Bucky pulled away with a flush on his cheeks, and Tony brushed his hair away from his eyes. “You’re damn right they’re perfect.” He left one last kiss on his cheek, lowering his voice. “Sweet, pretty thing.”  He grinned when Bucky trilled softly, then moved away to greet everyone else, moving through the kitchen with kisses and quiet words for each of the family.

“Buck?” Steve only stopped long enough to kiss Tony before heading for Bucky. “Hey. Hey, you alright?”

“Stevie.” Bucky reached for him and Steve went willingly, sliding one arm around Bucky's waist and the other around his neck, gold wings flicking out to rest against Bucky's black feathers.

“You’re okay?” Steve asked roughly and when Bucky nodded, Steve pushed his nose into his neck, taking a deep breath. “You scent like him.” he whispered. “But you don't actually scent like him. Why?”

“I wasn't ready.” Bucky whispered back. “Not yet. So we weren't-- we only did--he didn't ask me to--”

“Yeah, honey, I got it. I understand.” Steve pressed closer still, lining their bodies up and sighing against Bucky's skin. “I told you he was the best Alpha. I told you, Bucky.”

“You were right.” Bucky held Steve tight, tilted his chin and kissed him gently, smiling at Steve’s pleased noise. “I'm so glad I believed you.” Steve made another noise, softer this time and kissed him back, their lips moving together slowly and Bucky surprised both himself and Steve when he shifted the embrace and deepened it, their tongues meeting and parting languidly.

“Buck.” Steve actually moaned and rocked against him cautiously. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Bucky breathed in the sweet scent of his best friend, of Steve, pine and roses and everything familiar. “Yeah, Stevie. At least a little bit, right? You and I?”

“Yes.” Steve dragged his fingers through Bucky's hair. “Like we used to? I've missed you. What made you decide to--”

“Our Alpha reminded me of how good it was to feel…” Bucky cleared his throat. “To want this. I didn't realize I missed it until he and I--” a dark flush on his cheeks and Steve nipped a sharp bite on Bucky's bottom lip. “Oh.” shakily, then a sort nod. “Yeah, I had forgotten how good it used to be with us. And Our Alpha reminded me that being with someone doesn't have to...doesn't have to hurt.”

“Oh no, Bucky. No no it shouldn't ever hurt. Won't ever hurt again.” Steve nuzzled into his neck. “I'm so glad to have you back. And you called Tony Alpha. Does this mean--”

“I don't know what it means.” Bucky confessed. “But it makes me happy.”

“Mmmm.” Steve hummed contentedly and they kissed again, arms wrapped around each other and wings blending, love, family, home flowing between them.

“Are we giving away kisses here, or it is just a super soldier thing?” Clint elbowed Steve a few minutes later and the big Omega chuckled, making room for Clint with them as well.

“Heya Bucky Baby.” Clint grabbed Bucky's hand, tugging at him until Bucky bent to kiss him as well, not as heated as his embrace with Steve, but warmer than it usually was.  “He was good to you?” Clint asked, clearing his throat. “I mean, I know he was. But he was right? Our Alpha?”

“Yeah.” Bucky whispered and Clint stood on his toes to nuzzle into his neck and behind his ear, purring comfortingly. “Our Alpha was amazing to me.”

“I knew it.” Clint said with a satisfied grin, and pushed lightly at Bucky until he slouched so both Clint and Steve could settle their wings around him, nosing down his neck and murmuring soft things to him and to each other, the three Omegas letting their scents blend until it was just one sweet smell that filled the room.

Pepper turned to Natasha and pressed their foreheads together, trilling softly when the Beta wrapped her arms around her. “This is wonderful.”

“It is.” Tasha agreed. “Look how happy Our Alpha is, he’s practically glowing.”

Tony was practically glowing, unable to keep his wings from fluttering open, and unable to look away from where all three of his Omegas were cuddled together.

“Look at them.” he said proudly, and Bruce nodded, bumping their noses lightly. “Look at my Omegas. They are so beautiful.” Tony's voice roughened and he cleared his throat. “Just beautiful.”

“Had a good night?” Bruce asked, already knowing the answer, because Tony grinned all over again, and his wings flared open.

“It was a good night. Bucky is incredible. He’s come so far, and healed so much, and I know he’s not done healing but damn. Damn, Bruce just look at him smile.”

Bruce leaned over and brushed his nose over Tony cheek. “You’re a good Alpha, Tony. The best Alpha for our family. We love you.”

“I love you guys too.” Tony's smile grew even bigger. “My whole family. Right here at home with me. Right where they all belong.”

**********************

Three Days Later

**********************

“I don't want you to go.” Steve was practically pouting, and Tony tried not to laugh.

“Baby, I'll be gone for four days. A week at the most if Rhodey decides he wants to party in Amsterdam again.” Tony thought for a minute. “Ten days, if we go to Amsterdam. You would be surprised how much trouble a pair of Alphas can get into in that place.”

“I just don't see why you have to go.” This from Clint, who was equally unhappy. “Doesn't Pepper run the company? Why do you have to go overseas?”

“Clint Barton!” Peppers pretty mouth dropped open as she entered the room. “Tony would never send me to Afghanistan! It's a war zone!”

“She’s right.” Tony checked to make sure he had his phone on him, patting his pockets for his other things. “I would never send Pepper over there. Also, Generals don't take instruction well from delicate omegas in stilettos with pink wings. These--” he let his own wings unfold, from the dark brown feathers at his shoulders clear out to the gold and silver primaries that stretched nearly six feet out on either side of his body. “These are a little bit more intimidating.”

“Alpha.” Steve moaned, and Clint shifted anxiously on the couch, whining in his throat at the display. It didn't take much more than their Alpha showing off his wings to get either of them going, and Tony growled playfully in response.

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” From Bucky, who was much more controlled than the other Omegas, or maybe still just shy. “I mean, it's only been a few days since---I want--” he blushed and Tony hummed softly in agreement.

The other Omegas had been completely understanding when Tony and Bucky had spent the last three nights together. Even though their bond wasn't a mating bond, it still needed time to strengthen, and the family was happy to surrender their own time with their Alpha so Tony and Bucky could bond.

It had been a wonderful few days, full of laughter and long talks and hours and hours in bed together. Most of the time they just lay together, wearing their pajama pants and running their fingers through each other's hair and wings. Other times Tony showed Bucky how many ways they could be together that didn’t involve anything triggering, and even though he thought he would die if he didn't get to be inside Bucky soon, Tony was willing to wait, even if it meant never.

He was just happy to be with Bucky at all.

“I wish I could stay, sweet thing.” Tony had a soft smile for the Omega. “But the sooner I go, the sooner I can get home and then we can all spend some time together hm? In the meantime, you guys will be fine. Barring some sort of emergency, SHIELD knows not to call anyone out into the field, Pepper has everything for the company under control. I restocked everyone's soap in the shower, there’s food in the fridge even though I know for a fact that you all just order in food for every meal while I'm gone so make sure and hit the gym and keep those sexy butts in shape.”

“I feel like that's not fair.” Clint frowned. “The super soldiers can't even gain weight. If we order in every meal, I'm going to be the only one who gains weight.”

“Well then, make sure you hit the gym, Clint.” Sam stepped into the bedroom and jumped on the bed, working his way between the Omegas until he was lying behind Bucky, dropping a light kiss on his neck. “Heya Buck.”

“Hey.” Bucky smiled, scooting forward to give Sam a little more room. “Clint’s right though, it's not really fair that he’s the only one that has to work out.”

“Don't worry Clint.” Natasha was next, pushing Steve's legs apart and laying against his chest. “I'll run with you. My spandex was feeling a little tight yesterday.”

“Because you ate half a tray of my brownies, Nat.” Pepper reminded with a smile, kissing Tony quickly before taking his tablet and uploading several documents onto it. “Not because you are out of shape.”

“Where’s Bruce?” Tony asked as he went back to the bathroom for his favorite razor.

“Here, Tony.” Bruce was the last to come through the door. “I'm here. I fixed your phone for you, I'm not sure why it was glitching like that, but it isn't anymore.”

“You’re so sweet.” Tony checked everything one last time. “Alright guys. I have to go. Rhodey gets all cranky when I'm late.”

He hugged Bruce goodbye first, then kissed Pepper. Moving to the bed he had nuzzles for Sam and Natasha, longer kisses for each of the Omegas. “I'll miss you guys.” he whispered. “I'll be home soon.”

“Bye Tony.”

“Bye Alpha.”

“We love you.”

“Be safe.”

“Hurry home.”

“I love you.” Tony stood in his doorway for a long minute, watching his family on his big bed.

This was the happiest he had ever been in his life.

He couldn't wait to come back home.

******************

Six Days Later

******************

“Captain Rogers.” Colonel James Rhodes stood stiffly in the common area, wings so dark blue they were almost black tucked behind his shoulders, looking bruised and battered, but fierce as hell. “Thank you for meeting me, and for not involving the rest of the family.”

“Colonel.” Steve greeted him, his own wings raising in welcome and reached to shake his hand. “It's no problem. What can I do for you?”

“Captain Rogers--”

“Wait.” Steve came around the couch, folding his arms. “Um, where’s Tony? We haven't heard from him since he landed in Afghanistan. How did the weapons demonstration go?”

Rhodey seemed like he tensed even further, his wings shaking slightly and something awful rocked through Steve’s body.

“Colonel.” he said slowly. “Where’s Tony? Why are you here and he isn't?”

The Colonels next words made Steve's knees give out, made him collapse onto the couch.

“Steve. We don't know where Tony is.”

*****************

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*****************

PART TWO “COMING HOME” IS NOW COMPLETED!

“It's Pepper and… and Tony.” Bucky kept his voice soft. “They are on the couch and I didn't want to disturb them.”

“So you were creeping on them from around the corner?” Steve raised an eyebrow. “Bucky, if you want to join them just go. It's not like they are going to say no.”

“No I don't want--” Bucky shook his head. “I just thought Pepper was like-- I thought she was like Bruce. Because of the suppressants.”

“Like Bruce?” Steve wrinkled his brow then-- “Oh. You mean not interested in sex?”

“Right.”

“I'm pretty sure that's true.” Steve nodded. “So...what? What's the problem?”

“So if she isn't interested in..in..that, what is she doing laying between his-- like that on the Alpha?” Bucky made a vague motion with his hands and Steve looked around the corner.

“Why wouldn't she be lying like that? It's comfortable, and easiest way for us to lay without wings getting in the way. Plus, then we can put our head over his heart.” Steve didn't seem fazed at all and Bucky looked into the living room again.

Pepper had scooted up on Tony's body, was mouthing over his neck to his scent glands, whispering something soft into his ear, and just like that, the Alphas huge wings lifted and wrapped around them, hiding Pepper completely, and nearly himself, just his face visible above the feathers.

“But you said she was--”

“It's not about the sex, Bucky.” Steve had an odd look on his face, but kept his voice soft. “How we feel about Tony, why we want him? It's not the---sex. It's everything else. It's the way he comforts us when we need it, the way he give us whatever we want. Comfort for Clint and I tends to be sexual because we are Omegas, but for Tasha it's spoiling her with gifts because she has never owned anything nice of her own. For Sam it's food and their jokes, and for Bruce it's time in the lab and all their tech and for Pepper-- it's this sort of thing. Pepper, more than any of us, takes care of Tony, and if this is how they bond, then that's all we need to know.”

“Oh.”

“Buck.” Steve rested a hand on his shoulder. “If you want Tony, just tell him. He will be there for you in whichever way you need him to be. Me? I want Tony as my Alpha in every sense of the word. But you?” Steve shrugged again. “You could tell him your favorite tea is Earl Grey, and as a way of taking care of you, for being there for you-- Tony would buy you the best, most expensive Earl Grey tea in the world just to see you smile when you drink it.”

Steve bent and kissed Bucky lightly, smiling when Bucky leaned into it. “Just think about it, alright?”

*******************

******************

“Pepper?” Bucky knocked on her bedroom door and the pretty redhead looked up expectantly, her pink wings opening in welcome.

“Bucky! Come in.” She patted the bed, but Bucky shook his head politely, sitting instead on a chair next to the bed, folding his wings carefully and adjusting the sling on his arm. “Your arm.” Pepper motioned to it. “Tony has been working on a prototype and I know he is excited to show you what he has been doing. Have you been down to the lab to--”

“Can you get me suppressants?” Bucky interrupted and when Peppers eyes widened, he repeated himself, quieter this time. “Can you get me suppressants. Please.”

“Why do you want suppressants, Bucky?” She asked calmly. “Can you tell me? Were you on them before and we just didn't know?”

“I want to stop all of this.” he motioned to his body. “I don't want to have to deal with this anymore.”

“Deal with what?” Pepper tilted her head curiously. “Are you close to your heat? Feeling uncomfortable? What’s going on?”

Bucky flinched away when Pepper mentioned heat, his wings automatically closing around his body, the soft tsing of metal on the chair legs loud in the suddenly quiet room.

“You haven't had a heat yet. Not since dropping your conditioning. And probably not for a while before that.” Pepper was guessing, but she could tell by the look on Bucky's face that she was dead on. “And I can't imagine your heats before that were handled well, if you were allowed to have them at all. But Bucky, suppressants before your first heat in a while won't do any good, and in fact could be harmful to you. Maybe after this heat you could--”

“Why do you use them?” Bucky interrupted again, but he was looking anxious so Pepper didn't comment on it. “Why do you use suppressants?”

“I take suppressants because my Omega biology pushes me to find an Alpha, to mate and bond and settle down with a family.” Pepper leaned back against the pillows on her bed, her legs drawn up and wings laying lax, making her look young and innocent. “But I don't want that. I've never been interested in that sort of thing. I have about a million other things I want to do with my life that don't involve being tied to an Alpha and raising children. I love children, I just don't want them.”

“So why not just use birth control?” Bucky sounded miserable and Pepper clicked her tongue in understanding.

“Bucky, I am not interested in...anything to do with being an Omega. Not the sex, not the Alphas not… anything. And you know as well as I, that as an Omega we are basically bound to seek out Alpha’s. So instead of my biology holding me hostage and running my life-- I use suppressants and that way I can do everything I want to do without reacting every time Tony walks through the door, or throwing myself at any Alpha who smiles at me because I'm in my thirties and my biological clock is ticking.”

“But you still like to be --close. To the Alpha, to Natasha?”

“Just because I'm not interested in sex doesn't mean I don't like to kiss and cuddle and be close.” Pepper shrugged. “I want to be around Tony and be close to him because I love him, not because my biology drives me into his arms. My suppressants don't take my emotions or feelings away from me, they don't change who I am, they just...mute the things about my biology I cannot change.”

Bucky was quiet for a long time, and Pepper finally sighed. “Bucky--”

“My heats in Hydra were scheduled.” Bucky said in a flat tone, not lifting his head. “Regulated. I would be unfrozen, given a shot of hormones that would force me into a heat, and then sent out on a mission when I was done. That way there was no chance of an unexpected heat taking my focus. They figured it was the only thing that might make me slip my conditioning. It always hurt. Every single minute of it.”

“I want suppressants so I never have to feel like that again. So I never have to need an Alpha in that way again. I want to just feel normal. Not scared all the time. I'm tired of scenting like fear. I want—I want to get rid of the part of me that can be hurt.”

“Hey. Hey.” Pepper slid off the bed and between his legs, pushing the dangerous wings away without even hesitating to put her arms around his waist. “You are home now, surrounded by people who love you, people who will do whatever it takes to make sure that this next heat is nothing like--like--” she shook her head. “I know you know that Tony isn’t like other Alphas. I know you have seen the proof, the way he is with all of us. Maybe-- maybe you need to see it for yourself. Maybe that will take the fear out of your scent to have a good Alpha in your life.”

“Every time I think about even trying to do more than just talk to the Alpha it makes me-- I think I might be sick.” Bucky confessed. “Steve says I should spend more time with him but I can't think of any way to even begin. To even start to think about using Tony for my heat--”

“No. Not your heat.” Pepper shook her head. “Not anything like that. Don't even think about that. Just basic day to day things. Put it on him.Tell him what you need, and I promise Tony will give it to you. Tell him you need a good Alpha in your life, and leave it up to him to be that for you.”

“That's selfish.” Bucky muttered. “What Alpha would do all the work just to calm an Omega down? What Alpha would accept an Omega who is terrified of heat and has nothing to give him? What Alpha would be around an Omega who is…”

“Our Alpha would.” She whispered. “Bucky, our Alpha would. Tony would be thrilled to be the to erase the fear from your scent. Steve is right. If that meant bringing you tea, then that's what he will do. If it means holding your hand, then that's what he will do. I promise that whatever you need-- take it to Tony, and he will figure it out. We don't even have to talk about heat or anything like that. Nothing like that. One step at a time.”

Bucky nodded slowly, pressed his head to her shoulder and she held him tighter.

“Am I broken?” he said into her skin. “I feel broken.”

Pepper was grateful that he didn't notice her tears as they landed in his hair. “Not broken, honey.” She shook her head. “Not broken. Just hurt. And even if you were broken, Bucky, the family would put you back together.”

“If after all this, after some more healing, after your heat, if you still want suppressants? I will make sure you get them. I promise.” She lifted his head and brushed his hair back from his eyes. “We just need to— you need to know what it feels like to not be hurt before we try suppressants to take everything away.”

“Yeah, alright.”

“Do you trust me?” She whispered, and when Bucky nodded, she kissed his cheek. “Go see our Alpha.”

******************

******************

“Hey.” Tony looked up in surprise when the doors of his lab opened to let Bucky in. “Is everything alright? You don't usually come down here.”

“Hey.”

Tony's wings fluttered curiously, watching the Omega. Bucky was obviously uneasy, borderline upset, his wings folded tight to his shoulders, right hand covering the sling that held his left arm, looking everywhere but at Tony.

“Bucky.” Tony softened his voice. “Honey, are you alright? Is it your arm? Bruce and I have some basics worked out for a quick fix, but I need a little more time to get a new one built if that's what you want.”

Silence.

“Hey.” Tony lowered his wings, quieted his voice even more. “Sweetheart, talk to me.”

Silence.

Then-- “I've never been with an Alpha.” all in a rush and Tony blinked, pushing back the initial, primal reaction of wanting to howl at the thought of an untouched Omega, to realize that there had to be a reason Bucky was telling him this.

“I've never been with an Alpha willingly.” Bucky amended and Tony swallowed a curse, the urge to put his fist through a wall. “Steve tells me-- and and Pepper says--” Bucky ran his hand through his hair in agitation, letting it hang to cover his face. “They say that if I tell you what I need than you’ll-- you’ll give it to me.”

“Absolutely. Of course.” Tony replied with a firm nod. “Anything. Everything. Name it.”

“I've never been with an Alpha willingly.” Bucky repeated, quieter this time. “And I-- I need you to fix that.”

Tony didn't dare open his mouth, not willing to jump to conclusions or say the wrong thing, he just gripped the table in front of him until his knuckles turned white and tried to wait patiently for Bucky to finish whatever it was he needed to say.

“I'm due for a heat.” the words sounded painful. “I don't know when, but it's gotta be soon. I'm worried that--that my heat will trigger something in me. I've never--” his voice broke. “Never been with an Alpha willingly. Never shared a heat with one because I had a choice. All my memories about Alphas and heat and touching--” he visibly shuddered, a tremor running through his body as he shrank away. “They are all bad. It's all bad. I need you to- need you to change that. I need you to give me good memories with an Alpha. Something to keep me--keep me from breaking when I have my heat.”

He looked up then, his pale eyes haunted. “It will break me. A heat. The memories. It's gonna break me. I don't want that to happen. I need you-- I need--” he swallowed and looked down again, wings coming around to his body to shield him from view. “I need you to show me what a good Alpha is like, so I don't lose myself in the bad ones.”

“Okay.” Tony took a deep breath. “Okay, Bucky I can do that. I can. I will.”

“I'm tired of scenting like I'm afraid.” Bucky whispered. “I don't want to be afraid anymore.”

“Okay, Okay okay okay.” Tony came around his desk and approached Bucky slowly. “I can do that, honey. I just need one thing from you.”

“What?” Bucky's eyes were filling with tears now, his shoulders dropping in defeat,  the emotional toll of the entire exchange weighing heavy on him. “What do you mean you need something from me? Tony, I don't have anything to give. That's my whole point with--”

“Hey hey.” Tony hushed him quickly. “Bucky look at me, look up at me baby, come on.”

When Bucky finally met his eyes, Tony held out his hand, palm up, curling his fingers in a beckoning motion.

“Bucky, I'm gonna give you everything you need, alright? Whatever I can give you that helps with anything, it's yours. You tell me what you need and it's yours. I don't care if it's needing me to buy you...what? Chocolate? Your favorite food? You need me to sit with you during scary movies? I don't care. I don't care what it is, what it takes, I will do it for you. But you have to take the first step. That's all. One step.”

“I don't think I--”

“Look.” Tony looked down at his hand, then back up at Bucky. “Right here and put your hand in mine. I need this one tiny thing from you, just enough to know that you are saying yes. And I'll take it from there. Anything you need, I'll take it from there. I just need a yes first. A first step. Your hand in mine. That's it.”

“It doesn't have to be--?” Bucky's voice trailed off and Tony shook his head.

“It doesn't have to be anything you more than what you want. Not a damn thing more.”

Bucky stared at Tony's hand for a long time, and then reached out with his own, slowly slowly, his fingers shaking until they finally rested in Tony's palm.

“Yeah, sweetheart, that's fine. That's perfect.” Tony's wings opened just a fraction, not enough to be overwhelming, but enough to be comforting, reassuring, safe for the Omega. “That's all you have to do.” Tony brought Bucky's fingers to his lips, then held them over his heart. “I'm gonna do everything else.”

So much relief flooded through Bucky, and when his knees gave out, Tony was moving towards him already, making sure he landed on the couch, and sitting right next to him.

“Am I alright, right here?” he whispered and Bucky nodded without looking at him. “What about now?” Tony edged closer so their thighs touched, keeping Bucky's fingers laced through his own, still over his heart, hoping the steady beat would ground him.

“S’good.” Bucky leaned his head back against the couch, blew out a deep breath. “Really good. But would you--” he stopped and Tony squeezed his hand lightly.

“Anything, Bucky.”

“Wings.” Bucky mumbled. “Would you-- your wings. Just be careful of mine. I don't want you to get hurt on the edges--”

“Not scared of your wings.” Tony shifted on the seat to open his wings wide, gold and silver primaries gleaming in the bright lights of the lab. “Not scared of your wings, your sharp edges, not anything about you.”

Feathers settled around Bucky's back, covering his wings almost completely, a wall of feathers coming up around his front as well, and Bucky was surrounded by comfort, warmth, family, by the heavy scent of Alpha.

And god it was so good.

Something had broken through– something had triggered Bucky and his Winter Soldier conditioning had slipped, and left Bucky a confused, terrified mess, alone in a city he didn’t remember traveling to, facing down a man who he thought had died decades ago.

Bucky hadn’t even been able to stand up, too far into a panic attack to do much more than crouch there shaking, unable to decide if he wanted to hide or to fight. His left arm–that fucking metal monstrosity that had replaced his left arm– was held out defensively, but his black wings were wrapped around himself protectively, the stomach turning scent of a panicking Omega nearly choking Steve.

And then the Soldier had looked up, and the arm had dropped, the wings relaxed and he had blurted “Stevie?” and Steve had nearly collapsed with relief, tossing his shield in the corner and wrapping both his arms and wings around Bucky.

It might have been an accident, but in the end, Steve had found him.

And it had been weeks now, pushing nine weeks since then, and Bucky still wasn't… he still wasn’t Bucky.

Steve had called home immediately, asked Tony to make some arrangements, and they were put up in a world class rehab center in Germany, one that specialized is PTSD and POW survivors, trying to give Bucky every chance they could to get better.

Some mornings the doctors made progress, the therapists somehow said the right thing and Bucky would look up, his eyes wide, and he’d call for Steve in a worried tone of voice, his wings shaking uncertainly, hope threading his words, the barest hint of that Brooklyn accent coming through.

Other mornings he would sit on the couch with his head hanging, long hair covering his face, left hand gripping the cushions so tight they were shredding beneath his fingers, wings high and flared so no one would come close, nothing but aggression, anger, defiance souring his scent, his voice the flat empty tony of the Soldier.

Every day was a battle, and uphill one at that, but Steve wasn’t going to give up.

He wasn’t.

He hadn’t been able to save Bucky back when he fell, he wasn’t about to lose him this time.

**********************

**********************

Then one day, just one random day, a Wednesday maybe, nothing special about it at all, Steve woke up to find Bucky sitting at the edge of his bed, wings drooping, holding his left wrist in his right hand, watching the plates move as he clenched and unclenched his hand.

“Hey.” Steve said cautiously, moving slowly so he didn’t startle Bucky, but trying to sit up so he could at least be on guard if it was the Soldier sitting on his bed and not his friend. “Is everything alright?”

“They really messed me up, didn’t they, Stevie? Good thing I ain’t left handed, huh?” Bucky asked softly. “I mean, I bet this thing has it’s benefits and all, but nobody wants lovin’ from a fella with cold hands.”

Steve ran a hand over his face. “Shit, Bucky. It’s actually you. Jesus, I’m so glad-”

“You see what they did to my feathers?” Bucky raised the heavy wings, his voice unsteady. “I always thought they were pretty just black, you know? Prettiest wings on the block, I had. But now look–” he raised them higher, and the tips of his primaries slid across the concrete floor with a faint screeching sound. “They put metal on them. Same shit they made my arm out of. Just a weapon now, aren’t I? Covered in metal and only good for killing.”

“Buck–” Steve reached out for him, but Bucky shook his head, finally looking up to meet his gaze.

“Yeah, it’s me, Stevie, but not really, huh? Seventy years and I haven’t been much more than a weapon. That’s not me.”

“Seventy years.” Steve repeated. “You–you know? You remember–?”

“I remember it all.” Tears started pouring from Bucky’s eyes. “I remember it all, Stevie. You shoulda put me out of my misery in that fuckin’ hotel room.”

*********************

*********************

“It’s really quite remarkable.” The doctor said, flipping through the file in his hands. “How well he’s doing. I’ve dealt with many survivors, obviously no one on his level, but he is doing remarkable.”

“Remarkable.” Steve repeated, and jabbed a finger at the window, pointing down at the rudimentary gym facilities the clinic offered. “He doesn’t sleep, he barely eats, he has been running on the treadmill for five hours now, just staring blankly at the wall. And his scent–” Steve swallowed. “All I can scent from him is fear. At his core, Bucky is terrified. What do you mean hes doing remarkable?”

“Well, if I may–” the doctor flipped a switch and the lights in the gym went dark, before strobing quickly, sounds like gun shots filling the air.

“What are you doing?” Steve yelled, and smashed at the switch, nearly destroying it, pressing his face to the glass as the lights came back on. “What the fuck are you thinking? Something like that could force him into a–into a–”

His voice trailed off as he stared down at Bucky, who hadn’t missed a step, hadn’t skipped a beat, was just jogging steadily, his eyes trained on the wall in front of him.

“Jesus Christ.” Steve covered his mouth with his hand. “Jesus, something like that would have triggered me, why isn’t it—”

“From talking with Sergeant Barnes, what little he has talked with us, we don’t believe that he is suffering from PTSD from his life as an assassin. These things–” the doctor motioned to the gym. “The strobes, the gunfire, an average soldier suffering from PTSD would react badly. Now not all cases are the same, of course, but generally speaking, these are the usual triggers.”

“So why wasn’t Bucky triggered?”

“Because it isn’t the war, the killing that is filling Sergeant Barnes’ scent with fear.” The doctor, a Beta, shrugged. “It is something else entirely. Perhaps torture at the hands of his trainers, his handlers. Perhaps some other form of abuse.”

“Some other form of abuse.” Steve echoed and then shook his head. “No. No he couldn’t have–”

“Captain Rogers.” The doctor spread his hands, looking both apologetic and a little nauseous. “You know there is a reason most soldiers are Alphas and Betas. There are ways to… destroy an Omega– their hearts, their minds, their bodies–that simply can’t happen with the other genders.”

“Damn it.” Steve paled, his golden wings dropping. “Please don’t say–”

“You are an Omega, Captain Rogers.” The doctor lowered his voice. “You more than any one of us, would know what sort of things would ruin another Omegas scent.”

“Damn it.” Steve pressed his forehead to the glass and closed his eyes. “Bucky.”

In the gym below, Bucky kept running, his eyes unseeing, hearing things in his mind he wouldn’t ever talk about.

The doctor was right.

It wasn’t the memories of the war that kept him up at night.

********************

********************

“So you gonna keep me in the crazy house forever?” Bucky dropped onto the couch next to Steve, holding his wings away from Steve carefully, laying his right hand on Steve’s knee. “Don’t you have the rest of that team of yours to get back to?”

“Gonna take you home with me, Buck.” Steve put his hand over Bucky’s. “Not leaving you out here by yourself.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Bucky cleared his throat. “Can’t get rid of you that easily, can I?”

“Nah.” Steve tried to smile, but Bucky still frowned at him.

“Stevie? What’s on your mind?”

“Bucky.” Steve took a deep breath, staring down at their linked fingers. “Bucky, would you tell me? If they hurt you? I mean besides–” he gestured to Bucky’s arms and wings. “You’d tell me right?”

“Nah, Stevie I sure wouldn’t.” Bucky looked away, and the uncomfortable scent of fear filled the air again. “Sure wouldn’t.”

“But if they hurt you—” Steve pressed. “I’m not trying to pry, Buck, I just…. I want to be able to there for you and help you and I don’t know how.”

“Doesn’t matter anymore.” Bucky stood and moved to the other bed, scooting back on it until he was touching the wall, drawing his knees up to his chest, his wings close around his body to hide himself. “Doesn’t matter so drop it. Please.”

Steve just looked at him for a long minute, then nodded. “But if you need me?”

“I know you’ll be there.”

*********************

*********************

“Hey, we have a plane out of here tomorrow.” Steve closed the door to their bedroom, and Bucky looked up with a smile– or the closest he came to a smile these days, just a bare shadow of his old grin.

“Thank god. I was afraid you were gonna keep me locked up here forever.”

“I’m anxious to get home, Bucky, can’t wait to get you back too. You’re gonna love it at the Tower.”

“Sounds like a prison.”

“Nope.” Steve stretched out on his bed, and held a hand out for Bucky, beckoning him closer. “Not a prison. Just a bunch of deadly people with varying degrees of moodiness and an incredible amount of sarcasm all living in one building.”

“So an insane asylum?” Bucky glanced down at Steve’s hand and then away, his body tensing uncomfortably.

“That’s closer to it, yeah.” Steve beckoned again. “Bucky come on. How many times did we share a bed before? And we haven’t done this once this entire time so come on. It’s not like it means anything, neither one of us are in heat so we can just lay here. Come on.”

“Yeah well, sharing a bed back when you weighed eighty pounds was one thing.” Bucky tried to joke but it fell flat. “Both of our big asses in a bed might break it.”

Steve just waited patiently, and Bucky finally blinked a few times, shaking his wings so the silver edges caught the light. “I might cut you. I can’t–”

“Super soldier, remember? Good luck hurting me.” Steve replied with an easy shrug, and tried not to smile so big when Bucky folded his wings carefully behind his back and stretched out on the bed, laying his head on Steve’s chest.

“Thank you.” Steve ran a hand through Bucky’s hair, down his neck to his back and let it rest there. “I’m so glad you’re back Bucky. It’s been… empty without you. I never stopped looking for you.”

“I know you didn’t.” Bucky mumbled, tucking his left arm under his body, and wrapping his right around Steve’s waist. “This feels good.”

“Yeah.” Steve closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of Bucky wash over him, the ever present tinge of fear still worrying him, but he wasn’t going to ask, not again.

“Tell me about your team.” Bucky said, and his voice was drowsy already. “So I know what to expect.”

“I could talk about them all night and you still wouldn’t know what to expect.” Steve chuckled. “But they are amazing. We are all a family, love each other, look out for each other. Tony is–”

“Tony.” Bucky interrupted. “You’ve mentioned him before. Tell me about Tony.”

“Tony is our Alpha. He’s incredible. Without him we would be lost.” Steve couldn’t help the adoration in his voice, his wings flexing lightly when he spoke of the Alpha. “Such a good Alpha. He is my entire world, Buck, I cant wait to–”

“Keep him away from me.” Bucky snarled, and jumped off the bed, his wings snapping out, metal edges glinting dangerously. “Keep the Alpha away from me.”

“Bucky–” Steve’s eyes were wide, his hands held out peacefully. “Honey it’s fine. Tony is–”

“Stop it!” Bucky yelled and backpedaled until he was against the door. “I can’t. Steve I can’t, don’t let the Alpha near me, don’t let him near me–”

Steve watched in horror as Bucky crumpled in front of him, sinking to the floor and hiding his face in his hands.

Don’t let the alpha near me, please don’t let him near me Stevie please please please…

*****************

They had to sedate him, in the end, to get him under control and it still wasn’t enough.

Bucky lay limply in the bed, wings dragging the floor, staring up at the ceiling, too much of the sedation in his system to move, not enough to make him sleep.

“Buck?” Steve had been crying, and his voice was ragged. “Bucky, please–” he held Bucky’s hand tightly. “Please tell me what happened to you. Please let me–”

“Don’t matter Stevie.” Bucky’s words were slurred, nearly unintelligible, his accent coming through thick now that his defenses were down. “Don’t matter what happened, not anymore.”

“Bucky.”

“Don’t matter Stevie.” Bucky said again. “I’m just a broken Omega, just a broken Omega, no Alpha would want me now anyway. Don’t matter. Your Alpha won’t want me. Nothing to worry about. He won’t want me. Not now. I’m broken, Stevie. Just broken.”

“Jesus Buck.” Steve wiped more tears away as Bucky slipped towards unconsciousness.

When he was finally out, finally asleep, Steve broke away just long enough to make a phone call.

******************

“Tony?”

“Steve.” The voice on the other end was warm, comforting, so much like home that Steve wanted to cry all over again. “Are you on the way? We miss you. I miss you. I can’t wait to see you.”

“I miss you too.” Steve swallowed. “We are leaving in the morning. It’s Bucky though. He had a breakdown when he heard about you. It was bad–we had to sedate him.”

“About me.” Tony repeated. “Why–?”

“Because you’re an Alpha.”

“Oh.” Tony was silent for a long time, then– “Bring him home. We can handle anything as long as you both are home. Maybe once he sees that I’m not like the Alphas he knew, we can work on it. Whatever he needs, I’m gonna make sure he has it. Anything and everything alright? We’ll take care of him Steve. Just bring him home.”

“My Alpha.” Steve whispered. “So good to us.”

“I’d do anything for my family.” Tony said firmly. “That includes Bucky now. Bring him home.”

“I will.”

*******************

Steve sat up the entire night, holding Bucky’s hand and watching him sleep.

“Gonna take you home, Buck.” He whispered. “Our Alpha–he’ll do anything for us. He’ll fix this.”

Bucky stirred and Steve pressed a kiss to his knuckles.

“I promise you, Buck. Once we get home, it will all be alright. You’re not broken.” he shook his head. “Not broken, Bucky, I promise. I promise.”