Chapter Text
The life of Steve Rogers took a surprising and almost daring turn the day that one of the world's most powerful and influential men informed him, quite bluntly might he add, that he’d taken a romantic interest in him.
To Steve the acknowledgment had come out of seemly nowhere, and when he was confronted by the billionaire he possibly might’ve dropped the jug of milk he’d been seconds away from pouring.
Anthony “Tony” Stark was all that his popular given trademarks implied: grossly rich, exceedingly snarky, and a worldwide renowned playboy. He was a character all of his own. When Steve woke from the ice he had a hard time believing that the genius creator he met during the War had sired such an eccentric son. The more he learned about Tony the more Steve wished he’d been around to meet the strong woman that raised such a man.
And despite the large amount of men and woman Tony has been with (a number that Steve really didn’t want to know), the alpha never bothered to stake a claim and pursue a relationship with any of them. The man, quite literally, had the option of choosing from the millions of adoring omegas that claimed were ‘saving themselves for him’.
It was such a huge honor to have someone put off finding a mate and settling down just for the unlikely chance of being with the one they admired, especially if they’ve never mated before. Tony had millions of virgin, unclaimed omegas to select from and yet, for a reason beyond Steve, Tony had stated he wanted him.
At first, Steve had thought it was another flirty witticism that he'd grown used to after moving into the Avengers tower, but when the alpha’s normally mischievous gaze didn’t break contact from his own and the brown around his pupils seemed to darken, Steve realized that Tony wasn’t toying with him. Not this time.
Then Steve was left with wondering why Tony had chosen him. He never spoke with any of his team members about having a mate, but the old scar just above his collarbone and in the juncture of his neck said enough. He'd been claimed at one point and yet Tony still wanted him.
Why?
Why when the other man had so many untouched omegas lusting after him? Why choose an omega that’s already been mated and marked by another? Sure, his mate had died years ago that still to this day hurt Steve to think about, but why choose someone so…tainted by another alpha?
He’d been so surprised by the confession that Tony took his blank expression and lack of response as a ‘no’ and stormed away in rejection. Steve had cleaned up the mess he made then quickly fled to his apartment on a lower level in the tower. He couldn’t get the look of yearning and sincerity that had been in Tony’s eyes out of his head. He’d never seen Tony appear so vulnerable before and Steve had managed to crush the man.
He needed to speak with Tony about the ordeal but first, he needed to come to terms with how he felt. He loved Bucky, loves him still, always have and always will, but he knew he needed to be realistic. Bucky and his relationship ended when his mate fell from the train in the twentieth century. It was, as much as Steve loathed admitting it, time to move on and adapt to the current century he found himself in.
He needed a new alpha, and he was fortunate enough to have one as great as Tony want him. He felt honored, in a way, to have captured such a powerful and supportive one as he. Plus, what better way to get back in the dating game than with one of your good friends? They already knew so much about one another compared to meeting someone completely new and Steve didn't think his now celebrity status would attract the most loyal of potential partners.
“JARVIS?” Steve said aloud to the ever-listening A.I. after finally coming to a decision and ceasing his floor ruining pacing.
“I’m here, Mr. Rogers. How can I be of service?” The A.I. responded in its almost intellectual programed English accent.
“Is Tony still in the building? Do you know where I can find him?” It was then that Steve realized that JARVIS had probably unintentionally overheard and seen it’s master’s confession to him earlier.
The A.I. paused as if debating on whether revealing the information and Steve couldn’t help but to nervously rub his fingers against one another.
"He's in his personal quarters at the moment, Sir. Would you like me to relay a message to him on your behalf?"
“Is he not allowing anyone up to see him?”
“I’m sorry, Captain Rogers, but he requested not to be disturbed for the time being unless something must absolutely be brought to his attention. He is accepting online sources of communication, though."
It wasn’t unlike Tony to lock himself up after a stressing day, but it was somewhat pressing when the alpha chose to seclude himself in his quarters instead of tinkering away in his lab. Steve felt the guilt in his chest grow significantly.
"Well, what I need to speak with him about is something notable enough to be brought to his attention. I’m going up there.” He was already out his bedroom door in a few wide strides when the A.I. responded.
“Sir, I don’t think that’s a wise idea--”
Steve stepped into the elevator and typed in the code that he knew would give him clearance to take him straight up into Tony’s personal living space.
“You heard our discussion this morning, right? You know that the only way to help him is for me to see him and talk about it. Leaving him to brood around up there won’t be helping any of us.”
When the elevator started to lift he knew that was JARVIS’s way of agreeing with him and granting him permission to the higher floor. After a few seconds into the swift journey, the A.I. spoke up.
“Forgive me if my question is too personal, Mr. Rogers,” his computerized voice sounding if but a bit apprehensive. “but have you organized a way of going about this confrontation? Do you have a definite answer for Mr. Stark? I believe that will be the only solution to neutralizing the situation and prevent any complications in the future.”
There were a chime and the doors smoothly parted but Steve didn't step out just yet. JARVIS was right. He needed to give Tony a straight answer or else it would make things awkward for them both later on.
“You know, sometimes I really think you care about your creator on a human level. He’s lucky to have you, JARVIS.”
“And I am lucky to be in his service and assist him however I can.”
Steve grinned, wondering if Tony had programmed that into the A.I. or it was just being sincere with its response from years of working alongside him.
“Don’t worry, JARVIS,” Steve stepped from the elevator and was consumed by more of the alphas rich scent than he was when the elevators doors first opened. It grew stronger the further he walked. “I have an answer for him. I just hope I’m not too late with it.”
Steve could only imagine that the A.I. was grinning by how its voice sounded. “I don’t think that will be something to concern yourself with, Mr. Rogers.”
His eyes glanced to the ceiling as if following the computers voice. “What makes you say that?”
“Discussion for a later time perhaps. Shall I alert Mr. Stark that you have arrived to see him?”
“Too late,”
Came an agitated voice came from the end of the hall that immediately stopped Steve in his tracks. Tony looked as though he just woken up by the way he favored one foot that was closest to the wall in case he decided to catch himself against it. His usual brown hair was flattened on the right side of his head where half his face was a shade of red.
“Um, didn’t I say I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone for the next 24 hours, JARVIS? That’s it, I’m stacking your pay.”
“Apologies Mr. Stark, but I believe that the circumstances which Mr. Rogers are here on are rather important. I wouldn't have let him up if I didn’t trust so.”
Then Steve found Tony’s intense stare back on him. Naturally he lowered his head under the alphas heated gaze, ashamed and guilty for what he’s caused. He needed to fix this.
Normally he wouldn't have had a problem approaching Tony and confronting him about a topic, but this topic was different than all the rest. He hadn’t been this open to someone about his feelings or vice versa in years.
Steve gathered his confidence and strode towards Tony with his eyes glued to his feet – a sign that he wasn’t challenging the alpha. He stopped about a foot from him and lifted his gaze to a spot on the wall behind him. Tony let out a long breath and relaxed. Steve found he couldn’t do the same.
“What I did earlier was a low blow on my part. I should’ve given you an answer instead of just standing there stupidly.” Steve glanced up for a second just to see Tony’s expression before looking away again. He appeared cautious.
“You know I’ve been mated before, Tony. It happened years ago and I’m not somethin’ new like the other omegas you have pinning after you. After I lost Buck --” he paused, not intending on saying the other alphas name in front of another contender. It was a sign of disrespect but Tony didn’t seem fazed by the slip.
“After waking up in this century I… I needed time despite how long ago it all happened. I thought I could get by on my own but now I’m not so sure. I realize now that I need an alpha – a partner – to help adapt and make me feel like I…”
“Belong.” Tony interrupted him and set a comforting hand on his right shoulder. “You’re strong Cap – strongest omega that I’ve ever met. You may be a man out of time but dare I say you were chipped out of the ice in this century for a reason, pal.”
Steve shook his head and grinned. “You make it sound like I was some lost historical artifact.”
"Downside of being around Romanoff when she's in the teasing mood. And how old are you again?”
“Too old for you that’s for sure.” He joked but Tony didn’t seem to find amusement in it. Steve scolded himself and hoped he didn’t just scare off the alpha.
“Hey.” Steve felt the light touch of the other man’s fingers under his chin. He looked up and almost immediately he felt his cheeks redden at the expression on Tony’s face.
“You’re here now, remember? I accept that you have a past and I’m willing to listen whenever you want to talk about it. You’re no longer alone, Cap. You’ve got me."
The relaxing, reassuring aura that Tony was admitting definitely helped soothe Steve's nerves and he actually dared to lean into the hand that slid up to cup his cheek.
“Thanks, Tony.”
“And if we were to get all methodical and such I’m actually physically older than you are. I’m older and rich. So in other words, remember that I’m technically speaking, I’m kind of your alpha sugar daddy. You know what a sugar daddy is, right? Did they have those back in the day?”
Steve couldn’t help himself and let out a loud laugh. Tony smiled instantly at the sound of the omega’s clear amusement thanks to his jesting. He knew he’d been doing it on purpose to lighten the conversation but Steve didn’t care and let his delight show.
Confidence now lifted, Steve felt Tony slip his hands around him and pull him into his chest. Immediately Steve grew stiff in the other man’s arms but he willed himself to calm down and try to relax. He trusted Tony.
“I can see that you want someone to lean on and talk to after an exceedingly long day and I think I can be that entity of support, Steve. I’m not saying we jump into a romantic relationship just like that, but we can take things slow and see where it goes.”
“You mean that?” Steve found himself murmuring against the alpha’s strong chest. He had to admit that Tony was a lot firmer and smelt a lot better than he’d originally thought.
“Sure. What they’d used to say in the old days? Oh yeah, courting.”
Steve chuckled. “I think you’re supposed to ask permission of the other first.”
Tony then pulled away just enough to make eye contact with him. Steve loved that he could see the trademark gleam back in his friend’s eyes. It suited him.
“Steven…what’s your middle name?”
“Grant.”
“Hm wow, not what I was expecting. Don’t know why I was thinking names along the lines of Liberty, Freedom, or Justice. Seemed more fitting. Anywho…” he took a long breath and grinned.
“Steven Grant Rogers, will you give me the extraordinary honor to be your alpha and allow this courtship? I promise to make it worth your while.” He finished with a wink.
Steve grasped the hand that was placed on his hip and squeezed. “Nothing rushed, right? We’ll be taking it a leisurely pace?”
Tony nearly scuffed at that. “Says the guy who can do the one hundred meter sprint in five seconds flat. I’m joking. We can take this as slow as you want, babe.”
An unfamiliar sensation washed through Steve at the sentimental nickname. He would be lying if he said he didn’t like it. What better way to get up to date on the twenty-first century than dating the man who led the technological field?
Without saying a word, Steve took a step closer and kissed the other man softly on his light hair stubble cheek. The look of complete shock from the submissive action didn’t last too long when Steve found himself being towed back into the main living area by the alpha’s strong grip.
While he and Tony discussed the simplest of things and just enjoyed one another’s company, Steve couldn’t help the small creeping feeling of guilt that was nagging deep in his stomach.
Something wasn’t quite right about the situation he found himself in, but he convinced himself it was just his nerves about dating again. Plus, it wasn't like there was anything wrong about pursuing another mate.
Bucky was dead, so he wasn't doing anything wrong.
…
Right?