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]

"Tarts. Raspberry?" Kaeya is not shy about voicing his cravings at this point, and he has had quite a few that poor Diluc has been subjected to. One particular afternoon saw the brave Cavalry Captain Kaeya Alberich desperately looking for a lavender and grape jam that he remembered having once in his childhood far too late into the evening.

Kaeya moves to stand now, stretching slowly. "I think I'm about ready to call it a day. I can head home and start up dinner."

He wanders behind Diluc so he can wind his arms around his mate from behind, so he can press a kiss to his cheek. "What do you think?"

[searingwing]

He settles his hands over the arms around him, leaning back enough to make it easier for a kiss. "I think that's perfect. I'll be home a little later than usual. But when I get home we can discuss the meeting Jean wants to have today."

Kaeya's health comes before any meetings. It was one of the conditions they both agreed on. He turns in Kaeya's arms to catch him in a soft kiss. "If you need anything at all, get Elzer and Adenline's assistance. Or send a runner to headquarters." He says it every time.

He steals one more kiss from him before he releases him. "I have to get back to work." But it's in his eyes that if work weren't necessary, he would have insisted on going home with him. He's trying not to hover. But Crepus raised him alone. Some worries of his children being the same crowd his mind on bad days.

[unmelting]

Kaeya hums a happy little sound into the kiss, entirely pleased with how they've come to be so at ease with small gestures of affection. "All right. Then it would seem we have a plan."

He nods and reluctantly unwinds his arms from around Diluc and steps back. "Of course. But I'll be fine, Diluc. Nothing to worry about." Fussed over. He'd complain more about it if it didn't feel nice to be cared about, even if he's quite sure that Diluc worries far too much.

"Then don't let me keep you, Sir Diluc," he teases with a playful grin and moves to start gathering his things so he can head out and back to their home.

[searingwing]

With one last warm look, Diluc walks out. The rest of his day is the meeting of knights and then connecting with more contacts. And his own contacts. Keeping an eye on things in the way he knows can’t stop just because he is filling in as a knight.

Once he’s off shift he picks up what Kaeya asked for and heads home. He wants to see his face when he holds up the dessert he asked for. When he gets there he opens the door and slips inside, calling out. “Kaeya, I’m back.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya takes himself home, still in a floaty, pleased mood after their little lunch date -- and at the idea of promised pastries later. Everything has been going well, really, and he's made a good start on dinner, chopped most of the vegetables and is getting ready to actually start cooking.

A wave of dizziness hits and instead he sets down the pot he's just filled with water on and sets his hand at the edge of the counter, frowning.

The last thought he has is maybe I should sit down before consciousness slips right out of his grasp and he crumples to the kitchen floor, which is where Diluc will find him when he returns, still breathing, and largely unhurt save for an unfortunate bruise or two, but not yet come to.

[searingwing]

When Kaeya wakes up he is back in the Winery in Diluc’s bed. A healer is carefully checking him over while Diluc sits beside him. He holds his hand in his.

His eyes light up with relief when he wakes. The healer sits back. “Well, it looks like he and the babies are fine. This was just too much stress in such a condition.”

Diluc’s is eyes widen. “‘Babies’?” The healer nods. “Yes, Sir Kaeya is carrying twins.”
He turns to Kaeya. “You should take it easier. The strain on your body is double what you were thinking it was.”

[unmelting]

It's jarring to open his eyes and not know where he is, but any initial panic is quickly eased by seeing Diluc. His fingers tighten around Diluc's reflexively, and he moves to sit up only to be given a stern look by the healer. A sheepish smile and he eases back, already opening his mouth to protest that he's not under too much stress, it's just been a long da-

Hold on.

Hang on now. "T..twins?" Kaeya nearly chokes out the word. Two babies. He sets his hand on his belly. Oh gods he wants multiple children. But all at once?? He turns to Diluc.

[searingwing]

Diluc looks at Kaeya with shock written on his face. The healer snorts. "Are you planning for a large family?" Diluc nods still surprised.

"Then you're off to fairly good start. As I said, take better care of yourself. Eat more, drink plenty of fluids. Master Diluc was a fairly easy child to please when he was born but do remember every child is different." Finally an emotion dawns on Diluc's face, concern and affection, followed by pride.

The healer gets up. "I'll be by in a week to check on you again. Remember, take care of yourself and things like this won't happen." Once he leaves Diluc snorts then looks at Kaeya again. "Well, good thing I hadn't started making the crib yet."

[unmelting]

Kaeya sees that expression, Diluc. Don't think he doesn't. He's still coming to terms with the fact that they're doubling their very new little family of just the two of them very quickly.

"Right right, I'll be sure to take it easier." He'll try anyway. He doesn't want to worry Diluc, and moreover he doesn't want to do anything that could put their babies in jeopardy.

Oh archons, babies.

He reaches out to poke Diluc in the shoulder. "Don't sound so amused. This is your doing. You and that amazing dick of yours. Damn it."

[searingwing]

“I recall someone jumping me rather often.” Diluc says with a trace of amusement in his voice. He catches Kaeya’s hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing his palm.

Just before he drags his teeth over it. “We‘ll be fine. You’re a Calvary captain. You’ve handled groups before. Tending to two children, our children, will be easier than you think. Exhausting at first, but easier.”

[unmelting]

"You would remember that part," Kaeya fusses, blushing despite his best efforts to not. Yes, he sure did jump Diluc often. And frankly he hasn't really stopped that habit since. But that's not the point.

The kiss to his palm has his expression softening, right before those teeth send a shiver racing through him. "I'm sure you're right. We'll manage. At least they won't have us outnumbered straight away."

He turns his hand in Diluc's grip to brush his fingertips along his cheek. "Sorry if I worried you."

[searingwing]

“It’s not your fault. I should have considered the possibility.” Diluc says softly, “but it was beyond us both to control. …remember this is our first time.” He leans into his touch like a cat looking for a stroke.

His other hand slides up his side. Then he leans close enough to touch their foreheads together. “The blessed part about being parents is there are two of us and we’re bigger and faster. And if we need help, we have friends.”

[unmelting]

"Our first time, and we're stepping straight into the fire." And he's all too happy to let his touch linger, sliding his fingers back into Diluc's hair. Touching Diluc is soothing for him too, after all.

His eye falls shut as their heads lean together.

"We do. We'll manage." He laughs a little. "I did say I wanted a big family." So they're off to a strong start. "I hope they look like you," he murmurs quietly. His strong, beautiful mate.

[searingwing]

“And you.” Diluc echoes, as he lifts his hand and runs along Kaeya’s cheek. He lifts his head to kiss him on the forehead. “I’ll call Adenline to get us dinner. It will do her good to see you’re alright. We can relax here a while then go home.”

The staff need to know Kaeya is alright. He grew up among them and now as mate to their head of the house, they are allowed to openly show their cares.

[unmelting]

"All right. I'd like to reassure Adaline as well." The longer he doesn't, the higher a chance that he'll catch a scolding for it, gentle though that may be. Call it a holdover from childhood that he doesn't want her upset with him.

He leans into Diluc's hand. "I still like the way that sounds," he murmurs, thoughtfully, "Home." It's one of those precious things that he can't take for granted.

[searingwing]

Diluc leans in a little more and presses a quick kiss to his lips. "I'll be right back." He gets up and walks to the door. There's a hushed conversation before he returns to sit on the edge of the bed. "I like the way it sounds too. Home. ...a different ring when it's somewhere we can just...be."

A thing he has never had. Until now. Diluc takes off his boots and fully slips up onto the bed. "She said it will be an hour. You can go back to sleep. I could use a bit of a nap myself."

[unmelting]

"Just the two of us," he agrees, quite pleased before adding, "Soon to be four."

Heaven help them. But it'll be fine. Better than fine. Kaeya will keep repeating that to himself and soon he'll likely even believe it.

For now, he shifts enough to allow Diluc the room to slip into the bed. And once he has, Kaeya invades that room he just gave him to more or less drape himself over his mate. "Good. This is the best sort of nap. You're a good mate, but you're an excellent pillow."

[searingwing]

Diluc snorts as he wraps his arms around Kaeya. He toys with his hair as he dips his head to breathe in his scent.

The anxiety over the shocking scene he found is slowly beginning to fade. His purr is tentative but gathers strength as he kisses Kaeya’s neck.

“And you’re like a cat seeking a spot to nap.”
He runs his hand down Kaeya’s back as his heart rate slows. “

[unmelting]

There it is, the sound of his Diluc at ease and happy. That's all that Kaeya needs to relax the rest of the way into him. They're both all right. He's okay. He's safe and home. Even if this isn't their cottage, he's in Diluc's arms and that's all he really needs to be home. Their children are okay.

He laughs at the accusation and answers with a playful, "Meow." He won't deny the comparison, after all. "This is my favorite place to sleep. It can't be helped."

[searingwing]

He snorts at the meow. Diluc leans in until their foreheads touch then he sobers a little. “Make sure to take it easier. I won’t say don’t come to knight headquarters. But commandeer some of those knights to help you.” He doesn’t insult the knights for once.

Well, right now he is one. It does change one’s perspective a bit. He lightly works Kaeya’s shoulders, pressing thumbs into the muscles there, working out any tension. “I’ll make our nest more comfortable. There are some of my clothes here we can move over.”

Soft winter coats would be ideal. He wants to keep Kaeya safe and happy, that means also accepting Kaeya might tell him to stop fretting.

[unmelting]

"Mmhmm," Kaeya murmurs, a great deal more agreeable at the moment given that he's warm and comfortable and cuddled up close to his mate. He lifts a hand, fingertips brushing back some of Diluc's hair, traveling down his cheek and the curve of his jaw. His pretty Diluc.

"I'll take it easier, I promise." See? He's being reasonable about this. Of course Diluc kneading his shoulders doesn't hurt either, given that he's all but melting into him now.

And at the mention of their nest and Diluc's clothes, Kaeya full on purrs. But he does lean in to press a kiss to Diluc's lips before nipping lightly. "You can stop worrying though. I really am fine. It was a long day, that's all." A pause before he adds. "But don't stop worrying so much that I don't get my raspberry tarts." There's a smirk tugging at his lips now.

[searingwing]

He rolls his eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of depriving you for your treat.” He would make them himself for a while. Kaeya thrown off as he is, he is sure he can move work around enough to work some from home. Harder to find but Kaeya as a captain can be that way too.

He leans in and kisses him again as his hands go over Kaeya’s back. He finds where he wants to massage, just below the shoulder blades. He works the area with a casual air. This is as if they were sitting together on the couch sorting out business.

“I’ll be home a little more often. I talked about it with Jean. She said you’re hard to pin down so having me in a set location is a lot easier.”

[unmelting]

The grin breaks out at the eye roll. Good, exactly what he'd hoped for. Pleased with himself he leans into Diluc all the more to give him better access to his back, another contented sigh.

Diluc is right, of course, he can manage to do much of his work -- the work he's left with anyway, while Diluc is covering the majority of his more energetic duties -- from their home.

A quiet chuckle at the mention of Jean. Hard to pin down, is it? "Well, I can't argue with that. It's not in my nature to be predictable."

[searingwing]

“It is not.” He says, with a slight twitch of his brow. But he knows one way Kaeya is predictable. He leans in and scrapes his fangs on his neck.

Mm, “But I am so we balance out.” He gathers some of the blankets and pulls them over them. That’s how Adenline will find them. He is fine with that. Diluc leans in and kisses Kaeya lightly on the lips. “And with this arrangement we can keep up my reports and our discussions. Even when you’re far along and on extremely light duties.”

[unmelting]

Kaeya shivers and breathes out a laugh at the touch of those teeth. Careful, Diluc. He probably shouldn't get stirred up. And thankfully he settles in comfortably with those blankets, eyes falling shut to just enjoy the closeness.

"After the kids are born, we'll both need to take leave from our duties." He wants Diluc to be there in their first days, and he knows Diluc wants the same. They're going to do right by their children.

And even if they're chatting casually while they cuddle, and even if they're waiting for Adelinde to appear, beneath the covers, Kaeya slips his fingers up under Diluc's shirt, over the bare skin of his chest. Warm. This is his happy place.