Chapter 8
The walk on the way home was mostly silent. Bucky kept glancing over at Steve who was carrying his bags. Brian was clutching his mother’s hand while Alice was sleeping in Bucky’s arms. Steve hadn’t told Bucky what the deal was and Bucky was dying to know. He had no idea what Steve could want. Or even why he agreed to this challenge. Once they got to the apartment, Steve laid the bags down and helped Bucky go through it all.
“Are we going to talk about this deal?” Bucky asked as he put some onesies in a pile.
Steve shook his head. “Let’s talk about it once the kids are asleep.”
“Is this something bad?” Bucky asked nervously.
Steve shook his head. “I just don’t think they should hear what I have to say.”
Bucky nodded as he stared down at the clothes in his lap. Steve put his hand on Bucky’s thigh and gave him a small smile. “I swear to you, I have nothing bad to say to you.”
“I just wish I knew what was going on,” Bucky said quietly.
Steve leaned over and kissed Bucky’s forehead. “Everything is okay.” He stood up and looked around the apartment. “I’m gonna need to buy some dressers for all of your guys’ stuff.”
Bucky blushed. “You don’t have to do that for us.”
“Where else will your stuff go?” Steve shrugged.
“Mommy! Look!” Brian beamed as he held up his toy cars. “Do you want to play with me, Steve?”
“Absolutely, I want to play with you!” Steve grinned and walked over to Brian.
Bucky watched them and frowned slightly. He glanced down at Alice who was lying on a blanket beside him. Alice glanced over at him and cooed happily as she played with her feet. “Mommy hopes everything will end up being okay,” he cooed softly and kissed her tiny feet. “Are you okay with me making dinner?” Bucky asked Steve.
“You don’t have to,” Steve shook his head. “I can do it.”
“No! We are playing,” Brian pouted.
“It’s fine,” Bucky gave him a soft smile. “You two keep having fun. Do you mind keeping an eye on Alice?”
“Sure,” Steve smiled.
Bucky walked to the kitchen and started to put together dinner. He continued to drop ingredients, his hands were shaking so badly. All he could think about was what Steve wanted to talk about. What was this deal?
“Guys! Dinner!” Bucky called as he placed the food on the table.
“Looks good. Thank you,” Steve pressed his hand to Bucky’s lower back as he took his seat at the table. Bucky flushed and nodded. He liked feeling Steve’s hands on him, as horrible as that sounded.
Brian was happily chatting with Steve while Bucky quietly picked at his dinner. Brian took to Steve so easily. Bucky had never seen the boy act like that with anyone other than him. But what will happen once Steve showed who he really was? When he would hurt them and hate them just like Brock? Bucky felt a cold chill go down his spine. This is a mistake. He’s here with some strange alpha, in his house with his kids.
Alice chose that moment to cry for her dinner. Bucky sighed and picked her up. He lifted his shirt to allow her to nurse. Steve looked over at them and watched intently as he carried on his conversation with Brian. It always made Bucky feel a little weird to have Steve look at him like that when he nursed. Brock always looked away and told him he was gross.
After dinner, Steve insisted that he cleaned up and Bucky allowed him. It still felt weird. That was an omega’s job and here was an alpha doing all the work. Maybe Steve was trying to impress him? Something was going on. And Bucky was scared to find out. Steve walked out of the kitchen and smiled at the family as he dropped down next to Bucky on the couch. “Dinner was great.”
“Thank you,” Bucky blushed. “It was nothing really. “
“Don’t talk so low on yourself,” Steve shook his head. “It was great. Really.”
“Thank you,” Bucky blushed and looked down at his hands. Alice let out a little squawk and Steve turned to grin at her.
“What are you talking about, huh?” Steve grinned and lifted her up. “You better not be wanting to cry again,” he teased.
“She won’t,” Bucky quickly said. “I know she cries a lot. I’m sorry. She’s still young.”
Steve frowned. “Bucky, I didn’t mean anything like that. I was just playing with her. I know she’s young and she cries. It’s fine.”
“I’m sorry,” Bucky sniffled and looked down.
“How about you put the kids to bed and then we talk,” Steve suggested.
Bucky nodded. “Come on, Brian, sweetheart.”
“Mommy, I want to play,” Brian pouted.
“You can play tomorrow, honey,” Bucky took his hand and led him to the bedroom. After the exhausting process of getting both kids to bed, Bucky made his way back to the living room and sat down next to Steve.
“I like you,” Steve said after a moment. “I like your family. I like… I like not being alone here. You guys are great.”
Bucky nodded and quietly motioned for Steve to continue.
“I want to claim you,” Steve said after a moment of silence.
“What?” Bucky’s eyes went huge.
“I know that’s how things work now,” Steve breathed. “I couldn’t just ask you out. I have to do this. I want to claim you. I want you to be mine and not your asshole ex’s.”
“Steve,” Bucky blushed and looked away. “I can’t… I don’t know if I can mate.”
“I know,” Steve nodded. “I won’t ask you to do that. I know how high the odds are of your body rejecting it. There are other ways.”
“The only other way would be for me,” Bucky paused. “To have your baby,” he whispered.
“I would take care of you,” Steve insisted. “You would never have to worry. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. I know this is a lot.”
“Brock would have no claim to me then,” Bucky whispered.
“He couldn’t hurt you,” Steve nodded. “Bucky, I know what I’m asking. Would you think about it?”
Bucky’s eyes filled with tears. “My kids?”
“I would claim them as my own kids,” Steve quickly answered. “Bucky, I want a family and you guys need protected.”