A/N: I'm glad that you guys like the story. I hope I can continue to earn your support and encouragement. R&R. Enjoy!
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Chapter Three
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"There's no way in hell Steve would want me." Steve had just walked into the kitchen when he heard that, and it made him stop dead in his tracks. His smile vanished in an instant and his heart beat sped up. It wasn't too hard to figure out that Tony had low self-esteem and self-worth. Anyone that talked to him for five minutes could tell that his boasting and bragging was just a cover.
But for Tony to just come out and say something that was so unlike him really made Steve worry. He's tried time and time again to reassure Tony that he is worth far more than what he believes he is. Even if they weren't a bonded pair yet, Steve still felt closer to Tony than anyone else in the pack and he hated to see him suffer and be in pain. It had been a while since Tony's actually voiced his insecurities. Had Steve missed something? Were the signs there but he was just so negligent and blind that he didn't see them? If that were the case, Steve was going to beat himself up. Literally.
"Tony?" Steve saw Tony tense up and his grip on the glass tightened. He was surprised the thing didn't break, considering that werewolves were far superior than normal humans in strength. When Tony stood up, he didn't glance up at him once. Had he been a really strict alpha, he probably would've made an issue out of the disrespect, but this was Tony and he was special. Besides, Steve really wasn't a strict, mean alpha like some.
"Hey there, Captain. What's up?" Steve knew that Pepper was there and that she was cooking, filling the kitchen with the scent of sauce and garlic, but his eyes were trained solely on Tony. As he continued to stare, the air changed just slightly, and took on a faint hint of arousal. He knew it was coming from Tony and his body was beginning to respond to his destined mate's scent. But he had to stay focused and concentrate on the problem at hand.
"Tony…what's going on?" He could tell that Tony was getting lost in his own mind. It happened quite a bit, but it usually involved technical stuff and the like. Steve watched him for almost five minutes, noting that Tony was beginning to look more and more upset and panicked. Worried, Steve reached out and grabbed him, needing Tony to say something, anything, and wanting him to come back from his mind.
"Tony… Tony! Snap out of it. Talk to me…please." Steve wasn't above pleading, not when Tony was involved. This was a serious matter and he needed Tony to talk to him. And he needed to tell Tony that Steve didn't want anyone else and that Tony was all he'd ever need. Yes, he was the alpha and was responsible for everyone, but Tony was his destined mate, his one and only. No one else would or could compare to the genius billionaire. Luckily, Tony came back down to earth and, somehow, he had managed to escape Steve's strong grasp.
"I have something to do in my lab. Jarvis, no one is allowed in my lab without my permission." Steve's heart dropped. Tony was running away, hiding, from something that needed to be resolved. For both of them.
"Yes, sir." Tony made his way out of the kitchen quickly. Steve stared after him for a few moments, not entirely sure what to do. He glanced over at Pepper, who nodded at him and gave him a sad, worried look.
"He needs you. And you have the code to override his command anyway, so you might as well use it." That was all the push Steve needed.
He bolted out of the kitchen and made his way to the stairwell that led down to the lab. Descending the stairwell, Steve soon arrived at the lab where Tony and Bruce worked almost every day. Through the glass, he could see that Tony was the only one inside, which Steve was thankful for. It meant that Clint had managed to get Bruce into bed, hopefully to sleep instead of to play, and it meant that they'd be alone. Without even a second thought, Steve punched in the override code that he had been given by Pepper when he first moved into the mansion. Although Steve didn't know why only he had been given the code, but he was grateful for that he had it. The lab door unlocked and Steve stepped inside, watching as Tony's already tensed body wound up even tighter.
"Jarvis, I thought I told you that no one was allowed to come in without my permission." Tony's voice was strained, rough, and dry and it didn't suit him at all.
"I'm sorry sir, but it seems that Mrs. Pots gave Mr. Rogers the override code." Steve heard Tony grumble, but that didn't stop him from crossing the distance between them. He wanted to pull Tony into a bear hug, but he knew that, right now, that wouldn't be a good idea. Maybe after they've talked, but not right now.
"Tony, I need you to be honest with me. I need you to tell me what's going on inside that genius head of yours." Tony sighed heavily and turned to face him. He glanced up at Steve for a moment before his gazed moved over his shoulder and focused on something else. Steve waited patiently, knowing that this was hard for the smaller wolf and that he needed time to get what he was about to say straightened out.
"We're…we're mates, right? Like, we're a destined pair. You've felt the connection, haven't you?" As he spoke, Tony would occasionally look back at Steve before looking away. Steve hoped that what he saw didn't discourage him or anything, because Steve was more than a little worried.
"Yes, I have. How could I not, Tony? It was obvious from the first time we shook hands." Steve's voice was soft and gentle, trying to convey just how much he cared for Tony. Their first meeting, that handshake specifically, was all he thought about for a few weeks or so. Tony's hand wasn't as large as his, but his handshake was strong, full of warmth and acceptance. And it brought their connection, which Steve thought about the most.
"Well, I think there might have been a mistake with that. You see, there's no way that I can be your mate because, quite frankly, I'm no good. You're so strong, so pure and innocent, and I'm nothing compared to that. I'm not strong or pure and definitely not innocent. I have nothing to offer you and I'm nowhere near good enough for you and I totally get that."
Everything Tony had said was swirling around in Steve's head. Tony thought he wasn't good enough; he believed Steve deserved someone else; and he thought he had nothing to offer. Steve thought the exact opposite. But Tony continued to babble and there was only one solution that came to Steve's mind. So, he stepped closer to Tony, basking in the warmth that radiated from his destined mate, and kissed him. All talking ceased at that point and Tony's entire body stilled. At first, Steve was afraid that Tony was going to struggle and not respond, but after a few seconds, he did. He returned the kiss, though he was hesitant and his lips were quivering.
The kiss was a soft, gentle, and chaste one. One that Steve had wanted to give Tony for months now but never had the courage to do so. It was everything he wanted their first kiss to be and his inner wolf jumped for joy when Tony began to respond. Trembling hands placed themselves on his chest and Steve couldn't help but smile, so damn happy that he could cry. His own hands made their way to Tony's waist and pulled him in closer. They broke the kiss and Steve beamed down at Tony, who looked surprised yet pleased. Then, he too began to smile and his brown eyes filled with relief and happiness. Without thinking, acting on his instincts, Steve kissed him again, this one with more heat and passion.
Tony's hands crawled up his chest until one wrapped around his neck while the other gripped his shoulder. Steve's arms circled around Tony's waist and pulled them closer together. As they kissed, Steve's tongue hesitantly poked out and prodded at Tony's lips gently. He didn't want to go too far too soon and if all Tony wanted was an innocent little make-out session, then Steve would be more than fine with that. But Tony allowed him access and Steve cautiously entered. Having never done anything like that before, he wasn't entirely sure what to do. However, Tony didn't seem to have any complaints; he practically melted in Steve's arms and that thought made Steve smile even more. His mate was happy and feeling better, and that was all he wanted. Reluctantly, the kiss ended and they both parted, the tingle of their kisses still alive and well. With a soft, loving smile, Steve pressed his forehead against Tony's and stared into the brown eyes he had come to know so well.
"You're not useless or bad or anything like that. You're perfect for me, and I think you're amazing. Believe me when I say that you, Anthony Edward Stark, are all I'll ever want and need. And that's the end of it." Before Tony could even open his mouth, Steve kissed him again, a brief kiss, but it emphasized his point. Whether Tony liked it or not, Steve wasn't going to give him up for anything or anyone in the entire world. And that was that. Pulling away from the kiss, Steve smiled and was more than relieved that Tony gave him a smile in return.
"It's kind of hard to rewire years upon years of thinking, Cap'n. But I think you'll do a splendid job." Tony gave him a wink and Steve couldn't help but chuckle. Finally, Tony was starting to sound and act like Tony again.
"I'll be sure to remind you, as often as you need it, how special you are to me. I'll never get tired of saying it either, y'know." Tony grinned and ran his hands over Steve's muscular arms. Although Tony wasn't a scrawny little guy, he wasn't nearly as muscular as Steve was. Not even Clint's arms were able to match Steve, and that was saying something.
"Great. We all win, then. So, ah, are you hungry. Because I'm hungry and Pepper is making spaghetti and bread sticks and I absolutely love her spaghetti. Actually, this entire thing is all her fault. She just had to ask when I was planning on asking you out and it kind of went downhill from there, but now we're here and all that jazz." When they first met, Steve had no idea how to respond to Tony's rants and ramblings and run-on sentences. Now, it was one of the things he loved most about the man. It meant that things really would be okay and he more than welcomed that.
"Wait…did you just say that Pepper asked you when you were going to ask me out?" Steve laughed, but it was filled with happiness. Knowing that Pepper had brought it up, it must have been obvious to everyone what their dilemma was. The fiery red head was just trying to help them along, although it kind of back fired on them.
"Yes. Yes, I did." Tony looked around the lab, making a point that he was a little embarrassed and clearly didn't want Steve to point it out. So he didn't.
"Well?" Steve gave Tony a small smile, but his eyes were alight with happiness and laughter. Pouting ever so slightly, Tony looked at him.
"Well what?" Tony tried to be cool and calm, but he was fidgeting.
"Are you going to ask me out or not?" Tony groaned and Steve laughed. He wasn't going to lie: he loved teasing Tony just a little bit. Seeing and hearing his reactions that were too good to pass up usually lightened everyone's mood. Mainly because Tony could dish it out and take it as well. Within reason, of course.
"Fine. Steve Rogers, would you do me the honor of going out with me?" The expression on Tony's face reminded Steve of what a middle school boy would look like when asking his crush out. It was so sweet and endearing and it made Steve want to grab onto Tony and never let him go. Steve would never deny it; he was a cuddler. Grinning, Steve couldn't help but to torment Tony one more time.
"Like boyfriends?" Tony rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. He loved very much like a diva, one that was about to puff up like a cat and start hissing. But Steve wasn't going to let it get that far. Even he had his limitations.
"Yes, like boyfriends. God, do I have to spell everything out for you. I know you're not this dumb, Steve." Steve's grin turned into a soft smile and he nodded.
"You're right, Tony. And to answer your question, yes, I'd love to go out with you." Tony let his hands fall to his sides and he straightened up. Clearing his throat, he nodded and looked pleased.
"Good. Good. Now that we've come to a mutual decision, I think it's time we get out of the lab." Steve tilted his head to the side. Tony seemed to be in a bit of a rush getting out of the lab. Usually, it was a chore to get him to leave it, but now it appeared to Steve that he wanted to bolt.
"What's the rush? I'm sure Pepper's not done with the spaghetti." Tony looked up at him and swallowed. He pointed past Steve to the glass wall that separated the lab from the stairwell.
"Well, for one thing, there's that." Turning around, Steve saw what Tony had pointed at. Natasha, Thor, Clint, and Bruce were staring into the lab. Before Tony or Steve could say anything to them, Pepper came down, looked at everyone, and gave an amused look.
"Okay guys, dinner is ready. Stop gawking at the love birds." It seemed as though everyone jumped at once. Only Bruce appeared to be unaffected by Pepper's voice. Thor had a grin on his face that reminded Steve of a boy who had just got his hand caught in a cookie jar. Natasha had a little smile on her face and Clint was smirking at the two of them. All at once, they turned around and made their way upstairs. Before Pepper turned to follow them, Tony gave her a nod of appreciation and a whispered thank you.
"That was kind of weird and more than slightly awkward." Steve huffed out, laughing. Turning around to see almost everyone staring at them was definitely more than a little weird. But then again, it was his pack and his pack was full of a bunch of abnormal outcasts, so he really shouldn't have been all that surprised.
"Yeah, well, that's our pack for ya. They'll never get tired of a peep show. The perverts." Tony grinned up at him and Steve couldn't help but smile back.
"Shall we go and join them?" They headed out of the lab and made their way up the stairs. Thor's loud voice could be heard quite clearly and it made Steve smile and shake his head. His pack may have been an odd one, but they were family.
"I'm sure dinner will be very amusing tonight. Everyone will have their input to provide and it will probably end with someone telling us that we should've fucked on the lab floor." Steve gaped at Tony, slightly shocked at what he said. But Tony just shrugged and grinned at him.
"Oh, come on, Steve. Even you can't deny that we're living with perverted weirdos. I bet that it'll be Clint that'll bring it up." Steve knew that he probably looked scandalized, but he really couldn't help himself. He wasn't the type of guy who liked to throw his business out in the open for all to see, even if it was mere conversation among pack members. Tony laughed at him and started walking ahead of him towards the dining room where everyone was currently sitting.
"Don't be shy, honey. If we had continued our make-out session, I guarantee that we would've ended up on the lab floor." Steve's face flushed as he heard a chorus of cat calls. With his head tilted down, to hide his embarrassment, he slowly, hesitantly, made his way to the dining room. He loved Tony to death, but he was so going to pay him back for that stunt one way or another.