Chapter Text
The sand was hot and blindingly white. Sharp contrast to the cool, dark blue of the Pacific Ocean. Seven-year-old Iwaizumi Hajime, a sturdy, sun-kissed Alpha crouched low, his small hands expertly shifting damp sand near a cluster of mangroves. He was on a serious MISSION, crab hunting. He was spending the summer in the Philippines, his mother’s home. The beach is near his titas' (aunts') house, his summer kingdom. His sharp brow furrowed, he's in focus. "GOTCHA!" Iwaizumi's face lit up as he lift a big crab in his hand.
A sudden, deep roar sliced through the tropical air, making him instinctively duck. He looked up, shielding his eyes with his left hand. High above the vast, bright-blue expanse. A silver needle soared. It was a commercial jet, probably coming in to land at the international airport in Manila. It moved with such effortless grace, true master of the sky. Hajime, the Alpha who always loved the sea and the fight of a tiny or big crab was rooted to the spot. He stared until the plane was just a shrinking silver glint, then just a speck, then gone.
“Ang galing…” (Amazing...) he whispered in Tagalog. (Please don't bully me and educate me. I don't know any Tagalog I just use Google Translate T. T)
He imagined being up there, not just seeing around the world but commanding that metal bird, defying gravity, bridging oceans. From that day on, the sand and the tide pools shared his heart with the limitless, perfect blue of the sky.
---
Iwaizumi no, Captain Iwaizumi Hajime is thirty now. He was no longer the boy hunting crabs. He was a respected pilot for Japan Airlines, five years into his career. His forearms were thick, his gaze sharp, and he possessed the quiet, focused intensity of a true Alpha leader. He had commanded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on the long-haul flight from Narita, and it was now taxiing toward the gate at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). He had done it. He achieved the dream. But a new, unexpected storm was brewing, and it wasn't turbulence.
“Captain Iwaizumi,” a low, steady voice said. Sawamura Daichi, his co-pilot, a fellow Alpha with an unshakeable, fatherly presence, handed him a stack of flight reports. “The gate information is confirmed. We’re done until the return flight in 48 hours. Ready to hit the hotel, get some sinigang?” Daichi asked, a slight, knowing smirk on his face. He knew Captain Iwaizumi’s favorite Filipino dish. Hajime groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I can’t just go to the hotel, Daichi.”
“Oh?”
“My titas know I’m flying this route. Tita Carmelita, Tita Delia, Tita Rosalinda... they have already texted my mother about a family dinner tonight.” Hajime leaned back in his seat, the leather squeaking in protest. “It’s a trap, Daichi. A glorious, home-cooked hearty dinner but also Alpha-trapping match-making trap.” As a highly eligible, financially secure Alpha who was nearing his prime, his unmarried status was a constant source of anxiety for his Philippine family. They meant well, but their matchmaking attempts were relentless. Every single time he visited, a new, "perfect" Omega usually a cousin's friend, or a neighbor’s accomplished daughter or omega son was inevitably trotted out.
Daichi’s smirk widened into a full-on grin. “Ah, yes. The classic Alpha problem. Just tell them you have a partner already, Hajime.”
“I did, last time! They brought their niece over anyway, 'just for a nice chat.' I need a physical presence. I need a mate.” Hajime slammed a fist gently on the armrest. “And I need one who will make them shut up for at least 48 hours.” He looked at Daichi. “You’re an Alpha. If You’re coming with me and tell them you’re my partner, they’ll think I’m lying because you smell like an Alpha. If I ask you to pretend, they’ll think I’m bringing home the wrong kind of partner.”
Daichi just laughed. “Sorry, Captain. My Alpha scent is pretty persistent. You need a truly beautiful, irresistible Omega to make them believe you’ve finally settled down.” Hajime’s eyes drifted toward the cabin door. An Omega. A believable Omega. An Omega who would command attention and make his Titas think, ‘Wow, Hajime finally caught a prize. We must not interfere.’
Suddenly, his eyes landed on a figure helping passengers gather their bags. A figure of exquisite, almost unnerving beauty.
Oikawa Tooru, the lead flight attendant. An Omega.
Oikawa was currently tilting his head to graciously accept thanks from an elderly passenger, his light brown hair? Immaculate, his movements? Elegant. He was the most beautiful Omega on the whole crew.
Perfect, Hajime thought. Absolutely PERFECT.
Iwaizumi imagine that the fake mate plan successful and he finally in peace with his titas, FINALLY. But in reality he staring at Oikawa so intensely even if Oikawa don't realize it yet. "You're staring, Captain..." Daichi giving his captain weird look as Iwaizumi imagining his successful escape-from-titas-matchmaking escape plan.
"Shut up, Daichi this is gonna be my success!" Iwaizumi giving Daichi his evil smirk. Daichi thinking his captain must be so desperate and stress with his titas pressures. "Okay captain just don't scare or traumatized Oikawa in the process, jeez you're creepy" Daichi know this man for five years but never this kind of side he know.
---
Iwaizumi found Oikawa straightening the galley, checking inventory before handing over the plane to the ground crew. Oikawa had his back to him, humming a tune from a K-pop idol group. But it became his solo karaoke sing off.
You you you you like it's magnetic
You you you you you you-
Hajime cleared his throat. Oikawa turned, his big, thoughtful brown eyes widening in surprise. “Captain Iwaizumi?! Ahem! Is there an issue with the landing report?” Oikawa asked professionally, his tone soft, deferential. Damn, Iwaizumi cursed in his thought. He always forget that Oikawa Tooru is so goddamn beautiful, it's lethal from this near.
Hajime looked down at his shoes, then back at Oikawa, his Alpha composure completely shattered by desperation. He took a breath. “Oikawa,” he began, voice low and earnest. “I have a huge, life-or-death family situation.” Oikawa raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “A life-or-death situation in Manila? Oh my god! Is it family emergency?!"
“No! Not that but... Worse. It's The titas.” Iwaizumi stepped closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “My aunts. They know I’m here. They have a dinner planned. It is a matchmaking ambush.” He reached out and gently laid a hand on Oikawa’s wrist, a bold move he immediately regretted, but he couldn’t take back. Oikawa didn't pull away. Hajime squeezed his wrist slightly, his gaze intense. “Please, Oikawa. I’m begging you. Just pretend to be my mate. Just for this one family visit.” Oikawa blinked several times, the heat rising in his cheeks making his finely tuned mask of professionalism waver for a dangerous second.
D-did Captain Iwaizumi Hajime just beg me?
He pulled his wrist gently from the Alpha's grasp, needing the physical space to process the request and the thrilling of the sudden contact. "Wh-what? What family, Captain?" Oikawa managed, scrambling to regain his cool. He straightened a stack of menus, avoiding eye contact. He knew, intimately, which family Iwaizumi meant. He knew the Captain's mother was Japanese-Filipino and his father was Filipino, and that the trips to Manila were obligatory family visits. He also knew Iwaizumi was fiercely protective of his privacy and his status as an un-bonded Alpha.
"My family here," Iwaizumi stressed, his voice dropping further. "My Father's sisters. My titas. The Filipino side. They are... enthusiastic. They believe my career success is pointless unless I acquire a stunning Omega and produce heirs." Iwaizumi sighed, running a hand through his short, dark hair. "Look, Oikawa, you're the most beautiful, most refined Omega on this whole crew. If I walk in there with you on my arm, they will be instantly silenced. They'll assume I've finally settled for the best, and they won't dare interfere or try to matchmake with any of their friends' daughters or... Omega son of course."
He leaned in slightly, his intensity focused solely on Oikawa. "It's just dinner tonight, maybe lunch tomorrow. I need you to wear my jacket, walk close to me, and pretend you've been putting up with my crap for years. I'll pay you, obviously. Triple your per diem." Oikawa pressed his lips together, his mind racing. This was a ridiculous, terrible, wonderful proposition. He cleared his throat. He gotta keep his cool.
"Captain, this is a huge favor. It requires a significant amount of emotional acting, and frankly, a degree of scent masking I'm not usually comfortable with," Oikawa replied, choosing his words carefully. "But... if it means saving your skin from a matchmaking ambush, I suppose I could consider it." He paused, a wicked little gleam entering his brown eyes. "But I think your jacket would ruin my current aesthetic. Perhaps you could lend me something else... and maybe you could make it quadruple per diem?"
Damn I would do anything Tooru! anything! Thank God he cooperated!
Iwaizumi’s shoulders visibly slumped with relief, the tension draining out of his broad frame. "D-deal," he stammered, his cheeks darkening slightly at the rush of relief and the realization that Oikawa had just agreed to the absurd plan. "Quadruple per diem. Consider it done." He offered a jerky nod. "See you tonight then. We'll meet in the hotel lobby around six. And seriously, Oikawa, no pressure on the attire, though it's just a family dinner. Be comfortable." He made a move to leave the galley, then stopped, turning back one last time.
"Thank you, Oikawa. You're saving my life," he added, his voice sincere before he quickly exited the galley, heading off to find Daichi and get the necessary paperwork signed off. Oikawa stood in the quiet galley, his heart doing a ridiculous little flutter punch against his ribs. He touched the spot on his wrist where Iwaizumi had briefly held him.
"Just family dinner, huh?" Oikawa murmured to himself, a slow, theatrical smile spreading across his face. "Captain Iwaizumi, you have no idea who you just invited to your family dinner." He wasn't going to be merely comfortable. He was going to be UNFORGETTABLE. The best Omega, pretending to be the perfect mate? This was going to be the performance of his career.
---
The moment the door to his shared hotel room clicked shut, Oikawa Tooru let out a high-pitched, triumphant squeal that was utterly unbecoming of a senior flight attendant. He practically threw his small duffel bag onto the carpet and spun around, his eyes wide and sparkling with mischief. Two other figures immediately rose from the beds, abandoning their relaxation to lean in eagerly, Akaashi Keiji and Sugawara Koushi both part of the flight crew.
"What was that noise?" Akaashi asked, though his lips were already twitching upward. "You sound like you just won the lottery, Oikawa." Sugawara clapped his hands together, his silver hair catching the light. "Did the Captain finally give you a raise? Or did he just look at you for more than three seconds?"
Oikawa dramatically clutched his hands to his chest, his whole body practically vibrating with excitement. "Worse and Better! Oh, my little Omegas, gather 'round! Captain Iwaizumi Hajime is in serious trouble, and he has come to me! me!! The Great Oikawa Tooru!" Akaashi and Sugawara exchanged a look, then immediately slid off the beds and took up positions on the floor, ready for the juicy details.
"Details, Oikawa-san, details! Now!" Akaashi prompted, his voice serious and invested to this gossip. "His titas! His terrifying, Filipino aunties are descending upon him for a mandatory family dinner tonight, and they are bringing Omegas! He's afraid of the dreaded matchmaking ambush!" Oikawa whispered, leaning in conspiratorially. Sugawara gasped, putting a hand over his mouth. "No! Not the titas!"
"Yes! And," Oikawa paused for maximum effect, dropping his voice to a low, theatrical purr, "The Captain of the great Japanese Airlines B787, the strong, silent, famously un-bonded Alpha; just begged me, personally, to be his solution." Akaashi’s eyes widened slightly, a rare display of shock. "He asked you to be his temporary mate!?!"
"YESSS! He asked me to pretend to be his mate," Oikawa corrected, correcting the nuance. "He was so flustered he was practically tripping over his own feet to beg me! He offered me quadruple per diem! He said I was 'the most beautiful, most refined Omega' on the crew and that I would 'silence' his aunts!" Sugawara's face broke into a delighted, mischievous smile. "Oh, Tooru. This is it. This is your life's greatest performance!"
"Exactly!" Oikawa threw his arms out wide. "This is not just a dinner, it is a mission. A crucial display of dominance. I need to be so stunning, so perfect as the Captain's partner, that those aunts will retreat, defeated, and never try to interfere again."
He suddenly pointed a dramatic finger at his two friends.
"The mission starts now! Operation Silence the Titas! Akaashi, you are on scent profile! I need to smell like I've been sleeping in the Captain's nest for years! And Sugawara, you are on wardrobe and beauty! I said 'no pressure on the attire,' but the Captain is about to discover that his fake mate operates under an entirely different definition of 'just family dinner'!" Akaashi picked up a small bag containing Omega-specific scent mixers and oils. "Understood, Oikawa-san. We need to establish a believable, settled scent bond."
Sugawara jumped up, already pulling his phone out. "Consider it done! We're in Manila, the fashion capital of Southeast Asia! We need an outfit that says 'I am rich, beautiful, and exclusively claimed by your favorite Alpha nephew. Do not touch.'" Oikawa winked, radiating confidence. "My sweet Omegas, prepare for brilliance. Tonight, we secure the Captain's freedom... and I get to see him flustered for fucking three solid hours."
---
The transformation began. The small bathroom counter became a battlefield of makeup, scent diffusers, and hairspray. Akaashi took charge of the scent bond, meticulously blending a light base of Oikawa’s natural scent and mixed it with Iwaizumi's sample scent, taken from a worn sweater Iwaizumi had left for Oikawa. The goal wasn't just to smell like Iwaizumi's mate but to smell bonded to him. Soft, harmonious blend that suggested they shared space and comfort often. "Be sure to place the majority of the scent around your neck and wrists, Oikawa-san," Akaashi instructed, dabbing the scented oil precisely. "That is where a claimed mate’s scent is strongest. It's a non-verbal barrier."
Sugawara became the chief stylist and makeup artist. "We are going for 'effortlessly radiant,' not 'trying too hard,'" Suga chirped, his hands flying expertly with brushes. He sculpted Oikawa’s cheekbones and jawline, making him look impossibly sharp, then applied a subtle, smoky treatment to his eyes, making them look even larger and more captivating.
"The hair, Tooru! We need to imply you are constantly traveling first-class with your wealthy Alpha," Suga declared, giving Oikawa's light brown hair volume and a sophisticated, slightly tousled wave. As the final touches were made, Oikawa looked in the mirror. The emerald long dress he chose shimmered, the subtle scent of a well-loved mate surrounded him, and his beauty was undeniable. He didn't look like a flight attendant; he looked like a highly sought-after, and secured partner. "Alright," Oikawa said, striking a pose. "The mission is a success. Now, all that's left is for the Captain to see what a stunning Omega he's 'claimed.' Let's see if his famous Alpha composure can survive this." It's 6:00 PM. Oikawa is ready.
---
Captain Iwaizumi Hajime stood outside Oikawa’s hotel room door. He was dressed in a crisp, dark polo and tailored slacks; his attempt at "respectable but casual" for a family dinner. He felt a nervous flutter in his stomach that no amount of pre-flight checks could have prepared him for. He was putting his entire reputation, his future comfort, and his peace of mind into the hands of Oikawa Tooru, the famously dramatic Omega.
He’s just a flight attendant. He’ll look nice. That’s enough to stop the Titas. He tried to reassure himself.
He raised his hand and gave a sharp, quick knock.
A moment later, the door swung inward. Iwaizumi Hajime, the unflappable Alpha pilot who routinely navigated multi-million dollar machinery through typhoons and heavy air traffic, completely forgot to breathe. Oikawa Tooru stood framed in the doorway, illuminated by the warm interior light. It wasn't just the outfit; it was the entire package. The emerald green dress was a liquid shock of color, clinging in a way that showcased every elegant line of Oikawa’s body, yet somehow remaining utterly classy. It was a dress meant for a gala, not a family dinner in Paranaque.
His hair was perfectly styled, his makeup subtle but devastating, making his brown eyes seem huge and full of serene confidence. He was breathtaking.
But what truly hit Iwaizumi was the scent. It was Oikawa’s familiar scent but woven into a deep, settling undertone of Iwaizumi's own scent. The blend was harmonious, intimate, and profoundly settled. It smelled like their scents had lived together, tangled together, for a long, long time. It smelled like they happily mated for years.
Oikawa offered a soft, dazzling smile, his expression entirely calm, as if this level of glamour were simply his daily attire. "Captain," Oikawa’s voice was smooth as silk. "You're here. Ready to face the music?" Iwaizumi could only stare, his own Alpha scent spiking slightly in surprise and a sudden, undeniable possessiveness to the incredibly convincing illusion Oikawa had created.
He finally managed to suck in a sharp breath. "Oikawa," he croaked, his voice rougher than he intended. "W-what are you wearing? I said 'no pressure on the attire'!" Oikawa tilted his head, his smile widening into something mischievous. "Oh, Captain, this is my 'no pressure' look. I need to establish dominance immediately. We can't have your titas thinking their nephew is dating someone who doesn't understand the power of an entrance, can we?" He stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He looked up at Iwaizumi, his eyes sparkling.
"Shall we go, darling? Can't make the Titas waiting~."
Oikawa stepped away from the door, leaving Iwaizumi momentarily paralyzed in the hallway. Inside the room, the two partner-in-crime, Akaashi and Sugawara, hadn't been idle. They had been watching the doorway, their heads angled toward the crack, taking in the Captain's absolutely stunned, speechless reaction. The moment the door clicked shut, sealing Oikawa and Iwaizumi's fate for the evening, Akaashi and Sugawara exchanged a look of pure, satisfied success.
They both raised their hands simultaneously, meeting palms in a silent, emphatic high-five that resonated with shared accomplishment. "Undeniably success," Akaashi declared softly, adjusting his glasses. "The scent profile worked perfectly. The Captain’s Alpha instincts completely overrode his logic." Sugawara grinned, his eyes bright. "And the dress! The drama! Oikawa truly is a genius."
He then patted the small, empty cosmetic bag on the bed where they had kept their most secret weapon, giving a small, knowing wink. The final touch, the silent coup de grâce, the fake mating mark. Before Oikawa left, Sugawara had used a combination of highly pigmented, long-wear makeup to create a subtle, but visible, mark just on the curve of Oikawa's neck, strategically placed so that the deep emerald dress would draw the eye right to it. It wasn't an aggressive but a soft, slightly darkened area that implied Iwaizumi had marked his Omega lightly, a sign of deep private bonding.
It was the detail that screamed Do not interfere. This one is taken. Akaashi picked up the discarded hair tie from the floor. "He didn't just forget to breathe, Suga. He smelled the claim and saw the mark. Oikawa-san went for total Alpha submission." "Operation to Silence the Titas is officially a sucess!," Sugawara confirmed, already pulling out his phone to order room service. "Now, we wait for the post-mission report. And pray for the Captain."
Iwaizumi is about to lead his stunning, 'mated' Omega through the hotel and into the taxi. Iwaizumi just sigh heavily.
"This is gonna be an unforgettable dinner for my Titas"
End of Chapter 1