ok so I meant to say omegaverse but I was thinking so hard about mpreg that's what I wrote .....
youâre so real for that but YAY letâs learn about omegaverse! Here is a little guide based on my many years of reading this tropeÂ
Omegaverse, also called alpha/beta/omega dynamics (this is still the main tag on ao3 for this trope), is centered around the idea that all humans have a secondary sex. In this world, in addition to being male or female, humans can also be an alpha, a beta, or an omega:Â
Alphas go into rut, a period where they get really horny. Alphas also have knots on their dicks. The knots are inspired by dog/wolf biology (do not look up how this works in nature); an alphaâs knot âlocksâ inside the omega after sex to join them together for a little while (usually a few minutes)Â
Betas are just regular people (lol)Â
Omegas go into heat, which is also a period where they get really horny. They are also more fertile during this time, which is important because all omegas can get pregnant, including male omegas. Omegas also produce slick during sex, which is basically a natural lubricant.Â
Those are the basics of the roles in omegaverse. But the thing I love most about omegaverse is itâs so versatile! Every fic has a different way of playing with the worldbuilding and the impact these additional genders have on how people act and see each other.Â
Every fic is different, but here are some common tropes in omegaverse:Â
Rut/heat: Explained a bit above. A classic omegaverse set up is a character suddenly going into heat or rut and the other one having to take care of them.
Mpreg: Male omegas can get pregnant and boy do they get pregnant a LOT
Mating bites: When an alpha and omega pair are mated, it means they are bonded together. Usually the mating process is sealed when an alpha bites an omega on the neck. This mark usually creates a permanent scar that is very sensitive and also makes it clear to other people that the omega has a mate.Â
Scenting: Alphas and omegas produce a natural scent that can be used to attract mates. Alphas and omegas will sniff and rub themselves on each other to mark their mate with their scent. This can also be used to comfort/calm each other down, because your mateâs scent is very soothing.Â
Nesting: THIS IS THE CUTEST SHIT. To comfort themselves, omegas will often build a little nest out of clothes, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and other objects. This is especially common during their heat or when theyâre pregnant. An omegaâs nest is considered very personal and private, it is a big deal to be permitted to touch or be inside an omegaâs nest.Â
Now I really like this trope, but not everyone does, which I get. Here are some common squicks/reasons I see for why other people donât like the trope (all of these are valid btw):Â
The animal thing of it all: Omegaverse is inspired by wolves; itâs not as popular anymore to have omegaverse characters be literal werewolves/wolf shifters, but animal traits are still very baked into the trope with things like knots, heats/ruts, biting and growling, etc.Â
Gender essentialism: Itâs common for alphas to be portrayed as physically big and dominant, while omegas are more submissive, smaller, and generally more feminine. Personally I really enjoy playing with gender expectations and how they can be flipped around in this trope. But I understand how seeing characters reduced into simple gender roles can really turn people off.
Dub con/non con: Since characters are overwhelmed with the need to fuck when theyâre in heat or rut, this opens up a lot of possibilities for dubious consent situations. However, thatâs not the case for every fic, and every author has a different idea for how lucid the characters are during their heats/ruts and how they handle that.Â
Anyways, thatâs the omegaverse. Also personally for you, my luna, if you want to give it a try I really enjoy the fic Mercurial. Itâs omega Ilya, but itâs very non traditional dynamics while also being a good introduction to omegaverse overall.Â