Chapter Text
In this A/B/O universe, people typically present around 15 or so. Before they present, they are typically short and lightweight, the final growth spurt happens after presentation. They are legally minors until they are 18 and presented. Unpresented pups are considered babies or toddlers and are typically kept in their familial pack until they finally present. Those who are 18 but are not presented are still considered babies and are treated as such until they eventually present. Unpresented pups are legally required to be in a familial pack, a bonded pack that adopts them, or an Adoption Center. It is illegal for unpresented pups to have jobs, own property, drive, drink, or do anything that a young child wouldn't be allowed to do. Unpresented pups are minors and are not allowed to have sexual relationships, even if they are over the age of 18. Unpresented pups are protected by the government, and anyone who allows/makes a pup do anything illegal faces a heavy jail sentence. If an unpresented pup is found without a guardian, familial or otherwise, they are taken to adoption centers for a bonded pack to adopt them. unpresented pups over the age of 18 are still just called pups. A presented person will not have sexual or romantic interest in an unpresented person.
Bonded packs are at least 2 people who bond together, but they don't have to be romantically together; platonic packs are considered bonded packs as well. Bonded packs that adopt pups must have 1 adult omega and 1 adult alpha. The subgender of the other pack members doesn't matter. The Bonded pack becomes the legal guardian of the pup, and they are considered a blended pack. When the pup presents, they can choose to leave the bonded pack they are in, or they can join it. If the Bonded packs have a baby of their own (actual babies this time), they are considered familial Packs and cannot adopt a pup. If there is a pup in the household already, they can keep the pup and the baby, but they cannot adopt again.
Orphaned pups are pups under 18. They are kept in Child Centers, which are not the same as an Adoption Center. Child Centers hold pups until they turn 18. If the pups have presented, then they are allowed to leave and be adults, but if they do not present, they are sent to adoption centers. Familial packs sometimes send their unpresented pup to Adoption Centers if the pack is unable to care for the pup. (example: old age, sickness, etc.)
Pups are nursed or bottle fed until they present, regardless of age. In a Familial pack, the pups' birth parent nurses/bottle feeds them, and in Bonded packs, the omega nurses them. Pups all have the same soft milky baby scent, but when they're in a pack, they pick up notes of their pack mates' scents. Pups can walk, talk, etc., but when they're over 21, medical intervention is started. Most pups over 21 have hormone imbalances that doctors treat with hormone therapy. As the pup gets "bigger," their treatments are lessened. Unpresented pups over 21 are rare. Pups that are far from presentation are considered littler than those that are presenting soon. So the terms "little pup" and "big pup" are more about how close they are to presentation, and not about their actual age.
Rescued pups are especially rare and require more treatment than normal. Breast milk/formula is considered essential for presentation, and pups that have gone without for a long time have to be handled with the utmost care. Since rescued pups are typically ones that have lived as adults, they tend to be aggressive and resistant to any treatment. Most often, these pups receive 'twilight' shots, which force them into a sleepy and weak state. When pups are under extreme distress, their body will compensate and make them taller, larger, and beta-like. These pups have to be treated with special medication, and they eventually return to their "normal" size. Rescued pups are considered the littlest and are usually given muscle relaxers and emotional treatments to help them adjust to their new lives. So, a rescued pup is more baby-like than an adopted pup. Rescued pups are usually treated like a baby, until their blood work shows that their hormones have reached acceptable levels and they begin to show signs of presentation.
If a pup has not presented by the age of 30, they will most likely die.
Rescued pups are usually scared, angry, and only packs that have taken specific courses are allowed to adopt them. They are typically kept away from the public eye for six months, or until they settle.
(edit1) An unpresented pup presents more slowly than normal, over the course of 6-18 months. They begin to be territorial and nurse less and less. They typically stop relying on their caregivers for everything, can be more independent, and are trusted to make more and more of their own decisions. They begin to gain their own unique smell, and they present as A/B/O long before their first cycle. They do not have cycles (heat/rut) until they have fully presented.
Caregivers do not see unpresented pups as their children. They do not see themselves as the pup's parents, merely temporary caregivers. They don’t develop a familial bond with the pups, and the pups know that their caregivers aren’t their parents. The bond between parent and pup is not the same as the bond between caregiver and pup. The pack does not adopt the pups to replace having babies.
Once a pup presents, they have several choices. They can stay with their pack platonically, go out and find their own pack, or they join the pack romantically (if applicable). It's acceptable for the pups to join the pack romantically (if the pack is romantic and polyamorous).
Most commonly, however, they go off to join their own pack.
In this AU these practices are the norm and are presented as such.
I might add on to this as the fic progresses, but for now, I think that's all you'll need to know.