy.
“Kneel” he says softly to Bucky, who immediately does, sinking into the soft cushion at Steve's feet, head tipped back in submission and his eyes on Steve's.
Steve opened the box revealing the prettiest collar Bucky had ever seen, blue and silver, like his ribbon, but this time thick and study blue leather that looked supple to the touch, edged with silver thread and lined with soft wool to stop it ever making Bucky uncomfortable. A gorgeous blue sapphire sparkled from the centre on a pendant, that Bucky could see, was engraved with Steve's initials.
Bucky stared, his eyes widening and his plump lips parting in a soft gasp “a-alpha it's beautiful”
“I had it made specially. No other omega will EVER wear a collar like it. And wanna know a secret?” He leaned in close “it's even more expensive than the one Tony bought”
Bucky reached to touch it before stopping himself “please alpha”
“James Barnes” Sarah began reciting the words by heart as she watched her son with love in her eyes . “Do you accept this collar and all the expectations and responsibilities that come along with it”
“Do you promise to love, and care for your alpha, caring for his needs and wants above your own and to hold his pups when he sees fit?”
“I do” Bucky whispered, his whole body shaking with the need to have the collar around his neck.
“Steven Rogers, do you accept James as worthy to wear your collar and all the expectations and responsibilities that come with it”
“Do you promise to love and provide for your omega, keep him safe and build a nest for him?”
“I do” Steve said firmly, he couldn't tear his eyes from bucky's.
“As me Sarah Rogers as witness you may collar your omega”
Steve stopped in his chair to gently wrap the collar around his neck, clicking it in place at his nape before reaching down to kiss just above the smooth leather.
The collar felt so unbelievably right against neck, so perfect wrapped around his throat Bucky could barely stand it.
“We’re gunna leave you two alone” Sarah smiled, tugging Joe along. “See you in the car Steve!”
“Come here little one” Steve whispered pulling Bucky into his lap and holding him close “god you look beautiful, only way you could look better is if you were round with my pups”
Bucky whined “you're so big now alpha, so strong” he said into the skin of Steve's neck.
Steve tilted his head down to steal a kiss from Bucky. Bucky whined and offered himself up freely, kissing back with a passion and a longing only separated lovers could muster.
“One more year” Steve whispered, “one more year. I already built a house for us, nice and big, room for pups” he nuzzled against bucky
“i we finished it last week, I've been working on it non stop since your heat, renovated the kitchen, designed the whole house top to bottom to be perfect for us” he whispered making Bucky cling to him even tighter.
“The best bit baby? A massive nest just for you, made it with my own two hands. Filled it with beautiful soft things for my omega.”
Bucky was was keening “I wanna go home with you so bad”
“Soon baby. Soon we can fill that nurcery up with little giggling pups,” he chuckled “ I even had two fucking pools built I was so desperate to get it right. One inside one out”
Bucky laughed, pressing his forehead to Steve's.
“One year.”
“One year.”