Better Together: Green Series 6 (Pre-Serum Omega!Steve x Alpha!Bucky AU)

Eight

"So," Bucky started, applying his nightly moisturizer.

Spitting the foamy dregs of toothpaste out, Steve repeated, "So?"

"How do you want to tell the 'rents?" Bucky prompted.

"Oh, um," Steve hesitated, unsure. After all, he still felt like if he focused and acknowledged the pregnancy too much, he'd miscarry. Half-teasing, "Do we have to tell 'em?"

"I think they'll figure it out when we start bringing a new baby around," Bucky joked.

Steve sighed and admitted, "I just don't wanna jinx it, ya know?"

"I know," Bucky assured, taking a step to the side so he could hug Steve from behind. Hooking his chin over Steve's slender shoulder, he rested his hands on the small curvature of the bump, "But we can't think of it like that."

"I know," Steve sighed again, placing his own hands over Bucky's and lacing their fingers together. Needing that to ground himself. "It's just hard not to."

Kissing the mating bite at the crook of Steve's neck, Bucky suggested, "C'mon, let's go to bed."

Nodding, Steve turned around in Bucky's grasp to face him and stood on his toes to give him a sweet kiss. Agreeing around a yawn, "Your kids are exhausting."

"Yeah, they must get it from you," Bucky joked, leading the way out of the bathroom.

"Shit, burn," Steve deadpanned, removing his hearing aids and making sure they were charging before climbing into bed. Checking his phone, he found a text from Tibby. Asking, "Got anymore of those dolls? The other ones sold out and there's demands for more!"

"I've got a whole tub full, I'll take some pictures tomorrow," Steve replied before setting his phone down and taking his glasses off.

Bucky waited until Steve was settled before he sidled up to him. With his robotic prosthetic charging on top of his dresser, he slung his flesh arm around Steve's torso. Resting his hand on the tiny bump, he kissed the back of Steve's neck, "Love you."

Yawning, Steve confirmed, "Love you too."

With his alpha warm and present against his back, purring, Steve was lulled into sleep. Vaguely wondering how he had ever gotten any sleep before he had Bucky there to keep him safe.

"Stevie! Stevie, wake up! It's time!"

Blinking his eyes open, Steve rolled over to see what was going on and paused. He wasn't in his bedroom. He wasn't even in a house. He was in the hospital. More accurately, a delivery room.

Looking to his side, Steve found Bucky dressed in scrubs with a surgical mask covering his handsome face. Confused, Steve's brows furrowed, "What's going on?"

"It's almost time to push," Bucky answered as though it was the most obvious thing ever.

Fear shot down his crooked spine as he looked down at his abdomen. It was practically flat and definitely not time to push. It wasn't even almost time to push.

Shaking his head, Steve argued, "No. No, no, no. It's not."

"You can't keep them in forever, Stevie," Bucky lightly teased. Hoisting Steve's skinny leg, so he could start pushing, Bucky encouraged, "You've got this."

"No, it's not time," Steve continued, "We need to leave."

"C'mon, doll," Bucky sighed.

Steve pleaded, "It's not time. It's not. It's too soon."

"Don't be silly," Bucky playfully rolled his eyes and leaned over to kiss Steve's temple.

Then, intense cramping started. Just like labor pains and Steve couldn't help but cry because it wasn't time. It wasn't time. It was too soon. It was way too soon. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Not like this. Not after everyth–

Steve? Stevie? Steve, wake up!

Heavy eyes blinking open, Steve found his gaze blurry against the dimly lit room. Reaching out, along the end table until he felt his glasses. Shaking and panting, Steve found himself back in his bedroom and safe in his bed. Beside him, Bucky was watching him and holding his arm out to him cautiously. As though he wasn't sure if he could touch him.

"Sorry," Steve breathlessly apologized for waking his mate and scaring him.

"It's okay," Bucky waved his comment off. "Are you okay?"

"Just a bad dream," Steve assured, trying to calm himself. "I'm okay."

Bucky moved closer, but still didn't touch him as he asked, "You sure?"

Before he could answer, Bucky tenderly wiped Steve's tears away. Funny, Steve didn't even know that he was crying until then. Reaching up, Steve felt his own damp face, confused by the tears just as he was confused by the nightmare.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"I don't know," Steve sniffled, rubbing over his still-developing bump. "I just never want to think about that ever again."

Bucky nodded, "Do you want some tea or something?"

"Ginger ale?" Steve requested.

"Sure," Bucky agreed, climbing out of bed and leaving their room.

For a moment, Steve just laid there. Wondering how he could've had such a vile dream. But Steve also knew it was just a nightmare. He was okay. Their baby was okay. But most of all, everything else was going to be okay.

Bucky returned with a glass half-full of the ginger soda. Handing it over to Steve, Bucky marked over his slender shoulder and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Checking the clock, he found that it was only two in the morning, and he sighed in annoyance at himself and his fears. Taking a few sips of the ginger ale, he felt his stomach settle and assured, "I'm okay. Let's just get some sleep."

"You sure you don't wanna talk about it?"

Although Steve knew that Dr. Strange would encourage him to talk about his nightmare, he was having difficulty actually do so. Especially with how intimate it had been. So, he decided to shake his head and laid back down, "I'm sure."

Turning out the light, Bucky cuddled up to Steve. Holding him tight, Bucky quietly offered, "Maybe in the morning."

Despite knowing that he probably wouldn't, he still agreed, "Maybe in the morning."

Kissing the back of Steve's neck, he settled his hand on the bump again, Bucky wished him, "Sleep tight, Stevie."

Setting his glasses on the end table, Steve shook from the nightmare and hugged Bucky's arm tighter. Wanting that comforting scent to envelope him. Especially after that nightmare.

Scent marking Steve's torso, Bucky gave his neck another kiss. Bringing them closer together as he held him tighter. Knowing exactly what Steve needed in that moment.