Bucky Barnes was looking to scratch a very particular itch.

Because the medical community at large stated that it was “unhealthy” for Omegas to go without experiencing heats completely and the government supported them (of course they did, the bastards were all about the benefits of population increases) regulations mandated that Omegas on suppressants had to do two to three years on, one off to stay healthy and not risk lasting and/or permanent fertility side effects. Bucky figured it was all bullshit, but he couldn’t exactly say he didn’t feel a hell of a lot more normal off them than on. The only issue of course being he got shit done when he was on them, and ended up with half a year worth of hell trying to balance his life when he was off them.

This time around he was actually looking into a more scheduled approach to the year’s heats. Generally when they came he spent a week riding highs and lows as his hormones took over his body’s natural processes. He’d swing wildly between horny as fuck and feeling like shit, ready to jump anything with a knot the closer his body got to full estrus. He was generally needy as hell for about three days where he needed constant attention of all types, before his body began to wind down. Not so amusingly, he was horniest just before full heat hit him and right after it swung down toward completion. When he was younger he’d go find the most swaggering Alpha cock he could locate and lose himself in a few days of heat induced rut. He’d come out the other end heat neatly cared for, but feeling hollow and empty as if something were missing. Even when he was a complete idiot and risked breeding the release of Alpha semen inside him couldn’t quite sate the gnawing disquiet that would settle in after. Something entirely unrelated to his (thankfully) continually unbred status.

He’d tried toys when hunting for Alphas ended up more trouble than it was worth and he felt he could better satisfy himself. Most Alphas could be really fucking selfish when it came to pleasure, especially when they rode it out with an Omega in heat - which just seemed counter productive in Bucky’s opinion. He’d thought if he took his own pleasure in hand it’d work out better. After all, he knew what he wanted and how he liked it. He was perfectly capable of satisfying himself when he was on suppressants, so he didn’t see why he’d have any issues doing similarly when he was off them.

When that didn’t work, he’d tried a pleasure den. The less said about that the better.

He’d tried substituting with Betas using Alpha enhancements. They were a lot more attentive lovers, better able to keep their heads in the proverbial game. But there was something about the entire process that just seemed...off. Betas didn’t have the same natural instincts as Alphas and Bucky found himself quickly growing frustrated with having to explain himself, his wants and needs.

He’d even tried sharing a heat cycle with another Omega once. It hadn’t been a bad year, but it hadn’t been the best either. And there was a moment there in the middle where they’d managed to sync and had been forced to find an Alpha willing to take them on together. Bucky dissolved that relationship as quickly as possible.

So, he tried to stay on his suppressants for as long as he was able and would put off thinking about his heats until the last possible second when he was confronted by them. The problem, of course, was that the longer an Omega went suppressing their heats, the faster and harder the first came when the suppressants went away, as if their body was violently protesting or actively punishing them for simply trying to live their goddamn lives.

Since he’d pushed it a little too far this time around, he’d been forced to use some of his precious hoarded vacation time in order to not have to scramble for a solution for his first heat of the year. He’d taken a week before his heat was scheduled to arrive and was using it to try to establish some kind of support network for himself. His best option, all told, would be to simply contract an Alpha through an agency. And while this sounded like the best possible solution, Bucky found it was also the biggest pain in the ass he’d ever had to contend with regarding his heats. He had a government sanctioned Alpha stipend he’d never touched from his time with the Army. (They may prefer Alphas and Betas for grunt work, but special forces was almost entirely Omega based and Bucky was one of the best.) And he figured they owed him the stability in his life since they were the ones that got him hooked on the best fucking suppressants on the market. His Omega Vet ID he found, much to his satisfaction, was accepted on a little more than half the sites he visited. With some of them on the higher end even, as a sort of government write off he figured. He didn’t much care about the technical stuff; that would be handled by his OVID provider network. What Bucky cared about was finding a good match for himself. He scoured site after site, clicking his way through profiles and photographs. Some sites were more in depth than others, providing Alpha’s cock sizes and knot circumferences if not outright equipped with pictures. Bucky was aware that sort of thing mattered to some Omegas, but in his experience the Alpha’s personality was a better test of how they’d handle a heat than the size of their dick.

He was three days in and starting to feel like the whole damn thing might be a bust when he noticed a ‘Favorites’ category on his current agency homepage. Curious, he clicked it and found a ‘Top Twenty’. It was all pictures with profile links but that wasn’t what got Bucky’s attention. No, the Alpha at the top of the list was in an entirely separate category and that got Bucky’s attention. The site encouraged its patrons to leave reviews - which Bucky fucking loved because reviews were God’s gift to people - and offered specially awarded extra stars to Alphas with impeccable reputations. All Alphas on the site were graded on a scale of stars which allowed for half fills and maxed out at five. Bucky knew in order to be awarded additional stars, an Alpha needed a fuck ton of pushes from patrons specifically requesting them. He didn’t know how many exactly, only that it was virtually impossible to even get an extra star without probably every single Omega reviewing them positively. The Top Twenty consisted entirely of only fully filled five starred Alphas. Alphas who hadn’t received a single negative review. Some of the top ten had an additional star, surrounded by a glowing outline as if you wouldn’t be able to recognize their superiority based on the additional star alone. The site’s highest rated Alpha however, and the guy whose profile sat at the very top of the page, completely separate from the rest had a whopping eight stars.

Bucky found himself wondering just how many Omegas the guy had fucked over the course of his employment in order to get eight stars. Eight stars in Bucky’s opinion meant he knew how to work with what he had and what he had was likely damn impressive. Still, he clicked the profile more out of the endless sea of reviews (two hundred and eleven to be exact) than because of the stars. He’d gotten used to reading the reviews where he could before even looking at the Alpha in question. It didn’t do to allow for attraction to take the wheel if the guy was a dick, and Bucky was specifically looking for someone who’d help him take control of his life this year. Professional and competent and on fucking time.

He read every single review. There were pros and cons attached to each one in reference to the Alpha in question and an additional section with twenty subcategories which were also rated with stars. These capped out at the standard five, but the Alpha whose profile reviews Bucky was reading had a full set whenever someone filled them out, consistently. From what Bucky could see, the guy was practically a paragon of Alphahood; the only real complaints (and they were also consistent) centered around the fact that he did not provide breeding services. Bucky wasn’t baby crazy by any stretch of the imagination - though he did want them and was feeling the pressure to have them, both by society and his family, and his own biological clock; at thirty he was hitting his prime breeding years and his body was very interested, constantly supplying him with dreams and daydreams and entirely too emotional responses to cherubic little faces, even when he was personally adamantly against raising pups on his own. Plenty of Omegas were single parents these days. Choosing to be bred during a heat by an Alpha of their choosing and then subsequently releasing the Alpha of the responsibility so they could go about their lives. And while the thought had occurred to Bucky - he wasn’t getting any younger and dating was getting a hell of a lot harder - he knew in his heart he’d never be happy without the bond, even if he had his own baseball team of sweet faces.

When he’d finished the review section, Bucky reviewed the Alpha’s actual profile and found himself sold all too quickly. He liked that he was a retired Army captain - they had shared life experience and Bucky knew he wouldn’t have to tip toe around this one - so he’d understand Bucky’s desire to be orderly and regimented about his heats. He was an artist who liked to cook (and could cook damn well according to reviews), enjoyed time outdoors (Bucky fucking loved being outside), and exercised regularly. Even though the guy refused to provide breeding services, the site required all of his statistics anyway. Bucky found himself nodding along at how fucking healthy the guy was. According to his daily STD scans which were posted at noon of every day for the day previous, he was completely clean - and held a record, noted by the number of checks (which he had in the hundreds) and Xs (which he had not a single one of). The only part of his profile that was blank was the ‘Sired’ category, which made sense. The only part of it filled was the very top which read ‘Breeding Available: No.’ And beneath it...Bucky whistled. An Alpha with a sperm count like that who refused to breed was almost a tragedy. Bucky could understand his peers frustrations. But, it worked for him, because despite the ‘yes someday’ to babies, he was most assuredly not in the market and had no intention to be, so it worked out just fine for him - though several reviews warned that many of the Omegas he’d been with had chosen him distinctly for the same reason and came out the other end wanting them more than ever. Still, Bucky wasn’t concerned, and clicked the ‘contact’ link. He filled in his basics and gave the guy a short, perfunctory overview of his plan and hit send. While realistically, he was aware that for his distinct level of need, and with his heat rapidly approaching, it’d be best to explore all avenues, and perhaps contact a few others on the site’s Top Twenty - putting the fact aside entirely that the Alpha he’d chosen was a site favorite and probably got inundated with requests by the minute; all reviews mentioned he replied to them despite his busy schedule - Bucky had set his mind on this Alpha in particular, and that was pretty much it for him. Feeling accomplished, he got up and stretched, before giving in to the desire to go for a run and push his body while he still could. Closing his laptop, he trotted off to get changed.

Much to his surprise, by the time he’d finished his run, had something to eat, showered and napped, there was a response waiting for him from the Alpha. Bucky clicked the link excitedly before pausing and closing his eyes. He realized the guy could be responding with a polite no and he didn’t think he could handle that, not when he finally felt like he was gaining some sort of control over his life. He held his breath a minute or so, then released it slowly, falling into the calm mental state just before he pulled the trigger. Opening his eyes, he read the response, and felt all the air leave his chest in a rush. His fingers stumbled over themselves as he hurriedly replied, giving the Alpha his schedule, complete with both expected heat start and what he felt to be the more realistic start time, given everything he was feeling. The Alpha must have been at his computer, because he replied back almost immediately, informing Bucky he was available and asking him if he’d like to meet before hand to see if they were a personality match. Bucky closed his eyes on a very personal mewl and took a moment to thank all higher powers for finally sending a competent individual attached to this year’s knotting service. He agreed to coffee and sent the Alpha the address.

An hour and twenty minutes later he was sitting in his fourth favorite coffee shop -  he was not stupid enough to ever give out the first three for tactical reasons - hands curled about his cup and trying not to look at the door every time the bell jingled. He’d bought a magazine to peruse while he waited, but it mostly sat face up above his jiggling knee under the table. Bucky wasn’t nervous as a general rule - he’d have never gotten as far in the military if he had been - but he found the closer the time came for them to meet, the more anxious he felt. The fact that he was using an agency didn’t sway him in the least. The fact that the Alpha he’d chosen, and whom his mind had happily already settled on, might end up not feeling a kinship enough to agree to undergo his heats with him for the year made him jittery as hell. Many reviewers had pointed out that the Alpha not only remembered (and prefered to use) their names during their time together, but had a keen mind for recalling every intimate detail revealed to him, recalling everything from just how they liked their knotting to their idiosyncratic tendencies, whims and preferences. He was an Alpha who believed in proper Omega care before, during and after a heat and nearly every reviewer had touched upon how easy and enjoyable their heats were while in his care. The fact that he even personally subscribed to Omega care, let alone deigned to provide it was something Bucky found he really, really wanted to experience for once in his life. And while the Alpha remained (a strange combination of tragically and blissfully) unbonded and refused to provide breeding services, Bucky had read more than one review that personally thanked him for teaching and/or reminding them what they ought to be looking for in a partner. Bucky wondered how often the guy was approached by clients for personal attention outside of a contract. He suspected incredibly often.

“Are you a pictures man or do you read it for the articles?”

Bucky looked up to find quite possibly the most gorgeous man to ever grace the Earth smiling down at him. He blinked, following the playful drop of the blond’s eyes to his National Geographic on the table. Bucky laughed, standing. “All about the articles,” he replied, smiling. “Of course the inserts aren’t half bad either.”

The guy laughed. “Steve,” he introduced himself as they shook hands. “Are you James?” He seemed to be asking out of courtesy more than uncertainty, and Bucky found he liked that a whole lot.

“Yeah. Bucky though, please. Everyone calls me Bucky.”

“Nice to meet you, Bucky.”

Bucky felt his smile tugging even wider and wondered if this was a natural occurrence for Steve. He held out his newly freed hand and gestured at the table. Steve sat with a quiet thanks, not at all concerned apparently about accepting breaks in social etiquette when offered them. Bucky’s opinion of him rose even more. “Coffee?” he asked. “Tea? A sandwich?” The last he drawled out after a long look at the Alpha sitting across from him.

Steve laughed and Bucky marveled over how relaxing it felt to be in this particular Alpha’s presence. Usually Alphas left him slightly unsettled, especially close to a heat. But Steve, for all his stature and clear Alpha status seemed about as threatening as a kitten. “Water’s fine,” he assured him.

Bucky waved one of the servers over to ask for a water for Steve. The girl - an Omega herself - bumped into exactly five tables including their own in the process of fulfilling the request. Steve smiled at her beguilingly and thanked her sincerely, making eye contact with her the entire time she was present, as if he truly appreciated her service. She flushed prettily and dropped her eyes, barely glancing up at him from below her lashes as she nervously tucked some hair behind her ear and replied in a quiet voice, “You’re welcome.” She shifted slightly, twining her fingers together and risked a glance up at him. “If...if there’s anything you need…” Bucky felt proud of her for not stressing the word. “I’ll be...just over there.” She thumbed her badge. “Sharon.”

“Thanks, Sharon,” Steve replied with a kind smile that didn’t seem the least bit forced or fake. “We appreciate it. We’ll let you know if we need anything else.”

She chanced a glance at Bucky who smiled at her, sharing an ‘I know, right?!’ moment with her before she scurried off. He laughed softly to himself, shaking his head, mindful of her trek across the room so she wouldn’t feel offended.

“What?” Steve asked, head cocked to the side.

“Nothing, pal,” Bucky replied with a chuckle. “I just can’t believe you’re actually real.”

Steve straightened, though he didn’t appear offended, merely seemingly resigned. “Why does everyone I meet say that?” he sighed.

“Because you’re a bit of a miracle,” Bucky pointed out.

Steve snorted. “It doesn’t take anything to be nice to people,” he responded. And ohhh did Bucky want to sign the damn contract and have the privilege of this man’s company for the year. Steve seemed to catch on, because he cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat, fingers toying idly with his straw. “So,” he said, crossing his legs at the ankles beneath the table. Bucky could tell because Steve’s legs were long and he could feel them adjusting just to the right of his own. “Do you want to discuss specifics?”

He was giving him an out, Bucky realized. A chance to say he wasn’t comfortable or didn’t feel like they were a good match but thanks for coming anyway, sorry for wasting your time. Jesus, nobody could be this fucking perfect. He smiled and took a sip of his coffee, deliberately dragging out the moment as he observed Steve over the rim of his cup. Steve sat quietly, upright, but hunched a bit at the shoulders, as if conscious of how his size could affect people’s decisions. Swallowing, Bucky leaned back in his own seat, deliberately stretching his legs out so his feet settled between Steve’s chair legs. “Yeah, let’s talk specifics.”

Steve pulled out his phone, holding his thumb to it for a moment, before swiping across the surface. He tapped something and then looked up at Bucky. “You said you should be peaking sometime around Thursday?”

Bucky shrugged. “I’ve been on Omniprel for three and a half years.” Steve’s eyebrow rose slightly. “System just finished flushing last week. I’m back to norm, so…”

Steve hummed and tapped something into his phone. “Do you peak early?”

“Yeah,” Bucky replied with a sigh, raking his hand through his hair. “I’m really needy just before and just after.”

Steve looked back down at his phone and swiped up with his thumb. “First heat of the season?”

“Yeah,” Bucky drawled, feeling his chest heave a deeper sigh. “I’m gonna be a fucking wreck. Sorry about that. I mean I understand-”

Steve held up a hand, shaking his head. “No apologies please,” he said, putting his phone down. He reached out, giving Bucky plenty of time to retreat before laying his hand over Bucky’s on the table and giving him a firm but gentle squeeze. “Omniprel’s a serious suppressant. Coming off it is stressful enough. I’m just trying to figure out how much time you’ll need; I want to be sure you’re safe before I leave you. That’s all.”

Bucky blinked at him, swallowing against the sudden blockage in his throat. He released a slow, too shaky for his liking exhale as Steve rubbed his thumb against his wrist supportively. “Okay.”

Steve smiled and picked his phone back up with his free hand. His fingers relaxed over Bucky’s, offering him the choice to pull away if he wanted. Bucky considered the anxiousness swirling in his gut over Steve’s sincerity and shifted his hand so their fingers interlocked lightly. Steve’s grip adjusted, so they were holding hands, fingers twined. Bucky found he could breathe a lot easier.

“It’s Tuesday,” he said apropos of nothing.

“Yeah?” Bucky replied, unsure of whether or not there was a question there.

“You figure you’ll start peaking on Thursday,” Steve explained calmly.

Well shit.

Steve’s fingers gave his a light squeeze. “Do you prefer your own space or would you rather spend it in mine?”

Bucky was aware some Omegas prefered to be completely surrounded in an Alpha. Using their environment to help ground them in the present, using it as a security and a safety net all at once. Some Alphas also prefered their own space, for performance reasons. The fact that he was getting a choice…

Bucky’s mouth quirked up in one corner. “Yeah, but is it really your place, or is it your office?”

Color graced Steve’s cheeks and Bucky grinned. He was almost positive no one had ever asked him that before. Which really, Steve was a contract Alpha. Of course he kept his own home independent of where he took Omegas for their heats. He was young, healthy and beautiful. Eventually he might decide to retire and take a mate, and he’d never be comfortable bringing them back to the same place he brought his contracted Omegas. It was common sense.

Bucky gave Steve’s hand a squeeze. “My place is fine,” he replied. “I’ll be more comfortable there. I know where everything is.”

Steve nodded and tapped something into his phone. He took a moment, reading something before hovering his thumb over his screen. “Would you like me to lock in the time?”

‘Do you want to sign with me,’ was what he was really asking. Bucky grinned at him, feeling a little dopey. “Yeah, go ahead,” he replied. “You’re OVID approved, right?”

“Yep,” Steve said, thumb pressing down on the screen. He waited a moment, nodded then put it away. “The contract will need to be signed and filed by the end of the day - they’ve sent it to you for approval, it should be in your inbox within the next ten minutes - but, I’m yours now.”

‘Yours.’ Bucky liked the sound of it. “You agreed awfully fast,” he pointed out. “Not that I’m complaining or anything.”

Steve shrugged. “I go with my gut,” he replied, casual as you please.

“Instincts ever fail you?” Bucky asked, curious.

“Nope.”

Bucky grinned. “Good to know.”

Bucky read the contract in the passenger’s seat of Steve’s car on his phone while he waited for Steve to pack up for their time together. According to the contract, they would be essentially bonded for the duration of Bucky’s heat, which allowed for certain intimacies as required by the Omega and at their own discretion. Bucky wondered how many Omegas had asked Steve to scent mark them during their heats and felt a weird prickle in his chest. He signed the contracts with his forefinger and sent them back. He trusted his gut too. It’d kept him alive more than his training ever had. He just wished his gut would make up it’s mind where the Alpha was concerned. He was pretty sure contract Omegas had no right to feel any inkling of jealousy over a biological service. It’d be nice if emotional compliance came with the contract as well.

Bucky’d had plenty of Alphas over in his time, but whether it was the contract or just Steve himself, it felt a lot different this time around. Steve looked around, but was careful not to touch anything. He was being very mindful of scenting up the environment, and Bucky appreciated that.

“Feel free to make yourself at home,” he said. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, there’s no reason you should be standing around trying to keep to yourself for the year.”

“You can contract me monthly,” Steve pointed out. As if Bucky would give Steve up for anything short of his own personal mating. Steve’s not Bucky’s. Bucky had more or less resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life.

“Do you have your heart set on that?” Bucky replied, flopping onto the couch. “Because I already put in for the year with OVID.”

Steve relaxed. He didn’t take up any more space than necessary, but he took up space more naturally than he had a moment ago. “It’s up to you,” he said crossing over to the couch at Bucky’s invitation. “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Bucky shifted, tucking one leg under him as he turned to look at him while Steve made himself comfortable. “Don’t you get a choice at all?” he asked with some concern.

Steve smiled. “Of course I do,” he reassured him. “But, I go with my gut, remember?”

Bucky grinned. “Yeah, me too.” He dropped back into the corner of the couch, dropping his legs into Steve’s lap and freezing. “Is this...I mean…”

Steve dropped a hand over Bucky’s calf and rubbed his leg. “It’s fine. I’m here for you, Bucky. Whatever I can do to make this more comfortable on you, I want you to tell me.”

Bucky suppressed the pleasured sigh as Steve’s strong fingers swept over his jean clad skin, wiggling back into the pillows and flexing his toes. “I don’t want you feeling obligated-”

“Bucky,” Steve cut him off gently. He smiled. “If I don’t want to do something, or I’m uncomfortable, I’ll tell you, all right?”

Something in Bucky seriously doubted the truth of that declaration. “Promise me.”

“I promise,” Steve vowed, so solemnly Bucky found himself swallowing. “What do you like?” he asked after a moment, fingers tracing nonsensical patterns against the back of Bucky’s knee. He dropped his other hand across the back of the couch, fingers gently reaching to toy with the ends of Bucky’s hair.

Bucky arched slightly, feeling arousal wash through him in a low wave.

“Bucky?” Steve’s voice was gentle and inquisitive.

Bucky opened his eyes - surprised he’d closed them to begin with - and met Steve’s shockingly blue ones. “I don’t…” Shame curled in the pit of his stomach. It was stupid. He knew better than to feel ashamed over his own needs. Hell, it was the entire reason he’d gone with a contracted Alpha this time around - to see that those needs were met as best as possible. Still, he found it difficult to reconcile with years of what was essentially social indoctrination. He shrugged. “I don’t really know.”

Steve nodded as if this wasn’t news. There was something not at all like pity on his face, but still spoke of a sort of tired understanding, as if Bucky’s situation was universal, and he was still struggling to accept it after all this time.

Bucky shifted, and Steve used the motion to sweep his legs up and scoot closer on the couch. Bucky’s ass met Steve’s thigh, feet against the couch even as Steve’s hand began to sweep from his hip to his ankle without apparent struggle in reach. It felt...incredibly good and Bucky relaxed into the touch. “I like that,” he conceded.

“How would you feel about an open learning curve?” Steve asked.

“Hmm?” Bucky replied, peeking up at him again.

Steve’s fingers swept around his knee as the fingers of his other hand drifted back, barely grazing his scalp. Bucky swallowed a keening sound, arching up slightly, hands fisting against his sides. Steve reached for one and drew it close, resting it flat against his side. “We’ll agree to give one another permission to go with our guts.” He gave Bucky a soft smile. “Just do what feels natural, and we’ll correct one another when necessary. If you don’t like something, just tell me to stop and I will. If you want more of something, let me know. And I’ll do the same.” He shifted closer. “It’s important that we establish a connection. So when your heat sets in, I’ll be able to give you everything you need. You won’t come out the end feeling like something’s missing.”

Bucky blinked up at him. “How did you…”

Steve sighed heavily. “It’s an unfortunate truth that communication is often severely lacking between our designations. It’s disturbingly common how many Omegas feel unfulfilled in general, but it’s completely disgraceful that they’re more likely to after a heat. While we’re together, I promise I will be here for you one hundred percent, no matter what you need, Bucky.”

Bucky swallowed against the intensity in Steve’s eyes. The air felt heavier around them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just weighted, like a particularly important moment, preparing to burn itself into memory. “I can be really needy,” he informed Steve quietly, feeling the habitual urge to drop his eyes, but unable to in the steady gaze of Steve’s regard.

“Well,” Steve replied pleasantly. “That’s good. Because I can be extremely attentive.”

Bucky snorted a laugh.

“The only thing I absolutely won’t do,” Steve informed him. “Is risk breeding you. I know that it’s something a lot of people choose me for, but I-”

“You don’t have to explain yourself,” Bucky interrupted. “Breeding is your own damn business. And anyone who tries to get you to breed them after knowing it’s something you don’t want is an asshole.”

Steve smiled, hand sliding up Bucky’s side. “It isn’t that I don’t want kids,” he replied, nodding his consent to share of his own free will when Bucky opened his mouth again. “I want plenty of kids. A whole baseball team even.” He laughed. “I just...I want my kids to be my kids. I want to raise them with my mate. It’s...it’s important to me that it’s...special, you know? I want the only kids I have to be born out of love and mutual desire and respect. Not because someone thought I looked good or got caught up in the moment.”

“You’re a romantic, aren’t you?” Bucky asked, looking at him sideways.

“Yeah, what of it?” Steve responded, tilting his chin up playfully.

“We’re a dying breed,” Bucky informed him.

“Oh?”

“You will not believe how often I’ve had some idiot knotted up in me complaining about the condom because ‘it’s such a waste’.”

Steve snorted.

“I understand that a lot of people don’t want to wait now a days, and that’s completely fine. It’s their lives and their business. Am I happy that I’m gonna be thirty-one and I don’t know what it’s like to be pregnant? No. I mean, I get that I’m ‘still young’ but at the same time, I always thought I’d be hip deep in kids by now. That was the plan. Not to sound cliché or anything - it’s not like I wanted to be a house Omega, not that there’s anything wrong with that - but I always thought I’d have everything together by now, you know?”

Steve nodded.

“I had it all planned out. I’d meet someone young, fall madly in love…”

Steve smiled. Bucky suspected he’d been similarly duped by life.

“Mate. Start my family while I was still able to keep up with them.” Most people would interrupt him at this point in his explanation to point out that Bucky was still young and fit enough to do that. Steve didn’t. “Hell by thirty, I was supposed to have been mated at least five years with about as many kids and a bunch more to come.” He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. His fingers bumped Steve’s and they tangled. “I don’t regret my life at all, but the older I get the harder it is to find someone who gives a shit. So many Omegas are going it alone because it’s just easier to admit if you can’t have the whole thing you were promised when you designated, the least you can do is fulfill your own needs. And I want kids so badly…” He wiped at his eyes. “I hate my heats because every last one is just this reminder of how wrong everything’s gone. And every time I have to go off my suppressants, the need just consumes me. It’s just this big, painful reminder of everything I don’t have. And everything I try is just...not enough. I always feel so...empty. It doesn’t help! It...I...What’s so wrong with me that no one wants me?” he asked, meeting Steve’s eyes. “Every heat I have to hear about how much some stupid knothead wants to breed me. But fill ‘em and flee ‘em! That’s all they want! And I-my kids deserve better! They deserve parents who love them and want to be with them and not..not…”

He steadied himself against Steve’s chest, surprised to find himself in the Alpha’s lap. Steve’s arms were around him and there were wet stains in his shirt. Bucky pressed his face into Steve’s neck as Steve made a throaty soothing sound and just fucking sobbed.

“You deserve better,” Steve murmured into his hair, hand smoothing over his back. “You shouldn’t have to settle for anything you don’t want because that’s ‘just the way the world works’.” He pressed a sweet, pulling kiss against Bucky’s temple. “I’m sorry you’re feeling so unfulfilled, but I promise if nothing else, I’ll do my best to ease as much of the strain as I’m able while we’re together.”

Bucky pressed his face into Steve’s neck, nose to his throat. Steve didn’t object, arms drawing him closer and holding him so securely, Bucky thought he just might crumble into nothing if he let go.

“I’m here,” Steve soothed gently. “I’m here. I have you, Bucky. Everything’s gonna be alright.”

By the time Bucky calmed enough to regain his bearings, he couldn’t quite recall the series of events, or make any accurate guess towards the time passed. All he was aware of was the fact that Steve had - at some point - made himself comfortable, and was cradling Bucky close with the same sure feeling of safety and security. Somehow Bucky’d managed to curl up about Steve’s torso, knees high up his chest and face buried in his neck. His arms were tucked just under Steve’s, whose own were wound about him unmoving, but still reassuring in the strength of his hold. The Alpha was taking all of Bucky’s weight, laying back against the couch at an angle, and if it bothered him at all - and it didn’t seem to - he wasn’t saying anything.

Bucky inhaled deeply and let the steady Alpha scent collect in his lungs. Steve, perhaps noting the change, gave a rumble of what Bucky assumed was approval and shifted his grip so he was craddling his body in the solid hold of one arm, fingers splaying against Bucky’s hip. His now free hand moved to the back of Bucky’s head and began a long, smooth stroking that was just the right pressure. He didn’t say anything though and the silence dragged out until Bucky felt compelled to address it.

Shifting, he wiggled impossibly closer, as if he could hide in Steve. Steve obligingly sat up a bit, so his shoulders shielded Bucky - from what, he couldn’t say, but it felt amazingly reassuring. As a result, more of his weight rested against Steve’s arm beneath him, which didn’t so much as twitch over the increase.

“I’m...sorry,” he murmured; nearly whined really. “Steve, I-”

“Hey,” Steve replied. His voice was even, quiet but firm. Bucky relaxed into it. Steve’s hand paused against his back, his head tilting. “Look at me.” It wasn’t an order, but it wasn’t a question either. Just enough Alpha to get through Bucky’s distress. He lifted his head, but when he didn’t lift his eyes, Steve’s fingers brushed his chin and guided it up gently. “Bucky, look at me.”

Bucky’s eyes rose slowly, afraid of what he might find in Steve’s. When their eyes did meet however, Steve’s were lit with a kindness and understanding Bucky wasn’t used to.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Bucky’s eyes flitted around, unable to hold Steve’s.

“Hey.”

He looked back at him.

Steve’s hand cupped his cheek and Bucky’s entire body pressed into the touch. “Don’t ever apologize for anything you need,” he said quietly. “Okay?”

Bucky swallowed.

“That’s why I’m here,” Steve continued. “To take care of you.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Bucky’s brow. His eyes closed at the touch, body relaxing further. Steve brought their brows together. After a moment of feeling Steve’s unwavering gaze, Bucky opened his eyes. “Anything and everything you need. I’m here for you.”

Inhaling shakily, Bucky nodded slowly. It made their noses brush and they both smiled.

“May I kiss you?” Steve asked, and it was such an odd thing, to be asked by an Alpha. Especially given the reason Steve was in his apartment.

He’d meant to say yes, but what came out was a slightly trembling, “Please.”

“If you want me to stop,” Steve said, holding his gaze. “You tell me to stop and I will. Alright?”

Bucky swallowed; his throat felt dry. “Okay,” he replied when Steve didn’t immediately comply.

Steve made a sound - of what Bucky guessed was either confirmation or approval - then reached up with his other hand, closing Bucky’s face between them. His fingers slid back into his hair and he guided Bucky forward, pushing up against the couch with his shoulders. The moment their mouths touched...Bucky had never been kissed by anyone in his entire life the way Steve kissed. He couldn’t even describe it. Not if he spoke every language on the planet and had a hundred years to document it.

Steve didn’t move anything but his lips and tongue, slowly stoking a wildfire in Bucky’s body. Drawing out sounds from somewhere deep inside that the Omega hadn’t been aware he’d even possessed. In fact, it was Bucky who began moving. The dual combination of his hardening cock and the slick sliding free of his body, encouraged by the heavy throbbing between his hips, urging him to find some kind of release. He began to rock over Steve, body making contact with the Alpha’s firm abdomen. After a while, his hips began to wind circles, and then a combination of the two, slowly losing focus and finesse, fingers gripping the cloth at Steve’s shoulders with increasing strength. And still, Steve didn’t move. Just kept kissing him in his maddening way. Kept himself a steady target for Bucky’s rutting motions. His mouth absorbing Bucky’s cries even as it encouraged more of them free.

Bucky lost all real sense of himself as he pushed against Steve’s strong shoulders. As an Alpha, Steve by definition was difficult to move, but he did, shifting back until Bucky was atop him, without sacrificing the angle that was giving the Omega in his lap so much pleasure. Bucky pushed himself upright and took. Riding the mounting pleasure mindlessly.

Steve’s hands slid down his sides, moving to rest over his hips. They didn’t guide or attempt to alter Bucky’s movements in any way. Simply settled there, a welcome pressure.

Bucky could feel his orgasm coming at him with the speed of a freight train and shoved his hips down against Steve with increased urgency, fingers trapped in knots he’d made of the Alpha’s shirt. Steve’s hands slid back and his fingers did something soft and fleeting against Bucky’s lower spine and he just fucking lost it. Entire body bowing tightly, his head snapping back, Bucky howled his pleasure to the ceiling. The intensity alone was shocking, but what really got his attention was the length of it. It seemed to go on forever before abruptly capping off. Bucky’s entire body pulled a full one eighty and he collapsed in a trembling heap atop of Steve.

Steve, who still didn’t move, except to comfort him. Winding his arms about him and smoothing his hands over Bucky’s oversensitive nerves. “Better?” he asked calmly after several moments of Bucky’s harsh gasping and uncontrollable shaking.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Bucky growled when he was finally capable of responding. He pushed himself up enough so he could look at Steve. The bastard didn’t even look smug, instead a strange sort of satisfied happiness. He smoothed a hand through Bucky’s hair and the Omega was temporarily lost to the sensation.

“Feel better?” he clarified.

Bucky blinked at him. “You’re going to be worth every cent,” he informed him.

Steve laughed.

Bucky’s heat didn’t start for another twelve hours. In that time, Steve proved to be exceptionally adept at anticipating and providing for Bucky’s needs and desires. He got him off so much, the frantic feeling that usually accompanied his heat’s arrival was distinctly absent. So absent in fact, that Bucky didn’t even realize when his body transitioned from pre-heat to full heat. Not that he was capable of focussing on much. Not with how fucking amazing Steve was.

The Alpha seemed to instinctively know where all of Bucky’s spots were. If he were guessing, then he was doing a damn fine job of faking it, because he never lost that confidence that he wore like a cloak about him. The steady, assured sort, not at all laced with insecurities. But stuffed with sincerity and earnestness.

In fact, Bucky only knew his heat had started because Steve drew away from him - and God but having an Alpha eat you out for hours on end was something every Omega deserved to experience at least once in their lifetime - shifting in his position between Bucky’s legs. He pulled off his shirt and undid his belt before attending to his fly. Bucky was automatically transfixed. Eyes glued to the main event as it was slowly revealed. Steve didn’t rush like most Alpha’s. Tearing at their clothes and throwing them everywhere before grabbing at Bucky. He wasn’t overly careful, but he was definitely leisurely. Bucky found himself swallowing as Steve adjusted, folding his pants and tossing them with astounding accuracy onto the chair in the corner.

Bucky took a moment to thank every deity in existence as his eyes drank in the sight of Steve’s erection. He was large and thick, the kind of Alpha an Omega would easily find intimidating if they brought them home without prior warning. Everything about Steve screamed virile and Bucky felt the gushing release as his body responded.

Steve looked at him - Bucky couldn’t be sure if he’d made a sound or not - and smiled. “Ready?” he asked. Bucky flopped back on the bed, arching and spreading his legs with a whine. Steve laughed again softly and stroked Bucky’s inner thigh. “It’s okay, Bucky. You can take me.” It suddenly occurred to Bucky that Steve’s constant attentiveness made a striking amount of sense now.

“In me,” Bucky whined, hips rolling. He damn well knew he could handle Steve. Hell, he was excited as all fuck to try. If Steve would stop taking his sweet ass time.

“Shh,” Steve soothed, stroking him again. “In a minute. Need to acclimate you to me first.”

He lifted Bucky’s legs, bending them at the knee and settled between them. “Have to do this part without the condom, so there’s gonna be a bit in between that’s gonna feel tight,” he explained. “Sorry.” Bucky was about to berate him - he could damn well get on with it any fucking day now - when he felt Steve’s heavy cock meet his slickened hole. Oh. OH.

Steve slid his cock against him a few times; long, steady thrusts that coated them in one another’s essences. He adjusted his hold and levered Bucky’s hips before doing it again, coating the other side. Each stroke was maddening. Since they glanced right over his entrance without once making an attempt to burrow into his body - where Bucky needed him to be.

“Steve,” he gasped, head tossing to one side. His hands made aborted grabbing motions against the Alpha’s abdomen. “Steve!”

Steve made a soothing noise and helped Bucky roll over. Bucky was quick to present, limbs scrabbling beneath him, tangling in the sheets. “Almost…” Steve soothed. “Just a little bit more, Buck, and we can start.” His hands gripped Bucky by the hips and held him down firmly. Bucky cried out, feeling his body release even more slick. He was ready! He was so ready!! “Easy…” Steve said, lining up the head of his magnificent cock. “Easy, Bucky. Can’t start just yet.” Bucky bucked in Steve’s grip, trying to thrust back to greet him. “Almost..” Steve soothed. He pushed in slowly, but shallow. Bucky cried out and tried to push back, but Steve’s grip strengthened about him. They’d agreed earlier that Steve would use his Alpha voice on Bucky whenever it felt right. So when he said, “Bucky not yet,” voice heavy with Alpha, it thrummed hard through Bucky’s entire body. He stopped moving immediately, ass in the air and face making even more of a mess of the sheets as he pressed it close and moved around, whining desperately. Steve made a soothing noise and stroked a hand down Bucky’s trembling back, following the entire length of his spine. “So good,” he praised gently - Bucky liked it, so Steve had agreed to it. He pushed forward and Bucky keened as his body stretched slowly about the oh so welcome intrusion. “Almost…” Steve panted. “Almost there.” As he bottomed out, balls pressed close to Bucky’s skin, Bucky mewled and squirmed. He still wasn’t allowed to move, and Steve stroked him reassuringly as Bucky’s body accepted him. When his muscles had contracted to accommodate Steve’s cock, body properly imprinted for the cycle, Steve slowly drew out. Bucky - unable to stop himself - immediately burst into frustrated tears.

“Shhh…Buck,” Steve soothed as he slipped free and reached for a condom. “I’m here. I’m right here. Gonna take care of you. Gonna take such good care of you.”

Bucky pressed his face into the sheets, sobbing quietly. Steve gently levered him free after a moment, turning him over and smoothing his hands over Bucky’s spred legs. “I’ve got you, Buck…” he gasped as he slid back in. Bucky watched through watery eyes as Steve’s head tipped back slightly, exposing his neck. He let out a soft, open mouthed sound when he was fully sheathed again, then drew Bucky’s hips close with both hands and leaned over him so he could kiss him sweetly. When the tears were clear and Bucky was trembling again, Steve pressed their brows together and meeting Bucky’s eyes asked, “How do you want it?”

Bucky threw both legs about him and drew him close. Steve must have seen the answer in his eyes, because he kissed Bucky again and said, “Alright.” He gathered his knees up beneath him, tucking close and wrapping Bucky up in his arms before letting loose. Bucky was only vaguely aware he’d probably bruise from the force of it later; he was far too busy being filled in every way.

Steve rode him fast and hard and deep, only alternating for the occasional long draw out before ramming home again. Bucky clung to him with all his limbs, fingers digging into the powerful muscles of the Alpha’s back. Steve’s head was beside his, and Bucky’s body was only more spurred on by the sounds of his harsh breaths. The scent of Steve was everywhere and Bucky could feel the need to lock drawing upon him. He clung closer with all the strength he yet possessed and a moment later found himself awash in pleasure as he came. Steve thrust through his orgasm, knot thickening. With one final push, they sealed together and Bucky gasped against his heart beating a million miles a minute in his chest.

Despite the fact that Steve ought to be riding his own high as his orgasm drew out, body releasing continuously in a vain attempt to impregnate the Omega beneath him, he pushed himself up onto his elbows and looked down at Bucky. “You okay?”

Bucky wasn’t capable of articulation beyond moans, so he gave him one and kissed him.

His first heat of the year passed after a week, and by the end of it, Bucky was on cloud nine. He returned to work and had to endure constant teasing from his co-workers, a good number of whom were his friends, and could get away with a few more intrusive comments.

“Sure you’re not pregnant?” Clint asked for the third time.

“Positive,” Bucky replied, rolling his eyes.

“I’m just saying,” the other Omega replied with a shrug. “I’ve only ever really seen our lot be that happy after two things: a bonding and getting knocked up.” He squinted slightly, leaning close. “You’re not…”

Bucky shoved at his shoulder. “I’m not bonded either, you idiot!”

“I don’t get it,” Clint said, shaking his head as he tapped a group of papers together.

Bucky just smiled and turned his chair to take in the exterior cameras.

He and Clint had a deep, abiding friendship, so when he felt Clint’s nose against his neck his first reaction wasn’t violence. “Get off!” he replied with a laugh, one arm gently shoving.

Clint inhaled deeply, swaying slightly with the motion, before straightening and moving back to his own chair. “I really don’t get it.”

Bucky scanned the camera outputs before turning to his friend. “I just found a really dedicated Alpha to help me out this year,” he explained, unable to stop the widening grin on his face. “A really, really dedicated Alpha. I mean, like he’s fucking amazing at it, Clint!”

Clint leaned back, extending his legs and rocking his chair from side to side slightly. “And you’re not planning to keep him?”

All of Bucky’s friends - his family, hell most everyone who knew him well, despite how much he’d rather keep his pathetic desperation to himself - knew his situation. Clint better than most. Bucky’s eyes trailed over the swell of Clint’s belly. He was happy for his friends, but at the same time, it was hard sometimes to be an outsider to their happiness. They’d never treated him any differently - especially Clint and Natasha - but there was something oddly alienating about someone close to you getting to experience everything you wanted so strongly. Bucky only felt more and more isolated as his social circle began to shrink until he was the last one left without a partner. He’d stopped going to a lot of events because being the only Stag in a happily paired off and reproducing group physically ached and only made him more unhappy at the reminder that he just wasn’t good enough.

Clint and Natasha however, would not let him bow out of all his relationships so easily and circumvented his emerging pattern by inviting him to smaller, more intimate gatherings. He was often at their home or going out to dinner with them. And when he’d dodged them a little too effectively a smidgen too long one or both would show up at his home to either drag him out or invade. Bucky was comfortable with them; so much so that often they’d encounter situations where people would assume they were a triad. Sometimes they’d correct them. Sometimes they’d ignore them. Sometimes they’d play into it. It really depended on the situation. When they played into it however, Bucky always felt hazy with the imaginary situation and would end up feeling severely low about himself for days after. He never found himself not wanting to play along though, no matter how depressed it left him later. And he always felt like a shitty friend, no matter how much he enjoyed it while it lasted.

Bucky sighed. “He’s contracted. He came into my life through an agency. OVID’s paying.”

Clint’s brows rose. “You went contract this year?”

Bucky shrugged. “I just wanted to know everything would be taken care of, you know.”

Clint nodded. It had been a few years since it’d been an issue for Clint, but it wasn’t the sort of thing an Omega ever forgot. His friend’s fingers folded over his middle and his cupped hands followed the sweep down until his arms were almost hugging his belly. “Are you going to-”

Bucky shook his head a little too fiercely. “You know how I feel about that, Clint.”

“I know. I just thought maybe…”

“No.”

Clint sighed quietly, then asked after a moment, “Can I see him?”

Bucky’s smile was instantaneous. He’d been wanting to share his good fortune for days. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone.

Clint watched with a smile of his own. When the phone was turned around the smile stuttered and he openly gaped. “Shit, Bucky.”

“I know, right?”

Clint grabbed the phone and peered down at it.

Bucky squirmed in his chair, practically climbing into it in his excitement.

“This is seriously him?”

“Where else would I get such a nice pic of such a hot Alpha?”

“A porn site?”

Bucky laughed and leaned forward. “No, that’s really him.” He reached over and began swiping. He was smugly satisfied with the way Clint’s eyes continued to widen and his mouth hung open. When Clint finally looked up questioningly, Bucky held his hands apart, laughing hard when Clint cursed at him and threw his phone at his head.

“My friends are jealous of you,” he informed Steve during their next heat together. Steve paused, lifting his head from between Bucky’s legs. No Alpha had ever been so invested in Bucky’s cock before and he loved it. Bucky grinned at him. “They’re all mated so they missed out on the chance to contract you.”

Steve huffed softly, twisting his fingers expertly in Bucky’s ass. “You keep saying I constantly surprise you, but you do the same thing,” he replied.

Bucky moaned, arching into the touch as Steve leaned forward and ran his tongue up the underside of Bucky’s cock. Sure, it wasn’t the main event during a heat, but that didn’t mean it didn’t still work. And the fact that Steve knew that and was mindful of it made the pleasure flood twice as intoxicatingly through his system. “Me?” he gasped after a moment, catching on to what Steve had said.

Steve hummed. Since Bucky’s cock was in his mouth when he did it, Bucky responded with a low groan. Leaning back, the Alpha wrapped long fingers about his shaft and began an excruciatingly slow gliding motion that just barely tugged Bucky’s skin along for the ride. “Yeah, you,” he said, mouth quirked in a small smile Bucky had never seen before. “Usually, things go the other way.” Steve didn’t like to discuss clients with clients and Bucky respected that. Steve also made it a point to never mention the fact that he was doing a service which he also performed for others in the same contracted duration. But every now and again, Bucky supposed he caught him off guard and Steve slipped. Never enough to be disrespectful, but enough that Bucky felt honored by his honesty.

He snorted. “They buy into the whole thing, huh?”

Steve hummed his agreement.

“Yeah, well…” Bucky arched with a gasp, trying to shove his cock up into Steve’s grip - just short of maddening in the way it was only the right amount of pressure and nowhere near enough. “I’m not most Omegas.”

Steve laughed, low and open. The sound of it sent a new wave of arousal washing through Bucky’s nerves. “Yeah, I’m discovering that.”

“You know, I didn’t quite believe it when Clint explained, but this…” Natasha looked him up and down. Bucky just grinned at her. She gripped his chin and lifted it, inspecting his neck, then walked around him, pushing his head forward and tugging his collar down.

“I’m not mated,” he informed her flatly.

“I can see that,” she replied. Stepping back, she folded her arms across her chest and looked him over. “Take off your shirt.”

“Tasha!” he objected.

“Shirt. Off.” She said it in a friendly manner, insistent but not demanding. When the occasion called for it she could Alpha Bucky better than anyone he knew - with the possible exception of Steve now, but then they were sharing his heats, so it made sense - but she never pressed unduly.

Bucky rolled his eyes and yanked his shirt off, dropping it to his side, dangling in one hand.

Natasha circled him, touching him gently every now and again. She dropped down in front of him after several moments and pressed her nose below his belly button, inhaling deeply.

“Well,” commented Clint from the doorway. “Nice to know the rounder I get the less attractive I am.”

“She doesn’t believe me either,” Bucky informed him.

“Coming off your second heat glowing?” Clint scoffed in return, passing them to open the refrigerator. “Who would?” He pulled out the orange juice and uncapped it. “That’s two in a row now.”

Bucky threw up his hands, shirt swinging and nearly catching him in the face. “He’s contracted!!”

“That doesn’t mean shit and you know it,” Clint replied around the mouth of the bottle.

Bucky jerked at the unexpected sensation of Natasha licking him. “Nat, what the hell!!”

She leaned back with a heavy sigh, hands about his hips. “You’re not pregnant.”

“Yeah, because I’m not contracting him for breeding services,” he drawled. “We use condoms!”

There was a frown to her brow and she stood. Taking his shirt from him, she straightened it out then held it up for him to slip back into. The Alphas in his life - Natasha especially - were always doing things like that. It was both frustrating in its reminder of what he was lacking and so thoughtful that it left an ache in his heart that any Alpha would care enough to give him even the most minor personal attention. Especially when he wasn’t oozing pheromones.

After his shirt was settled, Natasha gripped him by the base of the head and drew their brows together, squeezing gently. Bucky relaxed into the loving hold and everything was forgiven. “So,” she said, crossing over to her mate and taking the bottle of juice out of his hand.

“Hey!” he protested.

Natasha shoved a bottle of water in his grasping hands and Clint sighed heavily.

“When do we get to meet him?”

Clint perked, slight forgotten as he looked expectedly at Bucky.

“Uh...you don’t,” Bucky replied, confused. “He’s contracted.”

Natasha waved a hand as if his statement didn’t mean anything.

“I don’t even see him unless I’m in heat.” At Natasha’s raised brow he added, “Yes, he’s that busy!” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up the web page. “Look, see!” he said, holding it out for her to view.

Natasha deftly plucked the phone from his hand and leaned in to peck him sweetly against the temple. Clint laughed as Bucky blinked, Natasha walking smoothly away from them, Bucky’s phone in hand.

“You make it too easy!” Clint informed him as his mate moved to sit on the couch in the living room. He slapped a hand to Bucky’s back, sliding his arm around him. “Come on, you just got off a cycle. And I’m pregnant. We get to eat fun stuff!!”

Bucky sighed and accepted the fact that he would not be getting his phone back any time soon. He was only slightly grateful his heat was over for the month and so Natasha wouldn’t be able to intercept any messages from Steve.

“What do you want?” he asked Clint; cooking would at least take his mind off Natasha’s snooping.

“Psh!” Clint replied, flagging a hand. “Phil’s home. He can cook. PHIL!!”

“So pregnancy ruins your autonomy,” Bucky drawled. “Good to know.”

“Just wait,” Clint replied, looping their arms together. “When it finally pans out, you’re going to love every minute of it!” He grinned at him. “Really, this…” He gestured down at his belly with his free hand and leaned in. “Drives them fucking crazy. They’ll do anything for you!”

Bucky shook his head. “You’re so fucking spoiled.”

Clint merely beamed at him. “Yup!”

Bucky liked Phil. He was the kind of Alpha Bucky had always wanted for himself. Sort of like Steve, now that he thought about it. Phil never used his Alpha nature to push anyone around and in fact, it was often easy to forget he was an Alpha at all. Clint’s other mate - and leave it to his idiot friend to luck out and double mate - was in Homeland Security. He was around so little, it was ridiculously easy to forget Clint even had another mate. But when Phil was home, there was a certain peace to the household that was difficult to miss. Bucky still wasn’t sure how the three of them did it. Natasha and Phil were not intimate with each other, though they were happy enough to be intimate with Clint at the same time whenever he wanted it - and Phil was around. And yet there was a certain camaraderie about them that was difficult to find in Alphas who shared a living space while mated. Bucky supposed it came from having to deal with Clint all the time and their mutual, unconditional love for him.

Phil was gentle in nature and while he could be as dangerous - perhaps even more so - than any fully trained Alpha in defense of their own, he was generally easy to be around. Bucky found he always felt extra relaxed when Phil was home, even if he didn’t see him. It might have to do with how happy it made Clint - Omegas who were close could affect one another’s moods fairly regularly - or the way the house just pulsed with the combined might of two strong Alphas. Whatever the case, Bucky found it ridiculously easy to hang around longer than he usually felt comfortable when Clint’s household was at capacity. Today - sated from another well met heat cycle, and with both Alphas in residence - was no different.

“You’re looking well, Bucky,” Phil commented, spatula in hand.

“I’m finally not scrabbling around to get my shit together,” he replied around a mouthful of obscenely decadent French Toast. Everybody ate better when Phil was home.

“He found an Alpha to take care of him,” Clint informed his mate eagerly.

Phil didn’t outwardly react, but Bucky could see his nostrils flaring from where he sat. “I’m not mated and I’m not pregnant,” he reiterated.

“I still don’t know why,” Clint drawled, pouring more syrup on his own meal.

“Clint. Sugar,” Natasha called from the living room.

Clint made a face at Phil. His male mate crossed over to him and rubbed noses, before removing the syrup from his immediate reach. Clint made a hurt sound and turned to Bucky. “I take it back. You don’t want this life.”

Bucky snorted at his friend’s distress.

Neither of his mates seemed immediately concerned by it though. Natasha was quiet and Phil set the syrup down on the counter by the stove. Clint had always had a bit of a thing for extremes - sweet, sour, spice - Bucky suspected it was getting worse now that he was pregnant. He did not envy either of his friend’s mates having to deal with curbing him.

“Are they doing a good job?” The question came out casually, but Bucky knew better. For all that their numbers had grown since the post-war baby boom, Omegas were still grossly outnumbered and general concensus regularly swayed between treating them like gold and treating them like disposable lust receptacles. Omegas had it a lot easier now a days than their predecessors, but sometimes it seemed like there were too many options. It made it hard to read people.

Any Alphas that were stable enough to have Omegas in their social groups they weren’t actively fucking tended to get extremely protective and territorial of them, as if in compensation. Unbonded Omegas being especially susceptible to their Alpha friends’ well meant intentions. As the last unbonded Omega in their friend group, Bucky endured a lot of Alpha posturing. He understood and appreciated the sentiment behind it so he tried not to let it affect him - even if some days were harder than others. It had certainly come in handy on more than enough occasions. And despite the fact that the love and affection were different from what he so desperately needed at his core, it was enough to keep him going. Not quite enough to keep hope alive, but a reassurance that not all Alphas were assholes. And that if he ever needed them, they would all come, whatever the cause.

“Whatever he’s doing, he’s got Bucky living on a cloud,” Clint commented, sullenly poking at his food.

“He’s very attentive,” Bucky assured Phil. “He has to be, it’s his job.”

He knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as it was out of his mouth. Phil straightened and put the spatula down for starters. He turned, and it wasn’t the sort of movement Bucky was used to seeing from him at home. It was the Agent of the government, I will fuck up your entire life, sort of motion. Bucky actually recoiled instinctively. He trusted Phil, but the Alpha wasn’t hiding what he was in that moment and it made Bucky’s entire being want to hurry up and appease him so he wouldn’t hurt him. It was a ridiculous notion, Bucky fully admitted it - Phil would never hurt him and he could more than hold his own - but it was hard to argue with instincts.

“You contracted?” he said, a dangerous edge to his voice.

“What’s wrong with contracting?” Clint asked from beside him, straightening. It was something he was able to do only because of the mating bond they shared. He was also acting on instinct; an attempt to protect his fellow Omega by drawing his mate’s attention to himself.

Phil didn’t look at him, eyes fixed on Bucky. “I want to see your contract.” It wasn’t a request.

Bucky swallowed and edged off his seat. “Natasha…” He gestured helplessly to his right. “Natasha has my phone.” If he were on his suppressants, Bucky knew he wouldn’t be affected. There were many, varied, specifically intricate reasons Omegas made up the brunt force of military special forces the world over. And Bucky was the best. Everyone knew that. But off his suppressants, in Alpha territory, and unmated...instinct came first - something he’d always hated - the only means most Omegas had had available to them for centuries to keep them alive. It was difficult to fight them, especially when it came unexpectedly from someone he trusted.

Arms wound about him and he felt Natasha press into his back. She tossed his phone at Phil who caught it and left without another word. Clint got up from his seat and moved to embrace Bucky, Natasha shifting to draw both of them close. She didn’t make any soothing noises or voice any reassurances, just held them until Bucky stopped shaking.

“Are you okay?” Clint asked sometime later.

Bucky nodded and scrubbed at his face. “I should probably go.”

“No,” Clint responded. “You need to stay. Phil has to apologize and explain what the fuck that was about!”

Natasha nuzzled Bucky behind his ear, hand smoothing back Clint’s hair. “He didn’t mean to scare you,” she explained. “He’s just wound a little tight over his last assignment. It didn’t end well.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?!” Clint asked affronted.

Natasha smoothed her hand over his belly and Clint snorted.

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid!”

“Stress,” she reminded him.

“I swear, the both of you!!”

Natasha kissed him, slow and deep.

Usually Bucky tried to avoid them when they engaged so intimately - mate to mate - but Natasha still had an arm about him, holding him close, and he wasn’t secure enough yet to leave the safe harbor she was offering. So he pressed his face to her shoulder and waited it out. Luckily he didn’t have to wait long.

Natasha rubbed his back and pressed a kiss to his hairline. “Phil’s just worried about you, Bucky. About how safe you are.”

He released a low, only slightly wavering exhale of defeat. “I know.”

“And he’s not used to you--”

“Like this, I know.”

She patted his back. “He’ll feel horrible about it when he calms down. Come on, let’s go snuggle on the couch.”

Neither Omega objected.

Phil did indeed return after about an hour, head hanging and Bucky’s phone at his side. He approached them slowly and got down on his knees in front of them, respecting the boundary of both Natasha’s protection and Bucky’s personal bubble. He sat back and offered Bucky his phone which Bucky took after only a minor internal hesitation, before launching into an apology so heartfelt that Bucky couldn’t really stand to let him continue. Unfortunately, Clint insisted, so he sat uncomfortably while Phil explained how an agency named Hydra had used Omegas natural biological requirements against them. Creating contracts which had essentially landed the Omegas in sexual enslavement. Bucky really didn’t want to hear it, because it made him both enraged that because of his injury there was nothing he could do about it any longer, and sick to his stomach that so many of his own had thought they were taking control of their lives, only to end up in a hell hole. The fact that most hadn’t survived, and the few who had were in for a lifetime of therapy and hospitalization didn’t help.

By the time Phil finished, Bucky was walled in on all sides. An Alpha on each side and Clint wedged against him between them. He was horrified, but grateful all the same. He nuzzled Phil’s jaw until the Alpha relaxed against him.

“Thanks, Phil,” he murmured. “I know you probably just jeopardized your career for sharing that.”

Phil shook his head. “I was out of line. I shouldn’t have been so rough with you.”

“I’m a big boy,” Bucky replied. “I can handle it.”

“You’re off suppressants and imprinted on an Alpha who isn’t around. You’re vulnerable and I exploited that. I’m sorry. You’re my friend; the last thing I want to do is make you feel unwelcome.”

“You’re spending the night, right?” Clint asked from below his own chin.

Bucky sighed.

“You’re spending the night,” Clint informed him. “I don’t think any of us are going to be able to sleep after that, and definitely not with you alone and vulnerable hanging over us.”

“I have military grade weapons in my apartment,” he informed him. “And a doorman. Who’s a Beta.”

“You’ll sleep in the middle with me.”

“I’ve killed people. With my bare hands,” he reminded him.

“You’re off suppressants, I’m pregnant and Phil owes us at least three apology meals. Don’t make me hold you here at arrowpoint.”

Bucky heaved a sigh. “I didn’t bring anything.”

“What’s wrong with your skin?”

“Clint,” his mates groaned.

“What?!”

“I am so sorry about this,” Bucky greeted Steve with a heavy sigh.

For his part, Steve didn’t look all that surprised - or all that intimidated, which really did things to Bucky that had no business being involved in his present position; even if his heat would be starting in a few hours. Light glinted off the metal of the sword tucked casually between them, Wade’s other arm about Bucky’s middle and his body pressed up against his back. Really, Bucky had known better. He had. But Phil and Natasha had insisted - and Clint had undoubtedly goaded them on until casual interest became some kind of protective paranoia - and Bucky had figured if letting them meet Steve and see that he was a nice, unthreatening Alpha just before would keep them from staking out his apartment during his heat - because he knew they would - then it would be worth the time, aggravation, posturing and threats. Unfortunately, Clint had opened his big mouth and told Darcy he was getting to meet ‘Bucky’s Super Alpha’. Darcy - who was in a happily balanced Alpha-Beta-Omega triad - had a habit of going home and telling her mates everything. In concern, Jane - her Beta - had called Pepper, who happened to be with Tony, who immediately called Rhodey, who, of course, called Phil. Thor - Darcy’s Alpha - mentioned it to Peter, who told Wade who demanded he be present to ‘fuck up’ Bucky’s ‘heat toy’ if it came to it. Bruce - the only sane person in their friend group - had called Bucky to give him a head’s up. And that was how Bucky had ended up with four Alphas, a Beta and three fellow Omegas in his apartment an hour before Steve was set to arrive. The only thing that had saved him from complete and utter embarrassment - as if it weren’t bad enough - was the fact that because it was such short notice, several people hadn’t been able to clear their schedule in time for the meeting. Peter had come, even though he hadn’t been able to get the time off, because they were all well aware that he was the only one who could rein Wade in.

Steve shifted his weight, using the motion to take in the group, even as Bucky (and Wade’s sword) motioned him in. Bucky shut the door behind him and followed him into the living room where the group waited, Wade still plastered to his back.

“This is about Hydra,” Steve said, eyes holding Phil’s. It was a plain statement; without question, though there was a weariness to his tone.

Phil regarded him coolly. “This is about Hydra,” he agreed.

“I’ve only ever worked at Shield,” Steve informed them. He was calm, actively passive, but Bucky could practically feel the contempt in him.

It seemed like the other Alphas could too though, because they all took him in with measured gazes. At his back, Wade’s body was tensing for a fight. His hand had slid low, centered over what was vastly considered equally both an Omega’s greatest strength and their most obvious weakness. It wasn’t the first time one of Bucky’s Alpha friends had done as much to him - it was a protective instinct they often failed to realize - but where he had always found it comforting before, he felt a gnawing irritation now.

Steve sighed - more to relieve tension, Bucky thought. “What Hydra did…” He stopped, hands curling into fists and inhaling deeply. Bucky could see the ticking of his jaw. He could tell Phil, Wade and Natasha were in full agreement without prior consultation - they wanted to hear what he had to say. Were testing his reactions to be absolutely certain he was safe to leave Bucky alone with. And while Bucky could understand their reasoning, and even respect their concern, this close to heat, he really had no patience for it. Unfortunately, much to his own displeasure, he’d begun to scent already. Pheromones wafting free of his skin in thickening waves that only further complicated the situation. An unbonded, fertile Omega coming into estrus in an apartment full of healthy, capable Alphas, all of whom he shared emotional ties to - to varying degrees. At present, Steve’s imprint was strong enough that the others wouldn’t consciously challenge him over something like biology. Especially since they were all mated, and in the case of three of them, in the presence of their mates. But, if they thought for any reason at all that Bucky was in danger or did not feel comfortable stepping away, it would be a fight. And Bucky would find himself herded away into a safe corner with Clint, Darcy and Peter to wait out the destruction of his apartment. Which would likely end in him being forced to ride out his heat alone. After being nearly smothered in Alphas, the mere thought of it…

He didn’t mean to make any noise, but he had all the same. The pained sound drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Wade bumped his nose against the back of Bucky’s head and drew him close to check his front for injury. Perhaps concerned he’d caught him against his blade.

Steve met his eyes, and Bucky watched the fight go out of them. The anger draining from his system leaving a visible change in him. He straightened, chin lifting and turned to the others as Peter crossed over - taking a slightly wider path around the unfamiliar Alpha - and pressed up against Bucky, head tipping back over his shoulder, which immediately enraptured Wade. Bucky could feel him relax against him and Peter eased Bucky from his grasp, taking his place. Bucky swept a hand over Peter’s hip in thanks as he stepped free - knowing well enough to remain in Wade’s bubble until things were settled, else risk an unprovoked incident; Wade could be difficult to predict.

“Is this an intervention?” Steve asked the group at large.

Clint stood from his seat and moved between his mates, looping his arms in one of each of theirs to ground them. “No,” he replied cheerfully. “We really did just want to meet you. Well, Darcy and I really, really wanted to meet you. The rest of them are here for the bragging rights.”

“Hi!” Darcy said, stepping into focus with a small wave. “And can I say, wow. I mean, my Alpha is a God, but you’re just…” She waved her hands around, as if to encompass all of him, then squeezed both hands together tightly and bit her lower lip, making a rumbling sound.

“Darcy!” Jane gasped, catching her mate by the shoulders.

“What?!” Darcy defended. “Look at him! He’s absolutely perfect! No wonder Bucky’s glowing! It’d be physically impossible not to after having his-”

“Darcy!” Jane dropped a hand over Darcy’s mouth, the Omega’s nostrils flaring above her skin. Jane turned to Steve. “I am so sorry! Darcy’s just…”

Steve smiled, some of the tightness in his shoulders easing in amusement. Omegas wanting him was familiar territory. Even if it was just a playful flirt from a happily - and well cared for, Bucky fucking knew - bonded Omega. “It’s all right, I understand.”

Bucky inched closer to Steve. Steve, who had weathered a psychological ambush by putting Bucky’s needs first. No one had ever put him first, and Bucky wanted to shove Steve down and ride him and he didn’t care who the fuck was around to see.

That thought might have come across rather loudly if the way Steve’s head swiveled, eyes focusing on him was any indication. He inhaled deeply and didn’t exhale right away. Bucky swallowed thickly, feeling the spike in arousal like a full bodied burn.

“Well,” Pepper said, clearing her throat. She was taking covert inhales through her slightly parted lips, Bucky noticed. “I think we’ve done enough damage for today.” She shooed at the group with her hands.

Clint grinned and started for the door, towing his mates along behind him. Pregnant belly looking almost like the bow of a ship as he navigated the hormonal soup the air had become. “Really nice to meet you,” he told Steve as he passed him.

Steve nodded.

Jane ushered Darcy out by the shoulders. The smallest Omega pausing by Steve and making a sweeping motion with both hands before giving a full bodied tremble. “You smell amazing!!” she informed him. “SO AMAZING!” Jane gave her an extra nudge and Darcy tipped sideways, stumbling into Jane’s embrace. “Did you smell him?” she asked her mate, leaning into her side. She gave an appreciative moan. “Bucky’s so lucky!”

“Let’s get you home,” Jane consoled. “I think you and Bucky may have synced again.”

“Come on Wade,” Peter said, tugging his mate’s arm. “We’re going to be late picking up Ellie.”

Wade sheathed his blade and threw an arm about Peter. “When are you going to give me one?”

Peter huffed a snort. Their daughter had been born of a dalliance with a Beta in Wade’s past. When her mother had died, social services had tracked Wade down. He and Peter - who had been only courting at the time - suddenly found themselves with a baby. Strangely enough, Ellie had brought them closer together. Wade’s love and dedication to his child cementing Peter’s decision to mate with him. They’d been so busy raising their child and with Peter’s body in full nesting mode, dissipating his heat cycle sans suppressants, they hadn’t much had time for any of the ‘fun stuff’ as Wade liked to call it. A lot of people tried to put the blame on Peter’s heat loss, but Wade had equally stopped going into rut, and saw no reason anyone but them should be concerned about it. Which was for the best, because no one dared bad mouth Wade’s family within earshot.

But with Ellie in Kindergarten, and their cycles still gone, Bucky knew Peter was beginning to feel the strain. He was younger than Bucky, but he’d had a more difficult home life and he craved a family with an intensity that could startle. Thankfully, he was mated to Wade. It was hard to be surprised by Peter after meeting Wade. They were a perfect match.

“You should hang out with Bucky more now that he’s cycling,” Wade informed his mate. “Maybe it’ll rub off.”

“Maybe,” Peter conceded.

Bucky made a mental note, because it wasn’t the worst idea. He’d talk to Peter after his heat was over. If he could be of any help, he’d damn well do his best. Peter was a good guy, he deserved all the babies he could happily endure.

Pepper was the last out the door, smiling at them pleasantly, before closing it behind her. Bucky heard the lock engage and knew Pepper had used her clearance as one of his Alpha powers to lock them in - and everyone else out. She could have engaged the scent flush, but she didn’t and Bucky was grateful she hadn’t. For all the scents swimming around his apartment during a heat could make things uncomfortable, at the moment a scent flush could have broken the mood. If anything, the additional scents seemed to be provoking Steve, who turned to face him, jaw set. Bucky had never seen him anything but pleasant or passionate, and it turned him on like he’d never been turned on before.

He practically threw himself at Steve, hands yanking at his belt and fly. “I’m so sorry about that,” he husked, in a rush. The heavy sound of Steve’s belt hitting the floor deeply satisfying. “I didn’t know that it’d turn out that way or I never would have-”

“It’s fine,” Steve replied, catching his shoulders in strong hands. “I understand.”

Bucky yanked Steve’s shirt open, sending buttons flying. “Yeah, but…”

“They love you,” Steve told him. “They wouldn’t have been so close to challenging me over you if they didn’t.”

He paused, fingers tangled in the fabric of Steve’s shirt. “I don’t think it would have been a fight.”

“Maybe not. I definitely wasn’t helping.” He heaved a sigh, hands smoothing over Bucky’s arms. “I’m sorry. It’s just...the whole thing makes me so angry.”

Bucky nosed the underside of his jaw in support.

“Look at you...you’re shaking! Bucky, I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” he gasped, practically climbing Steve, one leg thrown up high over his hip. “It’s fine! Just…” He rocked into Steve, mewling at the hard length still trapped in clothing. “Please!”

“Okay, Buck,” Steve soothed. “Okay…”

Bucky gasped, wrapping every limb about him as Steve hoisted him up into his arms. It took him very few strides to carry Bucky into the bedroom and drop him into the downy softness Bucky only ever tolerated when he was heat high.

Steve made quick work of stripping them both and rolled a condom on one handed as Bucky squirmed in need beneath him.

“Steve...Steve…”

“I’m here. Shh...I have you.”

“No, no…” Bucky whined and Steve immediately froze. Bucky made a hurt noise and dragged him close with both arms about his neck. “Don’t be gentle with me, Steve! Please, not now.”

Steve relaxed into the guiding motion, allowing himself to be drawn close.

Bucky buried both hands in golden hair and gripped tight. “Fuck me, Steve,” he gritted out, through clenched teeth, body coiled tightly against the lingering scents drifting through his apartment. “I want you deep and hard and fast. I want you to take me like you need me and I want you to bite me.”

“Are you sure?” Steve asked, eyes slightly wide.

“Yes,” Bucky replied. “Mark me up! I can’t take it! I feel all tangled up and I-”

“I know,” Steve murmured, sinking into the bed and kneeing Bucky’s legs open; pushing forward until he was bent nearly in half. He planted his hands on either side of Bucky’s chest and holding his eyes, entered him in one smooth, strong glide.

A clearer headed Bucky would not be proud of the sound he made or the way his face contorted as he was filled so efficiently. Thankfully, small embarrassments were easily lost in the heat haze.

Steve dropped their brows together and began to thrust, holding Bucky’s gaze captive. Their noses rocked against one another and they panted into one another’s mouths as he quickened the pace, nearly drawing out entirely before slamming back in. Bucky keened, chest arching and hands scrabbling at the Alpha’s chest.

The soundtrack to the first hour of Bucky’s third heat became the sharp slap of skin, harsh gasps, heightening cries and the slide of the bed against the floor. By the time they were locked together, Steve’s back was sporting raised welts and Bucky’s neck and shoulders were peppered with the indentations of teeth, which Steve spent their knot time decorating with bruises.

Bucky fell asleep sore and sated and slick with exertion to the pulse of Steve inside him.