Secrets Don't Make Friends

Friends Don't Poison Friends

Chapter 9: Friends Don't Poison Friends

Tony made several calls that afternoon in the barn. By the time he came out his shoulders felt lighter, his hobbling steps had an extra skip to it, and the tightness around his eyes had eased. He felt something that was approximately close to happy, and he could hardly believe it. For a moment he imagined a life here, as part of the Avengers pack, and what that would entail. What that would feel like. Tony had only ever been a part of a very small pack, and his life under his father's rule had been nothing short of terrible. Here... here with the avengers he felt almost a part of the team. They had certainly warmed up to him over the past couple of weeks. They even seemed to care about him, which was as surprising as it was refreshing.

He had spent a couple of hours in the barn making his calls. When he walked outside into the fresh air and the bright light of the late summer afternoon, his eyes immediately lighted upon the strong and unmistakable form of Steve Rogers. Had Steve been out here waiting the whole time? The Alpha was leaning against the house, strong arms crossed over his broad chest, his chin tucked downward as he stared at the grass that swayed gently by his feet. He seemed to be lost deep in thought. Tony felt the tight bands in his chest loosen at the sight of the strong Alpha, a begrudging smile tweaking the corners of his lips as he made his way over to Steve.

Tony was learning to relax in the other man's presence. He was learning that Steve was not his father, and although not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he wasn't a terrible Alpha. And maybe, just maybe, he would become someone that Tony could lean on.

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"Absolutely not," Tony crossed his arms in a textbook defensive gesture over his chest as he tilted up a stubborn chin to meet Steve's startlingly blue eyes stare for stare. Any warm, soft, feelings that had been percolating in his chest only a scant few hours ago had disappeared after the super soldier's latest suggestion.

Steve blew out a hard breath, strong hands coming down to frame his hips. The Alpha was wearing a pair of well worn blue jeans paired with a black polo shirt that clung to his broad shoulders. He had gone inside to clean up a couple of hours ago and to catch up on some paperwork. Tony couldn't help but notice, with a tiny curl of satisfaction, that there were still some glittering red speckles streaked through the captain's hair.

"Please help me understand,"Steve said with a measured patience in his voice that made Tony feel a little smaller. "Bruce is a doctor too, all I am saying is he could take a look-"

"No. No. A thousand times no," Tony's lips firmed, the defiance in his eyes wavering for a moment as he belated added "Alpha."

Steve shook his head slightly.

"Look, I like Brucey bear. And he is a doctor, sure," Tony said with a tense shrug "but he is not a specialist in the Omega reproductive field. And although I'm sure he could figure it out because he's a smart guy, I'd rather stick with my own doctor who already knows everything there is" he waved a hand up and down his torso "there is to know about my body."

Steve paused for a moment before he inclined his head. "Alright, fair point. Your body, your choice. Did you call and make an appointment? What time do we need to be there for?"

Tony opened his mouth ready to argue some more before Steve's words caught up with him. He stood there for a moment, confusion puckering his brow and his mouth ajar as if he were trying to catch flies. He was physically startled at how easy that had been. He had fully expected to be dragged over to Bruce's house kicking and screaming. His father certainly wouldn't have cared if Tony preferred one doctor over another. When it came to anything to do with his body, Tony had rarely had a say in the matter, even as the drugs they were pumping into him made him physically sick and nauseous. One particular drug had even made his hair fall out in clumps. Fun times.