WHAT IS VENUSVERSE?
THE BASICS
Whether you are familiar with omegaverse, need a quick refresher, or are completely new to the genre, this section provides basic information about Kat Sinclair’s version of it. In short: it is a non-shifter, grounded omegaverse universe.
Besides the omegaverse aspects, this is a world that lacks heteronormativity, transphobia, and other aspects of our world.
Homo Sapiens Venus (also known as the second gender or the venus sex) is a sub-species of humans believed to have evolved at some point in history as a result of an extremely unfavorable environment. They differ from regular people (Homo Sapiens Sapiens, or betas) by having a special organ called a Venus gland.
The Venus gland is a small gland at the back of individual’s neck, which facilitates the specific hormonal activity of producing and sensing pheromones.
Pheromones are chemicals which all animals (including humans) produce that change the behavior of another animal of the same species. The effects of this are usually subconscious and barely noticeable, but thanks to the Venus gland, individuals who are alphas or omegas are not only more sensitive to each other’s pheromones but also produce a specific, strong type that sexually attracts them together. Some individuals are affected more strongly by pheromones, but the majority can function normally in day-to-day life. This function is believed to have evolved as a way to sense an individual’s emotional and sexual availability and to bond two partners together in stressful times.
The specific scent pheromones give off seems to be unique to each individual, and also perceived slightly differently from person to person. Most common comparisons are drawn to the smell of flowers, sweets, nature, and other pleasurable scents. Alphas and omegas with especially lovely pheromones are often praised and are socially more successful, as well as sexually more sought-after.
Pheromones usually begin emitting shortly after the beginning of puberty, at 13-17 years old, followed by a steady increase in activity of the Venus gland.
In regards to reproduction, the crucial aspect that differentiates alphas and omegas from betas are the fertility rates. Among the pregnancies between alphas and omegas, miscarriage is statistically near non-existent, no matter the gender, and fertility rates overall are also higher.
This is mostly facilitated by highly fertile periods called rut for alphas and heat for omegas. Similar to a reproductive cycle of ovulation in beta females, both stages are signaled by the heightened hormonal activity of the Venus gland. Pregnancy between alpha and omega is extremely likely at this time (especially if both are at this stage). The major symptoms are heightened sexual libido and changes to the working of the frontal lobe, causing slightly impaired decision-making and emotional control. Less desirable side effects include heart palpitations, vertigo, increased body temperature, anxiety, or migraines. These symptoms seem to diminish significantly in the presence of the opposite venus sex or with long-term partners.
Suppressants are drugs that alleviate the most undesirable symptoms of rut or heat. There is still a lack of research when it comes to them, they can be expensive and don’t work for every individual.
Members of the venus sex are separated into alphas and omegas. Besides the aforementioned sensitivity to pheromones and the presence of the Venus gland, alpha men and omega women are not too different from beta men and women. The most significant biological discrepancy is found in omega men, who can become pregnant, and alpha women, who have the ability to impregnate. Members of the venus sex also possess higher than average resilience to many diseases, have slightly longer lifespans, and have more successful fertility rates.
Alpha males possess a unique organ called bulbus glandis—a spherical area of erectile tissue at the base of the penis that engorges with blood while copulating. This is called knotting. The tissue usually only engages when an alpha is in a rut, the omega they are having intercourse with is in heat, or with an extreme sexual (and emotional) arousal. The omega sexes have evolved to find the experience pleasurable, but in sexual intercourse with a beta (male or female) it is often uncomfortable and can cause injuries.
Alpha women possess a retractable erectile issue, which becomes engorged with blood when in a rut. This causes the clitoris to function as a small penis, which can be used for penetration. The alpha women’s ovaries are also unique in a way that doubles them as testes through a complex hormonal shift and slightly different biology.
Omega men, as mentioned, have the capability of becoming pregnant. Just as the urethra opens into the vestibule near a vaginal opening in beta women, the rectum is a smaller opening in the omega male’s anus, which is self-lubricating, while the main opening (regular anus for beta men) leads into the omega male equivalent of a vagina and uterus, which sits between the prostate and rectum. This means that when a penis is inserted, it enters the reproductive route, and the usual anal sex path to the rectum only opens when defecating.
Omega men also possess an underdeveloped version of ovaries which connects to their prostate. Though pregnancy is common, babies are often born prematurely, at lower weight, and cesarean is needed in many cases.
There is a broad disagreement about the social and psychological implications of being an alpha or omega. Many alphas are observed to be more dominant, hot-headed, charismatic and have somewhat higher chances of psychopathy, while omegas are believed to often be empathetic, caring and submissive, with some inclination for anxiety disorders—this is overall seen as outdated stereotyping and not scientifically proven, but exists in society as any other gender norms and standards.
The venus sexes make up about 35% of the population and are more or less common in certain areas of the world.