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

[He laughs, though it's short and quiet, his own expression switching from concern to something more gentle. He wonders if she even realizes that whatever inner turmoil she was feeling was worn right on her face for him to see, but he doesn't point it out to her. Getting her mind off of the day was, after, part of the point of this.]

No, it's not that at all. I'd just rather be in here with you, is all. This is the book you were talking about?

[Ajax inclines his head towards it, not having seen it previously. Looks like she's barely even started, but he's sure it's because she was preoccupied with worrying about her brother.]

[ ... huh. lumine peers at his face a little longer before she finally relents, shrugging her shoulders. ]

Mm, but it seems I'm not in the mood tonight.

[ there's just too much in her mind right now, she supposes, and her attention span seems to waver every five minutes. in any case, she closes the book with a snap, handing it over to him and slipping a little further down into the comforter. her other hand reaches out for her laptop; if she can't focus on reading, then maybe she can return to working, instead. ]

Are you sure you don't want to go back to the living room to watch the series? I'll stay here awake for a little longer.

[He takes the book, setting it down next to him as she reaches for her laptop. That's also got to go, and as soon as it hits her lap he goes to grab it before she can even open, almost as if she was handing it to him, to put it with the book on his other side. It seems Aether was right, she really does bury herself in work when she's distressed like this.]

I'm sure. I don't watch a lot of TV as it is.

[He doesn't have time, really, to sit down and watch through a whole series. But even if he did, he doesn't want to leave her to her own thoughts that surely are plaguing her right now. If it had been his sibling, he'd be distraught in the exact same way.]

Instead of reading a story, why don't you tell me one? Anything at all. Or, I can tell you one, if you'd like to hear, haha.

[Though letting him tell one might take a bit, considering how much he likes to talk.]

[ lumine lets out a strangled sound when he suddenly takes her laptop too, putting it out of her reach. that's rude, she thinks, her lips pursing in annoyance. but she can tell that ajax is not accepting any arguments over it so she relents, simply sinking further down into the sheets. ]

Or we can just go to bed ...

[ maybe that would be better for them who'd had a long day? she doesn't know, but she's exhausted beyond reason, and the only way she'll be able to continue is if she's doing something mindless.

like work. ]

Don't worry, the sofa should be comfortable enough to sleep in.

And the minute I leave, you'll just go back to work.

[He points out, inclining his head at her with a knowing look. Even he knows the importance of work-life balance, and Lumine seems like the kind of person who might have an unhealthy relationship with her job sometimes. This is why Aether was so concerned, though Lumine's demeanor now seems a lot better than how her brother had described her during the week. Ajax will be thankful for that.]

Lumine. [His arm gets removed from behind her, now instead moving to comb through her hair as she sinks further under the covers, a slow motion as the strands filter through his fingers.] It's been a rough week. Rest with me for a while, instead of overworking yourself. You must be exhausted.

[ lumine doesn't say anything to that, unwilling to validate his accusation. to be fair, she wasn't planning on going back to work; he can even take her laptop with him to the living room. honestly, she really just wants to settle back in bed and sleep this all away.

still, he's right. she's exhausted to the bone, feeling as if she hasn't really slept or taken a break or even paused from whatever she's been doing for the past few days. and compounded with aether's disappearance, it's only gotten worse. ]

It's just ... [ she sighs, pulling the covers up to her mouth, her eyes focusing on the window across them. ] There's a lot that's happened, I think ...

[ last week's body invasion, and now aether's kidnapping—all stacked one after another. lumine closes her eyes, shifting closer to him. ]

I wonder if the people who took Aether will agree to a swap.

[Ajax's hand continues to thread through her hair, his palm sliding across her scalp as he shifts his hand, playing with it as the silky strands slide through his fingers. It's not hard to understand the logic behind her thoughts, and he can't say he wouldn't consider the same if he were in her position. But a swap...that's no better, in his eyes.]

There'll be no need. We're going to get him back without making any compromises.

[The Dufont family has put themselves in front of the aim of his wrath now, and he won't let them get away with it. Famous last words, he knows, which is why he keeps it to himself. He'd much rather show it with his actions rather than declare it with his words.]

When we find out his whereabouts, if I tell you to stay here, will you? Or will you insist on tagging along?

[Somehow, though he considered telling her to stay put once they did find out where they were holding his brother, he thinks that she'll hardly want to sit around and wait for his return. Ajax knows how strong Lumine has become, having demonstrated her ability to use three elements at once. And with the statue in Inazuma, that should mean she has four elements at her disposal. He'd rather have her in a fight than most of his men at this point.]

If you want to come, I won't stop you.

Of course, I'll come.

[ as if that needs to be asked. she's promised to protect aether, and she will, even if it's the last thing that she does. lumine knows ajax won't agree to that, but it doesn't really matter when it's her twin brother's life that's on the line. she can't make compromises on that. ]

You're not exactly good at making me stay put, you know. [ she says with a snort, reminding him of the time his men thought her car had a bomb. ] Or trying to convince me to do something you want ...

[ then again, if it's related to aether, there's just no way that she's sitting pretty in her apartment, twiddling her thumbs and waiting for good news. that will kill her. ]

Well, when it comes to the latter, I think I'm getting a little better at it.

[He did manage to get her to agree to let him stay here for a while, and she's not working either. So he'll count that as two for two today, at least. Winning small battles one at a time seems like the right way to go here.]

But... [he says as he sighs, softly smiling down at her, still slouching in bed.] I think you had the right idea. The more I relax, the more tired I get.

[Ajax does wonder if she'll kick him out of her bed, but you never know until you try- so he slides down further under the comforter, as if he were testing out the bed itself to gauge how comfortable it was. Turning on his side, he props his head up on his hand, an expectant smile on his face.]

C'mon, lie down all the way. You'll get a crick in your neck like that.

[ what happened to sleeping on the couch, ajax???

lumine gives him a flat stare as he slips further into the covers, clearly not going anywhere for the night. with a sigh and a roll of her eyes, she mimics his movements, except this time, she turns around and turns her back towards him, reaching out for the bedside lamp to turn it off. ]

You know, I really was serious when I said that the sofa is comfortable to sleep in.

[ and she knows this because she's fallen asleep on it a few times already. so it's from experience that she's even saying that. ]

[As far as he's concerned, if she doesn't kick him out, he doesn't have to leave!

Ajax grins, it seems like she's letting him have it his way, scooting up next to her to let his arm wrap around her. His face nuzzles into the nape of her neck, enjoying the warmth of her being so close, clearly happy that she's allowed him to stay.]

I've no doubt it is if you say it is. But being here is far more comfortable than any couch.

[And when he thinks about it, anywhere where she is is better, whether it be a bed or in a fierce battle. He kisses her neck once, before his head settles on the pillow, sinking into it. The exhaustion in his bones seems to keep him at bay from tempting her into anything more than a restful sleep, though he wonders how they'll be tangled with one another when they wake up the next day.]

Sleep well, com..ra...

[His voice trails off, fatigue already taking him. Within the next five minutes, Ajax is already asleep, soothed by her presence and the stress of the week seemingly seeping out of him at last.]

[ she's kicking him out, though!! just not directly, but the implication is there when she points out how comfortable the sofa is.

lumine tries to squirm in his arms but she finds herself being pulled against him. but even before she can voice her protests in this, he's already breathing deeply, his body completely relaxed while pressed against her. she quickly turns in his arm, her expression that of disbelief when she realises that he's already asleep! ]

Ajax! [ she tries to shake him awake. ] Ajax!

[ when there's no response from him, lumine sighs heavily and loudly. honestly, he can at least wait for her to sleep.

still, it doesn't seem like she's able to go anywhere at this rate, simply settling down and tucking herself under his chin to try and sleep. try is the operative word here, taking her several hours of listening to him breathe and snore softly before finally dozing off herself at early dawn. she won't be waking up until it's late in the morning, too. ]

[Ajax wakes first, having fallen asleep hours before she had. Sunlight streams into the bedroom, his eyes fluttering open to the view of Lumine buried in his chest. She's cute, he thinks, as his groggy mind tries to make sense of the fact that he's woken up to an unfamiliar ceiling. Right, they're at her apartment. Despite waking up, he's unwilling to crawl out of bed, his eyes closing once again to let sleep take him. Surprisingly, it's easy for him to fall back asleep, comforted by her presence in his arms.

A few hours later, he'll wake again- and he realizes that he has no idea what time it is. He glances down to see if Lumine is awake yet, nudging her with his forehead as he coos to her softly.]

Lumine...

[ it's the first restful, dreamless sleep she's had in days. even when she's tired from work, her entire body giving up on her, lumine doesn't remember being able to sleep for this long and deeply in her own bed back in her shared apartment with aether. but clearly, she's not allowed to sleep for too long, already being nudged awake.

she frowns, eyes still shut, as she buries herself deeper into his chest. sunlight is starting to creep into her peripherals, reminding her that it's already morning. but a part of her refuses to budge just yet. ]

Mm, no, Ajax ...

[ waking up, after all, means having to face the reality that aether is still missing. perhaps if she slept longer, she'd wake up to a dream where her twin brother is back, safe and sound. ]

Let me sleep.

[It's almost as if she were a cat that's claimed this real estate against him, Ajax feeling like if he moves, he'll surely disturb her sleep even more than he already has. And the rule is once that happens, you aren't allowed to move.

But even moreso, for someone who had been hinting to kick him to the couch last night, it's amusing to him to see her bury herself into his chest, unwilling to get up. He glances down at her through half-lidded eyes, tempted to grant her the request she's asked for, comfortable himself with her pressed up against him. Had it not been for how hungry he was, he could lie there all day with her, staying in bed only to get up for necessities.

But today, his work really begins, not being afforded that simple pleasure of staying in bed.

His hand filters up into her hair, holding her close even as he tries to gently wake her. Ajax nuzzles her again, voice still soft as he calls to her in that high baritone timbre he has.]

It's late, [he coos again, the hand in her hair moving to brush her cheek.] And I can't get out of bed until you do.

[ what a terrible argument to give her this morning.

lumine keeps silent for a moment, annoyance bubbling inside of her as he continues to disturb her peace. a moment later, she turns on her other side and away from him, squirming out of his arms. if he's saying he can't get out of bed because of her, then there. she's made it possible for him to get out of bed. ]

There. Go.

[ she pulls the covers over her head to block out the light, squeezing her eyes shut. hopefully that's enough for him to stop disturbing her. ]

Now let me sleep.

[He's surprised when she squirms out of his arms, only to flip over and give him the cold shoulder. At first, he only lies there blinking, before he laughs- someone's in a bad mood, and it's nothing short of funny.

Now free to move, he pushes himself up into a sitting position to lean over her, his index finger pulling the covers back just enough for him to leave a kiss to the side of her head before pulling it back over into place once more. What a baby, he thinks, getting out of bed and running a hand through his unkempt hair.]

I'll be out in the living room, [he says amusedly, silently opening the door and slipping out to let her sleep. He finds his phone once more, texting his sister to grab his laptop and some clothes from his apartment for him, and he orders food too, and a little something for her too if she wakes up in time before it gets there.]

[ lumine dozes off even before he can step out of the bedroom, falling back into sleep's warm embrace. but she stirs once more a couple of hours later when she hears her phone ringing, the thin device vibrating against the wooden surface of her bedside table. she gives it a few beats, before an arm reaches out from underneath the covers to fumble and grab it.

she gets up a couple of minutes later and walks out of her bedroom and past ajax in the living room, hair tousled and sticking in places, a strap of her camisole having fallen from her shoulder. barefoot, the marble floor cold against her feet, she pads over to the door and pulls it open.

miss lumine, good morning. i have the groceries you requested for. ]

Thanks, I know it's on such short notice, [ she says with a yawn, waving an older woman into her apartment and helping her with one of the paperbags she's carrying to the kitchen. the woman glances at ajax and gives him a small smile. ] You also don't have to drop by this week. I'll clean up the apartment before Ajax and I leave, so you can relax and take a break for a bit if you need to.

[ her housekeeper offers her a reassuring smile and a nod. you should rest too, miss lumine. you look like you've been working too hard lately. also, there's a lady downstairs who looks like the gentleman in your living room. ]

Ajax? [ she peers out the kitchen, frowning at her guest. ] There's a girl downstairs who apparently looks like you. It might be your sister? You can tell her to come up, if you want.

Edited 2022-06-26 16:31 (UTC)

[Ajax looks up from the couch, toying around on his phone now as he contacts key people in their search to where they may have taken Aether. He almost says something, but it seems someone's at the door- so he stays quiet as she answer it, giving the housekeeper a bright smile back when she regards him on the way in with the groceries.

The minute the housekeeper says it, he gets a text from his sister, and he sends one back to tell her to come up, waiting patiently for her to knock.]

Thanks, it is my sister. She brought me my work laptop and a few other things.

[Not but a few minutes later, there's another knock at the door that he quickly gets up to answer, letting in a long slender looking woman who is unmistakably related to him. Her ginger hair matches his own, a fierce looking woman who's got a backpack slung over her shoulder with his things.]

Tatiana, thanks so much for doing this for me.

[Ajax, spare me. You've used up your one favor for the year.

She crosses the room to sit on the couch, expecting to be introduced to Lumine as soon as she finishes in the kitchen.]

I know, but it really is important this time. I won't ask another favor again. [He calls to the kitchen, feeling a little bad that he hadn't had the chance to even tell Lumine that Tatiana was coming.]

Hey, Lumine, do you need any help in there?

[ lumine gives her housekeeper a few more instructions, specifically help later on with cleaning up her shared apartment with aether. she has no idea how long the police need to get all the evidence they need from it, but she's hoping it won't take too long. after all, she'll need it back once her brother returns.

in any case, her housekeeper gives her another nod, gesturing when they both hear ajax call out to her. ]

... No, I'm fine.

[ just call me when you need me. i'll see you later, miss lumine. she gives her a gentle pat on the shoulder before the woman starts for the door, smiling once more at ajax and his sister on her way out.

lumine, on the other hand, starts unpacking the groceries, sorting things out while brewing coffee good enough for three people. whatever it is, she doesn't want to get in the way of ajax and his sister or get involved in whatever they're going to talk about.

... brunch, though. she should probably make something. ]

[Both of the siblings give the housekeeper a smile back as she leaves. As soon as the coast is clear, Tatiana elbows her brother and gives him a look.

Go help her, if you're staying here the least you could do is be useful. I can wait until you're back.]

Okay, okay...you didn't have to elbow me, though. [He sighs, but that's his older sister for you.] Any word on the Dufonts yet? We're getting close to the twenty-four hour mark, and that's already too long to give me any sort of comfort.

[Tatiana shakes her head apologetically..

Not yet. They really knew what they were doing this time.]

Great, [Ajax replies with a grimace, standing up to go to the kitchen.] Anyway, I'll be right back.

[Walking in, he spots Lumine putting her groceries away, and goes over to grab a box of cereal, inspecting the box before looking to her expectantly.]

I know you said you didn't need help, but I got kicked in here anyway, haha. Tatiana said she'd wait. She wants to meet you before she goes.

Edited (gdi htmllllll) 2022-06-28 02:07 (UTC)

[ lumine has paused from putting away the groceries, pouring herself a cup of coffee and staring at a blank wall as she tries to compose herself. there's still a lot to be done today, and even just by checking her calendar, she has a couple of meetings late in the afternoon that can't be postponed or canceled. life goes on, even with aether disappearing.

which is honestly just heartbreaking for her. but then, when they get back aether, he needs to still come back to something.

she only snaps out of her reverie when ajax walks into the kitchen, inspecting a box of cereal. she almost asks him why he isn't entertaining his sister, taking a sip of his coffee, when he beats her to the point already. ]

Oh ... [ she looks like a mess, though, and she reaches out to pat her hair down. her housekeeper is one thing; she's seen her several times looking unkempt. but this is ajax's sister, after all. ] Sure, I'll go meet her.

[ cup set down on the counter, she gestures at ajax to lead the way. ]

[He'd seen how she stared at the blank wall, knowing that she was probably thinking of her brother. Ajax purposely doesn't call any attention to this, instead opting to simply give her a soft smile and leads Lumine out of the kitchen and into the living room where his sister waits. Tatiana looks up from her phone, her blue eyes sharp as she regards them both before standing up and offering a hand to Lumine.]

Lumine, this is my older sister, Tatiana. She and I work closely together-

[It's nice to meet you, Lumine, Tatiana says, quickly cutting Ajax off before he says too much. The older sibling fights the urge to shoot a glare at her brother, before sitting back down on the couch. Ajax joins her, a little annoyed that he'd been cut off, but she's scolded him for running his mouth before.

I'm glad to see the two of you safe and sound for the time being. I do hope Ajax hasn't been too overbearing for you. I know my little brother can be a bit of a pain to babysit.

She ruffles his hair, and he swats her hand away, even though it had already been messy and unkempt to begin with.]

Hey, quit treating me like I'm a kid.

[Tatiana only laughs, amused with Ajax's annoyance.]

[ lumine shakes the woman's hand, offering a faint smile in return. weird how she also resembles his little brother closely, just like anatoli, though she supposes that she and aether aren't really too different. then again, they are twins, so any physical similarities they have is a given. the volkov siblings, though ...

she sits down on an armchair after tatiana and ajax have settled down, folding her hands on her knees. watching them interact is a little depressing, especially with aether still not found. ]

Is it really Ajax if he's not overbearing? [ she jokes, glancing at him. ] But thank you for bringing his things over. I told him that he didn't have to stay, but he insisted.

[ for good reason, sure. but he doesn't have to pause his life for her. she'll be fine like she said. ]

Are you staying long? I'll be making something for brunch, so you're free to join us if you want.

[Tatiana too, can see the distress on Lumine's features, but she keeps a pleasant exterior for the other woman. She can understand how terribly stressed Lumine must be, not knowing where her brother had been whisked off to.

Oh, I wish I could. But we're all hard at work right now, so I really must be getting back. I appreciate the offer, though. Now, Ajax... She regards her brother now, a stern look shot his way. Don't slack off while you're here, not while the rest of us and father are out looking for leads.]

I will...wait, father is personally involving himself in this too?

[Of course he is. After that little incident you had in Inazuma, and now this? Let's just say he's not happy. And when father gets involved, mountains can move. She looks over to Lumine, offering a reassuring smile. Father treats all those who help us as if they were family, even if they are...undisclosed associates of us. In time, he'd like to meet you and your brother, once we return him to you.

Tatiana takes a hand and flips her hair with it, before standing up.

Anyway, I'm your point of contact for the remainder of this search. Lumine, when this is all said and done, let's have lunch sometime, alright? I'll be seeing you two later. It was a pleasure.]

Bye, Tatiana. Thanks again.

[The older sibling walks to the door, and Ajax sits on the couch, seemingly deep in thought about something. His dad now too...]

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