insurmountable | how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet

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how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet

[It's not often Ajax finds himself getting his head slammed down onto the hood of a car, least of all a cop car. Usually it's him doing the slamming.

But today the young man finds himself denting the hood, the sound of metal caving in under his head ringing in his ears. Not exactly the ideal situation he was hoping for, but he figured sooner or later he'd have a run in with the cops due to the sensitive nature of his profession, but that doesn't mean he has to like how inconsiderate they are with him as they cuff him and throw him in the back of the paddy wagon. Not that he was considerate to them when he was discovered, as evidenced by the blood all over his clothing and knuckles from the fight he'd gotten into with them. How he managed to avoid getting shot is beyond him- plenty of shots were fired, but that hadn't stopped him from knocking a few of them out.

It's just too bad he'd been instructed that he couldn't kill anyone, or else he'd of gotten out of there without being caught.

The lights of the police station are bright, almost too bright from the contrast of how dark it was outside. Ajax squints as he's dragged inside, held tightly by two cops who hurry him through the station, but not fast enough that he doesn't catch a glimpse of the secretary behind the desk as they come in. Pretty, blonde, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Gorgeous eyes, ones that catch his attention almost immediately as he's being shoved towards the back, shining with a radiance that captures him instantly. His eyes lock with hers, feeling something silent yet powerful surge through him from this tiny, insignificant interaction. He doesn't even have a moment to think further on it, before he's so rudely interrupted.

Get moving.

The curt voice of the bigger cop on his right cuts through the moment, anger welling up in Ajax's chest and something dark stirs in his core. If he wasn't cuffed and being restrained, he'd turn that guy's face into a new work of art, something so abstract some insane art collector would gladly pay millions for it.

No sooner had Ajax been ushered in, he disappears from sight as he's taken back into an interrogation room, the mysterious blonde no longer in his sights, now getting shoved into a corner of a room.]

What's with this? Don't you even have the courtesy of giving me a chair to sit in, at least?

[From outside of the room, muffled noises of a scuffle as the cops lay into Ajax can be heard, the loudest of which is a thud of a body slamming into a wall, accompanied by a groan from the ginger kid. Though little do any of them know, their real problems haven't arrived just yet, waking from their slumber right outside of the city...]

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[ They've been under watch this entire time... the anger in his voice is palpable, just hearing that is enough for a cold beat of sweat to drip down the back of her neck and cause the hairs on her arm to stand. If the perpetrator knows everything about their lives, then it's likely they know all about their special powers.

Ajax's inference is correct, sounds like the mysterious person wishes to deal their own hand rather than report them to the Nizhnii company. Because if that were the case, they certainly would have been turned into lab rats a long time ago.

Ajax is also right about something else, she also doesn't like this, Yoimiya couldn't have said it any better herself. Just when she thought things were looking up, they have yet another enemy to deal with on top of monsters, and the Nizhnii.

Yeah, she really does not like this. ]

This might be impossible to answer given what Nizhnii has done but is there anyone in particular who might hold a serious grudge against you?

[ Of course it could be anyone, someone working in the company, someone whose loved one was taken away, someone who just feels like they were wronged by Ajax, the possibilities are endless. ]

We gotta start somewhere if we want to get to the bottom of this.

[Yoimiya's asking the right questions and it reminds him that he has to try to cool down a little bit and think. Who would try to hurt him through a woman he's having relations with? Why would they be mad at him, and how would they even know who to be mad at?]

I'm pretty thorough when it comes to my job, [he begins slowly, fighting down his rage and trying to see it from more of an analytical state of mind.]

So I find it hard to believe that any singular person that I've wronged would be specifically angry at me. They shouldn't even know who I am. But, I'm also the one who gets sent out to do the dirty work, so one could single it all down to me. That letter mentioned Nizhnii by name, so that means that they have some kind of inkling behind the real purpose of the company.

[He sighs as he lands on what he thinks is the answer here, and he doesn't like it.]

This is most likely bigger than it seems. They can't get to my family, so they've just found the next best thing to get to me and my employer...you. "They" being a rival of ours.

[ Ajax's reasoning makes sense, it's hard to fathom that a single person would specifically target him when he's been pretty off the radar. They would have to be in close contact with him to know who he is and his relationship with her. This is so much on their plate with no clear answer in sight, it's making her head hurt...

But before she ponders any further, Ajax makes a startling revelation that turns her whole world upside down and causes her eyes to grow as wide as saucers. She sputters, unable to process what he's saying for a solid minute. ]

Wait... did you say... rival company?!

[ Oh goodness. Out of everything, the last thing Yoimiya expected was a rival company to be thrown into the mix. Sure, she could have seen a disgruntled employee or wronged victim taking their anger out on her but a company in competition with Nizhnii was the last thing on her bingo card. ]

Oh my gosh, hold on, so you're telling me y'all have rivals? Do they partake in the same... [ a beat ] partake in the same questionable methods?

[Oh. Looks like she definitely wasn't ready for that.

Now, Ajax knows what their rival companies do. But Yoimiya doesn't, and it earns a small laugh out of him when she asks what is honestly a very logical question given he knowledge of Nizhnii. But he shakes his head.]

Nizhnii has always had a strong rivalry with a Fontainian company called Pouce. As far as I know, Pouce doesn't involve themselves with experimentation, let alone knows exactly what's going on involving that. But they do know Nizhnii's up to something, and they know I'm their man behind it. They'd do anything to make problems for Nizhnii.

[He scratches his head, sighing when he thinks about it.]

Remember the night we met? Who do you think tipped the cops off to get me arrested?

[ Oh. Oh. Ooooooooooooooh.

Suddenly, everything makes so much sense even though it's the shock of the century.

As if she weren't already stunned, Yoimiya's eyes looked like they were about ready to pop out of her skull from that revelation. She's shaken to her core, needing a moment to process the whole scenario because she did not see this coming. Now if Pouncé opposes Nizhnii and they don't dabble in experiments, does that mean... they are actually the good guys in this scenario?

She shakes her head, refusing to go down that line of logic. Even if they have better morals than Nizhnii, it still doesn't excuse them for sending her an awful note. ]

I'm speechless. Honestly, after getting to know you, I was wondering how you got caught because you seem like you're very meticulous and careful.

[ There's no way he would stupidly let himself get caught, not without someone tipping the police off. ]

Now it all makes sense. But Ajax, your job is even more dangerous than I thought.

When you're in the line of work I'm in, it comes with the territory.

[He won't get into the details on it, she's already worried enough as it is plus her own life may really be in danger. No need to frighten her with any more details...]

Anyway, I'm used to it. I've made it through so far, so don't worry too much about me. I've taken every precaution to make sure I'm safe.

[That clearly doesn't work all the time, but details.]

Unfortunately, there's no much we can do other than to take the same precautions for you- I don't know who sent that letter so I'll be unable to go to them directly to take care of it. Nizhnii, Poucé...along with what I learned today, things are really starting to heat up. We have more to discuss as well, Yoimiya. But if you need tonight to deal with that threatening letter, I can wait.

[ He says he's used to it but the notion does little to ease her concerns. How can she go on knowing his life is in constant danger? But she supposed all she can do is support him from behind.

Nizhii, and now Pounce... there's so much to take in that it's all sounding like white noise in her stressed out heart. She just sighs and shakes her head, unsure of how to even go about dealing with the letter. ]

I... don't know. Sorry, I've never experience this level of panic my whole life.

[ The stress of this whole ordeal finally gets the better of her as she crumples onto the couch with her face buried in her hands. ]

[Yep, there will be no discussion of anything he learned from his own company tonight. It breaks his heart to watch her shake her head and sit down on the couch, looking broken in ways that she should never have to experience in her life. It helps to temper his rising anger, setting that to the side to walk over and sit next to her on the couch, wrapping one arm around her middle so he can bring her close into his side.]

Come're.

[Ajax presses his head against her own, closing his eyes as he sits and holds her in his arms. Though he wishes he could tear apart the people who've made her feel this terrified, he can't, and the only thing keeping him from going out right now to find them is her and wanting to give her any and all comfort she may need to get through this.]

I promise everything's going to be okay. No matter what happens, I'm going to be there for you and protect you from harm.

[He presses a small kiss to the side of her head before pressing in close again, willing to sit with her as long as she needs.]

[ For the first time in her life, Yoimiya is at a complete and total loss at what to do. She's experienced fear but nothing like this, she's never had her life threatened in such a cruel manner. But thankfully, Ajax's arm gives her the solace she so desperately needs. Yoimiya needs out a sigh of relief, leaning into his side to soak in his comforting presence.

Maybe her meeting with Ajax sealed her fate but she doesn't care, she wouldn't trade him for the world. ]

Thank you, Ajax. I'm scared, really really scared but I feel a bit better with you at my side.

[Ajax doesn't respond right away, letting silence fill the room so they can focus on each other rather than letting despair get the better of either of them. He rubs her arm, taking a few minutes to just be with her in solidarity, before finally breaking the silence to try to cheer her up a little.]

Let's not dwell too much on it tonight. Worrying will do you no good, and you mustn't let these petty threats get to you. That's what they want, so we should do everything in our power to fight back.

[He'll do the worrying, and he's already formulating plans to get back at those assholes. Yoimiya might not realize, but Ajax has resources he can access to take care of messes like these.]

Do you want to come make some dinner with me in the kitchen? I can teach you a simple Snezhnayan recipe to make a tasty meal anytime you want. We'll do it together, it'll be nice and relaxing.

[ Yoimiya doesn't say anything for a solid minute. Maybe she's letting stress get the better of her but how could she not worry about an awful letter being sent her way? These threats don't feel petty at all, they come across as dangerous. She gets that Ajax is trying to cheer her up but unfortunately, it will be practically next to impossible to not dwell on this. With her eyes darted to the ground, she was too shaken to react to the gentle rub on her arm, which was as sweet as it was. ]

... Okay.

[ It's rare for her not to say much but she truly is just that scared. Without another word, she slowly removes herself from the couch and goes to the kitchen while trying to steady her shaky legs. ]

[He knows some flowery words isn't going to instantly make her feel better. In fact, he doubts she's going to feel better at all the rest of the night, but he's determined to at least alleviate some of it. Ajax follows her into the kitchen, taking out a mixing bowl, some ingredients, and the proper utensils.

Gently, he directs her over to it, so she's standing in front of the bowl as he presses his chest to her back, arms wrapped around her middle to comfort and also be ready to help and show her how to make it.]

Here, we're going to make something called blini. It's a favorite of mine, too.

[He keeps his tone even and soothing, craning his head forward so he can press the side of it to her own.]

We're just going to mix all of this into this bowl, and stir it until it a nice batter.

[ Although it's hard to go back to her usual chipper self for the rest of the evening, she's determined to at least try to maintain her composure for Ajax's sake. Learning how to cook one of his favorite foods certainly helps, and even though she's pretty down in the dumps, she memorizes each and every ingredient he brings out. The amount of joy she'll feel knowing her cooking made him full and happy will be immeasurable.

But for now, she'll take solace in Ajax's warm body pressed against her back. His strong arms are like an anchor and with him around, she feels safe from the evil forces that keep coming after them. It's easy for her to relish in his hold as she carefully listens to his instructions. ]

Like this...?

[ Stirring should be simple enough, even if she's not in the right state of mind at the moment. Her small hand carefully mixes the ingredients together, stirring until the mixture combines and melts into a white batter. ]

By the way, what's a blini?

Just like that.

[He lets her stir it, hoping that just the action alone gets her mind to shift in a different direction than one of gloom. If it takes her mind off of worrying and feeling unsafe, that's all that matters to him, as he keeps his voice in that soothing tone.]

A blini is a sort of pancake from my homeland. It's much thinner than what you might be used to, and it can be big or small, depending on how you'd like to make it. We'll make small ones today, and I can show you all the different kinds of toppings you can put on it.

[He gives her a nice kiss to the side of her head as he breaks away from her momentarily, to get a skillet out. Turning on the stovetop to heat it, he comes back to wrap his arms around her again, nuzzling the side of her head before he plants another kiss to it.]

While that heats up, why don't you let me take care of the batter from here. It takes a real pro to get it just right.

[Of course, it doesn't take a pro at all- but he winks at her anyway ;)]

[ A real pro, huh? What a dork but it's working. For the first time since she's come home, Yoimiya manages to crack the faintest hint of a smile. The wink only adds to this man being silly. She lets out a loving sigh at the kiss to her cheek and even tilts her head to the side to give him more access. A telltale sign that his distraction is doing wonders to soothe her nerves. ]

Alright, show me your pro skills. After all, I'm a newbie to preparing blini so I gotta learn only from the best.

[ She lets go at his request, allowing him to take over the stirring while she watches with intrigue. ]

Is there anything else I can do to help? I feel bad if I just stood here looking pretty.

[He'll be more than happy to take advantage of Yoimiya tilting her head just so, just so he can plant more slow, loving kisses from her head and down her neck. Get her to focus on him, and not the terrible threat she received at the office.]

I'll let you pour a couple, but just watch me first.

[With one last kiss administered to her skin, he breaks to take the bowl with the batter and pour small, thin circles into the skillet. Ajax pours about six or seven before he quickly gets a spatula so he can flip them, the batter cooking quickly due to how thin it was.]

See? Don't pour too much or they'll get too thick. Then it'll be closer to synriki than anything else.

[ Ooh ♥︎ The kisses to her neck feel like a little slice of heaven and just what she needs to forgo her worries. Happy purrs slip from her lips as she keeps her stare glued to Ajax's hand to memorize his blini technique. There are about six or seven but they sure cook fast! Having been more used to jiggly, fluffy pancakes, her eyes widen in amazement. They already look so good... she swears her mouth is watering just staring at them. ]

I see! Don't pour too much... okay! That's easy to remember.

[ Since it's a dish from Ajax's home country, she's determined to perfect it to impress him. Once the pancakes finish cooking, Yoimiya quickly mimics him as she pours about 5 small circles onto the skillet. A few seconds later they're ready to flip! With her spatula in hand, she carefully starts to flip the lil golden brown delicacies. ]

Blini was it? Is this a favorite of your siblings too?

[He hums happily as Yoimiya starts her own batch, moving to the fridge to take out some creme fraiche and some smoked salmon he'd picked up from the grocery store the other day. He also grabs some sour cream and some jam...can't go wrong with that, either.]

It sure is. Teucer gets very excited when I make him blini at home on my return trips. Sometimes I'll make him tiny ones like this, and sometimes I'll make giant ones, depending on the meal.

[Everything is set out, and he walks over to see how she's doing.]

Not bad. You're catching on quickly. I burnt the first blini I ever made pretty badly, haha.

[ Cute... the mental image of Teucer getting all starry-eyed whenever Ajax returns to visit home melts her heart. It almost makes her forget about the horrible letter she received and the impending dread that comes along with it, reminding her of a much happier time before everything went haywire.

If only they had met under more peaceful circumstances, maybe she could have gone to Snezhnaya with him to meet his family instead of feeling like she's in constant fear about a looming threat. ]

Really? I'm surprised since you're such a good cook but I guess we all have to start somewhere.

[ Once Yoimiya sees that they're ready, she scoops them off the pan to plate them. ]

And now look at you. You've become an expert at blini and are now showing me the ropes.

Edited 2025-02-21 12:35 (UTC)

[He looks at her with an almost bashful smile tugging at his lips, just for a second, at the compliment. Not for a lack of confidence, but rather that the compliment is coming from Yoimiya. He feels flattered, and to try to hide it, he makes himself busy with putting the toppings on the blini now that they're plated. A few get crema fraiche and salmon, a few get sour cream and jam.]

Well, I'd hope by now I'd be somewhat good at it- I have been doing it for a long time now.

[And they're done! Everything's looking very nice, but now it just needs the right drink. And since it's been a stressful day for Yoimiya, he's got just the thing in mind.]

Care to set the plates on the table? I'm going to pour us some drinks to go with it.

[ Oh! She never would have guessed that Mr. Blini expert himself had a bashful bone in his body. The smile on her face grows wider and for the first time since returning home, a giggle spills from her lips. Ajax has already put her at ease just by himself, and all the pampering and sweet talk is simply the cherry on top. Though the situation is dire, she wouldn't change her chance meeting with Ajax for the world.

Being with him is worth everything they've weathered together. ]

Will do! I'll also bring out an Inazuman dish that I think will pair well with our dinner.

[ She gives him a small peck on the cheek before trotting off. There's a small pep in her step as she takes the plates and sets them alongside a few utensils on the table. With that done, she makes a quick trip to the fridge to pull out a container of candied sweet potatoes. And now that everything is place, she sits down at the table to wait for Ajax to join her. ]

Edited 2025-02-23 00:36 (UTC)

[He supposes whatever part of this cooking lesson made Yoimiya a bit more cheery is worth being thankful for. Maybe she's not totally fine yet, but at least it's given her enough to seem like she's feeling at least marginally better, if her cute little trot off to set the table with the food is any indication. He watches her intently, making sure he's not mistaken in his assumptions here- before he goes to whisk out some champagne he'd tucked away for something a bit more celebratory...but it pairs well with blini, so that's what he's going with tonight.

Out he comes with the glasses, setting them down in front of each of their plates, putting the bottle off to the side, but still within arm's reach.]

Here we go, [he says, taking a seat and looking at how good all their food looks.]

I must say, you did a lovely job for your first time. Let's eat, sit down afterwards, and watch a movie. What do you say? I think taking a night off and relaxing is just what we need.

[ Here he comes with glasses and a bottle of camphange! Yoimiya beams when he makes his entrance, her nose immediately picks up the smell of their homemade blini and she can't wait to sink her teeth in them. ]

Hehe, has anyone told you that you sure know how to spoil a lady?

[ For that, he's rewarded with a sweet kiss to the cheek but rest assured, there's more where that came from. WINKS

He truly went above and beyond to help her feel better and Yoimiya couldn't be any more thankful. If she was handling this on her own, she would have had a breakdown but thanks to him, she gets to enjoy blini, good alcohol, and enjoy the best company she could ask for. ]

A movie sounds wonderful. There's actually one I've been wanting to watch with you. It's called Twilight and it's a love story between a vampire and human.

[He's definitely open and willing to whatever more there might be for the rest of the night. Feeling a little down due to death threats and all isn't stopping him from showing Yoimiya a good time and getting her to forget about all her worries (๑>؂•̀๑)]

I've heard of it. Can't say I'm completely familiar with it though...all I've heard is that lonely middle-aged women really love the protagonist of the movie.

[The tease in his voice is unmistakable...are you a lonely, middle-aged woman, Yoimiya?]

[ This brat....

She might be giving him a bit of a stink eye but that tease is just what she needs to take her mind off this terrible situation. ]

Oh? Is that what you think of me? A lonely middle-aged woman?

[ Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Making fun of a girl's age is just asking for trouble. But she knows this man well enough, he enjoys a slice of trouble just like her. And since he asked, she's happy to give it to him. ]

Well, I haven't actually seen it for myself but who knows, maybe I'll fall for the protagonist just like all those lonely middle-aged ladies. He might even be hotter and way more charming than you.

[ Maybe she will be on Team Edward out spite. ( • ̀ω•́ )✧ ]

Edited (SORRY IDK GRAMMAR) 2025-02-26 23:12 (UTC)

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