Chapter Text
He wasn’t in heat. Not quite yet. Peter could feel it creeping up upon him but in the time before it fully set in, he camped out on the couch eating as much food as he could.
He was getting more used to having them the more he had, but it was still an adjustment. Welcome to adulthood, right?
May had left to go to work leaving Peter alone which honestly, he preferred. It was always awkward locking yourself in your room for the duration. Not that it was required, it just felt more private. But with May at work, Peter could stay out of his room until it really hit him.
The television in front of him showed some random show that he wasn’t really paying attention to, but he left it on trying to keep his mind occupied. He had the next few days planned out. Eat as much as he could right now, camp out in his room, then go back to school and get caught up on schoolwork. Being his senior year, most of the students were out of school a couple days every heat or rut so it wasn’t that unusual to have students missing. He was sure it annoyed the betas that they didn’t get time off but then again, they didn’t have to deal with heats or ruts.
Peter was distracted by an appealing scent wafting closer. His senses tended to go haywire around his heats so it wasn’t surprising he could smell something far away especially as his body looked for a mate.
What was surprising was that the scent kept getting closer to his apartment, distracting Peter from his food as he stared at the door as if it held all the answers.
He must have zoned out because he jumped when there was a knock on the door and cursed his Spidey sense for not working properly during heats.
He wasn’t just going to open the door, obviously, but the scent was so appealing that he couldn’t really help himself, his body moving of its own accord. The door was opened before he realized and he was staring at someone he didn’t ever expect to be at his doorstep. Mostly because he was sure he didn’t know who he was.
The man stared at him, his eyes slightly glazed over before he blinked, shaking his head.
“Hey… uh… Captain… Captain America… what… what are you doing here?” Peter asked, wincing as his voice cracked slightly in the middle.
And it indeed was Captain America, Steve Rogers himself, staring down Peter.
“I’m sorry…,” he started. “Can I come in?”
Peter blinked. “Uh… now’s not really a good time I mean…” he trailed off, Steve’s scent washing closer to him. Holy… was that the attractive scent? “What… what are you doing here?”
Peter was not immune to how attractive Captain America was… come on, it’s Captain America. So having him standing right in front of Peter as Peter was about to go into heat was not really… ideal.
Steve stared still, swallowing reflexively. “Sorry... I just… your scent… I should go. I think I’m going into rut, but I smelled you and…”
“What are you even doing in Queens?” Peter asked.
“Looking for someone,” Steve trailed off.
Peter smiled a little. He wasn’t really sure how Captain America found him but he figured da-Mr. Stark must have told him where he was. He was a little peeved that Mr. Stark told Steve who he was and where to find him, come on, secret identity much, but he was here now.
“Well… guess you found me,” Peter said.
They stared at each other, in a sort of standstill before Steve said, “I should go.”
“Probably,” Peter responded.
Still, no one moved.
“Look, I’m sorry I came here. This isn’t a good idea I just… never smelled anyone so compatible and... I’m sorry,” Steve said.
Peter let his eyes trail over Steve’s face for a moment before he said, “You don’t have to go.”
Steve’s mouth dropped open slightly but he didn’t respond, so Peter continued, looking away slightly, “I mean obviously I’m not ideal for who you’re looking for I can tell that but I’m going into heat, you’re going into rut, and honestly I’ve never been with anyone before like that but I wouldn’t really be opposed I mean you’re Captain America who would say no and you can say no I mean you can leave this is stupid, I’m sorry I’ll just go… back into my apartment and leave you out here and I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore please stop me.”
Peter glanced back up to Steve’s face and was surprised to see the hint of a smile forming.
“Call me Steve,” Steve said.
“Right. Steve.”
“Look… I’ll be honest. I’ve never done this with anyone either. And it doesn’t have to be… a forever thing, right? But only if you want to,” Steve said.
Peter was pretty sure his mind short-circuited but he rationalized it out for a moment. He hadn’t spent a heat with anyone because he was pretty much terrified he would kill them. He wasn’t really in control of his strength that well during heats and he had made some pretty significant dents in his furniture and walls himself. But with Steve… he had super strength. So he could take it. And there was obviously the fact that he searched him out so maybe he needed this for some reason. Maybe the same reason. Plus, the fact that he showed up on Peter’s doorstep out of the blue when to everyone else he had been taking a break from the Avengers. He obviously had a reason for his break from the Avengers and maybe this had to do with it.
Also, it was Captain America and who was a better person to lose his virginity to.
Before Peter could answer, Steve’s eyes widened and he asked, “You’re… how old are you?”
Peter snorted. “I’m eighteen, don’t worry.” He didn’t have to say he just turned eighteen but all the same. Just a few more months of school and he’d graduate too. But he wasn’t going to bring that up right now.
“Right…. So, what do you say?” Steve asked.
Peter honestly couldn’t find a reason to say no.
“Okay,” he said quietly and was rewarded with a huge grin.
He stepped back allowing Steve into his apartment, taking a moment to wonder what was his life because honestly nothing had ever gone according to plan but he was going to take this one as a win.
Steve glanced around the apartment then back at Peter who noticed there was just… a mess everywhere with food all over the couch and he blushed walking back to tidy it.
Steve walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him and Peter felt a shiver pass through his entire body.
“Wow… I… that was…”
Steve blinked. “That was not… a normal reaction to a touch.”
“Yeah,” Peter said, mind slowly hazing over. “Before we start, I just want to say I wholly consent to this and want to be with you and wow honestly, so honored you chose me and yeah let’s just…”
Steve smiled and said, “Good. Because I want this too. Let’s get settled.”
“Yeah,” Peter said, leading Steve to his room and immediately feeling like an idiot because Steve wasn’t a small guy and now they had a small single bed…and Steve didn’t seem to care as he spun Peter around and kissed him and holy shit. Holy shit. Peter didn’t think kisses were supposed to feel like that either and Steve pulled away, frowning, sniffing Peter lightly before his eyes widened.
“Holy fuck,” he mumbled, and Peter’s mouth dropped open. Captain America swore. So that was a thing.
“What?” Peter asked.
“Do you… can you feel that? What do you know about true mates?” Steve asked.
“What?” Peter repeated, sure he heard wrong. As if the first guy he decided to be with was Captain America and his true mate. Like you could really find that out.
“I’ve only heard about it… obviously… but a smell that’s irresistible, feelings compounded…. unable to resist each other… Obviously the only way to know is to be together during a heat or rut and we are both…. there now,” Steve trailed off.
Peter was aware. People at school talked about how deeply they wanted to find their true mate. The person most compatible to them out of everyone in the world. He thought the system of finding them ridiculous, only able to figure out if they were during heat or rut, and then it would be impossible not to give each other a mating bite. It was like a fantasy. Because no one else would give you the fulfillment in life that they could. But it seemed… fake all the same like how was that a thing? And how would it be Captain America and Peter? That was ridiculous.
“Are you sure…?” Peter asked quietly.
“No. I’m not. I mean I haven’t really…. it just… seems like what everyone says. So, tell me now… right now… if I should leave. I will leave. Because if we continue and I end up being your true mate… we will most likely bond today and be mates.”
Peter’s mind raced. He was glad for the information but honestly why would he say no? He would love a true mate. He would never say no… and it was Steve… sure he didn’t know him that well, only in periphery of Avengers stuff because he mostly came to only the big battles or ones he was needed. And he mostly hung out with Mr. Stark. He honestly didn’t even think Steve knew his civilian identity before this. But… if they were true mates, they would be perfect for each other. And if not… it would be amazing anyway.
“Please don’t leave. If we are true mates… wouldn’t that be amazing?”
“Yeah,” Steve said, seemingly already decided. He didn’t look like he wanted to leave… but seemed like he would if Peter said so and that sold Peter.
“I’m good. I’m all in,” Peter said.
“Okay. Me too, “Steve said.
And that was that. As Peter shut the door behind him to his room, a brief thought to tell someone else not to disturb them that left as fleetingly as it came, he realized that everything might change after this moment.
Peter woke up body completely stiff and sore in ways he hadn’t really felt before. He knew it would pass soon because nothing really hurt him long, but this was somehow a good sort of hurt.
He tried to roll over but found an arm around his waist which immediately made his eyes snap open and dart to the side. And holy shit. That was Captain America. Steve. Beside him. In bed. Or on floor as it happened to be because his bed was very much not in one piece.
And they were most definitely naked and most definitely spent their heat and rut together which kind of baffled Peter. He knew what happened before and that he had let Steve inside but some part of him had still thought it was a dream.
He tried to take stock of everything around them and make sense of it all when he felt Steve moving, nuzzling against his neck.
“Morning,” Steve grumbled, and his voice shouldn’t sound so attractive in the morning.
“Morning,” Peter returned.
“That was incredible,” Steve said.
Peter blushed. “Oh… yeah… it was.”
“I know it wasn’t really… appropriate. Me coming here and just asking but…”
“Oh, no. That’s fine. I really liked it,” Peter said.
And then finally Steve’s eyes shot open and he looked around. He seemed to take stock of the broken bed and them on the floor and then glanced at Peter’s body and then, “Oh my god, did I hurt you?”
Peter smiled lightly. “I’m fine. I’m tough, you know.”
“I have super strength. Which I’m sure you’re aware,” Steve deadpanned.
“Yeah? So? Me too?” Peter asked, slightly confused.
Steve blinked again. “What?”
“Look, I’m not sure exactly how you found me that day because I was pretty sure you didn’t know who I was, but then again, it was a really good idea because honestly I was always really scared of hurting someone during a heat but with you here I knew you could take it… you could take me… and then… yeah,” Peter trailed off when he saw Steve lean up on his elbow to stare at him, eyes wide for some reason. “Steve?”
“What are you talking about? Should I know you? I just followed your scent and… it led me here and…,” Steve trailed off and now it was Peter’s turn to be shocked.
“Are you kidding me? I mean I was sure Dad-I mean Mr. Stark didn’t tell you my identity because hello, it’s supposed to be a secret but I mean you are head of the Avengers so it wouldn’t be that weird that you’d have to know but you still weren’t on the best of terms for a while even though he promises me you made up but…”Peter trailed off again as Steve’s eyes widened further.
“What… identity…” Steve trailed off. Then he muttered under his breath, “Tony?”
Peter pulled himself up off the floor, vaguely aware of his nudity, standing to stare down at Steve who pulled himself up to a sitting position.
“You don’t know who I am,” Peter said.
“No… sorry… I… what’s your name?”
Peter’s eyes bulged. “You don’t know my name? We just spent my heat and your rut together and you don’t know my name. I thought you came here for a reason. I thought you knew who I was. And you don’t even know my name.”
“I’m sorry,” Steve said, glancing up at him.
“Well, it’s Peter, and you know what… give me a second I’ll be back I just need…” he trailed off before he grabbed a pair of sweatpants from his closet, slipped them on and then ran out the door and down the hall to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
“What the fuck,” Peter mumbled to himself, sliding down the wall to sit at the base of the door. He was well aware Steve could probably still hear him but he just needed a moment to himself.
Gone was the idea that Steve came there because he knew Peter was Spider-Man. So, he didn’t track him down to have a rut with someone who could handle him? Thinking about that, wouldn’t the Winter Soldier be a better option? He was also enhanced and they were closer. Why did he think that Captain America would turn to little old Peter for this on purpose?
Peter felt his breathing pick up and had to forcibly take in a few deep breaths. He slowly pulled himself up and figured he might as well take a moment to himself and use the toilet, pop in the shower, clean himself up and think. He was kind of terrified Steve would leave while he was in the shower but he would track him down if he could to continue the conversation.
So, this was just random. Or not really random… Steve kept mentioning true mates which…
Peter jumped out of the shower as fast as he could and glanced into the mirror, realizing Steve had been nuzzling his shoulder pretty hard when he woke and sure enough…. that was a mating bite. They were mated.
He wrapped a towel around his waist and bolted out of the bathroom to go back to talk to Steve but on the way froze, glancing into the kitchen.
“May…” he said softly, noticing her leaning against the kitchen counter, drinking a cup of coffee, and staring at him.
“Hello, Peter,” she said softly.
Peter’s blush returned to his whole body. “Uh… hi… uh… sorry. Uh…”
“Did you have a good time?” May asked, her mouth tilting up into a grin. “Honestly didn’t know you had it in you, but a warning would have been nice. We’ll come up with some rules and…”
“May,” Peter said, eyes wide, coming close to her and glancing back at his room, which caused May to glance at it too.
“Ooh, is he still there? Do I get to meet him?”
“May,” Peter said, slightly frantic and motioned to the bite on his neck.
She glanced at him then her face turned more serious. “Do I need to kick his ass? Did you want this? Peter, honey, I never even knew you were seeing someone.”
“May, shhh,” Peter said, knowing it was useless. Thinking about May trying to kick Captain America’s ass was a funny idea but all in all not going to happen. “I think we’re true mates…” he said softly, pretty sure of it all the same. The colour was kind of a giveaway.
May gasped. “So this is a good thing.”
“I think so…” Peter trailed off, calming a little. He was still a little pissed Steve didn’t know his name but Peter didn’t even think to give it, assuming he knew who he was. “May look, just… give us a little time to talk because everything happened kind of fast, okay?”
“Of course, honey. You take the time you need. Here, I made some food for you… take this with you.”
“Thanks, May,” Peter said, taking the food with him, throwing her a small smile, and heading back to his bedroom.
He took a moment to pause, taking a deep breath before entering. Steve was still there. He could tell before he entered because he could hear his heartbeat.
The moment he walked in Steve stood up and walked toward him. He had taken the time Peter was in the shower and the kitchen to find some pants to wear as well. They were obviously Peter’s and they were way too short on Steve and it shouldn’t be attractive but Peter’s mind was kind of everywhere right now.
“Peter,” Steve started.
“So, you know my name now,” Peter said, wincing at how it came out.
“Look, I’m sorry. Apparently, I should know who you are and…” Steve started
“Steve. As in Captain America. Steven Grant Rogers,” Peter started.
“Okay, obviously you know who I am. And I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done this with a civilian…”
“Civilian!” Peter exclaimed. He put the food down on the one thing still standing in his room, his desk thankfully, because his laptop was untouched. He frowned a moment, grabbing some pants and putting them on before dropping the towel and stalking over to Steve.
Steve backed up a step which was honestly quite comical.
“Look at my neck,” Peter said, pointing at it, only for Steve to glance down at it, eyes wide. Peter was about to say something more, but he glanced at Steve’s neck and paled. “Oh.”
“What?” Steve asked.
“I bit you too. I mean you talked about true mates… but I think you were right. I’d never felt that attraction to someone either and we both bonded with each other and… they’re both gold which…”
“Indicates true mates,” Steve whispered.
Peter nodded.
Steve sat back down on the floor and Peter hesitated before he joined him.
“Wow,” Steve said softly. “I mean I thought but…”
“Yeah,” Peter said, all the fight taken out of him. He knew that it didn’t necessarily mean they had to be together. But he knew they’d be happiest with each other than anyone else. And that they were destined to be together. And that if they didn’t really want to be together, they probably shouldn’t have bonded.
“So that means… everything was supposed to happen. If I never went into the ice… I would have never made it to this time… and never met you,” Steve said.
“That’s… crazy,” Peter said softly. It still didn’t really make sense that he was Steve’s mate but there you go.
They were both silent a few more minutes before Peter turned to Steve. “You really don’t know who I am,” he said softly.
“No. I’m sorry. We’ve… we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Peter snorted. “You threw a jetway at me.”
“What?” Steve asked.
“Dude,” Peter mumbled, just ready to go with it because they were true mates, honestly if he wasn’t going to tell his mate his identity this wouldn’t work. “I’m Spider-Man.”
“No shit,” Steve said. “Are you really?”
Peter barked out a laugh and jumped, letting his hand stick to the ceiling and hung there a moment before dropping back down. Steve’s eyes followed him in wonder.
“I thought that’s why you sought me out I mean why else would you come here I figured you thought I could take it I mean that’s why I haven’t been with anyone before I mean look at the room, it’s trashed! I could have seriously hurt someone but we both have super strength and so I thought we’d be fine and you literally just walked to my apartment because you thought I smelled compatible didn’t you.”
“I…. yeah,” Steve trailed off.
“You said you were looking for someone… in Queens… who else would you be looking for?” Peter asked.
“Honestly… Bucky,” Steve admitted.
Peter winced.
“No! Not like that… it’s just… he said he was going to be back in the city and… this is coming out wrong. He helps restrain me. We don’t… sleep together. I can be dangerous if left alone during a rut,” Steve admitted.
“Dangerous how?” Peter asked.
“I’ve broken down doors before,” Steve admitted. “I think the serum amplified everything… I’m still mostly in control but… everything is way more intense. That’s why I really shouldn’t have come here.”
Peter nodded running a hand through his hair. “Okay, how about… we start over? Sort of?”
“Yeah, okay, I’d like that,” Steve said.
“Hey, I’m Peter Parker. Also known as Spider-Man. I’m an omega and apparently your true mate… I’m eighteen and I…” here he paused for a second, not sure of the reaction, “am a senior in high school at Midtown Tech. I also sort of intern at Stark Industries with Mr. Stark, although that was mostly a cover for being Spider-Man at the beginning but now I actually intern there.”
Steve smiled, “Hi Peter, I’m Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America. I’m an Alpha and your true mate. I’m part of the Avengers… as you know.”
They both took a moment before Steve continued. “So… you’re Spider-Man. Kind of younger than I expected.”
“That’s what everyone says. Well not everyone, because secret identity, but everyone who finds out.”
“Who knows?” Steve asked.
“Well, my two best friends Ned and MJ, my aunt, Mr. Stark, Miss Potts, Happy… Rhodey… I thought you knew but apparently not.”
“Yeah, I had no idea…”
“I thought Mr. Stark would have told you and that’s why you were here.”
“You keep saying that,” Steve said.
“Well, that was the only thing that made sense!” Peter exclaimed.
“So, you and Tony are close?” Steve asked.
“Well, I mean yeah, he’s like my mentor and helps me with Spider-Man stuff and…”
“And you called him dad earlier,” Steve said.
“What? No, I didn’t,” Peter exclaimed. “That would be ridiculous, he’s not my dad.”
Steve stared at him.
“Okay I mean I kind of see him like a father figure but he’s not my dad I mean I would’ve known if he was my dad and…” Peter trailed off.
“Okay, good because if Tony was keeping a secret kid from us that would be kind of incredible. Pretty sure Nat figured out all his secrets a while back.”
“Yeah, right… Nat…” Peter trailed off suddenly realizing he was now in the big leagues. He always felt sidelined like a minor Avenger but with Steve as his mate he was realizing a lot of things were going to change.
Peter chewed on his lip. “So, are we doing this?” He asked softly.
“Doing this?” Steve questioned; his brow furrowed.
“I mean I know we are true mates and mated and all that but I’m still just Peter and you’re Captain America and honestly, I’m kind of freaking out about that but I was putting it to the side because I couldn’t believe you didn’t know who I was but… like… do you want to actually… be with me?”
“Yeah…you know what? I do. I mean… yes there is an age difference, but you are eighteen. And I was worried I’d never have a mate because of when I was born. I was worried my mate would have been 90 or so by now. But fate has it all worked out for us I guess… I needed to be here to meet you.”
“I guess that’s true,” Peter said.
“So, if you like… I’d like to try this out,” Steve said.
“Cool,” Peter responded which earned him a snort from Steve. “So… my aunt’s been waiting in the kitchen.”
Steve’s face paled. “Uh...”
“I mean you don’t have to meet her right now if you don’t want to, but you probably should otherwise you’d be sneaking out the window in my sweatpants which is kind of ridiculous. I mean they only come up to your mid calf.”
“Right. Can I go…. clean up a moment?” Steve asked softly.
“Yeah,” Peter responded, showing Steve to the bathroom, and then making his way back to his room to get the uneaten food and bring it to the kitchen where he sat down and began to eat, so much on his mind.
“How’d it go?” May asked.
“Good. I mean I think it’s good. We’re uh… going to do this whole mate thing,” Peter said shyly.
“You don’t really have that much of an option,” May said.
“We could dissolve it,” Peter said.
“With a true mate?” May asked.
“Okay, I mean… yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s not impossible though, is it?”
“No, not impossible. Though true mates typically don’t want to dissolve it anyway.”
“Yeah,” Peter said softly.
May walked over and pulled Peter into a hug. “I will be here for you for whatever you need. Even if you are all grown up and mated now. I have to judge if your mate is good enough for you anyway because you deserve the best. And if not, I’ll whip them into shape.”
Peter grinned again. “I’d like to see you try.”
Steve took that moment to join them in the kitchen, having put his own clothes back on from the other day.
May glanced up, looking like she was ready to give a pretty good shovel talk when her mouth dropped open. She glanced between Steve to Peter, to Peter to Steve, and back again.
“Hello, ma'am, you must be Peter’s aunt,” Steve said.
“Did he just hello ma'am me?” May asked Peter.
“Yup,” Peter responded.
“Is Steve Rogers Captain America your mate?” May asked.
“Yup,” Peter said.
“You’re a little shit,” she said to Peter.
“Yup,” Peter said.
“I sorry… should I…” Steve said shuffling backwards a bit.
“Come join us,” Peter said, getting up. “Steve, this is my Aunt May. May, this is Steve… my mate.”
“Your mate is Captain America. Peter… to quote Ned... what is your life,” May said.
“I know, right?” Peter exclaimed.
May giggled. “Imagine the tabloids. ‘Captain America off the market. In bed with… Spider-Man?”
“He didn’t know!” Peter exclaimed.
“Wait, he doesn’t know you’re Spider-Man? But he’s Captain America!”
“I know!”
Steve shifted foot to foot in the background and Peter pulled him by the hand to sit at the table.
“Steve…. can I call you Steve?” May asked.
“Of course,” Steve responded.
“You’re going to take good care of Peter? Be the best mate? Because… Captain America or not, I will kick your ass. I’ve given a good verbal beating to Tony before I’ll do it to you too. This apartment is getting inundated with superheroes. Might as well move into a superhero lair.”
“Is it called a lair if its for good guys?” Peter asked.
“Good point,” May responded.
“I will take great care of Peter. Obviously, this is all new and we will spend time to get to know each other but…. I will do my best,” Steve said.
“Well, that’s all that I can ask. Welcome to the family then,” May said. “Here, I made some food earlier, eat!”
They started eating, the conversation sliding to more mundane topics for the time being like the weather and television, everyone wanting to let everything that happened settle with one another.
Near the end of the meal, Steve finally seemed like he was relaxing a bit when May laughed.
“Please let me be there when you tell Tony!” she exclaimed causing Peter to pale and Steve to let his head drop to the table.