Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ambrose Valentine woke up before his alarm clock. With an air of excitement, he hurriedly prepared for the day. The sun had yet to rise and the world outside was silent and still. As he left his house, he pulled the oversized cardigan around himself. The air was crisp and cool, with the first stirrings of autumn. As he drove the short distance into town, his mind was dominated with ideas of new items his menu would feature with the new season.

He parked in his spot just behind the large building that housed his bakery and stared up at the establishment with a note of deep pride building up in his chest. It had always been his dream to own his own bakery. Ever since he was old enough, he’d been helping his grandmother in the kitchen. Under her gentle teaching, he learned to love rolling out dough, mixing batter. Baking became a joy that carried him throughout the good times and the bad. The fact that he was able to transform something he loved into his occupation was a blessing he knew not everyone experienced.

With gratitude, he unlocked the side door to the bakery and walked into his office where he promptly laid the cardigan on the back of his chair; he was about to be far too warm for it. The ovens began preheating while he removed various concoctions from the refrigerator. Having already prepped much of the baking the evening before, he was able to begin the task at hand with very little preamble.

“Are we excited?” Kate, his friend and employee asked as she hurried in through the side door and hung her coat on the wall.

Ambrose grinned over at her. “That obvious?”

“Well, you are catering for The Avengers. That’s a huge opportunity.”

Ambrose continued to grin as he scooped the chocolate chip cookie dough and rolled it into balls before placing it on a large cookie sheet. “It’s definitely exciting,” he confessed. “I just hope it goes well. And that they like it.”

Kate rolled her eyes and tucked her hair into a hairnet and tied her apron on. “Ambrose, you know your stuff is good. Why else would we sell out of everything constantly?”

“I know. But these aren’t exactly your average clients,” Ambrose explained. “It’s the Avengers.”

“So. They have stomachs and cravings for sweet things like anyone else. I’m certain they’ll love everything. And maybe they’ll be repeat customers.” She smiled merrily. “Maybe I’ll even get a chance to meet them.”

Side-by-side, they worked until the assortment of baked goods was nearly ready. There was a mountain of various types of cookies- classic chocolate chip, double chocolate chunk, iced sugar, and peanut butter. Along with that, there was a large basket filled with muffins the size of a fist, each of them filled with different types of berries. An assortment of bagels with different kinds of homemade cream cheese spreads and jams was the next thing to be packaged up. Then, the crown jewel of the affair- the classic fudge brownies. Tony Stark- Iron Man- himself had requested brownies.

“Well, I’d say you have enough sweets here to feed a small army,” Kate said as she stood back and stared at all of the baked goods after they had finished packing them in pristine white boxes that bore the name of the bakery: Buns of Steel. Each box was secured with a vibrant red ribbon.

A timer went off and Ambrose spun around and raced to one of the ovens. Donning a mitt, he reached in and pulled out the final items- a host of apple pies. One of his favorite things to bake, Ambrose was happy to see that the Avengers had requested these.

“I’d bet my paycheck that Captain America requested that,” Kate teased.

Ambrose placed the pies in protective carrying cases. As he did so, he studied his lattice work, making sure everything was perfect.

“The delivery man should be here soon to pick everything up,” Kate said.

“Perfect,” Ambrose decided as he stood back and stared at the bounty.

After the sweets had been picked up and taken away, Ambrose began to bake the day’s offerings. The morning customers would be arriving soon for their coffee and baked goods of their choosing. He entered the front area to make sure everything was in place. Switching on the ‘open’ sign, he returned to the kitchen as the rest of the staff arrived to begin the work day.

“You’re going to make an alpha very happy someday,” Kate teased as she put an arm around his shoulders.

Ambrose rolled his eyes. “I’m way too busy for that, Kate.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. All work and no play so that Ambrose can be a dull boy.”

Ambrose frowned. “You think I’m dull?”

“No, but I do think you’re going to become a serial killer if you don’t pay attention to those other needs from time to time.”

Ambrose shook his head and became laser-focused on cleaning up the kitchen. “I take care of my needs just fine,” he explained in a firm voice. “I don’t need an alpha to do for me what I can do for myself.”

Kate smirked. “Just keep telling yourself that.”

“Don’t you have something you could be doing that doesn’t involve antagonizing me?”

“I do, actually. Those cinnamon sugar knots aren’t going to bake themselves, are they?”

Ambrose’s cheeks flushed as he kept cleaning. “I won’t respond to that immature pun.”

Kate walked away, her musical laughter filling the kitchen.

Thor followed his nose to the meeting room and was greeted with the sight of so many baked sweets. Grinning, he cleared the distance and picked up a double chocolate cookie.

“This is all so good,” Bruce exclaimed. “What’s the occasion, Stark? Is it someone’s birthday?”

Tony rolled his eyes. “Duh. It’s the Avengers’ anniversary! Five years ago we joined forces to stop Loki’s friends from crashing the party.”

“Is that apple pie?” Steve asked with a big smile on his face.

“Of course you would notice the apple pie,” Natasha laughed as she nibbled on a blackberry muffin.

“Where did these come from?” Thor asked as he reached for a bagel and spread a healthy amount of strawberry cream cheese on it.

“This local bakery. It’s called Buns of Steel,” Tony said.

“Let me guess- you ordered from there because of the name?” Clint asked.

Tony shrugged. “What can I say? I’m an ass man.”

Pepper walked in at that moment and lifted an eyebrow. “He actually ordered from there because I told him to,” she said. “It’s an omega-owned business and, as an omega myself, I like to support other omegas.”

“Plus, they make the best brownies ever,” Tony added before snagging a perfectly fudgy brownie for himself.

Thor smiled. “I would very much like to meet the omega who baked all of this.”

The others shared surprised smiles. Thor hadn’t been particularly interested in finding an omega for himself for some time. Between battling Loki and various other threats to earth, as well as defending the other realms, he hadn’t exactly had the time. But now, with a period of relative peace having descended upon them, it appeared he was starting to heed the call of his alpha needs.

“That’s a perfect idea!” Tony exclaimed around a mouthful of brownie.

Pepper rolled her eyes and used a napkin to clean her alpha’s face.

“I agree,” Steve added in a rare display of agreeing with Tony. “We’ve all worked so tirelessly for a while now. Peace and quiet won’t last forever. Might as well enjoy it.”

“I intend to,” Thor confirmed before helping himself to a generous slice of apple pie.

“Well, why don’t you put your newfound internet stalking skills to good use then?” Clint suggested.

Thor pulled his smart phone out of his pocket and opened Google.

“Just be careful how you search,” Natasha cautioned. “Buns of Steel is liable to give you all kinds of results.”

“I’m sure Point Break wouldn’t object to those either,” Tony laughed.

Thor found the website for the bakery and began to scroll through it until he found the portion about the owner and baker himself. He stared at the screen, his eyes drinking in the beautiful sight of the omega male. Dressed in a snug white t-shirt and a bright red apron, Ambrose was slim with honey-colored hair and a very attractive face that was fixed with an adorably happy expression. He wore glasses, which only seemed to add to the sweetness of his presence. Though he wasn’t in the omega’s presence, Thor could just imagine what i must be like.

“Smitten already?” Tony asked as he moved closer. “Let me see him.”

Thor held the phone up so Tony and the others could see.

“Oh, he’s a cutie pie,” Tony quipped as the others rolled their eyes and groaned.

“This is just a little taste,” Natasha sighed. “You need to look him up on social media.”

Thor nodded in agreement and began to scour the internet.

“Looks like his profiles are private,” Natasha said in a voice that was all business. “But that’s not an issue.”

“Yeah, I can get access to his profiles,” Tony began until Pepper elbowed his ribs. “What?”

“You can’t just invade someone’s privacy because Thor is attracted to him. Even if he is an adorable omega.”

“Won’t have to,” Natasha said as she handed Thor’s phone back to him. “I found one of his friends’ whose profile isn’t blocked. She has a ton of pictures of him. Have a look.”

“You are very good at internet stalking,” Thor complimented.

“Yeah, I know,” Natasha said with a shrug and a wink.

Thor took the phone and began to scroll through an album full of pictures that were taken while on a vacation at the beach. Ambrose, skin golden from the sun, stood in water up to his knees, his swimsuit clinging to his body in a way that showed just how well-muscled he was. The appearance was enticing and Thor could almost smell the sea air and taste the salt on the omega’s skin. Desire simmered in his core and he smiled tightly. “He is beautiful. Perhaps I may pay his bakery a visit soon.”

“Perhaps?” Bruce asked. “Thor, after what happened on Sakaar and with Asgard I’d say you’ve more than earned yourself a date.”

Thor shrugged his broad shoulders and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Grabbing one last cookie- an iced sugar- he excused himself and left the room.

Bruce looked at the others and shook his head. “He’s still blaming himself for what happened.”

“Even though it was Hela’s fault?” Natasha asked.

“Yeah. He feels like Asgard was his responsibility. He feels like he failed his people,” Steve offered.

“But there wasn’t any other way. He did what he had to do to protect his people,” Clint said.

“He knows that,” Bruce said. “He just…needs more time to process it.”

Thor walked out of the compound and walked aimlessly about the grounds, the sweet taste of the sugar cookie lingering on his tongue. Overhead, leaves the color of fire were tugged away from the branches by a crisp wind that danced across the grounds. He took the phone out once more and stared at another picture of Ambrose- one of him in the kitchen holding a beautifully decorated, three-tiered cake. His smile was so sweet, so joyous.

I can’t, he told himself. I am a destroyer. I’ve only ever brought harm to those around me. I’m not worthy of that sort of happiness. I shouldn’t even try.

Chapter Text

“What are you doing tonight?” Kate asked as she stopped in the doorway of Ambrose’s office. Before he could answer, she raised her hands. “Wait- don’t tell me. You’re going to go home and curl up with a book.”

Ambrose looked up from his laptop and frowned. “What’s wrong with curling up with a book?”

“What’s wrong?!” Kate asked in outrage. “It’s Friday night, Ambrose!”

“And?”

“And it’s Omega Night at Flaunt,” she ventured. “Which means you get in free and your drinks are half-price!”

Ambrose stifled a yawn.

Kate groaned and plopped down in the chair across from the desk. “I’m serious, Ambrose. You’ve got to get out and have some fun. We used to have so much fun! Remember?”

Ambrose closed his laptop and sighed. “Yes, I remember.”

“You’ve got to stop avoiding it,” Kate said. It being dating.

Ambrose tried to think of something to say but came up empty.

“You’ve put so much time and energy into Buns of Steel. Now it’s time to put some time and energy into your buns of steel,” Kate quipped.

“You’ve been dying to say that, haven’t you?” Ambrose groaned.

“You make me say these things!” Kate playfully fumed. “Look- give me one hour. That’s all I’m asking. One hour.”

Ambrose raised a brow. “You’re not trying to set me up with someone, are you? Because the last time you tried to set me up with an alpha it didn’t exactly go well.”

“Trust me, I’ve learned from that mistake,” Kate said.

Several months back, Kate had invited Ambrose out for dinner and drinks only to suddenly and conveniently remember she had an errand to run. She had left him with the alpha she failed to mention would be tagging along. The dinner hadn’t been unbearable, but Ambrose had spent the majority of it feeling nervous and on-edge. It didn't help that the alpha had also come on a little strong. They barely knew each other and he was already asking when Ambrose's next heat cycle would be.

“Listen, I’ll run home and feed Blondie and take a shower. If I feel up to going with you I’ll get dressed and meet you there.”

“That sounds a lot like you’re letting me down easy.”

Ambrose exhaled deeply. “Okay. I will come out for one hour.”

“Wear something cute!” Kate called after him as she turned and left the office.

Ambrose rolled his eyes, shut his laptop and turned out all the lights before locking up and going to his car. On the way home, his father called and he chuckled at how fate worked because he knew his dad would pursue the same line of conversation as Kate. In fact, he often wondered if they weren’t conspiring.

“How was your day, son?”

“Good. We catered for the Avengers this morning.”

“You what?! The Avengers! Did you meet them?”

“No, the packages were taken to them by our delivery guy, Jake.”

“That’s a shame. You know there are some pretty powerful alpha Avengers…”

“Yeah, I know,” Ambrose cut him off. “Anyway. Tony Stark left a glowing review on our website.”

“Of course he did. You’re great at what you do. You know how proud we all are of you. The way you’ve worked so hard to make your dream happen. It makes me happy to see how hard you work. How driven you are. How you don’t just want things to happen- you actually follow through and make them happen.”

He’s winding up for the pitch, Ambrose thought to himself with a wry grin.

“That’s why I worry so much about you sometimes. You spend so much time working that I worry you aren’t actually enjoying life.”

There it is, he thought. “Dad,” Ambrose said aloud. “I am very happy. I promise. I have a very full life. You know I’m happiest when I’m up to my elbows in dough or cracking eggs.”

“Son, I know you hate this conversation. But we have to have it.”

Ambrose pulled into his driveway and parked. He could see Blondie darting back and forth in the picture window, eager to be fed her dinner. “Okay,” he said. “I’m listening.”

“I know you’ve never been happy about being an omega. I know it’s been stressful for you. Especially being an omega male. And I know you avoid dating because you aren’t comfortable with yourself. And I’m sorry for that.”

Ambrose frowned. “Why are you sorry?”

“Because you didn’t grow up with an omega to help you learn about yourself. Your mother…”. He paused to compose himself because talking about his deceased wife was still so painful after all these years. “Your mother didn’t get a chance to nurture you through everything. Instead, you grew up with an alpha dad and an alpha older brother. And an extended family full of alphas and betas. I should have…I should have tried harder to do right by you.”

“You did right by me, dad. You and Dylan always made sure to take care of me. This is a me problem. Growing up as the only omega male in a family full of alpha males and betas just…I don’t know.”

“You didn’t have an omega role model to look up to. I know that’s why you’ve never really been comfortable with being an omega.”

“Yeah. But I also…every time I think about how I’m an omega, I think about mom. And I know it hurts you when you look at me.” Tears filled his eyes and he fought to keep them out of his voice. “I know that I look like her. And I know that sometimes I do things that make you think of her.”

“Son, I would never make you be any different just because of that.”

“But I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to be an omega. I didn’t…I didn’t want to be reminded either. It still hurts. She's been gone since I was ten and it still hurts like it was yesterday.”

He could still remember the day the policeman came to their house to tell them that his mother wasn't coming home.

Dad was quiet for a moment, allowing the two of them to compose themselves. “Son,” he finally said. “I want you to listen to me- your mother would want you to be happy. She would want you to embrace who you are. Because who you are is beautiful. She would think so, just like I do. I always have. You know that. Even if you didn’t believe it in the beginning.”

Ambrose laughed at the memories that stirred up. “In the beginning I really thought you were going to be so disappointed in me. Because every single man in our family is an alpha except me.”

“Well, just like I said when you presented- I couldn’t be happier to have an omega son. I don’t want you to feel like you need to hide it. And I don’t want you to neglect that side of yourself. And I especially don’t want you to feel like you have to do that for me. As hard as it is to be reminded of your mother, it’s also beautiful. It’s bittersweet. But mostly it’s sweet.”

“I am going out tonight,” Ambrose said in a gentle voice. “It’s Omega Night at this club called Flaunt.”

“Hey, that’s great! I guess Kate convinced you?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, have fun. Be careful though. Some of those alphas are trouble.”

“I promise, dad. I love you.”

“I love you too, son.”

“Okay, Thor,” Tony called out as he walked into the media room where Thor was seated on the couch with a beer in hand. “We’re all going out tonight and you’re coming with us.”

Thor lifted an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yup,” Natasha said. She walked in behind Tony, acting as his backup for convincing Thor to come out. “You aren’t going to spend the night drinking at home when you can spend the night out drinking instead.”

“Besides, it’s Omega Night at Flaunt,” Tony chimed in. “And you know what that means- you’re going to be up to your eyeballs in omegas.”

Thor grinned in spite of himself. Despite the turmoil he faced so often lately, there were occasions when the old Thor would show himself. As an attractive alpha, omegas flocked to him and he always had his pick. He couldn’t deny the excitement he felt when he thought about the escapades he'd had.

But that was before Ragnarok. Before his actions destroyed the only home he and his people had known. And although this had ultimately ensured that the Asgardians lived on, he couldn’t stop the plague of doubt. Had he done the right thing? Was there truly no other way? What sort of alpha was he? He had already proven himself a failed king. His depressed state and propensity for drink had left him feeling he was unfit to rule New Asgard. He shifted the role of king to Brunhilde because he felt she was more qualified. He was unworthy of being king and he was unworthy of an omega.

“Okay, you looked real excited for a split second and then we lost you,” Tony sighed. He laid a hand on Thor’s shoulder. “Buddy, you’re our friend. More than that- you’re family to us.”

“I…I do not think it is a good idea,” Thor said.

“Wait, you were all about it earlier! You were looking at those pictures of that cute omega. You actually looked like your old self!” Tony said.

At this, Steve, Bruce and Clint walked in and Thor immediately knew what was happening. “Come to confront me, have you?”

“What gave us away?” Bruce asked with a sad smile.

“I know an intervention when I see one,” Thor said. He crushed the empty can in his hand and set it on the table in front of him.

“I think I speak for all of us when I say we care about you, Thor,” Steve stressed to him. “I’ve said it before- if I see a situation pointed south, I can’t ignore it.”

“We aren’t going to let you spiral, Thor,” Bruce added. “We love you too much.”

“No matter how isolated you try to get. No matter how mopey and gruff you become, we’re here and we aren’t leaving your side,” Steve carried on. “What kind of family would we be if we just let you go like that?”

Thor stared at each of their faces and read the love and concern in them. He gave a tight smile and nodded. “I will get dressed into something more suitable and join you.”

“Wear those jeans! The tight ones!” Tony called after him.

After exchanging the sweat pants and t-shirt he was wearing for jeans and a dark blue button-down, Thor looked at his reflection. The haircut he’d received on Sakaar had started to grow on him, though he did miss his long hair. He ran some pomade through it, then went back out to the others. They piled into the large SUV and Natasha took the wheel.

When they arrived at Flaunt, they were given instant entry while several others waited to be allowed inside. Thor smiled at the display that lay before him. A sea of people drinking, dancing and making merry. It brought to mind the celebrations he and his people used to have, albeit a bit less rowdy. As he walked deeper inside, several omegas promptly took notice of him and smiled approvingly. He returned their smiles, taking notice of the mixture of scents that rose up from them. They were sweet and enticing.

But then the air changed around Thor and suddenly there was no other scent aside from one. More tantalizing and arousing than any other omega in the nightclub. Thor's nostrils flared and his pupils dilated as his alpha needs showed themselves. In the haze of sweating, dancing bodies, he began to swiftly look for the source of that scent. If he closed his eyes, he could see golden honey slowly flowing. Sweet and sticky on his tongue, running down his chin. There were many omegas present, but there was only one he wanted. He wanted the one who smelled like honey.

“Well, that was quick,” Clint chuckled as he tilted his head in Thor's direction as he made his way through the crowd.

“It’s like riding a bike,” Tony remarked. “And he looks like he’s about to go for a marathon.”

Thor maneuvered through the crowds, searching high and low for the elusive omega that suddenly had his cock so hard he could feel it throbbing, trapped against his skin by the tight jeans Tony had insisted he wear. He didn't dislike Midgardian attire, but he much preferred his own clothing. Still, if he was to now live on Midgard, it only made sense that he do his best to fit in.

As he neared the center of the dance floor his quarry was revealed. A low growl rose from his chest at the sight of the omega as he danced in a halo of light. Many of the other omegas in the club who had flaunted themselves before him had been beautiful, but none of them could hope to compare to the delicious male omega Thor had his eyes on. The others seemed to fade from view, their own scents receding to that sweet, mouthwatering fragrance that rolled off of the omega, so strong and potent that Thor had to fight the urge to approach him, throw him over his shoulder and carry him out of the nightclub. The beautiful mortal was tall for an omega, though still quite short in stature at 5'8". Clad in dark blue jeans and a tight white v-neck shirt, his body was all lean muscle and smooth, suntanned skin. His hair, a shade of honey, was cut short and when he spun around and revealed his face to Thor, the alpha's breath came more rapidly.

Ambrose Valentine.

He looked so piercingly lovely with his sensuous lips, sharp jawline, and classic handsomeness. Thor's desire grew as he envisioned towering over the omega and holding his smaller body close to his as he scented him.

That was when Thor's alpha senses detected something else. Something that made him concerned. He noticed the way the omega's scent deepened and he knew that he was on the cusp of his heat cycle and dangerously close to going into a full heat.

He should not be in this place, he thought to himself as he looked around at the other alphas in the club, taking note of the sudden hunger they were displaying for the omega. He should be in my bed, trembling and gasping beneath me as I tend to his needs like no other alpha here possibly could.

Then something happened that alarmed Thor. The omega began to lose equilibrium. He stumbled and his expression, once so carefree, became clouded. To those who were not familiar, this may seem like the start of any other heat. But Thor knew better.

Someone has drugged him.

The culprit suddenly revealed himself- an attractive but mediocre alpha. Thor knew it was him in an instant because he would never stand a chance with such an omega under different circumstances. He approached and made a show of picking the omega up and carrying him off of the dance floor.

The omega's friend- the young woman who’s Instagram Thor had been studying- protested but Thor didn't wait for the situation to unfold. Anger and the primal need to display his dominance and protect and claim the omega flooded his senses. He stalked through the crowd, his eyes flashing with lightning. The pathetic alpha would pay dearly.

"Your shadow is back, Ambrose," Kate whispered into his ear as they retrieved their drinks at the bar.

Ambrose rolled his eyes and shook his head. "It's like his vocabulary doesn't include the word 'no'."

Despite the initial trepidation, Ambrose had gotten a little more comfortable in the nightclub. Strangely enough, he actually started to feel like he was even enjoying himself. Then the pushy alpha had shown up. He wanted to enjoy the night out with Kate. To that end, he wore a red bracelet. According to club rules, if an omega wore a red bracelet it was a symbol for alphas and betas that the omega was not looking for anything. It conveyed the message that the omega was just out for a fun night of dancing and drinks with friends.

Still, the alpha was persistent. He insisted on buying drinks for Ambrose despite his refusal of them. The alpha had also made certain to insert himself near Ambrose as he danced.

Though he often buried himself in work, Ambrose wasn't oblivious to his omega charms. He knew that others found him sexually attractive. He knew that alphas saw him as a fertile omega. But mating was the last thing on his mind. Because of his avoidance of his nature, Ambrose was still a virgin. He would spend his heat cycles alone. To soothe his omega needs, he stayed in his nest for the duration of his heats and used a sex toy designed for omegas- a large dildo that could be inflated to resemble an alpha's knot. He would light candles infused with the natural scents of alphas, or use bottles of concentrated alpha scent and pleasure himself repeatedly while he watched alpha-centric porn. Once the heat subsided, he would return to his everyday activities and duties, satisfied until the next heat.

The few omega friends he had often teased him and told him that he was missing out- that a knotting dildo could never compare to the real experience. Ambrose took their word for it.

"The Avengers are here," Kate mentioned while they danced, eliciting some excitement from him that he kept hidden. He couldn’t help but notice how attractive they were. His gaze followed Kate's and he found himself staring at them for a short while before forcing himself to stop. Instead, he focused on shoving his feelings aside, losing himself to the pulsing beat and welcomed that mind-numbing sensation that quieted his mind.

The annoying alpha bombarded him once again and before he could protest, he started to feel a change within him. His body began to warm up to the point of being feverish. Sweat dripped down his forehead and he suddenly became aware of internal changes taking place. His core began to throb with a dull pain that was slowly increasing. His scent intensified and slick began to flow from him, saturating his pants.

But it's not time yet, he thought to himself as he mentally reviewed his heat cycle calendar. He wasn't due for a heat cycle for at least another week. The alpha scooped him up into his arms and he was suddenly very aware of what had happened.

A hot shot, he thought as his heat rushed in so quickly he was left lightheaded and helpless.

Hot shots were an illegal substance that could trigger an immediate and very intense heat in omegas. It was becoming more and more common for omegas to be taken advantage of using such things and the authorities enforced very strict punishments for anyone who dared to use them.

He wanted to fight. He wanted to break free of the alpha. But even as he contemplated self-defense, he found he could only writhe in the alpha's arms. His entire body became jelly. Slick flowed freely from his opening, filling the air with a more potent version of his omega scent. Against his will, his body fully responded to the hot shot. All he wanted was for an alpha to dominate him, fuck him, knot him and fill him with his potent seed. He wanted their mouth on him, their teeth nipping at him. He wanted to be demolished by the power of an alpha.

He was terrified.

"I'll take good care of you, omega," the alpha growled in his ear.

Ambrose whimpered against his will, a sound of submission he knew drove alphas wild with lust.

But suddenly, very strong arms pulled him away from the alpha and he found himself pressed against a large and firm chest. Inhaling, he was met with the colossal and delectable scent of a powerful alpha. The cool and earthy musk stuck to Ambrose's senses and he felt more slick slipping from him.

"You will not touch this omega," the stranger spoke in a threatening growl that rumbled in his chest and filled Ambrose with even more lust.

Ambrose heard the sound of a scuffle, followed by a cry of pain. Then he felt movement and the sudden sensation of cool night air on his feverish skin. His savior was carrying him out of the club. Unable to control himself, he nestled into the alpha, taking refuge in his strength and power. Whoever this alpha was, he had fought for and claimed Ambrose and the thrill of it only intensified his lusty needs. His heat-addled brain compelled his mouth to find the alpha's throat and he pressed his lips there before helplessly moaning words he hoped to never say. "Alpha, please take me."

Then all was black.

Chapter Text

"Doctor!" Thor shouted as he stormed into the emergency room. "I need a doctor!"

"Wait...are you Thor?" a nurse asked as she rushed forward.

Thor ignored her question and looked down into Ambrose's flushed and unconscious face. Sweat and slick soaked his clothes and his body radiated with such heat that Thor wanted nothing more than to lay him on the nearest bench and ease his pain. But that wasn't possible. Ambrose had never voiced his consent. And one of the things that was of utmost importance to Thor in these matters was consent.

"Who is he?" another nurse asked.

"He is my...he is an omega," Thor corrected himself. "And he is in need of medical attention."

"Follow me," the second nurse ordered. "We'll take him to the Omega Emergency Care Unit."

Thor moved quickly, easily outpacing the nurses until they arrived in the designated unit. They entered an examination room and Thor was asked to place the omega on the exam table. The thunder god stiffened at this, for he felt compelled to keep the omega in his arms.

"I can't examine him properly if you keep holding him against you like that," the omega specialist pointed out as she folded her arms over her chest.

Relenting, Thor gently placed the omega on the table, careful to support his head.

"He's in heat," the specialist said in a concerned voice. "But not just any type of heat. This is definitely the work of a Hot Shot."

"What is a Hot Shot?" Thor growled.

The doctor pushed her glasses up the bridge of his nose and shook her head angrily. "A Hot Shot is an illegal substance that has the ability to push an omega into an instant heat. They're very dangerous."

"Omegas have it hard enough without things like that," the nurse said contemptuously.

"He'll need AntiTherm right away," the doctor calmly explained.

At that time Steve and Tony entered the room and Thor glared at them. Though they were his friends and brothers-in-arms, they were also alphas. Tony was bonded with his omega, Pepper, but Steve was un-bonded. The urge to fight rose up in Thor and he took up a stance near the omega, making it clear that he would.

"Easy, Thor," Tony said. "I'm bonded, remember? And Steve is seeing an omega now. Remember the nurse that lives down the hall from him?"

Thor relaxed, but only by a fraction. Then he spied the needle and syringe that the nurse was brandishing as she approached Ambrose's helpless form.

"What do you intend to do with that?" Thor demanded.

"AntiTherm has to be administered through an injection so it'll work faster. He's in no state to take a pill anyway. We have to give him a shot," the doctor calmly explained. "It won't hurt him, if that's what you're worried about. His arm will be a little sore later on but it's better than the alternative."

"What will it do to him?" Thor asked through clenched teeth.

"It's just going to ease his heat, decrease the intensity. We don't have an antidote for Hot Shots yet, unfortunately. So this will have to do."

Thor knew that this was the only alternative. In his current state, mating with the omega would be rape, an atrocious thought for all present. Still, despite the staunch refusal to take advantage of an omega against their will, Thor's body couldn't help but respond to the siren call of the omega's heat. Honey flooded his senses and he longed for more. "Midgard is most careless with its omegas," he growled. "Exposing them to such drugs"

As the nurse swabbed Ambrose's deltoid, his friend was brought into the room. The shot was given and the omega let out a pitiful little whimper that made Thor ache to touch him.

"His fever should go down fairly soon," the doctor said after a few minutes. "He's still in heat, but not to the extent he was before."

"Should he stay overnight?" the omega's friend asked.

"He'll do best if he's taken to his nest, where he'll be comfortable. With his alpha." She turned to Thor. "Are you his alpha?"

"I am...not his alpha," Thor said, despite wishing he could say otherwise. Disappointment flooded his tone.

The doctor turned to Ambrose's friend. "Does he have an alpha?"

Thor bristled at the idea of Ambrose having an alpha.

"No," the girl said. "Ambrose...doesn't do that."

Thor lifted a curious brow. "He doesn't mate?"

The girl smiled nervously. "Yeah. It's kind of a long story and not mine to tell. But Ambrose isn't bonded and he isn't involved with an alpha."

"Right, so there's no one to call to...help him...through his heat," the doctor said. "And he's not in the right mind to give consent."

"Poor omega," the nurse muttered sympathetically.

"You should make sure he gets taken to his nest," the doctor said. "I'm assuming he'll have everything he needs to take care of himself there."

Thor scowled at the idea of an omega fending for themselves. But there was no other alternative. He refused to act on his desires, even if he wanted desperately to do so. "I must go," he muttered before tearing his eyes away from Ambrose and storming out of the room and off of the unit. Steve and Tony followed after him.

Ambrose's eyes slid open and he looked around to find himself in his nest. Though curious as to how he'd gotten there, something far more pressing was on his mind- his heat. His very unplanned heat.

Though he loathed it, his omega nature demanded he have a nest. To that end, he'd converted his closet into one. The floor was piled with several cushions, pillows and blankets, all of which were soft, warm and comforting for him. Though his heat was ravaging him, it was less intense than earlier when he'd blacked out. Part of this could be attributed to being in his nest, but he was certain this was not the sole reason. Memory eluded him and the more he tried to remember, the harder it was to do so. In the end, he decided to cast this aside and focus on his needs, which were far more pressing.

He reached for his tablet and queued up a video. Then, as it began to play, he took his dildo out of its container and began to slide it along his opening, coating it in his slick. Slowly sliding it inside, he gasped at the immense pleasure and the relief it brought as it touched those places that craved it so. Once it was seated deep inside of him, he reached for a bottle of alpha essence and stared at the screen.

"Hey, little omega," a strong and sexy alpha voice said as a slideshow of muscular and handsome alphas began to play. "Let yourself relax into submission. Let go and allow me to take care of you. I want to take care of you, omega."

Ambrose slid the dildo in and out of himself, delighting in the sensation of being filled.

"Open the essence and take a hit," the alpha voice commanded.

Ambrose inhaled the scent of alpha from the bottle and his entire body began to warm up, from the tips of his toes all the way up to his head as the strong scent filled him.

"Hold it, omega. And don't exhale until I say."

Ambrose stroked himself and shoved the dildo in and out at a pleasing pace. The video transitioned from picture of alphas to more sexual images. Naked alphas in a variety of scenarios- undressing in locker rooms, showering.

"Release, omega."

Ambrose exhaled and the intensity of his pleasure became more feverish. A compilation of alphas stroking their massive cocks played before his eyes and he began to lose himself. He pressed a small button on the end of his dildo and the tip expanded within him, simulating a knot that drove him over the edge as it stretched him so blissfully. Slick dripped from him and he came hard, his breath taken away while he rode the wave.

"Again, omega. Take a hit."

Far from finished, Ambrose did as he was told as the images on the screen shifted to those of alphas pressing their faces against their male omega's openings, inhaling their scent and aggressively licking at their slick as it spilled from them. The sounds of growling became more audible as the alphas drove their fingers into the omegas, spreading them open. Ambrose came again, his heady woozy. He knew there was more. During a heat, it wasn't uncommon for an omega to reach orgasm multiple times. Ambrose, himself, had lost count of how many times he could cum during a cycle, instead focusing on the pleasure itself.

The alphas onscreen entered their omegas, fucking into them in a variety of methods and positions. Some of the alphas were strictly rough and forceful while others inserted care and gentleness into their technique.

"Such a good omega," the alpha voice cooed. "So soft and submissive. So beautiful and sweet. You feel so good around my knot."

Ambrose bucked and another orgasm swept over him.

"You'd like for me to fill you with my alpha cum, wouldn't you?"

"Yes," Ambrose sighed.

"Fill you with my pups," the alpha carried on. "Such a good, fertile little omega."

Somewhere in the back of Ambrose's mind, beneath the indomitable pleasure and lust, self-loathing lurked.

Thor paced about in his quarters and attempted to put the night's events out of his head. But the presence of the omega had changed everything.

Omegas were rare on Asgard, and in the years before Ragnarok, there had been none born. The existing omega population dwindled. All of the omegas who lived on Asgard were already bonded, and while it was possible for an alpha to mate with a beta, which were the most abundant, this bond could never quite compare to that of an alpha and an omega. This made it necessary for Asgard to seek out omegas on other worlds. Odin had orchestrated an arrangement with other realms- namely Vanaheim and Alfheim- in which Asgard would provide additional services that went beyond protection in exchange for healthy omegas. Thus an endless parade of omegas was flaunted before Thor. And though he had certainly had his fill of them, none could ever hold his entice him to choose them for a mate.

"I want there to be some fight in my mate," Thor explained when Odin had asked his son why he had not enjoyed the company of the new omegas. "These omegas are lovely, but they...bore me. They are so agreeable and permissive."

Odin had chuckled knowingly at this. "You long for a challenge. You long for the hunt. Well, you have been spending much of your time on Midgard. Perhaps there are omegas there who will draw your interest?"

Thor had believed it unlikely but was pleasantly surprised to see that omegas were somewhat different on Midgard. They were stronger-willed and more free spirited. While the omegas of Asgard were kept on a pedestal and lived separately from others, those on Midgard mingled with the rest of the population. It was exciting and new for him, which was rare given his lifespan. Then so much tragedy ravaged him. Though he never lost his desires, he felt he couldn't act on them either.

Ambrose continued to dance through his thoughts. The honey scent lingered in his head. When he noticed that the omega was being victimized, he didn't hesitate to defend him. He didn't injure the alpha too badly- just enough to exert his dominance and punish him for attempting to take advantage of an omega he would never have been worthy of. Taking Ambrose to the hospital for medical care had been the most important course of action considering the omega wasn't able to give consent. Otherwise, he'd already have knotted the beautiful omega several times already. Hell, he would likely be knotted inside of him even now. The thought of tasting him, claiming him, began to stir up a rut- something Thor knew would require immediate intervention. An unchecked rut could be just as dangerous as a heat left untended. Where a prolonged heat could result in great pain and prolonged distress. A rut unchecked could make the alpha so weak with desire that he could only lay on his back, whining and begging for an omega to ride him. It could also produce a berserk state during which an alpha could become deadly violent and indiscriminate in its sexual desires.

Thor quickly shed his clothes and lay on his bed. His cock, already so hard it practically pulsed, stood straight up. He gripped it in his hands and began to stroke up and down. As he touched himself, he imagined it was Ambrose riding him, his tight and wet sex squeezing him. His foreskin slid down from the glans and the top half of his cock began to swell. The pressure, along with his ministrations, were delicious and soon the alpha's cock began to erupt, sending volley upon volley of thick, potent alpha cum into the air.

When Thor finally descended from the high of his orgasm, his thoughts became more clear, more rational. He contemplated the mystery of his friend's allusion to his avoidance of mating. Perhaps Ambrose had been hurt before? Or maybe he was waiting for a special alpha, one who doted on him and protected him?

Rising from the bed, Thor entered the adjoining bathroom to shower the sweat and cum from his body. As he lathered up, a plan began to form in his mind.

Chapter Text

Ambrose woke up in a bit of a haze, his body tense but satisfied. He glanced at his phone as it rested nearby and his eyes widened.

“I’ve been in here for 3 days,” he groaned.

Though it wasn’t unusual for his heats to last this long, if not longer, it troubled him that he had lost three unplanned days. He had several missed calls from his father and brother. Before he could bring himself to even think of returning them, he reached for the bottle of water nearby and chugged it all in one go. Exiting the nest, he could hear the sound of someone in his kitchen. The smell of a meal being cooked met his senses and he realized just how hungry he was.

Omegas naturally burn more calories than alphas or betas, especially when they go through a heat cycle. So Ambrose was understandably quite famished. He stalked into the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist to find Kate pulling something out of the oven.

“Oh, good,” she said with a nervous smile. “You’re awake. I made chicken pot pie.”

Ambrose leaned against the doorframe and Blondie danced about at his feet, rubbing her face along his calves. He leaned down to scratch the orange cat and nearly toppled over.

“Easy, there,” Kate cautioned as she caught him and helped him over to the table. “Sit down, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

Kate brought a big slice of chocolate cake over and sat it in front of him with more water. “There. Dessert first, right?”

“Guess so,” Ambrose said as he cut a huge bite and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Omegas are so lucky,” Kate lamented as she watched him eat the cake. “Your metabolisms are enviable.”

“At least there’s that,” Ambrose muttered.

Kate reached over and laid a hand on his forearm. “Listen, I’m so sorry about what happened. I’ve been sick with guilt over it for the last three days.”

“It’s not your fault,” Ambrose sighed. “It’s not like you dragged me there. I could have stayed home.”

“I still feel bad. Do you remember anything?”

Ambrose stared at the last bite of cake and thought. “Just getting really freaked out because I wasn’t supposed to go into heat for another week. Then I remember being picked up and carried off by that alpha. There was another alpha that stepped in and pulled me away from him.” He paused and recollected. “A strong alpha.”

“Yeah,” Kate drew out.

Panic gripped him. “Oh, fuck! Nothing happened to me, did it?” he asked.

“No,” Kate said with a slow smile. “Thor was very protective and chivalrous.”

Ambrose’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me right. Thor.”

Ambrose hid his face in his hands as total embarrassment struck him. “Please tell me I didn’t do anything stupid.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “You were kind of unconscious, dear. That alpha slipped you a…”

“Hot Shot. Yeah, I got that. So what happened after I blacked out? Or do I even want to know?”

“Well, Black Widow and Hawkeye restrained the alpha. Not that it took much work since Thor basically one-punched him.”

“He punched him? For me?” Ambrose asked, unable to completely hide the excitement such a thing stirred up in him.

Kate leaned forward and fluttered her eyes. “Is someone feeling a little smitten?”

Ambrose rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t even know him.”

“No, but he happens to be a really sexy piece of alpha man. That punched out an alpha to protect you. And carried you all the way to the hospital…”

“That’s what heroes do,” Ambrose reasoned.

“...And got really territorial when Captain America and Iron Man got anywhere near you.”

Ambrose stared at her in disbelief.

“And got the saddest look on his face when the doctor asked if he was your alpha and he said no.”

“Now I know you’re lying to me,” Ambrose said as he scooted away from the table and walked over to the pot pie.

“Am not.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel better by embellishing details.”

“He came to the bakery asking about you,” she added with a satisfied smirk.

Ambrose spun around and the towel slipped off of his waist.

“Are we excited?” Kate asked.

Ambrose covered himself up. “No. Yes. I don’t know!”

“I’m going with yes from what I just saw.”

Ambrose shut his eyes and shook his head. “Okay. I’ll bite. What did he…what did he say?”

Kate shrugged her shoulders and leaned back in her chair. “Oh, I didn’t think you were interested.”

Ambrose glared at her. “You’re being mean to me in my own house and I don’t appreciate it.”

Kate shut her eyes and took in a deep, cleansing breath. “Hold on. You’re actually indulging in a conversation about romance. Let me savor this moment.”

“I’m not indulging in a conversation about romance- I just want to know what he said when he stopped by the bakery,” Ambrose corrected. “I’m asking as a business owner.”

Kate scowled at him. “Seriously? Thor himself came to call on you and that’s your reason for wanting to know?”

“I will fire you,” Ambrose teasingly threatened.

“He asked if you were ‘well’ and if you ‘have need of anything’.”

“Is that all?”

Kate cut eyes at him. “I wasn’t finished.”

“Okay, sorry,” Ambrose said as he raised his hands in surrender.

“He also asked me why you don’t have a mate. To which I responded by saying he should ask you himself when he comes back to see you.”

Ambrose became dumbstruck. The other details could be explained away. But that question was certainly the sort of thing an alpha would ask if he happened to take an interest in an omega. Or so Ambrose imagined; it wasn’t like he had a wealth of experience in these matters. “Okay,” he said finally. “That’s…a lot.”

“He’s shown up every day,” Kate carried on. “Every time he comes in he buys a honeybun to have with coffee.”

Ambrose flushed.

“I’m sure you understand the significance of that,” Kate said.

“Yeah, yeah. He orders honeybuns and I smell like honey. I get it.”

“He wants a taste of that honey any way he can get it. Anyway, he’ll probably show up tomorrow too. Isn’t that exciting?!”

Ambrose felt butterflies fluttering in his core. “Uh…I don’t know?”

“We should probably figure out what you’re going to wear. And maybe pick out what you want to name your pups, too.”

Ambrose gently smacked his forehead against the wall. “You’re insufferable,” he said before taking on a thoughtful expression.

“What are you thinking about?”

Ambrose shrugged. “Just thinking about maybe baking something special for him as a thank you.”

“That’s a very sweet omega thing to do,” Kate said as she pulled him in for a hug.

“A thank you gift is what any polite person would do.”

“What are you going to bake for him?”

Ambrose bit his bottom lip as he thought about it. “A honey buttermilk pie. With a cinnamon praline.”

“Wow. You are so fucking horny.”

Thor woke up early and promptly got dressed for the day. Enough days had passed that Ambrose was sure to be at the bakery. A smile crept across his face at the thought of finally being able to see the little omega in full form.

“Joining us for breakfast today?” Natasha asked as she looked up from the book she was reading when Thor walked through the common room.

“No, I am…”

“Going to Ambrose’s bakery,” Tony interrupted. “We get it. You get one whiff of a sexy little omega and we’re old news.”

Thor grinned. “It is not like that.You are my family. But…”

“But those baked goods are just too good to pass up, aren’t they?” Tony ventured.

“Yes. They are very delicious. But today Ambrose should be well enough to return to the bakery. I would like to see him.”

Steve and Clint shared an amused smile. “You went from being hesitant to going all in, didn’t you?” Clint teased.

Thor shrugged. “I am simply satisfying my curiosity about him. Nothing more.”

Tony chuckled. “Right, I believe that. Totally.”

Thor folded his arms over his chest. “Perhaps you are right,” he said with a bright smile.

“You’ve never been good at lying,” Natasha teased.

“He is lovely,” Thor gushed. “And his honey buns are delicious.”

“Oh, I bet they are!” Clint exclaimed.

Thor smirked at the double entendre. “Well, I am sure those honey buns are as well.”

Steve cleared his throat. “I noticed you haven’t had anything to drink in the last few days,” he observed.

Thor shrugged and shoved his big hands into his pockets. “I had not thought about it. But you are right- I have not picked up a drink.”

“Since Ambrose,” Natasha added.

“That’s because he’s ‘drunk in love’,” Tony sang.

Thor beamed. “Well, I am off to Buns of Steel, friends. Would you like for me to bring anything back?”

“Brownies!” Tony demanded.

“Those iced sugar cookies,” Clint added.

“And cinnamon rolls!” Bruce called out.

Thor chuckled as he turned and left the compound and made for town. He memorized the way to Ambrose’s bakery by heart and followed the way without even thinking about it. When he arrived, the bell over the door rang out its familiar tone. The sweet scents of the bakery greeted him, but there was something decidedly different about the scent today. Today he smelled that delicious scent that had consumed his thoughts. He smelled rich, sweet honey and knew that Ambrose was there.

Chapter Text

"I hate to interrupt," Kate said as she found Ambrose in the kitchen. "But you have a visitor."

Ambrose, who had been busily kneading dough for some time now, looked up at Kate with a nervous expression on his flour-dusted face.

"You look like a rabbit caught in a trap," Kate said as she pulled a stool over and sat down across from Ambrose.

Ambrose continued to knead, his focus placed entirely on the task. "Maybe I should just stay back here and you can give him the pie and tell him I'm very busy today."

Kate shook her head. "Nope. How about you give him your pie?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Ambrose had been awake long before he was supposed to be. He'd come in to the bakery very early so he could ensure that the thank you gift for Thor would be as fresh as possible. He'd lovingly mixed and chilled the dough before cooling off the work surface and tossing some flour down. Rolling the dough into a pie dish, he baked it until it was golden brown. He mixed filling without needing to look at the recipe, as was the case with most of the things he baked.

He could hear his mother's voice when he baked, which was one of the reasons he loved it so much. He could remember his mother teaching him how to bake at an early age. Telling him how special baking was. That it was one of the sweetest gifts a person could give someone. He knew she would be so proud that he was giving this gift to the rest of the world.

"It looks really good," Kate said as she took a peek at the pie. "That cinnamon praline topping is fire. He's going to be excited."

"I hope," Ambrose said, then stopped himself.

Kate's expression softened and she walked over and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. I know you're nervous. But this is a good thing. This is you...evolving? Blossoming?"

"I guess so."

"Why don't you let me take over on this while you go and give that to him."

Ambrose stood back and nodded. "Right. I can do this. I can do this."

He walked over to the oven where a fresh batch of honey buns had just been removed to cool. The delicious glaze creating a shining effect on them as he picked them up and carried them toward the front. His heart raced in his chest and he began to question whether or not he really could do this. He reached the swinging doors and peered out to see that Thor was sitting at a table by the window, a steaming mug of coffee in front of him.

"Oh, good, you've got the honey buns," Sara said as she opened the door. "He was just asking for one and I told him we had a fresh batch almost ready. He's been watching for you like a lost puppy. It's cute."

"Okay...well...here you go," Ambrose said in a quiet voice.

Sara shook her head. "Nope. No way. Kate already told me that you were going to be the one to make sure he got a honey bun. I was told not to intervene at all."

"Are you serious?" Ambrose sighed. "Who's the boss around here, anyway?"

"You are," Sara said with a sweet grin. "And Kate and I are just making sure the boss is taken care of. Now- go and feed your alpha."

"He's not my alpha..."

"Yet. Now scoot."

Defeated, Ambrose took a big deep breath, then stepped out from the kitchen.

Sara looked after him and smiled. "Finally," she whispered.

Thor took a sip of his coffee and looked over his shoulder at the doors that led to the kitchen area. He'd lost track of how many times he'd looked. Anticipation clawed its way through him. He wanted to see the omega. It wasn't enough to simply smell his scent distantly. There was a craving building up inside him. As he gazed at the doors, he mentally willed Ambrose to appear. Then, like a beam of sunlight bursting free from a prison of grey clouds, the little omega revealed himself.

The omega couldn’t have been more lovely if he tried. He wore a bright red apron over a royal blue t-shirt and jeans that showed his slender but muscular body well. He carried a tray of fresh honey buns in his arms. Steam rose up from them, delivering their tempting scent to the room. But nothing could compete with the scent of Ambrose. A tidal wave of his tantalizing honey scent wafted across the room. Thor’s nostrils flared and an easy smile fell across his face. His hair was styled in a neat part and, unlike the night at the club, he wore his glasses. A dusting of flour adorned his face and Thor found it all too endearing.

The omega set the tray in the display case and promptly used utensils to lift a large honey bun free. He placed it on a plate and walked out from behind the counter and came toward Thor’s table. The alpha smiled expectantly and rose from his seat to greet him properly.

“Good morning,” Ambrose said in friendly voice.

“Indeed,” Thor said as he accepted the plate from him. “And thank you. Your honey buns are delicious.”

Ambrose blushed in the most adorable way and Thor couldn’t hide his smirk.

“Thank you,” Ambrose said. “And…uh…thank you for the other night. For stepping in like that.”

“I was happy to do it,” Thor said. “The alpha was punished for his crimes. And I hope you are no worse for the wear?”

Ambrose was silent for a second before realizing that he was being asked a question. “Oh! Yeah. I was okay. Just…you know. Heat stuff.”

“And is there an alpha in your life to help you tend your…heat stuff?” Thor asked despite already being well-aware that Ambrose had no alpha. Though if Kate hadn’t told him so he he still would know. The scent of an alpha was nowhere to be found on him. And there was no mark on the bonding gland. Thor’s eyes went to the side of Ambrose’s neck and admired the smooth tanned skin as he imagined his mark there.

Ambrose blushed and looked down at his hands. “I’m…no.”

“And why not?” Thor asked. “A charming omega such as yourself must have plenty of alphas seeking to court you?”

“I stay really busy. With the bakery,” Ambrose said as he kept his eyes down.

Thor read the discomfort as much as he could sense it. He wanted to comfort the omega with a touch but felt it was too soon for such things. Even though the memory of Ambrose’s lips on his neck was still burned into his mind. But then, Ambrose hadn’t been of sound mind in that moment. “You must make time for such things,” Thor said.

“Oh, before I forget,” Ambrose said with sudden a bright smile that melted Thor’s heart. “I baked something for you.”

Thor tilted his head and smiled. “Did you?”

“Wait here,” Ambrose said, as if Thor planned to be anywhere else.

Thor watched as he walked away, wanting nothing more than to follow him. When he returned, he brought a pie dish with him. He smiled timidly and offered it to Thor, who accepted it gladly. “What is this?” He asked.

“It’s a honey buttermilk pie,” Ambrose explained with happy confidence. “With a cinnamon praline topping.”

Thor grinned down at the covered dish and then back at Ambrose. The change in the omega’s demeanor was noticeable and Thor found himself longing to see more of this side of him. “You baked this for me?” He asked.

“As a thank you gift,” Ambrose explained. “For rescuing me.”

Thor lifted the foil and smiled at the delicious pie. “It looks very good, Ambrose. You are quite talented.”

Ambrose blushed again. “I baked it this morning before I opened the bakery.”

Thor laid a hand on Ambrose’s shoulder and the slightest whimper- barely perceptible- escaped his mouth. Thor’s lips curled into a gentle but knowing smile. “I am sure I will enjoy it,” he purred. “But I think I would enjoy it more if you shared it with me.”

Ambrose tensed up a little and Thor rubbed his thumb in gentle circles in an attempt to calm him.

“I should probably get back into the kitchen and make sure things are running smoothly,” the omega said in a hurried voice as he took a step back, his arm falling out of Thor’s grasp. “But…”. His face became thoughtful, as if he was battling a great internal conflict.

Thor remained quiet, patiently waiting for Ambrose to emerge from the conflict victorious. As he waited, he stared at his lips- pillowy soft and begging for a kiss. The omega lightly bit his bottom lip in thought and Thor felt his desire mounting.

“I’m going to eat dinner tonight after work,” he said, then smiled nervously. “I mean, of course I’m eating dinner tonight. Because that’s when I eat dinner, and…”

“If you are asking me if I would like to join you for dinner then my answer is yes,” Thor said after chuckling at the omega’s sweet nervousness.

Ambrose smiled and nodded shakily. “Okay. Well, the bakery closes tonight at five.”

“I will let you return to your work,” Thor said with a warm smile. “I will come back before you close.”

“Okay.”

“Before I leave, I must purchase some things for the others.”

“What do they want?” Ambrose asked. When Thor told him, his smile returned. “I’ll put a package together. Just wait at the counter.”

Thor watched Ambrose scurry off and return a few minutes later with a large white box wrapped with a red ribbon. Thor accepted the package and his fingers touched the omega’s.

“Enjoy,” Ambrose said before saying goodbye and going back into the kitchen.

Thor left the bakery with the box and the pie dish in hand and a spring in his step. Perhaps the others were right after all. This was good for him. And he deserved it.

“Tell me everything,” Kate demanded when she found Ambrose in the back of the kitchen, rolling pastry dough.

“And don’t leave out the part where Thor caressed you,” Sara added.

“Okay, first of all- he didn’t caress me. And second- were you two spying on me?”

“Yep,” Kate said in a shameless voice.

“We watched you through the kitchen door windows,” Sara added in a very matter-of-fact voice.

Ambrose continued to roll the pastry, draping it over pie dishes and forming what would be the crust for a cherry pie. As he worked, he recounted every detail of what had happened.

“You realize that baking a pie for him is a clear message that you’re interested in him, right?” Sara said.

“It’s a thank you gift!” Ambrose sighed.

“Dear, a thank you gift would be some cookies or something. You baked a pie all for him. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re signaling your interest. You’re cueing him to court you.”

Ambrose jabbed a fork at the bottom of this dish, then scooped the filling inside. “I guess, on some level, maybe I do want that? I don’t know. It’s complicated for me.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Sara said.

“It does for me,” Ambrose murmured. He draped the slivers of dough over the top of the pie, arranging it in a complicated but beautiful lattice pattern.

“”That’s because you make it that way,” Sara went on. “Listen, I know Kate and I are betas and have no idea what you deal with. But I think we know enough that we know this is in your nature. And even if you weren’t an omega I’d be telling you to put yourself out there.”

“I kind of am,” Ambrose said. “I’m having dinner with him tonight.”

Kate and Sara’s mouths hung open and they stared at him in shock.

“Oh, is that all it takes to shut you two up?” Ambrose laughed before setting the cherry pie aside and getting to work on the pumpkin pie. “We need to beef up our pumpkin item supply. They’re going to be our highest sellers.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Kate said. “Forget about the pumpkins. You’re going on a date with Thor?!”

Ambrose shrugged. “I guess I am.”

Chapter Text

Time seemed to slip by more quickly than usual. Each time Ambrose looked at the clock, time seemed to jump ahead as if in fast-forward. As the workday came to a close, he found himself starting to second-guess his earlier decision.

"Oh, no," Kate said in a firm voice. "I know that look. That's the thinking look. I don't like it."

"You don't like when I think?"

"Let me rephrase that- that's your overthinking face," Kate clarified. "You get it when you take a good thing and pick it apart until you've convinced yourself it isn't."

Ambrose looked at Sara and she simply nodded in agreement. Before he could say anything to them, his phone started to ring. "It's dad. I have to take this," he said as he wiped his hands and walked to his office.

"Finally, the elusive game of phone tag comes to a close," his dad said when he answered.

"Sorry, it's been kind of a hectic day."

"How many pumpkin pies did you bake?"

"I lost count. And pumpkin muffins, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin bread. A lot of pumpkins had to die in the name of pumpkin spice season."

"So, what have you been up to over the last few days?"

"Oh, you know. A little of this, a little of that," Ambrose said. "Nothing exciting."

"You're most definitely lying to me."

Ambrose sat down at his desk and let out a sigh. "What gave me away?"

"You've never been good at lying. You do that overly-enthusiastic tone, like you're really trying to sell it."

"Noted," Ambrose said. "I'll keep that in mind next time I try to lie to you."

"What happened?" his dad asked, cutting through the bullshit.

Ambrose had been dreading this conversation for a few of reasons. One- he hated to make his dad worry. Two- he hated to incite the protective alpha dad tendencies. "So, before you get upset and go full alpha dad- know that I am totally fine. Not a scratch on me."

"Ambrose," his dad said, his tone lowering an octave.

"I went out for drinks and dancing with Kate," Ambrose began. As he told the story, he spoke in rapid fire. "We went to Flaunt because it was Omega night and omegas get in free and the drinks were half-price, which you know I would never do ordinarily but you and Kate have both been telling me that I needed to put myself out there more, so I decided..."

"Ambrose, buddy! Slow down. I already know about Flaunt because you told me that night, remember?"

"Oh. Yeah, I guess I did."

"Which means you're stalling."

"Okay. So, like I said- not a scratch."

"Ambrose!"

"Okay, okay! An alpha was trying to flirt with me and get me to dance but I didn't want to..."

"Did he put his hands on you?" his dad demanded. "If he harmed a hair on your head, so help me..."

"He spiked my drink with a Hot Shot," Ambrose confessed.

"You've got to be kidding me! Ambrose, how could you be so careless?"

And there's reason number three why I didn't want to tell you, Ambrose thought.

"Do you have any idea what those Hot Shots do to omegas? The kind of permanent damage they can cause?"

"Yes, dad, I know!"

"Then tell me why you ended up in that situation. Tell me why you weren't more careful. You never accept a drink that you didn't see get poured, son. I thought I taught you better than that."

"I didn't accept any drinks from him!" Ambrose shouted, his voice trembling. "He snuck it in when we were all dancing."

"Ambrose..."

"I was just trying to put myself out there like everyone keeps telling me to do," Ambrose carried on as tears threatened. He hated the surge of emotion. "Since everyone basically keeps telling me that I'm not being a good omega..."

"Omega," his dad said in a gently firm voice. "Omega, calm down and listen to me."

Ambrose sniffled and heeded the alpha command.

"You are a good omega, son. That should never be in question."

"I just want to...I don't know," he cried. "Figure my life out?"

"Omega, just take some deep breaths," his dad said before guiding him through a breathing exercise.

"I just feel like I've run away from being an omega for so long that I don't even know how to be one. Then I try to step out and I get drugged not even an hour into the night."

"Tell me what happened next."

"The Hot Shot started to work right away," Ambrose recounted. "The alpha tried to carry me off but then another alpha stepped in and pulled me out of his arms and punched him. Then he took me to the hospital to the omega emergency care unit."

"That's quite an alpha," his dad said in an impressed voice. "You're an omega male and you were in full-blown heat. It would have been hard for any alpha to resist."

"Well, he did. Then Kate took me home and watched over me until my heat finished."

"I'm so glad you're safe, Ambrose. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

"Well, there's more to the story."

"More? What more could have happened?"

"So, the alpha that rescued me was Thor," Ambrose said.

"What? Thor as in...Thor? The Thor?"

"Yes, dad. The Thor."

"That's...wow. That's an alpha," his dad said with admiration in his voice.

"He's been coming to the bakery every day since it happened," Ambrose added.

"Yeah?"

"I baked a pie for him. As a thank you."

"You know that's a very clear message, son. That you're open to being courted."

"I guess, maybe, I kind of am?"

His dad chuckled. "Son, you either are or you aren't. You don't 'maybe, kind of' let an alpha court you."

"Dad, I'm just trying to get comfortable with all of this. I'm hoping that maybe I'll take to it like...I don't know, a fish to water. I'm nervous and so unsure of myself"

"Just trust yourself, son. Your omega instincts will appear and you'll know what to do."

"I hope so. He's coming to pick me up to go to dinner tonight."

"My son is going on a date with Thor," his dad said with a smile in his voice. "Just be responsible, okay? Your birth control is up to date, right?"

"Wow, we really are running the circuit of uncomfortable topics. Yes, dad. My birth control is up to date. It won't need to be replaced for another few years."

When Ambrose presented, his father had insisted that he have the birth control implant instead of the daily medication. He had been on board with it as well because it meant he didn't have to have another daily reminder that he was an omega.

"That's good. No good getting pregnant when you're just navigating the romantic side of being an omega. Which brings me to the next order of business."

"Am I going to cringe?"

"When it comes to sex, alphas really enjoy pleasing their omega..."

"Dad..."

"So expect him to bring you to climax quite a few times..."

"Dad, I'm hanging up. Thor will be here soon."

His dad laughed, clearly amused with himself. "I love you son."

"I love you too, dad."

After he hung up, Ambrose looked at the clock and nearly jumped out of his skin. It was a quarter till five. He pulled the apron off and tossed it over the back of his chair. Then he ran out of his office and into the employee restroom to have a look at himself.

"You're incredibly hot so stop fussing over yourself," Kate groaned in the doorway. "You just need to clean the flour off of your face and you're good to go."

Sara came to the doorway wearing a cheeky grin. "Oh, Ambrose. Thor is here," she announced in a singsong voice.

"Is it too late to cancel?" Ambrose groaned as his nerves began to work him over.

"Only if you want to make a sexy alpha sad. He looks pretty overjoyed and excited."

Ambrose nodded and took a deep breath. "Right. Well, here goes nothing."

Thor entered the bakery feeling even more excited this time around. When Sara greeted him and he asked for Ambrose, the knowing smile on her face only contributed to his joy. It told him that he had been the subject of much conversation. She offered him a seat while he waited and, once again, his eyes were on the kitchen doors.

When he returned to the compound earlier bearing sweets and the good news, the others had bombarded him with questions.

"He baked you a honey buttermilk pie?" Tony gasped. "Can I have a slice?"

"Absolutely not," Thor said with a smug smile. "This is my treat."

"Remind me to rescue him next time," Clint said, eliciting a glare from Thor.

"And he even threw in a few extra goodies," Tony gasped when he opened up the box.

Thor looked inside to see that, in addition to the sugar cookies, brownies and cinnamon rolls, Ambrose had also packed some honeybuns and mixed fruit turnovers. His heart swelled at the sight. A caring and thoughtful omega was priceless in his eyes. Especially one so beautiful.

The kitchen doors opened and Thor looked up to see Ambrose walking out. He rose from his chair and grinned at him. "The others send their thanks for everything you sent. And the pie is delicious," he said, knowing that Ambrose tended to open up more when the subject of baking was brought up.

Ambrose beamed. "I'm glad you like it."

"I had to hide it from the others," Thor laughed. "You are very good at what you do."

"Thank you."

"Are you hungry?" Thor asked.

Ambrose nodded enthusiastically. "I'm very hungry. I got so busy today I sort of forgot to have lunch."

Thor's eyes widened and he came closer to Ambrose. "You must not do that, little one," he said in a gentle and caring voice as he stood just inches away and looked down into his face. "Omegas need proper nourishment."

The effect of the alpha's proximity and tone drew a little purr from Ambrose, which he covered up by clearing his throat. "I don't normally do that. I just had a lot going on today," Ambrose confessed.

"Let's go to dinner and you can tell me about it," Thor offered.

Walking side-by-side, they ventured out of the bakery and to Thor's car- a very large, bright red truck.

"You drive?" Ambrose asked.

"Of course," Thor said as he opened the passenger door for him. "There are many things I can do."

Ambrose shivered at the implication of Thor's words. The tall alpha helped him into the truck and he looked around while Thor walked around to the driver's side. The interior was clean, with black and red leather seats. Thor's scent- earthy, crisp and powerful- permeated the air.

"Stark tells me there is an Italian restaurant very close to your bakery that is quite delicious. Would you like that?"

"The new one? I haven't been yet. That sounds perfect," Ambrose said. He couldn't help but admire the way Thor had taken the lead while ensuring that he was pleased.

"Then that is what we will have," Thor said as he looked over at Ambrose and smiled.

The omega's scent filled the small space and Thor adored the way it felt to be in the company of such a beautiful omega. The urge to place a hand on his thigh or massage the back of his neck was strong. He almost wished the car ride would last longer just so he could enjoy the immersive experience more. When they arrived, they sat down at the table and were given menus. Thor peered over at Ambrose, admiring the thoughtful expression on his face as he studied the menu.

"You told me that you had a lot going on today?" he asked, longing to know more about the omega.

Ambrose nodded. "Just a lot of extra baking to restock our pumpkin items," he explained before going into an extensive explanation of just how popular pumpkin treats were during the fall. "I like pumpkin," he said. "But I think apples are kind of underrated as a fall flavor."

Thor watched Ambrose, amused and pleased with how enthusiastic he became as he talked about his apple pie recipe.

"Apple pie was the first thing I baked all by myself," he explained. "Of course my lattice crust was pretty bad-looking compared to now. It's definitely an art. I'm talking too much," Ambrose said, his tone suddenly becoming sheepish.

"Not nearly enough," Thor assured him.

Ambrose blushed and Thor wanted nothing more than to reach over and caress him. "How long have you been baking?" He asked.

"My mom taught me how to bake when I was little," Ambrose said. "It started with me just helping her. Measuring out ingredients. But then she started to let me do more. Soon I was doing a lot of the baking while she watched me."

"She must be very proud of you."

"I think she would be. She's been gone for a long time now."

Thor frowned at the sudden sadness that touched the omega's face and longed to rid him of it. "My apologies," he said in a sincere voice. "I did not mean to..."

"It's okay. You didn't know. And I don't mind talking about her sometimes."

"My mother is dead as well. And my father. And my brother- I think. He has the tendency to not stay dead." Suddenly realizing how morbid the conversation had turned, he steered back away from topics of loss. "But they are with me always. And your mother is always with you."

"Dad always says I remind him of her."

"She was an omega?"

Ambrose nodded. "The only other omega in my family. Everyone else is an alpha or a beta."

"You had no omega in your life to guide you?" Thor asked, suddenly realizing where some of Ambrose's timidness was coming from.

"No. My dad and older brother are alphas. They did their best though. Really, I never imagined I'd be an omega. Every man in my family is an alpha so I always thought I would be too. Omega males are rare anyway. When my first heat came I thought it had to be some kind of mistake." He shook his head and looked down at his glass of water. "I was so upset. And I just knew that dad and Dylan would be disappointed and ashamed of me."

"But they weren't."

Ambrose smiled at the memory. "When dad found out he cried. He was so happy. He told me he was proud to have an omega son. He and Dylan are very protective of me. Even though they don't know what it's like and couldn't really help me very much, they always did their best."

"But?"

Ambrose shrugged. "I never felt comfortable as an omega. Besides, it reminded me too much of my mother. Every day, I became more and more like her in so many ways. I used to want that but it just turned into this painful thing. It...hurt to be reminded. And I was afraid that it hurt dad and Dylan too. So I tried to ignore it. I threw myself into other things. Like making the bakery happen. Baking reminds me of her but it's never been painful like other memories. It always makes me feel like she's with me. In the memories I have of her, my mother is very special to me," Ambrose whispered, his voice harsh as he tried to hold back the emotions.

Thor reached across the table and took Ambrose's hand in his. "The world is a scary place. And we are all just trying to find our places in it. You will find yours, Ambrose."

"I thought I had. But now there's this whole other part of my life that's been neglected."

Thor kept his hand in his and continued to listen.

"Going out the other night- that's not something I really ever do. Kate convinced me. But I think, on some level, I recognize that a change needs to happen."

Thor observed the emotion in Ambrose and gently rubbed slow circles over the back of his hand. He saw in Ambrose an omega who was scared and timid but also starved for affection. In that moment, he was even more certain that he must be the alpha to woo and court him. "Change can be daunting," he said aloud. "But it can also be good for us."

Ambrose reflected on this as the waiter came back to take their orders and pour the wine. The very word scared him but wasn't a change what he longed for?

Chapter Text

"I hope you enjoyed the evening, " Thor said after parking his truck beside Ambrose's car. He was fairly certain that their evening together had been enjoyable for both of them, but he wanted to make sure.

"I did. Very much," Ambrose said. He looked over at Thor to find that the alpha was staring at him. He smiled and lowered his eyes.

"You are lovely," Thor said, his voice deepening.

Ambrose couldn't help but purr. This time he didn't try to hide it, which Thor saw as progress. He slowly reached out and cupped the omega's cheek and gently rubbed it. Ambrose leaned into his touch ever-so-slightly. Thor smelled the scent of a happy omega and leaned closer to him.

Ambrose enjoyed the feeling of the alpha's attention and his purring grew louder. He looked at Thor with a heavy-lidded and comfortable expression and stared at the alpha's mouth. He wanted it on his skin. He wanted to feel his strength as his powerful body surrounded him in a warm and secure embrace. He didn't want to unfasten his seat belt and crawl over into Thor's lap and taste him- he needed to.

Thor smelled the desire as it rose up and felt eager to feed the fire and let it burn. He wanted to claim him more than anything.

But as soon as the desire exploded, it collapsed in on itself. Ambrose turned his head away and Thor slowly dropped his hand.

"I should probably get home," Ambrose softly murmured. "So I can be up early."

Thor hid his disappointment and nodded. "I would be honored to be in your company again soon if you wish."

"I'd like that," Ambrose said, his tone conveying that he was sorry to be pulling away.

"I will see you tomorrow," Thor promised.

"I'll make sure the honeybuns are fresh," Ambrose.

Thor got out of the truck and walked around to help Ambrose out. Ambrose hopped down, stumbling slightly. Thor steadied him against his chest and Ambrose rested his head against it for a few seconds. "Easy, little one," he chuckled.

"I'm okay," Ambrose said. The alpha's scent flooded him with promises of desires satiated and new ones unearthed. "I guess I'm just tired," he fibbed.

Thor smiled down at him. He knew that fatigue wasn't what had made Ambrose so unsteady; it was that the omega was tired of not being fucked properly. "Then you should rest, omega," Thor said.

Ambrose looked up into his face, noting the hungry smile and darkening eyes. "I have to go to the market tomorrow morning," he whispered.

Thor tilted his head.

"To restock our supplies," Ambrose went on. "Usually Kate goes with me to help..."

"Would you like for me to accompany you to the market?" Thor asked.

"If you can. If you want to."

Thor chuckled. "I think you already know the answer, little one."

Ambrose smiled. "I suppose I do."

"We can even take my truck. That way we can carry your groceries better. I can pick you up in the morning."

Ambrose regarded his small-size SUV and compared the capacity of it to the large bed of Thor's truck. "That would be really helpful."

"I strive to be," Thor said before leading Ambrose over to his car. "Sleep well, little one," he said as he gave the omega's face one last caress.

When Ambrose got home, Blondie greeted him with persistent meows for attention. He picked her up and carried her up the stairs and into his bedroom. He undressed and got into his shower while the cat sat on the counter and waited for him to finish. As he washed, he couldn't stop thinking about Thor. The way he listened to him. The way he paid attention as he opened up about things he would never have felt comfortable sharing with a stranger. But Thor wasn't a stranger to him. Although he was still very new in his life, Ambrose couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to the alpha. Thor was attentive and caring in a way that wasn't overbearing, as was often the case with an alpha, from what he'd heard.

Then why did I do that stupid thing I did and pull away? he asked himself.

It was fear that pushed him away. He knew that the second he asked himself the question. But not fear of Thor; it was fear that he wouldn't be good enough. He, an omega who had never been knotted in his life, could hardly be a worthy lover. He suddenly felt very lacking in confidence as he thought about what sexual experiences Thor had likely had.

But maybe he can teach you, Ambrose reasoned with himself and began to imagine what it would be like to lay beneath Thor, spread open and willing. He smells amazing, Ambrose thought as his soapy hands glided across his body. His mind became hazy as he thought about how the alpha smelled and how strong and sturdy he felt when he held him. His arousal peaked and he started to touch himself when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was his father, he decided not to ignore it for fear he would make him worry and shut the shower off.

"I had a really nice time tonight," he said when he answered the phone.

"That's good. So, what's he like?"

Ambrose flew into a retelling of the night's events. He couldn't have kept the smile out of his voice if he'd tried.

"Well. It sounds like you may have found yourself an alpha," his dad said.

Ambrose slipped into bed and Blondie hurriedly got in with him and curled up on his feet.

Sleep quickly claimed him, pulling him deep into its embrace. Dreaming began, painting his subconsciousness with beautiful, vibrant colors. He lay on a blanket in a field of wildflowers, staring up at the pristine blue sky. But then a swirl of storm clouds marched from the horizon, darkening the sky. Ambrose sat up on his elbows and watched as streaks of lightning erupted and a heavy rain began to fall. Despite the downpour, he remained lying there. Rainwater drenched him, soaking through his clothes.

Overhead, another crackle of lightning and thunder rang out and the figure of Thor appeared. He floated down from above, his armor and cape denoting his power. The massive, lightning-streaked ax gleamed in his hand. When he landed on the ground, Ambrose stood up. Thor struck the earth with his ax, leaving it embedded into the ground before hurriedly pulling Ambrose into an embrace.

"Wanted you all day," Thor murmured in his ear before kissing him hungrily.

Ambrose touched Thor's face, rubbing his beard before reaching for his armor. As he sought out ways to undress the alpha, Thor had already pulled his soaked clothes off of him, exposing his naked flesh to the air.

"Going to fuck you so good, omega," Thor growled, eliciting a needy whimper from the omega.

Thor tugged his cape off and it fell to the earth at their feet along with his chest piece. Ambrose explored his body with unrestrained craving. His hands found the buckle of his pants and he unfastened it.

"My cock has been hard all the way here," Thor grunted.

Ambrose reached into his pants to see just how hard he was and a loud, droning sound tore through the dream and delivered him back to consciousness. Irritably, he grabbed his phone and shut off the alarm before collapsing back on his pillow.

"Kate's right," he groaned. "I am fucking horny."

Chapter Text

Thor left the compound well before the sun even thought of rising. The night before, he told the others about his date.

"Wait a minute- you mean he didn't even let you kiss him?" Tony asked. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously," Thor said.

"That sucks!" Tony groaned. "Do you think he's teasing you?"

"First of all," Clint said as he approached. "I don't think anyone would tease Thor."

"You find me attractive, Barton?" Thor asked with a cheeky grin.

Clint rolled his eyes. "Geez, you make ONE comment and people want to run with it."

"Clint's right," Natasha said.

Thor lifted a brow. "In that I am attractive?"

Natasha exhaled. "In that no one would tease you."

"He is afraid," Thor said, his smile stalling. "I will be his first."

"He's never had sex?" Tony asked. "Like, at all?"

Thor nodded his head before diving into what Ambrose had told him at dinner.

"That's...wow, that's sad," Bruce said. "No wonder he's so nervous. He has no experience or confidence."

"I want to build him up," Thor stated with vigor. "I want to help him see himself."

The others smiled as Thor paced back and forth while he told them all about Ambrose. Each of them felt indebted to the omega for helping Thor begin to loosen himself from the grip of his depression by giving him something to feel happy about. Something to fill his heart.

"I am taking him to the market tomorrow morning," Thor carried on. "He has invited me to go with him."

"That's somewhere on the list of things I never thought I'd see," Natasha said. "Thor going to a farmers' market."

"Perhaps I will be rewarded with a kiss," Thor said. "Though just being near him is rewarding."

"I hope so, buddy," Steve said.

As Thor drove to Ambrose's house he found himself reflecting on everything that had happened to him. The omega was certainly a lovely distraction, but his grief was never too far away. Though more distant, it still had a hold on him.

Asgard may be a people rather than a place, but he couldn't help but feel he had broken the spirits of his people by triggering Ragnarok. Then, when they needed him to be their king most, he'd been unable to be what they needed.

Is that the sort of alpha an omega would wish for? He asked himself as he parked in Ambrose's driveway. He stared at his reflection in the rear view mirror. "No. Today I will not think such thoughts."

With that mantra spoken, he got out of the truck and approached the front door of the quaint two-story white brick house. The door was painted apple red and it opened before he could even knock.

"Good morning," Ambrose said as he welcomed him inside. He was dressed in jeans and a warm looking green pullover.

Thor was immediately taken with the charm of the place. Though the compound he lived on was certainly grand, and the palace he had lived in was even more so, Ambrose's house had a certain warmth and coziness to it that the others, for all their qualities, lacked. It was warm and lived in.

And it smelled of Ambrose which made it a heavenly place.

"I have fresh coffee," Ambrose announced as he led Thor into the kitchen. "I remembered how you like it," he said as he handed a travel mug to Thor.

Thor smiled down at the mug. "Thank you..."

"Wait, there's more," Ambrose said as he turned and grabbed a brown paper bag. "I wasn't sure if you would have already eaten so I made breakfast sandwiches for us."

Thor longed to ravish the omega right there in his pristine and well-equipped kitchen. The sweet thoughtfulness and care were like aphrodisiacs for him.

"I didn't know if you preferred bacon or sausage so I made both," Ambrose went on.

"You are spoiling me, little one."

Ambrose shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you did rescue me. And you're helping me with getting bakery supplies. It's the least I can do."

"Then I must keep doing these things."

An orange cat darted across the floor and leaped onto the counter to get a better look at Thor.

"And who have we here?"

"This is Blondie. Who knows better than to be on the counters," Ambrose sighed as he picked up the cat and set her down on the floor.

"She just wanted to be near me," Thor said. "Cats often do."

Ambrose's cheeks flushed at the double meaning in Thor's words.

"That...came across wrong," Thor said in a hurried voice. "I simply meant that cats like me. That is, I have a way with cats." He sighed and shook his head. "I should probably stop talking."

Ambrose smiled up at him. "I hope not. Otherwise this morning won't be nearly as fun as I'm hoping it'll be."

Thor took a big drink of coffee and smiled. "Shall we then?"

Ambrose hopped up into the truck with a boost from Thor and buckled up as he walked around to the other side. While Thor settled in and started the truck, Ambrose reviewed his shopping list.

"This is delicious," Thor said after a swallow of breakfast sandwich.

Ambrose looked over and smile when he saw the piece of biscuit caught in Thor's beard.

"What is it?" Thor asked with a confused smile.

"Biscuit in your beard."

Thor wiped at his face, missing it completely. "Did I get it?"

Ambrose sighed and reached over, gently pulling it out of his whiskers. "There," he said before putting the crumb in the paper bag. "All clean."

Though it was something small, Thor's heart swelled at the feel of being tended to by the omega all the same.

When they got to the market, the presence of an Avenger caused quite a stir. They found themselves the center of attention, and Ambrose watched with amusement as Thor interacted with everyone so warmly. As they shopped, people would come up to get a picture or ask a question. Thor was happily accommodating to everyone. And as they gathered the items on the list, the alpha showed his eagerness to be as helpful as possible. When he wasn't picking up the items Ambrose needed, he was watching as the omega studied them to find the best.

"What is it?" Thor asked later on as they carted Ambrose's purchases off to the truck.

"You're not what I expected."

"Oh?"

"I always imagined you would be so gruff. Grizzled. Brooding in that warrior type of way."

"I was all of those things up until recently. I still am at times."

"But you're warm. And friendly. And..."

Thor reached for the case of fruit preserves at the same time as Ambrose and their hands touched. Rather than pull away, they remained touching.

"And?" Thor asked. He looked down into the omega's eyes and licked his lips.

"And..." Ambrose looked down at their touching hands. "I start purring every time I think about you."

"A lovely sound," Thor murmured. Then, because he didn't want to push Ambrose to far, he nodded toward the truck. "Should we head to the bakery?"

Ambrose nodded. "Probably. Sara and Kate will have already opened up. There's probably already a crowd."

When they arrived, Thor promptly began to unload everything and place it where Ambrose asked. Ambrose's attempts to do any work were refused by the alpha.

"Well, I think you've earned a honeybun for your trouble," Ambrose said after the last of the groceries were put away.

"Just took a batch out of the oven," Sara called out from across the kitchen.

Thor grinned as he looked around at the big kitchen. "So this is where you make your magic."

Ambrose smirked at Thor's wording. "I would offer a tour but it's not really that interesting."

"Nonsense," Thor said as he moved closer. "Show me."

The warmth of the alpha's presence was like a blanket for Ambrose. As he walked around and showed Thor the kitchen, he noticed the amused smile on the alpha's face. "What is it?" He nervously asked.

"When I was a boy I used to sneak into the palace kitchen and steal sweets when no one was looking."

Ambrose laughed at the visual of little boy Thor racing out of the kitchen was an armload of desserts.

"I was a troublemaker," Thor went on as he plucked a donut hole from a fresh batch and popped it into his mouth.

"It looks like that hasn't changed."

Kate walked up to them and grinned. "How was the market?"

"A little busier than usual," Ambrose said.

"I just took an order for a wedding cake," Kate said as she handed the order slip to Ambrose. "Time for you to work your magic."

Ambrose smiled as he reviewed the order. "This is going to be a big job," he said.

"He loves big jobs," Kate said with a little smirk.

"Vanilla cake with buttercream frosting," Ambrose said as he scanned the order. "With four tiers, lattice icing, and buttercream roses." He reviewed the expected number of guests for the wedding reception and knew this was, indeed, going to be a very big job. He grabbed his nearby notebook and leaned over the counter as he began to jot down some notes.

"I should leave you to your work," Thor said as he openly stared at the curve of Ambrose's ass through his jeans.

Kate caught the alpha staring and smiled encouragingly at him. He looked at her and flashed a devilish smile of his own and she had to hide her laughter.

"I love doing complicated cake designs," Ambrose said, far too excited to notice the exchange. "Lattice icing is beautiful but can be tricky. It takes a very steady hand."

"I know it will be beautiful when you finish it," Thor said.

Ambrose turned around and smiled up at him.

"I will leave you to it," Thor said as he placed a gentle hand on Ambrose's shoulder. "And I will see you soon."

Ambrose nodded. "Don't forget a honeybun," he said.

"I would never," Thor declared.

While Ambrose got busy with the project, Kate walked out of the kitchen with Thor. When they reached the front, she got a honeybun for him and poured a cup of coffee.

"I'm glad I was able to get you alone," Kate said as she sat down at the table across from Thor. "Because I want to give you some tips about Ambrose. Not that I think you're doing a bad job or anything. But a little insider information never hurts, right?"

Thor leaned forward. "I am all ears."

"Okay. So, if he ever says he has to feed his cat, that's his way of getting out of something. But he's lying. Blondie has an automatic feeder."

Thor nodded.

"Also, his favorite thing- and you're going to love this- is a thunderstorm."

"Is it?"

"Absolutely. Ambrose loves nothing more than to curl up under a blanket with a book- especially when there's a storm. He says it's calming."

Thor stroked his beard as thoughts of conjuring a thunderstorm before making love to the omega played out in his head.

"He loves pizza. Preferably when he makes it because his pizza crust is out of this world. And if he likes you, he'll always make sure you have some kind of treat. If he really likes you- he'll let you bake with him."

"Hmm."

"He probably told you this, but his mom taught him how to bake when he was little. It's a really special thing for him. So if he shares that with you, know that you're special to him too."

Thor smiled at the idea of sharing something so intimate with Ambrose.

"Anyway, those are my tips. If I think of anymore I'll let you know."

"They are appreciated," Thor said.

Ambrose finished cleaning his workspace when Sara approached him wearing an amused smile.

"Yes?"

"Thor is here to give you a ride home."

"Oh," Ambrose said with a self-deprecating tap to the forehead. "I forgot that he drove me here today."

"If a man like that drove me to work I wouldn't forget it," Sara teased. "Why don't you head on out? I'll finish cleaning up."

After making sure that Sara was sure, Ambrose went to the employee bathroom to make sure he looked presentable, then gathered his things. The night air was crisp and made him shiver the second he walked outside. But the sight of Thor leaning against his truck, hands jammed into his pockets and a smile on his face warmed him.

"You look like you're up to something," Ambrose playfully accused.

"That is because I am," Thor answered. "I have dinner for you."

"Oh, you didn't have to..."

"Nonsense," Thor said as he opened the passenger door and held out a hand.

Ambrose laid his hand in Thor's and let him help him up into the seat. "So, what's for dinner?" He asked when Thor got in.

"I have ordered pizza," Thor said.

Ambrose sighed. "That sounds really good."

When they got to Ambrose's house, the pizza delivery man arrived shortly after. While Thor paid for the pizza and tipped the driver handsomely, Ambrose grabbed plates, napkins and drinks. He joined Thor in the den where the alpha was already setting up a space for them to eat.

"I was unsure of what you liked, so I ordered a few different pizzas," Thor explained.

Ambrose lifted the lid off of one of the pizzas, revealing a meat lovers. "This is perfect," he said. "I'm going to go upstairs real quick to change clothes. I'll be right back."

Ambrose changed into a large sweatshirt and shorts and grabbed a blanket off of his bed. As he did so, the sound of rolling thunder announced the arrival of a storm. He smiled happily at the thought of cozying up at home while it stormed outside. Especially next to Thor. A purr escaped his chest and he smiled at his reflection.

When he came back downstairs, Thor had already filled Ambrose's plate for him. The big alpha had removed his shoes and jacket, revealing a simple white t-shirt that stretched over his chest and biceps. Ambrose sat down on the sofa just as a crash of thunder called out in the distance. He shivered excitedly and smiled when Thor looked over at him. "I love thunderstorms," he confessed. "There's something really calming about them. Unless the storm is right on top of me, of course."

Thor smiled at the omega. "Then it is a good thing you are in the company of the god of thunder."

"Do you want to watch anything?" Ambrose asked.

Thor would have been content simply watching Ambrose. "Whatever you like."

"You're my guest. What do you like to watch."

You, Thor thought longingly. "Something funny," he said aloud.

"Perfect," Ambrose said.

While they ate pizza, they watched several episodes of various comedy shows. Though Midgardian humor was something Thor was still learning to grasp, he was more than happy to see Ambrose laughing. And it felt good to be laughing as well. It reminded him of the way things used to be. Before Ragnarok. Before everything...

As the evening crept on, Ambrose became more relaxed. Soon, fatigue hit him and his eyes became heavy. He softly fell asleep. As he rested, his body shifted until it was pressing against Thor. The alpha slowly encircled him with his arm and the omega's head dropped to rest against his chest. Thor's heart sang with joy at this intimate connection. The omega felt safe enough to be in his company and to fall asleep with him. Content and happy, he let his eyes shut as well.

Chapter Text

"The sun will shine on us again," Loki said before unleashing his deceptive ploy to kill Thanos.

As before, in the dream Thor was shackled and powerless as he watched his brother die before his eyes. Though adopted, it mattered very little. Loki was his brother. And he loved him.

"No resurrections," Thanos had hauntingly declared before leaving Thor to cradle his brother's corpse as the ship disintegrated around them.

He had lost nearly everything. His parents. His best friend. His home. And now his brother. Was there nothing that fate would permit him to hold onto?

The ship broke apart and the cold vacuum of space seized him, pulling him away from Loki. In the last seconds of consciousness, he watched as his brother floated away from him, set adrift in a sea of darkness.

Ambrose stirred awake and took a moment to get his bearings. He was lying on top of Thor. There was no mistaking the big, hard body beneath him or the scent that filled Ambrose's head. Thor's big arms were wrapped around him and the blanket was thrown over them. Desire kicked Ambrose's senses but the sounds of Thor grunting in his sleep drew his concern. He looked up at Thor's face to see him grimacing as his head tossed from side to side. Recognizing the signs of a nightmare, he scooted up so that his face was pressed against Thor's, his beard tickling his face. He held onto him tightly and began to purr.

Thor's eyes snapped open as he escaped the nightmare and he was suddenly enthralled with the steady, comforting sound of purring. He tightened his arms around Ambrose's body and felt an overwhelming emotion pierce him.

He is comforting me. He is embracing his omega nature and using it to comfort me.

Thor steadied his breathing and began to nuzzle against the omega, scenting him in the process. "Omega," he whispered in a rough voice. "What are you doing?"

"You were having a nightmare," Ambrose whispered against him. "And I wanted to comfort you."

Thor smiled and tried to let this moment of joy overcome his distress. He inhaled Ambrose's honey scent and rubbed his hands up and down his back.

Ambrose could feel Thor's heart pounding against him, a signal that he was still tense. He began to caress Thor as well, emboldened by their closeness in the warm dark. "It's okay...alpha," Ambrose murmured.

A pleased rumble came from Thor's chest and his hands began to rub in more sensual movements. Using his title in such a way was incredibly intimate. He could sense the nervousness in Ambrose when he said it. But he said it all the same. As if I'm worthy of him fighting his nervousness, he thought to himself. "My sweet little omega," he said aloud.

Ambrose happily sighed at the praise and inhaled deeply, taking in Thor's musk and allowing it to tantalize him. He could feel desire radiating and the hard, prominent length of Thor’s erection pressing against him only provided further proof of this.

"Thank you, little one," Thor said as his hands slowed down and stopped. He rested them at the small of Ambrose's back.

"What were you..." Ambrose said before stopping, fearful that he was being too intrusive.

"Dreaming about?" Thor asked.

"Yes. If you want to tell me. If you don't it's okay."

Thor let out a sigh. "So much, omega. So much, I can't think of where to begin."

"Wherever you like," Ambrose said as he curled into Thor.

"There are times when I wonder if I am living up to my potential. Times when I ask myself if I am capable of being what I am supposed to be. I...I have failed so many times. And each failure has hurt more than the last."

Ambrose heard the emotion in Thor's voice. It was a jarring contrast of tone to have him shift from easygoing, relaxed and friendly to this darker, and morose presentation. It felt like when the sun hides behind clouds and the day cools and darkens. Ambrose longed for the sun to shine again.

"I failed my people when I was meant to protect them," Thor went on. "I am sure you are aware that my kind live on earth now. As refugees. A once proud and noble people brought low. Our home...Asgard...was destroyed. Father told me that Asgard is a people rather than a place. But the earth my people walked for time immemorial is gone. And it's my fault."

Ambrose listened closely, hoping to catch every word, every emotion.

"My sister, who I didn't know existed, came back after my father followed my mother in death. She waged war on my brother and me. Cast us out of Asgard and sought to rule it. And from Asgard, rule all worlds. I returned to Asgard with an army. And we fought Hela and her wraiths. But it didn't matter. She was far too strong. It took a very desperate act to defeat her."

"What did you have to do?"

"Hela's life force and power were tied to Asgard. Without it, she would die. So I did the only thing I could- I set Ragnarok into motion. I... watched the fire demon prophesied to burn my home rise up from the palace. I saw him plunge his sword into the core of Asgard. Obliterating it forever."

Ambrose tried to imagine watching earth crumble as everything he'd ever known and every place that had ever been special to him ceased to exist. Tears stung his eyes.

"Little one?" Thor asked as he shifted so he could see Ambrose in the moonlight that filtered in through the window.

Ambrose realized he must have made a crying sound. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize to me," Thor said as he reached up and caught Ambrose's tear.

"I don't know what I would do if I saw that. It must have been heartbreaking."

"And that wasn't the last tragedy to befall me," Thor said. "The ship we escaped on was attacked by Thanos."

That name sent a chill up Ambrose's spine. Thanos, the being who attacked earth. He could still remember the fear he'd felt when alien forces invaded earth like they had years prior.

"He killed my brother," Thor explained. "Right in front of me. I know Loki had not endeared himself to the people of earth. I know you may not hold him in high regard..."

Ambrose shook his head and put a hand on Thor's cheek. The alpha stopped talking and looked at him. "But he was your brother," Ambrose whispered. "You loved him."

"Yes. Yes, I did." Thor was quiet for a heartbeat before continuing. "After he murdered Loki, he killed my best friend. He and his lackeys claimed many lives before the survivors could evacuate to earth. And I was left for dead. I was picked up by a ship and then I went to the realm of the dwarves to forge a weapon strong enough to kill Thanos. You see, Hela destroyed my hammer. Yet another loss.

"When I arrived on earth, Thanos's armies had already mounted an attack on Wakanda. I went into the battlefield with a thirst for blood. I saw in Thanos every loss, ever pain. I made him the face of my sorrows."

"You killed him," Ambrose murmured.

"I did," Thor said. "When he had subdued the rest of my teammates, I made my move. My weapon- Stormbreaker- was more than a match for the cosmic power he had acquired. I threw it with all my might and it cut through his power as if it were nothing. When I landed on the ground, his head had been cut clean from his body. He was dead at my feet."

"But you didn't feel better."

Thor shook his head. "No. I thought it would appease that ache inside of me. I thought it would make me feel better. That I had avenged my brother, my friend, my people. All of those whose lives were taken by him and his people. My quest for revenge had been satisfied. But I had never felt so empty inside. That is the thing about revenge- it does not bring back what you lost. And it does not fill that emptiness."

"But you saved so many people that day," Ambrose argued. "I'll never forget seeing it happen. Kate, Sara and I sat in my office and watched the news while it happened. We watched you kill him. And people cheered in the streets. Because you saved them."

Thor shut his eyes. "And then I crumbled beneath the pain of my losses. I became so consumed with sorrow that I was unable to be the king my people deserve. Before you, I spent my days drinking and isolating myself. Because I failed to be what I was supposed to be.”

"You're a hero," Ambrose said. "No matter what you may think about yourself, you're a hero."

“You are sweet to me, omega.”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

Thor smiled again. “When your sweetness came into my life I knew I had to change my path.”

Ambrose stared at Thor. The idea of this heroic alpha feeling compelled to change his path because of him was humbling. He was an omega who had spent too much time running away from himself. Too afraid to truly live. And now this alpha was presenting himself to him. Courting him. And he felt an overwhelming sense that he didn’t deserve it.

“There are storms in your eyes, omega,” Thor said, bringing him back to himself.

“It’s just that you’re an amazing alpha. I never thought I would know an alpha like you.” Then, because he didn’t want to confess the rest of what he felt, he nuzzled into Thor and feigned sleep until it came.

Thor held him close, enjoying the feel of his warmth of his smaller body in his arms. But something in the way Ambrose has ended the conversation left him with questions.

Chapter Text

Ambrose woke the following morning in his bed alone. Despite wishing that he could wake up in Thor's arms, he hardly blamed the alpha for not staying. He was sure that Thor knew he was holding something back. A wall had shot up just as they were warming up to one another. And it was all on him.

"Well, Blondie, it looks like it's going to be you and me alone forever, huh?"

Blondie turned around and prissily walked out of the room.

"Well, fine then," Ambrose chuckled sadly. He hopped into the shower, opting for a cold blast to wake him up and help him shake off his feelings. But as he dressed, had his morning coffee and breakfast, then drove to the bakery, he couldn't get Thor out of his head. Regrets plagued him but he couldn't help but think it was all for the best. In his mind, Thor was completely out of his league, anyway.

The second he entered the kitchen, Sara and Kate walked in after him. They bombarded him with questions about how his night went.

"I need to get started," he said in a short voice.

Both women exchanged worried glances.

"Everything okay?" Kate asked.

"It's fine. I just want to get ahead on some things."

Shortly after the bakery opened, Sara walked by to tell Ambrose that Thor had arrived. Ambrose was dumbstruck by this, having assumed Thor wouldn't visit after last night. Wiping his hands on his apron, he shakily walked up to the exit and slowly pushed the door open.

Thor sat at a table close to the kitchen, his customary honeybun and coffee on the table in front of him. He looked up when Ambrose peered out and smiled softly at him. "Sit with me, omega," he said.

Ambrose felt the primal urge to obey the command and sat down across from him. "About last night," he murmured. "I..."

"I had a great time with you," Thor said with a radiant smile.

"You did? I mean, you did."

Thor smiled and reached over to take Ambrose's hand. "Of course I did. Thank you, by the way."

Ambrose tilted his head.

"For your company. And for listening to me. And for what you said."

Ambrose looked down at Thor's hand on his. "I should probably get back to work," he muttered, unable to meet Thor's eyes.

"Little one?" Thor said in a questioning voice. "Did...did I do something wrong?"

Ambrose shook his head. "No. No, you're great. I...I just need to...I have to finish the wedding cake."

"Can I call on you tonight?" Thor asked.

Ambrose looked into Thor's puppy dog eyes and could barely find it in his heart to deny him. "I promised Kate and Sara I would go to dinner with them," he fibbed.

There was a sadness in the omega's demeanor and Thor felt frustration growing inside of him. "Omega, talk to me," he gently demanded. "Did I do something wrong?" he repeated.

"It's not you. I just...I need to figure some things out."

Thor leaned closer. "Let me help you," he implored. "I can, you know?"

Ambrose bit his bottom lip. "I just need room to think. I feel overwhelmed."

Thor slowly leaned back and loosened his grip. "I am sorry. I was...intense, I suppose."

"No," Ambrose whimpered as he shook his head. "I promise, you're...so good. It's me. I just need to catch up with my feelings."

"I see," Thor said as he stood up. "I will give you your space then."

"Thank you," Ambrose said.

Thor gave him a melancholy smile. "Of course."

Ambrose stood on his toes and hugged him. He pressed his lips to his cheek for a few seconds. Thor wrapped his arms around his waist, lacing his fingers. Ambrose leaned back and looked up into Thor's eyes and saw the hope in them.

"I promise I'll figure myself out."

"And I promise I will help you," Thor said as he rested his forehead against his. "If you will let me."

"Can I call you?"

Thor smiled. "Of course you can."

"And now I don't know how to act around him," Ambrose sighed as he leaned back in his chair and stared at Sara and Kate's expressions. "I know you're both thinking I'm stupid. I agree."

"You aren't stupid, Ambrose," Sara stressed to him. "You're just trying to find your footing. For what it's worth, I think you were very brave for going as far as you did."

"I didn't kiss him. Not a real kiss, anyway," Ambrose groaned as he hid his face in his hands. "I should have kissed him for real."

"Maybe, but what you did was even more beautiful than a kiss, in my opinion," Kate said. "Anyone can kiss a person. But you listened to him. You heard him and you comforted him. If he doesn't see how special that was or how much you were stepping out of your comfort zone for him then he isn't worth it."

Ambrose shut his eyes and tried to hold back his tears.

"Talk to us," Kate prompted. "Say something."

Ambrose shook his head. "All I could think was 'here is this amazing, incredible, out of this world alpha. And then there's me. The inexperienced, virgin with no confidence'. He deserves way more than that."

"Okay, I've had enough," Kate said as she stood up and backed away from the desk. "I'm not going to sit here and listen to this. If you want to feel sorry for yourself then that's your business. But I'm not going to be a part of it. You, Ambrose Valentine, are one of the kindest, hottest, most talented and driven people I know. And I refuse to listen to the way you're talking about yourself right now."

Ambrose opened his mouth to say something but Kate simply turned and left the room.

"Okay. So she was a little rough with the delivery," Sara sighed. "But she is right, you know?"

Ambrose sighed. "I need to finish the wedding cake."

Sara stood up and walked over to him and draped her arms around his neck. "I love you. You know that, right?"

"I know. I love you too."

"And I also know that you do your best thinking when you're baking. So why don't you go and finish that cake and just think, okay?"

Ambrose nodded in agreement and threw himself into his work. Soon, the cake was assembled and decorated. He snapped a picture for the bakery's website and stored it away just as a familiar sensation hit him. His core fluttered and he knew that he was in preheat. He could feel his skin warming and pulled off his sweatshirt.

"Are you alright?" Kate asked as she found him with his face in the freezer. "You're sweating your ass off."

Ambrose leaned back and smiled shakily at her. "I'm about to go into heat," he muttered. "I thought the hot shot would have just triggered an early one. But I guess my body is still on its normal schedule."

"You should get home. I'll drive you."

Ambrose didn't have it in him to argue. He hastily grabbed his work bag and followed Kate to her car. As they drove, he looked over at her and reached for her shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he muttered.

"Don't apologize, dear," Kate said with a warm smile. "I should apologize. I was a bit harsh."

They arrived at Ambrose's house and he promptly went upstairs to his walk-in closet. He peeled off his sweat and slick-coated clothes and shut the door behind him.

"I'm putting water by the door," Kate called out.

"Thank you," Ambrose sighed as he lowered himself to his blankets and cushions and attempted to get comfortable."

"Are you going to be okay? I can stay around if you need me to."

"I'm fine," Ambrose answered. What he needed more than anything was to be alone. But as he settled down, a sharp and tremendous pain ripped through him and he winced loudly.

"Ambrose? Ambrose, what's wrong?" Kate asked from the other side of the door.

"It...it hurts," he gasped. The pain was unreal and it just kept getting worse. It was like his nerves were an elastic band being pulled tighter and tighter. Any second, he swore that he would snap completely. "It's never hurt like this before."

"Ambrose, let me call Thor."

"NO!" Ambrose cried out. "I can...I can handle this. I'll be okay.

Kate opened the door and knelt near him. "No, Ambrose, this isn't okay. You look really bad, dear."

Ambrose pulled his knees to his chest and trembled as the ache erupted. "I just need to be alone. Tend to myself," he groaned.

"You like Thor. You said it yourself. He can help you. Why the hell are you being so damn stubborn about this?!"

"Kate, please. Just go. I'll take care of this. I always do."

Kate shook her head and stood up. "Okay. But I'm checking on you after work. And if you're still like this I'm calling Thor. I don't care what you say."

After Kate left, Ambrose shakily reached for the box and pulled out the alpha scent and the dildo. Slick poured from him and his core let loose a collection of agonizing spasms. He tapped the tablet to wake it up and promptly played the first video he could find. He opened up the essence and inhaled deeply before taking the dildo deep inside of him. He felt like a ravenous creature as he fucked himself in every possible angle, his body responding with a plentiful collection of orgasms.

But even as the dildo's knot was inflated, he felt that something was wrong. The pleasure was tainted by the agony his body was feeling. On and on it went, until Ambrose finally satisfied himself enough to fall asleep, hopeful that when he woke things would be different.

But when he woke up the pain was still there, like a sharp knife slicing back and forth and up and down his core.

Need alpha, his primal thoughts told him.

He knew what was happening to him. He had read about it and had been dreading it. His heat cycles would start to be more painful without an alpha. Pain was not an uncommon sensation for an omega in heat. Usually Ambrose could quell the ache by tending to his heats alone in his nest. But the techniques he relied on since he could remember had become less and less effective until he no longer gleaned pleasure and satisfaction from them. He needed an alpha.

Later, when Kate stopped by to check on him, she brought Sara along.

"I know you don't want to hear this. But you need an alpha, babe," Sara said when they found him in tears and in need of something to take his mind off of the aching, empty need inside of him. "I know you're a big strong omega who don't need no alpha man to take care of you. But this is getting out of hand."

"I know," Ambrose quietly whimpered.

"I'm serious, Ambrose. Listen- I say this as your friend who loves you and wants you to be safe and happy and thriving. You need to find some way to make peace with how you view yourself, and you need to accept that this is your nature. If you don't you're just going to become more miserable."

While Ambrose continued to work at satisfying that need inside of him and stop the pain, Sara and Kate sat downstairs at his kitchen table.

"He needs Thor," Kate said. "I should call him."

"But Ambrose said not to."

"I don't give a fuck what Ambrose said. He is in agony, Sara. You saw it. He's hurting. Whether he wants to admit it or not, his body needs an alpha. And Thor is the alpha for him."

"Okay. Do you have Thor's number? Because I don't."

"Shit."

Ambrose's phone started to ring and Kate snatched it up to see that it was his father who was calling. She answered by quickly sounding off to him about what was happening.

"I'm on my way," his dad said before hanging up.

"What's he going to do?" Sara asked.

"Beats the fuck out of me."

When his dad arrived, he brought a woman with him that neither of the girls had ever met. "Sara, Kate," he said before ascending the stairs.

Ambrose's breathless cries and screams met his ears even before he'd reached the top of the stairs. He snarled, angry with his son's pain, and turned to the woman. "This isn't how I pictured introducing you but it'll have to do."

They entered Ambrose's room and his dad knocked on the closet door. "Son, it's me."

"D-dad?" Ambrose stammered. "What are you doing here?"

His dad could tell that Ambrose was trying to keep from sounding like he was in agony but he wasn't very convincing. "Son, I've brought someone who can help you. Another omega."

The closet door opened just a crack and Mary slipped inside with him. She lay down near him and began to massage his scent glands and loudly purr. "Just breathe," she said in a calming voice. "Breathe with me, okay?"

Ambrose nodded, his face coated in sweat and his eyes almost feral.

"Good job," Mary soothed. "Keep doing that."

"I was afraid of this happening," his dad muttered as he sat in the den with Kate and Sara. "I knew it was coming. I warned him." He shook his head. "Where is Thor? I thought Thor was courting him. Why isn't he here tending to his omega?"

"Because Ambrose pulled away and told him he needed space," Sara explained.

His dad shook his head again. "My hardheaded omega," he chuckled sadly. "So headstrong."

Hours later, Mary walked downstairs and sat down with them. "He's asleep," she announced. "He's not hurting right now but he'll be awake again soon and will need my help again." She looked at his dad. "How long do his heats usually last?"

"Between three and five days. Usually five."

Mary nodded. "We should stay the whole time, of course." She touched his dad's arm. "Does he not have an alpha to take care of him?"

"It's complicated."

The four of them remained at Ambrose's house, and each time he awakened and began to scream, Mary hurried back to him to soothe him.

"I'm doing my best, but it's not going to help nearly as much as an alpha would," she explained.

"His heat will start to relax more going forward. It should be less intense and hurt far less after this first night," Mary explained. "I'll stay with him through the rest."

"Sorry, awkward point- but I thought sex usually calms omegas when they're in heat," Sara said.

"Not for him," Mary said. "Sex won't touch what he's experiencing unless it's the real thing. But my scent is calming for him. Deep breathing and scent gland massages also help." She smiled at his dad. "He'll start to get better soon. But he needs to find an alpha before his next heat. Because it's only going to get worse."

Chapter Text

Through the haze of heat and pain, Ambrose reached out for water. His dad and friends had been very attentive to him, helping as well as could be expected. And that omega woman had been checking in on him regularly as well.

It's not enough, he thought as he chugged an entire bottle.

His skin was on fire and the ache inside of him was raw and angry. He had gotten through the first night of the heat with help. But the thought of experiencing this again brought him to tears. His body began to shake though he was far from cold. His teeth chattered and he knew that it was an amalgamation of fear and pain.

Has anyone ever died from a heat? He wondered.

A knock on the closet door snapped him from the thought and Mary promptly entered and lay down beside him. He inhaled the calming scent of her- lavender- and tried to do the breathing exercise she was talking him through while she massaged his scent gland.

"Who are you?" He asked. Despite his condition, he was somewhat more controlled in that moment.

"My name is Mary," she said with an easy smile.

"Why are you here? I mean...I'm grateful. But why?"

Mary purses her lips. "Ben...your father... brought me."

Ambrose detected the subtle and not-so-subtle hints. The way she used his name with such care in her voice. The way she hastily hid the warmth of mentioning him.

"He's with you," Ambrose said.

Mary looked away from him. "Yes."

Ambrose went quiet, focused entirely on breathing. The pain and the heat were actually welcome distractions in that moment.

"We didn't want you to find out this way," Mary said in a hesitant voice. "I...I know how much your mother meant..."

"Means," Ambrose grunted. "How much she means to me."

Mary was quiet again.

"This isn't really a good time," Ambrose finally said. "For this conversation."

A stinging whip of aging lashed him and he began to cry again. But it wasn't just the pain that had a hold on him; after so long without his mother, his father had moved on. Every day it felt like she was slipping further and further away from him. And now his father had found someone new. He knew, rationally, that this was a good thing for his dad. He knew that he was being unfair. But in that moment he couldn't fathom the idea of his father being with anyone but his mother.

"I think...maybe...you should go," he spoke through clenched teeth as the pain reached a dreadful new height.

"Ambrose, I want to help you," Mary whimpered. "Please let me help you."

Ambrose began to pull away, no longer able to feel comfortable with this strange omega who was taking his mother's place in his father's life.

Well, she won't take your place in my life, mom.

"Ambrose."

He turned away from her. "You should go. Please. I can't deal with the pain and this at the same time."

Mary have his shoulder one last touch and whispered to him how sorry she was before leaving the nest and closing the door behind her. Once he was alone, he curled himself into a ball and buried his face in a pillow to hide his crying.

Mary walked back downstairs just as Kate and Sara were arriving. The bakery had closed early, as was customary when Ambrose was in heat.

"How is he?" The girls asked in unison.

Mary leaned against Ben, tears welling in her eyes.

"What happened?" Ben asked as he pulled her into his arms and examined her. "Tell me, omega."

"He's more alert today. But still in a lot of pain. He...he asked me who I was and why I was here. I told him you brought me to help."

"And he told you to go away," Ben muttered.

"He's really emotional right now," Kate offered. "Maybe once the heat goes away he'll be able to talk about it without being upset."

Ben shook his head. "No, this isn't just heightened emotion from him being in heat." He squeezed Mary against his chest. "Ambrose has never fully recovered from losing his mother. We all still grieve and miss her. But Ambrose never allowed himself to really move past it."

"I would never try to replace her in any of your eyes," Mary assured him.

"I know. And once we can all sit down and have a conversation, he'll know that too."

"If he's resisting Mary now, he'll need other help to make it through the next few days," Kate said. "I think we should get in touch with Thor. Even if we have to go to Avengers compound and bang on the door until they let us in."

"He didn't come to the bakery today?" Ben asked.

Sara shook her head. "No. If we saw him we were going to tell him what was happening and bring him over. Whether Ambrose liked it or not."

"Wait a minute," Kate huffed. "Ambrose's phone! His number has to be in there. How else would they be in touch? Didn't Ambrose say he told Thor he would call him?"

"We're idiots," Sara sighed. "Let's go get his phone."

"If he'll give it to you," Mary said.

Kate shook her head. "Oh, I'm getting that phone. His hands are probably my so sweaty I could just pull it right out of them anyway," she said with a smile.

Together, they crept up the stairs and into the hall, pausing occasionally to listen. When they approached his bedroom, there wasn't a sound coming from Ambrose's nest. It was decided that Ben would be the one to take the phone. If Ambrose woke, he could at least use his alpha voice to subdue his protests.

Ambrose was sound asleep, though it was not restful. He tossed and turned, groaning in his sleep. Ben shook his head and fought back tears as he snatched the phone from the pillow beside his son.

"Okay," Kate said as she accepted it and began to go through Ambrose's contacts until she found Thor. "I'm calling him."

"That was a well-fought battle," Thor remarked as he surveyed the graveyard of demolished robots.

"Yeah, especially when you share some it with the rest of us," Tony remarked. He landed on the ground with the others and retracted his helmet to playfully glare at Thor.

"Lay off of him," Clint said. "He's working through his sexual frustration."

Natasha looked behind her at the broken chunks of the once imposing and massive robots. "Well, beating up robots is the next best thing if you can't beat the..."

"Nope!" Steve said, cutting her off. "Don't say it."

"What was I going to say, Rogers?" Natasha asked with a raised brow.

Steve folded his arms over his chest. "Nothing."

"He doesn't know," Clint said.

"Yes I do. She was going to say 'beat the pussy up'," Steve said, whispering the last few words.

"Uh-oh! Steve said a dirty word!" Tony cried.

Steve shook his head and looked down. "I was tricked."

Thor laughed and swung the ax back over his shoulder. "I would never beat Ambrose's pussy up," he said with a big smile. "But I would certainly make it purr."

"Pepper is supposed to go into heat this weekend," Tony said with a cheeky grin. "Very much looking forward to that experience."

Steve shook his head and laughed.

"Oh, come on, Rogers!" Tony groaned. "Don't tell me you don't have a good time with that little omega you've been seeing."

Steve shrugged. "She's going into heat this weekend, too."

"I want to go home," Clint sighed before turning and walking away.

"Agreed," Bruce said as he held his pants around his, having just left his Hulk form.

"Yeah, all this alpha bravado is making my head hurt," Natasha said with a smile.

As the Avengers boarded the Quinjet, Thor sat back and watched his comrades and laughed as they engaged in the banter he'd come to love. But as he sat there with his thoughts, Ambrose haunted him. If he closed his eyes and made believe, he could see him- beautiful and sweet, with his face dusted in flour and a smile. He could imagine the scent of him. He remembered every touch and how the omega's body felt against his. He thought about their last time together. The way he had looked so tragic, but no less beautiful, as he told Thor that he was overwhelmed and needed to allow himself to catch up with what he was feeling. Then he'd hugged Thor. And kissed his cheek. A sweet and sincere action that stayed with him and kept his heart warm. The omega cared for him, he knew. He just needed to be patient.

"You look like you're trying to solve all of the world's problems," Steve said as he broke away from the others. He sat down next to Thor and gave him a knowing look. "What's wrong, Thor?"

"I am not sure there is anything wrong."

"Tell me about it?"

Thor sat back and dove into everything. The way Ambrose had comforted him. The way he'd purred and held him close. Told him he was a hero. Made Thor fall deeply for him.

"It sounds like you've got yourself quite the omega," Steve said.

"Have I?"

Steve frowned. "Are you kidding me? He trusts you enough to fall asleep in your arms. Plenty of alphas out there who would take advantage of an omega if they could. And he trusts you enough to fall asleep with you. He bakes for you. And if he's willing to embrace his omega to comfort you then he definitely feels something for you."

Thor couldn't help but smile as he took in his friend's words. "My omega," he whispered.

"You just need to seal the deal when he's ready for you. And he will be. Trust me, Thor."

Silence settled in for a few moments as Thor reflected on everything.

"So, what are you going to do?" Steve asked.

"I must go to New Asgard. I need to see my people. Show them that I am becoming whole again. My people need hope. And I must give it to them. I must lead by example and show them."

"And when you get back?"

Thor smiled. "I will claim my omega...when he is ready."

Ambrose woke up screaming, though it came out as more of a whimper at that point. His voice was shot from the crying and no amount of alpha essence or knotted dildo could fix the ache within. Day two was coming to an end and he could only hope that this heat wouldn't last a full five days.

If mercy exists, he thought to himself, then it'll end in three days.

"Try again," Sara suggested as she and the others sat downstairs.

"I've already called him a dozen times," Kate snapped. "I've called, I've texted, I've left voice messages. He's not returning anything."

"This is ridiculous," Sara fumed. "I thought he cared about Ambrose!"

"You don't think he gave up and went off to find someone else, do you?" Mary asked.

"No," Kate said. "No, he wouldn't do that. I don't know him that well. At all, really. But I saw him with Ambrose. I know what smitten looks like. And he is."

"Maybe he doesn't have his phone on him?" Ben suggested. "He's still pretty new to living on earth full time, right? Maybe he's just not used to having his phone on him at all times like the rest of us."

"Well, he picked an awful time to leave it behind," Sara sighed.

"So, who's the omega?" Valkyrie asked after Thor arrived and greeted everyone.

"What do you mean?" Thor asked.

"You're all...happy. Again. It's disgusting, really. So who are they?"

"Does there have to be an omega?"

"Don't be coy, Odinson," Valkyrie said.

Thor beamed. "His name is Ambrose. He is a baker."

Valkyrie laughed. "That is exactly what your life has been missing."

"What is that?"

"Sweetness."

When Thor returned to the compound the following day, he went up to his quarters to change into mortal clothes before making a trip to the bakery. When he finished dressing he noticed that his phone lay on his bedside table.

"Silly thing," he sighed as he picked it up. "I need to remember to carry it."

He woke the phone up to find that he had several missed calls, texts, and a voice messages from Ambrose. He went to his voicemail box instead of the texts; he wanted to hear his voice.

"Hey, Thor. It's Kate from the bakery. Listen, there's kind of an emergency. Ambrose is in heat. And he's in a lot of pain. It's pretty bad. When you get this can you please come to his house. He needs you."

Thor's smile shattered and a massive wave of guilt struck him. Ambrose was suffering and he had been unreachable. Without further thought, he tore out of the compound, flying quickly to Ambrose's house.

Chapter Text

“He can’t have another dose of AntiTherm,” the omega specialist said when Ben called the omega emergency care unit after it was clear that Thor wasn’t going to answer his phone.

“Are you kidding me?! He’s suffering!” Ben snarled.

“I understand that, Mr. Valentine. But AntiTherm is not safe to use so soon after it’s already been administered. Exceeding the recommended dosing can place him in AntiTherm toxicity. He could experience irreparable damage to his reproductive system as well as his kidneys.”

“I’m worried that he’s going to Drop,” Ben said in a tone he hoped sounded as reasonable and non-confrontational as possible.

“Dropping, as you know, is a medical emergency in omegas,” the specialist said. “Has he begun to display any symptoms?”

“Not yet.”

“If he starts to become unresponsive, his breathing becomes shallow, or his scent decreases or becomes nonexistent then you need to bring him to the hospital right away."

"And what will you do for him then?"

"If he Drops, then he’ll begin to go into organ failure. He'll have to be admitted to the Omega Intensive Care Unit. Mr. Valentine, I don't mean to pry. But why isn't your son with an alpha?"

"He doesn't have one. It’s complicated.”

The specialist was silent for a few seconds. “Is there anyone who might be able to help him through it? Someone he trusts and who you know he would consent to even outside of this situation? I remember that Thor brought him here. And, forgive my prying, but it seemed like he was interested in your son.”

“We’ve been trying to reach him.”

“Okay. If you aren’t able to reach him and the symptoms I described occur, please bring him in right away.”

“What is Dropping?” Sara asked when Ben returned to the kitchen table where the others were sitting and drinking coffee.

“It’s a rare medical condition that happens when an omega is in distress. Scared, hurt. It’s a way for them to protect themselves from further harm. But it’s dangerous too. Because our bodies will start to shut down. The body starts to shut down things that aren’t necessary, but it can escalate to life threatening organ failure.”

The others listened to Mary’s explanation with a universal reaction of fear.

“Okay, where the actual fuck is Thor?” Kate snapped.

“I’m looking through social media,” Sara said. “It looks like the Avengers just fought of an army of robots on the west coast. And there’s something here about Thor visiting New Asgard.”

“Any chance he’s the one posting about all this?” Kate fumed.

“Nope. It’s all other people or news outlets that are posting the stories. Thor doesn’t have a social media presence. Unlike Tony Stark, who tweets every time he breathes, apparently.”

“Well,” Ben said with a false front of strength to hide his fears. “We should just keep watching over Ambrose. Monitor him for symptoms.”

“We should keep doing shifts,” Mary said.

“Sara and I have to go to work,” Kate said in a hopeless voice. “But we can take over this evening when we get off.”

Ambrose opened his eyes and reached for the gallon jug of water that seemed to have materialized itself during his sleep. He gratefully chugged it until it was empty and then lay back on his blankets and pillows. After he took a few deep breaths, he searched for his phone. Not finding it, he looked at his tablet instead. Another day had passed, which meant he’d gone through three days of his heat. And though five days were possible and had happened before, he could already tell that his symptoms were resolving. The ache in his core was receding. He felt less hot and was no longer sweating. And his slick production appeared to have ceased.

“I made it through,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“Are you alright?” Ben asked as he slowly opened the door. “I heard you moving.”

Ambrose’s let out a chuckle that burned his throat. “I breathed too,” he quipped.

Ben shook his head. “Well, I know you’re better now because you’re back to being a smart ass.”

Ambrose pulled a towel from nearby and wrapped it around his waist before standing up. Ben reached out a hand to steady him and helped him walk out of the closet. Sunlight fell on his face and he shielded his eyes from it.

“Come on, let’s get you to the kitchen. You’ve got to be starving right now.”

“Yeah, I could definitely eat something,” Ambrose agreed.

When they made it downstairs, Mary was sitting at the table with a mug of tea and a book. At the sight of Ben and Ambrose, she hastily slid a bookmark between the pages and got to her feet. “Are you hungry?” She asked with a concerned expression. “I’ve been cooking since this morning, expecting you to maybe be out of your heat today. I wanted to make sure you had a nice, high calorie meal waiting for you.”

Ambrose looked at her as if she were an intruder, then promptly walked by her and opened the refrigerator. He pulled out a bag of turkey pepperoni and began to shove handfuls into his mouth.

Ben and Mary exchanged worried looks but remained quiet.

Ambrose propped himself up against the counter, not wanting to be near either of them. In the haze of the intense heat, he’d convinced himself that Mary had been some sort of mirage. But seeing her standing in his kitchen, next to his father, proved this to be wrong. A cold chill ran through him and he had to look away. “When were you going to tell me?” He asked.

“Son, I don’t think we need to have this conversation right now.”

“No, let’s have it,” Ambrose snapped. “Let’s have the conversation.”

Mary looked uncomfortably down at her mug of tea.

“Son,” Ben said in a gentle voice. “Mary and I met several months ago. It started as a friendship. But soon we felt stronger feelings. We bonded. And we’re mates. And I’m happy.”

Ambrose felt stricken. “All this time, and you never said anything.”

“Because I knew you would react this way and I wanted to try to figure out some way to do this without things getting out of hand.”

Tears threatened and Ambrose forced himself to be calm. It was easier than he thought it could be, given he was exhausted from his heat.

“Son. I loved your mother. And I will always love her. And I know you feel the same way. But she is gone. She’s gone and we have to pick up the pieces of our lives and let ourselves live. She would want that for us. I know that in my heart and I know you know that too. Your mother wouldn’t want any of us to be alone and in constant mourning. She would want us to honor her life by living.”

Ambrose trembled and Ben stood up and crossed the room to embrace him. He shook his head and tried to pull away for fear of losing himself to his emotions.

“Omega,” Ben gently said. “Let me.”

Too tired and weak to resist the alpha command, Ambrose allowed himself to be held. Mary crept out of the room, giving father and son privacy.

“I miss her so much,” Ambrose whispered. “It hurts. And I’ve tried so hard to avoid the things that remind me of her because of how much it hurts.”

“I know, son.”

“And…and I’m angry!” He’d never voiced these feelings before. But now he felt that the dam had been demolished and there was nothing holding him back. “I’m so mad that she’s not here. I’m so mad that I grew up without her. There were so many times that I needed her. And she wasn’t there. It’s not fair and it makes me so mad.”

Ben crushed Ambrose against him and rubbed his back. “I know you are. I know. And I know it’s caused a lot of problems for you in your life. We saw just how severe those problems can become, didn’t we?”

“Yeah.”

“Son. You’ve been turning your back on who you are for so long. And it’s done nothing to serve you. You’ve tried to fill your life with your passions and your dreams, but you’ve cut yourself off from what matters- loving someone and allowing yourself to be loved back.”

“I’m scared,” Ambrose confessed. “I’m scared because I don’t know how to do it. And…and Thor is such a great alpha, dad. He’s…he’s just like those romance stories I read but never tell anyone about. I didn’t think that stuff could be real. But it is.”

“Of course it is.”

“But I’m not good enough for him. I’m…why would he want half of a person?”

“Son, you have everything it takes inside of you. You just need to let it all out.”

“I don’t have any confidence…”

“A good alpha will build that with you. A good alpha will tend to you and nurture you. Just let it happen and you’ll be surprised how much you bloom.”

Ambrose laughed at his father’s words.

“Let’s use a baking analogy,” Ben said. “You’ve got all the ingredients going for you, son. To bake the perfect cake. But your missing the sugar. The thing that sweetens everything and makes it so good. That’s what your life is missing.”

Ambrose sniffled. “I guess so.”

“Guess so? Son, that’s a fact. If your life was a cake no one would want to eat it.“

Ambrose looked up at his dad. “Okay.”

“It would suck balls.”

“I got it, dad.”

“It would be just like when Aunt Sally bakes her annual chocolate cake at Christmas time and everyone pretends to like it but they’re secretly spitting it into napkins.”

“Really, dad?”

Later, when Kate and Sara arrived, they entered the house with huge smiles of relief on their faces.

“We were so scared,” Sara said as she and Kate hugged Ambrose between them.

“I can tell,” Ambrose groaned as he was squeezed tight.

“Quit complaining and give us this,” Kate scolded. “We thought you were going to Drop.”

“Yeah, dad told me that was a big worry. But I’m fine. Really. Just hungry.”

Kate and Sara looked at the large pizza box to find it empty.

“Wow, you didn’t even save us a slice?” Kate asked.

Ambrose smiled. “How’s the bakery?”

“It’s good. Running smooth. The wedding cake got rave reviews. The bride-to-be cried.”

Ambrose’s smile broadened, then shifted to an expression of apprehension. “And…did Thor stop by?”

“No,” Kate said.

“It makes sense,” Ambrose sighed. “I did tell him I needed space.”

“We actually tried to call him several times,” Sara confessed. “You were suffering and we didn’t know what to do and we just wanted you to be okay,” she carried on with an apologetic tone.

“It’s okay! Really, it’s fine,” Ambrose comforted her. “But…he never called back?” He looked at his phone to see that there were no new calls or messages whatsoever. Despite the lightness his mood had taken on, he couldn’t help but feel a certain degree of hurt.

“He was off Avenging and seeing his people,” Sara said. “Maybe he just hasn’t looked at his phone yet. I mean, I never saw him use it once in the times I’ve seen him. Maybe he just doesn’t use them like we do?”

“Maybe,” Ambrose said in a voice that said he wasn’t convinced. “I probably pushed him away to be honest. I mean, why would…”

“Why would what?” Sara asked.

Ambrose had been about to say ‘why would he want an omega like me?’. “Why would I expect him to answer after the way I left things?”

“Uh, with a kiss on the cheek and a promise to call him? I’d say you left things in a good spot.

Ambrose shook his head. “No, I pushed him away. I told him I needed to figure myself out. Maybe that’s just too complicated for him?”

“I doubt that,” Sara said.

“Then why hasn’t he made contact? It’s been over a day now.”

Kate and Sara exchanged helpless looks. “I don’t know, dear,” Kate said.

Ambrose looked down at his phone, then put it on the table facedown. Then he laid his face in his hands and started to cry.

Kate and Sara sat down on either side of him and patted his back.

“It’s okay, Ambrose. It’s going to be okay,” Sara said.

“I ruined everything by being so closed off,” Ambrose said, his voice muffled.

“You didn’t,” Kate assured him. “Seriously.”

Ambrose sat back up and wiped his eyes. “And dad is seeing a new woman.”

“I was wondering when that was going to come up,” Kate said.

“And I’m trying to be okay with it. He talked to me for a while about everything. About mom and how she wouldn’t want us all to live and find love. And now that I’ve realized that, I’ve sabotaged myself.”

“You’ve had a lot happen in the last few days. I think you really need to just get some rest and then we can start tomorrow better,” Sara said.

“Get you back in the kitchen,” Kate added. “You know you always get so happy when you’re baking.”

Ambrose nodded. “Yeah.”

But on the inside all he could think about was what his dad had told him. That the recipe of his life needed more.

Chapter Text

Foregoing his truck, Thor hefted Stormbreaker up and stalked outside while the others looked after him with varying expressions of concern.

"Everything alright?" Steve asked while he jogged out after the Asgardian.

Thor shook his head and looked over his shoulder at Steve. "No, but it will be. I will make sure of it."

Steve took a few steps back and watched as Thor lifted Stormbreaker over his head and summoned the Bifrost. Beams of multicolored light shot down from the sky and enveloped Thor. When they retreated he was gone, leaving behind only a ring of runes burned into the lawn.

Ambrose showered, put some pajamas on and got into bed. Satiated and free of his heat symptoms, he realized how incredibly exhausted he was once his head hit the pillow. He curled up into a hall and hugged a pillow against his chest while Blondie situated herself on the bed near him.

As he lay there in bed, he could see the sky outside. It was gradually approaching sundown and the sky was a beautiful mix of orange and pink. He tried to focus on the beauty of it and all of the ground he covered with his father instead of his fears about Thor. But as he snuggled up against the pillow he couldn't help but wish it was Thor. Why did he ignore the calls and texts? Ambrose was convinced that he had no one to blame but himself.

Just as the last of the sunlight disappeared from view, he fell asleep.

Thor touched down in Ambrose's front yard, his heart racing as he immediately made for the front door

"What the hell was that?" Kate asked as she jumped up from her place on the sofa.

"It's...it's Thor!" Sara cried out as she peered through the curtain.

Kate got beside her and the two of them watched as Thor, dressed in blue jeans and a black tank top, ran toward the house with his ax in hand.

"Girl," Sara sighed. "He came through."

"Yeah, a little too late," Kate grumbled as she stormed off to the front door and opened it just as Thor was raising a fist to knock.

Thor lowered his fist and swallowed nervously when he saw the cold expression on Kate's face. "I have come for Ambrose," he announced as he looked around her and inside the house.

"He's upstairs in his bed," Kate said as she moved to one side.

Thor hurried into the house and set Stormbreaker down by the front door.

"He's resting," Kate explained. "He's had kind of a rough few days."

"Resting? Is he not..."

"He's not in heat anymore," Kate said. She folded her arms across her chest and glared up at him.

Thor shook his head. "But your message..."

"Is two days old," Kate said. "He made it through alone."

Thor's concern immediately shifted to absolute guilt. "I did not have my phone," he explained. "I came as soon as I received your message."

"Right. You finally got the message and decided to rush over because you thought you'd get an easy fuck out of the deal..."

"Kate," Sara spoke up from behind them. "Lay off. He didn't ignore us purposely and he's clearly as upset as we were. And I think we all realize that Ambrose means a lot more to him than that."

Kate shut her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. But Ambrose means so much to me. And...seeing him like he was. It really scared me."

"This heat was really painful," Sara added. "He was...in agony. I've never heard someone cry and scream like that. His dad was here. He was worried that Ambrose was going to...

"Drop," Thor muttered angrily.

"Yeah. But he didn't. He's okay now."

"I must see him," Thor declared. "I must lay my eyes on him and know he is safe."

"You know the way," Kate said. "But please let him rest tonight. Aside from the heat, he's had a lot of emotional stuff happen."

"I want only for him to be safe," Thor pledged. "You have my word."

Thor took the stairs two at a time and arrived at Ambrose's bedroom door. When he opened it, the sweet honey of the omega met him immediately. His eyes fell upon the bed and he took in the sight of Ambrose as he lay there and held the pillow tight against him. As he approached the bed, he looked over at the open closet, knowing that his nest was in there. He thought about the omega being shut in that space for three days of suffering and his heart fell.

He approached the bed and the omega rolled onto his other side and let out a sleepy little whimper that made Thor's chest tighten with affection. Slowly and gently- as gently as a man his size could- he slipped into bed next to Ambrose. Then, with slow and careful movements, he pulled him close.

Ambrose moved in his sleep, his body conforming to Thor's like it was the most natural thing in the world. He nestled against Thor, drawn to his warmth. His breath came even and peacefully and he began to mumble sleepy gibberish that tugged a smile from Thor.

"You are safe with me, little one," Thor whispered into his hair. "I will never let you endure this again. If you would have me."

Ambrose stirred in the middle of the night and felt something firm and warm wrapped around him. His eyes fluttered open and his mind, still straddling wake and sleep, tried to piece together where he was. The texture beneath him wasn't that of his nest, which he'd gotten so used to laying in. As he began to realize that he was in his bed, he noticed that he wasn't alone.

"Little one? Are you alright?" Thor whispered to him in the dark. His voice was apprehensive, almost afraid. It was jarring for Ambrose, as he had never heard fear in the alpha.

"Thor?"

"Yes," Thor said as he embraced Ambrose tighter. "I am here."

Ambrose pulled himself away from Thor's arms despite wanting nothing more than to be in them. Thor reluctantly released him. He sat up on the opposite end of the bed and hugged his knees to his chest.

"Omega?" Thor asked. He propped himself up on his elbow and stared at his face in the moonlight, searching it.

"Why didn't you answer?" Ambrose asked. "Kate told me she called you yesterday and you never answered her."

"I did not have my phone," Thor quickly supplied. "I am not accustomed to carrying it. I know this is not a good excuse. And I am sorry."

Ambrose absorbed this explanation and remained quiet.

"Say something to me," Thor pleaded. "Anything. Tell me you are angry with me. Tell me anything. Anything but silence."

"I thought I pushed you away. I thought you felt like this wasn't worth your time."

"Both of those thoughts are wrong, little one," Thor said. He sat up and moved so that he was sitting in front of the omega. "You have to know that."

"I mean, I wouldn't blame you if you did. I've been convincing myself that even if that wasn't true, I'm not...what you deserve."

Thor frowned and moved closer. He took Ambrose's hands in his and stared deep into his eyes. "What I deserve?"

"Someone like you deserves a whole person. Not...whatever I am."

Thor's frown deepened into an angry scowl. "Whatever you are? And what is that, omega?"

"I don't know how to be an omega. I never let myself and now...now it's all I want and I can't..."

"Stop this, omega," Thor demanded. "It is clear to me that you do not see yourself as you truly are. But I do. Would you like to know what you are?"

Ambrose took a deep breath but Thor continued.

"You are kind and gentle. But also very strong. You bring happiness to the world around you with your gifts. You have lifted my spirits and shown me that life can be sweet- something I had not believed could be possible. You are a whole person. And I want you."

Ambrose was rendered speechless by Thor's words. He could only stare at where their hands were joined as his words ricocheted throughout his heart. "I felt like I made the biggest mistake when I told you I needed space," he finally said. "It was all because of my insecurities. I should have told you instead of pushing you away."

"I am here now."

Ambrose surprised himself by quickly crawling into Thor's arms. The alpha gathered him up and lay back. Ambrose pressed his lips to Thor's. He kissed slowly at first, testing himself. When Thor opened his mouth and slowly slipped his tongue into his, the omega began to kiss with more confidence, recalling the romance stories he'd often read and using them as a guide. But soon Thor began to take the upper hand, leading the way as the kissing grew more passionate, more hungry.

Ambrose rolled and pulled on Thor, physically telling him to get on top. With a pleased growl, Thor quickly complied. He covered Ambrose like a blanket, gently mindful of his size in comparison to the smaller omega. As they continued to make out, Ambrose's hands traveled along the expanse of Thor's back. He reached under his shirt, moving upward so he could lay his hands on the smooth, muscular back.

"Omega?" Thor asked when he broke the kiss.

"I...I want you...alpha."

"I want you, too, omega," Thor groaned. "But you need to go slow. You are still recovering from your heat."

Ambrose nodded as his body caught up with his desire.

Thor nuzzled into his neck, rubbing against him. "Would you like to talk to me about what has happened? Your friends told me that the last few days have been very full."

Ambrose nodded and curled into Thor's body as he readjusted so they they were laying on their sides, facing one another. Thor rested a hand on his thigh, rubbing slowly up and down. The warmth of the alpha's hand radiated throughout his body.

"My dad came to help and brought...his girlfriend. She's an omega. She stayed with me for a while and soothed me. But it started worsening. And I learned that she and dad were together. It hurt almost as much as my heat. And I couldn't be around her. I didn't feel comfortable with her."

Thor was quiet in his understanding of why Ambrose would feel this way toward his father's omega.

"After I came out of it, dad and I talked. He told me that constantly grieving her wasn't the way to honor her memory. He told me she would want me to embrace myself."

“He is right,” Thor agreed. “Omega…tell me about your heat.”

"Well...my heat cycle was..." Ambrose paused and considered his next words. He didn't want to make Thor feel worse than he already did. "It was harder than before."

"They told me they feared you were going to Drop."

"Yeah."

Thor could tell that Ambrose was holding back. "You do not have to hide it from me. I want to know. I want to know so I can make it better."

"It hurt," Ambrose confessed. "There's always some pain. But it's usually soothed when I...well. This time was different. It just kept hurting. It kept getting worse. I don't think I've ever felt anything like it. And I know everyone felt helpless because there wasn't much they could do."

"It will take a long time before I can forgive myself for not hearing your call," Thor said in a morose tone.

"It's okay. You didn't have your..."

"It is not okay," Thor said with a determined voice. "If you are to be my omega I must protect and take care you you. I must tend to your needs. An omega forced to go through their heat alone may as well not have an alpha at all."

"But I do...right?" Ambrose asked nervously.

Thor's serious made gave way to laughter and he squeezed Ambrose against him. "Of course, little one. And when your next heat arrives, we will make it official."

Ambrose smiled. "Just two weeks."

Thor grinned. "I will count down the days."

Chapter Text

Ever since the dreadful heat, Thor had doubled down on his courting tactics. Ambrose came to see Thor as even more of a gentle giant. He came to see Ambrose each morning that he could, and the omega frequently invited him over to his house.

A few days prior to his next heat cycle, Ambrose began to get more tense. A combination of preheat hormones and fear of the pain had him on edge. Thor took notice of this and did everything he could to ease the omega. By the time his preheat approached, Ambrose was ready.

Thor was never far from his thoughts, but as his heat approached, he was all but consumed with these thoughts. As far as alphas went, Thor was elite. Big, strong and handsome. Powerful. Authoritative. Dangerous to his enemies but safe and gentle with his friends and family. He showered Ambrose with praise and attention, always making sure his needs were met. The idea of sex with the alpha excited him.

"Little one," Thor said when Ambrose found him in the bakery on the morning before his heat. "How are you?" Thor asked as he stood and hugged the omega he openly adored.

Ambrose reached out and grabbed Thor's forearms, eliciting a pleased response from the alpha. A low, gentle growl rumbled in his chest and he stared down into the omega's eyes, his own suddenly filled with pleasure. "Little one?" He asked in a low and deep voice.

Ambrose swallowed as desire started to build inside of him. Just being near Thor and smelling him made it hard enough to maintain his composure. But touching his skin, feeling the strength of him, added another layer. "I need your help," he whispered, shyly averting his eyes.

Thor grinned. "Whatever you need, little one."

Ambrose took a deep breath. Be brave, he told himself. He looked around, noticing that people were watching them. "Could we...maybe go somewhere less crowded?"

Thor smiled and took his hand. The alpha's hand was big, warm and felt like home wrapped around his smaller hand. They walked out of the bakery.

"What is wrong?" Thor asked when they made it outside.

In the sunlight, Thor was golden and handsome. Ambrose had to take a few seconds to steady himself. "Well...my...um...my heat cycle is coming."

"Yes, I know. I can smell that you are in preheat. And your cycle begins this evening."

"Right," Ambrose uttered. Thor had familiarized himself with Ambrose's heat cycles. "I was wondering if...maybe...that is, if you're not busy saving the world or something...if you would possibly consider...if it's not too much trouble..." Ambrose took a breath. "Helping me with my heat?"

Thor's expression of concern blossomed into one of immense joy. "You know very well that I would be honored to spend your heat with you, little one. When should I call on you?" Thor asked.

"It's going to start around six tonight."

Thor grinned. "I will be there."

Ambrose left the bakery in Sara and Kate's hands and spent all of that day trying to prepare himself for what was about to happen. He spent the rest of the afternoon tidying up his house. Then, as the day shifted to evening, he took a shower. After he dried off, he stood naked in front of the pile of clothes he'd pulled out for consideration. He tried on everything and in every combination before finally deciding on a comfortable pair of lounge shorts and a tank top- something to show skin.

He was just giving his house another quick once over when there was a knock on the door. His heart leaped into his throat and he had to stop and take serval deep breaths to compose himself before answering.

The first thing Ambrose noticed was that Thor had a bouquet of flowers in one arm and a shopping bag in the other. He wore snug blue jeans, boots and a red and black flannel shirt- all of which perfectly accentuated his muscular build and size. His long blond hair was gathered in a loos ponytail, a random braid adorning it. The scent that wafted off of him drew excitement out of Ambrose.

"Good afternoon!" Thor greeted him, his smile radiant as he looked down at him.

"You didn't have to bring anything," Ambrose said as he offered to take the bag.

Thor presented the flowers instead and Ambrose felt a delighted purr rising up in him.

"I brought food and drink for you," Thor explained as he walked into the kitchen and set the bag on the counter. He began to pull the contents out. Grape and cherry flavored bottles of Pedialyte - Thor had clearly remembered some of Ambrose's favorite flavors- as well as an assortment of snacks. "Omegas become very thirsty during their heat. I am told that Pedialyte will be good for hydrating you. And I recalled how much you like the chewy candies."

Ambrose smelled the flowers and blushed when Thor caught him admiring them. He averted his eyes and looked at Thor through his lashes. "You didn't have to..."

"Nonsense! What sort of alpha does not tend to his omega?"

Ambrose smiled from behind the flowers at Thor's words and tried to focus on the basics- such as breathing.

Thor, reading Ambrose's nervousness, pulled another item from the shopping bag- a bottle of wine. "I thought perhaps we could enjoy a glass of this together."

Ambrose retrieved his corkscrew and glasses and Thor popped the bottle open while he put the flowers in water. He turned around and led Thor into the den. The sofa felt so small with such a big alpha sitting next to him. Thor's knee rested against his. Ambrose took a deep gulp of the wine that quickly turned into him drinking the entire glass, much to Thor's amusement.

"Should we?" Ambrose started to say.

Thor laid a warm hand on his thigh and squeezed. "Slow down," he said before turning so that he was looking into Ambrose's eyes. "We have all night. All week, really. There is no need to rush. This is your first time with an alpha. It should not be rushed. It should be special."

Ambrose looked down at his empty glass. "Okay."

"What have you been up to today?" Thor asked.

Ambrose warmed up to the fact that Thor was working at making him feel more comfortable. It, along with his presence, the wine and Ambrose's hormones, seemed to crack open his desire. Thor's nostrils flared as he caught the scent of Ambrose as it began to intensify. His heat cycle was about to come on, Thor knew it. His pupils dilated and his own scent washed over Ambrose. The omega could feel slick beginning to gather at his opening and he knew Thor could smell it. The alpha's expression became more lustful.

"I've been...just cleaning the house. And trying to prepare myself for...for tonight."

"And how did you prepare yourself, little one?" Thor asked as he gently took the wine glass from Ambrose's hand and set it on the nearby table beside his empty glass.

"Oh...I took a long shower. I didn't use any scent blocking things..."

"Hmm...I noticed," Thor said as he traced a finger along Ambrose's cheek.

"And I..." Ambrose paused and told himself not to be embarrassed; this was natural. "I read about..."

Thor grinned and leaned into him. "About what? Tell me...omega."

The command, paired with the use of his title, made Ambrose feel dizzyingly hot. "About sex," he confessed, peering up at Thor from beneath his lashes.

Thor's grin became more hungry. He rested his hand on the back of Ambrose's head, then brought the other up to his throat. He teased his index finger along the nape of his neck, stopping at his scent gland. He rubbed slow circles on it and smiled when Ambrose drew a sharp breath. "And what did you learn from your studies?"

Ambrose's cheeks burned with shame and he hated that this was how he felt. He was spoiling everything because he was clueless of his omega needs. He'd spent his life pushing them away, only paying attention to them when it was absolutely necessary. Now, clueless and scared, he felt useless to any alpha he may want.

No. You can give in to fear and be miserable or you can be brave. This changes now.

"Sometimes actions are better than words," Ambrose said in a breathy voice, surprising himself.

Thor smiled wider. "I agree with that. Besides- there are things I will teach you that you could never read about in a book." The promise of intense, life-altering sex was audible in Thor's voice.

The tiniest whine left Ambrose's lips as they parted. Thor leaned in and pulled Ambrose to him, his lips brushing against his in a gentle kiss that Ambrose fed into. He laid his hands on Thor's chest, his fingers grazing the exposed skin where the top buttons were undone. Thor growled into the kiss and pulled Ambrose onto his lap. His arms encircled the omega, his hands resting at the small of his back. Ambrose longed for him to touch him, to feel his skin against his. Thor pressed his tongue into Ambrose's mouth, groaning into the kiss as the omega moved his hips, rubbing his ass against his hardness.

Getting too hot, Ambrose thought as his heat began to take full force. His skin was burning and the slick that had started to flow from him was now slowly gushing.

Sensing the change, and fed up with not being naked, Thor stood up with Ambrose latched onto him. He moved out of the den and up into Ambrose's bedroom where he promptly set him down on the bed. The omega reached up for his shirt.

"No, omega. You are not in control."

Another whine rose up from Ambrose, this time louder and more insistent.

"Beautiful to hear that," Thor said as he spilled over Ambrose, laying on top of him and kissing along his throat, burying his face against him, scenting him. "I told myself when I first saw you that one day you would be laying underneath me, just like this. Now I have you, I will enjoy this."

Thor's hands skimmed under the hem of Ambrose's damp tank top and very slowly slid it up, exposing his abdomen. Ambrose tried to help Thor undress him but the alpha grabbed both wrists and restrained them above his head. "Stay, omega," he growled before throwing a playful wink his way.

Ambrose did as he was told, watching as Thor pulled the tank top over his chest, then tugged it off of him. He kept his hands above his head and gave a needy whimper when Thor's mouth moved across his glistening chest and took one of his nipples between his teeth. Ambrose gasped and Thor chuckled before taking the other in his mouth. Ambrose thought he would go mad from the kisses and touches. Then his hands went into Ambrose's shorts and began to slide them and his underwear down his hips until he lay completely naked beneath the alpha.

"Beautiful," Thor sighed as he sat back on his heels and watched Ambrose's naked body.

"Alpha, please get naked," Ambrose begged.

Thor reached for his shirt and began to unbutton it at a painfully slow pace. Ambrose followed each finger like a dog eyeing a bone. Peeling the shirt off, Thor then reached for the buckle of his belt and popped it open, then tugged his jeans down. His cock flopped out of his pants, thick, long, and so hard it throbbed before him. A string of precum dripped from the tip. Ambrose's eyes widened and a pitiful whimper of need escaped his lips, prompting a knowing chuckle from Thor.

"You want this cock, omega? Want to feel me as I stretch you so wide?"

Ambrose nodded as he drank in the sight of the god, observant of every muscle of his broad and beauty of body. Observant of the way his cock twitched and throbbed.

"Present for me, omega," Thor commanded him.

The command sank deep into Ambrose's skin and something primal cracked open and spilled throughout his being. Without hesitation, Ambrose moved onto his hands and knees and arched his back, spreading his legs wide. A growl of appreciation rose up from Thor as he approached and laid his hands on Ambrose's flesh. Kneading and squeezing his ass, Thor gently pried him open and delighted in watching slick coat the omega. "You are so wet for me, omega," he snarled before getting down behind him, grabbing his hips, and pressing his mouth against Ambrose's opening. Pleasure struck the omega like a bolt and he arched his back even more and purred with satisfaction. "Taste and smell so good for your alpha," Thor said when he drew away and licked his lips. "Just like honey."

Ambrose used to feel nothing but shame any time his omega scent was brought up. But Thor's adoration and desire elicited a sense of pride instead. He smelled and tasted good to his alpha, and that was most important. Thor roughly flipped him over onto his back and lifted his legs up before he began to eat him again. Ambrose stared at what he could see of Thor's face and saw his darkened eyes, so full of lust. He licked and sucked at Ambrose's hole, delighting in the expressions that colored the omega's face. He knew Ambrose had never felt this way before. It excited him and filled him with a deep sense of pride that he was the omega's first.

Ambrose lifted his hips higher and cried out in disappointment when Thor moved his face away. "No," he sobbed. "Please don't stop, alpha."

"Shh, little one," Thor said as he slid a finger along Ambrose's slick-coated ass before pressing into him. "Your alpha knows what you need. Trust me."

Ambrose gasped and let out a sigh of pleasure that quickly devolved into heavy panting as Thor began to use more fingers, opening him up even more than his heat already had done. Ambrose bucked his hips and cried out when Thor's fingers found his core and caressed it. It was unbelievable to feel this happening and to not be the one orchestrating it.

"You have the the tightest, wettest and most delicious cunt I have ever I tasted," Thor said, each word punctuated by a thrust of his fingers.

Ambrose keened at the praise and clenched around Thor's fingers, needing them to be deeper, to touch that place. Thor gave him what he needed. He shattered as his orgasm rocked him and Thor continued to finger him, extending the pleasure so that it reverberated through him. A look of elation and confusion spilled across Ambrose's face as his orgasm was quickly followed by another and his body jerked and twisted under Thor's influence. He had never had orgasms so close to one another before and the aftershocks stole his breath.

"Lovely," Thor complimented. "Watching you fall apart under my touch. And you have not even had my cock yet."

Ambrose groaned and spread his legs wider, physically begging Thor to enter him properly. Thor sat back and licked the juices from his fingers, his beard wet with slick. Then he moved up the length of Ambrose's body and pressed his wet cock against him. With a satisfied growl from Thor and a surprised gasp from Ambrose, the alpha slowly sank into him until he was seated deep inside. Ambrose wrapped his arms and legs around Thor and moved against him, urging him to give him that delicious friction he so desperately needed.

"No, little one," Thor whispered in his ear. "Slow down and enjoy this. Slow down and let your alpha take you. We have so much time. As you can see, I can make you come very easily."

"Want to please you, too," Ambrose said, his voice shifting to another whine of pleasure as Thor's mouth found his scent gland.

"You do please me," Thor sighed. Then he began to buck his hips in slow, rhythmic thrusts, his enormous cock filling Ambrose so deliciously the omega nearly wept. Thor smelled desire rolling off of Ambrose in great waves and began to quicken his pace. He felt Ambrose tighten around him as another orgasm approached. The omega screamed with delight and shuddered as pleasure washed over him again.

"So beautiful on my cock," Thor growled, loving the wet warmth of Ambrose as his juices gushed around him. "You are going to smell of me for weeks after this. Everyone will know that you are mine."

Ordinarily Ambrose might have felt self conscious about the squelching sounds coming from him as Thor plunged in and out of him. But he was too far gone, his animal mind unable to recognize anything that wasn't pleasure. Another orgasm ripped through him, making him thrash wildly.

"My knot is coming," Thor warned him.

Then Ambrose felt the unmistakable sensation of Thor's dick swelling and expanding inside of him. The base stretched his rim, but it was closer to the end where the knot was the fattest. Thor stayed very still, not wishing to cum until Ambrose had again. The size of the knot stole Ambrose's breath and yet another orgasm seized him.

"Yes, omega. Enjoy my knot," Thor commanded as he very slowly fucked his knot deeper into the omega, making him scream in ecstasy.

Only after Thor was certain that he had seen to his omega's needs did he permit himself to move more quickly. His body erupted and he began to roar, throwing his head back as he came so hard and so much that Ambrose could feel the immense warmth of Thor's spend flooding him.

Now locked together by Thor's swollen cock, they lay in the aftermath. Thor rolled onto his back so Ambrose could rest on top of him. The omega curled instinctively into his chest, his body trembling.

Ambrose let out a deep breath and felt his body relaxing as he lay on top of Thor. The knot throbbing as it kept them connected to one another. As he lay there, heart racing, he began to collect the shards of his shattered mind so he could reassemble them. Never had he ever allowed an alpha to touch him, let alone mate with him, so this experience was brand new for him. He had no idea that such a blissful sensation could exist or that he could be worthy of feeling it. Every fear he had, ever reservation and hangup he felt, had been forever invalidated once his body joined Thor's. And now he was faced with the task of adjusting to this new frame of mind.

Thor had been a perfect blend of tender and rough, his lovemaking shifting from gentle and reassuring to aggressive and brutal, and anywhere in between. It was like he knew instinctively what Ambrose needed- a firm hand or a soft one- and gave it to him again and again. Under Thor's ministrations, Ambrose had been coaxed to orgasm more times than he could keep up with. He lay in a haze- something he'd often heard referred to as 'omega headspace' or, less eloquently, 'cum drunk'.

"Such a good omega," Thor whispered as he reached up to stoke Ambrose's hair and rub his back. "You took my knot so well. So perfect. You are the most beautiful omega. I am so lucky. The luckiest alpha."

Overcome with feelings he never imagined he'd feel and a sense of belonging, Ambrose began to cry into Thor's chest. It felt so strange to be crying like that and he worried he'd spoil everything. He tried to control himself but he only sobbed harder.

"It is okay to cry, little one," Thor soothed him. "Do not be ashamed. Your alpha is here to dry your tears."

"I don't understand why I'm crying," Ambrose sniffled.

Thor cupped his face and kissed him. "Because you are feeling a lot of emotions and sensations that are new for you."

"I guess so."

Thor squeezed him tight against him. "When my knot goes down..."

"We can do it again?" Ambrose asked, his heat already threatening to rise up again.

Thor chuckled. "Yes, my greedy little omega. But after you have had something to drink. Perhaps a snack as well. You must keep up your strength."

Ambrose hugged Thor tight. It felt good to be tended to by an alpha.

Thor inhaled his scent. "Honey," he whispered. "That is what I will call you. My honey."