Bucky lets Steve touch him, doesn't mind how close they are not. He nudges at Steve with his nose, breathing in his scent. Once his body settles, he doesn't hurt anymore, but it's uncomfortable, and takes a moment for the itchiness in his bones to stop.

He makes a rumbling noise, a near-purr in the back of his throat. With the animal part of his mind front and center, he finds himself liking the attention more than ever, reaching up with a clawed hand, wanting to squeeze at Steve's hand once again.

Bucky might not have wanted the attention of alphas before, but Steve is so different from anyone else he's met-- alpha, beta, and even the occasional fellow aggressive omega. He could very easily stand on his own, but he wants his mate to feel like he can protect his omega. When they return to the ceremony, the elders of both tribes will be overjoyed.