Chapter 12
Bruce rushes around his labratory, pulling out the equipment from his bag after his appointment with Steve and Bucky. "So Jarvis, what's the problem you found during Steve's blood procedures?"
"Well, Dr Banner, a certain disease has been found while we were running diagnostics for Mr Rogers. An over taking of multiple T cells has been recognised and a virus has invaded the cells. I believe it is HIV, if I stand corrected."
"HIV? What? He's been tested positive?" Bruce scrambles around the desk hearing Jarvis mention HIV, and jumps from his seat.
"It seems so. If we can get another blood test tomorrow we'll be able to confirm it. Though I do strongly believe that the tests have been marked positive. Do you want me to notify Mr Rogers and Mr Barnes on the matter?"
"No! No, not yet. We'll get another sample tomorrow and see from then on. I just want to make sure." He sighs, lifting his glasses up and fingers tucking onto the bridge of his nose. It's been a long day. If Steve has been tested positive for AIDS, his life is at risk. Serious, risk. He's already weak enough trying to hold onto this baby. If this virus spreads through him which probably right now he will die.
*****
Steve knows. He's always known. He knew there was something wrong with him ever since Jarvis sensed it and informed him on the matter. But he isn't going to let it get in the way of this pup. No. This pup is what's motivating him to test his limits and defy them. Even if it's just a couple more months, that's all he needs so he can give birth to this baby and Bucky won't be alone.
Every day, the world seems more and more unreal. The sun comes out and shines straight onto Steve and Bucky's nude bodies in bed, his vision starts to become softer, weirder. Maybe it's the sickness.
The days pass and more and more, Steve feels his body starting to give way. Even more than with the pup in him. His stomach is too big to carry and even if the pup has a heartbeat, and he's passed a certain amount of months- this thing just isn't healing. Bucky's concern heightens with each passing second and a glance of Steve in agony. Now that Steve is stuck in bed and he can't even draw now, he realises just how weak he's become. And he hates it. Steve loved it when he could walk down the roads everytime and see the liveliness of the neighbourhood. To see things properly. Now he's just a weak figure who knows more than anyone that his time is approaching.
One particular day, he feels short of breath still in bed, in the room alone while Bucky is just a few floors down talking to Stark and Banner. He rolls to the other side clutching onto his chest and groans louder and louder everytime. Like something's attacking him. But more than that, his crotch feels in pain.
"Mr Rogers?" Jarvis is alert, but Steve can't even hear him properly. A high pitched sound has nearly completely overtaken his hearing. It's deafening and feels like a spear to the head.
"Mr Rogers? I'm sensing you're in a state of severe distress and pain. I am contacting Mr Barnes."
"N-No! Don't! Not yet, I'll be fine." Steve grunts out still pulling at the bedsheets and his clothes trying to ease the pain.
"But Mr Rogers, you're body can-"
"No, Jarvis. Don't contact him. Argh!" He feels his stomach churn.
"Contacting Mr Barnes." Jarvis doesn't listen and starts calling Bucky, but Steve doesn't want to pull Bucky away from any personal things. He doesn't get much time alone, he doesn't even leave the Tower now. All because Steve is struggling to hold a baby.
"Stevie? Baby what's wrong?" Bucky's voice picks up and projects through the roof speakers. Steve groans again and whimpers rubbing a hand over his belly.
"B-Bucky it's...it's f-fi- Ah!"
"Hold on Stevie. I'm coming baby."
Within minutes Bucky's through the door with Bruce and Tony at his side. He looks over Steve curled up and the blanket now off of his steaming body and rushes to the sight of a small puddle of blood near Steve's legs.
"Baby!" Bucky runs to his husbands side grabbing onto the shivering arms and gently shakes Steve. "Baby, wake up!" Steve groans and goes to turn to his other side but his whole body feels numb. Then sore again. He feels paralysed.
"Bucky..." He trembles and shudders. His lips feel dry and throat parched. Like he's in a desert. Alone and dehydrated.
"He's bleeding!" Bucky shouts starting to lift Steve up and carry him into a bathroom.
"Jarvis, get new sheets and bed covers. New everything for the bed immediately." Tony orders as he and Bruce quickly pull the stained white bedsheets off, roll them up and throw them to a side. Bucky starts to cry as he lowers Steve into the bathtub, pulling off all his clothes and running the water. His heart feels like it's been pulled out and stomped on. He doesn't want this. None of this. Even if it's for a baby that they've been looking forward to for so many years, he doesn't want his Stevie suffering like this.
-
The water runs and instantly, it's mixed with red patches. Bucky pulls the shower head off its stand and lowers it around Steve's crotch and belly, washing away excess blood. Steve's silent, shivering hands over his belly and he leans back resting. His eyes are lowered to the pup in him and tears start to fall down his cheeks. They're faint but as soon as Bucky see's them his whole world shatters.
"Stevie...sweetheart." He continues letting the water rush over until no more blood is seen mixed, and lifts the showerhead up to his Omega's chest, then the rest of his body.
"Bucky...it's not going to happen is it?" Steve murmurs, eyes still levelled down.
He doesn't know how to answer. Does he even answer? With what? Yes, no? He doesn't want to say no, but not yes either. Either way it's going to ruin the both of them. A lie isn't going to help Steve. But Bucky...he wants Steve to know that they're going to get through this no matter what. These obstacles- they expected them. They really did yet Bucky wants it all to stop now. He doesn't want Steve suffering any more. No more.
Steve starts to sob, wiping his hand over his nose and cheeks. "It's not, is it?" He whimpers. Bucky exhales what feels like a million years of pain and stress. "I...I don't know Stevie." It's all he can answer with.