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The late afternoon sun beats down on the City of Freedom by the time Diluc arrives, only the slightest breeze blows through. He intends to help man the bar, and also tap into his well of information. Maybe they could finally pinpoint the mages that were lingering in the Whispering Woods.
Of course, things will always impede his plans. The streets seem to buzz with strange energy as if he was missing something. Everything seemed normal for the most part. It wasn’t till a young knight beelined passed him, Diluc just toots at his rudeness content on trying to make it to the door of Angel’s Share. He halves his speed causally to eavesdrop. He was lucky that Huffman was always stationed around here, in times like these. He wondered what blunder the Knights had this time.
“-Kaeya,” Diluc couldn’t help but turn his head at the mention of that name as if to check if he would see the Captain appear at the mere mention of his name. He peeked from the corner of his eye as he ‘fumbled’ with the key. “He collapsed during training. He refuses to get treatment or to take the afternoon off.”
Diluc briefly wonders if the other Captains were out seeing how this newbie was looking for the closest thing to an authority figure without dragging the acting grandmaster out of her office. Properly the fear of what the Captain would do if the Master got involved.
The next words had him arching his eyebrow mildly interested. “He’s in heat Sir, we can smell it.” Huffman just shakes his head and grumbles softly.
“We can’t have a repeat of last time.” He says to the young knight who was red in the face as if he was remembering ‘last time’. Diluc wondered what this ongoing battle with Kaeya was about, it piqued his interest. He unlocks the door, it wasn’t his concern after all he cut all ties with Kaeya over four years ago, while fate was content on making them meet in various ways, Diluc felt like they didn’t have a right to go back to what they had. They both were changed for the worst or the better it was a matter of opinion. It was no longer something he should concern himself with after all Kaeya was alone for all of this time, he couldn’t manage his heat on his own by this time. Was he that inept? Diluc wouldn’t put it past him after all he spoiled him. This time he wouldn’t hold his hand, even if every past instinct told him to go seek him out and bring him to his side.
Diluc would continue to hold his hand, even if it was a bit unwanted on his part.
Kaeya had made his entrance at peak rush hour, almost sneaking in if it wasn’t for the scent he gave off. An unnamed floral, sweet, slightly fruity. Decidedly Kaeya, Diluc knew the smell anywhere. So while the tavern seemed to buzz in energy looking for the tantalizing scent that was now among them. It wouldn’t be long before he was pinpointed. Wasn’t like he was hiding, he wondered how long Kaeya refused to use the suppressants, how fertile he was from the lack of medicine in his system. He had a feeling half the bar felt that way, while some flee from the scene as if trying to pressure some dignity or virtue.
Claiming the now empty table close to the bar, Kaeya wolfishly grins at him as if he couldn’t sense how the air around them changes.
Diluc could smell the want and need heavy in the air. As Alphas and Betas alike may have unintentionally released pheromones. All the scents mingling. It creates a sense of danger. That everyone was pining for the Omega in heat.
Diluc couldn’t stifle his sigh, as he made his way from behind the bar, Charles just shot him a look that he wasn’t sure how to read. When he makes it to the table that Kaeya was leaning on, the omega just smirks wider. Clearly, this was a game he was content to keep playing. Diluc didn’t want to play this game. The Captain was walking temptation. His scent was natural and bare for all to smell, it was inviting, begging almost. He was asking for trouble.
Before Kaeya could make any smart remarks, Diluc cut him off swiftly. “Get out, ” it was swift and harsh. It was needed. He could see Kaeya reel back softly, hiding it as shifting positions, his face betrayed hurt before he could squirrel it away.
It was replaced with a practiced frown, “would you believe me if I told you I got kicked at the barracks for ‘disturbing the peace’” he added the air quotes. “That I should just lay with someone and get my heat over with.” he huffs clearly a sore subject to this day, no doubt Huffman said such a remark. Even during their training he always jabbed at Kaeya. “Either way they aren't going to let me in tonight, so I am here to do just that find somewhere… someone.”
Diluc schooled his expression, he didn’t want to know what his brot- no the Captain had to go through. He in good conscience couldn’t serve the omega. Not only was hormones likely firing away and impeding his thoughts he couldn’t dare hope to serve alcohol on top of that to the man. A cocktail of disaster that was, did he forget what happens to unmated omegas in heat who go out alone. Modstadt was free but it wasn’t free from idiots who made rash decisions. Diluc trusted in Kaeya's fight ethic not to let anyone bully him around but drunk Alpha's however were a different story. Unpredictable, be the drunkard. Diluc would keep Kaeya on his top form.
“I’m not serving you” He states bluntly.
Kaeya pouts an old trick that didn’t die with time. “ Can I at least have cider while I think over my options?” There was no thinking on Kaeya’s mind; he was always ten steps ahead. That’s why something wanted to be cruel to be mean and kick him to the wolves, but something held him back. Shaking his head Diluc relents with a heavy sigh.
“You have one hour.” He doesn’t deliver the cider himself; he has the barmaid do so.
In thirty minutes everything turned almost into a speed date session. It didn’t take long for everyone to locate the omega in heat. Most interested in the prospect of sleeping with the Captain for his looks alone, not just the heat. Kaeya just charmed them sweetly, when things would almost get too aggressive he somehow was able to reign them in. There were many times where Diluc would see an aggressive action or hand movement and he wanted nothing more than to break all the offending hands.
Diluc looked away, he had to focus, he had work to do, but if anything was to happen to an Omega in his establishment he couldn’t leave that down. It didn’t matter who the Omega was, they had a right to be protected and treated with proper respect.
It wasn’t till the door of the tavern burst open that the atmosphere changed. “Big Brother!” A young voice shouted, there was a flash of red that shot across the room to the omega. He smiles and sweeps the young girl into his arms.
“Klee, what do I owe the pleasure?” He says sitting down propping her on his knee. It was clear he tucked her in close away from prying eyes. After all, not just the knights came to this bar.
“I heard you weren’t coming home tonight. Who's going to protect you !”
He chuckled softly. “ No young one, I am the protector.” He boops her nose and she giggled. Opening her mouth to protest his claims.
“Klee.” The tavern door opened again. It was the maid knight, Diluc just sighed. The knights were making this night more hectic than it needed to be. She quickly made it to the pair, Diluc could tell they both were dressed down for bed. “Sir Kaeya I’m so sorry. She went to your room and just sped out of the barracks.” She holds up shoes in her hand as if to prove the point.
“It’s quite alright, she normally spends time with me during this ordeal.” He pets the young girl’s hair, and the girl clings tighter. Noelle just nods in understanding. She looks around nervously before they share hushed words. She doesn’t bother to sit as she bends to converse with them both. When Klee refused to leave Kaeya’s lap, quite literally clinging to his lapels to avoid getting into the Beta's arms. Clearly, a decision was made, he watched both adults sigh at her actions. Noelle kneels to her eye level, talking to the girl in such soft words the bar chatter carried it away. Diluc swore he heard don’t give Sir Kaeya a hard time. Something to that effect before she gives them both a pat on the head, He definitely heard, Don’t let her stay up too late. Kaeya just smiled and waved at her retreat.
One apple juice later Klee was asleep wrapped under Kaeya’s cloak face buried in his chest. The prospects all but dried up, a few tried their hand but were shut down. No one wanted to get between an Omega and it’s ward. It wasn’t till things settled down in the tavern, everyone going back to their normal drinking. Some hornier than before.
Diluc only sighed when he could see the two seemingly dozing at the table. Kaeya’s eyes closed as well as if he slumbered. He opened when Diluc was before him, smiling softly. Diluc felt a warm sensation in his chest at the sight, it felt right what he was about to suggest.
“Hrm ?” Kaeya questioned softly, clearly out of it or he was pretending to be. Diluc wasn’t sure.
“Come, you and Klee can stay upstairs for the night.” Kaeya just turns his head softly, clearly confused, or trying to analyze Diluc’s words. Clearly, he was thinking about teasing him before he could Klee let out a small whine of discontent that was smothered by his chest.
“That would be great thank you,” carefully he stood, doing his best not to jostle the child in his arms. Diluc allows Kaeya to ascend the stairs first, not because he was concerned that the captain would tip backward from the angle he was contorting his back so Klee could lay somewhat comfortable on him. Diluc was even grateful for Charles who distracted the room with free ale. While the barmaids opened the windows.
Unlocking the stairs to the third floor they make their way into the all too familiar apartment and rooms there. Kaeya turned to his old room. “There’s not a room prepared for guests, you’ll have to take my room.”
Kaeya didn’t look surprised, he just rubbed his hand on the door softly before following Diluc to the master bedroom. Redone to be fit Diluc more than his late father. There weren't a lot of personal touches in the room but Kaeya didn’t expect anything else from Diluc. The bed was large and grand, more space than a single person would need.
There was an awkward stretch of time before Kaeya gently sat on the bed depositing Klee softly under the sheets and blanket. Brushing her hair out of her face. She snuggles into his hand. He just smiles softly at her.
It felt like something Diluc shouldn’t be watching something very domestic about his actions and expressions.
“Listen Diluc, “ oh now he had his full attention, Klee now snuggling with Kaeya’s fluffy collar. “I’m-” he cuts himself short clearly because he doesn't know what to say. He steps forward as if bolding himself “stay the night with us. I don’t want to put you out of a bed.”
Diluc crosses his arms, it was true he wasn’t heading back to the winery tonight having already given the driver the night off. He had no reason not to relent after all the other rooms weren’t prepared as he said. He sighs, he had no choice; he didn’t want to give the staff the hassle of trying to last-minute clean a room out cause he didn’t want to share a bed. He’ll be damned if he slept on the floor of his own room.
“No funny business,” he says sternly at Kaeya who just smirks at him.
“Of course not no funny business.” he winks, yes just by the crinkle of his eye Diluc knew the other was ‘winking’. The male seemed content to make himself at home. Shucking his boots off and setting them next to the chair that sat by the nightstand, also lining Klee’s shoes up next to his. Diluc only raised an eyebrow when Kaeya took his coat off the hook and laid it in the bed above Klee’s head.
“So she doesn’t freak out when you join the bed later,” he explains, Diluc watched as Klee’s face scrunched up. Her eyes opening, looking around clearly curious, Kaeya was there to pet her head softly, whispering to her. That’s the scene he left them at.
When he arrived after closing the tavern they both were curled up with his coat over them, he just huffs at the sight before removing the coat. Hanging it back up. They didn’t need that not when he was there now. If Kaeya snuggled closer to him he wouldn’t say a thing.
Diluc awakens to movement in the bed, he looks over to see the duo scenting each other, Kaeya more or less fussing with the girl’s bed head while she continually rubs her scent over him. Kaeya laughs at her antics. Brushing her head with his fingers once more, he relents. She puffs out her cheeks in concentration.
“There!” She grins proudly “Now you smell like me” it was a bit weak because of her age but Diluc could smell her on him. “Now you’re protected from them mean Alphas”
“Yes thank you, My shining Knight Klee,” Diluc notes him scenting her quickly and subtly. A quick brush of the wrist while he gives her head a gentle pat. As he fussed with her nightgown. Subtle for her but clearly there for all. A warning.“Ok, off you go let’s get you out of here before Noelle worries.” Klee huffs at his words before hopping down onto the floor.
She turns to Diluc, “you better not hurt him! Or or or I’ll hurt you” She stumbles over her words clearly hesitant to make such a claim. After all, Klee was a good girl but she was also a protector. Kaeya had no doubts she would present as an alpha.
“Now Klee that’s not how you speak,” she just pouts up at Kaeya who also stands. Hand on his hip and what Diluc could only guess was a stern look.
“Fine, “ she relents quickly, “Please take care of big brother Kaeya” with that she goes and puts on her shoes. After she beelines for the door. Clearly, the thought of breakfast is more important than giving more shovel talk to the Alpha.
“I’ll be back,” Kaeya called over his shoulder. That was all Diluc heard before he laid back down and closed his eyes again. The homey scene felt oddly good. He honestly could go back to sleep there was no telling what time the Knight’s had decided to wake up. Properly before dawn, he didn’t bother to even check.
He shifts to accommodate the weight that is pressed into his side. He could feel the other settling in. It was a familiar situation, it brought him back to the nights Kaeya had his first heats. Where the other would sneak from his room to seek Diluc’s scent. No matter how many clothes Diluc gave for his nest Kaeya always insisted that the fresh scent was better. Diluc didn’t mind having the Omega close by his side, it put him at ease to know he was safe.
Even now it fills Diluc’s chest with this light feeling.
When he stirs, it is because he can feel Kaeya wither against him. He could feel the heat radiating from him. The smell was almost suffocating. He reaches and pets back Kaeya’s sweaty bangs.
“mmm, sorry if I woke you.” Kaeya mumbles into his side, seemed like the other was content to stay tucked into his side despite burning up. Diluc could only imagine a fraction of what he was feeling, ruts being somewhat similar to heats.
“Feeling ok ?” he mumbles, rubbing Kaeya’s back, the omega nods boldly pushing closer to him. He tangles their legs in a childish manner.
“Yes,” Kaeya says softly, seems like the omega was stated just laying there in his arms, despite Diluc being able to feel his arousal against his legs. “Just hold me”
Of course.
He says nothing as he continues to rub his back.
“Kaeya,”
“Yes” soft and airy like he was on the verge of falling back to sleep. He could feel Kaeya’s hand smooth over his pecs softly.
“You don’t have to hold back.” Kaeya shifts slowly, Diluc drops his hand carefully looking at the Omega above him.
“I’m not, I just miss the way you hold me” it was honest and smooth. Kaeya brushed the fiery red locks from his face, smiling softly down at him. “I’ve waited so long for you to hold me again.”’ He snuggles back into Diluc’s now less sleepy hold. “I’m not going to go and rush this” After all, when would he have another chance to be this close to Diluc again without the threat of being pushed and shoved away.
Diluc says nothing as he tangles their legs again and holds Kaeya closer.
He also wanted this so very badly.
So much for not holding his hand.