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noctuababy · 26 days

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sweet & silly

🌷 a kaeluc threadfic written for the "Kaeluckae Gotcha for Gaza"

“Diluc… I think I might die if I don’t kiss her right now.”

Diluc sighed upon hearing those words.

The ‘her’ in question: a kitten freshly rescued from the back alleys of Angel’s Share.

It wasn’t so much that he didn’t share Kaeya’s sentiment, but it was the third cat Barbatos dropped on their lap, so he was a little… taken aback.

Damn you Venti.

The kitten had been meowing for help, alone and shivering, before they noticed her while closing the tavern – Diluc was doing the closing; Kaeya was too busy whining about wanting kisses to be helpful.

She was small, probably weaned too early – though not by that much, since she was still agile enough to climb Diluc’s pants in search of warmth. His body tended to run hot, something that made him a choice place of rest for cats, puppies, and the Knights of Favonius’ Cavalry Captain.

Seeing as the lost baby was adamant on staying with them, Diluc had assumed she needed shelter, but before taking her, they’d still combed the city to look for her mother or a litter she could belong to. The safest place a kitten could be was with their mother, after all.

The search being unsuccessful, they had taken her to Barbara to make sure she wasn’t hurt – and get rid of fleas and other pests if need be. They already had two cats – one being another rescued stray, and the other a kitten from the litter that had convinced Jean to neuter her cat – and he didn’t want them to get sick.

And so, here was their new recruit: a grey cat with one blue eye, and one gold.

“Well, go right ahead,” Diluc said, handing the kitten to Kaeya. “She seems to enjoy physical contact.”

Kaeya did not need to be told twice. He covered the kitten with kisses on her little head, which she answered with pleased meows and purrs. Luna and Nilah, their two other cats, were not as affectionate as this little one – unless they were using Diluc as a substitute bed – so it had to be a nice change of pace for Kaeya.

A smile brushed Diluc’s lips. Though a new cat meant more to worry about – acclimation with her new environment, the reactions of their other cats, more training for his falcon so she didn’t confuse her for food, medical procedures, yet another gremlin who would either try to eat his vision or sleep on it – it was always a joyful moment to welcome a pet. He’d always loved animals, after all. And if the way she requested his arms was anything to go by, animals loved him too.

Kaeya feigned to be miffed, but he still gave her to Diluc. “Treacherous baby,” he commented with a grin as she nuzzled against Diluc’s neck. “Not that I blame her. It is quite a dreamy place to be.”

“Shush. You’re embarrassing me.”

With a chuckle, Kaeya kissed his cheek – lingering just enough to leave another, then another, before he let go. His scent – snowflowers and green tea – was so soothing, Diluc couldn’t help but lean into him, searching for the comfort of his embrace. The night had been long between impatient patrons, spilled drinks, and shouts that fused at the lamest recycled jokes. Charles’ wife had just given birth so Diluc had given him two months off, but it did mean he’d had to fill in more often – the new hire was still learning the ropes, and he didn’t like leaving her alone late at night either way.

Needless to say, he was exhausted. If the new addition to their family kept purring against him like that, he might fall asleep on the spot. Kaeya’s caresses on his back weren’t helping either.

“Hmm, she clearly loves you,” Kaeya mused. “I can relate.”

“You’re in a romantic mood.”

“I’m always romantic, unlike a certain someone. You just never catch on.”

“Should I remind you that I’m the one who proposed?”

Kaeya hummed, extending his arm to stare at his ring. “Do remind me. For example, by proposing again.”

Diluc gave him a long look. “Why don’t you get to work instead, for once?”

“Says the pillow princess.”

He gasped in outrage. “I’m not… Alright, fine, I am. But it doesn’t prove anything.”

Without further argument, Kaeya bit Diluc’s cheek, laughing like the rascal he was. While he did so, the cat pawed at his jaw, squeaking on and on. “Aww, you want hugs?” he asked in a baby voice, delicately prying her from Diluc’s arms. “There you go. Ugh, I want to eat her whole.”

In response, she rubbed her face against his chest, kneading it – and he winced as her little claws pricked his skin. “The things you do for love,” Diluc teased, because of course Kaeya wasn’t stopping her. “She might be hungry. Barbara gave us kitten formula, hold on.”

While Diluc prepared the milk, Kaeya kept the kitten busy by talking to her and agitating the ribbon of his shirt to amuse her. He told her everything she should know about Dawn Winery and the staff, about Mondstadt, about their friends. Mostly, he rambled about Diluc – who pretended he didn’t hear the obscenely sweet things Kaeya said behind his back. Something about how he was such a warm person to be around, brimming with light and kindness and whatnot.

Diluc would be lying if he said he hated it.

He returned a little while later with the milk and a wet towel to clean her up. To facilitate the feeding, Kaeya swaddled her in his arm, on her stomach, and held her head to keep her stable. She moved her paws as if wanting to knead something, but before she could grow frustrated, Diluc slid the bottle teat in her mouth, inverting the container so the milk could flow down.

She gobbled it up. Eyes closed, paws still searching to latch onto something, she emptied the bottle so fast they had to pause midway to make sure she wouldn’t throw up.

Once she was done, Diluc placed her against his shoulder, gently rubbing her back until she burped. “There, you can take her back. We should name her, since it’s unlikely we’ll find her mother.” Inwardly, he hoped she was safe, wherever she was. “I’ll look again tomorrow – and if we find her… Well, what’s one more cat after all that anyway? Or three.”

Kaeya chortled. “You’d be willing to adopt the litter and their mom just to keep this one? Must be love at first meow.”

Diluc gently stroked the kitten’s head, a smile tugging at his lips as she squeaked. He was about to melt. “Might as well be.” He nodded at her. “So, do you have any suggestions for a name?” Immediately, Kaeya beamed at him. “Not Nyaluc.”

At that, he deflated. “Just say you hate me.”

Diluc rolled his eyes. “Please, you’d be cursing her if you named her after me.”

“Cursing her with what? Unbridled strength? Beauty?” As Diluc blushed, he continued: “The inability to stay in the sun without burning?”

“Shut up.”

“Oh, so a lack of sense of humor it is.”

“Will you quit being childish and give her a proper name?” Diluc chastised. “Also, my sense of humor is just fine.”

Kaeya made a face that said otherwise, but he didn’t insist – surely sensing that he had won anyway. Then, his lips curled the way they did when he was about to tease Diluc. “How about Lucy, then? It’s neither of those. Fits all your criteria, doesn’t it?”

“A name that is totally not similar to mine.”

“It’s that or Nyaluc.”

“When did these become our only two options?”

“Do you have a better suggestion?” Kaeya challenged.

Curling up into the couch, Diluc glanced at the little bundle of energy playing in Kaeya’s arms. She seemed keen on exploring – tried to climb his arms and shoulders while Kaeya’s hands followed her movements, always ready to catch her if she fell.

Then, Diluc opened his mouth.

“Not Elysium,” Kaeya interjected. “Not Umbrae. And definitely not Echo.”

“What? How did you–”

“You tried to name our last two cats Elysium. I already said no back then.”

“But why!” Diluc whined, and he didn’t realize he was pouting until Kaeya leaned in to kiss his puckered lips. He tasted sweet. He always did. “Those are perfectly respectable names.”

“That’s exactly the issue,” Kaeya returned, shaking his head. “Cats are supposed to be named silly things like Socks or Cupcake – something that makes people laugh but in an endearing way.”

Diluc scoffed. “You want her name to be a joke.”

“Not a joke – just something cute and funny, like your face right now.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It would if you opened your mind to my genius ideas.”

“Like naming our cat Nyaluc?”

“Exactly!”

“You’re messing with me.”

“I’m serious.”

“That’s exactly why you’re messing with me.”

Kaeya grinned. "Look," he beckoned, lifting the cat so her face lined up with his. "She has my eyes, so I get dibs on naming her."

“As long as you don’t name her Tax Evasion or whatever flavor of humor you’ve subscribed to this month,” he mumbled. “Please don’t tell me you’re considering it.”

Kaeya chortled. “I’m not! I’m deadset on Nyaluc or Lucy. Who names their princess Tax Evasion? Come on. Besides, you named the last two. Can’t I name this one after the person I love the most?”

As if in agreement, the kitten meowed, purring for all to hear while Kaeya scratched her back.

Diluc couldn’t help a smile. “You love me too much.”

“You deserve it. I only wish I knew how to express it,” Kaeya replied. Then, he grinned. “Like, for example, by naming our cat Lucy.”

This time, Diluc laughed, his entire being alight with affection.

He had to admit it wasn’t too bad to be loved this fervently.

“Alright. Lucy it is.”

#kaeluc #kaeluc fics #my fics #kaeluckaegotcha

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