Notes: Welcome to Chapter 3! For the record I do not normally update this quickly - so future chapters will have a bit of a longer wait to them! Sorry!

**TRIGGER WARNING**
This chapter contains some rape-y vibes. No rape happens, but the vibes are there. And strong. So please be forewarned!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter 3:

Tony sat back in the comfy dining room chair, legs crossed and hands folded in his lap, fingers twitching towards sunglasses he didn't have in a phantom attempt to cover his eyes so that the alpha sitting across from him wouldn't be able to see it whenever he rolled them. As it was, Tony had to keep a tight rein on his emotions and physical reactions, lest he give away more than he wanted to. All the negotiating had already been taken care of prior to the bite and signing of the paperwork. Tony understood what was expected of him, just as he understood that this was just another way of Rogers rubbing his nose in his new position. See? Rogers' eyes seemed to shine at him from across the large oak dining table, I'm in charge now and I can make your life miserable.

Tony clenched his jaw, back molars grinding together in attempt to stop the groan of frustration that wanted to escape. It was like he was back to living with dear old Dad again, from the stern disapproval and creased brow to the dictator like list of what his daily schedule was going to be. At least there weren't those damn Omega decorum classes, which had been inflicted on Tony throughout his teenage years. So much bowing and scraping. Was your Alpha angry? This is what you need to do to soothe that hot temper. Has he withdrawn from the mating? Here's how to spark his interest again. Gentle manipulation was what young Tony Stark had been taught. Ways to guide and shape events into a desired outcome. Speaking out and speaking up, of course, was never an option.

Was it hot in here? Tony resisted the urge to pull at his collar as a wave of heat wracked his body. Nerves. He was nervous. If Steve was anything like Howard, Tony's life from here on out was going to be hell. He barely concealed his flinch at the thought. At least Howard didn't have super soldier strength, Tony mused bitterly. If Steve were to beat him even lightly it might just land him in the hospital. Not that Tony necessarily thought he would, he gave Rogers and assessing glance, but the fact of the matter was that Tony recognized that he could be...well, Tony. Pushing buttons was just kinda what he did. Sometimes his mouth got away from him before his brain could catch up, and well, hell, it kept the boredom at bay. Something told him that it would be a bad idea to push any of Steve's buttons though, at least until he warmed up to Tony. If he warmed up to Tony.

"The team is currently on a mission," Steve was saying, finally something that caught Tony's attention, his cheeks were starting to hurt from the polite interest he had schooled onto his features "and they should be back in a week or less. So that will give you time to acclimate to your new routine. When the pack is in residence it is your responsibility to cook and clean for them. Three square meals. Snacks they can take care of themselves."

"You do know how to cook, don't you Stark?" The derision in Steve's voice sent his hackles up. Before Tony could say anything, Steve shook his head in a dismissive manner.

"It doesn't matter. There are cookbooks in the kitchen. Stick to the basics. If you put in half the amount of effort you put towards all the drinking and partying you like to do, you'll learn in no time."

Tony stiffened at the derision and condescending tone. "Listen, Rogers, I know that we have a rough history-"

Steve scoffed. "Lets not pretend, Stark. You're here today because I owe your father my life. He was one of the best men I've ever known. You can pretend all you want that it's about Stark Industries, but I've seen the footage. The only thing you fight for is yourself. You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play, to lay down on the wire and let the other guy crawl over you."

Tony's eyes narrowed his jaw clenching. Nothing got under his skin faster than the mention of his father. Yeah, Dear ol' Dad was just so perfect, and he had a collection of scars to prove it."I think I'd just cut the wire." his voice came out soft, serious, and tight.

"Always a way out," Steve scoffed before he leaned closer, elbows on the table and blue eyes cold as an arctic wind. "You may not be a threat, but you better stop pretending to be a hero."

The control he had been clinging to so tightly for the past few days finally snapped. Tony's elbows thudded down on the table as he leaned forward in challenge. "A hero?" a disinterested sort of scorn laced his voice. "Like you? You're a laboratory experiment, Rogers. Everything special about you came out of a bottle."

Steve exploded out of his chair, muscles taut, hands clenched into fists. Tony stood up too, as if ready to face the challenge of an enraged Alpha.

"You have two options, Omega." Steve's voice was sharp as a cracking whip, "We can go down to the gym. Get you into some padding. Go a few rounds." The almost violet gleam in his eye showed how much he was hoping Tony took that suggestion. "Or you can get on your knees, right now." He continued, his voice quieter and deadlier than Tony had ever heard it. "And apologize for the disrespect you showed your Alpha."

It was clear to Tony that Steve had offered the second option more as an insult than anything else. Steve didn't think that Tony was capable of apologizing. And a month ago he would have been right. But now? Now Tony was literally living on this man's mercy. All he had to do was keep his head down, not make waves, and in a couple of years or less if Pepper had anything to say about it, the Omega Rights Activists would overturn those laws that kept him bound here. He could get a divorce, leave Steve and the Avengers, and start over somewhere new. Even if he lost his entire fortune it wouldn't matter. He could make it back eventually. He was smart. He didn't need a lot. What he needed to do was shut his damn mouth, play the long game no matter how much it rankled. It would only be a couple of years. He could survive anything that long. Hell, he had survived his entire childhood, right? Anything else would be a walk in the park compared to that.

A grimace contorted the planes of his face as he forced himself to take a deep breath. He had lived with an Alpha like this one before. He knew what was expected of him. He knew that any challenge would only be met with brutality and hostility. That was what Alphas were, all that he had ever known them to be. He could go into the gym, probably surprise Steve by getting a few licks in before the Alpha cleaned the floor with him with his superior strength. But where would that get him? He needed his monthly visits into the city, and he knew he didn't have a choice but to kow-tow to this roid rager's dream. He kicked his chair backward, sent it hurtling across the wood floor behind him. Satisfaction and anticipation gleamed in Steve's eyes. He opened his mouth, but before the Alpha could say one more inflammatory, degrading thing, Tony sank to his knees. Head bowed, neck exposed, arms crossed behind his back - arching his spine, gaze to the floor. He struggled to bring passivity and calm to his face, forcing himself to take even and deep breaths.

A stilted silence rippled through the room. He could hear Rogers' heavy breathing, the thrumming of his own irate heart beating against his rib cage. The humiliation that twisted his guts and threatened to rob him of breath. After a minute of weighted silence had passed, Tony spoke.

"My apologies for my insolence, Alpha. I will endeavor to make sure it never happens again." His voice came out toneless, wooden. Steve's sharp exhale was the only sign that his words had been heard.

"You're so…" the aghast exhalation was followed by a stream of vitriol. "Are you kidding me, Stark? What is this? Too afraid to take it to the mats? I always thought you were a bully, but never a coward. As if you would actually...Is this an Omega apology? You expect me to believe-" he came around the table, his boots polished to a neat shine entering the corner of Tony's field of vision. "That you're actually sorry? You can spout off at the mouth but won't bother to try to back it up. You think I don't know that this isn't some weird little mind game? Well guess what Stark, you know how a true Omega apologizes? With his mouth."

"...with his mouth." Steve was furious. Angry. And immediately felt like the world's biggest piece of garbage after those crude words left his lips. They weren't true either. Any Alpha worth his salt would be disgusted by what Steve had just said. What was happening to him? He felt out of control, volatile. He was mad that he had tied himself to this Omega, of all Omegas. He was mad that he had his childhood enemy living under his roof and like-it-or-not, was now responsible for his health and well being. He was angry that he couldn't be a better person and let the past go, let go of his anger towards the svelte man kneeling before him. Prostrating himself in apology and supplication. Humiliating himself so that Steve wouldn't… what? Kick him out? Change his mind? That wasn't going to happen. The bite was on Tony's shoulder, the contract was signed. Steve was a man of his word. But maybe Tony didn't know that. Tony didn't know much about Steve, or what to expect.

For some reason he just couldn't help but dig at Tony. It hadn't been well done of him before, he knew, to bring up the cooking thing. Tony had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, probably had a legion of household staff who did his cleaning and cooking for him since the day he was whelped. It had set him off. And then of course bringing up his dead father…

Well, Steve had never claimed to be perfect. Anger was still coursing through his veins, his hands were still clenched into fists at his sides. There was nothing more he would like to do than to thrash the hell out of Stark. But he wouldn't. He couldn't. Not when he was abasing himself like this. Asking for forgiveness for a fight that Steve had started. He needed to apologize

"Look I-" but Stark was already moving, already shifting. He crawled, crawled, across the floor to Steve, his gaze lowered, movements almost feline in fluidity, and the line of his stubbled jaw tense. Slowly, Stark reached up towards Steve's waist, fingers brushing gently against his abdomen as they unknotched his belt with a skilled deftness that left Steve momentarily stunned. Steve didn't have time to react. It happened pretty quickly, and to be honest, he was floored that Stark. That Stark…

A warm, callused, palm wrapped around him there freeing him from the confines of his khakis and then Steve watched with an almost horrified fascination as the back of Stark's head, inky dark hair ruffled in disarray, bent towards him. He could feel Stark's hot moist breath fan against him, the mouth that had previously been sassing him parting as he bent closer to Steve's cock, snapping him out of the stunned disbelief that had held him immobile.

"Jiminy -" He jumped back, ripping himself away from Stark's warm hands and hot breath.

"What the hell Stark!?" Steve yelped, stumbling backwards, nearly tripping in his need to get away while righting his pants around his hips. He zipped up and got the snap done, but the freaking belt wouldn't close now, Steve's fingers suddenly thick and clumsy. With a frustrated snort he ripped it free of his pants.

And that was when he smelt it. The coppery tang of fear. It was faint, so faint in fact that for a moment he thought he had imagined it. His gaze tripped over toward Stark who was staring at his slightly trembling hands. He watched the other man's adam's apple bob as he swallowed. Watched as he clasped both those hands together in front of him, fingers flexing, knuckles white.

"I'm… I'm sorry that I… I thought you said…"

Steve startled. He had implied how Stark should make his apology. Chrissakes. Disgust soured his stomach. Disgust at himself. Stark had been about to, was about to… Jesus. It occurred to Steve, suddenly, how much control he had over Tony now. How much he could hurt Stark, the different ways he could…

It had never occurred to him before, honestly. Why would it? Steve would never do something so despicable. So horrible. Force someone to...A frown marred his brow, his lips twisting. He wished it hadn't ever occurred to him.

But clearly it had occurred to Stark. He was just going to let him…? Well of course he was. For all his bluster, at the end of the day, Stark was an Omega. And although they had more rights and privileges and had made great strides since the 50s… they were still so very vulnerable. Steve guessed he had never realized it before. Never really had to face it. But staring down at Tony's bent head, tense shoulders, and the almost imperceptible trembling of his fingers, Steve was being forced to face it. And what he saw he didn't like it.

"So how do you want to do this?" Stark spoke softly, meeting his eyes boldly for the first time and snapping Steve out of his brooding thoughts. There was a steely determination in those whiskey colored eyes. A challenging expectation in his gaze. For a second Stark looked at him as if he really knew him, and that he was greatly disappointed in him. Something smoldered unflinchingly there. "Shirt on? Shirt off? Do you want my hands over my head or bent over the table?"

"What are you-" It was then that Steve saw where Stark's gaze kept dropping to, then darting away from as if scorched. The belt in his hand. He dropped it, the clatter of the metal buckle against the wood plank floor loud in the otherwise silent house.

"I wouldn't… I'm not going to hit you Tony."

".. I'm not going to hit you Tony." Steve's horrified whisper rattled around in his ears. His jaw hurt from clenching it so hard. His heart was pounding in his chest as if trying to break out and burst free. Tony took a deep breath, eyed the belt on the floor dubiously, before flickering back up to strong Alpha who was towering over him.

Sure, it was only day one. Not going to hit him. Right. His mouth settled into a mulish line as he turned his head away, refusing to look at Steve. Refusing to acknowledge what had just transpired between them. The word humiliation didn't even do it justice.

Perhaps he deserved it. God knows that he was no Saint. For a long time he had selfishly focused on putting himself first before everything and everyone else. He partied too much, and had too much fun, and he didn't care who got hurt or who had to pick up the pieces. He had been young, brash, and immature. Afghanistan had opened his eyes, made him realize that what he did affected other people. That he couldn't afford to be naive. His naivety and immaturity had cost people, good people, their lives.

And dammit, Rogers… well, he had tortured that kid in high school. God how he had hated him. So if Rogers wanted to get back at him a little bit, rough him up - humiliate him… who was he to complain really? The legislative process could be pretty slow, but times they were a-changin' and he wouldn't be forced to be here too much longer. For two years he had made Rogers' life a living hell. Purposefully. Deliberately. Seemed only fair that Rogers got the chance to do the same.

"Permission to be dismissed, Alpha?" Tony spat the words at the floor, refusing to look at Steve. At the wide blue eyes filled with disgust and shock.

"I, hey, no lets… get up." A strong hand cupped his elbow, pulling him up from his painful kneeling position. Tony couldn't help the reflexive jerk backwards, ripping his elbow out of Rogers' grasp. Instead of admonishing him like his father would have done, Steve merely lifted both hands up in a placating gesture.

"I know… we went over some, uh, household expectations but… here sit down, we can, we should , talk about what happened here."

Tony's jaw felt tight. His entire body was lined with tension. Rogers wanted to talk about it? Great. This was just great.

Tony grabbed the chair and sank down into it, one leg slung over the other, his arms crossed over his chest tightly. He knew what his body posture said, would know that Steve would be able to see it, and yet he still couldn't help it. He wanted to get the fuck out of here, away from Steve. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.

Steve sighed, fingers tunneling through his short honeyed locks, before turning to regard Tony with those piercing blue eyes.

"Listen. I'm not… I've never had an Omega before. I mean, around. In the house or… I'm just not used to this. To you." Steve stuttered. Normally Tony would find that amusing, a man known for his inspiring speeches stuttering through whatever the hell this was, but all he wanted right now was to get the fuck out of this room. As far from what had just transpired as humanly possible.

Steve took a fortifying breath. "I don't know what you've been through, or experienced in the past, but I'm not going to beat you Tony. I don't much care for bullies and…" Steve paused, his jaw tight. "I'm sorry I started that argument with you too. The things I said about Omegas… they weren't true and it wasn't fair of me."

Surprise flickered briefly across Tony's face before he could shut it down, close it off.

"I don't want us to be at war constantly." Steve continued on a pained sigh. "I know we don't like each other very much, but maybe we can still make this work. I'm not going to lie to you, I would never have chosen you as a partner if not for the, uh, extenuating circumstances. We are bound to get into disagreements… but I would never beat you, Stark. I don't hold with that sort of thing. And I'm not going to ask you...ask you for favors that you aren't willing to give. I would never do that."

Tony's eyes narrowed and despite himself he could feel his temper flare up hot and sharp and choking in his chest.

"But you did. You did ask me." He snapped, and watched as Steve's head jerked backward as if he had been physically slapped. "And you won't beat me for speaking my mind, sure. It's okay if I'm wearing padding though. Wanna go a few rounds in the gym, super soldier? Really show your Omega who is the boss?" Tony bit off, teeth clacking together.

Steve didn't say anything. He sat quietly, eyes solemn, and full of pained regard.

"Permission to go to my room, Alpha?" More like permission to get the fuck away from you and your lies?

Steve sighed. "Yeah, of course you can go." Tony snorted. As if Steve had not stopped him from leaving earlier. The man was full of contradictions. He didnt bother to point that out. Tony shot up from his chair. He didn't care that he looked like a wounded thing, tail tucked between his legs as he walked quickly from the room and up the stairs to his small bedroom at the back of the house.

He closed the door to his room, forehead pressed against the wood and took gulping breaths to try to calm his racing heart. He should have known this was going to be difficult. Nothing in his life had ever been easy, had it? These mind games Rogers was playing…

Doubt prickled at the back of his mind. Rogers wasn't the sort to play mind games. The man was usually calm and collected, steady under pressure, and his temper was generally slow to ignite. But when a spark landed on that tinder, it burned bright and hot and absolutely smoldered. It was possible that the Captain was being honest when he said he had no intention of beating him. No intention of eliciting sexual favors from Tony. It was entirely possible that his temper got away with him, it wasn't as if Tony acted like a typical Omega all the time either. It could confuse boundaries, blur lines. A ruddy blush burned its way up his neck and to his cheeks. He had crawled on the floor, the perfect submissive omega, had put his hands on Steve's dick and had been this close to wrapping his lips around it. Not many men would have stopped Tony from completing that service. To have your enemy's lips wrapped around your dick, at your complete mercy? To be able to humiliate them that way? Steve had seemed shocked, disgusted…

Was that it? Was Tony so abhorrent to him? Or the act itself? Perhaps, Tony mused with a self deprecating laugh, it was a mixture of both. Now he was wondering if he should take Rogers at face value and trust that he meant what he said. That there would be no corporal punishment, no rape.

Tony turned away from the door, and wrapped his arms around himself in a comforting gesture, as he padded over toward his bed. Toeing his shoes off, Tony collapsed onto the thin mattress with the scratchy thin sheets. He was so god damned tired. Closing his eyes he turned onto his back, forcing his thoughts away from everything that had occurred down stairs. He wouldn't think about anything. He wouldn't.

It was a long time before Tony fell asleep that night.

Notes: Ooof, that Chapter hit me right in the feels. Hope you guys don't hate me for it! I'd also like to reiterate that editing and grammar isn't really a thing I excel at so... please forgive me, I know not what I do. Thank you all for your lovely comments and the kudos! I love geeking out with you!