Childe "I Can Make Her Worse" Tartaglia (
monoceroscaeli) wrote in
insurmountable2022-05-07 07:34 pm
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Entry tags:
i'm dragging a heart that weighs a ton / holding out for not just anyone
[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.
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.
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though she supposed that she does owe their lives to her. if it weren't for the traveler's love for childe, they might not have survived. still, she can't help but feel like the autonomy childe insisted they respected had bee shoved aside.
in any case, the entire ordeal has left her exhausted, the other lumine overexerting her body beyond its capacity. to the point that even aether is impressed that she's managed to come home in one piece. and while aether urged her to get some rest while he and zhongli talk about these incidents with celestia, lumine insisted on checking up on ajax, eventually dozing off in a seat next to his bed.
she stirs at the gentle touch on her knee, groaning at the soreness of her entire body. she really should've just gone to bed, lumine blearily thinks. but any thoughts of getting any more rest is briefly set aside at the sight of ajax awake and sitting up. ]
Ajax ... [ she feels relief flood her, audible in her voice as she calls his name, still recalling what he looked like lifeless in her arms ... lumine squeezes her eyes shut, trying her hardest to dismiss it. ] Should you be up? Zhongli said you still need your rest ...
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He squeezes her leg gently, to reassure that he was alright, his emotions beginning to swirl inside of him at the sight of her here next to him. His eyes betray him- he'd missed her, hating the time they'd been apart, even though they lived in the same house. Ajax can't express into words how happy is he to see her, banged up a little but still seemingly okay.]
I'm fine, no need to worry about me, [he says to dismiss any concern about him away.] Are you okay? How are you feeling? Were you hurt?
[He peppers her with questions, leaning forward towards her with eyes wide as he searches her own for hints or answers that she may not convey to him otherwise.]
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I'm fine, just tired. [ understatement of the month, really. it feels like she'd run across the four islands in the teapot without stopping to rest or take a break.
her gaze flicker to the hand on her leg, letting a beat pass, before she takes it into hers. a part of her somehow expects it to be cold, wondering if she's having a nightmare of sorts. but it's solid in her fingers, his touch warm against her skin. ]
... I'm glad you're okay. I thought I ...
[ lost you, remains unspoken, caught in her throat. would she have forgiven herself if he had died before they made up? she probably wouldn't have. ]
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Ajax slips his other hand under hers, enclosing her hand between both of his, letting the thumb of one run over her skin, thankful for the warmth of it. It's a grounding feeling, knowing that he really was alive and she really was here with him. He breathes out a heavy sigh as he looks down at their hands, before looking up again, giving her a tiny tug, inviting her to sit next to him.]
It's okay. I'm still here.
[He knows he owes it to their past counterparts for surviving the ordeal. Which is why he doesn't say anything to her for the moment about it, knowing that there was a non-zero chance she was really upset, but not dwelling on it for the time being.
All he really wants is for her to be with him now, so they can rest and relax together. He feels as if that's really what will help him recover.]
Come. [He tugs on her lightly again, urging her to sit.] Sit with me for a little bit.
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Ajax ...
[ the second tug on her hand gets her to move closer, but lumine remains seated across him and not on the bed. her fingers shift in his hands, tangling with his. once again, she's thankful that he's still there, alive and well. ]
About what happened a few weeks ago, I ...
[ she was upset, she was angry. she had said something that she shouldn't have said. and yet she doesn't want to make excuses for her actions; after all, she said it because she wanted it to hurt. ]
I'm sorry.
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The way his shoulders relax seems to take on that physical representation of the ease he feels, smiling sadly back at her, unable to hide his feelings. It had hurt, her words had done exactly what she intended them to do, but he doesn't want to dwell on it either.]
Apology accepted. I'm sorry too. I lost my temper a little back then, and I shouldn't have done that.
[Ajax looks back down at their hands, letting himself concentrate on that instead of their fight. It's in the past now, water under the bridge. All he'd like to do is move on, and look to the future rather than the past, just as he's always done with matters like this in his life.]
So, we're not fighting anymore?
[He says with hopeful eyes, wanting nothing more than to hold her in his arms and forget about it.]
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it wouldn't surprise her either if that was the end of it. after all, that's not how they should've dealt with what's happening to them. and again, lumine refuses to make any excuses for her own responses. ]
I mean, we could still fight, [ she says with a shrug, her gaze lowering to their hands. ] If that's what you want, I'm easy enough to be convinced. I'm just ...
[ exhausted and tired of having so much frustration within her, and dumping it on other people, hurting them in the process. it's not what she wants at all. ]
I don't want this to linger between us.
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[He tugs on her again now, pulling her out of the chair to sit her down next to him, wrapping his arms around her as he brings her into him. He doesn't want to hear any of that, and refuses to give her the opportunity to think farther along that line of thought.]
The only kind of fighting I want to do with you is sparring, nothing more, [he says as he buries his face in her hair,] but even I know when to put that on hold.
[Having her in his arms only serves to remind him that he'd almost lost the chance to ever do this again, remembering how he'd gazed down at his own lifeless face, and he hugs her a little tighter. Ajax's eyes squeeze shut, and his breathing becomes a little shallower, trying to keep himself in check.]
Stay with me, please. For at least a while.
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lumine tucks her head under his chin, saying nothing as he hugs her tighter. she can almost guess what he's thinking about, figure out what's going through his head. and he confirms it when she hears the quickening of his heartbeat, the sound of his breathing uneven. ]
... Okay, I won't go.
[ it's the least she could do to comfort him: to stay in his arms as he wanted, to allow him to embrace her if it means for him to be able to sleep better. ]
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It's not until then that he slowly releases his arms from around her, his breathing even and steady. Her presence is calming, and he still wishes for her to stay with him, though the hardest part of this whole ordeal for him seems to finally be over. He finds her hand again, taking it, unwilling to let her leave him.]
Thanks.
[Ajax offers a smile, indicating that he feels a little better, though sad undertones still line it in the creases at the corners of his lips.]
...How long was I asleep for?
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Almost a day.
[ it can't be helped, considering what was done to him. and it isn't as if the explosion in the aftermath of the god's death made things better either. ]
You had a concussion, and Zhongli said that god may have done something more when it pulled your soul out ... Are you sure you don't need more rest?
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Is it possible for your own soul to be exhausted?
[His hand comes up to lay atop of one of her own. If it weren't for her, he'd surely be...
Ajax breathes out another heavy sigh, pushing that thought away.]
I'm not really sure what happened. I can still feel him, but I noticed it's harder to sense him...
[And he doesn't know why. That will bother him in the days to come, until he's been able to fully rest.]
...Anyway, you might be right. You look exhausted too. Perhaps we both need some rest.
[But instead of asking her leave to let him sleep, he playfully wraps his arms around her middle, his eyes asking her to stay with him even longer.]
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[ she tried to explain the phenomenon to zhongli, but even the former archon could only give her possible theories. after all, even if he took up the mantle of liyue's ruling archon, it didn't mean that he knew everything about the gods, especially their abilities and what they're capable of doing other than those they've witness a thousand years ago.
her thumb brushes against the curve of his cheek, an attempt to gently, slowly soothe them. to keep his mind off of the recent events. even though lumine knows how hard that's going to be. ]
I—
[ she pauses despite the arms around her waist, her eyes flickering to the half-open doorway to the room. again, it doesn't seem like he's taking no for an answer. ]
You won't be able to rest with me around.
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I think I'd rest much better with you around. Last time, I was out in less than a few minutes.
[And that was a restful sleep if he ever had one. He hadn't even woke to her yelling at him to wake up, and Ajax is generally a light sleeper given his profession. He shifts a little to lean against her, his neediness obvious, ready to lie down with her in his arms and fall asleep again. Even now, he feels the weight of sleep on his eyelids, just as tired as she assumed he was.
His voice is a quiet murmur, wanting to coax her to give into his demands.]
Lie with me, [he whines softly, nuzzling her.] We can worry about everything else tomorrow.
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Fine, [ she huffs with a roll of her eyes, flicking his nose with her fingers. ] But we're going to rest and sleep and nothing else, or else I'm going back to my room with Aether.
[ because knowing him, his irreverence knows no bounds. so she needs to lay down the rules as early as now. before he demands anything else from her.
in any case, she pulls away a little from him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]
Go on, lie down first. I'll follow.
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He's well aware he can act like a spoiled brat sometimes, but it always seems to end up going his way anyhow, so he sees no reason to stop.]
Alright, alright. I understand.
[Ajax slips down underneath the covers of the bed, on his side, keeping them open for her to join him, looking up at her as if he were a happy little kid that was pleased with his own skills to sway a decision in his favor. But even this little lighthearted exchange was helping keep the heavier topics off of his mind, leaving their dark reality to a future hour that he doesn't care to think on for the time being.]
But, I want to kiss you at least once before we sleep.
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still, he's gone through something terrible today. so she also doesn't want to deny him even something as small and simple as this. ]
Just once.
[ that's her concession as she crawls into the space he left for her, slipping under the covers. for a moment, lumine faces him while she's lying on her side before she turns around, her back towards him, comfortably settling on the pillow. ]
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Ajax doesn't immediately press himself up against her back, but his arm does snake over her waist as it usually does when he's preparing to fall asleep against her. If anything gives it away, it's how the mattress shifts differently under his weight, because instead of scooting up next to her, he's lifting himself up with his other arm. That arm he's used to snake around her is now pressing her backwards towards him, leaning over her with a mischievous glint in his eye, before he lets his head crane down to capture her with his lips.
It's a feeling that he's glad he can experience again, his kiss more needy, more deprived than it has been in the past. Ajax envelops her with his desire, but it's not a kiss that craves or wants for her body and the pleasure it brings, but rather one that desires for her and her love instead. It makes his own heart beat faster, muffled murmurs of her name escaping from him, between the slow languid passes he's administering to her lips.
But he honors her request, keeping his hands from wandering down her, concentrating only on making his kiss as intoxicating as possible. If it isn't working on her, it's certainly working on himself- Lumine becomes the only thing he can think about, breaking finally when his arm starts to grow tired from holding himself up over her the way he is.
Ajax smiles down at her, pleased with himself, happy that he could create that connection between the two of them again. He hadn't realized how badly he'd longed for it, longed for her- as if she was the only one that could ever make him feel this elated and happy to be alive. To think, it could have been her being pulled from her body instead of him, dying all alone. It's a thought that makes him shudder, and he's glad that never came to pass. He could never stand to lose her.
Never.]
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then again, it isn't like ajax to simply give up, especially when he wants something. and it's as expected when he draws her in closer and leans in to prove his point and take what he wants. not that she protests or fights back, letting ajax indulge himself after weeks of separation. if anything, lumine's more surprised that he holds back, slow but in want, full of desire but at the same time, not forcing it on her.
lumine returns the kiss, her eyes fluttering close as her fingers brush against his jaw. she gives back what he gives her, satiates his need to reconnect with her. it's nothing fervent or heated, nothing like the desperate kisses they used to lose themselves in, just a gentle reaffirmation of what they've lost in the past week.
she's breathless when he finally breaks off, looking like a cat that's just gotten his cream, and lumine rolls her eyes in exasperation. ]
You got to kiss me once as agreed, [ she says with a sigh, waiting until he's settled back down on the mattress before she turns back on her side to face him.
that was her concession to him, she thinks. her hand presses against his cheek once more, her forehead gently nudging his. she gives it a beat, her gaze tracing each familiar line, curve, indent on his face: the incline of his nose, the curve of his cheeks, the sharpness of his jaw. but she hasn't had hers.
lumine leans closer until the tip of their noses touch, until the breaths mingle. her eyes heavy-lidded, she kisses him this time, drinking him in as he did with her. ]
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He's not sure if his heart has beat harder for her than it is right now. Ajax can't remember if she's ever initiated a kiss with him that wasn't heated with lust or sober, his eyes watching her own as she traces his face with her eyes, her hand keeping him in place. It's as if he doesn't dare move, until his eyes close as she presses her lips against his, finally allowing his hand to snake up into her hair as he responds to her caresses.
Letting her take the lead, allowing himself to be overwhelmed by her was as mesmerizing as he'd hoped, as she drinks from him and vice versa. When they finally break, his eyes look clouded over, feeling lightheaded from their intimate dance of lips, teeth and tongue.
He sighs with a soft smile, burying his head into her chest, to kiss the soft skin right below her neck.]
I missed you...
[He murmurs against her, his arm coming up to wrap around her side, refusing to let go for fear of her leaving, or disappearing.]
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she too buries her face into his hair, his fingers stroking and curling around the ginger strands at his nape as she hums quietly. the sound of his breathing is soothing, his pulse underneath her fingertips. ]
This hair of yours is in my face ...
[ lumine's voice is muffled as she wrinkles her nose, blows it over with a puff of air. his cowlick stands stupidly even while he's lying down, which is tickling her face. ]
You need a haircut.
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I'll get it cut later, [he says, with no intention of taking care of it anytime soon.]
Besides, I think you like playing with it...
[And how can she do that if he cuts it shorter? Maybe he'll grow it out really long instead.]
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If playing means I get to yank it, sure.
[ her fingers run through his hair, nails gently scratching his scalp, in search of the ahoge, tugging it sharply because she can. is that really what he wants, what he considers as playing with it? ]
Did you enjoy that?
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[Ajax lifts his head up, mouth turned downwards in a hurt expression, eyes saddened. That's not how he imagined this conversation to go, pouting at her for yanking on his hair like that.]
If you're going to pull my hair, you could at least make it a part of some kind of foreplay first, [he complains, smoothing his cowlick down again to hide it from her under her own chin, burying his face back into her chest.
His voice is now muffled against her shirt, still pouting, like he was a little kid who'd gotten reprimanded for something he feels as if was unwarranted.]
I thought we were going to sleep now.
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Then why aren't you sleeping?
[ isn't he the one who is in need of rest here? after all, he almost just died ... something she doesn't really want to dwell on for too long or think about, really. because for some reason, that is even more painful than getting beat up by a god.
in any case, she fights the temptation to find his lock of hair again, instead mulling over his words. ]
We can't have sex in this place, anyway. Aether's staying downstairs, and Tubby, too.
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