I feel like I don’t see enough omegas taking care of their alphas in the a/b/o community. Alphas are always portrayed as being the caretakers of their omegas, but what about alphas who have poor memory? Alphas who sometimes can’t even wash their hair? Give me more omegas preening their alphas. Give me more omega encouragement to sad or depressed alphas. Give me omegas nudging their alpha’s favorite food at them to get them to eat. Give me omegas washing their Alpha’s hair in the bath.

Caregiving goes both ways!!

My fave part of my own omegaverse meta is that omegas do not just build nests for themselves, but for their loved ones too. As an omega I hate how the caretaker aspect of (at least, the stereotypical gender roles hypothetically imposed on omegas) is downplayed amongst ourselves to make us seem like we can't reciprocate the way others dote on us.

real

An omega that runs a nesting materials review blog meets an alpha who knits their own blankets.

shut up, im going to throw up (affectionately)

Omega Nesting Materials

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!

Headcanons for pups during finals week~

(Our finals are just around the corner and AM is graduating and I’m two semesters away from graduating!)

-Beta pups are the most stressed out teenager/college students ever. Most of them have a perfectionist complex, so they’re the ones wanting to make all As.

-Omega pups are the second most stressed especially if they’re not studiously inclined. These omega teens will tucker themselves out studying all night before a test and then need to sleep the next couple of days after their last final.

-Alpha pups go one of two ways. They either don’t care or they know they’re going to be fine. Confidence runs high in alpha teens.

-Parents to a beta pup will help them study, have them take little breaks, make sure they have brain healthy foods and whatnot. If their puppy wants to go all out, by God they’re going all out!

-Parents to an omega pup will try to be as reassuring as possible. They’ll say things like it’s okay if you fail, I know you tried so hard and no one is going to be upset with you. And then when their pup brings back a C, they celebrate so hard and get them their own little cupcake because they tried so hard. And if they fail, their parents are reassuring and say it’s okay and you’ll never be homeless it’s okay you can live with Mama and Dad forever if you need to.

-Parents to alpha pups have the least to worry about most of the time. If their pup is really struggling with something, they’ll sit down and go over it with them to the best of their ability. They don’t cram as much as they would do with a beta pup, but they definitely help them as much as they need.

-Schools try to make finals seem like not the end of the world and they put a ton of other grades in to cushion any bad test takers because there’s no reason to fail a class just because you’re not very good at taking tests.

OM

Distressed omegas making nests together to watch movies and comfort each other.

Level One: The Terms

Again, just the basics. You can find more in-depth definitions as well, but this will give you enough clarity to read your typical Wattpad or AO3 story without needing a dictionary every five minutes.

*the definitions below stem from wolf behavior, but not all omegaverse fics include wolves, and still, some have other kinds of were-animals. If you want to use a transformation other than wolves, it might be fun to do some research on your animal of choice.

Scents: In omega versus, people have scents that allow them to lay their claim on things, places, and other people. Families, packs, and mates will scent each other to kindship between each other. In many fics, alphas will scent an emotional object for their beta/omega as a way to always be close. These pheromone glands can be found behind ears, on necks, wrists, feet, hands, and genitalia.

Nests: the instinct or urge to prepare a comfortable/safe area for newborn pups (babies) or ahead of a mating period/season. I have also read fics where nests were just used as safe spaces, regardless of upcoming pregnancies, etc.. Stereotypically, omegas do the nesting. They may fill their nest with sentimental/comforting items, bedding, scented objects from loved ones, etc..

Bonds: Typically written as an alpha bite to the neck in a visible area, so when a scar forms the rest of the "pack" knows that said person is now off the market. Can also signify a lifelong mental/emotional bond. Omegas are easiest to bond when they are in heat, but this is not always observed.

Mates: The term for people in a romantic relationship. Commonly used to signify soulmates and couples who have been bonded, but this is not always observed.

*a common trope of Omegaverse writing is that two people find out that they are mates, but they aren't into each other/completely against the idea.

Ruts: Commonly observed in alphas. A period of time (usually 4-8 days) in which a person will feel an overwhelming desire to breed and dominate. Can be brought on by the scent of another person in heat, or linked to a monthly cycle. Can be dangerous, as the alpha may become physically/sexually violent towards those around them. If mated, the alpha may become overbearingly protective towards their mate. Symptoms can be eliminated by copulation, bonding, and knotting.

Heats: Most often observed in omegas, heat is a period of time (usually anywhere between 3-8 days) in which fertility is the highest. This is accompanied by elevated arousal, temperature, pheromone potency, and lack of appetite. Symptoms can be eliminated/decreased by copulation, skin-to-skin contact, rest, and in some stories, medication.

Knots: The expansion at the base of an alpha's genitalia that allows them to be connected to their partner during copulation so that their sperm can stay locked in, increasing the chance of pregnancy.

Slick: Self-lubrication commonly made by omegas during heat. The amount that is released depends upon the author.

Small Omegaverse Nuances;

Classrooms at the elementary level are ✨soft✨. They’re kind of like giant nests. Kids sit on pillows/blankets on the floor with low desks. The ceilings are usually on the low-side to feel more “cave” like. Cause something something evolution. Around 4th grade the classrooms get less soft and more similar to what we’re familiar with. Kindergarten? That’s a glorified pillow-infested bounce house, that’s what that is.

My Lore: Nesting

With their ancestors being defenders of the den Omegas have powerful and specific nesting habits. Though a nice smelling bottom layer of blankets and pillows is necessary a nest needs a top cover to be complete. Most omegas achieve this with a weighted blanket.

An omega with the space might invest in a proper nesting bed with a bowl shaped mattress and blackout canopy. If an Omega makes their nest on top of a regular mattress can buy bed guards to keep their nest from falling off.

It's very common for multi-Omega homes to join their nests.

Pups are also keen nesters though they're usually happy enough with a heavy blanket to cover themselves while they sleep and fluffy pillows. If they're seeking comfort they'll bury themselves in the nest of their favorite Omega.

Adult Beta and Alphas often use nesting as a way to sooth anxiety and depression were they wouldn't usually have the urge to build one.

Different Nests Aesthetics

1. Neat

Neat nests refer to nests that appear organized and mostly just consist of pillows and blankets rather than clothes and other materials as well. 

2. Complex (messy)

Complex nests, also known as messy nests, contain an excess amount of not only blankets and pillows, but personal belongs, like articles of clothing and stuffed animals. They generally appear to look disorganized, hence called messy.

3. Princess

Princess nest is a relatively new and modern term. It refers to nests that are surround by fairy lights, drapes, and/or tapestries. 

4. Ring

Ring nests are nests in small spaces. Generally in closets, under staircases, and in handmade spaces.