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]

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.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya takes the towel with a murmur of thanks, patting himself dry as well, feeling that warmth in the air. "Show off pyro," he teases, but he appreciates the warmth of it. He's hanging his own towel as Diluc returns with their clothes.

Starting to pull his own clothes on, he nods at that. "That's true, you haven't. No comments on my decorating taste now." It's a light statement, meant more as a joke than anything else, but it's also on his mind. He knows how barebones his apartment is. He's seldom there, he tells himself, so why put the effort into making it a home?

It never felt like a home with just him anyway. Dressed now, he settles his cape over his shoulders. He may not feel it currently given how his new instincts and hormones are still raging along, but at least he looks like himself.

Without thinking, he reaches out to tangle his fingers with Diluc's. "Ready when you are."

[searingwing]

It’s on his mind as he squeezes Kaeya’s hand and leans closer to him. “I’m sure I can live with whatever decor you have.” Diluc assured him before they’re whisked away into said apartment. It worries him how bare bones it feels.

But that makes sense too. He can guess what was and has been going through Kaeya’s mind. As an Alpha he can’t stand it. An Omega must feel comfortable and safe. He leans closer to Kaeya. “Let’s get your blankets as well as your clothes.”

They would smell like Kaeya and help him feel safer.

[unmelting]

Kaeya laughs, and it only sounds a little forced. It's fine. Diluc won't turn him away now just because he's terrible at making a home. He'll do better. He'll learn, and his Alpha will help him. ...gods, he really needs to get a handle on these Omega instincts and urges. They're playing hell with him right now. Kaeya has never been as unaffected as he pretends to be, but these particular insecurities are new. And loud.

"Mm, good idea," he agrees releasing Diluc's hand to head further inside his apartment, heading to his bedroom. It's similarly sparsely decorated, though the blankets on the bed are soft and well made, and a number of books that Lisa isn't aware he's borrowed are on the bedside table.

Kaeya moves to his closet to start taking a few pieces of clothing -- both his usual fairly formal (and elaborate) attire as well as a few more casual items.

[searingwing]

Kaeya let’s him into the bedroom and the guilt crashes into him. He remembers how Kaeya kept his bedroom in the estate. He gathers the blankets and on a thought, the books.

He stays close to Kaeya and puts out a soothing scent to reassure him that he still wants his mate. Kaeya not being like other Omegas is completely fine. He just wants him to feel safe and happy.

Diluc waits for Kaeya to finish collecting his clothes before he reaches out and catches his chin in his fingers. He turns his head and leans in close, claiming his mouth with his. It’s a short kiss but he says softly, “Let’s go. We’ll set these inside then go to the Winery.”

[unmelting]

His childhood bedroom had been full of tiny memories in physical form -- seashells from excursions to the shore, dried flowers he'd pressed himself between the pages of his school books, play swords and drawings from younger days he couldn't quite bring himself to part with -- and sometimes he does regret not having taken any of it when he left. But at the time, well, things were messy to say the least.

But that scent is indeed soothing, and it takes Kaeya a moment to realize what is happening. Diluc is still taking care of him.

He stills at the touch of those fingers, all pliant and pleased when the redhead's lips find his. His mate. He smiles as the kiss breaks. "All right." Kaeya reaches out with his free hand to hook into Diluc's collar and pull him in so he can steal a more significant kiss, that underlying need unmistakable. If he's not careful, he'll launch himself right back into that desperation and need that's still percolating in him in this lull in his heat.

[searingwing]

Kaeya pulls him back in and the kiss is fierce and full of need. It takes his breath away. He wonders how Kaeya will react when he goes down into storage and collects that which had been left behind but never thrown away. He had done a lot of wrong in his anger.

But he hadn’t ruined precious things. Just shut them away. They won’t see the light of day yet. The kiss grows heated as he sweeps his tongue into Kaeya’s mouth and tries to reassure him he has no intention of letting go.

But he recognizes the dangers and draws back enough to say. “Kaeya, if we keep this up we’ll trigger your heat again. You need food and sleep. We’re only at the start of it.” He hopes Kaeya gets that he means the heat will get worse. Especially since this is a first heat and Kaeya fought it.

[unmelting]

Kaeya whines softly to Diluc's lips, entirely eager to return the kiss and not considering consequences at all. That involves a level of critical thinking, that even in his more coherent current state, he's really not up to. Consequences? Ha. Who has time for those when your mate is as close and sexy and good as Diluc anyway?

So when the redhead draws back, Kaeya's lips purse into a pout. "I need you," he sulks, but his shoulders slump. Diluc has a point and he knows it. He's vaguely aware that things will get worse before he makes it through this, and food and sleep are probably both important.

And they still have to go by Diluc's to get his things and get a message off to Jean. Fine. He gets it. But that doesn't mean he's not going to continue sulking about not currently kissing Diluc.

[searingwing]

He isn't that great about feelings. It's an effort but his mate needs him to communicate. Diluc slips his arm around Kaeya's waist and pulls him close. "You have me, I'm not going anywhere. Wait until we're back at our cottage and I'll take care of your needs." Then he reaches for the magic that lets them step back into the teapot.

The cottage smells like both of them now. He breathes a soft sigh as he lays the blankets and books on the couch but doesn't let go of Kaeya. Once the clothes are down he reaches for the magic again.

This time, his bedroom in the Winery is there when they take a step forward. It doesn't smell that much like Diluc, a sign he isn't around it very often. He draws Kaeya with him to the cupboard where his clothes are. This smells like him. Smoke and lamp grass. He takes a moment to press their foreheads together. "Pick what you want to put into the nest while I write this message."

[unmelting]

Kaeya looks at least slightly mollified as he's pulled closer, at what Diluc has to say. He can be patient, he supposes. If he must. "Our cottage..." Kaeya echoes, trying out the sound of it. Yes, he likes that very much. Maybe, maybe it'll be a home again.

The magic that whisks them in and out is still a bit strange, but he's getting used to it. Kaeya sets his clothes down as well and holds to Diluc as they're stepping through once more.

Kaeya's nose wrinkles briefly at the relative weakness of Diluc's scent. Hmm. It just makes the cottage seem that much warmer by comparison really. And the clothes, well, that helps too. Good. Tilting his chin, Kaeya nuzzles against Diluc, soft and affectionate before he nods. "All right."

He extricates himself reluctantly from Diluc's arms and moves to start looking through Diluc's clothes, selecting a few items, one of which a shirt he presses his face into to breathe in. Yup this one is a good one. A pause and he looks over his shoulder. "What will you tell Jean?"

[searingwing]

He whistles and his bird sails in through the window. Diluc presents his forearm as he takes the paper from her leg. It gives him time to answer Kaeya. "You're alright and need to recover. We'll send another message when we're ready to report." He looks to Kaeya for approval.

If it's not enough, he'll add more. "It felt like the rest needs to be in person." He explains. "Since..." He trails off with a flush to his face. He's not about to say I'm sorry I got your Second pregnant. He's not sorry. At all.

[unmelting]

A quick nod at that. Simple and concise, and at least Jean won't worry that something happened to him or Diluc or both. That's enough for now, and they can get to the details later, when said details are not still making a mess of things; Kaeya is fully aware he's on borrowed time before he's crawling up Diluc and begging his Alpha for his cock.

Though thinking about it, he's fairly certain he won't need to be in heat for that. He's wanted Diluc for as long as he can remember. In fact, he's biting his lip now at the thought of it and he really is not helping himself keep focused right now at all.

Then he notices the blush on Diluc's face, and Kaeya can't resist a bit of teasing. Arms full of a few of Diluc's clothes, he makes his way closer to the redhead, a wicked little smile stretching over his lips. "Since you went and knocked me up?" A pause and he adds, "Though we should probably make sure that's true, shouldn't we?" He leans in and grazes his lips against Diluc's. "Let's go back and make a baby. Alpha?"

[searingwing]

Diluc ties the message to his falcon’s leg and sends her off. She’s find Jean and relay the message. He breathes a sigh of relief as Kaeya moves closer. He can smell his arousal and it stirs his blood to see the look on his mate’s face.

His blush creeps down his neck as their lips brush together. It shouldn’t trip his instincts but his fangs descend as he draws back. He had planned to feed Kaeya then let him get some sleep.

He catches Kaeya’s chin and says softly, “My Omega, you need food and rest first. Let me prove I can provide for you before I make sure there’s a child on the way.” He reaches down and presses his hand to Kaeya’s stomach on instinct. He lets his chains on his instincts drop as he croons, “Let me make you safe.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya can see those fangs and he is quite eager to see if he can get Diluc to bite him again, even if they're already mated, and he's already well-marked. There's the beginning of that desperate spark of need in his eyes, but it's not burning through him yet. He's likely to chase trouble a little further but then he stills as Diluc's hand takes his chin.

Those words, hearing Diluc call him his Omega, and everything that follows, has Kaeya's eye going wide, starry pupil dilating. His lips part and the whimpered trill that slips free isn't even a sound he knew he could make. It's a clear call to his mate. Take care of me. Keep my safe. Take me home.

His free hand settles atop Diluc's, and he nods. "Let's go home. I want to go home." Home.

[searingwing]

He chirps back and grabs his clothes, tucking them under his arm with his other arm around his mate. I’m here. I’ll protect you. You’re safe. Later he will have to explain to his staff Kaeya is once again Master Kaeya.

When things are taken care of. He pulls on the magic and takes them back to the cottage. Home. Their home with none of the ghosts associated with it. “We’re home.” He echoes as he dumps his clothes next to Kaeya’s and reaches for the blankets that smell so much Kaeya.

“Let me help you build the nest.” He looks to Kaeya as he gently guides him back to what he is referring to in his head as their bedroom. It’s without question that Kaeya will move in. They’re mated and child will be on the way. And…he doesn’t want to be apart from him ever again.

[unmelting]

Home. Kaeya exhales a soft breath of something rather like relief. Here in this place it's only them and the rest of the world is far away. And what's what he wants right now. He's vulnerable in a way he's never dreamed of allowing himself to be, and that's terrifying. The only person he wants to see him this way is Diluc. "Welcome home," he murmurs.

Before he's guided off, he snatches up the shirt he'd found earlier from Diluc's closet. This is going right into the nest. Then he's happy to guided back to the bedroom. Their bedroom? He'd like to think of it that way too. The idea of living separate from his mate sounds cold and painful.

Once in the bedroom, he's wrinkling his nose at the haphazard nest. Yeah, they need to do better than this. He looks at the blankets on the bed, the ones in his hands and the ones that Diluc has. Hmm. "I need the help," he admits, stepping forward and starting to fuss with some of the pillows and blankets already there. "Luc?" He looks back at him. Is he doing this right so far?

Gods he'll be happy when he's not such a mess of hormones, and once he gets the hang of all these new needs and instincts.

[searingwing]

Diluc studies the mess of a nest he had haphazardly put together to ease Kaeya’s mind. He sheds his coat and walks over to the bed. He lays the blankets down on the edge as he says, “What shape do you want it to take? Ignore whatever you’re heard. It is your nest and has to be to your standards.”

He settles at the edge and holds his hands up. “You want that shirt in it, right? How do you imagine that happening?” Kaeya is sharp and quick. He hopes once he unchains his mind from any preconceptions he’ll do his own thing.

So he adds, “…it was always suggested me that blankets are easier to move. Pillows reinforce.”

[unmelting]

To his standards. Kaeya considers this for a moment. Mostly what he wants out of his nest is Diluc in it with him, and he seems to have that already handled. Then good, okay, he can do the rest of this. He glances at the shirt in his hands and flashes a sheepish smile. "This is going near me."

So that's settled. Kaeya hesitates a moment more before climbing onto the bed and starting to arrange things. He's slow and tentative at first, but picks up quickly as he gets the hang of it and figures out what he's aiming for. It's hardly a work of art, but a decent looking nest of blankets and pillows is taking shape, bolstered by the pillows and draped in blankets, softest on the top.

A moment more of fussing and he steps back, hands on his hips as he looks it over. Could be worse. He glances to Diluc. "What do you think? Will it do?"