"No Pepper, I know this is the right move." He looked over at his passenger seat, eyes roaming over the tall, muscled valley like it was a chocolate ice cream and he was a starving obese kid, "We've been together for months, Pep, months! If he hasn't called it quits by now, I don't think he ever will."

Tony changed lanes, giving a mock salute to the elderly woman he cut off, who was now giving him the bird. It wasn't his fault the old broad was only going 25 on the interstate. Dear lord, he'd probably be eighty by the time they made it to Malibu. At least Steve wasn't awake, or they would have to wait for his goody two shoes nature to subside, lest the urge to walk her across the street make their trip even longer.

"Yeah, no Pep. Well you- No. This is good. Just listen to- Oh no you don't, don't put Natasha on the phone, I don't want to talk to her."

They could have taken a plane, but no. Turns out Steve wanted to see what had happened to his country in the time he'd spent as a capsicle. As it figures, not much. Other than the improved technology and buildings, apparently America is just as boring from a car window now as it was back then. Instead of, say, looking at what has happened, Steve had taken to doodling, sleeping and taking the occasional photo of random landscape. It was driving Tony insane.

And yet, he still couldn't find a reason to care. Because he had Steve, and that was the important thing.

"I'm gonna hang up, I swear... Pepper? Pep, no. Ugh, bye Pepper." He clicked end, throwing his phone into the cup holder.

Amazing really, considering how rocky their first encounter had been. Both had thought that the other hated them. Luckily they had a guardian angel working on their side, bringing together their forsaken souls together.

And by guardian angel, he meant the local hermit who climbs in his air ducts and his stoic faced, red-headed, demon of an accomplice.

They had been fighting, arguing battle strategies back and forth between themselves. Steve had the stupid thought stuck in his thick head that Tony didn't care what he had to say, which was absolutely ridiculous. He cared about what the captain had to say, he just didn't always follow what spangles ordered.

Okay, ever followed. But that was hardly his fault.

The old man should have known better than to have demanded anything from him. Well, he showed him. Let the good captain get covered in pink intergalactic goop. Thor and Clint had thought it hilarious, commending Tony on his pure awesomeness. Unfortunately, spandex man hadn't thought it nearly as funny, which led to their heated argument. Too heated, in fact, since Natasha -break your leg when you blink- Romanov found the need to intervene. And by intervene, he means lock the two of them in a broom closet for an evening, and have Clint check in periodically on their progress.

Which, somehow, helped. They still fought off and on, but they had come to a better understanding.

Then Tony's heat hit, and everything changed for them. Steve had volunteered to knot Tony up in his time of need, and after it was over he admitted to some more than friendly feelings for the omega. And so the strange, and yet absolutely perfect relationship they now found themselves in started.

Even more extraordinary, isn't that he's smart, angelically handsome, and sculpted like a god (Ok, not like a god. Thor's guns were still slightly bigger). While those were all endearing qualities, Tony could just pay someone for that.

No, the best part about Steve? He never asks questions.

"Tony, are you zoning out again?" Oh, he'd almost forgotten about Bruce, "Stay with me buddy, we don't want you crashing the car before we make it out of Nevada, do we?"

"I'm fine," And the man managed to wake sleeping beauty up too, perfect, "Seriously, chill out. You're making my anxiety levels rise."

"You don't even have anxiety disorders-"

"Yet Bruce!" He raised one finger in the air, "With you two living with me, that fact is very likely to change."

"Then why did you invite us to move in with you in Malibu?" Steve blinked, tilting his head with that knowing smile of his.

"I couldn't just leave you two in New York," He smirked, "You're delicate."

Bruce snorts, and the car shakes slightly as he shifts around, "I think you're the first person ever to call the Hulk anything but a monster."

"Eh, eh, eh. Neh. No, he is not, and neither are you. And you are forbidden from saying that for the remainder of the trip. Or the month. Or the year. You know what, no, you are forbidden from saying that until the day you die. That's the new rules, follow them or suffer my wrath."

"And what wrath is that?" Steve puts a hand at the base of his neck, "I have a feeling the Hulk can take on your 5ft. middle-aged fury."

"Hey!" He yanks away from the large palm, jabbing a finger in the air towards his mate, "Keep it up, and you're sleeping on the couch, mister. American hero or not."

The captain unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning over the the small distance of the convertible. He presses his face into the side of Tony's neck, nuzzling against the bite marks littering his flesh. Vain move, rubbing his scent further into the markings he had made last night. Tony already reeked of Steve's pheromones, now it would be near impossible to distinguish him from an alpha or omega. But then again, at least he smelled good. Pine, leather, sweat and something else, something that could only be described as Steve. In other words, he smelled hot.

He nearly lost control of the vehicle when a tongue dragged across his throat, stinging his still open wounds in a way that was both painful and pleasurable. Moaning slightly, he tipped his head to the side to provide easier access. If the alpha kept this up they would need a hotel room pretty soon- Hello! When did Steve get so good with his hands. One of the blondes hands dipped into his shirt, and began playing with his nipple, and god, he loves his life-

"Guy? I'm still here," Fuck Bruce! Steve ripped back, taking with him four of Tony's buttons. They would need to be sewn on later, or not, seeing as he really could care less about this shirt. At least he looked apologetic, which was ridiculous with the blatant lust clouding his eyes.

Tony smirked, snaking one hand behind the seat to pat his cock-blocking best friend on the leg, "No reason to be jealous, buddy, plenty of me to around."

He looked in the rear-view mirror to see Bruce roll his eyes, and swat his hand off his knee. Tony stuck out his bottom lip, batting his eyes into the mirror, looking straight into the chestnut brown pair meeting his. Smirking, he opened his mouth.

"Brucey, you're a fine boy. What a good mate, you would be! But my life, my lover, my man is still Steve!"

The beautiful tune of his song must have been too awesome for his passengers, since Steve's face was cringing, and Bruce was covering his ears. Pfft. Everyones a critic.

"Of all the songs to musically massacre," Hey! "did it have to be one by Looking Glass? I actually like that band." The smug aura radiating from the backseat made Tony smirk, only to frown when he looked at the setting sun.

God, he felt tired. The drive had started this morning, but he hadn't slept at all the night before. When he managed to sleep, it was always the same nightmare's plaguing his subconscious with visions of black. Black, and cold. Dragging him towards it's endless ocean, plunging him into the sticky trap where life cannot live. Night after night he found himself in his tower workshop, ignoring his fears for another day. That was why he needed to be away from New York for a while, for his own sanity.

He needed to be home. Or as close to a home as he had.

"Tony?" Steve must have noticed his sudden demeanor change, if the worried puppy eyes directed at him right now was anything to go on, "Are you alright? You look kind of tired..."

"Well babe," He winks at the blonde, "you do that to an omega."

Red streaked up his neck, cheeks tingeing a delicious rose. Tony laughed at the expense of his partner, turning his pupils back to the road.

Oh... When did he stop?

And at Burger King. Great.

Grumbling, he put the car into park, unbuckling his seat belt. Can't look weak in front of his team, just had to go with the flow.

"Bathroom break, everyone out. Let's go, move it or lose it. Better go now, 'cause I'm not stopping again."

Turns out they can't even get coffee right, not without it tasting like burnt skunk spray mixed in month old horse pee. And he knows what that tastes like.

You do crazy things totally wasted at a petting zoo.

Fuck he needs to vomit.

But, it's still coffee, and it should keep him awake. Maybe.

"You're about to pass out, I'm not going to let you operate a motor vehicle, Tony!" The alpha was blocking the door, arms crossed resolutely. Which would be hot, if Captain Nannie would just move a little to the right.

"I'm alright, look, I've got my elixir," He waves the styrofoam cup in front of his face, "so you can unwind you spandex, and get outta my way."

"I agree with Cap, Tone," His fingernails dig into the cup, anger etched into his face. Bruce adjusted his glasses awkwardly, "you look like you're about to drop, and no amount of foundation can cover those purple circles under your eyes. You need rest, or you'll hurt yourself, and us. Nap, at least until we get into California."

"But," He made to protest, but Bruce cut him off.

"No buts, now go to sleep. Doctors orders." His finger points at the passenger seat, directing Tony into the chair. He grumbles, but puts up no further protests. How could he? When Captain America, and Hulk tell you to do something, you fucking do it.

Didn't mean he wouldn't bitch about it the whole time. Biology may force him into obedience, but dammit, he was Tony Stark. He did what he wanted.

He was only being a good little omega because he wanted to.

Really...

Fuck he's whipped.

He sighed and shook his head, climbing into the passenger's seat. When he was younger he would never have given in so easily. He would have left the alphas begging at his feet to obey, and even after their humiliation, he would not demean himself to being beneath them. Refused to submit so many times, so why now? Why was he allowing himself to be ordered around? It was beyond him, as seemed to be the norm nowadays. Was he broken?

Was he truly, honestly broken?

Or had he already been, and simply repaired half-assed with duct tape?

Probably.

He closed his eyes, not waiting for the other members to take their spots.

When they opened, he found the car disappeared, along with the landscape and his friends. He blinked, looking around the room he suddenly appeared in. A simple bedroom, lined in curtains and silks, red and gold. He was seated in a nest, the kind an alpha would make for his expecting omega. Which was ridiculous, Tony wasn't expecting.

Or, so he thought.

A hand rests over his stomach, and he starts at the slow rubbing. A face bleeds from the shadows behind him, oozing blue and yellow and blurring lines of peach. It's distorted, as though looking through the bottom of a glass of water, and yet he instantly knows this isn't Steve.

It takes a moment for the scent to reach his nose, flooding his senses in nostalgia.

"Alpha," He whispers, eyes glazing over in euphoria. A light dances in the air, so beautiful and sound, it had to come from heaven. A piece of heaven's light, just for him.

Whimpering, he felt small tears prick in his eyes. The alpha leaned closer, cradeling Tony to himself.

"Shh, it's alright. I've got you, no one's going to hurt you. You're safe." A nose nuzzles into his cheek, dispelling the tears that had leaked from his defences. Strong arms clutch him at both sides, warm hands rubbing circles into his tired body. He feels happy, joyful.

Content. For the first time in years.

Logically, he know's this is ridiculous, and strange. But he can't fight it. Not after so long, not after all the wasted, lonesome years.

But he's not lonesome... he has.

"Steve..." He manages, choking on the words when the alpha stops his ministrations. A growl, angry and low, resonates in the room. White hot pain lanced through his throat, and it takes a moment for him to realize that he's been bitten. Howls echo in the dark, and he cries for Steve, please, Steve protect me...

The voice that blends in the shadows is vicious and unforgiving, only pausing briefly in his ravage to bite out, "Mine. You are mine."

He screams as it continues, clawing and thrashing, but he won't let go.

"Tony," He felt a hand cup the back of his head, lolling his head to press into the forehead of his mate, "You're safe, nothings wrong. No one's going to hurt you, I promise."

His hand clawed into the blondes flesh, before the dream finally dispelled completely. Lines of blood oozed from under his fingertips, and Tony gazed in shock as the skin sealed itself up. Then he found himself pressed between two firm pectorals, reassuring words whispered tenderly into his hairline.

The saddest part, was he had forgotten it was Steve. An ache wretched in his gut, as he clenched his eyes closed and accepted the embrace of his alpha.

Would he want his soul bound now, if he ever came to him?

Didn't matter. It was a dream, just a silly dream of an omega who misses his soul bound. A dream that would never come true, after all, his soul bound didn't want him. If he had, then why wouldn't he come for him, or accept Tony's calls or-or.

He didn't blame him, not really.

With the track record Tony has, it's a surprise his bonded even spent a night with him.

But he couldn't help himself! After the first few rejections from his soul bound, he had begun taking random alpha's to bed. He didn't want to feel the swelling emptiness inside anymore, and he had hoped that someone- anyone- would bother to fix the broken fragments left to him.

But none did.

Tony looked up into Steve's worried crystal eyes.

Until Steve.

Steve, who was perfect and too good for Tony. Steve, who stayed up with him watching movies, and cuddled him when the nightmares took hold. Steve, who refused to kick Tony off the team even when he zoned out in front of Fury and the Council. Steve, who despite every jab and insult, chose to be his friend.

Steve, who loved him. Never asking about the large scar over his bonding gland.

He didn't need to, they both knew. And through it all, he still loved him.

Tony would give anything for this man.

Even his life.

"I'm alright, just had another nightmare," He pushes down the surge of relief at Steve's acceptance, "are we almost there?" Tony looks out the tinted window, at the star dusted sky.

"We're here..."

"Wha..?"

Indeed, when he looks closer he can see the outline of his mansion in the faint moonlight. Tony closed his eyes again, wondering whether it truly was just a dream.

He had a foreboding feeling that it wasn't.