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

[monoceroscaeli]

[Fontaine: The technological hub of Teyvat.

For as long as anyone can remember, the country of Fontaine has always been the innovative center for the continent. High speed rail was originated here, and now spans across the entirety of Teyvat and beyond. High rises and skyscrapers pepper the skyline, modern Victorian buildings supporting a gear-like aesthetic from an era gone by. A thousand years ago, it was a much different place, but now it thrives with the bright lights and bustle of its people. One can hear the occasional street performer playing for cash, as businessmen and tourists alike walk down narrow cobblestone streets. People are buried in their phones, some take pictures as they gawk at the sights of the city, but one young man in particular walks languidly down the street, enjoying the life around him. He's in no hurry to get where he's going, as he has plenty of time to get there, noting a deli across the street from where he is now that he'll have to try.

Unfortunately, he is on business, so that'll have to wait.

Never being one to be dressed completely formal, he wears a comfortable pair of slacks and dress shoes, with a collared shirt that isn't buttoned up all the way under a grey vest. Various pieces of metal are woven into the vest, notably a crest on his right shoulder with a chain attached to it that hangs under his arm to the back. On his belt lies a Vision, glowing blue with hydro. The young man always seems friendly and easy going, but what lies underneath is something that not many are allowed to know- the heir to the family business of a company who develops tech for various products is also the right hand man of the mafia that runs the city.

And, their true business behind the scenes; creating Delusions to sell on the black market.

Today is a day where some investigating has to be done, and he's headed to see an old friend of his, from university. One that he's sure can help him with this problem he has. Entering the building, he swings in quietly to give a polite wave and a smile to the only person there.

Someone who looked exactly like their brother, whom he can only assume is the twin sister he'd yet to meet that he'd heard about.]

Hello, I was wondering if Aether was in today? I had a...business proposal for him, and I'm sure that he'd love to hear it. Unless of course, you might be of assistance instead.

Comments

[traversal]

[ lumine has to agree that dinner is a very good distraction. having to select what to eat, what to drink has kept her mind off of the vision they've had some time ago despite seeing constant reminders of it everywhere: with ajax, with the messages she's exchanged with aether, her twin brother a little concerned that she went off the grid for a bit. she supposes there's no complete escape from it, just a moment to turn away and think of something else.

she thankfully drinks responsibly that evening, not wanting to end up with a bad hangover the next day. plus the last thing she wants is for ajax to rub something in her face again, as if he wasn't drunk himself on that evening in mondstadt. still, she's managed to drink enough to get disqualified to drive.

directions to her shared apartment with aether are given (as if ajax doesn't know this, anyway), the car pulling over just outside the high-rise apartment. lumine glances out the window, closing her eyes for a bit when she feels the cool air outside kiss her cheeks. ]

This is my stop. [ she gives it a beat before she glances at ajax. ] Do you want to come in and sober up before you go home? I can make coffee for us and then kick you out after.

[ a grin tugs at her lips. ] I also promise not to vomit on you again.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He ponders it for a few moments, or at least, pretends like he is because the answer is yes, of course he'd like to come in and stay with her for a little bit. He's not so inebriated to not be able to drive, but if this is the reason she's giving to let him come in, he won't pass on it.]

I'll hold you to that promise, now. [He smirks back at her, before it breaks into a genuine smile.] Coffee sounds wonderful. Here, let me find somewhere to park.

[He drives down into the underground parking, not caring much for where he parks, as he figures he won't be here for very long if she's kicking him out after coffee. He gets out, to follow into the elevator that will take them up to her apartment, leaning against the wall as she punches in their floor.]

We'll have to go back again to that restaurant. I can't tell you why, but I think the wine tasted a little sweeter tonight.

[He looks proud of his cheesy line, though there is some truth to it. He'd had a good time with her, and he won't hide it.]

[traversal]

[ if lumine notices his attempt at trying to flirt with her using dinner, she says nothing about it. nothing new with him, really. and she's somehow learned how to brush it off or, at least, deflect it easily.

with a snort: ] You sure it wasn't because of the server we had?

[ she won't deny that she's very pretty: redhead, blue eyes, a very cute smile. too bad she's not attracted to other women, but she can at least appreciate someone pretty when she sees them.

lumine lets him into the apartment, tossing her keys into the glass bowl near the door and her cardigan and coat into the closet next to it. the hallway is pretty dark, but she easily meanders her way into the living room, lit up by the bright lights of fontaine through the huge glass windows. it's the one thing she appreciates in this huge space,
the fact that she's able to keep the lights turned off and just bask in the illumination from the city below. ]

Make yourself at home. [ she gestures at the sofa, also tossing her purse onto it before turning to the direction of the kitchen. ] How do you like your coffee? Black? Sugar and cream?

[monoceroscaeli]

[At her remark about their server, he just gives her a flat look. Please, as if that was what he was referring to at all- she should know that he had his eyes glued on her all night. She really is just like her counterpart- enjoying ruining moments.

Once they're up in her apartment, he takes his shoes off at the door, following her into her living room. The giant glass windows are a nice touch, and he really enjoys the view that this gives them of the city.]

I'm not too picky. I'll take my coffee however way you're having yours.

[Ajax doesn't make his way over to the sofa yet, choosing to walk over to the giant windows to gaze at the city of Fontaine- the night lights a sign of how alive it all was, and he takes a deep breath out at the sight. He'll stand there for a minute longer, before turning and settling on the couch for the time being.]

[traversal]

[ she did tell him to make himself at home, so he can go stand next to the window all he wants.

lumine, on the other hand, just proceeds to the kitchen to make them both coffee. admittedly, she hasn't done this in the past few days that aether has left for inazuma, not seeing any point when she's going to drink it alone. so for once after several days, aether's nespresso machine is finally put to use again.

she returns minutes later with two cups, setting them down on the coffee table. he did say that he'll take it however she's having hers, so sweetened coffee it is for him, too. ]

That's Aether's idea, you know. [ she waves at the window, which looks obnoxious sometimes. ] Something about wanting to see the sky even when he falls asleep in the living room.

[monoceroscaeli]

Haha, I can't say I fault him for his choice.

[He picks his cup up, sipping it carefully and slowly, his eyes closing to savor the flavor and scent of it.]

The night sky is a beautiful sight, even more so when you're away from the lights of the city. But, even the lights down below signify the life that thrums all around us...which, if you ask me, is equally as beautiful.

[Ajax takes a deep breath, always finding that he's appreciated simply being alive. Even more so now, after the vision they'd had earlier in the day.]

It might sound a little sappy coming from someone like me, but I've always treasured being able to look up at the night sky and know that no matter where I am, my family, and those I care for can all look up at that same snow white moon.

[He looks down into his coffee cup and smiles softly, letting the mug warm his hands as he reminisces fondly on what he has, instead of what he doesn't.]

[traversal]

[ lumine tucks her legs underneath her on the sofa, cradling her cup of coffee with two hands and closing her eyes. it's warm against her skin, the scent soothing after a rather pleasant evening. normally, she'd still be in her study at this hour, still poring through some of the paperwork she's decided to bring home.

this is nice, she thinks, to have a quiet moment like this. even in the aftermath of such a violent and terrifying vision.

and what he's said is definitely sappy, something like her twin brother would say on a quiet evening like this. maybe that's why he and aether get along, his type usually the type that would irritate her brother but somehow doesn't. it's weird but it makes sense, in a way. ]

Mm, but what if it's a full moon in Fontaine and a new moon in Snezhnaya? [ she asks him teasingly, looking up at him over the edge of her cup. ] You and your family won't be looking up at the same moon, you know. Since they won't be able to see it.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He turns to look at her, wearing an appalled expression now that she's completely rained on his sentimental parade here. But it's quickly replaced by a smile as he considers it, especially knowing who exactly he's talking to.]

Hey now, [he says, laughing quietly.] They'll still know it's there, won't they?

[Ajax nudges her playfully, taking another sip from his coffee.]

Shame on you, trying to ruin my thoughtful moment.

[traversal]

Wha—Hey!

[ lumine winces when the nudge spills some of her coffee onto her fingers and skirt, the hot liquid scalding her skin and staining the fabric. she sets her cup down on the coffee table, grabbing a few pieces of tissue paper on the side to dab on her skirt. ]

I'm just saying that they can't look up at the same moon as you if they can't see it.

[ he can't use the stars on her, either. especially when the constellations also move across the sky depending on the time of the year. ] Who would've thought a guy like you would be the sentimental type?

[monoceroscaeli]

Oh, sorry...

[He hadn't meant to nudge her quite that hard, but he is still a little loose from the wine they'd had earlier in the night. He sets his cup down to help her, but it seems she's got it, so he lets her take care of it lest he make more of a mess.]

I told you before, I'm a surprising guy. Maybe I'm not so much the predictable type like you accused me of previously.

[Ajax's eyes shine at her in the moonlight streaming through the windows, a dance of mischievousness, playfulness and confidence playing behind them. And yet, his eyes seem to soften when they gaze at her, and if he didn't know any better he could swear that he'd love for this moment in time to stretch out for as long as they could make it, his worries dissipating and his mind finally being able to relax after a stressful day.]

[traversal]

[ she's also still a little impaired from having a bit to drink that evening. otherwise, she would've easily saved her fingers and her skirt from certain accidents with coffee and hot liquids. lumine gives up after a few dabs of the tissue, however, deciding that the washer will just have to do its trick tomorrow morning. ]

One unexpected trait doesn't make you a surprising guy, please.

[ at the end of the day, his mindset is still something she can easily read, easily predict. if only she had better hindsight, though ...

lumine looks back up at him, meeting his eyes bright in the dimly lit living room. and for a moment, she finds herself lowering her eyes, unable to hold his gaze. at the very least, the darkness hides the faint colour that blooms on her cheeks, something she attributes to the alcohol she's just consumed. ]

It just means you use your head to think, sometimes.

[monoceroscaeli]

I'm flattered that you'd admit that I use my head at all.

[After all, their relationship thus far has been rocky to start, though through more visions and time spent, he feels like things may start to be smoothing out between the two of them. Admittedly, Ajax attributes some of this to the shared visions they are having, and the feelings that accompany them.

A part of him wants to ask if she's going through the same thing as him, if she's starting to feel as if she and the Lumine from the ancient past are starting to blend together.]

I suppose that means I'm finally doing something right in your eyes.

[He keeps his gaze on her, his eyes wandering down to her lips and back up again. The faint moonlight makes her look as graceful as always, but he feels as if he hasn't noticed it until just now. How she looks like a shining star in the dark, how her golden eyes shine whenever he looks at them.

She'd kill him if she knew what he was thinking.]

[traversal]

[ lumine looks up at him, an expression of regret briefly crossing her countenance for saying that out loud. now he'll have to start thinking that she considers him highly ... which, well, she doesn't think of him as a complete idiot. at least, not anymore.

sighing: ] Don't worry, you're not the only one surprised by it.

[ to be fair, it doesn't seem like his counterpart uses his brain at all times, either. so that's something they somehow share. a trait passed down through the line? who even knows.

no wonder even the other lumine feels the same way towards him. ]

What is it? You've been staring at me for a while now.

[monoceroscaeli]

Oh, aha...

[Ajax finally breaks his gaze, looking away and feeling a small flush color his cheeks. He hadn't meant to stare, he just sort of was...]

Nothing, it's nothing. Sorry. I may have just spaced out for a moment there.

[It's a lie, and an obvious one at that. He knows it, he's sure she knows it, and he curses the fact now that he's so terrible at lying. As if to try to cover it more, he reaches for his coffee once again, drinking it a little quicker and immediately regretting it due to the fact that it hadn't cooled down yet, burning his tongue a little on the way down.

Maybe she's right in her assessment that he doesn't use his brain all the time.]

[traversal]

[ it's a good thing the living room is dark, their faces barely visible in the light streaming in through the windows. otherwise she would've teased him about the colour on his cheeks; not that she was anyone different just earlier, but that's not her right now, so!

still, she lifts an eyebrow at that very obvious, very blatant lie. spacing out isn't something he does when he's not seeing a vision. she wonders if he's still inebriated. it didn't seem like he drank a lot earlier that evening, but he could be lighter than her. ]

Did you want to kiss me?

[ she picks up her cup again, smiling rather teasingly as she glances at him. ] I know I look like Lumine and all.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Her question forces him to swallow another drink of coffee a little too soon, fighting with his throat to not cough as the hot liquid goes down it. Instead, he clears his throat to try to hide that he'd nearly choked on it, taking in a deep breath before he answers her.]

Hey, that's not it at all, [he manages,] in fact it's quite the opposite. I'm perfectly capable of separating you from her, and...

[He did. He did want to kiss her, and his brain fogs up trying to move away from that fact. Damn her for being so direct with him.]

...and...

[He makes eye contact with her again, his face becoming redder. Get it together Ajax, it's not as if you haven't kissed plenty of beautiful women in the past-!]

...well, perhaps I do. Perhaps I don't. Who's to say? It's not like I've asked you if I can yet, have I?

[Inside, he knows this is a terrible, terrible way to deal with this...]

[traversal]

[ her expression is expectant as he struggles to answer her question, even in her current state of mild inebriation. perhaps she shouldn't have pushed him too much if she knew that it'd be a challenge for him. too bad, and here she thought he'd finally admit that he's actually seeing the other lumine in her.

(which is honestly the worst thing that could come out of this, archons forbid, but she's hoping that the alcohol is at least enough to cushion the blow.) ]

Oh, so you were planning on asking?

[ very terrible, she'd like to say it now. entertaining, but that doesn't make it less terrible. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

Eheheheh...

[She earns herself a nervous laugh out of him, because what does he do now? Now that he's dug this hole for himself because his lips are loose and it's his own fault that he drank enough wine to get himself in a spot of trouble now?]

Well, I...

[His hand goes up behind his head, his smile worried, because she's going to kill him. She is.]

What would happen, in this hypothetical scenario, if I did? Would you let me, or would you throw me off your balcony in disgust?

[He's giving her an out, oh archons please take it. Dig him out of his hole for him.]

[traversal]

[ digging a hole is fine as long as she's not included in falling into the hole. he can fall into his proverbial hole himself, which he seems to be digging deeper and deeper and deeper. lumine almost wonders if he realises what he's telling or asking her, if he's in his right state of mind at the moment.

... probably not, and that makes it even easier for her to tease him. ]

I mean, if it's terrible, then I might just have to throw you off the balcony. Out of, you know, the principle of the matter.

[ because his counterpart sure can kiss quite nicely in their dreams. ] But I'll have to throw you off Aether's balcony, since there's less structure and foliage in the way of your fall.

[monoceroscaeli]

See, then there...wait. Hold on one moment.

[Not only did she threaten his life, she did so on the basis of whether or not his kiss sucked or not. That was not a response he was expecting to hear, thinking that she'd give him a flat no and possibly tell him to get out of her apartment. Especially after he was kissing her in Liyue.

Was that...

...a yes?]

Just so I understand, if I meet your requirements and am satisfactory, not only will you allow me the chance, but I'll get to ensure I live to see another day, is that right?

[Because he's pretty sure that's the terms he's hearing.]

[traversal]

[ did she stutter?

honestly, though, now that he's laying out the terms and conditions of his possible and literal fall from grace, she's on the verge of backing out and telling him no, he misheard and misunderstood it. maybe she too is not in her right state of mind as he is; what a pair they make this evening. ]

You have ten seconds to make up your mind.

[ she leans over to the table to grab another tissue from the box, pressing it against the corner of her lips where she can taste a coffee that's spilled while drinking. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ten seconds??? How is this fair?

But, in that breadth of time, he immediately makes up his mind. The second she's done dabbing her mouth, he brushes her hand aside to cup her cheek properly, staring back into her eyes for only a moment before he presses in to take her into a long, deep kiss. One that he only realizes now that he'd been wanting for ever since Liyue, after he'd kissed her in that apartment.

He doesn't know if this is because he's been influenced by Childe's feelings or not, but right now he couldn't care less whether it is or isn't. The soft brush of her lips against his, the taste of coffee on her tongue; that's all he cares about, mouth moving against hers in a fervid vigor.

And in some strange way, this felt right, like home. Like he'd always kissed her, always knew what ways to express his heart to her. Like he'd done this time and time again, and now is no different save for the rushing feeling of a new lover, and yet...that isn't quite right, either.

He breaks finally, mouth agape slightly as he stares into the suns in her eyes, taking the opportunity to breathe.]

Well? Did I pass?

[traversal]

[ the hand on her cheek surprises her, as did his lips pressing against hers for a kiss. truth be told, lumine expected him to take the way out he offered her if only because of so much uncertainty between them. at the end of the day, they're themselves and not childe and lumine, and whatever childe or ajax feels towards the other lumine shouldn't apply to her.

her fingers curl around his wrist as her eyes flutter close, lips parting to respond to his kiss. she can also taste the coffee on his lips, his tongue, almost finds herself soaking in it, her heart thundering loudly in her chest, as he sweeps her through the moment. it was sweet, gentle, and more importantly, familiar. not just because they've kissed already, but because something about this feels ... right.

like this is how it's supposed to be. how it's supposed to be between them. it's unsettling and thrilling and dizzying, all at the same time.

when he slowly pulls away, she stares back at him, his eyes bright in the gloom of the living space, for a moment unable to comprehend his question. lumine gives it a beat, a soft exhale: ]

Flying colours, [ she breathes before she pulls him back in, catching his for another liplock. this time more fervent, more ardent, just more. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[She sends him into a dizzying haze that settles heavily in his mind, his eyes closing as she pulls him back in. And he responds in turn, giving her more as her lips demand, his tongue dancing with hers as they kiss again. He's never felt this way about anyone in his life, through the multiple women he's dated, kissed, been intimate with; none of it was like simply kissing Lumine in her apartment, the only light being that of the moon that shined down on them as they enjoyed each other's presence.

He really hadn't ever given anyone a flower on Windblume before, and now he understands why. None of those other girls could hold a candle to Lumine. Not even close.

A wandering hand finds her thigh, gripping into it as he's swept in their ardorous liplock, before he needs to breath and takes the opportunity to begin kissing down her neck until he finds the crook of it, nibbling lightly there. Her perfume intoxicates him further, breathing it in as he presses against her, slowly losing his mind to her, with one question on his mind.]

Should we move to the bedroom...?

[He whispers as he plants more kisses around her neck, unrelenting and asking for her to say yes. To pick her right up and put her on the bed and give her more, give her everything.]

[traversal]

[ it's becoming harder and harder to think, harder and harder to breathe. even when ajax breaks the kiss, starts trailing his lips along the line of her neck, every inhale of air hitches in her throat, causes her heart to skip a beat. his hand groping her thigh and his teeth grazing her skin draw a quiet groan from her lips, her head tilting back to allow him more license.

a part of her regrets denying this for so long, denying him for so long. after all, who knew that pleasure and satisfaction could be derived from something as simple as a kiss, a trail of fingers on her leg. even after all the guys she dated, none of them seem to know how to drive her senses up the wall unlike ajax. ]

Up the stairs, end of the hallway.

[ her fingers run through his hair, curling into the ginger strands to tug him upwards once more. her mouth hungrily catches his, his name muffled against his lips.

really, she wouldn't mind if he took her right there on the sofa. ]