please make sure you read my links & enjoy the info i’ve compiled! some of this post’s content may be 18+
[ credit to sortingabosincebirth for a lot of this helpful info ! ]
omegaverse (or a/b/o) is an alternate universe where there are three sexes in addition to male and female: alpha, beta, and omega. these three sexes determine the person’s instinctual desires and special abilities unique to that sex, usually in relation to relationships, daily habits, and having children
the sexes are based on wolf society (wolves have now been proven not to have these rankings though) so there’s many borrowed concepts/imagery from canines. though there are omegaverse universes people create for other species (like birds, felines, etc)!
see below for vocab & concepts (headcanons, common roles in fics, etc)
vocab:
alpha: someone who’s secondary gender is that of an alpha ; instincts & general attitude is usually of a protective / providing nature (towards their omega or mate)
beta: someone who doesn’t have a secondary gender ; sometimes the concept of a beta is very different though, or has great benefit (for example: being able to care for an omega in heat without being influenced by instincts)
omega: someone who’s secondary gender is that of an omega ; instincts & general attitude is usually of a motherly / caring / gentle nature
secondary gender: another term for someone’s status as either an alpha, beta, or omega
miscecanis: a lifestyle of someone in this universe who seeks to emulate an omegaverse lifestyle in one way or another
pup: someone who hasn’t presented yet, or is a baby / child ; 'having pups’ is this universe’s version of ‘having kids’
presenting: the process of coming into your secondary gender, often compared to puberty in our universe ; this can mean different things for both omegas and alphas, though if someone doesn’t present, they are a beta
mate: a life partner, or generally a partner ; oftentimes, but not always, it can mean a pair of the corresponding secondary gender (for example: alpha + omega) ; sometimes this can refer to any relationships, as just a general term in the universe
mating: this term has two meanings, one sfw and one nsfw
the first definition is comparable to courting or marriage, and involves many rituals specific to the universe and participants (no two mating ceremonies/practices are the same)
the second definition is the act of having sex, usually between an alpha + omega ; this can be for purposes of providing pups, or just a general term for having sex
mating bite / mark: a mark, usually on the neck / shoulder, that signifies the person (oftentimes omega, but not always) is ‘taken’ or mated ; sometimes this is a permanent mark, that means the two will become mated / stay mated ; other times, it’s temporary and will need to be renewed by the mate ; in some universes, it will become infected / painful / etc when a mate passes
nest: a comfortable and safe place for an omega to rest ; oftentimes it’s a collection of soft things (blankets, pillows, etc) and scented items from their mate (stolen shirts, jackets, etc)
nesting: the act of creating a nest, improving it, or needing to be in your nest ; oftentimes a symptom of a heat, an omega will instinctually start nesting slightly before or during a heat
pack: a group of people who have bonded together, often a ‘found family’ type of relationship, or a group of people they’re born into the ‘family’ of
scent: the specific smell of an alpha or omega, oftentimes comforting to the mate / possible mate ; in some universes, these are scents that we know (vanilla, cinnamon, pine), and in some it’s simply a pheromone
scenting: the act of covering a mate / possible mate in one’s scent, oftentimes through the act of closeness to some degree ; ways to scent include, but aren’t limited to: hugging, cuddling, rubbing wrist/face/neck on the other, sharing/trading clothes, etc
heat: the mating cycle of an omega ; sometimes it’s simply a time when the omega’s body is fertile and able to mate, while other times it’s a painful experience that the omega needs care for
rut: the mating cycle of an alpha ; sometimes it’s simply a time when the alpha’s body is fertile and able to mate, while other times they can get highly aggressive / loose inhibitions and their actions become animalistic
slick: a clear or white substance that an omega produces, usually during mating and/or heats
concepts:
these concepts are all headcanons / specific to other people’s universes. don’t let that discourage you if your universe is different!
this spot will be updated regularly! check back for more info
We all know that omegas nest. Duh. And they are like really good at it. But consider how important it would be for an alpha to present their den to the partner they are courting. The specifics can vary depending on age so let’s work through from pre-presented alphas to adults.
Pre-presentation Alphas:
Their big thing is collections and collecting things to make their space inviting. Of course there is going to be soft things because an alpha, though not presented yet, will want to be comfortable. They will have an obvious place that is reserved for nesting but like birds they will collect all sorts of miscellaneous objects for décor. For the younger ones this would look like pockets stuffed with rocks, sticks, flowers, shiny objects, etc. They don’t really understand what exactly they are going to do with said objects but there is an instinctual need to have them. Yes even that crumbled up whatever that was probably a food wrapper at some point. These little alphas will not be deterred from creating a den.
Newly Presented Alphas (approx. 1-3 years post presentation):
Here’s where things can get really interesting. These alphas are slowly moving from an anything and everything den aesthetic to something more cohesive. Though it should be started that they can go through several phases of preferences before finally landing on something that is their own aesthetic. Buckle up parents, just because they wanted you to buy shades of blue last month doesn’t mean that you won’t be found buying yellow the next month because your little alpha changed their mind.
Also be considerate that as they explore relationships and pack connections that then den preferences could change. Obviously an alpha’s den is their own space 99% of the time but their instincts can sway them to want to please whoever they are wanting to impress. It’s natural and there’s no need to panic!
Grown Alphas:
Once they’ve moved past the stage where they are constantly changing their minds a grown alpha will finally reach a point of self actualization and have experienced enough aesthetics to create something that is uniquely them. This is especially important as they reach the ages to start properly courting or allowing outsiders into their own space. Nesting materials are of highest importance, do not let yourself forget, but it is more about *how* everything is set up around them. While an omega is mostly focused on the nest specifically, an alpha is more focused on the area surrounding the nest. This includes things like lights, placement of the nest within said room, wall décor, proximity of a bathroom and escape exit, and also showing that they can provide for an omega’s basic needs like having snacks and drinks on hand.
As for courting goes it is very special to an alpha to let them control when you are allowed into their den space. You don’t enter an omega’s nest without permission also applies to an alpha’s den. The presentation of the den by an alpha (or even a beta partner in certain circumstances) should fall near the end of the courting timeline. It requires a certain level of trust because a den is a direct reflection on the alpha who is presenting it. This can be a highly stressful event for alphas, so you want to make sure that you are responding appropriately. But if you as their partner enjoy and appreciate their den make sure to praise them above and beyond, creating an even stronger bond with your alpha.
The term ‘den’ does not only describe a very specific space but for an alpha living on their own it can include the whole dwelling place. This can be an entire house (including front and back yard as well as the geographical location of said dwelling place) or a specific set of rooms.
Conclusion:
An alpha’s den is sacred space. If they allow you in, do what you can to respect the space and the gesture. Understand that they’ve considered nearly every aspect of the space with great thought. If something is there it is there for a reason. A den can be a nuanced term so tread lightly. Ask questions but don’t be forceful.
Friendly reminder that fan-made content (fanart, fanfic, fanvids, etc) are:
extremely time consuming. Remember someone actually took time out of their life to create that, time they could’ve used to, idk, sleep, for example
entertainment you’re consuming for free. I can’t stress this enough: you’re enjoying someone else’s craft for free. You paid exactly zero money to look at/read/watch it.
S H A R E D with you, not made for you. This is the most important point: someone created that, put it online and you found it. No one forced you to consume that fanwork, you C H O S E to do it.
Whenever you feel like leaving a mean comment, anonymous hate or make a ~clever post about how ‘lol look at all of these overused tropes every fic writer crams into their fics’ remember you’re being a dick to someone who shared their work with you. You’re not being funny, you’re not being edgy, you’re not being brave for calling something out - you’re being a dick.
Depending on your verse canon specifics nesting materials can differ greatly!
Not only can they differ from omega to omega but also one should take into consideration to the climate in which one lives in as well!
For this reason, it can be assumed that there are certain fabrics that are used in nests can be seasonal. Sort of having a combination of fabrics for each of the seasonal changes or over arching weather climates.
You’ll find that most nests contain fabrics that are cotton based for their versatility in both warmer and colder climates. Omegas who tend to run hotter or live in a climate that is mostly warmer temperatures with most likely have nesting materials that are cotton, linen, and some wool blends. While summer nests might not be as big and cushy they tend to have more materials draped around said nest like see through curtains, mesh netting, or silk panels. This gives the illusion of a cozy nest without sacrificing airflow or feeling exposed and vulnerable.
For omegas that might run cooler or live in colder climates, they will tend to have a larger hoard of nesting materials. Like a summer nest, likely materials would include cotton and wool blends. But here’s where things can get interesting!
Consider that omegas in colder climates or in the dead of winter will be drawn to having faux fur and silks as a part of their nesting hoard. There’s just something uniquely primal about the presence of fur in the nest. Unlike a summer nest a winter nest will have significate walls, going back to the primal need to protect them and potential young from winds. Winter nests will contain more pillows and plush to help with the structure integrity of the nest.
Be mindful about gifting the right sort of fabrics as gifts to your omega and don’t be alarmed if you don’t see that gift for a season! An omega will know best what works for their nesting habits and will deeply treasure anything that is gifted to them by their special someone. Talk with them, learn their likes and dislikes, and then happy hunting!
Feel free to dissagree/have your own versions of everything but my general ideas for my interpretations on the differences between an omega nest and an alpha den is essentially this;
Nest
Almost all soft materials
Small enclosed spaces
Not much clutter/generally tidy
Brighter colours pups like
Tends to look like the typical kid's pillow fort with being small enclosed area usually filled with pillows. Simple & bright colours and soft & fluffy textures are the way to go when designing one as of course these nests often have to be pup-safe. The space is usually very tidy, well as tidy as you can get when there's pups around, but still gets regularly cleaned.
Den
Not as enclosed & more open ended
Cluttered / hoarding is common
Lots of different textures & patterns
Darker colours
Could literally just be the person's entire room since there aren't as often clear boundaries between what is the den and what isn't. Dens are often kept dark since many alphas are somewhat nocturnal. There's also usually a variety of textures, so along with alphas' tendencies to fill up their space with a lot of stuff dens are oft cluttered. Due to denning behaviors, alphas are sometimes seen as "hoarders".
Though technically most alphas den and omegas nest, there are cases where an omega may den and an alpha may nest. Betas often will either have something more in the middle/sharing traits with both or will not participate in nesting at all. There are also non-nesting omegas & non-denning alphas. Of course, every individual is different, and there's always exceptions.
