Archive of Our Own ^beta

The hardest part, aside from accepting that he was an omega, was entering university. It meant stepping into adulthood—no longer a high school student. He had to blend in with new people and live an entirely new life as a college student. Oikawa decided to major in sports, specializing in volleyball. No matter how much he knew that discrimination against his kind had supposedly been abolished, he still felt immense pressure from the alphas in his department.

They would release sharp pheromones as a warning, reminding him of his “place.” Among the alphas and betas who dominated the major, he always felt beneath them. Everyone knew Oikawa was one of the best setters in his year, yet he could still sense baseless hostility and subtle condescension from them.

Oikawa had always hated people who underestimated or belittled him simply because he was an omega. So he showed those damn alphas and betas that he was far stronger than they thought. In the world of sports, there should be no distinction—alpha, beta, or omega. By proving himself, Oikawa earned the position of starting setter representing their university in his first year, shattering the alphas’ pride and proving his worth.

Oikawa thought that becoming the main setter would break their prejudice against him, but he was wrong. Those alphas only seemed more eager to dominate him.

He remembered that summer when he forgot to take his medication and his heat came suddenly in the middle of practice. His cycle had shifted unexpectedly. A sharp cramp seized his lower abdomen, and fluid slid down his thigh without warning. He froze. Instinctively, Oikawa collapsed to the floor as heat spread throughout his body. His teammates immediately stopped playing; they understood he had entered his heat, because his pheromones spilled out uncontrollably and filled the entire gym.

The betas nearby quickly stepped forward and carried him to the locker room. Practice had to be halted until Oikawa was taken somewhere safe. When he returned after his heat ended, the stares directed at him had changed—predatory. The pheromones they released were thicker now, laced with danger. The betas among them clearly couldn’t smell it, but as the only omega there, he could detect every scent they emitted.

The breaking point came when he was inside a bathroom stall. A group of people walked in—clearly alphas. Oikawa was about to leave when one of them said something that made fear seize his chest.

“It’s such a hassle having an omega among us. And what the hell was that? Going into heat right in the middle of practice.”

“You’re right. But I didn’t expect his scent to be that sweet. Like a mix of apples and strawberry jam. The guy next to me even got hard.”

The sound of running water from the sink filled Oikawa’s ears. Then they continued.

“But I’ll admit, I got turned on too. I wanted to fuck him—fill his body with my sperm until he’s full and carrying my child.”

“Watch your mouth, idiot. Still, I can’t deny that Oikawa smells like sex. If those betas hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would’ve happened to him.”

“Isn’t it natural for an alpha to be aroused by an omega’s pheromones? It’s his fault for choosing a major like this.”

More than five minutes passed before silence finally settled. Oikawa remained seated on the toilet. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he bit down on his arm to muffle the sobs threatening to escape. How could they say such disgusting things about another person? What kind of equality was that, if behind closed doors alphas spoke of omegas as nothing more than sexual objects?

Oikawa skipped practice that day. He asked the coach for permission to leave early, claiming he felt unwell. And so here he was, collapsed inside his room. Oikawa had accepted himself as an omega. He had accepted his fate. But all of that shattered in an instant because of those damn alphas. In moments like this—when anxiety strangled him, when doubts about being an omega resurfaced—there was only one person who could calm him.

Iwaizumi Hajime, his childhood best friend—an alpha. But unlike the bastards out there, Iwaizumi treated any omega with respect.

The problem was, Oikawa didn’t know his schedule. Months had passed without Iwaizumi’s presence; Oikawa had been too focused on training and competitions. Iwaizumi hadn’t contacted him either, which likely meant his schedule was just as packed. Oikawa picked up his phone and searched for the contact he had memorized by heart. He could no longer bear the pressure crushing him; he felt dirty and humiliated because of those words. At least three times he tried to call, but each time it went to voicemail.

Holding back his sobs, Oikawa said, 'Iwa-chan, if you have any free time, could you come to my dorm—please.'

After that, Oikawa curled up on his bed, regretting being born an omega, until his eyes finally closed and he drifted into sleep, escaping everything that had happened.

He didn’t know how long he had been asleep when a gentle shake woke him. He turned his head and found Iwaizumi there.

“It’s already night. Why didn’t you turn on the lights?” Iwaizumi’s gentle voice steadied his frayed nerves. Oikawa slowly sat up, leaning back against the headboard.

“Sorry, I fell asleep. Did you just get here?” His voice was hoarse, clearly revealing he had been crying. Iwaizumi had seen his weakness before—had seen him cry many times.

Iwaizumi nodded. “Did something happen?”

They had always been different, like water and oil that could never truly mix. Their opinions clashed, and they often threw jokes at each other that went too far. But this was different. Iwaizumi could clearly tell something was wrong. In moments like this, the alpha would change completely.

At the question, Oikawa’s mind was dragged back to the conversation in the bathroom stall. Without realizing it, Iwaizumi’s figure blurred before him, hidden behind tears that slowly rolled down his cheeks. Oikawa lowered his head, staring at his clenched hands. Iwaizumi shifted, kneeling on the floor. He touched Oikawa’s fist before gently prying his fingers open and holding his hand—one of the ways Iwaizumi calmed him.

“Is someone bothering you?”

At that, Oikawa immediately turned toward him, and it didn’t take long before he broke down completely, crying as he released the emotions he had been holding in.

Iwaizumi could smell the overwhelming despair and stress radiating from the omega before him. A deep regret washed over him. He should have known Oikawa’s condition—his vulnerability around alphas and his fragile pride as an omega. The insane assignments from their professors had distracted him from everything. Wasn’t he the one who had asked Oikawa to attend the same university? He had promised to protect him no matter what happened, yet things had not unfolded as he had promised.

Iwaizumi sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Oikawa into his embrace. He stroked that brown hair gently, murmuring soft words meant to soothe him.

Meanwhile, Oikawa cried even harder, his body trembling as he buried his face in the crook of Iwaizumi’s neck. No matter how much he tried to deny it, he had to admit that he was afraid of those alphas—their intimidating stares, the suffocating dominance of their pheromones that felt as though they might swallow him whole, and the crude words from his fellow alphas.

But Iwaizumi’s presence was like a miracle cure. His pheromones were warm and deeply soothing. Oikawa pressed his face further into Iwaizumi’s neck. No one could disturb him now. Iwaizumi was here with him, and he was safe.

They remained like that for several minutes until Oikawa stopped crying, though soft, uneven breaths still escaped him. Iwaizumi alternated between stroking his hair and rubbing his back. The pheromones that had been saturated with fear, anxiety, and overwhelming stress slowly began to settle.

Iwaizumi knew that Oikawa had never fully accepted being an omega. The label of omega—placed at the very bottom of the hierarchy—would make anyone feel afraid.

Eventually, Oikawa pulled away slightly and looked intently at the alpha in front of him. His eyes clearly held desperation and disappointment. He must be blaming himself for not being there when I needed him, Oikawa thought.

Iwaizumi returned his gaze with gentleness and regret. “I’m sorry… I wasn’t there for you when you were like this, even though I was the one who promised to protect you. Go ahead if you want to slap me, I deserve it.”

But Oikawa shook his head. Yes, he had been terribly lonely, and the selfish part of him wanted Iwaizumi to always stay by his side. But that wasn’t fair. Iwaizumi must have been busy with his studies. He had his own life—especially since they weren’t even a couple. Oikawa thought it wasn’t right to depend on Iwaizumi all the time.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who should apologize for making you see me like this. But, Iwa-chan… is your department really that busy?”

Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow. First, Oikawa was trying to return to his usual self. Second, he was clearly trying to change the subject. Iwaizumi drew in a breath before letting it out slowly.

“The professors have been assigning a ridiculous amount of work and practical training, so it’s been hard for me to find time. What about you?”

Silence fell again. Iwaizumi glanced at Oikawa, who had lowered his head once more. He was certain those alphas were the reason for this.

Then Iwaizumi reached for Oikawa’s arm and gently pulled the omega onto his lap. Oikawa rested his head against Iwaizumi’s shoulder. He was so fragile. Under normal circumstances, he would never allow himself to be like this. To him, showing weakness in front of an alpha meant defeat. Yet Oikawa himself knew he had already surrendered in front of his best friend.

Iwaizumi released calming pheromones, and the omega in his lap let out a soft, contented hum. From this position, he could catch the sweet scent of apples drifting from Oikawa’s slender neck. But his alpha senses detected something else as well—another alpha’s scent clinging faintly to Oikawa’s body.

Iwaizumi frowned, anger creeping into his chest. Those alphas must have deliberately released their pheromones—pheromones meant to dominate, to belittle. And unmistakably, he could smell the intent to claim Oikawa as their own.

“Iwa-chan… why was I cursed to be an omega? They think I’m weak just because I’m not an alpha or a beta. They treat me like a burden and make me the butt of their jokes. Does being an omega mean I have to be weak? Are omegas nothing but sexual objects to people? Iwa-chan, I hate alphas. I hate being an omega. And I hate myself.”

Iwaizumi’s body went rigid. After everything he had done to convince Oikawa that being an omega was not a curse, those bastard alphas had dragged him right back to the beginning.

“I’m so scared… Every day feels like hell. My heat cycle has become irregular. What if I go into heat in the middle of a match again—”

Iwaizumi stiffened. “What do you mean, again? You’ve gone into heat during a match before? Weren’t you taking your medication?”

Oikawa shifted uneasily when Iwaizumi raised his voice. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

Iwaizumi let out a breath. “Don’t hate yourself. You know you’re the strongest omega I’ve ever met. Remember Aoba Johsai? Our team defeated all those alpha teams with you as the only omega captain. You won countless awards as the best setter—even among alpha setters. Do you remember punching Ushiwaka when he underestimated you? Do that again if those alphas bother you. Just hit them until their noses bleed.”

That last sentence made Oikawa let out a quiet laugh. “Iwa-chan, you always resort to violence. But I’d lose if I did that. There are so many of them, and I’m alone. What if my face ends up bruised and I’m not handsome anymore?”

Iwaizumi snorted with a faint smile. Oikawa seemed far calmer than before.

The next few minutes passed in silence, Oikawa still burying his face in Iwaizumi’s neck. Iwaizumi didn’t immediately process what was happening when Oikawa gently nipped at his scent gland, but even through the softness of the bite, he understood the intention. The omega wanted to smell like him. Instantly, Iwaizumi pulled Oikawa’s face away.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“I—Iwa-chan, I know this is stupid. But could your scent cover my pheromones? I—I know we’re not a couple, but if there’s an alpha’s scent on my body, wouldn’t they stay away…?”

Iwaizumi shook his head. “The effect wouldn’t last long. It would be different if you were marked—”

“Then mark me.”

Iwaizumi couldn’t hide his shock. He stared at Oikawa, waiting for him to laugh and reveal it was a joke. But Oikawa’s expression was deadly serious, his eyes fixed on him with unwavering resolve.

“Don’t joke about that, Oikawa. You know what that means. Listen, there are other solutions—”

This time, Oikawa snapped. He had been holding himself back from blaming Iwaizumi, but those words ignited something inside him.

“What other solution? Let them keep belittling me? Let them treat me like a sex object and eventually get raped? You weren’t there. You didn’t see the way they looked at me—like I was some whore just because I’m an omega. Releasing their disgusting pheromones to force me into submission—”

“That’s not what I meant, Oikawa… If I mark you, you’ll be bound to me for the rest of your life. The consequences would be far worse if you ever met another alpha and tried to reject the bond I created. We should see a doctor instead—ask for medication to regulate your pheromones and heat cycle.”

“I won’t be interested in another alpha. I hate them. Hanamaki was never this vulnerable as an omega because Matsukawa marked him. It tells other alphas that he already belongs to someone. Meanwhile, I’m stuck among a pack of alphas, relying on medication that doesn’t even work properly for my body.”

Iwaizumi dragged a hand down his face. Oikawa’s pheromones had shifted sharply, filling the room with a heavy, suffocating scent. His rational mind rejected the idea completely. Oikawa was under immense stress; he didn’t fully understand what he was asking. On the other hand, refusing him might only push him deeper into despair. Oikawa was not the type of man who could easily be confined to one partner forever. Yet it hurt unbearably to see him treated that way—especially when Iwaizumi hadn’t been there to protect him.

Iwaizumi looked at Oikawa. “And what about your cycle? How will you handle it when I’m not around?”

“The medication—I’ll take it every day. If you mark me and my heat comes suddenly, your scent will mix with my pheromones. At least that will make them stay away. They’ll think twice before approaching me or turning me into their sexual fantasy. Your scent will protect me, Iwa-chan.”

“Please, Iwa-chan… I won’t regret anything, as long as it’s you.”

A heavy sigh filled the room, followed by several minutes of silence. They would have to be insane to do this. But he also couldn’t bear the thought of Oikawa being hurt by those alphas again.

After a long, difficult pause, Iwaizumi finally murmured.

“Lie down.”

Oikawa obeyed. He lay on his side, leaving space for Iwaizumi. The alpha positioned himself behind him, pressing close against the omega’s back.

“I don’t know what will happen after this,” Iwaizumi whispered. “Remember—regret won’t change anything.”

A shiver ran down Oikawa’s spine. He shifted slightly when Iwaizumi’s breath brushed against the back of his neck. He trembled when something warm and soft licked at his scent gland. Curling in on himself, he felt the alpha release possessive pheromones that wrapped around him completely. Oikawa closed his eyes as Iwaizumi’s hand slid around his waist, pulling him closer.

“Oikawa. I’m going to start.”

Oikawa nodded in permission. For a few more seconds, Iwaizumi continued licking at the gland, drawing out the omega’s pheromones so they would mix with his own.

Then Oikawa felt the alpha’s fangs press against his skin. Before he could fully process the sensation, Iwaizumi slowly sank them in, deep enough to break the omega’s scent gland and draw blood. A thicker, sweeter aroma spread through the air.

“H—Hajime… it hurts.” Oikawa instinctively tried to pull away, but the alpha behind him held him tightly, refusing to let go.

They remained like that until Iwaizumi finally released him, gently wiping the trace of blood from the omega’s scent gland. Only then did he notice Oikawa’s body trembling.

“H—hey, Oikawa… I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

Oikawa turned around and buried himself against the alpha’s chest. He shook his head in response.

“You bonded me… does that mean you’re my mate now?”

Iwaizumi gently brushed his fingers over the wound on Oikawa’s neck. His chest rumbled as the weight of what he had done truly settled in. Something like this should have been discussed more seriously. How would he explain it to Oikawa’s parents? Or to his own? And yet, the alpha within him felt an undeniable satisfaction at having bonded Oikawa. And had he imagined it— or had Oikawa just called him Hajime?

“Hmm… I’ll go with you to practice tomorrow.”

Oikawa lifted his head to look at him, his eyes shining. “You’ll come with me? Don’t you have class tomorrow?”

“The professor changed the schedule. So there’s no harm in watching you practice.”

“You’ll definitely be amazed by how incredible I am.”

“You’ve always been incredible, Oikawa.”

Oikawa lightly pinched Iwaizumi’s stomach, his face flushing at the compliment. “Did some demon in this building possess you or something? You idiot, Hajime.”

That rumble in his chest returned when Oikawa said his name again. Iwaizumi wanted the omega to say it once more, but Oikawa had already shifted, curling up comfortably in his arms. His breathing was steadier now, calmer than before.

“Oikawa, aren’t you hungry? You haven’t eaten dinner yet, right?”

The omega shook his head and murmured, “I’m not hungry. Please… just let me hold you like this.”

Iwaizumi smiled. Even if he hadn’t asked, he would have stayed like this. Oikawa’s skin was warm, carrying a comfort unlike anything else.

***

That morning, the practice gym fell silent when Oikawa walked in with Iwaizumi by his side. The atmosphere instantly shifted, turning tense. The alphas who noticed the presence of an unfamiliar alpha immediately competed to release their strongest pheromones, openly challenging him.

“Iwa-chan, you can wait over there. I’ll go change first.”

The alpha nodded and took a seat beside a girl who seemed to be the team manager. She greeted him awkwardly; Iwaizumi simply nodded in response.

“Are you Oikawa’s partner?” she asked.

He nearly choked at the question but quickly covered it up. “Yes. If I may ask, are you the manager?”

She nodded.

“Do you know what’s been happening to Oikawa?”

The girl let out a quiet sigh and narrowed her eyes at the group of players in front of them. “Honestly, I’m relieved you’re here. I didn’t expect Oikawa-kun to have a partner. Those alphas—they’re always intimidating him. Not openly, but I can tell from the way his expression tightens. He’s uncomfortable being here, even though Oikawa-kun is an incredible player. I’ve told them to stop, but they said an omega as pretty as Oikawa belongs in cooking class and in bed not here.”

Iwaizumi clenched his fists, barely containing his anger. His glare turned murderous. His pheromones flared, causing the alphas across the room to turn toward him and instinctively brace themselves.

Oikawa, who had just stepped out of the locker room, immediately sensed the dangerous shift in Iwaizumi’s aura. He hurried over, trying to ground him. The manager understood the situation and shouted at the players to continue their warm-up.

“Iwa-chan, hold back your pheromones. Please, don’t cause a scene here.”

“You should’ve told me sooner what they were doing to you.”

Oikawa bit his lip. The omega inside him thrilled at seeing his alpha so protective, but his rational mind knew bringing Iwaizumi here might have been a mistake. He wouldn’t stop until those men were taught a lesson.

To prevent the worst from happening, Oikawa took Iwaizumi’s hand in both of his. His gaze softened, soothing. “I’ll be fine. Your scent is all over me. And they know they’re no match for you.”

Iwaizumi exhaled slowly. Unexpectedly—even to himself—he leaned down and inhaled at Oikawa’s scent gland, releasing as much of his alpha pheromones as possible onto him. The gesture did not go unnoticed. The omega’s sweet scent mingled with the alpha’s sharp, masculine one, drawing low, frustrated growls from those watching.

“Practice properly. Give them perfect sets, Tooru. I’ll be waiting over there if you need anything.”

Oikawa blinked in surprise, then broke into a bright smile and nodded eagerly. The alpha’s words were clearly a challenge.

The omega ran back to his team and began warming up. The alphas no longer stared at him or released their pheromones toward him. He glanced back at Iwaizumi, sending a playful wink and a small wave.

A beta teammate beside him asked, “That alpha is your partner, Oikawa? You two look good together.”

Oikawa nodded, smiling proudly.

At least for now, he would focus on his academics. As for the future, he would think about that later.

Fin.