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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[searingwing]

Oh. The guilt claws at him. Their life has been so messy. No more. He'll make this work. Diluc wraps his arms around Kaeya and slips his fingers into his hair, letting his purr grow louder. "It's been lonely without you. I wouldn't have offered I didn't want you here with me." This is his space.

His hideaway. Kaeya here patches a hole in his soul. His expression softens too. He rests his forehead against Kaeya's. Oh, this is so damn rough on him and his struggle to voice his feelings. But it can't be any better on Kaeya's desperately lonely heart.

He drops a hand to rest his hand on Kaeya's over his stomach. "It's more than alright. And anything you want to shift around, say the word."

[unmelting]

Kaeya is very quickly coming to love the sound of Diluc purring. It's evidence that Diluc is happy, contented, which is especially precious given how much the redhead often keeps how he's feeling bottled up and hidden.

And even better is the sound of hearing that he's wanted. Oh. He knows this has to be hard for Diluc.

They've both been alone for too long, haven't they? He'll make that up to him, somehow. Given time. He tilts his chin up to brush his lips over Diluc's -- funny how quickly little gestures of affection are becoming natural and second nature -- before leaning back. "Oh? I thought my taste was suspect," he teases lightly, but he wraps his arms tighter around Diluc. "I'll add my own touch, I'm sure. Whatever happened to that vase?"

[searingwing]

Diluc presses his face against Kaeya's neck. Oh here it comes. He mumbles something into Kaeya's neck. It sounds suspiciously like an answer. The kiss sings to him. He would love to chase and distract Kaeya. But, Kaeya is like a dog with a bone. That wouldn't slow him down for long.

Damn it. He raises his head and looks to the side. "It's in the front foyer of the Winery on display. It's gaudy and bright, but you used it to give my vision back to me. It surprised me. So there it is." The biggest eyesore he's ever seen but.

"It's...got its own charm."

[unmelting]

What was that just then Diluc? Hmm? ...and he's absolutely right about Kaeya. He's relentless when he wants to be, and if he knew Diluc is deliberately not answering? He'd absolutely chase that down.

That doesn't mean he's not surprised at the answer. Oh? OH?

Kaeya can't help it. He grins before laughing. "Is that so? It's okay to just admit you like it, you know." Gaudy and bright. Really, Diluc. But Kaeya looks undeniably pleased at this piece of information.

[searingwing]

He coughs and his face is flushed. "The colors come together in an...almost elegant way." He admits as he sighs and goes to shift. His knot has gone down all the way. He blinks then carefully slips out of Kaeya.

"Ah." Clean up. Bath. They could do that first then eat. The whole room smells like both of them and the unmistakable scent of sex. That can be handled after. Diluc sits up. "Can you or do you want to walk?" He'll carry him if he asks.

It's in his eyes.

[unmelting]

He's adorable. Should the Darknight Hero of Mondstadt really be this precious? "See, that wasn't so hard." Kaeya leans in to press a kiss to one flushed cheek.

Kaeya can't bite back a soft whimper of sound as Diluc pulls out of him. He misses the feeling of having the other inside him already, but there will be time for that later. They really ought to clean up, and Kaeya is still interested in this tub that was mentioned earlier.

His eyebrows lift at the question. This seems like an invitation he can't possibly pass up. He reaches his arms towards him, wiggling his fingers at him. "Help me, Alpha?" Carry him?

[searingwing]

Oh he knew Kaeya would jump at that. Diluc gathers Kaeya up and carries him out of the bedroom. He takes him into the main room and walks around the couch. The house looks the same. Furniture made by hand. Blankets and pillows as well.

He takes him past the door to his study and to a door closest to the window overlooking the sea. And into a bathroom with wood paneling that was done by his hand. The carvings in the panels are simple. Vines and leaves.

The tub is surrounded by stone and tile and set into the floor. Easy to access and big enough for two people to lounge in. More simple carvings. Dandelions and wind asters. Diluc sets Kaeya down by the edge and fiddles with the knobs. The water gushes into the tub as he thrusts his hand in.

Steam rises from the steadily filling tub.

[unmelting]

He will not complain about being carried and pampered. Can he really be blamed for that? Diluc's arms are a wonderful place to be. He loops his arms around Diluce's shoulders, comfortably settling his way in while he's ported around.

The more he sees of this place, the more he thinks his first impression was right; it suits Diluc. Kaeya likes it.

Kaeya finds his feet before dropping to sit on the edge, waiting for the water to come up enough before he slips into it, reaching up to hold a hand out to Diluc. Come join him? "It's warm." He's thrilled.

[searingwing]

Diluc takes Kaeya's hand and slides into the water with him. It feels surreal. He brushes his hand over Kaeya's shoulder and leans in, claiming his mouth. The water rises slowly as he savors the kiss. It feels a bit like coming home.

He hasn't really felt at home until...until now. He leans back a little dazed as he breathes, "Not too warm?"

[unmelting]

There is something dreamlike about this, the sort of fantastic dream that he'd had in his younger days that he'd long ago resigned to things too impossible to ever happen. But here they are and Diluc is kissing him, and Kaeya is leaning closer, wrapping his arms around the other man.

Kaeya breathes out a laugh, setting a hand against Diluc's chest. "I like it hot."

And Diluc is as hot as they come.

[searingwing]

“Subtle,” He says as he leans into the hand against his chest. Just enough to make sure Kaeya is aware he likes that touch. He wants to show him how controlled he is. Kaeya knows but it is part of the alpha instincts. Look how strong I am, it says. I will keep you safe.

He is well aware once this first heat is over, Kaeya would be able to keep himself safe. Even slice a man’s throat if they dared touch him during another heat. The thought of anyone trying that almost pulls a growl out of him.

No.

Control. He slides his fingers through Kaeya’s hair and leans in to kiss him again. “I’m thinking to add more flowers to the paneling,”
He nips at his bottom lip then breaks away from his mouth to follow the line of his neck. Not to stir them back up again, just to show his affection. “Suggestions?”

[unmelting]

"And smooth," Kaeya agrees. While the intensity of his heat has ebbed, he's at least feeling a bit more himself. The new instincts are still very loud and very strange, but he's getting used to those too. It isn't lost on him what Diluc is saying without words. His Alpha is strong and capable and beautiful and kind. And anyone who tries to make a move on Kaeya in the future who isn't his mate will be met with the edge of his blade, which will be a relief in and of itself, given how impossible it felt to act earlier.

If Diluc hadn't come along at the moment he did, Kaeya finds he doesn't like thinking what might have happened. No, the thought is distressing, and he's still far too affected by his heat to go down that road. Instead he leans in to that kiss, letting his head fall to the side as Diluc's lips go wandering.

"Lilies," he answers, fingers meandering their way over warm skin, starting the process of learning by heart all the lines and angles, all the scars, of the other man.

[searingwing]

“Calla lilies and lamp grass.” Diluc agrees as he presses his face against Kaeya’s scent glands. The bond mark is there and lightly drags his tongue over it. He rubs his cheek on the spot, spreading more of his own scent. Smoke and lamp grass.

A purr rumbles in his throat as Kaeya’s hands drift over his body. They were teenagers the last time they saw each other naked like this. He has acquired scars and muscle since then.

Dark wood for the crib, he decides. The paneling in the nursery would be more flowers and vines to bind them. He casts those thoughts aside as he presses a kiss to a scar on Kaeya’s arm. So strong.

So fierce. He is aware instincts are addling his mind and Kaeya’s. It’s the post claiming and mating. Once they wash up they can go get changes of clothes from Kaeya’s place and his own. He’ll send his message once they’re about to return here.

And he’ll make their dinner and prepare meals they can easily make when the heat really sets in. As far as he understands it…Kaeya might have an easier time now he’s been claimed. His father never said much about that. He hadn’t been old enough when that had been his primary education and after, had a bit of distance from his very alpha son.

[unmelting]

The attention to his neck, to the mark left there, has Kaeya shivering and leaning into Diluc. All he can smell is Diluc's scent and it's already a soothing, pleasing thing. So is touching his mate and hearing the purring it draws out of him.

But his fingers find the edges of scars, older and newer. The things that Diluc has done, those years he was away. But Kaeya knows the other man is strong, a capable fighter. They're both men who live by their swords as much as anything else, and they'll both keep each other and their family safe.

Their family. Oh gods. The baby will need a place to sleep. And he really should let Jean know where he is. Actually, that brings up a question. "How did you find me?"

[searingwing]

He rubs his cheek over the gland, his pure growing in volume. Until the question. He shoves down the urge to keep purring. “Jean told me. You were hours over due and you were acting odd. I’ve been…concerned for days. I came to check.”

And things played out the way they did. He wraps his arm around Kaeya and kisses his way down his neck to his shoulder. We can exit into Mondstadt to get changes of clothes and have a message sent to her.” He pauses and adds, in his usual tones, “We should get clothes and bedding you like. It makes a nest feel safer.”

[unmelting]

Diluc had been concerned for him. He's not sure why that in particular makes him feel like purring himself. Diluc really does care about him. ...that should be obvious after the mating and claiming thing, but Kaeya is apparently slower than usual currently.

Kaeya leans into him, nodding. "We probably ought to let her know something." Kaeya just isn't sure how to phrase that particular missive.

"And your clothes. You smell so good." Even in the bath, surrounded by the steam of the water. His arms wind around Diluc in turn and he turns his head to press a kiss through fiery red hair. "Then we can come back here?" His heat is far from over, and while he's hoping he won't be as much of a mess as he's been as it continues, there's still an uncharacteristic wariness in him, unsettled on his feet on this new ground. Here, where it's only him and Diluc, he feels safer.

[searingwing]

“Then we come back here.” Diluc reassures him as he reaches for a small brush set on a shelf near the bath. He drags it slowly through Kaeya’s hair in gentle strokes. “We’ll stay here until you feel safe enough to leave. It should be when your heat is over or a few days after.” He says as he works the brush through then sets it aside.

It gives him time to consider how to word things for a missive. “It’s up to you how much she should know. Once we’re done with that we can stop by the winery for my spare clothes.” It’s all he wants to take from there.

Everything he has in this cottage is enough for them. “When we return here we can build the nest…together. It looks like a daunting task but I assure you, it isn’t.”

[unmelting]

His hair being brushed is straight up luxury, the sort of spoiled that Kaeya will not object to in any way whatsoever. He'd also like to return the favor, if Diluc will let him. He wants to take care of his Alpha as much as he's being taken care of.

"Better keep it a short explanation for now. Certain types of news are probably better given in person." The mated and pregnant bit? Yeah, he's going to want to deliver that information standing in front of Jean and trying to look as cute as possible with Diluc there with him for backup.

"All right. Then it seems we have a plan." He reaches for the brush now and nudges the redhead. "Turn?"

[searingwing]

Diluc shifts around so Kaeya can get to his hair. It’s been a long time since anyone brushed it for him. “Yes, we have a plan.” He subsides into silence which has always been his default. Diluc was peppy as a boy but, just as happy quietly reading a book.

He settles and lets his mind drift while the brush runs through his hair. It wouldn’t take much to build the additional room. The bed is already large enough for them both. He would have to adjust the kitchen. That too wouldn’t be difficult.

It takes him several seconds to realize he’s been purring steadily since the brush started passing through his hair. “Is there…anything else you want to bring with you?” He asks, in a softer tone.

[unmelting]

Plans are good, Kaeya thinks, especially given how adrift he's been feeling recently (having no idea at all what was causing that restless uncertain feeling at the time, but pretty certain now it was the hormones of his impending heat). So he feels more at ease than he has in weeks as he quite happily brushes through Diluc's hair, gently combing out the tangles.

When the purring starts, Kaeya smiles to himself. It's genuinely adorable, and he loves that plain proof of the other man being happy.

The next question has him thinking. Diluc hasn't ever seen his place, has he? More often than not he harasses the other man at his bar, or the winery. There's precious little of any personal significance at Kaeya's house. It's sparsely and simply furnished, and aside from his clothes and his weaponry (and a few bottles of wine for when he doesn't feel like going out to drown his sorrows) there isn't much to be found there.

"Clothes are really the only thing I need."

[searingwing]

“Alright.” He says as he settles again. His mind drifts and he partly dozes for the rest of his hair brushing. He wakes up as the brush is set aside and reaches for the bar of soap.

He turns and sets to washing Kaeya, still purring as he offers the bar to him. They can wash each other and then be on their way. His Alpha instincts are going haywire. Taking care of Kaeya is something he fought with himself about.

No he doesn’t have to. He leans in closer, brushing his nose against his and sighing contentedly. This is perfect.

[unmelting]

How much Kaeya enjoys being taken care of is something he can only half blame on his new instincts. The other half is simply a matter of him being touch-starved. The same for actually being allowed to take care of Diluc; it's something he's always wanted, even if those urges are louder and keener now that they're mated.

He takes the soap, fingers massaging their way over Diluc as they lather over his skin. A soft nuzzle back and he hears himself trilling happily. Kaeya immediately blushes, but he doesn't stop anyway.

It is perfect.

He sets the soap aside, handfuls of water rinsing soapsuds off Diluc.

[searingwing]

He works soapy hands over Kaeya's shoulders and back as a blush dusts his own face. Kaeya isn't the only one embarrassed. This is everything he avoided and he finds...it's nice. His hands slip around to Kaeya's front to work over his chest and stomach as the warm water washes the soap off him.

He rinses him off and presses their foreheads together with a sigh. They're as clean as they're going to get. "Ready?" To face the public as little as possible and really set things in motion.

Well, as much as can be during a heat cycle.

[unmelting]

They're both disasters, aren't they? This realization somehow makes Kaeya feel better about it, realizing this is new ground for both of them. They're figuring it out together. He leans his forehead against Diluc, hands settling on the other man's hips gently, a touch and a caress just because he can.

The question draws a laugh out of him and he shrugs. "Ready as I can be, I think."

Something in him bristles at the very idea of leaving this place. His heat-drive instincts have latched onto this place as safe, Alpha's, home. But he needs his clothes. Diluc needs his things. And they really do need to get some message off to Jean before she worries too much more, if she worried enough to send Diluc out to check on him in the first place.

[searingwing]

Diluc pulls Kaeya with him up out of the bath. He grabs soft towels and drapes one over Kaeya’s shoulder. He gives himself a rub down then channels his fire.

It heats the air just enough to speed their drying off. Dried off, he hangs up the towel and heads for the bedroom. He returns with their clothes and pulls his own on. They’re only going to Kaeya’s apartment and the winery but people might see them.

He finishes pulling on his coat and looks to Kaeya. “You’ll ha w to take us through. I’ve never been to your apartment.”