Chapter Text
"Oh. You're short for an Alpha"
That was probably the worst first impression anyone could give, and in a split second Yaku had swung his leg around slamming it behind the other person's rear at full force. It was a completely impulsive reaction that had preceded his thoughts, and he knew as soon as the giant had buckled onto the floor that he had made a huge mistake. Short angry Yaku at it again, he thought wryly. With the team he already had the reputation of being a bit feisty when it came to the subject of his height or appearance and each time they saw him react like this confirmed their analysis. The entire gym had gone dead silent, with only the sound of a volleyball smacking the floor and bouncing filling up the awkward minute long space.
"Great first impression for the first years Yakkun" Kuroo whispered into his ear as one of the other team mates helped up the tall silver haired guy. “You’ll need to make nice or they’ll think you’re this scary all the time”
"Lev. Meet Yaku. Yaku, you've met Lev. Yaku is the libero of the volleyball team" Kuroo made the introductions, nudging Yaku forward to greet his new teammate.
Yaku glared up at the first year, before he reluctantly shook his hand.
"I'm not short...you're just…. Tall." The handshake took much too long for his taste, with the other boys hand squeezing a little too tightly before letting go. “I think I'm right in this case” Lev’s rebuttal was confident, and Yaku rolled his eyes as Lev kept his stare fixated on him. His bright green eyes were unabashedly sliding from the top of his head to his shoes. This time he maintained all of his limbs away from the rude first year although the examination was irritating him. Even after Lev was pulled away by his other teammates, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled, letting him know he was still being observed. It was the most he'd been gawked at by any of the new students that year, or any other year, and that was really saying something since Yaku was used to getting stared at everywhere.
At the end of the day Morisuke knew why. He did not have any of the characteristics people associated with Alphas. He didn't have the height, muscle mass, or chiseled features most Alphas were gifted with. The only thing he had was his fiery personality that commanded respect from others through the sometimes use of sheer force and blunt commentary.
"Just because he's taller Kuroo, every time I meet a new Alpha I have to prove myself to them" he grit his teeth a bit before glaring at Lev. "Start practicing Lev! I can feel your eyes on me" Lev reluctantly turned away, not even slightly embarrassed at being caught Yaku noted.
However Kuroo kept watching him amused, "I don't know if that short comment messed up your mind Yaku...but Lev is an omega, or are you getting too old to tell?"
"He's a what?!" It was his turn to fling his head back to get a look at Lev giving him a solid once over "...no"
He could hear his friend laughing quietly behind him "I think he's on suppressants or something because his scent isn't that noticeable. But he's an omega"
"No"
"Yes"
"I don't believe you"
He had met omegas who were a bit bigger than him, but nothing about Lev looked like what a cute omega was supposed to be. Even his stance screamed Alpha, the way he met everyone's gaze and stared without a problem. Obviously he was not an omega
"Kenma confirmed it" Kuroo said, raising his hand to stop Yaku from saying anything else "He's going to be a handful but his height will be a good addition to the team"
"How's that even possible" Yaku kept his lips pressed shut before putting his hands at his hips. The familiar twinge of jealousy was creeping up into his stomach but he quickly shoved that feeling away. "Well it's up to us to put him to good use. But if he says anything else about...."
"I'll talk to him."
The subject was dropped, but as practice went on Yaku realized that being an omega wasn't the only thing Lev was bad at. In fact it didn't seem like he had ever touched a volleyball, he was too slow or too fast, hit too hard, and had no technique or awareness to back up his height and strength. There didn't seem to be an off button for him, or any sense of ranking- not that they really cared about that sort of thing in the team, but still. By the end of practice Yaku had yelled until he was hoarse, and then some more. However he had to admit, what Lev lacked in talent and experience he was making up in enthusiasm and friendliness.
"Yaku-San" emerald eyes peered down at him at the end of practice. Apparently Kuroo had spoken to him because Lev didn't stare below his neck this time.
"Yes?"
"I'm going to get better! Wait no. I’m going to be the best."
For a moment Yaku felt captivated by those eyes, and the words sunk in making him reminisce of his own eagerness as a first year. Despite how new Lev was, he had a serious air about him. Maybe he was going to become one of the best players the team has ever had. Just one day in and Lev was already hooked on volleyball. Yaku felt a tug of pride in his chest, Kuroo usually did the recruitment, and he always managed to find great players.
"I'll be helping you practice. And so will Kuroo" Yaku gave him a smile, the first one directed at Lev that day. "You did a good job." He offered a small incentive to Lev, a light touch on the wrist acknowledging his effort.
They couldn't end on a good note for the day though, Lev’s eyes went wide and he opened his mouth once more
"When you do that you look too cute to be an Alp-"
He wasn't able to finish his words because Yaku head butted him before he could finish and stormed off leaving Lev crouched on the floor holding his face.