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

[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?"

[searingwing]

His eyebrows creep up. He recognizes the soft black shirt as one he tosses on when he doesn't feel like putting on anything else. Diluc allows a small smile and nods. For the next little while, he passes pillows, blankets, and clothing to Kaeya as the nest takes shape.

He looks it over from the edge of the bed and turns his gaze to Kaeya. "It looks good." He reaches out and smooths the edge of it with his hand. "It feels comfortable." He sits up enough to peer into it. He spots the shirt and glances back at Kaeya. "Can I enter your nest?" He wants to test it so Kaeya feels better.

But not without permission, mate or no.

[unmelting]

Diluc should probably give up seeing this shirt for a while, as Kaeya has claimed it for his nest. And he'll probably steal it to wear too. But that aside. For now, he perks up at Diluc's answer. It looks good. Then he did okay.

Hands still on his hips, he glances over startled at the request. Oh. His Alpha really is the best sort of Alpha, isn't he? Kaeya's expression melts into a smile and he nods. "It won't be complete until you're in it." That's the missing ingredient here.

Kaeya will climb in too, but first, he's wearing too much. He sheds his cape and accessories and layers until he's in only his pants and shirt, collar unfastened so it reveals even more of his chest. Part of him is ready to strip out of everything entirely and see if he can't coax Diluc out of his clothes too.

[searingwing]

He nods and his smile softens a little making his eyes warmer. "Then I best do my part." He works his gloves, vest, and boots off. The articles drop to the floor on top of his coat. In just his black shirt and pants, he slips carefully into the nest.

With his eyes on Kaeya's he undoes the first two buttons of his own shirt. Diluc undoes the ribbon holding his hair back and it falls down, framing his face. Then he lays back in the nest with a soft sigh. "...I'll sleep in this just fine. It already smells like you." A deep rumbling purr rolls out of the nest.

Yes, he's quite pleased.

[unmelting]

Mm. Still clothes on. Kaeya purses his lips. No clothes would be better. Maybe he can work on that. Kaeya can be persuasive when he wants to -- he's known for it, really -- and he wants Diluc more than he wants anything else.

For a moment he watches Diluc, eye widening, lips parting as that red hair falls loose. So, so pretty. How does someone this beautiful actually want him? His smile brightens as Diluc starts to purr. Oh. Kaeya loves that.

He kicks off his shoes and makes his way into the nest to join his Alpha, crawling forward until he's leaning over him, one arm on the far side of Diluc, looming over him. "I like the way you look in it." A pause and he adds, smile turning a bit wicked, "I like the way you look in everything, but that's beside the point."

[searingwing]

He catches the rising scent of Kaeya's arousal in the thicker scent of calla lilies and snow. His heart speeds up. For all his need to keep Kaeya safe, being wanted like this is new and exciting. He's had the eyes of the city on him all the time and their expectations had ground into him.

But this is different. Kaeya knows him. Really knows him. Diluc swallows as Kaeya leans over him. This will be really difficult. He's about to feed Kaeya's ego so much he might get jumped right here and now.

His face flushes as he reaches up and hooks his fingers into the edge of Kaeya's pants. "I...like you in everything and nothing. But my favorite look is when you're happy. That's the best one."

[unmelting]

Is there some physically possible way for Kaeya to hold himself back from jumping Diluc after the other man says something like that? Kaeya is already leaning in, ready to kiss those lips once Diluc is done speaking. The first part of those words brighten his smile, but as the redhead continues Kaeya freezes inches from his lips.

His eye widens, breath catching. That's by far the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to him. This has nothing to do with Omega or Alpha or new instincts or how amazing Diluc smells right now, Diluc really wants him, really cares about him and Kaeya loves him. "I'm happier than I've been in..." He trails off. "You make me happy."

Words are hard, instead he hears himself trilling softly before he's leaning in to claim Diluc's lips, hands moving to invite himself to unbuttoning more of Diluc's shirt. Jumped, Diluc.

[searingwing]

He doesn't fight it. Some part of him recognizes that Kaeya needs him right now and to tell him to wait right now would be akin to rejection. And he doesn't want to do that. It's only been a day of letting himself have what he's always wanted, Kaeya, and he's already hooked. This is their home, their bedroom.

How it's already that is astonishing. Diluc reaches up and slides his hands up Kaeya's sides as their lips meet. He tugs at Kaeya's shirt, aiming to work it off as his shirt parts with a whisper of fabric.

The cool air on his chest is a counterpoint to how hot his blood feels. "I'm happy too. I missed you." He draws back from his mouth to pull him down on top of him, purring and kisses him again. So much for waiting.

They can clean up and he'll make that food they need later.

[unmelting]

When Diluc doesn't push him away, Kaeya is more relieved than he expected to be. Diluc is right; Kaeya does need him, and it's quickly growing overwhelming how much. Even the idea of allowing any space between him and his mate right now is enough to start him shaking. He needs him, and his heat is turning that need almost frantic.

His hands slide beneath that open shirt, fingertips exploring, eager for any inch of him he can reach, though he'll draw his hands away just enough to free his arms from his shirt.

"Luc..." his voice is barely a whisper. "I missed you too." So much. More than he's admitted to even himself. He settles atop the other man, returning that next kiss, trilling softly as he draws back. "So much." Another kiss, like the other man's lips are far more appealing than breathing. "Don't leave me again?" Kaeya looks up at him now, and his one visible eye looks a little too bright, like he's trying not to let tears start falling. "I know, I know I was the one who pushed you. I won't push you again. Stay with me?" His voice is almost shaking.

This heat thing is ridiculous. His emotions are all screaming at their loudest volume, and he knows he's a vulnerable mess. ...and maybe he always is, to some small degree, but at least he's usually good at keeping that a well-disguised secret.

[searingwing]

Just as abruptly as his mood soars, it crashes right back down. Their past is complicated. He is aware he did damage as Kaeya in turn did his own. But seeing it like this twists his heart.

This is how Kaeya feels deep down. He has made his apologies for his own actions. All he can do is take Kaeya’s face in his hands as he says quietly. “Kaeya, you’re in my den. I put my claim on you in more than one way.”

The bite on his neck. His seed to quicken his belly. “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t want to go anywhere. I want you.” Then he reaches for Kaeya’s clothes to take them off.

[unmelting]

Kaeya stills at that gentle touch. He holds Diluc's gaze as the other man speaks. The reassurance has him looking vaguely sheepish and then flushing at the reminder both of the mating mark and the more than one way and more than one time that he's eager to add to.

"I want you too," he answers, leaning closer to leave a soft kiss to his lips. "I want to be with you. Wherever you go." Another kiss. "Fall asleep beside you. Wake up there too.

He helps shed his clothes, eager for them to be gone, out of the way. And his hands move to help Diluc out of his clothing as well, because those need to be gone too. He wants nothing between them, and his touch is more than a bit insistent. "I want to have your children, be a family." Family, there's an almost reverence to the word. He misses that. He wants it all, and while the new urges and instincts of an awakening Omega certainly agree, these aren't new desires.

[searingwing]

Their clothes come off faster than they did last time. It helps Kaeya is with it this time. As with it as one can be while the heat has its say. Diluc pulls Kaeya down on top of him. “We’ll be a family.”

He is reasonably sure Kaeya is at the very first days of pregnancy. His Alpha senses don’t lie. He drags his hands down his sides and over the lovely toned thighs. He can smell Kaeya already getting slick for him.

Diluc urges his him down and slips a hand between them to see how wet he is. “I want all of that too. I want to be who you come home to. I want to cook for you and share in your joys and sorrows. As your mate.”

[unmelting]

Once their clothes are out of the way, Kaeya is moving to mold himself to Diluc as best he can, eagerly settling atop him as he's pulled. He does feel more in his right mind this time, though the sheer force of his need for Diluc is still threatening to drive him mad at any moment.

Diluc will find him wet with slick already, and Kaeya whimpers his approval at even the touch of those fingers.

But he's focusing on those words as best he can because they're beautiful, wonderful words. His smile brightens over his face. "You are a much better cook than I am," he begins, a teasing tone, that quickly gives way to a softer, earnest, "My mate. I'll take good care of you, too."