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]

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.

[searingwing]

Diluc lifts his head and presses his forehead to Kaeya’s. Kaeya is trying to soothe him. He wraps his arms around him and brushes their noses together. “It’s alright,” He croons in reassurance.

“We can be alright.” His knot is swelling again. He gentles his pace, taking it slower in shallower thrusts. But he wraps a hand around Kaeya’s cock too, pumping it in time with the roll of his hips.

The heat has built up in him again. It sparks like lightning as he leans in all the way and kisses Kaeya. He murmurs, “Love you too.” Then his climax hits and he holds him tightly as his knot locks a second time.

[unmelting]

The reassurance and affection seem to settle Kaeya, and he trills his agreement, nuzzling back at Diluc happily. They can be all right. They will be all right. They're together and mated and anything else they can figure out as they go. Maybe he's oversimplifying it in the midst of the daze that he's in, but he still doesn't think he's wrong.

He feels Diluc's pace changing, cries out his approval as that hand finds its way around him, as he feels Diluc's knot swell and lock inside him. He looks up at the redhead above him like he's the most beautiful sight he's ever seen, the blue of his eyes a thin halo around his star shaped pupil, lips parted right up until he's kissed.

It's those words that knock him into his orgasm though, like the syllables themselves are physical jolts, sending him free falling over the edge as he finds his release, clinging to Diluc as he rides out his climax.

[searingwing]

Kaeya is going to be even more embarrassed this time. He can bet on it. The vague thought is the last one he has before his climax hits him. He presses into the kiss, letting them both cry out as he rides out the waves of pleasure.

He moves with it, until the waves subside again. He sighs and collapses on top of him again. Exhaustion drags him down so he lays boneless on top of him. At least their week off of being sane will line up together.

Next time they can both be embarrassed when they come down. He feels for Kaeya. The first one is always the most mindless and far too honest. "Kaeya? Are you coherent yet?"

[unmelting]

Keaya is surfacing, all right. The first few moments of clear thought are pleasant and warm. Diluc is on top of him. They just fucked again, mated this time. Diluc seems content and lo--

Oh. Oh gods he'd blurted out a confession. Is that the most embarrassing part? Telling Diluc he loves him for the first time when he's inside him and on their first night together. Then there's all the trilling. And the purring. Not to mention the pleading and.

This time he buries his face in Diluc's neck, and the groan that leaves his lips this time is downright sulky. "Yes." Coherent. Not happy about it.

That said, Diluc is a pleasant warm weight on top of him, and his mind is replaying those words, the apologies, the sound of Diluc using that familiar nickname, of Diluc saying that he loves him too. Things could be worse. So even as he's grumbling about his embarrassment, he's also letting his fingers play over the other man's back, a simple touch because somehow he's actually allowed to do this.

"I... talked a lot this time." He leans back enough to be able to look at him.

[searingwing]

“You did.” He agrees as he slides his hands up and down Kaeya’s sides. “You got starry eyed and begged for it too.” Diluc hums pleasantly and runs his fingers through long dark blue hair.

It’s as soft and silky as he remembers. “Though I will be fair to you. You goaded me first.” Then he let himself off his self imposed control. He kills a yawn before it can start. None of that.

“As far as I remember from books, coupling twice in one day should be enough for this first day. But, you might wake up wet and wanting in the middle of the night.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya's eye narrows as he decides how much he needs to be grumpy about the fact that Diluc is all too happy to point out that starry eyed and begging bit. It's not fair that his hair is being played with though, because that is wonderfully nice and soothing and making it harder to be cranky. "Don't sound so smug," is all he manages, but there's no real sting to it.

"Yes well, you rose to the challenge, I suppose." He supposes. Sure. Diluc unraveled him down to his foundations, and he's quite certain they both know it. He blushes again as the memory flares right back, Diluc letting go that way, yeah. That'll never leave his dreams. Ever.

And then his mate keeps talking and Kaeya is groaning and flushing all the darker. Thanks, Diluc. "Don't expect to sleep peacefully then." He manages, fingers lifting to trace along the line of Diluc's jaw. "Might be fun though. Better than a midnight snack."

[searingwing]

He massages his fingers into the back of Kaeya’s neck. He leans into the touch of Kaeya’s fingers like a cat looking for a scratch. “You still have that habit? Huh.” Midnight snacks weren’t a thing Diluc did much of. Even if he couldn’t sleep he just made tea and that was that.

He sits up enough to glance down at him with half lidded eyes. “And of course I wouldn’t sleep through that. I expect you to wake me.” He has no idea how Kaeya will go about that. A worry for when it happens.

He’s a fairly light sleeper. “I’ll take care of you.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya takes that as encouragement to keep touching, which he is happy to do. How long has he wanted to be close to Diluc again, to be allowed to touch and stay in his orbit. He also laughs at the observation before lifting his chin. "I can't sleep when I'm hungry."

That's just science, Diluc. Or maybe that's just Kaeya not knowing what to do with the otherwise quiet hours of the night, when the rest of the world is sleeping.

Looking up at the redhead, he can't quite help a grin. "If you're sleeping through it, I'm doing something very wrong." And he'll no doubt come up with a creative way to way Diluc up when his heat creeps back over him.

For now though, for now he's happy to have some rest and respite from his heat. Those words undo something in him in a very different way, a soft warmth that spreads from his chest. Take care of him. He's been on his own for a long time now, by choice, but he... he wants to let Diluc take are of him. He wants to take care of him in turn.

His voice is quiet when he speaks, "I told you I loved you."

[searingwing]

Diluc goes quiet as he brushes the back of his hand against Kaeya's cheek. "You did." And he admitted why it had hurt so much that Kaeya had seemingly betrayed him. Except. He sighs and lays down, wrapping his arms around Kaeya.

"...I've loved you for a long time. I just buried it." He sighs and presses his face against Kaeya's shoulder. "I buried everything." He'd cut the past and the present in half, separating them. He'd thought Kaeya did the same.

He turns his head to rest his cheek against Kaeya's chest. The circumstances have led to him confessing a lot of things. To make this work he had to come clean. "...when you wake me. Touch me lightly first. I'll know you mean no harm." But he pauses, "That's just in case. I doubt you'll need to do more than touch me to wake me enough to know you need me."

[unmelting]

"Will you unbury it? I'll help, if you let me." For Kaeya, the feelings were never something he buried. They've always been sharp and close to him -- hidden, of course, behind the cool charm and charisma he's known for, easy smiles, quick laughter -- but Kaeya has never for a moment tried to bury those memories. Those days when he was happy and almost felt like he could belong, even knowing his own truth, who he was. What he was.

His fingers sink their way into Diluc's hair, sifting through it, toying with flame red locks. Diluc is so warm. "I'll be sure to," he assures him before adding, quieter, "I'll never mean you harm." But he understands that the person Diluc has become has learned to be a weapon, a blade that defense this city.

He ducks his head to press a kiss through Diluc's hair.

[searingwing]

He lifts his head and touches the side of Kaeya's face. Then he leans in and claims his lips. It feels good to kiss him, love him the way he wanted to as a young knight. "You've already started unburying it." He whispers.

He stares into his eye and weighs on what to say. In the end he sighs because Kaeya knows him and knows this has been a lot today. "When my knot goes down we can clean up and make the bed ready for sleep. I'll make us food and prepare some light things for tomorrow."

Should he admit to the one luxury this house has? It's his mate. Why not. "Then I'll take you to the tub and we'll clean up before bed."

[unmelting]

Gods but he loves kissing Diluc, even more when he's in his right mind and can fully appreciate it. So he's already disarmed and pleased when Diluc whispers those words to him in response. Kaeya smiles. "Good." So good. And he'll do whatever he can to continue with that, to mend the broken things between them rather than to let the distance creep in.

It has been a lot today, especially for Diluc who tends to keep his emotions wrapped up tightly deep inside. Kaeya won't push him; he'll let his Alpha come to it all at his own pace.

A nod in agreement. "Mm. And this nest. I need to... I don't know. Something." It's hasty and it doesn't feel right yet. Kaeya has no idea what will make it feel right, but he wants to fuss with it for a while. And then drape all over his mate and--

Oh? Bath? He noticeably perks up at that. "Oh?" Color him intrigued. "A hot bath sounds amazing." Yes. Please.

[searingwing]

“I can’t figure out where the pipes go but I’m not complaining.” Diluc muses. “I’ve been sleeping here in this realm since space was offered to me. It’s only recently I finished the furniture.” It was nice to come home to a place he didn’t have to put on airs for anyone.

He watches Kaeya’s face as he says, “Do want my help with the nest?” The bedroom and the house itself is full of his things. And they could go snatch things from Kaeya’s place.

He’s so grateful they can exit where they like. They don’t have to face anything other than a swiftly penned report that can update Jean and ease her mind. She has no legal right to hold. Less so since Kaeya is now his mate. Mates can assist each other in heats and ruts.

[unmelting]

"So now I've seen Diluc's secret hideaway. I like it." It really does suit Diluc, and everything around him being Diluc's is downright soothing for the heat-addled Omega. He's safe here, even when his mind is intermittently not his own.

There's no hiding the relief on Kaeya's face when Diluc makes that offer. "If you would, I'd be grateful. I'll be an attentive student." Really, he'll make a mess of it otherwise; he's certain of that much. Maybe he'll learn eventually.

Reporting into Jean hasn't even crossed Kaeya's mind. It will eventually; he'll remember that he was on a mission when Diluc found him. But that time isn't now. Instead he's busy reaching out play with that bright red hair, touching him because he can. He knows the other's knot will go down soon, that they'll need to move.

[searingwing]

Diluc winds strands of Kaeya's hair around his fingers as a deep rumbling purr resonates in the air. He would be embarrassed by it but he's already purred today. "You'll catch on fast. You always have." He says as he runs his hand down Kaeya's side then lets his hand rest there.

He murmurs something then pauses and tries again, his voice soft and low. "...You could move in and share it with me, if you wanted to. You're my mate, what's mine is yours." He coughs and looks away. "And I think we could expand a little. Prepare a nursery." It could slowly shift into a family home.

He turns slightly and points to the south wall. "Connected to the bedroom?" He doesn't want their child to be off down the hall like he was to his father. In reach. Safe. They could move them when the child wanted space away from them.

[unmelting]

Oh. A compliment. Kaeya looks terribly pleased by that. Yes good. Say nice things about him. Now tell him he's pretty. Wait, no, he's gotten distracted. He should focus on what Diluc is saying, and oh he's so glad that he has.

Diluc would really want him to live with him? All the time? Well, okay, yes it makes sense if they're going to have a child, be a family. "I'd love to. If that's all right." He glances away, laughing, "I've missed living under the same roof. It's never felt right without you." It's never felt right on his own, even if he was certain that was safer.

The smile on his face softens at the mention of a nursery. Without thinking, one hand drops to rest against his stomach. That's right. Their child. "A nursery," he echoes. "That sounds perfect. Close enough we can hear them, make sure they're happy, safe."

Make sure that their child knows that they're loved and wanted, that no one is placing burdens on tiny shoulders, that the only thing they're expected to be is happy.

A family. Kaeya looks like he may cry. He'll blame it on the heat, undoubtedly, but it's something he hasn't allowed himself to want before now.