Pairing: ShikaSakuIno
Prompt: A/B/O Dynamics
Rating: T
When Shikamaru presented as an omega at the age of nine, he wasn't ashamed or even remotely bothered by it. His own father is a beta and his mother is an omega. Most of the members of the Nara clan were betas anyway with a few omegas here and there. It's rare when an alpha is born.
Being an omega never bothered him growing up. Sure, he has some of his classmates tease him about it from time to time, but his closest friends - at the time being Choji and Ino - never mentioned it as if it were a bad thing even if he's the only omega among their group with Choji presenting as an alpha and Ino as a beta.
Like any normal shinobi omega, he takes suppressants when on missions and showers with scent neutralizing soap via a river or an inn (if he's lucky enough to get to one). So, really, he doesn't worry too much about it. Where his heats are concerned, he's aided by Ino. It's a purely platonic event with him and he only requires her assistance every once and a while. Most times, however, it's just him and his toys.
"What about looking for your mate?" His mother asks the night before he is to turn 18. "I found your father when he was barely 15 and we started dating almost a month later."
"Because you kept pissing off my parents with your attitude," his father draws lazily. "And then you went into a rut in the middle of Inoichi's 16th birthday - "
"Thank you, I've had enough. I'm going for a walk." Shikamaru leaves his home, missing the smile exchanged between his parents. It's pretty late at night with the moon high in the air and an occasional chilly breeze slipping through his light jacket every so often.
It's pretty peaceful until he's frozen in his tracks by a whiff of something - Mine! Mine! Mine! - Shikamaru stumbles. He actually stumbles. Another breeze, caring a strong scent of alpha, sends him to his knees. The scent washed over him, filling his lungs.
Oh no! His mind is on the brim of blanking. I am not slipping into an unexpected heat I am -
"Holy shit."
Ino. It's Ino. Ino will get him back to his home - "I told you it was him, Ino." He barely comprehends the voice because his mind turns into a broken record of alphaalphaalpha! "I can't believe it."
"Holy shit," Ino repeats. "Holy shit. You're Shikamaru's alpha, Sakura. His alpha!"
"Ino, he's going into heat. We need to get h-him home. O-Or, rather, you need to get him home. I don't - I mean - I can smell him everywhere."
Shikamaru barely makes out a huff. "God damn, Forehead. You just had to present late!"
"I need to go right now, Ino. I need - " There's a shaky inhale. "You can take care of him tonight, right? I really need - "
Panic settles in the pit of Shikamaru's stomach, blending with the heat. "I-If you leave now, I'll n-never forgive you."
"Shikamaru, I can't be here right now. All I want to do it rip off your clothes and take you right here." He shivers at her words. "But I won't because I respect you too much." He looks up finally - finally! - and stares at her but she isn't looking at him (and why does that hurt like a punch to the gut?). "Sorry about our date, Ino."
"It's fine. We'll work this out. We'll talk about this when Shikamaru's not going through a heat and you've gotten iron control on your urges."
"Kakashi-sensei is probably still awake. I'll go see him. Goodnight, Ino. Feel better soon, Shikamaru. And, uh, Happy Birthday."
As she walks away, her scent fades and then he can breathe. "T-Troublesome." Come back, come back, come back.
"Can't believe Sakura's your alpha." Ino helps him up. "But I guess it makes sense. Your personalities would certainly balance." He can hear the bitter edge to Ino's voice.
"I'm sorry. I knew tonight was - "
"Stop. Like I said, we'll talk about it. I'm pretty open-minded and Sakura's not one to just drop someone for someone else and you've never been in a relationship before. You're smart. She's smart. I might not be on the same level, but I'm not a fool."
"Never said you were."
"Besides," Ino speaks after a moment as she starts escorting him home, "I'm always down for threesomes. I've seen you both naked."
Shikamaru shivers. "Troublesome."
Why is writing A/B/O easy for some and difficult for others? I'm really jealous. If you have the time, please review.
~i-just-really-love-sakura
