…A Little Place Called Home…

/Warning/: This Chapter contains, Fluffiest fluffs, sadness, cuteness! And who knows what? All reviews are appreciated.

P.S: This is an Omegaverse story as in Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics, you have been warned!

"Character talking"

"Character thinking"

…Flashbacks…

Chapter 16

Tony hummed gently, rocking Harley who was still fast asleep in his arms, unaware of Tony fritting over him every second that passed. Everything was supposed to be… calm. That was the easiest description Tony could think of; Tony did not want to say everything was going to be sunshine and rainbow because let's face it, life is not a fairy tale. Everything was calm, and Tony was finally content with living with his husband and baby, they even planned on going to see Harley tomorrow, planning on taking him to see the movies with them before asking the boy about what he thinks about them adopting him. Never did Tony thought that he would find Harley in this state, on the run alone.

"Stop here, please," Tony told the taxi driver, paying the man his fee when they stopped in front of his house. Getting out of the car, Tony relaxed when he saw Steve and Peter already waiting for him outside. "Steve…" Tony whispered tiredly, walking toward his husband who rushed toward them. It was a few seconds later before Steve stood in front of Tony and Harley, checking them both for injuries before pulling them to his embrace.

"What happened, darling?" Steve asked, taking the boxes of sweets in his left hand while his right was on Tony's lower back as he guided the Omega to the house, where Peter was looking at them with wide eyes, probably wondering what happened and why Harley was sleeping in Tony's arms.

"He ran away…" Tony whispered, rubbing Harley's back when the boy let out a groan and nuzzled his neck. Hearing these words Steve tensed for a second and his hand tightened on Tony's waist before he managed to calm down, looking at Harley and taking the boy's rumbled look. "We will talk later; I just need to put him in bed first," Tony whispered before giving his Alpha a weak smile.

"Mama, is that Harley?" Peter asked a grin stretched his lips as he followed Steve and Tony, his eyes were wide as they took in Harley; Peter was probably happy to see his friend, wondering when the two of them would play around that the other kid was finally with them.

"Yes, baby, it is him, but Harley is a little tired right now so he is going to take a nap," Tony replied, smiling when he saw Peter pout at the thought of having to wait before being able to play with Harley to his heart content; it was such an innocent and cute sight, it nearly made Tony coo at how precious Peter was.

"Why don't you come with me, Pete? We can prepare the cakes and tea while Tony puts Harley in your room." Steve smiled, kissing Tony's left cheek before he guided Peter to the kitchen, giving Tony a nod as he dragged a protesting Peter so they would prepare the tea.

Tony could only let out a relieved sigh as he went to Peter's room, he could only thank his husband mentally for being considerate and not let him in the face of loose cannon in the form of their ten years old son. It took a little of tricky moving to climb the stairs with Harley in his arms, the small boy grunt and wipe his face in Tony's neck as if he was about to wake up; Tony ended up rocking Harley a few time, shushing him softly as the two finally reached Peter's room. Tony considered it a win that they didn't fall and break any body part, especially with Tony's mind being in another place than the present.

Reaching Peter's room, Tony let out a hum when he finally managed to put Harley in bed ruffling the boy's hair before he went to Peter's closet looking through it before he finally took out soft pajamas with cars all over it, returning to Harley's side shortly after. Changing Harley's clothes while the boy slept was difficult, especially when the boy kept grumbling and moving around; in the end, Tony managed to do it and change Harley's dirty clothes with the clean ones, having practiced on Peter for two years to gain this skill. Tony though couldn't stop smiling when Harley let out a happy purr before he turned around and snuggle into the pillow. The sight made Tony's heart give a pang, to think that the small boy who made a place for himself in the Rogers family would run away; just the thought alone broke Tony's heart; especially when the boy didn't even think of contacting them.

With one last glance in Harley's direction, Tony left the room quietly closing the door behind him as he went down, going to the laundry room, and putting Harley's clothes in the washing machine before heading to the kitchen. Tony's lips couldn't help but twitch up when he started hearing Steve and Peter's voices as he went inside the kitchen, no doubt the two of them arguing about Peter's need to wake Harley so the two of them will go and play.

"What's going on boys?" Tony asked when the two finally appeared before him, Tony couldn't help biting his bottom lips to stop his laughter, especially when his eyes fell on Peter's cheeks that were buffed in a protest at how Steve refused the boy every time the little munchkin wanted to go and play with Harley. Seeing him, Peter grinned happily, thinking that he finally manage to have someone in his corner that would let him play with his friend.

"Mama! Papa is mean! He won't let me play with Harley, please talk to him." Peter whined rushing toward Tony and hugging his waist tightly, sending the older Omega the most heart breaking look a ten years old can manage. Now if only Tony was immune to those eyes… unfortunately or fortunately, that look was not working today, not when Tony's heart was scrapped raw after the shock he endured when he saw Harley.

"I am sorry baby, but you can't really play with Harley now," Tony murmured his words getting a loud protest from Peter who was looking at Tony like the Omega just stepped on his metaphorical puppy. "Baby, Harley… Harley is tired right now, he can't play even if you wake him up, just let him rest for a little time before waking him up." Tony said instead, it was better than telling his son about how Harley ran away and how close the three of them come to losing him.

At hearing the word 'Tired' Peter seemed to get quiet and his eyes seemed to widen in shock like he couldn't believe what he was hearing; for Peter tired meant only one thing and that was 'Sick'. "Is it… is it the Chickenpox? Our teacher said that it's Chickenpox season, and two kids from the second grad were already sent home because they were sick." Peter's eyes were wide, they even filled with tears at the thought of Harley being sick with chickenpox; thinking about it now, maybe it wasn't one of Tony's brightest ideas, telling his son about Harley being 'Tired'.

"Oh no honey; it's not that, no. Harley is just… Harley is just tired baby, he needs rest he will be better when he wakes up soon, it is probably the pollen, you know how sick everyone gets in the spring." Tony explained wiping Peter's tears getting a nod from the boy who was still not looking convinced at all. "He is fine, as soon as Harley wakes up, he will probably come and join us for cupcakes, he loves the blueberry muffins so save a few for him OK?" Peter paused a little before nodding his head, going straight to the cake box demanding that Steve put it on the counter so that Peter will sort them for when Harley wakes up.

While Peter was busy sorting the cupcakes, Steve came and pulled Tony aside to talk; Tony couldn't be more thankful to escape to the living room, he is sure as hell doesn't want Peter to listen to his and Steve's conversation, especially when it considered Harley. Tony couldn't help but wonder what if it wasn't him who found the boy? What if someone else had found him today? Just imagining that caused a shiver to run down his spine.

Steve only pressed his lips tightly after Tony explained how he found Harley, the boy being on the run for ten days, Betty's call, and what Tony told his friend; it was exhausting when Tony woke up today he thought of nothing but buying cakes and sweets for his family so they will enjoy them after a hard day of working and school, what Tony didn't imagine was finding his son's best friend being on the run and probably starving himself. Who knows what kind of unsavory people Harley was forced to socialize with? Who knows where he slept and what he spent his days doing? How could Betty not tell him anything when she already knew that everyone in the Rogers family was attached to Harley in some way or another?

"I see…" Steve's frown become deep before it smoothes over when they heard Peter walking toward them with a plate full of blueberry cupcakes and muffins, Tony could not help but do a double-take because he was sure he didn't buy that many cupcakes, or did he? "Is this for Harley, sweetie?" Steve asked, amusement coloring his tone as he took in Peter who was concentrating hard on walking to them with the plate in his hands.

"Yeah! I put ever sweet with blueberry in it!" Peter chirped happily which made an amused smile stretch over both Steve and Tony's faces, so that's how. The harsh knocking on the door made Tony and Steve frown; Tony though, already had a feeling that he knows who was knocking on the door so he stood up and went to open the door. Just as Tony expected a frazzled Betty was standing outside of the door with dark bags under her eyes.

"Where is he?" Betty asked as her eyes fell on him, nearly pushing herself inside the house, looking around the place probably hoping that she was going to see Harley around. Tony only took a deep breath trying to calm down before he closed the door, following Betty who went to the living room, saying hello to both Steve and Peter while still looking around.

"He is asleep," Tony stated, giving Steve a thankful nod when the Alpha left with Peter in his arm and the cupcake plate in the other, leaving Betty and Tony to have the talk they needed without Peter witnessing what could be a fight. "I am not giving him back," Tony stated as he stepped in front of Betty stopping her from heading upstairs.

"What?! Do you even know what this means?" Betty hissed, glaring at Tony as if daring him to stop her from going to Harley, which Tony did when he saw her trying to sidestep him. "Dammit, Tony! You could be charged with kidnapping of a child!" Betty finally snapped her glare intensified when Tony refused to move. "I know you are angry I didn't tell you about Harley, but I need to check if he is OK." Betty took a deep breath trying to stay calm, knowing that if she started a fight with Tony they will overcomplicate something simple.

"It's not only about you not telling me! You knew that I could have found him in less than an hour if you told me; do you even realize what could happen to Harley on the streets? Drugs addicts, murders, for God's sake even pedophiles would have kidnapped him! And you think I am angry at you for not telling me? I am furious!" Tony snarled taking a step forward causing Betty to flinch and take a step back. "How the hell can I even trust you with Harley's wellbeing when you couldn't protect him the first time? He is staying here and this is final!" Tony crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at Betty.

"Tony…" Betty sighed tiredly, her eyes taking in the Omega with wild hair and heated glare; Tony's heart did give a pang at the hurt look crossing his friend's eyes, but when it comes to the safety of his family Tony would stop at nothing to protect them even if it meant being at cross with his friends. "Look, I know you are close with Harley, but the thing is no one expected this outcome; besides we couldn't disturb the three of you in the middle of bounding!" Betty started to rub the tips of her fingers on her temples trying no doubt to prevent a headache.

Tony gritted his teeth together, he knows that Betty was coming from a logical place, he knows that Steve and even him wouldn't have welcomed to being disturbed while bonding, especially with how important this step was. "I am adopting him," Tony said out of the blue causing Betty's eyes to widen uncontrollably at that; Tony couldn't help the satisfaction taking over him at the shock Betty couldn't help controlling.

"No!" Betty suddenly snapped growling as she took in Tony who wasn't going to back an inch. "Do you even realize what you are saying or did all rational thoughts left that overthinking brain of yours?" Betty stood nearly nose to nose with Tony ordering him to back down, tough luck though, he wasn't. "Adopting? You married last month and you are thinking about adoption? Seriously?! Look I didn't say a thing when you and Steve rushed everything and married because I can obviously see that you two are in love, but adoption? You are out of your mind, this is not something you decide alone Tony, you are married for God's sake, you already have a child taking all of your time, a child I might say not by your choice but because he is your husband's son; Harley doesn't need to be mixed with this, he needed to be someone's first priority, he needed a stable home!" Betty lost it then, shouting as she tried to make Tony understand how rash his decision was.

"This wasn't a rash decision, Mrs. Banner." Steve's voice coming from behind Betty made both Tony and Betty jump; the two of them were so engrossed in glaring at each other to notice Steve who entered the room. "Tony and I already talked about adopting Harley before we married; what happened with Harley didn't change our plans only rushed them a little," Steve said as he came and stood beside Tony looking at Betty who was looking at the two like they lost their minds.

"Steve, you two don't know what you are throwing yourselves in; raising Peter is not like raising Harley." Betty tried to reason, but seeing the stubborn look on Tony and Steve's, Betty couldn't help but curse and glare at the two of them. "You are newlyweds; do you even know what that means? It means that you two have years to live before start thinking about children; if you are that desperate for a child then think about having them not adopting. Harley needs a stable home, not being adopted and then brought back into the clinic because you two couldn't handle him, this will break him." Betty stated in the last offer to stop Steve and Tony from making a mistake.

For Tony the only mistake he made was not adopting Harley sooner, maybe if he did this wouldn't have happened and the boy wouldn't have spent those awful days sleeping in the streets. "Betty, you are my friend, I respect you and Bruce like hell, that's why I am telling you about my plan of adopting Harley instead of just doing it… I don't want to enforce my status on the clinic you know it will get messy if I did." Tony whispered causing Betty to bite her bottom lip, his words no doubt hitting her hard; being the main benefactor of the clinic did have its advantage, especially when Tony donate millions every month for the clinic.

"Fine! Do as you want, but know this Tony if something happens to the kid it will be on you." Betty snarled, sending a harsh and disapproving look to Tony, hoping that he will back down, only to growl harshly when Tony just stood straight and met Betty's stare head-on…

Tony was done waiting…

"Do you think I did the right thing?" Tony asked his voice was a choked whisper as he saw Betty stump to her house anger radiating off her in waves. "What if I messed up Harley's chance of getting better? What if I caused him to relapse? What if I stopped him from having the family he wanted? What-" Steve couldn't let Tony continue stressing like that, so the Alpha pulled him in his arms and hugged him tightly, waiting until Tony calmed down a little before letting him pull back, but not letting go completely.

"Love, you will do amazing, I just know that; it's just like taking care of Peter, and you did amazing with our boy." Steve hummed, kissing Tony's forehead a few times, smiling happily when the Omega seemed to relax in his arms. "I am going to talk with Harley; I will get his story and tell him about the adoption. What we did right now is not conventional so Harley will probably need to return back to the clinic before we complete the adoption process." That got a sigh and a nod from Tony who still had a frown on his face, hiding his face in Steve's chest muttering something that even Steve didn't hear.

"Is he awake?" Tony finally asked after pulling away from his hiding spot, looking at the stairs with a tired and worried look on his face; it was sweet, as much as Steve knew that this was a serious matter, he couldn't help but think of how sweet and amazing Tony was for having a big heart that seemed to love anyone and everyone without conditions.

"Yes, he woke up after Peter and I arrived, I managed to distract him and Peter with blueberry cupcakes and muffins." Steve's lips twitched up, remembering how Harley's eyes widen when they took in the fluffy and sugary treat… it would be a nightmare today, the Alpha wonder if he would manage to shepherded the kids to sleep when they are going to be on sugar high most of the day.

"Then what are you doing? Go talk to him, I will try and make something for dinner; hopefully, the kids would eat something today other than sweets." Tony sighed and then huffed informing Steve that the two of them were thinking the same thing, with one last kiss to his husband's forehead, Steve finally let Tony go before heading to Peter's room.

"And then! And then, the music started and Mama started walking with Grandpa down the aisle, and Mama was so pretty in the white suit! Uncle Bucky had to hide though because Grandma Winnie was still angry that he didn't get married before Papa!" Peter exclaimed from inside the room, causing Steve who was outside to stop, eavesdropping was wrong Steve knows that, but he couldn't help wanting to hear what those two were talking about. "I told Mama and Papa to bring you with us, but they said they couldn't and that Aunt Betty said you were… uh, I don't remember but I was sad and didn't want to talk with Aunt Betty because of it." Steve couldn't help but snort at that explanation deciding that it was enough.

Knocking the door, Steve smiled when the two boys turned to Steve; both had a muffin in their hands while crumbs decorating their mouths and clothes like badges. "OK boys, put the muffins down, Tony is about to make dinner," Steve ordered the boys, narrowing his eyes until the kids put their muffins in the semi-full plate; good, the two didn't seem to have eaten that much of the sweets, Steve was more afraid of the two eating the whole plate, so he was content knowing that Tony won't throw a fit about them going into a sugar coma. "Peter, why don't you go help Tony preparing dinner? Harley and I need to have a little chat." Steve ordered his son, causing Peter to look between Steve and Harley a few times before nodding his head, taking the sweets with him when Steve handed it to the boy.

Steve let out a tired sigh as he came to the bed to take a seat, not sitting close to Harley in the fear of sitting him off; his mind was overthinking, trying to find a way to break the subject to Harley without scaring the boy. "You are angry at me, aren't you?" Harley asked in a small voice causing Steve to blink his eyes and turn to the boy who was playing with his hands like they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Now why do you think that?" Steve asked with raising interest, well, at least Harley knew that everyone was angry at the stunt he did. Running away was no excuse, even if Harley was scared, it didn't excuse him running away and causing everyone to panic, he could have told Betty about his refusal of adoption; Harley could even come to Steve and talk to him instead of running away. What would they have done if Tony didn't find Harley? What would they have done if they knew about Harley missing days or even weeks later? Steve knew he would have turned feral if that happened, the same could be said about Tony, especially when his Omega seemed to be attached to Harley.

"Because I… I ran away…" Harley murmured as he shifted on the bed, still staring at his hands like they were going to give him the answer to every question in the world; Steve raised his eyebrow waiting for Harley to continue. "And… and… I'm sorry?" Harley stuttered, glancing at Steve every now and then hoping to analyze his reactions, tough luck, Steve was in the army if he wanted he can have the best poker face out there.

"Do you think that saying sorry will cause everything to go back to how it was?" Steve asked glaring at Harley who pouted and looked down; the kid probably thought that if he just apologized everything will get magically better. "Harley, you ran away! Not only did you endanger yourself but you also made everyone worry sick about you!" Steve snapped, letting out a sigh and curse internally when he saw Harley flinch. "Did you not trust us? Did not trust me? Is that why you ran away?" Steve whispered biting the inside of his cheek when he saw how Harley's lips trembled like he was about to start crying any second now.

"I… I don't know! You got married! I… and I… I don't know…" Harley start sniffling, wiping his nose with the sleeve of his shirt, biting his lower lip hard to stop himself from crying, the action made Steve let out a tired sigh, standing up before coming to sit beside the small boy pulling him in his lap, allowing Harley to hide in Steve's chest. "Mr. Stark wouldn't like that… you got married, so you… you… can't hang out with me anymore." Harley's words were muffled by Steve's shirt but the Alpha did manage to hear him, and it broke his heart hearing the boy say these words.

"Honey… you know that's not true, even with me being married to Tony it doesn't change everything," Steve whispered running his hand through Harley's hair, causing the boy to sniffle even more. "Sweetie, Tony likes you, and he would have preferred you coming to us than running away, you made him worry sick when Betty told him about what happened, he was so scared he couldn't help getting angry at Betty." Harley nodded his head, still hiding his face in Steve's chest, refusing to show his face.

"Does that… does that mean I have to go back to the clinic?" Harley asked, curling on himself as he tried to make himself smaller than he already was, he was probably afraid of going back to the clinic and being forced to get adopted by someone else, or maybe he was even thinking about his punishment for running away.

"Unfortunately yes, everyone is worried sick about you, and it will be really bad if Tony and I hide you here, the police may even get involved." That caused Harley to choke a whimper and hold tightly into Steve's shirt, the action causing Steve to hum gently trying to calm the boy, kissing his forehead and pulling him away, to gaze at his brown eyes. "But don't worry sweetie; you are only staying there until Tony and I finalize the adoption, hopefully, it wouldn't take long." Steve couldn't help but smile at the wide-eyed look Harley send his way…

Steve really hoped he was making the right decision…

So what do you think?

I admit the chapter was not like how I imagine it; first I thought it would be longer and better written than this.

Unfortunately, life seemed to have other thoughts about that.

At least I hope you will like the chapter. The next one would be better.

Read and Review

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama