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

[ they don't know that. they don't know what other danger lurks in inazuma, even with that god gone. a part of her no longer wishes to return to any of the statues, but she knows she needs to. this shouldn't stop her progress, even if it's already a huge stumbling block.

lumine doesn't protest nor does she ask him what will happen to his men. she doesn't even know how she'll be able to face them, knowing how they wouldn't have lost their lives if they haven't gotten roped into this mess that they're in. she waves a small goodbye to the waitstaff as they leave, starting towards the direction of the inn. ]

What ... are you going to tell your family regarding the guys you lost ...

[ surely his father wouldn't just accept it as collateral damage? does he even know what's happening to them? ]

If you'll let me shoulder any compensation, I'll happily do so. Just tell me.

[Stepping out with her to begin their trek back to the inn, he spots one of his guys up against a building. He jerks his head to indicate that he needs him, handing off the food and letting him know to take that to the remaining guys to eat. He'll handle this from here, so they can relax for a few hours.

Once that's taken care of, he speaks quietly to her as they walk the streets.]

I'll tell them the truth with a few details omitted. The whole reason we even found out about the little operation that was here was because we've had dealings with the family these gods seems to be involving themselves in. Do you remember how the boys thought your car might have been a bomb and that they'd seen guys belonging to Dufort hanging around? That's them. We've had plenty of issues with them in the past, but to think they'd stoop this low...

[His hand comes up to his mouth, thinking.]

I don't know what kind of power these so-called remnants of Celestia promised them, but not only have they been taken in by it, that's given our enemies that much more resources to be a real problem.

[He doesn't address the compensation. It's not even a worry on his mind.]

[ what a pain.

hearing all of that is making her head hurt even more, making her even more exhausted. clearly, this goes beyond just the three of them now, involving his family with the connection celestia has made with their enemies. she wonders if there's no way to cut them out of it completely. maybe if she and aether disappeared, left entirely—the gods seemed to be targeting them, and not ajax per se ...

besides, if the dreams she's had lately were true ...

she gives the person at the front desk a nod upon reaching the inn, moving through its hallways like she's moving through syrup. she tosses her keys, her phone and purse on the table in her room and shuffles towards one of the seats overlooking the outdoor garden. ]

What do we do? I didn't think even your family would get involved. I ...

[ this is getting more and more complicated. this isn't what she was hoping for when she accepted this fate from the other lumine. ]

[Following her in, he dumps his jacket on the bed, feeling stifled by it. He doesn't take a seat with her, instead opting to stand behind it to let one of his hands fall onto her shoulder and the other on the back of the chair as he looks out at the garden. It was a calming sight, the flowers that sway lightly in the breeze, colors deliberately chosen to highlight the land of the Electro Archon. Flowers his guys would never get to see, thanks to their foes.]

We keep doing what we have been. The Dufont family has always been a thorn in our side- that will never change. What's most important is to take out the gods using them to get to us. I had a feeling it was going to be something like this, when Aether texted me to inform me that you'd gotten jumped in some alleyway.

[Ajax rubs her shoulder, in reassurance.]

Don't forget, we've got resources and allies on our side too. We'll get through this, I promise.

[ the hand on her shoulder is heavy, weighed down by as much worry as she's plagued with. it's reflective of how ajax carries his own burden, putting it all on himself and keeping anyone, including her, from seeing it. it's the same when they've both seen the vision of their deaths, steeling himself for her.

a part of her deeply, intimately knows that he'll never show his weakness, even to her. and that part of her aches to know this, helpless in even coaxing him to let things go.

she reaches out to him, hand snaking up with arm and curling around his sleeve and shoulder. lumine tugs him down just as she sits up a little higher, tucking her legs underneath her. ]

Are you sure you're not jinxing us by making that promise?

[ what if he can't keep it? what if they're doomed to follow the fate of their counterparts? lumine doesn't think she'll be able to live through it again. ]

[It's easy to tug him downward, his legs walking back a little so he can lean down to allow his head to be next to hers, as he leans up against the chair with his arm coming to rest across her stomach as she sits up. He knows it must be hard on her too, to have to bear the burden of watching people die, to know that they have to face an unimaginable strength that only decided to rear its head recently.

That they have to protect the ones they love, and having it all thrust upon them so quickly. It makes his head spin if he thinks on it for too long.

He wishes he could do this alone for her, so she wouldn't have to go through the frightening experience of fighting them, if almost losing her body wasn't enough.]

I always keep my promises, [he says, pressing a kiss to her cheek.] If anything, I've just assured that we'll be able to get through this.

[Ajax lets his head droop down into the crook of her neck, letting himself breathe her in. To think, that just twenty-four hours ago, he thought he'd never get the chance to do so ever again.]

[ her hand sinks into his hair, fingers gently curling around the strands as she lets her gaze flicker toward the garden once more. it's peaceful for now, but for how long, she wonders. how long until the next incident happens, until something worse takes place? until she's pulled out from her moment of respite once more and forced to play a role she's not meant to play.

lumine thinks about the incident yesterday once more, letting her thoughts linger on how much aether was in danger, even with his vision on him. she's admittedly surprised they're both still alive after all of that. ]

... How did you find it? [ she asks idly, almost like an afterthought, as she strokes his hair. ] Kissing Aether.

[ what, she's curious. the video is still in her phone, even. and yae miko seems to be planning on writing a book about it. perhaps she should talk to her if she ever inhabits ajax's body again regarding her brother's royalties. ]

[His head sinks further down when she asks. Asking like it's not a big deal, like it's barely worth concern like that. He might be even more mortified that she even remembered it had she not been stroking his hair, the only comfort he has right now.

With his voice muffled against her skin, he sighs heavily.]

You know, that's not a memory I'd particularly like to remember. It was hard enough looking Aether in the eye earlier.

[It was awful, he radiates of mortification, and he'll never want to speak of it again.]

You deleted that video, didn't you?

[Didn't she??????]

[ lumine stifles a snort at his comment and sigh. he makes it sound like it's a fate worse than death, kissing her brother. then again, aether wanted to avoid talking about it, even avoided her eyes when the conversation briefly touched upon it yesterday. which honestly makes her wonder if something is going on that she doesn't know about.

at the mention of the video, she blinks. oh right, the video. ]

Mm, I don't think I did. [ she'd walk over to the table to get her phone but she's currently pinned down on the chair by him. ] Why? Did you want to see it?

[ sus. ]

Uh, no.

[The answer comes quick, with no hesitation. He doesn't want to see it, he already saw it when the evil spirit that possessed her body showed it to him as she laughed. He picks his head up, looking at her in exasperation, moreso because the event had happened in the first place rather than the video existing.]

Could you delete it, if you don't mind? I don't want to think about evidence of that existing...

[He's not pouting, but he's about to.]

[ she turns to look at him when he glances up, snorting at his pout. he's not a child to be pouting at him just because he didn't get what he wants. how spoiled. still, it's amusing to watch him get squirm and fidget just because of that one little video. ]

I mean, it could be useful one day.

[ for blackmail purposes, just in case she wants something from him and needs to light a fire up his ass. that sort of thing. not that she intends to, but sometimes, things happen ...

a faint smile tugs at the corner of her lips in amusement, nudging his nose with hers. ] What am I getting in return if I delete it?

[Ajax's jaw drops, not believing at first what she's said. His own...lover? Girlfriend? Partner? Whatever they are, asking for something in return...after he saved her!]

This is how I'm repaid for sacrificing myself? Are you really holding the deletion of that video at ransom? Even I didn't expect you to sink that low.

[Evil, pure evil. He thought this adorably mortified face would have been enough to get it deleted. Ajax considers going to grab the phone himself to find it and delete it, but he's not entirely sure how serious she's being, so-]

Alright, what's your demands? I might consider them if they're reasonable enough.

[He nuzzles the side of her face, before letting his cheek rest against hers, waiting for her inevitably unreasonable demands, he's sure.]

[ to be fair, it was yae miko who saved her ... ]

I only accept a yes to my demands if you want that video deleted.

[ as uncompromising as ever. after all, even if ajax decides to snatch her phone from the table, he needs her full cooperation to unlock it—either that, or he needs to cut off her finger. and he has to decide which finger it is he needs to cut. ]

Besides, I won't ask for anything right now. [ there's nothing that she wants at the moment anyway, other than over eight hours of sleep. ] So it'll be tucked away for a rainy day.

[She really is going to hold it over his head. How dastardly. He huffs once, before letting his head settle back down onto her shoulder, pouting.]

How cruel, Lumine...as if it weren't humiliating enough...

[Just thinking about it is tiring. Lifting his head, he stands up straight to look back at the bed. It looked pretty inviting, if he's being honest. Definitely wouldn't mind a nap.]

Hey, [he says, leaning back down while he begins to giver her shoulders a massage,] you know, I've got an idea. Why don't we rest for a bit? That is why we came back here, isn't it?

[Maybe he can convince her to delete the video after she's rested and in a better mood.]

[ looks like he's not too determined in getting rid of it if he's being wishy-washy about it. she just laughs, giving him a patronising pat on the shoulder. but sure, they can certainly talk about it again later; hopefully, by then, she'll have something she wants and use the video for.

lumine glances over her shoulder as well towards the bed, finding it very inviting too. after all, she did say that she's tired and she simply wanted to return to the inn. ajax's hands on her shoulders are also not helping. ]

You really better be suggesting rest and not anything else, [ she mutters, stretching her arms above her head. ] Who knows when Aether comes back.

[Kneading his fingers into the meaty part of her shoulders, he laughs, thinking on that. Aether wouldn't enjoy that, that's for sure. Sounds like a fun repeat of when he'd caught them the next morning. He wonders...]

Sounds like you're almost expecting us to indulge in each other, haha. That wasn't the plan anyway, but now that you've suggested it...

[He kisses her up her neck as he massages her, making sure to use the entirety of his hands to work out any kinks or knots, and to make sure it felt nice. Each kiss is deliberate and slow, meant to entice her right into bed with him.]

Besides, he did say he wouldn't be back until tonight, right?

[ it wouldn't surprise her if her brother showed up earlier as usual to spite them. it also wouldn't surprise her if that's something aether has planned, if only to somehow get back at her for the conversation earlier despite her attempt to defuse it. a number of people often compare the two of them for their differences, but they couldn't be more similar in certain aspects.

her lips thin as her eyes flutter close instinctively, unable to hold back that creeping, spreading desire to crawl back into his arms. it's overwhelming, enough to cow her sometimes into submission. it doesn't help either that what he's doing feels good. ]

After last time, [ in the training room underground, behind closed doors, ] who knows if you'll suddenly yield and admit defeat again?

[ if he'll suddenly lose his mind and it's a repeat of last week all over again. ]

I'm just covering all bases here.

Would you be so upset if I did?

[He says, tone light yet unyielding at the moment while he continues to knead his fingers in, moving from her shoulders to her neck. Ajax's thumbs pay special attention to her now, while he takes her earlobe in between his teeth and pulls ever so slightly on it.

That familiar swirl of want bundles in his chest, but he fights it off. It would be too easy now to give in.]

I think you enjoyed it. I wouldn't make it easy for you though, if that's what you prefer.

[His mind does wander for a moment, thinking if this is a good idea or not. Maybe it's not. But maybe they'd be done and back into their clothes long before Aether shows up.]

[ her breath catches in her throat when his teeth tug on her earlobe, her fingers curling around his wrist. but it's not an attempt to stop him, the action simply anchoring herself to her sanity before she gets swept away by him. that's never happened before and that's not happening now.

lumine sighs softly when his hands find a particularly stubborn knot at the base of her neck, his fingers gently coaxing it to soften and relax underneath her skin. something warm runs down her spine, sending a shiver through her body. ]

You shouldn't say something that you'll eventually have to regret later on.

[ let's be real, he'll be buckling under her touch in under a few minutes or so. he didn't take a lot of time last time, after all. ]

That sounded like a challenge.

[He can feel her whole body start to relax under his massaging, pleased when that knot finally gets worked out. The shiver it sends through her makes his eyes widen, a sly smile on his face, pondering his next move. He moves himself around the chair to the other side, gently pressing kisses to her neck, one hand lifting her chin gently as he leans forward to kiss across the front.]

You seem so relaxed now, Lumine.

[He pulls back and practically breathes it into the shell of her ear, hard to keep control of himself as it was- she was right there and he has complete access to her. Every curve, every inch of sensitive skin easily within his reach, it's maddening to him now. But he can't let her know that...

This was a challenge, after all, and he can't play all his cards right away. He knows she'll take advantage of it the minute she sees it.]

[ even with her mind clouded, lumine can tell he's trying to play the same game she's played with him last week. she's not like him who easily melts like putty after a touch or two. but she's not going to deny that it feels good, his breath warm on her skin, his touch gentle and soothing. her breath hitches once more when he trails kisses along her neck, teeth worrying her lip.

the problem with ajax, though, is that he always thinks he has the upper hand. that his teasing, his ribbing, his goading is enough to get a lead on her. that she'll be very open and vocal in wanting him. ]

While you still seemed tensed, Ajax.

[ her own hand snakes along the hand holding her chin, fingers trailing slowly as they trace the length of his arm and the line of his shoulder, the touch feather-light. she shifts in her seat as well, lets the hand on her neck dip just a little lower down, enough for his fingertips to brush against bare skin that's been warmed by his ministrations. she moves her head, tilts it enough that his lips brush against her ear—

but the moment her own fingers brush the edge of his collar, kissing the exposed skin of his neck, she pulls it back and yawns. ]

I'm getting sleepy. We should go nap.

[It's almost as if there's small sparks of electricity that run through him at the feather-light touch, interested in what she's trying to do to him. It almost tickles, the tease against his neck, leaving him with a want for her hand to continue to explore when she pulls it back. Ajax bites his tongue, to keep himself from asking for her to reach back up and let her fingers wander along his neck.

He doesn't speak to his own state of being, tense or not- instead, he acquiesces to her, rounding the chair to stand in front of her and reaches for her hand.]

That is what I was suggesting earlier.

[A nap. A nap that now involves him pulling her upward, out of the chair and into him, a hand running through her hair before he begins to lead her by the hand over to the bed.]

Come, I think now is a great chance to unwind a little bit, don't you think?

[ touching her is really a bad idea, especially when he's the one initiating this game of chicken between the two of them. he should know by now that he'll probably lose and he'll lose badly. the worst thing that could happen too is for him to be found by her twin brother, not just his men.

she threads her fingers between his as he leads her towards the bed, her hand squeezing his hand ever so gently. very innocent, and yet, can be misconstrued as intentional—and then, lumine slowly untangles their fingers, pulling her hand away as she moves towards the bed. ]

Not my fault your suggestions don't always go as planned.

[ does he want a list of plans that went awry in the last few months they've known each other? ]

[He knows well he might lose, however, he will still enjoy how her hand squeezes his ever so gently. How he feels a pull back to her once she releases and untangles her fingers from his. Sneaky tactic, but still welcome.

So, he begins to unbutton the white dress shirt he has on, slipping it off and hanging it on the back of a chair before coming over to the bed himself. She's already seen him like this, of course, a mild amount of scars on his body that mar the chiseled muscle underneath. The consequences of a bad hit, or a fight that broke out during an operation of sorts- things that are almost unavoidable in his line of work.]

Unforeseen circumstances pop up from time to time. I'd like to think most of my plans go pretty smoothly, but for some reason, they don't when you're involved.

[He grins at her, plopping himself down on one side of the bed, leaning back against the headboard.]

I can't say it doesn't make it a little more exciting, though, haha.

[ lumine sits on the other side of the bed, her back turned to him as she removes the ring from her finger and unclasps the watch from her wrist, depositing it on the side table. she makes it an excruciatingly, deliberately slow process, almost like a ritual of sorts. make him wait, make him squirm until he can't take it anymore. ]

Is that your way of telling me that I'm just that good at disrupting your plans?

[ and maybe she should do more of it for the sake of everyone, especially her sanity? what an excellent idea that is, she thinks.

she reaches out behind her, grabbing one of the pillows next to him and setting it lengthwise between the two of them. a fluffy line or wall of sorts, one that keeps them separate as she crawls onto the bed and lies down on her side, her back still towards him. ]

Unlike me with you, you just can't seem to predict these unforeseen circumstances with me, can you?

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