ninception | (no subject)

(no subject)

Bucky knows, logically, why this is important. The two tribes have been warring for a long time; many people have died, the best warriors injured in a battle, or killed. The Fiukav aren't losing the war, but they're not winning it either. The stalemate had gone on long enough to be uncomfortable, for people in the tribe to wonder if they were about to be lead into a trap. That's when the Elders had come up with a plan: to reach out to their enemies with a proposition of a truce.

He doesn't like it one bit.

Why does the truce have to involve marrying the heirs of both tribes together? Bucky doesn't know a single thing about the so-called enemy prince, save for the fact that he's apparently an alpha. Bucky hates alphas, hate how they always try to enforce their will on him just because he's an omega. He's easily the best warrior in the entire tribe, but because of his designation, he's never been allowed into combat.

He's been able to fight through his heats for years, but the Elders won't hear it. It's always people underestimating him, making him want to lash out and bite them, even if that would only be met with a mild reaction at best. Bastards.

So that's why he's standing in ceremonial deerskin clothes, trying to keep his fists from shaking, and wondering when the enemy price will show up, and prove to be just as big of a bastard as every other alpha he's ever met.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Steve can't deny his nature. He wants to provide and protect and he knows that part of that is his alpha nature. He's always been like that, even with his friends, and he knows the fact that Prince James is an omega will only make that urge stronger.

The light smell that James carries on his skin is pleasant, if not intoxicating quite yet, but Steve can see it being that way if he lets himself really get lost in it. He can see himself pressing his nose to James' throat and just breathing.

The thought has him leaning in a little and he finds himself blinking and straightening with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

"Sorry."

They're both nervous, he reminds himself, and that's okay.

He turns his head up again to watch the sky. Any minute now, the moon will start to rise and he still hasn't dropped their hands.

Bucky finds himself leaning into the alpha's attention, wanting to be scented. It's only when Steven apologizes that he stiffens a little, but he doesn't pull out of the grip. "Don't worry about it," he says awkwardly, shrugging a bit.

He actually smiles, not sure what else to do with his face. Bucky's starting to be confident that they'll be able to do this, somehow. Steve isn't a bad alpha, as strange of a thought that is.

He doesn't like being controlled, doesn't like people assuming they can dominate him just from his designation, but so far he's been treated as an equal. It's a good sign.

He looks up, because as weird as it is, he wants to see the moment the light touches him.

Steve likes Prince James' smile. He hopes he'll be able to see more of them. That's his last thought before his focus moves to the sky. It will be nice to watch the moon rise over them, at the very least. He might not like all of the superstition, but the moon is still important and he's always felt drawn to it in the same way he assumes they all are at times.

It's a few moments later that the moon starts to peak over the clearing and it starts to illuminate the trees around them. He squeezes Bucky's hand before he finally looks over to make sure they really are both being touched by the light. He's ready to lie, but the truth is easier.

He leans in, bumping their shoulders together and pulling Bucky closer. "There it is."

Steve pulling him close should be enough to set him off, but it's not. He stiffens just for a moment before he manages to relax again, aware that like this, they'll be trading their scents. The elders will be pleased from that alone. It's not like Bucky has the reputation of being the more approachable man.

He squeezes Steve's hand in return, watching as the moon peaks over the trees, and watches the slight slowly start to touch him. He breathes in, nerves suddenly spiking so much he's sure Steve can smell his anxiety. Even if he knows the moonlight touching him isn't what throws him into heat, not that alone, he can't help the desire to move away from the light. He's never shied away from it before, because the transformation is always exhilarating.

Bucky wants to close his eyes, but doesn't. This is important, and even if this is the last thing he wants to do, it's not something he wants to screw up. It's so much more important than the both of them.

Steve can indeed smell the anxiety and it only makes him move closer. It's on instinct that he goes to wrap his free arm around Bucky. He wants to comfort the other man more than he probably should want to comfort a stranger, but his nose is full of the scent of a distressed omega and he wants to fix that, especially because he knows that soon enough this will be his omega.

"It's okay." It has to be. Steve can't let anything hurt Bucky now and he certainly won't, but the closer they move, the more he wants to touch and comfort.

Bucky can't help it, he doesn't pull away, instead nosing at Steve's throat, taking in the alpha's scent. It's enough to calm him, because if this union is going to work, they need to trust each other. There's not much else he can do at the moment, so he looks at the moon.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asks, because acknowledging he doesn't mind the comforting is hard; it's almost too intimate to admit, even if this man is going to be his mate by the end of the night. "I've always liked watching the moon rise on a full moon."

He still hasn't let go of Steven's hand.

Steve can't help swallowing when he realizes that he's being scented like that. His grip tightens a little and he tips his head to the side, fighting the urge to duck his head so he can press his own nose under Bucky's jaw.

"It is."

The moon isn't the only beautiful thing here, he thinks, and there's a selfish, primal part of him that's happy he's to mate an omega who's so beautiful. This close, he can smell that soft, sweet edge to his scent that makes Steve want to push him against a tree and claim him right now.

The moonlight starts to flood the clearing and Steve lets himself give in to one of his baser instincts and pulls Bucky closer. He knows they're going to stink of each other before they've even done anything and he likes the idea of it. The moon always brings out the urge to mark and claim in him.

He's going to be in heat by the end of the night. It was a pain, before this mating was arranged. He'd had suitors approach him, of course he had; he's the prince, but he'd never liked it. Bucky had spent most of his life dealing with the discomfort of the heats alone, and he would have been happy to continue down that path, but this alpha is so different. He even smells differently, that smoking edge to his scent doing things to Bucky.

He growls, a low, wanting noise. Distantly he knows it's the encroaching heat talking, but he can't really say he minds, not now, not when he wants the union to work. Bucky tips his head a little, baring his neck to the other man.

He likes this, likes the fact that Steve is showing him more care than the alphas of his tribe have, and if he's at all bothered by being around someone when he turns, when he grows claws and a tail, and fur over most his body, he's not showing it, keeping his attention entirely on his soon-to-be mate.

That gesture with Bucky's throat is an invitation Steve can't ignore. It's one of submission, yes, but more than that, it almost feels like a request. He answers with his own growl as he presses his nose against the delicate skin there. The smell is stronger now and the moon leaves him with little self control.

Soon, they'll transform together. He can already feel his bones getting ready to shift and painful as it is, he loves being a wolf. Everything is a little more intense and he's able to just run and feel.

"James, you smell..." He can't describe it. It's a smell he could drown in, sweet and enticing and woodsy, like fresh pine needles after the first snow of the year.

His lips brush against Bucky's throat. "So good."

He lets out a whine of a noise, feeling itchy and anxious, wanting to transform, to be able to really run. He's probably just as close as Steve is to completely losing control, but he clings loosely to the other man. "Bucky," he chokes, still breathing in Steve's scent. It's calming to him, and he almost completely loses it at the lips on his throat.

A tiny part of his mind is telling him to give in right now, to drop down and present before they've even transformed, because it would probably be fantastic. "Call me Bucky," he murmurs.

His mate should know the name the rest of his tribe knows him by.

"Bucky." He repeats the name almost absently. Focusing is getting harder as the moonlight covers them and he can't quite hold off the change any more.

His hand shudders in Bucky's, his shoulders rolling and teeth clenching.

In a moment, he'll have to move away so they don't hurt each other, but it's hard to remember that. There's an urge within him to stay and claim and mark.

It takes everything in his to drop his grip and step back as he feels his bones shift and his hair grow. He bites back a yell as the pain overtakes him. Right now, he has to show that no pain can slow him. He has to show that he'll be strong.

Bucky knows that as an omega, he'll be expected to act like the transformation is every bit as painful as it actually is, but he can't let himself show any weakness. He's the prince, he won't let himself show any weakness. He stops himself from yelping, but only barely-- still clinging to Steve's hand.

He can feel the change come on rapidly, elongating his limps, changing nails into claws, tail growing out from under his ceremonial robes. It's enough to force himself to pull away, lest he accidentally claw his almost-mate from the pain. He collapses on his knees, growling and whining, digging his claws into the ground.

He's not so sure his throat will work right now, he can't cry out to Steve, but he watches his mate anyway, a possessive part of himself ready to attack anyone who comes near him, to make it clear this is his alpha.

Before his body even feels settled, Steve is already moving back to Bucky. The movements leave his limbs sore, but he knows it will pass. Right now what matters is that his omega needs his attention.

He steps into Bucky's personal space, fur-covered arms carefully reaching for him. He'd heard the whine, watched Bucky's claws dig into the dirt, and he knows this is a reality of what they are, but he still wants to do something to stop the pain.

Checking him over for injury, Steve smells the air for blood, but all he can smell is the faint scent of the forest and Bucky.

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.

Steve's smile is all sharp teeth and shining canines as he nudges back with his own nose. Bucky smells even better now and Steve is torn between wanting to run with him and wanting to circle him all night until the moon sets.

He helps Bucky up once he seems more settled, claws unnaturally careful as he hover with a low whine. It's good that no one else is here, because he wants to be the one to help Bucky up and touch him and keep him safe. He wants to make Bucky smell even more like himself so that there's no mistaking whose omega he is.

Bucky growls again, another inviting sound. This is suddenly the most appealing thing in the world, and he tips his head thoughtfully. A big part of him wants to make a den and wait until the moon finally fades from the sky. A lazy night spent with his new mate, but eventually he speaks. "We should run."

His forelimbs are longer like this; he could run on all fours if he chose to, and it wouldn't even be that awkward to do. He wants to hunt, to show this alpha how powerful he is, how strong of a mate he's getting.

Right now in this moment, he's grinning wildly, not wanting to think about how apprehensive he had been about the ritual, or the praises he will get for saving both tribes. No, right now all he really wants is to be by Steve's side. "The elders won't expect us back for hours."

"We should." He likes the idea of it. The sheer freedom of letting go with the man who will be his and sharing something he values so much in his own life. Running free like this is precious. It's something to share with those he feels closest to. Bucky is someone he wants to feel that with.

He sniffs at Bucky, scenting him and touching his arm and back with touching that could be innocent if they weren't at least partially an excuse to rub his scent all over Bucky.

"Show me your woods."

Bucky lets him, tipping his head, baring his throat to show off the scent gland Steve will bite, will mark, in the late hours as the sun starts to rise and they both drift off to sleep. "The forest is beautiful," he says with a grin, feeling excited in ways he hasn't since he was young, since he was going for one of his first runs years and years ago.

"Let's go," he says, unable to hide the joy in his voice, offering his hand out to Steve, his sharp smile somehow gentle.

It doesn't take him long to run, wanting to show as much of the tribe's vast territory as he can.

Steve takes his hand and matches his pace. He could track Bucky easily now if they were separated, but he likes staying close, anyway. This way, he knows he's there if any dangers should arise and he won't have to waste the night tracking. Instead, he gets to run and enjoy these new woods, the smells and sounds just a little different than what he's used to, but they're still just as beautiful.

Hours bleed away easily like this for him. He's not as aware of time passing when he's in this form. Things just feel... different. He's happy to spend it with Bucky, though. It shows him more of the man he's to mate in just a few hours.

By the time night have given away to the hours before dawn, Bucky is elated. He's never felt as happy as he feels right now, not in a long time. Maybe it's because Steve isn't part of his tribe-- though he will be, in a few hours. Their tribes are going to unite. He's fine with this alpha, is positive things are going to go well for the two of them. Bucky isn't naive, he knows it'll take actual work for the two of them; because the tribes will have their disagreements.

But now? "We should probably head back soon. The elders will want to know about our union." He smiles, a little mischievous, because they both know the elders are well aware that it was a success by now. They've been gone for hours; of course it was a success.

Bucky offers out his hand, still turned. They won't change back until the moon has fallen from the sky, but that won't be for a while yet.

Steve takes Bucky's hand again. He's out of breath, flushed with pleasure from running and exploring a new place. There's an edge of anticipation for him here. Once they speak to the elders, their bonding with be on the two of them.

Before he moves, though, he leans in again, nuzzling at Bucky's shoulder and then his throat. It's affectionate and a little possessive, but he hopes Bucky won't mind. He wants no question of how this went and a part of him wants them to know that Bucky is truly taken, even if they haven't bonded yet.

"Okay."

Bucky tips his head, giving Steve more room to work with. There's a rumble in his throat, pleased at the possessiveness, wanting to do the same to Steve, to be able to sink his teeth into his mate's scent glands, to mark him as Bucky's. The last half of the ritual won't happen until the moon has fallen from the sky, and that feels forever from now, but he's still anxious to get back.

"Let's go," he says eventually, wanting to show off how successful they've been already, to get his scent all over Steve so the elders know that this is Bucky's alpha, that he'll growl at anyone who dares get too close before they've mated.

Steve keeps close as they walk, clawed hand in Bucky's. So many of his fears have been replaced by anticipation now. Moving through the woods is a blur. He's not even sure which of them is leading, but it doesn't matter. They're together in this. Partners.

They get back and everything is still flying by. The elders have words and ceremony and Steve goes through the motions, staying close to Bucky and growling a few times when others get too close to either of them beyond what's strictly necessary. He can't believe how much he wants the moon to set for once.

Bucky has always been the sort of person to take the rituals seriously. They're important, but right now he doesn't want to be around so many people. Especially not alphas crowding around him when he's so close to heat, when he hasn't bonded with his mate yet. It's entertaining, how both of them growl when someone gets too close. It's a reminder of Bucky's own aggression level, and it pleases him quickly they've both become possessive of each other. Before, it would have gotten on his nerves, but this?

It's different, somehow. He's not sure why.

The moon will set soon, and then they'll be able to take this next, final step. He's not looking forward to the politics that will come after, but right now? The moon starts to dip in the sky, and though they haven't started to shift back, he figures privacy will do them both a lot of good. He tips his head in the direction of the hut, silently asking Steve to follow him.

By the time Bucky is pulling him away, Steve is on edge. He feels possessive in ways he's not sure he's really allowed to feel yet, but he doesn't care. Other alphas, especially unmated, shouldn't be getting so close to what is his.

The idea of it makes his blood boil and when Bucky silently invites Steve to follow him, it's all Steve can do not to push Bucky towards it. It's not even quite sexual yet. He just wants to get Bucky away from all of these people and their scents when he knows that Bucky should only be smelling like him.

He follows closely, almost on Bucky's heels as they approach the hut. Everyone will know what they're doing in there soon and Steve likes the idea of that. It makes his claim on Bucky feel even more solid.