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“Buck?” Steve called out as he arrived home, staring down at the string of ominous texts he’d received from his Omega earlier.
My angel: You’re lucky you’re so hot.
My angel: Bring chocolate
My angel: 🥺
He toed off his shoes and walked towards their bedroom. Steve already knew Bucky wasn’t feeling well based on the TV show he heard playing. Pretty Little Liars, a comfort show of his.
Steve leaned against the door frame and gruffed out humorously, holding up the chocolate like they were engaged in some kind of hostage exchange, “I got the goods. Do you have the cash?”
Bucky turned his head at the comforting sound of his Alpha’s voice and whined, narrowing his eyes shortly after. Not much in the mood for jokes, then.
“Damn, that bad, huh?” Steve’s mouth pulled into a frown and he pushed off the door frame.
He sat down on the bed next to Bucky and ran his fingers through his hair, his Omega’s scent off. “What’s wrong, honey?”
His heart melted as he saw the hoodie Bucky was wearing, it was one of his own. Steve had only worn it that morning. His sweetheart had chosen to wrap himself in what would’ve smelled of his Alpha the most.
“It’s all your fault.” Bucky grumbled under his breath, pouting as he sulked.
Steve blinked in confusion, his lip lifting at the corner. “How’s that?”
He could tell his Omega wasn’t really annoyed with him, his words half-hearted at best. Bucky was one for dramatics, a trait Steve was very fond of and constantly entertained by, however he wasn’t usually cranky. Except when he was…
Oh. That explained the chocolate.
“‘Cause of your stupid amazing pheromones,” Bucky huffed with a complaining noise, holding his phone in front of Steve’s annoyingly perfect face. “Apparently it can happen when an Omega moves in with their Alpha, their body tries to sync up with their ruts or whatever. Not that anyone thought to tell me that.”
“Huh…” Steve’s eyebrows rose as he took Bucky’s phone and read the webpage he had open. “I didn’t know either baby, or I would have warned you before we moved in.” He kissed his shoulder, making Bucky’s stomach flutter.
“I know,” Bucky turned his head, kissing the inside of Steve’s palm. He felt a bit better as his Alpha kept petting his hair, reading the information he’d found.
He appreciated that Steve cared about it as much as he did.
“I guess it makes sense from a physical standpoint, our bodies trying to line up hormonally. But jeez, as if Omegas don’t already have enough to deal with,” he sighed and shook his head, passing Bucky his phone back.
His Alpha kindly didn’t bring up why it said his cycle was changing, because despite his body being ready to be full of Steve’s pups, Bucky wasn’t yet—he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be. Steve understood and respected that.
Whatever happened, happened.
He wanted to spend his life with Bucky, his Omega. They were already a family, he had no complaints.
It was hard to stay grumpy when Steve was so earnest and Bucky knew he'd absorb all of his pain if he could—that his Alpha would take care of him, and dote on him even more while he wasn’t feeling his best.
Bucky sniffled, a little overwhelmed by how lucky he was.
“Aww, hey now, is there anything I can do?” Steve pressed a kiss to his forehead, rubbing circles into Bucky’s back. “Here baby, why don’t you have one of these?” He gave Bucky the heart-shaped box, filled with smaller heart-shaped chocolates.
That somehow made Bucky emotional too, they were so precious and tiny. A very thoughtful choice. He held one out to show Steve with an adorable pouty lip.
“Smol,” was all he said.
His Alpha’s gaze turned all gooey and honey-like, kissing Bucky’s cheek with a sappy smile. He chuckled quietly, thumb stroking his jaw. “I knew you’d like them, they’re cute just like my Omega.”
He watched Bucky unwrap and eat one, thanking him as though he’d saved his life by bringing them home. The room was starting to smell much happier, the Omega contented by his Alpha’s presence and delicious offering.
That gave Steve an idea.
“I could put on some of the scent suppressant spray I’ve used on missions? Maybe that would help you adjust easier…”
It was an uneasy thought for Steve, naturally Alphas wanted their Omegas to smell like them—a protective instinct as much as it was a possessive one—and yet if it would help Bucky, he’d use it. He’d do anything for his Omega.
A small and unexpected growl crawled up Bucky’s throat and vibrated in the air, surprising them both.
The moment broke as they started to laugh, a smirk on Steve’s face. “I’ll take that as a no, then.” He snorted fondly, unable to stop his chest from puffing up out of smug pride, his system flooded with it.
It was that important to Bucky that he smelled like him, that their apartment was a mix of both their scents.
The classic Alpha mannerism would’ve been off putting it was someone else, except this was Steve. His Steve. His Alpha.
Everything he did was laced with adoration and he was the biggest dork when they were together and he could be himself, unfiltered and in his element.
The snort brought a giggle out of Bucky, flinching when he moved too much. He whimpered, smiling through the words, “Don’t make me laugh.”
“Is your back sore, sugar?” Steve frowned, applying a gentle pressure to Bucky’s lower back when he nodded, massaging away some of the discomfort there. “You didn’t want your heat pack?”
“I couldn’t find it.” Bucky sighed, relaxing into the bed. He nosed at the inside of Steve’s jacket, subconsciously breathing in his scent as he reached for another chocolate.
Steve petted his hair again, dropping another infatuated kiss to his forehead. Bucky was just too sweet, his poor heart could barely handle it. “Don’t worry Buck, what is it you like to say—that I’m a human hot water bottle?”
“It’s true!” Bucky laughed around his chocolate, his cheeks warm.
His stomach flipped, thinking about how much he loved to cuddle with his Alpha, how cozy and perfect it was. Despite how intimidating he could look to strangers, Steve was really a big teddy bear—although if anything he was that for his Alpha.
Steve loved to hold him close, knowing Bucky was safe in his arms and thoroughly scented by his Alpha. Which meant everyone would know, whether he was with him or not, that Bucky was loved and cared for, and had an Alpha who would protect him at any cost.
He found it as comforting as Bucky did.
Steve was about to curl himself around Bucky and live up to the title Bucky had bestowed upon him, when Bucky squeaked in alarm. He wanted Steve to spoon him, only, “Um. I might bleed on you…”
His Alpha’s expression softened hearing the embarrassment in his voice. Bucky had nothing to be embarrassed about.
Steve rubbed Bucky’s side and reassured him, “I’m not afraid of a little blood, honey. May I?”
Bucky turned and got himself snug in answer, his lips curling as Steve did the same around his body, holding him as though he were something precious and to be treasured.
As relief washed over Bucky a purr started to vibrate in his chest, Steve’s rumbling against his back lovingly in response. He nosed at the claiming mark on his mate’s neck, bringing a smile to his face.
A blush quickly spread across his cheeks as Steve’s nose brushed over the scent gland there and he inhaled a long, deep breath in. The hormonal change that occurred during his period usually made his Omega’s scent stronger—enhancing the sweet and woodsy undertones, bringing images to Steve’s mind of thriving landscapes and a crackling fireplace, of safety and warmth, and freedom—but it seemed to be amplified to an intense degree.
Steve’s Alpha instincts ground his brain to a halt as he purred and scented Bucky. Mine mine mine were his only thoughts as he breathed him in joyfully, practically gulping it down. Would his Omega’s scent always be this way now they lived together?
His chest rumbled possessively at the thought.
“Alpha.” Bucky let out a complaining whine, butterflies in his stomach. He smacked the side of Steve’s leg and huffed, his face hot, “Stop that. It’s embarrassing.”
It snapped Steve out of it, looking adorably ruffled.
He nuzzled Bucky’s shoulder apologetically and told him softly, head over heels in love, “It’s beautiful, Buck. You’re beautiful. My sweet Omega, who smells like sunshine and rain, and—”
Bucky turned around and Steve trailed off helplessly seeing his mushy, flustered expression. Bucky tucked his face into the curve of his neck, his body molding to Steve’s.
He fit perfectly in his Alpha’s arms, smiling at how happy he smelled. Grounded, content. It was a stark contrast to when they first met. Bucky had reminded Steve that he deserved good things, to build a life of his own and prioritize his well-being.
He’d semi-retired, much to Fury’s dismay, and was happier than he’d ever been.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed, darling. You smell even more incredible than usual. It’s natural, there’s nothin’ wrong with that.” Steve reassured.
Bucky lifted his head, pressing his forehead to Steve’s. He brushed their noses together and whispered, biting his bottom lip. “‘Cause of you, Stevie.”
Steve couldn’t miss the sweet rush of his scent, and he understood why. The presence of his Alpha had affected Bucky’s body in such a wonderfully intimate and meaningful way…
He thought his heart might burst.
“‘Cause of me,” he agreed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he carded his fingers through Bucky’s hair.
Bucky brushed his lips against Steve’s in a brief, tender kiss. His eyes shined with enamored affection as they parted. He winced a moment later, pressing closer as his cramps returned.
Steve cooed at him sympathetically, fingers stroking his hair. “What do you need right now, kitten?”
He jutted out his bottom lip playfully, even though he knew he didn’t need to. “Feed me chocolate?”
Steve did, in the sweetest way imaginable.