Chapter Text
As Kaeya made his way back to the studio, he felt more and more uneasy with every step he took. He really should have stayed home.
But he couldn't help himself. It was incredibly important to him. Durin was an idiot, there was no doubt about that. But the dark-haired one was traumatized and had never heard loving words. So it was quite understandable that he saw himself in such a bad light. But Kaeya intended to change that. He would not give up on Durin. Regardless of whether Albedo and Diluc would support him. He had worked with the black-haired man long enough that he valued their friendship more than he had realized. He was aware that Durin's feelings for him went far deeper than friendship. But he didn't want to give up on him.
Maybe it was selfish. Maybe he was selfish. He couldn't give the dragon what he wanted. He had Albedo, the love of his life. He would never be able to reciprocate Durin's feelings. And yet he believed he could save him.
Yes, it was 100% selfish.
The black-haired man sensed Kaeya's presence before he saw him. And it made him panic. He couldn't warn the blue-haired man, bound as he was. Zandik would subject him to his experiments again. He would study this egg and take it from him as soon as he was ready to lay it in the nest. And Durin wanted to go to him, wanted to warn him, wanted to prevent him from falling into Zandik's clutches again. But if he struggled against his chains now, Zandik would know that something was wrong. And he could become very demanding. Durin had nothing left to lose, but Kaeya... Kaeya had a wonderful life ahead of him, starting a family with his beloved, and his beloved brother was always there for him. Durin had none of that. No family, no kind words, no warm hugs.
But he couldn't let the blue-haired guy come back because of him. He had to do something. But what?
______________________________________________
Albedo's lungs were burning. He wasn't unathletic, but his endurance left something to be desired. He regretted a little that he had never joined the brothers on their morning jogs.
But none of that mattered. He had to hurry. Outwardly, he had played the understanding partner who supported Kaeya in all situations. But inside, he felt a deep fear. Fear of losing the blue-haired man to the clutches of the porn studio again. He had been so relieved when his lover and the egg were safely home.
However, he had not been able to stand in his way. He didn't want to see the disappointed look on his partner's face. Diluc had stared him to pieces after Kaeya had left the apartment. It had made him uncomfortable, which was why he had ultimately decided to follow the blue-haired man.
Morax's brain tingled strangely. It was as if goose bumps were forming on his organ. It was unpleasant, but bearable. He tried to concentrate on allowing the vibrations. His gut feeling told him that he could trust it.
And indeed, shortly afterwards, a soft, pleading voice came to him.
He flinched, startled, when the voice did not reach his ear, but echoed through his head as if it were coming from himself.
The words were quiet, barely intelligible. They were repeated over and over again until Morax could understand them clearly.
"Warn ... Kaeya... Zandik... Help."
The brunette dragon's eyes widened slightly.
"Durin?" he sent out telephatically, and received an approving growl in reply.
"You want me to warn Kaeya? From Zandik?"
He sent out again, receiving a faint "please" in reply.
Morax had not known that Durin could use telepathy. After all, he was only a synthetic dragon.
"Don't worry. I'll help you," he promised.
Silence fell on the other side.
After he and Ajax had escaped from the lab, they had not dared to come out of hiding for fear that Zandik's men might find them.
Ajax had been quite introverted since then. Morax sighed inwardly. Warning Kaeya meant leaving their secret hideout.
He had only just got Ajax back, he didn't want to risk losing him again. But he couldn't just let the blue-haired one run to his own doom.
With another sigh and groaning bones, Morax stood up and Ajax looked up.
"Where are you going?"
He couldn't stop his voice from sounding slightly panicked. Morax smiled, stroking the redhead's cheek gently. "Don't worry. I just have to run an errand. I'll be back soon.”
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“Stop,” croaked Wriothesley as another cold needle was inserted into his veins.
But Zandik's gaze was fixed on the swollen lower abdomen of the male test subject. He stared, fascinated, at the slight movements of the eggs, nodding from time to time and writing notes in his little notebook. A feeling as if icy water were running through his veins came over Wriothesley, and he closed his eyes, turned his head away from the sight of the satisfied-looking Zandik, and suppressed a whimper that tried to escape his lips. He could only lie there helplessly and endure this ordeal.
The leather restraints on his wrists and ankles, which bound him unyieldingly to the chair, tightened around his skin with every strong movement, cutting uncomfortably into his flesh.
He had tried several times to escape his restraints with sheer force, but Zandik had injected him with a weakening liquid that made him lethargic. But he refused to let fatigue get the better of him. However, he couldn't prevent his eyes from closing every now and then, and each time he opened them again, more time seemed to have passed than he thought. It seemed like an endless process. He wondered how Neuvillette was doing at the moment, whether he had been locked up and chained again, or perhaps even worse. No, he couldn't think like that. Any concern for the dragon would turn into physical stress, and that wasn't good for the eggs inside him.
Zandik injected a large needle directly into the black-haired man's abdomen, causing him to turn his head in shock at the sudden pressure.
“What are you doing?” He couldn't hide the panic in his voice, which made the other man grin slightly.
“Just a test,” he replied, but said nothing more. Wriothesley's fatigue suddenly returned more quickly and intensely than before, even though his heart was racing wildly.
“No, stop it,” he pleaded, his thoughts turning to his future babies.
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Kaeya had barely crossed the threshold of the building when Morax intercepted him.
“Wait, let me go,” he whispered as the earth dragon relentlessly dragged him by the arm through the winding halls of the underground network.
Kaeya looked around in surprise, unaware that the building was so spacious underneath.
“Don't resist. You're lucky no one spotted you.”
Morax grumbled to himself. Durin definitely owed him something.
But Kaeya continued to try to free himself from the brunette dragon's firm grip.
“You don't understand, I have to go to...” he began to protest, but Morax spun around and gently pushed the blue-haired man against the wall.
“No, YOU don't understand. Durin asked me to take you to safety. I don't know why, but I can't let any more people fall into Zandik's clutches. Not after I've seen what they do to ‘rejected’ humans.”
His voice broke at the end.
And Kaeya felt like a sulky child who wasn't getting his way.
Morax was right. That he had voluntarily entered this building again after everything that had happened bordered on suicidal tendencies.
He lowered his gaze in shame.
“I'm sorry. You suffer just as much under Zandik's dictatorship as we humans who work here.”
Morax seemed truly desperate to make his point clear, as his state of mind even affected his voice.
And yet Kaeya knew only that he would not leave without Durin.
“But I cannot abandon Durin to his fate. It may be selfish, but I cannot live with a clear conscience if he continues to live in captivity.”
The blue-haired man's stubbornness made Morax snort in annoyance.
“If you plan to throw yourself to Zandik, I won't stop you. But then I won't save you either.”
Kaeya gave a sad smile. “I understand that. And you don't need to save me either. I can take care of myself.”
Morax didn't seem so sure, but he didn't argue.
All that mattered to him was Ajax, and he was safe.
Morax had discovered the underground cave decades ago and had repeatedly brought things there unnoticed to create a cozy nest for himself. It had been more instinctive than him thinking about potential future partners. And today he was glad that his instincts had prepared him so well. That way, he was able to quickly bring Ajax to safety. Which took a huge weight off his shoulders.
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Neuvillette was torn. On the one hand, he was relieved to see that his uncle Scylla, who had been missing for decades, was alive and well. But he was repulsed by what Zandik demanded of them, that Scylla simply bow to his will. Even after the tyrannical Turquoise-haired man had left the room, taking Wriothesley with him, Neuvillette hadn't moved an inch. Neither toward Scylla nor away from him. He didn't know what to do. The urge to check on the black-haired man was also overwhelming.
Scylla had settled cross-legged on the floor, his eyes closed, his breathing calm, almost as if he were in a meditative state.
But Neuvillette didn't trust the calm. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, his muscles were tense, his breathing was rapid, his heart was pounding wildly.
Fear and uncertainty mixed with anger raged in his stomach. He didn't take his eyes off Scylla. And as if the white-haired man had been waiting for just that, he opened his eyes, his pupils fixed on Neuvillette, and took a deep breath.
“I think I can stop now.”
…
Neuvillette gave a puzzled look.
“Pardon?”
Scylla sighed.
"Don't worry. I don't intend to copulate with you. I only said that to mislead that man.
You are my nephew, I could never engage in physical intimacy with a family member. Except for a hug, perhaps."
And he spread his arms, and Neuvillette wanted to cry.
He was so relieved and more than happy to finally see his uncle again that he threw himself into the embrace and sobbed uncontrollably into the older man's shoulder. All that grief and anger slowly faded away, while he snuggled close with his favorite uncle.
Scylla gently stroked his head, humming softly an old Remurian ballad, which slowly calmed the younger man.
“I'm so glad it was all just an act. For a moment there, I had given up all hope.”
Although Neuvillette mumbled into the older man's shirt, he understood every word.
“I know, but your reaction was just right, it made it seem real. Although I suppose it was real for you.”
Neuvillette chuckled softly.
“It was. But I understand what you mean. If I had been in on it, I would have had to act too, which is tantamount to lying, and we both know that's not my strong suit.”
The statement made Scylla laugh.
And Neuvillette added:
"And yet, it won't work for long. Zandik has equipped everything in this building with surveillance cameras. Even after the destruction some time ago, he made sure that they still work perfectly.”
Scylla gave a quick nod.
“I see. Then we'll have to come up with a new way to get out of this soon.”
Neuvillette nodded in agreement, but sensed uncertainty growing in him.
Scylla sighed.
“The young man who was dragged away earlier, is he your mate?”
And Neuvillette blushed at the thought.
“No, he's not my mate. He is... was my film partner. But I won't let Zandik take him away from me.”
Scylla smiled proudly.
“That’s my nephew. Strong and unshakeable. I sensed a hydro deposit in him... is he...?”
And Neuvillette covered his increasingly flushed face with his hands.
“Yes, he's carrying our offspring, which was forbidden by contract, so Zandik took him in. He'll experiment on him and take our eggs away from us. I won't forgive him if anything happens to our babies.”
Scylla laughed loudly.
“What a transformation. From shy and awkward to vengeful.”
But Neuvillette was determined to free Wriothesley from the clutches of the Turquoise-haired man. And he would free Vautrin as well.
“Let's make a plan,” Neuvillette demanded, and Scylla couldn't be prouder.
______________________
Albedo was panting heavily when he finally arrived at the studio. There was no sign of Kaeya anywhere.
“Damn,” he cursed, and bravely entered the lion's den.
The blond felt like he was being watched as soon as he stepped over the threshold and looked around uncertainly.
“Kaeya,” he shouted-whispered, hoping that the blue-haired man was nearby and could hear him.
But instead of the love of his life, a man appeared who gave him goosebumps. The man grinned broadly, his turquoise hair glowing in the light of the hall, almost like a warning signal. And in Albedo's brain, every warning signal he could imagine popped up.
“Well, well, a familiar face.”
It was a voice that promised trouble.
Albedo shuddered. Even without having seen him before, he knew this man had to be Zandik. Kaeya hadn't exaggerated in his stories.
Every cell in Albedo's body resisted speaking a single word to this man, but he couldn't leave without knowing where the blue-haired man was.
Still... what if Zandik hadn't discovered Kaeya yet? Albedo couldn't risk his beloved being discovered.
He looked at Zandik with wide eyes, and while he was still searching for an excuse, the turquoise-haired man had already figured him out.
“You're the dragon who lived undetected until now, who impregnated the one-eyed one with his egg.”
And the blond froze, caught red-handed.
How did he know?
“Nice to finally meet you. I was wondering when you would do me the honor.” Zandik's grin took on a maniacal look.
A door slammed shut in the distance, Albedo flinched, and he realized he had fallen into Zandik's trap.
His pupils darted around in panic, searching for an escape route.
In his head, he berated himself for being so careless.
“I'm afraid now that you've so willingly entered my facility, I can't let you leave without exploring your essence.”
“No, wait, you can't... I, I... I'm not what you think I am.” But his helplessness only seemed to delight the turquoise-haired man.
And as if by magic, a figure entered the room. No one had heard or seen her coming. She stepped out of the shadows suddenly, and Zandik's eyes widened. He took a step back and bowed his head respectfully.
“Madame Rhinedottir, what a surprise.” His tone was suddenly humble and a little shaky.
Albedo spun around.
“Now, now, please, there's no need to bow.”
“Mother?”
Zandik's eyebrow shot up.
“Oh, my dear, what are you doing here?” Rhinedottir asked in a smug voice, and Zandik grimaced.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Albedo shot back excitedly.
A dark premonition made itself felt.
“Oh, my dear Albedo, I didn't want you to find out this way,” Rhinedottir evaded him, and Zandik rolled his eyes.
“My goodness, you call her mother and don't know that she founded this studio?”
“WHAT?” Albedo exclaimed in disbelief, taking a fearful step back.
“All this time Kaeya has been suffering, and you're the reason? You know we are a couple. And you didn’t even think to tell me that when you explained my origins to me?”
He could hardly believe it.
And as if that weren't bad enough, an equally agitated Kaeya came rushing around the corner, having heard his lover's panicked voice.
A silent stare ensued between all parties, everyone's nerves stretched to breaking point.
And just at that moment, the front door burst open with a crash, a whirlwind swept in and circled everyone present.
A second later, Venti flew through the entrance, an angry expression on his face. He still had the face of his beloved Dvalin in mind, as he made his entrance, thinking of the pain and agony his “Storm” endured.
“Zandik, your end is near,” he cried dramatically, only to be ridiculed by a female voice shortly thereafter.
“As if a dwarf like you could take on a knight as glorious as Zandik.”
Rosalyne threw back her blonde mane, her red lips curled smugly as she rounded the corner. She always seemed to appear as soon as Venti entered a room.
And Venti burst out laughing.
“Glorious knight? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? A mad scientist at best,” he sneered, and Rosalyne flushed red with rage.
“How dare you,” she snorted, and was about to lunge at him when Rhinedottir stepped in between them.
“Please, please, let's talk about everything calmly.”
But Albedo had had enough, to say the least.
He felt like he was being made fun of.
“Come on, Kaeya, let's go.”
His tone brooked no argument, but the blue-haired man resisted the blond man's hand.
“I can't...” he began to argue, which elicited a loud laugh from Zandik.
“You don't need to bother. Durin will not leave this building under my leadership,” and as Kaeya's eyes widened in surprise, he added, “yes, I know why you're here.”
The blue-haired man took a step toward Zandik.
“Let him go. You've tortured him long enough. He deserves peace and freedom.”
Rosalyne snorted. “What a drama,” she sighed, not bothering to roll her eyes subtly.
Rhinedottir sighed resignedly.
“I guess it's too late to apologize?”
Albedo snorted.
“I don't know why you thought it would be a good idea to start this studio and turn dragons into sex objects, but let me tell you, I'm done with you here and now. It's unacceptable.”
She sighed, her blue eyes darting back and forth between Kaeya and Albedo, then resting for a moment on the blue-haired man's abdomen.
“Well, I guess there's nothing we can do about that. But why I'm actually here,” she began theatrically, turning her attention to Zandik.
“I've been doing some research and found out something about this hydro dragon... what was his name again? Nauvinette? No, Neville, ah no... Nuvillette.”
Zandik sighed quietly.
Rhinedottir was his boss, but he felt a little sorry for her because of her rapid memory loss. It must be a consequence of her long life.
“His name is Neuvillette,” he helped her out, and Rhinedottir's thoughtful expression brightened.
“Yes, exactly, Neuvillette. I found out that he was born under special circumstances.”
Zandik exhaled in annoyance.
“Get to the point.”
“He is the reincarnation of an ancient species, a very powerful species. Does the term ‘7 Sovereigns’ mean anything to you?”
“Oh my God, is that really true?”
Rhinedottir sighed but nodded in agreement.
“I've heard about it, but I didn't know they still existed.”
Albedo thought that it must be quite unexpected news if even Zandik reacted with surprise.
“Neuvillette is a reincarnation, but at least as powerful as his predecessor. I've heard of a sovereign in Sumeru, but I haven't been able to verify the truth of it yet,” Rhinedottir explained earnestly.
Zandik rubbed his hands together with glee, full of anticipation. But one look at his boss's face made him pale a little.
“You don't look very happy about this,” he remarked, and Rhinedottir shook her head.
“Do you know what this means for Neuvillette?”
Zandik shrugged.
And Albedo sucked in his breath sharply, realizing what his “mother” meant.
“He's too dangerous for us. If he unleashes his full power, it would be devastating for us.”
Zandik let the words sink in for a moment before asking, “And what do you suggest?”
Rhinedottir looked at him seriously.
“We have to kill him.”