Chapter Text
Accidental Baby Aquisition
Bucky
“Bucky! How did you get yourself into this situation?”
Bucky has heard that a million times throughout his life. He’s gotten himself into plenty of really shitty situations. This one tops the cake though. He fucked Dr Laufeyson after teasing him for months about his name and job… Loki was a professor. He’s been a senior curator at the National Museum of Natural History for six months after spending about a decade as a professor. He studied anthropology and history. Religious studies and ancient religions. Ancient mythology with a heavy interest in Norse Mythology- wonder why?
They went out for drinks and fucked and haven't spoken about it in two months.
All of two days after fucking Loki.. he fucked his personal trainor. He did a single boxing lesson at a gym owned by former pro boxer Steve Rogers. Because after they went out for smoothies.. They fucked in the back of the alpha’s stupid little Voltswagon.
Bucky went through a two-day slut era and now he’s pregnant. And it’s down to two alpha. He knows next to nothing about either of them. He only knows about Steve because he can look him up. And he only knows about Loki because they work in the same building and he was a total asshole to the poor alpha. This feels like the universe is punishing him. He went to the doctor yesterday and got a transvaginal ultrasound. He’s pregnant with twins. And after sitting there sobbing for an ungodly amount of time he decided he wants to keep the babies.
His current dilemma is how the fuck does he approach two different alphas that don't even know each other, explain he whored himself out to both of them in the span of two days, and now he’s pregnant with twins but he doesn't know which one of them if the daddy. He could get a paternity test in a couple of weeks. But he still has to at least approach both of them individually. And get two different paternity tests.
What a mess.
“Natashaaaa, help me,” he whines childishly. He’s twenty-eight and finally established in his career. He doesn't want to have twins. He doesn't wanna have two potential baby daddies. And if he had to choose between them- he doesn't want either of them. He’s got a strained relationship with Dr Laufeyson already. Throw a one night stand and a baby in the mix- that’s not fair to any of them. And Steve was a one night stand and he didn't even know him before they hooked up. It’s unfair to toss being a father on him.
Natasha pats his head. “Baby, you have to handle this one on your own. Invite them both out to a public place. Explain the situation. If they don't wanna raise the babies with you, that’s fine. Be prepared to hear that. But make sure you've got their information. They’ll still have to provide some kind of child support even if they don't wanna play house with you.” She makes it sound easy. Simple. But it’s anything but.
Can he ask an alpha he fucked once to pay for a baby? It feels like a grey area. All three of them enthusiastically consented to sex. But none of them intended to get a baby from it. Much less two. He used condoms both times. He’s choosing to have two babies in seven months. He’s the one with the ultimate choice, right? He could have had an abortion yesterday. He didn't want one though. He always pictured himself with kids. But he pictured himself with kids under different circumstances.
“Talk to me. You're spiraling.”
Bucky whines again, as though he’s just a puppy himself. “Is it fair? Demanding they either raise a baby with me or pay child support.”
“Now, James, don't piss me off with that red-pill bullshit.”
He rolls his eyes and nudges her with his shoulder gently. She’s a couple years older than him, married, a ballet teacher, with two kids. She wasn't married when she got pregnant with Peter. But Tony Stark was rich and happy to suddenly drop his playboy alpha lifestyle and become father of the fucking year. Married Nat six months later. Truly, Bucky’s happy for her. But her situation is different. Peter is fourteen and Morgan is six. She works whatever hours she wants because she owns her own ballet studio. And Tony is her beloved alpha and husband.
He didn't mean it’s unfair to the alphas suggesting they shouldn't take responsibility. When two people have sex they’re both aware of every risk and result that could follow. It’s extremely unlikely with protection. But it still can happen even if all it is is a 1% chance. It’s not fair to Bucky to be the sole parent, emotionally or financially. It’s not fair to his future twins to have an absent father or a father that doesn't even know he exists. And maybe it isn't fair for a guy to have his life flipped upside down for a child, two children.. But on that same note. Bucky didn't plan for it either.
“Am I making the right decision?” he asks quietly.
Suddenly Natasha’s arms are around him. “Shh… I got you.” She kisses his temple gently. “Only you know what’s best for you. Okay? Might I remind you. I was eighteen when I got pregnant with Peter? Nineteen when I got married and gave birth? I’d just started a professional ballet career. Dancing for company. I made the decision to tell Tony, get married, and have a family. I like the way my life turned out. But it turned out differently than I ever could have imagined.”
He didn't think about how young she was when it happened. Bucky was thirteen and just the kid she babysat for extra cash. But they were close. Basically brother and sister. She ran away from home at fourteen and didn't speak to her parents anymore. Or her little sister.
“I forgot you were basically a kid when you got pregnant with Peter.”
She smiles and shrugs. “He didn’t ruin my life, Boo. He just changed it. He gave me a new life I can't imagine living without.”
“I think maybe I should keep my options open,” he says honestly. Until he talks to Steve and Loki about the babies. If they express interest it will solidify his decision. He’s psyching himself out for no reason. “You think I’ll be a good mom? You don’t think I’ll fuck them up?”
Nat giggles and elbows him in response. “No. You won't fuck your kids up. You’re infuriatingly perfect at everything you do, Dr Barnes. You’re a pretty good auntie to Peter and Morgan. I think you will make those babies a really beautiful home. A really beautiful life.”
Bucky smiles and leans into her. “I trust you.”
“Well, I am always right.”
“Mm. Are you?”
“Yes.”
Bucky calls Steve’s gym the next morning and asks if they can go to an artisan cafe for lunch. He agrees. So then he goes to Loki before his lunchbreak. Asks if he wants to get coffee on his break. He says yes. And he tricks them into meeting each other at an artisan cafe. It’s a public place, they won't lash out at him. They’ll be in the same place at the same time. It’s just two words. I’m pregnant.
He’s sitting at a little wooden table. Both alphas are staring him down. He’s drinking a macha latte in a little pink teacup. There’s a heart design on top. He doesn't know how to break the awkward silence. Loki and Steve haven't spoken up yet. He tricked them into meeting each other and they haven't spoken one word to each other. “You wanna split my croissant…?” he asks, voice small and embarrassingly meek as he holds up a chocolate croissant.
“Do gym junkies eat carbs?” Loki asks Steve like an asshole.
Steve rolls his eyes. “Wanna split that three ways, Buck?”
He sets the croissant down and looks at the wall. He can't look at them when he breaks the news. “I fucked both of you two months ago. Two days apart. And now I am pregnant with twins. And we both used condoms. I don't know which condom failed. And I don't know who the Daddy is..”
The two alphas stop breathing. And Bucky can't look at them.
Loki speaks first and rests a hand on Bucky’s knee. “That’s alright, darling. You don't need to be scared.” He doesn't know why. But it makes him cry. He unspools all the pent up anxiety and just begins to weep. “Dr Barnes- James. Now now, there's no need for tears. Come here.” He just melts into the older man. He used to think the British accent was pretentious. Now he finds it soothing. His voice is deep but it’s smooth. Like honey. His scent is that of wood and eucalyptus and this soft undertone of old books.
“I’m sorry,” he hiccups, absentmindedly wiping his tears on Loki’s vintage, wool blazer. It’s way too nice, and expensive for him to be wiping snot and tears on it. But the alpha doesn't push him away. He just continues cooing and petting him until his tears have stopped completely.
Loki tsks. “No need to apologise. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Bucky finally sits up, away from Loki because they’re attracting the attention of others in the cafe. He looks at Steve. His expression is unreadable. He still hasn't said anything. He won't make eye contact with either of them. His hands are shaking and his knee is bouncing.
“Steve?” he asks softly. “Can you say something?”
“You're pregnant with twins and I might be the sire. I don't know what else there is to say. And I don't know why the fuckin’ King of England is just okay that he might be the father. Do you actually know him? Or was he also a one night stand? God, Buck. Don't tell me you’ve been in a relationship with this guy.”
That’s just- that’s offensive. It feels like he’s being called a slut without directly being called a slut. He didn't have sex for thirteen years. He had a momentary lapse in judgement and had sex with two alphas. Now he’s pregnant. He doesn't want to think of it as a mistake or an accident. Maybe the universe is sending him a gift. He's financially stable. He can take a baby to the museum. If Loki’s the Sire he could easily take care of the baby at work. It’s a perfect environment. Relatively quiet, even, when in their offices.
If Steve’s the sire he might be fucked.
Steve is thirty. He isn't any more prepared for a child -two children- than Bucky is.
Loki is in his 40s. He’s probably ready to settle down. The way Tony was.
“Steven, you’re being unfair to James,” Loki says quietly. He’s not harsh. But it’s true.
Steve shakes his head. “I can’t be a parent, Bucky. I’m not ready.”
“And you think I am?” Bucky whispers. “We don't know anything about each other. And from this conversation I think I know enough. I’ll get the paternity test and decide from there.” At Steve’s glare he straightens his posture and crosses his arms. “And don't call me Bucky. You’re an asshole. You can call me James. Or Dr Barnes. I will call you when I get the test results.”
Loki gently puts a hand on his shoulder. “You shouldn't go alone, sweetheart.”
“And what if you come? And it’s his?” He nods towards Steve.
The blond looks like a guilty puppy. Like a golden retriever that just pissed in his shoes. “I’ll come.. I mean it could be mine. So. I’ll come.”
A few weeks later Bucky is getting the paternity test. It’s eight hundred fucking dollars. He’s a pussy about getting blood drawn. But in his defence every time he’s gotten his blood drawn before he has gotten stuck over and over again as they search for a vein. He gets sweaty and nauseous and then he gets lightheaded. Then he starts crying. And then he faints. And sometimes they still have to do the other arm. He’s twenty-eight years old. He’s a grown omega but he’s hiding in the bathroom because he’s afraid of a little pinprick.
There’s a gentle knock on the door. “Bucky?” It’s Steve. “Hey.. the nurse has called for you three times. Are you feeling okay in there? Loki and I went down to the vending machines. We found ginger ale and peanut butter crackers. Reddit said that might help.” It gives him a break from the needle anxiety. The alpha is trying. And that’s all he can hope for.
He opens the bathroom door and wipes his eyes. “Don't judge me, Rogers. I just don't like needles.”
The blond lets out a sigh of relief. “That’s normal. C’mon now before someone takes your slot. Loki has been giving that poor woman a breakdown on the old Gods to stall her.” He wraps an arm around his waist and takes him down the hallway. It makes him feel safe, honestly. And he relaxes into the hold.
The nurse is a middle aged beta who’s probably been doing this fifteen times a day for the last twenty years. He lays down on the paper-covered bed and closes his eyes tightly. He doesn't like medical settings much to begin with. He hates the antiseptic smell. The bare, white walls. The bright fluorescent lights. A lot of medical professionals don't have a good bedside manner either. It bugs him. Makes him feel like he can't talk about his needs.
That's probably not ideal. Considering how many appointments he’ll be going to in the next seven months.
“James? You're shaking, darling.” He blinks open his eyes and looks at Loki. He doesn't know why he ever picked on the man. He’s brilliant. And so passionate. He enjoys talking to people in the museum. Especially children. Not in a condescending ‘I know better than you’ way. He's so passionate and he likes to share that passion with other people who want to learn. He’s soft spoken and gentle- and so fucking handsome.
He just.. Kinda thought he was hot when he showed up to work. Introduced himself as Loki Laufeyson. And he didn't know what to think. What an odd name. Perfect for his field of work. He was orphaned as a baby, he didn't ever have a stable homelife. It’s impressive all that he’s accomplished.
He can be smug. But only to the right people. The people who throw it back at him with pleasure.
Bucky.
Eventually he speaks up. “I don't like getting my blood drawn. I always pass out. It’s scary.” As an after thought he adds, “I know I’m twenty-eight and I will be doing this frequently in the coming months. Don't make me feel bad please.”
“I would never,” Loki smirks, but it’s soft. He kisses Bucky’s forehead before facing the nurse. “He needs a butterfly needle.” He just ignores the eyeroll from the nurse. Yes, yes, he’s a grown man. He’s acting like a baby. But if the nurse doesn't have to fish for his vain and he doesn't faint, he could care less who the daddy is.
The nurse ties the rubber thing around his bicep and feels around for his vein. Loki holds his face so he doesn't look at the needle when it goes in. And it helps. The needle is so small he can barely feel it. He still gets lightheaded because he knows there’s a needle in him. And his blood is coming out of him.
Then there’s a really loud thud.
The thud would be Steve. Who is now unconscious. On the floor.
The nurse shakes her head. “Didn’t tell me he was going to be a hazard.”
“In my defence. I don't know Steven.” Loki continues petting Bucky’s hair gently. It keeps him from passing out when his toes and fingers begin going numb. “You’re just fine, James. The nurse is done.” He glances at the floor. “He’s out cold.” The smug smirk Loki gives him makes him giggle.
An hour later both Bucky and Steve are coming to. Loki begrudgingly tended to both of them. But he’s hand-feeding Bucky crackers and ginger ale. He really doesn't care who the father of his twins are. He thinks they work out a dynamic either way. What's most important to him isn't having an alpha or a boyfriend. What’s most important to him is knowing his twins have a good father in their life. Who always wants to be involved. In everything.
Steve stands up just as they are told the news.
“Mr Barnes? Hi. We got the results. It seems as though both alphas are the sires. At this time we can’t tell if the two embryos were fertilised by two separate sperm. Or if two sperm fertilised both embryos. After the twins are born we will know more.” The sweet doctor gives them both a kind smile. “Congraduations.”
Steve proceeds to pass out a second time.
Congratulations is one way to put it.
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