Chapter Text
There are plenty of things betas aren’t privy to in this world, and Sasuke is grateful for it. He’ll never know what it’s like to lose control of his basic functions twice a year. He doesn’t need to spend money on scent patches and suppressants. He gets to skip the otherwise mandatory sexual education training and spend that time doing more productive things, like studying, so he can kick Neji’s ass on their next exam.
He knows the basics. Everyone does. He’s just smart enough not to engage in the additional secret secondary biology discourse. When girls discreetly try to brush their wrists against his as they pass each other in the hallways, or complain that it’s cold and eye his cardigan, or offer to share a bite of their bentos with them—he knows what it means.
It’s obvious.
But he’s a beta, so he doesn’t have to be polite. He doesn’t know what they smell like, nor care what their intentions are. He wears long shirts to cover his wrists, says “bring a jacket next time” in lieu of sharing his own, and packs his own food.
He’s cold. Curt. And it works for him just fine.
It’s easy to be a beta.
...It’s easy: minus one, glaringly large, blond exception.
“And she wasn’t even wearing her patches around me. That has to count for something, right? Like maybe she’s into me? Maybe she wants me to make a move on her? I could, you know. Make a move on her,” Naruto says, sprawling across Sasuke’s desk. He came by to visit from the class next door during their lunch. It’s the first year they’ve been separated.
“Or maybe she just forgot to put her patches on,” Sasuke answers, idly flipping the page of his book.
“You don’t just forget to put your patches on, okay? It’s mandatory. You only take them off in the privacy of your own home. Or if you’re about to do the nasty.”
“Alright, then what do you want me to say?”
“Hype me up!" Naruto whines, "you're supposed to be my best friend, and I might get laid this year!”
That’s another thing about betas that Sasuke is grateful for. Not having the sexual appetite of a rabbit during mating season.
“There are plenty of other people you can chat to about your insatiable instincts,” he says, “go talk to them instead. They can hype you up.”
“Like who? I don’t wanna talk to Neji about it, he scares me. And Lee would tell the whole class.”
“Why is Neji on the list to begin with? He’d rather die than hype you up.”
Naruto rolls around on the desk some more and grumbles something about Sasuke being an asshole, which is par for the course. Sometimes, Sasuke wonders if his best friend forgets he’s a beta. Naruto has no filter—he’ll share anything and everything with him, even if Sasuke doesn’t entirely understand. Personally, Sasuke prefers he keep his mouth shut most of the time. Crushes and romantic interests and sex appeal are juvenile and stupid and not worth his time.
Anyways. He can entertain his whims, to some extent. But after a certain point it's annoying, and his friend’s face grows more and more punchable by the second.
Being a beta would be so much easier if Naruto wasn’t constantly talking about what his dick wanted.
“What about you?” Naruto asks, “what’s it like for you? Not being able to smell anything, I mean.”
They’ve had this conversation a million times.
“It’s fucking easy,” Sasuke says.
“How is it easy? You’re basically losing out on an entire information channel. Like who’s sleeping with who, who’s got a crush on who, who’s pissed off at who…I mean, I wouldn’t have even known that Sakura was angry at me last year if she didn’t stink.”
Sasuke remembers that. Everyone had kept a wide berth around Sakura except for the other betas like him, who went along blissfully unaware. He’d prefer to keep it that way.
“Naruto,” he sighs, “has it ever occurred to you that I simply don’t want to know and I don’t care?”
“Oh, I’ve always known that,” Naruto says, “I just like pissing you off.”
Sasuke calmly puts his book down and gives him a noogie until he screams for mercy.
Things are normal like this for a while. Sasuke is so far removed from the drama surrounding alphas and omegas that he cruises through his high school life without a hiccup. There are rumors of course: breakups, heat and rut partners no one expected, incompatible scents—but it’s all white noise. He’s too busy crushing the competition in soccer and destroying Neji in the class curriculum.
So, he misses the signs. It’s easy to miss the signs as a beta because he’s never looking for them to begin with.
The whispers start. At first, Sasuke ignores them.
“You know…his…it was huge. I mean not that I saw it but he was wearing his track pants, and since he came back from summer break he’s been…you know…”
“...I know. Now he actually looks like an alpha, instead of acting like one all the time. He was kinda annoying then, but now he’s…”
“...Well did you hear what…said? There was a pool party and…and then his scent patch peeled off…he smelled so good, she went home and instantly…you know…”
“If that happened to me, I would have done the same…I couldn’t believe…summer glow up and all, but who would have thought that Naruto, of all people—”
Sasuke freezes. He can hardly believe what he’s hearing.
Naruto? Are the girls talking about Naruto? Does he need to get his ears cleaned? What universe is this?
The girls continue gossiping, and Sasuke realizes he’s stayed longer than a full second listening to their drivel. He lets it go and moves on. It’s none of his business.
Naruto and Sasuke are finally sharing a class again which means Naruto is ten times more annoying than he usually is. Sasuke would have noticed if he were any different. But in fact, he is just as dumb, blond, and loud as he was when he left to spend time with his off-the-grid godfather for the summer.
It’s early autumn which means things are very hot and humid. The school, for all the funding it receives, has no AC. Sasuke is stuck pulling at his very sweaty uniform collar trying to get a bit of air flow on his skin.
Naruto, who’s sitting backwards in his chair so they can talk during break, frowns.
“Hey, don’t do that,” he says.
“It’s hot as balls in here,” Sasuke replies, tugging further at his collar, “and I’m sweaty. Let me do what I want.”
Naruto’s frown grows deeper but he doesn’t say anything else.
Sasuke continues to fan himself. Damn, it’s fucking hot.
The door to the classroom slides open. It’s a couple of guys from the class next door. They’re both wearing scent patches, the flesh colored stickers visible on their necks.
“Hey, Naruto!” one of them says, lighting up when he sees them. He runs over and slings an arm over Naruto’s shoulder. “Was looking for you all over man! Listen—karaoke night tonight? A couple of girls—omega girls—are coming too, it could be loads of fun.”
“Do I know them?” Naruto asks.
“Know them? That’s the point of the karaoke man—to get to know them. One of them is really cute.” He leans in, conspiratorially. “She’s got massive tits.”
They’re getting on Sasuke’s nerves and they’ve only been here for ten seconds.
The guys pull up some chairs and casually sit down. Then, they notice Sasuke.
“Hey, I know you. You’re Sasuke, right?” one asks.
“Oh shit,” says the other one, “this is Sasuke? Can’t believe I’ve never seen you before. Naruto, you guys are friends, yeah?”
“Yes,” says Naruto smugly. Sasuke rolls his eyes.
“Oh, then Sasuke should come to karaoke too. It’s gonna be tons of fun. The more the merrier, won’t hurt to get another good-looking face in the mix.”
Sasuke stays silent. One of the guys peeks around him, trying to look under his shirt collar. If they’re looking for a scent patch, they’re not going to find one.
“You’re an alpha, right?” the guy asks absentmindedly. He reaches over and tugs on Sasuke’s collar to get a better look.
In a flash, Naruto has knocked his hands away. “Oy, don’t get in his space like that. And no, he’s not. Sasuke’s a beta,” he says. He doesn’t look happy.
“Oh shit, for real? Good looks wasted, but maybe we lucked out. If this guy was an alpha, there’d be no omegas left for the rest of us,” the guy says, grinning at Sasuke. It’s meant to be a compliment, but he doesn’t feel anything from it.
“Sasuke’s fine just the way he is,” Naruto says loudly. His voice carries over the classroom. A good half of the student body turns around and looks at them. A beat passes, then they resume their own business.
The two guys begin apologizing. Sasuke sighs. He doesn’t know what kind of weird secondary gender thing just happened, and he doesn’t want to know.
“It’s fine,” he says, “I don’t care.”
The two guys exchange looks as if passing a mental message between their brains. Then, one of them laughs.
“You’re kind of chill, huh? I can see why Naruto hangs out with you. Invitation still stands.” He gets up to leave, tapping his wrist lightly against Naruto’s as a goodbye. His friend does the same.
“We’re heading back to the classroom, break is almost over. Naruto—don’t forget, karaoke tonight. Text me.”
Then, as if on second thought, he gives Sasuke’s shoulder a pat and leaves the classroom.
“I didn’t know you had friends like that,” says Sasuke after a moment.
“Yeah, they’re part of Kiba’s group. I met them a couple years back.” Naruto has that weird expression on his face again. He’s chewing his lip. He suddenly stands up, walks around Sasuke, and pats his back in the same exact spot the guy did.
“What are you doing,” asks Sasuke flatly.
“Nothing,” Naruto says. He pinches Sasuke’s nape. “The back of your neck is sweaty as hell. Gross.”
“That’s what happens when it’s hot, dumbass.”
“Stinky, stupid, smelly Sasuke—”
Sasuke punches him in the arm.
“Ruts fucking suck,” Naruto says. He’s been gone from class for a week and he looks awful. He has bags under his eyes. He’s got patches on his neck and on his wrists. He sullenly puts his shoes in his locker and then bangs his head against the locker door.
“Aren’t you on suppressants?” Sasuke asks, sliding on his school slippers.
“I stopped,” Naruto moans, “I stopped taking them a couple months ago because you're not supposed to be on them for too long. So this rut fucked me over extra hard. It sucks man: it’s like being sick with the flu, but also being horny at the same time. You’re just all icky and tired and angry at everyone. I’m emotionally exhausted. Look at me, Sasuke. Look at your poor friend. I’m just a shell of my former self.”
He does look a bit shriveled. Sasuke feels a little bad for him. “Did you eat anything?”
“I was too busy being horny to eat. I didn’t even want ramen. Can you believe it? I didn’t even want to eat ramen. That’s how you know I was not in my right mind.”
“Can’t relate,” Sasuke says. But, because Naruto looks more pitiful than he usually does, he reaches into his bag and passes him a snack bar. “Here. You can have this. You should eat or you’re going to groan and whine through every single period until lunch.” He pauses. “Unless you’re still feeling nauseous and don’t want to eat anything, in which case, I’d like it back.”
“Nah, I’ll take it.” Naruto says, grabbing the bar out of his hands. He makes a show of ripping the wrapper off and taking a huge bite, making eye contact with Sasuke the entire time. He chews very exaggeratedly. “See? I’m eating it.”
“Yeah, that’s the whole point.”
“I want another one.”
“Go to the vending machine and buy one yourself.”
“I want you to buy it for me.”
“And why would I spend my money on a snack bar for you when I’ve already given you one?”
“Because like I said, I want another one. And I’m a poor, shriveled husk of my previous self. And you need to take care of me or I’m going to complain extra hard and tell everyone what a mean, selfish jerk you are.”
Sasuke’s head is starting to hurt. He rubs his temples. Those girls from a few days ago must have been delusional. This whining, annoying friend of his is the most unalpha-like alpha he’s ever met.
“Fine,” he says, “what flavor?”
Naruto perks up. “Any flavor. I just want you to buy it,” he emphasizes.
Sasuke goes to the vending machine and buys the grossest flavor he can find. When he smirks and tosses it to Naruto, Naruto cusses him out and makes a face, but eats it anyway.
“Seriously? Oatmeal? You know I hate oatmeal,” he says.
They make it to class on time. Naruto slumps over and into his seat. A couple of omega girls look over at him and giggle.
After school, when Sasuke is packing up his things, they strike.
“Hey Naruto,” the shorter girl says cheekily, “where were you last week? Saw you were absent.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling too hot. Stayed at home to rest up.”
“Oh, yeah. Sure. You feeling better?”
“Marginally. Good enough to show up to school again.”
The taller girl laughs, covering her mouth with her manicured hand. “Your parents didn’t say anything when you left the house, did they?”
“They usually leave for work first…”
The girls look around to make sure no one else can hear before going in for the kill.
“Your patches,” the shorter girl whispers, “they’re not working so well anymore. You might need to buy some stronger ones.”
Naruto’s face turns red. “These are sevens,” he croaks, “I thought they’d be enough—fuck. Are you shitting me? You can still smell my…I’m so sorry. You should have said something! Why didn’t you say something earlier!? I went the whole class smelling like—”
“Don’t worry, our noses are just sensitive. I doubt anyone noticed. Plus…well. We don’t mind the smell. I mean, Mimi doesn’t mind the smell,” winks the taller girl, discreetly jabbing her friend with her elbow. Her friend shushes her, hissing “why did you say that? You didn’t need to say that!”
“Oh, I uh,” Naruto has the decency to look sheepish.
“He’ll buy eights next time,” Sasuke interrupts. “Is there anything else?”
“No, that was all. See you later,” the tall girl says, flicking her hair over her shoulder. Mimi stays for a while longer, chatting with Naruto. She’s twirling one of her curls with a finger and smiling way too much.
“What brand are these anyways?” she asks, sitting down next to Naruto. She makes him show her his wrists, and she begins casually playing with the edge of the scent patches, lifting the edges up with her painted fingernails.
“Uh, I don’t know, I just buy the generic brand,” Naruto chuckles weakly, eyes darting between the girl and Sasuke.
Sasuke doesn’t know why Naruto is looking at him so intensely. Does he want to get bailed out? That would be very unlike him. He’s sabotaging his own chances of getting laid. Very stupid.
“You’ve got to buy better patches. I have fives. You want some?” Mimi asks.
“I mean I’m about to go home, so…”
“Well it might help to stack them. They’re really cute. I got pink ones over the weekend. I think you’d like them.”
Naruto’s eyes dart back and forth faster. Sasuke takes pity on him. He hoists his bag onto his shoulder and says, “I’m heading home. Should I tell your mom you’ll be late?”
“No, I’m coming, wait for me.” Naruto scrambles up and starts throwing his things in his bag. Mimi makes a put-out expression, then glares at Sasuke as if he’s ruined her plans. Sasuke has no idea what he’s done wrong. It’s not his fault Naruto is an idiot.
“Sorry Mimi, we’ll hang out later,” says Naruto apologetically. He offers his wrists up to her and she brightens immediately, gently tapping her wrists against his patch-covered ones. Naruto waves goodbye and follows Sasuke out of the classroom. He lets out a huge breath of air.
Sasuke knows before he even opens his mouth that it’s going to be embarrassing and as a proud beta, he does not want to get involved.
“Don’t say anything,” Sasuke says, “I know what she was doing. I don’t need to know what she smelled like or what kind of weird omega hormones she was probably releasing into the air. You keep that to yourself.”
“How did you know—”
“I might not be able to smell things, but I’m not blind and I’m not stupid.”
They walk for a bit together in silence. They change back into their street shoes and tuck their slippers into their lockers.
“If I smelled bad, would you still like me?” Naruto asks.
“You already smell bad,” Sasuke says. At Naruto’s expression, he adds, “it’s a joke. As long as you shower regularly, you’re fine.”
“It’s just really…hard sometimes. You know, when you think you might get along with someone but then they smell all wrong and weird. Or like, what if you end up really liking someone only because they smell good, or they’re an omega and you’re an alpha?”
“Is this about Mimi?”
“No.”
“Alright, then?”
“I just think sometimes it would be easier if I was just a beta.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time.”
“You have it lucky. You don’t even know.”
“No, I think I do.”
“You don’t.”
“I do.”
“There’s just all these stereotypes and expectations and signals you’re just supposed to deal with. People didn’t take me seriously until I presented. And now that I have the alpha label, they treat me differently. And I hate that. I feel like I didn’t earn it myself. Their respect, I mean.”
Maybe it's the residual hormones from his rut. Sasuke has heard that both alphas and omegas get more emotional before and after their cycles. He briefly considers making another joke, but after seeing Naruto’s sullen face, he thinks better of it.
He considers his words carefully. Finally, he says: “I might not act like it but you have my respect, and that counts for more than most.”
They continue walking. Sasuke is so bad at this. He’s bad at consoling people. He’s just not the type. But Naruto is listening, so he keeps going.
“Those secondary gender personality stereotypes are stupid and outdated. It's just biology. There's no bearing on what personality traits or intelligence you're supposed to have. Anyone who uses that as a baseline to judge another person should be forced to take remedial classes, because even a beta like me knows those stereotypes are shit. Naruto, you could be a donkey for all I care, and I would treat you just the same because you’re my friend and I want you to be yourself around me. Your real self. Not whatever personality you're expected to have because you're an alpha. Understood?”
“Sasuke…” Naruto’s bottom lip wobbles.
“Don’t,” Sasuke warns, “don’t pull that shit—”
“—I’m trying to be emotionally vulnerable with you and you’re being such an asshole! You were doing so well! Come on—”
“You fucking know I’m not good at talking about feelings—”
“Well you were doing a pretty good job before you sabotaged yourself—”
“You made it weird, you started making that puppy-dog face at me—”
“Because I was happy, you asshole—big surprise from me considering your emotional constipation. Oh shit—speaking of, you want some prune juice? Does pruny Sasuke need some prune juice to help him with his bowel movements—”
Sasuke lunges at him and Naruto cackles and they chase each other like this all the way back to their neighborhood. When they end up in front of Naruto’s house, Naruto finally manages to grab Sasuke in a headlock and does a thorough job of messing up his hair. Sasuke’s too busy trying to pry him off to notice him quickly swiping his wrist against his neck.