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

[ lumine gives him an exasperated look, quickly releasing his wrist and pulling away. ]

It's not that I can't, Ajax. It's that I don't want to.

[ using her powers on him is one thing; there's less emotion tied to it, less physical contact. any hurt that she's inflicted on him was caused by her powers, not her. but it feels different when she has her hands on him, twisting his wrist as he once did with her. she knows what it feels like.

she sighs under her breath, curling her fingers around the hem of her camisole. ]

... Maybe we should figure something out instead.

[Having trained his entire life in martial arts and weaponry, he's not sure how she could throw a deadly whirlwind at him but yet can't twist his arm around a little bit. It's a little beyond his understanding, since he's able to detach his emotions from fighting outside of having fun with it. But he's not going to try to argue that point with her- if she doesn't want to do it, then he's not going to force her.]

I didn't realize how opposed you were to this. If you'd prefer, we can concentrate on your elemental powers instead. It seems you're more comfortable with that anyhow.

[He supposes there's nothing wrong with trying to master one thing at a time rather than having her dip her toes into multiple things.]

What, it wasn't obvious enough?

[ the fact that she's been skirting and deflecting this topic since he's raised it back in snezhnaya should've been telling already. her reluctance was just as palpable too when he had handed her a gun. so she can't believe he's saying this now.

did she really seem like someone who's into hurting people? lumine presses her lips to a thin line, rolling her eyes and glancing away from him. ]

Anyway, I don't think the gods would get into fist fights and scuffles. They didn't seem like the type ... last time.

The gods, no. But the people they would send after us would.

[He's not sure why the gods haven't come after them themselves yet. Maybe they're not in a hurry. Or maybe they're not a problem yet.]

Anyway, anemo seems to be the element you struggle with the most. Want to work on that some more? Getting that to become second nature will be more than helpful. Though...when did you become so well versed in hydro, I wonder?

[He raises an eyebrow at her, wondering when she'd gone to one of the statues here in Fontaine. How long has she been hiding that from him?]

[ she's not going to question the motives and actions of the gods, really. if anything, it's to their advantage that they're personally not making a move yet. but still, lumine's disappointed that whatever protection ajax has decided to grant from his family is a bit ... lackluster. so much for being one of the most powerful families in teyvat, she supposes.

in any case, she shrugs at his question. she doesn't know either why she's far too familiar with that element when she's had a cryo vision for so long. ]

Natural talent, I guess. How long did it take you to become well-versed in it?

[ is that a challenging question? that's definitely a challenging question. ]

[He wishes he could rise to the occasion on the challenge. Instead, his eyes soften, as he walks up to her and reaches into the pocket of his sweatpants, his vision in his hand.]

...I don't know.

[He flips it over in his hand, revealing the red plate inside of the back of it, a different symbol on the glass that resides against the hydro orb. His delusion, crackling with the electro element. He flips it again in his hand, thinking back.]

I've always had this, ever since I was born. My parents said I used to act strange when they took it away from me, so I've never been without it. I've gotten into plenty of trouble with it too, [he says, as he grins and laughs,] but the exact time I could ever say I was 'well-versed' in it is something I can't remember. Perhaps it's something I've always been well-versed in.

[It gets slipped back into his pocket, a tired smile on his face now.]

I always used to think I was lucky, but now...I think I was always meant to have it.

[At that thought, he feels like there's something just over the edge of the horizon that's waiting to be discovered, but he doesn't think about it too hard right now.]

Maybe just like I think you were always meant to be skilled with your own powers.

[ lumine frowns at the sight of his delusion, feeling a sharp pain lance through her head. it disappears quickly, leaving nothing in its wake.

it's not surprising that he's gotten into trouble with his vision. he seems like the type of kid who would inflict headaches for the sake of inflicting headaches, who would revel in the madness and chaos he metes out. she almost felt bad towards his mother who probably had to rein him in like a bucking wild horse. ]

It's not my power, [ she sighs, hating that she left her vision behind with her skirt. ] ... Hopefully, after all of this, I can just give it all back.

[ she wants her life to go back to normalcy. because this? isn't normal at all. ]

[Something in his gut tells him that she's not going to be able to give any of that power back, so he just gives her a warm smile instead. His fingers slip under her chin, lifting her head up to look at him- he wants to help lighten the thought of this burden, his next words playful.]

Cheer up, Lumine. Aren't you kind of like a superhero now? It's like you're taking on the role of the heroine in some of my favorite stories.

[He laughs, purposely acting a little childish.]

And you're teaming up with the handsome heir to the biggest tech giant on the planet, who's dark and shady dealings with the underground lead to some perilous situations that they both have to work through. That's pretty interesting, isn't it?

[ you know, he had her at the start—

only for him to follow up with that stupid comment, lumine's expression twisting at his self-indulgent preening and quickly turning flat and deadpan. if she was given a single mora every time she had to roll her eyes at exasperation towards ajax, she'd be as rich as him by now. she really should start charging him. ]

Handsome heir? [ she snorts, unable to hold back another eyeroll. archons.

her brother would've loved to hear this, if only because aether hasn't heard a really good joke lately and had been fussy as hell. ] Where is this handsome heir you're talking about? I only see you.

[He only grins devilishly back at her, his other arm slipping behind her to pull her into him. That was the eyeroll he'd been looking for, pleased with the result- and his fingers brush up her jawline, to let his hand cup her cheek as he looks down at her.]

Oh, surely you don't mean that, Lumine. It's common knowledge that I'm the heir to the company. Why would you say that I'm not?

[His eyes lock with hers, wide and amused, finding himself always enjoying these little back and forths with her. Though now, it means more to him, and he can feel a warmth spread in his chest as he holds her, waiting for her comeback- and it doesn't feel like something that's being pushed on him for a change, maybe because he'd fought that off earlier, and he's being given his own personal space to be with her this time.]

[ she doesn't refute his words, at least those regarding his position in his father's company. like he said, it's common knowledge, after all, especially to those in their industry even if she's never once met him before. and she's not about to argue over the volkov's current organisation chart, meeting anatoli aside. not her business.

what she does want to refute is a whole other thing.

her lips pull to a thin line when he tugs her closer, stifling a quiet gasp. along with it, she pushes down any attempt of heat rising to her cheeks or urge to pull him closer, dismissing the familiar, nagging voice at the back of her head. ]

It's the handsome part I have problems with, [ she keeps her voice even as she stares back at him, expression still deadpan. ] It's not very accurate.

Charming, then?

[He cranes his head downward, to press it against her own, still smiling like he's got something up his sleeve. His fingers manage to catch some of the strands of her hair, index finger twirling them around it. Would she push him away? He's not sure, but the unknown and the excitement of this is exhilarating nonetheless.]

Or perhaps, alluring might be the right word. But, that's up to you.

[He bats his eyelashes once at her, playing it off as if he were merely blinking, that grin ongoing to egg her on to react.]

[ she doesn't move—or more like, her body doesn't want to, pulse quickening while rooted on the spot as he continues to tease and egg her into responding the way he wants her to. which, unfortunately, she seems to be more than willing to play into, traitorous to her own mind. how terribly frustrating, if not horribly one-sided. ]

More like irreverent, [ lumine replies, her gaze flickering from his eyes to his mouth before meeting his stare once more. ] Exasperating, presumptuous, lippy ...

[ and a million other words that pretty much mean the same thing: insolent. though she supposes, as the underworld boss's son, he easily gets away with it just as he easily gets away with murder. ]

Brat.

[With each insult, he moves his face just that much closer to hers. Leans down inch by inch, so by the time she lands on brat, his mouth is so dangerously close to hers he might as well of pressed it up against hers.]

I won't deny these things, [he breathes, his eyes heavily lidded now as he gazes into her eyes.]

How well you've gotten to know me over such a short period of time. I'm impressed.

[Not as if he's tried to hide these things from her, knowing that he's genuine with the people he considers himself close to...is she not in that category now?]

[ if aether were here, he'd be getting into a fight with ajax again. but as it stands, he's not, so lumine's left to fend for herself against his advances, something that she hasn't actively avoided so far and is still isn't actively avoiding. honestly, if there's anyone aether should be fighting and scolding, it should be her—or, well, her long-dead counterpart.

because it would've been easy for her to move away, to duck swiftly or to put her hands on his face and push him away. but she doesn't do any of those, staying put where he keeps her pulled in. ]

I told you guys like you are easy to read, [ she murmurs quietly, tilting her head just a fraction defiantly, close but still not close enough. if he thinks she can't play the same game as he does, then he needs to think again.

... even if it's slowly getting difficult to think, to keep her thoughts coherent and in line when every word he utters and each air he exhales brushes against her lips, each one a kiss on its own. ]

Is this part of your lessons for today?

[The defiance and teasing from her excites him still, but if that's the way they're going, he'd love to play this game with her, to see who holds out in the end. They're both stubborn in their own respects, but somehow, he feels like he's going to lose...]

I'd like to think of it as extra credit, given you've exceeded all my expectations.

[He's not exaggerating either- she'd knocked him against the wall and demonstrated the ability to wield three elements. To him, that's an incredible feat and something that he strangely finds absolutely alluring about her. Like he'd love to fight her at her full strength, just to test his own against it.]

Who knew I'd meet a woman like you that so easily turns my entire world upside down. But, I suppose that's just part of your charm...

[His head tilts a little more, but still doesn't press in, letting his lips tease the air around her own. It's hard not to fall into her, to close that small gap between. His mind is slowly beginning to cloud, but he exercises some modicum of restraint against it, because he's having too much fun. He dare not look at her lips though, for he'd surely lose this little match they're having.]

[ there's that eyeroll again, and she's almost tempted to ask him right there and then to pay her for it. then again, she's pretty sure he'd just whip out his wallet and indulge her.

still, this little game of chicken is proving to be rather maddening in more ways than one. he's obviously not one to simply let this go and have her win, and she's too stubborn to swallow her pride and take a step back. lumine knows there's regret and i-told-you-sos at the end of this later on, but her mind is currently distracted, unable to seemingly process even one single logical thought. he'll be her eventual downfall, she can tell. ]

It's unintentional, believe me. Either that, or you're being delusional. After all, there's nothing more that I want than to keep your world upright and in order.

[ if only to ensure that his attention doesn't fall on her. not that she's very successful in that regard, much to her utter dismay. ]

And on the contrary, you're the one driving me up the wall.

[Her words cause his eyes to flash mischievously, and it's difficult to keep an amused chuckle inside because he's not sure if she's completely aware of how she's chosen to phrase her statement. He perfectly understands what she means here, but Ajax chooses to interpret it a different way, giving the tilt of his head more of a sharper angle just to drive the point home.]

I'm flattered that you'd do that for me. But don't worry, the feeling is mutual- you seem to drive me up the wall, too.

[He grins, he means that in the most romantic way possible of course, head tilting even more, to give her full access to him...]

[ romantic, her ass.

lumine sputters at that retort, in total disbelief of what he just said. it's bait, it's definitely bait. either that, or he's an idiot, and he took the context of her words in the opposite direction and ran with it. but she's pretty sure it's bait, an attempt of his to get a rise out of her, something that he's getting better at.

and much to her dismay, it's quite effective, her cheeks turning bright red at the implication and at the way his face tilts closer and closer until there's barely any gap left. damn him, damn him to the deepest abyss—and damn lumine and her feelings towards childe that makes all of this so complicated. ]

Just "seem"? [ she huffs in response, a strangled sound leaving her throat, her mind slowly clouding over. ] Looks like I have to try harder until I've driven you insane. Maybe that will get you out of my hair and into a psychiatric ward.

[ her fingers curl into his shirt just as she brushes her lips against his. deliberate, and yet nothing close to a real kiss, the sensation fleeting and short-lived. ]

[There is an endless amount of fun to be had here, the way her face blushes such a bright red, his own blood rushing into his cheeks to match. Surely, by now, he thought she'd turn him away, but she's not. Instead, the way she brushes her lips against his, teasing him, pulling his mind to her, intoxicating how she has this effect on him. He can almost hear Childe in the back of his head, chuckling at the two of them and their behavior, like he'd called it and is just watching them play this scenario out the way he expected it to go.

But he drowns that voice out, Ajax's attention turned fully to her, his mind now completely clouded over. That fog was her, enveloping him, and he had no desire to find his way out.

Only to get lost further in it.]

There's only one way to find out, isn't there, [he whispers, letting his top lip come to touch her own lightly, resting there as an invitation for her to join their lips together.]

[ there's something on the tip of her tongue, a provocation of sorts—or really, a simple statement or declaration, a way of calling him out. but his mouth on hers, even if it's there like it's an afterthought and nothing more, is keeping her from lashing out at him. almost as if he knows what she's about to do next.

then again, there are always ways to pull the rug from underneath him. ways to force his hand into losing to her, into giving in first. aether didn't leave the company in her hands for no reason. ]

Hm? [ her gaze flicker, eyelashes sweeping the curve of her cheeks. he's so close that she can feel his breath on her lips, the warmth of his skin. ] What's wrong? I don't see you trying to find out. Don't tell me you're scared.

[ she shifts her lips, mouth parting just a little, as her eyes lift to meet his gaze again defiantly. again, it's nothing more than a taunt, blood to pique the interest of the shark. bring it on, volkov. ]

[Challenge accepted.

It's obvious what she's doing here, and he'd be lying if he didn't find it drawing himself to her even moreso than he already is. The corners of his lips tug up into an amused grin, his mouth opening to match her own as he keeps his gaze locked onto her.]

Interesting...I thought you were the one who was going to drive me to the insane asylum to get me out of your hair.

[The hand he has around her waist snakes down, teasing her lower back. His fingers brush dangerously above her butt, now letting his lower lip touch hers, his words brushing across her lips as he continues to speak.]

Now it's my responsibility? That hardly seems fair.

Edited 2022-06-09 00:57 (UTC)

[ ... maybe, just maybe, she should drive over to the mental institute and check in herself instead. she does think she might be able to finally find peace and quiet there, enough time for her to work without any disturbance from ajax, aether or anyone else. wouldn't that be a treat for her?

lumine averts her gaze for a moment, her eyes shifting when she feels his hand trail down her back, the heat of his touch discernable through the thin fabric of her camisole. ]

Looks like I'll have to add that to the list of descriptors. Irresponsible.

[ the hand on his shirt crawls up, fingers finding purchase on the crook of his neck and shoulder and curling into the ginger hair tickling her fingertips. her head tilts just a little and her eyes flutter, almost as if she's about to kiss him—only for her to simply laugh. ]

Is this supposed to be one of the traits of someone inheriting his father's empire?

[What a tease, he almost closed his eyes to take her in, but she laughs and uses his own weapon against him as their lips continue to brush as they taunt each other. He won't give in just yet, his hips beginning to sway back and forth, putting the both of them into a steady rhythm of their bodies moving together.

The hand on his neck certainly isn't helping him, like she could tug on it once and he'd obey her.]

I think you're mistaken. I complete all of my duties with meticulousness when I see to it personally.

[His mouth opens, his lips press a little more into her own but doesn't close it with a kiss, letting it hang there before he speaks again.]

You've got a lot to learn about the family business if you think that of me.

Unfortunately, I have no interest in learning anything about your family business.

[ she and aether are entrenched enough as it is with her twin brother's friendship with ajax. lumine doesn't think they need further sinking into the mire that's the mafia, if only to keep her brother from having a heart attack.

there's that temptation to pull him forward, force him into submission with a flick of her wrist. but that's not as fun as making him yield on his own, a decision made with his own free will. ]

But aren't you seeing to this personally? [ the hand on his neck snakes further up, nails lightly scraping his scalp. ] My attempt to drive you insane ...

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