Chapter Text
Ever since seeing that small altercation in the kitchen, it was hard to tell when the Soldier was making his own decisions and when he was capitulating to what he thought Bucky wanted to hear. And teaching the man how to say no was getting… stressful. But keeping him in the apartment wasn’t helping anything either. Matter of fact, it was likely making things worse. They needed to reintroduce him to society, but carefully.
It had taken a month for them to fall into an uneasy cohabitation. Clint, Natasha or Pepper would come and sit with the Soldier so that Bucky could go get Pack time. Pepper was always equipped with an ironman gauntlet, in case the Soldier felt too threatened even with Pepper’s slight stature. But it was clear the man was trying to keep the peace, every time Bucky stepped away to get pack time. They had introduced Tony to the Soldier, but the other omega was too much for the Soldier to handle at great lengths of time.
Bucky laid out exactly what they were going to do. They were going to go to the coffee shop just down the street and the clothing store that was next to it afterwards. The Soldier needed new clothes, and while Bucky was going to do most of the choosing, he was going to try and make the Soldier make some easy choices. They had already figured out that he didn’t care for coffee (which was already a stark difference to Steve who used to drink that stuff like water, even before the serum) but he enjoyed the fruit smoothies that Bucky had been making to try and keep the calorie intake up.
Bucky’s whole intention with this little excursion was to help the Soldier make choices. Clint and Natasha were going to follow discreetly so that Bucky had back up, just in case things went badly.
“Hey, Soldier!” Bucky called out as he shoved his feet into his boots, which he tied loosely.
The man in question stuck his head out from the den, which he had taken to sleeping in. Bucky wasn’t going to begrudge him that, it was a choice, even if it was more to be a guard dog then for his comfort. But he was going to take the small victories where they were. He couldn’t force the Soldier to do things before he was ready.
“We really need to figure out a different name for you…” Bucky mused softly as the Soldier stood up and moved over to Bucky. The Soldier stood too close, but it had stopped bothering Bucky a week ago. There was something comforting about the feral alpha’s presence now, and Bucky enjoyed it in the absence of his real alpha’s affections.
“I have a-”
“I’m not calling you Asset… What about Grant?”
The alpha tilted his head to the side, considering Bucky’s suggestion with the same critical sense he did with everything else, before he nodded. He knew Grant was part of Steve Rogers’ name, but it wasn’t his first name, and this was something he could claim as his own. “I don’t mind it.” he replied, to which Bucky smiled up at the alpha, and nodded.
“Good. Okay Grant, let’s go over the plan, one last time today.”
Grant nodded in response. “We’re going for a drink… the sweet kind that I like from the shop near here. Then we’re going to go for clothes.”
“And if you start to get overwhelmed?”
“I tell you and we’ll move somewhere quiet to calm down.” Bucky’s smile was wide and he nodded.
“Perfect. Good. And as we’re walking?”
“I’m allowed to hold onto you.” Bucky nodded one last time before he gestured to Grant’s boots.
“Then get your boots, we’re going to go.”
The coffee shop was quaint and quiet. Which made getting the smoothie for Grant easy and without troubles. They sat in the back corner, and Bucky spent the time asking Grant yes or no questions to help him feel comfortable with answering him with a negative. Every time Grant answered Bucky with a no, there was positive reinforcement. Not wanting to push boundaries too hard, once they were done with their drinks, they headed for the store. Natasha and Clint were a couple blocks away, ready just in case something went wrong.
The shopping trip, likewise went well. Grant was able to make decisions for himself with limited options, something Bucky made sure was always the case. He wanted to make this as easy as he could. So he would always pick the exact same shirt, in two different colours and ask Grant which he wanted.
Given how attentive Bucky was to Grant’s reactions and cues, Bucky managed to make this a positive experience for the man, and it wasn’t until the end of the trip that he started to get too antsy for Bucky’s comfort. Paying for their purchases, Bucky escorted Grant back to the Tower, with Grant’s arm around his shoulders and his nose pressed into his hair like he was hiding, though to everyone else it would look like a happy and well satisfied couple.
Situated up on the roof, the man watching through the sniper scope scoffed softly to himself. “They think they’re so fucking sneaky… I knew it would merely take time… Time for the nuclear option… Then we’ll have them both.” He rubbed against his collar bone, which left one arm sitting lower than the other. It hadn’t healed right, since he was a wanted man… and the Asset had done this to him. He was going to bring them back into Hydra’s grasp and carry out the vision that had been started with Insight. Even without the Helicarriers, it could still be done… and he was about to be able to use Captain America to ensure compliance.
It took another four months of careful stake outs and observing when Captain America would leave the tower without his guard dog in tow, but he was able to figure out a basic schedule that he was going to use against the omega…
He had a few of the grunts around him, waiting in the van. They pulled up next to the omega, looking like a moving company that were preparing to move someone out of their house when they hit Captain America with the fast acting anesthetic that was designed for the Grant Soldier. Helping keep the man on his feet as he struggled to stay awake, they were able to convince him to sit down on the edge of the van, before he finally succumbed to the toxin. Shoving the unconscious man into the van, they all piled in and took off.
All told, it took barely five minutes to get the omega off the street and into the van.
“Miss Romanoff, Grant had requested yours and Mister Barton’s presence in the apartment.”
Natasha glanced up from where she was sharpening her knives. “Can it wait?”
“He seems concerned and agitated, so I do not think so Miss.”
Natasha frowned before smoothing her expression out and sheathing her knives as she walked. Hitting the elevator as Clint did, the pair glanced at each other with concern. “What do you think’s got the feral guy in a tizzy?”
“Not sure… but he hasn’t requested both of us at the same time before… he’s only asked for one or the other when he’s feeling lonely without Bucky when Bucky’s on mission.”
“Hasn’t he requested Pepper too?”
“Yeah… the fact that he’s asked for both of us…”
“Wasn’t Bucky-” Clint’s question cut off as the door opened, and both could already smell the sharp tang of burnt leather through the door. It affected Natasha less then Clint but both still cringed at the smell. “Oh fuck he’s angry about something…” Clint rubbed at his nose, trying to clear out the smell of burnt leather.
Cautiously they eased the door open to see Grant sitting stock still with his array of weaponry laid out in front of him. Clint approached from the side, shifting to sit in front of the weapons, only to have the sharp and piercing red eyes focused on him entirely. “Hey big guy, think you can tone down the anger a little? Making it a little hard to breathe in here.” Clint said, knowing his beta scent wouldn’t be able to break through this. The scent eased but didn’t disappear.
“What’s wrong?” Natasha asked, leaning against the sliding door to the balcony.
“He’s not back. Something happened.”
“JARVIS did Bucky get called away on a last minute mission?” Clint asked of the ceiling, wanting to confirm the possibility. Although they had been good about making sure that Grant was notified that Bucky had to go out as Captain America, sometimes things slipped through the cracks.
“No Mister Barton. The Captain is not currently on a mission, nor is he in the Tower.” JARVIS replied, and Grant started to gather his weapons, and pulled his leather outfit back onto his frame.
“Something happened. Need to find him.” Grant wasn’t waiting for more than that, and Natasha moved over to put her foot on the gun he was about to pick up.
“We don’t know what’s wrong. He could have just gotten-”
“He is always on time. He’s too late without notice.” The low growl was starting in Grant’s voice, something that warned Natasha from making anymore guesses. It was something that Bucky had been doing so that Grant could feel better with the schedule, especially when things had to change.
“Let us see if we can locate him, and then we’ll assemble the Avengers to help. But we’ll make sure you come with us.” Clint bargained, as he stood up again.
Grant swung his piercing gaze back to Clint before giving a short nod and finished arming himself.
“Well fuck… This is why I keep saying everyone needs fucking trackers!” Tony grouched goodnaturedly, though not as exuberantly as he would have normally given that Grant was hovering behind him like a silent omen.
“We lose the van after they use the tunnel. It’s possible they change vehicles in there, but it’s also possible that’s where we’re going to find them.” Natasha frowned as she watched the footage.
“Sir, you have an email.”
“What’s in it? Probably junk…” Tony mused as he tried to find another shot of the van through the cameras in case something had been missed.
“It seems to be a location and a list of chemicals sir. And a message in Russian that seems directed at Mr. Grant.”
Grant’s eyes swung to the ceiling and frowned, but said nothing.
“Grant is supposed to come alone…”
Tony looked at the list of chemicals and growled. “They’re inducing his heat… This here, it’s a suppressant neutralizer, designed specifically with the serum in mind which they’ve probably used on Grant before, and everything else is a cocktail’s list of heat inducers… if he doesn’t have his mate, he is going to combust from the inside.”
Every eye in the room swung to Grant. “Hey Steve, if you can hear us… now would be a really good time to figure your shit out…” It was well known how important consent was to Bucky… And law stated that ferals couldn’t consent due to how close to the surface their instincts were.
Grant stared back at them, red eyes never flickering to blue, and Tony sighed softly before he looked over at Bruce. “Hey Brucie, let’s get to work on an antidote for this shit… We might need to douse Bucky the moment he gets in here, and I don’t want mistakes.” Tony shoved to his feet, and Bruce nodded as he followed Tony towards the lab where they were going to start working on a fix, in case they needed it. Natasha frowned at the location before she gave a small rumble. Without Bucky, and Tony staying behind to make sure they had medical treatment ready for Bucky when they got him back, Natasha was in charge.
“Clint, call Sam. We’re going to need all the help we can get. We need to deal with whoever has him, and then take care of Bucky. Grant, your sole job is to get to Bucky, do you understand me? You’re going to get to him and protect him, and resist whatever he asks of you.” Natasha ordered as Clint shifted away to get a hold of Sam.
Grant swallowed before nodding. He could do this. The Omega hadn’t made any moves on him, and he knew that this was going to have to end one way, but he didn’t want to give up control to the being that was rattling around in his head… That would spell out disaster just as much as doing something the Omega clearly didn’t want from him.
The inner workings of Grant’s mind were like a maze filled with locked memories and a prowling figure that kept trying to kill him and take over his body. He was in the quinjet with the others, staring ahead but not really seeing anything when the blonde figure found him.
“You know when we find him… we’re going to have to help him.”
“He doesn’t want me like that.” Grant tried not to feel like pouting but it was difficult. This omega meant everything to him, but the omega didn’t want Grant. He wanted Steve… the alpha that was inhabiting his mind.
“No but he’ll want me. If you want to experience what it’s like, you have to let me have control. And not fight me for it.”
“You won’t give it back.” Grant accused. The look that Steve gave him back was full of smug assurance.
“Of course I wouldn’t. How many times do I have to fucking tell you, he doesn’t want you!?”
“It’s my body!”
“You are something my mind created to keep me safe. You’re the one that isn’t real.” Spoken with such calm confidence, how could Grant believe anything else? Steve was right. Grant shifted through his own mind space and entered a room that the other blonde had no access to. It was strange to have a mind that was so fragmented, but he didn’t have a choice. It just was how it had to be.
But this room was a memory that he held close and without interference. Bucky had given him a few of his own blankets that were mixed with scents, including some from Bucky’s pack, and Grant had put it in his den, where he had taken up sleeping more often than not. He let himself feel the comfort of being there, even though he was away from the Tower.
If the Omega just wanted his alpha back… why did he keep being so kind to Grant?
Sam snapped his fingers in front of Grant’s face, watching as the red eyes focused on him. “You with us, big guy?”
Grant gave a sharp nod, checking on his weapons before they landed outside of the location. He pulled his hair back from his face, before he hit the hatch and leapt down without waiting for the rest to join him on the ground. The Widow and Hawkeye weren’t far behind him, while Falcon swooped down after them.
Leading the charge, Grant didn’t even hesitate as he drew his weapons, firing on agents he found. If they were in his way, they were going to wind up dead.
Something’s not right. This is too easy. You need to get angrier.
Grant tried to ignore the blonde’s voice in his head, tried to maintain his focus, not go full instincts, but as he kicked in the door of the location, he was hit full front with the sweetest smell of cream, oranges and peaches. It made his mouth water, and for the first time ever, Grant felt his cock harden in response to the Omega.
A low growl started, and it took Grant longer than it should have to realize it was coming from himself. He started to stalk through the building, following the scent, still not angry enough to protect himself, with Hawkeye and Widow trailing behind him, checking the routes he didn’t take.
“Smother. Resilience.” Grant shook his head as the words started to make it harder to catch his breath. All his hard won independence, his ability to refuse, it was all starting to fade as the Asset threatened to break free from the deepest parts of him. “Eighteen. Pygmy.”
GET ANGRY GRANT OR THERE WON’T BE AN OMEGA FOR US TO SAVE. BLOCK IT OUT, FOCUS ON OUR OMEGA! The blonde’s voice… Steve’s voice… was loud and angry, trying to get Grant to stop what was happening. But the words were louder than Steve, drowning out the other half of himself, as the Asset started to shove its way forward, answering to the call of its master.
“Arctic. Two.” LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! LETMEOUTLETMEOUTLETMEOUT!!!
Rage like a hot poker shot through Grant, drowning out everything as his eyes cleared and all that was left was righteous and furious blue. Steve whirled, firing at Rollins who had been speaking the words, a single clean shot stopping him from speaking. Blood gurgled from the new hole in his throat where his vocal chords had been, and Steve roared loud and triumphant as he brought his booted foot up and kicked Rollins into the wall, hearing the satisfying sound of the man’s spine snapping under the force.
“ No more. NEVER AGAIN. I AM FREE OF HYDRA AND THEIR GRASP!” Steve growled in Russian, watching the light leave Rollins’ eyes. He turned to follow the scent of his mate, staggering through the harsh chemical smell. Every Hydra agent Steve encountered was met with the same fate as Rollins to varying degrees of mutilations.
However, that short burst of strength, of control, only took Steve as far as the door where they were keeping Bucky, and kicked it open. He stalked forward, falling to his knees next to Bucky who was writhing and whimpering, eyes closed, hands tied to the bed. Drawing one of the multitude of knives from his person to cut Bucky loose, Steve pulled Bucky in close, feeling how his mate curled around him so tightly. There was still a war going on inside of him, and he wanted nothing more than to care for Bucky right here and right now, but he couldn’t. Grant couldn’t take on the Asset alone, not yet. And the Asset was scrambling for control having heard the start of those words.
“ Buck, look at me.” Steve whispered, watching Bucky’s cloudy eyes struggle to focus on his own. “ I can’t stay. Grant needs help… I have to go handle it, but he’ll take care of you… after all, he is me.” Steve leaned forward to kiss Bucky, feeling how the omega clung to him and kissed him back like he needed him to breathe. The longer the scent rose around them, the worse it was getting for Steve to let go, but if he didn’t both him and Grant would be shoved back, and the Fist of Hydra would be set loose. “ I love you Bucky… And not that you need it, but you have my permission to let Grant help you…” Steve whispered against Bucky’s lips, sure the omega heard him before he retreated into his mind as the Asset gave another hard surge, and Steve shoved Grant back into the forefront.
Grant looked down at the omega in his arms, a little alarmed. He swallowed hard, hands shaking as he struggled to stand, not wanting to let Bucky go. He carried him bridal style as he walked from the compound, all of Steve’s destruction left in his wake. He growled at Clint and Natasha as they caught up to him, and the pair kept their distance from him, making sure the path back was clear.
“Yeah Sam we’ve got them. Bucky’s not looking so great, but he’s clinging to Grant like he’s Steve.” The reply was lost and Grant realized that somewhere along the way, Steve had lost their ear piece. It didn’t matter, as he kept walking, feeling his steps falter every so often as the Asset tried to wrestle control away from Grant. Steve was doing everything he could to keep the Asset away from the forefront because this was now a safe place for him to come back, there was no longer a threat of Hydra and its Chair, and Steve was going to protect himself from the last tendrils of Hydra’s control.
“Grant…” Bucky whined. Grant’s only reply was a short grunt of acknowledgement. “Help me… Please…”
“Once we’re somewhere safe Omega. I promise.”