#dont want to do a whole deep dive on someone else's business and 2. people are becoming

[skunkes]

unsure how to word this but there is something about having ocs with unsavory events happening in their past where it's like. talking about it, even when asked, seems almost gratuitous and inappropriate. and i'd much rather describe it through the oc themself and/or draw Them saying it. which is like. fitting for the subject matter? like of course its weird to talk about somebody else's business...!

and falls back into humanizing em/exploratory writing and development where u consider the impact of words said/words unsaid/HOW those words are said etc etc

[winterironstony]

Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)

Haven’t written stony fanfic in a long, long time boys but I’m back with a rewrite of my 5 yr old fic called Please, Dont Believe me. 

AO3 link

Chapter 1

Tony takes a deep breath as he steps into Shield headquarters. He had been here countless times before, but that didn’t stop the deep-seated anxiety that fills him every time he walks in. He does his best to reign in his emotions. No one likes the smell of a weak omega, Tony reminds himself. He needs to hold his head high, stare at the picture of Aunt Peggy that’s hanging near the doorway, and pretend like he’s meant to be here.

Which he totally is, by the way. This isn’t like the last time when he impersonated a janitor just so he could get information on Captain America’s apparent rescue and revival. Or like the time before that when he had to sneak in late at night so that he could fill Clint’s locker with itching powder. This time the dread pirate Fury himself had called Tony in.

To meet Captain America.

Okay well technically Tony was here to meet with all of the avengers, but he’s known Clint and Nat for a while and although meeting Dr. Banner and a demigod sounded exciting in their own ways, Tony has always had a soft spot for Captain America.

Tony has no idea what Fury is thinking letting a nineteen year old omega meet the Captain America. Seriously, there’s no way Tony is going to get out of this meeting with his pride intact. Tony just knows something terrible is going to happen; he’s either going to cry the second he sees the man in uniform or he’s going to faint. 

Or maybe Howard was right all along and Cap will take one look at Tony before scoffing and writing him off for what he is; a worthless omega.

It’s not as if most Shield agents don’t feel the same way. People aren’t nearly as subtle as they think they are. Even now, as he’s walking down the hallway of one of the most secure buildings in New York City, he can hear their whispers. He knows exactly what they see when they look at him. Never mind the fact that he’s been building their weapons and transportation systems since he was sixteen, people would only ever see what they wanted to. Coulson’s pet project, Clint’s little shadow, Fury’s never-ending headache, a young, wild omega who needs to be taught his place. The words don’t bother Tony the way it used to, at least nowadays people just left him to his own devices for the most part.

“Well would you look at that? I thought they took away your access card, omega.” A snide, rough voice calls from behind Tony.

Like he said, for the most part.

Immediately Tony is tense, wincing as he presses the elevator button a little more frantically.

Tony steels himself as best as he can, turning to meet Brock Rumlow head-on, taking a quick step back as he sees just how close the alpha is, their noses almost touching. Unfortunately for Tony, there isn’t much space to move away. The cold metal of the elevator door meets his back, making him shiver. Rumlow’s eyes drag down to Tony’s throat at the movement and Tony can’t help but clench his jaw. He hates the way Rumlow looks at him.

“Um, Fury called me in.” He says politely, not daring to turn his back to the alpha, but dismissing him as best he can with his words, he still doesn’t look up at Rumlow. He doesn’t want to. It’s all he can do to not let his emotions run free. The last thing he wants is for the opposing alpha to see his fear, or even worse, smell it.

Rumlow smiles down at him, moving in as close as he can possibly go before actually touching Tony. The smile is all teeth, more of a threat than anything else. “Of course he did. There’s no other reason you came by? Seeing anyone special?” He asks in his usual patronizing manner. Rumlow has always been one of those alphas that treats omegas as if they’d never gotten past the second grade.

“I really hope you’re not talking about yourself.” Tony mutters in disgust, nervously tapping his fingers against his jeans. He has made it clear countless times just how repulsive he finds Rumlow. “You should know by now I would rather bond with a cactus than with you, Rumlow.” He says hotly, pressing his hands against the alpha’s shoulders uselessly.

“I’m sure I could change your mind.” Rumlow all but rumbles, breath now hitting against Tony’s neck, just above the space where claiming bites traditionally would be. Tony’s about three seconds from a full on panic attack, not sure if he’s about to fall to the ground in fear or start attacking the opposing agent with every move Nat’s ever taught him, when the elevator doors finally open up.

Tony had no idea how much weight he had been pressing against the doors because as soon as they open he’s all but diving into the confined space. Honestly, he probably would have ended up with a concussion if it weren’t for the frankly massive arms that caught him before he hit the floor. The elevator smells good, nothing like the sweaty, testosterone-driven Rumlow and the sudden change in atmosphere nearly makes Tony whimper with relief.

Well, actually, it seems like Tony actually did whimper out loud because suddenly, the stranger is staring down at him, looking incredibly worried and also drop dead gorgeous.

Tony hardly notices the arms tightening from where they caught him around the waist because he’s busy drowning in the bluest eyes he’s ever seen. Blue eyes, dirty blonde hair, and a beard that frames a chiseled jaw line perfectly, Tony-

Tony should really pay attention to what he’s saying. “W-what?” He asks, dumbly, trying to ignore just how hard his heart is pounding.

“Is there a problem here? Rumlow?” The mystery alpha asks. Yes, alpha. If his overpowering scent didn’t give it away, his physique would have. He’s much broader than Rumlow or any other alpha Tony’s ever seen. His biceps are huge and he’s tall. All of Tony’s life, he’s been told he’s short, even by omega standards, but he’s never felt shorter than he does right now. The top of his head is just brushing the alpha’s jaw, their proximity giving away just how huge their height difference is.

Before Tony registers his words all Tony can think is this is an attractive man.

But once he registers the words, alongside the the dark, throaty growl the alpha had shot into Rumlow’s now pale face, Tony realizes. This is a very scary, attractive man.

The man barely said six words and Rumlow is literally shaking in his boots, backing off instantly and shaking his head. “We were just messing around, Steve. No big deal. You know how omegas are.” Rumlow laughs shakily and all but runs off as the doors begin to close. “See you in training!”

Tony must look just about as confused as he feels because the alpha above him looks down, concerned, “Did he hurt you? Are you alright?” He asks, voice more gentle than Tony’s ever heard from an alpha before. 

Tony’s nodding before he can even finish his sentence. Do not look weak in front of the beautiful alpha, Tony. Don’t you dare. 

“Uh.. um, Yeah, of course.” Tony stutters, not sure what the best response would be at this point. “We were just ah…  messing around.” He finishes, feeling only a little disgusting for agreeing with Rumlow, but also not wanting to step on anyone’s toes. He didn’t come in today to start any trouble.

The opposing alpha—Rumlow had called him Steve—looks unconvinced, but drops it. “Right, ah-“ He awkwardly lets his arms drop from where they were holding Tony, taking a step away from the omega, “Sorry, I just, you smelled really distressed and I-“ He cuts himself off, looking pained.

“Um no, it’s totally fine, thank you.” Tony says, shifting awkwardly. “I’m Tony, by the way.”

The other looks relieved at the change in subject, “I’m Steve.” He returns, shaking Tony’s outstretched hand heartily.

The handshake goes on for a bit too long, Steve staring at Tony inquisitively. Tony really doesn’t mind. The more that Steve stares at him, the more Tony gets to stare right back.

Seemingly figuring out that their handshake is getting to the awkward side of ‘way too long’ Steve lets go, chuckling weakly as he scratches the back of his neck. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m acting so—you just smell really anxious.” Steve says, looking embarrassed as he says so.

Tony huffs out a small laugh. “I’m just a little nervous for my meeting.” He admits, “Really, nothing to worry about. Sorry if it’s putting you on edge, though.” Sometimes smelling an omega in distress really freaks alphas out, although that usually doesn’t happen unless it’s an omega that the alpha has a familial relationship with.

“No, no, don’t apologize! I was just.. making sure you’re alright.” The alpha says and geez, for a guy who looks the way he does, he’s pretty awkward. It strikes Tony as odd because the alpha clearly has a lot of confidence. Even in the way that he holds himself, legs in a wide stance as if ready for someone to come tackle him at any moment, and huge arms crossed over an equally huge chest, screams confidence, but his words do the exact opposite. Most alphas who are half as attractive as this one have all of their lines written out and ready to go at the drop of a hat, but this guy seems much less rehearsed.

Tony’s already halfway in love.

“So what’s got you so nervous?” The alpha asks after a beat of silence.

Tony makes a face, unsure if he’s allowed to talk about exactly what his meeting is about. “Honestly, I’m scared to tell you because there’s a good chance if I accidentally tell you something confidential, Fury will have this elevator plummeting to the bottom floor in seconds. Then he’ll probably explode the whole building, just to make sure there were no survivors.” Tony says, completely serious.

To his surprise, and complete delight, Steve laughs heartily at that. Most agents tense up whenever Tony makes fun of Fury, so it’s nice that someone finally understands just how ridiculous it is that they’re all living in a real life spy movie. “That sounds like something he’d do.” Steve agrees.

“As for why I’m nervous let’s just say I’m meeting someone I’ve looked up to for a while.” Tony says, sighing as he realizes just how close he is to being in the same room as Captain America. “As in, my whole entire life. I’m pretty much meeting my childhood crush in a few minutes.” Tony says, leaning against the elevator wall in an attempt to ground himself.

Steve gives him an interested look, “You don’t say.”

“Yeah, so you can see why I’d be nervous. It’s not like I’ve been dreaming about this day for the past 19 years of my life. I had posters of him on my ceiling for years. I dressed up as him for Halloween for nine years in a row. And now I’m supposed to act like a normal human being? Okay well, not like I ever act normal but you know what I mean. I wasn’t built for this kind of pressure.” Tony rambles, fully realizing how insane he probably sounds in front of this gorgeous alpha but he needs to do this. Maybe if he gets it all out now he won’t accidentally yell all of it in Captain America’s face when they finally meet.

Steve is silent for a moment and Tony looks over to see what seems to be a smug smile on his face. “What?” Tony asks, confused, just before the elevator beeps loudly.

The elevator door opens and Tony suddenly realizes he never even punched in a floor number. “Oh no, what floor is this?” He asks, stepping out alongside Steve.

“it’s floor 25. You’re meeting with Fury, right? He’s on this floor.” Steve says.

“Oh, thank goodness. You’re on this floor too?” Tony asks as Steve gestures for him to follow.

Steve nods, “We’re going in the same direction.”

“So? Are you going to tell me what that look was all about back there?”

 Steve glances down at Tony in a way that could only be described as fond. “You’re meeting Captain America today, right? You’re Howard Stark’s son?”

Tony let’s the questions sink in.

Processing…

Tony tilts his head and stares up at Steve.

Steve.

Steve Rogers.

Captain America.

 You’re Captain America? Why are you so young? Why aren’t you wearing red, white and blue? Why the hell do you have a beard?

 Okay so maybe, maybe it made sense that he wasn’t wearing the spangley outfit but nothing could possibly explain how the man still looked to be in his mid-twenties. Or the beard. That was really throwing Tony off.

 His blatant horror must show on his face because Steve looks guilty now, hand reaching out to comfort him? Tony wants to bat it away.

 There’s no way he’d be able to comfort Tony right now. The younger still can’t even get over the fact that he really just went and rambled on and on about how nervous he was to meet his idol to his actual freakin’ idol. Not only that but Captain America was hot. Of course, Tony had always pictured him to be but he thought after all those years under ice would have at least aged him a day. And of course the good Captain couldn’t live with the fact that he was only the most attractive man the omega had ever seen, but he had also listened to Tony intently, made him feel safe after his altercation with Rumlow, and even joked around with him about Fury.

 Tony knew he was perfect but he wasn’t supposed to be that perfect.

 The door that they’re standing in front of swings open abruptly, Clint Barton hurdling out of it and grabbing Tony into an embrace, nuzzling his neck like only packmates do. No matter how embarrassed Tony feels right now, no matter how much he feels like crying, he can’t help but return the hug, letting out a noise that can only be compared to a purr as Clint ruffles his hair affectionately. “Finally! We’ve been waiting on you Tones.” Clint says playfully. “Well, both of you, actually.” He amends, nodding towards Steve—towards Captain freaking America.

 “Which, by the way, I’m a little bitter I didn’t get to see you two meeting. What did your face look like Tony? Did he say anything embarrassing? I bet he did. Did he tell you about the cardboard cutout?”

 “Clint.” Tony hisses as he shoves his supposed friend harshly. “There was no cardboard cutout.” He offers lamely, still not brave enough to meet Captain America’s beautiful blue eyes.

 How the hell was Tony supposed to know Captain America was still 20 something and beyond attractive?

“Will you three stop wasting our time and get your asses in here?” Fury’s delightful voice yells from inside the office. Tony all but bolts in, nodding politely to Coulson and sending a salute Fury’s way. 

“Fury, glad to see you’re as bright and bubbly as always. Nat, hello.” He says cheekily, dropping down into a chair next to Nat, who graces him with a gorgeous smile and brushes a curly hair out of his face.

“Moy kotenok,” She all but purrs, tracing down his cheek and Tony preens under her attention. He hadn’t known Natasha nearly as long as he’s known Clint, but she feels like pack anyway. Clint had told him enough stories of her saving his sorry ass to make Tony respect her. 

“By the way, how come neither of you told me Captain America has a beard?” Tony asks dumbly, because what. He ignores Clint’s shocked laughter because this is a serious question.

“Stark, now is really not the time.” Fury says, sounding incredibly tired so Tony decides not to push his luck. He also tries not to look Steve in the eyes because if he does, he might drown in his embarrassment. Either that, or drown in Steve’s eyes. Neither of which were ideal options give the current situation. 

Tony does his best to revert his attention to the only other person in the room, someone who Tony was not aware would be joining their meeting but a familiar face nevertheless. “Dr. Banner.” He says, smiling at the scientist across the table. “It’s so amazing to finally meet you. I was at MIT a few years back when you gave that lecture on gamma radiation. It was absolutely incredible.” He praises genuinely, and it takes every ounce of his self-restraint to not add on a compliment about how much he loves the hulk.

Dr. Banner seems to appreciate it anyway, smiling back, “Thank you Dr. Stark, your work on… well, just about everything else is just as impressive.”

As if Tony wasn’t already preening at Nat’s attention, this amount of praise, especially by someone he respected so much had him brimming with pride.

“If you’re all done with your pleasantries, we did actually call this meeting for a reason.” Fury says blandly and Clint rolls his eyes at Tony furtively. “You all know why you’re here today. After the Battle of New York it’s become clear to the world that the Avengers Initiative is an absolute necessity. Most of you have been briefed on what’s expected of you up until the world needs you again. Stark, you’re here today because we need you on board. Your tech is unparalleled and, more importantly, your father was well involved in the creation of the initiative. We want you on as a consultant.” Fury’s words are quick and decisive. It’s clear he’s already made up his mind. “Stark Industries creates weapons and transport for Shield. I’m asking you specifically to take care of those things for the avengers.”

Beside Tony, Clint shifts uncomfortably, his eyes hard and challenging as he looks to Fury, “That’s a lot to ask.”

“It is.” Fury agrees, not bothering to look at anyone other than Tony, “I don’t trust anyone else with the job.” He says and even though Tony was never planning on saying no, that definitely feels good to hear. As an omega in the weapons industry he’s heard a lot about being too emotional, too weak, and too untrustworthy to be a good arms manufacturer. So hearing the head of one of the world’s most dangerous organizations say that he only trusts you is a pretty big win in Tony’s book.

Tony raises his eyebrows in interest. He eyes the room contemplatively, even chancing a glance at Steve—Captain freaking America. Would everyone on the team really be okay with an omega being their consultant. “If everyone is comfortable with that, I’d be happy to help.” He says earnestly. 

Clint and Natasha instantly voice their support, but they weren’t really the ones he was worried about. He’s been making their tech since he was seventeen.

Bruce sends a comforting smile Tony’s way. “I’m hoping I won’t be needed much on the field, but I am definitely excited to work with you in the lab sometime.”

Tony smiles back appreciatively, but his nerves are still high. Bruce wasn’t really the one he was worried about anyway. 

When he finally looks to Steve, he’s instantly terrified because the blonde looks actually contemplative. Tony braces himself, truly not ready to hear his childhood hero reject him. Even worse, he can feel Clint tensing up next to him in the way that alphas do when they feel challenged and he really doesn’t want to see the man he sees as an older brother get beat up by Captain America.  

When the Captain does finally open his mouth, it’s definitely not the rejection Tony had been anticipating. “Are you comfortable with this, Tony? You know you can say no, right?”

Of course. Of course Captain America didn’t have to settle for being Tony’s childhood crush, idol, and personal hero. He also had to be the kind of alpha Tony had only ever dreamed about. 

Tony takes a moment to think before responding. “I want to help. In any way that I can. Clint and Natasha already have rooms in the tower. It only makes sense for the avengers to set up base there too. I’m totally fine with it. Beyond fine, in fact. You guys do all the hard work, I’ll just make you look cool.�� Tony says, and all of it is true. Tony can’t do much. Clint and Nat have taught him how to defend himself but “I’ve never been much of a fighter, I’m just too small. But if there’s any way I can help defend the people who need to be defended, I want in.” he says simply, shrugging and sending a somewhat challenging look Steve’s way.

It falls flat though, because Steve is staring at him like that again, like Tony’s a complete enigma to him. He has that small smile on his face that makes Tony want to do whatever it is that he’s doing right now forever. Because if he can make Steve smile like that, he must be doing something right. Tony feels hot under all of the attention. It isn’t like how other alphas look at him; like he’s just a body made for their use. Steve looks at him like he’d like nothing more than to understand him. Like he wants to know Tony, not Tony Stark. Tony isn’t even sure how a look can convey that and there’s a very good chance he’s just projecting his own feelings onto Steve.

“I’m glad you’ll be our consultant then, Mr. Stark.” He says gently, and Tony tries his best to ignore Nat’s soft chuckle as his cheeks start to burn.

“Like I said before, it’s just Tony.” He murmurs, looking away and standing from his chair. “Alright well? Are we done here?” He asks, looking towards Fury.

Fury, who looks like he’s trying his absolute hardest not to outright grin like a normal human being, nods, waving them all away. “All of your things will be transported to Stark tower within the next few hours. You’re all dismissed.” 

Tony all but flees out the door, wanting nothing more than to go back to his tower and bury himself in work for the next 36 hours and avoid avoid avoid the super-soldier who he had just inadvertently admitted his love to in an elevator of all places. 

“Hey, you okay?” Clint asks as he catches up with him easily, dropping an arm around Tony’s shoulders. The words are so familiar. Tony can still hear them like the first day they met, when Tony was just fifteen with bruises coloring his jaw and neck. That was the day their tiny pack of two had began—the day Clint had become the first and only person to know about Tony’s problem and had taken it upon himself to teach Tony how to defend himself. Ever since that day Clint had been like Tony’s older brother, fiercely loyal and protective. Even though they didn’t see each other as often these days, nothing ever changed between the two of them.

Tony rolls his eyes good-naturedly, clenching his hands so Clint won’t see the slight tremor going through them.  “Of course. Fury just loves to catch me off guard. Luckily for him, the tower does have a lot of extra room. And I’ve been bored lately. Your suit definitely needs an upgrade.” Tony teases, poking Clint in the side and giggling as the other jerks back and yelps loudly.

“Geez, you give a kid all of the love and affection in the world and this is how he repays me? Slandering my suit and assaulting me. The youth these days.” Clint mutters, rubbing his side as if Tony had stabbed him.

 “Watch out, grandpa, your age is starting to show.” Tony counters, laughing loudly and picking up speed as he sees Clint start to give chase.

 Clint’s eyes are narrowed as he stalks towards Tony playfully, “Why you little…”

 “Um, I’m sorry to ah- interrupt. But can I talk to you-- Tony?” Captain freaking America steps right in front of Tony, making the younger skid to a halt, still laughing lightly but scared as hell at the idea of yet another private conversation with Captain America.

 Clint laughs, clapping Tony on the shoulder a bit too hard, “Sure thing, Cap. Tones, meet at the lobby, kay? We can head to the tower together.” He calls over his shoulder, not even giving Steve a second look. It goes to show just how much he must trust Steve, because Tony can’t remember the last time Clint left Tony on his own with anyone, let alone another alpha.

 Well if Tony wasn’t shaking before, he’s definitely shaking now. Unceremoniously, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

 “Hey, I just wanted to apologize for how we started things. I hope I didn’t freak you out.” Steve says, eyes so blue and honest, Tony has no idea how anyone ever stays mad at him.

 Tony lets out a self-deprecating laugh and looks at the ground, “I think freaked out is one word for what I was feeling.” He replies nervously, not really wanting to meet Steve’s eyes quite yet. “I’d honestly appreciate it if you just… you know, forgot everything I said in the elevator.” Tony tries, wincing only slightly as he meets Steve’s eyes, which look way too charmed for the current situation. 

“Oh come on, you didn’t say anything that bad.” Steve says, unsuccessfully trying to cover his amusement. 

“I told you about the Halloween costumes!” Tony argues, covering his face with his hands as he feels himself getting flustered.

“Hey, hey, no, it’s okay, it’s fine.” Steve grabs Tony’s hands and pulls him from his face, taking another step closer so Tony’s nose just about bumps into his chest. “I’m just teasing, don’t worry, I already forgot everything you said anyway.” Steve soothes, completely unconvincingly.

Tony is quiet for a minute, mostly because he’s trying to memorize the feeling of Steve’s rough, calloused hands gripping his own but also because he’s trying to keep himself from stuttering, “Thank you.”

Steve’s hands drop his, but the grin on his face turns mischievous. Tony sees it coming a mile away. “Was it really nine times though?” Steve asks, unable to keep himself from laughing as Tony shoves him half-heartedly.

It doesn’t help that Tony’s “shove” didn’t even come close to budging Steve. Not even close. “You’re a troll, you know that?”

After allowing Steve to calm down from laughing at his own joke, Tony sighs. “You know, you could’ve told me or something, before I went and embarrassed myself like that.” Tony says half-heartedly, sounding more pitiful than anything else. He’s smiling though, wanting Steve to know he’s not actually that upset.

Steve laughs, neck turning slightly red as he scratches at it. No one should be allowed to be this attractive. It’s really not fair. “I thought it was cute.” He replies, smile genuine and soft and dear god, Tony is so not okay. He can feel the blush creeping up his own neck slowly but surely. “Plus, I didn’t even know that you were the Tony I was meeting today. Your dad… he was a lot taller and broader.” He says, as if that really explains anything.

Tony tries his best to ignore the mention of his father. He knows Cap was friends with his dad when they were in the war together. Howard was probably very different back then. Still, he hopes Steve gets the hint to leave Howard out of their conversations. “Well, I am an omega, so…” Tony trails off, making a point to look up at Steve, pointing out their very poignant height different. He expects Steve to laugh or to ruffle his hair. He expects something like what Clint would do, maybe make a joke about how short Tony is or call him adorable.

He does not expect Steve to stare back, eyes hooded as he tilts his head to the side. Tony hadn’t noticed how close they were before. His voice is low, deeper than it had been before as he agrees, “You are.”  

There’s no way Tony’s imagining this, right? He didn’t fall into some alternate dimension while on an inventing binge, right?

Maybe he is just delirious. One second the air in the hallway feels tense, the quiet isn’t so much awkward as it is charged with some emotion Tony can’t define. But the moment passes and the two step away from each other, almost at the same time as Natasha strolls past them, looking more smug than Tony had ever seen her before.

Oh god, he’ll never hear the end of this.

“You boys coming, or what?”

The two don’t even glance at each other before scrambling after her. 

Tony lets out a relieved sigh as the doors to his workshop slide closed.

After giving the avengers a quick of the communal spaces on the residential floor and introducing everyone to JARVIS, Tony sneaks away to the workshop as quickly as possible.

His day has been long, anyway. Even after completely embarrassing himself in front of his childhood hero, Tony spent most of the rest of the day learning more about the avenger’s initiative and their day-to-day life. AKA he learned a lot about the improvements he was going to need to make to the gym area. Apparently the world’s mightiest heroes take their training very seriously. He also learns that one member of the team is currently off-world. It’s a bummer, because Tony had been really looking forward to meeting an alien, but Clint assures him that Thor will be back as soon as he takes care of Loki’s trial in Asgard.

Clint also tells Tony a lot about Captain America. Clint didn’t really like the guy at first, which doesn’t really surprise Tony. Cap strikes Tony as the kind of guy who takes his day job very seriously, which is just about the opposite to how Clint treats it.

They seemed to have worked through their issues by now though because they’re already tossing insults and bantering between themselves like they’ve been friends for years. It’s nice, Tony decides, to see this side of Steve first. Tony has a feeling if he met the straight-laced Captain America version first they might not have gotten along that well either.

Clint tells Tony that Steve is an amazing leader, that he trusts the captain with his life, and that he thinks the alpha is incredibly lonely.

It makes Tony’s stomach drop, the way Clint looks when he tells him. Especially how Clint cuffs him on the back of the head lightly and gives him that proud older brother smile as he gently shrugs, “He kinds reminds me of you.”

And don’t get Tony wrong, it’s a blessing that he gets to watch Steve’s face as he takes in all of the amazing tech he has laying about his home. In particular, the way Steve’s eyes light up and grins as Jarvis sasses at Tony about not having eaten in a few hours makes the whole day worth it.

But, like it or not, Tony has work to do and SI’s board members have been waiting for him to fall behind and screw things up for every single one of the seven months he’s been CEO. He refuses to give them a reason to push out the only omega they have on their board of trustees. He’s already made history by being the first omega to own and operate a fortune 500 industry, and he’s not planning on letting it slip through his hands anytime soon.

And besides that, Tony loves his job. Weapons development had taken a backseat to the new and upcoming clean energy stint Tony was on, but the past few days he’s been working on something new. 

If there was one thing Howard Stark could never completely achieve it was arc reactor technology. Tony remembers the days when Howard would come home after a long day at failing to successfully understand the theories surrounding it. He remembers the broken cheekbone his sass had earned him after he teased his dad for not being able to figure it out. Things like that weren’t easily forgotten.

But Tony was on a roll and during the meeting he had somewhat of a breakthrough.

Meeting Doctor Banner had reminded him of something he had learned a long time ago back when he was at MIT. If the polarity between isotopes wouldn’t create the amount of energy he needed for the energy that the reactor would require, then maybe radioactive isotopes would be enough to create a circuit of electricity that could potentially power it.

The science wasn’t completely sound, but it was Tony’s best shot at this point. He wasn’t even positive that the arc reactor was a good idea for mass production. Yes, it would serve as an amazing step towards clean energy for the entire world. But it would also be a huge temptation, and Tony knows the board of SI and even worse, the military, would want the technology for something else. Something bigger and much more dangerous. 

“Sir, it would seem that my systems are mal-mal-malfunction-“ Jarvis’ voice, glitching and pitchy, startle’s Tony out of his work, making Tony push the goggles on his face up onto his head.

 “Jay?” Tony calls, standing slowly and reaching for the welding torch on his desk hesitantly. Jarvis didn’t just ‘malfunction.’

“So you’re the one they call merchant of death, hm?” A heavily accented, feminine voice calls from behind him. 

Tony suppresses a yelp, turning quickly and holding the torch up in his hand like a weapon as he looks around. The workshop darkens as he turns, the shadows in the room creeping inward slowly as if they had a life of their own, tendrils lashing out and covering the space he often thinks of as his safe place in complete darkness. The only light he can make out is bloody, red and blurry. His head pounds and he can feel his pulse rising, almost against his own will and his vision narrows into a red haze. “Wh-what the hell?” Tony whimpers, stumbling slightly and bracing himself against the desk as the haze begins to form into a human shape. It’s terrifying; smoky, not quite transparent but opaque enough to make out a body creeping towards him. He can’t make much out, the blood rushing in his ears sounds like a waterfall and he feels impossibly distracted.

The room has filled with a high pitched ringing, as if a bomb had just gone off and his ears don’t work properly anymore. He wants to search the room again, look for any kind of light, for Dum-E’s familiar presence or even check to see if he can bolt to the door but he can’t because he’s paralyzed in fear staring at the form in front of him that’s gradually becoming more clear. 

When his eyes finally come into focus he just about drops to the ground in terror.

Because there in front of him is Howard Stark.

“No… no…. you’re dead. This is impossible.” He whispers, shaking violently as he pitches backwards, falling to the ground with a clatter. He doesn’t stop moving though, all but crawling backwards until he slams into the wall.

The thing impersonating his father steps forward, grinning cruelly like Tony’s the most hilarious thing he’s seen in years.

Which he probably is, Howard is dead, so dead, he’s been dead for years and yet here Tony is still shaking like a leaf and close to tears just like he was when he was ten. Weak, worthless, pathetic omega. Can’t even face a dead man.

“Now, now, Anthony, that’s not how we speak to our elders.” The voice is in his head, curling into his brain almost gently; still distinctly feminine but it’s not as funny as it should be—seeing his father speak with a woman’s voice. If anything it scares him even more because it may not be his father’s voice but that’s a phrase he heard from Howard many times. It was always the reprimand he received after any kind of back talk. Always the gentle parental warning he would receive after Howard backhanded him with his class rings on and kicked him in the ribs a few times.

Tony’s so scared he nearly finds himself apologizing. He opens his mouth. Sir, I’m so sorry, sir, it won’t happen again, sir.

Then he hears it. Somehow, over the constant thrum of his overactive heartbeat, over the high pitched screeching and the voice snarling in his head he can hear something pounding on the door with all its might. People are yelling. His name?

Tony flinches as a very real, rough hand grips his chin in another familiar move. The hold is strong, too tight on his jaw and Howard’s angry face stares back. “This is a warning, Stark. You must choose sides very wisely, as your father did, boy.”

With that, his father disappears. The hand holding his jaw dissipates as if it was never there in the first place and Tony stares, wide-eyed at the well-lit room from his place curled in on himself against the wall. The doors to the workshop open in an instant and it’s all Tony can do to throw the forgotten welding torch as hard as he possibly can in that direction, scrambling up.

 As he stands, he sees that he didn’t just launch a successful attack against a villain, but rather launched a marginally unsuccessful attack at Clint. The torch lands at his feet. It makes the archer start, but not even the frankly laughable throw could remove the worried expression from any of the avengers.  

Tony expects Clint to be the one rushing over first but to what seems like everyone’s surprise it’s Steve, marching over and placing a hand hesitantly on the back of Tony’s neck in a comforting gesture. “Tony, what the hell happened? Are you okay?”

Tony knows he probably looks insane. His eyes are wide and his breaths completely uneven, not to mention the fact he still has goggles still half perched on his head and he’s shaking like a leaf. “I’m- I’m fine. I just. It was Howard.” Is all he can get out, falling into Steve’s arms for the second time that day but this time actively seeking comfort. He can feel his own nails digging into Steve’s shoulders but he can’t help it, the gravity of what just happened sinking in quick.

“I think he’s going into shock.” He can hear Steve murmur to the others, even as his strong hands sooth down Tony’s back comfortingly, shushing him quietly. 

“What do you mean, Tony, you have to explain.” Steve says, clearly trying his best to use his best calm and collected alpha voice to help ease Tony’s worries but the omega is beyond that point, shaking his head frantically and pulling away.

“No, no, no, you don’t understand. He didn’t have his voice but it was him. He’s dead but he was here and it was him. He said- he said I have a choice to make and that he was warning me. Oh my god. He’s going to come back what if he comes back?” Tony asks, now opting to dig his nails into his own arms, grounding himself as best he can. He can’t even tell if he’s in a dream or not anymore. Steve is gripping his arms, trying to keep Tony from hurting himself but Tony is scared.

Steve seems to be able to hear his thoughts now. “I know, I know it was scary, but you need to calm down Tony. I promise, I’ll protect you, okay? You just need to calm down.”

The omega’s eyes finally focus in on Steve, blue locking into amber intently. “You’ll… you’ll protect me?” He asks, voice small and disbelieving. In the back of his head he can feel how embarrassed he’s going to feel later on. But right now his true nature has completely taken over. He’s a terrified, distressed omega, seeking any kind of comfort from an alpha he doesn’t know well, but one that has already protected him once before and one that his packmates trust with their lives. 

“Of course I will Tony. Nothing bad is going to happen to you, okay? We’re going to find out what happened, okay? I will personally deal with whoever put you through this.” Steve’s voice is dark as he says this and Tony watches in interest as his blue eyes harden into something much more sinister and terrifying. Tony believes Steve, every word he says. “You’re going to be just fine, I promise.”

Tony nods, his breathing finally evening out as Steve’s hands continue their soothing ministrations down his arms. He looks back up at Steve and hesitates before he speaks, “I think I’m going to pass out now.”

Finally, the darkness overtakes him.

If you liked this first chapter please give me a follow and feel free to let me know what youd like to see from the rest of this story! I also take prompts for oneshots and other stuff like that for tony-based ships (mostly stony or winteriron)