Chapter Text
You pick.
Omega, we’ve been over this. You wanted to get Sam a present for his birthday, so you need to pick.
But then he’ll know it’s from me because you’ll tell him.
And that’s a bad thing because…?
Bucky sighs to himself as he gets a rush of embarrassment that isn’t his own. Having a pining, shy Omega in your head was weird sometimes. It makes him feel mixed up, but he’s getting better at identifying what’s his and what’s Jamie's. If it’s about Sam… it’s usually Jamie. Usually.
Sweetheart, he’s gonna be so happy when you give it to him. Bet he’ll give you a big ole bear hug and everything. Maybe even a kiss on the cheek.
More embarrassment, but the shy, giggly kind that he’s seen on Peter when Tony and Steve flirt with him. Also, a boatload of wanting.
Would he really?
Maybe. You’ll never know if you don’t pick something out.
Ugh. Fine. Let me out.
Bucky snorts softly, but leans his head back against the couch and takes a few deep breaths. It’s easier on both of them when they can switch calmly. Slowly, the world around him goes hazy, a little grey, and when his vision clears, it’s not because he chose to open his eyes.
Jamie blinks at the bright sunshine streaming in through the living room windows. He takes stock of his surroundings, the blanket in his lap, Bucky’s phone in his hand, the soft sounds of Steve upstairs in his studio. He tenses slightly that the Alpha is coming downstairs, but after a moment, he realizes he’s just rolling around in his office chair up there. He relaxes fully, dragging a couple of pillows closer and adjusting his position to be more comfortable.
There’s a deep wash of fondness and pride that’s confusing, so he turns inward. What?
You’re just getting better at being comfortable. I’m proud of you.
Jamie’s cheeks heat up at Bucky’s praise, and he clears his throat slightly, bringing the phone a little closer. Sam’s birthday is in a few days, and it was the last day he had to pick something out to get here in time. The problem is, he doesn’t know what to get the Alpha, and Bucky is no help at all.
He’ll love whatever you get because it’s from you.
He rolls his eyes and doesn’t formulate a proper reply. Without any real ideas, he tries searching “birthday gifts for an Alpha” and sees what comes up. Oddly enough, he’s better at technology than Bucky. He’d had to learn how to use new technology in a heartbeat as the Winter Soldier, whereas Bucky was usually tucked away at that point, so he’d never mastered it.
Most of the products presented are just a lot of junk. Then he sees a backpack and it reminds him of all the traveling between New York and DC that Sam does. He’d seen him carrying a plain duffle one time, but maybe he’d like something nicer? Bucky doesn’t argue the thought, so he starts searching for overnight bags. He finds a nice navy one with leather accents that he thinks he’ll like, then has to bat off Bucky’s pride with a stick as he checks out with the bag and some wrapping materials that his Alpha had already put in the cart.
Good job, honey. He’s gonna love it.
Yeah, yeah. Can I go back in now?
You sure? You can hang out for a bit. Watch one of your shows.
Before Jamie can reply, his reasons for wanting to retreat into their mind come crashing down the stairs. He whimpers as Steve’s scent hits his nose. Warm water and sunshine curl around him like a blanket, but then the blanket is ripped away by his anxieties.
“Hey, Jamie,” Steve says as he passes through. “Just came down for lunch. You hungry?”
How’d he know it was me?
Because he can tell, sweetheart. Stay out for a bit. He’ll make you lunch.
No.
Bucky jolts as he’s suddenly out and about in the world. He groans as his head twinges with the headache he gets when Jamie shoves him forward, then his super healing immediately makes it go away. “Give an Alpha warning,” he mutters to himself.
“You okay, baby?” Steve asks with worry. There’s also a tinge of hurt in his voice.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Bucky sighs, getting up from the couch. “Sorry, I tried.”
“It’s okay,” he smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Sandwiches?”
“Yeah,” Bucky agrees. “Thanks, Stevie.”
★★★★★
Jamie paces the confines of their mind as the elevator crawls higher and higher. Sam’s birthday party was at the tower, with the entire pack. Jamie hadn’t been around the pack since Steve got hurt, and it made him nervous. Bucky had promised he didn’t have to front if he didn’t want to, but part of him did.
You can be out and just be quiet. Everyone will just think I’m overwhelmed with there being lots of people.
You sure they won’t notice?
They might, but it’s not their business. And it’s not the end of the world if they do. You’re not going away, and neither are they.
Maybe later then. I want you to be there, too.
Okay, sweetheart.
“All good?” Steve asks softly.
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Bucky assures him with a soft smile.
“Good,” he smiles back, kissing his temple. Bucky melts into the touch, and Jamie feels a tiny prickle of jealousy.
Peter’s gonna jump you, don’t flinch.
The elevator doors open, and like clockwork, Peter drops down from the ceiling in front of them. “Hi!”
“Jesus– Peter!” Steve chastises with a hand to his chest. Bucky snickers softly. He hadn’t even twitched thanks to Jamie’s warning.
Peter giggles, clearly proud of himself, and then drops to his feet gracefully. He throws his arms around Steve’s neck and pulls him in for a deep kiss. Bucky and Jamie watch on with equal fondness. They were cute together, and seeing the look on Steve’s face around Peter settled something deep in their chest. An old worry from before Jamie existed, that Steve needed an Omega in his life to really be complete.
“Hi,” Peter chirps, turning on them with a giant hug.
“Hi, doll,” Bucky chuckles, hugging him back with one arm since the other is holding Sam’s present. “It looks beautiful in here, good job.”
It really did. The high ceilings were decorated with streamers and balloons. A big, happy birthday banner stretches from wall to wall. Spider powers were apparently really good for decorating.
“Thank you,” he blushes with another giggle. “C’mon, I’ll show you where to put the present.”
Feeling a little less anxious now that they’re around Peter, Jamie plops himself down in the grey space to observe the party. It’s as close as he can get without actually switching, though he still feels separate from everything going on, like he’s watching a movie. Peter shows Bucky where to put the presents, then they greet everyone already there. Jamie can’t stop himself from cataloging everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, how he could take them down if a fight started, despite how it hurts Bucky when he does that.
Peter is happy today, which makes Jamie happy. He’s all giggles and bubbly energy, and there’s an ease to him that had not been there the last time the pack was together. He flits from member to member, scenting and greeting, laughing and joking. When Sam gets there, Jamie and Bucky notice the way the hug lingers almost as long as Steve’s had. Sam had just come down from DC, and the Omega must have missed him.
I thought they were just friends? Like you two?
I think they are. I haven’t heard of anything romantic happening. But instincts are instincts. Sam is still one of his Alphas, and he needs him.
I don’t understand that. I don’t think I have that instinct.
It might be because of my Alpha brain, sweetheart. Also, I’m your only Alpha, and you’re never apart from me, so it’s not the same.
Oh.
Do you want Sam to be your Alpha?
Jamie doesn’t know how to process that question, his ability to form things into words bursting into an explosion of emotion. He feels Bucky wind around him quietly, bringing him back together and letting him work through it, telling him what feelings are and what they mean. It’s not all done in clear words, but it's communication nonetheless. Bucky seems to conclude that that is what Jamie wants, but he’s too scared to admit it. Jamie isn’t so sure.
Jamie startles when Bucky’s attention is suddenly pulled away and makes a proverbial squeak when he realizes it’s because Sam is walking over to them. The two Alphas do that weird bro hug, and their heart starts beating more rapidly, though Jamie isn’t sure if it’s him or Bucky.
Then, to make matters worse, Sam leans close, his breath tickling their ear as he murmurs. “Hi, Jamie.”
Jamie almost fronts out of excitement, their heart beating so fast that Peter looks over with a raised brow, clearly having heard it. Bucky snorts softly at his antics. “He says hi,” he murmurs back, even though Jamie hadn’t exactly put that in words.
Sam chuckles and then pulls away to continue being the center of attention. There’s dinner, cake, and board games, which sort of surprises Jamie. Sam was a modern guy, and board games seemed old-fashioned. But neither he nor Bucky can lie that it’s fun to play with as big a group as the pack is.
At some point, Sam gets a call, and he excuses himself from the table to take it. Steve watches him go with concern. Jamie doesn’t understand it, and neither does Bucky, so he leans over to his mate to ask. “Who was that?” he asks quietly.
“Riley’s mom, I think,” Steve murmurs.
Who’s Riley?
Sam’s mate, who passed away in an accident. He was a falcon like Sam, that’s how they met. He got hurt saving Sam’s life on a mission and didn’t make it.
Oh.
Jamie doesn’t know what to make of that. Sometimes when he’s inside, it’s harder to process his emotions, especially when they get tangled up in Bucky’s. And Bucky is tangled up inside, thinking about how Sam and Steve must have bonded over losing mates in similar fashions. There’s gratitude from his Alpha half, also longing, and a little bit of jealousy.
Steve loves you. Why are you feeling like that?
I don’t know. Just am. I think they might’ve…
I thought he was with Tony before they fought.
He was. But Tony had a girlfriend just like they have Peter. You know, the polyamory?
Jamie wrinkles his nose in thought so hard that their body does as well. He doesn’t know Tony that well. They haven’t talked since they told him and Steve about Jamie’s existence, but the idea of him with anyone but Peter and Steve feels wrong. And a girl? Weird.
Hey, don’t be sexist there. Nothin’ wrong with a pretty girl.
When you have Peter and Steve? Yeah, there is.
Bucky snorts out loud, putting a hand to his mouth and then turning away to curb his laughter. He does a bad job, and Peter looks over with a smile on his face. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothin’ just–thought of somethin’ funny,” Bucky says, barely holding in a laugh and making the Omega giggle.
Why is it so funny?
Because you’re cute, Omgea, that’s why. Also, you just admitted that you think Steve is attractive so–
Okay, Alpha, I have eyes. YOUR eyes. Of course, he’s attractive, it doesn’t mean a damn thing.
Uh-huh. You know you can just be friends with him, right? He doesn’t expect anything from you.
That’s not true. He wants to have sex with our body, and I’m not ready. He wants me to be comfortable with him so you two can do things.
Jamie…
Jamie does the equivalent of the silent treatment, retreating away into his intangible nest and piling blankets around himself. He drifts, not paying attention to the rest of the party or the presents or whether Sam likes what they got him. He can feel Bucky’s frustration that he’s pouting, but he stubbornly keeps to it.
“Jamie? Hey Omega, can you come out? It’s just us. Sam wants to open your present.”
Jamie blinks at Peter’s voice, looking around wildly as he’s suddenly in the world without warning. The party is over, the pack gone. Well, most of them. It’s just Peter and the Alphas, as they like to say. Steve and Tony are on the smaller couch, Steve’s arm draped on the back of it like he wants to cuddle Tony, but is too afraid to touch him. Jamie is between Sam and Peter, both of them smiling at him. The big birthday present is at Sam’s feet.
“You- you didn’t open it earlier?” he asks in surprise.
“I wanted to open it with you,” Sam smiles. “Bucky said you got it for me.”
“Oh, um, yeah,” he blushes, sliding his palms nervously over their pants.
Snitch.
It’s the truth!
Sam reaches for the present, and Jamie feels a little nauseous. He feels Bucky trying to soothe him, but it’s not really working. The tissue paper gets tossed away, and then Sam pulls the bag out with a look of excitement. “What– Jamie, this is perfect!”
“I thought, um, you might like a sturdier one for going back and forth,” he explains quietly.
“I’ve been looking for one,” he agrees. Then he leans over and does just what Bucky predicted. He wraps Jamie up in a big hug that makes him squeak, his heart racing faster when he feels lips press against his temple. “Thank you, Omega.”
“Y-you’re welcome,” he says, trying not to whimper.
When Sam pulls away, Jamie expects that to be the end of it, and he waits for Bucky to switch, but on the contrary, his Alpha half refuses to budge.
You’re staying out and spending time with Sam on his birthday for a bit. That’s that.
Alpha!
Yes, Omega?
Jamie shivers a little as he feels Bucky’s dominance pulse through their brain. Bucky didn’t pull rank on him much. It was hard when they were in the same body. But now he can’t do anything but mentally bare his neck and submit to his m–his other half.
“We’re gonna watch Indiana Jones,” Peter explains from his other side, dumping a nesting blanket in Jamie’s lap.
“It’s my favorite,” Sam grins, settling back into the couch. His arm drapes across the back, and Jamie longs to tilt into the touch, but he doesn’t dare.
That’s literally why he put it there.
Before he can argue with his Alpha, Peter wiggles closer, holding onto Jamie’s right arm like it’s a teddy bear with his own nesting blanket in his lap. He’s surprised by the action, but he can’t lie that the cuddle pile is nice and soothes some of his grumpy edges, especially when Sam shifts just a little bit closer. He feels Bucky scoot forward as much as possible since movies were one of the things that were easy to enjoy in the grey space, and it’s almost like he’s physically sitting there, too.
The movie starts, and Jamie is hooked. Bucky loves Lord of the Rings, but Jamie couldn’t ever suspend disbelief enough to enjoy it. This? Just the right amount of imagination mixed with things that Jamie knows and is good at.
Thought you’d like it, Bucky chuckles internally at one point.
Jamie is so lost in the movie that he doesn’t notice himself leaning closer to Sam until he’s already tucked up under the Alpha’s arm. His heart flutters when he feels Sam scenting his temple, like he had the time they had hot chocolate. It makes him feel warm and bubbly inside. And with the distraction of the movie, he doesn’t have that anxious, flighty feeling he gets, the one where he worries about whether people are bothered by his existence. He’s just warm and comfortable between Peter and Sam, and nothing more.
Peter must have had a long day, because by the time the movie ends, he’s drooling on Jamie’s arm and fast asleep. Steve and Tony look on fondly, as does Sam. Even Bucky coos inside a little at the sight of him.
“C’mere, sleepy spider,” Tony says, lifting Peter off the couch and out of Jamie’s snuggle. Peter whines as he’s lifted, curling against his chest instinctively.
Jamie can’t help but feel a tiny pang of jealousy as Tony smiles down at him and kisses his forehead. He was never going to be small like that, never going to be held by Bucky and put into a nest to sleep. At best, maybe Steve, if he ever got there. But Jamie had often heard Peter remark that Tony was his Alpha and Steve was his boyfriend, and Jamie felt the same about Bucky.
Aw sweetheart. Trust me, baby, I wanna hold you like that just as bad.
It’s not fair, he pouts, his frustration overwhelming any embarrassment he has about admitting his deep feelings for his other half.
I know, baby, I know.
“Everything okay?” Sam asks softly.
That’s when Jamie realizes that Steve went with Tony to put Peter to bed, and he’s alone with Sam, still tucked under his arm. “Oh, um, yeah,” he lies softly.
“Jamie,” Sam chides, clearly seeing through it. “Don’t keep it all to yourself, c’mon. What’s botherin’ you?”
He sighs and fiddles with the edge of the blanket. “Just jealous,” he murmurs.
Sam hums softly in consideration. “Bucky told me about your connection, that it feels intimate sometimes, and it’s hard not to be able to touch each other.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, glad he doesn’t have to put it into words. He looks longingly at the hall where the trio disappeared. “I’m never gonna be a real Omega, like Peter.”
“Hey, no,” Sam says earnestly, gently tucking his fingers under his chin and forcing Jamie to look at him. He swallows nervously, his heart ready to beat right out of his chest. “You are a real Omega, Jamie. Full stop. That’s it. You scent Omega, you’ve got instincts, all of it.”
“Yeah, but m’not–” He gestures helplessly at his (Bucky’s) Alpha body. “Not little.”
“And who said you had to be little to be Omega?” he asks with a raised brow.
Jamie rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Put it into words, c’mon.”
He groans. Curse Sam and his therapy tactics, and Bucky not letting him retreat. “I want to feel… small. Safe. Protected. Like when Tony and Steve hold Peter.”
Sam smiles at him softly. His fingers are still tucked under Jamie’s chin, and his thumb moves up to brush across the stubble on his jaw. “Do you trust me?”
“Y-yes,” he whispers, without even having to think about it.
“Bucky? Okay if I–”
Tell him to do what he needs to do.
“He- he says do what you need to do,” Jamie says softly, not sure what that means. Bucky is keeping fully formed ideas from him, tucked away as far as possible, like he’s trying to give him privacy.
“Okay,” Sam whispers. “Don’t spook.”
Jamie doesn’t understand what the warning is for until Sam suddenly shifts. Hands grab him by the waist, and he squeaks as he’s suddenly manhandled into Sam’s lap. It knocks the wind out of him, so many nerves but also excited feelings bubbling up inside him, he doesn’t know what to do with them, and Bucky isn’t pulling him back together this time.
“Shh, I got you, Omega,” Sam murmurs, gently pulling him closer. “Put your head on my shoulder– there we go.”
Jamie is stiff for a solid three seconds; he counts them, and then it’s like some switch gets pulled. It’s like his whole body turns to goo, slumping into Sam like a puppet with its strings cut. Sam coos at him softly, bringing the blanket over his body that suddenly feels like his own and not Bucky’s. He tucks his arms in so he’s even smaller, and instinctively he noses against Sam’s scent gland, his face pressed into the crook of his neck.
He feels like he’s underwater, everything a little softer, a little more muffled. It’s not the same as when they switch. He’s totally conscious, and yet there’s something different about his state. He makes a soft whimper, feeling overwhelmed and yet safe at the same time. Maybe it’s the feeling of safety that is overwhelming.
“Shh, shh, it’s okay,” Sam soothes, rubbing his back. “Just let it happen. I got you.”
“What– mm–”
“You’re having an Omega drop,” he explains in a still soft but firm voice. “Like Peter gets. Just let it pass. You might feel sleepy or like you want to cry.”
And oh, he does, now that he mentions it. He’s exhausted. It’s a weird feeling. Bucky is usually in charge of sleeping. Jamie doesn’t usually experience tiredness firsthand.
He hears footsteps, and he stiffens, but Sam shushes him, rocking back and forth as he holds him. Then there are voices, and normally, he knows he’d be able to process them, but right now, they just sound muffled, unless Sam talks. “Yeah, he’s dropped– mhmm– I got him, you two go be with Peter– I promise. It was a great birthday. See you in the morning.”
The quiet returns, and Jamie melts once more into Sam’s hold. It’s nice for a while, and then he gets a little ache in his chest as his want for his Alpha returns. The moment it does, Bucky’s presence creeps back in, gentle and soothing.
I’m right here, baby. Just like always.
He whimpers softly, and Sam holds him tighter. “Shhh, you’re doin’ great, Omega,” he murmurs, kissing his temple. “Bein’ such a good boy.”
Oh.
Oh, I should’ve known you’d like that.
“M’good?” Jamie mumbles out loud, the word feeling foreign on his tongue.
“So good,” Sam whispers. “You got me the perfect birthday present. And look at you, snugglin’ and everything. So proud of you, honey.”
Jamie shudders softly. The praise almost hurts, that’s how much he’s not used to it. He never got praise from Hydra, not like this. But, oh, how he craves it. It’s like the ache of stretching sore muscles, relieving even if it hurts a little bit.
“You tired, Omega?” Sam asks gently when Jamie yawns.
“Mhmm.”
“Do you want to sleep by yourself? Or with me?”
The question freezes Jamie with indecision. Sleeping with Sam was an option? They hadn’t slept in the same bed as someone since– since–
Since before.
Bucky provides him with a memory of Steve’s arms curling around him, squished together on a too-tiny cot in a tent the night before the train. At the mere mention of it, Jamie whimpers and goes stiff, trying to keep the memories from playing. To protect Bucky.
No, no, sweetheart, let me have ‘em. It’s okay. I can handle it.
But they hurt you.
They hurt you, too, Omega. We’re together now. You don’t need to protect me from everything.
Bucky feels extremely stubborn about this, so Jamie forces himself to exhale and let the memories go. The tension that had clawed at his spine suddenly releases, and he feels even more exhausted than before. It’s only Sam’s gentle rubbing on his back that makes him realize they’ve been quiet for longer than appropriate.
“Sorry,” he murmurs. “Talking.”
“It’s okay, I figured,” he assures him softly, his voice lilted like there’s a soft smile on his face. “Did you decide?”
“Um,” Jamie says hesitantly.
It’s okay, baby. I don’t mind either way.
That’s not nearly as helpful as Bucky thinks it is. It takes him another long moment of thinking, trying to figure out how to decide what he wants, before he finally figures it out. “ I-I want to stay with you,” he whispers.
“Okay. Then let’s go find this guest room, huh?” Sam says lightly. “Gonna pick you up, okay?”
“Can you– oh!” Jamie squeaks as Sam stands straight up from the couch with them in his arms. He clings to his neck a little tighter, blushing at the way he has to wrap his legs around his waist.
“I gotcha, don’t worry. You’re not that big and muscly,” Sam teases.
Hey!
Jamie giggles. “Bucky got offended by that.”
“I’m sure he did,” Sam chuckles. “He works hard on those muscles.”
“I do too!” he huffs.
“Oh, yeah? I didn’t realize you worked out, ‘mega, I’m sorry,” he says, sounding sincere.
… Tell the truth, Omega.
“I-okay, so maybe I don’t–” he mumbles into his neck. “But I give him lots of good pointers!”
More like you’re bossy as hell.
“Well, that’s still helping out, now isn’t it?” Sam chuckles. “Alrighty, think Tony said it would be– this one! Steve said he’d put your stuff in here for you.”
“Oh,” he says softly, lifting his head to see his overnight bag on the bed. They’d always planned to stay the night, but sleeping with Sam had not been part of it. Bucky was going to sleep alone while Steve finally spent a night sleeping with Peter and Tony. Actual sleeping since they’d finally gotten it in his head that his nightmares wouldn’t bother them. “That was nice of him.”
Sam snorts a little as he sets Jamie on the bed. “He’s pretty good at the whole doting Alpha thing when you let him. He likes to fuss.”
“Is that why Tony calls him a mother hen?”
“You got it,” he winks, making Jamie blush again. Then his expression softens, and it makes Jamie melt. “You want to get ready for bed first?”
“Oh. Um, sure,” he says softly, reaching for the bag.
“Something wrong?”
“No, just, um– I’ve never done it before,” he admits as he unzips it. “Wasn’t really a thing as the Winter Soldier and now, Bucky usually does it for us.”
I’ll walk you through it, doll, don’t worry. Not that I think you can’t figure it out.
I like it when you teach me stuff.
“Well, take your time,” Sam says, sitting down on the other side of the bed and pulling out his phone. “We can watch one of your shows once we’re cozy.”
“How- how do you know about my shows?” Jamie asks in embarrassment.
“Peter and Bucky were telling me,” he chuckles, looking up at him with a grin. “Dating shows? Really?”
His face burns with embarrassment, but it’s Bucky’s soothing in the back of his mind that assures him Sam is teasing in a good way, not a bad way. “It’s a good way to learn social cues,” he says shyly as he pulls his pajamas out. “I also like the cooking ones.”
“I like those, too,” Sam agrees with a grin. “And the dating ones. The drama is ridiculous. I’ll find something while you’re in there.”
“Okay,” he stammers shyly, taking his things and hurrying into the bathroom. Once in there, he sets it all down on the counter and then finds himself looking in the mirror.
Everyone says something about their body looks different when Jamie is driving, but he’s never been able to tell what it is. When he looks in the mirror, he sees Bucky. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to him, but he also wonders what the tell is.
Wish I knew, sweetheart. There is something different, I can see it, but it’s nothing specific.
That’s okay. I like your face, I don’t mind.
Oh, yeah? Should we be exploring how much you like my face?
Alpha!
Bucky’s amusement echoes through his mind as he tries to move things along by starting to strip off their day clothes. His other half walks him through all the proper self-care steps they need to take now. There aren’t that many, but to Jamie, who had only ever been given “maintenance” at the hands of handlers, it’s a foreign experience.
I need to let you out for stuff like this more often.
I let you do it because you like feeling like you’re taking care of me.
Oh.
Jamie smirks a little to himself as he closes up the bathroom bag again. Are you sure you’re okay with this?
Yes, Omega, I promise. I am perfectly fine with you and Sam having a birthday snuggle.
Okay. Thank you, Alpha.
He steps back into the bedroom with Bucky’s pride and affection warm in his heart. Sam has a remote and is flipping through something on the TV. He looks up when Jamie steps out of the bathroom, and there’s a brief flicker of something on his face that Jamie can’t identify. Bucky might be able to, but he won’t name it if he can.
“You get comfy,” Sam says, getting up from the bed. “Nest if you want. Do your thing. I’ll be out in a few.”
Jamie nods, feeling his stomach flutter as the Alpha walks past and he gets a fresh hit of his scent. It’s fresh and bright, but he doesn’t know the exact name of the fruit scent that permeates it. Do you know?
Why don’t you ask him when he comes back?
Jamie rolls his eyes at that, dropping his stuff off before getting into bed. There are a few extra things to work with, but even at home, he doesn’t usually nest in bed. Bucky tends to set him up on the couch corner when he gets the urge, knowing it’s his favorite spot. Still, Sam had suggested he nest, and part of him wants to please the Alpha, so he fusses with the pillows and blankets a bit until it feels more comfortable and not so perfectly made.
Sam comes out a minute later in a pair of pajama pants and a black tank top that shows off his arms. Jamie tries not to stare, but wow. Bucky echoes his sentiment, which Jamie makes sure to tease him for, just a little.
“Can I come in your nest, Omega?” Sam asks.
“Oh,” Jamie blinks in surprise. “Y-yeah, you can.”
Sam grins and gets into bed, and then holds one arm out. “C’mon.”
Bucky gives an encouraging mental push, so with flaming cheeks once more, Jamie scoots over. He lies on his side, his head resting on Sam’s chest. Jamie feels like his heart will beat right out of his chest as Sam’s hand nestles against the small of his back, his thumb drawing soft patterns over his shirt that send tingling sensations up Jamie’s spine.
“This is my favorite cooking competition,” Sam explains, grabbing the remote and pressing play. “A new season just started. I thought we could watch it together.”
“Okay,” he nods softly, feeling some type of way about having something special he does with Sam. He’s tense as the show starts to play, but slowly he relaxes under Sam’s touch. His scent is stronger now, almost like he’s pumping it out for Jamie’s sake, and it reminds him of his question. “What’s your scent?”
“Hmm? Oh. I always said it was peaches and grass, but Peter says there’s some citrus and also that I smell like flying? Those spider senses are crazy, I tell you.”
“What’s a peach?” he asks softly.
Sam looks down at him in surprise. “Um, it’s like a stone fruit? Like, um– a plum? Have you ever had those?”
“I love plums,” Jamie nods, remembering the ones they used to get from farmers’ markets when they were on the run.
Sam smiles softly. “Well, we’ll have to get you some peaches to try too, then.”
Jamie blushes and looks down, nuzzling into Sam’s chest a little more. “That would be nice.”
He hums a little, and Jamie feels another kiss to the top of his head. After a few minutes, Sam’s heartbeat barely ticks up. “Jamie?”
“Mhmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the best birthday I’ve had in a while. This–” He gives him a little squeeze to indicate their snuggle. “Was exactly what I needed.”
“Oh,” he murmurs. He smiles a little to himself and scoots just a tiny bit closer. “Happy Birthday… Alpha.”
Sam lets out a soft sigh, melting into their snuggle. He’s quiet, but something about him is different. Jamie thinks about what Steve said earlier, about Riley. Now isn’t the time, but he thinks that maybe he just made the grief a little easier to bear.
Proud of you, sweetheart. I’m gonna sit back so you can enjoy your night with Sam.
Okay. Night Alpha.
Goodnight, Omega.