Omega

Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu!.

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Drama

Pairings: ?

Plot: Sakusa bestows a gift upon the omegas of the citadel.

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics


Ch 01: Gift

Hinata groaned defiantly, ducking his ears back and pouting as he looked up at Akaashi with teary eyes. "I want to go too! It isn't any fun here when you're all gone!"

Akaashi sighed quietly, carding his fingers through Hinata's bright hair, watching him with a calm, patient expression as the younger omega continued to whine and pout. "We won't be gone long." He said gently, smoothing his fingers across Hinata's freckles before cupping his warm cheek. "You aren't alone. Atsumu and Osamu are here with you. Koushi won't be joining us this season either, or Toru-"

"I hate him! He's so mean to me!" Hinata groaned loudly, turning away from Akaashi and stomping towards the balcony nearby, disappearing past the tiered opaque curtains billowing in the wind. Akaashi exhaled quietly, giving Hinata a few moments to himself before slowly approaching, his bare footsteps echoing softly against the smooth stone as he stepped out into the growing sunlight.

Hinata was crying against the outer ring of the lower balcony, Akaashi stepping closer and descending the small set of stairs to reach the lower ring, his silken robes shifting minutely with his movements, his dark hair tousled before his midnight blue eyes with the passing wind. He left Hinata to himself, looking out across the metropolis stretching on and on far below them, his gaze tracing the towering walls separating each of the distinctive sectors in massive rings with mild disdain.

He understood why Hinata was so upset. Being alone in this place for any length of time was torture without having your trusted companions beside you. They were all trapped inside a beautiful, gilded cage, but in the end at least they were trapped together. One of the only reasons they were able to hold onto their sanity and live some semblance of a happy life within these walls was due to the fact that they had one another to cling to.

Akaashi would be gone for no less than a fortnight. For Hinata, it would be a hellish two weeks.

There had been a time when Akaashi had been in Hinata's place, the youngest omega of the citadel. When the older omegas had left him for the summer in search of their Alphas, Akaashi had nearly lost his mind.

He turned to Hinata, watching him with a quiet, calm gaze before opting to step closer, reaching out to place his hand on Hinata's shoulder with a soft croon. "You are fortunate to have the twins watching over you, Shouyou. You are blessed beyond measure to have their companionship, as well as Koushi's-" He paused briefly before adding, "-and Toru's, despite how disagreeable Toru might be."

Hinata was still crying quietly, sniffing and looking up at Akaashi with gleaming, tear-filled eyes, the younger omega turning to hide his face against Akaashi's chest, holding onto his robes tightly. "I'll miss you! I'll miss you so much while you're gone!"

"I'll miss you too, Shouyou." Akaashi whispered gently, wrapping his arms around Hinata and keeping him close, nosing between his ears and carding his long, pale fingers through Hinata's bright hair, drawing back just enough to tilt his face up and press a kiss to his wet cheek.

Hinata blushed lightly, perking his ears up a little and sniffing while taking Akaashi's hand, allowing the older omega to guide him back inside once more, Akaashi watching over him carefully as they began walking side by side down the corridor leading to the main galleria.

The twins were there, Osamu perking up his ears and saying something under his breath to Atsumu, the other beta glancing up from his book and setting it aside before standing to his feet as well. Akaashi stepped closer with Hinata at his side, looking down at the younger omega while offering his hand to Osamu, the silver-headed beta taking Hinata's hand and tugging him closer gently, Atsumu reaching out to take Hinata's other hand with a smile.

"We've been waiting for you, little one." Atsumu said softly, Hinata pouting just a little while glancing up at Akaashi.

"Would you like to visit the kitchens for something to eat?" Osamu asked, purring softly while rubbing his thumb back and forth across Hinata's small knuckles affectionately. "Or perhaps you'd like to traverse the gardens first?"

Hinata frowned to himself, ducking his ears back slightly while casting his eyes to the side. He considered for a moment, then perked his ears up and met eyes with Osamu while asking, "Can we play in the fountain?"

Atsumu smiled, Osamu chuckling softly and nodding, Hinata finally perking up and laughing excitedly while bouncing on his heels, nodding his head enthusiastically.

"Okay! Let's go play in the courtyard then! We can have breakfast after?"

"That sounds lovely, Shouyou." Osamu purred softly, meeting Akaashi's eyes briefly before stepping away, the twins walking with Hinata between them, the little omega giggling and speaking back and forth with them cheerily, leaving Akaashi standing alone in the galleria.

Akaashi closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath, then exhaled slowly. He glanced down the opposite corridor thoughtfully, then started the long walk towards the baths, his steps echoing quietly down the empty hall. It was eerie now, being alone in the morning shadows of the oversized colonnades, Akaashi parking his ears up and watching the sunlight slowly beginning to brighten the decorative stone columns on either side of the towering hall. There had been a time when this place had been filled with laughter, when the shadows hadn't filled him with chills and unease.

Akaashi frowned a little, continuing his steady pace towards the end of the corridor. The tension in his shoulders finally relaxed once the sound of flowing water greeted his ears.

He stepped out into the small cloister surrounding the baths, the sunlight warming the grass beneath his toes as he reached up and began unlacing his outer robes, letting the sheer fabric fall behind him to rest atop the grass, tousled slightly by the wind. He continued forward, stepping into the heated water and sighing pleasantly, unfastening the hidden clasps of his inner robes and discarding the layers of silk behind him at the edge of the stairs before stepping down the sunken steps into the steamy water. He swam to the center of the pool before submerging himself completely, dunking under the water and holding his breath for several long moments before resurfacing, his toes barely brushing against the bottom of the smooth, chiseled stone as he swam slowly towards the other side.

He pushed himself up out of the water slightly, reaching for one of the bottles sitting at the foot of the statue overlooking the baths, Akaashi glancing up and watching the sunlight highlighting the angel's wings with quiet reverence. He dropped his eyes a moment later, uncorking the bottle of shimmering liquid and pouring the mixture onto his head and chest before setting the bottle aside, beginning to lather the sweet smelling tonic into his skin and hair.

He sighed pleasantly to himself, casting his eyes across the small courtyard and perking his ears towards the shadowed corridors branching away from the baths; one leading back towards the galleria, one leading towards the courtyards and gardens beyond, and another that led to the tower gates. The massive barred gates separating the omegas from the rest of the metropolis and the outside world.

Soon he would pass through those gates. Soon he would travel beyond those walls and out into the countryside in search of an Alpha to take as his sire.

After those that they had lost, it would be up to Akaashi and the other omegas who resided within the citadel to select those that would come to spend the rest of their lives within the confines of the tower. It was a terrible gift; a life of luxury, a life far away from the cruel, harsh realities of the common world, in exchange for never tasting freedom again.

Akaashi had taken one Alpha before, only one in the years that had passed since he had first arrived at the citadel.

That Alpha had died defending him during the coup that led to a breach in the tower's defenses the year before.

He could barely imagine it, the thought of choosing a new Alpha. The thought of deceiving someone into promising their life, love, and loyalty to him sincerely once again, only to risk being slain by those that sought to bring the tower to ruin and dismantle the hierarchy of the holy empire. Omegas were considered sacred. The existence of the citadel at the highest point of the city was a political statement, a show of power by the holy empire. The people had no idea what sort of lives the omegas lived within the confines of the citadel. They had no idea that once an omega was selected to live in those lofty heights they unknowingly forfeit all rights and autonomy, that they were never allowed to leave the tower again outside of choosing sires to continue their bloodlines. They imagined the omegas as divinely chosen, lucky and blessed to be able to live within the citadel.

There were others that chose to rise up against the heavy hand of the empire, and as a show of defiance they attacked and invaded the tower with the intent to kill the omegas within. The Alphas that were chosen by the omegas of the citadel acted not only as sires to their pups, but also as personal bodyguards, defenders of the tower until death claimed them. Akaashi had watched as his Alpha was slain before his very eyes, as his blood was splattered across the stone archways of the peristyle beneath the shadow of the tower gates.

He had served his purpose in the end. Akaashi had lived. Those that had breached the tower were captured and publicly executed. The blood was washed clean from the stone in the hall. Life continued on, almost as if nothing had happened.

It was nearly impossible to think that the events of the coup had happened almost exactly a year ago.

This season, Akaashi had been chosen to venture out into the world and find a new sire. It was his duty as an omega of the citadel to produce heirs for the empire. He was required to find a new Alpha, regardless of his personal feelings on the matter. Regardless of his disdain for the empire and his impossible situation.

There was a part of him that fantasized about escaping from his escort, of somehow managing to slip free from the guards that would accompany him and return to living a normal life outside of the city walls. There was another part of him that knew the reality of the situation, that even if he did somehow manage to escape, the moment he was discovered as an omega he would be hauled back to the citadel and punished for trying to escape his fate.

Another part of him, a darker, unspeakable part of him, imagined throwing himself off of one of the ornate balconies overlooking the metropolis below. Of freeing himself from this cursed life he had been gifted.

He took a deep breath, centering himself back into the moment.

He couldn't do that. He couldn't kill himself and leave Hinata behind to suffer the same fate. He had to be strong, he had to focus on the task at hand, and remember he wasn't alone. He was tasked with a terrible duty, a horrendous responsibility to the empire. Somewhere out there, an unsuspecting Alpha awaited for Akaashi to enter into their lives and offer them a place in the heart of the city. An Alpha who would have no idea of the reality that waited for them once they were safely locked behind those towering gates.

It was likely that Akaashi would never see the countryside outside of the city again after this, unless there was another unlikely event in which he needed to find yet another Alpha to replace one that had been lost.

Alphas were disposable, replaceable, inconsequential.

Omegas were a rare commodity. They held immense political power and were revered by all commoners as divine and holy. Any Alpha that was approached by an omega to become their sire would happily jump at the chance. Akaashi knew it wouldn't be difficult to find a replacement, but he didn't want to. He didn't want to ask another Alpha to give up their life for him, their freedom and autonomy in exchange for a monotonous existence within these elaborate archways, the same arcades and promenades throughout the years, trapped inside a cage like a flightless dove.

You have to. You don't have a choice.

Akaashi ducked beneath the water, rinsing thoroughly until the tonic had been washed away, bubbles drifting along the surface of the steaming water as Akaashi surfaced and sighed slowly, reclining back against the edge of the stairs and looking up into the golden sky.

How can I ask someone to come here without telling them the truth of what it is they're agreeing to? How can I possibly deceive an Alpha into forfeiting their life for mine, now that I know what it means to agree to come here?

He closed his eyes, pinching his brow and reaching up to cover his face with his hands, letting out a shaky breath and trying to quiet his spiraling thoughts. It took some time, but eventually he calmed enough to finish his bath and step out of the pool, walking naked towards the small antechambers behind the statue, fetching clean robes and dressing himself slowly, the sound of birdsong drifting through the cloister as the sky began to turn a brilliant shade of light blue.

The bell of the cathedral far below began to chime, the ringing echoing loudly out across the metropolis, Akaashi stepping closer to one of the arched windows and looking down at the city below. There were people here and there, walking from their homes to the market, lingering in the cobbled streets to greet one another and speak about their lives without another care in the world.

Akaashi wanted that, more than anything. He wanted a life like theirs, living in the filth and mud, free to do as they pleased with their lives, living only for the moment, not for some greater design.

He perked his ears up at the sound of footsteps, turning to glance over his shoulder at the guards standing behind him, waiting quietly for Akaashi to join them. He sighed shakily, adjusting his outer robes for a moment before turning to join them, walking with them towards the corridor that would lead to the tower gates, their heavy footfalls sending shivers down his spine as they walked closely behind him.

Oikawa was waiting at the gates, perking his ears towards Akaashi and lifting a hand to greet him with a cheery smile. "Yoo-hoo! What a lovely morning for a procession through the city! It's simply beautiful today, isn't it Keiji?"

Akaashi hummed his agreement softly, glancing around for a moment and mentally noting the other omegas that were gathering to be taken through the city. There were a few he knew only in passing, but he recognized others that he had spoken with and spent time with before.

Tsukishima glanced in his direction briefly before turning his gaze away, the tall blonde inhaling quietly before exhaling slowly, crossing his arms lightly over his chest. Yamaguchi was at his side, his ears tilted back slightly as he eyed the guards watching them, the freckled beta pressing a little closer to his companion's side.

Yachi was standing nearby with Shimizu, the older omega petting Yachi's flushed cheeks gently and wiping away her tears, whispering to her softly, reassuring her just as Akaashi had comforted Hinata before.

"We won't be gone for long. We'll be back before you know it."

"Promise you won't leave me?" Yachi whimpered softly, Shimizu kissing her forehead sweetly and searching her eyes.

"I promise you. I'm not leaving your side. I'll be right back just as soon as I find a proper Alpha. I promise, sweetheart. There's no need to cry..."

Yachi hiccupped softly and hid her face against Shimizu's chest, hugging her tightly as she sobbed miserably, "Okay, okay…"

Shimizu held her close, nosing between her ears and purring softly, Akaashi watching them for a moment longer before turning towards the sound of chimes gradually approaching, realizing Kozume was staring up at him silently. The other omega came to stand at his side, surveying the guards surrounding them before saying quietly under his breath, "Have you heard what's happening?"

Akaashi tilted one of his ears to the side, asking just as quietly, "What do you mean?"

Kozume narrowed his eyes slightly, letting out a slow exhale before whispering, "Sakusa is here. He has an announcement to make before we are to leave." He twisted slightly, his gaze drifting over the other omegas standing nearby. "There are rumors spreading, rumors of new privileges bestowed upon those of us that have suffered loss."

Akaashi was quiet for a moment, thinking to himself before asking, "Have you seen Koushi?"

Kozume ducked his ears back slightly, gradually shaking his head. "I haven't seen him, not since he was taken to the inner chambers. The baby should be coming soon."

Akaashi nodded slowly, thinking for a moment before asking, "What of his sire?"

Kozume hummed softly, tilting his head slightly to the side before shrugging lightly. "As an Alpha, it is likely Sawamura will recover from his injuries. Until then, his judgement and sentencing have been postponed. We will have to patiently wait and see if the powers that be choose to be merciful, or if he will be executed to set an example for the rest of us."

Akaashi ducked his ears back a bit, sighing quietly. He understood why Sawamura had tried to escape with Sugawara. He wanted a different life for his dame, and for their baby. He wanted their freedom and happiness above all else. He had fought against the tower guards in an effort to escape before the baby arrived, but acting alone in his attempt to escape he had ultimately been overwhelmed.

There weren't many Alphas left now, since the coup.

Akaashi wondered what Sakusa's new decree would be, now that they were venturing out into the vast, unpredictable world.

They stood clustered together for a while before there was movement, the guards standing before the massive gates stepping aside to allow the ornate, towering bars to open, revealing the sunlit chamber beyond, and the masked omega approaching quietly to stand before them and speak.

As a representative of the holy empire, Sakusa was a powerful omega and authority figure, commanding his own personal guards as well as those that watched over the tower in his absence. His armored escorts stood by his side, one clad differently than all the rest, Sakusa's chosen sire, Kyoutani. The Mad Dog was a fierce Alpha, his very presence able to instill fear even in other Alphas, and cause those around him to fall into submission. It was rumoured that his overwhelming musk was one of the reasons Sakusa chose to hide his face behind a mask, so that he would not fall under submission to the Alpha. Sakusa commanded absolute control at all times, and as he reached out his hand and called for silence the entire chamber obeyed without a second thought.

"I welcome those of you who have been chosen for this season's hunt. While I am certain most of you are familiar with what to expect once you leave the city, I will give a reminder now as to what your purpose should be during the next fortnight."

He gestured as he spoke, his embellished robes glittering in the sunlight and casting an array of golden sparks across the shadowed walls.

"Beyond the walls of this bright citadel lie the tumultuous outer districts assigned to the unfortunate, the impoverished and dejected. While you may find pity in your hearts to reach out to them to try to help them in some way, remember their circumstances are not your responsibility nor your immediate concern." He cast his gaze across the room, his eyes dark behind the ornate design of his jewel-encrusted mask. "You are to search for an Alpha of your own choosing, an Alpha to bring back with you and share your life with, and to create new life with in time. Your escorts will guard you well and keep you from harm, provide to you whatever it is you may need or desire while travelling throughout the countryside. You have two weeks to find a suitable Alpha and return to the citadel. With that being said-"

Sakusa paused for a moment to ensure all eyes were watching him before he continued on.

"If you do not find an Alpha this season, one will be assigned to you of my choosing, from the Alphas that are currently unmatched under my immediate service."

Whispers erupted between the omegas around them, Akaashi and Kozume exchanging a glance as Sakusa called for silence once more.

"I understand that there may be some difficulty when faced with the decision to choose one Alpha as your own, for the remainder of both of your lives. With this understanding in mind, the holy empire has given me the authority to bestow upon you a gift."

Kozume brushed his fingers against Akaashi's, the charms on his bangles chiming lightly with his movements, Akaashi glancing over and meeting his eyes.

"As many of you have suffered immeasurable losses over the past year, it has been decided that those of you who have been chosen and blessed with holy ordinance are allowed authority to choose two Alphas to guard and keep you."

Whispers rose again, this time more curious and excited than before, Sakusa continuing to speak over their hushed murmurs.

"You may take either Alpha as your sire, or both if you so choose. As long as both of your chosen Alphas kneel to your authority and are in agreement not to quarrel with one another, you may offer them a place here at the citadel by your side."

Sakusa turned towards Kyoutani, then looked past him to another Alpha, the captain of the guards assigned to watch over the tower walls, Ukai. He stepped forward, taking Sakusa's hand, lifting it and kissing across his knuckles with a soft croon, Sakusa watching him with an affectionate gaze before speaking to the omegas watching him once again.

"We hope that this will allow for greater defenses of the citadel, as well as companionship for those living within the tower." He petted Ukai's cheek slowly, adding to his previous words with a quiet sigh, "We offer this to you with an open heart, filled with hope and joy. May you find those you seek on your journey, and return home with gladness in your hearts, to begin your new lives with your chosen ones."

Sakusa lingered for a while beneath the towering archway, speaking quietly with Kyoutani and Ukai before turning and departing. Kyoutani followed after his steps, exchanging a glance with Ukai, the captain of the guard offering him a smile and a little nod before turning to face his men, assigning escorts for each of the omegas that were to leave the city. Kozume stayed with Akaashi for as long as he could before they were separated, the omegas holding one another's eyes quietly before stepping into their respective palanquins, the layers of elaborate silks covering the ornate sedans ensuring the omegas were completely hidden from sight.

The omegas were carried carefully down the winding steps to the foot of the citadel, each escort procession weaving through the city streets one after the other in a myriad of colorful patterned silks and glittering beaded sashes. Layers of decorative cloth covered the entryway and each of the ornate windows, Akaashi peering out towards the crowd of citizens cheering as they passed, calling out praise and asking for blessings in return. He folded his hands against his lap, ducking his ears back a bit. They had no idea what they were saying, what they were asking. They had no idea of the life Akaashi lived, and how much he yearned for a life like theirs.

The procession continued on, the guards carrying the omega palanquins past the towering walls of the inner district, thousands of flower petals raining down from above the monstrous gates as they entered the mid sector. Once they reached the central district, the palanquins were separated and sent in different directions to various smaller districts of the city, ensuring each of the omegas would have a wide, private area of the countryside to search for their intended Alphas.

As they passed the middle rings and started into the outer districts of the city, the roaring crowds faded into quiet, the cobblestone streets turning to little more than trampled mud and grass. The city limits were mainly comprised of small villages and farmland stretching on as far as the eye could see. Akaashi watched the small farmhouses and barns as they passed by, his fingers curling against the fabric of his robes, his heart fluttering.

Once they reached the edge of the city, the palanquin was lowered to the ground, and those colorful silks were pulled back to allow sunlight into the interior. A guard offered their hand, and Akaashi took it gingerly before stepping out into the sunlight. There was a horse-drawn carriage waiting for their arrival, an elaborate caravan waiting behind to accompany Akaashi on his travels.

He stepped forward cautiously, watching the horses with interest before stepping into the carriage and finding a comfortable seat to settle down for the ride. There was a delay while the guards readied the caravan, then the carriage began across the countryside, heading out into the vast green far away from the city.

Akaashi closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the sounds of the wagon creaking and the horse's hooves upon the ground. He retained his composure for as long as he could before he crumpled in on himself, hiding his face with his hands and sobbing softly.

Somewhere out there, there was an Alpha living their life, dreaming their dreams, having no idea that the omega that was about to enter into their life wasn't a blessing, but a curse.

Akaashi hugged himself tightly, ducking his ears back, thinking of the Alpha he had lost.

"Udai, what should I do? What should I do?"

Should he choose an Alpha for himself, or should he resign to being assigned an Alpha by Sakusa? He could only imagine what sort of Alpha would be chosen for him, what kind of life he would be forced to endure, expected to couple with an Alpha he never wanted and subsequently carry pups.

Could he live with himself either way? Could he take away another's freedom? Condemn them to a life of misery, sharing the rest of their days in this living hell?

What if there was another uprising? What if he found a willing Alpha, a kind, strong Alpha he adored, only to have their life snuffed out unexpectedly by a rebel's blade?

He clasped his fingers together tightly, remembering Udai's kindness, his laughter and his warmth. In the year that had passed since his life had been taken, Akaashi had known grief and acceptance, suffering and heartache. A part of him longed for companionship, to once again have an Alpha of his own. Another part of him was repulsed by it. What was love? Had he ever felt it before? Would he even recognize it if it were there standing there right in front of him? Where did the lines blur between duty and responsibility, and trying to follow his own heart?

Akaashi took a shaky breath, wiping his cheeks and glancing out the window of the carriage as they entered a shadowed forest, the omega perking his ears towards the trees as they passed, trying to even his breathing and push back his spiraling thoughts.

There was time. There was still time. He had a fortnight to make his final decision before returning to the tower.

He only hoped that in the days that spanned from now until then, he was able to determine the best course of action to take, and still be able to live with his decision after.


Thanks for reading! More to come!