Chapter Text
Tendou knows he isn't like the other omegas. If it wasn't for his scent people would think he was a beta or even an alpha, with his height and personality. But no, Tendou is an omega.
He presented late. He was thankful that he was at home when he did. His mother helped him through it by giving him water, food and even provided him with a toy to make his heat bearable. The first heat is the worst, but it gets better after that. He would bring heat suppressants in his bag and a huge supply of scent blockers.
It wasn't because Tendou didn't want to be an omega. No, Tendou doesn't mind being an omega, it doesn't really make a difference for him, it just has some extra baggage that occurs a few days a month but he can deal with that. He uses the suppressants when he wants to still play a game but his heat is coming up. Though it's dangerous, Tendou knows not to abuse it. The only downside, for him, is that omegas give off scents that will give his feelings (and subsequently his status) away so he blocks them. Because what he minds is that the alpha that he loves, who his omega needs, wants someone else.
After Tendou presented and returned to school, he told everyone he had food poisoning to cover up his absence. When Tendou saw Ushijima for the first time after presenting, he knew that he was his fated mate. Ushijima’s scent was the strongest out of everyone's and it kick started his heat that he had to run to the clinic and took a bunch of suppressants to help calm him down.
He cried when he found out, because he knew his fated mate wanted someone else.
The only times when Tendou would use his suppressants in order for him to play in a game was if it was against Aoba Johsai. If it was any other team he would find a way to get out of it. He knew when they were going to play against them. Wakatoshi would be very expressive.
Though not many people could read Ushijima’s facial expressions Tendou was very good at understanding him. The small upward pull of his lips, the slightly bigger pupils revealing Ushijima’s excitement when he knew that he was going to see Oikawa again. At times like these Tendou hated that he understood Ushijima. Because seeing the effect Oikawa had on Ushijima breaks his heart every time.
“Why don't you give up on him?” “Find another person who will make you happy.”
The thing is, Tendou has tried. After the, possibly, 30th time (he knows it's not that many but that how it felt) he heard Ushijima tell Oikawa he “should have come to Shiratorizawa”. Tendou tried to give up on Ushijima. Because he knows it's a lost cause. Ushijima wants Oikawa, an omega who’s beautiful, popular, was smaller than him and yet who was strong. An omega who was already claimed but who Ushijima still wanted. How could Tendou ever compete with that?
There were times when Tendou just wanted to use his pheromones to attract Ushijima. When he was using a scent blocker during one of the games and Ushijima was concentrated on Oikawa, he wanted so badly just to rip off his patches and let Ushijima take him, trap him. But then he'd mentally slap himself. He couldn't- wouldn't do that. It isn't right. Ushijima will never love him especially if he did that.
Everyone on the team knew he was an omega after a couple of months, they pieced things together when Tendou missed games and practices yet attended some looking worn out. Ushijima was the only one who didn't know he was an omega. Thankfully.
“Tendou, are you feeling alright?” Wakatoshi asked, startling Tendou just a bit.
“Yeah, I'm fine Wakatoshi-kun why do you ask?” Tendou tried to act as cheerfully as he always was .
“You haven't touched your food. You need to energize yourself. We have a match against Aoba Johsai in a few hours.”
Tendou’s smile faltered a bit but he laughed to cover it up. “Awww, thanks Wakatoshi-kun. But it's ok, I'm alright. I was just thinking about something.”
He ate a bit of his lunch but it didn't taste of anything. Not that the food itself was so bad that it was tasteless, but Tendou was too distracted with Oikawa coming that he couldn't take in anything else. He was glad he doubled up on the scent blockers because he was sure he was emitting a strong scent of sadness.
Tendou was a bit irked that Ushijima only mentioned Aoba Johsai, when he knew that Karasuno was also coming. A team which had a member that Ushijima didn't like. He suspects it's because he's unpredictable. But no, all Ushijima was talking or thinking about was, Oikawa.
He looked down at his tray of food. Missing the look Ushijima gave him and the concerned ones the rest of their teammates cast them.
When he was getting changed for their practice semi walked up to him. Ushijima was the first changed and was already out on the court.
“Tendou. You are not ok. You look ill and you smell-. What is wrong?” He asked, his tone of voice and facial expression saying that he wasn't going to leave until he heard the truth.
Tendou chuckled sadly. “Am I that transparent? I- wait… Did you just say I smell?”
Semi nodded. “I mean it's very faint but your sadness is very strong that I can still smell it over your patches.”
“Shit.” Tendou swore. “I have to change them then. Can you watch the bathroom stall for me?” He asked as he took out a handful of blockers and walked towards a bathroom stall, Semi following close behind. Everyone still in the changing room knew the moment Tendou removed the blockers as the alphas and omegas whined at the despair and misery that filled the room. Semi and the others started sending out calming scents to help calm Tendou and the rest of the people in the room. Tendou's scent disappeared after a minute.
Tendou exited the stall and was pulled into a hug by the teammates left in the changing room.
“You have to tell Ushijima about how you feel.” Semi said. Shirabu came up behind his mate and nodded in agreement.
“That's going to be like talking to a wall.” Tendou laughed hollowly. “He- He doesn't see me that way. It won't make a difference. Besides after the Nationals, if we make it, I'm quitting volleyball.”
“What?!” Semi and Shirabu exclaimed.
Tendou, walked to his bag, put away his pack of scent blockers and put his bag in his locker. “Hey, guys. It's fine. I just feel like it's time for me to go.”
“You sure this isn't because of Ushij-”
“No,” Tendou cut semi off. “No, it's not because of him. I've been thinking about this even before I presented, I knew I wasn't going to be doing this forever. If anything I stayed this long because of Wakatoshi.”
Tendou closed his locker and turned to face semi and Shirabu. “I'll still see you guys at lunch and after school. I'll watch all the games you guys will play. I'll still be here for you.”
Semi and shirabu shared a look but then smiled at Tendou nonetheless.
“Come on, let's practice.” Shirabu broke the silence and they all walked out to the court.