Secrets Don't Make Friends

Sorry

Chapter Ten:

Tony awoke to a tentative knock on the door. Groaning, he buried his face into the scratchy pillow beneath him, his body slowly coming alive with the soft aches of sleeping on a lumpy mattress. He had gotten used to his new room and bed, and had long forgotten just how uncomfortable his old digs were.

"Tones? You okay in there?" Rhodey's groggy voice sounded pained even to Tony's sleep fogged ears. His poor pal probably had a hangover from hell. The thought sent a wry smile to tug on his lips. As much as he wanted to bury his face into the bedding and sleep, Tony knew he had to get up.

"Coffee," he croaked, his voice still scratchy with sleep. Idly he rubbed at his jaw, feeling the coarse stubble beneath his fingertips.

A soft chuckle and then a groan rose from the other side of the door, as if the thought of putting coffee into his belly was enough to-

And then there was the sound of feet dashing away down the hall, and the slam of the bathroom door. Tony stifled a laugh as he climbed to his feet, shaking off the tired ache that seemed to have melted into his bones. He stretched his back, trying to work out the kinks there, as he stumbled out the door and into the hall. He could hear the sound of water running in the bathroom, and the fainter sound of retching. Shaking his head he continued down the hall to his room where Rhodes had slept last night. The room was dark, the shades drawn against the piercing morning light. Rhodes had probably done that too, Tony thought with an unrepentant smirk. That would teach the old platypus to go head to head with a Russian and two super soldiers. Mere mortals simply did not have the tolerance to keep up with those three. Quietly he slipped into the room, the bed was (of course) neatly made with military precision. Probably for only the second time since he had been given this room. A wry smile tweaked at the corner of his lips. Indeed, Tony had little care for making his bed in the morning, but Rhodey had always been a stickler for it- even in college.

Shucking off his stained and dirty clothes Tony made his way to the small closet that housed his even smaller wardrobe. Had it only been a week that he had been in this room? It seemed like a lifetime ago already. The shock that had coursed through him when Steve had gently but firmly redirected him from walking down the hall toward the cupboard under the stairs to the room next to his still lingered in his mind. As did the fantom press of Steve's fingers that had cupped his elbow, pulling him gently away...

At first Tony had thought that Steve was taking him to his room. He didn't know why he thought it, surely Steve being kind did not equate to him wanting favors from Tony, and yet the odd mixture of emotions that had filled his chest were not so easily forgotten. There had been an oily taste at the back of his tongue because of course. Steve was his Alpha afterall, and although he hadn't really ever indicated that he wanted to consummate the mating, of course an Alpha had needs. And of course it was his duty to submit to those needs. At least, that was what he had always been taught by his Alpha and Omega tutors. And yet... dread wasn't the only feeling burning in his guts. There had been almost... anticipation. A blush suffused his cheeks at the memory, the trickle of want that had risen up inside him... Tony couldn't ever remember having that feeling about anyone. The thought of submitting to anyone used to make him sneer. But with Steve he could almost-

Steve had stopped short of the door to his room and Tony had almost collided into his back. Had he been so eager? He hadn't even dug his heels in or protested or...

And then Steve had opened the door to his new room. At first Tony hadn't understood. Why was Steve showing him this room? Was this where they were going to-

"I think it's about time you had a real room, Tony. I'm sorry it took so long. I," Steve stammered a bit, a blush rising to his cheeks as he waved weakly toward the interior of the bedroom.