"But that could always change, and that's the problem," Bruce pointed out gently. "It doesn't help that Tony is insecure as it is. He's probably just about worried himself sick that something will steal you from him or worse, that you'll leave on your own."

"I'm not leaving," Sim said. "Not unless you want me to, anyway, which I would understand at this point."

"We don't want you to leave," Bruce assured her. "Like I said, Tony is insecure, so it's harder for him to accept."

Sim nodded and sighed, resting her head briefly against his shoulder.

"I didn't mean to muck things up so thoroughly."

"It isn't your fault," Bruce said, putting an arm around her. "Just give us a little more time to get used to the idea that you have a son out there." He nuzzled her briefly. "We still want you with us."

Sim turned into him and snuggled in against him for the moment. She needed the reassurance that they were okay more than she'd thought.

Bruce held her, letting her snuggle. That helped him relax even better than the tea did, and it was extremely reassuring when she didn't pull away.

"Hey!" Tony called from the living room. "Come see this! Someone's got Cap and Terminator on for an interview!"

Sim snorted at their nicknames but pulled back, being sure to grab Bruce's hand and towing him along to the couch. She sat next to Tony and pulled Bruce down on her other side.

Steve looked perfectly at ease, and Bucky was leaning back in his seat, managing to look civil, at least.

Tony unconsciously leaned a bit closer to her, rubbing his shoulder against hers to get some of his scent back onto her. He could already tell Bruce had a head start on that.

"So, Captain Rodgers, what can you tell us about the rumors flying around lately that you and Sergent Barnes have finally found your third?" the man interviewing them asked.

"We have," Steve answered calmly. "Although she will not be joining us for interviews." Steve and Bucky had both agreed on that; no need to expose her to the vultures.

"Well, then, everyone here offers their sincerest congratulations to all three of you," the interviewer said, flashing a bright smile. "Any word on when we can expect news of a new arrival to the family?"

Steve and Bucky both went absolutely still.

"I beg your pardon?" Steve asked, his voice too even.

The interviewer paused, as if almost aware that he pushed the wrong button.

"You are planning for a family, aren't you?" he prodded. "Now that you've started to settle down, with an Omega to look after things? A little one is the next logical step, wouldn't you agree?"

Tony very nearly cackled as he watched.

"This idiot's in for it now," he said. "Wish I had some popcorn for this."

"No, actually," Steve said, leaning forward. "That's not the next logical step. The next step is to make sure that she is comfortable and happy. You know, back in the thirties and forties everyone assumed that an Omega was meant to stay at home and have children, and that was it. I'm surprised that the world has changed so little about that. Is that really all you expect from an Omega still? Because I would never assume anything like that about any Omega, especially mine." By this point, he was glaring at the reporter.

Sim laughed a bit. "I don't think he'll be asking any more questions today," she said, grinning and cuddling a bit into Tony's side.

"Nope," Tony said, smirking. He put an arm around her. "Poor idiot, that backfired on him spectacularly."

The interviewer looked like he was frantically backpedaling.

"Of course, of course," he said. "My mistake. There's no question that you would want to make sure your Omega is comfortable and happy."

"His fault for asking a stupid question." Sim grinned.

Bucky actually grinned and patted Steve on the back. "We may consider it at some point in the future," he said. "But right now, kids are not on the table. Any other questions?"

"Ah, no, no, I think we've asked everything we need to," the interviewer said, glancing at Steve occasionally with a wary look on his face. "Thank you both very much for joining us today."

Steve and Bucky both nodded and stood and left. Steve was clearly still steaming over the interviewer's question, while Bucky seemed to have calmed down to amused rather than pissed.

Tony cackled and pulled out his phone.

"Oh that was golden," he said, already tapping out a text. Bruce sighed indulgently and rolled his eyes, but didn't stop the genius.

Way to go, Capcicle. That guy had it coming.

Steve looked at his phone and sighed.

I should have known you'd see that, he typed back. You still sulking or are you back to taking care of your own Omega? Because he did remember being asked about that, and it was Tony so it was a valid question.

And maybe he was redirecting a bit, too.

We're working things out. You really tore that moron a new one. Tony wasn't going to let Steve deflect too far.

He did deserve it. Ask a stupid question... Steve shook his head.

Well, now they all know better. Tony paused for a moment. Did Ella ever register as a surrogate, do you know?

Not sure. I haven't asked. Steve paused a moment. Why the sudden interest?

Never mind, stupid question. Tony scrambled away from the subject before he could work himself into another panic attack. That would be bad, with Sim and Bruce right there to witness it. Go and snuggle your mates or whatever it is you do.