#mcu abo

[frankthesnek]

✨️ New Story ✨️

Animal I Have Become (rated E)

Stony (Tony Stark/Steve Rogers)

a/b/o dynamics, rutting, rough sex, shsmless smut

4.5k words

Stony Bingo space N3: Bullet wounds. @cap-ironman

Being injured and stranded behind enemy lines is pretty much old news for Tony and Steve at this point. However, this time it comes with a twist—Steve's injuries send him into rut. When Tony refuses to abandon his friend there's only one way things can play out.

[purpleicedteas]

Practice

by purpleicedteas

“I'm ready, too, Stevie. I just think—” Bucky sighed, a mischievous look in his eyes. “I just think we should practice.” Steve blinked. “Practice.” “Yeah. For pups. It takes some couples several cycles, so if we want to get pregnant, we need to be ready for next week.” Steve’s cheeks flushed. “Right.” “Wouldn’t want to waste a round, right?” “Right.”

Bucky Barnes Bingo: C2 - MPreg @buckybarnesbingo

Captain Bottom Bingo: Free Space @cabottombingo

Build a Bucky Bingo: Happily Ever After @buckybarnesevents

Steve Rogers Bingo: Free Space @steverogersbingo

Thank you to @buckybarnesevents for putting up such a wonderful event! The NYE Masquerade was so fun. Thank you for getting me out of a writing slump.

[bloodycassian]

Long walk home. Reader x bucky barnes ABO SMUT - 18+ DNI IFI YOU’RE NOT 18+

Living alone meant dining alone. And on the long days after work when you didn’t feel like cooking, that also meant finding the best takeout on your own. 

Even if you were in heat. It wasn’t like anyone else would be able to get it for you. And you didn’t trust a random delivery person to not beat down your door once they smelled the pheromones that leaked from your door like a bakery. 

So you stashed your knife in your front pocket and hurried your way though the streets as nonchalantly as you could. The friction of the seam in your pants was not helping your scent, but thankfully, among the crowd most of the betas couldn't’ tell exactly who the smell came from. Most gave curious glances around, only a few adjusted their positioning while they stood waiting for the crosswalk. 

You dashed inside the cramped restaurant and grabbed your order, sitting atop the counter. When you turned, you nearly crushed it into the man waiting in line behind you. “Oh I’m-” You 

His throat bobbed, his eyes dark when they met yours. “Do you ahh.. need help with anything?” He asked, as if unsure of his own words. His hair was recently cut, only the font showing the slight curl of the pattern. His boxy face and sweet eyes made your stomach flip, and as you opened your mouth you noticed his hand.

His very shiny hand, that led to a shiny forearm, then bicep. “Shit-” You breathed, unable to smell your food any longer. All your senses had been taken up by him. The way his soap melded with the very male, very alpha scent of him. It demanded your attention. By the immaculate way his body was shaped, how you’d witnessed him on TV and in documentaries a thousand times but never thought you’d ever meet him. 

“I uh, I know you.” You said, unsure how to answer his question. What exactly was he offering to help you with? You could think of a thousand ways he could help, particularly the ways he could ease the throbbing in your cunt. “You’re James-”

“Bucky.” He corrected, and eyed the bag of food, his eyes dragging over your body in a way that made you want to melt through the floor. He leaned closer, lowered his voice and spoke so softly it gave you chills. “I can escort you, if you’d like.” He said, glancing over your shoulder to the patrons that stared at you from their seats. One man at the short bar area tossed a few dollars down, and left his half drink to approach you and Bucky. 

“Yes, please.” You breathed, ducking your head and hurrying for the exit. 

+

“You’re really an avenger now, aren’t you? Saving the citizens of New York, one at a time.” You poked fun at him, hoping to ease the thick tension in the elevator ride. The entire carriage filled with your scent mingling with his, and it was every bit as lovely as you’d imagined on the walk back.

“I’m calling it my good deed for the day.” He said, taking in the shortest breaths possible. If he let himself smell your heat, the wetness that he was sure was between your thighs, he couldn’t weigh the possibilities that he’d be able to stop himself. Even during the small walk over, it took all his effort to try to act as normally as possible when other men looked her way. When they stared at her, at the way her hips moved and the hungry look in their eyes. 

Bucky had shared women before, hadn’t had a problem with it. But he’d never had a woman in heat before. He’d never wanted to test himself like that, unsure that he’d be able to stop himself from the urge to knock her up and be stuck with a kid on his payroll the rest of his unforgivingly long life. 

He wished he hadn't offered this in the first place. His cock strained against his pants, though he’d already tucked himself three different times when you weren’t looking. He watched as the elevator numbers went up, and up and up… jesus, how tall could the building be? 

He couldn’t look at you, couldn’t risk a glance in your direction. He’d nearly taken you into an alley on the way over when he’d stared too long at your ass as you led the way. And God, he could scent how badly you wanted. How much your body needed a male right now. Not a beta. The thought alone made his temper flare. No, you needed a good fucking from an Alpha, and he wanted to be the one to do it. He wanted to hear his name on your lips as he made you come undone on his cock, wanted to-

The door dinged, and he followed you out, taking a deep breath of the clean air. His mind cleared, but the desire didn’t. She started walking down the hall, towards one of the many unremarkable doors. “Are you coming?” She called, juggling the food while she pulled out a key. 

He approached slowly, eyeing the distance from her room to the elevator, taking in every small detail of the hall in search for threats. He’d never leave his paranoia behind, and he accepted it. It’d saved his life more than once. It also worked to calm his hard-on, so he could think about actually helping you instead of being a deterrent for other males.

He took your takeout bag, looking to the welcome mat splattered with stains. It was a design he could hardly make out. A cartoonish AR-15, and worn text that said “If the dog doesn’t get you, this will.” 

He scoffed a laugh. 

“What?” You asked, taking your food from him once you jammed the door open. The thing was off it’s hinges slightly, and required a good hip check to open. 

He gestured to the mat. “You don’t strike me as someone who can handle an AR.” 

“It’s a deterrent. Works great when I put the boots out.” You said proudly, placing your food and keys on the table just beside the door. 

“Boots?” He asked, stiffening when the scent of your apartment hit him. It was a goddamn wall of desire, raking over every one of his senses and assaulting his mind with need. His cock twitched. 

“Yeah, mens boots. Keeps the creeps away.”

“Well where are they now?” He asked, concern coating his mind. Had she had so many run ins with weirdos that she’d had to resort to false threats? He prayed she actually had a gun. 

“Maybe I’m not trying to keep people out, right now.” She said, leaning against the door and biting her lip. His heart ticked up a beat, blood rushed through his ears so loud he could hardly hear his own voice. 

“Why would that be, sweetheart?” 

She didn’t answer, but instead shrugged and turned away, leaving the door wide open as she peeled off her tank top and tossed it on the back of the couch. 

Fuck. Fuck, fuck fuck. He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath, inhaling the very sweet, tantalizing scent of her. “If I come in, is a dog going to attack me?” He asked, already toeing off his boots. If he’d known he’d be getting laid when going out this evening, he would have at least dressed better. 

“Another deterrent.” She called, turning on a soft lamp in the corner. Leaving his shoes outside the door, Bucky shut it with a loud creak of the hinges. 

“Is the door one, too?” He asked with a smile, eyes roaming over her gilded frame where she stood at the end of the couch. His mouth watered at the sight of her perked nipples and soft skin. 

“No, that’s just my landlord being an asshole.” She smiled.

She approached him slowly, easing off his jacket with his help. The motions were slow, like both of you wanted the other to know they could be done with this. That this didn’t have to happen if they didn’t want it. An unspoken hesitation that charged the air with challenge. Who would break their unspoken rule first? Who would touch the other first? It felt like a dam readying to break, cracking beneath the weight of desire. 

His shirt went next, Bucky swearing to himself when it caught on one of the layers of metal on his arm. He fought to control his breathing, to keep it slow. He didn’t want to rush you, didn’t want to make it a fast fuck that he’d leave right after. No, he wanted to enjoy every moment of this. Especially with such a beautiful, funny omega. In his years he’d met men and women both that had wanted him for his body, for his title, or for his fame. This seemed different. She didn’t pursue him. She’d left that door open, completely up to him to decide if he wanted to be a part of this or not. And the more time he spent in your presence, the more he wanted to stay. Your hand coasted over his bare chest, raising goosebumps over his arms.

His mind raced with ideas to come back. He could offer to fix the door. He could offer his services if she were in heat again. Fuck, he’d cook her dinner if she thought she had to go out during her heat. A part of him roared in anger that she’d even risked going out in the first place. Another was thanking the universe for her craving that led you both to the same place.

“I can hear your stomach growling.” He said, voice low and gravelly. His mind was a tornado of thoughts. The urge to take care of you, the ideas to get to stay, how to make you his, and above the rest, looming over like a cloud, he needed to be inside you.

“I can hear your belt straining.” She countered. Quick. Witty. His cheeks were already warm, but now they flared. Of course she knew, who wouldn’t know. With her scent mixed with her being fucking topless before him, no shit he was hard.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“I guess the answer depends if you’re going to fuck me or not.” You said, tension and impatience lacing your tone. 

Oh fuck. Oh, fuck this. His temper ignited. Her tone, her very presence caught him aflame with desire, need warring with a want he’d never had before. He wanted to punish you. He wanted to show you just how good he’d fuck you. Then you wouldn’t be asking again. He’d make sure you knew that if she asked, he’d give himself to her. That she’d only have to ask, first. 

His lips met yours with a heated, quick energy that you responded with in kind. His lips crushed against yours with bruising force, teeth sinking into lips and skin and tongues lapping at areas you’d never thought of before. His ran from your neck to your collarbone in a flat, long lap before he was pulling your pants down, revealing your naked cunt. He knelt before you, took a deep breath in and looked up. 

Your legs trembled at the sight of him there. Dark eyes and hair and immaculate body, his cheeks flushed. It was a sight you’d wished you could get a picture of.

His hands went to your thighs and pushed you back onto the couch, your lower half propped up against the arm while your back laid comfortably against the leather. His one hand, warm and soft, squeezed and massaged your thighs. The other, cool mechanical hand lifted your leg over his shoulder and wrapped around it, holding you in place. Warm, long kisses pressed against your inner thighs, his tongue leaving chill spots the entire way up. 

His mouth grazed over your waiting pussy, he laid his tongue flat against your clit and watched as you jolted from the shock of it.

“Fuck-” You breathed. He hummed, the vibrations going through your body and causing a chill to break out over your skin. 

He started slow, building and building his pace, his eyes occasionally darting up to watch you writhe in pleasure before him. His cock was aching, need filling the marrow of his bones. He wondered distantly if he would be able to last, once he was inside of you. His arm flexed when your thigh threatened to fall from his shoulder, and he lapped at your sex while bringing you higher up on the arm of the couch.

 The taste was incredible, sending him further into a frenzy of determination. He wanted to make you come. He wanted to make sure you came until you physically couldn’t any longer. You were a delicacy that he needed more of. 

He slid two fingers against your folds, collecting the wetness there before pushing inside you slowly. His hips rolled forward at the feeling. The warm, hot mess you were… he could feel the precome leaking from the tip of him inside his pants. Her legs flexed again, a loud moan making him groan along with you. He curled his fingers, spearing into the spot inside of you expertly. He pulled off your clit to watch his own fingers delving inside of you, working the moans from your mouth. “That’s right sweetheart-” He encouraged, thrusting his fingers in and out, drooling over the sight of you. “I’m gonna make you come. Can you do that for me?” He said, voice deep and needy. 

You nodded, but the gesture was lost. His fingers stopped. His hand pinched your nipple, hard, drawing a strangled moan from you. “Say it.” He demanded. 

“Yes- Yes!” You panted, bucking your hips to him, trying to get him to move as he had been. 

“Yes what, sweetheart?” He kissed your thighs, and worked his fingers back into the rhythm slowly. 

Fuck no. You wouldn’t be begging him to make you come. You could do that on your own. Stubbornness and spite fueled you. You pushed yourself up, brought yourself from his mouth and pushed him back with a foot. Caught off guard, he rocked back long enough for you to right yourself on the arm of the sofa and catch his lips with yours. You made quick work with his pants, and finally had his cock in your mouth within a few moments. 

“Fuck-” He hissed. If he wasn’t sure about his longevity before, he was now. He was somewhat thankful that you were easing him of the ache, but even more grateful that he’d be able to fuck you without worrying about coming inside you. Your mouth was incredible. Perfect rhythm, perfect warmth and fuck- He squinted his eyes shut and to resist the urge to hold you in place with his cock down your throat.

 Within a few minutes, he was surging, his balls so ready to release that he saw stars. “I’m going to-” You swiped your tongue over the tip of him and he was done. He came with a shuddering gasp that left your sex dripping for more of those sounds. He spilled inside your mouth and shook slightly when you brought yourself upright. His silver hand gripped the couch, exposing the white stuffing inside. You watched him a moment as he collected himself,  his breathing heavy and labored turned into senseless curses mixed with promises of what exactly he was going to do to you. 

His teeth sunk into your lip and with ease, he lifted you from the floor and bent you over the couch. “Gonna fucking give you exactly what you want-” He muttered, stroking himself a few times before rubbing the length of his cock against your waiting pussy. The heavy head of him tapped at your clit, and he rubbed it there a moment, enjoying the way your body reacted to everything he did. 

You were on fire. The core of you was burning up, and if he didn’t completely fuck you soon, you’d be ash. Your thighs pressed together, rocking against your clit in desperation. He spread your legs back apart and pressed his fingers there, rubbing you slowly. Too slowly, your body needed him, needed his knot, all of him.

“You’re bad aren’t you?” He asked, sucking marks into your back as he coated his cock with your wetness. “Don’t take orders from no one, do you?” You couldn't help but smile at that. You didn’t expect him to like that about you, not when his title as the winter soldier went against that very idea. 

“Not if it gets me a better fucking-” You hissed as his cock slid inside you, stretching and claiming you. 

“That’s what you need, a good fucking, right?” He said, pulling out nearly all the way before slamming back in. You whimpered, arms shaking as you held yourself up on the couch. Coolness pressed into your back, easing you down. Your ass raised higher in the air, his other hand slapped and gripped your cheek, shaking it slightly.

 “I think I can give you that.” He snapped his hips forward and your hands gripped for anything to hold you in place. Instead, his hands went to your hips, one of his feet to hooked over the arm of the couch, and he held you steady while fucking into you. You were moaning something, you weren’t sure but he liked it. The need of your orgasm was climbing rapidly, your walls clenching around him with every thrust. The knot at the base of his cock was beginning to swell, catching on the inside of you with every few thrusts. 

It was loud. Your skin slapping against his as he took you was enough, but mixed with both your moans, you wouldn’t be surprised if you had a complaint letter in the mail in the next few days. 

“Please-” You didn’t know what you wanted more of, but you needed it. You were so close, so nearly there that- 

He pushed down, shifting you up slightly and pressed you into the couch. He rocked into you harder, forcing your clit to grind against the material. Your insides spasmed, and seemed to take him even deeper as your climax peaked and you fell into bliss.

Oversensitivity was apparently non-existent with him, and within a few more of his thrusts you were coming again, legs shaking violently. He breathed some kind of encouragement, his knot expanded quickly at the sensation of you around him, his own arousal peaking again while your cunt milked him. The fullness of him pressed inside your entrance caused another wave of pleasure to overtake you, and you cried out as the slightest motion against the couch sent you over the edge again. 

It felt endless. A downpour of pleasure that had you melting beneath him, shuddering and panting and drooling against the cushions. He leaned against you, but didn’t put his full weight on you. You could feel his heartbeat through you bodies, and your eyes felt suddenly heavy. Two sleepless nights pleasuring yourself in a attempt to keep the heat at bay had made you exhausted. 

Within moments you’d come three times, each of them hard enough that they left you exhausted, sated for at least a little while.

You woke hours later, while it was still dark out with Bucky at your side in your bed. You felt suddenly self conscious about the state of it, but realized he’d probably seen much worse than a few piles of clothes lying around. You took stock of him, each scar that dotted his face and the ruffled hair that stood out at odd angles. His face was so relaxed, so peaceful like this. Even with his soft snoring, he was more than just handsome, he was rugged. Intimidating, if giving the right look. No wonder no other men had approached you on the walk home. 

Your eyes roamed over the rest of him, how he’d pulled a spare blanket over himself instead of going beneath the quilt with you. Had it been for your comfort or for him to slip out more easily in the morning? Was it a limitation he set for himself? If it was, why hadn’t he left already?

You watched his breathing, making sure he was deep asleep before running a finger over the cold metal of his arm. Intricate layers of metal, locked together so tightly and thoroughly that it felt like a continuous piece of metal.

 Idly, You wondered how he ever took a plane anywhere. Your hand drifted to his, where you found half a fortune cookie. He’d helped himself to your dinner, apparently. Your laugh shook the bed, but he didn’t wake. You got up, used the bathroom and went to the kitchen to heat your meal back up.

He’d placed your takeout in the fridge, along with a note with his number. So he had planned to leave in the morning. But he’d wanted to see you again. 

You warmed up the food and when done, found the shirt he’d taken off. You pulled it around you, reveling in the scent of him on it. When you returned to the bed, he wrapped you in his arms almost immediately, pulling you close to his chest and tucking his forehead against your neck.

“Gonna fix that door.” He muttered groggily. 

[umber-cinders]

Title:  𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑜𝑜𝑛 🌕❄

Chapter 23: Family Tree

Chapter Summary: Inyanga flexes her newfound freedom and authority, and M'Baku gives her a little history lesson.

Warnings:  MATURE, EXPLICIT 🔞 ‼🚨READ THE TAGS🚨‼ Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Rape/Non-con Elements, Dubious Consent, Extremely Dubious Consent, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Recreational Drug Use, Blood and Violence, Smut, Forced Bonding, Claiming Bites, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Knotting, Breeding Kink, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Wakanda AU, Dark AU

❥Chapter Index ❥

Juba managed to fuss the entire ten-minute ride into downtown Gorilla City. Most of it was endearing and indicative of her worry about the confrontation with Ngozi, but some of the scolding she did reminded Inya that Juba was undoubtedly a mother of three. Ngozi had gone back to her table looking more upset than Inya did. She imagined she’d feel bad about it later, but at the moment pettiness outweighed her sense of empathy.

“Are you sure you’re alright? I told you not to go by yourself. Ngozi is very opportunistic!”

“Yes Mother, I promise to never do it again.” Inya quipped.

Juba’s mouth dropped open, speechless until she caught the teasing smirk on the other omega’s face, then her eyes narrowed. “You know, if Alpha M’Baku said that he planned to come and get you later, he might not appreciate you just showing up to his office unannounced instead.”

“Yeah—well, I’m not an omega that always does as she’s told…” Inya hummed dubiously. “M’Baku was aware of that when he decided that he wanted to stick his dick in me for the rest of his stupid life.”

“Inya!” Juba admonished.

❥Read The Rest On Ao3 ❥

[atlasscrumpit]

Bucky x reader

Torn

Alpha/Omega au

(trigger warning, mentions past abuse)

(alpha/omega au)

(im.on vacations dn I have vertigo so if my stories are crapoy that's why)

Bucky awoke to the bed moving as he turned over to see you sobbing and grabbing at your chest in your sleep.

The Alpha inside of him panicked when he could feel your distress and fear.

"Doll, it's okay. Wake up, sweetheart." He said gently shaking you as you jolted awake and screamed.

You sat up and your entire body shook violently.

"No, no, no please don't. Please, you can't, you can't. You'll hurt me." You whispered over and over rocking back and forth.

"Y/N, I'm right here." Bucky said gentle as he placed his hand on your thigh and you turned to look at him.

You and Bucky were together, but you weren't bound together.

It was impossible for you to be claimed since the glands on each side of your neck had been destroyed.

You always kept your shoulders and neck covered so the team never knew, not even Bucky knew.

They noticed you didn't have a scent but they just assumed you were on suppressants.

"Bucky?" You whispered as he smiled softly.

Bucky wanted to claim you more than anything, and you hated that he couldn't.

But you weren't ready to tell him.

"I'm sorry." You whispered as you began to sob.

"Doll, it's okay. You're safe." Bucky whispered as you leant against him, you nuzzled into his neck and sighed softly.

Bucky played with your hair softly as you slowly drifted off to sleep.

--

You woke up the next morning to see Bucky already awake.

He was reading a book while playing with your hair.

"Bucky?" You whispered as he put his book down and looked at you.

"Morning, doll. You okay?" He whispered as you slowly sat up and nodded.

"Yeah, just a nightmare." You whispered sitting on the edge of the bed.

Bucky stood up and stood in front of you.

"I know you're not ready, love. But if we were to mate I could take it all away, I could help calm you down and make you feel safe." He said as you stood up and backed away.

"I know. I'm going to get breakfast." You said about to rush off before Bucky grabbed your wrist.

"Wait, Y/N! We need to talk about all of this. I know you had a rough past, but mating isn't scary especially not with me. I would keep you safe. The last thing I want to do is force you, but I just want to know if you really want this or not." He muttered as you looked at him sadly.

"You deserve a mate. I wish you could have one." You whispered as he looked at you in shock.

"So, you're breaking up with me?" He asked as you looked at him.

"You're an alpha, Buck. You need an omega." You whispered trying to hold back your tears.

"And why can't that be you? I desever an explanation Y/N!" He shouted making you flinch.

"So why can't we mate? Is there someone else? Am I not enough for you?" He said as you pulled away from him.

"I can't mate Bucky!" You shouted back making him look at you in shock.

"I want to, I want to with all of my heart but I can't." You whispered, the tears falling from your eyes as Bucky slowly stepped forward.

"Why, Y/N?" He asked reaching out to hold your hand.

You reached up with your other hand and moved your shirt away from your neck to show him the deep scar.

His eyes widened and he reached forward to gently touch it.

"So, that's why you don't have a scent." He whispered as you nodded.

"It's the same on the other side." You muttered before covering it back up.

"Y/N... What happened?" He whispered as you looked up at him.

He could see you couldn't bring yourself to tell him.

"Shh, it's okay. You don't need to tell me, I'm just glad you got this far, doll. I'm here whenever you need to talk, okay?" Bucky said as you nodded and hugged him.

"I'm going to go see Bruce about it today. I've never had anyone look at it so maybe he can help." You whispered as Bucky held you tightly.

"Do you want me to come with you?" He asked as you pulled away and wiped your tears away.

"I just want to go alone, of that's okay." You replied as he smiled and kissed your forehead.

"Of course it's okay."

--

You sat in Bruce's lab, softly playing with your t shirt.

"So, what brings you in today?" He asked making you smile.

"It's about my omega side." You muttered as he nodded.

"I've noticed that you and Bucky aren't bonded. Are you on suppressants?" He asked as you shook your head.

"No, but I can't...mate." You muttered before you pulled your shirt across to show him the scar.

"Shit." He muttered reaching forward to get a better look.

"Y/N, what happened?"

--

After explaining everything to Bruce and him telling you it was basically impossible to fix you went back to Bucky where he was waiting in your shared room.

When you entered he jumped up and hugged you tightly.

"I want to tell you what happened." You whispered as he nodded.

"Just know you dont have to." He said as you smiled and led him over to the bed to sit beside you.

"I want you to know the truth." You replied as he held onto your hand tightly.

"My father did this." You whispered looking down at the floor as Bucky looked at you in shock.

"Was he trying to protect you from other alphas?" Bucky asked as you shook your head.

"No. He...he wanted me." You whispered feeling tears in your eyes.

You squeezed Bucky's hand even tighter and took a deep breath in.

"He tried to mate with me." You muttered looking to Bucky who looked pale and in shock.

"Of course it was impossible, he got so angry that he tore into my skin so no one else would ever have me." You explained looking into Bucky's eyes.

He reached forward and wrapped you up in his arms as you began to cry.

"I'm so sorry, doll. Thank you for telling me." He whispered running his hand through your hair.

"I'm guessing that's what all the nightmares are about." He said making you nod in response.

"I love you so much, Y/N."

"I love you too, Bucky."

[ojerasgigantes]

Muevete bien (que nadie como tú me sabe hacer café) CHT. 8

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Pairings: Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton

Characters: Clint Barton, Bucky Barnes, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanov, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers

Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, PTSD, Alpha!Bucky Barnes, Omega!Clint Barton, Slow Burn, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Young!Clint Barton, Explicit Sexual Content, True mates-ish

Words: 42.5k

Fic Summary:

So, nothing dangerous is happening, just so you know." Bruce said reassuringly. "It just seems that you two, genetically speaking, align very well, almost perfectly."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that your body is more inclined to want to reproduce with him, because your compatibility level is extremely high.” Bruce explained, and after a moment smiled. “Or would I dare to say, you two are true mates."

AO3 LINK

The person in the mirror looking back at him vaguely resembled Clint. The difference was enough that he had to look twice to reassure that it was actually himself in that reflection. 

Damn, he looked weird as a blond.

Hill had stopped him an hour later after their meeting, only to hand him a hair bleaching kit. At the time, Clint almost wanted to protest, but after thinking before speaking, he decided to shut his mouth instead. He didn’t want to make himself look even less cooperative after the little outburst he had had in front of her.

The thing was that Clint was blond already. A dirty, less blinding shade of blond, but blond nonetheless. So, looking at himself sporting the same color he had when he was 3 years old was a little unsettling to say the least.

“You look like you are a member of NSync.”

Clint looked past his own reflection to see Natasha standing at the door of the bathroom. Hewanted to be mad at her for the trick she pulled on him, but couldn’t. Not when it had actually been helpful. He didn’t want to think about how his heat would’ve gone if she hadn’t brought him Barnes’ hoodie.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Clint said, and fixed his hair in the mirror. After a moment he scrunched his face, still not used to how he looked like, “I’m surprised I didn’t end up bald.”

“I’m surprised they didn’t send you to a professional stylist, with the amount of money they carry around.” Natasha added.

“Do you think I would’ve sat down for more than an hour while doing nothing?” Clint asked, raising one brow at Natasha through his reflection.

“No.” She said, and cocked her head to the side.

Clint turned to face her. Natasha’s eyes raked through his hair, admiring the work he had done.

She smirked, “He likes blonds, you know?” 

Clint felt his eyes roll into the back of his head so hard he saw spots.

“I was already blond.” 

“Not like this, though.” Her grin grew wider.

Clint agreed with a hum, and leaned back against the sink. After a second, Natasha left her spot at the door, walking closer.

She waited for Clint to make eye contact before she spoke.

“You should talk to him.” She said, serious.

Clint opened his mouth to retort, hands up, ready for a fight. But, he had run out of excuses for himself and his behavior. And whatever he could think of at the moment, would not fly by Natasha for even a second.

He let his arms fall back down, his right hand gripping the side of the sink, “I know.” He sighed, running his other hand over his face.

“You have been acting like an idiot these past weeks.” She stated, giving him a knowing look.

Clint hung his head, and groaned “I know.” .

He looked up at the ceiling, and sighed, a bit tired from having woken up at 4:30 am. He didn’t sleep as well as he would’ve liked. The knowing pressure of anxiety plaguing his chest and trying its best to keep him awake.

“What are you doing up, anyway?” Clint questioned her, “I know you are a morning person, but this early?”

Natasha looked away for a second, and she bit back a smile, “Can’t I say goodbye?”

Clint huffed, “Like you don’t disappear for months without telling me.”

When Natasha didn’t say anything to him, he turned his whole attention to her. She had her arms crossed, and was looking at him, fond behind her eyes. But most of all, Clint knew she was assessing him.

Clint offered her a bright smile.

“Don’t tell me that you are worried.” He said, mocking her just a little.

“I’m not.” She answered, although her smile said differently, and both of them knew she was lying.

“It’s okay.” He said, and walked around her towards the door, “I’m glad to know that you love me.” He taunted her.

Natasha sighed, a little disgruntled, “I do.” She admitted.

Clint felt the smile on his face soften, his heart clenching a bit. Her scent heightened, a little bit warmer, and Clint wanted to wrap himself with it. The idea of staying in the compound, in the comfort of what he knew, made itself known in Clint’s mind. But he discarded it quickly.

Instead, he went to hug Natasha.

He embraced her, clutching onto her a little too hard. Natasha accepted it gladly, fitting herself against Clint’s frame, hands around him. 

“I do too, Nat.” He mumbled against her hair. He scented her, trying to keep her smell close to him.

If Natasha did it back, he didn’t notice. She let the hug happen for a few more seconds, and then squeezed him before stepping away.

“Take care of yourself.” She said sincerely. The ‘please’ went unsaid.

Clint nodded, rolling his eyes. Then, was immediately startled by Natasha’s grip on his face as she forced him to look at her.

“And don’t do anything idiotic.” She ordered, expression hard, the smile she had gone.

“Okay, okay!” He relented, pulling away from her hands.

Before he left the bathroom, he turned to take a last look at her and wave her goodbye. It was going to be hard to contact her for however long this mission was going to take, and a wave of uneasiness rolled over him.

Either way, Clint forced himself to walk away. A helicopter was waiting for them outside, ready to take them to the airport. The clutch he had on his duffel bag tightened the moment he caught sight of the helicopter.

He knew his reaction in that meeting was overblown, so he was still feeling a little embarrassed about it. And, on top of everything, he really wasn’t looking forward to spending time in a confined space with Barnes.

As he approached the helicopter, Clint inhaled deeply. The humid scent of the morning mist filled his nostrils. He was taking advantage of the fact that he was outside and the air was yet to be tainted by Barnes. He made sure to take in his fill, knowing that he would barely catch a break after the mission started.

Clint was the first to arrive, and he greeted the pilot with a nod, waiting obediently a few meters away from the helicopter. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait that much. He heard footsteps approaching towards where he was standing and Clint raised his head to greet Barnes only for the words to get stuck in his throat.

Bucky had gotten a haircut. 

Clint almost didn’t recognise him. The long hair he had gotten used to was completely gone. Now, his hair was in an almost military style. The haircut faded seamlessly into his beard, enhancing his jawline and leaving his neck exposed.

Feeling himself getting a bit flustered, Clint couldn’t help the tiny noise that escaped his throat. He was glad that it was low enough that it could only be heard by himself. 

Bucky looked good. Too good. So good that the tight grip Clint had on his sanity wavered just a bit. 

When Bucky finally stopped in front of him, his eyes were busy on the phone in his hand. Clint swallowed thickly, and shook his head. 

“I see they butchered your hair as well.” Clint commented, voice tad hoarse.

At that Bucky looked up, seemingly to retort at Clint’s insult, but froze. His eyes frantically jumped between his hair and his face, wide and shocked.

Ouch. Clint had thought for a millisecond that he actually looked hot with that shade of blonde. He felt the need to explain himself, that this wasn’t his choice either.

“I know its kinda odd-“ 

Clint stopped mid-sentence, Bucky’s scent reaching him abruptly. He smelled him properly for the first time since yesterday, the outside wind had done a good job at hiding it. Thicker and heavier than he expected, it wrapped around the both of them, the taste of arousal unmistakable.

Wide eyed and surprised, Clint looked back at Bucky astonished. He felt the back of his neck warming up as his gaze didn’t peel away.

“What the fuck.” 

Clint snapped towards the voice, and found the pilot staring at them, hand over his nose and mouth. 

Holy shit.

This apparently had also broken Barnes’ stare, and Clint saw him look away as his scent toned down. Barnes’ lips thinned, his metal hand harshly clenching the handles of the bag he was holding.

Barnes went inside the helicopter without further comment, leaving Clint outside to fester in his stupor.

“Noted.” Clint muttered to himself, and followed him a few seconds after.

--

Clint and Barnes stood there, and looked at the apartment building in front of them as the taxi that took them there squealed away. Clint thought how it honestly didn’t look half bad. Sure, it was old, and looked a bit ugly, but Clint had been used to sleeping in places that looked much worse for wear than this one. Places where you could hear rats scratching the walls from the inside, and occasionally see a roach or two scurrying on the floor. Where people high out of their mind were passed out right at the front door of the building or in the middle of the hallway.

This was definitely run down, but it was fine. 

Barnes went ahead of him, and walked up to the main entrance without saying anything. Clint bit his cheek at the obvious avoidant behavior, staring at him for a moment before following him. It’s not like Clint had any right to be annoyed at it, since he was the one who started that.

He could understand it on a certain level. To their detriment, they flew commercial, given that they were going undercover. And being in a confined space with Barnes only one seat away from him was almost torturous. The constant smell coming from him never really dissipated as much as he had hoped for, and spiked every now and then. It made Clint want to gouge his eyes out in frustration. His nails were almost bitten to the hilt by the two hour mark. At that point he decided to ask the flight attendant for the strongest alcohol they had. When she brought him a small bottle of vodka, he thanked her, and just held the open lid of it right under his nose for the rest of the flight. 

But, even then, he was expecting Barnes to be more talkative than this. The helicopter ride, four hour flight, and the one hour and a half drive down to the apartment, had been a long awkward silence. After the first words Clint had said to him, Barnes never bothered to speak. He sat at the opposite side of the helicopter, and even wore a surgical mask throughout the whole flight. Every now and then, Clint would ask a question, are you sure this is the right gate?, or make a superficial comment, look at the price on these fucking water bottles . But all he would get back would be a small hum in agreement.

It was driving him insane to be on the other side of the coin. 

Anyway, if Barnes was being infuriating on purpose, Clint was not going to fold backwards to meet his need to act like a pussy. Nevermind that that was exactly what Clint had been doing for the past 2 weeks .

Their apartment was located on the highest floor. They had easy access to the roof, the height of the building could be used as a vantage point to survey the streets below, and, if they were compromised, it would give them a longer time to escape through other means. 

Barnes’ opened the door unceremoniously, and the inside of the apartment was as mundane as someone could imagine. An open floor plan and it wasn’t as small as Clint had imagined. On the right there was a full kitchen, equipped with an oven, a microwave, a full-sized fridge, and even a simple coffee machine, which he was glad to see. The kitchen faced a square wooden table with 3 chairs sitting around it. And on the far right was a long couch facing a TV pushed against the wall. The living space opened to a hallway, and Clint could see it led to three doors, which he assumed were the two bedrooms and the bathroom.

“Fridge and pantry are full.” Barnes’ said, and Clint almost jumped, not expecting to hear his voice. He looked back at him, and noticed he had already opened all the cabinets in the kitchen, “And we are fully stocked.”

Clint peered from where he was standing near the couch, where he had dropped his belongings. Barnes had moved aside, the door of what seemed like a pantry closet opened. Guns and weapons of all shapes and sizes were hanging off the wall inside.

Clint made a low whistle before heading to the windows. Sliding one open, he tested the locks. Firm, but breakable under someone who knew what they were doing. He pressed his hands against the window pane, and then knocked on it.

“Windows are bullet-proof.” He commented.

He was met with another one of Barnes’ hums.

They swept the apartment, checking every nook and cranny. Clint would like to think that they were meticulous, looking for anything out of place, like tiny mics or hidden cameras. When they found nothing after almost 30 minutes of looking, Clint went to grab his bag from the couch.

“I’ll take the room at the far end.” Clint said, and headed for it.

The bedroom was as boring as the rest of the apartment, with a double bed in the middle, a night stand on each side and a closet up against the wall. As he arranged everything in the drawers, he took a deep breath. He was already feeling overwhelmed and on edge, but grateful that Barnes’ scent was not invading the small space of the bedroom. Still, he eyed the gap between the door and the floor, and made a note of clogging it with blankets to ensure that it stayed that way.

It was gonna be a long couple of weeks.

He cracked the window open for good measure.

___

It took them less than an hour to settle properly in the apartment. And Clint, not being able to handle staying there with the crushing tension of their unresolved problems, told Barnes that they should check out the neighborhood and look into where this bar was. 

If anything, Barnes was efficient, so he didn’t hesitate to accept the request and a couple of minutes later they were strolling out on the streets.

The neighborhood they were staying at was similar their building, lower-middle class in every sense of the word. Lots of small alleys and old housing decorated the streets. Littering seemed to be a norm of sorts. The smell of burning trash clinged to his nostrils, and Clint wasn’t sure if he should be grateful or not.

They had a bit of a more pressing manner, people were staring at them, him to be precise. An old lady shot him a dirty look, literally clutching her cardigan and making a disapproving noise, loud enough that they could hear as she walked by them.

At that, Clint followed her with his eyes as she moved further down the street.

“What the fuck is her problem?” He asked, annoyed.

He turned to Barnes, who hadn’t even turned to look back at the old woman, and he shrugged, looking tired.

“We are in the south.” Barnes answered simply.

Ah.

Clint wouldn’t necessarily call himself sheltered, he was from Iowa after all. But spending most of his late childhood to the end of his teenage years in the non-judgemental world that is a circus. And then immediately being recruited by SHIELD, where no-one really gave a shit about who you were, might have put him inside a bubble.

Literally and metaphorically, he got shielded from most discrimination connected to his second gender, even if he knew about it, even if he witnessed it whenever he spent too much time in public with Tony. He thought of how most omegas used suppressants, not because they needed them, but because they were highly pressured to use them. Clint was just lucky enough to have his heats be mild enough that he never even gave them a second thought, and to have his doctors be ones approved by SHIELD.

Although now he wondered if they would help his situation with Barnes. He made a mental note to text Bruce about it later.

In places where people were more conservative, Omegas commonly wore things to hide their neck, like necklaces, collar, scarfs or turtleneck shirts. It was a traditional and primitive way of ‘protecting’ their virtue, and Clint was not fond of it at all.

Clint, who was wearing a hawaiian shirt with the first 4 buttons undone, chest half exposed to try and combat the summer temperatures, and was now getting some odd looks by the old locals.

“Damn hag.” Clint muttered, feeling more bothered by the comment than he expected. He picked up his pace and  caught up to Barnes.

They did a proper sweep of the neighborhood, and concluded that it just was a common rundown lower class one.

Even though the encounter had unsettled Clint, it didn’t really throw him off. Atleast, no more than the prospect of spending his time here tiptoeing around Barnes. So, he made sure to extend the outing by going directly to the garage as soon as they came back.

The drive to downtown was mostly silent, with Clint humming to the songs playing on the radio while tapping on the the wheel. The car they were given was a pick-up truck, one that many people in Arizona seemed to have, inconspicuous and ugly. 

Barnes sat next to him, map in hand and window completely down. Clint didn’t even try to start idle conversation anymore, he was just glad that Barnes at least was being cooperative enough to direct him through Albuquerque. 

“It’s in the next block, stop here.” He said, leaning forward.

Clint did as told, parking in front of a random Dollar General.

They walked until they saw the recognizable “Merlin” sign. Pulling up his phone to compare it with the picture they had, Clint let out a sigh of relief. This bar, for being as popular as it seemed to be, didn’t exist on any maps, review apps, or sites. It was almost like it was deliberately wiped off of  the internet, only being mentioned on some obscure subreddits about nightlife. It looked mostly the same, they might have painted the outside a deeper shade of purple, but the image was identical, so Clint was sure they were at the right place.

“This looks like a sex club.” Barnes commented.

“It might be,” Clint said, and scoffed, “Who knows what shit they get on in the VIP areas.” He went to take a step forward, but was stopped by a hand going around his waist.

The sudden touch and closeness made him jump, Barnes’ scent invading his space hastily. Immediately, Clint’s body reacted, and he felt himself melt a little towards him, his brain purring happily at the contact.

Before he could decide whether Barnes was going to keep his other arm, he looked up towards the building, searching for the camera, and noticed one right above the sign pointing at the street. Clint glanced at Barnes quickly, and kept a neutral face as he wrapped his own arm around his shoulders.

The warmness creeping on the back of his neck was obviously caused by the heat.

They walked closer to the building, Clint could make out a paper plastered on the inside of the glass door. He leaned closer to Barnes.

“I can see they have the schedule of their opening hours on the door.” Clint said, voice low and a playful smile plastered on his face.

Barnes closed his eyes for a second too long, before opening them and giving back a small smirk to Clint. “Let me get closer.”

Barnes’ left the space next to him, and Clint immediately became a bit cold, even though it was 95 degrees. He now vividly remembered why liking  someone was just fucking annoying.

After a couple of seconds of him looking at it, he was back at his side, his hand fitting where it was before. Clint tried to ignore the way his own body relaxed.

“It opens from Thursday to Sunday night.” He said.

Trying not to curse at the fact that it was a Wednesday, Clint smiled lazily, “They do not care about the lord’s day.” He chuckled.

They continued walking down the street, unsure whether a camera could still be pointed at them. The moment they turned the corner of the block, Barnes separated himself, creating at least a meter of space between them.

Clint chose not to say anything about that, knowing that it was partially his fault that things had ended up like this. Still, it stung like a bitch.

They ended up going around the block to get back to their truck. The silence on the way back to their stay was even more deafening than before.

-----

Bruce: We could look into that.

Clint groaned and put his phone down, not liking the vague answer he got. The TV was on some local channel, and they were showing reruns of ‘El Autentico Rodrigo Leal’. So, Clint was trying his damndest to enjoy this extremely dramatic telenovela, not that he was being very successful at that. It was almost 10pm, and he wasn’t sure how well he was going to sleep anyway.

Barnes had been in his room since they came back, and to be completely honest, Clint was glad. It gave him the time needed to think about how to deal with this. He was honestly done with the silent treatment they were giving each other. The mission was going to last for who knows how long, and Clint would rather eat his own hair than continue to walk on eggshells around the only person he was going to be with for the time being. 

He was wracking his brain on how and when he should broach the subject when he noticed Barnes blocking partially the TV. Clint, stunned at seeing him, looked up in confusion, and saw that Barnes was holding a cup of coffee towards him.

Clint blinked, not completely sure how to react, but took the cup anyway a moment later. Most of all he was surprised, given that he hadn’t realized Barnes had left his room, or that he had been making coffee right behind him. The apartment already reeked of him, so Clint only noticed his scent getting stronger once he was near. But the fact that he didn’t hear him, or saw him coming from the hallway was worrying. Was the TV that loud? Or was his mental state that bad?

Clint held up the cup to his nose to take a whiff. He couldn’t help the small smile at how nice it smelled.

“At this time of the night?” He asked, and took a swig of it.

Barnes took a seat at the other side of the small couch. 

“Like you give a shit about that.” He said, another cup in his hand, “I was going to offer you a beer, but I don’t think alcohol is a good idea.”

Clint nodded in agreement. He wasn’t certain how to take this sudden approach from Barnes. He welcomed it, given the fact that it just made things easier, but he was still wary.

“What even is on?” Barnes asked him, gesturing at the TV.

Clint cleared his throat, and sat up straighter, “‘El Autentico Rodrigo Real’, a Colombian soap opera.” He said, “I can’t watch any episodes I haven’t watched before because Natasha would kill me if I did, but this channel is re-running episodes from the first season.”

Barnes tried to focus on what was going on the show, and then turned to Clint, a little confused, “Do you even know what they are saying?”

“Enough to understand what’s going on.” Clint answered, and shrugged, “Spanish is not so different from Italian.”

“You speak Italian?” Barnes asked, a bit astonished. Clint tried not to take offense to that.

He gave him a cocky smile, “Fluently, actually.”

Barnes hummed in response, and then didn’t say anything else. Clint was happy to pay attention to his soap opera, but as the silence stretched longer, he couldn’t help but remember the last time Barnes had made him coffee. He turned the now half-empty cup on his hand, and decided that maybe he could take the higher road this time.

Turning his whole body towards Barnes, he breathed deeply before speaking, “Is this…” Clint started, and raised the cup towards him, “another peace offering of yours?”

Barnes offered him a sincere smile, “If you want it to be.”

Clint looked back down at his cup, swirling its contents around as he thought about what to say next. There were many things he could say. Clint had made mistake after mistake, and had acted in ways that had just steered things in the wrong direction. All those times he had brushed Barnes away or answered him curtly, just made the problem worse. Or even back when they had found their precarious condition, and Clint had just wanted to deny its existence. 

He had a lot to make up for. But Clint was not a noble nor virtuous man. All he knew was to face his problems with raised fists and bloody knuckles. And when that was not possible, he would always push them away, pretend that they weren’t there and hoped they would simply disappear. 

Thinking about the easy smile Bucky had been giving to him all those times they would just sit and banter, made Clint’s heart stutter. Bucky’s scent being warm and smooth, wafting naturally as they interacted, untainted by the smell of anxiety. He was capable of admitting to himself that he missed it. That he missed their awkward and weirdly comfortable conversations. The slow loosening of their friendship, as it became more relaxed and simple. 

And on top of it all, he knew Bucky deserved better than Clint’s severe communication issues.

In the end, he came to the conclusion that he wanted to start with a simple apology. 

With his eyes closed and head hanging low, because he was a bit too much of a coward to look him in the eyes while saying sorry, Clint braced himself before speaking.

“I- “

“I wanted to apologize.” 

At Barnes’ voice interrupting him, Clint looked up, gaze connecting with his.

“Okay.” He said, frozen on the spot and uncertain, not sure if he heard him correctly.

Bucky shifted on his seat, and left his cup at the coffee table. He clasped his hands together, with his elbows resting on his legs, “I shouldn’t have insulted you.” He continued, “I know I said I was angered, and to be honest, I still am, a little.”

Clint nodded at him, still in a bit of disbelief. The words he was gonna say stuck at the back of his throat.

“But, even then, you didn’t deserve that.” Bucky said, sincerely, “So, for that I am sorry.”

Clint looked away. Needing the bitter taste of the coffee to clear his head, he drank from his cup. He tried to remember when was the last time someone had apologized to him with words, and unsurprisingly he came up with nothing.

“I would say that it’s fine, but-” He started, and Clint decided to ride the train of sincerity, since they were already on it, “Not gonna lie, it did bother me.”

Bucky scratched the back of his neck, and sighed, “I know.” 

Clint finished his coffee in one go, just so he could have some time to articulate his answer properly.

Although the fight was both of their faults, they wouldn’t have gotten to this point if it wasn’t for Clint’s need to be aggravating and petty. Sometimes, having the last word felt too good, especially when he felt like he needed retribution. Looking at how long he dragged this out, Clint was sure that this was more than enough. 

Clint breathed deeply before speaking, “Well, I wanted to apologize too.” He said, his voice steady, “I wasn’t being fair to you, and just… made the situation worse by acting like an asshole.” 

The self-deprecating joke at the end was an attempt at lightening the mood.

A small smile formed on Bucky’s face, “I thought you only admitted your mistakes to your therapist.”

Clint snorted and let himself relax into the couch, his head resting on the back of it. A sense of relief washed over him, and he felt a weight being lifted from his chest. God, he really had to stop being insufferable just because of his wounded ego. If not for the sake of others, for the sake of his own peace of mind.

“Sometimes I have enough presence of mind to understand when I have to take my head out of my ass.” Clint muttered back.

Bucky huffed, and didn’t answer anything back. Thinking that the conversation was over, Clint turned his attention back to the sound of the soap opera. 

“I… um-“ 

Clint’s attention bounced back to Bucky, who looked nervous.

“I also wanted to tell you that, what I saw in the common room-“

Oh God .

Clint jolted up-right.

“Please, don’t-“ 

Just the mere mention of it made him nauseous.

“Clint-”

“It’s fine-” He felt as it became difficult to get the words out, the shame of what happened clawing its way through his throat.

Barnes, although hadn’t moved an inch, looked increasingly more concerned. At that, Clint almost reacted violently, the thought that what Barnes was showing could be pity, immediately making anger start to simmer. 

Instead of letting that brew, he focused on his own breathing, and tried to appear calm.

“Can we just forget that ever happened?” Clint asked him, “Please.”

Barnes didn’t look completely convinced, but he must’ve seen something in Clint’s expression, because after a moment, he sighed and looked away, letting it go. 

Clint let his eyes close, his heart rate finally slowing down. He threw himself back onto the sofa, wishing that Barnes had brought him that beer instead of the coffee that was already gone.

“What did Steve tell you?” Barnes asked abruptly, after a minute or so of silence.

Clint, knowing very well what he was asking, frowned at him, “What does Steve have to do in all of this?”

Barnes just stared at him. Clint stared back blatantly, partially because he did not want to say anything, and mostly because he still liked being abrasive. When Barnes didn’t look away, or  seemed inclined to take back his question, Clint sighed.

“He just wanted to know what happened between you and me.” Clint stated the truth, feeling tired of lying. He then snorted, looking back at Bucky with a smirk, “And… you are right, he unironically thinks we should hang out more often.”

“That’s all?” Bucky retorted, edging Clint to speak more.

Clint’s eyes shifted to the ceiling. He thought back to the conversation they had, back to Steve’s attempts of comforting him. It hadn’t helped as much as Clint would’ve liked it to, in the end it had served to deepen the hole he had been burying himself in. Steve had basically said that Bucky was rejecting him, that he didn’t want him, and that the idea of wanting him was out of the table. Maybe not explicitly, but it definitely felt like that was what he meant.

And that was the reality. This whole situation was caused by something out of their control. They were thrusted into a too small of a cage, forced to circle each other at the edges, clawing at the walls until one of them caved into the helplessness of it. It wasn’t anyone's fault, neither of them had wanted to be there. And it wasn’t Bucky’s fault that Clint was the one to give in first.

It’s the way it has to be, right?

“He said that you were ashamed of what happened.” Clint stated, matter-of-factly, still staring up.

“Ah.”

Clint turned his head back towards Bucky, cheek against the couch, eyebrows scrunched together. Bucky’s scent had gone from mostly neutral to having an undertone of mustiness, of guilt. An anxious feeling settled on Clint’s guts.

“So, it's true.” He said, hating how the hurt in his voice betrayed his stoicism.

“Yes.” Bucky admitted, and Clint didn’t flinch, “But, not in the way you think.”

“Help me here then,” Clint urged, “before I get more offended.” 

A silence stretched between them as Bucky seemed to ponder what to tell him. The smell of must continued to grow between them, and Clint had to bite his tongue to stop himself from asking him if he was ok. 

When Clint thought that maybe Bucky was never going to speak, he finally did .

“I lost control.” Bucky muttered, voice low. 

Clint’s mind went blank for a couple of seconds. 

His head left the back of the couch, and he sat up, turning his whole body towards Bucky’s. He frowned deeply, eyes wide.

“What?” Clint asked, a bit confused.

Bucky didn’t seem to look relieved at Clint’s bewilderment, or less guilty. Instead, he just looked down to where Clint’s hands were resting on the couch.

“I wasn’t… present, not completely.” He explained. “Everything seemed muddled, and I could only focus on your scent, on your body…”

Bucky’s whole body was rigid, his fingers digging into his thighs. His jaw clenched as he swallowed forcefully. It looked like speaking at the moment was as if someone was pulling his teeth out.

“I was already on top of you when I came back to my senses.” He said, voice strained, “And, I could finally feel the grip I had on you… the strength behind it.”

Pulling his hands up to inspect them, Clint had a flash of their incident on the mats. A vivid memory of Bucky on top of him, face close enough that his breath tickled Clint’s nose, came to the front of his mind. Clint recalled the small moment in which Bucky had tightened his hold on his wrists, it had lasted less than a second.

Clint shook his head, wrapping a hand against his wrist, moving it around. 

“That’s nothing, they're barely bruised.” Clint tried to reassure him.

It didn’t seem like it worked.

“Clint, I wasn’t using that much strength-“ 

“I sure fucking hope so. I don't want broken bones.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, 

His mouth shut harshly when he was met with the hard gaze of Bucky’s expression. Clint averted his eyes.

“I’ll shut up.” He mumbled.

“I didn’t realize. At least I don’t remember that I did.” Bucky said, defeat and shame dripping from his words, “And I don't know which one I find more worrying, the possibility that I didn’t use that much strength and I still bruised you, or that I was so out of it that I didn’t register it.” 

If the expression on his face wasn’t enough, a hint of a metallic smell, hidden between Bucky’s scent, reached him. And Clint froze, trying to process that what Bucky was feeling was fear.

As always, he tried to play it down. 

“Don’t you think you are being a little drama-“

“Look, I am strong, at least 10 times stronger than you- that’s not an insult- and it’s not like I haven’t had sex since I stopped being The Winter Soldier, but I always have had to have a certain level of control over it.”

Bucky deflated, and hid his face with one of his hands. He just looked tired, shoulders hunched, and looking somewhere distant. Another type of weight settled on top of Clint’s chest, tying his tongue. 

Bucky exhaled long and deeply, before locking his gaze with Clint’s.

“And I don’t have that guarantee with you. At all. If being in the same room as you is already a test of my self control…” Bucky continued, “I have no idea if I’d be able to do it in another… circumstances. And I can’t go through that, not again.”

The last part sounded almost like he was begging. Taking in his whole demeanor, Clint understood that what had happened at the gym, had shook Bucky deeply. That it scared him.

“So, when I said I didn’t want to risk it, I meant it.” He told him. “It could’ve taken a turn for the worst…”

Clint looked away, feeling that Bucky’s stare was too much to handle at the moment. 

Being part of a group of extraordinary people sometimes gave Clint imposter syndrome. He was constantly among the strongest, smartest, and weirdest people in the world. It wasn’t a surprise that people like him could easily go under the radar, especially in comparison to the big shots that surrounded him. But he wasn’t weak. He had earned his place working for SHIELD for several reasons, and the fact that Bucky was acting like he was easily breakable didn’t sit right with Clint.

He bit his tongue so he wouldn’t start another argument, his ego wounded again by Bucky’s implication.

Clint gave into a coy smile, willing to forget the insult in order of getting over their discussion.

“I’m just saying, you don’t know if I’m into freaky stuff-” 

“Clint-“

“I’m joking.” Clint relented, laughing, his smile not faltering. 

Now that Bucky had his hair short, he could see the slight flush that had appeared on the tip of his ears. And Clint wondered if they were like that whenever he would make a pass at him, conveniently hidden underneath the mane that he used to have.

Bucky still seemed a bit unnerved, his jaw tense and scent still a little musty.

Clint’s smile turned softer, and he felt the recognizable emptiness filling his stomach. 

“I understand very well the need to keep shit under your own control.” Clint added, voice knowing.

Bucky hummed in agreement, “A side effect of brain-washing?” He quipped.

Clint barked a laugh, smile widening, “Amen.”

Bucky laughed with him, and Clint couldn’t believe he had been so stubborn when he could've evaded weeks of tension and bitterness. When he could’ve had this, Bucky’s scent finally ridding itself from that invasive undertone. At that, Clint felt himself relax a little more. And in that moment of relief he found that he didn’t care that much about it.

[selene-borealis]

I learned today that some spiders have a huge sexual dimorphism between females and males (the females are a lot bigger) and now all I can think about is an ABO AU where an omega!Peter becomes a lot bigger than all the alphas on the team, like think She-Hulk (6’7”) size, and Tony all of the sudden discovers a kink that he didn’t even know he had

[sunnysideprincess]

“Rampage”

Steve has only ever heard tall tales. On one side, of how feral Omegas are born from too much freedom, too much of outsider's touch and a weaker, submissive Alpha. He'd known those were nonsensical rumors to curb the fire that burned with Omega rights. On the other hand, some believed them to be made up stories. Feral Alphas were real and usual sightings, more often a result of an unexpected rutt. Cases reported for feral Omegas, however were two or three in a decade—mostly false. Sightings, none. Living witnesses, none.

Watching Tony crouch and growl at their guards, the limp body of his ward secure behind him, Steve thinks there's a reason for all of that. The bright red eyes, the fangs that ripped into the man's throat like tender meat and the putrid stench of death emanating from the generally cinnamon scented Omega—safe to say, no feral alpha would be any match for a feral Omega.

After, after it's done. After Harley blinks and calls out for his "mechanic". After, like a switch flipped, Tony grows limp and heavy, crawling towards the kid, dragged down by the foreign blood on his body and the still fading rampage. After Steve stares at the mangled corpses of the Hydra agents and lets out a soft chuckle.

"This sucks. No one's gonna believe me."

Tony looks at him, the residual red merging with his beautiful earthy hues. Steve wonders if he could remember it well to put it on a canvas.

"Sorry," Tony whispers, his voice hoarse as he cradles Harley close to his chest. "I'm sorry, but they hurt him-"

"They did. And they deserved what came to them for that."

The picture they paint—Steve recalls telling Tony about the man who wanted family, stability going into the ice. Thinking about Tony going feral for a child that isn't even his, bit by bit Steve thinks maybe that man is being revived. By the very person who stole his heart by flying a nuke to space.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Oh wow! I can't believe it! It seems everyone who voted on the Preferred X-Men Media have seen quite a few, even the more obscure ones! Here are the results, the most popular or used, to the least used:

🥇X-Men Evolution is the most used/preferred! That was quite the fun show, with kiddo X-Men and Brotherhood, found family, no awkward love triangles or too much romance, and the adults having to act as parents/surrogates! I can see why this would be the most liked, especially for the ABO Parent/Regular AU!

🥈X-Men The Animated Series and the (X)MCU tied for second in the preferred/wanted media! Both have their points, and special dynamics. The Animated Series was the first main X-Men TV media, and introduced us to their weird family and unforgettable relationships, with plenty of fun 80s and 90s looks and items. And who could forget the gem of 2000s movies, the X-Men live-action movies, which gave us ideas for how the characters would look in the real world, and leaning more into the school idea, plus it certainly gave us some fun character dynamics we all wanted more of.

🥉The X-Men Anime comes in third and final place, but certainly not least. Come on: an anime! Now, with this, we do have some cursing, more gore/squick, and a few new characters, but that adds to the new setting. We've all wanted this, I'm sure, and now for those who didn't know, now y'all know it exists! New designs, seeing characters old and new introduced, and dealing with a more obscure villain, it adds it own charm to the X-Men media's!

And everyone can use whatever X-Men media they want for any of the stuff I make😊 Just remember, it all stays platonic, no matter what. Every form of media has its own appeal and specialties, and if you change it from time to time, no harm in that! Honestly, I sometimes imagine a reboot of any of these media for the scenarios and ideas I make, so we have some of the old, mixed with the new concepts I add in! Enjoy this honeycomb thought💕

[sussybakaontherun]

it may sound contradicting coming form someone who ships two characters with 7 year age gap but I hate age gaps paired with power imbalance in ships so fucking much. when one character is still in high school and the other is a successful business owner or something similar and it's constantly pointed out in the text how one is such a child and the other is oh so mature. when one stresses over taxes and the other fusses over homework. when one is a blushing virgin and the other is a seasoned lover. I'm clearly reading something I should've closed several chapters ago but this whole dynamic just gets under my skin

[oleanderandwatermelons]

FOLKS! Do you want to help someone in need? Do you want to get a nice ficlet in exchange?

I, @saint-oleander (here on Ao3)*, am here for you.

Due to a constant increase of requests for help and my current lack of funds, I have decided that for any donation to a fundraiser during the month of September* I will write a ficlet to whomever may request it.

*Sideblog made for management reasons

**Possible extension to be determined based on the influx of requests + whatever happens irl. I'd rather not disappoint anyone and my current work situation offers no assurances (or a decent salary. Sigh.)

To do so, hit my inbox with a proof of your donation and this tiny form:

Fandom: Character(s): Prompt (+ optional backup prompt): Ao3 name*: Link to the campaign**:

*Optional, but since I will archive them on ao3 too, if you want them gifted over there put your user here so I can do that

**Let's promote the campaign of your choice!

RULES:

donation must have been made between September 1st and 30th

proof must have a visible date and campaign name (MIND TO OBSCURE PERSONAL INFORMATION!)

I WON'T WRITE: gore, explicit sexual scenes, mafia!aus, ABO-aus

TIERS (donation + corresponding minimum word count):

5$ - 100 words 10$ - 250 words 15$ - 500 words 25$ - 1000 words

Masterposts of fundraisers I shared on my main blog if you need suggestions (but you can donate to any Palestinian campaign):

PART ONE 🍉 PART TWO 🍉 PART THREE 🍉 PART FOUR

Other campaigns will also be shared on this blog under the fundraiser tag

Share, donate and request away! 🍉🍉🍉

FANDOMS, below the cut:

*List in alphabetical order and subject to updates

911 abc

Bartimaeus Sequence

Good Omens

Haikyuu!! (mainly Karasuno and their orbit)

Koe no Katachi (manga and movie)

Koisenu Futari

Lockwood and Co.

MCU (I stopped watching at Endgame so do not stray further)

One Piece (manga, live action)

Ranma 1/2

Spy x Family

The Hobbit trilogy

The Lord of the Rings

The Umbrella Academy (except for season 4)

The Witcher (Netflix series)

[holylulusworld]

Looking for some recommendations by you or your kind followers 🥰

Steve or Bucky mafia / mob or abo series

And Henry Cavill series (I've fallen into a big rabbit hole of lusting over that man lol)

I've read all of your stories so much Lulu, like Consolidation Bride is like my number 1 series. I reread it often sometimes when I walk my dog or when I'm moody and on my period😂.

Hi lovely. Aw, I'm happy someone loves Consolation Bride as much as I do. I'm tempted to write a sequel, I just don't know when.

Let's see, I will list the blogs coming to my mind in random order. I hope I don't forget half of the people I follow...

I highly recommend @angrythingstarlight's blog for Mafia AUs. She has wonderful Mafia AUs for Bucky.

@navybrat817 has great stories for Bucky & Steve & Henry's characters. Check her Bucky list for Mafia stories.

@kinanabinks has an awesome Mafia Bucky x Best Friend (fairy) series. You can find it here: MOB!BUCKY MASTERLIST

@jtargaryen18 has a wonderful Mafia Steve / arranged marriage story called His Inheritance (ongoing). I got it on my reading list.

@sinner-as-saint has all your little heart desires, including mafia AUs, A/B/O and so much more.

@biteofcherry has great a/b/o & mafia stories for Steve. I think some are dark, so check the warnings for triggers.

@smutsonian has this mafia Steve I just discovered and need to read.

@buckyalpine has a story called pretty little thing with Mob Bucky. It's on my reading list.

You are looking for Henry & his roles? Fear not. Look at @littlefreya's blog. Here's her "stories" masterlist. There is a drabbles masterlist in her bio too.

Do you need more Henry? Here you go: @viking-raider will help you out.

@waiting4inspiration has an Alpha Bucky series.

These are the ones coming to my mind atm. If anyone has stories for nonnie to read, please feel free to add them to his post. 😊

[umber-cinders]

Title:  𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑜𝑜𝑛 🌕❄

Chapter 24: Beholden

Chapter Summary: A visit to the doctor turns up with interesting results and Inyanga decides she has a score to settle with M'Baku.

Warnings:  MATURE, EXPLICIT 🔞 ‼🚨READ THE TAGS🚨‼ Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Rape/Non-con Elements, Dubious Consent, Extremely Dubious Consent, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Recreational Drug Use, Blood and Violence, Smut, Forced Bonding, Claiming Bites, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Knotting, Breeding Kink, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Wakanda AU, Dark AU

❥Chapter Index ❥

Regular trips to the doctor used to be easy. The last time Inya had seen her PCP, the check-up was pleasant and routine…But then again, she hadn’t needed a chaperone to see the doctor last time.

Inya’s eyes darted over to the clock on the wall of the examination room for the umpteenth time since the pretty omega medical assistant indicated she should take a seat. There was nothing wrong with the other woman—she was kind and courteous. It was Inya who was the twitchy one. She knew she probably came across as nervous, but something about the bright sterile room made her hair stand on end. The examination room wasn’t small, so she didn’t exactly feel claustrophobic, but…

“Your blood pressure is registering a bit high today.”

Inya looked up at the MA briefly before her eyes dropped to the nametag pinned across her heavy breast. Issa. It was a pretty name.

❥Read The Rest On Ao3 ❥

[batbusiness-schooldropout]

Yall I have forbidden knowledge that the government will kill me if I tried to share.

(I know the MCU Avengers ABO dynamics)

[amidnight--dreary]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thanks so much for the tag @zsparz !!!💖

1. How many works do you have on ao3?

166!

2. What’s your total ao3 word count?

2.013.111. I write when I‘m stressed, can you tell?

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mostly the MCU. Frostiron my beloved 💕 I recently posted a Huskerdust fic, though, and a couple years ago I posted some Good Omens stuff! I have another Good Omens wip brewing, but I haven‘t worked on it in a while.

4. Top five fics by kudos

First one up would be Your Call, a multi-chaptered ABO Frostiron thing that‘s sadly unfinished because I‘m not happy with where it was going somehow. Then Corners of Reality, my baby, Yes or No, Dereliktion and last but not least Vita Nova!

5. Do you respond to comments?

God I try. I’m so bad at it though. On long fics I always answer comments on the last chapter when I post the new one, but I keep forgetting to reply to comments on older chapters or oneshots😭 They all mean the world to me though.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Ohh I wrote a few angsty oneshots but it‘s been a while. Maybe Here, that‘s the most recent one. Of the older ones I remember all my light most clearly. Tony is dead or dying in both of these lol, poor Loki.

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I like to think the happiest endings in stories are ones you had to fight for a little bit, so maybe Dereliktion. That was a long ride filled with angst and messed up relationships lol. I think Haywire (my first and so far only Sentinel/Guide fic, I love that trope a lot akfj) also has a pretty fluffy ending, and I have some oneshots that are pretty much all fluff!!

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Occasionally? Just the other day I got another anon ask on here complaining about my recent stories. Makes me extra thankful for everyone who takes the time to tell me they enjoy my stuff!!💖

9. Do you write smut?

I do! Pretty much all the time lol. I love writing Dom/sub relationships!

10. Craziest crossover?

I don‘t think I‘ve ever written one before?

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yesss. I‘m not sure if they just didn’t know any better though, they deleted the copied parts as soon as I told them.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes!! I‘m always so happy when that happens!!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Also yes. One year I did a whole Frostiron Advent calendar with @rabentochter (do you remember this????? How did we have the time??????? Insane) and we wrote a few more collabs beyond that.

14. All time favorite ship?

Frostiron!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my sassy messed up geniuses lol

15. What’s a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Uhhh I‘ve got a few. I‘d like to finish/rewrite Your Call. Once I also had the cracky fever dream of Loki doing random standup comedy shows in New York because he‘d KILL that. Can you imagine the sarcasm. The gallow‘s humor. Anyway I started that and then realized I Cannot Write Standup Routines at all. So there‘s that.

16. What are your writing strengths?

What I like to write the most is character and relationship development, so hopefully I‘m decent at that? Also dialogue, I hope, but that kinda comes and goes depending on the conversation.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I kinda suck thinking of longish plot that goes beyond “will they kiss?? Will they FUCK???” so I’ve been trying to practice that. Also scenes with lots of action😭

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I like it. I’ve been wanting to write a fic where Tony can properly show off his language skills but I don’t know enough languages to pull that off lol

19. First fandom you wrote in?

The VERY first was Dracula, back when I was 13 or so. I had a big thing for van Helsing back then. My first fandom on ao3 was Once Upon a Time!!

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Ooohhh. That would be Corners of Reality, because I worked on it for years before I even started posting it and I love how it turned out. It’s a slow burn time travel enemies to friends to almost lovers to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to allies to lovers fic. I had SO much fun writing it I still think about it all the time😭😭

I’m just gonna tag some writers I know are on here: @endlessstairway @xottan @izhunny @arabesqueangel @bouncydragon no pressure though!! And if you see this and you’re a writer please consider yourself tagged!!💖

[selene-borealis]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Extended Universe, DCU (Comics), Batman - All Media Types Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson & Tony Stark, Dick Grayson/Zatanna Zatara Characters: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Bucky Barnes, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne, Original Character(s) - Character, Zatanna Zatara, Tony Stark Additional Tags: Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, Ironbat AU, Iron Man 1, Pre-Man of Steel (2013), Family, Drama, Hurt & Comfort, Gen Work, Background Romance, Past Romance, Mpreg, Pregnancy, Teen Pregnancy, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Non-Traditional Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson is Robin, Omega Jason Todd, Alpha Bucky Barnes, Female Bucky Barnes, Alpha Bruce Wayne, Omega Tony Stark, Background Tony Stark/Bruce Wayne, Because Tony Is MISSING, Cross-Posted on FanFiction.Net, Don’t copy to another site Series: Part 17 of the black and gold 'verse, Part 27 of thetaverse Summary: AU//Two months after Zatanna’s return to San Francisco, Dick realizes that she might have left something...a future someone, with him. But before he can talk with Tony about it, Tony is kidnapped in Afghanistan. And then Jason goes into heat for the first time, presenting as an omega.//Or, the eighteenth story in my Ironbat ABO series, the black and gold ‘verse! Contains mpreg.