Chapter Text
Izuku was five summers old when he realized what the world expected and thought of him.
In the spring after the snow melt, several members of his tribe had crossed into the kingdom of Hellflame to an outlying village to trade. His mother was nervous to go along, but her good friend, Mitsuki, convinced her to come along and bring her little omega boy. “I’m bringing the brat, come on! They need to start seeing the world!” she had insisted.
When they arrived, Katsuki had bolted off to explore, Izuku hot on his heels. Towards the center of the decent-sized village, they spotted some other children tossing a ball around. Izuku smiled and made to move forward, eager to make friends.
The children sneered at the boy, wrinkling their noses. “You let your omega bitch off his leash, you better get a hold on him!” one of them called out.
“Get out of here, you savages!” screamed another.
Katsuki snarled and stepped forward, activating his quirk. The children shrieked and scattered. “What a beast!” the first boy yelled before disappearing. A watery sniff made the blond turn around.
Izuku was crying big, fat tears. “I…just wanted to make friends,” he warbled, clutching the hem of his hooded traveling cape.
Katuski frowned. “Shut up and stop crying,” he spat, without heat. “You don’t want to be friends with people like that anyway. The hate tribespeople.” He grabbed hold of Izuku’s sleeve and led him back to where their mothers were.
“I’ll show them they’re wrong,” Izuku muttered quietly. “I know they think I’m just a stupid omega, but I’ll show them.”
Katsuki didn’t respond.
Ten years later
It was a peaceful morning, Izuku Midoriya thought, as he dressed for the day in his dome-shaped hut. His mother was already out and about, assisting some other omegas and betas with washing the tribe’s laundry. He pulled on tight, dark linen breeches, well-worn knee-length boots, and a sleeveless elk-hide top that bared a few inches of midriff. Thinking of the chill that the morning held, he shrugged on a soft green cloak that was lined with luxurious black and white wolf fur — a present from their chieftain, Toshinori, also known as All Might.
Tribe life was all he and his mother have ever known. It was a small tribe of about fifty — mostly alphas and betas, with a few omegas. They settled within a great forest at the base of Lone Mountain. The forest housed a decent sized river that flowed from the mountain peak, and numerous fresh streams and springs. Wildlife was bountiful, and intruders were scarce. It made for a good home.
Izuku grabbed a satchel, which was already filled with some jerky and nuts. He shouldered his and his mother’s shared bow and quiver, which held a pathetic amount of arrows. Need to make more, the youth noted. He snatched a long hunting knife and fixed it to his thigh before heading outside, to the pleasant sunshine and straight into a bare alpha chest.
“Deku! Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, hah?”
Izuku yelped and sputtered, “K-Kacchan! What are you doing here?!”
The blonde alpha’s crimson eyes bore into Izuku’s own. The greenette licked his lips nervously. Bakugo was, as usual, shirtless. He had guards on his arms, and a skirt of furs hung on his hips over black leather pants. Katsuki let out a low growl.
“Auntie stopped by this morning. She said you’re planning on hunting!? Are you stupid?” he snarled.
Izuku’s eyes narrowed, and his scent soured slightly. “I’m perfectly capable of doing so, Kacchan. I’ve gone before and I’ve been just fine!”
“You’re such a burden,” Katsuki snarled, backing Izuku against his hut. “You’re quirkless, stupid Deku! Not to mention that you could present any day! Do you know how reckless you are? The last two times you went either myself or Aizawa had to tail you because All Might thought you’d get captured!”
The mention of his quirkless status didn’t surprise him, but the omega inhaled sharply at the brazen mention of his secondary gender and looked sideways, avoiding the blonde’s gaze as his own eyes unwillingly filled with tears. He hated how him being an omega was a burden, not only to himself, but also to the tribe.
It was well-known that omegas were sought after. He was the only young omega in their tribe, and he knew without saying that it set everyone on edge. While it wasn’t likely, it was worrisome that King Enji “Endeavor” Todoroki’s quest for an omega spouse for his youngest son knew nearly no boundaries — literally. There were rumors that some citizens and bounty hunters of his kingdom were venturing into the unclaimed lands surrounding the kingdom of Hellflame to try and find omegas, where other tribes (along with their own) lived.
Izuku blinked away the tears, though a few still fell down his freckled cheeks. He noticed that Kacchan’s scent shifted to something akin to uncertainty. “J-just because I’m an omega…it doesn’t make me weak,” the greenette said determinedly. “I’m going. Don’t trail me.”
He shouldered past Katsuki. The alpha made no move to follow.
Izuku angrily removed his arrow from the grey rabbit he felled and tied the catch to his belt. He wasn’t sure what made him more upset; the fact that Kacchan said those things…or the fact that there was some merit to what he said. The omega sighed as he walked further through the forest to track more prey.
He was nearly sixteen, and had yet to have his first heat. He knew it was coming soon, but he didn’t want his impending heat to dictate his life. He and his mom still had to eat! Izuku knew that Mitsuki and Masaru would gladly help them out, but he was too prideful when he was still capable. His mom worried, sure, but she knew that he was fine. However, apparently All Might worried?
Izuku frowned as this thought crossed his mind. The chieftan didn’t think he was weak, was he? No, Toshinori knew he had potential. Still, he didn’t like how the proud alpha had both Aizawa and Kacchan follow him. Speaking of which…
“You can come out now Kacchan,” Izuku mumbled lowly. “I know you’re there.”
“Ah ha ha, Young Midoriya!” a voice boomed. “Alas, I, All Might, am here! Not Young Bakugo!” Downwind of him, a large muscular All Might emerged from the brush. A scraggly brown cloak covered most of his form.
“A-All Might!” Izuku stuttered. “Why did you follow me? Does…does no one think I can handle myself?”
Startled by the question, All Might shrunk into his hallow form and waved his arms in front of him. “That’s not it at all, Young Midoriya! Though, Young Mirio informed me that he heard the two of you fighting before you went off on your own. Are you okay?"
For the second time that morning, Izuku felt his eyes start to water. “I’m fine, it’s just — I worry about being a burden to you all,” he mumbled. “I hate that I’m powerless. A powerless omega.”
At this, All Might’s face grew somber. “Young Midoriya,” he began gently, resting a bony hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “You are anything but. I’m sorry that I asked Aizawa and Young Bakugo to follow you in the past. I whole-heartedly believe in you and your will. However,” he continued, grip tightening slightly, “the rumors you’ve heard aren’t just tales to keep pups near our camp. I’ve gotten word that several omegas from a tribe a few leagues from here have simply…vanished.”
The omega quietly gasped, eyes wide. “Is it the kingdom of Hellflame?”
All Might frowned, removing his hand and crossing his arms. “Aizawa, Gran Torino, and I have discussed it,” he finally responded after a moment. “We have come to that unfortunate conclusion.”
“I can see why you were concerned,” Izuku murmured, eyes downcast. “I promise I won’t do anything to make anyone worry. But what measures is the tribe going to take?”
The blonde man gave him a close-lipped smile and made a motion for them to move. “Thank you, Young Midoriya. We have yet to discuss that, but we will decide once a new leader is chosen. Come, let’s check the traps near camp and go back.”
Izuku smiled, following his chieftan. Maybe everything would be okay.
The week after that passed by fairly quickly, much to the excitement of the tribe. It was the last night of the full moon of the year, and the council — comprised of All Might, Aizawa, and Gran Torino, was finally choosing the next leader of the tribe.
Aside from a marriage or pup being born, this was one of the few times where the tribe feasted and truly celebrated. A hunting party had brought back a wild boar and a stag, and Izuku assisted his mother and some betas with making tarts, pies, and breads. No one knew who would be chosen until the feast, not even the new chief-to-be. He knew it was foolish to hope to be chosen, but a part of him wished for it anyway.
Currently, he, Inko, and Masaru were making some last minute preparations for the feast that was to begin in an hour or so, slicing breads, cheeses, and fruits right outside the Bakugo’s familial hut around a small fire. Izuku grabbed an apple to slice and immediately dropped it while crying out as his insides cramped in pain. He nearly doubled over from how much it hurt. What did I eat, he bemoaned to himself.
“Izu!” his mom cried out, throwing her small knife on the ground and hurrying over. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?!”
Masaru stood up in surprise. “Izuku-kun! Inko, do you want me to get someone? Should I find Mitsuki?” The blonde spitfire had taken their son to spar as he was literally exploding with nervous energy for the night ahead.
Inko bit her lip worriedly. “Izu,” she began quietly, “how have you been feeling for the past few days?” She hesitantly put a trembling palm on her child’s brow. Warm. Too warm, she thought, beginning to piece it together.
“I-I don’t know,” he stammered, holding his middle while curling on himself slightly. “Restless, I guess? Kind of, uh…I don’t know, this is embarrassing,” he trailed off, blushing. At his mother’s encouraging look, he continued. “N-needy I guess. I just want to be held and, um, stuff,” he finished. “And my stomach has been feeling off, but nothing like now.”
Her brows furrowed briefly before her face relaxed into a gentle, motherly smile. “Izu, you have the worst timing, you know that?” Beside her, Masaru chuckled.
“You two might want to head home before—“
“OI! Hey! Why are you three just standing around?” a strong, authoritative voice boomed. Izuku’s instincts overpowered his pain as he jolted upright and glanced up. Mitsuki was striding towards them, Katsuki not far behind. She was wearing a leather skirt with furs and a midriff-baring leather shirt that showcased her muscular abdomen. Katsuki strode up beside her, looking noticeably more calm than he had before. The the fire’s wavering light reflected off of the mother-son duo’s jewelry and their sweat shone visibly.
Izuku’s breath hitched when his gaze found Katsuki’s bare chest. He wasn’t totally oblivious; he knew Kacchan was strong. He’d been strong for forever, even when they were pups. The blonde always moved with power, whether it was silent strength like a jungle cat, or in battle like a berserker. It would take absolutely nothing, barely any effort on Katsuki’s behalf, to overpower someone. To overpower Izuku. To grab at him and shove him against the earth, pinning him, growling at him with lust and something else in his eyes. “Omega,” he’d snarl, smirking. He’d sink a hand into Izuku’s unruly hair, grab tight, and yank his head to the side and back, baring his throat, where his mouth and sharp canines moved closer and closer —
“Izuku!” Inko nearly shouted, firmly grabbing at his arm. The omega blinked, feeling dazed. What on earth was that?
Snapping back to reality, he took in everyone around him. His mother looked slightly panicked, Masaru had his head pointed in any direction that wasn’t towards him, Mitsuki was outright laughing. And Kacchan…
Kacchan was staring directly at him, eyes dilated. Izuku hesitantly scented the air. The alpha smelled good, to say the least. Like burnt honey and woodsmoke, he thought. There was also something else.
Arousal.
And it was his own.
Izuku felt himself stiffen and fill with dread. As if his body was mocking him, he could suddenly feel the dampness of slick between his legs. Lots of it.
Oh.
Oh.
He did what any sane person would do. He bolted.