Chapter Text
Alphas, the rulers of the hierarchy, are normally found within positions of powers – teachers, politics, police. Alphas can mate only with omegas and not necessarily their soul mate. Protective, and some might say possessive, alphas refuse to let their omegas be harmed or looked at in a romantic, nor sexual, way. This protectiveness is unrelenting when the alpha and omega are soul mates.
Betas, in the middle of the hierarchy, don’t seem to have a set job arc they stay within. Betas have been known to go on to positions of power, submission and also job ranks that would be classed in the middle of the two. Betas can mate with fellow betas and also omegas. Betas, are not as protective as alphas of their mate, unless this mate is their soul mate.
Omegas, the bottom of the hierarchy, are usually found within positions of submission within the job world if they so choose to go into work. Most omegas are found to be mated with alphas yet some can be found to have mated with betas. Most interestingly, through evolution, male omegas have be found to have the ability to fall pregnant [see page 74]. Omegas go through their heats at any age between 16 and 18, although rare cases have been found of omegas having their heat before and after this age set [see page 70].
The identity mark appears on a person’s right wrist on their 16th birthday, allowing them to know where they fit within the hierarchy. Although many people can tell where they fit within this hierarchy, mistakes can be made, and the identity mark allows them to know where they fit within life. Identity marks burn and glow when someone meets their soul mate for the first time [see page 57].
Mates create their bond during the first sexual experience during an omega’s heat; betas choose to mate when they wish, a bond created only if both people truly want it. Mates are able to connect and talk to each other telepathically, despite any distance between them [see page 45].
Soul mates, the one that a person is supposed to spend the rest of their life with. A person’s world lacks colours until they meet their soul mate. In recent days, with the population bloom, many people are not finding their soulmates and choose to mate with someone else.
Cuffs are worn by alphas after they mate. Their omega wears a matching collar, preventing any unwanted attempts on an omega. Recent laws dictate that alphas and omegas must wear these for their own protection, fines being issued if not, and jail time should the law be broken more than three times.
-xox-
The bell rang and Tsukishima jumped a little, engrossed in the definitions they had been studying. With a sigh, he closed his textbook, not really listening to the teacher telling them to study omega heat and answer the questions on it. Packing up, Tsukishima was eager to get to volleyball practice and work out the tension in his muscles. They’d been aching more and more lately, no matter how much he stretched, no matter how much muscle oil he rubbed in. He wanted to get out of this damn class, he didn’t want to learn about omegas.
Tsukishima had lived his whole life believing he was an alpha; the tall, muscular boy at the age of 14, dominating the volleyball court. His parents were proud, excited to have an alpha son – his brother being a beta. Tsukishima hadn’t thought beta status was something to be ashamed of, until he’d grown up. When he’d seen how the world worked, he understood why his brother was ashamed of a beta mark; Tsukishima understood why his family wanted him to be an alpha so badly.
Then, Tsukishima had woken on his 16th birthday, and of course, his whole life had crashed around him.
A delicately inked Ω sat in his inner right wrist, as though someone had tattooed it there whilst he slept. Panic had ensued; all the time there were stories of omegas who had been thrown out of the family, a dishonour on the family name. Tsukishima had gone downstairs with a long sleeved shirt on, hoping they wouldn’t see the delicate mark, but his alpha father could smell it on him.
Tsukishima’s scent had changed forever.
His brother had gotten him an alpha cuff to wear, to cover the mark as he started high school. Luckily, his best friend, Yamaguchi, was a beta, and most people assumed the omega scent came from him. Yamaguchi didn’t seem to care that most people thought he was Tsukishima’s omega; Tsukishima didn’t understand why.
Being claimed by another human was nothing to be proud of. That was his opinion, at least.
A grey flash, followed by a yell flashed by him and Tsukishima sighed. Hinata was here. Kageyama followed swiftly, yelling at Hinata to slow down.
Their relationship had definitely changed. Instead of yelling in anger, Kageyama’s tone suggested care and worry. Tsukishima’s lips set in a thin frown. He wondered how they were doing, seeing in colour.
Kageyama and Hinata had almost had heart attacks when they lay eyes on each other. They’d both developed the ability to see in colour during their match against each other in junior high. Neither knew who their soul mate was, confused by the amount of players and the chaos of the match, only for them to lay eyes on each other in the gymnasium and realise. Kageyama, an alpha, and Hinata, an omega, had found each other oh so simply.
Although, Tsukishima was thankful for the protectiveness; it truly did aid them in matches.
“Tsukki!”
The blocker stopped walking and glanced behind him, smiling softly at Yamaguchi.
“Hi.”
“Hi! How was omega class?”
Tsukishima glanced around, hissing at Yamaguchi to keep his voice down before watching his feet as they fell in step. “Humiliating.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
“What would you know? You’re a beta.”
Tsukishima twisted his right wrist in his pocket, his cuff digging into his skin. He sighed, letting the flare of anger go. “Let’s just get to practice.”
The absence of Sugawara was noted the moment Tsukishima walked into the gym, and he glanced at Daichi. He didn’t seem focused, not fully in the gym. He was in his head, talking to Sugawara.
Tsukishima looked to his right as Tanaka headed over to the two first years that had just walked in.
“Dai-chan is on edge; Sugawara went into heat this morning; it’s the first heat since they mated that Dai-chan hasn’t been there for. He’s tense so, try not to push him.”
They both nodded and Tsukishima disappeared to the locker room, changing swiftly before he returned to the court.
-xox-
Tsukishima almost collapsed as he panted in the locker room. He felt like he was overheating and his muscles seemed even more tense, almost painful at his point. Struggling to open his locker, he eventually gave up. Turning, he leant his back against the cold metal, sliding to the ground.
Tsukishima couldn’t breathe properly, and he curled up, head between his knees as he took deep breaths, trying to regain control. It was a struggle, but he eventually managed it. He tilted his head back, letting it rest on the lockers as other members started filing in.
Azumane stood by him, opening his locker, and Tsukishima flinched away. He startled himself and stared up at Azumane, blinking as his breathing started growing erratic again. Azumane was watching him, an eyebrow raised.
“Tsukishima?”
A growl came from the right side of him and Tsukishima looked up at Nishinoya, fixing his collar in place as he moved to stand in between Tsukishima and Azumane.
“What the hell is going on in here?”
Daichi was stood in the doorway, wiping his neck of sweat. Tsukishima looked between Daichi and Nishinoya before forcing himself to stand. His knees felt weak but he forced himself to open his locker.
“Nothing.”
Silence followed his words and Tsukishima focused on pulling his clothes free. He’d have a shower at home; he just wanted to get out of here. He could feel Nishinoya glaring daggers at him, and it made him feel ill.
Tsukishima could feel more eyes staring at him, and he slammed his locker.
“If anyone would like to speak up on their problem with me, that would be great.” He crossed his arms and turned to face everyone. No one looked away, which made Tsukishima grit his teeth.
“Tsukki-” Yamaguchi stepped forward before Nishinoya growled again.
“Yeah, I have a problem with you making a pass at my mate.”
Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, turning to watch the libero. “I wasn’t making a pass.”
“Yes you were!” Nishinoya went to step forward, but Azumane’s hand slammed down on his shoulder preventing him from moving. Nishinoya hesitated before he turned to face Azumane, casting a glare over his shoulder. “What is it with un-mated omegas and taken alphas?”
Tsukishima froze.
The only people on the team that knew he was an omega were Daichi and Yamaguchi. He looked around, wide eyed.
“Tsukki… your scent.” Yamaguchi’s voice was quiet, and Tsukishima forced himself to take a breath.
Kageyama was staring at him, pupils round and large; just like Daichi and Azumane – their pupils were smaller but it was enough to make Tsukishima feel like he was being preyed on.
“Tsukishima, you need to go home.”
Tsukishima’s eyes found Daichi’s and he took a breath. “What’s happening? I don’t understand.”
Daichi wouldn’t meet his eyes, turning to his own locker. “You’re about to start your first heat.”
-xox-
Yamaguchi had volunteered to walk Tsukishima home, and they walked in silence. Embarrassment was still dusting Tsukishima’s cheeks a dark colour, and he stared at the ground. The cold air felt good on his too hot skin, and he took a breath.
“Tsukki...”
The blocker turned his eyes to the left where Yamaguchi was watching him, concern on his features.
“Don’t...”
“So what if they know?”
Tsukishima stopped walking and turned his eyes up. The moon was full, light reflecting off it and beaming down.
“Do you know why I like the moon so much?”
“You’ve never said.” Yamaguchi’s voice was quiet, withdrawn a little, but Tsukishima could tell he was interested.
“Because it’s white, and I know it’s white in colour. My eyes don’t lie to me. It’s not a dark, dreary grey, like a depression covering the world. It reflects light and gives the illusion that it shines a bright white. It’s the only colour I know; the only one I know isn’t a scam, a deception. I like looking at it because… for a moment, I feel like I can belong. It’s like I’m here in the world, like I have the person I’m meant to be with, or at least seen them. I can lie to myself and tell myself I can see in colour, even if for a brief moment.”
After a few moments, Tsukishima turned his gaze turned back to Yamaguchi; his hair hung grey, face a paler grey – and he looked like he was about to cry.
“Yamaguchi?”
“You can get home from here, right? It’s only a few more streets.”
Tsukishima nodded, confused. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine! I just remembered I was meant to help at home tonight and wasn’t- uh, wasn’t meant to go to practice! Text me when you’re home so I know you got there safely!”
Tsukishima nodded again before Yamaguchi turned, running off.
Frowning a little, Tsukishima looked up at the sky one more time, smiling softly at the moon before he turned, making his way home.