a/b/o verse

[unmelting]

Kaeya is in over his head, which is not something he's used to. The cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius is usually prepared, usually pulling strings and planning and plotting before he even sets a foot into any situation or gets his own hands dirty.

But something has gone wrong. Clearly.

It started a few days ago. Kaeya hadn't felt right, but there was nothing he could really pin down as specifically wrong, so it was easy enough to shrug it off. Sure, he's feeling vaguely overheated, his thoughts too easily distracted, every little scent suddenly overwhelming. But he can still manage.

So when Jean asks that he go investigate some trouble in the ruins outside of the city, he really doesn't have a good reason not to agree. It should be fine. A simple trip really, though he does see the vague concern in the acting Grand Master's eyes at how distracted he seems. He pulls himself together to wave it off. And off he goes.

Now here he is, having found the root of the problems that Jean has sent him to. The source of the trouble is a band of treasure hoarders, ones that he has dealt with before. Tensions rise, and Kaeya should be able to handle this -- either through clever words or icy sword blows. It's nothing he hasn't overcome before. Except this time, he feels like he's losing his mind. And two of the treasure hoarders realize it, two alphas who have caught the very distinct scent of an omega in heat.

Kaeya, on the other hand, is still clueless. He's a beta, after all. When his peers had begun presenting, he never had, and had accepted what that meant for him. Honestly, it was simpler that way. Wasn't it? But here he is, sword in hand but not raised, one visible eye wide, pupil blown, face flushed, as he watches the men approach.

'Don't worry,', one of the men croons, 'We're more than happy to help. You're lucky you found us.'

A frown crosses Kaeya's face. That doesn't... sound right. But maybe he does need help. Hmm.

Comments

[searingwing]

Diluc lands on the edge of a wall. The pale light from the lanterns makes the whole and gold mask over his face take on an other worldly quality. He breathes in. A sweet yet subtle scent curls in the air.

It carries confusion and need to him. He almost falls off the wall. “An omega?” He breathes as he creeps along the wall. Voices carry up to him. ‘We’ll treat you right.’

‘All you have to do is receive us.’ He looks down. Two treasure hoarders are moving towards Kaeya below him. The rest are fanning out. Something inside him snaps. His lips peel back from his teeth and he drops from the wall to land and impose himself between them and Kaeya.

A low rumble builds in his chest and the treasure hoarders stop. Fire spirals over Diluc’s blade and up his arms. He opens his mouth as his fangs descend, an Alpha in all the ways that matter.

The Treasure hoarders flee and Diluc looks demonic in his fury. Until they’re gone then he lets the fire go and turns to Kaeya. As he gets a full blast of the scents in the air. Diluc reels and has to fight for control of himself. He breathes through his nose. “...what were you.”

He closes his eyes then with a sigh he offers his hand. “Never mind. Let’s get you away from here.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya doesn't notice Diluc until the redhead is appearing like a phantom, all dark shadows and then bright fire. It's familiar, the sight of him, and even if it's stronger than usual, the scent of him. Something in Kaeya immediately eases and then immediately tenses in a very different way at the sound of that low growl.

That is not helping the bleary growing need in his mind at all. He didn't know Diluc could sound like that, and he has to bite back a soft, low sound of his own in reflexive response. What in the world is that about exactly?

Kaeya shakes his head to try to clear his mind as Diluc turns to him. He needs to pull it together. "That was more dramatic than your usual," he tries quipping, trying for normalcy. But his voice sounds strained.

Archons the redhead smells good. It takes him another moment to focus and he looks at the offered hand. "I had questions for those men you just frightened off." That doesn't stop him from reaching for the offered hand, almost flinching when their fingers touch, like he's been physically jolted.

[searingwing]

“You’re not going to be get any answers from them right now. Not while you’re like this.” He says as his mind works. He needs to get Kaeya away from here. But where? The city is too far. Worse, this close he can smell Kaeya is in heat.

Any alpha for miles would be aware of him. They’d have ideas and the thought makes him almost snarl again. No. He reaches out to the empty air and presses his hand against it. The magic Aether touched him with to allow him passage into his strange realm opens a path.

He pulls Kaeya in with him and the scent of the sea fills the air until they’re both before the massive house flanked by a beautiful park. Thick trees sway in the sea breeze. Diluc keeps close as he says, “You have no idea what’s happening to you. Do you?”

He removes the mask from his face and clips it to his belt. “I heard first heats vary in how they mess with the Omega but.” He purses his lips and shakes his head. “Come on. My house here isn’t far. You can weather it there. No one will touch you unless you ask.”

[unmelting]

"Like what?" Kaeya tries to sound only half-interested in the question, but the truth is, he'd really like an answer. Maybe he should have stayed home, rested a bit. But it's just a fever.

Then he's being pulled along with Diluc and the air immediately smells clearer, salt-tinged and without the lingering scents of the men Diluc had chased off. Now all he can smell is the ocean and the grass and Diluc, and the redhead smells so good, Kaeya is considering the merits of burying his face in the other's neck and hiding there for a while.

A frown now and he looks over at Diluc. "I'm feeling a little under the weather; that's all. It's fine I--"

Wait. Why is Diluc talking about Omegas and heats? Oh. Oh. Oh well, fuck. No. No fucking way. "I'm a Beta. I'm too old for a first heat." He knows that's not strictly true. It's uncommon, but not impossible.

He follows along with Diluc, staying close himself. Maybe it's the fact that he's hot and feverish and not exactly in his right mind, but he hears himself asking, "Will you touch me if I ask?" before he realizes that the words have made it past every last filter he's ever had. "I'll even ask nicely" Someone stop him from speaking.

[searingwing]

“It’s uncommon,” Diluc argues patiently, turning his red eyes back to Kaeya’s. “But not impossible.” He remembers to lead him through the park and beyond into the trees. They’re thinning when Kaeya speaks.

And his blood almost roars in answer. He shudders, reminded that once the heat has the Omega they suffer the fever and need and-

“Kaeya,” If Kaeya doesn’t have an Alpha help him through this it will be a week from hell. He swallows hard as the trees fully thin and there’s his simple cottage over looking the sea. He makes a decision.

“Yes, I will. But you need to be sure of this.” Diluc says with care as he leads the way up the round stone path to his front door. He slides his key in the lock and holds the door open. “First heats spent with an Alpha usually result in pregnancy. I have nothing here to prevent that. I can just be close by.”

[unmelting]

Sometimes Diluc is so rational it's infuriating. Or maybe that's just his own impatience and restlessness speaking. He feels entirely out of sorts -- though markedly better the closer he stays to the other man -- and if Diluc is right, and this is his first heat, then it's only just starting. He's in for worse than this. "Fine. Not impossible," he agrees, distracted as he tries to wrap his mind around it.

He looks up at Diluc when he hears his name, and there's something uncharacteristically open and vulnerable in his expression. It's hard to remember to keep his masks in place when he feels like he's burning up, when even Diluc's voice sounds like music and safety and home, even if that hasn't been true for years now.

So maybe he's a little surprised that Diluc answers the way he does. And really all that Kaeya hears is that first yes. Relief floods him as he steps inside, and he glances back at Diluc over his shoulder. "I'm sure. I trust you." A laugh and he admits, "You might be the only one." Trust is a funny thing. For all the tension and strain that's been wedged between them, Kaeya trusts him. Diluc is a good man -- stubborn, infuriating, headstrong, but still a good man.

And beyond that, the warning about pregnancy strikes as less of a warning and more of a siren song to the instincts already overwhelming him. Yes. Alpha. Breeding. This. This is what he needs.

[searingwing]

He stares at Kaeya and can’t fathom why Kaeya trusts him at all. His rage had blinded him all those years ago. It had been all he had left when the glittering shards of all he knew rained down and he tumbled into darkness. He had been a foolish young man who believed the world was clear cut.

He should have known better. Once he had been the apple of his father’s eye. His pride and joy. In a better world than the one it really was. He doesn’t blame his father for loving him and wanting him to do all he couldn’t.

Diluc closes his eyes for a moment and wonders if he is making a mistake again. Kaeya is heat addled. He should shut the door and lock him in, keeping him safe and protected even from his instincts that yearn to be close. But he can no more say no to the pull, to Kaeya when he truly needs him than he could breathe water while in the depths of the sea.

He steps into the house behind him and shuts the door. Here in the Serenitea pot, Diluc’s cottage is a modest thing. There is no ancient family legacy here. Nothing but what he brought. The table and chairs in the main room are all made by hand, a rich red wood that has weight to it in color and feel. It’s unfinished because there is beauty in natural things.

The doors are the same way. Everything is made by hand from the hand towel in the small kitchen before a wide stove, to the pots and pans hanging above it. Even the couch with soft cushions and a few blankets. Books line a bookshelf by the bedroom.

He sighs and leads Kaeya to the bedroom while taking up the blankets. He claims the cushions too. Then he lets his guards down. Saying things that should have been said a long time ago. “I did you a great many wrongs. I should taken the time to really listen to you. I shouldn’t have raised my sword at you.”

He breathes out slowly, “I’m not…angry at you.” The world, yes. Kaeya? No. Kaeya had been caught in his own problems. He opens the bedroom door. The bedroom is as modest as the rest of the house. The bed is big and the lamp on the bedside table is a delicate thing of wood and glass in the shape of a lamp grass. Anemo elemental energy glitters in the center and gives it the light.

“You’re the only one I trust too.”

[unmelting]

Diluc had reacted with anger towards a traitor all those years ago; it's hardly something that Kaeya can blame him for. He can't change what he was, what he is, no matter how much he might wish that he could. Better that Diluc knows, better that Diluc wouldn't hesitate to raise his sword, which is why Kaeya looks startled at those words.

If his thoughts were less storm-tossed, if he could think clearer about what Diluc is actually saying rather than the soothing sound of his voice, he'd have a better response than staring at him in confusion. What is this, Diluc? His heart, poor confused thing, doesn't know whether it should allow the little seed of hope that wants to bloom.

"Or maybe you shouldn't have lowered it," he sighs even as he steps in closer, despite the blankets and cushions the other man is holding, more or less molding himself up to his side, nuzzling his way into his hair. Gods but he smells good. Like smoke and sun-drenched grass. Kaeya hears himself whimper before he realizes he's the one who made the sound.

Embarrassing. How do Omegas live through this?

But Diluc trusts him? Even now? It makes his throat feel tight, voice strained as he speaks. "I like your house. It feels like you."

[searingwing]

“I shouldn’t have raised it at all.” Diluc repeats with confidence. But things had ended up as they are. And shudders at the whimper of the omega that is his former best friend. His brother in arms.

He tosses the blankets and cushions onto the bed. “Thank you. When Aether said I could move here…I wanted a space that…” He closes his eyes. “A place that was mine and everyone else’s. It’s a small community here, isn’t it?”

And he had wanted to be part of it. Gave all he could to it. “We can talk more about that later. I don’t want leave you stuck like this. Can I touch you?” Kaeya said he would ask him to but he wants to again give him one last chance to say no.

[unmelting]

A lifetime ago, when they were young, before so much had come between him, Kaeya had daydreamed a bit about this. Diluc had presented as an Alpha, and maybe, just maybe back then he'd considered the possibility he might be an Omega, that Diluc would notice him that way, that maybe he'd be worthy of being looked at as a mate by the young shining star that was Diluc. But that time had passed; he'd been certain of his own status and then that day had changed everything anyway.

So what if he never really shook his childhood crush; he'd done a good job of walling it up in the back of his mind, a room that he tried to pretend didn't exist.

Walls are falling down now though, all his careful masks burning away with the fever that's boiling his blood. "Please? I need it. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

[searingwing]

He turns fully towards him and the past when he had childish fantasy and now collide. There’s a world of things in his gaze as he steps closer and wraps an arm around Kaeya’s waist. He leans in and presses their lips together. It’s a gentle kiss. He tests the waters as he pulls him closer and the scent of Kaeya fills his nose.

He smells like fresh snow and pine. He seems like home and the song of that scent has a deeper meaning to him. Mate. This is so complicated.

Nothing is ever simple between them. He had been naive to think it was back when he was a foolish boy. Yet still now he has allowed it in the embers of the flames of his heart burst to life as he moves his lips over his and breaks away from his mouth. He follows the line of his neck down to the scent glands he knows will be there. He presses his face against it, breathing in deep.

He recognizes the crooning noise he makes, one that asks for an answer from the omega. Kaeya has to surrender to the heat. A scary thing for someone so used to always being in control. He forces himself to speak and his voice is deeper than usual. “Let it in, Kaeya. The more you fight it the worse it gets. I’m here. I’ll be here and I’ll guide you through this.”

[unmelting]

It's a gentle kiss all right, but that doesn't mean the moment that their lips touch that something doesn't tear through Kaeya, a dangerously sharp blade that rips away everything but Diluc. Diluc kissing him and holding him. His Alpha. His mate. And he knows neither of those things are true, knows that Diluc would never think of him that way (right?) but he also knows that he needs him more than he has ever needed anyone right now.

He's surprisingly breathless when the kiss breaks, and when Diluc presses his face to his neck, scents him, Kaeya can feel his knees go weak, and he wraps his arms around the other man to hold on for dear life.

It's probably best that he does because that sound would've floored him otherwise. He may be entirely new to this whole Omega thing, but late as it is, his body knows what it wants, what it needs. Surrender is terrifying, but the other option is pushing Diluc away and that is unthinkable. He couldn't, and gods he doesn't want to. The redhead is right. He's been resisting this for days and it's tearing him apart. The low, answering cry that leaves his lips is pure instinct, answering Diluc in a plea and permission wrapped into one. Kaeya lets go. It's frightening, a metaphoric freefall, but he trusts Diluc to be there to catch him. "Don't leave me."

[searingwing]

He pulls Kaeya closer when he notices him clinging to him. The world seems like it goes still as he waits for a reply. If Kaeya doesn't let go and let the heat take him this will be so much harder to help him through it.

Relief sweeps through him at the low answer that sends heat rolling through him. His Omega. His Mate. He has to fight with the instinct to bite him. Kaeya is heat-addled. He can't properly consent to it. Later when the heat is gone from his mind he'll talk it over with him. He has no idea how he'll act when he's utterly rational again.

He draws Kaeya towards the bed and draws him down onto it as he drags his tongue over Kaeya's scent glands, scenting him again. He tucks the pillows around them in a makeshift nest. He doubts Kaeya will give a shit right now.

Not with the heat howling through him. He leans up and kisses him again, mindful of his fangs. He can't help it. It had been so hard not to bite him. Make him his. His hands slide over Kaeya's chest down to the fastenings on his vest. He gets it open, followed by the belt. He croons again.

Relax Kaeya. You're safe.

[unmelting]

Kaeya's heat eventually ends, and by the end of it, Kaeya has gotten to the point where he's actually enjoying it. Having Diluc with him, all to himself, and often naked and in bed? Yeah, pretty great. No complaints there. They've had a lot of time to talk too, to start to settle into this new relationship, to start mending past wounds and planning for their future.

For their family.

But first step, when they eventually emerge from the teapot hideaway is to talk to Jean. There is a lot of explaining that is going to be done, especially given the fact that everyone (including Kaeya) had assumed he was a Beta.

Kaeya looks more himself when he and Diluc arrive at the headquarters than he did the last time he left on that ill-fated mission. The mark left behind by the mating bite is mostly hidden beneath his usual collar, and it's far too soon for him to be starting to show any visible signs of carrying a child.

If anything, there's a bounce to his step as they make their way inside and he spots Lisa first.

The librarian looks between Kaeya and Diluc for a moment, an almost knowing look as she smiles in greeting. "There you are. Jean will be happy to see you. She's been concerned, despite your mysterious letter."

Kaeya laughs sheepishly. It wasn't mysterious just... not big on detail. "Is she in? we were hoping to talk with her."

"In her office, busy as usual," Lisa nods. "But I'm sure she'll be happy for this particular interruption."

[searingwing]

Diluc eyes Lisa warily, but doesn’t move away from Kaeya’s side. He is standing as close to Kaeya as they were when they first became knights. His instincts and hormones had settled into an easier to deal with baseline.

He looks visibly lighter too. It’s true for so many reasons. “Good, we won’t take up too much of her time.” He moves for the door, but waits for Kaeya. Only once he’s close does he rap on the door and speak.

“Jean, do you have a moment?” The door opens and Jean peers at him. What she sees makes her raise her eyebrows. “…for you Master Diluc, yes. I hope Kaeya is with you?” She catches sight of him as Diluc moves and lets out a relieved breath.

“Come inside. You said you wished to update me after.”

“Yes, it seemed politer than just putting it in a letter.”

[unmelting]

Really, given the fact that Kaeya has spent most of the last week or so draped all over Diluc, it's impressive that he isn't currently touching him. He is close by his side though, within reach. When Jean opens the door and he hears his name, he raises a hand to wave. "I'm here. Apologies for the unexpected time off." He's been busy. Very, very busy.

He slips inside the room, nodding. "Easier to answer questions in person too." Because there might be questions.

Lisa has invited herself in as well, pulling the door shut and leaning back against it. Don't mind her. She has her guesses; she's fairly sure she caught sight of the very edge of a mating bite on Kaeya's neck, and is fairly certain the cavalry captain is full on glowing.

And dear master Diluc looks like someone has pried the stick out of his ass after all this time. Clearly he's gotten laid. Ah, young love. How cute.

[searingwing]

Jean looks between the two of them. Diluc looks shades closer to the boy she knew when they were young. And Kaeya looks… content in a way she has never seen before. She leans against her desk and crosses her arms. “Then I’ll start with the obvious. What happened?”

Diluc crosses his arms in turn as he says, “A lot of things did. Kaeya isn’t a beta and when I arrived the treasure hoarders he was after had to be educated on boundaries.” She jerks her head up, her own Alpha instincts kicking in as he holds up his hands. “They didn’t get close. I didn’t allow it.”

She takes a breath in and frowns. “That explains the scent I couldn’t quite tell.” Then she looks at Kaeya. “And why you looked so poor for a while.”

Had he gone into his first heat? That would explain- She sighs and closes her eyes. She will wait for Kaeya to say it.

[unmelting]

"It explains a few other things as well," Lisa pipes up from her place against the door. She may be a Beta, but she pays attention. Kaeya hadn't been himself for a while, and the pieces were starting to add up.

Just like looking at the two in front of her now is more puzzle pieces clicking into place. Master Diluc, quite literally the most eligible Alpha in Mondstadt who'd never shown any interest in taking a mate, is lingering quite close to Kaeya, isn't he?

Kaeya glances back at Lisa with a pout. Quiet you. He sees the way she's watching them. He also sees the way Jean sighs as he turns back around. Well, if everyone's already arriving at that conclusion, he may as well spare them the tension.

"It was an unfortunate situation, and not one I'd prepared for. As it is, I'm thankful Diluc found me when he did. As long as I'd been fighting it, my first heat was... a bit more than I could handle, especially since I didn't even realize that's what it was at the time."

He reaches up to unfasten his collar to open it and show the very obvious mark left by Diluc's mating bite. "It shouldn't be so much of an issue in the future." His gaze gravitates towards Diluc. That's half the news, anyway.

[searingwing]

Diluc looks at him calmly and Jean sighs again. “So we will be down a knight for some months.”
She says as carefully as she dares but almost stumbles when Diluc says, “No, you won’t be.”

He steps forward and she can see some of the old knightly attitude she hadn’t seen in him since he left. “While Kaeya is unable to work, I will resume my old post…if you will have me. It will be temporary.”

She stares at him. He continues, “The way the knights are now is not how they were. You are the reason for that. You, Kaeya, and every knight currently serving,” He dips his head slightly and she can’t help a tremor running through her.

Diluc who openly scoffs the knights would be for a short time one of them again. Not just that the words he says… she says quietly, “I deeply regret how things occurred before.” Diluc nods. “Fatui spy, right? I read the reports.”

She nods. “This will be difficult. Once you tie yourself to us again, it can’t be undone. People will see you returned.” He nods. “It is the best option. And people see us that way anyway.” It had been one thing of many that he and Kaeya discussed. And one thing he is willing to acknowledge. It is true. When Jean asks for his help he is there. “I’m his mate. That comes with certain expectations of allegiance.”

He snorts as he crosses his arms over his chest. “And this way while he’s laid low by our child he can keep tabs on his contacts and things he’s engaged with.” Jean’s expression goes flat as she looks at Kaeya. “On a professional level I admire that. On a personal one, really Kaeya?”

Diluc does something she hasn’t seen him do in years. He laughs.

[unmelting]

Kaeya shifts closer to Diluc and without a word threads his fingers through Diluc's as the other tells Jean that he'll step back into his role as a knight while Kaeya is out of commission with the pregnancy and birth of their child. ...their first child. They've danced around the topic a bit, but it's clear they both want family.

A smile is starting on his face at Jean's clear shock. He'd reacted similarly when Diluc had first brought it up. "That and it's his fault I'm knocked up," he chirps cheerfully enough.

When Jean gives him that expression though he puts a hand to his chest, lips pursing into a pout. "Hey! It's not nice to scold me for things I haven't even done yet." But Diluc is laughing and Kaeya finds himself leaning towards him, like he's drawn by a gravity he can't resist the pull of.

Lisa has fallen quiet by the door, but she catches Jean's gaze as best she can. Master Diluc back among the knights, however temporarily. Lisa knows how significant that is, for Diluc. And Kaeya. and Jean too.

[searingwing]

Jean meets Lisa’s eyes and there’s something fragile there. A gentle warmth and letting go of a regret. Diluc leaving had hurt. The knights had failed one of their own so badly he not only left but turned against them.

Yet she knew him. Knew how he acted. He sought to keep the knights accountable to the public. When she asked he was there. Because duty is the one thing that Diluc hadn’t lost. It had been sad to see what had once been a close bond kept at arm’s length.

Now, Diluc leans into Kaeya, squeezing his hand. Her heart feels so full and she steps forward breathing in deep as she says softly. “Then welcome back, Diluc, the Dawn Knight. I hope one day you might consider staying on.” Something passes across Diluc’s face.

“Maybe.” Maybe. It’s such a word full of possibility. She nods then she enfolds both of them in a hug. Diluc freezes then slowly relaxes, holding onto Kaeya and wrapping his arm carefully and respectfully around her. Jean smiles over her friends shoulders to Lisa.

One bridge built. She steps back before Diluc can feel uncomfortable and says, “I’ll work with you to make this transition as seamless as possible and ensure Kaeya can keep an eye on his web of information.” She looks at the man she just mentioned as she adds, “If you decide to have more than one…we can deploy the system again.”

[unmelting]

Oh. Group hug. Kaeya laughs as well, hugging Jean back one-armed as well. The acting grand master is a good person, and Kaeya is happy to see this bit of reconciliation between her and Diluc, even if the respect and fondness they've had for each other has never really gone away.

Lisa can't help but pipe up then. "Aah, what a touching moment!" It's a playful observation, but sincere too. She's glad to see her friends looking so happy. "And Jean is right, it's a workable system. Also I doubt you'll lack for volunteer babysitters either, for however many you do have."

"At least five," Kaeya says mildly. "Maybe six." It's spoken lightly, but it's not necessarily a joke either. Sorry, Diluc. They can field their own adventuring party!

[searingwing]

Diluc coughs. "Five. I want time with you." Five is enough for them and they'll have time for themselves. Jean blinks and Diluc looks to the side with a flush on his face. Ah, he really isn't used to being so open.

She smiles slightly then says, "You won't lack volunteers at all. Should you need the aid I think you'll only need to ask." She would love to see her friend's child. Well. Children at the rate they seem to be planning.

Diluc snorts. They'll have to expand the cottage quite a bit. That's fine. They can manage it. And raising them outside of prying eyes means expectations won't come to bear on them too soon. They'll be Ragnvindrs but he won't tolerate the world expecting his children to be perfect.

[unmelting]

Kaeya opens his mouth to inform Diluc that he shouldn't worry, they'll always have their sex vacations. But for once in his life he thinks better of it and just laughs at his own untold joke. Diluc can probably guess what he's thinking of anyway, but at least Jean and Lisa don't have to hear it.

"Good good. I think we'll come to rely on it." Kaeya is a terrible influence on children, but he likes them. Children are delightful and so breathtakingly honest. And he wants their children to have that chance, to be their own honest selves with no burdens and expectations. He knows Diluc feels the same.

"But in the meantime, I'm perfectly capable of handling my duties for the time being." It'll be a while before anyone can even tell he's with child. So no writing him off right away.

Lisa's eyebrows rise. Right, yes. What are the chances of Master Diluc Ragnvindr, protective Alpha, letting his pregnant mate run around fighting creatures and creations and whatever else the ruins outside of town might spawn.

[searingwing]

"And I'll be shadowing him to observe and refresh myself on knightly duties." Jean doesn't even blink. That sounds like a protective Alpha and exactly what she would do in his place. Female alphas are the ones to get pregnant in their relationships but they too stick close to their omegas.

"I need to actually know your network and get them to trust me too." He says to Kaeya. They had talked about this. He trusts Kaeya to keep himself safe but he also has to heed his own instincts. Kaeya isn't used to being an Omega.

Having Diluc near by would be a balm until he is used to this newer world of scents and instincts.