A/B/O

My thoughts on how the A/B/O world functions I've used other omegaverse blogs/users/authors as inspiration

[tdh-omegaverse]

Pack Dynamics

These reflect traditional Western dynamics, which are still loosely followed in the current day. Now there aren't as many strict boundaries between the roles, and many will adapt based on the situation.

One easy way to better understand your packmate is by paying attention to the way their scent changes. When happy and content, scents will usually amplify, whereas when sad and angry will sour and become rotten, respectively.

Alphas

Alphas are often associated with 'masculine' traits of strength, dominance and aggressiveness. Nowadays, assertiveness and courage are still common traits seen in alphas, and many will exert them when they feel their pack being threatened.

Alpha scents are often associated with the outdoors, although as we have become more industrial, their scents have changed to match.

Betas

Betas usually don't have overpowering scents and are often described as clean yet unobtrusive. This matches their role in society, where they are sometimes seen as the balance between the three designations. Due to this, they are often sought as mediators during conflict.

Omegas

Omegas are often associated with the 'feminine' traits, which include gracefulness, gentleness and nurturance. However, they are also shown to be extremely protective of their pack, and their sensitivity makes them keen on resolving any issues that arise.

Omega scents are usually considered to be flowery, though there has been a shift towards more food-based scents.

Pups

Pups are children who have yet to present. The pack is usually collectively responsible for raising them, though this has changed with urbanisation. Strong connections during this time help them to better pick up on subtle scent changes, which can reveal emotions and teach empathy.

When they are young, pups' noses aren't fully developed, so they will only notice the strong scents. As such, they are especially fond of cuddling with their loved ones, as it allows them to scent each other directly from the 'source'. This has led to what is often called 'puppy piles'.

Pups usually have a milky scent, which slowly shifts into their true scent during puberty. Once presented, teenagers will often flock to others of their same designation as a way to better learn from them.

[tdh-omegaverse]

Pronouns / Titles / Honorifics

Each person's primary gender is based on external sexual characteristics as seen at birth. Boys are born with a penis and scrotum, while girls have a vulva. As such, their pronouns will be based on their primary gender and will usually stay the same throughout their life. During this time, they will also employ the Miss (female) or Master (male) title, and be called daughter/sister and son/brother, respectively.

During puberty, everyone presents with their secondary gender. Omegas will receive the Ms title. At marriage, they will switch to Mrs and be called wife. Alphas will receive the Mr title, and be called husband at marriage.

Betas have a bit more flexibility on what titles they would like to use, although a common one is Msr (pronounced messr). If they marry an alpha, they will be called wife, and husband if they marry an omega. In instances where two betas marry each other, they are welcome to decide which titles to use, though it is often the female who is called wife, and the male husband.

Gendered titles on parenthood often focus on the impregnator (father) and carrier (mother).

In the modern day, many choose not to follow these strict rules and have created new titles/pronouns/honorifics that they would prefer. This is especially common in queer communities. Titles often start with the letter M, and include examples such as Mx, Msc, Mt, and Mg.

As always, it is important to remember this is the case in Western societies, and many Eastern or Indigenous societies follow different rules and customs.

[tdh-omegaverse]

Heats / Ruts

Presentation Heat/Rut

These begin at puberty and officially designate the secondary gender. This might be painful, especially for male omegas and female alphas as they finish developing their internal organs.

Heats and ruts will continue to occur for omegas and alphas until their menopause, although these can often be extended to sync with their mates.

Ruts

Ruts occur three to four times a year in alphas and last around 3 days. During this time, the alpha will feel aroused, produce increased levels of sperm (up to triple their usual amounts), have a higher body temperature (similar to a mild fever), and may become more aggressive/possessive towards their mate and/or den. While alphas can have knots outside of their ruts, these are often longer, usually 30+ minutes.

Heats

These occur only in omegas twice a year. Although omegas can get pregnant outside this, this is their most fertile time, and often sex during this time will result in pregnancy. Modern birth control has been beneficial in reducing those chances.

How long a heat lasts varies greatly among omegas, though the average is considered to be 5-10 days. During this time, the omega will feel aroused, produce increased levels of slick, and have a higher-than-usual body temperature (similar to a mild fever). These symptoms can vary from being a background ache to being completely bedridden, and will depend on the omega's age, health, romantic relationship(s), etc

One of the best ways to alleviate the symptoms will be through orgasms. If an omega has a partner to help them during their heat, their cum (sperm) will be even better as the omega's need for being bred is being fulfilled. This can also reduce the length of the heat, if the omega's body feels it has 'completed' its task.

Syncing Up

Heats and ruts can be triggered by the other. This only occurs if the alpha is in close proximity to an omega in heat for extended periods of time (and vice versa). However, milder symptoms of heat and rut may not affect the other as strongly, and thus can be resisted for longer. If a heat/rut is triggered, it will throw the affected party's cycle out of the loop and may take longer for them to regulate it again.

Alphas and omegas who are together will slowly start to synchronise their cycles. Alphas' ruts will usually lengthen (and therefore decrease in frequency) to better match their omega's heat. This can be beneficial to those who are trying to get pregnant, as sex during rut and heat has the highest chance of taking.

If one party is older than the other, their heat/rut can often trigger their partner's, and the partner is often able to continue having children past their menopausal age. This is only possible if neither party has already hit their menopause. However, this can have other impacts on possible children due to the parent's older age.

Birth Control

Heats and ruts are when an omega or alpha is at their most fertile. Over time, many birth control options have been created, though abstaining from intercourse is the best possible option. Some of these include:

Condoms - these are specially made to be long-lasting and hold more fluid.

Heat/Rut Aids - these are specially designed sex toys that can imitate the sensation of a partner in rut/heat, which can help alleviate symptoms.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives - these include options like IUDs, implants, pills, and injections.

Birth-Control Pills - these are only available to omegas and include specific ones to take leading up to and after their heats. There are some options currently undergoing testing for alphas which will decrease their sperm potency.

Suppressants - these are often oral pills that can be taken regularly, which will dampen the effects - both being emitted and received.

Blockers - these are often a last-minute option (taken early on/right before onset) to help postpone the current rut/heat, and will be active as long as they are being taken/in the body. However, consistent long-term use is not advised as the person can become accustomed and will need larger doses (which can be fatal).

Herbs/Tinctures - these were the common method before modern pharmacology and are still used by some today (especially in rural/indigenous communities).

Pups - children under the age of 2 will often emit hormones that can indicate to an alpha or omega that the person is already busy taking care of a young child, and is not yet ready to have another one. Prolonged contact with one will often pause the heat/rut cycle until the omega/alpha may be better prepared to take care of another child. Alphas or omegas who do not want to have (any/more) kids can use this as a form of birth control. Due to this, kindergartens will often be staffed by betas and alphas/omegas who don't want/can't have kids.

[tdh-omegaverse]

Betas

Betas are often ignored designation when writing omegaverse, but I believe they are as important as the others. Betas make up about 40% of the population.

Roles in Society

Betas are often considered to be the rational balance of the three designations, and as such, many have gone into further study and research fields. Due to this, many pioneers are often betas, especially in fields of science, medicine, law, and technology.

Presentation

Unlike their alpha and omega peers, betas present more gradually over the course of their puberty. As such, if someone hasn't gone through a presentation rut/heat by their 17th birthday, they are considered to be betas (although late presentations do occur).

As betas, they have the opportunity to be and get impregnated. As they do not have 'extra fertile times', they often require external assistance. Nowadays, over-the-counter prenatal vitamins and supplements will often suffice, but some still use plant-based options.

Male Betas

Male betas present with an external penis and scrotum and will have internal ovaries. During puberty, their testes descend and begin sperm production. However, certain methods can be employed to switch to egg production inside their ovaries. As they do not have a vagina to access those internal ovaries, this will require external support from medical professionals (surgical procedure - IVF, etc). The baby will then be born through C-section.

Due to their internal ovaries, which cannot be easily accessed through external means, there was a belief that male betas could not be impregnated. Regardless, there have been instances throughout history where one's ovaries have been accessed through his rectum. They were often seen to be oddities, and even now it carries some stigma.

Female Betas

Female betas will present with an external vulva. They will have both internal testes and ovaries. As such, they have monthly periods. Once they have taken the required vitamins, the hormones in their body will be activated to switch their egg production into sperm production. This will then be accessed through their 'slick'. Due to female betas not having a penis to insert into their partner, this process will require external assistance (turkey baster method, etc).