Work Text:
“I want to play basketball…”
Sighing, Kuroko rolled around in his bed, curling up in a fetal position. The cotton sheets cooled his skin each time he moved. A warm, tingling feeling was lingering in the pits of his stomach. His cheeks were flushed pink. He didn’t even need to look at the calendar to know what week or which month it was.
It was the insufferable heat week.
In a world possessed by secondary sexes over primary sexes, Kuroko had become part of one of the three statistics. There were alphas (α) that made up 21.5% of the population. Betas (β), which made up 60% of the population. Lastly, omegas (Ω) at a lowly 18.5% of the population. Ultimately divided by recessive and dominant genetics.
Kuroko was declared as a recessive omega with little to no scent. An undesired trait, but much protected like a dominant. Unlike alphas who undergo periods of ruts and aggression. He experienced heats, and as a recessive– unstable heats. Ranging from soft heats that were manageable by himself to heats that had him feeling like an animal in season.
Cursed by presenting as an omega in his early days at Teikou some years ago, Kuroko dreaded these lonely weeks. Haunted by his secondary sex. Forever at the whims of alphas around him. Though, unlike most, he was fortunately protected by his beloved friends and family. Except for today, where he could not get into contact with anyone. Each and every one of them busy with their lives.
The heat traveled down to his fingers and toes, tickling and itching. His body was heating up quicker. It took every muscle in his jaw to stay shut, while the urge to cry out for an alpha lingered. He hated being degraded down to his omega trait. He stifled a whine.
Midorima used to scold him for not taking proper precautions. Kuroko would laugh if he could get out of bed. He was fighting every instinct his body craved, not succumbing to the primal instincts he desired. Luckily, this would be considered one of Kuroko’s softer heats. Painful, but tolerable, and not as primal. The only innate desires during a soft heat was to build a nest and to be near an alpha.
He could only do one of those things at the moment, much to his dismay.
Reluctantly, Kuroko crawled out of bed and shuffled to the closet in his room. He began ransacking through the hanging clothes, searching for a specific scent. It was a certain aroma that he held near and dear to him. Much like rain after the accompanying period of warm weather. The smell of petrichor, earthy, yet– sweet.
“Aomine-kun…” Kuroko mumbled, a soft smile reaching his face.
There it was. Aomine’s jersey he gave Kuroko long ago. It was a Pistons jersey with the name Iverson written on the back. One of many of Aomine’s favorite NBA jersey merchandise. Kuroko pulled it off the hanger and brought it to his nose, inhaling the earthy scent. The jersey brought him back to when Kuroko announced that he presented into an omega to his best friend at the time:
“Tetsu, what’s it like being an omega?”
“Aomine-kun, don’t you know it’s rude to ask those sorts of questions.” Kuroko frowned, bumping his shoulder against Aomine. The pair had snuck off onto the roof top of the school, lounging side by side against the fence protecting them from the ground below.
Aomine huffed, “Yeah, but you’re Tetsu.”
“So?”
“It’s weird picturing you as an omega…,” Aomine continued, gesturing an hourglass figure with his hands, “Omegas are plumb and curvy like Mai-chan!”
“Are you saying I’m not omega-like?” Kuroko’s frown deepened.
He didn’t appreciate being compared to an erotic magazine model.
Aomine rubbed a hand against the back of his head, a boyish grinning popping out.
It had been a week and a half since he presented as an omega. He had only announced his new status a few days ago, returning back to school, during a basketball club meeting with the rest of his friends. Kuroko wanted to get it out of the way, not wanting to be ashamed to be an omega. As it seemed the rest of the teachers and club members wanted him to remain a beta to keep up with the shadow persona he had procured.
Him being a beta would make the most sense after all. Someone who remained in the background, a supporting character. Scentless. A person to move the plot along. An omega would only draw attention, especially a recessive that couldn’t contain themselves.
“That’s not what I meant, idiot.” Aomine’s voice deepened, hooking his arm around Kuroko, “It’s just you’re you, but an omega now.”
Kuroko pulled at Aomine’s shirt, and stated, “I’m still me, Aomine-kun.”
“Yeah, you’re still you.”
The pair stared at each other in brief, mutual silence. The sun beating down on the top of their heads. Their summer uniforms ruffled against the breeze.
“...Being an omega is weird.” Kuroko began, a little unsure of himself, “It’s only been a few days since I announced it to the team and it spread around the school.”
“Are any asshole alphas bothering you, Tetsu? I’ll beat them up!” Aomine lashed out.
“Aomine-kun can’t challenge alphas when you haven’t presented yet either.”
Aomine scoffed, “Alpha, beta, whatever– I’ll protect you!”
“I believe you.” Kuroko said smiling, trying to sooth his angered friend.
“You better!”
Aomine pulled Kuroko in between his legs. Kuroko leaned his back into his friend's chest. Their breathing synchronising with each other. Their legs sprawled out in front of them. Silence settled in the air as the wind continued to blow. A faint scent filled the air, much like dew drops on a leaf on a rainy morning. He couldn’t pinpoint where the aroma notes were coming from. The sun was still blazing above them. No clouds in the sky.
“Tetsu, you smell good today. Did Satsuki jump you?” Aomine questioned, shoving his nose into Kuroko’s hair.
“I shower, unlike someone.” Kuroko bit back.
Arms squeezed around his waist, threatening him wordlessly.
“–But it’s not like it’s Satsuki’s perfume…” Aomine ignored him, and rambled, “It’s sort of sweet, but clean. Like fresh laundry?”
Kuroko’s skin prickled. Something was beginning to feel off. Skinship with Aomine wasn’t unusual, nor was his protective nature. What was unusual was his best friend describing his scent that his parents described as “warm fluffy towels”, while his grandmother explained as if breathing in “crisp air”. A simple scent for a simple shadow.
“Aomine-kun, don’t be silly… Did Midorima-kun hit you in the head with a basketball?” Kuroko joked, hiding his nerves.
“Mm, it smells good. Stay still.” Aomine mumbled, while continuing to ignore Kuroko.
Aomine had zoned out. He was completely focused on the scent teasing him. It was faint, but the closer he got to his best friend, the stronger it was.
“We’re going to be late for practice… We should get going.” The omega said hurriedly.
“Akashi can bitch about it later.”
“Yeah, but also Nijimura-senpai will–”
“That’s not important, let’s just stay like this.” Aomine grumbled.
Kuroko, resigned to his fate, settled back down. He pondered different ways to pry his friend off of him. Whether it was his intuition or his inner omega was telling him something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure it out. Unless.
“It couldn’t be…” Kuroko whispered under his breath, low enough that hopefully Aomine couldn’t hear it.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
As subtle as possible, Kuroko took a deep breath, inhaling the air around them. There was a faint mixture of rusty metal from the fence, and the heat radiating off of cement they sat on. In another awkward inhale, he picked up on something earthy again. Kuroko frowned.
It wasn’t in season for the garden club to start their vegetable gardens on the roof yet, nor had it rained in a while for it to smell like this.
“Aomine-kun…?”
A muffled “Tetsu” reverberated against his head as Aomine was still sniffing around.
Surely it wasn’t possible that his best friend was presenting a few days after he announced his omega status to the club. Kuroko, amidst being held hostage in Aomine’s, attempted to rummage around his pocket for his flip-phone. This was deemed to be an emergency situation and he had to contact Akashi or Nijimura. Murasakibara, who hadn’t presented, was strong enough to help too. Hell, even Midorima who presented as an alpha months ago could go head to head against his presenting friend-turning-alpha.
Aomine’s nose kept digging deeper into the back of his head, then down to his neck. It was starting to irritate Kuroko, in an endearing way, of course. Freshly presented alphas could be dangerous, and if it was anyone else Kuroko would be more worried, but it was his friend– his light.
He could handle this. In the best way he knew how. That is if Aomine decided to become handsy. Nothing couldn’t be settled with fists, if basketball wasn’t the option. He wasn’t the stereotypical dainty omega.
“I think you’re presenting, Aomine-kun!” Kuroko announced loudly, trying to gain Aomine’s focus back.
“...Is that so?” Aomine hummed, disregarding Kuroko.
With a swift elbow to the stomach, Kuroko crawled out of Aomine’s grip, and hissed out a “Yes!”
“Gah!” Aomine yelled between gasping for air, “Tetsu! What the hell?”
“Glad you’re awake now, Aomine-kun.” Kuroko pouted, sitting across from the alpha in front of him, “Pay attention.”
Eying the omega in front of him, Aomine settled back down against the fence, warriness visible in his face.
“It’s going to be okay.” Kuroko uttered out, his heart thumping.
“It’s going to be okay.” Aomine repeated, slowly processing the information the omega informed and repeated, in front of him.
Kuroko smiled softly and said, “Trust me.”
His light nodded, cautiously aware of their situation. Neither of them moved from their position, keeping a small distance from each other, but close enough to ease their worries. Kuroko deep down trusted Aomine, but a person's secondary gender can overcrowd their morals. It never hurts to be too careful.
“Tetsu the omega.” Aomine snickered, trying to lighten the mood.
Sighing, Kuroko shook his head, “Aomine-kun the alpha.”
Lost in their mutual trance, they disregarded the stomping coming up behind us and the slamming of a heavy door. A few shadows casted over Kuroko, causing Aomine to snap out of his thoughts. The new alpha was gearing to protect his friend from the sudden intrusion. It was never good to interrupt an omega-alpha pairing.
“You bastards dare to skip practice!” A chastising voice cut through.
It was Nijimura. Their team's beloved upperclassman and captain, here to save the day. Not only that, but Akashi, Midorima, and Murasakibara had lurked behind. An irritated expression read on each of their faces except Akashi who seemed to be lost in thought.
Aomine growled.
Kuroko was certainly going to tease him about that after they were done getting scolded.
“Dare growl at me again and I’ll toss you off this roof.”
Kuroko smiled at the memory, while his eyes watered. Aomine was still as protective of him as the others were to each other, but it was hardened by aging. No longer was the boyish obsession.
This memory was one of his favorites. It was somewhere around the end of their first year at Teikou. Kise had yet to join them, and Nijimura still reigned terror among the basketball club tiers.
Akashi had been the first one presented, according to Midorima. The true Akashi heir was undoubtedly to be an alpha. Then Midorima presented half way through their first year in a series of unlucky incidents. Afterwards, shockingly, it was Kuroko himself that presented right after, disappearing for a week to handle his heat. Then Aomine, following Murasakibara. Kise had long been presented when he joined in their second year.
It was a rowdy first year for them. Kuroko would never forget, down the line, even if the others eventually forgot.
He brought Aomine’s jersey to his bed and nestled it into the piles of blankets. He couldn’t help the innate urge to nest. Satisfied with his placement, Kuroko crouched down next to his bed and pulled out a bin tucked neatly under. It was stuffed with all sorts of trinkets and plushies from the arcade he hung out at. He would never tell Midorima, but he liked to stock up on arcade rewards in case they were ever the alpha’s lucky item.
“Ah, there it is.” Kuroko, satisfied, pulled out a medium sized plushie.
It was of a frog in a striped shirt and long eared puppy locking “arms”. It was a cute duel plushie the pair accidentally won together at a claw machine during their high schools. Midorima allowed Kuroko to keep it since it wasn’t his lucky item.
The frog and puppy plush held Midorima’s scent. A mix of sandalwood and cardamom, creating a woodsy scent. It reminded Kuroko of his favorite hole in the wall bookstore. Being around Midorima’s pheromones allowed him to focus and anchor himself.
“This can go right here…”
Kuroko kicked the bin back under his bed and gently placed the plushie pair on the bed, tucking it into the blankets.
Pleased, he sat down on his bed for a moment and let the next wave of his heat pass. He felt it in his neck this time. A rigid tension making him uncomfortable. Any time he would think of an alpha, a spot in his neck would tighten. An urge to be marked, claimed. It was a lesson he was taught by Midorima in Teikou. His self-declared health class teacher.
Kuroko remembered that Midorima’s parents had issues with how Teikou handled secondary sex health classes. Being doctors themselves, they passed down the information to their son, causing him to nag the rest of the team, and Kuroko.
“Midorima-kun… Is this necessary?” Kuroko questioned, his cheeks pink.
“Yes, now hold still!”
“It’s too tight…”
Midorima let out a low guttural sound, “If you stopped moving around so much, we wouldn’t have to keep doing this!”
“It’s not my fault.” Kuroko pouted, “You put the thing on too tight.”
“It’s a cuff, and the tool is called a sphygmomanometer.”
“Right… and why do we have to do this?”
“To make sure you’re at your peak performance for the game tomorrow. An omega needs the utmost care.” Midorima lectured.
The unusual pair settled themselves in the nurses office, helping themselves to the school nurse’s medical devices. The sterile odor of the environment blocked any pheromones from filling the air. Scent blockers were plugged into the wall. It was the perfect environment for the two stubborn duo. Especially with the lessons Midorima was to put him through.
Midorima had a bad habit, having a theoretical approach to their secondary traits. He liked to think he was a modern alpha, unlike certain teammates. Knowledgeable about the differences between alphas and omegas and how each secondary sex should be treated, fed, protected, and much more while holding alpha values. There wasn’t a part of the alpha or omega anatomy he didn’t know in the practical sense and he was determined to teach Kuroko the proper ways of being an omega.
“My blood pressure is fine, Midorima-kun.”
Kuroko didn’t mind Midorima’s compulsive obsession over his health. The normally cold boy would always act too stubborn to show he cared about him and the rest of the team. It was rather fun to tease the older alpha. It pleased him.
Midorima rolled his eyes, “I’m not doing this for you… For the team.”
“Right.”
Kuroko and Midorima were sitting on the nurses bed, sitting across from each other. Their knees touched. He wanted to shiver, the room was cold, while stark white lights beat down on them. He didn’t really like the nurse’s room. Not being able to smell anyone's scent. Kuroko was getting good at reading people's scents, like their emotions. It was an underlying way to tell how alphas and omegas felt, not so much for betas.
“Why do you know so much about this-” Kuroko gestured to the two of them, “-stuff?”
“Because I pay attention in class and don’t use my lack of presence to sleep?” Midorima remarked.
“Mm, but you know a lot more.”
Midorima flexed his taped fingers, “How else am I going to protect the team's only omega?”
“I’m not helpless.”
“No, but you’re reckless.” the alpha grumbled.
Kuroko huffed.
“Besides, what if you go into heat? Other than Akashi and… maybe Murasakibara, do you trust the others to provide what you need?” Midorima pointed out. He wasn’t wrong. Akashi was a strong alpha, quick on his feet and Murasakibara had some omega siblings, even if they were older. Kise and Aomine on the other hand would panic. Speaking from experience when he forgot his inhibitors.
“Mm.” Kuroko nodded, accepting his lost battle with the alpha.
“I bet you don’t even know what nesting is, or how bonding works. Considering you never wear your protective collar.”
“It’s annoying to wear, Midorima-kun.”
“It protects you from getting bit by rutting alphas!”
“It’s not like my scent is strong… Most people think I’m a beta.”
This triggered a switch in Midorima. An omega challenging an alpha was never a good idea. He didn’t mean to cross the line. Midorima shoved Kuroko back against the bed and straddled him. Kuroko’s eyes widened at the sudden shift in mood.
“An alpha doesn’t discriminate in ruts. Anyone could be fair game if you’re in the wrong place, at the wrong time!”
“Midorima-kun.” Kuroko whined, wired.
“As it's just me, you don’t have to worry.” He continued. Midorima stayed towering over Kuroko, his weight pressing into Kuroko’s pelvis, painfully, as to prove a point by their difference in strength. He remained frozen in his friend's trap. He definitely knew he was harmless, but the omega in him was wary. Alphas are dangerous. Midorima was just trying to prove a point.
“Traditionally, alphas lead society. Stronger, agile. Often taking higher positions in society.” Midorima nudged his glasses, “Omegas were to be the nurturers, the caretakers of society. To bear children.”
“Times have changed Midorima-kun, not many people think this way.” Kuroko noted, his voice soft not to provoke the boy.
“But, not everyone has changed. It’s better to be careful. Alpha’s are aggressive. You’ve seen how they are on the court. You’ve dealt with Haizaki Shougo of all people.”
Kuroko grabbed onto Midorima’s hand, trying to shift himself upwards in Midorima’s ensnare. He needed to appease his angered friend. Or snap him out of it with a punch. Kuroko was aware how much society progressed in protecting omegas, but he did tend to forget there were vile characters out there.
“Please.” Kuroko let out a whine to appease the alpha.
Midorima crossed his arms and got off of Kuroko, settling in front of him again. His brows furrowed, but the tension in his face was slowly lifting. Though, Kuroko could tell he was pleased that he won that discussion. The pair often budding heads on certain things. Whereas Akashi and Murasakibara had a very traditional mindset, Midorima leaned modern and wanted to educate Kuroko. The rest were mixed, mostly not caring.
“Thank you, Midorima-kun.” Kuroko smiled, kicking a foot into Midorima’s leg.
Midorima adjusted his glasses, hiding his own smile, “I’m just trying to help.”
A thought suddenly came to Kuroko’s mind, trying to change topics, “Speaking of help… Midorima-kun, do you still need help getting that toy from the arcade? If we go now-”
Suddenly, the door slammed open, startling the pair. Kuroko and Midorima whipped their heads to the door. The green-haired alpha half launched himself over the omega again, alarmed at the sudden intrusion.
“Oi! You bastard! What are you doing to Tetsu?!” Aomine shouted in anger.
“Midorimacchi is molesting Kurokocchi! Akashicchi, do something…” Another voice whined from behind Aomine.
“What the hell are you two doing! If you broke the door, I swear-”
Kuroko wrinkled his nose. Aomine and Kise did in fact break the door that day, putting a dent into the cement wall. The day was chaotic as any other day, but thankfully he got away without paying for damages. The rest of the group was punished for damaging school property, excluding Akashi who sweettalked his way out of it.
He did appreciate Midorima’s extensive help. It wasn’t just Kuroko he nagged— he bothered everyone. It was his odd way of caring. Educating his friends that only thought of basketball was respectable in Kuroko’s eyes. He didn’t want his teammates to be all alpha-brained and if only they could comprehend teamwork back then, then maybe they would be the ideal alphas.
“They all are ideal no matter what they do, anyway.” Kuroko rolled his eyes.
Rolling himself off the bed again, he made his way back into the closet searching for more things to fill his nest. The lonely feeling was creeping on him again. He needed to find something large, with a heavy scent. Unfortunately most of the items given to him have lost most of their scents. His alphas were too stubborn to visit since he won.
Kuroko paused, hovering over a shirt discarded into the corner of his closet. It was once Murasakibara’s. A simple light purple graphic tee with some sort of snack branding on it. Kise had begged Murasakibara to toss the ugly thing, so to spite him, the purple-haired alpha gave it to Kuroko to nest with.
And so he did. It was Kuroko’s favorite shirt to wear during his heat. It was like being hugged with a bunch of pheromones and the shirt swam on him, dropping just above his knees. The perfect nesting material.
Kuroko immediately tossed his own shirt aside and put on Murasakibara’s. The material was a cheap cotton mixture, but it was airy enough he wouldn’t sweat too much during his heat. He felt a bit ridiculous wearing the shirt, and jealous by the alpha’s size, but his inner omega was appeased.
The larger alpha’s pheromones were calming to Kuroko, like a fresh, warm cup of chamomile tea fused with subtle honey. It made him tired, relaxing his muscles every time he inhaled. The scent fit Murasakibara, who never seemed to be in a hurry.
He liked Murasakibara. Mostly off the court, where they didn’t butt heads. They got along in many aspects that didn’t include basketball and secondary traits. Though, the pair grew along the way. Now any time they fought was for silly reasons. More or less.
“Kurochin, come sit here.” Murasakibara called out from the cafeteria bench.
“Murasakibara-kun, thank you…” Kuroko nodded, sitting down next to the taller boy, “Where is everyone?”
Murasakibara placed a hand on Kuroko’s head, threading his fingers between the soft locks of hair. A lazy smile reaching his lips.
“Akachin is holding everyone back for punishment for the other day.” He chuckled.
Kuroko hummed in understanding, while reaching a hand over his head to smack Murasakibara, “Can you get your hand off of me?”
“Ah, are you annoyed?”
“Yes”
“Sorry, sorry.”
Kuroko flashed Murasakibara an annoyed look, unamused by his antics. Lately each of his teammates have been fighting with each other, more so than usual. Being the only omega in the group has caused his nerves to go haywire in worry, but lately he’s been getting irritated as well. The constant disagreements, purposely irritating each other, and the lack of teamwork. It wasn’t fair, in Kuroko’s eyes.
He didn’t know who to blame. Was it his fault? The schools? It wasn’t unusual that a bunch of alphas go after each other after being in the same vicinity for long periods of time. The territorial instincts, but Kuroko thought they were like a pack in a way. Kuroko, the omega, had to be the glue.
“Hmm, can I have this?” Murasakibara asked, pawing at a side dish on his tray with his utensil.
Kuroko nodded. Keeping his alpha friend fed made him happy. Even between all the infighting in the group, he was never really mad. All of them still ate together, after all. Whether it was because of Kuroko’s insistent pleading or their innate desire to be around each other. In the end it was them against the world.
“Murasakibara-kun, what do you think of the team right now?” He asked quietly.
“Kurochin, you know not to talk about basketball with me, I’ll get mad.”
“Yes, but-”
An arm swung around Kuroko’s shoulders pulling him into Murasakibara’s side. The alpha had a strong grip holding him. It was a sign for Kuroko to stop talking, or he’ll be “crushed.” He wouldn’t stand for it though. He had a right to an opinion like everyone else did about the team and he was simply asking a question.
“For an omega, you’re very persistent. Isn’t it easier to just do what your alpha tells you?” Instead of picking a fight.
“My secondary sex doesn’t mean I should be submissive every time…”
“That’s complicated Kurochin, just do what we say.” Murasakibara muttered under his breath, “All this effort to show you're stronger than your omega status is pointless.”
“Like how you think it's worthless if someone doesn't have talent… That they shouldn’t even try.” Kuroko bit back.
Murasakibara yawned, “Basketball this, basketball that. Kurochin is so boring.”
“But-”
“You’re overthinking everything. Just be a good omega and we’ll be good alphas.” Murasakibara replied nonchalantly, “The team is fine as long as we win.”
Giving up this dispute, Kuroko moved closer into Murasakibara’s side, letting his inner omega placate the irritated alpha. Sometimes he didn’t know why he bothered Murasakibara with questions about the team. Part of him wanted to rile him up, the rest of him wanted answers from someone. If he really wanted to annoy Murasakibara, he’d bring up the fact that Haizaki Shougo and him have similar opinions on omegas and he should think about that.
He’d save that line for another day.
More people entered the cafeteria, as the pair ate in silence. The fluorescent lights beamed overhead. Chatter filling the room, louder and louder. The pair may have bickered, but they still clung to each other.
“Murasakibara-kun?”
“Mm…” The alpha nodded.
“Want to get ice cream with the others after practice?”
The mellow boy perked up at the thought of the sweat treat. The arm around Kuroko’s shoulders tightened before releasing him from his embrace. Kuroko knew this was the right move. When all else fails with the others, more food.
“That’s more like it, Kurochin.” Murasakibara responded with glee.
“I heard the convenience store released a new flavor fusion… Lavender and earl grey, I think.”
With a thumbs up and a wide smirk, Murasakibara said, “Any ice cream is good.”
“I much prefer chamomile and honey, though.” Kuroko hummed.
“Oh~” Murasakibara almost purred, “I want to try that too.”
Kuroko stared at him with a blank expression.
“Woah, what’s going on here?” Aomine announced, making his presence known.
“You better not be stealing Kuroko’s food, Murasakibara.” Midorima ranted, sitting across the pair. Aomine slid in after, slamming his tray of food on the ground. All that was missing, now, was Akashi and Kise.
“Kurochin wants to get ice cream after practice.”
“Why wait for after practice, let’s just go after the school day ends.” Aomine pointed out.
“Wah, good idea, Minechin.” Murasakibara praised.
Midorima muttered, “Idiots.”
Kuroko looked at each of them and facepalmed in disbelief.
Murasakibara and him had their disagreements, but in the end they still cared for each other. He was always the first one on scene to protect Kuroko from reckless alphas, ready to crush them at any moment. Sure, his stance on alphas and omegas were iffy to most, but in the end his priority was Kuroko and the rest of the Miracle’s.
“Silly Murasakibara-kun.” Kuroko smiled sadly, tugging at the hems of the oversized shirt.
Falling into silence again, Kuroko continued rummaging through his closet. He needed something for Kise and Akashi now. His nest was slowly coming together. Kuroko peaked over his shoulder to look at his small nest.
It wasn’t much, but he knew the others would get jealous if he added anyone else other than them. Especially Kise. No matter how much Kuroko insisted that adding something filled with Kagami’s scent or Ogiwara’s wouldn’t change a thing.
That was Kise’s one rule. Nothing strange in his nest that was meant for him and the rest of the declared Miracle’s. Also, that Kuroko couldn’t have strange pheromones on his body either. Though it went both ways. He hated it when Kise’s fans rubbed their scents on him. It wasn’t fair, considering Kuroko couldn’t cover it with his faint scent.
Kise’s scent though was like fresh citrus on a never-ending day in the summer haze. A strong hit of bitter orange and a touch of pepper. It was a bright pheromone, obnoxious, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room to him. Fit for a model.
Kuroko was fond of Kise. The alpha that stood in the limelight. Kise was a hard worker outside of school and basketball, having part time careers. It pleased him to see Kise so focused, even when he didn’t take things seriously. Often messing with others. True to his personality.
“Where is it?” The omega began to worry. He couldn’t find the towel that Kise left his pheromones on. The towel was gifted to him from Kise. It had his modeling agency logo printed on the towel. Kuroko thought it was obnoxious at first, but it was too soft not to take and it absorbed Kise’s scent heavily.
Kuroko let out a pitiful whine, frantically tossing things around his closet. He needed the nest to be complete. It was not complete without everyone's scent. In resignation, he sat down on the floor, the next wave of his heat causing him to sweat. His head was hurting.
“I need them…” To come home.
“K-Kise-kun, let go.” Kuroko deadpanned, while being shaken by Kise.
Kise had him in a tight embrace. The pair were sitting on the floor of the gymnasium watching the rest of the team practice. It was rare that everyone was together practicing. After enough pleading from Kuroko, they reluctantly went along, trying to keep their little omega friend content.
Much to Kuroko’s dismay though, he couldn’t keep up with the rest and passed out from overexhaustion. Thus ending up against the wall in Kise’s arms. Sweat dripped off him, while Kise fed him water. Their pheromones mixed together with a hint of something else that Kuroko couldn’t pinpoint.
“My poor Kurokocchi!” Kise whined.
“I’m okay now.” Kuroko assured, “Let me go back to practice.”
“Can’t do that, sorry!”
“Kise-kun.”
“Akashicchi’s orders.” The blonde alpha pointed out, “Besides, if you’re worried about the next game, don’t.”
“Yeah, but those twins–”
“Winning is inevitable.”
“Kise-kun.” Kuroko tried not to groan.
“Oh, are you worried there will be too many alphas on that team? We’ll protect you!” Kise announced, squeezing him tighter.
Kuroko tried to wiggle his way out of Kise’s grip with no avail. The taller boy was sniffing at his hair and neck. Alpha’s having superior strength was annoying, pairing it with someone who was naturally strong was even more annoying. It truly wasn’t fair. He wanted to be a buff omega.
“Stop rubbing your face into my hair Kise-kun, you smell.” Kuroko bit back.
“You smell like sweat too, not fair!” Kise wailed, “So what?”
“Mm, but not…” He paused, not finishing his sentence. Not like sweat, Kuroko wanted to say. It was an obnoxious combination of florals, desserts, rubber, smoke, and grass. Wrinkling his nose, he came to a conclusion. Other omegas.
Jealousy.
Kise liked fun omegas and betas. Outgoing. The way Haizaki and him competed for the most attractive was a constant truth that ran around the school. The blonde alpha would come to practice smelling like all sorts of pheromone– any, but his own.
It peeved Kuroko. Not being able to smell Kise’s pheromones. He hated that the alpha let random strangers spread their scents and perfumes all over him. He missed the cheery orange scents that radiated off of him. Dare say he was sort of jealous.
“Kurokocchi, don’t pout.”
“I’m not pouting.” Kuroko wrinkled his nose.
Kise smugly responded, “So cute!”
He also disliked Kise being condescending towards him. That two-faced personality he reserved for people he thought less of. An annoying mask to toy with others. A displeasing development in Kise’s persona that Kuroko thought they were long past. Kise’s personality made a return during the changes with the team.
“Don’t do that.” Kuroko smacked Kise’s chest.
“I’m hurt!” Kise cried out and released Kuroko. He dramatically fell backwards, back hitting the wall with a smack.
In a row of anger and amusement, Kuroko took this opportunity to crawl away from Kise and start running. Which is one of the things Midorima warned him not to do: Running away from an alpha. It instigated a primal urge to chase.
Regaining some energy, Kuroko with all the stability of a newborn deer, bolted across the court. The rest of his teammates paused their lax practice to watch the more interesting spectacle. Running was a bad idea, as Kuroko began feeling light headed.
“Wah, wait, Kurokocchi! Come back.” Kise stood up, regaining his own balance. The alpha bolted after the rogue omega. It took no time for him to catch up.
Unfortunately, the omega realized his mistake too late. His nerves spiked and his adrenaline kicked in. Getting caught was not an option, but he was too slow to keep up the chase. Slowing down a bit, he caught wind of reddish hair.
Akashi.
“Akashi-kun!”
Changing his course of action, Kuroko stopped and waited for Kise to come to him, then ducked down under Kise’s attempted embrace and bolted as fast as he could towards the team captain. By the time he reached the captain, Kuroko was panting heavily.
“Akashi-kun.” Kuroko said again, with a pleading whine. He hid behind the captain and fell on his behind. His heart was palpitating at a high rate, taking everything in him not to wheeze. The rest of the group gathered around him, watching in amusement. Kise followingly behind, but still being wary of Akashi.
“Ryouta, Tetsuya. Enough.”
“...But Akashicchi!”
“Ha, Kise and Tetsu’s in trouble.” Aomine snickered.
Midorima scolded, “Watch it moron, don’t pull us into it.”
“Midochin’s no fun.”
Kuroko took a deep breath, and passed out.
Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?
These three words chanted in Kuroko’s head. Over and over again. He needed to find Kise’s towel for the nest. His nest wouldn’t be done without it. His nest had to be perfect for him– for them. It had to be perfect or they would be disappointed. If they one day came to his home, he had to be ready.
A perfect nest for a perfect group of alphas. Being their omega was overwhelming sometimes. To be the only omega in their small pack was anxiety inducing. They were more accepting of imperfections after Kuroko and Kagami won the Winter Cup. Kuroko knew that none of them were inherently perfect, but the social aspects had them tense. Even in the eyes of no one.
“Ah, this isn’t Kise-kun’s…, but I found Akashi-kun’s sweater.”
The white sweater was hung in the corner of the closet, pristine like the original owner. Another gift from one of his alpha’s. Akashi’s pheromone’s were like no other. It was a rich scent, mature, and domineering.
Kuroko was allured by the scent. The smell of freshly brewed coffee beans, a sharp mint, and a bit leathery. Like a businessman with his morning coffee and his suitcase. It suited Akashi, in Kuroko’s opinion. It was warm, but bold. Suited for an heir, but the touch of mint in his scent brings a childish anecdote.
Taking the sweater with him to the bed, Kuroko tucked it in with the rest of the clothes and blankets. Feeling satisfied as best as he could, he climbed into the nest and curled up into a ball.
He only wished he had Kise’s scent with him. The omega couldn’t remember where he misplaced the towel. The delirium from the soft heat was not helping. Time was slowed during this week. Kuroko could only try his best to sleep it off while he was alone. Dreaming of his missing alphas.
Kuroko started to cough. His body feverish with a soft heat he did not know how to handle. By now he was used to these changes forming to his body. He used to hate that it would make him miss a week of school, not being able to see his friends, but he quit the team long ago. It was getting close to graduation and his friends rarely spoke to him.
Now he was stuck, home alone, sitting on the couch waiting for his parents to come home. His grandmother was away with friends, so now it was just him and the television.
The room radiated with his pheromones. Fresh, cottony scent covering every inch of furniture and walls. He laid in a fetal position on the small couch, covering himself in a thin blanket. Wanting nothing more to sleep, but the bright sun casting through the windows made it hard.
Knock. Knock.
Kuroko yawned. Stretching his arms above his head. Now he was debating if it was worth getting up and making some boiled eggs. It was his specialty after all and he was starving.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Is that a bird hitting the house?” Kuroko mumbled, half asleep. The delirium creeping up on him. He should really just move to his bed, but it was too far, and food. The only time he found himself ravenous was during these heats.
Bzzt. Bzzt.
Now Kuroko sat up. His hair ruffled from moving around. His flip-phone was vibrating in his pocket. He rarely receives texts these days, other than his family. None from Ogiwara, nor the Miracles. Even as it grew closer to graduation.
He flipped open the phone and read the notification:
Open the door. -Akashi, Seijurou.
Kuroko’s eyes widened as he swung his legs off the couch and stood up. He made haste to the door, hesitating at the doorknob. He didn’t have the energy to handle drama right now, especially when he wasn’t in his right mind. With reluctance, the door clicked open.
“Tetsuya.”
“Akashi-kun.” Kuroko acknowledged.
The captain of the Generation of Miracles and the ex-pack leader stood tall and proud with a duffle bag at his feet. Red eyes bore into his own blue. Kuroko was fighting every one of his omega instincts to submit.
“I apologize for my unannounced visit, may I come in?”
Kuroko hesitated, before stepping away from the door frame, and gestured for the alpha to step into the room. Wordlessly, the pair settled into the room and made their way over to the couch. Akashi left the duffle bag on the coffee table, and sat down, making himself at home.
Kuroko felt awkward standing there. He felt like a stranger in his own home. Part of him wanted to sit close to Akashi like he used to with others. Just recently Akashi and him had a talk about the future. He assumed that would be the last time they spoke with each other for a while.
“Would you like tea or snacks, Akashi-kun?” Kuroko asked, trying to be a proper host.
“Sit down.”
Silently, Kuroko immediately sat down next to Akashi.
“Why are you here?” He asked, feeling a little daring.
“I just so happened to notice which month it was and figured you would need some nesting material.”
“How kind of you.” Kuroko flatly retorted.
“Don’t be like that, Tetsuya.” Akashi chided, “We still worry about you.”
Kuroko’s eye twitched, “Then stop.”
“-And I know you still care about us.”
“Akashi-kun.”
“Tetsuya.”
Kuroko pouted. Akashi wasn’t going to leave without proving a point. This really irked Kuroko, but his omega wanted to keel over and encourage him to stay. The pair sat in defiance, pondering each other's next move.
The clock on the wall kept ticking in the silence reminding Kuroko of his heat creeping up faster. He began worrying that if Akashi didn’t leave soon then he might not want him to leave. Kuroko had to get him to leave soon.
“Thank you Akashi-kun for bringing the nesting material.” Kuroko relented.
“It’s only my duty.” He soothed, “You will be by yourself soon, surrounded by all sorts of unknown alphas. I’m sure you would be more comfortable with something with our scents on it in the meantime.”
“I’ll be fine…, but I… appreciate it.”
"A shame that you picked a different school, but not unexpected-” Akashi jabbed.
“I can handle myself.” Kuroko yawned, growing weary.
Noticing Kuroko fading quickly, Akashi pulled him into his side. Kuroko took that as permission to curl up under his arm and close his eyes. Their pheromones intertwine, forming a powerful combination. Like drowsily waking up in the morning with fresh seats and a cup of coffee on the side table.
“I’m sure you can, our dear omega.”
Kuroko let out a low guttural noise in retaliation, but was too lazy to respond.
“It’s unbecoming to growl like that.” Akashi chuckled, flicking the omega’s forehead, “Oh, but you are much more docile during your heat.”
“Akashi-kun… I will not go down without a fight.” Kuroko made one last remark before succumbing to the pheromone-filled sleep.
“I expect no less from our miracle.”
Kuroko snapped out the heat haze slightly. The little snippets of his fading memories of his younger days were distressing him. He missed his alphas, no doubt. It’s been long after the Winter Cup and he’s been working hard on rekindling his relationships, his friends, his second home, with the rest of the Miracles.
Each of them hung out every once in a while. Aomine and Midorima more so than the others due to distance. Occasionally Kise, when he was not busy. Rarily ever, Murasakibara and Akashi, but he knew if he was ever in an emergency, they would come running.
The issue was: What was deemed an emergency?
Was it too soon to request them to visit during his time of need? He was still their bonafide omega. But, he was still stubborn, and so were the others. Now they were experiencing the jealousy that Kuroko had to sit through all of Teikou with. Now with Seirin, who he adored.
Kuroko threaded the blankets between his fingers and used his other free hand to tug at his shirt. The pit in his stomach burned and longed for attention. The only people that saw him, for him, were not around, but the memories of them were still present. Haunting.
He whined and tossed around the bed. Tears threatening to leave his eyes. Discomfort seeping through his skin. His body felt like hot coals. Kuroko needed the cold skin of his alphas, but this feeling will pass, as all things do in the end. For now, he’ll wait for that call.
For them to welcome him home; for him to welcome them home.