On Omegas
This post is supposed to summarize and explain omegas in the context of the omegaverse. If you don’t know what that is, refer to Omegaverse 101 first. To see the corresponding post about alphas, click here. For betas, click here.
Biology
For the most part, people in omegaverse story are baseline humans and function as such, unless your canon (or AU of that canon) deals with aliens or magic. The difference is mostly in the reproductive system, which, in the case of omegas, can vary quite a bit, though the important shared conclusion is that all omegas regardless of their primary gender, can give birth.
So there is a womb?
Yes. Male omegas do have all the internal parts to make babies. This usually does include wider hips to enable childbirth, though in some fics it can be more difficult for them to deliver babies compared to women, or even require a c-section (though this realistically only makes sense if omegas were genetically engineered because for most of human history we did not have c-sections so this is rather unbelievable from a natural selection standpoint).
But how do you get to that womb with your (alpha) dick??
Good question. There is no definite answer, but omegaverse authors usually choose one of two options: ass or pussy.
If you choose ass, your (male) omega now gains self-lubrication in the form of slick to his ass, as well as a connection to his womb from said asshole. Usually this also makes the hole loosen itself with arousal, diminishing or erasing the pesky need to prepare and stretch before you get to the fun breeding part.
If you choose pussy, well. Your man's got a pussy now and it works like a functioning pussy on a real afab human. Easy.
You could also make up something else, though - I've seen extra holes just below the asshole that function like a vagina and only open noticably after presenting. The only limit is your creativity and your reader's suspension of disbelief (but don't let that one stop you if you got a vision).
So are there dicks?
Usually, yes, but not necessarily. Omega dicks tend to be small. How small? Hard to tell. Some of them are tiny, like an inch or less, and practically useless, while others are small only in comparison to the ridiculous alpha dick sizes, and could reasonably belong to an adult human irl. It's also entirely up to the author if these dicks are necessary for orgasm, if they can even get properly hard, and if they have the ability to eject real semen that could get someone else pregnant. Sometimes, though, there are no dicks at all, just a pussy, and all I ask the authors of those fics then: so how did you assign this baby as male then? Sure, in adulthood you see the difference through the lack of boobs, but baby girls also don't have boobs. I've never seen anyone explain this in fic, so I'm curious if someone has come up with a solution to this. Do you wait for kids to express their own gender identity if they lack a dick? Unlikely but cool. Do you just assign them all female and then go back on it if they get secondary male characteristics during puberty? Is there a magic or science way to know?
So no boobs?
Nope, not usually. Importantly, omegas can frequently lactate and breastfeed if they do end up getting pregnant, and they may grow boobs during this process, but they tend to be rather small and then disappear once there is no more baby to feed. Though if your fav fictional male is already well-endowed in the chest area you can always claim those are just his boobs and they're always there. Nobody's stopping you.
...Do I need to worry about periods?
No. They're rarely mentioned, so we can just comfortably assume they don't exist or just not talk about them. It sounds kinda like a pain to bleed from your ass anyway. Though it also is a pain to bleed from your pussy so. I mean. It's up to you. Wolves don't have periods so you could take another helpful piece of their biology and get rid of them for everyone including women! Nobody likes them anyway! You'll be doing society a huge service! Unless of course you wanna make your fav male blorbo go through that shit, then of course he has them. He probably deserves it, anyway. Or at least he deserves his sweet alpha boyfriend to pamper him and/or go buy pads and ask him what size pussy he wears.
Heats
Here it is, perhaps the most defining feature of omegaverse besides mpreg. All omegas (at least past puberty/presentation and before menopause) frequently enter heats. How frequently? Often once a month, so around an actual human's cycle, but it may be once a year for a mating season, or only happen when triggered by meeting their fated mate.
The heat itself is the period of time when an omega is fertile. It expresses itself with increased levels of horny, unstoppable production of slick, and a raised body temperature similar to a fever. This heat may just be an annoying itch, or it may make the omega completely bedridden and also overwriting their higher brain functions, being reduced to nothing but a willing, desperate hole for any alpha passing by. Though if an omega is mated, those desires may only be directed towards the mate, with all other alphas losing their appeal.
Heats do tend to pass after a select period of time (anywhere from a day to a month, though there is no upper limit and it usually depends on the frequency - more frequent heats tend to be shorter, though of course there may always be exceptions), though they're usually at the very least not comfortable to spend on your own. Even if the omega can bring themselves to orgasm, it won't have the same effect as being knotted by an alpha, or being filled with an alpha's cum. Of course, if you're looking for a fuck-or-die, heats can easily be repurposed to last forever and drain an omega of all their energy until they die unless a generous alpha fucks them.
Mating glands
A staple, typically located around the neck. I've seen them on the back of the neck a bunch, though personally I usually assume they're on the sides, where neck and shoulder meet, though you can do whatever you want. These glands can be bitten into by an alpha and form a bond that attunes them to each other. This could go as deep as being able to share thoughts, though it's not usually that, more often it means the mates will only be attracted to each other, recognize each other's scents from far away, be more affected by their partner's scent, make them want to take care of the other, and of course synch their heat and rut cycles. For the most part, this is a one-sided thing - the alpha bites and the omega is bitten, though it can be made mutual in some fics, or it may only work if the omega is aroused and willing, or it can be forced regardless.
Scent glands
Like most omegaverse inhabitants, omegas have a stronger scent and/or a better sense of smell than your average real human. The scent may be anything you desire and fits your blorbo, though omega scents tend to be on the sweet side. They also often have a calming effect on others, especially children or their mates, though they may also make their mates very horny and possessive. The glands are also usually located around the neck area, though extra ones may be placed on the wrists or inner thighs.
Societal standing
Omegas are generally thought to be sweet and caring, traditionally relegated to very specific roles such as child-rearing. If you don't wanna think about it for some pwp or incosequential fluff, just. Women. They're treated like women, generally, you live in a society, you've seen what that means.
Unlike for alphas, the inclusion of betas rarely changes much for the omegas in the stories, they're the lowest in the pecking order regardless, however, there is still some variety in how they're treated, depending on what kind of story a given author wants to write. I'll lay out a couple trends, but be aware that there are infinite amounts of nuanced takes and worldbuilding out there, and I can't possibly cover them all in this post.
The sex slave
This one tends to suck the most for omegas. In this version, they're not (or barely) seen as people, and their only purpose in life is to get fucked and give birth, rinse and repeat. They may be sold like goods or traded between packs, owned by a singular alpha or used by the entire pack come mating season, but either way, they do not get to choose.
The perpetual minor
Taken from historical restrictions imposed on women, this one doesn't treat omegas as objects, but they're not seen as full members of society either. Lip service may be paid to their important role, but their role is still limited and usually not their choice. Omegas in these kinds of worlds may not be bought and sold, but they're prohibited from many jobs, may not be able to open a bank account on their own or inherit property, or need permission from someone else for medical procedures, especially concerning their reproductive health. That someone usually being their father until they get mated and married, at which point it switches to their mate.
Omega Rights
This is the common trope you see in modern AUs. It assumes omegas have been oppressed in the past, but society has changed due to a political campaign similar to the real women's rights movement, and won them personhood status. More often than not, these societies are still in the process of change, even if most or even all legal barriers have been removed, old views and stereotypes as well as some structural barriers still remain. This can be chosen for the ease of writing what you know, or because you have shit to say about how things currently are, or just because you don't love dub or non con.
The Queen Bee
In a subversion of the usual standard, it's absolutely possible to make omegas the most powerful members of society. Omegas may be genuinely revered for being able ot give birth (esp if betas do not exist or are infertile), they may be rare and chosen as royalty, or be seen as closest to some kind of god. Playing with the tropes, they may be able to manipulate alphas according to their will with their scents, or become the ultimate prize to claim only for the most succesful alphas to give them a chance to reproduce. You might have to do some math on how to sustain the population if you get too crazy with it, or you can just forgo that and say it works somehow if you don't feel like math is worth your time for a horny fic with a subtop alpha and a dombottom omega.
Omega instincts
Whether it’s just nebulous feelings or a distinct inner voice the POV character can actually talk to, omegas have instincts that are stronger than what a normal human experiences - perhaps even impossible to resist, if the author so chooses. So, what are they compelled to do?
Mate & Breed
Obviously, that’s the first and most important one, the one the whole trope is famous for. An omega wants to be mated and bred by an alpha, especially if the omega is in heat. That’s just how it is.
Nest & Nourish
Not quite as integral but still wide-spread, omegas will feel the need to build a nest, especially if their heat is close, for themselves and their alpha if they have one. That nest is usually made of pillows and blankets (or whatever else they have available that's comfortable), and is the ultimate safe space for the omega. Outsiders are usually not allowed inside, and the nest is the place where they take care of themselves, their mates, and their kids. Omegas are usually not depicted as particularly aggressive, but the exception is often when they feel their offspring (or any children) are threatened, though omegas tend to naturally show affection more through taking care of others rather than physically fight for them.
Submit sexually
Whether they like it or not, omegas tend to be natural subs. They are turned on by alphas being dominant, possessive, and often rough/aggressive. It's up to the individual author if this is just a fun, healthy kink, an issue of consent the main couple has to work around, or an internal conflict for the omega as they enjoy (or are at least aroused by) alphas forcing themselves on the omega.
…And that’s about it! You’ve made it all the way to the end!
Remember, I’ve been generalizing - if there is any one thing you don’t like, you can remove it from your fic! This is your playground! Everything here can be changed and challenged, adjusted to fit your fandom and your blorbo and your own desires. This is just an overview.
Have fun writing and reading!
