Between the ages of sixteen and eighteen- you either presented, or nothing happened. Yuuri had waited and waited. Neither him nor Phichit had anything happen to them. On his twentieth birthday, he took Phichit with him to the registration office. Phichit was still waiting to present, though they both had a feeling he wouldn't.

There was a registration office on campus they were able to go to. Yuuri was so glad Phichit had gone with him, it was not something he wanted to do alone and had considered going home and having his sister take him. It just seemed weird to have to go register and get marked . It was brand he did not want, a label he did not want to follow. Who cared what you were?

It was a relief he was beta, not having to worry about who he could be with. It was frowned upon when two alphas or omegas bonded- in some countries, illegal to do so. This was at least something he never had to worry about, not that he had ever had that problem. He had dated and never felt anything for anyone… well almost. Yuuri always chuckled as the only person he was ever really interested in, there was no chance they would ever meet, so was pointless.

Yuuri's goals were to finish school, skate and then tuck away back home, where it was quiet, peaceful. At least being beta he did not have to worry about suppressants, hormones and uncontrollable urges.

Staring at the wall, there many different designs he would pick from that would state he was a Beta . Yuuri had to decide which mark he would want. The inside of his right forearm would be marked with it. He wanted something basic, simple. Phichit kept showing him the detailed and intricate designs, they did not speak to him. There was a simple capital 'B' with a longer line in the tail symbol. It was not flashy, and it would only stand out in terms of who he was.

Beta .

Yuuri did not know what he had expected. He never wished to be anything really, so beta seemed to be a fine choice. He came from a long line of betas, so when nothing happen to him, it was no surprise. The mark would be tattooed on him, branding him in his status. A status he has no control over. Nothing else in his life would change, he had already pulled out his long sleeve shirts and jackets to cover his arm. Phichit said he needed to wear it with pride.

It stung when they marked him. Every glide of the needle bearing into his skin only made him hate it more. This was not something he wanted, this was not something he wanted to be known for. It was stupid, almost a class system you are stuck in all due to your genes and makeup. There was nothing he could do about it though. Each glide of the needle over his skin only stung more as little droplets of blood pooled up. More ink, more blood, more pain. He hated it already and wanted nothing more than to go home and wash it off his arm. Yuuri glared at the 'B'. He never understood why they had to register and be marked. Especially a beta. He had his blood drawn, fingerprints taken, and was registered in the system.

It was said years ago that people hid what they were, took suppressants longer than they were suppose too and unmonitored. Alphas would turn violent, attacking people for no reason. Omegas would go into powerful heats that would make any Alpha around go mad with need. People had been killed and died, all simply for hiding who they were.

"You know they say Victor is an Alpha," Phichit said as they left the registration office.

"It figures as much, but I did not read any articles on this," Yuuri said as he looked at his yellow registration card. He would keep it with all his other IDs.

"Oh these are on blogs. People have seen his mark. That explains why he is so good on the ice. I mean, Alphas are just great in everything!" Phichit said as they went back to their dorm rooms.

"Betas can be just as good," Yuuri hated these talks. There was always a hierarchy over each class. Even at college, if you were an Omega, you stayed in a special dorm. It was a relief knowing he was just beta. Ordinary, plain, a dime a dozen, nothing special. Yuuri thought it was the story of his life.

"He is just so cold though. I mean, don't get me wrong, he is a perfect skater. Leaves it all out on the ice, but his interviews and pictures… his eyes are so dead and that smile is definitely fake!" Phichit said.

"He is beautiful and perfect," Yuuri breathed out.

"Well as many posters of him you have all over our room…" Phichit said before Yuuri slapped him.

Sure he had pictures of Victor all over the wall. Almost anything he could find of him really. Clippings from magazines, articles in papers, he had even ordered special posters online. It was no secret that Yuuri idolized Victor Nikiforov, but who wouldn't in the sport?

Though it did get him thinking, Victor never did show his mark. Though with Victor, he always wore long sleeves, even when he practiced on the ice. All of his costumes kept his arms covered- he was never seen with his arms out and in the open. It was only speculation. Other skaters did not care as much. Chris proudly showed off his Alpha mark, even though a lot of his costumes were long sleeves, he was always seen practicing with tank tops on, and even posed when he got his mark.

The only thing that was different from the statuses, most Alphas showed off their marks, Omegas usually hid them. Being a beta was not a big deal. You did not need suppressants, you did not need monitoring for your hormone levels, you were just normal . Boring

He felt different though, now that he was marked and carried around his yellow card. He would need to register his status card with the ISU. Walking down the sidewalk, his arm was covered with plastic wrap to make sure the mark healed properly, he wished he had brought his jacket with him.

"I can't wait till I can get my mark and register," Phichit said.

Yuuri had to roll his eyes. If there was ever anymore more opposite than him, it was Phichit. Maybe that was why they had gotten along so well. Once back at their room, Yuri called over to his parents, letting them know he was registered and it all went ok. Celestino had given him the afternoon off from practice, but Phichit still had to go. It gave him a chance to relax a bit and enjoy some peace and quiet.

There was nothing physically that determined what status you were under. There were stereotypes- the Alphas being big and muscular and the Omegas petite and small. There were many examples though in the world showing that was all untrue, but it was hard to break from certain stereotypes. Yuuri was average height and built, neither large or petite. Victor was tall, but not excessively so.

Yuuri remembered when Victor entered the senior division- his hair long and beautiful, his body was smaller and not yet filled out. Rumors went around he was an Omega, though the next season approached and his hair was shorter, and he was taller, fuller. Speculation was he had presented. He hated thinking these things. Why couldn't they just be people ? They were marked and practically tagged. Put in a world wide data base. What good did all this do? Peeling off the clear wrap on his arm, Yuuri applied ointment to the mark and just stared at it.

This is what he was. This is what he would be known for. It would not be 'Yuuri Katsuki, dime a dozen figure skater'- no, it would be "Beta, Yuuri Katsuki, dime a dozen figure skater'. Not that they announced that when they skated, it was almost as if it were just known.

Yuuri continued to stare at the posters on his wall, blue eyes staring back at him- he had to wonder what it would be like to share the ice with someone like that.


"Yuuri! I said put your phone away and stop looking at all that!" Celestino said to him again.

Yuuri blinked at his phone, seeing how they talked about him bombing terribly in his short program. He had failed all his jumps, miserably. Even at one point sliding into the wall. The only thing he had managed decently was his footwork, but it still had him in last place.

That was when it had hit him, the scent of roses. Looking up from his phone, Yuuri was trying to see if someone was walking by with a bouquet. People were walking by them, but no flowers. It was odd. Standing up, Yuuri went back to his phone and continued to read the standings.

It was no surprise that Victor and Chris were leading, they always did. It was like a cat and mouse game they played every year, only with Victor always pulling ahead. It made Yuuri wonder why he even bothered. He never in his wildest dreams though he would even share the same breathing space as someone like Victor, but the ice too?

It was hopeless. Slipping his phone into his pocket, the scent of roses got stronger again as Celestino guided him out so he could start his skate. It was a comforting scent and Yuuri figured people have roses to give their favorite skater, not that he would ever receive any. They were mainly for Victor and Chris.

"Yuuri! You are up next get ready!" Celestino said.

Yuuri was shaking, his vision already blurry from removing his glasses, but tunneling around him. He heard the heavy sigh from Celestino next to him and a large arm wrapped around his shoulder. Celestino always smelled of peaches and cream, it helped calm Yuuri when he was about to have a break down.

"You can do this Yuuri. You got this far on your talent, not by luck," Celestino said.

Yuuri knew that Celestino was right, he knew he worked hard, but he still felt like he did not deserve this, that he was not good enough. A beta never won the Grand Prix before, why would this be any different?

If Yuuri had thought his short program was bad, his free skate was worse. He landed not even one of his jumps he attempted (he tried twice) and singled out the rest of them. His footwork was where he excelled and he pushed him through it. Yuuri knew he just had to finished, no matter how much he had screwed up. Even when he was done, Celestino was waiting for him, his arm around him as his scores came in.

Yuuri never lifted his head, ashamed of how badly he had done. The scent of peaches and cream drifted to him as he sat there.

"We will just work harder next season, Yuuri. You have it in you. I believe in you, you need to believe in yourself," Celestino said.

All Yuuri could do was shake his head and stand up to leave. He knew he should stay till the end, but what was the point? He did not deserve to be there. They should have let another skater come and skate instead. It was terrible and humiliating.

Running down the hallway, he found the bathroom and called his mother. Whenever he failed, he needed to hear voice. She was always proud of him, no matter how badly he did. He hated that he had let them down, he let himself down. It was best to hide away and just cry, like he always did at the end of skates.

The bathroom door being kicked open startled him to reality and looking up, he saw Yuri Plisetsky standing there, growling at him.

"There is not enough room for two Yuris on the ice! You should retire! Loser!" the kid screamed at him.

Phichit had always told Yuuri he should stand up for himself. Even as Yuri confronted him, he was frozen in place. This Russian Punk was right, he was not worthy of the sport. He was not worthy of the skates he wore. Maybe this Plisetsky kid had a point. Here he was, just barely fifteen and he ruled the ice, sure of himself. He made it known he would win- and win he did.

Yuuri decided it was time to just give it up. Go home and just work at the inn with his parents. It was easier there, life was more simple. Their town was primarily a beta town. He missed home, he missed his family, he missed the simple quiet life.

Celestino told him he had to go the banquet. Yuuri would have rather stayed in his hotel room, and binge watched videos online. Celestino was having none of it. He made him put his suit and tie on and go down with him.

Yuuri had no friends at the banquet, not that he had many to begin with. People were paired off into groups, talking amongst themselves. Yuuri hated how he was always alone, the other skaters in their groups and pairs- he was always felt left out, on his own. His only friend was not in the Grand Prix, and he wished Phichit was here with him.

Luckily they champagne was drinkable, and he decided was best to just drink quietly and watch everyone around them.

Victor was talking to other Russian skaters and sponsors. His suit fit him so good. Yuuri kept looking over at him as Victor had that cold look in his eyes, and fake smile on his face. Maybe Phichit was right, Victor was cold- but his looks made up for how stiff he stood and politely talked to others.

Yuuri was watching Victor so hard, he did not notice how much he drank. It quickly went to his head as all he had eaten was some finger foods the waiters were carrying around. The more Yuuri drank, he more fuzzy his mind had gotten. He could see the Russian Punk growling at a table, his arms crossed, his face stern- he looked bored.

These things were always so boring. Yuuri hated how boring they were. Everyone dressed up so they could stand awkwardly around and fake smile for no reason.

Well not tonight. Knocking back another glass of champagne Yuuri had in his hand, he walked across the floor to the DJ booth.

"Hey! Can we liven this up a bit?" Yuuri slurred out. "These things are the biggest bore and I need some fun!"

The man behind the booth gave him a crazy look but nodded his head. The music changed over and Yuuri chuckled. Perfect! That Russian Punk was still sulking in his seat as he walked over.

"What are you looking at asshole?" Yuri hissed out.

"Dance off!" Yuuri yelled a little too loudly.

"No damn way!" Yuri growled out.

"Scared I'm going to beat you?" Yuuri smiled down at him.

"Can't beat me on the ice, why you think you can beat me on the dance floor?" Yuri asked.

"We didn't compete against each other on ice… c'mon! Stop being a sour puss!"

Yuri growled and stood up. The one thing Yuri did not know about him was was that he could dance. He had spent a lot of time with Minako dancing in her studio and when ballet got too much, she loved to change the music and just dance. It really helped at times when Yuuri's anxiety was at max and he loved how Minako always knew this. She might have been one of the best ballet dancer he had ever seen, but she also could dance many other styles.

"Dammit! I didn't know you could dance!" Yuri growled out as they started break dancing on the floor.

"There is a lot about me you don't know, kid!" Yuuri laughed out.

Yuuri had not noticed the crowd around them as they danced. They had kept on through another song then as he spun around in a twirl, he was face to face with Victor. Those cold eyes were not cold at the moment, there was something different in them. Even his smile was not forced.

"May I have this dance?" Victor asked him.

Had Yuuri been sober, he would have fallen over. Without thought, he tossed his jacket too the side and took Victor in his arms, twirling him around the floor, then he heard something magical- Victor's laugh. The smell of mangoes and roses filled his nose as they danced around the room as a warm feeling filled his body. Yuuri chalked it up to champagne he had been drinking and continued to dance, letting the scent fill his nose and dizzy his mind even more.

So much of that night, Yuuri does not remember. They were dancing on a pole, and Yuuri had even taken his shirt off. He had not cared what his mark on his arm said.

"Oh look at the cute little beta!" Chris has laughed out as Yuuri was pouring champagne over both their bodies. Yuuri saw Chris' alpha mark, but who had not seen that already.

He was sticky and he was drunk. Climbing down from the pole, Yuuri grabbed his shirt to put on when he saw Victor staring at him. His aqua blue eyes not cold, his face not hard. It was warm and inviting. Everything Yuuri could ever want from someone.

The warmth in his body spread even more. He thought maybe putting his shirt on had made him hot, though that was all he had on along with his underwear. He needed to get out of there, he needed to find his pants, he needed to sober up. Stumbling he fell into someone's arms, someone strong. The smell of mangoes and roses hit him again.

"I smelled roses at the free skate," Yuuri mumbled.

"What?"

Looking up, Yuuri saw who was holding him. Victor's strong arms holding him up as those warm eyes stared down at him.

"Are you ok?" Victor asked him.

His body only got warmer as Victor held him. The scent of mangoes and roses filling his lungs. His body was reacting to it, he could feel his cock moving in his underwear and the outer shell of his vision going pink.

Warm, it was so warm .

"My parents run a hot springs!" Yuuri spit out, his body moving against Victor's. He could feel Victor was affected as he was. There was something sweet mixing in with the mangoes and roses as Yuuri continued to roll his hips on Victor. "Be my coach, Victor!"

Victor took a deep breath and looked back down at him. "Almond and vanilla," Victor breathed out.

"What?" Yuuri was confused.

"You smell like almonds and vanilla," Victor said.

So warm, so hot. Yuuri's vision was tunneling pink more and more. He needed fresh air.

"I smell like champagne and sweat!" Yuuri giggled up against him. "You never answered me."

Victor growled low and took Yuuri's arm, pulling at his sleeve, staring at his mark.

"You are a beta," Victor said.

"Well yeah…" Yuuri said.

Something was happening to Yuuri's body, his hips rolled more against Victor before Victor took his hand, pulling him out of the banquet hall.

"How are you marked beta?" Victor demanded of him.

"What do you mean?" Yuuri asked.

Victor threw his pants at him. "Put those on."

Yuuri had to balance on the wall as he slide his pants back on. His body was burning up and there were knots in his stomach.

"I don't feel so well," Yuuri moaned out.

"No shit," Victor said and took his arm, leading him down the hallway.

"Victor! Slow down!" Yuuri cried out.

All he got was a growl in response. As they approached the elevators, Victor's grip on his arm was strong, enough to bruise him and Yuuri tried to shake free of it.

"You are not a beta," Victor growled out.

"Yes I am!" Yuuri exclaimed.

As the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Victor dragged Yuuri down the hallway. Once in a room, Yuuri looked around. He was in Victor's room and his head was screaming at him .

"I'm in Victor Nikiforov's room," Yuuri breathed out.

"Text your coach, we need to get you out of here," Victor said.

Yuuri got his phone out, but dropped it. Victor signed and grabbed for his phone again.

"Victor… what is going on?" Yuuri asked.

Victor was punching away at his phone.

"Betas don't smell like you do… I don't know how you managed to hide it… even be marked," Victor said.

"I was tested!" Yuuri screamed.

Victor stopped for a moment and looked at Yuuri, moving his finger to his lip and cocking his head to the side, as if in thought.

"I have never known a dishonest drunk," Victor said.

Yuuri shook his head. He was confused.

"Let me ask you, is your vision going pink around the edges? I know you are warm, I can feel it on your skin," Victor said as his hand ran down Yuuri's neck.

A purr in Yuuri's throat as he leaned into the touch. All he could do was nod.

"I bet if you checked…" Victor cleared his throat, "Well… you are probably-"

A knock at the door cut Victor off and he went to get the door. Celestino came in and stopped when he saw Yuuri.

"Yuuri?" Celestino said, then took in a deep smell of the room.

"Ah, you can smell it too huh?" Victor asked.

"Yes, your room reeks of almonds and sugar," Celestino said.

"Almonds and vanilla more like it… but yes... " Victor said.

"What is going on?" Yuuri said as he stumbled. His vision was going dark before his eyes closed. Someone caught him. He was not sure who it was. The champagne had gotten to his head harder than he thought and all the questions were confusing him.

"Yuuri… you are not beta… you are omega."