Chapter 13
He wakes up again, this time at a reasonable time in the morning. Thankfully Jarvis lifted the blinds already so now the sun is the only light illuminating their dark room, bright beams of yellow colouring over. His eyes fluttered open to the sound of snoring. Bucky's snoring. When he turns onto his side he earns a full view of his husband dead-asleep with his mouth wide open.
Steve snorts and stares, and stares. For so long. This is my husband, he thinks to himself as he brings a calloused finger up to lightly brush over Bucky's scruff on his cheek, then jawline. Then, his whole palm holds Bucky's cheek, feeling the rough hairs underneath his skin. The Alpha doesn't wake up, instead a small smile coming onto his lips as he shuffles around in the bed and melts into that familiar caress. He's tired. Too tired. Look at him, Steve.
He has dark circles under his eyes, a face falling almost pale, the few lines creasing his skon growing bolder. Is this the result of Steve's pregnancy? Bucky must pay the toll as well?
"Steve?" Bucky murmurs, groaning as he stretches his legs and yawns.
The Omega smiles, "Hey."
"You're up early. Don't normally wake up at this time." Bucky moves closer towards Steve, wrapping a hand around his waist as they peer into each other's eyes.
"Maybe because someone was a bit too loud on the snoring." Steve giggles but Bucky frowns. "I'm sorry, it really did wake you?" He sighs.
"Buck, it was a joke. And besides, I'd rather wake to you snoring than anything else. It's almost like a remedy for my overwhelming anxiety."
"So you like my snoring? Don't mind it?" Bucky lifts an eyebrow.
"Yes Buck, I like your snoring." Steve huffs out in exasperation rolling his eyes. "But you know, I do like your kisses a bit better." He winks and Bucky chuckles, arm around Steve's waist tightening only slightly.
"I don't know doll, that comes with a price. You wanna find out how much each costs?" They bring their foreheads together, then slowly, their lips.
"Mm...I think- $1.50 for a simple kiss, $3 for tongue." Steve jokingly guesses as they touch noses. "But yes, I would love to find out the actual prices."
Then, they kiss. Lips crashing like waves. They both grin in each other's hold despite the big belly separating them and Bucky leaves Steve wanting much, much more.
"Jesus, Buck. You know I banned those kisses 'cause they get me riled up."
The two laugh, kissing and kissing over again before Steve feels a pang of pain hit him in his groin again. It's a familiar rush. Too familiar and uncomfortable. He wants it to disappear. In the middle of more than an extremely steamy kiss, Steve pulls away and grabs hold of his stomach, like it's being emptied out.
"Stevie? Sweet, what's wrong?"
He doesn't answer, instead burrowing his head down trying to stand the pain. But soon enough it begins to overwhelm his nerves and brain and he grips a hand over Bucky's shoulder. "Bucky." He chokes out.
With that, Bucky is sitting up on the bed. "Steve, c'mon talk. What's wrong?" He starts to lift the Omega up to lean against the headboard with pillows supporting him, then lifts up the sheets.
"Fuck." There's another blood patch starting to grow near Steve's legs. This time though, the smell of it is foul. Bitter and evil. The smell that reeks death. Every Omega, Beta and Alpha know it. And Bucky is immediately ordering Jarvis to contact Stark and Banner while lifting Steve up to carry into the bathroom.
"James? What's wrong?" Bruce asks through the phone.
"Dr, Tony, get up here now. It's urgent."
Stark and Banner come through the room, faces pale as soon as the smell of the blood wafts up their nostrils. "Holy shit." Tony walks to the exposed patch on the white sheets, and the closer he gets, the stronger he scowls yet stares.
"That's a dangerous smell. And it doesn't mean any good." Bruce mutters and knocks on the bathroom door before opening it after a 'Come in'. Steve's in the bathtub again being washed down and gritting his teeth to hold in any cries of pain. His blunt fingernails scrape his skin as his eyes squeeze shut, enduring everything going through him. Bruce kneels down beside Bucky sitting on a stool with the showerhead in his hand and smiles reassuringly.
"Hey Steve." His eyes scan the body, searching for anything that may be able to tell him something.
"Doc." Steve grunts, a small smile coming onto his face. Tough fellow.
"I won't ask how you're feeling; it'll sound idiotic. But what I will do is give you a check up. The blood in there smells inhumane, and it's a bad sign for the pup."
"You need me to leave?" Bucky asks as he turns off the water and places the showerhead back in its stand. Bruce shrugs, "Only if you want to."
*****
Before Bucky decides on his own to leave, he lifts and carries Steve back into the bedroom after drying him down then walks out of the room along with Tony. Bruce asks Steve to lift his legs up and spread them, and from then on spends an hour inspecting and searching. When he finally gets the results, he's less than enthusiastic to inform Steve.
"I'm sorry Steve." Bruce sighs lowering his equipment in his hand as he looks over the blanket covering Steve's legs.
"What is it?" The blond sits up on his elbows, heart thumping so loud that surely it can be heard. Dr Banner pulls his glasses off, thumb and index finger squeezing at the bridge of his nose while a deep frown covers his face.
With one big breath he grabs Steve's hands and looks him in the eye, "It's the pup, Steve. It died in the womb."