…A Child's Love…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cursing, sadness a lot of it, a little bit of violence, a near-death experience, and Tony losing his mind! And who knows what! All reviews are appreciated.

"Character talking"

"Character thinking"

…Flashbacks…

Chapter 12

Steve was so pale; his mate was so pale that Tony feared that his mate was already dead if it wasn't for the harsh intake of breath coming from Steve and the heart monitor peeping with every intake and exhale. Shaking was the only thing that Tony could do as he took the seat beside the hospital bed, taking Steve's hand in his and squeeze, being careful of the tubes attached to Steve's thin arm. His mate never looked as small as he does now; even on his bad days, Steve always looked larger than life, always strong, always happy, always smiling, and full of life. His Steve never used to look like this even on his bad days, and Tony, looking at Steve now, he was afraid.

Tony was so, so afraid; he was scared to death of losing the love of his life, the only person who made him feel like he was worth something, made him feel like he was good. Tony was afraid of losing his son, the boy with too much life burning in his eyes and soul, but with a weak body that tried to kill him every chance it has. Tony was afraid of being left alone, of being left alive while both his love and child are dying in front of his eyes without him being able to do anything.

"I'm so sorry, it's my fault; it's all my fault that you and Peter are here, I'm so sorry." Tony's voice cracked as he whispered these words, sobs were trapped in his throat choking him, refusing to leave his mouth. Tears were sliding down Tony's face, leaving a harsh trial of wetness that burned Tony's soul. "I'm so sorry…" Tony let out a shuddered breath, letting out an exhale that ended up with a sob.

One sob followed by another, and another, and another; Tony ended finding himself clutching Steve's hand and leaning on the bed, sobbing his heart out as he held tightly to Steve. Begging his love to not leave him, begging him to hang on, begging him to stay with him and Peter; Tony's body shuddered, breath ragged as he tried to get himself together, but saying that was easier than doing it.

His love was pale, so pale, the only color on his pale skin was the black circles under Steve's eyes; even Steve's vibrate blond hair has lost all of its health. Lying on the large bed, Tony never realized how small his love could be, but on the white hospital bed, it made Tony realize how tiny his mate was. Tony realize at that moment how much of a failure he was, how pathetic he was, weak, stupid, careless, easily distracted, and never paid any attention to the important things in his life.

Tony failed his mate eleven years ago, leaving him pregnant and alone without anyone to protect him, leaving him facing the world by himself with no one by his side. Tony failed in protecting his son when he fell sick, he failed him when he met him a year ago and made him cry; Tony was the reason that his son always ended up crying. Tony failed his family a month ago when their own home was invaded by Hydra; he left his love and boy alone, scared, staring at death in the eyes without him being there to protect them, instead it was his father who rescued them. And now, now Tony made the biggest failure in his life; again Tony didn't notice what was going around him, too busy in his workshop, trying to invent the crazy thought that came to him, in the hope of him protecting his family. Look what happened, his son was sick, trying to fight the infection that overcomes because Tony didn't pay enough attention to his mate and son; not only that but his love, his Steve, was fighting for his life after being poisoned by Hydra's goons, in front of his son's recovery room nonetheless, how much of a failure can Tony be?

A choked whine left Tony when he felt a soft squeeze on one of his hands, causing Tony to raise his head, his teary eyes taking in Steve whose tired eyes were staring at Tony unfocus in their stare. "Steve, sorry, Steve…" Tony gasped, repeating his words over and over again, gaining nothing but a shuddered breath from Steve and his hand being squeezed weakly.

"…'s…'k…" Steve slurred, his voice being faint, causing tears to slide down Tony's face faster; Tony could only lean down and kiss Steve's hand with shaky lips, his breath shuddering in his chest. "Pete…?" Steve murmured, blinking his eyes tiredly.

"Fine, he is fine…" Tony's breathed out, kissing Steve's hand that was clutching in both of his hands once more, begging Steve silently to hold on, to beat this, just like he always beat everything that the world throw at them. "Steve… you…" Tony's voice cracked, he wasn't able to say the next words that wanted to leave him making his lips tremble, as they were locked behind his teeth.

Steve took a shuddered breath; the pain was visible in his eyes and on his face as he tried to fight whatever kind of poison running in his body, gazing at his mate like that, Tony never felt as helpless as he does now. "I…'now…" Steve said in a breathless and tired voice, the resigned undertone hidden in Steve's words made the tears run faster down Tony's face. "Ta…take c-care 'f Pete, 'k?" Tony let out a wounded whine at the words he heard, begging whoever heard his prayer that Steve will survive, that the love of his life will live. "Tony…" His name was followed by a hitch of breath, causing Tony to sob and nod his head, tightening his hold on Steve's delicate hand.

"I will take of our son, I promise, just hang on, OK? Everything will be fine, just hang on." Tony's voice was cracked and breathless as he begged Steve to hold on, begging the love of his life to stay with him and Peter; Tony promised himself that when this is all over and Steve and Peter were alright, he promised he will finally do what he planned on doing years and years ago. Tony promised that he will take Steve and Peter away from here, away from New York and all the pain and hurt and Iron Man and the Avengers problems; Tony sower that he and his love and their child will settle in Ireland in Sarah and Joseph Rogers' house that he bought years and years ago, he promise all of that, he just needed Steve to fight and survive.

Steve's lips trembled as he tried to give Tony a reassuring smile; the smile though did nothing but break what's left of Tony's heart, because the smile was resigned one like Steve already knows that it was late saving him and that he was dying soon leaving Peter and Tony alone…

Tony knows he can't live without Steve…

Howard frown at the sight in front of him, part of him was feeling many different mixes of emotions, another part was feeling nothing but numbness; that numbness was usual though, for Howard had felt it for the last fifty years, so it was normal, not something that Howard will give a mind to, or think about it much. But the first part was making him crankier than ever, for that part too should be feeling numbness, and not that many mixes of emotions that leave him confused and irritated.

"You know, that scene looks familiar in a way, doesn't it?" A tired voice stated behind him, causing Howard to blink and turn his eyes to Jarvis who was gazing at Tony who was holding Steve's hand, crying and begging the Omega to stay. "Only that time, the person lying on the bed was alone, no one there to hold their hand and be their lifeline." Jarvis stated, the tiredness making his British accent show up.

"Ah, I think you forget the person who lay in that bed was nothing but a liar, who even on his deathbed did nothing but ask for money, didn't they?" Howard stated, irritation coloring his voice causing Jarvis to hum thoughtfully like he was in deep thought, it was a minute or so before Jarvis shrugged his shoulders, not caring about the subject he opened.

"True. But that doesn't mean your son's mate is the same." Jarvis turned to Howard, giving him a harsh look that ordered him to open his eyes and gaze at Tony and Steve once more, but this time with more care and understanding. "If he was, his last words wouldn't be him begging for Tony to take care of their son, their sick son I might add, who was sick for two years without someone to support him other than his own sick mother." The accusing tone Jarvis used did nothing but make Howard scowl darkly.

"I offered him the money, he was the one who refused it; I offered to take the child, and he refuses too, what do you want me to do? He is not my problem as much as my idiot son's." Howard huffed, turning his face away from the sight he was gazing at; already feeling more grumped than he did a few minutes ago.

"He may not be your problem Howard, but don't forget you are the one who starts the problem in the first place." Jarvis said, irritation shining in his eyes as he tried to reign himself in before he started another fight with Howard, his idiotic friend who was too cold and stoic and more stupid than he was years and years ago. "You know, sometimes I wonder, what would have happened if you just let Tony be. I know for certain that Tony won't be that dreaded Iron Man who throws his life away every time he can; God knows that I have enough of Peggy doing that. I also know that Peter will finally know his father and that he will be happy, living with his mother and father's warm embrace, even if he will end up falling sick, at least he will have his parents from the start. Maybe, just maybe, Tony wouldn't have ended up here today, begging God to save his mate that everyone knows will end up dead by nightfall." Jarvis clutched his clipboard tightly in his hands, not wanting to do something rash like punching Howard in the face.

Howard stayed silent, his scowl deepens as his gaze turned to Tony once more, seeing his son's eyes becoming duller and duller as minutes passed and his mate become unresponsive to his plea. "I never claimed I was a good man, Jarvis, and you know that, everyone knows that; probably why you all left in the end." Howard said in a monotone voice, his eyes widen for a fraction when he saw Maria walking as fast as she can to the room that housed Tony and his mate. at the sight of his mother, Tony starts crying once more, pain and hurt and agony clear in every sob he let out, causing Maria to choke and rush toward her son.

"There is a way to make this right. I know you, Howard, so please, if you have a way to make this right, maybe this is the time. Do you not wish to mend the broken bridges you burned years ago? Howard, where are you going?" snapped Jarvis when he saw his friend turn around walking away from the scene in front of him.

"I did tell you, Jarvis, everyone leaves in the end; so this shouldn't be a surprising thing." Howard stated, waving goodbye to his raging friend who could only curse and slam his clipboard into the ground. Howard on the other side could only frown darkly as he continued his way; everyone leaves at the end that was the ultimate truth, no one will stay forever like they promise, because they are liars and good actors who always end up stabbing you in the back so they can leave. No one stays, that was the truth that Howard knew for decades, and will continue to believe in until the end of the time, no one stays, but maybe, just maybe…

Good people needed the chance to fight for that right…

It hurt, it hurt so much; it hurt to breathe, it hurt to move, it hurt to even think. It hurt, and Steve wanted to cry. Steve wants to cry and sob and curl on himself until the pain goes away, but he can't, can't, can't! Not only because it hurt to move, but also because everyone needs him to stay strong. Everyone was breaking down in front of him, Tony, Bucky, May and her husband, the Barnes clan, even his goddammit doctor. Steve doesn't want that, he doesn't want that, he never wanted to be the reason to break his precious people's hearts, but it seems that he did exactly what he promised not to do.

It was scary, the thought of dying, it was scary, so, so scary; ever since Steve was a scrawny small kid of ten years old, he knew he will die before he reached the age of twenty. If it wasn't because of his asthma, then it was because of the fever, if it wasn't because of the fever, that it was because of the many sicknesses he acquired over the years. Steve knew he was dying since he was a child, so he was never scared of dying when he was a pup.

But then Steve met Anthony and fell in love, then he knew he was having a baby that needs him to stay strong, then his best friend returned from death, then he met Anthony once again, and the two of them made up, they made up and planned to tell their son the truth, they made up and Steve was promised a second chance, and with that second chance came in the selfishness of him wanting to live just a little bit more, just a little more to see Peter all grown up, just a little more to be with Tony and tell him that he loves him, just a little bit more, to roughhouse with Bucky and tease him about his hopeless crush on Natasha Romanov who seemed to tease and flirt with him at the same time, Steve wanted to stay just a little bit more to see Ben and May's boy, whose name will be Harley, and who will be Peter's little brother and best friend… just a little bit more…

The door to his room opened, causing Steve to open his eyes, trying to focus on the person standing near the door; he thought that it was Tony, but at the same time he didn't want it to be his Alpha. His Tony spent the night crying beside his bed that he ended up passing out; Steve was so grateful to Bucky for taking him away, giving Steve a few minutes to gather himself before he will be the one who will start crying. Steve has to be strong; he has too because if he can't then who will tell Tony to gather himself and take care of Peter, their poor baby was sick, he needed Tony to stay strong for him.

When his sight cleared up, Steve could only give a tired 'Huh?' as he took in Howard who entered his room closing the door behind him. It made Steve curious, it made him wonder what was the older Stark doing in his room when he probably has more important things to do than rub it in Steve's face that he was dying; not that Steve will blame the man, he knows how much Howard hate him, even when he never knew why.

Howard walked toward his bed, standing over Steve, gazing at him with unreadable eyes that made Steve more concerned than he ever was when he was forced to deal with Howard. "I hate you, I'm sure that you are aware of that." Howard stated, and Steve knew if he had the strength, he would have given Howard a piece of his mind; after all, who in their right mind will start their conversation with a dying person like this?

Howard took a seat in the chair that Tony occupied not a long time ago, gazing at Steve in the eyes. "You know, a long time ago I met someone just like you. Said the same honeyed words as you did years ago and just like my foolish I was an idiot enough to fall in love with him." Howard stated in a bored voice like he had so many important things to talk about than this, Howard then put his hand in his suit jacket's inner pocket to get something that Steve didn't pay that much attention to. "Here is the plot twist though, my dear old father was a smart and a cunning man, he saw something I didn't notice in the Omega, and guess what? He offered him the money in exchange for the Omega leaving me alone." Howard gave an empty smile as he gazes at Steve, and the Omega could see the cold anger burning under the emotionless façade that Howard was using. "Needless to say, the Omega ended up taking the money with the biggest smile on his ugly face; turned out he was more interested in the dollars I have than me, that's what he said on his deathbed anyway." Howard shrugged, opening the metal cast in his hands, getting out a huge syringe that was filled with a deep blue liquid.

"W-why…?" Steve breathed out, his breath was ragged as he took in Howard, whose eyes were trained on the syringe in his hand, the one with the strange blue liquid in it. Part of Steve was scared of what Howard will do with that thing in his hand, another part was curious about Howard opening up and telling him about his past, it does explain a little why Howard was a bastard to him since the start.

"I gather that you will end up dead, either way, it's only fair that I tell you the reason why I hate you before you do that." Howard stated as he stood up from the chair, there was a cotton swap in his hand that Steve wondered from where he got it; he was afraid of the answer though. "I really hate you, I hate that you refused to take the money, I hate that you were true to your words when billions of people are nothing but lying actors, but what I hate the most was how you turned my son into a useless sniffling mess without you." Howard stated as he raised Steve's right sleeve and finding the spot he wanted and swap it with the cotton that was drenched in alcohol. "Knowing my son, in the poor state he is in right now, he will not only fail to take care of my grandson, but he will cause him to end up dead too, and if that happens, my son will follow the both of you. And maybe that's another reason why I hate you; my son became nothing but a fool in love who lost his vision of the future the second you are down, but I guess that's what real love does." Howard grimaces at the word 'love' causing Steve to let out a pained laugh.

"…'s t-that… w-why y…ou arr… p-poisoning me?" Steve asked, humor shining in his eyes, even when the pain was holding to him and squeezing his heart with its claws that created nothing but death; the annoying look Howard sends his way, made Steve feel amuse more than scared when the needle pierced his skin. In the back of his mind, Steve wondered if Howard would have been different, warmer, more loving, and more supportive if the Omega he loved didn't leave him for money.

"Don't be stupid, if I wanted you to die from poison I would have left you alone, everyone knows that there is no antidote to the poison running through your veins." Howard started as he starts pumping the blue liquid inside Steve. "This is Erskine's gift to you, his last before he disappeared God's know where, I was surprised when he mentioned your name in his letter years and years ago, but now I can see what he saw in you. You better not die, Rogers, I don't need grieving children coming after me for vengeance." Howard stated darkly, as he pulled the needle out of Steve's arms. It was a few seconds later that Steve finally starts feeling it, the freezing coldness that took over him, the coldness hurt more than the fire in his veins that burned him; it was pain like no other, it made Steve choke as his heart felt like it was about to explode any second now, it hurt, it hurt so much, it hurt!

With that Steve started screaming…

So what do you think?

Sorry for the late chapter!

College is in a few days and I'm a little bit overwhelmed right now.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Is Howard turning good or what?

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And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama