Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Iwa-chan hurry up! We’re gonna be late for team tryouts!”

Oikawa was dragging Iwaizumi down the hall towards the Aoba Johsai gym, Iwaizumi yelling at Oikawa to "slow the hell down" and to "stop fucking pulling". He yanked his arm out of Oikawa’s grasp, shocking Oikawa and making him fall forward. 

He ended up landing face first into a chest. Oikawa blushed and looked up and at whoever caught him. 

“Usually it’s me falling for angels but I’m not disappointed that one fell for me instead.”

Oikawa blushed harder and slowly moved away, until the guy locked his arms around Oikawa's waist.

“So I know you fell for me but I didn’t catch a name. Unless you wouldn’t mind me calling you mine.” The guy smirked down at Oikawa, who's face was flushed red. Oikawa was trying to answer but kept struggling to form words. Laughing at the whole event, Iwaizumi helped him out. It wasn’t hard for him to tell that the guy was just joking around with Oikawa but seeing him become so embarrassed was a sight. 

“The dude that ran into you is Oikawa Tooru, and I’m his unfortunate best friend Iwaizumi Hajime. Thanks for catching him.” 

The guy waved off Iwaizumi's thanks. “No problem. I’d be honoured to catch this princess anytime. Name’s Matsukawa Issei by the way.” 

Oikawa started struggling even more after that and then promptly choked on his spit. Iwaizumi patted his back and offered him water, and he drank it as fast as he could.

“Prin-princess???" He looked up at Matsukawa, wide-eyed and slack jawed. 

Matsukawa just smirked and started walking away. “If we keep standing around while you try to get a few words out we’ll be late for tryouts you know.” He stated, chuckling the whole time. Iwaizumi caught his drift and pushed Oikawa towards the gym. “Come on, you were the one that didn’t want to be late.”

-

When the three of them got to the gym, they were approached by 3 (who they had assumed were) upperclassmen. 2 of them sniffed the air and scowled, “The fuck is an omega doing here? This is Aoba Johsai’s volleyball team, not a tea party.” Oikawa frowned and opened his mouth to speak but another alpha cut him off, “Leave him alone you stupid fuck. You can tell him what you think he should be doing after tryouts. Get your head out of your ass and let them through.” Just to make sure he got his point across, he motioned to Oikawa before letting out threatening pheromones, Oikawa hiding behind Iwaizumi and Matsukawa. 

The alphas that were blocking their way moved aside and left after glaring at Oikawa. “Tch whatever. I doubt he’ll even make it halfway through.” When they left Oikawa, let out a huge sigh of relief before thanking the alpha who helped him. “It was no problem really. They shouldn’t have attacked you like that. I’m Hanamaki Takahiro. You’re Oikawa Tooru right?” 

Oikawa was surprised. He wasn’t expecting someone to recognize him. “You were pretty famous in middle school, I’m sure a few of the upperclassmen recognize you too.” Then Hanamaki turned to the other two. “And who might you two be?” Before they could introduce themselves Oikawa cut them off. “This is Iwa-chan! Or Iwaizumi Hajime if you want to be boring! He’s my childhood best friend! And this one here is Mattsun! Or Matsukawa Issei if you really really wanna be boring. He caught me when I fell before coming here!”

Matsukawa looked at him in bewilderment before smiling at Oikawa, “a nickname already princess? I didn’t know I was that special.” Oikawa looked back at him, smiled and then looked at Hanamaki. “Well yeah of course you are. All my friends get nicknames! Like Iwa-chan, Mattsun, and Makki!” He pointed to each of them while saying their nicknames. “Makki huh…” Hanamaki turned to Iwaizumi and asked him what he had gotten himself into, and Iwaizumi just laughed.

Chapter Text

Matsukawa

Matsukawa was walking to the gym when he saw Oikawa being pinned to the wall by one of their upperclassmen, an alpha and much stronger than Oikawa, who was whimpering and trying to push himself as far away from the guy as he physically could. The alpha kept whispering things into his ear that made him shake his head violently and sob.

Matsukawa ran up to them and when he heard what the other alpha was saying he grabbed the alpha by the collar of his uniform and shoved him into the wall next to Oikawa, before releasing the most threatening pheromones he could, and growled at him. 

-

Oikawa was in the clubroom going to the gym, when he was stopped by one of the third years calling for him. He was confused, but he didn’t have Iwaizumi, Hanamaki or Matsukawa with him so he decided to go just in case the guy got angry. 

Once outside, his wrist was grabbed and he was pushed into the wall, his wrist being pressed tightly next to his face as the alpha leaned in close to him. “You little bitch. You think you can get away with stealing my position as starting setter? Who the fuck do you think you are. Did you suck off our coaches so they’d let you take my spot huh? There’s no way you could’ve gotten it without using your mouth.” 

In shock of what was being said to him, along with the accusations got Oikawa sobbing, violently shaking his head since he couldn’t speak through his sobs. “No? You didn’t suck them off? Then what did a slut like you do huh? Did you let them fuck you? Did you moan like a whore for them as you spread yourself open? I bet you I’d get my starting position back if I fucked you in front of our team members. No one wants a whore like you on our team!” He shoved his knee in between Oikawa's knees, and was going to say more before he was grabbed and shoved into the wall.

-

Matsukawa growled at the third year, unknowingly releasing threatening pheromones.

“Who the fuck do you think you are huh? You think you can say shit like that to Oikawa and just get away with it? ‘Kawa didn’t steal your position he fucking earned it and if you had any semblance of common sense in you, you’d be proud of him for making Aoba Johsai stronger. I suggest you get the fuck away and stay the fuck away because guess what, I’m not forgetting this and in no way is Oikawa going to be anywhere near you.” The third year looked terrified and was trembling in Matsukawa’s grip, practically running away when he was let go. 

Matsukawa watched the other alpha run and then turned to the side where Oikawa was crouched down against the wall, occasionally sniffling. He pulled Oikawa towards him, into his arms, and hugged him as tight as he could, reassuring Oikawa to the best of his ability. 

When Oikawa stopped sniffling he looked up at him and smiled, “Thanks Mattsun. For saving me and for staying.” Matsukawa just hugged him tighter, “I’m always gonna stay princess.” 

Oikawa beamed at the familiar nickname, and one thought plagued his mind for the rest of the day.

‘I want to see that smile on his face forever’

Hanamaki

Hanamaki and Oikawa were walking to class after practice when a few girls started talking in front of them. 

“Did you hear?? Oikawa-san got promoted to starting setter! I was so happy when I heard, and my little brother was practically rolling in happiness when I told him!” 

“Oikawa-san is a strong setter sure, but he’s a, you know, an omega...” The girl weakly trailed off and Hanamaki could see Oikawa curl into himself a little bit. He was gonna speak up and say something when the girl from before spoke first.

“And that’s exactly why my brother and I are so happy! He’s such a strong person. It isn’t easy being an omega on a team where he constantly has to fight for any acknowledgement.” The other girl gasped and apologized when hearing this and agreed, “Right, it must’ve been difficult for him.” “Probably, which is why we should respect him 10 times more. My little brother is an omega too by the way. He looks up to Oikawa-san so much! If I can get Oikawa-san and my brother to meet, my brother would probably owe me for life.” They laughed and started walking away.

-

When he heard the part where the girl said that Oikawa should be respected even more, Hanamaki saw him relax his shoulders from their curled position, letting out a happier scent. He waited for the girls to walk farther away before pulling Oikawa into an emptier hallway and into his arms, waiting for him to melt into his hug.

He spoke in a low but soft voice, not quite whispering. “She was right you know. You’re amazing, so very amazing ‘Kawa. We’re all so proud of you for getting onto the starting line up, especially since our stupid upperclassmen were giving you so much unneeded shit. You’re doing so well baby, so so well.” The more he spoke, the more he curled over Oikawa and by the end of it he was murmuring into Oikawa’s hair. He didn’t even realize the ‘baby’ slipping out until Oikawa tried to loosen his hold on him. 

“You and Mattsun and your stupid nicknames.” Even though Oikawa said that, his eyes were glassy, a beautiful blush across his cheeks, and a smile so bright Hanamaki thought he’d go blind. For the rest of the day, his mind was plagued with one thought.

‘I want to see that smile on his face forever’

Iwaizumi

Iwaizumi and Oikawa met when they were children, a time when Oikawa would cry at the smallest thing. Iwaizumi was used to being the one protecting Oikawa, and he’d been doing that for years. Highschool changed that though, giving Oikawa and Iwaizumi two people that seemed to be just as important to him as Iwaizumi was, and Iwaizumi couldn’t say he minded.

-

They were walking home together when Oikawa started talking about the events that happened in the past month, how “Mattsun and Makki are conspiring against me with new nicknames!”, and that “did you know Makki likes cream puffs?” and smaller little details about the team and their new friends, Iwaizumi adding in whenever he could, until they walked past a new crane game. 

Oikawa stopped in front of it and stared, “Iwa-chan! Look they have an alien plushie keychain! I have to have it!” and Iwaizumi knew he was gonna have to wait until Oikawa got his little plush or until Iwaizumi caved and got it for him.

While Oikawa rushed to get his wallet out of his bag, Iwaizumi went ahead and got it for him, since he wanted to get home as soon as possible, ‘not cause I want to give him something. Definitely not.’ He handed the keychain to Oikawa and started walking, stopping when he realized Oikawa wasn’t following him. 

“Oi, what's taking you so long-?” He cut himself off when he turned around and saw the look on Oikawa’s face. ‘He looks as if a star dropped into his open palms.’ When Iwaizumi thought that, he didn’t realize a small gasp of “precious” slipping out. 

Oikawa looked up so fast, Iwaizumi thought he heard his neck crack, and proceeded to squeal. “Iwa-chan! You’re giving me nicknames too?! What is with you guys?” He complained and complained but the only thing that registered in Iwaizumi’s mind was Oikawa’s flushed cheeks and one of the most beautiful smiles he’s ever seen on his best friend's face. That smile made him realize a thought he’s kept undercover for years until now, plaguing him with memories.

‘I want to see that smile on his face forever’

Chapter Text

‘A hug when meeting Iwa-chan at his door. A hug from both Mattsun and Makki when seeing them at school. Being scented by all three right before class begins, even though we’re all in the same class. Being scented when lunch starts and when lunch ends. Being hugged before volleyball practice. Being hugged and scented before going home. Being hugged by Iwa-chan before I go inside….’

Oikawa bit his lip in frustration. It wasn’t that he didn’t love being hugged and scented by his best friends, it was just that it was too much . Sure he didn’t say a word against it, and even leaned in when he was hugged, or giggled when he was being scented, but that doesn’t mean he had to be drowned in their scents and affection. 

“I have to stop this… before I fall for them even more…” 

-

“Oikawa-san, I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me?”
“I’d love to.”

-

“Hey, did you hear? Oikawa-san is going out with that girl from class 2!”

“Yeah I heard about it! She’s so lucky!!” 

-

“So, a girlfriend huh?” 

Oikawa looked at the direction from where he heard the voice. Hanamaki was standing against his locker looking away from Oikawa, but it was clear that his question was directed towards him. 

Oikawa felt himself smile a little. His girlfriend was so sweet. “Yup! I’ll introduce her to you three tomorrow.”

He turned around and walked into the gym. He didn’t get to see the way their faces fell at the mention of being introduced. 

-

‘A hug from Iwa-chan at his door. A hug from both Mattsun and Makki when seeing them at school. Being kissed by my girlfriend before class begins. Being kissed by my girlfriend during lunch. Hugging her before lunch ends. Going to class. Going home with my girlfriend on Mondays. Going to volleyball on the other days. Getting a hug from Mattsun, Iwa-chan, and Makki before going home. Going inside.’

-

Two months of dating his girlfriend, Oikawa nearly forgot about the feelings he had for his best friends. Nearly . 

“Mattsun hi! Wanna go eat ramen with me after school?”

“Ah, sorry Oikawa I can’t. I uh gotta go help my sister with stuff. See ya”

“Wait-”

‘Oikawa? What about princess…”

-

“Makki! Wanna go home together? Weren’t you worried about the chemistry test tomorrow? I can help you with that!”

“Oi-oikawa hi, uh thanks but I uh, already asked class pres! We agreed to meet at the library so I really gotta go.”

“Wait Makki! Makki!”

‘Oikawa again… so baby is off the table now too huh…”

-

“Iwa-chan! Wait up! Aren’t we going home together?”

“Sorry Oikawa, I gotta um, run an errand, for my mum.”
“We can just do that together? It isn’t the first time auntie sent you for an errand and I came along with you!”

“Oikawa you can’t.”
“What? Why not?”

“You… you just can’t Oikawa.”

Oikawa watched as Iwaizumi walked away from him.

‘What did I do wrong?’

-

‘Going to school. Meeting my girlfriend and hugging her before class. Hugging her before lunch ends. Going to class. Going home with my girlfriend on Mondays. Going to volleyball on the other days. Going home.’

-

Outside class 2 stood a shocked Oikawa, because inside that classroom was his girlfriend, kissing another girl. Another omega.

“Oikawa I’m sorry. It was fun being in a relationship with you, but I can’t do this anymore. I’m in love with someone else. I hope you understand. We weren’t meant to work out anyway.”

-

‘Going to school. Going to class. Eating lunch. Going to class. Going home on Mondays. Going to volleyball on the other days. Going home.’

-

‘What did I do wrong?

Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m lacking. Am I lacking? What am I lacking? Am I not pretty enough? Am I not skinny enough? Am I not good enough at volleyball? Am I not enough of an omega for them?’

Thoughts plagued Oikawa’s brain like a wildfire. So much so that he couldn’t sleep at night. He decided to get up earlier and run longer. He rarely ate and spent most of his time either playing volleyball or studying. 

No one stopped him or said anything, since he stayed away from his fangirls prying eyes, and avoided people as much as he could. Iwaizumi, Matsukawa, and Hanamaki didn’t notice, they were busy avoiding Oikawa.

2 weeks passed by this way, until he collapsed during afternoon practice, a pile of limbs too thin for an athlete like himself. Iwaizumi, Matsukawa, and Hanamaki standing there frozen, while Yahaba moved the quickest, yelling at people to get the coaches while an upperclassmen called the ambulance. He looked towards them for answers, and was furious when they didn’t know what happened to Oikawa. 

-

The paramedics took Oikawa to the hospital, and the rest of the team had gone home by then. The only ones left were Watari, Yahaba, Kyoutani, Matsukawa, Hanamaki, and Iwaizumi. Watari and Kyoutani blocked the door, while Yahaba faced them, eyes set in a hard glare.

“Now, what the fuck happened?”

Chapter Text

“We need to talk.”

Iwaizumi turned around and took one look at Matsukawa and Hanamaki. “It's about time,” he sighed. The three of them headed to the rooftop, not worried about Oikawa joining them since he had a group project to do. They sat in a circle, waiting for one of them to break the silence.

“I like Oikawa and I want to court him.” 

Surprisingly the three of them spoke the exact same thing all at once. A few seconds went by before they fell forward, laughing their hearts out, before one of them commented that, “he’s really got us wrapped around his pretty fingers huh,” and the others couldn't help but agree.

-

From then on, each of them became a little bit bolder with their actions towards Oikawa. Scenting him whenever it was (or wasn't) appropriate to, and hugging him at any given moment. They managed to keep up with the affection for weeks and spent as much time around him that they could spare. So much so that not spending time with him became a rare moment in their day. That's why they all heard their hearts break simultaneously when the rumour first started going around.

-

“Hey, did you hear? Oikawa-san is going out with that girl from class 2!”

Matsukawa clenched his jaw when he heard the rumour for the upteenth time that morning. He couldn't help it and was just about ready to confront Oikawa about it when Hanamaki stood in front of him, placing a hand on his chest and stopping him from going to wherever Oikawa was right then and there.

“I know what you’re trying to do, believe me we’re frustrated about this too,” Hanamaki pointing to himself and Iwaizumi, “but going to him by yourself isn’t gonna solve anything. Just wait ‘til practice okay. We need to deal with this together.” Hanamaki stayed in front of Matsukawa until he nodded, still tense, before they all headed to class. 

-

Iwaizumi didn’t know what was going on anymore. 

“Yup! I’ll introduce her to you three tomorrow.”

Did the scenting mean nothing to him? The hugs? The jokes, laughs, smiles shared between them all? Did Oikawa think nothing of them?

The air during practice was so thickly contaminated with the scent of frustration and betrayal, the other members found it so stifling they moved practice outside. Iwaizumi felt like he was drowning in regret. All he wanted to do was ask Oikawa why, but no words would leave his mouth whenever his eyes landed on him, and he was filled with an unending sadness all over again.

-

Hanamaki didn’t know what he was expecting. Half of him wanted Oikawa to laugh off his question and tell him that it was just a stupid rumour. That he rejected the girl and was still available. That he was just waiting for the three of them to get their heads out of their asses and confess. That he was still theirs.

But Oikawa was never theirs to begin with.

-

Avoidance. Aggravation. 

When someone doesn't know how to deal with a situation, they fall back onto their emotions to help guide them through said situation. Which was exactly what the three alphas had done. Whenever they weren't avoiding Oikawa, they were pumping out irritated and angry pheromones, so strong that Oikawa couldn't even look in their direction before needing to cry his heart out or crumple into a ball on the floor. For an omega so used to love and sweet affection from said alphas, the scent of rejection and anger was too much for him. As they avoided Oikawa, Oikawa did the same. He spent his time with his girlfriend, and soon, the three of them rarely saw Oikawa anymore.

-

2 weeks passed by this way, until he collapsed during afternoon practice, a pile of limbs too thin for an athlete like himself. Iwaizumi, Matsukawa, and Hanamaki standing there frozen, while Yahaba moved the quickest, yelling at people to get the coaches while an upperclassmen called the ambulance. He looked towards them for answers, and was furious when they didn’t know what happened to Oikawa. 

The paramedics took Oikawa to the hospital, and the rest of the team had gone home by then. The only ones left were Watari, Yahaba, Kyoutani, Matsukawa, Hanamaki, and Iwaizumi. Watari and Kyoutani blocked the door, while Yahaba faced them, eyes set in a hard glare.

“Now, what the fuck happened?”

 -

They stared at him in silence, not being able to process the question, but Yahaba wasn't having it. The scent of pure unbridled rage filled the gym until Yahaba finally had their attention on him. 

"Are you going to speak? Or am I going to have to wait at Oikawa senpai's bedside while he's in a fucking coma to get an answer?"

Several minutes went by before Hanamaki broke. "We don't know. It was all going fine and then Oikawa got a girlfriend and after that it's all a huge haze-", Kyoutani cut him off quickly. "Oh don't give me that shit. You all scent him and give him the affection only a mated couple would, suddenly pull away, fill the gym with anger and then have the goddamn audacity to say you don't know what happened?" 

"We spoke to Oikawa senpai before, but we wanted to give you all space because we believed you would work it out soon enough. It seems we were wrong." Yahaba had whispered the last part, but the three being scolded were on such high alert that they flinched at the utter disappointment in his tone. Hanamaki looked away guilty, while Iwaizumi and Matsukawa fumed. "It isn't our fault he led us on. We were so obvious about wanting to court him and then he just gets with some alpha he barely knows? How the fuck were we supposed to take that?" 

"Well for starters, don't blame Oikawa senpai. He didn't ask you guys to try to court him. Hell I doubt you even asked him if he wanted to be courted by you three. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were manipulating him into needing you through your scenting. You should ne fucking lucky that I do know better and that instead of manipulation and actual communication you three chose to run like cowards and still try to pin the blame on Oikawa senpai." Yahaba's face was red and he was panting from his outburst, the three alphas in front him looking properly chastised. 

"Now if you have even a shred of human decency in your body, you will go visit Oikawa senpai until he wakes up, and when he does, you will apologize and it will be up to him if he wants to forgive you or not. Truth be told, if I were in Oikawa senpai's shoes, I would never forgive you, but I'm not him." Yahaba walked out with Kyoutani and Watari, Kyoutani giving them a scathing glare before leaving. 

-

"We fucked up so bad".

-

-