insurmountable | i'm dragging a heart that weighs a ton / holding out for not just anyone

Hah.

[He's got half a mind to purposely trip her and catch her just to make a point, but she's got a very expensive bottle of wine in her hands. And he'd kind of like to drink a little more of it.]

How uncalled for, Lumine. You wound me.

[He reaches again for the wine bottle, trying to take it from her so he can have another drink. They pass through the old walls that had held up in Mondstadt for thousands of years, now passing into the city proper and walking across the bridge.]

I want some more, [he whines at her, his fingers wiggling as he tries to get it from her.] C'mon.

[ as if something like that would bruise his ego. if it would, his ego would've taken a beating already from all the quips she'd thrown his way.

lumine takes another long swig from the bottle before she hands it over to him as he requested, only for him to find it empty. she lets out a laugh when she does, sprinting across the bridge away from him, before he catches on to the joke. ]

Have some more then!

[Ajax is so drunk at this point he doesn't even notice the difference in weight. He's fully prepared to take a giant swig of the wine, bring it up to his lips, only to find that nothing comes. His face goes from a smile to complete disappointment, his jaw dropping that this short woman was able to drink so much of it so quickly.

And then, and then! She has the audacity to run away from him laughing at him! He has no idea what he's going to do with the bottle, so it's simply set down right on the bridge as he chases after her.]

You little rascal! You were supposed to share that with me!

[His legs are much longer than hers though, sprinting to catch up. It's not hard, and he throws his arms around her middle, lifting her up to stop her momentum before he sets her back on the ground again.

The wine is gone, but he has her now, and he presses his face against the side of her head, letting his mouth rest near her ear.]

Oh no, you're not going anywhere. Now, how are you going to pay me back for drinking nearly the entire bottle?

[ she lets out a yell when he catches her, another laughter bubbling up her throat at his indignation. his fault for giving her the bottle and letting her have her way with it. besides, he should've gotten each of them a bottle; that way they didn't have to share, and he didn't have to hold her responsible for missing out on the rest of the wine.

lumine unsteadily grabs at his arm when he sets her back down, closing her eyes when she feels his breath on her skin, his mouth brushing against the shell of her ear. it reminds her of something so intimate, something that felt so good ... ]

Mm, [ she hums softly in response, taking a deep breath of the cold air and tilting her head just a little against his. ] You can charge it on Aether.

[ she lets out a giggle. aether would certainly be pissed if he learns that she's charging her binge drinking on his account. ]

[As she tilts her head against his, he presses up against hers with a little motion, a heavy, content sigh on his lips. With her body pressed up against his, he finds that finding the will to let her go is beyond difficult, her warmth welcome in the night air that is steadily becoming more and more cool as time passes.]

Mmmmm... [he hums, considering her words.] I don't think he'll appreciate that too much. He's not the one who drank all the wine.

[A slow, creeping urge to turn her head and kiss her right then and there begins to rear its head, but a bump from behind as someone accidentally backs up a little too far to take a picture breaks him from those thoughts. A quick Sorry! from them brings him back to the night long enough to smile meekly back at them, releasing Lumine to give them a wave, before returning his attention to her.]

[ the sudden bump clears lumine's head for a split second as well, jostling her out of her desire to drag him back into the city and into her hotel room. that was terrible, just terrible—and while she's still admittedly tipsy, bordering on wasted, she blames her momentary lapse in judgment on the alcohol she's managed to consume in the last few hours or so.

also, the bridge across cider lake isn't very conducive for whatever their inebriated minds are currently concocting. ]

I think, [ she swallows, her throat and mouth feeling dry all of a sudden, as she watches the other tourists meander their way out of the city. ] We should get going to Windrise.

[ without any warning, however, she jumps on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. ] Go forth, Ajax!

I ag-

[He doesn't even get the chance to finish his short sentence, Lumine jumping right on his back. Instinctively, he catches her legs and hoists her up, though she can't see the completely incredulous look on his face.]

Hey now, I'm not your steed! Boy, you really are drunk, aren't you.

[He sighs with a smile, so as long as she doesn't choke him it's fine. He begins trudging towards Windrise, breathing in the cool night air as he carries her. She's really not that heavy, even with her body acting more like dead weight on him than anything.

And really, he's happy to do it. That closeness, even if it's only a piggy back ride, it soothes his nerves and brightens the night sky itself.

He huffs at her, getting a good pace going. It's only about ten more minutes of walking, so they should be there soon.]

Taking advantage of me like this. Ah, but how can I say no to you, really...

[ lumine giggles again as she buries her face in the crook of his neck, letting out a sigh. best idea ever to hitch a ride on his back, really, especially when her feet are starting to hurt from her heels and head from the all the movement she's been doing despite being drunk. next time she goes back to mondstadt, she's no longer bringing her usual shoes. ]

It's only fair, [ she sighs quietly, resting her chin on his shoulder and looking up at the clear sky. ] Since you've also taken advantage of me back in Liyue.

[ when he told her to come over, made her believe that their entry into the private penthouse was legitimate, almost got her in trouble with the law. ]

You know, we should probably just go to Windrise tomorrow. When my horse isn't drunk, it's not dark out ... [ lumine giggles again. ] When there are more people who can make sure you don't take advantage of me.

[He huffs again, enjoying how she leans against him, those adorable giggles she keeps letting out, it's hard to pretend like he isn't completely in love with her. Influence from their visions aside, it feels as if being there, held by him on his back, that's where she belongs. Right with him.]

What kind of person do you think I am, [is the retort, still acting offended by her words.] First of all, I would never think to do such a thing. Second of all, there's still plenty of people out. You might want to get your blurry, drunken vision checked.

[He's not going to turn around, as he's already halfway there from where the bridge ended. Ajax hoists her up again, to regain his grip, as they approach the giant tree.]

Look, we're almost there. Don't tell me you can't see the tree either, it's so large it should be the only thing you can see now, drunkie.

[He laughs, focus on walking slipping momentarily as he sways back and forth down the path. Not as if he's the only one, with multiple people celebrating the festival. He keeps walking until they're finally there, finally letting her down.]

[ her drunken vision is very clear, thank you very much. for another, calling her names is rather rude, especially for someone who's as inebriated as her. and it's only thanks to her drunkenness that she lets it pass, leaning against his shoulder and letting out a huff.

for a moment, she dozes off, her head nodding into the crook of his neck, soothed by his warmth and the coolness of the mondstadt air. a moment after, she quickly rouses, unsteadily getting off of his back.

the statue glows with a blue light, dim but bright in the evening setting. several people are taking pictures near the statue, and the tree. a few are trying to catch crystalflies glowing in the darkness. either way, there's a clear atmosphere of excitement and celebration, people being very carefree and merry all around.

lumine holds onto ajax's arm to balance herself just as her heels sink into the soil. somehow, looking at the anemo archon's face is sobering, like looking at someone familiar. ]

Do you want me to take you a commemorative photo in Windrise?

[Having finally arrived, he too looks up at the statue, surprised at how well it had weathered the test of time. The gold had been buffed on it at some point in time, and the power of the gods glowing with a blue aura around it as well as in the middle, the base and the ring near the top of the statue. His vision blurs as he turns his head and looks around the area, his eyes settling on a crystalfly that starts to waft towards them.]

I think a picture together would be much more desirable. Come.

[He leads her up towards the base of the statue, half because he thinks it will make for a good angle and the other half being because he's following the crystalfly that floats above them. Extending his hand, it floats down and rests on his finger. Satisfied, he bring it down in front of her face for her to look at for a moment.]

Beautiful, isn't it? Haha, hold still.

[Ajax brings the crystalfly up to her nose, and it crawls onto her, wings flapping a few times. It crawls up her face and onto her bangs, seeming to prefer to rest a little on the left hand side before settling. His phone in his hand, he turns the camera on and positions himself behind her, leaning down a little so his face is close to hers, holding the camera out in front of them.]

Ready?

[And as soon as she is, he takes the picture.]

[ the crystalfly sobers her up a bit more, blinking when he drops it on her nose. it's a little disconcerting, but she lets it crawl across her face, giggling quietly so as not to disturb it before it settles under her hair on the side. what a weird creature.

but she doesn't even get to think about it for too long, ajax already leaning in close for that photo. her face is flushed, she can tell, though she can't say if it's because of the wine or something else. in any case, lumine tilts her head just a bit closer to him, her cheek almost brushing against his, and grins. ]

Send me the photo, too? [ she asks after he takes the photo, reaching into her hair to let the crystalfly out and back into the air. ] But don't show it to Aether. He'll be mad that he wasn't included.

Ha, don't worry, I won't.

[Ajax is already tapping on his phone, sending the photo to her immediately. He takes another look at it, before showing her the picture so she can see it right away, instead of having to wait to receive the text and then getting her phone out. During the festival, with so many people on the cellphone towers all in one place, he doubts she'll get it within even the next few minutes.]

It's a beautiful picture of you.

[He says softly, smiling at her.]

Why don't we pay our respects to the Anemo Archon before we go. Then, we can either head back or hit the bars up again, haha.

[He offers his hand for her to take, so they could step up onto the base of the statue as so many in front of them have already.]

[ lumine's already feeling a little dizzy from all the excitement and the crowd, laughing when he shows her their picture. she looks terribly loopy in that picture, uncertain where he's even getting the description that it's beautiful.

she takes his hand, fingers gripping him as she takes a step on the platform. it's tricky, swaying a little from her inebriation. but she manages to place her other hand on the statue. almost immediately, she feels a strong but gentle breeze whip around her, as if the element is greeting an old friend. it seeps into her skin, settles deep within her—strange but familiar.

and one she doesn't really think of too much, her mind in a muddle of thoughts.

and with this, lumine loses her balance from this, another bubble of laughter escaping her throat, and she tips over. she hits her head against the stone pillar, everything blacking out after. ]

[He leads her over to it, and lets her press her hand against the statue first. The sudden wind startles him, and the statue itself swirls in a flash of white light that spirals upwards at her touch. Ajax's eyes widen, the sight sobering him for a moment. He'd forgotten about the vision, that Childe's Lumine could wield multiple elements, gaining their power by touching a statue.

Her laughter brings him back to, and he stumbles as he tries to catch her as she falls. He's far too drunk to get to her in time, her head hitting the pillar as she slumps to the ground. Whispers of people around him fill his ears, worrying about Lumine, and wondering what that light was. He looks around frantically, smiling sheepishly towards those who stare and quickly pick her up in his arms. He quickly checks her head- it's just a small bump there- before thinking of how to get out of there, quickly.]

I've got her, don't worry-!

[He says, hurrying off of the statue's base before running as fast as he can without tripping back to Mondstadt.

Ajax takes the shuttle, arriving closer to the Grand Goth Hotel than had he walked back with her. He looks down at her unconscious form, feeling bad about the whole ordeal. She looks so peaceful, passed out, sighing as he takes her up to his room. He has no idea where she's staying while she's here, but they can figure that out after she wakes up.

Entering his room, he lies her down on the couch of the suite he'd booked for the trip, being careful with her head as he lies her down. She might get sick, so he finds an ice bucket for her to puke in if she does, bringing it to the table next to the couch. Ajax gives her a few light shakes, softly calling to her.]

Lumine...Lumine...hey, wake up. Lumine...

[ it isn't the first time she's had a vivid dream as of late. it seems to be a recurring thing since meeting ajax, since getting involved with him. but while the dream lumine finds herself in is vivid, the faces clear and recognisable, everything else isn't and it quickly dissipates from her mind when she's roused awake.

lumine slowly sits up, her head throbbing for some reason as wine and alcohol slosh inside of her, eyes barely open. her mouth feels dry, her tongue thick and she wonders if she's still in a dream. it does feel like it, after all, everything around her bright and hazy, with only one clear face hovering over her.

she smiles at his concerned expression, laughing in amusement at how unlike him to be so dour and stern. ]

Archons, are you always this so serious? [ her hand brushes against his jaw, fingers cupping his cheek. ] I should be the one upset at you with everything you've done.

[ conning her into breaking into someone's property, involving her brother in their family business, almost getting her killed—but then, lumine finds herself drawn into him anyway. she leans in closer, closing her eyes. ]

Aether's going to be mad at you if he finds out ... [ she whispers before she presses her lips against his. ]

You..hit your head...

[He says until she cuts him off, her hand cupping around his cheek. Ajax's eyes widen, surprised at the gesture, face flushing even brighter than what the alcohol had already done to it. He's not prepared for her advance, not thinking she'd be so forward with him. His arms unconsciously snake around her, her eyes mesmerizing him in his drunken state, unable to protest or tear himself away. He stares back, breathing in heavily as her head moves in, heart pounding.

And then, she takes him in, his eyes closing as her lips connect with his. His mind blanks, and all that exists in the moment is her body against his, his hands gliding over her as he deepens the kiss, connected to her in every way. He begins to take her shirt off, lost under the power of her caress, wanting more from this. He didn't begin this night out with her with any intentions, but now that they were here, he can feel her desire driving his own forward.]

[ lumine is just as lost as him in the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulls him closer, fingers sinking into his hair. she's reminded of the other lumine, of the dreams that plagued her lately, of her conflicted feelings towards childe, and she wonders if she too has succumbed to it. allowed herself to be swept and influenced by her counterpart.

but she finds that it's a little difficult to think about it at that moment, ajax's hands chasing away every single thought she has in her mind. his fingers leave a trail of heat along her skin as he pushes her shirt off her shoulders, her body pressing itself against his touch. she can taste the dandelion wine on his lips and tongue mixed with his own.

there's something else nagging at her, however, and lumine briefly pulls away from their kiss. she's as intoxicated as ever, maybe even more, as she stares at his face and takes note of the flush on his cheeks. ]

Ajax ...

[ she shifts closer once more, eager to continue what they've started—before feelings of nausea bulldoze through conflicted feelings of affection, bile rising up her throat and out her mouth instead of words of intimacy.

and to his misfortune as well, lumine passes out once more, head leaning on his shoulder. ]

[The break in their kiss pulls a whine out from him, not done yet and not wanting to let her lips leave his own. He stares back at her, her name a breath on his lips, leaning in to meet her.]

Lumine...

[He hears it. He can hear the bubble of vomit coming, and he instinctively pulls back as she throws up all over his hoodie, the smell of dandelion wine coating the food they'd had before heading out to the bar. He looks down in disgust as she passes out, her bare skin pressing into him, and also, the mess she's just made on him. It makes him gag, the stench filling his nostrils, as he fights down the urge to throw up himself.

Oh fucking no, she did not just do this.]

Okay.

[He will not let her stay passed out, no way. He can't take care of this with her asleep on him, so he begins shaking her and calling to her once more.]

Lumine. Babe, you have to wake up. Lumine. Lumine. Wake up, I'm not taking care of this with you passed out on me. Babe. Lumine.

[ her name stirs her up once more, lumine blinking blearily at ajax as he shakes her awake. she tries to push him away, a little bit annoyed by the sudden disturbance of her sleep. it doesn't also help that her head is still throbbing from pain and there's a terrible stench surrounding her. ]

What? I want to sleep, [ she grumbles, leaning her head against him again. ] Ajax, you stink.

[ did she notice that he's sitting in a mess that she's made just a few minutes ago? not really. it's hard to think when you're drunk and in the middle of a weird dream/delusion/haze. ]

[The audacity of this woman.

He pulls a face when she tells him that he stinks, even though this is completely her fault that there's vomit all over him.]

The only reason I stink is because you threw up all over me. And, you're lying in it.

[He grabs her shoulders, pushing her away from him.]

Do not fall back asleep now. Look.

[It's all over him, it's all over her, and he needs her help to take care of this. He sighs- she's wasted, and maybe perhaps he shouldn't of bought that bottle of wine to take with them to Windrise...]

[ the push surprises her, wakes her up completely, and lumine stares at him, affronted. she doesn't completely acknowledge what he says, still feeling dizzy and disconcerted by this entire situation, before she gets up wordlessly from the couch. it's also only there that she realises that her shirt is gone, the cool air in the room sending goosebumps across her skin.

still, she doesn't say anything to ajax, simply grabbing her blouse and storming off to the bathroom. fine, she ... did vomit all over herself. and ajax. she can acknowledge that much now.

which is why she quickly sheds off her clothes, leaving them on the floor of the bathroom like a snake shedding its skin, and turns on the shower. it takes a while before the water warms up enough that it's soothing on the skin ... and lulling her sleep.

so much so that she doesn't step out of the bathroom even after 20 minutes, 30 minutes ... 45 minutes .... ]

[He doesn't get why she's getting mad at him, she's the one who threw up. He didn't drink so much that he got sick, though had he kept going he might of. He watches her go, sighing as the last view he has is her back, it's too bad he hadn't gotten to her bra before she threw up on him...

Shaking his head, he's careful to take his hoodie off, throwing it in the sink of the kitchen that was a part of the suite he'd booked for the festival. The shirt underneath is stripped too, and he tries to rinse out the vomit the best he can. He manages to get most of it off, keeping himself from gagging any more.

He changes into some pajamas, only consisting of a pair of sweatpants for the time being. He still feels like he should shower himself, but at least the puke didn't get on him, just his hoodie...

It's been a while though, the shower still on even after 45 minutes. He's been getting steadily worried about her, and walks over to knock on the door.]

Hey, Lumine, are you alright in there?

[No answer.]

Lumine?

[No answer, still.]

I'm going to come in, okay? Even if you're naked!

[No answer again. He frowns, forming a small pin-like object from his vision, the hydro in it glistening as he sticks it into the small hole in the front of the doorknob. He's grateful these knobs have a safeguard in them in case someone gets locked in, and it's a matter of seconds before he's inside the bathroom.]

Lumine? Answer me, okay?

[But when she doesn't, he pulls the curtain on the shower back- she's passed out on the floor. He gazes down on her for a moment too long, admiring all her curves, just as Childe had when they'd had their last night together before Lumine had left him for Fontaine.

Ajax shakes his head, trying to snap himself out of it, before reaching in and turning the water off. Waking her up sounds like a bad idea right about now though...

He puts the curtain back in place, sits on the floor next to the tub and reaches his hand inside to shake her awake once more.]

Lumine. Wake up...

[ lumine wakes up for the third time that evening, shivering from the cold brought about by the water drying on her skin. it has a more sobering effect on her, flinching when she presses against the ice-cold porcelain of the tub. the only warm sensation she feels is the hand on her shoulder, trying to shake her awake.

ajax's hand. right. where was she again? ]

I'm awake, [ she groans, pushing his hand away and out of the vicinity of the tub, tugging the curtain back in its place. her head hurts, though, like she's just run headlong into a truck, and it's more than enough for the dizzy spell to remain. ]

Can you pass my clothes, please? Or the towel? Whichever is closest.

[Getting up, he grabs a towel for her to start and hands it through the curtain. Unsure if she's just going to pass out again, he waits for a second to talk.]

You know, you passed out in here for quite a while. You really are a master at making me worry.

[He looks at the clothes, her blouse was fine but her skirt...]

Hey, I'll be right back with some pants for you to wear. I don't think you'll want to put your skirt back on.

[It's also covered in vomit.]

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