Slow Dancing & Apple Pie

Twenty

You didn't get back until late the next evening, much to Bucky's concern. Steve, however, hadn't been concerned, knowing that an emergency at the house often took a long time to resolve.

"How often does this happen?" Bucky asked at one point, while the two of them were in the compound overseeing some trainees.

"Work emergencies? This is only the second one that's occurred since we met."

"What do you think it was?"

Steve shrugged, eyes sharp and critical on the group sparring in groups in front of them. "No idea. She'll explain when she gets home."

The moment they heard the key in the door, Bucky—who'd been stretched out on the floor pretending to read while actually worrying—leapt to his feet.

"Buck, sit down." Steve said immediately, forestalling the other alpha from rushing you. Bucky grumbled, but obeyed. Sitting on the couch and waiting. You hesitated in the doorway, looking worn out and dead on your feet. Eyes landing first on Bucky and then moving to Steve. When Steve lifted a brow, you moved over and crawled into his lap.

It took nearly everything Bucky had not to physically react to the instant jealousy. Forcing himself to sit there without moving while his stomach felt like it was burning. Equal parts disgusted and frustrated with himself over the feeling. As he wrestled with it, his jaw ticking with the effort, eyes fixed on you as you curled against Steve's chest and his hand stroked gently over your back, Bucky didn't miss the frisson that ran through your body. Or the way your face pushed against Steve's neck.

Instantly, Bucky was concerned that you were picking up on his anger and jealousy through the bond and he fought harder to restrain it, to shove it into a tight ball and lock it away.

While Bucky struggled with himself, you struggled to pull away from the bond solidifying between you. Trying to ignore the way the possessive and jealous feelings that were coming across made you feel like he actually wanted you. But that was just an alpha instinct thing. It wasn't an active choice for him, he'd made that clear.

Steve's cheek rubbed over your hair, and you focused on the feel of him, on his scent, to ground yourself. Eventually, with Steve's hand stroking over your back, and his scent enveloping you, it was possible for you to begin relaxing.

Sensing it, Steve asked quietly, "Do you wanna talk about it princess?"

"Not really," you muttered into his shoulder. But then you sighed, you knew Steve would respect it if you didn't talk about it, but you also knew you really should talk about it. "But I will."

"Okay. Do you want a bath or something first?"

"No, I just wanna get it out."

But still you remained silent for another fifteen minutes before you spoke.

"One of the pups, he presented yesterday. Only no one realized it, because it was an atypical presentation."

"What did he present as?" Steve asked.

"An omega," you answered softly, hearing Steve's soft sound of understanding.

"What's an atypical omega presentation?" Bucky asked.

Your head lifted off Steve's shoulder so you could look at him. "Normally, when an omega presents they do it by going into heat. It's quick and intense, but very obvious. Jake however, he didn't start with a heat, he didn't show any of the symptoms so everyone continued as things were. We suspected he would present as an omega, but thought there was time because he just turned 13 last month."

Your head rested back on Steve's shoulder as you continued, "So, today, he was walking home from school. And apparently, an alpha caught his scent. And he—he followed Jake to the house. And then he just sat out there for a while, waiting. And, after dinner and homework, the older pups are allowed to do what they want as long as they stay in touch, don't go outside the neighborhood, and return back to the house before curfew."