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

[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.

[searingwing]

With one final nod, Diluc steers Kaeya out the doors and ignores the way the knights on duty do a double-take. He doesn't take his arm off of Kaeya. This is his mate. He opens his lips just enough to show a gleam of his alpha fangs.

Looking is free. The knight hastily face forward and Diluc leads Kaeya down the stairs with his head held high and a calm look on his face. People notice but he's beyond the point of caring. Let them look.

He's proud of his mate and being allowed to be at his side. And thus do the most eligible bachelors in Mondstadt get marked off as Not Eligible Anymore.

[unmelting]

Kaeya will do nothing at all to dislodge that arm around him at all. He likes it, likes the fact that they can be together in public. Diluc is everything anyone could ever want in a mate, and Kaeya is just as proud that he's somehow able to call the redhead his.

He leans into Diluc ever so slightly, catching the tail end of that flash of fangs. His eyes track to see the knight suddenly not looking anymore. Hmm. Kaeya will try to not preen too much at that, at all of this.

Leaning in close, he murmurs something meant for Diluc's ears only. "Hmm. Do you know how jealous everyone is of me right now, getting to walk with you like this?" But Diluc is his.

[searingwing]

“They’re just as jealous I get to walk with you.” He points out to Kaeya as he leads him down the street. There is a woman by the flower stall who wilts and mutters something. But, he pays it little mind. Kaeya is his.

“The Manor or the cottage?” He asks in a low voice only for Kaeya. They look like the couple they are and the patient look on his face is only for him.

All that he is focused on Kaeya and Kaeya alone.

[unmelting]

Kaeya laughs at that, quiet but clearly happy. "Is that so?" That's fine. The rest of the city will get past the loss of its most two eligible bachelors. The question Diluc poses has him considering. Wherever they go he's happy as long as they're together, but...

"Cottage?" It's the place that's only theirs, the place they're starting to plan and add to for their family.

"We can talk more about the nursery." And Kaeya can sprawl himself all over Diluc. It sounds like an excellent evening.

[searingwing]

He has another glimpse of the lady by the flower stall. She looks a bit like someone ruined her day. Huh. He pays it little mind as he nods to Kaeya. "Yes, we'll design it together." It is would be for their child and in time the first of many additions.

"I have a rough sketch of how the additions could look in time but, your input would be invaluable. As it always is." Translation: It's their house. Kaeya has as much right to a say to the changes as the children will have when they're old enough to voice their wants.

He leans into him as they reach the gate and he reaches through the magic to pull them into the Serenitea pot. The scent of the salt fills him with peace. "Well, at least no one will be foolish enough to bother you once they realize you're an omega."

No one would be dumb enough to cross him. He suffers fools not at all and the bolder ones would look for unmated omegas.

[unmelting]

Kaeya isn't blind to that reaction in the flower seller either, but it doesn't matter. Diluc matters. The sound of his voice as he speaks about these wonderful things that are somehow happening has all of Kaeya's attention.

"Is that so? Then I'll have to add my touch." He's clearly pleased, and he doesn't bother to hide it at all.

The familiar sounds of the sea not far off and the salt-scented air reach him and something in him relaxes. They're home. Kaeya laughs at Diluc's observation. "They'll regret it if they do, in any case." Now that he's not at the mercy of his first repressed heat, he'll happily tell anyone where to get off if they try anything. He has a mate, and that will be clear to everyone and anyone.

He steps away from Diluc just far enough to reach back and take his hand, urging him towards the cottage. "It's been a while since coming home felt like coming home. I like it." His apartment had never been a home. It had simply been a safe enough place to rest and where he kept his things.

[searingwing]

"...I do too." Diluc agrees as he lets himself be led. He opens the door when they reach it and steps inside. There's a softness to him now they're home. "It's been just as long since home seemed like home." He'd gotten lost too.

Partly his own fault. He shakes his head once and urges Kaeya over to the couch and the table with a bunch of papers over it. He's been busy in that single-minded focused way Diluc is when he makes a decision.

There are plans for the house and sketches of things they've talked about and in general ideas for the expansions. The nursery is off of their own bedroom. An additional smaller bathroom for the children. Bedrooms for the children, five of them. Connected to each other and near theirs. While still affording themselves privacy. He wants the time they missed.

[unmelting]

The change in Duluc, that softness that the rest of the world doesn't get to see, is breathtaking. It's some small piece of the boy that Kaeya remembers growing up with, and something in him softens too. There's no need for facades and defenses here. It's only them, and he thinks they know the worst of each other. And the best.

Following Diluc to the couch, he settles himself into a seat and looks at the papers spread out on the table.

"You've been busy. I'm not surprised. It's very you." His driven, responsible mate. He smiles as he looks at the sketches, moving a few papers around to see better. "Our own space still. I do like that."

[searingwing]

“This was the best possible way I could see getting exactly what we wanted.” Their children feeling safe and knowing they could come to them. But also getting time for themselves.

Diluc leans back against the couch back and tugs the tie out of his hair. His long hair falls around his face as he leans into Kaeya. He slips an arm around him. “Mm, what do you think of the crib design?”

Calla lilies and lamp grass carved into the wood that is carved to seem like a warm space between two trees. Their bed could use a bit of adjustment too, but it’s comfortable right now.

[unmelting]

Kaeya can't resist reaching back to tangle his fingers into that newly loosed hair, playing with it absentmindedly, twisting bright red strands around his fingers as he leans into Diluc and continues to look at the papers.

With his free hand, he picks up the sketch of the crib.

"I love it," he admits, not bothering to quip or make any teasing comments. Because he does love it, and the little life growing inside him will have a sweet, safe place to sleep.

"I'm sure they'll love it too." A soft hum. "We can paint the walls to look like the fields outside the city."

[searingwing]

“The fields at dawn,” Diluc says as he leans into the attention. He picks up another sketch and points to the wood panels in the sketches. Calla lilies and Lamp grass woven together like dancers.

“I want to adjust the carvings in the bathroom. Make it seem like a glade in Wolvendom.” It’s more than that. It’s a reminder of some of their adventures as children. Always together.

No matter what. As they would be again. This time with a family to teach how to shine true.

[unmelting]

"Like when we were kids," he muses aloud. Kaeya melts against him. It still feels like a dream he's going to wake from, too good to possibly be true. How can someone like him really deserve all this? This warmth and love and belonging, all the things he's yearned for but known for what he thought was certain were never going to be his fate.

And here's Diluc, the only man he's ever fallen in love with, giving him all these things freely.

Turning just a bit, he leans up to nuzzle at Diluc's cheek, right up to his ear, murmuring, "What did I do to deserve you?"

[searingwing]

"It's not about deserving to be loved, Kaeya." Diluc says as he pulls him up against him and leans against the back of the couch. "You always deserved that. What you did to catch my eye was be you." And that's why it had hurt to think it was all a lie.

That the Kaeya he'd always known was as much a lie as the rest of his life. But he wasn't. He'd just felt so guilty that he'd picked the worse time in the world. Diluc runs his hand down Kaeya's side and turns his head to press a kiss to Kaeya's mouth.

"I lost sight of that but, that won't happen again. You're a charming, witty man who knows too many ways to lie but you're also steadfast and loyal. I would be here all day and night if I listed all the reasons I'm in love with you." He leans back even further to pull him down on top of him as he lays back on the couch.

"And I still wouldn't even be halfway through the list."

[unmelting]

Diluc keeps saying things like this, words that threaten to undo Kaeya entirely over and over again. It's not about deserving to be loved. That just being who he is, is enough. Moments like these Kaeya Alberich finds himself speechless -- a state that most who know him wouldn't believe he was capable of. He leans into that kiss.

"Saying all those romantic things, you know I'm already hopelessly in love with you, don't you?" He teases lightly, to try to distract from the fact that he's definitely blushing.

He stretches himself out atop Diluc, bracing an arm on either side of him. Leaning close, he steals another kiss. "I could tell you all the reasons I fell in love with you too, how you're strong and brave and kind. Infuriatingly stubborn, absolutely beautiful..." he trails off with a sigh. "You're right, it would take days."

[searingwing]

“Days and days,” Diluc agrees with a slight curve at the corner of his mouth. He leans in and steals another kiss, lingering in it. “You’re frustratingly easy to find new reasons for it.” He says as if he were just talking about a new business deal.

He ruins it by wrapping his arms around Kaeya and nosing at his neck. He drags a fang over skin. Since his hormones settled his fangs just didn’t retract. Oh well.

He drags them on skin again. “I’m afraid the only thing I can do is fall deeper in love with you.” It wouldn’t even be that hard. Kaeya can blink at him and he’d drift towards him.

[unmelting]

Kaeya can't quite help a shiver at the feeling of those fangs, sharp and dangerous but perfectly safe because it's Diluc. His Alpha. His mate. He may not be in heat, but that doesn't stop him from purring his approval. How could he help it? Diluc is saying sweet things, words that melt all his defenses to bits, and most of those are already broken down around the redhead now anyway.

"Ooh? Is that the only thing you can do?"

Wait. They were looking at designs, right? But Kaeya is clearly distracted already. "Because I can think of a thing or two."

[searingwing]

Diluc raises an eyebrow and settles his legs around Kaeya, caging him in. He sits up a bit and glances at the spread out designs. “We can explore what else in a bit.”

He twists slightly and reaches out, counting the designs. He has one he intended for Kaeya specifically. They have been using his makeshift closet for a while. He pulls the sheet from the group and offers it to Kaeya.

Sketched loosely on the page is a sleek wardrobe to match the bed. The bed had been carved to resemble a forest surrounding the mattress. The wardrobe itself continues the theme.

Gentle wind asters and lamp grass mark the sides. Calla lilies serve as the handles and the upper edges are carved into the low hanging branches of the trees. Inside there are hooks for coats and cloaks. There is a rack specifically for hanging pants. Spaces are set for spare weapons in case they needed them. Even the space for their boots is set up with staying organized in mind. “What do you think?”

He took all angles to ensure it would be one less hurdle in their busy lives.

[unmelting]

In a bit. Kaeya sighs but doesn't argue, instead just resettling against Diluc. More designs. That's fine. He can be a responsible adult for a little longer. Turning the paper over he looks at the design on there.

There's no mistaking where it's meant to fit in. It falls into the theme of their bedroom -- still thrilling that, their bedroom -- their own secret, sacred forest glen. It's so orderly too, all function along with the beautiful form. He can't help but laugh. "I think it looks exactly like you. Beautiful and practical at the same time."

He looks up from the page to catch Diluc's gaze. "Plenty of room for both of us. I like the lilies for the handles."

[searingwing]

"Good. It's the first thing I'm going to work on. If there are any changes you want made, make sure to voice them now." Diluc says as he wraps an arm around Kaeya. He toys with loose strands of his hair. It's the closest to relaxed he's ever been.

One day he'll relax completely. When there was peace and children underfoot, maybe. Diluc shifts himself enough to settle with his side against the back of the couch.

"Is there anything you have thought about and wanted built?" He asks as he leans up enough to kiss the side of his neck. He's not entirely focused on the task at hand. Kaeya is warm and on top of him. It stirs up desires. Oh he can think of a lot of things he can as a result of Kaeya's charms.

[unmelting]

"I like the way you've imagined it." Kaeya is still acclimating to this whole taking an active role in his space. Diluc saw his small apartment in Mondstadt with little more than the furniture that had come with it there -- not through lack of style, of course. Kaeya was a collector of trinkets and mementos as a child. As an adult, his flair for the dramatic in fashion is unmistakable. Now that he feels like he has a home again he'll happily fill it with touches of his style as well, to go along with Diluc's.

Once upon a time they complemented each other well; he's sure they will again.

His head tilts to the side and he hums a soft encouraging sound at that kiss. "The dining room... it would be nice to have a table where we can take meals as a family." Big enough for them and the family they're just starting to build. A pause and he adds, quieter. "And we'll need a rocking chair in the nursery."

[searingwing]

Another kiss to warm skin. "Yes, we will." There is a rocking chair in the estate. He recalls the soft creaking of it from his earliest days. All he has of his mother. "A lower counter for the children when they help make dinner." He adds, as he drags a fang across Kaeya's neck.

He could lightly bite him. The thought passes but he still lightly nips his neck, his arm drifting down to Kaeya's waist, to hold up against him. His desires are starting to take root and demand things.

"A falconry out back?" Aether wouldn't mind. He seems to quite like birds.

[unmelting]

Kaeya shivers against Diluc the scrape of those teeth. It's a reminder of that first night, when Diluc had bitten him to mark him as his mate. His body remembers it too, like the pleasure of it is echoing through him even still, this long after.

He lets himself melt against the redhead entirely, laughing. "Yes, yes. You're welcome to have your birds. We all have our hobbies." And it's cute in its way, though useful too. Kaeya is well aware that Diluc's falconry skills are very handy in sometimes unexpected circumstances.

Tilting his head, he leans in to kiss along Diluc's neck, sneaking a nip of his own there.

[searingwing]

"We do." He agrees but his mind is on how Kaeya is melting into him, head tilted just so to kiss his own neck. He offers up his own neck and shivers at the nip. They're mates by his own bite.

His lips move without thinking. "Bite me." Traditionally, allowing his mate to bite him by noble law puts him in equal charge of the house. He wants that. He wants people to once again call Kaeya, Master Kaeya. His equal.

His love. The winter to his spring. He tilts his head further, exposing the spot where the bite will go. "I want you to have everything of me and the future." Should anything happen. The worst.

Kaeya will have all he needs to protect himself and their children. Traditionally he should have waited until marriage but he never gave a damn about that.