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]

Really, given the fact that Kaeya has spent most of the last week or so draped all over Diluc, it's impressive that he isn't currently touching him. He is close by his side though, within reach. When Jean opens the door and he hears his name, he raises a hand to wave. "I'm here. Apologies for the unexpected time off." He's been busy. Very, very busy.

He slips inside the room, nodding. "Easier to answer questions in person too." Because there might be questions.

Lisa has invited herself in as well, pulling the door shut and leaning back against it. Don't mind her. She has her guesses; she's fairly sure she caught sight of the very edge of a mating bite on Kaeya's neck, and is fairly certain the cavalry captain is full on glowing.

And dear master Diluc looks like someone has pried the stick out of his ass after all this time. Clearly he's gotten laid. Ah, young love. How cute.

[searingwing]

Jean looks between the two of them. Diluc looks shades closer to the boy she knew when they were young. And Kaeya looks… content in a way she has never seen before. She leans against her desk and crosses her arms. “Then I’ll start with the obvious. What happened?”

Diluc crosses his arms in turn as he says, “A lot of things did. Kaeya isn’t a beta and when I arrived the treasure hoarders he was after had to be educated on boundaries.” She jerks her head up, her own Alpha instincts kicking in as he holds up his hands. “They didn’t get close. I didn’t allow it.”

She takes a breath in and frowns. “That explains the scent I couldn’t quite tell.” Then she looks at Kaeya. “And why you looked so poor for a while.”

Had he gone into his first heat? That would explain- She sighs and closes her eyes. She will wait for Kaeya to say it.

[unmelting]

"It explains a few other things as well," Lisa pipes up from her place against the door. She may be a Beta, but she pays attention. Kaeya hadn't been himself for a while, and the pieces were starting to add up.

Just like looking at the two in front of her now is more puzzle pieces clicking into place. Master Diluc, quite literally the most eligible Alpha in Mondstadt who'd never shown any interest in taking a mate, is lingering quite close to Kaeya, isn't he?

Kaeya glances back at Lisa with a pout. Quiet you. He sees the way she's watching them. He also sees the way Jean sighs as he turns back around. Well, if everyone's already arriving at that conclusion, he may as well spare them the tension.

"It was an unfortunate situation, and not one I'd prepared for. As it is, I'm thankful Diluc found me when he did. As long as I'd been fighting it, my first heat was... a bit more than I could handle, especially since I didn't even realize that's what it was at the time."

He reaches up to unfasten his collar to open it and show the very obvious mark left by Diluc's mating bite. "It shouldn't be so much of an issue in the future." His gaze gravitates towards Diluc. That's half the news, anyway.

[searingwing]

Diluc looks at him calmly and Jean sighs again. “So we will be down a knight for some months.”
She says as carefully as she dares but almost stumbles when Diluc says, “No, you won’t be.”

He steps forward and she can see some of the old knightly attitude she hadn’t seen in him since he left. “While Kaeya is unable to work, I will resume my old post…if you will have me. It will be temporary.”

She stares at him. He continues, “The way the knights are now is not how they were. You are the reason for that. You, Kaeya, and every knight currently serving,” He dips his head slightly and she can’t help a tremor running through her.

Diluc who openly scoffs the knights would be for a short time one of them again. Not just that the words he says… she says quietly, “I deeply regret how things occurred before.” Diluc nods. “Fatui spy, right? I read the reports.”

She nods. “This will be difficult. Once you tie yourself to us again, it can’t be undone. People will see you returned.” He nods. “It is the best option. And people see us that way anyway.” It had been one thing of many that he and Kaeya discussed. And one thing he is willing to acknowledge. It is true. When Jean asks for his help he is there. “I’m his mate. That comes with certain expectations of allegiance.”

He snorts as he crosses his arms over his chest. “And this way while he’s laid low by our child he can keep tabs on his contacts and things he’s engaged with.” Jean’s expression goes flat as she looks at Kaeya. “On a professional level I admire that. On a personal one, really Kaeya?”

Diluc does something she hasn’t seen him do in years. He laughs.

[unmelting]

Kaeya shifts closer to Diluc and without a word threads his fingers through Diluc's as the other tells Jean that he'll step back into his role as a knight while Kaeya is out of commission with the pregnancy and birth of their child. ...their first child. They've danced around the topic a bit, but it's clear they both want family.

A smile is starting on his face at Jean's clear shock. He'd reacted similarly when Diluc had first brought it up. "That and it's his fault I'm knocked up," he chirps cheerfully enough.

When Jean gives him that expression though he puts a hand to his chest, lips pursing into a pout. "Hey! It's not nice to scold me for things I haven't even done yet." But Diluc is laughing and Kaeya finds himself leaning towards him, like he's drawn by a gravity he can't resist the pull of.

Lisa has fallen quiet by the door, but she catches Jean's gaze as best she can. Master Diluc back among the knights, however temporarily. Lisa knows how significant that is, for Diluc. And Kaeya. and Jean too.

[searingwing]

Jean meets Lisa’s eyes and there’s something fragile there. A gentle warmth and letting go of a regret. Diluc leaving had hurt. The knights had failed one of their own so badly he not only left but turned against them.

Yet she knew him. Knew how he acted. He sought to keep the knights accountable to the public. When she asked he was there. Because duty is the one thing that Diluc hadn’t lost. It had been sad to see what had once been a close bond kept at arm’s length.

Now, Diluc leans into Kaeya, squeezing his hand. Her heart feels so full and she steps forward breathing in deep as she says softly. “Then welcome back, Diluc, the Dawn Knight. I hope one day you might consider staying on.” Something passes across Diluc’s face.

“Maybe.” Maybe. It’s such a word full of possibility. She nods then she enfolds both of them in a hug. Diluc freezes then slowly relaxes, holding onto Kaeya and wrapping his arm carefully and respectfully around her. Jean smiles over her friends shoulders to Lisa.

One bridge built. She steps back before Diluc can feel uncomfortable and says, “I’ll work with you to make this transition as seamless as possible and ensure Kaeya can keep an eye on his web of information.” She looks at the man she just mentioned as she adds, “If you decide to have more than one…we can deploy the system again.”

[unmelting]

Oh. Group hug. Kaeya laughs as well, hugging Jean back one-armed as well. The acting grand master is a good person, and Kaeya is happy to see this bit of reconciliation between her and Diluc, even if the respect and fondness they've had for each other has never really gone away.

Lisa can't help but pipe up then. "Aah, what a touching moment!" It's a playful observation, but sincere too. She's glad to see her friends looking so happy. "And Jean is right, it's a workable system. Also I doubt you'll lack for volunteer babysitters either, for however many you do have."

"At least five," Kaeya says mildly. "Maybe six." It's spoken lightly, but it's not necessarily a joke either. Sorry, Diluc. They can field their own adventuring party!

[searingwing]

Diluc coughs. "Five. I want time with you." Five is enough for them and they'll have time for themselves. Jean blinks and Diluc looks to the side with a flush on his face. Ah, he really isn't used to being so open.

She smiles slightly then says, "You won't lack volunteers at all. Should you need the aid I think you'll only need to ask." She would love to see her friend's child. Well. Children at the rate they seem to be planning.

Diluc snorts. They'll have to expand the cottage quite a bit. That's fine. They can manage it. And raising them outside of prying eyes means expectations won't come to bear on them too soon. They'll be Ragnvindrs but he won't tolerate the world expecting his children to be perfect.

[unmelting]

Kaeya opens his mouth to inform Diluc that he shouldn't worry, they'll always have their sex vacations. But for once in his life he thinks better of it and just laughs at his own untold joke. Diluc can probably guess what he's thinking of anyway, but at least Jean and Lisa don't have to hear it.

"Good good. I think we'll come to rely on it." Kaeya is a terrible influence on children, but he likes them. Children are delightful and so breathtakingly honest. And he wants their children to have that chance, to be their own honest selves with no burdens and expectations. He knows Diluc feels the same.

"But in the meantime, I'm perfectly capable of handling my duties for the time being." It'll be a while before anyone can even tell he's with child. So no writing him off right away.

Lisa's eyebrows rise. Right, yes. What are the chances of Master Diluc Ragnvindr, protective Alpha, letting his pregnant mate run around fighting creatures and creations and whatever else the ruins outside of town might spawn.

[searingwing]

"And I'll be shadowing him to observe and refresh myself on knightly duties." Jean doesn't even blink. That sounds like a protective Alpha and exactly what she would do in his place. Female alphas are the ones to get pregnant in their relationships but they too stick close to their omegas.

"I need to actually know your network and get them to trust me too." He says to Kaeya. They had talked about this. He trusts Kaeya to keep himself safe but he also has to heed his own instincts. Kaeya isn't used to being an Omega.

Having Diluc near by would be a balm until he is used to this newer world of scents and instincts.

[unmelting]

Alphas. Kaeya sighs. But he also knows that Diluc is right. It's practical in that Diluc does need to be introduced to his sources and they need to develop that rapport. So fine, there's that. And then there's also the fact that yeah, he's a new Omega, and he has no idea what he's in for in many ways.

He's already come up against some of it. Whatever instincts he has are aware that he's currently with child, and there's a defensiveness in him that he's not used to. Someone says or does the wrong thing to lead Kaeya to perceiving them as a threat to him or his mate or their child, and he'd probably cut them down before he even realized it.

"That's right. We'll be a duo for a while. Just like old times." Except also entirely new and not like back then at the same time.

[searingwing]

“Equals this time.” Diluc says as he closes his eyes. “In any case, that was what we wished to discuss. I understand you have more pressing matters to handle.” Jean nods but says, “Kaeya any help you need for adjusting to being Omega, all of us are here for you.”

She knows Amber will ease up on him a little too. She’s young but as another Alpha with a noble mate, she understands Omegas and has a soft spot for them. Diluc hums. “I’ll meet with you later for more discussion on how this system will work.” Jean nods as well.

“Either way, I’ll get to work on making it all official.”

[unmelting]

A more sheepish smile and he inclines his head in a nod of gratitude. "I appreciate it. It's been a bit of culture shock, to put it mildly." And it does make him regret (just a little) all the slacking he'd done on learning any of the Alpha and Omega specific issues when it seemed pretty clear he was a Beta. Oh well. He's figuring it out slowly.

Lisa is the one to pipe up then. "I'd be happy to pull some volumes from the library for you, if you'd like to do some reading up." But you know the drill, Kaeya, she'll come looking for you if they aren't returned on time.

Kaeya sighs. Homework. Figures. "Aah, that sounds like a good idea I suppose." He'll pout about it though.

[searingwing]

"I'll be on hand to help you sort it out." Diluc says in a gentler tone that makes Jean blink. She'd never heard him use it before. It sounds a lot like his old self when he was a bright, sunny boy.

Jean nods as well, "And all of us here can explain our own takes on it. Lisa navigates it rather well." She smiles for Lisa, a bright sunny little smile that's all appreciation.

Diluc pauses as he says, "If you don't mind, we could take those volumes with us today. Their expected due date?" He knows Lisa. He won't ever forget due dates.

[unmelting]

Kaeya has begun to hear those echoes of the sweet, bright person that Kaeya had known in his youth, but hearing Diluc sound like that even in public has something in him warming, like his own personal sunshine has sprung to life in the center of his chest. "You've helped a lot so far," he murmurs, his own tone softer and more sincere than his usual. Diluc isn't the only one affected by this new thing between them.

And it's obvious to see. Call her a romantic, but Lisa can't help but be thrilled to see it. Kaeya seems content in a way she never expected he could even look. She nods happily back at Jean. "That's right. I'm happy to offer opinions. We can chat over tea." Since, well, no more wine for Kaeya for a while. "And I'll go fetch them. Since you two are both trusted knights, I can lend them for a month." But good, Diluc knows. Good boy.

[searingwing]

Jean smiles and Diluc can't help but think that it's been a long time since she smiled so serenely. He wraps an arm around Kaeya and steers him towards the door. "We'll wait for them. Thank you."

He has a feeling Jean needs a bit of time to process this. He's still internally reeling from this shift in his life. Right back to the way it had been. Well, in some ways. He will still be the independent source of commerce and free thought he has always been.

Yet he can't help but think of how moving in lockstep with the knights they keep each other accountable to the people and protect them better. This is the partnership his father always wanted.

As they step into the foyer he takes a breath and closes his eyes. This is a lot. This is so much and while he agreed to walk this road he needs a minute.

[unmelting]

He lets himself be steered, waving over his shoulder at Jean. Well, that went better than he'd been afraid it would. They've got this figured out as best they can, and that's reassuring. Watching Lisa sweep off down towards the library, he turns to look at Diluc.

His mate's silence isn't lost on him, and Kaeya turns into him fully, until he can loop both his arms around the redhead's waist. He's quiet though, letting Diluc sort his thoughts for a long moment. There's no mistaking how big a step this is, how it crosses the scars and wounds of events in his past.

"I'm proud of you," he murmurs eventually. And he is. His righteous, brave, strong mate. Diluc is a good man. His voice is even quieter, meant for Diluc's ears only as he adds, "He would be too." They both know the he he's talking about, Kaeya is certain.

[searingwing]

His breath catches and he forces himself to swallow. His father would have applauded his decision. He wouldn't have liked him walking away from the knights at all. All he had done with his life had been to serve the city and bring forth peace.

He has a feeling that he and his father would no agree on many matters these days. But he still doesn't know the secrets his father died with. Diluc forces it down. He leans slightly into Kaeya, making sure it passes off as just them standing patiently together.

He has appearances to keep up and so does Kaeya. "Like I said before, neither of us would do well if we didn't know peace was being maintained. This is the best option to keep our fingers on the right threads and keep the knights from being spread thinner. I know exactly how much you do."

He says low enough for only Kaeya to hear, "And I want to put to bed the things that will impede us and our children. They will have the happy life of Mondstadters. Not the burdens that we had. Unless they want them."

[unmelting]

Kaeya lets Diluc lean into him. He knows that both of them have a complicated past, knows that Diluc's own relationship with his father is a large part of that. They may not know the secrets that Crepus kept, but he was a good man who cared for his city and his family.

But Diluc is also right about their own children. "We'll let them walk whatever path they choose, and be there to help them along it." And in the meantime, they'll try to make the world a little safer for them.

"I love you," he whispers softly, meant only for Diluc to hear. And he adds, less low and soft and more teasing. "But how nice to know you see all my hard work. I'm clearly undervalued all too often." Don't mind him crowing a little; it's all in play.

[searingwing]

"Says the man who often underplays how much he does." Diluc says low and gentle, reaching back to catch Kaeya's chin. A low purr rumbles in his chest. His chest feels warm. Kaeya saying those words feels like the first time ever time.

"I love you too." He tells him as he relaxes in his hold. Knight headquarters, yes. But no one enters without warning. He has time to let his guard down a little. He turns his head to steal a brief kiss.

[unmelting]

Hearing Diluc purring, knowing that he's responsible for some of that level of contentment in his mate. His smile brightens at hearing the words spoken back to him. Diluc isn't the only one who feels that same rush in his chest each and every time.

Kaeya is all too happy to risk a kiss (or two) here. They both have professional images to maintain at work, of course, but Kaeya isn't all that worried about it.

This is of course when Lisa comes back with the books in question, lifting her free hand to her lips. "Oh my, I've interrupted." Naughty boys. Except, it's terribly sweet.

Oops. Kaeya leans back to smile at Lisa with a shrug. He doesn't look very contrite at all.

[searingwing]

Diluc draws back as if he were merely interrupted at work. He looks at Lisa without a hint of shame at being caught. His eyes fall on the books and he blinks. "I've heard of a few of these...but never was able to get my hands on a copy."

He nods once, "Thank you for trusting us with them. They'll be back before their due date. I forgot to say it before, but if there are any books you wish to see from the Ragnvindr estate, you need only ask."

In the spirit of cooperation, he made this offer. Once he commits he commits.

[unmelting]

"I hope they're helpful. Or at least interesting." Lisa hands them off with a smile, an expression that brightens at that offer. "Oh? What a kind offer. I'll have to take you up on it."

She will too. It would be impolite to turn down that sort of invitation, after all, and she's curious about what that collection might hold.

Kaeya takes up the offered books, tucking them under one arm and nodding. "If you plan on coming over, let us know. We can have tea. ...since that's all I'll be drinking for the foreseeable future."

[searingwing]

“I told you I can make non-alcoholic drinks that suit your tastes.” Diluc says as he adds, “There are some tea blends and techniques you haven’t seen. I’ll show them to you both.”

He knows a tea drink that’s a bit spicy that Kaeya might like. “We should go. Our personnel are bringing your things out of storage and we have work to do at home.” Their cottage. They have progress to make on the additions. Aether hadn’t even questioned the desire.

There is also the loom he brought back into their home. There are blankets to weave. It’s a lesser known talent of his and he’s happy to use it again. He nods to Lisa. “Thank you for everything. It will be an honor to work with you again.” And he means it. It’s in his gaze.

[unmelting]

Kaeya beams at him. His mate is the best mate, Lisa. Have you seen this? Kaeya is probably doing a very poor job of not acting like a young man utterly in love. Can he be blamed for that, really? How long has he harbored what he thought was an unrequited love for Diluc, and now he's allowed to actually feel it.

Lisa smiles at the both of them. They're a sweet couple. She inclines her head. "You've made Jean very happy. We're all glad to see you back. But, I won't keep you any longer today."

Their cottage. Kaeya is ready to return to it. He's gotten quite used to having Diluc to himself, so he's a bit greedy.