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.

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[unmelting]

It's not the pain of those teeth that his instinct is singing for, but the feeling of that tongue in such an intimate place has Kaeya's entire body shaking in pleasure. His legs wrap around Diluc's waist, clinging tightly him.

It really is a mercy that Diluc kisses him because Kaeya doesn't know what might come spilling past his lips next. Maybe he'd continue begging Diluc for more, to breed him, knot him, claim him, everything. Or maybe the buried truth would slip free now that all his usual walls and defenses are in tatters, that missed isn't a strong enough word, that Kaeya has been in love with him all this time.

Much better that Kaeya can part his lips eagerly, muffle pleasured sobs lost in the middle of the kiss, and not go blurting out things that he can't take back.

[searingwing]

He feels the base of his cock swell and works into him in shallower thrusts. He shifts the angle to find that spot that will make Kaeya lose it. He's never knotted anyone before. Even in his ruts it had been that risk and he'd had to finish another way.

Kaeya in his first heat can't be soothed any other way. And he realizes how much he wants to claim Kaeya in some way. His knot swells completely and locks him in. Pleasure is building in them both, he's getting close.

He licks that spot on Kaeya's neck and purrs deep in his chest, a pleased Alpha that's utterly content. It's the first time he's ever purred since he had to kill his father. This man dear to his heart is where he belongs.

[unmelting]

Kaeya breaks from Diluc's lips to cry out, a scream of need and pleasure and relief. Archons help him, he needs this more than he needs to breathe. His voice rises again as feels Diluc's knot growing, feels the way his body takes him in. It's too much, it should be too much, but it's what he needs and fuck it's what he wants. It's Diluc.

It's the sound of Diluc purring that is the final straw for Kaeya. He hears that sound, and there's a white hot thought that his Alpha sounds that pleased because of him. "Diluc... Alpha, I..."

His voice breaks on a cry as he tumbles straight over that edge. He comes hard, vision going white as his orgasm crashes over him, body bowing sharply, nearly arching off the bed entirely, nails dragging down Diluc's back.

[searingwing]

His back stings and he buries his face into Kaeya's shoulder as he finds his own release. He spills into Kaeya with every shallow rock of his hips. Then he collapses on top of him, still purring. It's a deep rumble in his chest. He reaches out over the edge of the nest to grab the cleaning towel he'd gotten.

Diluc wipes Kaeya and himself down, then tosses it over the edge. He has a feeling Kaeya will be a bit more lucid soon. He arranges the pillows a bit better, tucking the blankets at the edge into a more nest-like shape.

Kaeya calling him Alpha in his need will haunt his better dreams. He's worried what reality and clarity will bring to Kaeya. What's done is done. When his nerves won't allow him to fuss anymore he looks back at Kaeya's face.

[unmelting]

Slowly, pleasure fades and the worst of the delirium and haze of his heat slowly begins to clear. The sound of Diluc purring is beyond soothing though, and Kaeya's hands release their grip, smoothing softly down his back now, stilling when the other begins to clean them.

Bit by bit it's all coming back to him, every sensation, every sound and okay, well, that will live in his head and heart for the rest of his life. But he also remembers the way he acted, the begging and the need and oh god he called Diluc Alpha, he pleaded with him to breed him.

The blush blossoms over his face, a full and obvious red when Diluc looks back up to him. Kaeya blinks at him before lifting both hands to cover his face. Don't look at him, Diluc. His voice is muffled as he manages a, "I am so sorry." Look what he's dragged Diluc into. Fuck. He'd almost confessed everything too. That is one small mercy, he supposes.

[searingwing]

He'll never tell Kaeya that blushing makes his skin look richer. It gives him away every time. Diluc reaches back and undoes the tie in his hair, letting it fall down about his face and over his back. He tosses the tie aside off the bed.

"I meant every word." He says into the ensuing silence. His fangs haven't retreated and it's a little harder to speak but he makes sure his words are clear. "And I wouldn't have gone through with it if I didn't want to be here."

He hopes that sinks in. Kaeya seems...he takes a breath and looks away. "But I need to know what you want while you're still lucid. Your needs come before all else."

[unmelting]

Peeking through his fingers, Kaeya sees that hair fall down in a fall of fiery red. Diluc is stunning, and has always been. He lowers his hands from his face and instead reaches up without thinking to card his fingers through that hair. When they were younger, when they were closer, incidental little touches were commonplace. He spent hours sprawled across Diluc while they rested in between adventures. But it's been so long.

When Diluc breaks the silence, Kaeya looks up at him, startled. Every word? He remembers the things that Diluc said, words of trust and regret for the way things have been, promises that he'd be here for him in this.

He may still be blushing -- and darker once he realizes that they're still joined together, and quite stuck that way, and doesn't that want to reignite the fever in him straight away -- but now his fingers find their way over Diluc's cheeks. If I didn't want to be here. Does that mean he does want to be here... with him?

Diluc knows him well enough that Kaeya is sure he can see the gears in his mind turning. Kaeya is an intelligent man, sharp and perceptive, and assembling everything in this moment of lucidity. He takes a breath of his own when Diluc looks away, and takes the biggest risk he's taken in his life. "I want you. I've always wanted you." It can't really be a surprise, can it? For so long he was ever the shadow to Diluc's brilliant burning light, and even after years, Diluc is still the most important person in his life.

A pause and he adds, petulantly. "And I want to never have a heat again. People really deal with this regularly?"

[searingwing]

Diluc fixes the edge of the nest again. If he were the Omega he'd have rearranged the pillows entirely. Kaeya draws in a breath and he tenses. What will it be? Kaeya speaks and he jerks his head back to him, eyes wide.

Kaeya's words had been true. Everything he said while heat-addled were true. He swallows and leans in, taking Kaeya's face into his hands. "It took a while, but I'm not going anywhere. And yes, they do."

He looks away with a cough as his own face flushes. "Father was sure I would be like mother, another Omega. My early education was all about that and dealing with scheduling around it." Then he presented as an Alpha and his father hadn't really known what to do but give his son all the dreams he wanted fulfilled.

"T-that's not important. I should have talked to you about all this before. But before the heat takes you again...You're absolutely sure you want me to claim you." He speaks quickly suddenly with his hands thrust up. "I didn't want to let my wants and desires over take yours. It wouldn't have been fair. You have a right to decide that and instinct shouldn't take it from you."

[unmelting]

Kaeya is going to need to be guided in nest building. He knows this one was hasty, but right now what seems to matter the most is that Diluc is in it with him, and being that this is Diluc's bed, his scent is everywhere. It's soothing and calming.

And while he's trying to look as unworried and casual as possible, there's something inside him braced and holding his breath for what Diluc will say. But then the redhead is looking at him and touching him gently and saying words that make Kaeya's face flood with relief. Good. Diluc won't leave him. He's almost afraid to let himself hope it means than more than just now, in the middle of his heat.

So when Diluc continues, Kaeya is the one to stare, wide-eyed. Claim him. Diluc wants him, wants to claim him. That alone is nearly enough to kick his heat into high gear right then and there. His heart races. "I'm certain, Diluc. I'm yours anyway, bite or not." It's a heavy admission, but truth is in the air already, and he doesn't think his mind will stay this clear for very long.

He reaches for Diluc's hands to tangle their fingers together. "Are you absolutely sure? You want to claim me?" Because he should be able to decide too. And Diluc knows him, knows what he really is.

[searingwing]

Diluc opens his mouth and there just as pointed and sharp, his alpha fangs gleam. He squeezes Kaeya’s hands. “I’ve fought it since I first scented you.” He swallows and ducks his head, his blush moving up into his ears. “I’ve fought not to claim you since we were young knights.”

It hadn’t mattered to a younger Diluc that Kaeya had seemingly been a beta. He lifts his head back up. “We better hurry and do it now or, you won’t be lucid for it. He moves Kaeya’s hair aside and presses his face against the side of his neck.

He finds Kaeya’s scent glands but doesn’t bite him, waiting for the surrender response.

[unmelting]

It's hard not to let his eyes linger on those sharp teeth, feeling new instinct stir to life inside him. His Alpha wants to mark him, to claim him, and Diluc is so right that lucid won't last long, especially when he's saying those words.

And blushing. It's adorable. Should he call an Alpha adorable?

He stills as his hair is brushed aside, eyes fluttering slowly shut. Another trill of a sound, lower and tremulous, a soft plea that leaves his lips as he lifts his chin, head falling to the side to bare his neck to Diluc, yielding and surrendering to him entirely. "Diluc... my Alpha... please.

[searingwing]

Diluc shudders. The soft sound has called to him just like it had last time. He settles his hands on Kaeya’s shoulders as he sinks his fangs into the glands. He tastes fluid scent and blood.

But he didn’t bite too deep like he once feared he would. He drags his tongue over the marks, over and over again, sealing the skin. But the gland won’t be the same and nor will he.

His knot has gone down enough he could carefully pull out. But he doesn’t as he swallows and keeps dragging his tongue over Kaeya’s scent glands. “Kaeya, my Omega.”

Instinct pulls on him and his hand slides down to rest over Kaeya’s stomach. It’s highly likely this week will result in a child. As he warned him. But he can’t help feeling satisfied.

[unmelting]

There's no holding back the cry that is drawn from him as those teeth finally sink into his neck, as Diluc claims him. He's Diluc's, and Diluc is his. It's overwhelming, trying to wrap his mind around it, but his heart already has figured it out because this feels right, feels more right than anything has in years.

He hears a soft purring sound and is surprised when he realizes he's the one making it. That's new too. He's too blissed out to be embarrassed though, his whole body feeling like it's floating now. "My Alpha," Kaeya murmurs back to him. Something in him has settled, even as he can feel his heat starting to flare again.

Kaeya reaches a hand down to settle atop of Diluc's at his stomach. Ah. He knows what the other man is thinking about, and he's right. It's his first heat, and between being knotted and claimed and spending the rest of this week with his Alpha, there's no chance he gets through this week without being with child. And that should be terrifying, but it'll be Diluc's child. Their child. Every new instinct in him is singing at the idea. "Are you okay with it?"

[searingwing]

This doesn't fix everything. If anything it makes it a lot more complicated. From the hard stare Jean will give him for having made Kaeya's life a lot harder to what needs mended between them. Yet they have a chance and he wants that more than ever. "Yes. I told you, if I were to trust anyone like this, it's you."

He touches their foreheads together in an echo of a childhood comfort gesture. It feels good to do it. His purr grows in volume as his fangs stay despite the claim. Too alpha right now with fraying control, he supposes. That's alright.

"So long as you're alright with it."

[unmelting]

Yeah, Jean will have opinions on this. So will Lisa. But Kaeya can deal with that. He hopes. It's reforging his relationship with Diluc that concerns him. He knows that he's never stopped caring for -- or is that more being in love and silently pining for -- Diluc all this time. But that doesn't mean they don't have their work cut out for him.

But when Diluc does something like that, resting their foreheads together and memory and reassurance slam into Kaeya like a particularly strong wave off the ocean, he thinks they'll be able to manage it. The sound of Diluc purring is soothing, calling to something purely instinctual in Kaeya.

His other hand lifts to settle against Diluc's face. "It's terrifying. I never exactly expected I even could." Male Betas don't get pregnant, and Kaeya has never trusted anyone else enough to even consider. "But if it's with you, I'm all right with it." No, that's not it. "If it's with you, I want it."

His gaze trails away now, brow furrowing. "I don't want to make the same mistakes that were made with me." His father had placed the burden of a world he didn't understand on his shoulders and abandoned him to the unknown. He won't ever let his child have to carry something like that.

[searingwing]

He is silent for a long moment before he leans in and presses his lips to Kaeya’s. Yes, he knows just enough to guess what Kaeya is thinking of. “Nor do I want to do as father did.” He admits for the first time. He swallows and closes his eyes.

It’s hard to let anyone see his private pain but, he makes the effort not to hide away for Kaeya. “I will encourage their dreams. Whatever their dreams are.” He still doesn’t quite know what his own are other than protection of Mondstadt and being with Kaeya.

“I want our child.” He adds, making sure Kaeya knows that. He hums as he adds, “Don’t be too worried about future heats. You’ll be far more lucid and they’ll just be embarrassing and annoying.” Diluc lifts his head and looks away adding, “Because we’re mated if I’ve read things right, it will line up with my ruts. We can make them mini vacations.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya is surprised that Diluc actually says the words out loud, never mind sending them to him. He's not shocked that it's true, however. Crepus was a kind man, but he'd wrapped Diluc up in so many expectations and ideals, and Diluc had always been so dedicated and dutiful... but it had been a weight on Diluc's young shoulders too.

Both his hands settle at either side of Diluc's face, drawing him closer even as Kaeya leans in to kiss him. I want our child. It's astounding how four words can settle all the stormier misgivings he'd been fighting. That's what matters. The rest they'll figure out.

He drops his hands and heaves a sigh, very dramatically. "Embarrassing doesn't even cover it." But he'll deal with that too, somehow. Kaeya's lips curl into a smirk at that. "Oh? Carnal getaways? Scandalous." Kaeya loves the idea, and he'd probably tease Diluc more about it if even thinking about seeing Diluc in rut didn't have him squirming on the bed -- likely something the redhead will notice given that he's still inside him. A soft whine and he looks up at Diluc with a growing flush on his face. He's losing his ability to keep his thoughts in order.

[searingwing]

He rumbles a deep purr as he steals another kiss from Kaeya. “We’ll call them vacations. People can draw whatever conclusions they want from it.” He almost rolls his eyes but that would give Kaeya the reaction he wants. Then it doesn’t matter because he smells the rising scent of Kaeya and knows what is happening. His knot has gone down entirely.

Diluc leans in close, “We’ll talk more next time you’re lucid.” He breathes and can feel himself harden in response to his mate being in need. “Relax, let it take you, Kae.” The nickname is one he hasn’t used in so long but, it matters now.

It matters so much. “I’ll take care of you.” He presses his forehead to his one more time, his hands running down his sides.

[unmelting]

Kaeya will, inevitably, help people draw exactly the right conclusions because, well, he's rather proud of his strong, beautiful mate. Diluc is his now, and while Kaeya will try not to be possessive, he's also not going to share. ...and it is fun to see Diluc huff and roll his eyes at him, he'll own up to that.

But he's not thinking of any of this right now. He's not really thinking at all, outside the rising need. If he were more with it, it'd be infuriating -- and mortifying how quickly he's dissolving into a whimpering mess. Diluc uses that nickname and Kaeya's eye widens. Oh. The warmth that sets in his chest is a much more emotional feeling than the one boiling his blood, but the two combine.

"Luc," he manages in an already breathless whisper, but he does as he's told, letting any remaining struggle bleed out of him, giving into the rising lust and need. "Take care of me. Need you." The sounds leaving him next aren't words, just a soft pleading trill as he leans up to brush his lips against Diluc's again and again. The bite on his neck throbs pleasantly.

His mate is here. Kaeya smiles at this revelation, wide-eyed and beaming without a single mask or wall up. This may be the most embarrassing thing yet, especially since his eye is definitely tearing up. "Mate," he murmurs, fingers brushing through Diluc's hair. His mate. His Diluc. He's safe and happy and wanted.

[searingwing]

He can imagine Kaeya will be even more sour after this. First heats and how long he fought it made this so much worse. He’s utterly unguarded. He cups his face in his hands as he answers that trill with a low rumble in his own chest.

He can soothe Kaeya’s battered pride later. Right now he needs satisfied. Diluc breathes, “Mate,” Then he pulls back and thrusts into him, breathing in. Kaeya won’t have gotten any less wet as far as he recalls of heats. So he just picks up where they left off.

But this time he leans in and drags his teeth over where he bit, a reminder that Kaeya is his and he belongs to him. He thrusts into him at the same time with a low growl that’s all passion and his own control slipping. “Need you.”

[unmelting]

Mate. Kaeya thrills, still looking up at Diluc -- at his Alpha -- like he's the one responsible for the sun and moon hanging in the sky. And then Diluc is thrusting inside him and Kaeya reacts immediately, a loud, pleading moan. Oh he's no less wet. If anything, he's slicker than before, his body thoroughly in thrall of the recent mating bite.

Even the echo of that touch, the gentler drag of teeth over his skin has him gripping at Diluc for dear life. "Have me. I'm all yours." Despite the fact that he's gone and lost his handle on coherent thought for the moment, Kaeya is still Kaeya, unable to help himself from pushing buttons. "Show me. Prove it."

And in case Diluc is wondering what he means, long, lean-muscled legs wrap around his waist to urge him on, faster, harder.

[searingwing]

Warm, powerful legs wrap around him and spur him to prove he needs Kaeya. Diluc silently says good bye to sanity. He grips the pillows and sheets by Kaeya’s head and lets himself fall entirely out of control. He pins Kaeya beneath him, pressing all of his body down as he grabs his hips and angles him to his liking.

It just so happens that the angle he wants is the one he felt wreck Kaeya. His grip is not brushing, but there is power there. All his guards drop. He doesn’t need them so he chooses not to let them hold him. Besides he couldn’t hold them if he dared. Not when he is fully letting go. He wraps himself around Kaeya, molding himself into the space above him.

Every thrust is hard and fast, the slap of skin on skin the only sound other than the growls coming out of his mouth. He is the steadfast flame that burns brightly with passion and want.

His voice is deeper, a growl laced in it as he breathes Kaeya’s name in his ear. “Kaeya,”

[unmelting]

Kaeya screams, an hopefully no one else is in the teapot because who knows how far the sound will carry. Kaeya certainly doesn't care who hears. He feels that change in Diluc, feels the weight of the other man bearing him down into the mattress, taking and giving everything that Kaeya needs him to.

It's exactly the right angle, and he's near sobbing now with each thrust, pleading and encouraging, making promises to give and be everything that Diluc wants him to be.

The sound of his name in Diluc's voice, the growl threaded through the tone, is the most beautiful thing he has ever heard in his life. "Diluc," he calls back, hands scrambling for purchase on Diluc's back. And with all his walls obliterated by the heat, his mouth keeps moving and that's always spelled trouble. "Love you. So much..."

[searingwing]

Kaeya's scream rings in his ears. The sounds pulled out of Kaeya are a sweet, sweet song. This is his mate. It took him years to realize how much he missed him. Why it took until now to say it.

He's always had so hard of a time letting go. He latches onto the side of his neck over his scent glands and sucks, intent on leaving another kind of mark. Then Kaeya says words that make his heart clench.

It feels like lightning running through him. His teeth drag on skin and he fists one hand in Kaeya's hair as he breathes into his ear in a voice filled with emotion. With affection and sorrow. With joy and despair. So many emotions. "Kaeya, I'm sorry." It feels torn from him.

He could have killed him. He could have killed the one person closest to his heart. "I'm so sorry, Kae. You're mine. You're my mate."

[unmelting]

The attention to his scent gland is unraveling him, a reminder of the fact that he's been claimed, that they're mated now, bound together officially. It sends a continuous thrill through him. He's finally found where he belongs, and for Kaeya in particular that's something more important to him than he's ever admitted out loud.

It's what Diluc says next that catches his attention though, and even through the haze and confusion of his heat he can hear the emotion in Diluc's voice, bittersweet as it is.

He reaches his hands up to smooth through Diluc's hair, cooing a soft, instinctual sound, meant to soothe. His Alpha is sad. He can tell. His Alpha is apologizing and he doesn't know why. Why is Diluc sad? Did Kaeya do something wrong, say something wrong? He can fix it. Let him fix it. "My mate," he echoes softly, reassuringly.