#ofdominomasks

“I find the best way to get rid of a patch of dry or dead scales is to just find a nice big rock to rub against. Sugar or salt scrubs make a world of difference when bipedal, ‘cause not everyone can drop everything to find a body of saltwater, y’know?” When her recommendations were met with a blank stares followed by outright confusion, Nadia frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “What, I’m not allowed to overhear you two when I’m in the next room?”

Bucky was the first to catch on, leaving Clint looking at her like she was crazy. “Nadia... Nads, are you...” His voice was tiny, hesitant, and it made Nadia more than a little worried. She’d never heard that tone from him before. “Are you a mermaid?”

Nadia was taken aback to say the least. “You mean you aren’t? You were talking about tail-maintenance...” she trailed off, her turn to be confused.

Tony may have started this in a burst of manic irritability, but he hadn't stopped the process once he'd calmed down. After all, what was the worst that could really happen? They weren't into him and they either found their own way to stay in the US or went back home? No big deal. But despite all his very reasonable expectations of this not being some great romance (at least not one about him), Tony was hopeful. So hopeful of something coming out of this that he'd gone ahead and learned some Russian. And met them personally at the airport, holding a sign with their names on it and everything.

Tony had never sought out relationships with omegas. Not long ones, at least. It was just... too much. The expectation that he would settle down and have children and be entirely ruled by his hormones and orientation. So settling with Natasha had made sense. It fit his pattern and Tony was enthusiastic going in. Months later, he was very much in love. So in love that he was willing to seriously consider the terrified omega she'd brought home with her.

"He should be here, Tasha."

Tony knew that James had gone for groceries and that he'd appreciate the fresh homemade soup and cookies later that were sure to come later, but he was trying to avoid taking pain meds because he was breastfeeding and he was sore and cranky and it had been a week since their baby had been cut out of him and he'd yet to see his alpha hold him. Sure, he'd taken Ori from Tony and handed him to Natasha, but that didn't count. He wanted his alpha to bond with the pup they'd made together. And he wanted James to rub his chest and kiss his surgery scars and sit and feed him. The fact that he kept finding excuses to leave... Well. Natasha was a great comfort, and he loved her more than just about anything, but she wasn't who he wanted.

"Papa?" It had been a couple weeks now since he'd woken up in a much smaller body and despite all the tests, no one had figured out how to fix it or even what had happened. It got a little harder every day to force himself back up into an adult mindset, and a couple days ago, he'd managed it just long enough to make sure again that Natasha and James were really genuinely okay with taking care of him as an actual child before giving up and just sinking down into his headspace more permanently.