Chapter Text
Steve's patience is running thin.
“JARVIS, who's at the door?” he snaps when the relentless pounding on the door doesn't stop.
Steve made it explicitly clear that he was not to be bothered, but clearly the person trying to bust down the door doesn't care.
Not like they have a chance of succeeding, anyway. Tony took careful measures to make sure the tower couldn't be broken into. The only way anyone could enter right now was through Steve's permission.
Steve. Because as JARVIS says it, Steve has authority over the AI when Tony isn't in the right “mental capacity”.
“It seems Rhodey is unhappy with sir’s current predicament.” JARVIS explains which causes Tony's head to snap up at the mention of his friend's name.
It makes Steve's jaw tick.
“I swear, Rogers, if you don't open this door right now—” He hears Rhodey yell through the door, voice muffled.
Steve sighs.
Tony's peering up at him with wide brown eyes, pleading without words.
Steve runs a hand through Tony's dark curls, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear. “You'll be good for me, won't you Tony?”
Tony nods, biting his bottom lip.
He's been making progress, compared to a couple months ago, that is.
Steve had to acclimate through a lot of things once he came out of the ice. Society wasn't how it used to be. Alpha and omega dynamics weren't how they used to be. He always was a traditionalist, and when he saw how Tony was working himself sick, well it was Steve's job as an alpha to step.
“Let him in, JARVIS.”
If Rhodey’s so insistent on him allegedly mistreating Tony, then he'll just let the man see for himself.
“Steve, no!” Tony launches himself towards the alpha, as if able to physically stop him from letting JARVIS open the door.
“I know what's best for you, Tony. Clearly Rhodey doesn't so I'm letting him see for himself.”
Tony's face flushes a beautiful red when the man stumbles inside. Steve cooes at him sweetly, not paying Rhodey any mind.
Rhodey lets out a surprised sound. “What the hell did you do to him?” He stalks towards them, making Tony shrink in on himself. Steve stands in front of him, shielding him with his body.
Tony's sitting in bed, surrounded by soft blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. Steve made sure to supply the perfect nesting equipment for the omega.
That's not what he's gawking at, though. No, it's Tony's puffed out babydoll dress. Along with his hair done up into short pigtails with pink bows to match.
Steve clicks his tongue when Tony tries to cover himself.
Tony lets the blanket fall, pooling on his lap as he blushes prettily.
“Taking care of him. Unlike all the other alphas in this building, I'm actually giving to him what he needs.”
“What he needs?!” Rhodey spits back, "What he needs isn't to be locked up for weeks at a time with you doing God knows what to him.”
Steve scoffs.
“Do you really think JARVIS would let me near Tony if I was actually doing anything to harm him?”
Rhodey pauses at that.
He looks at Tony, conflicted, clearly feeling embarrassed for him at his state. Tony looks down. The correct behavior an omega should be doing when facing an alpha.
It seems to only make Rhodey angrier.
“Look at me, Tony.” He snaps, and Tony’s eyes flicker upward, still not meeting his gaze.
He picks at the hem of his dress.
“Is this really what you want?”
Tony looks at Steve hesitantly, chewing on his lip.
“Don't look at him,” Rhodey tries a gentler tone, and it evidently calms the omega. “Tell me that Steve didn't drive you into this. Hurt you.”
Tony looks back down at his lap, tears pricking his eyes.
“Oh, this is ridiculous.”
“No, let him speak. Because the Tony I remember wasn't afraid to meet my gaze last time I spoke to him!”
“Well, you're the one yelling at him like he did something wrong.”
Rhodey blanches. “Me?!” You're the one who manipulated and coerced him into—”
A choked hiccup has both alphas turning back to Tony.
Steve cooes sweetly, easily picking the omega up when he reaches for him. Tony latches onto him easily, and Rhodey promptly looks away when Tony's dress hikes up, face swimming with guilt. Good.
“See? Do you think he'd be coming to me if I hurt him?” He bounces the omega in his arms, murmuring sweet nothings into his ears as his cries slowly subside.
“Yeah, well he also never used to cry like that over any little argument.”
Steve glares. “Are you done here, Rhodey? You saw Tony just like you wanted. He's not injured or sick.”
Rhodey takes in a sharp breath and stalks back out of the room. He chances another glance at Tony before he leaves, but it's clear he's not going to get through to the omega any time soon.
“JARVIS, make sure no one interrupts us for the remainder of the day.”
“Of course, captain.”
Steve settles himself on the bed with Tony on his lap. He places a gentle hand on his face, picking up his chin so he can meet his eyes.
“Look at me, Tony.”
He does.
“Why are you crying? Hm?” He brushes tears away from his eyes, new ones quickly replacing them.
Tony shakes his head, trying to burrow back into Steve's chest, but Steve won't let him. He keeps the grip on his chin firm, unyielding.
He lets out a stuttering breath. “You— why did you let Rhodey in?” He asks quietly, looking down at his lap.
“Because he wouldn't leave us alone until I did. He thinks I'm mistreating you. Do you think that, Tony?”
Tony shakes his head quickly, quiet sobs still escaping him.
“That's right. I'm not.” Steve brings him closer, letting the omega hug him close. “So many people want to take you away from me. I won't let them. All you have to do is what I say and I'll take care of it.”
Tony never used to be this suggestable. It took a lot of patience and coercion for Steve to finally get the man to depend on him. Even now, he still struggles, but he's making progress.
“But—” There it is. “But I have responsibilities. Pepper—”
“Can handle it.” He interrupts, silencing him. “You're an omega. Those things are none of your concern.”
Tony's face screws up, conflicted.
“Don't you see I only want what's best for you, Tony? Why do you still doubt me so much?”
“I don't!” He's quick to defend, “I know you're doing what you think is best, but I—”
“What I think?” Steve repeats, eyes narrowing down on the omega. Tony clicks his mouth shut, looking at him with wide eyes. “I am your alpha. I know what's best for you.”
Tony nods. “But, I—”
“Tony.”
“Steve, just give me one day—”
“Enough.”
“Please! You can’t just keep me locked in here!”
Steve stands, unwrapping Tony's arms from around him, and tossing him onto the bed. He runs his hands over his face, pacing the room.
Tony watches with a mixed expression, unsure what to do to appease the alpha or what to say to placate him.
“Fine.” Steve says, finally stopping at the foot of the bed. “Go out and do what you like since you insist on disobeying me.” Steve moves to grab his things, and it's when Steve's about to leave that Tony finally reacts.
“No! I'm being good.” He stumbles and trips on the sheets as he tries to stand, falling with a harsh thud. He scrambles back up quickly though, hands gripping tightly onto Steve’s, as if he could actually do anything to prevent Steve from leaving.
Still, he stops.
“I'm being good!” Tony repeats, “I'm doing what you say. Wearing the dresses and working less.” He's crying again now, and Steve has to fight himself on his instinct to comfort his distress.
No, he has to learn.
“So why do you want to leave me so badly? Don't you see how this is all good for you?”
“How? I don't—”
Steve brushes a finger along his cheek. He remembers when Tony was working endlessly, how pale his face was, and the bags under his eyes seemed to never go away. Now he's flush with color, eyes sparkling in a way they never used to.
“If you don't see the benefit then maybe everyone's right.”
“No!”
“Clearly you don't need me.”
“I do! Steve, please.” He begs so sweetly.
“Weren't you the one saying that I shouldn't keep you locked up in here? You want to work, don't you?”
Tony bites his lip. “I don't need it.”
Steve smiles. “That's right. You don't.”
“You won't leave?”
“Oh, I’d never leave you Tony.” He wraps his arms around him, placing a kiss at the top of his head. “You're mine. You know that, right?”
Tony nods. “Yes.”
They still have a lot of progress, but Steve is patient. Tony will see that his place is by his side, and that it doesn't matter what others think about it.
