Broodmare

Chapter 5

Shuri watched the livefeed of the bedroom for a moment more before shutting it off. “They are sleeping comfortably in the bed, T’Challa.”

T’Challa, who was standing at his window looking out upon his kingdom and the deserts beyond its walls, let out of small noise of approval.

“The doctors are keeping a close eye on them…”

“I want whatever Dora you can spare scouring the desert to the north of us. Anyone found coming this way is to be capture alive and brought into custody.” He ordered suddenly.

“Agreed… do you want us to find the …”

“No, that would be an overreach that I cannot condone. This will be official Avengers business in a matter of days. I want my kingdom protected. I want people protected. I want…”

Shuri walked up behind him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.”We had no way of knowing, brother.”

He stiffened. “Our backyard, Shuri. For a decade, an Omega was used as broodmare in our backyard.”

Shuri could only shake her head. “It hurts, I know. This hurts me as well. But there is no way that we could have possibly known that 30 miles away beyond our vast wall that this was happening.” She tried to reason with him.

T’Challa walked over to his desk and angrily swept almost everything off.

“OUR. BACK.YARD. SHURI!” He roared, chest heaving.

She approached him, palms forward, trying to calm him. “But they are her now, brother. We can do everything that is needed to help them. We cannot take back the past, but we can ease them into the present, and help them cope with their experiences.”

She reached him and put her arms around him and he deflated into her embrace. He held her close and rode out the wave of emotion overcoming him.

“No expense is to be spared, Shuri. I know that our country is not welcoming to outsiders; but they are refugees. I want them treated with respect and kindness. There will be no gossiping, no sneers, no discrimination. As of this moment; they are our people.”

Shuri nodded into his shoulder. “Agreed. I will see to it that the word is spread far and wide. Anyone that argues will either be reasoned with or remove relocate themselves so that may not cross paths.” She let go reluctantly and averted her gaze when he wiped his eyes.

“There is the small matter of when we inform the Avengers.”

T’Challa let out a humorless laugh. “This is not going to end well.”

“Of this I am sure.”

With a sigh his once proud shoulders slumped. He turned to the laptop that he hadn’t swept off his desk and opened the livefeed.

“Give them a couple of days, Shuri. They need rest, sleep, eat, get used to the feeling of the sun on their skin… Amadeus … we must convince him that his mother is in no danger.” He let out long sigh. “They may not forgive me these two days, but I must give them something.”

With a solemn nod, Shuri added. “They will be given a great deal of stimulus is a very short period of time regardless. We can only hope to help with the aftermath. Our goal is to help Tony and Winter lessen the blow and ease their worries.”

“Provide an anchor when they get overwhelmed.” He conceded as he sat in his chair, minimized the livefeed and opened another window. “But first we must give them new garments.”

Shuri made a small approving noise. “Perhaps offer comfort items… like a toy or doll.”

T’challa’s hands stilled over the keys and cursed inwardly. “Of course.”

------

It was a dream.

It was a good dream.

He didn’t have many of those.

He knew it was a dream because he was surrounded by familiar familial scents and it was heavenly. On his right he smelled Nova; his tiny miracle, curled up by his head with his fingers tangled in his hair. Peter; his sneaky sneak; plastered to the right side of his chest with his fingers splayed out over his arc reactor. He could smell Miles; his brain trust, and knew that he was using his arm as a pillow, with his hands wrapped around his upper arm. And just beyond him he knew that Amadeus; ever his sentinel, was leaning against the headboard with his arm protectively around Miles.

On his left he knew his baby girl Kamala had made herself small and was curled up next to his head with her fingers tangled in his hair. He could hear her snuffling in his ear. He smelled his lil angel Gwenny and knew she had plastered herself against the other side of his torso, leg splayed out over his stomach, fingers intertwined with her for-all-intents-and-purposes twin brothers over his arc reactor. And behind his Gwenny was Riri; his little mini-me, arms wrapped around his arm, and her delicate fingers intertwined with his own. And he knew without even scenting the air, that Winter was behind them, leaning against the headboard, their protector; with his arm snaked under her arm, wrapped around her torso, waiting to spring into action to protect their family unit.

These dreams were his lifeblood. And they came to him so rarely because they got to sleep together once in a very rare blue moon.

He needed this.

He needed this before they knocked on the door and made him leave his sanctuary again. It got worse everyday. That dreaded feeling that this might be the day that they take things too far. That this might be the day that he doesn’t get to come back

It didn’t help that they were all so smart. Kamala and Amadeus were starting to figure things out. It wouldn’t be long before they started asking questions. Questions that they wouldn’t be able to bluff their way out of anymore.

He needed this.

“Just five more minutes… please…” he muttered softly, voice laden with desperation..

“Ok, Boba, we sleep mores.” Came a snuffly sleepy reply.

Wait… what?

His heart rate spiked, panic set in, but before he could jackknife up there was a heavy weight on his legs and large hands on his shoulders, pinning him against the elevated pillow that probably kept him from slipping down from resting against the headboard. But he wasn’t afraid. He knew those hands.

“Take a deep breath.” Winter said softly. “Let it out slowly.”

He did as told repeated it a couple of times.

“Now open your eyes.” Winter instructed as he removed his hands.

Slowly, blearily, he complied. And the sight that greeted him nearly made his heart explode.

It hadn’t been a dream. They were all there, looking down upon him, bleary-eyed and smiling. Even Nova was chirping a good morning like a songbird. Kamala was tiny, just like he had dreamed, almost as small as Nova; so that she could fit on this weirdly shaped pillow he was lying on. Riri was on his left, Miles and Amadeus were on his right, and in front of him, in his lap, in front of his Winter were his little mischief makers; Gwen and Peter. They were each straddling a leg, swaying like competing metronomes so that they didn’t knock their heads together, smiling and sleepy, but so aware.

“We made it,” he whispered breathlessly. “It wasn’t a dream.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Winter muttered, it had been 50 miles of nightmare for him. Halfway through the desert the sand glider had decided to die and he got to witness Tony fall from the sky. He was so grateful the kids had taken to sleeping the entire ordeal away. They wouldn’t have to remember his screams of desperation as he detached the rucksacks and ran like a madman over dune after dune; dragging them with him so he didn’t LOSE them.

But it was over.

They were safe. And the look of sheer unadulterated relief on Tony’s face was more than enough recompense for the momentary terror he had experienced. He’d take temporary terror over the eternal damnation of failing them anyday.

“We made it.” He said breathlessly, before pulling them each forward and kissing them on the lips. “Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.” He whispered after every kiss. After kissing Amadeus he kept the boy close, leaning their foreheads together and gently squeezing his neck. “It’s over Deus.” He whispered.softly.

Amadeus sniffled a little. “Yeah.”

“But that doesn't mean that you are any less one of us, got me? You’re always gonna have a spot here. We’re family. Nothing's gonna change that. Not even if you want it too.”

Amadeus snorted, but he could practically hear the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I got it, Sukbu. I’m family.” The ‘thank you’, went unsaid, but it wasn’t necessary.

When Amadeus pulled away the kids were all looking at him expectantly. But he needed a moment. He needed a second to take in their faces, so clean, and body language so free of the timidity that had shrouded their entire existence. Riri’s hair looked as though someone had taught her how to take care of it properly; he would have to thank that person. Mile’s hair had been trimmed so that it didn't look like a pocket knife had tried to maintain it (it had.). Gwenny’s hair had been trimmed and it framed her face so perfectly. Kamala kept her hair long, but that was how she liked it. Amadeus looked as though he had asked for someone to cut it like it had been when he had first appeared in their dank little imprisonment all those years ago. And Peter & Nova’s hair had been trimmed but still had messy curls. That had probably been Kamala’s doing. She loved their messy curls.

Finally he cleared his throat and asked. “Am I being ambushed right now? Cause I feel like this is an--” his words were cut off as the kids collectively lunged for him with hugs and kisses and laughter.

Laughter. He never knew how musical laughter could be after years of stifled giggles. The sound of their laughter could cure diseases if he could distil it just right.

Winter chuckled as Tony pretended to drown under them, arms flailing before tickling the offending tacklers.

The kids were mindful of his tender belly, and didn’t put pressure on his chest, they were good for Tony. Hell, Winter could admit that they were good for him too… reluctantly, but he would admit it.

He sat back on his haunches and enjoyed the show only shifting when he heard a light knock at the door.

That was all it took to get the pups to go stock still. Tony sat up and the younger pups darted behind him while Kamala and Amadeus flanked his sides.

“Winter?”

Winter held his hand up. “I’ll answer the door. You lot stay put.”

He answer the door and let out a sigh of relief, turning to Tony and the pups. “It’s okay. It’s just T’Challa and Shuri. And they brought breakfast.”

All the pups heard was the word “breakfast”... not that he blamed them. After existing on flavorless crap that could barely be considered food; breakfast consisting of dried cereal might as well been a gourmet meal.

But Tony seemed a bit more wary.

“It’s okay, Tony. It’s the King and his sister.”

“K-King?” Was the only word that Tony could muster as Winter opened the door and allowed T’Challa and Shuri entrance.

They entered with smiles on their faces as they wheeled in a long cart laden in fruits and granola and non-sugary cereals.

The kids ooh-ed and aaah-ed, while Tony looked on warily.

The siblings pulled the long cart up to the edge of the bed and stopped.

“Where are my manners. Mr. Stark, Welcome to Wakanda.” He held out his hand. “I am T’Challa, I rule this country, and this is my sister and right hand; Shuri.”

They shook hands but Tony’s was practically limp.

“I.. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be a dolt… but this is all happening so quickly.” He let out a humorless snort. “I’d get up and bow, but my legs are still rather boneless feeling and I don’t know why.”

T’Challa’s eyebrows rose in alarm. “The doctors…”

“There’s nothing wrong with his legs, your Majesty.” Winter interjected.

“Oh?”

“No, he walked 15 miles non-stop, lugging the bladder of water in blazing heat, in a state of catatonia or shock. I think hearing your voice at the border broke through it… not for the lack of my trying.” He muttered under his breath as he and Shuri made the cart longer. Not for the lack of me screaming at him for 15 miles, more like it.

Shuri stopped, looked at T’Challa, who looked at Tony; who could only shrug. “Sounds like something that could have happened to me.”

T’Challa cleared his throat. “I would still like for my doctors to take a look at them.”

He nodded. “Food first?” Please. He didn’t say it, but Winter could tell it was on the tip of his tongue.

“Of course. Afterwards, if it is not an imposition, my sister would like to take the children down to look through clothing, while we speak on more adult matters.”

Tony let out a deep breath and nodded… he wasn’t so sure how he felt about being away from the kids, or Winter for that fact, so soon.

“On one condition.” Winter interjected as he crawled his way across the bed to sit next to Tony.

“Yes?”

“I’m staying with him, and we do it from somewhere where we can see what the kids are doing.” He squeezed Tony’s hand reassuringly. “You know, in case they need him.” Or the other way around.

T’Challa winced. “Of course, there is a balcony overlooking the vestibule where the wardrobes are being set up. We should speak there, if that is too your liking.”

Tony nodded. “Yeah, that will be great.” But internally his insides were all but a gooey mess of relief. His Winter, what would he ever do without his Winter. The thought sent a cold chill down his spine… he wasn’t ready to think about that, not in the least.

When he looked up the trolley they had rolled in was no longer a trolley at all, but a veritable buffet that was curved around the bed to accommodate both the size of the bed and the size of the party. The pups were lined up on either side, with napkins tucked into their sleep shirts and plates in front of them.

“Would you mind of Shuri and I joined? We seemed to have forgotten to eat our own breakfast in our excitement to bring you lot yours.”

That got a laugh out of Tony. A beautiful sound if you were to ask T’Challa.

“No no, please. Sit. There is plenty.” Tony said as he wiped his eyes. He looked up and down the table and said. “Don’t over do it. We don’t have to eat everything right now… right?”

T’Challa nodded. “Everything here will be in an ice chest in the kitchen; which I will  show you to later on today. You need only ask the staff to open it. They are very kind, nothing to be afraid of.”

The kids all nodded their heads and looked at Tony. “Eat eat. And ask if you don’t know what something is.”

And so it began. It was quite possibly the highlight of Shuri or T’Challa’s day. The munching of fruits and loud proclamations when they found something especially savory or sour. The quiet inquiries “wuzzat… wuzzat… wuzzat” never got old. They knew what most of the more rudimentary fruits were, but the more exotic ones were the puzzles to be figure out.

Slowly they began to eat their fill and look on longingly at the fruit. “Remember,” Tony said softly to a pouting Gwen. “If you get hungry, you can always get some more.” She brightened at that and gave him a quick hug.

Soon the others were done. When they were all done Amadeus and Kamala took them into the restroom to brush their teeth, use the toilet and wash their hands while T’Challa and Shuri helped the waitstaff clear out breakfast.

T’Challa smiled at Tony who was resting against Winter again as Winter helped him get up and into a wheelchair. “I ain’t carrying all over creation.”

Tony huffed as the kids lined up at the door and waited for them. “Okay guys, Ms. Shuri is going to take you down stairs and show you a bunch of clothes. Remember to help each other out, be polite, and listen to Ms. Shuri. She’s going to be there to help you.”

They all nodded, and one by one gave him a hug and a kiss before heading out the door and down the stairs. Kamala and Amadeus brought up the rear, but Kamala hesitated at the top the stairs.

“It’s okay babydoll. I’ll be on a terrace.” Tony reassured her with a quick squeeze and a kiss on her temple. She gave him a firm squeeze before heading off out of the room.

Tony released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Winter squeezed his shoulder as he steered him out of the room and in the other direction

-------

This is fine, he told himself as the doctor situated his legs on a pedestal and examined them. This is fine, he told himself as he watched over his pups from above. Peter and Gwen had frilly little tutu’s on and were twirling about. This is fine, he told himself as he explained the arc reactor to T’Challa, Shuri, and the doctor. They tried to keep a straight face; but he could see the reactions they were hiding. He was a relieved to see that pity wasn’t the strongest emotion, but the horror and disgust were there. And curiosity, mainly from the doctor, but more strongly from T’Challa.. Maybe even pride and respect… but it had been years since he’d been around more than one Alpha… his empathy gage might have been way off.

This is fine. He told himself as the doctor gave his health a “relative all clear”.

“Your legs will be fine.”

Tony felt his shoulder deflate in relief.

“Your Winter was right. Having walked that long in such a state, your legs muscles are overcompensating for the strain they’ve been put through.”

Tony let out a huff of laughter, his anxiety melting away. “So, I’m gonna..”

“Give it a day or two. They’ll still be a bit weak, shaky even; but in the end, you’ll be fine. Just eat and sleep and allow yourself to recover.”

This is fine.

“Allow myself to recover.” He whispered softly. Winter squeezed his knee knocked his shoulder. He swallowed hard against a lump in his throat. “I.. I get to recover.”

Winter winced, but he understood. Recovery had been a luxury that they hadn’t been afforded. But now, for it not to be such a luxury… for it to be referred to as something inevitable…

He squeezed his knee again and smiled. “We all get to recover.” When his eyes met Tony’s they were filled with tears and he thought at first that that had been the wrong thing to say. But then Tony smiled tremulously and nodded.

The doctor cleared his throat to regain their attention. “I need a blood sample.”

Winter was on his feet in a flash. “The hell you do.”

Tony grasped his arm. “Winter. Stop.”

He turned to him, his face a veil of wrath.

“They need make sure I’m healthy. This isn’t like before. They aren’t going to go full on guinea pig here.” He turned to T’Challa; almost desperately. “Right?”

T’Challa was up, in front of Winter, his hands out in front of him, palms up, showing him that he was unarmed. “Correct. There will be no research. My doctors merely want to ensure that there is nothing else that needs their attention.”

Winters chest was heaving, his eyes were dilated, and he looked ready to pounce.

“Winter...Please… please.” He whispered desperately. “This isn’t like before. This isn’t like before.”

A cold chill ran through T’Challa. “It is not a pregnancy test.”

The doctor sputtered behind him. “In the name of Panther Gods, no. We would never…”

Shuri was at his side, hands palm up, trying to placate him. “And they are not going to do any experiments on the sample either. The only tests that will be done are the one absolutely necessary. We give you our word that what is left of the sample will be destroyed afterwards.”

The doctor waved his arms in the air. “Never, would we ever… sweet merciful… never… the sample will be not even be labeled with his named, merely a number associated with his case file. I will be the only one that knows that he has a blood sample in the lab. I won’t even know the numbers. I swear to you that no one will know where the sample came from and afterwards it will be destroyed with no one any the wiser.”

Winter closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It took T’Challa a moment to realize he was scenting the air. “Swear to me… on your pup.”

The doctor straightened his lab coat. “On my pup. No one will ever know.”

Tony blinked owlishly. He hadn’t even… Omega. The doctor was an Omega.

Winters rigid posture deflated. He turned to Tony. “Only if you want to.” He offered softly.

Tony gulped. This is fine. Being asked to make decisions is fine. He nodded. “Yeah, I want to make sure they didn’t leave any ticking timebombs behind.” He said shakily.

Winter narrowed his eyes, but shook his head and sat down. “Sorry.. Bad…”

“No apologies needed. I should have explained the situation to the doctor better and for that I apologize to you and to the good doctor. There are details that were pertinent that we were negligent in omitting.” T’Challa offered softly.

“Accepted. Now, Mr. Stark?”

This is fine. He said to himself as he held out his arm for blood to be drawn.

When it was over both men moved closer to the balcony to get a closer look at the pups. Each had a small stack of clothing. Miles’ was mostly dark colors, Riri’s mostly bright colors and red. Gwen was currently prancing around in a white hoodie that looked like it had light purple lining and purple accents down the sleeves. Peter was wearing a red hoodie with darker accents. Kamala was wearing a red scarf and a top that was yellow, red, and blue. Deus had a stack of neutral tones with the occasional green shirt here and there, and he was helping Nova; who apparently wanted to only wear black.

This is fine. He told himself as he took a deep shuddering breath and turned to T’Challa.

“There is… my stomach… the doctor…” he cleared his throat anxiously. “There’s fluid built up along the cesarean scar tissue. It hurts. It needs to be drained but…”

“But?”

“If I start glowing…”

“Glowing?”

Winter turned to him with wide eyes. “You said you reversed those side effects!”

Tony winced. “Yes, mostly. But this is different. And I won’t go supernova… I mean, I’m 98% sure I won’t go supernova. If worse comes to worse I’ll implode; there won’t even be a sound.”

“Tony..”

“Winter… I promise you, I’ve gotten this as under control as I can.” He turned to the doctor. “I will glow. Glowing is okay. Glowing is healing. But…”

“But…”

“If I turn bright orange… throwing me out the closest window so that I don’t scorch the carpet wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

T’Challa gulped. “Glowing?”

Tony let out a slow breath. “It’s one of those things I’m not comfortable talking about. Because if you are a man of science; like I think you are, you’ll want to know details and that leads to a slippery slope that usually ends with replicating the serum and … yeah… no…”

T’Challa nodded sagely, and the doctor took out a long needle from his bag.

“How much glowing should I expect?”

“Anything brighter than amber is bad. If I turn orange, toss me out the window.”

Winter grunted.

“Toss. Me. Out. The. Window.” Tony insisted. “I trust you, Winter. If I should… you know… then I trust you to take care of the kids.”

Winter muttered curses under his breath but took Tony’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “I will honor your decision, but from now on; no more secrets.”

Tony nodded solemnly, then turned to the doctor. “I’m ready.” He adjusted his sleep shirt to show the doctor where he wanted him to insert the needle. He tapped his fingers above his hip bone where the swelling was the worst, but the scar tissue was minimal.

The doctor took a steadying breath before inserting the needle and pulling back the stopper.

T’Challa wasn’t sure if he should be amazed or horrified; he was both in different degrees. The syringe filled with a murky liquid that was was obviously a sign of infection. He found himself swallowing a gasp when visible bits of dirt started swirling about.

And then the glowing started. He grasped the back of the doctors high backed chair as Tony squeezed Winters hand. The glow was dark; thankfully. As the glowing went away his slowly deflating stomach began to … heal. Where there had once been a swollen abdomen was now a flat plain of abs.

The doctor had to start another syringe and apologized when he had to insert the needle again. But Tony didn’t seem to mind at all.

This is fine. He told himself. This is fine.

His abs glowed slightly, as if the infected fluid had confused the extremis and rendered it’s healing capability null and void. Without the abscessed liquid it was free to do it’s intended job; knit his body to the way it had been previously.

When the second syringe was extracted Tony did not stop holding his breath or unclench his eyes.

He was waiting.

Five, ten seconds passed before he relaxed, deflated against the chair.

“Fascinating.” The doctor whispered.

T’Challa shot him a sharp look. “That liquid is to be incinerated as soon as you leave the palace, understood?”

The doctor, a man of his word, nodded. “Some things are meant not to be tampered with.” He added softly, turning to Tony. “Does it still hurt?”

Tony shook his head. “No, no. Feels great, actually.” He pressed his hand against his abdomen and smiled. “I had no idea it would give me back my six pack.” He muttered softly to which Winter snorted.

The doctor stood and bowed slightly. “My work is down here, for now. A general practitioner will want to see about..” he trailed off not wanting to say the words. But Tony knew all too well what he was referring too. Six kids. Six unprofessional cesareans. Ten years of continual, unprotected sex. Extremis or not, there were somethings that even it did not fix. There was going to damage and it would need to be dealt with.

He nodded. “Tomorrow maybe. I’ve… As much fun as this has been, I think I’ve had my fill of doctoring for the day… no offence.”

“None taken.” He turned to T’Challa. “I shall take my leave and put a rush on the tests.”

“Thank you doctor. Shuri will see you out.”

With another nod and a slight wave the doctor left.

This is fine. Tony told himself, as he rubbed his belly. It wasn’t tender; which was a relief. He’d almost forgotten what it was like for his stomach to not be distended or tender to the touch. IT was a good feeling.

He looked at T’Challa and smiled. “Now’s my turn. I have questions.”

T’Challa swallowed hard. He had the answers… and he was not looking forward to having to give them.

“I… I want to know… it’s been almost 10 years. What have I missed?”

This is fine.