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

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.]

[ 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.

[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...]

[ 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. ]

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.]

[ 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.

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.]

[ 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. ]

[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?

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[Ajax's mouth drops open when she tugs him upwards, a needy murmur bubbling up out of his throat when she does so. He needn't be told twice, scooping her up as he continues to kiss her, finding the stairs and heading up towards her bedroom as quickly as possible. Even in the dark, he's able to see well enough due to the excellent tastes of her brother and having windows in their apartment, opening the door and depositing her upon the bed.

And, he crawls onto her, to continue their heated kiss, and so he can begin to slowly put her in the mood layer by layer as her clothes, and his, are taken off.

It was a night like none other. Every nook and cranny of her body was known to him, like old friend, a previous lover, something he knew like the back of his hand. Ajax spares no effort in making her squirm in delight all night, and it seems she too, knows every spot on his body to make him elicit moans he never knew could come from him.

The sunlight the next morning wakes him, and his eyes flutter open, but he relaxes nonetheless. The warmth from her back soothes him, and he lets his head fall into the crook of her neck to take her in, feeling rested and satisfied.]

Lumine, [he coos softly.] Are you awake?

[ it's the first night in a very long while that she's slept deeply, soundly with no dreams to plague her. she can chalk it up to exhaustion, ajax keeping her up all night, but there's also that sense of comfort, of respite that lumine's able to simply rest and relax without any worries at all. it's strange, to have someone in her bed other than aether on days that he's being clingy, but it's also something very familiar to have a warm body pressed against her under the sheets, soothing even.

still, the sunlight filtering through the curtains stirs her to wakefulness, as does ajax when he moves in closer to her. she wonders what time it is, debates on checking the clock on her nightstand. lumine decides against it and shifts in place, closing her eyes again to try and go back to sleep. ]

No, [ she replies sleepily, squirming when his hair tickles her neck. ] I'm still asleep.

[ not convincing, she knows, but she hopes that would keep him from bothering her further. she'd normally get up already, but every single of her body feels sore, so sue her. ]

[He chuckles quietly, of course, she's still asleep with how she clearly responds to his question. He wonders what would rouse her from the bed, even though he's completely content with his arm draped over her, his hand on her stomach as he presses himself to her back. A light kiss is planted to the back of her neck, and he's got an idea. It might work. It might not. It won't matter either way.]

If I made you breakfast, would you get up?

[To either stop him or sit up and eat, at the very least.]

[ tempting, but not tempting enough sadly.

though she supposes she can make some concessions here and there. not all the time, however, lest ajax gets too spoiled. better keep him leashed and reined in like this than acting like a spoiled kid all over. lumine keeps her eyes closed, burying her face further into her pillow. ]

It depends, [ she huffs, her voice muffled by the cushion. ] Is it breakfast in bed or do I have to go downstairs?

[ he needs to choose wisely. there's only one correct answer there. ]

[Considering it for a second, he's willing to bet she has no want to get out of bed quite yet. His hand slides down from her stomach up onto the side of her leg, letting it brush over the skin of her hip and back again.]

If you tell me where your trays are, I can bring it to you up here if you'd like. Milk, juice, or coffee?

[He breathes it quietly into the shell of her ear, smiling as he does so. She's not being demanding, but he knows better than to make a misstep here. It's cute, in its own way, and he's more than happy to do it for her.]

[ lumine shivers uncontrollably at his touch, at the warm, tickling sensation on the shell of her ear, wrinkling her nose and frowning with her eyes closed. with a quiet whine, she turns just a bit to look at him over her shoulder, sleepy exasperation settling on her expression. he's honestly being a pest right now. ]

Surprise me, Ajax.

[ so she doesn't have to answer. also, everything's in the kitchen, please. he can go rummage that place for whatever he needs. ]

Hahaha, alright.

[He grins at her- that was a face, and it's amusing even this early in the morning. He squeezes her hip once before he gets up, finding his clothes that had been thrown to the floor at some point in the night. Pulling on his underwear and pants at least, he exits the room to go rummage around in their kitchen.

It's sometime later that he returns, having found the trays he was looking for despite the fact that she hadn't told him where they were. He brings hers first, walking back into the room with pancakes, bacon and eggs with coffee and milk for her.]

I hope you didn't fall back asleep.

[He rounds to her side of the bed, waiting for her.]

[ unfortunately for him, she did doze off once more, falling asleep almost immediately when he stepped out of the room. without ajax, the sheets next to her feel cooler to the touch, more comfortable for someone like her who prefers lower temperatures. lumine only stirs again when she feels the mattress underneath her shift, a weight pressed on her side of the bed.

she blearily looks at him, trying to blink the sleep out of her eyes. it's not too successful when she's practically squinting in the sunlight, adjusting her sight. ]

I didn't fall asleep. [ and yet she remains in bed, head resting on a pillow. ] Not when I can hear you moving around downstairs. You were pretty noisy.

[ lumine gives it a beat, still not sitting up on the bed. ] What did you make?

[He sets the tray in his lap, taking the plate and showing her what he's made.]

Pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I would have made sausage too but I wasn't sure if we'd eat it all.

[He sets it back on the tray, looking at her expectantly.]

I brought butter and syrup for you too, as well as milk and coffee. Sit up, I think you'll enjoy it.

[ ... maybe she should've asked for a more unreasonable breakfast to give herself a bit more time to sleep in and lounge in bed. in any case, lumine slowly tries to sit up with a sigh, tugging the blanket to wrap it around her naked body, groaning quietly when she has to move her sore muscles. ]

That's a good call, [ she replies to his remark about the sausages, reaching out for the fork. ] I doubt we'll be able to finish all this, either.

[ she's not used to eating breakfast, after all. if only because she does prefer to go to work early and she can just grab something to eat if she does get hungry halfway through the morning.

lumine takes a small forkful of pancakes into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. ]

Don't you have work today?

[Before he answers her question, he goes out into the hall to grab the other tray he'd prepared for himself, sitting as close to her as possible towards the end of the bed. He sets that tray in his lap, sitting further towards the center for better balance, and begins to eat himself.]

Mmmmmhmmm. [He says through his own bite of pancakes.] But I have the privilege of setting my own hours. No one blinks an eye if I walk in a few hours late. I don't have any appointments set for today, so I can take all the time I need.

[He hasn't gotten a phone call yet, so obviously everyone at the office is fine.]

They've gotten used to it. Sometimes my job demands my time at night, so I'm sure they've just assumed that's the case today.

[ appointments ... lumine presses her lips together as she poke at the egg yolk, letting it explode and ooze out on the plate.

right. she should probably check her phone if there are any messages, emails or meetings that she needs to attend and address for that day. if it's urgent, though, then she would've no doubt received a call about it already, but seeing that they're leaving alone for once ... then again, she could always have her assistant bring over the paperwork she needs to handle for the day. ]

You shouldn't slack off too much.

[ because setting his own hours, walking in whenever he wants to—all of those count as slacking off. even if it does merit him for a bit. ]

Hahaha, [he can't help but laugh, not surprised that she'd think he was slacking off. On the contrary, really.]

I don't slack off too much. I take extended lunches every now and again, but I assure you all my work is meticulously finished every day. Even if I show up late. I'll stay late if I have to.

[Really, that's just how he is- he knows exactly how much time he needs and finishes his projects, no matter what they are, with a surgical expertise.]

So don't worry too much about me. Who's going to fire me, anyway?

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