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What is it?
Omegaverse, also known as A/B/O or Alpha/Omega, is a popular alternate universe (AU) in fandoms. Originally focused on smut, it has evolved to appeal to a wider range of fans. While still centered on smut, the AU includes various themes tied to the omegaverse concept. This world is divided into two sexes: primary (male or female) and secondary (Alpha, Omega, Beta, or Gamma). The primary sex determines most of the reproductive anatomy, while the secondary sex influences the individual's reproductive physiology and behavior.
Secondary Sexes
Generally, secondary sexuality varies among individuals, particularly for betas. There are no strict rules for every omega male, alpha female, or other types. Each secondary sex has its general anatomy and certain expectations for the body and mind.
It is also possible for individuals to identify with both their primary and secondary sex, and they can take hormones to enhance or suppress characteristics associated with their chosen identity. For instance, it is not uncommon for a Beta-A male or female to take alpha hormones or a Gamma male or female to take omega hormones.
Background / History of Omegaverse
The origins of omegaverse date back to 2010 in the Supernatural fandom. In this fandom, which focused on inhuman characters and creatures inspired by mythology, werewolves were a common theme in fanfiction. The concept of omegaverse emerged as a way to incorporate popular kinks like heat, knotting, and male pregnancy without the other elements associated with werewolf AU stories.
Omegaverse quickly became a pan-fandom alternate universe (AU), but initially remained mostly associated with male/male smut due to its origins. Even today, it is often viewed as a smut-centric AU because of the explicit content found in many popular works. However, omegaverse has become more diverse by including additional sexes (Betas and Gammas) and exploring sexual relationships beyond male/male pairings.
Terminology
Primary Sex: The base sex of an individual, commonly either male or female, but exceptions occur with a combination of the two. These are not influence secondary sex (females are not more likely to be omega, etc).
Secondary Sex: Commonly referred to as the 'modification' of the primary sex. Secondary sexes (or types) refer to being Alpha, Beta, Omega or Gamma. It is not influenced by the primary sex.
Sexual Orientation: An individual's attraction to specific, often primary sexes. Specific terms, such as type-sexuality, refer to an individual's attraction for specific secondary sexes.
Gender: The state of being male, female, a combination thereof or a lack thereof, typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. Gender has no correlation with primary or secondary sex.
Type / Typing: Shorthand for referring either to an individual's overall secondary sex or a Beta's specific typing (A, O, or otherwise).
Alpha: Commonly the most territorial of the typings and are commonly (but not always) the most dominant. They exhibit knots and go into ruts.
Beta: A general term for someone who is between being an Alpha or Omega. They are able to detect scents and are able to scent others, but they do not possess all the anatomical or biological parts of either an Omega or Alpha. The most common Beta-types are Beta-A and Beta-O, with the letter indicating which side of the spectrum they lean.
Omega: Commonly the least territorial of the typings and are commonly (but not always) the most submissive. They exhibit heats and will have a womb or womb-like structure (depending on the primary sex).
Knot / Knotting: A bulge of muscles at the base of a cock that swells either when erect or before orgasm, often to keep both individuals from separating during and after ejaculation to ensure conception. A knot, regardless of primary sex, will last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Rut / Rutting: A period of 3-5 days where an Alpha-identified individual will act more possessive and territorial than normal, but not specifically in need of mating with someone. Normally, rutting periods are more common after being mated, as part of a biological cycle to protect said mate.
Scenting: Alphas, Omegas, and Betas all give off a very specific sort of scent as a personal marker to their primary and secondary sex. They all have the ability to scent others, which is simply the process of spreading their specific scent on another person or object (often by physically rubbing against them).
Beta-Type: The specific leaning of a Beta on the secondary sex spectrum, commonly either being Beta-A or Beta-O.
Estrus / Heat: A period of 3-5 days where an Omega-identified individual will experience sexual excitability and have an increase in fertility. This often comes in tandem with a large release of pheromones to communicate the biological shift to others.
Pups: A general term for young of Omega-identified individuals, but can also refer to children in general.
Slick: A word describing the increased self-lubrication that Omega-identified individuals experience, specifically during their heat.
Nest / Nesting: A structure that Omega-identified individuals build, most commonly during heat and while pregnant. It can vary in appearance, but serves a calming purpose and dates back when a nest was required to keep an omega-identified individual safe during heat and pregnancy, as it was often built specifically to be hidden. Some still consider nest-building to be part of an omega-identified individual's courtship or heat cycle process.
Suppressants: Medication given to Alpha or Omega-identifying individuals, specifically to suppress rut or heat cycles. It can also suppress the fertility of the individuals, and is often referred to in conversations about birth-control.
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Bounded By Fate
FanfictionIn a world where one's status as alpha, beta, or omega dictated their very existence, Izuku Midoriya found himself confined to the walls of an omega shelter. A place where the gentle and nurturing omegas were forced to face countless challenges and...