By Anushka Mehta
Even if the term ‘fanfiction’ became a rather household name because of 50 Shades of Grey – as it so famously started as a Twilight fanfiction – the genre has been around for a long time. It is simply where amateur writers let loose and build up their takes on an already existing fictional work. It is much preferred by writers and fans, as not only do they get a base, a plot all ready for them to work with but also it helps them imagine the same story the way they want. The genre is pretty neat and has branched out into different subgenres as well, including Omegaverse.
Omegaverse is not exactly the newest category of fanfiction, having originated in the Supernatural fandom. However, it is definitely climbing the popular ladder these days. Why? Because apparently, TikTok brought it to the forefront! There are more than 350 million views to the hashtag #Omegaverse on TikTok – and views for tags alpha, beta and omega are increasing accordingly as well. But what exactly is it?
Well, Omegaverse, also known as A/B/O – which is just the short version of Alpha/Beta/Omega – is a subgenre of speculative erotic fan fiction, that proposes that humans are divided according to the social hierarchies showcased by animals, especially wolves. The population in this alternate universe (AU), therefore, display three different sub-genders, alphas being the dominant while omegas are submissive – leaving the betas as a neutral and balancing sub-gender.
As it is actually a type of slash fan fiction, it is obvious that Omegaverse is more about eroticism – and sometimes about sexual violence and assault. Along with that, such stories are laced with usually canid-like behaviours, like pack building, breeding, pheromonal attraction, scent marking as well as rutting and heat cycles. All of these attributes are divided mostly into the categories of alphas and omegas since betas are extremely neutral characters here.
The A/B/O hierarchy
A. Alphas:
Alphas are the dominant, i.e. highest-ranking type in this AU. Commonly, they exude typical personalities; the checklist mostly has qualities like highly aggressive, extremely protective and emitting strong, musky scents, among other things. Their scent is enough to arouse Omegas or just straight up push them into heat. One of the most important features of this type, however, is the concept of knot/knotting attributed to them. It is a cluster of muscles at the base of an alpha’s member, which is important for the breeding process. In the case of female Alphas, there is no womb present and instead of a penis, they have a retractable reproductive part, thus rendering them incapable of pregnancy.
B. Betas:
Not many Omegaverse AUs show Beta characters; mostly just focus on Alpha-Omega relationships. And it is because there’s not much difference between them and normal humans if we are to overlook some exceptions. Their scent is not that intense; rather it’s almost unnoticeable and yet still calming to the surrounding alphas and omegas. Betas can engage in sexual intercourse but neither an Alpha can impregnate them nor an Omega can reproduce with them. As for the female Betas, they can experience menstruation and therefore, can get pregnant. Unfortunately, even if they can sexually engage with Alphas, the knotting process can be more hurtful than pleasurable for them.
C. Omegas:
The type that led Omegaverse its name, Omegas are the most popular and equally submissive characters of this AU. Omegas, in addition to typically being sweet and caring, also have the most potent scent glands, which almost always exude sweet and inviting scent. Female omegas function the same as human females, especially during the breeding and birthing process. An important distinction is that male omegas can actually get pregnant. The AU achieves this by making their anal cavity function the same as the human uterus. And just like Alphas’ ruts, Omegas experience heats, which is just like periods but instead of bleeding, there is a copious amount of slick present. As can be seen, Omegas are supposed to only be better for breeding.
D. Deltas and Gammas:
Both of these types rarely appear in any of the Omegaverse stories, but they are still important to be mentioned. Deltas is like the watered-down version of the Alphas whereas Gammas are like Betas but with Omega features. Deltas are always second-in-command, when the alpha is around, usually acting as the right-hand person for alphas. Their scents are inspired by nature and are strong enough to induce an Omega’s heat but it doesn’t do anything to Alphas.
On the other hand, Gammas have neither knot nor scent glands, thus making them oblivious to the scents of alphas and omegas. They, therefore, have no idea when an Alpha and Omega are in rut and heat respectively. Usually, they are seen as submissive to Alphas, obviously, but also to Betas and Deltas. And even if they are dominant to Omegas, Gammas’ strong maternal instincts make them protective towards Omegas.
Other important concepts used in the Omegaverse
a. Presenting:
Every person in Omegaverse is first a man and a woman, while these A/B/O types become their secondary gender. This reaches its full peak during presenting, a process during or after puberty. If the person experiences a knot, then they know that they are Alphas and if there’s slick involved, well then, they are omegas. Health classes and secondary gender tests are put in place in the AU to make them familiar with heats, ruts, scent blockers, suppressants and other concepts.
b. Scent Glands and scenting:
Scent glands have an important part in Omegaverse, which are located between the neck and shoulder and wrists. These glands emit different types of scents, depending on the type. Alphas have strong, overpowering scents, Betas have subtle, natural scents, whereas Omegas have inviting and sweet scents. These scents also become markers for recognizing what the person is feeling, as the scents change while feeling some intense emotions, like anger, frustration and obvious arousal.
Scenting is a very common action in Omegaverse, a process where people touch their jaws or necks together to calm or soothe the other down. It works oddly like a cat purring or rubbing against your skin.
c. Marking:
Dogs mark their territory by peeing – people in Omegaverse mark their ‘mates’ by biting at the scent gland juncture. It is done by alphas to their omegas, to show the bond and to announce to other alphas that this omega is off-limits. Marking really functions like marriage, as it mixes their scents.
d. Slick:
Slick is a substance unique to Omegas that is rather sweet-smelling and appear almost transparent. It appears more prominently during the Omegas’ heat and is always described as very sweet in taste. The sole purpose of the slick is to help omegas in self-lubrication.
e. Heat:
A heat, experienced by Omegas, is just like female menstruation, but there is a lack of cramps and blood. Instead, slick is produced and it sees the omegas in their most vulnerable state, craving an alpha to satisfy them – which leads to making them easy to take advantage of. Even though they can function normally, it is still advisable that they are indoors to go through their heats, especially with their alphas if mated.
f. Rut:
A rut is like heat but for Alphas. They are even more domineering and aggressive during their rut and need an omega to help them through it. As ruts make the alphas highly aroused and therefore, rather hazy, it becomes the source of sexual violence incidents. They are advised to stay indoors with their omegas – or spend their rut with an unmated or unmarked omega otherwise.
g. Scent blockers:
Scent blockers are used by both types so that they can hide their scents from people. It is usually done by alphas as well as omegas if they don’t want others to recognize their secondary gender. Omegas are usually seen using these to get away from the mistreatment that comes attached to their secondary gender.
This particular genre has been heavily criticized, as there is heavy use of issues like an unbalanced power play, problematic social structures, obvious discrimination of the ‘submissive’ gender and more than enough incidents of non-consensual acts. However, like any other genre, the writings displaying these elements are just the rotten apples of the lot.
In fact, the writers claim that the Omegaverse has provided them with a way to explore and diversify the gender and sexuality facets. It also helps to make the civil and animalistic sides of humans co-exist together – and without any hesitation too. Many stories showcase a better representation of the genre; and given the rising popularity, more stories will be added to the Omegaverse genre daily.
