a b o

[ninko]

THE ALPHA/BETA/OMEGA MEME

In our world, sexual roles are commonly defined by genders -- male or female or other, by sexualities -- gay or straight, bi or asexual or in-between. But what if they were defined by something else entirely?

Alpha/Beta/Omegaverse is a fusion of fanfiction tropes and animalistic behavior. In this world, sexual roles are divided into three categories: the Alphas (the dominant, the protective and the aggressive), the Betas (ordinary humans) and the Omegas (submissive, fertile and able to carry children).

RESOURCES:
Fanlore on the Alpha/Beta/Omegaverse
Alphas, Betas and Omegas: A primer.

CONTENT WARNING: Below the cut contains descriptions of animalistic sexual behavior as applied to humans, situations of dubious consent, explicit situations, mpreg, and scenarios of societal oppression. Click with caution!



ROLES:
1 - The Alpha.
* Stereotypically type A personalities.
* Anatomically: Males have a penis; females may have a penis in addition to a vagina.
* Alphas knot their mates, meaning that the base of the penis swells and locks them inside their mate while they produce copious amounts of semen in an effort to breed.
* Strong sense of smell.
* Near an Omega in heat, they experience a compulsion to mate that is almost impossible to overcome.
* Alphas may go into rut, which is their equivalent of Omega heat, and drives them to mate.

2 - The Beta.
* Ordinary human being.
* Males have penises; females have vaginas.
* Can mate to anyone.
* Might be able to smell hormones of Omegas and Alphas, but will not be overwhelmingly affected by them.

3 - The Omega.
* Stereotypically submissive, quiet, intelligent and less physically able.
* Female anatomy is similar to Betas; males are self-lubricating and may have either an external or internal vaginal setup.
* Regularly go into heat, which involves being overcome by the urge to mate. They are unable to consent while in heat.
* May be made compliant by a bite to the neck. However, that may also induce a mating bond.
* Often regarded as second-class citizens or prizes to be won.

SITUATIONS:
1 - Bonding - Love at first sight. You've spotted your soulmate. You can smell them, you can feel them, you know that they'll be with you until the end of your days. Unless there's something between the two of you. It could be age - maybe one of you has to wait until the other has reached maturity. It could be that the bond is one-sided, and the other has yet to fall in love. It could be an unwanted bond, or society could have divided you into different places. Is your love strong enough to conquer?

2 - Heat/Rut - The need is coming on you strong. Everyone for a half-mile around can smell it. Better find someone to ride it out with, or hole yourself up in a room with a few bottles of water and a durable sex toy. And you'd better hope that there isn't someone out there who will take advantage of your pliable state. Best case scenario, there might be a Beta who can take care of you, or fend off anyone too predatory.

3 - Pregnancy - Whether through a heat or not, you're pregnant. Congratulations - or condolences. Is it time to start a family, or time to start panicking?

4 - Suppressants - You're using suppressants to keep yourself on an even hormone cycle, skipping heats, or maybe pretending to pass as a different class of society. After all, Omegas might want to be in the military, where they're not usually allowed - or an Alpha might want to take a job in a university or as a nurse. Shouldn't they be allowed to, if their hormones are suppressed? Just hope that you don't miss a dose.

5 - Mistaken Identity - That friend that you always thought was an Alpha, or an Omega, or a neutral Beta, turns out to be something entirely different, and your world is turned absolutely upside down. Does it challenge your preconceptions? Or does it just ruin the balance between you two?

6 - Unlikely Pairs - After all, there's no actual reason that Alphas have to mate with Omegas. Maybe two Omegas can satisfy each other. Or two Alphas. Or your intended mate could easily be a Beta. Maybe this is just about breaking out of your pre-established role and becoming something new.

7 - Manifestation - In some cases, an individual may not know they are Omega, Beta or Alpha until their first heat/rut/manifestation, usually happening in early teen years. It may take you by surprise; it may be a blessing, or may be a deep disappointment.

8 - Other - Adventures in getting jobs, making families, fighting bad guys, and anything else you can come up with!

Comments

[doctricis]

Derek tries to ignore the feeling being watched, Buck was acting weird and it wasn't until he had unfastened his collar and his scent hit him like a speeding car that he started to realize what was happening. He instantly freezes up as he slowly lifts his head looking like a deer caught in headlights. Now he understood what he meant by this being a problem.

"I..." The words get caught in his throat as he tries not to suddenly give in to the urge to bury his face in the other man's neck, "This might be a problem, a big one."

The medic started to piece together that he was going into heat and the man in front of him was an Alpha and not the Omega his file made him out to be, judging by how his scent was affecting him so much. "I'm usually on suppressants. That's why they assigned me to you but then again, they think you're an Omega. I must've...accidentally missed my dose."

Thank god, his heat presented itself after the mission was over and not before. Though, Bucky was so far presenting great self-control, compared to some of the Alphas that he knows. But he needed to get away from the Alpha in front of him, so he tries to do just that, as he makes the effort to stand, only for his legs to buckle underneath him and he falls back on his knees.

This was really bad and the presence of Bucky's scent was only making it worse. It would only be a matter of time before he became an incoherent mess with only one thing on his mind.

[raccooned]

He exhales a sigh and reaches to finish packing up the case, closing it and flipping the clasps. His isn't surprised when Derek tries to get away, he certainly wouldn't blame him, Bucky's never been a big fan of Alphas, something he made no effort to hide-- and was probably one of the reasons he was often confused for an Omega. Alphas were territorial, sure, but most of them tended to run with their own kind, they proved to be more than a little cliquish... it must have been a superiority complex.

"And they think you're a Beta, so I imagine we're both in for it when we get back."

If Derek's scent is affecting him, he's going to great measures not to let it show, though there is a small amount of strain in his voice as he adjusts to the distraction.

He stands, lifting the case and then offering a hand down to the other man. "I won't take advantage, but we can't remain here. There's a safe house nearby, or I can take you back to HQ." He doesn't want to tell Derek what to do, but they both know that if SHIELD discovers either of them, then it's the end of this particular partnership.

[doctricis]

He doesn't want to think of the consequences they'd get when they get back. It would definitely lead to Bucky's reassignment and their superiors would have to cycle down the line of handlers again and who knows how long that would last for.

Derek lifts his head as Bucky offers his hand, it takes him a second to take it and he's probably gripping his hand and his arm a little too tight as he tries to brace himself. This is literally the worst time for his legs to feel like jello and being this close to Bucky was incredibly distracting.

He shakes his head at the options he was given, he's grateful that the soldier wasn't going to take advantage, he really is, but he has to think on his best interest and it definitely is not losing his job, "Taking me to HQ would only bring this to light and if I'm being honest, you are probably one of the few Alphas I actually enjoy working with." There's a light chuckle at that as he tries to keep his cool and not let his heat distract him even more.

Then there was the option of the safe house, "If we go to the safe house, SHIELD will know its in use and that would only raise more questions as to why we were there in the first place... and I don't want to put you through this by forcing you into a small space with me." He knows Bucky won't be able to control himself forever, no matter how hard he tried to.

Derek just needs a second to think but the mix of how fucking good Bucky smells right now and how his body is telling him to climb the soldier like a tree is throwing his thoughts deeper into the gutter. Bucky was right, that they couldn't stay here but he doesn't know where else to go.

Home was definitely an option but it would take awhile to get there and he knows for a fact, he doesn't have great self-control in the middle of his heat.

[raccooned]

"It isn't one of SHIELD's." He says simply, turning his head towards the mild breeze. It's almost lucky that they're up so high, that it helps displace the Omega's scent and the natural response of his own.

Derek's correct, being in a small space with the other man would be extremely difficult on him, regardless of his own self-control. Unfortunately that was a bridge they'd have to cross when they came to it-- they had a finite amount of time before his handler's heat made him an unfortunate target for any interested Alpha caught downwind, and Bucky had no desire to bring attention to themselves trying to cross town back to the medic's place.

He reaches up to buckle the collar of his vest again, for as much as that would help.

They can stash the case for retrieval later, it isn't as if anyone really frequents this rooftop, and if it gets lost? Well SHIELD could just fucking bill him.

"You trust me?" He's solid under Derek's grip, unwavering as he helps to steady him. "It's not far."

[doctricis]

"Oh..?" If it wasn't SHIELD's, was it one of HYDRA's or maybe even an older, out of use one from neither? Derek was curious about it but at this point, it was easier to wait and see it than to ask a million questions about it.

The breeze offered some relief as it forced the Alpha's scent away, giving him a second to breathe. Bucky buckling up his collar helped a little in that regard as well. It doesn't do much but it was better than nothing.

He nods, "I trust you. Lead the way and I'll follow as best I can." Now he's a little worried on how he was going to get down from the rooftop. If his legs worked all fine and dandy, this would go without a hitch but that wasn't the case. And he isn't about to ask the soldier to carry him all the way to the safe house either. Being that close would only speed up the process for both of them. Still, he had to try his best.

He slowly lets his grip on Bucky's arm go, as he takes a few shaky steps backward before he ends up reaching for Buck's arm again when he feels his legs fail him. Well, this was a little embarrassing.

"Sorry. On second thought, you might have to help me down from up here." If there was one thing he hated about his heat, it was how fast his body betrays him when in the presence of an Alpha's scent.

[raccooned]

He'd like to feel guilty but he doesn't, it wasn't his fault that SHIELD had been too full of themselves for attaining the Winter Soldier to evaluate him properly, and he sure as fuck wasn't going to fill in any of the blanks for them-- he wasn't any happier to serve as their weapon as anyone elses. They were just a little more humane in the way they handled him.

"I'll carry you." It was irritating, but he couldn't blame Derek for being equally deceitful. They made a decent team otherwise, so far as to say that the Soldier was almost fond of the other agent. Enough to cooperate (though he's still a handful. He imagines there's a decent amount that gets left out of his handler's reports.)

He turns and offers him his back, sinking down into an easy crouch. "Don't argue." Before the other man even gets the chance...

[doctricis]

Derek wasn't in the position to complain or argue against being carried, so he sighs gently and steps forward, wrapping his arms around the soldier's neck and leans against him enough so when he decides to stand he can easily wrap his legs around him.

Once he was situated on Bucky's back, there was definitely a blush on his face, this was almost like a dream come true. Being carried by a super soldier and all but he wishes it was under different circumstances. Derek makes sure to keep his face pointed away from Bucky's neck, as tempting as nuzzling against it would be, he needed to try to stay in control of himself.

He closes his eyes for a majority of their journey to this safe house he had in mind, trying to keep himself distracted as much as possible by muttering medical notes or mission details but the strain of resisting his heat definitely showed in his shallow breathing, the occasional whine or how he seemed to ever so gently nuzzle against Bucky's shoulder.

Being on suppressants since joining SHIELD must've had an effect on his heat, he can't imagine it to be smooth sailing like a regular cycle when he's been on them for years. It was almost like a calm before the storm.

[raccooned]

They're not exactly in a pleasant part of town to start with, but that's usually where they ended up-- dark and seedy corners of New York. SHIELD maybe have been international but they did their best to keep the pair local. They must have thought it would be easier to keep tabs on them...

Which suited Bucky just fine. He'd only been active for a short time but he'd already managed to memorize Manhatten's layout and taken the time to lay down some roots, building an intelligence network with his own sources and contacts.

One of which happened to own this particular safe house, though he didn't expect the man to be around, the last time they'd been in touch, he was on his way out of town trailing some sort of scumbag or another. (Not that 'scumbag' was his sort of word, but he was getting used to hearing it).

It didn't take them long to arrive at the rundown apartment building near the waterfront, and while they might have received some sideglances the locals seemed pretty keen on minding their own damn business.

It takes a key and two disarmed traps to get inside, and the place seems more like a bunker than any decent residence, though amongst the trunks and workbenches there's a beat-up couch and table, as well as a bed pushed up against the back wall.

He should have recognized the smell of coffee as an indicator that the place had been in recent use, but the proximity of the Omega's scent was quickly overwhelming most of his senses.

[misterhipster]

Bucky won't have to wait for long to see that Frank is actually at home. When he hears someone entering his apartment, naturally he's on alert. The coffee mug goes down on the small kitchen table, and he grabs a handgun, walking slowly into the main room...

...and then lowers the pistol at the sight of Bucky. What the hell is he doing here right now, and with some guy in his arms?

Of course, it doesn't take long for the scent of the omega in heat to hit Frank as well. His eyes widen, and he goes to place his weapon back down. Jesus Christ, what is Bucky thinking? Not only is he compromising the secrecy of his place, he's bringing an omega into a small apartment with two Alphas.

"The hell are you doing here, Buck? And who is that?"

The displeasure is obvious in Frank's tone. He knows the guy is working for SHIELD now, and he can't imagine that organization would be pleased by Frank's activities.

It's already bad enough that Bucky has a goddamn key to his place and knows how to disarm his traps. He doesn't know how he let things get to this point, but this is beyond the pale here. The fact that he's getting hard just by being near that Omega is going to be a problem.

[doctricis]

The scent of coffee was definitely a welcomed change compared to Bucky's scent but then another scent rolls in on top of that. One that belonged to another Alpha and he nearly lets out a whine at that new fact. Derek lifts his head at the sound of the other man's voice questioning Buck as he gives the small apartment a quick glance.

This wasn't going to go well at all, he's never been around two Alphas in the middle of his heat before. Though in the back his mind, he finds the thought kind of exciting.

"Bucky...who's that?" He asks quietly, the man in front of them looked unfamiliar. He knew about Frank Castle, almost everyone did but he didn't look anything like the photo attached to the file SHIELD had on him. And just like everyone else, SHIELD had their own thoughts on Frank and his activities. Some thought he should be locked up for what he's done or killed, some thought he was in the right.

Derek didn't much care about that, the man did what he had to, to the people that wrong him and took everything from him. If he was in his shoes, he might've done the same.

As much as he was resisting Bucky's scent the entire journey here, now that Frank's scent made its way to him, he felt any progress he thought he made was completely thrown out the window. This was only going to speed up the process even more.

[raccooned]

To his credit, he manages to school his 'oh shit' face into more of a blank mask, though he's had a lot of practice with that. His pulse still spikes and with it the shifting scent of reactive arousal, as much as he tries to keep himself composed. The soldier's well trained after all-- though discipline can only do so much against nature.

He rolls his shoulders, instincts telling him to hunch over the Omega like a starving dog protecting a bone, and maybe a soft growl slips unbidden, rumbling low in his chest as he turns to face Frank with a deep frown.

"I thought you were leaving on a job?" It was just a question, stated as smoothly as he can manage without sounding accusatory, but his blood's up despite itself.

The logical part of him knows Frank is a trusted ally, maybe even a friend (and most definitely sometimes fuck buddy) but there's a spike of concern, maybe possessiveness that leaves him more than a little comfortable. He isn't certain he can protect Derek from himself, let alone another Alpha-- or at least another Alpha that he has no desire to fight.

"Agent Lockwood." He swallows hard, watching Frank with a darkening gaze.

[misterhipster]

He glances at both of them, trying to fight past anger and arousal and deal with this situation in the most logical way possible. Whatever that way might be; Frank isn't sure yet.

"Agent. Fucking great," he mutters, wondering exactly what organization he works for and whether or not he should be concerned. Frank would hope that Bucky wouldn't bring someone who poses a danger to him to his safe house.

"Job got postponed." And that's all he has to say about that.

Now, what to do about the Omega in his apartment? Frank has done a great job of avoiding these sort of encounters since his family's death, preferring to stick to other Alphas (like Bucky) and not risk anything. Now it's like placing a steak in front of a lion. The hell is he supposed to do? Kick them out? That might put Bucky in danger too, and he doesn't want that. Whatever he and the other man are, it's something a bit more than that sort of behavior warrants.

"So what were you planning on doing? Fucking that guy in my place while I was away?"

[doctricis]

As much as Bucky was trying to keep his cool, he felt the roll of his shoulders and the soft rumble of his chest. A part of him wanted to shy away while the other wanted to reassure the Alpha that was carrying him.

Derek wondered if he should explain himself to the other Alpha in the room, how he too, worked for SHIELD and on top of that was Bucky's handler but he decides to stay quiet for the moment. Maybe let Bucky handle the situation with his friend instead of him butting in unnecessarily. As far as he regarded himself, he posed no threat to Frank or his safe house. If Buck kept his secret for this long, he would do the same once someone told him who he was.

Watching the exchange between the two, he waits for them to figure out what to do with him and where to go from here. Being the only Omega in the room, he felt the need to stay in his lane in the presence of both of them and submit to whatever wishes they had. Clearly, Bucky's plan to pan out like he thought it would and this was only going to lead in one direction, he thought.

He had a more important task to deal with and that was to not give in to the aroused Alpha cocktail swirling around in the air right now. It was just getting harder and harder to resist at this point.

[raccooned]

"No."

He takes a moment to get the Omega onto the couch so he at least has room to move, not that he imagines Derek will even want to try and bolt, even with the threat of another Alpha in proximity. Bucky hates how Omega's are affected by their heat, but he's more than familiar with having your free will overridden and stripped away. It's why he fights his own nature so hard.

His hand comes up to cradle Derek's cheek momentarily, he isn't one for displays of affection, but he's concerned and doing his best to reassure his handler.

"This was an unexpected complication to our mission." Bucky has his back turned to Frank, which is an amazing show of trust. Not just for an Alpha in the presence of another Alpha, but for the Winter Soldier to allow anyone as dangerous as Castle out of his sight.

"I brought him here to keep him safe." Not to say that Frank was wrong and he wasn't going to fuck him, because they all knew that it would probably happen, for as stubborn as Bucky was, leaving Derek to sort this all out on his own would be just as cruel as taking advantage of his situation.

"Derek, this is Frank." He rises again, turning his gaze back towards his friend, eyes dark and body taut, clearly uncomfortable and more than a little aroused, which all that leather does nothing to hide. "He's a partner of mine, one I don't expect to fight." His words are heavy, questioning. "But you know what will happen if he stays. Do you want him to stay?" for as much good asking an Omega in heat for their concent...

[misterhipster]

Honestly, he's insulted that Bucky is asking whether it's okay for him to stay in his own place. Like hell is he leaving, and especially not now.

Frank may have pretty good self-control, but he's not as skilled at it as Bucky. Instinct is hard to ignore, and the long the two of them remain right there, the more aroused and needy he begins to feel.

"It's not his choice whether I stay or not. I'm not leaving my own home," he shoots back, folding his arms. His eyes run slowly over both Derek and Bucky, catching sight of their erections, knowing full well what will be happening here. And he's going to be taking part unless the two of them fuck off, in which case he'll just have to jerk it himself in the other room.

Either way, Frank is expecting to get off soon enough.

"Make a decision soon, will you?" It's not exactly fair to keep him waiting, in his mind. Bucky should know better, being an Alpha himself.

[doctricis]

Derek shifts a little on the couch as soon as Bucky sets him down, taking in a deep breath in the process. Not that he didn't enjoy being carried but he was at his limit in terms of self-control and now that he had some distance from the hotspot on the soldier's neck, his mind didn't feel completely clouded over with desire.

The gentle touch from Bucky was a bit of a surprise, not that he didn't think he was capable of being gentle but because it was damn near impossible for Derek not to lean into it. How he gently nuzzles against his palm as if he was trying to reassure him himself.

He's glad to finally have a name for the other Alpha though. Frank. It would've been rude to ask him to leave his own home since they were the ones to show up unannounced. The Alpha soon voiced his displeasure at the idea of leaving so that settles that matter. Being at eye-level with the bulge in Bucky's pants was incredibly distracting as his gaze travels to Frank's, subconsciously licking his lips.

"I wasn't going to boot you out. I wanted you to stay from the start but I suggest you move closer if you don't want to miss out unless you'd rather not." Derek tried to sound as confident as possible like always seemed to be under his Beta cover before his secret went to winds. But he's not entirely sure how Bucky would feel to the obvious idea he had, to take them both at once, but he hoped they wouldn't go at each other's throats right now.

He's seen how territorial Alphas can be especially over an Omega in heat and he doesn't want this to end badly.

Derek's fingers catch on Bucky's belt, pulling him in closer while he scooted towards the cushion's edge. He looks up at the Alpha in front of him when he's practically nose to nose with his clothed erection before glancing over at Frank. Derek's never taken two Alphas on at once in a single heat before let alone more than one person in his usual sexual encounters but he did love the challenge.

[raccooned]

The place may belong to Frank, but at that moment the Omega on the couch belonged to him, at least as far as that primal part of him was concerned, and while he had no right to expect the other man, his friend, to leave his own apartment, there was part of Bucky that would fight him for it if he posed too much of a threat. Either because he was selfish or overprotective... the mixing scents of his handler's heat and Frank's own dominate pheromones had both his urges and instincts kicked up to overdrive.

The hand that had been cradling Derek's cheek slides up into his hair, a subtle tremor running through him at the close sudden tug to his belt, and while there isn't enough strength behind it to get him to move if he didn't care to, but he goes easy until he can practically feel the heat of his breath through the worn leather.

"You heard him, Castle." Bucky's voice drawls low with arousal. "Come here."